stc mulls stock flotation for IT solutions and services subsidiary

Logo of solutions by stc

Saudi Telecom Company (stc) is considering an initial public offer (IPO) for its 100%-owned subsidiary, Arabian Internet and Communications Services Company (solutions by stc), on the Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul), the telco said in a bourse filing today, Jan. 26, 2021.

The Kingdom-based solutions by stc provides core ICT services, IT managed services and digital services.

The telecom major is currently conducting a detailed feasibility study to cover all organizational, financial and technical aspects to determine the IPO’s possibility.

It is also evaluating the extent to which this offering would support the company’s strategy and the potential value addition to the company and shareholders.

Further, the IPO decision of solutions by stc is subject to completing the necessary regulatory procedures and obtaining approvals from the relevant authorities, the statement added.

The company will announce any material developments in due course.

Last October, Reuters reported that stc hired HSBC, Morgan Stanley and the investment banking arm of National Commercial Bank (NCB) to arrange a potential initial sale of shares in solutions by stc.

The subsidiary’s valuation is estimated at around SAR 9 billion ($2.4 billion), and the IPO size could be around SAR 1.87 billion ($500 million) if the company sells 20%, the report said.