Rating Rationale
April 06, 2018 | Mumbai
HCL Technologies Limited
Rating Reaffirmed 
 
Rating Action
Corporate Credit Rating  CCR AAA/Stable (Renewed & Reaffirmed)
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has renewed and reaffirmed its corporate credit rating on HCL Technologies Ltd (HCL Technologies) at 'CCR AAA/Stable'.

The rating continues to reflect the company's strong market position because of presence across diverse verticals and service lines, and robust financial risk profile driven by large networth, strong debt protection metrics, and robust liquidity. These strengths are partially offset by exposure to intense competition in the information technology (IT) industry and volatility in foreign exchange rates. Regulatory changes including significant protectionist measures (particularly by the US) and sizeable debt-funded acquisitions will be key rating sensitivity factors over the medium term.

Analytical Approach

For arriving at the rating, CRISIL has combined the business and financial risk profiles of HCL Technologies and its subsidiaries as they are in the same business. CRISIL has also amortised the goodwill arising out of HCL Technologies' acquisition of Axon Group Plc over a 10-year period; adjusted networth was Rs 32,110 crore as on March 31, 2017. 

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Strengths:
* Strong market position: HCL Technologies is the fourth-largest, listed Indian information technology (IT) services provider in terms of revenue. It has a diverse industry-vertical portfolio; manufacturing segment accounted for 35.4% of turnover during the twelve months period ending December 31, 2017, whereas the financial services segment accounted for 24.7% during this period. The company has strengthened its capabilities in IMS and engineering and R&D services with the acquisition of Volvo group's external IT operations, US based Butler America Aerospace and Geometric Limited in fiscal 2017. The company has been increasing its share of digital revenues (greater than 25% in third quarter of fiscal 2018) driven by its 'Mode 2'and 'Mode 3' strategies including licensing of intellectual property rights with IBM.

* Healthy financial risk profile: Healthy capital structure with comfortable gearing at 0.02 time as on March 31, 2017, and cash and cash equivalents were Rs 8,306 crore as on December 31, 2017. HCL Technologies is expected to invest in niche acquisitions to strengthen its existing portfolio in the medium term and will be largely funded from its cash surplus and healthy accruals.

Weakness:
* Exposure to intense competition in the IT industry: Company has to compete with Indian IT majors such as TCS, Infosys, Cognizant, and Wipro; and also global players such as International Business Machines Corporation, Accenture, and Computer Sciences Corporation. CRISIL believes that though HCL Tech, with its diversified service and vertical mix along with deeper client mining, will continue to register healthy revenue growth over the medium term, it will remain exposed to intense competition from its peers in the industry.

Outlook: Stable
CRISIL believes HCL Technologies will sustain its business risk profile over the medium term, supported by healthy revenue growth across segments. Furthermore, financial risk profile will continue to be backed by strong cash generating abilities, robust debt protection metrics, and cash surplus. The outlook may be revised to 'Negative' if operating profitability declines significantly or if there is sustained slowdown in revenue growth due to regulatory changes in the regions in which it operates, resulting in weakening of business risk profile.
About the Company

HCL Technologies is one of the leading Indian IT service providers that offers enterprise application services, engineering, research and development, custom applications, remote infrastructure management, and business process outsourcing. The company caters to various industry verticals including financial services, manufacturing, telecom, retail, life sciences, media and entertainment, and energy and utilities.

Key Financial Indicators
As on / for the period ended March 31  Unit 2017 2016*
Revenue Rs crore 47,591 30,791
Profit after tax (PAT) Rs crore 8,246 5,301
PAT margins % 17.3 17.2
Adjusted debt/adjusted net worth Times 0.02 0.05
Interest coverage Times 129 102
*Figures for 2016 pertain to nine months period ending March 31, 2016

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
NA NA NA NA NA NA NA
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
CCR  CCR AAA/Stable    No Rating Change  13-02-17  CCR AAA/Stable    No Rating Change  05-11-15  CCR AAA  -- 
                    01-04-15  CCR AAA  
Non Convertible Debentures  LT    --    --    --    --  01-04-15  Withdrawal  CRISIL AAA/Stable 
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
Rating Criteria for Software Industry
CRISILs Criteria for Consolidation

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