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The Pakistan Credit Rating Agency Limited
Press Release

Date
23-Jun-21

Analyst
Madiha Sohail
madiha.sohail@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 Asset Manager Rating of Al Meezan Investment Management Limited

Rating Type Asset Manager
Current
(23-Jun-21 )
Previous
(26-Jun-20 )
Action Maintain Maintain
AM Rating AM1 AM1
Outlook Stable Stable
Rating Watch - -

The rating reflects the Company’s established standing as one of the largest asset managers and competitive advantage as the first and the largest Shariah-Compliant Asset Manager in Pakistan. The rating incorporates the Company’s strong brand name, robust governance framework, structured Investment processes, and qualified management team. The Company has segregated Compliance and Audit function in line with best practices to strengthen its control environment. The Company has a diversified customer base, with high proportion of retail investors compared to peers. Since Mar'19 the AUMs of the Company grew by 42% and stood at PKR ~166bln as at Mar'21 but the market share declined to 16.8% (Mar'20: 17.4%). The Company’s association with Meezan Bank Limited – the largest Islamic bank – and ensuing synergies have always supplemented growth. With a comprehensive portfolio of seventeen open-end Shariah Compliant mutual funds including a voluntary pension scheme, the Company offers a wide range of products for its customers, although it cannot offer certain conventional products when compared to peers. The Company is also offering ETF named Meezan Pakistan ETF. The Company’s fund performance, remained satisfactory except in equity category, where performance remained around industry average but lagged benchmark. During CY20, the profitability of the Company has increased by almost 50% on account of increased management fee and advisory services. Furthermore, realized and unrealized gain on investments has also contributed towards higher profitability. The Company enjoys sound liquidity and has sufficient lines available, if need arises.
The rating is dependent upon the Company’s ability to sustain its market share and upholding strong investment processes and control environment. Meanwhile, consistent performance of funds compared to benchmark and peers is critical. Any sustained downturn in fund performance and/or significant loss in market share will impact the rating.

About the Entity
Al Meezan Investment Management Limited, established in 1995, is licensed by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan to carry out asset management and investment advisory business. The Company changed its status to a public unlisted company from private Limited in 2001. Al Meezan Investment Management Limited is the first asset management company in the country that is fully Shariah compliant without any conventional funds. Meezan Bank Limited is the largest shareholder of the Company with a stake of 65%, followed by Pakistan Kuwait Investment Company Limited with 30% shareholding. The CEO, Mr. Mohammad Shoaib, CFA, holds ~4.85% stake in the Company. The CEO has over 30 years of experience in managing investment portfolios. The Company’s board is composed of ten members including the CEO, with representation of four members from Meezan Bank, two representatives of Pak Kuwait Investment Company Limited and three independent directors.

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.