Rating Rationale
September 01, 2020 | Mumbai
Ambika Cotton Mills Limited
Ratings Reaffirmed
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.455.55 Crore
Long Term Rating CRISIL A+/Stable (Reaffirmed)
Short Term Rating CRISIL A1 (Reaffirmed)
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has reaffirmed the rating on the bank facilities of Ambika Cotton Mills Limited (ACML) at 'CRISIL A+/Stable/CRISIL A1'.
 
ACML's business risk profile is supported by its strong pricing flexibility, aided by its premium positioning in the cotton yarn market and its adequate captive power facilities. This had resulted in strong operating margin at 17-20%, over the four years through fiscal 2020. Revenue growth in fiscal 2021 is expected to be negative in fiscal 2021. First quarter of fiscal 2021 witnessed a decline in revenue by around 35 percent owing to impact of COVID-19 though expected to recover in remainder of the fiscal 2021 driven by revival of demand in general. Operating profitability is expected to decline by around 200-250 basis points (bps) for the current fiscal. The company reported margins at 15% in first quarter of current fiscal, a decline of about 400 bps from the corresponding quarter of the previous year. Nevertheless, the financial risk profile is expected to remain strong for fiscal 2021, supported by absence of major debt funded capital expenditure, minimal dependence on bank borrowings and steady accretions.
 
The ratings reflect extensive experience of the promoter, established market position in the finer cotton yarn segment, long-standing relationships with its key customers, healthy operating efficiency and strong financial risk profile. These strengths are partially offset by susceptibility to volatility in raw material prices and foreign exchange (forex) rates.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Strengths:
* Established market position in the finer count yarn segment: ACML benefits from its established market position and the global repute as a manufacturer of premium cotton yarn, supported by extensive experience of the promoters, long-standing supplier and customer relationships, and strong in-house operational capabilities. ACML specializes in manufacturing premium quality compact yarn by optimal blending of imported and indigenous cotton, primarily used for finer shirting requirements.
 
* Healthy operating efficiencies: ACML has healthy operating efficiencies, supported by premium quality yarn. This has led to better price realisation, flexibility to pass on increases in raw material prices and adequate captive power facilities, resulting in reduced power costs. Additionally, prudent working capital management has resulted in healthy returns on capital employed of 15-20% over the four years through fiscal 2020.
 
* Healthy financial risk profile: Financial risk profile remains healthy, backed by strong capital structure and healthy debt protection metrics. Networth and total outside liability to tangible networth (TOLTNW) were comfortable at Rs 506 crore and 0.13 time, respectively, as on March 31, 2020. Debt protection metrics are strong, with interest coverage and net cash accrual to total debt ratios of 12 times and 0.35 times, respectively, for fiscal 2020. ACML's strong liquidity is marked by sparsely utilised bank lines and healthy cash accrual generation against no major debt obligation.
 
Weakness:
* Susceptibility to volatility in raw material prices and forex rates: Cotton is a key raw material, accounting for most of the company's turnover. Cotton prices are volatile because they are dependent on the monsoon. Furthermore, the prices are largely affected by international demand. Volatility in availability and prices of cotton affects operating margin as reflected in the decline in margin in fiscals 2012, due to volatile raw material price movements. Exports account for around 75% of the ACML's turnover, thereby exposing the company to considerable volatility in forex rates.
Liquidity Strong

ACML has strong liquidity, supported by low utilisation of the bank limits and healthy accruals against which there are no repayment obligations. ACML's working capital limits have been utilised at around 10 percent, over the last twelve months through June 2020. Cash accrual in excess of Rs.70-80 crore is expected to be generated over the medium term, against no maturing repayment obligations. Further, all future capital expenditure plans is expected to be funded out of internal accruals. ACML's liquidity is expected to remain strong over the medium term.

Outlook: Stable

CRISIL believes ACML will maintain its business performance over the medium term, supported by its established market position in the textile segment and strong operating efficiencies.
 
Rating Sensitivity Factors
Upward Factors
* Improvement in cash accrual to more than Rs.100 crore
* Stability in operating profitability while sustaining the share of revenues from fabric
 
Downside Factors
* Deterioration in TOLTNW to more than 1.5 times
* Decline in operating profitability, adversely impacting cash accrual

About the Company

ACML, incorporated as a private limited company in 1988, was reconstituted as a public company in 1994. The company spins cotton yarn primarily in the finer count range of 60s-100s and manufacturing fabric. While about 75% of the revenue is derived from exports, the rest is from domestic market. Mr PV Chandran is the Chairman and Managing Director of the company.ACML is listed on the National Stock Exchange and the Bombay Stock Exchange.

Key Financial Indicators
As on / for the period ended March 31  Units 2020 2019
Operating income Rs crore 623. 657.00
Reported profit after tax (PAT) Rs crore 43 62.48
PAT margins % 7.0 9.51
Adjusted Debt/Adjusted Net worth Times 0.13 0.18
Interest coverage Times 12.1 13.28

Any other information: Not applicable

Note on complexity levels of the rated instrument:
CRISIL complexity levels are assigned to various types of financial instruments and are included (where applicable) in the Annexure -- Details of Instrument in this Rating Rationale. For more details on the CRISIL complexity levels, please visit www.crisil.com/complexity-levels.
Annexure - Details of Instrument(s)
ISIN Name of Instrument Date of Allotment Coupon Rate (%) Maturity Date Issue Size (Rs Crore) Complexity Levels Rating Assigned with Outlook
NA Composite Working Capital Limit NA NA NA 395 NA CRISIL A1
NA Proposed Working Capital Facility NA NA NA 60.5 NA CRISIL A+/Stable
Annexure - Rating History for last 3 Years
  Current 2020 (History) 2019  2018  2017  Start of 2017
Instrument Type Outstanding Amount Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Rating
Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  455.55  CRISIL A+/Stable/ CRISIL A1      22-10-19  CRISIL A+/Stable/ CRISIL A1  03-10-18  CRISIL A/Positive/ CRISIL A1  04-04-17  CRISIL A/Stable/ CRISIL A1  CRISIL A-/Positive/ CRISIL A2+ 
            01-10-19  CRISIL A+/Stable/ CRISIL A1  24-08-18  CRISIL A/Positive/ CRISIL A1       
                18-07-18  CRISIL A/Positive/ CRISIL A1       
Non Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST    --    --    --    --    --  CRISIL A2+ 
All amounts are in Rs.Cr.
Annexure - Details of various bank facilities
Current facilities Previous facilities
Facility Amount (Rs.Crore) Rating Facility Amount (Rs.Crore) Rating
Composite Working Capital Limit 395 CRISIL A1 Composite Working Capital Limit 445 CRISIL A1
Proposed Working Capital Facility 60.55 CRISIL A+/Stable Proposed Working Capital Facility 10.55 CRISIL A+/Stable
Total 455.55 -- Total 455.55 --
Links to related criteria
CRISILs Approach to Financial Ratios
CRISILs Bank Loan Ratings - process, scale and default recognition
Rating criteria for manufaturing and service sector companies
Rating Criteria for Cotton Textile Industry
CRISILs Criteria for rating short term debt

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