Hong Kong, August 03, 2012 -- Moody's Investors Service says that Hutchison Whampoa Ltd's (HWL) H1 2012
results were generally in line with expectations, and have no immediate
impact on the company's A3 issuer and senior unsecured bond ratings.
The ratings outlook remains negative.
"HWL reported an increase in headline revenue and earnings in 1H 2012,
driven by improved performance across substantially all business segments
despite an adverse currency impact," says Laura Acres, a Moody's
Senior Vice President.
"Its reported EBITDA—including the share of associates and jointly-controlled
entities' EBITDA, before exceptional items—grew about 8.8%
year-on-year, with most of the improvement coming
from CKI (unrated, 76.394%-owned subsidiary)
and the retail division," she adds.
3 Group Europe continued to report an improving trend in EBIT, while
EBITDA grew 3.8% (in HKD terms and 11% in local currencies)
and EBITDA margins improved by 57 basis points; the business has
seemingly turned the corner into consistent profitability. While
the operating environment for HWL's key 3G markets remains challenging,
with price wars having occurred in several markets in H1 2012, management
expects the positive EBIT trend to continue in 2012, barring any
significant adverse market or regulatory developments.
In terms of debt profile, reported debt increased by 12%
to HKD244.9 billion since December 2011, although this includes
an element of pre-financing in respect of debt maturities in H2
2012 and H1 2013. As such, cash balances--excluding
listed securities--were higher than normal at HKD109.3
billion, and net debt declined by 2% to HKD135.6 billion.
"The reduction in absolute net debt resulted in an improvement in HWL's
book leverage, with reported net debt/capitalization improving to
24.4% from 25.3% as of December 2011",
says Acres, also Moody's lead Analyst for HWL. On an adjusted
basis, net debt/capitalization ratio was unchanged from 2011's
year end at 41.3%.
In its calculations, Moody's excludes listed securities from cash,
re-classifies 50% to 100% of HWL and CKI's perpetual
capital securities as debt from equity, and includes unrealized
gain on interest-rate swaps and other adjustments to debt.
"While FFO continued to improve, it did not translate into substantially
improved cash flow/debt metrics. Adjusted FFO/net debt of 15.5%
on a last twelve month basis to June 2012 was marginally up from 14.6%
for FY 2011 and remains weak for HWL's rating."
At the same time, HWL's strong business position, diversified
operations, and excellent liquidity position continue to support
the A3 rating. The company is now cementing the gain from investments
made during the past few years, particularly in the telecommunications
space.
HWL's liquidity profile remains strong, with liquid reserves (excluding
listed securities) of HKD 109.3 billion against debt of approximately
HKD53.7 billion falling due over the 18 months to December 2013.
Despite management's commitment to deleveraging, the negative outlook
incorporates near-term uncertainty over the timing and magnitude
of deleveraging and sustainability of an improving performance.
It also reflects the potential difficulties faced by HWL's primary operating
divisions in an uncertain macro-economic environment.
Moody's will continue to monitor HWL's performance over next few months
and evaluate management's commitment and ability to further deleverage
to resolve the negative outlook.
Please see the ratings tab on the issuer/entity page on www.moodys.com
for the last rating action and the rating history.
HWL'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 HWL's core
industry and believes HWL's ratings are comparable to those of other issuers
with similar credit risk.
HWL is one of the largest Hong Kong-based conglomerates with a
strong presence in Asia and Europe. Its six core businesses are:
(1) ports and related services; (2) property and hotels; (3)
retail; (4) telecommunications; (5) energy; and (6) infrastructure.
Laura Acres
Senior Vice President
Corporate Finance Group
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
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
Moody's: Hutchison's H1 2012 results are credit positive but metrics remain weak