AL Habib Capital Markets (Pvt.) Limited

CREDIT RATING REPORT | Jan-25

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Rating History
Dissemination Date Long-Term Rating Short-Term Rating Outlook Action Rating Watch
27-Jan-25 A A1 Stable Initial -
About the Entity

AL Habib Capital Markets (Pvt.) Limited, “AHCML or The Company” is a licensed TREC holder of Pakistan Stock Exchange and was incorporated under the Companies Ordinance 1984 in 2005 as private limited company. Bank AL Habib Limited (BAHL) is the major shareholder of AHCML, accounting for two‐third of the ownership. The remaining one‐third is held by Habib Family, friends and associates. The Company has six directors on the board including CEO and Chairman. The CEO, Mr. Aftab Q. Munshi possesses diversified experience in capital markets. He is also on the Board of Directors of AHCML as Chief Executive since its incorporation.

Rating Rationale

Al Habib Capital Markets (Pvt.) Limited ('AHCML' or the 'Company') is primarily engaged in the provision of equity brokerage while income from MTS and MFS also aids the topline. In CY24, Pakistan's stock market rebounded, which can be attributed to favorable factors such as low market P/E multiples, declining interest rates, and improving macroeconomic indicators. This resurgence restored investor confidence and boosted trading volumes, creating a positive outlook for the brokerage industry. The trend continued throughout CY24 with the KSE-100 index constantly breaching historic highs during the year. CY25 is expected to remain positive for the brokerage industry; however, key factors such as political stability and sustained improvement in macroeconomic indicators remain key. Effective marketing strategies enabled the Company to take advantage of the market uptick, with the brokerage revenue of AHCML surging by ~83% during 9MCY24. As a result, AHCML converted its loss during 9MCY23 to a profit after tax of ~PKR 24mln during 9MCY24. Market risk is limited, with the proprietary investment book of the Company constituting ~28% of the equity at end-Sep'24. Furthermore, market risk is negligible as the Company invests its excess funds in PIBs. AHCML maintains a leveraged capital structure, with leveraging standing at ~31% at end-Sep'24. The Company has an adequate equity base of ~PKR 416mln as at end-Sep'24. The Company's ownership lies with Bank Al-Habib (the 'Bank') and the Habib family. The business acumen and financial strength of the primary sponsor contributes positively to the ratings. Representation of the Bank on the board is well noted and strengthens the governance framework; however, inclusion of independent representation on the board may improve oversight framework further. AHCML has a well-developed organizational structure with a qualified and experienced management team. The presence of a separate internal audit department enhances the control environment. The Company intends to enhance its technological infrastructure to streamline the onboarding process for retail clients. Additionally, management's plan to expand its geographic reach shall significantly contribute to increasing the Company's market share.

Key Rating Drivers

Going forward, sustainability of market share, revenue, and profitability will remain imperative, while upholding strong internal controls and risk management framework is critical. Further, retention of key management personnel and continued sponsor support remains important.

REPORT CONTENTS
  1. Rating Analysis
  2. Financial Summary
  3. Rating Scale
  4. Regulatory Disclosure

AL Habib Capital Markets (Pvt.) Limited

rating analysis

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Profile
Background

Al Habib Capital Markets (Pvt.) Limited, ('AHCML or the 'Company') is a licensed TREC holder of the Pakistan Stock Exchange and was incorporated under the Companies Ordinance 1984 in 2005 as a private limited company.


Operations

AHCML's service offering includes Equity Brokerage and Economic and Investment Research. The clientele of the company is segmented into three categories 1) HNWI's 2) Financial Institutions 3) Retail. AHCML operates through a head office and a branch in Karachi.


Ownership
Ownership Structure

Bank AL Habib (BAHL) is a major shareholder of AHCML, accounting for two-third of the ownership. The remaining one-third is held by Habib Family, friends and associates.


Stability

Ownership stability stems from majority investment held by the sponsoring family and group.


Business Acumen

Habib Group has been historically involved in the banking sector for about 80 years. BAHL operates through a fast growing network of above 1000 branches/ sub-branches, including 263 Islamic banking branches at end-Sept'24. The business acumen of the sponsoring group is considered very strong.


