Rating Rationale
December 16, 2020 | Mumbai
Muthoot Hotels Private Limited
Rating removed from 'Watch Developing'; Rating reaffirmed
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities RatedRs.35.5 Crore
Long Term RatingCRISIL BB/Stable (Removed from 'Rating Watch with Developing Implications'; Rating Reaffirmed)
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to Annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has removed its rating on the long-term facility of Muthoot Hotels Private Limited (MHPL; part of the Muthoot Hotels Group) from 'Rating Watch with Developing Implications' and has reaffirmed the rating at 'CRISIL BB', while assigning a 'Stable' outlook.
 
The rating was placed on watch following Muthoot Hotel group's application for one-time restructuring (OTR) of all its loans under the guidelines issued by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on August 6, 2020, called Resolution Framework for Covid-19 related stress; the proposal was under consideration, as indicated by the lenders. Subsequently, the group withdrew the OTR application from all its lenders.
 
The group has opted for the recently announced Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS) 2.0 extended under Atmanirbhar Bharat 3.0 to eligible companies in 26 stressed sectors identified by the KV Kamath Committee. The group is expected to receive additional credit of Rs 40-45 crore under the scheme, which would provide additional liquidity to the stressed cash flow of the group. CRISIL will continue to monitor the developments on the sanctioning of the ECLGS 2.0 scheme by the company's lenders in the near to medium term.
 
Furthermore, in case of any exigency, support from the promoter, the Muthoot Pappachan group (MPG group), is likely to continue and ensure timely servicing of debt in the near to medium term. The group had opted for moratorium until August 31, 2020, under the RBI's Covid-19 Regulatory Package; debt servicing has been timely since then.
 
The rating continues to reflect the Muthoot Hotels group's diversified revenue profile and the strong financial and managerial support it receives from the MPG group, which is expected to continue. These strengths are partially offset by a weak financial risk profile and susceptibility to cyclicality in the hospitality industry.
 
The Covid-19 pandemic significantly impacted the Muthoot Hotels group's occupancy, which was at its lowest in the first six months of fiscal 2021 and is currently at 15-20%.

Analytical Approach

For arriving at the rating, CRISIL has combined the business and financial risk profiles of MPG Hotels and Infrastructure Ventures Pvt Ltd (MHIVPL) and its wholly owned subsidiary MHPL. This is because the companies, together referred to as the Muthoot Hotels group, have strong business and financial linkages. The rating also factors in the strong financial and managerial support from the MPG group.

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

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Strengths
* Diversified revenue profile
The Muthoot Hotels group has presence in multiple businesses, including luxury resorts (Taj Green Cove Resort & Spa in Kovalam, Kerala, managed by Indian Hotels Company Ltd), a five-star hotel (Hilton Garden Inn in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, managed by Hilton Worldwide), airline catering (Muthoot Skychef, Thiruvananthapuram), a five-star restaurant (Villa Maya, Thiruvananthapuram), a business hotel (Novotel Kochi Infopark, Kakkanad, managed by Accor) and an information technology (IT) park (Technopolis, Kochi). The scale of operations should benefit from the upcoming luxury hotel (Munnar Tea Bungalows) and the proposal to provide consulting and related services to other MPG group companies.
 
* Financial and managerial support from the promoters
The Muthoot Hotels group derives considerable financial support from its promoters and directors. Moreover, loans from banks are backed by the promoters' personal guarantee. The promoters are also directors in MPG group companies, including the flagship entity Muthoot Fincorp Ltd (rated 'CRISIL A/CRISIL BBB+/Stable/CRISIL A1'), and have supported operations through regular fund infusion.  
 
Weaknesses
* Weak financial risk profile
Gearing, which has stood at over 10 times in the past, is expected to be significantly high in the near-to-medium term as well. Interest coverage, low at 0.79 time in fiscal 2020, is expected at a similar level over the medium term. The group plans to improve its capital structure through monetisation of investments in other group companies and land parcels. However, the extent of improvement will depend on the timeline and valuation. The ability to meet the debt obligation on time and financial support from the promoters will remain key rating sensitivity factors in the near term.
 
