Saudi Aramco’s ‘greenshoe option’ boosts IPO to record $40 billion
DUBAI State-owned oil company Saudi Aramco said yesterday it has exercised its "greenshoe option" to sell an additional 450 million shares, raising the size of its initial public offering (IPO) to a record US$29.4 billion (S$40 billion).
Aramco initially raised a then record US$25.6 billion in its IPO in December by selling three billion shares at 32 riyals (S$11.50) but indicated it may sell additional shares through the over-allotment of shares.
A greenshoe option, or over-allotment, allows companies to issue more shares in an IPO when there is greater demand from participants during the initial offering.
Investors were allocated the additional shares for the option during the book-building process, Aramco said.
It said "no additional shares are being offered into the market today and the stabilising manager will not hold any shares in the company as a result of exercise of the over-allotment option".
Aramco shares have been volatile recently because of geopolitical concerns as tensions between the US and Iran rose after President Donald Trump ordered a drone strike that killed a top Iranian commander and raised fears of war.
Shares of Aramco fell to 34 riyals on Jan 8, its lowest since the stock began trading on Dec 11, but closed at 35 riyals on Thursday. That closing price valued Aramco at US$1.87 trillion, above the IPO price, which valued the company at US$1.7 trillion, but below Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's coveted US$2 trillion target. - REUTERS
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