[February 07, 2014] |
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Fitch Rates Montclair State University, New Jersey Revs 'AA-'; Outlook Stable
NEW YORK --(Business Wire)--
Fitch ratings has assigned an 'AA-' rating to approximately $185 million
of series 2014 New Jersey Educational Facilities Authority (NJEFA)
revenue bonds issued on behalf of Montclair State University (MSU).
The bonds are expected to be sold via negotiation on or about the week
of Feb. 24. Proceeds will be used to fund the construction and
renovation of certain capital projects, improve existing technological
infrastructure, fund capitalized interest, refund certain outstanding
bonds, and pay associated costs of issuance.
In addition, Fitch affirms the long-term rating on approximately $328.6
million of outstanding NJEFA revenue bonds issued on behalf of MSU.
The Rating Outlook is Stable.
SECURITY
The bonds are a general obligation of the university.
KEY RATING DRIVERS
ATYPICALLY HIGH LEVERAGE AND DEBT BURDEN: MSU's debt burden and leverage
metrics are not in line with the 'AA' rating category. However, Fitch
recognizes the need for debt-funded initiatives given the fact that New
Jersey colleges and universities have historically received limited
capital support from the state, and believes that the projects will
ultimately benefit MSU's credit profile. Further, management's proven
ability to maintain good debt service coverage figures while
dramatically growing its campus infrastructure in recent years, the
meaningful growth in balance sheet resources to accommodate additional
debt, and the absence of further debt plans over the near term mitigate
debt-related concerns.
STEADY OPERATING PERFORMANCE: Over the past five fiscal years, MSU's
GAAP-based operating margins have been consistently positive, fueled by
enrollment growth, increases in student charges, and prudent expense
management. MSU receives state operating appropriations that have been
relatively flat in recent years and continue to contribute to a smaller
share of the overall budget. MSU's competitive pricing position and the
absence of a cap on tuition rates are viewed as credit strengths,
although pricing flexibility is somewhat limited by its mission to serve
as an affordable educational option to state residents.
HEALTHY STUDENT ENROLLMENT TRENDS: MSU maintains a healthy market
position as the second largest postsecondary institution in New Jersey
(on a headcount basis), with undergraduate and graduate programs offered
across a range of disciplines. Total headcount enrollment has grown by a
healthy 7.1% over the past five years, to 19,464 in fall 2013. Fitch
considers student demand to be one of the primary determinants of MSU's
long-term viability.
EXPERIENCED LEADERSHIP: In general, management has held a long tenure at
MSU and significant experience in higher education administration.
Management has demonstrated effective financial and budgetary controls,
guided by a strategic plan with defined institutional goals that undergo
formal periodic reviews. Fitch views favorably management's focus on
enhancing MSU's visibility, reputation, and fundraising prowess.
RATING SENSITIVITY
DEBT MANAGEABILITY: Rating stability is predicated on the maintenance of
debt service coverage near existing levels. Issuance of additional debt
without a commensurate growth in financial resources and revenues would
yield negative rating pressure.
CREDIT PROFILE
MSU is a public research university with its main 252-acre campus
divided between the town of Montclair in Essex County and the
municipalities of Little Falls and Clifton in Passaic County. The
university also operates the New Jersey School of Conservation, a
240-acre environment education and research center in Stokes State
Forest (Sussex County). In June 2012, the university's accreditation by
the Middle States Commission on Higher Education was reaffirmed for a
10-year term.
ATYPICALLY HIGH LEVERAGE AND DEBT BURDEN
The series 2014 transaction represents a significant increase in total
outstanding debt; however, Fitch notes that meaningful growth in the
university's balance sheet resources over the past few years has
increased MSU's capacity to absorb the added debt load. Available funds,
defined by Fitch as cash and investments less certain restricted net
assets, totaled around $165 million in fiscal-year end 2013, or 9.6%
over the prior year and 22.9% above fiscal2009 levels. The ratio of
available funds-to-pro forma long-term debt ($485 million, including
other types of debt such as notes payable and capital leases) was 34%,
which is on the lower end of Fitch-rated public colleges and
universities in the 'AA' category. Fitch notes that public colleges and
universities with a stronger available funds-to-debt ratio tend to
receive significant state support for capital expenditures.
Some comfort related to the university's high leverage position is
provided by management's demonstrated ability to generate steady funds
in support of debt service while undertaking sizeable capital projects.
Between fiscal years 2009 and 2013, net investment in property, plant
and equipment increased by a sizeable 70.5% while net income available
for debt service remained relatively steady, ranging from $57 million to
$62.7 million over the same time period (yielding healthy pro forma
maximum annual debt service [MADS] coverage levels that have ranged from
1.7x to 1.9x).
