Rating Rationale
May 29, 2019 | Mumbai
MT Educare Limited
Ratings downgraded to 'CRISIL BB+/Stable/CRISIL A4+', Removed from 'Watch Developing'
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.80 Crore
Long Term Rating CRISIL BB+/Stable (Downgraded from 'CRISIL BBB'; Removed from 'Rating Watch with Developing Implications')
Short Term Rating CRISIL A4+ (Downgraded from 'CRISIL A3+'; Removed from 'Rating Watch with Developing Implications')
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has removed its ratings on the bank facilities of MT Educare Limited (MTEL; part of the MT group) from 'Rating Watch with Developing Implications', and downgraded the ratings to 'CRISIL BB+/CRISIL A4+' from 'CRISIL BBB/CRISIL A3+' and assigned a 'Stable' outlook to the long-term rating.
 
In fiscal 2018, Zee Learn Ltd (ZLL; part of the Essel group of companies) acquired a 59.12% stake in MTEL. The sharp decline in market capitalisation of the Essel group's flagship companies in the recent past has constrained their financial flexibility. Though CRISIL has assessed the MT group on a standalone basis, the ratings were placed on 'Watch with Developing Implications' as any material transaction, including but not limited to funding support extended to the Essel group, could impact MTEL's liquidity and credit risk profile. The MT group's annual financial performance for fiscal 2019 and necessary updates related to liquidity, were awaited. CRISIL has resolved the watch after receipt of annual financial results and other updates.
 
The downgrade reflects the continued pressure on the MT group's financial risk profile, driven by weak interest coverage and stretched liquidity. Pressure on profitability has led to continuous weak interest coverage at the operating level (1.44 times in fiscal 2019). The group's profitability in fiscal 2019 has largely supported by one-time interest income earned on fixed deposits (FDs). Furthermore, as against earlier expectation of maintenance of adequate liquidity in MTEL, the situation has changed significantly in the recent past. The group has made sizeable advances for its capital expenditure (capex) and eventual capitalisation, funding incremental working capital and paring of debt. This led to a sharp decline in liquidity, as reflected in the decline in surplus to Rs 24 crore as on March 31, 2019, from Rs 106 crore as on September 30, 2018. Ongoing capex and large annual debt obligation, along with unanticipated stretch in working capital cycle, could further test the company's liquidity.
 
The ratings continue to reflect the MT group's established market position in the educational coaching segment driven by multiple course offerings, large student base, geographically diverse operations, and adequate capital structure. These strengths are partially offset by stretched liquidity, average debt protection metrics, and susceptibility to the adverse impact of changes in regulations and to intense competition.

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. All the companies, 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 market position in the educational coaching segment:
The group is one of the leading players in the educational coaching industry, in terms of 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, 2019, networth was over Rs 200 crore, while total outside liabilities to tangible networth (TOLTNW) ratio was 0.66 time, which improved from a year earlier. In the absence of new sizeable debt, the capital structure should remain adequate over the medium term, with gearing and TOLTNW remaining below 1 time.
 
Weaknesses:
* Average debt protection metrics:
Interest coverage (at the operating level) was weak at 1.44 times in fiscal 2019. Profitability in fiscal 2019 was primarily supported by income earned on FDs rather than operating profit. Debt protection metrics were constrained even in fiscal 2018 because of losses. Improvement in operating profitability and cash accrual, and reduction in debt and finance cost will remain critical, and shall continue to be monitored.
 
* Susceptibility to changes in regulations and to competition:
Any structural change in the core education system, such as removal of board exams or alteration in competitive exam structures, could adversely impact the educational coaching industry. Furthermore, exposure to intense competition may continue to constrain the business risk profile.
Liquidity

Liquidity remains stretched, with cash accrual of Rs 30-33 crore expected annually over the medium term, against scheduled annual debt obligation of Rs 28 crore. Surplus liquidity reduced particularly in the second half of fiscal 2019, as the group undertook capex for new school/college projects, and had to cover working capital requirement and debt obligation. Any stretch in receivables for government projects and extent of new investment shall remain monitorable amid limited financial flexibility. 

Outlook: Stable

CRISIL believes that MT Group will continue to benefit from its strong brand name and established market position over the medium term. The outlook may be revised to 'Positive' in case MT Group is able to exhibit a significant and sustainable increase in its revenues and profitability, leading to better cash accruals and sustained receivable cycle. Conversely, the outlook may be revised to 'Negative' if lower-than-expected operating performance, or any further unanticipated capex/investment, leads to weakening of the financial risk profile particularly liquidity.

About the Group

MTEL, set up as Mahesh Tutorials in 1988, was reconstituted as a private limited company in August 2006, and as 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 MT group provides coaching for schools, colleges (commerce and science streams), and professional courses such as chartered accountancy. It operates 275 centres across 160 locations in 12 states.

The group has tie-ups with 22 PU colleges in Karnataka for providing test preparation courses on the 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 2019 2018
Revenue Rs Cr 249.35 258.62
Profit After Tax (PAT) Rs Cr 9.4 -131.8
PAT Margin % 4.0 -51.0
Adjusted Debt/Adjusted Networth Times 0.66 0.96
Interest Coverage Times 1.44 -6.71

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
N.A. Overdraft N.A. N.A. N.A. 5 CRISIL A4+
N.A. Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility N.A. N.A. N.A. 50 CRISIL BB+/Stable
N.A. Term Loan N.A. N.A. 31-Mar-2022 25 CRISIL BB+/Stable
 
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 BB+/Stable/ CRISIL A4+  06-05-19  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 
        04-02-19  CRISIL BBB/Watch Developing/ CRISIL A3+/Watch Developing  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 A4+ Overdraft 5 CRISIL A3+/Watch Developing
Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility 50 CRISIL BB+/Stable Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility 50 CRISIL BBB/Watch Developing
Term Loan 25 CRISIL BB+/Stable Term Loan 25 CRISIL BBB/Watch Developing
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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