But on Sunday in an addendum to the IPO prospectus Aramco said that it had removed any reference to such regulations, which three people familiar with the matter said suggested there would not be any international roadshows to market the shares.
“It was not worth it from their view. If there’s no substantial value or demand why do it and take additional legal risk?,” a banker familiar with the matter told Reuters.
Aramco is yet to name any cornerstone investors in the deal or formally disclose the listing date.
Analysts from banks working on the Riyadh bourse had given a valuation range of $1.2 trillion to $2.3 trillion for Aramco’s IPO and the fall from Crown Prince Mohammed’s original target underscores the challenges facing the company.
The Crown Prince’s reputation was tarnished by the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi last year, while Aramco’s oil plants were targeted in September by attacks which initially halved its output. It has said the strikes will not have a material impact on its business.
“The Aramco IPO valuation of $1.7 trillion could provide room for upside for discerning investors,” said Nirgunan Tiruchelvam, head of consumers equity research at Tellimer.
Aramco is the world’s most profitable company with a planned dividend of $75 billion next year, more than five times larger than the payout by Apple, the biggest of any S&P 500 company.
But it is a bet on the price of oil at a time when global demand is expected to slow from 2025 due to measures to cut greenhouse gas emissions and rising use of electric vehicles.
There is also political risk as the Saudi government, which relies on Aramco for the bulk of its funding, will continue to control the company.
Hit at home
Despite questions abroad, Aramco’s IPO is expected to be a huge hit among Saudis who are being offered 0.5% of the company.
Retail investors have until Nov. 28 to sign up for the IPO while institutional investors can subscribe until Dec. 4.
The Aramco listing is part of a year-end equity market rush, with Alibaba taking orders for a Hong Kong listing that is expected to raise up to $13.4 billion.
The Riyadh listing comes after initial hopes for a 5% IPO on the domestic and international bourses were dashed last year amid debate over valuation and where to list Aramco.
Aramco said the IPO timetable was delayed because it began a process to acquire a 70% stake in petrochemicals maker Saudi Basic Industries Corp.
