Rating Rationale
March 31, 2020 | Mumbai
Raj Chopra & Company Private Limited
Rating outlook revised to 'Negative', rating reaffirmed
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.58 Crore
Long Term Rating CRISIL BBB+/Negative (Outlook revised from 'Stable' and rating reaffirmed)
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has revised its outlook on the long-term bank facility of Raj Chopra & Company Private Limited (RCCPL) to 'Negative' from 'Stable' while reaffirming the rating at 'CRISIL BBB+'
 
The outlook revision reflects the negative impact of the Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic on the hotel industry, which is likely to  adversely impact the business and financial performance of RCCPL. There is significant decline in tourists in the region following measures taken by the state and central governments to contain the  spread of Novel Coronavirus. The measures include lockdown, temporary closure of non-critical establishments and inter-state transportation, and restrictions on mass gatherings.
 
This has resulted significant decline in occupancy level. Occupancy is expeced to be low at 25-30% in near to short term. Lower occupancy is also expected to result in significant decline in operating margins and subsequently lower net cash accruals.
 
The national lockdown is applicable till April 14, 2020, and revocation of the measures will depend on a directive from the central government and the extent of spread of Covid-19. Prolonged closure could result in deterioration in the credit risk profile of the company. On the other hand, faster reversal to normalcy may contain the extent of deterioration in credit quality. That said, ability to revert to operational stability and any relief measures by the government will be key monitorablesand CRISIL will continue monitoring these events.
 
The rating continues to reflect the company's strong reputation for premium hospitality services in north India and its robust financial risk profile. These strengths are partially offset by exposure to risks related to project implementation, susceptibility to cyclicality in the hospitality industry, and regional concentration in operations.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Strengths
* Strong reputation for premium hospitality services in north India: The company has leveraged the JW Marriot brand and the location of its property in Mussoorie to create a strong reputation as a premium hotel in North India. There is limited competition as the hill station has only 2 other 5-star hotels. The international track record and strong brand of JW Marriot, which handles the operations and marketing network of RCCPL's hotel, gives the company an edge. The niche position that the management has created by marketing the hotel as an up-scale luxury resort has kept the average room rate (ARR) healthy.
 
* Robust financial risk profile: Despite capital expenditure (capex) to set up a hotel in Goa, RCCPL's financial risk profile should remain robust, driven by healthy healthy networth of Rs 91.9 crore and low gearing of 0.71 time expected as on March 31, 2020. Debt protection metrics are healthy too, with interest coverage expected at 6 times and net cash accrual to total debt ratio at 25% in fiscal 2020.
 
Weaknesses
* Exposure to risks related to project implementation: RCCPL's capex of Rs 200 crore to set up a hotel in Goa will be funded in a debt-to-equity ratio of 1:2. The company has signed an agreement with the Mariott group for the upcoming hotel, and has started construction work. The project is in a nascent stage and the company faces risks related to its funding, implementation, and demand.
 
* Susceptibility to cyclicality in the hospitality industry and regional concentration in operations: The hotel and resorts industry is vulnerable to downturns in the domestic and international economies. During a economic slowdown, revenue per available room of premium hotels is likely to be impacted more significantly than that of mid-scale or economy hotels. RCCPL has only one property at present. Some of its larger competitors have the advantage of geographical diversity. Geographical concentration renders the company more susceptible to cyclicality in business and to any business exigency that may lead to a sharp decline in operating revenue.
Liquidity Adequate

Liquidity should remain adequate, driven by expected cash accrual of Rs 16 crore against debt obligation of Rs 5.76 crore in fiscal 2020. Cash accrual is expected at Rs 7.7-11 crore per fiscal against annual debt obligation of Rs 6-6.5 crore over the medium term. The promoters have provided funding in the form of unsecured loans and equity infusion and will continue to provide financial support. The company is setting up a hotel in Goa at a cost of Rs 200 crore funded in a debt-to-equity ratio of 1:2. Timely infusion of funds by the promoters remains a key rating sensitivity factor.

Outlook: Negative

CRISIL believes RCCPL's business and financial risk profiles will remain constrained owning to significant fall in occupancy rate.

Rating Sensitivity Factors
Upward factors
* Faster reversal to normalcy leading to operational stability
* Sustainance of operating income above Rs 60 crore and operating margin above 29% leading to healthy net cash accrual

Downward factors
* Decline in net cash accrual by more than 20% due to fall in revenue and profitabiltiy
* Prolonged lockdown by the central or state government to contain Covid-19 spread, leading to deterioration in the credit risk profile of the company.

About the Company

RCCPL has set up the JW Marriott Mussoorie Walnut Grove Resort and Spa, which is operated by JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts. The hotel commenced commercial operations in October 2014. It has 115 rooms (49 deluxe rooms, 56 deluxe valley-view rooms, 8 studio suites, and 2 executive suites).

Key Financial Indicators
Particulars Unit 2019 2018
Revenue Rs crore 65.12 61.00
Profit After Tax (PAT) Rs crore 9.11 6.91
PAT Margin % 13.99 11.3
Adjusted debt/adjusted networth Times 0.6 0.62
Interest coverage Times 6.32 6.52

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 Term Loan NA NA Mar-22 25.34 CRISIL BBB+/Negative
NA Term Loan NA NA Mar-24 32.66 CRISIL BBB+/Negative
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  58.00  CRISIL BBB+/Negative      14-06-19  CRISIL BBB+/Stable  29-09-18  CRISIL BBB+/Stable  06-06-17  CRISIL BBB+/Stable  CRISIL BBB-/Stable 
            06-06-19  CRISIL BBB+/Stable           
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
Term Loan 58 CRISIL BBB+/Negative Term Loan 58 CRISIL BBB+/Stable
Total 58 -- Total 58 --
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

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