Press Release

Mehboob Steel Pipe Industry - VIS places Steel Sector on Rating Watch

Karachi, March 31, 2023: The business and financial risk of the steel sector has increased on a timeline basis emanating from import restrictions, limited raw material coverage, soaring raw material prices, exchange rate volatility, and higher interest rates, resulting in inflationary pressures and a decline in demand in the construction, engineering, automobiles and infrastructure development projects. The ongoing situation is expected to persist in the mid-term impacting the financial risk profile of companies across the sector. Accordingly, VIS Credit Rating Company Limited (VIS) has placed the steel sector and the companies rated therein by VIS under ‘Rating Watch’ status.

Mehboob Steel Pipe Industry (MSPI) has been assigned entity rating of ‘BBB-/A-2’ (Triple B minus/A-Two), announced on December 30, 2022. Outlook on the same is revised from ‘Stable’ to ‘Rating Watch – Developing’ status. Long-term entity rating of ‘BBB-’ denotes adequate credit quality with reasonable and sufficient protection factors. Moreover, risk factors are considered variable if changes occur in the economy. Short-term entity rating of ‘A-2’ indicates good certainty of timely payment, sound liquidity factors and company fundamentals. Access to capital markets is good. Risk factors are small.

The ratings will remain under Rating Watch based on the unfolding of the economic and market developments going forward and updated over time line according to availability of financial information.

For further information on this rating announcement, please contact Ms. Asfia Aziz (Ext: 212) or the undersigned (Ext: 207) at 021-35311861-71 or email at info@vis.com.pk.



Sara Ahmed
Director

VIS Entity Rating Criteria: Corporates (August 2021)
https://docs.vis.com.pk/docs/CorporateMethodology202108.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 2023 VIS Credit Rating Company Limited . All rights reserved. Contents may be used by news media with credit to VIS .