Month: April 2024

Energy Industry Report – Energy stocks rise with oil prices

Posted on by cpatches

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is image-1-1024x232.png

Tuesday, April 2, 2024

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

Refer to the bottom of the report for important disclosures

Energy stocks outpaced the general overall market in the March quarter due to a rise in oil prices. Higher oil prices reflect improving global economics and Middle East concerns. Natural gas prices continued to fall due to warm weather and high storage levels.

The United States is ramping up the export of oil and liquified natural gas. Oil exports have helped offset a reduction in  OPEC exports. The United States, once a large importer of LNG, is now the largest exporter. LNG exports have helped European countries replace gas from Russia.

Balance sheets have improved and management has become more disciplined. Most energy companies used the recent strength in energy prices to pay down debt and repurchase shares instead of expanding operations. This new-found discipline leaves the companies in a good position to make investments quickly should energy prices rise, which we believe could happen with an improvement in global economic conditions.

We remain positive on the sector. We look for energy companies, especially those focused on oil, to continue to outpace the overall market should energy prices rise.

Energy stocks, as measured by the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLE), rose 12.9% during the quarter ended March 31, 2024. The increase was slightly higher than the 10.2% increase in the S&P Composite index. Energy stocks were boosted by a 16.1% increase in the May oil futures prices, which more than offset a 29.9% decrease in the May natural gas futures price. 

At current oil prices, domestic producers are able to produce oil at profitable levels. Oil production has grown from 5 million barrels of oil per day (mmboe/d) in 2008 to the current level above 12 mmboe/d. Most of the production has come from increased drilling in the Permian Basin. Rig count has risen steadily in recent years to a level above 500 rigs but remains well below the 1600 rig level seen as recently as 2012. Increase production from fewer rigs demonstrated productivity gains in recent years as well as an increased focus on drilling in the Permian Basin, an area with high initial flow rates.

Figure #1

As domestic production grows, the United States has taken on an increased role supplying oil across the world. Oil exports have grown steadily in recent years. U.S. production has largely replaced the import of oil from OPEC which has declined from 0.20 million barrels of oil per day in 2008 to 0.03 million mmboe/d in January 2024.

Figure #2

An even more dramatic story can be told regarding natural gas production. Production continues to rise even as natural gas prices remain weak. Higher production comes despite a reduction in natural gas rigs from a peak level near 1600 in 2008 to the current level of 112. Once again, increased productivity comes due to a focus on drilling in areas with shale formations where horizontal drilling and fracking greatly increase initial production rates.

Figure #3

The United States has been steadily increasing the amount of liquified natural gas it exports. In fact, the United States has recently become the largest exporter of LNG. This transformation from being the largest importer of LNG to becoming the largest exporter has taken place in less than 20 years. Much of the increase in exports reflects increased deliveries to European countries in response to a decrease in natural gas from Russia.

Figure #4

The increased involvement in the global energy trade has improved the profitability of domestic producers. Most producers are receiving high netbacks at current energy prices. This is especially true for producers focused on oil. With strong balance sheets and a new-found management discipline that focuses on rewarding shareholders over expanding operations, we believe most energy companies are well positioned to grow earnings and cash flow at current prices. At the same time, they are able to expand operations should prices rise, as we believe could happen as global economic conditions improve. We look for energy stocks to continue their strength and maintain our favorable outlook on the group.

GENERAL DISCLAIMERS

All statements or opinions contained herein that include the words “we”, “us”, or “our” are solely the responsibility of Noble Capital Markets, Inc.(“Noble”) and do not necessarily reflect statements or opinions expressed by any person or party affiliated with the company 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 its 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. Noble accepts no liability for loss arising from the use of the material in this report, except that this exclusion of liability does not apply to the extent that such liability arises under specific statutes or regulations applicable to Noble. This report is not to be relied upon as a substitute for the exercising of independent judgement. Noble may have published, and may in the future publish, other research reports that are inconsistent with, and reach different conclusions from, the information provided in this report. Noble is under no obligation to bring to the attention of any recipient of this report, any past or future reports. Investors should only consider this report as single factor in making an investment decision.

IMPORTANT DISCLOSURES

This publication is confidential for the information of the addressee only and may not be reproduced in whole or in part, copies circulated, or discussed to another party, without the written consent of Noble Capital Markets, Inc. (“Noble”). Noble seeks to update its research as appropriate, but may be unable to do so based upon various regulatory constraints. Research reports are not published at regular intervals; publication times and dates are based upon the analyst’s judgement. Noble professionals including traders, salespeople and investment bankers may provide written or oral market commentary, or discuss trading strategies to Noble clients and the Noble proprietary trading desk that reflect opinions that are contrary to the opinions expressed in this research report.
The majority of companies that Noble follows are emerging growth companies. Securities in these companies involve a higher degree of risk and more volatility than the securities of more established companies. The securities discussed in Noble research reports may not be suitable for some investors and as such, investors must take extra care and make their own determination of the appropriateness of an investment based upon risk tolerance, investment objectives and financial status.

Company Specific Disclosures

The following disclosures relate to relationships between Noble and the company (the “Company”) covered by the Noble Research Division and referred to in this research report.
Noble is not a market maker in any of the companies mentioned in this report. Noble intends to seek compensation for investment banking services and non-investment banking services (securities and non-securities related) with any or all of the companies mentioned in this report within the next 3 months

ANALYST CREDENTIALS, PROFESSIONAL DESIGNATIONS, AND EXPERIENCE

Senior Equity Analyst focusing on Basic Materials & Mining. 20 years of experience in equity research. BA in Business Administration from Westminster College. MBA with a Finance concentration from the University of Missouri. MA in International Affairs from Washington University in St. Louis.
Named WSJ ‘Best on the Street’ Analyst and Forbes/StarMine’s “Best Brokerage Analyst.”
FINRA licenses 7, 24, 63, 87

WARNING

This report is intended to provide general securities advice, and does not purport to make any recommendation that any securities transaction is appropriate for any recipient particular investment objectives, financial situation or particular needs. Prior to making any investment decision, recipients should assess, or seek advice from their advisors, on whether any relevant part of this report is appropriate to their individual circumstances. If a recipient was referred to Noble Capital Markets, Inc. by an investment advisor, that advisor may receive a benefit in respect of
transactions effected on the recipients behalf, details of which will be available on request in regard to a transaction that involves a personalized securities recommendation. Additional risks associated with the security mentioned in this report that might impede achievement of the target can be found in its initial report issued by Noble Capital Markets, Inc.. This report may not be reproduced, distributed or published for any purpose unless authorized by Noble Capital Markets, Inc..

RESEARCH ANALYST CERTIFICATION

Independence Of View
All views expressed in this report accurately reflect my personal views about the subject securities or issuers.

Receipt of Compensation
No part of my compensation was, is, or will be directly or indirectly related to any specific recommendations or views expressed in the public
appearance and/or research report.

Ownership and Material Conflicts of Interest
Neither I nor anybody in my household has a financial interest in the securities of the subject company or any other company mentioned in this report.

Job Market Stays Resilient as Openings Hold Steady

Posted on by slightbourne@noblecapitalmarkets.com

The latest employment data shows the resilience of the US labor market, even as the Federal Reserve remains locked in an inflation battle. The number of job openings across the country was essentially unchanged in February at 8.76 million, according to the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) released by the Labor Department.

While just a slight 0.1% uptick from January’s revised 8.75 million openings, the figure highlights how robust hiring demand remains from employers over a year into the Fed’s interest rate hiking campaign. Job vacancies have been sticky at extremely elevated levels, leaving Fed officials frustrated in their efforts to ease wage growth and inflationary pressures.

“The labor market continues to defy expectations of a meaningful cooling,” said Samantha Gunther, economist at Credence Economics. “With openings still so high, wage growth is likely to remain too strong for the Fed’s liking in the months ahead.”

The JOLTS data precedes this week’s highly anticipated March jobs report, which is forecast to show nonfarm payrolls increased by 230,000 positions. That would mark a fourth straight month of job gains over 200,000, underscoring the employment market’s enduring tightness.

There were some modest signs of a gradual loosening in labor conditions buried within February’s openings figures. Job vacancies fell in sectors like information, healthcare and retail trade. More notably, the overall level of layoffs jumped to 1.8 million, the highest since last April, led by a spike in the leisure and hospitality industry.

