ADES Prices IPO at Top End

An investor monitors a screen displaying stock information at the Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (Reuters)
An investor monitors a screen displaying stock information at the Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (Reuters)
TT

ADES Prices IPO at Top End

An investor monitors a screen displaying stock information at the Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (Reuters)
An investor monitors a screen displaying stock information at the Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (Reuters)

Saudi oil and gas driller ADES Holding said it has set the final price for its initial public offering (IPO), implying a valuation of $4.06 billion for the Saudi sovereign wealth fund-backed firm.

Last week, Reuters reported that the IPO was expected to be priced at SR13.50 a share, the top end of a previously announced range.

The oil and gas exploration company is offering 237.1 million new shares for subscription, while its shareholders, the PIF, ADES Investments Holding, and Zamil Group Investment, are selling about 101.6 million shares.

The firm is expected to raise about $1.22 billion from selling more than 338.7 million existing and new shares, or about 30 percent of its issued share capital post-capital increase.

ADES confirmed the pricing for the IPO, saying it drew nearly $76.5 billion in orders from institutional investors.

In November, Reuters reported that the planned IPO could fetch more than $1 billion, citing sources close to the matter.

Institutional book-building has closed. Retail subscription runs from Sept. 26-28. Final share allocations are expected by Oct. 4. No date has yet to be set for shares to begin trading.

ADES is the second company to seek a flotation on the Saudi Exchange since the summer after domestic auto rental company Lumi priced its IPO at the top of its range earlier this month.

ADES operates a fleet of offshore and onshore rigs across the Middle East, North Africa, and India. It is headquartered in Khobar, and its clients include Aramco, Kuwait Oil Company, and North Oil Company in Qatar.



Saudi Transport, Logistics Sector Set for 10% Growth in Q2

An investor monitors a trading screen at the Saudi financial market in Riyadh. (AFP)
An investor monitors a trading screen at the Saudi financial market in Riyadh. (AFP)
TT

Saudi Transport, Logistics Sector Set for 10% Growth in Q2

An investor monitors a trading screen at the Saudi financial market in Riyadh. (AFP)
An investor monitors a trading screen at the Saudi financial market in Riyadh. (AFP)

As Saudi companies start reporting their Q2 financial results, experts are optimistic about the transport and logistics sector. They expect a 10% annual growth, with total net profits reaching around SAR 900 million ($240 million), driven by tourism and an economic corridor project.

In Q1, the seven listed transport and logistics companies in Saudi Arabia showed positive results, with combined profits increasing by 5.8% to SAR 818.7 million ($218 million) compared to the previous year.

Four companies reported profit growth, while three saw declines, including two with losses, according to Arbah Capital.

Al Rajhi Capital projects significant gains for Q2 compared to last year: Lumi Rental’s profits are expected to rise by 31% to SAR 65 million, SAL’s by 76% to SAR 192 million, and Theeb’s by 23% to SAR 37 million.

On the other hand, Aljazira Capital predicts a 13% decrease in Lumi Rental’s net profit to SAR 43 million, despite a 44% rise in revenue. This is due to higher operational costs post-IPO.

SAL’s annual profit is expected to grow by 76% to SAR 191.6 million, driven by a 29% increase in revenue and higher profit margins.

Aljazira Capital also expects a 2.8% drop in the sector’s net profit from Q1 due to lower profits for SAL and Seera, caused by reduced revenue and profit margins.

Mohammad Al Farraj, Head of Asset Management at Arbah Capital, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the sector’s continued profit growth is supported by seasonal factors like summer travel and higher demand for transport services.

He predicts Q2 profits will reach around SAR 900 million ($240 million), up 10% from Q1.

Al Farraj highlighted that the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), linking India with the GCC and Europe, is expected to boost sector growth by improving trade and transport connections.

However, he warned that companies may still face challenges, including rising costs and workforce shortages.