Category: Americas

  • MIL-OSI: Beneficient Reports Results for Third Quarter Fiscal 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

     

    Announced Proposed Transaction to Increase Tangible Book Value to Ben Public Company Stockholders by $9 Million on 8.4 Million Shares Outstanding, Permanent Equity Increased by $35 Million

    Completed First Primary Capital Transaction as Part of Ongoing Business Development Activities

    Announced Proposed International Bank Acquisition to Expand Alternative and Digital Asset Markets Capabilities

    DALLAS, Feb. 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Beneficient (NASDAQ: BENF) (“Ben” or the “Company”), a technology-enabled platform providing exit opportunities and primary capital solutions and related trust and custody services to holders of alternative assets through its proprietary online platform, AltAccess, today reported its financial results for the fiscal 2025 third quarter, which ended December 31, 2024.

    Commenting on the fiscal 2025 third quarter results, Beneficient management said: “Our fiscal third quarter was focused on key steps that we believe will ready Ben for significant new activities in delivering liquidity, primary capital and digital asset markets solutions – which we believe are all opportunities to disrupt and enhance the solutions available to large financial audiences. During the fiscal third quarter, we also closed our first primary capital transaction and are seeking additional opportunities.

    “A complementary part of our plan is the proposed acquisition of Mercantile Bank International Corp. (“Mercantile Bank”), a Puerto Rico-based International Financial Entity, which is expected to enable Ben to offer an expanded range of digital asset market solutions and companion custody, clearing and control account fee-based services. We intend to drive new growth opportunities in calendar 2025, which we believe have the potential to generate above market fee rates. These efforts are expected to further build out our expansive model and enable the Company to benefit from a growing range of trust, custody and other services we provide as well as the underlying performance of the private equity assets held in trust.

    “Additionally, we are pleased to have continued to strengthen our capital structure, increasing our permanent equity by $35 million through a re-designation of certain preferred equity. Furthermore, we executed an agreement to complete additional transactions designed to revise the liquidation priority of Beneficient Company Holdings, L.P. (“BCH”) and deliver other benefits to our public company stockholders provided by entities controlled by our founders, which are expected to become increasingly visible as the Company enters into more liquidity and primary capital transactions.”

    Third Quarter Fiscal 2025 and Recent Highlights (for the quarter ended December 31, 2024 or as noted):

    • Reported investments with a fair value of $334.3 million, increased from $329.1 million at the end of our prior fiscal year, served as collateral for Ben Liquidity’s net loan portfolio of $260.6 million and $256.2 million, respectively. Reported investments include our first primary capital transaction with a closing of $1.4 million on December 31, 2024.
    • Revenues increased to $4.4 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2025 as compared to $(10.2) million in the same quarter of fiscal 2024. For the nine months ended December 31, 2024, revenues for fiscal 2025 were $23.0 million as compared to $(55.7) million for fiscal 2024.
    • Operating expenses declined 98% to $13.9 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2025, as compared to $905.7 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2024, which included a non-cash goodwill impairment of $883.2 million. For the nine months ended December 31, 2024, operating expenses for fiscal 2025 were $1.9 million, which included the release of a loss contingency accrual of $55.0 million and non-cash goodwill impairment of $3.7 million, as compared to $2.4 billion in fiscal 2024, which included non-cash goodwill impairment of $2.3 billion.
    • Excluding the non-cash goodwill impairment in the prior comparable period, operating expenses declined 38% to $13.9 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2025 as compared to $22.5 million in the same period of fiscal 2024. For the nine months ended December 31, 2024, excluding the non-cash goodwill impairment and the loss contingency release in each period, as applicable, operating expenses were $53.2 million in fiscal 2025 as compared to $111.7 million in fiscal 2024.
    • Improved permanent equity from a deficit of $148.3 million as of June 30, 2024 to a positive $14.3 million as of December 31, 2024 through a combination of redesignating approximately $160.5 million of temporary equity to permanent equity and additional capital from equity sales and liquidity transactions offset by net loss allocable to permanent equity classified securities of $6.9 million during the applicable period.
    • Announced proposed transaction on December 23, 2024 to revise the liquidation priority of BCH and provide other benefits to our public company shareholders, which on a proforma basis, amounts to $9.2 million of tangible book value to Ben’s public company stockholders(1) using December 31, 2024 financial information, as compared to no book value to Ben’s public company stockholders absent the transaction.
    • Announced an agreement to acquire Mercantile Bank in exchange for an aggregate purchase price of $1.5 million, subject to certain closing conditions, which is expected to enable Ben to offer an expanded range of digital asset markets solutions and companion custody, clearing and control account fee-based services that generate additional cash flow in calendar 2025, including additional alternative asset custody services with the potential to generate higher fee rates than are generally available for traditional custody services.

    Loan Portfolio

    As a result of executing on our business plan of providing financing for liquidity, or early investment exits, for alternative asset marketplace participants, Ben organically develops a balance sheet comprised largely of loans collateralized by a well- diversified alternative asset portfolio that is expected to grow as Ben successfully executes on its core business.

    Ben’s balance sheet strategy for ExAlt Loan origination is built on the theory of the portfolio endowment model for the fiduciary financings we make by utilizing our patent-pending computer implemented technologies branded as OptimumAlt. Our OptimumAlt endowment model balance sheet approach guides diversification of our fiduciary financings across seven asset classes of alternative assets, over 11 industry sectors in which alternative asset managers invest, and at least six countrywide exposures and multiple vintages of dates of investment into the private funds and companies.

    As of December 31, 2024, Ben’s loan portfolio was supported by a highly diversified alternative asset collateral portfolio providing diversification across approximately 220 private market funds and approximately 750 investments across various asset classes, industry sectors and geographies. This portfolio includes exposure to some of the most exciting, sought after private company names worldwide, such as the largest private space exploration company, an innovative software and payment systems provider, a venture capital firm investing in waste-to-energy and clean energy technologies, a technology company providing Net Zero solutions in the production of advanced biofuels, a designer and manufacturer of shaving products, a large online store for women’s clothes and other fashionable accessories that has announced intentions to go public, a mobile banking services provider, and others.

    Figure 1: Portfolio Diversification

    Diversification Using Principal Loan Balance, Net of Allowance for Credit Losses

    As of December 31, 2024, the charts below present the ExAlt Loan portfolio’s relative exposure by certain characteristics (percentages determined by aggregate fiduciary ExAlt Loan portfolio principal balance net of allowance for credit losses, which includes the exposure to interests in certain of our former affiliates composing part of the Fiduciary Loan Portfolio).

    As of December 31, 2024. Represents the characteristics of professionally managed funds and investments in the Collateral (defined as follows) portfolio. The Collateral for the ExAlt Loans in the loan portfolio is comprised of a diverse portfolio of direct and indirect interests (through various investment vehicles, including, limited partnership interests and private and public equity and debt securities, which include our and our affiliates’ or our former affiliates’ securities), primarily in third-party, professionally managed private funds and investments. Loan balances usedto calculate the percentages reported in the pie charts are loan balances net of any allowance for credit losses, and as ofDecember 31, 2024, the total allowance for credit losses was$325 million, for a total gross loan balance of$586 millionand a loan balance net of allowance for credit losses of$261 million.

    Business Segments: Third Quarter Fiscal 2025

    Ben Liquidity

    Ben Liquidity offers simple, rapid and cost-effective liquidity products through the use of our proprietary financing and trust structure, or the “Customer ExAlt Trusts,” which facilitate the exchange of a customer’s alternative assets for consideration.

    • Ben Liquidity recognized $11.3 million of interest income for the fiscal third quarter, a decrease of 5.7% from the quarter ended September 30, 2024, primarily due to a higher percentage loans being placed on nonaccrual status, partially offset by the effects of compounding interest on the remaining loans.
    • Operating loss for the fiscal third quarter was $2.9 million, a decline from operating income of $2.9 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2024. The decline in operating performance was due to higher intersegment credit losses in the current fiscal period as compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2024 due to slightly lower collateral values while the amortized cost basis increased principally due to interest capitalizing at a higher rate than loan payments.

    Ben Custody

    Ben Custody provides full-service trust and custody administration services to the trustees of certain of the Customer ExAlt Trusts, which own the exchanged alternative assets following liquidity transactions in exchange for fees payable quarterly calculated as a percentage of assets in custody.

    • NAV of alternative assets and other securities held in custody by Ben Custody during the fiscal third quarter increased to $385.1 million as of December 31, 2024, compared to $381.2 million as of March 31, 2024. The increase was driven by $1.4 million of new originations and unrealized gains on existing assets, principally related adjustments to the relative share held in custody of the respective fund’s NAV based on updated financial information received from the funds’ investment manager or sponsor during the period, offset by distributions during the period.
    • Revenues applicable to Ben Custody were $5.4 million for the fiscal third quarter, compared to $5.4 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2024. The similar amount of revenues for these periods was a result of stable NAV of alternative assets and other securities held in custody at the beginning of each applicable period, when such fees are calculated.
    • Operating income for the fiscal third quarter decreased to $3.5 million, from $4.3 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2024. The decrease was primarily due to credit losses related to certain fees collateralized by securities of our former parent company. Additionally, there was no non-cash goodwill impairment in the third fiscal quarter as compared to non-cash goodwill impairment of $0.3 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2024.
    • Adjusted operating income(1) for the fiscal third quarter was $4.8 million, compared to adjusted operating income(1) of $4.6 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2024. The increase was due to slightly lower operating expenses, principally related to lower employee compensation due to lower headcount.

    Business Segments: Through Nine Months Ended Fiscal 2025

    Ben Liquidity

    • Ben Liquidity recognized $34.1 million of interest income for the nine months ended December 31, 2024, down 6.0% compared to the prior year period, primarily due to lower loans, net of the allowance for credit losses, resulting from higher levels of non-accrual loans and loan prepayments, partially offset by new loans originated.
    • Operating loss was $0.5 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2024, improving from an operating loss of $1.8 billion in the prior year period. The prior period loss was driven by non-cash goodwill impairment totaling $1.7 billion and credit losses largely related to securities of our former parent company.
    • Adjusted operating loss(1) was $0.5 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2024 compared to adjusted operating loss(1) of $11.8 million in the prior year period with the improvement in adjusted operating loss(1) primarily related to lower credit loss adjustments recognized in the current fiscal year and lower employee compensation costs due to lower headcount.

    Ben Custody

    • Ben Custody revenues were $16.2 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2024, down 14.7%, compared to the prior year period, primarily due to lower NAV of alternative assets and other securities held in custody.
    • Operating income was $9.1 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2024 compared to operating loss of $538.8 million in the prior year period, with the increase in operating income principally related to a significantly larger non-cash goodwill impairment in the prior year period of $554.6 million as compared to $3.4 million in the current fiscal year.
    • Adjusted operating income(1) for the nine months ended December 31, 2024 was $13.9 million, compared to adjusted operating income(1) of $15.8 million in the prior year period with the decrease in adjusted operating income(1) primarily due to lower revenue related to lower NAV of alternative assets and other securities held in custody partially offset by slightly lower operating expenses during the current fiscal year period.

    Capital and Liquidity

    • As of December 31, 2024, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $4.1 million and total debt of $122.9 million.
    • Distributions received from alternative assets and other securities held in custody totaled $19.3 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2024, compared to $38.4 million for the same period of fiscal 2024.
    • Total investments (at fair value) of $334.3 million at December 31, 2024 supported Ben Liquidity’s loan portfolio.

    (1) Represents a non-GAAP financial measure. For reconciliations of our non-GAAP measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures and for the reasons we believe the non-GAAP measures provide useful information, see Non-GAAP Reconciliations.

    Board Update

    On November 21, 2024, Karen Wendel was appointed to the Board as an independent director and a member of various committees, including the Audit committee of the Board, bringing substantial additional expertise in Cyber Security, Identity Solutions, Security Regulations, ISO Global Standards, e-Commerce, e-Healthcare, PKI Digital Certificates and Blockchain to Beneficient. Ms. Wendel serves as Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Trust Chains, a cybersecurity consulting firm, and previously served as the Chief Executive Officer and board member of IdenTrust, a global identity solutions company, from May 2003 to February 2016. Ms. Wendel has also served as Chief Executive Officer and a board member for eFinance Corporation, as a board member and audit committee member of Level Field Capital, a Nasdaq-traded special purpose acquisition company, as a partner at the Capital Markets Company (CAPCO), a Belgium-based consulting firm, and is the former head of the U.S. Financial Services Practice at Gemini Consulting. Ms. Wendel is an author on financial management, payments and supply chain integration; an advisor to U.S. government agencies and the European Union on emerging technologies for payments and transaction processing; and a keynote speaker at major international banking conferences.

    Consolidated Fiscal Third Quarter Results

    Table 1 below presents a summary of selected unaudited consolidated operating financial information.

    Consolidated Fiscal Third Quarter Results
    ($ in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
    Fiscal 3Q25
    December 31,
    2024
    Fiscal 2Q25
    September 30,
    2024
    Fiscal 3Q24
    December 31,
    2023
    Change %
    vs. Prior
    Quarter
      YTD Fiscal
    2025
    YTD Fiscal
    2024
    Change %
    vs. Prior
    YTD
    GAAP Revenues $ 4,419   $ 8,561   $ (10,235 ) (48.4)%   $ 23,026   $ (55,739 ) NM
    Adjusted Revenues(1)   4,427     8,734     8,456   (49.3)%     23,572     8,478   NM
    GAAP Operating Income (Loss)   (9,513 )   (13,715 )   (915,951 ) 30.6%     21,110     (2,453,685 ) NM
    Adjusted Operating Loss(1)   (7,301 )   (6,611 )   (11,684 ) (10.4)%     (18,638 )   (57,374 ) 67.5%
    Basic Class A EPS $ (1.32 ) $ 2.98   $ (158.36 ) NM   $ 10.30   $ (668.31 ) NM
    Diluted Class A EPS $ (1.32 ) $ 0.03   $ (158.36 ) NM   $ 0.12   $ (668.31 ) NM
    Segment Revenues attributable to Ben’s Equity Holders(2)   16,621     16,626     17,961   —%     49,482     53,715   (7.9)%
    Adjusted Segment Revenues attributable to Ben’s Equity Holders (1)(2)   16,621     16,626     18,146   —%     49,489     55,059   (10.1)%
    Segment Operating Income (Loss) attributable to Ben’s Equity Holders   (8,281 )   (9,192 )   (894,617 ) 9.9%     27,391     (2,414,893 ) NM
    Adjusted Segment Operating Loss attributable to Ben’s Equity Holders(1)(2) $ (4,737 ) $ (2,261 ) $ (4,594 ) NM   $ (11,551 ) $ (37,583 ) 69.3%

    NM – Not meaningful.

    (1) Adjusted Revenues, Adjusted Operating Loss, Adjusted Segment Revenues attributable to Ben’s Equity Holders and Adjusted Segment Operating Loss attributable to Ben’s Equity Holders are non-GAAP financial measures. For reconciliations of our non-GAAP measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures and for the reasons we believe the non-GAAP measures provide useful information, see Non-GAAP Reconciliations.

    (2) Segment financial information attributable to Ben’s equity holders is presented to provide users of our financial information an understanding and visual aide of the segment information (revenues, operating income (loss), and adjusted operating income (loss)) that impacts Ben’s Equity Holders. “Ben’s Equity Holders” refers to the holders of Beneficient Class A and Class B common stock and Series B Preferred Stock as well as holders of interests in BCH which represent noncontrolling interests. For a description of noncontrolling interests, see Item 2 of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the nine months ended December 31, 2024, and Reconciliation of Business Segment Information Attributable to Ben’s Equity Holders to Net Income Attributable to Ben Common Holders. Such information is computed as the sum of the Ben Liquidity, Ben Custody and Corp/Other segments since it is the operating results of those segments that determine the net income (loss) attributable to Ben’s Equity Holders. See further information in table 5 and Non-GAAP Reconciliations.

    Table 2 below presents a summary of selected unaudited consolidated balance sheet information.

    Consolidated Fiscal Third Quarter Results
    ($ in thousands)
    Fiscal 3Q25
    As of
    December 31, 2024
      Fiscal 4Q24
    As of
    March 31, 2024
      Change %
    Investments, at Fair Value $ 334,278   $ 329,119   1.6%
    All Other Assets   52,720     22,676   132.5%
    Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Net   13,014     16,706   (22.1)%
    Total Assets $ 400,012   $ 368,501   8.6%


    Business Segment Information Attributable to Ben’s Equity Holders
    (1)

    Table 3 below presents unaudited segment revenues and segment operating income (loss) for business segments attributable to Ben’s equity holders.

    Segment Revenues Attributable to Ben’s Equity Holders(1)
    ($ in thousands)
    Fiscal 3Q25
    December 31,
    2024
    Fiscal 2Q25
    September 30,
    2024
    Fiscal 3Q24
    December 31,
    2023
    Change %
    vs. Prior
    Quarter
      YTD Fiscal
    2025
    YTD Fiscal
    2024
    Change %
    vs. Prior
    YTD
    Ben Liquidity $ 11,297   $ 11,978   $ 11,275 (5.7)%   $ 34,124   $ 36,303   (6.0)%
    Ben Custody   5,410     5,386     5,897 0.4%     16,178     18,961   (14.7)%
    Corporate & Other   (86 )   (738 )   789 88.3%     (820 )   (1,549 ) 47.1%
    Total Segment Revenues Attributable to Ben’s Equity Holders(1) $ 16,621   $ 16,626   $ 17,961 %   $ 49,482   $ 53,715   (7.9)%
    Segment Operating Income (Loss) Attributable to Ben’s Equity Holders(1)
    ($ in thousands)
    Fiscal 3Q25
    December 31,
    2024
    Fiscal 2Q25
    September 30,
    2024
    Fiscal 3Q24
    December 31,
    2023
    Change %
    vs. Prior
    Quarter
      YTD Fiscal
    2025
    YTD Fiscal
    2024
    Change %
    vs. Prior
    YTD
    Ben Liquidity $ (2,853 ) $ 2,905   $ (606,405 ) NM   $ (462 ) $ (1,781,521 ) 100.0%
    Ben Custody   3,507     4,329     (267,995 ) (19.0)%     9,123     (538,840 ) NM
    Corporate & Other   (8,935 )   (16,426 )   (20,217 ) 45.6%     18,730     (94,532 ) NM
    Total Segment Operating Income (Loss) Attributable to Ben’s Equity Holders(1) $ (8,281 ) $ (9,192 ) $ (894,617 ) 9.9%   $ 27,391   $ (2,414,893 ) NM

    NM – Not meaningful.

    (1) Segment financial information attributable to Ben’s equity holders is presented to provide users of our financial information an understanding and visual aide of the segment information (revenues, operating income (loss), and adjusted operating income (loss)) that impacts Ben’s Equity Holders. “Ben’s Equity Holders” refers to the holders of Beneficient Class A and Class B common stock and Series B Preferred Stock as well as holders of interests in BCH which represent noncontrolling interests. For a description of noncontrolling interests, see Item 2 of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the nine months ended December 31, 2024, and Reconciliation of Business Segment Information Attributable to Ben’s Equity Holders to Net Income Attributable to Ben Common Holders. Such information is computed as the sum of the Ben Liquidity, Ben Custody and Corp/Other segments since it is the operating results of those segments that determine the net income (loss) attributable to Ben’s Equity Holders. See further information in table 5 and Non-GAAP Reconciliations.

    Adjusted Business Segment Information Attributable to Ben’s Equity Holders(2)

    Table 4 below presents unaudited adjusted segment revenue and adjusted segment operating income (loss) for business segments attributable to Ben’s equity holders.

    Adjusted Segment Revenues Attributable to Ben’s Equity Holders(1)(2)
    ($ in thousands)
    Fiscal 3Q25
    December 31,
    2024
    Fiscal 2Q25
    September 30,
    2024
    Fiscal 3Q24
    December 31,
    2023
    Change %
    vs. Prior
    Quarter
      YTD Fiscal
    2025
    YTD Fiscal
    2024
    Change %
    vs. Prior
    YTD
    Ben Liquidity $ 11,297   $ 11,978   $ 11,275 (5.7)%   $ 34,124   $ 36,303   (6.0)%
    Ben Custody   5,410     5,386     5,897 0.4%     16,178     18,961   (14.7)%
    Corporate & Other   (86 )   (738 )   974 88.3%     (813 )   (205 ) NM
    Total Adjusted Segment Revenues Attributable to Ben’s Equity Holders(1)(2) $ 16,621   $ 16,626   $ 18,146 %   $ 49,489   $ 55,059   (10.1)%
    Adjusted Segment Operating Income (Loss) Attributable to Ben’s Equity Holders(1)(2)
    ($ in thousands)
    Fiscal 3Q25
    December 31,
    2024
    Fiscal 2Q25
    September 30,
    2024
    Fiscal 3Q24
    December 31,
    2023
    Change %
    vs. Prior
    Quarter
      YTD Fiscal
    2025
    YTD Fiscal
    2024
    Change %
    vs. Prior
    YTD
    Ben Liquidity $ (2,853 ) $ 2,905   $ 2,525   NM   $ (457 ) $ (11,769 ) 96.1%
    Ben Custody   4,847     4,627     4,835   4.8%     13,890     15,767   (11.9)%
    Corporate & Other   (6,731 )   (9,793 )   (11,954 ) 31.3%     (24,984 )   (41,581 ) 39.9%
    Total Adjusted Segment Operating Income (Loss) Attributable to Ben’s Equity Holders(1)(2) $ (4,737 ) $ (2,261 ) $ (4,594 ) NM   $ (11,551 ) $ (37,583 ) 69.3%

    NM – Not meaningful.

    (1) Adjusted Revenues, Adjusted Operating Income (Loss), Adjusted Segment Revenues attributable to Ben’s Equity Holders and Adjusted Segment Operating Income (Loss) attributable to Ben’s Equity Holders are non-GAAP financial measures. For reconciliations of our non-GAAP measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures and for the reasons we believe the non-GAAP measures provide useful information, see Non-GAAP Reconciliations.
    (2) Segment financial information attributable to Ben’s equity holders is presented to provide users of our financial information an understanding and visual aide of the segment information (revenues, operating income (loss), and adjusted operating income (loss)) that impacts Ben’s Equity Holders. “Ben’s Equity Holders” refers to the holders of Beneficient Class A and Class B common stock and Series B Preferred Stock as well as holders of interests in BCH which represent noncontrolling interests. For a description of noncontrolling interests, see Item 2 of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the nine months ended December 31, 2024, and Reconciliation of Business Segment Information Attributable to Ben’s Equity Holders to Net Income Attributable to Ben Common Holders. Such information is computed as the sum of the Ben Liquidity, Ben Custody and Corp/Other segments since it is the operating results of those segments that determine the net income (loss) attributable to Ben’s Equity Holders. See further information in table 5 and Non-GAAP Reconciliations.

    Reconciliation of Business Segment Information Attributable to Ben’s Equity Holders to Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Ben Common Shareholders

    Table 5 below presents reconciliation of operating income (loss) by business segment attributable to Ben’s Equity Holders to net income (loss) attributable to Ben common shareholders.

    Reconciliation of Business Segments to Net Income (Loss) to Ben Common Shareholders
    ($ in thousands)
    Fiscal 3Q25
    December 31,
    2024
    Fiscal 2Q25
    September 30,
    2024
    Fiscal 3Q24
    December 31,
    2023
      YTD Fiscal
    2025
    YTD Fiscal
    2024
    Ben Liquidity $ (2,853 ) $ 2,905   $ (606,405 )   $ (462 ) $ (1,781,521 )
    Ben Custody   3,507     4,329     (267,995 )     9,123     (538,840 )
    Corporate & Other   (8,935 )   (16,426 )   (20,217 )     18,730     (94,532 )
    Loss on debt extinguishment, net (intersegment elimination)           (3,940 )         (3,940 )
    Gain on liability resolution       23,462           23,462      
    Income tax expense (allocable to Ben and BCH equity holders)   (713 )       (75 )     (741 )   (75 )
    Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests – Ben   4,844     3,067     360,695       15,098     401,985  
    Noncontrolling interest guaranteed payment   (4,489 )   (4,423 )   (4,229 )     (13,268 )   (12,501 )
    Net income (loss) attributable to Ben’s common shareholders $ (8,639 ) $ 12,914   $ (542,166 )   $ 51,942   $ (2,029,424 )


    Earnings Webcast

    Beneficient will host a webcast and conference call to review its third quarter financial results on February 13, 2025, at 8:30 am Eastern Standard Time. The webcast will be available via live webcast from the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website at https://shareholders.trustben.com under Events.

    Replay

    The webcast will be archived on the Company’s website in the investor relations section for replay for at least one year.

    About Beneficent

    Beneficient (Nasdaq: BENF) – Ben, for short – is on a mission to democratize the global alternative asset investment market by providing traditionally underserved investors − mid-to-high net worth individuals, small-to-midsized institutions and General Partners seeking exit options, anchor commitments and valued-added services for their funds− with solutions that could help them unlock the value in their alternative assets. Ben’s AltQuote™ tool provides customers with a range of potential exit options within minutes, while customers can log on to the AltAccess® portal to explore opportunities and receive proposals in a secure online environment.

    Its subsidiary, Beneficient Fiduciary Financial, L.L.C., received its charter under the State of Kansas’ Technology-Enabled Fiduciary Financial Institution (TEFFI) Act and is subject to regulatory oversight by the Office of the State Bank Commissioner.

    For more information, visit www.trustben.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

    Contacts
    Investors:
    Matt Kreps/214-597-8200/mkreps@darrowir.com
    Michael Wetherington/214-284-1199/mwetherington@darrowir.com
    investors@beneficient.com

    Important Information and Where You Can Find It

    This press release may be deemed to be solicitation material in respect of a vote of stockholders to approve an amendment to Ben’s articles of incorporation to increase the authorized shares of Class B Common Stock of Ben and the issuance of securities pursuant to the transactions to revise the liquidation priority of BCH (the “Transactions”). In connection with the requisite stockholder approval, Ben will file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) a preliminary proxy statement and a definitive proxy statement, which will be sent to the stockholders of Ben, seeking such approvals related to the Transactions.

    INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS OF BEN AND THEIR RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES ARE URGED TO READ, WHEN AVAILABLE, THE PROXY STATEMENT AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED OR TO BE FILED WITH THE SEC IN CONNECTION WITH THE TRANSACTIONS, AS WELL AS ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS TO THOSE DOCUMENTS, BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT BEN AND THE TRANSACTIONS. Investors and security holders will be able to obtain a free copy of the proxy statement, as well as other relevant documents filed with the SEC containing information about Ben, without charge, at the SEC’s website (http://www.sec.gov). Copies of documents filed with the SEC by Ben can also be obtained, without charge, by directing a request to Investor Relations, Beneficient, 325 North St. Paul Street, Suite 4850, Dallas, Texas 75201, or email investors@beneficient.com.

    Participants in the Solicitation of Proxies in Connection with Transaction

    Ben and certain of its directors, executive officers and employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in respect of the requisite stockholder approvals under the rules of the SEC. Information regarding Ben’s directors and executive officers is available in its annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, which was filed with the SEC on July 9, 2024 and certain current reports on Form 8-K filed by Ben. Other information regarding the participants in the solicitation of proxies with respect to the proposed transaction and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be contained in the proxy statement and other relevant materials to be filed with the SEC. Free copies of these documents, when available, may be obtained as described in the preceding paragraph.

    Not an Offer of Securities

    The information in this communication is for informational purposes only and shall not constitute, or form a part of, an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities. The securities that are the subject of the Transactions have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements.

    Disclaimer and Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, with respect to, among other things, demand for our solutions in the alternative asset industry, opportunities for market growth, statements regarding the proposed Transactions, including expectations of future plans, strategies, and benefits of the Transactions, statements regarding the proposed Mercantile Bank acquisition and estimates regarding future synergies and benefits, our ability to expand the range of digital asset market solutions, and companion custody clearing and control account fee-based services as a result of the proposed Mercantile Bank acquisition, our ability to identify and negotiate transactions, diversification and size of our loan portfolio and our ability to scale operations and provide shareholder value. These forward-looking statements are generally identified by the use of words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “target,” “will,” “would,” and, in each case, their negative or other various or comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements reflect our views with respect to future events as of the date of this document and are based on our management’s current expectations, estimates, forecasts, projections, assumptions, beliefs and information. Although management believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that these expectations will prove to have been correct. All such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside of our control, and could cause future events or results to be materially different from those stated or implied in this document. It is not possible to predict or identify all such risks. These risks include, but are not limited to, the ultimate outcome of the Transactions; the Company’s ability to consummate the Transactions; the ability of the Company to satisfy the closing conditions set forth in the agreement with respect to the Transactions, including obtaining the requisite vote of securityholders; the Company’s ability to meet expectations regarding the timing and completion of the Transactions, the ultimate outcome of the proposed Mercantile Bank acquisition; the Company’s ability to consummate the proposed Mercantile Bank acquisition in a timely manner or at all; the ability of the parties to satisfy the closing conditions to the acquisition; the possibility that the Company may be unable to successfully integrate Mercantile Bank’s operations with those of the Company or realize the expected benefits of the acquisition; the possibility that such integration may be more difficult, time-consuming, or costly than expected; the risk that operating costs, customer loss, and business disruption (including, without limitation, difficulties in maintaining relationships with employees, contractors, and customers) may be greater than expected following the acquisition or the public announcement of the acquisition; the Company’s ability to retain certain key employees of Mercantile Bank; the ability to launch and receive market acceptance for new products and services; risks related to the entry into a new line of business in connection with the proposed Mercantile Bank acquisition, and the risk factors that are described under the section titled “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and other filings with the SEC. These factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements that are included in this document and in our SEC filings. We expressly disclaim any obligation to publicly update or review any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

    Table 6: CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (UNAUDITED)

      Three Months Ended
    December 31,
      Nine Months Ended
    December 31,
    (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)   2024       2023       2024       2023  
    Revenues              
    Investment income, net $ 4,742     $ 7,448     $ 24,311     $ 7,935  
    Loss on financial instruments, net (related party of $(8), $(18,691), $(546) and $(64,217), respectively)   (523 )     (18,024 )     (1,885 )     (64,260 )
    Interest and dividend income   10       118       34       348  
    Trust services and administration revenues (related party of $8, $8, $23 and $23, respectively)   188       158       564       173  
    Other income   2       65       2       65  
    Total revenues   4,419       (10,235 )     23,026       (55,739 )
                   
    Operating expenses              
    Employee compensation and benefits   2,929       7,340       13,914       58,561  
    Interest expense (related party of $3,140, $3,018, $9,330 and $5,843, respectively)   3,240       4,671       11,848       13,569  
    Professional services   5,083       4,970       17,884       22,000  
    Provision for credit losses               1,000        
    Loss on impairment of goodwill         883,223       3,692       2,286,212  
    Release of loss contingency related to arbitration award               (54,973 )      
    Other expenses (related party of $723, $2,096, $2,111 and $6,317, respectively)   2,680       5,512       8,551       17,604  
    Total operating expenses   13,932       905,716       1,916       2,397,946  
    Operating income (loss)   (9,513 )     (915,951 )     21,110       (2,453,685 )
    (Gain) loss on liability resolution               (23,462 )      
    Loss on extinguishment of debt, net         8,846             8,846  
    Net income (loss) before income taxes   (9,513 )     (924,797 )     44,572       (2,462,531 )
    Income tax expense   713       75       741       75  
    Net income (loss)   (10,226 )     (924,872 )     43,831       (2,462,606 )
    Plus: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests – Customer ExAlt Trusts   1,232       26,240       6,281       43,698  
    Plus: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests – Ben   4,844       360,695       15,098       401,985  
    Less: Noncontrolling interest guaranteed payment   (4,489 )     (4,229 )     (13,268 )     (12,501 )
    Net income (loss) attributable to Beneficient common shareholders $ (8,639 )   $ (542,166 )   $ 51,942     $ (2,029,424 )
    Other comprehensive income (loss):              
    Unrealized (loss) gain on investments in available-for-sale debt securities   (120 )     51       (115 )     4,236  
    Total comprehensive income (loss)   (8,759 )     (542,115 )     51,827       (2,025,188 )
    Less: comprehensive (loss) gain attributable to noncontrolling interests   (120 )     51       (115 )     4,236  
    Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Beneficient $ (8,639 )   $ (542,166 )   $ 51,942     $ (2,029,424 )
                   
    Net income (loss) per common share              
    Class A – basic $ (1.32 )   $ (158.36 )   $ 10.30     $ (668.31 )
    Class B – basic $ (1.02 )   $ (156.95 )   $ 13.78     $ (587.49 )
    Net income (loss) per common share              
    Class A – diluted $ (1.32 )   $ (158.36 )   $ 0.12     $ (668.31 )
    Class B – diluted $ (1.02 )   $ (156.95 )   $ 0.12     $ (587.49 )


    Table 7: CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

      December 31, 2024   March 31, 2024
    (Dollars and shares in thousands) (unaudited)    
    ASSETS      
    Cash and cash equivalents $ 4,149     $ 7,913  
    Restricted cash   52       64  
    Investments, at fair value:      
    Investments held by Customer ExAlt Trusts (related party of $12 and $552)   334,278       329,113  
    Investments held by Ben (related party of nil and $6)         6  
    Other assets, net   48,519       14,699  
    Intangible assets   3,100       3,100  
    Goodwill   9,914       13,606  
    Total assets $ 400,012     $ 368,501  
    LIABILITIES, TEMPORARY EQUITY, AND EQUITY (DEFICIT)      
    Accounts payable and accrued expenses (related party of $14,294 and $14,143) $ 149,204     $ 157,157  
    Other liabilities (related party of $16,798 and $9,740)   22,433       31,727  
    Warrants liability   648       178  
    Convertible debt   2,667        
    Debt due to related parties   120,274       120,505  
    Total liabilities   295,226       309,567  
    Redeemable noncontrolling interests      
    Preferred Series A Subclass 0 Redeemable Unit Accounts, nonunitized   90,526       251,052  
    Total temporary equity   90,526       251,052  
    Shareholder’s equity (deficit):      
    Preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share, 250,000 shares authorized      
    Series A preferred stock, 0 and 0 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2024 and March 31, 2024          
    Series B preferred stock, 363 and 227 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2024 and March 31, 2024          
    Class A common stock, par value $0.001 per share, 5,000,000 and 18,750(1) shares authorized as of December 31, 2024 and March 31, 2024, respectively, 8,246 and 3,348 shares issued as of December 31, 2024 and March 31, 2024, respectively, and 8,237 and 3,339 shares outstanding as of December 31, 2024 and March 31, 2024, respectively   8       3  
    Class B convertible common stock, par value $0.001 per share, 250(1) shares authorized, 239 and 239 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2024 and March 31, 2024          
    Additional paid-in capital   1,843,911       1,848,068  
    Accumulated deficit   (2,007,272 )     (2,059,214 )
    Stock receivable         (20,038 )
    Treasury stock, at cost (9 shares as of December 31, 2024 and March 31, 2024)   (3,444 )     (3,444 )
    Accumulated other comprehensive income   161       276  
    Noncontrolling interests   180,896       42,231  
    Total equity (deficit)   14,260       (192,118 )
    Total liabilities, temporary equity, and equity (deficit) $ 400,012     $ 368,501  

    (1) Number has been adjusted to reflect 1-for-80 reverse stock split on April 18, 2024. See Note 1 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies – Reverse Stock Split to the consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on July 9, 2024, for additional information.

    Table 8: Non-GAAP Reconciliations

    (in thousands)   Three Months Ended December 31, 2024
        Ben
    Liquidity
    Ben
    Custody
    Customer
    ExAlt Trusts
    Corporate/
    Other
    Consolidating
    Eliminations
    Consolidated
    Total revenues   $ 11,297   $ 5,410 $ 4,317   $ (86 ) $ (16,519 ) $ 4,419  
    Mark to market adjustment on interests in the GWG Wind Down Trust           8             8  
    Adjusted revenues   $ 11,297   $ 5,410 $ 4,325   $ (86 ) $ (16,519 ) $ 4,427  
                   
    Operating income (loss)   $ (2,853 ) $ 3,507 $ (35,544 ) $ (8,935 ) $ 34,312   $ (9,513 )
    Mark to market adjustment on interests in the GWG Wind Down Trust           8             8  
    Intersegment provision for credit losses on collateral comprised of interests in the GWG Wind Down Trust         1,340           (1,340 )    
    Goodwill impairment                        
    Release of loss contingency related to arbitration award                        
    Share-based compensation expense               804         804  
    Legal and professional fees(1)               1,400         1,400  
    Adjusted operating income (loss)   $ (2,853 ) $ 4,847 $ (35,536 ) $ (6,731 ) $ 32,972   $ (7,301 )

    (1) Includes legal and professional fees related lawsuits.

    (in thousands)   Three Months Ended September 30, 2024
        Ben
    Liquidity
    Ben
    Custody
    Customer
    ExAlt Trusts
    Corporate/
    Other
    Consolidating
    Eliminations
    Consolidated
    Total revenues   $ 11,978 $ 5,386 $ 9,112   $ (738 ) $ (17,177 ) $ 8,561  
    Mark to market adjustment on interests in the GWG Wind Down Trust         173             173  
    Adjusted revenues   $ 11,978 $ 5,386 $ 9,285   $ (738 ) $ (17,177 ) $ 8,734  
                   
    Operating income (loss)   $ 2,905 $ 4,329 $ (31,549 ) $ (16,426 ) $ 27,026   $ (13,715 )
    Mark to market adjustment on interests in the GWG Wind Down Trust         173             173  
    Intersegment provision for credit losses on collateral comprised of interests in the GWG Wind Down Trust                      
    Goodwill impairment       298               298  
    Release of loss contingency related to arbitration award                      
    Share-based compensation expense             3,364         3,364  
    Legal and professional fees(1)             3,269         3,269  
    Adjusted operating income (loss)   $ 2,905 $ 4,627 $ (31,376 ) $ (9,793 ) $ 27,026   $ (6,611 )

    (1) Includes legal and professional fees related to lawsuits.

    (in thousands)   Three Months Ended December 31, 2023
        Ben
    Liquidity
      Ben
    Custody
      Customer
    ExAlt Trusts
      Corporate/
    Other
      Consolidating
    Eliminations
      Consolidated
    Total revenues   $ 11,275     $ 5,897     $ (11,182 )   $ 789     $ (17,014 )   $ (10,235 )
    Mark to market adjustment on interests in the GWG Wind Down Trust                 18,506       185             18,691  
    Adjusted revenues   $ 11,275     $ 5,897     $ 7,324     $ 974     $ (17,014 )   $ 8,456  
                             
    Operating income (loss)   $ (606,405 )   $ (267,995 )   $ (49,363 )   $ (20,217 )   $ 28,029     $ (915,951 )
    Mark to market adjustment on interests in the GWG Wind Down Trust                 18,506       185             18,691  
    Intersegment provision for credit losses on collateral comprised of interests in the GWG Wind Down Trust     4,262                         (4,262 )      
    Goodwill impairment     604,668       272,830             5,725             883,223  
    Loss on arbitration                                    
    Share-based compensation expense                       2,026             2,026  
    Legal and professional fees(1)                       327             327  
    Adjusted operating income (loss)   $ 2,525     $ 4,835     $ (30,857 )   $ (11,954 )   $ 23,767     $ (11,684 )

    (1) Includes legal and professional fees related to lawsuits.

    (in thousands)   Nine Months Ended December 31, 2024
        Ben
    Liquidity
      Ben
    Custody
      Customer
    ExAlt Trusts
      Corporate/
    Other
      Consolidating
    Eliminations
      Consolidated
    Total revenues   $ 34,124     $ 16,178   $ 23,282     $ (820 )   $ (49,738 )   $ 23,026  
    Mark to market adjustment on interests in the GWG Wind Down Trust               539       7             546  
    Adjusted revenues   $ 34,124     $ 16,178   $ 23,821     $ (813 )   $ (49,738 )   $ 23,572  
                             
    Operating income (loss)   $ (462 )   $ 9,123   $ (96,722 )   $ 18,730     $ 90,441     $ 21,110  
    Mark to market adjustment on interests in the GWG Wind Down Trust               539       7             546  
    Intersegment provision for credit losses on collateral comprised of interests in the GWG Wind Down Trust     5       1,340                 (1,345 )      
    Goodwill impairment           3,427           265             3,692  
    Release of loss contingency related to arbitration award                     (54,973 )           (54,973 )
    Share-based compensation expense                     5,162             5,162  
    Legal and professional fees(1)                     5,825             5,825  
    Adjusted operating income (loss)   $ (457 )   $ 13,890   $ (96,183 )   $ (24,984 )   $ 89,096     $ (18,638 )

    (1) Includes legal and professional fees related to lawsuits.

