Month: February 2023

Release – Direct Digital Holdings Announces New $5 Million Revolving Credit Facility with Silicon Valley Bank

Posted on by aweinsoff@channelchek.com

Research, News and Market Data on DRCT

February 21, 2023 9:00am EST

HOUSTON, Feb. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Direct Digital Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: DRCT) (“Direct Digital Holdings” or the “Company”), a leading advertising and marketing technology platform operating through its companies Colossus Media, LLC (“Colossus SSP”), Huddled Masses LLC (“Huddled Masses”) and Orange142, LLC (“Orange142”), is pleased to announce its entry into the $5 million revolving credit facility with Silicon Valley Bank, as filed with the SEC on a Form 8-K on January 11, 2023. 

In addition to the principal amount of $5 million, Direct Digital Holdings has access to an additional $2.5 million incremental revolving facility, subject to the lender’s consent, which may increase the aggregate principal amount of the credit facility to $7.5 million. Loans under the credit facility mature on September 30, 2024.

Mark D. Walker, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of Direct Digital Holdings, commented, “We are very pleased to announce this new credit facility which improves our near-term liquidity position, continues to diversify our access to non-dilutive capital and helps us meet our fluctuating working capital needs. We are also thrilled to work together with Silicon Valley Bank to help us grow our business and optimize our capital structure.”

“Direct Digital Holdings is a key leader in providing state-of-the-art advertising solutions and platforms,” said Dax Williamson, Managing Director with Silicon Valley Bank. “We are excited to provide this latest credit facility as we support their continued growth and success.”

About Direct Digital Holdings
Direct Digital Holdings (Nasdaq: DRCT), owner of operating companies Colossus SSP, Huddled Masses, and Orange 142, brings state-of-the-art sell- and buy-side advertising platforms together under one umbrella company. Direct Digital Holdings’ sell-side platform, Colossus SSP, offers advertisers of all sizes extensive reach within general market and multicultural media properties. The company’s subsidiaries Huddled Masses and Orange142 deliver significant ROI for middle market advertisers by providing data-optimized programmatic solutions at scale for businesses in sectors that range from energy to healthcare to travel to financial services. Direct Digital Holdings’ sell- and buy-side solutions manage approximately 90,000 clients monthly, generating over 100 billion impressions per month across display, CTV, in-app and other media channels. Direct Digital Holdings is the ninth black-owned company to go public in the U.S and was named a top minority-owned business by The Houston Business Journal.

About Silicon Valley Bank
Silicon Valley Bank, the bank of the world’s most innovative companies and investors, provides commercial banking services, expertise and insights to the technology, life science and healthcare, private equity, venture capital and premium wine industries. Silicon Valley Bank operates in centers of innovation around the world and is one of SVB’s core businesses with SVB Capital, SVB Private and SVB Securities. With global commercial banking services, Silicon Valley Bank helps address the unique needs of its dynamic, fast-growing, innovative clients. Learn more at svb.com.

Silicon Valley Bank is a member of the FDIC and the Federal Reserve System. Silicon Valley Bank is the California bank subsidiary of SVB Financial Group (SVB) (Nasdaq: SIVB). SVB Financial Group is the holding company for all business units and groups. © 2022 SVB Financial Group. All rights reserved. SVB, SVB FINANCIAL GROUP, SILICON VALLEY BANK, SVB SECURITIES, SVB PRIVATE, SVB CAPITAL and the chevron device are trademarks of SVB Financial Group, used under license. [SIVB-C]

Forward Looking Statements
This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities laws, including the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and which are subject to certain risks, trends and uncertainties.

As used below, “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to Direct Digital Holdings. We use words such as “could,” “would,” “may,” “might,” “will,” “expect,” “likely,” “believe,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “project” and other similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements, but not all forward-looking statements include these words. All statements contained in this release that do not relate to matters of historical fact should be considered forward-looking statements. All of our forward-looking statements involve estimates and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by the forward-looking statements. Our forward-looking statements are based on assumptions that we have made in light of our industry experience and our perceptions of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors we believe are appropriate under the circumstances. Although we believe that these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, many factors could affect our actual operating and financial performance and cause our performance to differ materially from the performance expressed in or implied by the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to: our dependence on the overall demand for advertising, which could be influenced by economic downturns; any slow-down or unanticipated development in the market for programmatic advertising campaigns; the effects of health epidemics, such as the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic; operational and performance issues with our platform, whether real or perceived, including a failure to respond to technological changes or to upgrade our technology systems; any significant inadvertent disclosure or breach of confidential and/or personal information we hold, or of the security of our or our customers’, suppliers’ or other partners’ computer systems; any unavailability or non-performance of the non-proprietary technology, software, products and services that we use; unfavorable publicity and negative public perception about our industry, particularly concerns regarding data privacy and security relating to our industry’s technology and practices, and any perceived failure to comply with laws and industry self-regulation; restrictions on the use of third-party “cookies,” mobile device IDs or other tracking technologies, which could diminish our platform’s effectiveness; any inability to compete in our intensely competitive market; any significant fluctuations caused by our high customer concentration; any violation of legal and regulatory requirements or any misconduct by our employees, subcontractors, agents or business partners; any strain on our resources, diversion of our management’s attention or impact on our ability to attract and retain qualified board members as a result of being a public company; our dependence, as a holding company, of receiving distributions from Direct Digital Holdings, LLC to pay our taxes, expenses and dividends; and other factors and assumptions discussed in the “Risk Factors,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and Results of Operations” and other sections of our filings with the SEC that we make from time to time. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize or should any of these assumptions prove to be incorrect, our actual operating and financial performance may vary in material respects from the performance projected in these forward-looking statements. Further, any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement contained in this release to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which it is made or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances, and we claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

