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Hemisphere Energy (HMENF) – Hemisphere releases reserve report

Posted on by cpereira@noblefcm.com


Friday, March 15, 2024

Michael Heim, Senior Vice President, Equity Research Analyst, Energy & Transportation, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

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

Hemisphere announced an independent evaluation of its reserves highlighting a 5% increase in NPV10 value for proved reserves. The estimated value for total proved reserves (PR) when discounted back at a 10% rate was $325 million ($3.27 per share) versus $308 million in the reserve from last year. The increase reflects higher West Canada Select oil prices in future years with the completion of the Trans Mountain Pipeline running from Alberta to the Pacific Coast. The value of proved developed producing (PDP) reserves rose 9% as the company was active drilling in 2023 and moving reserves into the PDP category.

The company was able to replace reserves reduced by production through drilling and acquisition. Hemisphere produced 1.1 mmboe in 2023 and added 1.0 mmboe of reserves through the drillbit or from acquisition. As a result, proved reserves were 12.1 mmboe in the most recent report versus 12.2 mmboe last year. The company spent $16 million to drill eight wells in addition to purchasing land and seismic. Just two years ago, capital expenditures were only $8 million. Finding, Development and Acquisition costs per proved reserve added in 2023 were $14.82/boe, an attractive price given current oil prices. 


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New Eli Lilly-Amazon Deal Signals Emerging Opportunities in Direct-to-Consumer Pharmaceuticals

Posted on by slightbourne@noblecapitalmarkets.com

The newly announced partnership between pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly and e-commerce behemoth Amazon to enable direct-to-consumer medication delivery is sending shockwaves through the biotech and healthcare sectors. The deal, which allows customers to receive select Eli Lilly prescription drugs like diabetes, migraine, and weight-loss treatments via Amazon’s online pharmacy, represents a major shift in how pharmaceutical companies get products into the hands of consumers

For emerging biotech and healthcare companies watching this space, the Eli Lilly-Amazon partnership illuminates massive growth opportunities in the burgeoning direct-to-consumer pharmaceutical market. Cutting out the middlemen of insurance providers and brick-and-mortar pharmacies enables pharma companies to get closer to patients and potentially earn higher margins.

Under the partnership revealed this week, patients can receive Eli Lilly medications prescribed through the LillyDirect online platform or by their regular doctor, with Amazon handling the fulfillment and two-day delivery logistics. Axios’ Jacob Gardner points out this allows Eli Lilly “to reach more patients directly and sidestep more traditional pharmaceutical sales constraints.”

The collaboration helps both industry titans accomplish key objectives. For Eli Lilly, it expands their direct-to-consumer reach at a pivotal time following the approval of blockbuster weight-loss drug Zepbound last November. Amazon, meanwhile, continues growing its healthcare presence following the acquisition of PillPack and launch of Amazon Pharmacy in 2020.

Executives at emerging biotech and pharmaceutical companies would be wise to study this latest deal’s blueprint. By partnering with logistics giants like Amazon, FedEx, or UPS on the shipping side or digital health platforms on the consumer-facing end, they could unlock highly lucrative direct-to-consumer sales channels.

Beyond cutting out middlemen that take a cut of sales, direct-to-consumer pharma models can foster stronger patient relationships, bolster brand loyalty, and provide a wealth of data and analytics on consumer behaviors. Those insights allow companies to precisely tailor marketing and pricing strategies to drive further growth.

From the investor perspective, directly delivering cutting-edge treatments straight to patient doorsteps holds massive upside potential. Drug developers can keep more of the profits by circumventing insurance providers. But investing in the right direct-to-consumer pharmaceutical plays requires careful due diligence.

Investors need to scrutinize logistics capabilities, consumer marketing and branding strengths, and data analytics competencies in evaluating these emerging opportunities. The biggest winners will have a clear advantage in one or more of those mission-critical areas.

The overarching theme is clear – by cutting out the tangle of middlemen in the traditional pharmaceutical ecosystem, innovative companies embracing the direct-to-consumer model could potentially earn higher revenues, margins, and valuations. The ripple effects of the Eli Lilly-Amazon deal are likely just beginning for the healthcare investing space.

For investors willing to conduct thorough research and identify the pioneers, the emerging direct-to-consumer pharmaceutical market could birth the next generation of blockbuster biotech and healthcare companies.

Learn more about Noble Capital Markets’ Emerging Growth Virtual Healthcare Equity Conference on April 17-18 here.

Elevated Inflation Readings Complicate Fed’s Rate Cut Timeline

Posted on by slightbourne@noblecapitalmarkets.com

The Federal Reserve’s efforts to tame stubbornly high inflation are facing a fresh challenge, as new economic data released on Thursday showed price pressures are proving more persistent than expected. The latest inflation readings are likely to reinforce the central bank’s cautious approach to cutting interest rates and could signal that borrowing costs will need to remain elevated for longer in 2024.

The new inflation report came from the Labor Department’s Producer Price Index (PPI), which measures the prices businesses receive for their goods and services. The PPI climbed 0.6% from January to February, accelerating from the prior month’s 0.3% rise. Even more concerning for the Fed, core producer prices excluding volatile food and energy components rose 0.3% month-over-month, higher than the 0.2% increase forecast by economists.

On an annual basis, core PPI was up 2% compared to a year earlier, matching January’s pace but exceeding expectations. The stubbornly elevated core figures are particularly worrisome as the Fed views core inflation as a better gauge of underlying persistent price trends.

