Press Release

VIS Credit Rating Company Assigns Initial Entity Ratings to Artistic Apparels (Private) Limited

Karachi, November 16, 2020: VIS Credit Rating Company Limited has assigned initial entity ratings of ‘BBB+/A-2’ (Triple B Plus/A-Two) to Artistic Apparels (Private) Limited (AAPL). Long Term Rating of ‘BBB+’ denotes good credit quality and reasonable and sufficient protection factors. Risk factors are considered variable if changes occur in the economy. Short Term Rating of ‘A-2’ signifies good certainty of timely payment, sound liquidity factors and company fundamentals. Access to capital markets is good. Risk factors are small. Outlook on the assigned ratings is ‘Stable’.

AAPL deals in manufacturing and exporting of denim garments. Assigned ratings incorporate extensive experience of the sponsors in the textile and denim segment. Ratings also take into account moderate business risk profile supported by stable and growing demand for denim products. VIS expects demand for denim products to remain stable over the medium term. Given the favorable policies & incentives of the government on enhancing exports and trade disruption between US and China, there is significant opportunity for local players to enhance exports. However, local and international expansion by major players is expected to keep pricing power and hence margins in check. Moreover, significant investment required by customers as part of sustainability initiative is expected to add to cost pressures for denim manufacturers. Increased expansion by leading denim and non-denim textile players is also on account of favorable demand and expected increase in orders.

AAPL operates through 2 facilities/units located at Korangi and Landhi in Karachi, Pakistan. Capacity utilization has been increasing on a timeline basis and was reported at 83% (FY19: 78%) during FY20. Besides expansion in existing capacity, the Company also plans backward integration of operations to meet its fabric requirements along with selling the unutilized fabric in the export and local market.

Assessment of financial risk profile depicts adequate profitability, liquidity and capitalization indicators although size of equity is on the lower side despite equity injection during FY20. Sales revenue of the Company depicted an increasing trend over the last two years. While historical trend in gross margins has remained volatile and erratic, increase in the same along with growth in revenues has translated into improved profitability on a timeline basis. Going forward, management expects momentum in profitability growth to continue given enhanced capacities, and continued focus on value addition. Liquidity profile of the company is considered adequate with satisfactory debt servicing ability and sufficient cushion of short term borrowings through stock in trade and trade debts. Going forward, ratings remain dependent on maintaining strong debt servicing coverage given projected increase in long term debt to finance expansion. While leverage indicators are projected to increase on account of additional debt to fund expansion, leverage indicators are expected to remain within manageable levels. Future trend with respect to the same will be an important rating consideration.

For further information on this rating announcement, please contact Mr. Talha Iqbal (Ext: 213) or the undersigned (Ext. 201) at 021-35311861-70 or email at info@vis.com.pk


Javed Callea
Advisor

Applicable Rating Criteria: Industrial Corporates (April 2019)
https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/backupsqlvis/docs/Corporate-Methodology-201904.pdf

Information herein was obtained from sources believed to be accurate and reliable; however, VIS Credit Rating Company Limited (VIS) does not guarantee the accuracy, adequacy or completeness of any information and is not responsible for any errors or omissions or for the results obtained from the use of such information.VIS , the analysts involved in the rating process and members of its rating committee do not have any conflict of interest relating to the rating(s)/ranking(s) mentioned in this report.VIS is paid a fee for most rating assignments. This rating/ranking is an opinion and is not a recommendation to buy or sell any securities. Copyright 2020 VIS Credit Rating Company Limited . All rights reserved. Contents may be used by news media with credit to VIS .