SICO Financial, a wholly owned subsidiary of SICO B.S.C. (c), a leading regional asset management, brokerage, and investment banking firm with a direct presence in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, and licensed by the Capital Market Authority, today announced that its MENA Equity Fund, an open-ended public fund licensed by the Capital Market Authority, has won the “ Equity Fund of the Year ” award at the 2026 Global Banking Markets – Middle East Awards. This award recognizes the fund’s outstanding performance and is given to institutions that consistently deliver exceptional investment results and contribute to the development of capital markets in the region.

This recognition comes as a culmination of the fund's strong performance during 2025, where it outperformed its benchmark index by 6% , achieving a return of 2.8% compared to a decline of -3.2% in the benchmark index, despite the challenges faced by regional equity markets during the year . The fund also ranked first among a group of 15 Sharia-compliant funds listed on the Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul) that invest in the markets of the Middle East, North Africa, and the GCC countries during 2025.

This achievement reflects the fund’s outstanding performance record, as the fund achieved a cumulative return of 43% for the past three years, and a cumulative return of 110% for the past five years, crowning this performance with an 85% superiority over its benchmark index for the same five-year period.

Commenting on this achievement, Mr. Wissam Haddad, CEO of SICO Financial, stated : “ This award reflects the success of our strategy in providing a growing range of high-quality investment options for our clients . The success of the SICO MENA Equity Fund, along with the recent launch of the SICO Gulf Distribution Fund, embodies our commitment to continuously developing our investment solutions and expanding the range of options we offer our clients to meet their evolving needs .”

SICO MENA Equity Fund employs an active management strategy based on fundamental analysis and careful stock selection, focusing on companies with strong financial fundamentals and sustainable growth prospects. The award committee noted that the fund's outstanding performance was a result of the success of this investment approach, supported by several investments that delivered strong results during the year.

Professor Ali Murshed, Group Executive Vice President of Asset Management and Private Investments at SICO B.S.C. (c), added : “ This recognition reflects the strength of our Asset Management and Investment Research teams and their ability to work together to achieve this success by selecting the best opportunities based on in-depth research and objective company analysis. This clear investment approach, coupled with a disciplined approach to risk management, contributes to achieving long-term value and sustainable returns for investors .”

The fund's assets under management increased by 57% during 2025, supported by new subscriptions from clients, reflecting growing investor confidence in the fund's investment strategy .

SICO’s MENA Equity Fund offers investors the opportunity to invest in regional equities and capitalize on select initial public offerings (IPOs). The recently launched SICO Gulf Distribution Fund further enhances this suite of investment solutions by providing access to a portfolio of Gulf-based equities with strong dividend and growth potential .

About SICO Financial

SICO Financial is a comprehensive financial services company offering a wide range of services and products to individuals, institutions, and corporations. With a paid-up capital of SAR 100 million, the company was established as a closed joint-stock company in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, under Commercial Registration No. 1010259328. SICO Financial holds license No. 08096-37 from the Capital Market Authority and commenced operations on June 20, 2009. It is licensed to conduct a broad range of capital market activities, including arrangement, advisory, securities custody, dealing, investment management, and fund operation and custody. SICO Financial's assets under management reached SAR 6.1 billion (as of March 31, 2026) across various funds and portfolios. The company aims to serve its clients and help them achieve their investment objectives through sound, research-based investment transactions and distinguished financial advisory services focused on client benefit and high performance. SICO Financial is 100% owned by SICO B.S.C. (c) Bahrain, one of the leading regional banks specializing in asset management, brokerage and investment banking services, with assets under management exceeding US$8.4 billion.

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