Abu Dhabi, 31 May 2022: Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) announced today the secondary listing of GFH Financial Group B.S.C. (GFH or the Group).  The listing is set to further expand GFH’s investor base and enhance liquidity in its shares amid increased regional and international participation on the exchange.

To mark the occasion, ADX Managing Director and CEO, Saeed Hamad Al Dhaheri, and GFH’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Hisham Alrayes, rang the market-opening bell at ADX, where the Group’s shares began trading under the symbol “GFH”.

This is GFH’s fourth regional listing with its shares already listed and actively traded on the Bahrain Bourse, Boursa Kuwait and the Dubai Financial Market. The listing comes as GFH undergoes continued expansion and transformational growth having recently partnered with SQ Asset Management Company in the USA, completed the acquisition of logistic warehouses with assets of more than US$2 billion and spun out infrastructure and real estate assets. Currently, the Group has over US$15 billion of assets and funds under management including a global portfolio of investments in logistics, healthcare, education and technology in the MENA region, Europe and North America. This includes new investments of more than US$2 billion over the past 12 months alone.

The listing of GFH on ADX brings the number of dual listings on the exchange to four. Shares of Ooredoo, Sudan Telecom Group and Oman and Emirates Investment Holding Company also have secondary listings on the exchange.

Commenting on the listing, Managing Director and CEO of ADX, Saeed Al Dhaheri, said: “As part of our ‘ADX One‘ strategy to promote greater market liquidity, we have been actively encouraging listings on our dynamic capital market and forging deeper ties with regional markets, including the Bahrain Bourse. The pipeline for IPOs and listings on our Main Market and Growth Market remains strong for the remainder of the year, a testament to our strength and resilience amid global market volatility.”

Mr. Hisham Alrayes, GFH’s Group Chief Executive Officer stated: “GFH is delighted to celebrate another landmark achievement for the Group with our listing on ADX. This is a strategic move supporting our expansion and enhancing our financial position and funding for the next phase of growth. With our listing, we continue to broaden our shareholder base and increase our reach and visibility among key global and regional investors. Importantly, we also underscore the strong demand for GFH’s shares and the market and investor confidence that exists in the Group, our performance and prospects.”

During the first quarter of 2022, ADX recorded an 87% year-on-year increase in the value of total trades made in the first quarter of 2022.  Traded values (buy + sell) on the exchange rose to AED 202 billion in Q1 2022 from AED 108 billion in Q1 2021. Meanwhile, the market value of shares owned by foreign investors in Q1 2022 jumped 163% to AED 131 billion from AED 50 billion in Q1 2021.

GFH was advised on the cross listing by First Abu Dhabi Bank as its listing advisor and Al Tamimi & Company as its legal advisor.

 

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About GFH Financial Group B.S.C.:

GFH is one of the most recognised financial groups in the Gulf region. Its businesses include Asset Management, Commercial Banking and Treasury and Proprietary investments. The Group’s operations are focused in the GCC, North Africa and India. GFH is listed in Bahrain Bourse, Boursa Kuwait and Dubai Financial Market. its most recent listing is on ADX. For more information, please visit www.gfh.com

 

About Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange:

Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) was established on November 15 of the year 2000 by Local Law No. (3) Of 2000, the provisions of which vest the market with a legal entity of autonomous status, independent finance and management.  The Law also provides ADX with the necessary supervisory and executive powers to exercise its functions. On 17th March 2020, ADX was converted from a “Public Entity” to a “Public Joint Stock Company PJSC” pursuant to law No. (8) of 2020. ADX is part of ADQ, one of the region’s largest holding companies with a broad portfolio of major enterprises spanning key sectors of Abu Dhabi’s diversified economy.

ADX is a market for trading securities; including shares issued by public joint stock companies, bonds issued by governments or corporations, exchange traded funds, and any other financial instruments approved by the UAE Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA).

ADX is the second largest market in the Arab region and its strategy of providing stable financial performance with diversified sources of incomes is aligned with the guiding principles of the UAE “Towards the next 50” agenda. The national plan charts out the UAE’s strategic development scheme which aims to build a sustainable, diversified and high-value added economy that positively contributes to transition to a new global sustainable development paradigm.

For more information, please contact:

 

ADX

Abdulrahman Saleh ALKhateeb

Manager of Corporate Communication & Digital Marketing

Mobile: +971 (50) 668 9733

Email: ALKhateebA@adx.ae

 

Brunswick Group

Mahmoud Kassem

Associate

Mobile: +971 (56) 177 0899

Email: mkassem@brunswickgroup.com