* Seven for 10 rights issue at 365p/share fully underwritten
* Proceeds will be partly used to reduce 985 mln pounds debt
* Expects markets to continue to weaken until Q3 2009
* Says year-to-date performance ahead of board expectations (Adds detail)
By James Davey
LONDON, May 11 (Reuters) - Travis Perkins Plc, the British builders merchant and DIY group, announced a fully underwritten 300 million pound ($439.8 million) rights issue to reduce its debt burden and allow it to take advantage of acquisition opportunities.
The firm also said on Monday that it expected its markets to continue to weaken until the third quarter of 2009.
Travis said the issue of 85,903,379 new shares was being made on the basis of seven new shares for every 10 existing shares at a price of 365 pence a share, a discount of 51.6 percent to Travis's closing price on Friday.
It said proceeds from the fundraising would partly be used to reduce its net debt, which stood at 984.6 million pounds at March 31.
"The rights issue will strengthen the group's balance sheet during the current uncertain trading and macro-economic times, as well as position the group to be ready to take advantage of, and capitalise on, opportunities when markets eventually recover," said Chief Executive Geoff Cooper.
He added that while the group remains and expects to remain within its banking covenants, the rights issue will provide additional headroom.
Travis, which trades from more than 1,200 branches across the UK under the Travis Perkins, Wickes and other brand names, also updated on current trading.
It said its year-to-date overall financial performance was ahead of the board's expectations, with market trends broadly in line with the group's forecast for the recession.
Group revenue for the four months to April 30 was down 13.6 percent, with like-for-like sales down 14.4 percent.
Like-for-like revenue in Travis' merchanting division fell 19.0 percent.
Retail like-for-like sales on an ordered basis were down 1.6 percent for the 18 weeks to May 2.
Shares in Travis Perkins have lost a quarter of their value over the last year, but have increased by 43 percent over the last month.
The stock closed on Friday at 753.5 pence, valuing the business at 925 million pounds. (Editing by Mark Potter; Editing by Rupert Winchester)