Investors May Find DiDi Untradeable After May


Image Credit: DiDi


Is DiDi Dead Money for Investors?

Didi Global Inc. (DIDI) shareholders will vote on its delisting at a special meeting on May 23. The downhill ride in stock price since last June began when the SEC began a probe into the corporation’s IPO. The company also came under the dark cloud that other Chinese technology companies were under, as Beijing had been creating rigid regulations making it more difficult for them to operate. That regulatory campaign has slowed.

Didi (DIDI) says, subject to applicable Chinese regulations it is cooperating with the SEC investigation. The ride-sharing company’s own guidance on the situation is not reassuring, “We cannot predict the timing, outcome or consequences of such an investigation,” DiDi wrote in a report to shareholders.

The company stock fell 7% in after-hours trading Tuesday and is down another 5.75% at midday today (May 4).

Details of the SEC probe have not been made public. Gaps in some disclosures before the IPO is a likely area of SEC investigation. What is known is the company didn’t tell investors that Chinese officials had urged the company to delay the IPO as the government was worried about revealing sensitive information in the offering. DiDi was then being reviewed by Beijing as a cybersecurity threat to China. This occurred just days after going public. The long selloff that followed has not had a reprieve. The IPO raised $4.4 billion at $14 per share.

The new U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission scrutiny mounts as Chinese regulatory pressures have not fully subsided. In December, DiDi said it would apply to list on the Hong Kong Exchange. But in March, the company said that it would delist from New York before looking for a new public listing. This is to cooperate with Beijing’s cybersecurity probe.

Shareholders will vote on the delisting on May 23, but company directors and strategic investors like Tencent (TCEHY) and Softbank (SFTBY) are likely to push it through. Smaller self-directed investors, many of who are sitting with huge losses, may find their ownership is “dead money” for an undetermined amount of time once the company is delisted.

Take-Away

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is investigating Didi Global Inc.’s troubled 2021 public offering when the Chinese ride-hailing company raised $4.4 billion only days before revelations of a Chinese probe into data security pummeled the stock.

Like many other Chinese tech companies, Didi has come under the spotlight from regulators both in China and the U.S. since the IPO. Action from U.S. regulators shows that the end is not yet in sight for shareholders of the stock.

The company has been in talks with the Cyberspace Administration of China about a fine and penalties.

Paul Hoffman

Managing Editor, Channelchek

Suggested Reading



Ridesharing Giant DiDi Employees Banned from Selling Shares



DiDi is Delisting, What Does that Mean?





Are ADRs Riskier than Stocks?



Did the Stock Market Already Overshoot to the Downside in 2022?

Sources

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/didi-global-says-faces-sec-220926186.html

https://www.wsj.com/articles/didis-u-s-road-trip-just-got-even-bumpier-11651663261?mod=djemheard_t

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-05-03/didi-global-says-it-faces-sec-investigation-related-to-u-s-ipo-l2qpduya

 

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May’s Fed Meeting Concludes With No Surprises


Image Credit: Federal Reserve (Flickr)


The FOMC Decision on Rates

The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) voted to raise overnight interest rates from a target of 0.25%-0.50% to the new level of 0.75%-1.00%.  The monetary policy shift in bank lending rates was exactly as expected as Fed Chair Jerome Powell and other Committee members had been telegraphic the policy shift in advance of the two-day meeting. The early reaction from the bond market was almost lifeless as the UST 2-year and UST 10-year barely moved after the statement was released.

The statement accompanying the policy shift also included plans to shrink the Fed’s balance sheet. Once again, there was no surprise at the size of the reduction in bonds owned by the Fed. It will follow the exact schedule as outlined earlier. For Treasury securities, the cap of securities allowed to roll off the balance sheet will be set at $30 billion per month and, after three months, will increase to $60 billion per month. The decline in holdings of Treasury securities under this monthly cap will include Treasury coupon securities and, to the extent that coupon maturities are less than the monthly cap, Treasury bills.

For agency debt and agency mortgage-backed securities, the cap will initially be set at $17.5 billion per month beginning June 1, and after three months will increase to $35 billion per month.

Over time, the Committee intends to maintain securities holdings in amounts needed to implement monetary policy efficiently and effectively in its ample reserves regime.

The Committee also stated it is prepared to adjust any of the details of its approach to reducing the size of the balance sheet in light of economic and financial developments.

Take-Away

Higher interest rates can weigh on stocks as companies that rely on borrowing may find their cost of capital has increased. Additionally, investors that would prefer the “known” result of investing in the bond market or other interest rate products may pull assets out of stocks if they are attracted by the fixed income alternative. Investor money leaving the stock market reduces demand.

The next FOMC meeting is also a two-day meeting that takes place June14-15. If the pace of employment and overall economic activity is little changed, the Federal Reserve is expected to again raise interest rates.

Paul Hoffman

Managing Editor, Channelchek

Suggested Reading



What it Means When the Federal Reserve Bank Tightens Monetary Policy



Will Investors Rework their Positions in Response to Fed Statements?

Source

https://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/pressreleases.htm

 

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Release – CoreCivic Reports First Quarter 2022 Financial Results



CoreCivic Reports First Quarter 2022 Financial Results

Research, News, and Market Data on CoreCivic

BRENTWOOD, Tenn., May 04, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — CoreCivic,
Inc. (NYSE: CXW)
 (the Company) announced today its financial results for the first quarter of 2022.

Financial Highlights – First Quarter 2022

  • Total revenue of $453.0 million
    • CoreCivic
      Safety
       revenue of $414.2 million
    • CoreCivic
      Community 
      revenue of $24.1 million
    • CoreCivic Properties revenue of $14.6 million
  • Net Income of $19.0 million
  • Diluted earnings per share of $0.16
  • Adjusted diluted EPS of $0.14
  • Funds From Operations per diluted share of $0.34
  • Adjusted EBITDA of $80.8 million
  • TTM Debt Leverage of 2.7x

Damon T. Hininger, CoreCivic’s President and Chief Executive Officer, said, “We continued to generate strong cash flow during the first quarter, despite a few short-term headwinds, including earnings disruption from the commencement of a large new state contract at our La Palma Correctional Center in Arizona and a challenging labor market. For long term value creation, we remain focused on executing our debt reduction strategy. We’ve made great strides in the last year, reducing our total net debt by nearly $450 million, which positions us to begin returning capital to shareholders in the near future.

Hininger continued, “We’re also proud to have recently released our fourth Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Report, which details the many ways we delivered life-changing reentry and vocational programming to our residents in 2021. It takes our entire staff of teachers, chaplains, counselors, correctional officers and so many more dedicated people to make these achievements possible, and I’m grateful for my colleagues who truly live out our mission to better the public good every day.”

First Quarter 2022 Financial Results Compared With First Quarter
2021

Net income in the first quarter of 2022 totaled $19.0 million, or $0.16 per diluted share, compared with net loss in the first quarter of 2021 of $125.6 million, or a net loss of $1.05 per diluted share. Adjusted for special items, net income in the first quarter of 2022 was $17.4 million, or $0.14 per diluted share (Adjusted Diluted EPS), compared with adjusted net income in the first quarter of 2021 of $29.3 million, or $0.24 per diluted share. Special items for each period are presented in detail in the calculation of Adjusted Diluted EPS in the Supplemental Financial Information following the financial statements presented herein.   The decline in adjusted per share amounts was primarily the result of property sales and refinancing transactions, both of which strengthened our balance sheet, as well as the non-renewal of contracts with the United States Marshals Service (USMS) at the 1,033-bed Leavenworth Detention Center and the 600-bed West Tennessee Detention Facility in 2021, and the non-renewal of a contract with Marion County, Indiana, at the managed-only 1,030-bed Marion County Jail effective January 31, 2022.

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) was $83.0 million in the first quarter of 2022, compared with $41.6 million in the first quarter of 2021. The increase in EBITDA was primarily due to shareholder litigation expense in the prior year quarter. Adjusted EBITDA, which excludes the shareholder litigation expense and other special items, was $80.8 million in the first quarter of 2022, compared with $96.3 million in the first quarter of 2021. Adjusted EBITDA decreased from the prior year quarter primarily due to the sale of three non-core properties, which generated $4.9 million in Adjusted EBITDA in the first quarter of 2021, the transition of offender populations at our La Palma Correctional Center, and the aforementioned non-renewal of contracts at three facilities that collectively resulted in a reduction in EBITDA of $9.0 million from the first quarter of 2021 to the first quarter of 2022.  

Funds From Operations (FFO) was $41.5 million, or $0.34 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2022, compared to a loss of $100.9 million, or $0.83 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2021. Normalized FFO, which excludes special items, was $41.5 million, or $0.34 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2022, compared with $53.0 million, or $0.44 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2021. FFO was negatively impacted by the same factors that affected Adjusted EBITDA, as well as an increase in interest expense. The increase in interest expense was attributable to the issuance during the second and third quarters of 2021 of an aggregate principal amount of $675.0 million of 8.25% unsecured senior notes, the net proceeds of which were primarily used to repay shorter-term debt with lower interest rates. These refinancing activities strengthened our balance sheet by increasing our liquidity, extending our weighted average debt maturities, and creating more financial flexibility.

Adjusted Net Income, EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, FFO, and Normalized FFO, and, where appropriate, their corresponding per share amounts, are measures calculated and presented on the basis of methodologies other than in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Please refer to the Supplemental Financial Information and related note following the financial statements herein for further discussion and reconciliations of these measures to net income, the most directly comparable GAAP measure.

Business Updates

Commencement of New Contract with the State of Arizona at the La
Palma Correctional Center. 
On January 10, 2022, we announced that we were awarded a new contract with the state of Arizona to care for up to 2,706 adult male inmates on behalf of the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation & Reentry (ADCRR) at the Company’s 3,060-bed La Palma Correctional Center in Eloy, Arizona. The new management contract has an initial term of five years, with one extension option for up to five years thereafter upon mutual agreement. We began receiving inmates from the state of Arizona in April 2022 under this new contract, and expect the transfer process to be complete in the fourth quarter of 2022. Before the new award, the La Palma facility supported the mission of ICE by caring for approximately 1,800 detainees. As the new contract with Arizona commences and state inmates are accepted at the facility, we are working closely with ICE to provide alternative capacity within the region in order to continue to support its needs.   Upon full utilization of the new contract, we expect to generate approximately $75.0 million to $85.0 million in annualized revenue at the La Palma facility. However, because of the preparation to receive the Arizona inmates, including a reduction in the average daily population of ICE detainees at the facility, facility net operating income decreased $2.4 million during the first quarter of 2022 compared with the first quarter of 2021.

2022 Financial Guidance

Based on current business conditions, the Company is providing the following update to its financial guidance for the full year 2022:

 

Guidance
Full Year 2022

Prior
Guidance

Full Year 2022

  • Diluted EPS

$0.64 – $0.79

$0.72 – $0.86

  • Adjusted Diluted EPS

$0.63 – $0.77

$0.72 – $0.86

  • FFO per diluted share

$1.45 – $1.60

$1.55 – $1.70

  • EBITDA

$336.1 million – $351.4 million

$354.8 million – $370.0 million

  • Adjusted EBITDA

$333.9 million – $349.1 million

$354.8 million – $370.0 million

Our 2022 guidance reflects uncertainties associated with the timing of the reversal of Title 42, a public health order that has been used since March 2020 to deny entry at the United States southern border to asylum-seekers and anyone crossing the southern border without proper documentation or authority in an effort to contain the spread of COVID-19. On April 1, 2022, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention terminated Title 42, and began preparing for a resumption of regular migration at the United States southern border, effective May 23, 2022. However, the reversal of Title 42 has been subject to legal challenges, and on April 25, 2022, a federal judge issued a temporary restraining order blocking its termination. The termination of Title 42 is expected to result in an increase in the number of undocumented people permitted into the United States to claim asylum, and could result in an increase in the number of people apprehended and detained by ICE, our largest government customer. However, it is difficult to predict when Title 42 will be terminated.

Our 2022 guidance also reflects the continuation of a challenging labor market, including above average wage inflation and, most notably, higher nursing-related expenses than previously estimated due to a national nursing shortage. Finally, our 2022 guidance also reflects a larger earnings disruption at our La Palma Correctional Center than previously estimated. Although we successfully began the complex transition of inmate populations from the state of Arizona into the facility in April 2022, pursuant to a new management contract, we currently expect detainee populations from ICE to decline more rapidly than previously forecasted.

During 2022, we expect to invest $78.5 million to $82.0 million in capital expenditures, consisting of $33.5 million to $34.0 million in maintenance capital expenditures on real estate assets, $30.0 million to $32.0 million for capital expenditures on other assets and information technology, and $15.0 million to $16.0 million for facility renovations.  

Supplemental Financial Information and Investor Presentations

We have made available on our website supplemental financial information and other data for the first quarter of 2022.   Interested parties may access this information through our website at http://ir.corecivic.com/ under “Financial Information” of the Investors section.   We do not undertake any obligation and disclaim any duties to update any of the information disclosed in this report.  

Management may meet with investors from time to time during the second quarter of 2022.   Written materials used in the investor presentations will also be available on our website beginning on or about May 13, 2022.   Interested parties may access this information through our website at http://ir.corecivic.com/ under “Events & Presentations” of the Investors section.

Conference Call, Webcast and Replay Information

We will host a webcast conference call at 10:00 a.m. central time (11:00 a.m. eastern time) on Thursday, May 5, 2022, and will be accessible through the Company’s website at www.corecivic.com under the “Events & Presentations” section of the “Investors” page. The live broadcast can also be accessed by dialing 888-882-4478 in the U.S. and Canada, including the confirmation passcode 8967211. An online replay of the call will be archived on our website promptly following the conference call. In addition, there will be a telephonic replay available beginning at 1:15 p.m. central time (2:15 p.m. eastern time) on May 5, 2022, through 1:15 p.m. central time (2:15 p.m. eastern time) on May 13, 2022. To access the telephonic replay, dial 888-203-1112 in the U.S. and Canada. International callers may dial +1 719-457-0820 and enter passcode 8967211.

