Filing Details

Accession Number:
0000921895-17-000477
Form Type:
13D Filing
Publication Date:
2017-02-24 16:12:21
Filed By:
Mangrove Partners Master Fund, Ltd.
Company:
Asta Funding Inc (NASDAQ:ASFI)
Filing Date:
2017-02-24
SEC Url:
13D Filing
Ownership Summary

Please notice the below summary table is generated without human intervention and may contain errors. Please refer to the complete filing displayed below for exact figures.

Name Sole Voting Power Shared Voting Power Sole Dispositive Power Shared Dispositive Power Aggregate Amount Owned Power Percent of Class
THE MANGROVE PARTNERS MASTER FUND, LTD 471,086 471,086 471,086 7.2%
THE MANGROVE PARTNERS FUND 471,086 471,086 471,086 7.2%
MANGROVE PARTNERS FUND (CAYMAN), LTD 471,086 471,086 471,086 7.2%
MANGROVE PARTNERS 471,086 471,086 471,086 7.2%
MANGROVE CAPITAL 471,086 471,086 471,086 7.2%
NATHANIEL AUGUST 471,086 471,086 471,086 7.2%
Filing
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 13D
(Rule 13d-101)

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. 11)1

Asta Funding, Inc.
(Name of Issuer)

Common Stock, $0.01 par value
(Title of Class of Securities)

046220109
(CUSIP Number)
 
STEVE WOLOSKY, ESQ.
OLSHAN FROME WOLOSKY LLP
1325 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10019
(212) 451-2300
(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person
Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications)

February 23, 2017
(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 §§ 240.13d-1(e), 240.13d-1(f) or 240.13d-1(g), check the following box x.

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.


_______________
1              The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person’s 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).
 
 
1
NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
 
THE MANGROVE PARTNERS MASTER FUND, LTD.
2
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP
  (a) x
  (b) o
3
SEC USE ONLY
 
4
SOURCE OF FUNDS
 
WC
5
CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)
 
¨
6
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
 
CAYMAN ISLANDS
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH
7
SOLE VOTING POWER
 
- 0 -
8
SHARED VOTING POWER
 
471,086
9
SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
- 0 -
10
SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
471,086
11
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
 
471,086
12
CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES
 
o
13
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
 
7.2%
14
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
 
OO

 
1
NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
 
THE MANGROVE PARTNERS FUND, L.P.
2
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP
  (a) x
  (b) o
3
SEC USE ONLY
 
4
SOURCE OF FUNDS
 
AF
5
CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)
 
¨
6
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
 
DELAWARE
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH
7
SOLE VOTING POWER
 
- 0 -
8
SHARED VOTING POWER
 
471,086
9
SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
- 0 -
10
SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
471,086
11
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
 
471,086
12
CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES
 
o
13
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
 
7.2%
14
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
 
PN

 
1
NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
 
MANGROVE PARTNERS FUND (CAYMAN), LTD.
2
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP
  (a) x
  (b) o
3
SEC USE ONLY
 
4
SOURCE OF FUNDS
 
AF
5
CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)
 
¨
6
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
 
CAYMAN ISLANDS
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH
7
SOLE VOTING POWER
 
- 0 -
8
SHARED VOTING POWER
 
471,086
9
SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
- 0 -
10
SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
471,086
11
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
 
471,086
12
CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES
 
o
13
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
 
7.2%
14
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
 
OO

 
1
NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
 
MANGROVE PARTNERS
2
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP
  (a) x
  (b) o
3
SEC USE ONLY
 
4
SOURCE OF FUNDS
 
AF
5
CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)
 
¨
6
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
 
CAYMAN ISLANDS
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH
7
SOLE VOTING POWER
 
- 0 -
8
SHARED VOTING POWER
 
471,086
9
SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
- 0 -
10
SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
471,086
11
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
 
471,086
12
CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES
 
o
13
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
 
7.2%
14
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
 
OO

 
1
NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
 
MANGROVE CAPITAL
2
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP
  (a) x
  (b) o
3
SEC USE ONLY
 
4
SOURCE OF FUNDS
 
AF
5
CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)
 
¨
6
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
 
CAYMAN ISLANDS
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH
7
SOLE VOTING POWER
 
- 0 -
8
SHARED VOTING POWER
 
471,086
9
SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
- 0 -
10
SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
471,086
11
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
 
471,086
12
CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES
 
o
13
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
 
7.2%
14
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
 
OO

 
1
NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
 
NATHANIEL AUGUST
2
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP
  (a) x
  (b) o
3
SEC USE ONLY
 
4
SOURCE OF FUNDS
 
AF
5
CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)
 
¨
6
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
 
USA
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH
7
SOLE VOTING POWER
 
- 0 -
8
SHARED VOTING POWER
 
471,086
9
SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
- 0 -
10
SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
471,086
11
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
 
