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Release – Salem Media Group, Inc. Announces Third Quarter 2022 Total Revenue of $66.9 Million

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Research, News, and Market Data on SALM

November 03, 2022 4:05pm EDT

IRVING, Texas–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Salem Media Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: SALM) released its results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022.

Third Quarter 2022 Results

For the quarter ended September 30, 2022 compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2021:

Consolidated

  • Total revenue increased 1.3% to $66.9 million from $66.0 million;
  • Total operating expenses increased 50.7% to $75.6 million from $50.2 million;
  • Operating expenses, excluding stock-based compensation expense, debt modification costs, gains and losses on the sale or disposition of assets, legal settlement, impairments, depreciation expense and amortization expense (1) increased 10.3% to $60.8 million from $55.2 million;
  • The company had an operating loss of $8.8 million compared to operating income of $15.8 million;
  • The company recognized $0.1 million in film distribution income from an unconsolidated equity investment;
  • The company had a net loss of $11.9 million, or $0.44 net loss per share compared to net income of $22.1 million, or $0.81 net income per diluted share;
  • EBITDA (1) decreased to $(5.7) million from $30.2 million; and
  • Adjusted EBITDA (1) decreased 78.8% to $2.3 million from $10.8 million.

Broadcast

  • Net broadcast revenue increased 3.1% to $51.1 million from $49.6 million;
  • Station Operating Income (“SOI”) (1) decreased 17.9% to $10.0 million from $12.1 million;
  • Same Station (1) net broadcast revenue increased 3.2% to $51.1 million from $49.5 million; and
  • Same Station SOI (1) decreased 16.7% to $10.1 million from $12.1 million.

Digital Media

  • Digital media revenue decreased 4.3% to $10.2 million from $10.6 million; and
  • Digital Media Operating Income (1) decreased 21.9% to $1.9 million from $2.4 million.

Publishing

  • Publishing revenue decreased 3.7% to $5.5 million from $5.7 million; and
  • Publishing Operating Loss (1) was $1.0 million as compared to publishing operating income of $0.5 million.

Included in the results for the quarter ended September 30, 2022 are:

  • A $7.7 million ($5.7 million, net of tax, or $0.21 per share) impairment charge to the value of broadcast licenses in Boston, Chicago, Columbus, Dallas, Greenville, Honolulu, Little Rock, Orlando, Philadelphia, Portland, Sacramento, and San Francisco;
  • A $0.1 million loss on the disposal of assets;
  • A $3.8 million ($2.8 million, net of tax, or $0.10 per share) legal settlement expense; and
  • A $0.1 million non-cash compensation charge related to the expensing of stock options.

Included in the results for the quarter ended September 30, 2021 are:

  • A $2.3 million ($1.7 million, net of tax, or $0.06 per share) charge for debt modification costs. On September 10, 2021, the company refinanced $112.8 million of the 2024 Notes by exchanging into $114.7 million (reflecting a call premium of 1.688%) of 2028 Notes. The transaction was assessed on a lender-specific level and was accounted for as a debt modification in accordance with ASC 470 with $2.3 million of fees paid to third parties included in operating expenses for the period;
  • A $11.2 million ($8.3 million, net of tax, or $0.30 per diluted share) gain on the forgiveness of PPP loans;
  • A $0.1 million loss from the early retirement of long-term debt associated with the 2024 Notes;
  • A $10.6 million ($7.8 million, net of tax, or $0.29 per diluted share) net gain on the disposition of assets relates to a $10.5 million pre-tax gain on the sale of land in Lewisville, Texas, and $0.1 million pre-tax gain on the sale of the Hilary Kramer Financial Newsletter and related assets as well as various other fixed asset disposals; and
  • A $0.1 million non-cash compensation charge ($0.1 million, net of tax) related to the expensing of stock options.

Per share numbers are calculated based on 27,216,787 diluted weighted average shares for the quarter ended September 30, 2022, and 27,280,949 diluted weighted average shares for the quarter ended September 30, 2021.

Year to Date 2022 Results

For the nine months ended September 30, 2022 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2021:

Consolidated

  • Total revenue increased 4.8% to $198.2 million from $189.1 million;
  • Total operating expenses increased 19.2% to $194.6 million from $163.3 million;
  • Operating expenses, excluding stock-based compensation expense, debt modification costs, gains and losses on the sale or disposition of assets, legal settlement, impairments, depreciation expense and amortization expense (1) increased 9.2% to $176.6 million from $161.6 million;
  • The company’s operating income decreased 86.4% to $3.5 million from $25.8 million;
  • The company recognized $4.0 million in film distribution income from an unconsolidated equity investment;
  • The company had a net loss of $1.0 million, or $0.04 net loss per share compared to net income of $24.7 million, or $0.91 net income per diluted share;
  • EBITDA (1) decreased 63.6% to $17.0 million from $46.7 million; and
  • Adjusted EBITDA (1) decreased 24.3% to $20.8 million from $27.5 million.

Broadcast

  • Net broadcast revenue increased 8.3% to $152.0 million from $140.4 million;
  • SOI (1) decreased 6.8% to $31.2 million from $33.5 million;
  • Same station (1) net broadcast revenue increased 8.1% to $151.6 million from $140.2 million; and
  • Same station SOI (1) decreased 6.7% to $31.3 million from $33.6 million.

Digital media

  • Digital media revenue increased 2.3% to $31.3 million from $30.6 million; and
  • Digital media operating income (1) increased 16.7% to $6.2 million from $5.3 million.

Publishing

  • Publishing revenue decreased 18.0% to $14.8 million from $18.1 million; and
  • Publishing Operating Loss (1) was $1.6 million compared to publishing operating income of $1.2 million.

Included in the results for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 are:

  • A $11.7 million ($8.6 million, net of tax, or $0.32 per share) impairment charge to the value of broadcast licenses in Boston, Chicago, Columbus, Dallas, Greenville, Honolulu, Little Rock, Orlando, Philadelphia, Portland, Sacramento and San Francisco;
  • A $8.5 million ($6.3 million, net of tax, or $0.23 per diluted share) net gain on the disposition of assets relates primarily to the $6.5 million pre-tax gain on the sale of land used in the company’s Denver, Colorado broadcast operations, the $1.8 million pre-tax gain on sale of land used in the company’s Phoenix, Arizona broadcast operations, and $0.5 million pre-tax gain on the sale of the company’s radio stations in Louisville, Kentucky offset by various fixed asset disposals;
  • A $18,000 loss on the early retirement of long-term debt associated with the 2024 Notes;
  • A $4.8 million ($3.5 million, net of tax, or $0.13 per share) legal settlement expense;
  • A $0.1 million ($0.1 million, net of tax) goodwill impairment charge;
  • A $0.2 million ($0.2 million, net of tax, or $0.01 per share) charge for debt modification costs; and
  • A $0.2 million non-cash compensation charge ($0.2 million, net of tax, or $0.01 per share) related to the expensing of stock options.

Included in the results for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 are:

  • A $2.3 million ($1.7 million, net of tax, or $0.06 per share) charge for debt modification costs. On September 10, 2021, the company refinanced $112.8 million of the 2024 Notes by exchanging into $114.7 million (reflecting a call premium of 1.688%) of 2028 Notes. The transaction was assessed on a lender-specific level and was accounted for as a debt modification in accordance with ASC 470 with $2.3 million of fees paid to third parties included in operating expenses for the period;
  • A $11.2 million ($8.3 million, net of tax, or $0.30 per diluted share) gain on the forgiveness of PPP loans;
  • A $0.1 million loss from the early retirement of long-term debt associated with the 2024 Notes;
  • A $10.6 million ($7.8 million, net of tax, or $0.29 per diluted share) net gain on the disposition of assets relating to a $10.5 million pre-tax gain on the sale of land in Lewisville, Texas, a $0.5 million pre-tax gain on the sale of Singing News Magazine and Singing News Radio and a $0.1 million pre-tax gain on the sale of the Hilary Kramer Financial Newsletter and related assets offset by $0.4 million additional loss recorded at closing on the sale of radio station WKAT-AM and FM translator in Miami, Florida and various fixed asset disposals; and
  • A $0.2 million non-cash compensation charge ($0.2 million, net of tax, or $0.01 per share) related to the expensing of stock options.

Per share numbers are calculated based on 27,202,983 diluted weighted average shares for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, and 27,217,382 diluted weighted average shares for the nine months ended September 30, 2021.

Balance Sheet

As of September 30, 2022, the company had $114.7 million outstanding on the 7.125% senior secured notes due 2028 (“2028 Notes”) and $44.7 million outstanding on 6.75% senior secured notes due 2024 (“2024 Notes”).

Acquisitions and Divestitures

The following transactions were completed since July 1, 2022:

  • On October 1, 2022, the company acquired websites and the related assets of DayTradeSPY for $0.6 million in cash. As part of the purchase agreement, the company may pay up to an additional $1.0 million of cash in contingent earn-out consideration within one-year of the closing date based on the achievement of certain revenue benchmarks.

Pending Transactions

  • On September 29, 2022, the company entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement (“APA”) to acquire radio station WMYM-AM and an FM translator in Miami, Florida for $5.0 million. The company paid $0.3 million of cash into an escrow account and plans to operate the radio stations under a Time Brokerage Agreement beginning on November 16, 2022.
  • On September 22, 2022, the company entered into an APA to acquire radio stations WWFE-AM, WRHC-AM and two FM translators in Miami, Florida for $5.0 million.
  • On June 2, 2021, the company entered into an APA to acquire radio station KKOL-AM in Seattle, Washington for $0.5 million. The company paid $0.1 million of cash into an escrow account and began operating the station under a Local Marketing Agreement on June 7, 2021.

Conference Call Information

Salem will host a teleconference to discuss its results on November 3, 2022 at 4:00 p.m. Central Time. To access the teleconference, please dial (888) 770-7291, and then ask to be joined into the Salem Media Group Third Quarter 2022 call or listen via the investor relations portion of the company’s website, located at investor.salemmedia.com. A replay of the teleconference will be available through November 17, 2022 and can be heard by dialing (800) 770-2030, passcode 2413416 or on the investor relations portion of the company’s website, located at investor.salemmedia.com.

Follow us on Twitter @SalemMediaGrp.

Fourth Quarter 2022 Outlook

For the fourth quarter of 2022, the company is projecting total revenue to decrease between 3% and 5% from fourth quarter 2021 total revenue of $69.1 million. This decrease is due largely to the fact that Regnery had an extremely strong fourth quarter in book sales last year. The company is also projecting operating expenses before gains or losses on the sale or disposal of assets, stock-based compensation expense, legal settlement, changes in the estimated fair value of contingent earn-out consideration, impairments, depreciation expense and amortization expense (“Recurring Operating Expenses”) to increase between 4% and 7% compared to the fourth quarter of 2021 Recurring Operating Expenses of $58.3 million.

A reconciliation of Recurring Operating Expenses to the most directly comparable GAAP measure is not available without unreasonable efforts on a forward-looking basis due to the potential high variability, complexity and low visibility with respect to the charges excluded from this non-GAAP financial measure, in particular, the change in the estimated fair value of earn-out consideration, impairments and gains or losses from the disposition of fixed assets. The company expects the variability of the above charges may have a significant, and potentially unpredictable, impact on its future GAAP financial results.

About Salem Media Group, Inc.

Salem Media Group is America’s leading multimedia company specializing in Christian and conservative content, with media properties comprising radio, digital media and book and newsletter publishing. Each day Salem serves a loyal and dedicated audience of listeners and readers numbering in the millions nationally. With its unique programming focus, Salem provides compelling content, fresh commentary and relevant information from some of the most respected figures across the Christian and conservative media landscape. Learn more about Salem Media Group, Inc. at www.salemmedia.com, Facebook and Twitter.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements used in this press release that relate to future plans, events, financial results, prospects or performance are forward-looking statements as defined under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ materially from those anticipated as a result of certain risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to the ability of Salem to close and integrate announced transactions, market acceptance of Salem’s radio station formats, competition from new technologies, inflation and other adverse economic conditions, and other risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in Salem’s reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q, 8-K and other filings filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Salem undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect new information, changed circumstances or unanticipated events.

(1) Regulation G

Management uses certain non-GAAP financial measures defined below in communications with investors, analysts, rating agencies, banks and others to assist such parties in understanding the impact of various items on its financial statements. The company uses these non-GAAP financial measures to evaluate financial results, develop budgets, manage expenditures and as a measure of performance under compensation programs.

The company’s presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered as a substitute for or superior to the most directly comparable financial measures as reported in accordance with GAAP.

Regulation G defines and prescribes the conditions under which certain non-GAAP financial information may be presented in this earnings release. The company closely monitors EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Station Operating Income (“SOI”), Same Station net broadcast revenue, Same Station broadcast operating expenses, Same Station Operating Income, Digital Media Operating Income, Publishing Operating Income (Loss), and operating expenses excluding gains or losses on the disposition of assets, stock-based compensation, changes in the estimated fair value of contingent earn-out consideration, impairments, depreciation and amortization, all of which are non-GAAP financial measures. The company believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide useful information about its core operating results, and thus, are appropriate to enhance the overall understanding of its financial performance. These non-GAAP financial measures are intended to provide management and investors a more complete understanding of its underlying operational results, trends and performance.

The company defines Station Operating Income (“SOI”) as net broadcast revenue minus broadcast operating expenses. The company defines Digital Media Operating Income as net Digital Media Revenue minus Digital Media Operating Expenses. The company defines Publishing Operating Income (Loss) as net Publishing Revenue minus Publishing Operating Expenses. The company defines EBITDA as net income before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization. The company defines Adjusted EBITDA as EBITDA before gains or losses on the disposition of assets, before debt modification costs, before changes in the estimated fair value of contingent earn-out consideration, before impairments, before net miscellaneous income and expenses, before (gain) loss on early retirement of long-term debt and before non-cash compensation expense. SOI, Digital Media Operating Income, Publishing Operating Income (Loss), EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are commonly used by the broadcast and media industry as important measures of performance and are used by investors and analysts who report on the industry to provide meaningful comparisons between broadcasters. SOI, Digital Media Operating Income, Publishing Operating Income (Loss), EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not measures of liquidity or of performance in accordance with GAAP and should be viewed as a supplement to and not a substitute for or superior to its results of operations and financial condition presented in accordance with GAAP. The company’s definitions of SOI, Digital Media Operating Income, Publishing Operating Income (Loss), EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

The company defines Same Station net broadcast revenue as broadcast revenue from its radio stations and networks that the company owns or operates in the same format on the first and last day of each quarter, as well as the corresponding quarter of the prior year. The company defines Same Station broadcast operating expenses as broadcast operating expenses from its radio stations and networks that the company owns or operates in the same format on the first and last day of each quarter, as well as the corresponding quarter of the prior year. The company defines Same Station SOI as Same Station net broadcast revenue less Same Station broadcast operating expenses. Same Station operating results include those stations that the company owns or operates in the same format on the first and last day of each quarter, as well as the corresponding quarter of the prior year. Same Station operating results for a full calendar year are calculated as the sum of the Same Station-results for each of the four quarters of that year. The company uses Same Station operating results, a non-GAAP financial measure, both in presenting its results to stockholders and the investment community, and in its internal evaluations and management of the business. The company believes that Same Station operating results provide a meaningful comparison of period over period performance of its core broadcast operations as this measure excludes the impact of new stations, the impact of stations the company no longer owns or operates, and the impact of stations operating under a new programming format. The company’s presentation of Same Station operating results are not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP. The company’s definition of Same Station operating results is not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

For all non-GAAP financial measures, investors should consider the limitations associated with these metrics, including the potential lack of comparability of these measures from one company to another.

