UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): July 24, 2023
ARES ACQUISITION CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| Cayman Islands | 001-39972 | 98-1538872 | ||
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) | (Commission File Number) | (IRS Employer Identification No.) |
245 Park Avenue, 44th Floor
New York, NY 10167
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (310) 201-4100
Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
| ☒ | Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) |
| ☐ | Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) |
| ☐ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) |
| ☐ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered | ||
| Units, each consisting of one Class A Ordinary Share, $0.0001 par value per share, and one-fifth of one redeemable warrant | AAC.U | New York Stock Exchange | ||
| Class A Ordinary Shares included as part of the units | AAC | New York Stock Exchange | ||
| Redeemable warrants included as part of the units, each whole warrant exercisable for one Class A Ordinary Share at an exercise price of $11.50 | AAC WS | New York Stock Exchange |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company ☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
| Item 1.01 | Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement. |
As previously disclosed on January 26, 2023, Ares Acquisition Corporation (“AAC” or the “Company”) issued an unsecured promissory note (the “Original Promissory Note”) in an aggregate principal amount of up to $7,200,000 to the Company’s sponsor, Ares Acquisition Holdings LP (the “Sponsor”).
On July 24, 2023, the Company amended and restated the Original Promissory Note (the “Amended and Restated Note”) to increase the aggregate principal amount thereunder to up to $10,800,000, representing the continuation of monthly deposits directly to the Company’s trust account of $0.0255 for each outstanding Class A ordinary share, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company (the “Class A ordinary shares”) (each deposit, an “Additional Contribution”), following the approval of the Second Extension Amendment Proposal (as defined below).
At the extraordinary general meeting of the Company to be held at 9:30 a.m., Eastern Time, on August 1, 2023 (the “Shareholder Meeting”), the Company’s shareholders will be asked to vote on a proposal to amend the Company’s amended and restated memorandum and articles of association (the “Memorandum and Articles of Association”) to extend the date by which the Company has to consummate a business combination from August 4, 2023 to November 6, 2023 (the “Second Extension Amendment Proposal”).
If the Second Extension Amendment Proposal is approved, the Additional Contributions, which will be paid monthly (or a pro rata portion thereof if less than a full month), will begin on August 2, 2023, and thereafter on the first day of each month (or if such first day is not a business day, on the business day immediately preceding such first day) until the earlier of (i) the consummation of a business combination, and (ii) November 6, 2023 (or any earlier date of termination, dissolution or winding up of the Company in accordance with its Memorandum and Articles of Association or as otherwise determined in the sole discretion of the Company’s board of directors) (the earlier of (i) and (ii), the “Maturity Date”). The Amended and Restated Note will not bear any interest, and will be repayable by the Company to the Sponsor upon the Maturity Date. The funds in the Company’s trust account remain invested in U.S. government treasury obligations with a maturity of 185 days or less or in money market funds investing solely in U.S. government treasury obligations. The Maturity Date may be accelerated upon the occurrence of an “Event of Default” (as defined in the Amended and Restated Note). Any outstanding principal under the Amended and Restated Note may be prepaid at any time by the Company, at its election and without penalty.
The foregoing description of the Amended and Restated Note does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by the terms and conditions of the Amended and Restated Note, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.1 and incorporated herein by reference.
| Item 2.03 | Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant. |
The information disclosed under Item 1.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K (this “Current Report”) is incorporated by reference into this Item 2.03 to the extent required herein.
| Item 8.01 | Other Events. |
The information disclosed under Item 1.01 of this Current Report is incorporated by reference into this Item 8.01 to the extent required herein.
As previously disclosed, the Company has called the Shareholder Meeting at which shareholders will be asked to vote on the following proposals: (1) the Second Extension Amendment Proposal; and (2) to adjourn the Shareholder Meeting to a later date or dates or indefinitely, if necessary, either: (i) to permit further solicitation and vote of proxies if, based upon the tabulated vote at the time of the Shareholder Meeting, there are insufficient Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share, in the capital of the Company represented (either in person, virtually or by proxy) to constitute a quorum necessary to conduct business at the Shareholder Meeting to approve the Second Extension Amendment Proposal, or (ii) the Company’s board of directors determines before the Shareholder Meeting that it is not necessary or no longer desirable to proceed with the other proposals.
