(c) Calculate the theoretical ex rights price per share and the net funds to be raised by

Question

(c) Calculate the theoretical ex rights price per share and the net funds to be raised by the rights issue, and

determine and discuss the likely effect of the proposed expansion on:

(i) the current share price of Merton plc;

(ii) the gearing of the company.

Assume that the price–earnings ratio of Merton plc remains unchanged at 12 times. (11 marks)

Answer 1

正确答案：
(c) Rights issue price = 2·45 x 0·8 = ￡1·96
Theoretical ex rights price = ((2 x 2·45) + (1 x 1·96))/3 = 6·86/3 = ￡2·29
New shares issued = 20m x 1/2 = 10 million
Funds raised = 1·96 x 10m = ￡19·6 million
After issue costs of ￡300,000 funds raised will be ￡19·3 million
Annual after-tax return generated by these funds = 19·3 x 0·09 = ￡1,737,000
New earnings of Merton plc = 1,737,000 + 4,500,000 = ￡6,237,000
New number of shares = 20m + 10m = 30 million
New earnings per share = 100 x 6,237,000/30,000,000 = 20·79 pence
New share price = 20·79 x 12 = ￡2·49
The weaknesses in this estimate are that the predicted return on investment of 9% may or may not be achieved: the priceearnings
ratio depends on the post investment share price, rather than the post investment share price depending on the
price-earnings ratio; the current earnings seem to be declining and this share price estimate assumes they remain constant;
in fact current earnings are likely to decline because the overdraft and annual interest are increasing but operating profit is
falling.
Expected gearing = 38/(60 + 19·3) = 47·9% compared to current gearing of 63%.
Including the overdraft, expected gearing = 46/(60 + 19·3) = 58% compared to 77%.
The gearing is predictably lower, but if the overdraft is included in the calculation the gearing of the company is still higher
than the sector average. The positive effect on financial risk could have a positive effect on the company’s share price, but
this is by no means certain.