- Venture capital fund appetite could be hit
- Air Arabia stock steadies after disclosure
LONDON: Air Arabia’s disclosure that it was an investor in Abraaj has focused investor attention on other market fallout after the buyout firm filed for voluntary liquidation last week.
Air Arabia shares held steady in Tuesday trading, a day after the stock tanked on the revelation the carrier was exposed to Dubai-based Abraaj.
The Sharjah-based carrier’s shares were slightly higher in afternoon trading, after slumping to an 11-month low on Monday.
It said it had appointed a “team of experts” to ensure the airline’s business interests are protected.
The size and nature of the Air Arabia investment was not disclosed.
“It will reduce the appetite for new venture capital or private equity funds,” said Jaap Meijer, head of equities research at Arqaam Capital.
Abraaj filed for a court-supervised provisional liquidation in the Cayman Islands last week, in a bid to head off petitions by creditors to wind up the firm, following allegations of financial mismanagement.
Abu Dhabi Capital Management, a unit of alternative investment group Abu Dhabi Financial Group, has made a conditional offer to buy Abraaj’s investment management business for $50 million, according to a document reviewed by Reuters.