On July 24, 2023, the Company issued a press release announcing entry into the Amended and Restated Note and the Additional Contributions, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report and incorporated herein by reference.
Additional Information and Where to Find It
On July 12, 2023, AAC filed a definitive proxy statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) in connection with its solicitation of proxies for the Shareholder Meeting. In connection with the Business Combination with X-energy, AAC filed a registration statement on Form S-4 on January 25, 2023 (as amended by Amendment No. 1, Amendment No. 2 and Amendment No. 3 thereto, filed on March 24, 2023, June 12, 2023 and July 3, 2023, respectively, the “Registration Statement”) with the SEC, which includes a preliminary proxy statement/prospectus to be distributed to holders of AAC’s ordinary shares in connection with AAC’s solicitation of proxies for the vote by AAC’s shareholders with respect to the Business Combination and other matters as described in the Registration Statement, as well as a prospectus relating to the offer of securities to be issued to X-energy equity holders in connection with the Business Combination. After the Registration Statement has been declared effective, AAC will mail a copy of the definitive proxy statement/prospectus, when available, to its shareholders. The Registration Statement includes information regarding the persons who may, under the SEC rules, be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies to AAC’s shareholders in connection with the Business Combination. AAC will also file other documents regarding the Business Combination with the SEC. BEFORE MAKING ANY VOTING OR INVESTMENT DECISION, INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS OF AAC AND X-ENERGY ARE URGED TO READ THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT, THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS CONTAINED THEREIN, AND ALL OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED OR THAT WILL BE FILED WITH THE SEC IN CONNECTION WITH THE BUSINESS COMBINATION AS THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE BUSINESS COMBINATION.
Investors and security holders will be able to obtain free copies of the Registration Statement, the proxy statement/prospectus and all other relevant documents filed or that will be filed with the SEC by AAC through the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. In addition, the documents filed by AAC may be obtained free of charge from AAC’s website at www.aresacquisitioncorporation.com or by written request to AAC at Ares Acquisition Corporation, 245 Park Avenue, 44th Floor, New York, NY 10167.
Forward-Looking Statements
This Current Report contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws with respect to the Additional Contributions and the Business Combination, including statements regarding the benefits of the Business Combination, the anticipated timing of the Business Combination, the markets in which X-energy operates and X-energy’s projected future results. X-energy’s actual results may differ from its expectations, estimates and projections (which, in part, are based on certain assumptions) and consequently, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Words such as “expect,” “estimate,” “project,” “budget,” “forecast,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “may,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “believes,” “predicts,” “potential,” “continue,” and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Although these forward-looking statements are based on assumptions that X-energy and AAC believe are reasonable, these assumptions may be incorrect. These forward-looking statements also involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from the expected results. Factors that may cause such differences include, but are not limited to: (1) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted in connection with any proposed business combination; (2) the inability to complete any proposed business combination or related transactions, including as a result of redemptions or the failure by shareholders to adopt the Second Extension Amendment Proposal; (3) the inability to raise sufficient capital to fund our business plan, including limitations on the amount of capital raised in any proposed business combination as a result of redemptions or otherwise; (4) the failure to obtain additional funding from the U.S. government or our ARDP partner for the ARDP; (5) unexpected increased project costs, increasing as a result of macroeconomic factors, such as inflation and rising interest rates; (6) delays in obtaining, adverse conditions contained in, or the inability to obtain necessary regulatory approvals or complete regulatory reviews required to complete any business combination; (7) the risk that any proposed business combination disrupts current plans and operations; (8) the inability to recognize the anticipated benefits of any proposed business combination, which may be affected by, among other things, competition, the ability of the combined company to grow and manage growth profitably, maintain relationships with customers and suppliers and retain key employees; (9) costs related to the proposed business combination; (10) changes in the applicable laws or
regulations; (11) the possibility that X-energy may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors; (12) the persistent impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic; (13) economic uncertainty caused by the impacts of the conflict in Russia and Ukraine and rising levels of inflation and interest rates; (14) the ability of X-energy to obtain regulatory approvals necessary for it to deploy its small modular reactors in the United States and abroad; (15) whether government funding for high assay low enriched uranium for government or commercial uses will result in adequate supply on anticipated timelines to support X-energy’s business; (16) the impact and potential extended duration of the current supply/demand imbalance in the market for low enriched uranium; (17) X-energy’s business with various governmental entities is subject to the policies, priorities, regulations, mandates and funding levels of such governmental entities and may be negatively or positively impacted by any change thereto; (18) X-energy’s limited operating history makes it difficult to evaluate its future prospects and the risks and challenges it may encounter; and (19) other risks and uncertainties separately provided to you and indicated from time to time described in filings and potential filings by X-energy, AAC or X-Energy, Inc. with the SEC.
