NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--TPG Specialty Lending, Inc. (“TSLX”; NYSE:TSLX), a specialty finance company focused on lending to middle-market companies, today issued a letter to TICC Capital Corp.’s (“TICC”; NASDAQ:TICC) Chairman of the Board, Mr. Steven Novak, calling out the self-serving actions of the Board and its lack of alignment with stockholders’ best interests. In the letter, TSLX outlines how the Board has failed TICC stockholders and how stockholders would benefit from a new, best-in-class external adviser.
A copy of the letter follows:
Mr. Steven Novak
Chairman of the Board
TICC Capital Corp.
8
Sound Shore Drive, Suite 255
Greenwich, CT 06830
Dear Mr. Novak,
We are writing as the largest single stockholder of TICC Capital Corp (“TICC” or the “Company) in response to your latest public letter of July 28, 2016, in which we believe that, once again, you are blatantly misleading stockholders. We think it’s time to finally set the record straight and end the fear tactics you continue to wield against your stockholders.
We simply reject that you are a true representative of stockholder interests. We note that your purchase of 5,000 shares in May 2016, following our public letters, for an investment of $26,401, was the first time you acquired shares in almost eight years. Only under threat of proxy contest did you hold your nose and break a near decade of avoiding the very stockholders you now purport to represent.
TPG Specialty Lending (“TSLX”) has never once indicated that we encourage or support the reduction of TICC’s dividend. In fact, we have advocated for a more sustainable dividend policy, one that would provide stockholders with greater value and a true return. We believe the clearest path forward is to replace the current management team with one that can source and manage assets that earn a return to meet its dividend.
Your leadership has overseen investment returns for stockholders that are so poor it is almost incomprehensible. However, you and the TICC Board have clung to the life raft of false promises about the future of a clearly unsustainable dividend.
The fact is that your Board has shown a shocking misunderstanding of investment fundamentals mixed with a craven focus on personal interests. You have delivered abysmal total returns, halved the core of your stockholders’ investment (net asset value) and are now paying a dividend independent analysts almost universally call unsustainable. 1
How can you claim this disguised liquidation is a sustainable or fair way to deliver value to stockholders?
The stockholders of TICC deserve directors that will put them first, and an external adviser that will create true value. Last fall, you delivered a “teach-in” session for stockholders on your phony dividend. Let us return the favor on the basics of investing.
The facts are clear: in the first quarter of 2016, TICC management generated net investment income (“NII”) equivalent to 5% of net asset value (“NAV”), but TICC has paid out a dividend equal to 20% of NAV.
Your materials have consistently ignored the underlying nature of the assets TICC owns, which are primarily broadly syndicated securities. This creates a distortion when comparing TICC to BDCs that instead focus on bespoke, directly originated investments. For example, even though we expect to see an increase in the fair value of the broadly syndicated and readily accessible assets held in TICC’s portfolio during the quarter, this has no influence on the future earning power of TICC. The fact is the existing portfolio of assets does not generate sufficient income to support the current dividend policy. We are confident that you will attempt to use any fictional gain to further confuse stockholders with arcane and misleading references to accounting rules.
We are equally confident that stockholders will continue to recognize the simple facts. NAV is directly impacted by TICC’s ability to earn its dividend – something TICC has yet to prove it is capable of doing in a sustainable manner.
We regret to state that we have lost all confidence in the Board and the management team’s ability to either protect our investment or generate significant future returns. In our eyes, you are no longer a credible adviser and we believe other stockholders feel similarly.
Your reputation and the reputations of the other directors at TICC are on the line in this fight. It is clear that you and other “independent” board members are more than willing to throw that away to desperately protect a failing adviser given the Company has paid the Board in excess of $2.8 million in fees while stockholder returns have been less than treasuries2.
