Rating Details	Rating Type	BFR
	Dissemination Date	Current (19-Jul-24 )	Previous (19-Jul-23)
	Action	Maintain	Maintain
	Rating	BFR 2+	BFR 2+
	Outlook	Stable	Stable
	Rating Watch	-	-

Rating Rationale	Factor	Comment
	Ownership	The assigned rating incorporates the business acumen of the primary sponsor " Bank Al Habib Limited", which owns ~67% of the ownership. The remaining shares are held by the Habib Family, friends and associates.
	Governance	The Company has six directors on board, five non-executive and one executive director. Representation of the primary sponsor on the board is well noted. The addition of independent directors to the board would strengthen governance oversight.
	Management and Client Services	The Company has well developed organizational structure to manage its operations and appropriate policies to protect the clients interest. The ratings incorporate the improvement to AHCMLs client services through the addition of an online sales and marketing department.
	Internal Controls and Regulatory Compilance	The presence of a separate internal audit department is noted while the board Audit Committee further ensures an effective control environment. However, the separation of risk and compliance functions would strengthen the control framework. The Company has established rigorous protocols regarding risk assessment by implementing KYC, CDD, AML and CFT policies.
	Business Sustainability	The topline of the Company is concentrated in equity brokerage income which clocked in at ~PKR 46mln for 1QCY24( SPLY: ~PKR 17mln). In line with the market activity, the revenue has inclined by ~170% during 1QCY24 and 32% in CY23 as compare to CY22. The diversification in the form of MTS and MFS aids the topline.
	Financial Sustainability	The investment book is mostly comprised of GoP securities, hence market risk exposure is limited. Short-term financing stood at ~349mln while equity stood at ~PKR 378mln at end-Mar'24.

Key Rating Drivers

Going forward, it is imperative to diversify revenue sources. The managements ability to retain its market share and boost trading volumes in order to improve its competitive standing in the Brokerage Industry is an integral part of the rating decision. Retention of key personnel, adherence to regulatory requirements, and sustainability of profitability will remain important from a rating perspective.

About the Entity
	Legal Structure	Private Limited
	Year of Establishment	23-Aug-05
	Type of License	Trading and Self-clearing
	Majority Ownership	Bank AL Habib Limited

Regulatory Disclosures	Analyst	Applicable Criteria	Related Research
	Hassaan Ahmad Hassaan.Ahmad@pacra.com +92-42-35869504 www.pacra.com	Assessment Framework | Broker Fiduciary Rating | Jan-24	Sector Study | Brokerage & Securities | Jan-24

Disclaimer

This press release is being transmitted for the sole purpose of dissemination through print/electronic media. The press release may be used in full or in part without changing the meaning or context thereof with due credit to PACRA. The primary function of PACRA is to evaluate the capacity and willingness of an entity to honor its obligations. Our ratings reflect an independent, professional and impartial assessment of the risks associated with a particular instrument or an entity. PACRA opinion is not a recommendation to purchase, sell or hold a security, in as much as it does not comment on the security's market price or suitability for a particular investor.