About CoreCivic

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.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains statements as to our beliefs and expectations of the outcome of future events that are “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the statements made. These include, but are not limited to, the risks and uncertainties associated with: (i) changes in government policy (including the United States Department of Justice, or DOJ, not renewing contracts as a result of President Biden’s Executive Order on Reforming Our Incarceration System to Eliminate the Use of Privately Operated Criminal Detention Facilities, or the Private Prison EO) (two agencies of the DOJ, the United States Federal Bureau of Prisons and the United States Marshals Service utilize our services), legislation and regulations that affect utilization of the private sector for corrections, detention, and residential reentry services, in general, or our business, in particular, including, but not limited to, the continued utilization of our correctional and detention facilities by the federal government, and the impact of any changes to immigration reform and sentencing laws (our company does not, under longstanding policy, lobby for or against policies or legislation that would determine the basis for, or duration of, an individual’s incarceration or detention); (ii) our ability to obtain and maintain correctional, detention, and residential reentry facility management contracts because of reasons including, but not limited to, sufficient governmental appropriations, contract compliance, negative publicity and effects of inmate disturbances; (iii) changes in the privatization of the corrections and detention industry, the acceptance of our services, the timing of the opening of new facilities and the commencement of new management contracts (including the extent and pace at which new contracts are utilized), as well as our ability to utilize available beds; (iv) general economic and market conditions, including, but not limited to, the impact governmental budgets can have on our contract renewals and renegotiations, per diem rates, and occupancy; (v) fluctuations in our operating results because of, among other things, changes in occupancy levels; competition; contract renegotiations or terminations; inflation and other increases in costs of operations, including a continuing rise in labor costs; fluctuations in interest rates and risks of operations; (vi) the duration of the federal government’s denial of entry at the United States southern border to asylum-seekers and anyone crossing the southern border without proper documentation or authority in an effort to contain the spread of COVID-19, a policy known as Title 42. (On April 1, 2022, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, terminated Title 42, and began preparing for a resumption of regular migration at the United States southern border, effective May 23, 2022; however, on April 25, 2022, a judge issued a temporary restraining order blocking the termination of Title 42.); (vii) government and staff responses to staff or residents testing positive for COVID-19 within public and private correctional, detention and reentry facilities, including the facilities we operate; (viii)  restrictions associated with COVID-19 that disrupt the criminal justice system, along with government policies on prosecutions and newly ordered legal restrictions that affect the number of people placed in correctional, detention, and reentry facilities, including those associated with a resurgence of COVID-19; (ix) whether revoking our REIT election, effective January 1, 2021, and our revised capital allocation strategy can be implemented in a cost effective manner that provides the expected benefits, including facilitating our planned debt reduction initiative and planned return of capital to shareholders; (x) our ability to successfully identify and consummate future development and acquisition opportunities and realize projected returns resulting therefrom; (xi) our ability to have met and maintained qualification for taxation as a REIT for the years we elected REIT status; and (xii) the availability of debt and equity financing on terms that are favorable to us, or at all, including our ability to refinance our Bank Credit Facility, which matures in April 2023. Other factors that could cause operating and financial results to differ are described in the filings we make from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

CoreCivic takes no responsibility for updating the information contained in this press release following the date hereof to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date hereof or the occurrence of unanticipated events or for any changes or modifications made to this press release or the information contained herein by any third-parties, including, but not limited to, any wire or internet services.

CORECIVIC, INC. AND
SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(UNAUDITED AND AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

ASSETS

 

March
31,

2022

 

December 31,

2021

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

378,204

 

 

$

299,645

 

Restricted cash

 

 

12,330

 

 

 

11,062

 

Accounts receivable, net of credit loss reserve of $8,488 and $7,931, respectively

 

 

262,467

 

 

 

282,809

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

 

27,759

 

 

 

26,872

 

Assets held for sale

 

 

 

 

 

6,996

 

Total current assets

 

 

680,760

 

 

 

627,384

 

Real estate and related assets:

 

 

 

 

Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $1,685,556 and $1,657,709, respectively

 

 

2,269,913

 

 

 

2,283,256

 

Other real estate assets

 

 

216,161

 

 

 

218,915

 

Goodwill

 

 

4,844

 

 

 

4,844

 

Other assets

 

 

357,874

 

 

 

364,539

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

 

$

3,529,552

 

 

$

3,498,938

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

 

$

326,003

 

 

$

305,592

 

Current portion of long-term debt

 

 

37,072

 

 

 

35,376

 

Total current liabilities

 

 

363,075

 

 

 

340,968

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term debt, net

 

 

1,483,948

 

 

 

1,492,046

 

Deferred revenue

 

 

26,311

 

 

 

27,551

 

Non-current deferred tax liabilities

 

 

90,836

 

 

 

88,157

 

Other liabilities

 

 

173,865

 

 

 

177,748

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

 

 

2,138,035

 

 

 

2,126,470

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock ? $0.01 par value; 50,000 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding at March 31, 2022, and December 31, 2021, respectively

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock ? $0.01 par value; 300,000 shares authorized; 121,586 and 120,285 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2022, and December 31, 2021, respectively

 

 

1,216

 

 

 

1,203

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

 

1,870,065

 

 

 

1,869,955

 

Accumulated deficit

 

 

(479,764

)

 

 

(498,690

)

Total stockholders’ equity

 

 

1,391,517

 

 

 

1,372,468

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

$

3,529,552

 

 

$

3,498,938

 

CORECIVIC, INC. AND
SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(UNAUDITED AND AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

 

 

For
the Three Months Ended

March 31,

 

 

 

2022

 

 

 

2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

REVENUE:

 

 

 

 

Safety

 

$

414,248

 

 

$

409,769

 

Community

 

 

24,115

 

 

 

23,658

 

Properties

 

 

14,591

 

 

 

21,255

 

Other

 

 

34

 

 

 

36

 

 

 

 

452,988

 

 

 

454,718

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXPENSES:

 

 

 

 

Operating

 

 

 

 

Safety

 

 

321,021

 

 

 

305,427

 

Community

 

 

20,227

 

 

 

21,100

 

Properties

 

 

3,282

 

 

 

6,274

 

Other

 

 

99

 

 

 

83

 

Total operating expenses

 

 

344,629

 

 

 

332,884

 

General and administrative

 

 

31,101

 

 

 

29,530

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

32,028

 

 

 

32,712

 

Shareholder litigation expense

 

 

 

 

 

51,745

 

Asset impairments

 

 

 

 

 

1,308

 

 

 

 

407,758

 

 

 

448,179

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):

 

 

 

 

Interest expense, net

 

 

(22,920

)

 

 

(18,428

)

Gain on sale of real estate assets, net

 

 

2,261

 

 

 

 

Other income (expense)

 

 

1,042

 

 

 

(148

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES

 

 

25,613

 

 

 

(12,037

)

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax expense

 

 

(6,610

)

 

 

(113,531

)

NET INCOME (LOSS)

 

$

   
 19,003

 

 

$

(125,568

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BASIC EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE

 

$

0.16

 

 

$

(1.05

)

 

 

 

 

 

DILUTED EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE

 

$

0.16

 

 

$

(1.05

)

CORECIVIC, INC. AND
SUBSIDIARIES

SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION
(UNAUDITED AND AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

CALCULATION OF ADJUSTED NET INCOME AND ADJUSTED DILUTED EPS

 

For
the Three Months Ended

March 31,

 

 

2022

 

 

 

2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

$

19,003

 

 

$

(125,568

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Special items:

 

 

 

 

Expenses associated with COVID-19

 

 

 

 

1,598

 

 

Income taxes associated with change in corporate tax structure and other special tax items

 

 

 

 

114,249

 

 

Gain on sale of real estate assets, net

 

(2,261)

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholder litigation expense

 

 

 

 

51,745

 

 

Asset impairments

 

 

 

 

1,308

 

 

Income tax expense (benefit) for special items

 

625

 

 

 

(14,060

)

 

Adjusted net income

$

17,367

 

 

$

29,272

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding – basic

 

120,796

 

 

 

119,909

 

 

Effect of dilutive securities:

 

 

 

 

Restricted stock-based awards

 

624

 

 

 

115

 

 

Non-controlling interest – operating partnership units

 

 

 

 

1,342

 

 

Weighted average shares and assumed conversions – diluted

 

121,420

 

 

 

121,366

 

 

Adjusted Earnings Per Diluted Share

$

0.14

 

 

$

0.24

 

 

CORECIVIC, INC. AND
SUBSIDIARIES

SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION
(UNAUDITED AND AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

CALCULATION OF FUNDS FROM OPERATIONS AND NORMALIZED FUNDS FROM
OPERATIONS

 

For
the Three Months Ended

March 31,

 

 

2022

 

 

 

2021

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

$

19,003

 

 

$

(125,568

)

Depreciation and amortization of real estate assets

 

24,166

 

 

 

23,759

 

Impairment of real estate assets

 

 

 

 

1,308

 

Gain on sale of real estate assets, net

 

(2,261

)

 

 

 

Income tax expense (benefit) for special items

 

625

 

 

 

(350

)

Funds From Operations

$

41,533

 

 

$

(100,851

)

 

 

 

 

Expenses associated with COVID-19

 

 

 

 

1,598

 

Income taxes associated with change in corporate tax structure and other special tax items

 

 

 

 

114,249

 

Shareholder litigation expense

 

 

 

 

51,745

 

Goodwill and other impairments

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax benefit for special items

 

 

 

 

(13,710

)

Normalized Funds From Operations

$

41,533

 

 

$

53,031

 

 

 

 

 

Funds From Operations Per Diluted Share

$

0.34

 

 

$

(0.83

)

Normalized Funds From Operations Per Diluted Share

$

0.34

 

 

$

0.44

 

CORECIVIC, INC. AND
SUBSIDIARIES

SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION
(UNAUDITED AND AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

CALCULATION OF EBITDA AND ADJUSTED EBITDA

 

For
the Three Months Ended

March 31,

 

 

2022

 

 

 

2021

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

$

19,003

 

 

$

(125,568

)

Interest expense

 

25,392

 

 

 

20,925

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

32,028

 

 

 

32,712

 

Income tax expense

 

6,610

 

 

 

113,531

 

EBITDA

$

83,033

 

 

$

41,600

 

Expenses associated with COVID-19

 

 

 

 

1,598

 

Gain on sale of real estate assets, net

 

(2,261

)

 

 

 

Shareholder litigation expense

 

 

 

 

51,745

 

Asset impairments

 

 

 

 

1,308

 

Adjusted EBITDA

$

80,772

 

 

$

96,251

 

GUIDANCE — CALCULATION OF ADJUSTED NET INCOME, FUNDS FROM
OPERATIONS, EBITDA & ADJUSTED EBITDA

 

For
the Year Ending

December 31, 2022

 

Low End of Guidance

 

High End of Guidance

 

Net income

$

77,136

 

$

94,386

 

Gain on sale of real estate assets, net

 

(2,261

)

 

(2,261

)

Income tax expense for special items

 

625

 

 

625

 

Adjusted net income

$

75,500

 

$

92,750

 

 

 

 

Net income

$

77,136

 

$

94,386

 

Depreciation and amortization of real estate assets

 

98,500

 

 

99,000

 

Gain on sale of real estate assets, net

 

(2,261

)

 

(2,261

)

Income tax expense for special items

 

625

 

 

625

 

Funds From Operations

$

174,000

 

$

191,750

 

Diluted EPS

$

0.64

 

$

0.79

 

Adjusted EPS

$

0.63

 

$

0.77

 

FFO per diluted share

$

1.45

 

$

1.60

 

 

 

 

Net income

$

77,136

 

$

94,386

 

Interest expense

 

96,500

 

 

95,500

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

130,500

 

 

130,500

 

Income tax expense

 

32,000

 

 

31,000

 

EBITDA

$

336,136

 

$

351,386

 

Gain on sale of real estate assets, net

 

(2,261)

 

 

(2,261)

 

Adjusted EBITDA

$

333,875

 

$

349,125

 

NOTE TO SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Adjusted Net Income, EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, FFO, and Normalized FFO, and, where appropriate, their corresponding per share metrics are non-GAAP financial measures. The Company believes that these measures are important operating measures that supplement discussion and analysis of the Company’s results of operations and are used to review and assess operating performance of the Company and its properties and their management teams. The Company believes that it is useful to provide investors, lenders and security analysts disclosures of its results of operations on the same basis that is used by management.  

FFO, in particular, is a widely accepted non-GAAP supplemental measure of performance of real estate companies, grounded in the standards for FFO established by the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (NAREIT).   NAREIT defines FFO as net income computed in accordance with GAAP, excluding gains (or losses) from sales of property and extraordinary items, plus depreciation and amortization of real estate and impairment of depreciable real estate and after adjustments for unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures calculated to reflect funds from operations on the same basis.   EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, and Normalized FFO are useful as supplemental measures of performance of the Company’s properties because such measures do not take into account depreciation and amortization, or with respect to EBITDA, the impact of the Company’s tax provisions and financing strategies. Because the historical cost accounting convention used for real estate assets requires depreciation (except on land), this accounting presentation assumes that the value of real estate assets diminishes at a level rate over time.   Because of the unique structure, design and use of the Company’s properties, management believes that assessing performance of the Company’s properties without the impact of depreciation or amortization is useful. The Company may make adjustments to FFO from time to time for certain other income and expenses that it considers non-recurring, infrequent or unusual, even though such items may require cash settlement, because such items do not reflect a necessary or ordinary component of the ongoing operations of the Company.   Normalized FFO excludes the effects of such items. The Company calculates Adjusted Net Income by adding to GAAP Net Income expenses associated with the Company’s debt repayments and refinancing transactions, and certain impairments and other charges that the Company believes are unusual or non-recurring to provide an alternative measure of comparing operating performance for the periods presented.