The Supplemental Information tables that follow the condensed consolidated financial statements provide reconciliations of the non-GAAP financial measures that the company uses in this earnings release to the most directly comparable measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. The company uses non-GAAP financial measures to evaluate financial performance, develop budgets, manage expenditures, and determine employee compensation. The company’s presentation of this additional information is not to be considered as a substitute for or superior to the directly comparable measures as reported in accordance with GAAP.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221101006096/en/

Evan D. Masyr
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(805) 384-4512
[email protected]

Source: Salem Media Group, Inc.

Release – Kratos Reports Third Quarter 2022 Financial Results

Posted on by [email protected]

Research, News, and Market Data on KTOS

November 3, 2022 at 4:01 PM EDT

SAN DIEGO, Nov. 03, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (Nasdaq:KTOS), a leading National Security Solutions provider, today reported its third quarter 2022 financial results. For the third quarter of 2022, Kratos reported Revenues of $228.6 million, Operating Loss of $3.6 million, Net Loss of $8.0 million, Adjusted EBITDA of $20.0 million and a book to bill ratio of 1.1 to 1.0.  

Included in Net Loss is a $6.4 million charge, $3.4 million related to certain non-recoverable costs, including rate and cost growth items resulting from an inability to hire the required planned direct labor base, both internally and by our subcontractors, to execute on our backlog, due to a continuing challenging industry environment in both hiring and retaining skilled manufacturing personnel in our C5ISR business and $3 million from non-recoverable indirect cost rate growth resulting from a smaller than planned direct labor base due to delays in customer program execution and awards in our Training Solutions business. We have recorded this charge as the Department of Defense (DoD) position remains that Requests for Equitable Adjustment (REAs) will not be accepted by contractors like Kratos for inflation related and other increased costs, and as Kratos’ contract mix in the C5ISR and Training Solutions businesses is substantially firm fixed price, we are unable to absorb and pass on to our customers such unanticipated costs in our programs, contracts and rate structures and remain competitive, including as certain program execution work has either not yet commenced or has just begun.

Third quarter 2022 Operating Loss includes non-cash stock compensation expense of $6.6 million, and Company-funded Research and Development expense of $9.6 million, primarily reflecting significant ongoing development efforts being made, including in our Space and   Satellite business to develop our virtual, software-based OpenSpace ground station solution.

Kratos reported a third quarter 2022 GAAP loss per share of $0.06, which includes the $6.4 million charge noted above, compared to a Net Loss of $2.4 million and a GAAP loss per share of $0.02 for the third quarter of 2021. Adjusted EPS was $0.08 for the third quarter of 2022, compared to $0.09 for the third quarter of 2021.

Third quarter 2022 Revenues of $228.6 million, which increased $28.0 million, or 14.0 percent, from third quarter 2021 Revenues of $200.6 million, were adversely impacted by continuing and increased supply chain disruptions and increased material costs, COVID-related employee absenteeism and increased challenges and costs associated with hiring, obtaining and retaining qualified employees, which resulted in approximately $11.3 million of third quarter 2022 revenues being deferred into future periods, with approximately $5.9 million of associated operating income, including increased inflationary costs. Third quarter 2022 revenues include an aggregate contribution of $30.2 million from the recent acquisitions of Cosmic Advanced Engineered Solutions, Inc. (Cosmic AES), CTT, Inc. (CTT), and the Engineering Division of Southern Research Institute (SRE), organic revenue growth in our C5ISR, Turbine Technologies, Microwave Products, and Rocket Support businesses, primarily offset by reduced volume in our Unmanned Systems and Training Solutions businesses.

Third quarter 2022 Cash Flow Used in Operations was $2.8 million.   Free Cash Flow Used in Operations was $15.7 million, after funding $12.9 million of capital expenditures, including in our Unmanned Systems, Space, Satellite and Cyber and Turbine Technologies business areas.

For the third quarter of 2022, Kratos’ Unmanned Systems Segment (KUS) generated Revenues of $50.0 million, as compared to $61.3 million in the third quarter of 2021, primarily reflecting reduced tactical drone related activity as compared to 2021. KUS Operating Loss was $0.1 million in the third quarter of 2022 compared to KUS Operating Income of $2.6 million in the third quarter of 2021, reflecting reduced volumes, a less favorable mix of revenues, including an increase in development programs which typically generate lower margins, an increase in SG&A costs of approximately $0.2 million resulting primarily from increased headcount, and an increase of R&D expenses of approximately $1.0 million.

KUS Adjusted EBITDA for the third quarter of 2022 was $2.1 million, compared to third quarter 2021 KUS Adjusted EBITDA of $4.7 million, reflecting reduced volume, increases in certain development programs which typically generate lower margins and increases in SG&A, R&D, supply chain related and employee costs.
        
KUS’s book-to-bill ratio for the third quarter of 2022 was 1.0 to 1.0 and 1.0 to 1.0 for the last twelve months ended September 25, 2022, with bookings of $221.3 million for the twelve months ended September 25, 2022.   Total backlog for KUS at the end of the third quarter of 2022 was $202.4 million compared to $203.3 million at the end of the second quarter of 2022.

For the third quarter of 2022, Kratos’ Government Solutions Segment (KGS) reported Revenues of $178.6 million, compared to Revenues of $139.3 million in the third quarter of 2021. The increased revenues include the aggregate contribution of approximately $30.2 million from the recently acquired Cosmic AES, CTT and SRE, and organic revenue growth in our C5ISR, Turbine Technologies, Microwave Products, and Rocket Support businesses, primarily offset by a reduction of $2.8 million in our Training Solutions business.    On a proforma basis, excluding the Training Solutions business, KGS revenues grew organically 8.9 percent or $11.8 million, from $133.1 million in the third quarter of 2021 to $144.9 million in the third quarter of 2022.

KGS reported operating income of $3.3 million in the third quarter of 2022, compared to $14.6 million in the third quarter of 2021. Third quarter 2022 operating income included the charge for non-recoverable costs of $6.4 million in our C5ISR and Training Solutions businesses described above, as well as a $0.6 million charge related to excess Training Solutions facilities.     

Kratos’ Space, Satellite and Cyber business generated Revenues of $85.9 million in the third quarter of 2022, compared to $72.0 million in the third quarter of 2021. Excluding revenues generated of $15.6 million from the recent Cosmic AES acquisition, revenues for our Space, Satellite and Cyber business were $70.3 million in the third quarter of 2022, down approximately $1.7 million reflecting the wind-down of a federal services satellite contract in 2021.

Excluding the impact of the $6.4 million charge related to non-recoverable costs and the $0.6 million charge related to excess Training Solutions facilities, third quarter 2022 KGS Adjusted EBITDA was $17.9 million, compared to third quarter 2021 KGS Adjusted EBITDA of $19.1 million.

For the third quarter of 2022, KGS reported a book-to-bill ratio of 1.1 to 1.0, with a book to bill ratio of 1.2 to 1.0 for the twelve months ended September 25, 2022, and bookings of $807.6 million for the twelve months ended September 25, 2022.   Included in KGS is Kratos’ Space, Satellite and Cyber business, which reported a book to bill ratio of 1.1 to 1.0 for the third quarter of 2022, and a book to bill ratio of 1.2 to 1.0 for the twelve months ended September 25, 2022. Bookings for the Space, Satellite and Cyber business for the last twelve months ended September 25, 2022, were $406.2 million. KGS’s total backlog at the end of the third quarter of 2022 was $866.6 million, as compared to $846.9 million at the end of the second quarter of 2022.

For the third quarter of 2022, Kratos reported consolidated bookings of $246.5 million and a book-to-bill ratio of 1.1 to 1.0, with consolidated bookings of $1.029 billion and a book-to-bill ratio of 1.2 to 1.0 for the last twelve months ended September 25, 2022. Backlog on September 25, 2022 was $1.07 billion, as compared to $1.05 billion at June 26, 2022, and Kratos’ bid and proposal pipeline was $9.9 billion at September 25, 2022, as compared to $9.9 billion at June 26, 2022.   Backlog at September 25, 2022 was comprised of funded backlog of $696.1 million and unfunded backlog of $372.8 million.

Eric DeMarco, Kratos’ President and CEO, said, “In the third quarter, Kratos successfully executed on what we can control in a continued and increasingly difficult operating environment, including a 1.1 to 1.0 book to bill ratio and the recent MACH-TB Hypersonic program award with our partner Dynetics, which could be significant related to Kratos’ Zeus launch systems and Erinyes vehicles.   Expected upcoming awards for Kratos include an additional new hypersonic related program award, two new Valkyrie related tactical drone system awards from two new customers for multiple aircraft and a large OpenSpace virtualized satellite system program award.”

Mr. DeMarco continued, “Since our last report to you, we were informed that certain Kratos satellite program related software deliverables expected to be acquired by an existing government customer have been delayed to a future period and we were informed by a customer that funding is no longer available for the continuation of a certain, non-Valkyrie related drone program we have been working on, both which were previously forecast as significant contributors to our fourth quarter 2022 financial forecast. We have also determined that as a result of the continuing incredibly tight labor market for qualified machinists and skilled production personnel, including those with security clearances, that we will not achieve by this fiscal year end our previous forecast net increase headcount target to execute on our backlog and maintain our indirect rates. We have reflected the impact of each of these and other items, including inflation, supply chain, etc., in today’s third quarter financial report and our updated fiscal 2022 forecast.”

Mr. DeMarco concluded, “We have taken action to address these matters, including continuing to incorporate in our new proposals and contract awards cost and rate increases to address the inflationary environment, including specifically as related to higher labor rates and we have adjusted the organization in certain areas to address customer related delays, funding and other issues.   By taking these actions now, having a 1.2 to 1.0 LTM book to bill ratio with multiple large, new programs ramping and maintaining a record combined backlog and opportunity pipeline, we continue to forecast future growth for the Company, including base case full year 2023 over 2022 10 percent revenue growth and increased margins, with potential accelerated growth opportunities in the tactical drone, space, satellite, rocket and hypersonic system areas.”

Financial Guidance
Our fourth quarter and Fiscal Year 2022 financial guidance we are providing today includes our current forecasted business mix, and our assumptions, including as related to: employee sourcing, hiring and retention; manufacturing, production and supply chain disruptions; and parts shortages and related continued significant cost and price increases, including for employees, materials and components that are impacting the industry and Kratos. The range of our expected fourth quarter 2022 revenues includes assumptions of forecasted execution including the number of new qualified personnel expected to be retained to execute on our programs and contracts, as well as expected contract awards.   Our revised Fiscal Year 2022 cash flow guidance also includes continued advanced purchases of inventory in an attempt to mitigate supply chain disruptions, which are not currently expected to be converted to cash through the sales process until the second half of 2023.

On October 1, 2022, the U.S. Federal Government began operating under a Continuing Resolution Authorization (CRA) through at least December 16, 2022, with no Federal Fiscal 2023 Budget or DoD budget being in place. Under a CRA, federal spending and its composition is substantially held consistent with the previous year’s budget, with no new contract awards, no increased production or spending on existing programs and no transition from development to production contracts, or from low-rate initial production to full rate production being allowed, all of which may impact Kratos and our current fourth quarter and fiscal 2023 financial expectations. The longer a CRA period is extended, the greater the impact on the industry, our customers and Kratos.  

Throughout the third and fourth quarter of 2022, our industry and Kratos continue to experience the effects of continuing supply chain disruptions and significant cost increases and inflation, including on our employees, consultants, subcontractors, vendors, suppliers, customers, etc., and an acute labor shortage of qualified personnel, including those requiring security clearances, to perform on programs and contracts.

We expect this difficult operating environment and its impact on the industry, our operations and our ability to forecast to continue for the foreseeable future. Following is our fourth quarter and revised full year 2022 guidance along with a reconciliation from our full year 2022 guidance provided in August 2022 to our current guidance range.  

Management will discuss the Company’s third quarter 2022 financial results, as well as its fourth quarter and full year 2022 guidance on a conference call beginning at 2:00 p.m. Pacific (5:00 p.m. Eastern) today. The call will be available at www.kratosdefense.com. Participants may register for the call using this Online Form. Upon registration, all telephone participants will receive the dial-in number along with a unique PIN that can be used to access the call. For those who cannot access the live broadcast, a replay will be available on Kratos’ website.

About Kratos Defense & Security Solutions
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ:KTOS) develops and fields transformative, affordable technology, platforms, and systems for United States National Security related customers, allies, and commercial enterprises.  Kratos is changing the way breakthrough technologies for these industries are rapidly brought to market through proven commercial and venture capital backed approaches, including proactive research, and streamlined development processes.  At Kratos, affordability is a technology, and we specialize in unmanned systems, satellite communications, cyber security/warfare, microwave electronics, missile defense, hypersonic systems, training and combat systems and next generation turbo jet and turbo fan engine development. For more information go to www.kratosdefense.com.

Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains certain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, express or implied statements concerning the Company’s expectations regarding its future financial performance, including the Company’s expectations for its fourth quarter and full year 2022 revenues, R&D, operating income, depreciation, amortization, stock based compensation expense, and Adjusted EBITDA, and full year 2022 operating cash flow, capital expenditures and other investments, and free cash flow use, the Company’s future growth trajectory and ability to achieve improved revenue mix and profit in certain of its business segments and the expected timing of such improved revenue mix and profit, the Company’s expectation of ramp on projects and that investments in its business will result in an increase in the Company’s market share and total addressable market and position the Company for significant future organic growth, profitability, cash flow and an increase in shareholder value, the Company’s bid and proposal pipeline, demand for its products and services, including the Company’s alignment with today’s National Security requirements, ability to successfully compete and expected new customer awards, including the magnitude and timing of funding and the future opportunity associated with such awards, including in the tactical drone and satellite communication areas, performance of key contracts and programs, including the timing of production and demonstration related to certain of the Company’s contracts and product offerings, the impact of the Company’s restructuring efforts and cost reduction measures, including its ability to improve profitability and cash flow in certain business units as a result of these actions and to achieve financial leverage on fixed administrative costs, benefits to be realized from the Company’s net operating loss carry forwards, the availability and timing of government funding for the Company’s offerings, including the strength of the future funding environment, the short-term delays that may occur as a result of Continuing Resolutions or delays in DoD budget approvals, timing of LRIP and full rate production related to the Company’s unmanned aerial target system offerings, as well as the level of recurring revenues expected to be generated by these programs once they achieve full rate production, market and industry developments, and the current estimated impact of COVID-19 and employee absenteeism, supply chain disruptions, availability of an experienced skilled workforce, inflation and increased costs, and delays on our financial projections, industry, business and operations, including projected growth. Such statements are only predictions, and the Company’s actual results may differ materially from the results expressed or implied by these statements. 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 the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise these statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Factors that may cause the Company’s results to differ include, but are not limited to: risks to our business and financial results related to the reductions and other spending constraints imposed on the U.S. Government and our other customers, including as a result of sequestration and extended continuing resolutions, the Federal budget deficit and Federal government shut-downs; risks of adverse regulatory action or litigation; risks associated with debt leverage and cost savings and cash flow improvements expected as a result of the refinancing of our Senior Notes; risks that our cost-cutting initiatives will not provide the anticipated benefits; risks that changes, cutbacks or delays in spending by the U.S. DoD may occur, which could cause delays or cancellations of key government contracts; risks of delays to or the cancellation of our projects as a result of protest actions submitted by our competitors; risks that changes may occur in Federal government (or other applicable) procurement laws, regulations, policies and budgets; risks of the availability of government funding for the Company’s products and services due to performance, cost growth, or other factors, changes in government and customer priorities and requirements (including cost-cutting initiatives, the potential deferral of awards, terminations or reduction of expenditures to respond to the priorities of Congress and the Administration, or budgetary cuts resulting from Congressional committee recommendations or automatic sequestration under the Budget Control Act of 2011, as amended); risks that the UAS and UGS markets do not experience significant growth; risks that products we have developed or will develop will become programs of record; risks that we cannot expand our customer base or that our products do not achieve broad acceptance which could impact our ability to achieve our anticipated level of growth; risks of increases in the Federal government initiatives related to in-sourcing; risks related to security breaches, including cyber security attacks and threats or other significant disruptions of our information systems, facilities and infrastructures; risks related to our compliance with applicable contracting and procurement laws, regulations and standards; risks related to the new DoD Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC); risks relating to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine; risks related to contract performance; risks related to failure of our products or services; risks associated with our subcontractors’ or suppliers’ failure to perform their contractual obligations, including the appearance of counterfeit or corrupt parts in our products; changes in the competitive environment (including as a result of bid protests); failure to successfully integrate acquired operations and competition in the marketplace, which could reduce revenues and profit margins; risks that potential future goodwill impairments will adversely affect our operating results; risks that anticipated tax benefits will not be realized in accordance with our expectations; risks that a change in ownership of our stock could cause further limitation to the future utilization of our net operating losses; risks that we may be required to record valuation allowances on our net operating losses which could adversely impact our profitability and financial condition; risks that the current economic environment will adversely impact our business, including with respect to our ability to recruit and retain sufficient numbers of qualified personnel to execute on our programs and contracts, as well as expected contract awards and risks related to increasing interest rates; currently unforeseen risks associated with COVID-19 and risks related to natural disasters or severe weather. These and other risk factors are more fully discussed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 26, 2021, and in our other filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Note Regarding Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Other Performance Metrics

This news release contains non-GAAP financial measures, including Adjusted earnings per share (computed using income from continuing operations before income taxes, excluding income (loss) from discontinued operations, excluding income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest, excluding depreciation, amortization of intangible assets, amortization of capitalized contract and development costs, stock-based compensation expense, acquisition and restructuring related items and other, which includes, but is not limited to, legal related items, non-recoverable rates and costs, and foreign transaction gains and losses, less the estimated impact to income taxes) and including Adjusted EBITDA (which includes net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest and excludes, among other things, losses and gains from discontinued operations, acquisition and restructuring related items, stock compensation expense, foreign transaction gains and losses, and the associated margin rates). Additional non-GAAP financial measures include Free Cash Flow from Operations computed as Cash Flow from Operations less Capital Expenditures and Adjusted EBITDA related to our KUS and KGS businesses. Kratos believes this information is useful to investors because it provides a basis for measuring the Company’s available capital resources, the actual and forecasted operating performance of the Company’s business and the Company’s cash flow, excluding non-recurring items and non-cash items that would normally be included in the most directly comparable measures calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. The Company’s management uses these non-GAAP financial measures, along with the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures, in evaluating the Company’s actual and forecasted operating performance, capital resources and cash flow. Non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered in isolation from, or as a substitute for, financial information presented in compliance with GAAP, and investors should carefully evaluate the Company’s financial results calculated in accordance with GAAP and reconciliations to those financial results. In addition, non-GAAP financial measures as reported by the Company may not be comparable to similarly titled amounts reported by other companies. As appropriate, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures and information reconciling these non-GAAP financial measures to the Company’s financial results prepared in accordance with GAAP are included in this news release.

Another Performance Metric the Company believes is a key performance indicator in our industry is our Book to Bill Ratio as it provides investors with a measure of the amount of bookings or contract awards as compared to the amount of revenues that have been recorded during the period and provides an indicator of how much of the Company’s backlog is being burned or utilized in a certain period. The Book to Bill Ratio is computed as the number of bookings or contract awards in the period divided by the revenues recorded for the same period. The Company believes that the rolling or last twelve months’ Book to Bill Ratio is meaningful since the timing of quarter-to-quarter bookings can vary.

Press Contact:
Yolanda White
858-812-7302 Direct

Investor Information:
877-934-4687
[email protected]

*The impact to income taxes is calculated by recasting income before income taxes to include the add-backs involved in determining Adjusted income from continuing operations before income taxes and recalculating the income tax provision (benefit), including current and deferred income taxes, using the Adjusted income from continuing operations before income taxes. The recalculation also adjusts for any discrete tax expense, including transaction related expenses and the release of valuation allowance, or benefit related to the add-backs.   

Release – Lineage Cell Therapeutics to Report Third Quarter 2022 Financial Results and Provide Business Update On November 10, 2022

Posted on by [email protected]

News, Research, and Market Data on LCTX

November 3, 2022 at 8:00 AM EDT

CARLSBAD, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Nov. 3, 2022– Lineage Cell Therapeutics, Inc. (NYSE American and TASE: LCTX), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing allogeneic cell therapies for unmet medical needs, today announced that it will report its third quarter 2022 financial and operating results on Thursday, November 10, 2022, following the close of the U.S. financial markets. Lineage management will also host a conference call and webcast on Thursday, November 10, 2022, at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time/1:30 p.m. Pacific Time to discuss its third quarter 2022 financial and operating results and to provide a business update.

Interested parties may access the conference call by dialing (800) 715-9871 from the U.S. and Canada and should request the “Lineage Cell Therapeutics Call” or provide conference ID number 5262180. A live webcast of the conference call will be available online in the Investors section of Lineage’s website. A replay of the webcast will be available on Lineage’s website for 30 days and a telephone replay will be available through November 17, 2022, by dialing (800) 770-2030 from the U.S. and Canada and entering conference ID number 5262180.

About Lineage Cell Therapeutics, Inc.

Lineage Cell Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing novel cell therapies for unmet medical needs. Lineage’s programs are based on its robust proprietary cell-based therapy platform and associated in-house development and manufacturing capabilities. With this platform Lineage develops and manufactures specialized, terminally differentiated human cells from its pluripotent and progenitor cell starting materials. These differentiated cells are developed to either replace or support cells that are dysfunctional or absent due to degenerative disease or traumatic injury or administered as a means of helping the body mount an effective immune response to cancer. Lineage’s clinical and preclinical programs are in markets with billion dollar opportunities and include five allogeneic (“off-the-shelf”) product candidates: (i) OpRegen, a retinal pigment epithelial cell therapy in development for the treatment of geographic atrophy secondary to age-related macular degeneration, is being developed under a worldwide collaboration with Roche and Genentech, a member of the Roche Group; (ii) OPC1, an oligodendrocyte progenitor cell therapy in Phase 1/2a development for the treatment of acute spinal cord injuries; (iii) VAC2, a dendritic cell therapy produced from Lineage’s VAC technology platform for immuno-oncology and infectious disease, currently in Phase 1 clinical development for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer; (iv) ANP1, an auditory neuronal progenitor cell therapy for the potential treatment of auditory neuropathy; and (v) PNC1, a photoreceptor neural cell therapy for the potential treatment of vision loss due to photoreceptor dysfunction or damage. For more information, please visit www.lineagecell.com or follow the company on Twitter @LineageCell.

Lineage Cell Therapeutics, Inc. IR
Ioana C. Hone
([email protected])
(442) 287-8963

LifeSci Advisors
Daniel Ferry
([email protected])
(617) 430-7576

Russo Partners – Media Relations
Nic Johnson or David Schull
([email protected])
([email protected])
(212) 845-4242

Source: Lineage Cell Therapeutics, Inc.

Release – Sierra Metals Subsidiary In Peru, Sociedad Minera Corona Reports Q3 2022 Financial Results

Posted on by [email protected]

Research, News, and Market Data on SMTS

NOVEMBER 3, 2022

TORONTO–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Sierra Metals Inc. (TSX: SMT) (BVL or Bolsa de Valores de Lima: SMT) (NYSE AMERICAN: SMTS) (“Sierra Metals” or “the Company”) announces the filing at the BVL by its subsidiary, Sociedad Minera Corona S.A. (“Corona”) of its unaudited Financial Statements and the Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) for the third quarter of 2022 (“Q3 2022”).

The Company holds an 81.8% interest in Corona. The unaudited Financial Statements and MD&A can be viewed at:

SMV — Superintendencia del Mercado de Valores — Información Financiera

To search for the Company’s financial statements, enter the following parameters in the empty fields:

Empresa: Sociedad Minera Corona S.A.
Periodo: 2022 and Trimestre III

Sierra Metals will be releasing its Q3 2022 consolidated financial statements on Monday November 14th, 2022, with an investor conference call taking place on Tuesday November 15th, 2022.

About Sierra Metals

Sierra Metals Inc. is a diversified Canadian mining company with Green Metal exposure including copper production and base metal production with precious metals byproduct credits, focused on the production and development of its Yauricocha Mine in Peru, and Bolivar and Cusi Mines in Mexico. The Company is focused on increasing production volume and growing mineral resources. The Company has large land packages at all three mines with several prospective regional targets providing longer-term exploration upside and mineral resource growth potential.

The Company’s Common Shares trade on the Toronto Stock ESxchange and the Bolsa de Valores de Lima under the symbol “SMT” and on the NYSE American Exchange under the symbol “SMTS”.

For further information regarding Sierra Metals, please visit www.sierrametals.com.

Continue to Follow, Like and Watch our progress:

Web: www.sierrametals.com | Twitter: sierrametals | Facebook: SierraMetalsInc | LinkedIn: Sierra Metals Inc | Instagram: sierrametals

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian and United States securities legislation. Forward-looking information relates to future events or the anticipated performance of Sierra and reflect management’s expectations or beliefs regarding such future events and anticipated performance based on an assumed set of economic conditions and courses of action. In certain cases, statements that contain forward-looking information can be identified by the use of words such as “plans”, “expects”, “is expected”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “anticipates”, “believes” or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might”, or “will be taken”, “occur” or “be achieved” or the negative of these words or comparable terminology. By its very nature forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual performance of Sierra to be materially different from any anticipated performance expressed or implied by such forward-looking information.

Forward-looking information is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking information, including, without limitation, the risks described under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s annual information form dated March 16, 2022 for its fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 and other risks identified in the Company’s filings with Canadian securities regulators and the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, which filings are available at www.sedar.com and www.sec.gov, respectively.

The risk factors referred to above are not an exhaustive list of the factors that may affect any of the Company’s forward-looking information. Forward-looking information includes statements about the future and is inherently uncertain, and the Company’s actual achievements or other future events or conditions may differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking information due to a variety of risks, uncertainties and other factors. The Company’s statements containing forward-looking information are based on the beliefs, expectations, and opinions of management on the date the statements are made, and the Company does not assume any obligation to update such forward-looking information if circumstances or management’s beliefs, expectations or opinions should change, other than as required by applicable law. For the reasons set forth above, one should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

Investor Relations
Sierra Metals Inc.
Tel: +1 (416) 366-7777
Email: [email protected]

Luis Marchese
CEO
Sierra Metals Inc.
Tel: +1 (416) 366-7777

Source: Sierra Metals Inc.

Release – 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. Reports Fiscal 2023 First Quarter Results

Posted on by [email protected]

Research, News, and Market Data on FLWS

Nov 03, 2022

First Quarter Results Slightly Exceeded Guidance

Company Issues Fiscal 2023 Full Year Guidance

Expects Fiscal 2023 Adjusted EBITDA1 to be in a range of $75 million to $80 million

Expects to Generate Free Cash Flow1 in Excess of $75 million in Fiscal Year 2023; Representing a More Than $135 Million Improvement as Compared to the Prior Year

(1 Refer to “Definitions of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and the tables attached at the end of this press release for reconciliation of non-GAAP results to applicable GAAP results.)

JERICHO, N.Y.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. (NASDAQ: FLWS), a leading provider of gifts designed to help inspire customers to give more, connect more, and build more and better relationships, today reported results for its Fiscal 2023 first quarter ended October 2, 2022.

Fiscal 2023 First Quarter Highlights

  • Total consolidated revenues decreased 1.9% to $303.6 million, compared with total consolidated revenues of $309.4 million in the prior year period.
  • Gross profit margin for the quarter was 33.4%, compared with 40.6% in the prior year period.
  • Operating expenses were 47.0% of total sales, as compared with 47.1% in the prior year period.
  • Net loss for the quarter was $33.7 million, or $(0.52) per share, compared with a net loss of $13.2 million, or $(0.20) per share in the prior year period.
  • Adjusted EBITDA loss1 for the quarter was $28.0 million, as compared to an Adjusted EBITDA loss1 of $5.3 million in the prior year period.

Chris McCann, CEO of 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc., said, “Our first quarter results were slightly better than our expectations, benefitting from the strength in our Gourmet Foods and Gift Baskets business. During the quarter, we saw consumers purchasing fewer everyday gifts as they responded to the significant macro-inflationary pressures affecting their discretionary spending. However, as we look out to the holiday season and the balance of our fiscal year, we are cautiously optimistic that consumers will spend during the major gift giving holiday occasions, while we anticipate they will remain guarded on their spending otherwise.”

“Coming into Fiscal 2023, we expected a challenging macroeconomic backdrop to affect our performance during the first quarter. However, we expect to see a stabilization of our business during our second quarter and improvement during the second half of our fiscal year, as we cycle against the sharp inflationary period of a year ago. After growing revenues 77% since Fiscal 2019, we anticipate revenues to decline slightly in Fiscal 2023. The impact of this revenue decline on our earnings is partially mitigated by our initiatives to operate more efficiently, coupled with the decline that we are seeing in ocean freight costs. We expect the reduction of these costs to begin to provide a margin benefit in the second half of this fiscal year, and even more so next year.”

McCann added, “As a result of our decision to increase inventories of non-perishable items last fiscal year and the actions that we have taken over the last few years to operate more efficiently, we expect to generate more than $75 million in Free Cash Flow1 in Fiscal 2023. This represents an improvement of more than $135 million compared with last year.”

First Quarter 2023 Financial Results

Total consolidated revenues decreased 1.9% to $303.6 million, compared with total consolidated revenues of $309.4 million in the prior year period. Excluding contributions from Vital Choice® and Alice’s Table®, which were acquired in October 2021 and December 2021, respectively, total revenue for the quarter declined 3.6%, compared with the prior year period.