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SOURCE Direct Digital Holdings

Released February 21, 2023

Release – Schwazze Signs Definitive Documents to Acquire Two Retail Dispensaries From Smokey’s Cannabis Company

Posted on by aweinsoff@channelchek.com

Research News and Market Data on SHWZ

February 21, 2023

PDF Version

NEO: SHWZ
OTCQX: SHWZ

Star Buds Retailer Now Enters the Fort Collins and Garden City Markets in Colorado

DENVER, Feb. 21, 2023 /CNW/ – Schwazze, (NEO: SHWZ) (OTCQX: SHWZ) (“Schwazze” or the “Company”), announced that it has signed definitive documents to acquire certain assets of Cannabis Care Wellness Centers, LLC and Green Medicals Wellness Center #5, LLC (d/b/a “Smokey’s”).  The proposed transaction includes the adult use Smokey’s dispensaries located at 2515 7th Avenue in Garden City as well as 5740 S. College Ave. in Fort Collins. These two vibrant cannabis markets have limited licenses and present Schwazze with more opportunities to serve customers in northern Colorado. This acquisition continues Schwazze’s deliberate expansion in Colorado and, upon close, will bring the Company’s total number of Colorado dispensaries to 27.

The consideration for the proposed acquisition is US$7.5 million and will be paid as $3.75M cash and $3.75M stock at closing. The acquisition is expected to close in the second quarter of 2023 after Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Division and local licensing approvals.

“We are excited to bring our Star Buds operations to Garden City and Fort Collins. Bringing our operating playbook to two key cities in northern Colorado allows us to deliver our brands, product assortment and our dedicated service to customers in new neighborhoods as we continue to go deep in the state,” said Nirup Krishnamurthy, President of Schwazze.    

Since April 2020, Schwazze has acquired, announced the planned acquisition of, or opened 44 cannabis dispensaries as well as seven cultivation facilities and two manufacturing assets in Colorado and New Mexico. In May 2021, Schwazze announced its BioSciences division and in August 2021 it commenced home delivery services in Colorado.

About Schwazze

Schwazze (NEO: SHWZ) (OTCQX: SHWZ) is building a premier vertically integrated regional cannabis company with assets in Colorado and New Mexico and will continue to take its operating system to other states where it can develop a differentiated regional leadership position. Schwazze is the parent company of a portfolio of leading cannabis businesses and brands spanning seed to sale. The Company is committed to unlocking the full potential of the cannabis plant to improve the human condition. Schwazze is anchored by a high-performance culture that combines customer-centric thinking and data science to test, measure, and drive decisions and outcomes. The Company’s leadership team has deep expertise in retailing, wholesaling, and building consumer brands at Fortune 500 companies as well as in the cannabis sector. Schwazze is passionate about making a difference in our communities, promoting diversity and inclusion, and doing our part to incorporate climate-conscious best practices.

Medicine Man Technologies, Inc. was Schwazze’s former operating trade name. The corporate entity continues to be named Medicine Man Technologies, Inc. Schwazze derives its name from the pruning technique of a cannabis plant to enhance plant structure and promote healthy growth.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements.” Such statements may be preceded by the words “plan,” “will,” “may,” “continue,” “predicts,” or similar words. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future events or performance, are based on certain assumptions, and are subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company’s control and cannot be predicted or quantified. Consequently, actual events and results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, risks and uncertainties associated with (i) our inability to manufacture our products and product candidates on a commercial scale on our own or in collaboration with third parties; (ii) difficulties in obtaining financing on commercially reasonable terms; (iii) changes in the size and nature of our competition; (iv) loss of one or more key executives or scientists; (v) difficulties in securing regulatory approval to market our products and product candidates; (vi) our ability to successfully execute our growth strategy in Colorado and outside the state, (vii) our ability to consummate the acquisition described in this press release or to identify and consummate future acquisitions that meet our criteria, (viii) our ability to successfully integrate acquired businesses, including the acquisition described in this press release, and realize synergies therefrom, (ix) the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, * the timing and extent of governmental stimulus programs, and (xi) the uncertainty in the application of federal, state and local laws to our business, and any changes in such laws. More detailed information about the Company and the risk factors that may affect the realization of forward-looking statements is set forth in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Investors and security holders are urged to read these documents free of charge on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. The Company assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise its forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise except as required by law.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/schwazze-signs-definitive-documents-to-acquire-two-retail-dispensaries-from-smokeys-cannabis-company-301751397.html