Other companies may calculate Adjusted Net Income, EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, FFO, and Normalized FFO differently than the Company does, or adjust for other items, and therefore comparability may be limited.   Adjusted Net Income, EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, FFO, and Normalized FFO and, where appropriate, their corresponding per share measures are not measures of performance under GAAP, and should not be considered as an alternative to cash flows from operating activities, a measure of liquidity or an alternative to net income as indicators of the Company’s operating performance or any other measure of performance derived in accordance with GAAP.   This data should be read in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial statements and related notes included in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Contact:

Investors: Cameron Hopewell – Managing Director, Investor Relations – (615) 263-3024

 

Financial Media: David Gutierrez, Dresner Corporate Services – (312) 780-7204

Release – Onconova Therapeutics To Provide Corporate Update And Announce First Quarter Financial Results On May 11, 2022



Onconova Therapeutics To Provide Corporate Update And Announce First Quarter Financial Results On May 11, 2022

News and Market Data on Onconova Therapeutics

Company to host conference call and webcast at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, May 11, 2022

NEWTOWN, Pa., May 04, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Onconova Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: ONTX), (“Onconova”), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing novel products for patients with cancer, today announced that the Company intends to release its first quarter 2022 financial results on Wednesday, May 11, 2022. Management plans to host a conference call and live webcast at 4:30 p.m. ET on the same day to discuss these results and provide an update on its pipeline programs.

Conference Call and Webcast Information

Interested parties who wish to participate in the conference call may do so by dialing (855) 428-5741 for domestic and (210) 229-8823 for international callers and using conference ID 7369861.

Those interested in listening to the conference call via the internet may do so by visiting the investors and media page on the company’s website at www.onconova.com and clicking on the webcast link. In addition to the live webcast, a replay will be available on the Onconova website for 90 days following the call.

About Onconova Therapeutics, Inc.

Onconova Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing novel products for patients with cancer. The Company has proprietary targeted anti-cancer agents designed to disrupt specific cellular pathways that are important for cancer cell proliferation.

Onconova’s novel, proprietary multi-kinase inhibitor narazaciclib (formerly ON 123300) is being evaluated in two separate and complementary Phase 1 dose-escalation and expansion studies. These trials are currently underway in the United States and China.

Onconova’s product candidate rigosertib is being studied in an investigator-sponsored study program, including in a dose-escalation and expansion Phase 1/2a investigator-sponsored study with oral rigosertib in combination with nivolumab for patients with KRAS+ non-small cell lung cancer.

For more information, please visit www.onconova.com.

Company
Contact:

Avi Oler
Onconova Therapeutics, Inc.
267-759-3680

ir@onconova.us
https://www.onconova.com/contact/

Investor
Contact:

Bruce Mackle
LifeSci Advisors, LLC
646-889-1200

bmackle@lifesciadvisors.com

 

Release – Genco Shipping & Trading Limited Announces First Quarter Financial Results



Genco Shipping & Trading Limited Announces First Quarter Financial Results

Research, News, and Market Data on Genco Shipping & Trading

Declares Dividend of $0.79 per share for First Quarter 2022

NEW YORK, May 04, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Genco Shipping & Trading Limited (NYSE:GNK) (“Genco” or the “Company”), the largest U.S. headquartered drybulk shipowner focused on the global transportation of commodities, today reported its financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2022.

The following financial review discusses the results for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and March 31, 2021.

First
Quarter 2022 and Year-to-Date Highlights

  • Declared a $0.79 per share dividend for the first quarter of 2022, an increase of 18% compared to the previous quarter
    • Represents the second dividend payment under our value strategy and first full payout utilizing our run rate voluntary quarterly debt repayment figure of $8.75 million
    • Marks the Company’s 11th consecutive quarterly payout, reflecting cumulative dividends totaling $2.515 per share
    • Q1 2022 dividend represents an annualized yield of 14% on Genco’s closing share price on May 3, 2022
    • Payable on or about May 24, 2022 to all shareholders of record as of May 16, 2022
  • Prepaid $48.75 million of debt on a voluntary basis during Q1 2022, to reduce our debt to $197.3 million, consisting of:
    • $8.75 million: target quarterly voluntary debt prepayment as previously communicated
    • $40.00 million: revolver prepayments as part of working capital management to save interest expense without impacting the dividend calculation
    • Net loan-to-value of 12%as of May 3, 2022
  • Recorded net income of $41.7 million for the first quarter of 2022
    • Basic and diluted earnings per share of $0.99 and $0.97, respectively
  • Voyage revenues totaled $136.2 million and net revenue2 (voyage revenues minus voyage expenses, charter hire expenses and realized gains or losses on fuel hedges) totaled $90.8 million during Q1 2022
    • Our average daily fleet-wide time charter equivalent, or TCE2, for Q1 2022 was $24,093, 98% higher YOY and our highest first quarter TCE since 2010
    • We estimate our TCE to date for Q2 2022 to be $27,596 for 68% of our owned fleet available days, based on both period and current spot fixtures
  • Recorded EBITDA of $58.0 million during Q1 20222
  • Maintained a strong liquidity position of $270.9 million as of March 31, 2022, including:
    • $49.1 million of cash on the balance sheet
    • $221.8 million of revolver availability
  • Took delivery of the Genco Mary and the Genco Laddey, two high quality, fuel-efficient Ultramax vessels built in 2022 at Dalian Cosco KHI Ship Engineering Co. Ltd. (DACKS)
    • These two deliveries complete the acquisitions of six Ultramax vessels Genco agreed to acquire from April to July 2021
  • Completed the transfer of technical management of all of our vessels to our joint venture with the Synergy Group, GS Shipmanagement

John C. Wobensmith, Chief Executive Officer, commented, “During the first quarter we generated strong TCE in a seasonally softer market, as we benefited from our past success fixing forward cargos at attractive rates. We also made further progress implementing our value strategy, resulting in the first full payout based on our quarterly debt repayment run rate. We are pleased with the execution of our value strategy to date, which is focused on growth, financial deleveraging and maintaining low breakeven levels, to position Genco to pay meaningful and sustainable dividends throughout the drybulk cycle. Notably, the first quarter dividend, which marked our eleventh consecutive quarterly payout, increased by 18% over the prior quarter despite the traditional seasonality of freight rates during the period.”

Mr. Wobensmith, continued, “Looking ahead to the second quarter of 2022, we have the majority of our available days booked at over $27,500 per day, highlighting the significant operating leverage of our sizeable fleet, best-in class commercial operating platform and barbell approach to fleet composition. Genco remains well positioned to capitalize on favorable drybulk fundamentals, which remain intact and are driven by the attractive supply and demand balance and, specifically, the historically low newbuilding orderbook. We continue to monitor near-term changes in drybulk trade flows as result of Russia’s war in Ukraine as we meet customer needs and support our crew during these challenging times.”   

Represents the principal amount of our credit facility debt outstanding less our cash and cash equivalents as of March 31, 2022 divided by estimates of the market value of our fleet as of May 3, 2022 from VesselsValue.com. The actual market value of our vessels may vary.

We believe the non-GAAP measure presented provides investors with a means of better evaluating and understanding the Company’s operating performance. Please see Summary Consolidated Financial and Other Data below for a further reconciliation.

Comprehensive
Value Strategy

Genco’s comprehensive value strategy is centered on three pillars:

  • Dividends: paying sizeable quarterly cash dividends to shareholders
  • Deleveraging: through voluntary debt prepayments to maintain low financial leverage, and
  • Growth: opportunistically growing the Company’s asset base

We believe this strategy is a key differentiator for Genco and will drive shareholder value over the long-term. We therefore believe Genco has created a compelling risk-reward balance positioning the Company to pay a sizeable quarterly dividend across diverse market environments. At the same time, we also maintain significant flexibility to grow the fleet through accretive vessel acquisitions. Key characteristics of our unique platform include:

  • Industry low cash flow breakeven rate
  • Net loan-to-value of 12% as of May 3, 2022
  • Strong liquidity position of $270.9 million consisting of cash and our undrawn revolver as of March 31, 2022
  • High operating leverage with our scalable fleet across the major and minor bulk sectors

In 2022 to date, Genco has taken the following steps in line with our corporate strategy:

  • Dividends: declared a dividend of $0.79 per share for Q1 2022, marking the first full payout under our value strategy utilizing our run rate voluntary quarterly debt repayment
  • Deleveraging: paid down $48.8 million of debt during Q1 2022. Since the beginning of 2021, we have paid down $252.0 million or 56% of our debt
  • Growth: completed the acquisition of two high quality, fuel efficient Ultramax vessels in January 2022
  • Securing revenue: opportunistically fixed various period time charterers to secure cash flows and de-risk recent acquisitions as shown in the following table:

Vessel

Type

DWT

Year Built

Rate

Duration

Min Expiration

Baltic Wolf

Capesize

177,752

2010

$

30,250

22-28 months

Jun-23

Genco Maximus

Capesize

169,025

2009

$

27,500

24-30 months

Sep-23

Genco Vigilant

Ultramax

63,671

2015

$

17,750

11-13 months

Sep-22

Genco Mary

Ultramax

61,085

2022

$

31,500

6-8 months

Nov-22

Genco Freedom

Ultramax

63,671

2015

$

23,375

20-23 months

Mar-23

Baltic Scorpion

Ultramax

63,462

2015

$

30,500

10-13 months

Mar-23

Baltic Hornet

Ultramax

63,574

2014

$

24,000

20-23 months

Apr-23

Baltic Wasp

Ultramax

63,389

2015

$

25,500

23-25 months

Jun-23

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Genco Claudius

Capesize

169,001

2010

94% of BCI + scrubber

11-14 months

Jan-23

Genco Resolute

Capesize

181,060

2015

121% of BCI + scrubber

11-14 months

Jan-23

Genco Defender

Capesize

180,021

2015

121% of BCI + scrubber

11-14 months

Feb-23

Our debt outstanding as of March 31, 2022 was $197.3 million. In Q1 2022, we voluntarily paid down debt totaling $48.75 million consisting of $8.75 million of our run rate quarterly voluntary debt repayment together with an additional prepayment of the revolver of $40.0 million as part of working capital management to save interest expense without impacting the dividend calculation. Importantly, we have no mandatory debt amortization payments until 2026 when the facility matures. Regardless of this favorable mandatory amortization schedule, we plan to continue to voluntarily pay down our debt with the medium-term objective of reducing our net debt to zero and a longer-term goal of zero debt.  

Dividend
policy

For the first quarter of 2022, Genco declared a cash dividend of $0.79 per share. This represents an 18% increase from the $0.67 per share paid during the previous quarter and marks the first full quarterly dividend under our new comprehensive value strategy utilizing our run rate voluntary quarterly debt repayment of $8.75 million.

Under the quarterly dividend policy adopted by our Board of Directors, the amount available for quarterly dividends is to be calculated based on the following formula, which includes the Q1 2022 dividend calculation and estimated amounts for calculation of the dividend for Q2 2022: 

Dividend calculation

Q1 2022 actual

Q2 2022 estimates

Q3 2022 estimates

Q4 2022 estimates

Net revenue

$

90.75

 

Fixtures + market

Fixtures + market

Fixtures + market

Operating expenses

 

(35.09

)

(32.61

)

(30.13

)

(30.13

)

Operating cash flow

$

55.66

 

 

 

 

Less: debt repayments

 

(8.75

)

(8.75

)

(8.75

)

(8.75

)

Less: capex for dydocking/BWTS/ESDs

 

(2.75

)

(24.71

)

(3.95

)

(3.50

)

Less: reserve

 

(10.75

)

(10.75

)

(10.75

)

(10.75

)

Cash flow distributable as
dividends

$

33.41

 

Sum of the above

Sum of the above

Sum of the above

Number of shares to be paid
dividends

 

42.5

 

42.5

 

42.5

 

42.5

 

Dividend per share

$

0.79

 

 

 

 

Numbers in millions except
per share amounts

 

 

 

 

For purposes of the foregoing calculation, operating cash flow is defined as net revenue (consisting of voyage revenue less voyage expenses, charter hire expenses, and realized gains or losses on fuel hedges), less operating expenses (consisting of vessel operating expenses, general and administrative expenses other than non-cash restricted stock expenses, technical management fees, and interest expense other than non-cash deferred financing costs). 

Key Q1 2022 dividend items: during the first quarter of 2022, we paid down $48.75 million of debt on a voluntary basis. Of that amount, $8.75 million was the previously announced quarterly debt reduction payment as part of our plan to reduce our debt. This amount was deducted from operating cash flow in our first quarter dividend payment. The remainder of the debt we paid down was $40.00 million which was prepaid to optimize our working capital management, using our significant revolver to keep funds available while saving interest expense. The $40.00 million prepayment of the revolver is not part of the calculation. Drydocking, ballast water treatment system and energy saving device costs related to four vessels that drydocked during the first quarter. Furthermore, our reserve for Q1 2022 was $10.75 million as previously announced in advance. Anticipated uses for the reserve include, but are not limited to, vessel acquisitions, debt repayments, and general corporate purposes. In order to set aside funds for these purposes, we plan to set the reserve on a quarterly basis for the subsequent quarter and is anticipated to be based on future quarterly debt repayments and interest expense
.

Q2 2022 reserve: the quarterly reserve for the second quarter of 2022 is expected to be $10.75 million. The reserve was determined based on $8.75 million for voluntary debt repayments anticipated to be made in Q2 2022 as well as estimated cash interest expense on our debt and remains subject to our Board of Directors’ discretion. The quarterly debt repayment and reserve will be reassessed on a quarterly basis in advance by the Board of Directors and management. Estimated expenses, debt repayments, and capital expenditures for Q2 2022 are estimates presented for illustrative purposes. Maintaining a quarterly reserve as well as optionality for the uses of the reserve are important factors of our corporate strategy that are intended to allow Genco to retain liquidity to take advantage of a variety of market conditions.

Drydocking capex – planned
weighting in softer Q2 ahead of stronger 2H: 
during Q2 2022, we anticipate completing the majority of our drydocking related capex for the year. This will enable us to perform scheduled maintenance during what is a seasonally softer freight rate environment for these vessels in an effort to maximize Capesize utilization and earnings in a seasonally stronger second half of the year. The amounts shown will vary based on actual results. Looking ahead to Q3 and Q4 2022, we expect drydocking capex to reduce to approximately $4.0 million and $3.5 million, respectively, from $24.7 million in Q2 2022.

