Abu Dhabi: State fund ponders bond issue

Mubadala, the Abu Dhabi state investment fund, is considering launching its debut bond soon following a successful deal by the government last month. Details are scarce but the company has hired Citi, Goldman Sachs and RBS to arrange meetings with investors in the US and Europe.

The bond would be part of a bigger medium-term note programme for Mubadala as it seeks to diversify its funding strategy.

A deal would be a further sign of Abu Dhabi’s attempts to develop its capital markets. Last month, in a rare outing, the government placed $3 billion-worth of five-year and 10-year bonds that garnered huge support. Orders for the transaction reached $11.8 billion, with investors especially attracted to the five-year tranche. Citigroup, Deutsche Bank and JPMorgan acted as lead advisers.

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