Rating Rationale
December 07, 2017 | Mumbai
Larsen and Toubro Limited
Ratings Reaffirmed
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.85000 Crore
Long Term Rating CRISIL AAA/Stable (Reaffirmed)
 
Non-Convertible Debentures Aggregating to Rs.2450 Crore CRISIL AAA/Stable (Reaffirmed)
Rs.100 Crore Inflation-linked Capital-indexed Non-Convertible Debenture   CRISIL AAA/Stable (Reaffirmed)
Fixed Deposit Programme  FAAA/Stable (Reaffirmed)
Rs.8000 Crore Commercial Paper^ CRISIL A1+ (Reaffirmed) 
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
The common independent director on CRISIL's and Larsen & Toubro Limited's boards did not participate in the rating committee meeting and the rating process of these instruments.
^earlier Short Term Debt Programme
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL's ratings on the debt programmes and bank facilities of Larsen and Toubro Limited (L&T) continue to reflect a dominant position in the engineering and construction (E&C) market in India, a diversified revenue profile, and strong financial flexibility. These rating strengths are partially offset by high working capital intensity of core operations and lower returns from the significant capital employed in a few businesses such as shipbuilding and heavy engineering. Furthermore, the rating reflects lower returns from investments in large infrastructure developmental projects being undertaken by various special purpose vehicles (SPVs), primarily through the subsidiaries, L&T Infrastructure Development Projects Ltd (L&T IDPL), L&T Power Development Ltd (L&T PDL), and L&T Realty Ltd,  over past few years.

Analytical Approach
For arriving at its ratings, CRISIL has combined the business and financial risk profiles of L&T and its subsidiaries. CRISIL has factored in the capital requirements of the company's finance subsidiaries, including L&T Finance Ltd and L&T Infrastructure Finance Company Ltd. CRISIL has also consolidated L&T's infrastructure holding companies i.e. L&T IDPL, L&T PDL and L&T Realty Ltd on a standalone basis. The debt raised for the infrastructure project assets under these holding companies through the SPV route is non-recourse to L&T. Hence, CRISIL has not consolidated the debt in these SPVs. However, in line with its moderate consolidation approach, CRISIL has factored in L&T's support to fund the equity component of the investment in these infrastructure projects, any cost overruns and, debt servicing support in the initial stage of operations. Post transfer of 100% stake of L&T Metro Rail (Hyderabad) Ltd (LTMRHL) from L&T IDPL to L&T, CRISIL continues to factor in L&T's support to fund the equity component of the investment in this project and any shortfall in the initial stage of operations. CRISIL fully consolidates SPVs when support is explicitly articulated through a letter of comfort or a corporate guarantee from L&T, such as Nabha Power Ltd (Nabha, rated 'CRISIL A1+'), where L&T has provided a corporate guarantee for debt raised.
Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description

Strengths
* Dominant market position in domestic E&C segment with diversified revenue profile:
Dominance in the domestic E&C segment is supported by ability to cater to several sectors, an established track record of around seven decades, and a strong brand image. The business mix spans a spectrum of projects, ranging from complex turnkey engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) projects, to relatively simple construction activities. In-house design, engineering, and, importantly, fabrication capabilities for critical equipment and systems give a strong competitive advantage. These strong competencies across segments and sectors, along with a sound track record of completing projects as per specifications, have supported a robust brand image in India and abroad, as indicated by a strong group level order book of Rs 2.6 lakh crore as on June 30, 2017. The company has diversified geographically, with international orders comprising 26% of the total order book as on June 30, 2017.  CRISIL believes the company will maintain its dominant position in the E&C market in India by judiciously bidding for projects across segments such as infrastructure (power, roads), urban infrastructure, defence manufacturing, and nuclear. Also, revenue is expected to continue being diversified geographically.
 
* Strong financial flexibility and comfortable capital structure: Strong financial flexibility is driven by the company's demonstrated ability to raise funds at competitive rates, and cash and cash equivalent  (as per CRISIL's consolidation approach) which increased to around Rs 15,000 crore as on March 31, 2017 from Rs 8,500 crore as on March 31, 2016 . Healthy cash accrual of around Rs 4,500-6,000 crore over past few years, and periodic divestments have significantly improved the networth and augmented liquidity. While L&T's net worth has improved significantly over the years, on account of the strong cash accruals, its impact on the capital structure has been partly offset by the additional investments in subsidiaries and the higher working capital requirements. Historically, the L&T group has displayed a conservative financial policy, as is evident in gearing of less than 0.5 times as on March 31, 2017.
 
Weaknesses
* High working capital intensity of operations with correction expected over the near to medium term: Although gross current assets (GCA) net of dues to customers and cash corrected by around 5-6 days of sales during fiscal 2017, it still continues to remain high at more than 275 days as on March 31, 2017 on account of delay in realisation of receivables. The overall liquidity was managed judiciously by stretching creditors, however, the increased working capital cycle exposes the company to higher risks. Given the intent of the management to judiciously bid for the projects with lower working capital intensity as well as  efforts in reducing outstanding receivables and inventory, CRISIL expects continued gradual improvements in GCA from the current levels and shall be a key rating monitorable over the medium term.
 
