dburczyk@noblecapitalmarkets.com, Author at Channelchek

Release – Conduent Introduces Conni, the New GenAI Virtual Assistant for Companies and Government Agencies

Posted on February 11, 2025February 11, 2025 by dburczyk@noblecapitalmarkets.com

Conni will be integrated into multiple Conduent platforms to boost clients’ productivity, enhance quality, and elevate customer experience

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Conduent Incorporated (Nasdaq: CNDT), a global leader in technology-driven business solutions and services, launches Conni, an innovative GenAI virtual assistant developed as part of the company’s AI initiative. Leveraging Microsoft Azure OpenAI Service, Conni is designed to enhance the quality of results and improve customer experience across Conduent platforms for companies and government agencies.

“We will continue to embed AI and generative AI within our solutions to drive functionality. New features like Conni build on Conduent’s strategy of integrating advanced technologies, such as automation, machine learning, and digitalization to drive better outcomes for our clients,” said Cliff Skelton, President and Chief Executive Officer at Conduent. “In our Human Capital Solutions business, Conni is deployed to help employees navigate their benefits. By enhancing the employee experience, Conni can drive improved satisfaction and help reduce HR-related inquiries.”

The first implementation of Conni is in Conduent’s Life@Work® Connect Experience Platform, a secure closed system, centralized portal for health, wealth, and wellness employee benefits. Life@Work Connect, with its suite of advanced AI-driven features like JellyVision and TALON, consolidates data from various sources, offering interactive content, educational resources and guided recommendations to help employees manage their benefits with a personalized, intelligent experience.

With Conni in Life@Work Connect, employees can:

Use natural, everyday language, avoiding the technical jargon.
Get fast, accurate personalized answers to specific questions about their health and wealth benefits and supplemental benefits.
Easily navigate to resources and transactions for life events, health savings accounts, flexible savings accounts, and other benefits.
Access personalized data and employer program details to make informed decisions.
Use information from all resources on the Life@Work Connect Experience Platform.
Seamlessly transition to live customer support when needed.

DeeAnna Warrington, Principal Research Analyst at NelsonHall and a member of its HR Talent Transformation practice said, “By incorporating generative AI into its client offerings and internal operations, Conduent continues its tradition of delivering advanced technologies and solutions that boost client efficiency, reduce costs, enhance customer experiences, and optimize business processes.”

As an example of how Conni works, in a use case such as an injury requiring physical therapy, Conni can answer questions like, “Where is the best place for physical therapy near me?” and “How much money is in my health savings account to pay for treatment?” Conni uses the employee-specific coverage and elections along with the information available through the health plan to guide the employee and provide fast answers.

Watch a video of Conni helping an employee navigate healthcare coverage here https://www.conduent.com/LifeatWorkConni. Conduent continues to lead the way in integrating the latest technologies to transform business processes and enhance the customer experience.

About Conduent

Conduent delivers digital business solutions and services spanning the commercial, government and transportation spectrum – creating valuable outcomes for its clients and the millions of people who count on them. The Company leverages cloud computing, artificial intelligence, machine learning, automation and advanced analytics to deliver mission-critical solutions. Through a dedicated global team of approximately 55,000 associates, process expertise and advanced technologies, Conduent’s solutions and services digitally transform its clients’ operations to enhance customer experiences, improve performance, increase efficiencies and reduce costs. Conduent adds momentum to its clients’ missions in many ways including disbursing approximately $100 billion in government payments annually, enabling 2.3 billion customer service interactions annually, empowering millions of employees through HR services every year and processing nearly 13 million tolling transactions every day. Learn more at www.conduent.com.

Note: To receive RSS news feeds, visit www.news.conduent.com. For open commentary, industry perspectives and views, visit http://twitter.com/Conduent , http://www.linkedin.com/company/conduent or http://www.facebook.com/Conduent.

Trademarks

Conduent is a trademark of Conduent Incorporated in the United States and/or other countries. Other names may be trademarks of their respective owners.

Media Contacts

Sean Collins

Conduent

Sean.Collins2@conduent.com

+1-310-497-9205

Giles Goodburn

Conduent

ir@conduent.com

+1-203-216-3546

Lisa Patterson

Conduent

lisa.patterson@conduent.com

+1-816-305-4421

Release – Former Home Depot Lighting Head and Industry Veteran Greg St. John Joins SKYX as President of Lighting, Fans, and Smart Home Products

Posted on February 11, 2025February 11, 2025 by dburczyk@noblecapitalmarkets.com

Research News and Market Data on SKYX

Brings Over 30 Years of Experience Across World Leading Lighting and Retail Brands

MIAMI, Feb. 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — SKYX Platforms Corp. (NASDAQ: SKYX) (d/b/a “SKYX Technologies”), a highly disruptive smart platform technology company with over 97 issued and pending patents in the U.S. and globally, and over 60 lighting and home décor websites with a mission to make homes and buildings become smart, safe, and advanced as the new standard announced today that Greg St. John, former head of Home Depot’s indoor lighting category and former CEO of world leading lighting companies such as Eglo, and Cordelia Lighting, has joined SKYX as President of Lighting Fans and Smart Products.

In his new position, St. John will lead SKYX’s growing penetration in lighting, fans, and smart home products, expanding the company’s presence in major retail channels, homebuilders, hotels, and commercial projects. He will also play a pivotal role in strategic collaborations with industry leaders such as Home Depot, and Wayfair among other expected collaborations.

With more than 30 years of experience, St. John has held executive leadership roles in major U.S. and global lighting brands, overseeing product development, sales, and marketing. His deep expertise in merchandising, sourcing, and smart lighting solutions makes him an ideal fit to drive SKYX’s growth and product expansion initiatives.

Rani Kohen, Founder, Inventor and Executive Chairman of SKYX said, “I am very happy to have Greg joining us as he brings vast experience and industry knowledge. His track record with leading companies such as Home Depot among other global lighting brands aligns perfectly with our vision to revolutionize smart, safe living solutions and the lighting industry. “

Greg St. John added, “I am truly excited to join Rani and the SKYX team at such a pivotal time. The company’s plug & play advanced and smart platform technologies are game-changing, and I strongly believe they will set a new standard for lighting, fans, and smart products across homes, buildings, hotels, and commercial spaces. I look forward to leveraging my experience to help drive SKYX’s innovation and expansion in key markets.”

SKYX continues to expand its market presence through product deployments, industry collaborations, and strategic initiatives. The company remains focused on scaling operations and integrating its solutions across key industry sectors.

St. John’s appointment reinforces SKYX’s commitment to advancing lighting, smart home and building technologies while making safety, efficiency, and innovation the new industry standard.

About SKYX Platforms Corp.

As electricity is a standard in every home and building, our mission is to make homes and buildings become safe-advanced and smart as the new standard. SKYX has a series of highly disruptive advanced-safe-smart platform technologies, with over 97 U.S. and global patents and patent pending applications. Additionally, the Company owns over 60 lighting and home decor websites for both retail and commercial segments. Our technologies place an emphasis on high quality and ease of use, while significantly enhancing both safety and lifestyle in homes and buildings. We believe that our products are a necessity in every room in both homes and other buildings in the U.S. and globally. For more information, please visit our website at https://skyplug.com/ or follow us on LinkedIn.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements made in this press release are not based on historical facts but are forward-looking statements. These statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “aim,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “can,” “could,” “continue,” “estimate,” “expect,” “evaluate,” “forecast,” “guidance,” “intend,” “likely,” “may,” “might,” “objective,” “ongoing,” “outlook,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “probable,” “project,” “seek,” “should,” “target” “view,” “will,” or “would,” or the negative thereof or other variations thereon or comparable terminology, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. These statements reflect the Company’s reasonable judgment with respect to future events and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which have outcomes difficult to predict and may be outside our control, that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include statements relating to the Company’s ability to successfully launch, commercialize, develop additional features and achieve market acceptance of its products and technologies and integrate its products and technologies with third-party platforms or technologies; the Company’s efforts and ability to drive the adoption of its products and technologies as a standard feature, including their use in homes, hotels, offices and cruise ships; the Company’s ability to capture market share; the Company’s estimates of its potential addressable market and demand for its products and technologies; the Company’s ability to raise additional capital to support its operations as needed, which may not be available on acceptable terms or at all; the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern; the Company’s ability to execute on any sales and licensing or other strategic opportunities; the possibility that any of the Company’s products will become National Electrical Code (NEC)-code or otherwise code mandatory in any jurisdiction, or that any of the Company’s current or future products or technologies will be adopted by any state, country, or municipality, within any specific timeframe or at all; risks arising from mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures and other collaborations; the Company’s ability to attract and retain key executives and qualified personnel; guidance provided by management, which may differ from the Company’s actual operating results; the potential impact of unstable market and economic conditions on the Company’s business, financial condition, and stock price; and other risks and uncertainties described in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its periodic reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q. There can be no assurance as to any of the foregoing matters. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of this press release, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by U.S. federal securities laws.

Investor Relations Contact:
Jeff Ramson, CEO
PCG Advisory, Inc.
jramson@pcgadvisory.com

Release – SelectQuote Announces $350 Million Strategic Investment from Bain Capital, Morgan Stanley Private Credit and Newlight Partners

Posted on February 11, 2025February 11, 2025 by dburczyk@noblecapitalmarkets.com

Research News and Market Data on SLQT

OVERLAND PARK, Kan.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– SelectQuote, Inc. (NYSE: SLQT) (the “Company”), a leading distributor of Medicare insurance policies and owner of a rapidly-growing healthcare services platform, today announced that the Company signed a $350 million strategic investment from funds managed by Bain Capital, Morgan Stanley Private Credit, and Newlight Partners.

