Category: Business

  • MIL-OSI: Beamr to Discuss How AI Revolutionizes the Video Industry at NVIDIA GTC

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Beamr CEO, Sharon Carmel, will present at GTC a session titled: “The Future of Video Compression is AI-Driven” on Monday, March 17, 2025 at 9 AM PT

    Herzliya Israel, Feb. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Beamr Imaging Ltd. (NASDAQ: BMR), a leader in video optimization technology and solutions, today announced that Sharon Carmel, Chief Executive Officer, will present a talk at NVIDIA GTC, titled, “The Future of Video Compression is AI-Driven.” GTC is a global AI conference for developers and business minds shaping the future of artificial intelligence (AI) and accelerated computing.

    At GTC, Beamr will showcase how AI algorithms reshape video quality and usability and improve the efficiency of video workflows. Carmel will present AI capabilities, such as image enhancement, searchability and other content analysis options that enrich content and enable improved monetization. Beamr uses NVIDIA technology, including the NVIDIA DeepStream SDK for streaming analytics, NVENC, an encoder integrated into NVIDIA GPUs, and the NVIDIA CUDA Toolkit for GPU-accelerated applications.

    “Beamr’s unique positioning as a GPU-accelerated video service empowers AI-driven processes, allowing our customers to optimize video workflows and add AI-driven capabilities with a single process,” said Carmel. He added: “We recognize that video as we know it is transforming into AI video, and our vision is to enable companies with extensive video operations the ability to automatically and scalably embrace this revolution.”

    Beamr’s video optimization technology — integrated with NVENC and available on NVIDIA T4 Tensor Core, RTX 4000 Ada Generation for Data Centers, L4e, L40 and L40S Tensor Core GPUs — aims to accelerate video AI workflows and enhance video pre-training, training and inference capabilities in AI pipelines. NVENC SDK 12.1 added an API that allows external control and enables users to tightly integrate hardware encoders for AVC and HEVC video formats. In addition, it supports AOMedia Video 1 (AV1), an efficient emerging video format.

    “AI continues to drive the modernization of broadcasting, streaming and user-generated content,” said Richard Kerris, vice president of media and entertainment at NVIDIA. “Beamr’s showcase at GTC will demonstrate how the company’s latest solutions, powered by NVIDIA technology, will enable high-quality, scalable video optimization.”

    Learn more about how The Future of Video Compression is AI-Driven at GTC.

    About Beamr

    Beamr (Nasdaq: BMR) is a world leader in content-adaptive video optimization and modernization. The company serves top media companies like Netflix and Paramount. Beamr’s inventive perceptual optimization technology (CABR) is backed by 53 patents and won the Emmy® award for Technology and Engineering. The innovative technology reduces video file size by up to 50% while guaranteeing quality.

    Beamr Cloud is a high-performance, GPU-based video optimization and modernization service designed for businesses and video professionals across diverse industries. It is conveniently available to Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) customers. Beamr Cloud enables video modernization to advanced formats such as AV1 and HEVC, and is ready for video AI workflows. For more details, please visit https://beamr.com/

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains “forward-looking statements” that are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements in this communication may include, among other things, statements about Beamr’s strategic and business plans, technology, relationships, objectives and expectations for its business, the impact of trends on and interest in its business, intellectual property or product and its future results, operations and financial performance and condition. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained in this press release are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release may be identified by the use of words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “contemplate,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “seek,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “target,” “aim,” “should,” “will” “would,” or the negative of these words or other similar expressions, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. Forward-looking statements are based on the Company’s current expectations and are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Further, certain forward-looking statements are based on assumptions as to future events that may not prove to be accurate. For a more detailed description of the risks and uncertainties affecting the Company, reference is made to the Company’s reports filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including, but not limited to, the risks detailed in the Company’s annual report filed with the SEC on March 4, 2024 and in subsequent filings with the SEC. Forward-looking statements contained in this announcement are made as of the date hereof and the Company undertakes no duty to update such information except as required under applicable law. 

    Investor Contact:

    investorrelations@beamr.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Beam Global (Europe) Announces Record Orders in the First Two Months of 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SAN DIEGO, Feb. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Beam Global, (Nasdaq: BEEM), a leading provider of innovative and sustainable infrastructure solutions for the electrification of transportation and energy security, today announced record sales for the first two months of 2025, in Europe. Beam Global has achieved a 79% increase in new contracted orders in its European division, compared to the same period in 2024, demonstrating that the European market represents a significant growth and diversification opportunity for the Company.

    Since the beginning of the year, contracted product sales have increased to a new record, driven by strong demand for street lighting and other infrastructure products.

    “Our expansion into Europe has created opportunities for sales growth, both in our renewably energized EV charging and energy security products, as well as in our smart cities and street lighting portfolios,” said Desmond Wheatley, CEO of Beam Global. “While the new administration has created uncertainty around U.S. government EV adoption, EV sales were actually up 30% in the U.S. in January compared to 2024, according to Cox Automotive, and 34% in Europe, according to EuroNews. We intend to focus heavily on growing sales through our European operations while continuing to support the growth of EV charging requirements in the U.S. Congratulations to our European team for setting this new January and February sales record.”

