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The Pakistan Credit Rating Agency Limited
Press Release

Date
20-Sep-22

Analyst
Afnan Iqbal
afnan.iqbal@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 Dawood Equities Limited

Rating Type Entity
Current
(20-Sep-22 )
Previous
(24-Sep-21 )
Action Maintain Initial
Long Term A- A-
Short Term A2 A2
Outlook Stable Stable
Rating Watch - -

Dawood Equities Limited ('DEL' or 'the Company') mainly provides the services of equity brokerage while the Company has diversified its revenue base with the addition of underwriting income. DEL has a sustained position in the market and the brokerage revenue mainly stems from Retail and HNWI clients, while corporate clientele is also present. Parallel to the declining market volumes, the brokerage revenue has decreased by ~42% to ~PKR 76mln in FY22 when compared with FY21; however, the topline has been augmented by ~PKR 34mln of underwriting income. The Company earned a profit after tax of ~PKR 13mln during FY22 (FY21: ~PKR 42mln), where the decrease is mainly due to unrealized losses on prop-book and lower brokerage revenue as a result of low market volumes. The equity of DEL is adequate and stood at ~PKR 283mln at end-Jun'22; however, credit lines are available to augment the equity base. The ratings take comfort from a low-leveraged capital structure. The Company manages its own proprietary book which exposes it to market risk to some extent; however, the Investment Committee (IC) keeps a close eye on market conditions to effectively manage its proprietary investments. The Company has a strong governance structure supported by the presence of independent directors and requisite board-level committees. The ratings take comfort from an experienced and qualified management team. The client services are adequate, supported by the presence of a research analyst while the strength of the research department may be enhanced. The Company has an in-house internal audit function while the appointment of a category 'A' auditor is well noted. However, the separation of the Risk Management and Compliance functions would improve the control framework further moving forward. The Company plans to improve its product and geographical diversification in the near future to improve client outreach. The management also intends to enhance their corporate finance function to add to their topline.
The ratings would remain dependent on the Company's ability to enhance and sustain the equity base, improvement in profitability and stability of market share are important. Furthermore, retention of key personnel, strong governance framework, diligent monitoring of market risk, liquidity management, and upholding strong internal controls would remain imperative.

About the Entity
Dawood Equities Limited, was incorporated under the Companies Act 2017, on May 3, 2006 as public limited company. The Company obtained listing on Pakistan stock Exchange in 2008. Mr. Ayaz Dawood owns 19% stakes in the Company followed by Equity International (Pvt.) Limited (11%) and Mr. Junaid Zakariya Dada (7%). While 50% pertains to free float shares. The Company’s service offering includes Economic and Investment Research, Equity Brokerage, and Corporate Finance & Financial Advisory service. The Company’s equity brokerage mainly comprises of services including dealing in securities on Ready and Future counters and MTS & MFS. The Company operates through five branch offices, located in Karachi, Hyderabad, Multan an Sargodha, reporting to the Head Office in Karachi. Mr. Aziz Habib is the CEO of the Company having diverse experience brokerage business. The Company’s Board of Directors (BoD) comprises seven members, which include two independent directors, four non-executive directors and one executive director including a female director in conformity with the Code of Corporate Governance (CCG).

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.