The Pakistan Credit Rating Agency Limited
22-Mar-23
Analyst
Wajeeha Asghar
wajeeha.asghar@pacra.com
+92-42-35869504
www.pacra.com
Applicable Criteria
Related Research
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PACRA Maintains Stability Rating of NBP Islamic Savings Fund
| Rating Type | Stability Rating | |
|
Current (22-Mar-23 ) |
Previous (22-Sep-22 ) |
|
| Action | Maintain | Maintain |
| Long Term | AA-(f) | AA-(f) |
| Short Term | - | - |
| Outlook | Stable | Stable |
| Rating Watch | - | - |
NBP Islamic Savings Fund (or the ‘Fund’) is a medium risk-profile fund. The assigned rating reflects the Fund's moderate credit and interest rate risk profile emanating from its investment strategy. The Fund had invested ~84% in bank majority in A+ rated bank, ~8.8% in certificates of Musharaka whereas ~5.5% in Short Term Sukuks rated A+ and above and ~1.7% in others at the end Dec’22. The duration and the WAM of the Fund stood at 6 days at the end Dec’22, limiting the exposure to interest rate and credit risk. The top ten investor concentration stood at ~21.7% at the end Dec'22, giving rise to moderate level of redemption pressure.
Going forward, the Fund intend to diversify their investment in A+ and above rated avenues and will ensure to meet the given criteria within the curing period. Any Material changes in the investment policy or the devised rating criteria for the assigned rating would have an impact on the ratings.
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 213bln at end-Dec'22, 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.