The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. These forward-looking statements are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to serve as, and must not be relied on by investors as, a guarantee, an assurance, a prediction or a definitive statement of fact or probability. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties described in the “Risk Factors” section of AAC’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, its subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, the Registration Statement and the proxy statement/prospectus related to the transaction, and other documents filed (or to be filed) by AAC from time to time with the SEC. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties may be amplified by the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, rising levels of inflation and interest rates and the COVID-19 pandemic, which have caused significant economic uncertainty. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Investors are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and X-energy and AAC assume no obligation and do not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by securities and other applicable laws. Neither X-energy nor AAC gives any assurance that either X-energy or AAC, respectively, will achieve its expectations.
No Offer or Solicitation
This Current Report is for informational purposes only and is neither an offer to purchase, nor a solicitation of an offer to sell, subscribe for or buy, any securities or the solicitation of any vote in any jurisdiction pursuant to the Business Combination or otherwise, nor shall there be any sale, issuance or transfer of securities in any jurisdiction in contravention of applicable law. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act.
Participants in the Solicitation
AAC and certain of its directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from AAC ’s shareholders, in favor of the approval of the proposed transaction. For information regarding AAC’s directors and executive officers, please see AAC’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, its subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and the other documents filed (or to be filed) by AAC from time to time with the SEC. Additional information regarding the interests of those participants and other persons who may be deemed participants in the Business Combination may be obtained by reading the registration statement and the proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant documents filed with the SEC when they become available. Free copies of these documents may be obtained as described in the preceding paragraph.
| Item 9.01 | Financial Statements and Exhibits |
(d) Exhibits
Exhibit | Title | |
| 10.1 | Amended and Restated Promissory Note, dated as of July 24, 2023, by and between Ares Acquisition Corporation and Ares Acquisition Holdings LP. | |
| 99.1 | Press Release, dated July 24, 2023. | |
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File. | |
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this Current Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
| Dated: July 24, 2023 | Ares Acquisition Corporation | |||||
| By: | /s/ David B. Kaplan | |||||
| Name: | David B. Kaplan | |||||
| Title: | Chief Executive Officer and Co-Chairman | |||||
Exhibit 10.1
THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED PROMISSORY NOTE (THIS “NOTE”) HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”),. OR UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE. THIS NOTE IS SUBJECT TO RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFERABILITY AND RESALE. THIS NOTE HAS BEEN ACQUIRED FOR INVESTMENT ONLY AND MAY NOT BE SOLD, TRANSFERRED OR ASSIGNED EXCEPT AS PERMITTED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND THE APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS, PURSUANT TO REGISTRATION OR EXEMPTION THEREFROM.
ARES ACQUISITION CORPORATION
AMENDED AND RESTATED PROMISSORY NOTE
| Principal Amount: Up to $10,800,000.00 | As of July 24, 2023 |
Ares Acquisition Corporation (the “Maker”), promises to pay to the order of Ares Acquisition Holdings LP or its successors or assigns (the “Holder”), the unpaid Principal Amount (as defined herein) of up to Ten Million Eight Hundred Thousand Dollars ($10,800,000.00) in lawful money of the United States of America, on the terms and conditions described below (this “Note”).
This Note amends and restates the Promissory Note, dated as of January 26, 2023 (the “Original Promissory Note”), in the principal sum of Seven Million Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($7,200,000.00) previously issued by Maker to Holder but does not constitute a novation or extinguishment of the debt represented by the Original Promissory Note.
