Rating Rationale
April 08, 2020 | Mumbai
Sonata Software Limited
Rating outlook revised to 'Stable', rating reaffirmed
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.50 Crore
Long Term Rating CRISIL A+/Stable (Outlook revised from 'Positive' and rating reaffirmed)
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has revised its outlook on the long-term bank facility of Sonata Software Limited (SSL) to 'Stable' from 'Positive', while reaffirming the 'CRISIL A+' rating.
 
The outlook revision reflects the expected impact on SSL's business risk profile, following the outbreak of Novel Coronavirus or Covid-19. Temporary suspension of operations by a major client, may lead to a decline in profit by up to 40% in the first half of fiscal 2021. SSL is likely to recover gradually from this slowdown, aided by demand for digitisation of businesses, increasing contribution from SSL's earlier acquisitions, and sustained revenue from its domestic software distribution business. Operating margin will improve post fiscal 2021, supported by an increasing share of the high-margin intellectual property (IP) business and improving employee utilisation.
 
SSL's revenue grew 32% in the nine months through fiscal 2020, over the corresponding period in the previous fiscal, driven by large deals in the domestic products and services business, and addition of new clients in the international information technology (IT) services business. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) margin declined to 10.3% in the nine months through fiscal 2020, from 11.6% in the previous fiscal. This was a result of increased contribution from the low-margin domestic products segment, driven by a large deal.
 
The rating continues to reflect SSL's comfortable business risk profile, marked by its established position in the IT services sector and software distribution business, and improving revenue diversity. The rating also factors in the strong financial risk profile, backed by a healthy capital structure and liquidity. These strengths are partially offset by exposure to risks arising from geographical and customer concentration in revenue, changes in regulations such as restrictions on H1B visas, and intense competition, especially in the software distribution business.

Analytical Approach

* For arriving at the rating, CRISIL has combined the business and financial risk profiles of SSL, its domestic subsidiary, Sonata Information Technology Ltd (SITL; 'CRISIL A+/Stable'), and its overseas subsidiaries. This is because all the entities operate under a common management, with significant business and financial linkages.
* Goodwill arising from consolidation of SSL's subsidiary (Rs 90 crore in fiscal 2016, and Rs 61 crore in fiscal 2019) has been amortised over five years.

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:
* Comfortable business risk profile, driven by established market position: SSL has an established position in the IT services sector, and is one of the leading players catering to the travel, tourism, and logistics verticals. It also services the manufacturing, retail, and consumer packaged goods verticals, and offers outsourced research and development services to independent software vendors. The company is also building capability to cater to the fast-growing social, mobility, analytics, and cloud (SMAC) solutions space. It operates a software distribution business for companies such as Microsoft, Oracle, and IBM. It has longstanding relationships with customers and has been actively adding clients. CRISIL believes SSL will continue to benefit from its established market position in the international IT services business and the domestic software distribution business, driven by a diversified range of service offerings, alliances with leading software vendors, and longstanding customer relationships.
 
* Strong financial risk profile: Financial risk profile is marked by a healthy capital structure and debt protection metrics. Gearing was low at 0.02 time as on March 31, 2019 (0.06 time as on March 31, 2018), supported by healthy networth of Rs 649 crore. Debt protection metrics were comfortable, indicated by net cash accrual to total debt ratio of 7.4 times in fiscal 2019. Financial risk profile is also supported by comfortable liquidity of Rs 442 crore as on December 31, 2019. Besides organic growth, SSL intends to expand through acquisitions in complementary service lines. CRISIL believes the acquisitions will be funded largely through internal accrual, thereby keeping the financial risk profile strong.
 