“While the bar remains high for calling a turn in the labor cycle, we’re seeing some initial hints of cracks starting to form,” said Ryan Bingham, lead labor economist at ADP. “Higher borrowing costs are clearly starting to bite for certain service-sector businesses.”

The report also showed rates of workers quitting their jobs to pursue other opportunities held steady at 2.2% in February, the lowest since the summer of 2020. The diminished quits rate could indicate employees are feeling less confident about switching roles in a more uncertain economic climate.

Another indicator pointing to some easing was the ratio of available workers to job openings, which slipped to 1.36 from 1.43 in January. While still a very tight ratio favoring employers over job seekers, it marked progress toward better balance after peaking above 2-to-1 last year.

For the Fed, the upshot is likely more patience in leaving interest rates elevated. Chair Jerome Powell reiterated last week that stronger labor market “gives” would be needed to bring down unacceptably high inflation back toward the 2% goal.

With payroll growth expected to remain solid and job openings still extremely elevated, it will take more time before productivity-enhancing labor slack emerges. The latest JOLTS figures suggest that process is underway, however gradual it may prove to be.

Release – Ocugen Announces Positive Data and Safety Monitoring Board Review And Initiation Of Enrollment In Medium Dose For OCU410ST—A Modifier Gene Therapy—In Gardian Study For Stargardt Disease

Posted on by aweinsoff@channelchek.com

Research News and Market Data on OCGN

April 1, 2024

  • Established Low Dose as Safe and Tolerable Dose in Current OCU410ST Clinical Trial
  • DSMB Determination to Proceed with Medium Dose Cohort Dosing

MALVERN, Pa., April 01, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ocugen, Inc. (Ocugen or the Company) (NASDAQ: OCGN), a biotechnology company focused on discovering, developing, and commercializing novel gene and cell therapies and vaccines, today announced that the Data Safety and Monitoring Board (DSMB) for the OCU410ST clinical trial recently convened and approved to proceed dosing with the medium dose of OCU410ST in the dose-escalation phase of the study.

Three patients with Stargardt disease were dosed in the Phase 1/2 clinical trial to date. An additional three patients will be dosed with the medium dose (Cohort 2) and three patients with the high dose (Cohort 3) of OCU410ST in the dose-escalation phase.

“The DSMB has recommended moving forward to medium dose for dosing subjects with Stargardt disease,” said Dr. Peter Chang, MD, FACS, DSMB Chair for the OCU410ST clinical trial. “No serious adverse events (SAEs) related to OCU410ST have been reported to date. I believe that this marks a critical next step towards determining the optimal dosing regimen for OCU410ST.”

“We are pleased to see the continued favorable safety and tolerability profile exhibited by OCU410ST, allowing us to evaluate a higher dose in patients with Stargardt retinal dystrophy,” said Huma Qamar, M.D., MPH, Chief Medical Officer of Ocugen. “We recognize the high unmet medical need for Stargardt patients, as there are no current FDA-approved therapies for the indication, and we look forward to sharing the interim safety data from our Phase 1 trial in the second quarter of 2024.”

The GARDian clinical trial will assess the safety and efficacy of unilateral subretinal administration of OCU410ST in subjects with Stargardt disease and will be conducted in two phases. Phase 1 is a multicenter, open-label, dose ranging study consisting of three dose levels [low dose (3.75×1010 vg/mL), medium dose (7.5×1010 vg/mL), and high dose (2.25×1011 vg/mL)]. Phase 2 is a randomized, outcome accessor-blinded, dose-expansion study in which adult and pediatric subjects will be randomized in a 1:1:1 ratio to either one of two OCU410ST dose groups or to an untreated. The Company will continue to provide clinical updates.

Ocugen is committed to finding solutions for people with inherited retinal disease for whom no effective treatment options exist. While an orphan disease, Stargardt affects approximately 40,000 people in the United States alone.

About Stargardt Disease

Stargardt disease is a genetic eye disorder that causes retinal degeneration and vision loss. Stargardt disease is the most common form of inherited macular degeneration. The progressive vision loss associated with Stargardt disease is caused by the degeneration of photoreceptor cells in the central portion of the retina called the macula.

Decreased central vision due to loss of photoreceptors in the macula is the hallmark of Stargardt disease. Some peripheral vision is usually preserved. Stargardt disease typically develops during childhood or adolescence, but the age of onset and rate of progression can vary. The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), a layer of cells supporting photoreceptors, is also affected in people with Stargardt disease.

About OCU410ST

OCU410ST utilizes an AAV delivery platform for the retinal delivery of the RORA (RAR Related Orphan Receptor A) gene. It represents Ocugen’s modifier gene therapy approach, which is based on Nuclear Hormone Receptor (NHR) RORA that regulates pathway links to Stargardt disease such as lipofuscin formation, oxidative stress, compliment formation, inflammation, and cell survival networks.

About Ocugen, Inc.
Ocugen, Inc. is a biotechnology company focused on discovering, developing, and commercializing novel gene and cell therapies and vaccines that improve health and offer hope for patients across the globe. We are making an impact on patient’s lives through courageous innovation—forging new scientific paths that harness our unique intellectual and human capital. Our breakthrough modifier gene therapy platform has the potential to treat multiple retinal diseases with a single product, and we are advancing research in infectious diseases to support public health and orthopedic diseases to address unmet medical needs. Discover more at www.ocugen.com and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are subject to risks and uncertainties. We may, in some cases, use terms such as “predicts,” “believes,” “potential,” “proposed,” “continue,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “plans,” “intends,” “may,” “could,” “might,” “will,” “should,” or other words that convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes to identify these forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to numerous important factors, risks, and uncertainties that may cause actual events or results to differ materially from our current expectations. These and other risks and uncertainties are more fully described in our periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including the risk factors described in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in the quarterly and annual reports that we file with the SEC. Any forward-looking statements that we make in this press release speak only as of the date of this press release. Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update forward-looking statements contained in this press release whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, after the date of this press release.

Contact:
Tiffany Hamilton
Head of Communications
IR@ocugen.com 

Release – Ocugen To Host Conference Call on Tuesday, April 2 At 8:30 A.M. Et To Provide Business Update With Certain Financials For The Year Ending 2023

Posted on by aweinsoff@channelchek.com

Research News and Market Data on OCGN

April 1, 2024

MALVERN, Pa., April 01, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ocugen, Inc. (Ocugen or the Company) (NASDAQ: OCGN), a biotechnology company focused on discovering, developing, and commercializing novel gene and cell therapies and vaccines, today announced that it will host a conference call and live webcast to provide a business update with certain financials for the year ending December 31, 2023 at 8:30 a.m. ET on Tuesday, April 2, 2024.

Ocugen will issue a pre-market earnings announcement on the same day. Attendees are invited to participate on the call using the following details:

Dial-in Numbers: (800) 715-9871 for U.S. callers and (646) 307-1963 for international callers
Conference ID: 4947142
Webcast: Available on the events section of the Ocugen investor site

A replay of the call and archived webcast will be available for approximately 45 days following the event on the Ocugen investor site.

About Ocugen, Inc.
Ocugen, Inc. is a biotechnology company focused on discovering, developing, and commercializing novel gene and cell therapies, biologics, and vaccines that improve health and offer hope for patients across the globe. We are making an impact on patient’s lives through courageous innovation—forging new scientific paths that harness our unique intellectual and human capital. Our breakthrough modifier gene therapy platform has the potential to treat multiple retinal diseases with a single product, and we are advancing research in infectious diseases to support public health and orthopedic diseases to address unmet medical needs. Discover more at www.ocugen.com and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are subject to risks and uncertainties. We may, in some cases, use terms such as “predicts,” “believes,” “potential,” “proposed,” “continue,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “plans,” “intends,” “may,” “could,” “might,” “will,” “should,” or other words that convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes to identify these forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to numerous important factors, risks, and uncertainties that may cause actual events or results to differ materially from our current expectations. These and other risks and uncertainties are more fully described in our periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including the risk factors described in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in the quarterly and annual reports that we file with the SEC. Any forward-looking statements that we make in this press release speak only as of the date of this press release. Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update forward-looking statements contained in this press release whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, after the date of this press release.

