Saudi Arabia Issues $12 Billion in Dollar Bonds in 3 Tranches

The Kingdom sold $12 billion worth of US dollar bonds on Tuesday. (SPA)
The Kingdom sold $12 billion worth of US dollar bonds on Tuesday. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Issues $12 Billion in Dollar Bonds in 3 Tranches

The Kingdom sold $12 billion worth of US dollar bonds on Tuesday. (SPA)
The Kingdom sold $12 billion worth of US dollar bonds on Tuesday. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia’s National Debt Management Center (NDMC) has completed the first offering of international bonds in 2024 at a value of SR 45 billion ($12 billion), within the international government bond program.
The Kingdom sold $12 billion worth of US dollar bonds on Tuesday, in its largest issuance since 2017. The three-part deal includes bonds maturing in 2030, 2034 and 2054.
According to a statement by NDMC, the value of the first tranche was $3.25 billion for a 6-year bond maturing in 2030. The second tranche totaled $4 billion for a 10-year bond maturing in 2034, while the third totaled $4.75 billion for a 30-year bond maturing in 2054.
The debt center added the total issuance was oversubscribed 2.5 times, reaching around $30 billion.
The statement noted that this step was part of the National Debt Management Center’s strategy to expand the investor base in order to meet the Kingdom’s financing needs from global debt markets efficiently and effectively.
It also stressed that the volume of demand by international investors for government debt instruments reflected their confidence in the strength of the Saudi economy and the future of investment opportunities in the Kingdom.
According to Bloomberg, the Kingdom follows the example of countries such as Mexico, Indonesia, and Poland, which have issued nearly $25 billion in bonds since the beginning of 2024, making it the busiest start to a year ever in terms of dollar and euro-denominated debt issuances in developing countries.
Citigroup, JPMorgan Chase, HSBC Holdings and Standard Chartered are managing the deal.

 

 

 

 



Gold Prices Climb on Safe-Haven Demand; US Payrolls Data in Focus

Gold bullion displayed in a store in the German city of Pforzheim (dpa)
Gold bullion displayed in a store in the German city of Pforzheim (dpa)
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Gold Prices Climb on Safe-Haven Demand; US Payrolls Data in Focus

Gold bullion displayed in a store in the German city of Pforzheim (dpa)
Gold bullion displayed in a store in the German city of Pforzheim (dpa)

Gold prices climbed on Friday, supported by safe-haven demand arising from the Middle East conflict, while spotlight shifted towards US payrolls report to gauge the trajectory of the Federal Reserve's policy path.
Spot gold was up 0.3% at $2,662.50 per ounce, as of 0325 GMT, after climbing to an all-time high of $2,685.42 on Sept. 26. Bullion has gained 0.2 for the week.
US gold futures edged 0.1% higher to $2,682.10.
The dollar eased 0.1%, pulling back from over a one-month high, making greenback-priced bullion less expensive for other currency holders, reported Reuters.
Geopolitical tensions, particularly concerning Israel and Iran, are supporting gold prices and unless these risks subside, prices are likely to remain near record levels, said Ajay Kedia, director at Kedia Commodities, Mumbai.
The US is discussing strikes on Iran's oil facilities as retaliation for Tehran's missile attack on Israel, President Joe Biden said, while Israel's military hit Beirut with new air strikes in its battle against Lebanese armed group Hezbollah.
Bullion is considered a safe investment during times of political and financial uncertainty, and thrives in a low-rate environment.
The US nonfarm payroll data is due at 1230 GMT. New York Fed President John Williams and Chicago Fed President Austan are also scheduled to speak later in the day.
If the NFP report comes in strong, it will be positive for the dollar and then gold prices will see some profit-booking, Kedia added.
Traders see a 69% chance of a 25-basis-point Fed rate cut in November, according to CME FedWatch Tool.
BMI said in a note it expects gold prices to trade within the range of $2,500 to $2,800 in the coming months.
Spot silver rose 0.4% to $32.17 per ounce and has gained about 1.8% so far this week.
Platinum climbed 1.1% to $1,001.79 and palladium advanced 1.4% to $1,013.46.