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NexPoint Comments on Proposed Acquisition of UDF IV by Ready Capital

In This Article:

Proposed Transaction Demonstrates NexPoint's Ongoing Impact at UDF IV

If Elected, NexPoint Nominees Would Review and Pursue Transaction to Maximize Shareholder Value

DALLAS, Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- NexPoint Real Estate Opportunities, LLC (together with its affiliates "NexPoint") today commented on the proposed transaction between United Development Funding IV ("UDF IV" or the "Company"), a real estate investment trust, and Ready Capital Corporation ("Ready Capital"), a multi-strategy real estate finance company:

"NexPoint is pleased that our multi-year advocacy and litigation continues to benefit UDF IV shareholders by bringing forward a potential transaction that could deliver much-needed liquidity. While we evaluate this proposal further, shareholders should note upfront that the potential $5.89 per share capped value offered under the acquisition is significantly below the $9.47 per share book value that UDF IV provided in its latest financials.

Over 40% of that potential value is comprised of $75 million in contingent cash distributions, which would represent a continued return of capital rather than meaningful value creation. Even so, the merger agreement does not guarantee this distribution; it merely allows UDF IV to make distributions 'up to' that amount. Given the latest financials and other cash obligations outlined in the agreement, the feasibility and likelihood of achieving the full distribution appears questionable.

Though the proposed transaction shows that our efforts are making an impact, we remain concerned about the lack of accountability and transparency at UDF IV under the current Board, which includes Trustees who presided over years of fraud, disclosure violations, poor performance, and persistent illiquidity. Notably, our concerns are reinforced by the intentional withholding of the material terms set forth in the Disclosure Schedules to the merger agreement, without which shareholders cannot accurately evaluate the proposed merger.

If elected, NexPoint's nominees would thoroughly review the proposed terms of the transaction and pursue the best possible outcome for shareholders.  We therefore continue to urge UDF IV shareholders to support NexPoint's nominees at the upcoming annual meeting."

NexPoint's ongoing efforts to drive accountability at UDF IV have already led to a court order compelling the Company to hold an annual meeting and fair election of all independent Trustees for the first time in over eight years. These efforts now continue to benefit shareholders by spurring this potential acquisition.