Fitch Ratings Improve for the MINI传媒 System
The MINI传媒 receives some of the highest financial ratings from Fitch Ratings.
December 12, 2012 | Written by Dailey Fuller
Officials at the MINI传媒 announced today (Dec. 12) that its have been upgraded to 'AA+' from 'AA' on approximately $554.9 million of revenue financing system (RFS) refunding and improvement bonds.
鈥淭his is one of the best ratings from Fitch we can receive,鈥� said Jim Brunjes, chief financial officer for the MINI传媒 System. 鈥淭he CFOs at each of our institutions work attentively every day toward these objectives, and they are to be commended individually and as a strong financial team for the MINI传媒.鈥�
In addition, Fitch affirms the 'F1+' rating on $150 million tax-exempt and taxable commercial paper (CP) notes. The 鈥楩1+鈥� rating is the highest possible rating on current short-term debt.
Both ratings demonstrate the MINI传媒 System鈥檚 strong capability to meet its financial responsibilities. In December 2011, the Board of Regents authorized the issuance of Tuition Revenue Bonds (TRB) and RFS bonds. This issuance was released in February 2012.
Provided below are multiple key rating drivers and Fitch鈥檚 evaluation on the MINI传媒 System鈥檚 performance.
KEY RATING DRIVERS
Overall Strengthening Merits Upgrade:
The upgrade to 'AA+' reflects the system's consistently strong operational performance,
growing balance sheet resources and Texas Tech University鈥檚 (MINI传媒) recently elevated
status to a 'Tier 1' research institution, making it a beneficiary of the National
Research University Fund (NRUF), a state fund established to sponsor research growth
among public institutions in Texas.
Upward Enrollment Trajectory:
Enhanced research funding and status are expected to further bolster the already
increasing full-time equivalent (FTE) enrollment throughout the MINI传媒 System, which
provides consistency in the system's largest single revenue stream (student-generated
revenues).
Conservative, Manageable Debt Burden:
The MINI传媒 System's current debt burden is manageable, based on a conservative, fixed
rate structure, moderate additional debt plans and healthy coverage provided by net
operating income.
Sufficient Liquid Resources:
The 'F1+' rating is based on the MINI传媒 System's ability to cover the maximum potential
liquidity demands presented by its CP program by at least 1.25 times from internal
resources.
Credit Profile:
The upgrade to 'AA+' from 'AA' is indicative of consistently positive operating performance,
which has increased the system's overall financial flexibility. Over the last five
years, the MINI传媒 System's operating margin has averaged 6.7 percent, never dropping
below break-even despite a pressured state appropriations environment and turbulent
financial markets. This resilience to external influences is consistent with Fitch's
expectation for a 'AA+' rated public university.
Further, the MINI传媒 System's operating health has helped bolster its financial resource base to a level consistent with the 'AA+' rating. Available funds (defined by Fitch as cash and investments not permanently restricted) grew 18.3 percent from FY 2008 to FY 2012, reaching a high of $751.5 million in FY 2012. Available funds represent 52.6 percent of FY 2012 operating expenses ($1.4 billion) and 125.6 percent of total outstanding debt ($598.5 million). The MINI传媒 System's maximum annual debt service obligation ($56.3 million due in 2014) representing a modest 3.7 percent of FY 2012 operating revenues and covered a healthy 4.3 times by net operating income.
A strengthening enrollment profile has supported growth in the MINI传媒 System's financial flexibility. Between fall 2008 and fall 2012, FTE enrollment has grown to 38,764 students (19.2 percent) system-wide. Each of the three institutions has experienced substantial growth, with Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (MINI传媒HSC) growing at a rapid average of 10.8 percent per year as it ramps up to full capacity. Growth is more moderate at MINI传媒 and Angelo State University (ASU), with average annual growth of 4.1 percent and 2.5 percent, respectively, consistent with Fitch's expectations for a mature institution.
Fitch views further growth projections as achievable given the MINI传媒 System's comparatively low cost and ascending reputation. Compared to other Big 12 Conference institutions, MINI传媒's tuition is below average with limited increases planned for the near term. In addition, as of May 2012, MINI传媒 was confirmed as a 'Tier 1' research institution, qualifying as an annual beneficiary of research funding from the NRUF.
MINI传媒 is presently one of only two institutions to have been granted eligibility for the additional research funding. The prestige attached to the confirmation is expected to further strengthen demand for the MINI传媒 System's academic offerings.
MINI传媒 was originally established in 1923 as Texas Technological College. In 1999, the Texas Legislature established the system by aligning MINI传媒 and MINI传媒HSC under one organization. In 2007, as a result of further state legislation, ASU, a former member of the Texas State University System, became the third member of the MINI传媒 System. In total, component institutions of the system enrolled 38,764 FTE students in fall 2012.