Stock Markets May 1, 2026 07:44 AM

Two Harbors Jumps After UWM Revises Offer to $12 Per Share

Revised bid includes cash or stock election and a larger Mizuho bridge facility as deal battle intensifies

By Jordan Park TWO UWMC
Two Harbors Jumps After UWM Revises Offer to $12 Per Share
TWO UWMC

Two Harbors Investment shares climbed about 5% after UWM Holdings Corporation submitted an amended takeover proposal valuing Two Harbors at $12.00 per share. The proposal, backed by an increased $1.3 billion unsecured bridge from Mizuho Bank, gives shareholders the choice of cash or stock and seeks to position UWMC’s bid above a competing cash offer from CrossCountry Mortgage.

Key Points

  • UWMC revised its takeover bid for Two Harbors to $12.00 per share, offering shareholders a cash option or 2.3328 shares of UWMC common stock.
  • The amended proposal is backed by an increased $1.3 billion unsecured bridge facility from Mizuho Bank with no ratings trigger, borrowing-base test, or market contingency.
  • UWMC contends its offer is superior to CrossCountry Mortgage’s $11.30 cash bid and plans to file a Form 8-K with detailed terms; Two Harbors shareholders will vote on the CrossCountry deal on May 19, 2026.

Summary: Two Harbors Investment's stock rose roughly 5% on Friday following a revised takeover proposal from UWM Holdings Corporation that offers Two Harbors shareholders $12.00 per share or a stock election. UWMC's amended bid is backed by an increased bridge financing commitment from Mizuho Bank and is positioned as a premium to CrossCountry Mortgage's competing cash offer.

Shares of Two Harbors Investment (NYSE:TWO) moved higher after UWM Holdings Corporation (NYSE:UWMC) sent an open letter to Two Harbors stockholders detailing an updated acquisition proposal. The revised offer sets a cash option of $12.00 per share and a stock alternative of 2.3328 shares of UWMC common stock. UWMC said the proposal contains no cap or proration on the cash amount available to stockholders.

UWMC framed the $12.00-per-share cash alternative as a $0.70 premium to CrossCountry Mortgage’s competing cash bid, which was announced as $11.30 per share on April 28. The company characterized the revised offer as representing more than 6% greater value than CrossCountry’s cash proposal. For context, Two Harbors shares closed at $11.57 on Thursday.

To support the amended bid, UWMC said it has secured a committed, unsecured $1.3 billion bridge facility from Mizuho Bank, Ltd., an increase from the $1.2 billion backing UWMC’s earlier April 20 proposal. UWMC emphasized that the facility contains no ratings trigger, no borrowing-base test, and no market contingency.

In its communication, UWMC criticized Two Harbors’ Board for not engaging with its April 20 proposal, which had offered $11.30 in cash or a stock election. UWMC noted that, instead of negotiating, Two Harbors’ Board amended its agreement with CrossCountry to match only the cash component while adding greater deal protections. Those protections included a near doubling of the termination fee - raised from $25.4 million to $50 million.

UWMC urged Two Harbors stockholders to contact the Board and press it to negotiate with UWMC, arguing the new proposal qualifies as a Superior Offer under the CrossCountry merger agreement. The company also said it will file a Form 8-K to disclose the precise terms of both offers.

Two Harbors stockholders are scheduled to vote on the CrossCountry transaction at a special meeting on May 19, 2026.


Context and next steps

With a formal filing forthcoming and a scheduled shareholder vote already on the calendar, the transaction fight is now moving toward additional disclosure and a decisive vote. Shareholders will have the opportunity to weigh the competing offers ahead of the May 19, 2026 special meeting.

Risks

  • Uncertainty over board engagement and negotiations - Two Harbors’ Board has not negotiated with UWMC on the April 20 proposal and amended its agreement with CrossCountry to strengthen deal protections.
  • Potential termination fee implications - the amended agreement with CrossCountry nearly doubles the termination fee from $25.4 million to $50 million, which could affect the economics of switching to a competing bid.
  • Financing conditions could shift perceptions - while UWMC’s $1.3 billion bridge is described as having no ratings trigger, borrowing-base test, or market contingency, execution and disclosure steps (including a Form 8-K) remain outstanding.

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