Rating Rationale
February 04, 2019 | Mumbai
MT Educare Limited
Ratings placed on 'Watch Developing'
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.80 Crore
Long Term Rating CRISIL BBB (Placed on 'Rating Watch with Developing Implications')
Short Term Rating CRISIL A3+ (Placed on 'Rating Watch with Developing Implications')
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has placed its ratings on the bank facilities of MT Educare Limited (MTEL; part of the MT group) on 'Rating Watch with Developing Implications'. Zee Learn Ltd-part of the Essel group of companies-acquired 59.12% stake in MTEL in fiscal 2018. There was a substantial decline in the market capitalisation of Essel group's flagship companies in the last week that could constrain their financial flexibility. Though CRISIL has assessed MTEL group on standalone basis, any material transaction including but not limited to fund support extended to the Essel group could impact MTEL's credit risk profile, the ratings have, therefore, been placed on watch with developing implications. CRISIL is interacting with MTEL's management to get better clarity on aforesaid and shall take necessary rating action post total clarity is received.
 
The ratings continue to reflect the group's established brand name and market position in the educational coaching segment, driven by multiple course offerings, large student base, geographically diverse operations, and comfortable capital structure. These strengths are partially offset by average debt protection metrics and susceptibility to adverse impact of changes in regulations and intense competitive pressure.

Analytical Approach

For arriving at the ratings, CRISIL has combined the business and financial risk profiles of MTEL and its subsidiaries: Chitale's Personalised Learning Pvt Ltd (CPLC), Lakshya Educare Pvt Ltd (LEPL), MT Education Services Pvt Ltd, Sri Gayatri Educational Services Pvt Ltd (SGESPL), Robomate Edutech Pvt Ltd (REPL), Letspaper Technologies Pvt Ltd (LTPL) and Labh Ventures India Pvt Ltd. That is because these entities, collectively referred to as the MT group, have strong operational and financial linkages.

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 brand name and market position in the educational coaching segment: The group is one of the leading players in the educational coaching industry in terms of the number of centres, students, and courses offerings. Diverse course offerings in schools and colleges (science and commerce segments), competitive entrance exams, and a widespread reach because of pre-university (PU) college tie-ups support the business. The group's Mahesh Tutorials brand is an established name in the Indian education sector.
 
* Comfortable capital structure: As on March 31, 2018, networth was Rs 184.6 crore, while total outside liabilities to tangible networth (TOLTNW) ratio was 0.96 time (1.43 times a year ago). Backed by plans to reduce debt via surplus funds, capital structure is expected to improve over the medium term, with gearing and TOLTNW remaining well below 1 time.
 
Weakness:
* Average debt protection metrics: Losses reported in fiscal 2018 have weakened debt protection metrics significantly. Improvement in profitability and reduction in finance costs will remain critical over the medium term and shall continue to be monitored.
 
* Susceptibility to any adverse impact of changes in regulations: Any structural change in the core education system, such as removal of board exams or alteration in competitive exam structures, could adversely impact the industry. Intense competitive pressure should continue to constrain the business.
Liquidity

Liquidity is sufficient, with cash accrual expected at over Rs 22 crore annually over the medium term and unencumbered cash and cash equivalents of Rs 106 crore as on September 30, 2018. Furthermore, overdraft limit of Rs 5 crore remains unutilised. The group has long-term debt obligations of about Rs 19 crore in fiscal 2020. Cash flow from operations, large cash and cash equivalents, and unutilised bank lines should be sufficient to meet debt obligations and support working capital.

About the Company

MTEL, set up as Mahesh Tutorials in 1988, was reconstituted as a private limited company in August 2006 and converted into a public limited company in April 2012. It is listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange and the National Stock Exchange. ZLL acquired 59.12% stake in MTEL in 2018.
 
The group provides coaching for schools, commerce and science sections in colleges, and professional courses such as chartered accountancy. It currently operates about 275 centres in over 160 locations in 12 states.
 
Tie-ups have been formed with 22 PU colleges in Karnataka for providing test preparation courses in college premises. In December 2015, the group launched an online education app, Robomate+, for external students and educational institutions. In 2011, MTEL acquired CPLC, which offers coaching for several management entrance tests. Coaching for engineering and medicine entrance tests is provided in North India and Maharashtra through Lakshya. In 2015, the group entered into a strategic partnership with Sri Gayatri Educational Society to offer preparation courses to the latter's students.

Key Financial Indicators
Particulars Unit 2018 2017
Revenue Rs Cr 258.62 328.44
Profit after tax Rs Cr -131.8 17.19
PAT Margin % -51.0 5.2
Adjusted Debt/Adjusted Networth Times 0.96 0.99
Interest Coverage Times -6.71 4.49

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 Name of instrument Date of
Allotment
Coupon
Rate (%)
Maturity date Issue Size
(Rs. Cr)
Rating Assigned
with Outlook
NA Overdraft NA NA NA 5 CRISIL A3+/Watch Developing
NA Term Loan NA NA 31-Mar-22 25 CRISIL BBB/Watch Developing
NA Proposed Long Term
Bank Loan Facility
NA NA NA 50 CRISIL BBB/Watch Developing
 
Annexure - List of entities consolidated
Names of Entities Consolidated Extent of Consolidation Rationale for Consolidation
Chitale's Personalised Learning Pvt Ltd Full Consolidation Operational and financial linkages and subsidiary of MTEL
Lakshya Educare Pvt Ltd Full consolidation Operational and financial linkages, and subsidiary of MTEL
MT Education Services Pvt Ltd Full consolidation Operational and financial linkages, and subsidiary of MTEL
Sri Gayatri Educational Services Pvt Ltd Full Consolidation Operational and financial linkages, and subsidiary of MTEL
Letspaper Technologies Pvt Ltd Full Consolidation Operational and financial linkages, and subsidiary of MTEL
Labh Ventures India Pvt Ltd Full Consolidation Operational and financial linkages, and subsidiary of MTEL
Annexure - Rating History for last 3 Years
  Current 2019 (History) 2018  2017  2016  Start of 2016
Instrument Type Outstanding Amount Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Rating
Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  80.00  CRISIL BBB/(Watch) Developing/ CRISIL A3+/(Watch) Developing      21-08-18  CRISIL BBB/Stable/ CRISIL A3+  21-12-17  CRISIL BBB+/Negative/ CRISIL A2  18-10-16  CRISIL A1  CRISIL A1 
            22-05-18  CRISIL BBB/Watch Developing/ CRISIL A3+/Watch Developing  12-09-17  CRISIL A-/Negative/ CRISIL A2+       
            23-02-18  CRISIL BBB/Watch Developing/ CRISIL A3+/Watch Developing  24-08-17  CRISIL A-/Negative/ CRISIL A2+       
                10-01-17  CRISIL A1       
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 5 CRISIL A3+/Watch Developing Overdraft 5 CRISIL A3+
Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility 50 CRISIL BBB/Watch Developing Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility 50 CRISIL BBB/Stable
Term Loan 25 CRISIL BBB/Watch Developing Term Loan 25 CRISIL BBB/Stable
Total 80 -- Total 80 --
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 Consolidation
CRISILs Criteria for rating short term debt
The Rating Process
Understanding CRISILs Ratings and Rating Scales

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