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The Pakistan Credit Rating Agency Limited
Press Release

Date
18-Oct-19

Analyst
Afnan Iqbal
afnan.iqbal_old@pacra.com_old
+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 the Stability Rating of NBP Money Market Fund.

Rating Type Stability Rating
Current
(18-Oct-19 )
Previous
(18-Apr-19 )
Action Maintain Maintain
Long Term AA(f) AA(f)
Short Term - -
Outlook Stable Stable
Rating Watch - -

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 Jun 19, asset allocation of the fund consisted of Bank Deposits (95%). 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 top 10 investors comprising 56% of the fund's net assets, which shows moderate 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
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 thirty-four mutual funds and two pension funds.

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.