Rating Rationale
November 30, 2017 | Mumbai
DSP Merrill Lynch Limited
Rating Reaffirmed
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.55 Crore
Short Term Rating CRISIL A1+ (Reaffirmed)
 
Rs.100 Crore Commercial Paper Programme CRISIL A1+ (Reaffirmed)
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has reaffirmed its 'CRISIL A1+' rating on the short-term bank loan facility and commercial paper programme of DSP Merrill Lynch Limited (DSPML; a subsidiary of Bank of America Corporation).

The reaffirmation follows revision in the rating by S&P Global Ratings (S&P) on Bank of America Corp (BofA) to 'A-' from 'BBB+' on November 23, 2017. The upgrade reflects improvement in BofA's risk profile driven by tightening underwriting standards, reducing exposure to market risk, conservative growth strategy, and resolution of legacy asset quality and legal issues, along with continued improvement in profitability metrics.

The rating continues to reflect the support the DSPML group receives and the benefits it derives from its parent, BofA (rated 'A-/Stable/A-2' by S&P). The rating also factors the group's strong capitalisation and healthy market position. These strengths are partially offset by exposure to risks inherent in capital market related businesses and the consequent volatility in earnings.

Analytical Approach

For arriving at its rating, CRISIL has combined the business and financial risk profiles of DSPML and its wholly owned subsidiary DSP Merrill Lynch Capital Ltd (DSPMLC), together referred to as the DSPML group. DSPML and DSPMLC are under common management/ultimate controlling parent (BofA). 

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Strengths
* Operational and financial benefits derived from ownership by BofA
The rating centrally factors BofA's strong moral obligation to support the Indian subsidiaries, both on an ongoing basis and in the event of distress. The expectation of strong support is based on BofA's majority ownership in DSPML group entities, and strong operational linkages. The DSPML group is closely integrated with BofA and support from BofA has enabled the group to enjoy a healthy market position in key operating segments. The group also benefits from the globally approved risk management policies, systems, and processes of the parent.

CRISIL believes the DSPML group will remain important to BofA, and hence, will continue to receive support and management oversight from the parent.

* Strong capitalisation
The DSPML group is well capitalised, with a consolidated networth Rs 3132.9 crore and negligible gearing as on March 31, 2017. The gearing was low in the past few years and is expected to remain low over the medium term. The networth is supported by accrual. Moreover, the group derives a substantial amount of its revenue from fee-based businesses, such as investment banking, and broking. As these businesses do not require large capital, the networth is expected to remain adequate for the group's current and planned scale of operations.

* Healthy market position in capital markets related businesses.
DSPML is one of the leading players in the institutional broking segment. Ability to offer quality research, and strong execution capabilities give it an edge over competitors. The company has a healthy market share in the institutional broking segment supported by a large clientele. It is a significant player in investment banking, especially in the equity and mergers and acquisitions (M&A) space. It also has significant strengths in the corporate advisory segments. The group also benefits from BofA's global franchise, particularly in advising large, cross-border M&A deals.

Weakness
* Exposure to risks inherent in capital market related businesses and consequent volatility in earnings
The group's capital market businesses (investment banking and equity broking) remain susceptible to economic, political, and social factors that drive corporate and investor sentiments. This makes earnings and profitability volatile.
About the Group

DSPML was founded in 1975 and it is part of Bank of America Corp. BofA through its subsidiaries owns 99.9% in DSPML. DSPML provides the following services: research, equity sales & trading, futures & options, electronic trading, equity capital markets, debt capital markets, and M&A.

For fiscal 2017, DSPML's profit after tax (PAT) was Rs 309.9 crore and total income was Rs 731.6 crore. Networth was Rs 2801.3 crore as on March 31, 2017.

For fiscal 2017, the DSPML group's PAT was Rs 209.8 crore and total income was Rs 673.1 crore. Consolidated net worth was Rs 3132.9 crore as on March 31, 2017.

Key Financial Indicators
As on / for the period ended March 31 Unit 2017 2016
Total assets Rs crore 4,183.6 4,317.2
Total income Rs crore 673.1 1,377.7
Profit after tax Rs crore 209.8 717.4
GNPA % NA NA
Adjusted gearing Times 0.002 0.001
Return on assets % 4.9 14.5

Any other information
DSPMLC has surrendered its non-banking financial company license to the Reserve Bank of India, and will be merging with DSPML. The process is likely to be completed over the next two quarters.

Note on complexity levels of the rated instrument:
CRISIL complexity levels are assigned to various types of financial instruments. The CRISIL complexity levels are available on www.crisil.com/complexity-levels. Users are advised to refer to the CRISIL complexity levels for instruments that they consider for investment. Users may also call the Customer Service Helpdesk with queries on specific instruments.
Annexure - Details of Instrument(s)
ISIN Name of Instrument Date of Allotment Coupon Rate (%) Maturity Date Issue Size (Rs.cr) Rating assigned
with outlook
NA Commercial Paper NA NA 7-365 days 100 CRISIL A1+
NA Short-term bank facility NA NA NA 55 CRISIL A1+
Annexure - Rating History for last 3 Years
  Current 2017 (History) 2016  2015  2014  Start of 2014
Instrument Type Quantum Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Rating
Commercial Paper  ST  100  CRISIL A1+    No Rating Change    No Rating Change    No Rating Change    No Rating Change  CRISIL A1+ 
Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  55  CRISIL A1+    No Rating Change    No Rating Change    No Rating Change    No Rating Change  CRISIL A1+ 
Table reflects instances where rating is changed or freshly assigned. 'No Rating Change' implies that there was no rating change under the release.
Annexure - Details of various bank facilities
Current facilities Previous facilities
Facility Amount (Rs.Crore) Rating Facility Amount (Rs.Crore) Rating
Short Term Bank Facility 55 CRISIL A1+ Short Term Bank Facility 55 CRISIL A1+
Total 55 -- Total 55 --
Links to related criteria
CRISILs Bank Loan Ratings - process, scale and default recognition
Rating Criteria for Finance Companies
CRISILs Bank Loan Ratings
CRISILs Criteria for Consolidation
CRISILs Criteria for rating short term debt
Criteria for Notching up Stand Alone Ratings of Companies based on Parent Support

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