Shares of V2X Inc (NYSE:VVX) moved lower in premarket trading on Friday after the company disclosed the pricing of a secondary stock offering totaling $149 million. Market participants reacted to the large block sale by the Reston, Virginia-based defense and aerospace contractor.
The secondary transaction was conducted by Vertex Aerospace Holdco, which is managed by private equity firm American Industrial Partners. The seller placed approximately 2 million shares at $74.35 apiece.
According to the company filing, the offering price represented a 1.4% discount to VVX's last reported sale on Thursday. The pricing and volume of the block contributed to a pullback in the stock in early trading, with the premarket move registering a decline of 1.9%.
Post-transaction ownership will change materially for Vertex Aerospace. Following the completion of the offering, Vertex Aerospace will no longer directly hold any VVX shares. The filing notes, however, that an entity affiliated with Vertex Aerospace will continue to own 375,420 shares, which the company states equal roughly 1.2% of V2X's total shares outstanding.
Morgan Stanley acted as the sole underwriter for the offering, handling the placement of the nearly 2 million shares at the stated price.
Summary and context - as presented in the filing and trading update:
- The offering raised $149 million through the sale of about 2 million VVX shares at $74.35 each.
- The placement was executed at a 1.4% discount to the stock's last sale on Thursday.
- Vertex Aerospace will exit its direct ownership stake, while a related entity retains 375,420 shares, equal to about 1.2% of shares outstanding.
- Morgan Stanley was the sole underwriter for the transaction.
Market reaction was limited to a modest premarket decline. The announcement documents a significant ownership change for Vertex Aerospace but indicates an affiliated party will retain a small residual position.