Abstract highlights foundational research in the development of PDS0102 and PDS0103
FLORHAM PARK, N.J., Oct. 17, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — PDS Biotechnology Corporation (Nasdaq: PDSB), a clinical-stage immunotherapy company developing a growing pipeline of targeted immunotherapies for cancer and infectious disease, today announced that an abstract reporting on preclinical studies of two the company’s oncology pipeline products targeting multiple types of cancer has been accepted for presentation at the American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) Special Conference on Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy 2022. The AACR Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy Conference is being held October 21-24, 2022, in Boston.
Versamune® is PDS Biotech’s novel investigational T cell activating platform designed to stimulate a precise immune system response to cancer-specific proteins. The abstract accepted for presentation at the AACR Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy Conference highlights the development of Versamune® based drug formulations containing multi-epitope peptide antigen sequences of the tumor-associated protein TARP (T cell receptor gamma chain Alternate Reading frame Protein) and modified sequences of novel Mucin 1 oncoprotein (MUC1). This research provided the foundation for the development of PDS0102 as a potential treatment for TARP-associated acute myeloid leukemia (AML), prostate, and breast cancers, and PDS0103 as a potential treatment for MUC1-associated breast, colon, lung, ovarian, and other cancers.
“Our Versamune® platform provides an opportunity to address a myriad of cancers by combining the technology with unique proteins or peptides that are specific to the cancer. The research accepted for presentation at the AACR Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy Conference highlights this important versatility of the platform and, specifically, the rationale for our PDS0102 and PDS0103 programs,” commented Dr. Frank Bedu-Addo, President and Chief Executive Officer of PDS Biotech. “We welcome the opportunity to present at such a highly influential conference. Based on recently reported clinical results from our ongoing studies of PDS0101 in HPV-positive cancers such as anal, cervical, head and neck, penile, vaginal, and vulvar cancers, we continue to expand our Versamune® based programs into TARP-associated AML, prostate and breast cancers, and MUC1-associated breast, colon, lung, ovarian and other cancers.”
Poster Number: B24 Abstract Title: Development of targeted T cell cancer immunotherapies based on a novel enantiomeric cationic lipid that promotes antigen cross-presentation and upregulation of type I interferons Authors: Siva K. Gandhapudi, Karuna Sundarapandiyan, Martin Ward, Afsheen Fatima, Mania Dorrani, Mary Banoub, Joe Dervan, Lauren Wood, Greg Conn, and Jerold G. Woodward Session Date and Time: Sunday, October 23 at 6:00-8:30 pm ET
About PDS Biotechnology
PDS Biotech is a clinical-stage immunotherapy company developing a growing pipeline of targeted cancer and infectious disease immunotherapies based on our proprietary Versamune® and Infectimune™ T cell-activating technology platforms. We believe our targeted Versamune® based candidates have the potential to overcome the limitations of current immunotherapy by inducing large quantities of high-quality, potent polyfunctional tumor specific CD4+ helper and CD8+ killer T cells. To date, our lead Versamune® clinical candidate, PDS0101, has demonstrated the potential to reduce tumors and stabilize disease in combination with approved and investigational therapeutics in patients with a broad range of HPV-positive cancers in multiple Phase 2 clinical trials. Our Infectimune™ based vaccines have also demonstrated the potential to induce not only robust and durable neutralizing antibody responses, but also powerful T cell responses, including long-lasting memory T cell responses in pre-clinical studies to date. To learn more, please visit www.pdsbiotech.com or follow us on Twitter at @PDSBiotech.
Forward Looking Statements
This communication contains forward-looking statements (including within the meaning of Section 21E of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Section 27A of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended) concerning PDS Biotechnology Corporation (the “Company”) and other matters. These statements may discuss goals, intentions and expectations as to future plans, trends, events, results of operations or financial condition, or otherwise, based on current beliefs of the Company’s management, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, management. Forward-looking statements generally include statements that are predictive in nature and depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, and include words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “would,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “likely,” “believe,” “estimate,” “project,” “intend,” “forecast,” “guidance”, “outlook” and other similar expressions among others. Forward-looking statements are based on current beliefs and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties and are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results could differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement as a result of various factors, including, without limitation: the Company’s ability to protect its intellectual property rights; the Company’s anticipated capital requirements, including the Company’s anticipated cash runway and the Company’s current expectations regarding its plans for future equity financings; the Company’s dependence on additional financing to fund its operations and complete the development and commercialization of its product candidates, and the risks that raising such additional capital may restrict the Company’s operations or require the Company to relinquish rights to the Company’s technologies or product candidates; the Company’s limited operating history in the Company’s current line of business, which makes it difficult to evaluate the Company’s prospects, the Company’s business plan or the likelihood of the Company’s successful implementation of such business plan; the timing for the Company or its partners to initiate the planned clinical trials for PDS0101, PDS0203 and other Versamune® and Infectimune™ based product candidates; the future success of such trials; the successful implementation of the Company’s research and development programs and collaborations, including any collaboration studies concerning PDS0101, PDS0203 and other Versamune® and Infectimune™ based product candidates and the Company’s interpretation of the results and findings of such programs and collaborations and whether such results are sufficient to support the future success of the Company’s product candidates; the success, timing and cost of the Company’s ongoing clinical trials and anticipated clinical trials for the Company’s current product candidates, including statements regarding the timing of initiation, pace of enrollment and completion of the trials (including the Company’s ability to fully fund its disclosed clinical trials, which assumes no material changes to our currently projected expenses), futility analyses, presentations at conferences and data reported in an abstract, and receipt of interim or preliminary results (including, without limitation, any preclinical results or data), which are not necessarily indicative of the final results of the Company’s ongoing clinical trials; any Company statements about its understanding of product candidates mechanisms of action and interpretation of preclinical and early clinical results from its clinical development programs and any collaboration studies; and other factors, including legislative, regulatory, political and economic developments not within the Company’s control, including unforeseen circumstances or other disruptions to normal business operations arising from or related to COVID-19. The foregoing review of important factors that could cause actual events to differ from expectations should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with statements that are included herein and elsewhere, including the risk factors included in the Company’s annual and periodic reports filed with the SEC. The forward-looking statements are made only as of the date of this press release and, except as required by applicable law, the Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statement, or to make any other forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Versamune® is a registered trademark and Infectimune™ is a trademark of PDS Biotechnology.
Aurania Resources Ltd. (TSXV: ARU) (OTCQB: AUIAF) (FSE: 20Q) (“Aurania” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce that positive findings of careful relogging of drill core together with the integration of geophysics and geochemistry from its Tiria-Shimpia target in Aurania’s Lost Cities-Cutucu project in southeastern Ecuador (the “Project”), has revealed the presence of a chain of three structural grabens occupying the middle of the concession block. Grabens are extremely important in mineral exploration because their bounding faults are often through-going conduits for hydrothermal fluids, and they have very high potential to be mineralized. This underlying work is integral to advancing ongoing joint venture discussions while the Company begins preparations for a drill program at its Tatasham and Awacha porphyry targets expected to commence later in 2022. Both programs remain in line with Aurania’s corporate strategy discussed in February 2022.
Professor Gregor Borg, a recognized international expert on sediment-hosted copper deposits commented on the review/reinterpretation of Aurania’s geological data, “The reassembly and reinterpretation of available data makes a totally new and very exciting story!”
The north graben is 10 kilometres long and 3.5 kilometres wide, the central graben is 26 kilometres long and 3 kilometres wide; and the south graben is 18 kilometres long and 5 kilometres wide.
Structural grabens, also known as pull-aparts or drop-downs, are areas where younger rocks have been faulted downwards vertically, between older rocks by opposing horizontal forces. It can be thought of as if the rocks have been stretched horizontally in opposite directions to breaking point, and then have subsided downward along vertical bounding cracks (faults). Grabens can be recognized in the field when the rocks abruptly appear out of age sequence. Lundin Gold’s Fruta del Norte gold deposit, approximately 100 kilometres south of the Project, lies in a structural graben as does Aurania board member Thomas Ullrich’s recent high-grade copper discovery at the Storm deposit of Aston Bay in northern Canada. A number of mineralizing patterns have now come into focus, which will be explained below, and Management considers that the prospectivity of its sediment-hosted targets within the Project has been very considerably enhanced. The process of review by Aurania’s technical team and consultants is ongoing.
Dr. Cristian Vallejo, Aurania’s Consultant Geological Expert on the Cutucu area, has relogged the Tiria-Shimpia and Tsenken drillcore, placing it in the correct geological context. It was found that a contracted paleontologist had incorrectly dated several index fossils and that Tiria-Shimpia sits in rocks that are 90 million years younger than previously believed. Dr. Vallejo convincingly correlated the drilling with oil well DRA-29 outside the Project, and also dissolved representative pieces of Tiria-Shimpia core in acid for palynology (dating of fossil pollen). The results definitively place the four Tiria-Shimpia holes in the Hollin and Napo Formations, which are understood to the primary reservoir rocks for oil in Ecuador. In fact, impregnations of petroleum were found at depths of 345.8 metres (“m”) to 357 m in Hole #2 in Shimpia. While Management of Aurania does not consider there to be any potential for economic petroleum in the concessions, the importance of this finding in the context of sediment-hosted base metal deposits cannot be overemphasized. Crude petroleum, bitumen and natural gas have all been implicated as precipitation agents in the formation of sediment-hosted copper deposits, and lead-zinc-silver deposits. The two styles of mineralization are sometimes found in proximity but are separated horizontally or vertically due to precipitation kinetics.
Over the last several years, Aurania has located numerous high-grade copper/silver showings across the Project (see press releases dated August 6, 2020, July 30, 2020, April 9, 2019, April 2, 2019, and October 4, 2018), but the proper understanding of the ore-deposits framework still eluded us to some extent. We now know that the lower part of much of the concession area is occupied by Jurassic-aged Chapiza redbed sediments that contain salt and that are over a kilometre in thickness. To date, salt has been intersected in three drill holes in Tsenken and anhydrite evaporites were found in two other holes. The copper/silver mineralization sits within laterally impersistent and thin beds of carbonaceous trash in the upper Chapiza, stratigraphically above the salt beds, where plant debris and other organics have acted as chemical reductants, precipitating copper and silver from circulating saline brine. The scenario is not unlike the Kupferschiefer of eastern Germany and Poland, but by themselves our thin beds are volumetrically too minor to represent orebodies and are not exploration targets.
One exploration target however does leap out as exceptional and will be discussed presently. The Chapiza redbeds would equate with the Rotliegendes (in German, the “underlying red”) directly beneath the Kupferschiefer, an organic-rich “copper shale” which hosts the economic orebodies in Poland. We believed formerly that our carbonaceous beds were a direct analogue to the Kupferschiefer unit, and indeed in some ways they are, but a much better exploration target is proffered by the Hollin Formation higher in stratigraphy, which is both thick and bituminous with good porosity. These rocks were formerly not thought to be in the central graben, but the recent study made by Cristian Vallejo has identified the Upper Hollin formation (“Fm”) in hole #1 and #2 below the Napo Fm. Hollin also subcrops within the southern graben, in an area where there is a large MobileMT (“MMT”) conductive anomaly that was heretofore considered to be spurious.
The geological model for sediment-hosted copper deposits is predicated on a source accumulation of oxidized sediments in a basin that has occasionally evaporated to dryness, leaving behind salt beds. The theory is that minute amounts of copper in oxidized minerals become labile and can be stripped and then mobilized in brine as copper chloride. Heated brine would typically travel upwards through the rock column along faults and where it encountered organics, pyrite, or some other precipitation agent would drop the copper out of solution to form copper sulphides such as chalcocite. Professor Borg has previously commented that the presence of coeval porphyry copper deposits in the Chapiza means that the basin is “Turbocharged” with a “Double whammy”, or twice as much fertile copper potential as a normal scenario. Watch the video with Prof. Borg here: http://www.aurania.com/the-opportunity-a-copper-experts-opinion. The same model components are present in the Kupferschiefer and Aston Bay’s new Storm deposit but without copper porphyry.
