By Neil
Jerome C. Morales (The Philippine Star) | Updated June 7, 2013 - 12:00am
MANILA,
Philippines - Gotianun-led property firm Filinvest Land Inc. (FLI) has retained
the top credit score for its roughly P19 billion worth of existing and planned
bonds.
Local debt
watcher Philippine Ratings Services Corp. (PhilRatings) said it maintained the
issue credit rating for FLI’s outstanding P14.5 billion bonds at PRS Aaa.
The credit
rating for another P4 billion worth of bonds expected to be issued this second
quarter was also kept at PRS Aaa.
“Obligations
rated PRS Aaa are of the highest quality with minimal credit risk. The
obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is
extremely strong,” PhilRatings said.
PhilRatings
said the credit score reflects FLI’s position as one of the leading property
developers in the country, strong revenue growth, and healthy economic and
industry conditions.
The
outstanding bonds of the property developer are the P4.5-billion bonds due in
2014, P3-billion bonds due in 2016 and P7-billion bonds due in 2019.
FLI plans to
sell P4 billion worth of bonds in the second quarter as the property arm of the
Gotianun family jacks up its capital expenditures by a third to P20 billion this
year to sustain its growth particularly in the residential segment.
Of the
capital spending, P10 billion is earmarked for residential project development
costs, P7 billion for the construction of office buildings and malls, and the
balance of P3 billion for landbanking activities.
“FLI is one
of the leading property developers in the country specializing in socialized,
affordable and middle-income housing segments,” PhilRatings said.
“Going
forward, the company’s performance is expected to be supported by healthy
economic and industry conditions,” it added.
So far, the
company has more than 100 projects in 39 cities across the country, with a
landbank of 2,251 hectares as of end-2012.
In the first
quarter, profits of the property firm jumped 25 percent to P934 million from
P748 million a year ago on the back of strong real estate sales and leasing
income.
Total
revenues rose 15 percent to P3.157 billion from P2.735 billion last year.
PhilRatings
said its credit score is based on available information and projections at the
time the rating review is ongoing.
“PhilRatings
shall continuously monitor developments relating to FLI and may change the
rating at any time, should circumstances warrant a change,” it added.
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