Release – 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. to Release Results for its Fiscal 2022 Fourth Quarter and Full Year on Thursday, September 1, 2022



1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. to Release Results for its Fiscal 2022 Fourth Quarter and Full Year on Thursday, September 1, 2022

Research, News, and Market Data on 1-800-FLOWERS.COM

Aug 08, 2022

JERICHO, N.Y.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. (NASDAQ: FLWS),a leading provider of gifts designed to help inspire customers to give more, connect more, and build more and better relationships, today announced that the Company will release financial results for its fiscal 2022 fourth quarter and full year (ended 7/3/22) on Thursday, September 1, 2022. The press release will be issued prior to market opening and will be followed by a conference call with members of senior management at 8:00 a.m. (ET).

 

The conference call will be available via live webcast from the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website at 1800flowersinc.com. A recording of the call will be posted on the website within two hours of the call’s completion. A telephonic replay of the call can be accessed beginning at 2:00 p.m. (ET) on September 1, 2022, through September 8, 2022, at: (US) 1-877-344-7529; (
Canada) 855-669-9658; (International) 1-412-317-0088; enter conference ID: #4688547. If you have any questions regarding the above information, please call the Investor Relations office at (516) 237-6131.

 

Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:
Some of the statements contained in the Company’s scheduled Thursday, September 1, 2022, press release and conference call regarding its results for its fiscal 2022 fourth quarter and full year (ended 7/3/22), other than statements of historical fact, may be forward-looking within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the applicable statements. For a more detailed description of these and other risk factors, please refer to the Company’s SEC filings including its Annual Reports and Forms 10K and 10Q available at the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website at 1800flowersinc.com. The Company expressly disclaims any intent or obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements made in the scheduled conference call and any recordings thereof, or in any of its SEC filings, except as may be otherwise stated by the Company.

 

About 1-800-FLOWERS.COM,
Inc.

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

 

FLWS-COMP
FLWS-FN

Investor Contact:

Joseph D. Pititto

(516) 237-6131

invest@1800flowers.com

Media Contact:

Kathleen Waugh

(516) 237-6028

kwaugh@1800flowers.com

Source: 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc

 


Eagle Bulk Shipping (EGLE) – Eagle Bulk Shipping reports strong 2022-2Q results

Monday, August 08, 2022

Eagle Bulk Shipping (EGLE)
Eagle Bulk Shipping reports strong 2022-2Q results

Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc. (“Eagle”) is a US-based drybulk owner-operator focused on the Supramax/Ultramax mid-size asset class, which ranges from 50,000 and 65,000 deadweight tons in size; these vessels are equipped with onboard cranes allowing for the self-loading and unloading of cargoes, a feature which distinguishes them from the larger classes of drybulk vessels and provides for greatly enhanced flexibility and versatility- both with respect to cargo diversity and port accessibility. The Company transports a broad range of major and minor bulk cargoes around the world, including coal, grain, ore, pet coke, cement, and fertilizer. Eagle operates out of three offices, Stamford (headquarters), Singapore, and Hamburg, and performs all aspects of vessel management in-house including: commercial, operational, technical, and strategic.

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

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

Results were up sharply versus last year and slightly above our forecast. Net revenues were $198.7m in the most recent quarter, up 53% versus last year and in line with our $205.0m estimate. Improved sales reflect higher TCE shipping rates ($30,207 vs. $21,580) and more operating days (5,707 vs. 4,778) due to more owned and chartered-in vessels (60 vs. 55). Favorable sales led to a jump in adjusted EBITDA (which excludes hedges) to $102.6m from $6.6m surpassing our $93.4m estimate. The EBITDA surprise was due to lower-than-expected voyage expenses. Adjusted net income was $81.6m ($4.98/diluted share) versus our $73m. 

Charter rates have slipped but still remain above historical averages. Shipping rates declined in the second quarter as fighting in Ukraine and overall global economic concerns affected prices. Eagle has locked in 72% of its shipping rates for the third quarter as compared to an 83% rate in the second quarter leaving it a bit more exposed to spot prices. The fourth quarter is typically the highest-priced quarter due to North American grain shipments. Management believes the market for dry bulk shipping is also favorable with China opening up, Russian and Ukraine grain shipments resuming, and Brazil iron ore supply growing. Management points out that new vessel construction is limited and new orders wouldn’t be completed until 2024….

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

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

Coeur Mining (CDE) – Lowering Rating to Market Perform

Monday, August 08, 2022

Coeur Mining (CDE)
Lowering Rating to Market Perform

Mark Reichman, Senior Research Analyst, Natural Resources, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

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

Second quarter 2022 results. Coeur reported a second quarter adjusted net loss of $13.1 million or $(0.05) per share, compared to a net loss of $840 thousand or $(0.00) per share, during the prior year period, and our net income estimate of $4.0 million, or $0.01 per share. The variance to our estimates was due in part to higher costs applicable to sales. Adjusted EBITDA amounted to $43.3 million. Second quarter sales included 2.5 million ounces of silver and 84,786 ounces of gold. Coeur reaffirmed full year production guidance and increased cost guidance to reflect inflationary pressures. We have lowered our full year 2022 EBITDA and EPS estimates to $151.8 million and $(0.12), respectively, and our 2023 estimates to $181.3 million and $0.11. Our estimates reflect higher costs and lower commodity prices.

Rochester advances. The POA 11 Rochester expansion project is advancing with completion expected in mid-2023. Coeur has committed approximately $523 million of the $600 million estimated project capital cost and has incurred $350 million of the total estimated project cost through June 30. Coeur expects to spend between $217 million and $257 million in 2022 and $131 million and $171 million in 2023. In our view, the project’s net present value of $348.1 million estimated in the most recent technical report dated December 2021 is at risk of erosion due to higher costs and lower silver prices. Recall the first technical report published in 2020 predicted a capital cost of $396.8 million, now north of $600 million, and a net present value of $633.8 million….

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

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

Release – Vera Bradley Announces Reporting Date for Fiscal Year 2023 Second Quarter Results



Vera Bradley Announces Reporting Date for Fiscal Year 2023 Second Quarter Results

Research, News, and Market Data on Vera Bradley


Aug 5, 2022

FORT WAYNE, Ind., Aug. 05, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Vera Bradley, Inc. (Nasdaq: VRA) (“Vera Bradley” or the “Company”) today announced that it plans to report results for the second quarter ended July 30, 2022 at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, August 31, 2022.

The Company will host a conference call to discuss its financial results at 9:30 a.m. Eastern Time that same day. A live webcast of the conference call will be available on the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website, www.verabradley.com. Alternatively, interested parties may dial into the call at (800) 437-2398 or (323) 289-6576, and enter the access code 3589431. A replay will be available shortly after the conclusion of the call and remain available through September 14, 2022. To access the recording, listeners should dial (844) 512-2921, and enter the access code 3589431.

ABOUT VERA BRADLEY, INC.

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

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

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

CONTACTS:
Investors:

Julia Bentley, VP of Investor Relations and Communications
jbentley@verabradley.com
(260) 207-5116

Media:           

877-708-VERA (8372)                                

Mediacontact@verabradley.com

 


Lee Enterprises (LEE) – Its Three Pillar Strategy Is Working

Friday, August 05, 2022

Lee Enterprises (LEE)
Its Three Pillar Strategy Is Working

Lee Enterprises, Incorporated provides local news, information, and advertising primarily in midsize markets in the United States. It publishes 49 daily newspapers, as well as offers 300 weekly newspapers and specialty publications in 23 states. The company also provides online advertising and services; and online infrastructure and online publishing services for approximately 1,500 daily and weekly newspapers and shoppers. In addition, it offers commercial printing services. The company has a strategic alliance with Yahoo!, Inc. to provide its classified employment advertising customer base the opportunity to post job listings and other employment products on Yahoo!s HotJobs national platform. Lee Enterprises, Incorporated was founded in 1890 and is based in Davenport, Iowa.

Michael Kupinski, Director of Research, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Patrick McCann, Research Associate, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

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

Strong fiscal Q3. Q3 revenue was $195 million, 1.7% above our forecast of $191.7 million. Adj. EBITDA of $23 million was in line with our forecast. The revenue beat was driven by strong 27% growth of Digital revenue, which now accounts for 32% of total revenues.

Digital ahead of schedule. Digital revenue growth was driven by Digital-only subscription revenue, up 50%, and Digital Ad & Marketing Services revenue, up nearly 27%. Notably, Digital only subscribers were up 49% to 501,000, achieving the year-end subscriber goal of 495,000 a full quarter early. We believe the most recent quarter demonstrates an industry-leading Digital transformation strategy, which capitalizes on Lee’s local market focus.

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

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

Salem Media Group (SALM) – 2000 Mules Boost Quarterly Results

Friday, August 05, 2022

Salem Media Group (SALM)
2000 Mules Boost Quarterly Results

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

Michael Kupinski, Director of Research, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Patrick McCann, Research Associate, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

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

Overachieves Q2 estimates. While total company revenues of $68.7 million were in line with our $68.8 million estimate, adj. EBITDA overachieved estimates, $11.7 million versus our $7.3 million estimate. Adj. EBITDA, which increased 33%,  benefited from a $3.3 million revenue share from the successful movie launch of 2000 Mules. 

Political advertising off the charts. The company generated $1.5 million in Political advertising in the latest quarter, far outpacing its highest Political year in 2020. …

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

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

CoreCivic, Inc. (CXW) – Post Call Commentary and Updated Projections

Friday, August 05, 2022

CoreCivic, Inc. (CXW)
Post Call Commentary and Updated Projections

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

Joe Gomes, Senior Research Analyst, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

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

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

Behind the Miss. There were a number of items with the most significant being the La Palma transition, both the cost of implementing the transition as well as a faster drawn down of the existing ICE population than was anticipated, a challenging labor market where CoreCivic has implemented above average wage increases, and the impact of contract non-renewals and asset dispositions.