    (in thousands)   Nine Months Ended December 31, 2023
        Ben
    Liquidity
      Ben
    Custody
      Customer
    ExAlt Trusts
      Corporate/
    Other
      Consolidating
    Eliminations
      Consolidated
    Total revenues   $ 36,303     $ 18,961     $ (54,363 )   $ (1,549 )   $ (55,091 )   $ (55,739 )
    Mark to market adjustment on interests in the GWG Wind Down Trust                 62,873       1,344             64,217  
    Adjusted revenues   $ 36,303     $ 18,961     $ 8,510     $ (205 )   $ (55,091 )   $ 8,478  
                             
    Operating income (loss)   $ (1,781,521 )   $ (538,840 )   $ (166,051 )   $ (94,532 )   $ 127,259     $ (2,453,685 )
    Mark to market adjustment on interests in the GWG Wind Down Trust                 62,873       1,344             64,217  
    Intersegment provision for credit losses on collateral comprised of interests in the GWG Wind Down Trust     43,872                         (43,872 )      
    Goodwill impairment     1,725,880       554,607             5,725             2,286,212  
    Loss on arbitration                                    
    Share-based compensation expense                       37,530             37,530  
    Legal and professional fees(1)                       8,352             8,352  
    Adjusted operating income (loss)   $ (11,769 )   $ 15,767     $ (103,178 )   $ (41,581 )   $ 83,387     $ (57,374 )

    (1) Includes legal and professional fees related to GWG Holdings bankruptcy, lawsuits, public relations, and employee matters.

      Three Months Ended
    December 31,
      Nine Months Ended
    December 31,
        2024     2023       2024       2023  
    Operating Expenses Non GAAP Reconciliation              
    Operating expenses $ 13,932   $ 905,716     $ 1,916     $ 2,397,946  
    Plus: Release of loss contingency related to arbitration award             54,973        
    Less: Goodwill impairment       (883,223 )     (3,692 )     (2,286,212 )
    Operating expenses, excluding goodwill impairment and release of loss contingency related to arbitration award $ 13,932   $ 22,493     $ 53,197     $ 111,734  

    The below table reconciles the non-GAAP financial measures of tangible book value and tangible book value to Ben’s public stockholders to the most comparable GAAP financial measures as of December 31, 2024 on an actual basis and pro forma assuming the transactions described in our Form 8-K filed on December 23, 2024 occurred on December 31, 2024.

      Actual
    and Pro
    Forma
    (a)
          Actual   Pro forma (a)
    Tangible Book Value     Tangible book value attributable to Ben’s public company stockholders        
    Total equity (deficit) $ 14,260     Tangible book value   $ 91,772     $ 91,772  
    Less: Goodwill and intangible assets   (13,014 )   Less: Tangible book value attributable to Beneficient Holdings noncontrolling interest holders     (91,772 )     (82,595 )
    Plus: Total temporary equity   90,526     Tangible book value attributable to Ben’s public company stockholders           9,177  
    Tangible book value $ 91,772              

    (a) Assumes the transactions described in our Form 8-K filed on December 23, 2024 closed on December 31, 2024 including that the BCH limited partnership agreement was amended to provide that Beneficient, as the indirect holder of the Class A Units and certain Designated Class S Ordinary Units of BCH, would receive in the event of a liquidation of BCH (i) 10% of the first $100 million of distributions of BCH following the satisfaction of the debts and liabilities of BCH on a consolidated basis and (ii) 33.3333% of the net asset value of the added alternative assets of up to $5 billion in connection with ExAlt Plan liquidity and primary capital transactions entered after December 22, 2024.

    Adjusted Revenues, Adjusted Operating Income (Loss), Adjusted Segment Revenues attributable to Ben’s Equity Holders and Adjusted Segment Operating Income (Loss) attributable to Ben’s Equity Holders are non-GAAP financial measures. We present these non-GAAP financial measures because we believe it helps investors understand underlying trends in our business and facilitates an understanding of our operating performance from period to period because it facilitates a comparison of our recurring core business operating results. Tangible Book Value and Tangible Book Value to Ben’s Public Company Stockholders are also non-GAAP financial measures. We present these non-GAAP financial measures because we believe it help investors in analyzing the intrinsic value of the Company, including the proforma impact of the contemplated transactions more fully described in our Form 8-K filed on December 23, 2024. The non-GAAP financial measures are intended as a supplemental measure of our performance that is neither required by, nor presented in accordance with, U.S. GAAP. Our presentation of these measures should not be construed as an inference that our future results will be unaffected by unusual or non-recurring items. Our computation of these non-GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures computed by other companies, because all companies may not calculate such items in the same way.

    We define adjusted revenue as revenue adjusted to exclude the effect of mark-to-market adjustments on related party equity securities that were acquired both prior to and during the Collateral Swap, which on August 1, 2023, became interests in the GWG Wind Down Trust. Adjusted Segment Revenues attributable to Ben’s Equity Holders is the same as “adjusted revenues” related to the aggregate of the Ben Liquidity, Ben Custody, and Corporate/Other Business Segments, which are the segments that impact the net income (loss) attributable to all equity holders of Beneficient, including equity holders of Beneficient’s subsidiary, BCH.

    Adjusted operating income (loss) represents GAAP operating income (loss), adjusted to exclude the effect of the adjustments to revenue as described above, credit losses on related party available-for-sale debt securities that were acquired in the Collateral Swap which on August 1, 2023, became interests in the GWG Wind Down Trust, and receivables from a related party that filed for bankruptcy and certain notes receivables originated during our formative transactions, non-cash asset impairment, share-based compensation expense, and legal, professional services, and public relations costs related to the GWG Holdings bankruptcy, lawsuits, a defunct product offering, and certain employee matters, including fees & loss contingency accruals (releases) incurred in arbitration with a former director. Adjusted Segment Operating Income (Loss) attributable to Ben’s Equity Holders is the same as “adjusted operating income (loss)” related to the aggregate of the Ben Liquidity, Ben Custody, and Corporate/Other Business Segments, which are the segments that impact the net income (loss) attributable to all equity holders of Beneficient, including equity holders of Beneficient’s subsidiary, BCH.

    Tangible book value is defined as the sum of total equity (deficit) less goodwill and intangible assets plus total temporary equity. Tangible book value to Ben’s public company stockholders is defined at tangible book value adjusted for the portion of tangible book value that is attributable to Ben’s public company stockholders, which is calculated as tangible book value adjusted for (i) 10% of the first $100 million of distributions of BCH following the satisfaction of the debts and liabilities of BCH on a consolidated basis and (ii) 33.3333% of the net asset value of the added alternative assets of up to $5 billion in connection with ExAlt Plan liquidity and primary capital transactions entered after December 22, 2024.

    These non-GAAP financial measures are not a measure of performance or liquidity calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP. They are unaudited and should not be considered an alternative to, or more meaningful than, GAAP revenues or GAAP operating income (loss) as an indicator of our operating performance. Uses of cash flows that are not reflected in adjusted operating income (loss) or adjusted segment operating income (loss) attributable to Ben’s Equity Holders include capital expenditures, interest payments, debt principal repayments, and other expenses, which can be significant. As a result, adjusted operating income (loss) and/or adjusted segment operating income (loss) attributable to Ben’s Equity Holders should not be considered as a measure of our liquidity.

    Because of these limitations, Adjusted Revenues, Adjusted Operating Income (Loss), Adjusted Segment Revenues attributable to Ben’s Equity Holders, Adjusted Segment Operating Income (Loss) attributable to Ben’s Equity Holders, Tangible Book Value and Tangible Book Value to Ben’s Public Company Stockholders should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for performance measures calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP. We compensate for these limitations by relying primarily on our U.S. GAAP results and using Adjusted Revenues, Adjusted Operating Income (Loss), Adjusted Segment Revenues attributable to Ben’s Equity Holders, Adjusted Segment Operating Income (Loss) attributable to Ben’s Equity Holders, Tangible Book Value and Tangible Book Value to Ben’s Public Company Stockholders on a supplemental basis. You should review the reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures set forth above and not rely on any single financial measure to evaluate our business.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/09d463d7-9883-4bbf-8a05-3c24ea42846e

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: TransUnion Announces Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2024 Results and Refreshed Capital Allocation Framework

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • Exceeded fourth quarter 2024 financial guidance for revenue with 9 percent growth driven by U.S. Markets Financial Services and Insurance verticals, and our International segment
    • Delivered strong financial results in 2024 while executing on technology modernization and delivering ~$85 million of transformation program savings
    • Announcing new freemium direct-to-consumer credit education and monitoring offering, enabled in collaboration with Credit Sesame
    • Providing 2025 financial guidance, we expect to deliver 3.5 to 5 percent revenue growth (4.5 to 6 percent organic constant currency)
    • Refreshing capital allocation framework – lowering target Leverage Ratio to under 2.5x, raising quarterly dividend to $0.115 and announcing new $500 million share repurchase program authorization

    CHICAGO, Feb. 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — TransUnion (NYSE: TRU) (the “Company”) today announced financial results for the quarter and full-year ended December 31, 2024.

    Fourth Quarter 2024 Results

    Revenue:

    • Total revenue for the quarter was $1,037 million, an increase of 9 percent (9 percent on an organic constant currency basis), compared with the fourth quarter of 2023.

    Earnings:

    • Net income attributable to TransUnion was $66 million for the quarter, compared with $6 million for the fourth quarter of 2023. Diluted earnings per share was $0.34, compared with $0.03 in the fourth quarter of 2023. Net income attributable to TransUnion margin was 6 percent, compared with 1 percent in the fourth quarter of 2023.
    • Adjusted Net Income was $192 million for the quarter, compared with $156 million for the fourth quarter of 2023. Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share for the quarter was $0.97, compared with $0.80 in the fourth quarter of 2023.
    • Adjusted EBITDA was $378 million for the quarter, an increase of 16 percent (16 percent on a constant currency basis) compared with the fourth quarter of 2023. Adjusted EBITDA margin was 36 percent, compared with 34 percent in the fourth quarter of 2023.

    “TransUnion finished the year with strong revenue growth and margin expansion,” said Chris Cartwright, President and CEO. “U.S. Markets grew by high single-digits in the fourth quarter against subdued but stable market conditions, driven by mortgage pricing, improving non-mortgage Financial Services growth and Insurance strength. Our International segment delivered double-digit growth led by India, Asia Pacific and Latin America.”

    “In 2025, we expect to deliver 4.5 to 6 percent organic constant currency revenue growth with modest margin expansion, assuming a continuation of current subdued conditions. We remain highly focused on driving strong financial results while executing on our transformation initiatives – refining and strengthening our global operating model; completing U.S. and India technology modernization; and accelerating innovation and growth across our solution suites. We took a key step in reinvigorating Consumer Interactive growth with today’s announcement of our new freemium credit education and monitoring offering, enabled in collaboration with Credit Sesame.”

    “Following strong de-levering throughout 2024, we are providing a refreshed capital allocation framework. We are lowering our Leverage Ratio target to under 2.5x, raising our quarterly dividend to $0.115, and announcing a new $500 million share repurchase program. Given the strength of our portfolio and our ongoing transformation, the bar for M&A is high, and we are not seeking large-scale acquisitions. In 2025, we plan to deploy cash for a combination of further debt prepayment, share repurchases and partially funding of the recently announced Trans Union de Mexico acquisition.”

    Fourth Quarter 2024 Segment Results

    U.S. Markets:

    U.S. Markets revenue was $792 million, an increase of 8 percent compared with the fourth quarter of 2023.

    • Financial Services revenue was $356 million, an increase of 21 percent compared with the fourth quarter of 2023.
    • Emerging Verticals revenue was $302 million, an increase of 4 percent compared with the fourth quarter of 2023.
    • Consumer Interactive revenue was $134 million, a decrease of 11 percent compared with the fourth quarter of 2023.

    Adjusted EBITDA was $312 million, an increase of 16 percent compared to the fourth quarter of 2023.

    International:

    International revenue was $245 million, an increase of 11 percent (12 percent on a constant currency basis) compared with the fourth quarter of 2023.

    • Canada revenue was $39 million, an increase of 5 percent (8 percent on a constant currency basis) compared with the fourth quarter of 2023.
    • Latin America revenue was $34 million, an increase of 7 percent (15 percent on a constant currency basis) compared with the fourth quarter of 2023.
    • United Kingdom revenue was $59 million, an increase of 6 percent (3 percent on a constant currency basis) compared with the fourth quarter of 2023.
    • Africa revenue was $18 million, an increase of 13 percent (8 percent on a constant currency basis) compared with the fourth quarter of 2023.
    • India revenue was $67 million, an increase of 17 percent (18 percent on a constant currency basis) compared with the fourth quarter of 2023.
    • Asia Pacific revenue was $29 million, an increase of 19 percent (20 percent on a constant currency basis) compared with the fourth quarter of 2023.

    Adjusted EBITDA was $107 million, an increase of 11 percent (13 percent on a constant currency basis) compared with the fourth quarter of 2023.

    Full Year 2024 Results

    Revenue:

    • Total revenue for the year was $4,184 million, an increase of 9 percent (9 percent on a constant currency basis) compared with 2023.

    Earnings:

    • Net income (loss) attributable to TransUnion was $284 million for the year, compared with $(206) million in 2023. Diluted earnings (loss) per share was $1.45, compared with $(1.07) in 2023. Net income (loss) attributable to TransUnion margin was 7 percent, compared with (5) percent in 2023. Our net income attributable to TransUnion, diluted earnings per share and net income attributable to TransUnion margin include expenses associated with our transformation plan. Our 2023 net income attributable to TransUnion, diluted earnings per share and net income attributable to TransUnion margin include a goodwill impairment recognized in the third quarter of 2023.
    • Adjusted Net Income was $769 million for the year, compared with $655 million in 2023. Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share was $3.91, compared with $3.37 in 2023.
    • Adjusted EBITDA was $1,506 million for the year, compared to $1,344 million in 2023, an increase of 12 percent (an increase of 12 percent on a constant currency basis) compared with 2023. Adjusted EBITDA margin was 36 percent, compared with 35 percent in 2023.

    Liquidity and Capital Resources

    Cash and cash equivalents were $679 million at December 31, 2024 and $476 million at December 31, 2023. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2024, we prepaid $150.0 million of our Senior Secured Term Loans, funded from our cash on hand.

    For the year ended December 31, 2024, cash provided by operating activities was $832 million compared with $645 million in 2023. For 2024, the increase in cash provided by operating activities was primarily due to improved operating performance and lower net interest expense, partially offset by employee separation payments and a penalty paid for the early termination of a facility lease, both of which were in connection with our operating model optimization program. For the year ended December 31, 2024, cash used in investing activities was $307 million for 2024 compared with $319 million in 2023. The decrease in cash used in investing activities was primarily due to lower investments in nonconsolidated affiliates. Capital expenditures as a percent of revenue represented 8% for 2024 and 2023. For the year ended December 31, 2024, cash used in financing activities was $309 million compared with $439 million in 2023. The decrease in cash used in financing activities was due primarily to a decrease in debt repayments.

    The Company’s Board of Directors has authorized the repurchase of up to $500 million of the Company’s common stock. These repurchases may be made from time to time in the open market, in privately negotiated transactions, or otherwise, including pursuant to a Rule 10b5-1 plan, hybrid open market repurchases or an accelerated share repurchase transaction, at prices that the Company deems appropriate and subject to market conditions, applicable law and other factors deemed relevant in the Company’s sole discretion. The share repurchase authorization does not obligate the Company to repurchase any dollar amount or number of shares of common stock, and may be suspended or discontinued at any time. This new share repurchase authorization replaces all previous authorizations.

    The Company’s Board of Directors has declared a cash dividend of $0.115 per share for the fourth quarter of 2024. The dividend will be payable on March 14, 2025, to shareholders of record on February 27, 2025.

    First Quarter and Full Year 2025 Outlook

    Our guidance is based on a number of assumptions that are subject to change, many of which are outside of the control of the Company, including general macroeconomic conditions, interest rates and inflation. There are numerous evolving factors that we may not be able to accurately predict. There can be no assurance that the Company will achieve the results expressed by this guidance.

        Three Months Ended March 31, 2025   Year Ended December 31, 2025
    (in millions, except per share data)   Low   High   Low   High
    Revenue, as reported   $ 1,060     $ 1,074     $ 4,333     $ 4,393  
    Revenue growth1:                
    As reported     4 %     5 %     3.5 %     5 %
    Constant currency1, 2     5 %     6 %     4.5 %     6 %
    Organic constant currency1, 3     5 %     6 %     4.5 %     6 %
                     
    Net income attributable to TransUnion   $ 71     $ 77     $ 335     $ 362  
    Net income attributable to TransUnion growth     9 %     18 %     18 %     27 %
    Net income attributable to TransUnion margin     6.7 %     7.1 %     7.7 %     8.3 %
                     
    Diluted Earnings per Share   $ 0.36     $ 0.39     $ 1.68     $ 1.82  
    Diluted Earnings per Share growth     7 %     16 %     16 %     26 %
                     
    Adjusted EBITDA, as reported5   $ 376     $ 384     $ 1,549     $ 1,590  
    Adjusted EBITDA growth, as reported4     5 %     7 %     3 %     6 %
    Adjusted EBITDA margin     35.5 %     35.8 %     35.8 %     36.2 %
                     
    Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share5   $ 0.96     $ 0.99     $ 3.93     $ 4.08  
    Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share growth     4 %     8 %     1 %     4 %
                                     

            

    1. Additional revenue growth assumptions:
      1. The impact of changing foreign currency exchange rates is expected to be approximately 1% of headwind for Q1 2025 and FY 2025.
      2. There is no impact from recently announced acquisitions for Q1 2025 and FY 2025.
      3. The impact of mortgage is expected to be approximately 2 points of benefit for Q1 2025 and approximately 2 points of benefit for FY 2025.
      4. Constant currency growth rates assume foreign currency exchange rates are consistent between years. This allows financial results to be evaluated without the impact of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates.
      5. Organic constant currency growth rates are constant currency growth excluding inorganic growth. Inorganic growth represents growth attributable to the first twelve months of activity for recent business acquisitions. There is no impact from recent business acquisitions in Q1 2025 and FY 2025.
      6. Additional Adjusted EBITDA assumptions:
        1. The impact of changing foreign currency exchange rates is expected to have approximately 2% of headwind for Q1 2025 and approximately 1% of headwind for FY 2025.
        2. For a reconciliation of the above non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures, refer to Schedule 7 of this Earnings Release.
        3. Earnings Webcast Details

          In conjunction with this release, TransUnion will host a conference call and webcast today at 8:30 a.m. Central Time to discuss the business results for the quarter and certain forward-looking information. This session and the accompanying presentation materials may be accessed at www.transunion.com/tru. A replay of the call will also be available at this website following the conclusion of the call.

          About TransUnion (NYSE: TRU)

          TransUnion is a global information and insights company with over 13,000 associates operating in more than 30 countries. We make trust possible by ensuring each person is reliably represented in the marketplace. We do this with a Tru™ picture of each person: an actionable view of consumers, stewarded with care. Through our acquisitions and technology investments we have developed innovative solutions that extend beyond our strong foundation in core credit into areas such as marketing, fraud, risk and advanced analytics. As a result, consumers and businesses can transact with confidence and achieve great things. We call this Information for Good® — and it leads to economic opportunity, great experiences and personal empowerment for millions of people around the world.

          http://www.transunion.com/business

          Availability of Information on TransUnion’s Website

          Investors and others should note that TransUnion routinely announces material information to investors and the marketplace using SEC filings, press releases, public conference calls, webcasts and the TransUnion Investor Relations website. While not all of the information that the Company posts to the TransUnion Investor Relations website is of a material nature, some information could be deemed to be material. Accordingly, the Company encourages investors, the media and others interested in TransUnion to review the information that it shares on www.transunion.com/tru.

          Forward-Looking Statements

          This earnings release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on the current beliefs and expectations of TransUnion’s management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. Any statements made in this earnings release that are not statements of historical fact, including statements about our beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include information concerning possible or assumed future results of operations, including our guidance and descriptions of our business plans and strategies. These statements often include words such as “anticipate,” “expect,” “guidance,” “suggest,” “plan,” “believe,” “intend,” “estimate,” “target,” “project,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “may,” “will,” “forecast,” “outlook,” “potential,” “continues,” “seeks,” “predicts,” or the negatives of these words and other similar expressions.

          Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements, or that could materially affect our financial results or such forward-looking statements include:

        • macroeconomic effects and changes in market conditions, including the impact of inflation, risk of recession, and industry trends and adverse developments in the debt, consumer credit and financial services markets, including the impact on the carrying value of our assets in all of the markets where we operate;
        • our ability to provide competitive services and prices;
        • our ability to retain or renew existing agreements with large or long-term customers;
        • our ability to maintain the security and integrity of our data;
        • our ability to deliver services timely without interruption;
        • our ability to maintain our access to data sources;
        • government regulation and changes in the regulatory environment;
        • litigation or regulatory proceedings;
        • our approach to the use of artificial intelligence;
        • our ability to effectively manage our costs;
        • our efforts to execute our transformation plan and achieve the anticipated benefits and savings;
        • our ability to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting or disclosure controls and procedures;
        • economic and political stability in the United States and risks associated with the international markets where we operate;
        • our ability to effectively develop and maintain strategic alliances and joint ventures;
        • our ability to timely develop new services and the market’s willingness to adopt our new services;
        • our ability to manage and expand our operations and keep up with rapidly changing technologies;
        • our ability to acquire businesses, successfully secure financing for our acquisitions, timely consummate our acquisitions, successfully integrate the operations of our acquisitions, control the costs of integrating our acquisitions and realize the intended benefits of such acquisitions;
        • our ability to protect and enforce our intellectual property, trade secrets and other forms of unpatented intellectual property;
        • our ability to defend our intellectual property from infringement claims by third parties;
        • the ability of our outside service providers and key vendors to fulfill their obligations to us;
        • further consolidation in our end-customer markets;
        • the increased availability of free or inexpensive consumer information;
        • losses against which we do not insure;
        • our ability to make timely payments of principal and interest on our indebtedness;
        • our ability to satisfy covenants in the agreements governing our indebtedness;
        • our ability to maintain our liquidity;
        • stock price volatility;
        • our dividend payments;
        • share repurchase plans;
        • dividend rate;
        • our reliance on key management personnel; and
        • changes in tax laws or adverse outcomes resulting from examination of our tax returns.

        There may be other factors, many of which are beyond our control, that may cause our actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements, including factors disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, to be filed with the SEC in February 2025, and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, as well as our quarterly reports for the quarters ended September 30, 2024, June 30, 2024 and March 31, 2024, and any subsequent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should evaluate all forward-looking statements made in this report in the context of these risks and uncertainties.

        The forward-looking statements contained in this earnings release speak only as of the date of this earnings release. We undertake no obligation to publicly release the result of any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect the impact of events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this earnings release.

        For More Information

        E-mail:         Investor.Relations@transunion.com

        Telephone:   312.985.2860

        TRANSUNION AND SUBSIDIARIES
        Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
        (in millions, except per share data)

          December 31,
        2024
          December 31,
        2023
        Assets      
        Current assets:      
        Cash and cash equivalents $ 679.5     $ 476.2  
        Trade accounts receivable, net of allowance of $19.9 and $16.4   798.9       723.0  
        Other current assets   323.4       275.9  
        Total current assets   1,801.8       1,475.1  
        Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $506.3 and $804.4   203.5       199.3  
        Goodwill   5,144.3       5,176.0  
        Other intangibles, net of accumulated amortization of $2,294.5 and $2,719.8   3,257.5       3,515.3  
        Other assets   577.7       739.4  
        Total assets $ 10,984.8     $ 11,105.1  
        Liabilities and stockholders’ equity      
        Current liabilities:      
        Trade accounts payable $ 294.6     $ 251.3  
        Current portion of long-term debt   70.6       89.6  
        Other current liabilities   694.4       661.8  
        Total current liabilities   1,059.6       1,002.7  
        Long-term debt   5,076.6       5,250.8  
        Deferred taxes   415.3       592.9  
        Other liabilities   114.5       153.2  
        Total liabilities   6,666.0       6,999.6  
        Stockholders’ equity:      
        Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 100.0 million shares authorized; none issued or outstanding as of December 31, 2024 and 2023          
        Common stock, $0.01 par value; 1.0 billion shares authorized at December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023; 201.5 million and 200.0 million shares issued as of December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively; and 194.9 million and 193.8 million shares outstanding as of December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively   2.0       2.0  
        Additional paid-in capital   2,558.9       2,412.9  
        Treasury stock at cost; 6.6 million and 6.2 million shares at December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively   (334.6 )     (302.9 )
        Retained earnings   2,357.9       2,157.1  
        Accumulated other comprehensive loss   (367.2 )     (260.9 )
        Total TransUnion stockholders’ equity   4,217.0       4,008.2  
        Noncontrolling interests   101.8       97.3  
        Total stockholders’ equity   4,318.8       4,105.5  
        Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 10,984.8     $ 11,105.1  
                       

        TRANSUNION AND SUBSIDIARIES
        Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)
        (in millions, except per share data)

          Three Months Ended   December 31,   Years Ended December 31,
            2024       2023       2024       2023  
        Revenue $ 1,036.8     $ 954.3     $ 4,183.8     $ 3,831.2  
        Operating expenses              
        Cost of services (exclusive of depreciation and amortization below)   411.6       380.6       1,673.3       1,517.3  
        Selling, general and administrative   317.2       303.9       1,239.3       1,171.6  
        Depreciation and amortization   137.3       133.3       537.8       524.4  
        Goodwill impairment                     414.0  
        Restructuring         75.3       66.8       75.3  
        Total operating expenses   866.0       893.0       3,517.1       3,702.7  
        Operating income   170.8       61.3       666.7       128.5  
        Non-operating income and (expense)              
        Interest expense   (62.0 )     (71.0 )     (265.2 )     (288.2 )
        Interest income   8.6       5.7       28.5       20.7  
        Earnings from equity method investments   4.2       4.6       18.3       16.3  
        Other income and (expense), net   (20.9 )     (6.4 )     (47.1 )     (22.7 )
        Total non-operating income and (expense)   (70.1 )     (67.1 )     (265.5 )     (273.9 )
        Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes   100.6       (5.8 )     401.1       (145.3 )
        Provision for income taxes   (29.9 )     15.4       (98.8 )     (44.7 )
        Income (loss) from continuing operations   70.7       9.5       302.3       (190.1 )
        Discontinued operations, net of tax                     (0.7 )
        Net income (loss)   70.7       9.5       302.3       (190.8 )
        Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interests   (4.5 )     (3.5 )     (18.0 )     (15.4 )
        Net income (loss) attributable to TransUnion $ 66.2     $ 6.1     $ 284.4     $ (206.2 )
                       
        Income (loss) from continuing operations $ 70.7     $ 9.5     $ 302.3     $ (190.1 )
        Less: income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests   (4.5 )     (3.5 )     (18.0 )     (15.4 )
        Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to TransUnion   66.2       6.0       284.4       (205.4 )
        Discontinued operations, net of tax                     (0.7 )
        Net income (loss) attributable to TransUnion $ 66.2     $ 6.1     $ 284.4     $ (206.2 )
                       
        Basic earnings (loss) per common share from:              
        Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to TransUnion $ 0.34     $ 0.03     $ 1.46     $ (1.06 )
        Discontinued operations, net of tax                      
        Net income (loss) attributable to TransUnion $ 0.34     $ 0.03     $ 1.46     $ (1.07 )
        Diluted earnings (loss) per common share from:              
        Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to TransUnion $ 0.34     $ 0.03     $ 1.45     $ (1.06 )
        Discontinued operations, net of tax                      
        Net income (loss) attributable to TransUnion $ 0.34     $ 0.03     $ 1.45     $ (1.07 )
                       
        Weighted-average shares outstanding:              
        Basic   194.9       193.7       194.4       193.4  
        Diluted   197.3       194.3       196.7       193.4  
                                       

        As a result of displaying amounts in millions, rounding differences may exist in the table above.

        TRANSUNION AND SUBSIDIARIES
        Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
        (in millions)

          Years Ended December 31,
            2024       2023  
        Cash flows from operating activities:      
        Net income (loss) $ 302.3     $ (190.8 )
        Less: Discontinued operations, net of tax         (0.7 )
        Income (loss) from continuing operations   302.3       (190.1 )
        Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:      
        Depreciation and amortization   537.8       524.4  
        Goodwill impairment         414.0  
        Loss on repayment of loans   7.4       7.6  
        Deferred taxes   (157.3 )     (162.7 )
        Stock-based compensation   121.2       100.3  
        Loss on early termination of lease   40.5        
        Other   34.3       26.0  
        Changes in assets and liabilities:      
        Trade accounts receivable   (105.6 )     (135.1 )
        Other current and long-term assets   46.0       (12.7 )
        Trade accounts payable   39.2       (6.5 )
        Other current and long-term liabilities   (33.3 )     80.4  
        Cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations   832.5       645.6  
        Cash used in operating activities of discontinued operations         (0.2 )
        Cash provided by operating activities   832.5       645.4  
        Cash flows from investing activities:      
        Capital expenditures   (315.8 )     (310.7 )
        Proceeds from sale/maturity of other investments   0.2       82.3  
        Purchases of other investments   (0.2 )     (53.5 )
        Investments in nonconsolidated affiliates   (5.9 )     (36.9 )
        Proceeds from the sale of investments in nonconsolidated affiliates   7.7        
        (Payments) proceeds related to disposal of discontinued operations         (0.5 )
        Other   6.6       0.4  
        Cash used in investing activities   (307.4 )     (318.9 )
        Cash flows from financing activities:      
        Proceeds from Term Loans   1,793.1       655.8  
        Repayments of Term Loans   (1,786.1 )     (347.7 )
        Repayments of debt   (198.9 )     (650.0 )
        Debt financing fees   (16.5 )     (3.3 )
        Proceeds from issuance of common stock and exercise of stock options   24.9       23.1  
        Dividends to shareholders   (82.7 )     (81.8 )
        Employee taxes paid on restricted stock units recorded as treasury stock   (31.7 )     (18.4 )
        Distributions to noncontrolling interests   (10.8 )     (16.5 )
        Cash used in financing activities   (308.7 )     (438.8 )
        Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents   (13.1 )     3.2  
        Net change in cash and cash equivalents   203.3       (109.1 )
        Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period   476.2       585.3  
        Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 679.5     $ 476.2  
                       

        As a result of displaying amounts in millions, rounding differences may exist in the table above.

        TRANSUNION AND SUBSIDIARIES
        Non-GAAP Financial Measures

        We present Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA, Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA Margin, Adjusted Net Income, Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share, Adjusted Provision for Income Taxes, Adjusted Effective Tax Rate and Leverage Ratio for all periods presented. These are important financial measures for the Company but are not financial measures as defined by GAAP. These financial measures should be reviewed in conjunction with the relevant GAAP financial measures and are not presented as alternative measures of GAAP. Other companies in our industry may define or calculate these measures differently than we do, limiting their usefulness as comparative measures. Because of these limitations, these non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered in isolation or as substitutes for performance measures calculated in accordance with GAAP, including operating income, operating margin, effective tax rate, net income (loss) attributable to the Company, diluted earnings per share or cash provided by operating activities. Reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measures are presented in the tables below.

        We present Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA, Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA Margin, Adjusted Net Income, Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share, Adjusted Provision for Income Taxes and Adjusted Effective Tax Rate as supplemental measures of our operating performance because these measures eliminate the impact of certain items that we do not consider indicative of our cash operations and ongoing operating performance. These are measures frequently used by securities analysts, investors and other interested parties in their evaluation of the operating performance of companies similar to ours.

        Our board of directors and executive management team use Adjusted EBITDA as an incentive compensation measure for most eligible employees and Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share as an incentive compensation measure for certain of our senior executives.

        Under the credit agreement governing our Senior Secured Credit Facility, our ability to engage in activities such as incurring additional indebtedness, making investments and paying dividends is tied to our Leverage Ratio which is partially based on Adjusted EBITDA. Investors also use our Leverage Ratio to assess our ability to service our debt and make other capital allocation decisions.

        Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA

        Management has excluded the following items from net income (loss) attributable to TransUnion in order to calculate Adjusted EBITDA for the periods presented:

        • Discontinued operations, net of tax, as reported on our Consolidated Statements of Operations. We exclude discontinued operations, net of tax because we believe it does not reflect the underlying and ongoing performance of our business operations.
        • Net interest expense, which is the sum of interest expense and interest income as reported on our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
        • Provision for income taxes, as reported on our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
        • Depreciation and amortization, as reported on our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
        • Goodwill impairment, as reported on our Consolidated Statements of Operations. We exclude goodwill impairment because the amount of such expenses in any specific period may not directly correlate to the underlying performance of our business operations during that period and such expense can vary significantly between periods.
        • Stock-based compensation is used as an incentive to engage and retain our employees. It is predominantly a non-cash expense. We exclude stock-based compensation because it may not correlate to the underlying performance of our business operations during the period since it is measured at the grant date fair value and it is subject to variability as a result of performance conditions and timing of grants. These expenses are reported within cost of services and selling, general and administrative on our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
        • Operating model optimization program represents employee separation costs, facility lease exit costs and other business process optimization expenses incurred in connection with the transformation plan discussed further in “Results of Operations – Factors Affecting Our Results of Operations.” We exclude these expenses as we believe they are not directly correlated to the underlying performance of our business. Further, these costs will vary and may not be comparable during the transformation initiative as we progress toward an optimized operating model. These costs are reported primarily in restructuring and selling, general and administrative on our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
        • Accelerated technology investment includes Project Rise and the final phase of our technology investment announced in November 2023. Project Rise was announced in February 2020 and was originally expected to be completed in 2022. Following our acquisition of Neustar in December 2021, we recognized the opportunity to take advantage of Neustar’s capabilities to enhance and complement our cloud-based technology already under development as part of Project Rise. As a result, we extended Project Rise’s timeline to 2024 and increased the total estimated cost to approximately $240 million. In November 2023, we announced our plans to further leverage Neustar’s technology to standardize and streamline our product delivery platforms and to build a single global platform for fulfillment of our product lines. The additional investment is expected to be approximately $90 million during 2024 and 2025 and represents the final phase of the technology investment in our global technology infrastructure and core customer applications. We expect that the accelerated technology investment will fundamentally transform our technology infrastructure by implementing a global cloud-based approach to streamline product development, increase the efficiency of ongoing operations and maintenance and enable a continuous improvement approach to avoid the need for another major technology overhaul in the foreseeable future. The unique effort to build a secure, reliable and performant hybrid cloud infrastructure requires us to dedicate separate resources in order to develop the new cloud-based infrastructure in parallel with our current on-premise environment by maintaining our existing technology team to ensure no disruptions to our customers. The costs associated with the accelerated technology investment are incremental and redundant costs that will not recur after the program has been completed and are not representative of our underlying operating performance. Therefore, we believe that excluding these costs from our non-GAAP measures provides a better reflection of our ongoing cost structure. These costs are primarily reported in cost of services and therefore do not include amounts that are capitalized as internally developed software.
        • Mergers and acquisitions, divestitures and business optimization expenses are non-recurring expenses associated with specific transactions (exploratory or executed) and consist of (i) transaction and integration costs, (ii) post-acquisition adjustments to contingent consideration or to assets and liabilities that occurred after the acquisition measurement period, (iii) fair value and impairment adjustments related to investments and call and put options, (iv) transition services agreement income, and (v) a loss on disposal of a business. We exclude these expenses as we believe they are not directly correlated to the underlying performance of our business operations and vary depending upon the timing of such transactions. These expenses are reported in costs of services, selling, general and administrative and other income and (expenses), net, on our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
        • Net other adjustments principally relate to: (i) deferred loan fee expense from debt prepayments and refinancing, (ii) currency remeasurement on foreign operations, (iii) other debt financing expenses consisting primarily of revolving credit facility deferred financing fee amortization and commitment fees and expenses associated with ratings agencies and interest rate hedging, (iv) legal and regulatory expenses, net, and (v) other non-operating (income) expense. We exclude these expenses as we believe they are not directly correlated to the underlying performance of our business and create variability between periods based on the nature and timing of the expense or income. These costs are reported in selling, general and administrative and in non-operating income and expense, net as applicable based on their nature on our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

        Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA Margin

        Management defines Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA Margin as Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA divided by total revenue as reported.

        Adjusted Net Income

        Management has excluded the following items from net income (loss) attributable to TransUnion in order to calculate Adjusted Net Income for the periods presented:

        • Discontinued operations, net of tax (see Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA above)
        • Goodwill impairment (see Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA above)
        • Amortization of certain intangible assets presents non-cash amortization expenses related to assets that arose from our 2012 change in control transaction and business combinations occurring after our 2012 change in control. We exclude these expenses as we believe they are not directly correlated to the underlying performance of our business operations and vary dependent upon the timing of the transactions that give rise to these assets. Amortization of intangible assets is included in depreciation and amortization on our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
        • Stock-based compensation (see Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA above)
        • Operating model optimization program (see Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA above)
        • Accelerated technology investment (see Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA above)
        • Mergers and acquisitions, divestiture and business optimization (see Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA above)
        • Net other is consistent with the definition in Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA above except that other debt financing expenses and certain other miscellaneous income and expense that are included in the adjustment to calculate Adjusted EBITDA are excluded in the adjustment made to calculate Adjusted Net Income.
        • Total adjustments for income taxes relates to the cumulative adjustments discussed below for Adjusted Provision for Income Taxes. This adjustment is made for the reasons indicated in Adjusted Provision for Income Taxes below. Adjustments related to the provision for income taxes are included in the line item by this name on our consolidated statement of operations.

        Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share

        Management defines Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share as Adjusted Net Income divided by the weighted-average diluted shares outstanding.

        Adjusted Provision for Income Taxes

        Management has excluded the following items from our provision for income taxes for the periods presented:

        • Tax effect of above adjustments represents the income tax effect of the adjustments related to Adjusted Net Income described above. The tax rate applied to each adjustment is based on the nature of each line item. We include the tax effect of the adjustments made to Adjusted Net Income to provide a comprehensive view of our adjusted net income.
        • Excess tax expense (benefit) for stock-based compensation is the permanent difference between expenses recognized for book purposes and expenses recognized for tax purposes, in each case related to stock-based compensation expense. We exclude this amount from the Adjusted Provision for Income Taxes in order to be consistent with the exclusion of stock-based compensation from the calculation of Adjusted Net Income.
        • Other principally relates to (i) deferred tax adjustments, including rate changes, (ii) infrequent or unusual valuation allowance adjustments, (iii) return to provision, tax authority audit adjustments, and reserves related to prior periods, and (iv) other non-recurring items. We exclude these items because they create variability that impacts comparability between periods.

        Adjusted Effective Tax Rate

        Management defines Adjusted Effective Tax Rate as Adjusted Provision for Income Taxes divided by Adjusted income from continuing operations before income taxes. We calculate adjusted income from continuing operations before income taxes by excluding the pre-tax adjustments in the calculation of Adjusted Net Income discussed above and noncontrolling interest related to these pre-tax adjustments from (loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes.

        Leverage Ratio

        Management defines Leverage Ratio as net debt divided by Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA for the most recent twelve-month period including twelve months of Adjusted EBITDA from significant acquisitions. Net debt is defined as total debt less cash and cash equivalents as reported on the balance sheet as of the end of the period.

        This earnings release presents constant currency growth rates assuming foreign currency exchange rates are consistent between years. This allows financial results to be evaluated without the impact of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. This earnings release also presents organic constant currency growth rates, which assumes consistent foreign currency exchange rates between years and also eliminates the impact of our recent acquisitions. This allows financial results to be evaluated without the impact of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates and the impacts of recent acquisitions.

        Free cash flow is defined as cash provided by operating activities less capital expenditures and is a measure we may refer to.

        Refer to Schedules 1 through 7 for a reconciliation of our non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure.

