Introduction 1- Saudi Aramco issues a new prospectus for its Islamic Sukuk issuance program.
SAUDI ARAMCO 2222.SA | 27.60 | +0.15% |
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DUBAI, May 30 (Reuters) - Saudi Aramco has issued a new prospectus for its Islamic bond issuance program , suggesting the state-owned oil giant may soon tap debt markets again after raising $5 billion in a three-tranche bond sale this week.
The prospectus was sent to the London Stock Exchange, where the sukuk will be listed, and is dated today, May 30. Aramco has one year to issue the sukuk under the terms set out in the prospectus.
Earlier this week, Aramco raised $5 billion in a conventional bond sale. This offering comes after economic uncertainty and oversupply in crude oil markets negatively impacted the profits of the world's largest oil exporter.
Aramco said in March it expected to cut its dividend by nearly a third this year as profits and free cash flow declined.
The Kingdom has long relied on Aramco to fuel its economic growth, including revenues and taxes. Oil revenues accounted for 62 percent of state revenues last year.
The government does not disclose the oil price required to balance its budget. The International Monetary Fund estimates that oil prices must exceed $90 per barrel to achieve a balanced budget.
Brent crude is trading at around $64.4 a barrel on Friday.
(Correspondence by Mohamed Idris from Bangalore and Youssef Saba from Dubai - Prepared by Rehab Alaa and Sherine Abdel Aziz for the Arabic bulletin - Edited by Mohamed Attia)