Financial Strength

The sponsors have sizeable net worth and may provide support the Company with increasing quantum of operations. Bank AL Habib enjoys a rating of AAA, assigned by PACRA. The assets of BAHL stood at PKR 3.052Tr at end-Sept'24.


Governance
Board Structure

The Company has 6 directors on the board including CEO and Chairman. There are 5 non-executive directors and 1 executive director. Presence of independent insight would be an encouraging factor from rating perspective. Representation of BAHL on the board is well noted.


Members’ Profile

The board possess the necessary skills and experience required for capital markets. The board members on average possess ~20 years of experience in the field of finance and capital markets.


Board Effectiveness

During the period under review, three board meetings were conducted and attended by the majority of the board members. The board is always provided with MIS pack prior to the meeting and the meeting discussions are properly documented in the form of minutes.


Transparency

The external auditors of the company were EY Ford Rhodes Chartered Accountants. They have expressed an unqualified opinion on the financial statements for CY23. The firm is QCR rated by ICAP and is in the A Category of SBP’s panel of auditors. The Company's auditors from CY24 onwards have been changed from EY to KPMG Taseer Hadi & Co.


Management
Organizational Structure

The Company has a well developed organizational structure to manage its operations and appropriate policies to protect the client's interest and to preserve their good faith and trust. The COO and CFO report to the Company's CEO.


Management Team

The CEO, Mr. Aftab Q. Munshi, possesses diversified experience in capital markets. He is serving on the Board of Directors of AHCML as Chief Executive since its incorporation. Mr. Munshi served with the Jahangir Siddiqui Group for almost 12 years in multiple roles. He headed their Equity Operations for 5 years. The CFO, Mr. Rizwan Hashmi is a fellow member of Association of Chartered Certified Accountant. He has been serving as CFO & Company Secretary of AL Habib Capital Markets (Pvt.) Limited since March 2017.


Management Effectiveness

The management of AHCML is well qualified and experienced to manage the Company's operations efficiently. Management decisions are taken through various committees present at the senior management level.


Control Environment

The Company has in-house internal audit department, which monitors implementation of the policies and procedures of AHCML. Audit Committee further ensures an effective control environment. For an effective control environment and compliance with reporting standards, AHCML has constituted an Audit Committee and Investment Committee at the board level. Management Committee of AHCML reviews/monitors risk management of the Company amongst other matters.


Business Risk
Industry Dynamics

Low market P/E multiples, declining interest rates, and improving macro-economic indicators renewed investor confidence during CY24, resulting in high volumes for the brokerage industry. The trend has continued throughout the year, with significant rate cuts providing the impetus to investors to shift their investments from fixed income to the equity market. The market P/E ratio is still considered low with ample room to improve, indicating that the brokerage industry shall continue to enjoy high volumes during CY25.


Relative Position

The Company sustained its position in the market during 9MCY24.


Revenues

The Company's operating revenue is mainly concentrated in equity brokerage. During 9MCY24 the equity brokerage revenue was reported at PKR 122mln, which has contributed ~58% to the total revenue (SPLY: PKR 52mln).


Cost Structure

Operating expenses increased to ~PKR 108mln at end-Sept'24 as compared to ~PKR 95mln in Sept'23.


Sustainability

AHCML converted its loss during 9MCY23 of ~PKR 17mln to a profit of ~PKR 24mln during 9MCY24.


Financial Risk
Credit Risk

For the assessment of client's creditworthiness, the Company has formulated detailed KYC/CDD policies. Limits have been defined, which are strictly monitored. The exposure limits as a whole and on individual basis are monitored and any shortfalls are immediately reported to senior management for prompt action.


Market Risk

The prop book of the Company constitutes ~28% of the equity and stood at ~PKR 120mln at end-Sep’24 as compared to ~PKR 152mln that constituted ~47% of the equity at end-Sep'23. Furthermore PIBs contribute ~77% to the prop book at end-Sep’24 as compared to ~ 29% at end-Sep'23. Low proprietary investment book as compared to equity leads to low market risk for the Company.


Liquidity Risk

At the end-Sep’24, the current assets of the Company were ~PKR 964mln (SPLY: ~PKR 647mln) against the current liability of ~PKR 584mln (SPLY: ~PKR 344mln).