“Given the stickier than expected nature of inflation, it’s going to be very difficult for the Fed to justify a near-term rate reduction,” said Lindsey Piegza, chief economist at Stifel. “Our base case is that the Fed holds off to the second half of the year before initiating a change in policy.”

The hotter-than-anticipated producer inflation data follows a similarly elevated reading for consumer prices earlier this week. The Consumer Price Index showed core consumer inflation rose 3.8% over the past 12 months in February, also surpassing economist projections.

The back-to-back upside inflation surprises underscore the challenges the Fed faces in its efforts to wrestle price growth back down to its 2% target rate after it reached 40-year highs in 2022. Fed Chair Jerome Powell has repeatedly stressed that the central bank wants to see convincing evidence that inflation is moving “sustainably” lower before easing its monetary policy stance.

In the wake of Thursday’s PPI report, market expectations for the timing of a first Fed rate cut this year shifted slightly. The odds of an initial rate reduction happening at the June meeting dipped from 67% to 63% according to pricing in the fed funds futures market. As recently as earlier this year, many investors had anticipated the first cut would come as soon as March.

The Fed is widely expected to leave interest rates unchanged at the current 5.25%-5.5% range when it concludes its next policy meeting on March 22nd. However, officials will also release updated economic projections and interest rate forecasts, and there is a possibility some could scale back expectations for rate cuts in 2024 given the persistent inflation data.

In December, Fed policymakers had penciled in approximately three quarter-point rate reductions by year-end 2024 based on their median forecast. But the latest inflation figures cast doubt on whether that aggressive easing will ultimately materialize.

“This does leave a degree of uncertainty as to when they cut first and what they’ll do on the dot plot,” said Wil Stith, a bond portfolio manager at Wilmington Trust. “Will they leave it at three cuts or will they change that?”

Former Fed official Jim Bullard downplayed the significance of any single month’s inflation reading, but acknowledged the broad trajectory remains difficult for policymakers. “A little bit hot on the PPI today, but one number like this probably wouldn’t affect things dramatically,” he said.

With inflation proving more entrenched than hoped, the Fed appears set to maintain its policy restraint and leave interest rates at restrictive levels until incoming data provides clear and consistent evidence that the central bank’s battle against rising prices is being won. Consumers and businesses alike should prepare for higher borrowing costs to persist in the months ahead.

Release – Snail Games Announces Major Update of Survivor Mercs, Enhancing Gameplay Experience and Market Appeal

Posted on by aweinsoff@channelchek.com

Research News and Market Data on SNAL

March 14, 2024 at 8:00 AM EDT

CULVER CITY, Calif., March 14, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Snail, Inc. (Nasdaq: SNAL) (“Snail Games” or “the Company”), a leading global independent developer and publisher of interactive digital entertainment, recently shared the latest significant update for Survivor Mercs, an Early Access rogue-lite action game. This update introduces enhancements that deepen strategic gameplay and enrich the player experience, bringing Survivor Mercs closer to the release of its full 1.0 version. These improvements not only enhance the player experience but also aim to expand the game’s market appeal.

Launched in Early Access in September 2023 by Snail Games’ indie publishing arm Wandering Wizard, in collaboration with the developer Wolpertinger Games, Survivor Mercs has captivated players with its unique blend of rogue-lite action and shooter genres. Since its launch, Wolpertinger and Snail Games have been committed to continuously enhancing Survivor Mercs with new content, features, and improvements. The latest update, version 0.9.9, introduces comprehensive gameplay mechanics enhancements, including the Genome Lab 2.0 for Trait research, the Gene Synthesizer room for tailoring Commanders’ Traits, an innovative Armor System, enhanced enemy AI, performance optimizations, and UI improvements for a seamless and enriched gameplay experience.

“We are thrilled to announce this major update for Survivor Mercs, marking a significant step in the game’s development,” said Jim Tsai, CEO of Snail, Inc. “By enhancing gameplay mechanics and integrating community feedback into our development process, we continue to strengthen our market appeal and reaffirm our player-first approach. As we move closer to the full 1.0 launch of Survivor Mercs, we are excited about its potential to broaden our market and player reach. Our commitment to supporting indie developers and offering high-quality gaming experiences to players around the world remains steadfast.”

Play Survivor Mercs on Steam
Learn more on Discord

About Snail, Inc.- https://www.snailgamesusa.com/
Snail is a leading, global independent developer and publisher of interactive digital entertainment for consumers around the world, with a premier portfolio of premium games designed for use on a variety of platforms, including consoles, PCs and mobile devices.

Wandering Wizard- https://wanderingwizard.com/
Wandering Wizard is an indie publishing label by Snail Games. The new branch is dedicated to bringing independent western developed games to the global market. Wandering Wizard is based in Los Angeles, California.

Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains statements that constitute forward-looking statements. Many of the forward-looking statements contained in this press release can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “expect,” “should,” “plan,” “intend,” “may,” “predict,” “continue,” “estimate” and “potential,” or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions. Forward-looking statements appear in a number of places in this press release and include, but are not limited to, statements regarding Snail’s intent, belief or current expectations.

Contacts:

Investors:
investors@snail.com

Press:
media@snail.com

Release – GoHealth Reports Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2023 Results

Posted on by aweinsoff@channelchek.com

Research News and Market Data on GOCO

Mar 14, 2024 at 6:00 AM EDT

CHICAGO, March 14, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — GoHealth, Inc. (NASDAQ: GOCO) (“GoHealth” or the “Company”), a leading health insurance marketplace and Medicare-focused digital health company, today announced unaudited financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2023.

