The Central Bank of Bahrain has priced its $750m seven-year Sukuk at a profit rate of 6.273%, in line with the guidance of 450bps over midswaps.
The certificates, which were rated BBB by both S&P and Fitch, will be issued by CBB International Sukuk Company and are expected to settle on November 22, 2018. They will be listed on the London Stock Exchange.
The deal was arranged by BNP Paribas, Citigroup and Standard Chartered, and marks the kingdom's fourth transaction in the international Sukuk markets, with allocations of 62% to Middle East investors, 20% to European, 12% to Asian, and 6% to investors from other regions.
By investor category, 40% of the Sukuk were placed with banks, 22% with asset managers, 20% with central banks, sovereign wealth funds and supranationals, 12% with insurance companies, 3% with private banks, and 3% with other investor types.
The CBB did not respond to a request for comment from The Islamic Globe by the time it went to press.
© The Islamic Globe 2011
