First Vinci, then Hochtief - what next for the Qataris?

So, the Qataris have raised almost a EURO 1 billion in the last week by selling stakes in European construction companies Vinci and Hochtief.

This begs the question: why is the sovereign wealth fund selling given it has been a buyer of European assets in recent years?

Qatar disposes of Hochtief stake; what next for the sovereign wealth fund?

The Qataris sold a slug of French construction company Vinci last week.

Tonight, the gulf state's sovereign wealth fund decided to offload 7 million shares in Hochtief, the German construction company.

Qatar sells Vinci stake; what next for the sovereign wealth fund?

This evening it emerged Qatar is selling 1.1pc of French construction company Vinci to raise around EURO 380 million - and the move is causing quite the frisson in London markets.

Why? Well, the Qataris own big stakes in Glencore and Volkswagen, so market participants are speculating the gas rich gulf country will use the cash from the Vinci sale to finance (potential?) equity fundraisings from both these beleaguered companies.