Rating Rationale
August 25, 2022 | Mumbai

Tata Sons Private Limited

Rating reaffirmed at 'CRISIL AAA/Stable'; 'CRISIL A1+' assigned to Bank Debt; Rated amount enhanced for Bank Debt; FD and CP Withdrawn

 

Rating action

Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated

Rs.31066 Crore (Enhanced from Rs.50 Crore)

Long Term Rating

CRISIL AAA/Stable (Reaffirmed)

Short Term Rating 

CRISIL A1+ (Assigned)

 

Fixed Deposits 

CRISIL AAA/Stable (Withdrawn)

Rs.13500 Crore Commercial Paper 

CRISIL A1+ (Withdrawn)

Non Convertible Debentures Aggregating Rs.3000 Crore

CRISIL AAA/Stable (Reaffirmed)

Non Convertible Debentures Aggregating Rs.17,516 Crore

CRISIL AAA/Stable (Withdrawn)

1 crore = 10 million   

Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities

Detailed Rationale

CRISIL Ratings has reaffirmed its ‘CRISIL AAA/Stable rating on the long term bank facilities and non-convertible debentures (NCDs) of Tata Sons Private Limited (Tata Sons) and assigned its ‘CRISIL A1+’ rating to the short term bank facility. Furthermore, CRISIL Ratings has withdrawn its rating on fixed deposits, commercial paper and NCDs aggregating to Rs 17,516 crore at the company’s request and on receipt of the required documentation. This is in line with CRISIL Ratings’ rating withdrawal policy.

 

The ratings continue to reflect the exceptional financial flexibility of Tata Sons as the principal holding company of the Tata group and the strong financial risk profile, supported by comfortable liquidity and a sound capital structure. These strengths are partially offset by ongoing investments in Tata group entities for funding growth.

Analytical Approach

For calculating the market value of investments to debt ratio, CRISIL Ratings has considered the standalone debt of Tata Sons’ and expected support to some of its subsidiaries.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description

Strengths:

  • Exceptional financial flexibility: The company’s robust financial flexibility comes from its ability to raise funds by sale or pledge of its large portfolio of investments, mainly equity shares in Tata Consultancy Services Ltd (TCS). Tata Sons holds equity stakes in many Tata group companies, such as Tata Motors Ltd (‘CRISIL AA-/Stable/CRISIL A1+’), Tata Steel Ltd and The Tata Power Company Ltd (‘CRISIL AA/Stable/CRISIL A1+’). These equity investments provide ample financial flexibility to raise funds through several avenues, if needed. As on August 17, 2022, market value of the investments was ~Rs 11 lakh crore, of which TCS accounted for more than 80%. The market value of investments to adjusted debt ratio is expected to sustain at over 10 times.

 

  • Strong financial risk profile: The financial risk profile is supported by comfortable liquidity and a sound capital structure. The company remains adequately resourced, which, along with regular dividend/buyback income from TCS, provides higher cash flow for debt servicing. Annual proceeds from dividend/buyback were more than Rs 20,000 crore in the last fiscal. CRISIL Ratings believes Tata Sons will continue to manage its liabilities and cash prudently. Proposed investments in fiscals 2022 are likely to be largely funded through dividends from group companies.

 

Weakness:

  • Investment in group entities: In the recent past, Tata Sons has, by way of preferential issues/rights issues, invested in some entities of the Tata Group, such as Tata Motors Ltd, Tata Steel Ltd and The Tata Power Company Ltd. It is also investing in newer growth businesses, such as Tata Digital, Tata Electronics and Air India. To simplify its structure, the Tata group has been reorganising businesses by function under various clusters to enable synergies over the past few years. Examples include the completed merger of the defence businesses of various group entities into Tata Advanced Systems Ltd and acquisition of the branded foods business of Tata Chemicals Ltd ('CRISIL A1+') by Tata Consumer Products Ltd (formerly Tata Global Beverages Ltd). Similarly, Air India Ltd (owned by Tata Sons through its wholly owned subsidiary Talace Pvt Ltd) has announced a merger with AirAsia India Pvt Ltd.

 

The management is focusing on increasing the contribution of the digital, electronics and aviation businesses to the group’s profitability, which may require funding from Tata Sons towards growth capital in some of the entities. CRISIL Ratings however expects that the investments would be largely funded through the dividend/buyback income, with standalone debt remaining stable or declining.

Liquidity: Superior

Tata Sons has superior liquidity, driven by financial flexibility from holding shares in Tata group companies, worth more than Rs 11 lakh crore as on August 17, 2022, against standalone debt of about Rs 30,000 crore as on March 31, 2022. In addition, Tata Sons has significant, stable income from group entities, including TCS, through dividends/buybacks, which should be sufficient for servicing interest obligation and planned investments. As on March 31, 2022, standalone cash and equivalents of Tata Sons were over Rs 2,000 crore.