The transaction positions the Company to continue growing its healthcare services business, deepening its relationship with carrier partners and providing choice and value for consumers. This investment will allow the Company to recapitalize its balance sheet, to lower its annual cash debt service, and to provide liquidity and increase operating flexibility to fund growth initiatives. The Company’s successful renegotiation of its Senior Secured Credit Facility provides a lower interest rate on the remaining balance.

This investment will accelerate the Company’s effort to optimize its capital structure as it continues to explore accretive, strategic solutions with its insurance carrier partners and to grow its rapidly expanding healthcare services business.

Additionally, SelectQuote is appointing Chris Wolfe of Bain Capital and Srdjan Vukovic of Newlight Partners to the Board of Directors, each bringing over 20 years of investing and healthcare sector experience to the Company. SelectQuote anticipates Mr. Wolfe and Mr. Vukovic will join the Board upon the closing of the transaction, expected to be on February 28, 2025.

SelectQuote CEO Tim Danker commented, “This strategic investment provides the financing we need to capitalize on the robust growth opportunities we foresee in both the senior health insurance and healthcare services marketplaces. While we have more work to do, this deal, on the heels of our 2024 receivables securitization, marks the second meaningful milestone toward our ultimate goal of refinancing the business and significantly deleveraging the balance sheet.”

Mr. Danker continued, “We look forward to benefitting from Chris’s and Srdjan’s valuable growth-oriented healthcare expertise to help augment the Company’s mission to drive long-term value creation.”

Mr. Wolfe is a Managing Director at Bain Capital Insurance, the dedicated insurance investing unit of Bain Capital. Previously, he was a partner at Capital Z Partners and a principal in a series of special purpose acquisition vehicles focused on health insurance and services. Mr. Wolfe has more than 20 years of experience in healthcare and insurance private equity investing.

“SelectQuote pioneered the way consumers approach shopping for insurance by removing barriers and introducing transparency and choice,” added Mr. Wolfe. “I am excited to partner with my fellow board members and the Company’s management team to drive continued growth of its robust insurance sales and healthcare services solutions, which play a crucial role in safeguarding and enhancing the financial well-being and health of its customers.”

Mr. Vukovic is a Partner at Newlight Partners, where he focuses on investments in the healthcare industry. Representative investments include Oak Street Health (acquired by CVS Health) and Zing Health. He has over 20 years of private equity investing experience.

Ashwin Krishnan, Managing Director and Co-Head of North America Private Credit at Morgan Stanley Investment Management stated, “We are pleased to partner with SelectQuote and lead this financing alongside our partners Bain Capital and Newlight. We believe this investment, along with the Company’s recent operating momentum, sets the business up for continued long-term success.”

Jefferies served as Exclusive Financial Advisor to SelectQuote in the transaction. Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz served as legal advisor to SelectQuote.

Forward Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements reflect our current views with respect to, among other things, future events and our financial performance. These statements are often, but not always, made through the use of words or phrases such as “may,” “should,” “could,” “predict,” “potential,” “believe,” “will likely result,” “expect,” “continue,” “will,” “anticipate,” “seek,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “projection,” “would” and “outlook,” or the negative version of those words or other comparable words or phrases of a future or forward-looking nature. These forward-looking statements are not historical facts, and are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about our industry, management’s beliefs and certain assumptions made by management, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and beyond our control. Accordingly, we caution you that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, assumptions and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable as of the date made, actual results may prove to be materially different from the results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.

There are or will be important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those indicated in these forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the following: our reliance on a limited number of insurance carrier partners and any potential termination of those relationships or failure to develop new relationships; existing and future laws and regulations affecting the health insurance market; changes in health insurance products offered by our insurance carrier partners and the health insurance market generally; insurance carriers offering products and services directly to consumers; changes to commissions paid by insurance carriers and underwriting practices; competition with brokers, exclusively online brokers and carriers who opt to sell policies directly to consumers; competition from government-run health insurance exchanges; developments in the U.S. health insurance system; our dependence on revenue from carriers in our senior segment and downturns in the senior health as well as life, automotive and home insurance industries; our ability to develop new offerings and penetrate new vertical markets; risks from third-party products; failure to enroll individuals during the Medicare annual enrollment period; our ability to attract, integrate and retain qualified personnel; our dependence on lead providers and ability to compete for leads; failure to obtain and/or convert sales leads to actual sales of insurance policies; access to data from consumers and insurance carriers; accuracy of information provided from and to consumers during the insurance shopping process; cost-effective advertisement through internet search engines; ability to contact consumers and market products by telephone; global economic conditions, including inflation; disruption to operations as a result of future acquisitions; significant estimates and assumptions in the preparation of our financial statements; impairment of goodwill; potential litigation and other legal proceedings or inquiries; our existing and future indebtedness; our ability to maintain compliance with our debt covenants; access to additional capital; failure to protect our intellectual property and our brand; fluctuations in our financial results caused by seasonality; accuracy and timeliness of commissions reports from insurance carriers; timing of insurance carriers’ approval and payment practices; factors that impact our estimate of the constrained lifetime value of commissions per policyholder; changes in accounting rules, tax legislation and other legislation; disruptions or failures of our technological infrastructure and platform; failure to maintain relationships with third-party service providers; cybersecurity breaches or other attacks involving our systems or those of our insurance carrier partners or third-party service providers; our ability to protect consumer information and other data; failure to market and sell Medicare plans effectively or in compliance with laws; and other factors related to our pharmacy business, including manufacturing or supply chain disruptions, access to and demand for prescription drugs, and regulatory changes or other industry developments that may affect our pharmacy operations. For a further discussion of these and other risk factors that could impact our future results and performance, see the section entitled “Risk Factors” in the most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K (the “Annual Report”) and subsequent periodic reports filed by us with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and, except as otherwise required by law, we do not undertake any obligation to publicly update or review any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

About SelectQuote:

Founded in 1985, SelectQuote (NYSE: SLQT) pioneered the model of providing unbiased comparisons from multiple, highly-rated insurance companies, allowing consumers to choose the policy and terms that best meet their unique needs. Two foundational pillars underpin SelectQuote’s success: a strong force of highly-trained and skilled agents who provide a consultative needs analysis for every consumer, and proprietary technology that sources and routes high-quality leads. Today, the Company operates an ecosystem offering high touchpoints for consumers across insurance, pharmacy, and virtual care.

With an ecosystem offering engagement points for consumers across insurance, Medicare, pharmacy, and value-based care, the company now has three core business lines: SelectQuote Senior, SelectQuote Healthcare Services, and SelectQuote Life. SelectQuote Senior serves the needs of a demographic that sees around 10,000 people turn 65 each day with a range of Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement plans. SelectQuote Healthcare Services is comprised of the SelectRx Pharmacy, a Patient-Centered Pharmacy Home (PCPH) accredited pharmacy, SelectPatient Management, a provider of chronic care management services, and Healthcare Select which proactively connects consumers with a wide breadth of healthcare services supporting their needs.

About Bain Capital:

Founded in 1984, Bain Capital is one of the world’s leading private investment firms. We are committed to creating lasting impact for our investors, teams, businesses, and the communities in which we live. As a private partnership, we lead with conviction and a culture of collaboration, advantages that enable us to innovate investment approaches, unlock opportunities, and create exceptional outcomes. Our global platform invests across five focus areas: Private Equity, Growth & Venture, Capital Solutions, Credit & Capital Markets, and Real Assets. In these focus areas, we bring deep sector expertise and wide-ranging capabilities. We have 24 offices on four continents, more than 1,850 employees, and approximately $185 billion in assets under management. To learn more, visit www.baincapital.com. Follow @BainCapital on LinkedIn and X (Twitter).

About Newlight Partners:

Newlight Partners LP is a growth-focused private equity firm that builds businesses in partnership with exceptional founders and management teams. Newlight’s thematic investment approach focuses on identifying and addressing marketplace opportunities in rapidly growing subsectors. Areas of focus include digital transformation, decarbonization, financial services, and healthcare.

About Morgan Stanley Private Credit:

Morgan Stanley Private Credit, part of Morgan Stanley Investment Management, is a private credit platform focused on direct lending and opportunistic private credit investment in North America and Western Europe. The Morgan Stanley Private Credit team invests across the capital structure, including senior secured term loans, unitranche loans, junior debt, structured equity and common equity co-investments. For further information, please visit the website:
morganstanley.com/im/private-credit

Investor Relations:
Sloan Bohlen
877-678-4083
investorrelations@selectquote.com

Media:
Matt Gunter
913-286-4931
matt.gunter@selectquote.com

Source: SelectQuote, Inc.

