Press Release
Date: 15-Dec-23
PACRA Maintains Broker Fiduciary Rating of Arif Habib Limited

Rating Details Rating Type BFR
Dissemination Date Current (15-Dec-23 ) Previous (16-Dec-22)
Action Maintain Maintain
Rating BFR 1 BFR 1
Outlook Stable Stable
Rating Watch - -

Rating Rationale Factor Comment
Ownership The assigned rating takes into account the Company's affiliation with 'Arif Habib Group', one of the preeminent conglomerates in the country. AHL is primarily owned by Arif Habib Corporation (~73%) wh
Governance A strong governance framework exists with seven directors present, including two independent and four non-executive directors. The board is chaired by Mr. Zafar Alam, an independent director. Board co
Management and Client Services The management team comprises seasoned professionals with proper departmentalization and defined roles. The client services offered by the Company are also amongst the top in brokerage houses for clie
Internal Controls and Regulatory Compilance AHL has a strong control environment supported by in-house internal audit department reporting directly to the board Audit Committee. Moreover, separate departments exist for Compliance and Risk Manag
Business Sustainability The Company managed to outperform the market during 1QFY24 by growing its topline by ~35% as compared with market volume growth of ~31%, resulting in improved market share of the Company. The topline
Financial Sustainability AHL's leveraging stood at ~51% at end-Sep'23, increased from ~32% at end-Jun'23. Finance cost is effectively managed through core and non-core income, maintaining profitability margins. The Company ha

Key Rating Drivers Arif Habib Limited ( 'AHL' or the 'Company') has a leading market presence in the brokerage space. The Company introduces innovative products and services for its customers on a regular basis, maintaining and improving its market share on a YoY basis. Moving forward, it is imperative from a ratings perspective to maintain topline growth, revenue diversification, and profitability. Moreover, retention of key management personnel and further diversification to resist market shocks remain critical.

About the Entity
Legal Structure Listed
Year of Establishment 07-Sep-04
Type of License Trading and Self-clearing
Majority Ownership Arif Habib Corporation Limited

Regulatory Disclosures Analyst Applicable Criteria Related Research
Hassaan Ahmad
Hassaan.Ahmad@pacra.com
+92-42-35869504
www.pacra.com

Methodology | Broker Fiduciary Rating | Jan-23

Sector Study | Brokerage & Securities | Jan-23

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.