IHS Markit, Tadawul launch local currency Sukuk Indices

London -based IHS Market ,a service provider of critical information, analytics and solutions, is collaborating with the Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul) and has announced today the launch of the iBoxx Tadawul SAR Government Sukuk Index, a riyal-denominated index aimed at tracking the performance of Saudi government Sukuks.

“The Kingdom’s inclusion in key international equity indices has paved the way for Tadawul to further strengthen its equity market. As we continue to emerge as a vibrant market, our fixed income securities require similar tools that can support riyal-denominated Sukuks and bonds,” said Khalid Al Hussan, CEO, Tadawul. “Working with IHS Markit creates an opportunity to jointly develop benchmarks and other data-driven services that facilitate access to the opportunities present in the Saudi markets.”

The index is said to be the first of a series of benchmarks for Saudi government Sukuks to be created using Tadawul’s market data and the bond pricing expertise of IHS Markit. Designed to support the development of local financial products, it has been selected by Saudi ETF issuer Alinma Investment as the benchmark for a new ETF that will be listed on Tadawul.

“Tadawul is the cornerstone of capital markets in the region, and we are excited to jointly develop independent benchmarks for the Saudi Sukuk market,” said Sophia Dancygier, Head of Indices, IHS Markit. “Our shared goals are to advance transparency in the Saudi capital market and serve the investment needs of financial institutions domestically and internationally.”

The iBoxx Tadawul SAR Government Sukuk Index provides broad coverage of fixed coupon riyal-denominated government Sukuk with a minimum outstanding value of SAR 100 million. IHS Markit will calculate the index’s daily value utilising its independent global bond pricing service.

Courtesy by:https://ibsintelligence.com/