The Zip Co Limited (ASX: Z1P) share price is on watch this morning as the buy now, pay later (BNPL) leader continues its capital raising spree.
Why is the Zip share price on watch?
Zip has now conducted a fully underwritten placement of new fully paid ordinary shares to institutional, sophisticated and professional investors.
The Aussie BNPL group managed to raise $120 million before costs at an issue price of $5.34 per share. That compares to a closing Zip share price of $5.11 after falling 1.2% lower in yesterday's trade.
Eligible shareholders are being given the opportunity to participate in a Share Purchase Plan (SPP) and subscribe for up to $30,000 of new shares. The SPP shares will be on offer at the lesser of $5.34 and the volume-weighted average price in the five trading days up to and including 13 January 2021.
The Zip share price is one to watch as the group seeks to raise $30 million before costs under the SPP. The SPP is not underwritten and Zip may decide to increase this cap and accept oversubscriptions and/or scale back applications.
How is Zip looking to spend the money?
Zip has advised that 58% of its successful capital raising will be used to continue the company's growth in the United States (US). The US represents an addressable retail market of $5 trillion with significant market share on offer.
It also advised that 10% of the capital, or $15 million, will be deployed in the UK to scale Zip's operation and establish further infrastructure. An additional 24% of the raise, or $35 million, is set to support the company's newly established New Markets division, which is focused on further acquisitions and growth initiatives.
It's been a good year for BNPL shareholders in 2020, and Zip is no exception. The Zip share price is up 44.4% since the start of the year and 1,088.4% in the last 5 years.
Foolish takeaway
The Zip share price is one to watch in early trade as the BNPL continues with its capital raising plans. Zip currently has a market capitalisation of $2.8 billion, second in the ASX-listed BNPL companies behind the $32.3 billion Afterpay Ltd (ASX: APT).