        SCHEDULE 1
        TRANSUNION AND SUBSIDIARIES
        Revenue and Adjusted EBITDA growth rates as Reported, CC, Inorganic, Organic and Organic CC
        (Unaudited)
                 
            For the Three Months Ended December 31, 2024 compared with
        the Three Months Ended December 31, 2023
          For the Year Ended December 31, 2024 compared with
        the Year Ended December 31, 2023
            Reported   CC Growth1   Organic CC Growth2   Reported   CC Growth1   Organic CC Growth2
        Revenue:                        
        Consolidated   8.6 %   8.9 %   8.9 %   9.2 %   9.3 %   9.3 %
        U.S. Markets   7.6 %   7.7 %   7.7 %   8.2 %   8.2 %   8.2 %
        Financial Services   20.6 %   20.6 %   20.6 %   15.2 %   15.2 %   15.2 %
        Emerging Verticals   4.2 %   4.2 %   4.2 %   4.0 %   4.0 %   4.0 %
        Consumer Interactive   (11.1)%   (11.1)%   (11.1)%   1.5 %   1.6 %   1.6 %
        International   10.7 %   11.7 %   11.7 %   12.7 %   13.0 %   13.0 %
        Canada   5.3 %   7.9 %   7.9 %   9.9 %   11.5 %   11.5 %
        Latin America   7.0 %   15.2 %   15.2 %   10.6 %   12.0 %   12.0 %
        United Kingdom   5.8 %   2.7 %   2.7 %   5.1 %   2.6 %   2.6 %
        Africa   13.0 %   8.2 %   8.2 %   9.5 %   9.8 %   9.8 %
        India   16.7 %   18.3 %   18.3 %   23.1 %   24.7 %   24.7 %
        Asia Pacific   19.3 %   20.2 %   20.2 %   15.1 %   15.8 %   15.8 %
                                 
        Adjusted EBITDA:                        
        Consolidated   15.9 %   16.4 %   16.4 %   12.1 %   12.3 %   12.3 %
        U.S. Markets   16.3 %   16.4 %   16.4 %   10.2 %   10.2 %   10.2 %
        International   11.3 %   12.8 %   12.8 %   15.8 %   16.6 %   16.6 %
                                             
        1. Constant Currency (“CC”) growth rates assume foreign currency exchange rates are consistent between years. This allows financial results to be evaluated without the impact of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates.
        2. We have no inorganic revenue or Adjusted EBITDA for the periods presented. Organic CC growth rate is the CC growth rate less inorganic growth rate.
           
        SCHEDULE 2
        TRANSUNION AND SUBSIDIARIES
        Consolidated and Segment Revenue, Adjusted EBITDA, and Adjusted EBITDA Margins (Unaudited)
        (dollars in millions)
               
          Three Months Ended December 31,   Years Ended December 31,
            2024       2023       2024       2023  
        Revenue:              
        U.S. Markets gross revenue              
        Financial Services $ 356.1     $ 295.3     $ 1,433.8     $ 1,244.9  
        Emerging Verticals   302.3       290.3       1,215.5       1,168.2  
        Consumer Interactive   133.5       150.3       588.7       579.7  
        U.S. Markets gross revenue $ 792.0     $ 735.8     $ 3,237.9     $ 2,992.8  
                       
        International gross revenue              
        Canada $ 38.5     $ 36.6     $ 154.4     $ 140.5  
        Latin America   33.8       31.6       134.7       121.8  
        United Kingdom   59.2       55.9       227.7       216.6  
        Africa   18.4       16.3       66.4       60.6  
        India   66.6       57.1       269.4       218.9  
        Asia Pacific   28.6       24.0       105.8       91.9  
        International gross revenue $ 245.1     $ 221.5     $ 958.4     $ 850.4  
                       
        Total gross revenue $ 1,037.1     $ 957.3     $ 4,196.3     $ 3,843.1  
                       
        Intersegment revenue eliminations              
        U.S. Markets $ 1.3     $ (1.6 )   $ (6.2 )   $ (6.2 )
        International   (1.6 )     (1.4 )     (6.4 )     (5.7 )
        Total intersegment revenue eliminations $ (0.3 )   $ (3.0 )   $ (12.6 )   $ (11.9 )
                       
        Total revenue as reported $ 1,036.8     $ 954.3     $ 4,183.8     $ 3,831.2  
                       
        Adjusted EBITDA:              
        U.S. Markets $ 311.9     $ 268.1     $ 1,232.8     $ 1,119.0  
        International   107.4       96.5       425.5       367.5  
        Corporate   (41.4 )     (38.6 )     (152.0 )     (142.8 )
                       
        Adjusted EBITDA Margin:1              
        U.S. Markets   39.4 %     36.4 %     38.1 %     37.4 %
        International   43.8 %     43.6 %     44.4 %     43.2 %
                                       
        1. Segment Adjusted EBITDA Margins are calculated using segment gross revenue and segment Adjusted EBITDA. Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA Margin is calculated using total revenue as reported and consolidated Adjusted EBITDA.
           
          Three Months Ended December 31,   Years Ended December 31,
            2024       2023       2024       2023  
        Reconciliation of Net income (loss) attributable to TransUnion to consolidated Adjusted EBITDA:              
        Net income (loss) attributable to TransUnion $ 66.2     $ 6.1     $ 284.4     $ (206.2 )
        Discontinued operations, net of tax                     0.7  
        Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to TransUnion $ 66.2     $ 6.0     $ 284.4     $ (205.4 )
        Net interest expense   53.4       65.4       236.7       267.5  
        Provision (benefit) for income taxes   29.9       (15.4 )     98.8       44.7  
        Depreciation and amortization   137.3       133.3       537.8       524.4  
        EBITDA $ 286.8     $ 189.4     $ 1,157.7     $ 631.2  
        Adjustments to EBITDA:              
        Stock-based compensation $ 35.6     $ 27.3     $ 121.2     $ 100.6  
        Goodwill impairment1                     414.0  
        Mergers and acquisitions, divestitures and business optimization2   9.4       10.1       26.5       34.6  
        Accelerated technology investment3   25.6       17.0       84.2       70.6  
        Operating model optimization program4   8.4       77.6       94.8       77.6  
        Net other5   12.1       4.6       21.8       15.2  
        Total adjustments to EBITDA $ 91.1     $ 136.6     $ 348.7     $ 712.5  
        Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA $ 377.9     $ 326.0     $ 1,506.3     $ 1,343.7  
                       
        Net income (loss) attributable to TransUnion margin   6.4 %     0.6 %     6.8 %   (5.4)%
        Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA margin6   36.5 %     34.2 %     36.0 %     35.1 %
                                       

        As a result of displaying amounts in millions, rounding differences may exist in the tables above and footnotes below.

        1. During the year ended December 31, 2023, we recorded a goodwill impairment of $414.0 million related to our United Kingdom reporting unit in our International segment.
        2. Mergers and acquisitions, divestitures and business optimization consisted of the following adjustments:
           
            Three Months Ended December 31,   Years Ended December 31,
              2024       2023       2024     2023  
        Transaction and integration costs   $ 4.2     $ 9.9     $ 11.2   $ 30.9  
        Fair value and impairment adjustments     7.6       0.9       8.4     1.6  
        Post-acquisition adjustments     (2.3 )     (0.5 )     7.0     4.3  
        Transition services agreement income           (0.1 )         (2.5 )
        Loss on business disposal                     0.3  
        Total mergers and acquisitions, divestitures and business optimization   $ 9.4     $ 10.1     $ 26.5   $ 34.6  
                                       
        3.  Represents expenses associated with our accelerated technology investment to migrate to the cloud. There are three components of the accelerated technology investment: (i) building foundational capabilities, which includes establishing a modern, API-based and services-oriented software architecture, (ii) the migration of each application and customer data to the new enterprise platform, including the redundant software costs during the migration period, as well as the efforts to decommission the legacy system, and (iii) program enablement, which includes dedicated resources to support the planning and execution of the program. The amounts for each category of cost are as follows:
           
            Three Months Ended December 31,   Years Ended December 31,
              2024     2023     2024     2023
        Foundational Capabilities   $ 10.7   $ 8.0   $ 35.7   $ 35.8
        Migration Management     13.3     7.7     43.2     29.6
        Program Enablement     1.6     1.3     5.4     5.2
        Total accelerated technology investment   $ 25.6   $ 17.0   $ 84.2   $ 70.6
                                 
        4. Operating model optimization consisted of the following adjustments:
           
            Three Months Ended December 31,   Years Ended December 31,
              2024     2023     2024     2023
        Employee separation   $   $ 71.9   $ 24.7   $ 71.9
        Facility exit         3.4     42.1     3.4
        Business process optimization     8.4     2.3     28.0     2.3
        Total operating model optimization   $ 8.4   $ 77.6   $ 94.8   $ 77.6
                                 
        5. Net other consisted of the following adjustments:
           
            Three Months Ended December 31,   Years Ended December 31,
              2024     2023       2024       2023  
        Deferred loan fee expense from debt prepayments and refinancings   $ 8.6   $ 6.2     $ 17.8     $ 9.3  
        Other debt financing expenses     0.7     0.7       2.4       2.2  
        Currency remeasurement on foreign operations     2.5     (1.8 )     2.1       4.8  
        Other non-operating (income) and expense     0.2     (0.5 )     (0.5 )     (1.0 )
        Total other adjustments   $ 12.1   $ 4.6     $ 21.8     $ 15.2  
                                       
        6. Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA margin is calculated by dividing Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA by total revenue.
           
        SCHEDULE 3
        TRANSUNION AND SUBSIDIARIES
        Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share (Unaudited)
        (in millions, except per share data)
                 
            Three Months Ended December 31,   Years Ended December 31,
              2024       2023       2024       2023  
        Net income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to TransUnion   $ 66.2     $ 6.0     $ 284.4     $ (205.4 )
        Discontinued operations, net of tax                       (0.7 )
        Income (loss) attributable to TransUnion   $ 66.2     $ 6.1     $ 284.4     $ (206.2 )
                         
        Weighted-average shares outstanding:                
        Basic     194.9       193.7       194.4       193.4  
        Diluted     197.3       194.3       196.7       193.4  
                         
        Basic earnings (loss) per common share from:                
        Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to TransUnion   $ 0.34     $ 0.03     $ 1.46     $ (1.06 )
        Discontinued operations, net of tax                        
        Net income (loss) attributable to TransUnion   $ 0.34     $ 0.03     $ 1.46     $ (1.07 )
        Diluted earnings (loss) per common share from:                
        Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to TransUnion   $ 0.34     $ 0.03     $ 1.45     $ (1.06 )
        Discontinued operations, net of tax                        
        Net income (loss) attributable to TransUnion   $ 0.34     $ 0.03     $ 1.45     $ (1.07 )
                         
        Reconciliation of Net income (loss) attributable to TransUnion to Adjusted Net Income:                
        Net income (loss) attributable to TransUnion   $ 66.2     $ 6.1     $ 284.4     $ (206.2 )
        Discontinued operations, net of tax                       0.7  
        Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to TransUnion   $ 66.2     $ 6.0     $ 284.4     $ (205.4 )
        Adjustments before income tax items:                
        Amortization of certain intangible assets     71.3       72.4       286.1       293.6  
        Stock-based compensation     35.6       27.3       121.2       100.6  
        Goodwill impairment1                       414.0  
        Mergers and acquisitions, divestitures and business optimization2     9.4       10.1       26.5       34.6  
        Accelerated technology investment3     25.6       17.0       84.2       70.6  
        Operating model optimization program4     8.4       77.6       94.8       77.6  
        Net other5     11.6       4.4       20.2       14.0  
        Total adjustments before income tax items   $ 161.9     $ 208.8     $ 633.1     $ 1,005.0  
        Total adjustments for income taxes6   $ (35.9 )   $ (58.9 )   $ (148.7 )   $ (144.1 )
        Adjusted Net Income   $ 192.2     $ 156.0     $ 768.8     $ 655.4  
                         
        Weighted-average shares outstanding:                
        Basic     194.9       193.7       194.4       193.4  
        Diluted     197.3       194.3       196.7       194.7  
                         
        Adjusted Earnings per Share:                
        Basic   $ 0.99     $ 0.81     $ 3.95     $ 3.39  
        Diluted   $ 0.97     $ 0.80     $ 3.91     $ 3.37  
                                         

                

            Three Months Ended December 31,   Years Ended December 31,
              2024       2023       2024       2023  
        Reconciliation of Diluted earnings (loss) per share from Net income attributable to TransUnion to Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share:                
        Diluted earnings (loss) per common share from:                
        Net income (loss) attributable to TransUnion   $ 0.34     $ 0.03     $ 1.45     $ (1.07 )
        Discontinued operations, net of tax                        
        Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to TransUnion   $ 0.34     $ 0.03     $ 1.45     $ (1.06 )
        Adjustments before income tax items:                
        Amortization of certain intangible assets     0.36       0.37       1.45       1.51  
        Stock-based compensation     0.18       0.14       0.62       0.52  
        Goodwill impairment1                       2.13  
        Mergers and acquisitions, divestitures and business optimization2     0.05       0.05       0.13       0.18  
        Accelerated technology investment3     0.13       0.09       0.43       0.36  
        Operating model optimization program4     0.04       0.40       0.48       0.40  
        Net other5     0.06       0.02       0.10       0.07  
        Total adjustments before income tax items   $ 0.82     $ 1.07     $ 3.22     $ 5.16  
        Total adjustments for income taxes6     (0.18 )     (0.30 )     (0.76 )     (0.74 )
        Impact of additional dilutive shares7                       0.02  
        Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share   $ 0.97     $ 0.80     $ 3.91     $ 3.37  
                                         

        Each component of earnings per share is calculated independently, therefore, rounding differences exist in the table above.

        1. During the year ended December 31, 2023, we recorded a goodwill impairment of $414.0 million related to our United Kingdom reporting unit in our International segment.
        2. Mergers and acquisitions, divestitures and business optimization consisted of the following adjustments:
           
            Three Months Ended December 31,   Years Ended December 31,
              2024       2023       2024     2023  
        Transaction and integration costs   $ 4.2     $ 9.9     $ 11.2   $ 30.9  
        Fair value and impairment adjustments     7.6       0.9       8.4     1.6  
        Post-acquisition adjustments     (2.3 )     (0.5 )     7.0     4.3  
        Transition services agreement income           (0.1 )         (2.5 )
        Loss on business disposal                     0.3  
        Total mergers and acquisitions, divestitures and business optimization   $ 9.4     $ 10.1     $ 26.5   $ 34.6  
                                       
        3. Represents expenses associated with our accelerated technology investment to migrate to the cloud. There are three components of the accelerated technology investment: (i) building foundational capabilities which includes establishing a modern, API-based and services-oriented software architecture, (ii) the migration of each application and customer data to the new enterprise platform, including the redundant software costs during the migration period, as well as the efforts to decommission the legacy system, and (iii) program enablement, which includes dedicated resources to support the planning and execution of the program. The amounts for each category of cost are as follows:
           
            Three Months Ended December 31,   Years Ended December 31,
              2024     2023     2024     2023
        Foundational Capabilities   $ 10.7   $ 8.0   $ 35.7   $ 35.8
        Migration Management     13.3     7.7     43.2     29.6
        Program Enablement     1.6     1.3     5.4     5.2
        Total accelerated technology investment   $ 25.6   $ 17.0   $ 84.2   $ 70.6
                                 
        4. Operating model optimization consisted of the following adjustments:
           
            Three Months Ended December 31,   Years Ended December 31,
              2024     2023     2024     2023
        Employee separation   $   $ 71.9   $ 24.7   $ 71.9
        Facility exit         3.4     42.1     3.4
        Business process optimization     8.4     2.3     28.0     2.3
        Total operating model optimization   $ 8.4   $ 77.6   $ 94.8   $ 77.6
                                 
        5. Net other consisted of the following adjustments:
           
            Three Months Ended December 31,   Years Ended December 31,
              2024     2023       2024     2023
        Deferred loan fee expense from debt prepayments and refinancing   $ 8.6   $ 6.2     $ 17.8   $ 9.3
        Currency remeasurement on foreign operations     2.5     (1.8 )     2.1     4.8
        Other non-operating expense     0.4           0.3    
        Total other adjustments   $ 11.6   $ 4.4     $ 20.2   $ 14.0
                                   
        6. Total adjustments for income taxes represents the total of adjustments discussed to calculate the Adjusted Provision for Income Taxes.
        7.  Diluted share counts for Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share includes an additional 1.3 million of dilutive securities for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, which are not included in GAAP diluted weighted-average shares outstanding due to the Company’s net loss position for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023.
           
        SCHEDULE 4
        TRANSUNION AND SUBSIDIARIES
        Adjusted Provision for Income Taxes, Effective Tax Rate and Adjusted Effective Tax Rate (Unaudited)
        (dollars in millions)
               
          Three Months Ended December 31,   Years Ended December 31,
            2024       2023       2024       2023  
        Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes $ 100.6     $ (5.8 )   $ 401.1     $ (145.3 )
        Total adjustments before income tax items from Schedule 3   161.9       208.8       633.1       1,005.0  
        Adjusted income from continuing operations before income taxes $ 262.5     $ 203.0     $ 1,034.3     $ 859.7  
                       
        Reconciliation of Provision for income taxes to Adjusted Provision for Income Taxes              
        (Provision) benefit for income taxes   (29.9 )     15.4       (98.8 )     (44.7 )
        Adjustments for income taxes:              
        Tax effect of above adjustments   (37.0 )     (45.5 )     (145.5 )     (135.6 )
        Eliminate impact of excess tax (benefit) expenses for stock-based compensation   (0.1 )     0.2       (1.5 )     3.0  
        Other1   1.3       (13.7 )     (1.7 )     (11.5 )
        Total adjustments for income taxes $ (35.9 )   $ (58.9 )   $ (148.7 )   $ (144.1 )
        Adjusted Provision for Income Taxes $ (65.8 )   $ (43.5 )   $ (247.6 )   $ (188.8 )
                       
        Effective tax rate   29.7 %     263.1 %     24.6 %   (30.8)%
        Adjusted Effective Tax Rate   25.1 %     21.4 %     23.9 %     22.0 %
                                       

        As a result of displaying amounts in millions, rounding differences may exist in the table above.

        1. Other adjustments for income taxes include:
           
            Three Months Ended December 31,   Years Ended December 31,
              2024       2023       2024       2023  
        Deferred tax adjustments   $ 15.2     $ (13.5 )   $ 13.8     $ (12.9 )
        Valuation allowance adjustments     (10.6 )     4.8       (12.7 )     4.0  
        Return to provision, audit adjustments, and reserves related to prior periods     (3.5 )     (3.6 )     (2.3 )     (1.0 )
        Other adjustments     0.1       (1.4 )     (0.5 )     (1.6 )
        Total other adjustments   $ 1.3     $ (13.7 )   $ (1.7 )   $ (11.5 )
                                         

        SCHEDULE 5
        TRANSUNION AND SUBSIDIARIES
        Leverage Ratio (Unaudited)
        (dollars in millions)

            Years Ended December 31,
              2024     2023  
        Reconciliation of Net income (loss) attributable to TransUnion to Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA:        
        Net income (loss) attributable to TransUnion   $ 284.4   $ (206.2 )
        Discontinued operations, net of tax         0.7  
        Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to TransUnion   $ 284.4   $ (205.4 )
        Net interest expense     236.7     267.5  
        Provision for income taxes     98.8     44.7  
        Depreciation and amortization     537.8     524.4  
        EBITDA   $ 1,157.7   $ 631.2  
        Adjustments to EBITDA:        
        Stock-based compensation   $ 121.2   $ 100.6  
        Goodwill impairment1         414.0  
        Mergers and acquisitions, divestitures and business optimization2     26.5     34.6  
        Accelerated technology investment3     84.2     70.6  
        Operating model optimization program4     94.8     77.6  
        Net other5     21.8     15.2  
        Total adjustments to EBITDA   $ 348.7   $ 712.5  
        Leverage Ratio Adjusted EBITDA   $ 1,506.3   $ 1,343.7  
                 
        Total debt   $ 5,147.2   $ 5,340.4  
        Less: Cash and cash equivalents     679.5     476.2  
        Net Debt   $ 4,467.8   $ 4,864.2  
                 
        Ratio of Net Debt to Net income (loss) attributable to TransUnion     15.7     (23.6 )
        Leverage Ratio6     3.0     3.6  
                       

        As a result of displaying amounts in millions, rounding differences may exist in the table above.

        1. During the year ended December 31, 2023, we recorded a goodwill impairment of $414.0 million related to our United Kingdom reporting unit in our International segment.
        2. Mergers and acquisitions, divestitures and business optimization consisted of the following adjustments:
           
          Years Ended December 31,
            2024     2023  
        Transaction and integration costs $ 11.2   $ 30.9  
        Fair value and impairment adjustments   8.4     1.6  
        Post-acquisition adjustments   7.0     4.3  
        Transition services agreement income       (2.5 )
        Loss on business disposal       0.3  
        Total mergers and acquisitions, divestitures and business optimization $ 26.5   $ 34.6  
                     
        3. Represents expenses associated with our accelerated technology investment to migrate to the cloud. There are three components of the accelerated technology investment: (i) building foundational capabilities which includes establishing a modern, API-based and services-oriented software architecture, (ii) the migration of each application and customer data to the new enterprise platform, including the redundant software costs during the migration period, as well as the efforts to decommission the legacy system, and (iii) program enablement, which includes dedicated resources to support the planning and execution of the program. The amounts for each category of cost are as follows:
           
          Years Ended December 31,
            2024     2023
        Foundational Capabilities $ 35.7   $ 35.8
        Migration Management   43.2     29.6
        Program Enablement   5.4     5.2
        Total accelerated technology investment $ 84.2   $ 70.6
                   
        4. Operating model optimization consisted of the following adjustments:
           
          Years Ended December 31,
            2024     2023
        Employee separation $ 24.7   $ 71.9
        Facility exit   42.1     3.4
        Business process optimization   28.0     2.3
        Total operating model optimization $ 94.8   $ 77.6
                   
        5. Net other consisted of the following adjustments:
           
          Years Ended December 31,
            2024       2023  
        Deferred loan fee expense from debt prepayments and refinancings $ 17.8     $ 9.3  
        Other debt financing expenses   2.4       2.2  
        Currency remeasurement on foreign operations   2.1       4.8  
        Other non-operating (income) and expense   (0.5 )     (1.0 )
        Total other adjustments $ 21.8     $ 15.2  
                       
        6. We define Leverage Ratio as net debt divided by Leverage Ratio Adjusted EBITDA as shown in the table above.
           
        SCHEDULE 6
        TRANSUNION AND SUBSIDIARIES
        Segment Depreciation and Amortization (Unaudited)
        (in millions)
               
          Three Months Ended December 31,   Years Ended December 31,
            2024     2023     2024     2023
                       
        U.S. Markets $ 101.1   $ 101.3   $ 400.5   $ 393.6
        International   35.2     30.9     133.3     126.4
        Corporate   0.9     1.1     3.9     4.4
        Total depreciation and amortization $ 137.3   $ 133.3   $ 537.8   $ 524.4

        As a result of displaying amounts in millions, rounding differences may exist in the table above.

        SCHEDULE 7
        TRANSUNION AND SUBSIDIARIES
        Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Guidance (Unaudited)
        (in millions, except per share data)

          Three Months Ended March 31, 2025   Year Ended December 31, 2025
          Low   High   Low   High
        Guidance reconciliation of Net income attributable to TransUnion to Adjusted EBITDA:              
        Net income attributable to TransUnion $ 71     $ 77     $ 335     $ 362  
        Interest, taxes and depreciation and amortization   222       225       923       935  
        EBITDA $ 293     $ 301     $ 1,258     $ 1,298  
        Stock-based compensation, mergers, acquisitions divestitures and business optimization-related expenses and other adjustments1   83       83       292       292  
        Adjusted EBITDA $ 376     $ 384     $ 1,549     $ 1,590  
                       
        Net income attributable to TransUnion margin   6.7 %     7.1 %     7.7 %     8.3 %
        Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA margin2   35.5 %     35.8 %     35.8 %     36.2 %
                       
        Guidance reconciliation of Diluted earnings per share to Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share:              
        Diluted earnings per share $ 0.36     $ 0.39     $ 1.68     $ 1.82  
        Adjustments to diluted earnings per share1   0.60       0.60       2.25       2.26  
        Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share $ 0.96     $ 0.99     $ 3.93     $ 4.08  

        As a result of displaying amounts in millions, rounding differences may exist in the table above.

        1. These adjustments include the same adjustments we make to our Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Net Income as discussed in the Non-GAAP Financial Measures section of our Earnings Release.
        2. Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA margin is calculated by dividing Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA by total revenue.

        The MIL Network

  • MIL-Evening Report: Will New Zealand invade the Cook Islands to stop China? Seriously

    The Chinese have politely told the Kiwis to back off.  Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun told reporters that China and the Cook Islands have had diplomatic relations since 1997 which “should not be disrupted or restrained by any third party”.

    “New Zealand is rightly furious about it,” a TVNZ Pacific affairs writer editorialised to the nation. The deal and the lack of prior consultation was described by various journalists as “damaging”, “of significant concern”, “trouble in paradise”, an act by a “renegade government”.

    Foreign Minister Winston Peters, not without cause, railed at what he saw as the Cook Islands government going against long-standing agreements to consult over defence and security issues.

    “Should New Zealand invade the Cook islands?” . . . New Zealand Herald columnist Matthew Hooton’s view in an “oxygen-starved media environment” amid rattled nerves. Image: New Zealand Herald screenshot APR

    ‘Clearly about secession’
    Matthew Hooton, who penned the article in The Herald, is a major commentator on various platforms.

    “Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown’s dealings with China are clearly about secession from the realm of New Zealand,” Hooton said without substantiation but with considerable colonial hauteur.

    “His illegal moves cannot stand. It would be a relatively straightforward military operation for our SAS to secure all key government buildings in the Cook Islands’ capital, Avarua.”

    This could be written off as the hyperventilating screeching of someone trying to drum up readers but he was given a major platform to do so and New Zealanders live in an oxygen-starved media environment where alternative analysis is hard to find.

    The Cook Islands, with one of the largest Exclusive Economic Zones in the world — a whopping 2 million sq km — is considered part of New Zealand’s backyard, albeit over 3000 km to the northeast.  The deal with China is focused on economics not security issues, according to Cooks Prime Minister Mark Brown.

    Deep sea mining may be on the list of projects as well as trade cooperation, climate, tourism, and infrastructure.

    The Cook Islands seafloor is believed to have billions of tons of polymetallic nodules of cobalt, copper, nickel and manganese, something that has even caught the attention of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Various players have their eyes on it.

    Glen Johnson, writing in Le Monde Diplomatique, reported last year:

    “Environmentalists have raised major concerns, particularly over the destruction of deep-sea habitats and the vast, choking sediment plumes that excavation would produce.”

    All will be revealed
    Even Cook Island’s citizens have not been consulted on the details of the deal, including deep sea mining.  Clearly, this should not be the case. All will be revealed shortly.

    New Zealand and the Cook Islands have had formal relations since 1901 when the British “transferred” the islands to New Zealand.  Cook Islanders have a curious status: they hold New Zealand passports but are recognised as their own country. The US government went a step further on September 25, 2023. President Joe Biden said:

    “Today I am proud to announce that the United States recognises the Cook Islands as a sovereign and independent state and will establish diplomatic relations between our two nations.”

    A move to create their own passports was undermined by New Zealand officials who successfully stymied the plan.

    New Zealand has taken an increasingly hostile stance vis-a-vis China, with PM Luxon describing the country as a “strategic competitor” while at the same time depending on China as our biggest trading partner.  The government and a compliant mainstream media sing as one choir when it comes to China: it is seen as a threat, a looming pretender to be South Pacific hegemon, replacing the flip-flopping, increasingly incoherent USA.

    Climate change looms large for island nations. Much of the Cooks’ tourism infrastructure is vulnerable to coastal inundation and precious reefs are being destroyed by heating sea temperatures.

    “One thing that New Zealand has got to get its head round is the fact that the Trump administration has withdrawn from the Paris Climate Accord,” Dr Robert Patman, professor of international relations at Otago University, says. “And this is a big deal for most Pacific Island states — and that means that the Cook Islands nation may well be looking for greater assistance elsewhere.”

    Diplomatic spat with global coverage
    The story of the diplomatic spat has been covered in the Middle East, Europe and Asia.  Eyebrows are rising as yet again New Zealand, a close ally of Israel and a participant in the US Operation Prosperity Guardian to lift the Houthi Red Sea blockade of Israel, shows its Western mindset.

    Matthew Hooton’s article is the kind of colonialist fantasy masquerading as geopolitical analysis that damages New Zealand’s reputation as a friend to the smaller nations of our region.

    Yes, the Chinese have an interest in our neck of the woods — China is second only to Australia in supplying much-needed development assistance to the region.

    It is sound policy not insurrection for small nations to diversify economic partnerships and secure development opportunities for their people. That said, serious questions should be posed and deserve to be answered.

    Geopolitical analyst Dr Geoffrey Miller made a useful contribution to the debate saying there was potential for all three parties to work together:

    “There is no reason why New Zealand can’t get together with China and the Cook Islands and develop some projects together,” Dr Miller says. “Pacific states are the winners here because there is a lot of competition for them”.

    I think New Zealand and Australia could combine more effectively with a host of South Pacific island nations and form a more effective regional voice with which to engage with the wider world and collectively resist efforts by the US and China to turn the region into a theatre of competition.

    We throw the toys out
    We throw the toys out of the cot when the Cooks don’t consult with us but shrug when Pasifika elders like former Tuvalu PM Enele Sopoaga call us out for ignoring them.

    In Wellington last year, I heard him challenge the bigger powers, particularly Australia and New Zealand, to remember that the existential threat faced by Pacific nations comes first from climate change. He also reminded New Zealanders of the commitment to keeping the South Pacific nuclear-free.

    To succeed, a “Pacific for the peoples of the Pacific” approach would suggest our ministries of foreign affairs should halt their drift to being little more than branch offices of the Pentagon and that our governments should not sign up to US Great Power competition with China.

    Ditching the misguided anti-China AUKUS project would be a good start.

    Friends to all, enemies of none. Keep the Pacific peaceful, neutral and nuclear-free.

    Eugene Doyle is a community organiser and activist in Wellington, New Zealand. He received an Absolutely Positively Wellingtonian award in 2023 for community service. His first demonstration was at the age of 12 against the Vietnam War. This article was first published at his public policy website Solidarity and is republished here with permission.

    MIL OSI AnalysisEveningReport.nz

  • MIL-OSI: Ormat Technologies Awarded Tolling Agreements for Two Energy Storage Facilities in Israel

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    RENO, Nev., Feb. 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ormat Technologies Inc. (NYSE: ORA), (“Ormat” or the “Company”) a leading geothermal and renewable energy technology company, today announced that it has won a tender issued by the Israeli Electricity Authority and has been awarded two separate 15-year tolling agreements for two Energy Storage facilities. The facilities under the tolling agreements are expected to have a combined capacity of approximately 300MW/1200MWh.

    These projects are developed in partnership with Allied Infrastructure LTD (“Allied”), a leading infrastructure company in Israel. The ownership of the projects will be shared, 50/50 between Ormat and Allied. This marks Ormat’s and the partnership’s first major entry into the Israeli utility scale energy storage market. The partnership intends to develop this activity and develop additional Energy Storage facilities.

    The parties are in advanced stages of obtaining the interconnection for the two projects, and the necessary land use permits ahead of starting construction. Commercial operation date is expected during 2028. The tolling agreement includes an option for termination of the initial contract and move to participation in the merchant market.

    “We are delighted to announce the award of these two tolling agreements, marking another key strategic milestone for our growing Energy Storage business,” said Doron Blachar, Chief Executive Officer of Ormat Technologies. “These long-term agreements highlight our team’s ability to advance and execute Ormat’s Energy Storage portfolio expansion strategy. The tolling agreements for these two assets will further enhance the Company’s portfolio profitability and add stability to margin performance, each a key element of our growth strategy in our storage business.”

    Blachar concluded, “These energy storage contracts mark the Company’s first owned project in Israel, and we look forward to continuing to work with Allied as Ormat’s capabilities and assets will now help drive Israel’s efforts to achieve its renewable energy and energy continuity goals.”

    ABOUT ORMAT TECHNOLOGIES

    With over five decades of experience, Ormat Technologies, Inc. is a leading geothermal company and the only vertically integrated company engaged in geothermal and recovered energy generation (“REG”), with robust plans to accelerate long-term growth in the energy storage market and to establish a leading position in the U.S. energy storage market. The Company owns, operates, designs, manufactures and sells geothermal and REG power plants primarily based on the Ormat Energy Converter – a power generation unit that converts low-, medium- and high-temperature heat into electricity. The Company has engineered, manufactured and constructed power plants, which it currently owns or has installed for utilities and developers worldwide, totaling approximately 3,400MW of gross capacity. Ormat leveraged its core capabilities in the geothermal and REG industries and its global presence to expand the Company’s activity into energy storage services, solar Photovoltaic (PV) and energy storage plus Solar PV. Ormat’s current total generating portfolio is 1.5GW with a 1.2GW geothermal and solar generation portfolio that is spread globally in the U.S., Kenya, Guatemala, Indonesia, Honduras, and Guadeloupe, and a 290MW energy storage portfolio that is located in the U.S.

    ABOUT THE ISRAELI ELECTRICITY AUTHORITY

    The Israeli Electricity Authority is a government authority charged with providing utility services, setting tariffs, regulation, and oversight of the electricity market in Israel.

    ABOUT ALLIED INFRASTRUCTURE LTD

    Allied Infrastructure LTD is a multi-disciplined specialist contractor working primarily in the Airports, Highways, Defense and Construction sectors. Allied is delivering innovative and quality services using specially developed materials to offer complete solutions to preserve, protect, maintain and restore infrastructure assets, especially in the airside environment.

    ORMAT’S SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT

    Information provided in this press release may contain statements relating to current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about future events that are “forward-looking statements” as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this press release that address activities, events or developments that we expect or anticipate will or may occur in the future, including such matters as our projections of annual revenues, expenses and debt service coverage with respect to our debt securities, future capital expenditures, business strategy, competitive strengths, goals, development or operation of generation assets, market and industry developments and the growth of our business and operations, are forward-looking statements. When used in this press release, the words “may”, “will”, “could”, “should”, “expects”, “plans”, “anticipates”, “believes”, “estimates”, “predicts”, “projects”, “potential”, or “contemplate” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such words or expressions. These forward-looking statements generally relate to Ormat’s plans, objectives and expectations for future operations and are based upon its management’s current estimates and projections of future results or trends. Although we believe that our plans and objectives reflected in or suggested by these forward-looking statements are reasonable, we may not achieve these plans or objectives. Actual future results may differ materially from those projected as a result of certain risks and uncertainties and other risks described under “Risk Factors” as described in Ormat’s annual report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on February 23, 2024, and in Ormat’s subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q that are filed from time to time with the SEC.

    These forward-looking statements are made only as of the date hereof, and, except as legally required, we undertake no obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

    Ormat Technologies Contact:
    Smadar Lavi
    VP Head of IR and ESG Planning & Reporting
    775-356-9029 (ext. 65726)
    slavi@ormat.com
      Investor Relations Agency Contact:
    Joseph Caminiti or Josh Carroll
    Alpha IR Group
    312-445-2870
    ORA@alpha-ir.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Myanmar: Recklessly abrupt US aid stoppage poses existential threat to human rights – Amnesty International

    Source: Amnesty International

    The United States government’s abrupt and sweeping freeze on foreign aid is severely imperiling the human rights of refugees, civilians in armed conflict areas and individuals fleeing persecution in Myanmar, Amnesty International said today.

    The organization warned that lives could be lost unless the decision is urgently reversed, amended or if waivers for life-saving assistance are not immediately granted and swiftly implemented for those working on the ground.

    “The Trump administration’s cruel decision to issue immediate stop work orders on foreign aid is having an instant and devastating impact across the globe, and in Myanmar it is hitting people at a particularly dark hour,” said Amnesty International’s Myanmar Researcher Joe Freeman.

    “The decision has abruptly shut down hospitals in refugee camps, put fleeing human rights defenders at risk of deportation and imperiled programs helping people prevent atrocities, survive in conflict zones and rebuild their lives amid ongoing waves of violence.”

    On 20 January, US President Donald Trump signed a presidential executive order pausing all foreign aid amid a 90-day review of whether it is consistent with American foreign policy. On 24 January, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a stop work order to those delivering assistance worldwide as part of the review, but carved out exemptions to the pause for emergency food assistance, as well as military aid to Israel and Egypt.

    An additional waiver dated 28 January exempted “life-saving humanitarian assistance” from the stoppage, while follow-up clarifications in the first week of February broadened the exemptions for specific activities. However, based on Amnesty’s latest research, implementation of these waivers has yet to trickle down to many organizations working along the Thai-Myanmar border.

    “The US government’s shocking move has had immediate global impacts whose real-life consequences are still being felt and understood. Our findings from Myanmar and Thailand provide just one example of the damage wrought by this heartless decision,” Joe Freeman said.

    In Myanmar, the funding pause has further devastated a civilian population already enduring escalating armed conflict, widespread displacement and severe human rights violations by a military that seized power in a coup more than four years ago. It has also sowed chaos, desperation and anguish among tens of thousands of Myanmar refugees living in Thailand.

    To date, US funding has helped many endure the upheaval by supporting emergency shelter or relocation for activists, delivering food aid, helping create early-warning systems for air strikes, delivering medical treatment in war zones and providing education opportunities to those who have lost all hope of a future.

    From 3-10 February, Amnesty International spoke to 12 Myanmar refugees living in camps along the border in Thailand, along with representatives from 14 organizations with Myanmar-focused activities. They include health workers, human rights researchers and NGOs providing cross-border assistance as well as media and education providers. All warned of severe consequences if the decision was not reversed or amended. Not one had received a communication or confirmation of a waiver from the US government to continue operations.

    ‘The mission is not to die”

    Despite the promise of waivers for life-saving humanitarian assistance, the aid stoppage is posing serious risks to the rights to health of more than 100,000 people living in nine refugee camps on the Thai side of the border with Myanmar. The majority have been there for years, fleeing previous waves of violence in Myanmar, but the camps have grown in size since the coup.

    Amnesty International spoke to refugees living in two separate camps along the border. All said hospitals in the camp, which are run by the International Rescue Committee (IRC) through USAID funding, had abruptly shut down after the stop work order. Though Thai authorities and hospitals have been able to step in and provide services for camp residents, their resources are stretched. As of 11 February, the IRC had still not received a waiver to continue their work.

    The impact of the initial shutdown was felt immediately. In the Umpien camp, for example, residents said at least four people have died as a result of not receiving oxygen provided by the hospitals. Amnesty could not independently confirm the claim. Reuters reported on 7 February that Pe Kha Lau, 71, died four days after she was sent home from a healthcare facility funded by the US through the IRC.

    “It was so scary, they forced everyone to go out of the hospital…and some people died because they lost their oxygen. We were not only sad but also scared of what is coming next,” said U Htan Htun, 62.

    Ma Su Su, a volunteer community medical worker in the Umpien camp, also said that on the day the order was announced people who needed treatment were told to leave the hospital. She said she witnessed staff removing an IV-drip from a patient and described how someone without proper training had to provide stitches to a wounded resident.

    “I told everyone it’s only 90 days. We’ll be okay after 90 days. But I feel hopeless,” she said. “The mission is not to die.”

    Water services at the camps were disrupted, according to residents, while food aid is also at risk of disappearing.

    Maximillian Morch from the Thai Border Consortium (TBC), which provides food and cooking fuel to all the nine camps along the Thai-Myanmar border, said they were trying to get approval for a life-saving waiver from the US government but had no confirmation yet.

    Just over 60% of the Consortium’s funding is from the US through the Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration (PRM) at the US State Department. The bulk of that is food and cooking assistance. While they have not been told to stop work, they will run out of funds for food in four to six weeks if their funding is discontinued as part of the review of foreign aid.

    “Food is as inoffensive as you can be. And if you stop funding food this is not just a TBC problem, it’s an international humanitarian problem,” Morch said.

    “Very tough days for us”

    Since the Myanmar military took power in a 2021 coup, armed conflict has intensified across the country. Ever-increasing military air strikes have killed civilians and targeted schools, hospitals and monasteries, while elsewhere the military has targeted protesters, activists and journalists. Funded by USAID, civil society organizations across Myanmar help civilians, journalists and human rights defenders find shelter, aid and safety in exile if they have to flee the country.

