Analyst
Afnan Iqbal
afnan.iqbal_old@pacra.com_old
+92-42-35869504
www.pacra.com
Applicable Criteria
Related Research
PACRA Maintains Stability Rating of NIT Income Fund
Rating Type | Stability Rating | |
Current (11-Oct-19 ) |
Previous (12-Apr-19 ) |
|
Action | Maintain | Upgrade |
Long Term | AA-(f) | AA-(f) |
Short Term | - | - |
Outlook | Stable | Stable |
Rating Watch | - | - |
The rating reflects the fund's liquidity and credit profile emanating from significant allocation of assets as cash balances (58%) in banks having a minimum credit rating of AA- and AA. The remaining assets of the fund were invested as TFCs (28%), CP (6%), PIBs (1%), T-Bills (1%) and Others (6%). Exposure in Margin Trading System was ~0.4%, which due to its self-liquidating nature, possesses less risk over a short tenure. The unit holding pattern of the fund is less diversified with top ten investors representing ~78% of the fund's assets (out of which ~49%) are owned investments that expose the fund to low redemption pressure.
Going forward, the fund intends to maintain exposure in cash balances and some part of the investment in TFCs. Material changes in the fund's asset allocation strategy, which could negatively impact the fund's credit quality and exposure to interest rate risk, remain critical for the rating.
About
the Entity
National Investment Trust Limited was established in 1962 as an unquoted public limited company. It is the first asset management company of Pakistan and is the pioneer of domestic mutual fund industry. The company’s Board of Directors currently comprises ten board members out of which nine are non-executive. Mr. Adnan Afridi has been appointed as the Managing Director of the company in Feb-19. The authority for appointment of CEO/Managing Director lies with the Government of Pakistan.
Mr. Adnan Afridi, Managing Director of the company, holds profound experience in the financial services and capital markets. Mr. Manzoor Ahmed is the COO and has a successful track record of managing the operations and investment portfolio of the company. They are supported by a team of qualified and experienced professionals. The company is currently one of the largest asset management companies in Pakistan with a portfolio of seven conventional funds and three shariah-compliant funds with overall assets under management of ~PKR 76 billion at the end of June-19.