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The Pakistan Credit Rating Agency Limited
Press Release

Date
29-Jul-22

Analyst
Ahmad Faraz Arif
ahmad.faraz@pacra.com
+92-42-35869504
www.pacra.com

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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

PACRA Maintains Entity Ratings of Jahangir Siddiqui & Co. Limited

Rating Type Entity
Current
(29-Jul-22 )
Previous
(30-Jul-21 )
Action Maintain Maintain
Long Term AA AA
Short Term A1+ A1+
Outlook Stable Stable
Rating Watch - -

The ratings reflect Jahangir Siddiqui & Co. Ltd's ('JSCL' or 'the Company') strong presence as a Holding Company in the financial sector with a portfolio of investments mainly in banking (JS Bank, BankIslami Pakistan), insurance (EFU Life Assurance and EFU General Insurance), brokerage (JS Global Capital) and asset management segments (JS Investments). JS Bank is on its path to establish itself as a medium-sized bank whereas BankIslami aims to expand its presence in the growing Islamic Banking sphere. JS Bank is also in process of acquiring additional stake (~7.8%) in BankIslami to further increase JS Group's financial footprint in the banking sector. The performance of the two banks has been so far mixed with macroeconomic challenges and stiff competition in the banking sector. JSCL holds a significant stake in EFU General Insurance (EFUG) and EFU Life Assurance (EFUL) and plans to maintain them. After witnessing volatile markets for a while, JS Global and JS Investments are expected to improve performance. JSCL intends to diversify its portfolio and has made significant investments in LPG storage and infrastructure, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Energy Infrastructure Holding (Pvt.) Ltd. (EIHPL). The investments are predominantly funded by equity. These investments are nearing the completion of initial gestation phase. Lately, EIHPL has signed an SPA for sale of 100% of its holding in Quality 1 Petroleum (Pvt.) Ltd subject to condition precedents, and is evaluating other investment plans while, JS Petroleum Ltd. is enroute to establishing an LPG storage terminal at Port Qasim, Karachi. The Company's income stream has remained stable with the majority of dividend income emanating from EFUG and EFUL. This along with other income and investment in derivatives supplements the revenue stream. The Company has a very strong capital structure with low leveraging and adequate coverages. Lately, the Company has issued Class A Preference Shares to make strategic investments and reduce its debt to strengthen its working capital. During the year, the Company fully repaid the outstanding principal along with the accrued mark-up against its privately placed TFC IX. JSCL does not plan to take further debt in the near term. The Company's portfolio has not been impacted materially despite the capital markets downturn, exhibiting its resilience.
The ratings are dependent on the management's ability to execute its envisaged strategy of growth and expansion amidst the prevailing tough environment. Timely materialization of these initiatives into sustainable ventures is critical. Strong performance of subsidiaries, stable dividends, and effective management of financial profile and liquidity remains important.

About the Entity
Jahangir Siddiqui & Co. Ltd. ('JSCL' or 'the Company'), a successor to the brokerage business started in the early seventies by Mr. Jahangir Siddiqui, was established in 1991 and is listed on the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX). JSCL, JS Group’s flagship holding company, has a portfolio of investments categorized into a) core investments (subsidiaries), b) strategic investments and c) trading investments. Investments in the financial segment dominate the portfolio with a significant concentration in the banking and insurance sectors. Other investments are in the energy, petroleum, and infrastructure sectors. Chief Justice (R) Mahboob Ahmed is Chairman of the BoD, while, Mr. Suleman Lalani heads the Company as CEO.

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's comprehensive offerings include instrument and entity credit ratings, insurer financial strength ratings, fund ratings, asset manager ratings and real estate gradings. 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.