City & Land to issue P400-M short-term CPs

City & Land Developers Inc. (CLDI), a member of the Cityland Group, will issue P400 million in short-term commercial papers to finance ongoing residential projects.

The issue was assigned a rating of PRS 2 by local credit rating firm PhilRatings. The rating is defined as: "Above average (strong) capability for payment of commercial paper issue on both interest and principal. This is normally evidenced by many characteristics of a PRS 1 credit rating but to a lesser degree. Earnings trends and coverage ratios, while sound, will be more subject to variations. Capitalization characteristics, while still appropriate, may be more affected by external conditions. Ample alternate liquidity is maintained."

PhilRatings said it considered the following: CLDI’s strong market position in its chosen niche; consistent income-generating capabilities; the availability of alternative sources of cash to augment existing cash levels, as well as cash from operations, in settling the proposed STCPs; as well as positive prospects for the property development sector in the short term.

"In terms of risk areas, PhilRatings considered the still moderately aggressive debt level of the company although we have also noted some improvement in terms of capital structure and debt mix. Debt to capitalization remains quite significant at 38 percent as of end-December 2005, with the bigger portion of its borrowings being short-term in nature and this increases the possibility of refinancing risk," PhilRatings said.

CLDI acquires and develops suitable land sites for residential, office and commercial use. The Cityland Group, of which it is a part, has established a good brand name and track record in the low-price/high-rise and low-price/low-rise segment of the property development market.

Established on June 28, 1988, CLDI has 18 years of experience in an industry that has gone through several cycles during the period. Its projects offer "value for money" given their central location, relatively lower prices compared to competition, as well as timely turn-over. Past projects include: City & Land Mega Plaza in the Ortigas central business district (CBD) and Vito Cruz Tower II.

Last year, CLDI posted a net income of P102 million, up 67 percent from 2004’s P61 million. Sales, on the other hand, reached around P567 million or 27 percent higher than the year-ago level.

Estimated targets for the next two-year period appear realistic, with one ongoing project (Pacific Regency at Pablo Ocampo Sr. Avenue) and a few other projects still on the drawing board.

PhilRatings said CLDI’s revenues and earnings are projected to grow at a slower pace going forward. "It is critical that planned projects at present be launched as scheduled to ensure the attainment of targeted revenues and earnings."

Debt to capitalization has improved from a high of 62 percent in 2001. As of Feb. 28, 2006, total debt was at P351 million, P160 million of which is long-term, maturing in 2016.

To augment the amount of cash generated from operations in 2006-2007 to support its various funding requirements, CLDI may rely on several alternatives: available cash balances, sale of idle properties, sale of existing installment contracts receivables and availment of its existing unused credit facilities.