Rating Rationale
March 23, 2018 | Mumbai
Hindustan Zinc Limited
Rated amount enhanced
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.2450 Crore (Enhanced from Rs.2000 Crore)
Long Term Rating CRISIL AAA/Stable (Reaffirmed)
Short Term Rating CRISIL A1+ (Reaffirmed)
 
Rs.2000 Crore Commercial Paper CRISIL A1+ (Reaffirmed)
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has reaffirmed its ratings on the bank facilities and commercial paper of Hindustan Zinc Limited (HZL) at 'CRISIL AAA/Stable/CRISIL A1+'. The ratings continue to reflect HZL's dominant position in India's zinc industry, efficient and integrated operations, and a strong financial risk profile. These strengths are partially offset by susceptibility to cyclicality in the galvanised steel sector.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Strengths
* Dominant market position in the zinc market in India: HZL has a mining capacity of around 10 lakh tonne per annum (tpa) and smelter capacities of 823,000 tpa for zinc, 185,000 tpa for lead, and 518 tpa for silver. It is among the top five zinc companies globally, and accounts for 6% of the global zinc output. With a share of more than 75% by volume, it enjoys a dominant position in the domestic zinc market. High entry barriers, such as capital-intensive operations and non-availability of zinc ore mines, lend a significant edge to the business risk profile. The company should maintain its leading position in the zinc and lead segments in India over the medium term. Export presence in the global markets enhances revenue diversity; in fiscal 2017, exports contributed about 29% of the zinc-lead segment revenue.

* Integrated operations and high-grade reserves, leading to competitive cost position: HZL's cost of production ranks in the first quartile globally (zinc metal cost, excluding royalty, has been around USD 994 per tonne for 9 months ended December 2017). The high operating efficiency is driven by significant backward integration and low-cost, high-grade zinc reserves. The integrated operations span the entire value chain, from mining of zinc and lead ore, to conversion to concentrates, smelting these to refined zinc and lead, and production of power through captive power plants. As on March 31, 2017, net reserves and resources were 404mt, ensuring a long mine life of more than 25 years. With access to the bulk of lead-zinc deposits in Rajasthan through long-term agreements with the Government of India (GoI), the company will remain a low-cost producer of zinc over the medium term. Transition to underground mining from open-cast mining is expected to complete by end of fiscal 2018.  CRISIL further expects volumes to ramp up to 1.2 mtpa by FY20, on completion of its ongoing capital expenditure plan (capex). EBITDA generation will continue to be driven by elevated zinc prices supported by favourable supply-demand. 

* Strong financial risk profile, driven by comfortable liquidity and a conservative capital structure: The financial risk profile is strong because of a robust capital structure, networth of Rs 36,201 crore and comfortable cash and cash equivalents of Rs. 19,176 crore and nil debt as on December 31, 2017. During fiscal 2018, healthy net cash accrual of over 10,300 crore is expected to be generated (pre-dividend). Despite capital expenditure plan of USD 300-350 million (Rs 2000-2350 crore) in FY2018 and average of USD 150-200 million (Rs 975-1300 crore) over the medium term coupled with high dividend payouts (dividend declared of Rs11746 crore and Rs12422 crore in FY16 and FY17 respectively (excluding dividend distribution tax), the financial metrics should remain strong, backed by healthy cash accrual.

Weakness
* Exposure to the cyclical galvanised steel sector: The demand for zinc is closely linked to the galvanised steel industry, which consumes around 70% of the zinc produced in India. The steel industry depends on growth of end-user industries, such as automotives, consumer durables, batteries, home appliances, construction, and infrastructure. A downturn in any of these industries will result in reduced demand for galvanised steel, forcing HZL to increase export, which is less profitable.
Outlook: Stable

CRISIL believes HZL will maintain its favourable capital structure and strong liquidity over the medium term, driven by its leadership position in the domestic market, high cash flows from its core business, and efficient and integrated operations.

Downward Scenario:
* Company contracts substantial debt to fund growth.

About the Company

HZL was incorporated in 1966 as a public sector company. In fiscal 2003, GoI divested 26% of its equity in HZL to Sterlite Industries Ltd (Sterlite Industries), which later made an open offer for a further 20%. In fiscal 2004, Sterlite Industries acquired an additional 18.92% by exercising an option granted by GoI to increase the stake to 64.9%. After the restructuring of the Vedanta group in India, HZL became a 64.9% subsidiary of Vedanta Ltd (rated 'CRISIL AA/Positive/CRISIL A1+').

In first nine months of fiscal 2018, HZL reported revenue of Rs 15,807 crore and net profit of Rs 6,651 as against revenue of Rs 11,018 crore and net profit of Rs 5,259 crore for the corresponding period in the previous fiscal. 

Key Financial Indicators
Particulars Unit 2017 2016
Revenue Rs. Cr. 18,798 15,463
Profit After Tax (PAT) Rs. Cr. 8316 8176
PAT Margins % 44.24 52.87
Adjusted Debt/Adjusted Net worth Times 0.26 0.0
Interest coverage Times 60.46 928.44

Any other information
HZL has formulated a new dividend policy which entails a minimum dividend of 30% of net profits or 5% of networth, whichever is higher, while maximum dividend permissible would be as per applicable laws, including shareholders' agreement with GoI.  With the formulation of the new dividend policy, the expected minimum dividend payout will likely be higher than historical average (excluding dividend payout in fiscals 2016 and 2017, wherein the company declared cumulative dividend of more than Rs 28,000 crore). However, this is not likely to impact the financial flexibility.

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 Crore) Rating Assigned with Outlook
NA Commercial Paper NA NA 7-365 days 2000 CRISIL A1+
NA Fund-Based Facilities NA NA NA 450 CRISIL AAA/Stable
NA Letter of Credit NA NA NA 1000 CRISIL A1+
NA Bill Discounting NA NA NA 150 CRISIL AAA/Stable
NA Overdraft NA NA NA 650 CRISIL AAA/Stable
NA Proposed Working Capital Facility NA NA NA 200 CRISIL A1+
Annexure - Rating History for last 3 Years
  Current 2018 (History) 2017  2016  2015  Start of 2015
Instrument Type Quantum Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Rating
Commercial Paper  ST  2000  CRISIL A1+|     No Rating Change    No Rating Change  30-03-16  CRISIL A1+    --  -- 
Short Term Debt  ST    --    --  15-09-17  Withdrawal    No Rating Change    No Rating Change  CRISIL A1+ 
Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  1450  CRISIL AAA/Stable/ CRISIL A1+    No Rating Change    No Rating Change    No Rating Change    No Rating Change  CRISIL AAA/Stable/ CRISIL A1+ 
Non Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  1000  CRISIL A1+    No Rating Change    No Rating Change    No Rating Change    No Rating Change  CRISIL AAA/Stable/ 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
Bill Discounting 150 CRISIL AAA/Stable Bill Discounting 230 CRISIL A1+
Fund-Based Facilities 450 CRISIL AAA/Stable Letter of credit & Bank Guarantee 1080 CRISIL A1+
Letter of Credit 1000 CRISIL A1+ Letter of credit & Bank Guarantee* 150 CRISIL AAA/Stable
Overdraft 650 CRISIL AAA/Stable Overdraft 520 CRISIL AAA/Stable
Proposed Working Capital Facility 200 CRISIL A1+ Proposed Cash Credit Limit 20 CRISIL AAA/Stable
Total 2450 -- Total 2000 --
*Interchangeable with fund-based facilities
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 Mining Industry
CRISILs Criteria for rating short term debt

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