Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund mulls sale of £66bn Aramco stake
Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund is reportedly looking into ways to monetise its around $90bn (£66.7bn) stake in Aramco, the world’s largest oil company.
The Public Investment Fund is weighing its options, Bloomberg first reported, as Saudi Aramco seeks funds to pursue its ambitious investment plans.
The Fund, which currently owns an around four per cent stake in Aramco, has been inviting advisers to pitch options.
Avenues currently on the table include a full or partial sale of the holding or raising capital by pledging the stock against loans or convertible debt instruments, according to people familiar with the matter.
It comes as Aramco’s shares surged 4.2 per cent to a record high of $11.26 (£8.41) per share today, as oil prices breached the $100 a barrel after Russia officially invaded Ukraine.
The talks are still in their early stages, the people added.
Though discussions arrive just weeks after the Saudi government, which owns 94 per cent of Aramco, transferred the stake over to the Fund and come amid reports that officials are mulling a new stock offering, after the oil giant’s successful market debut in 2019.
Aramco, reported to be worth an eyewatering $1.9 trillion (£1.4 trillion), raised nearly $30bn (£22.2bn) via the float.
City A.M. has contacted the Public Investment Fund for comment.