At the same time, Moody's has assigned a provisional (P) Ba3 senior unsecured rating to the proposed bonds to be issued by Central Plaza Development Limited ("CPD"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of BJCL, and guaranteed by IFC.
The ratings outlook is stable.
In addition to the guarantee from IFC, the proposed bonds will be supported by a Deed of Equity Interest Purchase Undertaking and a Keepwell Deed between BJCL, CPD, IFC and the bond trustee.
The Beijing Capital Group Ltd (unrated), the parent company of BJCL, will also provide a Letter of Support in favor of BJCL and IFC in connection with the proposed bond issuance.
All such arrangements intend to strengthen the support from BJCL for IFC, the guarantor of the proposed bonds.
There will also be 12 months of interest in reserve in an offshore escrow account.
The bond's provisional rating status will be removed after the completion of the bond issuance upon satisfactory terms and conditions.
The bond proceeds will be used to fund new acquisitions and project development.
RATINGS RATIONALE
"IFC's Ba3 corporate family rating reflects its B2 standalone credit profile and a two-notch rating uplift, based upon the expectation of high financial and operational support provided by BJCL," says Kaven Tsang, a Moody's Vice President and Senior Analyst.
"The two-notch uplift is based upon (i) BJCL's 100% ownership of IFC; (ii) a track record of financial support to IFC from BJCL; (iii) IFC's business direction being set by BJCL; and (iv) the fact that all IFC's projects are operated by BJCL, thereby offering cost efficiency and a strong brand name," adds Tsang.
BJCL is a medium-sized property developer, operating in 15 cities in China, and has accumulated a land bank of 11 million square meters (sqm). It has a track record of developing residential properties and is well supported by a seasoned management team and solid liquidity profile.
BJCL's state-owned background offers it strong opportunities to secure growth and funding support. It is 47% owned by the Beijing Capital Group which is a state-owned enterprise 100% owned by the Beijing Municipality and directly under the supervision of the State-Owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the Beijing Municipality.
IFC's B2 standalone credit profile reflects its small scale operation, its thin capital base, which translates into credit metrics of debt/capitalization ratio around 65-75%, and modest EBITDA/interest of 2x-2.5x. These metrics position IFC in the single-B level.
Moody's has not notched the rating of the proposed bonds because the level of external project debt represented less than 15% of its total assets as of September 2012. This ratio is expected to remain below 15% over the next 1-2 years, as BJCL will also provide direct funding to IFC's project companies.
The stable rating outlook reflects Moody's expectation that IFC will continue to receive financial and operational support from BJCL.
Upward rating pressure on IFC could emerge if it can (1) successfully implement its business plan; (2) improve its scale and diversity to reduce sales and earnings volatility; (3) continue to access offshore funding; and (4) further improve its credit profile, especially its debt leverage.
Credit metrics which Moody's would consider for an upgrade for IFC include an improvement in its financial profile with its adjusted debt/capitalization assets falling to 50% - 55% and EBITDA/interest rising above 3x on a sustained basis.
IFC's rating could come under downward pressure if it (1) fails to substantially achieve its business targets, such that sales and operating cash flow generation are weaker than anticipated; and/or (2) materially accelerates development and executes an aggressive land acquisition plan, such that debt leverage rises, with adjusted debt/capitalization exceeding 65%-70%, and EBITDA/interest dropping below 1x-1.5x on a sustained basis.
Any evidence of a weakening in the support from BJCL to IFC, or a deterioration in BJCL's liquidity and/or credit profile could also be negative for the ratings.
The principal methodology used in rating IFC was the Global Homebuilding Industry Methodology, published in March 2009. Please see the Credit Policy page on www.moodys.com for a copy of this methodology.
Incorporated in the British Virgin Islands in 2000, International Financial Center Property Ltd. ("IFC") is the primary overseas holding company for Beijing Capital Land Ltd. ("BJCL", Ba2 stable). It is 100%-owned by BJCL. It is also the guarantor to the proposed bonds issued by Central Plaza Development Ltd.
As of September 2012, IFC had a total land bank of approximately 5.2 million sqm in saleable gross floor area ("GFA"), representing approximately 48% of the total land bank under the BJCL group. Total assets of IFC as of September 2012 were RMB20.4 billion.
Incorporated in China, BJCL is a mid-sized developer in China's residential property sector. As of June 30, 2012, BJCL had a total land bank of 11 million sqm (attributable land bank: 6.94 million sqm) in GFA, covering 15 cities in China. This land bank can support the company's development over the next four to five years.
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Kaven Tsang Vice President - Senior Analyst Corporate Finance Group Moody'sInvestors Service Hong Kong Ltd. 24/F One Pacific Place 88 Queensway Hong Kong China (Hong Kong S.A.R.) JOURNALISTS: (852) 3758 -1350 SUBSCRIBERS: (852) 3551-3077 Gary Lau MD - Corporate Finance Corporate Finance Group JOURNALISTS: (852) 3758 -1350 SUBSCRIBERS: (852) 3551-3077 Releasing Office: Moody's Investors Service Hong Kong Ltd. 24/F One Pacific Place 88 Queensway Hong Kong China (Hong Kong S.A.R.) JOURNALISTS: (852) 3758 -1350 SUBSCRIBERS: (852) 3551-3077 (C) 2012 Moody's Investors Service, Inc. and/or its licensors and affiliates (collectively, "MOODY'S"). All rights reserved.
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