Mumbai, Maharashtra,CRISIL has assigned a CRISIL IPO Grade 4/5 (pronounced four on five) to the proposed initial public offer (IPO) of Persistent Systems Ltd (Persistent Systems). This grade indicates that the fundamentals of the issue are above average, in relation to other listed equity securities in India. However, this grade is not an opinion on whether the issue price is appropriate in relation to issue fundamentals. The grade is not a recommendation to buy/sell or hold the graded instrument, or a comment on the graded instruments future market price or its suitability for a particular investor.
The grading reflects the companys presence across the value chain of product development - product conceptualization, design, development, testing and support - its diversified client base, growing cash accruals coupled with the managements proven execution capabilities. Apart from catering to leading independent software vendors (ISVs), Persistent Systems offers end-to-end solutions to smaller software product companies. The company is focusing on augmenting its business through emerging technologies and new initiatives such as Cloud Computing/SaaS, Analytics, Enterprise Mobility and Enterprise Collaboration Services. Moreover, its R&D efforts have enabled Persistent Systems to further strengthen its domain capabilities, thereby executing projects across all stages of product development. The company also has a strong financial position given its zero gearing and generation of robust cash.
The grading also factors in the sound technical background of promoters and the experienced second line of management. Corporate governance in the company is strong given the presence of eminent independent directors on its board over the last few years coupled with the adoption of high disclosure standards. However, the grading is tempered by the companys dependence on outsourced projects from developed markets, vulnerability of its revenues to currency fluctuations and wage inflation. The possible withdrawal of tax concessions post March 31, 2011 could adversely impact post tax profitability.
About the company and the issue
PSL, promoted by first generation entrepreneurs - Dr. Anand Deshpande and Mr. S. P. Deshpande ((father of Dr. Anand Deshpande), was incorporated in 1990. The company provides offshore software product development services to its customers, a majority of whom are ISVs. It provides services across the value chain of product development - product conceptualisation, design, development, testing and support. The company has around 297 customers, of whom the top 10 customers account for around 37 per cent of its revenues. As of November 30, 2009, PSL had around 4,400 people on its employment rolls. The company\\\'s offshore development centres are located in Pune, Nagpur, Goa and Hyderabad. The company owns most of its development centres. PSL plans to use a part of its IPO proceeds to fund the construction of its two new development centres - one in Hinjewadi, Pune and the other in Nagpur, with a capacity to seat 3,000 and 1,200 employees, respectively at an estimated cost of Rs 1,749 million. Around one-fifth of the IPO proceeds are estimated to be used for procuring hardware.
Notes to Editor
CRISIL IPO (Initial Public Offering) Grading is an opinion on the fundamentals of the graded issue that reflects CRISILs independence and expertise. This opinion is expressed as a relative assessment in relation to other listed equity securities in India. The assessment is based on a grading exercise carried out by industry specialists from CRISIL Research. A CRISIL IPO Grade 5/5 indicates strong fundamentals and a CRISIL IPO Grade 1/5 indicates poor fundamentals. CRISIL IPO Grading reflects its assessment of the graded companys equity fundamentals as distinct from an assessment of debt fundamentals. A CRISIL IPO Grade should not be construed to mean a comment on the price of the graded security nor is it a recommendation to invest or not to invest in the graded security