Contact:
Tiffany Hamilton
Head of Communications
Tiffany.Hamilton@ocugen.com 

Release – Tonix Pharmaceuticals Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2023 Financial Results and Operational Highlights

Posted on by aweinsoff@channelchek.com

Research News and Market Data on TNXP

April 01, 2024 4:15pm EDT

Positive results from confirmatory Phase 3 RESILIENT study reported in December 2023 position Tonmya™ for fibromyalgia for NDA submission second half of 2024; pre-NDA meeting with FDA scheduled for second quarter 2024

Commercial planning underway, including go-to-market, supply chain and manufacturing strategies, for U.S. launch of Tonmya, a potential new first-line, centrally-acting, non-opioid analgesic for the management of fibromyalgia

CHATHAM, N.J., April 01, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp. (Nasdaq: TNXP) (Tonix or the Company), a fully-integrated biopharmaceutical company with marketed products and a pipeline of development candidates, today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2023, and provided an overview of recent operational highlights.

“Our near-term focus is seeking U.S. marketing approval for Tonmya (cyclobenzaprine HCl sublingual tablets) for the treatment of fibromyalgia from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA),” said Seth Lederman, M.D., Chief Executive Officer of Tonix Pharmaceuticals. “Our pre-NDA meeting with the FDA is scheduled to take place this quarter and we plan to submit our New Drug Application (NDA) for Tonmya™ in the second half of 2024. We believe the positive Phase 3 RESILIENT results reported in December of 2023 together with the positive results from the first Phase 3 RELIEF study should satisfy the requirements for approval and, if so, would provide the opportunity for Tonix to launch the first FDA-approved drug for fibromyalgia in more than a decade. We believe the activity of Tonmya on improving pain, sleep quality, fatigue and brain fog in the RESILIENT study are indicative of the broad-spectrum of activity in fibromyalgia.”

Dr. Lederman added, “While Tonix is focusing its resources on progressing Tonmya toward NDA submission and potential FDA approval, we are seeking partnerships and collaborations on our pipeline programs from government agencies, non-profit organizations and other biotechnology or pharmaceuticals companies. Tonix has already shifted portions of our research and development (R&D) expenses to U.S. government agencies and other institutions through partnerships involving grants and in-kind contributions. These outside collaborations leverage our internal resources, and we believe they provide a capital efficient strategy for progress.”

Selected Product Candidates* — Recent Highlights

Central Nervous System (CNS) Pipeline

Tonmya (also known as TNX-102 SL; cyclobenzaprine HCl sublingual tablets): a centrally-acting, non-opioid, small molecule analgesic taken once-daily at bedtime for the management of fibromyalgia (FM).

  • The Company announced in December 2023 that the Phase 3 RESILIENT study, a registration-quality, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluating TNX-102 SL met its pre-specified primary endpoint in the second of two positive Phase 3 clinical trials, significantly reducing daily pain compared to placebo (p=0.00005) in participants with fibromyalgia. Statistically significant and clinically meaningful results were also seen in all key secondary endpoints related to improving sleep quality, reducing fatigue, and improving patient global ratings and overall fibromyalgia symptoms and function. Additionally, as it relates to improving daily pain, treatment with TNX-102 SL showed a robust and clinically meaningful analgesic Cohen’s d effect size of 0.38, with rapid onset of action, separating from placebo for every week of the study. TNX-102 SL was well tolerated with an adverse event profile comparable to prior studies and no new safety signals observed. Tonix plans to submit an NDA to the FDA in the second half of 2024 for TNX-102 SL for the management of fibromyalgia.
  • In January 2024, Tonix presented additional safety and tolerability data from the Phase 3 RESILIENT study that showed TNX-102 SL treatment was not associated with increases in systolic or diastolic blood pressure or body weight, nor were there any reported sexual side effects.
  • In January 2024, Tonix announced that the FDA has conditionally accepted the trade name, Tonmya, for the Company’s drug product candidate TNX-102 SL for the management of fibromyalgia.
  • In February 2024, Tonix announced positive results from its clinical pharmacokinetic (PK) bridging study of Tonmya in healthy adult male and female ethnic Japanese and Chinese volunteers. Results indicate that key PK parameters of cyclobenzaprine are comparable in ethnic Japanese and Chinese volunteers to Caucasian volunteers from a prior PK study. Tonmya was generally well tolerated in the ethnic Japanese and Chinese healthy volunteers. The company expects these data to fulfill the requirement for a bridging study, and enables Tonix to rely on Phase 3 studies RESILIENT and RELIEF results to support regulatory filings for clinical studies in Japan and China where cyclobenzaprine is a new chemical entity (NCE). Tonix holds issued patents for market exclusivity rights of Tonmya in Japan, China, Hong Kong and Taiwan.
  • In February 2024, Tonix selected Rho, Inc., a global contract research organization, to support Tonix’s preparation and planned submission of its NDA to the FDA for the approval of Tonmya for the management of fibromyalgia.
  • In March 2024, Tonix announced the selection of two CMOs, including Almac Pharma Services, as dual supply sources for the potential launch and commercialization of Tonmya in the U.S.
  • In March 2024, Tonix selected EVERSANA, a leading provider of commercialization services to the global life sciences industry, to support the launch strategy and commercial planning of Tonmya in the U.S.
  • Tonix presented additional efficacy data from RESILIENT at the 6th International Congress on Controversies in Fibromyalgia in Brussels, Belgium, March 7-8, 2024. The data showed that Tonmya treatment resulted in an improvement in cognitive dysfunction, or ‘brain fog’, measured by the change in the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire-Revised (FIQ-R) memory item. The FIQ-R cognitive item showed nominal improvement in Tonmya-treated patients vs placebo-treated patients with p-value=0.001 and effect size of 0.31.

TNX-102 SL for the treatment of acute stress reaction (ASR) and acute stress disorder (ASD), and prophylaxis against development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

  • In February 2024, the Company announced the FDA cleared the Investigational New Drug (IND) application for the Phase 2 investigator-initiated OASIS trial to evaluate TNX-102 SL in reducing the severity of ASR and the frequency of ASD and PTSD. The trial is sponsored by The UNC Institute for Trauma Recovery and supported by a $3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), which was awarded in September 2023. The proposed Phase 2, Optimizing Acute Stress Reaction Interventions with TNX-102 SL (OASIS) study will examine the safety and efficacy of TNX-102 SL to reduce adverse posttraumatic neuropsychiatric sequelae among patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) after a motor vehicle collision (MVC). The study will enroll approximately 180 trauma survivors at ED study sites in the U.S. Participants will be randomized in the ED to receive a two-week course of either TNX-102 SL 5.6 mg or placebo.
  • Tonix expects the Phase 2 OASIS trial will initiate in the second quarter of 2024.

TNX-102 SL for the treatment of Fibromyalgia-Type Long COVID, also known as Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC)

  • In January 2024, the Company announced the online publication of a research paper in the Journal Pain. The article titled, “Chronic Overlapping Pain Conditions Increase the Risk of Long COVID Features, Regardless of Acute COVID Status,” by Bergmans, et al. 1, found that patients with pre-existing chronic overlapping pain conditions (COPCs) had an increased risk of being diagnosed with symptoms of Long COVID1. Faculty at the University of Michigan directed the research. Commentary on the article titled, “A step towards better understanding chronic overlapping pain conditions” by Fitzcharles, et al,2 is in the same issue of the journal. COPCs include fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, migraine headache, irritable bowel syndrome, endometriosis and low back pain. These results contribute to a growing body of evidence that common symptoms of Long COVID in many patients are at least partly driven by central nervous system mechanisms.
  • In September 2023, the Company reported topline results from its Phase 2 PREVAIL proof-of-concept study of TNX-102 SL for fibromyalgia-type Long COVID. TNX-102 SL showed a robust Cohen’s d effect size of 0.50 in improving fatigue relative to placebo; and it showed consistent activity across secondary measures of sleep quality, cognitive function, disability and Patient Global Impression of Change, but did not meet the primary endpoint of multi-site pain reduction at Week 14. TNX-102 SL was generally well tolerated and no new safety signals were observed. The Company intends to request an End-of-Phase 2 meeting with the FDA to discuss a potential Phase 3 program based on a proposed primary outcome measure using the PROMIS Fatigue scale.

TNX-1300 (recombinant double mutant cocaine esterase): biologic for life-threatening cocaine intoxication

  • Tonix expects to initiate a Phase 2 clinical study of TNX-1300 for the treatment of cocaine intoxication in emergency rooms in the second quarter of 2024. In 2022, Tonix was awarded a Cooperative Agreement grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH)’s National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) to support development of TNX-1300.
  • TNX-1300 has been granted Breakthrough Therapy designation by the FDA.

