Moody's Cuts Fosun Credit Rating Amid Asset Sales Worry

Moody’s ratings agency has downgraded Fosun International and revised its outlook to “negative” amid concern over the group’s accelerated asset sales.

The downgrade to B2 from B1 followed the Chinese conglomerate’s announcement last week that its units would sell a combined 60% stake in Nanjing Nangang Iron & Steel United for up to 16 billion yuan ($2.2 billion).

The move will ease the firm’s liquidity and debt burdens and comes after Fosun and its units cut stakes in firms such as New China Life Insurance and Shanghai Yuyuan Tourist Mart Group.

Fosun, controlled by billionaire entrepreneur Guo Guangchang, was once one of China‘s most aggressive dealmakers overseas, buying high-profile assets including resort brand Club Med.

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While the latest divestments will bring in cash, a roughly 30% decline in the market value of Fosun’s key holdings between the end of June and October 20 from shareholding dilution and share price falls has eroded its funding headroom, Moody’s said in a statement.

Weak market sentiment means Fosun is likely to face difficulties in refinancing its sizable short-term debt in bond markets both onshore and offshore, the ratings agency said.

Fosun’s cash on hand at the holding company level is insufficient to cover its short-term debt maturing over the next 12 months, Moody’s added.

In response to a query, Fosun on Wednesday referred to a statement from Monday that the company had terminated its business engagement with Moody’s rating service and ceased to provide relevant information to the agency from October 12.

A Citigroup report on Tuesday said the company planned to sell 50 billion to 80 billion yuan of non-core assets within the next 12 months, including non-controlling stakes in Alibaba-backed logistics platform Cainiao, resources and metals firm Jianlong and property assets.

Fosun also expects to gradually repay the outstanding senior notes and increase borrowings from banks, the report said.

In response, a Fosun representative said on Wednesday that the company plans to continue to optimise its portfolio and to improve its capital buffer by selling some non-core assets.