Rating Rationale
January 02, 2018 | Mumbai
Reliance Infrastructure Limited
Ratings revised to 'Watch with Developing Implications'   
 
Rating Action
Rs.125 Crore Bond CRISIL BBB+ (Revised to 'Rating Watch with Developing Implications' from 'Rating Watch with Negative Implications')
Rs.725.7 Crore Non Convertible Debentures CRISIL BBB+ (Revised to 'Rating Watch with Developing Implications' from 'Rating Watch with Negative Implications')
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has revised its ratings watch on the debt programmes of Reliance Infrastructure Limited  (RInfra) to 'Rating Watch with Developing Implications' from earlier 'Rating Watch with Negative Implications'.

The change reflects improved expectation of substantial debt reduction in RInfra, post announcement of sale of its entire power generation, transmission and distribution (GTD) business in Mumbai.

RInfra has signed a binding agreement with Adani Transmission Ltd (ATL) for sale of its Mumbai GTD business. Company plans to utilize the proceeds from the transaction towards reduction of debt. Post transfer, RInfra's business profile will also undergo a shift as Mumbai GTD business contributed nearly 80% of its existing operating profits. Construction and defence businesses have been identified to be RInfra's key growth areas and will determine its overall credit profile going forward.

The transaction remains subject to lenders and regulatory approval. While CRISIL believes that there is greater likelihood of the deal closure, however given its size and complexity, timelines remain a key monitorable. Additionally CRISIL will continue to engage with management on its various debt reduction plans and its future business strategies. Final rating view and removal of Watch will remain contingent upon these clarities. Continued delays in debt reduction may constrain company's credit profile over the medium term.

Analytical Approach

For arriving at the ratings, CRISIL has moderately integrated its SPVs which are largely owned by RInfra. While RInfra is looking to exit most of its developmental projects however CRISIL expects the company to support any cost overruns or shortfall in debt servicing in these SPVs.

CRISIL has not consolidated Reliance Power Ltd (RPower; 43.2% held by RInfra) because CRISIL believes RInfra will not provide any support beyond the equity capital already invested in RPower.

Similarly, CRISIL has not consolidated Reliance Naval and Engineering Ltd (RNAVAL), no support is currently being provided beyond the equity capital already invested. CRISIL may reassess its analytical approach once the company's operations firm up.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Strengths
* Dominant market position in the power distribution business in Mumbai, ensuring stable regulated returns: RInfra has been the leading power distributor in its licence area of suburban Mumbai, catering to nearly 3 million consumers. Its strong positioning in the service area alongwith regulated tariff structure drive high stability of its cash flows from this business. Company is looking to exit this business hence its future business profile will remain contingent upon its strategies in residual businesses viz. construction and defence.

* Improving revenue visibility in the EPC business: After a decline in captive order books over last few years through fiscal 2017, company has reinstated its focus on external orders. Company expects a healthy order inflow from sectors such as transportation, power, civil and water infrastructure. As on December 20, 2017, it had orders worth around Rs 11,000 crore. A sustained build-up of the order pipeline will strengthen the revenue visibility for this business segment, and will remain a key monitorable over the medium term.

Weaknesses
* High exposure to group companies: RInfra has significant exposure to group companies, via inter-corporate deposits and preference shares. CRISIL believes that large investments in group companies may affect the quality of liquidity, and weaken RInfra's financial risk profile.

* Financial risk profile, constrained by high debt-to-EBITDA and below-average debt protection metrics: With a delay in deleveraging plans, the debt-to-EBITDA ratio (including regulated income as part of EBITDA) has remained high at around 6.5 times during fiscal 2017, while the adjusted interest coverage was around 1.85 times. Interest coverage may remain below 2 times during fiscal 2018. CRISIL expects the company to reduce its debt levels over the medium term, however, debt protection metrics may continue to remain constrained till actual debt reduction takes place. Hence timely completion of its deleveraging plans will remain a key monitorable.
About the Company

RInfra is one of the main companies of the Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani group, which includes Reliance Communications Ltd, Reliance Capital Ltd, and RPower. Promoters held 48.36% stake in RInfra as on March 31, 2017.

The company mainly undertakes distribution of electricity in its licence area of suburban Mumbai. The EPC division carries out infrastructure projects, and external projects for RPower. Power generating assets of 941 megawatt (MW), include Dahanu power station (500 MW; supplies to Mumbai), Samalkot power station (220 MW), and Goa power station (48 MW). RInfra also serves as the holding company for its portfolio of infrastructure projects, and held 43.2% in RPower as on March 31, 2017.

In January 2016, RInfra acquired management control by acquiring a 29.9% stake in Pipavav Defence and Offshore Engineering Company, which has been renamed Reliance Defence and Engineering Ltd, and later as Reliance Naval and Engineering Limited (RNAVAL).

Key Financial Indicators
Particulars Unit 2017 2016
Revenue Rs crore 9846 10352
Profit After Tax (PAT) Rs crore 488 -365
PAT Margin % 5.1 -3.6
Adjusted Debt/Adjusted Networth Times 0.83 1.12
Interest Coverage Times 1.85 1.69
Note:The above reflect standalone CRISIL adjusted financials.

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  Crore) Rating Assigned  with Outlook
INE036A07039 Bond 19-Aug-03 6.7% 19-Aug-18 125 CRISIL BBB+/Watch Developing
INE036A07104 Debentures 27-Jan-12 10.50% 27-Jul-18 585 CRISIL BBB+/Watch Developing
INE036A07112 Debentures 27-Jan-12 10.25% 27-Jan-18 16.7 CRISIL BBB+/Watch Developing
INE036A07146 Debentures 30-Mar-12 11.15% 30-Mar-18 124 CRISIL BBB+/Watch Developing
Annexure - Rating History for last 3 Years
  Current 2018 (History) 2017  2016  2015  Start of 2015
Instrument Type Quantum Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Rating
Bond  LT  125  CRISIL BBB+/Watch
Developing 
  No Rating Change  26-07-17  CRISIL BBB+/Watch Negative  12-02-16  CRISIL A-/Watch Negative  20-03-15  CRISIL A/Watch Negative  CRISIL A+/Negative 
                    23-01-15  CRISIL A/Negative   
Non Convertible Debentures  LT  725.7  CRISIL BBB+/Watch Developing    No Rating Change  26-07-17  CRISIL BBB+/Watch Negative  12-02-16  CRISIL A-/Watch Negative  20-03-15  CRISIL A/Watch Negative  CRISIL A+/Negative 
                    23-01-15  CRISIL A/Negative   
Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST    --    --  26-07-17  Withdrawal  12-02-16  CRISIL A-/Watch Negative  20-03-15  CRISIL A/Watch Negative  CRISIL A+/Negative 
                    23-01-15  CRISIL A/Negative   
Table reflects instances where rating is changed or freshly assigned. 'No Rating Change' implies that there was no rating change under the release.
Links to related criteria
CRISILs Approach to Financial Ratios
CRISILs Bank Loan Ratings - process, scale and default recognition
Rating Criteria for Power Distribution Utilities
Rating criteria for manufaturing and service sector companies

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