Orders for Saudi’s debut international bond thought to be north of $50bn
Saudi Arabia has closed the book for its first dollar-denominated bond, with early indications suggesting investors have put forward orders north of $50bn.
Both the price and size of the bond sale are due to announced later today, writes Elaine Moore.
Saudi’s debut issue is expected to be split in three maturities of five, 10 and 30 years. Initial price guidance set the yield on the new five-year bond at 160 basis points above US Treasuries, while the 10 and 30 year bonds were offered at a premium of 185 and 235 basis points respectively.
The bond sale is part of a broader plan to pivot Saudi Arabia’s economy away from its reliance on oil, as falling energy prices open a growing budget deficit.
Although oil prices have recovered from the decade-low of less than $30 a barrel in January, to $52 a barrel, they remain half the level of two years ago.
The country’s economy is forecast to slow this year as prices for oil remain low, with the International Monetary Fund cutting expectations for gross domestic product growth to 1.2 per cent, from 3.5 per cent in 2015.
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