Release – SelectQuote, Inc. Reports Second Quarter of Fiscal Year 2025 Results

Posted on February 11, 2025February 11, 2025 by dburczyk@noblecapitalmarkets.com

Research News and Market Data on SLQT

Second Quarter of Fiscal Year 2025 – Consolidated Earnings Highlights

Revenue of $481.1 million
Net income of $53.2 million
Adjusted EBITDA* of $87.5 million

Fiscal Year 2025 Guidance Ranges:

Revenue expected in a range of $1.500 billion to $1.575 billion
Net income (loss) expected in a range of $(24) million to $11 million
Adjusted EBITDA* expected in a range of $115 million to $140 million

Second Quarter Fiscal Year 2025 – Segment Highlights

Senior

Revenue of $255.6 million
Adjusted EBITDA* of $100.5 million
Approved Medicare Advantage policies of 247,849

Healthcare Services

Revenue of $183.4 million
Adjusted EBITDA* of $2.2 million
96,695 SelectRx members

Life

Revenue of $39.9 million
Adjusted EBITDA* of $7.4 million

OVERLAND PARK, Kan.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– SelectQuote, Inc. (NYSE: SLQT) reported consolidated revenue for the second quarter of fiscal year 2025 of $481.1 million compared to consolidated revenue for the second quarter of fiscal year 2024 of $405.4 million. Consolidated net income for the second quarter of fiscal year 2025 was $53.2 million compared to consolidated net income for the second quarter of fiscal year 2024 of $19.4 million. Finally, consolidated Adjusted EBITDA* for the second quarter of fiscal year 2025 was $87.5 million compared to consolidated Adjusted EBITDA* for the second quarter of fiscal year 2024 of $67.4 million.

SelectQuote Chief Executive Officer, Tim Danker, remarked, “SelectQuote delivered impressive results during our fiscal second quarter despite a historically disruptive Annual Enrollment Period. Our strong policy volume and Senior Adjusted EBITDA margin of 39%, up approximately 750 basis points year-over-year, are additional proof points of our differentiated, high-touch, agent-led model. American Seniors faced an unprecedented level of plan terminations and benefit changes this season, and we take great pride in that fact that consumers sought out SelectQuote as they navigated such a challenging market backdrop. As we’ve said before, SelectQuote wins when our customers win, and this quarter is evidence of that.”

Mr. Danker continued, “SelectQuote also delivered another quarter of strong results within our Healthcare Services segment, led by SelectRx. We now have over 96,000 members, which represents growth of 54% compared to a year ago. Importantly, we expanded our global Revenue to CAC to 5.3X, which demonstrates our continued ability to generate attractive returns as a comprehensive healthcare services provider.”

“Additionally, we took another large step to improve our capital structure with today’s announcement of a $350 million strategic investment led by Bain Capital and Morgan Stanley Private Credit. The transaction provides improved liquidity and operating flexibility to grow within our Senior and Healthcare Services businesses. We are excited to have Bain Capital and Morgan Stanley Private Credit as strategic partners as we pursue the tremendous growth opportunity provided by our unique platform within the healthcare ecosystem.”

* See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below.

Segment Results

We currently have three reportable segments: 1) Senior, 2) Healthcare Services and 3) Life. The performance measures of the segments include total revenue and Adjusted EBITDA.* Costs of commissions and other services revenue, cost of goods sold-pharmacy revenue, marketing and advertising, selling, general, and administrative, and technical development operating expenses that are directly attributable to a segment are reported within the applicable segment. Indirect costs of revenue, marketing and advertising, selling, general, and administrative, and technical development operating expenses are allocated to each segment based on varying metrics such as headcount. Adjusted EBITDA is our segment profit measure to evaluate the operating performance of our business. We define Adjusted EBITDA as income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit) plus: (i) interest expense, net; (ii) depreciation and amortization; (iii) share-based compensation; (iv) goodwill, long-lived asset, and intangible assets impairments; (v) transaction costs; (vi) loss on disposal of property, equipment and software, net; (vii) other non-recurring expenses and income; (viii) changes in fair value of warrant liabilities. Adjusted EBITDA Margin is calculated as Adjusted EBITDA divided by revenue.

Click Here for Full Report

Release – Bit Digital, Inc. Secures New Multi-Year Colocation Agreement with a Leader in AI Hardware

Posted on February 10, 2025February 10, 2025 by dburczyk@noblecapitalmarkets.com

Research News and Market Data on BTBT

NEW YORK, February 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Bit Digital, Inc. (Nasdaq: BTBT) (“Bit Digital” or the “Company”) announced today that it has secured a colocation contract with a leading AI hardware innovator. The agreement will be executed through WhiteFiber, Inc. (“WhiteFiber”), the Company’s newly rebranded HPC business, which includes cloud services and its data center platform, Enovum Data Centers Corp. (“Enovum”). Under the agreement, the Company will provide the client with 5 MW (IT load) of built-to-suit data center infrastructure for a period of five years. The contract will be fulfilled at a data center within Enovum’s proprietary development pipeline, with the location to be announced at a later date. The Company anticipates the contract will formally commence in mid-2025.

Sam Tabar, CEO of Bit Digital, commented: “Bit Digital is thrilled to partner with a company at the forefront of AI innovation in North America. This agreement underscores their confidence in our ability to deliver sophisticated, high-performance colocation solutions tailored for next-generation AI workloads. We are excited to support this client’s unique computing needs with our expertly designed data center infrastructure, delivering the reliability and scalability essential for AI innovation.”

About Bit Digital

Bit Digital, Inc. is a global platform for high-performance computing (“HPC”) infrastructure and digital asset production headquartered in New York City. The Company’s HPC business operates under the WhiteFiber Inc. (“WhiteFiber”) brand. Our operations are located in the US, Canada, and Iceland. For additional information, please contact ir@bit-digital.com or visit our website at www.bit-digital.com.

Investor Notice

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Before making an investment decision, you should carefully consider the risks, uncertainties and forward-looking statements described under “Risk Factors” in Item 3.D of our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 (“Annual Report”). Notwithstanding the fact that Bit Digital Inc. has not conducted operations in the PRC since September 30, 2021 we have previously disclosed under Risk Factors in our Annual Report: “We may be subject to fines and penalties for any noncompliance with or any liabilities in our former business in China in a certain period from now on.” Although the statute of limitations for non-compliance by our former business in the PRC is generally two years and the Company has been out of the PRC, for more than two years, the Authority may still find its prior bitcoin mining operations involved a threat to financial security. In such event, the two-year period would be extended to five years. If any material risk was to occur, our business, financial condition or results of operations would likely suffer. In that event, the value of our securities could decline and you could lose part or all of your investment. The risks and uncertainties we describe are not the only ones facing us. Additional risks not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business operations. In addition, our past financial performance may not be a reliable indicator of future performance, and historical trends should not be used to anticipate results in the future. Future changes in the network-wide mining difficulty rate or bitcoin hash rate may also materially affect the future performance of Bit Digital’s production of bitcoin. Actual operating results will vary depending on many factors including network difficulty rate, total hash rate of the network, the operations of our facilities, the status of our miners, and other factors. See “Safe Harbor Statement” below.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release may contain certain “forward-looking statements” relating to the business of Bit Digital, Inc., and its subsidiary companies. All statements, other than statements of historical fact included herein are “forward-looking statements.” These forward-looking statements are often identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “believes,” “expects,” or similar expressions, involving known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, they do involve assumptions, risks and uncertainties, and these expectations may prove to be incorrect. Investors should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. The Company’s actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors, including those discussed in the Company’s periodic reports that are filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and available on its website at http://www.sec.gov. All forward-looking statements attributable to the Company or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these factors. Other than as required under the securities laws, the Company does not assume a duty to update these forward-looking statements.

Release – ODP Business Solutions Joins New, Multi-Year, Multi-Award $500M Annual Furniture Partnership with Region 4 Education Service Center

Posted on February 4, 2025February 4, 2025 by dburczyk@noblecapitalmarkets.com

Research News and Market Data on ODP

New Contract unlocks potential growth opportunities and provides discounts on quality furniture and furnishing solutions from hundreds of manufacturers through purchasing cooperative

BOCA RATON, Fla.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Feb. 4, 2025– ODP Business Solutions, a leading supplier of workplace solutions and services and a division of The ODP Corporation (NASDAQ: ODP), announced participation in a new award for a multi-year furniture contract with Region 4 Education Service Center (ESC) that brings the potential of up to $500M in total annual revenue. The contract enables the ODP Business Solutions Workspace Interiors team to offer a compliant cooperative purchasing solution through OMNIA Partners, providing furniture, installation, and related services to K-12 schools, higher education institutions, and cities and counties across the United States.

Region 4 ESC, member of and lead agency for OMNIA Partners, serves as a premier purchasing organization for state and local government, K-12 education, colleges and universities. Region 4 ESC assists school districts in improving student performance, provides efficient fiscal management and builds collaborative relationships and partnerships.

“At ODP Business Solutions we understand that the right learning and working environment can boost productivity and inspire students, educators and administrators,” said David Centrella, executive vice president of The ODP Corporation and president of ODP Business Solutions. “Our Workspace Interiors team is dedicated to delivering innovative and flexible solutions that meet the evolving needs of modern spaces. We look forward to providing these cost-effective products and services through our continued partnership with Region 4 ESC.”

The new contract grants OMNIA Partners members access to a comprehensive range of products designed for diverse environments, including breakrooms, classrooms, administrative offices, libraries, cafeterias, lobbies and more. This competitively solicited, publicly awarded Region 4 cooperative contract ensures compliance with procurement standards, allowing public sector agencies to streamline their purchasing process and save money with discounted offerings.