SOURCE Schwazze

Seanergy Maritime (SHIP) – Estimates and Price Target Adjusted for 10-1 Reverse Split and Continued Shipping Rate Weakness

Posted on by cpereira@noblefcm.com


Tuesday, February 21, 2023

Seanergy Maritime Holdings Corp. is the only pure-play Capesize ship-owner publicly listed in the US. Seanergy provides marine dry bulk transportation services through a modern fleet of Capesize vessels. The Company’s operating fleet consists of 17 Capesize vessels with an average age of approximately 12 years and aggregate cargo carrying capacity of approximately 3,011,083 dwt. The Company is incorporated in the Marshall Islands and has executive offices in Glyfada, Greece. The Company’s common shares trade on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “SHIP” and its Class B warrants under “SHIPZ”.

Michael Heim, CFA, Senior Research Analyst, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.

Seanergy completes a 10-1 reverse stock split effective February 16, 2023.  With the reverse split, the number of outstanding shares is reduced to 18,191,647 from 181,918,471 and then adjusted for the cancellation of fractional shares. We are raising our earnings per share estimates to reflect the change, essentially raising our numbers by ten fold with some adjustment for recent shipping rate weakness.

Our price target increases slightly less than ten fold. We are adjusting our price target to $10 from $1.50 to reflect the reverse stock split. Our PO was increased less than ten times as we have adjusted our models to reflect weaker current shipping rates. In addition, we have changed our valuation methodology from a multiple of next year’s ebitda to a discounted cash flow model. Our new methodology projects out cash flow generation for five years so that long-term valuations will be based on mid-cycle shipping rates (in this case $20,000/day) instead of basing stock valuation on peak or valley shipping rates.


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*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision. 

MAIA Biotechnology (MAIA) – Initiating Coverage With A $14 Price Target

Posted on by cpereira@noblefcm.com


Tuesday, February 21, 2023

MAIA is a targeted therapy, immuno-oncology company focused on the development and commercialization of potential first-in-class drugs with novel mechanisms of action that are intended to meaningfully improve and extend the lives of people with cancer. Our lead program is THIO, a potential first-in-class cancer telomere targeting agent in clinical development for the treatment of NSCLC patients with telomerase-positive cancer cells. For more information, please visit www.maiabiotech.com.

Robert LeBoyer, Vice President, Research Analyst, Life Sciences , Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.

THIO Is A First-In-Class Cancer Therapeutic With A Dual Mechanism Of Action. MAIA Biotechnology is in Phase 2 development with THIO, a drug directed at the telomeres of cancer cell chromosomes. These are structures at the distal tips of the chromosomes that protect the coding DNA regions and have functions needed for DNA replication. THIO is a modified nucleoside analogue that targets the chromosome’s telomeres, leading to cell death, and stimulates the immune system to attack remaining cancer cells.

THIO Is Phase 2 With A Checkpoint Inhibitor.  The direct killing and stimulation of an immune response increases the number of immune killing cells in the tumor that can attack remaining cancer cells. Preclinical studies testing THIO in combination with checkpoint inhibitors showed complete killing and long-term durability of its effects. The current Phase 2 clinical trial program is testing THIO in combination with Libtayo, a PD-1 inhibitor from Regeneron, in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).


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Equity Research is available at no cost to Registered users of Channelchek. Not a Member? Click ‘Join’ to join the Channelchek Community. There is no cost to register, and we never collect credit card information.

This Company Sponsored Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).

*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision. 

Great Lakes Dredge & Dock (GLDD) – A Weak End to a Challenging Year

Posted on by cpereira@noblefcm.com


Tuesday, February 21, 2023

Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation is the largest provider of dredging services in the United States. In addition, Great Lakes is fully engaged in expanding its core business into the rapidly developing offshore wind energy industry. The Company has a long history of performing significant international projects. The Company employs experienced civil, ocean and mechanical engineering staff in its estimating, production and project management functions. In its over 131-year history, the Company has never failed to complete a marine project. Great Lakes owns and operates the largest and most diverse fleet in the U.S. dredging industry, comprised of approximately 200 specialized vessels. Great Lakes has a disciplined training program for engineers that ensures experienced-based performance as they advance through Company operations. The Company’s Incident-and Injury-Free® (IIF®) safety management program is integrated into all aspects of the Company’s culture. The Company’s commitment to the IIF® culture promotes a work environment where employee safety is paramount.

Joe Gomes, Managing Director – Generalist Analyst, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Joshua Zoepfel, Research Associate, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.

