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Karachi, October 04, 2023 (PPI-OT): VIS Credit Ratings Company Ltd. (VIS) has upgraded Aspin Pharma (Pvt) Limited’s (“APL” or “the Company”) short-term entity ratings to ‘A-1’ (A-One) from ‘A-2’ (A-Two), while maintaining medium to long term rating at ‘A’ (Single A). Short-term rating of ‘A-1’ reflects high certainty of timely payment; liquidity factors are excellent and supported by good fundamental protection factors. Risk factors are minor. Medium to long-term ratings of ‘A’ signifies good credit quality; Protection factors are adequate. Risk factors may vary with possible changes in the economy. Outlook on the assigned ratings is ‘Stable’. Previous rating action was announced on September 30, 2022.
APL was incorporated as a private limited company on 14 December 2013. The registered office of the Company is situated at Plot No.10 and 25, Sec-20, Korangi Industrial Area, Karachi. The Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Aitkenstuart Pakistan (Private) Limited (parent company). Principal activities of the Company include import, marketing, export, dealership, distribution, wholesale and manufacturing of all kinds of medicines, drugs and pharmaceuticals.
Ratings assigned to APL take into account long-standing presence of the group coupled with strong sponsor and financial support. Ratings also incorporate the business risk of the industry, characterized by non-cyclical demand dynamics; however, regulatory pricing constraint and exchange rate volatility pose a risk to the sector. Ratings also consider sales growth on the back of volume and price increases, as well as margin challenges due to economic conditions and currency fluctuations evident in 1HCY23.
The Company’s portfolio concentration risk remains a constraint, however, market positioning of leading products in their respective category provides comfort. Ratings also account for the Company’s sound debt coverage and capitalization profile. The Company has shown consistent improvement in its coverage indicators, with healthy Funds from Operations (FFO) and a strengthened Debt Servicing Coverage Ratio (DSCR).
Similarly, APL’s liquidity position is underpinned on short cash conversion cycle, along with strong short-term borrowing coverage. Although the Company has recently reported higher inventory in response to currency depreciation, management expects minimal impact on overall liquidity due to steady product demand and inventory offtake. Maintenance of strong liquidity metrics in-line with assigned ratings will remain a key rating consideration going forward.
For more information, contact:
Director Compliance and Rating Analytics,
VIS Credit Rating Company Limited
VIS House, 128/C, 25th Lane off Khayaban-e-Ittehad,
Phase VII, DHA, Karachi, Pakistan
Tel: +92-21-35311861-72
Fax: +92-21-35311873
Email: bilal@jcrvis.com.pk
Website: https://www.vis.com.pk/
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