Share issues
Placings and rights issues: who can buy the new shares?
Placings and rights issues: the definition
Companies can raise money by issuing new shares. A placing allocates shares to selected investors. A rights issue offers qualifying existing shareholders new shares in proportion to their existing holding, at a set price and within a stated timetable.
What it means
This guide concerns placings of new shares to raise money for the company. A placing does not generally give every existing holder a right to participate, although a separate retail offer or open offer may accompany it. In a rights issue, eligible holders can usually take up their rights or sell them during the dealing period. Availability depends on the offer terms, jurisdiction and broker. Taking up rights requires additional money. Selling rights can provide cash but does not preserve your percentage ownership.
ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLE
A fictional company has 1,000 shares and offers one new share for every four held, at £2 each. If all 250 new shares are issued, it raises £500 before costs. You own 100 shares, or 10%. Buying your full 25-share entitlement costs £50 and leaves you with 125 of 1,250 shares: still 10%. If you buy none, your 100 shares become 8% of the company.
A common misunderstanding
A discounted issue price is not a guaranteed bargain. The company will have more shares and may receive new cash, while the market price can change. Ownership dilution is not the same calculation as a loss in investment value. Do not assume doing nothing will produce a payment for unused rights; check the specific terms.
What to check
- Is this a placing, rights issue or a combination with another offer?
- How many new shares are proposed, at what price, and for what purpose?
- How much cash will the company receive after fees?
- Are you eligible, and what deadline has your broker set?
- What happens if you take up, sell or let your rights lapse?
Check who can participate, what the company receives and what happens to your percentage holding.
Sources and review date
Reviewed by Edravo on 6 September 2026.
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