4Q22 Operating Results. Revenue totaled $146.7 million down from $210 million last year. Gross margin was negative 11%, down from 25.2% in the year ago period. Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was a negative $24.2 million versus $48.2 million last year. The Company reported a loss of $31.2 million, or a loss of $0.47 per share for the quarter, compared to last year’s net income of $24.7 million, or $0.37 per diluted share.

Drivers. While management in late December had indicated fourth quarter results would be below previous expectations, the decline was even deeper than anticipated. The fourth quarter continued to be impacted by a significantly delayed bid market combined with high inflation, significant weather delays on projects in the Northeast, fewer high margin capital projects, dredging project production issues, higher than anticipated drydock costs, and the retirement of the Terrapin Island.


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Equity Research is available at no cost to Registered users of Channelchek. Not a Member? Click ‘Join’ to join the Channelchek Community. There is no cost to register, and we never collect credit card information.

This Company Sponsored Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).

*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision. 

Euroseas (ESEA) – Full Book Protecting Against Shipping Rate Declines

Posted on by cpereira@noblefcm.com


Tuesday, February 21, 2023

Euroseas Ltd. was formed on May 5, 2005 under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands to consolidate the ship owning interests of the Pittas family of Athens, Greece, which has been in the shipping business over the past 140 years. Euroseas trades on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the ticker ESEA. Euroseas operates in the container shipping market. Euroseas’ operations are managed by Eurobulk Ltd., an ISO 9001:2008 and ISO 14001:2004 certified affiliated ship management company, which is responsible for the day-to-day commercial and technical management and operations of the vessels. Euroseas employs its vessels on spot and period charters and through pool arrangements.

Michael Heim, CFA, Senior Research Analyst, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.

Euroseas, LTD reported 2022-4Q results that were generally in line with expectations. Reported EBITDA and Net Income were slightly better than expected due to lower operating costs. However, adjusted EBITDA and Net Income were slightly below expectations due primarily to a $3.9 million reduction associated with the amortization of fair value of below market time charters acquired. The 12.1% increase in net revenues was the result of an increase in the number of vessels (18 versus 15). Average TCE rates of $29,399 per day were slightly above our $28,900 forecast and slightly below year ago rates of $30,068. Steady rates reflect ESEA’s full charter position.

The future continues to look bright for Euroseas.  80% of its ships are fixed for 2023 and 54% for 2024 representing $425 million in contracted revenues. The full order book has become especially important given a sharp decline in shipping rates in the second half of 2022. Unfortunately, a company has repudiated its charter with Euroseas. The company is growing with the order of nine newbuilds — the first of which is to be delivered next month and has a three-year charter at $48,000 per day. The addition of ships at a favorable rate should help offset a decline in rates as ships come off charter and prices are reset to current shipping rates.


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Equity Research is available at no cost to Registered users of Channelchek. Not a Member? Click ‘Join’ to join the Channelchek Community. There is no cost to register, and we never collect credit card information.

This Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).

*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision. 

AI and the U.S. Military’s Unmanned Technological Edge

Posted on by phoffman@channelchek.com
Image: Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory MAGTAF Integrated Experiment (MCWL) 160709-M-OB268-165.jpg

War in Ukraine Accelerates Global Drive Toward Killer Robots

The U.S. military is intensifying its commitment to the development and use of autonomous weapons, as confirmed by an update to a Department of Defense directive. The update, released Jan. 25, 2023, is the first in a decade to focus on artificial intelligence autonomous weapons. It follows a related implementation plan released by NATO on Oct. 13, 2022, that is aimed at preserving the alliance’s “technological edge” in what are sometimes called “killer robots.”

Both announcements reflect a crucial lesson militaries around the world have learned from recent combat operations in Ukraine and Nagorno-Karabakh: Weaponized artificial intelligence is the future of warfare.

“We know that commanders are seeing a military value in loitering munitions in Ukraine,” Richard Moyes, director of Article 36, a humanitarian organization focused on reducing harm from weapons, told me in an interview. These weapons, which are a cross between a bomb and a drone, can hover for extended periods while waiting for a target. For now, such semi-autonomous missiles are generally being operated with significant human control over key decisions, he said.

Pressure of War

But as casualties mount in Ukraine, so does the pressure to achieve decisive battlefield advantages with fully autonomous weapons – robots that can choose, hunt down and attack their targets all on their own, without needing any human supervision.

This month, a key Russian manufacturer announced plans to develop a new combat version of its Marker reconnaissance robot, an uncrewed ground vehicle, to augment existing forces in Ukraine. Fully autonomous drones are already being used to defend Ukrainian energy facilities from other drones. Wahid Nawabi, CEO of the U.S. defense contractor that manufactures the semi-autonomous Switchblade drone, said the technology is already within reach to convert these weapons to become fully autonomous.

Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine’s digital transformation minister, has argued that fully autonomous weapons are the war’s “logical and inevitable next step” and recently said that soldiers might see them on the battlefield in the next six months.

