Release – ACCO Brands Corporation Announces First Quarter 2024 Earnings Webcast

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04/19/2024

LAKE ZURICH, Ill.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– ACCO Brands Corporation (NYSE: ACCO) today announced that it will release its first quarter 2024 earnings after the market close on May 2, 2024. The Company will host a conference call and webcast to discuss the results on May 3 at 8:30 a.m. EST. The webcast can be accessed through the Investor Relations section of www.accobrands.com and will be available for replay.

About ACCO Brands Corporation

ACCO Brands, the Home of Great Brands Built by Great People, designs, manufactures and markets consumer and end-user products that help people work, learn and play. Our widely recognized brands include AT-A-GLANCE®, Five Star®, Kensington®, Leitz®, Mead®, PowerA®, Swingline®, Tilibra® and many others. More information about ACCO Brands Corporation (NYSE: ACCO) can be found at www.accobrands.com.

Christopher McGinnis

Investor Relations

(847) 796-4320

Kori Reed

Media Relations

(224) 501-0406

Source: ACCO Brands Corporation

Release – The GEO Group Closes Senior Notes Offering and New Term Loan

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April 18, 2024

BOCA RATON, Fla.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Apr. 18, 2024– The GEO Group (NYSE: GEO) (“GEO” or the “Company”) announced today that it has closed a private offering of $1.275 billion aggregate principal amount of senior notes, comprised of $650.0 million aggregate principal amount of 8.625% senior secured notes due 2029 (the “Secured Notes”) and $625.0 million aggregate principal amount of 10.25% senior unsecured notes due 2031 (the “Unsecured Notes” and, together with the Secured Notes, the “Notes”), exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). The Notes are guaranteed by GEO’s domestic subsidiaries that are guarantors under a new senior secured credit facility and outstanding senior notes. GEO also announced today that it has closed a new five-year $450.0 million Term Loan B (the “Term Loan”), bearing interest at SOFR plus 5.25%, under a new $760.0 million senior secured credit facility. The new senior secured credit facility also includes a five-year revolving line of credit for $310.0 million.

The offering of the Notes and the new Term Loan resulted in net proceeds of approximately $1.67 billion, after deducting the initial purchasers’ discount and estimated expenses payable by GEO. GEO intends to use the net proceeds of the offering of the Notes, borrowings under the new Term Loan, and cash on hand to refinance approximately $1.5 billion of existing indebtedness, including to fund the repurchase, redemption or other discharge of the Company’s existing Tranche 1 Term Loan and Tranche 2 Term Loan under its prior senior credit facility, the 9.50% senior second lien secured notes, the 10.50% senior second lien secured notes, and the 6.00% senior notes due 2026, to pay related premiums, transaction fees and expenses, and for general corporate purposes of the Company. GEO also intends to retire or settle a portion of the 6.50% exchangeable senior notes due 2026 issued by GEO Corrections Holdings, Inc., using shares of GEO common stock and cash. GEO expects to fund the cash portion of the retirement or settlement, which is expected to total up to $177.1 million, using a combination of the net proceeds from the offering of the Notes and cash on hand. Nothing in this press release should be construed as an offer to purchase, notice of redemption or a solicitation of an offer to purchase any of the existing term loans or notes.

The Notes were offered and sold in the United States only to persons reasonably believed to be “qualified institutional buyers” pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act, and outside the United States only to non-U.S. persons pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act. The Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements under the Securities Act and applicable state laws. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of the Notes in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.

About The GEO Group

The GEO Group, Inc. (NYSE: GEO) is a leading diversified government service provider, specializing in design, financing, development, and support services for secure facilities, processing centers, and community reentry centers in the United States, Australia, South Africa, and the United Kingdom. GEO’s diversified services include enhanced in-custody rehabilitation and post-release support through the award-winning GEO Continuum of Care®, secure transportation, electronic monitoring, community-based programs, and correctional health and mental health care. GEO’s worldwide operations include the ownership and/or delivery of support services for 100 facilities totaling approximately 81,000 beds, including idle facilities and projects under development, with a workforce of up to approximately 18,000 employees.

Use of forward-looking statements

This press release includes forward-looking statements regarding GEO’s intended use of the net proceeds. These forward-looking statements may be affected by risks and uncertainties in GEO’s business and market conditions. This information is qualified in its entirety by cautionary statements and risk factor disclosure contained in GEO’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including GEO’s report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, and GEO’s reports on Form 10-Q and Form 8-K filed with the Commission. GEO wishes to caution readers that certain important factors may have affected and could in the future affect GEO’s actual results and could cause GEO’s actual results for subsequent periods to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statement made by or on behalf of GEO, including the risks that the repurchase, redemption or other discharge of its Tranche 1 Term Loan and Tranche 2 Term Loan under its existing senior credit facility, the 9.50% senior second lien secured notes, the 10.50% senior second lien secured notes, and the 6.00% senior notes due 2026 cannot be successfully completed, and that the retirement or settlement of a portion of the 6.50% exchangeable senior notes due 2026 issued by GEO Corrections Holdings, Inc. cannot be successfully completed. GEO undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof, except as required by law.

View source version on businesswire.comhttps://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240418215262/en/

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

Source: The GEO Group, Inc.

Release – Hemisphere Energy Announces 2023 Fourth Quarter and Year-End Financial and Operating Results

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April 18, 2024 8:00 AM EDT | Source: Hemisphere Energy Corporation

Vancouver, British Columbia–(Newsfile Corp. – April 18, 2024) – Hemisphere Energy Corporation (TSXV: HME) (OTCQX: HMENF) (“Hemisphere” or the “Company”) is pleased to provide its financial and operating results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2023.

2023 Highlights

  • Increased fourth quarter production by 16% to a record of 3,386 boe/d (99% heavy oil), and annual production by 11% to 3,125 boe/d (99% heavy oil), as compared to 2022.
  • Achieved annual revenue of $84.5 million, with adjusted funds flow from operations (“AFF”)(1) of $39.4 million.
  • Invested $16.9 million to drill eight successful Atlee Buffalo wells, one unsuccessful exploration well, upgrade facilities, purchase land and seismic, and pre-purchase materials for the 2024 development program.
  • Generated $22.5 million of free funds flow (“FFF”)(1).
  • Distributed $10.1 million in quarterly dividends to shareholders.
  • Distributed $3.0 million in special dividends to shareholders.
  • Purchased and cancelled 3.2 million shares at an average price of $1.28 per share under the Company’s normal course issuer bid (“NCIB”), returning $4.1 million to shareholders.
  • Exited the year with a positive working capital(1) position of $3.6 million compared to a net debt(1) position of $0.8 million at December 31, 2022.
  • Increased Proved Developed Producing (PDP) NPV10 BT reserve value by 9% to $248 million and maintained reserve volumes at 8.2 MMboe (99.6% heavy oil).
  • Increased Proved (1P) NPV10 BT reserve value by 5% to $325 million and maintained reserve volumes at 12.1 MMboe (99.4% heavy oil).
  • Increased Proved plus Probable (2P) NPV10 BT reserve value by 5% to $416 million and maintained reserve volumes at 16.3 MMboe (99.4% heavy oil).

Note:
(1) Non-IFRS financial measure that is not a standardized financial measure under International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) and may not be comparable to similar financial measures disclosed by other issuers. Refer to “Non-IFRS and Other Financial Measures” section below.

Financial and Operating Summary

Selected financial and operational highlights should be read in conjunction with Hemisphere’s audited annual financial statements and related Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2023. These reports, including the Company’s Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2023, are available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on Hemisphere’s website at www.hemisphereenergy.ca. All amounts are expressed in Canadian dollars unless otherwise noted.

