Why Lucid Group Stock Is Plunging Today
Lucid Group stock is spiraling Thursday after the EV maker said it is selling stock to raise cash. Here's why that's important to investors.
Lucid Group (LCID) shares are spiraling in Thursday's session after the electric vehicle (EV) maker announced a public offering of nearly 262.5 million shares.
In a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Lucid said it will sell 262,446,931 shares of its common stock. In addition, Lucid announced that its largest shareholder and an affiliate of the Public Investment Fund (PIF), Ayar Third Investment Company, will buy nearly 375 million shares of LCID stock in a private placement. Following this transaction, Ayar will continue to own nearly 60% of Lucid's outstanding shares.
The EV maker said it will use the proceeds from the public offering and private placement for "general corporate purposes, which may include, among other things, capital expenditures and working capital."
From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance
Be a smarter, better informed investor.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
Why is Lucid stock lower?
Lucid's stock is selling off on the news because when a company announces a stock offering, it often leads to a decline in its share price over concerns of dilution. A stock offering increases the number of shares available in the market and reduces the ownership percentage of existing shareholders. The dilution also negatively impacts a company's earnings per share since there are more shares outstanding.
A stock offering can also cause concern because it shows that the company needs additional capital and is willing to dilute existing shareholders to raise it.
Compounding woes for the EV maker is its Wednesday night warning that it anticipates Q3 operation losses of $765 million to $790 million, more than the $752 million analysts are expecting.
Is LCID stock a buy, sell or hold?
Lucid Group's troubles on and off the price charts have dragged shares further into penny-stock territory throughout the year. As such, Wall Street is on the sidelines when it comes to the consumer discretionary stock.
According to S&P Global Market Intelligence, the average analyst target price for LCID stock is $3.16, which was a discount to the October 16 close at $3.28. Additionally, the consensus recommendation is a Hold.
Financial services firm Stifel is one of those with a Hold rating on LCID stock, but sees a glimmer of hope for the EV maker down the road.
Specifically, Stifel analyst Stephen Gengaro thinks the company's Lucid Air electric car is an "outstanding vehicle" and believes the recently unveiled Gravity SUV will give it access to the lucrative sports utility vehicle segment.
However, he notes that Lucid's "cash burn remains high" and that the company is still in the "prove-it-to-me stage."
Related Content
Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. Delivered daily. Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up.

Joey Solitro is a freelance financial journalist at Kiplinger with more than a decade of experience. A longtime equity analyst, Joey has covered a range of industries for media outlets including The Motley Fool, Seeking Alpha, Market Realist, and TipRanks. Joey holds a bachelor's degree in business administration.
-
Ask the Editor: Home Sale Tax BreakAsk the Editor In this week's Ask the Editor Q&A, Joy Taylor answers questions on the gain exclusion tax break when you sell your home.
-
How to Skip Fees at the BankYou can steer clear of fees, especially if you choose your account wisely. Here are some tips to keep them at bay.
-
Here's What Being in the 2% Club Means for Your RetirementOnly 2% of the population has both a pension and more than $1 million saved. This is a great place to be, but also requires advanced tax planning.
-
Insurance Buyer Beware: States Are Lowering the Bar for Agents and BrokersA new California law removes 20 hours of required education before an aspiring agent can take tests to get licensed. They can then get licensed in other states.
-
Dow Erases 717-Point Gain to End Lower: Stock Market TodayThe main indexes started the day with solid gains, but worries of an AI bubble weighed on stocks into the close.
-
The Delayed September Jobs Report Is Out. Here's What It Means for the FedThe September jobs report came in much higher than expected, lowering expectations for a December rate cut.
-
Still Working While Receiving Social Security? A Financial Adviser's Guide to the Earnings TestIf you haven't reached your full retirement age yet, your Social Security check could take a hit, depending on how much you earn.
-
I'm an Attorney and a CPA: Charitable Giving Just Got a Little Easier, But Also a Little HarderThe OBBB shakes up charitable deductions with a little help for non-itemizers and a new challenge for itemizers this holiday season.
-
S&P 500 Snaps Losing Streak Ahead of Nvidia Earnings: Stock Market TodayThe Dow Jones Industrial Average also closed higher for the first time in five days, while the Nasdaq Composite notched a win too.
-
This HECM-QLAC Power Move Can Unlock Guaranteed Retirement IncomeCombining a qualified longevity annuity contract (QLAC) with a home equity conversion mortgage (HECM) can significantly boost your retirement income and more.