SWF Radar

Thomson Reuters has published a factbox on Barclays’ major investors.

Bloomberg reports that, “Barclays Plc, the bank that opted out of a plan to sell shares to the U.K. government, will have Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, a member of Abu Dhabi’s royal family, as its biggest investor.”

Euromoney writes (subscription required) that, “The credit crisis could leave in its wake rich pickings for Middle East sovereign wealth funds. But what about private-equity-style government groups that rely more on leverage to fund their investments? Some observers now expect substantially less noise in the international markets from such operations as Istithmar, which is part of state-owned conglomerate Dubai World; and Dubai International Capital (DIC), which is part of another conglomerate, Dubai Holding. Even Qatar Investment Authority, a more conventional sovereign wealth fund, will be slightly more subdued, according to some analysts, as its investment model includes leveraged buyouts.”

The China Economic Quarterly, in an article in the Financial Times, discusses research by Brad Setser on China’s stockpile of foreign assets, writing that, “[It] is actually much larger and growing far faster than official foreign exchange reserve figures would suggest - a situation that demands a decisive shift in policy both to keep the country’s finances on track and to dampen international criticism of Beijing’s growing financial muscle.”

TechCrunch reports that, “Sources have told us that Facebook CFO Gideon Yu was in Dubai this week, possibly meeting with Dubai International Capital, exploring fundraising options. U.S. investors, including VCs and hedge funds, aren't interested or aren't able to invest at the valuation Facebook expects. That leaves Sovereign Wealth Funds as the only viable funding solution.”

The National reports that, “The ‘exuberant’ days of architectural design in Dubai could be in decline as financing becomes more difficult and the property market matures, two leading architects said [on Wednesday].”

Bloomberg reports that, “A New York federal judge blocked Argentina from transferring out of the U.S. investments held by its pension funds, granting a request by bondholders holding a $553 million judgment against the South American country.”

Gulf News has published an interview with Mohammad Ali Al Hashimi, executive chairman of Zabeel Investments.

The Financial Times reports that, “Barclays was Thursday night close to securing a capital injection worth around £6bn from Middle Eastern governments, including Qatar and Abu Dhabi, in a move that will allow the UK bank to boost its balance sheet without turning to the British state for cash. Barclays executives were last night finalising the terms of the capital increase with investors including the Qatar Investment Authority and an Abu Dhabi-based sovereign wealth fund.”

It adds that, “Barclays also held detailed discussions with Libya’s sovereign wealth fund about participating in the fundraising. Late last night, however, the likelihood of the Libyan Investment Authority participating in the deal appeared to have receded.”

The Abu Dhabi-based fund is not identified.

UPDATE (October 31): The Telegraph reports that the Abu Dhabi-based fund is the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA).

Thomson Reuters reports that, “France’s strategic fund aimed at protecting domestic industries through the financial markets crisis will be set up in three weeks’ time, President Nicolas Sarkozy said Thursday.”

It adds that, “The Caisse des Depots et Consignations, a publicly owned savings bank at the heart of the state’s financial operations in the economy, will manage the fund.”