DLF raises Rs 1,000 crore through debentures

Realty major DLF has raised Rs 1,000 crore through issuance of non-convertible debentures as part of its strategy to boost internal cash flows.

The issuance of non-convertible debentures (NCDs) worth Rs 1,000 crore was completed yesterday, sources said.

This is DLF's first capital market issuance after the Securities Appellate Tribunal (SAT) in March quashed a three-year ban imposed on the company by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi).

A company spokesperson declined to comment on the issue.

In the last 3-4 months, DLF has been raising funds through sale of non-core businesses and land parcels to cut debt and meet construction costs. It has raised over Rs 10,000 crore through these measures.

Its net debt stood at Rs 20,965 crore as on March 31, 2015. Of the total debt, about Rs 14,000 crore pertains to rental business, and the rest towards development arm.

In view of sluggish housing sales in last few years, DLF had earlier announced plans to raise over Rs 3,000 crore private equity funds at project levels to boost cash flows.

The company also plans to launch two Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) this fiscal to monetise its rent- generating commercial assets.

"Since sales are slow, we are planning to raise about Rs 3,000 crore through private equity. In the short term, PE fund will be the substitute for the cash flow which would have normally come from sales," DLF CFO Ashok Tyagi had said in February.

DLF's net profit declined by 16 per cent to Rs 540.24 crore in 2014-15 from Rs 646.21 crore in the previous year.

Income from operations dipped by 8 per cent to Rs 7,648.73 crore in last fiscal from Rs 8,298.04 crore in 2013-14. Total revenue stood at Rs 8,168 crore in 2014-15 fiscal, down by 17 per cent from Rs 9,790 crore in the previous year.

DLF Ltd