    Groups in southeastern Myanmar, an area particularly hard-hit by military air strikes, run several US-funded programs which can be considered life-saving. They provide mobile medical units in frontline areas, help pay for hospital referrals for more advanced care and assist civilians in the aftermath of an air strike to find food and shelter.

    “At the same time as all the air strikes, all the bombings…artillery attacks, displacement…the funding has been stopped,” said Saw Diamond Khin, director of the Karen Department of Health and Welfare, which assists seven districts in southeastern Myanmar. “It is very tough days for us.”

    No waivers for life-saving work

    Saw Thar Win, from the Ethnic Health Systems Strengthening Group, said his organization had planned to deliver portable, battery-charged ultrasound and X-ray machines to conflict-affected communities in Myanmar. One set can serve an estimated 50,000 people. But the stop work order meant the machines were just sitting in boxes in his office because the funding for transporting it had been impacted.

    Another community-based health provider said the pause in US funding meant that they can no longer support urgent life-saving treatment inside Myanmar. Their funding had supported costs for emergency surgery to treat wounds from air strikes or other armed conflict injuries, as well as neonatal emergency treatment and surgery for appendicitis and blood transfusions.

    Despite the announcement of waivers at the end of January, medicines for HIV, tuberculosis and malaria, as well as support for mental health services for those traumatized by the armed conflict, have been similarly affected. Not one group Amnesty spoke to said they had been given any communication or confirmation of a waiver for life-saving work, even though their operations, such as helping feed, shelter and treat people in war zones, would clearly qualify.

    All said they lacked clear communication from US agencies such as USAID and their partners on the grounds. The Overseas Irrawaddy Association – which provides emergency relocation for hundreds of activists inside Myanmar, where protesters are routinely imprisoned and tortured by the military – said the freeze has affected their ability to support hundreds of at-risk individuals.

    “By removing the ability of these organizations to protect some of the most vulnerable people inside Myanmar, the US is effectively giving the rights-abusing Myanmar military an invaluable gift in their crackdown on the right to freedom of expression and information,” Freeman said.

    “People are now more vulnerable to arrest, to torture, and for those who have fled to Thailand and rely on funding for shelter, to deportation back to Myanmar. The US must immediately and directly communicate that groups working on life-saving assistance in Myanmar can continue their work.”

    MIL OSI – Submitted News

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: The Walled City Music Festival returns this March for its seventeenth edition, bringing world-class

    Source: Northern Ireland – City of Derry

    The Walled City Music Festival returns this March for its seventeenth edition, bringing world-class

    13 February 2025

    Co-Artistic Directors Cathal Breslin (Derry) and Sabrina Hu (USA) have once again curated a fantastic feast of music welcoming guest artists Finghin Collins (piano), Kristīne Balanas (violin), Gerard McChrystal (saxophone), The Creviston Duo (saxophone/piano) and the Hellas Ensemble from Derry.

    Gala concerts will take place in the stunning setting of the Great Hall at Ulster University Magee and audiences will be treated to varied programmes of classical music from across the ages and right up to the present day.

    On Thursday 13 March, Finghin Collins and Cathal Breslin will present Mozart, Rachmaninov and Milhaud for two pianos, along with a very special performance of a selection of movements from Gustav Holst’s much-loved The Planets.

    Friday 14 March will see a dazzling display from two of the world’s top saxophone artists, Gerard McChrystal (Derry) and Christopher Creviston (USA), alongside pianist Hannah Creviston and WCMF Co-Artistic Director Sabrina Hu (flute). The ensemble will perform a brilliant programme of music from the Americas to Europe, including music by Jean-Baptiste Singelée, Charles Koechlin, Andy Scott, and Irish composers Linda Buckley and Michael McGlynn.

    On Saturday 15 March, Latvian street musician and rock singer turned virtuoso violinist, Kristīne Balanas, will delight with a passionate and elegant performance of Bach, Beethoven, Brahms and Ravel on her 1694 ‘Rutson’ Stradivarius violin alongside Co-Artistic Director Cathal Breslin (piano).

    Closing the Festival on Sunday 16 March, audiences can experience the beauty of music and poetry intertwined in a captivating lunchtime performance inspired by Seamus Heaney’s Sonnets from Hellas. The Hellas Ensemble, founded by Greek and Irish bouzouki players and composers Nikos Petsakos and Martin Coyle, celebrate Heaney’s love of Greece and its profound influence on his work, with narration from Derry-born TV and theatre actor, Ruairi Conaghan.

    For tickets and information visit walledcitymusic.com

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI: Himax Technologies, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Financial Results; Provides First Quarter 2025 Guidance

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Q4 2024 Revenues, Gross Margin and EPS All Surpassed Guidance Range Issued on November 7, 2024
    Company Q1 2025 Guidance: Revenues to Decrease 8.5% to 12.5% QoQ,
    Gross Margin is Expected to be Around 30.5%. Profit per Diluted ADS to be 9.0 Cents to 11.0 Cents

    • Q4 2024 revenues registered $237.2 million, an increase of 6.7% QoQ, significantly exceeding guidance range of a slight decrease to flat, primarily driven by stronger order momentum across product lines
    • Q4 2024 Gross margin reached 30.5%, exceeding guidance of flat to slightly up, driven by a favorable product mix and cost improvements. Up from 30.0% in the Q3 2024
    • Q4 2024 after-tax profit was $24.6M, or 14.0 cents per diluted ADS, considerably above the guidance range of 9.3 cents to 11.0 cents
    • Company’s full year 2024 revenues were $906.8 million, and gross margin was 30.5%. 2024 profit attributable to shareholders was $0.46 per fully diluted ADS
    • Company’s Q1 2025 revenues to decline 8.5% to 12.5% QoQ, reflecting the low season demand due to Lunar New Year holidays. The Q1 revenue guidance implies flat to 4.6% increase YoY. Gross margin to be around 30.5%, up from 29.3% same quarter last year. Profit per diluted ADS to be in the range of 9.0 cents to 11.0 cents, implying the increase of 26% to 54% YoY
    • Himax sales revenues in each quarter of 2024 consistently outperformed guidance, demonstrating its ability to handle most of rush orders, underscoring its strong ability in inventory management and swift market responsiveness
    • Full year 2024 automotive driver IC sales increased nearly 20% YoY, significantly outpacing global automotive growth, largely driven by the continued TDDI adoption among major customers across all continents. Himax continues to reinforce its market leadership in automotive TDDI, holding well over 50% market share
    • Himax’s WLO technology plays a critical role in CPO by providing essential optical coupling capability, making it a core element of the solution. Small-scale production of the first-gen CPO underway, with acceleration of future CPO generation development, in close collaboration with AI customers/partners. Company believes prospect of CPO remains unchanged
    • WiseEye, building on the success with Dell, has achieved notable progress with other leading NB brands. Also made breakthroughs in smart door lock, palm vein authentication and smart home. Himax anticipates a strong growth trajectory in WiseEye business in 2025 and beyond
    • At CES 2025, Himax showcased a wide range of innovative achievements, including automotive display technology, WiseEye AI, and advanced optical technologies for AR/VR
    • Rising enthusiasm in AR glasses with Gen AI in CES 2025. Himax offers three critical technologies for AR glasses, namely LCoS microdisplay, WLO waveguide, and ultralow power WiseEye AI
    • Himax is well-positioned to capitalize on the trend of the premium NB to adopt OLED displays and touch features. Confident to lead in the rapidly evolving landscape of AI PCs and premium NB, offering a comprehensive IC portfolio for both LCD and OLED NB

    TAINAN, Taiwan, Feb. 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Himax Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: HIMX) (“Himax” or “Company”), a leading supplier and fabless manufacturer of display drivers and other semiconductor products, announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year 2024 ended December 31, 2024.

    “In 2024, our sales revenues in each quarter consistently outperformed guidance. We have consistently demonstrated our ability to handle most of rush orders, underscoring our agility, adaptability, strong capabilities in inventory management, and swift market responsiveness,” said Mr. Jordan Wu, President and Chief Executive Officer of Himax.

    “At CES this year, Himax showcased a wide range of innovative achievements, including automotive display technology, WiseEye AI, and advanced optical technologies for AR/VR. Notably, a clear trend emerged at this year’s CES as the industry demonstrated growing enthusiasm for AR glasses, fueled by more companies entering the space and integrating generative AI to accelerate the development of lightweight, compact, and all-day AR glasses. For AR glasses, Himax offers three critical technologies, namely LCoS microdisplay, WLO waveguide, and ultralow power WiseEye AI,” continued Mr. Jordan Wu.

    “Himax’s WLO technology plays a critical role in CPO by providing essential optical coupling capability, making it a core element of the solution. The prospect of CPO remains unchanged and the widespread adoption of CPO for data transmission to be conducted via optics instead of metal wire is on track in high-performance AI applications. Through WLO and CPO technologies, Himax is well-positioned to engage in the high-speed AI computing market with high expectations for its growth,” concluded Mr. Jordan Wu.

    Fourth Quarter 2024 Financial Results

    Himax net revenues registered $237.2 million, an increase of 6.7% sequentially, significantly exceeding Company’s guidance range of a slight decrease to flat, and up 4.2% year-over-year. Gross margin reached 30.5%, exceeding its guidance of flat to slightly up from 30.0% in the previous quarter, and up from 30.3% in the same period last year. The sequential increase was driven by a favorable product mix and cost improvements. Q4 profit per diluted ADS was 14.0 cents, considerably above the guidance range of 9.3 cents to 11.0 cents, thanks to better-than-expected revenues and improved costs.

    Revenue from large display drivers came in at $25.0 million, reflecting a 18.6% sequential decline. The decrease was primarily attributed to continued customer destocking after substantial Q2 replenishment for shopping festivals, as well as heightened price competition from Chinese peers. Sales of large panel driver ICs accounted for 10.5% of total revenues for the quarter, compared to 13.8% last quarter and 14.8% a year ago.

    Small and medium-sized display driver segment totaled $166.8 million, an increase of 7.4% sequentially, exceeding its guidance of flat quarter-over-quarter, thanks to stronger-than-expected sales in the automotive and tablet markets. Q4 automotive driver sales, including both traditional DDIC and TDDI, experienced mid-teens increase, significantly outperforming Company’s expectation of a single digit increase, with both DDIC and TDDI showing stronger-than-expected sales. This surge was primarily driven by continued rush orders from Chinese panel customers, carried over from Q3, following the Chinese government’s renewed trade-in stimulus initiative announced in mid-August 2024 to boost automobile consumption. Remarkably, Himax’s Q4 automotive TDDI sales have exceeded DDIC sales for the first time, underscoring the global adoption of Company’s TDDI solutions, which are increasingly essential in modern vehicles, and reflects the growing demand for more intuitive, interactive, and cost-effective touch panel features powered by TDDI technology. Himax’s automotive business, comprising drivers, Tcon, and OLED IC sales, accounted for around 50% of total Q4 revenues. Meanwhile, Q4 tablet IC sales exceeded the guidance of a low teens decline, with sales up slightly sequentially driven by rush orders from leading end customers. Q4 smartphone IC sales declined slightly, in line with its guidance. The small and medium-sized driver IC segment accounted for 70.3% of total sales for the quarter, compared to 69.9% in the previous quarter and 71.6% a year ago.

    Fourth quarter revenues from its non-driver business reached $45.4 million, exceeding the guidance range, with a 24.9% increase from the previous quarter. The growth was primarily driven by a one-time ASIC Tcon product shipment to a leading projector customer and Tcon for monitor application. In Q4, automotive Tcon sales continued to grow sequentially, due to the widespread adoption of Himax’s market-leading local dimming Tcon with over two hundred secured design-win projects across major panel makers, Tier 1 suppliers, and automotive manufacturers worldwide. Non-driver products accounted for 19.2% of total revenues, as compared to 16.3% in the previous quarter and 13.6% a year ago.  

    Fourth quarter operating expenses were $49.2 million, a decrease of 19.1% from the previous quarter and a decline of 6.0% from a year ago. The sequential decrease stemmed primarily from a reduction in annual employee bonuses, partially offset by an increase in R&D expenses. As part of Company’s standard practice, Himax grants annual bonuses, including cash and RSUs, to employees at the end of September each year. This results in higher IFRS operating expenses in the third quarter compared to the other quarters of the year. The year-over-year decrease was mainly due to a decline in employee bonus compensation as the amortized portion of prior year’s bonuses for 2023 was higher than that for 2024, offsetting the higher annual bonus compensation grant for 2024 compared to 2023. Amid ongoing macroeconomic challenges, Himax is strictly enforcing budget and expense controls, with full-year 2024 operating expenses declining 5.6% compared to last year.

    Fourth quarter operating income was $23.1 million or 9.7% of sales, compared to 2.6% of sales last quarter and 7.3% of sales for the same period last year. The sequential increase was primarily the result of higher sales, improved gross margin, and lower operating expenses. The year-over-year increase was primarily the result of higher sales, higher gross margin, and lower employee bonus compensation due to the amortized portion of the prior year’s bonuses. Fourth-quarter after-tax profit was $24.6 million, or 14.0 cents per diluted ADS, reflecting a meaningful increase from $13.0 million, or 7.4 cents per diluted ADS last quarter, and up from $23.6 million, or 13.5 cents in the same period last year.

    Full Year 2024 Financial

    Revenues totaled $906.8 million, a slight decline of 4.1% compared to 2023. Persistent global demand weakness, coupled with uncertainty about market trends, led to conservative purchasing decisions and inventory management by Company’s panel customers. Given this uncertainty, Himax implemented strict expense controls, resulting in a 5.6% reduction in operating expenses for the year. However, Company’s optimism in the automotive business remains unwavering, with automotive IC sales increasing by nearly 20% year-over-year in 2024, far outpacing the overall automotive market growth. Among Company’s automotive product lines, automotive TDDI and Tcon sales, both relatively new technologies, surged by more than 70%, driven by accelerated adoption across the board. This growth strengthened Company’s market leadership and positions Himax well for continued success as the automotive sector embraces more advanced technology resulting from the mega trend of increasing size, quantity, and sophistication of displays inside vehicles.

    Revenue from large panel display drivers totaled $125.9 million in 2024, marking a decrease of 28.3% year-over-year, and representing 13.9% of total sales, as compared to 18.6% in 2023. Small and medium-sized driver sales totaled $625.4 million, reflecting a slight decrease of 0.6% year-over-year, and accounting for 69.0% of its total revenues, as compared to 66.5% in 2023. Non-driver product sales totaled $155.5 million, an increase of 10.6% year-over-year, and representing 17.1% of Company’s total sales, as compared to 14.9% a year ago.

    Gross margin in 2024 was 30.5%, up from 27.9% in 2023. The margin expansion was driven by a strategic focus on cost improvements and operational efficiency optimization, combined with a favorable product mix that included a higher percentage of high-margin products such as automotive and Tcon. The successful diversification of foundry sources also contributed to the margin increase.

    Operating expenses in 2024 were $208.0 million, a decline of 5.6% from 2023, primarily due to lower employee bonus compensation, as the amortized portion of bonuses in 2023 was higher than that in 2024. 2024 operating income was $68.2 million, or 7.5% of sales, an increase from $43.2 million, or 4.6% of sales, in 2023. Himax’s net profit for 2024 was $79.8 million, or $0.46 per diluted ADS, significantly up from $50.6 million, or $0.29 per diluted ADS in 2023.

    Balance Sheet and Cash Flow

    Himax had $224.6 million of cash, cash equivalents and other financial assets as of December 31, 2024. This compares to $206.4 million at the same time last year and $206.5 million a quarter ago. Himax achieved a strong positive operating cash flow of $35.4 million for the fourth quarter, compared to a cash outflow of $3.1 million in Q3. Company made a total of $30.1 million annual cash bonus to employees, resulting in the low operating cash flow of the quarter. As of December 31, 2024, Himax had $34.5 million in long-term unsecured loans, with $6.0 million representing the current portion.

    The Company’s inventories as of December 31, 2024 were $158.7 million, lower than $192.5 million last quarter and $217.3 million at the end of last year. Company’s inventory levels have steadily declined over the past couple of quarters and are now at a healthy level. Accounts receivable at the end of December 2024 was $236.8 million, little changed from $224.6 million last quarter and $235.8 million a year ago. DSO was 96 days at the quarter end, as compared to 92 days last quarter and 91 days a year ago. Fourth quarter capital expenditures were $3.2 million, versus $2.6 million last quarter and $15.1 million a year ago. Fourth quarter capex was mainly for R&D related equipment for Company’s IC design business. Total capital expenditures for 2024 were $13.1 million as compared to $23.4 million in 2023. The decrease was primarily due to reduced spending on in-house testers for Company’s IC design business in 2024.

    Outstanding Share

    As of December 31, 2024, Himax had 174.9 million ADS outstanding, little changed from last quarter. On a fully diluted basis, the total number of ADS outstanding for the fourth quarter was 175.1 million.  

    Q1 2025 Outlook

    In 2024, Himax’s sales revenues in each quarter consistently outperformed guidance. While this strong performance is certainly commendable, it also highlights the challenges Company faced such as limited market visibility and conservative customer demand, where many customers relied on rush orders to address their actual demands. On the other hand, rush orders are indicative of the tight inventory position of Company’s panel customers in general. In the past few quarters, Himax has consistently demonstrated its ability to handle most of such rush orders, underscoring Company’s agility, adaptability, strong capabilities in inventory management, and swift market responsiveness.

    The automotive IC sales remained Company’s largest revenue contributor in 2024, accounting for almost half of total revenues and achieving close to 20% annual growth. This performance highlights Himax’s automotive leadership in technological innovations, product development, and market share. Looking ahead, Himax expects its automotive TDDI and Tcon technologies to maintain growth momentum, further strengthening its market competitiveness. Beyond LCD technology, Himax is advancing development in the automotive OLED sector, with numerous projects currently underway in partnership with leading panel makers. Company anticipates that automotive OLED IC will serve as one of the key growth drivers for Himax in the coming years, further solidifying its leadership in automotive display market.

    Meanwhile, Himax is actively expanding its technology development beyond display ICs. To that end, in the WiseEye AI segment, Company has made notable progress with leading notebook brands and achieved significant breakthroughs in smart door lock, palm vein authentication, and smart home applications, collaborating with world-leading customers to develop new innovations. Himax anticipates a strong growth trajectory in its WiseEye business in 2025 and beyond.

    Himax’s proprietary wafer-level optics (WLO) technology for co-packaged optics (CPO) has recently garnered significant attention in the capital markets. In fact, as early as June 2024, Himax and FOCI, a global leader in silicon photonics connectors, jointly announced the industry-leading CPO technology. The collaboration, spanning several years, unites Himax’s WLO technology with FOCI’s CPO solutions for cutting-edge AI multi-chip modules (MCM). Since the announcement, Himax has provided updates on the latest progress in each quarterly earnings call. Himax’s WLO technology plays a critical role in CPO by providing essential optical coupling capability, making it a core element of the solution. CPO significantly enhances bandwidth and accelerates data transmission while reducing signal loss, latency, and power consumption. Additionally, it can help drastically decrease the size and cost of MCM.

    While CPO is still in engineering validation and trial production stage this year, with customer’s mass production timelines undisclosed and the recent AI market disruptions from DeepSeek, the prospect of CPO remains unchanged. The widespread adoption of CPO for data transmission to be conducted via optics instead of metal wire is on track in high-performance AI applications. This is evident by the significant increase in customer’s recent trial production volume forecast, indicating an accelerated timeline for CPO technology to enter mass production. Furthermore, Himax and FOCI, in close collaboration with leading AI customers and partners, are actively developing future generations of CPO technologies to meet the explosive high-speed optical data transmission demand in HPC and AI. Through WLO and CPO technologies, Himax is well-positioned to engage in the high-speed AI computing market with high expectations for its growth. Company believes that CPO technology, beyond cloud applications, will see further adoption in sectors such as automotive and robot in the future. Himax’s current goal is to accelerate CPO adoption in cloud applications, thereby helping drive broader CPO adoption in AI applications.

    At CES this year, Himax showcased a wide range of innovative achievements, including automotive display technology, WiseEye AI, and advanced optical technologies for AR/VR. Notably, a clear trend emerged at this year’s CES as the industry demonstrated growing enthusiasm for AR glasses, fueled by more companies entering the space and integrating generative AI to accelerate the development of lightweight, compact, and all-day AR glasses. For AR glasses, Himax offers three critical technologies, namely LCoS microdisplay, WLO waveguide, and ultralow power WiseEye AI. Company’s latest, patented Front-lit LCoS Microdisplay delivers unparalleled brightness with an industry-leading 400k nits, exceptional optical power efficiency, compact form factor, lightweight, and superior display quality, making it one of the most viable solutions in the see-through AR glasses market. In waveguide, in collaboration with leading tech names, Himax leverages proprietary WLO expertise, built on advanced nanoimprint technology, to offer industry-leading optical solutions that optimize light transmission and display efficiency. In the field of AI sensing for AR glasses, Himax’s WiseEye provides always-on AI sensing capabilities which are being applied by developers to significantly enhance AR interactivity while consuming just a few milliwatts of power.

    In automotive display IC technology, Himax unveiled the industry’s most comprehensive LCD and OLED solutions at CES, showcasing a range of next-generation smart cabin technologies. These solutions not only improve the intuitive operation of smart cabins but also enhance driving safety and provide an exceptional user experience. A prime example is the advanced Display HMI solution developed in collaboration with AUO which meets the demands for large-size, high-resolution, and freeform automotive displays.

    At CES, Himax also partnered with several AI ecosystem partners to showcase its ultralow power WiseEye Modules over a range of innovative, production-ready AIoT applications. These applications include palm vein authentication, baby cry detection, people flow management, and human sensing detection. The modules are designed for easy integration, making it highly suitable for various AIoT applications.

    Display Driver IC Businesses

    LDDIC

    In Q1 2025, Himax anticipates a single digit sequential sales increase for large display driver ICs, driven by demand spurred by Chinese government subsidies for household appliances aimed at reviving demand in the sluggish household sector. Notebook and monitor sales are expected to increase in Q1. In contrast, TV IC sales are set to decline as customers pulled forward their inventory purchases in the prior quarter, coupled with the seasonal slowdown in Q1.

    Looking ahead in the notebook sector, Company is seeing an increase in demand for premium notebooks to adopt OLED displays and touch features, partially fueled by the rise of AI PC. Himax is well-positioned to capitalize on this trend, offering a comprehensive range of ICs for both LCD and OLED notebooks, including DDIC, Tcon, touch controllers, and TDDI. A standout innovation is Company’s pioneering in-cell touch TDDI for LCD displays, which improves the ease of system design and integration by embedding the touch controller within the TDDI chip while maintaining the conventional display driver setup for Tcon data transmission. This design simplifies integration for customers, reducing engineering complexity and speeding up product development. This solution also supports high-resolution displays up to 4K and larger screens up to 16 inches, aligning with the growing demand for advanced, visually stunning, and immersive laptops. With mass production already underway for a leading notebook vendor’s AI PC, more projects are lined up. For OLED notebooks, in addition to Company’s OLED DDIC and Tcon solutions, Himax is also developing on-cell touch controller technology, with multiple projects underway with top panel makers and notebook vendors. Last but not least, progress has been made on the next-generation eDP 1.5 display interface for Tcon for both LCD and OLED panels. This interface will support high frame rates, low power consumption, adaptive sync, and high resolution, key features essential for next-generation AI PCs. By delivering innovative, cutting-edge technologies, Himax is well-positioned to lead in the rapidly evolving landscape of AI PCs and premium notebooks.

    SMDDIC

    On SMDDIC revenue, for the full year 2024, Himax’s automotive driver IC sales, comprising of TDDI and traditional DDIC, increased nearly 20% year-over-year, significantly outpacing global automotive growth, largely driven by the continued adoption of TDDI technology among major customers across all continents. However, Himax anticipates Q1 automotive revenue to decline low teens sequentially, following two quarters of surge demand. Despite this, Q1 automotive sales are still projected to increase by mid-teens on a year-over-year basis. In the automotive TDDI sector, with cumulative shipments significantly surpassing those of Himax’s competitors, Company continues to reinforce its market leadership, which currently stands at well over 50%. With nearly 500 design-in projects secured and a continuous influx of new pipeline and design-wins across the board, of which only 30% already in mass production, Himax expects to sustain this decent growth in the years ahead. While traditional automotive DDIC sales for 2024 declined due to their gradual, partial replacement by TDDI, Company’s DDIC shipment volume still saw a modest increase in the last year. This demonstrates the steady demand for mature DDIC products, such as those used in cluster displays, HUDs, and rear- and side-view mirrors, which do not require touch functionality. Furthermore, the long-term trust and loyalty from Company’s DDIC customers, some of whom have relied on Himax’s solutions for over a decade, is indicative of Company’s strong customer retention. Himax continues to lead the automotive DDIC market, maintaining a global market share of approximately 40%.

    Himax continues to lead in automotive display IC innovation by pioneering solutions that deliver superior performance, power efficiency, and enhanced user experiences. As part of this ongoing innovation, Company’s latest TED (Tcon Embedded Driver IC) solution, which combines TDDI with local dimming Tcon into a single chip, provides a cost-effective, flexible, and comprehensive solution for its customers. Another new technology worth highlighting is Himax’s automotive TDDI with advanced user-aware touch control, which differentiates between driver and passenger touches to prevent cross-touch and enhance driving safety. In addition, Company offers a unique knob-on-in-cell-display solution that combines a physical knob with a TDDI. This design seamlessly merges in-cell touch technology with tactile controls, offering drivers a safer, more intuitive interaction that reduces distractions and enhances the overall driving experience.

    Moving to smartphone and tablet IC sales, Himax expects a sequential decline in both product lines, as is typical during the low season in Q1 due to the Lunar New Year.

    On OLED business update. In the automotive OLED market, Company has established strategic partnerships with leading panel makers in Korea, China, and Japan. As OLED technology extends beyond premium car models, Himax is well-positioned as the preferred partner, leveraging Company’s strong presence and proven track record in the automotive LCD display sector. Capitalizing on Himax’s first-mover advantage, Himax aims to drive the growing adoption of OLED in automotive displays by offering a comprehensive range of solutions, including DDIC, Tcon, and on-cell touch controller. Company believes this positions it as a primary beneficiary of the anticipated shift toward OLED displays for high end vehicles in a couple of years, enabling Himax to capture new growth opportunities and further strengthen its market leadership.

    Beyond the automotive sector, Company has also made strides in the tablet and notebook markets, partnering with leading OLED panel makers in Korea and China. Himax’s comprehensive OLED product portfolio, covering DDIC, Tcon, and touch controllers, has driven several new projects that are on track to begin mass production this year. In the smartphone OLED market, Company is making solid progress in collaborations with customers in Korea and China and anticipates mass production to start later this year.

    First quarter small and medium-sized display driver IC business is expected to decline low teens sequentially.

    Non-Driver Product Categories

    Q1 non-driver IC revenues are expected to decrease high teens sequentially.

    Timing Controller (Tcon)

    Himax anticipates Q1 2025 Tcon sales to decrease mid-teens sequentially, primarily due to the non-recurrence of a one-time ASIC Tcon shipment to a leading projector customer last quarter, as well as a moderation in automotive Tcon shipments following several quarters of strong growth. That being said, Himax maintains an unchallenged position in local dimming Tcon, evidenced by growing validation and widespread adoption in both premium and mainstream car models worldwide. Company is confident in the continued growth of its automotive Tcon business, supported by its strong market presence in local dimming Tcon, with strong pipeline of over two hundred design-win projects set to gradually enter production in the coming years. Heads-up display (HUD) is another field gaining traction within automotive displays, driving increased adoption of local dimming Tcon technology and emerging as a particularly promising application. Himax’s industry-leading local dimming Tcon provides distinct advancements with high contrast ratio and optimized power consumption. It effectively eliminates the “postcard effect” often seen in HUDs, caused by backlight leakage typical of conventional TFT LCD panels, ensuring clear and precise images on the windshield. Additionally, the Tcon features advanced transparency detection to prevent the display from obstructing the driver’s view, thereby ensuring driving safety. Several HUD projects are already in progress, and Himax is excited about the potential opportunities ahead. Company is well positioned for continuous growth in automotive Tcon over the next few years.

    WiseEye™ Ultralow Power AI Sensing

    On the update of WiseEye™ ultralow power AI sensing solution, a cutting-edge endpoint AI integration featuring industry-leading ultralow power AI processor, always-on CMOS image sensor, and CNN-based AI algorithm. WiseEye AI delivers a significant competitive edge in the rapidly growing AI market through its ultralow power consumption and context-aware, on-device AI inferencing that seamlessly integrates vision and other sensing capabilities into endpoint applications, particularly battery-powered devices. This not only enhances intuitive user interaction but also makes AI more practical and accessible. Additionally, WiseEye AI offloads tasks from the main processor, effectively extending battery lifespan and improving overall data processing efficiency. Building on the success with Dell notebooks, Himax WiseEye AI is continuing to expand its market presence, with additional use cases expected across other leading notebook brands, some of which are set for production later this year.

    WiseEye also continues to achieve significant market success across various sectors. For smart door lock, Company collaborated with DESMAN, a leading high-end brand in China, to introduce the world’s first smart door lock with 24/7 sentry monitoring and real-time event recording. Building on this achievement, Himax is expanding globally by collaborating with other leading door lock makers worldwide to integrate innovative AI features, including parcel recognition, anti-pinch protection, and palm vein biometric access, further extending application possibilities. Several of these value-added solutions are set to enter production later this year. At CES 2025, Himax joined forces with ecosystem partners to unveil a suite of innovative, production-ready AIoT applications, powered by Company’s tiny form factor, plug-and-play WiseEye Modules. Himax offers a series of modules, each incorporating an ultralow power WiseEye AI processor, an AoS image sensor, and advanced algorithms. The modules feature no-code/low-code AI platform capabilities, simplifying AI integration and supporting diverse use cases, such as human presence detection, gender and age recognition, gesture recognition, face mesh, voice command, thermal image sensing, pose estimation and people flow management. By streamlining deployment and reducing development costs, WiseEye Modules open new opportunities for automation, enhance interactivity, and elevate user experiences across a variety of industries.

    A broad range of innovative, ultralow power WiseEye Modules are also under development in collaboration with ecosystem partners, such as crying baby detection, dynamic gesture recognition, and human sensing, among others. One standout in Himax’s WiseEye Module portfolio is the Himax WiseEye PalmVein solution, which has quickly gained traction since its introduction just one year ago. Company has secured multiple design wins, with mass production already underway by a US customer for smart access applications and a Taiwan-based door lock vendor for its leading smart door lock brands. To meet growing customer demand for flexibility across various environments, the upgraded WiseEye PalmVein suite now features bimodal authentication, combining both palm vein and face recognitions. This dual-authentication solution enhances security by offering two layers of biometric verification, which not only increases reliability but also makes it highly adaptable to various environments.

    The rise of physical AI agents marks a significant shift in human-machine interaction, enabling devices to perceive, process, and respond to their surroundings in real time. A key emerging trend is the integration of cloud-based large language models (LLMs), which enables these agents’ advanced reasoning and language understanding, enhancing their ability to interact with and adapt to the physical world. Himax WiseEye AI is at the forefront of this revolution, delivering always-on sensor fusion, ultralow power on-device processing, while seamlessly interfacing with LLMs, to provide the essential real-time AI capabilities for next-generation applications. A good illustration of this innovation was showcased at CES 2025, where Himax and Seeed Studio introduced the SenseCAP Watcher, a physical AI agent powered by WiseEye AI. Equipped with vision and audio sensor fusion, along with a speaker, this battery-powered IoT device combines on-device AI with cloud-based LLMs to interpret commands, recognize objects, respond to events, and facilitate real-time interaction. Drawing from the success of SenseCAP Watcher, Himax is actively working on multiple projects leveraging WiseEye AI to further drive advancements in physical AI agent applications.

    Separately, Himax is excited about its collaboration with a leading AR player to integrate WiseEye AI into the next generation of AR glasses. At CES, there was a renewed enthusiasm on AR glasses with AI becoming an integral component to enable intuitive and seamless human-device interaction. WiseEye AI addresses two critical challenges in AR glasses, namely real-time responsiveness and power efficiency. For example, WiseEye supports always-on outward sensing, enabling AR glasses to detect and analyze the surrounding environment with real time context-aware AI. This capability powers instant response, real-time object recognition, navigation assistance, translation, and environmental mapping, enhancing the overall AR experience. Notably, WiseEye AI’s exceptional ultralow power consumption, measured in single digit milliwatts, also make it perfectly suited for AR glasses for all-day wear. In another example, Company collaborates with Ganzin on eyeball tracking technology, which, powered by WiseEye, precisely detects subtle eyeball movements, gaze direction, pupil size, and blinking, thereby providing critical data for the enhancement of user interaction in AR glasses.

    Wafer Level Optics (WLO)

    In June 2024, Himax, in partnership with FOCI, a world leader in silicon photonics connector, unveiled an industry-leading co-packaged optics (CPO) technology, leveraging Himax state-of-the-art WLO technology. This innovation integrates silicon photonic chips and optical connectors within MCM, replacing traditional metal wire transmission with high-speed optical communication. The technology significantly enhances bandwidth, boosts data transmission rates, reduces signal loss and latency, lowers power consumption, and significantly minimizes the size and cost of MCM. In working closely with FOCI, Himax is making significant strides through a solid partnership with leading AI semiconductor companies and foundry, with small-scale production of the first-generation CPO solution already underway. The significant increase in Q1 engineering validation and trial production volume, combined with the anticipated sample volume increases in the coming quarters, is a strong indication that CPO technology is being accelerated toward mass production. In addition, in close collaboration with leading AI customers/partners, Himax is speeding up the development of CPO technology for the next few generations. Himax is more optimistic than ever about the outlook for its WLO business, which is poised to generate significant growth opportunities and become a major revenue and profit contributor in the years ahead.

    Alongside the CPO progress, Company is witnessing a rise in engineering collaborations with global technology leaders who are utilizing Himax’s WLO expertise to make advanced waveguides for AR glasses, highlighting the growing recognition of Company’s WLO capabilities.

    LCoS

    On the update on LCoS, Company recently introduced its industry-leading 400K nits ultra-luminous Front-lit LCoS Microdisplay, setting a new benchmark for brightness with extremely low power consumption of merely 300mW. At CES 2025, Company showcased an AR glasses POC (Proof-Of-Concept) featuring the microdisplay with a third-party waveguide, achieving over 1,000 nits of brightness to the eye. This demonstration highlighted its suitability for outdoor, high ambient light conditions. With a lightweight of just 0.98 grams and ultra-compact form factor of less than 0.5 c.c., combined with excellent color performance, Himax’s Front-lit LCoS Microdisplay is ideal for all-day AR glasses and underscores the technology’s readiness for real-world applications.

    Following the recent release of Himax’s 400K nits ultra-luminous Front-lit LCoS Microdisplay, Himax is actively engaged in significant projects through strategic collaborations with industry leaders. Himax’s proven track record of over a decade in LCoS technology, coupled with a history of successful production shipments, highlights Company’s readiness to meet the demands of large-scale production of AR glasses.

    First Quarter 2025 Guidance
    Net Revenue: Decrease 8.5% to 12.5% QoQ, Flat to Up 4.6% YoY
    Gross Margin: Around 30.5%, depending on final product mix
    Profit: 9.0 cents to 11.0 cents per diluted ADS, Up 26% to 54% YoY  
       

    Himax noticed that some peers’ customers placed orders early due to tariff factors, especially in the consumer electronics sector, resulting in Q1 revenue forecasts exceeding normal seasonal demand. In contrast, no similar trend has been observed in the automotive semiconductor market. Since Himax’s automotive business accounts for more than half of its total revenues, Himax’s Q1 revenue forecast has not benefited from tariff factors.

    HIMAX TECHNOLOGIES FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL YEAR 2024 EARNINGS CONFERENCE CALL
    DATE: Thursday, February 13, 2025
    TIME: U.S.       8:00 a.m. EST
    Taiwan  9:00 p.m.
       
    Live Webcast (Video and Audio): http://www.zucast.com/webcast/br8wqbB4
    Toll Free Dial-in Number (Audio Only):
      Hong Kong 2112-1444
    Taiwan 0080-119-6666
    Australia 1-800-015-763
    Canada 1-877-252-8508
    China (1) 4008-423-888
    China (2) 4006-786-286
    Singapore 800-492-2072
    UK 0800-068-8186
    United States (1) 1-800-811-0860
    United States (2) 1-866-212-5567
    Dial-in Number (Audio Only): 
      Taiwan Domestic Access 02-3396-1191
    International Access +886-2-3396-1191
    Participant PIN Code: 3329013 # 
       

    If you choose to attend the call by dialing in via phone, please enter the Participant PIN Code 3329013 # after the call is connected. A replay of the webcast will be available beginning two hours after the call on www.himax.com.tw. This webcast can be accessed by clicking on this link or Himax’s website, where it will remain available until February 13, 2026.

    About Himax Technologies, Inc.
    Himax Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: HIMX) is a leading global fabless semiconductor solution provider dedicated to display imaging processing technologies. The Company’s display driver ICs and timing controllers have been adopted at scale across multiple industries worldwide including TVs, PC monitors, laptops, mobile phones, tablets, automotive, ePaper devices, industrial displays, among others. As the global market share leader in automotive display technology, the Company offers innovative and comprehensive automotive IC solutions, including traditional driver ICs, advanced in-cell Touch and Display Driver Integration (TDDI), local dimming timing controllers (Local Dimming Tcon), Large Touch and Display Driver Integration (LTDI) and OLED display technologies. Himax is also a pioneer in tinyML visual-AI and optical technology related fields. The Company’s industry-leading WiseEye™ Ultralow Power AI Sensing technology which incorporates Himax proprietary ultralow power AI processor, always-on CMOS image sensor, and CNN-based AI algorithm has been widely deployed in consumer electronics and AIoT related applications. Himax optics technologies, such as diffractive wafer level optics, LCoS microdisplays and 3D sensing solutions, are critical for facilitating emerging AR/VR/metaverse technologies. Additionally, Himax designs and provides touch controllers, OLED ICs, LED ICs, EPD ICs, power management ICs, and CMOS image sensors for diverse display application coverage. Founded in 2001 and headquartered in Tainan, Taiwan, Himax currently employs around 2,200 people from three Taiwan-based offices in Tainan, Hsinchu and Taipei and country offices in China, Korea, Japan, Germany, and the US. Himax has 2,649 patents granted and 402 patents pending approval worldwide as of December 31, 2024.

    http://www.himax.com.tw

    Forward Looking Statements

    Factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those described in this conference call include, but are not limited to, the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic on the Company’s business; general business and economic conditions and the state of the semiconductor industry; market acceptance and competitiveness of the driver and non-driver products developed by the Company; demand for end-use applications products; reliance on a small group of principal customers; the uncertainty of continued success in technological innovations; our ability to develop and protect our intellectual property; pricing pressures including declines in average selling prices; changes in customer order patterns; changes in estimated full-year effective tax rate; shortage in supply of key components; changes in environmental laws and regulations; changes in export license regulated by Export Administration Regulations (EAR); exchange rate fluctuations; regulatory approvals for further investments in our subsidiaries; our ability to collect accounts receivable and manage inventory and other risks described from time to time in the Company’s SEC filings, including those risks identified in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in its Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2023 filed with the SEC, as may be amended.