Three Months Ended December 31Years Ended December 31
($000s except per unit and share amounts)2023202220232022 
FINANCIAL
Petroleum and natural gas revenue$22,423$19,564$84,472$96,699
Operating field netback(1)13,51710,92651,84358,270
Operating netback(1)14,42811,39652,11851,995
Cash provided by operating activities13,4968,99544,24145,091
Adjusted funds flow from operations (AFF)(1)11,29511,01139,41146,686
Per share, basic(1)0.110.110.390.47
Per share, diluted(1)0.110.110.390.46
Free funds flow (FFF)(1)9,1444,92122,53928,420
Net income3,9813,25324,19521,317
Per share, basic0.040.030.240.21
Per share, diluted0.040.030.240.21
Dividends5,4892,56013,0837,683
Per share, basic0.0250.0250.1300.075
NCIB share repurchases2,0851,6944,0953,387
Capital expenditures (1)2,1516,09016,87218,266
Working capital (Net debt)(1)3,589(766)3,589(766)
OPERATING    
Average daily production    
Heavy oil (bbl/d)3,3642,8843,1002,801
Natural gas (Mcf/d)132138147158
Combined (boe/d)3,3862,9073,1252,828
Oil weighting99%99%99%99%
Average sales prices    
Heavy oil ($/bbl)$72.36$73.52$74.53$94.29
Natural gas ($/Mcf)2.194.762.565.03
Combined ($/boe)$71.97$73.16$74.07$93.69
Operating netback ($/boe)    
Petroleum and natural gas revenue$71.97$73.16$74.07$93.69
Royalties(14.07)(16.50)(14.71)(23.71)
Operating costs(11.49)(13.16)(10.87)(11.09)
Transportation costs(3.03)(2.64)(3.03)(2.43)
Operating field netback(1)43.3840.8645.4656.46
Realized commodity hedging gain (loss)2.921.760.24(6.08)
Operating netback(1)$46.30$42.62$45.70$50.38
General and administrative expense(5.63)(4.92)(4.05)(3.94)
Interest expense and foreign exchange (loss)(0.44)(0.70)(0.58)(1.00)
Current tax expense(3.98)4.18(6.51)(0.21)
Adjusted funds flow from operations(1) ($/boe)$36.25$41.18$34.56$45.23 

Note:
(1) Non-IFRS financial measure that is not a standardized financial measure under IFRS Accounting Standards (“IFRS”) and may not be comparable to similar financial measures disclosed by other issuers. Refer to “Non-IFRS and Other Financial Measures” section of the MD&A.

COMMON SHARESApril 17,
2024
December 31,
2023
December 31,
2022
Common shares issued and outstanding97,951,23999,340,339101,978,939
Stock options7,563,0007,563,0006,075,000
Total fully diluted shares outstanding105,514,239106,903,339108,053,939

Operations Update and Outlook

2023 was another rewarding year for Hemisphere, resulting in production growth of 11%, significant shareholder returns of $0.17 per share paid in dividends and NCIB purchases (representing a FFF payout ratio(2) of 76%), and the transformation from a net debt to a cash position.

Additionally, Hemisphere purchased mineral rights in a Saskatchewan oil resource play during the year, and kicked off the first quarter of 2024 by successfully drilling a 5-well pad (3 producers and 2 injectors) into the pool. The Company anticipates bringing the wells on production in the third quarter of the year, after commissioning a new polymer flood facility and oil treating battery in the area. The remainder of Hemisphere’s 2024 capital development program will be spent in its core Atlee Buffalo property later this summer.

Following significant downtime due to extreme cold weather in January and early February, Hemisphere’s corporate production during the latter half of the quarter has reached all-time highs of over 3,500 boe/d (February 15 – March 31, 2024 field estimates, 99% heavy oil), bringing average first quarter production to 3,135 boe/d.

Pricing outlook for heavy oil is bullish across the industry with the Trans Mountain pipeline anticipated to commence operations in May. With this additional egress capacity, WCS differential forecasts for the year have narrowed substantially. Combined with strong WTI pricing and a weak Canadian dollar, Hemisphere is optimistic about the year ahead as it tests its new Saskatchewan play while continuing to deliver top-tier free funds flow yields to its shareholders from ultra-low decline, high-value reserves in Atlee Buffalo.

About Hemisphere Energy Corporation

Hemisphere is a dividend-paying Canadian oil company focused on maximizing value-per-share growth with the sustainable development of its high netback, low decline conventional heavy oil assets through polymer flood enhanced oil recovery methods. Hemisphere trades on the TSX Venture Exchange as a Tier 1 issuer under the symbol “HME” and on the OTCQX Venture Marketplace under the symbol “HMENF”.

For further information, please visit the Company’s website at www.hemisphereenergy.ca to view its corporate presentation or contact:

Don Simmons, President & Chief Executive Officer
Telephone: (604) 685-9255
Email: info@hemisphereenergy.ca

Website: www.hemisphereenergy.ca

Note:
(2) Non-IFRS Financial Ratio that is not a standardized financial measure under IFRS and may not be comparable to similar ratios disclosed by other issuers. Free funds flow, a non-IFRS financial measure, is used as a component of the non-IFRS ratio. The ratio is calculated as dividends of $13.1 million plus NCIB of $4.1 million divided by FFF of $22.5 million, equals a FFF payout ratio of 76% to shareholders.

Forward-looking Statements

Certain statements included in this news release constitute forward-looking statements or forward-looking information (collectively, “forward-looking statements”) within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as “anticipate”, “continue”, “estimate”, “expect”, “forecast”, “may”, “will”, “project”, “could”, “plan”, “intend”, “should”, “believe”, “outlook”, “potential”, “target” and similar words suggesting future events or future performance. In particular, but without limiting the generality of the foregoing, this news release includes forward-looking statements regarding Hemisphere’s expectations that it will bring wells in Saskatchewan on production in the third quarter of the year, after commissioning a new polymer flood facility and oil treating battery in the area; that the remainder of Hemisphere’s 2024 capital development program will be spent in its core Atlee Buffalo property later this summer; outlook for heavy oil and commencement of operations for the Trans Mountain pipeline; anticipated WCS differential forecasts for the year and Hemisphere’s outlook for the year. In addition, statements relating to “reserves” are deemed to be forward-looking statements as they involve the implied assessment, based on certain estimates and assumptions, that the reserves described exist in the quantities predicted or estimated and can be profitably produced in the future.

Forwardlooking statements are based on a number of material factors, expectations or assumptions of Hemisphere which have been used to develop such statements and information, but which may prove to be incorrect. Although Hemisphere believes that the expectations reflected in such forwardlooking statements or information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on forwardlooking statements because Hemisphere 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: the current and go-forward oil price environment; that Hemisphere will continue to conduct its operations in a manner consistent with past operations; that results from drilling and development activities are consistent with past operations; timing of operations for the Trans Mountain pipeline; completion of commissioning a new polymer flood facility and oil treating battery in in its Saskatchewan operating area in the manner (and on the timing) currently expected; the quality of the reservoirs in which Hemisphere operates and continued performance from existing wells; the continued and timely development of infrastructure in areas of new production; the accuracy of the estimates of Hemisphere’s reserve volumes; certain commodity price and other cost assumptions; continued availability of debt and equity financing and cash flow to fund Hemisphere’s current and future plans and expenditures; the impact of increasing competition; the general stability of the economic and political environment in which Hemisphere operates; the general continuance of current industry conditions; the timely receipt of any required regulatory approvals; the ability of Hemisphere to obtain qualified staff, equipment and services in a timely and cost efficient manner; drilling results; the ability of the operator of the projects in which Hemisphere has an interest in to operate the field in a safe, efficient and effective manner; the ability of Hemisphere 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; the timing and cost of pipeline, storage and facility construction and expansion and the ability of Hemisphere to secure adequate product transportation; future commodity prices; currency, exchange and interest rates; regulatory framework regarding royalties, taxes and environmental matters in the jurisdictions in which Hemisphere operates; and the ability of Hemisphere to successfully market its oil and natural gas products.

The forwardlooking statements included in this news release are not guarantees of future performance and should not be unduly relied upon. Such information and statements, including the assumptions made in respect thereof, involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to defer materially from those anticipated in such forwardlooking statements including, without limitation: changes in commodity prices; changes in the demand for or supply of Hemisphere’s products, the early stage of development of some of the evaluated areas and zones; unanticipated operating results or production declines; changes in tax or environmental laws, royalty rates or other regulatory matters; changes in development plans of Hemisphere or by third party operators of Hemisphere’s properties, increased debt levels or debt service requirements; inaccurate estimation of Hemisphere’s oil and gas reserve volumes; limited, unfavourable or a lack of access to capital markets; increased costs; a lack of adequate insurance coverage; the impact of competitors; and certain other risks detailed from timetotime in Hemisphere’s public disclosure documents, (including, without limitation, those risks identified in this news release and in Hemisphere’s Annual Information Form).

The forwardlooking statements contained in this news release speak only as of the date of this news release, and Hemisphere does not assume any obligation to publicly update or revise any of the included forwardlooking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable securities laws.