Proponents of fully autonomous weapons systems argue that the technology will keep soldiers out of harm’s way by keeping them off the battlefield. They will also allow for military decisions to be made at superhuman speed, allowing for radically improved defensive capabilities.

Currently, semi-autonomous weapons, like loitering munitions that track and detonate themselves on targets, require a “human in the loop.” They can recommend actions but require their operators to initiate them.

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, James Dawes, Professor, Macalester College.

By contrast, fully autonomous drones, like the so-called “drone hunters” now deployed in Ukraine, can track and disable incoming unmanned aerial vehicles day and night, with no need for operator intervention and faster than human-controlled weapons systems.

Calling for a Timeout

Critics like The Campaign to Stop Killer Robots have been advocating for more than a decade to ban research and development of autonomous weapons systems. They point to a future where autonomous weapons systems are designed specifically to target humans, not just vehicles, infrastructure and other weapons. They argue that wartime decisions over life and death must remain in human hands. Turning them over to an algorithm amounts to the ultimate form of digital dehumanization.

Together with Human Rights Watch, The Campaign to Stop Killer Robots argues that autonomous weapons systems lack the human judgment necessary to distinguish between civilians and legitimate military targets. They also lower the threshold to war by reducing the perceived risks, and they erode meaningful human control over what happens on the battlefield.

This composite image shows a ‘Switchblade’ loitering munition drone launching from a tube and extending its folded wings. U.S. Army AMRDEC Public Affairs

The organizations argue that the militaries investing most heavily in autonomous weapons systems, including the U.S., Russia, China, South Korea and the European Union, are launching the world into a costly and destabilizing new arms race. One consequence could be this dangerous new technology falling into the hands of terrorists and others outside of government control.

The updated Department of Defense directive tries to address some of the key concerns. It declares that the U.S. will use autonomous weapons systems with “appropriate levels of human judgment over the use of force.” Human Rights Watch issued a statement saying that the new directive fails to make clear what the phrase “appropriate level” means and doesn’t establish guidelines for who should determine it.

But as Gregory Allen, an expert from the national defense and international relations think tank Center for Strategic and International Studies, argues, this language establishes a lower threshold than the “meaningful human control” demanded by critics. The Defense Department’s wording, he points out, allows for the possibility that in certain cases, such as with surveillance aircraft, the level of human control considered appropriate “may be little to none.”

The updated directive also includes language promising ethical use of autonomous weapons systems, specifically by establishing a system of oversight for developing and employing the technology, and by insisting that the weapons will be used in accordance with existing international laws of war. But Article 36’s Moyes noted that international law currently does not provide an adequate framework for understanding, much less regulating, the concept of weapon autonomy.

The current legal framework does not make it clear, for instance, that commanders are responsible for understanding what will trigger the systems that they use, or that they must limit the area and time over which those systems will operate. “The danger is that there is not a bright line between where we are now and where we have accepted the unacceptable,” said Moyes.

Impossible Balance?

The Pentagon’s update demonstrates a simultaneous commitment to deploying autonomous weapons systems and to complying with international humanitarian law. How the U.S. will balance these commitments, and if such a balance is even possible, remains to be seen.

The International Committee of the Red Cross, the custodian of international humanitarian law, insists that the legal obligations of commanders and operators “cannot be transferred to a machine, algorithm or weapon system.” Right now, human beings are held responsible for protecting civilians and limiting combat damage by making sure the use of force is proportional to military objectives.

If and when artificially intelligent weapons are deployed on the battlefield, who should be held responsible when needless civilian deaths occur? There isn’t a clear answer to that very important question.

Lithium Stocks are Depressed, Might They Be a Buy?

Posted on by phoffman@channelchek.com
Image: Silver Peak Lithium Mine, Nevada – Ken Lund (Flickr)

The Lithium Dip May Be Worth Exploring

Lithium (Li) was once synonymous with treating depression. Today the mineral is more often discussed as part of the subject of sustainable energy storage, specifically batteries. So it’s ironic that the recent stock price movement of a number of companies tied to lithium may have depressed some investors, as February has seen a sudden depression in values. The primary reason for the decline in lithium stocks may actually be a net plus for miners and others tied to production. This thinking is outlined below.  

Many companies involved in Li exploration and/or production were up on the year along with the overall market. Late last week and carrying over to today, many of these stocks have fallen dramatically. The reason for the sudden decline coincided with the largest EV battery manufacturer, Contemporary Amperex Technology’s (CATL) announcement that it will cut the price it charges for Li-ion batteries.

As seen in the chart below, Shares of the larger lithium miners Albemarle ALB (ALB), SQM (SQM), Livent (LTHM), Piedmont Lithium (PLL), and Lithium Americas (LAC) are down between 7% and 14% with much of that drop coming in the past few trading days. Smaller lithium mining operations like LithiumBank Resources Corp. (LBNKF), and Century Lithium Corp. (CYDVF) fared much better, outperforming the more established larger companies.

