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Kipco prices $500m bond issue

Kuwait, February 1, 2014

Kuwait Projects Company (Kipco), the country's largest investment firm by assets, has announced the successful pricing of a $500 million five-year bond issue in the international capital market, the first from the Mena region in 2014.

The deal had substantial demand at launch and was six times oversubscribed, attracting a total of 250 investors from across the Middle East, Europe and Asia.

Strong demand allowed the company to price the deal at the tight end of the pricing range with a fixed coupon of 4.8 per cent, said a statement from the Kuwaiti firm.

In a volatile market backdrop, Kipco was able to capitalize on the positive investor feedback and an issuance window of opportunity to swiftly execute an intra-day trade and raise $500 million under its existing EMTN program, it stated.
 
The bonds were widely distributed, with European investors allocated 41 per cent of the issue transaction while Middle East, UK, Asian and US (offshore) investors accounted for 19 per cent, 15 per cent, 14 per cent and 11 per cent respectively. In terms of investor profile, 58 per cent was allocated to fund managers, 33 per cent to banks and 9 per cent to others.

Commenting on the transaction, Kipco vice chairman Faisal Al Ayyar said:"We are delighted that the bond was well received by regional and international investors. The overwhelming response is a testament to our track record of delivering results and our financial discipline."

"Investors were attracted to the quality of Kipco’s operating businesses, their strong market position and future growth prospects," he added.
 
Group chief financial officer Pinak Maitra said: “Over the years, Kipco has been a consistent issuer in the international bond market and this deal reflects the positive experience investors had with its previous issues. It has a high quality and diversified investor base and the bond was priced through its existing yield curve."

The bond further diversifies Kipco’s maturity profile and enhances its financial flexibility to execute our strategy.”

BNP Paribas, HSBC and JP Morgan acted as joint bookrunners on the offering.-TradeArabia News Service




Tags: Kuwait | Kipco | bond |

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