Karachi, November 01, 2021 (PPI-OT):VIS Credit Rating Company Limited (VIS) has upgraded the entity ratings of Frontier Foundry Steel (Private) Limited (FFSPL) to ‘A/A-1’ (Single A/A-One) from ‘A-/A-2’ (Single A minus/A-Two). Outlook on the assigned ratings has been revised from ‘Positive’ to ‘Stable’. The medium to long-term rating of ‘A’ denotes good credit quality coupled with adequate protection factors. Moreover, risk factors may vary with possible changes in the economy. The Short-Term Rating of ‘A-1’ indicates high certainty of timely payment; excellent liquidity factors supported by good fundamental protection factors and risk factors are minor. The previous rating action was announced on August 25, 2020.
FFPSL is principally involved in manufacturing of billets and rebars with two plants situated in Peshawar and Lahore. Given the increase in steel demand mainly in the latter half of FY21 and Company’s expansion of rebars at Peshawar plant, which also came online in FY21, topline grew notably in FY21. The Company is in process of further expansion – by way of vertical integration – mainly establishing a melting plant for making billets in its Lahore plant that is expected to be concluded by March 2022. The ratings take into account anticipated growth in offtake, which will notably improve the bottom line and resultantly the cash flow coverage indicators.
The ratings incorporate conservative payout policy, given full profit retention in the last five years, as a result of which the equity has growth at a CAGR of 31% since FY18. Going forward, the borrowings are expected to increase while equity will also depict strong growth as payout is projected to remain nil. The gearing ratio is likely to depict marginal increase as of Jun’22, albeit will subsequently drop. Liquidity profile of the Company is supported by adequate cash flows generation in relation to outstanding financial obligations. Leverage indicators are still considered on the lower side vis-à-vis peers. Going forward, the ratings remain dependent on maintaining business and financial risk indicators along with timely conclusion of ongoing expansion.
For more information, contact:
Director Compliance and Rating Analytics,
VIS Credit Rating Company Limited
VIS House, 128/C, 25th Lane off Khayaban-e-Ittehad,
Phase VII, DHA, Karachi, Pakistan
Tel: +92-21-35311861-72
Fax: +92-21-35311873
Email: bilal@jcrvis.com.pk
Website: https://www.vis.com.pk/