Non-IFRS and Other Financial Measures

This news release contains the terms adjusted funds flow from operations, free funds flow, operating field netback and operating netback, capital expenditures and net debt, which are considered “non-IFRS financial measures” and any of these measures calculated on a per boe basis, which are considered “non-IFRS financial ratios”. These terms do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS. Accordingly, the Company’s use of these terms may not be comparable to similarly defined measures presented by other companies. Investors are cautioned that these measures should not be construed as an alternative to net income (loss) or cashflow from operations determined in accordance with IFRS and these measures should not be considered to be more meaningful than IFRS measures in evaluating the Company’s performance.

a) Adjusted funds flow from operations (“AFF”) (Non-IFRS Financial Measure and Ratio if calculated on a per boe basis): The Company considers AFF to be a key measure that indicates the Company’s ability to generate the funds necessary to support future growth through capital investment and to repay any debt. AFF is a measure that represents cash flow generated by operating activities, before changes in non-cash working capital and adjusted for decommissioning expenditures, and may not be comparable to measures used by other companies. The most directly comparable IFRS measure for AFF is cash provided by operating activities. AFF per share is calculated using the same weighted-average number of shares outstanding as in the case of the earnings per share calculation for the period.

A reconciliation of AFF to cash provided by operating activities is presented as follows:

Three Months Ended December 31Years Ended December 31
($000s, except per share amounts)2023202220232022 
Cash provided by operating activities$13,496$8,995$44,240$45,091
Change in non-cash working capital(2,259)1,447(5,266)911
Adjust: Decommissioning obligation expenditures58569437684 
Adjusted funds flow from operations$11,295$11,011$39,411$46,686 
Per share, basic$0.11$0.11$0.39$0.47 
Per share, diluted$0.11$0.11$0.39$0.46 

b) Free funds flow (“FFF”) (Non-IFRS Financial Measures): Is calculated by taking adjusted funds flow and subtracting capital expenditures, excluding acquisitions and dispositions. Management believes that free funds flow provides a useful measure to determine Hemisphere’s ability to improve returns and to manage the long-term value of the business.

Three Months Ended December 31Years Ended December 31
($000s, except per share amounts)2023202220232022 
Adjusted funds flow$11,295$11,011$39,411$46,686
Capital expenditures(2,151)(6,090)(16,872)(18,266)
Free funds flow$9,144$4,921$22,539$28,420 
Per share, basic$0.09$0.05$0.22$0.29 
Per share, diluted$0.09$0.05$0.22$0.28 

c) Capital Expenditures (Non-IFRS Financial Measure): Management uses the term “capital expenditures” as a measure of capital investment in exploration and production assets, and such spending is compared to the Company’s annual budgeted capital expenditures. The most directly comparable IFRS measure for capital expenditures is cash flow used in investing activities. A summary of the reconciliation of cash flow used in investing activities to capital expenditures is set forth below:

Three Months Ended December 31Years Ended December 31
($000s)2023202220232022 
Cash used in investing activities$3,745$4,680$19,456$18,847
Change in non-cash working capital(1,594)1,410(2,584)(581)
Capital expenditures$2,151$6,090$16,872$18,266 

d) Operating field netback (Non-IFRS Financial Measure and Ratio if calculated on a per boe basis): Is a benchmark used in the oil and natural gas industry and a key indicator of profitability relative to current commodity prices. Operating field netback is calculated as oil and gas sales, less royalties, operating expenses and transportation costs on an absolute and per barrel of oil equivalent basis. These terms should not be considered an alternative to, or more meaningful than, cash flow from operating activities or net income or loss as determined in accordance with IFRS as an indicator of the Company’s performance.

e) Operating netback (Non-IFRS Financial Measure and Ratio if calculated on a per boe basis): Is calculated as the operating field netback plus the Company’s realized commodity hedging gain (loss) on an absolute and per barrel of oil equivalent basis.

f) Net debt (Non-IFRS Financial Measure): Is closely monitored by the Company to ensure that its capital structure is maintained by a strong balance sheet to fund the future growth of the Company. Net debt is used in this document in the context of liquidity and is calculated as the total of the Company’s current assets, less current liabilities, excluding the fair value of financial instruments, lease and warrant liabilities, and including the bank debt. There is no IFRS measure that is reasonably comparable to net debt.

The following table outlines the Company calculation of net debt:

As at December 31
20232022 
Current assets(1)$14,110$5,825
Current liabilities(1)(10,521)(6,591)
Working capital / (Net debt)$3,589$(765)

Note:
(1) Excluding fair value of financial instruments, and lease and decommissioning obligations.

g) Supplementary Financial Measures and Ratios

“Adjusted Funds Flow from operations per basic share” is comprised of funds from operations divided by basic weighted average common shares.
“Adjusted Funds Flow from operations per diluted share” is comprised of funds from operations divided by diluted weighted average common shares.
“Operating expense per boe” is comprised of operating expense, as determined in accordance with IFRS, divided by the Company’s total production.
“Free Funds Flow Payout Ratio” is a non-IFRS financial ratio comprised of dividends declared during the year plus NCIB expenditures during the year divided by free funds flow (a non-IFRS financial measure) for the applicable year.
“Realized heavy oil price” is comprised of heavy crude oil commodity sales from production, as determined in accordance with IFRS, divided by the Company’s crude oil production.
“Realized natural gas price” is comprised of natural gas commodity sales from production, as determined in accordance with IFRS, divided by the Company’s natural gas production.
“Realized combined price” is comprised of total commodity sales from production, as determined in accordance with IFRS, divided by the Company’s total production.
“Royalties per boe” is comprised of royalties, as determined in accordance with IFRS, divided by the Company’s total production.
“Transportation costs per boe” is comprised of transportation expense, as determined in accordance with IFRS, divided by the Company’s total production.

The Company has provided additional information on how these measures are calculated in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2023, which is available under the Company’s SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca.

Oil and Gas Advisories

All estimated reserve volumes and the estimated net present values of the future net revenues of such reserve estimates included in this news release are as attributed by McDaniel Associates & Consultants Ltd., the Company’s independent reserve evaluators in its report as at December 31, 2023 and prepared in accordance with the COGE Handbook and National Instrument 51-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Oil and Gas Activities.

A barrel of oil equivalent (“boe”) may be misleading, particularly if used in isolation. A boe conversion ratio of 6 Mcf:1 Bbl is based on an energy equivalency conversion method primarily applicable at the burner tip and does not represent a value equivalency at the wellhead. In addition, given that the value ratio based on the current price of crude oil as compared to natural gas is significantly different from the energy equivalency of 6:1, utilizing a conversion on a 6:1 basis may be misleading as an indication of value.

It should not be assumed that the net present value of the estimated net revenues of the reserves presented in this news release represent the fair market value of the reserves. There is no assurance that the forecast prices and costs assumptions upon which such estimates are made will be attained and variances could be material. The reserve estimates of Hemisphere’s crude oil, natural gas liquids and natural gas reserves and any estimated recovery factors provided herein are estimates only and there is no guarantee that the estimated reserves will be recovered. Actual crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids reserves may be greater than or less than the estimates provided herein.

Definitions and Abbreviations

bblbarrelMcfthousand cubic feet
bbl/dbarrels per dayMcf/dthousand cubic feet per day
$/bbldollar per barrel$/Mcfdollar per thousand cubic feet
boebarrel of oil equivalentNGLnatural gas liquids
boe/dbarrel of oil equivalent per dayNPV10 BTNet Present Value discounted at 10%, before tax
$/boedollar per barrel of oil equivalentIFRSInternational Financial Reporting Standards
Mboethousand barrels of oil equivalentWCSWestern Canadian Select
MMboemillion barrels of oil equivalentUS$United States Dollar

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

SOURCE: Hemisphere Energy Corporation

Release – YS Biopharma Granted Phase I Clinical Trial License of Therapeutic Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Vaccine

Research News and Market Data on YS

GAITHERSBURG, Md., April 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — YS Biopharma Co., Ltd. (Nasdaq: YS) (“YS Biopharma” or the “Company”), a global biopharmaceutical company dedicated to discovering, developing, manufacturing, and delivering new generations of vaccines and therapeutic biologics for infectious diseases and cancer, today announced that its YS-HBV-002 immunotherapeutic vaccine, designed to treat patients suffering from chronic hepatitis B virus (“HBV”) infection, has been granted clinical trial approval by the Philippine Food and Drug Administration (“PFDA”). In light of the approval, the Company is preparing to initiate a Phase I clinical trial for YS-HBV-002 in the Philippines, which is expected to begin in June 2024.