471,086
12
CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES
 
o
13
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
 
7.2%
14
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
 
IN
 
 
EXPLANATORY NOTE
 
This Amendment No. 11 (this “Amendment No. 11”) amends Items 3, 4 and 5 to reflect changes to the Schedule 13D filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on March 2, 2016, as amended by Amendment No. 1 to Schedule 13D filed with the SEC on March 17, 2016, as amended by Amendment No. 2 to Schedule 13D filed with the SEC on March 24, 2016, as amended by Amendment No. 3 to Schedule 13D filed with the SEC on April 5, 2016, as amended by Amendment No. 4 to Schedule 13D filed with the SEC on April 15, 2016, as amended by Amendment No. 5 to Schedule 13D filed with the SEC on April 28, 2016, as amended by Amendment No. 6 to the Schedule 13D filed with the SEC on May 12, 2016, as amended by Amendment No.7 to the Schedule 13D filed with the SEC on May 19, 2016, as amended by Amendment No. 8 to the Schedule 13D filed with the SEC on May 26, 2016, as amended by Amendment No. 9 to the Schedule 13D filed with the SEC on November 23, 2016 and as amended by Amendment No. 10 to the Schedule 13D filed with the SEC on January 10, 2017 (as so amended, the “Schedule 13D”). Except as specifically provided herein, this Amendment No. 11 does not modify any of the information previously reported on the Schedule 13D. Capitalized terms used herein which are not defined herein have the meanings given to them in the Schedule 13D.
 
Item 3.
Source and Amount of Funds or Other Consideration.
 
Item 3 is hereby amended and restated to read as follows:
 
The 471,086 Shares directly owned by Mangrove Master Fund were purchased with working capital (which may, at any given time, include margin loans made by brokerage firms in the ordinary course of business) in open market purchases, except as otherwise noted, as set forth in Schedule B annexed hereto (“Schedule B”). The aggregate purchase price of the 471,086 Shares directly owned by Mangrove Master Fund is approximately $3,347,577, including brokerage commissions.
 
Item 4.
Purpose of the Transaction.
 
Item 4 is hereby amended to add the following:
 
Pursuant to a cash self-tender offer (the “Tender Offer”) conducted by the Issuer to purchase up to 5,314,009 shares of Common Stock in accordance with the Settlement Agreement, dated January 6, 2017, by and among the Issuer, the Reporting Persons, as well as, solely for limited purposes set forth therein, Gary Stern, Ricky Stern, Emily Stern, Arthur Stern, Asta Group, Incorporated, and GMS Family Investors LLC (collectively, the “Stern Family”), the Reporting Persons tendered, in exchange for cash consideration of $10.35 per share, all of the Shares beneficially owned by them.  Because the tender offer was oversubscribed, the Company purchased only a prorated portion (approximately 88.24%) of the Shares properly tendered by stockholders. Therefore, 3,534,615 Shares tendered by the Reporting Persons were accepted by the Issuer on February 23, 2017.
 
Item 5.
Interest in Securities of the Issuer.
 
Items 5(a)-(c) are hereby amended and restated as follows:
 
The aggregate percentage of Shares reported owned by each person named herein is based upon 6,562,215 Shares outstanding, which is based on the total number of Shares outstanding as of February 6, 2017 as reported in the Issuer’s Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 9, 2017, reduced by the 5,314,009 Shares purchased by the Issuer in the Tender Offer.
 
 
A.
Mangrove Master Fund
 
 
(a)
As of the close of business on the date hereof, Mangrove Master Fund directly owned 471,086 Shares.
 
Percentage: Approximately 7.2%
 
 
(b)
1. Sole power to vote or direct vote: 0
 
2. Shared power to vote or direct vote: 471,086
 
3. Sole power to dispose or direct the disposition: 0
 
4. Shared power to dispose or direct the disposition: 471,086

 
(c)
The transactions in the Shares by Mangrove Master Fund since the filing of Amendment No. 10 to the Schedule 13D are set forth in Schedule B and are incorporated herein by reference.
 
B.
Mangrove Fund
 
 
(a)
As of the close of business on the date hereof, Mangrove Fund, as a controlling shareholder of Mangrove Master Fund, may be deemed to beneficially own the 471,086 Shares directly owned by Mangrove Master Fund.
 
Percentage: Approximately 7.2%
 
 
(b)
1. Sole power to vote or direct vote: 0
 
2. Shared power to vote or direct vote: 471,086
 
3. Sole power to dispose or direct the disposition: 0
 
4. Shared power to dispose or direct the disposition: 471,086

 
(c)
Mangrove Fund has not entered into any transactions in the Shares since the filing of Amendment No. 10 to the Schedule 13D.
 
C.
Mangrove Fund Cayman
 
 
(a)
As of the close of business on the date hereof, Mangrove Fund Cayman, as a significant shareholder of Mangrove Master Fund, may be deemed to beneficially own the 471,086 Shares directly owned by Mangrove Master Fund.
 
