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Release – GoHealth Reports First Quarter 2024 Results

Posted on May 9, 2024May 9, 2024 by aweinsoff@channelchek.com

May 09, 2024 at 6:01 AM EDT

CHICAGO, May 09, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — GoHealth, Inc. (NASDAQ: GOCO) (“GoHealth” or the “Company”), a leading health insurance marketplace and Medicare-focused digital health company, today announced financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2024.

First Quarter Highlights

First quarter 2024 net revenues of $185.6 million, a slight increase compared to $183.2 million in the prior year period.
First quarter 2024 Submissions of 216,148, a 2,503 increase compared to 213,645 Submissions in the prior year period.
First quarter 2024 net loss of $21.3 million, an improvement of $1.2 million compared to $22.5 million in the prior year period.
First quarter 2024 Adjusted EBITDA⁽¹⁾ of $26.9 million, a decrease of $1.9 million compared to $28.8 million in the prior year period.
First quarter 2024 trailing twelve months (“TTM”) cash flow from operations was $101.2 million, compared to TTM cash flow from operations of $26.9 million in the prior year period.

Regulatory Updates

We are gaining insight into the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (“CMS”) Final 2025 Marketing Rule and are confident that the CMS guidelines align with our Encompass model and our strategic plans.
Based on health plans’ reactions to the CMS Final 2025 Rate Notice we expect greater demand for the GoHealth personalized Encompass shopping and enrollment experience this fall.

“Our first quarter results exceeded our expectations and highlight our team’s ability to be innovative and resilient amongst market conditions. The proactive work we have done to drive consumer centricity has been instrumental in our ability to navigate the ever-evolving regulatory landscape. Our model is aligned with CMS’s intentions to protect consumers, and the work we have done has prepared us well for the current regulations and those likely to come,” said Vijay Kotte, CEO of GoHealth. “Looking ahead, we remain committed to leveraging our insights and technology to further improve the healthcare journey for consumers, ensuring they have the support they need to make informed decisions.”

“While we realize that rewarding agents for doing the right thing may not maximize revenue in the short term, we stand by our belief that PlanFit is an investment in the consumer that will pay off long-term,” said Jason Schulz, CFO of GoHealth. “This alignment of improved financial outcomes with our consumer-first philosophy supports our strategic direction. We remain committed to leveraging technology for better healthcare decisions, as we are poised to drive both sustained profitability and positive consumer impact in the years to come.

(1) Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure. For a definition of Adjusted EBITDA and a reconciliation to the most comparable GAAP measure, please see below.

Conference Call Details

The Company will host a conference call today, Thursday, May 9, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. (ET) to discuss its financial results. Participants can pre-register for the conference call at the following link: https://register.vevent.com/register/BI3893cf432a644987bbaaed690971a174. A live audio webcast of the conference call will be available via GoHealth’s Investor Relations website, https://investors.gohealth.com/. A replay of the call will be available via webcast for on-demand listening shortly after the completion of the call.

About GoHealth, Inc.

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

Investor Relations:
John Shave
JShave@gohealth.com

Media Relations:
Pressinquiries@gohealth.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, (the “Securities Act”) and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). These forward-looking statements are made in reliance upon the safe harbor provision of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this press release may be forward-looking statements. Statements regarding our future results of operations and financial position, business strategy and plans and objectives of management for future operations, including, among others, statements regarding our expected growth, future capital expenditures and debt service obligations, are forward-looking statements.

In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “aims,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “could,” “intends,” “targets,” “projects,” “contemplates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential,” “likely,” “future” or “continue” or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions. The forward-looking statements in this press release are only predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions. Accordingly, we caution you that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, assumptions and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable as of the date made, actual results may prove to be materially different from the results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.

These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release and are subject to a number of important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, including the factors described in the sections titled “Summary Risk Factors,” “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 (“2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K”) and in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The factors described in our 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read together with the other cautionary statements included in this press release, as well as the cautionary statements and other risk factors set forth in the forthcoming Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the first quarter ended March 31, 2024 and our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

You should read this press release and the documents that we reference in this press release completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect. We qualify all of our forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements. Except as required by applicable law, we do not plan to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements contained herein, whether as a result of any new information, future events, changed circumstances or otherwise.

To view full release, click here.

PDS Biotechnology (PDSB) – PDS Holds KOL Event and Announces New Trial Design

Posted on May 9, 2024May 9, 2024 by cpereira@noblefcm.com

Thursday, May 09, 2024

PDS Biotech is a clinical-stage immunotherapy company developing a growing pipeline of molecularly targeted cancer and infectious disease immunotherapies based on the Company’s proprietary Versamune® and Infectimune™ T-cell activating technology platforms. Our Versamune®-based products have demonstrated the potential to overcome the limitations of current immunotherapy by inducing in vivo, large quantities of high-quality, highly potent polyfunctional tumor specific CD4+ helper and CD8+ killer T-cells. PDS Biotech has developed multiple therapies, based on combinations of Versamune® and disease-specific antigens, designed to train the immune system to better recognize diseased cells and effectively attack and destroy them. The Company’s pipeline products address various cancers including HPV16-associated cancers (anal, cervical, head and neck, penile, vaginal, vulvar) and breast, colon, lung, prostate and ovarian cancers.