TNX-1900 (intranasal potentiated oxytocin): small peptide in development through investigator-initiated studies for bone health in autism, social anxiety disorder (SAD), adolescent obesity and binge eating disorder

  • In November 2023, Tonix announced that the first participant was enrolled in an investigator-initiated Phase 2 study of TNX-1900 for improving bone health in children with autism spectrum disorder, named the BOX study, at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH). The aim of this DoD funded study is to investigate the efficacy and safety of TNX-1900 as a novel therapeutic agent to increase bone density and improve bone structure and strength in children with autism spectrum disorder. Tonix is providing active drug and placebo for the BOX study as part of a drug donation agreement with MGH. MGH is the sponsor of the trial, which is being conducted under an investigator-initiated IND application.
  • TNX-1900 is also being studied in three other ongoing investigator-initiated Phase 2 studies as follows:

    • MGH Phase 2 study for binge-eating disorder (BED)
    • University of Washington Phase 2 study for social anxiety disorder (SAD)
    • MGH Phase 2 study for adolescent obesity

Rare Disease Pipeline

TNX-2900 (intranasal potentiated oxytocin): small peptide for the treatment of Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS)

  • In December 2023, Tonix announced that the FDA has cleared the IND application to support clinical development of TNX-2900 to treat PWS in children and adolescents. The Phase 2 study approved under the IND is a dose-finding study involving approximately 36 PWS patients divided into four groups with approximately nine per group. One group will receive placebo and three groups will receive different dosage regimens of TNX-2900. TNX-2900 for the treatment of PWS was granted Orphan Drug designation by the FDA in 2022.
  • In March 2024, Tonix announced that it received Rare Pediatric Disease designation from the FDA for TNX-2900 for the treatment of PWS.

Immunology Pipeline

TNX-1500 (anti-CD40L Fc-modified humanized monoclonal antibody): third generation anti-CD40L monoclonal antibody for prophylaxis of organ transplant rejection and treatment of autoimmune disorders.

  • The first indication for TNX-1500 is prophylaxis of organ rejection in adult patients receiving a kidney transplant; but multiple additional indications are possible, including autoimmune diseases. Two peer reviewed publications described the work at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) on allogeneic transplants in animals were published.3,4
  • Preclinical studies have shown that TNX-1500 maintains the activity of first-generation monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), yet with reduced risk of thrombotic complications.3-5 Modeling studies from animal pharmacokinetic data3 predict a half-life of approximately three weeks for TNX-1500 in humans, which supports a monthly i.v. dosing regimen. This analysis together with TNX-1500’s activity and tolerability in animals, suggests that the protein engineering of TNX-1500’s Fc region has achieved its design goals.
  • In October 2023, the Company announced data from two oral presentations delivered at medical meetings in 2023. The oral presentations titled, “Pilot Evaluation of a Clinical Xeno Heart Transplant Regimen in a Preclinical Model” and “Extended Survival of 9- and 10-Gene Edited Pig Heart Xenografts with Ischemia Minimization and CD154 Costimulation Blockade-Based Immunosuppression” by Dr. Ikechukwu Ileka et al. include data demonstrating the use of TNX-1500 as maintenance therapy after xenogeneic heart transplant in non-human primates. In both studies, genetically engineered (GE) pigs in baboon transplants were treated with cold-perfused ischemia minimization and a novel costimulation-based immunosuppressive regimen that includes TNX-1500.
  • In October 2023, Tonix announced that a study published in the Journal Nature5 by faculty at the Center for Transplantation Sciences, MGH, in collaboration with biotechnology company, eGenesis, utilized TNX-1500 as part of the immune modulating regimen to prevent organ transplant rejection. The Nature article titled, “Design and testing of a humanized porcine donor for xenotransplantation” includes data that provide additional support for TNX-1500’s activity in preventing pig xenograft organ rejection and for its safety and tolerability in non-human primates.
  • In February 2024, Tonix announced the completion of the clinical stage of its Phase 1 single ascending dose study of TNX-1500 in healthy volunteers. The primary objectives of the study are to assess the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of intravenous TNX-1500. Topline results are expected in the third quarter of 2024. This first-in-human study is intended to support dosing in a planned Phase 2 trial in kidney transplant recipients.
  • In March of 2024, the MGH announced the first transplant of a genetically modified pig kidney into a living patent in collaboration with eGenesis, which produced the pig donors.6 Some of the pre-clinical work that supported this transplant was performed in collaboration with Tonix and used TNX-1500.5

Infectious Disease Pipeline

TNX-1800 (modified recombinant horsepox virus, live vaccine): potential vaccine to protect against COVID-19 designed to express the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein

  • Results from a study with our TNX-1800 vaccine that showed animals were protected from challenge with SARS-CoV-2 were published as an article in the peer reviewed journal, Viruses in 2023.7
  • In November 2023, Tonix announced that NIH and National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) will conduct a Phase 1 clinical trial with TNX-1800 as part of Project NextGen. NIAID will cover the full cost of the clinical trial, including operations and related analyses. Tonix will be responsible for providing clinical trial materials, and upon completion will have the right to rely on the findings in regulatory filings with the FDA to support the approval of its COVID-19 vaccine and other vaccines based on the recombinant pox vaccine (RPV) platform.
  • We believe the TNX-1800 vaccine development plan addresses several priority vaccine attributes advanced by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy’s Pandemic Preparedness Plan,8 the National Biodefense Science Board9 and BARDA.10 Tonix believes its RPV platform can address a wide variety of disease targets of public health interest. 

TNX-801 (recombinant horsepox virus, live vaccine): potential vaccine to protect against mpox disease and smallpox.

  • Results from a study with our TNX-801 vaccine that showed animals were protected from mpox were reported at a meeting in the first quarter of 2020 and published as an article in the peer reviewed journal, Viruses in 2023.11
  • On December 14, 2023, Dr. Lederman participated in a panel discussion on Vaccine Research & Development at the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NAS) Committee on the Current State of Research, Development, and Stockpiling of Smallpox Medical Countermeasures public meeting. Discussions explored lessons learned from the recent COVID-19 pandemic and mpox multi-country outbreak to inform an evaluation of the current state of research, development, and stockpiling of smallpox readiness and response measures. The Consensus Study Report was issued on March 28, 2024.12 Some of the conclusions included recommendations for single dose vaccines, safer vaccines, vaccine platforms and attention to supply chain and manufacturing. Tonix believes TNX-801 has the potential to address some of the recommendations from the NAS Committee since it provides single dose protection to animals, and has the potential for favorable dose, manufacturing and cold chain requirements.
  • In August 2023, Tonix received the official written response from a Type B pre-IND meeting with the FDA to develop TNX-801 as a potential vaccine to protect against mpox disease (formerly known as monkeypox) and smallpox. Tonix believes the FDA feedback provides a path to agreement on the design of a Phase 1/2 study and the overall clinical development plan. The Phase 1/2 clinical trial will assess the safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity of TNX-801, following the submission and clearance of an IND.
  • Concerns about current state of new smallpox and mpox vaccines in development have been raised by the U.S. Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense13 and by an outbreak of mpox in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.14
  • Results from a study with our TNX-801 vaccine that showed decreased virulence relative to traditional live vaccinia vaccine strains were posted on the website BioRxiv in 2023.15

Broad-spectrum anti-viral programs

Tonix is developing potential broad-spectrum antiviral drugs in three programs: CD45-targeted therapeutics (TNX-4200), cathepsin inhibitors (TNX-3900) and viral glycan-targeted engineered biologics (TNX-4000). In 2020, the DoD announced that they are seeking broad spectrum antiviral drugs since it would be hard to predict which or how many viruses may be deployed on the battlefield.16 Tonix hopes that one or more of our programs may help the DoD address that goal.

