Fitch Expects to Rate Utility Debt Securitization Authority Restructuring Bonds Series 2015
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Fitch Ratings expects to rate the Utility Debt Securitization Authority restructuring bonds series 2015T as follows:
--$6,010,000 class T-1 bonds 'AAAsf'; Outlook Stable;
--$6,245,000 class T-2 bonds 'AAAsf'; Outlook Stable;
--$10,210,000 class T-3 bonds 'AAAsf'; Outlook Stable;
--$10,465,000 class T-4 bonds 'AAAsf'; Outlook Stable;
--$5,780,000 class T-5 bonds 'AAAsf'; Outlook Stable;
--$5,925,000 class T-6 bonds 'AAAsf'; Outlook Stable;
--$21,355,000 class T-7 bonds 'AAAsf'; Outlook Stable;
--$21,890,000 class T-8 bonds 'AAAsf'; Outlook Stable;
--$48,345,000 class T-9 bonds 'AAAsf'; Outlook Stable;
--$49,550,000 class T-10 bonds 'AAAsf'; Outlook Stable;
--$7,425,000 class T-11 bonds 'AAAsf'; Outlook Stable;
--$3,920,000 class T-12 bonds 'AAAsf'; Outlook Stable;
--$5,385,000 class T-13 bonds 'AAAsf'; Outlook Stable;
--$4,335,000 class T-14 bonds 'AAAsf'; Outlook Stable;
--$162,645,000 class T-15 bonds 'AAAsf'; Outlook Stable;
--$132,740,000 class T-16 bonds 'AAAsf'; Outlook Stable;
--$90,720,000 class T-17 bonds 'AAAsf'; Outlook Stable;
--$99,285,000 class T-18 bonds 'AAAsf'; Outlook Stable;
--$128,670,000 class T-19 bonds 'AAAsf'; Outlook Stable;
--$164,400,000 class T-20 bonds 'AAAsf'; Outlook Stable.
The collateral for the restructuring bonds consists primarily of the restructuring property, which represents the right to impose, charge and collect through the applicable non-bypassable restructuring charges (RCs) payable by retail electric customers.
Details regarding the restructuring bonds as wells as Fitch's stress and rating sensitivity analysis are discussed in the presale report titled 'Utility Debt Securitization Authority Restructuring Bonds Series 2015', dated Oct. 6, 2015, which is available on Fitch's web site. The presale report details how Fitch addresses the key rating drivers which are summarized below.
KEY RATING DRIVERS
Statutory and Regulatory Framework: The strength and stability of the underlying RCs are established by the financing order issued by the authority as part of the Act. The financing order establishes the irrevocable and non-bypassable RCs and defines bondholders' property rights in the 2015 restructuring property. The financing order contains the key elements important in a utility tariff securitization, as discussed in detail on page 20 of the presale report.
Adequate Credit Enhancement via True-Ups: Mandatory annual true-up filings adjust RCs to ensure collections are sufficient to provide all scheduled payments of principal and interest, pay fees and expenses and replenish the debt service (1.50%) and operating reserve (0.50%) subaccounts. Furthermore, semiannual and quarterly true ups may occur if necessary but must meet certain defined parameters.
Supports 'AAAsf' Stresses: Demand shifts in consumption can be caused by various factors, such as the introduction of new technologies, demographic changes or shifting usage patterns, which present greater risk in this transaction relative to others in this asset class, given the longer tenor of the restructuring bonds. Fitch's 'AAAsf' scenario analysis stresses key model variables, such as consumption variance, chargeoff rates and delinquencies, to address this risk. Under Fitch's 'AAAsf' stress assumptions, the aggregate RCs for the series 2013T, series 2013TE, and series 2015 is 3.40 (cents/kWh) or 16.32 % of the residential customer bill, which is consistent for 'AAAsf' ratings.
Sound Legal Structure: Fitch reviews all associated legal opinions furnished to analyze the integrity of the legal structure.
RATING SENSITIVITIES
While Fitch believes that bondholders are protected from the various aforementioned risks based on the 'AAAsf' cash flow stress case, the break-the-bond case provides an alternative means by which to measure the potential effects of rapid, significant declines in power consumption while capping the residential RC at 20% of the total residential customers' bill.
