PEFINDO LOWERS THE RATINGS FOR PT JASA MARGA AND ITS BOND TO idAA-

PEFINDO LOWERS THE RATINGS FOR PT JASA MARGA AND ITS BOND TO idAA-

The rating downgrade reflects JSMR.s increasing financial leverage with projected debt to EBITDA ratio of more than 8x from additional debt of more than IDR10 trillion at subsidiaries to finance the completion of toll road projects and potential higher debt at the holding company to maintain the liquidity during Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, while its cash flow generated is lower with delayed tariff adjustment and declining daily toll revenue since mid of March 2020 as a result of the Government.s policy of large scale social restriction in several area to mitigate the pandemic spread.

We have assigned stable outlook as we view that although there is still uncertainty when the pandemic will subside, the toll road sector will have a quicker recovery compared to other transportation infrastructure sectors. We also view that JSMR.s strong financial flexibility as reflected by good relationship with banks and good track record in fulfilling financial obligations to address the refinancing risk for maturing bonds of IDR1 trillion in October 2020 and IDR4 trillion in December 2020.

The corporate rating reflects strong government support for completing toll road projects, JSMR.s dominant position in the toll road sector, diversified toll road portfolio with long concession period, and strong financial flexibility. The rating is constrained by its more aggressive capital structure in the near to medium term and business risks related to the development of new toll roads.

The rating will be raised if the Company improves its capital structure by deleveraging its debt, if its new toll roads are successfully operated as scheduled and consistently attract high traffic volume as projected, or if we view that there is a stronger government support.

The rating will be lowered if the restriction is prolonged to the second half of the year resulting in significantly lower toll revenue than anticipated, if it fails to obtain additional loan facility to address the refinancing risk, or if its more aggressive capital structure is not compensated by improving business performance, which could weaken its cash flow protection measures.(end)