  • The Company generated $109.1 million of cash flow from operations in 2023, a substantial 79.2% improvement compared to $60.9 million in the prior year period.
  • The percentage of revenue earned from non-agency sales in the fourth quarter was 60% of Medicare revenue, compared to 26% in 2022. This shift to non-agency operating model continues to drive cash generation.
  • Fourth quarter 2023 net revenues were $276.7 million, compared to $69.4 million in the prior year period. Full year 2023 net revenues were $734.7 million, compared to $631.7 million in 2022.
  • Fourth quarter 2023 net loss was $2.3 million and Adjusted EBITDA1 was $57.0 million, improvements of 98.5% and 160.1%, respectively, compared to the prior year period. Full year 2023 net loss of $151.3 million and Adjusted EBITDA1 of $75.1 million were improvements of 59.8% and 157.9%, respectively, compared to the prior year period.
  • As a result of the improved performance of the Company and focus on higher quality submissions, there was no Lookback adjustment recorded in 2023. The Company recorded lookback adjustments in 2022 that are detailed in the tables below.
  • GoHealth assisted over two million Medicare consumers assess their benefit options in 2023.

“As we reflect on our achievements this past year, our consumer-centric focus shifted from enrollment to engagement, with trust at its core. Our innovative PlanFit CheckUp program is a prime example of our commitment to the consumer and a driver of our 2023 results. By prioritizing the real needs of Medicare consumers, we continue to enhance consumer trust and set a new standard for industry practices, said Vijay Kotte, CEO of GoHealth. “Our approach underscores our mission to transform the consumer healthcare journey, ensuring every action we take is aligned with our core values of transparency, trust, and integrity,” continued Kotte.

“In 2023, GoHealth did right by the consumer while staying true to our values as a company and effectively managing our cash. Our results showcase a meaningful year over year increase in profitability and significant improvement in our operating cash flow, highlighting the effectiveness of our strategic initiatives and the unwavering commitment of our team,” said Jason Schulz, CFO of GoHealth.

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

Conference Call Details

The Company will host a conference call today, Thursday, March 14, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. (ET) to discuss its financial results. Participants can pre-register for the conference call at the following link: Webcast Pre-registration. A live audio webcast of the conference call will be available via GoHealth’s Investor Relations website, https://investors.gohealth.com/. A replay of the call will be available via webcast for on-demand listening shortly after the completion of the call.

About GoHealth, Inc.:

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

Investor Relations:
John Shave
JShave@gohealth.com

Media Relations:
Pressinquiries@gohealth.com

Forward-Looking Statements

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

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

These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release and are subject to a number of important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to the following: the marketing and sale of Medicare plans are subject to numerous, complex and frequently changing laws, regulations and guidelines; our operating results have been, and may continue to be, adversely impacted by factors that impact our estimate of LTV (as defined below); our gradual expansion of the Encompass Solution may not be as successful as we expect; our business may be harmed if we lose our relationships with health plan partners or if our relationships with health plan partners change; health plan partners may reduce the commissions paid to us and change their underwriting practices in ways that reduce the number of, or impact the renewal or approval rates of, insurance policies sold through our platform; we currently depend on a small group of health plan partners for a substantial portion of our revenue and losing our relationships with any of these health plan partners may disproportionately impact our financial position and performance; changes and developments in the health insurance system and laws and regulations governing the health insurance markets in the United States could materially adversely affect our business, operating results, financial condition and qualified prospects; we rely on certain services from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and a federal government shutdown that impedes our ability to use these services may materially impact our business; information technology system failures could interrupt our operations; volatility in general economic conditions, including inflation, interest rates, and commodity prices and exchange rates may impact our financial position and performance; we may lose key employees or fail to attract qualified employees; our failure to grow our customer base or retain our existing customers; we may not realize the benefits we expect from our strategic cash flow optimization and other cash management initiatives; our ability to sell Medicare-related health insurance plans is largely dependent on our licensed health insurance agents; operating and growing our business may require additional capital; and the Founders and Centerbridge have significant influence over us, including control over decisions that require the approval of stockholders.

The foregoing factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read together with the other cautionary statements included in this press release, as well as the cautionary statements and other risk factors set forth in the Company’s 2022 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the first quarter ended March 31, 2023, Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the second quarter ended June 30, 2023, Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the third quarter ended September 30, 2023, the forthcoming 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K and other SEC filings. If one or more events related to these or other risks or uncertainties materialize, or our underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual results may differ materially from what we anticipate. Many of the important factors that will determine these results are beyond our ability to control or predict. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and, except as otherwise required by law, we do not undertake any obligation to publicly update or review any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict which will arise. In addition, we cannot assess the impact of each factor on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Key Performance Indicators

In this press release, we use supplemental measures of our performance that are derived from our consolidated financial information, but which are not presented in our Consolidated Financial Statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. These non-GAAP financial measures include net income (loss) before interest expense, income tax (benefit) expense and depreciation and amortization expense, or EBITDA; Adjusted EBITDA; Adjusted EBITDA margin; Sales per Submission; Cost per Submission and Adjusted Gross Margin per Submission. Adjusted EBITDA is the primary financial performance measure used by management to evaluate the business and monitor its results of operations. Sales per Submission, Cost per Submission and Adjusted Gross Margin per Submission are key operating metrics used by management to understand the Company’s underlying financial performance and trends.

