Dubai’s ALEC aims for Dhs7bn valuation in highly anticipated IPO

Core Viewpoint - ALEC Holdings PJSC is launching an initial public offering (IPO) on the Dubai Financial Market, marking a significant step for the company and the region's construction sector [3][18] Company Overview - ALEC is a diversified engineering and construction group based in Dubai, UAE, and is recognized as one of the largest construction groups in the region [3][18] - The IPO aims to unify private-sector momentum and public investment under a cohesive capital strategy [3] IPO Details - The price range for the IPO is set between Dhs1.35 and Dhs1.40 per share, leading to a market capitalization of Dhs6.75 billion ($1.84 billion) to Dhs7 billion ($1.91 billion) at listing [3][4] - The offering consists of 1 billion shares, representing 20% of ALEC's total share capital, with an offering size between Dhs1.35 billion ($368 million) and Dhs1.40 billion ($381 million) [4] - All shares offered are existing shares, with no new capital being raised by ALEC [4] Shareholder Structure - Post-IPO, the Investment Corporation of Dubai (ICD) will retain an 80% stake in ALEC, maintaining majority control [5] - The IPO is viewed as a strategic monetization of government-backed assets while ensuring long-term control [6] Dividend Policy - ALEC has established a clear dividend policy, projecting a cash dividend of Dhs500 million, which implies a dividend yield of 7.1% to 7.4% based on the IPO price range [7][8] - A cash dividend of Dhs200 million is planned for April 2026, followed by a larger dividend of Dhs500 million for the financial year ending December 31, 2026 [7] Investor Tranches - The IPO is structured into three investor tranches: 1. Individual subscribers (5% of total shares) for retail investors [9] 2. Professional investors (94% of total shares) targeting qualified institutional investors [10] 3. Eligible employees (1% of total shares) for ALEC and ICD employees [11] Timeline and Regulatory Aspects - Subscription opens on September 23, 2025, and closes on September 30, 2025, with the final offer price announced on October 1, 2025, and expected listing on October 15, 2025 [15] - The IPO is subject to market conditions and regulatory approvals from the UAE's Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) and Dubai Financial Market (DFM) [12] Stability Measures - The IPO includes lock-up provisions to ensure market stability, with a stabilisation mechanism in place for up to 100 million Offer Shares [13][16] Shariah Compliance - The offering has received Shariah compliance certification, enhancing its appeal to Islamic investors and aligning with regional investor preferences [14] Advisory and Banking Support - A consortium of financial institutions, including Emirates NBD Capital PSC and P. Morgan Securities PLC, is supporting the IPO [17][19]