1. Principal. The entire unpaid principal balance under this Note shall be due and payable in full (unless otherwise satisfied, in the case of clauses (i) and (iii)) on the earlier of: (i) the date by which the Maker has to complete its initial merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination (the “Business Combination”) pursuant to the Maker’s amended and restated memorandum and articles of association (as may be amended from time to time) (the “Articles of Association”), (ii) immediately upon the consummation of the Business Combination and (iii) if the Business Combination is not consummated, the date of the termination, dissolution or winding up of the Maker as determined in the sole discretion of the Maker’s board of directors (such earlier date of (i), (ii) and (iii), the “Maturity Date”), unless accelerated upon the occurrence of an Event of Default (as defined below). Any outstanding unpaid Principal Amount under this Note may be prepaid at any time by the Maker, at its election and without penalty. Under no circumstances shall any individual, including, but not limited to, any officer, director, employee or shareholder of the Maker, be obligated personally for any obligations or liabilities of the Maker hereunder.
2. Interest. No interest shall accrue on the unpaid Principal Amount of this Note.
3. Drawdowns; Register. Beginning on February 3, 2023, and thereafter on the first day of each month until the Maturity Date (or if such first day is not a business day, on the business day immediately preceding such first day), the Holder shall advance directly to the Maker’s Trust Account (as defined in the Articles of Association) $0.03 for each outstanding Class A ordinary share, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Class A ordinary shares”), with each such monthly advance not exceeding $1,200,000.00 (each, an “Advance” and the sum of all Advances, the “Principal Amount”). Beginning on August 2, 2023, and thereafter on the first day of each month until the Maturity Date (or if such first day is not a business day, on the business day immediately preceding such first day), the Holder shall advance directly to the Maker’s Trust Account (as defined in the Articles of Association) $0.0255 for each outstanding Class A ordinary share. The Maker shall maintain a register reflecting each Advance and any prepayment of all or a portion of the Principal Amount outstanding under this Note for purposes of recording the aggregate unpaid Principal Amount of this Note outstanding at any time.
4. Application of Payments. All payments shall be applied first to payment in full of any costs incurred in the collection of any sum due under this Note, including (without limitation) reasonable attorneys’ fees, then to the payment in full of any late charges and finally to the reduction of the unpaid Principal Amount of this Note.
5. Events of Default. The following shall constitute Events of Default:
(a) Failure to Make Required Payments. Failure by the Maker to pay the unpaid Principal Amount due pursuant to this Note on the Maturity Date.
(b) Voluntary Bankruptcy, Etc. The commencement by the Maker of a voluntary case under the Federal Bankruptcy Code, as now constituted or hereafter amended, or any other applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, rehabilitation or other similar law, or the consent by it to the appointment of or taking possession by a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, custodian, sequestrator (or other similar official) of the Maker or for any substantial part of its property, or the making by it of any assignment for the benefit of creditors, or the failure of the Maker generally to pay its debts as such debts become due, or the taking of corporate action by the Maker in furtherance of any of the foregoing.
(c) Involuntary Bankruptcy, Etc. The entry of a decree or order for relief by a court having jurisdiction in the premises in respect of the Maker in an involuntary case under the Federal Bankruptcy Code, as now or hereafter constituted, or any other applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law, or appointing a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator (or similar official) of the Maker or for any substantial part of its property, or ordering the winding-up or liquidation of its affairs, and the continuance of any such decree or order unstayed and in effect for a period of 60 consecutive days.
6. Remedies.
(a) Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default specified in Section 5(a), the Holder may, by written notice to the Maker, declare this Note to be due and payable, whereupon the unpaid Principal Amount of this Note, and all other amounts payable thereunder, shall become immediately due and payable (unless otherwise satisfied) without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are expressly waived, anything contained herein or in the documents evidencing the same to the contrary notwithstanding.
(b) Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default specified in Sections 5(b) and 5(c), the unpaid Principal Amount of, and all other sums payable with regard to, this Note shall automatically and immediately become due and payable, in all cases without any action on the part of the Holder.
7. Waivers. The Maker and all endorsers and guarantors of, and sureties for, this Note waive presentment for payment, demand, notice of dishonor, protest, and notice of protest with regard to this Note, all errors, defects and imperfections in any proceedings instituted by Holder under the terms of this Note, and all benefits that might accrue to the Maker by virtue of any present or future laws exempting any property, real or personal, or any part of the proceeds arising from any sale of any such property, from attachment, levy or sale under execution, or providing for any stay of execution, exemption from civil process, or extension of time for payment; and the Maker agrees that any real estate that may be levied upon pursuant to a judgment obtained by virtue hereof, on any writ of execution issued hereon, may be sold upon any such writ in whole or in part in any order desired by Holder.
