Detailed Rationale

CRISIL Ratings has reaffirmed its corporate credit rating and rating on the non-convertible debentures of Nexus Select Trust (NxST; sponsored by Wynford Investments Ltd [a Blackstone Inc. affiliate]) at ‘CRISIL AAA/Stable’.

 

The operating performance was comfortable with portfolio generating operating income of Rs 1,382 crore for the period from May 13, 2023 to December 31, 2023 (YTD fiscal 2024). NOI (net operating income) margin was also healthy at 74% for the same period.  Consumption (consolidated sales done by retailers within the malls) grew 14% on a year-on year basis for the first 9 months of fiscal 2024 (9m 2024). Further, the consolidated committed occupancy for all 17 retail malls in the portfolio improved to 97.3% as of December 2023 from 96.2% as of December 2022, primarily supported by improvement in occupancy for Fiza by Nexus Mangalore to 88.3% as of December 2023 from 71.7% as of December 2022.

 

Financial risk profile also remained comfortable with low consolidated gross debt of Rs 4,144 crore (at an average cost of debt of around 8.2% per annum [p.a.]) as on December 31, 2023 leading to comfortable loan-to-value (LTV) ratio of 17% (on gross debt basis as per external valuation dated September 30, 2023). Cash and cash equivalents (including other bank balances and mutual funds) were Rs 979 crore as on December 31, 2023., resulting in 14% LTV on net debt basis.

 

The ratings continue to reflect comfortable LTV ratio of NxST characterised by low debt levels, strong debt protection metrics, and stable revenue profile of the assets given healthy occupancy level and benefits from tenant and geographical diversification. The strengths are partially offset by competition in the retail real estate market and exposure to volatility in the real estate sector resulting in fluctuations in rental rates and occupancy.

Analytical Approach

CRISIL Ratings has combined the business and financial risk profiles of NxST with those of its special purpose vehicles (SPVs), in-line with its criteria for rating entities in homogeneous groups. This is because NxST has direct control over its SPVs and will support them in the event of any exigency. Additionally, as per Securities and Exchange Board of India’s (SEBI’s), Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) Regulations, 2014, NxST and its SPVs are mandated to distribute at least 90% of their net distributable cash flow. Also, the cap on borrowing by the REIT has been defined at a consolidated level (equivalent to 49% of the aggregate value of NxST’s assets).

 

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:

• Comfortable LTV ratio of NxST: The consolidated gross debt of NxST was low at Rs 4,144 crore as on December 31, 2023. The portfolio has cash and cash equivalents of Rs 979 crore as on December 31, 2023. Part of the debt was prepaid during and post listing in May 2023, with external gross debt remaining in line with expectation. Consequently, NxST has comfortable LTV ratio of 17% (on gross debt basis as per external valuation dated September 30, 2023; 14% LTV on net debt basis). The low LTV ratio shields investors from the risk of any decline in property prices and its consequent impact on refinancing.

 

LTV on net basis is expected to remain comfortable going forward as well. However, significant increase in debt from current levels, in the absence of commensurate cash inflows, will remain a monitorable.

 

• Strong debt protection metrics: Steady cash flow from rentals should lead to comfortable consolidated average debt service coverage ratio (DSCR) for the REIT. Further, the trust had incremental liquidity of Rs 979 crore (including debt service reserve equivalent to 1-3 months of debt servicing obligations) in the form of cash, other bank balances and mutual funds as on December 31, 2023.

 

Debt of Rs 1,250 crore and Rs 2,100 crore at the REIT and SPV levels, respectively, as on December 31, 2023, is amortising in nature with a long tenure of 12-15 years.

 

NCDs – Series I (tranche A) of Rs 700 crore raised in June 2023 have been primarily utilised for refinancing of external debt at underlying SPVs. These are non-amortising with bullet repayment at the end of 3 years, while coupon of 7.86% p.a. is payable quarterly.

 

NCDs – Series I (tranche B) of Rs 300 crore raised in June 2023 have been primarily utilised for refinancing of external debt at underlying SPVs. These are non-amortising with bullet repayment at the end of 5 years, while coupon of 8.00% p.a. is payable quarterly.

 

These NCDs expose the trust to refinancing risk. Nevertheless, the risk is mitigated by low LTV, ability and track record in refinancing and healthy revenue potential of the underlying assets.

