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The Pakistan Credit Rating Agency Limited
Press Release

Date
12-Jul-17

Analyst
Mohsin Naseer
mohsin.naseer@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 Stability Rating of NAFA Money Market Fund

Rating Type Stability Rating
Current
(12-Jul-17 )
Previous
(09-Dec-16 )
Action Maintain Maintain
Long Term AA(f) AA(f)
Short Term - -
Outlook Stable Stable
Rating Watch - -

The fund's mandate is to generate stable income stream for its unit holders while ensuring capital preservation.

The rating reflects the fund's low risk profile emanating from the fund's investment policy to invest in avenues rated 'AA' and above. At end May 17, asset allocation of the fund consisted of Bank Deposits (86.8%), Placements with Bank (9.5%) and Placements with DFI (3.2%).The portfolio duration of the fund represents very low exposure towards interest rate volatility. The fund's unit holding pattern remains highly concentrated with the top10 investors comprising 62% of the fund's net assets, which shows redemption pressure over the fund.

Going forward, the rating remains dependent on maintaining exposure with high credit quality financial institutions with portfolio duration not exceeding 90 days. Meanwhile, the remaining assets of the fund must be placed with scheduled banks having credit ratings of 'AA' and above. PACRA would monitor compliance against agreed parameters on monthly average basis.

About the Entity
NAFA was incorporated in August 2005. National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) is the major shareholder of NAFA with 54% stake, followed by Alexandra Fund Management Pte. Ltd - 36% stake. With an asset base of PKR ~2trl at end-Dec16, NBP is the one of the country's largest commercial bank. The CEO of NAFA holds a stake of 10% in the company. Presently, the company is managing a diversified portfolio of 22 open-end funds (12 Shariah compliant & 10 conventional), two pension schemes and several discretionary portfolios with AUM of PKR 109bln at end May-17.

NAFA’s nine-member BoD comprises the company’s CEO, three representatives of NBP, two representatives of Alexandra Fund and three independent directors. During the year Mr. Nausherwan Adil – Senior Executive Vice President & Group Chief Operations of NBP, is the chairman of the board. The founding CEO, Dr. Amjad Waheed, CFA, holds a Doctorate in Business Administration; he has extensive experience in domestic and international capital markets. He is supported by an experienced and qualified team of professionals.

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.