The following constitutes the Schedule 13D filed by the undersigned (the “Schedule 13D”).
Item 1. | Security and Issuer. |
This statement relates to the common stock, par value $1.00 per share (the “Shares”), of Forestar Group Inc. (the “Issuer”). The address of the principal executive offices of the Issuer is 6300 Bee Cave Road, Building Two, Suite 500, Austin, Texas 78746.
Item 2. | Identity and Background. |
(a) This statement is filed by:
| (i) | Cove Street Capital, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“CSC”), with respect to the Shares beneficially owned by it; and |
| (ii) | Jeffrey Bronchick, as a member of CSC. |
Each of the foregoing is referred to as a “Reporting Person” and collectively as the “Reporting Persons.” Each of the Reporting Persons is party to that certain Joint Filing Agreement, as further described in Item 6. Accordingly, the Reporting Persons are hereby filing a joint Schedule 13D.
(b) The address of the principal office of each of the Reporting Persons is 2101 East El Segundo Boulevard, Suite 302, El Segundo, California 90245.
(c) The principal business of CSC is providing investment advisory and investment management services. Mr. Bronchick serves as a member of CSC.
(d) No Reporting Person, has, during the last five years, been convicted in a criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations or similar misdemeanors).
(e) No Reporting Person, has, during the last five years, been party to a civil proceeding of a judicial or administrative body of competent jurisdiction and as a result of such proceeding was or is subject to a judgment, decree or final order enjoining future violations of, or prohibiting or mandating activities subject to, federal or state securities laws or finding any violation with respect to such laws.
(f) Mr. Bronchick is a citizen of the United States of America.
Item 3. | Source and Amount of Funds or Other Consideration. |
The Shares held by CSC 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 A, which is incorporated by reference herein. The Reporting Persons purchased in open market purchases an aggregate of $321,650 principal amount of certain convertible notes for $321,650 in cash (the “Notes”).
The aggregate purchase price of the 3,165,917 Shares beneficially owned by CSC is approximately $49,798,389, including brokerage commissions. Such aggregate purchase price includes $244,150, which is the purchase price of $244,150 principal amount of Notes convertible into 12,863 Shares.
The aggregate purchase price of the Notes convertible into 4,083 Shares beneficially owned by Mr. Bronchick is $77,500, based on $77,500 principal amount of Notes.
Item 4. | Purpose of Transaction. |
The Securities reported in this filing have been purchased and held for investment purposes on behalf of client accounts in which CSC has discretionary investment and voting power.
On February 9, 2015, CSC, together with another shareholder of the Issuer, entered into an agreement with the Issuer (the “2015 Director Nomination Agreement”) regarding the membership and composition of the Issuer’s board of directors (the “Board”). Pursuant to the Director Nomination Agreement, among other things, (i) one incumbent director resigned and two new directors were appointed to the Board and (ii) CSC and the other shareholder agreed to certain customary standstill provisions. The standstill provisions under the 2015 Director Nomination Agreement expired as of February 1, 2016. With the expiration of the standstill, CSC looks forward to working with management and the Board of the Issuer to continue current efforts to improve shareholder value, which may include discussions regarding the composition of the Board.
CSC does not have any present plan or proposal which would relate to or result in any of the matters set forth in subparagraphs (a) - (j) of Item 4 of Schedule 13D except as set forth herein. CSC reserves the right to increase or decrease its position in the Issuer through, among other things, the purchase or sale of securities of the Issuer on the open market or in private transactions or otherwise, or engage in short selling of or any hedging or similar transaction with respect to the Shares, on such terms and at such times as CSC may deem advisable. CSC reserves the right to change its intention with respect to any and all matters referred to in this Item 4.
Item 5. | Interest in Securities of the Issuer. |
The aggregate percentage of Shares reported owned by each person named herein is based upon 33,616,255 Shares outstanding, which is the total number of Shares outstanding as of November 2, 2015 as reported in the Issuer’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 6, 2015.