    To foster growth and diversify revenue streams beyond the U.S, Beam Global is expanding its European presence through aggressive sales strategies. Most recently, Beam Global CEO, Desmond Wheatley, along with members of the European sales team, met with prospective customers, government officials, airport representatives, EV charging and e-bike sharing companies, and others in the UK, France, Croatia, Serbia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Greece.

    Greater Europe represents the largest automobile market in the world, with over 405 million cars. A 2035 EU mandate bans the sale of internal combustion vehicles in less than ten years, while the EU also mandated a reduction in net greenhouse gas emissions of at least 55% by 2030. As a result, interest in Beam Global’s innovative and sustainable EV ARC™, BeamSpot™ BeamBike™ and BeamPatrol™ products are growing significantly in the region.

    About Beam Global
    Beam Global is a clean technology innovator which develops and manufactures sustainable infrastructure products and technologies. We operate at the nexus of clean energy and transportation with a focus on sustainable energy infrastructure, rapidly deployed and scalable EV charging solutions, safe energy storage and vital energy security. With operations in the U.S. and Europe, Beam Global develops, patents, designs, engineers and manufactures unique and advanced clean technology solutions that power transportation, provide secure sources of electricity, save time and money and protect the environment. Beam Global is headquartered in San Diego, CA with facilities in Chicago, IL and Belgrade and Kraljevo, Serbia. Beam Global is listed on Nasdaq under the symbol BEEM. For more information visit BeamForAll.comLinkedInYouTube, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter).

    Forward-Looking Statements
    This Beam Global Press Release may contain forward-looking statements. All statements in this Press Release other than statements of historical facts are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are generally accompanied by terms or phrases such as “estimate,” “project,” “predict,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “target,” “plan,” “intend,” “seek,” “goal,” “will,” “should,” “may,” or other words and similar expressions that convey the uncertainty of future events or results. These statements relate to future events or future results of operations. These statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause Beam Global’s actual results to be materially different from these forward-looking statements. Except to the extent required by law, Beam Global expressly disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

    Media Contact
    Andy Lovsted
    +1-858-335-8465
    Press@BeamForAll.com

    Investor Relations
    Luke Higgins
    +1-858-799-4583
    IR@BeamForAll.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Dragonfly Energy Announces Corporate Debt Restructuring and Capital Raise

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Debt Restructuring with Maturity Extension and Covenant Waiver
    Concurrent $3.5 Million Capital Raise With Second Contingent Tranche of $4.5 Million
    Transactions Significantly Increase Financial Flexibility and Liquidity

    RENO, Nev., Feb. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Dragonfly Energy Holdings Corp. (“Dragonfly Energy” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: DFLI), an industry leader in energy storage and battery technology, today announced the completion of an amendment of its existing debt facility and a concurrent $3.5 million registered direct offering and private placement of the Company’s Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Preferred Stock”) with a single institutional investor, with a second contingent tranche of $4.5 million, subject to satisfaction of certain events as described below, which the Company believes significantly enhance the company’s financial flexibility and liquidity.

    The Company successfully completed an amendment to its existing debt facility with its senior lenders providing enhanced operational and financial flexibility. Key terms of the amendment include:

    • Waiver of quarterly liquidity covenant requirements through June 30, 2026
    • Extension of the debt maturity date to October 7, 2027
    • Payment-in-Kind (PIK) interest option for 2025
    • Reduction of the monthly minimum liquidity covenant to $2.5 million through March 31, 2026

    In addition to the debt restructuring, the Company has entered into a definitive agreement for the sale of the Preferred Stock in a registered direct offering and private placement, raising at the initial closing, $3.5 million in gross proceeds and the automatic right to receive an additional $4.5 million upon receipt of stockholder approval for the transaction in compliance with the rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market (“Nasdaq”) and the effectiveness of a resale registration statement to be filed with the Securities Exchange Commission (the ”SEC”) covering the resale of the shares of the Company’s common stock issuable upon conversion of the Preferred Stock. Additionally, the agreement with the investor includes warrants to purchase additional shares of Preferred Stock in an amount of up to an additional $40 million, providing the Company with the opportunity to secure additional capital under similar terms. The transaction is expected to close on February 27, 2025, subject to customary closing conditions.

    “We believe this successful debt restructuring and capital raise significantly strengthen our financial position and will allow us to execute our strategic initiatives with greater flexibility,” said Dr. Denis Phares, Dragonfly Energy’s chief executive officer. “By securing additional liquidity and extending our debt maturity and receiving relief under our operating covenants, we believe we are reinforcing our ability to innovate, expand into new markets, and drive sustainable value for our shareholders.”

    The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the private placement for working capital and general corporate purposes.

