Boss Energy Ltd (ASX: BOE) shares won't be going anywhere on Wednesday.
That's because the uranium developer requested a trading halt before the market open this morning.
Why are Boss Energy shares in a trading halt?
According to the trading halt request, Boss Energy is raising funds via a capital raising.
This is an opportune time for the company to do this. As we revealed here this week, it has just been added to the benchmark ASX 200 index.
Given that many fund managers and institutions have strict investment mandates allowing them to only invest in ASX 200 shares, Boss Energy's capital raising is now open to this group of investors.
But the company isn't just raising funds for the sake of it. The request reveals that it is planning to make a material acquisition. It states:
Boss Energy Limited requests a trading halt with respect to its securities effective prior to the opening of the market on Wednesday, 6 December 2023. The trading halt is requested pending an announcement by the Company in relation to a material acquisition and a capital raising. The Company requests that the trading halt remain in place until the earlier of it making an announcement regarding the above or the commencement of trading on Friday, 8 December 2023.
What is it raising and acquiring?
As it stands, Boss Energy hasn't confirmed anything. However, the AFR is reporting that the company is seeking to raise in the region of $200 million.
Though, it doesn't state at what price the funds will be raised nor the acquisition target.
Interestingly, fellow ASX uranium share Elevate Uranium Ltd (ASX: EL8), which has a $150 million market capitalisation, has gone into a trading halt this morning. But its request mentions nothing about a takeover approach and appears to be for its own capital raising.
All eyes will be on Boss Energy shares on Friday when all will be revealed.
