Kratos Defense Security (KTOS) – Awarded $338 million Contract We Expect More Contracts to Follow

Monday, August 09, 2021

Kratos Defense & Security (KTOS)
Awarded $338 million Contract; We Expect More Contracts to Follow

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions is a National Security technology provider with proprietary expertise in the area of unmanned aerial vehicles, electronics for missile defense systems, electronic warfare systems, satellite control and management systems and support services for emerging naval weapon systems. Commercial and state and local government revenues are about 25% of the total and comprise primarily of critical infrastructure monitoring and protection systems.

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

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

    Award. On Friday, the DoD announced Kratos has been awarded a five and a half year $338.1 million firm fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee and time-and-material contract for Lots 17-21 production, out-of-warranty-repairs, and contractor logistics support. The award is for target drones for the Air Force. Fiscal 2021 procurement funds in the amount of $30,499,362 were obligated at the time of award.

    And It Could Be More.  Historically, add-ons, such as for payloads, can increase the dollar value of the overall spend by about 30%. Meaning if Kratos received $60 million per year under the award from 2022-2027, add-ons could increase the overall annual amount received by an additional $18 million, if history is a guide …



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. 

FAT Brands Inc. (FAT) – Reports 2Q21 Results

Monday, August 09, 2021

FAT Brands Inc. (FAT)
Reports 2Q21 Results

FAT Brands Inc is a multi-brand restaurant franchising company. It develops, markets, and acquires predominantly fast casual restaurant concepts. The company provides turkey burgers, chicken Sandwiches, chicken tenders, burgers, ribs, wrap sandwiches, and others. Its brand portfolio comprises Fatburger, Buffalo’s Cafe and Express, and Ponderosa and Bonanza. The company’s overall footprint covers nearly 32 countries. Fatburger generates maximum revenue for the company.

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

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

    2Q21 Results. Fat Brands reported 2Q21 revenue of $8.3 million, compared to $3.1 million in 2Q20. The increased revenue was driven by royalties, which rose to $6.2 million in the quarter from $2.2 million in 2Q20. FAT reported operating income of $2.0 million in the second quarter versus an operating loss of $2.6 million, excluding impairment charges, last year. A $6.4 million charge for debt extinguishment drove a reported $5.9 million, or $0.48 per share, loss in the quarter, compared to a $4.3 million, or $0.36 per share loss last year. We had projected revenue of $8 million and net income of $350,000, or $0.03 per share.

    Sales Trends Continue Improving.  Building on the first quarter, second quarter sales trends continued to improve. System-wide sales were $144 million, up from $114.4 million in the first quarter, and up 201.9% from the COVID impacted 2Q20. Average weekly sales were $20,056 in the quarter, up from $16,472 in the first quarter and improved to $22,674 in the first three weeks of 3Q21 …



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. 

Eagle Bulk Shipping (EGLE) – Hedging Dampened Results But Promising Outlook

Monday, August 09, 2021

Eagle Bulk Shipping (EGLE)
Hedging Dampened Results But Promising Outlook

Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc. 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.

Poe Fratt, Senior Research Analyst, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

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

    Strong 2Q2021 operating results masked by FFA losses. After backing out FFA hedges and other items of $31.6 million, adjusted EBITDA of $62.8 million was well ahead of expectations. TCE revenue of $93 million and TCE rates of $21.6k/day were above expectations, while opex were in line. It was the fourth quarter in a row of improving operating results, after a very tough 1H2020, and the strongest quarter in more than a decade.

    Impressive 3Q2021 forward cover positively impacts 2021 EBITDA and TCE rate estimates.  Moving 2021 EBITDA to $258 million (from $255 million) based on TCE rates of $22.3k/day to reflect higher 2Q2021 results and high forward cover with ~75% of 3Q2021 available days are booked at TCE rates of $28.3k/day versus 71% of 2Q2021 available days booked at $20.1k/day. FYI, the forward cover includes hedging …



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. 

E.W. Scripps Company (SSP) – Flexing Its Free Cash Flow Muscle

Monday, August 09, 2021

E.W. Scripps Company (SSP)
Flexing Its Free Cash Flow Muscle

The E.W. Scripps Co. (www.scripps.com) serves audiences and businesses through a growing portfolio of television, print and digital media brands. After approval of its acquisition of two Granite Broadcasting stations later this year, Scripps will own 21 local television stations as well as daily newspapers in 13 markets across the United States. It also runs an expanding collection of local and national digital journalism and information businesses including digital video news service Newsy. Scripps also produces television programming, runs an award-winning investigative reporting newsroom in Washington, D.C., and serves as the longtime steward of one of the nation’s largest, most successful and longest-running educational programs, Scripps National Spelling Bee. Founded in 1879, Scripps is focused on the stories of tomorrow.

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

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

    Q2 exceeds expectations. Total company revenues of $565.1 million, an increase of 57.5% year over year, was better than our $550.5 million estimate. Both Local Media and Networks performied better than our estimates. Adj. EBITDA of $158.7 million was better than our $132.7 million estimate, with the Local Media segment contributing to the largest upside variance.

    Ups free cash flow guidance.  Free cash flow guidance was increased from a range of $210 million to $240 million to a range of $240 million to $260 million. Management anticipates that its debt leverage will be in the low 4s by year end 2022. We are raising our financial assessment from 3.5 checks to 4.0 checks …



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. 

ACCO Brands Corporation Declares Quarterly Dividend


ACCO Brands Corporation Declares Quarterly Dividend

 

LAKE ZURICH, Ill.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– ACCO Brands Corporation (NYSE: ACCO) today announced that its board of directors has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.065 per share. The dividend will be paid on September 15, 2021, to stockholders of record as of the close of business on August 27, 2021.

About ACCO Brands Corporation

ACCO Brands Corporation is one of the world’s largest designers, marketers and manufacturers of branded academic, consumer and business products. Our widely recognized brands include AT-A-GLANCE®, Barrilito®, Derwent®, Esselte®, Five Star®, Foroni®, GBC®, Hilroy®, Kensington®, Leitz®, Mead®, PowerA®, Quartet®, Rapid®, Rexel®, Swingline®, Tilibra®, Wilson Jones®, and many others. Our products are sold in more than 100 countries around the world. More information about ACCO Brands, the Home of Great Brands Built by Great People, can be found at www.accobrands.com.

Christine Hanneman
Investor Relations
(847) 796-4320

Julie McEwan
Media Relations
(937) 974-8162

Source: ACCO Brands Corporation

Euroseas Ltd. Sets Date for the Release of Second Quarter 2021 Results, Conference Call and Webcast


Euroseas Ltd. Sets Date for the Release of Second Quarter 2021 Results, Conference Call and Webcast

 

ATHENS, Greece, Aug. 06, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Euroseas Ltd. (NASDAQ: ESEA), an owner and operator of container carrier vessels and provider of seaborne transportation for containerized cargoes, announced today that it will release its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2021 on Wednesday, August 11, 2021 after market closes in New York.

On the next day, Thursday, August 12, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time, the Company’s management will host a conference call and webcast to discuss the results.

Conference Call details:
Participants should dial into the call 10 minutes before the scheduled time using the following numbers: 1 (877) 553-9962 (US Toll Free Dial In), 0(808) 238-0669 (UK Toll Free Dial In) or +44 (0) 2071 928592 (Standard International Dial In). Please quote “Euroseas” to the operator.

To listen to the archived audio file, visit our website http://www.euroseas.gr and click on Company Presentations under our Investor Relations page. The audio replay of the conference call will remain available until Wednesday, August 18, 2021.

Audio Webcast ? Slides Presentation:
There will be a live and then archived audio webcast of the conference call, via the internet through the Euroseas website (www.euroseas.gr). Participants to the live webcast should register on the website approximately 10 minutes prior to the start of the webcast.

The slide presentation on the second quarter ended June 30, 2021 will also be available in PDF format minutes prior to the conference call and webcast, accessible on the company’s website (www.euroseas.gr) on the webcast page. Participants to the webcast can download the PDF presentation.

About Euroseas Ltd.
Euroseas Ltd. was formed on May 5, 2005 under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands to consolidate the ship owning interests of the Pittas family of Athens, Greece, which has been in the shipping business over the past 140 years. Euroseas trades on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the ticker ESEA. Euroseas operates in the container shipping market. Euroseas’ operations are managed by Eurobulk Ltd., an ISO 9001:2008 and ISO 14001:2004 certified affiliated ship Management Company, which is responsible for the day-to-day commercial and technical management and operations of the vessels. Euroseas employs its vessels on spot and period charters and through pool arrangements. The Company has a fleet of 14 vessels on the water, including 9 Feeder containerships and 5 Intermediate Container carriers and two feeder ships under newbuilding contracts. After the delivery of the latter two vessels, Euroseas 16 containerships will have a cargo capacity of 47,881 teu.

Visit the Company’s website www.euroseas.gr

Company Contact
Tasos Aslidis
Chief Financial Officer
Euroseas Ltd.
Canterbury Lane
Watchung, NJ 07069
Tel. (908) 301-9091
E-mail: [email protected] 
Investor Relations / Financial Media
Nicolas Bornozis
President
Capital Link, Inc.
230 Park Avenue, Suite 1536
New York, NY 10169
Tel: (212) 661-7566
Email: [email protected]

Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc. Reports Second Quarter 2021 Results


Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc. Reports Second Quarter 2021 Results

 

STAMFORD, Conn.
Aug. 05, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — 
Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc. (NASDAQ: EGLE) (“Eagle Bulk”, “Eagle” or the “Company”), one of the world’s largest owner-operators within the drybulk vessel segment, today reported financial results for the quarter ended 
June 30, 2021.

Quarter highlights:

  • Operated an average of 50 owned vessels for the quarter.

  • Revenues, net of 
    $129.9 million

    • Generated TCE Revenue (1) of 
      $93.4 million
    • Achieved TCE (1) of 
      $21,580/day for the quarter

  • Realized a net income of 
    $9.2 million, or 
    $0.76 and 
    $0.74 per basic and diluted share, respectively

    • Adjusted net income(1) of 
      $40.3 million, or 
      $3.31(1) and 
      $2.63(1) per adjusted basic and diluted share, respectively
  • Realized Adjusted EBITDA(1) of 
    $62.7 million

  • Raised net proceeds of 
    $27.4 million in new equity under the Company’s ATM program at a weighted average share price of 
    $47.97 per share.

  • Executed agreements to purchase two 2015-built scrubber-fitted Ultramax bulkcarriers for total consideration of 
    USD 44 million.

  • Took delivery of three previously announced vessel acquisitions.

  • Published 2021 ESG Sustainability Report.

Recent Developments:

  • Looking ahead, fixed 75% of Q3 2021 available days at an average TCE of 
    $28,300 as of 
    August 5, 2021

Eagle’s CEO  Gary Vogel commented, “The market for the midsize drybulk segment continued to strengthen in the second quarter on the back of robust demand across the commodity spectrum, and especially for grain and infrastructure-related cargoes that we carry such as cement, manganese ore, and steel.

We achieved our best ever operating performance, producing an adjusted EBITDA of over 
$62 million, as the Baltic Supramax Index rose by almost 60% during the quarter, reaching levels not seen in more than a decade.

In parallel with spot rate development, asset prices have rallied strongly in recent months, with values for mid-aged vessels having increased by about 75% since the beginning of the year. This has had a profound impact on the valuation of our 53-ship fleet, including the nine vessels we acquired since December of last year.

Looking ahead, our TCE has continued to climb, and as of today, we have covered approximately 75% of our available days for the third quarter at a net TCE in excess of 
$28,000. Given both positive demand and historically low supply side fundamentals, we maintain an optimistic outlook on market developments going forward.”

1 These are non-GAAP financial measures. A reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures has been provided in the financial tables included in this press release. An explanation of these measures and how they are calculated are also included below under the heading “Supplemental Information – Non-GAAP Financial Measures”.