 

• Stable revenue profile of REIT SPVs: Around 89% of the total revenue is from 17 retail assets having stable operations with a track record of at least 5 years of rental collection – the consolidated revenue from these retail assets was around Rs 1,230 crore for YTD fiscal 2024. These assets have maintained robust occupancy of over 90% over the past 5 fiscals; average occupancy was strong at ~97% as of December 2023. Further, there is an upside potential for rentals, given good asset quality, and favorable location in prime areas within the cities they are situated in.

 

NxST currently owns and operates total retail area of around 9.9 million square feet (sq. ft) with a healthy mix of anchors, vanilla, and food and beverage tenants. Top 10 tenants contribute around 21% of gross rentals (as of December 2023). The assets are spread across 14 cities in the country, with the largest asset contributing to 17% of retail gross rentals for YTD fiscal 2024. The ratings also factor in a well-secured lease structure, with lock-in and lease period of over three years and five years respectively and an in-built revenue escalation clause for most tenants. Also, 10-12% of the rental is generated through revenue share income.

 

Weaknesses:

• Competition in the retail real estate market: Although the portfolio of NxST generates steady cash flow from lease rentals supported by healthy occupancy, the assets may continue to face competition from other retail assets and established high streets. Some malls in the portfolio have been impacted due to competing malls opening within their micro markets. Though this impact on consumption and footfalls is expected to stabilise in the medium term, the REIT’s ability to continue to reinvent and remain relevant tackling existing and new competition will remain essential. Any substantial impact on footfalls and consumption and, therefore, rental cash flow at the assets due to competition will remain a key rating sensitivity factor.

 

• Exposure to volatility in real estate sector: Rental collection, the main source of revenue, is exposed to volatility because of economic downturns, thereby impacting the tenant's business risk profile and, hence, occupancy and rental rates. Further, around 26 lakh sq. ft of area will be due for renewal in last quarter of fiscal 2024 and next three fiscals through fiscal 2027. Ability of the company to renew/enter into agreements at existing or better terms will be a key monitorable. While majority of the tenants are established companies and may continue to occupy the property, any industry shock leading to vacancies may make it difficult to find alternate lessees within the stipulated time. This could adversely impact cash flow, and hence, will be a key rating sensitivity factor.

Liquidity: Superior

Liquidity remains strong, supported by healthy debt protection metrics, including for permitted additional financing. NCDs are non-amortising, exposing the debenture-holders to refinancing risk. Nevertheless, a low LTV ratio enhances the REIT's financial flexibility. Consolidated debt of the REIT is unlikely to cause the CRISIL Ratings sensitised LTV ratio to increase materially, thus protecting investors from any decline in property prices and the consequent impact on refinancing. NxST has available cash and cash equivalents of Rs 979 crore as on December 31, 2023.

Outlook: Stable

CRISIL Ratings believes NxST will continue to benefit from the quality of its underlying assets over the medium term.

Rating Sensitivity factors

Downward factors:

• Decline in the value of the underlying assets or higher-than-expected incremental borrowings, resulting in CRISIL Ratings sensitised LTV ratio of 35% or above on a sustained basis.
• Occupancy level declining below 85% on a sustained basis.
• Acquisition of assets of lower quality affecting portfolio health.
• Any impact on independence of REIT operations due to but not limited to change in sponsorship of the trust or ownership of the REIT manager.

About the Company

NxST is registered as an irrevocable trust under the Indian Trust Act, 1882, and as a REIT under SEBI’s REIT Regulations, 2014, as amended. NxST is sponsored by Wynford Investments Ltd (a Blackstone Inc. affiliate). It has 17 retail malls, 3 office spaces and 2 hotels and a solar plant.

 

The broad details of the assets that are held by Nexus REIT are as follows:

 

Select Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd (SIPL) owns and operates two retail malls, Select Citywalk in Delhi and Nexus Seawoods in Navi Mumbai. Select Citywalk has a total leasable area of 5.1 lakh sq. ft, of which 100% was occupied as on December 31, 2023. Nexus Seawoods has a total leasable area of 9.7 lakh sq. ft, of which 98% was occupied as on December 31, 2023. Nexus Seawoods was earlier held under Westerly Retail Pvt Ltd which has merged with SIPL with effect from May 15, 2023.

 

CSJ Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd (CSJ) owns and operates Nexus Elante complex, with a retail mall, an office space and a hotel. Nexus Elante, a retail mall, has a total leasable area of 12.5 lakh sq. ft, of which 99% was occupied as on December 31, 2023. Elante Office, an office space, has a leasable area of 0.9 lakh sq. ft, of which 78% was occupied as on December 31, 2023. It also owns and operates a hotel under the Hyatt Regency brand in Chandigarh, consisting of 211 rooms.

