Saudi Arabia’s Real Estate Sector: Growth and Investment
April 2025
Saudi Arabia’s real estate sector is experiencing significant growth, influenced by Vision 2030, foreign investment reforms, and multinational corporations (MNCs) establishing regional headquarters.
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IPO boom continues – a “Shining Armor” in GCC Equities Investing
April 2025
With more than 80 successful IPOs (2021-24) across GCC main exchanges, primary market activity has been robust and generally rewarding for investors.
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The Rise of Alternative Investments in the GCC
April 2025
The investment landscape in the GCC is undergoing a transformation, with alternative investments playing an increasingly critical role in institutional portfolios.
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Spotlight on SICO’s Fixed Income Solutions
April 2025
The fixed income markets have experienced a fascinating journey over the past twelve months, characterized by significant fluctuations in interest rates that reflect the evolving outlook for inflation and job growth.
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GCC Markets Outlook
April 2025
Coming at the heels of an 11% growth last year, we expect GCC listed companies to post an earnings growth of ca.10% in 2025 supporting equity market returns.
Learn MoreIPOs – A key opportunity for investors but certain pitfalls should be avoided
July 2024 by Nishit Lakhotia
Initial Public offerings (IPOs) provide an opportunity for smaller investors to participate in the growth of the broader economy and are an effective tool to diversify wealth for investors. Participating in IPOs can not only help build wealth over the long term, but also given the dividend centric approach by issuers, it can also help generate regular income.
GCC Equities Outlook 2024
February 2024 by Nishit Lakhotia
GCC Equities market had a strong FY23 with four of the seven exchanges ending in green, led by Dubai which returned c.28%.
Interview with SICO Capital’s New CEO, Bassam Noor
February 2024 by Bassam Noor
Can you tell us a bit about your career in the region prior to joining SICO Capital?
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Q&A with Hamda Almajed
June 2023 by Hamda Almajed
We spoke to Hamda Almajed about her role as Senior Broker at SICO
Saudi Insurance Sector – A GCC Success Story
June 2023, Opinion Editorial by Waruna Kumarage
In a remarkable start for 2023, global stock markets have moved up appreciably, defying recessionary fears. In the GCC, the largest regional market followed suit, becoming the second top performing market in the region.
Add a Global Touch to Your Portfolio
December 2022, Opinion Editorial by Salman AlSairafi
SICO’s Head of Global Markets, Salman AlSairafi, explores the potential benefits of expanding your investments in the global market.
Q&A with Reem AlBarri
December 2022 by Reem AlBarri
We spoke to research analyst Reem AlBarri about what it’s like at SICO Research
It’s Shaping Up to be a Volatile Year with the Triple Challenge of Inflation, Rate Hikes and War
June 2022, Analysis by Ali Marshad
SICO’s Head of Fixed Income Asset Management, Ali Marshad, takes an analytical look at rising global inflation, the impact of multiple FED rate hikes and the effect of the lingering war in the Ukraine on regional markets.
Fueling the IPO Engine
November 2021 by Nitin Garg
Strong gains in equity markets over the past year, coupled with ample liquidity in the financial system, has led to a sharp rise in initial public offerings (IPOs) as of late. IPO-bound companies are in a race to make hay while the sun shines on the back of favorable investor sentiment, an improved economic outlook, and abundant liquidity. Typically, bull markets first start in secondary equities and after a span of around a year or so, fuel a boom in IPO issuances. We are at about 12-15 months into this bull market and the number of IPO offerings is encouraging to say the least.
GCC capital markets hope for watershed year
October 2021
Two years after the listing of shares in Saudi Aramco made headlines around the world, Middle Eastern equity markets are once again in the spotlight. With Covid-19 lockdowns and a collapse in oil prices, 2020 was the slowest year since 2016 for new listings on primary bourses in the Arabian Gulf, with just six companies coming to market across the region, according to data compiled by PwC.
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The Next Step Towards More Liquid GCC Markets
Septmber 2021 by Fadhel Maklooq
Stock market liquidity can be broadly defined as the ability to execute large volumes of trading with ease and without disrupting or causing price volatility. Liquidity also leads to price discovery and enables fair valuations of listed securities..
