Anti-Dilution Adjustment: How to Protect Your Investment from Dilution

The impact of issuing more shares of stock on each shareholder’s proportion of ownership is said to be “dilutive” when more shares are issued. To put it another way, the number of shareholders has increased, meaning that each individual now has a smaller share of the pie. When new stock is issued, existing shareholders may have their stake reduced. This is why anti-dilution adjustments were created. 

Common safeguards are drafted to kick in when a company sells shares to prospective investors at a cost lower than what previous investors paid. This requires an understanding of negotiating anti dilution adjustments.

This article is an introduction to safeguards against investment dilution, types of anti-dilution provisions, and the associated benefits of anti-dilution adjustment. 

Anti-dilution adjustment and investment dilution 

Investors put money into businesses with the hope of making a profit. This occurs as a natural byproduct of a growing and more valuable business.  This is particularly not the case with new businesses. There are a number of realistic factors that might cause a decline in the company’s worth, so it’s important to be ready for the worst.

For this reason, it’s crucial that you fully grasp how an anti dilution adjustment in the final agreements might shield your share of the company’s equity. The concept of anti-dilution requires an understanding of dilution before it can be properly applied.

At a $10 million value, a venture capitalist invested $1 million, gaining a 10% ownership stake in the company. Later, the business raised an additional $5 million at a $8 million value. Without anti-dilution protection, the venture capitalist’s ownership stake would be reduced to 8.33%. Nonetheless, the venture capitalist’s 10% ownership stake would be preserved with anti-dilution protection.

What is Dilution?

When a firm issues more shares to raise capital, it dilutes the holdings of its current owners.  If there are 1,000 outstanding shares of a company’s stock and an investor now owns 400 of them, the investor has a 40% stake in the business (400/1,000*100). Given that he still owns 400 shares after the current round of issuance, the shareholder’s percentage of ownership drops to 20% (400/2000*100). 

If the value of the firm rises and the share price rises along with it, the decrease in the ownership percentage will not have any negative effects. However, a drop in value has a negative effect on shareholder return. 

Reasons for dilution

Companies continue to issue new shares despite the fact that doing so dilutes their existing shareholders’ holdings.

The following are examples of factors that might lead to dilution:

• When a company needs more money for expansion or to pay off debt, it may offer more shares to the public. Capital from stock market issuance may boost the company’s stock value and profitability.
• Companies that acquire others often provide their existing shareholders with new voting rights in the form of stock.
• Stock options and other optionable assets may be provided to workers by a corporation. Stock options are convertible into actual business stock if they are exercised. As a result, there will be more shares in circulation for the corporation.
• Sometimes, especially for independent service providers, smaller corporations may issue stock to them.
• Warrants and other convertible instruments, such as bonds, may be issued by certain firms. Typically, lenders get warrants. When securities are converted into shares of a company, the shares become part of the company’s total number of outstanding shares.
• Dilution of shareholders’ shareholdings may be used by those having a disproportionate part of the company’s assets to either force out less influential shareholders or persuade them to support ideas they would otherwise oppose.

What is anti-dilution adjustment?

Anti-dilution adjustments are provisions that are inserted into convertible stocks of preference and certain options to protect investors against the possibility that the value of their investment could decrease. 

Equity dilution occurs when newly issued shares of a business are priced lower than the price at which previous investors acquired their shares. There are a number of names for anti-dilution measures, including preemptive rights, subscription rights, and subscription privileges.

Let’s use a “full ratchet” anti-dilution mechanism for simplicity. 

• Alex invested $100,000 for a 10% ownership stake, implying a pre-money valuation of $900,000 ($100,000 / 10%).
• The company decides to issue more shares later, but this time at a valuation that implies a pre-money valuation of $800,000.
• New investors would purchase shares at the $800,000 valuation without anti-dilution, diluting Alex’s ownership.
• With a full ratchet anti-dilution provision, Alex’s original investment is adjusted downward to match the new, lower valuation. In this case, Alex’s ownership stake would be adjusted to 11.11% ($100,000 / $800,000).

This adjustment ensures that Alex’s ownership stake is protected from the dilution caused by the lower valuation of the new shares.

Benefits of anti-dilution adjustment 

There are a number of positive outcomes that may result from such as an anti-dilution adjustment provision in the company’s bylaws. Some of the advantages are:

Safeguards the Value of Investments

When putting money into a portfolio, investors expect both the portfolio’s value and the profits attributable to their investment would rise. Market circumstances, however, might lead to values that are lower than investors anticipate, so this isn’t always the case. Their share of the company’s ownership will decrease as a result. 

The anti-dilution rule protects investors against situations where the corporation might borrow more cash at a reduced rate, diluting their original investment.