Robert LeBoyer, Senior Vice President, Equity Research Analyst, Biotechnology, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

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

New Trial Design Will Test Two Drugs Against Standard Of Care. PDS Biotech held a KOL event featuring two prominent oncologists to discuss head and neck cancer and its clinical program data. The presentations included a review of current treatments and its two Phase 2 studies. The new Phase 3 study design was announced, now planned with three arms to test Versamune HPV with Keytruda, Versamune HPV and PDS01ADC with Keytruda, and Keytruda alone.

Phase 2 Trials Greatly Improved Patient Outcomes. The Phase 2 VERSATILE-002 trial testing Versamune HPV with Keytruda had strong improvements over current treatments in several clinical endpoints. During 2023, PDS discussed the path to approval for Versamune with the FDA. This led to design of the Phase 3 VERSATILE-003 trial testing the two-drug combination, similar to VERSATILE-002.

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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.

MustGrow Biologics Corp. (MGROF) – California Joins the TerraSante Approved List

Posted on May 9, 2024May 9, 2024 by cpereira@noblefcm.com

Thursday, May 09, 2024

Joe Gomes, Managing Director, Equity Research Analyst, Generalist , Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

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

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

Another Approval. The Company announced receipt of the California Department of Food Agriculture registration approval for its TerraSante product. MustGrow also received organic certification from California’s Organic Input Material (OIM) Program, specific certification for California. The certification is a requirement for organic products to be sold in California and goes beyond MustGrow’s existing Organic OMRI Listed certifications. California now joins Washington and Oregon as states to authorize product sales of TerraSante.

OIM Program. According to the California Department of Food Agriculture, the OIM program registers materials used for fertilization of organic crops and food production. The material is either bulk or packaged and excludes pesticides. The program is mandated by the Legislature with support from the industry.

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

CoreCivic, Inc. (CXW) – First Look at 1Q24 Results

Posted on May 9, 2024May 9, 2024 by cpereira@noblefcm.com

Thursday, May 09, 2024

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

Joe Gomes, Managing Director, Equity Research Analyst, Generalist , Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

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

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

Results. Total revenue was $500.7 million for the quarter compared to $458.0 million in the prior year. This exceeded our expectations of $478 million. All of CoreCivic’s segments experienced growth over the prior year due to higher populations at the federal, state, and local populations. Another driver was revenue from ICE increasing from the prior year, as last year had Title 42 still enacted. Net income was $9.5 million, or $0.08/sh, from $12.4 million, or $0.11, last year. We estimated net income of $21.7 million or $0.19 per diluted share. Adjusted EPS was $0.25 for 1Q24, excluding one-time costs associated with the debt refinancing.

Debt Refinancing Completed and Share Repurchases. CoreCivic completed its registered public debt offering of $500 million on March 12, 2024. The offering, in conjunction with the Company’s revolving credit facility, paid off CoreCivic’s senior unsecured notes due 2026. The Company repurchased 2.7 million shares of its common stock during the quarter at an aggregate purchase price of $39.4 million, or approximately $14.59 per share.

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

Great Lakes Dredge & Dock (GLDD) – A Deeper Look into 1Q24 Results

Posted on May 9, 2024May 9, 2024 by cpereira@noblefcm.com

Thursday, May 09, 2024

Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation is the largest provider of dredging services in the United States. In addition, Great Lakes is fully engaged in expanding its core business into the rapidly developing offshore wind energy industry. The Company has a long history of performing significant international projects. The Company employs experienced civil, ocean and mechanical engineering staff in its estimating, production and project management functions. In its over 131-year history, the Company has never failed to complete a marine project. Great Lakes owns and operates the largest and most diverse fleet in the U.S. dredging industry, comprised of approximately 200 specialized vessels. Great Lakes has a disciplined training program for engineers that ensures experienced-based performance as they advance through Company operations. The Company’s Incident-and Injury-Free® (IIF®) safety management program is integrated into all aspects of the Company’s culture. The Company’s commitment to the IIF® culture promotes a work environment where employee safety is paramount.

Joe Gomes, Managing Director, Equity Research Analyst, Generalist , Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

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

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

Strong Performance. Limited drydockings during the quarter and record backlog led the charge in a strong first quarter. The Galveston Island, the Company’s new hopper dredge, also started operations during the quarter, contributing to the performance. The record backlog, consisting mostly of capital projects which carry higher margin, provides Great Lakes with revenue visibility throughout the fiscal year and improved margins, in our view.