Marketed Products — Recent Highlights

  • Tonix completed the acquisition of Zembrace® SymTouch® (sumatriptan injection) 3 mg and Tosymra (sumatriptan nasal spray) 10 mg from Upsher-Smith Laboratories, LLC on June 30, 2023. Both products are indicated for the treatment of acute migraine with or without aura in adults.
  • Combined net product revenue of $7.8 million reported for the period July 1, 2023 – December 31, 2023 for Zembrace Symtouch and Tosymra.
  • As of April 1, 2024, Tonix completed the transition to becoming a fully integrated pharmaceutical company. Tonix Pharmaceuticals has implemented personnel, systems and contracts required to support a commercial organization and has assumed responsibility for distribution, selling and marketing of Zembrace SymTouch and Tosymra, as well as supply chain, regulatory and quality control of the two products.

Facilities — Recent Highlights

  • Tonix’s Advanced Development Center (ADC) located in the New Bedford business park in Dartmouth, Massachusetts, is an approximately 45,000 square foot BSL-2 facility and is intended to accelerate development and clinical scale manufacturing of live-virus vaccines and biologics to support clinical trials. Tonix has engaged CBRE, an international real estate brokerage firm, to find a strategic partner for, or buyer of, ADC.
  • Tonix’s Research and Development Center (RDC) in Frederick, Maryland, consisting of one building totaling approximately 48,000 square feet, conducts research on central nervous system, immunology, and infectious disease candidates. The RDC facility is mostly biosafety level 2 (BSL-2), with some components designated BSL-3.

*All of Tonix’s product candidates are investigational new drugs or biologics and none have been approved for any indication.

1 Bergmans RS, et al. PAIN. 2023. DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000003110.
2 Fitzcharles M-A, et al. PAIN. 2023. DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000003129.
3 Lassiter G., et al. Am J Transplantation. 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajt.2023.03.022
4 Miura S., et al. Am J Transplantation. 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajt.2023.03.025
5 Anand, R.P., et al Nature. 622, 393–401 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-023-06594-4
6 Massachusetts General Hospital press release. March 21, 2024. “World’s First Genetically Edited Pig Kidney Transplant into Living Recipient Performed at Massachusetts General Hospital.” www.massgeneral.org/news/press-release/worlds-first-genetically-edited-pig-kidney-transplant-into-living-recipient (accessed March 29, 2024)
7 Awasthi M, et al. 2023. Vaccines (Basel) 11(11):1682. https://doi:10.3390/vaccines11111682
8 Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP). American Pandemic Preparedness: Transforming Our Capabilities. September 2021
9 National Biodefense Science Board (NBSB). Prioritization of Product Attribute Categories to Maximize Access for Next Generation COVID-19 Vaccines and Therapeutics. August 2023
10 BARDA Strategic Plan 2022-2026.
11 Noyce RS, et al. Viruses. 2023 26;15(2):356. doi: 10.3390/v15020356
12 U.S. National Academy of Sciences. March 28, 2024. “Consensus Study Report: Future State of Smallpox Medical Countermeasures.” https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/27652/future-state-of-smallpox-medical-countermeasures
13 Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense. (2024). Box the Pox: Reducing the
Risk of Smallpox and Other Orthopoxviruses. Bipartisan Commission on
Biodefense: Washington, DC. https://biodefensecommission.org/reports/box-the-pox-reducing-the-risk-of-smallpox-and-other-orthopoxviruses/
14 Emanuel, G. NPR. March 27, 2024. “Why the mpox outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is worrying disease docs.” URL: www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2024/03/27/1239276957/mpox-outbreak-democratic-republic-of-congo-deadlier-strain
15 Trefry, SV et al., BioRxiv 2023.10.25.564033; doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2023.10.25.564033
16 U.S. Department of Defense. Chemical and Biological Defense Program. 2022. “Approach for Research, Development, and Acquisition of Medical Countermeasure and Test Products.” U.S. Department of Defense. https://media.defense.gov/2023/Jan/10/2003142624/-1/-1/0/APPROACH-RDA-MCM-TEST-PRODUCTS.PDF (accessed March 5, 2024)

Recent Highlights — Financial

As of December 31, 2023, Tonix had approximately $24.9 million of cash and cash equivalents, compared to $120.2 million as of December 31, 2022. Additionally, Tonix had inventory totaling approximately $13.6 million as of December 31, 2023. Net cash used in operations was approximately $102.0 million for the full year ended December 31, 2023, compared to $98.1 million for the same period in 2022. Net cash used by investing activities for the full year ended December 31, 2023 was approximately $29.1 million compared to $48.1 million for the same period in 2022.

In August 2022, the Company announced that it received a Cooperative Agreement grant from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (“NIDA”), part of the National Institutes of Health, to support the development of its TNX-1300 product candidate for the treatment of cocaine intoxication. During the year ended December 31, 2023, Tonix received $2.7 million in funding as a reduction of related research and development expenses. Included in prepaid expense and other is an additional $0.2 million that was not received until January 2024.

On December 8, 2023, the Company executed a Loan and Guaranty Agreement (the “Loan Agreement”) to issue a 36-month term loan (the “Term Loan”) in the principal amount of $11.0 million with a maturity date of December 8, 2026 (the “Maturity Date”). The Term Loan was funded with an original issue discount of 9% of the principal amount of the Term Loan, or $1.0 million, which is being amortized over the term of the debt as an adjustment to the effective interest rate on the outstanding borrowings.

On December 20, 2023, the Company announced it had signed securities purchase agreements with existing healthcare-focused institutional investors for upfront gross proceeds of approximately $30 million through a registered direct offering.

On March 28, 2024, the Company announced it had signed securities purchase agreements with existing healthcare-focused institutional investors for upfront gross proceeds of approximately $4.4 million through a registered direct offering.

As of April 1, 2024, there were 84,490,862 shares of Tonix Pharmaceuticals common stock outstanding.

Fourth Quarter 2023 Financial Results

Net product revenue for the fourth quarter 2023 was approximately $3.8 million. Cost of Sales for the fourth quarter 2023 was approximately $2.4 million. Tonix completed the acquisition of two currently marketed products from Upsher-Smith Laboratories, LLC on June 30, 2023.

R&D expenses for the fourth quarter 2023 were approximately $17.1 million, compared to $24.7 million for the same period in 2022. This decrease is predominantly due to decreased non-clinical and manufacturing expenses.

SG&A expenses for the fourth quarter 2023 were $11.6 million, compared to $8.1 million for the same period in 2022. The increase was primarily due to sales and marketing and the transition services expenses associated with the Company’s recently acquired marketed products offset by a decrease in compensation-related expenses.

Net loss available to common stockholders was $27.3 million, or $0.86 per share, basic and diluted, for the fourth quarter 2023, compared to net loss available to common stockholders of $34.1 million, or $3.42 per share, basic and diluted, for the same period in 2022. The basic and diluted weighted average common shares outstanding for the fourth quarter 2023 was 31,756,759 compared to 9,952,780 shares for the same period in 2022.

Full Year 2023 Financial Results

Net product revenue for the full year 2023 was approximately $7.8 million. Cost of sales for the full year 2023 was approximately $4.7 million.

R&D expenses for the full year 2023 were approximately $86.7 million, compared to $81.9 million for the same period in 2022. This increase is predominantly due to decreased non-clinical and regulatory expenses, offset by an increase in clinical, manufacturing, employee-related and professional expenses.

SG&A expenses for the full year 2023 were $34.8 million, compared to $30.2 million for the same period in 2022. The increase was primarily due to sales and marketing associated with the Company’s recently acquired marketed products.

Net loss available to common stockholders was $116.7 million, or $6.85 per share, basic and diluted, for the full year 2023, compared to net loss available to common stockholders of $116.9 million, or $20.01 per share, basic and diluted, for the same period in 2022. The basic and diluted weighted average common shares outstanding for the full year 2023 was 17,039,309 compared to 5,841,447 shares for the same period in 2022.

Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp.*

Tonix is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing, licensing and commercializing therapeutics to treat and prevent human disease and alleviate suffering. Tonix’s development portfolio is focused on central nervous system (CNS) disorders. Tonix’s priority is to submit a New Drug Application (NDA) to the FDA in the second half of 2024 for Tonmya, a product candidate for which two positive Phase 3 studies have been completed for the management of fibromyalgia. TNX-102 SL is also being developed to treat acute stress reaction as well as fibromyalgia-type Long COVID. Tonix’s CNS portfolio includes TNX-1300 (cocaine esterase), a biologic designed to treat cocaine intoxication that has Breakthrough Therapy designation. Tonix’s immunology development portfolio consists of 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 rejection and for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. Tonix also has product candidates in development in the areas of rare disease and infectious disease. Tonix Medicines, our commercial subsidiary, markets Zembrace® SymTouch® (sumatriptan injection) 3 mg and Tosymra® (sumatriptan nasal spray) 10 mg for the treatment of acute migraine with or without aura in adults.