    Company Contacts:

    Eric Li, Chief IR/PR Officer
    Himax Technologies, Inc.
    Tel: +886-6-505-0880
    Fax: +886-2-2314-0877
    Email: hx_ir@himax.com.tw
    www.himax.com.tw
      
    Karen Tiao, Investor Relations
    Himax Technologies, Inc.
    Tel: +886-2-2370-3999
    Fax: +886-2-2314-0877
    Email: hx_ir@himax.com.tw
    www.himax.com.tw

    Mark Schwalenberg, Director
    Investor Relations – US Representative
    MZ North America
    Tel: +1-312-261-6430
    Email: HIMX@mzgroup.us
    www.mzgroup.us

    -Financial Tables-

    Himax Technologies, Inc.
    Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Profit or Loss
    (These interim financials do not fully comply with IFRS because they omit all interim disclosure required by IFRS)
    (Amounts in Thousands of U.S. Dollars, Except Share and Per Share Data)
      Three Months
    Ended December 31,
      3 Months
    Ended
    September 30,
        2024       2023       2024  
               
    Revenues          
    Revenues from third parties, net $ 237,182     $ 227,664     $ 222,401  
    Revenues from related parties, net   41       14       6  
        237,223       227,678       222,407  
               
    Costs and expenses:          
    Cost of revenues   164,963       158,669       155,795  
    Research and development   37,584       41,088       46,880  
    General and administrative   5,711       5,831       6,828  
    Sales and marketing   5,886       5,409       7,048  
    Total costs and expenses   214,144       210,997       216,551  
               
    Operating income   23,079       16,681       5,856  
               
    Non operating income (loss):          
    Interest income   2,042       1,934       2,297  
    Changes in fair value of financial assets at fair value through profit or loss   1,245       1,710       27  
    Foreign currency exchange gains (losses), net   690       (1,525 )     457  
    Finance costs   (964 )     (1,140 )     (1,018 )
    Share of losses of associates   (360 )     (14 )     (143 )
    Other losses         (1,932 )      
    Other income (losses)   60       (362 )     105  
        2,713       (1,329 )     1,725  
    Profit before income taxes   25,792       15,352       7,581  
    Income tax expense (benefit)   761       (7,933 )     (5,174 )
    Profit for the period   25,031       23,285       12,755  
    Loss (profit) attributable to noncontrolling interests   (423 )     280       268  
    Profit attributable to Himax Technologies, Inc. stockholders $ 24,608     $ 23,565     $ 13,023  
               
    Basic earnings per ADS attributable to Himax Technologies, Inc. stockholders $ 0.141     $ 0.135     $ 0.075  
    Diluted earnings per ADS attributable to Himax Technologies, Inc. stockholders $ 0.140     $ 0.135     $ 0.074  
               
    Basic Weighted Average Outstanding ADS   175,008       174,724       174,727  
    Diluted Weighted Average Outstanding ADS   175,146       174,979       174,987  
    Himax Technologies, Inc.
    Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Profit or Loss
    (Amounts in Thousands of U.S. Dollars, Except Share and Per Share Data)
       
        Twelve Months
    Ended December 31,
          2024       2023  
             
    Revenues        
    Revenues from third parties, net   $ 906,737     $ 945,309  
    Revenues from related parties, net     65       119  
          906,802       945,428  
             
    Costs and expenses:        
    Cost of revenues     630,601       681,931  
    Research and development     160,329       171,392  
    General and administrative     24,121       25,037  
    Sales and marketing     23,530       23,856  
    Total costs and expenses     838,581       902,216  
             
    Operating income     68,221       43,212  
             
    Non operating income (loss):        
    Interest income     9,907       8,746  
    Changes in fair value of financial assets at fair value through profit or loss     1,363       1,655  
    Foreign currency exchange gains (losses), net     2,491       (768 )
    Finance costs     (4,014 )     (6,080 )
    Share of losses of associates     (831 )     (598 )
    Other losses           (1,932 )
    Other income     198       158  
          9,114       1,181  
    Profit before income taxes     77,335       44,393  
    Income tax benefit     (2,435 )     (5,028 )
    Profit for the period     79,770       49,421  
    Loss (profit) attributable to noncontrolling interests     (15 )     1,195  
    Profit attributable to Himax Technologies, Inc. stockholders   $ 79,755     $ 50,616  
             
    Basic earnings per ADS attributable to Himax Technologies, Inc. stockholders   $ 0.456     $ 0.290  
    Diluted earnings per ADS attributable to Himax Technologies, Inc. stockholders   $ 0.456     $ 0.290  
             
    Basic Weighted Average Outstanding ADS     174,796       174,495  
    Diluted Weighted Average Outstanding ADS     175,014       174,783  
    Himax Technologies, Inc.
    IFRS Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position
    (Amounts in Thousands of U.S. Dollars)
     
        December 31,
    2024
      December 31,
    2023
      September 30,
    2024
    Assets            
    Current assets:            
    Cash and cash equivalents   $ 218,148     $ 191,749     $ 194,139  
    Financial assets at amortized cost     4,286       12,511       12,335  
    Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss     2,140       2,117        
    Accounts receivable, net (including related parties)     236,813       235,829       224,589  
    Inventories     158,746       217,308       192,458  
    Income taxes receivable     726       1,454       986  
    Restricted deposit     503,700       453,000       503,700  
    Other receivable from related parties     13       69       22  
    Other current assets     43,471       86,548       42,581  
    Total current assets     1,168,043       1,200,585       1,170,810  
    Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss     23,554       21,650       26,383  
    Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income     28,226       1,635       22,457  
    Equity method investments     8,571       3,490       2,945  
    Property, plant and equipment, net     121,280       130,109       122,333  
    Deferred tax assets     21,193       14,196       13,806  
    Goodwill     28,138       28,138       28,138  
    Other intangible assets, net     636       816       717  
    Restricted deposit     31       32       31  
    Refundable deposits     221,824       222,025       221,879  
    Other non-current assets     18,025       20,728       18,484  
          471,478       442,819       457,173  
         Total assets   $ 1,639,521     $ 1,643,404     $ 1,627,983  
    Liabilities and Equity            
    Current liabilities:            
    Current portion of long-term unsecured borrowings   $ 6,000     $ 6,000     $ 6,000  
    Short-term secured borrowings     503,700       453,000       503,700  
    Accounts payable (including related parties)     113,203       107,342       121,384  
    Income taxes payable     9,514       15,309       2,324  
    Other payable to related parties           110        
    Contract liabilities-current     10,622       17,751       25,694  
    Other current liabilities     63,595       109,291       54,673  
    Total current liabilities     706,634       708,803       713,775  
    Long-term unsecured borrowings     28,500       34,500       30,000  
    Deferred tax liabilities     564       520       505  
    Other non-current liabilities     7,496       35,879       11,361  
          36,560       70,899       41,866  
    Total liabilities     743,194       779,702       755,641  
    Equity            
    Ordinary shares     107,010       107,010       107,010  
    Additional paid-in capital     115,376       114,648       115,285  
    Treasury shares     (5,546 )     (5,157 )     (4,714 )
    Accumulated other comprehensive income     8,621       (180 )     3,507  
    Retained earnings     664,600       640,447       644,596  
    Equity attributable to owners of Himax Technologies, Inc.     890,061       856,768       865,684  
    Noncontrolling interests     6,266       6,934       6,658  
    Total equity     896,327       863,702       872,342  
         Total liabilities and equity   $ 1,639,521     $ 1,643,404     $ 1,627,983  
    Himax Technologies, Inc.
    Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
    (Amounts in Thousands of U.S. Dollars)
     
        Three Months
    Ended December 31,
      Three Months Ended
    September 30,
          2024       2023       2024  
                 
    Cash flows from operating activities:            
    Profit for the period   $ 25,031     $ 23,285     $ 12,755  
    Adjustments for:            
    Depreciation and amortization     5,564       5,115       5,640  
    Share-based compensation expenses     103       346       407  
    Losses (gains) on disposals of property, plant and equipment, net     4       (368 )      
    Loss on re-measurement of the pre-existing relationships in a business combination           1,932        
    Changes in fair value of financial assets at fair value through profit or loss     (1,245 )     (1,710 )     (27 )
    Interest income     (2,042 )     (1,934 )     (2,297 )
    Finance costs     964       1,140       1,018  
    Income tax expense (benefit)     761       (7,933 )     (5,174 )
    Share of losses of associates     360       14       143  
    Inventories write downs     4,037       5,727       2,269  
    Unrealized foreign currency exchange losses (gains)     (159 )     1,517       228  
          33,378       27,131       14,962  
    Changes in:            
    Accounts receivable (including related parties)     (27,302 )     8,163       8,548  
    Inventories     29,675       36,580       8,964  
    Other receivable from related parties     9       (29 )     33  
    Other current assets     2,502       (5,682 )     (778 )
    Accounts payable (including related parties)     (7,706 )     (627 )     (26,101 )
    Other payable to related parties     1       363       (102 )
    Contract liabilities     6       (958 )     667  
    Other current liabilities     2,508       3,014       (4,161 )
    Other non-current liabilities     71       393       (3,354 )
    Cash generated from operating activities     33,142       68,348       (1,322 )
    Interest received     3,513       2,665       860  
    Interest paid     (1,047 )     (1,140 )     (1,018 )
    Income tax paid     (191 )     (1,131 )     (1,658 )
    Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities     35,417       68,742       (3,138 )
                 
    Cash flows from investing activities:            
    Acquisitions of property, plant and equipment     (3,222 )     (15,052 )     (2,551 )
    Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment           111        
    Acquisitions of intangible assets           (40 )     (9 )
    Acquisitions of financial assets at amortized cost     (2,286 )     (4,573 )     (1,500 )
    Proceeds from disposal of financial assets at amortized cost     10,289       784       617  
    Acquisitions of financial assets at fair value through profit or loss     (6,807 )     (5,375 )     (27,934 )
    Proceeds from disposal of financial assets at fair value through profit or loss     3,722       1,645       33,036  
    Acquisitions of financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income           (1,379 )      
    Proceeds from disposal of financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income           99        
    Acquisition of a subsidiary, net of cash acquired (paid)     (5,416 )     433        
    Proceeds from capital reduction of investment     338       360        
    Acquisitions of equity method investment     (1,236 )            
    Decrease (increase) in refundable deposits     (8 )           11,339  
    Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities     (4,626 )     (22,987 )     12,998  
                 
    Cash flows from financing activities:            
    Purchase of treasury shares     (832 )            
    Prepayments for purchase of treasury shares     (2,168 )            
    Payments of cash dividends                 (50,670 )
    Payments of dividend equivalents                 (233 )
    Proceeds from issuance of new shares by subsidiaries           916        
    Purchases of subsidiaries shares from noncontrolling interests           (9 )      
    Proceeds from short-term unsecured borrowings           36,932        
    Repayments of short-term unsecured borrowings           (37,226 )      
    Repayments of long-term unsecured borrowings     (1,500 )     (1,500 )     (1,500 )
    Proceeds from short-term secured borrowings     461,400       427,100       522,600  
    Repayments of short-term secured borrowings     (461,400 )     (427,100 )     (471,900 )
    Pledge of restricted deposit                 (50,700 )
    Payment of lease liabilities     (1,340 )     (1,244 )     (979 )
    Guarantee deposits received (refunded)     219       (5 )      
    Net cash used in financing activities     (5,621 )     (2,136 )     (53,382 )
    Effect of foreign currency exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents     (1,161 )     873       985  
    Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents     24,009       44,492       (42,537 )
    Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period     194,139       147,257       236,676  
    Cash and cash equivalents at end of period   $ 218,148     $ 191,749     $ 194,139  
                 
    Himax Technologies, Inc.
    Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
    (Amounts in Thousands of U.S. Dollars)
        Twelve Months
    Ended December 31,
          2024       2023  
             
    Cash flows from operating activities:        
    Profit for the period   $ 79,770     $ 49,421  
    Adjustments for:        
    Depreciation and amortization     22,354       20,322  
    Share-based compensation expenses     1,247       2,663  
    Losses (gains) on disposals of property, plant and equipment, net     4       (368 )
    Loss on re-measurement of the pre-existing relationships in a business combination           1,932  
    Changes in fair value of financial assets at fair value through profit or loss     (1,363 )     (1,655 )
    Interest income     (9,907 )     (8,746 )
    Finance costs     4,014       6,080  
    Income tax benefit     (2,435 )     (5,028 )
    Share of losses of associates     831       598  
    Inventories write downs     13,551       21,540  
    Unrealized foreign currency exchange losses (gains)     (171 )     624  
          107,895       87,383  
    Changes in:        
    Accounts receivable (including related parties)     (40,738 )     20,804  
    Inventories     45,011       132,090  
    Other receivable from related parties     56       5  
    Other current assets     3,941       (3,863 )
    Accounts payable (including related parties)     14,567       7,676  
    Other payable to related parties     (110 )     (268 )
    Contract liabilities     45       (37,051 )
    Other current liabilities     (9,010 )     1,246  
    Other non-current liabilities     (2,260 )     (4,602 )
    Cash generated from operating activities     119,397       203,420  
    Interest received     9,732       8,567  
    Interest paid     (4,015 )     (6,080 )
    Income tax paid     (9,138 )     (53,066 )
    Net cash provided by operating activities     115,976       152,841  
             
    Cash flows from investing activities:        
    Acquisitions of property, plant and equipment     (13,054 )     (23,378 )
    Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment           111  
    Acquisitions of intangible assets     (153 )     (115 )
    Acquisitions of financial assets at amortized cost     (11,236 )     (6,911 )
    Proceeds from disposal of financial assets at amortized cost     19,457       3,099  
    Acquisitions of financial assets at fair value through profit or loss     (76,003 )     (82,628 )
    Proceeds from disposal of financial assets at fair value through profit or loss     70,389       75,539  
    Acquisitions of financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income     (17,164 )     (1,379 )
    Proceeds from disposal of financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income           99  
    Acquisition of a subsidiary, net of cash acquired (paid)     (5,416 )     433  
    Proceeds from capital reduction of investment     338       360  
    Acquisitions of equity method investment     (1,236 )      
    Decrease (increase) in refundable deposits     33,562       (56,933 )
    Cash received in advance from disposal of land           2,821  
    Net cash used in investing activities     (516 )     (88,882 )
             
    Cash flows from financing activities:        
    Purchase of treasury shares     (832 )      
    Prepayments for purchase of treasury shares     (2,168 )      
    Payments of cash dividends     (50,670 )     (83,720 )
    Payments of dividend equivalents     (233 )     (148 )
    Proceeds from issuance of new shares by subsidiary     71       916  
    Purchases of subsidiaries shares from noncontrolling interests     (190 )     (9 )
    Proceeds from short-term unsecured borrowings           47,226  
    Repayments of short-term unsecured borrowings           (47,226 )
    Repayments of long-term unsecured borrowings     (6,000 )     (6,000 )
    Proceeds from short-term secured borrowings     1,780,300       1,383,300  
    Repayments of short-term secured borrowings     (1,729,600 )     (1,299,600 )
    Pledge of restricted deposit     (50,700 )     (83,700 )
    Payment of lease liabilities     (5,032 )     (4,830 )
    Guarantee deposits received (refunded)     (23,163 )     200  
    Net cash used in financing activities     (88,217 )     (93,591 )
    Effect of foreign currency exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents     (844 )     (200 )
    Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents     26,399       (29,832 )
    Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period     191,749       221,581  
    Cash and cash equivalents at end of period   $ 218,148     $ 191,749  

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Uncertainty around PEPFAR programme puts millions of people at risk

    Source: Médecins Sans Frontières –

    • MSF is witnessing the impacts of the US government’s decision to freeze funding to PEPFAR in countries where we work.
    • While clarification on the decision was issued on 6 February, we remain concerned that key areas of HIV prevention are not included in this additional guidance.
    • We urge the US government to immediately resume all funding of critical humanitarian and health aid, including the full range of PEPFAR operations.

    New York/Johannesburg/Brussels — The decision by the United States (US) government to temporarily freeze funding to the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) alongside all other foreign aid for at least a 90-day period has had immediate effects on people living with HIV, said Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) today. Although the US has since clarified that certain treatment programmes can continue at least until April, we are concerned that critical elements of the PEPFAR programme remain frozen.

    “More than three weeks since the US government froze PEPFAR funding, there is still widespread confusion and uncertainty as to whether this critical lifeline for millions of people has been cut off,” says Avril Benoît, chief executive officer of MSF USA. “Despite a limited waiver covering some activities, what our teams are seeing in many of the countries where we work is that people have already lost access to lifesaving care and have no idea whether or when their treatment will continue.”

    “MSF is calling on the US government to immediately resume funding for the full range of PEPFAR operations as well as other critical health and humanitarian aid,” says Benoît.

    On 1 February, after over a week of chaos and a freeze of activities, the US government issued a limited waiver allowing for the resumption of some programming with specific guidance for HIV. However, that guidance was unclear, and it did not immediately reach PEPFAR country teams. Across our broad network, MSF did not see a single organisation able to resume work as a result of this limited guidance on waivers. On 6 February, the US government issued clarified guidance on HIV care and treatment and prevention of mother to child transmission programmes.

    However, we remain concerned that key areas of HIV prevention, treatment, care, and support are not included in this additional guidance, such as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for all vulnerable groups, including LGBTQ+ people and sex workers, specific interventions for adolescent girls and young women in high prevalence countries, and community-led monitoring programmes. These services are essential to ensuring a successful response to the epidemic.

    While MSF does not accept US government funding and will not be directly affected by cuts or freezes to PEPFAR, many of our activities are contingent on the programmes that have been interrupted. In some places we have had to adapt and change our activities, and the indirect effects of these freezes have already been felt in our projects in various parts of the world.

    In sub-Saharan Africa, where MSF runs several HIV/AIDS and related health programmes, we are already witnessing impacts on patients. In South Africa, many clinics providing HIV services, including testing, treatment, and PrEP through PEPFAR-funded organisations have been shuttered, leaving people confused and distressed about where to access their critical medication.

    In Mozambique, a major partner organisation of MSF that provided comprehensive HIV services had to stop activities completely. In Zimbabwe, most organisations providing HIV services have also stopped work, disrupting in particular the DREAMS program aimed at decreasing new HIV infections in adolescent girls and young women.

    “Any interruption to HIV services and treatment is deeply distressing to people in care and an emergency when it comes to HIV treatment,” says Tom Ellman, director of the South Africa Medical Unit at MSF Southern Africa. “HIV medicines must be taken daily or people run the risk of developing resistance or deadly health complications.”

    In Democratic Republic of Congo, the aid freeze was already affecting the most successful model of antiretroviral drug distribution ever implemented in the capital city of Kinshasa: the community-run free distribution and peer support points, known locally as “PODIs”. In a country where stigma against people living with HIV is massive and poverty remains a barrier to care, PODIs have proven to be a medically necessary approach for addressing delays or therapy abandonment. With PEPFAR-supported points of care now closed and other activities frozen, thousands of people were left without support and with a high risk of developing advanced HIV. MSF teams supporting advanced HIV disease care in Kinshasa might not be able to meet the increased demand if disruptions persist.

    In South Sudan, approximately 51 per cent of people living with HIV know their status, and 47 percent are on treatment. A discontinuation of this programme will have devastating effects on thousands of people and their communities. MSF has worked alongside PEPFAR providing essential HIV care in this context and has seen firsthand how this programme saves lives. The support of PEPFAR in this country is critical.

    PEPFAR-supported programming is deeply interconnected with and reliant on other components of the US foreign aid system, specifically implementation support provided by USAID and technical and other assistance provided by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Given that the foreign aid freeze and stop-work orders continue to affect these other agencies, and staff from these agencies have been put on immediate leave or recalled, it is unclear when and how even the limited activities now allowed will be able to restart.

    “These disruptions will cost lives and upend years of progress against this virus,” says Benoît. “Every day that passes is an emergency for millions of people for whom PEPFAR is a lifeline.”

    PEPFAR-supported programming has been heavily integrated into key aspects of the broader health systems of partner countries over the last 20 plus years and as a result the consequences of these disruptions have been far-reaching. For this reason, some of the services affected go beyond purely HIV treatment and prevention, such as in Uganda, where PEPFAR-funded aspects of infectious disease surveillance and response, including for Ebola virus, have been stopped.

    “When MSF first started treating people with HIV/AIDS in South Africa 25 years ago, there were no antiretroviral medicines on the shelves, every diagnosis felt like a death sentence, and communities were desperately trying to curb the virus’ spread,” says Ellman.

    Since then, PEPFAR support has helped save more than 25 million lives and encouraged the fight against HIV to be a truly global one. But continued success relies on continued access to the full range of HIV-related programmes, services, and goods including prevention services and treatment, population-specific and targeted programmes, programmes related to gender-based violence, and other critical areas.

    As health care providers, we are deeply concerned by these disruptions to this lifesaving programme.

    “Even temporary interruptions to key components of PEPFAR will harm people at risk of acquiring HIV and people living with HIV,” says Benoît. “We urge the US government to immediately resume all funding of critical humanitarian and health aid, including the full range of PEPFAR operations.”

    MIL OSI NGO

  • MIL-OSI: Middlefield Canadian Income PCC – Statement re Notice of Requisition of a General Meeting

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    13 February 2025

    Middlefield Canadian Income PCC (the “Company”)
    including Middlefield Canadian Income – GBP PC (the “Fund”), a cell of the Company
    Registered No:  93546
    Legal Entity Identifier: 2138007ENW3JEJXC8658

    Notice of Requisition of a General Meeting

    The Board of Middlefield Canadian Income PCC (the “Company”) and Middlefield Canadian Income – GBP PC (the “Fund”) announces that it has received a letter from a nominee account acting on behalf of the custodian and prime broker for Saba Capital Management, L.P. requisitioning the Board to convene a general meeting of shareholders (the “Requisition”).

    The Requisition proposes that shareholders be asked to consider, and, if thought fit approve, the taking by the Company of all necessary steps to implement a scheme or process by which shareholders would become (or have the option to become) shareholders of a UK-listed open-ended investment company (or similar open-ended investment vehicle) implementing a substantially similar strategy to the Company, and which could entail shareholders rolling into an existing or newly established UK-listed open-ended investment company (or similar open-ended investment vehicle), in either case managed by the Company’s existing investment manager or one of its affiliates.

    The Board is committed to acting in the best interests of all shareholders and will make a further announcement regarding the Requisition in due course. Accordingly, the Board recommends that shareholders take no action at this time.

    For further information, please contact:

    Middlefield Canadian Income – GBP PC                                via Investec Bank plc
    Michael Phair (Chairman)

    Investec Bank plc
    Corporate Broker
    Helen Goldsmith/David Yovichic
    Tel: 020 7597 4000

    JTC Fund Solutions (Jersey) Limited
    Secretary
    Matt Tostevin/Hilary Jones/Jade Livesey
    Tel: 01534 700 000

    Buchanan
    PR Advisers
    Charles Ryland/Henry Wilson
    Tel: 020 7466 5000

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Bear In Bathrobe ($BIB) Now Listed on ZEBACUS: A New Milestone for the Meme Token Revolution

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands, Feb. 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bear In Bathrobe ($BIB), the fun yet powerful meme token taking the crypto space by storm, has officially been listed on ZEBACUS, a leading cryptocurrency exchange. This landmark listing marks a significant step in $BIB’s mission to redefine the meme coin landscape and bring utility-driven engagement to its ever-growing community.

    With this new listing, traders and investors can now buy, sell, and trade $BIB seamlessly on ZEBACUS, enhancing the token’s accessibility and liquidity in the global crypto market.

    What Makes $BIB Unique?

    Bear In Bathrobe ($BIB) is more than just another meme token, it’s a movement. Combining humor, community engagement, and real-world use cases, $BIB is designed to bring a fresh perspective to the meme coin space. Built on a robust blockchain infrastructure, the project offers token holders exclusive benefits, including NFT integrations, staking opportunities, and community-driven incentives.

    What’s Next for Bear In Bathrobe ($BIB)?

    The $BIB team is continuously innovating, with exciting developments in the pipeline, including partnerships, NFT expansions, and additional exchange listings. This listing on ZEBACUS is just the beginning of an exhilarating journey.

    Buy $BIB Now!

    Crypto enthusiasts looking to join the Bear In Bathrobe movement can now trade $BIB on ZEBACUS and become part of a rapidly growing ecosystem.

    For more details, visit https://bearinbathrobe.com or follow us on social media for the latest updates.

    About Bear In Bathrobe ($BIB)

    $BIB is a community-driven meme token with a mission to combine entertainment, engagement, and real-world use cases in the blockchain space. With a strong and passionate community, $BIB aims to redefine how meme tokens are perceived in the crypto industry.

    With the meme coin rotation in full swing, investors are watching closely and speculation is mounting on whether BIB could be the next major 100x player.

    Stay updated and check the charts before it’s too late:

    Website: bearinbathrobe.com

    X (Twitter): x.com/BearInBathrobe

    Telegram: t.me/BearInBathrobe

    DEXTools Chart: dextools.io

    Contact Us:

    Mr. Junior Smith
    Bear In Bathrobe ($BIB)
    general@bearinbathrobe.com

    Disclaimer: This content is provided by “Bear In Bathrobe(BIB)”. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the sponsor and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial, investment, or trading advice. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before investing in or trading cryptocurrency and securities .Please conduct your own research and invest at your own risk.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/911b61a6-b0c7-42d9-9708-c4ac471d503d

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Global deal activity down 8.4% YoY in January 2025, reveals GlobalData

    Source: GlobalData

    Global deal activity (mergers & acquisitions (M&A), private equity (PE) and venture financing) experienced an 8.4% decline year-on-year (YoY) in January 2025 with decrease in deal volume observed across all the regions. Asia-Pacific and Europe faced the sharpest declines, while certain markets like India, Japan, and Germany saw growth according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

    An analysis of GlobalData’s Deals Database revealed that a total of 3,800 deals were announced globally during January 2025, which is a fall from 4,148 deals announced globally during the same period in the previous year.

    Aurojyoti Bose, Lead Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “The decline in deal activity across all the regions reflects the current challenges and uncertainties. Asia-Pacific and Europe experienced the most significant downturns, with their respective deal volume declining by 10.2% and 14.5% YoY during January 2025.”

    On the other hand, the total number of deals announced in North America, Middle East and Africa, and South and Central American regions were down by 1.9%, 5.5% and 23.8%, respectively.

    Among the select key markets, China, the UK, Canada, South Korea, France and Australia experienced YoY decline in their deal volume by 30.4%, 20.5%, 18.9%, 28.3%, 16.7% and 17.3% respectively, while markets such as India, Japan, and Germany showed improvement in deal activity by 27.3%, 35% and 8.2%, respectively.

    Meanwhile the trend remained a mixed bag across the different deal types under coverage. Venture financing deals volume saw YoY decline of 9.4% during January 2025 while the number of M&A deals fell by 8.6%. However, private equity deals experienced improvement in volume by 4.5% during the review period.

    Bose concludes: “The data reveals a challenging landscape for global deal activity, with a broad decline in deal volumes, particularly in certain key markets. In this shifting environment, it will be crucial for investors to stay vigilant, closely monitor these trends, and adjust their strategies to effectively navigate the evolving market dynamics.”

    MIL OSI Economics

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Secretary-General of ASEAN meets with Minister of International Development of Canada

    Source: ASEAN

    Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today met with Minister of International Development of Canada Ahmed Hussen, at the ASEAN Headquarters/ASEAN Secretariat. They discussed ways to further strengthen and deepen the ASEAN-Canada Strategic Partnership, through cooperation in areas of mutual interest, among others.

    The post Secretary-General of ASEAN meets with Minister of International Development of Canada appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

    MIL OSI Economics

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Alberta’s commitment to border security: Minister Ellis and Minister Amery

    Source: Government of Canada regional news (2)

    MIL OSI Canada News

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Empowering Albertans with disabilities | Autonomiser les Albertains en situation de handicap

    [embedded content]

    People with disabilities shouldn’t have to choose between getting the support they need and having the opportunity to pursue a meaningful career. Albertans with disabilities and the organizations that support them have said loud and clear they want supports that meet their unique needs and abilities, rather than the current one-size-fits-all solution.

    In response to that request, Alberta’s government is creating a new Alberta Disability Assistance Program (ADAP), which will launch in July 2026. This new benefit program for people with disabilities will empower Albertans with disabilities to pursue fulfilling job opportunities while continuing to receive the benefits they need.

    “People with disabilities should not be punished for getting a job. Every dollar they earn on a paycheque should be helping make them better off, not threatening their access to the medication they need. That’s why I am excited to announce the new Alberta Disability Assistance Program, and I look forward to seeing the positive impact that it will have on Albertans with disabilities.”

    Jason Nixon, Minister of Seniors, Community and Social Services

    ADAP was thoughtfully designed based on input from Albertans with disabilities, who stressed the importance of providing pathways to employment for individuals who are able to work but still need supports. Albertans on ADAP will be able to earn more from working while continuing to receive their financial benefits, with higher earning exemptions than any other program. Those on ADAP will also be able to receive the health benefits they need, regardless of their employment income. This new program will ensure more Albertans with disabilities can enjoy the benefits of working like earning a paycheque, developing skills and building relationships, while still receiving supports that meet their unique needs and abilities.

    “I strongly believe in empowering persons with disabilities to reach their full potential, and I also strongly believe that all people deserve to pursue their goals and aspirations without barriers. By creating this program, the province is making it easier for Albertans to find success. ADAP will truly help to improve the quality of life of persons with disabilities, and I look forward to seeing the positive impact of this new program.”

    Greg McMeekin, Alberta’s advocate for persons with disabilities

    Through ADAP, Albertans with disabilities will not only receive the financial and health benefits they rely on, but they will also have access to the resources and tools they need to gain new skills and work to their full potential. To support this, Alberta’s government will be investing more to expand employment supports and encourage private sector employers to break down barriers to employment for people with disabilities. By providing pathways to employment for individuals who are able to work but still need supports, Alberta’s government is empowering people with disabilities to pursue their passions, leading to a greater sense of purpose and improved quality of life.

    “At Prospect Human Services, we’ve been helping individuals with disabilities build sustainable, well-paying careers for more than 60 years – and we know it’s possible. With ADAP, Alberta is breaking down the barriers that have long separated support from opportunity, creating a pathway for people to realize their full potential while maintaining essential benefits. We applaud the Alberta government for designing a flexible initiative that offers stability and empowers Albertans with disabilities to embrace the transformative power of employment.”

    Kevin McNichol, CEO of Prospect Human Services

    Alberta provides some of the most comprehensive supports in the country for people with disabilities, and the long-standing Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) program will still be there for those with permanent and severe disabilities who are unable to work. Those currently on AISH will continue to receive their benefits, and applications will continue to be processed to ensure eligible applicants receive benefits as soon as possible. Alberta’s government is committed to ensuring that the province continues to have the best disability programs in Canada.

    “Today is a tremendous day that has been a long time coming. ADAP means faster access to more appropriate support and will be a significant step toward making Alberta the most accessible province in Canada. This will encourage participation and connection in our communities, while maintaining predictable, vital supports for every Albertan who needs them. We look forward to helping shape this groundbreaking program.”

    Jacob McGregor, chair of Premier’s Council for the Status of Persons with Disabilities

    Starting in July 2026, disability income assistance applicants will be assessed for both the new program and AISH, ensuring eligible applicants are placed in the program best suited to their unique situation. To make the medical assessment process quicker and more accessible, applicants will be connected with a roster of pre-qualified medical professionals who are able to complete their comprehensive medical assessment. Additionally, application approvals will be streamlined by establishing a new review panel made up of medical professionals with the expertise required to better understand the needs of applicants. These improvements will ensure Albertans with disabilities are able to get the supports they need sooner.

    “For many people with disabilities, employment isn’t just about earning a paycheck – it’s about purpose, independence and inclusion. This program can allow for new opportunities for individuals to contribute to their communities in ways that work for them.”

    Katherine Such, CEO of Easter Seals Alberta Society

    Quick facts

    • In 2024, the province invested more than $3.5 billion to support Albertans with disabilities, the highest amount ever.
    • The new Alberta Disability Assistance Program will become operational in July 2026.
    • Those currently on AISH will continue to receive their benefits.
      • All existing AISH clients will receive more information about the new program in March.
      • Clients can also contact their worker or Alberta Supports if they have questions or want additional information. 

    Related information

    • Alberta Disability Assistance Program
    • Fact sheet

    Multimedia

    • Watch the news conference
    • Listen to the news conference

    Le gouvernement de l’Alberta lancera un nouveau programme destiné aux Albertains en situation de handicap afin qu’ils puissent recevoir le soutien dont ils ont besoin tout en poursuivant une carrière valorisante.

    Les personnes en situation de handicap ne devraient pas avoir à choisir entre obtenir un soutien nécessaire et avoir la possibilité de mener une carrière enrichissante. Les Albertains en situation de handicap et les organisations qui les soutiennent ont clairement exprimé leur souhait d’un accompagnement mieux adapté aux besoins individuels, plutôt qu’une approche unique et standardisée.

    En réponse à cette demande, le gouvernement de l’Alberta met en place un nouveau programme d’aide aux personnes en situation de handicap, le Programme d’Aide aux Personnes en Situation de Handicap de l’Alberta (ADAP), qui sera lancé en juillet 2026. Ce nouveau programme d’aide offrira aux Albertains en situation de handicap la possibilité d’accéder à des emplois épanouissants tout en leur permettant de recevoir les prestations dont ils ont besoin.

    “Les personnes en situation de handicap ne devraient pas être pénalisées parce qu’elles ont un travail. Chaque dollar qu’elles gagnent grâce à leur emploi devrait les aider à mieux vivre, et non rendre problématique l’accès à des médicaments essentiels. C’est pourquoi je suis ravi d’annoncer le lancement du Programme d’Aide aux Personnes en Situation de Handicap de l’Alberta, et je me réjouis des retombées positives qu’il aura sur les Albertains concernés.”

    Jason Nixon, ministre des Aînés, des Communautés et des Services sociaux

    L’ADAP a été conçu avec soin en tenant compte de l’avis des Albertains en situation de handicap. Ces derniers ont, en effet, souligné l’importance d’offrir des voies d’accès à l’emploi aux personnes handicapées capables de travailler même si elles ont toujours besoin de soins ou de soutien. Grâce à l’ADAP, les Albertains admissibles pourront augmenter leur revenu d’emploi tout en conservant leurs prestations financières, bénéficiant ainsi des exemptions de revenu les plus avantageuses de tous les programmes existants. Les bénéficiaires de l’ADAP pourront également continuer de recevoir les prestations de santé dont ils ont besoin, quel que soit leur revenu d’emploi. Grâce à ce nouveau programme, plus d’Albertains en situation de handicap pourront travailler et profiter des bienfaits d’un emploi, comme recevoir une paie, apprendre de nouvelles compétences et tisser des liens, tout en conservant un soutien adapté à leurs besoins spécifiques.

    “Je crois fermement qu’il est essentiel de donner aux personnes en situation de handicap les moyens d’atteindre leur plein potentiel. Et je suis tout aussi convaincu que chacun mérite de poursuivre ses objectifs et ses aspirations sans obstacle. Grâce à ce programme, la province aide les Albertains à atteindre leurs objectifs et à réussir. L’ADAP contribuera à améliorer réellement la qualité de vie des personnes en situation de handicap, et je me réjouis des effets positifs que ce programme apportera.”

    Greg McMeekin, défenseur des droits des personnes en situation de handicap de l’Alberta

    Grâce à l’ADAP, les Albertains en situation de handicap recevront non seulement les prestations financières et de santé sur lesquelles ils comptent, mais ils auront aussi accès aux ressources et aux outils nécessaires pour acquérir de nouvelles compétences et exploiter pleinement leur potentiel professionnel. Pour soutenir cette initiative, le gouvernement de l’Alberta investira davantage afin d’élargir les mesures de soutien à l’emploi et inciter les employeurs du secteur privé à éliminer les obstacles à l’embauche des personnes en situation de handicap. Le gouvernement de l’Alberta met en place des voies d’accès à l’emploi pour les personnes capables de travailler mais qui ont toujours besoin de soutien. Cette initiative donne à chacun les moyens de poursuivre ses passions et contribue à un plus grand épanouissement ainsi qu’à une meilleure qualité de vie.

    “Chez Prospect Human Services, nous aidons les personnes en situation de handicap à bâtir des carrières durables et bien rémunérées depuis plus de 60 ans – et nous savons que c’est possible. Avec l’ADAP, l’Alberta supprime les obstacles qui, depuis trop longtemps, ont séparé le besoin de soutien et l’accès aux opportunités, permettant aux personnes de développer pleinement leur potentiel tout en maintenant les prestations dont elles ont besoin. Nous remercions le gouvernement de l’Alberta d’avoir conçu une initiative souple qui garantit la stabilité et donne aux Albertains en situation de handicap les moyens de profiter pleinement des bienfaits de l’emploi.”

    Kevin McNichol, président-directeur général de Prospect Human Services

    L’Alberta met à disposition certains des programmes de soutien les plus complets du pays pour les personnes en situation de handicap. Le programme de revenu pour les personnes gravement handicapées (AISH), qui existe depuis longtemps, restera en place pour les personnes qui ont un handicap permanent et sévère les empêchant de travailler. Les bénéficiaires actuels de l’AISH continueront de recevoir leurs prestations, et les demandes continueront d’être traitées afin que les personnes admissibles reçoivent leur aide dans les meilleurs délais. Le gouvernement de l’Alberta s’engage à faire en sorte que la province continue d’offrir les meilleurs programmes de soutien aux personnes en situation de handicap au Canada.

    “C’est un jour marquant qui a été espéré et attendu pendant longtemps. L’ADAP offrira un accès plus efficace à des soutiens mieux adaptés, ce qui fait de l’Alberta un modèle en matière d’accessibilité au Canada. Cette mesure incitera à une plus grande inclusion sociale et communautaire, garantissant aux Albertains en situation de handicap des soutiens fiables et essentiels. Nous nous réjouissons à l’idée de pouvoir apporter notre contribution à ce programme innovant.”

    Jacob McGregor, président du Conseil du premier ministre sur la condition des personnes en situation de handicap

    À compter de juillet 2026, les demandeurs d’aide au revenu pour les personnes en situation de handicap seront évalués à la fois pour le nouveau programme et pour l’AISH, afin de s’assurer que les personnes admissibles soient orientées vers le programme le mieux adapté à leur situation. Pour accélérer et faciliter le processus d’évaluation médicale, les demandeurs seront mis en relation avec un réseau de professionnels de la santé préqualifiés, en mesure de réaliser leur évaluation médicale complète. De plus, l’approbation des demandes sera simplifiée grâce à la mise en place d’un nouveau comité d’examen composé de professionnels de la santé possédant l’expertise nécessaire pour mieux comprendre les besoins des demandeurs. Ces améliorations permettront aux Albertains en situation de handicap d’obtenir plus rapidement le soutien dont ils ont besoin.

    “Pour de nombreuses personnes en situation de handicap, l’emploi ne se résume pas à un salaire – c’est aussi une source d’épanouissement, d’autonomie et d’inclusion. Ce programme offrira de nouvelles occasions aux personnes de contribuer à leur communauté d’une manière qui correspond à leurs capacités et à leurs besoins.”

    Katherine Such, présidente-directrice générale de la Easter Seals Alberta Society

    Faits en bref

    • En 2024, la province a investi plus de 3,5 milliards de dollars pour soutenir les Albertains en situation de handicap, un montant sans précédent.
    • Le Programme d’aide aux personnes en situation de handicap de l’Alberta (ADAP) entrera en vigueur en juillet 2026.
    • Les bénéficiaires actuels de l’AISH continueront de recevoir leurs prestations.
      • Tous les bénéficiaires de l’AISH recevront plus d’informations sur le nouveau programme en mars.
      • Ils peuvent également contacter leur travailleur social ou Alberta Supports pour toute question ou information complémentaire. 

    Informations connexes

    • Programme d’aide aux personnes en situation de handicap de l’Alberta
    • Fiche d’information

    Multimédia

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    MIL OSI Canada News

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Introducing $15 a day child care for families | Lancement d’un service de garde d’enfants à 15 $ par jour pour les familles

    As part of the $3.8-billion Canada-Alberta Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement, Alberta is supporting families to access affordable child care across the province with their choice in provider.

    Starting Apr. 1, parents with children zero to kindergarten age attending full-time licensed daycare facilities and family day home programs across the province will be eligible for a flat parent fee of $326.25 per month, or roughly $15 a day. Parents requiring part-time care will pay $230 per month.

    To support these changes and high-quality child care, about 85 per cent of licensed daycare providers will receive a funding increase once the new fee structure is in place on Apr. 1.

    Every day, parents and families across Alberta rely on licensed child-care providers to support their children’s growth and development while going to work or school. Licensed child-care providers and early childhood educators play a crucial role in helping children build the skills they need to support their growth and overall health. As Alberta’s population grows, the need for high-quality, affordable and accessible licensed and regulated child care is increasing.

    While Alberta already reduced parent fees to an average of $15 a day in January 2024, many families are still paying much more depending on where they live, the age of their child and the child-care provider they choose, which has led to inconsistency and confusion. Many families find it difficult to estimate their child-care fees if they move or switch providers, and providers have expressed concerns about the fairness and complexity of the current funding framework.