Chronic HBV infection is a major global health concern, with an estimated 254 million people suffering from the condition, with 1.2 million new infections each year, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Those infected are at higher risk for cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver cancer, with between 15%-40% of chronic HBV patients afflicted with one or more of these conditions. In 2022, HBV infection resulted in an estimated 1.1 million deaths, mostly from cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (primary liver cancer). Chronic HBV infections occur in both developing and developed countries, constituting a significant unaddressed public health threat. At present, the efficacy of existing anti-viral treatment paradigms is limited, and no cure for chronic HBV has yet been developed. Despite the availability of preventive vaccines for hepatitis B infection, there remains an urgent need for effective therapies for individuals who are already infected and have progressed to chronic stages of infection.

Dr. David Shao, Director, President, and CEO of YS Biopharma, commented, “The approval of YS-HBV-002 by the Philippines FDA and Ethics Committee represents a significant milestone in our efforts to develop innovative therapies for chronic hepatitis B infection. At present, there is no effective vaccine treatment option for patients suffering from chronic HBV, leaving them at higher risk for other conditions affecting the liver and significantly hampering their quality of life. With our recent approval and upcoming clinical study, we hope to provide these patients with a safe and effective solution to combat this significant unaddressed public health threat. As always, we plan to conduct the clinical trial to the highest safety and ethical standards, and we are eager to take the next step towards delivering these much-needed treatment options to chronic HBV patients.”

The Phase I clinical trial for YS-HBV-002 will mark an important milestone in addressing this unmet medical need. This trial will employ a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, dose-escalation approach, and aims to evaluate the safety, immunogenicity, and efficacy of YS-HBV-002 among adult patients diagnosed with chronic HBV infection. By targeting both humoral and cellular immune responses, YS-HBV-002 has the potential to disrupt immune tolerance mechanisms and facilitate the treatment of chronic HBV infection in patients.

About YS-HBV-002

YS-HBV-002 is a new generation of therapeutic HBV vaccine based on the proprietary technology and clinical results of YS-HBV-001, the first generation of HBV vaccine in the pipeline of YS Biopharma. YS-HBV-002 is formulated with several key components, including recombinant core and surface hepatitis B antigens, and YS Biopharma’s proprietary PIKA adjuvant. This carefully designed set of components has the potential to activate both innate and adaptive immune responses in patients, thereby generating a more robust and targeted response to the virus. The re-establishment of a desirable and comprehensive immune response is the first step towards the eradication of chronic HBV infection from the body.

About YS Biopharma

YS Biopharma is a global biopharmaceutical company dedicated to discovering, developing, manufacturing, and commercializing new generations of vaccines and therapeutic biologics for infectious diseases and cancer. It has developed a proprietary PIKA® immunomodulating technology platform and a series of preventive and therapeutic biologics with a potential for improved Rabies, Coronavirus, Hepatitis B, Influenza, and Shingles vaccines. YS Biopharma operates in China, the United States, Singapore and the Philippines, and is led by a management team that combines rich local expertise and global experience in the bio-pharmaceutical industry. For more information, please visit www.ysbiopharma.com.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical or current fact included in this press release are forward-looking statements, including but not limited to statements regarding the expected growth of YS Biopharma, the development progress of all product candidates, the progress and results of all clinical trials, YS Biopharma’s ability to source and retain talent, and the cash position of YS Biopharma. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as “estimate,” “plan,” “project,” “forecast,” “intend,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “seek,” “target” or other similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. These statements are based on various assumptions, whether identified in this press release, and on the current expectations of YS Biopharma’s management and are not predictions of actual performance.

YS Biopharma cannot assure you that the forward-looking statements in this press release will prove to be accurate. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including those included under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Post-effective Amendment No. 2 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form F-1 filed with the SEC on January 23, 2024, and other filings with the SEC. There may be additional risks that YS Biopharma does not presently know or that YS Biopharma currently believes are immaterial that could also cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. In light of the significant uncertainties in these forward-looking statements, nothing in this press release should be regarded as a representation by any person that the forward-looking statements set forth herein will be achieved or that any of the contemplated results of such forward-looking statements will be achieved. The forward-looking statements in this press release represent the views of YS Biopharma as of the date of this press release. Subsequent events and developments may cause those views to change. However, while YS Biopharma may update these forward-looking statements in the future, there is no current intention to do so, except to the extent required by applicable law. You should, therefore, not rely on these forward-looking statements as representing the views of YS Biopharma as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release. Except as may be required by law, YS Biopharma does not undertake any duty to update these forward-looking statements.

Investor Relations Contact

Alyssa Li
Director of Investor Relations
Email: ir@yishengbio.com 

Robin Yang
Partner, ICR, LLC
Tel: +1 (212) 537-4035
Email: YSBiopharma.IR@icrinc.com 

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SOURCE YS Biopharma Co., Ltd.

Release – GoHealth to Announce First Quarter 2024 Results on May 9, 2024

Research News and Market Data on GOCO

Apr 18, 2024 at 8:00 AM EDT

CHICAGO, April 18, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — GoHealth, Inc. (GoHealth) (NASDAQ: GOCO), a leading health insurance marketplace and Medicare-focused digital health company, announced that the company will release its first quarter 2024 financial results on the morning of May 9, 2024.

Chief Executive Officer, Vijay Kotte, and Chief Financial Officer, Jason Schulz, will host a conference call and live audio webcast on the day of the release at 8:00 a.m. (ET) to discuss the results.

A live audio webcast of the conference call will be available via GoHealth’s Investor Relations website, https://investors.gohealth.com/. A replay of the call will be available via webcast for on-demand listening shortly after the completion of the call.

About GoHealth, Inc.

GoHealth is a leading health insurance marketplace and Medicare-focused digital health company whose purpose is to compassionately ensure consumers’ peace of mind when making healthcare decisions so they can focus on living life. For many of these consumers, enrolling in a health insurance plan is confusing and difficult, and seemingly small differences between health plans may lead to significant out-of-pocket costs or lack of access to critical providers and medicines. GoHealth’s proprietary technology platform leverages modern machine-learning algorithms, powered by over two decades of insurance purchasing behavior, to reimagine the process of matching a health plan to a consumer’s specific needs. Its unbiased, technology-driven marketplace coupled with highly skilled licensed agents has facilitated the enrollment of millions of consumers in Medicare plans since GoHealth’s inception. For more information, visit https://www.gohealth.com.

Investor Relations
John Shave
jshave@gohealth.com

Media Relations
Pressinquiries@gohealth.com

Release – Bitcoin Depot Purchases Roughly 2,300 Kiosks to Meet Increased Retailer Demand

Research News and Market Data on BTM

April 18, 2024 8:00 AM EDT

Purchase of Kiosks Solidifies Leading Market Share in North America

ATLANTA, April 18, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bitcoin Depot (“Bitcoin Depot” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: BTM), a U.S.-based Bitcoin ATM (“BTM”) operator and leading fintech company, today announced the purchase of approximately 2,300 Bitcoin ATMs. The Company plans to strategically deploy these kiosks as part of its ongoing expansion efforts throughout 2024 and beyond.

The purchase of approximately 2,300 Bitcoin ATMs comes at a greater than 50% discount in cost per-kiosk compared to the Company’s typical per-kiosk cost. The majority of the kiosks are scheduled to be delivered to Bitcoin Depot over the next two quarters. This purchase will bring the total number of kiosks in Bitcoin Depot`s fleet to over 10,000 kiosks after all of these kiosks are delivered. This rapid expansion of the Bitcoin Depot fleet helps the company meet the growing demand from retailers for its Bitcoin ATMs. Year to date, in 2024, Bitcoin Depot has signed over 2,000 new retail locations.

“This purchase will expand our fleet to over 10,000 kiosks and provides a cost-efficient opportunity to continue our expansion this year and further grow our industry-leading market share,” said Bitcoin Depot CEO Brandon Mintz. “Our pipeline of expansion opportunities remains strong and we look forward to deploying these kiosks into new locations throughout the year as we remain well-positioned to support mass crypto adoption as the world’s leading Bitcoin ATM network.”

Bitcoin Depot’s products and services provide an intuitive, quick, and convenient process for converting cash into Bitcoin, giving users the ability to access the broader digital financial system, including using their Bitcoin for purposes of making payments, transfers, remittances, online purchases, and investments.

This news marks the latest show of momentum for Bitcoin Depot, which holds the largest market BTM share in North America, with over 7,300 Bitcoin ATM locations. The announcement follows several recent milestones and expansions for the company, including its first partnership with a major grocery chain as well as the advancement of its newly launched profit share program in April 2024. The company also recently surpassed its goal of signing 8,000 BTM locations ahead of schedule to achieve the largest installed fleet of locations in its history and announced expansions into new markets, including Puerto Rico and Australia.

