A Lordstown Motors pre-production all electric pickup truck, the Endurance, is seen after being merged with a chassis at the Lordstown Assembly Plant in Lordstown, Ohio, U.S., June 21, 2021. REUTERS/Rebecca Cook
July 26 (Reuters) – Lordstown Motors Corp (RIDE.O) said on Monday hedge fund YA II PN Ltd has committed to purchase up to $400 million of the company’s shares, over a three year period, coming at a crucial time when the electric-truck maker faces heightened regulatory scrutiny related to its SPAC merger and vehicle pre-orders.
Under the deal, YA can receive nearly 35 million Lordstown shares upon execution of the agreement, subject to the approval of Lordstown shareholders, as well as a small discount on the shares whenever purchased, according to a regulatory filing.
Lordstown’s shares rose 3.9% to $7.77 and are on track to snap a three-day streak of losses.
Some industry observers called it a good deal for Lordstown.
“Existing shareholders are not taking $400 million worth of dilution. It’s like a standby commitment on the part of YA to buy stock when Lordstown says it needs more money,” said Erik Gordon, professor at the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business.
“I was surprised. It’s more like the knight in shining armor than the vulture at the carcass.”
The agreement comes a month after Lordstown warned it may not be able to continue as a “going concern.” The company had since attempted to allay fears by saying it was in talks with multiple parties to raise funds.
The investor, YA II PN Ltd, is a fund managed by Mountainside, New Jersey-based investment manager Yorkville Advisors Global LP.
Yorkville has investments in more than 700 companies in over 20 countries, according to its website. Its current active sectors include healthcare, metals and mining, energy, technology, and cannabis. Some of its investments include cannabis deals network Leafbuyer.com, copper ores company Copperstone Resources and biotechnology company CytoTools.
Yorkville Advisors Global did not immediately respond to a Reuters’ request for comment.
(This story corrects typo in headline to say “up to”)
Reporting by Eva Mathews and Ankit Ajmera in Bengaluru and Ben Klayman in Detroit; Editing by Shailesh Kuber and Krishna Chandra Eluri
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