
A warrant sale can be a bit overwhelming for beginners, but don't worry, I've got you covered.
A warrant sale is a type of investment that allows you to buy a company's stock at a predetermined price, which is usually lower than the current market price.
To get started, you'll need to understand the basics of warrants, such as their expiration date, strike price, and underlying stock.
A warrant's expiration date is the deadline by which you must exercise your option to buy the underlying stock.
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What is a Warrant Sale?
A warrant sale is a means of collecting debts in Scotland, but it's been abolished since 2001. It was a statutory means of collecting debts governed by the Debtors (Scotland) Act 1987.
In the past, Scottish councils used this legislation against people who didn't pay their Community Charge, and sheriff officers would enter homes to collect the debt. Under the 1987 act, debt collectors were allowed to enter a debtor's home and put a value on items, which would be subject to a later auction.
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The practice was used to collect debts from those who genuinely couldn't pay, but also affected the poorest section of society. It became a contentious political issue in the late 1980s.
The Abolition of Poindings and Warrant Sales Act 2001 removed this legislation from Scots law, effectively ending warrant sales.
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Warrant Sale Process
The warrant sale process can be complex, but it's essential to understand the basics.
A warrant sale is typically initiated by the issuer of the warrant, who will announce the sale details to the market.
The sale price of the warrant is usually determined by the market forces of supply and demand.
The issuer may choose to sell the warrants through a public auction or a private sale.
In a public auction, the issuer will set a minimum price for the warrants, and investors can bid on them.
The sale of warrants can be a cost-effective way for investors to gain exposure to the underlying asset.
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Warrant holders will typically have the right to exercise the warrant, which allows them to buy the underlying asset at a predetermined price.
The exercise price of the warrant is usually higher than the current market price of the underlying asset.
This can provide a significant profit for the warrant holder if the price of the underlying asset increases.
Investors should carefully review the terms and conditions of the warrant before investing.
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Warrant Sale Details
High-growth emerging companies typically issue warrants for common stock or preferred stock. The type of stock specified in the warrant can be known and specified in the warrant.
The holder of the warrant might have the option to choose to receive shares of a new series of preferred stock to be issued in a future financing. This option can be a complex part of the warrant sale details.
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Buy and Sell Real Estate
If you own real estate, a creditor can get a warrant to sell it to pay off a debt. Real estate includes houses, apartments, land, holiday houses, farms, and more.
The sheriff will tell you if a warrant has been issued for your real estate, and when the sale will happen. You'll need to act quickly if you're threatened with this warrant.
The sheriff will sell your interest in the land by auction if you can't pay the debt. A reserve price must be set, based on the valuation of the land.
After the sale, the sheriff will pay out any loans mortgaged to the land, council and water rates, and costs associated with the sale of the land. This must be done before paying the creditor's claim.
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Number of Shares
The number of shares of stock exercisable under a warrant is a fundamental economic term. This number is typically expressed as a fixed number or a formula, and in some cases, it's a combination of both.
A warrant may specify an initial number of shares based on the original loan amount, and also provide that the number of shares will increase if the company borrows additional funds under the loan facility. This is a common practice in corporate financing.
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The number of shares underlying the warrant can vary, but it's always specified in the warrant document. In some cases, the holder of the warrant may have the option to choose the type of stock they receive, which can add complexity to the calculation.
The number of shares is a critical factor in determining the value of the warrant, so it's essential to understand how it's calculated and what factors can affect it.
Sale of Company Treatment
In a sale of the company, the treatment of a warrant can be a crucial consideration. Many warrants require advance notice of such an event.
The warrant may provide that it will be deemed automatically exercised immediately prior to the sale if the acquisition price is above the exercise price. This is usually done through a cashless exercise.
The buyer may also assume the warrant in a sale of the company, according to the warrant terms. This can be a significant advantage for the warrant holder.
If the acquisition price is below the exercise price, the warrant may not be exercised automatically, and the holder may need to decide whether to exercise.
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Warrant Sale Terms

When buying warrants, it's essential to understand the sale terms to avoid any potential pitfalls.
The sale price of a warrant is typically higher than its intrinsic value.
Warrant sale terms are usually negotiable, allowing buyers and sellers to agree on a mutually beneficial price.
The duration of a warrant can range from a few months to several years, depending on the agreement between the parties involved.
In some cases, the warrant sale terms may include a call option, allowing the buyer to purchase the underlying asset at a predetermined price.
What If Someone Else Owns the Goods?
If someone else owns the goods, you need to act fast to prevent a sale that's not yours. The sheriff can't sell property that doesn't belong to you.
You should write to the sheriff immediately, explaining that the property doesn't belong to you and including proof of ownership, such as photocopies of receipts. This can help prevent the sale from going ahead.
The sheriff may agree not to take the goods, or they might ask the court to decide ownership. If they do take your property, you can make a claim in the Magistrates' Court for an order stopping the sale.
Exercise Price

The exercise price, also known as the strike price, is the agreed-upon price to be paid for each share underlying the warrant at the time of exercise.
Issuers have flexibility in setting the exercise price, which could be the fair market value of the stock at the time of grant, or some other price.
In some cases, the exercise price is set at a nominal price of $0.01, known as a "penny warrant" or "pre-funded warrant".
The exercise price is usually expressed as a known fixed number, but it could also be derived from a formula or the price paid for a new series of preferred stock to be issued in a future financing.
Issuers typically have more flexibility in setting the material terms of a warrant issued to a third party than they do in the case of issuing options to service providers.
Term/Expiration Date
The term of a warrant, also known as the expiration date, is a crucial aspect of a warrant sale. This date determines when the warrant can no longer be exercised.
Most warrants have terms between 2 and 10 years, and sometimes up to 12 years, depending on the nature and circumstances of the deal. The longer the term, the more valuable the warrant is likely to be.
Warrant Sale Implications
Warrant sales were a contentious issue in Scotland until 2001, affecting the poorest section of society who genuinely were unable to pay a debt.
The practice was governed by the Debtors (Scotland) Act 1987, which allowed debt collectors to enter a debtor's home and poind items, subject to a later auction under warrant.
This legislation was used by Scottish councils against Community Charge defaulters, who were forced to pay the outstanding debts.
The practice was eventually abolished by the Abolition of Poindings and Warrant Sales Act 2001, introduced by Tommy Sheridan, MSP, of the Scottish Socialist Party.
In recent years, there have been attempts to reintroduce warrant sales, with Jackie Baillie, MSP, accusing the Scottish government of attempting to reintroduce the practice in 2022.
In the context of private companies, warrants often include terms for major corporate events, such as a sale of the company or an IPO.
These terms may require advance notice of the event, to enable the warrant holder to decide whether to exercise the warrant.
In some cases, the warrant may be deemed automatically exercised immediately prior to the sale, or assumed by the buyer.
How Lenders Make Money

Lenders make money on the warrant by selling the shares they purchase at the exercise price immediately at the sale price, realizing the difference between prices as profit.
The difference between the sale price and the exercise price is the profit that lenders can make on a warrant.
This profit would have gone to the founders and other shareholders if they still owned the rights granted by the warrant.
The actual cost of capital is impossible to predict when a warrant is involved, as the profit potential is unclear.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you purchase a warrant?
Yes, you can purchase a warrant, but only after it's been issued and starts trading on an exchange, where you can buy it through a brokerage account.
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