We wrote recently about J. Daniel Plants‘ Voce Capital expressing disappointment in the performance of the board of directors of FBR & Co. (NASDAQ:FBRC), and nominating three candidates for election at the company’s 2016 annual meeting. According to another filing, Voce Capital has filed a preliminary proxy requesting proxies to vote for its three nominees to the board, to vote against the non-binding advisory vote on named executive officer compensation and to approve the appointment of BDO USA, LLP as the FBR & Co.’s independent registered public accounting firm. Voce Capital, which owns 387,025 common shares or 5.2% of the total amount of the company’s shares, will continue to actively follow actions made by the board of directors and to propose new ideas regarding the management that will protect their and other shareholders interests.
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FBR & Co. is an institutional brokerage and investment banking company that provides a variety of investment services, such as institutional brokerage and research, capital raising and financial advisory, investments in merchant banking, securities lending services to institutional investors, etc. Over the last 12 months, the company’s shares have dropped by 13.16%. For the first quarter of 2016, FBR & Co. disclosed a loss per share of $0.72, versus estimates of a loss of $0.98 per share, and a revenue of $17.9 million million, below the expectations of $19.87 million,
There was a decrease in the number of hedge funds supporting FBR & Co. and 5 investors from our database reported long positions in this stock as of the end of 2015, compared to 6 funds a quarter earlier. Voce Capital held the most valuable position in FBR & Co (NASDAQ:FBRC) worth around $7.7 million in stock. Matthew Hulsizer’s PEAK6 Capital Management and Chuck Royce’s Royce & Associates also reported stakes worth $5.8 million and $3.4 million, respectively. Other investors that were bullish on this stock encompass D. E. Shaw’s D E Shaw, J. Alan Reid, Jr.’s Forward Management, and Paul Tudor Jones’ Tudor Investment Corp.
Among the funds that lost interest in FBR & Co. and sold off their positions is Israel Englander’s Millennium Management that dumped around $300,000 worth of shares.
You can access the original SEC filing by clicking here.
Ownership Summary Table
Name | Sole Voting Power | Shared Voting Power | Sole Dispositive Power | Shared Dispositive Power | Aggregate Amount Owned Power | Percent of Class |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Voce Capital Management | 387,025 | 387,025 | 5.2% | |||
Voce Capital | 387,025 | 387,025 | 5.2% | |||
J. Daniel Plants | 387,025 | 387,025 | 5.2% |
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Page 1 of 9 – SEC Filing
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C.
20549
SCHEDULE 13D
INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN STATEMENTS FILED PURSUANT
TO § 240.13d -1(a) AND AMENDMENTS THERETO FILED PURSUANT TO
§ 240.13d -2(a)
(Amendment No. 4)*
FBR & CO.
(Name of
Issuer)
Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share
(Title of Class of Securities)
30247C400
(CUSIP Number)
MARK SHAMIA
VOCE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LLC
600 Montgomery Street, Suite 210
San Francisco, California
94111
(415) 489-2600
(Name, Address and Telephone
Number of Person Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications)
May 2, 2016
(Date of Event Which Requires
Filing of This Statement)
If the filing person has previously filed a statement on
Schedule 13G to report the acquisition that is the subject of this Schedule 13D,
and is filing this schedule because of Rule 13d-1(e), Rule 13d-1(f) or Rule
13d-1(g), check the following box. [ ]
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Page 2 of 9 – SEC Filing
Note: Schedules filed in paper format shall include a
signed original and five copies of the schedule, including all exhibits. See
§ 240.13d -7 for other parties to whom copies are to be sent.
* | The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting persons initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page. |
The information required on the remainder of this cover page
shall not be deemed to be filed for the purpose of Section 18 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Act) or otherwise subject to the liabilities
of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the
Act (however, see the Notes).