8. Unconditional Liability. The Maker waives all notices in connection with the delivery, acceptance, performance, default, or enforcement of the payment of this Note, and agrees that its liability shall be unconditional, without regard to the liability of any other party, and shall not be affected in any manner by any indulgence, extension of time, renewal, waiver or modification granted or consented to by the Holder, and consents to any and all extensions of time, renewals, waivers, or modifications that may be granted by the Holder with respect to the payment or other provisions of this Note, and agree that additional makers, endorsers, guarantors, or sureties may become parties hereto without notice to them or affecting their liability hereunder.
9. Notices. Any notice called for hereunder shall be deemed properly given if (i) sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, (ii) personally delivered, (iii) dispatched by any form of private or governmental express mail or delivery service providing receipted delivery, (iv) sent by telefacsimile or (v) sent by e-mail, to the following addresses or to such other address as either party may designate by notice in accordance with this Section:
If to the Maker:
Ares Acquisition Corporation
c/o Ares Management LLC
245 Park Avenue, 44th Floor
New York, New York 10167
If to the Holder:
Ares Acquisition Holdings LP
c/o Ares Management LLC
245 Park Avenue, 44th Floor
New York, New York 10167
Notice shall be deemed given on the earlier of (i) actual receipt by the receiving party, (ii) the date shown on a telefacsimile transmission confirmation, (iii) the date on which an e-mail transmission was received by the receiving party’s on-line access provider, (iv) the date reflected on a signed delivery receipt and (v) two business days following tender of delivery or dispatch by express mail or delivery service.
10. Trust Waiver. Notwithstanding anything in this Note to the contrary, the Holder waives any and all right, title, interest or claim of any kind (“Claim”) in or to any distribution of or from the trust account established in which proceeds of the Maker’s initial public offering of securities (“IPO”) (including the deferred underwriters discounts and commissions) and proceeds of the sale of the warrants issued in a private placement which occurred in connection with the consummation of the IPO are deposited, as described in greater detail in the registration statement and prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with the IPO, and agrees not to seek recourse, reimbursement, payment or satisfaction for any Claim against the trust account for any reason whatsoever.
11. Construction. THIS NOTE SHALL BE CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
12. Severability. Any provision contained in this Note that is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.
13. Amendment; Waiver. Any amendment hereto or waiver of any provision hereof may be made with, and only with, the written consent of the Maker and the Holder.
14. Assignment; Successors and Assigns. No assignment or transfer of this Note or any rights or obligations hereunder may be made by either party hereto (by operation of law or otherwise) without the prior written consent of the other party hereto and any attempted assignment without the required consent shall be void. This Note shall be binding upon and benefit the permitted successors and permitted assigns of a party hereto.
[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Maker, intending to be legally bound, has caused this Note to be duly executed by its Chief Executive Officer the day and year first above written.
| Ares Acquisition Corporation | ||
| By: | /s/ David B. Kaplan | |
| Name: | David B. Kaplan | |
| Title: | Chief Executive Officer and Co-Chairman | |
Acknowledged and agreed (and intending to be legally bound with respect to Section 3 hereof) as of the day and year first above written:
| ARES ACQUISITION HOLDINGS LP | ||
| By: | /s/ Peter Ogilvie | |
| Name: | Peter Ogilvie | |
| Title: | Chief Executive Officer | |
Exhibit 99.1
ARES ACQUISITION CORPORATION ANNOUNCES CONTINUATION OF MONTHLY CONTRIBUTIONS TO TRUST ACCOUNT IN CONNECTION WITH PROPOSED SECOND EXTENSION
Ares Acquisition Holdings LP will continue to make monthly deposits directly to the trust account of $0.0255 for each outstanding Class A ordinary share
NEW YORK, NY – July 24, 2023 (BUSINESS WIRE) – Ares Acquisition Corporation (NYSE: “AAC.U”, “AAC”, “AAC WS”) (“AAC” or the “Company”) announced today that, consistent with the payments being made to shareholders pursuant to the Company’s prior extension, the Company’s sponsor, Ares Acquisition Holdings LP (the “Sponsor”), will continue to make monthly deposits directly to the Company’s trust account of $0.0255 for each outstanding Class A ordinary share, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company (each deposit, a “Additional Contribution”) following the approval and implementation of the Second Extension Amendment Proposal (as defined below) on the terms described below. In connection with the Additional Contributions, the Company amended and restated its existing non-interest bearing promissory note (the “Amended and Restated Note”) in favor of the Sponsor to include the Additional Contributions. This announcement is being made in anticipation of the Company’s extraordinary general meeting to be held at 9:30 a.m., Eastern Time, on August 1, 2023 (the “Shareholder Meeting”) at which shareholders will be asked to vote on a proposal to amend the Company’s amended and restated memorandum and articles of association (the “Memorandum and Articles of Association”) to extend the date by which the Company has to consummate a business combination from August 4, 2023 to November 6, 2023 (the “Second Extension Amendment Proposal”).
