Rating Rationale
May 08, 2020 | Mumbai
Pilani Investment And Industries Corporation Limited
'CRISIL A1+' assigned to CP 
 
Rating Action
Rs.1000 Crore Commercial Paper CRISIL A1+ (Assigned)
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has assigned its 'CRISIL A1+' rating to the commercial paper programme of Pilani Investment And Industries Corporation Limited (PIICL).

The rating reflects PIICL' s strong financial flexibility as a holding company in the Birla group with significant market value of investments in strong operating companies such as Hindalco Industries Ltd (Hindalco; 'CRISIL AA/Stable/CRISIL A1+'), Grasim Industries Ltd (Grasim; 'CRISIL AAA/Stable/CRISIL A1+'), Aditya Birla Capital Ltd (ABCL; 'CRISIL A1+'), Ultratech Cement Ltd (Ultratech; 'CRISIL AAA/Stable/CRISIL A1+'), Century Textiles and Industries Ltd (Century Textiles; 'CRISIL AA/Stable/CRISIL A1+'), and Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Ltd (ABFRL; 'CRISIL AA/Stable/CRISIL A1+'). These investments provide a healthy cover against the proposed debt. Furthermore, PIICL, being a promoter group company and a part of Birla group, has healthy financial flexibility and is expected to receive liquidity support from the group, if required.

The rating also factors in strong reputation of the Birla group and investments in the operating entities having healthy credit risk profiles and their presence across diverse sectors such as cement, textiles, fashion, telecommunication, chemicals and financial services. These strengths are partially offset by exposure to market-related risks.

Analytical Approach

CRISIL has followed the holding company approach for arriving at the rating, as PIICL is one of the companies that holds shares for various  Birla group entities viz Hindalco, Grasim, ABCL, ABFRL, , Ultratech, Century Textiles, Vodafone Idea Ltd,  and others.

CRISIL has also consolidated the business and financial risk profile of PIC Realcon Ltd and PIC Properties Ltd as these are 100% subsidiaries of PIICL

Please refer Annexure - List of entities consolidated, which captures the list of entities considered and their analytical treatment of consolidation.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Strengths:
* Strong financial flexibility, driven by investments in listed Birla group companies:
PIICL is the one of the holding companies of the Birla group and enjoys strong financial flexibility which results from its stake in Hindalco, Grasim, ABFRL, ABCL, Ultratech, Century textiles, Hindalco and others. The market value of the stake in operating companies was around Rs  4,330 crore as on April 24, 2020, and the total debt, excluding loans and preference shares from group companies, post the issuance of the proposed commercial paper will not exceed beyond Rs 1000 crore. This provides healthy cover for the rated debt. Current debt outstanding is about Rs 245 crore as on April 24, 2020.

 * Stable operations of the operating companies, diversification in investment portfolio, and healthy reputation of the Birla group:
The company has a diversified investment portfolio, and benefits from the robust credit risk profiles of the operating entities in which the value of investments is substantial, and the strong reputation of the Birla group. Steady dividend inflows are expected from these investments. The principal needs to be refinanced regularly and interest servicing is expected to be met through dividend inflows, interest income and promoter support, which is expected to be prudently managed. Financial risk profile is also supported by the high-value shares of operating companies, which can be pledged to refinance debt.
 
* Expected sustenance of healthy cover and likely support from the Birla group:
CRISIL understands that the debt is not expected to increase beyond Rs 1,000 crore over medium term, which shall result in healthy cover. This is further supported by the financial flexibility in the form of support expected from Birla Group, if required, and high value of unencumbered cash and investments available with rest of the Birla Group which can be used to correct the cover in case of a significant drop in the market value of investments.

Furthermore, CRISIL takes comfort from the demonstrated track record of maintaining the expected cover in the other rated holding companies of the Birla Group by reducing the external debt through fund infusion from group companies. Any significant reduction in the expected cover that is not corrected shall constitute a key rating sensitivity factor.

 Weakness:
* Exposure to market-related risks:
Financial flexibility in terms of cover available will, to some extent, depend on prevailing market sentiments and share prices. Any increase in market-related risks, leading to a sharp fall in the share prices of investments in the operating companies will be a key rating sensitivity factor.
Liquidity Strong

The company has healthy financial flexibility due to the shareholding in group companies (around Rs 4,330 crore against debt of Rs 245 crore, as on April 24, 2020). CRISIL understands that the management intends to maintain debt at around Rs 1,000 crore over the medium term. The cover, along with benefits from being part of the Birla group, gives sufficient financial flexibility to refinance the maturing repayment obligation. Also, in case of adverse market movements, adequate financial flexibility through Birla group companies shall be available to correct the cover. In addition, dividends are expected from the operating entities and interest income from intercorporate deposits/loans. However, this is not sufficient to cover interest payment and principal repayment. Interest shall be serviced through dividend inflows, interest income and promoter support; principal payment shall be refinanced regularly.

There are no capex or working capital requirements. The group is likely to provide support if required.

Rating Sensitivity Factors
Downward Factors
* Higher debt or fall in the market value of investments, leading to deterioration in the cover to below 4 times
* Significant weakening of the credit risk profiles of operating entities impacting PIICL credit profile
* Change in stance of support by the Birla group.

About the Company

PIICL, incorporated in 1948, is registered as systematically important  non-deposit-taking, non-banking financial company with the Reserve Bank of India. The company functions as a Core Investment Company (CIC) Its main activity is investment in shares and securities of Birla group companies, and providing finance to them. PIC Realcon Ltd and PIC Properties Ltd are subsidiaries with no major operations.

Key Financial Indicators (Consolidated)
As on/for the period ended March 31 Unit 2019 2018
Revenue Rs.Crore 25 31
Profit After Tax (PAT) Rs.Crore 231 114
PAT Margin % 924% 368%
Adjusted debt/adjusted networth Times 0.05 0.0
Interest coverage Times ~1.2 ~77

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 Type of instrument Date of allotment Coupon Rate (%) Maturity date Issue size
(Rs.Crore)
Rating assigned
with outlook
NA Commercial Paper Programme NA NA 7-365 days 1000 CRISIL A1+
 
Annexure - List of Entities Consolidated
Name of the company Extent of Consolidation Rationale for consolidation
PIC Realcon Limited  Full Subsidiary
PIC Properties Limited Full Subsidiary
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  1000.00  CRISIL A1+    --    --    --    --  -- 
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)
CRISILs Criteria for Consolidation

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