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Good morning, wonderful people. We’re just days away from ringing in a new year, but there’s no news slowdown as far as we’re concerned. Leading this morning’s news well is a new SAR 1.3 bn construction robotics joint venture between Neom and Samsung, while Jazan secured a handful of agreements for a combined SAR 1.4 bn of investments.
^^ We have details on these stories and more in this morning’s news well, below.
HAPPENING TODAY-
The Saudi-Yemeni Business Council discussions kick off today in Makkah, bringing together over 100 businessmen to explore investment prospects and address cross-border challenges between the two countries, according to local media reports (here and here). Initiatives to revamp border crossings, establish quarantines for livestock and agricultural goods, and expand the role of Yemeni banks are also on the agenda. The event will run for three days.
HAPPENING THIS WEEK-
IPO WATCH #1- The retail subscription window for Almoosa Health’s IPO opens tomorrow, where the Al Ahsa-based hospital operator will offer 20% of the 30% stake on offer for two days.
REMEMBER- Almoosa Health priced its Tadawul IPO at SAR 127 apiece — the top of the range it was guiding on — after its institutional offering was 103x oversubscribed. The final pricing will see the firm locking in SAR 1.7 bn in proceeds, giving it a market cap of SAR 5.6 bn at listing. Individual investors will be able to book between 10k-250k shares each, with the final allocation of shares set to be announced no later than Sunday, 29 December.
IPO WATCH #2- Nice One’s two-day retail subscription window opens on Tuesday, where individual investors will be eligible for 10% of the cosmetic company’s main market IPO. They will be able to book a maximum of 250k shares, and a minimum of 10 shares each at SAR 35 apiece.
REFRESHER- The online beauty retailer is taking a 31.5% stake to Tadawul. Nice One priced its IPO at the top of the range after its institutional offering — which wrapped up last week — was 139.4x covered. The final pricing will see it raise SAR 1.2 bn in proceeds, and will give it a market cap of SAR 4 bn at listing.
☀️WEATHER- Riyadh is in for a crisp, sunny day, with a high of 19°C and a low of 7°C. Meanwhile, Jeddah will be basking in warmer temperatures at 31°C, tapering off to 22°C. Over in windy Madinah, expect a high of 22°C and a low of 12°C.
WATCH THIS SPACE-
#1- We could be getting specialized courts for investment disputes: The Investment Ministry surveyed public and private entities to evaluate the need for specialized investment courts and gather feedback on the potential move from investors, Asharq Al Awsat reports.
REMEMBER- Saudi authorities rolled out a new investment law in August, effective from 2025, which is designed to level the playing field for foreign investors.
#2- Former Goldman Sachs manager joining Juffali family’s Hasma Capital? Jason Smith (Linkedin) has reportedly been appointed chief investment officer at Hasma Capital, the UK-based investment firm managing the Juffali family’s USD multi-bn portfolio, Bloomberg reports, citing sources in the know. Smith previously held roles as senior portfolio manager at Goldman Sachs and CIO at Tabula Investment Management, with additional experience at BlackRock, Barclays, and oversight of multiple funds.
#3- Acwa Power seeks CMA approval for SAR 7.1 bn rights issue: Utility giant Acwa Power filed a request to the Capital Market Authority for a SAR 7.1 bn rights issuance to boost the company’s capital, according to a disclosure to Tadawul.
REMEMBER-Acwa Power’s board recommended the rights issuance back in June to finance an anticipated USD 2-2.5 bn annual budget for projects as it aims to triple its assets by 2030. No financial advisor has been appointed for the issuance yet.
#4- Could Alqahtani Holding step into Egypt’s energy sector? Local player Alqahtani Holding is in talks with Egypt’s Oil Ministry to explore joint investments in petroleum, gas, and petrochemical projects, according to a statement from the Egyptian ministry. The group is working with Shard Capital and the Egyptian Petrochemicals Holding Company to set up a petrochemical complex in the New Alamein Industrial Zone.
DATA POINT-
Riyadh Season attracted 12 mn visitors since its launch in October, where Boxing Week, ski resort Courchevel, and the Boulevard Runway experiences took place, according to a statement from the General Entertainment Authority.
PSAs-
#1- VAT-registered businesses with annual revenues exceeding SAR 40 mn have until Tuesday, 31 December to file their November tax returns, according to a statement from the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority. Missing the deadline could result in penalties between 5-25% of the payable tax.