Figure 1: From Vallejo et al. 2021. The central panel pertains to the Cutucu and provides stratigraphic context to this press release. The host rocks to Zn-Pb-Ag at Tiria-Shimpia are in the middle Napo Shale of the central panel. Previously they were believed to be in the Santiago Fm, at the very bottom of the stratigraphic column in the lower Jurassic. The copper source rocks and salt are in the Late Jurassic Chapiza Fm.
Figure 2: Interpreted geology. The sense of throw on the faults is still to be entirely defined. Most of the field of view is occupied by the NNW Central Graben containing Napo and Hollin Fm. The Southern Graben contains Napo, Hollin and Chapiza in a synclinal structure.
Figure 4: The distribution of copper and zinc in soils, within surveyed and sampled areas. Note that the distribution of Zn in the Central Graben mimics the distribution of Ag in outcrop from Figure 3. Cu has a wider distribution and is concentrated in Tsenken in the Southern Graben where it occurs close to copper-in-sediment occurrences but is also anomalous in other areas. These other areas are flows and subvolcanic intrusives of basalt to andesite within the Chapiza Fm. Drilling has shown them to be partially to completely oxidized, and coeval with the redbed sediments. They have high intrinsic backgrounds in Cu and Co and are considered an excellent protolith for mobilization into stratigraphically higher sediments.
Figures 5 and 6 are blow ups of the South Graben area. Figure 5 has the distribution of uranium in soils superimposed and 6, chromium in soils superimposed. The folded calc-alkaline basalt and andesite flow is outlined by Cr contents in Figure 6 (due to mafic character) and is clearly seen in Figure 5, which is free of anomalous U values over the flow. The saddle-shaped folding of the flow is clearly duplicated up-section by anomalous uranium, highly suggesting there is a stratiform accumulation of uranium in sediments. The picture for copper in Figure 4 is less clear but potentially covariant with uranium. Copper and uranium are often found together in sediment-hosted deposits e.g., Zambia Copperbelt. There is no MMT conductor in this area and potentially the sediments are shallow enough that sulphide has been weathered to carbonates and oxides. This is considered a very good drill target for the future.
Figure 7: MMT image over the Tsenken target area (South Graben). The hot colours are the conductors. Note that the salt occurrences along the graben boundary faults are extremely strong conductors. Salt itself is an insulator but with addition of water becomes strongly conductive. The brine springs used by the Shuar to produce salt are in the same area The circa 3 x 5 km conductivity anomaly on the west side of Tsenken remains unexplained and undrilled. Because it has depth extent it is thought to be a porphyry body which is buried within the Chapiza. It is a high priority target. The labelled conductor “copper target” mimics the saddle shape of the syncline lower in stratigraphy, and is composed of lower Hollin Fm. This is a 3.5 x 3 km target and appears to be stratiform and potentially stratabound. It is considered the highest priority copper-in-sediment target in this new interpretation.
Figure 8: A stratigraphic column modified from Vallejo, 2022. It shows diagrammatically the presence of organic carbon plotted against the stratigraphy of the rocks in the Cutucu. As can be seen, the layers with carbon in the Chapiza Fm are quite thin. Near the bottom of the Hollin Fm the carbon level picks up dramatically. As a working hypothesis we believe that some mobilized copper is deposited by fluids when they encounter carbonaceous layers in the Chapiza Fm, and we see abundant evidence of that in outcrop. We believe though that the majority of the copper will continue to migrate up-section until it comes in contact with the major carbon bearing units of the lower Hollin Fm. These units do not outcrop and Tiria-Shimpia hole #2 was too shallow to test this hypothesis. After dumping the copper, the fluids continued to move up-section into the Napo Fm where they deposited the zinc-lead-silver. MMT coverage over the Tiria-Shimpia area is limited, but deep conductors along the boundary faults and below the zinc-lead-silver if found, would reinforce this hypothesis.
Unusually, there is enough potassium (potash) component in the salt to both make it deep orange in colour, and mildly radioactive. Fault traces where salt is present are both radiometric K-channel anomalies and strong conductors. The zinc-lead-silver mineralization at Tiria-Shimpia also shows up as K-channel radiometric anomalies, and this is potentially due to the presence of large amounts of celestite, a strontium mineral that can contain moderate amounts of potassium. There are a large number of these radiometric targets along boundary faults that do not outcrop and have yet to be drilled. The integration of radiometric, magnetometer and magneto-telluric surveys is not fully completed and will with high probability yield more targets.
Qualified Person
The geological information contained in this news release has been verified and approved by Jean-Paul Pallier, MSc, VP Exploration. Mr. Pallier is a designated EurGeol by the European Federation of Geologists and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects of the Canadian Securities Administrators.
About Aurania Aurania is a mineral exploration company engaged in the identification, evaluation, acquisition and exploration of mineral property interests, with a focus on precious metals and copper in South America. Its flagship asset, The Lost Cities – Cutucu Project, is located in the Jurassic Metallogenic Belt in the eastern foothills of the Andes mountain range of southeastern Ecuador.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Forward-Looking Statements This news release may contain forward-looking information that involves substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties, most of which are beyond the control of Aurania. Forward-looking statements include estimates and statements that describe Aurania’s future plans, objectives or goals, including words to the effect that Aurania or its management expects a stated condition or result to occur. Forward-looking statements may be identified by such terms as “believes”, “anticipates”, “expects”, “estimates”, “may”, “could”, “would”, “will”, or “plan”. Since forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Although these statements are based on information currently available to Aurania, Aurania provides no assurance that actual results will meet management’s expectations. Risks, uncertainties and other factors involved with forward-looking information could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Forward looking information in this news release includes, but is not limited to Aurania’s objectives, goals or future plans, statements, exploration results, potential mineralization, the corporation’s portfolio, treasury, management team and enhanced capital markets profile, the estimation of mineral resources, exploration, timing of the commencement of operations and estimates of market conditions. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, failure to identify mineral resources, failure to convert estimated mineral resources to reserves, the inability to complete a feasibility study which recommends a production decision, the preliminary nature of metallurgical test results, delays in obtaining or failures to obtain required governmental, regulatory, environmental or other project approvals, political risks, inability to fulfill the duty to accommodate indigenous peoples, uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing needed in the future, changes in equity markets, inflation, changes in exchange rates, fluctuations in commodity prices, delays in the development of projects, capital and operating costs varying significantly from estimates and the other risks involved in the mineral exploration and development industry, the effects of COVID-19 on the business of the Company including but not limited to the effects of COVID-19 on the price of commodities, capital market conditions, restrictions on labour and international travel and supply chains, and those risks set out in Aurania’s public documents filed on SEDAR. Although Aurania believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information, which only applies as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. Aurania disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law.
CHATHAM, N.J., Oct. 17, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp. (Nasdaq: TNXP), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, announced today that Seth Lederman, M.D., Chief Executive Officer of Tonix Pharmaceuticals, will participate in one-on-one meetings at the 2022 BIO-Europe Conference being held in Leipzig, Germany, October 24-26, 2022. The Company’s presentation will be available to registered participants through the conference partnering site.
To schedule a meeting with the Company’s management at the conference, please submit a meeting request through the BIO-Europe partneringONE™ system.
Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp.*
Tonix is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, licensing, acquiring and developing therapeutics to treat and prevent human disease and alleviate suffering. Tonix’s portfolio is composed of central nervous system (CNS), rare disease, immunology and infectious disease product candidates. Tonix’s CNS portfolio includes both small molecules and biologics to treat pain, neurologic, psychiatric and addiction conditions. Tonix’s lead CNS candidate, TNX-102 SL (cyclobenzaprine HCl sublingual tablet), is in mid-Phase 3 development for the management of fibromyalgia with a new Phase 3 study launched in the second quarter of 2022 and interim data expected in the second quarter of 2023. TNX-102 SL is also being developed to treat Long COVID, a chronic post-acute COVID-19 condition. Tonix initiated a Phase 2 study in Long COVID in the third quarter of 2022 and expects interim data in the first half of 2023. TNX-1300 (cocaine esterase) is a biologic designed to treat cocaine intoxication and has been granted Breakthrough Therapy designation by the FDA. A Phase 2 study of TNX-1300 is expected to be initiated in the first quarter of 2023. TNX-1900 (intranasal potentiated oxytocin), a small molecule in development for chronic migraine, is expected to enter the clinic with a Phase 2 study in the fourth quarter of 2022. TNX-601 ER (tianeptine hemioxalate extended-release tablets) is a once-daily formulation of tianeptine being developed as a potential treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD) with a Phase 2 study expected to be initiated in the first quarter of 2023. Tonix’s rare disease portfolio includes TNX-2900 (intranasal potentiated oxytocin) for the treatment of Prader-Willi syndrome. TNX-2900 has been granted Orphan Drug designation by the FDA. Tonix’s immunology portfolio includes biologics to address organ transplant rejection, autoimmunity and cancer, including TNX-1500, which is a humanized monoclonal antibody targeting CD40-ligand (CD40L or CD154) being developed for the prevention of allograft and xenograft rejection and for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. A Phase 1 study of TNX-1500 is expected to be initiated in the first half of 2023. Tonix’s infectious disease pipeline consists of a vaccine in development to prevent smallpox and monkeypox, next-generation vaccines to prevent COVID-19, and a platform to make fully human monoclonal antibodies to treat COVID-19. TNX-801, Tonix’s vaccine in development to prevent smallpox and monkeypox, also serves as the live virus vaccine platform or recombinant pox vaccine (RPV) platform for other infectious diseases. A Phase 1 study of TNX-801 is expected to be initiated in Kenya in the first half of 2023. Tonix’s lead vaccine candidate for COVID-19 is TNX-1850, a live virus vaccines based on Tonix’s recombinant pox live virus vector vaccine platform.
*All of Tonix’s product candidates are investigational new drugs or biologics and have not been approved for any indication.
This press release and further information about Tonix can be found at www.tonixpharma.com.
Forward Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “forecast,” “estimate,” “expect,” and “intend,” among others. These forward-looking statements are based on Tonix’s current expectations and actual results could differ materially. There are a number of factors that could cause actual events to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, risks related to the failure to obtain FDA clearances or approvals and noncompliance with FDA regulations; delays and uncertainties caused by the global COVID-19 pandemic; risks related to the timing and progress of clinical development of our product candidates; our need for additional financing; uncertainties of patent protection and litigation; uncertainties of government or third party payor reimbursement; limited research and development efforts and dependence upon third parties; and substantial competition. As with any pharmaceutical under development, there are significant risks in the development, regulatory approval and commercialization of new products. Tonix does not undertake an obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement. Investors should read the risk factors set forth in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on March 14, 2022, and periodic reports filed with the SEC on or after the date thereof. All of Tonix’s forward-looking statements are expressly qualified by all such risk factors and other cautionary statements. The information set forth herein speaks only as of the date thereof.
TULSA, Okla.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Alliance Resource Partners, L.P. (NASDAQ: ARLP) will report its third quarter 2022 financial results before the market opens on Monday, October 31, 2022. Alliance management will discuss these results during a conference call beginning at 10:00 a.m. Eastern that same day.
To participate in the conference call, dial (877) 407-0784 and request to be connected to the Alliance Resource Partners, L.P. earnings conference call. International callers should dial (201) 689-8560 and request to be connected to the same call. Investors may also listen to the call via the “investor information” section of ARLP’s website at http://www.arlp.com.
An audio replay of the conference call will be available for approximately one week. To access the audio replay, dial U.S. Toll Free (844) 512-2921; International Toll (412) 317-6671 and request to be connected to replay using access code 13733069.
About Alliance Resource Partners, L.P.
ARLP is a diversified energy company that is currently the largest coal producer in the Eastern United States. ARLP also generates operating and royalty income from mineral interests it owns in strategic coal and oil & gas producing regions in the United States. In addition, ARLP is positioning itself as an energy provider for the future by leveraging its core technology and operating competencies to make strategic investments in the fast-growing energy and infrastructure transition.
News, unit prices and additional information about ARLP, including filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), are available at http://www.arlp.com. For more information, contact the investor relations department of ARLP at (918) 295-7674 or via e-mail at investorrelations@arlp.com.
Brian L. Cantrell Alliance Resource Partners, L.P. (918) 295-7673
Michael Kupinski, Director of Research, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.
