Rating Rationale
September 07, 2020 | Mumbai
Eurokids International Private Limited
Rating Reaffirmed
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.20 Crore
Long Term Rating CRISIL A-/Stable (Reaffirmed)
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has reaffirmed its 'CRISIL A-/Stable' rating on the long-term bank facility of Eurokids International Private Limited (EKIPL; part of the Eurokids group).
 
Eurokids group operates in both pre-school and school (K-12) segment. Pre-school segment is largely run through franchisee model where the group generates income from franchisee fee, royalty income and sale of welcome kits while the school segment largely derives revenue from collection of tuition and other fees. The group is estimated to report a total operating income of Rs 439 crore in fiscal 2020. Around 30% of the group's income is generated from franchisee fees, royalty and sale of welcome kits.
 
The rating factors likely impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the topline and profitability of the Eurokids group in fiscal 2021. The lockdown and other measures taken by various central and state governments towards containment of Covid-19, had resulted in uncertainty around start of new academic year. However, given the readiness of the group in delivering the digital content it has been able to operationalize its schools. The fee collection though has been slower and CRISIL shall continue to monitor the same.
 
While school occupancy is expected to be relatively resilient, pre-school segment is likely to be impacted due to lower offtake expected in the current year. This is because the pre-school segment is dependent on new enrolments. Some states had banned online classes while some had issued guidelines limiting internet exposure for pre-primary students. The group charges royalty and franchisee fees and generates income through sale of products such as welcome kits in the preschool segment. Due to expectation of lower enrolment in the pre-school segment, this revenue stream is likely to be impacted. As a result, overall revenue of the group is expected to fall by 18-20% in fiscal 2021.
 
The management has undertaken various cost rationalization measures to curb the impact of the expected decline in topline on profitability. This includes reduction in lease rentals by negotiating with land owners for a partial or a complete waiver during the lockdown period, cutting down on sales and marketing, travelling and conveyance, housekeeping and other costs. Such and other measures would help in conserving profitability. CRISIL expects earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) of the group to remain between 22-23% in fiscal 2021. Fixed costs absorption by way of collection of fees shall continue to remain critical and will remain key rating sensitivity factor.
 
The rating continues to reflect the group's sound business risk profile because of established market position in the pre-school and K-12 segments, strong brand, large student base and its readiness and ability to deliver digital content. The rating also factors in its moderate financial risk profile backed by comfortable capital structure and strong debt protection metrics. These strengths are partially offset by susceptibility to intense competition and regulatory risks in the education sector, and to challenges in maintaining occupancy levels.

Analytical Approach

For arriving at the rating, CRISIL has combined the business and financial risk profiles of EKIPL, Euroschool Properties & Infrastructure Pvt Ltd (ESPIPL), Euroschool International Pvt Ltd (ESIPL), Euroschool Foundation (ESF), Euroschool Education Trust (ESET), Kangaroo Kids Education Ltd (KKEL) and Lina Ashar Foundation (LAF) - the last two entities were acquired in fiscal 2018. All the entities, collectively referred to as the Eurokids group (or group), have strong operational and financial linkages, and are under a common management.
 
CRISIL has also amortized the goodwill on acquisition of the group companies by Alpha Asia Holdings II Pte. Ltd. over five years. Optionally Convertible Debentures (OCD) subscribed by Alpha Asia Holdings II Pte. Ltd. in ESIPL amounting to Rs 576.2 crore has been treated as debt. The tenure of these OCD is 8 years while interest rate is yet to be determined. CRISIL expects no large cash outflow from the group to service interest obligations on these OCD's in fiscal 2021; which could otherwise have material impact on the liquidity.

Please refer Annexure - List of entities consolidated, which captures the list of entities considered and their analytical treatment of consolidation.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Strengths:
* Established market position, strong brand and large student base
Established in 1997, the group offers education in the pre-primary and K-12 segment across India. It had more than a lakh students in its various schools and pre-schools as on March 31, 2020. The group operates through four core brands: Eurokids and Kangaroo Kids in the pre-school segment and Euroschool and Billabong High International School in the K-12 segment. Occupancy was healthy because of strong brand and quality education and infrastructure. The operating efficiency is aided by pre-schools acting as a feeder to Euroschool and Billabong High, thereby ensuring healthy occupancy in the K-12 segment.
 
The group has registered strong revenue growth aided by expansion through the franchisee route leveraging the brand and quality education, and by inorganic ways through acquisition of KKEL and LAF. Revenue grew at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 22% and profit after tax (PAT) at 33% in the six fiscals through 2020.
 
* Moderate financial risk profile
The Eurokids group had a healthy estimated networth of Rs 389 crore as on March 31, 2020. Absence of any large dividend payment and robust profitability have resulted in higher accretion to reserves over the years. External debt stood at Rs 66 crore against cash and equivalent (cash, fixed deposits and liquid mutual fund investments) of Rs 118.5 as on March 31, 2020. The adjusted debt service coverage ratio (ADSCR) is expected to improve in fiscal 2021 in the absence of any major debt-funded capital expenditure or acquisition. Gearing was 1.65 times as on March 31, 2020. Interest coverage was 13 times in fiscal 2020.
 