Upside Potential Remains. Due to the COVID regulations, CoreCivic’s occupancy levels remain well below historical norms. A return to pre-COVID occupancy levels, or about an additional 8,000 detainees, could add some $40-$50 million to EBITDA. Given the expectations for a border surge once Title 42 is lifted, we do not think this is a stretch….

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

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

Earnings, Acquisitions, and an Oversold Position Pushing Biotechs Up



Image Credit: Marco Verch (Flickr)


Biotech Earnings Reports and M&A Activity Contribute to Sector Strength

Biotech stocks that were on life support during the beginning of 2022 are now revived and not slowing down. Since mid-June, when many sectors turned around, the beaten-up biotechs became impressive outperformers. And, for good reasons. While they may have overshot on the high side during the pandemic, the post-pandemic selling may have also gone too far, currently, they are priced at levels that has generated a lot of interest among investors, both small and large.

The SPDR S&P Biotech ETF (XBI), which tracks the sector, is up 16.35% over the past three months and 45.14%% since the markets closed on June 14. XBI had fallen from the $110 range to the $60 range earlier this year, it is now around $92. Whether or not this represents a continued direction for the biotech sector remains to be seen, but the positive buzz and news stories surrounding biotech seem to be increasing.


Right Mixture

Merck (MRK) has been in the news as they’re in negotiations to acquire Seagen (SGEN). This has been a reminder that big pharma is flush with cash, so much that attractive small and mid-cap biotech companies can easily be purchased without a financial blink from the acquirer. These smaller companies are also finding it easier to develop financial and R&D partnerships with big companies. The financial strength of big pharma has been further highlighted in recent weeks as stock buybacks among large firms and merger activity seem to be growing. Market-moving drug-testing results are also being reported as the FDA is less distracted than it has been in years. Taken together, all of these factors would seem to be the right treatment to continue to heal and strengthen a depressed sector.


Source: Koyfin

The market is also being reminded of the potential profitability of the sector during this earnings
season
. Companies like Regeneron Pharmaceuticals (REGN) climbed almost 6% after reporting earnings this week, and Gilead Sciences (GILD) financial reporting had a similar impact on its stock price. But these didn’t even come close to Moderna (MRNA) which gained 16% after reporting its earnings.

As for the smaller biotech names, both public and private are also deals being made. Gilead announced an agreement on Thursday to pick up a private U.K.-based biotech called MiroBio for $405 million in cash.

The sector has gained much of its strength of the sector in recent months from mid-caps that were weaker than their larger counterparts early in the year. Names like Therapeutics (BEAM), which started the year off poorly but is now up 104% since mid-June. Fate Therapeutics (FATE) is another mid cap that has been flying since mid-June and is currently up 77% during that period.


Take Away

Markets are cyclical, and the biotech sector, which was at the height of its cycle earlier this decade, may have recently passed the bottom of its cycle. Smaller names are now at attractive levels for cash-rich larger pharmaceutical companies to scoop up companies that operate in areas they are looking to strengthen their pipeline or offerings.

A great place to find and explore small biotechs is Channelchek. Simply click on Company
Data
at the upper left of your screen, then healthcare, which leads you to a drop-down menu with biotech as one of the categories. Sign up for research on small and microcap companies from top-ranked analysts in biotech and other industries, delivered to your inbox each morning.

Paul Hoffman

Managing Editor, Channelchek

Suggested Content



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Sources

https://www.barrons.com/articles/biotech-stocks-rally-bear-market-51657551507

https://www.barrons.com/articles/bull-market-biotech-stocks-51659620438?mod=hp_LEAD_2_B_2

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Release – Motorsport Games and BTCC Announce “BTCC rFactor 2 Hot Lap Challenge” for Final Four Events of the Season



Motorsport Games and BTCC Announce “BTCC rFactor 2 Hot Lap Challenge” for Final Four Events of the Season

Research, News, and Market Data on Motorsport Games

MIAMI, Aug. 05, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Motorsport Games Inc. (NASDAQ:
MSGM) (“Motorsport Games” or the “Company”)
, a leading racing game developer, publisher and esports ecosystem provider of official motorsport racing series throughout the world, in conjunction with the British
Touring Car Championship (BTCC),
 announces today the BTCC
rFactor 2 Hot Lap Challenge
. The challenge will be available for fans to participate in at the final four race weekends of the 2022 BTCC season. Visitors who also register for the Motorsport Games/BTCC mailing list will be among the first to receive exclusive news and updates on the upcoming BTCC game, slated for full release in 2024.

Ticket holders at each event are welcome to stop by the Motorsport Games x BTCC booth in order to experience official BTCC content within rFactor 2, the realistic racing simulation platform. Fans will compete to post their hot lap time (Time2Beat), with the best posted result winning the signed gear grand prize. The booth will feature four racing simulators pre-loaded with a rFactor 2 tech demo, running official BTCC cars and tracks. Free giveaways will also be available while supplies last. The BTCC rFactor 2 Hot Lap Challenge will be available to play at the following race weekends:

  • Snetterton (Norfolk, UK): August 13-14, 2022
  • Thruxton (Hampshire, UK): August 27-28, 2022
  • Silverstone National (Towcester, UK): September 24-25, 2022
  • Brands Hatch GP (Kent, UK): October 8-9, 2022

“The launch of the BTCC rFactor 2 Hot Lap Challenge is one of the many ways in which Motorsport Games is bringing this iconic motorsport series to life for fans to enjoy,” said Dmitry Kozko, CEO of Motorsport
Games
. “This activation, a part of four events this season, provides a first look at the BTCC brought to life within the virtual world. By bringing the BTCC into the Motorsport Games fold, we are continuing to enhance our product differentiation within a robust racing games marketplace for fans across the globe.”

The BTCC rFactor 2 Hot Lap Challenge serves the goal for both Motorsport Games and the BTCC of refining and strengthening the future BTCC game title, scheduled to arrive in 2024. Fans who take part in the Time2Beat activations will be able to provide real time feedback that will be used in the game’s development. The hot lap challenges are a part of the larger promotional plan update previously announced by Motorsport Games, including additional activations, content releases and ‘first-play content’ tech demos through rFactor 2 containing BTCC content.

“The BTCC rFactor 2 Hot Lap Challenge being brought to our events is yet another way we are ensuring a memorable fan experience at our races,” said Alan Gow, BTCC Chief Executive. “We know that our fans are eager to get their hands on the official BTCC game and we ensure that progress and expanded development plans are continuing to be made in the here and now. We look forward to hearing the fans’ feedback directly and having another entertaining and engaging experience available during race weekends.”

Motorsport Games plans to continue adding additional BTCC branded content into rFactor 2. Motorsport Games and rFactor 2 have already added the Infiniti Q50 and Toyota Corolla BTCC cars into the simulation for fans to drive as part of a first content rollout. Daily BTCC competitions through the rFactor 2 competition system will be open to all users, allowing for statistics-driven benefits to each driver’s rating. All content released via rFactor 2 will be utilized as a technical test bed, allowing consumers and official drivers to provide feedback for the development team and help build the best experience upon full release.

To keep up with the latest Motorsport Game news, visit www.motorsportgames.com and follow on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.

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

About the British Touring Car Championship:
The British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) was formed in 1958 and is Britain’s most popular motor racing spectacle with its race season comprising ten events at top circuits across the UK. It is contested by professional racing drivers in competition versions of every day road cars, giving it tremendous public appeal. Over 380,000 watch the BTCC trackside each year and it receives widespread UK terrestrial TV exposure on the ITV network, with all ten events broadcast live across ITV, ITV4 and itv.com.

The 2022 campaign marks the start of the BTCC’s Hybrid Era, as the championship becomes the first touring car series in the world to integrate hybrid power into all of its race cars.