The Board expects to reassess the payment of dividends as appropriate from time to time. The quarterly dividend policy and declaration and payment of dividends are subject to legally available funds, compliance with law and contractual obligations and the Board of Directors’ determination that each declaration and payment is at the time in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders. Our quarterly dividend policy and declaration and payment of dividends are subject to legally available funds, compliance with applicable law and contractual obligations (including our credit facilities) and the Board of Directors’ determination that each declaration and payment is at the time in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders after its review of our financial performance. The estimates presented above assume that the Board will maintain the quarterly reserves for Q3 and Q4 2022 at the rate established earlier in the year based on our current expectations. However, this reserve will be reviewed on a quarterly basis by the Board.

Genco’s
active commercial operating platform and fleet deployment strategy

Overall, we utilize a portfolio approach towards revenue generation through a combination of short-term, spot market employment as well as opportunistically booking longer term coverage. Our fleet deployment strategy currently remains weighted towards short-term fixtures, which provide us with optionality on our sizeable fleet. Our barbell approach towards fleet composition enables Genco to gain exposure to both the major and minor bulk commodities with a fleet whose cargoes carried align with global commodity trade flows. This approach continues to serve us well given the upside potential in major bulk rates together with the relative stability of minor bulk rates.

Based on current fixtures to date, our estimated TCE to date for the second quarter of 2022 on a load-to-discharge basis is presented below. Our estimated Q2 TCE based on current fixtures, continue to improve upon the Q1 result highlighting our operating leverage as rates have improved as compared to earlier year lows. Over the last year, we selectively booked period time charter coverage for up to two years on various Capesize and Ultramax vessels. We view these fixtures as part of our portfolio approach to fixture activity and prudent to take advantage of in the firm freight rate environment.

Estimated net TCE – Q2 2022
to Date

Vessel Type

Period

Spot

Fleet-wide

% Fixed

Capesize

$

26,883

$

23,540

$

24,320

60

%

Ultramax/Supramax

$

22,524

$

31,411

$

29,073

72

%

Fleet-wide

$

23,769

$

28,898

$

27,596

68

%

Given several of our vessels are fixed on period time charters for up to two years, we have provided a TCE breakout of the period time charters as well as the spot trading fixtures in the second quarter to date. Actual rates for the first quarter will vary based upon future fixtures.

Fleet
Update

The Company took delivery of the remaining two 2022-built, high specification, fuel efficient Ultramax vessels it agreed to acquire in May 2021, namely the Genco Mary and the Genco Laddey. Both of these vessels were delivered to Genco on January 6, 2022.

Financial
Review: 2022 First Quarter

The Company recorded net income for the first quarter of 2022 of $41.7 million, or $0.99 and $0.97 basic and diluted earnings per share, respectively. Comparatively, for the three months ended March 31, 2021, the Company recorded net income of $2.0 million, or $0.05 basic and diluted earnings per share.

The Company’s revenues increased to $136.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022, as compared to $87.6 million recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2021, primarily due to higher rates achieved by both our major and minor bulk vessels, as well as our third-party time chartered-in vessels. The average daily time charter equivalent, or TCE, rates obtained by the Company’s fleet was $24,093 per day for the three months ended March 31, 2022 as compared to $12,197 per day for the three months ended March 31, 2021. During the first quarter of 2022, the drybulk freight market seasonally declined off of 2021’s multi-year highs but remained at firm levels from a historical perspective. The pullback was primarily due to weather related issues in Brazil limiting iron ore cargo availability, the timing of newbuilding vessel deliveries as well as the timing of the Lunar New Year and the Beijing Olympics, further impacted by COVID-19 lockdowns in China which has had a more significant impact on our major bulk vessels. Russia’s war in Ukraine and the humanitarian crisis that has followed commenced in the middle of the first quarter. The impact to date on the drybulk market has been a re-direction of cargo flows particularly for coal and grain shipments lengthening ton miles, higher commodity prices, slower vessel speeds due to increased fuel prices, an urgency to secure commodities given the tightness in the global energy complex as well as global grain supplies, and sanctions on various Russian exports.

Voyage expenses were $38.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to $35.1 million during the prior year period. This increase was primarily due to higher bunker expenses as a result of increased fuel prices during the first quarter of 2022 due to oil supply disruptions as a result of the war in Ukraine. Vessel operating expenses increased to $27.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 from $19.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021. The increase was primarily due to higher crew expenses as a result of increased crew wages, COVID-19 related expenses and disruptions, and the timing of crew changes. COVID-19 expenses were higher during this quarter due to costs associated with repatriating Chinese crew during implementation of China’s zero COVID policies as we completed the transition of our crews to Indian and Filipino crews.   Additionally, there were higher repair and maintenance costs, as well as an increase in the purchase of initial stores and spare parts. General and administrative expenses decreased to $6.0 million for the first quarter of 2022 compared to $6.1 million for the first quarter of 2021. Depreciation and amortization expenses increased to $14.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 from $13.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, primarily due to the delivery of eight Ultramax vessels during 2021 and the first quarter of 2022, partially offset by a decrease in depreciation due to the increase in the estimated scrap value of the vessels from $310 per lwt to $400 per lwt effective January 1, 2022. 

Daily vessel operating expenses, or DVOE, amounted to $6,839 per vessel per day for the first quarter of 2022 compared to $4,887 per vessel per day for the first quarter of 2021. The increase was primarily due to higher crew expenses as a result of increased crew wages, COVID-19 related expenses and disruptions, and the timing of crew changes. COVID-19 expenses were higher during this quarter due to costs associated with repatriating Chinese crew during implementation of China’s zero COVID policies as we completed the transition of our crews to Indian and Filipino crews. Additionally, there were higher repair and maintenance costs, as well as an increase in the purchase of initial stores and spare parts. We believe daily vessel operating expenses are best measured for comparative purposes over a 12-month period in order to take into account all of the expenses that each vessel in our fleet will incur over a full year of operation. Based on estimates provided by our technical managers, our DVOE budget for the second quarter of 2022 is $6,000 per vessel per day on a fleet-wide basis including an estimate for COVID-19 related expenses. For 2022, we anticipate meeting our full year budget of $5,825 per vessel per day as we expect vessel operating expenses to be lower and COVID-related expenses to abate in the second half of the year as we have transitioned from Chinese crews. However, the potential impacts of COVID-19 and the war in Ukraine are unpredictable, and the actual amount of our DVOE could be higher or lower than budgeted as a result.

Apostolos Zafolias, Chief Financial Officer, commented, “We continued to reduce our leverage and breakeven levels during a time when we have demonstrated our earnings power and ability to return significant capital to shareholders. Since implementing our value strategy a little more than a year ago, we have reduced debt by $252 million, meaningfully reduced our cash flow breakeven rate and declared $1.46 per share in dividends over the past two quarters. Our first quarter dividend, which was realized in a seasonally slower quarter, was the first full payout based on our voluntary quarterly debt repayment run rate and highlights our significant dividend potential and represented an 18% increase over the previous quarter’s dividend.”

Liquidity
and Capital Resources

Cash
Flow

Net cash provided by operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and March 31, 2021 was $52.6 million and $13.5 million, respectively. This increase in cash provided by operating activities was primarily due to higher rates achieved by our major and minor bulk vessels and changes in working capital, as well as a decrease in interest expense.

Net cash used in investing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2022 was $47.0 million as compared to net cash provided by investing activities of $20.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021.  This fluctuation was primarily due to the purchase of two Ultramax vessels which delivered during the first quarter of 2022.  Additionally, there was a decrease in net proceeds from the sale of vessels as there were no vessels sold during the first quarter 2022, as well as an increase in the purchase of other fixed assets during the three months ended March 31, 2022 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2021.

Net cash used in financing activities during the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 was $77.1 million and $49.1 million, respectively.  The increase was primarily due to a $27.4 million increase in the payment of dividends during the three months ended March 31, 2022 as compared to the same period during 2021.

Capital
Expenditures

As of May 4, 2022, Genco Shipping & Trading Limited’s fleet consists of 17 Capesize, 15 Ultramax and 12 Supramax vessels with an aggregate capacity of approximately 4,636,000 dwt and an average age of 10.2 years.

In addition to acquisitions that we may undertake, we will incur additional capital expenditures due to special surveys and drydockings. Furthermore, we plan to upgrade a portion of our fleet with energy saving devices and apply high performance paint systems to our vessels in order to reduce fuel consumption and emissions. We estimate our capital expenditures related to drydocking, including capitalized costs incurred during drydocking related to vessel assets and vessel equipment, ballast water treatment system costs, fuel efficiency upgrades and scheduled off-hire days for our fleet for 2022 to be:

 

Q2 2022

Q3 2022

Q4 2022

Estimated Drydock Costs(1)

$14.4 million

$2.4 million

$1.5 million

Estimated BWTS Costs(2)

$3.5 million

$0.5 million

$0.9 million

Estimated Fuel Efficiency Upgrade Costs
(3)

$6.8 million

$1.0 million

$1.0 million

Total Estimated Costs

$24.7 million

$4.0 million

$3.5 million

Estimated Offhire Days(4)

287

69

34

We have made the strategic decision to frontload a substantial portion of our 2022 drydocking capex in Q2 2022 due to the current seasonal softness in the Capesize earnings environment. We currently have five of our Capesizes in drydocking for scheduled maintenance while we are also installing various energy saving devices and applying high performance paint systems. Of these five drydockings, four of these ships were originally scheduled to drydock during the second half of 2021. By actively managing the timing of these drydockings to early 2022, these vessels are offhire in a seasonally softer Capesize market than what materialized at the end of 2021, reducing opportunity cost and improving our earnings power over the period.

(1) Estimates are based on our budgeted cost of drydocking our vessels in China. Actual costs will vary based on various factors, including where the drydockings are actually performed. We expect to fund these costs with cash on hand. These costs do not include drydock expense items that are reflected in vessel operating expenses.

(2) Estimated costs associated with the installation of ballast water treatment systems is expected to be funded with cash on hand.

(3) Estimated costs associated with the installation of fuel efficiency upgrades are expected to be funded with cash on hand.

(4) Actual length will vary based on the condition of the vessel, yard schedules and other factors. The estimated offhire days per sector scheduled for Q2 2022 consists of 247 days for seven Capesizes and 40 days for two Ultramaxes.

Summary
Consolidated Financial and Other Data

The following table summarizes Genco Shipping & Trading Limited’s selected consolidated financial and other data for the periods indicated below.

   

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,
2022

 

Three Months Ended March 31,
2021

 

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

 

 

 

(unaudited)

INCOME
STATEMENT DATA:

 

 

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

Voyage revenues

$

136,227

 

 

$

87,591

 

 

 

Total revenues

 

136,227

 

 

 

87,591

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

Voyage expenses

 

38,464

 

 

 

35,074

 

 

Vessel operating expenses

 

27,013

 

 

 

19,046

 

 

Charter hire expenses

 

7,638

 

 

 

5,435

 

 

General and administrative expenses (inclusive of nonvested stock amortization

 

6,043

 

 

 

6,102

 

 

expense of $0.7 million, $0.5 million, respectively)

 

 

 

 

Technical management fees

 

917

 

 

 

1,464

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

14,059

 

 

 

13,441

 

 

Loss on sale of vessels

 

 

 

 

720

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

 

94,134

 

 

 

81,282

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income

 

42,093

 

 

 

6,309

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income (expense):

 

 

 

 

Other income

 

1,997

 

 

 

146

 

 

Interest income

 

17

 

 

 

71

 

 

Interest expense

 

(2,242

)

 

 

(4,541

)

 

 

Other expense, net

 

(228

)

 

 

(4,324

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

$

41,865

 

 

$

1,985

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

176

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income attributable to Genco Shipping & Trading Limited

$

41,689

 

 

$

1,985

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings per share – basic

$

0.99

 

 

$

0.05

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings per share – diluted

$

0.97

 

 

$

0.05

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding – basic

 

42,166,106

 

 

 

41,973,782

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding – diluted

 

42,867,349

 

 

 

42,276,380

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 31, 2022

 

December 31, 2021

BALANCE
SHEET DATA (Dollars in thousands):

(unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

$

43,113

 

 

$

114,573

 

 

 

Restricted cash

 

5,643

 

 

 

5,643

 

 

 

Due from charterers, net

 

20,039

 

 

 

20,116

 

 

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

11,186

 

 

 

9,935

 

 

 

Inventories

 

23,337

 

 

 

24,563

 

 

 

Fair value of derivative instruments

 

1,822

 

 

 

 

 

Total current assets

 

105,140

 

 

 

174,830

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Noncurrent assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Vessels, net of accumulated depreciation of $265,189 and $253,005, respectively

 

1,031,948

 

 

 

981,141

 

 

 

Deposits on vessels

 

 

 

 

18,543

 

 

 

Deferred drydock, net

 

14,577

 

 

 

14,275

 

 

 

Fixed assets, net

 

7,784

 

 

 

7,237

 

 

 

Operating lease right-of-use assets

 

5,144

 

 

 

5,495

 

 

 

Restricted cash

 

315

 

 

 

315

 

 

 

Fair value of derivative instruments

 

2,594

 

 

 

1,166

 

 

Total noncurrent assets

 

1,062,362

 

 

 

1,028,172

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

$

1,167,502

 

 

$

1,203,002

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities
and Equity

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

$

25,800

 

 

$

29,956

 

 

 

Deferred revenue

 

10,133

 

 

 

10,081

 

 

 

Current operating lease liabilities

 

1,882

 

 

 

1,858

 

 

Total current liabilities

 

37,815

 

 

 

41,895

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Noncurrent liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term operating lease liabilities

 

5,723

 

 

 

6,203

 

 

 

Long-term debt, net of deferred financing costs of $7,355 and $7,771, respectively

 

189,895

 

 

 

238,229

 

 

Total noncurrent liabilities

 

195,618

 

 

 

244,432

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

 

233,433

 

 

 

286,327

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity:

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock

 

421

 

 

 

419

 

 

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

1,674,400

 

 

 

1,702,166

 

 

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income

 

4,118

 

 

