Terra Property Trust Acquires 5.2% Stake in AG Mortgage Investment Trust to Unlock Value

Rhea-AI Summary

Terra Property Trust, Inc. (TPT) has acquired approximately 5.2% of the outstanding shares of common stock of AG Mortgage Investment Trust, Inc. (MITT), making TPT the second-largest stockholder of MITT. TPT believes MITT is undervalued and intends to explore options to unlock this value, including a strategic combination. TPT may engage in discussions with management, the Board of Directors, and other stakeholders to improve MITT's financial and operational performance.

NEW YORK, July 25, 2023  /PRNewswire/ -- Terra Property Trust, Inc. ("TPT"), a real estate investment trust externally managed by a subsidiary of Mavik Capital Management, LP ("Mavik"), today announced that it has acquired approximately 5.2% of the outstanding shares of common stock of AG Mortgage Investment Trust, Inc. (NYSE: MITT) ("MITT") as of July 24, 2023, making TPT the second-largest stockholder of MITT.

As disclosed in a Schedule 13D filed today by TPT and other reporting persons, TPT believes that MITT is undervalued and intends to consider all options to unlock this value in a constructive manner for its stockholders, including, without limitation, a strategic combination involving MITT. TPT may engage in discussions with members of management and the Board of Directors of MITT, other current or prospective stockholders, industry analysts, investment and financing professionals, equity and debt financing sources, and other third parties regarding a variety of matters relating to MITT, which may include, among other things, its business, management, capital structure and allocation, corporate governance, board composition, strategic alternatives and direction and suggestions for improving its financial and/or operational performance. TPT also may take other steps seeking to bring about changes to increase value for MITT stockholders.

TPT remains firmly committed to completing the merger contemplated by its executed merger agreement with Western Asset Mortgage Capital Corporation (NYSE: WMC) ("WMC") in the fourth quarter of 2023.

Important Additional Information and Where to Find It

In connection with the proposed merger between WMC and TPT (the "Merger"), WMC expects to file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") a registration statement on Form S-4 (the "Registration Statement") that contains a prospectus of WMC that will also include a joint proxy statement of WMC and TPT (the "joint proxy statement/prospectus"). The joint proxy statement/prospectus will contain important information about WMC, TPT, the proposed merger and related matters. WMC and TPT also expect to file with the SEC other documents regarding the merger. STOCKHOLDERS OF WMC AND TPT ARE URGED TO READ THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND THE JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS (INCLUDING ALL AMENDMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTS THERETO) AND OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS THAT ARE FILED OR WILL BE FILED BY WMC AND TPT WITH THE SEC, AS WELL AS ANY AMENDMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTS TO THESE DOCUMENTS) CAREFULLY IF AND WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE, BECAUSE SUCH DOCUMENTS WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT WMC, TPT, AND THE PROPOSED MERGER AND RELATED MATTERS. Stockholders of WMC and TPT may obtain free copies of the Registration Statement, the joint proxy statement/prospectus and all other documents filed or that will be filed by WMC or TPT with the SEC (if and when they become available) through the website maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov. Copies of documents filed with the SEC by WMC will be made available free of charge on WMC's website at http://www.westernassetmcc.com, or by directing a request to its Investor Relations, Attention: Larry Clark at (310) 622-8223; email: lclark@finprofiles.com. Copies of documents filed with the SEC by TPT will be made available free of charge on TPT's website at https://www.terrapropertytrust.com, or by directing a request to its Investor Relations at (212) 257-4666; email: ir@mavikcapital.com.

This communication is for informational purposes only and shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or a solicitation of any vote or approval, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the 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 U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act").

