Rating Rationale
February 22, 2019 | Mumbai
Vedanta Star Limited
Rating outlook revised to 'Stable', rating reaffirmed
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.3400 Crore
Long Term Rating CRISIL AA(SO)/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 rating of Vedanta Star Limited (VSL) to 'Stable' from 'Positive', and reaffirmed the ratings at 'CRISIL AA(SO)'. The revision in outlook follows a similar rating action on Vedanta Star's parent, Vedanta Ltd ('CRISIL AA/Stable/CRISIL A1+').
 
VSL's rating continues to be driven by the corporate guarantee extended by the parent, Vedanta Ltd, the structured payment mechanism, and expected strong oversight by the guarantor. The rating also factors its strategic importance to the parent. Any adverse movement in the credit risk profile of the guarantor or non-adherence to the payment mechanism and guarantee fall-off are key rating sensitivity factors.

Analytical Approach

CRISIL has applied its criteria on rating instruments backed by guarantees. The (SO) suffix reflects the payment structure that is designed to ensure full and time-bound payment to lenders. VSL has initiated the process of merger with its subsidiary, Electrosteel Steels Limited (ESL) which is likely to be completed by 1HFY20. Hence, CRISIL has combined the business and financial profiles of VSL and ESL for arriving at the rating.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Strengths:
* Guarantee-backed payment structure to ensure timely payment: VSL's term loan is backed by a guarantee-backed payment mechanism from Vedanta. The guarantee covers the entire principal and interest obligation on the facilities. Given its high strategic importance, VSL also receives operational support from the parent.
 
The loan agreement however provides for the guarantee to potentially fall-off post completion of three years from date of first utilisation of the term loan. This however will also be conditional upon VSL meeting certain financial covenants on a consolidated basis besides attaining a rating of at least 'AA-'. While CRISIL believes that VSL will remain strategically important to Vedanta Ltd, the event of guarantee falling off under the above terms will remain a key rating sensitivity.
 
* Strategic importance to Vedanta Limited:  While relatively smaller in size, the company is expected to be strategically important to Vedanta Ltd. The acquisition complements Vedanta's plans of forward integration of their iron ore business into steel and develop an iron-ore mine in Jharkhand. Further, having acquired the asset at fairly attractive valuations, ramp-up in volumes and profitability provides a strong economic rationale for Vedanta Ltd to support this entity. VSL's production stood at 325 kt for Q3'FY19, up from 240 kt in Q3'FY18 (pre-acquisition). Its profitability also improved significantly, reflected in EBITDA of Rs. 249 crore in Q3'FY19, vis-Ã' -vis Rs. 69 crore in Q3'FY18.
 
Weaknesses:
* Sensitivity to guarantor's rating: The rating primarily reflects the credit strength of the guarantor. Hence, any adverse movement in the rating of the guarantor may result in rating action on VSL's facility.
Liquidity

Given its improving profitability, consolidated VSL is expected to generate cash accruals of about Rs. 700-800 crore in fiscal 2020, which is likely to be utilized towards capex and incremental working capital requirements. The company does not have any term loan repayments due in FY 2020. Any shortfalls in funding are expected to be covered by Vedanta Ltd, which has adequate liquidity.   

Outlook: Stable

The outlook is based on CRISIL's rating outlook on Vedanta Ltd's debt instruments and bank facilities. Any change in the ratings or rating outlook on Vedanta Ltd will lead to a corresponding change in the rating or rating outlook on VSL. Furthermore, the ratings will be re-evaluated in case the guarantee falls-off.

About the Company

VSL was incorporated on April 23, 2018, to be the holding company for ESL, which has been acquired by Vedanta under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), 2016 after Vedanta's resolution plan for ESL was approved by the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) on April 17, 2018. Through this deal, Vedanta has acquired 90% stake in ESL for a total consideration of Rs 5,320 crore (which was used to repay its existing lenders). ESL currently has a 2.5mt nameplate capacity of long products.

About the Guarantor
Vedanta Limited is a diversified metals, mining, power, and oil-and-gas company. It is held 50.1% by Vedanta Resources Ltd (Erstwhile Vedanta Ltd PLC), which is based out of London, UK. Vedanta Limited's operations include copper, iron ore, aluminium assets at Jharsuguda and Lanjigarh in Odisha and power divisions (2400-MW and 1215-MW captive power plants for the aluminium business). The company also holds aluminium operations through its subsidiary, Bharat Aluminium Company Ltd (BALCO). Also, a part of the power business (1980 MW) is conducted through wholly owned subsidiary, Talwandi Sabo Power Ltd. The oil and gas business has now been merged with Vedanta, and the group operates the zinc business through Hindustan Zinc Ltd (HZL) and Zinc international in South Africa & Namibia. Vedanta has, through its wholly owned subsidiary ' Cairn India Holdings Limited (CIHL), acquired slightly over 51% equity stake in glass substrate manufacturer AvanStrate Inc. (ASI) in December 2017.

Key Financial Indicators*
Particulars Unit 2018 2017
Revenue Rs Cr. NA NA
Profit After Tax (PAT) Rs Cr. NA NA
PAT Margins % NA NA
Adjusted debt/Adjusted networth Times NA NA
Interest coverage Times NA NA
*No past financials as the company has been incorporated in April 2018

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 Term Loan NA NA Jun-2028 3400 CRISIL AA(SO)/Stable
Annexure - Rating History for last 3 Years
  Current 2019 (History) 2018  2017  2016  Start of 2016
Instrument Type Outstanding Amount Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Rating
Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  3400.00  CRISIL AA(SO)/Stable      02-07-18  CRISIL AA(SO)/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
Term Loan 3400 CRISIL AA(SO)/Stable Term Loan 3400 CRISIL AA(SO)/Positive
Total 3400 -- Total 3400 --
Links to related criteria
Criteria for rating instruments backed by guarantees
Rating Criteria for Steel Industry
CRISILs Bank Loan Ratings
The Rating Process
Understanding CRISILs Ratings and Rating Scales

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