Rolls-Royce shares hit 2004 low over mooted $3 billion equity raise

LONDON (Reuters) – Shares in Rolls-Royce sunk to their lowest level since 2004 after the British aero-engine company confirmed it was considering a rights issue of up to 2.5 billion pounds ($3.23 billion), following months of speculation about its finances.

The company, Britain’s best known engineering name, put out a statement on Saturday in response to media stories, confirming the amount of new equity it could look to raise.

The COVID-19 pandemic has blown a major hole in its balance sheet as airlines pay the company according to how many hours its engines fly, pushing it into a record loss of 5.4 billion pounds in the first half of 2020.

Shares in Rolls-Royce traded down 10% to 161 pence at 0750 GMT. They have lost 76% of their value in the year to date.

The company has a plan to sell assets to try to raise at least 2 billion pounds and said it is also looking at new debt options.

(Reporting by Sarah Young; editing by Kate Holton)