Forward-Looking Statements:
Certain statements in this press release which are not historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and are provided pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any statements in this press release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed forward-looking statements. Words such as “continue,” “will,” “may,” “could,” “should,” “expect,” “expected,” “plans,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements concerning the expected future impact of new or planned products, features and/or offerings and the timing of launching such products, features and/and offerings, including, without limitation Motorsport Games’ plans to continue to enhance its product differentiation within a robust racing games marketplace for fans across the globe, that the BTCC rFactor 2 Hot Lap Challenge serves the goal for both Motorsport Games and the BTCC of refining and strengthening the future BTCC game title, scheduled to arrive in 2024, Motorsport Games’ plans to continue adding additional BTCC branded content into rFactor 2 and that the daily BTCC competitions will help build the best experience upon the games’ full release. All forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements, many of which are generally outside the control of Motorsport Games and are difficult to predict. Examples of such risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, difficulties, delays in or unanticipated events that may impact the timing and scope of new product launches, such as due to: (i) difficulties or delays in using its product development personnel in Russia due to the Russia invasion of Ukraine and the related sanctions and/or more restrictive sanctions rendering transacting in the region more difficult or costly and/or difficulties and/or delays arising out of any resurgence of the ongoing and prolonged COVID-19 pandemic; (ii) less than expected benefits from implementing the Company’s management strategies; (iii) adverse economic, market and geopolitical conditions that negatively impact industry trends, such as significant changes in the labor markets, an extended or higher than expected inflationary environment (such as the impact on consumer discretionary spending as a result of significant increases in energy and gas prices which have been increasing since early in 2020), a higher interest rate environment, tax increases impacting consumer discretionary spending and/or quantitative easing that results in higher interest rates that negatively impact consumers’ discretionary spending; and/or (iv) difficulties and/or delays in resolving our liquidity position and financial condition by obtaining additional capital to meet our liquidity needs, including without limitation, difficulties in securing funding that is on commercially acceptable terms to us or at all, such as our inability to complete in whole or in part any potential debt and/or equity financing transactions, as well as any inability to achieve cost reductions and/or less than expected availability of funds under Motorsport Games’ $12 million line of credit from Motorsport Network. Factors other than those referred to above could also cause Motorsport Games’ results to differ materially from expected results. Additional examples of such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: (i) delays and higher than anticipated expenses related to the ongoing and prolonged COVID-19 pandemic and any resurgence of COVID-19; (ii) Motorsport Games’ ability (or inability) to maintain existing, and to secure additional, licenses and other agreements with various racing series; (iii) Motorsport Games’ ability to successfully manage and integrate any joint ventures, acquisitions of businesses, solutions or technologies; (iv) unanticipated operating costs, transaction costs and actual or contingent liabilities; (v) the ability to attract and retain qualified employees and key personnel; (vi) adverse effects of increased competition; (vii) Motorsport Games’ ability to protect its intellectual property; and/or (viii) local, industry and general business and economic conditions. Additional factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements can be found in Motorsport Games’ filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC during 2022, as well as in its subsequent filings with the SEC. Motorsport Games anticipates that subsequent events and developments may cause its plans, intentions and expectations to change. Motorsport Games assumes no obligation, and it specifically disclaims any intention or obligation, to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by law. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and should not be relied upon as representing Motorsport Games’ plans and expectations as of any subsequent date. Additionally, the business and financial materials and any other statement or disclosure on, or made available through, Motorsport Games’ website or other websites referenced or linked to this press release shall not be incorporated by reference into this press release.

Website and Social Media Disclosure:

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

Websites

Social Media

motorsportgames.com

Twitter: @msportgames & @traxiongg

traxion.gg

Instagram: msportgames & traxiongg

motorsport.com

Facebook: Motorsport Games & traxiongg

 

LinkedIn: Motorsport Games

 

Twitch: traxiongg

 

Reddit: traxiongg

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

Press:
ASTRSK PR
motorsportgames@astrskpr.com

BTCC Media Office
Simon Melluish or Emma Illman
Tel. +44 (0) 1372 414120
Email. 
simon.melluish@mpacreative.com or emma.illman@mpacreative.com

 


Cultures Impact on Economic Strength and Success


Image Credit: John Hritz (Flickr)


Prioritizing Investments at the Expense of Luxuries is Key to Societal Wealth

In a pioneering study, psychologist Walter Mischel demonstrated that delaying gratification in childhood led to success in later life. The experiment entailed placing toddlers in a room with treats and giving them the option of eating them immediately or waiting for fifteen minutes so that they could get a second offering. Follow-up studies found that participants were more successful in adolescence if they exercised self-control by waiting for fifteen minutes before eating the treats.

The observation that self-control is correlated with individual accomplishment is uncontroversial, though its link to national success is underexplored. Building a civilization necessitates the renunciation of present desires for long-term benefits. For society to thrive, citizens must save, invest, and plan. In planning for the future, people will automatically prioritize investments at the expense of acquiring luxuries, thus indicating low time preference.

Invariably, capital accumulation is a consequence of low time preference, and those with lower time preference will be inclined to forfeit current wants for future success because they are future oriented. When an entrepreneur reinvests profits into his venture, this is an outcome of futuristic thinking. Since he is a long-term thinker, the entrepreneur appreciates that capital investments drive value creation and ultimately increase the firm’s competitiveness.

Even contemplating starting a business is indicative of long-term thinking, considering the roadblocks that entrepreneurs frequently encounter. Most people are unlikely to become entrepreneurs, however, sustaining progress requires that characteristics of entrepreneurship like long-term orientation and patience are widely diffused throughout society. Essentially, outlier performers are indeed crucial for national success, but the average quality of the population maintains prosperity.

Many countries boast talented entrepreneurs and intellectuals; however, they remain poor because the population’s average quality is too low to induce economic dynamism. Economists in a 2019 paper state that the reproduction of middle-class traits emphasizing human capital investments and long-term planning might have played a pivotal role in the rise of industrialized England:

We find that the middle class had the highest reproductive success during England’s early industrial development…Hence, the prosperity of England over this period can be attributed to the increase in the prevalence of middle-class traits rather than those of the upper (or lower) class.

Today, saving and investments in human capital are markers of elite status, but originally, aristocratic elites preferred conspicuous consumption and cared little for boosting family wealth through enterprise. Therefore, the assumption that England’s rise was aided by the proliferation of people with bourgeois traits is entirely plausible. Interestingly, there is evidence showing that patience—a proxy for long-term thinking impacts national wealth

In a paper entitled “Patience and the Wealth of Nations,” economists conclude that patience explains “a substantial fraction of development differences across countries.”

Countries with more patient populations have higher incomes, superior levels of human and physical capital accumulation, and better institutions. Such findings are explained by the future-oriented outlook of patient people. People invested in the future will save and work hard in the present to live a better life in the next decade.

Furthermore, more recent research asserts that patience is positively correlated with a country’s external wealth. According to Mika Nieminen, countries inhabited by patient individuals have a positive net foreign asset position, whereas countries populated by impatient people have a negative net foreign asset position. Similarly, economic literature suggests that long-term orientation is also instrumental to development.

A 2021 study by European economists argues that long-term orientation increases economic freedom’s benefits. Using a panel analysis of a sample of sixty-seven countries from 1970 to 2019, Johan Graafland and Eelke de Jong reveal that economic freedom has the greatest effect in countries where people are high in long-term orientation. Discussing these findings, they write:

Economic freedom appears to be particularly effective in raising income per capita in countries in Asia (China, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, Vietnam), because these countries combine low Uncertainty Avoidance with Long Term Orientation…In addition, South American countries and countries in the Middle East and Africa hardly benefit from more economic freedom, because of the combination of a relatively high Uncertainty Avoidance and short-time orientation.

Additionally, countries that score high on long-term orientation are also more innovative. This is unsurprising because inventing is a trial-and-error process that includes failure; therefore, people who exercise patience and think long term are more likely to materialize success, since they refused to quit.

In sum, the latest findings in economics should make policy makers aware that designing policies without accounting for a population’s capacity to think long term won’t yield preferred results. Proposing workable solutions is an exercise in futility when people fail to appreciate their impact.

About the Author:

Lipton
Matthews is a researcher, business analyst, and contributor to Merion WestThe
Federalist
American Thinker, Intellectual Takeout, mises.org, and Imaginative Conservative. His YouTube channel, contains interviews with a variety of scholars. He may be contacted at lo_matthews@yahoo.com or on Twitter (@matthewslipton).


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Cypress Development (CYDVF) – Drill Results Highlight Opportunity for an Extended Shallow Pit Design

Friday, August 05, 2022

Cypress Development (CYDVF)
Drill Results Highlight Opportunity for an Extended Shallow Pit Design

Mark Reichman, Senior Research Analyst, Natural Resources, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

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

Sonic drill program. Cypress Development reported results from its sonic drill program intended to obtain material for metallurgical testing at the company’s lithium extraction pilot plant and to supplement the project’s resource model for the feasibility study that is expected to be completed by year-end. Eight holes were drilled representing a total of 580 meters with depths ranging from 61 to 76 meters. Four holes were drilled in the central part of the Clayton Valley property near the planned location of a starter-pit, while four holes were drilled in the northeast portion of the project on and near a parcel of property acquired in May from Enertopia Corporation.

Results validated the company’s resource model. The assay results were in line with lithium grades predicted at all eight locations by the company’s resource block model. The compiled average lithium grade from all eight holes were 1,080 parts per million lithium compared to 1,060 parts per million predicted by the company’s current resource model for all eight locations….

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

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

Release – Gray Television Delivers Solid Second Quarter Operating Results



Gray Television Delivers Solid Second Quarter Operating Results

Research, News, and Market Data on Gray Television

ATLANTA, Aug. 05, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Gray
Television, Inc. (“Gray,” “we,” “us” or “our”) (NYSE: GTN) 
today announced its strong financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2022, including a 231% increase in net income attributable to common stockholders, compared to the second quarter of 2021. Overall, the second quarter of 2022 produced record results, including $868 million in total revenue, due to the combination of recent acquisitions, added scale, increasingly efficient integrated operations, and the “on-year” of the two-year political advertising cycle. We anticipate continued strong financial results for the remainder of the year, especially political advertising revenue. Based on our current forecasts, we now anticipate that our political advertising revenue for calendar year 2022 will match the $652 million of political advertising revenue that our current portfolio of stations recorded in 2020, a presidential election year.  

Gray’s strong cash flow in the second quarter of 2022 enabled us to return $125 million of capital to our shareholders during the second quarter by, paying down $54 million of outstanding debt; repurchasing $50 million of our common stock in the open market; and paying $21 million of cash dividends to our preferred and common shareholders. Even after these actions, Gray ended the quarter with $162 million of cash on hand. Strong operating results and political advertising revenue are expected to enable Gray to fund additional de-leveraging and cash dividend payments during the remainder of the year.

Due to the significant effect that material transactions have had on our results of our operations, we present the financial information herein consistent with both U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP” or “As Reported Basis”) and on a Combined Historical Basis (“CHB”), which incorporates certain historical results of acquired businesses, less the historical results of divested businesses. We also furnish certain other detailed non-GAAP metrics to provide more meaningful period-over-period comparisons to assist the public in its analysis and valuation of the Company. This additional information includes a summary of incremental expenses that were specific to our acquisitions, divestitures, and related financing activities (“Transaction Related Expenses”), non-cash stock-based compensation expenses and certain non-GAAP terms common in our industry. Please refer to the detailed discussion of the foregoing terms and concepts included elsewhere herein.