Fleet Operating Data 

    Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended
    June 30, 2021   June 30, 2020   June 30, 2021   June 30, 2020
Ownership Days   4,511     4,550     8,710     9,100  
Chartered in Days   497     525     1,155     1,129  
Available Days   4,824     5,007     9,472     9,878  
Operating Days   4,778     4,962     9,400     9,793  
Fleet Utilization (%)   99.0 %   99.1 %   99.2 %   99.1 %
                         

Fleet Development

Vessels acquired and delivered into the fleet in the second quarter of 2021

  • Sankaty Eagle, a Supramax (58K DWT / 2011-built)
  • Montauk Eagle, a Supramax (58K DWT / 2011-built)
  • Rotterdam Eagle, an Ultramax (64K DWT / 2017-built)

Vessels acquired and expected to be delivered in the third quarter of 2021

  • Newport Eagle, a Supramax (58K DWT / 2011-built)
  • Antwerp Eagle, an Ultramax (64K DWT / 2015-built)
  • Valencia Eagle, an Ultramax (64K DWT / 2015-built)

Vessels sold and expected to be delivered in the third quarter of 2021

  • Tern, a Supramax (50K DWT / 2003-built) for net proceeds of 
    $9.7 million

Effective as of 
September 15, 2020, the Company completed a 1-for-7 reverse stock split (the “Reverse Stock Split”) of the Company’s issued and outstanding shares of common stock, par value 
$0.01 per share, as previously approved by our Board of Directors (the “Board of Directors”) and our shareholders. Proportional adjustments were made to the Company’s issued and outstanding common stock and to the exercise price and the number of shares issuable upon exercise of all of the Company’s outstanding warrants, the exercise price and number of shares issuable upon exercise of the options outstanding under the Company’s equity incentive plans, and the number of shares subject to restricted stock awards under the Company’s equity incentive plans. All references to common stock and all per share data relating to periods prior to the Reverse Stock Split that are contained in this press release for the three and six months ended 
June 30, 2021 have been retrospectively adjusted to reflect the Reverse Stock Split unless explicitly stated otherwise.

Results of Operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020

For the three months ended 
June 30, 2021, the Company reported net income of 
$9.2 million, or basic and diluted income of 
$0.76 per share and 
$0.74 per share, respectively. In the comparable quarter of 2020, the Company reported a net loss of 
$20.5 million, or basic and diluted loss of 
$1.99 per share.

For the three months ended 
June 30, 2021, the Company reported an adjusted net income of 
$40.3 million, which excludes the unrealized loss on derivative instruments of 
$31.0 million or basic and diluted adjusted income of 
$3.31 per share and 
$2.63 per share, respectively.

For the six months ended 
June 30, 2021, the Company reported net income of 
$19.1 million, or basic and diluted income of 
$1.60 per share and 
$1.58 per share, respectively. In the comparable period of 2020, the Company reported a net loss of 
$24.0 million, or basic and diluted loss of 
$2.34 per share.

For the six months ended 
June 30, 2021, the Company reported an adjusted net income of 
$49.6 million, which excludes the unrealized loss on derivative instruments of 
$30.5 million or basic and diluted adjusted income of 
$4.15 per share and 
$3.31 per share, respectively.

Revenues, net

Net time and voyage charter revenues for the three months ended 
June 30, 2021 were 
$129.9 million compared with 
$57.4 million recorded in the comparable quarter in 2020. The increase in revenues was primarily attributable to higher charter rates as a result of the market recovery with increase in demand for drybulk products offset by a decrease in available days due to fewer owned days.

Net time and voyage charter revenues for the six months ended 
June 30, 2021 and 2020 were 
$226.4 million and 
$131.8 million, respectively. The increase in revenues was primarily due to higher charter rates offset by a decrease in available days due to fewer owned days.

Voyage expenses

Voyage expenses for the three months ended 
June 30, 2021 and 2020 were 
$24.5 million compared to 
$23.8 million in the comparable quarter in 2020. The increase in voyage expenses was primarily due to an increase in broker commission expense as a result of the increase in revenues.

Voyage expenses for the six months ended 
June 30, 2021 were 
$51.1 million compared to 
$50.3 million in the comparable period in 2020. The increase in voyage expenses was primarily due to an increase in bunker consumption expense as bunker fuel prices increased in the current year compared to prior year and an increase in broker commission expense as a result of the increase in Revenues.

Vessel operating expenses

Vessel operating expenses for the three months ended 
June 30, 2021 were 
$23.7 million compared to 
$20.2 million in the comparable quarter in 2020. The increase in vessel operating expenses was primarily attributable to increases in lubes expense as a result of an increase in prices as well as higher inventory levels and vessel start-up expenses as the Company purchased three vessels in the second quarter of 2021. The Company continues to incur higher costs related to crew changes due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The ownership days for the three months ended 
June 30, 2021 and 2020 were 4,511 and 4,550, respectively.

Average daily vessel operating expenses excluding one-time, non-recurring expenses related to vessel acquisitions and sales for the three months ended 
June 30, 2021 was 
$5,020 as compared to 
$4,447 for the three months ended 
June 30, 2020.

Vessel operating expenses for the six months ended 
June 30, 2021 were 
$45.2 million compared to 
$43.9 million in the comparable period in 2020. The increase in vessel expenses was primarily attributable to an increase in lubes expense as a result of an increase in prices as well as higher inventory levels and vessel start-up expenses as the Company purchased six vessels in the first half of 2021, offset by a decrease in ownership days. The ownership days for the six months ended 
June 30, 2021 and 2020 were 8,710 and 9,100, respectively.

Average daily vessel operating expenses excluding one-time, non-recurring expenses related to vessel acquisitions and sales for the six months ended 
June 30, 2021 was 
$4,959 as compared to 
$4,828 for the six months ended 
June 30, 2020.

Charter hire expenses

Charter hire expenses for the three months ended 
June 30, 2021 were 
$6.2 million compared to 
$4.7 million in the comparable quarter in 2020. The increase in charter hire expenses was principally due to an increase in charter hire rates due to improvement in the charter hire market, offset by a marginal decrease in chartered-in days. The total chartered-in days for the three months ended 
June 30, 2021 were 497 compared to 525 for the comparable quarter in the prior year. The Company currently charters in three Ultramax vessels on a long term basis with remaining lease terms of approximately one year.

Charter hire expenses for the six months ended 
June 30, 2021 were 
$14.6 million compared to 
$10.8 million in the comparable period in 2020. The increase in charter hire expenses was primarily due to an increase in charter hire rates due to improvement in the charter hire market and an increase in the number of chartered-in days. The total chartered-in days for the six months ended 
June 30, 2021 were 1,155 compared to 1,129 for the comparable period in the prior year.

Depreciation and amortization

Depreciation and amortization expense for the three months ended 
June 30, 2021 and 2020 was 
$13.1 million and 
$12.5 million, respectively. Total depreciation and amortization expense for the three months ended 
June 30, 2021 includes 
$11.0 million of vessel and other fixed asset depreciation and 
$2.1 million relating to the amortization of deferred drydocking costs. Comparable amounts for the three months ended 
June 30, 2020 were 
$10.7 million of vessel and other fixed asset depreciation and 
$1.8 million of amortization of deferred drydocking costs.

Depreciation and amortization expense for the six months ended 
June 30, 2021 and 2020 was 
$25.6 million and 
$25.0 million, respectively. Total depreciation and amortization expense for the six months ended 
June 30, 2021 includes 
$21.5 million of vessel and other fixed asset depreciation and 
$4.1 million relating to the amortization of deferred drydocking costs. Comparable amounts for the six months ended 
June 30, 2020 were 
$21.3 million of vessel and other fixed asset depreciation and 
$3.7 million of amortization of deferred drydocking costs.

General and administrative expenses

General and administrative expenses for the three months ended 
June 30, 2021 and 2020 were 
$7.9 million and 
$6.8 million, respectively. General and administrative expenses included stock-based compensation of 
$0.6 million and 
$0.7 million for the three months ended 
June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

General and administrative expenses for the six months ended 
June 30, 2021 and 2020 were 
$15.6 million and 
$14.7 million, respectively. General and administrative expenses included stock-based compensation of 
$1.5 million and 
$1.6 million for the six months ended 
June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

Other operating expense

Other operating expense for the three and six months ended 
June 30, 2021 was 
$0.6 million and 
$1.5 million, respectively. In 
March 2021, the 
U.S. government began investigating an allegation that one of our vessels may have improperly disposed of ballast water that entered the engine room bilges during a repair. The Company posted a surety bond as security for any fines and penalties. Other operating expense consists of expenses relating to the incident, which include legal fees, surety bond expenses, vessel offhire, crew changes and travel costs.

Interest expense

Interest expense for the three months ended 
June 30, 2021 and 2020 was 
$8.8 million and 
$8.7 million, respectively.

Interest expense for the six months ended 
June 30, 2021 and 2020 was 
$17.1 million and 
$17.9 million, respectively. The decrease in interest expense was primarily due to a decrease in outstanding debt under the Norwegian Bond Debt and a decrease in interest rates on the New Ultraco Debt Facility.

Realized and unrealized loss/(gain) on derivative instruments, net

Realized and unrealized loss/(gain) on derivative instruments, net for the three months ended 
June 30, 2021 and 2020 was 
$35.9 million and 
$0.9 million, respectively. The increase in realized and unrealized losses on derivative instruments was primarily due to the sharp increase in charter hire rates. The non cash unrealized losses on forward freight agreements (“FFA”) related to the second half of 2021 and 2022 amounted to 
$31.8 million based on 2,430 days hedged at an weighted average FFA contract price of 
$15,988 per day.

Realized and unrealized loss on derivative instruments, net for the six months ended 
June 30, 2021 was 
$36.6 million compared to a realized and unrealized gain on derivative instruments, net of 
$7.0 million for the six months ended 
June 30, 2020. The increase in realized and unrealized losses on derivative instruments was primarily due to the sharp increase in charter hire rates.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

  Six Months Ended
  June 30, 2021   June 30, 2020
Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities (1) $ 30,585,379     $ (15,173,185 )
Net cash used in investing activities (2) (86,503,299 )   (19,263,564 )
Net cash provided by financing activities (3) 50,868,477     73,913,522  
Net (decrease)/increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash (5,049,443 )   39,476,773   
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period 88,848,771     59,130,285  
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period $ 83,799,328     $ 98,607,058  
               

(1) Net cash provided by operating activities for the six months ended 
June 30, 2021 was 
$30.6 million, compared with net cash used in operating activities of 
$15.2 million in the comparable period in 2020. The cash flows from operating activities increased as compared to the same period in the prior year primarily due to the increase in charter hire rates.

(2) Net cash used in investing activities for the six months ended 
June 30, 2021 was 
$86.5 million, compared to 
$19.3 million in the comparable period in the prior year. During the six months ended 
June 30, 2021, the Company purchased six vessels for 
$77.8 million and paid 
$5.3 million as advances for the purchase of three additional vessels to be delivered in the third quarter of 2021. The Company paid 
$2.4 million for the purchase of ballast water treatment systems on our fleet. The Company also received insurance proceeds of 
$0.2 million for hull and machinery claims. Additionally, the Company paid 
$1.2 million for vessel improvements.

(3) Net cash provided by financing activities for the six months ended 
June 30, 2021 was 
$50.9 million compared to 
$73.9 million in the comparable period in 2020. During the six months ended 
June 30, 2021, the Company received 
$55.0 million in proceeds from the revolver loan under the New Ultraco Debt Facility, 
$11.0 million in proceeds from the term loan under the New Ultraco Debt Facility, 
$24.0 million in proceeds from the Holdco Revolving Credit Facility and 
$27.4 million in net proceeds from the ATM offering. The Company repaid 
$15.9 million of the New Ultraco Debt Facility, 
$4.0 million of the Norwegian Bond Debt, 
$30.0 million of the revolver loan under the New Ultraco Debt Facility and 
$15.0 million of the revolver loan under the Super Senior Facility. The Company also paid 
$1.0 million to settle net share equity awards. Additionally, the Company paid 
$0.2 million to the lenders of the Holdco Revolving Credit Facility, 
$0.2 million to the lenders of the New Ultraco Debt Facility and 
$0.3 million in financing costs relating to the equity offerings in 
December 2020.

As of 
June 30, 2021, our cash and cash equivalents including restricted cash was 
$83.8 million compared to 
$88.8 million as of 
December 31, 2020.

As of 
June 30, 2021, the Company’s debt consisted of 
$176.0 million in outstanding bonds under the Norwegian Bond Debt, 
$186.5 million under the New Ultraco Debt Facility, which includes 
$25.0 million of an outstanding revolver loan, 
$24.0 million under the Holdco Revolving Credit Facility and the Convertible Bond Debt of 
$114.1 million.

In addition, as of 
June 30, 2021, we had 
$56.0 million in undrawn revolver facilities available under the New Ultraco Debt Facility, Super Senior Facility and the Holdco Revolving Credit Facility.

