conversion price

Conversion Price

The price per share at which a convertible security, such as corporate bonds or preferred shares, can be converted into common stock.

Notes:

The conversion price is determined when the convertible security is issued and can be found in the bond indenture (in the case of convertible bonds) or in the security prospectus (in the case of convertible preferred shares). The conversion price is essential in determining the number of shares to be received, by computing the quotient of the principal value of the convertible security divided by the conversion price. Usually, the conversion price is set at a significant amount higher than the current price of the common stock, so as to make conversion desirable only if a company's common shares experience a significant increase in value.

See also: Bond, Busted Convertible Security, Common Stock, Contingent Convertibles - CoCos, Convertible Bond, Convertible Preferred Stock, Convertibles, Corporate Bond, Indenture, Mandatory Convertible

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Conversion price

Applies mainly to convertible securities. Dollar value at which convertible bonds, debentures, or preferred stock can be converted into common stock, as specified when the convertible is issued.

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conversion price

The price per share at which common stock will be exchanged for a convertible security. The principal amount of a convertible security divided by the conversion price equals the number of shares that will be received upon exchange. The conversion price is usually adjusted downward for events such as stock splits and dividends. See also adjustment in conversion terms.

Case Study On April 2, 2002, GenCorp, an aerospace, defense, chemical, and automotive products manufacturer, announced it had privately sold $125 million principal amount of five-year subordinated notes that were convertible into shares of the firm's common stock. The notes carried a 5.75% coupon and were sold at their $1,000 face amount. The notes had a conversion price of $18.42, meaning each note could be converted into 54.2888 shares of stock. The number of shares per note is determined by dividing the $1,000 par value by the conversion price. The conversion price of $18.42 represented a 27% premium over the common stock that had closed the prior day on the New York Stock Exchange at a price of $14.50. The conversion price is a key element in valuing a convertible security. The lower the conversion price compared to the market price of the stock, the more valuable the conversion feature. A lower conversion price on the GenCorp issue would have allowed the firm to sell the notes with a lower interest coupon. It would also result in additional shares being issued when the notes were eventually submitted for conversion.