Six Banks Pitch for Aramco IPO Role on Saudi Bourse
Saudi oil giant Aramco [IPO-ARMO.SE] has received proposals from at least six banks for an advisory role on the firm’s planned initial public share offering, sources familiar with the process said on Tuesday.
Saudi authorities are aiming to list up to 5 percent of the world’s largest oil producer on both the Saudi stock exchange in Riyadh, the Tadawul, and one or more international markets in an IPO that could raise $100 billion.
HSBC Saudi Arabia, a joint venture between Saudi British Bank and HSBC , NCB Capital, Samba Capital, Saudi Fransi Capital, Riyad Capital and GIB Capital, the investment banking arm of Bahrain-based Gulf International Bank [GLFBK.UL], submitted proposals to Aramco in early February, the sources said.
Aramco is also considering proposals from international banks for the global share offering, with a source saying on Feb. 17 that JPMorgan was close to being selected as an underwriter. Aramco also recently chose boutique investment bank Moelis & Co as an adviser.
Two of the sources on Tuesday said bank appointments for the local mandate were expected before the end of the month.
Aramco did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.
The local role will entail working with regulators at Saudi’s Capital Market Authority to prepare for the Tadawul listing, which is expected to be smaller than the international portion, the sources said.
HSBC declined to comment while the other companies did not immediately respond to email requests for comments.
Officials hope the company could be valued at around $2 trillion, which would allow them to raise as much as $100 billion from investors.
Saudi Arabia is considering two options for the shape of Aramco when it sells shares in the national oil giant next year: a global industrial conglomerate, and a specialised international oil company, industry and banking sources have told Reuters.
Source: www.reuters.com