Gross profit margin for the quarter was 33.4%, a decline of 720 basis points, compared with 40.6% in the prior year period, primarily reflecting significantly increased costs for labor, shipping and commodities in the current year period. Operating expenses were 47.0% of total sales, as compared with 47.1% in the prior year period, primarily reflecting lower marketing costs, as the Company shifted its advertising investments to lower cost, higher return on investment areas of the marketing funnel, partially offset by higher depreciation associated with the Company’s automation and technology projects.

As a result, the Adjusted EBITDA loss1 was $28.0 million, as compared to an Adjusted EBITDA loss1 of $5.3 million in the prior year period. Net loss for the quarter was $33.7 million, or $(0.52) per share, compared with a net loss of $13.2 million, or $(0.20) per share, and an Adjusted Net Loss1 of $12.9 million, or $(0.20) per share, in the prior year period.

Segment Results:

The Company provides selected financial results for its Gourmet Foods and Gift Baskets, Consumer Floral and Gifts, and BloomNet segments in the tables attached to this release and as follows:

  • Gourmet Foods and Gift Baskets: Revenues for the quarter increased 11.0% to $108.2 million, compared with $97.5 million in the prior year period, reflecting the contributions of Vital Choice and improved wholesale product demand. Gross profit margin was 23.2%, compared with 35.0% in the prior year period, primarily reflecting increased commodities and transportation costs, as well as product mix reflecting the sharp sales increase in the lower-margin wholesale channel. As a result, segment contribution margin1 was a loss of $18.7 million, compared with a loss of $7.7 million a year ago.
  • Consumer Floral and Gifts: Revenues decreased 10.5% to $162.2 million, compared with $181.2 million in the prior year period. Gross profit margin decreased to 38.2%, compared with 41.9% in the prior year period, primarily due to increased transportation and commodity costs. Segment contribution margin1 was $10.8 million, compared with $19.2 million the prior year.
  • BloomNet: Revenues for the quarter increased 8.2% to $33.4 million, compared with $30.8 million in the prior year period. Gross profit margin decreased to 43.4%, compared with 50.0% in the prior year period, primarily due to product mix and higher shipping costs. Segment contribution margin1 was $9.5 million, compared with $10.9 million in the prior year period.

Company Guidance

The Company is providing the following guidance for Fiscal 2023. While the highly unpredictable nature of the current macro economy makes it difficult to forecast in this environment, the Company anticipates that after growing revenues 77% over the past two fiscal years, revenues will decline slightly in Fiscal 2023 on lower consumer confidence and cautious spending behavior. The Company anticipates that the combination of the investments it has made – and continues to make – in its business platform, along with strategic pricing programs and moderation of cost inputs, will enable it to gradually improve gross margins and bottom-line results during the latter half of the current fiscal year. Additionally, this guidance assumes the restoration of 100% bonus payout in Fiscal 2023, compared with a limited bonus payout in Fiscal 2022.

Full Year Fiscal 2023 Guidance

  • Total revenues to decline in the mid-single digit range on a percentage basis as compared with the prior year;
  • Adjusted EBITDA1 to be in a range of $75 million to $80 million; and
  • Free Cash Flow1 to exceed $75 million.

Conference Call:

The Company will conduct a conference call to discuss the above details and attached financial results today, Thursday, November 3, at 8:00 a.m. (ET). The conference call will be webcast from the Investors section of the Company’s website at www.1800flowersinc.com. A recording of the call will be posted on the Investors section of the Company’s website within two hours of the call’s completion. A telephonic replay of the call can be accessed beginning at 2:00 p.m. (ET) today, through November 10, 2022, at: (US) 1-877-344-7529; (Canada) 855-669-9658; (International) 1-412-317-0088; enter conference ID #: 5253715. If you have any questions regarding the above information, please contact the Investor Relations office at [email protected].

Definitions of non-GAAP Financial Measures:

We sometimes use financial measures derived from consolidated financial information, but not presented in our financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). Certain of these are considered “non-GAAP financial measures” under the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission rules. Non-GAAP financial measures referred to in this document are either labeled as “non-GAAP” or designated as such with a “1”. See below for definitions and the reasons why we use these non-GAAP financial measures. Where applicable, see the Selected Financial Information below for reconciliations of these non-GAAP measures to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measures. Reconciliations for forward-looking figures would require unreasonable efforts at this time because of the uncertainty and variability of the nature and amount of certain components of various necessary GAAP components, including, for example, those related to compensation, tax items, amortization or others that may arise during the year, and the Company’s management believes such reconciliations would imply a degree of precision that would be confusing or misleading to investors. For the same reasons, the Company is unable to address the probable significance of the unavailable information. The lack of such reconciling information should be considered when assessing the impact of such disclosures.

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA

We define EBITDA as net income (loss) before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as EBITDA adjusted for the impact of stock-based compensation, Non-Qualified Plan Investment appreciation/depreciation, and for certain items affecting period-to-period comparability. See Selected Financial Information for details on how EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA were calculated for each period presented. The Company presents EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA because it considers such information meaningful supplemental measures of its performance and believes such information is frequently used by the investment community in the evaluation of similarly situated companies. The Company uses EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as factors to determine the total amount of incentive compensation available to be awarded to executive officers and other employees. The Company’s credit agreement uses EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to determine its interest rate and to measure compliance with certain covenants. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are also used by the Company to evaluate and price potential acquisition candidates. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA have limitations as analytical tools and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of the Company’s results as reported under GAAP. Some of the limitations are: (a) EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, the Company’s working capital needs; (b) EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not reflect the significant interest expense, or the cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments, on the Company’s debts; and (c) although depreciation and amortization are non-cash charges, the assets being depreciated and amortized may have to be replaced in the future and EBITDA does not reflect any cash requirements for such capital expenditures. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA should only be used on a supplemental basis combined with GAAP results when evaluating the Company’s performance.

Segment Contribution Margin

We define Segment Contribution Margin as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, before the allocation of corporate overhead expenses. See Selected Financial Information for details on how Segment Contribution Margin was calculated for each period presented. When viewed together with our GAAP results, we believe Segment Contribution Margin provides management and users of the financial statements meaningful information about the performance of our business segments. Segment Contribution Margin is used in addition to and in conjunction with results presented in accordance with GAAP and should not be relied upon to the exclusion of GAAP financial measures. The material limitation associated with the use of Segment Contribution Margin is that it is an incomplete measure of profitability as it does not include all operating expenses or non-operating income and expenses. Management compensates for these limitations when using this measure by looking at other GAAP measures, such as Operating Income and Net Income.

Adjusted Net Income (Loss) and Adjusted or Comparable Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share:

We define Adjusted Net Income (Loss) and Adjusted or Comparable Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share as Net Income (Loss) and Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share adjusted for certain items affecting period-to-period comparability. See Selected Financial Information below for details on how Adjusted Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share and Adjusted or Comparable Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share were calculated for each period presented. We believe that Adjusted Net Income (Loss) and Adjusted or Comparable Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share are meaningful measures because they increase the comparability of period-to-period results. Since these are not measures of performance calculated in accordance with GAAP, they should not be considered in isolation of, or as a substitute for, GAAP Net Income (Loss) and Net Income (Loss) Per Common share, as indicators of operating performance and they may not be comparable to similarly titled measures employed by other companies.

Free Cash Flow:

We define Free Cash Flow as net cash provided by operating activities less capital expenditures. The Company considers Free Cash Flow to be a liquidity measure that provides useful information to management and investors about the amount of cash generated by the business after the purchases of fixed assets, which can then be used to, among other things, invest in the Company’s business, make strategic acquisitions, strengthen the balance sheet, and repurchase stock or retire debt. Free Cash Flow is a liquidity measure that is frequently used by the investment community in the evaluation of similarly situated companies. Since Free Cash Flow is not a measure of performance calculated in accordance with GAAP, it should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of the Company’s results as reported under GAAP. A limitation of the utility of Free Cash Flow as a measure of financial performance is that it does not represent the total increase or decrease in the Company’s cash balance for the period.

About 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc.

1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. is a leading provider of gifts designed to help inspire customers to give more, connect more, and build more and better relationships. The Company’s e-commerce business platform features an all-star family of brands, including: 1-800-Flowers.com®, 1-800-Baskets.com®, Cheryl’s Cookies®, Harry & David®, PersonalizationMall.com®, Shari’s Berries®, FruitBouquets.com®, Moose Munch®, The Popcorn Factory®, Wolferman’s Bakery®, Vital Choice®, Stock Yards® and Simply Chocolate®. Through the Celebrations Passport® loyalty program, which provides members with free standard shipping and no service charge across our portfolio of brands, 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. strives to deepen relationships with customers. The Company also operates BloomNet®, an international floral and gift industry service provider offering a broad-range of products and services designed to help members grow their businesses profitably; Napco℠, a resource for floral gifts and seasonal décor; DesignPac Gifts, LLC, a manufacturer of gift baskets and towers; and Alice’s Table®, a lifestyle business offering fully digital livestreaming and on demand floral, culinary and other experiences to guests across the country. 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. was recognized among the top 5 on the National Retail Federation’s 2021 Hot 25 Retailers list, which ranks the nation’s fastest-growing retail companies, and was named to the Fortune 1000 list in 2022. Shares in 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. are traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, ticker symbol: FLWS. For more information, visit 1800flowersinc.com or follow @1800FLOWERSInc on Twitter.

FLWS–COMP
FLWS-FN

Special Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements:

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements represent the Company’s current expectations or beliefs concerning future events and can generally be identified using statements that include words such as “estimate,” “expects,” “project,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “foresee,” “forecast,” “likely,” “will,” “target” or similar words or phrases. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are outside of the Company’s control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from the results expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, statements regarding the Company’s ability to achieve its guidance for full year Fiscal 2023; the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the Company; its ability to leverage its operating platform and reduce its operating expense ratio; its ability to sell through existing inventories; its ability to successfully integrate acquired businesses and assets; its ability to successfully execute its strategic initiatives; its ability to cost effectively acquire and retain customers; the outcome of contingencies, including legal proceedings in the normal course of business; its ability to compete against existing and new competitors; its ability to manage expenses associated with sales and marketing and necessary general and administrative and technology investments; its ability to reduce promotional activities and achieve more efficient marketing programs; and general consumer sentiment and industry and economic conditions that may affect levels of discretionary customer purchases of the Company’s products. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any of the forward-looking statements, whether because of new information, future events or otherwise, made in this release or in any of its SEC filings. Consequently, you should not consider any such list to be a complete set of all potential risks and uncertainties. For a more detailed description of these and other risk factors, refer to the Company’s SEC filings, including the Company’s Annual Reports on Form 10-K and its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.

Note: The following tables are an integral part of this press release without which the information presented in this press release should be considered incomplete.

(a) Segment performance is measured based on segment contribution margin or segment Adjusted EBITDA, reflecting only the direct controllable revenue and operating expenses of the segments, both of which are non-GAAP measurements. As such, management’s measure of profitability for these segments does not include the effect of corporate overhead, described above, depreciation and amortization, other income (net), and other items that we do not consider indicative of our core operating performance.

(b) Corporate expenses consist of the Company’s enterprise shared service cost centers, and include, among other items, Information Technology, Human Resources, Accounting and Finance, Legal, Executive and Customer Service Center functions, as well as Stock-Based Compensation. In order to leverage the Company’s infrastructure, these functions are operated under a centralized management platform, providing support services throughout the organization. The costs of these functions, other than those of the Customer Service Center, which are allocated directly to the above categories based upon usage, are included within corporate expenses as they are not directly allocable to a specific segment.

Investor:

Andy Milevoj

(516) 237-4617

[email protected]

Media:

Kathleen Waugh

(516) 237-6028

[email protected]

Source: 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc.

Release – CoreCivic Reports Third Quarter 2022 Financial ResultsRelease

Posted on by [email protected]

Research, News, and Marker Data on CXW

November 2, 2022

Raises Full Year Guidance

BRENTWOOD, Tenn., Nov. 02, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — CoreCivic, Inc. (NYSE: CXW) (the Company) announced today its financial results for the third quarter of 2022.

Damon T. Hininger, CoreCivic’s President and Chief Executive Officer, said, “We are pleased to continue executing on our capital allocation strategy of reducing debt while also returning capital to shareholders through our share repurchase program. Since the initial repurchase program was authorized by our board earlier this year, we have repurchased over 5% of our outstanding shares, or a total of 6.6 million shares at a cost of $74.5 million, and have authorization under the program to repurchase $150.5 million more in shares of our common stock.

Hininger continued, “The resiliency of our cash flows has allowed us to execute our share repurchase program while reducing our outstanding debt balances by nearly $250 million so far this year, reducing our future interest expense and improving our long-term cost of borrowing. Our financial results for the third quarter were in-line with our expectations, and we continued producing stable financial results in a challenging labor market and while occupancy restrictions implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic remained largely in place. We have increased staffing levels at certain facilities in anticipation of increased occupancy levels, and are poised to accept additional residential populations as such occupancy restrictions are removed. Our financial results also continue to be negatively impacted in the short-term by our La Palma Correctional Center’s transition to a new state contract award that commenced in April 2022. We believe our operating and capital allocation strategies have positioned us well to return to earnings growth once the transition at our La Palma Correctional Center is complete, which we expect to occur near the end of this year, and as the remaining occupancy restrictions caused by the pandemic are removed.”

Financial Highlights – Third Quarter 2022

  • Total revenue of $464.2 million
    • CoreCivic Safety revenue of $423.2 million
    • CoreCivic Community revenue of $26.4 million
    • CoreCivic Properties revenue of $14.6 million
  • Net Income of $68.3 million
  • Diluted earnings per share of $0.58
  • Adjusted Diluted EPS of $0.08
  • Funds From Operations per diluted share of $0.28
  • Normalized Funds From Operations per diluted share of $0.29
  • Adjusted EBITDA of $68.4 million

Third Quarter 2022 Financial Results Compared With Third Quarter 2021

Net income in the third quarter of 2022 totaled $68.3 million, or $0.58 per diluted share, compared with net income in the third quarter of 2021 of $30.0 million, or $0.25 per diluted share. Adjusted for special items, adjusted net income in the third quarter of 2022 was $9.7 million, or $0.08 per diluted share (Adjusted Diluted EPS), compared with adjusted net income in the third quarter of 2021 of $33.7 million, or $0.28 per diluted share. Special items for each period are presented in detail in the calculation of Adjusted Diluted EPS in the Supplemental Financial Information following the financial statements presented herein, and for the third quarter of 2022 reflect, most notably, a gain on sale of real estate assets of $83.8 million, including $77.5 million for the sale of our McRae Correctional Facility, which was consummated in August 2022.  

