April 27, 2020 (PPI-OT)

Following is the text of press release issued by VIS Credit Rating Company Limited

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VIS Credit Rating Company Limited (VIS), while maintaining the entity ratings of 'A-/A2' (Single A Minus/A-Two) assigned to Premium Textile Mills Limited (PRET), has placed the same on 'Rating Watch-Negative' status. Long Term Rating of 'A-' reflects good credit quality with adequate protection factors. Risk factors may vary with possible changes in the economy. Short Term Rating of 'A2' signifies good certainty of timely payment, sound liquidity factors and company fundamentals, and good access to capital markets. Risk factors are small. Previous rating action was announced on September 24, 2019.

Premium Textile Mills Limited (PRET) is part of the Premium Group of Companies which is involved in trading (Premium Resources), auto parts (Techno Fabrik) and textile (PRET and Premium Knits) sectors. PRET is engaged in the manufacturing and sale of yarn to both local and export market. The manufacturing facility of the company is located in Nooriabad.

The power requirement of the production unit is met through internal generation while sanctioned load from K-Electric (KE) is available as a backup. PRET has a number of value-added products in its portfolio, including injected slub (patterned yarn) as well as a customized polyester mix tailored to consumer specification. Around four fifth of the sales are geared towards export market (direct export and indirect export sales).

The revision in rating outlook reflects prevailing uncertainty in textile sector dynamics due to coronavirus outbreak, prolonged lockdown, overall contraction in demand and challenging economic environment. It is expected that the entire value chain of textile industry will be affected by these developments. Status of the assigned rating is therefore uncertain as an event of deviation from expected trend has occurred; additional information will be necessary to take any further rating action, warranting a 'Rating Watch' status. Given the compression in demand and elevated leverage indicators, ratings are being placed on 'Negative' outlook. Ratings remain dependent on maintaining cash flow coverages and prudent leverage indicators. VIS will closely monitor and will accordingly take action to resolve the outlook status.

For more information, contact:Director Compliance and Rating Analytics,VIS Credit Rating Company LimitedVIS House, 128/C, 25th Lane off Khayaban-e-Ittehad,Phase VII, DHA, Karachi, PakistanTel: +92-21-35311861-72Fax: +92-21-35311873Email: bilal@jcrvis.com.pkWebsite: https://www.vis.com.pk/

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© Pakistan Press International, source Asianet-Pakistan