Maintains the stability of a company’s stock price

With an anti-dilution adjustment provision in place, the firm is more likely to pursue higher values in subsequent rounds of funding.

 The value of the common stock is increased when the firm consistently achieves investor-determined milestones, such as sales goals and other growth objectives.

Types of anti dilution provision 

To guard against the potential dilution from future stock issuances, investors might adopt one of the major forms of anti-dilution measures. They comprise:

• Full ratchet- When the conversion price is set to the lowest cost at which shares are issued after the issuance of preferred stock, this anti-dilution adjustment is known as “full ratchet” and it is often seen as unfair to the company’s founders and other early ordinary investors. There is no consideration for the total number of shares in circulation.
• Weighted average- The weighted average modification takes into account both the reduced price and the number of new shares distributed in the down round to arrive at the conversion ratio. The approach employs a formula to precisely represent the dilution caused by the issue of additional shares. 

The fully diluted capital of the firm is included in the calculation of the broad-based weighted average. This helps to mitigate the negative impact that the company’s dilution has on the company’s common shareholders.

Negotiating anti dilution adjustments

For investors concerned with maintaining a certain percentage of ownership in the firm, negotiating anti-dilution modifications is a crucial element of investment rounds. Here are some suggestions for investors looking to get anti-dilution adjustments:

• Learn about the various anti-dilution strategies, including full ratchet as well as weighted average, and how they affect ownership and worth.
• Determine the possible dilution effect by analyzing the company’s future funding plans and growth estimates, and then negotiate for greater anti dilution adjustments.
• Assess the company’s financial makeup and the possible dilution of stock and loans in order to guide anti-dilution agreements.
• To protect investor interests and reduce dilution risks, include anti-dilution clauses in your term sheet or membership agreement.
• Seek the guidance of legal counsel to evaluate and discuss the conditions of the deal, making sure that the anti-dilution clauses are in line with the investor’s aims and the law.
• Adjust the anti-dilution safeguards in accordance with the investor’s risk tolerance and desired duration of ownership.
• Negotiate acceptable anti dilution adjustments that protect investors and allow future capital raising.
• When crafting the anti-dilution measures, it is important to take into account both the investor’s and the company’s long-term development plans.
• Be careful to follow any and all rules and regulations that pertain to anti-dilution measures, and consult an attorney if you encounter any legal complications during negotiations.
• Find a way to satisfy both parties so that the investor’s investment is safe and the firm can continue to recruit and encourage investors.

Impact on future funding rounds

Anti-dilution modifications may affect the investment opportunity’s appeal to prospective investors and the success of any future fundraising initiatives. Because of the possibility of a reduced effective cost per share for current investors as a consequence of these restrictions, the stake of new investors may be diluted in subsequent financing rounds, which might affect the company’s worth. 

Strong anti-dilution adjustments may send a message to subsequent investors about the company’s risk level or the possible size of future investment rounds. This may affect the interest of potential new investors. Future investors may factor in the effect of any current anti-dilution clauses on their ownership position and negotiate for better terms or prices as a result. 

Conversely, a commitment to safeguarding the interests of current investors via anti-dilution safeguards may boost investor trust. Seeking legal counsel and doing rigorous due diligence to handle the possible effect on future financing attempts is essential as all parties assess the consequences of these rules on valuation, control, negotiating dynamics, and investor views.

Risks and limitations

• Anti-Dilution Modifications and Potential Issues:
  • Risk of friction between different investor types.
  • Reduction in potential new investors.
  • Adverse impact on the company’s adaptability.
• Complexity and Future Negotiations:
  • Possibility of unnecessary complexity from these clauses.
  • Potential difficulty in future negotiations.
• Caution and Legal Consultation:
  • Emphasis on careful consideration before implementing changes.
  • Recommendation for consultation with legal counsel.
• Understanding Repercussions:
  • Crucial to grasp the repercussions and potential conflicts.
• Balancing Shareholder Satisfaction and Company Growth:
  • Advised to strike a balance between shareholder satisfaction and company expansion.
• Fostering a Conducive Investment Climate:
  • Cautious planning, honest dialogue, and shared goals are recommended.
  • Aim to foster an investing climate conducive to success.

Manage your share and stock on Eqvista! 

When it comes to funding rounds, anti-dilution adjustments are critical for preserving investors’ interests and reducing dilution risks. There must be an understanding of and adherence to these requirements in order to preserve the value of equity and shareholding percentages. 

The shares of your firm, as well as any anti-dilution adjustments, may be conveniently monitored and administered with the help of Eqvista’s complete equity management platform. Eqvista simplifies equity management and accurately tracks ownership changes, helping you make educated choices and negotiate anti-dilution clauses. Need expert help on stock issuance and management? Give us a ring!