Patrick McCann, Research Associate, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.
Jacob Mutchler, Research Associate, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.
Refer to the bottom of the report for important disclosures
Overview. Develop a shopping list.This report focuses on the looming economic recession and how investors should position portfolios for the prospect of an economic recovery. But, a more important theme of this report is for investors not to look for the past leaders in the industry as the best way to play a rebound. In this report, we look beyond a rebound play and focus on our favorite growth plays.
Digital Media: The smaller beat the goliaths.Two of our current favorites in the AdTech and MarTech industries performed better than most of its respective peers in the quarter. Can the momentum continue?
Television Broadcasting: Will political carry the quarter? With signs of weakening National advertising, broadcasters are looking forward toward Q4 Political as an offset. Political advertising, however, is not usually evenly spent across all markets. There may be winners and some losers.
Radio Broadcasting: Polishing its tarnished image.One of the epic fails of the radio industry has been Audacy, once one of the leadership companies of the industry. The AUD shares are down a staggering 95% from highs in March 2021. New industry leaders are emerging and they are not focused on radio. We highlight a few of our current favorites.
Publishing: Once a leader, now a loser.It is hard to believe that Gannett was once a $90 stock and held a record for one of the longest strings of quarterly earnings gains in the S&P 500 Index. The shares are down 80% from year earlier highs to near $1.37. We believe that investors should take a look at a company that has developed into an impressive Digital Media publisher.
Overview
Develop A Shopping List
The best time to buy stocks is typically in the midst of an economic recession. Investors begin to look beyond the economic weakness and begin positioning portfolios for an economic rebound. The hard part is determining when the economy is in the middle of the downturn. It appears by all standard definitions of an economic downturn that the U.S. is in an economic recession. But, how long will a downturn last? Should investors try to be cute to predict the midpoint of the downturn?
Many economic pundits paint the current state of the economy against the canvas of the 1970s, a period of high inflation and low economic growth. There are many similarities. The Federal Reserve in the early 70s was willing to provide cheap money to fuel the economy, without much concern about inflation. In the second half of the 70s, the economy was rocked by fuel supply shortages and high inflation. During the Covid pandemic, both fiscal and monetary policy was designed to provide liquidity and to make sure that people were able to pay their bills during the economic lockdowns. This had the affect of increasing personal income, even though GDP declined 31.4% in 2020. As the economy reopened, there was significant demand for goods and services, some of which were in short supply because of the previous and recurring economic lock downs. Simplistically, this fueled inflation, high demand with a consumer that had disposable income and limited supply.
As Figure #1 Early 1970s chart illustrates, the US economy grew 9.8%, as measured by real GDP, from January 1972 to September 1975. Notably, the stock market, as measured by the S&P 500 Index, declined a significant 18.6%. This was a period marked by rising inflation due to government spending. The inflation rate, as measured by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, was a reasonable 3.3% in 1972, but increased to 11.1% in 1974 and then moderated slightly to 9.1% in 1975. The inflation rate remained above 5% for the following 3 years.
Figure #1 Early 1970s
Source: US Bureau of Economic Analysis and Yahoo Finance.
Given the current state of rising energy prices, many pundits paint the current US economic plight similar to the period of fuel shortages of the late 1970s. As Figure #2 Late 1970s illustrates, the US economy, as measured by real GDP, grew 13.5% from January 1977 to October 1981, an average of slightly more than 3% per year. Notably, inflation increased significantly, from 6.5% in 1977 to 11.3% in 1979, followed by 13.5% in 1980, and 10.3% in 1981. The stock market, as measured by the S&P 500 Index, did not react well, up 9.3% from January 1977 to October 1981, an average of 2.3% growth.
Figure #2 Late 1970s
Source: US Bureau of Economic Analysis and Yahoo Finance.
So, where are we now? In the present, the Covid induced government spending and stimulus related fiscal policy, large spending on the Ukraine war, and a Fed unwilling to rein in early signs of inflation has put the US in a dire economic position. Certainly, supply chain shortages contributed to the current rise in inflation, as well. The Fed now appears to have religion on inflation and is aggressively raising interest rates. The Fed indicated that it is willing to create economic pain to arrest inflationary pressures. Most certainly this will cause additional economic weakness. The stock market in the near to intermediate term will need to digest the likelihood of weakening corporate profits, as well. Furthermore, as it relates to the equity markets, other investment classes, such as bonds, may become more appealing, taking demand from the stock market.
We believe that arresting inflation would set a favorable trajectory for the stock market, as investors position for the prospect of an economic recovery. To some degree, the 24.4% drop in the stock market, as measured by the S&P 500 index, from January 2022 to near current levels, anticipate some of the headwinds for investors described earlier in this report, including weakening corporate profits, the prospect of a further weakened US, and, even global economy, a move toward other investment classes, and stubborn inflation. What is different this time is that the Fed now appears to be aggressively tackling inflation. As such, the 47% drop in the stock market from highs in 1973 to the low in 1974 may not be a prelude to the current environment. It was a different Fed and it took different actions.
We encourage a different approach than trying to time the market. Our advice is for investors to develop a shopping list and begin accumulating. But, be selective.
We believe that the leadership companies of the past economic downturns are not likely to be the best positioned for the looming economic downturn or the recovery. Many of the larger cap names in each sector have fallen on hard times. This is discussed more fully in the following sector reports. Those that appear to be well positioned are companies that have diversified revenue streams, transitioned to faster growth digital businesses, and pared down debt. We encourage investors to focus on these companies given the prospect of faster revenue and cash flow growth coming out of the possible recession. Some of our current favorites include Entravision, Townsquare Media, Salem Media, Harte Hanks, Direct Digital, and Lee Enterprises. These companies are discussed in the following sector summaries.
Internet & Digital Media
Internet and Digital Media stocks declined for the fourth consecutive quarter in a row, as Figure #3 Internet & Digital Media Stock Performance illustrates. It wasn’t all bad, as Noble’s Ad Tech Index outperformed the general market, as measured by the S&P 500 Index, up +7%. Comparatively, the S&P 500 Index decreased by 5%. Figure #4 Internet & Digital Media Q3 Performance reflects the outperformance of the AdTech sector. AdTech also materially outperformed Noble’s other Internet & Digital Media subsectors, including Noble’s Digital Media Index (-10%); Social Media Index (-15%) and MarTech Index (-16%). Notably, some of our closely followed companies significantly outperformed the respective peer group and outperformed the general market, discussed later in this report.
Figure #3 Internet & Digital Media LTM Stock Performance
Source: Capital IQ
Figure #4 Internet & Digital Media Q3 Stock Performance
Source: Capital IQ
Marketing Technology
Harte Hanks shines in MarTech
The worst performing sector was the MarTech sector, which is also the least profitable sector. This likely explains the sector’s underperformance. Only 4 of the 24 companies we monitor in this sector generate positive EBITDA, and investors migrated away from unprofitable growth stocks towards more profitable companies or defensive sectors that might withstand a recession better. Investors would clearly like to see companies in this sector accelerate their path to profitability, and most companies in the sector are responding accordingly. To be fair, some of the companies that aren’t EBITDA positive do generate positive cash flow from operations, which is a quirk of SaaS software accounting. Of the two dozen companies in this sector, the only stock that was up during the quarter was Harte-Hanks (HHS), whose shares increased by 68%. HHS continues to generate improved operating results while lowering its debt and pension obligations.
MarTech stocks have also been victims of their own success. Earlier this year the group traded at average revenue and EBITDA multiples of 8.5x and 70.8x, respectively. Today the same group trades at average revenue and EBITDA multiples of 4.5x and 30.1x, respectively. Stocks like Shopify (SHOP), and Hubspot (HUBS) entered the year trading at 22.2x and 14.7x 2022E revenues, respectively, and now trade at 5.3x, and 7.7x, respectively. Some of this appears to be a Covid-related hangover: when Covid hit, retail companies needed to emphasize their online channels, and companies like Shopify benefited. As consumers return to stores, growth has moderated. Shopify aside, the broader message investors seem to be sending is that recurring revenues are great, but not if they are paired with EBITDA losses at a time when economy appears to be heading into a potential recession.
As Figure #5 Marketing Tech Comparables illustrate, the shares of Harte Hanks is among the cheapest in the sector, currently trading at 5.1 times Enterprise Value to our 2023 adj. EBITDA estimate. We believe that the modest stock valuation relative to peers, currently trading on average at 12.9 times, illustrates the head room for the stock in spite of the 68% move in the latest quarter. The shares of HHS continue to be among our favorites in the sector.
Figure #5 Marketing Tech Comparables
Source: Eikon, Company filings and Nobles estimates
Advertising Technology
Direct Digital exceeds peers
Noble’s AdTech Index was the worst performing Index of the group in the second quarter when it was down 39%. As such, it was nice to see a better performance in the third quarter. In addition, Noble Indices are market cap weighted, and we attribute the relative strength of the Ad Tech Index to the performance of The Trade Desk (TTD), the Ad Tech sectors largest market cap company, whose shares were up 42% during the quarter. Other notable performers were Digital Media Solutions (DMS; +73%) which announced a deal to be taken private, and Zeta Global (ZETA; +46%), whose 2Q results significantly exceeded guidance. Despite the relative strength of the sector, returns were not broad-based: only 9 of the 23 stocks in the Ad Tech sector were up during the quarter.
One of our closely followed companies, Direct Digital (DRCT) had a strong performance, up 75% in the quarter. The company’s second quarter exceeded expectations and the company raised full year 2022 revenue and cash flow guidance by a significant 40%. The company appears to be bucking the downward trend in National advertising, which is reflected in its peer group quarterly performance.
As Figure #6 Advertising Tech Comparables illustrate, Direct Digital Holdings is trading near the averages in terms of Enterprise Value to the 2023 adj. EBITDA estimate. We would note that this valuation is low considering that the company is outperforming its peers. As such, we believe that there is a valuation gap and we continue to view DRCT shares as among our favorites.
Figure #6 Advertising Tech Comparables
Source: Eikon, Company filings and Nobles estimates
Traditional Media
Downward trends, but some bright spots
The Traditional Media stocks have had tough sledding this year. As Figure #7 Traditional Media LTM Stock Performance illustrates, all of Noble’s Traditional Media Indices have declined over the past 12 months and each have underperformed the general market. The downward spiral seemed to have moderated somewhat in the third quarter.
Notably, during the third quarter, many of the stocks had a very nice bounce before resuming a downward trend, as Figure #8 Traditional Media Q3 Stock Performance illustrates. At one point in the latest quarter, stocks were up as high as 30% from the second quarter end. It is important to note that only the Publishing stocks outperformed the general market in the latest quarter. A description of the traditional media sectors follow with our favorite picks for the upcoming quarter and year.
Figure #7 Traditional Media LTM Stock Performance
Source: Capital IQ
Figure #8 Traditional Media Q3 Stock Performance
Source: Capital IQ
Television Broadcasting
Noble’s TV Index dropped 10.1% in the third quarter, underperforming the broader market (-5.3%), illustrated in Figure #8 Traditional Media Q3 Stock Performance. As we indicated in our previous quarterly report, we believe that there would be a trading opportunity in the media stocks. The latest quarter stock performance indicated that. Many of the TV stocks had a strong performance from the end of the second quarter (June 30) to highs achieved in August. Many of the TV stocks increased a strong 25% on average. It is instructive to know that E.W. Scripps had the largest advance from June 30 lows, up 31% to highs achieved August 16. When the industry is in favor, the shares of E.W. Scripps tends to outperform its industry peers. The shares of Entravision (EVC) were the next best performing within the quarter, up 30%, before trading lower and ending down 12%.
The TV stocks were challenged by macro economic pressures such as inflation, rising cost of borrowing, and a Fed determined to curb inflation by slowing the economy. In the end, interest rate increases by the Fed curbed enthusiasm for TV stocks and the Noble TV Index ended the third quarter down.
As Figure #9 Q2 YOY Revenue Growth illustrates, the average television company reported 11.1% revenue growth in the latest quarter. Most broadcasters were very optimistic about Political advertising, with some raising forecasts to be near the levels of the Presidential election, a highwater mark. We would note that Entravision had the highest revenue performance in the quarter, up 24%, as the company continues to benefit from its transition toward faster growth Digital, which now accounts for over 80% of its total company revenues.
