Aramco commences secondary public offering of 1.55bn shares  

Aramco commences secondary public offering of 1.55bn shares  
This marks the firm’s second listing after its initial public offering in December 2019, which raised $25.6 billion, the largest flotation in history.
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Updated 02 June 2024
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Aramco commences secondary public offering of 1.55bn shares  

Aramco commences secondary public offering of 1.55bn shares  
  • Energy giant offers more than $10 billion worth of shares

RIYADH: Energy giant Aramco has begun the sale of more than $10 billion worth of shares in what is the second public offering from the Saudi-based firm.

The 1.55 billion holdings on offer represent 0.64 percent of the company’s issued shares, and in a Tadawul statement the oil firm revealed that the price range has been set between SR26.70 and SR29 ($7 to $7.70) per share.

The book-building process for institutional investors in the secondary offering will run from June 2 to 6, while the period for retail investors will run from June 3 to 5. 

This marks the firm’s second listing after its initial public offering in December 2019, which raised $25.6 billion, the largest flotation in history.

“The offering will be made to institutional investors in Saudi Arabia, institutional investors located outside Saudi Arabia who are qualified in accordance with the Rules for Foreign Investment in Securities to invest in listed securities and eligible retail investors in the Kingdom and other GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) countries,” stated Aramco in a press release.  

It added: “Outside the Kingdom, the Offering will be made in compliance with Regulation S under the US Securities Act of 1933.”  

Regulation S is a series of rules that clarify the position of the US Securities and Exchange Commission that securities offered and sold outside the US don’t need to be registered with the SEC.  

The sale was initially announced on May 30, with a statement adding that the Saudi government currently holds 82.19 percent of the company’s issued shares. 

Upon closure of the secondary offering, the government will hold approximately 81.55 percent of the firm’s issued shares if the over-allotment option is not exercised. 

Investment banks added to the deal since it was announced on Thursday are Credit Suisse Saudi Arabia - part of UBS Group - as a domestic bookrunner alongside BNP Paribas, Bank of China International and China International Capital Corporation as foreign bookrunners, according to a stock exchange filing.

Already on the deal were Saudi National Bank's investment banking arm, which is the lead manager as well as global coordinator alongside Citi, Goldman Sachs, and HSBC, as well as JPMorgan, Bank of America and Morgan Stanley.

Al Rajhi Capital, Riyad Capital and Saudi Fransi are also domestic joint bookrunners.

In April, a survey conducted by UK-based Brand Finance named Aramco the most valuable brand in the Middle East, with a value of $41.5 billion. 

In May, the Saudi oil firm revealed its net profit for the first quarter of this year reached $27.27 billion, a rise of 2.04 percent compared to the last three months of 2023. 

According to the statement, Aramco’s total revenue for the three months to the end of March stood at $107.21 billion, with total operating income for the period reaching $58.88 billion.


OPEC+ members to raise oil output by 411,000 bpd in June

OPEC+ members to raise oil output by 411,000 bpd in June
Updated 39 sec ago
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OPEC+ members to raise oil output by 411,000 bpd in June

OPEC+ members to raise oil output by 411,000 bpd in June

RIYADH: Eight OPEC+ member states, including Saudi Arabia, have agreed to raise oil production by 411,000 barrels per day in June as part of a gradual rollback of voluntary output cuts, the group has announced.

The decision was reached following a virtual meeting on May 3 and builds on an agreement made on Dec. 5 to gradually and flexibly restore 2.2 million bpd of voluntary cuts starting April 1, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The June increase is equivalent to three monthly increments and reflects improving market conditions, including declining oil inventories.

The meeting included the Kingdom, Russia, and Iraq, as well as the UAE, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Algeria, and Oman, all of whom had previously announced additional voluntary reductions in April and November 2023.

In a joint statement, the countries emphasized that the planned increases remain subject to change or temporary suspension depending on market developments, allowing the group to retain flexibility in supporting price and market stability, according to SPA.

The members also reiterated their full commitment to the Declaration of Cooperation, including the additional voluntary cuts agreed during the 53rd meeting of the Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee held on April 3, 2024.

The statement affirmed that participating countries are determined to fully compensate for any excess production recorded since January 2024.

OPEC+ said it would hold monthly meetings to track market conditions, compliance levels, and progress of the compensation plan. The next meeting is scheduled for June 1 to set production targets for July.


Saudi Arabia opens May round of Sah savings sukuk with 4.66% return

Saudi Arabia opens May round of Sah savings sukuk with 4.66% return
Updated 5 min 3 sec ago
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Saudi Arabia opens May round of Sah savings sukuk with 4.66% return

Saudi Arabia opens May round of Sah savings sukuk with 4.66% return

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia launched the May issuance of its Sah savings sukuk, offering retail investors a fixed return of 4.66 percent as the government continues to push savings participation. 