The decline in adjusted per share amounts was primarily the result of transitioning to a new contract with the state of Arizona at our 3,060-bed La Palma Correctional Center in Arizona, the non-renewal of contracts in 2021 with the United States Marshals Service (USMS) at the 1,033-bed Leavenworth Detention Center in Kansas and the 600-bed West Tennessee Detention Facility, and the expiration of a managed-only contract with Marion County, Indiana at the Marion County Jail, which the County replaced with a newly constructed facility.   We expect the transition at the La Palma facility to be complete near the end of 2022. Our renewal rate on owned and controlled facilities remained high at 95% over the previous five years. We believe our renewal rate on existing contracts remains high due to a variety of reasons including the aged and constrained supply of available beds within the U.S. correctional system, our ownership of the majority of the beds we operate, the value our government partners place in the wide range of recidivism-reducing programs we offer to those in our care, and the cost effectiveness of the services we provide.

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) was $147.9 million in the third quarter of 2022, compared with $95.7 million in the third quarter of 2021. Adjusted EBITDA was $68.4 million in the third quarter of 2022, compared with $100.9 million in the third quarter of 2021. Adjusted EBITDA decreased from the prior year quarter primarily due to the previously mentioned transition of offender populations at our La Palma Correctional Center, which resulted in a reduction in EBITDA of $11.8 million, and the aforementioned non-renewal of contracts at three facilities that collectively resulted in a reduction in EBITDA of $2.7 million from the third quarter of 2021 to the third quarter of 2022. Now that the contract with U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) at our La Palma Correctional Center has expired, we expect average daily populations from ICE at our other facilities in Arizona to increase in the fourth quarter of 2022, including particularly at our Eloy Detention Center. We also achieved higher staffing levels and incurred $5.6 million more in temporary incentives than in the prior year quarter to attract and retain facility staff in the challenging labor market. We believe these investments in staffing are preparing us to manage the increased number of residents we anticipate at our facilities once the remaining occupancy restrictions caused by the pandemic are removed.

Funds From Operations (FFO) was $33.3 million, or $0.28 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2022, compared to $54.9 million, or $0.45 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2021. Normalized FFO, which excludes special items, was $33.9 million, or $0.29 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2022, compared with $58.6 million, or $0.48 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2021.   Normalized FFO was negatively impacted by the same factors that affected Adjusted EBITDA.

Adjusted Net Income, EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, FFO, and Normalized FFO, and, where appropriate, their corresponding per share amounts, are measures calculated and presented on the basis of methodologies other than in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Please refer to the Supplemental Financial Information and related note following the financial statements herein for further discussion and reconciliations of these measures to net income, the most directly comparable GAAP measure.

Asset Dispositions

During the second quarter of 2022, we entered into an agreement with the Georgia Building Authority (GBA) to sell our 1,978-bed McRae Correctional Facility located in McRae, Georgia, and reported in our Safety segment, for a sale price of $130.0 million. The sale was completed on August 9, 2022, resulting in a gain on sale of $77.5 million. We currently have a management contract with the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) at the McRae facility, which expires November 30, 2022. As previously disclosed, we do not expect the BOP to renew the contract upon its expiration. In connection with the sale, we entered into an agreement with the GBA to lease the facility through November 30, 2022 to allow us to fulfill our obligations to the BOP.

During July 2022, we sold our Stockton Female Community Corrections Facility and our Long Beach Community Corrections Center, both located in California and reported in our Properties segment. The sale of these properties to a third party generated net sales proceeds of $10.9 million, resulting in a gain on sale of $2.3 million. During July 2022, we also sold an undeveloped parcel of land, generating net proceeds of $4.8 million and resulting in a gain on sale of $4.2 million.

In September 2022, we entered into a Letter of Intent with a third-party for the sale of our Roth Hall Residential Reentry Center and the Walker Hall Residential Reentry Center, both located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and reported in our Properties segment, for a gross sales price of $6.3 million. Also in October 2022, we entered into an agreement with a third-party for the sale of our idled Oklahoma City Transitional Center, reported in our Community segment, for a gross sales price of $1.0 million. The buyer intends to redevelop the property for an alternative use. We recognized an impairment charge of $3.5 million during the third quarter of 2022 associated with this facility, based on its estimated net realizable value less costs to sell. These sales are subject to customary closing conditions. If consummated, we expect to use the net proceeds from these sales for general corporate purposes, including for our share repurchase program and/or for additional debt reduction.

Debt Repayments

During the third quarter of 2022, we reduced our debt balance by $109.1 million, net of the change in cash. We purchased $3.6 million of our 4.625% Senior Notes in open market purchases, reducing the outstanding balance of the 4.625% Senior Notes to $166.5 million.   The 4.625% Senior Notes mature in May 2023, which we currently expect to repay with cash on hand and capacity under our $250.0 million Revolving Credit Facility, which remains undrawn. We also purchased $33.5 million of our 8.25% Senior Notes in open market purchases, reducing the outstanding balance of the 8.25% Senior Notes to $641.5 million. Beyond the maturity of our 4.625% Senior Notes in May 2023, we have no other maturities until the 8.25% Senior Notes mature in April 2026.

Share Repurchases

On August 2, 2022, our Board of Directors authorized an increase in our share repurchase program of up to an additional $75.0 million in shares of our common stock. As a result of the increased authorization, the aggregate authorization under our share repurchase program increased from the original authorization of up to $150.0 million in shares of our common stock to up to $225.0 million in shares of our common stock. Through November 1, 2022, we have repurchased 6.6 million shares of our common stock at an aggregate purchase price of $74.5 million, excluding fees, commissions and other costs related to the repurchases.

We currently have $150.5 million remaining under the Board authorized share repurchase program. Additional repurchases of common stock will be made in accordance with applicable securities laws and may be made at management’s discretion within parameters set by the Board of Directors from time to time in the open market, through privately negotiated transactions, or otherwise. The share repurchase program has no time limit and does not obligate us to purchase any particular amount of our common stock. The authorization for the share repurchase program may be terminated, suspended, increased or decreased by our Board in its discretion at any time.

2022 Financial Guidance

Based on current business conditions, we are providing the following update to our financial guidance for the full year 2022:

 Guidance 
Full Year 2022		Prior Guidance 
Full Year 2022
Net Income$110.1 million –
$114.1 million		$106.6 million –
$118.2 million
Adjusted Net Income$55.5 million –
$59.5 million		$52.0 million –
$60.0 million
Diluted EPS$0.93 – $0.96$0.89 – $0.99
Adjusted Diluted EPS$0.47 – $0.50$0.44 – $0.50
FFO per diluted share$1.22 – $1.26$1.19 – $1.26
Normalized FFO per diluted share$1.28 – $1.32$1.25 – $1.32
EBITDA$375.6 million –
$378.1 million		$375.2 million –
$386.2 million
Adjusted EBITDA$301.5 million –
$304.0 million		$299.0 million –
$305.0 million

During 2022, we expect to invest $82.5 million to $86.0 million in capital expenditures, consisting of $33.5 million to $34.0 million in maintenance capital expenditures on real estate assets, $30.0 million to $32.0 million for capital expenditures on other assets and information technology, and $19.0 million to $20.0 million for facility renovations.  

Supplemental Financial Information and Investor Presentations

We have made available on our website supplemental financial information and other data for the third quarter of 2022.   Interested parties may access this information through our website at http://ir.corecivic.com/ under “Financial Information” of the Investors section.   We do not undertake any obligation and disclaim any duties to update any of the information disclosed in this report.  

Management may meet with investors from time to time during the fourth quarter of 2022.   Written materials used in the investor presentations will also be available on our website beginning on or about November 11, 2022.   Interested parties may access this information through our website at http://ir.corecivic.com/ under “Events & Presentations” of the Investors section.

Conference Call, Webcast and Replay Information

We will host a webcast conference call at 10:00 a.m. central time (11:00 a.m. eastern time) on Thursday, November 3, 2022, which will be accessible through the Company’s website at www.corecivic.com under the “Events & Presentations” section of the “Investors” page.

Please note there is a new process to access the live call for those who wish to ask questions. To participate via telephone and join the call live, please register in advance here https://register.vevent.com/register/BId5639495ba264dd3b66eae4d5db8ced1. Upon registration, telephone participants will receive a confirmation email detailing how to join the conference call, including the dial-in number and a unique passcode.

About CoreCivic

CoreCivic is a diversified, government-solutions company with the scale and experience needed to solve tough government challenges in flexible, cost-effective ways. We provide a broad range of solutions to government partners that serve the public good through high-quality corrections and detention management, a network of residential and non-residential alternatives to incarceration to help address America’s recidivism crisis, and government real estate solutions. We are the nation’s largest owner of partnership correctional, detention and residential reentry facilities, and believe we are the largest private owner of real estate used by government agencies in the United States. We have been a flexible and dependable partner for government for nearly 40 years. Our employees are driven by a deep sense of service, high standards of professionalism and a responsibility to help government better the public good. Learn more at www.corecivic.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains statements as to our beliefs and expectations of the outcome of future events that are “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the statements made. These include, but are not limited to, the risks and uncertainties associated with: (i) changes in government policy (including the United States Department of Justice, or DOJ, not renewing contracts as a result of President Biden’s Executive Order on Reforming Our Incarceration System to Eliminate the Use of Privately Operated Criminal Detention Facilities, or the Private Prison EO) (two agencies of the DOJ, the United States Federal Bureau of Prisons and the United States Marshals Service utilize our services), legislation and regulations that affect utilization of the private sector for corrections, detention, and residential reentry services, in general, or our business, in particular, including, but not limited to, the continued utilization of our correctional and detention facilities by the federal government, and the impact of any changes to immigration reform and sentencing laws (our company does not, under longstanding policy, lobby for or against policies or legislation that would determine the basis for, or duration of, an individual’s incarceration or detention); (ii) our ability to obtain and maintain correctional, detention, and residential reentry facility management contracts because of reasons including, but not limited to, sufficient governmental appropriations, contract compliance, negative publicity and effects of inmate disturbances; (iii) changes in the privatization of the corrections and detention industry, the acceptance of our services, the timing of the opening of new facilities and the commencement of new management contracts (including the extent and pace at which new contracts are utilized), as well as our ability to utilize available beds; (iv) general economic and market conditions, including, but not limited to, the impact governmental budgets can have on our contract renewals and renegotiations, per diem rates, and occupancy; (v) fluctuations in our operating results because of, among other things, changes in occupancy levels; competition; contract renegotiations or terminations; inflation and other increases in costs of operations, including a continuing rise in labor costs; fluctuations in interest rates and risks of operations; (vi) the duration of the federal government’s denial of entry at the United States southern border to asylum-seekers and anyone crossing the southern border without proper documentation or authority in an effort to contain the spread of COVID-19, a policy known as Title 42 (On April 1, 2022, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, terminated Title 42, and began preparing for a resumption of regular migration at the United States southern border, effective May 23, 2022; however, on April 25, 2022, a judge issued a temporary restraining order blocking the termination of Title 42 and on May 20, 2022, ruled that the administration violated administrative law when it announced that it planned to cease Title 42.); (vii) government and staff responses to staff or residents testing positive for COVID-19 within public and private correctional, detention and reentry facilities, including the facilities we operate; (viii)  restrictions associated with COVID-19 that disrupt the criminal justice system, along with government policies on prosecutions and newly ordered legal restrictions that affect the number of people placed in correctional, detention, and reentry facilities, including those associated with a resurgence of COVID-19; (ix) whether revoking our REIT election, effective January 1, 2021, and our revised capital allocation strategy can be implemented in a cost effective manner that provides the expected benefits, including facilitating our planned debt reduction initiative and planned return of capital to shareholders; (x) our ability to successfully identify and consummate future development and acquisition opportunities and realize projected returns resulting therefrom; (xi) our ability to have met and maintained qualification for taxation as a REIT for the years we elected REIT status; and (xii) the availability of debt and equity financing on terms that are favorable to us, or at all. Other factors that could cause operating and financial results to differ are described in the filings we make from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

CoreCivic takes no responsibility for updating the information contained in this press release following the date hereof to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date hereof or the occurrence of unanticipated events or for any changes or modifications made to this press release or the information contained herein by any third-parties, including, but not limited to, any wire or internet services.

Adjusted Net Income, EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, FFO, and Normalized FFO, and, where appropriate, their corresponding per share metrics are non-GAAP financial measures. The Company believes that these measures are important operating measures that supplement discussion and analysis of the Company’s results of operations and are used to review and assess operating performance of the Company and its properties and their management teams. The Company believes that it is useful to provide investors, lenders and security analysts disclosures of its results of operations on the same basis that is used by management.  

FFO, in particular, is a widely accepted non-GAAP supplemental measure of performance of real estate companies, grounded in the standards for FFO established by the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (NAREIT).   NAREIT defines FFO as net income computed in accordance with GAAP, excluding gains (or losses) from sales of property and extraordinary items, plus depreciation and amortization of real estate and impairment of depreciable real estate and after adjustments for unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures calculated to reflect funds from operations on the same basis.   EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, and Normalized FFO are useful as supplemental measures of performance of the Company’s properties because such measures do not take into account depreciation and amortization, or with respect to EBITDA, the impact of the Company’s tax provisions and financing strategies. Because the historical cost accounting convention used for real estate assets requires depreciation (except on land), this accounting presentation assumes that the value of real estate assets diminishes at a level rate over time.   Because of the unique structure, design and use of the Company’s properties, management believes that assessing performance of the Company’s properties without the impact of depreciation or amortization is useful. The Company may make adjustments to FFO from time to time for certain other income and expenses that it considers non-recurring, infrequent or unusual, even though such items may require cash settlement, because such items do not reflect a necessary or ordinary component of the ongoing operations of the Company.   Normalized FFO excludes the effects of such items. The Company calculates Adjusted Net Income by adding to GAAP Net Income expenses associated with the Company’s debt repayments and refinancing transactions, and certain impairments and other charges that the Company believes are unusual or non-recurring to provide an alternative measure of comparing operating performance for the periods presented.

Other companies may calculate Adjusted Net Income, EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, FFO, and Normalized FFO differently than the Company does, or adjust for other items, and therefore comparability may be limited.   Adjusted Net Income, EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, FFO, and Normalized FFO and, where appropriate, their corresponding per share measures are not measures of performance under GAAP, and should not be considered as an alternative to cash flows from operating activities, a measure of liquidity or an alternative to net income as indicators of the Company’s operating performance or any other measure of performance derived in accordance with GAAP.   This data should be read in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial statements and related notes included in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Contact:Investors: Cameron Hopewell – Managing Director, Investor Relations – (615) 263-3024
 Financial Media: David Gutierrez, Dresner Corporate Services – (312) 780-7204

Release – Stars Come Out for The 6 Hours Of Spa Round Of The Le Mans Virtual Series By Motorsport Games

Posted on by [email protected]

Research, News, and Market Data on MSGM

NOVEMBER 2, 2022

Entry List for Round 3 Revealed, along with how to watch all of the action

MIAMI, Nov. 02, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Motorsport Games Inc. (NASDAQ: MSGM) (“Motorsport Games”) announces today that Round 3 of the Le Mans Virtual Series descends on the track for the 6 Hours of Spa. The legendary Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium has long been at the top of the “favourites” list for drivers throughout the world. This round – the third of the 2022-23 Le Mans Virtual Series – has enticed some big names to the entry list, which is revealed HERE. The Le Mans Virtual Series is a joint venture between the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (“ACO”) and Motorsport Games.