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Page 3 of 9 – SEC Filing
CUSIP No. 30247C400
1 | NAME OF REPORTING PERSON |
Voce Capital Management LLC | |
2 | CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP |
(a) [ ] (b) [X] | |
3 | SEC USE ONLY |
4 | SOURCE OF FUNDS |
WC | |
5 | CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDING IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e) |
[ ] | |
6 | CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION |
CALIFORNIA |
7 | SOLE VOTING POWER | |
NUMBER OF | – 0 – | |
SHARES | 8 | SHARED VOTING POWER |
BENEFICIALLY | ||
OWNED BY | 387,025 | |
EACH | ||
REPORTING | 9 | SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER |
PERSON | ||
WITH: | – 0 – | |
10 | SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER | |
387,025 |
11 | AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH PERSON |
387,025 | |
12 | CHECK IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES |
[ ] | |
13 | PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) |
5.2% | |
14 | TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON |
OO |
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Page 4 of 9 – SEC Filing
CUSIP No. 30247C400
1 | NAME OF REPORTING PERSON |
Voce Capital LLC | |
2 | CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP |
(a) [ ] (b) [X] | |
3 | SEC USE ONLY |
4 | SOURCE OF FUNDS |
WC | |
5 | CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDING IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e) |
[ ] | |
6 | CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION |
DELAWARE |
7 | SOLE VOTING POWER | |
NUMBER OF | – 0 – | |
SHARES | 8 | SHARED VOTING POWER |
BENEFICIALLY | ||
OWNED BY | 387,025 | |
EACH | ||
REPORTING | 9 | SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER |
PERSON | ||
WITH: | – 0 – | |
10 | SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER | |
387,025 |
11 | AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH PERSON |
387,025 | |
12 | CHECK IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES |
[ ] | |
13 | PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) |
5.2% | |
14 | TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON |
OO |
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Page 5 of 9 – SEC Filing
CUSIP No. 30247C400
1 | NAME OF REPORTING PERSON |
J. Daniel Plants | |
2 | CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP |
(a) [ ] (b) [X] | |
3 | SEC USE ONLY |
4 | SOURCE OF FUNDS |
WC | |
5 | CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDING IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e) |
[ ] | |
6 | CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION |
USA |
7 | SOLE VOTING POWER | |
NUMBER OF | – 0 – | |
SHARES | 8 | SHARED VOTING POWER |
BENEFICIALLY | ||
OWNED BY | 387,025 | |
EACH | ||
REPORTING | 9 | SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER |
PERSON | ||
WITH: | – 0 – | |
10 | SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER | |
387,025 |
11 | AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH PERSON |
387,025 | |
12 | CHECK IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES |
[ ] | |
13 | PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) |
5.2% | |
14 | TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON |
IN |
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Page 6 of 9 – SEC Filing
EXPLANATORY NOTE
This Amendment No. 4 to Schedule 13D (the Amendment) is being
filed with respect to the beneficial ownership of Voce Capital Management LLC,
Voce Capital LLC and J. Daniel Plants (the Reporting Persons). This Amendment
supplements the Schedule 13D as previously filed on July 7, 2015 (as amended,
the Schedule 13D). Each Item below amends and supplements the information
disclosed under the corresponding Item of Schedule 13D. Unless otherwise
indicated herein, capitalized terms used but not defined in this Amendment shall
have the same meaning herein as are ascribed to such terms in Schedule 13D.
Item 4. PURPOSE OF TRANSACTION
Item 4 is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as
follows:
The Reporting Persons acquired the shares of Common Stock for
investment purposes because they believed that the shares, when purchased, were
undervalued and represented an attractive investment opportunity. The Reporting
Persons believe that the Issuer can create significant value for its
shareholders through enhancements to its capital allocation policies,
optimization of its capital structure and improvements to its corporate
governance, among other opportunities.
On March 18, 2016, Voce Catalyst Partners LP (Voce
Catalyst) 1, a Delaware limited partnership and record holder of one
hundred shares of Common Stock, delivered a Shareholder Nomination Letter (the
Letter) to the Issuer, notifying the Issuer of its intent to nominate three
persons for election to the Issuers board of directors at the Issuers 2016
annual meeting of shareholders. The full text of the Letter is attached hereto
as Exhibit 2 and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. A
copy of the press release issued on March 21, 2016 relating to the nominations
is attached hereto as Exhibit 3 and incorporated herein by reference in
its entirety.
On April 5, 2016, Voce Capital Management issued a press
release along with presentation materials regarding the Issuer. A copy of the
press release and the accompanying presentation are attached hereto as
Exhibits 4 and 5 and are incorporated herein by reference in their
entirety.
On April 18, 2016 Voce Capital Management issued a press
release regarding the Issuer. A copy of the press release is attached hereto as
Exhibit 6 and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
On May 2, 2016 Voce Capital Management filed a preliminary
proxy on Schedule 14A in connection with the Issuers upcoming annual meeting of
stockholders, soliciting proxies to vote (i) to elect its three independent
director nominees; (ii) against the Issuers non-binding advisory vote on named
executive officer compensation; and (iii) to ratify the appointment of BDO USA,
LLP as the Issuers independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal
year ending December 31, 2016. The preliminary proxy is attached hereto as
Exhibit 7 and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. A copy
of the press release issued on May 3, 2016 relating to the preliminary proxy is
also attached hereto as Exhibit 8 and is incorporated herein by reference
in its entirety. The Reporting Persons intend to file a definitive proxy
statement and accompanying form of proxy card.
