Exhibit 99.1
STONEMOR INC. ANNOUNCES WITHDRAWAL OF AXAR PROPOSAL, PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO CHARTER TO BE CONSIDERED BY ITS STOCKHOLDERS AND ELECTION OF KEVIN D. PATRICK TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
TREVOSE, PA – September 8 , 2020 – StoneMor Inc. (NYSE: STON) (“StoneMor” or the “Company”), a leading owner and operator of cemeteries and funeral homes, announced today that Axar Capital Management, LP (“Axar”), after determining that it will not be able to reach an agreement with the Special Committee on terms that would be satisfactory to Axar, has withdrawn its proposal to acquire all of the outstanding shares of common stock of the Company not owned by Axar or its affiliates. A copy of the letter from Axar withdrawing its proposal is attached hereto as Annex A.
Stephen J. Negrotti, Chairman of the Special Committee of the Board of Directors said, “We have worked closely with Axar over the last six weeks to evaluate its most recent proposal. We have consulted with our financial and legal advisors throughout the process. Despite these efforts, there remained a substantial difference regarding the valuation of the Company.”
Proposed Amendments to Certificate of Incorporation
In an unrelated announcement, the Company also disclosed that its Board has voted unanimously to submit two proposals to the Company’s stockholders at its 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to amend its certificate of incorporation. The first proposal would effect a reverse split of the Company’s common stock at a ratio of 1-for-10 in the event that the Board deems such action to be advisable to avoid delisting on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”), or otherwise in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders at the time.
As previously reported, the Company received a notice from the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) in April 2020 stating that it was not in compliance with the NYSE’s minimum price continued listing requirements. In order to regain compliance, the closing price of the Company’s common stock on December 24, 2020 and the average closing price for the 30 trading days ending on that date must be at least $1.00. The Company also would regain compliance if the closing price of the common stock on the last trading day of any month and the average closing price for the 30 trading days ending on that date is at least $1.00.
The second proposal would declassify the Board and provide for annual elections for all directors. Currently, the Company’s Board is divided into three classes, with the members of each class serving staggered three-year terms. If the stockholders approve the proposal, each director will resign upon the effectiveness of the amendment and immediately be reappointed to the Board to serve until the Company’s 2021 annual meeting. Beginning at that meeting, all directors will stand for election annually.
The proposals to amend the Company’s certificate of incorporation will be detailed in the Company’s proxy statement, which will be filed and disseminated to the stockholders in advance of the annual meeting, which will be held on November 5, 2020. This press release is being provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute the solicitation of any vote for approval of any transaction or proposal.