Capital Expenditures and Drydocking

Our capital expenditures relate to the purchase of vessels and capital improvements to our vessels, which are expected to enhance the revenue earning capabilities and safety of the vessels.

In addition to acquisitions that we may undertake in future periods, the Company’s other major capital expenditures include funding the Company’s program of regularly scheduled drydocking necessary to comply with international shipping standards and environmental laws and regulations. Although the Company has some flexibility regarding the timing of its drydocking, the costs are relatively predictable. Management anticipates that vessels are to be drydocked every two and a half years for vessels older than 15 years and five years for vessels younger than 15 years. Funding of these requirements is anticipated to be met with cash from operations. We anticipate that this process of recertification will require us to reposition these vessels from a discharge port to shipyard facilities, which will reduce our available days and operating days during that period.

Drydocking costs incurred are deferred and amortized to expense on a straight-line basis over the period through the date of the next scheduled drydocking for those vessels. In the six months ended 
June 30, 2021, four of our vessels completed drydock one of our vessels was still in drydock as of 
June 30, 2021, and we incurred drydocking expenditures of 
$6.4 million. In the six months ended 
June 30, 2020, four of our vessels completed drydock and we incurred drydocking expenditures of 
$6.6 million.

The following table represents certain information about the estimated costs for anticipated vessel drydockings, BWTS, and vessel upgrades in the next four quarters, along with the anticipated off-hire days:

    Projected Costs (1) (in millions)
Quarter Ending Off-hire Days(2) BWTS Drydocks Vessel Upgrades(3)
September 30, 2021 283   $ 3.0   $ 6.6   $ 1.2  
December 31, 2021 278   2.6   5.3   1.0  
March 31, 2022 152   1.8   1.4   0.4  
June 30, 2022 118   0.3   1.2   0.4  

(1) Actual costs will vary based on various factors, including where the drydockings are actually performed.
(2) Actual duration of off-hire days will vary based on the age and condition of the vessel, yard schedules and other factors.
(3) Vessel upgrades represents capex relating to items such as high-spec low friction hull paint which improves fuel efficiency and reduces fuel costs, 
NeoPanama Canal chock fittings enabling vessels to carry additional cargo through the new 
Panama Canal locks, as well as other retrofitted fuel-saving devices. Vessel upgrades are discretionary in nature and evaluated on a business case-by-case basis.

SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL AND OTHER DATA

The following table summarizes the Company’s selected condensed consolidated financial and other data for the periods indicated below.

 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

  Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended
  June 30, 2021   June 30, 2020   June 30, 2021   June 30, 2020
Revenues, net $ 129,850,586     $ 57,391,784     $ 226,422,754     $ 131,770,103  
               
Voyage expenses 24,522,734     23,767,747     51,137,653     50,332,105  
Vessel operating expenses 23,679,665     20,232,274     45,198,104     43,932,383  
Charter hire expenses 6,169,544     4,719,367     14,649,764     10,760,306  
Depreciation and amortization 13,110,597     12,503,191     25,616,983     24,969,674  
General and administrative expenses 7,912,970     6,767,403     15,611,180     14,728,475  
Other operating expense 559,128         1,520,244      
Operating lease impairment     352,368         352,368  
Total operating expenses 75,954,638     68,342,350     153,733,928     145,075,311  
Operating income/(loss) 53,895,948     (10,950,566 )   72,688,826     (13,305,208 )
Interest expense 8,799,137     8,737,079     17,050,558     17,928,894  
Interest income (15,529 )   (56,132 )   (33,298 )   (212,989 )
Realized and unrealized loss/(gain) on derivative instruments, net 35,887,315     859,814     36,597,231     (7,002,027 )
Total other expense, net 44,670,923     9,540,761     53,614,491     10,713,878  
Net income/(loss) $ 9,225,025     $ (20,491,327 )   $ 19,074,335     $ (24,019,086 )
               
Weighted average shares outstanding*:              
Basic* 12,168,180     10,277,946     11,950,048     10,272,484  
Diluted* 12,397,156     10,277,946     12,081,772     10,272,484  
               
Per share amounts*:              
Basic income/(loss)* $ 0.76     $ (1.99 )   $ 1.60     $ (2.34 )
Diluted income/(loss)* $ 0.74     $ (1.99 )   $ 1.58     $ (2.34 )
                               

* Adjusted to give effect for the 1-for-7 Reverse Stock Split that became effective as of 
September 15, 2020.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

  June 30, 2021   December 31, 2020
ASSETS:      
Current assets:      
Cash and cash equivalents $ 79,278,151     $ 69,927,594  
Restricted cash – current 4,446,177     18,846,177  
Accounts receivable, net of a reserve of 
$2,134,000 and 
$2,357,191, respectively
23,995,321     13,843,480  
Prepaid expenses 4,294,715     3,182,815  
Inventories 15,899,222     11,624,833  
Vessel held for sale 4,885,998      
Collateral on derivatives 33,499,170      
Other current assets 1,478,163     839,881  
Total current assets 167,776,917     118,264,780  
Noncurrent assets:      
Vessels and vessel improvements, at cost, net of accumulated depreciation of 
$195,472,078 and 
$177,771,755, respectively
876,088,651     810,713,959  
Advances for vessel purchases 5,340,000     3,250,000  
Operating lease right-of-use assets 12,441,041     7,540,871  
Other fixed assets, net of accumulated depreciation of 
$1,276,574 and 
$1,137,562, respectively
363,993     489,179  
Restricted cash – noncurrent 75,000     75,000  
Deferred drydock costs, net 26,504,065     24,153,776  
Deferred financing costs 99,033      
Fair value of derivatives asset – noncurrent 36,384      
Advances for ballast water systems and other assets 4,443,281     2,639,491  
Total noncurrent assets 925,391,448     848,862,276  
Total assets $ 1,093,168,365     $ 967,127,056  
LIABILITIES & STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY      
Current liabilities:      
Accounts payable $ 18,921,097     $ 10,589,970  
Accrued interest 4,558,933     4,690,135  
Other accrued liabilities 10,601,676     11,747,064  
Fair value of derivatives – current 31,607,854     481,791  
Current portion of operating lease liabilities 11,639,630     7,615,371  
Unearned charter hire revenue 8,402,876     8,072,295  
Holdco Revolving Credit Facility, net of debt issuance costs 23,724,982      
Current portion of long-term debt 41,444,297     39,244,297  
Total current liabilities 150,901,345     82,440,923  
Noncurrent liabilities:      
Norwegian Bond Debt, net of debt discount and debt issuance costs 165,993,915     169,290,230  
Super Senior Facility, net of debt issuance costs     14,896,357  
New Ultraco Debt Facility, net of debt issuance costs 125,093,090     132,083,949  
Revolver loan under the New Ultraco Debt Facility 25,000,000      
Convertible Bond Debt, net of debt discount and debt issuance costs 98,736,604     96,660,485  
Fair value of derivatives – noncurrent 85,603     650,607  
Noncurrent portion of operating lease liabilities 1,099,452     686,422  
Total noncurrent liabilities 416,008,664     414,268,050  
Total liabilities 566,910,009     496,708,973  
Commitments and contingencies      
Stockholders’ equity:      
Preferred stock, 
$.01 par value, 25,000,000 shares authorized, none issued as of 
June 30, 2021 and 
December 31, 2020
     
Common stock, 
$0.01 par value, 700,000,000 shares authorized, 12,753,255 and 11,661,797 shares issued and outstanding as of 
June 30, 2021 and 
December 31, 2020, respectively
127,533     116,618  
Additional paid-in capital 979,682,504     943,571,685  
Accumulated deficit (453,063,487 )   (472,137,822 )
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (488,194 )   (1,132,398 )
Total stockholders’ equity 526,258,356     470,418,083  
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 1,093,168,365     $ 967,127,056  
               

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

  Six Months Ended
  June 30, 2021   June 30, 2020
Cash flows from operating activities:      
Net income/(loss) $ 19,074,335     $ (24,019,086 )
Adjustments to reconcile net income/(loss) to net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities:      
Depreciation 21,537,938     21,303,889  
Amortization of operating lease right-of-use assets 6,201,490     6,273,102  
Amortization of deferred drydocking costs 4,079,045     3,665,785  
Amortization of debt discount and debt issuance costs 3,467,185     3,046,071  
Operating lease impairment     352,368  
Net unrealized loss on fair value of derivatives 30,540,919     814,014  
Stock-based compensation expense 1,457,811     1,559,423  
Drydocking expenditures (6,429,334 )   (6,576,633 )
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:      
Accounts payable 8,216,287     (4,523,437 )
Accounts receivable (10,390,156 )   (2,921,947 )
Accrued interest (131,202 )   (306,303 )
Inventories (4,274,389 )   5,719,516  
Operating lease liabilities current and noncurrent (6,664,371 )   (6,603,999 )
Collateral on derivatives (33,499,170 )    
Other current and noncurrent assets (40,507 )   (7,078,072 )
Other accrued liabilities (1,779,183 )   (7,280,400 )
Prepaid expenses (1,111,900 )   1,214,764  
Unearned charter hire revenue 330,581     187,760  
Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities 30,585,379     (15,173,185 )
       
Cash flows from investing activities:      
Purchase of vessels and vessel improvements (79,002,764 )   (510,029 )
Advances for vessel purchases (5,340,000 )    
Purchase of scrubbers and ballast water systems (2,385,024 )   (22,371,606 )
Proceeds from hull and machinery insurance claims 238,315     3,658,924  
Purchase of other fixed assets (13,826 )   (40,853 )
Net cash used in investing activities (86,503,299 )   (19,263,564 )
       
Cash flows from financing activities:      
Proceeds from New Ultraco Debt Facility 11,000,000     22,550,000  
Repayment of Norwegian Bond Debt (4,000,000 )   (4,000,000 )
Repayment of term loan under New Ultraco Debt Facility (15,897,148 )   (13,112,245 )
Repayment of revolver loan under New Ultraco Debt Facility (30,000,000 )    
Repayment of revolver loan under Super Senior Facility (15,000,000 )    
Proceeds from revolver loan under New Ultraco Debt Facility 55,000,000     55,000,000  
Proceeds from revolver loan under Super Senior Facility     15,000,000  
Proceeds from Holdco Revolving Credit Facility 24,000,000      
Proceeds from issuance of shares under ATM Offering, net of commissions 27,372,417      
Cash received from exercise of stock options 22,224      
Cash used to settle net share equity awards (985,686 )   (1,161,301 )
Equity offerings issuance costs (291,830 )    
Debt issuance costs paid to lenders on New Ultraco Debt Facility (181,500 )   (381,471 )
Debt issuance costs paid to lenders of Holdco Revolving Credit Facility (170,000 )    
Other financing costs     18,539  
Net cash provided by financing activities 50,868,477     73,913,522  
       
Net (decrease)/increase in Cash, cash equivalents and Restricted cash (5,049,443 )   39,476,773  
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period 88,848,771     59,130,285  
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period $ 83,799,328     $ 98,607,058  
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION      
Cash paid during the period for interest $ 13,419,869     $ 15,202,876  
Accruals for vessel purchases and vessel improvements included in Other accrued liabilities $ 229,185     $  
Accruals for scrubbers and ballast water treatment systems included in Accounts payable and Other accrued liabilities $ 3,345,643     $ 8,507,683  
Accrual for issuance costs for ATM Offering included in Other accrued liabilities $ 88,500     $  
Accruals for debt issuance costs included in Other accrued liabilities $ 500,000     $ 200,000  
               

Supplemental Information – Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This release includes various financial measures that are non-GAAP financial measures as defined under the rules of the 
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). We believe these measures provide important supplemental information to investors to use in evaluating ongoing operating results. We use these measures, together with GAAP measures, for internal managerial purposes and as a means to evaluate period-to-period comparisons. These non-GAAP financial measures are also used as supplemental financial measures by external users of our financial statements, such as investors, commercial banks and others, to assess our operating performance as compared to that of other companies in our industry. However, we do not, and you should not, rely on non-GAAP financial measures alone as measures of our performance, and these non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered an alternative to other measures of financial performance or liquidity presented in accordance with GAAP. Additionally, because non-GAAP financial measures are not standardized, these non-GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of another company. Nonetheless, we believe that non-GAAP financial measures reflect an additional way of viewing aspects of our operations that when taken together with GAAP results and the reconciliations to corresponding GAAP financial measures that we also provide in our press releases provide a more complete understanding of factors and trends affecting our business. We strongly encourage you to review all of our financial statements and publicly-filed reports in their entirety and to not rely on any single financial measure.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

(1) Adjusted net income/(loss) and Adjusted Basic and Diluted income/(loss) per share

Adjusted net income/(loss) and Adjusted Basic and Diluted income/(loss) per share represents Net income and Basic and Diluted income/(loss) per share, respectively, as adjusted to exclude non-cash unrealized losses/(gains) on derivatives. The Company utilizes derivative instruments such as FFAs to partially hedge against its underlying long physical position in ships (as represented by owned and third-party chartered-in vessels). The Company does not apply hedge accounting, and, as such, the mark-to-market gains/(losses) on forward hedge positions impact current quarter results, causing timing mismatches in the Statement of Operations. We believe that Adjusted net income/(loss) and Adjusted income/(loss) per share are more useful to analysts and investors in comparing the results of operations and operational trends between periods and relative to other peer companies in our industry. Our Adjusted net income/(loss) should not be considered an alternative to net income/(loss), operating income/(loss), cash flows provided by/(used in) by operating activities or any other measure of financial performance or liquidity presented in accordance with 
U.S. GAAP. As noted above, our Adjusted net income/(loss) may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of another company because all companies may not calculate Adjusted net income/(loss) in the same manner.

