Golden Ocean Group Limited (NASDAQ:GOGL) stock plummeted 12.33% in the pre-market session on Wednesday, following the announcement that a major shareholder, Hemen Holding Limited, has agreed to sell its entire 40.8% stake in the company to CMB.TECH.
The drastic sell-off reflects concerns among investors regarding the potential impact of the ownership change and the company's future direction under the new major shareholder, CMB.TECH. The deal, priced at $14.49 per share, is not expected to trigger a mandatory takeover bid.
CMB.TECH has identified a bank syndicate to refinance all or parts of Golden Ocean's current outstanding debt, suggesting potential changes in the company's capital structure and financing arrangements. The market appears to be reacting cautiously to the uncertainty surrounding these developments.