About Bitcoin Depot 
Bitcoin Depot Inc. (Nasdaq: BTM) was founded in 2016 with the mission to connect those who prefer to use cash to the broader, digital financial system. Bitcoin Depot provides its users with simple, efficient and intuitive means of converting cash into Bitcoin, which users can deploy in the payments, spending and investing space. Users can convert cash to bitcoin at Bitcoin Depot kiosks in 48 states and at thousands of name-brand retail locations in 29 states through its BDCheckout product. The Company has the largest market share in North America with approximately 7,400 kiosk locations as of April 1, 2024. Learn more at www.bitcoindepot.com

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release and any oral statements made in connection herewith include “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. Forward-looking statements are any statements other than statements of historical fact, and include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the expectations of plans, business strategies, objectives and growth and anticipated financial and operational performance, including our growth strategy and ability to increase deployment of our products and services, the anticipated effects of the Amendment, and the closing of the Preferred Sale. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s current beliefs, based on currently available information, as to the outcome and timing of future events. Forward-looking statements are often identified by words such as “anticipate,” “appears,” “approximately,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “designed,” “effect,” “estimate,” “evaluate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “goal,” “initiative,” “intend,” “may,” “objective,” “outlook,” “plan,” “potential,” “priorities,” “project,” “pursue,” “seek,” “should,” “target,” “when,” “will,” “would,” or the negative of any of those words or similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters, although not all forward-looking statements contain such identifying words. In making these statements, we rely upon assumptions and analysis based on our experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions, and expected future developments, as well as other factors we consider appropriate under the circumstances. We believe these judgments are reasonable, but these statements are not guarantees of any future events or financial results. These forward-looking statements are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to serve as, and must not be relied on by any investor as, a guarantee, an assurance, a prediction or a definitive statement of fact or probability. Actual events and circumstances are difficult or impossible to predict and will differ from assumptions. Many actual events and circumstances are beyond our control.

These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including changes in domestic and foreign business, market, financial, political and legal conditions; failure to realize the anticipated benefits of the business combination; future global, regional or local economic and market conditions; the development, effects and enforcement of laws and regulations; our ability to manage future growth; our ability to develop new products and services, bring them to market in a timely manner and make enhancements to our platform; the effects of competition on our future business; our ability to issue equity or equity-linked securities; the outcome of any potential litigation, government and regulatory proceedings, investigations and inquiries; and those factors described or referenced in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. If any of these risks materialize or our assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from the results implied by these forward-looking statements. There may be additional risks that we do not presently know or that we currently believe are immaterial that could also cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. In addition, forward-looking statements reflect our expectations, plans or forecasts of future events and views as of the date of this press release. We anticipate that subsequent events and developments will cause our assessments to change.

We caution readers not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or other factors that affect the subject of these statements, except where we are expressly required to do so by law. All written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.

Contacts: 

Investors 
Cody Slach, Alex Kovtun  
Gateway Group, Inc.  
949-574-3860  
BTM@gateway-grp.com 

Media 
Christina Lockwood, Brenlyn Motlagh, Ryan Deloney  
Gateway Group, Inc. 
949-574-3860  
BTM@gateway-grp.com 

Source: Bitcoin Depot Inc.

Released April 18, 2024

Release – Xcel Brands, Inc. Announces Fourth Quarter And Fiscal Year 2023 Results

Research News and Market Data on XELB

April 16, 2024 at 4:33 PM EDT

PDF Version

  • GAAP net loss of $6.8 million for the quarter, compared with GAAP net loss of $6.0 million in the prior year quarter.
  • Adjusted EBITDA of ($1.2) million for the quarter, compared with Adjusted EBITDA of ($5.9) million for the prior year quarter, an improvement of $4.7 million.
  • GAAP net loss of $21.1 million for the current year, compared with GAAP net loss of $4.0 million in the prior year, which included a $20.6 million gain on the sale of a majority interest in the Isaac Mizrahi brand.
  • Adjusted EBITDA of ($5.7) million for the year, compared with Adjusted EBITDA of ($12.5) million for the prior year, an improvement of $6.8 million.

NEW YORK, April 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Xcel Brands, Inc. (NASDAQ: XELB) (“Xcel” or the “Company”), a media and consumer products company with significant expertise in livestream shopping and social commerce, today announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.

Robert W. D’Loren, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Xcel commented, “Throughout 2023, we focused on a restructuring plan that got us focused on our core brand management business. The plan is now complete, and the core business is back on track. We have entered into new licensing agreements with industry leaders in core product categories and reduced salaries and operating costs by $14 million. Also, we strengthened our balance sheet. Recently, we launched Orme, a video and social commerce marketplace with a technology partner that leverages our vast knowledge in video commerce over TV and their technology brilliance. I believe Orme has the potential to transform e-commerce as we know it today.”

Mr. D’Loren continued, “we finished the year as expected and look forward to working with our new licensing partners to grow top line revenue and bottom-line results. Now more than ever, I am excited by the potential of the company.”

Fourth Quarter 2023 Financial Results

Net revenue for the fourth quarter of 2023 was $2.3 million, representing a decrease of approximately $1.8 million (-44%) from the fourth quarter of 2022. The year-over-year revenue decline in the fourth quarter of 2023 was driven by a $2.5 million decrease in net sales, attributable to the exit from the wholesale apparel, fine jewelry and Longaberger sales operations earlier this year as part of our restructuring plan, which was partly offset by an increase in licensing revenues.

Net loss attributable to Xcel Brands for the quarter was approximately $6.8 million, or ($0.34) per share, compared with a net loss of $6.0 million, or ($0.30) per diluted share, for the prior year quarter. The operating loss for the current quarter was approximately $5.6 million, compared with $8.4 million, loss for the prior year quarter.

After adjusting for certain cash and non-cash items, results on a non-GAAP basis were a net loss of approximately $4.7 million, or ($0.24) per share for the current quarter and a net loss of approximately $6.2 million, or ($0.32) per share, for the prior year quarter.

Adjusted EBITDA improved significantly on a year-over-year basis to negative $1.2 million for the current quarter as compared with negative $5.9 million for the prior year quarter, primarily as a result of the restructuring of our business and entry into the new long-term license agreements for our Halston, Judith Ripka, C Wonder and Longaberger brands.

Full Year 2023 Financial Results

Net revenue for the current year was $17.8 million, representing a decrease of approximately $8.0 million (45%) from the prior year. The year-over-year revenue decline from the prior year was driven by a $5.6 million decrease in licensing revenue, primarily attributable to the sale of a majority interest in the Isaac Mizrahi brand in May 2022 and a decrease of $2.4 million in net sales, attributable to the exit from the wholesale apparel, fine jewelry and Longaberger sales operations earlier this year as part of our restructuring plan.

Net loss attributable to Xcel Brands for the current year was approximately $21.1 million, or ($1.07) per share, compared with a net loss of $4.0 million, or ($0.20) per diluted share, for the prior year, which included a $20.6 million gain on the sale of a majority interest in the Isaac Mizrahi brand.

After adjusting for certain cash and non-cash items, results on a non-GAAP basis were a net loss of approximately $12.2 million, or $(0.62) per share for the current year, compared with a net loss of approximately $15.0 million, or $(0.77) per share, for the prior year.

Adjusted EBITDA was negative $5.7 million for the current year, as compared with negative $12.5 million for the prior year, an improvement of $6.8 million or approximately 54%.

Balance Sheet

The Company’s balance sheet at December 31, 2023, reflected stockholders’ equity of approximately $48 million, cash and cash equivalents of approximately $3.0 million, and working capital, exclusive of the current portion of lease obligations, of approximately $2.1 million.

The Company closed a 5-year term, $5 million term loan during the 4th quarter 2023.

Conference Call and Webcast

The Company will host a conference call with members of the executive management team to discuss these results with additional comments and details at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on April 16, 2024. A webcast of the conference call will be available live on the Investor Relations section of Xcel’s website at www.xcelbrands.com. Interested parties unable to access the conference call via the webcast may dial 800-715-9871 or 646-307-1963 and use the conference ID 1258246. A replay of the webcast will be available on Xcel’s website.

