MBC is Working on IPO in Saudi Arabia

During the inauguration of MBC headquarters in Riyadh (Asharq Al-Awsat)
During the inauguration of MBC headquarters in Riyadh (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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MBC is Working on IPO in Saudi Arabia

During the inauguration of MBC headquarters in Riyadh (Asharq Al-Awsat)
During the inauguration of MBC headquarters in Riyadh (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi MBC Group, the most prominent Arab broadcaster, is working with HSBC Holdings Plc and JPMorgan Chase on an initial public offering (IPO) in Saudi Arabia.

MBC Media Group recently inaugurated its headquarters in Riyadh in the presence of Saudi Minister of Information Majid al-Qasabi, and several ministers, officials, media professionals, and other figures.

According to Bloomberg Agency sources, the group listing will come as soon as next year, and it will add more banks to work on the offering in the next stage.

MBC founder and chairman Waleed al-Ibrahim indicated that the Group recently moved to Saudi Arabia due to the unlimited support being extended by the leadership for the sectors of culture, creativity, media, and entertainment.

"We are working with all determination to make MBC Group one of the most prominent international media organizations in the world," he said, adding that the Group will be stronger in Saudi Arabia.

Meanwhile, the main Saudi stock index closed down 91 points, with transactions worth $1.2 billion, as traded shares amounted to 138 million, over 321,000 deals.

During the tradings, 116 companies increased in value, while 88 closed down.

The Saudi parallel stock index (Nomu) closed Thursday up 161.86 points, with transactions worth $5.9 million, with a volume of traded shares exceeding 360,000, over 1790 deals.



Japan's Core Inflation Rate Slows in September

FILE PHOTO: Media members observe the stock quotation board at the Tokyo Stock Exchange in Tokyo, Japan, August 6, 2024. REUTERS/Willy Kurniawan/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Media members observe the stock quotation board at the Tokyo Stock Exchange in Tokyo, Japan, August 6, 2024. REUTERS/Willy Kurniawan/File Photo
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Japan's Core Inflation Rate Slows in September

FILE PHOTO: Media members observe the stock quotation board at the Tokyo Stock Exchange in Tokyo, Japan, August 6, 2024. REUTERS/Willy Kurniawan/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Media members observe the stock quotation board at the Tokyo Stock Exchange in Tokyo, Japan, August 6, 2024. REUTERS/Willy Kurniawan/File Photo

Japanese inflation slowed in September with prices up 2.4 percent on-year, not including volatile fresh food, official data showed Friday.
The core Consumer Price Index eased from 2.8 percent in August as the pace of increase in electricity and gas prices relented, the internal affairs ministry said.
Despite the slowdown, the rate remained above the Bank of Japan's two percent target, set over a decade ago as part of efforts to boost the stagnant economy, reported AFP.
The target has been surpassed every month since April 2022, although the bank has questioned to what extent that is down to temporary factors such as the Ukraine war.
"The resumption of electricity subsidies resulted in a plunge in headline inflation in September," said Marcel Thieliant, head of Asia-Pacific at Capital Economics.
Thieliant predicted a further deceleration of core inflation in October, but noted that the subsidies "should be phased out completely by December, which should lift inflation".
The Bank of Japan raised interest rates in March for the first time since 2007 and again in July, in initial steps towards normalizing its ultra-loose monetary policies.
New Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said this month that the environment was not right for another interest rate increase.
After Ishiba took office in early October, perceptions that he favored hiking borrowing costs and the possibility that he could raise taxes triggered a surge in the yen and stock market volatility.
One dollar bought 150 yen on Friday morning after the Japanese currency weakened from levels around 149.35 the day before.
Excluding both fresh food and energy, Japanese prices rose 2.1 percent in September.
"We expect inflation excluding fresh food and energy to remain around two percent until early next year, when it should gradually fall below two percent," Thieliant said.
"Accordingly, we still expect the Bank of Japan to press ahead with another interest rate hike before year-end."