

What is a rights issue of shares

What is a rights issue of shares


What is a rights issue of shares

A rights issue is when a company issues its existing shareholders a right to buy additional shares in the company. The company will offer the shareholder a specific number of shares at a specific price. The company will also set a time limit for the shareholder to buy the shares. The shares are often offered at a discounted price to encourage existing shareholders to take the company up on their offer.

If a shareholder does not take the company up on their rights issue then they have the option to sell their rights on the stock market just as they would sell ordinary shares, however their shareholding in the company will weaken.

Reasons for a rights issue of shares

A company will offer more shares to its shareholders to raise extra money for the company. Companies with a poor cash flow will often use a rights issue to increase cash flow and pay off existing debts. Rights issues however are sometimes issued by companies with healthy balance sheets in order to fund research and development projects or to purchase new companies.

Discounted shares issued by a company can be tempting but it is important to find out first the reason for the rights issue of shares. A company, for example, may be using the rights issue as a quick cash fix to pay off debts masking the real reason for the company’s cash flow failing such as bad leadership. Caution is advised when offered with a rights issue.

What is a rights issue of shares




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