Outlook: Stable

Tata Sons will continue to benefit from the Tata group's diverse business interests in various sectors and its competitive position. Also, exceptional financial flexibility of Tata Sons should mitigate the impact of sizeable investments in group entities.

Rating Sensitivity factors

Downward factors

  • Weakening of the credit risk profiles of key subsidiaries or associates, requiring sizeable support from the parent
  • Market value of investments to adjusted debt cover sustaining at below 8-10 times

About the Company

Tata Sons is the principal investment holding company of the Tata group. Around 66% of the share capital of Tata Sons is held by public charitable trusts. It holds core equity stakes in major group companies, including TCS, Tata Steel Ltd, Tata Motors Ltd, The Tata Power Company Ltd, Tata Chemicals Ltd, Tata Investment Corporation Ltd ('CRISIL AAA/Stable'), Tata Teleservices Ltd (‘CRISIL AA-/Stable/CRISIL A1+’), Tata Capital Ltd (‘CRISIL AAA/Stable/CRISIL A1+), Tata AIG General Insurance Company Ltd (‘CRISIL AA+/Stable’), Tata Industries Ltd (‘CRISIL AAA/Stable/CRISIL A1+’), Tata Play Ltd ('CRISIL AA/Stable/CRISIL A1+') and Tata Projects Ltd ('CRISIL A1+'). Tata Sons is registered as a core investment company with the Reserve Bank of India.

Key Financial Indicators

As on / for the period ended March 31

 

2021

2020

Revenue

Rs crore

19,598

24,896

Profit after tax (PAT)

Rs crore

6,512

2,680

PAT margin

%

33.2

10.7

Adjusted debt / adjusted networth

Times

0.6

0.7

Interest coverage

Times

7.1

8.2

 

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 and are included (where applicable) in the 'Annexure - Details of Instrument' in this Rating Rationale.

CRISIL Ratings will disclose complexity level for all securities - including those that are yet to be placed - based on available information. The complexity level for instruments may be updated, where required, in the rating rationale published subsequent to the issuance of the instrument when details on such features are available.

For more details on the CRISIL Ratings` complexity levels please visit www.crisilratings.com. 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

Overdraft Facility

NA

NA

NA

25

NA

CRISIL AAA/Stable

NA

Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility

NA

NA

NA

15,025

NA

CRISIL AAA/Stable

NA

Proposed Short Term Bank Loan Facility

NA

NA

NA

16,016

NA

CRISIL A1+

INE895D08519

Debentures

29-Aug-12

9.71

29-Aug-22

114.00

Simple

CRISIL AAA/Stable

INE895D08543

Debentures

13-Sep-12

9.67

13-Sep-22

153.40

Simple

CRISIL AAA/Stable

INE895D08550

Debentures

2-May-13

8.85

2-May-23

145.00

Simple

CRISIL AAA/Stable

INE895D08576

Debentures

21-May-13

8.32

21-May-23

140.00

Simple

CRISIL AAA/Stable

INE895D07370

Debentures

13-Dec-13

9.71

13-Dec-23

162.00

Simple

CRISIL AAA/Stable

INE895D07396

Debentures

13-Jan-14

9.74

13-Jan-24

247.80

Simple

CRISIL AAA/Stable

INE895D07446

Debentures

20-Mar-14

9.90

20-Mar-24

240.00

Simple

CRISIL AAA/Stable

INE895D07453

Debentures

2-Jun-14

9.44

2-Jun-24

140.20

Simple

CRISIL AAA/Stable

INE895D07487

Debentures

19-Jun-14

9.30

19-Jun-24

390.00

Simple

CRISIL AAA/Stable

INE895D07495

Debentures

22-Jan-15

8.50

22-Jan-25

85.00

Simple

CRISIL AAA/Stable

INE895D08618

Debentures

5-Aug-16

8.08

5-Aug-26

10.00

Simple

CRISIL AAA/Stable

INE895D08642

Debentures

2-Sep-16

8.04

2-Sep-26

5.00

Simple

CRISIL AAA/Stable

INE895D07354

Debentures

27-Nov-12

9.40

27-Nov-27

70.00

Simple

CRISIL AAA/Stable

NA

Debentures*

NA

NA

NA

1,097.6

Simple

CRISIL AAA/Stable

*Yet to be issued

 

Annexure - Details of rating withdrawn

ISIN

Name of instrument

Date of allotment

Coupon rate (%)

Maturity

date

Issue size

(Rs crore)

