Latest news with #GlobalSWF
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Analysis: ‘America First' meets ‘Gulf first' in Trump's visit
There's been a steady drumbeat in Gulf state-backed media ahead of US President Donald Trump's visit, with expectations ranging from cautious optimism to what can politely be called wishful thinking. The result will land somewhere in between. Trump is not going to resolve Iran's nuclear deal, recognize a Palestinian state, normalize Saudi-Israeli ties, or break ground on a Trump Tower in Damascus — all of which have been floated by pundits as possible outcomes. Even the latest headline — that Qatar will donate, not sell, a luxurious jet to serve as Air Force One during Trump's presidency and later as his personal aircraft — isn't actually tied to this trip. What is more likely are deals that converge 'America First' alongside Saudi, Qatari, and Emirati priorities. The US will get investment pledges and arms deals. Gulf states will get closer alignment with Washington, along with concessions on technology transfer and nuclear cooperation. There may even be progress on regional security challenges. Gulf militaries are already Western-oriented, so adding new systems and deepening defense ties is an ongoing process. The region's push into artificial intelligence, space, and other advanced technologies is where a new arrangement has to be reached, especially on allowing chip sales to train and run the latest AI models. There are also familial investments at play: Trump companies have partnered with property developers in the region for projects in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, and tokens connected to his crypto project were used for a $2 billion investment in Binance. But on that Qatari jet. Semafor's Shelby Talcott and Ben Smith scooped the details — including interior shots — of the Boeing 747-8. As expected, it's fit for a billionaire sheikh. Qatar donated a similar plane to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The $400 million price tag is shocking: most people aren't allowed to accept gifts from foreign governments worth more than $100. In the context of Qatar's, and the broader Gulf's, deep pockets, it's a rounding error. Gulf sovereign wealth funds have surpassed $4 trillion in assets under management and are expected to reach $7 trillion by 2030, according to industry tracker Global SWF. That's a lot of planes. Qatar's royals own so many jets that a 2015 incident offers some context: when the current emir's father was hospitalized in Switzerland over Christmas, his family and entourage reportedly flew in on nine private jets to visit him. Two jets departed Doha just 15 minutes apart (because plane-pooling isn't a thing.) The aircraft under consideration for Trump isn't used much, presumably because its owner has one, or several, others he prefers. The Gulf is because its leaders won't criticize him, an expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies noted. AI hips will be in focus during the trip: Saudi Arabia and the UAE, both buyers of US chipmaker Nvidia's most advanced semiconductors, are dangling $2 trillion worth of US investments, with discussions on advanced technology high on the agenda.
Arabian Post
09-05-2025
- Business
- Arabian Post
Mubadala's Strategic Shift Spurs Record Capital Deployment Amid AI and Private Equity Focus
Abu Dhabi's Mubadala Investment Company reported a 33.7% surge in capital deployment in 2024, reaching AED 119 billion , positioning it as the most active sovereign wealth fund globally, according to data from Global SWF. This uptick coincided with a 9% year-on-year increase in assets under management , now totaling AED 1.2 trillion , and a five-year annualised return of 10.1%. The fund's intensified investment activity was largely driven by strategic allocations in artificial intelligence , semiconductors, and private equity sectors. Notably, Mubadala's investments in North America nearly doubled, underscoring its confidence in the U.S. market despite prevailing economic uncertainties. In a significant move, Mubadala acquired a 50% stake in MGX, an AI-focused entity that collaborated with BlackRock and Microsoft in a $30 billion AI infrastructure fund. Mubadala's portfolio composition remained relatively stable, with 40% allocated to private equity, 23% to public markets, and 17% to infrastructure and real estate. This allocation reflects a strategic emphasis on sectors poised for long-term growth. The fund also expanded its private credit holdings to $20 billion, aligning with its broader investment strategy. In the healthcare sector, Mubadala finalized the acquisition of an 80% stake in Global Medical Supply Chain and Al Ittihad Drug Store, enhancing its presence in healthcare logistics and pharmaceutical distribution. Additionally, the fund invested in Zelis, a U.S.-based healthcare technology firm, alongside Norwest and HarbourVest. Mubadala's commitment to clean energy was evident through Masdar's acquisition of a 50% stake in the Big Beau combined solar and battery storage project in California. Furthermore, Mubadala Capital announced a $13.5 billion investment in a biofuels project in Brazil, marking a significant step in sustainable energy initiatives. See also UAE Urges India and Pakistan to De-escalate Amid Rising Tensions The fund's strategic partnerships extended to the financial sector, with the acquisition of Fortress Investment Group from SoftBank, following regulatory approval from the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States . This acquisition bolsters Mubadala's position in global credit markets. Mubadala's CEO, Khaldoon Al Mubarak, emphasized the fund's focus on future-oriented sectors, stating that the portfolio is constructed to navigate market cycles and scale sectors such as AI, clean energy, life sciences, semiconductors, and advanced manufacturing, aligning with national priorities. The fund's strategic initiatives also include the establishment of Space42, a space and satellite technology entity formed through the merger of Yahsat and Bayanat, and M42, a tech-enabled healthcare company, both in collaboration with Abu Dhabi's tech group G42. Mubadala's approach to sustainable finance was highlighted by the issuance of its inaugural green bond, aligning with the UAE's commitment to Net Zero by 2050. The fund maintains a conservative gearing ratio of 10.3% and a strong liquidity position, ensuring resilience amid global economic fluctuations. In the realm of private equity, Mubadala Capital raised $3.1 billion for its latest fund, surpassing the initial target of $2 billion. The fund aims to invest between $150 million and $500 million per deal, focusing on acquiring large holdings in private equity markets.
