Re:Rights Issue.11 Jun 2008 08:07
As there are only two ways a listed Co can raise funding, Debt or Equity. Debt has become very expensive to maintain and harder to secure, the only option left is secondary offers. The downside is that more paper means lower earnings ratios, the plus side is the Balance sheet becomes stronger. In the final analysis, Banks/Private funders can withdraw their support when it comes to the Debt angle, and likewise Members can withdraw their support on the equity side of the fence, if enough members shun these secondary offerings Directors are put in a corner with nowhere to go, the Co is then starved of funding and has to liquidate itself if it cannot continue to trade. The argument put forward will be one of a general market downturn and a harsher trading environment causing the liquidity problem. C'est la vie. Disgruntled members can shun the offer, that wwould be the clearest message to the board, unfortunately the larger shareholdings hold the balance of power and rare for them to shun a rights offer as they have a lot more to lose than they gain.