Rating Action:
Moody's downgrades C.M.C.'s PDR to Ca-PD/LD after expiration of grace period for missed interest payment
21 Dec 2018
Frankfurt am Main, December 21, 2018 -- Moody's Investors Service ("Moody's") has today downgraded to Ca-PD/LD from Caa3-PD the probability of default rating (PDR) of Italian construction company Cooperativa Muratori e Cementisti C.M.C. ("CMC" or "group") following the group's announcement that it has missed to pay the interest on its EUR325 million senior unsecured notes. Concurrently, Moody's downgraded to Ca from Caa2 the group's corporate family rating (CFR) and to Ca from Caa2 the instrument ratings on CMC's EUR250 million 6.875% and EUR325 million 6% senior unsecured notes due 2022 and 2023, respectively.
The limited default "LD" designation attached to CMC's PDR reflects that the missed interest payment constitutes a default under Moody's definition. The LD designation will remain until the group resolves the missed payment.
The outlook on all ratings is negative.
This rating action concludes the review for downgrade process Moody's initiated on 14 November 2018.
RATINGS RATIONALE
The downgrade reflects CMC's failure to make the interest payment on its 6.0% EUR325 million senior unsecured notes on 15 December 2018 after the end of the 30 days grace period, which has started on 15 November 2018. CMC has entered into a procedure of arrangement with creditors, with reserve according to art. 161, subsection 6, of the R.D. 267/1942, under Italian Insolvency Law.
While CMC remains focused on pursuing its ordinary business activities, which are under supervision by the Court of Ravenna, Moody's understands that the group continues with its preparations for a potential restructuring of its indebtedness.
The downgrade of the CFR and the instrument ratings on the senior unsecured notes to Ca also take into account uncertainty around whether CMC will be able to restructure its debt and to implement a more sustainable capital structure within the next 12 months.
WHAT COULD CHANGE THE RATING DOWN / UP
Ratings could be further downgraded should the group default on other elements of its capital structure or pursue a formal reorganization of its debt, or if Moody's were to revisit its recovery expectations on CMC's debt instruments to lower than currently estimated.
An upgrade of CMC's ratings appears unlikely before its indebtedness is reduced to more sustainable levels.
OUTLOOK
The negative outlook reflects Moody's view that CMC may have difficulty refinancing its debt without restructuring or impairment to creditors.