Rating Rationale
March 11, 2022 | Mumbai
P.N.Gadgil and Sons Limited
Ratings Reaffirmed and Withdrawn
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities RatedRs.330 Crore
Long Term RatingCRISIL A/Positive (Rating Reaffirmed and Withdrawn)
Short Term RatingCRISIL A1 (Rating Reaffirmed and Withdrawn)
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to Annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities

Detailed Rationale

CRISIL Ratings has reaffirmed its rating on the bank facilities of P.N. Gadgil And Sons Limited (PNGS) and subsequently withdrawn the rating at the company's request and on receipt of a no-objection certificates from company’s lenders. The withdrawal is in line with CRISIL Ratings’ policy on withdrawal of bank loan ratings.

 

The rating continues to reflect the established regional market position of PNGS in the retail jewellery segment, backed by a strong brand and an experienced management team. The rating also factors in the sound operating efficiency, prudent risk management practices and a comfortable financial risk profile. These strengths are partially offset by geographical concentration in revenue, susceptibility to regulatory risks and large working capital requirement.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description:

Strengths:

  • Established regional position in the jewellery segment backed by strong brand and experienced management: PNGS has significant presence in the gold jewellery business in Maharashtra. Its brand, Purushottam Narayan Gadgil (PNG), has a legacy of more than 180 years. The company benefits from strong patronage for the PNG brand and experienced management. The promoter, Mr Govind V Gadgil, has experience of around 40 years and is supported by a competent management team headed by Mr Amit Modak (CEO and director). It operates 29 retail stores: 27 in Maharashtra and 1 each in Gujarat and Karnataka. The ongoing shift towards the organised segment amid regulatory changes such as GST implementation and the recent compulsory hallmarking will support demand over the medium term.

 

  • Sound operating efficiency and prudent risk management practices: Operating margin has remained steady at 6-6.7% for the three fiscals through 2020 and had improved significantly to 10% in fiscal 2021 due to sizable inventory gains and cost-control measures. Margin is expected to moderate to around 4% in 2022 due to the sizeable, low-margin bullion trading revenue. Nonetheless, return on capital employed should remain healthy at over 20% (as seen in the past). Though inventory is moderate at 80-120 days, it is backed by quick stock turnaround. Inventory risk is also mitigated by gold metal loans (GML), exchange sales and gold deposits. Moreover, the company follows the replenishment model. These hedging practices protect profitability from fluctuations in gold prices. Also, the company has created a price risk reserve of over Rs 28 crore to meet any margin call on GML.

 

  • Healthy financial risk profile: Networth increased to Rs 366 crore as on March 31, 2021, from Rs 233 crore in the previous fiscal on the back of healthy accretion to reserves. Capital structure is comfortable, as reflected in gearing and total outside liabilities to tangible networth (TOLTNW) ratio of 1.25 times and 1.85 times, respectively. Debt protection metrics were robust, with interest coverage and net cash accrual to total debt ratios of 8.3 times and 0.33 time, respectively, for fiscal 2021. Majority of the debt comprises working capital loans. With no new stores on the anvil, and steady accretion, financial risk profile is expected to remain stable over the medium term.

 

Weaknesses:

  • Susceptibility to competition and regulatory risks: The jewellery sector has seen heightened regulatory changes in the recent past. For instance, in fiscal 2014, to curb the import of gold, the government introduced the 80:20 rule, discontinued the gold-on-lease scheme and modified the gold deposit scheme. In fiscal 2015, the gold-on-loan scheme was re-started and the 80:20 rule was scrapped. In January 2016, the government mandated jewellers to collect PAN card for all purchases beyond Rs 2 lakh. The government has also introduced the sovereign gold bond scheme to shift consumer preferences away from physical gold. Import duty on gold was increased by 2.5% in fiscal 2020. Some of these regulatory changes moderated the performance of PNGS, which will remain susceptible to changing government norms.

 

Also, majority of the revenue is derived from Maharashtra (about 50% from Pune). Though geographical concentration is mitigated by the strong PNG brand, the company faces competition from larger players entering in its key market.

