MISC Berhad results were slightly lower than the quarter ending December 2012 but were in line with its expectation.
For the quarter ending March 2013, MISC reported a marginal 2.3% increase in its revenue from the December quarter mainly due to increase in revenue of in its heavy engineering business.
However, recurring or core EBITDA from continuing operations for the quarter $240.1 million was lower than $267.7 million achieved in the
quarter ending December 2012. This decline was mainly due to lower contribution from the LNG segment which recognized pre operating costs for the 2 FSUs and higher cost incurred from vessel dry docking and
repairs.
Nonetheless, the core EBITDA for the quarter did improve by 21% from $198.9 million for the corresponding quarter last year as bunker prices declined by about 3.5% on average and losses in chemical and petroleum
segments declined.
"MISC's performance should improve in the next few quarters as the company completes the construction of its Gumusut project in July 2013 and the charter rates for its vessels -- especially in petroleum segment- stabilize towards the end of the year" says Vikas Halan, a Moody's Vice President and Senior Analyst.
MISC's reported gross debt as of March 2013 -$2.9 billion- declined marginally by $63.5 million from December 2012, whereas net debt
increased by 15% to $1.9 billion, as cash balance declined by 24% to $985
million.
MISC's credit metrics continues to improve. Unadjusted debt to recurring EBITDA for the last twelve months ending March 2013 has reduced to 2.7x from 3.0x in 2012 and 4.3x in 2011.
"Although the buyout offer from its parent Petronas did not succeed, it reinforces its close business links with, and strong parental support
for, MISC, both of which are key credit strengths that provide a three-notch uplift included in MISC's current Baa2 rating" adds Halan,
who is also the lead analyst for MISC at Moody's.
MISC was established in 1968 as a liner company and was listed on theKuala Lumpur Stock Exchange in 1987. In 1998, it became a subsidiary of Petroliam Nasional Berhad ("Petronas"). It is the exclusive transporter of liquefied natural gas for Petronas and provides it with logistics solutions.