Improved Environment. With the passage of the budget, the overall dredging environment has improved, in our view. We expect to see an uptick in project awards in the second and third quarters, with a couple of major capital projects to be included. Great Lakes is well positioned to win its fair share of the awards.

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

The ODP Corporation (ODP) – 1Q24 First Look

Posted on May 9, 2024May 9, 2024 by cpereira@noblefcm.com

Thursday, May 09, 2024

Office Depot, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, supplies a range of office products and services. It offers merchandise, such as general office supplies, computer supplies, business machines and related supplies, and office furniture through its chain of office supply stores under the Office Depot, Foray, Ativa, Break Escapes, Worklife, and Christopher Lowell brand names. The company also provides graphic design, printing, reproduction, mailing, shipping, and other services through design, print, and ship centers. It has operations throughout North America, Europe, Asia, and Central America. The company also sells its products and services through direct mail catalogs, contract sales force, Internet sites, and retail stores, through a mix of company-owned operations, joint ventures, licensing and franchise agreements, alliances, and other arrangements. As of December 31, 2008, Office Depot operated 1,267 North American retail division office supply stores and 162 international division retail stores, as well as participated under licensing and merchandise arrangements in 98 stores. The company was founded in 1986 and is based in Boca Raton, Florida.

Joe Gomes, Managing Director, Equity Research Analyst, Generalist , Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

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

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

1Q24 Results. Net sales were $1.87 billion, down from $2.11 billion in 1Q23 and slightly below our $1.95 billion estimate. A challenging overall economic environment and 56 fewer Office Depot stores, y-o-y, drove the revenue contraction. Adjusted EBITDA totaled $82 million, down from $131 million and below our $123 million estimate. Net income declined to $15 million, or $0.40/sh, from $72 million, or $1.71/sh. We had forecasted $64 million, or $1.72/sh.

A Decision on Varis. Put out the “For Sale” sign. Responding to shareholder suggestions, among other things, management and the Board came to the decision to sell the Varis unit, which just has not begun to generate revenue as originally anticipated. While waiting for the sale to occur, the operating costs of Varis have been reduced by approximately one-third.

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

Commercial Vehicle Group (CVGI) – Overcoming a Weak 1Q24

Posted on May 9, 2024May 9, 2024 by cpereira@noblefcm.com

Thursday, May 09, 2024

Joe Gomes, Managing Director, Equity Research Analyst, Generalist , Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

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

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

Electrical Systems. ES was star performer in the quarter, as increased pricing in the segment geared the segment towards positive growth. However, with two of its core end markets seeing a flat to declining demand in 2024, we expect some muted performance of the segment for the year. Management continues to focus on business wins for the segment and new facilities to supports its growth. The ES remains on a path to become the Company’s largest.

Optimization. Management continues to focus on finding ways to optimize the business and to improve profitability. The Company has rightsized some of its labor due to rising labor costs in Mexico and management has discussed offsetting cost pressure with customers. Alongside these, management has a focus on its supply chain and is looking to optimize its freight and logistics costs. The Company still has levers to pull to achieve higher optimization and cost reduction, in our view.

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

Beasley Broadcast Group (BBGI) – National Advertising Appears To Be Stabilizing

Posted on May 9, 2024May 9, 2024 by cpereira@noblefcm.com

Thursday, May 09, 2024

Beasley Broadcast Group, Inc. owns and operates 61 stations (47 FM and 14 AM) in 15 large- and mid-size markets in the United States. Approximately 20 million consumers listen to the Company’s radio stations weekly over-the-air, online and on smartphones and tablets, and millions regularly engage with the Company’s brands and personalities through digital platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, text messaging, digital and web applications and email. The Overwatch League’s Houston Outlaws esports team is a wholly owned subsidiary. The Company also owns BeasleyXP, a national esports content hub, and AXLR-R8, a Rocket League Championship Series team, in its esports portfolio. For more information, please visit www.bbgi.com.

Michael Kupinski, Director of Research, Equity Research Analyst, Digital, Media & Technology , Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Jacob Mutchler, Research Associate, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

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

Mixed Q1 results. The company reported Q1 revenue of $54.4 million, in line with our estimate of $55.1 million. Adj. EBITDA in the quarter was $0.7 million, which was below our estimate of $1.4 million. While operating results were mixed in the quarter, the company is focused on cost reductions. Additionally, national advertising was up 1.1% in Q1, which is a development we view favorably.

Q2 pacings softer, but…Management indicated that Q2 advertising pacings are down in the low single digits, a little more than our modest 2.1 % decline estimate. Notably, the company largely will mitigate the revenue variance with cost cutting initiatives, which is expected to save $6.8 million in costs this year.

