Rating Rationale
August 27, 2021 | Mumbai

Tata Sons Private Limited

Ratings reaffirmed

 

Rating Action

Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated

Rs.50 Crore

Long Term Rating

CRISIL AAA/Stable (Reaffirmed)

 

Non Convertible Debentures Aggregating Rs.20516 Crore

CRISIL AAA/Stable (Reaffirmed)

Non Convertible Debentures Aggregating Rs.4843 Crore

CRISIL AAA/Stable (Withdrawn)

Fixed Deposits FAAA/Stable (Reaffirmed)
Rs.13500 Crore Commercial Paper CRISIL A1+ (Reaffirmed)

1 crore = 10 million   

Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities

Detailed Rationale

CRISIL Ratings has reaffirmed its ‘CRISIL AAA/FAAA/Stable/CRISIL A1+’ ratings on the bank facilities and debt programmes of Tata Sons Private Limited (Tata Sons).

 

CRISIL Ratings has also withdrawn its rating on Non-Convertible Debentures (NCDs) aggregating to Rs 7,223 crore (See Annexure 'Details of Rating Withdrawn' for details) on receipt of independent confirmation of their redemption. The rating is withdrawn in line with CRISIL Ratings’ rating withdrawal policy. Tata Sons has outstanding NCD amount of Rs 4,350 crore as on August 27, 2021.

 

The ratings continue to reflect Tata Sons' exceptional financial flexibility as the principal holding company of the Tata group and strong financial risk profile, supported by comfortable liquidity and sound capital structure. These strengths are partially offset by the ongoing investments in Tata group entities for funding growth.

Analytical Approach:

For the calculation of the ratio of market value of investments to debt, CRISIL Ratings has taken into account Tata Sons’ standalone debt and expected support to some of its subsidiaries.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description

Strengths:

  • Exceptional financial flexibility: The company’s robust financial flexibility comes from its ability to raise funds by sale or pledge of its large portfolio of investments, mainly equity shares in Tata Consultancy Services Ltd (TCS). Tata Sons holds equity stakes in many Tata group companies such as Tata Motors Ltd (‘CRISIL AA-/Stable/CRISIL A1+’), Tata Steel Ltd and The Tata Power Company Ltd (‘CRISIL AA/Stable/CRISIL A1+’). These equity investments provide ample financial flexibility to raise funds through several avenues, if needed. As on August 23, 2021, the market value of the investments was Rs 11.95 lakh crore, of which TCS accounted for more than 80%. The ratio of market value of investments to adjusted debt is expected to sustain at over 10x.

 

  • Strong financial risk profile: The financial risk profile is supported by comfortable liquidity and sound capital structure. The company remains adequately resourced, which along with regular dividend/buyback income from TCS provides higher cash flow for debt servicing. Annual proceeds from dividend/buyback were more than Rs 20,000 crore over the past three years. CRISIL Ratings believes Tata Sons will continue to manage its liabilities and cash prudently. Proposed investments in fiscals 2022 are likely to be largely funded through dividends from the group companies.

 

Weakness:

  • Investment in group entities: To simplify its structure, the Tata group is reorganising businesses by function under various clusters to enable synergies. Examples include the completed merger of the defence businesses of various group entities into Tata Advanced Systems Ltd, and the acquisition of the branded foods business of Tata Chemicals Ltd ('CRISIL A1+') by Tata Consumer Products Ltd (formerly Tata Global Beverages Ltd). The management is focusing on increasing the contribution of these clusters to the group’s profitability, which may require funding from Tata Sons towards growth capital in some of the entities. Key clusters for growth include media and communication, digital and electronics, financial services, infrastructure, aerospace and defence, consumer and retail, and tourism and travel (including airlines). In the recent past, Tata Sons has invested by way of preferential issues/rights issues in some entities of the Tata Group, such as Tata Motors Ltd, Tata Steel Ltd and The Tata Power Company Ltd. Tata Sons has also invested in new businesses such as Tata Digital and Tata Electronics. CRISIL Ratings expects that the investments would be largely funded from the dividend/buyback income only, with debt being remaining stable or declining.

Liquidity: Superior

Tata Sons has superior liquidity, driven by financial flexibility from holding shares in Tata group companies, worth more than Rs 10 lakh crore as on August 23, 2021, against standalone debt of Rs 30,334 crore as on March 31, 2021. In addition, Tata Sons has significant, stable income from group entities, including TCS, through dividends/buybacks, which should be sufficient for servicing interest obligation and planned investments. As on March 31, 2021, Tata Sons’ standalone cash and cash equivalent were at Rs 2,719 crore.

Outlook: Stable

CRISIL Ratings believes Tata Sons will continue to benefit from the Tata group's diverse business interests in various sectors and its competitive position. Also, Tata Sons' exceptional financial flexibility should mitigate the impact of sizeable investments in group entities.

