The issuer rating of SL[A-] with stable outlook was reaffirmed for First Capital Holdings PLC (FC) by ICRA Lanka Limited, subsidiary of ICRA Limited, a group company of Moody’s Investors Service.

ICRA Lanka also reaffirmed the issuer rating [SL]A- with stable outlook for First Capital’s standalone primary dealer First Capital Treasuries PLC (FCT).

The rating report noted potential improvement in the business and financial performances of FCH’s other business entities, which are engaged in corporate debt structuring, corporate finance, asset management, stock broking, extending margin trading facilities and trustee services.

FCH, being a holding company derives its income from the dividends from the group entities and income from its investments, which includes interest income and profit from investments. Total standalone income for FY2016 was adversely affected (LKR 350 Mn total income in FY2016 vis a vis LKR 590 Mn in FY2015) due to non-availability of dividend income (LKR 212 Mn in FY2015), which is linked to performance of the principal subsidiary, FCT. The expected improvement in the performance of FCT in FY2017 vis a vis FY2016, is likely to support the overall performance of FCH.