Latest news with #HSBC
Zawya
4 hours ago
- Business
- Zawya
Muscat Stock Exchange hails Oman as attractive destination for foreign investors
Muscat Stock Exchange hails Oman as attractive destination for foreign investors thanks to stable political climate, skilled workforce and well-developed logistics infrastructure. Over 300 global institutional investors met with more than 100 Middle East corporates and all seven bourses from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) at HSBC's GCC Exchange Conference in London this week. The event comes as tariff uncertainty reshapes capital flows, with global investors increasingly turning to the Gulf for stable yield, reform-driven growth and maturing capital markets. Now in its fourth year, conversations at the conference focused on the increasing appeal of the GCC as the region continues to register record IPO pipelines, deepen sovereign and corporate bond markets and expand private credit platforms – all underpinned by strong fiscal buffers and multi-year economic transformation agendas. The continued liberalisation of GCC financial markets and the introduction of privatisation programmes by GCC governments are converging at a time when investors are seeking diversification from global volatility. GCC capital markets remained resilient in the first quarter of the year with IPO proceeds 33% higher compared to the first quarter of 2024, despite a slowdown in issuances globally. Haitham Salim Al Salmi, CEO, Muscat Stock Exchange, said: 'We are working with the Oman Investment Authority and the government to pave the way for sizable and profitable private companies as part of their divestment plan. We aim to enhance MSX's contribution to the national economy through our main initiatives such as launching an SME listing platform, facilitating accessibility to the market and establishing international linkages in parallel with our subsidiary Muscat Clearing & Depository.' Elie El Asmar, Chief Executive, HSBC Oman commented: 'Oman has an increasingly powerful story to tell global investors which is evidenced by a surge in foreign direct investment over the past five years, liberalisation of foreign ownership rules and huge strides taken in the journey from emerging to developed market status. Strategic reforms, robust infrastructure and a strong commitment to economic diversification continue to unlock new opportunities for international partnerships and sustainable growth.' This year, for the first time, HSBC brought together Emerging Market (EM) Macro Strategists with GCC attendees, as EM investors dial-up their exposure to the Gulf's capital markets driven by strong GDP projections relative to the broader EM pool. © Muscat Media Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Mint
4 hours ago
- Business
- Mint
HSBC Said to Be Creating New Team for Tough Infrastructure Deals
(Bloomberg) -- HSBC Holdings Plc is setting up a dedicated team to finance infrastructure projects that would typically struggle to attract capital from other sources, according to people familiar with the matter. The corporate and institutional banking unit is looking for a global head of strategic financing partnerships, the people said, asking not to be named discussing private deliberations. HSBC started searching for someone to fill the role, which may be based in the US, a few months ago but has yet to settle on a candidate, they said. The role will report to Danny Alexander, who is chief executive of infrastructure finance and sustainability within HSBC's CIB unit, they said. A spokesperson for HSBC declined to comment. The new hire will build out a small team globally that will focus on so-called blended finance deals for infrastructure projects that pool together concessional and commercial capital, the people said. Blended finance is intended to channel a combination of private and public funds into sustainable projects, mostly in developing countries. A key challenge around such projects, however, is coming up with a risk-reward structure that can lure adequate levels of private capital. HSBC's new team will be tasked with establishing partnerships that are similar to a Singapore-based debt financing platform called Pentagreen Capital, one of the people said. Pentagreen, which HSBC established back in 2022 together with state investment fund Temasek Holdings Pte., is targeting assets related to renewable energy, storage, water and waste treatment as well as transport infrastructure. Citigroup Inc. and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. are among other lenders targeting new deals in the market for blended finance. Such transactions totaled $18 billion last year, down 21% from 2023, according to a report by data provider Convergence published in May. Blended finance faces a decline in public spending as the US pulls back from many of its developmental aid commitments. HSBC is creating its new blended-finance team as other parts of the bank undergo considerable upheaval. That includes a global restructuring program to cut costs by about $3 billion, a plan that includes ending businesses such as equity underwriting and advisory services outside the bank's core operations in Asia and the Middle East. --With assistance from Alastair Marsh. More stories like this are available on