 

Euthoria Developers Pvt. Ltd (EDPL) owns and operates two retail malls, Nexus Ahmedabad One in Ahmedabad and Nexus Amritsar in Amritsar. Nexus Ahmedabad One has a total leasable area of 8.9 lakh sq. ft, of which 98% was occupied as on December 31, 2023. Nexus Amritsar has a total leasable area of 5.4 lakh sq. ft, of which 98% was occupied as on December 31, 2023.

 

Nexus Hyderabad Retail Pvt. Ltd (NHRPL) owns and operates two retail malls, Nexus Hyderabad in Hyderabad and Nexus Koramangala in Bengaluru. Nexus Hyderabad has a total leasable area of 8.3 lakh sq. ft, of which 99% was occupied as on December 31, 2023. Nexus Koramangala has a total leasable area of 3.1 lakh sq. ft, of which 96% was occupied as on December 31, 2023.

 

Vijaya Productions Pvt. Ltd (VPPL) owns and operates Nexus Vijaya complex, with a retail mall and an office space. Nexus Vijaya, a retail mall, has a total leasable area of 6.5 lakh sq. ft, of which 100% was occupied as on December 31, 2023. Vijaya Office, an office space, has a leasable area of 1.9 lakh sq. ft, of which 100% was occupied as on December 31, 2023.

 

Chitrali Properties Pvt. Ltd (CPPL) and Daksha Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd (DIPL) owns and operates Nexus Westend complex, with a retail mall and an office space. Nexus Westend, a retail mall, has a total leasable area of 4.4 lakh sq. ft, of which 97% was occupied as on December 31, 2023. Westend Icon Offices, an office space, has a leasable area of 9.8 lakh sq. ft, of which 73% was occupied as on December 31, 2023.

 

Safari Retreats Pvt. Ltd (SRPL) owns and operates a retail mall, Nexus Esplanade, Bhubaneswar. It has a total leasable area of 4.2 lakh sq. ft, of which 98% was occupied as on December 31, 2023.

 

Nexus Shantiniketan Retail Pvt. Ltd (NSRPL) owns and operates a retail mall, Nexus Shantiniketan, Bengaluru. It has a total leasable area of 6.2 lakh sq. ft, of which 99% was occupied as on December 31, 2023.

 

Nexusmalls Whitefield Pvt. Ltd (NWPL) owns and operates Nexus Whitefield complex, with a retail mall and a hotel. Nexus Whitefield, a retail mall, has a total leasable area of 3.1 lakh sq. ft, of which 95% was occupied as on December 31, 2023. It also owns and operates a hotel under the brand Oakwood Residence in Bengaluru, consisting of 143 rooms.

 

Nexus Udaipur Retail Pvt. Ltd (NURPL) owns and operates a retail mall, Nexus Celebration, Udaipur. It has a total leasable area of 4.0 lakh sq. ft, of which 97% was occupied as on December 31, 2023.

 

Nexus Mangalore Retail Pvt. Ltd (NMRPL) owns and operates a retail mall, Fiza by Nexus, Mangaluru. It has a total leasable area of 7.1 lakh sq. ft, of which 88% was occupied as on December 31, 2023.

 

Nexus Mysore Retail Pvt. Ltd (NMYRPL) owns and operates a retail mall, Center City, Mysore. It has a total leasable area of 3.2 lakh sq. ft, of which 99% was occupied as on December 31, 2023.

 

Naman Mall Management Co. Pvt. Ltd (NMMCPL) owns and operates a retail mall, Indore Central, Indore. It has a total leasable area of 2.4 lakh sq. ft, of which 94% was occupied as on December 31, 2023.

 

Indore Treasure Island Pvt. Ltd (ITIPL, investment entity with 50% shareholding) owns and operates a retail mall, Treasure Island, Indore. It has a total leasable area of 4.2 lakh sq. ft, of which 94% was occupied as on December 31, 2023.

 

Mamadapur Solar Pvt. Ltd (MSPL) owns and operates the Karnataka Solar Park having 15 mega-watt (MW) capacity. Nexus South Mall Management Pvt. Ltd (NSMMPL), provides certain property management and common area maintenance services for some assets of the portfolio, has merged with MSPL w.e.f. April 1, 2023.

Key Financial Indicators*

Particulars	Unit	2023	2022
Operating income	Rs crore	NA	NA
Profit after tax (PAT)	Rs crore	NA	NA
PAT margin	%	NA	NA
Adjusted gearing	Times	NA	NA
Interest coverage	Times	NA	NA

*The trust has been incorporated and assets have been acquired in May 2023