About Xcel Brands

Xcel Brands, Inc. (NASDAQ: XELB) is a media and consumer products company engaged in the design, licensing, marketing, live streaming, and social commerce sales of branded apparel, footwear, accessories, fine jewelry, home goods and other consumer products, and the acquisition of dynamic consumer lifestyle brands. Xcel was founded in 2011 with a vision to reimagine shopping, entertainment, and social media as social commerce. Xcel owns the Judith Ripka, Halston, LOGO by Lori Goldstein, and C. Wonder brands and a minority stake in the Isaac Mizrahi brand. It also owns and manages the Longaberger brand through its controlling interest in Longaberger Licensing LLC. Xcel is pioneering a true modern consumer products sales strategy which includes the promotion and sale of products under its brands through interactive television, digital live-stream shopping, social commerce, brick-and-mortar retail, and e-commerce channels to be everywhere its customers shop. The company’s brands have generated in excess of $5 billion in retail sales via livestreaming in interactive television and digital channels alone, and over 20,000 hours of live-stream and social commerce. Headquartered in New York City, Xcel Brands is led by an executive team with significant live streaming, production, merchandising, design, marketing, retailing, and licensing experience, and a proven track record of success in elevating branded consumer products companies. www.xcelbrands.com

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this press release, including statements regarding future events, our future financial performance, business strategy and plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements. We have attempted to identify forward-looking statements by terminology including “anticipates,” “believes,” “can,” “continue,” “ongoing,” “could,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “may,” “appears,” “suggests,” “future,” “likely,” “goal,” “plans,” “potential,” “projects,” “predicts,” “seeks,” “should,” “would,” “guidance,” “confident” or “will” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our anticipated revenue, expenses, profitability, strategic plans and capital needs. These statements are based on information available to us on the date hereof and our current expectations, estimates and projections and are not guarantees of future performance. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors, including, without limitation, the risks discussed in the “Risk Factors” section and elsewhere in the Company’s Annual Report on form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 and its other filings with the SEC, which may cause our or our industry’s actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Moreover, we operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risks emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all risk factors, nor can we address the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause our actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Except as expressly required by the federal securities laws, we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, changed circumstances or any other reason.

For further information please contact:
Seth Burroughs
Xcel Brands
sburroughs@xcelbrands.com

View the full release HERE.

Release – AdTheorent and Miles Partnership Use Machine Learning-Powered Predictive Advertising to Drive In-Market Sales and Return on Ad Spend for VISIT FLORIDA

Research News and Market Data on ADTH

Apr 16, 2024

PDF Version

Cross-Device Campaign Drove 363% Sales Lift and $67M in Incremental Sales Resulting in a 513X ROAS

NEW YORK, April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — AdTheorent Holding Company, Inc. (Nasdaq: ADTH), a machine learning pioneer using privacy-forward solutions to deliver measurable value for programmatic advertisers, and Miles Partnership, a strategic marketing company focused exclusively on travel and tourism, today announced campaign results from the VISIT FLORIDA Sun Seekers digital advertising campaign. The campaign goal was to drive visitation to and purchases in Florida, as well as a positive return on ad spend (RoAS). Utilizing AdTheorent’s Destination Sales Lift 360, the campaign drove a 363% sales lift and $67M in incremental in-market sales and yielded an overall campaign RoAS of 513X.

The Approach:
AdTheorent leveraged a mix of cross-device rich media display tactics, targeted using AdTheorent’s advanced predictive advertising platform. AdTheorent developed custom machine learning models fueled by non-individualized statistics to identify and reach consumers with the highest likelihood of visiting Florida and making purchases there.

During the campaign, AdTheorent’s custom predictive models considered hundreds of data signals to engage VISIT FLORIDA’S target audience, which included travel intenders residing in key geographies such as drive markets within 900 miles of the Florida border as well as competitive conquesting markets. AdTheorent’s custom predictive models considered data elements such as ad position, publisher, geo-intelligence, non-individualized user device attributes, location DMA, time of day, connection signal and many others. Additionally, the ML models analyzed real-time contextual signals to target consumers showing travel interest, as well as consumers specifically interested in travelling to alternative destinations. AdTheorent used transaction-based data to optimize campaign performance during the campaign, and, post-campaign, AdTheorent measured the impact of the campaign on sales within the destination, including attributed sales by merchant category (lodging, dining, etc.).

“VISIT FLORIDA is committed to not only driving visitation to Florida, but also showing the value of our marketing efforts and the impact they have on Florida’s tourism economy. Our digital advertising has to work harder for us by providing inspiration to visit and converting to sales,” said VISIT FLORIDA President and CEO Dana Young. “Our partnership with AdTheorent was successful at driving incremental visitation and commercial activity in Florida, measuring sales lift and resulting in an incredible return on ad spend for VISIT FLORIDA.”

The Results:
The campaign was successful in identifying qualified consumers and driving purchases in Florida, resulting in:

  • $67M in incremental sales
  • 363% sales lift compared to the control group
  • 513X total campaign RoAS

Attributed incremental sales by top VISIT FLORIDA partner verticals included:

  1. Restaurants and bars: 27%
  2. Hotels: 17%
  3. Food stores: 12%
  4. Clothing stores: 8%
  5. Interior furnishing stores: 5%

“Driving advanced business outcomes like incremental in-market sales is AdTheorent’s specialty; our machine learning-based media buying platform operates on a massive scale, evaluating millions of impressions per second based on 1000+ data attributes, identifying correlations among past conversions to optimize current ad targeting,” said James Lawson, CEO at AdTheorent. “We are thrilled to collaborate with Miles Partnership and proud that we drove meaningful incremental revenue for VISIT FLORIDA and its partners, delivering a 512.7X return on ad spend.” 

About AdTheorent
AdTheorent (Nasdaq: ADTH) uses advanced machine learning technology and privacy-forward solutions to deliver impactful advertising campaigns for marketers. AdTheorent’s machine learning-powered media buying platform powers its predictive targeting, predictive audiences, geo-intelligence, audience extension solutions and in-house creative capability, Studio A\T. Leveraging only non-sensitive data and focused on the predictive value of machine learning models, AdTheorent’s product suite and flexible transaction models allow advertisers to identify the most qualified potential consumers coupled with the optimal creative experience to deliver superior results, measured by each advertiser’s real-world business goals. 

AdTheorent is consistently recognized with numerous technology, product, growth and workplace awards. AdTheorent was named “Best Buy-Side Programmatic Platform” in the 2023 Digiday Technology Awards and was honored with an AI Breakthrough Award and “Most Innovative Product” (B.I.G. Innovation Awards) for five consecutive years. Additionally, AdTheorent is the only seven-time recipient of Frost & Sullivan’s “Digital Advertising Leadership Award.” AdTheorent is headquartered in New York, with fourteen locations across the United States and Canada. For more information, visit adtheorent.com.

About Miles Partnership
Miles Partnership is a strategic marketing consultancy focused exclusively on travel and tourism. The company works with more than 150 destinations, hospitality businesses and other travel industry clients worldwide to develop marketing and management strategies that amplify local experiences, boost visitation, improve community relations and increase overall economic impact. Learn more at www.MilesPartnership.com.

About VISIT FLORIDA
VISIT FLORIDA, the state’s official tourism marketing corporation, serves as Florida’s official source for travel planning to visitors across the globe. VISIT FLORIDA is not a government agency, but rather a not-for-profit corporation created as a public/private partnership by the Florida Legislature in 1996.

Florida’s tourism industry was responsible for welcoming 122 million visitors in 2021, representing a 54 percent increase from 2020. In 2019, Florida visitors contributed $96.5 billion to Florida’s economy and supported over 1.6 million Florida jobs. According to the Office of Economic and Demographic Research, for every $1 the state invests in VISIT FLORIDA, $3.27 in state tax revenue is generated.

Each year, the Florida Legislature appropriates public funding to be allocated for tourism marketing. VISIT FLORIDA is required to match those public funds dollar-for-dollar, which is done by actively recruiting the state’s tourism industry to invest as Partners through cooperative advertising campaigns, promotional programs and many other marketing ventures. Through this public/private partnership, VISIT FLORIDA serves more than 13,000 tourism industry businesses, including major strategic alliance partnerships with Busch Gardens Tampa, Disney Destinations, Experience Kissimmee, Hilton, LEGOLAND Florida Resort, Publix Supermarkets, SeaWorld Parks & Resorts Orlando, and Universal Orlando Resort.

VISIT FLORIDA facilitates tourism industry participation in domestic and international travel trade and consumer shows, as well as media missions to the top global visitor markets. VISIT FLORIDA also works closely with travel agents, tour operators, meeting and event planners, and is responsible for operating Florida’s four Official Welcome Centers.

