Saudi Aramco raises $3bn with debut sukuk

Saudi Aramco has raised SAR11.25bn ($3.00bn) in its debut sukuk issuance, sources familiar with the matter said on Wednesday.

The Islamic bond, part of a programme to raise SAR37.5bn, is the oil giant’s first fundraising exercise aimed at diversifying revenues that have been hit by low global oil prices.

The floating rate local currency sukuk has a seven-year maturity and offers 25 basis points over the six-month Saudi Arabian Interbank Offered Rate (SAIBOR).

Aramco’s debut deal is likely to be followed soon, possibly as early as next week, by a dollar-denominated Saudi sovereign sukuk with the same hybrid structure proposed by the Aramco deal, its prospectus showed.

Aramco did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Aramco started collecting orders for its debut issuance on March 27, a document issued by banks leading the deal showed.

The order books for the transaction should have closed on April 9, according to the original timeline. But bookbuilding was extended by a day because some accounts needed extra time to obtain internal approvals.

Alinma Investment, HSBC Saudi Arabia, NCB Capital and Riyad Capital were the coordinators of the Aramco deal, joined by GIB Capital, Samba Capital and Saudi Fransi Capital in dealer roles.