Arabian Post
4 hours ago
- Business
- Arabian Post
Barclays Taps Ex‑HSBC Banker to Accelerate Middle East Push
Barclays has appointed Farzad Billimoria as head of its private bank for the United Arab Emirates, strengthening its foothold in a region experiencing rapid wealth creation. Based in Dubai, Billimoria will report directly to Annabelle Bryde, head of Private Bank International, commencing his role on 1 July pending regulatory approval. Billimoria brings 30 years of financial services expertise, most recently serving as Senior Executive Officer and head of private banking at HSBC in the UAE. He led the establishment of HSBC Private Bank in key financial hubs such as the DIFC and ADGM, and notably launched the bank's first onshore private banking booking centre within the UAE. His deep-rooted presence in Dubai, with over two decades of local experience, positions him to drive growth within Barclays' expanding wealth management ambitions. This move occurs amid a resurgence of private banking across the Gulf, fuelled by rising regional GDP, intensifying investment from sovereign wealth and increasing interest in bespoke financial services. For Barclays, marking its 50th year of operations in the region, securing Billimoria represents a strategic play to challenge entrenched rivals and capture market share across both Middle Eastern and Asian private banking landscapes. ADVERTISEMENT Barclays has 'significant growth opportunities' in the Gulf, Bryde said, emphasising the bank's strategy to elevate the region's importance within its global private banking operations. Billimoria's leadership is expected to accelerate initiatives focused on ultra-high-net-worth individuals and high-net-worth families, aligning with broader shifts in regional wealth dynamics. Economic projections show that the UAE's economy is set to expand by approximately 3.5 per cent in 2025, underpinned by technology, real estate, and infrastructure investments. Billimoria's departure from HSBC, part of a broader simplification drive, signals changing strategic priorities within global banks. HSBC has been reshaping its regional model, consolidating operations to enhance efficiency and digitalisation. His transition also reflects a wider trend of prominent private banking leaders moving across institutions, as banks vie to differentiate through personalised, tech-enabled services. Barclays' hiring aligns with senior leadership changes at the bank in the Gulf. Rasha Badawi, appointed earlier this year to lead private bank efforts in Qatar and Saudi Arabia, aims to capitalise on cross-border synergies. Under her direction, Barclays is placing greater emphasis on sustainability-driven investment products and ESG-compliant offerings, responding to demand from increasingly values-conscious UHNW clients. Competition in Gulf wealth management is intensifying. Regional players like Emirates NBD, First Abu Dhabi Bank, and QNB have ramped up their wealth divisions, while global institutions such as UBS and Credit Suisse introduce digital platforms tailored to Gulf clientele. Barclays will also challenge global peers by leveraging its UK-based banking infrastructure and cross-market services—a value proposition for Gulf clients seeking diversification beyond the region. Yet the Gulf banking landscape is not without challenges. Banks are navigating stringent anti-money‑laundering regulations and heightened transparency in tax and compliance regimes. To maintain profitability, providers must balance regulatory adherence with flexible service models. Barclays' success with Billimoria will hinge on its ability to blend local expertise with international scaffolding in a cost-effective way. Billimoria's credentials are well aligned with the trends reshaping Gulf private banking. He oversaw the onboarding of ultra-high-net-worth non-resident Indian clients during his tenure at HSBC, a segment increasingly in demand across the region. His track record in setting up offshore and onshore operations offers Barclays practical experience in integrating multi-jurisdictional banking platforms. The appointment also underscores the growing importance of the UAE as a regional wealth hub. Dubai and Abu Dhabi continue to draw family offices, investment firms, and global capital, bolstered by regulatory reforms and a diversified, digitised economy. Barclays' strategy involves positioning its UAE operations as a gateway for wealth originating across India, Africa, Europe, and the broader Middle East. Inside Barclays, Billimoria will lead a team focused on designing customised wealth solutions, integrating digital advisory tools and sustainability-linked offerings. Bryde has signalled that the bank will prioritise growth in Asia and the Middle East, with the UAE serving as a strategic linchpin for regional expansion.