Percentage: Approximately 7.2%
 
 
(b)
1. Sole power to vote or direct vote: 0
 
2. Shared power to vote or direct vote: 471,086
 
3. Sole power to dispose or direct the disposition: 0
 
4. Shared power to dispose or direct the disposition: 471,086

 
(c)
Mangrove Fund Cayman has not entered into any transactions in the Shares since the filing of Amendment No. 10 to the Schedule 13D.
 
 
D.
Mangrove Partners
 
 
(a)
As of the close of business on the date hereof, Mangrove Partners, as the investment manager of each of Mangrove Master Fund, Mangrove Fund and Mangrove Fund Cayman, may be deemed to beneficially own the 471,086 Shares directly owned by Mangrove Master Fund.
 
Percentage: Approximately 7.2%
 
 
(b)
1. Sole power to vote or direct vote: 0
 
2. Shared power to vote or direct vote: 471,086
 
3. Sole power to dispose or direct the disposition: 0
 
4. Shared power to dispose or direct the disposition: 471,086

 
(c)
Mangrove Partners has not entered into any transactions in the Shares since the filing of Amendment No. 10 to the Schedule 13D.
 
E.
Mangrove Capital
 
 
(a)
As of the close of business on the date hereof, Mangrove Capital, as the general partner of Mangrove Fund, may be deemed to beneficially own the 471,086 Shares directly owned by Mangrove Master Fund.
 
Percentage: Approximately 7.2%
 
 
(b)
1. Sole power to vote or direct vote: 0
 
2. Shared power to vote or direct vote: 471,086
 
3. Sole power to dispose or direct the disposition: 0
 
4. Shared power to dispose or direct the disposition: 471,086

 
(c)
Mangrove Capital has not entered into any transactions in the Shares since the filing of Amendment No. 10 to the Schedule 13D.
 
F.
Nathaniel August
 
 
(a)
As of the close of business on the date hereof, Mr. August did not directly own any Shares. As a director of each of Mangrove Partners and Mangrove Capital, Mr. August may be deemed to beneficially own the 471,086 Shares directly owned by Mangrove Master Fund.
 
Percentage: Approximately 7.2%
 
 
(b)
1. Sole power to vote or direct vote: 0
 
2. Shared power to vote or direct vote: 471,086
 
3. Sole power to dispose or direct the disposition: 0
 
4. Shared power to dispose or direct the disposition: 471,086

 
(c)
Mr. August has not entered into any transactions in the Shares since the filing of Amendment No. 10 to the Schedule 13D.
 
 
As of the close of business on the date hereof, the Reporting Persons collectively beneficially owned an aggregate of 471,086 Shares, constituting approximately 7.2% of the Shares outstanding.
 
Each of the Reporting Persons, as a member of a “group” with the other Reporting Persons for purposes of Rule 13d-5(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), may be deemed to beneficially own the securities of the Issuer owned by the other Reporting Persons.  The filing of this Schedule 13D shall not be deemed an admission that the Reporting Persons are, for purposes of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act, the beneficial owners of any securities of the Issuer he or it does not directly own.  Each of the Reporting Persons specifically disclaims beneficial ownership of the securities of the Issuer reported herein that he or it does not directly own.
 
 
SIGNATURES
 
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of his knowledge and belief, each of the undersigned certifies that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.
 
Dated: February 24, 2017
 
 
THE MANGROVE PARTNERS MASTER FUND, LTD.
   
 
By:
MANGROVE PARTNERS
   
as Investment Manager
     
 
By:
/s/ Nathaniel August
   
Name:
Nathaniel August
   
Title:
Director
   
 
 
THE MANGROVE PARTNERS FUND, L.P.
   
 
By:
MANGROVE CAPITAL
   
as General Partner
     
 
By:
/s/ Nathaniel August
   
Name:
Nathaniel August
   
Title:
Director
   
 
 
MANGROVE PARTNERS FUND (CAYMAN), LTD.
   
 
By:
MANGROVE PARTNERS
   
as Investment Manager
     
 
By:
/s/ Nathaniel August
   
Name:
Nathaniel August
   
Title:
Director
   
 
 
MANGROVE PARTNERS
   
 
By:
/s/ Nathaniel August
   
Name:
Nathaniel August
   
Title:
Director


 
MANGROVE CAPITAL
   
 
By:
/s/ Nathaniel August
   
Name:
Nathaniel August
   
Title:
Director

   
 
/s/ Nathaniel August
 
NATHANIEL AUGUST
 
 
SCHEDULE B
 
Transactions in the Shares Since the Filing of Amendment No. 10 to the Schedule 13D
 
Shares of Common Stock
Purchased / (Sold)
Price Per
Share ($)
Date of
Purchase or Sale
 
THE MANGROVE PARTNERS MASTER FUND, LTD.

(3,534,615)#
10.3500
02/23/2017
 
 

 # Represents Shares tendered by the Reporting Persons in the self-tender offer conducted by the Issuer.