Shares in Malaysian Airline System Bhd (MAS) tumbled more than 20 percent to an all-time low today as the national carrier’s RM3.1 billion (US$1 billion) rights issue plan triggered fears of share dilution and uncertainty over the move.

NONE Ahmad Jauhari Yahya ( left ), chief executive of Malaysia’s national carrier, said in a statement to the stock exchange late yesterday that the rights issue was aimed at paying capital and debt expenses, without specifying the number of shares or the price for the issuance.

MAS closed today down 16.8 percent at 84 sen, after falling as much 20.8 percent earlier, its biggest single-day drop in about 14 years.

The share plunge came despite the carrier swinging to a profit of RM37.1 million in the third quarter, reversing a loss of RM477.6 million in the same quarter a year earlier.

The struggling carrier posted a small operating profit of RM4 million, ending six quarters of losses.

“The dilution on the company from the issue will be immense, there will be supreme volatility in the stock until there is more clarity on the exercise,” an analyst from Maybank IB Research, who did not want to be identified, told Reuters .

Market 'over-reacting'

Maybank has a ‘buy’ call and a target price of RM1.20 for MAS, although the rating is under review pending further details on the rights issue.

“There is no doubt the market is over-reacting, but this is what will happen until there is input from the management on the structure of the rights issue,” said the analyst.

MAS also said it will reduce the par value of its shares to 90 sen from RM1 in order to build a credit reserve of RM8 billion. The company raised RM2.7 billion in a rights issue in 2010.

The company saw its performance improve on lower fuel costs after it cut unprofitable routes, asserting that cost management remained a priority going forward.

“Revenue initiatives have started to gain traction in the market, and combined with the improved utilisation of the fleet and our manpower, we are beginning to see the results of our hard work,” Ahmad Jauhari said in a statement.

MAS shares are down about 22.5 percent since the beginning of the year.

In February, the company reported its worst-ever loss of RM2.5 billion for 2011, surprising analysts who had expected its restructuring to limit losses.

- Reuters