“Part of our mission is to equip school districts with the services and products they need to operate more efficiently and economically,” said Jorgannie Carter, chief of finance and business services at Region 4 Education Service Center. “Our contract with ODP Business Solutions will allow us to optimize our resources and continue providing schools and professionals with high-quality, affordable products.”

Region 4 serves a seven-county area composed of 48 public school districts and 43 public charter schools, representing more than 1.2 million students and more than 111,000 professional educators.

In recent years, ODP Business Solutions has been awarded five contracts, showing the company’s commitment to supporting public sector organizations with innovative, tailored and cost-effective solutions. To learn more about ODP Business Solutions, visit www.odpbusiness.com.

About ODP Business Solutions:

ODP Business Solutions is a trusted partner with more than 30 years of experience working with businesses to adapt to the ever-changing world of work. From technology transformation, sustainability, innovative workspace design, cleaning and breakroom, and everything in between, ODP Business Solutions has the integrated products and services businesses need. Powered by a collaborative team of experienced business consultants, world-class logistics, and trusted brand names, ODP Business Solutions advances how the working world gets work done. For more information on ODP Business Solutions, visit www.odpbusiness.com.

ODP Business Solutions is a division of The ODP Corporation (NASDAQ: ODP). ODP and ODP Business Solutions are trademarks of ODP Business Solutions, LLC. Any other product or company names mentioned herein are the trademarks of their respective owners.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS – THE ODP CORPORATION

This communication may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements or disclosures may discuss goals, intentions and expectations as to future trends, plans, events, results of operations, cash flow or financial condition, or state other information relating to, among other things, The ODP Corporation (“the Company”), based on current beliefs and assumptions made by, and information currently available to, management. Forward-looking statements generally will be accompanied by words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “plan,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “guidance,” “expectations”, “outlook,” “intend,” “may,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “propose” “aim” or other similar words, phrases or expressions, or other variations of such words. These forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside of the Company’s control. There can be no assurances that the Company will realize these expectations or that these beliefs will prove correct, and therefore investors and stakeholders should not place undue reliance on such statements. Investors and shareholders should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties described in the Company’s Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250204940684/en/

Press Contact:
Katee Schalau
6600 North Military Trail
Boca Raton, FL 33496
mediarelations@odpbusiness.com

Source: ODP Business Solutions

Release – LODE: Comstock Fuels Approved for $152 Million Allocation for Oklahoma Qualified Private Activity Bonds

Posted on February 4, 2025February 4, 2025 by dburczyk@noblecapitalmarkets.com

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OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA – FEBRUARY 4, 2025 – Comstock Inc. (NYSE: LODE) today announced that its subsidiary, Comstock Fuels Corporation (“Comstock Fuels”), was approved by the Oklahoma State Treasurer’s Office to issue up to $152 million in qualified private activity bonds.

This allocation of up to $152 million in Qualified Private Activity Bonds that can be issued by Comstock Fuels represents a major achievement in Comstock Fuels’ plans for financing and building its first 400,000 barrel per year commercial demonstration facility in a soon-to-be-selected site in Oklahoma.

This overall approval by the Oklahoma State Treasurer’s Office comes under the Oklahoma Private Activity Bond Allocation Act and would consist of allocations from the Oklahoma Economic Development Pool, the Oklahoma Exempt Facilities Pool, and the Oklahoma Carryforward Pool. The Oklahoma Development Finance Authority (“ODFA”) sponsored this bond allocation to support the State’s essential infrastructure projects with Comstock’s first Oklahoma commercial biorefining facility.

“This allocation is a foundational component of our overall capital and financing plans for Comstock Fuels, including funding each of our planned Bioleum™ Refineries in the U.S. with dedicated project financing,” said Chad Michael Black, Director of Business Development at Comstock Fuels. “Oklahoma has taken a leadership role in accelerating advanced domestic energy solutions and the support from the State Treasurer’s Office and the ODFA underscores our strong alignment with Oklahoma for developing, deploying and operating diverse, scalable and essential energy infrastructure for our communities.”

“We are rapidly achieving the critical prerequisites for securing the project financing needed to build our first commercial demonstration facility, with over $150 million of that objective supported by Oklahoma’s tax-efficient, municipal revenue bond allocation, $3 million in direct Oklahoma-based grants, and a growing group of strategic investors,” stated Corrado De Gasperis, Executive Chairman of Comstock and Comstock Fuels. “We’re also close to selecting an investment banking partner to facilitate the bond placement and underwriting. We’re thrilled to receive such strong support from Oklahoma as we integrate feedstock, site infrastructure, and offtake into a whole new standard for domestic energy production.”

Private activity bonds under the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”) are described generally as any bond: (1) of which more than 10% of the proceeds is to be used in a trade or business of any person or persons other than a governmental unit or which is to be directly or indirectly repaid, or secured by revenues from a private trade or business; and (2) in which an amount exceeding the lesser of 5% or $5 million of the proceeds is to be used for loans to any person or persons other than a governmental unit.

The Federal Tax Reform Act of 1986 established limits on the volume of private activity bonds that may be issued in a state during any calendar year. To ensure compliance with federal law, the Oklahoma legislature passed the Oklahoma Private Activity Bond Allocation Act.

Most private activity bonds must be sold on a taxable basis. However, the Code grants exceptions when certain bonds can be sold on a tax-exempt basis (“Qualified Private Activity Bonds”). Such bonds, with certain exceptions, are subject to the federal alternative minimum tax. The Code also imposes a limitation on the amount of Qualified Private Activity Bonds which may be issued by a state in any calendar year.

About Comstock Fuels Corporation

Comstock Fuels Corporation (“Comstock Fuels”) delivers advanced lignocellulosic biomass refining solutions that set industry benchmarks for production of cellulosic ethanol, gasoline, renewable diesel, sustainable aviation fuel (“SAF”), and other renewable Bioleum™ fuels, with extremely low carbon intensity scores of 15 and market-leading yields of up to 140 gallons per dry metric ton of feedstock (on a gasoline gallon equivalent basis, or “GGE”), depending on feedstock, site conditions, and other process parameters. Comstock Fuels additionally holds the exclusive rights to intellectual properties developed by Hexas Biomass Inc. (“Hexas”) for production of purpose grown energy crops in liquid fuels applications with proven yields exceeding 25 to 30 dry metric tons per acre per year. The combination of Comstock Fuels’ high yield Bioleum refining platform and Hexas’ high yield energy crops allows for the production of enough feedstock to produce upwards of 100 barrels of fuel per acre per year, effectively transforming marginal agricultural lands with regenerative practices into perpetual “drop-in sedimentary oilfields” with the potential to dramatically boost regional energy security and rural economies.

Comstock Fuels plans to contribute to domestic energy dominance by directly building, owning, and operating a network of Bioleum Refineries in the U.S. to produce about 200 million barrels of renewable fuel per year by 2035, starting with its planned first 400,000 barrel per year commercial demonstration facility in Oklahoma. Comstock Fuels also licenses its advanced feedstock and refining solutions to third parties for additional production in the U.S. and global markets, including several recently announced and other pending projects. To learn more, please visit www.comstockfuels.com.

About Comstock Inc.

Comstock Inc. (NYSE: LODE) innovates and commercializes technologies that are deployable across entire industries to contribute to energy abundance by efficiently extracting and converting under-utilized natural resources, such as waste and other forms of woody biomass into renewable fuels, and end-of-life electronics into recovered electrification metals. Comstock’s innovations group is also developing and using artificial intelligence technologies for advanced materials development and mineral discovery for sustainable mining. To learn more, please visit www.comstock.inc.

Comstock Social Media Policy

Comstock Inc. has used, and intends to continue using, its investor relations link and main website at www.comstock.inc in addition to its Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube accounts, as means of disclosing material non-public information and for complying with its disclosure obligations under Regulation FD.

Contacts

For investor inquiries:
RB Milestone Group LLC
Tel (203) 487-2759
ir@comstockinc.com

For media inquiries or questions:
Colby Korsun
Comstock Fuels Corporation
fuels@comstockinc.com

