Rating Rationale
February 07, 2022 | Mumbai
Aditya Birla Money Limited
Rated amount enhanced
 
Rating Action
Rs.700 Crore (Enhanced from Rs.600 Crore) Commercial PaperCRISIL A1+ (Reaffirmed)
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to Annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities

Detailed Rationale

CRISIL Ratings has reaffirmed its ‘CRISIL A1+’ rating on commercial paper programme of Aditya Birla Money Limited (ABML).

 

The rating on ABML reflects the benefit that ABML is expected to derive from its parent, Aditya Birla Capital Ltd (ABCL; rated ‘CRISIL A1+’). The strength is partially offset by the company’s modest earnings profile, and exposure to uncertainties inherent in the equity broking business.

Analytical Approach

The rating reflects the strong support that ABML receives from its parent ABCL.  This is because ABML is a strategically important subsidiary of ABCL, with extensive business and operational linkages, and a common brand.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description

Strengths:

  • Benefits that ABML is expected to derive from its parent, ABCL:  The rating factors in ABML’s strategic importance to, and expectation of strong support from, its parent, ABCL. CRISIL believes that ABML, being the group’s broking and distribution arm, is an important subsidiary of ABCL, as it complements the group’s product offerings by providing a capital market platform. Further, financial services is expected to remain one of the key focus areas for the group. The significant holding (73.7% as on December 31, 2021) and shared brand name imply a strong moral obligation on ABCL to support ABML, both on an ongoing basis and in the event of any distress.

 

Weaknesses:

  • Modest earnings profile: While the company turned profitable in fiscal 2015, after reporting losses for four consecutive years, and has now been reporting profits for last seven years, the earnings profile remain modest. For fiscal 2021, ABML recorded a profit of Rs 15.8 crore on a total income of Rs 193.4 crore. For the nine month ended December 31, 2021, it reported a profit of Rs 18.5 crore. The company’s ability to improve its earnings profile will remain a monitorable.

 

  • Exposure to uncertainties inherent in the equity broking business: The revenue profile remains inherently volatile because of the high dependence on capital market-related activity, which constitutes. While the company has diversified its sources of revenue, the dependence on capital market-related activity remains high. Given the cyclical nature of these businesses, brokerage volumes and earnings are highly dependent on the level of trading in the capital markets. Thus, any downturn in the capital market business can have an adverse impact on profitability.

Liquidity: Strong

Liquidity is strong due to the agency nature of business. ABML had Rs 780 crore cash and liquid investments and Rs 350 crore unutilized bank lines as on December 31, 2021. The borrowings are primarily in the form of commercial paper, with outstanding of Rs 535 crore as on same date. Additionally, the liquidity position is supported by the parentage of ABCL.

Rating Sensitivity factors

Downward Factors:

  • Significant weakening in the credit risk profile of ABCL could have a negative implication on the rating of ABML
  • Change in shareholding by ABCL below 50%, along with material change in support philosophy of ABCL impacting the quantum and timing of support

About the Company

ABML is present in equity broking, commodity broking, depository services, PMS (portfolio management services) and distribution of products like mutual funds, insurance and loans of Aditya Birla group companies. The Chennai-based company has centralised back-office operations. ABCL, the holding company for the financial services business of the Aditya Birla Group, owns a 73.7% stake in ABML. ABML is listed on Bombay Stock Exchange and National Stock Exchange. As on September 30, 2021, the company had 29 branches and 942 franchisees across India.

 

For fiscal 2021, ABML reported a net profit of Rs 15.8 crore on total income of Rs 193.4 crore, against Rs 12.0 crore and Rs 173.7 crore, respectively, for fiscal 2020. For the nine month ended December 31, 2021, it reported a net profit of Rs 18.5 crore on total income of Rs 173 crore, against Rs 12 crore and Rs 144 crore, respectively, for the corresponding period previous fiscal.

Key Financial Indicators

As on/ for the period ended December 31,

Unit

2021

2020

Total assets

Rs. Cr.

1152

811

Total income

Rs. Cr.

173

144

Profit after tax

Rs. Cr.

18.5

12.0

Gearing

Times

9.2

7.1

Return on assets (annualized)

%

2.5

2.4

 

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

Commercial paper programme

NA

NA

7-365 days

700

Simple

CRISIL A1+

 

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
Commercial Paper ST 700.0 CRISIL A1+   -- 08-11-21 CRISIL A1+ 30-11-20 CRISIL A1+ 29-11-19 CRISIL A1+ CRISIL A1+
All amounts are in Rs.Cr.

          

Criteria Details
Links to related criteria
Rating Criteria for Securities Companies
CRISILs Criteria for rating short term debt
Criteria for Notching up Stand Alone Ratings of Companies based on Parent Support

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