 

825

 

 

 

Accumulated deficit

 

(745,134

)

 

 

(786,823

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Genco Shipping & Trading Limited shareholders’ equity

 

933,805

 

 

 

916,587

 

 

 

Noncontrolling interest

 

264

 

 

 

88

 

 

Total equity

 

934,069

 

 

 

916,675

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities and equity

$

1,167,502

 

 

$

1,203,002

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,
2022

 

Three Months Ended March 31,
2021

STATEMENT
OF CASH FLOWS (Dollars in thousands):

(unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash
flows from operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

$

41,865

 

 

$

1,985

 

 

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

14,059

 

 

 

13,441

 

 

 

Amortization of deferred financing costs

 

418

 

 

 

976

 

 

 

Right-of-use asset amortization

 

351

 

 

 

344

 

 

 

Amortization of nonvested stock compensation expense

 

690

 

 

 

522

 

 

 

Loss on sale of vessels

 

 

 

 

720

 

 

 

Amortization of premium on derivative

 

43

 

 

 

69

 

 

 

Interest rate cap premium payment

 

 

 

 

(240

)

 

 

Insurance proceeds for protection and indemnity claims

 

99

 

 

 

41

 

 

 

Change in assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Decrease in due from charterers

 

77

 

 

 

1,748

 

 

 

 

Increase in prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

(1,350

)

 

 

(2,692

)

 

 

 

Decrease (increase) in inventories

 

1,226

 

 

 

(2,565

)

 

 

 

(Decrease) increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses

 

(2,834

)

 

 

1,548

 

 

 

 

Increase (decrease) in deferred revenue

 

52

 

 

 

(1,032

)

 

 

 

Decrease in operating lease liabilities

 

(456

)

 

 

(432

)

 

 

 

Deferred drydock costs incurred

 

(1,685

)

 

 

(939

)

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

52,555

 

 

 

13,494

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash
flows from investing activities

 

 

 

 

 

Purchase of vessels and ballast water treatment systems, including deposits

 

(45,482

)

 

 

(1,190

)

 

 

Purchase of scrubbers (capitalized in Vessels)

 

 

 

 

(41

)

 

 

Purchase of other fixed assets

 

(1,483

)

 

 

(152

)

 

 

Net proceeds from sale of vessels

 

 

 

 

21,272

 

 

 

Insurance proceeds for hull and machinery claims

 

 

 

 

61

 

 

 

Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities

 

(46,965

)

 

 

19,950

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash
flows from financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

Repayments on the $450 Million Credit Facility

 

(48,750

)

 

 

 

 

 

Repayments on the $133 Million Credit Facility

 

 

 

 

(22,740

)

 

 

Repayments on the $495 Million Credit Facility

 

 

 

 

(25,470

)

 

 

Cash dividends paid

 

(28,289

)

 

 

(888

)

 

 

Payment of deferred financing costs

 

(11

)

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash used in financing activities

 

(77,050

)

 

 

(49,098

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

 

(71,460

)

 

 

(15,654

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period

 

120,531

 

 

 

179,679

 

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period

$

49,071

 

 

$

164,025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,
2022

Net
Income Reconciliation

(unaudited)

Net income attributable to Genco Shipping & Trading Limited

$

41,689

 

 

 

Net earnings per share – basic

$

0.99

 

 

 

Net earnings per share – diluted

$

0.97

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding – basic

 

42,166,106

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding – diluted

 

42,867,349

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding – basic as per financial statements

 

42,166,106

 

 

 

Dilutive effect of stock options

 

440,550

 

 

 

Dilutive effect of restricted stock units

 

260,693

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding – diluted as adjusted

 

42,867,349

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,
2022

 

Three Months Ended March 31,
2021

 

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

EBITDA
Reconciliation:

(unaudited)

 

Net
income attributable to Genco Shipping & Trading Limited

$

41,689

 

 

$

1,985

 

 

+

Net interest expense

 

2,225

 

 

 

4,470

 

 

+

Depreciation and amortization

 

14,059

 

 

 

13,441

 

 

 

 

EBITDA (1)

$

57,973

 

 

$

19,896

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

+

Loss on sale of vessels

 

 

 

 

720

 

 

 

 

Adjusted
EBITDA

$

57,973

 

 

$

20,616

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

 

March 31, 2022

 

March 31, 2021

FLEET
DATA:

(unaudited)

Total number of vessels at end of period

 

44

 

 

 

41

 

Average number of vessels(2)

 

43.9

 

 

 

43.3

 

Total ownership days for fleet(3)

 

3,950

 

 

 

3,897

 

Total chartered-in days(4)

 

311

 

 

 

341

 

Total available days for fleet(5)

 

4,078

 

 

 

4,201

 

Total available days for owned fleet
(6)

 

3,767

 

 

 

3,860

 

Total operating days for fleet(7)

 

3,964

 

 

 

4,122

 

Fleet utilization(8)

 

94.4

%

 

 

97.8

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AVERAGE
DAILY RESULTS:

 

 

 

Time charter equivalent(9)

$

24,093

 

 

$

12,197

 

Daily vessel operating expenses per vessel(10)

 

6,839

 

 

 

4,887

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

 

March 31, 2022

 

March 31, 2021

FLEET
DATA:

(unaudited)

Ownership
days

 

 

 

Capesize

 

1,530.0

 

 

 

1,530.0

 

Ultramax

 

1,339.9

 

 

 

731.8

 

Supramax

 

1,080.0

 

 

 

1,407.7

 

Handysize

 

 

 

 

227.5

 

Total

 

3,949.9

 

 

 

3,897.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chartered-in
days

 

 

 

Capesize

 

 

 

 

 

Ultramax

 

190.3

 

 

 

232.5

 

Supramax

 

120.7

 

 

 

108.3

 

Handysize

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

311.0

 

 

 

340.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Available
days (owned & chartered-in fleet)

 

 

 

Capesize

 

1,502.0

 

 

 

1,505.6

 

Ultramax

 

1,452.0

 

 

 

955.6

 

Supramax

 

1,123.8

 

 

 

1,512.2

 

Handysize

 

 

 

 

227.5

 

Total

 

4,077.8

 

 

 

4,200.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Available
days (owned fleet)

 

 

 

Capesize

 

1,502.0

 

 

 

1,505.6

 

Ultramax

 

1,261.7

 

 

 

722.7

 

Supramax

 

1,003.1

 

 

 

1,403.9

 

Handysize

 

 

 

 

227.5

 

Total

 

3,766.8

 

 

 

3,859.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating
days

 

 

 

Capesize

 

1,458.3

 

 

 

1,499.1

 

Ultramax

 

1,433.8

 

 

 

950.0

 

Supramax

 

1,071.6

 

 

 

1,482.0

 

Handysize

 

 

 

 

191.3

 

Total

 

3,963.7

 

 

 

4,122.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fleet
utilization

 

 

 

Capesize

 

96.5

%

 

 

99.6

%

Ultramax

 

95.0

%

 

 

98.5

%

Supramax

 

90.8

%

 

 

97.8

%

Handysize

 

 

 

 

84.1

%

Fleet average

 

94.4

%

 

 

97.8

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average
Daily Results:

 

 

 

Time
Charter Equivalent

 

 

 

Capesize

$

24,627

 

 

$

13,595

 

Ultramax

 

25,449

 

 

 

10,582

 

Supramax

 

21,577

 

 

 

12,292

 

Handysize

 

 

 

 

7,912

 

Fleet average

 

24,093

 

 

 

12,197

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Daily
vessel operating expenses

 

 

 

Capesize

$

6,616

 

 

$

5,208

 

Ultramax

 

6,115

 

 

 

4,972

 

Supramax

 

8,028

 

 

 

4,484

 

Handysize

 

 

 

 

4,931

 

Fleet average

 

6,839

 

 

 

4,887

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1)   EBITDA represents net income attributable to Genco Shipping & Trading Limited plus net interest expense, taxes, and depreciation and amortization. EBITDA is included because it is used by management and certain investors as a measure of operating performance. EBITDA is used by analysts in the shipping industry as a common performance measure to compare results across peers. Our management uses EBITDA as a performance measure in consolidating internal financial statements and it is presented for review at our board meetings. We believe that EBITDA is useful to investors as the shipping industry is capital intensive which often results in significant depreciation and cost of financing. EBITDA presents investors with a measure in addition to net income to evaluate our performance prior to these costs. EBITDA is not an item recognized by U.S. GAAP (i.e. non-GAAP measure) and should not be considered as an alternative to net income, operating income or any other indicator of a company’s operating performance required by U.S. GAAP. EBITDA is not a measure of liquidity or cash flows as shown in our consolidated statement of cash flows. The definition of EBITDA used here may not be comparable to that used by other companies.
2)   Average number of vessels is the number of vessels that constituted our fleet for the relevant period, as measured by the sum of the number of days each vessel was part of our fleet during the period divided by the number of calendar days in that period.
3)   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 record during a period.

4)   We define chartered-in days as the aggregate number of days in a period during which we chartered-in third-party vessels.
5)   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 familiarization upon acquisition, repairs or repairs under guarantee, vessel upgrades or special surveys. Companies in the shipping industry generally use available days to measure the number of days in a period during which vessels should be capable of generating revenues.
6)   We define available days for the owned fleet as available days less chartered-in days.
7)   We define operating days as the number of our total available days in a period less the aggregate number of days that the vessels are off-hire due to unforeseen circumstances. The shipping industry uses operating days to measure the aggregate number of days in a period during which vessels actually generate revenues.
8)   We calculate fleet utilization as the number of our operating days during a period divided by the number of ownership days plus chartered-in days less drydocking days.
9)   We define TCE rates as our voyage revenues less voyage expenses, charter hire expenses, and realized gain or losses on fuel hedges, divided by the number of the available days of our owned fleet during the period
. TCE rate is a common shipping industry performance measure used primarily to compare daily earnings generated by vessels on time charters with daily earnings generated by vessels on voyage charters, because charterhire rates for vessels on voyage charters are generally not expressed in per-day amounts while charterhire rates for vessels on time charters generally are expressed in such amounts. Our estimated TCE for the second quarter of 2022 is based on fixtures booked to date. Actual results may vary based on the actual duration of voyages and other factors. Accordingly, we are unable to provide, without unreasonable efforts, a reconciliation of estimated TCE for the second quarter to the most comparable financial measures presented in accordance with GAAP.

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,
2022

 

Three Months Ended March 31,
2021

Total
Fleet

(unaudited)

Voyage revenues (in thousands)

$

136,227

 

$

87,591

Voyage expenses (in thousands)

 

38,464

 

 

35,074

Charter hire expenses (in thousands)

 

7,638

 

 

5,435

Realized gain on fuel hedges (in thousands)

 

629

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

90,754

 

 

47,082

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total available days for owned fleet

 

3,767

 

 

3,860

Total TCE rate

$

24,093

 

$

12,197

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10)   We define daily vessel operating expenses to include crew wages and related costs, the cost of insurance expenses relating to repairs and maintenance (excluding drydocking), the costs of spares and consumable stores, tonnage taxes and other miscellaneous expenses. Daily vessel operating expenses are calculated by dividing vessel operating expenses by ownership days for the relevant period.

About
Genco Shipping & Trading Limited

Genco Shipping & Trading Limited is a U.S. based drybulk ship owning company focused on the seaborne transportation of commodities globally. We provide a full-service logistics solution to our customers utilizing our in-house commercial operating platform, as we transport key cargoes such as iron ore, grain, steel products, bauxite, cement, nickel ore among other commodities along worldwide shipping routes. Our wholly owned high quality, modern fleet of dry cargo vessels consists of the larger Capesize (major bulk) and the medium-sized Ultramax and Supramax vessels (minor bulk) enabling us to carry a wide range of cargoes. We make capital expenditures from time to time in connection with vessel acquisitions. As of May 4, 2022, Genco Shipping & Trading Limited’s fleet consists of 17 Capesize, 15 Ultramax and 12 Supramax vessels with an aggregate capacity of approximately 4,636,000 dwt and an average age of 10.2 years.

The following table reflects Genco’s fleet list as of May 4, 2022:

 

Vessel

DWT

Year Built

Capesize

 

 

1

Genco Resolute

181,060

2015

2

Genco Endeavour

181,060

2015

3

Genco Liberty

180,387

2016

4

Genco Defender

180,377

2016

5

Genco Constantine

180,183

2008

6

Genco Augustus

180,151

2007

7

Genco Lion

179,185

2012

8

Genco Tiger

179,185

2011

9

Genco London

177,833

2007

10

Baltic Wolf

177,752

2010

11

Genco Titus

177,729

2007

12

Baltic Bear

177,717

2010

13

Genco Tiberius

175,874

2007

14

Genco Commodus

169,098

2009

15

Genco Hadrian

169,025

2008

16

Genco Maximus

169,025

2009

17

Genco Claudius

169,001

2010

Ultramax

 

 

1

Genco Freedom

63,671

2015

2

Genco Vigilant

63,671

2015

3

Baltic Hornet

63,574

2014

4

Genco Enterprise

63,473

2016

5

Baltic Mantis

63,470

2015

6

Baltic Scorpion

63,462

2015

7

Genco Magic

63,446

2014

8

Baltic Wasp

63,389

2015

9

Genco Constellation

63,310

2017

10

Genco Mayflower

63,304

2017

11

Genco Madeleine

63,166

2014

12

Genco Weatherly

61,556

2014

13

Genco Mary

61,085

2022

14

Genco Laddey

61,085

2022

15

Genco Columbia

60,294

2016

Supramax

 

 

1

Genco Hunter

58,729

2007

2

Genco Auvergne

58,020

2009

3

Genco Rhone

58,018

2011

4

Genco Ardennes

58,018

2009

5

Genco Brittany

58,018

2010

6

Genco Languedoc

58,018

2010

7

Genco Pyrenees

58,018

2010

8

Genco Bourgogne

58,018

2010

9

Genco Aquitaine

57,981

2009

10

Genco Warrior

55,435

2005

11

Genco Predator

55,407

2005

12

Genco Picardy

55,257

2005

Conference
Call Announcement

Genco Shipping & Trading Limited will hold a conference call on Thursday, May 5, 2022 at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss its 2022 first quarter financial results. The conference call and a presentation will be simultaneously webcast and will be available on the Company’s website, www.GencoShipping.com. To access the conference call, dial (646) 828-8193 or (888) 394-8218 and enter passcode 1292605. A replay of the conference call can also be accessed for two weeks by dialing (888) 203-1112 or (719) 457-0820 and entering the passcode 1292605. The Company intends to place additional materials related to the earnings announcement, including a slide presentation, on its website prior to the conference call.

