ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J. - Nitor Capital Management LLC, holding approximately 1.75% of Tejon Ranch Company (NYSE:TRC), today issued a letter to fellow stockholders expressing dissatisfaction with the company's long-term performance and management compensation practices. Nitor Capital has highlighted a persistent failure to deliver stockholder value, with Tejon Ranch's shares declining over 1-, 3-, 5-, 10-, and 20-year periods, despite the company's asset appreciation.
The investment firm, which has invested in Tejon Ranch since 2021, believes the company's inability to provide returns is partly due to misaligned management incentives and a lack of effective communication regarding asset value. Nitor Capital intends to withhold votes for certain board members and vote against executive compensation at Tejon Ranch's Annual Meeting on May 14, 2024.
Nitor Capital's analysis suggests that Tejon Ranch's net asset value exceeds $44 per share, nearly three times the current share price. The firm attributes the undervaluation to the board's compensation structure, which allows executives to meet targets without long-term share price appreciation. Nitor Capital criticizes the practice of awarding bonuses for project milestones, regardless of project performance, and suggests that this has led to significant payouts for executives amidst shareholder losses.
The letter also questions the board's capital allocation decisions, particularly regarding master planned community developments, which have seen substantial investment with little return. Nitor Capital urges the board to reevaluate its investment strategy and focus on developments like the Grapevine MPC, which is expected to add future value for shareholders.
In terms of asset quality, Nitor Capital acknowledges Tejon Ranch's valuable and income-producing assets, which include over 11 million sq. ft. of fully approved industrial development rights. The firm believes that with improved capital deployment and clearer messaging, the company's growth potential could be realized, benefiting shareholders.
Nitor Capital's call for change comes ahead of the retirement of Tejon Ranch's CEO at year-end, marking a critical juncture for the company. The investment firm encourages fellow stockholders to demand accountability from the company's leadership at the upcoming annual meeting.
This article is based on a press release statement from Nitor Capital Management LLC.
InvestingPro Insights
As Tejon Ranch Company (NYSE:TRC) faces scrutiny from Nitor Capital Management LLC regarding its performance and management practices, a closer look at real-time data from InvestingPro provides additional context for investors. The company holds a market cap of $398.59 million and is trading at a high earnings multiple with a P/E ratio of 122.13 as of the last twelve months ending Q4 2023. This high multiple may raise concerns about the company's valuation relative to its earnings.
InvestingPro data also reveals a significant decline in revenue growth, with a -43.52% change in the last twelve months as of Q4 2023. This could be a point of interest for investors considering Nitor Capital's criticism of the company's capital allocation and project performance. Additionally, the company's gross profit margin stands at 13.8%, which aligns with Nitor Capital's observation of weak gross profit margins.
On a more positive note, an InvestingPro Tip indicates that Tejon Ranch's liquid assets exceed its short-term obligations, suggesting a degree of financial flexibility. However, another InvestingPro Tip points out that the company does not pay a dividend to shareholders, which may be a factor for income-focused investors to consider.
For those interested in a deeper analysis, there are more InvestingPro Tips available, which can be accessed through the InvestingPro platform. As an added incentive, readers can use the coupon code PRONEWS24 to get an additional 10% off a yearly or biyearly Pro and Pro+ subscription. With these insights, investors can better assess Tejon Ranch's financial health and potential for long-term shareholder value creation.
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