Tokushima Worldwide - Qatar Sells Its Barclays Warrants.

Tokushima Worldwide: The sovereign investment fund of Qatar has said it has monetized its warrant holdings in Barclays Plc.

New Jersey (I-Newswire) January 10, 2013 - In a recent investors meeting Tokushima Worldwide announced that Qatar Holding LLC confirmed that it had cashed in its remaining 379 million warrants in Barclays, while maintaining its existing 814 million odd ordinary shares, or 6.65 percent holding in the bank, and remaining the single largest shareholder. The warrants are worth around STG £771 million (US$1.24 billion).

In October of 2008, Barclays announced a plan to seek £7 billion in capital investment in order to avoid a bailout from the government, with the likes of the Qatar and Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth funds being amongst the most likely investors. Since then Barclays, share price has risen by 42 percent.

Tokushima Worldwide reportedly conveyed to investors that Goldman Sachs Group and Deutsche Bank are also looking at coordinating the placement of some 303 million Barclay’s shares, to be offered to institutional investors for between 244 and 248 pence Sterling per share.

Ahmad Al-Sayed, the CEO of Qatar Holding, said in a statement that they remain a supportive strategic investor in Barclays, and maintain their confidence in the long-term prospects for the business.

Qatar Holding received the warrants alongside the second of those capital calls by Barclays shortly after the collapse of Lehman Brothers.

“It can be tough selling these kind of trades into a weak environment,” said one equity capital markets banker who did not bid on the placing. “But the markets got a little spooked with this one.”

Tokushima Worldwide are believed to have affirmed to investors that Barclays Chief Executive Officer Antony Jenkins in public a statement said Barclays welcomed Qatar Holding’s message of confidence in its long term prospects and continues to appreciate the consistent support it has received since Qatar Holding became its largest shareholder.