Middle East Bonds
-
The Kingdom of Bahrain, one of only two sub-investment grade sovereigns in the Gulf, is tapping markets for its second bond of the year. The mandate comes just weeks after Bahrain increased its debt ceiling as Gulf states grapple with the impact of low oil prices and Covid-19 on their spending plans. -
The Commercial Bank of Qatar has mandated banks for a dollar-denominated benchmark bond — the latest in a string of Qatari banks to enter international debt markets in recent months.
-
Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund (PIF), which holds almost $400bn of assets under management, has played a critical role in maintaining financial stability during the coronavirus pandemic. Alireza Zaimi, head of corporate finance at the PIF, tells GlobalCapital how the fund weathered a commodity shock of unprecedented proportions, how the crisis has shaped its investment choices, and how its funding strategy has held up.
-
-
Dubai, Ahli Bank and Sabic proved that the Gulf remains one of the most attractive of the emerging markets, with all three issuing dollar bonds this week.
-
The Emirate of Dubai surpassed expectations on its return to the bond market six years after its last issuance, with the sukuk tranche of its dual trade gaining notable traction. The borrower is the third Emirate to enter debt markets since the coronavirus crisis began.
-
Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (Sabic) is seeking to raise a dual tranche offering this week. The deal is the latest in a flurry of trades from Gulf issuers seeking to take advantage of attractive market conditions amid low oil prices and increasing Covid-19 related costs.
-
Following a trailblazing issuance from Abu Dhabi last week, the Emirate of Dubai has mandated banks to arrange a dual tranche offering, including a sukuk — its first international DCM outing since 2014. Qatar’s Ahli Bank was also in the market on Tuesday, launching a benchmark dollar bond.
-
Abu Dhabi brought the CEEMEA debt market out of holiday mode this week by stunning investors with a new 50 year bond — the longest ever seen in the Gulf. The deal not only cemented Abu Dhabi's standing as a top-tier credit on a level with developed market sovereigns, it also raised expectations for a flurry of longer-dated issuance from states across the Gulf region. Mariam Meskin reports.
-
Masraf Al Rayan, one of the largest Islamic banks in Qatar, was out on Wednesday with its second international sukuk. The deal is also the second from CEEMEA to hit the market following the brief summer lull.
-
The Aa2/AA/AA rated Emirate of Abu Dhabi raised $5bn on Tuesday, securing a negative new issue premium on a trade that included the longest ever tenor raised in the Gulf. The inclusion of a 50 year tranche, bankers say, is testament to the borrower's standing as an elite credit.
