Non-Renounceable Rights

What Are Non-Renounceable Rights?

A non-renounceable rights issue refers to an offer issued by a corporation to shareholders to purchase more shares of the corporation (usually at a discount).

Unlike a renounceable right, a non-renounceable right is not transferable, and therefore cannot be bought or sold.

Understanding Non-Renounceable Rights

Issuing more shares dilutes the value of outstanding stock. But because the rights issue allows existing shareholders to buy the newly issued stock at a discount, they are compensated for the impending share dilution. The compensation the rights issue gives them is equivalent to the cost of share dilution. However, shareholders who do not take exercise the rights by buying the discounted stock will lose money as their existing holdings will suffer from the dilution.

Renounceable Rights

A renounceable right is also an invitation to a company's existing shareholders to buy additional new shares in the company. While shareholders have the authority to buy more shares, they can renounce that privilege and trade their rights on the open market.

Why Companies Offer Non-Renounceable Rights

By offering non-renounceable rights, the company is setting a narrow window of opportunity for shareholders to purchase stock at discount. Offering such rights can be seen as more favorable to the company than to existing shareholders, despite a discount being offered. If the shareholders do not have sufficient funds at the time the non-renounceable rights are exercisable, they may lose the opportunity to buy at the discount rate. Regardless of what action the existing shareholders take, the company will proceed with issuing more stock.

If the company must raise capital to maintain its prospects as a going concern, it might be necessary to issue shares regardless of the potential dilution to existing shares. Non-renounceable rights are a way for the company to give existing shareholders the chance to maintain their stake in the business while controlling the leeway available to them to take advantage of the discounts. For shareholders, this can be seen as a less than desirable option than being offered rights they could conceivably sell on the market and see returns for themselves.