Participants in Solicitation Relating to the Merger

WMC, TPT, and their respective directors and executive officers, and certain other affiliates of WMC or TPT may be deemed to be "participants" in the solicitation of proxies from the stockholders of WMC and TPT in respect of the Merger. Information regarding WMC and its directors and executive officers and their ownership of common stock of WMC can be found in WMC's definitive proxy statement filed with the SEC on May 2, 2023, and its most recent Annual Report filed on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022. Information regarding TPT and its directors and executive officers and their ownership of common stock of TPT can be found in TPT's definitive proxy statement filed with the SEC on April 26, 2023, and its most recent Annual Report filed on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022. Additional information regarding the interests of such potential participants will be included in the joint proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant documents filed with the SEC in connection with the proposed Merger if and when they become available. These documents are available free of charge on the SEC's website and from WMC or TPT, as applicable, using the sources indicated above.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes "forward-looking statements," as such term is defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and such statements are intended to be covered by the safe harbor provided by the same. These forward-looking statements are based on current assumptions, expectations, and beliefs of WMC and TPT and are subject to a number of trends and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. TPT cannot give any assurance that these forward-looking statements will be accurate. These forward-looking statements generally can be identified by use of forward-looking terminology such as "may," "will," "target," "should," "expect," "attempt," "anticipate," "project," "estimate," "intend," "seek," "continue," or "believe," or the negatives thereof or other variations thereon or comparable terminology. Similarly, statements herein that describe certain plans, expectations, goals, projections, and statements about the proposed Merger, including its financial and operational impact, the benefits of the Merger, the expected timing of completion of the Merger, and other statements of management's beliefs, intentions or goals also are forward-looking statements. It is uncertain whether any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do, what impact they will have on the results of operations and financial condition of the combined company. There are a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the parties' control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements included herein, including, but not limited to, the risk that the Merger will not be consummated within the expected time period or at all; the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the Agreement; the inability to obtain stockholder approvals relating the Merger and issuance of shares in connection therewith or the failure to satisfy the other conditions to completion of the Merger in a timely manner or at all; risks related to disruption of management's attention from ongoing business operations due to the proposed Merger; the risk that any announcements relating to the Merger could have adverse effects on the market price of common stock of WMC; the risk that the Merger and its announcement could have an adverse effect on the operating results and businesses of WMC and TPT; the outcome of any legal proceedings relating to the Merger; the ability to successfully integrate the businesses following the Merger; the ability to retain key personnel; conditions in the market for mortgage-related investments; availability of suitable investment opportunities; changes in interest rates; changes in the yield curve; changes in prepayment rates; the availability and terms of financing; general economic conditions; market conditions; inflationary pressures on the capital markets and the general economy; conditions in the market for commercial and residential loans, securities and other investments; legislative and regulatory changes that could adversely affect the businesses of WMC or TPT; risks related to the origination and ownership of loans and other assets, which are typically short-term loans that are subject to higher interest rates, transaction costs and uncertainty on loan repayments; risks relating to any future impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the responses of governments and industries, on the real estate sector; credit risks; servicing-related risks, including those associated with foreclosure and liquidation; the state of the U.S. and to a lesser extent, international economy generally or in specific geographic regions; the general volatility of the securities markets in which WMC or TPT participate; WMC or TPT's ability to maintain their respective qualification as a real estate investment trust for U.S. federal income tax purposes; and WMC or TPT's ability to maintain their respective exemption from registration under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. All such factors are difficult to predict, including those risks set forth in the WMC's annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and current reports on Form 8-K that are available on its website at http://www.westernassetmcc.com and on the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov, and those risks set forth in TPT's annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and current reports on Form 8-K that are available on TPT's website at http://www.terrapropertytrust.com and on the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov. The forward-looking statements included in this press release are made only as of the date hereof. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements that speak only as of the date hereof. TPT undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances, except as required by applicable law.

About TPT

TPT originates, invests in, and manages loans, securities, and assets secured by commercial real estate across the US. The company has elected to be taxed as a real estate investment trust for U.S. federal income tax purposes commencing with its taxable year ended December 31, 2016.

Media Contacts
Terra Property Trust, Inc.
Tim Ragones / Erik Carlson
Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher
(212) 355-4449 

 

 

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SOURCE Terra Property Trust, Inc.

FAQ

Who acquired a significant portion of MITT's outstanding shares?

Terra Property Trust, Inc. (TPT) acquired approximately 5.2% of MITT's outstanding shares.

What is TPT's position as a stockholder in MITT?

TPT is now the second-largest stockholder of MITT.

What does TPT believe about MITT's value?

TPT believes MITT is undervalued.

What options will TPT consider to unlock value in MITT?

TPT will consider all options, including a strategic combination.

Who may TPT engage in discussions with regarding MITT?

TPT may engage in discussions with management, the Board of Directors, other stockholders, industry analysts, and other third parties.

What areas may be discussed in the discussions with TPT?

The discussions may cover various matters including business, management, capital structure, corporate governance, board composition, strategic alternatives, and suggestions for improving financial and operational performance.