Tuesday, November 20, 2012

MARC AFFIRMS ITS B+ RATING ON OLYMPIA INDUSTRIES BERHAD’S OUTSTANDING REDEEMABLE UNSECURED LOAN STOCKS


Nov 19, 2012 -

MARC has affirmed the rating of Olympia Industries Berhad’s (Olympia) outstanding RM12,061,406 nominal value Redeemable Unsecured Loan Stocks (RULS) at B+ with a stable outlook. The rating incorporates the slow progress of the group’s sole property project, the 73-acre Kenny Heights Development (KHD) in Sri Hartamas in Kuala Lumpur, its weak financial performance and strained liquidity position that has been supported by asset disposals. The rating also considers the modest but somewhat stable income from Olympia’s gaming subsidiary and rental income from its Menara Olympia building. 

MARC views the slow development of KHD, which is being undertaken jointly with related company DutaLand Berhad on a 42:58 basis, has weighed on Olympia’s performance. Comprising a high-end mixed development, only one phase, consisting of 49 units of four-storey villas with a gross development value of RM215.8 million, was completed and handed over in April 2011. The construction of the second phase of the KHD project comprising four high-end condominium towers has been delayed.  MARC notes that the first tower under the second phase had registered a weak 13.7% take-up rate for its 168 units, partly reflecting the weak market sentiments in the high-end residential segment in the Klang Valley.  

Olympia’s gaming activities, which are carried out solely in Sabah, registered revenue of RM151.1 million for financial year ending June 30, 2012 (FY2012) (FY2011: RM152 million) and pre-tax profit of RM7.3 million (FY2011: RM7.0 million). Its sole investment property, the 34-storey Menara Olympia with total lettable area of 453,160 sq ft, improved its occupancy rate to 78% in FY2012 (FY2011: 74%) with an average rental rate of RM4.91psf (FY2011: RM4.80psf). Overall, the group’s rental income stood at RM21.0 million in FY2012, marginally higher than RM18.9 million in the preceding year.

Notwithstanding the contribution from its investment property and gaming operations, Olympia recorded a pre-tax loss of RM27.0 million in FY2012 (FY2011: pre-tax profit RM9.1 million), due mainly to losses incurred by its property development and financial services division (Jupiter Securities Sdn Bhd) as well as increased financing cost of RM26.5 million (FY2011: RM15.2 million). Cash flow from operations (CFO) rose to RM93.1 million, supported by proceeds from the sale of 15.3 acres of land in Johor for RM80.0 million in the preceding year. MARC notes that Olympia’s liquidity position has continued to be supported by disposal of marketable securities and land parcels. For FY2012, Olympia met payment of about RM268.0 million under the restructured debt obligations from borrowings of RM150.8 million and internally generated funds.

Given the group’s limited cash flow generation, MARC views continued asset sales to be necessary to meet its upcoming debt obligations. As at end-FY2012, the group has total unencumbered assets valued at RM60.4 million excluding its portion of the KHD land while its cash stood at RM33.5 million against short-term obligations of RM89.3 million including the final redemption amount of RM12.1 million in April 2013.

Contacts:
Jasmine Kua, +603-2082 2280/ jasmine@marc.com.my;
Rajan Paramesran, +603-2082 2233/ rajan@marc.com.my.


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