Website
Information

We intend to use our website, 
www.GencoShipping.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, SEC filings, public conference calls, and webcasts. To subscribe to our e-mail alert service, please click the “Receive E-mail 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.

“Safe Harbor”
Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

This release contains forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements use words such as “anticipate,” “budget,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” and other words and terms of similar meaning in connection with a discussion of potential future events, circumstances or future operating or financial performance.  These forward-looking statements are based on our management’s current expectations and observations. Included among the factors that, in our view, could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward looking statements contained in this report are the following: (i) declines or sustained weakness in demand in the drybulk shipping industry; (ii)  weakness or declines in drybulk shipping rates; (iii) changes in the supply of or demand for drybulk products, generally or in particular regions; (iv) changes in the supply of drybulk carriers including newbuilding of vessels or lower than anticipated scrapping of older vessels; (v) changes in rules and regulations applicable to the cargo industry, including, without limitation, legislation adopted by international organizations or by individual countries and actions taken by regulatory authorities; (vi) increases in costs and expenses including but not limited to: crew wages, insurance, provisions, lube oil, bunkers, repairs, maintenance, general and administrative expenses, and management fee expenses; (vii) whether our insurance arrangements are adequate; (viii) changes in general domestic and international political conditions; (ix) acts of war, terrorism, or piracy, including without limitation the ongoing war in Ukraine; (x) changes in the condition of the Company’s vessels or applicable maintenance or regulatory standards (which may affect, among other things, our anticipated drydocking or maintenance and repair costs) and unanticipated drydock expenditures; (xi) the Company’s acquisition or disposition of vessels; (xii) the amount of offhire time needed to complete maintenance, repairs, and installation of equipment to comply with applicable regulations on vessels and the timing and amount of any reimbursement by our insurance carriers for insurance claims, including offhire days; (xiii) the completion of definitive documentation with respect to charters; (xiv) charterers’ compliance with the terms of their charters in the current market environment; (xv) the extent to which our operating results are affected by weakness in market conditions and freight and charter rates; (xvi) our ability to maintain contracts that are critical to our operation, to obtain and maintain acceptable terms with our vendors, customers and service providers and to retain key executives, managers and employees; (xvii) completion of documentation for vessel transactions and the performance of the terms thereof by buyers or sellers of vessels and us; (xviii) the relative cost and availability of low sulfur and high sulfur fuel, worldwide compliance with sulfur emissions regulations that took effect on January 1, 2020 and our ability to realize the economic benefits or recover the cost of the scrubbers we have installed.; (xix) our financial results for the year ending December 31, 2022 and other factors relating to determination of the tax treatment of dividends we have declared; (xx) the financial results we achieve for each quarter that apply to the formula under our new dividend policy, including without limitation the actual amounts earned by our vessels and the amounts of various expenses we incur, as a significant decrease in such earnings or a significant increase in such expenses may affect our ability to carry out our new value strategy; (xxi) the exercise of the discretion of our Board regarding the declaration of dividends, including without limitation the amount that our Board determines to set aside for reserves under our dividend policy; (xxii) the duration and impact of the COVID-19 novel coronavirus epidemic, which may negatively affect general global and regional economic conditions; our ability to charter our vessels at all and the rates at which are able to do so; our ability to call on or depart from ports on a timely basis or at all; our ability to crew, maintain, and repair our vessels, including without limitation the impact diversion of our vessels to perform crew rotations may have on our revenues, expenses, and ability to consummate vessel sales, expense and disruption to our operations that may arise from the inability to rotate crews on schedule, and delay and added expense we may incur in rotating crews in the current environment; our ability to staff and maintain our headquarters and administrative operations; sources of cash and liquidity; our ability to sell vessels in the secondary market, including without limitation the compliance of purchasers and us with the terms of vessel sale contracts, and the prices at which vessels are sold; and other factors relevant to our business described from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission; and (xxiii) other factors listed from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, without limitation, our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 and subsequent reports on Form 8-K and Form 10-Q. Our ability to pay dividends in any period will depend upon various factors, including the limitations under any credit agreements to which we may be a party, applicable provisions of Marshall Islands law and the final determination by the Board of Directors each quarter after its review of our financial performance, market developments, and the best interests of the Company and its shareholders. The timing and amount of dividends, if any, could also be affected by factors affecting cash flows, results of operations, required capital expenditures, or reserves. As a result, the amount of dividends actually paid may vary. We do not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

CONTACT:
Apostolos Zafolias
Chief Financial Officer
Genco Shipping & Trading Limited
(646) 443-8550

Exposure to Non-Travel Leisure Stocks


Image Credit: Katheryn Mai (RCI Hospitality Holdings)


Where are Consumers Most Likely to Spend Their Leisure Budget?

Leisure stocks had a few false starts after the difficult time endured during the heart of the pandemic. While the group as a whole may have risen significantly since the initial lockdown-inspired sell-off, many leisure activities that keep people close to home are benefitting from completely lifted restrictions across the 50 states. World events being what they are, air travel, cruises, and business hotel stays are still not fully recovered. Rising costs of everything may also keep personal recreation to categories that don’t break the budget. This includes restaurants, theme parks, museums, and outings enjoyed by the whole family like bowling. It also could include doing something with friends designed for more for adult tastes.

Individual Stocks

Many of the investment articles written today conclude by pointing the reader toward an industry and then listing ETFs that are within that industry. On the one hand, an ETF adds diversification as the investor could gain exposure to over 100 different fund holdings. On the other hand, many sectors have subsectors that trade quite differently. As an investor, you may feel bullish about one or more subsectors, and not as enthusiastic about the others. An ETF, by design, could also expose you to subsectors you’re less than bullish toward. This is why many advisors and self-directed investors shun the ease of picking a fund and instead build their own portfolio. They can weight it more heavily toward their own market expectations. The changes to industries during the pandemic and now post-pandemic in many instances, make a solid case for stock selection over fund selection.

While at NobleCon18 in April, I attended two management presentations by public companies that fell solidly in the leisure, (play-at-home) category. Both caught my attention because they were financially strong with feasible plans for growth. They were both 100% open for business with little to suggest that this would change.

The first is the largest owner of family bowling outlets in the U.S., and the other owns sports bars and adult entertainment nightclubs. I knew very little about the inner workings of either business but found the presentation
by  RCI
Holdings (RICK), and the presentation
by Bowlero
Corp. (BOWL) eye-opening in that these were not businesses that would have been on my investment radar. Yet, if one believes that consumers have a pent-up demand for leisure activities but they are less likely to travel, then each of these may continue to benefit as post-covid investments.


Source: Koyfin

Using the performance of ticker symbol $TNL as a proxy for travel and leisure, we find that while RICK, which represents a small sector of leisure began to climb relatively quickly in mid-summer 2020, it is now still trading at the level it was a year ago. The entire travel and leisure sector has also been trading sideways, but 270% lower than RICK, while the market overall has been pushing lower this year.

Eric Langan CEO of RCI Holdings gave the audience of investors a presentation on his company, (a video replay is available below). RICK is divided into two business units, Bombshells Sports Bar Restaurant, and their adult entertainment nightclubs that include such names as Rick’s Cabaret, and Scarlett’s.

The company is growing its hospitality, property development, finance, and free cash flow. In his presentation, Langan explains what they target for cash flow and how they put it to use to continue growing and producing higher cash flows.

Their nightclub sales were up 55% last year and according to the presentation, not all clubs were even open until the second half of 2021. One of the interesting nuances of the business is that there are barriers to entry in the adult entertainment world. Typically the owner has to be grandfathered at the state or local level as governments are typically hesitant to issue new licenses. This RICK in an ideal position to acquire existing clubs, with known track records to overlay their club management expertise and systems.

In the Sports Bar segment, the company owns the real estate, this helps in financing. The franchise Bombshells is approved in all 50 states. A restaurant build-out could cost $6 million or more they are always looking for locations.


Source: Koyfin

Tom Shannon, CEO of Bowlero spoke about his company, (a video replay is available below). BOWL went public via SPAC in December 2021. He discussed how two-thirds of the revenue of their outlets has no cost of goods sold. The company controls 8% of  the U.S. market share of bowling centers. He explained this opens ample opportunity to expand as most of the other 92% are mom and pop owned. BOWL can acquire them, give them a facelift and still be more efficient and profitable with their proprietary systems.

Bowlero also owns the Pro-Bowlers Association. While the PBA Tour adds $1 million to earnings, he says it saves them $10 million on marketing, as they get exposure and growing enthusiasm for bowling through the tour.

There are many other interesting aspects of this company that is best explained by the company, for a link to the video replay, scroll down to watch.

Take-Away

Over the past couple of years, there was the pandemic-related move toward stay-at-home tech, while hospitality, leisure, and travel were dead. There is now pent-up demand for leisure, those activities could include more stay-near home recreation as there are still reasons that individuals and businesses may keep travel plans to a minimum. For this reason, a pure leisure ETF would only provide a portion of the exposure to near-home recreation.

Reviewing stocks, reading the research on Channelchek, and reviewing company presentations could provide actionable ideas, not just in leisure, but in other investment sectors as well.  

Paul Hoffman

Managing Editor, Channelchek

Suggested Content



RCI Hospitality Holdings (RICK) NobleCon18 Presentation Replay



Bowlero (BOWL) NobleCon18 Presentation Replay

 

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Alliance Resource Partners (ARLP) – Solid First Quarter; Outlook Remains Bullish

Tuesday, May 03, 2022

Alliance Resource Partners (ARLP)
Solid First Quarter; Outlook Remains Bullish

ARLP is a diversified natural resource company that generates operating and royalty income from coal produced by its mining complexes and royalty income from mineral interests it owns in strategic oil & gas producing regions in the United States, primarily the Permian, Anadarko and Williston basins. ARLP currently produces coal from seven mining complexes its subsidiaries operate in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland and West Virginia. ARLP also operates a coal loading terminal on the Ohio River at Mount Vernon, Indiana. ARLP markets its coal production to major domestic and international utilities and industrial users and is currently the second largest coal producer in the eastern United States. In addition, ARLP is positioning itself as an energy provider for the future by leveraging its core technology and operating competencies to make strategic investments in the fast growing energy and infrastructure transition.

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

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

Solid first quarter performance. Alliance reported first quarter net income of $36.7 million, or $0.28 per unit compared to $24.7 million, or $0.19 per unit, during the prior year period. The company generated EBITDA of $152.3 million compared to $94.3 million during the prior year period. Results would have been stronger had it not been for transportation constraints that hindered the company’s ability to ship approximately 1.1 million tons of contracted tonnage during the first quarter. These shipments are expected to be delivered throughout the balance of the year. Additionally, financial results were negatively impacted by a $37.3 million one-time non-cash deferred income tax expense and liability to convert the holding company for ARLP’s oil & gas royalty activities, to a corporate taxable entity. Excluding the one-time tax item, adjusted EPU were $0.58.

Updating estimates. We have increased our full year GAAP and adjusted EPU estimates to $3.10 and $3.40, respectively, from $2.85 and $3.15. Our estimates reflect continued strength in commodity prices. We forecast 2022 adjusted EBITDA of $744.6 million and distributable cash flow of $515.1 million….

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. 

GABY (GABLF) – Full Year 2021 Results; Revising Estimates

Tuesday, May 03, 2022

GABY (GABLF)
Full Year 2021 Results; Revising Estimates

GABY Inc. is a California-focused retail consolidator and the owner of Mankind Dispensary, one of the oldest licensed dispensaries in California. Mankind is a well-known, and highly respected dispensary with deep roots in the California cannabis community operating in San Diego, California. GABY curates and sells a diverse portfolio of products, including its own proprietary brands, Lulu’s™ and Kind Republic™ through Mankind, manufactures Kind Republic, and distributes all its proprietary brands through its wholly owned subsidiary, GABY Manufacturing. A pioneer in the industry with a multi-vertical retail foundation, and a strong management team with experience in retail, consolidation, and cannabis, GABY is poised to­­­ grow its retail operations both organically and through acquisition.

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

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

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

4Q21 Results. GABY reported fourth quarter revenue of $8.2 million, up from $1.0 million reported last year, driven by the acquisition of Mankind. We had estimated revenue of $8 million. Gross margin for the quarter improved to 47% compared to our 45% projection. GABY recorded adjusted EBITDA of $0.86 million in the quarter. Net loss for the quarter totaled $3.86 million, or $0.00 per share, versus a net loss of $6.66 million, or $0.03 per share, in the same period in 2020.

FY21. For the full year, GABY generated revenue of $32.4 million, up from $4.1 million in 2020. Full year gross margin was 36.4%. Adjusted EBITDA for the year was $1.44 million versus negative $6.72 million last year. Full year net loss totaled $12.2 million, or $0.02 per share, compared to a net loss of $13.99 million, or $0.06 per share, in 2020….

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

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

Great Lakes Dredge & Dock (GLDD) – That’s A Lot of Power

Tuesday, May 03, 2022

Great Lakes Dredge & Dock (GLDD)
That’s A Lot of Power

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, Senior Research Analyst, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

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

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

A New Award. Great Lakes Dredge & Dock’s management announced yesterday that the Company was awarded with a subsea rock instillation project from Empire Offshore Wind, and the Company will be in consortium with Van Oord. The Company will work on the Empire Wind I and II wind farms in the New York, installing rocks to protect and stabilize foundations. The project is estimated to start in the mid 2020s. No details on the contract itself was given.

