• Private Investments net income of AED 34 mn driven by contributions from Waha Land, Despegar and U.S. equities portfolio
  • Disciplined cost management drives improvement in cost-to-income ratio to 26%

ABU DHABI:– Waha Capital PJSC, a leading investment company in Abu Dhabi, has reported a strong increase in first-half net profit, driven by returns delivered by its public markets funds management business.

The company recorded a net profit of AED 265 million in the first half of 2021, compared to a net loss of AED 27 million in the same period of 2020. In the second quarter, net profit was AED 154 million, a 39% increase sequentially and 42% lower than a year earlier. Meanwhile, the company continued its disciplined approach to enhancing efficiencies, with the cost to income ratio for the first half improving to 26% from 31% a year earlier.

The Public Markets business, which manages emerging markets credit and equity funds, delivered healthy returns on proprietary investment made by Waha Capital as well as fee income from third-party investors.  The business reported net income of AED 320 million during the first half of the year. The Private Investments business produced net income of AED 34 million during the period from its diversified portfolio of global assets, which include exposure to healthcare, industrial real estate, energy, travel, and U.S. equities. 

PUBLIC MARKETS HIGHLIGHTS

Waha Capital’s emerging markets funds have built an industry-leading multi-year track record of outperformance, successfully navigating market volatility and global business cycles. During the second quarter, the business reached the significant milestone of US$1 billion of assets under management (AUM) and was ranked by Forbes Middle East as a top 30 investment manager in the region.  

The Waha CEEMEA Credit Fund provided investors with a total return of 6.7% in the first half of 2021, contributing to a cumulative return of 172.5% since inception in 2012, which is equivalent to an annualised rate of return of 11.1%. The fund’s trailing total return (12 months to end-June 2021) was 16.9%.

The Waha MENA Equity Fund provided a total return of 14.9% in the first half, bringing the cumulative return to 192.2% since inception in 2014, which is equivalent to an annualised rate of return of 15.4%.  The fund’s trailing total return (12 months to end-June 2021) was 35.1 %.

The Waha Islamic Income Fund, which invests in Shari’a compliant assets across sukuk and equity markets, produced a total return of 5.0% in the first half, bringing the investment return since inception to 9.6%.

PRIVATE INVESTMENTS HIGHLIGHTS

Waha Capital’s Private Investments portfolio continued to provide diversification benefits with a meaningful contribution to the company’s net income.

The business is entering its next phase of growth through a strategy to selectively re-channel capital into new growth opportunities. In line with this strategy, Waha Capital divested a portion of its holding in Nasdaq-listed National Energy Services Reunited Corp (NESR) through a series of open market transactions during the first half of 2021.

Meanwhile, Waha Land continued to generate steady income, driven by a 95% occupancy rate at its Almarkaz industrial real estate development in Abu Dhabi. Latin America-focused travel firm Despegar and Waha Capital’s U.S. securities portfolio also contributed positive returns for Waha Capital during the first half of the year.

Read the full story here.

-Ends-

ABOUT WAHA CAPITAL

Waha Capital is an Abu Dhabi-listed investment management company with a diversified and balanced portfolio of local and international assets that delivers sustainable income and long-term value creation to its stakeholders. The company operates in a wide variety of sectors that include public securities and credit markets, healthcare, industrial real estate, infrastructure, energy, financial services, travel and fintech.

Through its Public Markets business, the company deploys highly specialised capabilities in managing global and regional credit and equity funds and has a proven track record of outperformance in this area. Its Private Investments unit has a successful approach to deploying capital across numerous sectors and geographies, growing the value of its investments and monetising them when appropriate. 

Though managing investments on an increasingly international footprint, Waha Capital remains deeply rooted in Abu Dhabi’s economy. Its management team has extensive experience operating in international markets, and its diverse shareholder base includes Mubadala Investment Company and other prominent UAE investors. The company is committed to developing promising UAE nationals and to creating a culture where talent can grow professionally and personally to make a real and lasting impact on Waha Capital’s success and on society at large.

For further information on Waha Capital and its investment capabilities, please visit wahacapital.com 

For media enquiries, please contact:
Ameera Khalid
Vice President, Investor Relations & External Communications
Waha Capital
Tel: +971 2 403 9346
E-mail: communications@wahacapital.ae  

For investment enquiries, please contact:
Haitham Abdulkarim
Head of Investor Relations & External Communications
Waha Capital
Tel: +971 2 403 9305
E-mail: investor.relations@wahacapital.ae  

Send us your press releases to pressrelease.zawya@refinitiv.com

© Press Release 2021

Disclaimer: The contents of this press release was provided from an external third party provider. This website is not responsible for, and does not control, such external content. This content is provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis and has not been edited in any way. Neither this website nor our affiliates guarantee the accuracy of or endorse the views or opinions expressed in this press release.

The press release is provided for informational purposes only. The content does not provide tax, legal or investment advice or opinion regarding the suitability, value or profitability of any particular security, portfolio or investment strategy. Neither this website nor our affiliates shall be liable for any errors or inaccuracies in the content, or for any actions taken by you in reliance thereon. You expressly agree that your use of the information within this article is at your sole risk.

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, this website, its parent company, its subsidiaries, its affiliates and the respective shareholders, directors, officers, employees, agents, advertisers, content providers and licensors will not be liable (jointly or severally) to you for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, incidental, punitive or exemplary damages, including without limitation, lost profits, lost savings and lost revenues, whether in negligence, tort, contract or any other theory of liability, even if the parties have been advised of the possibility or could have foreseen any such damages.