Britain seeks looser IPO rules to lure Saudi Aramco float

London

BRITAIN wants to loosen rules on listing state companies, a move that critics say is designed to help London win the lucrative IPO of Saudi Arabian oil giant Saudi Aramco but could weaken minority investor influence.

The new rules proposed by Britain's financial watchdog on Thursday would create a new listing category for companies controlled by sovereign states and come as exchanges around the world are vying to win the Aramco listing, which is expected to be the largest initial public offering (IPO) ever. But the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) proposals are likely to spark criticism from British fund managers, who have already expressed concerns about Aramco's governance.