Approximately US$300 million of debt securities affected
Hong Kong, February 27, 2012 -- Moody's Investors Service has today downgraded Glorious Property Holdings
Limited's corporate family rating to B3 from B2.
At the same time, Moody's has downgraded Glorious' bond
rating to Caa1 from B3.
The outlook on both ratings is negative.
RATINGS RATIONALE
"The ratings downgrade reflects Moody's increased concern
over the weak state of Glorious' financial management. Moody's
estimates that the company has a high level of short-term loans
at above 55% of its total debt that will mature in 2012,
and this situation will in turn raise its near-term refinancing
risk at a time when bank financing to the property sector remains tight,"
says Kaven Tsang, a Moody's AVP/Analyst.
"It also reflects Moody's concern over Glorious' high
level of liquidity risk due to its weak cash position, which Moody's
estimates to be below 50% of its short-term debt ,"
adds Tsang.
"In addition, Moody's is concerned that Glorious'
ability to achieve a good level of pre-sales in 2012 could be challenging,
given that the Chinese government is likely to maintain purchase restrictions
which have greatly impacted Shanghai and the Yangtze River Delta,
areas in which the company has projects for sale," says Tsang.
Glorious had RMB419 million of property sales in January 2012, down
24% month-on-month or 64% year-on-year,
partly because of Chinese New Year holidays in that month.
On the other hand, the B3 corporate family rating continues to reflect
Glorious' high-quality land bank which is located in the major
districts of first-tier cities, such as Shanghai and Beijing.
Its high profit margin also offers some flexibility on pricing in a down-market.
The negative outlook reflects -- as stated -- Moody's
concerns that Glorious faces relatively high liquidity risk arising from
its maturing debt.
The ratings could be further downgraded if Glorious (1) fails to arrange
new funding for its maturing debt; or (2) shows a deterioration in
its sales performance or experiences a decline in its profit margins.
An upgrade is unlikely in the near term, given the negative outlook.
However, the outlook could return to stable if Glorious (1) can
refinance most of its short-term debt ; (2) shows an improvement
in its debt maturity profile; and (3) improves its cash position
to around 10% of total assets.
At the same time, Moody's would expect the company to maintain (1)
EBITDA interest coverage above 2x, and (2) adjusted debt/capitalization
under 55-60%.
The principal methodology used in rating Glorious 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.
Glorious Property Holdings Limited is a medium-sized residential
property developer based in Shanghai. It has now expanded to eastern
and northern China. It has a land bank of around 19.6 million
sqm (gross floor area) in Shanghai, Beijing, Tianjin,
and several second-tier cities in the Yangtze River Delta and Northeast
China. Glorious listed on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong in 2009.
Its chairman, the major shareholder, owns 68.2%,
and also has a shipbuilding company listed in Hong Kong.
REGULATORY DISCLOSURES
Although this credit rating has been issued in a non-EU country
which has not been recognized as endorsable at this date, this credit
rating is deemed "EU qualified by extension" and may still
be used by financial institutions for regulatory purposes until 30 April
2012. Further information on the EU endorsement status and on the
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Kaven Tsang
Asst Vice President - 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.)
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Peter Choy
Associate Managing Director
Corporate Finance Group
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Releasing Office:
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Moody's downgrades Glorious to B3/Caa1; outlook negative