Arqaam Capital Assesses Aramco Share at SAR39.2

Arqaam Capital assesses Aramco share at SAR39.2. (Getty Images)
Arqaam Capital assesses Aramco share at SAR39.2. (Getty Images)
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Arqaam Capital Assesses Aramco Share at SAR39.2

Arqaam Capital assesses Aramco share at SAR39.2. (Getty Images)
Arqaam Capital assesses Aramco share at SAR39.2. (Getty Images)

Early assessments of Saudi Aramco shares have begun to emerge with the oil giant’s historic listing and trading in the Saudi financial market last week.

Its shares hit SAR38.7 ($10.32), lifting its market value above $2 trillion and closed at SAR36.8, a rise of 4.5 percent from Wednesday’s close, making it the largest of listed companies in the world.

An evaluation report by UAE-based Arqaam Capital said the target purchase price for Aramco is SAR39.2 riyals ($10.4).

This value was determined according to the discounted cash flows, multiples and deduction of distributions.

Prepared by four researchers, Rita Guindy, Jaap Meijer, Sidharth Saboo and Soha Saniour, the report indicated that the multiples model has reached a fair price of SAR30 (8 dollars).

Meanwhile, they said, the discounted cash flows and dividend discount model ended with a fair price of SAR40 ($10.6) per share.

The report also noted that major factors drive more positive vision for the share price, foremost of which is ensuring dividend distribution and sustainable cash flow, as well as the company’s large resource base and the low-cost structure.

Despite considering the analysis of the size of the geopolitical risks and the focus process associated with the company's oil activity, the report said that the previous factors, along with strong cash flows in the current and future financial statements, all add to the expectations of a more gradual rise in financial distributions in the near future.



IMF Approves Third Review of Sri Lanka's $2.9 Bln Bailout

Peter Breuer, Senior Mission Chief for Sri Lanka at the IMF along with Katsiaryna Svirydzenka, Deputy Mission Chief for Sri Lanka at the IMF and Martha Tesfaye Woldemichael, Deputy Mission Chief for Sri Lanka at the IMF, attend a press conference organized by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Colombo, Sri Lanka, November 23, 2024. REUTERS/Thilina Kaluthotage
Peter Breuer, Senior Mission Chief for Sri Lanka at the IMF along with Katsiaryna Svirydzenka, Deputy Mission Chief for Sri Lanka at the IMF and Martha Tesfaye Woldemichael, Deputy Mission Chief for Sri Lanka at the IMF, attend a press conference organized by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Colombo, Sri Lanka, November 23, 2024. REUTERS/Thilina Kaluthotage
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IMF Approves Third Review of Sri Lanka's $2.9 Bln Bailout

Peter Breuer, Senior Mission Chief for Sri Lanka at the IMF along with Katsiaryna Svirydzenka, Deputy Mission Chief for Sri Lanka at the IMF and Martha Tesfaye Woldemichael, Deputy Mission Chief for Sri Lanka at the IMF, attend a press conference organized by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Colombo, Sri Lanka, November 23, 2024. REUTERS/Thilina Kaluthotage
Peter Breuer, Senior Mission Chief for Sri Lanka at the IMF along with Katsiaryna Svirydzenka, Deputy Mission Chief for Sri Lanka at the IMF and Martha Tesfaye Woldemichael, Deputy Mission Chief for Sri Lanka at the IMF, attend a press conference organized by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Colombo, Sri Lanka, November 23, 2024. REUTERS/Thilina Kaluthotage

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved the third review of Sri Lanka's $2.9 billion bailout on Saturday but warned that the economy remains vulnerable.
In a statement, the global lender said it would release about $333 million, bringing total funding to around $1.3 billion, to the crisis-hit South Asian nation. It said signs of an economic recovery were emerging, Reuters reported.
In a note of caution, it said "the critical next steps are to complete the commercial debt restructuring, finalize bilateral agreements with official creditors along the lines of the accord with the Official Creditor Committee and implement the terms of the other agreements. This will help restore Sri Lanka's debt sustainability."
Cash-strapped Sri Lanka plunged into its worst financial crisis in more than seven decades in 2022 with a severe dollar shortage sending inflation soaring to 70%, its currency to record lows and its economy contracting by 7.3% during the worst of the fallout and by 2.3% last year.
"Maintaining macroeconomic stability and restoring debt sustainability are key to securing Sri Lanka's prosperity and require persevering with responsible fiscal policy," the IMF said.
The IMF bailout secured in March last year helped stabilize economic conditions. The rupee has risen 11.3% in recent months and inflation disappeared, with prices falling 0.8% last month.
The island nation's economy is expected to grow 4.4% this year, the first increase in three years, according to the World Bank.
However, Sri Lanka still needs to complete a $12.5 billion debt restructuring with bondholders, which President Anura Kumara Dissanayake aims to finalize in December.
Sri Lanka will enter into individual agreements with bilateral creditors including Japan, China and India needed to complete a $10 billion debt restructuring, Dissanayake said.
He won the presidency in September, and his leftist coalition won a record 159 seats in the 225-member parliament in a general election last week.