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

FTX Bankruptcy Plan Aims to Repay Most Customers in Full, Plus Interest

Posted on May 9, 2024May 9, 2024 by slightbourne@noblecapitalmarkets.com

In a remarkable turn of events, the collapsed cryptocurrency exchange FTX has proposed a bankruptcy reorganization plan that could see nearly all of its customers fully repaid for their lost funds – and then some. According to a court filing released on Wednesday, FTX estimates it owes creditors around $11.2 billion, but has managed to recover between $14.5 billion and $16.3 billion to distribute.

The proposed plan states that customers whose claims amount to $50,000 or less, which accounts for around 98% of FTX’s creditors, will receive approximately 118% of their allowed claim amount. This means these customers would get all of their money back, plus an additional 18% payout on top.

This development comes as an incredible lifeline for the many retail investors and traders who had their funds frozen when FTX collapsed into bankruptcy in November 2022 amid fraud allegations against its founder Sam Bankman-Fried. At the time, new CEO John Ray III bluntly stated it was one of the most catastrophic corporate failures he’d seen in 40 years of restructuring experience.

So how did FTX manage to raise over $14 billion to repay creditors after such a spectacular implosion? The answer lies in a series of strategic asset sales and recovering investments made by the exchange and Bankman-Fried’s hedge fund Alameda Research.

One of the biggest windfalls came from selling most of FTX’s stake in artificial intelligence company Anthropic, which is backed by Amazon. That divestment alone netted FTX close to $900 million. The exchange also monetized various other venture investments and digital asset holdings.

However, FTX faced a significant hurdle – a large sum of cryptocurrency that went simply missing from the exchange after its bankruptcy. This denied them the ability to benefit from the massive price appreciation that leading cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin have seen since November, which is up over 270%.

As John Ray III noted, the company had to “look to other sources of recoverable value to repay creditors” beyond just holding crypto assets. Their aggressive asset sales and recovery efforts seem to have paid off.

While undoubtedly positive news for FTX’s customers, the proposed bankruptcy plan still requires approval from the court overseeing the case. The plan release also reminded that Sam Bankman-Fried was convicted on seven criminal counts related to FTX’s collapse and received a 25-year prison sentence.

If approved, the FTX bankruptcy would represent one of the most successful cryptocurrency exchange restructurings to date in terms of customer reimbursement. It’s a glimmer of hope amidst an industry still reeling from a crisis of consumer confidence following FTX and other high-profile blowups in 2022.

Of course, repayment is just one step in FTX’s long road to reorganization. Serious questions remain around tightening regulatory oversight and restoring trust in centralized crypto trading platforms. But for its customers at least, this plan could provide closure and make them remarkably whole after a near-total wipeout.

Microsoft Ignites the AI Revolution With $3.3B Wisconsin Investment

Posted on May 9, 2024May 9, 2024 by slightbourne@noblecapitalmarkets.com

The artificial intelligence revolution is rapidly reshaping industries across the globe, and Microsoft is doubling down with a massive $3.3 billion investment in Wisconsin. This multi-year commitment aims to transform the state into an AI innovation hub while positioning Microsoft as a preeminent leader in the generative AI market forecast to drive trillions in economic value creation.

At the core of Microsoft’s plans lies the construction of a cutting-edge $3.3 billion datacenter campus in Mount Pleasant, set to bolster the tech giant’s cloud computing muscle and AI capabilities. This modern facility, expected to be operational by 2026, will create thousands of new construction jobs over the next couple of years. More importantly, it will act as a launchpad for companies nationwide to access the latest AI cloud services and applications for driving efficiencies and growth across industries.

Microsoft isn’t just building physical infrastructure – it’s cultivating an entire ecosystem to proliferate AI adoption and expertise. A centerpiece is the establishment of the country’s inaugural manufacturing-focused AI Co-Innovation Lab. Housed at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, this state-of-the-art facility will connect 270 local businesses directly with Microsoft’s AI experts. By 2030, the lab’s mission is to collaboratively design, prototype, and implement tailored AI solutions for 135 Wisconsin manufacturers and other participating companies.

This bold co-innovation strategy brings together key players like the startup fund TitletownTech, backed by the iconic Green Bay Packers franchise. Such partnerships could catalyze cross-pollination of ideas, talent, and domain expertise to keep Microsoft’s AI offerings razor-sharp and industry-relevant.

Perhaps most crucial is the workforce development component underpinning Microsoft’s Wisconsin roadmap. An overarching AI skilling initiative aims to train over 100,000 state residents in generative AI fundamentals by 2030 across industries. Specialized programs will also cultivate 3,000 accredited AI software developers and 1,000 cross-trained business leaders prepared to strategically harness AI capabilities.

The commitment extends beyond the technological aspects, with Microsoft earmarking funds for education, digital access, and community enrichment initiatives. A new 250-megawatt solar project and $20 million community fund for underserved areas demonstrate its intent for environmentally sustainable, inclusive growth.

From an investor’s perspective, Microsoft’s sweeping $3.3 billion investment could prove transformative on multiple fronts. It bolsters the company’s cloud infrastructure prowess while planting a strategic foothold in a resurgent manufacturing and innovation hub. This dynamic interplay could accelerate enterprise adoption of Microsoft’s AI offerings amid stiffening competition from rivals like Google, Amazon, and emerging AI startups.