* Lower returns from significant capital employed notwithstanding expected improvement in debt service indicators: Return on capital employed (RoCE) improved in fiscal 2017, though the overall return remained constrained due to existing investments in developmental projects such as Nabha as well as due to investments in projects which are yet to achieve Commercial Operation Date (CoD), such as Hyderabad Metro and Uttaranchal Hydro Power. Highly geared build, operate, transfer projects are fraught with construction risks which may lead to cost overrun in the pre-commercial operations phase, and temporary cash gap funding in the initial years post COD, which constrains significant improvements in RoCE. A stretched working capital cycle and subdued returns from investments in developmental projects and manufacturing companies such as shipbuilding, forgings are the major credit concerns. However, given the intent of management to judiciously bid for projects and focus on improving the operating profitability margin as evident in fiscal 2017, CRISIL expects further improvement in operating profitability, resulting in a higher RoCE, over the medium term. Furthermore, L&T is also expected to to raise funds by divesting the stake in businesses such as technology services, realty, and infrastructure developmental projects over the medium term. As a result, the debt/EBITDA ratio is expected to improve from current level of around 2.2 times over the medium term. However, lower-than-expected reduction in the working capital cycle and any material delay in improvement in operating profitability along with deleveraging plans are likely to impact the debt coverage indicators, and are key rating sensitivity factors.

Outlook: Stable

CRISIL believes L&T will maintain leadership in the E&C segment in India, and is positioned to benefit from the large infrastructure spending in India, over the medium term. Moreover, the company is likely to maintain its healthy cash accrual despite the challenging market conditions for the E&C segment. Besides, it will continue with its divestment strategy and limited capital investments across existing projects over this period, with focus on deleveraging and on improving the RoCE, leading to a better financial risk profile.

Downside scenario:
* Any material delay in reduction in the working capital cycle from the current levels
* Considerable delay in improvement in operating profitability or higher-than-expected support provided to projects such as Hyderabad metro, leading to deterioration in debt service metrics

About the Company

Set up in 1938 by Mr. H H Larsen and Mr. S K Toubro, L&T was incorporated in 1946, and was reconstituted as a public limited company in 1950. L&T is one of Asia's largest vertically integrated E&C conglomerates, with a strong market position across segments such as infrastructure, power, hydrocarbons, heavy engineering, electrical and automation, information technology, technology services, metallurgical and material handling, and machinery and industrial products. L&T undertakes its infrastructure developmental projects (roads, metro rail, and ports) largely through its infrastructure subsidiary, L&T IDPL, power generation projects through L&T PDL and also has presence in realty segment through L&T Realty and L&T Seawoods Ltd.
 
In first six month of fiscal 2018, on a standalone basis, net profit was Rs 1720 crore on revenue of Rs 29,946 crore, against net profit of Rs 3265 crore on revenue of Rs 26,856 crore, in the corresponding period of the previous year.

Key Financial Indicators
Particulars Unit 2017 2016
Revenue Rs cr 66,275 63,707
Profit After Tax Rs cr 5,454 5,000
PAT margin % 8.2 7.8
Adjusted debt/Adjusted networth Times 0.24 0.34
Interest coverage Times 5.75 5.05

Any other information: Not applicable

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 Type of instrument Date of allotment Coupon Maturity date Issue Size (Rs cr) Rating Assigned with Outlook
INE018A07755 NCDs Jan-09 9.15% Jan-19 400 CRISIL AAA/Stable
INE018A08AD3 NCDs Apr-10 8.80% Apr-20 200 CRISIL AAA/Stable
INE018A08AG6 NCDs May-10 9.15% May-20 300 CRISIL AAA/Stable
INE018A08AH4 NCDs May-11 8.95% May-21 300 CRISIL AAA/Stable
INE018A08AJ0 NCDs Apr-12 9.75% Apr-22 250 CRISIL AAA/Stable
INE018A08AQ5 NCDs Sep-15 8.40% Sep-20 1,000 CRISIL AAA/Stable
INE018A08AK8 Inflation-linked Capital-indexed NCD May-13 1.65% p.a. payable on inflation adjusted principal May-23 100 CRISIL AAA/Stable
NA Long Term Bank Facility NA NA NA 85,000 CRISIL AAA/Stable
NA Fixed Deposits NA NA NA 0 FAAA/Stable
NA Commercial Paper^ NA NA 7-365 days 8,000 CRISIL A1+
^earlier Short Term Debt Programme
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  8000  CRISIL A1+    No Rating Change    No Rating Change    No Rating Change    No Rating Change  CRISIL A1+ 
Fixed Deposits  FD  FAAA/Stable    No Rating Change    No Rating Change    No Rating Change    No Rating Change  FAAA/Stable 
Inflation-linked Capital-indexed Non-Convertible Debenture  LT  100  CRISIL AAA/Stable    No Rating Change    No Rating Change    No Rating Change    No Rating Change  CRISIL AAA/Stable 
Non Convertible Debentures  LT  2450  CRISIL AAA/Stable    No Rating Change    No Rating Change    No Rating Change    No Rating Change  CRISIL AAA/Stable 
Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  85000  CRISIL AAA/Stable    No Rating Change    No Rating Change    No Rating Change    No Rating Change  CRISIL AAA/Stable 
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
Long Term Bank Facility 85000 CRISIL AAA/Stable Long Term Bank Facility 85000 CRISIL AAA/Stable
Total 85000 -- Total 85000 --
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 Construction Industry
Rating Criteria for Engineering Sector
CRISILs Criteria for Consolidation
CRISILs Criteria for rating short term debt

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