ABU DHABI: Mubadala Investment Company has teamed up with the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) to take a major stake in Russia’s biggest fitness group.
The consortium that also includes other regional investment funds has taken a 22.5 percent stake in Russian Fitness Group, which manages the largest chain of fitness clubs in Russia under the ‘World Class’ brand.
The consortium acquired the stake from VTB Capital. It comes as Moscow increasingly promotes healthy living in a country where heart disease accounts for more than two thirds of all deaths according to the World Health Organization.
“Together we will create the conditions needed to improve the quality of life,” said Kirill Dmitriev, CEO of RDIF. “Through both this project and the mixed martial arts company UFC Russia, which was established in partnership with Mubadala, RDIF is promoting the development and popularization of sports in Russia. ”
RDIF is Russia’s sovereign wealth fund and Mubadala is similarly focused on boosting the wealth of Abu Dhabi. Mubadala is active in 13 sectors and more than 30 countries around the world,.
Russian Fitness Group operates World Class and World Class Lite fitness clubs chains. Today World Class is the largest fitness corporation in Russia operating 39 own and 46 franchised clubs in 34 cities.
Abu Dhabi's Mubadala flexes muscles in Russia
Abu Dhabi's Mubadala flexes muscles in Russia
- Abu Dhabi fund invests in Russia's biggest gym chain
- Mubadala controls assets estimated to be worth $226 billion
Closing Bell: Saudi main index closes in red at 10,847
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index dipped on Wednesday, losing 58.51 points, or 0.54 percent, to close at 10,847.93.
The total trading turnover of the benchmark index was SR3.78 billion ($1 billion), as 73 of the listed stocks advanced, while 187 retreated.
The MSCI Tadawul Index decreased, down 7.09 points or 0.48 percent, to close at 1,472.98.
The Kingdom’s parallel market Nomu lost 178.75 points, or 0.77 percent, to close at 22,916.83. This comes as 30 of the listed stocks advanced, while 37 retreated.
The best-performing stock was the Power and Water Utility Co. for Jubail and Yanbu, with its share price surging by 8.47 percent to SR31.24.
Other top performers included Saudi Paper Manufacturing Co., which saw its share price rise by 6.13 percent to SR53.70, and Jamjoom Pharmaceuticals Factory Co., which saw a 4.58 percent increase to SR137.
On the downside, the worst performer of the day was CHUBB Arabia Cooperative Insurance Co., whose share price fell by 5.14 percent to SR17.53.
Saudi Kayan Petrochemical Co. and Arabian Internet and Communications Services Co. also saw declines, with their shares dropping by 4.87 percent and 4.43 percent to SR4.88 and SR181.40, respectively.
On the announcement front, Saudi Kayan Petrochemical Co. announced its annual financial results for 2025, with sales dropping 3.06 percent year-on-year to SR8.45 billion. The company also recorded a net loss of SR893.86 million.
In a Tadawul statement, the company said the net loss and decline in annual sales were driven by a drop in average selling prices, despite higher sales volumes.