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 market conditions; future explorations or acquisitions; future changes in our research, development and exploration activities; future financial, natural, and social gains; future prices and sales of, and demand for, our products and services; land entitlements and uses; permits; production capacity and operations; operating and overhead costs; future capital expenditures and their impact on us; operational and management changes (including changes in the Board of Directors); changes in business strategies, planning and tactics; future employment and contributions of personnel, including consultants; future land and asset sales; investments, acquisitions, joint ventures, strategic alliances, business combinations, operational, tax, financial and restructuring initiatives, including the nature, timing and accounting for restructuring charges, derivative assets and liabilities and the impact thereof; contingencies; litigation, administrative or arbitration proceedings; environmental compliance and changes in the regulatory environment; offerings, limitations on sales or offering of equity or debt securities, including asset sales and associated costs; business opportunities, growth rates, future working capital, needs, revenues, variable costs, throughput rates, operating expenses, debt levels, cash flows, margins, taxes and earnings. These statements are based on assumptions and assessments made by our management in light of their experience and their perception of historical and current trends, current conditions, possible future developments and other factors they believe to be appropriate. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees, representations or warranties and are subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which are unforeseeable and beyond our control and could cause actual results, developments, and business decisions to differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements. Some of those risks and uncertainties include the risk factors set forth in our filings with the SEC and the following: adverse effects of climate changes or natural disasters; adverse effects of global or regional pandemic disease spread or other crises; global economic and capital market uncertainties; the speculative nature of gold or mineral exploration, and lithium, nickel and cobalt recycling, including risks of diminishing quantities or grades of qualified resources; operational or technical difficulties in connection with exploration, metal recycling, processing or mining activities; costs, hazards and uncertainties associated with precious and other metal based activities, including environmentally friendly and economically enhancing clean mining and processing technologies, precious metal exploration, resource development, economic feasibility assessment and cash generating mineral production; costs, hazards and uncertainties associated with metal recycling, processing or mining activities; contests over our title to properties; potential dilution to our stockholders from our stock issuances, recapitalization and balance sheet restructuring activities; potential inability to comply with applicable government regulations or law; adoption of or changes in legislation or regulations adversely affecting our businesses; permitting constraints or delays; challenges to, or potential inability to, achieve the benefits of business opportunities that may be presented to, or pursued by, us, including those involving battery technology and efficacy, quantum computing and generative artificial intelligence supported advanced materials development, development of cellulosic technology in bio-fuels and related material production; commercialization of cellulosic technology in bio-fuels and generative artificial intelligence development services; ability to successfully identify, finance, complete and integrate acquisitions, joint ventures, strategic alliances, business combinations, asset sales, and investments that we may be party to in the future; changes in the United States or other monetary or fiscal policies or regulations; interruptions in our production capabilities due to capital constraints; equipment failures; fluctuation of prices for gold or certain other commodities (such as silver, zinc, lithium, nickel, cobalt, cyanide, water, diesel, gasoline and alternative fuels and electricity); changes in generally accepted accounting principles; adverse effects of war, mass shooting, terrorism and geopolitical events; potential inability to implement our business strategies; potential inability to grow revenues; potential inability to attract and retain key personnel; interruptions in delivery of critical supplies, equipment and raw materials due to credit or other limitations imposed by vendors; assertion of claims, lawsuits and proceedings against us; potential inability to satisfy debt and lease obligations; potential inability to maintain an effective system of internal controls over financial reporting; potential inability or failure to timely file periodic reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission; potential inability to list our securities on any securities exchange or market or maintain the listing of our securities; and work stoppages or other labor difficulties. Occurrence of such events or circumstances could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows, or the market price of our securities. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements by or attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these factors. 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 calls or discussions 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.

Release – LODE: Comstock Fuels and SACL Executed Definitive Commercial Agreements

Posted on January 31, 2025January 31, 2025 by dburczyk@noblecapitalmarkets.com

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Expands Licensing Agreement into Malaysia for SAF and Other Renewable Fuels

OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA – JANUARY 30, 2025 – Comstock Inc. (NYSE: LODE) (“Comstock” and the “Company”) today announced the execution of definitive agreements between Comstock Fuels Corporation (“Comstock Fuels”) and SACL Pte. Limited (“SACL”), a Singapore-based renewable fuel project developer, under which Comstock Fuels and SACL signed an exclusive marketing agreement for Comstock Fuels’ advanced lignocellulosic biomass refining processes in Australia, New Zealand, Vietnam and Malaysia. The definitive agreements finalized all documentation and increase SACL’s territory to facilitate the financing, construction, and operation of additional SACL’s sites in Malaysia, adding to the four existing sites currently under development in Australia and Vietnam, now totaling over 400 million gallons of renewable fuel per dry metric ton of feedstock (on a gasoline gallon equivalent basis, or “GGE”).

Early Adopter License Terms

SACL and its stakeholders previously identified four qualified sites for the construction of four Bioleum^TM Refineries based on Comstock Fuels’ industry leading yields and decarbonizing impact, including (1) a 250,000 metric ton per year (“MTPY”) refinery located at Myamyn, near Portland, Victoria, Australia, (2) a 250,000 MTPY refinery located near Moree, New South Wales, Australia, (3) a 750,000 MTPY refinery located near Mackay, Queensland, Australia, and (4) a 750,000 MTPY Bioleum Refinery in Quang Tri Province, Vietnam. SACL also has sites under negotiations in New Zealand and Malaysia.

Under the terms of Comstock Fuels’ agreement with SACL, Comstock Fuels will contribute site specific technology rights in exchange for a 20% equity stake in each Bioleum Refinery, plus a royalty fee equal to 6% of each refinery’s sales of licensed products, and engineering fees equal to 6% of total construction costs. At least one of the Bioleum Refineries will initially start with a capacity of 75,000 MTPY prior to scaling-up to 250,000 MTPY or more, with early adopter royalty fees of 3% of sales and engineering fees equal to 3% of construction costs until scaling-up to 250,000 MTPY, with an initial upfront payment of $2,500,000 payable upon execution of each applicable site-specific license agreement for each refinery.

The four planned Bioleum Refineries will have an estimated total construction cost of over $4.0 billion and produce approximately 280 million gallons per year of gasoline, sustainable aviation fuel, and other renewable fuels from lignocellulosic biomass (on a gasoline gallon equivalent basis, or GGE), and about another 180 million GGE from vegetable oils, with over $3.0 billion per year in sales at current prices.

Best-in-Class Yield and Carbon Intensity

Comstock Fuels offers advanced lignocellulosic biomass refining solutions that produce market-leading yields of cellulosic ethanol, gasoline, renewable diesel, sustainable aviation fuel, and other renewable fuels at extremely low carbon intensities. The Comstock Fuels process generally involves: (1) digestion and fractionation of lignocellulosic biomass, (2) bioconversion of cellulose into Cellulosic Ethanol, (3) esterification of lignin and other derivatives into Bioleum Oil, (4) hydrodeoxygenation of Bioleum Oil into Hydrodeoxygenated Bioleum Oil, (5) refining of these extremely low carbon oils and fuels into ASTM compliant renewable fuels, and (6) gas-to-liquids emissions capture and fuel conversion. The first five of these processes are proven to produce up to 125 GGEs per dry metric ton of feedstock on a gasoline gallon equivalent basis, depending on feedstock, lignin content, site conditions, and other process parameters, with extremely low carbon intensity scores of 15.

Wide Open Market, Unprecedented Results

“Comstock Fuels’ breakthrough yields unlock an abundant, available and efficient feedstock source that enables extraordinary new opportunities for renewable fuels project developers, especially given the ongoing global surge in demand for sustainable aviation fuel,” said Garry Millar, SACL’s founder and director. “Comstock’s process uses reliable, available equipment and standard refining processes to convert woody and woody-like biomass, such as purpose grown eucalyptus and Hexas’ XanoGrass™ into renewable intermediates and fuels that leverage existing supply chains. We are pleased to have these definitive agreements completed, including the expansion into Malaysia, and we are looking forward to working with David and the expanded local team to develop our growing portfolio of projects.”

“SACL’s team has continued advancing and expanding their projects, and I look forward to meeting with Garry next week in Australia, as we collaborate and advance all of our mutual objectives in Asia,” stated David Winsness, president of Comstock Fuels. “The prospective site in New Zealand is truly outstanding.”

Comstock Fuels is concurrently executing on its own plans to build, own, and operate the first 75,000 MTPY demonstration scale facility in Oklahoma, followed by three additional 75,000 MTPY facilities, each of which would then be scaled-up to 1,000,000 MTPY commercial scale Bioleum refineries. Collectively, the first four planned U.S. facilities will produce more than 920 million GGE per year of renewable fuels, including about 560 million GGE from woody and woody-like biomass and another 360 million GGE from vegetable oils. Between SACL and our initial plans alone, Comstock Fuels is planning for over 1.38 billion GGE per year of initial renewable fuel production before considering all other licensees and projects in the commercial development pipeline.

About SACL Pte. Limited

SACL is a Singapore-based project development and management company that intends to develop renewable energy projects in Australia, New Zealand, and Vietnam. To learn more, please visit www.saclimited.com.

About Comstock Fuels Corporation

About Comstock Inc.

Comstock Social Media Policy

Contacts

For investor inquiries:
RB Milestone Group LLC
Tel (203) 487-2759
ir@comstockinc.com

For media inquiries or questions:
Colby Korsun
Comstock Fuels Corporation
fuels@comstockinc.com

Forward-Looking Statements

Release – Kelly Announces Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year 2024 Conference Call

Posted on January 30, 2025January 30, 2025 by dburczyk@noblecapitalmarkets.com

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TROY, Mich., Jan. 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Kelly, a leading global specialty talent solutions provider, will release its fourth-quarter and full-year earnings before the market opens on Thursday, February 13, 2025. In conjunction with its earnings release, Kelly will publish a financial presentation and host a live webcast of a conference call with financial analysts at 9 a.m. ET on February 13 to review the results from the quarter and answer questions.

The presentation and a link to the live webcast will be accessible through the Company’s public website on the Investor Relations page under Events & Presentations. The webcast will be recorded, and a replay will be available within one hour of completion of the event through the same link as the live webcast.

About Kelly

Kelly Services, Inc. (Nasdaq: KELYA, KELYB) helps companies recruit and manage skilled workers and helps job seekers find great work. Since inventing the staffing industry in 1946, we have become experts in the many industries and local and global markets we serve. With a network of suppliers and partners around the world, we connect more than 500,000 people with work every year. Our suite of outsourcing and consulting services ensures companies have the people they need, when and where they are needed most. Headquartered in Troy, Michigan, we empower businesses and individuals to access limitless opportunities in industries such as science, engineering, technology, education, manufacturing, retail, finance, and energy. Revenue in 2023 was $4.8 billion. Learn more at kellyservices.com.

