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Sedco Holding Sells 15% Stake in Nahdi through First Portfolio Company IPO

SEDCO Holding announced the successful listing of its portfolio company Nahdi Medical Company (Nahdi) on the Saudi Exchange main index.
SEDCO Holding announced the successful listing of its portfolio company Nahdi Medical Company (Nahdi) on the Saudi Exchange main index.
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Sedco Holding Sells 15% Stake in Nahdi through First Portfolio Company IPO

SEDCO Holding announced the successful listing of its portfolio company Nahdi Medical Company (Nahdi) on the Saudi Exchange main index.
SEDCO Holding announced the successful listing of its portfolio company Nahdi Medical Company (Nahdi) on the Saudi Exchange main index.

SEDCO Holding, one of the largest family-owned investment groups in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, announced the successful listing of its portfolio company Nahdi Medical Company (Nahdi) on the Saudi Exchange main index. This marks SEDCO Holding’s first partial exit through a public share sale. SEDCO Holding invested in Nahdi in 2003 by acquiring 50% of the business, and will retain 35% ownership post listing.

Nahdi is the market leading retail pharmacy chain in Saudi Arabia with 1,151 pharmacies and a fast-growing primary healthcare services business with two polyclinics and seven express clinics evolving into a holistic omni-health platform. Nahdi’s pharmacies cater to 100 million customers annually through Saudi Arabia’s largest brick and mortar network, serving 97% of the nation’s population across 144 cities and towns.

Sheikh Saleh Salem Bin Mahfouz, Chairman of SEDCO Holding and Nahdi Medical Company, said: “The listing of Nahdi on the Saudi Exchange is a significant milestone for both Nahdi and SEDCO Holding. It is a culmination of the collaborative efforts of SEDCO Holding and Nahdi in growing the company to become the largest retail pharmacy chain in Saudi Arabia while evolving into a full-fledged omnichannel health platform. This partnership also reinforces SEDCO Holding’s active, long-term investment approach in promising businesses and its vital role in driving socioeconomic development aligned with Vision 2030. I would like to welcome the new shareholders of Nahdi to the company. We look forward to continuing to support the company, and collaboratively benefiting the lives of people in the Kingdom and beyond.”

Eng. Rayyan Nagadi, Chief Executive Officer of SEDCO Holding, said: “Nahdi has been an outstanding investment for SEDCO Holding, and we are very proud of this major milestone. We have worked closely with the management team to drive profitable growth and expansion across the Kingdom, and instilled a robust corporate governance framework into the business to further improve operational efficiency. By retaining 35% ownership in Nahdi, we are demonstrating our belief in, and commitment to, Nahdi’s next phase of growth. We are proud to continue to partner with Nadhi and add value as a strategic shareholder. Further, we are actively seeking investment opportunities in promising businesses within sectors that align with our strategy and with Vision 2030.”

Eng. Yasser Joharji, Chief Executive Officer of Nahdi, said: “SEDCO Holding has been a committed strategic partner with Nahdi for over 19 years, and has played an invaluable role in us reaching this major milestone. SEDCO Holding has fast-tracked our transformation into a leading retail pharmacy chain in Saudi Arabia and a fast-growing primary healthcare, omni-health platform. We are pleased that SEDCO Holding is staying on as a strategic investor with representatives remaining on our Board following the listing, which will provide Nahdi with stability and support as we accelerate our growth strategy.”

Earlier this year, SEDCO Holding fully exited its stake in Ejada through a sale to Al Rajhi Bank and also completed the sale of Arabian Entertainment Company Limited (“AEC”) to GLD Partners LP, a privately-held Los Angeles investment management firm. SEDCO Holding is focusing its investments in promising businesses within strategic sectors in the Kingdom — including healthcare, real estate, hospitality, and education.

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Business

Iraq Oil Output Exceeds 5 million bpd

Majnoon oil field near the Iraqi city of Basra (Reuters)
Majnoon oil field near the Iraqi city of Basra (Reuters)
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Iraq Oil Output Exceeds 5 million bpd

Majnoon oil field near the Iraqi city of Basra (Reuters)
Majnoon oil field near the Iraqi city of Basra (Reuters)

Iraq produces more than 5 million barrels of oil per day (bpd), Oil Minister Basim Mohammed told state news agency INA on Saturday.

According to Reuters, Iraq is pushing for a higher OPEC production quota as the economic fallout from the Iran war and new investment by oil majors increase pressure on Baghdad to boost output, potentially putting it at odds with the producer group.

The conflict has hit Iraq particularly hard, forcing major export cuts and depriving the state of oil revenue, which accounted for 88% of government income last year.

