Saudi Arabia

Confidence is sweeping through the CEEMEA bond market as huge volumes for some of 2018’s most maligned issuers have pushed volumes up to record breaking levels for the first fortnight of a year. But despite the strong start, some bankers are concerned that the difficulties of last year are a whisker away from making a comeback. Francesca Young, Lewis McLellan and Sam Kerr report.

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Saudi Arabia's $7.5bn bond, issued on Wednesday, met with little resistance from investors, despite international condemnation of the killing of Jamal Khashoggi at the country's consulate in Istanbul last year. The lead managers built a $27bn book for the deal.

Saudi Arabia is expected to print large tranches for its new 2029 and 2050 bond issue but will need to pay up for them in its first deal since the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the country's consulate in Istanbul last year.

Emerging markets have leapt back into action as investors take full advantage of the wider levels on offer in the asset class. Even some of the sector’s most turbulent credits are coming to market.

The Middle East has been fuelling business in the CEEMEA bond and loan markets for the last 12 months. That looks set to persist in 2019, when the region’s big hitters are expected to come with multi-billion dollar financing needs to both markets. Michael Turner and Francesca Young report.

A host of emerging market opportunities are set to be presented to equity investors in 2019 with Kazakhstan likely to lead the way with a number of highly anticipated listings. Sam Kerr reports.

Emerging markets, reeling from a dreadful fourth quarter, should return to form in January, in spite of the bad conditions prevailing in the broader market.

Saudi Electricity Co has closed a $2.15bn revolving credit facility after months of talks, as bankers concede that banks are "unlikely to turn the tap off" on Saudi deals amid international political upheaval.

High hopes for a bumper corporate finance year in Saudi Arabia have been dashed by the pulled Aramco IPO, the blockade of Qatar and the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, writes David Rothnie.

Saudi Arabia is mired in international controversy but its national energy company, Saudi Aramco, is said to have been sounding out the syndicated loan market for a deal to finance a $5bn petrochemicals plant. With even larger deals on the horizon, lenders appear to be supportive of the borrower despite the highly charged political situation. Mariam Meskin reports.

Despite commodity catastrophes and diplomatic discord, the Gulf is set to be one of the most promising regions for the syndicated loan market in coming years, with a number of projects in the pipeline and governments seeking to modernise their economies by diversifying their funding sources. Banks seeking long-term returns and future ancillary business should pay close attention.