VISIT FLORIDA has 78 positions in Florida and an international team of contracted staff covering Canada, Germany, Latin America and the United Kingdom. VISIT FLORIDA’s corporate office is located at 101 North Monroe Street, Suite 900, Tallahassee, Florida 32301. The office can be reached at (850) 488-5607.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/adtheorent-and-miles-partnership-use-machine-learning-powered-predictive-advertising-to-drive-in-market-sales-and-return-on-ad-spend-for-visit-florida-302118082.html

SOURCE AdTheorent Melanie Berger, AdTheorent, Melanie@adtheorent.com, 850-567-0082

Release – YS Biopharma to Report First Nine Months of Fiscal Year 2024 Financial Results on April 19, 2024

Research News and Market Data on YS

Download this Press Release

GAITHERSBURG, Md., April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — YS Biopharma Co., Ltd. (NASDAQ: YS) (“YS Biopharma” or the “Company”), a global biopharmaceutical company dedicated to discovering, developing, manufacturing, and delivering new generations of vaccines and therapeutic biologics for infectious diseases and cancer, today announced that it plans to release its financial results for the first nine months of the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, before the U.S. market opens on Friday, April 19, 2024.

(PRNewsfoto/YishengBio Co., Ltd)

   

The Company’s management will hold an earnings conference call at 8:00 A.M. Eastern Time on Friday, April 19, 2024 to discuss the financial results. Listeners may access the call by dialing the following numbers:

United States Toll Free:           1-888-346-8982
International:                             1-412-902-4272
Mainland China Toll Free:       4001-201203
Canada Toll Free:                   1-855-669-9657
Hong Kong:                               852-301-84992

Upon dialing-in, participants should ask to be joined into the YS Biopharma Co., Ltd. call.

The replay will be accessible through April 26, 2024 by dialing the following numbers:

United States Toll Free:             1-877-344-7529
International:                     1-412-317-0088
Canada Toll Free:                 1-855-669-9658
Access Code:                       2468327

A live and archived webcast of the conference call will also be available at the Company’s investor relations website at https://investor.ysbiopharm.com/.

About YS Biopharma 

YS Biopharma is a global biopharmaceutical company dedicated to discovering, developing, manufacturing, and commercializing new generations of vaccines and therapeutic biologics for infectious diseases and cancer. It has developed a proprietary PIKA® immunomodulating technology platform and a series of preventive and therapeutic biologics with a potential for improved Rabies, Coronavirus, Hepatitis B, Influenza, and Shingles vaccines. YS Biopharma operates in China, the United States, Singapore and the Philippines, and is led by a management team that combines rich local expertise and global experience in the bio-pharmaceutical industry. For more information, please visit www.ysbiopharma.com.

Investor Relations Contact

Alyssa Li
Director of Investor Relations
Email: ir@yishengbio.com 

Robin Yang
Partner, ICR, LLC
Tel: +1 (212) 537-4035
Email: YSBiopharma.IR@icrinc.com

Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ys-biopharma-to-report-first-nine-months-of-fiscal-year-2024-financial-results-on-april-19-2024-302118047.html

SOURCE YS Biopharma Co., Ltd.

Release – Gray Television Stations Win Large Market and Small Market Service to America Awards

Research News and Market Data on GTN

April 16, 2024 07:00 ET| Source: Gray Television, Inc.

ATLANTA, April 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The National Association of Broadcasters Leadership Foundation (“NABLF”) selected two television stations owned by Gray Television, Inc. (NYSE: GTN) for this year’s coveted Service to America Awards. The NABLF’s Service to America Awards recognize outstanding community service by local broadcasters each year for their exemplary service to their communities. The NABLF recognizes the winners in each category at an in-person gala in Washington, DC, on June 4, 2024.

WANF (CBS) in Atlanta, Georgia, won the Large Market category for its investigative series “In Plane Sight: an investigation into racial profiling at airports by TSA and DEA.” Atlanta News First Investigates exposed plainclothes drug agents seizing money from innocent passengers at Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, the busiest airport in the world. By employing special investigative techniques to uncover the drug agents and their methods — and using a 360-degree camera, WANF Chief Investigator Brendan Keefe was able to hold local police and the federal government accountable for taking millions in cash from people who were never arrested or charged with crimes, most of whom were people of color. Congress is now poised to pass The FAIR Act, a proposed new law that would no longer force airline passengers to prove themselves innocent just to keep their own money.

WJHG (NBC) in Panama City, Florida, won the Small Market category for its community service program “Chapter Chat,” a campaign to close the reading gap among children that was further widened after Hurricane Michael and the pandemic. This effort began after the WJHG news team reported less than half of third graders in Bay County, Florida could read on grade level, and over 900 children were considered homeless. While the news team asked tough questions to school officials, they also sought solutions. They created the Chapter Chat book club to promote reading and encourage using the public library, they held a book drive that collected over 1000 books for F.L.O.W., a free library on wheels that distributes books to children, and they read to children at local schools. Library officials credit the Chapter Chat campaign with helping improve visitation by almost 20 percent, and they report a 14 percent increase in library card holders since the campaign started. The station’s campaign also helped them secure a grant to get more books in circulation.  WJHG-TV previously won the Service to Community Award for Small Market Television in 2020 for its enterprise series “Remembering the Forgotten” about the lack of federal aid following Hurricane Michael in 2018.

“We are very proud of the great journalism across our company and industry that leads to actual results that improve local communities,” said Gray Executive Chairman and CEO Hilton H. Howell Jr. “We salute all of our honorees and especially Gray television stations WANF and WJHG for their continued commitment to quality journalism.”

About Gray:

Gray Television, Inc. is a multimedia company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. Gray is the nation’s largest owner of top-rated local television stations and digital assets. Its television stations serve 114 television markets that collectively reach approximately 36 percent of US television households. This portfolio includes 79 markets with the top-rated television station and 102 markets with the first and/or second highest rated television station. Gray also owns video program companies Raycom Sports, Tupelo Media Group, and PowerNation Studios, as well as the studio production facilities Assembly Atlanta and Third Rail Studios.   Gray owns a majority interest in Swirl Films. For more information, please visit www.gray.tv.

Gray Contact:

Kevin P. Latek, Executive Vice President, Chief Legal and Development Officer, 404-266-8333

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Release – Entravision Ignites Phoenix Airwaves with Launch of Fuego 106.7 FM

April 15, 2024

Featuring a Latin Urban and Musica Mexicana Fusion, Today’s Hottest Global Musical Movement

SANTA MONICA, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Entravision Communications Corporation announces the highly-anticipated launch of Fuego 106.7 FM, marking a significant milestone in the realm of radio broadcasting in Phoenix. As a vibrant celebration of culture and music, Fuego 106.7 FM emerges as the premier destination for the dynamic and thriving Latino community in Phoenix and surrounding areas.

“Aimed at the growing Latino youth segment, Fuego 106.7 FM strategically taps into their influence in both cultural and ideological landscapes. This initiative provides a platform to elevate their voices and mobilize them toward community and civic issues, all while celebrating their culture through their love of music”Post this

With a steadfast commitment to Latino diversity, vibrancy, and community engagement, Fuego 106.7 FM presents a carefully curated fusion of Latin Urban beats and Musica Mexicana rhythms, capturing the essence of today’s hottest stars in the global music scene. This groundbreaking initiative underscores Entravision’s dedication to amplifying the voices and experiences of Latino youth, providing a dynamic platform where culture and creativity converge harmoniously.

“We are thrilled to unveil Fuego 106.7 FM; it represents a milestone moment in our journey to connect with Latino audiences on a deeper level. Through the power of music and cultural storytelling, we aim to ignite passion, spark conversation, and foster a community where listeners and brands can connect, celebrate and be inspired,” said Jeffery Liberman, President and Chief Operating Officer at Entravision.

Fuego 106.7 FM will showcase a curated lineup featuring the hottest Latin hits from today’s most celebrated artists such as Peso Pluma, Karol G, Xavi, Anitta, Fuerza Regida and Bad Bunny. Designed to resonate with Arizona’s Latino bilingual and bicultural audience, the station complements Entravision’s top rated radio family in Phoenix, including La Suavecita KVVA 107.1 FM (Regional Mexican, 90s Grupero and Cumbia), and La Tricolor KLNZ 103.5 FM (Regional Mexican). Together, Entravision’s three-station radio cluster form a diverse and powerful radio ecosystem that caters to the diverse musical tastes of the local Latino community.

A bicultural and bilingual talent lineup on Fuego 106.7M, including Edgar “Shoboy” Sotelo, Hector Millan, and Oscar “DJ Kazzanova” Cortes will deliver an immersive experience that resonates across generations and backgrounds.