Al Bawaba
7 hours ago
- Business
- Al Bawaba
Global investors explore deeper diversification in Saudi Arabia as tariff uncertainty persists
Over 300 global institutional investors met with all seven bourses from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and over 100 GCC corporates at HSBC's GCC Exchanges Conference in London this week. The event comes as global economic uncertainty reshapes capital flows, with global investors exploring new opportunities in the Gulf for long-term, reform-driven growth, and maturing capital in its fourth year, the Conference focused on the region's resilience. Saudi Arabia was a main feature of the first two days of the Conference, where guest speakers included His Excellency Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al-Falih, Minister of Investment of Saudi Arabia and Raed Alrashed Alhumaid, Deputy Market Institutions, Capital Market Authority (CMA), Saudi registered a 3.4% YoY increase in GDP in Q1, Saudi Arabia's non-oil growth is tracking ahead of already strong initial estimates. Discussions focused on plans for the Kingdom's services and non-oil manufacturing sectors, as well as efforts to continue liberalizing financial market AlGhannam, Chief Executive Officer and Board Member, HSBC Saudi Arabia: 'The resilient activity in Saudi Arabia's private and public markets, as well as the breadth of sectors coming to market, is a reflection of investor's confidence in the Kingdom's long-term potential despite testing markets.'Mohammed Al-Rumaih, Chief Executive Officer, Saudi Exchange, said: 'The global investor appetite for the Saudi capital market continues to deepen, driven by the Kingdom's ongoing economic transformation. At the Saudi Exchange, we remain committed to enabling access, enhancing market infrastructure, and fostering transparency to support diversified capital formation across sectors. The strong engagement witnessed this year at the GCC Exchanges Conference further reflects the growing international confidence in the Saudi market and its central role in the Kingdom's national transformation roadmap."Although domestic market liquidity and oil-dependency have been traditional constraints for equity investors, HSBC analysts predict that the combination of IPOs and secondary listings from the Kingdom as well as the removal of foreign ownership limits could lift Saudi Arabia's weight in emerging market Arabia led listing activity in the region during the first quarter, despite a slowdown in issuances globally, with 12 IPOs across sectors such as real estate healthcare, financial services, and AlGhannam continued: 'Global investors are recalibrating for resilience and the GCC's balance sheet strength and sophisticated financial markets ecosystem make it a capital magnet." This year, for the first time, HSBC brought together Emerging Market Macro Strategists with GCC attendees, as EM investors dial-up their exposure to the Gulf's capital markets driven by strong GDP projections relative to the broader EM pool.
Business Upturn
8 hours ago
- Business
- Business Upturn
HSBC bullish on Trent as Zudio momentum and Westside revival drive strong outlook, initiates Buy call with target price of Rs 6,700
By Markets Desk Published on June 20, 2025, 07:43 IST HSBC has initiated coverage on Trent Ltd. with a 'Buy' rating and a target price of ₹6,700, calling it one of the most compelling stories in the Indian retail space driven by Zudio's rapid expansion and Westside's transformation. The brokerage forecasts ~200 new Zudio stores per year over FY25–28, and sees minimal competitive threat in the affordable fashion segment, thanks to Zudio's tight supply chain, format consistency, and pricing power. HSBC also believes Zudio Beauty—a new vertical under the brand—could be the next major value driver. In addition, Trent is revamping its Westside format, aiming for better customer experience, store aesthetics, and private label engagement to drive same-store sales growth (SSSG). These efforts are expected to fortify margins and ensure brand relevance. Although the stock is trading at an optically expensive 75x PE, HSBC argues that the valuation is justified on a PEG basis, which stands at 2.4x compared to 3x for Vishal Mega Mart and 4.7x for Page Industries. Given Trent's superior earnings growth, profitability, and RoCE profile, HSBC sees meaningful upside potential. The brokerage notes that Trent's multi-format expansion strategy, disciplined cost control, and brand stickiness put it in a unique position to deliver high-quality growth over the next several years. Ahmedabad Plane Crash Markets Desk at