Additional non-GAAP financial measures, including net revenue excluding the Lookback Adjustments, Adjusted EBITDA excluding the Lookback Adjustments, net revenue excluding both the Non-Encompass BPO Services revenue and the Lookback Adjustments and Adjusted EBITDA excluding both the Non-Encompass BPO Services gross margin and the Lookback Adjustments, are also discussed in this press release. The Lookback Adjustments are revenue adjustments that represent changes in estimates relating to performance obligations satisfied in prior periods and relate to the fiscal years 2021 and prior.

Adjusted EBITDA represents, as applicable for the period, EBITDA as further adjusted for certain items summarized below in this press release. Adjusted EBITDA margin represents Adjusted EBITDA divided by net revenues. Sales per Submission represents Medicare Revenue per Submission as further adjusted for certain items summarized below in this press release. Cost per Submission represents Operating Expense per Submission as further adjusted for certain items summarized below in this press release. Adjusted Gross Margin represents Sales per Submission less Cost per Submission.

We use non-GAAP financial measures to supplement financial information presented on a GAAP basis. We believe that excluding certain items from our GAAP results allows management to better understand our consolidated financial performance from period to period and better project our future consolidated financial performance as forecasts are developed at a level of detail different from that used to prepare GAAP-based financial measures. Moreover, we believe these non-GAAP financial measures provide our stakeholders with useful information to help them evaluate our operating results by facilitating an enhanced understanding of our operating performance and enabling them to make more meaningful period to period comparisons. Adjusted EBITDA is used as a basis for certain compensation programs sponsored by the Company. There are limitations to the use of the non-GAAP financial measures presented in this press release. For example, our non-GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies. Other companies, including companies in our industry, may calculate non-GAAP financial measures differently than we do, limiting the usefulness of those measures for comparative purposes.

The non-GAAP financial measures are not meant to be considered as indicators of performance in isolation from or as a substitute for the most directly comparable measures prepared in accordance with GAAP, and should be read only in conjunction with financial information presented on a GAAP basis. Reconciliations of each of EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, net revenue excluding the Lookback Adjustments, Adjusted EBITDA excluding the Lookback Adjustments, net revenue excluding both the Non-Encompass BPO Services revenue and the Lookback Adjustments, Adjusted EBITDA excluding both the Non-Encompass BPO Services gross margin and the Lookback Adjustments, Sales per Submission, Cost per Submission and Adjusted Gross Margin per Submission to its most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, are presented in the tables below in this press release. We encourage you to review the reconciliations in conjunction with the presentation of the non-GAAP financial measures for each of the periods presented. In future periods, we may exclude similar items, may incur income and expenses similar to these excluded items and include other expenses, costs and non-recurring items.

The Company is unable to provide a full reconciliation of guidance for Adjusted EBITDA without unreasonable effort because it is not possible to predict certain adjustment items with a reasonable degree of certainty since they are not yet known or quantifiable, and do not relate to the Company’s routine activities. This information is dependent upon future events, which may be outside of the Company’s control and could have a significant impact on its GAAP financial results for fiscal year 2023.

Glossary

  • “Adjusted EBITDA” represents, as applicable for the period, EBITDA as further adjusted for certain items summarized below in this press release.
  • “Adjusted EBITDA Margin” refers to Adjusted EBITDA divided by net revenues.
  • “Adjusted Gross Margin per Submission” refers to Sales per Submission less Cost per Submission.
  • “Cash Adjusted EBITDA” refers to Adjusted EBITDA plus a decrease or less an increase in the year over year change in our net contract asset.
  • “Cost of Submission” refers to the aggregate cost to convert prospects into Submissions during a particular period. Cost of Submission is comprised of revenue share, marketing and advertising expenses and customer care and enrollment expenses, excluding share-based compensation expense, the impact of revenue adjustments recorded in the period, but relating to performance obligations satisfied in prior periods and such expenses related to Non-Encompass BPO Services.
  • “Cost per Submission” refers to (x) the aggregate cost to convert prospects into Submissions for a particular period (comprised of revenue share, marketing and advertising expenses, and customer care and enrollment expenses, excluding share-based compensation expense and such expenses related to Non-Encompass BPO Services) divided by (y) number of Submissions.
  • “EBITDA” represents net income (loss) before interest expense, income tax expense (benefit) and depreciation and amortization expense.
  • “Gross margin” refers to net revenue divided by revenue share, marketing and advertising expenses and customer care and enrollment expenses.
  • “Lookback Adjustment” refers to negative revenue adjustments that represent changes in estimates relating to performance obligations satisfied in prior periods
  • “LTV” refers to the Lifetime Value of Commissions, which we define as aggregate commissions estimated to be collected over the estimated life of all commissionable Submissions for the relevant period based on multiple factors, including but not limited to, contracted commission rates, health plan partner mix and expected policy persistency with applied constraints.
  • “Non-Encompass BPO Services” refer to programs in which GoHealth-employed agents are dedicated to certain health plan partners and agencies we partner with outside of the Encompass operating model.
  • “Sales per Submission” refers to (x) the sum of (i) aggregate commissions estimated to be collected over the estimated life of all commissionable Submissions for the relevant period based on multiple factors, including but not limited to, contracted commission rates, health plan partner mix and expected policy persistency with applied constraints, excluding revenue adjustments recorded in the period, but relating to performance obligations satisfied in prior periods, (ii) non-agency revenue, and (iii) partner marketing and other revenue, divided by (y) the number of Submissions for such period.
  • “Sales/Cost of Submission” refers to (x) the sum of (i) aggregate commissions estimated to be collected over the estimated life of all commissionable Submissions for the relevant period based on multiple factors, including but not limited to, contracted commission rates, health plan partner mix and expected policy persistency with applied constraints, excluding revenue adjustments recorded in the period, but relating to performance obligations satisfied in prior periods, (ii) non-agency revenue and (iii) partner marketing and other revenue, divided by (y) the aggregate cost to convert prospects into Submissions (comprised of revenue share, marketing and advertising expenses, and customer care and enrollment expenses, excluding share-based compensation expense) for such period. Sales/Cost of Submission exclude amounts related to Non-Encompass BPO Services.
  • “Submission” refers to either (i) a completed application with our licensed agent that is submitted to the health plan partner and subsequently approved by the health plan partner during the indicated period, excluding applications through our Non-Encompass BPO Services or (ii) a transfer by our agent to the health plan partner through the Encompass operating model during the indicated period.