Complexity

level

INE895D08436

Debentures

25-Apr-12

9.54%

25-Apr-22

250

Simple

INE895D08451

Debentures

12-Jun-12

9.69%

12-Jun-22

350

Simple

INE895D08477

Debentures

23-Jul-12

9.70%

25-Jul-22

438

Simple

INE895D08493

Debentures

13-Aug-12

9.70%

16-Aug-22

152

Simple

INE895D08519

Debentures

29-Aug-12

9.71%

29-Aug-22

61

Simple

INE895D08543

Debentures

13-Sep-12

9.67%

13-Sep-22

146.6

Simple

INE895D07354

Debentures

27-Nov-12

9.40%

27-Nov-27

930

Simple

INE895D08550

Debentures

02-May-13

8.85%

02-May-23

80

Simple

INE895D08576

Debentures

21-May-13

8.32%

21-May-23

35

Simple

INE895D07370

Debentures

13-Dec-13

9.71%

13-Dec-23

75

Simple

INE895D07396

Debentures

13-Jan-14

9.74%

13-Jan-24

57.2

Simple

INE895D07446

Debentures

20-Mar-14

9.90%

20-Mar-24

60

Simple

INE895D07453

Debentures

02-Jun-14

9.44%

02-Jun-24

14.8

Simple

INE895D07487

Debentures

19-Jun-14

9.30%

19-Jun-24

160

Simple

INE895D07495

Debentures

22-Jan-15

8.50%

22-Jan-25

115

Simple

INE895D08618

Debentures

05-Aug-16

8.08%

05-Aug-26

190

Simple

INE895D08626

Debentures

05-Aug-16

0.00%

06-Aug-29

100

Simple

INE895D08634

Debentures

02-Sep-16

8.01%

02-Sep-21

390

Simple

INE895D08642

Debentures

02-Sep-16

8.04%

02-Sep-26

280

Simple

INE895D08659

Debentures

02-Sep-16

0.00%

03-Sep-29

635

Simple

INE895D08675

Debentures

14-Dec-16

7.60%

14-Dec-21

500

Simple

INE895D08915

Debentures

03-Dec-18

7.90%

04-Jan-32

346

Simple

INE895D08782

Debentures

23-Mar-17

8.25%

23-Mar-22

1000

Simple

INE895D08790

Debentures

23-Mar-17

8.25%

23-Mar-22

500

Simple

INE895D08808

Debentures

14-Aug-17

7.40%

16-Aug-22

2000

Simple

NA

Debentures*

NA

NA

NA

2402.4

Simple

NA

Commercial paper

NA

NA

7-365 days

13,500

Simple

NA

Fixed deposits

NA

NA

NA

NA

Simple

*Yet to be issued

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 31066.0 CRISIL A1+ / CRISIL AAA/Stable 23-06-22 CRISIL AAA/Stable 27-08-21 CRISIL AAA/Stable 31-08-20 CRISIL AAA/Stable 31-08-19 CRISIL AAA/Stable CRISIL AAA/Stable
Commercial Paper ST 13500.0 Withdrawn 23-06-22 CRISIL A1+ 27-08-21 CRISIL A1+ 31-08-20 CRISIL A1+ 31-08-19 CRISIL A1+ CRISIL A1+
Fixed Deposits LT 0.0 Withdrawn 23-06-22 CRISIL AAA/Stable 27-08-21 F AAA/Stable 31-08-20 F AAA/Stable 31-08-19 F AAA/Stable F AAA/Stable
Non Convertible Debentures LT 3000.0 CRISIL AAA/Stable 23-06-22 CRISIL AAA/Stable 27-08-21 CRISIL AAA/Stable 31-08-20 CRISIL AAA/Stable 31-08-19 CRISIL AAA/Stable CRISIL AAA/Stable
All amounts are in Rs.Cr.
Annexure - Details of Bank Lenders & Facilities
Facility Amount (Rs.Crore) Name of Lender Rating
Overdraft Facility 25 BNP Paribas Bank CRISIL AAA/Stable
Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility 25 Not Applicable CRISIL AAA/Stable
Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility 15000 Not Applicable CRISIL AAA/Stable
Proposed Short Term Bank Loan Facility 16016 Not Applicable CRISIL A1+

This Annexure has been updated on 25-Aug-22 in line with the lender-wise facility details as on 24-Aug-22 received from the rated entity.

Criteria Details
Links to related criteria
CRISILs Approach to Financial Ratios
Rating Criteria for Securities Companies
CRISILs Bank Loan Ratings - process, scale and default recognition
CRISILs Criteria for rating short term debt
Understanding CRISILs Ratings and Rating Scales

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