Saudi Aramco is to hold its first ever earnings call alongside the release of its 1H results on 12 August. The Saudi state giant has been increasing its transparency with key figures as it prepares for an IPO which is currently slated for 2021. Aramco’s most detailed data release to date came in the 1 April prospectus for a bond to help fund its $69.1bn purchase of 70% of Saudi state petchems firm Sabic (MEES, 5 April).