View full release here.

Source: GoHealth, Inc.

Release – Bit Digital, Inc. Announces Date for Fiscal Year 2023 Financial Results and Conference Call

Posted on by aweinsoff@channelchek.com

Research News and Market Data on BTBT

NEW YORK, March 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Bit Digital, Inc. (Nasdaq: BTBT) (“Bit Digital” or the “Company”), a sustainable platform for digital assets and artificial intelligence (“AI”) infrastructure headquartered in New York, announced today that it will release its fiscal year 2023 results on Monday, March 18, 2024, after the stock market closes. Senior management will host a live webcast and conference call to review the results on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, at 10 a.m. ET.

To register for the earnings call, please click here.

The Company will issue a press release regarding the fiscal year 2023 earnings prior to the conference call. The press release will be posted on the Bit Digital website at www.bit-digital.com.

About Bit Digital

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

Investor Notice 

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Before making an investment decision, you should carefully consider the risks, uncertainties and forward-looking statements described under “Risk Factors” in Item 3.D of our most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022. If any material risk was to occur, our business, financial condition or results of operations would likely suffer. In that event, the value of our securities could decline and you could lose part or all of your investment. The risks and uncertainties we describe are not the only ones facing us. Additional risks not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business operations. In addition, our past financial performance may not be a reliable indicator of future performance, and historical trends should not be used to anticipate results in the future. Future changes in the network-wide mining difficulty rate or bitcoin hash rate may also materially affect the future performance of Bit Digital’s production of bitcoin. Actual operating results will vary depending on many factors including network difficulty rate, total hash rate of the network, the operations of our facilities, the status of our miners, and other factors.

Safe Harbor Statement 

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

Source: Bit Digital, Inc.

Release – Comtech to Report Second Quarter Fiscal 2024 Results on March 18, 2024

Posted on by aweinsoff@channelchek.com

Research News and Market Data on CMTL

BY THE COMTECH EDITORIAL TEAM – MAR 13, 2024 | < 1 MIN READ

MELVILLE, N.Y. – March 13, 2024– Comtech (NASDAQ: CMTL) today announced that it plans to release its second quarter fiscal 2024 results after the market closes on Monday, March 18, 2024.

At 5:00 p.m. ET that day, the Company will hold a conference call to discuss its second quarter fiscal 2024 results, operations, and business trends. A webcast of the call will be available to the public at the investor relations section of the Comtech web site at www.comtech.com. Alternatively, investors can access the conference call by dialing (800) 225-9448 (domestic) or (203) 518-9708 (international) and using the conference I.D. of “Comtech.” A replay of the call will also be available by dialing (888) 566-0825 or (402) 220-0427 through Monday, April 1, 2024.

About Comtech

Comtech Telecommunications Corp. is a leading global technology company providing terrestrial and wireless network solutions, next-generation 9-1-1 emergency services, satellite and space communications technologies, and cloud native capabilities to commercial and government customers around the world. Our unique culture of innovation and employee empowerment unleashes a relentless passion for customer success. With multiple facilities located in technology corridors throughout the United States and around the world, Comtech leverages our global presence, technology leadership, and decades of experience to create the world’s most innovative communications solutions.For more information, please visit www.comtech.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain information in this press release contains statements that are forward-looking in nature and involve certain significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from such forward-looking information. The Company’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings identify many such risks and uncertainties. Any forward-looking information in this press release is qualified in its entirety by the risks and uncertainties described in such Securities and Exchange Commission filings.

PCMTL

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240313308920/en/

Comtech Investor Relations

Maria Ceriello

631-962-7102

investors@comtech.com

Conduent Inc. (CNDT) – Peering Through The Fog Of Its Transition

Posted on by cpereira@noblefcm.com


Thursday, March 14, 2024

Patrick McCann, CFA, Research Analyst, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

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

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

Initiating Coverage. We are initiating coverage with an Outperform rating and a $9 price target. While our initial recommendation is based on a sum of the parts analysis, we believe that the shares will eventually reflect its attractive ongoing businesses following its current rationalization and streamlining of its portfolio. 

A transitional story. Since spinning off from Xerox in 2017, the company has sold several businesses, changed key members of the management team and simplified the business. Importantly, in the second half of 2023, the company announced the divestitures of three businesses that are expected to close in the first half of 2024. While the transitional story is not complete, there appears to be light at the end of the tunnel. 