Providing the Power. The Empire Wind I and II wind farms are situated in New York, as the project is expected to provide over 2 Gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy to the state. For context, New York as of June 2021 has around 2,000 megawatts (or 2 GW) of wind capacity at almost two dozen wind farms according to the EIA. These two wind farms are estimated to power more than one million households in New York….

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. 

TAAL Distributed Information Technologies (TAALF) – Reports 4Q21 Results

Tuesday, May 03, 2022

TAAL Distributed Information Technologies (TAALF)
Reports 4Q21 Results

TAAL Distributed Information Technologies Inc. delivers value-added blockchain services, providing professional-grade, highly scalable blockchain infrastructure and transactional platforms to support businesses building solutions and applications upon the BitcoinSV platform, and developing, operating, and managing distributed computing systems for enterprise users.

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

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

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

4Q21 Results. TAAL had previously pre-announced 4Q revenue in the $13.75-$14.25 million (CAD) range. Actual revenue came in at $14.7 million, with income before value adjustments of $8.1 million, and net income of $832,100, or $0.02 per share. We had projected revenue of $13.55 million, income before value adjustments of $8.9 million, and net income of $2.6 million, or $0.06 per share.

New Brunswick Facility Sale. TAAL has completed the sale of the New Brunswick facility purchased in December. TAAL will receive $24 million for the facility, which it will lease back. The purchaser has agreed to invest $20 million to upgrade the facility to host hashing operations. The net proceeds from the sale provides TAAL substantial liquidity.

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

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

Release – Sierra Metals Subsidiary in Peru, Sociedad Minera Corona Reports Q1-2022 Financial Results



Sierra Metals Subsidiary in Peru, Sociedad Minera Corona Reports Q1-2022 Financial Results

Research, News, and Market Data on Sierra Metals

TORONTO–()–Sierra Metals Inc. (TSX: SMT) (BVL: SMT) (NYSE AMERICAN: SMTS) (“Sierra Metals” or “the Company”) announces the filing of Sociedad Minera Corona S.A.’s (“Corona”) unaudited Financial Statements and the Management Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) for the first quarter of 2022 (“Q1 2022”).

 

The Company holds an 81.8% interest in Corona. All amounts are presented in US dollars unless otherwise stated and have not been adjusted for the 18.2% non-controlling interest.

Corona’s Q1-2022 financial statements have not been reviewed by the Sierra Metals Board. The Company will be releasing its Q1-2022 consolidated financial statements on May 11th, 2022 with an investor conference call taking place on May 12th, 2022.

Corona’s Highlights for the
Three Months Ended March 31, 2022

  • Revenues of US$35.8 million, a 15%
    decrease from Q1 2021.
  • Adjusted EBITDA of US$14.8 million, an
    8% decrease from Q1 2021.
  • Total tonnes processed of 315,250, a
    3% decrease from Q1 2021.
  • Net production revenue per tonne of
    ore milled decreased by 5% to US$121.34.
  • Cash Cost per copper equivalent
    payable pound higher by 48% to US$2.19.
  • All-in sustaining cost
    (“AISC”) per copper equivalent payable pound higher by 40% to
    US$3.70.
  • Copper equivalent pounds production
    decreased 32% to 10.9 million pounds.
  • $17.0 million of cash and cash
    equivalents as at March 31, 2022.
  • $70.3 million of working capital as at
    March 31, 2022.

The Yauricocha mine processed 315,250 tons during the Q1 2022, which represents a decrease of 3% compared Q1 2021. Labor shortages were experienced in development and mining areas due to the impact of COVID-19 in January and February.

The delays in preparation of the polymetallic mining zones forced the mine to focus on copper sulfides during the quarter, which resulted in higher copper head grades, but negatively impacted grades for all other metals, except gold. Q1 2022 copper and gold production was 60% and 19% higher, while silver, lead and zinc production were 43%, 56% and 57% lower respectively as compared to Q1 2021. Copper equivalent production for Q1 2022 from Yauricocha was 10,876 pounds or 32% lower than the same quarter of 2021. This reflects the decrease in average ore grade on current permitted mining areas.

Luis Marchese, CEO of Sierra Metals, commented, “During Q1 2022, 
Yauricocha metal production was negatively impacted due to
decreasing ore grades in the currently permitted mining areas, and Covid
related labour shortages in the early part of the year.”

He continued, “Looking ahead, our priority is to
treat ore at full plant capacity and incorporate the newly discovered
high-grade areas in order to maximize metal production at current prices.”

He concluded, “We expect that we will be able to
make up for the delay in production at Yauricocha, and with improved grades, we
are optimistic about our progress in the Mine’s performance going forward.”

The following table displays selected unaudited financial information for the three months ended March 31, 2022:

Press Release
Selected Financial Results

 

 

 

(In thousands
of US dollars, except cash cost and revenue

Three Months Ended

per tonne
metrics)

March 31, 2022

March 31, 2021

Var %

 

Revenue

$

35,794

41,925

-15%

Adjusted EBITDA (1)

14,803

16,173

-8%

Cash Flow from operations

11,080

16,496

-33%

Gross profit

13,268

16,149

-18%

Income Tax Expense

1,268

(6,842)

-119%

Net Income

10,497

5,175

103%

 

Net production revenue per tonne of ore milled 
(2)

121.34

128.10

-5%

Cash cost per tonne of ore milled (2)

59.19

60.43

-2%

 

Cash cost per copper equivalent payable pound 
(2)

2.19

1.48

48%

All-In Sustaining Cost per copper equivalent payable pound (2)

3.70

2.65

40%

 

(In thousands of US dollars, unless
otherwise stated)

March 31, 2022

December 31,
2021

 

Cash and cash equivalents

$

17,041

32,870

Assets

235,267

232,868

Liabilities

58,013

66,111

Equity

177,254

166,757

 

(1)

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA
includes adjustments for depletion and depreciation, interest expense and
other financing costs, interest income, share-based compensation, Foreign
Exchange (gain) loss and income taxes; see non-IFRS Performance Measures
section of the Company’s MD&A.

(2)

 

 

 

Net production
revenue per tonne, cash cost per tonne, cash cost per copper equivalent
payable pound and All-In Sustaining Cost per copper (‘AISC’) equivalent pound
are non-IFRS performance measures. AISC includes the cost of sales, treatment
and refining charges, sustaining capital expenditures, general and
administrative expense, and selling expense, and exclude workers’ profit
sharing, depreciation, and other non-cash provisions; see non-IFRS
Performance Measures section of the Company’s MD&A.

The following table displays average realized metal prices information for the quarter ended March 31, 2022 vs March 31, 2021:

Average realized prices

Quarter ended March 31

Increase

In US$

2022

2021

(%)

Silver ($/oz)

23.95

26.44

-9%

Copper ($/lb)

4.53

3.88

17%

Zinc ($/lb)

1.69

1.24

36%

Lead ($/lb)

1.06

0.92

15%

Gold ($/oz)

1,875

1,778

5%

Corona’s Financial Highlights
for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2022

  • Revenue from metals payable at the Yauricocha Mine in Peru of $35.8 million for Q1 2022 decreased by 15% compared to $41.9 million of revenues in Q1 2021. Despite higher metal prices, revenues decreased during Q1 2022 mainly due to lower metal production attributable to lower grades except copper. Copper equivalent payable pounds dropped 51% due to lower quantities of metals sold as compared to Q1 2021.
  • Yauricocha’s cash cost per copper equivalent payable pound was $2.19 (Q1 2021 – $1.48), and AISC per copper equivalent payable pound of $3.70 (Q1 2021 – $2.65). Higher unit costs resulted from a 36% decrease in copper equivalent payable pounds.
  • Adjusted EBITDA of US$14.8 million for the first quarter of 2022 compared to US$16.2 million for the same period of 2021. The decrease in Adjusted EBITDA for the first quarter of 2022 compared to the same period of the year 2021 was due to lower revenues from the Company, explained above.
  • Operating cash flow before movements in working capital of US$11.1 million for the first quarter of 2022 compared to US$16.5 million in the same period of 2021.
  • Cash and cash equivalents of $17.0 million as at March 31, 2022, compared to $32.9 million as at December 31, 2021. Cash and cash equivalents decreased as cash used in investing activities ($6.2 million) and financing activities ($10.5 million) exceeded cash flow of $0.8 million generated from operating activities.
  • Net income of $10.5 million, or $0.292 per share for Q1 2022 compared to net income of $5.2 million, or $0.144 per share for Q1 2021. The increase in net income during Q1 2022 resulted from the recovery of deferred taxes and no current taxes as there was no taxable income during the quarter.

Corona’s Operational
Highlights for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2022:

The following table displays the production results for the three months ended March 31, 2022:

Yauricocha
Production

Three Months Ended March 31,

2022

2021

% Var.

 

Tonnes processed

315,250

326,211

-3%

Daily throughput

3,603

3,728

-3%

 

 

Silver grade (g/t)

39.40

54.35

-28%

Copper grade

0.79%

0.56%

41%

Lead grade

0.66%

1.34%

-51%

Zinc grade

1.83%

3.71%

-51%

Gold Grade (g/t)

0.52

0.43

21%

 

Silver recovery

63.99%

79.05%

-19%

Copper recovery

77.22%

66.26%

17%

Lead recovery

82.50%

90.16%

-8%

Zinc recovery

82.09%

90.34%

-9%

Gold Recovery

20.06%

19.77%

1%

 

 

Silver production (000 oz)

256

451

-43%

Copper production (000 lb)

4,279

2,682

60%

Lead production (000 lb)

3,828

8,706

-56%

Zinc production (000 lb)

10,492

24,123

-57%

Gold Production (oz)

1,057

890

19%

 

 

Copper equivalent pounds (000’s)(1)

10,876

15,937

-32%

 

(1)

 

 

 

Copper
equivalent pounds for Q1 2022 were calculated using the following realized
prices: $23.95/oz Ag, $4.53/lb Cu, $1.69/lb Zn, $1.06/lb Pb, $1,875/oz Au.
Copper equivalent pounds for Q1 2021 were calculated using the following
realized prices: $26.44/oz Ag, $3.88/lb Cu, $1.24/lb Zn, $0.92/lb Pb,
$1,778/oz Au.

Quality Control

Américo Zuzunaga, FAusIMM CP (Mining Engineer) and Vice President of Corporate Planning, is a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

About Sierra Metals

Sierra Metals Inc. is a diversified Canadian mining company with Green Metal exposure including increasing copper production and base metal production with precious metals byproduct credits, focused on the production and development of its Yauricocha Mine in Peru, and Bolivar and Cusi Mines in Mexico. The Company is focused on increasing production volume and growing mineral resources. Sierra Metals has recently had several new key discoveries and still has many more exciting brownfield exploration opportunities at all three Mines in Peru and Mexico that are within close proximity to the existing mines. Additionally, the Company also has large land packages at all three mines with several prospective regional targets providing longer-term exploration upside and mineral resource growth potential.

The Company’s Common Shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange and the Bolsa de Valores de Lima under the symbol “SMT” and on the NYSE American Exchange under the symbol “SMTS”.

Continue to Follow, Like and Watch our progress:

Webwww.sierrametals.com | Twittersierrametals | FacebookSierraMetalsInc |
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Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking information” and “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Canadian and U.S. securities laws (collectively, “forward-looking information”). Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the date of the 2020 Shareholders’ Meeting and the anticipated filing of the Compensation Disclosure. Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as “expects”, “anticipates”, “plans”, “projects”, “estimates”, “assumes”, “intends”, “strategy”, “goals”, “objectives”, “potential” or variations thereof, or stating that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative of any of these terms and similar expressions) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking information.

Forward-looking information is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking information, including, without limitation, the risks described under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s annual information form dated March 16, 2022 for its fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 and other risks identified in the Company’s filings with Canadian securities regulators and the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, which filings are available at www.sedar.com and www.sec.gov, respectively.

The risk factors referred to above are not an exhaustive list of the factors that may affect any of the Company’s forward-looking information. Forward-looking information includes statements about the future and is inherently uncertain, and the Company’s actual achievements or other future events or conditions may differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking information due to a variety of risks, uncertainties and other factors. The Company’s statements containing forward-looking information are based on the beliefs, expectations, and opinions of management on the date the statements are made, and the Company does not assume any obligation to update such forward-looking information if circumstances or management’s beliefs, expectations or opinions should change, other than as required by applicable law. For the reasons set forth above, one should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

Contacts

For further information regarding Sierra Metals, please visit www.sierrametals.com

Investor Relations
CEO

Sierra Metals Inc.
Tel: +1 (416) 366-7777
Email: 
info@sierrametals.com

Luis Marchese
Sierra Metals Inc.
Tel: +1 (416) 366-7777

Release – Comstock Announces First Quarter 2022 Results



Comstock Announces First Quarter 2022 Results

Research, News, and Market Data on Comstock Mining

VIRGINIA CITY, Nevada, May 03, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Comstock Mining Inc. (NYSE: LODE) (“Comstock” and the “Company”) today announced its recent operational highlights, first quarter 2022 results, and updated outlook.

Selected Strategic
Highlights – Cellulosic Fuels

  • Demonstrated breakthrough renewable Bioleum™ alternative to fossil crude oil, derived from from woody biomass, for use in producing renewable diesel, sustainable aviation, gasoline, marine and other drop-in carbon-neutral fuels.
  • Established our near-term goal to commission our first 100 million gallon Bioleum™ biorefinery by 2025.
  • Commenced construction on a demonstration facility for production of Bioleum™ and other co-products.
  • Commenced site evaluation and selection process, prioritizing target sites with ready access to available feedstock.
  • Commenced direct discussions for renewable fuel offtake agreements to support our first biorefinery and beyond.

Selected Strategic Highlights
– Lithium Extraction and Electrification Products

  • Received and installed proprietary lithium-ion battery (“LIB”) crushing, separation, and conditioning systems and commenced commissioning in our R&D facility.
  • On schedule to be producing marketable black mass from LIB feedstock in our state-of-the-art, battery metal recycling facility in Nevada by the end of Q4 2022.
  • On schedule to be producing marketable, battery-grade lithium carbonate in our state-of-the-art, battery metal recycling facility in Nevada by the end of Q2 2023.
  • Commenced construction of prototype “lithium first” extraction system in our R&D facility.
  • Commenced new and continued ongoing discussions with LIB feedstock sources.