    In the registered direct offering, the Company agreed to sell 180 shares of Preferred Stock at a price of $10,000 per share, initially convertible into shares of common stock at a conversion price of $2.332. Concurrently, in a private placement, the Company agreed to sell an additional 170 shares of Preferred Stock at the same offering price as the registered direct offering, initially convertible into shares of common stock at a conversion price of $2.332. As part of the private placement, the Company also agreed to sell warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 4,000 additional shares of Preferred Stock with an exercise price of $10,000 a share. The Preferred Stock is also convertible at the option of the holder at a discount to the trading price of the Company’s common stock, subject to a floor, as set forth in the transaction documents. The Company has filed a Current Report on Form 8-K with the SEC detailing the material terms of the registered direct and private placement offerings, the applicable transaction agreements, the Preferred Stock, the warrants and the debt facility amendment.

    Chardan Capital Markets, LLC acted as exclusive placement agent for the offerings.

    The securities described above offered in the concurrent private placement are being offered under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), and Regulation D promulgated thereunder and, along with the shares of common stock underlying such securities, have not been registered under the Act, or applicable state securities laws. Accordingly, such securities may not be offered or sold in the United States except pursuant to an effective registration statement or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Act and such applicable state securities laws.

    This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

    About Dragonfly Energy

    Dragonfly Energy Holdings Corp. (Nasdaq: DFLI) is a comprehensive lithium battery technology company, specializing in cell manufacturing, battery pack assembly, and full system integration. Through its renowned Battle Born Batteries® brand, Dragonfly Energy has established itself as a frontrunner in the lithium battery industry, with hundreds of thousands of reliable battery packs deployed in the field through top-tier OEMs and a diverse retail customer base. At the forefront of domestic lithium battery cell production, Dragonfly Energy’s patented dry electrode manufacturing process can deliver chemistry-agnostic power solutions for a broad spectrum of applications, including energy storage systems, electric vehicles, and consumer electronics. The Company’s overarching mission is the future deployment of its proprietary, nonflammable, all-solid-state battery cells.

    To learn more about Dragonfly Energy and its commitment to clean energy advancements, visit investors.dragonflyenergy.com.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include all statements that are not historical statements of fact and statements regarding the Company’s intent, belief or expectations, including, but not limited to, statements regarding the Company’s guidance for 2024, results of operations and financial position, planned products and services, business strategy and plans, market size and growth opportunities, competitive position and technological and market trends. Some of these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking words, including “may,” “should,” “expect,” “intend,” “will,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “predict,” “plan,” “targets,” “projects,” “could,” “would,” “continue,” “forecast” or the negatives of these terms or variations of them or similar expressions.

    These forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors (some of which are beyond the Company’s control) which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that may impact such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: the closing of the offerings, the use of proceeds from the offerings, the ability to successfully achieve the thresholds for the additional funding from the offerings, the impact of the offering and the conversion and sale of the shares of common stock underlying the preferred stock on the Company’s stock price, improved recovery in the Company’s core markets, including the RV market; the Company’s ability to successfully increase market penetration into target markets; the Company’s ability to penetrate the heavy-duty trucking and other new markets; the growth of the addressable markets that the Company intends to target; the Company’s ability to retain members of its senior management team and other key personnel; the Company’s ability to maintain relationships with key suppliers including suppliers in China; the Company’s ability to maintain relationships with key customers; the Company’s ability to access capital as and when needed under its $150 million ChEF Equity Facility; the Company’s ability to protect its patents and other intellectual property; the Company’s ability to successfully utilize its patented dry electrode battery manufacturing process and optimize solid state cells as well as to produce commercially viable solid state cells in a timely manner or at all, and to scale to mass production; the Company’s ability to timely achieve the anticipated benefits of its licensing arrangement with Stryten Energy LLC; the Company’s ability to achieve the anticipated benefits of its customer arrangements with THOR Industries and THOR Industries’ affiliated brands (including Keystone RV Company); the Company’s ability to maintain the listing of its common stock and public warrants on the Nasdaq Capital Market; the Russian/Ukrainian conflict; the Company’s ability to generate revenue from future product sales and its ability to achieve and maintain profitability; and the Company’s ability to compete with other manufacturers in the industry and its ability to engage target customers and successfully convert these customers into meaningful orders in the future. These and other risks and uncertainties are described more fully in the sections entitled “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 filed with the SEC and in the Company’s subsequent filings with the SEC available at www.sec.gov.

    If any of these risks materialize or any of the Company’s assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from the results implied by these forward-looking statements. There may be additional risks that the Company presently does not know or that it currently believes are immaterial that could also cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date they were made. Except to the extent required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made.

    Investor Relations:
    Eric Prouty
    Szymon Serowiecki
    AdvisIRy Partners
    DragonflyIR@advisiry.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Amplify ETFs Declares February Income Distributions for its Income ETFs

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CHICAGO, Feb. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Amplify ETFs announces February income distributions for its income ETFs.

