Analyst
Muhammad Usman
muhammad.usman@pacra.com
+92-42-35869504
www.pacra.com
Applicable Criteria
Related Research
PACRA Maintains Stability Rating of NAFA Income Fund
Rating Type | Stability Rating | |
Current (18-Apr-19 ) |
Previous (04-Dec-18 ) |
|
Action | Maintain | Maintain |
Long Term | A(f) | A(f) |
Short Term | - | - |
Outlook | Stable | Stable |
Rating Watch | - | - |
The fund's objective is to earn a competitive rate of return while preserving capital to the extent possible by investing in liquid assets.
The rating reflects average credit quality, moderate exposure against interest rate volatility, and diversified sectoral exposure in assets. At end-Dec18, fund's exposure with Government securities was ~3%, exposure towards banks deposits and placement was ~65%, and TFC ~9%. The unit holding pattern of the fund is concentrated with top10 investors representing 91% of the fund's assets, (of which ~67% are owned investments) which exposes the fund to a very low level of redemption pressure.
Going forward the fund intends to maintain its allocation to good quality debt instruments with the remaining assets invested in government securities and cash balance with a minimum rating of 'A' and above. Material changes in the fund's asset allocation strategy, which could negatively impact the fund's credit quality and exposure to interest rate risk, remains critical for the rating.
About
the Entity
NBP Fund Management Limited, 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%. During the year, Baltoro Growth Fund acquired the entire (36%) stake of Alexandra Fund Management Pte. Ltd. in the company. Baltoro Capital is a Pakistan focused private equity firm. Baltoro has made three investments in the pharmaceutical, renewable energy and financial services sectors. It is actively deploying its funds in businesses positioned to achieve extraordinary growth. The CEO of NBP Fund Management Limited, Dr. Amjad Waheed, also holds a 10% stake in the company.
The company’s nine-member Board of Directors include three independent directors and the CEO. During the year, there has been some new induction in the Board of Directors. The company is currently managing a diversified fund slate of twenty-six mutual funds and two pension funds.