The following table presents the reconciliation of our Net income/(loss) to Adjusted net income/(loss):

Reconciliation of GAAP Net income/(loss) to Adjusted Net income/(loss)

    Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended
    June 30, 2021   June 30, 2020   June 30, 2021   June 30, 2020
Net income/(loss)   $ 9,225,025     $ (20,491,327 )   $ 19,074,335     $ (24,019,086 )
Adjustments to reconcile net income/(loss) to Adjusted net income/(loss):                
Unrealized loss on derivatives   31,044,154     8,023,888     30,540,919     918,017  
Adjusted Net income/(loss)   $ 40,269,179     $ (12,467,439 )   $ 49,615,254     $ (23,101,069 )
                 
Weighted average shares outstanding(1):                
Basic (1)   12,168,180     10,277,946     11,950,048     10,272,484  
Diluted (1) (2)   15,303,191     10,277,946     14,987,807     10,272,484  
                 
Per share amounts(1):                
Basic adjusted net income/(loss)(1)   $ 3.31     $ (1.21 )   $ 4.15     $ (2.25 )
Diluted adjusted net income/(loss)(1) (2)   $ 2.63     $ (1.21 )   $ 3.31     $ (2.25 )
                                 

(1) Adjusted to give effect for the 1-for-7 Reverse Stock Split that became effective as of 
September 15, 2020.
(2) The number of shares used in the Diluted adjusted net income per share calculation for the three and six months ended 
June 30, 2021 includes 2,906,035 dilutive shares related to the Convertible Bond Debt based on If-converted method per US GAAP.

(2) EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA

We define EBITDA as net income under GAAP adjusted for interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization.

Our Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered an alternative to net income/(loss), operating income/(loss), cash flows provided by/(used in) by operating activities or any other measure of financial performance or liquidity presented in accordance with GAAP. Our Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of another company because all companies may not calculate Adjusted EBITDA in the same manner.

Beginning this quarter and retroactively adjusted for prior periods, Adjusted EBITDA also now excludes non cash unrealized gains and losses on derivative instruments. We believe that the change better reflects the operational cash flows generated within the respective reporting period .

Adjusted EBITDA represents EBITDA adjusted to exclude the items which represent certain non-cash, one-time and other items such as vessel impairment, unrealized loss/(gains) on derivative instruments, operating lease impairment, (gain)/loss on sale of vessels, loss on debt extinguishment and stock-based compensation expense that the Company believes are not indicative of the ongoing performance of its core operations. The following table presents a reconciliation of our net income/(loss) to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA.

Reconciliation of GAAP Net income/(loss) to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA

    Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended
    June 30, 2021   June 30, 2020   June 30, 2021   June 30, 2020
Net income/(loss)   $ 9,225,025     $ (20,491,327 )   $ 19,074,335     $ (24,019,086 )
Adjustments to reconcile net income/(loss) to EBITDA:                
Interest expense   8,799,137     8,737,079     17,050,558     17,928,894  
Interest income   (15,529 )   (56,132 )   (33,298 )   (212,989 )
Income taxes                
EBIT   18,008,633     (11,810,380 )   36,091,595     (6,303,181 )
Depreciation and amortization   13,110,597     12,503,191     25,616,983     24,969,674  
EBITDA   31,119,230     692,811     61,708,578     18,666,493  
Non-cash, one-time and other adjustments to EBITDA(1)   31,630,022     9,099,479     31,998,730     2,829,808  
Adjusted EBITDA   $ 62,749,252     $ 9,792,290     $ 93,707,308     $ 21,496,301  
                                 

(1) One-time and other adjustments to EBITDA for the three and six months ended 
June 30, 2021 includes stock-based compensation and unrealized losses on derivatives. One-time and other adjustments to EBITDA for the three and six months ended 
June 30, 2020 includes stock-based compensation, unrealized losses on derivatives and an operating lease impairment.

TCE revenue and TCE

Time charter equivalent (“TCE”) is a non-GAAP financial measure that is commonly used in the shipping industry primarily to compare daily earnings generated by vessels on time charters with daily earnings generated by vessels on voyage charters, because charter hire rates for vessels on voyage charters are generally not expressed in per-day amounts while charter hire rates for vessels on time charters generally are expressed in such amounts. The Company defines TCE as shipping revenues less voyage expenses and charter hire expenses, adjusted for the impact of one legacy time charter and realized gains/(losses) on FFAs and bunker swaps, divided by the number of owned available days. TCE provides additional meaningful information in conjunction with shipping revenues, the most directly comparable GAAP measure, because it assists Company management in making decisions regarding the deployment and use of its vessels and in evaluating their financial performance. The Company’s calculation of TCE may not be comparable to that reported by other companies. The Company calculates relative performance by comparing TCE against the Baltic Supramax Index (“BSI”) adjusted for commissions and fleet makeup. Owned available days is the number of our ownership days less the aggregate number of days that our vessels are off-hire due to vessel familiarization upon acquisition, repairs, vessel upgrades or special surveys. The shipping industry uses available days to measure the number of days in a period during which vessels should be capable of generating revenues.

The following table presents the reconciliation of revenues, net to TCE:

Reconciliation of Revenues, net to TCE

  Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended
  June 30, 2021   June 30, 2020   June 30, 2021   June 30, 2020
Revenues, net $ 129,850,586     $ 57,391,784     $ 226,422,754     $ 131,770,103  
Less:              
Voyage expenses $ (24,522,734 )   $ (23,767,747 )   $ (51,137,653 )   $ (50,332,105 )
Charter hire expenses $ (6,169,544 )   $ (4,719,367 )   $ (14,649,764 )   $ (10,760,306 )
Reversal of one legacy time charter $ (936,977 )   $ (41,880 )   $ (854,156 )   $ 420,756  
Realized (loss)/gain on FFAs and bunker swaps $ (4,843,161 )   $ 7,164,074     $ (6,056,312 )   $ 7,920,043  
TCE revenue $ 93,378,170     $ 36,026,864     $ 153,724,869     $ 79,018,491  
               
Owned available days $ 4,327     $ 4,482     $ 8,317     $ 8,749  
TCE $ 21,580     $ 8,038     $ 18,483     $ 9,032  
                               

Glossary of Terms:

Ownership days: We define ownership days as the aggregate number of days in a period during which each vessel in our fleet has been owned by us. Ownership days are an indicator of the size of our fleet over a period and affect both the amount of revenues and the amount of expenses that we recorded during a period.

Chartered-in under operating lease days: We define chartered-in under operating lease days as the aggregate number of days in a period during which we chartered-in vessels. Periodically, the Company charters in vessels on a single trip basis.

Available days: We define available days as the number of our ownership days and chartered-in days less the aggregate number of days that our vessels are off-hire due to vessel familiarization upon acquisition, repairs, vessel upgrades or special surveys and other reasons which prevent the vessel from performing under the relevant charter party such as surveys, medical events, stowaway disembarkation, etc. The shipping industry uses available days to measure the number of days in a period during which vessels should be capable of generating revenues.

Operating days: We define operating days as the number of available days in a period less the aggregate number of days that our vessels are off-hire due to any reason, including unforeseen circumstances. The shipping industry uses operating days to measure the aggregate number of days in a period during which vessels actually generate revenues.

Fleet utilization: We calculate fleet utilization by dividing the number of our operating days during a period by the number of our available days during the period. The shipping industry uses fleet utilization to measure a company’s efficiency in finding suitable employment for its vessels and minimizing the amount of days that its vessels are off-hire for reasons other than scheduled repairs or repairs under guarantee, vessel upgrades, special surveys or vessel positioning. Our fleet continues to perform at high utilization rates.

Definitions of capitalized terms related to our Indebtedness

Norwegian Bond Debt: Norwegian Bond Debt refers to the Senior Secured Bonds issued by 
Eagle Bulk Shipco LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (“Shipco”), as borrower, certain wholly-owned vessel-owning subsidiaries of Shipco, as guarantors (“Shipco Vessels”), on 
November 28, 2017 for 
$200.0 million, pursuant to those certain Bond Terms, dated as of 
November 22, 2017, by and between Shipco, as issuer, and 
Nordic Trustee AS, a company existing under the laws of 
Norway (the “Bond Trustee”). The bonds, currently at 
$176.0 million, are secured by 20 vessels and restricted cash.

New Ultraco Debt Facility: New Ultraco Debt Facility refers to senior secured credit facility for 
$208.4 million entered into by 
Ultraco Shipping LLC (“Ultraco”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, as the borrower (the “New Ultraco Debt Facility”), with the Company and certain of its indirectly vessel-owning subsidiaries, as guarantors (the “Guarantors”), the lenders party thereto, the swap banks party thereto, 
ABN AMRO Capital USA LLC (“ABN AMRO”), 
Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank, Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (PUBL) and 
DNB Markets Inc., as mandated lead arrangers and bookrunners, and 
Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank, as arranger, security trustee and facility agent. The New Ultraco Debt Facility provides for an aggregate principal amount of 
$208.4 million, which consists of (i) a term loan facility of 
$153.4 million and (ii) a revolving credit facility of 
$55.0 million. As of 
June 30, 2021
$30.0 million of the revolving credit facility remains undrawn. The New Ultraco Debt Facility is secured by 28 vessels.

Convertible Bond Debt: Convertible Bond Debt refers to 
$114.1 million that the Company raised from its issuance of 5.0% Convertible Senior Notes on 
July 29, 2019. They are due in 2024.

Super Senior Facility: Super Senior Facility refers to the credit facility for 
$15.0 million, by and among Shipco as borrower, and 
ABN AMRO Capital USA LLC, as original lender, mandated lead arranger and agent. As of 
June 30, 2021
$15.0 million of the revolving credit facility remains undrawn.

Holdco Revolving Credit Facility: Holdco Revolving Credit Facility refers to the senior secured revolving credit facility for 
$35.0 million, by and among 
Eagle Bulk Holdco LLC (“Holdco”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, as borrower, and Crédit 
Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank, as lender, facility agent, security trustee and mandated lead arranger with Nordea Bank ABP, 
New York Branch. The Holdco Revolving Credit Facility is secured by three vessels. As of 
June 30, 2021
$11.0 million of the revolving credit facility remains undrawn.

Conference Call Information

As previously announced, members of Eagle Bulk’s senior management team will host a teleconference and webcast at 
8:00 a.m. ET on 
Friday, August 6, 2021, to discuss the second quarter results.

To participate in the teleconference, investors and analysts are invited to call 1 844-282-4411 in the 
U.S., or 1 512-900-2336 outside of the 
U.S., and reference participant code 3636539. A simultaneous webcast of the call, including a slide presentation for interested investors and others, may be accessed by visiting http://www.eagleships.com.

A replay will be available following the call from 
11:00 AM ET on 
August 6, 2021 until 
11:00 AM ET on 
August 16, 2021. To access the replay, call +1 855-859-2056 in the 
U.S., or +1 404-537-3406 outside of the 
U.S., and reference passcode 3636539.

About Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc.

Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc. (“Eagle” or the “Company”) is a 
U.S. based fully integrated shipowner-operator providing global transportation solutions to a diverse group of customers including miners, producers, traders, and end users. Headquartered in 
Stamford, Connecticut, with offices in 
Singapore and 
Copenhagen, Denmark, Eagle focuses exclusively on the versatile mid-size drybulk vessel segment and owns one of the largest fleets of Supramax/Ultramax vessels in the world. The Company performs all management services in-house (including: strategic, commercial, operational, technical, and administrative) and employs an active management approach to fleet trading with the objective of optimizing revenue performance and maximizing earnings on a risk-managed basis. For further information, please visit our website: www.eagleships.com.

Website Information 

We intend to use our website, www.eagleships.com, as a means of disclosing material non-public information and for complying with our disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Such disclosures will be included in our website’s Investor Relations section. Accordingly, investors should monitor the Investor Relations portion of our website, in addition to following our press releases, filings with the 
SEC, public conference calls, and webcasts. To subscribe to our e-mail alert service, please click the “Investor Alerts” link in the Investor Relations section of our website and submit your email address. The information contained in, or that may be accessed through, our website is not incorporated by reference into or a part of this document or any other report or document we file with or furnish to the 
SEC, and any references to our website are intended to be inactive textual references only.

Disclaimer: Forward-Looking Statements

Matters discussed in this release may constitute forward-looking statements that may be deemed to be “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. Forward-looking statements reflect current views with respect to future events and financial performance and may include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance, and underlying assumptions and other statements, which are other than statements of historical facts. These statements may include words such as “believe,” “estimate,” “project,” “intend,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” and similar expressions in connection with any discussion of the timing or nature of future operating or financial performance or other events.

The forward-looking statements in this release are based upon various assumptions, many of which are based, in turn, upon further assumptions, including without limitation, examination of historical operating trends, data contained in our records and other data available from third parties. Although 
Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc. believes that these assumptions were reasonable when made, because these assumptions are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies which are difficult or impossible to predict and are beyond our control, 
Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc. cannot assure you that it will achieve or accomplish these expectations, beliefs or projections.

Important factors that, in our view, could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include the strength of world economies and currencies, general market conditions, including changes in charter hire rates and vessel values, changes as a result of COVID-19, including the availability and effectiveness of vaccines on a widespread basis and the impact of any mutations of the virus, changes in demand that may affect attitudes of time charterers to scheduled and unscheduled drydocking, changes in vessel operating expenses, including drydocking and insurance costs, or actions taken by regulatory authorities, ability of our counterparties to perform their obligations under sales agreements, charter contracts, and other agreements on a timely basis, potential liability from future litigation, domestic and international political conditions, potential disruption of shipping routes due to accidents and political events or acts by terrorists.

Risks and uncertainties are further described in reports filed by 
Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc. with the 
SEC.

CONTACT

Company Contact:
Frank De Costanzo
Chief Financial Officer

Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc.
Tel. +1 203-276-8100
Email: [email protected]

Media:

Rose and Company
Tel. +1 212-359-2228

Source: 
Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc.

Entravision Communications Corporation Reports Second Quarter 2021 Results


Entravision Communications Corporation Reports Second Quarter 2021 Results

 

SANTA MONICA, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Entravision Communications Corporation (NYSE: EVC), a leading global media, marketing and technology company, today announced financial results for the three- and six-month periods ended June 30, 2021.

Second Quarter 2021 Highlights

  • Net revenue up 295% over the prior-year period
  • Net income attributable to common stockholders up 236% over the prior-year period
  • Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA up 932% over the prior-year period
  • Operating cash flow up 181% over the prior-year period
  • Free cash flow of $12.4 million compared to a loss of $1.4 million in the prior-year period
  • Quarterly cash dividend of $0.025 per share

“Entravision had a strong second quarter of 2021 and an even stronger first half of the year. Net revenues for the second quarter improved 295% as compared to the prior-year period, while Adjusted EBITDA increased 932% year-over-year,” said Walter F. Ulloa, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “Growth in the quarter was largely driven by our digital business, which is now our largest segment, currently at 73% of consolidated revenues. Our core television and audio businesses also saw sequential and year-over-year revenue improvements, bolstering our overall performance.”

Mr. Ulloa continued, “Our digital segment continues to represent a significant part of the growth of our business. Right after the end of the second quarter we acquired MediaDonuts, a company engaged in the sale and marketing of digital advertising in Southeast Asia. Through the acquisition of MediaDonuts, along with our acquisition of a majority interest in Cisneros Interactive during the fourth quarter of 2020, we have now added two digital powerhouses to our platform whose combined leadership, sales, operations and geographic reach further propel our core digital offerings and position us to partner with the world’s leading technology and social platforms.”

Quarterly Cash Dividend

The Company also announced today that its Board of Directors approved a quarterly cash dividend to shareholders of $0.025 per share on the Company’s Class A, Class B and Class U common stock, in an aggregate amount of approximately $2.1 million. The quarterly dividend will be payable on September 30, 2021 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on September 15, 2021, and the common stock will trade ex-dividend on September 14, 2021. The Company currently anticipates that future cash dividends will be paid on a quarterly basis; however, any decision to pay future cash dividends will be subject to approval by the Board.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This press release contains certain non-GAAP financial measures as defined by SEC Regulation G. The GAAP financial measure most directly comparable to each of these non-GAAP financial measures, and a table reconciling each of these non-GAAP financial measures to its most directly comparable GAAP financial measure is included beginning on page 10.

Unaudited Financial Highlights

 

Three-Month Period

 

 

Six-Month Period

 

 

Ended June 30,

 

 

Ended June 30,

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

% Change

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

% Change

 

Net revenue

$

178,410

 

 

$

45,116

 

 

 

295

%

 

$

327,290

 

 

$

109,365

 

 

 

199

%

Cost of revenue – digital (1)

 

109,030

 

 

 

6,447

 

 

*

 

 

 

193,786

 

 

 

13,794

 

 

*

 

Operating expenses (2)

 

41,442

 

 

 

33,037

 

 

 

25

%

 

 

81,856

 

 

 

73,307

 

 

 

12

%

Corporate expenses (3)

 

7,345

 

 

 

5,384

 

 

 

36

%

 

 

14,503

 

 

 

12,224

 

 

 

19

%

Foreign currency (gain) loss

 

(309

)

 

 

(155

)

 

 

99

%

 

 

277

 

 

 

1,353

 

 

 

(80

)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated adjusted EBITDA (4)

 

17,787

 

 

 

1,724

 

 

 

932

%

 

 

31,982

 

 

 

11,402

 

 

 

180

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Free cash flow (5)

$

12,420

 

 

$

(1,408

)

 

*

 

 

$

25,449

 

 

$

3,821

 

 

 

566

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

$

10,476

 

 

$

2,338

 

 

 

348

%

 

$

17,478

 

 

$

(33,254

)

 

*

 

Net (income) loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest

$

(2,612

)

 

$

 

 

*

 

 

$

(4,185

)

 

$

 

 

*

 

Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders

$

7,864

 

 

$

2,338

 

 

 

236

%

 

$

13,293

 

 

$

(33,254

)

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss) per share attributable to common stockholders, basic

$

0.09

 

 

$

0.03

 

 

 

200

%

 

$

0.16

 

 

$

(0.39

)

 

*

 

Net income (loss) per share attributable to common stockholders, diluted

$

0.09

 

 

$

0.03

 

 

 

200

%

 

$

0.15

 

 

$

(0.39

)

 

*

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic

 

85,188,182

 

 

 

84,123,530

 

 

 

 

 

 

85,115,310

 

 

 

84,220,649

 

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding, diluted

 

87,777,039

 

 

 

84,669,250

 

 

 

 

 

 

87,382,215

 

 

 

84,220,649

 

 

 

 

(1)

Consists primarily of the costs of online media acquired from third-party publishers. Media cost is classified as cost of revenue in the period in which the corresponding revenue is recognized.

(2)

Operating expenses includes direct operating and selling, general and administrative expenses. Included in operating expenses are $0.3 million and $0.1 million of non-cash stock-based compensation for the three-month periods ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively, and $0.6 million and $0.2 million of non-cash stock-based compensation for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

(3)

Corporate expenses include $0.8 million and $0.7 million of non-cash stock-based compensation for the three-month periods ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively, and $1.6 million and $1.4 million of non-cash stock-based compensation for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

(4)

Consolidated adjusted EBITDA means net income (loss) plus gain (loss) on sale of assets, depreciation and amortization, non-cash impairment charge, non-cash stock-based compensation included in operating and corporate expenses, net interest expense, other operating gain (loss), gain (loss) on debt extinguishment, income tax (expense) benefit, equity in net income (loss) of nonconsolidated affiliate, non-cash losses, syndication programming amortization less syndication programming payments, revenue from the Federal Communications Commission, or FCC, spectrum incentive auction less related expenses, expenses associated with investments, EBITDA attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest, acquisitions and dispositions and certain pro-forma cost savings. We use the term consolidated adjusted EBITDA because that measure is defined in the agreement governing our current credit facility (“the 2017 Credit Facility”) and does not include gain (loss) on sale of assets, depreciation and amortization, non-cash impairment charge, non-cash stock-based compensation, net interest expense, other income (loss), gain (loss) on debt extinguishment, income tax (expense) benefit, equity in net income (loss) of nonconsolidated affiliate, non-cash losses, syndication programming amortization less syndication programming payments, revenue from FCC spectrum incentive auction less related expenses, expenses associated with investments, EBITDA attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest, acquisitions and dispositions and certain pro-forma cost savings.

(5)

Free cash flow is defined as consolidated adjusted EBITDA less cash paid for income taxes, net interest expense, capital expenditures and non-recurring cash expenses plus dividend income, and other operating gain (loss). Net interest expense is defined as interest expense, less non-cash interest expense relating to amortization of debt finance costs, and less interest income.

Unaudited Financial Results

 

Three-Month Period

 

 

Ended June 30,

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

% Change

 

Net revenue

$

178,410

 

 

$

45,116

 

 

 

295

%

Cost of revenue – digital (1)

 

109,030

 

 

 

6,447

 

 

*

 

Operating expenses (1)

 

41,442

 

 

 

33,037

 

 

 

25

%

Corporate expenses (1)

 

7,345

 

 

 

5,384

 

 

 

36

%

Depreciation and amortization

 

5,074

 

 

 

3,873

 

 

 

31

%

Impairment charge

 

112

 

 

 

 

 

*

 

Foreign currency (gain) loss

 

(309

)

 

 

(155

)

 

 

99

%

Other operating (gain) loss

 

(523

)

 

 

(2,030

)

 

 

(74

)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

 

16,239

 

 

 

(1,440

)

 

*

 

Interest expense, net

 

(1,773

)

 

 

(1,485

)

 

 

19

%

Dividend income

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

14,468

 

 

 

(2,925

)

 

*

 

Income tax benefit (expense)

 

(3,992

)

 

 

5,263

 

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

10,476

 

 

 

2,338

 

 

 

348

%

Net (income) loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest

 

(2,612

)

 

 

 

 

*

 

Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders

$

7,864

 

 

$

2,338

 

 

 

236

%

(1)

Cost of revenue, operating expenses and corporate expenses are defined on page 2.

Net revenue in the second quarter of 2021 totaled $178.4 million, up 295% from $45.1 million in the prior-year period. Of the overall increase, approximately $118.8 million was attributable to our digital segment and was primarily due to our acquisition of a majority interest in Cisneros Interactive during the fourth quarter of 2020. In addition, of the overall increase, approximately $7.1 million was attributable to our television segment, primarily due to increases in local and national advertising revenue, partially offset by decreases in political revenue and revenue from spectrum usage rights. Additionally, of the overall increase, approximately $7.3 million was attributable to our radio segment primarily due to increases in local and national advertising revenue, partially offset by a decrease in political revenue.

Cost of revenue in the second quarter of 2021 totaled $109.0 million compared to $6.4 million in the prior-year period. The increase was primarily due to increased costs of revenue associated with the increase in net revenue due to our acquisition of a majority interest in Cisneros Interactive during the fourth quarter of 2020.

Operating expenses in the second quarter of 2021 totaled $41.4 million, up 25% from $33.0 million in the prior-year period. The increase was primarily due to our acquisition of a majority interest in Cisneros Interactive during the fourth quarter of 2020, and due to an increase in expenses associated with the increase in advertising revenue, partially offset by decreases in bad debt and salary expense associated with furloughs and layoffs that occurred in 2020.

Corporate expenses in the second quarter of 2021 totaled $7.3 million, up 36% from $5.4 million in the prior-year period. The increase was primarily due to an increase in salaries, audit fees and financial due diligence fees.

