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.



Gold Jumps, on Track for Best Week in Over a Year on Safe-haven Demand

FILE PHOTO: Gold bullions are displayed at GoldSilver Central's office in Singapore June 19, 2017. REUTERS/Edgar Su/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Gold bullions are displayed at GoldSilver Central's office in Singapore June 19, 2017. REUTERS/Edgar Su/File Photo
TT

Gold Jumps, on Track for Best Week in Over a Year on Safe-haven Demand

FILE PHOTO: Gold bullions are displayed at GoldSilver Central's office in Singapore June 19, 2017. REUTERS/Edgar Su/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Gold bullions are displayed at GoldSilver Central's office in Singapore June 19, 2017. REUTERS/Edgar Su/File Photo

Gold prices rose over 1% to hit a two-week peak on Friday, heading for the best weekly performance in more than a year, buoyed by safe-haven demand as Russia-Ukraine tensions intensified.

Spot gold jumped 1.3% to $2,703.05 per ounce as of 1245 GMT, hitting its highest since Nov. 8. US gold futures gained 1.1% to $2,705.30.

Bullion rose despite the US dollar hitting a 13-month high, while bitcoin hit a record peak and neared the $100,000 level.

"With both gold and USD (US dollar) rising, it seems that safe-haven demand is lifting both assets," said UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo.

Ukraine's military said its drones struck four oil refineries, radar stations and other military installations in Russia, Reuters reported.

Gold has gained over 5% so far this week, its best weekly performance since October 2023. Prices have gained around $173 after slipping to a two-month low last week.

"We understand that the price setback has been used by 'Western world' investors under-allocated to gold to build exposure considering the geopolitical risks that are still around. So we continue to expect gold to rise further over the coming months," Staunovo said.

Bullion tends to shine during geopolitical tensions, economic risks, and a low interest rate environment. Markets are pricing in a 59.4% chance of a 25-basis-points cut at the Fed's December meeting, per the CME Fedwatch tool.

However, "if Fed skips or pauses its rate cut in December, that will be negative for gold prices and we could see some pullback," said Soni Kumari, a commodity strategist at ANZ.

The Chicago Federal Reserve president reiterated his support for further US interest rate cuts on Thursday.

On Friday, spot silver rose 1.8% to $31.34 per ounce, platinum eased 0.1% to $960.13 and palladium fell 0.6% to $1,023.55. All three metals were on track for a weekly rise.