Weakness:
* Vulnerability to regulatory risks
Revenue comes from the pre-schools and K-12 segments. The latter is exposed to stringent regulations of the Government of India, including the Right to Education Act, as well as the education policies of the states where the group operates. Besides, changes in government regulations related to fees could impact revenue or profitability in this segment. For instance, various state governments have announced different measures in the current year because of Covid-19 pandemic and the institutes have to ensure timely implementation and enforcement of the regulations.
 
* Challenges in maintaining student occupancy levels amid intense competition
There is competition from local schools that have established brands. Organized players such as the Eurokids group could benefit from brand recall and standardized curricula, which enables quality education. However, the pre-school and K-12 segments are likely to remain competitive due to the presence of several organized and unorganized players. Occupancy in pre-schools and in the K-12 segment will remain critical for achieving the desired operating efficiency, and hence, a key rating sensitivity factor.
Liquidity Adequate

The group is estimated to generate cash accrual of Rs 74 crore against annual debt obligation of Rs17 crore in fiscal 2020. While cash accrual is expected to dip in fiscal 2021 because of pandemic, it will remain adequate to meet external term debt obligation of around Rs 14 crore in the fiscal. Bank limit of Rs 20 crore was utilized 40% on average in the 11 months through February 2020 with utilization peaking to 88% in February 2020. The group availed temporary overdraft facility of Rs 28 crore which was completely repaid by the end of August 2020. Cash accrual is expected at Rs 70-85 crore against external debt obligation of Rs 14-15 crore over the medium term. The group had availed of the moratorium on debt repayment as permitted by The Reserve Bank of India to conserve liquidity. Liquidity is supported by healthy cash and equivalents. As on June 2020, the group is estimated to have Rs 125 crore of cash and cash equivalents (cash balances, FD, mutual funds). CRISIL understands that a major proportion of this liquidity shall be maintained by the group which shall cushion any near term large exigencies.

Outlook: Stable

CRISIL believes the Eurokids group will continue to benefit from its strong brand and established market position.
 
Rating Sensitivity Factors
Upward factors
* Significant increase in the topline and profitability
* Cash accrual exceeding Rs 100 crore over the medium term
 
Downward factors
* Large unexpected debt-funded capital expenditure or acquisition limiting financial flexibility
* Dip in occupancy in owned schools and pre-schools resulting in more-than-expected drop in the top-line or profitability resulting in cash accrual falling below Rs 50 crore
* Significant cash outflow in the form of dividend or interest payment on OCD putting pressure on the liquidity.

About the Group

The Eurokids group operates pre-school and schools on owned basis as well as under the franchisee model. The group operates more than 1200 pre-schools and schools through both owned and franchisee business model.
 
EKIPL, incorporated in 1997, operates pre-schools under the Eurokids brand across India. ESIPL operates through the Euroschool brand and provides faculty, curriculum assistance, and consultancy services to ESF and ESET, which operate schools. ESPIPL leases infrastructure (furniture and interiors) to ESF and ESET. The Euro group acquired KKEL and LAF in fiscal 2018. These entities operate pre-schools and K-12 schools in the premium (higher fees) category under the Kangaroo Kids and Billabong High International Schools brands, respectively. These institutions also have a presence in Dubai, Qatar, Maldives and Saudi Arabia through franchisees.
 
Alpha Asia Holdings II Pte. Ltd. (an investment arm of KKR & Co. Inc.) has acquired majority stake in the group with exit of Gaja Capital and other founders.

Key Financial Indicators (Standalone)
Particulars Unit 2020* 2019
Revenue Rs.Crore 130.43 93.36
Profit After Tax (PAT) Rs.Crore 18.83 10.33
PAT Margins % 14.4 11.1
Adjusted debt/adjusted networth Times 0.19 0.10
Interest coverage Times 16.2 81.2
*Provisional

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 Overdraft NA NA NA 20 NA CRISIL A-/Stable
 
Annexure - List of Entities Consolidated
Names of Entities Consolidated Extent of Consolidation Rationale for Consolidation
Eurokids International Private Limited Full All the entities have strong operational and financial linkages, and are under a common management.
Euroschool Properties & Infrastructure Pvt Ltd Full
Euroschool International Pvt Ltd Full
Euroschool Foundation Full
Kangaroo Kids Education Ltd Full
Lina Ashar Foundation Full
Euroschool Education Trust Full
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  20.00  CRISIL A-/Stable/ CRISIL A2+      31-07-19  CRISIL A-/Stable  05-04-18  CRISIL A-/Stable      CRISIL A-/Stable 
                01-02-18  CRISIL A-/Stable       
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
Overdraft 20 CRISIL A-/Stable Overdraft 20 CRISIL A-/Stable
Total 20 -- Total 20 --
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
CRISILs criteria for rating Education institutions
CRISILs Bank Loan Ratings
CRISILs Criteria for Consolidation
Criteria for rating entities belonging to homogenous groups
The Rating Process
Understanding CRISILs Ratings and Rating Scales

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