Middle East

Equity investors expect there will be an IPO of Saudi Aramco this year as long as Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman (MBS), and the Saudi government, go ahead with the deal at a valuation below his $2tr aim. But some are concerned the Saudi's will push ahead with whatever value they deem the company is worth, regardless of initial feedback.

Turkey’s decision to launch a military offensive in Syria has reopened the possibility of sanctions from the US, with its Senate introducing a bill to do so on Wednesday. However, the investor community is doubtful about their impact.

Middle Eastern banks returned to the Swiss franc market this week after an absence of almost five months with trades from two Gulf banks providing some respite for yield-starved investors.

Dar Al-Arkan, a Saudi Arabia-based real estate developer, raised $600m on Wednesday with a February 2025 sukuk, defying market volatility to offer little in the way of new issue premium.

Dar Al-Arkan, a real estate development company headquartered in Saudi Arabia, is in the market for a five year sukuk benchmark.

US president Donald Trump’s salvo of tweets against Turkey, which threaten economic sanctions, have had only a muted effect on the Turkish curve, as investors' scepticism towards Trump grows.

Aldar Investment Properties hit screens on Tuesday to announce a roadshow for a 10 year sukuk deal.

Lenders have allowed a cut to Turkish bank margins in their latest refinancing round, according to people familiar with the matter, as the lira recovers from its 2018 crash and the local regulator becomes tougher on bad loans.

Dar Al-Arkan Real Estate Development Company has mandated eight banks to arrange a long five year Reg S benchmark sukuk and is starting the roadshow for the deal on Thursday.

With deposits replenished, the country’s lenders are gearing up for some bold new growth strategies.

Qatar’s economy is in expansion mode, with diversification and investment underpinned by the government’s ambitious Vision 2030 strategy.

With metrics improving and GDP growth reviving, Qatar Central Bank Governor Sheikh Abdullah bin Saud al-Thani is confident that the country has emerged stronger and fitter from the recent turbulent conditions.