Energy, Metal Companies Eyeing Public Offering in Saudi Arabia 

The Future Minerals Forum ended its work in Riyadh with the signing of more than 60 agreements. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Future Minerals Forum ended its work in Riyadh with the signing of more than 60 agreements. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Energy, Metal Companies Eyeing Public Offering in Saudi Arabia 

The Future Minerals Forum ended its work in Riyadh with the signing of more than 60 agreements. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Future Minerals Forum ended its work in Riyadh with the signing of more than 60 agreements. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Energy and mineral companies expressed intentions to expand and move towards public offering and listing in the financial market as the Future Minerals Forum concluded in Riyadh on Thursday, with the signing of 60 agreements and MoUs.  

The event was held with the participation of 200 speakers and more than 12,000 participants, including investment leaders, heads of major mining companies, experts, service providers, and manufacturers from 130 countries. 

The conference witnessed the signing of 60 agreements and MoUs in the field of mining and minerals industry between a number of participating government agencies, companies and institutions.  

They included agreements in mineral exploration, technology, communications, application of sustainability standards, localization and qualification, and industrialization in the mining sector.  

The event also saw an announcement by the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) and the Arab Mining Company (Maaden) to establish a joint virtual center for research and development in mining technologies.  

The virtual center will be located within KACST’s headquarters, and will work to identify the areas required to implement joint research in mining technologies.  

Meanwhile, Bloomberg agency quoted sources as saying that Petromin - a global Saudi company specialized in the manufacture and production of oils, fuel provision and automotive services - plans to revive plans for its initial public offering in the Kingdom.  

Quoting sources who spoke on condition of anonymity, the agency revealed that the company was working with Saudi National Bank and Moelis & Co. on the planned offering. Details of the deal, such as its size and timing, may change, according to the sources, who noted that more banks might also be added to the syndicate. 

Khalid Al-Jahdali, CEO of Al Haytham Mining Company, revealed that the company was planning an imminent offering in the Saudi financial market, explaining that it was awaiting the completion of a relevant study by the financial advisor. 



Gold and Silver Prices Rise after Profit-taking

A view shows granules of 99.99 percent pure gold in a workroom during production at Krastsvetmet precious metals plant in the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk, Russia, May 23, 2024. REUTERS/Alexander Manzyuk/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights
A view shows granules of 99.99 percent pure gold in a workroom during production at Krastsvetmet precious metals plant in the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk, Russia, May 23, 2024. REUTERS/Alexander Manzyuk/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights
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Gold and Silver Prices Rise after Profit-taking

A view shows granules of 99.99 percent pure gold in a workroom during production at Krastsvetmet precious metals plant in the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk, Russia, May 23, 2024. REUTERS/Alexander Manzyuk/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights
A view shows granules of 99.99 percent pure gold in a workroom during production at Krastsvetmet precious metals plant in the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk, Russia, May 23, 2024. REUTERS/Alexander Manzyuk/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights

Gold and silver prices rose on Friday, recovering from profit-taking during the previous session, while investors braced for US payrolls data for further clues about the Federal Reserve's interest rate outlook.

Spot gold added 0.3% to $2,753.09 per ounce by 1125 GMT. Prices fell by 1.5% on Thursday as some traders took profit after the precious metal hit a record high of $2,790.15.

"Despite Thursday's correction, gold remains in a strong uptrend with several positive factors aligned to drive further gains," said Hugo Pascal, precious metals trader at InProved, Reuters reported.

Bullion rose by 4% in October due to investor anxiety about the US Nov. 5 presidential election. Polls indicate a close race between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris.

The market is also awaiting the US nonfarm payrolls report, due at 1230 GMT, for clues about the health of the world's largest economy. The Fed is widely expected to deliver a 25-basis-point rate cut next week.

Citi said in a note that gold prices were on track to hit $3,000 per ounce over the next six months amid a deterioration in the US labor market and demand from physically backed gold exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

Global gold ETFs, which had three consecutive years of outflows against a backdrop of high interest rates, saw a fifth consecutive month of inflows in September.

Meanwhile, high gold prices, which have risen 33% so far this year and are heading for the largest annual growth since 1979, continue to affect physical demand in major Asian regions.

In China, gold consumption fell by 11% in the first nine months of 2024. In India, the share of coins and bars in sales is rising as buyers are unwilling to pay increased making charges for jewellery.

Among other metals, spot silver was up 0.5% at $32.82 per ounce, while platinum gained 0.6% to $993.55 and palladium added 1.4% to $1,121.52.