Industry adj. EBITDA margins were healthy, as Figure #10 Q2 EBITDA margins illustrate, with the average margin for the industry at 25.5%. It is notable to mention that Entravision margins appear to be significantly below that of the industry at 10.1%. Its Digital business is a rep business, and, as such, the company reports revenues on a net basis and not gross revenues. While a rep business tends to be a lower margin business, the reporting of rep revenues gives the appearance of very low margins. The company is in a strong cash flow and free cash flow position.
Most companies will be reporting third quarter financial results in the first two weeks in November. We believe that the third quarter will reflect an influx of Political advertising, even though the lion’s share of the Political advertising likely will fall in the fourth quarter. Consequently, we believe that the third quarter revenue growth will be better than the second quarter, showing some acceleration. With signs of weakening National advertising, and a likely weakening Local advertising environment in some larger markets, broadcasters are looking forward toward Q4 Political as an offset. Many broadcasters indicated that Political advertising may be at record levels in 2022, even higher than the Presidential election year of 2020. Political advertising, however, is not usually evenly spent across all markets. As such, there may be winners and some disappointment.
Investors are not encouraged to buy a Television broadcaster on the basis of the upcoming fourth quarter Political advertising influx. There are broader issues at play, like cord cutting, slowing Retransmission revenue growth, and the prospect for a weakening economy. We believe broadcasters with minimal emphasis on National advertising, a larger focus on small to medium size markets and local advertising, are best positioned to weather an economic downturn. We also like companies that do not have high debt leverage. In addition, we like diversified companies that can benefit from cord cutting, like E.W. Scripps, or have diversified revenue streams and large fast growing digital businesses, like Entravision. As Figure #11 TV Industry Comparables illustrate, the shares of Entravision are among the cheapest in the industry and the EVC shares leads our favorites in the industry.
Figure #9 TV Industry Q2 YoY Revenue Growth
Source: Eikon and Company filings
Figure #10 TV Industry Q2 EBITDA Margins
Source: Eikon and Company filings
Figure #11 TV Industry Comparables
Source: Eikon, Company filings and Nobles estimates
Radio Broadcasting
Polishing its tarnished image
One of the epic fails of the radio industry has been Audacy, once one of the leadership companies in the industry. The AUD shares are down a staggering 95% from highs in March 2021. The poor stock performance reflects the poor revenue and cash flow performance and high debt levels at the company. Recently, the company announced that it plans to sell some of its prized assets, including its podcasting business, Cadence 13, in an effort to more aggressively pare down debt. While Audacy struggles, there are emerging leaders in the industry, many that are not focused on its radio business, discussed later in this report.
As Figure #12 Radio Industry Q2 YoY Revenue Growth chart illustrates, the average radio revenue grew 8.9%. Companies that were at the top of the list of revenue growth had diversified revenue streams. Townsquare Media was the best performer, with Q2 revenue growth of 13.6%. We believe that Townsquare also benefits from significantly lower National advertising and concentration on less cyclical larger markets. Other diversified companies that performed better than the lower growth companies in the group were Salem Media and Beasley Broadcasting. Salem Media has diversified into content creation and digital media and Beasley recently accelerated its push into Digital Media. Separately, Beasley recently announced a station swap with Audacy, which will enhance its position with its four existing stations in Las Vegas.
On the margin front, Townsquare Media also was among the leaders in the industry. Notably, Townsquare Media’s digital business carries margins similar to its Radio businesses, near 30%. As such, its investments in Digital Media are not depressing its total company margins. As Figure #13 Q2 Radio Industry EBITDA Margins illustrate, Townsquare’s Q2 adj. EBITDA margins were 26.6%, well above that of the larger industry peers like iHeart (24.9%), Cumulus Media (19.2%), and Audacy (12.0%).
In looking forward toward the upcoming third quarter results, which will be released in coming weeks, we believe that the effects of rising inflation and weakening economy will start to show. Many of the larger broadcasters which focus on larger markets, have national network business, may disappoint. In addition, we believe that there will be spotty Political advertising performances. In our view, the resulting potential weakness in the stocks may create an opportunity to more aggressively accumulate or establish positions.
Radio stocks largely mirrored the performance of the TV industry, falling 9% in the third quarter, illustrated above, in Figure #8 Traditional Media Q3 Stock Performance. Last quarter we pointed out that large industry players such as Audacy and iHeart had an outsized negative impact on the market cap-weighted index. This was due to the stocks being downgraded by a Wal Street firm on the basis of high leverage in a time of recession.
However, there are several broadcasters in the Radio industry with improving leverage profiles. Furthermore, we believe that in a time when traditional radio companies are making a transition to more digitally based revenue sources, investors would do well to differentiate among them on that basis as well. In our view, certain companies are ahead of peers in the digital transformation and are better shielded from certain fundamental headwinds that have traditionally plagued radio broadcasters in prior recessions. We encourage investors to focus on Townsquare Media (TSQ), Salem Media (SALM), and Beasley Broadcasting (BBGI). As Figure #14 Radio Industry Comparables highlights, Townsquare Media, Cumulus Media, and Salem Media are among the cheapest in the group.
Figure #12 Radio Industry Q2 YoY Revenue Growth
Source: Eikon and Company filings
Figure #13 Q2 Radio Industry EBITDA Margins
Source: Eikon and Company filings
Figure #14 Radio Industry Comparables
Source: Eikon, Company filings and Nobles estimates
Publishing
Once a leader, now a loser
It is hard to believe that Gannett was once a $90 stock and held a record for one of the longest strings of quarterly earnings gains in the S&P 500 Index. The shares are down 80% from year earlier highs to near $1.37. For some anti newspaper investors, this is a “told you so” moment. But, this view missed notable exceptions, like the New York Times, which seemed to transition more quickly toward Digital revenues. There are publishers that are set apart from the weak trends at Gannett and are on a favorable trajectory toward a Digital future. As such, we believe that investors should not throw the baby out with the bathwater or avoid the industry. There are gems here, which is discussed later in this report.
There were sizable differences in the financial performance of the companies in the publishing group. As Figure #15 Publishing Industry Q2 YoY Revenue Performance chart illustrates, Q2 publishing revenue declined on average 1.5%. The notable exceptions to this performance was The New York Times, up 11.5%, News Corp, up 7.3%, and Lee Enterprises, down a modest 0.7%. The improved performance into the ranks of the leaders in the industry is quite notable. Lee’s digital subscriptions currently lead the industry. The company has exceeded all of its peers in terms of digital subscription growth in the past 11 consecutive quarters. Furthermore, over 50% of its advertising is derived from digital. Currently, roughly 30% of the company total revenues are derived from Digital, still short of the 55% at The New York Times, but closing the gap.
Not only is Lee performing well on the Digital revenue front, it has industry leading margins. As Figure #16 Q2 Publishing Industry EBITDA Margins illustrates, Lee’s Q2 EBITDA margins were 11.8%, in line with News Corp and second only to the New York Times at 17.4%. We believe that margins should improve over time as the company continues to migrate toward a higher digital margin business model.
Illustrated above in Figure #8 Traditional Media Q3 Stock Performance is Noble’s Publishing Index, which decreased a modest 2.4% in the quarter, outperforming the S&P (-5.3%). The relatively favorable performance of the index was primarily due to its largest constituents, News Corp. and The New York Times, which rebounded from -29.7% and -39.1%, respectively in Q2, to -3% and +3%, respectively, in Q3. The average percentage change of the stocks in the industry was -16.2%, more in line with Traditional Media as a whole. One of the poor performing stocks in the index for the quarter was Gannett (GCI) which declined 47%. It was recently reported that the company implemented austerity measures included unpaid leave and voluntary layoffs. In the case of Lee Enterprises, the shares were down a much more modest 7%, more in line with the general market. In our view, the company is expected to report favorable third quarter results and the shares are undervalued.
As Figure #17 Publishing Industry Comparables chart illustrates, the LEE shares trade at an average industry multiple of 5.8 times Enterprise Value to our 2023 adj. EBITDA estimate. Notably, the company is closing the gap with its Digital Media revenue contribution to that of New York Times, which is currently trading at an estimated 14.5 times EV to 2023 adj. EBITDA. We believe that the valuation gap with the New York Times should close as well. In recent Lee Enterprise news, a buyout specialist investor filed a 13D and indicated interest in taking the company private.While financial players continue to circle the wagons for Lee, we believe that investors should take note. In our view, the LEE shares are compelling and offer a favorable risk/reward relationship.
Figure #15 Publishing Industry Q2 YoY Revenue Growth
Source: Eikon and Company filings
Figure #16 Q2 Publishing Industry EBITDA Margins
Source: Eikon and Company filings
Figure #17 Publishing Industry Comparables
Source: Eikon, Company filings and Nobles estimates
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Helping the Liver Regenerate Itself Could Give Patients with End-Stage Liver Disease a Treatment Option Besides Waiting for a Transplant
The liver is known for its ability to regenerate. It can completely regrow itself even after two-thirds of its mass has been surgically removed. But damage from medications, alcohol abuse or obesity can eventually cause the liver to fail. Currently, the only effective treatment for end-stage liver disease is transplantation.
However, there is a dearth of organs available for transplantation. Patients may have to wait from 30 days to over five years to receive a liver for transplant in the U.S. Of the over 11,600 patients on the waiting list to receive a liver transplant in 2021, only a little over 9,200 received one.
But what if, instead of liver transplantation, there were a drug that could help the liver regenerate itself?
This article was republished with permission from The Conversation, a news site dedicated to sharing ideas from academic experts. It represents the research-based findings and thoughts of Satdarshan (Paul) Singh Monga, MD, FAASLD, Professor of Pathology and Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Health Sciences.
I am the founding director of the Pittsburgh Liver Research Center and run a lab studying liver regeneration and cancer. In our recently published research, my team and I found that activating a particular protein with a new medication can help accelerate regeneration and repair after severe liver injury or partial surgical removal in mice.
Key Players in Liver Regeneration
The liver performs over 500 key functions in your body, including producing proteins that carry fat through the body, converting excess glucose into glycogen for storage and breaking down toxins like ammonia, among others.
Liver cells, or hepatocytes, take on these many tasks by a divide-and-conquer strategy, also called zonation. This separates the liver into three zones with different tasks, and cells are directed to perform specialized functions by turning on specific genes active in each zone. However, exactly what controls the expression of these genes has been poorly understood.
Over the past two decades, my team and other labs have identified one group of 19 proteins called Wnts that play an important role in controlling liver function and regeneration. While researchers know that Wnt proteins help activate the repair process in damaged liver cells, which ones actually control zonation and regeneration, as well as their exact location in the liver, have been a mystery.
To identify these proteins and where they came from, my team and I used a new technology called molecular cartography to identify how strongly and where 100 liver function genes are active. We found that only two of 19 Wnt genes, Wnt2 and Wnt9b, were functionally present in the liver. We also found that Wnt2 and Wnt9b were located in the endothelial cells lining the blood vessels in zone 3 of the liver, an area that plays a role in a number of metabolic functions.
To our surprise, eliminating these two Wnt genes resulted in all liver cells expressing only genes typically limited to zone 1, significantly limiting the liver’s overall function. This finding suggests that liver cells experience an ongoing push and pull in gene activation that can modify their functions, and Wnt is the master regulator of this process.
Eliminating the two Wnt genes from endothelial cells also completely stopped liver cell division, and thus regeneration, after partial surgical removal of the liver.
Liver Regeneration After Tylenol Overdose
We then decided to test whether a new drug could help recover liver zonation and regeneration. This drug, an antibody called FL6.13, shares similar functions with Wnt proteins, including activating liver regeneration.
Over the course of two days, we gave this drug to mice that were genetically engineered to lack Wnt2 and Wnt9b in their liver endothelial cells. We found that the drug was able to nearly completely recover liver cell division and repair functions.
Lastly, we wanted to test how well this drug worked to repair the liver after Tylenol overdose. Tylenol, or acetaminophen, is an over-the-counter medication commonly used to treat fever and pain. However, an overdose of Tylenol can cause severe liver damage. Without immediate medical attention, it can lead to liver failure and death. Tylenol poisoning is one of the most common causes of severe liver injury requiring liver transplantation in the U.S. Despite this, there is currently only one medication available to treat it, and it is only able to prevent liver damage if taken shortly after overdose.