Two-time F1 World Champion Max Verstappen will compete in the #1 Team Redline LMP entry (Verstappen/Rietveld/Benecke) for the first time this season, and he will be joined by R8G Esports Team Owner and INDYCAR star Romain Grosjean who will be driving the #18 R8G Esports LMP car (Grosjean/Hemmingsen/Ozyildorim) on the increasingly-strong grid.

LMP Championship leaders Floyd Vanwall-Burst (Viscaal/Simončič/Pedersen) will be looking to stretch out its narrow 2-point advantage over Team Redline, while in the hotly-contested GTE category the Oracle Red Bull Racing team (Kasdorp/Siebel/Jordan) will be planning to put its disastrous Monza showing into the background and return its Porsche to its Bahrain-winning form. BMW Team Redline and SF Velas Esports (Ferrari) are close behind and all the manufacturer-led teams will have their eye on victory.

The race takes place on the rFactor 2 platform on the virtual, fast and technically challenging 4.35 mile/7km long Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps. Full, uninterrupted coverage will begin from 12:30 pm (GMT) on Saturday, November 5th. Expect some fireworks, hot track action and maybe some rain, a probability at Spa in the real world, whatever the season!

A total of 40 cars will battle it out in two different classes – 24 in LMP, with all competitors using an ORECA 07 LMP2 model, and 16 in GTE with teams having a choice of Ferrari, BMW, Porsche and Aston Martin Vantage models. Manufacturer support also comes to teams representing Alpine and Mercedes AMG.

Qualifying is on Friday, November 4th and all race action can be followed on the FIA WEC, Le Mans and TraxionGG’s YouTube channels, on twitch.tv/traxiongg, and on multiple social media channels.

For further media information contact Fiona Miller, Miller Media & Communications, on +44 7770 371332 or [email protected]

www.lemansvirtual.com

About Le Mans Virtual Series
Le Mans Virtual Series is a global, elite esports series made up of five rounds which bring together endurance racing and sim racing’ top teams to compete on some of the world’s most famous racetracks. International FIA-licensed real-world drivers are teamed up with elite esports squads to take on endurance classics for a total prize fund of US$250,000, culminating in the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans Virtual. Le Mans Virtual Series is a joint venture between leading racing game developer, publisher and esports ecosystem provider of official motorsport racing series throughout the world, Motorsport Games, and the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO) – the creator and organizer of the world-famous 24 Hours of Le Mans and promoter of the FIA World Endurance Championship (FIA WEC).

Round 18 Hours of Bahrain, BahrainSeptember 17, 2022
Round 24 Hours of Monza, ItalyOctober 8, 2022
Round 36 Hours of Spa, BelgiumNovember 5, 2022
Round 4500 Miles of Sebring, USADecember 3, 2022
Round 524 Hours of Le Mans VirtualJanuary 14/15, 2023

About Motorsport Games
Motorsport Games, a Motorsport Network company, is a leading racing game developer, publisher and esports ecosystem provider of official motorsport racing series throughout the world. Combining innovative and engaging video games with exciting esports competitions and content for racing fans and gamers, Motorsport Games strives to make the joy of racing accessible to everyone. The Company is the officially licensed video game developer and publisher for iconic motorsport racing series across PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch and mobile, including NASCAR, INDYCAR, 24 Hours of Le Mans and the British Touring Car Championship (“BTCC”), as well as the industry leading rFactor 2 and KartKraft simulations. RFactor 2 also serves as the official sim racing platform of Formula E, while also powering Formula 1™ centers through a partnership with Kindred Concepts. Motorsport Games is an award-winning esports partner of choice for 24 Hours of Le Mans, Formula E, BTCC, the FIA World Rallycross Championship and the eNASCAR Heat Pro League, among others. Motorsport Games is building a virtual racing ecosystem where each product drives excitement, every esports event is an adventure and every story inspires.

Forward-Looking Statements:
Certain statements in this press release which are not historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and are provided pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any statements in this press release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed forward-looking statements. Words such as “continue,” “will,” “may,” “could,” “should,” “expect,” “expected,” “plans,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements concerning the timing, participants and expected benefits of the 2022-23 Le Mans Virtual Series. All forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements, many of which are generally outside the control of Motorsport Games and are difficult to predict. Examples of such risks and uncertainties include, without limitation: difficulties, delays in or unanticipated events that may impact the timing and expected benefits of the Le Mans Virtual Series, such as due to unexpected changes in the event participants, as well as less than anticipated participation in or viewership of the Le Mans Virtual Series events. Factors other than those referred to above could also cause Motorsport Games’ results to differ materially from expected results. Additional factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements can be found in Motorsport Games’ filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC during 2022, as well as in its subsequent filings with the SEC. Motorsport Games anticipates that subsequent events and developments may cause its plans, intentions and expectations to change. Motorsport Games assumes no obligation, and it specifically disclaims any intention or obligation, to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by law. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and should not be relied upon as representing Motorsport Games’ plans and expectations as of any subsequent date. Additionally, the business and financial materials and any other statement or disclosure on, or made available through, Motorsport Games’ website or other websites referenced or linked to this press release shall not be incorporated by reference into this press release.

Website and Social Media Disclosure:
Investors and others should note that we announce material financial information to our investors using our investor relations website (ir.motorsportgames.com), SEC filings, press releases, public conference calls and webcasts. We use these channels, as well as social media and blogs, to communicate with our investors and the public about our company and our products. It is possible that the information we post on our websites, social media and blogs could be deemed to be material information. Therefore, we encourage investors, the media and others interested in our company to review the information we post on the websites, social media channels and blogs, including the following (which list we will update from time to time on our investor relations website):

WebsitesSocial Media
motorsportgames.comTwitter: @msportgames & @traxiongg
traxion.ggInstagram: msportgames & traxiongg
motorsport.comFacebook: Motorsport Games & traxiongg
 LinkedIn: Motorsport Games
 Twitch: traxiongg
 Reddit: traxiongg

The contents of these websites and social media channels are not part of, nor will they be incorporated by reference into, this press release.

Contacts:
US Press: ASTRSK PR, [email protected] 
EU/UK Press: Swipe Right PR, [email protected]

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a7d98cb7-085b-488f-a275-53e0c9b2f58b

Release – Permex Petroleum Successfully Completes Drilling Phase of its First Breedlove Oilfield WellRelease

Posted on by [email protected]

Research, News, and Market Data on OILCF

November 02, 2022 09:29 ET | Source: Permex Petroleum Corporation

DALLAS, Nov. 02, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Permex Petroleum Corporation (CSE: OIL) (OTCQB: OILCF) (FSE: 75P) (“Permex” or the “Company“), a junior oil and gas company, is pleased to announce an update to its previous news release with respect to the drilling of the Eoff PPC #3 well on its Breedlove Oilfield located in Martin County, Texas.

On September 28th, Permex announced that drilling had commenced and that the well spudded on Wednesday, September 14, 2022. It is the first well drilled by Permex on the 7,780 gross acre Breedlove Oilfield. October 4, 2022, marked the final day of drilling of the Eoff PPC #3 well. The target depth of 8,100 ft (2468 meters) was achieved, and the casing was run to total depth. The electric wireline logging sequence of the wellbore was completed, and the results are positive and well-received by the Company. All indications from the drilling show to be favorable as multiple zones have been found which allows the Company to proceed with the next steps of perforation and completion.

During the Eoff PPC #3 well’s operations, the Company successfully implemented environmentally safe practices. The fluids used are water-based and biodegradable mud. This method is environmentally safe, while also providing samples that are used to locate potential places for future drilling. The pits are lined to ensure no leakage into the surrounding ground.

Currently, the well is positioned vertically but set up for a horizontal well should the Company decide to pursue. The Company believes that the results reveal a future of growth and development for Permex. Should the results from this drilling continue to be beneficial, the Company expects to replicate them across the 7,780 gross acres of the Breedlove Field. In addition, Permex plans to further expand into the Eoff PPC #3 well’s 40-acre spacing available to create additional drilling programs. Such additional wells are already permitted and expected to begin drilling operations in the near future.

Permex Petroleum’s President and CEO, Mehran Ehsan stated, “The driving force of Permex Petroleum’s continued success has been to enhance production while reducing costs. The focus of our drilling campaign has been on the Eoff PPC #3 well, which we believe to be the start of a successful drilling campaign on the Breedlove oilfield. Eoff PPC #3, being the first well drilled by us on this property, reflects Permex’s growth as operations expand to other future wells on this field.”

Since the beginning of 2022, the Company successfully recompleted five oil and gas wells, which came online at a combined initial production rate of 50 barrels of oil equivalent per day (“BOEPD”) and have stabilized at a rate of 35 BOEPD, increasing the Company’s total production to 71 BOEPD. The Company has access to an additional 62 shut-in oil, gas and saltwater disposal wells that the Company intends to also be brought online. Management believes that many of these wells have the potential to yield similar results, thereby increasing the Company’s total daily production solely by re-entering shut-in wells.

Further updates will be available as stages continue and as the Company moves forward to the completion and production phases of the Eoff PPC #3 well.

About Permex Petroleum Corporation

Permex Petroleum (CSE: OIL) (OTCQB: OILCF) (FSE: 75P) is a uniquely positioned junior oil & gas company with assets and operations across the Permian Basin of West Texas and the Delaware Sub-Basin of New Mexico. The Company focuses on combining its low-cost development of Held by Production assets for sustainable growth with its current and future Blue-Sky projects for scale growth. The Company, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Permex Petroleum US Corporation, is a licensed operator in both states, and owns and operates on private, state and federal land.

CONTACT INFORMATION
Permex Petroleum Corporation
Mehran Ehsan
President, Chief Executive Officer & Director
(469) 804-1306

Greg Montgomery
CFO, Corporate Secretary & Director
(469) 804-1306

Or for Investor Relations, please contact:
Dave Gentry
[email protected]

CAUTIONARY DISCLAIMER STATEMENT:

The Canadian Securities Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release includes certain statements and information that may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities laws. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect the expectations or beliefs of management of the Company regarding future events. Generally, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “intends”, “expects” or “anticipates”, or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “should”, “would” or will “potentially” or “likely” occur. This information and these statements, referred to herein as “forward‐looking statements”, are not historical facts, are made as of the date of this news release and include without limitation, statements regarding Permex’s development plans on the Breedlove Oilfield, the Company’s expectations of future growth and development, the Company’s expectations on future drilling results and drilling campaign, the completion of the Eoff PPC #3 well, the recompletion of any of the additional 62 shut-in oil, gas and saltwater disposal wells that the Company has access to, and any future increases in the Company’s total daily production by re-entering shut-in wells .

In addition, forward-looking statements or information are based on a number of material factors, expectations or assumptions of Permex which have been used to develop such statements and information but which may prove to be incorrect. Although Permex believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements or information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements because Permex can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. In addition to other factors and assumptions which may be identified herein, assumptions have been made regarding, among other things: that Permex will continue to conduct its operations in a manner consistent with past operations; continued performance from existing wells; the continued and timely development of infrastructure in areas of new production; the accuracy of the estimates of Permex’s reserve volumes; certain commodity price and other cost assumptions; continued availability of debt and equity financing and cash flow to fund Permex’s current and future plans and expenditures; the impact of increasing competition; the general stability of the economic and political environment in which Permex operates; the general continuance of current industry conditions; the timely receipt of any required regulatory approvals; the ability of Permex to obtain qualified staff, equipment and services in a timely and cost efficient manner; the ability of Permex to obtain financing on acceptable terms; field production rates and decline rates; the ability to replace and expand oil and natural gas reserves through acquisition, development and exploration; future commodity prices; currency, exchange and interest rates; regulatory framework regarding royalties, taxes and environmental matters in the jurisdictions in which Permex operates; and the ability of Permex to successfully market its oil and natural gas products.

Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and information. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, forward-looking information or financial outlook that are incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. We seek safe harbor.

Release – Vera Bradley Announces Reporting Date For Fiscal Year 2023 Third Quarter Results

Posted on by [email protected]

Research, News, and Market Data on VRA

Nov 2, 2022

FORT WAYNE, Ind., Nov. 02, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Vera Bradley, Inc. (Nasdaq: VRA) (“Vera Bradley” or the “Company”) today announced that it plans to report results for the third quarter ended October 29, 2022 at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, December 7, 2022.

The Company will host a conference call to discuss its financial results at 9:30 a.m. Eastern Time that same day. A live webcast of the conference call will be available on the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website, www.verabradley.com. Alternatively, interested parties may dial into the call at (800) 437-2398 or (323) 289-6576, and enter the access code 6836290. A replay will be available shortly after the conclusion of the call and remain available through December 21, 2022. To access the recording, listeners should dial (844) 512-2921, and enter the access code 6836290.

ABOUT VERA BRADLEY, INC.

Vera Bradley, Inc. operates two unique lifestyle brands – Vera Bradley and Pura Vida. Vera Bradley and Pura Vida are complementary businesses, both with devoted, emotionally connected, and multi-generational female customer bases; alignment as casual, comfortable, affordable, and fun brands; positioning as “gifting” and socially-connected brands; strong, entrepreneurial cultures; a keen focus on community, charity, and social consciousness; multi-channel distribution strategies; and talented leadership teams aligned and committed to the long-term success of their brands.

Vera Bradley, based in Fort Wayne, Indiana, is a leading designer of women’s handbags, luggage and other travel items, fashion and home accessories, and unique gifts. Founded in 1982 by friends Barbara Bradley Baekgaard and Patricia R. Miller, the brand is known for its innovative designs, iconic patterns, and brilliant colors that inspire and connect women unlike any other brand in the global marketplace.

In July 2019, Vera Bradley, Inc. acquired a 75% interest in Creative Genius, Inc., which also operates under the name Pura Vida Bracelets (“Pura Vida”). Pura Vida, based in La Jolla, California, is a digitally native, highly engaging lifestyle brand founded in 2010 by friends Paul Goodman and Griffin Thall. Pura Vida has a differentiated and expanding offering of bracelets, jewelry, and other lifestyle accessories.

CONTACTS:
Investors:
Julia Bentley, VP of Investor Relations and Communications
[email protected]
(260) 207-5116

Media:           
877-708-VERA (8372)                                
[email protected]

Release – Cocrystal Pharma to Participate in Two Investor Conferences in November

Posted on by [email protected]

Research, News, and Market Data on COCP

NOVEMBER 02, 2022

BOTHELL, Wash., Nov. 02, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Cocrystal Pharma, Inc. (Nasdaq: COCP) announces that management will participate in two upcoming investor conferences as follows:

  • 2022 BioFlorida Annual Conference: James Martin, CFO and interim co-CEO, will participate in a panel titled “BioTrends: Learning from the Pandemic: The Fight Against Infectious Diseases” on Thursday, November 3 at 2:05 p.m. Eastern time. The conference is being held at Hyatt Regency Miami. More information about the conference is available here.

  • Q4 Investor Summit: Mr. Martin will present a company overview on Monday, November 14 at 11:30 a.m. Eastern time. The conference is sponsored by the Investor Summit Group and is being held at the Sheraton New York Time Square Hotel. More information about the conference is available here.

