Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) has successfully completed a placement to institutional investors of 1.25 billion shares in ADNOC Distribution, which are listed and traded on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange. This represents 10% of ADNOC Distribution’s total share capital. With this additional 10% placement, valued at $1 billion, the company’s free float will increase to 20%, contributing to improved liquidity of ADNOC Distribution shares.
At the time of ADNOC Distribution’s initial public offering in 2017, ADNOC conveyed its intention to sell more of its shareholding in ADNOC Distribution to increase the stock’s free float and liquidity on the ADX and provide an attractive investment opportunity, while continuing to hold a majority strategic stake in the company. This transaction is part of ADNOC’s stated strategy and its continued focus on value creation. The placement was priced at AED 2.95 per share, which is 18% above the IPO price of AED 2.50 and represents a 5% discount on the company’s 3-month volume weighted average price. ADNOC will own 80% of ADNOC Distribution’s registered share capital following the placement and continues to see strong and deliverable growth potential in the company.
ADNOC launched this placement due to significant investor demand for ADNOC Distribution stock and has delivered the largest block placement of a publicly listed GCC company to date.
H.E. Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, ADNOC Group CEO, said: “Since its initial public offering in 2017, ADNOC Distribution has continued to deliver on its growth ambitions, introduced a range of new customer-orientated services and enhanced its progressive dividend policy. It has delivered solid business results and demonstrated to customers and investors its resilience and steadfast focus on safe, smart growth. We saw significant investor demand in ADNOC Distribution shares and quickly and efficiently responded through an institutional placement.”
Citigroup Global Markets Limited and First Abu Dhabi Bank PJSC acted as Joint Bookrunners on the transaction. Moelis & Company acted as independent financial advisor to ADNOC.
ADNOC Distribution is a leading fuel distributor and convenience store operator in the United Arab Emirates. As at 30 June 2020, ADNOC Distribution operates 406 retail fuel service stations in the United Arab Emirates and 2 retail fuel service stations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. ADNOC Distribution maintains a strong balance sheet and remains well positioned to expand both its domestic and international portfolio in line with its smart growth strategy. As at 30 June 2020, ADNOC Distribution held AED 2.4 billion in cash and cash equivalents (including term deposits) and AED 2.8 billion in its unutilized revolving credit facilities.
In its Q2 2020 results announcement, ADNOC Distribution confirmed that its 2020 dividend policy is set to continue with an increase of 7.5% in 2020 to AED 2.57 billion, after a 62% increase in the 2019 dividend to AED 2.39 billion. The company expects to pay the first six-month dividend of 2020 (10.285 fils per share) in October of this year, subject to board approval in accordance with the dividend policy. During its General Assembly meeting in March 2020, the company announced an amendment to its dividend policy for 2021 onwards, setting an AED 2.57 billion dividend for 2021 and a dividend equal to at least 75% of distributable profits from 2022 onwards, subject to board approval in accordance with the dividend policy.
