London, 21 December 2011 -- Moody's maintains the following ratings on TUI AG
Long Term Corporate Family (foreign currency) ratings of B3
Probability of Default rating of B3
Senior Unsecured (domestic currency) ratings of Caa1
Junior Subordinate (domestic currency) ratings of Caa2
RATINGS RATIONALE
The B3 Corporate Family Rating (CFR) with a stable outlook reflects TUI's
leading market positions in its core tourism segment, but the ratings
are constrained by the group's still high leverage and the relative complexity
of the group structure. While improving, credit metrics had
been impacted by the slow realization of proceeds from the earlier divestment
of its container shipping segment, Hapag-Lloyd, in
2009. Nevertheless, these have gradually been received,
and TUI AG has exercised its right to tender 33.3% of its
38.4% stake in Hapag-Lloyd to the Albert Ballin Consortium.
The valuation of the tendered shares is to be determined in the first
quarter of 2012. TUI AG would receive the proceeds later in 2012
subject to the Albert Ballin Consortium agreeing to purchase the shares
being tendered.
The stable outlook reflects our view that the solid performance at TUI
Travel, the current B1 CFR of Hapag-Lloyd Holding AG,
the holding company for Hapag-Lloyd, and the satisfactory
liquidity and metrics, position the CFR adequately at B3.
While further deleveraging and prospective repayments from Hapag-Lloyd,
as well as its potential IPO, could result in further upward pressure
on TUI AG's CFR depending on the use of proceeds, the company's
high leverage and complex structure remain a constraint to the ratings
at this time.
Upward pressure on the rating could result from the further monetization
of TUI's assets in Hapag-Lloyd if the proceeds were used
for deleveraging of alternatively if gross leverage at the group as adjusted
by Moody's were to fall towards 6 times.
The rating could be negatively impacted if there were a significant deterioration
either in the performance of TUI Travel PLC, or at Hapag-Lloyd,
which would impede its ability to repay its obligations to TUI AG.
TUI AG 's ratings were assigned by evaluating factors that Moody's
considers relevant to the credit profile of the issuer, such as
the company's (i) business risk and competitive position compared with
others within the industry; (ii) capital structure and financial
risk; (iii) projected performance over the near to intermediate term;
and (iv) management's track record and tolerance for risk. Moody's
compared these attributes against other issuers both within and outside
TUI AG's core industry and believes TUI AG's ratings are comparable
to those of other issuers with similar credit risk. Other methodologies
used include Loss Given Default for Speculative-Grade Non-Financial
Companies in the U.S., Canada and EMEA published in
June 2009. Please see the Credit Policy page on www.moodys.com
for a copy of these methodologies.
TUI, based in Hanover, Germany, is the largest integrated
tourism company in Europe through its c.56% economic ownership
of TUI Travel PLC (and a c.35% legal ownership) with leading
positions in Germany, the UK and France and several other European
countries. In FY2011 (12 months to September), the group
generated revenues of EUR17.5 billion and underlying EBITA (before
exceptionals) of EUR 600 million.
REGULATORY DISCLOSURES
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to the rating action on the support provider and in relation to each particular
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this announcement provides relevant regulatory disclosures in relation
to the provisional rating assigned, and in relation to a definitive
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Richard Morawetz
VP - Senior Credit Officer
Corporate Finance Group
Moody's Investors Service Ltd.
One Canada Square
Canary Wharf
London E14 5FA
United Kingdom
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Paloma San Valentin
MD - Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance Group
JOURNALISTS: 44 20 7772 5456
SUBSCRIBERS: 44 20 7772 5454
Releasing Office:
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Moody's Disclosures on Credit Ratings of TUI AG