Subscription rights allow current investors to maintain their percentage ownership in a company by purchasing new equity issues before they are offered on the open market. This can be done at market price or below market price, and shareholders must exercise the right within a certain period of time. The company benefits from generating immediate income, while shareholders can increase their returns and maintain their stake in the business.
Subscription rights are the rights of current investors in a given company to retain an equal percentage ownership in the business. This process involves allowing investors to exercise the privilege to subscribe to new equity issues as and when such issues are announced. In some cases, this subscription right allows investors to secure those new shares below market price. Other times, the subscriber pays the market price, but has the option of making the purchase before the shares are offered on the open market.
Also known as a pre-emption right or subscription privilege, a subscription right effectively allows shareholders to purchase additional shares as a means of maintaining the same level of investment in the business. For example, if a shareholder currently holds a ten percent stake in the company, they will be given the opportunity to buy enough shares of the new offering to keep that ten percent stake. In most situations, the shareholder must exercise the subscription right within a certain period of time. Once the deadline for the subscription offer has elapsed, the shares are made available on the open market. If the shares had been offered below market value as part of the subscription fee, the shareholder will now have to pay the full market price in the open market to obtain further shares.
Notice of a subscription right is made directly to the shareholder by the company, usually using a mailing which includes the formal announcement and outlines the terms that must be followed to exercise the right. In situations where the shareholder has requested that all announcements be passed on to a third party, such as a custodian or intermediary, the subscription right is turned over to that designated party. Although practices vary from country to country, companies offering subscription rights will give shareholders thirty to ninety days to exercise the option.
An underwriting right strategy is often beneficial to both the issuing company and the shareholders. The company is often able to generate income from the immediate sale of a significant portion of the newly issued stock, allowing the company to use those funds for expansion or any other desired project. Shareholders who are satisfied with the returns currently received from their investment in the business enjoy the ability to increase those returns and maintain their stake in the business.
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