*Tonix’s product development candidates are investigational new drugs or biologics and have not been approved for any indication.

Zembrace SymTouch and Tosymra are registered trademarks of Tonix Medicines. All other marks are property of their respective owners.

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; risks related to the failure to successfully market any of our products; 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 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) 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.

Amazon Doubles Down on AI Revolution with $4 Billion Anthropic Investment

Posted on by slightbourne@noblecapitalmarkets.com

The artificial intelligence (AI) revolution is in full swing, and tech giants are racing to secure their footholds in this transformative space. Amazon’s recent $4 billion investment in Anthropic, a leading AI research company, is a bold move that underscores the e-commerce giant’s commitment to staying at the forefront of this technological shift.

The investment, which includes an initial $1.25 billion investment made last September and an additional $2.75 billion announced recently, is part of a broader strategic collaboration between the two companies. This collaboration aims to bring Anthropic’s advanced generative AI technologies, including the powerful Claude AI models, to Amazon’s cloud computing platform, Amazon Web Services (AWS).

The AI revolution is disrupting industries across the board, from healthcare and finance to manufacturing and entertainment. Companies that can harness the power of AI stand to gain a significant competitive advantage, and Amazon recognizes the immense potential of this technology.

By partnering with Anthropic, Amazon is positioning itself as a leading provider of AI solutions for businesses of all sizes. The company’s cloud computing platform, AWS, will serve as the primary cloud provider for Anthropic’s mission-critical workloads, including safety research and future foundation model development.

Moreover, AWS customers will gain access to Anthropic’s advanced AI models, such as the Claude 3 family, which has demonstrated near-human levels of responsiveness, improved accuracy, and new vision capabilities. This partnership promises to unlock exciting opportunities for customers to innovate with generative AI quickly, securely, and responsibly.

The tech sector has been experiencing a remarkable rally driven by the AI boom, and Amazon’s investment in Anthropic is a testament to this trend. As AI continues to reshape industries and create new possibilities, companies that embrace this technology early on are likely to reap significant rewards.

Amazon’s strategic move not only positions the company as a leader in the AI space but also highlights the growing importance of AI in driving innovation and creating value across industries. As the AI revolution continues to unfold, we can expect to see more companies investing heavily in this game-changing technology, shaping the future of how we live, work, and interact with the world around us.

Release – Snail, Inc. to Report Fourth Quarter & Full Year 2023 Financial Results

Posted on by aweinsoff@channelchek.com

Research News and Market Data on SNAL

April 1, 2024 at 8:31 AM EDT

PDF Version

CULVER CITY, Calif., April 01, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Snail, Inc. (Nasdaq: SNAL) (“Snail Games” or “the Company”), a leading, global independent developer and publisher of interactive digital entertainment, announced today that it will report financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2023, today, April 1, 2024. Management will host a conference call and webcast on the same day at 4:30 p.m. ET to discuss the results.

Participants may listen to the live webcast and replay on the Company’s investor relations website at https://investor.snail.com/.

About Snail, Inc.
Snail, Inc. is a leading global independent developer and publisher of interactive digital entertainment for consumers around the world, with a premier portfolio of premium games designed for use on a variety of platforms, including consoles, PC’s and mobile devices.

Contacts:

Investors:
investors@snail.com

Press:
media@snail.com

Release – Kratos and Shield AI Conduct AI-Piloted Flights on the Kratos Tactical Firejet

Posted on by aweinsoff@channelchek.com

Research News and Market Data on KTOS

April 1, 2024 at 8:00 AM EDT

Kratos and Shield AI use Firejet as first application of Shield AI’s Hivemind on the Kratos Family of UAS

SAN DIEGO, April 01, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (Nasdaq: KTOS), a Technology Company in the Defense, National Security and Global Markets and an industry-leading provider of high-performance, jet-powered unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and Shield AI, Inc., a defense technology company building the world’s best AI pilot, today announced the successful completion of the first phase of Shield’s AI-piloted flight-testing on-board the Kratos family of UAS as the two companies move toward productizing Shield AI’s pilot on these systems.

Hivemind Enabled Firejet Just Prior to Launch

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/891609ac-a92f-4b1c-a6e4-e74c13ac6ed5

Having successfully flown AI pilots on five aircraft — three classes of quadcopters, the MQ-35A V-BAT, and the F-16 in fully autonomous air combat training — Shield AI’s Hivemind AI pilot has now successfully flown on and controlled the Kratos Tactical Firejet. These successful flights are a major milestone in the comprehensive integration project as Shield AI and Kratos look to ultimately productize another configuration of the Valkyrie, in this case with Shield AI’s Hivemind AI pilot.

“Our substantial investments in autonomy and AI design tools, infrastructure, and pipelines are what enable Shield AI to rapidly integrate Hivemind onto different classes of aircraft and most importantly, fly them safely. We’re getting faster and faster. It was over three years from signing the contract to flying the F-16; now, it’s less than 180 days for the Kratos Firejet. The vision of portable autonomy software for military hardware has been realized, flown, and deployed by Shield AI,” said Ryan Tseng, Shield AI’s CEO and Co-Founder.

Hivemind-Directed Autonomous Maneuvering Underway

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2f2f2042-c0a5-4d03-a150-050c454a3e2b

“The ability of our teams (Kratos and Shield AI) to collaborate and work together as two commercial entities driving toward technical mission capability solutions and systems to ultimately support the DoD provides a rapid path to system realization. Firejet is the first; there’s more to come and we’re excited about the technology, what it enables, the speed at which we can create and deliver these systems, and the broad application space and impact that these high capability, affordable UAS provide to the warfighter,” said Steve Fendley, President of Kratos’ Unmanned Systems Division.

The Firejet, in its jet target system role, fills a variety of end-to-end weapons-release training, supporting surface-to-air and air-to-air engagements. Additionally, the Tactical Firejet offers an offensive/defensive jet UAS system in the sub $500K price range per aircraft with substantial mission systems and performance capabilities. In either mission configuration (target/tactical), the Firejet delivers a high-speed, high-maneuverability, low-signature solution for replicating threats or enabling no-risk-to-Warfighter-life operational effectiveness with a level of contested environment capability.

Youtube Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkmYV3ZUH1Q&t=1s

About Shield AI
Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed defense technology company whose mission is to protect service members and civilians with intelligent systems. In pursuit of this mission, Shield AI is building the world’s best AI pilot. Its AI pilot, Hivemind, has flown jets (F-16; MQM-178 Firejet), a vertical takeoff and landing drone (MQ-35 V-BAT), and three quadcopters (Nova, Nova 2, iPRD). The company has offices in San Diego, Dallas, Washington DC and abroad. Shield AI’s products and people are currently in the field actively supporting operations with the U.S. Department of Defense and U.S. allies. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X and Instagram.

About Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc.
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ: KTOS) is a technology, products, system and software company addressing the defense, national security, and commercial markets. Kratos makes true internally funded research, development, capital and other investments, to rapidly develop, produce and field solutions that address our customers’ mission critical needs and requirements. At Kratos, affordability is a technology, and we seek to utilize proven, leading-edge approaches and technology, not unproven bleeding edge approaches or technology, with Kratos’ approach designed to reduce cost, schedule and risk, enabling us to be first to market with cost effective solutions. We believe that Kratos is known as an innovative disruptive change agent in the industry, a company that is an expert in designing products and systems up front for successful rapid, large quantity, low-cost future manufacturing which is a value-add competitive differentiator for our large traditional prime system integrator partners and also to our government and commercial customers. Kratos intends to pursue program and contract opportunities as the prime or lead contractor when we believe that our probability of win (PWin) is high, and any investment required by Kratos is within our capital resource comfort level. We intend to partner and team with a large, traditional system integrator when our assessment of PWin is greater or required investment is beyond Kratos’ comfort level. Kratos’ primary business areas include virtualized ground systems for satellites and space vehicles including software for command & control (C2) and telemetry, tracking and control (TT&C), jet powered unmanned aerial drone systems, hypersonic vehicles and rocket systems, propulsion systems for drones, missiles, loitering munitions, supersonic systems, space craft and launch systems, C5ISR and microwave electronic products for missile, radar, missile defense, space, satellite, counter UAS, directed energy, communication and other systems, and virtual & augmented reality training systems for the warfighter. For more information, visit www.KratosDefense.com.

Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are made on the basis of the current beliefs, expectations and assumptions of the management of Kratos and are subject to significant risks and uncertainty. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. All such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and Kratos undertakes no obligation to update or revise these statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Although Kratos believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, these statements involve many risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from what may be expressed or implied in these forward-looking statements. For a further discussion of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those expressed in these forward-looking statements, as well as risks relating to the business of Kratos in general, see the risk disclosures in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Kratos for the year ended December 31, 2023, and in subsequent reports on Forms 10-Q and 8-K and other filings made with the SEC by Kratos.

Press Contact:
Yolanda White
858-812-7302 Direct

Investor Information:
877-934-4687
investor@kratosdefense.com

Source: Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc.

Release – AdTheorent Holding Company, Inc. Enters into Agreement to be Acquired by Cadent, LLC for Approximately $324 Million Representing $3.21 Per Share

Posted on by aweinsoff@channelchek.com

Research News and Market Data on ADTH

Apr 1, 2024

NEW YORK, April 01, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — AdTheorent Holding Company, Inc. (“AdTheorent” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: ADTH), a machine learning pioneer delivering measurable value for programmatic advertisers, and Cadent, LLC (“Cadent”), a leading provider of platform-based converged TV advertising solutions and a portfolio company of Novacap, one of North America’s established private equity firms, today announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which a wholly owned subsidiary of Cadent will acquire the Company in an all-cash transaction. Upon closing of the transaction, AdTheorent will become a privately held company.

Under the terms of the definitive merger agreement, which has been unanimously approved by AdTheorent’s Board of Directors (the “Board”), the Company’s common stockholders will receive cash consideration of $3.21 per share.   The transaction represents an equity value for the Company of approximately $324 million and represents a 17% premium to the 60-day volume weighted average stock price as of March 28, 2024 and a 27% premium to the 90-day volume weighted average stock price as of March 28, 2024. The definitive merger agreement also includes a 33-day “go shop” period that will allow the Company to affirmatively solicit alternative proposals from interested parties.

“The AdTheorent Board determined that this transaction delivers immediate, certain and significant value to the Company’s shareholders reflecting the tremendous commitment and work of our employees and stakeholders,” said Eric Tencer, AdTheorent’s Chairman of the Board. “The transaction and the upcoming “go shop” process underscores the Board’s commitment to maximizing value for shareholders.”

James Lawson, CEO of AdTheorent, said, “The transaction validates the actions and investments we have made to best position AdTheorent in our target markets since becoming a public company two years ago. The partnership with Cadent and Novacap will provide AdTheorent additional scale and resources for continued success as part of a private company.”

Transaction Details:

The transaction is expected to be completed by the third quarter of 2024 and is subject to approval by AdTheorent’s stockholders, expiration or termination of the applicable waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as well as other customary closing conditions. Upon completion of the transaction, AdTheorent common stock will no longer be listed on the Nasdaq Stock Exchange or trade in any other public market.

Fully committed debt financing in support of the transaction is being provided by Royal Bank of Canada. The transaction is not subject to a financing condition.

The definitive merger agreement includes a 33-day “go-shop” period that will expire at 11:59 PM ET on May 4, 2024, which permits AdTheorent and its financial advisor to actively solicit and consider alternative acquisition proposals. There can be no assurance that this process will result in a superior proposal, and the Company does not intend to disclose developments with respect to the “go-shop” process unless and until it determines such disclosure is appropriate or is otherwise required.

H.I.G. Growth Partners, LLC and its affiliated investors, along with members of the AdTheorent Board and management who together own or control approximately 40% of the Company’s outstanding shares, have each entered into a voting and support agreement pursuant to which they have agreed, among other things, to vote their respective shares of AdTheorent common stock in favor of the transaction.

Advisors:

Canaccord Genuity is acting as financial advisor and McDermott Will & Emery LLP is acting as legal counsel to AdTheorent in connection with the proposed transaction. Moelis & Company LLC is acting as lead financial advisor, and Baker Botts LLP is providing legal counsel to Cadent.

About AdTheorent:

AdTheorent uses advanced machine learning technology to deliver impactful advertising campaigns for marketers. AdTheorent’s advanced machine learning-powered media buying platform powers its predictive targeting, predictive audiences audience extension solutions and in-house creative capability, Studio A\T. Focused on the predictive value of machine learning models, AdTheorent’s product suite and flexible transaction models allow advertisers to identify the most qualified potential consumers coupled with the optimal creative experience to deliver superior results, measured by each advertiser’s real-world business goals. AdTheorent is headquartered in New York, with fourteen locations across the United States and Canada.

AdTheorent is consistently recognized with numerous technology, product, growth and workplace awards. AdTheorent was named “Best Buy-Side Programmatic Platform” in the 2023 Digiday Technology Awards and was honored with an AI Breakthrough Award and “Most Innovative Product” (B.I.G. Innovation Awards) for six consecutive years. Additionally, AdTheorent is the only seven-time recipient of Frost & Sullivan’s “Digital Advertising Leadership Award.” In September 2023, evidencing its continued prioritization of its team, AdTheorent was named a Crain’s Top 100 Best Place to Work in NYC for the tenth consecutive year. AdTheorent ranked tenth in the Large Employer Category and 26th Overall in 2023. For more information, visit adtheorent.com.

About Cadent:

Cadent connects the TV advertising ecosystem. Cadent helps advertisers and publishers identify and understand audiences, activate campaigns, and measure what matters – across any TV content or device. Aperture, the company’s converged TV platform, simplifies cross-screen advertising through a streamlined workflow that brings together identity, data, and inventory with hundreds of integrated partners. For more information, visit cadent.tv.

About Novacap:

Founded in 1981, Novacap is a leading North American private equity firm with over C$8B of AUM that has invested in more than 100 platform companies and completed more than 150 add-on acquisitions. Applying its sector-focused approach since 2007 in Industries, TMT, Financial Services, and Digital Infrastructure, Novacap’s deep domain expertise can accelerate company growth and create long-term value. With experienced, dedicated investment and operations teams as well as substantial capital, Novacap has the resources and knowledge that help build world-class businesses. Novacap has offices in Montreal, Toronto, and New York.

For more information, please visit www.novacap.ca.

Additional Information and Where to Find It:

The Company intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) a preliminary proxy statement and furnish or file other materials with the SEC in connection with the proposed transaction. Once the SEC completes its review of the preliminary proxy statement, a definitive proxy statement will be filed with the SEC and mailed to the stockholders of the Company. This communication is not intended to be, and is not, a substitute for the proxy statement or any other document that the Company may file with the SEC in connection with the proposed transaction. BEFORE MAKING ANY VOTING DECISION, ADTHEORENT’S STOCKHOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT AND THOSE OTHER MATERIALS CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION AND THE PARTIES TO THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION.

The proxy statement and other relevant materials (when they become available), and any other documents filed by the Company with the SEC, may be obtained free of charge at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. In addition, security holders will be able to obtain free copies of the proxy statement from AdTheorent by going to the Company’s Investor Relations page on its corporate website at www.adtheorent.com.

No Offer or Solicitation:

This release is not intended to and shall not constitute an offer to buy or sell the solicitations of an offer to buy or sell any securities, or a solicitation of any vote or approval, nor shall there be any offer, solicitation or sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offer of securities shall be made in the United States absent registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, such registration requirements.

Participants in the Solicitation:

This communication does not constitute a solicitation of proxy, an offer to purchase or a solicitation of an offer to sell any securities. AdTheorent and its directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the stockholders of AdTheorent in connection with the proposed transaction. Information regarding the interests of these directors and executive officers in the transaction will be included in the proxy statement described above. Additional information regarding the directors and executive officers of AdTheorent is included in the AdTheorent proxy statement for its 2023 Annual Meeting, which was filed with the SEC on April 12, 2023, and is supplemented by other public filings made, and to be made, with the SEC by AdTheorent. To the extent the holdings of AdTheorent securities by AdTheorent’s directors and executive officers have changed since the amounts set forth in the proxy statement for its 2023 Annual Meeting, such changes have been or will be reflected on Statements of Change in Ownership on Form 4 filed with the SEC. Additional information regarding the interests in the transaction of AdTheorent’s participants in the solicitation, which may, in some cases, be different than those of AdTheorent’s stockholders generally, will be included in AdTheorent’s proxy statement relating to the proposed transaction when it becomes available. These documents are available free of charge at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and at the Investor Relations page on AdTheorent’s corporate website at www.adtheorent.com.