A webcast of the Q4 Investor Summit presentation will be posted to the IR Calendar page of the company website.

About Cocrystal Pharma, Inc.
Cocrystal Pharma, Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company discovering and developing novel antiviral therapeutics that target the replication process of influenza viruses, coronaviruses (including SARS-CoV-2), hepatitis C viruses and noroviruses. Cocrystal employs unique structure-based technologies and Nobel Prize-winning expertise to create first- and best-in-class antiviral drugs. For further information about Cocrystal, please visit www.cocrystalpharma.com.

Investor Contact:
LHA Investor Relations
Jody Cain
310-691-7100
[email protected]

Media Contact:
JQA Partners
Jules Abraham
917-885-7378
[email protected]

# # #

Source: Cocrystal Pharma, Inc.

Released November 2, 2022

Release – Cocrystal Pharma Granted European Patent Covering Oral Antiviral Candidate CC-42344 in Combination with Another Antiviral Agent for the Treatment of Influenza

Posted on by [email protected]

Research, News, and Market Data on COCP

NOVEMBER 01, 2022

 DOWNLOAD AS PDF

BOTHELL, Wash., Nov. 01, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Cocrystal Pharma, Inc. (Nasdaq: COCP) announces it has been granted European patent EP3866778 titled “Combinations Of Inhibitors of Influenza Virus Replication,” which covers the Company’s broad-spectrum oral PB2 inhibitor CC-42344 in combination with approved influenza antiviral drugs including Tamiflu®, Xofluza® or Favipiravir. Cocrystal recently announced the completion of enrollment in a Phase 1 study with CC-42344 for the treatment of pandemic and seasonal influenza A, with topline study results expected later this year.

“This new patent provides meaningful protection for our PB2 clinical program in the European Union and is the first to be granted as we pursue a similar patent strategy in other jurisdictions,” said James Martin, Cocrystal’s CFO and interim Co-CEO. “The granting of this patent is an important step in our efforts to expand protection of our novel, best-in-class antiviral candidates both in the U.S. and internationally.”

About CC-42344 and Influenza
CC-42344 is an oral PB2 inhibitor discovered using Cocrystal’s proprietary structure-based drug discovery platform technology. It is specifically designed to be effective against all significant pandemic and seasonal influenza A strains and to have a high barrier to resistance due to the way the virus’ replication machinery is targeted. CC-42344 targets the influenza polymerase, an essential replication enzyme with several highly essential regions common to multiple influenza strains. In vitro testing showed CC-42344’s excellent antiviral activity against influenza A strains, including pandemic and seasonal strains, as well as against strains resistant to Tamiflu® and Xofluza®, while also demonstrating favorable PK and safety profiles.

According to a June 2022 report by Precision Reports, the global influenza therapeutics market is projected to reach $9.5 billion by 2027, up from $6.6 billion in 2020 and growing at a 4.8% CAGR between 2021 and 2027.

About Cocrystal Pharma, Inc.
Cocrystal Pharma, Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company discovering and developing novel antiviral therapeutics that target the replication process of influenza viruses, coronaviruses (including SARS-CoV-2), hepatitis C viruses and noroviruses. Cocrystal employs unique structure-based technologies and Nobel Prize-winning expertise to create first- and best-in-class antiviral drugs. For further information about Cocrystal, please visit www.cocrystalpharma.com.

Cocrystal Pharma Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements the potential design and efficacy of CC-42344, and the demand and potential market size for products designed to treat influenza. The words “believe,” “may,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “should,” “plan,” “could,” “target,” “potential,” “is likely,” “will,” “expect” and similar expressions, as they relate to us, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events. Some or all of the events anticipated by these forward-looking statements may not occur. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ from those in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the possibility that assumptions underlying market projections prove to be incorrect, the availability of federal government funding and budgetary issues that may arise, the risks and uncertainties arising from any future impact of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and/or inflation and interest rate increases on the global economy, the U.K. and on our Company and collaboration partners, including supply chain disruptions and our continued ability to proceed with our programs such as obtaining the requisite regulatory approvals including from the United Kingdom Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, the ability of the CRO to recruit patients into clinical trials, and the results of the studies for CC-42344. Further information on our risk factors is contained in our filings with the SEC, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021. Any forward-looking statement made by us herein speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

Investor Contact:
LHA Investor Relations
Jody Cain
310-691-7100
[email protected]

Media Contact:
JQA Partners
Jules Abraham
917-885-7378
[email protected]

# # #

Source: Cocrystal Pharma, Inc.

Released November 1, 2022

Release – Comstock Announces Third Quarter 2022 Results

Posted on by [email protected]

Research, News, and Market Data on LODE

RECEIVES KEY PERMITS AND EXPANDS MINERAL RESOURCE ESTIMATES

VIRGINIA CITY, NEVADA, NOVEMBER 1, 2022 – Comstock Inc. (NYSE: LODE) (“Comstock” and the “Company”) today announced its recent business development highlights, third quarter 2022 results, and updated outlook.  

Selected Strategic Highlights – Lithium Extraction and Electrification Products

  • Received a Written Determination of Hazardous Waste Recycling (“Operating Permit”) authorizing LINICO Corporation (“LiNiCo”) to conduct lithium-ion battery (“LIB”) crushing, separating, lithium extraction and precursor cathode active materials processing at its battery metal recycling facility located in Storey County, Nevada.
  • Received a first-of-its-kind Conditional Use Permit (“CUP”) by LiNiCo to operate a lithium-ion battery (“LIB”) pre-recycling storage facility at a nearly 200-acre industrial campus in Mound House, Nevada.
  • Submitted an Air Quality permit covering Comstock’s novel crushing, separating, and conditioning process.
  • Comstock filed three patents with 45 claims covering novel processes for crushing, separating, and conditioning LIBs into competitively superior black mass concentrates without prior electrical discharge, and selective “lithium first” separation for dramatically reduced water, chemical, energy, and costs in comparison to known hydrometallurgical and pyrometallurgical processes, enabling direct production of battery grade lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide.
  • Green Li-ion, an investee of LiNiCo, focused on precursor cathode active materials, deployed its first system.

Selected Strategic Highlights – Cellulosic Fuels

  • Filed a grant application with the U.S. Department of Energy (“DOE”) to demonstrate one of Comstock’s unique new pathways to produce renewable fuels from woody biomass at dramatically improved yield, efficiency and cost.  
  • Assembled a top-tier development team, including Topsoe Inc., Marathon Petroleum Company LP, Novozymes, Xylome Corporation, RenFuel K2B AB, Emerging Fuels Technology Inc., the University of Nevada Reno, the University of Minnesota Duluth’s Natural Resources Research Institute, and the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, supporting the DOE grant application and the resultant pilot system.
  • Expanded our leading cellulosic technology portfolio by filing for a new patent covering multiple breakthrough pathways to produce renewable diesel, marine, sustainable aviation fuel (“SAF”) and gasoline from woody biomass, at dramatically improved yield, efficiency, and costs in comparison to all known methods.
  • Launched the commercialization of its cellulosic ethanol production technology for construction of commercial scale facilities, with a focus on upgrading pre-existing first-generation corn ethanol facilities to woody biomass feedstocks.
  • Engaged clients in both the renewable diesel and carbon neutral pulp and paper industries for engineering, technology and equipment sales utilizing our cellulosic technologies for the deployment of carbon neutral solutions in 2023.

Selected Financial Highlights – Corporate

  • Total assets were $116,499,012 at September 30, 2022, as compared to $117,826,063 at June 30, 2022.
  • Operating expenses were $2,963,782 for the third quarter 2022, including selling, general and administrative expenses of $1,894,500 and research and development expenses of $1,330,340, and depreciation of $794,565 offset by the $1,055,623 gain on sale of the Daney Ranch property.
  • Third quarter 2022 net loss was $5,315,044 or $(0.07) per share, as compared to third quarter 2021 net loss of $9,494,506 or $(0.17) per share. The 2022 loss decreased primarily due to a $5,630,000 decrease in losses from the estimated fair value of the derivative assets and the gain of $1,055,623 on the sale of the Daney Ranch, partially offset by increases of $1,166,006 for research and development expenses, $458,960 in depreciation and amortization, and $311,809 for selling, general and administrative expenses.
  • Deposited $2,000,000 during October, on LiNiCo’s battery metal recycling facility located at 2500 Peru Drive, with a total purchase price of $15.25 million.  The facility was recently appraised at a value well in excess of $25 million.
  • Debt was $3,887,933 at September 30, 2022, net of discount, that increased by approximately $2 million in October, 2022, from an additional borrowing associated with the deposit paid toward the purchase of the LiNiCo facility.
  • Expanded non-strategic asset monetization efforts with asset sales proceeds now expected in excess of $25 million. 
  • Cash and cash equivalents were $1,156,512 at September 30, 2022.
  • Outstanding common shares were 82,388,289 at September 30, 2022, and 86,055,389 at October 28, 2022.

“We made major advancements in both of our renewable energy businesses, advancing our technology foundation, our supply chain partners, and our ability to commercialize our solutions into the markets in 2023,” stated Mr. Corrado De Gasperis, Comstock’s executive chairman and chief executive officer.  “We are also on the brink of monetizing non-strategic assets, thereby positioning our businesses for exponential growth and meaningful, impactful decarbonization.”

Electrification Products

The Company made major advancements in substantially all areas of its battery metal recycling business, including technology development, permitting and readiness of the facilities for deployment.  The Company completed construction and initial commissioning of its breakthrough LIB crushing, separating, and conditioning process with the ability to produce a novel and pure black mass. The Company also advanced testing of these materials for high efficiency metals extraction, starting with lithium, and successfully obtained permits for its processing and storage facilities, both located in northern Nevada.

“We have successfully developed a proprietary system that produces a novel and pure black mass, positioning us for production and the development of high efficiency metals extraction, starting with lithium, a critically needed mineral,” said Mr. De Gasperis. “Our team is enhancing the pilot system for deployment in Nevada where we look to integrate our black mass and lithium extraction processes in 2023.”  

During the third quarter of 2022, LiNiCo received its main operating permit and submitted its modified air quality permit for its battery metal recycling facility at 2500 Peru Drive, as well as a conditional use permit from Lyon County, NV, authorizing the operation of a LIB pre-recycling storage facility at a separate, expansive industrial site.

The Company’s LIB storage facility represents one of the largest industrial parcels, nearly 200 acres, residing in one of the largest industrial parks in Lyon County, Nevada, with ample power, water and immediate highway access. The facility will receive, sort, and store waste LIBs, with significant capacity for expansion and possible crushing and separating operations.

“The receipt and storage of these batteries represents an essential component of our regional supply chain for recycling these critical metals,” said Mr. De Gasperis, “We are thrilled with Lyon County’s support as we secure this fundamental piece necessary for receiving, storing and potentially expandable into also recycling waste LIBs.”

Cellulosic Fuels

Renewable fuels provide a critical opportunity for decarbonization, however, most of the existing U.S. renewable fuel refineries draw from the same limited pool of constrained feedstocks, primarily vegetable-based oils. Comstock’s plans to decarbonize with renewable fuels utilizes woody biomass, an abundant, carbon-neutral feedstock not in use today, that enables a vast untapped energy source with superior benefits.   The Company recently announced a significant expansion of its leading cellulosic technology portfolio by filing for a new patent covering breakthrough pathways to produce renewable diesel, sustainable aviation fuel (“SAF”) gasoline and marine fuel from woody biomass, at dramatically improved yield, efficiency, and cost in comparison to all known methods.

“Our new patent covers processes and compositions that have been validated at our existing two ton per day cellulosic fuels pilot facility, verifying that we can simultaneously produce multiple purified bio-intermediates that are uniquely isolated and free of the contaminants that have frustrated prior attempts at commercializing cellulosic fuels,” stated Mr. De Gasperis.

Based on current data, Comstock projects best-in-class renewable yields exceeding 80 gallons per dry ton of woody biomass (on a gasoline gallon equivalent basis), with lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions reductions exceeding 80% over petroleum.

The Company is currently expanding its existing cellulosic demonstration system to include the production of Bioleum™ and expects the demonstration system to add to its existing capabilities for producing carbon-neutral pulp, cellulosic sugar, and cellulosic ethanol. The expansion into Bioleum™ will demonstrate the full capability of producing these biointermediaries suitable for the production of renewable diesel fuel, sustainable aviation fuel, gasoline, marine fuel, and other products from woody biomass.

The Company recently submitted a grant application to the U.S. Department of Energy (“DOE”) entitled “Production of Renewable Diesel, Sustainable Aviation Fuel, Gasoline, and Marine Fuel from Lignocellulosic Biomass at Dramatically Improved Yield, Efficiency, and Cost” reflecting positively on our technology and the strength of our collaboration partners.

De Gasperis continued, “The existing U.S. biorefining capacity is far greater than current feedstocks can support, and the DOE clearly recognizes the need for diverse feedstocks. We believe that our expanded technology solutions, and the magnitude of feedstocks that they enable, unblock one of the most critical supply chain constraints across the U.S. and global markets.”

The Company is also marketing its cellulosic ethanol production technology for construction of commercial scale facilities, with a focus on upgrading pre-existing, first-generation corn ethanol facilities that can convert woody biomass into cellulosic ethanol at dramatically improved yield, efficiency, and cost when compared to corn. Comstock’s first bio-intermediate is a purified form of cellulosic sugar that can be used as a chemically identical “drop-in” feedstock in corn ethanol facilities.

“Our goal is to accelerate the commercialization of decarbonizing technologies,” added De Gasperis. “We are ready to enable dramatic improvements in GHG reductions and ethanol profitability today, with existing corn-based producers.”

Mineral Assets and Gold and Silver Resources

The Company has completed its geologic and engineering work associated with publishing a new mineral resource technical report and related SK-1300 compliant mineral resource estimates for the southern part of the historic Comstock District, including the Dayton-Spring-Valley-Oest complex. The mineral resource estimate and broader technical report are being reviewed for publication by Behre Dolbear, one of the leading mineral consultants, with publication expected this month.  

Separately, Tonogold Resources Inc. had a separate SK-1300 compliant report published by Mine Development Associates Inc. (“MDA”), of Reno, Nevada, a Division of RESPEC Company LLC. The MDA report identifies gold and silver mineral resources for the Company’s 100% owned Lucerne resource area and is also available on Tonogold’s website.

These reports are prepared in accordance with the disclosure and reporting requirements of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) new mining rules under subpart 1300 and item 601 (96)(iii) of Regulation S-K (the ‘New Mining Rules’). MDA is the author of the Technical Report for the Comstock Project in Storey County, NV, and are independent of Tonogold. Behre Dolbear will be the author of the Technical Report for the Dayton resource area and all of the other exploration targets in Lyon County, NV, and are independent of Comstock Inc. and its subsidiaries.

Corporate

The Company now expects more than $25 million in proceeds over the next two quarters from the sale of its non-mining properties, non-strategic investments, and collection of advances receivable, including proceeds from Sierra Springs Opportunity Fund.  The Company is directly engaged with multiple parties and expects these transactions to eliminate all debt obligations and position the Company with a substantial cash position during the first quarter of 2023.