We tested our new drug on mice with liver damage from toxic doses of Tylenol. We found that one dose was able to decrease liver injury biomarkers – proteins the liver releases when injured – in the blood and reduce liver tissue death. These findings indicate that liver cell repair and tissue regeneration are occurring.
Reducing the Need for Transplantation
One way to address liver transplantation shortages is to improve treatments for liver diseases. While current medications can effectively cure hepatitis C, a viral infection that causes liver inflammation, other liver diseases haven’t seen the same progress. Because very few effective treatments are available for illnesses like nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and alcoholic liver disease, many patients worsen and end up needing a liver transplant.
My team and I believe that improving the liver’s ability to repair itself could help circumvent the need for transplantation. Further study of drugs that promote liver regeneration may help curb the burden of liver disease worldwide.
A certain EV Company may try to charge up its stock with a buyback.
Are stock buybacks good for companies, good for investors, and better than dividends? Last week, TESLA (TSLA) investors became excited about a tweet from founder Elon Musk that could suggest the company may bow to large shareholders and do a stock buyback. The implications for a company buying back shares and stockholders are many. Below you’ll find details on what the most typical considerations are and what it means from an investor’s standpoint.
What Is a Stock Buyback?
A stock buyback is when a public company uses cash in reserves or borrowed funds to buy shares of its own stock on the open market. A company may do this to consolidate ownership, preserve a higher stock price, boost financial ratios, work to reduce the cost of capital, or to return higher asset values to shareholders.
Investors find out when a public companies that has decided to do a stock buyback announces that the board of directors has passed a “repurchase authorization.” The amount authorized provides how much will be allocated or raised to buy back shares, or in some circumstances, the number of shares or percentage of shares outstanding it aims to purchase.
During the stock buyback, the company goes to the open market as any investor would and purchases shares of its stock in competition with other market participants. The added demand and later reduced shares available (float), puts upward pressure on the stock price. Stockholders then find their shares trade at a higher price than they would have. Shareholders are not obligated to sell their stock to the company, and a stock buyback doesn’t target any specific group of holders—retail and institutional all participate.
Public companies that have decided to do a stock buyback typically announce that the board of directors has passed a “repurchase authorization,” which details how much money will be allocated to buy back shares—or the number of shares or percentage of shares outstanding it aims to buy back.
Why Do a Stock Buyback?
The primary reason a company will buy back shares is to create value for its shareholders. Remember, fewer shares should cause those still being transacted in the open market to be trading at a higher price.
Boards of public companies’ primary responsibility are to look out for shareholders’ interests. At the top of this list is maximizing shareholder value. With this in mind, companies are always finding ways to generate the highest possible returns for their investors. This, at its most fundamental level, includes increasing the value of its stock and rewarding its investors. Buybacks and dividends work to maximize value for shareholders.
Declaring a dividend is the most direct method to return cash to shareholders; there are advantages to stock buybacks:
Tax efficiency – Dividend payments are taxed as income, whereas rising share values aren’t taxed at all. Any holders who sell their shares back to the company may recognize capital gains taxes, but shareholders who do not sell to reap the reward of a higher share value and no additional taxes until they decide when to cash in.
Directly boost share prices – The main goal of any share repurchase program is to deliver a higher share price. The board may feel that the company’s shares are undervalued, making it a good time to buy them. Meanwhile, investors may perceive a buyback as an expression of confidence by the management. After all, why would a company want to buy back stock it anticipates would decline in value?
More flexibility than dividends – Any company that initiates a new dividend or increases an existing dividend will need to continue making payments over the long term. That’s because they risk lower share values and unhappy investors if they reduce or eliminate the dividend going forward. Meanwhile, since share buybacks are one-offs, they are much more flexible tools for management.
Offset dilution – Growing companies may find themselves in a race to attract talent. If they issue stock options to retain employees, the options that are exercised over time increase the company’s total number of outstanding shares—and dilute existing shareholders. Buybacks are one way to offset this effect.
How is Value Impacted?
Key metrics investors and stock analysts use to value a public are impacted by a buyback. For example, cash is removed from a company’s balance sheet, and the number of shares trading is reduced.
Once a company has bought back its own shares, they are either canceled which reduces the number of shares available to trade (not just on the open market), or held by the company as treasury shares. These are not counted as outstanding shares, which has implications for many important measures of a company’s financial fundamentals.
Metrics important to investors, like earnings per share (EPS) are calculated by dividing a company’s profit by the number of outstanding shares. Mathematically, by reducing the number of outstanding shares, a higher EPS results as the quotient.
Price-to-earnings ratios (P/E ratio) are also mathematically improved as a higher price to the same earnings is desirable to shareholders. It helps investors measure a company’s relative valuation by comparing its stock price to its EPS.
Who Else Has Done a Buyback in 2022?
If Tesla does indeed get approval from its board of directors to buy back shares, it won’t be the only large company that has in 2022. Apple (AAPL) bought back 3.5% of its shares in May ($90 billion), Exxon (XOM) bought back 2.9% of its shares in February ($10 billion), Broadcom (AVGO) bought 4.3% of its shares in May, Cisco Systems (CSCO) bought 6.4% of its shares in February (6.4%), and Norfolk Southern purchased 14.6% of its shares ($10 billion) in March.
In some cases, a buyback may not be the best way for companies to build value for shareholders:
It may not be the best use of cash. Long-range growth and building future profits come from investing in company growth, not company stock. Stockholders may prefer, depending on available opportunities for the company and other variables, that the company take a longer-term view. Stock buybacks create quick price gains but may not be the best long-term use of cash. Also, cash for a potential unforeseen challenge to the company could be comforting to some investors, depending on the situation.
When interest rates are low, companies increase their debt-financed share buybacks. In the years just prior to the pandemic, up to half of all buybacks were financed using the low-interest rates at the time. Below-average interest rates incentivized companies to borrow money to spend on share buybacks to boost stock prices. Depending on the scenario, this debt on the balance sheet may long-term weigh on shareholders.
Take Away
Profitable public companies may add value for investors through a stock buyback, also known as share buyback or share repurchase program.
If you are invested in Tesla or another company that may announce a share repurchase program, is this something to be happy about? As a rule, if a public company is profitable, has the cash to spare and its shares are relatively undervalued, then a buyback could be a positive, especially short term.
However, if the company is repurchasing shares of stock while it stymies future growth potential, it could cost long-term investors.
Internet and Digital Media stocks declined for the fourth consecutive quarter in a row. It wasn’t all bad, as two of Noble’s Internet and Digital Media Indices outperformed the broader market (which we define as the S&P 500). Noble’s Ad Tech (+7%) and eSports & iGaming (+7%) Indices each finished up for the quarter, and significantly outperformed the S&P 500 Index in the process, which decreased by 5% in 3Q 2022. These two sectors also materially outperformed Noble’s other Internet & Digital Media subsectors, including Noble’s Digital Media Index (-10%); Social Media Index (-15%) and MarTech Index (-16%).
Noble Indices are market cap weighted, and we attribute the relative strength of the Ad Tech Index to The Trade Desk (TTD), the Ad Tech sector’s largest market cap company, whose shares were up 42% during the quarter. Other notable performers were Digital Media Solutions (DMS; +73%) which announced a deal to be taken private, and Zeta Global (ZETA; +46%), whose 2Q results significantly exceeded guidance. Despite the relative strength of the sector, returns were not broad-based: only 9 of the 23 stocks in the Ad Tech sector were up during the quarter.
The relative strength of Noble’s eSports and iGaming sector was also driven by the largest cap stocks in the sector. Shares of Draft Kings (DKNG) increased by 30% while shares of Flutter Entertainment (ISE:FLTR), the owner of FanDuel, increased by 17%. Shares of sports betting stocks have been battered this year as investors have become skeptical of the time it might take for these companies to reach profitability amidst a backdrop of a slowing economy and consumer propensity to spend.
Year-to-date, FLTR shares are down 19% while DKNG shares are down 45%. Shares are down even more relative to their highs reached in 4Q 2020. Like the Ad Tech sector, the eSports & iGaming sector’s relative strength was not broad-based: only 4 of the 16 stocks in this sector were up during the third quarter, and all of stocks in the sector are down year-to-date.
The worst performing sector was the MarTech sector, which is also the least profitable sector, which likely explains the sector’s underperformance. Only 4 of the 24 companies we monitor in this sector generate positive EBITDA, and investors migrated away from unprofitable growth stocks towards more profitable companies or defensive sectors that might withstand a recession better. Investors would clearly like to see companies in this sector accelerate their path to profitability, and most companies in the sector are responding accordingly. To be fair, some of the companies that aren’t EBITDA positive do generate positive cash flow from operations, which is a quirk of SaaS software accounting. Of the two dozen companies in this sector, the only stock that was up during the quarter was Harte-Hanks (HHS), whose shares increased by 68%. HHS continues to generate improved operating results while lowering its debt and pension obligations.
MarTech stocks have also been victims of their own success. Earlier this year the group traded at average revenue and EBITDA multiples of 8.5x and 70.8x, respectively. Today the same group trades at average revenue and EBITDA multiples of 4.5x and 30.1x, respectively. Stocks like Shopify (SHOP), and Hubspot (HUBS) entered the year trading at 22.2x and 14.7x 2022E revenues, respectively, and now trade at 5.3x, and 7.7x, respectively. Some of this appears to be a Covid-related hangover: when Covid hit, retail companies needed to emphasize their online channels, and companies like Shopify benefited. As consumers return to stores, growth has moderated. Shopify aside, the broader message investors seem to be sending is that recurring revenues are great, but not if they are paired with EBITDA losses at a time when economy appears to be heading into a potential recession.
M&A Continues to Hold Up Well Despite Macro Headwinds
Overall, we are impressed with the resiliency of the M&A marketplace in the Internet & Digital Media sectors. Despite a background that includes public equity market volatility, Fed rate hikes, persistent inflation, contractionary monetary policy, and geopolitical conflict, the M&A marketplace has held up relatively well, all things considered. Noble tracked 163 transactions in the third quarter of 2022 in the TMT sectors we follow, a 9% increase compared to the third quarter of 2021, when we tracked 150 deals, and 6% sequential slowdown compared to 2Q 2022, when we tracked 174 transactions. Year-to-date, the number of M&A transactions is up 7% vs. the year ago period, with 516 announced transactions this year compared to 483 transactions announced through the end of last year’s third quarter.
The real difference between 2022 and 2021 is the dollar value of transactions. Total deal value in 3Q 2022 fell by 36% to $28.4 billion, down from $44.1 billion in 3Q 2021. On a sequential basis, the $28.4 billion in deal value represents a 70% decrease from 2Q 2022 levels of $94.5 billion, nearly half of which reflects Elon Musk’s $46 billion offer to acquire Twitter (TWTR).
In looking at the M&A trends in the chart on the previous page, the biggest change is not the number of deals, but primarily the number of mega-deals. There was only one transaction in 3Q 2022 that was greater than $10 billion dollars: Adobe’s $19.4 billion acquisition of Figma, a collaborative all-in-one design platform. This decline in larger deal activity suggests acquirers are becoming more cautious about making big bets in the current environment or it could also mean that arranging for financing to close on larger deals is becoming more challenging. No doubt the cost to incur debt to close on transactions today are higher than they were just a few months ago, which lowers the return on debt financed M&A transactions. Referencing the Twitter deal again, according to media reports, Apollo Global Management and Sixth Street Partners, which had agreed to provide financing for the Twitter deal when it was first announced in April, are no longer in talks with Elon Musk to provide financing.
From a deal volume perspective, the most active sectors we tracked were Marketing Tech (44 deals), Digital Content (43 deals) and Agency & Analytics (28 deals) and Information (25 deals). From a deal value perspective, the largest transaction was Adobe’s nearly $20 billion acquisition of Figma, a collaborative design software company. Other active sectors were Marketing Tech ($4.9 billion), Information ($1.1 billion, and Digital Content ($1.1B).
