Housebuilder takes informal soundings from investors about the possibility of raising 拢350m

Taylor Wimpey has begun talks with its largest investors about the possibility of a rights issue, 黑洞社区 understands.

Although discussions are at an early stage, City sources have confirmed the housebuilder鈥檚 advisors have made informal approaches to investors about raising an estimated 拢350m.

The figure is the payment the company needs to make before next summer to avoid a higher interest bill on its 拢1.55bn debt pile.

One source said: 鈥淭aylor Wimpey began sounding out investors after its bank signed off the refinancing deal earlier this month. There is a feeling they don鈥檛 want to hang about and get it done as soon as possible.鈥�

Taylor Wimpey declined to comment on the speculation.

Taylor Wimpey鈥檚 largest shareholders are:

Barclays 鈥� 6%
Polaris 鈥� 5.5%
JP Morgan Asset Management 鈥� 5%
Standard Life 鈥� 4%
Legal & General 鈥� 4%
Prudential 鈥� 3.5%

The exact amount raised by any rights issue and level of discount will be determined by the preliminary talks.

It is understood one issue making investors cautious is the pledge they have made to support the refinancing of the banking sector as a priority.

But most analysts believe there is an appetite among investors for a rights issue at Taylor Wimpey.

Robin Hardy at KBC Peel Hunt said: 鈥淚f everyone plays ball it doesn鈥檛 need to be dilutive and you have the double win of paying down debt and boosting the equity base.鈥�

Meanwhile the company has announced the sale of its construction business in Ghana to the existing management for 拢1.

It completes its exit from the construction arena to focus on housebuilding.

Its Ghana business made a loss of 拢14.8m in 2007 and the disposal will have no impact on Taylor Wimpey鈥檚 results for 2009.

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