 

  • Large working capital requirement: Inventory has been 80-120 days over the four fiscals through 2021. Furthermore, inventory peaks during festive and wedding seasons. The company contracts short-term loans and GML to fund inventory. PNGS has commenced B2B bullion trading in 2022 due to surplus gold stock available and market demand. The trade is undertaken using the existing resources and bank limit, and has not materially altered working capital debt requirement.

Liquidity: Strong

Net cash accrual of Rs 135-150 crore will be sufficient to meet debt obligation of Rs 4-10 crore, over the medium term. Utilisation of bank limit averaged 70% during the 12 months through November 2021. Healthy networth and capital structure, along with unsecured loans from the promoters, provide high financial flexibility and cushion liquidity. The company also has high cash and equivalents (mutual funds/fixed deposits), a part of which is utilised to avail of GML. Current ratio was comfortable at 1.51 times as on March 31, 2021.

Outlook: Positive

The company will continue to benefit from its established regional market position, and healthy financial risk profile over the medium term.

Rating Sensitivity Factors

Upward factors:

  • Higher-than-expected operating performance leading to significantly better cash accrual
  • Sustained and sharp revenue growth in the retail jewellery segment, aided by geographical diversification
  • Strengthening of financial risk profile, including debt protection metrics, with TOLTNW ratio improving below 1.2 times

 

Downward factors:

  • Decline in operating performance impacting cash generation
  • Large, debt-funded capex or working capital requirement weakening key credit metrics, with TOLTNW ratio exceeding 2.5 times

About the Company

PNGS was established as a partnership firm (P N Gadgil & Sons) in February 2012 by Mr Govind V Gadgil and Ms Renu Govind. In November 2017, the firm was reconstituted as a closely held public limited company with the current name.

 

The company is a leading jewellery retail player in Maharashtra and operates 29 stores. Product offerings include gold jewellery (accounts for over 90% of turnover), silver jewellery/articles, diamonds and diamond jewellery.

Key Financial Indicators

As on / for the period ended March 31

 

2021

2020

Operating income

Rs crore

2164

2077

Reported profit after tax (PAT)

Rs crore

136

60

PAT margin

%

6.28

2.90

Adjusted debt / adjusted networth

Times

1.25

1.54

Interest coverage

Times

8.27

5.35

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 Level Rating assigned with outlook
NA Cash Credit NA NA NA 125 NA CRISIL A/Positive (Rating Reaffirmed and Withdrawn)
NA Cash Credit NA NA NA 110 NA CRISIL A/Positive (Rating Reaffirmed and Withdrawn)
NA Working Capital Demand Loan NA NA NA 35 NA CRISIL A/Positive (Rating Reaffirmed and Withdrawn)
NA Working Capital Demand Loan NA NA NA 50 NA CRISIL A/Positive (Rating Reaffirmed and Withdrawn)
NA Working Capital Demand Loan NA NA NA 10 NA CRISIL A1 (Rating Reaffirmed and Withdrawn)
Annexure - Rating History for last 3 Years
  Current 2022 (History) 2021  2020  2019  Start of 2019
Instrument Type Outstanding Amount Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Rating
Fund Based Facilities LT/ST 330.0 CRISIL A/Positive /CRISIL A1 (Ratings Reaffirmed and Withdrawn) 31-01-22 CRISIL A/Positive / CRISIL A1   -- 21-10-20 CRISIL A1 / CRISIL A/Stable   -- --
All amounts are in Rs.Cr.
Annexure - Details of Bank Lenders & Facilities
Facility Amount (Rs.Crore) Rating
Cash Credit 125 CRISIL A/Positive (Rating Reaffirmed and Withdrawn)
Cash Credit 110 CRISIL A/Positive (Rating Reaffirmed and Withdrawn)
Working Capital Demand Loan 10 CRISIL A1 (Rating Reaffirmed and Withdrawn)
Working Capital Demand Loan 35 CRISIL A/Positive (Rating Reaffirmed and Withdrawn)
Working Capital Demand Loan 50 CRISIL A/Positive (Rating Reaffirmed and Withdrawn)
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