Summary
of Second Quarter Operating Results

As Reported Basis (the respective 2021 periods reflect the “off-year” of the two-year political advertising cycle):

  • Total revenue was $868 million, an increase of 59% from the second quarter of 2021.
  • Net income attributable to common stockholders was $86 million, or $0.91 per fully diluted share, an increase of 231% from the second quarter of 2021.
  • Broadcast Cash Flow was $327 million, an increase of 79% from the second quarter of 2021.
  • Adjusted EBITDA was $309 million, an increase of 82% from the second quarter of 2021.

Combined Historical Basis (the respective 2021 periods reflect the “off-year” of the two year political advertising cycle):

  • Revenue was $868 million, an increase of 15% from the second quarter of 2021.
  • Core Advertising Revenue decreased less than 1% from the second quarter of 2021.
  • Broadcast Cash Flow was $330 million, an increase of 25% from the second quarter of 2021.

Other Key Metrics

  • As of June 30, 2022, our Total Leverage Ratio, Net of all Cash, was 5.16 times on a trailing eight-quarter basis, netting our total cash balance of $162 million and giving effect to all Transaction Related Expenses, which is calculated as set forth in our Senior Credit Facility.
  • During the three and six-months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, we incurred Transaction Related Expenses on an As Reported Basis that included but were not limited to legal and professional fees, severance and incentive compensation and contract termination fees. In addition, we recorded certain non-cash stock-based compensation expenses. These expenses are summarized as follows:

 

Three
Months Ended

 

Six
Months Ended

 

June
30,

 

June
30,

 

2022

 

2021

 

2022

 

2021

 

(in millions)

Transaction Related Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Broadcasting

$

2

 

$

 

$

4

 

$

Corporate and administrative

 

7

 

1

 

8

Miscellaneous expense, net

 

7

 

 

7

Total Transaction Related Expenses

$

2

 

$

14

 

$

5

 

$

15

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total non-cash stock-based compensation

$

6

 

$

4

 

$

11

 

$

7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Taxes

  • During the six-months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, we made income tax payments of $119 million and $38 million, respectively. During the remainder of 2022, based on our current forecasts, we anticipate making income tax payments (net of our expected $21 million refund) within a range of $70 million to $90 million.
  • As of June 30, 2022, we have an aggregate of $337 million of various state operating loss carryforwards, of which we expect that approximately half will be utilized.

FOX Network Affiliation Agreement Renewal

On August 4, 2022, we renewed the network affiliations for all of our FOX affiliated television stations across 27 markets, including Portland, Oregon; Cincinnati, Ohio; Greenville-Spartanburg, South Carolina; West Palm Beach, Florida; Las Vegas, Nevada; Birmingham, Alabama; and New Orleans, Louisiana.

Guidance
for the Three-Months Ending September 30, 2022

Based on our current forecasts for the quarter ending September 30, 2022, we anticipate the following key financial results, as outlined below in approximate ranges. We present revenue net of agency commissions. We exclude depreciation, amortization and gain/loss on disposal of assets from our estimates of operating expenses.

  • Revenue:
    • Core advertising revenue of $345 million to $355 million.
    • Retransmission revenue of $365 million to $370 million.
    • Political revenue of $193 million to $195 million.
    • Production company revenue of $20 million to $21 million.
    • Total revenue of $940 million to $959 million.
  • Operating Expenses:
    • Broadcasting expenses of $545 million to $550 million, including retransmission expense of approximately $225 million and transaction related expenses of approximately $1 million and non-cash stock-based compensation expense of approximately $1 million.
    • Production company expenses of approximately $17 million.
    • Corporate expenses of $30 million to $35 million, including transaction related expenses of approximately $1 million and non-cash stock-based compensation expense of approximately $5 million.

Selected
Operating Data on As Reported Basis (Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

Three
Months Ended June 30,

 

 

 

 

 

%
Change

 

 

 

 

%
Change

 

 

 

 

 

 

2022
to

 

 

 

 

2022
to

 

 

2022

 

2021

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

2020

 

 

(dollars in millions)

Revenue (less agency commissions):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Broadcasting

$

855

 

$

537

 

59

%

 

$

449

 

90

%

Production companies

13

 

10

 

30

%

 

2

 

550

%

Total revenue

$

868

 

$

547

 

59

%

 

$

451

 

92

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Political advertising revenue

$

90

 

$

6

 

1400

%

 

$

21

 

329

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses (1):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Broadcasting

$

528

 

$

354

 

49

%

 

$

324

 

63

%

Production companies

$

14

 

$

9

 

56

%

 

$

5

 

180

%

Corporate and administrative

$

25

 

$

25

 

0

%

 

$

17

 

47

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

$

99

 

$

39

 

154

%

 

$

11

 

800

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-GAAP cash flow (2):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Broadcast Cash Flow

$

327

 

$

183

 

79

%

 

$

123

 

166

%

Broadcast Cash Flow Less

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Corporate Expenses

$

306

 

$

161

 

90

%

 

$

108

 

183

%

Free Cash Flow

$

38

 

$

34

 

12

%

 

$

35

 

9

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six
Months Ended June 30,

 

 

 

 

 

%
Change

 

 

 

 

%
Change

 

 

 

 

 

 

2022
to

 

 

 

 

2022
to

 

 

2022

 

2021

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

2020

 

 

(dollars in millions)

Revenue (less agency commissions):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Broadcasting

$

1,659

 

$

1,067

 

55

%

 

$

964

 

72

%

Production companies

36

 

24

 

50

%

 

21

 

71

%

Total revenue

$

1,695

 

$

1,091

 

55

%

 

$

985

 

72

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Political advertising revenue

$

116

 

$

15

 

673

%

 

$

57

 

104

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses (1):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Broadcasting

$

1,058

 

$

715

 

48

%

 

$

659

 

61

%

Production companies

$

40

 

$

26

 

54

%

 

$

24

 

67

%

Corporate and administrative

$

53

 

$

43

 

23

%

 

$

32

 

66

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

$

161

 

$

78

 

106

%

 

$

64

 

152

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-GAAP cash flow (2):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Broadcast Cash Flow

$

598

 

$

351

 

70

%

 

$

304

 

97

%

Broadcast Cash Flow Less

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Corporate Expenses

$

554

 

$

314

 

76

%

 

$

276

 

101

%

Free Cash Flow

$

177

 

$

112

 

58

%

 

$

120

 

48

%

(1)   Excludes depreciation, amortization and gain on disposal of assets.
(2)   See definition of non-GAAP terms and a reconciliation of the non-GAAP amounts to net income included elsewhere herein.

Selected
Operating Data on As Reported Basis (Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three
Months Ended June 30,

 

2022

 

 

2021

 

 

Amount

 

Percent

 

 

 

 

Percent

 

 

 

 

Percent

 

 

Increase

 

Increase

 

 

Amount

 

of
Total

 

 

Amount

 

of
Total

 

 

(Decrease)

 

(Decrease)

 

 

(dollars
in millions)

Revenue (less agency commissions):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Core advertising

$

366

 

42

%

 

$

279

 

51

%

 

$

87

 

31

%

Political

90

 

10

%

 

6

 

1

%

 

84

 

1400

%

Retransmission consent

382

 

44

%

 

242

 

44

%

 

140

 

58

%

Production companies

13

 

1

%

 

10

 

2

%

 

3

 

30

%

Other

17

 

3

%

 

10

 

2

%

 

7

 

70

%

Total

$

868

 

100

%

 

$

547

 

100

%

 

$

321

 

59

%

 

Operating expenses (before

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

depreciation, amortization and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

gain on disposal of assets):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Broadcasting:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Station expenses

$

300

 

57

%

 

$

209

 

59

%

 

$

91

 

 

44

%

Retransmission expense

225

 

43

%

 

144

 

41

%

 

81

 

 

56

%

Transaction Related Expenses

2

 

0

%

 

 

0

%

 

2

 

 

100

%

Non-cash stock-based

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

compensation

1

 

0

%

 

1

 

0

%

 

 

 

0

%

Total broadcasting expense

$

528

 

100

%

 

$

354

 

100

%

 

$

174

 

 

49

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Production companies expense

$

14

 

 

 

 

$

9

 

 

 

 

$

5

 

 

56

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate and administrative:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate expenses

$

20

 

80

%

 

$

15

 

60

%

 

$

5

 

 

33

%

Transaction Related Expenses

 

0

%

 

7

 

28

%

 

(7

)

 

(100

)%

Non-cash stock-based compensation

5

 

20

%

 

3

 

12

%

 

2

 

 

67

%

Total corporate and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

administrative expense

$

25

 

100

%

 

$

25

 

100

%

 

$            –

 

 

0

%

 

Selected
Operating Data on As Reported Basis (Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six
Months Ended June 30,

 

2022

 

 

2021

 

 

Amount

 

Percent

 

 

 

 

Percent

 

 

 

 

Percent

 

 

Increase

 

Increase

 

 

Amount

 

of
Total

 

 

Amount

 

of
Total

 

 

(Decrease)

 

(Decrease)

 

 

(dollars in millions)

Revenue (less agency commissions):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Core advertising

$

731

 

43

%

 

$

539

 

49

%

 

$

192

 

36

%

Political

116

 

7

%

 

15

 

1

%

 

101

 

673

%

Retransmission consent

775

 

46

%

 

489

 

45

%

 

286

 

58

%

Production companies

36

 