Let us remind you of the indefensible actions the Board and management team have taken, all at the expense of their stockholders:
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Collection of Oversized Fees
The external adviser has collected over $141.4 million in management and incentive fees from stockholders’ investment over the past 12+ years. Mr. Novak, you personally collected more than $1 million in Board-related compensation, all while NAV decreased by 57% since TICC’s IPO in 2003. The Board and management team continue to benefit from stockholders’ investment while TICC has delivered abysmal returns, underperforming the BDC Composite by 192% since 20033. How can you defend lining your own pockets like this while stockholders’ investments suffer?
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Defense of the Failing External Adviser
For the first time in its history, TICC’s annual meeting was not held in June. As a result of this delay, management insiders have been permitted to accumulate TICC shares at record low prices, which they presumably will vote in their own self-interest. How can you and the rest of the Board justify this? How can you defend an external adviser that has ignored the lack of earning power of TICC’s portfolio and subsequently delivered such terrible returns for stockholders? You cannot.
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Likely Violation of Federal Securities Laws
It is nearly impossible for us to trust that the Board and management team can act independently following their role in the flawed and failed transaction in 2015 that led a federal judge to find TICC to have misled stockholders and to have likely violated federal securities laws.
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Facilitation of a Value Transfer from
Stockholders to the Board
Mr. Novak, in the failed 2015 transaction, you and TICC led a campaign to sell the external adviser to a third party and advocated the reduction of management fees, authorization of a share buyback program, and reconstitution of the Board. Although in that solicitation, the Special Committee of the Board indicated it believed “[n]o alternative currently exists that the Special Committee would approve or recommend because no current proposal is preferable to the status quo other than the approval of BSP as the new manager,” we do not believe that to be the case and we note that, as part of its advocacy in favor of that solicitation, the Company told Stockholders that failing to approve the BSP transaction would result in Stockholders being left with the “[s]tatus quo: higher fee structure . . . [the] same advisor, and [the] same Board.” What has changed? To us, the difference is clear. You will only support change that results in millions of dollars being paid to fellow Board members.
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Refusal to Engage with Largest Single
Stockholder
In February of 2016, TSLX made it clear that we wished to avoid a costly and drawn-out proxy contest and encouraged a productive meeting with TICC to evaluate the Company’s options for a brighter future. However, TICC refused to engage with us in any meaningful way and instead left TSLX with no choice but to pursue a campaign at the annual meeting to effect real change. TICC’s unwillingness to consider terminating the external adviser to avoid a burdensome proxy contest again demonstrates its lack of interest in doing what’s best for stockholders. If you won’t listen to us, your largest single stockholder, what makes us believe you would listen to the rest of your stockholder base?
Your lack of leadership has led to terrible financial performance and an astounding decline in NAV of 57% since 2003. In our eyes, you are unfit to manage stockholders’ investment given past performance. You have destroyed substantial value at the expense of stockholders and you continue to misrepresent what a change in the external adviser could mean for stockholders. Stop lying to your stockholders! There is a promising future for TICC under new management.
TICC stockholders deserve more. TSLX intends to continue advocating for TICC stockholders’ best interests, including the pursuit of the following reforms:
- The implementation of a sustainable dividend policy
- Greater total returns for stockholders, rather than the adviser
- The authorization of a meaningful share repurchase program
- The election of new independent directors
- No restrictions on value-creating opportunities
- The appointment of a new best-in-class external adviser that prioritizes stockholders’ best interests and their investment
Stockholders deserve both a refreshed and independent Board and a capable management team and external adviser to drive growth, generate value and deliver true meaningful change. The time for a new path forward is now.
Very truly yours,
TPG SPECIALTY LENDING, INC.
Joshua Easterly
Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer
Michael Fishman
Co-Chief Executive Officer
TSLX’s proxy materials are also available through the SEC’s website and at www.changeTICCnow.com.
About TPG Specialty Lending
TPG Specialty Lending, Inc.