Arguably more pivotal are the calculated workforce development and ecosystem-building initiatives underpinning this program. By nurturing a robust talent pipeline and collaborative networks spanning businesses, academic institutions, and community stakeholders, Microsoft is cultivating an AI market flywheel effect propelling its long-term competitive advantages.

The AI revolution’s socioeconomic impacts are poised to be transformative and profoundly disruptive over the coming decade. Generative AI alone could create trillions in annual economic value by 2030, according to some estimates. For investors, Microsoft’s multibillion-dollar Wisconsin commitment signals its intent to be an indispensable catalyst driving this seismic technological shift.

No investment of this scale and scope is without risk. Technological transitions breed uncertainty, and AI development remains a volatile, hyper-competitive battlefield. However, Microsoft’s holistic approach balancing infrastructure, innovation, talent, and sustainable growth principles could position it as an AI powerhouse for the modern era.

As the world inches toward an AI-driven future, all eyes should monitor how this Middle American heartland evolves into an unlikely nexus shaping the revolutionary capabilities poised to redefine sectors from manufacturing to healthcare, finance and beyond over the coming years.

Release – Bit Digital, Inc. Announces Date for First Quarter 2024 Financial Results and Conference Call

Posted on May 8, 2024May 8, 2024 by dburczyk@noblecapitalmarkets.com

Research News and Market Data on BTBT

NEW YORK, May 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Bit Digital, Inc. (Nasdaq: BTBT) (“Bit Digital” or the “Company”), a sustainable platform for digital assets and artificial intelligence (“AI”) infrastructure headquartered in New York, announced today that it will release its First Quarter 2024 results on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, after the stock market closes. Senior management will host a live webcast and conference call to review the results on Thursday, May 16, 2024, at 10 a.m. ET.

To register for the earnings call, please click here. Additionally, participants can join the conference call by dialing 1-855-303-0072 (passcode: 951267).

The Company will issue a press release regarding First Quarter 2024 earnings prior to the conference call. The press release will be posted on the Bit Digital website at www.bit-digital.com.

About Bit Digital

Bit Digital, Inc. is a sustainable platform for digital assets and artificial intelligence (“AI”) infrastructure headquartered in New York City. Our bitcoin mining operations are located in the US, Canada, and Iceland. The Company has established a business line, Bit Digital AI, that offers specialized cloud-infrastructure services for artificial intelligence applications. For additional information, please contact ir@bit-digital.com or visit our website at www.bit-digital.com.

Investor Notice

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Before making an investment decision, you should carefully consider the risks, uncertainties and forward-looking statements described under “Risk Factors” in Item 3.D of our most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023. If any material risk was to occur, our business, financial condition or results of operations would likely suffer. In that event, the value of our securities could decline and you could lose part or all of your investment. The risks and uncertainties we describe are not the only ones facing us. Additional risks not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business operations. In addition, our past financial performance may not be a reliable indicator of future performance, and historical trends should not be used to anticipate results in the future. Future changes in the network-wide mining difficulty rate or bitcoin hash rate may also materially affect the future performance of Bit Digital’s production of bitcoin. Actual operating results will vary depending on many factors including network difficulty rate, total hash rate of the network, the operations of our facilities, the status of our miners, and other factors.

Safe Harbor Statement

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

Release – MustGrow Receives California Registration and Organic Approval for TerraSanteᵀᴹ Biofertility Product

Posted on May 8, 2024May 8, 2024 by dburczyk@noblecapitalmarkets.com

Research News and Market Data on MGROF

MustGrow has received the California Department of Food Agriculture approval to commence sales of TerraSante^TM, an organic biofertility product, in California.
Additionally, MustGrow has received organic certification from California’s Organic Input Material (OIM) Program.
Mustard-derived TerraSante^TM focuses on soil microbiome health, nutrient/water use efficiencies, and plant yields.

SASKATOON, Saskatchewan, Canada, May 8, 2024 – MustGrow Biologics Corp. (TSXV:MGRO) (OTC:MGROF) (FRA:0C0) (the “Company” or “MustGrow”) is pleased to announce receipt of the California Department of Food Agriculture registration approval for its mustard plant-based TerraSante^TM, an organic biofertility product. MustGrow’s TerraSante^TM has also received organic certification from California’s Organic Input Material (OIM) Program, a specific California requirement beyond MustGrow’s existing Organic OMRI Listed^® certifications in Oregon and Washington State.

TerraSante^TM product sales are now authorized to commence in California. The registration and certification are an important step in MustGrow’s commercialization strategy with BioAg Product Strategies to develop and commercialize MustGrow’s soil amendment and biofertility technologies, including TerraSante^TM. In addition to California, and recently-awarded Oregon and Washington State, MustGrow expects to continue its efforts towards further state-level registrations in other pertinent U.S. states.

