The GCC saw one of the weakest performances in the Initial Public Offering (IPO ) segment during 2016 in terms of number of offerings (4, the smallest since 2010) and raising of total proceeds ($781.7 million, the lowest since 2013), according to PwC’s Capital Markets and Accounting Advisory Services team.

Investors sentiment continue to be affected by ongoing geopolitical uncertainty, government’s additional austerity measures accompanied by further spending cuts, whilst regional stocks indexes remained bearish throughout the year a late rally in oil prices helped ease the pressure on regional budget constraints, the report added.

One IPO during Q4 2016 by Eskan Bank Realty Income Trust (ERIT) on the Bahrain Bourse, which raised $36.6 million, was 95.5 per cent subscribed and marked the first offering on the exchange in two years.

In terms of performance on previous quarters during the year, the third quarter (Q3) of 2016 witnessed no IPOs, Q2 had the highest activity during the year in terms of number of offerings with a total of 2 IPOs raising $274 million and Q1 recorded one listing with total proceeds of $471 million.

IPO performance in Q4 2016 compared to the same quarter in the previous year (Q4 2015) was similar in terms of number of offerings however total money raised in Q4 2016 was 64 per cent lower compared to Q4 2015.

During H2 2016 there was one IPO which raised $36.6 million compared to total of three IPOs in H1 2016 which raised $745 million and one IPO in H2 2015 which raised $100.8 million. In terms of performance in H2 2016 compared to H1 2015, activity sharply decreased by 97 per cent, a total of $1.3 billion was raised from 3 IPOs in H1 2015 compared to a total of $36.6 million raised from 1 IPO in H2 2016.

Investors continue to shy away from year end transactions wagering on possible changes in economic fundamentals, according to the report.

Year on year performance

Total proceeds in 2016 stood at $782 million from 6 deals compared to $1.4 billion raised from similar number of deals in 2015. The year was marked with one of the lowest offerings since 2013 total offerings of $702 million.

In the GCC, Saudi Arabia commanded the market offerings in 2016 in terms of number of IPOs (3) and total proceeds raised ($745 million) representing 75 per cent and 95 per cent respectively of the overall GCC IPO activity.

Steve Drake, Head of PwC’s Capital Markets and Accounting Advisory Services team in the Middle East said:       

“The year was marked by geopolitical uncertainty, ongoing economic downturn adding to increasingly volatile oil prices. Further fiscal tightening, austerity measures and declining liquidity in the financial sector continue to weigh heavily on investors’ confidence.  Against this volatile environment, many offerings were put on hold, as businesses and investors wait for improved market conditions prior to investing in fresh equity.

As the regional geopolitical scene stabilises and oil prices recover, market participants may regain confidence sooner than expected. There are number of positive signs for 2017 and we hope that the capital market in the GCC will overcome 2016 shockwaves.”

 Global IPOs

Global IPO issuance in 2016 plummeted due to significant geopolitical uncertainties and substantial          de-merger activity in M&A. However with an acceleration of IPO approvals in China and solid equity market performance post US elections, IPO activity marginally recovered in the final quarter compared to the previous quarters.

Global IPO funds raised stood at $52.4 billion via 344 deals in Q4 2016, compared to $71.6 billion via 328 deals in Q4 2015 and $76.8 billion via 350 deals in Q4 2014.

Bond and sukuk markets

Debt market activity in the GCC surged for the fourth consecutive quarter. Q4 saw the largest-ever emerging market sovereign bond sale with the Saudi Arabia government issuing $17.5 billion of debt. The issue overtook Argentina’s previous record for an emerging market sovereign bond sale, a $16.5 billion issuance in April this year.

Saudi Arabia and its GCC peers continue to face pressure from budget deficit shortfalls, they have regularly tapped into the debt market throughout the year, with the government of Qatar, UAE and Oman, issuing sovereign bonds amounting to $9 billion, $5 billion and $4.5 billion respectively. The GCC nations benefited in 2016 on global investor appetite to low risk fixed income instruments, high credit ratings along with good yields.

Bond issuances

The Saudi Arabia first international sovereign bond sale dominated this quarter debt market, the issue comprised a $5.5 billion five-year tranche, a $5.5 billion 10-year tranche, and a $6.5 billion 30-year tranche carrying a coupon rate of 2.38 per cent, 3.25 per cent and 4.5 per cent respectively. Further GCC banks were active in Q4, with National Bank of Abu Dhabi (NBAD) issuing their first Formosa bond ($bond listed in Taiwan), structuring it as a multi-callable zero coupon bond for an amount of $696 million with a maturity of 30 years. Moreover Union National Bank successfully priced a $600 million 5-year Senior Unsecured Bond carrying a coupon rate of 2.75 per cent; this marks UNB’s first return to the international debt capital markets since 2012.

Sukuk Issuances

On the Sukuk front, the central bank of the Kingdom of Bahrain, represented by CBB International Sukuk Co SPC issued sovereign Sukuk in the amount of $1 billion, carrying a coupon of 5.62 per cent and Ahli United Bank of Kuwait launched a $200 million, non-call five perpetual Sukuk issue with a reoffer yield of 5.50 per cent.

Steve Drake, head of PwC’s Capital Markets and Accounting Advisory Services team in the Middle East region said: “We have seen another active year in the bond and Sukuk markets thus demonstrating a strong appetite for regional fixed income. During 2016 sovereign issuance dominated the debt market, as regional governments continue to leverage high credit ratings and competitive yields.”

“We expect debt market to surge across 2017 as regional governments continue to seek substantial funding to offset their budget deficits. The concern remains the potential oversupply in debt market which could result in an increase in the cost of borrowing,” he added. – TradeArabia News Service