Equity is an essential part of a company’s balance sheet. It highly valuable when determining the commitment of the principal shareholder and the reputation of the firm. Equity Financing is the most common option that any company prefers, whether it is for capital expenditure or expanding business operations. When considering capital expenditure, the raising of paid-up capital is through the issuance of shares. It can be through the issuance of Right Shares or Preferred Shares if the paid-up capital is within the scope of authorized or regulated capital. If there is no cushion available in the authorized capital, the company needs to amend its articles of association, write a letter to the company ordinance regulator, request an increase in authorized capital, and pay a marginal fee. This will also justify the purpose and inform the respective stock exchange accordingly.
Right Shares
Issuing shares to existing shareholders of the organization is known as right share issuance. To put it simply, a right share is a form of dividend payout to the existing shareholders. The company offers the subscription rights to purchase more shares to the shareholders within the company. The right shares can be issued to both private and publicly listed companies (quoted and unquoted). In the case of a public company, the market value of the shares is not diluted, and the capital is injected, which, in the eyes of the investor, shows the shareholder’s commitment to the organization. Usually, a prospectus or an add-on supplement, after being funneled through the process of underwriting, accompanies the issuance of the right shares. Under this agreement, the existing shareholders are at liberty to purchase the new shares from the issuing organization within the stipulated period of subscription. If the subscription is undersubscribed, then the public is given the option to purchase the shares, where it then goes through the process of public offering.
Issuance of shareholders can prove to be beneficial for existing shareholders as it might increase their shareholding percentage within the company.
Common Shares
The second mode of equity financing is through the issuance of common shares. This offers the shareholders the opportunity to have some share in the organization’s net profit, either in the shape of dividend payout or capital gain. However, in the general meeting of board members, it is up to the mutual consensus on paying dividends or not. If they agree to pay dividends, they must next determine what the price will be. In some instances, shareholders of common stock are also given the right to vote as per their shareholding.
Preferred Shares
Preferred Shares are the third type of equity finance. While it is deemed to be less erratic than common shares, it has less potency for profit sharing. They do not have the right to vote but have a higher preference for the company’s assets. It means that if the organization goes bankrupt, shareholders having preferred shares will be given the first right of refusal and, if any amount remains, it is handed off to the common shareholders.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Equity Financing
Mentioned below are some of the pros and cons of Equity Financing:
Repayment Obligations
One major benefit of equity financing is that the shareholders have no compulsion to make fixed compensation or dividend payout to investors.
Shared Risks
In equity financing, shareholders are at liberty to disperse risk associated with the company, but you, as an investor, do not bear the burden of financial repayment of borrowings from financial institutions.
Dilution of Shares
The most prominent disadvantage is the dilution of share price value. Without any increase in paid-up capital, the issuance of shares will lead to a decrease in the market value of the share price. However, this can be avoided if the swap ratio is helpful in assuring that it does not go below the book value of the share price.
Loss of Control
The other disadvantage can be losing control over decision-making or a possible hostile takeover should any of the shareholders acquire more than the agreed percentage of shareholding through proxies.
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