BioAg Product Strategies owner, Tim Lichatowich, remarked, “There has been tremendous buzz surrounding TerraSante^TM since recent state registrations were awarded. TerraSante^TM has a lot of the characteristics in a product that producers are looking for, making it an exciting advancement for organic, sustainable, and regenerative agriculture in California.”

MustGrow’s TerraSante^TM product complements the Company’s existing biocontrol programs in preplant soil fumigation, postharvest food preservation, and bioherbicide, which are currently under development with four global partners: Bayer, Sumitomo Corporation, Janssen PMP, and NexusBioAg.

The Market Opportunity in California

Over a third of U.S. vegetables and nearly three-quarters of U.S. fruits and nuts are grown in California. In 2022, the market value of agricultural products sold in California totaled $59.0 billion USD, up $13.8 billion USD from 2017. Relevant categories for TerraSante^TM include:

Grapes — $5.54 billion
Almonds — $3.52 billion
Lettuce — $3.15 billion
Strawberries — $2.68 billion
Pistachios — $1.86 billion
Tomatoes — $1.46 billion
Carrots — $1.11 billion

(all USD)⁽¹⁾

California organic product sales totaled $14.0 billion USD in 2021, an increase of 16.4 percent from the prior year. Organic production encompasses over 2.13 million acres in the state.⁽²⁾ MustGrow believes its TerraSante^TM organic biofertility product will position California farmers to meet increasing demand for organic, local, and healthy produce.

TerraSante^TM for Soil and Ecological Health

MustGrow’s soil amendment and biofertility development programs focus on soil microbiome health, nutrient and water use efficiencies, and plant yields. Soil is a farmer’s most valuable asset, and MustGrow’s mustard plant-based technologies are being developed with the intention to improve not only the health of the soil, but also the surrounding ecological environment.

As an organic biofertilizer in soluble mixable form, TerraSante^TM contains nutritious plant proteins and carbohydrates that feed soil microbes, potentially improving beneficial microbial activity and ensuring long-term sustainable soil health. These targeted micro-communities have been shown to work to improve nutrient availability, which can potentially increase plant vigor and yields, while reducing plant stress. TerraSante^TM has the potential to improve crop nutrient uptake and, hence, overall crop performance. There are no artificial additives or preservatives used during its manufacturing.

To learn more about TerraSante^TM, visit www.mustgrow.ca.

Sources:
(1)https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/Statistics/#:~:text=Over%20a%20third%20of%20the,the%202022%20crop%20year%20are%3A&text=Dairy%20Products%2C%20Milk%20—%20%2410.40%20billion,Cattle%20and%20Calves%20—%20%243.63%20billion
(2)https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/Statistics/PDFs/2022_Organics_Publication.pdf

About MustGrow

MustGrow is an agriculture biotech company developing organic biocontrol and biofertility products by harnessing the natural defense mechanism and organic materials of the mustard plant to sustainably protect the global food supply and help farmers feed the world. MustGrow and its leading global partners — Bayer, Janssen PMP (pharmaceutical division of Johnson & Johnson), Sumitomo Corporation, and Univar Solutions’ NexusBioAg — are developing mustard-based organic solutions for applications in biocontrol to potentially replace harmful synthetic chemicals in preplant soil treatment and weed control, to postharvest disease control and food preservation. Bayer has a commercial agreement to develop and commercialize MustGrow’s biocontrol soil applications in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Concurrently, with new formulations derived from food-grade mustard, the Company is pursuing the adoption and use of its first registered biofertility and OMRI Listed^® product, TerraSante^TM, in key U.S. states. Over 150 independent tests have been completed, validating MustGrow’s safe and effective approach to crop and food protection and yield enhancements. Pending regulatory approval, MustGrow’s patented liquid technologies could be applied through injection, standard drip or spray equipment, improving functionality and performance features. MustGrow has approximately 51.6 million basic common shares issued and outstanding and 54.1 million shares fully diluted. For further details, please visit www.mustgrow.ca.

Contact Information

Corey Giasson
Director & CEO
Phone: +1-306-668-2652
info@mustgrow.ca

MustGrow Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements included in this news release constitute “forward-looking statements” which involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may affect the results, performance or achievements of MustGrow.

Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “plans”, “expects”, “is expected”, “budget”, “estimates”, “intends”, “anticipates” or “does not anticipate”, or “believes”, or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might”, “occur” or “be achieved”. Examples of forward-looking statements in this news release include, among others, statements MustGrow makes regarding: the commencement of TerraSante^TM product sales in California; the progress of state-level registrations of TerraSante^TM products in other pertinent U.S. states; whether the TerraSante^TM product will position California farmers to meet increasing demand for organic, local, and healthy produce; whether MustGrow’s organic biofertility product will complement the Company’s existing biocontrol programs in preplant soil fumigation, postharvest food preservation, and bioherbicide; and whether targeted micro-communities can increase plant vigor and yields, while reducing plant stress; and the potential for TerraSante^TM to improve crop nutrient uptake and, hence, overall crop performance. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results of MustGrow to differ materially from those discussed in such forward-looking statements, and even if such actual results are realized or substantially realized, there can be no assurance that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on, MustGrow. Important factors that could cause MustGrow’s actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include market receptivity to investor relations activities as well as those risks described in more detail in MustGrow’s Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2023 and other continuous disclosure documents filed by MustGrow with the applicable securities regulatory authorities which are available at www.sedar.com. Readers are referred to such documents for more detailed information about MustGrow, which is subject to the qualifications, assumptions and notes set forth therein.

This release does not constitute an offer for sale of, nor a solicitation for offers to buy, any securities in the United States.

Neither the TSXV, nor their Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV), nor the OTC Markets has approved the contents of this release or accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Release – Beasley Broadcast Group Reports First Quarter Revenue of $54.4 Million

Posted on May 8, 2024May 8, 2024 by aweinsoff@channelchek.com

Research News and Market Data on BBGI

May 08, 2024 07:00 ET| Source: Beasley Broadcast Group, Inc.Follow

	Conference Call and Webcast Today, May 8, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. ET 877-407-4018 or 201-689-8471, conference ID 13746158 or www.bbgi.com Replay information provided below

NAPLES, Fla., May 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Beasley Broadcast Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: BBGI) (“Beasley” or the “Company”), a multi-platform media company, today announced operating results for the three-month period ended March 31, 2024. For further information, the Company has posted a presentation to its website regarding the first quarter highlights and accomplishments that management will review on today’s conference call.

First Quarter Financial Highlights

In millions, except per share data	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2024			2023
Net revenue	$54.4			$57.8
Operating income (loss)		(1.1	)		0.4
Net income (loss)¹		0.0			(3.5	)
Net income (loss) per diluted share¹	$0.00			($0.12		)
Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP)		0.7			2.6

¹Net income (loss) and net income (loss) per diluted share in the three months ended March 31, 2024 include a $6.0 million gain on sale of an investment in Broadcast Music, Inc.

Net revenue during the three months ended March 31, 2024 decreased 5.9% to $54.4 million, primarily reflecting a year-over-year decline in audio advertising and other revenue due to Beasley’s Wilmington station and esports divestitures as well as ongoing softness in the commercial advertising business, partially offset by growth in digital and political advertising revenue.

Beasley reported an operating loss of $1.1 million in the first quarter of 2024 compared to operating income of $0.4 million in the first quarter of 2023, largely reflecting the year-over-year decrease in net revenue.

Beasley reported net income of approximately $8,000, or $0.00 per diluted share, in the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to a net loss of $3.5 million, or $0.12 per diluted share, in the three months ended March 31, 2023. The year-over-year improvement was primarily due to the $6.0 million gain on sale of an investment in Broadcast Music, Inc. holdings and lower interest expense.

Adjusted EBITDA (a non-GAAP financial measure) was $0.7 million in the first quarter of 2024 compared to $2.6 million in the first quarter of 2023. The year-over-year decrease is primarily attributable to lower net revenue compared to the prior year period.

Please refer to the “Calculation of Adjusted EBITDA” and “Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) to Adjusted EBITDA” tables at the end of this release.

Commenting on the financial results, Caroline Beasley, Chief Executive Officer, said, “Beasley continues to advance our core initiatives, which are focused on driving revenue and cash flow, including our digital transformation, revenue diversification and expense management initiatives. We expect digital to account for between 20% and 25% of total revenue in 2024, driven by the ongoing growth and success of our premium content creation and digital services. On the new business front, our dedicated sales teams are leveraging the tremendous audience reach and engagement of our platform to attract new advertisers.

“In summary, Beasley’s underlying fundamentals—mainly, our local audio and digital platforms and audience engagement—remain strong. We are proud of our teams’ steadfast commitment to delivering exceptional content and services to our listeners, advertisers, online users and sports fans, and remain confident that the actions we are taking to transform our company and strengthen our balance sheet, are laying the foundation for future growth and success.”

First Quarter 2024 Highlights

Revenue from new customers grew 53% year over year
Generated $548,000 in political revenue
Local revenue, including digital packages sold locally, accounted for 69% of Total Revenue
Digital revenue grew 10% year-over-year, or 20% year-over-year on a same station basis, to $11,000,000
Digital revenue accounted for 20% of total company revenue
38% of our total audience listens via the company’s digital platforms

Conference Call and Webcast Information
The Company will host a conference call and webcast today, May 8, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. ET to discuss its financial results and operations. To access the conference call, interested parties may dial 877-407-4018 or 201-689-8471, conference ID 13746158 (domestic and international callers). Participants can also listen to a live webcast of the call at the Company’s website at www.bbgi.com. Please allow 15 minutes to register and download and install any necessary software. Following its completion, a replay of the webcast can be accessed for five days on the Company’s website, www.bbgi.com.

