File pic of XL Axiata
KUALA LUMPUR: Moody's Investors Services has upgraded the issuer rating of Axiata Group Bhd
's Indonesian subsidiary XL Axiata Tbk and revised the outlook for the rating to positive.
The international rating agency said on Thursday it had upgraded XL's issuer rating to Baa3 from Ba1. This is the first time it has assigned an investment-grade rating to XL.
“The outlook for the rating is revised to stable from positive. At the same time, Moody's has withdrawn the company's Ba1 Corporate Family Rating,” it said.
"The rating upgrade reflects the continued strengthening of XL's operational metrics as well as the ongoing stabilisation of its financial profile, including lower leverage levels," says Nidhi Dhruv, a Moody's vice president and senior analyst.
The Baa3 issuer rating continues to incorporate a one-notch uplift to reflect Moody's expectation of extraordinary support from Axiata Group (Baa2 stable), in a distressed situation.
XL is 66.4%-owned by Axiata Group (Baa2 stable). Axiata is in turn 60% owned by Khazanah Nasional Bhd and related entities of the Malaysian Government (A3 stable).
The UAE-based Emirates Telecommunications Grp Co PJSC (Aa3 stable) holds 4.2% of XL's shares and the public the rest.
XL Axiata is the third largest cellular provider in Indonesia in terms of revenue. As of March 31, 2018, it had 54.5 million subscribers. It owns a nationwide cellular network covering all major cities in Java, Bali and Sumatra, as well as populated centers in Sulawesi and Kalimantan.
Commenting on XL's financial performance, Moody's said revenue for 2017 grew 7.2% year-on-year to 24.6 trillion rupiah.
XL's strong growth in cellular data services (+61%) more than offset the continuing decline in voice and SMS (-30%) and interconnection services (-12%).
In contrast, XL's revenue growth for Q1 2018 has been weaker at 4.8%, but still ahead of the industry growth rates.
"Competition in the Indonesian mobile sector has intensified over the last two quarters, and the impact on the telcos is exacerbated by implementation of the SIM registration regulation.
“Given the market fundamentals and track record of recovery in the Indonesian telecom sector, we are looking through this short-term volatility towards the longer-term growth potential and stability of the sector," adds Dhruv, also Moody's lead analyst for XL.
"Moody's expect XL's revenue growth to slow down to 4.0-4.5% in 2018, and return to a growth rate of 6.0-6.5% in 2019, as the company focuses on increasing data monetisation on the back of strong demand for 3G/4G LTE services, the increasing proliferation of smartphones, and moderate growth in its subscriber base," Dhruv said.
Moody's also expects the company to maintain its strong adjusted EBITDA margins of around 48.0-50.0% over the next two years through further cost controls including a better management of network-related costs.
Leverage -- as measured by adjusted debt to EBITDA has remained steady at around 2.5 times since 2016.
“Over FY2018-2019 we expect leverage to trend towards 2.2 times to 2.3 times -- reflecting both lower debt levels and higher EBITDA. In addition, the company's US dollar debt exposure declined to around 24.4% from around 44% in 2015.
Moody's expects a further reduction over the next 12-18 months as the company continues to refinance its US dollar revolvers with rupiah debt and bonds.
"In keeping with the investment-grade rating, Moody's expects the company to maintain a prudent financial policy, with low leverage and prioritizing the deployment of excess cash towards debt repayments and capital expenditures instead of towards large acquisitions and increased shareholder returns," Dhruv said.
Given the continued investments needed to enhance its 3G and 4G LTE networks, Moody's expects XL's cash capex in 2018 and 2019 to be around 7.0 trillion rupiah, slightly higher than its capex for 2017 of 6.7 trillion rupiah, as it continues to increase its network capacity and coverage, especially outside of Java.
Moody's expects a large portion of XL's 7.1 trillion rupiah near-term debt maturities to be refinanced, as cash on hand of 3.3 trillion rupiah as of March 31, 2018 and projected cash flow from operations of around 7.4 trillion rupiah in the next 12 months will be insufficient to cover projected capex requirements, debt maturities, and potential dividend payments.
XL's rating reflects its fundamental credit strength, underpinned by its established market position, strengthened networks, high margins, and improved financial profile, despite the competitive operating environment.
As a result, it is well positioned to benefit from the favorable growth dynamics in the industry.
The stable outlook reflects Moody's expectation that XL will maintain a strong financial profile through steady revenue and earnings growth, and that the competitive and regulatory environments remain benign.
What could change the rating – Up
An upgrade is unlikely over the near-term. Over time, an upgrade to XL's issuer rating would require further improvement in the company's financial profile, such that (1) adjusted debt/EBITDA falls below 1.5 timeson a consistent basis, and (2) retained cash flow/adjusted debt remains above 40%-45% on a sustained basis.
What could change the rating - down
The rating could be downgraded if there is a material deterioration in its underlying credit strength, arising from diminishing profit margins, weaker operating cash flows, or increased shareholder returns.
Metrics indicative of downward pressure include (1) adjusted debt/EBITDA rising above 2.5x on a consistent basis, or (2) retained cash flow/adjusted debt falling below 30% on a sustained basis. In addition, the one-notch uplift -- based on expected support from parent company, Axiata Group (Baa2 stable) -- could be removed if its stake falls below 50%, or if it indicates that XL is no longer a core asset. XL's rating could also face pressure if Axiata's rating is downgraded.
Limited time offer:
Just RM5 per month.