(“TSLX” or the “Company”) is a specialty finance company focused on
lending to middle-market companies. The Company seeks to generate
current income primarily in U.S.-domiciled middle-market companies
through direct originations of senior secured loans and, to a lesser
extent, originations of mezzanine loans and investments in corporate
bonds and equity securities. The Company has elected to be regulated as
a business development company, or BDC, under the Investment Company Act
of 1940 and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. TSLX is
externally managed by TSL Advisers, LLC, a Securities and Exchange
Commission registered investment adviser. TSLX leverages the deep
investment, sector, and operating resources of TPG Special Situations
Partners, the dedicated special situations and credit platform of TPG,
with approximately $16 billion of assets under management as of March
31, 2016, and the broader TPG platform, a global private investment firm
with approximately $74 billion of assets under management as of March
31, 2016. For more information, visit the Company’s website at www.tpgspecialtylending.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Information set forth herein may contain forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, statements with regard to the expected future financial position, results of operations, cash flows, dividends, portfolio, financing plans, business strategy, budgets, capital expenditures, competitive positions, growth opportunities, plans and objectives of management of TICC Capital Corp. (“TICC”), statements with regard to the expected future financial position, results of operations, cash flows, dividends, portfolio, financing plans, business strategy, budgets, capital expenditures, competitive positions, growth opportunities, plans and objectives of management of TPG Specialty Lending, Inc. (“TSLX”), and statements with regard to TSLX’s proposed business combination transaction with TICC (including any financing required in connection with a possible transaction and the benefits, results, effects and timing of a possible transaction). Statements set forth herein concerning the business outlook or future economic performance, anticipated profitability, revenues, expenses, dividends or other financial items, and product or services line growth of TSLX, TICC and/or the combined businesses of TSLX and TICC, including, but not limited to, statements containing words such as “anticipate,” “approximate,” “believe,” “plan,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “will,” “intend,” “may,” “potential,” “upside” and other similar expressions, together with other statements that are not historical facts, are forward-looking statements that are estimates reflecting the best judgment of TSLX based upon currently available information.
Such forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain, and stockholders and other potential investors must recognize that actual results may differ materially from TSLX’s expectations as a result of a variety of factors including, without limitation, those discussed below. Such forward-looking statements are based upon TSLX’s current expectations and include known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which TSLX is unable to predict or control, that may cause TSLX’s plans with respect to TICC or the actual results or performance of TICC, TSLX or TICC and TSLX on a combined basis to differ materially from any plans, future results or performance expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors discussed below and detailed from time to time in TSLX’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).
Risks and uncertainties related to a possible transaction include, among others, uncertainty as to whether TSLX will further pursue, enter into or consummate a transaction on the terms set forth in its proposal or on other terms, uncertainty as to whether TICC’s board of directors will engage in good faith, substantive discussions or negotiations with TSLX concerning its proposal or any other possible transaction, potential adverse reactions or changes to business relationships resulting from the announcement or completion of a transaction, uncertainties as to the timing of a transaction, adverse effects on TSLX’s stock price resulting from the announcement or consummation of a transaction or any failure to complete a transaction, competitive responses to the announcement or consummation of a transaction, the risk that regulatory or other approvals and any financing required in connection with the consummation of a transaction are not obtained or are obtained subject to terms and conditions that are not anticipated, costs and difficulties related to a potential integration of TICC’s businesses and operations with TSLX’s businesses and operations, the inability to obtain, or delays in obtaining, cost savings and synergies from a transaction, unexpected costs, liabilities, charges or expenses resulting from a transaction, litigation relating to a transaction, the inability to retain key personnel, and any changes in general economic and/or industry specific conditions.
In addition to these factors, other factors that may affect TSLX’s plans, results or stock price are set forth in TSLX’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and in its reports on Forms 10-Q and 8-K.
Many of these factors are beyond TSLX’s control. TSLX cautions investors that any forward-looking statements made by TSLX are not guarantees of future performance. TSLX disclaims any obligation to update any such factors or to announce publicly the results of any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements to reflect future events or developments.