Zawya
01-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
UAE's Mubadala Capital targets sporting assets with $10bln TWG investment deal
The Abu Dhabi sovereign-backed Mubadala Capital is training its sights on investing in sporting assets through a new multi-billion-dollar deal with TWG Global, which will see the UAE asset manager anchor and lead a $10 billion syndicated investment in the US holding company. Sovereign fund tracker Global SWF called the partnership 'a new chapter in global finance' in its news blog, where a private investment firm like TWG was also acquiring a minority stake in a sovereign wealth fund's asset management platform for $2.5 billion, with the aim to increase commitments to another $20 billion of investment capital. TWG's asset portfolio includes brands such as the LA Dodgers, LA Lakers and the Chelsea FC. 'This partnership gives Mubadala indirect ownership exposure to iconic Western sports franchises - a savvy move - amid the rising valuation of global sports assets and the convergence of content, fan engagement, and streaming monetisation,' Global SWF said. 'Through TWG, Mubadala is gaining the sports and leisure exposure that its Saudi peer, the Public Investment Fund (PIF), has had to build from scratch, originating its own direct investments.' Over the past few years, Saudi Arabia's $940 billion sovereign investment fund, PIF, has rapidly emerged as one of most influential sports investors in the world, with money riding on everything from golf, combat sports, to esports and tennis. But the Mubadala Capital-TWG deal calls for a possible shift in the power dynamics that could change the future of the sporting arena, the fund tracker said. 'What's especially compelling is the sectoral overlap between the two entities with TWG Global bringing a portfolio rich in sports franchises, such as the LA Dodgers, Lakers, and Chelsea FC, as well as stakes in Guggenheim Investments and Palantir-related AI ventures. Mubadala Capital, for its part, has been actively acquiring sports media assets and mid-market entertainment companies through its MIC Capital Partners funds,' Global SWF added. In a joint statement, Mubadala Capital and TWG said the deal comes 'amid increasing investor interest in a wide variety of alternative asset classes and cross-border investment opportunities.' Mubadala Capital, a subsidiary of Mubadala Investment Company, manages over $30 billion of assets through its four investment businesses, including private equity, special situations, solutions, and venture capital. According to Global SWF, what makes this partnership even more compelling is TWG's acquisition of a minority stake in Mubadala Capital, signalling a 'reversal of roles' that have previously seen sovereign wealth funds act as limited partners (LPs) in private equity funds, whereby allocating capital to funds managed by groups such as BlackRock, Ardian, or KKR. 'In most previous cases, Mubadala Capital functioned as a GP (general partner) raising capital from LPs like US pensions or sovereign peers, while retaining 100% ownership under its parent, Mubadala Investment Company. TWG's entry as an equity partner in the manager upends that structure,' Global SWF said. 'This structure could be the start of a trend. Sovereign wealth funds are sitting on vast pools of capital but increasingly want to earn fees on top of returns. Mubadala was the first SWF to manage capital for external investors. Now, with TWG's investment, it's also demonstrating that SWFs themselves can become investable businesses.' (Writing by Bindu Rai, editing by Seban Scaria)
Arab News
25-03-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Saudi PIF ranks 2nd globally for sovereign investor activity in Feb. with $3bn in deals
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund ranked as the world's second most active sovereign investor by deal value in February, committing $3 billion in global transactions. Global SWF, a data platform tracking activity in the sector, reported that Canada's public pension fund topped the rankings with a $7 billion deal. The Kingdom's PIF emerged as the most active sovereign wealth fund, completing three overseas deals through its portfolio companies. Globally, sovereign investors executed 22 deals worth a combined $16.5 billion. Alongside PIF and CDPQ, other major players included South Korea's National Pension Service, which committed $1.6 billion to a real estate transaction, and Canada's BCI, with a $1.3 billion infrastructure deal. This surge in cross-border activity highlights a growing trend among sovereign and public investors — particularly those in the Gulf region — to seize emerging global opportunities while hedging against domestic economic fluctuations. Established in 1971, PIF has undergone a dramatic transformation since 2015 under the leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Once a primarily domestic fund, it has evolved into a globally influential SWF managing $925 billion in assets and driving the Kingdom's Vision 2030 agenda. PIF's rapid rise in less than a decade underscores the scale and ambition of Saudi Arabia's investment-led economic diversification strategy. It began 2025 by continuing to expand its global footprint across sectors such as entertainment, aviation, and finance. This acceleration followed a series of strategic shifts during the fourth quarter of 2024, as the fund restructured its portfolio in line with long-term priorities and Vision 2030 goals. According to its latest 13F SEC filing, PIF's US equity holdings stood at $26.71 billion at the end of 2024, marking a 24 percent year-on-year decline. This reflects a more cautious and selective investment stance, as the fund scaled back on consumer-focused positions while pivoting to sectors with perceived long-term resilience. Notably, PIF exited its holdings in Walmart and Marriott while ramping up exposure to healthcare and life sciences, including new or expanded stakes in Thermo Fisher Scientific, Abbott Labs, and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals. It also increased its stake in electric vehicle manufacturer Lucid Motors by $495 million, more than doubled its investment in Amazon, and reduced its exposure to Uber by $1.08 billion — moves that signal a recalibrated strategy emphasizing selectivity and long-term value. Building on this repositioning, PIF took steps in early 2025 to fund domestic giga-projects and extend its international reach. In January, the fund issued a US dollar-denominated bond, sold Thiqah Business Services to Elm for $907 million, and acquired a 23 percent stake in Saudi Re to bolster the Kingdom's insurance sector and financial resilience. In capital markets, PIF made a $200 million anchor investment in the SPDR Saudi bond ETF, launched in January on the London and Frankfurt exchanges. This move aims to internationalize Saudi Arabia's debt market, following similar ETF initiatives in Hong Kong in late 2023 and Tokyo in December 2024, helping deepen the Kingdom's financial links with Asia and beyond. PIF has continued to strengthen its presence in sports and gaming in 2025. Its subsidiary, Savvy Games Group, acquired Niantic's gaming division, including Pokémon Go, for $3.5 billion — marking a major move in mobile and AR gaming. The wealth fund also remains engaged in complex negotiations with the PGA Tour over integrating LIV Golf, a key element in its broader sports investment strategy. In the UK, the fund reaffirmed its long-term commitment to Newcastle United FC through 'Project 2030' and is reportedly exploring a 49 percent stake in Newcastle International Airport, positioning itself to create synergies between its travel and sports portfolios.
South China Morning Post
25-03-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
China to attract more private-equity funds from Middle East and US, Bain & Co says
Private-equity investments in China could be on a stronger recovery path, bolstered by increased capital from the Middle East and adaptive strategies from US funds, according to Bain & Company. Advertisement 'A positive momentum for China could lead to a more positive outlook already in 2025 and 2026,' Sebastien Lamy, co-leader of the Asia-Pacific private-equity practice for the global consultancy, said on Friday, adding that several factors were fuelling a potential recovery. The recent stock market rally triggered by artificial-intelligence start-up DeepSeek 's technological breakthrough had come together with some medium-term trends regarding the China market to improve the outlook, Lamy said. 'Increasingly, we have seen private capital, especially from the Middle East, coming in and starting to fill the private-capital funding gap,' he said. Geopolitical tensions have made some Western private-equity investors more reserved in the world's second-largest economy. But the sentiment was different among Middle Eastern sovereign investors, who accounted for 62 per cent of the investments by sovereign wealth funds in China last year, according to data by Global SWF. Advertisement 'We have started deploying capital in China since 2015 and actually stayed invested in China at the time when a lot of the Western firms pulled out of China and have been accelerating deployment [across] Asia,' Marc Antaki, deputy chief strategy and risk officer of Mubadala Investment, an Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund, said at the Milken Global Investor Symposium in Hong Kong on Monday. In addition, some US-origin funds were adapting their China strategies towards 'less risky and exposed' investments, Lamy said, pointing to examples such as cross-border deals.
