Lucid (LCID) witnessed a significant surge in its shares, rising over 5% on Monday, following a groundbreaking announcement from the electric vehicle (EV) titan. The company unveiled a robust injection of capital from its largest shareholder through a substantial $1 billion purchase of newly created convertible preferred stock.
The infusion, which came through a private stock sale, was welcomed by investors as a strategic move to bolster Lucid’s financial position in the fiercely competitive EV market. The buyer, Ayar Third Investment Company, an affiliate of Saudi Arabia’s esteemed Public Investment Fund (PIF), stepped in as the principal contributor to this transformative initiative.
Lucid disclosed that the infusion of capital would be earmarked for general corporate utilization, encompassing pivotal areas such as capital expenditures and working capital, among others. This move underscores Lucid’s commitment to fortify its operational capabilities and foster innovation across its product lineup.
CEO and CTO, Peter Rawlinson, emphasized the significance of PIF’s backing, citing it as a pivotal factor enabling Lucid to pursue its long-term investment goals in technology advancement and production scalability. Rawlinson reiterated the company’s strategic priorities, highlighting a steadfast focus on driving growth through accelerated deliveries, meticulous cost management, and the impending launch of its highly anticipated Gravity SUV later this year.
In response to the announcement, Lucid shares closed notably higher, surging by 5.4% to reach $2.92 by the end of Monday’s trading session. However, despite this positive momentum, Lucid shares have endured a challenging year, witnessing a downturn of nearly 30% in value since the outset of 2024, and a staggering decline of over 64% over the past 12 months.
The infusion of capital from PIF signifies a significant milestone for Lucid, signaling confidence in its vision and strategic trajectory amidst a dynamic landscape within the EV sector. Investors are keenly watching as Lucid maneuvers to leverage this substantial financial backing to solidify its position as a formidable force in the global electric vehicle market.
