Tata Consultancy Services' (TCS) decision to acquire Citigroup Global Services (CGSL), the captive BPO unit of Citigroup, for $505 million (over Rs 2,400 crore) will not affect the IT giant's rating, says Standard & Poor’s Rating Services.
“We believe the acquisition is in line with TCS' strategy to strengthen its BPO business and will enhance its portfolio of end-to-end IT and BPO services to the global banking and financial services sectors,” said S&P release.
While the acquisition should lower TCS' liquidity and marginally increase industry and customer concentration, TCS' credit metrics remain adequate for the current rating, given the company's conservative financial profile and consistently profitable track record.
TCS will use its internal cash and investments, which stood at about $1 billion as at June 30, 2008, to fund the transaction.
In addition to the sale, Citigroup has signed an agreement for TCS to provide, through Citigroup Global Services, BPO services of $2.5 billion over 9.5 years.