If the Second Extension Amendment Proposal is approved, the Additional Contributions will begin on August 2, 2023, and thereafter on the first day of each month (or if such first day is not a business day, on the business day immediately preceding such first day) until the earlier of (i) the consummation of a business combination, and (ii) November 6, 2023 (or any earlier date of termination, dissolution or winding up of the Company in accordance with its Memorandum and Articles of Association or as otherwise determined in the sole discretion of the Company’s board of directors). The Amended and Restated Note is expected to be settled in cash at the closing of the Company’s business combination. The funds in the Company’s trust account remain invested in U.S. government treasury obligations with a maturity of 185 days or less or in money market funds investing solely in U.S. government treasury obligations.
If shareholders have any questions or need assistance please call the Company’s proxy solicitor, Morrow Sodali LLC, at (800) 662-5200 (toll free) or banks and brokers can call collect at (203) 658-9400, or by e-mailing AAC.info@investor.morrowsodali.com.
About Ares Acquisition Corporation
Ares Acquisition Corporation (NYSE: AAC) is a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) affiliated with Ares Management Corporation, formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination. AAC is seeking to pursue an initial business combination target in any industry or sector in North America, Europe or Asia. For more information about AAC, please visit www.aresacquisitioncorporation.com.
Additional Information and Where to Find It
On July 12, 2023, AAC filed a definitive proxy statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) in connection with its solicitation of proxies for the Shareholder Meeting. In connection with the business combination (the “Business Combination”) with X-Energy Reactor Company, LLC (“X-energy”), AAC filed a registration statement on Form S-4 on January 25, 2023 (as amended by Amendment No. 1, Amendment No. 2 and Amendment No. 3 thereto, filed on March 24, 2023, June 12, 2023 and July 3, 2023, respectively, the “Registration Statement”) with the SEC, which includes a preliminary proxy statement/prospectus to be distributed to holders of AAC’s ordinary shares in connection with AAC’s solicitation of proxies for the vote by AAC’s shareholders with respect to the Business Combination and other matters as described in the Registration Statement, as well as a prospectus relating to the offer of securities to be issued to X-energy equity holders in connection with the Business
Combination. After the Registration Statement has been declared effective, AAC will mail a copy of the definitive proxy statement/prospectus, when available, to its shareholders. The Registration Statement includes information regarding the persons who may, under the SEC rules, be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies to AAC’s shareholders in connection with the Business Combination. AAC will also file other documents regarding the Business Combination with the SEC. BEFORE MAKING ANY VOTING OR INVESTMENT DECISION, INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS OF AAC AND X-ENERGY ARE URGED TO READ THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT, THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS CONTAINED THEREIN, AND ALL OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED OR THAT WILL BE FILED WITH THE SEC IN CONNECTION WITH THE BUSINESS COMBINATION AS THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE BUSINESS COMBINATION.
