Business

Saudi Aramco set to raise $6 billion from three-part bonds

Published

5 months ago

August 6, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Saudi Aramco set to raise $6 billion from three-part bonds

By Yousef Saba, Federico Maccioni and Hadeel Al Sayegh

Sahara Weekly – Saudi Aramco set to raise $6 billion from three-part bonds- Saudi Aramco expects to raise $6 billion from its three-part bond sale on Wednesday, the oil giant’s first foray into the debt markets in three years, a document showed.

Final terms of the deal include $2 billion from a 10-year tranche at 105 basis points (bps) over U.S. Treasuries, $2 billion in 30-year notes at a 145 bps premium and $2 billion in 40-year paper at a 155 bps premium, the document from one of the banks arranging the sale showed.

Demand for the three tranches topped $31.5 billion, drawing over $11 billion for each of the 10- and 30-year tranches and more than $9.5 billion for the 40-year bonds, the document showed.

Saudi Arabia raised $12.35 billion from a much-anticipated secondary share sale in Aramco after increasing the offering, Merrill Lynch, which was in charge of the so-called greenshoe option, said on Wednesday.

The bond sale was Aramco’s first since it raised $6 billion from three-tranche sukuk, or Islamic bonds, in 2021, taking advantage of favorable market conditions.

Aramco has long been a cash cow for Saudi Arabia, which is seeking funds to invest in new industries and wean its economy away from oil under its Vision 2030 plan.

Aramco expects to pay out $124.3 billion in dividends for 2024, most of which goes to the government, which directly owns about 81.5% of the company. Its sovereign wealth Public Investment Fund owns another 16%.

With the latest bond sale Aramco joined top firms and governments in the Gulf rushing to markets this year to fund investments. Proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes.

The spreads have tightened from initial guidance of around 140 basis points (bps) over U.S. Treasuries (UST) for the 10-year paper, 180 bps over UST for the 30-year, and 195 bps for the 40-year, IFR reported.

State-owned companies in emerging markets issued dollar-denominated bonds worth $21.4 billion in the first half of the year – up 22% from a year earlier, investment firm Tellimer said in a report.

Saudi state-owned firms led the group with 23% of the overall issuance value, while the government raised $12 billion of dollar-denominated bonds in January and $5 billion in sukuk in May.

Aramco last month was awarded $25 billion worth of contracts for its gas expansion plans. It also said it would buy 10% of Renault and Geely’s thermal engines joint venture Horse Powertrain, and announced a non-binding deal with U.S. energy firm Sempra to buy liquefied natural gas.

Aramco had flagged in February it was likely to issue bonds this year.

Its 40-year tranche will become its second-longest dated bonds after $2.25 billion of notes due in November 2070. (Reporting by Shamsuddin Mohd in Bengaluru, Federico Maccioni and Yousef Saba in Dubai; Additional reporting by Marc Jones in London; Editing by Louise Heavens, David Holmes and Richard Chang)

Business

Dangote Hails Tinubu on Impact of Crude for Naira Swap Deal

Published

23 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Dangote Hails Tinubu on Impact of Crude for Naira Swap Deal

…As Dangote Refinery partners MRS to sell PMS at N935 per litre nationwide at its retail outlets

Sahara Weekly Unveils That The Foremost entrepreneur and President of the Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the positive impact of the naira for crude swap deal on the Nigerian economy, which has led to reduction in prices of petroleum products in the country.

To provide succour to Nigerians, Dangote recently reduced the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from N970 to N899.50 at its Refinery loading gantry and provided generous credit terms to marketers.

“To ensure that this price reduction gets to the end consumer, we have signed a partnership with MRS to sell petrol from its retail outlets nationwide at N935 per litre” he added. This price has already commenced in Lagos, and it will be offered nationwide from Monday.

In his statement, he called on other oil marketers such as the NNPC Retail and all other marketers, “to work with us to ensure that Nigerians enjoy high-quality petrol at discounted prices.”

According to him, “The Dangote Refinery is for the benefit of Nigeria and Nigerians. We will therefore continue to work with various value chain players to deliver high quality petrol at cheaper prices. Our aim is for all Nigerians to have ready access to high quality petroleum products that are good for their vehicles, good for their health, and good for their pockets.

Recall that in September, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) under the leadership of Mr. President approved the sale of crude to local refineries in Naira and corresponding purchase of petroleum products in Naira. The move, which commenced on October 1, led to reduced pressure on the dollar and ensured the stability of the local currency.

Dangote thanked Nigerians for their unwavering support and the government for creating an enabling environment for the domestic refining industry.

Business

Port Harcourt Refinery Stays Active: NNPC Denounces Sabotage Rumors

Published

1 day ago

December 21, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Port Harcourt Refinery Stays Active: NNPC Denounces Sabotage Rumors

NNPC Debunks Shutdown Rumors, Confirms Port Harcourt Refinery Fully Operational

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has dismissed reports circulating in certain media outlets claiming that the Old Port Harcourt Refinery, which was re-streamed two months ago, has been shut down.

In a statement released by Olufemi O. Soneye, the Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPC Ltd, the company clarified that the refinery is fully operational. The statement noted that the facility’s operational status was recently verified by former Group Managing Directors of NNPC during a site inspection.

“Preparation for the day’s loading operation is currently ongoing,” the statement confirmed, emphasizing that allegations of the refinery’s shutdown are baseless and intended to create panic or artificial scarcity in the fuel market.

NNPC Ltd urged members of the public to disregard such misleading reports, labeling them as the work of those seeking to exploit Nigerians.

The Old Port Harcourt Refinery has been in operation since its re-streaming, and the company remains committed to ensuring stability in the supply of petroleum products across the country.

Business

Nigerian Banks Donate Multimillion Naira Relief Materials to Jigawa Flood Victims

Published

2 days ago

December 20, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Nigerian Banks Donate Multimillion Naira Relief Materials to Jigawa Flood Victims

In a show of solidarity, the Committee of Banks in Nigeria has extended a helping hand to victims of the September 2024 floods in Jigawa State. On Thursday, a high-profile delegation led by Dr. Oliver Alawuba, Chairman of the Committee and Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA), visited Dutse, the state capital, to present relief materials to the state government.

The donated items, worth several million Naira, included essential food supplies such as rice and cooking oil, along with mattresses and beverages. Dr. Alawuba highlighted that the gesture aimed to alleviate the hardship faced by flood victims and support critical institutions, especially public hospitals, in their efforts to assist those affected.

“We stand in solidarity with the people and government of Jigawa State during this difficult time. This donation is our way of expressing empathy and supporting those who have lost loved ones, properties, and livelihoods,” Dr. Alawuba stated.

The delegation included notable banking leaders such as Mr. Roosevelt Ogbonna of Access Bank Plc, Dame (Dr.) Adaora Umeoji of Zenith Bank Plc, and Dr. (Mrs.) Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe of Fidelity Bank Plc, among others. Their collective presence underscored the banking sector’s commitment to corporate social responsibility and national development.

Governor Malam Umar A. Namadi expressed profound gratitude for the donation, describing the visit as a rare and commendable act of compassion. He assured the delegation that the relief materials would be judiciously distributed to the intended beneficiaries, emphasizing the importance of partnerships in rebuilding lives and communities.

The Committee of Banks also reiterated their commitment to supporting Nigerians during emergencies, drawing attention to previous interventions, including relief efforts during the 2011 and 2013 floods, the COVID-19 pandemic, and security initiatives like the Lagos State Security Trust Fund.

This humanitarian gesture reflects the collective resolve of Nigeria’s financial institutions to foster social and economic growth, making a meaningful impact in times of need.