| (a) | As of the close of business on February 2, 2016, CSC beneficially owned 3,165,917 Shares, including 12,863 Shares underlying the Notes. |
Percentage: Approximately 9.4%
| (b) | 1. Sole power to vote or direct vote: 3,165,917 |
| 2. Shared power to vote or direct vote: 0 |
| 3. Sole power to dispose or direct the disposition: 3,165,917 |
| 4. Shared power to dispose or direct the disposition: 0 |
| (c) | The transactions in the Shares by CSC during the past sixty days are set forth in Schedule A and are incorporated herein by reference. |
| (a) | As of the close of business on February 2, 2016, Mr. Bronchick beneficially owned 4,083 Shares underlying the Notes. Mr. Bronchick, as a member of CSC, may be deemed the beneficial owner of the 3,165,917 Shares owned by CSC. |
Percentage: Approximately 9.4%
| (b) | 1. Sole power to vote or direct vote: 4,083 |
| 2. Shared power to vote or direct vote: 3,170,000 |
| 3. Sole power to dispose or direct the disposition: 4,083 |
| 4. Shared power to dispose or direct the disposition: 3,170,000 |
| (c) | The transactions in the Shares by Mr. Bronchick and CSC during the past sixty days are set forth in Schedule A and are incorporated herein by reference. |
Each Reporting Person, as a member of a “group” with the other Reporting Persons for the purposes of Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, may be deemed the beneficial owner of the Shares directly owned by the other Reporting Persons. Each Reporting Person disclaims beneficial ownership of such Shares except to the extent of his or its pecuniary interest therein
| (d) | No person other than the Reporting Persons is known to have the right to receive, or the power to direct the receipt of dividends from, or proceeds from the sale of, the Shares. |
Item 6. | Contracts, Arrangements, Understandings or Relationships With Respect to Securities of the Issuer. |
On February 3, 2016, the Reporting Persons entered into a Joint Filing Agreement in which the Reporting Persons agreed to the joint filing on behalf of each of them of statements on Schedule 13D with respect to the securities of the Issuer to the extent required by applicable law. The Joint Filing Agreement is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.
Other than as described herein, there are no contracts, arrangements, understandings or relationships among the Reporting Persons, or between the Reporting Persons and any other person, with respect to the securities of the Issuer.
Item 7. | Material to be Filed as Exhibits. |
| 99.1 | Joint Filing Agreement by and among Cove Street Capital, LLC and Jeffrey Bronchick, dated February 3, 2016. |
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 3, 2016
| COVE STREET CAPITAL, LLC |
| |
| | |
| By: | |
| | Name: | Daniele Beasley |
| | Title: | Chief Compliance Officer; Member |
| /s/ Jeffrey Bronchick |
| Jeffrey Bronchick |
SCHEDULE A
Transactions in the Shares During the Past Sixty Days
Nature of the Transaction | Securities Purchased/(Sold) | Price Per Share($) | Date of Purchase / Sale |
COVE STREET CAPITAL, LLC
Purchase of Common Stock | 25,840 | 13.6176 | 12/01/2015 |
Purchase of Common Stock | 42,852 | 13.5292 | 12/02/2015 |
Purchase of Common Stock | 24,900 | 13.5454 | 12/03/2015 |
Sale of Common Stock | (1,100) | 13.4656 | 12/04/2015 |
Purchase of Common Stock | 25,863 | 12.4986 | 12/07/2015 |
Sale of Common Stock | (6,345) | 11.6939 | 12/10/2015 |
Sale of Common Stock | (40,200) | 10.7159 | 12/16/2015 |
Purchase of Common Stock | 20,000 | 10.8639 | 12/16/2015 |
Sale of Common Stock | (26,595) | 10.7809 | 12/17/2015 |
Purchase of Common Stock | 44,375 | 10.6847 | 12/22/2015 |
Purchase of Common Stock | 6,010 | 11.1686 | 12/28/2015 |
Sale of Common Stock | (39,200) | 11.3673 | 12/29/2015 |
Purchase of Common Stock | 11,334 | 11.3452 | 12/29/2015 |
Purchase of Common Stock | 4,090 | 10.4944 | 01/04/2016 |
Purchase of Common Stock | 71,095 | 10.5226 | 01/06/2016 |
Purchase of Common Stock | 17,000 | 8.8114 | 01/15/2016 |
Purchase of Common Stock | 29,400 | 8.4842 | 01/19/2016 |
Purchase of Common Stock | 62,040 | 8.0272 | 01/20/2016 |
Purchase | 8,167* | -- | 01/27/2016 |
Purchase | 4,696* | -- | 01/28/2016 |
Purchase of Common Stock | 38,210 | 9.2080 | 01/28/2016 |
Sale of Common Stock | (40) | 9.1695 | 01/28/2016 |
Purchase of Common Stock | 6,135 | 9.2018 | 01/29/2016 |
JEFFREY BRONCHICK
Purchase | 4,083* | -- | 01/05/2016 |
____
* Represents Shares underlying certain convertible notes.