Liberty International, SEGRO and Brixton this week all confirmed that they were deciding whether to raise new equity.
However, a sharp drop in share prices across the property sector indicated that the market was betting that there would not be enough cash for all the companies that needed it.
Liberty is expected to announce that it will raise new equity when it reveals its 2008 results next Thursday.
It is thought that the company is planning to announce either a rights issue or share placing with existing investors, with analysts estimating that the company could need up to £500m. The company’s life president, South African Donald Gordon, and its large body of South African shareholders are thought to support a capital raising, and could be willing to underwrite a share placing.
SEGRO and Brixton confirmed that they were considering equity raisings after their share prices dropped 18% and 29%, respectively, on Tuesday.
Both companies report full-year results in March neither is thought to be rushing forward the publication of results to hurry through a rights issue.
SEGRO is understood to be in negotiations with lenders over the possible relaxation of banking covenants as well as weighing up a rights issue. JP Morgan has estimated that the company could require up to £350m of new equity.