Third Party-Sourced Statements and Information
Certain statements and information included herein have been sourced from third parties. TSLX does not make any representations regarding the accuracy, completeness or timeliness of such third party statements or information. Except as expressly set forth herein, permission to cite such statements or information has neither been sought nor obtained from such third parties. Any such statements or information should not be viewed as an indication of support from such third parties for the views expressed herein. All information in this communication regarding TICC, including its businesses, operations and financial results, was obtained from public sources. While TSLX has no knowledge that any such information is inaccurate or incomplete, TSLX has not verified any of that information. TSLX reserves the right to change any of its opinions expressed herein at any time as it deems appropriate. TSLX disclaims any obligation to update the data, information or opinions contained herein.
Proxy Solicitation Information
In connection with TSLX’s solicitation of proxies for the 2016 annual meeting of TICC stockholders in favor of (a) the election of TSLX’s nominee to serve as a director of TICC and (b) TSLX’s proposal to terminate the Investment Advisory Agreement, dated as of July 1, 2011, by and between TICC and TICC Management, LLC, as contemplated by Section 15(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, TSLX filed an amended definitive proxy statement in connection therewith on Schedule 14A with the SEC on July 14, 2016 (the “TSLX Proxy Statement”). TSLX has mailed the TSLX Proxy Statement and accompanying GOLD proxy card to stockholders of TICC. This communication is not a substitute for the TSLX Proxy Statement.
TSLX STRONGLY ADVISES ALL STOCKHOLDERS OF TICC TO READ THE TSLX PROXY STATEMENT AND THE OTHER PROXY MATERIALS AS THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. SUCH TSLX PROXY MATERIALS ARE AND WILL BECOME AVAILABLE AT NO CHARGE ON THE SEC’S WEB SITE AT HTTP://WWW.SEC.GOV AND ON TSLX’S WEBSITE AT HTTP://WWW.TPGSPECIALTYLENDING.COM. IN ADDITION, TSLX WILL PROVIDE COPIES OF THE TSLX PROXY STATEMENT WITHOUT CHARGE UPON REQUEST. REQUESTS FOR COPIES SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO TSLX’S PROXY SOLICITOR AT TPG@MACKENZIEPARTNERS.COM.
The participants in the solicitation are TSLX and T. Kelley Millet, and certain of TSLX’s directors and executive officers may also be deemed to be participants in the solicitation. As of the date hereof, TSLX beneficially owned 1,633,719 shares of common stock of TICC. As of the date hereof, Mr. Millet did not directly or indirectly beneficially own any shares of common stock of TICC.
Security holders may obtain information regarding the names, affiliations and interests of TSLX’s directors and executive officers in TSLX’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, which was filed with the SEC on February 24, 2016, its proxy statement for the 2016 annual meeting of TSLX stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on April 8, 2016, and certain of its Current Reports on Form 8-K. These documents can be obtained free of charge from the sources indicated above. Additional information regarding the interests of these participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, is available in the TSLX Proxy Statement and other relevant materials to be filed with the SEC (if and when available).
This document shall not constitute an offer to sell, buy or exchange or the solicitation of an offer to sell, buy or exchange any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offering of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
1 Results Miss on Professional Fee Expense – Maintain Neutral on Uncertain Outlook, Ladenburg Thalmann, May 10, 2015; TICC: CORRECTION: Uncertainty Surrounding New Inv. Strategy, Wells Fargo, March 18, 2016 and TICC: We Hope TICC Mgmt Will Take Questions On This Quarter's Conf. Call--Just Saying…, Wells Fargo, February 4, 2016; TICC at Crossroads, Barclays, October 6, 2015; Board Making a Poor Deal? Should Shareholders Reject the Current Proposal?, Keefe, Bruyette& Woods, September 16, 2015; TICC Report, Egan‐Jones Proxy Services, October 27, 2015
2 Company Filings. Capital IQ
3 BDC Composite comprised of ACAS, AINV, ARCC, BKCC, FSC, GBDC, HTGC, MAIN, MCC, NMFC, PNNT, PSEC, SLRC, TCAP, and TCRD Note: Market data as of July 26, 2016