Rating Sensitivity factors

Downward factors

  • Weakening in the credit risk profiles of key subsidiaries or associates, requiring sizeable support from the parent
  • Market value of investments to adjusted debt cover sustaining below 8-10x levels

About the Company

Tata Sons is the principal investment holding company of the Tata group. Around 66% of Tata Sons' share capital is held by public charitable trusts. It holds core equity stakes in major group companies, including TCS, Tata Steel Ltd, Tata Motors Ltd, The Tata Power Company Ltd, Tata Chemicals Ltd, Tata Investment Corporation Ltd ('CRISIL AAA/Stable'), TTSL, Tata Capital Ltd (‘CRISIL AAA/Stable/CRISIL A1+), Tata AIA Life Insurance Company Ltd, Tata Industries Ltd (‘CRISIL A1+’), Tata Sky Ltd ('CRISIL AA/Stable/CRISIL A1+'), and Tata Projects Ltd ('CRISIL A1+'). Tata Sons is registered as a core investment company with the Reserve Bank of India.

Key Financial Indicators

As on / for the period ended March 31

 

2020

2019

Revenue

Rs crore

24,896

20,229

Profit after tax (PAT)

Rs crore

2,679

1,144

PAT margin

%

10.7

5.7

Adjusted debt / adjusted networth

Times

0.7

0.7

Interest coverage

Times

8.3

6.9

 

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 and are included (where applicable) in the 'Annexure - Details of Instrument' in this Rating Rationale.

CRISIL Ratings will disclose complexity level for all securities - including those that are yet to be placed - based on available information. The complexity level for instruments may be updated, where required, in the rating rationale published subsequent to the issuance of the instrument when details on such features are available.

For more details on the CRISIL Ratings` complexity levels please visit www.crisilratings.com. 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

INE895D08436

Debentures

25-Apr-12

9.54%

25-Apr-22

250

Simple

CRISIL AAA/Stable

INE895D08451

Debentures

12-Jun-12

9.69%

12-Jun-22

350

Simple

CRISIL AAA/Stable

INE895D08477

Debentures

23-Jul-12

9.70%

25-Jul-22

438

Simple

CRISIL AAA/Stable

INE895D08493

Debentures

13-Aug-12

9.70%

16-Aug-22

152

Simple

CRISIL AAA/Stable

INE895D08519

Debentures

29-Aug-12

9.71%

29-Aug-22

175

Simple

CRISIL AAA/Stable

INE895D08543

Debentures

13-Sep-12

9.67%

13-Sep-22

300

Simple

CRISIL AAA/Stable

INE895D07354

Debentures

27-Nov-12

9.40%

27-Nov-27

1000

Simple

CRISIL AAA/Stable

INE895D08550

Debentures

02-May-13

8.85%

02-May-23

225

Simple

CRISIL AAA/Stable

INE895D08576

Debentures

21-May-13

8.32%

21-May-23

175

Simple

CRISIL AAA/Stable

INE895D07370

Debentures

13-Dec-13

9.71%

13-Dec-23

237

Simple

CRISIL AAA/Stable

INE895D07396

Debentures

13-Jan-14

9.74%

13-Jan-24

305

Simple

CRISIL AAA/Stable

INE895D07446

Debentures

20-Mar-14

9.90%

20-Mar-24

300

Simple

CRISIL AAA/Stable

INE895D07453

Debentures

02-Jun-14

9.44%

02-Jun-24

155

Simple

CRISIL AAA/Stable

INE895D07487

Debentures

19-Jun-14

9.30%

19-Jun-24

550

Simple

CRISIL AAA/Stable

INE895D07495

Debentures

22-Jan-15

8.50%

22-Jan-25

200

Simple

CRISIL AAA/Stable

INE895D08618

Debentures

05-Aug-16

8.08%

05-Aug-26

200

Simple

CRISIL AAA/Stable

INE895D08626

Debentures

05-Aug-16

0.00%

06-Aug-29

100

Simple

CRISIL AAA/Stable

INE895D08634

Debentures

02-Sep-16

8.01%

02-Sep-21

390

Simple

CRISIL AAA/Stable

INE895D08642

Debentures

02-Sep-16

8.04%

02-Sep-26

285

Simple

CRISIL AAA/Stable

INE895D08659

Debentures

02-Sep-16

0.00%

03-Sep-29

635

Simple

CRISIL AAA/Stable

INE895D08675

Debentures

14-Dec-16

7.60%

14-Dec-21

500

Simple

CRISIL AAA/Stable

INE895D08915

Debentures

03-Dec-18

7.90%

04-Jan-32

346

Simple

CRISIL AAA/Stable

INE895D08782

Debentures

23-Mar-17

8.25%

23-Mar-22

1000

Simple

CRISIL AAA/Stable

INE895D08790

Debentures

23-Mar-17

8.25%

23-Mar-22

500

Simple

CRISIL AAA/Stable

INE895D08808

Debentures

14-Aug-17

7.40%

16-Aug-22

2000

Simple

CRISIL AAA/Stable

NA

Debentures*

NA

NA

NA

3,500

Simple

CRISIL AAA/Stable

NA

Commercial Paper

NA

NA

7-365 days

13,500

Simple

CRISIL A1+

NA

Overdraft Facility

NA

NA

NA

50

NA

CRISIL AAA/Stable

NA

Fixed Deposits

NA

NA

NA

NA

Simple

FAAA/Stable

*Yet to be issued

 

