UK rights issues are back. The structure almost disappeared during the bull run of the 1990s, but corporates are now returning to their favourite repair tool to strengthen battered balance sheets. As interest rates start to rise, shareholders will have to get used to what promises to be a clutch of debt-related rights offerings. By Steve Metcalfe. I n case nobody had noticed, equity capital markets are entering a new phase. The downturn of the past two years is over, and an uptick in corporate earnings should spell better times ahead for investors.
April 26, 2002