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| Product | Quantum (Rs. Cr) | Long Term Rating | Short Term Rating |
| Bank Loan Ratings | 73.80 | ACUITE BB | Stable | Downgraded | - |
| Total Outstanding Quantum (Rs. Cr) | 73.80 | - | - |
| Total Withdrawn Quantum (Rs. Cr) | 0.00 | - | - |
| Rating Rationale |
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Acuité has downgraded the long-term rating on the Rs.73.80 crore bank facilities of Lotus Farms (LF) from ‘ACUITE BB+’ (read as ACUITE double B plus) to 'ACUITE BB (read as ACUITE double B). The outlook is ‘Stable.’ Rationale for Downgrade The rating downgrade is on account of deterioration in operating and financial performance of the Group marked by significant decline in operating margins driven by increased input material costs and consequent deterioration in debt protection metrics. The Group has reported operating margins of (5.48) percent in Fy2022 as against 10.43 percent in FY2021. The margins are expected to remain stressed over the near term on account of inflated input costs. The financial risk profile of the Group moderated on account of the losses as well as net withdrawal of capital to the tune of Rs. 6.92 crore in FY22 by the partners. Going forward, the Group’s ability to improve its profitability margins and maintain its capital structure will remain a key rating monitorable. |
| About Company |
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Hyderabad-based Lotus Farms (LF) was established in 1996 by Mr. Damodar Reddy, Mr. Srihari Reddy and Mrs. Surekha Marupuru. The firm is engaged in the business of poultry broiler farming, hatching, and feed processing. The firm has an in-house facility for rearing birds, hatching eggs, and processing feed.
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| About the Group |
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Telangana-based, Lotus Farms (LF) and Lotus Poultries Private Limited (LPPL) together referred to as Lotus Group (LG) are promoted by Mr. Damodar Reddy, Mr. Srihari Reddy and Mrs. Surekha Marupuru. LF is engaged in poultry broiler farming, egg-hatching, and feed processing, whereas LPPL is engaged only in egg-hatching.
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Analytical Approach
| Extent of Consolidation |
| •Full Consolidation |
| Rationale for Consolidation or Parent / Group / Govt. Support |
| For arriving at the rating, Acuité has consolidated the business and financial risk profiles of Lotus Farms (LF) and Lotus Poultries Private Limited (LPPL) together referred to as ‘Lotus Group’ (LG). The consolidation is in the view of common management, strong operational linkages between the entities, and a similar line of business.
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Key Rating Drivers
| Strengths |
| Experienced management and long track record of operations
Lotus Group is engaged in the business of poultry broiler segment and is promoted by Mr. Damodar Reddy, Mr. Srihari Reddy and Mrs. Surekha Marupuru, who possess experience of more than two decades in the poultry industry. The extensive experience of the promoters has enabled the group to forge healthy relationships with customers and suppliers. Moreover, a long track record of operations of more than two decades has enabled the group to scale up its operations with its operating income standing at Rs.415.31 crore in FY2022 as against Rs.273.81 crore in FY2021 Acuite believes that Lotus Group would continue to benefit from its experienced management and established relationships with customers. |
| Weaknesses |
| Average Financial risk profile
Lotus group has an average financial risk profile marked by modest net worth, moderate gearing position and debt protection metrics. Net worth of the group, as on March 31, 2022, stood at Rs.47.24 crore compared to Rs.53.59 crore as on March 31, 2021. The decline in net worth is due to Rs.6.92 crore of net capital withdrawal from Lotus Farms. Debt to equity ratio of the group remained range bound and stood at 1.86 times as on March 31, 2022 as against 1.85 times as on March 31, 2021. The debt, as on March 31, 2022 stood at Rs.87.67 crore, comprising long-term debt of Rs.27.24 crore, short-term debt of Rs.48.68 crore and unsecured loans from directors/related parties of Rs.11.76 crore. TOL/TNW stood at 3.52 times as on March 31, 2022 as against 2.74 times as on March 31,2021. Interest coverage ratio of the group declined to 2.29 times in FY22 from 3.32 times in FY21. DSCR stood at 1.14 times for FY22 as against 1.89 times for FY21. Working Capital Intensive nature of operations The group’s working capital cycle contracted in FY22 marked by GCA days of 117 against 132 in FY21. This was mainly led by lower inventory days, which stood at 94 days for FY22 compared to 127days for FY21. Creditor days stood at 69 days in FY22 as against 84 days in FY21. Group receives credit in the range of 30-90 days. Debtor days stood at 10 in FY22 as against 8 days in FY21. Company extends credit in the range of 7-15 days. Average bank limit utilization during the 6 months through October 2022 was ~89.69-93.35 per cent. Risk of capital withdrawal associated with partnership nature Lotus Farms was established as a partnership firm in 1996. Till FY2021, Partners had a track record of infusing capital, however, in FY2022, the partners have withdrawn net capital of Rs 6.9 crore. Any substantial withdrawal of capital by the partners is likely to have an adverse impact on the capital structure of the Group. |
| Rating Sensitivities |
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| Material Covenants |
| None |
| Liquidity Position |
| Stretched |
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Lotus Group has a stretched liquidity position marked modest net cash accruals against repayment obligations. It generated cash accruals of Rs.10.18 crore compared to debt repayment of Rs.7.9 crore in FY2022. Going ahead, cash accruals of the group are estimated in the range of ~Rs 8.14-9.78 crore during FY23 to FY24 against debt repayment of Rs.6.13-7.26 crore during the same period. Current ratio of the group stood average at 1.02 times as on March 31, 2022. The GCA days at 117 and unencumbered investments and cash and bank balance stood at Rs. 5.1Cr as on March 31, 2022. Acuite believes that the liquidity of the company is likely to remain stretched over the medium term on account of modest cash accrual against debt repayments over the medium term.
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| Outlook: Stable |
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Acuite believes that Lotus Group would maintain a ‘Stable’ outlook over a medium term with the industry experience of its promoters. The outlook may be revised to 'Positive' if there is a substantial and sustained improvement in the group's operating performance. Conversely, the outlook may be revised to 'Negative' in case of lower than estimated revenue and net profit and deterioration in working capital cycle or weakening of its capital structure, resulting in deterioration in liquidity position.
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| Other Factors affecting Rating |
| None |
| Particulars | Unit | FY 22 (Actual) | FY 21 (Actual) |
| Operating Income | Rs. Cr. | 415.31 | 273.81 |
| PAT | Rs. Cr. | 0.57 | 12.04 |
| PAT Margin | (%) | 0.14 | 4.40 |
| Total Debt/Tangible Net Worth | Times | 1.86 | 1.85 |
| PBDIT/Interest | Times | 2.29 | 3.32 |
| Status of non-cooperation with previous CRA (if applicable) |
| CRISIL vide its press release dated January 28,2022 has mentioned Lotus Farms rating as CRISIL B Issuer Not Cooperating. |
| Any Other Information |
| None. |
| 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 |
| In order to inform the investors about complexity of instruments, Acuité has categorized such instruments in three levels: Simple, Complex and Highly Complex. Acuite’ s categorisa"on of the instruments across the three categories is based on factors like variability of the returns to the investors, uncertainty in cash flow pa&erns, number of counterpar"es and general understanding of the instrument by the market. It has to be understood that complexity is different from credit risk and even an instrument categorized as 'Simple' can carry high levels of risk. For more details, please refer Ra"ng Criteria “Complexity Level Of Financial Instruments” on www.acuite.in |
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