KLYA-FIN

Analyst & Media Contact:
Scott Thomas
(248) 251-7264
scott.thomas@kellyservices.com

Release – Aurania Commissions Environmental Impact Study in Corsica

Posted on January 30, 2025January 30, 2025 by dburczyk@noblecapitalmarkets.com

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Toronto, Ontario–(Newsfile Corp. – January 29, 2025) – Aurania Resources Ltd. (TSXV: ARU) (OTCQB: AUIAF) (FSE: 20Q) (“Aurania” or the “Company”) announces that its subsidiary company, Corsica Ressources, has commissioned a French environmental engineering firm to undertake an environmental impact study at Nonza and Albo beaches in Corsica. The study commenced in early January by a bibliographic review, currently in progress.

The impact study is one part of the nickel beach placer project at the Nonza and Albo beaches. The goal of the study is to assess the terrestrial and marine environments of the beaches, identify any potential impact of the Company’s proposed activities, and identify and propose solutions to eliminate or mitigate them if necessary. Corsica Ressources is keen to develop this project whilst ensuring appropriate measures are taken to preserve the original status of the environment and the local population. This objective is facilitated by the unique nature of the beaches themselves.

During the operation of the Canari mine (1948-1965), waste rock was discharged into the sea. Over time, this material migrated to the areas of Albo and Nonza, resulting in a globally unique situation.

Albo and Nonza beaches are artificially created beaches composed of serpentinite debris and black sand, which contain high concentrations of magnetite and awaruite. Awaruite (Ni₃Fe) is a nickel-rich magnetic mineral found in meteorites and certain serpentinite formations. See link to October 3, 2024 press release announcing the opportunity/discovery of the nickel-rich beach sands.

Aurania’s Chairman, CEO, and President, Dr. Keith Barron, commented, “Europe needs responsible sources of key metals for its energy transition. Corsica can play a vital role in this transition without compromising its environment or identity. This innovative project, extracting nickel without chemicals, not only preserves the beauty of the beaches in Corsica but also ensures that local communities benefit economically. Aurania and its subsidiary, Corsica Ressources are fully committed to a development model that respects both nature and the people who depend on it.”

Cannot view this image? Visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2477/238933_4b593e78442a5aa0_001.jpg

Figure 1: The beaches are composed mainly of serpentinite in the form of pebbles, gravel and sand (left photo). The magnetic fraction of the sand from Albo and Nonza contains awaruite, a high-grade nickel-containing mineral (right photo).

Because awaruite is magnetic, it can be extracted simply using a magnet and, in this form, it is the only nickel mineral found in the world that can be recovered without the use of chemicals. Corsica Ressources plans to extract the sand underwater using a suction dredge, and then separate the magnetic fraction with an electromagnet, leaving the non-magnetic sand and pebbles on the beach to ensure the natural preservation of the beaches. It must be emphasized that tests have shown that 98% of the awaruite is contained in the size fraction of less than 1 mm. The screening process being proposed at Nonza and Albo will return all sand material that is non-magnetic and greater than 1 mm back to the beach. There is only interest in the magnetic fraction of less than 1 mm in particle size. It has been erroneously reported that the Company will crush and process serpentinite pebbles. All pebbles will be rejected untouched in the plant and placed back on the beaches.

The entire process will take place underwater, preventing the dispersion of any residual material into the air. To eliminate any potential disruption on local roads, the Company plans to transport the extracted magnetic product by sea using barges This material will contain circa 40% Ni and be suitable for furnace feed for any of the seven stainless steel producers in France. However, the laboratory has established the feasibility to separate the material further into a nominally pure awaruite concentrate using flotation technology. It can then be synthesized into battery-grade nickel sulphate for the manufacture of EV batteries. If it is considered appropriate and economically feasible, the magnetic concentrate produced at Nonza will be shipped by barge to a remote warehouse facility for further processing.

Cannot view this image? Visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2477/238933_4b593e78442a5aa0_002.jpg

Figure 2: The extraction of awaruite will be carried out by inexpensive and non-polluting mechanical and physical methods.

Environmental protection and preservation are key aspects of the project. Corsica Ressources also aims to consider local communities by preserving tourism activities by working only in off season and ensuring that local populations benefit from the project. These topics were discussed with local stakeholders well before announcing the intentions of the project in October 2024. Together, the Company has worked to secure an agreement with officials in Paris to ensure that any royalties would be distributed locally. Corsica Ressources continues to meet with local stakeholders to address concerns and find appropriate solutions to ensure that the project benefits everyone. When the results of the impact study are known, Corsica Ressources will organize information for stakeholders and the population.

Update on Activities in Ecuador

The IP geophysical survey at the Company’s Kuri-Yawi gold target was completed in late 2024. The purpose of the survey is to define targets for a drill program. The final report from GexplOre is pending and as soon as the final report is received, Aurania’s geologists will work to complete their review and interpretation of the data. Key findings are expected to be published next month (February).

About Aurania

Aurania is a mineral exploration company engaged in the identification, evaluation, acquisition, and exploration of mineral property interests, with a focus on precious metals and copper in South America. Its flagship asset, The Lost Cities – Cutucu Project, is located in the Jurassic Metallogenic Belt in the eastern foothills of the Andes mountain range of southeastern Ecuador.

Information on Aurania and technical reports are available at www.aurania.com and www.sedarplus.ca, as well as on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/auranialtd/, Twitter at https://twitter.com/auranialtd, and LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/aurania-resources-ltd-.

For further information, please contact:

Carolyn Muir
VP Corporate Development & Investor Relations
Aurania Resources Ltd.
(416) 367-3200
carolyn.muir@aurania.com

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

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking information as such term is defined in applicable securities laws, which relate to future events or future performance and reflect management’s current expectations and assumptions. The forward-looking information includes Aurania’s objectives, goals or future plans, statements, exploration results, potential mineralization, the tonnage and grade of mineralization which has the potential for economic extraction and processing, the merits and effectiveness of known process and recovery methods, the corporation’s portfolio, treasury, management team and enhanced capital markets profile, the estimation of mineral resources, exploration, timing of the commencement of operations, the Company’s teams being on track ahead of any drill program, the commencement of any drill program and estimates of market conditions. Such forward-looking statements reflect management’s current beliefs and are based on assumptions made by and information currently available to Aurania, including the assumption that, there will be no material adverse change in metal prices, all necessary consents, licenses, permits and approvals will be obtained, including various local government licenses and the market. Investors are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause future results to differ materially from those expected. Risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results expressed or implied by the forward-looking information include, among other things: failure to identify mineral resources; failure to convert estimated mineral resources to reserves; the inability to complete a feasibility study which recommends a production decision; the preliminary nature of metallurgical test results; the inability to recover and process mineralization using known mining methods; the presence of deleterious mineralization or the inability to process mineralization in an environmentally acceptable manner; commodity prices, supply chain disruptions, restrictions on labour and workplace attendance and local and international travel; a failure to obtain or delays in obtaining the required regulatory licenses, permits, approvals and consents; an inability to access financing as needed; a general economic downturn, a volatile stock price, labour strikes, political unrest, changes in the mining regulatory regime governing Aurania; a failure to comply with environmental regulations; a weakening of market and industry reliance on precious metals and base metals; and those risks set out in the Company’s public documents filed on SEDAR+. Aurania cautions the reader that the above list of risk factors is not exhaustive. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information, which only applies as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law.

SOURCE: Aurania Resources Ltd.

Release – Hemisphere Energy Provides Corporate Update, Declares Quarterly Dividend, and Announces 2025 Guidance

Posted on January 29, 2025January 29, 2025 by dburczyk@noblecapitalmarkets.com

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Vancouver, British Columbia–(Newsfile Corp. – January 29, 2025) – Hemisphere Energy Corporation (TSXV: HME) (OTCQX: HMENF) (“Hemisphere” or the “Company”) is pleased to provide a corporate update, announce the declaration of a quarterly dividend payment to shareholders, and deliver guidance for 2025.

Corporate Update

In 2024, Hemisphere achieved annual production growth of 10%, executed a $22 million capital expenditure program, and increased its positive year-end working capital position. The Company also returned over $0.22/share ($21.2 million) to shareholders in the form of dividends ($15.7 million) and share buybacks ($5.5 million), which represents an annualized 11.9% yield to shareholders based on Hemisphere’s market capitalization at December 31, 2024.

Hemisphere’s 2024 capital expenditure program grew production, added required infrastructure, and commenced testing a new resource play with an enhanced oil recovery (“EOR”) polymer pilot project. These investments were funded entirely by cash flow from the Company’s long-life reserve base and ultra-low production decline rates in the Atlee Buffalo oil assets, and have set up Hemisphere for continued growth in 2025.

Based on field estimates, production over the past two months (December 1, 2024 – January 27, 2025) has averaged approximately 3,800 boe/d (99% heavy oil) as new Atlee Buffalo wells were brought online through the fourth quarter of last year. With the addition of a new treater late in the quarter and upcoming injector conversions, these and other wells are expected to continue to be optimized during the first quarter of 2025 in Hemisphere’s flagship EOR polymer flood projects.