“Aimed at the growing Latino youth segment, Fuego 106.7 FM strategically taps into their influence in both cultural and ideological landscapes. This initiative provides a platform to elevate their voices and mobilize them toward community and civic issues, all while celebrating their culture through their love of music,” said Nestor Rocha, Vice President of Audio Programming at Entravision.

Fuego program line-up includes:

  • The Shoboy Show | Monday – Friday 6AM – 10AM. A bilingual and bicultural sensation hosted by the dynamic Edgar “Shoboy” Sotelo, offers a feel-good journey tailored for the modern Latino generation embracing the “Spanglish” lifestyle.
  • Commercial-Free Mix Show at Noon | Monday – Friday 12PM.
  • Hector Millan | Monday – Friday 3PM – 7PM.
  • The Saturday Sunset Mix | Saturdays 4PM – 6PM.
  • The Saturday Fuego Night Mix | Saturdays 6PM – 10PM.

About Entravision Communications Corporation

Entravision is a global advertising solutions, media and technology company. Over the past three decades, we have strategically evolved into a digital powerhouse, expertly connecting brands to consumers in the U.S., Latin America, Europe and Asia. Our digital segment offers a full suite of end-to-end advertising services across the world. We have commercial partnerships with X Corp. (formerly known as Twitter), TikTok, and Spotify, and marketers can use our Smadex and other platforms to deliver targeted advertising to audiences around the globe. In the U.S., we maintain a diversified portfolio of television and radio stations that target Hispanic audiences and complement our global digital services. Entravision remains the largest affiliate group of the Univision and UniMás television networks. Shares of Entravision Class A Common Stock trade on the NYSE under ticker: EVC. Learn more about our offerings at entravision.com or connect with us on LinkedIn and Facebook.

Contacts

Matthew Cárdenas
Senior Vice President, Integrated Marketing Solutions
matt.cardenas@entravision.com

Fabiola Rangel
Senior Director, Marketing and Communications
fabiola.rangel@entravision.com

Release – Xcel Brands To Host Q4 And Fiscal 2023 Earnings Call On April 16

Research News and Market Data on XELB

April 15, 2024 at 1:51 PM EDT

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NEW YORK, April 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Xcel Brands, Inc. (NASDAQ: XELB) (“Xcel” or the “Company”), today announced that it will report its fourth quarter and fiscal year 2023 financial results on April 16, 2024. The Company will hold a conference call with the investment community on April 16, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. ET.

A webcast of the conference call will be available live on the Investor Relations section of Xcel’s website at https://xcelbrands.co/pages/events-and-presentations or directly at https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/6fnws5vh 

Interested parties unable to access the conference call via the webcast may dial 800-715-9871 or 646-307-1963 and use the Conference ID 1258246. A replay of the webcast will be available on Xcel’s website.

About Xcel Brands

Xcel Brands, Inc. (NASDAQ: XELB) is a media and consumer products company engaged in the design, marketing, live streaming, social commerce sales of branded apparel, footwear, accessories, fine jewelry, home goods and other consumer products, and the acquisition of dynamic consumer lifestyle brands. Xcel was founded in 2011 with a vision to reimagine shopping, entertainment, and social media as one thing. Xcel owns the Judith Ripka, Halston, LOGO by Lori Goldstein, and C. Wonder by Christian Siriano brands and a minority stake in the Isaac Mizrahi brand. It also owns and manages the Longaberger brand through its controlling interest in Longaberger Licensing LLC and a 50% interest in a JV in TWRHLL (“Tower Hill”) by Christie Brinkley. Also Xcel owns a 30% interest in Orme, a short-form video market place. Xcel is pioneering a true modern consumer products sales strategy which includes the promotion and sale of products under its brands through interactive television, digital live-stream shopping, social commerce, brick-and-mortar retail, and e-commerce channels to be everywhere its customer’s shop. The company’s brands have generated in excess of $4 billion in retail sales via livestreaming in interactive television and digital channels alone. Headquartered in New York City, Xcel Brands is led by an executive team with significant live streaming, production, merchandising, design, marketing, retailing, and licensing experience, and a proven track record of success in elevating branded consumer products companies. For more information, visit www.xcelbrands.com.

For further information please contact:
Seth Burroughs
Xcel Brands
sburroughs@xcelbrands.com

Source: Xcel Brands, Inc

Release – Comtech Partners with Eutelsat OneWeb to Deliver LEO Connectivity Services to Antarctica

Research News and Market Data on CMTL

BY THE COMTECH EDITORIAL TEAM – APR 15, 2024 | 3 MIN READ

CHANDLER, Ariz.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–April 15, 2024 — Comtech (NASDAQ: CMTL), a global technology leader, in partnership with Eutelsat OneWeb, GEO-LEO connectivity provider in satellite communications, announces trial services to deliver Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite connectivity services to multiple regions of Antarctica.

Launched in January 2024, the service provides connectivity to customers in Antarctica. Through this trial, Comtech’s market-leading ELEVATE VSAT ground system supported Eutelsat OneWeb’s ability to deliver groundbreaking LEO connectivity services, with data rates reaching up to 120 Mbps, to one of the most challenging geographic regions in the world. Comtech worked with Eutelsat OneWeb to configure and install the company’s ELEVATE ground system to simultaneously route robust and resilient connectivity services over multiple OneWeb LEO satellites.

“This is a remarkable achievement—not only for the satellite industry, but also for the broader scientific, technology, and connectivity markets around the world,” said John Ratigan, Interim CEO of Comtech. “We are thrilled to partner with OneWeb to deliver LEO connectivity services to Antarctica, which further demonstrates the advanced capabilities of our ELEVATE VSAT ground system. With proprietary software-defined technology embedded at the core, we are continuing to build out network agnostic capabilities of our ELEVATE system to meet the future demands of innovative satellite constellations and hybrid network infrastructures.”

This trial showcased the importance of high-speed, low latency connectivity for the scientific community and wider Antarctic region. Through satellite-based LEO connectivity services, like those provided by Comtech and Eutelsat OneWeb, scientists in Antarctica can better conduct day-to-day activities by facilitating real-time support from scientific, technical or health teams around the world. LEO connectivity services also have the potential to improve the welfare of the scientists, outside of working hours, as they are often deployed for 18 months at a time in one of the most remote and geographically challenging areas of the world.

Comtech’s ELEVATE ground system is a transportable, software defined VSAT system, which is proven to provide commercial and government customers with access to high-speed connectivity across diverse satellite constellations in multiple orbits. ELEVATE is designed to identify, collect and route data from multiple satellite constellations and orbits as well as deliver next generation capabilities like 4K video streaming and voice services.

About Comtech

Comtech Telecommunications Corp. (Comtech) is a leading global technology company providing terrestrial and wireless network solutions, next-generation 9-1-1 emergency services, satellite and space communications technologies, and cloud native capabilities to commercial and government customers around the world. Our unique culture of innovation and employee empowerment unleashes a relentless passion for customer success. Comtech leverages our global presence, technology leadership, and decades of experience to create the world’s most innovative communications solutions. For more information, please visit www.comtech.com.

About Eutelsat Group

Eutelsat Group is a global leader in satellite communications, delivering connectivity and broadcast services worldwide. The Group was formed through the combination of Eutelsat and OneWeb in 2023, becoming the first fully integrated GEO-LEO satellite operator with a fleet of 36 Geostationary satellites and a Low Orbit earth constellation of more than 600 satellites. The Group addresses the needs of customers in four key verticals of Video, where it distributes more than 6,500 television channels, and the high-growth connectivity markets of Mobile Connectivity, Fixed Connectivity, and Government Services. Eutelsat Group’s unique suite of in-orbit and on-ground assets enables it to deliver integrated solutions to meet the needs of global customers. The Company is headquartered in Paris and Eutelsat Group employs more than 1,700 from 50 different nationalities. The Group is committed to delivering safe, resilient, and environmentally sustainable connectivity to help bridge the digital divide. The Company is listed on the Euronext Paris Stock Exchange and the London Stock Exchange (ticker: ETL).

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain information in this press release contains statements that are forward-looking in nature and involve certain significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results and performance could differ materially from such forward-looking information. The Company’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings identify many such risks and uncertainties. Any forward-looking information in this press release is qualified in its entirety by the risks and uncertainties described in such Securities and Exchange Commission filings.

PCMTL

Contacts
Investor Relations
Maria Ceriello
631-962-7102
investors@comtech.com

Media Contact
Jamie Clegg
480-532-2523
jamie.clegg@comtech.com