The sukuk, part of the country’s broader local bond program, is issued by the Ministry of Finance and managed by the National Debt Management Center. It is available for subscription from May 4 at 10:00 a.m. until May 6 at 3:00 p.m. local time, the NDMC said in a statement. 

As part of the Vision 2030 Financial Sector Development Program, the initiative aims to boost personal savings by encouraging regular fiscal habits, expanding product access, and promoting financial literacy to support future goal planning. 

The offering, denominated in riyals, also supports the goal of raising the national savings rate from 6 percent to 10 percent by the decade’s end. 

The sukuk carries a one-year maturity and can be purchased in increments of SR1,000 ($266), with a cumulative cap of SR200,000 per individual across all program issuances.  

Allocation is scheduled for May 13, with redemption occurring between May 18 and 20. Payments will be disbursed on May 25.   

The Sah sukuk is accessible through digital platforms operated by SNB Capital, Al Rajhi Capital, and AlJazira Capital, as well as Alinma Investment and SAB Invest. 

The May issuance of the Sah savings product follows the fourth round issued in April, which offered a 4.88 percent return under the Ijarah sukuk structure. Available through the digital platforms of approved financial institutions, the bonds featured a one-year savings term with fixed returns payable at maturity. The minimum subscription was SR1,000, with a maximum cumulative limit of SR200,000 per user across all issuances during the program period.

Sah is Saudi Arabia’s first Shariah-compliant savings instrument for individuals. Structured under the Ijarah model — where returns are derived from leasing-based assets — the product is designed to offer a low-risk, fixed-income alternative with no fees and exemption from Zakat.  

Returns are paid upon maturity, with early redemptions allowed during set windows but without profit entitlement. 

NDMC CEO Hani Al-Madini said in March that Sah that the sukuk serves as a catalyst for private sector cooperation and participation in developing and launching various savings products tailored to diverse demographics. These initiatives could involve partnerships with banks, fund managers, financial technology companies, and more.  

In late February, the NDMC confirmed it would continue using the Ijarah format for future issuances to provide accessible, low-risk savings solutions. 


Saudi fintech startup Nqoodlet secures $3m in seed funding

Saudi fintech startup Nqoodlet secures $3m in seed funding
Updated 24 min 22 sec ago
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Saudi fintech startup Nqoodlet secures $3m in seed funding

Saudi fintech startup Nqoodlet secures $3m in seed funding

RIYADH: Saudi fintech firm Nqoodlet has announced the successful closure of a $3 million seed funding round aimed at accelerating its mission to streamline financial operations for small and medium-sized enterprises.

The round was led by Waad Investments, with participation from Omantel, Sanabil 500 Investment, OQAL, Seed Holding, and a group of strategic investors.

Founded by Mohamed Milyani and Yara Ghouth, Nqoodlet offers an integrated digital platform that includes smart corporate cards, real-time expense tracking, and financial automation tools. The startup is focused on transforming financial management for SMEs across Saudi Arabia and the wider Gulf Cooperation Council region.

According to the company, more than 600 SMEs have already adopted the platform, resulting in reported gains such as an 80 percent improvement in process efficiency and average annual cost savings of SR200,000 ($53,330) per business.

“This funding gives us the rocket fuel to scale faster, go deeper with banks, and bring financial clarity to thousands of businesses who deserve better,” said Milyani.

Yaser Al-Ghamdi, chief investment officer at Waad Investment, said the firm backed Nqoodlet because “they are not just building a product — they are building an entirely new future for financial technology.” 

With the new capital, Nqoodlet plans to enhance its technology infrastructure, launch open banking integrations, develop automated tax solutions, and expand strategic partnerships within the regional fintech ecosystem.

“This isn’t just a funding round. It’s a statement: GCC is ready for the next generation of fintech,” said Ghouth.


Saudi insurance firm Al-Etihad retains Moody’s A3 rating with stable outlook 

Saudi insurance firm Al-Etihad retains Moody’s A3 rating with stable outlook 
Updated 39 min 11 sec ago
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Saudi insurance firm Al-Etihad retains Moody’s A3 rating with stable outlook 

Saudi insurance firm Al-Etihad retains Moody’s A3 rating with stable outlook 

RIYADH: Saudi-based Al-Etihad Cooperative Insurance Co. has retained its A3 financial strength rating from Moody’s, reflecting the firm’s strong market position and disciplined underwriting. 

Moody’s cited several key strengths supporting the rating, including Al-Etihad’s solid market position as the Kingdom’s eighth-largest insurer, its conservative investment strategy — where high-risk assets represent just 28.2 percent of equity — and its strong capital adequacy.  

The agency also highlighted the company’s five-year average return on capital of 7.7 percent and a healthy combined ratio of 95.2 percent. 

