Question Tag: Financing Expansion

Balama Plc. (Balama) is a listed manufacturer of dairy products. In recent years, the company has experienced only a modest level of growth, but following the recent retirement of the chief executive, his replacement is keen to expand Balama’s operations.

The board of directors has recently agreed to support a proposal by the new chief executive that the company purchase new manufacturing equipment to enable it to expand its range of dairy products. The new equipment will cost N50 million, and the company is seeking to raise new finance to fund the expenditure in full. However, the board of directors is undecided as to how the new finance is to be raised. The directors are considering either a 1 for 5 rights issue at a price of N2.50 per share with a theoretical ex-rights price of N2.92 or a convertible loan of N50 million.

The loan will be secured against the company’s freehold land and buildings. The company’s share is presently quoted at a price of N3.00 per share.

Required:

a. Explain the terms ‘rights issue’ and ‘convertible loans’. (3 Marks)

b. Explain how the ‘theoretical ex-rights’ price of N2.92 is calculated and why the actual price might be different. Show your workings. (4 Marks)

c. Prepare a report for the board of directors that fully evaluates the two potential methods of financing the company’s expansion plans. (13 Marks)

(Total 20 Marks)