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| Product | Quantum (Rs. Cr) | Long Term Rating | Short Term Rating |
| Bank Loan Ratings | 10.00 | ACUITE BBB | Stable | Upgraded | - |
| Bank Loan Ratings | 90.00 | - | ACUITE A3+ | Upgraded |
| Total Outstanding Quantum (Rs. Cr) | 100.00 | - | - |
| Total Withdrawn Quantum (Rs. Cr) | 0.00 | - | - |
| Rating Rationale |
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Acuité has upgraded the long-term rating at ‘ACUITE BBB’ (read as ACUITE triple B) and the shortterm rating at ‘ACUITE A3+’ (read as ACUITE A three plus) on the Rs. 100.00 Cr bank facilities of Ameet Enterprises (AE). The outlook also continues to remain ‘Stable’.
Rationale for upgrade The upgrade takes in account the improved operating performance of HG during FY2022 (Prov.). The group reported revenues to the tune of Rs. 2244 Cr in FY2022 against Rs. 1065 Cr. in FY2021 marking a significant revenue growth of nearly 110 percent. The growth in revenues during FY2022 is partially contributed by increased prices of Coal and Steel. However, the growth is also supported by increase in its total quantity sold during FY2022 against FY2021. HG sold around 25.03 lakh MT of cargo in FY2022 (Prov.) against 19.03 lakh MT in FY2021. The upgrade further considers the continuing healthy capital structure characterised by healthy net worth profile and low gearing ratios supported by comfortable debt protection metrics. The upgrade also gets comfort from sound business practices of the group supported by the promoter’s business experience and long-term presence in the line of business, streamlined business model that is adequately hedged against possible risks and continued maintenance of healthy liquidity. However, the strengths are offset by its fluctuating working capital cycle, competitive and fragmented nature of the industry, susceptibility of revenues to the demand and supply forces and counterparty credit risk. |
| About Company |
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Established in the year 1964 Ameet Enterprises is engaged in trading of coal and coke, grey fabric, yarn, steel sheet and sponge iron. The firm imports a major share of products which it trades in and sells it primarily to end users. The firm was promoted by Late Mr. Sawarmal Hisaria and presently is being independently managed by Mr. Sangeet Hisaria as its proprietor. Mr. Sangeet Hisaria has a vast experience in trading of coal and coke, grey fabric, yarn, steel sheet and sponge iron among others.
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| About the Group |
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Hisaria Group is promoted by Late Mr. Sawarmal Hisaria in the year 1964, of Hisaria family based out of Mumbai. The firm was initially engaged in the trading of plain dyed cotton & synthetic sarees, blouse pieces, dress material, towels, bed sheets, among others. The group procures the variety of imported bulk cargo from mines & manufacturers situated in Australia, South Africa, Korea, United States of America, United Kingdom, Russia, Egypt, Mexico, China, Indonesia, etc. The Group has built in established presence at all the major ports in country situated at coast of State of Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Orissa, etc. to handle shipments ranging from 50,000 MT to 1,20,000 MT in a single shipload. Pan India coastal connectivity enables the group to cater the customers located in any part of the India. Hisaria Group comprises of three entities i.e. PRH Resources Private Limited (PRHPL) (Erstwhile HK Enterprises), Ameet Enterprise (AE) and AT Trade Overseas Private Limited (ATPL). The group company's have no intercompany transactions among themselves. Further, ATPL has another subsidiary entity named A.T. Global Resources Pte Ltd, engaged in the same line of business catering to different markets. However the same has not been taken under consolidation. The group has diversified its activities into trading of various bulk commodities comprising of:
i. Coal (Coking & Non-coking) ii. Plastics iii. Shredded Scrap iv. Copper Coils v. Heavy Melting Scrap vi. Iron Ore vii. Scrap Iron viii. Billets & Pellets ix. Sponge Iron |
Analytical Approach
| Extent of Consolidation |
| •Full Consolidation |
| Rationale for Consolidation or Parent / Group / Govt. Support |
| Acuité has consolidated the business and financial risk profile all of A T Trade Overseas Private Limited (ATPL), Ameet Enterprises (AE) and PRH Resources Private Limited (PRPL) together referred to as the ‘Hisaria Group' (HG). The consolidation is in view of the similar line of business and common promotor family.