Video Game M&A Declines Precipitously
For the last several quarters we have noted how strong M&A activity was in the current quarter. Perhaps the biggest surprise of the third quarter M&A analysis was the steep drop in M&A in North America in the video gaming sector. Interest in the video gaming sector exploded at the onset of the pandemic as work form home edicts resulted in less commuting time and more time playing video games. As the pandemic has subsided and consumers return to work, the sector has faced difficult comparions, and growth has been challenged.
As shown in the chart below, over the last several quarters, the sector had averaged 21 deals per quarter and $18+ billion in deal value. In the third quarter, there were only 11 announced transactions, and only one with a transaction price announced, resulting in just $3 million of deal value. Perhaps there is some consolation in that the second largest transaction in 3Q 2022 was a gaming related transaction: Unity Software’s agreement to buy IronSource Ltd, a lead generation platform for in-game advertising, for $4.4 billion.
While we expect M&A transactions to moderate given the difficult economic backdrop and an increase in the cost of financing transactions, we expect M&A marketplace to remain resilient. In our discussions with management teams in Internet & Digital Media sectors, we are struck by how many companies believe that industry consolidation is either beneficial or necessary. Scale is widely seen as a panacea to potential slowing or declining revenue trends.
iGaming
The following is an excerpt from a recent note by Noble’s Media Equity Research Analyst Michael Kupinski
The past year has been tough on the iGaming industry. The Noble iGaming Index is down nearly 54% versus a negative 17% for the general market, as measured by the S&P 500 Index. In the latest quarter, the iGaming stocks seemed to have stabilized, up 2% versus a continued general market decline, down 5% for the general market. Interestingly, the iGaming sector was the best performing sector among the Entertainment and Esports sectors, which were up a modest 1% and down 38%, respectively.
The shares of Codere Online (CDRO) could not fight the headwinds of the industry-wide selling pressure. CDRO shares dropped 70% from its post de-SPACing in December 2021. The weakness in the shares has been in spite of the company executing on its growth strategy as planned and maintaining its fundamental pace to meet full-year guidance. In the latest quarter, the shares drifted lower (-4%) versus the industry which increased 2%.
The poor performance of the iGaming industry in many respects is due to the developmental nature of the industry. Many of the companies included in the Noble iGaming index do not generate positive cash flow, with balance sheets supporting growth investment. Certainly, there will be a shake-out of players in the industry that do not have the financial capability to invest for growth, but we believe that Codere Online is one of the survivors.
Although the company is not yet cash flow positive, its operations in Spain generated its highest quarterly cash flow since Q2 2020. Adj. EBITDA in Spain was $3.6 million, enough to offset 87% of the $4.1 million adj. EBITDA loss from the company’s operations in Mexico. Interestingly, the marketing restrictions in the country came with a silver lining of lower competition. This is because the restrictions make it harder for newer operators to establish their brands in the country. Additionally, the lower marketing costs contributed to the strong cash flow generation. Notably, management expects similar cash flow generation going forward for the Spanish operations. We view the situation in Spain favorably as the consistent cash flow profile will help fund the expansion in Latin America and have a mitigating impact on the company’s cash burn.
eSports
The Esports industry had a difficult year and a difficult quarter in terms of stock performance. The horrible stock performance does not reflect the overall industry trends. Video gaming is still on the rise. It is estimated that there are 2.7 billion gamers worldwide, expected to achieve an estimated 3.0 billion gamers in 2023, based on Newzoo’s numbers. The video game market is expected to reach $159.3 billion this year and grow to $200.0 billion in 2023. So, what about the Esports industry? Esports viewership was elevated during the Covid lockdowns, with viewership significantly higher. Viewership trends are expected to increase even from the elevated 2020 levels to over 640 million viewers in 2025.
TRADITIONAL MEDIA COMMENTARY
The following is an excerpt from a recent note by Noble’s Media Equity Research Analyst Michael Kupinski
Overview
Downward trends, but some bright spots
Traditional Media stocks have had tough sledding this year. All of Noble’s Traditional Media Indices have declined over the past 12 months and each have underperformed the general market. The downward spiral seemed to have moderated somewhat in the third quarter.
Notably, during the third quarter, many of the stocks had a very nice bounce before resuming a downward trend. At one point in the latest quarter, stocks were up as high as 30% from the second quarter end. It is important to note that only the Publishing stocks outperformed the general market in the latest quarter.
Broadcast Television
Will Political Carry The Quarter?
Noble’s TV Index dropped 10% in the third quarter, underperforming the broader market (-5%) As we indicated in our previous quarterly report, we believe that there would be a trading opportunity in media stocks. The latest quarter stock performance indicated that. Many of the TV stocks had a strong performance from the end of the second quarter (June 30) to highs achieved in August. Many of the TV stocks increased a strong 25% on average. It is instructive to know that E.W. Scripps had the largest advance from June 30 lows, up 31% to highs achieved August 16. When the industry is in favor, the shares of E.W. Scripps tends to outperform its industry peers. The shares of Entravision (EVC) were the next best performing within the quarter, up 30%, before trading lower and ending down 12%.
TV stocks were challenged by macro-economic pressures such as inflation, the rising cost of borrowing, and a Fed determined to curb inflation by slowing the economy. In the end, interest rate increases by the Fed curbed enthusiasm for TV stocks and the Noble TV Index ended the third quarter down.
The average television company reported 11% revenue growth in the latest quarter. Most broadcasters were very optimistic about political advertising, with some raising forecasts to be near the levels of the Presidential election, a highwater mark. We would note that Entravision had the highest revenue performance in the quarter, up 24%, as the company continues to benefit from its transition toward faster growth digital advertising, which now accounts for over 80% of its total company revenues.
EBITDA margins were healthy, with the average margin for the industry at 25.5%. It is notable to mention that Entravision’s margins appear to be significantly below that of the industry at 10%. Its digital advertising business is a rep firm business, and, as such, the company reports revenues on a net basis and not gross revenues. While a rep firm business tends to be a lower margin business, the accounting treatment for rep revenues gives the appearance of very low margins. The company is in a strong cash flow and free cash flow position.
Most companies will be reporting third quarter financial results in the first two weeks in November. We believe that the third quarter will reflect an influx of political advertising, even though the lion share of the political advertising likely will fall in the fourth quarter. Consequently, we believe that the third quarter revenue growth will be better than the second quarter, showing some acceleration. With signs of weakening national advertising, and a likely weakening local advertising environment in some larger markets, broadcasters are looking forward toward Q4 political advertising as an offset. Many broadcasters indicated that political advertising may be at record levels in 2022, even higher than the Presidential election year of 2020. Political advertising, however, is not usually evenly spent across all markets. As such, there may be winners and some disappointment.
Investors are not encouraged to buy a Television broadcaster on the basis of the upcoming fourth quarter political advertising influx. There are broader issues at play, like cord cutting, slowing retransmission revenue growth, and the prospect for a weakening economy. We believe broadcasters with minimal emphasis on national advertising, a larger focus on small to medium size markets and local advertising, are best positioned to weather an economic downturn. We also like companies that do not have high debt leverage. In addition, we like diversified companies that can benefit from cord cutting, like E.W. Scripps, or have diversified revenue streams and large fast growing digital businesses, like Entravision.
Broadcast Radio
Polishing its tarnished image
One of the epic fails of the radio industry has been Audacy (AUD), once one of the leadership companies in the industry. AUD shares are down a staggering 95% from highs in March 2021. The poor stock performance reflects the poor revenue and cash flow performance and high debt levels at the company. Recently, the company announced that it plans to sell some of its prized assets, including its podcasting business, Cadence 13, in an effort to more aggressively pare down debt.
While Audacy struggles, there are emerging leaders in the industry, many that are not focused on its radio business. The average radio revenue grew 8.9%. Companies that were at the top of the list of revenue growth had diversified revenue streams. Townsquare Media (TSQ) was the best performer, with Q2 revenue growth of 13.6%. We believe that Townsquare also benefits from significantly lower national advertising and concentration on less cyclical larger markets. Other diversified companies that performed better than the lower growth companies in the group were Salem Media and Beasley Broadcasting. Salem Media has diversified into content creation and digital media and Beasley recently accelerated its push into Digital Media. Separately, Beasley recently announced a station swap with Audacy, which will enhance its position in with its four existing stations in Las Vegas.
On the margin front, Townsquare Media also was among the leaders in the industry. Notably, Townsquare Media’s digital business carries margins similar to its radio businesses, near 30%. As such, its investments in Digital Media are not depressing its total company margins. Townsquare’s Q2 adj. EBITDA margins were 27%, well above that of the larger industry peers like iHeart (25%), Cumulus Media (19%), and Audacy (12%).
In looking forward toward the upcoming third quarter results, which will be released in coming weeks, we believe that the effects of rising inflation and weakening economy will start to show. Many of the larger broadcasters which focus on larger markets, have national network business, may disappoint. In addition, we believe that there will be spotty political advertising performances. In our view, the resulting potential weakness in the stocks may create an opportunity to more aggressively accumulate or establish positions.
Radio stocks largely mirrored the performance of the TV industry, falling 9% in the third quarter. Last quarter we pointed out that large industry players such as Audacy and iHeart had an outsized negative impact on the market cap-weighted index. This was due to the stocks being downgraded by a Wall Street firm on the basis of high leverage in a time of recession.
However, there are several broadcasters in the radio industry with improving leverage profiles. Furthermore, we believe that in a time when traditional radio companies are making a transition to more digitally based revenue sources, investors would do well to differentiate among them on that basis as well. In our view, certain companies are ahead of peers in the digital transformation and are better shielded from certain fundamental headwinds that have traditionally plagued radio broadcasters in prior recessions, such as Townsquare Media (TSQ), Salem Media (SALM), and Beasley Broadcasting (BBGI).
Publishing
Once a leader, now a laggard
It is hard to believe that Gannett was once a $90 stock and held a record for one of the longest strings of quarterly earnings gains in the S&P 500 Index. The shares are down 80% from year earlier highs to near $1.37. For some anti newspaper investors, this is a “told you so” moment. But, this view missed notable exceptions, like the New York Times, which seemed to transition more quickly toward digital revenues. There are publishers that are set apart from the weak trends at Gannett and are on a favorable trajectory toward a digital future. As such, we believe that investors should not throw the baby out with the bathwater or avoid the industry. There are gems here, which is discussed later in this report.
There were sizable differences in the financial performance of the companies in the publishing group.Q2 publishing revenue declined on average 1.5%. The notable exceptions to this performance was The New York Times, up 11.5%, News Corp, up 7.3%, and Lee Enterprises, down a modest 0.7%. The improved performance into the ranks of the leaders in the industry is quite notable. Lee’s digital subscriptions currently lead the industry. The company has exceeded all of its peers in terms of digital subscription growth in the past 11 consecutive quarters. Furthermore, over 50% of its advertising is derived from digital. Currently, roughly 30% of the company total revenues are derived from digital, still short of the 55% at The New York Times, but closing the gap.
Not only is Lee performing well on the digital revenue front, it has industry leading margins. Lee’s Q2 EBITDA margins were 12%, in line with News Corp and second only to the New York Times at 17%. We believe that margins should improve over time as the company continues to migrate toward a higher digital margin business model.
Noble’s Publishing Index, which decreased a modest 2% in the quarter, outperforming the S&P (-5%). The relatively favorable performance of the index was primarily due to its largest constituents, News Corp. and The New York Times, which rebounded from -30% and -39%, respectively in Q2, to -3% and +3%, respectively, in Q3. The average percentage change of the stocks in the industry was -16%, more in line with Traditional Media as a whole. One of the poor performing stocks in the index for the quarter was Gannett (GCI) which declined 47%. It was recently reported that the company implemented austerity measures included unpaid leave and voluntary layoffs. In the case of Lee Enterprises, the shares were down a much more modest 7%, more in line with the general market.
LEE shares trade at an average industry multiple of 5.8 times Enterprise Value to our 2023 adj. EBITDA estimate. Notably, the company is closing the gap with its Digital Media revenue contribution to that of New York Times, which is currently trading at an estimated 14.5 times EV to 2023 adj. EBITDA. We believe that the valuation gap with the New York Times should close as well. In recent Lee Enterprise news, a buyout specialist investor filed a 13D and indicated interest in taking the company private. While financial players continue to circle the wagons for Lee, we believe that investors should take note.