Source: Koyfin

Did Traders Get this Wrong?

CATL seems to have aimed to maintain or grow its market share as a battery manufacturer. Any price war they may have started is likely to have a direct impact on competitors. Even car manufacturers that are involved in battery sales may shed some profitability, but is it necessarily a negative for companies involved in mining or refining?

CATL plans on pricing its batteries on a lithium-price-linked calculation. With this, 50% of each battery will benchmark to lithium carbonate, which would largely embed the price of lithium in its Li-ion product. The rest of the batteries will key off of the spot market for lithium carbonate.

Spot prices for lithium carbonate are up about ninefold over the past few years as the growth in EV demand and other battery-operated products has stressed the global lithium supply chain. So while CATL has decided to discount batteries, the production costs are unlikely to fall. The move may instead place greater demand on lithium carbonate. If production doesn’t keep up with, what should spark greater demand for Li-ion batteries, miners may benefit. If correct, this could suggest the declines in mining stock prices related to CATL’s new pricing policy, may be considered as an entry point for investors that had been looking for a price dip.

As for battery makers, this may have more permanently drained value. CATL is about 68% of the mainland Chinese EV battery manufacturing industry. Other battery producers may have to similarly adjust their pricing models to compete. This group includes Panasonic, LG Energy, Samsung, and SK Innovations that also tumbled this month.

Take Away

Mining analysts discuss supply and demand, or deficit and surplus, when adjusting forecasts. If demand grows as a result of the large battery manufacturer CATL discounting prices, and this discounting causes others to follow, the result could be a larger lithium deficit that could raise the price of the mineral per USD/metric-ton. Time will tell.

Paul Hoffman

Managing Editor, Channelchek

Sources

https://www.uptodate.com/contents/unipolar-depression-in-adults-treatment-with-lithium/print#:~:text=In%20addition%2C%20lithium%20is%20used,mid%2D1800s%20%5B2%5D.

https://www.barrons.com/articles/lithium-stocks-tesla-ev-battery-shares-40aa53d0?mod=hp_columnists

https://www.barrons.com/articles/tesla-stock-price-graphite-battery-magnis-bc0dad59?mod=hp_LATEST

The Week Ahead – PCE Inflation Measures and FOMC Minutes

Posted on by phoffman@channelchek.com

Will the Regional Fed President Speeches Change the Market’s Thinking This Week?

The markets will have to wait until late week to view the Fed’s preferred inflation indicator, the PCE price index, and PCE core index. Leading up to that report we will be treated to FOMC minutes on Wednesday, which could change the market’s view of what the Fed was thinking at the time of the last meeting, and a number of regional Fed President’s speeches which could give insight into any change to hawkish versus dovish bias. There has been a lot of new data since the FOMC meeting that ended three weeks ago.

Monday 2/20

  • US markets are closed for President’s Day.

Tuesday 2/21

  • 9:45 AM ET, the Purchasing Managers Composite flash report (PMI) has been receding for the past three months. This contraction is expected to reverse itself minimally with expectations at 47.3 with services at 47.2. The flash PMI is an early estimate of current private sector output using information from surveys of nearly 1,000 manufacturing and service sector companies. The flash data are released around 10 days ahead of the final report and based upon around 85% of the full survey sample.
  • 10:00 AM ET, Existing Home Sales have been shrinking but are expected to have held steady in January, at a 4.10 million annualized rate versus December’s 4.02 million.

Wednesday 2/22

  • 2:00 PM ET, FOMC Minutes from the meeting held January 31 and February 1 where the Fed Funds level was lifted by 25 bp will be released. The Fed’s minutes could be a market mover as investors and analysts parse each word looking for clues to policy changes.
  • 5:00 PM ET, John Williams the President of the New York Fed will be speaking.

Thursday 2/23

  • 8:30 AM ET, Gross Domestoc Product (GDP) second estimate of fourth-quarter is 2.9% growth according to the consensus of economists surveyed by Econoday. Personal consumption expenditures (PCE), which was 2.1% in the first estimate, is expected to come in at 2.0% in the second estimate.
  • 10:50 AM ET, Atlanta Federal Reserve President Raphael Bostic is scheduled to speak.
  • 4:30 PM ET, The Federal Reserve Balance sheet data are released each Thursday. This information is becoming more of a focus as headway on quantitative tightening is revealed in these numbers.

Friday 2/24

  • 8:30 AM ET, Personal Income and Outlays expected to rise 1.0% in January with consumption expenditures expected to increase 1.2%. The previous experience was a December rise of 0.2% for income and a December fall of 0.2% in for consumption. Inflation readings for January are expected at monthly gains of 0.4% overall and also 0.4% for the core (versus respective increases of 0.1 and 0.3%) for annual rates of 4.9 and 4.3% (versus December’s 5.0 and 4.4%).
  • 10:00 AM ET, New Home Sales, which have been falling, are expected to hold steady in January, at a 617,000 annualized rate in versus 616,000 in December.
  • 10:00 AM ET, Consumer Sentiment is expected to end February at 66.4, 1.5 points above January and unchanged from February’s mid-month flash.
  • 10:45 AM ET, Loretta Mester the President of the Cleveland Federal Reserve Bank is schedulked to speak.

