Published on 24 Jan 2017.
RAM Ratings has
lifted the Negative Rating Watch on the A2/P2 ratings of Mudajaya Corporation
Berhad’s (Mudajaya Corporation) Islamic CP/MTN Programme and revised the
outlook on the long-term rating to negative. Mudajaya Corporation is a wholly
owned subsidiary of Mudajaya Group Berhad (Mudajaya or the Group) and its
credit profile reflects that of the latter.
To recap, the Rating
Watch (placed on 16 December 2016) was premised on RAM’s concerns over
lingering uncertainties on the repayment of RM240 million of MTNs due on 23
January 2017 and the Group’s weak YTD Sep 2016 performance. While the Group was
already in the midst of securing funds for the redemption at the time, the
possibility of the plan falling through had remained.
On 23 January 2017,
the Group had successfully repaid the RM240 million of MTNs after raising the
requisite funds via the issuance of Euro MTNs and the drawdown of a term loan.
The Rating Watch has accordingly been lifted.
On the other hand,
the negative outlook reflects our reservations on the Group’s weak 2016
performance as well as its ability to achieve and maintain financial metrics
that are in line with its A2/P2 ratings, going forward. For 9M 2016, Mudajaya
registered an unexpected and deep pre-tax loss of RM133.80 million due to
additional costs incurred for 2 older construction projects and losses from
investments in the power sector.
Absolute funds from
operations (FFO) fell from about RM30 million in 1H 2016 to only RM6.87 million
in 9M 2016, mainly as a result of the said additional costs, and is contrary to
our expectation that the Group’s construction business would no longer suffer
hefty losses. Consequently, Mudajaya’s FFO debt coverage ratio for the period
came in at only 0.02 times – well below our expectations and downgrade trigger
(0.15 times). We note that Mudajaya does not envisage further project
finalisation costs for these projects and expects the construction division to
return to profitability in the coming quarters – although this remains to be
seen.
As some of the
variation order (VO) claims related to these old projects had been recognised
as revenue previously, there could be reversals should actual VOs approved fall
short of the amount already recognised. These non-cash adjustments will be
negative for capitalisation. A case in point is the recent adjudication outcome
for the Janamanjung power plant project which is expected to have a negative
RM98.35 million impact on earnings. With a gearing ratio of 0.56 times as at
end-September 2016, however, Mudajaya still has space to withstand some degree
of deterioration in this metric over the next 1-2 years.
Meanwhile, the
Group’s order book replenishment in 2016 had been largely listless until
December, when it announced 3 new contracts worth RM1.7 billion in quick
succession. This lifted new job wins for the year to about RM2.0 billion (from
RM750 million in 2015). However, as these were only secured in late 2016, the
financial effects will take time to show and the contracts will be spread out
over 2-5 years.
All in all, the
recent surge in new contract wins suggests that Mudajaya’s financial profile
may yet recover, but the momentum of order book replenishment and job
commencement will have to be maintained (or increased) in 2017 and beyond for
this to happen. The successful execution of jobs on schedule and within budget
would also be crucial.
Elsewhere, Mudajaya’s
investments in the power sector have yielded unexpected losses (9M 2016:
segmental loss before tax of RM112 million), attributable to its share of
losses in a 26%-owned associate in India and impairment of the Group’s
investments in the Philippines. Although these losses have no cashflow impact,
the erosion of accumulated earnings is negative for Mudajaya’s capitalisation.
Looking ahead, the Group is mulling additional investments in the power sector
to expand its recurring income base over the longer term. Some of these are
expected to have long gestation periods and will not be earnings/cashflow
accretive in the near term.
In the coming
months, RAM will monitor the pace of new contracts secured by Mudajaya, the job
commencement/execution trend, the Group’s investments in the power sector as
well as the impact of these developments on its credit risk profile.
Mudajaya
Corporation’s Islamic CP/MTN Programme consists of an Islamic Medium-Term Notes
Programme (2014/2029) and an Islamic Commercial Papers Programme (2014/2021)
with a combined limit of RM1.0 billion.
Analytical
contact
Chuan Shyang Lin
(603) 7628 1068
shyanglin@ram.com.my
Chuan Shyang Lin
(603) 7628 1068
shyanglin@ram.com.my
Media
contact
Padthma Subbiah
(603) 7628 1162
padthma@ram.com.my
Padthma Subbiah
(603) 7628 1162
padthma@ram.com.my
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