Balance sheet strength in 2024 allowed Hemisphere to invest in its pilot EOR project in the Marsden area of western Saskatchewan. The Company drilled 5 wells (3 production wells and 2 injection wells) and built facilities required to produce oil and inject polymer back into a known accumulation of oil that had been previously produced with vertical wells and abandoned, with the plans of rebuilding reservoir pressure and increasing the recovery factor of the oil-in-place from the pool. First injection commenced late in the third quarter of 2024 and Hemisphere is anticipating to see potential EOR response in mid-to-late 2025.

Quarterly Dividend

Hemisphere is pleased to announce that its Board of Directors has approved a quarterly cash dividend of $0.025 per common share in accordance with the Company’s dividend policy. The dividend will be paid on February 26, 2025 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on February 12, 2025. The dividend is designated as an eligible dividend for income tax purposes.

2025 Corporate Guidance

Hemisphere’s Board of Directors has approved a 2025 capital expenditure program of approximately $17 million, which is planned to be entirely funded by Hemisphere’s estimated 2025 adjusted funds flow¹ (“AFF”) of $51 million and is anticipated to provide 15% annual production growth. The majority of capital will be allocated to drilling, optimization, and facility work, with approximately 10% allotted to exploration and land acquisition. Most of the planned capital expenditures are scheduled for the third quarter of 2025, providing Hemisphere with the flexibility to adjust plans subject to the commodity price environment.

After capital expenditures and asset retirement obligations (“ARO”), 2025 free funds flow¹ (“FFF”) is estimated to be $34 million, of which approximately 30% is budgeted to be paid in quarterly base dividends as shown in the table below. The balance of cash will be used for discretionary purposes, which may include potential acceleration of other development or exploration projects, acquisitions, and additional return of capital to shareholders through Hemisphere’s normal course issuer bid (“NCIB”) program and/or special dividends. In 2024, two special dividends totaling $0.06/share ($5.7 million) were paid to shareholders in addition to Hemisphere’s base quarterly dividends of $0.10/share ($10 million), and share buybacks amounted to $0.06/share ($5.5 million), bringing total shareholder returns to $0.22/share ($21.2 million).

Management believes that the 2025 development plan provides stable production growth and consistent shareholder returns, with significant flexibility built in to allow for necessary adjustments based on changing political and commodity environments.

Highlights and assumptions of Hemisphere’s guidance at US$75/bbl WTI are as follows:

Average annual production of 3,900 boe/d (99% heavy oil), a 15% increase as compared to 2024
Average WTI price of US$75/bbl, with sensitivities shown at US$65/bbl and US$85/bbl
WCS differential of US$14.00/bbl and quality adjustment of $7.00/bbl
CAD/US FX of 1.43
Operating and transportation costs of $15.25/boe
Royalties and GORRs on gross revenue of 21% at US$75/bbl WTI, 19% at US$65/bbl WTI, and 23% at US$85/bbl WTI
Net G&A of $3.66/boe
Tax Costs of $8.10/boe at US$75/bbl WTI, $5.64/boe at US$65/bbl WTI, and $10.37/boe at US$85/bbl WTI

Notes:
(1) AFF, Capital Expenditures, and FFF (including per share amounts) are non-IFRS financial measures that are forward looking and do not have any standardized meaning under IFRS and therefore may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other entities. AFF per basic share and FFF per basic share are non-IFRS financial ratios that are forward looking and do not have any standardized meaning under IFRS and therefore may not be comparable to similar ratios presented by other entities and include non-IFRS financial measure components of AFF and FFF. See “Non-IFRS Measures“.
(2) See assumptions noted above within “2025 Corporate Guidance”.
(3) Using a 2025 weighted average of 97.4 million basic shares issued and outstanding.
(4) The amounts above do not include potential future purchases through the Company’s NCIB program or other discretionary uses of available funds.

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, ultra-low decline conventional heavy oil assets through polymer flood enhanced 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

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 the record date and payment date for Hemisphere’s quarterly dividend; expectations for the continued optimization of certain wells during the first quarter of 2025 in Hemisphere’s flagship EOR polymer flood projects; expectations on timing for potential EOR responses for activities in the Marsden area of western Saskatchewan; that Hemisphere’s 2025 capital budget is planned to be entirely funded by Hemisphere’s estimated 2025 AFF and is anticipated to provide 15% annual production growth, including that the majority of capital will be allocated to drilling, optimization, and facility work, with approximately 10% allotted to exploration and land acquisition, as well as expectations for the timing of such expenditures; Hemisphere’s anticipation that approximately 30% of estimated $34 million in free funds flow will be paid in quarterly dividends with the balance of cash being used for discretionary purposes; the expected manner in which the Company’s 2025 capital budget will be spent, including the timing of such expenditures and any discretionary amounts, which may include potential acceleration of other development or exploration projects, acquisitions, and return of capital to shareholders through Hemisphere’s NCIB program and/or dividends, and the anticipated effects thereof, including as set forth under “2025 Corporate Guidance” and the Company’s dividend policy and the other matters and guidance set forth under “2025 Corporate Guidance”; and management’s belief that the 2025 development plan provides stable production growth and consistent shareholder returns, with significant flexibility built in to allow for necessary adjustments based on changing political and commodity environments.

Forward‐looking 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 forward‐looking statements or information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on forward‐looking 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 (including the assumptions noted in respect of “2025 Corporate Guidance”), 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; continued trade-agreements remain in place and no trade related disputes will develop, including tariffs on Canadian energy production to the United States will be applicable, that results from drilling and development activities are consistent with past operations; 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; inflationary pressure and related costs; that the Company’s dividend policy will remain the same and the Company will continue to be able to declare dividends; 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 accuracy of the Company’s reservoir modelling; 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 forward‐looking 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 forward‐looking statements including, without limitation: changes in commodity prices; regulatory risks, including penalties or other remedial actions, the ability of the Company to maintain legal title to its properties; 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; results of Hemisphere’s waterflood operations; the ability of Hemisphere to, pending future events, return capital to shareholders as a result of any required third party approvals; changes in budgets; 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 time‐to‐time in Hemisphere’s public disclosure documents, (including, without limitation, those risks identified in this news release and in Hemisphere’s most recent Annual Information Form).

The forward‐looking 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 forward‐looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable securities laws.

Forward Looking Financial Information

This news release may contain future oriented financial information (“FOFI”) within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including with respect to the Company’s anticipated 2025 Free Funds Flow, Capital Expenditures and Adjusted Funds Flow (including where applicable per share amounts). The FOFI has been prepared by management to provide an outlook of the Company’s activities and results. The FOFI has been prepared based on a number of assumptions including the assumptions discussed and disclosed above, including in relation to “2025 Corporate Guidance” above and “Forward Looking Statements” above and that the Company is cash taxable in 2025. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on FOFI. The Company’s actual results, performance or achievement could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these FOFI, or if any of them do so, what benefits the Company will derive therefrom. The Company has included the FOFI in order to provide readers with a more complete perspective on the Company’s future operations and such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any FOFI statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

Non-IFRS and Other Measures

This news release contains terms that are non-IFRS measures or ratios that are forward looking and commonly used in the oil and gas industry which are not defined by or calculated in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”), such as: (i) adjusted funds flow (ii) adjusted funds flow per basic share; (iii) capital expenditures; (iv) free funds flow; and (v) free funds flow per basic share. These terms should not be considered an alternative to, or more meaningful than the comparable IFRS measures (as determined in accordance with IFRS) which in the case of funds flow is cash provided by operating activities, in the case of adjusted funds flow (and adjusted funds flow per share) is cash provided by operating activities and in the case of capital expenditures is cash flow used in investing activities. There is no IFRS measure that is reasonably comparable to free funds flow. These measures are commonly used in the oil and gas industry and by Hemisphere to provide shareholders and potential investors with additional information regarding: (i) in the case of adjusted funds flow and free funds flow, the Company’s ability to generate the funds necessary to support future growth through capital investment and to repay any debt.

Hemisphere’s determination of these measures may not be comparable to that reported by other companies. Adjusted funds flow is calculated as cash generated by operating activities, before changes in non-cash working capital and adjusted for any decommissioning expenditures; Adjusted funds flow per share is calculated using the outstanding basic shares of the company as footnoted in the 2024 Corporate Guidance table; Free Funds Flow is calculated as Adjusted Funds Flow less capital expenditures; and Free funds flow per share is calculated using the outstanding basic shares of the company as footnoted in the 2025 Corporate Guidance table. The Company has provided additional information on how these measures are calculated, including a reconciliation of such measures to their comparable IFRS measure, in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2023 and the interim period ended September 30, 2024, which are available under the Company’s SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca.

In respect of any forward-looking non-IFRS measures, there is no significant difference between the non-GAAP financial measure that are forward-looking information and the equivalent historical non-GAAP financial measures.

In this news release, Hemisphere uses the term market capitalization at year-end. Hemisphere’s market capitalization was $178.2 million based on 97,389,735 shares outstanding and the Company’s closing price of $1.83 per share on December 31, 2024.

All amounts are expressed in Canadian dollars unless otherwise noted.

Oil and Gas Advisories

Any references in this news release to recent production rates (including as a result of recent waterflood activities) which may be considered to be initial rates and are useful in confirming the presence of hydrocarbons; however, such rates are not determinative of the rates at which such wells will continue production and decline thereafter and are not necessarily indicative of long-term performance or ultimate recovery. While encouraging, readers are cautioned not to place reliance on such rates in calculating the aggregate production for the Company. Such rates are based on field estimates and may be based on limited data available at this time.

