Deciphering Corporate Actions
What is a Right Issue?
Right issue is a mean for companies to raise funds by issuing new ordinary shares. Companies can issue other securities such as preferential shares, bonds and warrants instead of new ordinary shares. The company can ask the existing shareholders for capital for the following reasons:
- To fund acquisition or expansion plans.
- To repay maturing debts as an alternative. The company may be unable to secure more borrowings.
Existing shareholders are given the opportunity to maintain their stake in the company to prevent dilution. When there is a right issue and the existing shareholder chooses not to subscribe for the new shares, the shareholder's stake in the company is diluted, as the new shares are added to the total shares outstanding in the market.