Sidus Space raises $100M in direct offering, shares slide on dilution

Sidus Space priced a $100 million registered direct offering at $5.08 a share Wednesday, diluting existing holders by about 40% as the space-technology company seeks to bolster its balance sheet.

"This capital raise provides Sidus with the financial flexibility to execute on its growing pipeline of government and defense contracts," the company said in a statement.

The offering of 19.7 million shares represents roughly 40% of Sidus's outstanding Class A common stock, based on the approximately 49 million shares outstanding as of its most recent filing. ThinkEquity acted as sole placement agent. The deal is expected to close May 29.

The capital infusion comes after Sidus completed a $58.5 million direct offering in April and reported $27.4 million in cash at the end of the first quarter. The company's shares have more than tripled over the past year amid growing investor enthusiasm for space-related stocks, though the latest offering threatens to cap near-term gains.

Two Offerings in Two Months

Wednesday's deal marks the second registered direct offering Sidus has executed in as many months. The company raised $58.5 million in April through a similar structure, leaving it debt-free with $27.4 million in cash at quarter-end, according to its first-quarter earnings report.

The back-to-back raises come as Sidus scales its LizzieSat satellite platform and pursues defense contracts. First-quarter revenue rose 51% year-over-year to $359,372, while the net loss narrowed to $5.21 million from $6.41 million a year earlier.

Sidus shares fell sharply Wednesday as the market absorbed the dilution. The stock had surged about 239% over the prior 12 months, boosted by broader enthusiasm for space and defense names and by speculation around SpaceX's expected initial public offering in June.

Dilution Math

The 19.7 million new shares represent a significant increase to Sidus's share count. Based on the $5.08 offering price, the company is selling equity at a discount to its recent trading levels, a common feature of registered direct offerings that typically pressures the stock in the near term.

Proceeds from the offering will be used for working capital and general corporate purposes, the company said. Sidus did not specify whether the funds would support specific programs or contract bids.

The offering was made under a shelf registration statement declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission on Feb. 4. Investors who purchased pre-funded warrants in lieu of common shares will receive them at the same $5.08 effective price.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.