The Case for Privatizing Government Assets in the Region
September 2020 by Wissam Haddad
SICO's Head of Investment Banking shares his views on privatization across the GCC region.
Are the Equity Markets Overheating – What does the Bimetallic Strip say ?
July 2021 by Chiro Gosh
Chiro Gosh, Vice President of Financial Institutions Research at SICO, examines whether equity markets are overheating by applying the concept of the bimetallic strip commonly used to examine the impact of thermal stress on metals.
SICO Webinar “GCC Markets: Investment Themes & Market Dynamics in the Time of COVID”
July 2020, Webinar
SICO Conducted a webinar titled ‘GCC Markets: Investment Themes & Market Dynamics in the Time of COVID’. Participating in the webinar, were SICO’s Najla Al-Shirawi, CEO and Nishit Lakhotia, Head of Research and was hosted by Dalma Capital Founder and CEO Zachary Cefaratti, In attendance were 380 individuals, including investors, business owners and finance professionals, among others.
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Investing in the Midst of a Global Pandemic
July 2020, Opinion Editorial
There is no denying that the Coronavirus pandemic is turning out to be the crisis of the century and it is negatively impacting economies, businesses and individuals across the globe but that does not mean that opportunities will cease to exist.
Breaking the Rules
July 2020 By CEO Magazine
SICO CEO Najla Al Shirawi is throwing the rule book out the window and preparing to expand the bank’s offering to outside Bahrain.
Q&A with Mariam Isa – SICO’s Head of Brokerage
June 2020, Newsletter
I started my career at SICO as a fresh graduate. Throughout my time at the bank I have developed my career and gained immeasurable professional skills. The mentorship and support I have received along with the experiences I have gained working alongside my colleagues have equipped me with the tools and skills I need to help me navigate my role as SICO’s Head of Brokerage.
Q&A: Mohamed Ibrahim, Head of Information Technology
June 2020 by Mohammed Ibrahim
Mohamed Ibrahim, SICO’s Head of IT discusses the importance of digitalization during the pandemic and SICO’s technological capabilities in this interview.
Banker Magazine features SICO's Wissam Haddad's thoughts on Consolidation in the GCC Banking Sector
March 2020 By Banker Magazine
SICO’s Head of Investment banking and Real Estate , Wissam Haddad , featured in Banker Magazine article on consolidation in the GCC banking sector.
Banking Consolidation and the Path to Stronger Capital Markets
January 2020 By Wissam Haddad
SICO Head of Investment Banking and Real Estate, Wissam Haddad, discusses the impact of mergers and acquisitions in the GCC banking sector on capital markets.
Q&A With SICO's New Head of Market Making
Radius, May 2019 Newsletter, Q&A
SICO Head of Market Making discusses the importance of the market making function and encourages more women to pursue careers in finance.
A Gradual Return to Confidence
Radius, May 2019 Newsletter, Viewpoint
SICO CEO, Najla Al Shirawi shares her views on the gradual return to confidence. Learn More
CO CEO, Najla Al Shirawi shares her views on the gradual return to confidence.
It’s All About Timing
February 2019 By Nishit Lakhotia
As all eyes are on the Gulf states poised to attract significant amounts of foreign capital ahead of Index inclusion.
Saudi Arabia on RECHARGE
July 2018 By Nishit Lakhotia
There are eight, equally important reasons for investors to be bullish about Saudi Arabia. RECHARGE, an acronym, adequately sums up the key initiatives and current dynamics which are reshaping the largest economy across the Middle East and North Africa.
The Public vs. Private Debate
Radius, May 2018 Newsletter, Viewpoint
SICO CEO, Najla Al Shirawi shares her views on the advantages of growing regional equity markets.
Enhancing Appeal
Oxford Business Group, The Bahrain Report 2018, Capital Markets Interview
SICO CEO, Najla Al Shirawi, talks to OBG on the need for bigger free float and diversity on the Bahrain Bourse.
SICO's Wissam Haddad on listing boost for Bahrain-domiciled real estate investment trusts in Bahrain Banker Magazine
September 2015 by Bahrain Banker
SICO’s Head of Investment Banking and Real Estate, Wissam Haddad, explores the impact of the new rules allowing for the listing of the real estate investment trusts on the Bahrain Bourse.