Media Relations
Analytical Contacts
Customer Service Helpdesk

Pankaj Rawat
Media Relations
CRISIL Limited
B: +91 22 3342 3000
pankaj.rawat@crisil.com

Hiral Jani Vasani
Media Relations
CRISIL Limited
B: +91 22 3342 3000
hiral.vasani@crisil.com

Rutuja Gaikwad 
Media Relations
CRISIL Limited
B: +91 22 3342 3000
Rutuja.Gaikwad@ext-crisil.com


Rahul Subrato Kumar Guha
Director
CRISIL Ratings Limited
D:+91 22 4097 8320
rahul.guha@crisil.com


Shirish A Mujumdar
Associate Director
CRISIL Ratings Limited
D:+91 20 4018 1934
shirish.mujumdar@crisil.com


Shraddhesh Shah
Rating Analyst
CRISIL Ratings Limited
D:+91 635501 3163
Shraddhesh.Shah@crisil.com
Timings: 10.00 am to 7.00 pm
Toll free Number:1800 267 1301

For a copy of Rationales / Rating Reports:
CRISILratingdesk@crisil.com
 
For Analytical queries:
ratingsinvestordesk@crisil.com


 

Note for Media:
This rating rationale is transmitted to you for the sole purpose of dissemination through your newspaper/magazine/agency. The rating rationale may be used by you in full or in part without changing the meaning or context thereof but with due credit to CRISIL Ratings. However, CRISIL Ratings alone has the sole right of distribution (whether directly or indirectly) of its rationales for consideration or otherwise through any media including websites and portals.


About CRISIL Ratings Limited (A subsidiary of CRISIL Limited)

CRISIL Ratings pioneered the concept of credit rating in India in 1987. With a tradition of independence, analytical rigour and innovation, we set the standards in the credit rating business. We rate the entire range of debt instruments, such as bank loans, certificates of deposit, commercial paper, non-convertible/convertible/partially convertible bonds and debentures, perpetual bonds, bank hybrid capital instruments, asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities, partial guarantees and other structured debt instruments. We have rated over 33,000 large and mid-scale corporates and financial institutions. We have also instituted several innovations in India in the rating business, including ratings for municipal bonds, partially guaranteed instruments and infrastructure investment trusts (InvITs).
 
CRISIL Ratings Limited ('CRISIL Ratings') is a wholly-owned subsidiary of CRISIL Limited ('CRISIL'). CRISIL Ratings Limited is registered in India as a credit rating agency with the Securities and Exchange Board of India ("SEBI").
 
For more information, visit www.crisilratings.com 

 



About CRISIL Limited

CRISIL is a global analytical company providing ratings, research, and risk and policy advisory services. We are India's leading ratings agency. We are also the foremost provider of high-end research to the world's largest banks and leading corporations.

CRISIL is majority owned by S&P Global Inc, a leading provider of transparent and independent ratings, benchmarks, analytics and data to the capital and commodity markets worldwide.


For more information, visit www.crisil.com

Connect with us: TWITTER | LINKEDIN | YOUTUBE | FACEBOOK


CRISIL PRIVACY NOTICE
 
CRISIL respects your privacy. We may use your contact information, such as your name, address and email id to fulfil your request and service your account and to provide you with additional information from CRISIL. For further information on CRISIL’s privacy policy please visit www.crisil.com.



DISCLAIMER

This disclaimer is part of and applies to each credit rating report and/or credit rating rationale (‘report’) that is provided by CRISIL Ratings Limited (‘CRISIL Ratings’). To avoid doubt, the term ‘report’ includes the information, ratings and other content forming part of the report. The report is intended for the jurisdiction of India only. This report does not constitute an offer of services. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, nothing in the report is to be construed as CRISIL Ratings providing or intending to provide any services in jurisdictions where CRISIL Ratings does not have the necessary licenses and/or registration to carry out its business activities referred to above. Access or use of this report does not create a client relationship between CRISIL Ratings and the user.