In this scenario, the structure is able to withstand a maximum consumption decline of approximately 91.5% in year one. This is the level of forecast energy consumption decline that would cause a default in required payments on bonds or cause the RC to exceed 20% of the total residential customers' bill. Despite this severe decline in consumption, due to the true-up mechanism, RCs are able to pay all debt service by the legal final maturity date.
DUE DILIGENCE USAGE
No third party due diligence was provided or reviewed in relation to this rating action.
Fitch's analysis of the Representations and Warranties (R&W) of this transaction can be found in 'Utility Debt Securitization Authority Bonds Series 2015 - Appendix'. These R&Ws are compared to those of typical R&W for the asset class as detailed in the special report 'Representations, Warranties, and Enforcement Mechanisms in the Global Structured Finance Transactions' dated June 12, 2015.
Additional information is available at www.fitchratings.com
Utility Debt Securitization Authority Restructuring Bonds, Series 2015 (US ABS)
https://www.fitchratings.com/creditdesk/reports/report_frame.cfm?rpt_id=871861
Applicable Criteria
Counterparty Criteria for Structured Finance and Covered Bonds (pub. 14 May 2014)
https://www.fitchratings.com/creditdesk/reports/report_frame.cfm?rpt_id=744158
Global Structured Finance Rating Criteria (pub. 06 Jul 2015)
https://www.fitchratings.com/creditdesk/reports/report_frame.cfm?rpt_id=867952
Rating Criteria for U.S. Utility Tariff Bonds (pub. 23 Dec 2014)
https://www.fitchratings.com/creditdesk/reports/report_frame.cfm?rpt_id=829808
Related Research
Utility Debt Securitization Authority Restructuring Bonds Series 2015 Appendix
https://www.fitchratings.com/creditdesk/reports/report_frame.cfm?rpt_id=871944
Additional Disclosures
Dodd-Frank Rating Information Disclosure Form
https://www.fitchratings.com/creditdesk/press_releases/content/ridf_frame.cfm?pr_id=991897
Solicitation Status
https://www.fitchratings.com/gws/en/disclosure/solicitation?pr_id=991897
Endorsement Policy
https://www.fitchratings.com/jsp/creditdesk/PolicyRegulation.faces?context=2&detail=31
ALL FITCH CREDIT RATINGS ARE SUBJECT TO CERTAIN LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMERS. PLEASE READ THESE LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMERS BY FOLLOWING THIS LINK: HTTP://FITCHRATINGS.COM/UNDERSTANDINGCREDITRATINGS. IN ADDITION, RATING DEFINITIONS AND THE TERMS OF USE OF SUCH RATINGS ARE AVAILABLE ON THE AGENCY'S PUBLIC WEBSITE 'WWW.FITCHRATINGS.COM'. PUBLISHED RATINGS, CRITERIA AND METHODOLOGIES ARE AVAILABLE FROM THIS SITE AT ALL TIMES. FITCH'S CODE OF CONDUCT, CONFIDENTIALITY, CONFLICTS OF INTEREST, AFFILIATE FIREWALL, COMPLIANCE AND OTHER RELEVANT POLICIES AND PROCEDURES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FROM THE 'CODE OF CONDUCT' SECTION OF THIS SITE. FITCH MAY HAVE PROVIDED ANOTHER PERMISSIBLE SERVICE TO THE RATED ENTITY OR ITS RELATED THIRD PARTIES. DETAILS OF THIS SERVICE FOR RATINGS FOR WHICH THE LEAD ANALYST IS BASED IN AN EU-REGISTERED ENTITY CAN BE FOUND ON THE ENTITY SUMMARY PAGE FOR THIS ISSUER ON THE FITCH WEBSITE.
View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20151006006957/en/
Fitch Ratings
Primary Analyst
Du Trieu
Senior Director
+1-312-368-2091
Fitch
Ratings, Inc.
70 West Madison St.
Chicago, IL 60602
or
Secondary
Analyst
Melvin Zhou
Director
+1-212-908-0503
or
Committee
Chairperson
Hylton Heard
Senior Director
+1-212-908-0214
or
Sandro
Scenga, +1 212-908-0278
[email protected]
Source: Fitch Ratings
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