 

Six-Month Period

 

 

Ended June 30,

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

% Change

 

Net revenue

$

327,290

 

 

$

109,365

 

 

 

199

%

Cost of revenue – digital (1)

 

193,786

 

 

 

13,794

 

 

*

 

Operating expenses (1)

 

81,856

 

 

 

73,307

 

 

 

12

%

Corporate expenses (1)

 

14,503

 

 

 

12,224

 

 

 

19

%

Depreciation and amortization

 

10,258

 

 

 

8,385

 

 

 

22

%

Impairment charge

 

1,438

 

 

 

39,835

 

 

 

(96

)%

Foreign currency (gain) loss

 

277

 

 

 

1,353

 

 

 

(80

)%

Other operating (gain) loss

 

(2,436

)

 

 

(2,866

)

 

 

(15

)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

 

27,608

 

 

 

(36,667

)

 

*

 

Interest expense, net

 

(3,350

)

 

 

(3,542

)

 

 

(5

)%

Dividend income

 

4

 

 

 

24

 

 

 

(83

)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

24,262

 

 

 

(40,185

)

 

*

 

Income tax benefit (expense)

 

(6,784

)

 

 

6,931

 

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

17,478

 

 

 

(33,254

)

 

*

 

Net (income) loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest

 

(4,185

)

 

 

 

 

*

 

Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders

$

13,293

 

 

$

(33,254

)

 

*

 

(1)

Cost of revenue, operating expenses and corporate expenses are defined on page 2.

Net revenue for the six-month period of 2021 totaled $327.3 million, up 199% from $109.4 million in the prior-year period. Of the overall increase, approximately $207.0 million was attributable to our digital segment and was primarily due to our acquisition of a majority interest in Cisneros Interactive during the fourth quarter of 2020. In addition, of the overall increase, approximately $3.9 million was attributable to our television segment, primarily due to increases in local and national advertising revenue, and revenue from spectrum usage rights, partially offset by a decrease in political revenue. Additionally, of the overall increase, approximately $6.9 million was attributable to our radio segment primarily due to increases in local and national advertising revenue, partially offset by a decrease in political revenue.

Cost of revenue for the six-month period of 2021 totaled $193.8 million compared to $13.8 million in the prior-year period. The increase was primarily due to increased costs of revenue associated with the increase in net revenue due to our acquisition of a majority interest in Cisneros Interactive during the fourth quarter of 2020.

Operating expenses for the six-month period of 2021 totaled $81.9 million, up 12% from $73.3 million in the prior-year period. The increase was primarily due to our acquisition of a majority interest in Cisneros Interactive during the fourth quarter of 2020, and due to an increase in expenses associated with the increase in advertising revenue, partially offset by decreases in bad debt and salary expense associated with furloughs and layoffs that occurred in 2020.

Corporate expenses for the six-month period of 2021 totaled $14.5 million, up 19% from $12.2 million in the prior-year period. The increase was primarily due to an increase in salaries, audit fees and financial due diligence fees.

Balance Sheet and Related Metrics

Cash and marketable securities as of June 30, 2021 totaled approximately $181.9 million. Total debt was $213.8 million. Net of $75 million of cash and marketable securities, total leverage as defined in the Company’s credit agreement was 1.7 times as of June 30, 2021. Net of total accessible cash and marketable securities, total leverage was 0.7 times.

Unaudited Segment Results

 

Three-Month Period

 

 

Six-Month Period

 

 

Ended June 30,

 

 

Ended June 30,

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

% Change

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

% Change

 

Net Revenue

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Digital

$

130,223

 

 

$

11,373

 

 

 

1045

%

 

$

231,705

 

 

$

24,704

 

 

 

838

%

Television

 

34,057

 

 

 

26,955

 

 

 

26

%

 

 

70,148

 

 

 

66,154

 

 

 

6

%

Radio

 

14,130

 

 

 

6,788

 

 

 

108

%

 

 

25,437

 

 

 

18,507

 

 

 

37

%

Total

$

178,410

 

 

$

45,116

 

 

 

295

%

 

$

327,290

 

 

$

109,365

 

 

 

199

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of Revenue – digital (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Digital

$

109,030

 

 

$

6,447

 

 

*

 

 

$

193,786

 

 

$

13,794

 

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Expenses (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Digital

 

12,027

 

 

 

6,156

 

 

 

95

%

 

 

22,877

 

 

 

13,020

 

 

 

76

%

Television

 

19,516

 

 

 

17,736

 

 

 

10

%

 

 

39,400

 

 

 

39,493

 

 

 

(0

)%

Radio

 

9,899

 

 

 

9,145

 

 

 

8

%

 

 

19,579

 

 

 

20,794

 

 

 

(6

)%

Total

$

41,442

 

 

$

33,037

 

 

 

25

%

 

$

81,856

 

 

$

73,307

 

 

 

12

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate Expenses (1)

$

7,345

 

 

$

5,384

 

 

 

36

%

 

$

14,503

 

 

$

12,224

 

 

 

19

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated adjusted EBITDA (1)

$

17,787

 

 

$

1,724

 

 

 

932

%

 

$

31,982

 

 

$

11,402

 

 

 

180

%

(1)

Cost of revenue, operating expenses, corporate expenses, and consolidated adjusted EBITDA are defined on page 2.

Notice of Conference Call

Entravision Communications Corporation will hold a conference call to discuss its second quarter 2021 results on Thursday, August 5, 2021 at 5 p.m. Eastern Time. To access the conference call, please dial (877) 407-9716 (U.S.) or (201) 493-6779 (Int’l) ten minutes prior to the start time and reference Conference ID number 13720020. The call will also be available via live webcast on the investor relations portion of the Company’s website located at www.entravision.com.

About Entravision Communications Corporation

Entravision is a diversified global media, marketing and technology company serving clients throughout the United States and in more than 20 countries across Latin America, Europe, and Southeast Asia. Entravision has 54 television stations and is the largest affiliate group of the Univision and UniMás television networks, and 47 Spanish-language radio stations that feature nationally recognized, award-winning talent. Our dynamic digital portfolio includes Entravision Digital, which serves small- and medium-size businesses in high-density U.S. Latino markets and provides cutting-edge mobile programmatic solutions and demand-side platforms that allow advertisers to execute performance campaigns using machine-learned bidding algorithms. We also offer digital advertising solutions representing major technology platforms in Latin America, through our Cisneros Interactive business, and in Southeast Asia, through our MediaDonuts business. Shares of Entravision Class A Common Stock trade on The New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol: EVC. Learn more about all of our media, marketing and technology offerings at entravision.com or connect with us on LinkedIn and Facebook.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements, which are included in accordance with the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, may involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company’s actual results and performance in future periods to be materially different from any future results or performance suggested by the forward-looking statements in this press release. Although the Company believes the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurance that actual results will not differ materially from these expectations, and the Company disclaims any duty to update any forward-looking statements made by the Company. From time to time, these risks, uncertainties and other factors are discussed in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Entravision Communications Corporation

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands; unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 30,

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

171,862

 

 

$

119,162

 

Marketable securities

 

 

10,009

 

 

 

27,988

 

Restricted cash

 

 

749

 

 

 

749

 

Trade receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts

 

 

141,697

 

 

 

142,004

 

Assets held for sale

 

 

7,248

 

 

 

2,141

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

 

23,345

 

 

 

18,021

 

Total current assets

 

 

354,910

 

 

 

310,065

 

Property and equipment, net

 

 

66,375

 

 

 

72,004

 

Intangible assets subject to amortization, net

 

 

45,760

 

 

 

49,412

 

Intangible assets not subject to amortization

 

 

211,753

 

 

 

216,653

 

Goodwill

 

 

58,043

 

 

 

58,043

 

Operating leases right of use asset

 

 

33,741

 

 

 

33,525

 

Other assets

 

 

7,436

 

 

 

7,643

 

Total assets

 

$

778,018

 

 

$

747,345

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current maturities of long-term debt

 

$

3,000

 

 

$

3,000

 

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

 

 

141,767

 

 

 

126,849

 

Operating lease liabilities

 

 

7,524

 

 

 

7,290

 

Total current liabilities

 

 

152,291

 

 

 

137,139

 

Long-term debt, less current maturities, net of unamortized debt issuance costs

 

 

208,612

 

 

 

210,454

 

Long-term operating lease liabilities

 

 

31,447

 

 

 

31,775

 

Other long-term liabilities

 

 

3,507

 

 

 

3,732

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

57,729

 

 

 

54,980

 

Total liabilities

 

 

453,586

 

 

 

438,080

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Redeemable noncontrolling interest

 

 

37,470

 

 

 

33,285

 

Stockholders’ equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class A common stock

 

 

6

 

 

 

6

 

Class B common stock

 

 

2

 

 

 

2

 

Class U common stock

 

 

1

 

 

 

1

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

 

826,474

 

 

 

828,813

 

Accumulated deficit

 

 

(538,493

)

 

 

(551,786

)

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

 

 

(1,028

)

 

 

(1,056

)

Total stockholders’ equity

 

 

286,962

 

 

 

275,980

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

$

778,018

 

 

$

747,345

 

Entravision Communications Corporation

Consolidated Statements of Operations

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Three-Month Period

 

 

Six-Month Period

 

 

 

Ended June 30,

 

 

Ended June 30,

 

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

Net revenue

 

$

178,410

 

 

$

45,116

 

 

$

327,290

 

 

$

109,365

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of revenue – digital

 

 

109,030

 

 

 

6,447

 

 

 

193,786

 

 

 

13,794

 

Direct operating expenses

 

 

28,336

 

 

 

22,140

 

 

 

54,897

 

 

 

48,819

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

 

13,106

 

 

 

10,897

 

 

 

26,959

 

 

 

24,488

 

Corporate expenses

 

 

7,345

 

 

 

5,384

 

 

 

14,503

 

 

 

12,224

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

5,074

 

 

 

3,873

 

 

 

10,258

 

 

 

8,385

 

Impairment charge

 

 

112

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,438

 

 

 

39,835

 

Foreign currency (gain) loss

 

 

(309

)

 

 

(155

)

 

 

277

 

 

 

1,353

 

Other operating (gain) loss

 

 

(523

)

 

 

(2,030

)

 

 

(2,436

)

 

 

(2,866

)

 

 

 

162,171

 

 

 

46,556

 

 

 

299,682

 

 

 

146,032

 

Operating income (loss)

 

 

16,239

 

 

 

(1,440

)

 

 

27,608

 

 

 

(36,667

)

Interest expense

 

 

(1,856

)

 

 

(2,024

)

 

 

(3,573

)

 

 

(4,704

)

Interest income

 

 

83

 

 

 

539

 

 

 

223

 

 

 

1,162

 

Dividend income

 

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

24

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

 

14,468

 

 

 

(2,925

)

 

 

24,262

 

 

 

(40,185

)

Income tax benefit (expense)

 

 

(3,992

)

 

 

5,263

 

 

 

(6,784

)

 

 

6,931

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

 

10,476

 

 

 

2,338

 

 

 

17,478

 

 

 

(33,254

)

Net (income) loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest

 

 

(2,612

)

 

 

 

 

 

(4,185

)

 

 

 

Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders

 

$

7,864

 

 

$

2,338

 

 

$

13,293

 

 

$

(33,254

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic and diluted earnings per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss) per share attributable to common stockholders, basic

 

$

0.09

 

 

$

0.03

 

 

$

0.16

 

 

$

(0.39

)

Net income (loss) per share attributable to common stockholders, diluted

 

$

0.09

 

 

$

0.03

 

 

$

0.15

 

 

$

(0.39

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash dividends declared per common share, basic and diluted

 

$

0.03

 

 

$

0.03

 

 

$

0.05

 

 

$

0.08

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic

 

 

85,188,182

 

 

 

84,123,530

 

 

 

85,115,310

 

 

 

84,220,649

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding, diluted

 

 

87,777,039

 

 

 

84,669,250

 

 

 

87,382,215

 

 

 

84,220,649

 

Entravision Communications Corporation

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(In thousands; unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three-Month Period

 

 

Six-Month Period

 

 

 

Ended June 30,

 

 

Ended June 30,

 

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

10,476

 

 

$

2,338

 

 

$

17,478

 

 

$

(33,254

)

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

5,074

 

 

 

3,873

 

 

 

10,258

 

 

 

8,385

 

Impairment charge

 

 

112

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,438

 