2

%

 

24

 

2

%

 

12

 

50

%

Other

37

 

2

%

 

24

 

3

%

 

13

 

54

%

Total

$

1,695

 

100

%

 

$

1,091

 

100

%

 

$

604

 

55

%

 

Operating expenses (before

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

depreciation, amortization and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

gain on disposal of assets):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Broadcasting:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Station expenses

$

600

 

57

%

 

$

425

 

60

%

 

$

175

 

 

41

%

Retransmission expense

452

 

43

%

 

289

 

40

%

 

163

 

 

56

%

Transaction Related Expenses

4

 

0

%

 

 

0

%

 

4

 

 

100

%

Non-cash stock-based

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

compensation

2

 

0

%

 

1

 

0

%

 

1

 

 

100

%

Total broadcasting expense

$

1,058

 

100

%

 

$

715

 

100

%

 

$

343

 

 

48

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Production companies expense

$

40

 

 

 

 

$

26

 

 

 

 

$

14

 

 

54

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate and administrative:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate expenses

$

43

 

81

%

 

$

29

 

67

%

 

$

14

 

 

48

%

Transaction Related Expenses

1

 

2

%

 

8

 

19

%

 

(7

)

 

(88

)%

Non-cash stock-based

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

compensation

9

 

17

%

 

6

 

14

%

 

3

 

 

50

%

Total corporate and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

administrative expense

$

53

 

100

%

 

$

43

 

100

%

 

$

10

 

 

23

%

 

Detail
Table of Operating Results on As Reported Basis (Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three
Months Ended

 

Six
Months Ended

 

June
30,

 

June
30,

 

2022

 

2021

 

2022

 

2021

 

(in millions, except for per share information)

Revenue (less agency commissions):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Broadcasting

$

855

 

 

$

537

 

 

$

1,659

 

 

$

1,067

 

Production companies

13

 

 

10

 

 

36

 

 

24

 

Total revenue (less agency commissions)

868

 

 

547

 

 

1,695

 

 

1,091

 

Operating expenses before depreciation, amortization

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and gain on disposal of assets, net:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Broadcasting

528

 

 

354

 

 

1,058

 

 

715

 

Production companies

14

 

 

9

 

 

40

 

 

26

 

Corporate and administrative

25

 

 

25

 

 

53

 

 

43

 

Depreciation

31

 

 

25

 

 

63

 

 

50

 

Amortization of intangible assets

52

 

 

27

 

 

104

 

 

53

 

Gain on disposal of assets, net

 

 

(1

)

 

(5

)

 

(5

)

Operating expenses

650

 

 

439

 

 

1,313

 

 

882

 

Operating income

218

 

 

108

 

 

382

 

 

209

 

Other expense:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Miscellaneous expense, net

 

 

(7

)

 

(2

)

 

(6

)

Interest expense

(81

)

 

(47

)

 

(160

)

 

(95

)

Income before income taxes

137

 

 

54

 

 

220

 

 

108

 

Income tax expense

38

 

 

15

 

 

59

 

 

30

 

Net income

99

 

 

39

 

 

161

 

 

78

 

Preferred stock dividends

13

 

 

13

 

 

26

 

 

26

 

Net income attributable to common stockholders

$

86

 

 

$

26

 

 

$

135

 

 

$

52

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic per share information:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income attributable to common stockholders

$

0.92

 

 

$

0.27

 

 

$

1.45

 

 

$

0.55

 

Weighted-average shares outstanding

93

 

 

95

 

 

93

 

 

94

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted per share information:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income attributable to common stockholders

$

0.91

 

 

$

0.27

 

 

$

1.44

 

 

$

0.55

 

Weighted-average shares outstanding

94

 

 

95

 

 

94

 

 

95

 

 

Selected
Operating Data on Combined Historical Basis (Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

Three
Months Ended June 30,

 

 

 

 

 

%
Change

 

 

 

 

%
Change

 

 

 

 

 

 

2022
to

 

 

 

 

2022
to

 

 

2022

 

2021

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

2020

 

 

(dollars in millions)

Revenue (less agency commissions):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Broadcast

$

855

 

$

744

 

15

%

 

$

626

 

37

%

Production companies

13

 

10

 

30

%

 

$

2

 

550

%

Total

$

868

 

$

754

 

15

%

 

$

628

 

38

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses (1):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Broadcast

$

528

 

$

499

 

6

%

 

$

455

 

16

%

Production companies

$

14

 

$

9

 

56

%

 

$

5

 

180

%

Corporate and administrative

$

25

 

$

25

 

0

%

 

$

17

 

47

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-GAAP cash flow (2):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Broadcast Cash Flow

$

330

 

$

264

 

25

%

 

$

186

 

77

%

Broadcast Cash Flow Less Cash

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate Expenses

$

309

 

$

242

 

28

%

 

$

171

 

81

%

Operating Cash Flow as defined in

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

the 2019 Senior Credit Facility

$

310

 

$

249

 

24

%

 

$

171

 

81

%

Free Cash Flow

$

43

 

$

75

 

(43

)%

 

$

57

 

(25

)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six
Months Ended June 30,

 

 

 

 

 

%
Change

 

 

 

 

%
Change

 

 

 

 

 

 

2022
to

 

 

 

 

2022
to

 

 

2022

 

2021

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

2020

 

 

(dollars in millions)

Revenue (less agency commissions):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Broadcast

$

1,659

 

$

1,483

 

12

%

 

$

1,351

 

23

%

Production companies

36

 

24

 

50

%

 

$

21

 

71

%

Total

$

1,695

 

$

1,507

 

12

%

 

$

1,372

 

24

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses (1):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Broadcast

$

1,058

 

$

1,004

 

5

%

 

$

932

 

14

%

Production companies

$

40

 

$

26

 

54

%

 

$

24

 

67

%

Corporate and administrative

$

53

 

$

44

 

20

%

 

$

32

 

66

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-GAAP cash flow (2):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Broadcast Cash Flow

$

602

 

$

517

 

16

%

 

$

454

 

33

%

Broadcast Cash Flow Less Cash

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate Expenses

$

558

 

$

480

 

16

%

 

$

426

 

31

%

Operating Cash Flow as defined in

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

the 2019 Senior Credit Facility

$

561

 

$

488

 

15

%

 

$

426

 

32

%

Free Cash Flow

$

186

 

$

194

 

(4

)%

 

$

192

 

(3

)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)   Excludes depreciation, amortization and gain on disposal of assets.
(2)   See definition of non-GAAP terms and a reconciliation of the non-GAAP amounts to net income included elsewhere herein.

Selected
Operating Data on Combined Historical Basis (Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three
Months Ended June 30,

 

2022

 

 

2021

 

 

Amount

 

 

Percent

 

 

 

 

Percent

 

 

 

 

Percent

 

 

Increase

 

 

Increase

 

 

Amount

 

of
Total

 

 

Amount

 

of
Total

 

 

(Decrease)

 

 

(Decrease)

 

 

(dollars in millions)

Revenue (less agency commissions):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Core advertising

$

366

 

42

%

 

$

369

 

49

%

 

$

(3

)

 

(1

)%

Political

90

 

10

%

 

8

 

1

%

 

82

 

 

1025

%

Retransmission consent

382

 

44

%

 

351

 

47

%

 

31

 

 

9

%

Production companies

13

 

1

%

 

10

 

1

%

 

3

 

 

30

%

Other

17

 

3

%

 

16

 

2

%

 

1

 

 

6

%

Total

$

868

 

100

%

 

$

754

 

100

%

 

$

114

 

 

15

%

 

Operating expenses (before

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

depreciation, amortization and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

gain on disposal of assets):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Broadcasting:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Station expenses

$

300

 

57

%

 

$

291

 

58

%

 

$

9

 

 

3

%

Retransmission expense

225

 

43

%

 

207

 

42

%

 

18

 

 

9

%

Transaction Related Expenses

2

 

0

%

 

 

0

%

 

2

 

 

100

%

Non-cash stock-based

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

compensation

1

 

0

%

 

1

 

0

%

 

 

 

0

%

Total broadcasting expense

$

528

 

100

%

 

$

499

 

100

%

 

$

29

 

 

6

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Production companies expense

$

14

 

 

 

 

$

9

 

 

 

 

$

5

 

 

56

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate and administrative:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate expenses

$

20

 

80

%

 

$

15

 

60

%

 

$

5

 

 

33

%

Transaction Related Expenses

 

0

%

 

7

 

28

%

 

(7

)

 

(100

)%

Non-cash stock-based

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

compensation

5

 

20

%

 

3

 

12

%

 

2

 

 

67

%

Total corporate and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

administrative expense

$

25

 

100

%

 

$

25

 

100

%

 

$            –

 

 

0

%

 

Selected
Operating Data on Combined Historical Basis (Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six
Months Ended June 30,

 

2022

 

 

2021

 

 

Amount

 

Percent

 

 

 

 

Percent

 

 

 

 

Percent

 

 

Increase

 

Increase

 

 

Amount

 

of
Total

 

 

Amount

 

of
Total

 

 

(Decrease)

 

(Decrease)

 

 

(dollars in millions)

Revenue (less agency commissions):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Core advertising

$

731

 

43

%

 

$

720

 

48

%

 

$

11

 

2

%

Political

116

 

7

%

 

21

 

1

%

 

95

 

452

%

Retransmission consent

775

 

46

%

 

707

 

47

%

 

68

 

10

%

Production companies

36

 

2

%

 

24

 

2

%

 

12

 

50

%

Other

37

 

2

%

 

35

 

2

%

 

2

 

6

%

Total

$

1,695

 

100

%

 

$

1,507

 

100

%

 