Conference Call Details

Comstock will host the conference call on Tuesday, November 1, 2022, at 1:15 p.m. PDT  (4:15 p.m. EDT) and the webcast will include a moderated question and answer session following the Company’s prepared remarks.  Please click the link below to register in advance and please join the event at least 10 minutes prior to the scheduled start time. Once registered, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webcast. Please click here to register in advance.

About Comstock

Comstock (NYSE: LODE) innovates technologies that contribute to global decarbonization and circularity by efficiently converting under-utilized natural resources into renewable fuels and electrification products that contribute to balancing global uses and emissions of carbon. The Company intends to achieve exponential growth and extraordinary financial, natural, and social gains by building, owning, and operating a fleet of advanced carbon neutral extraction and refining facilities, by selling an array of complimentary process solutions and related services, and by licensing selected technologies to qualified strategic partners. To learn more, please visit www.comstock.inc.

Forward-Looking Statements 

This press release and any related calls or discussions may include forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, are forward-looking statements. The words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “project,” “plan,” “should,” “intend,” “may,” “will,” “would,” “potential” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, but are not the exclusive means of doing so. Forward-looking statements include statements about matters such as: future industry market conditions; future partnerships, contracts and collaborations, future grant awards, future asset sales, future liquidity and financial positions, future explorations or acquisitions; future changes in our exploration activities; future changes in our research and development; and future prices and sales of, and demand for, our products and services. Except as may be required by securities or other law, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

Neither this press release nor any related call or discussion constitutes an offer to sell, the solicitation of an offer to buy or a recommendation with respect to any securities of the Company, the fund or any other issuer.

 Contact information:  
Comstock Inc.
P.O. Box 1118
Virginia City, NV 89440
www.comstock.inc		Corrado De Gasperis
Executive Chairman & CEO
Tel (775) 847-4755
[email protected]		Zach Spencer
Director of External Relations
Tel (775) 847-5272 Ext.151
[email protected]

Release – Digerati Technologies Reports 116% Revenue Growth to $8.2 Million for Fourth Quarter FY2022 Resulting in $32.8 Million Annual Revenue Run-Rate

Posted on by [email protected]

Research, News, and Market Data on DTGI

November 01, 2022 09:10 ET 

– FY2022 Non-GAAP Operating EBITDA of $3.6 Million –
– FY2022 Gross Profit of $14.8 Million –
– FY2022 Gross Margin Improvement to 61.3% –

SAN ANTONIO, Nov. 01, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Digerati Technologies, Inc. (OTCQB: DTGI) (“Digerati” or the “Company”), a provider of cloud services specializing in UCaaS (Unified Communications as a Service) solutions for the small to medium-sized business (“SMB”) market, announced today financial results for the three and twelve months ended July 31, 2022, the Company’s fourth quarter and annual year end for its Fiscal Year 2022.

Key Financial Highlights for the Fiscal Year 2022 (Ended July 31, 2022)

  • Revenue increased by 95% to $24.2 million compared to $12.4 million for FY2021.
  • Gross profit increased 103% to $14.8 million compared to $7.3 million for FY2021.
  • Gross margin improved 270 basis points to 61.3% compared to 58.6% for FY2021.
  • Non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA income increased by 90% to $2.2 million for FY2022, excluding all non-cash items and one-time transactional expenses, compared to Adjusted EBITDA income of $1.1 million for FY2021.
  • Non-GAAP Operating EBITDA (OPCO EBITDA) income increased by 64% to $3.6 million, excluding corporate expenses, compared to a non-GAAP operating EBITDA of $2.2 million for FY2021.

Key Financial Highlights for the Fourth Quarter Fiscal Year 2022 (Ended July 31, 2022)

  • Revenue increased by 116% to $8.2 million compared to $3.8 million for Q4 FY2021.
  • Gross profit increased 114% to $5.1 million compared to $2.4 million for Q4 FY2021.
  • Gross margin remained strong at 61.6% compared to 62.3% for Q4 FY2021.
  • Non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA income decreased by 40% to $0.3 million for Q4 FY2022, excluding all non-cash items and one-time transactional expenses, compared to Adjusted EBITDA income of $0.5 million for Q4 FY2021.
  • Non-GAAP Operating EBITDA (OPCO EBITDA) income increased by 44% to $1.3 million, excluding corporate expenses, compared to a non-GAAP operating EBITDA of $0.9 million for Q4 FY2021.

Arthur L. Smith, CEO of Digerati, commented, “Our fiscal year 2022 was highly successful as we closed two additional acquisitions, SkyNet Telecom and NextLevel Internet, and continued to execute on our acquisition playbook that improves operating efficiencies through integration while growing organically as demonstrated by our 4% increase in annualized revenue on a sequential quarterly basis. Our accomplishments over the past few years in building a significant UCaaS platform in Florida, Texas and California generating $32.8 million in annualized revenue and $5.3 million in annualized non-GAAP operating EBITDA has proven that our consolidation strategy works.”

Mr. Smith continued, “We are thrilled to have announced on September 6th our signing of a definitive business combination agreement with Minority Equality Opportunities Acquisition Inc. that will take us into the next chapter of our corporate development plan with a listing on NASDAQ. We believe that a NASDAQ listing is the final ingredient needed for the acceleration of our acquisition strategy in our highly fragmented industry. We will continue to work diligently on closing this key transaction and achieving a significant milestone for our Company.”

Antonio Estrada, CFO of Digerati, stated, “Due to our successful integration of acquisitions, we exited fiscal year end July 31, 2022 in a great financial position with annual run-rates of $32.8 million in revenue and $5.3 million in non-GAAP Operating EBITDA. Our team is successfully integrating the acquisitions of SkyNet Telecom and NextLevel Internet and we are now seeing the financial reward. We have proven that our operating and financial teams can execute on our acquisition strategy and believe our planned move to NASDAQ will greatly enhance our abilities to replicate this success with accretive acquisitions in the future.”

Accomplishments for the Fiscal Year ended July 31, 2022 include:

  • Closed acquisition of SkyNet Telecom, a leading provider of cloud communication and broadband solutions tailored for businesses. The acquisition of SkyNet expanded the Company’s footprint in Texas and increased its customer base by over 215% to 737 business customers in the Lone Star State.

  • Closed acquisition of NextLevel Internet, a leading provider of cloud communication and broadband solutions tailored for the SMB market. The acquisition of NextLevel expanded the Company’s growing nationwide footprint and added a strong West Coast presence with nearly 1,000 SMB clients in California. 

  • As a combined business, Digerati’s operating subsidiaries serve over 4,000 business customers and 45,000 users. The business model of the combined entities is supported by strong and predictable recurring revenue with high gross margins under contracts with business customers in various industries including banking, healthcare, financial services, legal, insurance, hotel, real estate, staffing, restaurant, education and municipalities.

Three Months ended July 31, 2022, Compared to Three Months ended July 31, 2021

Revenue for the three months ended July 31, 2022 was $8.2 million, an increase of $4.4 million or 116% compared to $3.8 million for the three months ended July 31, 2021. The increase in revenue between periods is primarily attributed to the consolidation of the acquisitions of SkyNet Telecom and NextLevel Internet during the period. The total number of customers increased from 2,655 for the three months ended July 31, 2021, to 4,023 customers for the three months ended July 31, 2022.

Gross profit for the three months ended July 31, 2022 was $5.1 million, resulting in a gross margin of 61.6%, compared to $2.4 million and 62.3% for the three months ended July 31, 2021. The slight decrease in gross margin is primarily due to the addition of slightly lower-margin revenue associated with SkyNet Telecom’s and NextLevel Internet’s broadband services.   

Selling, General and Administrative expenses (excluding legal and professional fees) for the three months ended July 31, 2022 increased by $2.4 million, or 114%, to $4.5 million compared to $2.1 million for the three months ended July 31, 2021. The increase in SG&A is attributed to the consolidation of the acquisitions of SkyNet Telecom and NextLevel Internet.

Operating loss for the three months ended July 31, 2022 was $0.15 million, a decrease of $0.27 million or 64%, compared to $0.42 million for the three months ended July 31, 2021.

Adjusted EBITDA income for the three months ended July 31, 2022 was $0.3 million, compared to an adjusted EBITDA income of $0.5 million for the three months ended July 31, 2021. In accordance with SEC Regulation G, the non-GAAP measurement of Adjusted EBITDA has been reconciled to the nearest GAAP measurement, which can be viewed under the heading “Reconciliation of Net Loss to Adjusted EBITDA” in the financial table included in this press release.

Of note were the following non-cash expenses associated with the three months ended July 31, 2022:
Company recognition of stock-based compensation and warrant expense of $0.15 million and depreciation and amortization expense of $0.40 million. Gain on derivative instruments was $1.65 million for the three months ended July 31, 2022.

Non-GAAP operating EBITDA (OPCO EBITDA) for the three months ended July 31, 2022 improved to income of $1.3 million, excluding corporate expenses, compared to a non-GAAP operating income of $0.9 million for the three months ended July 31, 2021.

Net loss for the three months ended July 31, 2022 was $3.3 million, an increase of $2.1 million as compared to a net loss of $1.2 million for the three months ended July 31, 2021. The resulting EPS for the three months ended July 31, 2022 was a loss of ($0.02) as compared to a loss of ($0.01) for the three months ended July 31, 2021.

At July 31, 2022, Digerati had $1.5 million of cash.

Twelve Months ended July 31, 2022, Compared to Twelve Months ended July 31, 2021

Revenue for the twelve months ended July 31, 2022 was $24.2 million, an increase of $11.7 million or 95% compared to $12.4 million for the twelve months ended July 31, 2021. The increase in revenue between periods is primarily attributed to the consolidation of the acquisitions of SkyNet Telecom and NextLevel Internet during the period. The total number of customers increased from 2,655 for the twelve months ended July 31, 2021, to 4,023 customers for the twelve months ended July 31, 2022.

Gross profit for the twelve months ended July 31, 2022 was $14.8 million, resulting in a gross margin of 61.3%, compared to $7.3 million and 58.6% for the twelve months ended July 31, 2021. The increase in gross margin is primarily due to the addition of high-margin revenue associated with SkyNet Telecom’s and NextLevel Internet’s UCaaS product line.

Selling, General and Administrative expenses (excluding legal and professional fees) for the twelve months ended July 31, 2022 increased by $5.4 million, or 77%, to $12.4 million compared to $7.0 million for the twelve months ended July 31, 2021. The increase in SG&A is attributed to the consolidation of the acquisitions of SkyNet Telecom and NextLevel Internet.

Operating loss for the twelve months ended July 31, 2022 was $3.7 million, an increase of $1.3 million or 53%, compared to $2.4 million for the twelve months ended July 31, 2021.

Adjusted EBITDA income for the twelve months ended July 31, 2022 was $2.17 million, an improvement of $1.03 million, compared to adjusted EBITDA income of $1.14 million for the twelve months ended July 31, 2021. In accordance with SEC Regulation G, the non-GAAP measurement of Adjusted EBITDA has been reconciled to the nearest GAAP measurement, which can be viewed under the heading “Reconciliation of Net Loss to Adjusted EBITDA” in the financial table included in this press release.

Of note were the following non-cash expenses associated with the twelve months ended July 31, 2022:
Company gain of $6.2 million on derivative instruments, loss of $5.5 million on settlement of debt and $6.0 million of interest expense.

Non-GAAP operating EBITDA (OPCO EBITDA) for the twelve months ended July 31, 2022 improved to income of $3.6 million, excluding corporate expenses, compared to a non-GAAP operating income of $2.2 million for the twelve months ended July 31, 2021.

Net loss for the twelve months ended July 31, 2022 was $8.0 million, a decrease of $8.7 million as compared to a net loss of $16.7 million for the twelve months ended July 31, 2021. The resulting EPS for the twelve months ended July 31, 2022 was a loss of ($0.05) as compared to a loss of ($0.13) for the twelve months ended July 31, 2021.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measurements

The Company believes that EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) is useful to investors because it is commonly used in the cloud communications industry to evaluate companies on the basis of operating performance and leverage. Adjusted EBITDA provides an adjusted view of EBITDA that takes into account certain significant non-recurring transactions, if any, such as impairment losses and expenses associated with pending acquisitions, which vary significantly between periods and are not recurring in nature, as well as certain recurring non-cash charges such as changes in fair value of the Company’s derivative liabilities and stock-based compensation. The Company also believes that Adjusted EBITDA provides investors with a measure of the Company’s operational and financial progress that corresponds with the measurements used by management as a basis for allocating resources and making other operating decisions. Although the Company uses Adjusted EBITDA as one of several financial measures to assess its operating performance, its use is limited as it excludes certain significant operating expenses. Non-GAAP operating EBITDA (OPCO EBITDA) is useful to investors because it reflects EBITDA for the core operation of the business excluding corporate expenses, non-cash expenses and transactional expenses. EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, and Non-GAAP operating EBITDA are not intended to represent cash flows for the periods presented, nor have they been presented as an alternative to operating income or as an indicator of operating performance and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”).   In accordance with SEC Regulation G, the non-GAAP measurements in this press release have been reconciled to the nearest GAAP measurement, which can be viewed under the heading “Reconciliation of Net Loss to Adjusted EBITDA” in the financial table included in this press release.

About Digerati Technologies, Inc.

Digerati Technologies, Inc. (OTCQB: DTGI) is a provider of cloud services specializing in UCaaS (Unified Communications as a Service) solutions for the business market. Through its operating subsidiaries NextLevel Internet (NextLevelinternet.com), T3 Communications (T3com.com), Nexogy (Nexogy.com), and SkyNet Telecom (Skynettelecom.net), the Company is meeting the global needs of businesses seeking simple, flexible, reliable, and cost-effective communication and network solutions including, cloud PBX, cloud telephony, cloud WAN, cloud call center, cloud mobile, and the delivery of digital oxygen on its broadband network. The Company has developed a robust integration platform to fuel mergers and acquisitions in a highly fragmented market as it delivers business solutions on its carrier-grade network and Only in the Cloud™. For more information, please visit www.digerati-inc.com and follow DTGI on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.

Forward-Looking Statements

The information in this news release includes certain forward-looking statements that are based upon assumptions that in the future may prove not to have been accurate and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties, including statements related to the future financial performance of the Company. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements such as a Nasdaq listing being the final ingredient needed for the acceleration of our acquisition strategy, annualized revenues of $32.8 million, annualized non-GAAP Operating EBITDA of $5.3 million, our abilities to replicate success with accretive acquisitions in the future, and an up-list to Nasdaq are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations or any of its forward-looking statements will prove to be correct. Factors that could cause results to differ include, but are not limited to, a national securities exchange not approving Minority Equality Opportunities Acquisition Inc.’s (MEOA’s) initial listing application, the amount of redemption requests made by MEOA’s public shareholders, our inability to source suitable acquisition targets, failure to execute growth strategies, lack of product development and related market acceptance, the impact of competitive services and pricing, general economic conditions, and other risks and uncertainties described in the Company’s periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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Investors

ClearThink
Brian Loper
[email protected]
(602) 785-4120