Capital Structure

The Company has adequate risk absorption capacity reflected by its adequate and increasing equity base of ~PKR 416mln as in 9MCY24 against ~PKR 323mln in SPLY.
 
 

Jan-25

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AL Habib Capital Markets (Pvt.) Limited

financial summary

(PKR mln)

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Sep-24
9M		 Dec-23
12M		 Dec-22
12M		 Dec-21
12M
A. BALANCE SHEET
1. Finances 5 3 91 452
2. Investments 120 101 251 192
3. Other Earning Assets 354 657 238 340
4. Non-Earning Assets 474 611 263 106
5. Non-Performing Finances-net 0 0 0 0
Total Assets 953 1,372 844 1,089
6. Funding 185 590 481 694
7. Other Liabilities (Non-Interest Bearing) 400 405 30 34
Total Liabilities 585 996 511 728
Equity 409 376 338 373
B. INCOME STATEMENT
1. Fee Based Income 162 118 70 125
2. Operating Expenses (111) (132) (117) (112)
3. Non Fee Based Income 48 80 111 67
Total Opearting Income/(Loss) 99 66 64 81
4. Financial Charges (60) (59) (63) (24)
Pre-Tax Profit 39 7 1 57
5. Taxes (15) (4) (4) (15)
Profit After Tax 24 3 (3) 41
C. RATIO ANALYSIS
1. Cost Structure
Financial Charges / Total Opearting Income/(Loss) 61.0% 89.4% 98.3% 29.7%
Return on Equity (ROE) 8.3% 1.8% -2.2% 17.1%
2. Capital Adequacy
Equity / Total Assets (D+E+F) 42.9% 27.4% 40.1% 34.2%
Free Cash Flows from Operations (FCFO) / (Financial Charges + Current Maturity of Long Term Debt + Uncovered Short Term Borrowings) 64.0% 50.0% -55.7% -221.8%
3. Liquidity
Liquid Assets / Total Assets (D+E+F) 43.7% 45.9% 54.5% 22.7%
Liquid Assets / Trade Related Liabilities 112.0% 170.7% 214.9% 107.5%
4. Credit & Market Risk
Accounts Receivable / Short-term Borrowings + Advances from Customers + Payables to Customers 51.9% 54.2% 43.2% 7.7%
Equity Instruments / Investments 22.1% 19.0% 26.6% 62.7%

Jan-25

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AL Habib Capital Markets (Pvt.) Limited

rating scale

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Jan-25

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AL Habib Capital Markets (Pvt.) Limited