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Equity Research is available at no cost to Registered users of Channelchek. Not a Member? Click ‘Join’ to join the Channelchek Community. There is no cost to register, and we never collect credit card information.

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. 

InPlay Oil (IPOOF) – Operating and financial results in line with expectations

Posted on by cpereira@noblefcm.com


Thursday, March 14, 2024

InPlay Oil is a junior oil and gas exploration and production company with operations in Alberta focused on light oil production. The company operates long-lived, low-decline properties with drilling development and enhanced oil recovery potential as well as undeveloped lands with exploration possibilities. The common shares of InPlay trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol IPO and the OTCQX Exchange under the symbol IPOOF.

Michael Heim, Senior Vice President, Equity Research Analyst, Energy & Transportation, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

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

Quarterly production in line with recently reduced guidance. InPlay reported 2023 production volume of 9,025 boe/day consistent with guidance of 9,000-9,100 boe/day. We had expressed concern that the previous decline in guidance reflected a sharper production decline curve than previously expected. Management assures that the decline curve has not changed and the decline reflects a shift towards drilling oil wells which have a lower initial production rate than gas wells. 

InPlay released a reserve report for the 2023 year end. The reserve report shows a modest reduction in reserves and reserve value implying a reserve replacement rate slightly below 1.0 times. The calculation is somewhat complicated by changing assumptions regarding assumed energy pricing and recoverability. The report indicated a finding, development and acquisition cost of $23.36/boe which is attractive compared to current prices.


Get the Full Report

Equity Research is available at no cost to Registered users of Channelchek. Not a Member? Click ‘Join’ to join the Channelchek Community. There is no cost to register, and we never collect credit card information.

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. 

Comtech Telecommunications (CMTL) – A CEO Change

Posted on by cpereira@noblefcm.com


Thursday, March 14, 2024

Comtech Telecommunications Corp. engages in the design, development, production, and marketing of products, systems, and services for advanced communications solutions in the United States and internationally. It operates in three segments: Telecommunications Transmission, Mobile Data Communications, and RF Microwave Amplifiers. The Telecommunications Transmission segment provides satellite earth station equipment and systems, over-the-horizon microwave systems, and forward error correction technology, which are used in various commercial and government applications, including backhaul of wireless and cellular traffic, broadcasting (including HDTV), IP-based communications traffic, long distance telephony, and secure defense applications. The Mobile Data Communications segment provides mobile satellite transceivers, and computers and satellite earth station network gateways and associated installation, training, and maintenance services; supplies and operates satellite packet data networks, including arranging and providing satellite capacity; and offers microsatellites and related components. The RF Microwave Amplifiers segment designs, develops, manufactures, and markets satellite earth station traveling wave tube amplifiers (TWTA) and broadband amplifiers. Its amplifiers are used in broadcast and broadband satellite communication; defense applications, such as telecommunications systems and electronic warfare systems; and commercial applications comprising oncology treatment systems, as well as to amplify signals carrying voice, video, or data for air-to-satellite-to-ground communications. The company serves satellite systems integrators, wireless and other communication service providers, broadcasters, defense contractors, military, governments, and oil companies. Comtech markets its products through independent representatives and value-added resellers. The company was founded in 1967 and is headquartered in Melville, New York.

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

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

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

CEO Change. Yesterday, in a surprise move, Comtech’s Board of Directors terminated Ken Peterman as President and CEO. Mr. Peterman also will cease to serve on the Board. Mr. Peterman’s termination was for conduct unrelated to Comtech’s business strategy, financial results, or previously filed financial statements, according to the Company. The Board appointed John Ratigan, Chief Corporate Development Officer (CCDO), as interim Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately.

Ratigan Background. Mr. Ratigan, a former Chief Executive Officer, is an accomplished executive who brings over three decades of experience and senior leadership expertise across the global satellite technology sector. He has an extensive background in satellite communications, as well as a deep familiarity with Comtech, having spent ten years at EF Data Corp. prior to its acquisition by Comtech in July 2000. Mr. Ratigan was named CCDO in November 2023.


Get the Full Report

Equity Research is available at no cost to Registered users of Channelchek. Not a Member? Click ‘Join’ to join the Channelchek Community. There is no cost to register, and we never collect credit card information.

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. 

Drivers Brace for Higher Gas Prices as Oil Costs Spike

Posted on by slightbourne@noblecapitalmarkets.com

Motorists across the nation are once again feeling the pinch at the gas pump as oil prices have climbed sharply in recent months. After a brief reprieve earlier this year, the national average price for a gallon of regular gasoline has risen over 18 cents in just the last month to around $3.40 according to AAA data. Experts warn that prices could jump another 10-15 cents over the next couple of weeks alone.

The primary culprit behind the surge is the rising cost of crude oil. Both the U.S. benchmark West Texas Intermediate and the global Brent crude have seen prices spike, with WTI crude now hovering around $79 per barrel and Brent north of $83 per barrel. Just a few months ago, WTI started 2024 just over $70 a barrel.

As crude gets more expensive for refiners to purchase, the costs get passed along to consumers in the form of higher gasoline prices. Tighter supplies and seasonal factors are also contributing to price increases at the pump.

“This week, Gulf Coast refiners began transitioning to more expensive summer blend gasoline, which accounts for nearly 50% of the nation’s refining capacity,” said Andy Lipow of Lipow Oil Associates. “That switch means higher prices are ahead.”