    ETF Name Ticker Amount per Share Ex-Date Record Date Payable Date
    Amplify Samsung SOFR ETF SOFR $0.34323 2/27/25 2/27/25 2/28/25
    Amplify Bloomberg U.S. Treasury 12% Premium Income ETF TLTP $0.24310 2/27/25 2/27/25 2/28/25
    Amplify COWS Covered Call ETF HCOW $0.20675 2/27/25 2/27/25 2/28/25
    Amplify CWP Growth & Income ETF QDVO $0.19837 2/27/25 2/27/25 2/28/25
    Amplify CWP Enhanced Dividend Income ETF DIVO $0.16700 2/27/25 2/27/25 2/28/25
    Amplify CWP International Enhanced Dividend Income ETF IDVO $0.16105 2/27/25 2/27/25 2/28/25
    Amplify Natural Resources Dividend Income ETF NDIV $0.13337 2/27/25 2/27/25 2/28/25
    Amplify High Income ETF YYY $0.12000 2/27/25 2/27/25 2/28/25
               

    About Amplify ETFs
    Amplify ETFs, sponsored by Amplify Investments, has over $10.6 billion in assets across its suite of ETFs (as of 1/31/2025). Amplify ETFs deliver expanded investment opportunities for investors seeking growth, income, and risk-managed strategies across a range of actively managed and index-based ETFs. Learn more visit AmplifyETFs.com.

    Sales Contact: Media Contacts:
    Amplify ETFs Gregory FCA for Amplify ETFs
    855-267-3837 Kerry Davis
    info@amplifyetfs.com 610-228-2098
      amplifyetfs@gregoryfca.com
       

    This information is not intended to provide and should not be relied upon for accounting, legal or tax advice, or investment recommendations. To receive a distribution, you must be a registered shareholder of the fund on the record date. Distributions are paid to shareholders on the payment date. There is no guarantee that distributions will be made in the future. Your own trading will also generate tax consequences and transaction expenses. Past distributions are not indicative of future distributions. Please consult your tax professional or financial adviser for more information regarding your tax situation.

    Carefully consider the Funds’ investment objectives, risk factors, charges, and expenses before investing. This and other information can be found in Amplify Funds’ statutory and summary prospectuses, which may be obtained at AmplifyETFs.com. Read the prospectuses carefully before investing.

    Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal.

    Amplify ETFs are distributed by Foreside Services, LLC.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: OTC Markets Group Welcomes Li-Cycle Holdings Corp. to OTCQX

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, Feb. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — OTC Markets Group Inc. (OTCQX: OTCM), operator of regulated markets for trading 12,000 U.S. and international securities, today announced that Li-Cycle Holdings Corp. (OTCQX: LICYF), a leading global lithium-ion battery resource recovery company, has qualified to trade on the OTCQX® Best Market. Li-Cycle Holdings Corp. previously traded on the New York Stock Exchange.

    Li-Cycle Holdings Corp. begins trading today on OTCQX under the symbol “LICYF.” U.S. investors can find current financial disclosure and Real-Time Level 2 quotes for the company on www.otcmarkets.com.

    Trading on the OTCQX Market offers companies efficient, cost-effective access to the U.S. capital markets. Streamlined market requirements for OTCQX are designed to help companies lower the cost and complexity of being publicly traded, while providing transparent trading for their investors. To qualify for OTCQX, companies must meet high financial standards, follow best practice corporate governance, and demonstrate compliance with applicable securities laws.

    “We are pleased to start trading on OTCQX, which is expected to reduce our costs while continuing to provide us efficient access to U.S. capital markets,” said Ajay Kochhar, Li-Cycle President and CEO. “We remain focused on providing value for all stakeholders and advancing our key priorities, which include securing a complete funding package for our Rochester Hub project and satisfying funding conditions for first advance under our U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) loan facility. With our finalized DOE loan facility, top-tier partnerships across the global critical minerals and lithium-ion battery supply chains, and patented Spoke & Hub Technologies™, Li-Cycle plays an important role in strengthening the U.S. energy industry due to our ability to domestically produce critical minerals.”

    About Li-Cycle Holdings Corp.
    Li-Cycle is a leading global lithium-ion battery resource recovery company. Established in 2016, and with major customers and partners around the world, Li-Cycle’s mission is to recover critical battery-grade materials to create a domestic closed-loop battery supply chain for a clean energy future. The Company leverages its innovative, sustainable and patent-protected Spoke & Hub Technologies™ to recycle all different types of lithium-ion batteries. At our Spokes, or pre-processing facilities, we recycle battery manufacturing scrap and end-of-life batteries to produce black mass, a powder-like substance which contains a number of valuable metals, including lithium, nickel and cobalt. At our future Hubs, or post-processing facilities, we plan to process black mass to produce critical battery-grade materials, including lithium carbonate, for the lithium-ion battery supply chain.

    About OTC Markets Group Inc.
    OTC Markets Group Inc. (OTCQX: OTCM) operates regulated markets for trading 12,000 U.S. and international securities. Our data-driven disclosure standards form the foundation of our three public markets: OTCQX® Best Market, OTCQB® Venture Market and Pink® Open Market.

    Our OTC Link® Alternative Trading Systems (ATSs) provide critical market infrastructure that broker-dealers rely on to facilitate trading. Our innovative model offers companies more efficient access to the U.S. financial markets.

