The Ministry of Finance has successfully concluded its issuance of a 10-year, US$1.50 billion bond denominated in US dollars, set to mature in July 2034. This bond, which offers a yield of 4.857 percent, carries a spread of 60 basis points above US Treasuries. It is slated for listing on both the London Stock Exchange (LSE) and Nasdaq Dubai. The offering drew significant interest from high-caliber investors, with the order book reaching US$6.50 billion, surpassing the target by over fourfold. Mohamed Hadi Al Hussaini, Minister of State for Financial Affairs, remarked, "The UAE's successful sovereign bond issuance underscores our nation's enduring appeal to investors and our status as a leading global investment hub." He further noted, "Our latest bond issue has once again garnered exceptional results, with robust and diverse investor interest. The strong demand allowed for a 30 basis point reduction in pricing from initial estimates, settling at a final rate of US Treasuries plus 60 basis points." The transaction was managed jointly by Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank, Emirates NBD Capital Limited, First Abu Dhabi Bank P.J.S.C., HSBC Bank plc, J.P. Morgan Securities plc, and Standard Chartered Bank. The distribution of the 10-year bonds saw 38 percent allocated to Middle Eastern investors, 34 percent to American investors, 18 percent to UK investors, 7 percent to European investors, and 3 percent to Asian investors. Investor types included 56 percent fund managers, 40 percent banks and private banks, 1 percent pension funds and insurance, 1 percent central banks and sovereign wealth funds, and 2 percent other sectors. The bonds are rated AA- by Fitch and Aa2 by Moody's, aligning with the Federal Government of the United Arab Emirates' credit rating, reflecting the country's strong economic indicators, innovative policies, robust international ties, and resilience to economic and financial challenges.
Text: Lara Palmer
26.06.2024
Successful 10-year bond issuance with strong investor demand and international recognition