$

188

 

12

%

 

Operating expenses (before

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

depreciation, amortization and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

gain on disposal of assets):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Broadcasting:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Station expenses

$

601

 

57

%

 

$

586

 

58

%

 

$

15

 

 

3

%

Retransmission expense

451

 

43

%

 

416

 

42

%

 

35

 

 

8

%

Transaction Related Expenses

4

 

0

%

 

 

0

%

 

4

 

 

100

%

Non-cash stock-based compensation

2

 

0

%

 

2

 

0

%

 

 

 

0

%

Total broadcasting expense

$

1,058

 

100

%

 

$

1,004

 

100

%

 

$

54

 

 

5

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Production companies expense

$

40

 

 

 

 

$

26

 

 

 

 

$

14

 

 

54

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate and administrative:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate expenses

$

43

 

81

%

 

$

30

 

68

%

 

$

13

 

 

43

%

Transaction Related Expenses

1

 

2

%

 

8

 

18

%

 

(7

)

 

(88

)%

Non-cash stock-based compensation

9

 

17

%

 

6

 

14

%

 

3

 

 

50

%

Total corporate and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

administrative expense

$

53

 

100

%

 

$

44

 

100

%

 

$

9

 

 

20

%

 

Other
Financial Data on As Reported Basis (Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six
Months Ended June 30,

 

2022

 

2021

 

(in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

$

330

 

 

$

238

 

Net cash used in investing activities

(201

)

 

(177

)

Net cash used in financing activities

(156

)

 

(49

)

Net (decrease) increase in cash

$

(27

)

 

$

12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As
of

 

June
30,

 

December
31,

 

2022

 

2021

 

(in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash

$

162

 

 

$

189

 

Long-term debt, including current portion, less deferred

 

 

 

 

 

financing costs

$

6,705

 

 

$

6,755

 

Series A Perpetual Preferred Stock

$

650

 

 

$

650

 

Borrowing availability under Revolving Credit Facility

$

496

 

 

$

497

 

The Company

We are a multimedia company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. We are the nation’s largest owner of top-rated local television stations and digital assets in the United States. Our television stations serve 113 television markets that collectively reach approximately 36 percent of US television households.  This portfolio includes 80 markets with the top-rated television station and 100 markets with the first and/or second highest rated television station. We also own video program companies Raycom Sports, Tupelo Media Group (formerly Tupelo Honey), PowerNation Studios, as well as the studio production facilities Assembly Atlanta and Third Rail Studios.

Cautionary Statements for Purposes of the “Safe Harbor”
Provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements that are based largely on our current expectations and reflect various estimates and assumptions by us. These statements are statements other than those of historical fact and may be identified by words such as “estimates,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “will,” “implied,” “assume” and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks, trends and uncertainties that could cause actual results and achievements to differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking statements. Such risks, trends and uncertainties, which in some instances are beyond our control, include our inability to achieve expected synergies from recent transactions on a timely basis or at all, the impact of recently completed transactions, estimates of future revenue, future expenses and other future events. We are subject to additional risks and uncertainties described in our quarterly and annual reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time, including in the “Risk Factors,” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” sections contained therein, which reports are made publicly available via our website, www.gray.tv. Any forward-looking statements in this press release should be evaluated in light of these important risk factors. This press release reflects management’s views as of the date hereof. Except to the extent required by applicable law, Gray undertakes no obligation to update or revise any information contained in this press release beyond the published date, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Information about certain potential factors that could affect our business and financial results and cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements are included under the captions “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, and may be contained in reports subsequently filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and available at www.sec.gov.

Conference Call Information

We will host a conference call to discuss our second quarter operating results on August 5, 2022. The call will begin at 11:00 AM Eastern Time. The live dial-in number is 1-800-289-0720 and the confirmation code is 7144937. The call will be webcast live and available for replay at www.gray.tv. The taped replay of the conference call will be available at 1-888-203-1112 and the confirmation code is 7144937, until September 4, 2022.

Gray Contacts

Web site: www.gray.tv

Hilton H. Howell, Jr., Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, (404) 266-5513

Pat LaPlatney, President and Co-Chief Executive Officer, (334) 206-1400

Jim Ryan, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, (404) 504-9828

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

Effects
of Acquisitions and Divestitures on Our Results of Operations
and Non-GAAP Terms

From January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2021, we completed several acquisition and divestiture transactions. As more fully described in our Form 10-Q to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission today and in our prior disclosures, these transactions materially affected our operations. We refer to all television stations acquired or divested from January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2021, as the “Acquisitions”.

Due to the significant effect that the Acquisitions have had on our results of operations, and in order to provide more meaningful period over period comparisons, we present herein certain financial information on a Combined Historical Basis (or “CHB”). Combined Historical Basis financial information does not include any adjustments for other events attributable to the Acquisitions unless otherwise described. Certain of the Combined Historical Basis financial information has been derived from, and adjusted based on unaudited, unreviewed financial information prepared by other entities, which Gray cannot independently verify. We cannot assure you that such financial information would not be materially different if such information were audited or reviewed and no assurances can be provided as to the accuracy of such information, or that our actual results would not differ materially from the Combined Historical Basis financial information if the Acquisitions had been completed at the stated date. In addition, the presentation of Combined Historical Basis may not comply with United Stated Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) or the requirements for proforma financial information under Regulation S-X under the Securities Act.

From time to time, we supplement our financial results prepared in accordance with GAAP by disclosing the non-GAAP financial measures Broadcast Cash Flow, Broadcast Cash Flow Less Cash Corporate Expenses, Operating Cash Flow as defined in the Senior Credit Agreement, Free Cash Flow, Adjusted EBITDA and Total Leverage Ratio, Net of All Cash. These non-GAAP amounts are used by us to approximate amounts used to calculate key financial performance covenants contained in our debt agreements and are used with our GAAP data to evaluate our results and liquidity.

We define Broadcast Cash Flow as net income or loss plus loss on early extinguishment of debt, non-cash corporate and administrative expenses, non-cash stock-based compensation, depreciation and amortization (including amortization of intangible assets and program broadcast rights), any loss on disposal of assets, any miscellaneous expense, interest expense, any income tax expense, non-cash 401(k) expense, Broadcast Transactions Related Expenses and broadcast other adjustments less any gain on disposal of assets, any miscellaneous income, any income tax benefits and payments for program broadcast rights.

We define Broadcast Cash Flow Less Cash Corporate Expenses as net income or loss plus loss on early extinguishment of debt, non-cash stock-based compensation, depreciation and amortization (including amortization of intangible assets and program broadcast rights), any loss on disposal of assets, any miscellaneous expense, interest expense, any income tax expense, non-cash 401(k) expense, Transaction Related Expenses and other adjustments less any gain on disposal of assets, any miscellaneous income, any income tax benefits and payments for program broadcast rights.

We define Operating Cash Flow as defined in our Senior Credit Agreement as net income or loss plus loss on early extinguishment of debt, non-cash stock-based compensation, depreciation and amortization (including amortization of intangible assets and program broadcast rights), any loss on disposal of assets, any miscellaneous expense, interest expense, any income tax expense, non-cash 401(k) expense, Transaction Related Expenses, other adjustments, certain pension expenses, synergies and other adjustments less any gain on disposal of assets, any miscellaneous income, any income tax benefits, payments for program broadcast rights, pension income and contributions to pension plans.

Operating Cash Flow as defined in our Senior Credit Agreement gives effect to the revenue and broadcast expenses of all completed acquisitions and divestitures as if they had been acquired or divested, respectively, on July 1, 2020. It also gives effect to certain operating synergies expected from the acquisitions and related financings and adds back professional fees incurred in completing the acquisitions. Certain of the financial information related to the acquisitions has been derived from, and adjusted based on, unaudited, un-reviewed financial information prepared by other entities, which Gray cannot independently verify. We cannot assure you that such financial information would not be materially different if such information were audited or reviewed and no assurances can be provided as to the accuracy of such information, or that our actual results would not differ materially from this financial information if the acquisitions had been completed on the stated date. In addition, the presentation of Operating Cash Flow as defined in the Senior Credit Agreement and the adjustments to such information, including expected synergies resulting from such transactions, may not comply with GAAP or the requirements for pro forma financial information under Regulation S-X under the Securities Act of 1933.

We define Free Cash Flow as net income or loss, plus loss on early extinguishment of debt, non-cash stock-based compensation, depreciation and amortization (including amortization of intangible assets and program broadcast rights), any loss on disposal of assets, any miscellaneous expense, any income tax expense, non-cash 401(k) expense, Transactions Related Expenses, broadcast other adjustments, certain pension expenses, synergies, other adjustments and amortization of deferred financing costs less any gain on disposal of assets, any miscellaneous income, any income tax benefits, payments for program broadcast rights, pension income, contributions to pension plans, preferred dividends, purchase of property and equipment (net of reimbursements and certain defined purchases) and income taxes paid (net of any refunds received and certain defined payments).

We define Adjusted EBITDA as net income or loss, plus loss on early extinguishment of debt, non-cash stock-based compensation, depreciation and amortization of intangible assets, any loss on disposal of assets, any miscellaneous expense, interest expense, any income tax expense, non-cash 401(k) expense, Transaction Related Expenses less any gain on disposal of assets, any miscellaneous income and any income tax benefits.

Our Total Leverage Ratio, Net of All Cash is determined by dividing our Adjusted Total Indebtedness, Net of All Cash, by our Operating Cash Flow as defined in our Senior Credit Agreement, divided by two. Our Adjusted Total Indebtedness, Net of All Cash, represents the total outstanding principal of our long-term debt, plus certain other obligations as defined in our Senior Credit Agreement, less all cash (excluding restricted cash). Our Operating Cash Flow, as defined in our Senior Credit Agreement, divided by two, represents our average annual Operating Cash Flow as defined in our Senior Credit Agreement for the preceding eight quarters.

