PACRA Maintain Stability Rating of NBP Income Opportunity Fund

NBP Income Opportunity Fund (or the "Fund") is a medium-risk profile fund. The objective of the Fund is to seek maximum possible preservation of capital and a reasonable rate of return via investing primarily in money market & debt securities having good credit rating and liquidity. The assigned rating reflects the Fund's moderate credit and interest rate risk profile emanating from its investment strategy. As of Jun'23, the Fund had invested ~62.3% of cash in mainly AA- and above rated banks, ~19.49% in PIBs and ~17.69% in mainly A and above rated TFC/ Corporate Sukuk. The duration of the Fund stood at 125 days at the end of Jun’23, exposing the Fund to interest rate risk. Whereas, the WAM of the Fund stood at 296 days at the end of Jun’23, exposing the Fund to high credit risk. However, interest rate and credit risk are high due to investment in long term securities such as Sukuks and PIBs. The unit holding pattern of the Fund was ~58.61% at the end of Jun'23 representing top ten investor concentration, giving rise to redemption pressure.
Going forward, any material changes in the investment policy or the devised rating criteria for the assigned rating would have an impact on the ratings. Risk may vary slightly from time to time considering the volatility of economic conditions.

About the Entity
NBP Fund Management Limited (or the "Company"), established in 2005, is licensed by Securities and Exchange Commission (SECP) to carry out asset management and investment advisory business. National Bank of Pakistan is the largest shareholder of the company with a stake of ~54%. In 2019, Baltoro Growth Fund has acquired the entire 36% stake of Alexandra Fund Management Private Limited in the Company. Baltoro Capital is a Pakistan focused private equity firm. Baltoro Capital has made investments in the pharmaceutical, renewable energy and financial services sectors in Pakistan. It is actively deploying its funds in businesses positioned to achieve extraordinary growth. The CEO of NBP Fund Management Limited, Dr. Amjad Waheed, CFA and family also holds a 10% stake in the company.
The Company’s nine-member Board of Directors includes three independent directors and the CEO. With overall assets under management of PKR ~238bln at end-Jun'23, the Company is currently managing a diversified fund slate of twenty five open-end mutual funds, two voluntary pension schemes and one Exchange Traded Fund.