In syndicated loans, GCC-based borrower loans for H1 2019 totaled $30.85 billion, which is a 41.1% decrease compared to H1 2018, Bloomberg said Tuesday in its H1 2019 EMEA Capital Markets Tables report, representing the top arrangers, bookrunners and advisors across various deals including syndicated loans, bonds, equity and M&A transactions. UAE-based borrowers syndicated loan volume increased by 10.2%, compared to H1 2018, up to $20.46 billion. Saudi Arabia-based borrowers syndicated loan volumes decreased by 76%, compared to H1 2018, down to $6.85 billion. The number of local banks in the top 10 GCC bookrunner ranking increased to five banks in H1 2019 from none in the same period last year; First Abu Dhabi Bank, Emirates NBD, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, Dubai Islamic Bank and Mashreq Bank rank 1st, 4th, 6th, 8th and 10th, respectively. In international sukuk, the total volume of sukuk issuances in H1 2019 totaled $13.86 billion, which is a 22.9% increase compared to H1 2018. The number of local GCC banks in the top 5 international sukuk underwriters ranking increased to three banks in H1 2019 from one in same period last year; Kuwait Finance House, Dubai Islamic Bank and First Abu Dhabi Bank rank 3rd, 4th and 5th respectively. Standard Chartered ranked first while HSBC ranked second. In bonds and sukuk, total GCC volume decreased by 3.8% compared to H1 2018, down to $ 53.97 billion. GCC conventional bond issuances decreased by 5.8% while GCC sukuk volume increased by 8.8% compared to H1 2018. Standard Chartered Bank remained as the top GCC bonds and sukuk underwriter for H1 2019, after ending 2018 at the same position. Bloomberg's league tables are a one-stop shop for constant and timely access to the most comprehensive information available on capital markets representation. — SG
