The Gulf Time Newspaper One of the finest business newspapers in the UAE brought to you by our professional writers and editors.
Bloomberg
EasyJet Plc raised 1.2 billion pounds ($1.7 billion) in a stock sale, cash that will help the low-cost UK carrier weather the slow winter and prepare for a rebound in leisure travel.
Existing investors purchased 93% of the 301 million shares available in a rights offering at a discounted price of 410 pence each, EasyJet said on Tuesday in a statement. Underwriters were working to place rest.
EasyJet said earlier this month it would raise the cash to go it alone rather than sell itself at a depressed price to suitor Wizz Air Holdings Plc. At the time, the UK airline said it was undervalued in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic and UK travel rules hindered a recovery.
EasyJet also said at the time it would borrow 400 million pounds from lenders.
The shares sank 10% on concerns about the dilution. Since then, the UK overhauled its travel rules and EasyJet shares had gained 19%.
The stock was down about 2.1% to 694.40 pence as of 8:19 am in London.