 

 

39,835

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

712

 

 

 

(5,585

)

 

 

3,699

 

 

 

(7,398

)

Non-cash interest

 

 

159

 

 

 

163

 

 

 

298

 

 

 

332

 

Amortization of syndication contracts

 

 

119

 

 

 

128

 

 

 

238

 

 

 

258

 

Payments on syndication contracts

 

 

(115

)

 

 

(123

)

 

 

(239

)

 

 

(253

)

Non-cash stock-based compensation

 

 

1,135

 

 

 

803

 

 

 

2,206

 

 

 

1,592

 

(Gain) loss on disposal of property and equipment

 

 

 

 

 

(627

)

 

 

 

 

 

(627

)

Changes in assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Increase) decrease in accounts receivable

 

 

(9,460

)

 

 

12,031

 

 

 

467

 

 

 

19,513

 

(Increase) decrease in prepaid expenses and other assets

 

 

1,732

 

 

 

4,064

 

 

 

2,909

 

 

 

5,090

 

Increase (decrease) in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities

 

 

10,989

 

 

 

(9,616

)

 

 

5,633

 

 

 

(14,010

)

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

 

20,933

 

 

 

7,449

 

 

 

44,385

 

 

 

19,463

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from sale of property and equipment and intangibles

 

 

 

 

 

3,989

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,989

 

Purchases of property and equipment

 

 

(998

)

 

 

(3,005

)

 

 

(2,836

)

 

 

(5,676

)

Purchases of intangible assets

 

 

 

 

 

(3

)

 

 

 

 

 

(158

)

Proceeds from marketable securities

 

 

5,680

 

 

 

10,243

 

 

 

17,800

 

 

 

26,860

 

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

 

 

4,682

 

 

 

11,224

 

 

 

14,964

 

 

 

25,015

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from stock option exercises

 

 

172

 

 

 

 

 

 

172

 

 

 

 

Tax payments related to shares withheld for share-based compensation plans

 

 

(449

)

 

 

(15

)

 

 

(458

)

 

 

(15

)

Payments on long-term debt

 

 

(750

)

 

 

(750

)

 

 

(1,500

)

 

 

(1,500

)

Dividends paid

 

 

(2,133

)

 

 

(2,104

)

 

 

(4,259

)

 

 

(6,322

)

Repurchase of Class A common stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(525

)

Payments of capitalized debt costs

 

 

(604

)

 

 

 

 

 

(604

)

 

 

 

Net cash used in financing activities

 

 

(3,764

)

 

 

(2,869

)

 

 

(6,649

)

 

 

(8,362

)

Effect of exchange rates on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

 

 

24

 

 

 

(45

)

 

 

 

 

 

32

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

 

 

21,875

 

 

 

15,759

 

 

 

52,700

 

 

 

36,148

 

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning

 

 

150,736

 

 

 

54,246

 

 

 

119,911

 

 

 

33,857

 

Ending

 

$

172,611

 

 

$

70,005

 

 

$

172,611

 

 

$

70,005

 

Entravision Communications Corporation

Reconciliation of Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA to Cash Flows From Operating Activities

(In thousands; unaudited)

The most directly comparable GAAP financial measure is operating cash flow. A reconciliation of this non-GAAP measure to cash flows from operating activities for each of the periods presented is as follows:

 

 

 

Three-Month Period

 

 

Six-Month Period

 

 

 

Ended June 30,

 

 

Ended June 30,

 

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated adjusted EBITDA (1)

 

$

17,787

 

 

$

1,724

 

 

$

31,982

 

 

$

11,402

 

EBITDA attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest

 

 

4,254

 

 

 

 

 

 

7,091

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

 

(1,856

)

 

 

(2,024

)

 

 

(3,573

)

 

 

(4,704

)

Interest income

 

 

83

 

 

 

539

 

 

 

223

 

 

 

1,162

 

Dividend income

 

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

24

 

Income tax expense

 

 

(3,992

)

 

 

5,263

 

 

 

(6,784

)

 

 

6,931

 

Amortization of syndication contracts

 

 

(119

)

 

 

(129

)

 

 

(238

)

 

 

(258

)

Payments on syndication contracts

 

 

115

 

 

 

123

 

 

 

239

 

 

 

253

 

Non-cash stock-based compensation included in direct operating expenses

 

 

(334

)

 

 

(104

)

 

 

(650

)

 

 

(235

)

Non-cash stock-based compensation included in corporate expenses

 

 

(801

)

 

 

(699

)

 

 

(1,556

)

 

 

(1,357

)

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

(5,074

)

 

 

(3,873

)

 

 

(10,258

)

 

 

(8,385

)

Impairment charge

 

 

(112

)

 

 

 

 

 

(1,438

)

 

 

(39,835

)

Non-recurring cash severance charge

 

 

 

 

 

(512

)

 

 

 

 

 

(1,118

)

Other operating gain (loss)

 

 

523

 

 

 

2,030

 

 

 

2,436

 

 

 

2,866

 

Net (income) loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest

 

 

(2,612

)

 

 

 

 

 

(4,185

)

 

 

 

Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders

 

 

7,864

 

 

 

2,338

 

 

 

13,293

 

 

 

(33,254

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

5,074

 

 

 

3,873

 

 

 

10,258

 

 

 

8,385

 

Impairment charge

 

 

112

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,438

 

 

 

39,835

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

712

 

 

 

(5,585

)

 

 

3,699

 

 

 

(7,398

)

Non-cash interest

 

 

159

 

 

 

163

 

 

 

298

 

 

 

332

 

Amortization of syndication contracts

 

 

119

 

 

 

128

 

 

 

238

 

 

 

258

 

Payments on syndication contracts

 

 

(115

)

 

 

(123

)

 

 

(239

)

 

 

(253

)

Non-cash stock-based compensation

 

 

1,135

 

 

 

803

 

 

 

2,206

 

 

 

1,592

 

(Gain) loss on disposal of property and equipment

 

 

 

 

 

(627

)

 

 

 

 

 

(627

)

Net income (loss) attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest

 

 

2,612

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,185

 

 

 

 

Changes in assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Increase) decrease in accounts receivable

 

 

(9,460

)

 

 

12,031

 

 

 

467

 

 

 

19,513

 

(Increase) decrease in prepaid expenses and other assets

 

 

1,732

 

 

 

4,064

 

 

 

2,909

 

 

 

5,090

 

Increase (decrease) in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities

 

 

10,989

 

 

 

(9,616

)

 

 

5,633

 

 

 

(14,010

)

Cash flows from operating activities

 

 

20,933

 

 

 

7,449

 

 

 

44,385

 

 

 

19,463

 

(1)

Consolidated adjusted EBITDA is defined on page 2.

Entravision Communications Corporation

Reconciliation of Free Cash Flow to Cash Flows From Operating Activities

(In thousands; unaudited)

The most directly comparable GAAP financial measure is operating cash flow. A reconciliation of this non-GAAP measure to cash flows from operating activities for each of the periods presented is as follows:

 

 

 

Three-Month Period

 

 

Six-Month Period

 

 

 

Ended June 30,

 

 

Ended June 30,

 

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

Consolidated adjusted EBITDA (1)

 

$

17,787

 

 

$

1,724

 

 

$

31,982

 

 

$

11,402

 

Net interest expense (1)

 

 

(1,614

)

 

 

(1,322

)

 

 

(3,052

)

 

 

(3,210

)

Dividend income

 

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

24

 

Cash paid for income taxes

 

 

(3,280

)

 

 

(323

)

 

 

(3,085

)

 

 

(467

)

Capital expenditures (2)

 

 

(998

)

 

 

(3,005

)

 

 

(2,836

)

 

 

(5,676

)

Non-recurring cash severance charge

 

 

 

 

 

(512

)

 

 

 

 

 

(1,118

)

Other operating gain (loss)

 

 

523

 

 

 

2,030

 

 

 

2,436

 

 

 

2,866

 

Free cash flow (1)

 

 

12,420

 

 

 

(1,408

)

 

 

25,449

 

 

 

3,821

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditures (2)

 

 

998

 

 

 

3,005

 

 

 

2,836

 

 

 

5,676

 

EBITDA attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest

 

 

4,254

 

 

 

 

 

 

7,091

 

 

 

 

(Gain) loss on disposal of property and equipment

 

 

 

 

 

(627

)

 

 

 

 

 

(627

)

Changes in assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Increase) decrease in accounts receivable

 

 

(9,460

)

 

 

12,031

 

 

 

467

 

 

 

19,513

 

(Increase) decrease in prepaid expenses and other assets

 

 

1,732

 

 

 

4,064

 

 

 

2,909

 

 

 

5,090

 

Increase (decrease) in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities

 

 

10,989

 

 

 

(9,616

)

 

 

5,633

 

 

 

(14,010

)

Cash Flows From Operating Activities

 

$

20,933

 

 

$

7,449

 

 

$

44,385

 

 

$

19,463

(1)

Consolidated adjusted EBITDA, net interest expense, and free cash flow are defined on page 2.

(2)

Capital expenditures are not part of the consolidated statement of operations.

 

Christopher T. Young
Chief Financial Officer
Entravision Communications Corporation
310-447-3870

Kimberly Esterkin
ADDO Investor Relations
310-829-5400
[email protected]

Source: Entravision Communications Corporation

Is the U.S. Dollar Still the Dominant Currency?


Vladislav Reshetnyak (Pexels)


Is the U.S. Dollar Slipping as the Dominant Currency?

 

The U.S. dollar has been the world’s dominant currency since the end of World War II.

According to the Congressional Research
Service
, roughly half of international trade, international loans, and global debt securities are denominated in $USD. The same goes for many of the world’s most traded commodities including gold, silver, and crude oil. In the chart below the Visual Capitalist has created a visual depiction that shows the standing of the U.S. dollar.

 

Graphics and information
in this article provided by The Visual Capitalist and New York Life Investments

 

Top
Traded Currency Pairs

The foreign exchange market is the largest financial market in the world, with an average daily trading volume of almost $7 trillion. The majority of this volume is driven by banks, corporations, and other financial institutions.

More than 70% of this volume is generated from the top seven currency pairs, all of which include the U.S. dollar.

Currency Pair Share of Global Transactions
EUR/USD 27%
USD/JPY 13%
GBP/USD 11%
AUD/USD 6%
USD/CAD 5%
USD/CHF 5%
NZD/USD 4%
EUR/JPY 4%
GBP/JPY 4%
Other 21%

The EUR/USD pair is the world’s most traded currency pair and is commonly referred to as “fiber”. It indicates how many U.S. dollars are needed to purchase one euro.

Foreign
Exchange Reserves by Currency

Central banks typically hold foreign exchange reserves for purposes such as:

  • Influencing exchange rates
  • Maintaining liquidity in the event of a crisis
  • Backing debt obligations

Given its status as the world’s dominant currency, the USD naturally represents a majority of these reserves.

Currency Share of Total Reserves
US dollar 60%
Euro 21%
Japanese Yen 6%
Pound sterling 5%
Chinese renminbi 3%
Australian dollar 2%
Canadian dollar 2%
Other 3%

 

Japan and China are the world’s largest foreign holders of USD, with stockpiles of over one trillion each. These are often accumulated by purchasing U.S. Treasury bonds, a strategy for devaluing one’s domestic currency.

Because a large portion of China’s GDP is generated from exports, the country benefits when its currency, the renminbi (RMB), is weaker relative to the dollar. A relatively weak RMB means Chinese exports become cheaper than American-made goods.

Will
The U.S. Dollar Continue to Reign?

Today’s shifting geopolitical and economic landscape presents challenges to the U.S. dollar’s global status.

China has overtaken the U.S. as the world’s major trading partner, and is looking to leverage its power to expand the presence of the RMB. Two factors that limit the RMB’s potential as an international currency are tight government controls and a lack of transparency.

Another threat to the USD’s dominance is the use of financial sanctions, which limit foreign access to the U.S. financial system. While these sanctions may be effective from a foreign policy perspective, they can also undermine the global role of the USD.

The following chart illustrates how Russia has circumvented the U.S. dollar in the face of American sanctions.

 

 

More specifically, Russia and China have been working towards a closer financial alliance. As of Q1 2020, just 45% of trade between the two nations was denominated in USD, down from 90% in late 2015.

Impact
on Inflation

America’s M2 money supply has grown significantly since the 2008 global financial crisis, and even more so during the COVID-19 pandemic. M2 includes cash, checking deposits, and liquid vehicles such as money market securities.

