Hong Kong, October 18, 2012 -- Moody's Investors Services has assigned an A1 rating to the fixed-rate
notes to be issued by CLP Power Hong Kong Financing Limited, the
wholly owned financing subsidiary of CLP Power Hong Kong Ltd (CLP Power).
The rating outlook is stable.
These notes are irrevocably and unconditionally guaranteed by CLP Power
and are pursuant to its USD3.5 billion medium-term note
program.
The company plans to use the proceeds for general corporate purposes.
RATINGS RATIONALE
"The A1 rating reflects CLP Power's strong and highly predictable
cash flow, which is generated from its Scheme of Control operations
under a highly stable regulatory environment in Hong Kong,"
says Ivan Chung, a Moody's Vice President -- Senior Credit
Officer.
CLP Power is regulated by the government under the Scheme of Control Arrangement.
The regulatory framework will remain unchanged for the current Scheme
of Control period and will continue to offer a transparent tariff system,
allowing 100% cost pass-through.
"In addition, the company's projected financial profile
is strong for the rating. It also has a good track record in accessing
the domestic and international bank and capital markets, and has
a well-managed debt maturity profile," adds Chung,
also Moody's Lead Analyst for the company.
On the other hand, its liquidity profile may be pressured to a certain
extent by its long-term capex plan and high dividend payments to
its parent, CLP Holdings Ltd (CLPH, A2 stable), which
has a weaker credit profile.
The A1 rating is further constrained by the weaker credit profile of CLPH,
which continues to expand into the more risky non-regulated energy
business in the region. Moody's considers the ratings of CLP Power
and CLPH to be closely linked, and any negative rating pressure
at one of the companies will result in a corresponding effect on the other.
The rating outlook is stable, reflecting Moody's expectation that
the Scheme of Control will not undergo any material change before its
expiry in 2018.
The outlook is also in line with its parent's stable rating outlook,
which in turn reflects Moody's expectation that CLPH will: 1) successfully
integrate the New South Wales (NWS) business; 2) gradually improve
its financial profile; and 3) avoid major debt-funded acquisitions
in the next 12-18 months.
The possibility of an upgrade is limited in the near term because of the
low potential for growth in Hong Kong's mature power market and the challenges
related to the consolidation of the NSW operations, which the company
acquired in last year.
On the other hand, downward rating pressure would emerge if CLPH
adopts a more aggressive strategy in pursuing overseas expansion,
which results in a ratings downgrade owing to an increase in the group's
business and financial risk profiles.
The key credit metrics that Moody's would consider for a downgrade include
FFO/debt below 15-20%, debt/capitalization above 45-50%,
and FFO/interest below 4x-4.5x on a consolidated basis.
The principal methodology used in this rating was Regulated Electric and
Gas Utilities published in August 2009. Please see the Credit Policy
page on www.moodys.com for a copy of this methodology.
CLP Power, a wholly owned and principal subsidiary of CLPH,
is a vertically integrated company that is engaged in the generation,
transmission and distribution of electricity in Hong Kong. It is
regulated by the government under the Scheme of Control. It has
a de facto monopoly over Kowloon and the New Territories, which
altogether account for over 80% of Hong Kong's population.
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The Global Scale Credit Ratings on this press release that are issued
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London E 14 5FA, UK, in accordance with Art.4 paragraph
3 of the Regulation (EC) No 1060/2009 on Credit Rating Agencies.
Further information on the EU endorsement status and on the Moody's
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Ivan Chung
VP - Senior Credit Officer
Project & Infrastructure Finance
Moody's Investors Service Hong Kong Ltd.
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China (Hong Kong S.A.R.)
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Patrick Mispagel
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Releasing Office:
Moody's Investors Service Hong Kong Ltd.
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Moody's assigns A1 rating to CLP Power's MTN drawdown