Dufry International AG / Key word(s): Miscellaneous
Dufry upgraded by Moody’s to Ba3 with Positive Outlook

28.04.2023 / 18:35 CET/CEST

Moody’s Investors Service upgraded Dufry’s credit rating to Ba3 from B1 and changed the outlook to positive from stable. According to Moody’s, the rating actions reflect the strong trading in 2022 and solid recovery in credit ratios, the completion of the first step of the credit-enhancing business combination with Autogrill as well as the prospects for sustainable revenue and earnings growth, with expectations of deleveraging. 

In the rating report published on April 27, 2023, Moody’s referred to Dufry’s results delivery ahead of both Moody’s forecasts and global air passenger volumes, with profitability closely tracking revenue recovery amidst cost discipline. In addition, the rating report mentions the improved leverage level of Dufry (stand-alone), further supported by the very low net debt of Autogrill and the conservative funding structure for the business combination. Moody’s comments on good headroom in regard to covenant testing as well as sufficient liquidity for both concluding the Mandatory Tender Offer (MTO) as well as to address the maturity of Dufry’s 2024 EUR 800 million bond.

Moody’s bases the positive outlook on the material opportunity from the ongoing recovery in air passenger traffic and the expectation that Dufry’s credit ratios have the potential to further improve as a result.

Yves Gerster, CFO of Dufry Group, commented: “We appreciate the rating actions published by Moody’s following the upgrade already received by S&P Global Ratings in March. The improvements in rating and outlook by both agencies confirm our strong performance, positive expectations as well as solid financial position with more than CHF 2.3 billion available liquidity and the lowest net debt level since 2015. As commented by Moody’s, we have sufficient liquidity for any financing requirements, which might come up during the MTO process as well as to address our 2024 maturities. The MTO progresses fully in accordance with the timeline laid out to the market, and we confirm the expected closing by the end of Q2 2023. We are pleased that the rating upgrades by both agencies improves our margin for borrowings under the RCF by 50bps.”

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For further information:

CONTACT
 

DR. KRISTIN KÖHLER RENZO RADICE
   
Global Head  Global Head
Investor Relations Corporate Communications
Phone: +41 79 563 18 09 & Public Affairs
kristin.koehler@dufry.com Phone : +41 61 266 44 19
  renzo.radice@dufry.com

End of Media Release
Language: English
Company: Dufry International AG
Brunngässlein 12
4010 Basel
Switzerland
Phone: +41612664444
E-mail: Headoffice@dufry.com
Internet: www.dufry.com
ISIN: CH0023405456
Listed: SIX Swiss Exchange
EQS News ID: 1621137

 
End of News EQS News Service

1621137  28.04.2023 CET/CEST

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