We define Transaction Related Expenses as incremental expenses incurred specific to acquisitions and divestitures, including but not limited to legal and professional fees, severance and incentive compensation, and contract termination fees. We present certain line items from our selected operating data, net of Transaction Related Expenses, in order to present a more meaningful comparison between periods of our operating expenses and our results of operations.

These non-GAAP terms are not defined in GAAP and our definitions may differ from, and therefore may not be comparable to, similarly titled measures used by other companies, thereby limiting their usefulness. Such terms are used by management in addition to, and in conjunction with, results presented in accordance with GAAP and should be considered as supplements to, and not as substitutes for, net income and cash flows reported in accordance with GAAP.

Reconciliation
of Non-GAAP Terms on As Reported Basis:

 

 

Three
Months Ended June 30,

 

2022

 

2021

 

2020

 

(in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

$

            99

 

 

$

            39

 

 

$

         11

 

Adjustments to reconcile from net income to

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Free Cash Flow:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation

              31

 

 

              25

 

 

           21

 

Amortization of intangible assets

              52

 

 

              27

 

 

           26

 

Non-cash stock-based compensation

               6

 

 

               3

 

 

             3

 

Gain on disposal of assets, net

                –

 

 

              (1

)

 

           (7

)

Miscellaneous expense, net

                –

 

 

               7

 

 

             2

 

Interest expense

              81

 

 

              47

 

 

           46

 

Income tax expense

              38

 

 

              15

 

 

             6

 

Amortization of program broadcast rights

              12

 

 

               8

 

 

           10

 

Payments for program broadcast rights

            (13

)

 

              (9

)

 

          (10

)

Corporate and administrative expenses before

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

depreciation, amortization of intangible assets and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

non-cash stock-based compensation

              21

 

 

              22

 

 

           15

 

Broadcast Cash Flow

          
327

 

 

          
183

 

 

        
123

 

Corporate and administrative expenses before

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

depreciation, amortization of intangible assets and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

non-cash stock-based compensation

            (21

)

 

            (22

)

 

          (15

)

Broadcast Cash Flow Less Cash
Corporate Expenses

          
306

 

 

          
161

 

 

        
108

 

Pension benefit

              (1

)

 

                –

 

 

             –

 

Interest expense

            (81

)

 

            (47

)

 

          (46

)

Amortization of deferred financing costs

               4

 

 

               3

 

 

             3

 

Preferred stock dividends

            (13

)

 

            (13

)

 

          (13

)

Common stock dividends

              (8

)

 

              (7

)

 

             –

 

Purchases of property and equipment (1)

            (50

)

 

            (28

)

 

          (24

)

Reimbursements of property and equipment purchases

                –

 

 

               3

 

 

             8

 

Income taxes paid, net of refunds

          (119

)

 

            (38

)

 

           (1

)

Free Cash Flow

$

          
38

 

 

$

          
34

 

 

$

      
  35

 

(1)   Excludes approximately $62 million and $80 million related to the Assembly Atlanta project in 2022 and 2021, respectively.

Reconciliation
of Non-GAAP Terms on As Reported Basis:

 

 

Six
Months Ended June 30,

 

2022

 

2021

 

2020

 

(in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

$

161

 

 

$

78

 

 

$

64

 

Adjustments to reconcile from net income to

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Free Cash Flow:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation

63

 

 

50

 

 

42

 

Amortization of intangible assets

104

 

 

53

 

 

52

 

Non-cash stock-based compensation

11

 

 

7

 

 

7

 

Non-cash 401(k) expense

 

 

1

 

 

 

Gain on disposal of assets, net

(5

)

 

(5

)

 

(13

)

Miscellaneous expense, net

2

 

 

6

 

 

3

 

Interest expense

160

 

 

95

 

 

98

 

Income tax expense

59

 

 

30

 

 

24

 

Amortization of program broadcast rights

25

 

 

17

 

 

19

 

Payments for program broadcast rights

(26

)

 

(18

)

 

(20

)

Corporate and administrative expenses before

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

depreciation, amortization of intangible assets and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

non-cash stock-based compensation

44

 

 

37

 

 

28

 

Broadcast Cash Flow

          
598

 

 

        
351

 

 

            
304

 

Corporate and administrative expenses before

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

depreciation, amortization of intangible assets and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

non-cash stock-based compensation

(44

)

 

(37

)

 

(28

)

Broadcast Cash Flow Less Cash
Corporate Expenses

          
554

 

 

    
    314

 

 

            
276

 

Pension benefit

(2

)

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

(160

)

 

(95

)

 

(98

)

Amortization of deferred financing costs

8

 

 

6

 

 

6

 

Preferred stock dividends

(26

)

 

(26

)

 

(26

)

Common stock dividends

(16

)

 

(15

)

 

 

Purchases of property and equipment (1)

(67

)

 

(41

)

 

(51

)

Reimbursements of property and equipment purchases

5

 

 

7

 

 

14

 

Income taxes paid, net of refunds

(119

)

 

(38

)

 

(1

)

Free Cash Flow

$

        
177

 

 

$

      
112

 

 

$

          
120

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)   Excludes approximately $92 million and $80 million related to the Assembly Atlanta project in 2022 and 2021, respectively.

Reconciliation
of Non-GAAP Terms on Combined Historical Basis:

 

 

Three
Months Ended

 

June
30,

 

 2022

 

2021

 

2020

 

(in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

$

99

 

 

$

69

 

 

$

22

 

Adjustments to reconcile from net income to

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Free Cash Flow:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation

31

 

 

32

 

 

30

 

Amortization of intangible assets

52

 

 

28

 

 

28

 

Non-cash stock-based compensation

6

 

 

4

 

 

4

 

Gain on disposals of assets, net

 

 

(3

)

 

(7

)

Miscellaneous expense, net

 

 

7

 

 

2

 

Interest expense

81

 

 

77

 

 

77

 

Income tax expense (benefit)

38

 

 

9

 

 

(2

)

Amortization of program broadcast rights

12

 

 

13

 

 

15

 

Payments for program broadcast rights

(13

)

 

(14

)

 

(15

)

Corporate and administrative expenses excluding

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

depreciation, amortization of intangible assets and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

non-cash stock-based compensation

21

 

 

22

 

 

15

 

Broadcast Transaction Related Expenses

2

 

 

 

 

 

Broadcast other adjustments

1

 

 

20

 

 

17

 

Broadcast Cash Flow

          
330

 

 

          
264

 

 

          
186

 

Corporate and administrative expenses excluding

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

depreciation, amortization of intangible assets and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

non-cash stock-based compensation

(21

)

 

(22

)

 

(15

)

Broadcast Cash Flow Less Cash
Corporate Expenses

          
309

 

 

          
242

 

 

          
171

 

Pension benefit

(1

)

 

 

 

 

Adjustments for unrestricted subsidiaries

2

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate Transaction Related Expenses

 

 

7

 

 

 

Operating Cash Flow as Defined in
Senior Credit Agreement

          
310

 

 

          
249

 

 

          
171

 

Interest expense

(81

)

 

(77

)

 

(77

)

Amortization of deferred financing costs

4

 

 

3

 

 

3

 

Preferred dividends

(13

)

 

(13

)

 

(13

)

Common stock dividends

(8

)

 

(7

)

 

 

Purchases of property and equipment (1)

(50

)

 

(32

)

 

(27

)

Reimbursements of property and equipment purchases

 

 

4

 

 

9

 

Income taxes paid, net of refunds

(119

)

 

(52

)

 

(9

)

Free Cash Flow

$

          
43

 

 

$

          
75

 

 

$

          
57

 

(1)   Excludes approximately $62 million and $80 million related to the Assembly Atlanta project in 2022 and 2021, respectively.

 

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Terms on
Combined Historical Basis:

 

 

Six
Months Ended

 

June
30,

 

 2022

 

2021

 

2020

 

(in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

$

         161

 

 

$

         142

 

 

$

          91

 

Adjustments to reconcile from net income to

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Free Cash Flow:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation

63

 

 

64

 

 

59

 

Amortization of intangible assets

104

 

 

56

 

 

57

 

Non-cash stock-based compensation

11

 

 

8

 

 

9

 

Non-cash 401(k) expense

 

 

1

 

 

 

Gain on disposals of assets, net

(5

)

 

(7

)

 

(16

)

Miscellaneous expense, net

2

 

 

6

 

 

25

 

Interest expense

160

 

 

155

 

 

155

 

Income tax expense

59

 

 

17

 

 

12

 

Amortization of program broadcast rights

25

 

 

27

 

 

29

 

Payments for program broadcast rights

(26

)

 

(29

)

 

(30

)

Corporate and administrative expenses excluding

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

depreciation, amortization of intangible assets and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

non-cash stock-based compensation

44

 

 

37

 

 

28

 

Broadcast Transaction Related Expenses

4

 

 

 

 

 

Broadcast other adjustments

 

 

40

 

 

35

 

Broadcast Cash Flow

          
602

 

 

          
517

 

 

          
454

 

Corporate and administrative expenses excluding

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

depreciation, amortization of intangible assets and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

non-cash stock-based compensation

(44

)

 

(37

)

 

(28

)

Broadcast Cash Flow Less Cash
Corporate Expenses

          
558

 

 

          
480

 

 

          
426

 

Pension benefit

(2

)

 

 

 

 

Adjustments for unrestricted subsidiaries

4

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate Transaction Related Expenses

1

 

 

8

 

 

 

Operating Cash Flow as defined in
Senior Credit Agreement

          
561

 

 

          
488

 

 

          
426

 

Interest expense

(160

)

 

(155

)

 

(155

)

Amortization of deferred financing costs

8

 

 

6

 

 

6

 

Preferred dividends

(26

)

 

(26

)

 

(26

)

Common stock dividends

(16

)

 

(15

)

 

 

Purchases of property and equipment (1)

(67

)

 

(47

)

 

(59

)

Reimbursements of property and equipment purchases

5

 

 

9

 

 

18

 

Income taxes paid, net of refunds

(119

)

 

(66

)

 

(18

)

Free Cash Flow

$

        
186

 

 

$

        
194

 

 

$

        
192

 

(1)   Excludes approximately $92 million and $80 million related to the Assembly Atlanta project in 2022 and 2021, respectively.

