At least the discount on the offering was 5.5% this time. The last offering in Sept. 2009 was discounted at 7%.
Discount relative to what?
We should, AT LEAST, consider where the stock price was during periods prior to the offerings before taking small comfort in the 5.5% vs 7% numbers that you site.
How about discounts relative to the respective 52-week highs, e.g.?
A lot has changed for this company since 09/09 but this does seem like an unsophisticated financial move by management, an offering by rote.