    A flat monthly fee will provide transparency and predictability for families in every part of the province while also improving fairness to providers and increasing overall system efficiency. On behalf of families, Alberta’s government will cover about 80 per cent of child-care fees through grants to daycare facilities and family day homes.

    This means a family using full-time daycare could save, on average, $11,000 per child per year. A flat monthly parent fee will ensure child care is affordable for everyone and that providers are compensated for the important services they offer.

    As opposed to a flat monthly parent fee, Alberta’s government will reimburse preschools up to $100 per month per child on parents’ behalf, up from $75.

    “Albertans deserve affordable child-care options, no matter where they are or which type of care works best for them. We are bringing in flat parent fees for families so they can all access high-quality child care for the same affordable, predictable fee.”

    Matt Jones, Minister of Jobs, Economy and Trade

    “Reducing child care fees makes life more affordable for families and gives them the freedom to make choices that work for them—whether that’s working, studying or growing their family. We’ll keep working to bring costs down, create more spots, and reduce waitlists for families in Alberta and across the country, while ensuring every child gets the best start in life.”

    Jenna Sudds, federal minister of Families, Children, and Social Development

    To make Alberta’s child-care system affordable for all families, the flat monthly parent fee is replacing the Child Care Subsidy Program for children zero to kindergarten age attending child care during regular school hours. The subsidy for children attending out-of-school care is not changing.

    As the province transitions to the new flat parent fee, child-care providers will have flexibility to offer optional services for an additional supplemental parent fee. These optional services must be over and above the services that are provided to all children in individual child-care programs. Clear requirements will be in place for providers to prevent preferential child-care access for families choosing to pay for optional services.

    Cutting red tape and supporting child-care providers

    By moving to a flat monthly parent fee, Alberta’s government is continuing the transition to a primarily publicly funded child care system. To support high-quality child care, approximately 85 per cent of licensed daycare providers will receive a funding increase once the new structure is in place on Apr. 1.

    The province is enhancing the system to streamline the child-care claims process used to reimburse licensed child-care providers on behalf of Alberta parents. Alberta’s government is also putting technological solutions in place to reduce administrative burden and red tape.

    Looking ahead

    Over the final year of the federal agreement, Alberta’s government is working to support the child-care system while preparing to negotiate the next term of the agreement, reflective of the needs of Albertans and providers. Alberta joins its provincial and territorial partners across the country in calling for a sustainable, adequately funded system that works for parents and providers long term.

    Quick facts

    • In line with requirements under the Canada-Alberta Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement, the flat monthly parent fee only applies to children zero to kindergarten age requiring care during regular school hours.
    • Children attending 100 or more hours in a month are considered full-time and parents will pay $326.25 a month. Children attending between 50 and 99 hours are considered part-time and parents will pay $230 a month.
    • Families with children attending preschool for up to four hours a day are eligible for up to $100 per month.
    • There are no changes to the out-of-school care Child Care Subsidy Program for children requiring care outside of school hours in grades 1 to 6 and attending full-time kindergarten.
    • Programs may choose to provide optional services for a supplemental fee. Examples may include transportation, field trips and food. Child-care programs are not required to charge parents additional supplemental fees.

    Related information

    • Federal-provincial child care agreement

    Related news

    • Alberta strengthens child care safety (Oct. 30, 2024)

    L’Alberta instaure des frais mensuels fixes de 326,25 $ pour les services de garde d’enfants agréés à temps plein, soit environ 15 $ par jour.

    Dans le cadre de l’Accord entre le Canada et l’Alberta sur l’apprentissage et la garde des jeunes enfants à l’échelle du Canada d’une valeur de 3,8 milliards de dollars, l’Alberta aide les familles à avoir accès à des services de garde d’enfants abordables partout dans la province auprès du service de garde de leur choix.

    À compter du 1er avril, les parents ayant des enfants de la naissance à la maternelle qui fréquentent une garderie agréée à temps plein ou un service de garde en milieu familial partout dans la province seront admissibles à des frais fixes de 326,25 $ par mois, soit environ 15 $ par jour. Les parents qui ont besoin de services de garde à temps partiel paieront 230 $ par mois.

    Pour appuyer ces changements et des services de garde d’enfants de grande qualité, environ 85 % des fournisseurs de services de garde agréés recevront une augmentation du financement lorsque la nouvelle structure tarifaire sera en place le 1er avril.

    Chaque jour, les parents et les familles de l’Alberta comptent sur des fournisseurs de services de garde d’enfants agréés pour appuyer la croissance et le développement de leurs enfants pendant qu’ils vont au travail ou à l’école. Les fournisseurs de services de garde d’enfants agréés et les éducateurs de la petite enfance jouent un rôle crucial en aidant les enfants à acquérir les compétences dont ils ont besoin pour soutenir leur croissance et leur santé globale. À mesure que la population de l’Alberta augmente, le besoin de services de garde d’enfants agréés et réglementés de grande qualité, abordables et accessibles s’accroît.

    Bien que l’Alberta ait déjà réduit les frais pour les parents à une moyenne de 15 $ par jour en janvier 2024, de nombreuses familles paient encore beaucoup plus selon l’endroit où elles vivent, l’âge de leur enfant et le fournisseur de services de garde d’enfants qu’elles choisissent, ce qui a entraîné des incohérences et de la confusion. De nombreuses familles ont de la difficulté à estimer leurs frais de garde d’enfants si elles changent de fournisseur, et les fournisseurs ont exprimé des préoccupations au sujet de l’équité et de la complexité du cadre de financement actuel.

    Des frais mensuels fixes assureront la transparence et la prévisibilité pour les familles de toutes les régions de la province, tout en améliorant l’équité envers les fournisseurs et en augmentant l’efficacité globale du système. Au nom des familles, le gouvernement de l’Alberta couvrira environ 80 % des frais de garde d’enfants grâce à des subventions accordées aux garderies et aux services de garde en milieu familial.

    Cela veut dire qu’une famille dont un enfant fréquente une garderie à temps plein pourrait économiser 11 000 $ par enfant par année en moyenne. Des frais mensuels fixes pour les parents garantiront que les services de garde d’enfants sont abordables pour tous et que les fournisseurs sont rémunérés pour les services importants qu’ils offrent.

    Contrairement aux frais mensuels fixes pour les parents, le gouvernement de l’Alberta remboursera jusqu’à 100 $ par mois aux parents pour les enfants d’âge préscolaire, comparativement à 75 $.

    « Les Albertaines et les Albertains méritent des options abordables en matière de garde d’enfants, peu importe où ils se trouvent ou quel type de services leur convient le mieux. Nous instaurons des frais fixes pour les parents afin qu’ils puissent tous avoir accès à des services de garde d’enfants de grande qualité, à un coût abordable et prévisible. »

    Matt Jones, ministre de l’Emploi, de l’Économie et du Commerce

    « La réduction des frais de garde d’enfants rend la vie plus abordable pour les familles et leur donne la liberté de faire des choix qui leur conviennent, qu’il s’agisse de travailler, d’étudier ou d’agrandir leur famille. Nous continuerons de travailler pour réduire les coûts, créer plus de places et réduire les listes d’attente pour les familles en Alberta et partout au pays, tout en veillant à ce que chaque enfant ait le meilleur départ possible dans la vie. »

    Jenna Sudds, ministre fédérale de la Famille, des Enfants et du Développement social

    Afin de rendre le système de garde d’enfants de l’Alberta abordable pour toutes les familles, les frais mensuels fixes pour les parents remplacent le programme de subventions pour la garde d’enfants destiné aux enfants de la naissance à la maternelle qui fréquentent un service de garde pendant les heures scolaires normales. La subvention pour les enfants pris en charge à l’extérieur de l’école ne change pas.

    À mesure que la province adoptera les nouveaux frais fixes pour les parents, les fournisseurs de services de garde d’enfants auront la possibilité d’offrir des services facultatifs moyennant des frais supplémentaires pour les parents. Ces services facultatifs doivent s’ajouter aux services offerts à tous les enfants dans le cadre de programmes individuels de garde d’enfants. Des exigences claires seront mises en place pour les fournisseurs afin d’empêcher l’accès préférentiel aux services de garde pour les familles qui choisissent de payer pour des services facultatifs.

    Réduire les formalités administratives et soutenir les fournisseurs de services de garde d’enfants

    En passant à des frais mensuels fixes pour les parents, le gouvernement de l’Alberta poursuit la transition vers un système de garde d’enfants financé principalement par l’État. Pour appuyer des services de garde d’enfants de grande qualité, environ 85 % des fournisseurs de services de garde agréés recevront une augmentation du financement lorsque la nouvelle structure sera en place le 1er avril.

    La province améliore le système afin de simplifier le processus de demande de remboursement des frais de garde d’enfants utilisé pour rembourser les fournisseurs de services de garde d’enfants agréés au nom des parents albertains. Le gouvernement de l’Alberta met également en place des solutions technologiques pour réduire le fardeau administratif et les formalités administratives.

    Regard vers l’avenir

    Au cours de la dernière année de l’accord fédéral, le gouvernement de l’Alberta s’efforce d’appuyer le système de garde d’enfants tout en se préparant à négocier la prochaine durée de l’accord, en tenant compte des besoins de sa population et des fournisseurs. L’Alberta se joint à ses partenaires provinciaux et territoriaux partout au pays pour réclamer un système durable et financé adéquatement qui fonctionne pour les parents et les fournisseurs à long terme.

    Faits en bref

    • Conformément aux exigences de l’Accord entre le Canada et l’Alberta sur l’apprentissage et la garde des jeunes enfants à l’échelle du Canada, les frais mensuels fixes pour les parents ne s’appliquent qu’aux enfants de la naissance à la maternelle qui ont besoin de services de garde pendant les heures scolaires normales.
    • Les enfants qui fréquentent une garderie pendant 100 heures ou plus par mois sont considérés comme des enfants qui fréquentent à temps plein et les parents paieront 326,25 $ par mois. Les enfants qui fréquentent une garderie entre 50 et 99 heures sont considérés comme des enfants qui fréquentent à temps partiel et les parents paieront 230 $ par mois.
    • Les familles qui ont des enfants qui fréquentent un programme préscolaire pendant jusqu’à quatre heures par jour sont admissibles à un montant maximum de 100 $ par mois.
    • Aucun changement n’est apporté au Programme de subventions pour les services de garde d’enfants à l’extérieur de l’école pour les enfants qui doivent être pris en charge en dehors des heures d’école de la 1re à la 6e année et qui fréquentent la maternelle à temps plein.
    • Les programmes peuvent choisir de fournir des services facultatifs moyennant des frais supplémentaires. Les exemples peuvent inclure le transport, les sorties scolaires et la nourriture. Les programmes de garde d’enfants ne sont pas tenus de facturer des frais supplémentaires aux parents.

    Renseignements connexes

    • Entente fédérale-provinciale sur les services de garde d’enfants (en anglais seulement)

    Nouvelles connexes

    • Alberta strengthens child care safety (30 octobre 2024)

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    MIL OSI Canada News

  • MIL-OSI: Valeura Energy Inc.: Record Reserves and Resources at Year-End 2024: 2P Reserves Replacement Ratio of 245%

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SINGAPORE, Feb. 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Valeura Energy Inc. (TSX:VLE, OTCQX:VLERF) (“Valeura” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce the results of its third-party independent reserves and resources assessment as at year-end 2024.

    Highlights

    • Record high year-end reserves: 32 MMbbl proved (1P), 50 MMbbl proved plus probable (2P) and 60 MMbbl proved plus probable plus possible (3P) reserves;
    • 2P reserves replacement ratio of 245% even after annual production increase of 12%;
    • 2P reserves and end of field life (“EOFL”) increased at every field;
    • 2P reserves net present value before tax of US$934 million and US$752 million after tax(1);
    • Considering year-end 2024 cash position of US$259 million, Company net asset value (“NAV”) is US$1,012 million, equating C$13.6 per common share(2);
    • Contingent resources(3) of 48 MMbbl, more than double the total at end 2023; and
    • Decommissioning costs significantly reduced through engineering studies and increased EOFL to beyond 2030.
    (1) Discounted at 10% (NPV10)
    (2) Proved plus probable (2P) NPV10after tax plus cash of US$259.4 million (no debt), using US$/C$ exchange rate of 1.435, and 106.65 million common shares outstanding, as at December 31, 2024
    (3) Unrisked 2C (best estimate) contingent resources

    Dr. Sean Guest, President and CEO commented:

    “I am pleased to announce the results of our end 2024 reserves and resources evaluation, which shows again that our aggressive work programme can increase the ultimate potential of our fields and add value to our Company. In our second full year of operations we have again added more than double the reserves we produced, achieving a 2P reserves replacement ratio of 245%. This is a significant feat, considering we also increased production by 12% relative to 2023.

    We also added to the ultimate potential of our portfolio, with all Thailand fields now having an economic field life lasting beyond 2030. Since taking over these assets, we have added at least four additional years of production life to each field. This means more years of future cash flow and is therefore a prime example of one key element of our strategy in action – driving further organic growth.

    The net asset value of our business is now over US$1 billion – a record high, equating to more than C$13.6 per common share. This is based on our 2P after tax NPV10increasing by 76% year-on-year, coupled with a new record year-end cash position.

    In addition to discovering volumes through the drill bit and aggressively working to build our understanding of the intricate subsurface environment, various other financial and engineering studies have also added value. Our field abandonment costs have been reduced further through updated engineering studies which are benchmarked to actual abandonment operations in the Gulf of Thailand. The effect of this, combined with extended field life across the portfolio, is expected to reduce our Asset Retirement Obligation (“ARO”) on our balance sheet by more than 50% since we first assumed operatorship of these assets.

    We are relentless in our pursuit of value and we remain focussed on allocating capital efficiently. Moreover, we see exciting reserves-adding opportunities ahead through the potential Wassana field redevelopment, as well as through ongoing infill development and appraisal drilling across the portfolio, and the selective exploration targets we will pursue this year.

    At the same time, inorganic growth remains a key part of our strategy, and we are actively evaluating several opportunities to assess fit with our strict screening criteria.”

    Valeura commissioned Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc. (“NSAI”) to assess reserves and resources for all of its Thailand assets as of December 31, 2024. NSAI’s evaluation is presented in a report dated February 13, 2025 (the “NSAI 2024 Report”). This follows previous evaluations conducted by the same firm for December 31, 2023 (the “NSAI 2023 Report”) and December 31, 2022 (the “NSAI 2022 Report”).

    Oil and Gas Reserves by Field Based on Forecast Prices and Costs

        Gross (Before Royalties) Reserves, Working Interest Share (Mbbl)
    Reserves by Field Jasmine
    (Light/Medium)
    Manora
    (Light/Medium)
    Nong Yao
    (Light/Medium)
    Wassana
    (Heavy)
    Total
    Proved Producing Developed 5,268 1,370 6,541 2,894 16,073
    Non-Producing Developed 703 433 153 242 1,531
    Undeveloped 4,713 705 3,742 5,490 14,650
    Total Proved (1P) 10,684 2,509 10,436 8,626 32,255
    Total Probable (P2) 6,108 848 6,500 4,297 17,753
    Total Proved + Probable (2P) 16,792 3,357 16,936 12,923 50,008
    Total Possible (P3) 3,647 718 4,297 1,027 9,689
    Total Proved + Probable + Possible (3P) 20,440 4,075 21,233 13,950 59,697

     
    Summary of Reserves Replacement, Value, and Field Life

    As compared to the NSAI 2023 Report, the NSAI 2024 Report indicates an addition of 2.4 MMbbl of proved (1P) reserves and 12.1 MMbbl of proved plus probable (2P) reserves, after having produced 8.4 MMbbl of oil in 2024. This reflects a 1P reserves replacement ratio of 128% and a 2P reserves replacement ratio of 245%.

    Based on the mid-point of the Company’s 2025 production guidance of 23.0 – 25.5 Mbbl/d (24.25 Mbbl/d), on a 2P reserves basis as of December 31, 2024, the Company estimates its reserves life index (“RLI”) to be approximately 5.6 years. Using the same 2025 production estimate and 2P reserves as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the RLI was approximately 4.3, and 3.3 years, respectively.

    The net present value of estimated future revenue after income taxes, based on a 10% discount rate has increased between the NSAI 2023 Report and the NSAI 2024 Report from US$193.9 million to US$358.6 million on a 1P basis, an increase of 85%. On a 2P basis, the net present value of estimated future revenue after income taxes, based on a 10% discount rate has increased from US$428.5 million to US$752.2 million, an increase of 76%.

    The Company estimates that, based on the 2P net present value of estimated future revenue after income taxes in the NSAI 2024 Report, based on a 10% discount rate, plus the Company’s 2024 year-end cash position of US$259.4 million, as disclosed on January 8, 2025, the Company has a 2P net asset value (“NAV”) of US$1,011.6 million. Using the year-end count of common shares outstanding (being 106.65 million) and foreign exchange rates, Valeura’s NAV equates to approximately C$13.6/share.

      1P NPV10 2P NPV10 3P NPV10
      Before Tax After Tax Before Tax After Tax Before Tax After Tax
    NPV10(US$ million) 360.7 358.6 933.9 752.2 1,339.1 990.2
    Cash at December 31, 2024 (US$ million)(1) 259.4 259.4 259.4 259.4 259.4 259.4
    Net Asset Value (US$ million) 620.1 618.0 1,193.3 1,011.6 1,598.5 1,249.6
    Common shares (million)(2) 106.65 106.65 106.65 106.65 106.65 106.65
    Estimated NAV per basic share (C$ per share)(3) 8.3 8.3 16.1 13.6 21.5 16.8
    (1) Cash at December 31, 2024 of US$259.4 million, debt nil
    (2) Issued and outstanding common shares as of December 31, 2024
    (3) US$/C$ exchange rate of 1.435 as at December 31, 2024

    The NSAI 2024 Report indicates a further extension in the anticipated end of field life for all assets in Valeura’s Thailand portfolio, as compared to the NSAI 2023 Report.

      Gross (Before Royalties) 2P Reserves, Working Interest Share End of Field Life 2P NPV10After Tax (US$ million)
    Fields December 31, 2023
    (MMbbl)
    2024 Production
    (MMbbl)
    Additions
    (MMbbl)
    December 31, 2024
    (MMbbl)
    Reserves Replacement Ratio (%) NSAI 2023 Report NSAI 2024 Report December 31, 2023 December 31, 2024
    Jasmine 10.4 (2.9 ) 9.2 16.8 324 % Dec 2028 Aug 2031 81.8 163.9
    Manora 2.2 (0.9 ) 2.1 3.4 223 % Jul 2027 Apr 2030 21.2 45.7
    Nong Yao 12.4 (3.1 ) 7.7 16.9 245 % Dec 2028 Dec 2033 185.6 416.1
    Wassana 12.9 (1.4 ) 1.5 12.9 102 % Jun 2032 Dec 2035 139.9 126.6
    Total 37.9 (8.4 ) 20.5 50.0 245 %     428.5 752.2

     
    Valeura has demonstrated two consecutive years of growth in both aggregate 2P reserves and the associated after-tax 2P NPV10 value.

      Gross (Before Royalties) 2P Reserves,
    Working Interest Share (MMbbl)
    2P NPV10After Tax
    (US$ million)
    Fields December 31, 2022 December 31, 2023 December 31, 2024 December 31, 2022 December 31, 2023 December 31, 2024
    Jasmine 10.0 10.4 16.8 37.1 81.8 163.9
    Manora 1.8 2.2 3.4 12.1 21.2 45.7
    Nong Yao 11.2 12.4 16.9 145.5 185.6 416.1
    Wassana 6.1 12.9 12.9 66.3 139.9 126.6
    Total 29.1 37.9 50.0 261.0 428.5 752.2

     
    The NSAI 2024 Report does not assume a new redevelopment concept for the Wassana field and therefore does not include potential upside volumes associated with the Company’s contemplated redevelopment. Valeura is targeting readiness for a final investment decision (“FID”) in early Q2 2025. Should the Company opt to proceed with the redevelopment, management anticipates a higher production profile, with longer field life than is currently reflected in the NSAI 2024 Report.

    Net Present Values of Future Net Revenue Based on Forecast Prices and Costs

    Net present values of future net revenue from oil reserves are based on cost estimates as of the date of the NSAI 2024 Report, and forecast Brent crude oil reference prices of US$75.58, US$78.51, US$79.89, US$81.82, and US$83.46 per bbl for the years ending December 31, 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, and 2029, respectively, with 2% escalation thereafter. NSAI assumes cost inflation of 2% per annum. Price realisation forecasts for each field are based on the Brent crude oil reference prices above, and adjusted for oil quality, and market differentials.

    Based on Valeura’s revised corporate structure, as modified by the reorganisation completed in November 2024, values estimated by NSAI assume a combined, single tax filing for all of the Company’s Thai III fiscal concessions, covering the Wassana, Nong Yao, and Manora fields. The Jasmine field, being a Thai I fiscal concession, is outside this scope.

    All estimated costs associated with the eventual decommissioning of the Company’s fields are included as part of the calculation of future net revenue, specifically within the Proved Producing Developed category.

        Before Tax NPV10(US$ million)
    Future Net Revenue by Field Jasmine Manora Nong Yao Wassana Total
    Proved Producing Developed (124.7)   (27.6)   146.2 (160.7)   (166.8)  
    Non-Producing Developed 35.3   27.9   7.0 16.2   86.4  
    Undeveloped 93.6   7.9   108.1 231.5   441.0  
    Total Proved (1P) 4.2   8.2   261.3 87.0   360.7  
    Total Probable (P2) 217.4   39.1   204.5 112.3   573.3  
    Total Proved + Probable (2P) 221.5   47.3   465.8 199.3   933.9  
    Total Possible (P3) 168.8   29.6   150.7 56.1   405.1  
    Total Proved + Probable + Possible (3P) 390.3   76.9   616.5 255.4   1,339.1  
        After Tax NPV10(US$ million)
    Future Net Revenue by Field Jasmine Manora Nong Yao Wassana Total
    Proved Producing Developed (131.4)   (27.6)   146.2 (160.7)   (173.4)  
    Non-Producing Developed 33.9   27.9   7.0 16.2   85.1  
    Undeveloped 99.6   7.9   108.1 231.5   447.0  
    Total Proved (1P) 2.1   8.2   261.3 87.0   358.6  
    Total Probable (P2) 161.8   37.4   154.8 39.6   393.6  
    Total Proved + Probable (2P) 163.9   45.7   416.1 126.6   752.2  
    Total Possible (P3) 96.7   20.4   93.3 27.6   238.0  
    Total Proved + Probable + Possible (3P) 260.6   66.1   509.3 154.2   990.2  

     
    Asset Retirement Obligations

    During 2024, the Company conducted extensive engineering studies into the eventual decommissioning of its fields. These studies utilised costs benchmarked to current decommissioning activities underway elsewhere within the Gulf of Thailand. Valeura’s work since acquiring the assets in early 2023 has resulted in a reduction of 32% in the anticipated cost to decommission the assets (US$ real basis).  

    In addition, the significant extensions to the economic life of all of the Company’s fields means the timing for decommissioning expenditure has shifted further into the future. The combined effect is estimated to be a material reduction in the ARO liability to be shown on the Company’s balance sheet. While the final ARO is still to be reviewed by the Company’s auditor, management estimates that the ARO as at December 31, 2024 will have been reduced by approximately 35% from year-end 2023 and more than 50% relative to the Company’s first estimate upon assuming operatorship of the Thai portfolio in Q1 2023.

    Resources

    NSAI assessed the Company’s contingent resources of its Thailand assets for additional reservoir accumulations and reported estimates in the NSAI 2024 Report, the NSAI 2023 Report, and the NSAI 2022 Report. Contingent resources are heavy crude oil and light/medium crude oil, and are further divided into two subcategories, being Development Unclarified and Development Not Viable (see oil and gas advisories). Each subcategory is assigned a percentage risk, reflecting the estimated chance of development. Aggregate totals are provided below.

    Contingent Resources NSAI 2022 Report
    Gross (Before Royalties) Working Interest Share
    NSAI 2023 Report
    Gross (Before Royalties) Working Interest Share
    NSAI 2024 Report
    Gross (Before Royalties) Working Interest Share
    Unrisked (MMbbl) Risked (MMbbl) Unrisked (MMbbl) Risked (MMbbl) Unrisked (MMbbl) Risked (MMbbl)
    Low Estimate (1C) 10.4 1.8 15.2 6.5 29.4 9.2
    Best Estimate (2C) 14.1 2.5 19.9 8.9 48.4 13.5
    High Estimate (3C) 22.1 3.9 27.9 11.6 72.1 18.0

     
    Comparing the NSAI 2023 Report to the NSAI 2024 Report, the Company has recorded an increase in the best estimate (2C) unrisked contingent resources of 143%.

    The Company last completed an independent assessment of its prospective resources in Türkiye, effective December 31, 2018, which is available under Valeura’s issuer profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com. Valeura has no reserves or contingent resources associated with its properties in Türkiye.

    Further Disclosure and Webcast
    Valeura intends to disclose a summary of the NSAI 2024 Report to Thailand’s upstream regulator later in February 2025. Thereafter, the Company will publish its estimates of reserves and resources in accordance with the requirements of National Instrument 51-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Oil and Gas Activities along with its annual information form for the year ended December 31, 2025, on approximately March 26, 2025.

    Valeura’s management team will host an investor and analyst webcast at 08:00 Calgary / 15:00 London / 22:00 Bangkok / 23:00 Singapore on Thursday, February 13, 2025 to discuss its reserves and contingent resources. Please register in advance via the link below.

    Registration link: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/a527dbad-61ff-47b1-8330-a10c28cfd2ee@a196a1a0-4579-4a0c-b3a3-855f4db8f64b

    As an alternative, an audio only feed of the event is available by phone using the Conference ID and dial-in numbers below.

    Thailand: +66 2 026 9035,,817613646#
    Singapore: +65 6450 6302,,817613646#
    Canada: (833) 845-9589,,817613646#
    Türkiye: 0800 142 034779,,817613646#
    United States: (833) 846-5630,,817613646#
    United Kingdom: 0800 640 3933,,817613646#

    Phone conference ID: 817 613 646#

    For further information, please contact:

    Valeura Energy Inc. (General Corporate Enquiries)                +65 6373 6940
    Sean Guest, President and CEO
    Yacine Ben-Meriem, CFO
    Contact@valeuraenergy.com

    Valeura Energy Inc. (Investor and Media Enquiries)                +1 403 975 6752 / +44 7392 940495
    Robin James Martin, Vice President, Communications and Investor Relations
    IR@valeuraenergy.com

    Contact details for the Company’s advisors, covering research analysts and joint brokers, including Auctus Advisors LLP, Canaccord Genuity Ltd (UK), Cormark Securities Inc., Research Capital Corporation, and Stifel Nicolaus Europe Limited, are listed on the Company’s website at www.valeuraenergy.com/investor-information/analysts/.

    About the Company

    Valeura Energy Inc. is a Canadian public company engaged in the exploration, development and production of petroleum and natural gas in Thailand and in Türkiye. The Company is pursuing a growth-oriented strategy and intends to re-invest into its producing asset portfolio and to deploy resources toward further organic and inorganic growth in Southeast Asia. Valeura aspires toward value accretive growth for stakeholders while adhering to high standards of environmental, social and governance responsibility.

    Additional information relating to Valeura is also available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

    Oil and Gas Advisories

    Reserves and contingent resources disclosed in this news release are based on an independent evaluation conducted by the incumbent independent petroleum engineering firm, NSAI with an effective date of December 31, 2024. The NSAI estimates of reserves and resources were prepared using guidelines outlined in the Canadian Oil and Gas Evaluation Handbook and in accordance with National Instrument 51-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Oil and Gas Activities. The reserves and contingent resources estimates disclosed in this news release are estimates only and there is no guarantee that the estimated reserves and contingent resources will be recovered.

    This news release contains a number of oil and gas metrics, including “NAV”, “reserves replacement ratio”, “RLI”, and “end of field life” which do not have standardised meanings or standard methods of calculation and therefore such measures may not be comparable to similar measures used by other companies. Such metrics are commonly used in the oil and gas industry and have been included herein to provide readers with additional measures to evaluate the Company’s performance; however, such measures are not reliable indicators of the future performance of the Company and future performance may not compare to the performance in previous periods.

    “NAV” is calculated by adding the estimated future net revenues based on a 10% discount rate to net cash, (which is comprised of cash less debt) as of December 31, 2024. NAV is expressed on a per share basis by dividing the total by basic common shares outstanding. NAV per share is not predictive and may not be reflective of current or future market prices for Valeura.

    “Reserves replacement ratio” for 2024 is calculated by dividing the difference in reserves between the NSAI 2024 Report and the NSAI 2023 Report, plus actual 2024 production, by the assets’ total production before royalties for the calendar year 2024.

    “RLI” is calculated by dividing reserves by management’s estimated total production before royalties for 2025.

    “End of field life” is calculated by NSAI as the date at which the monthly net revenue generated by the field is equal to or less than the asset’s operating cost.

    Reserves

    Reserves are estimated remaining quantities of commercially recoverable oil, natural gas, and related substances anticipated to be recoverable from known accumulations, as of a given date, based on the analysis of drilling, geological, geophysical, and engineering data, the use of established technology, and specified economic conditions, which are generally accepted as being reasonable. Reserves are further categorised according to the level of certainty associated with the estimates and may be sub-classified based on development and production status.

    Proved reserves are those reserves that can be estimated with a high degree of certainty to be recoverable. It is likely that the actual remaining quantities recovered will exceed the estimated proved reserves.

    Developed reserves are those reserves that are expected to be recovered from existing wells and installed facilities or, if facilities have not been installed, that would involve a low expenditure (e.g., when compared to the cost of drilling a well) to put the reserves on production.

    Developed producing reserves are those reserves that are expected to be recovered from completion intervals open at the time of the estimate. These reserves may be currently producing or, if shut in, they must have previously been on production, and the date of resumption of production must be known with reasonable certainty.

    Developed non-producing reserves are those reserves that either have not been on production, or have previously been on production, but are shut in, and the date of resumption of production is unknown.

    Undeveloped reserves are those reserves expected to be recovered from known accumulations where a significant expenditure (e.g., when compared to the cost of drilling a well) is required to render them capable of production. They must fully meet the requirements of the reserves classification (proved, probable, possible) to which they are assigned.

    Probable reserves are those additional reserves that are less certain to be recovered than proved reserves. It is equally likely that the actual remaining quantities recovered will be greater or less than the sum of the estimated proved plus probable reserves.

    Possible reserves are those additional reserves that are less certain to be recovered than probable reserves. It is unlikely that the actual remaining quantities recovered will exceed the sum of the estimated proved plus probable plus possible reserves. There is a 10% probability that the quantities actually recovered will equal or exceed the sum of the estimated proved plus probable plus possible reserves.

    The estimated future net revenues disclosed in this news release do not necessarily represent the fair market value of the reserves associated therewith.

    The estimates of reserves and future net revenue for individual properties may not reflect the same confidence level as estimates of reserves and future net revenue for all properties, due to the effects of aggregation.

    Contingent Resources

    Contingent resources are those quantities of petroleum estimated, as of a given date, to be potentially recoverable from known accumulations using established technology or technology under development, but which are not currently considered to be commercially recoverable due to one or more contingencies. Contingencies are conditions that must be satisfied for a portion of contingent resources to be classified as reserves that are: (a) specific to the project being evaluated; and (b) expected to be resolved within a reasonable timeframe.

    Contingent resources are further categorised according to the level of certainty associated with the estimates and may be sub‐classified based on a project maturity and/or characterised by their economic status. There are three classifications of contingent resources: low estimate, best estimate and high estimate. Best estimate is a classification of estimated resources described in the Canadian Oil and Gas Evaluation Handbook as the best estimate of the quantity that will be actually recovered; it is equally likely that the actual remaining quantities recovered will be greater or less than the best estimate. If probabilistic methods are used, there should be at least a 50 percent probability that the quantities actually recovered will equal or exceed the best estimate.

    The project maturity subclasses include development pending, development on hold, development unclarified and development not viable. The contingent resources disclosed in this news release are classified as either development unclarified or development not viable.

    Development unclarified is defined as a contingent resource that requires further appraisal to clarify the potential for development and has been assigned a lower chance of development until commercial considerations can be clearly defined. Chance of development is the likelihood that an accumulation will be commercially developed.

    Conversion of the development unclarified resources referred to in this news release is dependent upon (1) the expected timetable for development; (2) the economics of the project; (3) the marketability of the oil and gas production; (4) the availability of infrastructure and technology; (5) the political, regulatory, and environmental conditions; (6) the project maturity and definition; (7) the availability of capital; and, ultimately, (8) the decision of joint venture partners to undertake development.

    The major positive factor relevant to the estimate of the contingent development unclarified resources referred to in this news release is the successful discovery of resources encountered in appraisal and development wells within the existing fields. The major negative factors relevant to the estimate of the contingent development unclarified resources referred to in this news release are: (1) the outstanding requirement for a definitive development plan; (2) current economic conditions do not support the resource development; (3) limited field economic life to develop the resources; and (4) the outstanding requirement for a final investment decision and commitment of all joint venture partners.

    Development not viable is defined as a contingent resource where no further data acquisition or evaluation is currently planned and hence there is a low chance of development, there is usually less than a reasonable chance of economics of development being positive in the foreseeable future. The major negative factors relevant to the estimate of development not viable referred to in this news release are: (1) current economic conditions do not support the resource development; and (2) availability of technical knowledge and technology within the industry to economically support resource development.

    If these contingencies are successfully addressed, some portion of these contingent resources may be reclassified as reserves.

    Of the best estimate 2C contingent resources estimated in the NSAI 2024 Report, on a risked basis: 74% of the estimated volumes are light/medium crude oil, with the remainder being heavy oil; 77% are categorised as Development Unclarified, with the remainder being Development Not Viable. Development Unclarified 2C resources have been assigned an average chance of development for the four fields ranging from 30% to 50% depending on oil type, while 2C Development Not Viable resources have been assigned an average chance of development ranging from 16% to 17%.

    Resources Project
    Maturity Subclass
    Light and Medium Crude Oil
    (Development Unclarified)
    Chance of Development (%)
    Unrisked Risked
    Gross (Mbbl) Net (Mbbl) Gross (Mbbl) Net (Mbbl)
    Contingent Low Estimate (1C) Development Unclarified 8,267 7,334 3,108 2,742 38 %
    Contingent Best Estimate (2C) Development Unclarified 14,178 12,538 4,227 3,728 30 %
    Contingent High Estimate (3C) Development Unclarified 21,072 18,644 5,289 4,673 25 %
    Resources Project
    Maturity Subclass
    Heavy Crude Oil
    (Development Unclarified)
    Chance of Development (%)
    Unrisked Risked
    Gross (Mbbl) Net (Mbbl) Gross (Mbbl) Net (Mbbl)
    Contingent Low Estimate (1C) Development Unclarified 7,807 7,358 4,045 3,813 52 %
    Contingent Best Estimate (2C) Development Unclarified 10,641 10,029 5,325 5,018 50 %
    Contingent High Estimate (3C) Development Unclarified 14,524 13,689 6,560 6,182 45 %
    Resources Project
    Maturity Subclass
    Light and Medium Crude Oil
    (Development Not Viable)
    Chance of Development (%)
    Unrisked Risked
    Gross (Mbbl) Net (Mbbl) Gross (Mbbl) Net (Mbbl)
    Contingent Low Estimate (1C) Development Not Viable 11,294 10,502 1,694 1,575 15 %
    Contingent Best Estimate (2C) Development Not Viable 21,539 19,965 3,652 3,319 17 %
    Contingent High Estimate (3C) Development Not Viable 33,503 30,964 5,363 4,802 16 %
    Resources Project
    Maturity Subclass
    Heavy Crude Oil
    (Development Not Viable)
    Chance of Development (%)
    Unrisked Risked
    Gross (Mbbl) Net (Mbbl) Gross (Mbbl) Net (Mbbl)
    Contingent Low Estimate (1C) Development Not Viable 2,069 1,950 310 293 15 %
    Contingent Best Estimate (2C) Development Not Viable 2,091 1,971 341 321 16 %
    Contingent High Estimate (3C) Development Not Viable 3,003 2,830 815 768 27 %

    The NSAI estimates have been risked, using the chance of development, to account for the possibility that the contingencies are not successfully addressed. Due to the early stage of development for the development unclarified resources, NSAI did not perform an economic analysis of these resources; as such, the economic status of these resources is undetermined and there is uncertainty that any portion of the contingent resources disclosed in this new release will be commercially viable to produce.

    Glossary

    bbl                barrels of oil
    Mbbl              thousand barrels of oil
    MMbbl            million barrels of oil

    Advisory and Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Information

    Certain information included in this news release constitutes forward-looking information under applicable securities legislation. Such forward-looking information is for the purpose of explaining management’s current expectations and plans relating to the future. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes, such as making investment decisions. Forward-looking information typically contains statements with words such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “expect”, “plan”, “intend”, “estimate”, “propose”, “project”, “target” or similar words suggesting future outcomes or statements regarding an outlook.

    Forward-looking information in this news release includes, but is not limited to, the Company’s belief that it has added to the ultimate potential of its portfolio; the anticipated economic life of its portfolio; expectations regarding future cash flow; the expectation that ARO on its December 31, 2024 balance sheet will indicate a reduction of approximately 35% versus December 31, 2023 and more than 50% since first assuming operatorship of its assets; business objectives and targets; organic and inorganic growth opportunities; the anticipated end of life for Valeura’s Thailand assets; the potential for adding reserves through the Wassana field redevelopment as well as through ongoing infill development, appraisal drilling, and exploration targets; statements related to the Company’s 2025 production guidance of 23.0 – 25.5 Mbbl/d; estimates of the Company’s RLI; timing for FID readiness on the potential Wassana field redevelopment; management’s anticipation of a higher production profile with longer field life from the Wassana field, should it opt to proceed with the redevelopment; forecast Brent crude oil reference prices; assumption of a single tax filing; estimated costs for the eventual decommissioning of its fields; the intention to disclose a summary of the NSAI 2024 Report to Thailand’s upstream regulator; the anticipated filing date of the Company’s annual information form along with its estimates of reserves and resources; and the timing of the investor and analyst webcast.

    In addition, statements related to “reserves” and “resources” are deemed to be forward-looking information

    as they involve the implied assessment, based on certain estimates and assumptions, that the resources can

    be discovered and profitably produced in the future.

    Although the Company believes the expectations and assumptions reflected in such forward-looking information are reasonable, they may prove to be incorrect.

    Forward-looking information is based on management’s current expectations and assumptions regarding, among other things: political stability of the areas in which the Company is operating; continued safety of operations and ability to proceed in a timely manner; continued operations of and approvals forthcoming from governments and regulators in a manner consistent with past conduct; ability to achieve extensions to licences in Thailand and Türkiye to support attractive development and resource recovery; future drilling activity on the required/expected timelines; the prospectivity of the Company’s lands; the continued favourable pricing and operating netbacks across its business; future production rates and associated operating netbacks and cash flow; decline rates; future sources of funding; future economic conditions; the impact of inflation of future costs; future currency exchange rates; interest rates; the ability to meet drilling deadlines and fulfil commitments under licences and leases; future commodity prices; the impact of the Russian invasion of Ukraine; the impact of conflicts in the Middle East; royalty rates and taxes; management’s estimate of cumulative tax losses being correct; future capital and other expenditures; the success obtained in drilling new wells and working over existing wellbores; the performance of wells and facilities; the availability of the required capital to funds its exploration, development and other operations, and the ability of the Company to meet its commitments and financial obligations; the ability of the Company to secure adequate processing, transportation, fractionation and storage capacity on acceptable terms; the capacity and reliability of facilities; the application of regulatory requirements respecting abandonment and reclamation; the recoverability of the Company’s reserves and contingent resources; future growth; the sufficiency of budgeted capital expenditures in carrying out planned activities; the impact of increasing competition; the availability and identification of mergers and acquisition opportunities; the ability to successfully negotiate and complete any mergers and acquisition opportunities; the ability to efficiently integrate assets and employees acquired through acquisitions; global energy policies going forward; international trade policies; future debt levels; and the Company’s continued ability to obtain and retain qualified staff and equipment in a timely and cost efficient manner. In addition, the Company’s work programmes and budgets are in part based upon expected agreement among joint venture partners and associated exploration, development and marketing plans and anticipated costs and sales prices, which are subject to change based on, among other things, the actual results of drilling and related activity, availability of drilling, offshore storage and offloading facilities and other specialised oilfield equipment and service providers, changes in partners’ plans and unexpected delays and changes in market conditions. Although the Company believes the expectations and assumptions reflected in such forward-looking information are reasonable, they may prove to be incorrect.

