Hong Kong, September 03, 2020 -- Moody's Investors Service has assigned an A2 rating to the proposed
senior unsecured perpetual securities to be issued by Panther Ventures
Limited and irrevocably and unconditionally guaranteed by CK Asset Holdings
Limited (CKA) (A2 stable).
The outlook is stable.
The proceeds from the securities will be used for the general corporate
purposes of CKA and its subsidiaries, including redemption of outstanding
perpetual securities.
RATINGS RATIONALE
"The A2 rating primarily reflects CKA's established market
position in Hong Kong and mainland China, which mitigates development
risks and volatility associated with development revenue recognition.
The A2 rating also reflects the relatively stable and diversified recurring
income stream from its investment properties and from its portfolio of
mature assets, comprising aircraft leasing, utilities and
power in developed markets," says Stephanie Lau, a Moody's
Vice President and Senior Analyst.
The rating also recognizes the company's prudent financial management,
which mitigates the event and execution risks associated with its opportunistic
acquisitions outside the property business.
Moody's expects CKA's adjusted net debt/net total capitalization
to improve to 12% in the next 12-18 months from 14.3%
at 30 June 2020. This expectation is driven by lower net debt,
without any further acquisitions. This level of leverage supports
its A2 rating and provides a sufficient buffer against potential acquisitions
or external shocks.
These forecasts reflect Moody's assumption that CKA's adjusted net
debt, after the pro-rata consolidation of joint ventures,
will decline to around HKD55 billion-HKD60 billion in the next
12-18 months from HKD70 billion as of June 2020, as the company's
weaker but still-sizable recurring cash flow will allow it to generate
positive free cash flow.
On the other hand, CKA's earnings will decline significantly
in 2020, before rebounding moderately in 2021 mainly because of
weakness in the property rental, hotel, aircraft leasing businesses
and pub operations in the UK amid the coronavirus-led disruptions
and economic downturn.
The proposed issuance will not materially change CKA's credit metrics,
because it plans to use the proceeds mainly to refinance its existing
perpetual securities.
The A2 rating on the proposed senior perpetual securities also reflects
the fact that the securities will rank pari passu with all other present
and future unsubordinated and unsecured obligations of the issuer and
guarantor.
While the proposed guaranteed perpetual securities have hybrid-like
features, with the option of deferred coupons on a cumulative and
compounding basis, Moody's considers them as 100% debt-like
securities as they have a dividend suspension clause that creates an incentive
for the company to service the coupon. Moody's has therefore
not notched down the rating.
However, Moody's could lower the rating on the securities
— relative to CKA's issuer rating — if debt with deferral
features becomes a substantial portion of its capital structure,
or if Moody's believes that the company will likely defer many payments
in advance of a default.
CKA's ratings also take into consideration the company's growing
appetite for acquisitions and its ownership concentration in the Li family.
These factors are balanced by the company's prudent financial policy and
maintenance of a healthy financial profile over the years.
FACTORS THAT COULD LEAD TO AN UPGRADE OR DOWNGRADE OF THE RATING
The stable outlook reflects Moody's expectation that CKA will maintain
its prudent approach to financial management, stable income from
its investment properties and hotels, and strong liquidity.
Moody's could upgrade the ratings if the company (1) increases its
stable income streams and its coverage ratio on interest expenses;
(2) increases its geographic diversification to reduce its high reliance
on the Chinese property market, where competition is strong and
regulatory risk is high and (3) maintains a strong liquidity profile.
On the other hand, Moody's could downgrade the ratings if (1) CKA
becomes less prudent in its financial management, thereby weakening
its liquidity position or raising its debt leverage, with adjusted
net debt/net total capitalization exceeding 20%; (2) its non-property
development EBIT/interest falls below 3.0x-3.5x or
(3) it invests in substantial non-property investments that carry
high risks, thereby raising business and financial risks.
The principal methodology used in this rating was Homebuilding And Property
Development Industry published in January 2018 and available at https://www.moodys.com/researchdocumentcontentpage.aspx?docid=PBC_1108031.
Alternatively, please see the Rating Methodologies page on www.moodys.com
for a copy of this methodology.
CK Asset Holdings Limited has a leading market position and a long track
record in property development and investment in Hong Kong and mainland
China. CKA develops, invests and manages properties across
various asset classes, including residential, office,
retail, industrial, car park and hotel properties.
REGULATORY DISCLOSURES
For further specification of Moody's key rating assumptions and
sensitivity analysis, see the sections Methodology Assumptions and
Sensitivity to Assumptions in the disclosure form. Moody's
Rating Symbols and Definitions can be found at: https://www.moodys.com/researchdocumentcontentpage.aspx?docid=PBC_79004.
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The first name below is the lead rating analyst for this Credit Rating
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Stephanie Lau
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
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Chris Park
Associate Managing Director
Corporate Finance Group
JOURNALISTS: 852 3758 1350
Client Service: 852 3551 3077
Releasing Office:
Moody's Investors Service Hong Kong Ltd.
24/F One Pacific Place
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China (Hong Kong S.A.R.)
JOURNALISTS: 852 3758 1350
Client Service: 852 3551 3077