    OTC Link ATS, OTC Link ECN and OTC Link NQB are each an SEC regulated ATS, operated by OTC Link LLC, a FINRA and SEC registered broker-dealer, member SIPC.

    To learn more about how we create better informed and more efficient markets, visit www.otcmarkets.com.

    Subscribe to the OTC Markets RSS Feed

    Media Contact:
    OTC Markets Group Inc., +1 (212) 896-4428, media@otcmarkets.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: POET Wins Lightwave Award for Its Outstanding AI Hardware Technology

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, Feb. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — POET Technologies Inc. (“POET” or the “Company“) (TSX Venture: PTK; NASDAQ: POET), a leader in the design and implementation of highly integrated optical engines and light sources for Artificial Intelligence networks, today announced that it was the recipient of another prestigious award. Lightwave+BTR Innovation Reviews, a recognized authority in the optoelectronics industry, named POET as an Elite Score recipient for its 2025 awards.

    The publication, which recognizes excellence in a product or technology applicable to optical networks, singled out the POET Optical Interposer™ for the honor. A panel of judges, comprised of experts from the optical communications and broadband communities, awarded POET in the Optical Transceiver and Transponder category.

    “On behalf of the Lightwave+BTR Innovation Reviews, I would like to congratulate POET on achieving a well-deserved level honoree status. This competitive program enables Lightwave+BTR to showcase and applaud the most innovative products, projects, technologies, and programs that significantly impact the industry,” commented Lightwave+BTR Editor-in-Chief Sean Buckley.

    Lightwave+BTR will present POET with the award statue during the 2025 OFC Conference in San Francisco (March 31-April 3). 

    “The Lightwave+BTR honor is another in a growing list of indicators that our platform technology and the innovation it brings is gaining more attention from within our industry,” stated POET Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Suresh Venkatesan. “We are seeing strong interest from new and existing customers precisely because of the reasons that the Lightwave+BTR panelists identify. The POET Optical Interposer provides costs savings, power efficiency, and superior performance as the industry rapidly moves toward speeds of 1.6Tbps and higher.”

    The accolade is the fourth award that POET has received in the past eight months. The others include the AI Breakthrough Award for “Best Optical AI Solution”, Global Tech’s “Best in Artificial Intelligence” award and the Gold Medal from the Merit Awards as “AI Innovator of the Year”.

    Lightwave+BTR judges reviewed entries based on the following criteria:

    • Originality
    • Innovation
    • Positive impact on the customer
    • How well it addresses a new or existing requirement
    • Novelty of approach
    • Cost-effectiveness.

    The POET Optical Interposer is the foundation for the Company’s highly integrated silicon-based optical engines and light sources that are designed to power AI hardware applications and data center hyperscalers to the next level of speed and performance.

    Along with the Lightwave+BTR recognition, POET has also been featured in a number of other industry outlets since the beginning of 2025, including:

    About POET Technologies Inc.
    POET is a design and development company offering high-speed optical modules, optical engines and light source products to the artificial intelligence systems market and to hyperscale data centers. POET’s photonic integration solutions are based on the POET Optical Interposer™, a novel, patented platform that allows the seamless integration of electronic and photonic devices into a single chip using advanced wafer-level semiconductor manufacturing techniques. POET’s Optical Interposer-based products are lower cost, consume less power than comparable products, are smaller in size and are readily scalable to high production volumes. In addition to providing high-speed (800G, 1.6T and above) optical engines and optical modules for AI clusters and hyperscale data centers, POET has designed and produced novel light source products for chip-to-chip data communication within and between AI servers, the next frontier for solving bandwidth and latency problems in AI systems. POET’s Optical Interposer platform also solves device integration challenges in 5G networks, machine-to-machine communication, self-contained “Edge” computing applications and sensing applications, such as LIDAR systems for autonomous vehicles. POET is headquartered in Toronto, Canada, with operations in Allentown, PA, Shenzhen, China, and Singapore. More information about POET is available on our website at www.poet-technologies.com.


    About Lightwave+BTR

    Bringing over 36 years of trusted technical insights to today’s optical communications professionals. Through our integrated media portfolio, Lightwave delivers content focused on fiber optics and optoelectronics, the technologies that enable the growth, integration and improved performance of voice, data and video communications networks and services. Our experienced editorial team provides trusted technology, application and market insights to corporate executives, department heads, project managers, network engineers and technical managers at equipment suppliers, service providers and major end-user organizations. Our unique ability to inform our audience’s business-critical decisions is based in our 35+ year relationship with the entire optical community—technology vendors, communications carriers and major enterprises—and our recognition of the interplay among its members. Lightwave’s media portfolio includes the Lightwave Direct email newsletter and LightwaveOnline magazine.

    Forward-Looking Statements
    This news release contains “forward-looking information” (within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws) and “forward-looking statements” (within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995). Such statements or information are identified with words such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “expect”, “plan”, “intend”, “potential”, “estimate”, “propose”, “project”, “outlook”, “foresee” or similar words suggesting future outcomes or statements regarding any potential outcome. Such statements include the Company’s expectations with respect to the success of the Company’s product development efforts, the performance of its products, operations, meeting revenue targets, and the expectation of continued success in the financing efforts, the capability, functionality, performance and cost of the Company’s technology as well as the market acceptance, inclusion and timing of the Company’s technology in current and future products and expectations regarding its successful development of high speed transceiver solutions and its penetration of the Artificial Intelligence hardware markets.