Investors and security holders will be able to obtain free copies of the Registration Statement, the proxy statement/prospectus and all other relevant documents filed or that will be filed with the SEC by AAC through the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. In addition, the documents filed by AAC may be obtained free of charge from AAC’s website at www.aresacquisitioncorporation.com or by written request to AAC at Ares Acquisition Corporation, 245 Park Avenue, 44th Floor, New York, NY 10167.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws with respect to the Additional Contributions and the Business Combination, including statements regarding the benefits of the Business Combination, the anticipated timing of the Business Combination, the markets in which X-energy operates and X-energy’s projected future results. X-energy’s actual results may differ from its expectations, estimates and projections (which, in part, are based on certain assumptions) and consequently, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Words such as “expect,” “estimate,” “project,” “budget,” “forecast,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “may,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “believes,” “predicts,” “potential,” “continue,” and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Although these forward-looking statements are based on assumptions that X-energy and AAC believe are reasonable, these assumptions may be incorrect. These forward-looking statements also involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from the expected results. Factors that may cause such differences include, but are not limited to: (1) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted in connection with any proposed business combination; (2) the inability to complete any proposed business combination or related transactions, including as a result of redemptions or the failure by shareholders to adopt the Second Extension Amendment Proposal; (3) the inability to raise sufficient capital to fund our business plan, including limitations on the amount of capital raised in any proposed business combination as a result of redemptions or otherwise; (4) the failure to obtain additional funding from the U.S. government or our ARDP partner for the ARDP; (5) unexpected increased project costs, increasing as a result of macroeconomic factors, such as inflation and rising interest rates; (6) delays in obtaining, adverse conditions contained in, or the inability to obtain necessary regulatory approvals or complete regulatory reviews required to complete any business combination; (7) the risk that any proposed business combination disrupts current plans and operations; (8) the inability to recognize the anticipated benefits of any proposed business combination, which may be affected by, among other things, competition, the ability of the combined company to grow and manage growth profitably, maintain relationships with customers and suppliers and retain key employees; (9) costs related to the proposed business combination; (10) changes in the applicable laws or regulations; (11) the possibility that X-energy may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors; (12) the persistent impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic; (13) economic uncertainty caused by the impacts of the conflict in Russia and Ukraine and rising levels of inflation and interest rates; (14) the ability of X-energy to obtain regulatory approvals necessary for it to deploy its small modular reactors in the United States and abroad; (15) whether government funding for high assay low enriched uranium for government or commercial uses will result in adequate supply on anticipated timelines to support X-energy’s business; (16) the impact and potential extended duration of the current supply/demand imbalance in the market for low enriched uranium; (17) X-energy’s business with various governmental entities is subject to the policies, priorities, regulations, mandates and funding levels of such governmental entities and may be negatively or positively impacted by any change thereto; (18) X-energy’s limited operating history makes it difficult to evaluate its future prospects and the risks and challenges it may encounter; and (19) other risks and uncertainties separately provided to you and indicated from time to time described in filings and potential filings by X-energy, AAC or X-Energy, Inc. with the SEC.
The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. These forward-looking statements are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to serve as, and must not be relied on by investors as, a guarantee, an assurance, a prediction or a definitive statement of fact or probability. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties described in the “Risk Factors” section of AAC’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, its subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, the proxy statement/prospectus related to the transaction, when it becomes available, and other documents filed (or to be filed) by AAC from time to time with the SEC. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties may be amplified by the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, rising levels of inflation and interest rates and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which have caused significant economic uncertainty. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Investors are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and X-energy and AAC assume no obligation and do not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by securities and other applicable laws.
No Offer or Solicitation
This press release is for informational purposes only and is neither an offer to purchase, nor a solicitation of an offer to sell, subscribe for or buy, any securities or the solicitation of any vote in any jurisdiction pursuant to the Business Combination or otherwise, nor shall there be any sale, issuance or transfer of securities in any jurisdiction in contravention of applicable law. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act.
Participants in the Solicitation
AAC and certain of its directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from AAC’s shareholders, in favor of the approval of the proposed transaction. For information regarding AAC’s directors and executive officers, please see AAC’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, its subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and the other documents filed (or to be filed) by AAC from time to time with the SEC. Additional information regarding the interests of those participants and other persons who may be deemed participants in the Business Combination may be obtained by reading the Registration Statement and the proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant documents filed with the SEC when they become available. Free copies of these documents may be obtained as described in the preceding paragraph.
INVESTOR RELATIONS CONTACT
Ares Acquisition Corporation
Investors:
Carl Drake and Greg Mason
+1-888-818-5298
IR@AresAcquisitionCorporation.com
Media:
Jacob Silber
+1-212-301-0376
media@aresmgmt.com