Australian agribusiness Elders tumbles on discounted capital raising

Reuters
19 Nov 2024

By Rajasik Mukherjee

Nov 19 (Reuters) - Shares of Elders fell on Tuesday to their lowest level in more than seven months after the Australian agribusiness firm raised about A$143 million ($92.96 million) at a discounted rate to fund its acquisition of Delta Agribusiness.

The stock declined as much as 11.3% to A$7.670, its lowest since April 8, as trading resumed after a halt on Monday. The benchmark index was up 0.7%, as of 0101 GMT.

On Monday, the agribusiness firm reported a 55% decline in annual net profit after tax to A$45.1 million. Brokerage firm Jefferies said the full-year results missed street consensus.

"I don't think the management of ELD has performed very well at all," said Brad Smoling, managing director of Smoling Stockbroking, adding that the agribusiness "has been out of favour for some time now."

Adelaide-based Elders said on Monday it had signed an agreement to buy Delta Agribusiness for A$475 million. The company said it was undertaking a capital raising and a loan facility of A$110 million to fund the acquisition.

Elders raised about A$143 million at an offer price of A$7.85 per share - a 9.2% discount to the stock's last close.

"The purchase of Delta is earnings-accretive... one can only hope that the management talent in Delta transfers across to ELD in the days ahead," said Brad.

($1 = 1.5382 Australian dollars)

(Reporting by Rajasik Mukherjee; Editing by Subhranshu Sahu)

((Rajasik.Mukherjee@thomsonreuters.com;))

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