    Such forward-looking information or statements are based on a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions which may cause actual results or other expectations to differ materially from those anticipated and which may prove to be incorrect. Assumptions have been made regarding, among other things, the completion of its development efforts with its customers, the ability to build working prototypes to the customer’s specifications, and the size, future growth and needs of Artificial Intelligence network suppliers. Actual results could differ materially due to a number of factors, including, without limitation, the failure to produce optical engines on time and within budget, the failure of Artificial Intelligence networks to continue to grow as expected, the failure of the Company’s products to meet performance requirements for AI and datacom networks, operational risks in the completion of the Company’s projects, the ability of the Company to generate sales for its products, and the ability of its customers to deploy systems that incorporate the Company’s products. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information or statements are reasonable, prospective investors in the Company’s securities should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements because the Company can provide no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking information and statements contained in this news release are as of the date of this news release and the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise this forward-looking information and statements except as required by law.

    Neither 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.
    120 Eglinton Avenue, East, Suite 1107, Toronto, ON, M4P 1E2 – Tel: 416-368-9411 – Fax: 416-322-5075

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: OTC Markets Group Welcomes Perimeter Medical Imaging AI, Inc. to OTCQX

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, Feb. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — OTC Markets Group Inc. (OTCQX: OTCM), operator of regulated markets for trading 12,000 U.S. and international securities, today announced Perimeter Medical Imaging AI, Inc. (TSX-V: PINK; OTCQX: PYNKF), a commercial stage medical technology company, has qualified to trade on the OTCQX® Best Market. Perimeter Medical Imaging AI, Inc. upgraded to OTCQX from the Pink® market.

    Perimeter Medical Imaging AI, Inc. begins trading today on OTCQX under the symbol “PYNKF.” U.S. investors can find current financial disclosure and Real-Time Level 2 quotes for the company on www.otcmarkets.com.

    Upgrading to the OTCQX Market is an important step for companies seeking to provide transparent trading for their U.S. investors. For companies listed on a qualified international exchange, streamlined market standards enable them to utilize their home market reporting to make their information available in the U.S. To qualify for OTCQX, companies must meet high financial standards, follow best practice corporate governance and demonstrate compliance with applicable securities laws.

    “Many of our shareholders are based in the United States and the U.S. is the primary target market for our current S-Series OCT system, as well as our upcoming AI-enabled B-Series product,” said Perimeter’s Chief Executive Officer, Adrian Mendes. “Accordingly, this upgrade to OTCQX from the Pink® market is a natural evolution for Perimeter, which should increase our visibility and complement our efforts to broaden our U.S. shareholder base.”

    About Perimeter Medical Imaging AI, Inc.
    Based in Toronto, Canada and Dallas, Texas, Perimeter Medical Imaging AI (TSX-V: PINK) (OTC: PYNKF) is a company driven to transform cancer surgery with ultra-high-resolution, real-time, advanced imaging tools to address areas of high unmet medical need. Available across the U.S., our FDA-cleared Perimeter S-Series OCT system provides real-time, cross-sectional visualization of excised tissues at the cellular level. The breakthrough-device-designated investigational Perimeter B-Series OCT with ImgAssist AI represents our next-generation artificial intelligence technology that has recently been evaluated in a pivotal clinical trial, with support from a grant of up to US$7.4 million awarded by the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas. The company’s ticker symbol “PINK” is a reference to the pink ribbons used during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

    Perimeter B-Series OCT is limited by U.S. law to investigational use and not available for sale in the United States. Perimeter S-Series OCT has 510(k) clearance under a general indication and has not been evaluated by the U.S. FDA specifically for use in breast tissue, breast cancer, other types of cancer, margin evaluation, and reducing re-excision rates. The safety and effectiveness of these uses has not been established. For more information, please visit www.perimetermed.com/disclosures.

    About OTC Markets Group Inc.
    OTC Markets Group Inc. (OTCQX: OTCM) operates regulated markets for trading 12,000 U.S. and international securities. Our data-driven disclosure standards form the foundation of our three public markets: OTCQX® Best Market, OTCQB® Venture Market and Pink® Open Market.

    Our OTC Link® Alternative Trading Systems (ATSs) provide critical market infrastructure that broker-dealers rely on to facilitate trading. Our innovative model offers companies more efficient access to the U.S. financial markets.

    OTC Link ATS, OTC Link ECN and OTC Link NQB are each an SEC regulated ATS, operated by OTC Link LLC, a FINRA and SEC registered broker-dealer, member SIPC.

    To learn more about how we create better informed and more efficient markets, visit www.otcmarkets.com.

