Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) announced on Tuesday the secondary listing of the Bahrain-based GFH Financial Group.
The listing is set to further expand GFH’s investor base and enhance liquidity in its shares amid increased regional and international participation on the exchange.
ADX Managing Director and CEO Saeed Hamad al-Dhaheri and GFH’s Group Chief Executive Officer Hisham al-Rayes rang the market-opening bell at ADX, where the Group’s shares began trading under the symbol “GFH”.
This is GFH’s fourth regional listing with its shares already listed and actively traded on the Bahrain Bourse, Boursa Kuwait and the Dubai Financial Market.
The listing comes as GFH undergoes continued expansion and transformational growth having recently partnered with SQ Asset Management Company in the United States, completed the acquisition of logistic warehouses with assets of more than $2 billion and spun out infrastructure and real estate assets.
According to the information obtained, the Group has over $15 billion of assets and funds under management including a global portfolio of investments in logistics, healthcare, education and technology in the MENA region, Europe and North America. This includes new investments of more than $2 billion over the past 12 months alone.
The listing of GFH on ADX brings the number of dual listings on the exchange to four. Shares of Ooredoo, Sudan Telecom Group and Oman and Emirates Investment Holding Company also have secondary listings on the exchange.
“As part of our 'ADX One' strategy to promote greater market liquidity, we have been actively encouraging listings on our dynamic capital market and forging deeper ties with regional markets, including the Bahrain Bourse,” Dhaheri stated.
“The IPOs and listings on our Main Market and Growth Market remain strong for upcoming months, a testament to our strength and resilience amid global market volatility.”
Rayes, for his part, said GFH is delighted to celebrate another landmark achievement for the Group with its listing on ADX.
“This is a strategic move supporting our expansion and enhancing our financial position and funding for the next phase of growth,” he added.
By taking this step, GFH continues to broaden its shareholder base and increase its reach and visibility among key global and regional investors.
“We also underscore the strong demand for GFH’s shares and the market and investor confidence that exists in the Group, our performance and prospects,” he concluded.
During Q1 2022, ADX recorded an 87% year-on-year increase in the value of total trades made during this period.
Traded values (buy + sell) on the exchange rose to AED202 billion ($54.9 billion) in Q1 2022 from AED108 billion ($29.3 billion) in Q1 2021.
Meanwhile, the market value of shares owned by foreign investors in Q1 2022 jumped 163% to AED131 billion ($35.6 billion) from AED50 billion ($13.6 billion) in Q1 2021.
