Barclays looking for ipo's in KSA15 Dec 2022 08:11
https://www.kitco.com/news/2022-12-14/Barclays-weighs-Saudi-re-entry-amid-capital-markets-boom-sources.html
The British bank is looking at securing a license in the kingdom to be able to manage deals including initial public offerings (IPOs), the people said, speaking on the condition of anonymity.
The Middle East has been a bright spot of activity in an otherwise gloomy year for equity capital markets. Companies have raised some $21.9 billion through IPOs in the area in 2022, more than half the total for the wider EMEA region, which also includes Europe and Africa, according to Dealogic data.
In particular, Saudi Arabia has witnessed a string of IPOs amid a government-led privatisation programme that has also seen state entities shed some of their holdings in listed firms, encouraging local companies and family businesses to go public.
On Dec. 11, oil refiner Luberef priced its $1.3 billion share offer at the top of the initial price range on the back of strong investor demand.
The following day, restaurant operator Americana began trading on the Riyadh and Abu Dhabi bourses after a successful $1.8 billion dual listing.