We are not aware that any user intends to rely on the report or of the manner in which a user intends to use the report. In preparing our report we have not taken into consideration the objectives or particular needs of any particular user. It is made abundantly clear that the report is not intended to and does not constitute an investment advice. The report is not an offer to sell or an offer to purchase or subscribe for any investment in any securities, instruments, facilities or solicitation of any kind to enter into any deal or transaction with the entity to which the report pertains. The report should not be the sole or primary basis for any investment decision within the meaning of any law or regulation (including the laws and regulations applicable in the US).

Ratings from CRISIL Ratings are statements of opinion as of the date they are expressed and not statements of fact or recommendations to purchase, hold or sell any securities/instruments or to make any investment decisions. Any opinions expressed here are in good faith, are subject to change without notice, and are only current as of the stated date of their issue. CRISIL Ratings assumes no obligation to update its opinions following publication in any form or format although CRISIL Ratings may disseminate its opinions and analysis. The rating contained in the report is not a substitute for the skill, judgment and experience of the user, its management, employees, advisors and/or clients when making investment or other business decisions. The recipients of the report should rely on their own judgment and take their own professional advice before acting on the report in any way. CRISIL Ratings or its associates may have other commercial transactions with the entity to which the report pertains.

Neither CRISIL Ratings nor its affiliates, third-party providers, as well as their directors, officers, shareholders, employees or agents (collectively, ‘CRISIL Ratings Parties’) guarantee the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the report, and no CRISIL Ratings Party shall have any liability for any errors, omissions or interruptions therein, regardless of the cause, or for the results obtained from the use of any part of the report. EACH CRISIL RATINGS PARTY DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, SUITABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE. In no event shall any CRISIL Ratings Party be liable to any party for any direct, indirect, incidental, exemplary, compensatory, punitive, special or consequential damages, costs, expenses, legal fees or losses (including, without limitation, lost income or lost profits and opportunity costs) in connection with any use of any part of the report even if advised of the possibility of such damages.

CRISIL Ratings may receive compensation for its ratings and certain credit-related analyses, normally from issuers or underwriters of the instruments, facilities, securities or from obligors. Public ratings and analysis by CRISIL Ratings, as are required to be disclosed under the regulations of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (and other applicable regulations, if any), are made available on its website, www.crisilratings.com (free of charge). Reports with more detail and additional information may be available for subscription at a fee – more details about ratings by CRISIL Ratings are available here: www.crisilratings.com.

CRISIL Ratings and its affiliates do not act as a fiduciary. While CRISIL Ratings has obtained information from sources it believes to be reliable, CRISIL Ratings does not perform an audit and undertakes no duty of due diligence or independent verification of any information it receives and/or relies on in its reports. CRISIL Ratings has established policies and procedures to maintain the confidentiality of certain non-public information received in connection with each analytical process. CRISIL Ratings has in place a ratings code of conduct and policies for managing conflict of interest. For details please refer to:
https://www.crisil.com/en/home/our-businesses/ratings/regulatory-disclosures/highlighted-policies.html.

Rating criteria by CRISIL Ratings are generally available without charge to the public on the CRISIL Ratings public website, www.crisilratings.com. For latest rating information on any instrument of any company rated by CRISIL Ratings, you may contact the CRISIL Ratings desk at crisilratingdesk@crisil.com, or at (0091) 1800 267 1301.

This report should not be reproduced or redistributed to any other person or in any form without prior written consent from CRISIL Ratings.

All rights reserved @ CRISIL Ratings Limited. CRISIL Ratings is a wholly owned subsidiary of CRISIL Limited.

 

 

CRISIL Ratings uses the prefix ‘PP-MLD’ for the ratings of principal-protected market-linked debentures (PPMLD) with effect from November 1, 2011, to comply with the SEBI circular, "Guidelines for Issue and Listing of Structured Products/Market Linked Debentures". The revision in rating symbols for PPMLDs should not be construed as a change in the rating of the subject instrument. For details on CRISIL Ratings' use of 'PP-MLD' please refer to the notes to Rating scale for Debt Instruments and Structured Finance Instruments at the following link: https://www.crisil.com/en/home/our-businesses/ratings/credit-ratings-scale.html