Reconciliation
of Net Income to Adjusted EBITDA and the Effect of Transaction Related
Expenses and Certain Non-Cash Expenses:

 

 

Three
Months Ended

 

Six
Months Ended

 

June
30,

 

June
30,

 

2022

 

2021

 

2022

 

2021

 

(in millions, except for per share information)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

$

99

 

 

$

39

 

 

$

161

 

 

$

78

 

Adjustments to reconcile from net income to

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation

31

 

 

25

 

 

63

 

 

50

 

Amortization of intangible assets

52

 

 

27

 

 

104

 

 

53

 

Non-cash stock-based compensation

6

 

 

4

 

 

11

 

 

7

 

Gain on disposal of assets, net

 

 

(1

)

 

(5

)

 

(5

)

Miscellaneous expense, net

 

 

7

 

 

2

 

 

6

 

Interest expense

81

 

 

47

 

 

160

 

 

95

 

Income tax expense

38

 

 

15

 

 

59

 

 

30

 

Total

307

 

 

163

 

 

555

 

 

314

 

Add: Transaction Related Expenses (1)

2

 

 

7

 

 

5

 

 

8

 

Adjusted EBITDA

$

       
309

 

 

$

      
170

 

 

$

      
560

 

 

$

      
322

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income attributable to common stockholders

$

86

 

 

$

26

 

 

$

135

 

 

$

52

 

Add: Transaction Related Expenses and non-cash

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

stock-based compensation

8

 

 

18

 

 

16

 

 

22

 

Less: Income tax expense related to Transaction Related

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses and non-cash stock-based compensation

(2

)

 

(5

)

 

(4

)

 

(6

)

Net income attributable to common stockholders – excluding

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Transaction Related Expenses and non-cash stock-based

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

compensation

$

92

 

 

$

39

 

 

$

147

 

 

$

68

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income attributable to common stockholders common per share,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

diluted – excluding Transaction Related Expenses and non-cash

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

stock-based compensation

$

0.98

 

 

$

0.41

 

 

$

1.56

 

 

$

0.72

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding

94

 

 

95

 

 

94

 

 

95

 

(1)     Excludes $7 million of Transaction Related Expenses included in miscellaneous expense, net for the three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2021, respectively.

Reconciliation
of Total Leverage Ratio, Net of All Cash:

 

 

Eight
Quarters

 

Ended

 

June
30, 2022

 

(dollars in millions)

 

 

 

Net income

$

                      595

 

Adjustments to reconcile from net income to Operating Cash Flow as

 

 

  defined in our Senior Credit Agreement:

 

 

Depreciation

                        221

 

Amortization of intangible assets

                        274

 

Non-cash stock-based compensation

                          32

 

Gain on disposal of assets, net

                          21

 

Interest expense

                        457

 

Loss on early extinguishment of debt

                          12

 

Income tax expense

                        248

 

Amortization of program broadcast rights

                          81

 

Common stock contributed to 401(k) plan

                          15

 

Payments for program broadcast rights

                        (83

)

Pension benefit

                          (4

)

Contributions to pension plans

                          (7

)

Adjustments for unrestricted subsidiaries

                           8

 

Adjustments for stations acquired or divested, financings and expected

 

 

synergies during the eight quarter period

                        606

 

Transaction Related Expenses

                          87

 

Other

                           2

 

Operating Cash Flow as defined in our
Senior Credit Agreement

$

                 
2,565

 

Operating Cash Flow as defined in our
Senior Credit Agreement,

 

 

 divided by two

$

                 
1,283

 

 

 

 

 

June
30, 2022

 

Adjusted Total Indebtedness:

 

 

Total outstanding principal

$

                    6,778

 

Letters of credit outstanding

                           4

 

Cash

 

                      (162

)

Adjusted Total Indebtedness, Net of
All Cash

$

                 
6,620

 

 

 

 

Total Leverage Ratio, Net of All Cash

5.16

 

 


More Behind AMC’s APE Dividend than Meets the Eye



Image Credit: Keith C (Flickr)


AMC Announces Peculiar Dividend and a New Class of Company Stock

“So, ladies and gentlemen, gentlemen and ladies, TODAY WE POUNCE.” In his letter to shareholders, these are the words of AMC Theatres CEO Adam Aron. Amidst a flurry of reports, filings, and an open letter to shareholders yesterday (August 4), the company announced a unique dividend to be awarded to listed shareholders later this month. The AMC Preferred Equity announcement (ticker: APE) is causing as much or more confusion as the unusual GameStop (GME) dividend did last month.

Below we try to simplify the details of the new APE units.


Details of Dividend

The special dividend of one AMC Preferred Equity unit will be issued for each share of AMC Class A common stock outstanding at the close of business on August 15, 2022. The special dividend is scheduled to be paid at the close of business on August 19. AMC expects to list its AMC Preferred Equity Units on the NYSE under the symbol “APE,” starting August 22. The symbol is a familiar term to the so-called meme stock investors who often refer to themselves as “apes.”

AMC will be issuing one share of APE as a dividend for each of its 516,820,595 shares outstanding, according to Aron. “The issuance only to our shareholders of tradable AMC Preferred Equity units clarifies who is included in our current shareholder base,” he said in a press release. The company has faced questions and theories that there are synthetic AMC shares in the hands of unwitting investors. Aron believes this can answer those questions by vetting through their shareholder of record list.


Source: Twitter (@PeterRHann1)

The theory that there are fraudulent shares in the float used by investors to cover short positions in the past could now be uncovered. Some online commentators argue that if they can add synthetic AMC, then they can add synthetic APE to trade. However, AMC took an extra step. An NFT. Bypassing the blockchain and creating fraudulent NFTs would, in theory, be more difficult, if only because it would take a different skill set. The “I own APE” NFT will be given to shareholders of record August 14.

 

What Shareholders Get

The company stock price has had wide swings over the past two years that took the theater chain from a down-for-the-count pandemic victim to a Robinhood investor phenomenon. AMC tapped the steep rise in its share price to raise $917 million in January 2021. At that time, Aron said the new financing meant any talk of imminent bankruptcy “is completely off the table.”






Source: Twitter (@CEOAdam)

Earlier this year, AMC stunned Wall Street when it made a $27.
9 million investment
in Hycroft Mining Holding Corp. HYMC, a gold and silver mining company that diversifies AMC well outside of the entertainment industry. He spoke of the ownership interest on an investor call this week, saying, “We have every confidence that our Hycroft investment will pan out, excuse the pun, to be quite lucrative for AMC,” he said. “I am so convinced that, when the story is finally written, this will be a good one for AMC.”

Shares of the company, which skyrocketed to a high of $72.62 on June 2, 2021, have fallen 30% this year.


Source: AMC Website (AMC Preferred Equity Units)

The new class of stock is convertible into AMC common shares at one-to-one and conversion is at the discretion of the holder. It is designed to not add any dilution for current (authentic) shareholders. The ability to vote APE units will be the same for both classes of shares. APE shares have preferred rights and claims over the AMC class, making AMC shares subordinate in a liquidation event.


What AMC Gets

“This new AMC Preferred Equity gives AMC a currency that can be used in the future to strengthen our balance sheet, including by paying down debt or raising fresh equity,” said AMC Chief Executive Adam Aron. “As a result, this dramatically lessens any near-term survival risk for AMC, as we continue to work our way through this pandemic.” In the letter to shareholders he explained, “I believe all of this makes us vastly, and I mean, vastly, stronger.” The Aron, referred to AMC’s critics as “naysayers” and “prophets of doom” and took a shot at those shorting the stock by saying the dividend is very bad news for people “not rooting for AMC.”


Source: AMC Theatres Press Release (August 4, 2022)

Take-Away

The AMC dividend is unique. It adds a new class of company stocks that does not mathematically devalue the company. It appears to be designed to give investors confidence that each share traded is authentic. Less importantly, it allows investors that refer to themselves as Apes to own a favorite company trading under the ticker APE. Separately, it gives a nod to blockchains’ ability to provide authenticity through NFTs.

Paul Hoffman

Managing Editor, Channelchek

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Sources

https://d18rn0p25nwr6d.cloudfront.net/CIK-0001411579/d143ef2b-7a84-47d2-a8a1-7930f7527930.pdf

https://s25.q4cdn.com/472643608/files/doc_financials/2022/q2/FINAL-APE-Dividend-Press-Release-20220804-0930-v.F-clean.pdf

https://s25.q4cdn.com/472643608/files/doc_downloads/2022/FINAL-APE-Dividend-Shareholder-Letter-20220804-1400-v.F.pdf

https://s25.q4cdn.com/472643608/files/doc_downloads/AMC_Preferred-Equity-Units_WEBSITE-(Weil-8.3.2022).pdf

https://twitter.com/CEOAdam/status/1555324348852047872/photo/1


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