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EFG Hermes completes advisory on $1.219 billion IPO of ADES Holding Co

The transaction marks the firm’s second advisory role on an IPO on the Saudi Exchange this month, showcasing its dedication to the kingdom’s burgeoning investment market

EFG Hermes, the leading investment bank franchise in Frontier and Emerging Markets (FEM), on Wednesday announced that its investment banking division successfully completed advisory on the landmark SR4.572 billion ($1.219 billion) initial public offering (IPO) of ADES Holding Company (ADES), a leading oil and gas drilling and production services provider in MENA, on the Saudi Exchange.

EFG Hermes acted as Joint Financial Advisor, Global Coordinator, Bookrunner, and Underwriter on the transaction.

ADES Holding Company offered a total of 30 per cent of its total issued share capital through the sale of a mix of existing shares and newly-issued shares, equivalent to 338,718,754 shares at SR13.5 per share – implying a market capitalisation of SR15.2 billion ($4.1 billion). The existing shares represent 9% and the new shares represent 21 per cent of the company’s issued share capital upon completion of the offering.

The IPO was met with a robust SR286.9 billion ($76.5 billion) demand for shares from local, regional, and international investors, with the total book covered approximately 62.7x times. The company began trading Wednesday under the symbol 2382.

Mohamed Abou Samra, Managing Director, Deputy Head of Investment Banking at EFG Hermes, said: “At EFG Hermes, we are incredibly pleased to have carried out multiple impactful roles in the successful groundbreaking IPO of ADES – one that offers retail and international investors a unique opportunity to invest in a global drilling giant with an expanding international footprint. This transaction, alongside the conclusion of our successful EFG Hermes Saudi Forum in London this month which was done in collaboration with the Saudi Exchange and included the Capital Markets Authority (CMA) as an honourary guest, as well as the conclusion of our advisory role on the IPO of Lumi Rental Company on the Saudi Exchange, is a testament to our commitment to generating unrivalled value for our clients in the region and showcasing the unlimited potential of the Kingdom’s flourishing investment market. Marking the milestone of our sixth IPO this year alone, we have once again cemented our position as a leader in seamlessly facilitating high-profile, breakthrough transactions that leave a long-lasting positive impact on the Kingdom’s – and the region’s – economic landscape, as we continue to leverage our global distribution network and world-class research capabilities that consistently raise the bar in the Saudi market.”

ADES is one of the largest global offshore jackup drilling rig operators. Headquartered in Al Khobar in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the group has global-scale operations across seven countries: the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, and India.

ADES has over 7,500 employees and a fleet of 85 rigs across its geographies, including 36 onshore drilling rigs, 46 jackup offshore drilling rigs, two jackup barges, and one mobile offshore production unit (MOPU).

This transaction marks EFG Hermes’ sixth IPO this year and is the latest in a series of transactions the Firm has advised on in the GCC region over the years.

Most recently, EFG Hermes advised on the IPO of Lumi Rental Company on the Saudi Exchange. Additionally, in 2023, the Firm advised on the successful IPOs of Adnoc L&S and Adnoc Gas Plc on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX); Abraj Energy Services on the Muscat Stock Exchange (MSX); and Al Ansari Financial Services PJSC on the Dubai Financial Market (DFM).