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.

Definitions and Abbreviations

bbl	Barrel	WTI	West Texas Intermediate
bbl/d	barrels per day	WCS	Western Canadian Select
$/bbl	dollar per barrel	US$	United States Dollar
boe	barrel of oil equivalent
boe/d	barrel of oil equivalent per day	IFRS	International Financial Reporting Standards
$/boe	dollar per barrel of oil equivalent	G&A	General and Administrative Costs

SOURCE: Hemisphere Energy Corporation

Release – Seanergy Maritime Expands Fleet with Two Japanese Ships: One Newcastlemax Vessel and One Capesize Vessel

Posted on January 28, 2025January 28, 2025 by dburczyk@noblecapitalmarkets.com

Research News and Market Data on SHIP

GLYFADA, Greece, Jan. 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Seanergy Maritime Holdings Corp. (the “Company” or “Seanergy”) (NASDAQ: SHIP) announced today that it has entered into two definitive agreements with unaffiliated third parties in Japan for (i) the purchase of a Japanese-built Newcastlemax vessel and (ii) a bareboat charter with a purchase obligation for one Japanese-built Capesize vessel. The total acquisition cost is approximately $69.0 million.

Acquisition of a Japanese Newcastlemax Vessel

The Newcastlemax was built in 2013 at Imabari Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., Saijo Shipyard, a reputable Japanese shipyard, and has a cargo-carrying capacity of approximately 207,851 deadweight tons (“dwt”). The vessel will be renamed “Meiship” and is expected to be delivered within the first quarter of 2025, subject to customary closing conditions.

Acquisition of a Japanese Capesize Vessel through Bareboat Charter Agreement

The Capesize was built in 2011 at Mitsui SB and has a capacity of 178,459 dwt. Pursuant to the terms of the 6-month bareboat charter with an unaffiliated third party in Japan, Seanergy has advanced a down payment of $4.0 million and will pay an additional $4.0 million upon delivery of the vessel to the Company, as well as a daily bareboat rate of $9,750 over the charter period. The vessel will be renamed “Blueship” and is expected to be delivered within the first quarter of 2025. At the end of the 6-month bareboat period, Seanergy has an obligation to purchase the vessel for $22.5 million.

The purchase price for the two vessels is expected to be funded with a combination of cash on hand and proceeds from credit facilities the Company will seek to enter into.

Stamatis Tsantanis, the Company’s Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, stated:

“We are pleased to announce the addition of two high-quality Japanese vessels to Seanergy’s fleet, which will integrate perfectly with our existing pure-play Capesize fleet. These transactions mark a significant milestone in the Company’s strategic fleet expansion strategy, which is designed to strengthen our position within the industry. With a fully delivered fleet of 21 vessels and 3.8 million dwt, we are advancing our competitive edge through disciplined growth, in alignment with our focused capital allocation strategy.

“We expect these acquisitions to further enhance our operational capabilities while reinforcing our commitment to delivering consistent shareholder returns. We believe that the deliveries of the two new vessels are well-timed, based on the higher level of the freight futures for the second half of 2025.

“Despite the seasonal weakness, we remain confident in the long-term outlook of the Capesize sector, driven by favorable market fundamentals, a limited newbuilding orderbook, and what seems to be a sustained global demand for major raw materials.”

About Seanergy Maritime Holdings Corp.

Seanergy Maritime Holdings Corp. is an international shipping company that provides marine dry bulk transportation services through the ownership and operation of dry bulk vessels. The Company’s operating fleet consists of 19 Capesize vessels (1 Newcastlemax and 18 Capesize) with an average age of 13.8 years and aggregate cargo carrying capacity of approximately 3,417,608 dwt. Upon completion of the aforementioned transactions, the Company’s operating fleet will consist of 21 vessels (2 Newcastlemax and 19 Capesize), with an aggregate cargo carrying capacity of 3,803,918 dwt.

The Company is incorporated in the Marshall Islands and has executive offices in Glyfada, Greece. The Company’s common shares trade on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “SHIP”.

Please visit our company website at: www.seanergymaritime.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements (as defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) concerning future events, including with respect to fleet growth, market trends and shareholder returns. Words such as “may”, “should”, “expects”, “intends”, “plans”, “believes”, “anticipates”, “hopes”, “estimates” and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements involve known and unknown risks and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates, which are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, the Company’s operating or financial results; the Company’s liquidity, including its ability to service its indebtedness; competitive factors in the market in which the Company operates; shipping industry trends, including charter rates, vessel values and factors affecting vessel supply and demand; future, pending or recent acquisitions and dispositions, business strategy, impacts of litigation, areas of possible expansion or contraction, and expected capital spending or operating expenses; risks associated with operations outside the United States; broader market impacts arising from trade disputes or war (or threatened war) or international hostilities, such as between Israel and Hamas or Iran and between Russia and Ukraine; risks associated with the length and severity of pandemics (including COVID-19), including their effects on demand for dry bulk products and the transportation thereof; and other factors listed from time to time in the Company’s filings with the SEC, including its most recent annual report on Form 20-F. The Company’s filings can be obtained free of charge on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Except to the extent required by law, the Company expressly disclaims any obligations or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in the Company’s expectations with respect thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any statement is based.

For further information please contact:

Seanergy Investor Relations
Tel: +30 213 0181 522
E-mail: ir@seanergy.gr

Capital Link, Inc.
Paul Lampoutis
230 Park Avenue Suite 1536
New York, NY 10169
Tel: (212) 661-7566
E-mail: seanergy@capitallink.com

Release – LODE: Comstock Fuels and the BDO Zone Initiative Align to Accelerate Sustainable Fuel Development

Posted on January 28, 2025January 28, 2025 by dburczyk@noblecapitalmarkets.com

Research News and Market Data on LODE

OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA – JANUARY 28, 2025 – Comstock Inc. (NYSE American: LODE) today announced that its subsidiary, Comstock Fuels Corporation (“Comstock Fuels”), has joined the BDO Zone Strategic Partners Network, a group of leading companies in the bioenergy sector that help accelerate and de-risk biobased project development in BDO Zones. The BDO Zone Initiative is an internationally recognized standards-based assessment which certifies “regional readiness for bio-manufacturing,” creates global connections, and ignites an influx of clean energy opportunities.

This groundbreaking collaboration combines the BDO Zone Initiative’s proven expertise and dedication in certifying “regional readiness for biomanufacturing” in biomass-rich regions with Comstock Fuels’ innovative renewable fuel solutions. This partnership will accelerate the identification, pre-certification and deployment of qualified feedstocks and investment-grade sustainable fuel production sites, with proven conversion technology.

“Ecostrat’s BDO Zone Initiative has frankly revolutionized how we identify, validate and enable prime locations for sustainable biomass production,” said David Winsness, president of Comstock Fuels. “By integrating Comstock Fuels as a strategic partner for these pre-vetted regions, we’re accelerating commercialization by adding high competencies while eliminating critical barriers and redundancies to site selection and project deployment.”

The BDO Zone Initiative’s rigorous standards-based regional readiness assessments provide project developers and investors with sophisticated technical and financial analysis of biomass feedstock availability, infrastructure readiness, and operational feasibility. This systematic approach aligns perfectly with Comstock Fuels’ technology deployment prerequisites, positioning a standardized, turnkey solution for site and sustainable fuel project development.

“Comstock Fuels’ expertise and innovative technologies are positioned to unlock a substantial amount of carbon-neutral, lignocellulosic feedstock production, representing a natural and strong addition to the BDO Zone Strategic Partners Network,” stated Jordan Solomon, chairman of the BDO Zone Initiative. “This partnership will materially increase the speed and development of advanced biofuel projects and aligns with our mission to accelerate sustainable, low-carbon initiatives within BDO Zones.”

This partnership is expected to significantly reduce project development timelines and risks, while increasing the success rate of new sustainable fuel facilities. The combined strengths of both companies in one, repeatable, effective, systemic process will help meet the growing North America demand for renewable fuel solutions.

About The BDO Zone Initiative

The BDO Zone Initiative certifies regional readiness for bio-based manufacturing, creates global connections with project developers, and ignites an influx of clean energy opportunities. A BDO Zone rating is an internationally recognized standards-based technical risk assessment of biomass feedstock, supply chain, and infrastructure risk with respect to the development potential of new biofuel, renewable chemical, biogas, and bioproduct plants. Investment grade ratings attract new bio-based manufacturing plants to the areas where they are most likely to succeed and create jobs. For more information on the BDO Zone Initiative, contact info@bdozone.org. To view all BDO Zone ratings, visit www.bdozone.org.

About Ecostrat Inc.

Ecostrat is the North American leader in biomass due diligence for biofuels, renewable chemicals, biogas, and bio-product project development and finance. Ecostrat led the USDOE/BETO funded project to develop the new investment Standards and Ratings for Biomass Supply Chain Risk. To learn more, please visit www.ecostrat.com.

About Comstock Fuels Corporation

About Comstock Inc.

Comstock Social Media Policy

Comstock has used, and intends to continue using, its investor relations link and main website at www.comstock.inc in addition to its Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube accounts, as means of disclosing material non-public information and for complying with its disclosure obligations under Regulation FD.

Contacts

For investor inquiries:
RB Milestone Group LLC
Tel (203) 487-2759
ir@comstockinc.com

Forward-Looking Statements