* Susceptibility to cyclicality in the hospitality industry
The hotel industry is susceptible to changes in the domestic and international markets. Typically, the industry follows a six-year cycle. During a down cycle, revenue per available room for premium hotels is expected to be constrained more significantly than that for mid-scale or economy hotels.
 
The Muthoot Hotels group's occupancy is expected to remain subdued in the near term on account of the Covid-19 pandemic. People are avoiding non-essential travel and the government has placed restrictions on occupancy in hotels. Prolonged low occupancy will hit the group's credit risk profile. Alternatively, a quick reversal to normalcy may contain the extent of weakening. The ability to revert to operational stability and relief measures provided by the government will be key monitorables.
Liquidity Stretched

Liquidity is likely to remain under pressure. Net cash accrual is expected to fall significantly in light of the Covid-19 pandemic. The group has depended on financial assistance from the promoters to meet the project funding requirement and to service debt. Its plan to monetise non-core land assets and investments in group entities and benefits derived from being part of the MPG group will aid financial flexibility. Furthermore, some of the loans have been refinanced at favourable terms, which should support liquidity in the near term. The group had opted for moratorium, which ended on August 31, 2020; however, debt servicing has been timely since then.

Outlook: Stable

CRISIL believes the group's stressed cash flow will benefit from the additional credit available under ECLGS 2.0. Strong support from the MPG group should continue to enhance financial flexibility.
 
Rating sensitivity factors
Upward factors
* Strengthening of the capital structure, driven by monetisation of non-operational assets or equity infusion by the promoters
* Growth in revenue and sustenance of the operating margin at 35%
 
Downward factors
* Delays in receipt of financial support from the promoters or in executing the deleveraging plan weakening the financial risk profile and liquidity
* Prolonged weak demand leading to occupancy of less than 15%

About the Group

MHIVPL and MHPL are part of the Kerala-based MPG group, which has interests across diverse fields, including financial services, hospitality, automotive, realty, IT services, healthcare and precious metals.
 
The Muthoot Hotels group operates a luxury deluxe resort, a five-star hotel and restaurant, a flight kitchen and an IT park. The group recently set up a business hotel.

Key Financial Indicators
As on / for the period ended March 31   2020 2019
Revenue* Rs crore 87.52 87.18
Profit after tax (PAT)* Rs crore -35.2 -33.3
PAT margin % -40.3 -38.2
Adjusted debt/adjusted networth^ Times 16.06 6.62
Interest coverage Times 0.66 0.64

* Company-reported financials
^ Reflects analytical adjustments made by CRISIL Ratings; networth is adjusted for revaluation reserve

Any other information: Not applicable

Note on complexity levels of the rated instrument:
CRISIL Ratings' complexity levels are assigned to various types of financial instruments. The CRISIL Ratings' complexity levels are available on www.crisil.com/complexity-levels. Users are advised to refer to the CRISIL Ratings' 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)
Complexity Levels Rating assigned with outlook
NA Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility NA NA NA 35.5 NA CRISIL BB/Stable
 
Annexure - List of entities consolidated
Name of the company Type of Consolidation Rationale for Consolidation
MPG Hotels and Infrastructure Ventures Pvt Ltd Full consolidation MHPL is a wholly owned subsidiary of MHVIPL and has strong business and financial linkages with the latter.
Muthoot Hotels Pvt Ltd
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  35.50  CRISIL BB/Stable  25-11-20  CRISIL BB/Watch Developing  22-05-19  CRISIL BB/Stable  28-02-18  CRISIL BB/Stable      CRISIL BB/Stable 
        28-08-20  CRISIL BB/Watch Developing  17-05-19  CRISIL BB/Stable           
All amounts are in Rs.Cr.
Annexure - Details of Bank Lenders & Facilities
Facility Name of Lender Amount (Rs.Crore) Rating
Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility Not Applicable 35.5 CRISIL BB/Stable

This Annexure has been updated on 26-Sep-2021 in line with the lender-wise facility details as on 02-Aug-2021 received from the rated entity 

Criteria Details
Links to related criteria
CRISILs Approach to Financial Ratios
Rating criteria for manufaturing and service sector companies
CRISILs Bank Loan Ratings - process, scale and default recognition
CRISILs Criteria for Consolidation
Criteria for Notching up Stand Alone Ratings of Companies based on Group Support

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