The Reporting Persons have engaged in, and intend to continue
to engage in, communications concerning the foregoing with officers and/or
members of the Issuers board of directors. In addition, the Reporting Persons
may communicate with the Issuers current or prospective shareholders; its
representatives; industry participants, research analysts and members of the
press; existing or potential strategic partners or competitors, investment and
financing professionals and sources of capital and credit; and other interested
or relevant parties relating to topics including, but not limited to, the
Issuers operations, prospects, business development, management, competitive
and strategic matters, capital structure, and prevailing market conditions, as
well as other investment considerations. The Reporting Persons may also consider
taking further action to protect their interests and the interests of
shareholders, which actions may involve plans or proposals of the type described
in Item 4(a) through (j) of Item 4 of Schedule 13D or the acquisition of
additional shares or disposition of shares beneficially owned by them, in the
public market or through privately negotiated transactions.
Depending upon various factors including, without limitation,
an ongoing evaluation of the investment in the Common Stock, changes in the
Issuers operations, business strategy or prospects, prevailing market and
industry conditions, other investment opportunities available to the Reporting
Persons, liquidity requirements and other investment considerations, the
Reporting Persons may, from time to time and at any time and in such manner as
they deem advisable (whether in the open market, through privately negotiated
transactions or otherwise), further acquire, hold, vote, trade or dispose of
some or all of the Common Stock, and may enter into financial instruments or
other agreements that increase or decrease the Reporting Persons economic exposure with respect to their investment in the
Issuer, and/or engage in hedging or similar transactions with respect to such
holdings.
________________________________________________
1
Voce Capital is the General Partner of Voce Catalyst.
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Page 7 of 9 – SEC Filing
The Reporting Persons reserve the right at any time to
formulate alternative plans, make other proposals or take additional actions
with respect to all of the foregoing matters referred to in this Item 4 of
Schedule 13D.
Item 5. INTEREST IN SECURITIES OF THE ISSUER
Item 5(a) is hereby amended and supplemented to add the
following at the end of such item:
Jarl Berntzen, one of Voce Catalysts nominees to the board of
directors of the Issuer, acquired 2,000 Shares on April 1, 2016 and 500 Shares
on April 4, 2016. Mr. Berntzen disclaims beneficial ownership of Shares
beneficially owned by the Reporting Persons. The Reporting Persons disclaim
beneficial ownership of the Shares beneficially owned by Mr. Berntzen.
Item 7. MATERIAL TO BE FILED AS EXHIBITS
Item 7 is hereby amended to add the following:
Exhibit 7 Preliminary
Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A (incorporated by reference to Schedule 14A filed
by Voce Capital Management with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 2,
2016)
Exhibit 8 Press
Release dated May 3, 2016 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1 to Schedule
14A filed by Voce Capital Management with the Securities and Exchange Commission
on May 3, 2016)
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Page 8 of 9 – SEC Filing
SIGNATURES
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of his
knowledge and belief, the undersigned certifies that the information set forth
in this statement is true, complete and correct.
Date: May 3, 2016
Voce Capital Management LLC
By: | Voce Capital LLC | |
Managing Member | ||
By: | /s/ J. Daniel Plants | |
Name: | J. Daniel Plants | |
Title: | Managing Member |
Voce Capital LLC
By: | /s/ J. Daniel Plants | |
Name: | J. Daniel Plants | |
Title: | Managing Member |
/s/ J. Daniel Plants | |
J. Daniel Plants |
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Page 9 of 9 – SEC Filing
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit 1 | Joint Filing Agreement* |
Exhibit 2 | Shareholder Nomination Letter dated March 18, 2016* |
Exhibit 3 | Press Release dated March 21, 2016* |
Exhibit 4 | Press Release dated April 5, 2016 (incorporated by |
Exhibit 5 | Presentation Materials (incorporated by reference to |
Exhibit 6 | Press Release dated April 18, 2016 (incorporated by |
Exhibit 7 | Preliminary Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A (incorporated |
Exhibit 8 | Press Release dated May 3, 2016 (incorporated by |
*Previously filed