BUILDERS' merchant Travis Perkins joined the rush for shareholder cash today by announcing details of a £300m rights issue. The group, which owns DIY chain Wickes, said it would use the proceeds to reduce its £985m debt pile and invest in its core businesses. Travis Perkins expects markets to weaken until 'at least the third quarter of 2009' and said like-for-like sales in the last four months fell 14.4 per cent. This was despite a strong performance by Wickes after significant gains in the kitchen and bathroom sector and a successful Easter trading period. More cash calls in the UK are expected in the coming weeks as firms exploit better market conditions to repair or bolster their balance sheets. As well as Travis Perkins, reports at the weekend said Debenhams and housebuilder Redrow were mulling offering new shares.