regulatory disclosure

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  1. Rating Team Statements
    1. Rating is just an opinion about the creditworthiness of the entity and does not constitute a recommendation to buy, hold, or sell any security of the entity rated or to buy, hold, or sell the security rated, as the case may be. (Chapter III; 14-3-(x))
    2. Conflict of Interest
      1. The Rating Team or any of their family members have no interest in this rating (Chapter III; 12-2-(j))
      2. PACRA, the analysts involved in the rating process, and members of its rating committee and their family members do not have any conflict of interest relating to the rating done by them (Chapter III; 12-2-(e) & (k))
      3. The analyst is not a substantial shareholder of the customer being rated by PACRA [Annexure F; d-(ii)]
      4. Explanation: for the purpose of the above clause, the term "family members" shall include only those family members who are dependent on the analyst and members of the rating committee.
  2. Restrictions
    1. No director, officer, or employee of PACRA communicates the information acquired by him for use for rating purposes to any other person, except where required under law to do so. (Chapter III; 10-(5))
    2. PACRA does not disclose or discuss with outside parties or make improper use of the non-public information which has come to its knowledge during a business relationship with the customer. (Chapter III; 10-7-(d))
    3. PACRA does not make proposals or recommendations regarding the activities of rated entities that could impact a credit rating of the entity subject to rating. (Chapter III; 10-7-(k))
  3. Conduct of Business
    1. PACRA fulfills its obligations in a fair, efficient, transparent, and ethical manner and renders high standards of services in performing its functions and obligations. (Chapter III; 11-A-(a))
    2. PACRA uses due care in the preparation of this Rating Report. Our information has been obtained from sources we consider to be reliable, but its accuracy or completeness is not guaranteed. PACRA does not, in every instance, independently verify or validate information received in the rating process or in preparing this Rating Report. (Clause 11-(A)(p))
    3. PACRA prohibits its employees and analysts from soliciting money, gifts, or favors from anyone with whom PACRA conducts business. (Chapter III; 11-A-(q))
    4. PACRA ensures before the commencement of the rating process that an analyst or employee has not had a recent employment or other significant business or personal relationship with the rated entity that may cause or may be perceived as causing a conflict of interest. (Chapter III; 11-A-(r))
    5. PACRA maintains the principle of integrity in seeking rating business. (Chapter III; 11-A-(u))
    6. PACRA promptly investigates in the event of misconduct or a breach of the policies, procedures, and controls, and takes appropriate steps to rectify any weaknesses to prevent any recurrence, along with suitable punitive action against the responsible employee(s). (Chapter III; 11-B-(m))
  4. Independence & Conflict of Interest
    1. PACRA receives compensation from the entity being rated or any third party for the rating services it offers. The receipt of this compensation has no influence on PACRA’s opinions or other analytical processes. In all instances, PACRA is committed to preserving the objectivity, integrity, and independence of its ratings. Our relationship is governed by two distinct mandates: i) rating mandate - signed with the entity being rated or issuer of the debt instrument, and ii) fee mandate - signed with the payer, which can be different from the entity.
    2. PACRA does not provide consultancy/advisory services or other services to any of its customers or their associated companies and associated undertakings that are being rated or have been rated by it during the preceding three years, unless it has an adequate mechanism in place ensuring that the provision of such services does not lead to a conflict of interest situation with its rating activities. (Chapter III; 12-2-(d))
    3. PACRA discloses that no shareholder directly or indirectly holding 10% or more of the share capital of PACRA also holds directly or indirectly 10% or more of the share capital of the entity which is subject to rating or the entity which issued the instrument subject to rating by PACRA. (Chapter III; 12-2-(f))
    4. PACRA ensures that the rating assigned to an entity or instrument is not affected by the existence of a business relationship between PACRA and the entity or any other party, or the non-existence of such a relationship. (Chapter III; 12-2-(i))
    5. PACRA ensures that the analysts or any of their family members shall not buy, sell, or engage in any transaction in any security which falls in the analyst’s area of primary analytical responsibility. This clause, however, does not apply to investments in securities through collective investment schemes. (Chapter III; 12-2-(l))
    6. PACRA has established policies and procedures governing investments and trading in securities by its employees and for monitoring the same to prevent insider trading, market manipulation, or any other market abuse. (Chapter III; 11-B-(g))
  5. Monitoring and Review
    1. PACRA monitors all the outstanding ratings continuously, and any potential change therein due to any event associated with the issuer, the security arrangement, the industry, etc., is disseminated to the market immediately and in an effective manner after appropriate consultation with the entity/issuer. (Chapter III; 17-(a))
    2. PACRA reviews all the outstanding ratings periodically on an annual basis. Provided that public dissemination of annual review and in an instance of change in rating will be made. (Chapter III; 17-(b))
    3. PACRA initiates an immediate review of the outstanding rating upon becoming aware of any information that may reasonably be expected to result in downgrading of the rating. (Chapter III; 17-(c))
    4. PACRA engages with the issuer and the debt securities trustee to remain updated on all information pertaining to the rating of the entity/instrument. (Chapter III; 17-(d))
  6. Probability of Default
    1. PACRA’s Rating Scale reflects the expectation of credit risk. The highest rating has the lowest relative likelihood of default (i.e., probability). PACRA’s transition studies capture the historical performance behavior of a specific rating notch. Transition behavior of the assigned rating can be obtained from PACRA’s Transition Study available at our website. (www.pacra.com) However, the actual transition of rating may not follow the pattern observed in the past. (Chapter III; 14-3(f)(vii))
  7. Proprietary Information
    1. All information contained herein is considered proprietary by PACRA. Hence, none of the information in this document can be copied or otherwise reproduced, stored, or disseminated in whole or in part in any form or by any means whatsoever by any person without PACRA’s prior written consent.

Jan-25

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