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Key Rating Drivers
| Strengths |
| Group’s vintage presence in trading business
The group was founded in 1964 by late Mr. Sawarmal Hisaria, thus; has an operational track record of over five decades. The group started the business with trading of textile products. Later in 1997, sons of Mr. Sawarmal Hisaria - Mr. Sandeep Hisaria and Mr. Sangeet Hisaria joined the family business and diversified the group activities into trading of imported bulk commodities comprising of coal (coking and non-coking), shredded scrap, heavy melting scrap, billets, pellets, sponge iron, iron ores and textile products among others. The established operational track record has helped the group maintain long standing relations with customers and suppliers both in domestic and international geographies. The group benefits from its experienced promoters who collectively possess around four decades of experience in the coal trading industry. Acuité believes that the group will continue sustaining its existing business profile on the back of its established track record and experienced management. Streamlined business model with adequate cash coverage for timely retirement of LCs' that mitigates unforeseen distress The group is engaged mainly in the trading of imported bulk commodities like coal with a single shipload estimating 50,000 MT to 1,20,000 MT for supplies to varied large industrial users. The group has chalked out a systematic end-to-end process right from identification of supplier and buyer for a shipment to timely closure of financial obligations against the shipment. The group receives an interest free advance deposit from customer equivalent to 10 to 20 percent of contract value and the title of the cargo remains with the group until complete value of cargo is recovered. Further, material is supplied on cash and carry basis to the customers, while extending credit of advance deposit only at the time of lifting of last batch of shipment. Thus, the customer pays upfront equivalent to PMT value before receiving a delivery order from HG. The group is invested into importing of coking and non-coking coal mainly from overseas and majorly relies on the letter of credit facility. The group purchases its raw materials which are backed by LCs’ with an usance period of 90 to 180 days and the LC payments are made from sale proceeds received in tranches from customers, not exceeding more than 135 days; depending on the complete unloading of cargo. The group also follows methodically accumulating the sale proceeds in the form of fixed deposits for timely retirement of LC’s. No major bunching of the LC’s since not all LCs’ are due at same point of time. Further, the contract agreement also stipulates for the customer to complete the lifting of cargo within an agreed period or the group is eligible to forfeit all advances against the cargo and sell the cargo to another party. The group also maintains an additional margin of approx. 5 percent from customer in order to cover the foreign exchange exposure. The group does not maintain any long-term quantity supply/procurement contract and neither have long-term fixed price contract; each shipment is negotiated independently. LC outstanding as on July, 2022 stood at Rs. 237.80 Cr against an unencumbered cash balances of Rs. 334.61 Cr as on July, 2022. Acuité believes that group's financial discipline for retirement of LCs is expected to support its cash flow management in an effective manner. Healthy financial risk profile HG’s capital structure has continued to remain healthy with a healthy networth profile whilst supporting the group in the form of unsecured loans. The net worth on a consolidtaed level stood at Rs. 242 Cr. as on March 31, 2022 (Prov.) against Rs. 216 Cr. as on March 31, 2021. Gearing levels have also remained healthy at 0.40 times as on March 31, 2022 (Prov.) against 0.35 times as on March 31, 2021. The total debt of Rs 98.07 Cr. during FY2022 (Prov.) includes long term debt of around Rs. 0.86 Cr., USL to the tune of Rs. 74.99 Cr. and short-term borrowings to the tune of Rs. 22.22 Cr. Further, the coverage indicators stood improved and healthy marked by ICR and DSCR of 5.17 and 4.53 times respectively during FY2022 against 3.62 times and 3.25 times in FY2021. The group has NFB facilities to the tune of Rs. 486 Cr. against liquid funds of around Rs. 410 Cr. as on March 2022. The group has further availed enhancement of NFB to the tune of Rs. 515 Cr. in June 2022. |
| Weaknesses |
| Fluctuating nature of working capital cycle
Hisaria Group’s operations have a fluctuating trend of working capital management as reflected by its gross current asset (GCA) days of around 62 days in FY2022 against 109 days in FY2021 and 128 days in FY2020. The group has a negative working capital cycle on account of minimal holding period of any inventory and presence of back-to-back payment terms with creditor and debtors. The inventory days stood at 13 in FY2022 against 19 in FY2021 and creditor days stood at 69 and 118 during the same period. Since these are trading concerns and not restricted to any optimal utilization, the business volumes depend on the demand-supply factors. Besides, as a key to the business model, the ownership of cargo remains with HG until complete lifting and payments are made by customer. The group mostly deals with shipment with sizes from 50,000 to 1,20,000 MT and above wherein the ideal lead time of lifting is nothing less than 135 days (approx. 