Saudi Aramco’s Valuation Could Top $1 Trillion After Tax Cut

  • Lower tax to boost Aramco net income by 300 percent: Bernstein
  • Kingdom aims to enhance oil giant’s investor appeal before IPO

Aramco's Tax Rate Slashed From 85% to 50%

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Saudi Aramco could have a market value of more than $1 trillion in an initial public offering after the government slashed the oil producer’s tax burden to attract investors, analysts at Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. and Rystad Energy AS said.

The tax cut will increase Aramco’s after-tax income by 300 percent, allowing for higher cash returns to shareholders and giving the company, known officially as Saudi Arabian Oil Co., a potential market value of $1 trillion to $1.5 trillion, Bernstein analysts said in a report. Rystad Energy increased its valuation of Aramco by 250 percent to $1.4 trillion, assuming a long-term oil price of $75 a barrel.