Forward Looking Statements:

This communication contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, any statement that may predict, forecast, indicate or imply future results, performance or achievements, and may contain words such as “believe,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “estimate,” “intend,” “project,” “plan,” or words or phrases with similar meaning. Such statements may also include statements regarding the completion of the proposed merger and the expected timing of the completion of the proposed merger, the management of AdTheorent upon completion of the proposed merger and AdTheorent’s plans upon completion of the proposed merger. Forward-looking statements should not be read as a guarantee of future performance or results and will not necessarily be accurate indications of the times at, or by, which such performance or results will be achieved. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, forecasts and assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the market for programmatic advertising developing slower or differently than the Company’s expectations, the demands and expectations of clients and the ability to attract and retain clients and other economic, competitive, governmental and technological factors outside of the Company’s control, that may cause the Company’s business, strategy or actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. Actual future results, performance or achievements may differ materially from historical results or those anticipated depending on a variety of factors, some of which are beyond the control of AdTheorent, including, but not limited to, the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the merger agreement; the inability to complete the proposed merger due to the failure to obtain stockholder approval for the proposed merger or the failure to satisfy other conditions to completion of the proposed merger; risks related to disruption of management’s attention from AdTheorent’s ongoing business operations due to the proposed merger; unexpected costs, charges or expenses resulting from the proposed merger; AdTheorent’s ability to retain and hire key personnel in light of the proposed merger; certain restrictions during the pendency of the proposed merger that may impact AdTheorent’s ability to pursue certain business opportunities or strategic transactions; the ability of the buyer to obtain the necessary financing arrangements set forth in the commitment letters received in connection with the proposed merger; potential litigation relating to the proposed merger that could be instituted against the parties to the merger agreement or their respective directors, managers or officers, including the effects of any outcomes related thereto; the effect of the announcement of the proposed merger on AdTheorent’s relationships with its customers, operating results and business generally; and the risk that the proposed merger will not be consummated in a timely manner, if at all.The Company does not intend and undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable law. Investors are referred to AdTheorent’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K and any subsequent filings on Forms 10-Q or 8-K, for additional information regarding the risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statement.

Investor Contact:

David DeStefano, ICR
AdTheorentIR@icrinc.com
(203) 682-8383

Press Contact:

Melanie Berger, AdTheorent
melanie@adtheorent.com
(850) 567-0082

Release – The GEO Group Announces Commencement of Refinancing Process

Posted on by aweinsoff@channelchek.com

Research News and Market Data on GEO

April 1, 2024

BOCA RATON, Fla.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Apr. 1, 2024– The GEO Group (NYSE: GEO) (“GEO” or the “Company”), announced the commencement of a refinancing process for its Tranche 1 and Tranche 2 term loans (collectively, the “Term Loans”). As of December 31, 2023, an aggregate amount of $906.7 million of Term Loans was outstanding.

Overall, the Company is targeting $1.6 billion of secured and unsecured financing and a $310.0 million revolving credit facility to repay the Term Loans and its revolving credit facility, as well its outstanding 9.50% and 10.50% senior second lien secured notes due 2028 and 6.00% senior unsecured notes due 2026, and to use for general corporate purposes.

The terms of the proposed refinancing transactions will be disclosed upon completion of the transactions. The proposed refinancings will be subject to customary closing conditions and there can be no assurance that any of the refinancings will occur successfully, or at all.

About The GEO Group 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 100 facilities totaling approximately 81,000 beds, including idle facilities and projects under development, with a workforce of up to approximately 18,000 employees.

Use of forward-looking statements

This press release includes forward-looking statements regarding GEO’s intention to refinance certain of its outstanding indebtedness and its intended use of the net proceeds. These forward-looking statements may be affected by risks and uncertainties in GEO’s business and market conditions. This information is qualified in its entirety by cautionary statements and risk factor disclosure contained in GEO’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including GEO’s report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, and GEO’s reports on Form 10-Q and Form 8-K filed with the Commission. GEO wishes to caution readers that certain important factors may have affected and could in the future affect GEO’s actual results and could cause GEO’s actual results for subsequent periods to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statement made by or on behalf of GEO, including the risks that the refinancing cannot be successfully completed. GEO undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof, except as required by law.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240331735400/en/

Pablo E. Paez (866) 301 4436 Executive Vice President, Corporate Relations

Source: The GEO Group, Inc.

 

Orion Group Holdings (ORN) – New York NDRS; Raising Price Target

Posted on by slightbourne@noblecapitalmarkets.com


Monday, April 01, 2024

Joe Gomes, Managing Director, Equity Research Analyst, Generalist , 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.

NYC NDRS. We hosted Orion CEO Travis Boone and CFO Scott Thanisch for a series of investor meetings in NYC last week. The key takeaway for us was management’s confidence in being able to capitalize on the significant upcycle in marine construction spending over the next several years.

Phase 2. Having completed Phase 1 of “righting the ship” in 2023, Orion is onto Phase 2 of its strategic plan: driving growth potential. Management highlighted numerous industry tailwinds across both business segments. Notably, the pipeline of opportunity has grown to over $11 billion from just $3 billion twelve months ago.


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. 

Schwazze (SHWZ) – Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2023 Results

Posted on by slightbourne@noblecapitalmarkets.com


Monday, April 01, 2024

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, Equity Research Analyst, Generalist , 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.

A Challenging Year. 2023 was a challenging year in both the Colorado and New Mexico markets highlighted by increasing competition and a supply/demand imbalance. In spite of the conditions, Schwazze continued to outperform the markets, a testament to management’s operating playbook, in our view.

4Q23. Revenue totaled $43.2 million, up from $40.1 million in 4Q22, but down sequentially reflecting typical seasonality. We had forecast $44.8 million. Driven by some one time charges, Schwazze reported a net loss of $30.9 million in 4Q23, or a loss of $0.43 per share, compared to a loss of $29.8 million, or a loss of $0.57 per share, last year. We had estimated a net loss of $10.1 million, or a loss of $0.13 per share.

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. 

Townsquare Media (TSQ) – Alleviates A Stock Overhang

Posted on by slightbourne@noblecapitalmarkets.com


Monday, April 01, 2024

Townsquare is a community-focused digital media and digital marketing solutions company with market leading local radio stations, principally focused outside the top 50 markets in the U.S. Our assets include a subscription digital marketing services business, Townsquare Interactive, providing website design, creation and hosting, search engine optimization, social media and online reputation management as well as other digital monthly services for approximately 26,800 SMBs; a robust digital advertising division, Townsquare IGNITE, a powerful combination of a) an owned and operated portfolio of more than 330 local news and entertainment websites and mobile apps along with a network of leading national music and entertainment brands, collecting valuable first party data, and b) a proprietary digital programmatic advertising technology stack with an in-house demand and data management platform; and a portfolio of 321 local terrestrial radio stations in 67 U.S. markets strategically situated outside the Top 50 markets in the United States. Our portfolio includes local media brands such as WYRK.com, WJON.com, and NJ101.5.com and premier national music brands such as XXLmag.com, TasteofCountry.com, UltimateClassicRock.com and Loudwire.com.

Michael Kupinski, Director of Research, Equity Research Analyst, Digital, Media & Technology , Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Jacob Mutchler, Research Associate, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

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

Repurchases shares. The company announced that it has repurchased and will retire 1.5 million of its shares from MSG National Properties for a $9.76 per share, or an attractive 11% discount from its closing price on March 29th. We believe that the repurchases alleviates a large overhang for the TSQ shares, with MSG now owning less than 200,000 shares post the repurchase. The move follows a 1.5 million share repurchase from MSG in June 2023 at $9.70 per share. 

Financially capable. As of December 31, there was $61 million in cash and it generated significant cash flow of $68 million last year. Furthermore, its debt leverage has been coming down, currently 4.4 times adj. EBITDA from over 5 times just 2 years earlier. Given its improving fundamental outlook, the board recently increased its annual dividend to $0.79 per share, offering a current annualized dividend yield at an attractive 7.2%. 

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.