4 months & above). Therefore, business happens to get cumulated in the year end (February/March) which is why the cycles continue to remain fluctuating. This is inherent to nature of business and practices followed in the group. The current ratio stood at 1.61 times as on March 31, 2022. The fund-based working capital limits over the last 12-month period through July 2022, was utilized at a nominal rate, while the peak utilization was at around 80 per cent during the same period. Acuité expects the working capital management to remain on similar lines over the medium term on account of business policies maintained by the group and presence of back-to-back payment terms with creditor and debtors. Marginal decline observed in operating margins HG’s revenues have increased significantly and reported at Rs.2244 Cr in FY2022 [Prov] against Rs.1,065.66 Cr in FY2021. The growth in revenues during FY2022 is partially contributed by increased prices of Coal and Steel. However, HG has also reported increase in its total quantity sold during FY2022 against FY2021. HG sold around 25.03 lakh MT of cargo in FY2022 against 19.03 lakh MT in FY2021. Further, the group works on fixed trade margins. However, during FY2022 the group had to sell some of its excess cargo bulk on discounted rate than usual. The operating margin during FY2022 stood at 2.37 percent against 3.47 percent in FY2021. However, on the absolute levels HG has recorded healthy revenues and its EBITDA is comfortably sufficient to meet all the obligations. Going forward, sustenance of revenues while maintaining operating margins will remain a key rating sensitivity. Counterparty credit risk The group's business process involves purchasing the bulk cargo backed by LCs’ and stipulates for the customer to complete the lifting of cargo within an agreed period. However, the group is exposed to certain counterparty credit risk associated with the other party to a financial contract not meeting its obligations or denying to buy the shipment putting HG's financial profile at risk. However, in efforts to mitigate the same, the group has chalked out a systematic end-to-end process where it receives an interest free advance deposit from customer equivalent to 10 to 20 percent of contract value and the title of the cargo remains with the group until complete value of cargo is recovered. Additionally, material is supplied on cash and carry basis to the customers, while extending credit of advance deposit only at the time of lifting of last batch of shipment. Further, the group is eligible to forfeit all advances against the cargo and sell the cargo to another party in case the other party denies to fulfull its commitment. |
| Rating Sensitivities |
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| Material Covenants |
| None |
| Liquidity Position |
| Adequate |
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HG’s liquidity is adequate marked by the adequately available cash in the form of FDRs, sufficient cash accruals generated by the business and comfortable current ratio. The group has generated cash accruals in the range of Rs.24.49 Cr to Rs.47.37 Cr. during last three years ending FY2022 as against its long-term debt obligations of Rs.0.11 Cr. for the same period. The group is having a negative working capital cycle and the current ratio stood moderate at 1.61 times as on March 31, 2022 with the average fund-based limit remains utilized at 4 per cent over the 12 months ended July, 2022. The group maintains comfortable level of unencumbered liquid funds of Rs.296 Cr. and margin bank balance of Rs.114 Cr. as on March 31 2022. Acuité believes that the liquidity of the group is likely to remain adequate over the medium term due to the prudent practice of methodically accumulating the sale proceeds from customers in the form of fixed deposits, helping the group to avoid any instances of delayed retirement of LCs, safeguarding against any liquidity crunches.
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| Outlook: Stable |
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Acuité believes that the outlook on HG will remain ‘Stable’ over the medium term given the favorable industry outlook, its established position and adequately hedged trade linkages and continuous maintenance of robust liquidity. The outlook may be revised to 'Positive' in case the group registers higer than-expected growth in the revenues while sustained improvement in its profitability. Conversely, the outlook may be revised to 'Negative' in case of significant bunching of LCs in any particular month and/or in case of negative gap in LC retirement and fixed deposits outstanding or in case of significant deterioration in its financial risk profile or liquidity position overall.
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| Other Factors affecting Rating |
| Not Applicable |
| Particulars | Unit | FY 22 (Provisional) | FY 21 (Actual) |
| Operating Income | Rs. Cr. | 2244.57 | 1065.77 |
| PAT | Rs. Cr. | 46.87 | 32.13 |
| PAT Margin | (%) | 2.09 | 3.01 |
| Total Debt/Tangible Net Worth | Times | 0.40 | 0.35 |
| PBDIT/Interest | Times | 5.17 | 3.62 |
| Status of non-cooperation with previous CRA (if applicable) |
| Not Applicable |
| Any Other Information |
| Not Applicable |
| Applicable Criteria |
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• Application Of Financial Ratios And Adjustments: https://www.acuite.in/view-rating-criteria-53.htm • Consolidation Of Companies: https://www.acuite.in/view-rating-criteria-60.htm • Default Recognition: https://www.acuite.in/view-rating-criteria-52.htm • Trading Entitie: https://www.acuite.in/view-rating-criteria-61.htm |
| Note on Complexity Levels of the Rated Instrument |
| https://www.acuite.in/view-rating-criteria-55.htm |
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