“However, these strengths are partially offset by Al-Etihad’s concentration to the Saudi insurance market which has an elevated level of competition, as well as Al-Etihad’s concentration to motor and medical insurance, which are the Saudi insurance market’s most competitive lines of business,” Moody’s said. 

This marks the second consecutive A3 rating for Al-Etihad since August, when Moody’s initially assigned the grade, citing similar strengths such as asset quality and profitability. At the time, the agency emphasized the insurer’s ability to navigate competitive pressures while maintaining financial resilience. 

Al-Etihad, a mid-tier property and casualty insurer, offers a range of commercial and personal insurance products. The A3 rating places the company in the upper-medium grade category, indicating low credit risk and a strong capacity to meet its financial obligations. In its August update, Moody’s also affirmed Al-Etihad’s Governance Issuer Profile Score of G-2, reflecting its conservative risk management practices and experienced leadership.  

The insurer’s 2023 financial performance further strengthened its standing, with net profits surging 639 percent year-on-year to SR93.89 million ($25.02 million), driven by increased revenues in the motor insurance segment. 

Looking ahead, Al-Etihad’s ability to sustain profitability while effectively managing market risks will be critical to maintaining its current rating. 

Moody’s review did not incorporate explicit support from Al-Etihad’s largest shareholder, Kuwait’s Al Ahleia Insurance, but acknowledged governance benefits from the partnership. The agency’s following assessment will evaluate any material changes in the company’s credit profile. 

For now, the stable outlook signals confidence in Al-Etihad’s strategic direction, even as it faces sector-specific challenges in Saudi Arabia’s evolving insurance landscape. 

The Kingdom’s insurance sector has experienced robust growth, with revenues surging 16.9 percent year on year in the third quarter of 2024, driven by strong demand for motor, medical, and property insurance.  

According to a KPMG report, this expansion is fueled by Vision 2030-driven regulatory reforms, including mandatory health coverage and stricter auto insurance requirements.  

The sector’s net profit before zakat and tax jumped 25.9 percent to SR3.90 billion, while total assets grew 20 percent to SR84.91 billion, reflecting deepening market maturity.  

The Insurance Authority’s 2023 establishment and adoption of IFRS 17/9 standards have further strengthened governance and transparency. 

With S&P Global projecting 10-15 percent revenue growth in 2025, the sector remains a key pillar of Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification. 


Oman inflation inches up by 0.56% in March

Oman inflation inches up by 0.56% in March
Updated 49 min 30 sec ago
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Oman inflation inches up by 0.56% in March

Oman inflation inches up by 0.56% in March

RIYADH: Oman’s inflation rate inched up by 0.56 percent in March, reflecting overall price stability despite notable movements in select consumer categories, official data showed. 

According to data from the National Centre for Statistics and Information, the biggest year-on-year gain was recorded in the miscellaneous goods and services segment, which rose 6.11 percent, followed by health, up 3.22 percent, and transport, which advanced 1.74 percent.  

In contrast, prices for vegetables and fish and seafood fell sharply, declining 10.23 percent and 6.95 percent, respectively. 

Oman’s inflation remains one of the lowest in the region, thanks to government measures, prudent fiscal policies, high oil prices, and rising non-oil exports, with the rate easing in recent months. 

Across the region, Saudi Arabia recorded a 2.3 percent annual rise in consumer prices in March, with inflation largely driven by housing and utility costs, while Dubai’s rate moderated to 2.8 percent, down from 3.15 percent in February, supported by lower transport and food costs. 

On a monthly basis, Oman’s general index dropped by 0.36 percent in March compared to February.    

Despite the decline, the fruit category saw a 3.25 percent increase, followed by the miscellaneous goods and services group which saw a 0.72 percent increase.   

In contrast, transport prices fell 1.86 percent month on month, while the fish and seafood group dropped 3.53 percent.  

The food and beverages category, which holds the highest weighting in the consumer price index basket, fell 0.74 percent year on year and 0.58 percent month on month.   

Within this group, milk, cheese and eggs posted a 2.97 percent annual increase, while bread and cereals and meat fell by 0.55 percent and 0.44 percent, respectively.  

Oman has continued to consolidate its fiscal position, building on the momentum of recent surpluses. 

The Ministry of Finance recently reaffirmed its 2025 budget outlook, underpinned by sustained oil revenue and ongoing diversification initiatives. 

The sultanate recorded a real gross domestic growth of 1.3 percent in 2023, supported by a robust non-oil sector, and projects GDP to reach 44.1 billion Omani rial ($114.66 billion) in 2025.  

Non-hydrocarbon activities are expected to account for 70.5 percent of this total, reflecting progress in the country’s Vision 2040 goals. 

Additionally, public revenues are projected at 11.2 billion rial, with a continued focus on reducing public debt and boosting private sector participation.