New York, May 10, 2012 -- Moody's Investors Service lowered Momentive Performance Materials Inc.'s
(Momentive) Corporate Family Rating (CFR) and Probability of Default Rating
(PDR) to Caa1 from B3, and lowered the company's outstanding debt
ratings (see below). These actions follow the company's weak first
quarter results and expectations for a slower than expected recovery in
volumes in 2012. The Speculative Grade Liquidity Rating was lowered
to SGL-3 from SGL-2 due to the lower level of cash on the
balance sheet and the limited ability to generate meaningful free cash
flow with earnings near current levels. The outlook for the company's
ratings is stable.
"Volumes are expected to recover slower than previously anticipated
in 2012 and margins are likely to remain under continued pressure,
especially in Asia, as new industry capacity is absorbed,"
stated John Rogers, Senior Vice President at Moody's. "The
lack of meaningful near-term debt maturities or liquidity concerns
limits further downside to the rating over the next two years."
RATINGS RATIONALE
The downgrade to a Caa1 CFR reflects the slower than expected recovery
in EBITDA as a result of new industry capacity, weaker than anticipated
demand in key downstream markets -- automotive and electronics.
While quarterly EBITDA should improve to the $70-90 million
per quarter for the remainder of the year, credit metrics will continue
to be extremely weak. MPM's leverage (Debt/EBITDA of 12.5x
at March 31, 2012), outweigh its strong business profile and
the expectation that earnings and cash flow will improve over the next
four quarters. As of March 31, 2012 the companys weak credit
metrics include minimal Retained Cash Flow/Debt (RCF/Debt; less than
1%) and negative Free Cash Flow/Debt (FCF/Debt). The aforementioned
ratios reflect Moody's Global Standard Adjustments, which include
the capitalization of pensions and operating leases, as well as
MPM's HoldCo PIK debt (the PIK debt has a value of $708 million
at March 31, 2011 and is accreting at 11% per year,
or roughly $80 million/year).
The stable outlook reflects that operating performance will improve modestly
through the year, as well as the good liquidity position with no
near-term maturities. Moody's expects continued soft demand
through 2012 and anticipates a slower recovery in volumes, such
that unadjusted EBITDA could remain below $300 million on an LTM
basis for several quarters. The ratings would decline if the company's
EBITDA remains below $300 million at the end of 2012, or
if cash and revolver availability falls, or appears likely to fall,
below $200 million for a sustained period. Moody's expects
that the company will continue to improve its liquidity and actively manage
their capital structure and upcoming debt maturities. While an
upgrade is unlikely in the near-term, if MPM is able to raise
its EBITDA above $450 million/year we would consider a higher rating.
We would also look for FCF/Debt above 2% and RCF/Debt above 6%
on a sustainable basis.
The Speculative Grade Liquidity Rating was lowered to SGL-3 from
SGL-2 as a result of the decrease in balance sheet cash and expectations
for negative free cash flow through the year as volumes will continue
to be pressured by macroeconomic issues, specifically reflected
by slowdowns in Europe and China. MPM's liquidity is supported
by cash of $122 million and revolver availability of $259
million, as of March 31, 2012, with minimal usage under
the revolver. There is little concern regarding MPM's ability
to maintain compliance with covenants given their covenant-light
terms. Maturities of long term debt will be of greater concern
by the end of 2013; maturities are $179 million in 2014 and
$994 in 2015.
Ratings downgraded:
Momentive Performance Materials Inc.
Corporate Family Rating to Caa1 from B3
Probability of Default Rating to Caa1 from B3
Speculative Grade Liquidity Rating to SGL-3 from SGL-2
Guaranteed senior secured revolver due 2014 to B1 (LGD2, 12%)
from Ba3 (LGD2, 12%)
Guaranteed senior secured term loan due 2015 to B1 (LGD2, 12%)
from Ba3 (LGD2, 12%)
Guaranteed senior secured 2nd lien notes due 2014 to B3 (LGD3, 40%)
from B2 (LGD3, 35%)
Guaranteed senior unsecured notes due 2021 to Caa1 (LGD4, 57%)
from Caa1 (LGD4, 58%)
Senior subordinated notes due 2016 to Caa3 (LGD5, 84%) from
Caa2 (LGD5, 84%)
The outlook is stable.
Please see ratings tab on the issuer/entity page on Moodys.com
for the last rating action and the rating history.
The principal methodologies used in rating Momentive Performance Material
Inc were the Global Chemical Industry rating methodology published in
December 2009, and the Loss Given Default methodology for Speculative-Grade
Non-Financial Companies in the U.S., Canada
and EMEA published in June 2009. Other methodologies and factors
that may have been considered in the process of rating this issuer can
also be found on Moody's website.
Momentive Performance Materials Inc., headquartered in Albany,
New York, is the second largest producer of silicones and silicone
derivatives worldwide. The company has two divisions: silicones
(which accounted for roughly 90% of revenues) and quartz.
Revenues were roughly $2.6 billion for the LTM ending March
31, 2012.
REGULATORY DISCLOSURES
The Global Scale Credit Ratings on this press release that are issued
by one of Moody's affiliates outside the EU are endorsed by Moody's
Investors Service Ltd., One Canada Square, Canary Wharf,
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
office that has issued a particular Credit Rating is available on www.moodys.com.
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John Rogers
Senior Vice President
Corporate Finance Group
Moody's Investors Service, Inc.
250 Greenwich Street
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Steven Wood
MD - Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance Group
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Moody's lowers Momentive's CFR to Caa1; outlook stable