Saudi Aramco’s IPO: The Bank‑Hiring Beast is Back
Yo, investors! Grab your popcorn because the Saudi Aramco IPO is about to make headlines by smashing the record for the most banks on a single IPO. According to Refinitiv’s latest buzz, 25 book‑runners are lining up in a tight bidding war to snag a slice of this mega deal. It’s a straight‑up royal rumble that could eclipse the 2019 duos Avantor and Shanghai Henlius Biotech, who each brought 15 banks into the fray.
Why All The Bank‑Hopping?
- Saudi Visa Magic: With the IPO demanding a special Saudi visa, firms are scrambling to secure their spots.
- Prestige First: Even if the fee haul isn’t sky‑high, owning a mandate here feels like winning the stock‑market Nobel Prize.
- Record‑Potential: Just one shy of the global record set by the Postal Savings Bank of China (26 banks, 2016), Aramco will tie at 25 and set the stage for future record‑breakers.
The Numbers Nobody Wants To Talk About
Refinitiv’s analysts have been crunching the numbers: the average book‑runner count per IPO has more than twice the 2000 figure. In 2019, the leaders are:
- Americas: Roughly 3 brokers per listing.
- Europe & Asia: All‑time highs.
- Middle East & Africa: The average leaps to 2.133, and would sky‑rocket to 3.561 if Saudi Aramco reports – that’s a 40% jump!
Expert Voices
Lucille Jones (Refinitiv Deals Intelligence) summed it up nicely: “This listing is one of the largest of all time, and banks are competing like never before. Even though the fees may not be huge, the glory of snatching a mandate on this highly coveted deal will boost their standing in the equity capital market league tables.”
What This Means for Your Portfolio
- Expect the liquidity boost from a mega IPO.
- Watch for market ripple effects in the Middle East and beyond.
- And keep an eye on the social media buzz – it’s going to be trending!
So, folks, grab a coffee, sit back, and let the world watch this record‑breaking saga unfold. The Saudi Aramco IPO is not just a deal; it’s a modern legend in the making.