California drivers are being hit particularly hard, with the statewide average price per gallon already at a lofty $4.88 as of Wednesday. Refinery maintenance, lower inventory levels, and the changeover to summer blends have caused California gas prices to jump around 25 cents in recent weeks according to Lipow.

The overall lower supply situation is being exacerbated by disruptions at some key refineries. For example, BP’s massive Whiting refinery in Indiana, the largest in the Midwest, is still recovering from a recent power outage caused by cold weather that impacted production.

Historically, spring represents the start of the annual rise in gas prices as refiners transition to summer blends and demand picks up with more drivers hitting the road after the winter months. Consumer demand typically peaks during summer’s peak driving season.

While higher energy costs were one of the main factors driving an unexpected increase in inflation in February, rising gas prices take an oversized toll on household budgets. The latest Consumer Price Index data showed the gasoline index spiked 3.8% last month alone after declining in January.

Analysts caution there is likely more pain at the pump on the horizon with the summer driving season still ahead. Unless crude oil prices reverse course or refining capacity increases, American drivers can expect gasoline to remain unusually expensive compared to this time last year.

“With the industry having less refining capacity and the economy remaining relatively strong, I expect retail gasoline prices to set new records across the nation in the coming months,” Lipow stated.

Whether taking a road trip for spring break or commuting to and from work and activities, consumers have little choice but to absorb the impact of elevated gas prices cutting into other spending. Budgets will be further squeezed if crude oil costs remain stubbornly high and gasoline supply remains tight.

TikTok Bill Sends Shockwaves Through Tech World

Posted on by slightbourne@noblecapitalmarkets.com

The House of Representatives has fired a major salvo in the battle over TikTok, passing legislation that could lead to a nationwide ban of the wildly popular social media app. The bill, which passed with bipartisan support by a 352-65 vote, gives ByteDance, TikTok’s Chinese parent company, a stark choice – divest its ownership of TikTok or see the app effectively prohibited from operating in the United States.

This dramatic escalation in Washington’s war on TikTok, driven by concerns over data privacy and the app’s perceived ties to the Chinese government, has sent shockwaves rippling through Silicon Valley and Wall Street. While the bill’s future remains uncertain as it heads to the Senate, the specter of losing access to one of the world’s largest markets has tech giants and investors on edge.

For the big tech behemoths like Apple and Google who control the app stores, a TikTok ban could be a double-edged sword. On one hand, removing TikTok opens up their platforms to competitors eager to fill the void. But it also sets a concerning precedent of the government dictating what apps can operate, potentially opening the door to bans on other apps down the line.

The fallout could be even more severe for ByteDance and TikTok. Analysts estimate that a forced sale of TikTok’s U.S. operations could fetch a staggering $60 billion or more given the app’s massive stateside user base and potential for future monetization. However, ByteDance may choose to remove TikTok from the U.S. entirely rather than divest it.

Such a development would be a seismic disruption not just for TikTok’s core business, but for the legions of creators, influencers, and businesses who have built audiences, brands, and revenue streams on the platform. Many are already working feverishly to diversify away from TikTok in anticipation of a potential ban.

The ripple effects could be felt across the tech sector and extend to adjacent industries like entertainment, advertising, and media that have been reshaped by the rise of TikTok and other social apps. Any mass exodus of users, creators and brands from TikTok would reshuffle the digital landscape in unpredictable ways.

On Wall Street, tech investors are scrambling to gauge the impact across portfolios. While some think established players like Meta could benefit from TikTok’s potential exit, others worry about the broader chilling effect on innovation from a precedent-setting ban of a consumer app over national security concerns.

Prominent Republican financier Keith Rabois summed up the stakes, declaring the TikTok bill an “IQ test” for lawmakers and vowing to withhold donations from those who oppose it. The tensions highlight how the issue has become a political lightning rod stretching beyond just the tech world.

As the bill moves to the Senate, the ultimate resolution remains unclear. TikTok has defiantly pushed back, framing the bill as a violation of free speech. The Biden administration has stopped short of endorsing an outright ban while reiterating data security concerns. And former President Trump, who tried to ban TikTok in 2020, expressed reservations about handing a competitive windfall to Facebook.

What is certain is that Congress has now made its opening gambit to bring the hammer down on TikTok and its Chinese ownership. The shock waves from that decision will continue reverberating across the tech industry and markets as they brace for the uncharted waters ahead.

Release – Comtech Appoints John Ratigan as Interim Chief Executive Officer

Posted on by aweinsoff@channelchek.com

Research News and Market Data on CMTL

BY THE COMTECH EDITORIAL TEAM – MAR 13, 2024 | 5 MIN READ

Mark Quinlan Named Chair of the Board

MELVILLE, N.Y. – Comtech (NASDAQ: CMTL) (the “Company”) today announced that its Board of Directors has appointed John Ratigan, Chief Corporate Development Officer (“CCDO”), as interim Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Mr. Ratigan succeeds Ken Peterman, who has been terminated as President and CEO and will cease to serve on the Board. Mr. Peterman’s termination was for conduct unrelated to Comtech’s business strategy, financial results or previously filed financial statements.

