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- Gulf Funds Back $108B Paramount Bid; Al-Khayyat Brothers Expand $7B London Portfolio and $4B Syria Push
Gulf Funds Back $108B Paramount Bid; Al-Khayyat Brothers Expand $7B London Portfolio and $4B Syria Push
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
Happy Thursday everyone!
Warner Bros. Discovery has reopened talks with Paramount Skydance on a USD108 bn offer backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, Qatar Investment Authority and Abu Dhabi’s L’imad Holding Company, which are contributing USD24 bn in non voting equity, as shareholders prepare to vote March 20 on a rival Netflix merger that carries a USD2.8 bn break fee. Separately, Qatari Syrian billionaires Moutaz and Ramez Al-Khayyat, whose family wealth is estimated above USD7 bn, continue expanding their prime Mayfair and Knightsbridge holdings after a EUR40 Mn London asset sale, while UCC Holding leads a $4 billion Damascus airport redevelopment and Baladna advances a USD250 Mn Syria investment.
Markets
EGX 30 | 52,222.34 | 0.75% |
DFMGI | 6702.03 | Closed |
ADX | 10,755.36 | 1.24% |
Tadawul | 11,155.45 | 0.52% |
Gulf Capital Returns to the Table in $108 Billion Battle for Warner Bros. Discovery
What Is It About?
Warner Bros. Discovery has reopened negotiations with Paramount Skydance, reviving a takeover contest that now directly competes with its existing merger agreement with Netflix. Paramount’s $108 billion proposal is backed by the Public Investment Fund, Qatar Investment Authority, and Abu Dhabi’s L’imad Holding Company. The Gulf investors are contributing roughly $24 billion in non voting equity to limit US regulatory friction. Talks are confined to a seven day window, with Paramount reportedly ready to raise its offer to $31 per share.
Why It Matters?
The renewed bid underscores Gulf sovereign wealth funds’ growing influence in global media consolidation. A successful counteroffer would reshape Hollywood ownership dynamics while testing US scrutiny of foreign backed capital in strategic entertainment assets.
What’s Next?
Shareholders vote on the Netflix deal March 20. If Paramount prevails, it must cover a $2.8 billion termination fee plus refinancing costs. Analysts expect intense negotiations before a potential best and final offer emerges.
From Mayfair to Damascus, the Al-Khayyat Brothers Expand a $7 Billion Global Empire
What Is It About?
Qatari Syrian billionaires Moutaz Al-Khayyat and Ramez Al-Khayyat have built a prime London real estate portfolio across Mayfair and Knightsbridge, including the former Naval Club site sold for £40 million in 2023. Bloomberg estimates the family’s net worth above $7 billion. Their holdings span construction, healthcare, tourism and dairy through entities including Estithmar Holding and Baladna.
Why It Matters?
The brothers’ strategy blends trophy UK assets with influence across Gulf industry. As Syria reopens to capital, their early positioning signals how regional conglomerates may shape reconstruction financing and infrastructure control.
What’s Next?
Their UCC Holding is leading a $4 billion redevelopment of Damascus International Airport, while Baladna plans a $250 million Syrian investment. Estithmar is also preparing bank acquisitions, deepening financial exposure as geopolitical risks remain fluid.
Prince Alwaleed’s $9.2 Billion Bet on Elon Musk’s Expanding Empire
What Is It About
Saudi investor Prince Alwaleed bin Talal now holds roughly $9.2 billion across Elon Musk’s companies, including X, xAI, SpaceX, and Starlink, via Kingdom Holding Company. A $130 million Twitter investment in 2011 evolved into a $1.9 billion rollover when Musk acquired the platform for $44 billion in 2022, making Alwaleed X’s second largest shareholder.
Why It Matters
The scale of exposure ties Saudi capital directly to Musk’s fast expanding technology ecosystem. With SpaceX acquiring xAI in a deal valuing the combined entity at $1.25 trillion, Alwaleed’s stake sits at the intersection of AI, space infrastructure and digital platforms.
What’s Next
Beyond tech, Alwaleed is reportedly finalising a $2 billion deal to fully acquire Al Hilal Saudi Football Club, broadening his footprint across sport and entertainment as Saudi Arabia accelerates its global investment strategy.
🦄 World of Startups
Mersal Media Capital secures $1.3 million in first funding round
Dubai-based Antoine Kanaan’s Haqq AI, a legal-tech platform, raised $3M.
Notion Expands into Middle East with Launch of Arabic Support
Wio Bank Partners with Pine Labs to Revolutionise UAE Payment Processing
Vennre Secures $9.6M to Democratise Wealth-Building in Saudi Arabia
Jeel and Ripple Join Forces to Revolutionise Saudi Payments with Blockchain
👨💻From Smashi Business’ Desk
Binghatti Chairman Meets Justin Trudeau as Developer Expands Global Footprint
Syrian Founder Yasmeen Jisri’s Bake My Day Lands Major Dove Collaboration
Beauty mogul Mona Kattan is using her platform for good, calling on millions of followers to help support Iran.
Emmy-winning Palestinian journalist Bisan Owda says TikTok has permanently banned her account.
Dubai-born Noon smartly turns the viral penguin into a delivery hero
🔍In other news…
Emirates CFO Stepping Down as Group Shuffles Top Executives
Bloomberg feature: The Billionaire Brothers Betting on Syria’s Reconstruction
Egyptian Stocks Soar as Investors Take Note of Economic Renewal
Arab Energy Fund secures $346m for Iraq oilfield expansion
🗓️ Plan Your Events (March-April 2026)
UAE
31 March - 2 April (Tuesday-Thursday): Arab Media Summit, Dubai.
26-28 March (Thursday-Saturday): Social Capital Conference, Dubai.
7-9 April (Tuesday-Thursday): Future Health Summit, Adnec Center Abu Dhabi.
13-15 April (Monday-Wednesday): AIM Congress, Dubai World Trade Center.
14-16 April: (Tuesday-Thursday): the International Property Show, Dubai World Trade Center.
Saudi Arabia
13-16 April (Monday-Thursday): Leap Tech Conference, Riyadh Exhibition & Convention Center - Malham.
20-22 April (Monday-Wednesday): Sports Investment Forum (SIF), Riyadh
Egypt
30 March – 1 April (Monday-Wednesday): Egypt International Energy Conference and Exhibition (EGYPES).