Looking forward, U.S. inflation is expected to accelerate. In August 2020, the Federal Reserve announced it would switch to an inflation-averaging policy. This means that annual inflation will be allowed to exceed 2% in a given year, so long as the 2% target is achieved over a longer timeframe.

In some respects, higher inflation can be a positive. The U.S. debt to GDP ratio is currently over 100%, and by 2050, it’s expected to reach 195%. With so much debt being issued, sustained inflation can gradually undermine the real value of these liabilities. The tradeoff, of course, is a further weakening of the U.S. dollar.

 

Suggested Reading:



Some Color on Prices and the Markets Fixation on Inflation



A Look at Real Estate Risks to the Stock Market





How Much is a Trillion?



Money Supply is Like Caffeine for Stocks

 

Information and graphics are largely based on an article by
The Visual Capitalist for New York Life Investments. Ancillary Sources are
provided below:

https://advisor.visualcapitalist.com/how-dominant-is-the-us-dollar/

https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/China-and-Russia-ditch-dollar-in-move-toward-financial-alliance

https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/M2SL

https://www.newyorklifeinvestments.com/?utm_source=VCweb&utm_medium=MM-ad&utm_campaign=Viscap-NYLhttps://www.statista.com/statistics/246420/major-foreign-holders-of-us-treasury-debt/

https://www.statista.com/statistics/246420/major-foreign-holders-of-us-treasury-debt/

https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IF/IF11

 

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Developing Drugs with the Help of Transcription Factors


Image Credit: NHGRI (Flickr)


Machine Learning Plus Insights from Genetic Research Shows the Workings of Cells – and May Help Develop New Drugs for COVID-19 and Other Diseases

 

We combined a machine learning algorithm with knowledge gleaned from hundreds of biological experiments to develop a technique that allows biomedical researchers to figure out the functions of the proteins that turn genes on and off in cells, called transcription factors. This knowledge could make it easier to develop drugs for a wide range of diseases.

Early on during the COVID-19 pandemic, scientists who worked out the genetic code of the RNA molecules of cells in the lungs and intestines found that only a small group of cells in these organs were most vulnerable to being infected by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. That allowed researchers to focus on blocking the virus’s ability to enter these cells. Our technique could make it easier for researchers to find this kind of information.

 

This article was republished with permission
from 
The
Conversation
, a news site dedicated to sharing ideas from academic
experts. It represents the research-based findings and opinions 
Shang Gao, Doctoral student in Bioinformatics, University of
Illinois at Chicago and
Jalees Rehman, Professor of Medicine, Pharmacology and Biomedical
Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago

 

The biological knowledge we work with comes from this kind of RNA sequencing, which gives researchers a snapshot of the hundreds of thousands of RNA molecules in a cell as they are being translated into proteins. A widely praised machine learning tool, the Seurat analysis platform, has helped researchers all across the world discover new cell populations in healthy and diseased organs. This machine learning tool processes data from single-cell RNA sequencing without any information ahead of time about how these genes function and relate to each other.

Our technique takes a different approach by adding knowledge about certain genes and cell types to find clues about the distinct roles of cells. There has been more than a decade of research identifying all the potential targets of transcription factors.

Armed with this knowledge, we used a mathematical approach called Bayesian inference. In this technique, prior knowledge is converted into probabilities that can be calculated on a computer. In our case it’s the probability of a gene being regulated by a given transcription factor. We then used a machine-learning algorithm to figure out the function of the transcription factors in each one of the thousands of cells we analyzed.

We published our technique, called Bayesian Inference Transcription Factor Activity Model, in the journal Genome Research and also made the software freely available so that other researchers can test and use it.

 

Why It Matters

Our approach works across a broad range of cell types and organs and could be used to develop treatments for diseases like COVID-19 or Alzheimer’s. Drugs for these difficult-to-treat diseases work best if they target cells that cause the disease and avoid collateral damage to other cells. Our technique makes it easier for researchers to home in on these targets.

 

 

A human cell (greenish blob) is heavily infected with SARS-CoV-2 (orange dots), the virus that causes COVID-19, in this colorized microscope image.  – National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

 

What Other Research is Being Done?

Single-cell RNA-sequencing has revealed how each organ can have 10, 20 or even more subtypes of specialized cells, each with distinct functions. A very exciting new development is the emergence of spatial transcriptomics, in which RNA sequencing is performed in a spatial grid that allows researchers to study the RNA of cells at specific locations in an organ.

A recent paper used a Bayesian statistics approach similar to ours to figure out distinct roles of cells while taking into account their proximity to one another. Another research group combined spatial data with single-cell RNA-sequencing data and studied the distinct functions of neighboring cells.

 

What’s Next

We plan to work with colleagues to use our new technique to study complex diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and COVID-19, work that could lead to new drugs for these diseases. We also want to work with colleagues to better understand the complexity of interactions among cells. 

 

Suggested Reading:



Emerging Biotech Opportunities from an Emerging Health Problem



Advancing Research Into Alzheimer’s with Stem Cells





Scientists Now Better Understand Viral Mutations



Diabetes Type 1 – Close to a Cure Panel Discussion (Video)

 

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Are Earnings Important for Young Media Companies?



Why Invest in UBER or HOOD and Other Companies That Have No Net Profit?

 

Platform capitalism, the business strategy that calls for amassing a war chest of cash through the public and private markets, has been on full display in recent weeks. The strategy usually has years of losses built into company operations. Robinhood’s IPO is a glowing example of a negative earning company with enthusiastic investors. Earnings season has shown a light on many other platform companies. UBER just reported they have taken in billions to overwhelm competition, they still haven’t turned a profit, but they hope to one day benefit from an almost monopolistic lead.

 

Examples

The work-from-home environment has not brought Slack Technologies ($WORK) out of the red. The company posted a net loss of $73 million in its second-quarter ending July 31. This is an improvement from the $360 million it lost in the same quarter last year. Slack’s top-line growth has been stalled. Revenue did increase 49% year over year in the second quarter, but this was a decline of 50% growth over Q1.  Operating expenditures on many newer platforms are targeted to get the strongest foothold, especially by attracting valuable users.  Slack seems to have reeled them in as losses declined by 46% during the second quarter.

Snap ($SNAP) went public in March 2017. There have since been 14 follow-up quarters, with only one in the black (2019). Only once has it posted a profit. That was back in the fourth quarter of 2019. During 2020, it reported a $96 million adjusted EBITDA loss during the second quarter. Last quarter Snap had seen its daily active user count grow by 17% year over year last quarter. While year-over-year revenue also grew by 17% last quarter, operating expenses grew 19%; revenue per user remained flat. The percentage increase in user accounts is expected to provide greater revenues down the road.

The biggest name in ridesharing (UBER) went public in 2019 with a $75 billion valuation. This places it as one of the highest value IPOs ever. The long-term potential of the concept and the strength of its platform keep investors interested. While back in February of 2020, management announced that it would cut costs to bring about better margins and profits, the reaction to Covid hurt this platform.  The company was nimble during this period to grow its food delivery service by 103% in revenues, but that growth, advertising, and retraining the public was a costly investment in UBER’s future. 

 

 

Robinhood who’s valuation isyo taking time to settle in after its disappointing IPO last week, and subsequent run-up posted preliminary second-quarter results, which detail its pace of business growth continuing. Robinhood is expecting revenue in a range of $546 million to $574 million, which would represent an increase of roughly 130% at the midpoint of its estimate; this would equate to a net loss of roughly $512 million. 

Why are investors of companies like those above still enthusiastically holding shares? Many of the world’s most powerful and influential technology companies are either massively in debt or barely making a profit. Is this the same path that inflated prices during the dot-com bubble? Some of the world’s largest companies are running every year in the red.  Twitter and Tesla are wildly successful, but only just profitable, while Spotify, with 180 million active users, announced a net loss of $461.4 million. Netflix has a debt of around $12 billion, and the number two ride-sharing platform Lyft reported an adjusted EBITDA loss totaling $73 million in the first quarter.

 

Why is Capital Available?

There is always rampant hype behind social media stocks. Where else can you get so much exposure and PR from fans of your product while they’re using your product? Also, investors know it is a long road and understand the build before the company is either acquired at a high price, profits on its own, or falters. Two out of three are very desirable.  And the chance of owning the next stock that grows by hundreds or thousands of percent is real. Amazon.com ($AMZN) was unprofitable for 14 years after its 1997 initial public offering.  Today it has FANG stock status.  That’s the dream, coupled with the “buy something you know and use” theory, and the companies get their needed capital from small and large investors alike.

 

Take-Away

Most platform companies are in it for the long haul. If they attract the financial wherewithal to grow and outcompete, they have the potential to add their first letter to the list of FAANG stocks and generate uber-high market caps while partially ruling the world. For investors, the dream of getting in early on the next AMZN or the next AAPL also helps in the decision to own shares.

As a resource for discovering small stocks, and learning their potential, reviewing their numbers, and access to top-level equity research, Channelchek is an around-the-clock resource, at no charge by registering here.  

 

Paul Hoffman

Managing Editor, Channelchek

 

Suggested Reading



Online Media is Within an Hour of Becoming Mainstream Media



What’s the Future of Media Consumption?





Esports Investors Now Better Able to Evaluate Stocks



From Robinhood to Rocket $HOOD

 

Source:

https://investor.uber.com/news-events/news/press-release-details/2021/Uber-Announces-Results-for-Second-Quarter-2021/default.aspx

https://www.marketwatch.com/investing/stock/snap 

https://www.reuters.com/article/usa-stocks-weekahead/wall-st-week-ahead-big-tech-companies-retake-market-reins-with-earnings-on-tap-idUSL1N2OZ1KM

 

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QuickChek – August 6, 2021



Entravision Communications Corporation Reports Second Quarter 2021 Results

Entravision Communications announced financial results for the three- and six-month periods ended June 30, 2021

See today’s research report from Michael Kupinski, Director of Research at Noble Capital Markets

Join Entravision Communications CFO Christopher Young August 10 @ 1pm for an exclusive fireside chat moderated by Michael Kupinski, Noble’s senior research analyst. Registration is free and open to all investors, at any level.

Research, News & Market Data on Entravision Communications

Watch recent presentation from Entravision Communications



Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc. Reports Second Quarter 2021 Results

Eagle Bulk Shipping announced financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2021

See today’s research report from Poe Fratt, Senior Research Analyst at Noble Capital Markets

Research, News & Market Data on Eagle Bulk Shipping



Euroseas Ltd. Sets Date for the Release of Second Quarter 2021 Results, Conference Call and Webcast

Euroseas Ltd. announced that it will release its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2021 on Wednesday, August 11, 2021 after market closes in New York.

Research, News & Market Data on Euroseas

Watch recent presentation from Euroseas



ACCO Brands Corporation Declares Quarterly Dividend

ACCO Brands announced that its board of directors has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.065 per share

Research, News & Market Data on ACCO Brands

Watch recent presentation from ACCO Brands



Ocugen Provides Business Update and Second Quarter 2021 Financial Results

Ocugen announced second quarter 2021 financial results along with a general business update

Research, News & Market Data on Ocugen

Watch recent presentation from Ocugen



Aurania Announces Proposed Amendments to Certain Outstanding Unlisted Warrants

Aurania Resources announced that it is proposing to amend the terms of 1,043,567 common share purchase warrants

Research, News & Market Data on Aurania Resources

Watch recent presentation from Aurania Resources

 

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Eagle Bulk Shipping (EGLE) – 2Q2021 Results Way Above Expectations and Strong Forward Cover

Friday, August 06, 2021

Eagle Bulk Shipping (EGLE)
2Q2021 Results Way Above Expectations and Strong Forward Cover

Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc. 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.

Poe Fratt, Senior Research Analyst, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

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

    Strong 2Q2021 operating results masked by FFA losses. Call with management today at 8am EST—number is 844-282-441 and code is 3636539. After backing out FFA hedges and other items of $31.6 million, adjusted EBITDA of $62.8 million was well ahead of expectations. TCE revenue of $93 million and TCE rates of $21.6k/day were above expectations, while opex were in line.

    Moving 2021 EBITDA to $255 million (from $216 million) based on TCE rates of $22.1k/day to reflect higher 2Q2021 results and high forward cover with about 75% of 3Q2021 available days are booked at TCE rates of $28.3k/day.  2022 EBITDA also moves higher to $267.2 million (from $233 million) based on TCE rates of $22.0k/day …



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.