Thought the LIC fans out there might have an opinion on this...
AUI and DUI recently carried out share placements with 'professional and sophisticated investors', offering shares at a 5% discount to NTA. AUI raised $66m and DUI raised $53m.
Although I'm not an investor in these companies, I'm disappointed that they have shortchanged their shareholders by offering the 5% discount to these 'sophisticated investors', thereby diluting everybody else's ownership. Their reasons for the placement were also concerning:
(1) to increase liquidity: BUT as buy-and-hold investors, we all know that liquidity really isn't that essential
(2) to enable expansion of the investment portfolio without having to sell long term investments: BUT why couldn't they do a pro-rata rights issue, which would have been far more fair for existing shareholders?
I'm concerned that other LICs may follow suit. What are your thoughts?
CHO Price at posting:
0.0¢ Sentiment: LT Buy Disclosure: Held