https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/97517/000114036120007305/formsc13da.htm

Looks like Tessler Parties are out of the Cooperation Agreement. Horizon and Softvest remain.  Would be a joy to see Tessler figure out another way to poke at the hornet’s nest.

March 27, 2020

Reference is made to that certain Cooperation Agreement (as amended, the “Cooperation Agreement“) by and among SoftVest Advisors, LLC (“SoftVest“), Horizon Kinetics LLC (“Horizon“), Tessler Family Limited Partnership (“TFLP“), and ART-FGT Family Partners Limited (“ART-FGT” and together with TFLP, the “Tessler Parties“) (collectively, the “Parties” and each, a “Party“).  Each of the Parties hereby mutually agree to terminate the Cooperation Agreement with respect to the Tessler Parties, effective immediately (the “Tessler Withdrawal“).

The undersigned Tessler Parties hereby wish to withdraw from the Cooperation Agreement and upon countersignature from SoftVest and Horizon, such withdrawal shall immediately become effective.  Upon such withdrawal, the undersigned Tessler Parties will no longer have any agreement, arrangement or understanding whatsoever with SoftVest or Horizon with respect to the acquisition, holding, voting or disposition of securities of Texas Pacific Land Trust (“TPL“).  Furthermore, upon such withdrawal, SoftVest and Horizon may vote or dispose of any securities of Texas Pacific Land Trust that they may beneficially own in their sole discretion, subject to any contractual obligations each may have to other third parties or to each other (including pursuant to the Cooperation Agreement).

The Cooperation Agreement shall otherwise remain in full force and effect between Horizon and SoftVest.  For the avoidance of doubt, Sections 6(d), 7, 8 and 9 of the Cooperation Agreement shall survive the withdrawal by the undersigned.

The Tessler Parties acknowledge that notwithstanding such withdrawal, the Tessler Parties may be subject to ongoing obligations to TPL under the Settlement Agreement dated July 30, 2019, as amended.

The Conversion Committee recommended a conversion to C-Corp on January 22, 2020.  After two months and a day pass, the Trustess come out to say they will adopt the recommendation of the committee they were on(!!!).  With no further details other than, uh, um, Fall 2020 maybe.

Why are things taking so long?  How much money has been paid in legal bills?

Even in good news there is misery with this pair of “Trustees” who appear to be working in the interest of everybody but the owners of the trust.

 

 

https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200323005276/en/

There’s your conversion.  Who’s on the board?

DALLAS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The Trustees of Texas Pacific Land Trust (NYSE: TPL) (the “Trust”) announced today that the Trust has approved a plan to reorganize from its current structure to a corporation formed under Delaware law. The Trustees made their determination following careful consideration of the recommendation of the Conversion Exploration Committee of the Trust.

“The Trust’s present structure has suited the Trust’s needs and those of its shareholders for more than a century, but a Delaware corporate structure is more aligned with the expectations of today’s investors. A new corporate structure would better allow us to execute on business goals and capitalize on our enviable assets, resources and business potential,” said David E. Barry, a Trustee of the Trust. “With an enhanced governance framework in step with practices of publicly traded peer corporations, we expect a new corporate structure would enable value creation over time and drive value for stockholders.” John R. Norris III, Trustee of the Trust, added, “We are grateful to the members of the Committee for dedicating their time and attention to providing a thoughtful recommendation that informed this decision.”

Under the corporate reorganization plan, common stock of the new corporation would be distributed upon the consummation of the reorganization process to holders of sub-share certificates of proprietary interest of the Trust and traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). At or about such time, the sub-share certificates would be cancelled. The corporate reorganization is intended to be tax-free in the United States, and the corporation will be deemed a c-corporation for U.S. taxation purposes.

The Trust is presently aiming for the corporate reorganization to be effective by the end of the third quarter of 2020, but the Trust recognizes that unforeseen impacts of COVID-19 could extend this timeframe despite the Trust’s efforts. Barring any such unforeseen disruptions, further information regarding the corporate reorganization will be included in a registration statement on Form 10 to be filed by the corporation with the SEC as well as in other communications and disclosures anticipated to be made by the Trust and the corporation.

Email me if you’re interested in joining.

No debt.

~$180MM cash on hand (my estimate).  Good enough to take down 7.6% of the $2.35B mkt cap.

Sure, it’s a falling knife but it’s my falling knife.

Record high volume of 96,356.  Volume weighted average price was $504.11.  Last trade was 751 shares @ $467.21.  Down 24.89% in price on the day.

Hoping the Trustees will act honorably and enact much needed governance changes so that repurchases can commence.  Not holding my breath.

We’ll see what tomorrow brings.

https://ir.stockpr.com/tpltrust/sec-filings-email/content/0001213900-20-005623/ea119351-8k_texaspacific.htm

Enjoy the weekend.

Until you are underwhelmed in one way or another by the Trustees.  How will you celebrate?

Update:  7:30am EST on 3/6 has come and gone without a press release.   Guess we’re taking this to the wire.

https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/97517/000121390020005109/ea119151ex99-1_texaspacific.htm

Looks very similar to the old deck but with some new numbers.

It’s rich how they boast about repurchases on the first page of the presentation.

Would love to see some calls and communication of vision to go along with this presentation.  $4MM each means its time to step for the C-Suite to step up.  Big boy pay = big boy responsibilities.