What Else

The four day trading week in the US will feature earnings reports from major retailers Walmart and Home Depot. Other companies reporting with enough of a following to adjust investor thinking are Nvidia, Coinbase, Alibaba, and Moderna.

Paul Hoffman

Managing Editor, Channelchek

Sources:

https://www.econoday.com/

Release – Largo to Release Fourth Quarter and Annual 2022 Financial Results on March 9, 2023

Posted on by aweinsoff@channelchek.com

Research News and Market Data on LGO

TORONTO–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Largo Inc. (“Largo” or the “Company”) (TSX: LGO) (NASDAQ: LGO) will release its fourth quarter and annual 2022 financial results on Thursday, March 9, 2023 after the close of market trading. Additionally, the Company will host a webcast and conference call to discuss its fourth quarter and annual 2022 results and updates on Friday, March 10 at 1:00 p.m. ET.

To join the conference call without operator assistance, you may register and enter your phone number at https://bit.ly/3Yho3fJ to receive an instant automated call back.

You can also dial direct to be entered to the call by an Operator via dial-in details below.

Conference Call Details
Date:Friday, March 10, 2023
Time:1:00 p.m. ET
Dial-in Number:Local: +1 (647) 794-4605
North American Toll Free: +1 (888) 394-8218
Conference ID:6338127
Webcast Registration Link:https://app.webinar.net/Am3ND5Rleqn
RapidConnect Linkhttps://bit.ly/3Yho3fJ
Replay Number:Local / International: + 1 (647) 436-0148
North American Toll Free: +1 (888) 203-1112
Replay Passcode: 6338127
Website:To view press releases or any additional financial information, please visit the Investor Resources section of the Company’s website at: www.largoinc.com/English/investor-resources

About Largo

Largo has a long and successful history as one of the world’s preferred vanadium companies through the supply of its VPURETM and VPURE+TM products, which are sourced from one of the world’s highest-grade vanadium deposits at the Company’s Maracás Menchen Mine in Brazil. Aiming to enhance value creation at Largo, the Company is in the process of implementing a titanium dioxide pigment plant using feedstock sourced from its existing operations in addition to advancing its U.S.-based clean energy division with its VCHARGE vanadium batteries. Largo’s VCHARGE vanadium batteries contain a variety of innovations, enabling an efficient, safe and ESG-aligned long duration solution that is fully recyclable at the end of its 25+ year lifespan. Producing some of the world’s highest quality vanadium, Largo’s strategic business plan is based on two pillars: 1.) leading vanadium supplier with an outlined growth plan and 2.) U.S.-based energy storage business support a low carbon future.

Largo’s common shares trade on the Nasdaq Stock Market and on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol “LGO”. For more information on the Company, please visit www.largoinc.com.

Investor Relations
Alex Guthrie
Senior Manager, External Relations
+1.416.861.9778
aguthrie@largoinc.com

Source: Largo Inc.

The GEO Group (GEO) – Better Than Expected 4Q22 But What About 2023?

Posted on by cpereira@noblefcm.com


Friday, February 17, 2023

The GEO Group, Inc. (NYSE: GEO) is a leading diversified government service provider, specializing in design, financing, development, and support services for secure facilities, processing centers, and community reentry centers in the United States, Australia, South Africa, and the United Kingdom. GEO’s diversified services include enhanced in-custody rehabilitation and post-release support through the award-winning GEO Continuum of Care®, secure transportation, electronic monitoring, community-based programs, and correctional health and mental health care. GEO’s worldwide operations include the ownership and/or delivery of support services for 103 facilities totaling approximately 83,000 beds, including idle facilities and projects under development, with a workforce of up to approximately 18,000 employees.

Joe Gomes, Managing Director – Generalist Analyst, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Joshua Zoepfel, Research Associate, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.

4Q22 Results. The run of exceeding expectations continued in the fourth quarter. Revenue for the quarter came in at $620.7 million, up from $557.5 million a year ago. Adjusted EBITDA totaled $145.5 million, AFFO was $0.58 per diluted share, EPS was $0.28, and adjusted net income $0.34 per share. In the year ago period, GEO reported $124.1 million, $0.66, $(0.41), and $0.38, respectively. We had forecast $603 million, $133.5 million, $0.54, $0.25, and $0.23, respectively. GEO’s results highlight the resiliency of the business model, in our opinion.

Electronic Monitoring Driving 4Q Results. GEO’s electronic monitoring segment saw revenue jump 89.3% to $149.8 million in the quarter, with segment operating income rising 89.6% to $85.7 million. While electronic monitoring populations have declined since the turn of the year, we believe electronic monitoring will remain a key arrow in government’s quiver to manage undocumented populations given the success of these programs.  


