Fitch rates Kingdom’s dollar notes ‘AA-’

Fitch Ratings has assigned Saudi Arabia's $5.5 billion 2.375 percent 2021 senior unsecured notes, $5.5 billion 3.25 percent 2026 senior unsecured notes and $6.5 billion 4.5 percent 2046 notes a final rating of “AA-”. 
The final rating replaces the expected rating that Fitch assigned on Oct. 11, 2016. 
The rating is in line with Saudi Arabia's Long-Term Foreign Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) which was affirmed at “AA-" with a negative outlook on Sept. 1, 2016. 
Commenting on market reaction to the Saudi dollar bonds, John Sfakianakis, director of economics research at the Gulf Research Center, said: “The jumbo deal has been a huge success and a testament to the country's reform agenda to overhaul the economy and reduce its dependence on oil.”
He said: “The debut sale clears the way for more of the expected $100 billion of Saudi offerings between now and 2020, and for other issuers in the region as well.”
James Reeve, deputy chief economist and assistant general manager at Samba Financial Group, commented: “The bond is a very good testament to investors' belief in the Saudi Vision 2030 project.”
Mohamed Ramady,  London-based economist, commented: “The mega bond debut represents both an opportunity and a challenge.”  
Mushtak Parker, independent London-based economist and financial writer with a special interest in Saudi Arabia, said: The sovereign fixed income market in the GCC will never be the same again after this Saudi issuance.”

Source: Arab News