Saudi billionaire takes stake in Snap

Saudi Arabian Prince Alwaleed bin Talal in 2013

Saudi billionaire Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal has taken a 2.3% stake in Snap, buying $250m (£194m) worth of shares in the social media company.

The investment came as the company struggles to build investor confidence in its Snapchat messaging service.

The number of daily active users fell 2% in the most recent quarter to 188 million, from 191 million at the end of March.

The firm also faces competition for digital ads from giants like Facebook.

Despite the fall in the number of users, the firm said revenues were up and its losses had declined in its second quarter.

The firm earned revenue of $262m in the quarter, up 44% from the same period in 2017. Losses were $353m, down 20% year-on-year.

The number of daily active users was about 8% higher than in the same period in 2017.

In announcing his investment, Prince Alwaleed called Snapchat "one of the most innovative social media platforms in the world".

"We believe it has only just begun to scratch the surface of its true potential and we are blessed to be part of it," he said.

The deal, in which he purchased shares for an average price of $11 each, was finalised in May, he said.

The prince has also invested in other tech companies, including Lyft, Twitter and JD.com.