Questions from analysts, institutional investors and debt holders may be e-mailed to ir@bbgi.com at any time up until 9:00 a.m. ET on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. Management will answer as many questions as possible during the conference call and webcast (provided the questions are not addressed in their prepared remarks).

About Beasley Broadcast Group
Beasley Broadcast Group, Inc. (www.bbgi.com) was founded in 1961 by George G. Beasley and owns 57 AM and FM stations in 13 large- and mid-size markets in the United States. Beasley radio stations reach over 30 million unique consumers weekly over-the-air, online and on smartphones and tablets, and millions regularly engage with the Company’s brands and personalities through digital platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, text, apps and email. For more information, please visit www.bbgi.com.

For further information, or to receive future Beasley Broadcast Group news announcements via e-mail, please contact Beasley Broadcast Group, at 239-263-5000 or email@bbgi.com, or Joseph Jaffoni, JCIR, at 212-835-8500 or bbgi@jcir.com.

Definitions
EBITDA is defined as net income (loss) before interest income or expense, income tax expense or benefit, depreciation, and amortization.

Adjusted EBITDA is defined as EBITDA further adjusted to exclude certain, non-operating or other items that we believe are not indicative of the performance of our ongoing operations, such as impairment losses, other income or expense, or equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates. See “Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) to Adjusted EBITDA” for additional information.

Adjusted EBITDA can also be calculated as net revenue less operating and corporate expenses. We define operating expenses as cost of services and selling, general and administrative expenses. Corporate expenses include general and administrative expenses and certain other income and expense items not allocated to the operating segments.

Adjusted EBITDA is a measure widely used in the media industry. The Company recognizes that because Adjusted EBITDA is not calculated in accordance with GAAP, it is not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures employed by other companies. However, management believes that Adjusted EBITDA provides meaningful information to investors because it is an important measure of how effectively we operate our business and assists investors in comparing our operating performance with that of other media companies.

Same station revenue excludes revenue from all divestitures and other operations that were exited in the prior 12 months.

New business revenue is defined as revenue from an advertiser that has not advertised in the prior 13 months before the start of the current quarter.

Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this release that are “forward-looking statements” are based upon current expectations and assumptions and involve certain risks and uncertainties within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words or expressions such as “looking ahead,” “intends,” “believes,” “expects,” “seek,” “will,” “should” or variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements, by their nature, address matters that are, to different degrees, uncertain. Key risks are described in the Company’s reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) including its annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. Readers should note that forward-looking statements are subject to change and to inherent risks and uncertainties and may be impacted by several factors, including:

our ability to comply with the continued listing standards of the Nasdaq Capital Market;
risk from social and natural catastrophic events;
external economic forces and conditions that could have a material adverse impact on our advertising revenues and results of operations;
the ability of our stations to compete effectively in their respective markets for advertising revenues;
our ability to develop compelling and differentiated digital content, products and services;
audience acceptance of our content, particularly our audio programs;
our ability to respond to changes in technology, standards and services that affect the audio industry;
our dependence on federally issued licenses subject to extensive federal regulation;
actions by the FCC or new legislation affecting the audio industry;
increases to royalties we pay to copyright owners or the adoption of legislation requiring royalties to be paid to record labels and recording artists;
our dependence on selected market clusters of stations for a material portion of our net revenue;
credit risk on our accounts receivable;
the risk that our FCC licenses and/or goodwill could become impaired;
our substantial debt levels and the potential effect of restrictive debt covenants on our operational flexibility and ability to pay dividends;
the potential effects of hurricanes on our corporate offices and stations;
the failure or destruction of the internet, satellite systems and transmitter facilities that we depend upon to distribute our programming;
disruptions or security breaches of our information technology infrastructure and information systems;
the loss of key personnel;
our ability to integrate acquired businesses and achieve fully the strategic and financial objectives related thereto and their impact on our financial condition and results of operations;
the fact that our Company is controlled by the Beasley family, which creates difficulties for any attempt to gain control of our Company; and
other economic, business, competitive, and regulatory factors affecting our businesses, including those set forth in our filings with the SEC.

Our actual performance and results could differ materially because of these factors and other factors discussed in our SEC filings, including but not limited to our annual reports on Form 10-K or quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, copies of which can be obtained from the SEC, www.sec.gov, or our website, www.bbgi.com. All information in this release is as of May 8, 2024, and we undertake no obligation to update the information contained herein to actual results or changes to our expectations, except as required by law.

View the full release here.

CONTACT:
B. Caroline Beasley	Joseph Jaffoni, Jennifer Neuman
Chief Executive Officer	JCIR
Beasley Broadcast Group, Inc.	212/835-8500 or bbgi@jcir.com
239/263-5000 or ir@bbgi.com