BOEING on Monday (Oct 28) launched a stock offering that could raise up to US$19 billion as the planemaker looks to strengthen its finances squeezed by an over month-long worker strike and a year-long safety crisis.
The company is offering 90 million in common stock and US$5 billion in depositary shares, that represent an interest in convertible preferred stock. The company’s shares fell 1 per cent in premarket trading.
The move will boost Boeing’s battered finances, which have worsened since roughly 33,000 of its workers represented by the machinists union walked off their jobs in September, halting production of models including its cash-cow 737 MAX aircraft.
The planemaker was already reeling under a regulator-imposed cap on production of its MAX jets after a January mid-air panel blowout.
The combination of labour woes and its production problems have caused it to burn cash the last three quarters. Last week, the company reported a US$6 billion third-quarter loss and said it would burn cash next year. The same day, striking workers rebuffed an improved contract.
A capital raise is essentially for Boeing to preserve its investment-grade credit rating. Rating agencies have warned that a prolonged strike may lead to a downgrade in Boeing’s credit rating, likely pushing up the cost of capital.
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The strike is costing the company more than US$1 billion per month, according to one estimate that was released before Boeing announced it would cut 10 per cent of its workforce.
Earlier this month, Boeing entered into a US$10 billion credit agreement with banks and announced plans to raise up to US$25 billion through stock and debt offerings.
S&P Global has warned of a ratings downgrade if Boeing slipped below target cash balance of US$10 billion or if the company had to increase leverage to meet debt maturities.
Boeing, which has never fallen below the investment-grade rating, had cash and marketable securities of US$10.50 billion as of Sep 30.
It has US$11.5 billion of debt maturing through Feb 1, 2026, and is committed to issuing US$4.7 billion of its shares to acquire Spirit AeroSystems and assume its debt.
Reuters had reported earlier this month Boeing was examining options to raise billions of US dollars through a sale of stock and equity-like securities.
Boeing said on Monday it intends to use proceeds for general corporate purposes, which may include paying off debt.
Holders of the depositary shares will be entitled to a proportional fractional interest in the rights and preferences of the preferred stock, the company said.
The preferred stock is expected to have a liquidation preference of US$1,000 per share. REUTERS