This newsletter was prepared and provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc. For any questions and/or requests regarding this news letter, please contact Chris Ensley
DISCLAIMER
All statements or opinions contained herein that include the words “ we”,“ or “ are solely the responsibility of NOBLE Capital Markets, Inc and do not necessarily reflect statements or opinions expressed by any person or party affiliated with companies mentioned in this report Any opinions expressed herein are subject to change without notice All information provided herein is based on public and non public information believed to be accurate and reliable, but is not necessarily complete and cannot be guaranteed No judgment is hereby expressed or should be implied as to the suitability of any security described herein for any specific investor or any specific investment portfolio The decision to undertake any investment regarding the security mentioned herein should be made by each reader of this publication based on their own appraisal of the implications and risks of such decision This publication is intended for information purposes only and shall not constitute an offer to buy/ sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy/sell any security mentioned in this report, nor shall there be any sale of the security herein in any state or domicile in which said offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or domicile This publication and all information, comments, statements or opinions contained or expressed herein are applicable only as of the date of this publication and subject to change without prior notice Past performance is not indicative of future results.
Please refer to the above PDF for a complete list of disclaimers pertaining to this newsletter
Could This Week’s Economic Data Impact November’s FOMC Meeting?
There are three economic releases investors will focus on this coming week. These will provide information on housing, manufacturing, and how the economy in each Federal Reserve District is doing (Fed’s Beige Book).
Moving out a little further on the calendar, expectations for another 75 basis point rate hike at the November 1-2 FOMC meeting are widely held. The confidence in the Fed move, even though two weeks away, can be attributed to higher-than-expected inflation reports last week and the constant pounding of the drum by Fed policymakers, saying that taming inflation will remain the FOMC’s priority.
What’s on Tap for investors:
Monday 10/17
8:30 AM Empire State Manufacturing Index, will be reported. Expectations are for manufacturing to have shrank -2.5%. The Empire Manufacturing Survey gives a detailed look at how busy New York state’s manufacturing sector has been and where things are headed. Since manufacturing is a major sector of the economy, this report has a big influence on the markets. Some of the Empire State Survey sub-indexes also provide insight into commodity prices and inflation. The bond market can be sensitive to the inflation ramifications of this report. The stock market pays attention because it is the first clue on the U.S. manufacturing sector, ahead of the Philadelphia Fed’s business outlook survey.
8:45 Noble Capital Markets’ Michael Kupinski, Director of Research, provides indepth report on current state and outlook of the Digital Media segment of the Media and Entertainment sector.
Tuesday 10/18
10:00 AM Housing Market Index will be released. Expectations are for the number to be 44, down from 46 the prior month. The housing market index has consistently been lower than expectations, including September’s 46, which was an 8-year low. N.Y. Fed 5-year inflation expectations for one- and three-year-ahead inflation expectations had posted steep declines in August, from 6.2 percent and 3.2 percent in July to 5.7 percent and 2.8 percent, respectively. Investors will be watching to see if the declining expectations continue. The housing market index is a monthly composite that tracks home builder assessments of present and future sales as well as buyer traffic. The index is a weighted average of separate diffusion indexes: present sales of new homes, sales of new homes expected in the next six months, and traffic of prospective buyers of new homes.
9:45 AM Industrial Production has three components that could impact thoughts on the economic trend. Industrial Production as a whole is expected to have risen 0.1% versus down -0.2% in the prior period. Manufacturing output is expected to have risen by 0.2%, and Capacity Utilization is expected to be unchanged at 80%.
Industrial production and capacity utilization indicate not only trends in the manufacturing sector but also whether resource utilization is strained enough to forebode inflation. Also, industrial production is an important measure of current output for the economy and helps to define turning points in the business cycle (start of recession and start of recovery).
Comtech Telecommunications (CMTL) with Noble Capital Markets in NYC in-person roadshow for investors. Interested parties can find out more at this link.
Wednesday 10/19
7:00 AM Mortgage Applications. The composite index is expected to show a decline of -2.0% for the month. The purchase applications index measures applications at mortgage lenders. This is a leading indicator for single-family home sales and housing construction.
8:30 AM Housing Starts and Permits. The consensus for starts is 1.475 million (annualized), and Permits are expected to come in at 1.550 million (annualized). Housing starts to measure the initial construction of single-family and multi-family units on a monthly basis. Data on permits provide indications of future construction. A housing start is registered at the start of the construction of a new building intended primarily as a residential building.
2:00 PM, the Beige Book will be released. This report is produced roughly two weeks before the Federal Open Market Committee meeting. In it, each of the 12 Fed districts compiles anecdotal evidence on economic conditions from their districts. It is widely used in discussions at the FOMC monetary policy meetings where rate decisions are made.
EIA Petroleum Status Report. The Energy Information Administration (EIA) provides weekly information on petroleum inventories in the U.S., whether produced here or abroad. The level of inventories helps determine prices for petroleum products, this has been a big focus for investors because of its implications for prices.
Thursday 10/20
8:30 AM Jobless Claims for the week ending 10/15. Claims are expected to be 235 thousand. Jobless claims allow a weekly look at the strength of the job market. The fewer people filing for unemployment benefits, the more they have jobs, and that sheds light for investors on the economy. Nearly every job comes with an income that gives a household spending power. Spending greases the wheels of the economy and keeps it growing.
8:30 AM Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Index. This index has been bouncing back and forth between contraction and expansion. It’s the former that’s expected for October, where the consensus is minus 5.0.
10:00 AM Existing Home Sales. The consensus is for sales to have been 4.695 million (annualized). The previous number was 4.8 million. The pace has declined every month since January.
10:00 AM Leading Indicators. The consensus is for a decline of -0.3%. The index of leading economic indicators is a composite of 10 forward-looking components, including building permits, new factory orders, and unemployment claims. It attempts to predict general economic conditions six months out.
Engine Gaming Media (GAME) with Noble Capital Markets in St. Louis in person roadshow for investors. Interested parties can find out more at this link.
10:30 AM EIA Natural Gas Report. This is a weekly report and has gotten much more attention since the war in Ukraine and gas pipeline issues that impact much of Europe. The abundance or lack of energy impacts prices not just for the consumer, but also manufacturers. This report has the ability to move markets as a result.
4:30 PM Fed Balance Sheet. The Fed’s balance sheet is a weekly report presenting a consolidated balance sheet for all 12 Reserve Banks that lists factors supplying reserves into the banking system and factors absorbing reserves from the system. This report will allow investors to see how far along the Federal Reserve has gotten on its quantitative tightening program.
Friday 10/21
1:00 PM Baker Hughes Rig Count. The expectation is for 985 in North America and 769 in the U.S. It’s all about potential supply; the count tracks weekly changes in the number of active operating oil & gas rigs. Rigs that are not active are not counted.
What Else
This week the Biden administration has plans to take new steps to lower gasoline prices. This includes potentially releasing more oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve and imposing limits on exports of energy products. The initiative comes a week after the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its allies agreed to cut oil production by up to 2 million barrels per day.
Corporate earnings season starts to heat up with widely watched names that can set the market tone. Those to watch out for include: Monday – Bank of America, Charles Schwab, Goldman Sachs, Barclays, Johnson & Johnson, Lockheed Martin, IBM, Netflix, United Airlines, American Airlines, Procter & Gamble, and Tesla. Investors can also expect a key GDP release from China and a vital inflation reading from the U.K.
Soaring Inflation Prompts Biggest Social Security Cost-Of-Living Boost Since 1981 – 6 Questions Answered
Social Security is set to boost the benefits it provides retirees by 8.7%, the biggest cost-of-living adjustment since 1981. It comes as sky-high inflation continues to eat into incomes and savings.
The changes are set to take effect in January 2023 and were announced following the release of the September 2022 consumer price index report, which showed inflation climbing more than expected during the month, by 0.4%.
The automatic adjustment will surely come as a relief to tens of millions of retirees and those who receive supplemental security income who may be struggling to afford basic necessities as inflation has accelerated throughout 2022. But an annual adjustment wasn’t always the case – and other government benefits and programs deal with inflation differently.
John Diamond, who directs the Center for Public Finance at Rice’s Baker Institute, explains the history of the Social Security cost-of-living, or COLA, increase, what other benefits are adjusted for inflation and why the government makes these changes.
1. How fast is the cost of living rising?
The latest data, for September, shows average consumer prices are up 8.2% from a year earlier. The monthly gain of 0.4% was double what economists surveyed by Reuters had expected.
More troubling, so-called core inflation – which excludes volatile food and energy prices – gained even more in September, ticking up by 0.6%. Core inflation is a measure that’s closely watched by the Federal Reserve, as it helps show how pervasive and persistent inflation has become in the economy.
2. How are Social Security benefits adjusted for inflation?
Automatic adjustments to Social Security benefits began in 1975 after President Richard Nixon signed the 1972 Social Security amendments into law.
Before 1975, Congress had to act each year to increase benefits to offset the effects of inflation. But this was an inefficient system, as politics would often be injected into a simple economic decision. Under this system, an increase in benefits could be too small or too large, or could fail to happen at all if one party blocked the change entirely.
Not to mention that with the baby boomers – those born from 1946 to 1964 – entering the labor force it was already clear that Social Security would face long-term funding issues in the future, and so putting the program on autopilot reduced the political risk faced by politicians.
Since then, benefits have climbed automatically by the average increase in consumer prices during the third quarter of a given year from the same period 12 months earlier. This is based on a version of the consumer price index meant to estimate price changes for working people and has been rising slightly faster than the overall pace of inflation.
While helpful, these inflation adjustments are backward-looking and imperfect. For example, 2022 Social Security benefits increased by 5.9% from the previous year, even though inflation throughout this year has been significantly higher – which means the higher benefits weren’t covering the higher cost of living. Thus, the 2023 increase in benefits primarily offsets what was lost over the previous year.
A white hand holds a card reading social security
Millions of retirees and other will soon see a big jump in their Social Security benefits. AP Photo/Jenny Kane
3. Are the benefits taxable?
A growing portion of Social Security benefits are taxed in the same way as ordinary income, except at different threshold with various caps and percentages. Only 8% of benefits were subject to taxation in 1984, but that’s climbed to almost 50% in recent years. That percentage will likely continue to increase as the taxable thresholds are not adjusted for inflation.
For example, if an individual filer’s income, including benefits, is below US$25,000, none of that is taxed. But up to 50% of a person’s benefits may be taxed at incomes of $25,000 to $34,000. After that, up to 85% of their benefits may be taxed.
Such a big increase in Social Security benefits likely means some people who paid no tax will now have to pay some, while others will see larger increases in their tax liability.
4. Why does the government adjust benefits for inflation?
Rapid gains of inflation, like the kind the U.S. and many other countries are currently experiencing, can have significant impacts on the finances of households and businesses.
For example, it might mean seniors cutting back on heating or food. Government policies generally try to account for this to reduce the negative impacts that rising prices can have on those with limited or fixed resources.
In addition, reducing the impacts of price changes creates a more efficient and fair allocation of resources and reduces the arbitrary outcomes that would otherwise occur.
5. What other government programs typically get a COLA?
Other government programs and benefits also increase to account for inflation.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates the cost of its Thrifty Food Plan each June and adjusts Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP benefits – formerly known as food stamps – in October of each year. Beginning in October 2022, food stamp benefits rose by 12.5%, which helps make up for the largest increases in food prices since the 1970s.
In addition, the federal poverty level is adjusted for changes in the consumer price index annually by the Department of Health and Human Services, an adjustment that affects a number of government-provided benefits, such as housing benefits, health insurance and others, including SNAP benefits.
6. Does the tax system also adjust for inflation?
While some aspects of the tax code adjust for inflation, others do not.
For example, income tax bracket thresholds, the size of the standard deduction, alternative minimum tax parameters and estate tax provisions all increase annually for inflation. That means come tax filing season next year, U.S. tax filers will likely see big changes in all these items.
