New Delhi: The US-based credit rating agency Fitch Agency on Monday said that the impact of India’s second COVID-19 wave on the majority of its rated corporate universe to be manageable. It mentioned that most companies’ credit profiles are their strong market positions, adequate balance sheets and liquidity, diversified operations, and/or flexibility to adjust costs and key business drivers until operations recover with the easing of restrictions.
There are, however, several entities with low rating headroom or which could be subject to negative rating action if India’s sovereign rating (BBB-/Negative) or Country Ceiling (BBB-) were downgraded, the agency said.
“We believe the second wave will have a less severe impact on corporates than in 2020, despite a higher infection rate. Weaker domestic demand is a key channel of risk transmission for businesses. However, lockdowns in 2021 have been less stringent and more localised, and business/societal behaviour has adjusted, supporting activity,” Fitch said.
The credit rating agency further said that it expects the greatest demand impact within the rated portfolio to be felt by Oravel Stays Private Limited (OYO, B(EXP)/Negative) and Future Retail Limited (RD), as weak consumer sentiment affects discretionary spending in fields like hospitality and non-food retail. Technology and telecom companies are the least likely to see weaker demand.
“Falling demand for diesel and gasoline will hit throughput at refining companies, but stronger refining and marketing margins will aid their profitability. We expect lower curtailment risk for domestic power producers than in 2020, but further delays in payments from state-owned power distribution companies (Discoms) could weaken cash flows and liquidity,” Fitch added.
Execution delays in construction projects could affect demand for building materials and steel, but the rating agency expects activity to pick up once the current wave subsides, and high prices to support margins. Improving global demand will support sectors like steel, chemicals and pharmaceuticals.