Business

IMF: Any Slowdown in AI-driven Growth Would be Factor for Central Banks

IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva speaks during the Annual Meetings Plenary at the Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group (WBG) at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC) in Bangkok on October 16, 2026. (Photo by Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP)
IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva speaks during the Annual Meetings Plenary at the Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group (WBG) at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC) in Bangkok on October 16, 2026. (Photo by Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP)
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IMF: Any Slowdown in AI-driven Growth Would be Factor for Central Banks

IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva speaks during the Annual Meetings Plenary at the Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group (WBG) at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC) in Bangkok on October 16, 2026. (Photo by Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP)
IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva speaks during the Annual Meetings Plenary at the Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group (WBG) at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC) in Bangkok on October 16, 2026. (Photo by Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP)

Central bankers around the world would need to consider any slowdown in AI-driven growth as they assess steps in their fight against inflation, International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said on Friday.

Georgieva said concerns about dependence on the AI investment boom and high valuations were impacting markets around the world.

"Things are going up and down, and this is likely to continue," she told an audience at IMF headquarters in Washington, adding that the volatility would complicate the job of central banks at a time when risks to price stability had been growing.

A steep rout in technology stocks on Thursday rippled through markets on fears that ⁠the Democrats' victory ⁠in the US midterm elections would increase regulatory scrutiny of AI and slow the data center build-out, sending investors to the safety of bonds.

The political jitters are hitting an AI trade already on shaky footing due to worry about return on massive spending on AI-related infrastructure, with the meltdown spurring margin calls and spooking retail investors and hedge ⁠funds alike.

Georgieva said the AI investment boom was lifting growth in some countries, helping to offset a negative oil-supply shock triggered by the war in the Middle East, but it was also adding to inflationary pressures and financial stability concerns.

The IMF last month flagged significant growth and financial stability risks from a potential ending of the AI investment boom, among other factors, including a prolonged Middle East war. At the time, it warned that a steep drop in AI investment could lead to a sharp fall in asset prices, ultimately cutting global GDP ⁠by 1.1% ⁠by 2028, including a 1.8% drop in US output.

Georgieva did not repeat the downside forecast on Friday, but acknowledged the recent market volatility.

"Should there be a slowdown in the AI-driven growth impulse, it would need to be factored in as central banks assess the necessary steps in the fight against stubborn inflation," she said.

Democrats are planning to unleash a flood of new legislation targeting artificial intelligence systems and data-center development when they take control of the US Congress in January, Reuters reported on Friday, citing congressional aides and advocates.

That would mark a sharp shift from the Republican-led Congress, where lawmakers largely focused on promoting AI development and declined to pass legislation restricting the technology.

Business

World Food Prices Dip in October, but Remain Higher Than a Year Ago

A worker carries loaves of bread for sale at a bakery in the capital city of Cairo, Egypt November 4, 2026. (Reuters)
A worker carries loaves of bread for sale at a bakery in the capital city of Cairo, Egypt November 4, 2026. (Reuters)
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World Food Prices Dip in October, but Remain Higher Than a Year Ago

A worker carries loaves of bread for sale at a bakery in the capital city of Cairo, Egypt November 4, 2026. (Reuters)
A worker carries loaves of bread for sale at a bakery in the capital city of Cairo, Egypt November 4, 2026. (Reuters)

World food prices edged lower in October as weaker import demand contributed to monthly declines in cereal, dairy and meat prices, but were still nearly 6% higher than a year earlier, the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization said on Friday.

The FAO Food Price Index, which tracks monthly changes in international prices for a basket of food commodities, ‌averaged 133.9 points ‌in October, down from a revised ‌135.6 ⁠in September.

The index ⁠was 5.9% higher than a year earlier, but remained 16.4% below its March 2022 peak.

FAO's cereal price index fell 4.5% from September and was 12.6% lower than a year ago, as wheat and maize quotations declined. Wheat prices eased on weak import demand ⁠and improved production prospects, especially in Argentina.

"Expectations of ‌easing constraints on Black ‌Sea export flows added to the downward pressure on prices, ‌although continued disruptions to Black Sea logistics limited the decline," ‌FAO said in a statement.

Maize prices also eased after reaching a three-year high in September, pressured by the US harvest, expectations of ample supplies in South America and renewed ‌prospects of easing tensions in the Black Sea region.

Vegetable oil prices edged up 0.3%, ⁠as ⁠higher soybean and sunflower oil prices more than offset a fall in rapeseed oil prices.

Sugar prices rose 6.6%, their fourth straight monthly increase, to the highest level since December 2024, after rainfall disrupted harvesting in Brazil. They were now 28.8% above a year ago.

The dairy index fell 1.1%, as lower butter and cheese prices linked to ample supplies and subdued demand outweighed gains in milk powder.

The meat index declined 1.2%, while still slightly above its year-earlier level, as ovine and bovine meat prices fell.