Rating Rationale
November 03, 2020 | Mumbai
Godrej Industries Limited
Rated amount enhanced 
 
Rating Action
Rs.1500 Crore Non Convertible Debentures CRISIL AA/Stable (Reaffirmed)
Rs.1500 Crore Commercial Paper (Enhanced from Rs.1000 Crore) CRISIL A1+ (Reaffirmed)
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has reaffirmed its 'CRISIL AA/Stable/CRISIL A1+' ratings on the non-convertible debentures and commercial paper programme of Godrej Industries Limited (GIL).
 
The ratings continue to reflect GIL's strong financial flexibility as the holding company of the Godrej group. It is the second-largest shareholder in the group's flagship company, Godrej Consumer Products Ltd (GCPL; rated 'CRISIL A1+') and the largest shareholder in other major companies, Godrej Properties Ltd (GPL; rated 'CRISIL A1+') and Godrej Agrovet Ltd (GAL). The ratings also factor in GIL's healthy credit risk profile and the reputation of the Godrej group. These strengths are partially offset by exposure to market-related risks and large refinancing requirement.
 
GIL's operating profit before depreciation, interest and tax (OPBDIT) declined to Rs 348 crore in fiscal 2020 compared with Rs 447 crore in fiscal 2019, primarily because of lower dividend income from group companies (Rs 245 crore against Rs 342 crore in the said period). Profit after tax (PAT) was Rs 31 crore in fiscal 2020 against loss (owing to impairment of investment in Natures Basket Ltd) of Rs 91 crore in fiscal 2019.

Analytical Approach

For arriving at the ratings, CRISIL has followed the holding company approach and has considered the standalone credit risk profile of GIL.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Strengths
* Strong financial flexibility
GIL's strong financial flexibility arises from its 23.75% stake in GCPL, 49.35% stake in GPL and 59.28% stake in GAL, which translates into a market value of over Rs 35,400 crore (as on October 23, 2020). This is substantial in relation to the company's total debt exposure, estimated at Rs 3,400 crore as on September 30, 2020, leading to healthy debt coverage. Cash and equivalents are estimated at Rs 700 crore as on September 30, 2020. The net debt exposure (that is, total debt exposure minus cash and cash equivalents) is expected to remain below Rs 4,500 crore over the medium term (revised upwards from total debt exposure of Rs 4,000 crore). GIL may utilise the cash for investing in group companies, business needs and repayment of debt.

* Healthy reputation of the promoters
GIL is held by the Godrej group, which has a well-established management track record. The promoters' shareholding in GIL is unencumbered.
 
Weakness
* Susceptibility to market risks
The company will remain susceptible to prevailing market sentiments and the share prices of GCPL, GPL and GAL. Any increase in systemic risks, leading to a sharp decline in the share price of these companies, will be a key rating sensitivity factor. Furthermore, GIL largely depends on refinancing and dividend income to service its debt. While the interest coverage ratio is weak, debt obligation, including interest, is adequately phased, thereby enabling the company to manage cash flow and ensure adequate liquidity.
Liquidity Strong

Liquidity should remain strong, driven by steady dividend income from the subsidiaries, primarily GCPL. In fiscal 2020, GIL received dividends of Rs 245 crore from its investment companies. GIL also has a strong reputation in the lending community, thus enhancing financial flexibility. Moreover, utilisation of the fund-based working capital limit averaged 7% over the 12 months through September 2020.

Outlook: Stable

CRISIL believes GIL will continue to benefit from its strong financial flexibility, resulting from the healthy market value of investments in group companies.
 
Rating sensitivity factors
Upward factors
* Improved performance of all investment companies, resulting in rating upgrade by one or more notches
* Healthy performance of the standalone chemicals business
 
Downward factors
* Subdued performance of investment companies resulting in rating downgrade by one or more notches
* Increase in market-related risks leading to sharp decline in the market value of the investment portfolio against the net debt cap of Rs 4,500 crore
* Weakening in the performance of the standalone chemical business

About the Company

GIL, one of India's leading manufacturers of oleochemicals, makes more than a hundred chemicals for use in over two dozen industries. It also manufactures edible oils, vanaspati and bakery fats. The company was called Godrej Soaps until March 31, 2001. Thereafter, the consumer products division got de-merged into GCPL, and the residual Godrej Soaps became GIL.
 
GIL, a leading producer of fatty acids, fatty alcohols and surfactants, operates four plants, one each at Valia (Gujarat), Ambernath, Wadala, and Dombivli (all in Maharashtra. The company's products are exported to 60 countries across the world.
 
GIL is also a holding company of GCPL, GAL, and GPL.
 
For the first quarter of fiscal 2021, loss was Rs 71 crore on revenue of Rs 267 crore compared with loss of Rs 12 crore on revenue of Rs 478 crore in the first quarter of fiscal 2020.

Key Financial Indicators - CRISIL-adjusted numbers
As on/for the period ended March 31 2020 2019
Revenue Rs crore 2,030 2,186
Profit after tax (PAT) Rs crore 31 (91)
PAT margin % 1.5 -4.2
Adjusted debt/adjusted networth Times 1.79 1.98
Interest coverage Times 1.45 1.87

Any other information: Not applicable

Note on complexity levels of the rated instrument:
CRISIL 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. For more details on the CRISIL complexity levels, please visit www.crisil.com/complexity-levels.
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 NA NA 7-365 days 1500.00 Simple CRISIL A1+
INE233A08022 Non-Convertible Debentures 16-Jul-20 6.24% 14-Jul-23 750.00 Simple CRISIL AA/Stable
INE233A08030 Non-Convertible Debentures 28-Oct-20 6.43% 26-Apr-24 750.00 Simple CRISIL AA/Stable
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
Commercial Paper  ST  1500.00  CRISIL A1+      11-11-19  CRISIL A1+  20-09-18  CRISIL A1+  27-09-17  CRISIL A1+  -- 
            23-09-19  CRISIL A1+           
Non Convertible Debentures  LT  150.00
03-11-20 
CRISIL AA/Stable      11-11-19  CRISIL AA/Stable    --    --  -- 
All amounts are in Rs.Cr.
Links to related criteria
CRISILs Approach to Financial Ratios
Criteria for rating holding companies (including debt backed by pledge of shares)
Rating criteria for manufaturing and service sector companies
CRISILs Approach to Recognising Default
The Rating Process

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