But examples of provisions that are not adjusted for inflation include the maximum value of the child tax credit and the $10,000 cap on the deduction of state and local taxes. In addition, the threshold that determines who is liable for the net investment income tax – the additional 3.8% tax on investment and passive income for taxpayers above a certain income level – doesn’t adjust, which means each year more individuals are subject to it.
This article was republished with permission from The Conversation, a news site dedicated to sharing ideas from academic experts. It represents the research-based findings and thoughts of John W. Diamond, Director of the Center for Public Finance at the Baker Institute, Rice University.
MOTORSPORT GAMES’ LATEST INSTALLMENT OF THE NASCAR GAMING FRANCHISE COMBINES ASPECTS OF RACING RIVALRIES INTO A SINGLE USER EXPERIENCE
MIAMI, Oct. 14, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Motorsport Games Inc. (NASDAQ: MSGM) (“Motorsport Games”), a leading racing game developer, publisher and esports ecosystem provider of official motorsport racing series throughout the world, announced today the launch of NASCAR Rivals, exclusive for Nintendo Switch consoles. The officially licensed video game of the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series season, this latest installment of the video game franchise combines the thrill of the NASCAR Cup Series with the intensity of motorsports rivalry to fans everywhere. NASCAR Rivals is available starting today across leading retailers and the Nintendo eShop for $49.99. A link to the trailer can be found here.
NASCAR Rivals brings the excitement of the NASCAR Cup Series regular season and playoffs to fans on the go with the Nintendo Switch’s easy, built-in mobility. The game’s variety of race modes provide players the ability to race and compete in different ways, emphasizing rivalry across the sport itself and among teams in the NASCAR Cup Series, drivers and the players, both locally and via multiplayer. All of the tracks, cars, drivers and teams from the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series regular season and playoffs are included. Modes available to play include ‘Race Now,’ ‘Career Mode,’ and an exciting ‘Challenges’ mode, which incorporates sequences based on real-life-on-track events to test players’ resilience and see if they have what it takes to navigate the selected scenarios.
“As we continue to build new ways to bring the NASCAR Cup Series to life, our goal with NASCAR Rivals was to highlight a pertinent component of all motorsports, the competition,” said Jay Pennell, Brand Manager, NASCAR, at Motorsport Games. “This latest offering not only lets fans challenge their own skills, but compete against their friends, other online players, and challenges within the sport itself. We’re excited for our fans to truly immerse themselves in what it means to be a NASCAR champion, while allowing them to embrace their inner rival wherever and whenever.”
The game’s numerous ‘Multiplayer’ functions offer players varying ways to challenge each other on the track. In ‘Split Screen’ mode, friends can race against each other locally using the Nintendo Switch Joy Cons. In ‘Online Multiplayer’ users will be able to compete against up to 15 other players anywhere in the world via Nintendo Switch Online. Additionally, newly-added creative elements in NASCAR Rivals give players the opportunity to create custom and unique schemes with an enhanced ‘Paint Booth,’ in addition to their driver avatars with a variety of appearances, sponsor logos and more to truly curate an experience around their own legacies in the game.
Motorsport Games developed NASCAR Rivals as an elevated experience for fans to fully embrace the intensity and thrill of NASCAR with the unlimited portability of the Nintendo Switch console. NASCAR Rivals gives gamers and fans alike the ability to pick up the NASCAR experience anywhere they desire to hone their skills and take on the competition one by one.
NASCAR Rivals is now available at all leading retailers and for download on the Nintendo eShop for $49.99.
About Motorsport Games: Motorsport Games, a Motorsport Network company, is a leading racing game developer, publisher and esports ecosystem provider of official motorsport racing series throughout the world. Combining innovative and engaging video games with exciting esports competitions and content for racing fans and gamers, Motorsport Games strives to make the joy of racing accessible to everyone. The Company is the officially licensed video game developer and publisher for iconic motorsport racing series across PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch and mobile, including NASCAR, INDYCAR, 24 Hours of Le Mans and the British Touring Car Championship (“BTCC”), as well as the industry leading rFactor 2 and KartKraft simulations. RFactor 2 also serves as the official sim racing platform of Formula E, while also powering Formula 1™ centers through a partnership with Kindred Concepts. Motorsport Games is an award-winning esports partner of choice for 24 Hours of Le Mans, Formula E, BTCC, the FIA World Rallycross Championship and the eNASCAR Heat Pro League, among others. Motorsport Games is building a virtual racing ecosystem where each product drives excitement, every esports event is an adventure and every story inspires.
Forward-Looking Statements: Certain statements in this press release which are not historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and are provided pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any statements in this press release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed forward-looking statements. Words such as “continue,” “will,” “may,” “could,” “should,” “expect,” “expected,” “plans,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements concerning the timing, participants and expected benefits of the NASCAR Rivals game and related products and updates. All forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements, many of which are generally outside the control of Motorsport Games and are difficult to predict. Examples of such risks and uncertainties include, without limitation: difficulties, delays in or unanticipated events that may impact the timing and expected benefits of the NASCAR Rivals game and/or related products and updates, such as due to unexpected release delays. Factors other than those referred to above could also cause Motorsport Games’ results to differ materially from expected results. Additional factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements can be found in Motorsport Games’ filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC during 2022, as well as in its subsequent filings with the SEC. Motorsport Games anticipates that subsequent events and developments may cause its plans, intentions and expectations to change. Motorsport Games assumes no obligation, and it specifically disclaims any intention or obligation, to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by law. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and should not be relied upon as representing Motorsport Games’ plans and expectations as of any subsequent date. Additionally, the business and financial materials and any other statement or disclosure on, or made available through, Motorsport Games’ website or other websites referenced or linked to this press release shall not be incorporated by reference into this press release.
Website and Social Media Disclosure: Investors and others should note that we announce material financial information to our investors using our investor relations website (ir.motorsportgames.com), SEC filings, press releases, public conference calls and webcasts. We use these channels, as well as social media and blogs, to communicate with our investors and the public about our company and our products. It is possible that the information we post on our websites, social media and blogs could be deemed to be material information. Therefore, we encourage investors, the media and others interested in our company to review the information we post on the websites, social media channels and blogs, including the following (which list we will update from time to time on our investor relations website):
CHELMSFORD, MA / ACCESSWIRE / October 14, 2022 / Harte Hanks Inc. (NASDAQ:HHS), a leading global customer experience company focused on bringing companies closer to customers for nearly 100 years, will be a featured presenter on a panel program and discussion at the upcoming Reuters Strategic Marketing Conference.
The Harte Hanks panel presentation, “Gen Z & The Rise of Digital Commerce,” will examine how leading-edge digital marketers are leveraging data and analytics to fully engage with Gen Z customers, the largest and most influential consumer segment shaping brand performance.
A featured speaker, Harte Hanks’ Chief Analytics Officer, Dan Rubin, will discuss specific methods of how smart data and analytics can drive better reach and engagement with this key audience. “We’ll offer key insights on how to facilitate an e-commerce shopping experience that moves Gen Z customers seamlessly through the purchase funnel,” Mr. Rubin noted. Mr. Rubin will also share effective strategies for creating authentic, organic content that engages Gen Z and creates a shared sense of purpose with a brand.
With over 20 years of analytics and CRM experience, Mr. Rubin was one of the founding members of the Harte Hanks Analytics team. Dan’s analytics expertise spans across many different clients and across all industries, including retail, banking, gaming, automotive, high-tech/B2B, travel/entertainment, pharmaceutical and packaged goods.
The Reuters Strategic Marketing Conference 2022, on October 21-22, will bring together leaders from the world’s most influential brands to define the future of marketing. The global platform is designed to empower marketing leaders with the tools they need to ensure their brands are engaging with modern audiences with human-first data strategies.
In addition, Harte Hanks will be an exhibitor in the Reuters Customer Service and Experience Conference and Expo at the Brooklyn Bridge Marriott on October 18-19, 2022, featuring a range of leading brands including M&T Bank, IHG Hotels & Resorts, UPS and Citizens Financial Group, among others.
About Harte Hanks:
Harte Hanks (Nasdaq: HHS) is a leading global customer experience company whose mission is to partner with clients to provide them with CX strategy, data-driven analytics and actionable insights combined with seamless program execution to better understand, attract and engage their customers.
Using its unparalleled resources and award-winning talent in the areas of Customer Care, Fulfillment and Logistics, and Marketing Services, Harte Hanks has a proven track record of driving results for some of the world’s premier brands, including Bank of America, GlaxoSmithKline, Unilever, Pfizer, HBOMax, Volvo, Ford, FedEx, Midea, Sony and IBM among others. Headquartered in Chelmsford, Massachusetts, Harte Hanks has over 2,500 employees in offices across the Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific.
Partnership allows Awin and ShareAsale’s 21,000 retailers to leverage a market proven influencer relationship management platform in Sideqik
NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / October 14, 2022 / Sideqik (“Sideqik”), the end-to-end influencer marketing platform that enables brands to build scalable, repeatable and predictable revenue engines, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Engine Gaming and Media, Inc. (NASDAQ:GAME)(TSXV:GAME), today announced a partnership with Awin and ShareASale, the fastest-growing affiliate marketing platforms in North America.
Sideqik’s database of over 60 million influencers across the 10 most popular social networks will allow Awin’s 21,000 retailers to better identify relevant, brand-safe influencers, streamline relationship management and grow their sales and customer base, simultaneously leveraging Sideqik’s robust, AI-powered database, providing actionable insights and real time reporting throughout the whole influencer marketing lifecycle.
“Across the industry, there is a growing demand from consumer brands to execute more profitable, better measured influencer marketing campaigns,” said Joris Cretien, Partner Growth Director at Awin. “Awin and ShareASale’s integration with Sideqik allows our brands to identify and manage influencer partnerships, deploy spend at scale and report on the return – a critical element for smaller businesses with tighter budgets – all through Sideqik’s robust tool set.”
“Sideqik, Engine’s influencer relationship management platform, is gaining adoption as part of mainstream marketing strategies for companies of all sizes,” commented Lou Schwartz, CEO, Engine Gaming & Media. “Our partnership with Awin and ShareASale unlocks a substantial number of retailers looking to leverage a market proven platform with expertise in supporting both affiliate sales and expansion of consumers through social media channels. We are excited to support the growth and scaling of these businesses.”
About Sideqik
Sideqik is an influencer marketing platform that offers brands, CPG, direct marketers, and agencies tools to discover, connect and execute marketing campaigns with content creators. Sideqik’s end-to-end solutions offer marketers advanced capabilities to discover influencers with demographic and content filtering; connect and message influencers; share marketing collateral such as campaign briefs, photos, logos, videos; measure reach, sentiment, and engagement across all major social media platforms; and evaluate earned media value and ROI across the entire campaign.
Awin is a marketing technology platform, providing an open marketplace for businesses to create any type of acquisition partnership. Together with ShareASale, the platforms’ 240,000+ partners – including traditional affiliates, global mass media houses, trusted micro-influencers and innovative fintech businesses – enable advertisers to generate more sales, expand customer reach and strengthen their brand. Retailers that migrate to the Awin Group from competitor platforms experience triple-digit affiliate program growth and a 63% uplift in revenue. In addition to leading the way with our reach, Awin and ShareASale’s award-winning technology and tools – including first-party tracking, multi-channel attribution and in-app tracking – ensure a program tracks all sales, making it optimally attractive for partners to want to promote.
Engine Gaming and Media, Inc. (NASDAQ:GAME) (TSX-V:GAME) provides unparalleled live streaming data and social analytics, influencer relationship management and monetization, and programmatic advertising to support the world’s largest video gaming companies, brand marketers, ecommerce companies, media publishers and agencies to drive new streams of revenue. The company’s subsidiaries include Stream Hatchet, the global leader in gaming video distribution analytics; Sideqik, a social influencer marketing discovery, analytics, and activation platform; and Frankly Media, a digital publishing platform used to create, distribute, and monetize content across all digital channels. Engine generates revenue through a combination of software-as-a-service subscription fees, managed services, and programmatic advertising. For more information, please visit www.enginegaming.com.
Company Contact: Lou Schwartz 647-725-7765
Investor Relations Contact: Shannon Devine MZ North America Main: 203-741-8811 GAME@mzgroup.us
