OREANDA-NEWS. Fitch Ratings has affirmed the French City of Marseille's Long-Term Foreign and Local Currency Issuer Default Ratings (IDR) at 'A+' and Short-Term Foreign Currency IDR at 'F1' The Outlook is Stable.

Fitch has also affirmed Marseille's EUR700m euro medium-term programme at 'A+' and EUR200m French commercial paper (Titres de Creances Negociables; TCN) programme at 'F1'.

KEY RATING DRIVERS

The ratings reflect the sound budgetary performance of Marseille and its national importance as the second-largest French city with its major harbour. These strengths are somewhat offset by a large stock of debt. The affirmation with Stable Outlook reflects Fitch's unchanged expectations that the city will be able and willing to maintain its financial metrics at levels compatible with its current ratings.

Marseille's IDRs reflect the following key rating drivers:

Fiscal Performance

Fitch's base case scenario forecasts the city's current margin to slightly weaken but remain compatible with the current ratings at around 10% in 2018 compared with an average of 11.8% over 2011-2015. Despite pressure on operating revenue due to significant cuts in state transfers, Fitch is confident in the administration's ability to take appropriate actions to ensure healthy fiscal performance in the medium term.

Fitch views Marseille's fiscal leeway as limited after the city increased its tax rates in 2015. In 2016, Marseille's housing tax rate (28.56%) and developed property tax rate (24.02%) are respectively above the average of French metropolitan cities (19.02% and 17.32% respectively). Fitch will monitor Marseille's ability to curb operating spending through a series of reforms the city is implementing (as stated in our base case scenario)

Fitch considers fiscal performance as Neutral for the City of Marseille.

Debt and Liquidity

As Marseille scales down its multi-year investment programme, we expect capital expenditure to decline progressively to about EUR177.2m on average per year in 2016-2018 (from EUR223m on average per year over 2011-2015). The decline of capital expenditure may not be sufficient to offset the city's shrinking self-financing capacity. Fitch expects Marseille's tax rate to remain unchanged and direct risk payback to edge towards 15 years from an average of 12.6 years over 2011-2015.

The city's liquidity is underpinned by predictable cash flows. Short-term liquidity needs are covered by several revolving credit lines, committed bank lines, and regular use of the EUR200m TCN programme.

Fitch considers debt and liquidity as Weakness for Marseille.

Institutional Framework

Under the French "Metropolis" law, Marseille is affected by the gradual transfer of certain competencies over the period of 2016 to 2020 to Metropolis of Aix-Marseille-Provence (AMP; A+/Stable/F1). Fitch considers these transfers will not have a major impact on the city's financial metrics as the amount of expenditures being transferred (EUR23.8m) will be offset by a decline of an equivalent amount of operating transfers received from AMP.

Fitch considers institutional framework as Neutral for Marseille.

Economy

Marseille is differentiated from other major French metropolitan cities by its high unemployment, a low-skilled workforce and a lack of high value-added industries. However, Marseille's position as the second-most populated French city means economic prospects are underpinned by sustained state support, increasing private investment and tourism development.

Fitch considers economy as Neutral for Marseille.

Management and Administration

Fitch views Marseille's financial management as sophisticated and prudent, particularly in terms of the city's forecasting ability, which allows Marseille to control its annual budget and debt commitments. Debt and liquidity management is conservative.

Fitch considers management and administration as Strength for Marseille.

RATING SENSITIVITIES

A current margin consistently below 10%, combined with a direct risk payback ratio consistently above 17 years (2015:14.4 years) and failure to stabilise direct risk stock, could lead to a downgrade.

An upgrade - unlikely at present - would require a current margin consistently above 20% and sustained reduction of the city's direct risk stock.