#2- The National Water Company issued a reminder for property owners to register their water meters, it said in a post on X. Applicants can document their meters through the National Water App or e-branches by specifying their relationship as owner or tenant. Independent meters for tenants must be documented on the Ejar platform, while shared meters remain under the owner’s name. Failure to register may disrupt the service.
#3- Registration for Sdaia’s Injaz Hackathon has been extended to Saturday, 28 December, with qualified teams set to be announced on 6 January. Participants will work to develop AI-powered solutions aimed at boosting productivity in Saudi Arabia’s public and private sectors. A total of 10 teams that come out on top at the end of the hackathon will each receive SAR 150k, with a total award pool of SAR 1.5 mn. Local and foreign participants can register on Sdaia’s website.
SPORTS-
#1- Mark Allen claimed the Riyadh Season Snooker Championship crown, beating Luca Brecel 5-1 in the tournament’s final on Friday, the World Snooker Tour reports. This is the Irishman’s seventh victory in 26 months and will see him take home a GBP 250k prize pot.
#2- Saudi Arabia will participate as one of the 16 teams in the 2025 and 2027 Gold Cup, organized by the Confederation of North, Central America, and Caribbean Association Football (Concacaf), according to a statement. The decision follows an MoU signed between Concacaf and the Asian Football Confederation — which includes the Saudi Arabian Football Federation — after reports of Saudi being in talks for an invitation to the 2025 tournament earlier this month.
#3- Oleksandr Usyk defeated Tyson Fury once again in their rematch on Saturday, 21 December, in Riyadh, with a score of 116-112, retaining his status as the first four-belt undisputed heavyweight champion after his earlier split decision victory over Fury earlier in the month, according to the BBC.
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THE BIG STORY ABROAD-
It’s a mixed bag in the foreign press this morning, among the most notable headlines:
IN OUR NECK OF THE WOODS- Syria’s Kurdish factions are under increasing pressure as the balance of power in the country shifts against them, following Bashar Al Assad’s ouster earlier this month. The power shift has raised the prospect of deeper Turkish influence in northern Syria, with the Turkey-backed groups now representing a renewed threat to the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). (Reuters)
OVER IN THE WEST- The Magdeburg attack is still making headlines: A car-ramming attack at a Magdeburg Christmas market has reignited political tensions in Germany. Five people were killed, and more than 200 were injured after a Saudi man, reportedly with far-right sympathies, drove through the market on Friday. The incident has sparked a debate over the role of immigration and far-right extremism in the country. (Reuters | The Guardian | BBC | France 24 | Bloomberg)
The Foreign Affairs Ministry condemned the incident and expressed its sympathies and solidarity with the families of the victims. The arrested perpetrator, identified as Taleb Al-Abdulmohsen, is a Saudi-born medical practitioner who has been living in Germany for two decades after gaining refugee status. The suspect promoted anti-Islam views on social media and reports suggest he harbored far-right sympathies. The Kingdom had reportedly warned German authorities about his extremist posts on social media well before the attack occurred, the FT reports.
IN THE US- Congress narrowly avoided a government shutdown after passing a stop-gap funding measure early Saturday morning. The bill — which extends federal funding through 14 March and includes aid for disaster relief and farmers but excludes debt ceiling provision — was passed after days of chaos in Washington. (Financial Times | New York Times | CNN | Washington Post)
CIRCLE YOUR CALENDAR-
#1- The three-day Future Minerals Forum kicks off on 14 January at Riyadh’s King Abdulaziz International Conference Center.
#2- The three-day Real Estate Future Forum kicks off on 27 January at the Four Seasons, Riyadh.
#3- The three-day Future Hospitality Forum opens its doors 11 May at the Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah, Riyadh.
#4- The Money 20/20 fintech conference will run from 15-17 September. As a global hub for payments, banking, and financial services innovation, Money 20/20 promises to bring together industry leaders to shape the future of fintech.
#5- Orgatec Workspace will make its debut at the Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference Center between 16-18 September, according to a joint press release. The trade fair — which will focus office furniture and design — aims to connect manufacturers, suppliers, and distributors. The event is the brainchild of a collaboration between German-born international trade fair organiser Koelnmesse (organizer of Orgatec) and the Daily Mail’s exhibitions and publishing unit Dmg Events (organizer of Workspace).