    Subscribe to the OTC Markets RSS Feed

    Media Contact:
    OTC Markets Group Inc., +1 (212) 896-4428, media@otcmarkets.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Key information relating to the cash dividend to be paid by Golar LNG Limited (Ticker: GLNG)

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Reference is made to the fourth quarter 2024 report released on February 27, 2025. Golar LNG Limited (“Golar”), NASDAQ ticker: GLNG, has declared a total dividend of $0.25 per share to be paid on or around March 18, 2025.  The record date will be March 11, 2025. 
    Due to the implementation of the Central Securities Depository Regulation (“CSDR”), please note the information below on the payment date for the small number of Golar shares registered in Norway’s central securities depository (“VPS”):

    • Dividend amount: $0.25 per share
    • Declared currency: USD. Dividends payable to shares registered in the VPS will be distributed in NOK
    • Last day including right: March 7, 2025
    • Ex-date: March 10, 2025
    • Record date: March 11, 2025
    • Payment date: On or about March 18, 2025. Due to the implementation of CSDR in Norway, dividends payable to shares registered in the VPS will be distributed on or about March 20, 2025.

    Golar LNG Limited
    Hamilton, Bermuda
    February 27, 2025

    This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to Section 5-12 the Norwegian Securities Trading Act

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: 3Commas launches automated solution for asset managers to simplify trading and account oversight

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    3Commas for Asset Managers improves operational efficiency for professional digital assets traders by automating time-consuming tasks and enabling bulk action deployment, keeping the focus on clients’ ROI rather than operational procedures

    ROAD TOWN TORTOLA, British Virgin Islands, Feb. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — 3Commas, the trading automation software for professional traders and asset managers, launches the first iteration of its 3Commas for Asset Manager Solution. The software is tailored for institutional traders, asset and portfolio managers, and any individual or organization actively handling crypto investments for clients. By unifying trade operations and account management into one space, the 3Commas for Asset Manager allows users to automate trading and efficiently manage multiple accounts, strategies, and bots simultaneously.

    Traditional investment management systems are often outdated and require substantial intervention. As client bases grow, so does the complexity of managing unique strategies and trades for each account. Managers are forced to dedicate a considerable amount of their time and effort to routine tasks like trade execution, portfolio adjustments, and reporting – limiting their ability to focus on the strategic decision-making process. The reliance on legacy systems and manual processes creates operational bottlenecks, slowing workflows while simultaneously increasing the likelihood of human error.

    3Commas for Asset Managers allows investment managers to issue trade execution commands to client accounts across major crypto exchanges, using encrypted connections to ensure the security of sensitive information. With 3Commas’ software, traders can apply custom individual strategies to a client’s portfolio or use bulk automation to deploy the same approach across multiple accounts. Its powerful trading bots allow asset managers to automate complex trading strategies, leveraging built-in technical indicators and seamlessly integrating external trading signals for enhanced flexibility and precision. Through the dashboard, asset managers can view used and free funds across all client portfolios, receiving a clear overview of available capital before launching new trading bots.

    The software grants users complete control and flexibility to manage client portfolios, as they can easily adjust, pause, or restart bots and trades, streamlining operations while maximizing responsiveness. 3Commas offers detailed analytics and comprehensive reporting, allowing administrators to keep clients regularly informed about their trade history and performance metrics. Compared to competitors, 3Commas for Asset Managers offers a higher level of control over bot and trade settings. This empowers traders to implement additional strategies with greater precision and minimizes the need for manual adjustments.

    The client onboarding process prioritizes user security by guiding clients through a secure portal to connect their exchange accounts in a protected environment without sharing API keys with the asset manager. 3Commas is actively rolling out new features based on client feedback and evolving needs, with updates set to be released on an ongoing basis.

    “We are excited to unveil 3Commas for Asset Managers, recognizing the importance of providing tools that allow strategies to be executed seamlessly across accounts,” says Yuriy Sorokin, CEO and Co-Founder of 3Commas. “As pioneers in trading automation in the digital assets space, our vision is to provide users with the precision needed to unlock unprecedented performance and deliver superior outcomes for their clients. With growing institutional interest and a significant shift in the ecosystem, 3Commas for Asset Managers represents a crucial advancement, designed to meet the growing needs of asset managers and equip them with the tools to stay ahead in this ever-changing market.”

    About 3Commas:

    3Commas is a leading developer of crypto trading software, offering AI-powered trading bots that require no coding knowledge from users. With tools ranging from Dollar-Cost Averaging (DCA) to GRID strategies and the Signal Bot with TradingView integration, 3Commas makes professional-level trading accessible to everyone.

    The software provides an all-in-one solution for managing crypto assets across major exchanges, ensuring reliable trade execution, portfolio analytics, and more. Supporting spot, margin, and options markets, 3Commas delivers a comprehensive trading experience.

    With a strong commitment to giving customers a competitive edge in the crypto markets, 3Commas strives to offer unmatched value in every trade.

