The Healius Ltd (ASX: HLS) share price is rising this morning as the pathology and imaging company attempts to wipe its slate clean.
As the morning dew begins to dry, shares in the $90 million healthcare operator are up 3.8% to $1.38 — outpacing the more modest 0.75% increase mustered up by the All Ordinaries (ASX: XAO). The uptick places the company on track for a four-day green streak.
Spring cleaning sparks optimism
Spring is almost over, but not before embattled Healius breaks out the feather duster, so to speak. Yesterday, the company announced to the market that its chair, Jenny Macdonald, would be retiring at the completion of today's annual general meeting (AGM).
In her place, non-executive director Kate McKenzie will preside over Macdonald's former role until an official replacement is found. The decision to depart from the company follows nearly two years of disappointing performance for the diagnostic company, contending with the post-COVID slowdown.
The outgoing chair provided prepared comments for Healius' AGM today. Describing the reason for retiring, Macdonald stated:
Leadership stability will be crucial for Healius as it further progresses the work required to ensure that it is positioned to take advantage of the strong long term fundamentals for the Australian healthcare sector.
While we have made some important progress in the past 12 months, our plan requires stability to enable management to further progress our work and allow time for the benefits to emerge.
In stepping down as chair and opting to not seek re-election as a non-executive director of Healius, my objective is to provide stability for the business.
Investors might look at Healius more fondly today as the overhaul of its old self continues.
Refresh for the Healius share price
Healius shares have paid the price during the last two years. Since December 2021, the share price has crumbled to the tune of 72%.
The company's profit statement tells the story. In FY2022, Healius generated $292.4 million in net profits after tax. One year later, shareholders are suddenly staring at $380 million in losses.
As detailed by my colleague, James Mickleboro, Healius' deteriorating financial situation recently prompted it to raise capital at a steep discount of $1.20 per share. On 22 November, the company revealed it had secured $154 million from the institutional placement.
The funds will predominantly be used to lighten the load on Healius' balance sheet.
Today, the retail component of the capital raise opens, giving eligible shareholders the opportunity to get involved. As per this morning's announcement, new shares from the raise will be issued under a separate ticker ('HLSNB') due to the off-market takeover bid from Australian Clinical Labs (ACL).
The Healius share price is down 50.1% in 2023.