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Equity Research is available at no cost to Registered users of Channelchek. Not a Member? Click ‘Join’ to join the Channelchek Community. There is no cost to register, and we never collect credit card information.

This Company Sponsored Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).

*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision. 

Schwazze (SHWZ) – CEO Buying Shares and a New Officer

Posted on by cpereira@noblefcm.com


Friday, February 17, 2023

Schwazze (OTCQX:SHWZ, NEO:SHWZ) is building a premier vertically integrated regional cannabis company with assets in Colorado and New Mexico and will continue to take its operating system to other states where it can develop a differentiated regional leadership position. Schwazze is the parent company of a portfolio of leading cannabis businesses and brands spanning seed to sale. The Company is committed to unlocking the full potential of the cannabis plant to improve the human condition. Schwazze is anchored by a high-performance culture that combines customer-centric thinking and data science to test, measure, and drive decisions and outcomes. The Company’s leadership team has deep expertise in retailing, wholesaling, and building consumer brands at Fortune 500 companies as well as in the cannabis sector. Schwazze is passionate about making a difference in our communities, promoting diversity and inclusion, and doing our part to incorporate climate-conscious best practices.

Joe Gomes, Managing Director – Generalist Analyst, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Joshua Zoepfel, Research Associate, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.

Buying Shares. A Form 4 was released Wednesday showing CEO Justin Dye purchasing 500,000 shares of Schwazze at a price of $1.50 per share under Dye LLLP for a total cost of $750,000. Mr. Dye now indirectly owns 1,868,062 SHWZ common shares through Dye LLLP and indirectly owns 9,287,500 SHWZ common shares through Dye Capital & Company, equating to 20.5% of the total outstanding shares.

New Officer. Wednesday also had a press release from Schwazze announcing the Company added Christine Jones to the management team as Chief Legal Officer. Ms. Jones has over 25 years of experience as a corporate counsel for several companies and most recently was a Senior Vice President, Legal and Corporate Secretary of Long Play, Inc. Long Play is a vertically integrated cannabis company with cultivation, manufacturing, retail, and a portfolio of brands, similar to Schwazze.  We believe the addition of Ms. Jones will be beneficial to the Company.


Get the Full Report

Equity Research is available at no cost to Registered users of Channelchek. Not a Member? Click ‘Join’ to join the Channelchek Community. There is no cost to register, and we never collect credit card information.

This Company Sponsored Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).

*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision. 

Item 9 Labs (INLB) – First Quarter Earnings Released

Posted on by cpereira@noblefcm.com


Friday, February 17, 2023

Item 9 Labs Corp. (OTCQX: INLB) is a vertically integrated cannabis operator and dispensary franchisor delivering premium products from its large-scale cultivation and production facilities in the United States. The award-winning Item 9 Labs brand specializes in best-in-class products and user experience across several cannabis categories. The company also offers a unique dispensary franchise model through the national Unity Rd. retail brand. Easing barriers to entry, the franchise provides an opportunity for both new and existing dispensary owners to leverage the knowledge, resources, and ongoing support needed to thrive in their state compliantly and successfully. Item 9 Labs brings the best industry practices to markets nationwide through distinctive retail experience, cultivation capabilities, and product innovation. The veteran management team combines a diverse skill set with deep experience in the cannabis sector, franchising, and the capital markets to lead a new generation of public cannabis companies that provide transparency, consistency, and well-being. Headquartered in Arizona, the company is currently expanding its operations space by up to 640,000-plus square feet on its 50-acre site, one of the largest properties in Arizona zoned to grow and cultivate flower. For additional information, visit https://investors.item9labscorp.com/.

Joe Gomes, Managing Director – Generalist Analyst, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Joshua Zoepfel, Research Associate, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.

1Q23 Results. Item 9 Labs reported revenue of $5.0 million and a net loss of $3.26 million, or a loss of $0.03 per share. Revenue grew from the $4.0 million reported in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022. Notably, gross margin also improved, to 52.4% in the most recent quarter, from 16.1% in the fourth quarter and 38.8% in the year ago period. We had forecast revenue of $4.5 million, gross margin of 35.6%, and a net loss of $4.9 million, or a loss of $0.05 per share.

Sessions Acquisition. Earlier this week, Item 9 Labs announced it has secured the necessary financing to complete the acquisition of Sessions Cannabis, a deal first announced in May 2022. Sessions is one of Canada’s largest cannabis retail franchisors. The total cash purchase price of the transaction is $12.8 million, which is being fully funded through an Acquisition Line of Credit with a 5-year term from a commercial lender. The acquisition will create the largest international cannabis retail franchiser and publicly traded cannabis franchise company in North America.


Get the Full Report

Equity Research is available at no cost to Registered users of Channelchek. Not a Member? Click ‘Join’ to join the Channelchek Community. There is no cost to register, and we never collect credit card information.

This Company Sponsored Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).

*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision.