Hong Kong, March 13, 2012 -- Moody's Investors Service says that China Resources Land's
("CR Land") financial results for FY 2011 were in line with
Moody's expectations, and have no immediate impact on the
company's Baa2 issuer and senior unsecured bond ratings.
The ratings outlook remains stable.
"Despite weakness in the property market, CR Land's
overall sales performance remains strong and it achieved over 60%
year-on-year growth in its 2011 contract sales. These
sales were also well-diversified across 31 cities in 9 different
regions in China, reinforcing its status as a national property
developer," says Jonathan Lee, a Moody's Vice
President and Senior Analyst.
In 2011, CR Land reported total contract sales of RMB35.9
billion, driven by 36.5% growth in GFA sold and 18.3%
growth in average sales price ("ASP"). A total 78.6%
of its contract sales in 2011 were contributed by projects located in
2nd and 3rd tier cities, and where the impact of the government's
austerity measures are not as acute.
Moody's considers that in the future, development in these
lower tier cities will remain the main focus for CR Land, which
represents more than 90% of the company's current attributable
land bank.
The company's ability to achieve its contract sales target is also
attributable to the wide pricing range of its residential products—from
a low of RMB5,000 per sqm to over RMB45,000 per sqm--in
its portfolio. This feature gives it greater flexibilities in accommodating
to local market conditions.
"We take further comfort from the significant increase in recurring
income to HKD3.2 billion from HKD2.1 billion, which
is a valuable buffer against current uncertainties in the residential
segment," adds Lee.
The significant increase in recurring income—which includes rental
income from the company's investment properties, hotel operations
and property management—mainly reflects 1) the launch of the MIXc
Project in Shenyang, 2) a full year of contributions from Hangzhou
MIXc Project, which opened in April 2010, and 3) higher contributions
from its hotels, in particular, the Shenzhen Grand Hyatt.
Excluding contributions from hotels and property management, income
from investment properties still increased to HKD2.2 billion from
HKD1.7 billion.
Moody's expects recurring income to further increase in the next
two years, given the large amount of investment properties in the
pipeline, including the launch of two new MIXc Projects, in
Chengdu and Nanjing, in 2012. CR Land will also launch 3
Rainbow City Projects—which target the mass market—at Hefei,
Zibo, and Ningbo in the coming 18 months.
Total revenue from property development equaled HKD 31.3 billion
in 2011, up 38.6% from 2010, as the company
recognized 2.17 million square meters of pre-sold GFA.
Adjusted EBITDA—which excludes fair value gain in investment properties
and profit from joint ventures—also reached about HKD12 billion,
representing an EBITDA margin of 33.7%. The slight
decline in this margin from 35.5% in 2010 was mainly due
to increased selling and administrative expenses that corresponded with
growth in the company's business.
Meanwhile, CR Land's total balance-sheet debt reached
HKD 60.7 billion at year end, up significantly from HKD37.8
billion in 2010, mainly due to 1) an increase in bank borrowings
by HKD15.1 billion, and 2) senior notes issuance of HKD7.7
billion.
Out of total short-term debt of HKD22 billion, about HKD10
billion represents maturing off-shore bank loans established between
3 to 5 years ago. About HKD7 billion represents maturing construction
loans, which are now due for repayment or to be rolled over with
the new phase of development in the same project. The remaining
portion is short-term revolving debt. Moody's understands
CR Land has already successfully refinanced HKD 9 billion equivalent of
maturing debt—of which about HKD 3 billion was from banks in Hong
Kong—, and is in the process of arranging additional bank
loans for refinancing purpose. Moody's considers refinancing
risks for CR Land is manageable as roughly 70% of its investment
properties in operation has not been pledged for borrowing, and
can provide extra financing when necessary. Moody's can also
draw comfort from CR Land's track record in accessing international
capital markets.
At FYE 2011, adjusted debt capitalization—which includes adjustments
for operating leases and mortgage guarantees—rose to about 47%
from 43% in 2010. Adjusted EBITDA Interest coverage also
fell to 7.3x from 8.3x due to this increase in leverage.
Nonetheless, both of these ratios remain appropriate for its rating
level.
Founded in 1996, China Resources Land is a leading property investment
and development company in China. As of March 7, 2012,
it had a residential land bank of 25.5million square meters and
a commercial land bank of 4.4 million square meters with projects
in 39 cities, including Chengdu, Chongqing, Shenyang,
Huizhou, Dalian and Hefei. Its operating investment properties
had a total GFA of 1.61 million square meters and includes high-end
shopping malls, offices and hotels. The company listed on
the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 1996.
Jonathan Lee
Vice President - Senior Analyst
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 comments on China Resources Land's FY 2011 results