The TUI AG (LON: TUI) share price crashed 51.2% after announcing a discounted €1.8 billion rights issue on Tuesday. The company issued 8 new shares for every three existing shares priced at €5.5 each, representing a significant discount to its current share price.
YOUR CAPITAL IS AT RISK. 76% OF RETAIL CFD ACCOUNTS LOSE MONEY.
Investors' adverse reaction to the news was expected, given the massive dilution to existing shareholders caused by the issuance of 328,910,448 new shares at a discounted price. Still, the rights issue was warranted as it was the only way TUI could raise funds needed to repay €750 million of the loan advanced to it by the German government.
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YOUR CAPITAL IS AT RISK. 76% OF RETAIL CFD ACCOUNTS LOSE MONEY
The German leisure, travel and tourism company will also use some of the proceeds generated by the rights issue to repay some of its existing debts and to fund its operations, leaving it well-capitalised to meet its future cash flow needs.
As a result, TUI expects to slash its net debt from €3.4 billion to €2.4 billion, bringing it down to pre-pandemic levels. However, the rights issue is yet to be completed, and there are no guarantees that it will be fully subscribed. Still, the company's likelihood of raising all the money it needs is relatively high.
The company looks forward to entirely replacing all the hybrid capital from the Federal Government with real equity. Hence, the share issue was a crucial milestone that could fuel its future growth. The company offers package tours and recently reported “encouraging” booking momentum, which has continued.
TUI’s biggest investor, Unifirm Ltd., is owned by the family of Russian billionaire Alexey Mordashov, who’s been sanctioned by the European Union and who indirectly holds 30.91% in the company. However, due to the EU sanctions, Alexey will not participate in the rights issue.
Investors should closely monitor TUI’s future updates, including the amount raised by the rights issue once it closes in mid-April. TUI’s future looks optimistic as global travel demand rebounds.
The Germa travel firm is well-positioned to capitalise on the surging travel demand, which could see it sell more package tours.
*This is not investment advice.
TUI share price.
The TUI (LON: TUI) share price crashed 51.2% to trade at 690.7p, from Monday’s closing price of 1415.25p.
YOUR CAPITAL IS AT RISK. 76% OF RETAIL CFD ACCOUNTS LOSE MONEY.