OREANDA-NEWS. Fitch Ratings says Alpha Trains Holdco II S.a.r.l.'s (AT) proposed purchase of a portfolio of 89 German regional passenger trains is neutral for Alpha Trains Finance SA's senior secured bond and private placement ratings of 'BBB', and for AT's own 'BBB-' Issuer Default Rating.

The acquisition, through a subsidiary within AT's financing security group, is expected to conclude by end-April 2016 and to be funded by up to EUR240m of debt alongside new equity. The assets operate in Germany under long-term concession, and are consistent with AT's existing business model.

The expected influence on AT's financial metrics is moderately negative as the additional debt will result in a delay to AT's timetable for deleveraging. However, Fitch also acknowledges that AT's future cash flow visibility will benefit from new long-term lease contracts and from an increase in the proportion of passenger fleet within the group's portfolio.