Saudi Arabia raises $3.25 billion in two-tranche sukuk sale, IFR reports
Saudi Arabia has raised $3.25 billion in a two-tranche sale of US dollar-denominated Islamic bonds, or sukuk, IFR reported on Tuesday, marking the kingdom’s second debt market transaction this year and its first since tensions with Iran escalated. The issuance comprised $1.25 billion of five-year sukuk and $2 billion of 10-year sukuk, priced at final spreads of 70 and 80 basis points respectively over US Treasuries, IFR said. Demand was strong, with combined orders exceeding $15 billion, the report said, adding that the proceeds would be used for general domestic budgetary needs. Citi, Goldman Sachs International, HSBC, JPMorgan and Standard Chartered acted as global coordinators and joint bookrunners. Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, BNP Paribas, Dubai Islamic Bank, Fubon Bank, ING, Intesa Sanpaolo, Aljazira Capital and Société Générale were passive joint lead managers. ‘Makkah Defence Alliance’: first SG to be from Pakistan In January, the kingdom raised $11.5 billion through a four-part bond sale under its 2026 borrowing plan, which targets about $57.9 billion to cover a projected fiscal deficit of roughly $44 billion and repay around $13.9 billion of debt due this year. Last week, Saudi