Mr. Ratigan, a former Chief Executive Officer, is an accomplished executive who brings over three decades of experience and senior leadership expertise across the global satellite technology sector. He has an extensive background in satellite communications, as well as a deep familiarity with Comtech, having spent ten years at EF Data Corp. prior to its acquisition by Comtech in July 2000, driving significant revenue growth over the course of his tenure. As CCDO at Comtech, Mr. Ratigan has proven himself an instrumental member of the executive team, identifying and optimizing market shifts currently underway and executing on the Company’s One Comtech strategy.

In addition, the Board has elected current Board member Mark Quinlan as Chair of the Board.

“The Board is committed to upholding the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct,” said Mark Quinlan, Chair of the Comtech Board. “The Comtech Board remains committed to our strategy and mission of serving the complex and secure connectivity needs of the government and commercial sectors. We are fortunate to have a leader of John’s caliber leading Comtech’s talented organization at this important moment as we continue to deliver mission-critical solutions to our global customer base. With our commitment to innovation and competitive market position, Comtech is well positioned to capitalize on the significant growth opportunities ahead.”

“As a leading global provider of next-generation 911 systems, secure wireless technologies and satellite communications, Comtech is at the forefront of innovative trusted connectivity solutions,” said Mr. Ratigan. “I look forward to working closely with the leadership team and the Board as we continue successfully executing on One Comtech, building on the Company’s recent momentum and creating value for shareholders, customers, partners, employees and other stakeholders.”

The Board will initiate a search for a permanent successor and intends to retain a leading executive search firm to assist in the process.

The Company expects to report its financial results and file its Form 10-Q for the quarter ended January 31, 2024, on March 18, 2024.

About John Ratigan

Before joining Comtech in November 2023 as the Company’s first Chief Corporate Development Officer, Mr. Ratigan served as CEO and President of iDirect Government, LLC and as an Executive Committee Member of ST Engineering iDirect, Inc. During his tenure, he grew iDirect Government to over $100 million in annual revenue and spearheaded the acquisition of GlowLink Communications Technologies, Inc. and its unique interference mitigation technology (CSIR), which helped the company become the largest provider of Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) SATCOM capabilities. Earlier in his career, Mr. Ratigan ran East Coast operations for Fairchild Data Corporation and EF Data Corp., which is now a part of Comtech. During his time at EF Data, he was instrumental in helping the company grow from $20 million to $120 million in revenue in under eight years. Prior to that, Mr. Ratigan held the position of Senior Vice President of North and South American sales for the start-up BroadLogic Network Technologies, Inc. He began his career in the United States Senate working for Senator Bill Armstrong (R-Colorado) and held multiple sales positions with the Xerox Corporation as a member of the legal sales team.

Mr. Ratigan holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from the University of Maryland.

About Comtech

Comtech Telecommunications Corp. (Comtech) is a leading global technology company providing terrestrial and wireless network solutions, next-generation 9-1-1 emergency services, satellite and space communications technologies, and cloud native capabilities to commercial and government customers around the world. Our unique culture of innovation and employee empowerment unleashes a relentless passion for customer success. With multiple facilities located in technology corridors throughout the United States and around the world, Comtech leverages our global presence, technology leadership, and decades of experience to create the world’s most innovative communications solutions. For more information, please visit www.comtech.com.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain information presented herein contains, and oral statements made by our representatives from time to time may contain, forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as: “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “future,” “goal,” “outlook,” “intend,” “likely,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “seek,” “should,” “strategy,” “target,” “will,” “would,” and similar references to future periods. Examples of forward-looking statements include, among others, statements we make regarding our future performance and financial condition, plans to address our ability to continue as a going concern, plans and objectives of our management and our assumptions regarding such future performance, financial condition, and plans and objectives that involve certain significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors not under our control which may cause our actual results, future performance and financial condition, and achievement of our plans and objectives of our management to be materially different from the results, performance or other expectations implied by these forward-looking statements. These factors include, among other things: our ability to access capital and liquidity so that we are able to continue as a going concern; our ability to successfully implement changes in our executive leadership; the possibility that the expected synergies and benefits from acquisitions and or restructuring activities will not be fully realized, or will not be realized within the anticipated time periods; the risk that acquired businesses will not be integrated successfully; the possibility of disruption from acquisitions or dispositions, making it more difficult to maintain business and operational relationships or retain key personnel; the risk that we will be unsuccessful in implementing our “One Comtech” transformation and integration of individual businesses into two segments; the risk that we will be unsuccessful in implementing a tactical shift in our Satellite and Space Communications segment away from bidding on large commodity service contracts and toward pursuing contracts for our niche products and solutions with higher margins; the nature and timing of our receipt of, and our performance on, new or existing orders that can cause significant fluctuations in net sales and operating results; the timing and funding of government contracts; adjustments to gross profits on long-term contracts; risks associated with international sales; rapid technological change; evolving industry standards; new product announcements and enhancements; changing customer demands and or procurement strategies; changes in prevailing economic and political conditions, including as a result of Russia’s military incursion into Ukraine, the Israel-Hamas war and escalating attacks in the Red Sea region; changes in the price of oil in global markets; changes in prevailing interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates; risks associated with our legal proceedings, customer claims for indemnification, and other similar matters; risks associated with our obligations under our Credit Facility and our ability to refinance our Credit Facility; risks associated with our large contracts; risks associated with supply chain disruptions; and other factors described in this and our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240313012380/en/

Investor Relations

Maria Ceriello

631-962-7102

investors@comtech.com

Media Contact

Jamie Clegg

480-532-2523

jamie.clegg@comtech.com