Further, while the preliminary pro forma MADS figure represents a high
9.6% of fiscal 2013 unrestricted operating revenues, Fitch notes that a
significant portion of the new money portion associated with the series
2014 transaction (approximately 61%) will be allocated toward growth
programs at MSU, namely business, science, and communication/media.
Fitch believes this strategic decision bodes well for total revenue
growth, which, in the absence of debt plans over the next one to three
years, should allow the university's debt burden to moderate over time.
A privatized on-campus student housing project that opened in fall 2011
continues to register favorable occupancy results (near 100% in fall
2013). Since the project was financed with debt that is nonrecourse to
the university, Fitch does not include the debt associated with the
project (approximately $210 million; not rated by Fitch) in its
calculation of long-term debt. Fitch would consider the project to be on
credit if the residence hall, which is a strategically important for
MSU, required financial support.
STEADY OPERATING PERFORMANCE
The operating margin for fiscals 2009-2013 has averaged 7.2%, including
4.4% in the most recent fiscal year. Fitch expects the operating margin
for public colleges and universities to be break-even on a GAAP basis.
MSU's impressive operating performance reflects strong revenue growth
despite a flat state funding environment and the management team's
financial expertise and consistent monitoring of the budget. Fitch notes
state funding remained effectively flat in fiscal 2014; however,
enrollment growth coupled with further adjustments in the rate
structure, including a 2.4% increase in undergraduate tuition/fees, is
contributing to forecasted growth in total revenues.
Given the university's declining, but still significant, reliance on
state funding for operations (21.8% of unrestricted operating revenues
in fiscal 2013), a significant reduction in state funding for MSU could
have a negative effect on the financial strength of the university.
Fitch notes, however, that the university maintains a satisfactory level
of unencumbered resources to help it manage through short-term financial
difficulties (the ratio of available funds-to-operating expenses in
fiscal 2013 was 49.4%).
HEALTHY STUDENT ENROLLMENT TRENDS
Fitch considers student demand to be one of the primary determinants of
the university's long-term viability. Between fall 2009 and fall 2013,
total headcount increased 7.1%, to 19,464 in fall 2013. The increase for
fall 2013 was supported by the largest incoming freshmen class in MSU's
history and helped the university reach 97.3% of its goal to enroll
20,000 students by 2016.
In general, freshmen and transfer application volume, selectivity, and
matriculation rates have remained steady, which is particularly
important, since approximately 80% of students are undergraduates.
Graduate headcount figures have remained stable over the past five
years, and are expected to benefit from new marketing initiatives.
Fitch notes that the university continues to face competition for
students, which includes nearby public universities and other
institutions; however, MSU's competitive tuition and fee rates remain a
key strength for student recruitment. For academic year 2013-14, the
university's tuition/fees for in-state undergraduate students were among
the lowest relative to other four-year colleges and universities in New
Jersey. Fitch believes that the university's significant investment in
its infrastructure, which was undertaken in part to accommodate
increased student growth, will help to bolster its competitive position.
Additional information is available at 'www.fitchratings.com'
Applicable Criteria and Related Research:
'U.S. College and University Rating Criteria', dated May 2013
'Fitch Affirms Montclair State University, New Jersey Revs at 'AA-';
Outlook Stable, dated May 9, 2013'
'2012 Median Ratios for U.S. Public Colleges and Universities, dated
September 5, 2013'
'Fitch Rates New Jersey's $350MM GO Bonds 'AA-'; Outlook Stable' dated
April 19, 2013.
Applicable Criteria and Related Research:
2012 Median Ratios for U.S. Public Colleges and Universities
http://www.fitchratings.com/creditdesk/reports/report_frame.cfm?rpt_id=715980
U.S. College and University Rating Criteria
http://www.fitchratings.com/creditdesk/reports/report_frame.cfm?rpt_id=708049
Additional Disclosure
Solicitation Status
http://www.fitchratings.com/gws/en/disclosure/solicitation?pr_id=820058
ALL FITCH CREDIT RATINGS ARE SUBJECT TO CERTAIN LIMITATIONS AND
DISCLAIMERS. PLEASE READ THESE LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMERS BY FOLLOWING
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IN ADDITION, RATING DEFINITIONS AND THE TERMS OF USE OF SUCH RATINGS ARE
AVAILABLE ON (News - Alert) THE AGENCY'S PUBLIC WEBSITE 'WWW.FITCHRATINGS.COM'.
PUBLISHED RATINGS, CRITERIA AND METHODOLOGIES ARE AVAILABLE FROM THIS
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OF INTEREST, AFFILIATE FIREWALL, COMPLIANCE AND OTHER RELEVANT POLICIES
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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.

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