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The Pakistan Credit Rating Agency Limited
Press Release

Date
02-May-22

Analyst
Sehar Fatima
sehar.fatima@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 Nishat Mills Limited

Rating Type Entity
Current
(02-May-22 )
Previous
(08-May-21 )
Action Maintain Maintain
Long Term AA AA
Short Term A1+ A1+
Outlook Stable Stable
Rating Watch - -

The ratings reflect the established position of Nishat Mills as a premier export-oriented composite unit, with a sizable strategic portfolio and conservative capital structure. The Company enjoys prominence in textile sector due to wide array of its products, extensive outreach and stable customer base. Meanwhile, the Company’s revenues are consistently on a growing trajectory on account of both favorable rate and volume variance. Moreover, a factor of continuous BMR has assisted the Company in maintaining its leading position. The diverse and sizable investment portfolio, emanating from the Company's implicit Holdco status within the Group, generates regular dividend stream, supporting core income recorded at PKR 1.9bln as at end-Dec-21. Although Nishat remained moderately leveraged, its leveraged increased from 28.7% to 39.4% as at end-Dec’21 mainly due to increase in short-term borrowing. The Company's association with Nishat Group as its flagship entity, remains a key rating factor. Textile industry dynamics are proving to be vigorous mainly due to increase in demand for textile products internationally and channeling of export orders towards Pakistani market. Export’s front witnessed a strong increase and is expected to stay positive in the medium term where the demand for textile products is expected to sustain. Meanwhile, the Company continues to receive sizable dividend income from its diversified investment portfolio that provides comfort to the ratings. The Company is expected to maintain its very strong financial profile.
The ratings are dependent on the Company's ability to sustain its core margins and profitability. Preserving low leveraged capital structure and sound coverages remains imperative.

About the Entity
Nishat Mills, established in 1951, is the largest textile composite unit and a leading exporter of textile products in the country. The Company’s majority stake (~51%) is owned by members of Mansha family and Nishat Group companies. Nishat Mills also holds shareholding in multiple strategic investments of Nishat Group. Nishat Group – a leading conglomerate – maintains a substantial presence in the country's financial sector and a strong foothold in textile, cement, power and hospitality sectors. The Group has lately entered Pakistan's automobile assembly industry through a joint venture with Hyundai motors.

The board comprises seven members with two directors representing the sponsoring family – including the Chairman – Mr. Hassan Mansha and the CEO. Board consists of two independent directors, one executive director, while all other members are non-executive directors working with Nishat Group entities. The CEO, Mr. Umer Mansha, has been associated with Nishat Mills since 1994 and carries extensive experience in the textile industry. He is supported by an experienced management team. Moreover, the quality of systems and processes in place is considered very strong.

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.