Annexure - Details of rating withdrawn

ISIN

Name of instrument

Date of allotment

Coupon rate (%)

Maturity date

Issue size (Rs crore)

Complexity level

INE895D08261

Debentures

06-Sep-10

9.10%

06-Sep-20

250

Simple

INE895D08287

Debentures

23-Nov-10

9.18%

23-Nov-20

300

Simple

INE895D08584

Debentures

31-Aug-15

8.55%

31-Aug-20

220

Simple

INE895D08600

Debentures

05-Aug-16

8.07%

05-Aug-21

400

Simple

INE895D08725

Debentures

16-Jan-17

7.85%

31-Jan-21

173

Simple

INE895D08816

Debentures

14-Aug-17

7.30%

14-Aug-20

200

Simple

INE895D08824

Debentures

16-Aug-17

7.40%

14-Aug-20

600

Simple

INE895D08832

Debentures

18-Aug-17

7.35%

18-Aug-20

250

Simple

INE895D08840

Debentures

21-Aug-17

7.40%

21-Aug-20

250

Simple

INE895D08857

Debentures

28-Aug-17

7.35%

28-Aug-20

200

Simple

INE895D08873

Debentures

17-Jan-18

8.25%

20-Mar-21

500

Simple

INE895D08881

Debentures

18-Jan-18

8.25%

23-Mar-21

500

Simple

INE895D08899

Debentures

19-Jan-18

8.25%

24-Mar-21

500

Simple

INE895D08907

Debentures

22-Jan-18

8.25%

25-Mar-21

500

Simple

INE895D08253

Debentures

15-Jul-10

8.97%

13-Sep-22

350

Simple

INE895D08592

Debentures

31-Aug-15

8.55%

31-Aug-25

30

Simple

INE895D07511

Debentures

02-Feb-16

8.48%

02-Feb-26

2000

Simple

 

Annexure - Rating History for last 3 Years
  Current 2021 (History) 2020  2019  2018  Start of 2018
Instrument Type Outstanding Amount Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Rating
Fund Based Facilities LT 50.0 CRISIL AAA/Stable   -- 31-08-20 CRISIL AAA/Stable 31-08-19 CRISIL AAA/Stable 21-08-18 CRISIL AAA/Stable CRISIL AAA/Stable
      --   --   --   -- 01-08-18 CRISIL AAA/Stable --
      --   --   --   -- 15-02-18 CRISIL AAA/Stable --
      --   --   --   -- 16-01-18 CRISIL AAA/Stable --
Commercial Paper ST 13500.0 CRISIL A1+   -- 31-08-20 CRISIL A1+ 31-08-19 CRISIL A1+ 21-08-18 CRISIL A1+ CRISIL A1+
      --   --   --   -- 01-08-18 CRISIL A1+ --
      --   --   --   -- 15-02-18 CRISIL A1+ --
      --   --   --   -- 16-01-18 CRISIL A1+ --
Fixed Deposits LT 0.0 F AAA/Stable   -- 31-08-20 F AAA/Stable 31-08-19 F AAA/Stable 21-08-18 F AAA/Stable F AAA/Stable
      --   --   --   -- 01-08-18 F AAA/Stable --
      --   --   --   -- 15-02-18 F AAA/Stable --
      --   --   --   -- 16-01-18 F AAA/Stable --
Non Convertible Debentures LT 20516.0 CRISIL AAA/Stable   -- 31-08-20 CRISIL AAA/Stable 31-08-19 CRISIL AAA/Stable 21-08-18 CRISIL AAA/Stable CRISIL AAA/Stable
      --   --   --   -- 01-08-18 CRISIL AAA/Stable --
      --   --   --   -- 15-02-18 CRISIL AAA/Stable --
      --   --   --   -- 16-01-18 CRISIL AAA/Stable --
All amounts are in Rs.Cr.
 
 
Annexure - Details of Bank Lenders & Facilities    
Facility Amount (Rs.Crore) Rating
Overdraft Facility 25 CRISIL AAA/Stable
Overdraft Facility 25 CRISIL AAA/Stable
     
Criteria Details
Links to related criteria
CRISILs Approach to Financial Ratios
Rating Criteria for Securities Companies
CRISILs Bank Loan Ratings - process, scale and default recognition
CRISILs Criteria for rating short term debt
Understanding CRISILs Ratings and Rating Scales

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