Selected Financial
Results

  • Advanced non-strategic asset monetization, exchanging $6.65 million note receivable for the Lucerne properties and an option for $7.75 million. Our announced transactions for a portion of our non-strategic mineral and other assets now total over $25 million of expected 2022 proceeds from Tonogold, Sierra Springs and others.
  • Total assets increased to $115,119,393 as of March 31, 2022, as compared to $43,123,562 at December 31, 2020.
  • Operating expenses were $4,442,713 for the first quarter 2022, including selling, general and administrative expenses of $2,402,766 and research and development expenses of $1,195,418, as compared to operating expenses of $3,621,695 for the fourth quarter of 2021, with increases primarily relating to increased research and development, employment costs and depreciation.
  • First quarter 2022 net loss was $6,547,023 or $(0.09) per share, as compared to first quarter 2022 net income of $8,188,231 or $0.22 per share. The 2021 results were primarily driven by changes in fair values of derivatives.
  • Debt was $4,529,068 on March 31, 2022, representing an unsecured promissory note.
  • Cash and cash equivalents were $2,249,007 on March 31, 2022.
  • Outstanding common shares were 67,707,832 at March 31, 2022, and 69,943,776 at April 28, 2022.

“Our financial results reflect the impact of our continued investment in the development and commercialization of our renewable energy businesses,” said Corrado De Gasperis, Comstock’s executive chairman and chief executive officer. “Our Cellulosic Fuels and Battery Recycling demonstration systems are moving us rapidly towards commercialization. We are engaged in and securing untapped supplies of carbon neutral feedstocks to enable exponential and sustained growth.”

The Company expects to complete the demonstration of our breakthrough LIB crushing, separating, and conditioning process in the second quarter of this year, to successfully confirm LIB processing without discharge and the production of highly concentrated “black mass” powders. The Company expects to complete the submission of all expanded and modified operating permits for our LIB processes at our state-of-the-art, battery metal recycling facility in Nevada in the second quarter.

The Company is currently expanding its existing cellulosic demonstration systems in Wisconsin to include the production of Bioleum™ and expects these demonstration systems will be operational before the end of the fiscal year. The Company expects to release more detailed information about Bioleum™ and its planned biorefineries later this month at the Company’s Annual Meeting of Shareholders on May 26, 2022, at the Atlantis Hotel in Reno, Nevada.

The Company expects $15 million in proceeds over the next two quarters from the sale of its industrial and commercial properties. The Company is exploring options to monetize all non-strategic assets, with updates in the second and third quarters.

Conference Call Details

Comstock will host the conference call on Tuesday, May 3, 2022, at 8:00 a.m. PDT (11:00 a.m. EDT) and the webcast will include a moderated question and answer session following the Company’s prepared remarks.  Please click the link below to register in advance and please join the event at least 10 minutes prior to the scheduled start time. Once registered, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webcast. Please click here to register in advance for this webcast.

About Comstock

Comstock (NYSE: LODE) innovates technologies that contribute to global decarbonization and circularity by efficiently converting under-utilized natural resources into renewable fuels and electrification products that contribute to balancing global uses and emissions of carbon. The Company intends to achieve exponential growth and extraordinary financial, natural, and social gains by building, owning, and operating a fleet of advanced carbon neutral extraction and refining facilities, by selling an array of complimentary process solutions and related services, and by licensing selected technologies to qualified strategic partners. To learn more, please visit www.comstock.inc.

Forward-Looking
Statements 

This press release and any related calls or discussions may include forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, are forward-looking statements. The words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “project,” “plan,” “should,” “intend,” “may,” “will,” “would,” “potential” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, but are not the exclusive means of doing so. Forward-looking statements include statements about matters such as: future industry market conditions; future explorations or acquisitions; future changes in our exploration activities; future changes in our research and development; and future prices and sales of, and demand for, our products and services. Except as may be required by securities or other law, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

Neither this press release nor any related call or discussion constitutes an offer to sell, the solicitation of an offer to buy or a recommendation with respect to any securities of the Company, the fund or any other issuer.

Contact information:

 

 

Comstock Mining Inc.
P.O. Box 1118
Virginia City, NV 89440
www.comstock.inc

Corrado De Gasperis
Executive Chairman & CEO
Tel (775) 847-4755
degasperis@comstockmining.com

Zach Spencer
Director of External Relations
Tel (775) 847-5272 Ext.151
questions@comstockmining.com

Release – RG6501 (OpRegen) Phase 1/2a Clinical Results Support the Potential for OpRegen to Slow, Stop or Reverse Disease Progression in Geographic Atrophy Secondary to Age-Related Macular Degeneration

 



RG6501 (OpRegen®) Phase 1/2a Clinical Results Support the Potential for OpRegen to Slow, Stop or Reverse Disease Progression in Geographic Atrophy Secondary to Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Research, News, and Market Data on Lineage Cell Therapeutics

  • 12-Month Primary
    Endpoint Data Suggest OpRegen is Well Tolerated with an Acceptable Safety
    Profile
  • Preliminary
    Evidence of Visual Function and Outer Retinal Structure Improvements
    Observed in Cohort 4 Patients with GA and Impaired Vision
  • Data Reported at
    2022 ARVO Meeting by Allen C. Ho, M.D., FACS

CARLSBAD, Calif.–()–Lineage Cell Therapeutics, Inc. (NYSE American and TASE: LCTX), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing allogeneic cell therapies for unmet medical needs, today announced that results from the primary endpoint, safety and tolerability 1 year post-transplant, in the ongoing Phase 1/2a clinical study of RG6501 (OpRegen), a retinal pigment epithelial cell therapy currently in development for the treatment of geographic atrophy (GA) secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD), were presented yesterday at the 2022 Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology
Annual Meeting
 (ARVO 2022). The presentation, “Safety and Efficacy of a Phase 1/2a Clinical Trial of Transplanted
Allogeneic Retinal Pigmented Epithelium (RPE, OpRegen) Cells in Advanced Dry
Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)”
 was featured as part of the Retinal Prostheses and Transplantation Session, by Allen C. Ho, M.D., FACS, Wills Eye Hospital Attending Surgeon and Director of Retina Research, Professor of Ophthalmology, Thomas Jefferson University, Mid Atlantic Retina and President, The Retina Society (abstract number 3714956). RG6501 (OpRegen) is currently being developed under an exclusive worldwide collaboration between Lineage, Roche and Genentech, a member of the Roche Group.

“These data, though uncontrolled, offer the promising demonstration that OpRegen may be able to impact GA disease progression in a clinically meaningful manner, particularly when delivered on-target and in earlier disease, in patients afflicted with what was previously thought to be an inevitably progressive disease,” stated Dr. Ho. “Obviously, larger, controlled studies are required, but spontaneous disease regression does not occur in GA so these results suggest that OpRegen may be a potentially transformational therapy and strongly support further development.”

2022 ARVO Presentation
Highlights

Summary of Safety Results

  • All 24 treated patients reported at least one adverse event (AE) and at least one ocular AE
  • The majority of AEs reported with OpRegen were mild (Cohort 1-3, 87%; Cohort 4, 93%), and the immunosuppressive regimen was well tolerated
  • Ocular AEs observed with OpRegen were mainly related to the surgical procedures used for subretinal delivery, with the most common being conjunctival hemorrhage/hyperemia (n=17) and epiretinal membrane (n=16)
  • One patient discontinued the study due to an AE that was unrelated to treatment
  • No cases of rejection, acute or delayed intraocular inflammation, or sustained increases in intraocular pressure following OpRegen subretinal delivery have been reported

Summary of Activity Results

  • Preliminary evidence of improvement in visual function was observed in patients with GA and impaired vision at baseline (Cohort 4 [n=12])
    • Patients in Cohort 4 had an average 7.6 letter gain in visual acuity at 12 months in the study eye
    • Three patients in Cohort 4 (25%) had a 15 letter or greater gain in visual acuity at 12 months in the study eye
  • Five patients in Cohort 4 with OpRegen delivered to most or all of the GA area, including the fovea, had greater gains in visual function (average 12.8 letter gain), with evidence for regions of apparent improvement of outer retinal structure as assessed by SD-OCT
    • The SD-OCT imaging analysis is ongoing

These data support the potential for OpRegen to slow, stop or reverse disease progression in GA. Further assessment of the optimal disease stage for intervention, surgical procedure for subretinal delivery and target delivery location of OpRegen in a larger, controlled clinical study is needed to confirm these findings.

Dr. Ho’s presentation is available on the Events and Presentations section of Lineage’s website.

The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Inc. (ARVO) was founded in 1928 in Washington, DC by a group of 73 ophthalmologists. ARVO is the largest and most respected eye and vision research organization in the world. ARVO members include nearly 11,000 researchers from over 75 countries. ARVO advances research worldwide into understanding the visual system and preventing, treating and curing its disorders. For more information, please visit https://www.arvo.org/ or follow the association on Twitter @ARVOInfo.

About OpRegen

OpRegen® is a retinal pigment epithelial cell therapy in development for the treatment of geographic atrophy (GA) secondary to age-related macular degeneration. Following subretinal delivery, OpRegen has the potential to counteract RPE cell loss in areas of GA lesions by supporting retinal structure and function. OpRegen is being developed under a worldwide collaboration between Lineage, Roche and Genentech, a member of the Roche Group.

About the Phase 1/2a Study

The Phase 1/2a study is an open-label, single-arm, multi-center, dose-escalation trial evaluating a single administration of OpRegen delivered subretinally in patients with bilateral GA. Twenty-four patients were enrolled into 4 cohorts. The first 3 cohorts enrolled only legally blind patients with a best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of 20/200 or worse. The fourth cohort enrolled 12 patients with impaired vision (BCVA from 20/65 to 20/250 with smaller mean areas of GA). Cohort 4 also included patients treated with a new “thaw-and-inject” formulation of OpRegen, which can be shipped directly to sites and used immediately upon thawing, removing the complications and logistics of having to use a dose preparation facility. The primary objective of the study was to evaluate the safety and tolerability of OpRegen as assessed by the incidence and frequency of treatment-emergent adverse events. Secondary objectives are to evaluate the preliminary activity of OpRegen treatment by assessing the changes in ophthalmological parameters measured by various methods of primary clinical relevance.

About Geographic Atrophy

Geographic atrophy (GA) is an advanced form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) characterized by severe loss of visual function. GA is a leading cause of adult blindness in the developed world, affecting at least 5 million people globally. There are two forms of advanced AMD: neovascular AMD and GA. GA and neovascular AMD can occur simultaneously in the same eye, and patients treated for neovascular AMD may still go on to develop GA. GA typically affects both eyes. There are currently no U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or European Medicines Agency (EMA) approved treatment options available for patients with GA.

About Lineage Cell Therapeutics, Inc.

Lineage Cell Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing novel cell therapies for unmet medical needs. Lineage’s programs are based on its robust proprietary cell-based therapy platform and associated in-house development and manufacturing capabilities. With this platform Lineage develops and manufactures specialized, terminally differentiated human cells from its pluripotent and progenitor cell starting materials. These differentiated cells are developed to either replace or support cells that are dysfunctional or absent due to degenerative disease or traumatic injury or administered as a means of helping the body mount an effective immune response to cancer. Lineage’s clinical programs are in markets with billion dollar opportunities and include five allogeneic (“off-the-shelf”) product candidates: (i) OpRegen, a retinal pigment epithelial cell therapy in Phase 1/2a development for the treatment of geographic atrophy secondary to age-related macular degeneration; (ii) OPC1, an oligodendrocyte progenitor cell therapy in Phase 1/2a development for the treatment of acute spinal cord injuries; (iii) VAC2, a dendritic cell therapy produced from Lineage’s VAC technology platform for immuno-oncology and infectious disease, currently in Phase 1 clinical development for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (iv) ANP1, an auditory neuronal progenitor cell therapy for the potential treatment of auditory neuropathy, and (v) PNC1, a photoreceptor neural cell therapy for the treatment of vision loss due to photoreceptor dysfunction or damage. For more information, please visit www.lineagecell.com or follow the company on Twitter @LineageCell.

Forward-Looking Statements

Lineage cautions you that all statements, other than statements of historical facts, contained in this press release, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements, in some cases, can be identified by terms such as “believe,” “aim,” “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “design,” “intend,” “expect,” “could,” “can,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “seek,” “should,” “would,” “contemplate,” “project,” “target,” “tend to,” or the negative version of these words and similar expressions. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements relating to the collaboration and license agreement with Roche and Genentech and activities expected to occur thereunder; and the potential benefits of treatment with OpRegen and that OpRegen may be a potential transformational therapy. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause Lineage’s actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements in this press release, including, but not limited to, the risk that positive findings in early clinical and/or nonclinical studies of a product candidate may not be predictive of success in subsequent clinical and/or nonclinical studies of that candidate; the risk that competing alternative therapies may adversely impact the commercial potential of OpRegen; the risk that Roche and Genentech may not be successful in completing further clinical trials for OpRegen and/or obtaining regulatory approval for OpRegen in any particular jurisdiction; the risk that Lineage may not be able to manufacture sufficient clinical quantities of its product candidates in accordance with current good manufacturing practice; risks and uncertainties inherent in Lineage’s business and other risks discussed in Lineage’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Lineage’s forward-looking statements are based upon its current expectations and involve assumptions that may never materialize or may prove to be incorrect. All forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. Further information regarding these and other risks is included under the heading “Risk Factors” in Lineage’s periodic reports with the SEC, including Lineage’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC and its other reports, which are available from the SEC’s website. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they were made. Lineage undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made, except as required by law.

Contacts

Lineage Cell Therapeutics, Inc. IR
Ioana C. Hone
(
ir@lineagecell.com)
(442) 287-8963

Solebury Trout IR
Mike Biega
(
Mbiega@soleburytrout.com)
(617) 221-9660

Russo Partners – Media Relations
Nic Johnson or David Schull
Nic.johnson@russopartnersllc.com
David.schull@russopartnersllc.com
(212) 845-4242