    Forward-looking information involves significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Exploration, appraisal, and development of oil and natural gas reserves and resources are speculative activities and involve a degree of risk. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by the Company including, but not limited to: the ability of management to execute its business plan or realise anticipated benefits from acquisitions; the risk of disruptions from public health emergencies and/or pandemics; competition for specialised equipment and human resources; the Company’s ability to manage growth; the Company’s ability to manage the costs related to inflation; disruption in supply chains; the risk of currency fluctuations; changes in interest rates, oil and gas prices and netbacks; the risk that the Company’s tax advisors’ and/or auditors’ assessment of the Company’s cumulative tax losses varies significantly from management’s expectations of the same; potential changes in joint venture partner strategies and participation in work programmes; uncertainty regarding the contemplated timelines and costs for work programme execution; the risks of disruption to operations and access to worksites; potential changes in laws and regulations, including international treaties and trade policies; the uncertainty regarding government and other approvals; counterparty risk; the risk that financing may not be available; risks associated with weather delays and natural disasters; and the risk associated with international activity. See the most recent annual information form and management’s discussion and analysis of the Company for a detailed discussion of the risk factors.

    Certain forward-looking information in this news release may also constitute “financial outlook” within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Financial outlook involves statements about Valeura’s prospective financial performance or position and is based on and subject to the assumptions and risk factors described above in respect of forward-looking information generally as well as any other specific assumptions and risk factors in relation to such financial outlook noted in this news release. Such assumptions are based on management’s assessment of the relevant information currently available, and any financial outlook included in this news release is made as of the date hereof and provided for the purpose of helping readers understand Valeura’s current expectations and plans for the future. Readers are cautioned that reliance on any financial outlook may not be appropriate for other purposes or in other circumstances and that the risk factors described above or other factors may cause actual results to differ materially from any financial outlook.

    The forward-looking information contained in this news release is made as of the date hereof and the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless required by applicable securities laws. The forward-looking information contained in this news release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

    This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in any jurisdiction, including where such offer would be unlawful. This news release is not for distribution or release, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States, Ireland, the Republic of South Africa or Japan or any other jurisdiction in which its publication or distribution would be unlawful.

    Neither the Toronto Stock Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Toronto Stock Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

    This information is provided by Reach, the non-regulatory press release distribution service of RNS, part of the London Stock Exchange. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Refocusing continuing care for the future | Recentrer les soins continus pour l’avenir

    [. As their needs evolve, it is important that older adults and vulnerable populations have access to the support they need to maintain their quality of life and independence so they can age with dignity. Over the next 10 years, the demand for continuing care in Alberta is projected to grow by 80 per cent, increasing even faster as people live longer and with more complex needs.

    Alberta’s government is establishing Assisted Living Alberta – the new provincial continuing care agency – as part of the province’s health refocusing. This will ensure the province is well-positioned to meet the future needs that are anticipated with Alberta’s both growing and aging population. Assisted Living Alberta will provide Albertans access to a comprehensive system of continuing care with a full range of wraparound services, including medical and non-medical supports, home care, community care and social services. This transition will allow the province to place a holistic social service lens on assisted living services to deliver care more effectively and consistently throughout the province. By taking this approach, individuals and families will have more options when they need care and as their needs evolve, helping older adults and vulnerable populations maintain their quality of life and independence.

    “As the need for continuing care services in Alberta grows, I am committed to working with health, social services and continuing care professionals to transform the system and ensure the new provincial agency, Assisted Living Alberta, meets all Albertans’ needs. This change ensures Albertans have access to a full range of wraparound supports to meet their evolving needs and maintain their independence and quality of life as they age or require more support.”

    Jason Nixon, Minister of Seniors, Community and Social Services

    Assisted Living Alberta is on track to be established and become an entity by April 1, and will be fully operational by fall 2025. The new agency will align medical and non-medical supports and services, increase continuing care spaces, reduce wait times, and provide comprehensive wraparound supports for Albertans who require different levels and types of care. This includes both seniors in long-term care and those who want to continue aging at home but need supports to do so, as well as people with disabilities, individuals experiencing homelessness and other vulnerable Albertans who require temporary or long-term care. Refocusing Alberta’s health care system ensures all Albertans have access to the services and support they need, when and where they need it.

    “Improving health care services is a top priority for our government. We are committed to addressing the urgent need for enhanced assisted living services across our growing province. I look forward to working alongside the Ministry of Seniors, Community and Social Services to bring Albertans more options and the high quality of care they need close to home.”

    Adriana LaGrange, Minister of Health

    Albertans currently receiving care, and those who need care, will continue to have access to the services they need. A transition committee led by Dr. Sayeh Zielke, author, cardiologist and medical director of Chinook Cardiology, along with leaders from health care, continuing care, social services and other local organizations, will provide the minister with advice to support this transformation. Committee members were chosen based on their experience, diverse perspectives, leadership and background in the continuing care and social services space. The committee’s work will be essential to ensuring a smooth and seamless transition with no disruptions.

    “It is an honour to be playing a role in helping transform Alberta’s continuing care system. Our goal is to put patients and clients first and give our front-line workers the support they need, which is why it is so important that we are taking the time to gets things right and consulting directly with Albertans.” 

    Dr. Zielke, cardiologist and medical director of Chinook Cardiology and chair of the Assisted Living Transition Committee

    Albertans are invited to share their feedback, support the stand up of Assisted Living Alberta and help shape the future of continuing care through online engagement that will be open from Jan. 30 to March 3 at Alberta.ca/lead-the-way. Continuing care providers and health care and continuing care workers will also have an opportunity to provide feedback through targeted engagement that will be open at the same time. Albertans’ insights and perspectives will help lead the way in improving the system to ensure it meets Alberta’s needs today and for generations to come.  

    Alberta’s government is making significant strides in its efforts to refocus the health care system. Assisted Living Alberta will be the fourth and final new provincial health agency to be established and operational. Recovery Alberta officially began operations on Sept. 1, 2024, with Primary Care Alberta ready to follow suit and become operational on Feb. 1, 2025. On the same date, Acute Care Alberta is set to become a legal entity. By creating four provincial health agencies to oversee the priority sectors of primary care, acute care, continuing care, and mental health and addiction, the province is putting patients first in every health care decision and giving front-line experts the support they need to properly care for Albertans.

    “The Alberta Continuing Care Association welcomes this transformational move by the Alberta government. By bringing social services, medical and non-medical supports, and continuing care together under one health agency, patients will be able to access wraparound supports for the care and services they need.”

    Feisal Keshavjee, chair, Alberta Continuing Care Association

    “Integrated health and social care enhances outcomes, aligns with the preferences of older adults, caregivers and practitioners, and underpins leading continuing care models. Healthy Aging Alberta and the United Way of Calgary congratulate the ministry on this exciting transition and look forward to supporting an integrated wraparound model of continuing care in Alberta.”

    Karen McDonald, provincial director, Healthy Aging Alberta 

    Transition committee members

    • Dr. Sayeh Zielke, committee chair – cardiologist and medical director of Chinook Cardiology
    • MLA Brandon Lunty, deputy chair – MLA for Leduc-Beaumont
    • Dr. David Stewart, member – physician, Family Medical Centre
    • David Weyant, member – president and CEO, Alberta Lawyers Indemnity Association
    • Robin James, member – chief administrative officer, Lethbridge Housing Authority
    • Feisal Keshavjee, member – board chair, Alberta Continuing Care Association
    • Karen McDonald, member – provincial director, Healthy Aging Alberta (and executive director, Sage)
    • Andrea Hesse, member – CEO, Alberta Council of Disability Services
    • Joyce Wicks, member – former nurse and seniors advocate
    • Ruben Breaker, member – councillor, Siksika First Nation
    • Arlene Adamson, member – former CEO, Silvera for Seniors
    • Salimah Walji-Shivji, member – KC, CEO, AgeCare
    • Irene Martin-Lindsay – member, executive director, Alberta Seniors and Community Housing Association

    Related news

    • Continuing care: Ministers LaGrange and Nixon (Oct 16, 2024)

    Related information

    • Refocusing health care in Alberta
    • Continuing Care Transformation
    • Online survey for feedback on Alberta’s continuing care system

    Multimedia

    • Watch the news conference
    • Listen to the news conference

    Dans le cadre du recentrage des soins de santé, le gouvernement de l’Alberta procède à l’établissement d’Assisted Living Alberta, l’organisme provincial des soins continus.

    D’ici 2046, un Albertain sur cinq aura 65 ans ou plus. À mesure que les besoins évoluent, il est important que les adultes plus âgés et les populations vulnérables aient accès au soutien nécessaire pour maintenir leur qualité de vie et leur indépendance afin de vieillir avec dignité. Au cours des 10 prochaines années, on prévoit que la demande de soins continus en Alberta augmentera de 80 %, puis encore plus rapidement à mesure que les gens vivent plus longtemps et avec des besoins plus complexes.

    Le gouvernement de l’Alberta établit Assisted Living Alberta, le nouvel organisme provincial des soins continus, dans le cadre du recentrage des soins de santé. Cette initiative a pour but de s’assurer que la province est bien placée pour répondre aux besoins futurs prévus en raison de la population croissante et vieillissante de l’Alberta. Assisted Living Alberta fournira l’accès à un système global de soins continus doté d’une gamme complète de services intégrés, notamment des soutiens médicaux et autres, des soins à domicile, des soins communautaires et des services sociaux. Cette transition permettra à la province de mettre en place des services d’aide à l’autonomie sous l’angle holistique des services sociaux afin de fournir des soins de manière plus efficace et plus cohérente partout en Alberta. En adoptant cette approche, les personnes et les familles auront plus de choix lorsqu’elles auront besoin de soins et à mesure que leurs besoins évolueront, ce qui aidera les adultes plus âgés et les populations vulnérables à conserver leur qualité de vie et leur indépendance.

    « À mesure que les besoins en soins continus augmentent en Alberta, je suis résolu à travailler avec les professionnels de la santé, des services sociaux et des soins continus pour transformer le système et veiller à ce que le nouvel organisme, Assisted Living Alberta, satisfasse à tous les besoins des Albertaines et des Albertains. Grâce à ce changement, la population aura accès à une gamme complète de soins intégrés pour répondre à ses besoins en évolution constante et conserver son indépendance et sa qualité de vie à mesure qu’elle vieillit et exige davantage de soutien. »

    Jason Nixon, ministre des Personnes âgées et des Services communautaires et sociaux

    Assisted Living Alberta est en bonne voie d’être établi d’ici le 1er avril, et sera entièrement opérationnel d’ici l’automne 2025. Ce nouvel organisme harmonisera les soutiens et les services, médicaux et autres, augmentera les espaces de soins continus, réduira les temps d’attente et fournira des soutiens intégrés complets aux Albertaines et aux Albertains qui exigent différents niveaux et types de soins. Ceci comprend les personnes âgées dans des établissements de soins de longue durée et celles qui veulent continuer de vieillir chez elles, mais ont besoin de soutiens pour ce faire, ainsi que les personnes handicapées, les personnes en situation d’itinérance et d’autres personnes vulnérables nécessitant des soins temporaires ou de longue durée. Le recentrage des soins de santé en Alberta permet aux Albertaines et aux Albertains d’avoir accès aux services et au soutien nécessaires, au moment et à l’endroit où ils en ont besoin.

    « L’amélioration des services de soins de santé est une priorité absolue pour notre gouvernement. Nous sommes déterminés à satisfaire au besoin urgent de services d’aide à la vie autonome améliorés partout dans notre province, dont la population augmente continuellement. Je me réjouis de travailler aux côtés du ministre des Personnes âgées et des Services communautaires et sociaux pour offrir aux Albertaines et aux Albertains un plus grand choix et la grande qualité de soins pour rester près de chez eux. »

    Adriana LaGrange, ministre de la Santé

    Les Albertains qui reçoivent actuellement des soins, et ceux qui exigent des soins continueront d’avoir accès aux services nécessaires. Un comité de transition dirigé par la Dre Sayeh Zielke, autrice, cardiologue et directrice médicale de Chinook Cardiology, ainsi que des chefs de fils des soins de santé, des soins continus, des services sociaux et d’autres organisations locales, conseilleront la ministre à l’appui de cette transformation. Les membres du comité ont été choisis en fonction de leur expérience, de leurs divers points de vue et de leurs antécédents dans le domaine des soins continus et des services sociaux. Le travail du comité sera essentiel pour ce qui est d’assurer une transition sans heurt et sans interruption.

    « C’est un honneur de contribuer à transformer le système de soins continus en Alberta. Notre objectif est de donner la priorité aux patients et aux clients et d’apporter à nos travailleurs de première ligne le soutien nécessaire. C’est pourquoi il est si important que nous prenions le temps de bien faire les choses et de consulter directement les Albertaines et les Albertains. » 

    Dre Zielke, cardiologue et directrice médicale de Chinook Cardiology, et présidente du comité de transition d’aide à la vie autonome

    Les Albertains sont invités à faire part de leur rétroaction, à soutenir l’établissement d’Assisted Living Alberta et à contribuer à façonner l’avenir des soins continus par l’intermédiaire de l’engagement en ligne qui sera accessible du 30 janvier au 3 mars à Alberta.ca/lead-the-way. Les fournisseurs de soins continus et les travailleurs de la santé et des soins continus auront également l’occasion de donner leur opinion dans le cadre d’un engagement ciblé pendant la même période. Les idées et les points de vue de la population albertaine aideront à ouvrir la voie vers l’amélioration du système en veillant à ce qu’il réponde aux besoins actuels et des générations à venir.  

    Le gouvernement de l’Alberta fait des progrès considérables dans le recentrage des soins de santé. Assisted Living Alberta sera le quatrième et dernier organisme de santé provincial à être établi et opérationnel. Recovery Alberta a officiellement lancé ses activités le 1er septembre 2024. Primary Care Alberta lui emboîte le pas et entrera en fonction le 1er février 2025. Acute Care Alberta deviendra une entité juridique à la même date. En créant quatre organismes de santé provinciaux pour superviser les secteurs prioritaires des soins primaires, des soins actifs, des soins continus et de la santé mentale et des dépendances, la province accorde la priorité aux patients dans chaque décision en matière de santé et donne aux experts de première ligne le soutien nécessaire pour s’occuper des Albertains comme il se doit.

    « L’Alberta Continuing Care Association se réjouit de cette transformation effectuée par le gouvernement de l’Alberta. En réunissant sous un même organisme les services sociaux, les soutiens médicaux et autres et les soins continus, les patients pourront avoir accès aux soutiens intégrés dont ils ont besoin sur le plan des soins et des services. »

    Feisal Keshavjee, président, Alberta Continuing Care Association

    « L’intégration des soins de santé et des services sociaux améliore les résultats, correspond aux préférences des adultes plus âgés, des soignants et des praticiens, et sous-tend des modèles de soins continus de pointe. Healthy Aging Alberta et Centraide Calgary félicitent le ministère de cette transition emballante, et ont hâte d’appuyer un modèle intégré de soins continus en Alberta. »

    Karen McDonald, directrice provinciale, Healthy Aging Alberta

    Membres du comité de transition

    • Dre Sayeh Zielke, présidente du comité – cardiologue et directrice médicale de Chinook Cardiology
    • Brandon Lunty, député provincial et vice-président – député de Leduc-Beaumont
    • Dr David Stewart, membre – médecin, Family Medical Centre
    • David Weyant, membre – PDG, Alberta Lawyers Indemnity Association
    • Robin James, membre – directeur municipal, Lethbridge Housing Authority
    • Feisal Keshavjee, membre – président du conseil, Alberta Continuing Care Association
    • Karen McDonald, membre – directrice, Healthy Aging Alberta (et directrice générale, Sage)
    • Andrea Hesse, membre – directrice générale, Alberta Council for Disability Services
    • Joyce Wicks, membre – ancienne infirmière et défenseure des personnes âgées
    • Ruben Breaker, membre – conseiller, Première Nation Siksika
    • Arlene Adamson, membre – ancienne chef de la direction, Silvera for Seniors
    • Salimah Walji-Shivji, membre – chef de la direction, AgeCare
    • Irene Martin-Lindsay – membre, directrice générale, Alberta Seniors and Community Housing Association

    Nouvelles connexes

    • Continuing care: Ministers LaGrange and Nixon (Soins continus : ministre LaGrange et Nixon (16 octobre 2024)

    Renseignements connexes

    • Refocusing health care in Alberta (Recentrer les soins de santé en Alberta)
    • Continuing Care Transformation (Transformation des soins continus)
    • Online survey for feedback on Alberta’s continuing care system (Sondage en ligne pour obtenir de la rétroaction au sujet du système de soins continus)

    Multimédia

    • Regarder la conférence de presse

    Translations

    • Arabic
    • Simplified Chinese
    • Traditional Chinese
    • Punjabi
    • Spanish
    • Ukrainian

    MIL OSI Canada News

  • MIL-OSI: Falcon Oil & Gas Ltd. – Operational Update on the Stimulation Campaign

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Falcon Oil & Gas Ltd.
    (“Falcon”, “Group”)

    Operational Update on the Stimulation Campaign

    13 February 2025 – Falcon Oil & Gas Ltd. (TSXV: FO, AIM: FOG) provides the following update on the stimulation campaign for the Shenandoah S2-2H ST1 (“SS-2H ST1”) and Shenandoah South 4H (“SS-4H”) wells in the Beetaloo Sub-basin, Northern Territory, Australia with Falcon Oil & Gas Australia Limited’s (“Falcon Australia”) joint venture partner, Tamboran (B2) Pty Limited (“Operator”).

    SS-2H ST1

    • As previously announced stimulation operations were successfully completed over 35 stages across the 1,671-metre (5,483-feet) horizontal section of the Amungee Member B-shale with Liberty Energy (NYSE: LBRT) stimulation equipment.
    • The SS-2H ST1 well is being prepared for the commencement of initial flow back and extended production testing.
    • Targeting announcement of 30 day initial production (“IP30”) flow rates in April 2025.

    SS-4H

    • Commenced stimulation operations in January 2025.
    • The Operator took proactive and precautionary steps to pause completion operations due to the detection of stress in a casing connection.
    • Reinforcement activities are planned to be conducted in Q1 2025, aiming for stimulation activities to recommence in Q2 2025, as soon as the IP30 flow test is completed at SS-2H ST1.
    • The deferred stimulation program should provide an opportunity to incorporate lessons from the SS-2H ST1 campaign.
    • Targeting announcement of IP30 flow rates in mid-2025.

    Working Capital

    • Falcon Australia has received a A$4.7 million (~US$3 million) research and development tax offset in cash.
    • The Group’s current cash balance is US$8.2 million.

    Philip O’Quigley, CEO of Falcon commented:
    We continue to be extremely encouraged about the potential of the current stimulation program based on strong gas shows and other data observed whilst drilling, together with the completion of a successful stimulation program on SS-2H ST1 well. We look forward to updating the market on the IP30 flow test results from both wells as soon as they become available.”
                                                    

    Ends.
    CONTACT DETAILS:

    Falcon Oil & Gas Ltd.          +353 1 676 8702
    Philip O’Quigley, CEO +353 87 814 7042
    Anne Flynn, CFO +353 1 676 9162
     
    Cavendish Capital Markets Limited (NOMAD & Broker)
    Neil McDonald / Adam Rae +44 131 220 9771

    This announcement has been reviewed by Dr. Gábor Bada, Falcon Oil & Gas Ltd’s Technical Advisor. Dr. Bada obtained his geology degree at the Eötvös L. University in Budapest, Hungary and his PhD at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the Netherlands. He is a member of AAPG.

    About Falcon Oil & Gas Ltd.

    Falcon Oil & Gas Ltd is an international oil & gas company engaged in the exploration and development of unconventional oil and gas assets, with the current portfolio focused in Australia. Falcon Oil & Gas Ltd is incorporated in British Columbia, Canada and headquartered in Dublin, Ireland.

    Falcon Oil & Gas Australia Limited is a c. 98% subsidiary of Falcon Oil & Gas Ltd.

    For further information on Falcon Oil & Gas Ltd. Please visit www.falconoilandgas.com

    About Beetaloo Joint Venture (EP 76, 98 and 117)

    Company Interest
    Falcon Oil & Gas Australia Limited (Falcon Australia) 22.5%
    Tamboran (B2) Pty Limited 77.5%
    Total 100.0%

    Shenandoah South Pilot Project -2 Drilling Space Units – 46,080 acres1

    Company Interest
    Falcon Oil & Gas Australia Limited (Falcon Australia) 5.0%
    Tamboran (B2) Pty Limited 95.0%
    Total 100.0%

    1Subject to the completion of the SS2H ST1 and SS4H wells on the Shenandoah South pad 2.

    About Tamboran (B2) Pty Limited
    Tamboran (B1) Pty Limited (“Tamboran B1”) is the 100% holder of Tamboran (B2) Pty Limited, with Tamboran B1 being a 50:50 joint venture between Tamboran Resources Corporation and Daly Waters Energy, LP.

    Tamboran Resources Corporation, is a natural gas company listed on the NYSE (TBN) and ASX (TBN). Tamboran is focused on playing a constructive role in the global energy transition towards a lower carbon future, by developing the significant low CO2 gas resource within the Beetaloo Basin through cutting-edge drilling and completion design technology as well as management’s experience in successfully commercialising unconventional shale in North America.

    Bryan Sheffield of Daly Waters Energy, LP is a highly successful investor and has made significant returns in the US unconventional energy sector in the past. He was Founder of Parsley Energy Inc. (“PE”), an independent unconventional oil and gas producer in the Permian Basin, Texas and previously served as its Chairman and CEO. PE was acquired for over US$7 billion by Pioneer Natural Resources Company.

    Advisory regarding forward-looking statements
    Certain information in this press release may constitute forward-looking information. Any statements that are contained in this news release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking information. Forward-looking information typically contains statements with words such as “may”, “will”, “should”, “expect”, “intend”, “plan”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “projects”, “dependent”, “consider” “potential”, “scheduled”, “forecast”, “outlook”, “budget”, “hope”, “suggest”, “support” “planned”, “approximately”, “potential” or the negative of those terms or similar words suggesting future outcomes. In particular, forward-looking information in this press release includes, details on the completion of the stimulation, preparation for initial flow back and targeting an IP30 flow rate of April 2025 for SS-2H ST1; steps taken to pause operations, planned reinforcement activities in Q1 2025, aiming for recommencement of activities in Q2 2025, opportunity to incorporate lessons from the SS-2H ST1 campaign and targeting IP30 flow rates in mid-2025 for SS-4H.

    This information is based on current expectations that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. The risks, assumptions and other factors that could influence actual results include risks associated with fluctuations in market prices for shale gas; risks related to the exploration, development and production of shale gas reserves; general economic, market and business conditions; substantial capital requirements; uncertainties inherent in estimating quantities of reserves and resources; extent of, and cost of compliance with, government laws and regulations and the effect of changes in such laws and regulations; the need to obtain regulatory approvals before development commences; environmental risks and hazards and the cost of compliance with environmental regulations; aboriginal claims; inherent risks and hazards with operations such as mechanical or pipe failure, cratering and other dangerous conditions; potential cost overruns, drilling wells is speculative, often involving significant costs that may be more than estimated and may not result in any discoveries; variations in foreign exchange rates; competition for capital, equipment, new leases, pipeline capacity and skilled personnel; the failure of the holder of licenses, leases and permits to meet requirements of such; changes in royalty regimes; failure to accurately estimate abandonment and reclamation costs; inaccurate estimates and assumptions by management and their joint venture partners; effectiveness of internal controls; the potential lack of available drilling equipment; failure to obtain or keep key personnel; title deficiencies; geo-political risks; and risk of litigation.

    Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of important factors is not exhaustive and that these factors and risks are difficult to predict. Actual results might differ materially from results suggested in any forward-looking statements. Falcon assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements unless and until required by securities laws applicable to Falcon. Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties is contained in Falcon’s filings with the Canadian securities regulators, which filings are available at www.sedarplus.com, including under “Risk Factors” in the Annual Information Form.

    Any references in this news release to initial production rates are useful in confirming the presence of hydrocarbons; however, such rates are not determinative of the rates at which such wells will continue production and decline thereafter and are not necessarily indicative of long-term performance or ultimate recovery. While encouraging, readers are cautioned not to place reliance on such rates in calculating the aggregate production for Falcon. Such rates are based on field estimates and may be based on limited data available at this time.

    Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Siili Solutions Plc, Financial statements bulletin, 1 January–31 December 2024 (unaudited)

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Siili Solutions Plc, Financial statements bulletin, 1 January–31 December 2024 (unaudited)

    YEAR 2024 FOR SIILI: Profitability affected by declined revenue, successful launch of the new data and AI focused strategy 

    Siili Solutions Plc Financial statements bulletin 13 February 2025 at 9:00 am (EET)

    In 2024 we clarified our new strategy and successfully launched its implementation. We focused on strengthening our competitiveness and securing profitability in a continuously challenging market situation. However, the challenging market situation affected negatively on Siili’s revenue and growth both domestically and internationally.

    July-December 2024

    • Siili published its new strategy in August
    • Siili signed an agreement to purchase majority stake of the Finnish Integrations Group Oy
    • Siili appointed Maria Niiniharju as Siili’s VP, Private Business and member of Siili’s management team
    • Revenue for the second half of the year was EUR 52,713 (57,414) thousand, representing decline of 8.2% year on year
    • Adjusted EBITA for the second half of the year was EUR 2,100 (3,732) thousand, which corresponds to 4.0% (6.5%) of revenue

    January-December 2024

    • We focused on streamlining our organization and creation of our new strategy
    • We strengthened data and AI expertise through training and recruitment
    • We achieved 10th place in the Young Professional A raction Index survey by Academic Work
    • Full-year revenue amounted EUR 111,899 (122,702) thousand, representing decline of 8.8% year on year
    • Adjusted EBITA was EUR 5,409 (8,742) thousand, which corresponds to 4.8% (7.1%) of revenue
      H2/2024 H2/2023 2024 2023 Q4/2024 Q4/2023
    Revenue, EUR 1,000 52,713 57,414 111,899 122,702 28,589 30,365
    Revenue growth, % -8.2% -3.4% -8.8% 3.7% -5.9% -6.7%
    Organic revenue growth, % -8.2% -5.5% -8.8% 0.1% -5.9% -6.7%
    Share of international revenue, % 30.2% 27.7% 29.0% 26.7% 28.8% 25.8%
    Adjusted EBITA, EUR 1,000 2,100 3,732 5,409 8,742 1,403 2,471
    Adjusted EBITA, % of revenue 4.0% 6.5% 4.8% 7.1% 4.9% 8.1%
    EBITA, EUR 1,000 2,058 3,399 4,752 8,409 1,361 2,138
    EBIT, EUR 1,000 1,482 2,763 3,592 6,909 1,075 1,844
    Earnings per share, EUR 0.20 0.18 0.43 0.61 0.18 0.14
    Number of employees at the end of the period 942 1,007 942 1,007 942 1,007
    Average number of employees during the period 954 1,034 975 1,026 944 1,030
    Total full-time employees and subcontractors (FTE)
    at the end of the period
    1,033 1,091 1,033 1,091 1,033 1,091

    Outlook for 2025 and financial goals for 2025-2028

    Revenue for 2025 is expected to be EUR 108-130 million and adjusted EBITA EUR 4.7-7.7 million.

    On 26 November 2024, the company announced the financial goals for the years 2025–2028 as follows:

    • Annual revenue growth of 20 percent, of which organic growth accounts for about half.
    • Adjusted EBITA 12 percent of revenue.
    • The aim is to keep the ratio of net debt-to-EBITDA below two.
    • The aim is to pay a dividend corresponding to 30–70 percent of net profit annually.

    CEO TOMI PIENIMÄKI:

    2024 was another challenging year from a market perspective, both for Siili and the entire IT service sector. During the year, we focused on crystallising our strategy and creating a foundation for stronger competitiveness and profitability.

    The market situation affected both Siili’s revenue and the rate of growth both domestically and internationally. Full-year revenue amounted to approximately EUR 112 million, representing a decline of 9% year on year. The share of international operations in the Group’s revenue continued to increase and rose from the previous year’s level of 27% to 29% in 2024.

    The slowdown in growth also weighed on profitability. Adjusted EBITA for the year was EUR 5.4 million, which corresponds to about 5% of revenue. This year, we aim to improve Siili’s profitability by focusing on operational efficiency and growth with focus on the Data and AI business.

    Despite the challenges of the operating environment, last year was, however, successful for Siili in many ways. During the first half of the year, we focused on designing our new strategy and streamlining the organisation. We also launched a three-level training programme in artificial intelligence for our consultants and continued to strengthen the data and AI expertise of the Siili team through both training and recruitment throughout the year.

    Our new strategy has been well received

    In the new strategy published in August, we placed data and artificial intelligence at the core of the strategy. Our objective is to be a pioneer in the AI transition as a developer of generative AI solutions and as an AI partner that reinforces its customers’ competitiveness.

    We have now three strategic priorities that strengthen our position as a leader in leveraging AI:

    • Significant growth in Data and AI business
    • Pioneer in AI-powered digital development
    • Community of top talent

    Our updated strategy and our promise “Impact driven, AI powered” have been well received in the markets. During the year, we were selected as a partner for several AI and data projects in line with our strategy. Towards the end of the year, we had many successful openings consistent with the strategy in projects dealing with, for example, AI strategies, training, and implementation. We will continue to focus on expanding our business with strategic customers and building long-standing partnerships.

    We focus on improving our profitability

    We continue to improve our operational efficiency. We will focus in particular on capacity and utilization management, cost efficiency, offer development and pricing optimization. Improving profitability is progressing according to plan in stages. We have made a concrete action plan to improve our efficiency and profitability and we will implement it with determination and monitor its progress.

    Last year, we also started to develop our operating models towards more data-driven decision-making and better forecasting. In addition, we are strongly investing in the implementation of a new management model that increases efficiency, recruitments that support the strategy and optimization of subcontracting. We strive to seek profitable growth in growth areas in line with the strategy, while firmly protecting profitability in more challenging market segments.

    We are strengthening our community of top talent

    At the beginning of November, we strengthened the data and AI expertise of the management team when Maria Niiniharju took up the position as the leader of Siili’s Private Business and became a new member of Siili’s management team. In accordance with our strategy, we also expanded our competence through recruitment of data and AI experts, who we have now 43% more compared to previous year. Towards the end of the year, we strengthened our integration expertise by signing an agreement to purchase a majority stake in Integrations Group Oy. With Integrations Group, we will be a stronger partner for our customers in various demanding AI and data integration projects.

    We aim to be the best community for digital development professionals, and we continued to develop our culture and leadership further last year. Our efforts to develop Siili’s community were recognized in autumn when Siili achieved 10th place in the Young Professional Attraction Index survey by Academic Work.

    In 2025, we will celebrate Siili’s 20th anniversary. With two decades of innovation and growth under our belt, this is a good time to continue Siili’s journey by focusing on the implementation of the strategy and the improvement of profitability during the year. Although we cannot see immediate signs of an improvement in market conditions, our successes in 2024 have proven the performance of our strategy. I want to extend my thanks to the entire Siili team and our customers for the past year. I am looking forward to the opportunity to build new and innovative solutions at the cutting edge of the AI transition.

    RISKS AND UNCERTAINTY FACTORS

    Siili is exposed to various risk factors related to its operational activities and business environment. The realisation of risks may have an unfavourable effect on Siili’s business, financial position or company value. The most significant risks related to Siili’s operations are described below, along with other known risks that may become significant in the future. In addition, there are risks that Siili is not necessarily aware of and which may become significant.

    • The loss of one or more key clients, a considerable decrease in purchases, financial difficulties experienced by clients or a change in a client’s strategy with regard to the procurement of IT services could have a negative effect on the company.
    • Failure to achieve recruitment goals in terms of both quality and quantity, and failure to match supply to customer demand in a timely manner.
    • Probability and adverse effects of the realisation of the aforementioned risks are more likely in an uncertain economic environment.
    • Failure in pricing, planning, implementation and improving cost efficiency of customer projects.
    • Loss of the contribution of key personnel or deterioration of the employer’s reputation.
    • Realisation of information security risks, for example, as a result of data breach and/or human error by an employee.

    General negative or weakened economic development and the resulting uncertainty in the clients’ operating environment. The general economic cycle and changes in the clients’ operating environment can have negative effects through slowing down, postponing or cancelling decision-making on IT investments.

    Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has not had and is not expected have a direct impact on Siili’s business. However, the general uncertainty and inflation in 2024 continued to affect in particular our clients’ investment decisions, thereby also weighing on Siili’s business. Slow recovery of the economy is expected to continue to affect Siili’s business and growth opportunities also in the current financial year. According to management observations and estimates, the impacts of the market environment in the financial year 2024 were moderate, and they are expected to reduce in 2025. We prepare for these effects by taking care of customer satisfaction and cost efficiency.

    EVENTS AFTER THE END OF THE FINANCIAL YEAR

    Acquisition of Integrations Group Oy

    On 18 November 2024, Siili Solutions Plc announced it had signed an agreement to purchase a stake of 51% of the shares in the Finnish company Integrations Group Oy. The transaction in Integrations Group Oy shares was completed on 2 January 2025. Siili is committed to purchasing the remaining 49% of shares in Integrations Group Oy over the coming years in parts as detailed in the shareholders’ agreement; hence, Integrations Group Oy is consolidated 100% in the Siili Group as of 2 January 2025.

    Integrations Group Oy is a company specialising in integration implementations and services, based in Espoo and Tampere. The company’s unaudited revenue for the financial year 2024 was EUR 2.2 million, and its operating profit amounted to EUR 0.3 million. The company has 13 employees. Integrations Group Oy will continue to operate as a stand-alone company under its own brand.

    The acquisition of the majority stake in Integrations Group executes on Siili’s strategic objective to expand its business in the growing data and generative AI market.

    The acquisition does not have a material effect on the Siili Group’s revenue, adjusted EBITA or balance sheet values. The company will prepare an acquisition cost calculation under IFRS 3 during the first year-half.

    DIVIDEND PROPOSAL

    In line with the dividend policy approved by its Board of Directors, Siili seeks to distribute 30–70% of its profit for the period to shareholders. In addition, an additional profit distribution can be made.

    On 31 December 2024, the distributable assets of the parent company of Siili Solutions Plc amounted to EUR 35,291,522.61, including the profit for the period EUR 1,629,162.50. The Board of Directors proposes to the Annual General Meeting 2025 that a dividend of EUR 0.18 per share be paid for the financial year 2024. According to the proposal, a total dividend of EUR 1,460,215.62 would be paid. The proposed dividend represents approximately 42% of the Group’s profit for the financial year.

    No significant changes have taken place in Siili’s financial position since the end of the financial year. The company has a good level of liquidity, and the Board believes that the proposed dividend will not pose a risk to liquidity.

    FINANCIAL CALENDAR FOR 2025

    Siili will hold a results announcement event for analysts, portfolio managers and the media on 13 February 2025 at 1:00 p.m. The presentation materials will be published on the company website after the event.

    • The Annual Report 2024 will be published in electronic format on the company website on 14 March 2025.
    • The Annual General Meeting will be held on 8 April 2025.
    • The business review for 1 January–31 March 2025 will be published on 22 April 2025.
    • The half-year report for 1 January–30 June 2025 will be published on 12 August 2025.
    • The business review for 1 January–30 September 2025 will be published on 21 October 2025.

    Helsinki, 13 February 2025

    Board of Directors, Siili Solutions Plc

    FURTHER INFORMATION:

    CEO Tomi Pienimäki

    tel. +358 40 834 1399

    CFO Aleksi Kankainen

    tel. +358 40 534 2709

    SIILI SOLUTIONS IN BRIEF:

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  • MIL-OSI USA: In Senate Budget Committee, Republicans Block Murray Amendments for Bipartisan Approach to Spending, Affirming Congressional Spending Authority, Reversing NIH Cuts, Transparency & Accountability for DOGE, and More

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray
    ICYMI: Senator Murray Remarks at Senate Budget Resolution Markup: Blasts Roadmap to Devastating Cuts, Calls for Budget Hearing with Musk – MORE HERE
    Washington, D.C. — Today, at the Senate Budget Committee’s mark up of Senate Republicans’ budget resolution, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and a senior member and former Chair of the Senate Budget Committee, put forward six amendments to steer Republicans toward a bipartisan approach to spending, affirm Congress’ power of the purse, reverse massive arbitrary cuts to NIH, deliver transparency into the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), and more. Republicans unanimously opposed every amendment Murray and other Democrats offered.
    MURRAY AMENDMENT 01: Senator Murray first proposed an amendment to address defense and nondefense needs equally—tackling national security concerns and challenges at the border alongside priorities like supporting our veterans, biomedical research, child care, agriculture, and more—noting that such investments should be a part of ongoing bipartisan topline negotiations between appropriators. Rather than the $342 billion Republicans are proposing in mandatory funding through the partisan reconciliation process, Murray’s amendment would have provided $171 billion in discretionary funding for defense and $171 in discretionary funding for non-defense needs.  Unlike the partisan approach taken by Republicans, the funding under the Murray amendment would be available to address a range of critical needs, including but not limited to national security and the border.
    “Democrats share many of your concerns about investing in our national security, providing more resources to address the challenges at the border, and making sure we counter China,” said Senator Murray of her amendment to equally divide the proposed spending toward defense and non-defense priorities. “While also wanting to make sure we address critical areas like supporting veterans, agriculture, wildfires, disaster response, biomedical research, child care, and much more. So, the approach in my amendment is to say we should work together on a bipartisan basis – and really this should be part of the topline conversations we are having now as we hurtle toward the March 14th funding deadline. I want to make clear Democrats remain at the table on the FY 2025 topline – but it is getting pretty lonely for us when we see Republicans assume a trillion dollars for this year alone in unilateral DOGE cuts, remain quiet as Russ Vought and the administration continues to unlawfully impound funds, and now propose to jam through $342 billion in funding for your priorities on a partisan basis—while I am trying to negotiate in good faith a bipartisan, four-corner topline deal for fiscal year 2025. I would urge my Republican colleagues to get serious and keep your eye on the ball regarding the funding lapse on March 14th, not to mention the sequester cuts at the end of April.”
    MURRAY AMENDMENT 06: Senator Murray pressed her colleagues to pass an amendment to stand up to the Trump Administration and affirm Congress’ power of the purse which Republicans all unanimously opposed.
    “This is not a partisan issue—it is about upholding our laws and Congress’s constitutional authority over federal spending,” said Senator Murray of her amendment to affirm Congressional spending authority. “The Constitution grants Congress—not the President—the power of the purse. This has been affirmed time and again—by: The Supreme Court, Congress, The Government Accountability Office, and others. And yet, Trump, Elon Musk, and Russ Vought have been holding up huge chunks of funding that Congress passed—often on a bipartisan basis. When Presidents ignore our spending laws and the power of the purse our Constitution gives Congress—not the president—it doesn’t just block funding for the American people, it erodes the trust necessary for bipartisan negotiations in Congress. As I have emphasized, Members of Congress—on both sides—must know a deal is a deal. This amendment is about protecting the integrity of our democratic process—our most fundamental checks and balances. Every Senator—Republican or Democrat—should support this amendment to preserve Congress’s authority and maintain the trust necessary for effective governance.”
    MURRAY AMENDMENT 17: Senator Murray also offered an amendment to reverse the Trump Administration’s indiscriminate cut to biomedical research and the lifesaving work supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) at research institutions across the country—which no Republican spoke in opposition to during debate, but every Republican voted in opposition.  
    “On Friday night the Trump Administration announced it was implementing a policy to arbitrarily cut National Institutes of Health funding that supports biomedical research at institutions across the country,” said Senator Murray of her amendment to reverse Trump’s proposed policy on indirect costs. “In capping indirect cost rates at 15 percent for NIH-funded grants, this policy would cut funding that is essential to conducting research – such as operating and maintaining labs and research facilities. That is in clear violation of our annual appropriations bills, which have included an explicit prohibition on NIH implementing a policy exactly like this since fiscal year 2018. Fortunately, a court has temporarily paused the policy, but let’s be clear, if the Trump administration were to be successful in gutting NIH funding in this way, it would be absolutely catastrophic for lifesaving research patients and families are counting on, including lifesaving cancer research at Fred Hutch in my home state of Washington, and at so many other institutions in Red and Blue states nationwide.”
    “Research would come to a halt, sick kids would not get the treatment they need, and clinical trials would shut down abruptly,” Murray continued. “Our commitment to supporting basic research infrastructure—which this policy does—is what helped make the American research enterprise the best in the world.  This is funding that helps produce medical breakthroughs and change patients’ lives and ensure that the U.S. continues to be the global leader in biomedical research. NIH is an important economic driver in just about every single one of our states—creating jobs and spurring innovation.”
    MURRAY AMENDMENT 05: Senator Murray pushed for passage of an amendment to have the Senate request the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to review, audit and report back within 90 days on DOGE, including the appropriateness of the authorities and finances under which it is operating; internal controls and compliance with appropriations, data privacy, and other laws; the hiring, vetting, and security clearance of its employees, special government employees, and volunteers; appropriateness of actions taken to cancel contracts, reassign or otherwise change the status of federal employees; and any other areas deemed appropriate by the Comptroller General. Every Republican voted no.
    “My amendment requests the Government Accountability Office to review, audit and report back within 90 days on the so called Department of Government Efficiency so that we can understand its role, authorities, and impacts,” said Senator Murray of her amendment to provide some level of transparency into DOGE. “Mr. Chairman, your Mark assumes $1 trillion in savings over the remaining seven to eight months in 2025. That is an astronomical amount of savings to achieve in a very short amount of time and with absolutely no detail provided to us. Those savings would appear largely to come from DOGE, which is operating throughout the government without any authorization from Congress, without any normal disclosure of people, processes, or conflicts, and really with no accountability whatsoever. Whether you support some actions of DOGE or not, you should support transparency and accountability to Congress and the American public. Elon Musk and DOGE have already tried to shut down USAID, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and we are told it is now targeting the Department of Education, with the President saying he wants Musk over at the Pentagon next. None of this is normal – not DOGE, the involvement of an unelected billionaire, the vast influence it has, or the actions they have taken to date with little or no input from Congress.”
    “Let’s be clear—no one voted to let an unelected billionaire decide what bills the federal government would or wouldn’t pay or whether our elementary schools and hospitals get funding, but President Trump is giving Elon the keys to the Treasury,” continued Senator Murray. “And, again, the lack of transparency into its people, processes, and potential conflicts should concern every one of us. So, my hope is with this amendment we can agree to some oversight of DOGE and ask Congress’s independent, nonpartisan watchdog, the GAO, to review DOGE and report back to us within 90 days. And if you are not supportive of this—I have to ask, what are you scared of finding out?”
    MURRAY AMENDMENT 15: Murray also put forward an amendment to prevent federal disaster assistance from being included in the highly partisan budget reconciliation process and ensure that federal disaster relief funds go to the communities that need them when they need them.
    MURRAY AMENDMENT 14: Murray also pressed to pass an amendment, modeled off her Veteran Families Health Services Act, to provide additional funding for improving the reproductive assistance provided by the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs to members of the Armed Forces, veterans, and their spouses or partners—particularly for IVF. Every Republican also opposed these amendments, notwithstanding their intention to significantly increase the size of our military through their reconciliation plan, which will result in even more servicemembers and veterans needing reproductive assistance.
    Prior to consideration of amendments, Senator Murray underscored in her opening comments that the resolution Senate Republicans have put forth is a roadmap to devastating cuts to programs families count on every day—from Medicaid to SNAP to veterans benefits—so that Republicans can later pass more tax breaks for the ultra-rich. Senator Murray emphasized that right now Congress’ focus should be on addressing the fast-approaching March 14 funding deadline and addressing President Trump and Elon Musk’s sweeping, illegal funding freeze—not a partisan measure to gut investments in working people. She also called for Elon Musk to come before the Committee to discuss his already in-motion efforts to decimate programs people count on.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: WATCH: Padilla Slams Republican Budget Proposal That Would Raise Costs for American Families

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.)