Weaknesses:
* Geographical and customer concentration in revenue: Similar to other players in the IT services industry, SSL drew bulk of its revenue from the US (57%) and Europe (31%) in fiscal 2019. This exposes the company to the risk of economic slowdown in these regions, as well as regulatory changes such as restriction on H1B visas. SSL also faces client concentration risk. The travel and tourism sector, which contributed to almost 27% of revenue in fiscal 2019,  may be adversely impacted in the near term, due to the Covid-19 pandemic. For fiscal 2019, the top 10 customers accounted for 69% of SSL's revenue (70% in fiscal 2018). Given its modest scale of operations (compared to larger peers), SSL's business risk profile will remain vulnerable to client concentration risk.
 
* Exposure to intense competition, especially in the software distribution business: With rapid evolution of the Indian IT-enabled services sector, competition is intensifying as more companies vie for a share of the outsourcing pie. SSL has to compete with multiple players in most of the verticals within the IT services business. Additionally, a large portion of revenue comes from the software distribution business where price competition is high. CRISIL believes SSL's profitability will remain constrained over the medium term as increasing competition curbs the hike in realisations. Availability of low-cost skilled talent also remains a concern.
Liquidity Strong

SSL had a liquid surplus of Rs 442 crore as on December 31, 2019, against negligible debt. The fund-based limit of around Rs 50 crore, remained largely unutilised in the 12 months through March 2020. Annual cash accrual of over Rs 100 crore, expected over the medium term, will support annual capital expenditure of around Rs 45 crore. 

Outlook: Stable

CRISIL believes SSL's credit risk profile will continue to benefit from its moderate business risk profile, supported by recovery in orders from key customers, moderate client addition and strong financial risk profile. 

Rating Sensitivity factors
Upward factors:
* Substantial and sustained growth in revenue (compound annual growth rate of over 15% in the medium term) and EBITDA margin of over 14%
* Steady improvement in business risk profile, with material increase in revenue share of the high-margin IT services business
 
Downward factors:
* Slowdown in key markets, leading to significant pressure on revenue and decline in EBITDA margin below 10%
* Any large, debt-funded acquisition, impacting the financial risk profile, and cash and cash balance falling below Rs 250 crore
* Negative outcome regarding large contingent liabilities
About the Company

SSL, incorporated in 1986, provides IT consulting, product engineering services, application development, application management, managed testing, business intelligence, infrastructure management, packaged applications, and travel solutions. The company derives most of its revenue from overseas, with the US and Europe accounting for over 88%. SITL primarily distributes software products and is focused on the Indian market.

Key Financial Indicators
As on / for the period ended March 31   2019 2018
Operating income Rs crore 2,961 2,455
Profit after tax (PAT) Rs crore 219 174
PAT margin % 7.4 7.1
Adjusted debt / adjusted networth Times 0.02 0.06
Interest coverage Times 105.93 57.58

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 Cr) Rating Assigned
with Outlook
NA Working Capital Facility* NA NA NA 50.00 CRISIL A+/Stable
*Fully interchangeable between fund- and non-fund-based limits
 
Annexure - List of entities consolidated
Name of Entity Extent of Consolidation Rationale for consolidation
Sonata Software Limited Full Holding
Sonata Information Technology Limited Full Subsidiary
Sonata Software North America Inc. Full Subsidiary
Sonata Europe Limited Full Subsidiary
Sonata Software GmbH Full Subsidiary
Sonata Software FZ LLC Full Subsidiary
Sonata Software (Qatar) LLC Full Subsidiary
Rezopia Inc. Full Subsidiary
Halosys Technologies Inc. Full Subsidiary
Interactive Business Information Systems Inc. Full Subsidiary
Scalable Data Systems Pty Ltd Full Subsidiary
Sopris Systems LLC 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
Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  50.00  CRISIL A+/Stable      30-11-19  CRISIL A+/Positive  20-08-18  CRISIL A+/Stable  13-07-17  CRISIL A/Positive  CRISIL A/Positive 
All amounts are in Rs.Cr.
Annexure - Details of various bank facilities
Current facilities Previous facilities
Facility Amount (Rs.Crore) Rating Facility Amount (Rs.Crore) Rating
Working Capital Facility* 50 CRISIL A+/Stable Working Capital Facility* 50 CRISIL A+/Positive
Total 50 -- Total 50 --
*Fully interchangeable between fund- and non-fund-based limits
Links to related criteria
CRISILs Approach to Financial Ratios
CRISILs Bank Loan Ratings - process, scale and default recognition
Rating Criteria for Software Industry
CRISILs Criteria for Consolidation

For further information contact:
Media Relations
Analytical Contacts
Customer Service Helpdesk
Saman Khan
Media Relations
CRISIL Limited
D: +91 22 3342 3895
B: +91 22 3342 3000
saman.khan@crisil.com

Naireen Ahmed
Media Relations
CRISIL Limited
D: +91 22 3342 1818
B: +91 22 3342 3000
naireen.ahmed@crisil.com

Anuj Sethi
Senior Director - CRISIL Ratings
CRISIL Limited
B:+91 44 6656 3100
anuj.sethi@crisil.com


Sameer Charania
Director - CRISIL Ratings
CRISIL Limited
D:+91 22 4097 8025
sameer.charania@crisil.com


Hari Rajai
Rating Analyst - CRISIL Ratings
CRISIL Limited
D:+91 44 6656 3142
Hari.Rajai@crisil.com
Timings: 10.00 am to 7.00 pm
Toll free Number:1800 267 1301

For a copy of Rationales / Rating Reports:
CRISILratingdesk@crisil.com
 
For Analytical queries:
ratingsinvestordesk@crisil.com


 

Note for Media:
This rating rationale is transmitted to you for the sole purpose of dissemination through your newspaper / magazine / agency. The rating rationale may be used by you in full or in part without changing the meaning or context thereof but with due credit to CRISIL. However, CRISIL alone has the sole right of distribution (whether directly or indirectly) of its rationales for consideration or otherwise through any media including websites, portals etc.


About CRISIL Limited

CRISIL is a leading agile and innovative, global analytics company driven by its mission of making markets function better. We are India’s foremost provider of ratings, data, research, analytics and solutions. A strong track record of growth, culture of innovation and global footprint sets us apart. We have delivered independent opinions, actionable insights, and efficient solutions to over 1,00,000 customers.
 
We are majority owned by S&P Global Inc., a leading provider of transparent and independent ratings, benchmarks, analytics and data to the capital and commodity markets worldwide.
 
For more information, visit www.crisil.com 


Connect with us: TWITTER | LINKEDIN | YOUTUBE | FACEBOOK

About CRISIL Ratings
CRISIL Ratings is part of CRISIL Limited (“CRISIL”). We pioneered the concept of credit rating in India in 1987. CRISIL is registered in India as a credit rating agency with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (“SEBI”). With a tradition of independence, analytical rigour and innovation, CRISIL sets the standards in the credit rating business. We rate the entire range of debt instruments, such as, bank loans, certificates of deposit, commercial paper, non-convertible / convertible / partially convertible bonds and debentures, perpetual bonds, bank hybrid capital instruments, asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities, partial guarantees and other structured debt instruments. We have rated over 24,500 large and mid-scale corporates and financial institutions. CRISIL has also instituted several innovations in India in the rating business, including rating municipal bonds, partially guaranteed instruments and microfinance institutions. We also pioneered a globally unique rating service for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and significantly extended the accessibility to rating services to a wider market. Over 1,10,000 MSMEs have been rated by us.


CRISIL PRIVACY
 
CRISIL respects your privacy. We may use your contact information, such as your name, address, and email id to fulfil your request and service your account and to provide you with additional information from CRISIL.For further information on CRISIL’s privacy policy please visit www.crisil.com.