    WATCH: Padilla Slams Republican Budget Proposal That Would Raise Costs for American Families

    WATCH: Padilla criticizes Republican budget proposal that would cut critical programs to pay for tax cuts for the ultra-wealthy

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), a member of the Senate Budget Committee, delivered opening remarks during a hearing on the proposed budget resolution for Fiscal Year 2025.

    Padilla outlined the misguided budget proposal from Republicans to cut hundreds of billions of dollars in benefits Americans rely on to fund tax breaks for billionaires:

    • “The second Trump Administration has begun clearly laying the groundwork to cut crucial programs that American families rely on in order to fund yet another round of tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy. … The budget is a reflection of our values and our priorities. And I want to talk about priorities. Not the President’s priorities. I want to talk about the American people’s priorities. I’ve heard over and over again that the outcome of last fall’s election was a mandate, and that the important takeaway from the election was Americans’ frustrations with a high cost of living. … Too many families, Republicans and Democrats, struggling to pay for groceries, to afford gas, struggling to pay the rent or the mortgage every month.”
    • “Folks, make no mistake, under these plans, life will be more expensive for working families and all for what? That’s really the big question I have. All for what? It’s crystal clear: to help pay for hundreds of billions of dollars in tax breaks for billionaires and large corporations. And to achieve this, President Trump and his allies here in Congress seem determined to slash the programs that American families depend on the most: Medicaid, nutrition assistance programs, Pell grants, affordable health care coverage, cancer research, investments in our energy sector, including for hydrogen, biofuels, and carbon capture.”

    Padilla also highlighted the immense costs of mass deportations, and the essential contributions of immigrants to the U.S. economy. Undocumented workers make up nearly 14 percent of construction workers — and roughly 42 percent of our agricultural workforce. Trump’s mass deportations plan would lead to skyrocketing prices for food, goods, and services, exacerbate our workforce shortages, and could drop the United States’ GDP by 6.8 percent:

    • “Here’s an inconvenient truth for many, and that’s the fact that immigrants, both documented and undocumented, are also critical to the success of our economy, because the percentage of immigrants — documented, undocumented — who are violent criminals, is a very, very small percentage.”
    • “If President Trump gets his way with the mass deportations that are not focused just on violent criminals, here’s what American families can expect. Get ready also for more expensive fruit, more expensive vegetables, and that’s if grocery stores can successfully keep up with stocking the shelves. If you’ve been saving up for years to buy a home, get ready to pay more and wait longer. Why? Because construction will slow down, and prices will go up.”

    As Republicans emphasize the need for American energy independence, Padilla stressed that the Trump Administration’s executive orders and the proposed budget resolution would undo the historic investments Congress made to diversify the energy sector:

    • “Undermining renewables isn’t just undermining energy independence. It’s a threat to our national security, and it’s a threat to the good-paying jobs we’ve created across the country in red states and blue states alike.”

    Video of Senator Padilla’s full remarks is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Padilla Presses Deputy Attorney General Nominee During Nomination Hearing

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.)

    WATCH: Padilla criticizes Trump Administration’s unlawful firings of more than a dozen Inspectors General

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) questioned President Trump’s nominee for U.S. Deputy Attorney General, Todd Blanche, during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing. Blanche was President Trump’s personal attorney in several criminal cases, including Trump’s New York hush money trial, in which the President was ultimately convicted of 34 felony counts. Padilla also condemned Trump’s attempt to unlawfully fire more than a dozen Inspectors General, and raised concerns about conflicts of interest regarding Blanche and the top officials at the Justice Department’s previous representation of Trump.  

    During the hearing, Padilla questioned Blanche on the Trump Administration’s unlawful firings of 19 Inspectors General across federal government agencies. Inspectors General play a critical role in identifying and preventing fraud, waste, and abuse within executive branch agencies. Following passage of the Securing Inspector General Independence Act of 2022, led by Senate Judiciary Chair Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Congress must be given the legally required 30-day notice and reasonings regarding the dismissals of Inspectors General, which the Trump Administration ignored. Blanche refused to comment on the matter, despite Chair Grassley agreeing that the Inspectors General firings, in fact, did not follow the law.

    Padilla also voiced his concerns with Blanche’s personal ties to President Trump, noting that he, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and Principal Associate Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove could all face potential conflicts of interest since they all represented the President in a personal capacity.

    Key Excerpts:

    • PADILLA: When the President of the United States violates the law, it’s important to call it out. And let me underscore, this isn’t when the President of the United States strays from historical norms in how he or she does the job. It’s not when the President does different than what’s been standard practice for prior presidents. … I’m talking about when the President of the United States violates the law.
    • PADILLA: Mr. Blanche, when you walked into my office, you repeatedly told me that you will always follow the law — your words, “full stop” — and you’ve repeated that same message here today. It’s numerically, mathematically impossible for President Trump to have abided by the law in dismissing Inspectors General. Yes or no?
    • BLANCHE: My answer remains the same. I’m not going to comment on what the decision made by the White House Counsel and President Trump, and what he did.
    • PADILLA: I’m not talking about how they reached their decision. And you clearly know this is not a hypothetical. He didn’t give Congress 30 days’ notice, he violated the law, and I’m disappointed that you’re failing to acknowledge that.
    • PADILLA: My colleagues on the other side of the aisle have taken issue with us voicing our concern about President Trump filling the top ranks of the Justice Department with his friends, his allies, and personal attorneys. I can only imagine how they would have reacted if a Democratic President installed his own personal criminal defense attorneys as Attorney General, as Deputy Attorney General, as Principal Associate Deputy Attorney General.

    Earlier this month, Senator Padilla joined U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Senate Judiciary Committee Democrats in demanding answers from Blanche and other Trump Administration nominees and officials on the removal or reassignment of career law enforcement officials across the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Padilla previously opposed advancing the nomination of Attorney General Pam Bondi after she refused to affirm birthright citizenship, which is constitutionally guaranteed, and declined to disavow the false claim that the 2020 election was stolen during her Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing. More information on Blanche’s nomination hearing is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: WATCH: Padilla Slams RFK Jr. Nomination to Lead Health and Human Services

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.)

    WATCH: Padilla Slams RFK Jr. Nomination to Lead Health and Human Services

    WATCH: Padilla calls RFK, Jr. “unfit and unprepared” to serve as HHS Secretary

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) delivered remarks on the Senate floor to oppose the nomination of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), raising the alarm on the disastrous public health implications if he is confirmed. Padilla called out RFK, Jr. for his severe lack of qualifications and his record of peddling dangerous public health misinformation.

    • “I oppose this nomination for his wildly misinformed beliefs and his utter lack of experience. I believe he is fundamentally unfit and unprepared — and Americans will be less healthy if he is confirmed.”

    RFK, Jr. has repeatedly spread dangerous conspiracy theories — for his own financial gain — even going as far as to say that “there’s no vaccine that is safe and effective.” Padilla called him out for making false accusations that vaccines cause autism, lying that the COVID-19 virus targeted specific racial and ethnic groups, founding his own anti-vaccine organization, authoring several books pushing public health conspiracies, and making millions off anti-vaccination lawsuits.

    • “In the face of all the proven science, proven again and again science, Mr. Kennedy has chosen to profit off fear. And countless parents are being misled into making dangerous decisions for their children.
    • “Look — I get the fear. I’m proud to represent California in the Senate. I’m proud to have an engineering background. But I too am a parent of three boys. And I remember what it was like to hold a baby in your arms, and to worry every time there was a sniffle and a cough. I’d do anything to protect my children, just as you would do anything to protect yours.
    • “But where families have reasonable questions on everything from doctors to diets, Mr. Kennedy simply sees dollar signs.”

    Padilla, a co-founder of the bipartisan Senate Mental Health Caucus, also highlighted the dangers RFK, Jr. poses to mental health care access and Medicaid benefits. He slammed RFK, Jr. for his dangerous lack of knowledge regarding Medicaid funding and benefits. 

    • “At a time when Republicans are looking to cut funding for lifesaving services, I’d rather see a fierce defender of Medicaid at HHS. Yet, during his confirmation hearings, Mr. Kennedy failed to show even a basic understanding of Medicaid. Not the sources of funding, not the benefits, and at one point, he even seemed to conflate or confuse Medicaid and Medicare.
    • “Colleagues, I shouldn’t have to say this: This is not a ‘learn on the job’ nomination.”

    As Republicans threaten major cuts to Medicaid, Padilla underscored the importance of confirming a nominee with the necessary qualifications and experience to protect public health. He urged his colleagues to vote against RFK, Jr.’s confirmation.

    • “Republicans are already floating cuts to Medicaid to pay for even more tax breaks for the rich. In the White House, President Trump and his Shadow President Musk have proven they’ll shutter any agency that stands in their way.
    • “And today, we’re left wondering who will speak up to protect the health of millions of Americans. Unfortunately, Mr. Kennedy has already shown he is not up to the task. So colleagues, I urge you to join me in fighting to protect the health of our constituents and oppose the confirmation of Mr. Kennedy.”

    Video of Senator Padilla’s full remarks is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Security: MEDIA ADVISORY: Coast Guard to offload more than $275 million of cocaine in San Diego

    Source: United States Coast Guard

     

    02/13/2025 12:09 AM EST

    The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Waesche (WMSL 751) will offload approximately 37,256 pounds of cocaine with an estimated value of $275 million, on Thursday in San Diego.   The offload is a result of 11 separate suspected drug smuggling vessel interdictions or events off the coasts of Mexico and Central and South America by the Coast Guard Cutter Waesche in December through February.    The Coast Guard Cutter Waesche is one of four legend-class national security cutters, homeported in Alameda, California. 

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Airing climate justice in Costa Rica on World Radio Day

    Source: United Nations 2

    By Carla Garcia

    Climate and Environment

    Quality radio remains ever universal, popular and more reliable in an era of artificial intelligence (AI) and social media, including in Costa Rica, where unique programming raises awareness and promotes public participation on climate decision making in Latin America, the theme of this year’s World Radio Day, marked annually on 13 February.

    In a crucial year for climate action which, in accordance with the Paris Agreement, seeks to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, World Radio Day is dedicated in 2025 to highlighting the power of broadcasting to bring climate change issues to prominence.

    That’s the goal of Climate Radio Route.

    Radio democratises

    Radio is considered the most reliable medium, according to the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), which supports radio stations, like Climate Radio Route, in their journalistic coverage of this year’s theme.

    Adrián Martínez, director of La Ruta del Clima – the Climate Route – a Costa Rican non-governmental organization (NGO) promoting public participation in climate and environmental decision-making that has been an observer, advocating at the UN climate summits since 2014.

    “Radio in all its versions, whether digital or transmitted by antennas, is super important because it democratizes,” he told UN News . “Radio traditionally reaches places and communities where there is no Internet. It is also very generational. People interact with the radio day by day because it is ephemeral.”

    Climate hits the radio waves

    The Climate Route studies and exposes impacts “on the human rights of people in vulnerable communities in Latin America, especially in Central America, who have to deal with the adverse effects of climate change, for which they have very little responsibility but which is transforming their territories and ways of life”, Mr. Martínez explained.

    With the aim of disseminating and raising awareness in society about these issues, in 2015 the organization created the Ruta del Clima Radio – the Climate Radio Route.

    The programme was broadcast in the first years by a radio station of the University of Costa Rica and then by digital media through podcasts.

    Communities can make their voices heard

    “Communication that can have a massive reach has become very expensive and elitist,” Mr. Martínez said. “However, digital or traditional radio opens up that opportunity for communities, social organizations and movements to create their window and make their voices heard.”

    UNESCO argues that beyond popularising environmental concepts, by disseminating information independent of economic, ideological and political powers, radio can condition listeners’ perception of climate change, and the importance given to the issue.

    As such, radio can also contribute to shaping the public agenda and influencing policies in this regard.

    © La Ruta del Clima

    A training workshop on damage and loss in the community of Cahuita in Costa Rica.

    Connecting climate change to people

    The Climate Radio Route has focused a lot on connecting the issue of climate change with people, not only at the national level in Costa Rica, but throughout the Latin American region.

    The programme discusses issues most relevant in climate governance and amplifies the work and experiences and opinions of colleagues,  activists and experts from this region and others on climate issues.

    “Citizens can have information and criteria beyond what is in the official media and thus can have a more comprehensive vision and promote the effective participation of our communities in climate decisions,” Mr. Martínez said.

    Climate Route Radio productions are self-contained and include climate summits, community interviews and online interviews with people around the world in English or Spanish.

    In line with the SDGs

    The Climate Route underlines the importance of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those that refer to: climate action; peace, justice and solid institutions; and partnerships to achieve the goals.

    Mr. Martínez points out that the NGO has worked with some UN agencies, such as the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the UN Development Programme (UNDP).

    “We collaborate, for example, with the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), on climate change issues, and we are always discussing with them and with the rapporteurs of the United Nations system or the OAS [Organization of American States] on environmental issues,” he said.

    Presidency of Costa Rica

    The impact of Storm Nate was catastrophic for Costa Rica, affecting 117 national roads and 113,000 hectares of agricultural production, damaging 423 bridges and causing more than $380 million in losses. (file)

    Climate justice claims

    Costa Rica is a country that for years has stood out for the ecological and climate awareness of its population and government, and the Climate Radio Route could have something to do with that awareness.

    “We know that we have a very specialised community of listeners and have helped to interact with this technical group from various countries: politicians, activists or members of governments or national delegations,” Mr. Martínez said, adding that it has also helped to talk about issues of human rights, gender and community perspective as well as make constructive criticism.

    This interaction, he adds, has made it possible to strengthen demands for climate justice.

    © La Ruta del Clima

    Adrián Martínez, director of La Ruta del Clima, facilitates a workshop on climate reparations at COP 29.

    A ‘very special’ radio

    “We are not a very large radio station, but perhaps very special in its message,” Mr. Martínez said. “I think that has opened doors for us to make our perspective known and create a link with this community that is sometimes difficult to engage.”

    In this vein, he underlined the relevance of radio.

    “It allows us to access communication in an oral way, which is sometimes very necessary to be able to have understanding,” he said. “The way we communicate orally is very different from the way we do in writing and sometimes we cannot communicate in the same way.”

    Radio is essential to be able to generate that dialogue of ideas, emotions and feelings that can enhance decision making for peace and for the construction of a better relationship with the environment.

    “I think we must continue to explore not only the use of radio, but also other media that connect us and understand the need to work together,” he said. “That is the important thing about the media: to be able to understand others and then to be able to take common action.”

    MIL OSI United Nations News

  • MIL-Evening Report: This is Australia’s only icebreaker. Here’s why experts say we need another

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jane Younger, Lecturer in Southern Ocean Vertebrate Ecology, Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania

    Australia’s Antarctic territory represents the largest sliver of the ice continent. For decades, Australian scientists have headed to one of our three bases – Mawson, Davis and Casey – as well as the base on sub-Antarctic Macquarie Island, to research everything from ecology to climate science.

    But despite our role as leaders in Antarctic science, Australian funding and logistics for Antarctic research hasn’t kept pace. Our single icebreaking vessel spends most of its time on resupply missions, restricting its use for actual science. And funding is often piecemeal, which makes it hard to plan the complex, multi-year efforts it takes to do research down on the ice.

    This week, we saw a welcome change. The federal parliamentary committee on Australia’s external territories delivered a report calling for a second icebreaking vessel and more reliable funding. It also urged the government to progress work on marine protected areas in east Antarctica as well as resume fishing patrols, due to concern over illegal or exploitative fishing.

    These measures are long overdue. For those of us who work and study on the ice continent, logistics and funding have long been a challenge. Illegal fishing in Antarctica must be stamped out, and a second vessel would support our ambitious, world-leading science.

    Why is Antarctic science so important?

    Antarctica is often out of sight, out of mind for many Australians. But what happens on the ice doesn’t stay there.

    For climate science, Antarctica matters a great deal. For decades, much of the concern about melting ice focused on the Arctic and Greenland, while Antarctica stayed relatively stable. But this is now changing. Sea ice is melting more quickly than in the past. Glacial ice is retreating. Increased melting will affect sea level rise and ocean currents.

    I study diseases such as the lethal strain of bird flu which has devastated bird and some mammals populations around the world. It recently reached Antarctica, where it killed large numbers of penguins, skuas, crabeater seals and more. I saw the devastation myself on my recent journey there.

    If this strain makes it to Australia – the last continent free of it – it could come from the south and devastate both Australian wildlife and poultry.

    To study these large and important changes, we need to be down there on the ice. It’s not an easy task. Keeping our bases functional means we need regular resupply missions. Repairs and extensions require tradies. Scientists and other workers need to be brought home.

    Antarctic science has long relied on just one vessel, now the RSV Nuniya, which the Australian Antarctic Division describes as the “main lifeline to Australia’s Antarctic and sub-Antarctic research stations and the central platform of our Antarctic and Southern Ocean scientific research”.

    The problem is, resupply can trump science. After all, no one wants bases running short of food or fuel. This is, in fact, what the Nuniya is largely doing.

    Australia’s role is key

    The Australian Antarctic Territory represents about 40% of the ice continent – the largest territory by far.

    Territory, here, doesn’t mean exclusive rights. In 1959, 12 nations with a scientific interest in the ice continent signed the Antarctic Treaty. This treaty was an agreement that Antarctica – the only landmass with no indigenous human presence – would be reserved for peaceful, scientific purposes.

    But in recent years, this treaty has come under pressure. Nations such as Norway and China have expanded fishing operations for krill. Illegal and unregulated fishing from various nations continues.

    The report recommends the Australian government continue efforts to establish a marine protected area off East Antarctica – where fishing would be restricted – as well as reopening fishing patrols. China – which recently opened its fifth Antarctic base – is opposed to the idea of fishing-free zones and is pushing to expand fishing in the Southern Ocean.

    Under Antarctica’s ice lie many resources. Mining is banned in Antarctica until 2048. What happens after that is uncertain. The race to tap critical minerals in Greenland signals what may lie ahead for Antarctica.

    This is why Australia’s leadership in Antarctic science matters. Australia was an original signatory to the Antarctic Treaty, and has a long history of exploration and science. Hobart has long been the home of Australia’s Antarctic vessels.

    As Antarctica changes, Australian scientists must be there to analyse, understand and report back. To do that, improvements are needed, including new vessels and longer-term funding. This report is the first step.

    The government is yet to formally respond to the report’s recommendations. Let’s hope it takes heed of the findings.

    Jane Younger receives funding from the Australian Research Council, WIRES Australia, the Geoffrey Evans Trust and the National Geographic Society.

    ref. This is Australia’s only icebreaker. Here’s why experts say we need another – https://theconversation.com/this-is-australias-only-icebreaker-heres-why-experts-say-we-need-another-249714

    MIL OSI AnalysisEveningReport.nz

  • MIL-OSI China: Widespread egg rationing sweeps US stores

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    This photo taken with a mobile phone on Feb. 7, 2025 shows a price tag on a shelf for eggs at a local supermarket in El Monte, Los Angeles County, California, the United States. [Photo/Xinhua]

    More U.S. grocery chains are implementing egg purchase limits as bird flu outbreaks continue to disrupt supplies, with California shoppers particularly feeling the squeeze through restricted purchases and early morning queues.

    At a Costco store in San Jose, California, the warehouse has been limiting purchases to three cartons per customer since Saturday, according to a store employee named Pauline. By late morning on Tuesday, only 15 cartons remained — all higher-priced organic brown and green eggs, with no white eggs available. The store has posted the sales limit sign at the entrance, effective Tuesday.

    “You need to come early to make sure you can buy eggs,” Marcie Lopez, a customer at the store, told Xinhua, noting that eggs are getting more expensive and harder to buy this year.

    “No eggs, no eggs, no eggs,” a clerk at another Costco store in Azusa, California, told the people waiting in line just after the location opened on Monday morning.

    “It’s unbelievable, we came so early in the morning, but we still couldn’t buy eggs,” a customer, who gave her name as Luna, told Xinhua.

    The rising prices and empty shelves are fueling consumer anxiety. Social media platforms like TikTok are flooded with videos of shoppers rushing to grab eggs, sometimes emptying freshly stocked shelves in minutes. One viral video from a Costco store showed eggs being snapped up in less than 10 minutes, with customers grabbing eggs by the hundreds.

    Nationwide, retailers are scrambling to manage dwindling supplies. Trader Joe’s has implemented a one-dozen limit per customer per day across all of its over 600 U.S. locations.

    “Due to ongoing issues with the supply of eggs, we kindly ask you to limit your purchase to 1 dozen of any kind,” wrote a Trader Joe’s store in Monrovia in a sign for customers shopping for eggs, noting that “we hope to have ample supply soon. Until then, we appreciate your understanding.”

    Whole Foods has capped purchases at three cartons per shopper, while Kroger stores are limiting customers to two dozen eggs per trip.

    Other major chains have followed suit. Sprouts has implemented a four-dozen limit per visit, Giant Eagle is asking customers to limit purchases to three cartons per transaction, and Market Basket stores in Massachusetts are restricting egg purchases to two cartons per family.

    In California, a Safeway supermarket in Santa Clara has been limiting customers to two dozen per visit for the past month. An employee, who called himself John, explained to Xinhua that the store doesn’t receive daily egg deliveries, instead stocking twice daily — at 7 a.m. and noon — to spread out availability. Even with these measures, eggs typically sell out by late afternoon.

    The restrictions come as highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) continues to impact egg-laying flocks nationwide. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Eggs Markets Overview report published on Friday, more than 150 million poultry birds have been killed in attempts to combat the H5N1 virus, causing egg prices to soar and supplies to dwindle.

    The national trading price for graded, loose, white large shell eggs has risen to 7.34 U.S. dollars per dozen, while the California wholesale price for cage-free large shell eggs has reached 9.11 dollars per dozen. The report expects the supply situation to remain tight, with little chance for near-term improvement.

    As a result, many grocers are limiting promotional activities and implementing purchase restrictions to stretch existing supplies.

    “Due to recent market conditions, egg prices have increased. We apologize for any inconvenience,” wrote an Aldi store in Monrovia in a sign inside the shop, adding that “due to supply challenges, eggs are limit 2 per customer.”

    Some retailers are maintaining high prices to dampen demand, and egg product manufacturers have increased their demand, leading to sharp price advances in the spot market.

    USDA predicts egg prices will increase about 20 percent in 2025, far outpacing the projected 2.2 percent increase in overall food prices. The prices in December 2024 were already 36.8 percent higher than the previous year, according to USDA data.

    Saloni Vastani, an associate professor of marketing at Emory University, told USA Today that the shortage is being exacerbated by consumer behavior.

    “Egg prices are going up because of the avian flu, but that’s driving people to buy more eggs than they usually do because they’re anticipating higher prices and reduced grocery store supply,” Vastani explained.

    The impact has extended to restaurants as well. Waffle House, which serves approximately 272 million eggs annually, recently implemented a 50-cent per egg surcharge across its roughly 2,100 U.S. locations.

    MIL OSI China News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Marshall Joins Senator Moran, Hoeven on Moving Food for Peace to USDA

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Kansas Roger Marshall
    Washington, D.C. – Yesterday, U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. joined Senators Moran, Hoeven, and Representatives Mann, Crawford, Newhouse, and Rouzer, as well as House Agriculture Chairman Thompson in introducing legislation to move the Food for Peace program from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
    “Food for Peace was started in Kansas by farmers who wanted to feed people in need across the world. Now, over 70 years later, the mission continues. The USDA understands farmers and food distribution better than any other agency in town, and moving the jurisdiction of Food for Peace under the USDA ensures that American grain is going to the people who need it most,” said Senator Marshall. “As President Trump and congressional leadership continue to find ways to curb wasteful spending and promote our nations’ goods and commodities, this is a step in the right direction toward a brighter future for America, its farmers, and the original mission of Food for Peace.”
    “The move of this program to USDA strengthens our ability to get food to those who need it most while supporting US sorghum farmers,” said Amy France, National Sorghum Producers Chairwoman. “NSP supports this shift, as it ensures the long-term success of Food for Peace and the efforts to deliver American-grown sorghum to food-insecure communities worldwide.”
    “Kansas farmers take great pride in Food for Peace and the impact the program and American commodities have had on feeding the world,” said Chris Tanner, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers President. “Moving Food for Peace to USDA would continue to provide the needed relief for people in need.”
    “Kansas-grown sorghum is a critical crop for food security in America and abroad,” said Adam York, CEO of Kansas Sorghum Producers Association. “Throughout changes in administrations, sorghum farmers have worked to have a seat at the table in international food programs housed across many agencies to ensure America’s farmers can contribute to our national security. We recommend policy makers continue prioritizing American agriculture as a solution to challenges in domestic and foreign policy.”
    “Our nation’s millers take great pride in feeding those facing famine emergencies around the world,” said Kim Z Cooper, Vice President of Government Affairs for the North American Millers’ Association. “Our flagship emergency food aid program Food for Peace not only helps those abroad, but is a critical component of Buy American and America First policies.”
    Senator Marshall has championed reforms to the Food for Peace program in the past, co-leading the America’s Farmers Feed the World Act, which sought to restore the Food for Peace program to its original intent by using U.S.-grown commodities to fight global hunger rather than spending American taxpayers’ dollars on foreign goods with limited oversight and accountability safeguards.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Marshall Releases Statement After Kansas Governor Laura Kelly Vetoes Bill Protecting Minors

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Kansas Roger Marshall
    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. issued the following statement after Kansas Governor Laura Kelly vetoed Senate Bill 63 (SB 63), which if signed into law would have protected Kansas children from genital mutilation and irreversible hormone replacement treatments.
    “Governor Laura Kelly’s veto of a bill that would have protected Kansas children from mutilation and irreversible hormone replacement treatments is disgraceful,” said Senator Marshall. “Yet again, Governor Kelly is putting her radical liberal ideology above the safety of Kansas kids. Child mutilation is not a parental right and on the contrary, should be criminal. I look forward to the legislature overriding this insane veto.”
    BACKGROUND
    Last December, Senator Marshall introduced the Safeguarding the Overall Protection of Minors Act, a bill that would protect our children from transgender procedures and irreversible hormone replacement treatments.
    Along with this legislation, Senator Marshall also recently led the Defining Male and Female Act to ensure the legal definition of sex is based on facts, not feelings, which would protect exclusive spaces for women like bathrooms and locker rooms. 
    In November 2024, Senator Marshall brought together a coalition to sound the alarm on the extreme gender ideology war being waged against America’s children and to talk about solutions, including the Safeguarding the Overall Protection of Minors Act.
    Senator Marshall is a medical doctor with more than 25 years of experience. He has also delivered over 5,000 babies.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: “He’s a Danger,” King Warns in Floor Speech Against RFK Jr. Nomination

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Maine Angus King

    WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME) tonight took to the floor of the Senate to share his concern over President Trump’s nomination of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. to serve as the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). In the speech, Senator King began his remarks by outlining the roles of Congress and the Presidency as America’s Founders envisioned: to make laws and to execute laws, respectively.  He then turned to the HHS candidate, speaking to Kennedy’s lack of experience and qualifications needed to run a large-scale health organization, and pointed out Kennedy’s long held public opinions as hostile toward the mission of the agency. He also warned of Kennedy’s dangerous skepticism toward proven, life-saving vaccines, sharing a childhood memory of a classmate who had polio.

    “Mr. President, I’d like to begin my remarks this afternoon by talking a little bit about the Constitution. I spent some time last week talking about the Constitution and our failure to observe that the Constitutional, fundamental structure of the division of power between the Congress and the Executive is being violated and the Congress is allowing it to happen. Another provision of the Constitution is the provision in Article I about advise and consent. It’s a fundamental check and balance built into the Constitution by the framers for a reason. It wasn’t a throw-away line or a few sentences that were put in because they wanted to fill the paragraph out. Again, it’s part of the structure that was designed to protect us from tyranny. And the structure involved the division of power, the separation of power because the framers knew that if all power was concentrated in a single individual or single institution, that institution or that individual would inevitably abuse our people. That’s human nature. That’s 1,000 years of human nature. All power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. So, the advise and consent provision was in the Constitution for a reason. It was in there for a reason, in order to provide a check on the executive and the people who were going to be put in charge of running the administration. 

    “By the way, I want to stop for a minute and focus on the word administration and the word executive, because it really goes to the discussion we’re having in this country right now about how our government is supposed to work. The executive comes from the word execute, and the word execute means put into action. It doesn’t mean initiate the action. It means put it into action. The same for the term administration. There’s a reason we call it the administration. They are to administer the laws. In fact, the obligation on the president in Article II is to see that the laws are faithfully executed. And it does not give the president the power to ignore laws or to decide which laws he or she thinks are okay, to ignore the responsibility and constitutional authority of the congress to define spending. It does not give the president that power. Although, the fellow we approved for Office of Management and Budget last week thinks he has that power. Or this President or any president has that power. That’s absolutely antithetical to the Constitution, as established by the framers. So, administration means administer the laws, executive means execute the laws, not make them. We make the laws here and the administration is to faithfully execute those laws. 

    “Now, let’s talk about advise and consent. Advise and consent means we have a responsibility — a Constitutional responsibility to consider each of the president’s nominees for these important jobs. This isn’t something that we may do or occasionally do. This is a fundamental part of our job. We take an oath when we come here to defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic. I think it’s interesting — they knew in 1787 that there was a potential for domestic enemies to the Constitution. So we have an obligation to take advise and consent seriously. 

    “Now, I’m a former governor, as is the presiding officer. And as a former executive, I believe the executive should have the ability to choose the team that they want, to choose their advisors. To choose the people they will work with, with some limitations. In other words, I start with the premise of the person elected should perhaps get the benefit of the doubt is a little too strong, but I start with the premise that they were elected and they should be able to choose the team that they are going to be working with. However, I think there are two qualifications. This has been my stated position on this since I entered the Senate. Benefit of the doubt to the executive, however, the nominee must be manifestly qualified and not hostile to the mission of the agency to which they’ve had been appointed. Two criteria that for me give life to the idea of advise and consent. 

    “Okay, let’s talk about Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. He, unfortunately, checks both of the boxes as to being disqualified. Number one, he’s not remotely qualified to run an organization. He has no experience running anything remotely like the scope and scale of the Department of Health and Human Services. No executive experience in that sense. So that’s number one. Is he qualified? No. He’s grossly unqualified. But the second box is he hostile to the mission of the agency? And if the mission of the agency, HHS, is to protect the health of the American people, I would argue he is manifestly hostile to that mission. There’s been a lot of discussion here today and I think it’s interesting. I haven’t heard too many people come up on the floor and support this nominee and tell us why he should be approved because, you know what, Mr. President? If this were a secret ballot, this man wouldn’t get 20 votes. Everybody in this body knows he’s not qualified. Everybody in this body knows he has no business anywhere near this position. But here we are. We’re going to take a vote. Unfortunately, it will probably be on a party-line basis. 

    “But let me focus on just one little piece. On January 29, barely a week ago, before the Senate Finance Committee, here’s what Mr. Kennedy said. Quote, “news reports have claimed that I’m antivaccine or anti-industry. I am neither. I am pro-safety. All of my kids are vaccinated.” I bet that came as news to all of the folks he’s been leading astray over the last 25-30 years. I believe vaccines have a critical role in health care. I am reminded of Saul on the road to Damascus. A miraculous conversion. A bright light was shown and suddenly the scales fell from his eyes in his confirmation hearing. Okay, let’s go back a little over a year, July 6, 2023, this is a quote, a direct quote, “there is no vaccine that is safe and effective.” He later said, on the same podcast, ‘vaccines are inherently unsafe.’ Mr. President, this man shouldn’t be confirmed because he told the committee and the Senate something diametrically opposed to the position he’s taken the last 30 years, all of his adult life. 

    “Maya Angelou said, “If somebody tells you who they are, you should believe them.” And he’s told us repeatedly. And he has acted on his vaccine skepticism. This wasn’t something that was rumbling around in his head. He’s traveled the world. He’s written articles, gone on podcasts, gone on TV and he’s discouraged people from being vaccinated. And now he has this miraculous conversion 10 days ago. ‘All my kids are vaccinated. I believe vaccines have a critical role in health care.’ The same thing during COVID. He said, ‘it is criminal medical malpractice to give a child one of these vaccines.’ Wow, criminal malpractice. And of course it’s been discussed. He said I do believe that autism does come from vaccines. July of 2023 there was one study in England — I think it was in 1998 — that showed that — purported to show a tenuous convection between vaccines and — connection between vaccines and autism. I’m reasonably confident that one of the authors recanted. It was withdrawn and it’s been debunked over and over and over again, but this man has been peddling this lie for 20 years, and who knows how many parents have fallen for that on the one hand who knows how many children have paid the price. Just to talk about vaccines, at one point during the pandemic, there was a survey — July of 2021 — remember, that was the height of it — they surveyed 50 hospitals in 17 states. 94% of the patients hospitalized in July of 2021 were unvaccinated. What does that tell you? Vaccinations worked. And people who were unvaccinated were at enormously higher risk. 94% of the people were unvaccinated.

    “In addition to the vaccination issue, this guy — this man doesn’t respect the FDA, the agency that was put in place to protect our health, to regulate us, to be sure that we’re getting safe medications, to deal with some of the awful problems of the potential of harmful medications literally getting into America’s bloodstream. In December of 2024, barely a couple months ago, he said he would fire officials at the FDA. And in October 2024 he said on X, ‘FDA’s war on public health is about to end. If you work for the FDA and are part of this corrupt work, two messages for you: prepare your records and pack your bags.’ He didn’t say a certain office in the FDA or a certain part of the FDA or maybe there was one provision, a part that he didn’t think was helpful. He said, if you work for the FDA, that’s everybody, preserve your records and pack your bags. 

    “This man is not only unqualified, he’s anti-qualified. He’s a danger. We have physicians in the Senate — I believe that the Hippocratic oath, do no harm, should apply to Senate votes. You should not be voting for somebody who you know is going to do harm to the public health. So this is really a kind of surreal debate because everybody in this chamber knows this man should not be Secretary of Health and Human Services. 

    “Now, I want to end with a personal story. One of the few advantages of being older is that you have a long memory. And in 1952 I was entering the third grade at Macarthur School in Alexander, Virginia. In my class was a kid named Butch. And he was horribly twisted into a wheelchair. I don’t think I’d ever seen a wheelchair when I was going into the third grade. He was there, and I’m not even going to say how many years later, but I can close my eyes and see Butch in that chair. Polio was what he had. He was in pain daily. He could barely make himself understood. His arms were crossed. His legs were bent grotesquely in the wheelchair. And three years later the Salk Vaccine began what turned out to be the elimination of Polio. Where would we be as a country if this man had been the head at that time it was HEW and somehow put a stop to this vaccine, which I believe he has said even the Polio vaccine should be rescinded, which has saved millions of lives around the world. Where would we be? I can’t escape the memory of that boy in that wheelchair. I can’t forget the memory of my parents not letting me go to the public swimming pool because of the fear of Polio. Not being able to go out in the summer and play because of the fear of Polio that stalked the land. The former Republican leader was a victim of Polio. Former President Franklin D. Roosevelt was a victim of Polio. It was the vaccine. And, Mr. President, I hope this place comes to its senses and rejects this surreal nomination. It would be probably be hard to find somebody less qualified to serve in this position. I believe that it will lead to damage to our country, to our health, to our children, and I urge my colleagues to vote no. If you vote yes, you’ll regret it. Thank you, Mr. President. I yield the floor.”

    Senator King has been continuously sounding the alarm on President Donald Trump’s existential threat to the Constitution: he declared that the proposal to halt all federal grant and loan disbursement was illegal and a direct assault on the Constitution. More recently, he joined 36 Senators in a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, sharing the detrimental effects of  the Trump Administration’s dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). He also joined fellow Senate Select Committee on Intelligence (SSCI) colleagues in writing a letter to the White House about the risks to national security by allowing unvetted Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) staff and representatives to access classified and sensitive government materials. Last week, he spoke on the Senate floor to share his growing concerns over the Trump Administration’s largely unconstitutional and unprecedented overreach; in the speech he cited the Founding Fathers to add historical perspective to the decision facing the Senate, including the importance of the separation of powers.

    MIL OSI USA News