DISCLAIMER

This disclaimer forms part of and applies to each credit rating report and/or credit rating rationale that we provide (each a “Report”). For the avoidance of doubt, the term “Report” includes the information, ratings and other content forming part of the Report. The Report is intended for the jurisdiction of India only. This Report does not constitute an offer of services. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, nothing in the Report is to be construed as CRISIL providing or intending to provide any services in jurisdictions where CRISIL does not have the necessary licenses and/or registration to carry out its business activities referred to above. Access or use of this Report does not create a client relationship between CRISIL and the user.

We are not aware that any user intends to rely on the Report or of the manner in which a user intends to use the Report. In preparing our Report we have not taken into consideration the objectives or particular needs of any particular user. It is made abundantly clear that the Report is not intended to and does not constitute an investment advice. The Report is not an offer to sell or an offer to purchase or subscribe for any investment in any securities, instruments, facilities or solicitation of any kind or otherwise enter into any deal or transaction with the entity to which the Report pertains. The Report should not be the sole or primary basis for any investment decision within the meaning of any law or regulation (including the laws and regulations applicable in the US).

Ratings from CRISIL Rating are statements of opinion as of the date they are expressed and not statements of fact or recommendations to purchase, hold, or sell any securities / instruments or to make any investment decisions. Any opinions expressed here are in good faith, are subject to change without notice, and are only current as of the stated date of their issue. CRISIL assumes no obligation to update its opinions following publication in any form or format although CRISIL may disseminate its opinions and analysis. CRISIL rating contained in the Report is not a substitute for the skill, judgment and experience of the user, its management, employees, advisors and/or clients when making investment or other business decisions. The recipients of the Report should rely on their own judgment and take their own professional advice before acting on the Report in any way.CRISIL or its associates may have other commercial transactions with the company/entity.

Neither CRISIL nor its affiliates, third party providers, as well as their directors, officers, shareholders, employees or agents (collectively, “CRISIL Parties”) guarantee the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the Report, and no CRISIL Party shall have any liability for any errors, omissions, or interruptions therein, regardless of the cause, or for the results obtained from the use of any part of the Report. EACH CRISIL PARTY DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, SUITABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE. In no event shall any CRISIL Party be liable to any party for any direct, indirect, incidental, exemplary, compensatory, punitive, special or consequential damages, costs, expenses, legal fees, or losses (including, without limitation, lost income or lost profits and opportunity costs) in connection with any use of any part of the Report even if advised of the possibility of such damages.

CRISIL Ratings may receive compensation for its ratings and certain credit-related analyses, normally from issuers or underwriters of the instruments, facilities, securities or from obligors. CRISIL’s public ratings and analysis as are required to be disclosed under the regulations of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (and other applicable regulations, if any) are made available on its web sites, www.crisil.com (free of charge). Reports with more detail and additional information may be available for subscription at a fee – more details about CRISIL ratings are available here: www.crisilratings.com.

CRISIL and its affiliates do not act as a fiduciary. While CRISIL has obtained information from sources it believes to be reliable, CRISIL does not perform an audit and undertakes no duty of due diligence or independent verification of any information it receives and / or relies in its Reports. CRISIL keeps certain activities of its business units separate from each other in order to preserve the independence and objectivity of the respective activity. As a result, certain business units of CRISIL may have information that is not available to other CRISIL business units. CRISIL has established policies and procedures to maintain the confidentiality of certain non-public information received in connection with each analytical process. CRISIL has in place a ratings code of conduct and policies for analytical firewalls and for managing conflict of interest. For details please refer to: https://www.crisil.com/en/home/our-businesses/ratings/regulatory-disclosures/highlighted-policies.html

CRISIL’s rating criteria are generally available without charge to the public on the CRISIL public web site, www.crisil.com. For latest rating information on any instrument of any company rated by CRISIL you may contact CRISIL RATING DESK at CRISILratingdesk@crisil.com, or at (0091) 1800 267 1301.

This Report should not be reproduced or redistributed to any other person or in any form without a prior written consent of CRISIL.

All rights reserved @ CRISIL