    Contact:
    Ari Karp
    support@3commas.io

    Disclaimer: This press release is provided by 3Commas. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. 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 financial, investment, or trading advice. Investing in crypto and mining related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector–including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining–complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed. Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Release of Handbook on “Regulations at a Glance”

    Source: Reserve Bank of India

    The Reserve Bank had constituted the Regulations Review Authority 2.0 (RRA 2.0) in 2021 to review the regulatory prescriptions with a view to their simplification and ease of implementation. Based on detailed deliberation, RRA 2.0 finalized its report on June 10, 2022. One of the important recommendations of the RRA 2.0 report was:

    “Creation of Regulatory Handbook(s) containing regulations applicable to a set of Regulated Entities (REs) or on a particular subject may be explored by the regulatory departments. This would serve as a quick reference guide for the REs”.

    2. Accordingly, the Department of Regulation (DoR) has compiled its regulatory instructions in an easily accessible handbook titled ‘Regulations at a Glance’ to provide a broad overview of the regulatory landscape across multiple dimensions of activities and entities. This handbook provides tabular summary of all major regulations issued by DoR and it has been organised in six chapters.

    3. The handbook is intended primarily for ease of reference and to provide a high-level overview of the regulations for general understanding. For specific details of the concerned regulations, readers are advised to refer to the respective regulations issued through circulars/Master Circulars/Master Directions from time to time.

    4. The handbook will be updated periodically.

    (Puneet Pancholy)  
    Chief General Manager

    Press Release: 2024-2025/2264

    MIL OSI Economics

  • MIL-OSI Economics: All-India House Price Index (HPI) for Q3:2024-25

    Source: Reserve Bank of India

    Today, the Reserve Bank released its quarterly house price index (HPI)1 (base: 2010-11=100) for Q3:2024-25, based on transaction-level data received from the registration authorities in ten major cities2. Time series data on all-India and city-wise HPIs are available at the Bank’s database on Indian economy (DBIE) portal (https://data.rbi.org.in/DBIE/#/dbie/home> Statistics > Real Sector > Prices & Wages).

    Highlights:

    • All-India HPI increased by 3.1 per cent (y-o-y) in Q3:2024-25 as compared with 4.3 per cent growth in the previous quarter and 3.8 per cent growth a year ago; annual HPI growth varied widely across the cities – ranging from a high growth of 8.1 per cent (Kolkata) to 0.1 per cent (Kanpur).

    • On a sequential (q-o-q) basis, all-India HPI increased by 0.4 per cent in Q3:2024-25; Mumbai, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Kolkata, Chennai, Jaipur and Kochi  recorded a sequential rise in house prices during the latest quarter.

    Ajit Prasad          
    Deputy General Manager
    (Communications)    

    Press Release: 2024-2025/2265


    MIL OSI Economics

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK launches visa fraud awareness campaign ‘Visa Fraud Ton Bacho’

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    World news story

    UK launches visa fraud awareness campaign ‘Visa Fraud Ton Bacho’

    The UK has launched the ‘Visa Fraud Ton Bacho’ campaign to help protect Indian citizens from the physical, financial, and emotional risks of visa fraud and irregular migrations.

    • Campaign will raise awareness of visa scam tactics in Punjab, helping protect people from exploitation, financial loss, and emotional distress.  

    • It encourages those traveling to the UK to check facts and stay safe. Visa application guidance is freely available on gov.uk, and via a new WhatsApp support line.  

    The UK Government has today [27 February] launched the ‘Visa Fraud Ton Bacho’ campaign to help protect Indian citizens from the physical, financial, and emotional risks of visa fraud and irregular migration. 

    The campaign includes a new dedicated WhatsApp support line (+91 70652 51380) in English and Punjabi, helping to identify common visa scam tactics and providing access to official guidance for those seeking legal routes to travel to the UK.  

    The campaign was launched at the Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Jalandhar in the presence of LPU Chancellor and Member of Parliament from Rajya Sabha, Dr Ashok Kumar Mittal.  

    Alongside the WhatsApp line, the campaign will highlight the warning signs of visa scams.  People will be advised to look out for the common spurious claims such as the promise of jobs in the UK, no requirement for English-language tests (IELTS), and exorbitant fees.   

    Visa fraud leads to unacceptable and unnecessary levels of debt and puts people at risk of physical harm and exploitation. A person found committing visa fraud could receive a 10-year ban on travel to the UK. Under the Mobility and Migration Partnership Agreement, the UK and India have a shared commitment to tackling irregular migration. The campaign represents a further element of joint efforts to step up the fight against irregular migration and visa fraud.  

    Christina Scott, British Deputy High Commissioner to India, said:

    The opportunity to visit, study, and work in the UK has never been greater and Indian nationals continue to receive the largest share of UK visit and work visas. However, young peoples’ dreams are being exploited, and too many are becoming victims of visa fraud. That’s why we are launching the Visa Fraud Ton Bacho campaign. The campaign seeks to raise awareness of the risks and help people to check the facts on safe and legal routes to the UK.

    Caroline Rowett, British Deputy High Commissioner Chandigarh, said:

    Punjab is known for its hardworking and ambitious people who have made significant contributions both in the UK and globally. We want to ensure that these dreams are fulfilled safely and legally. We urge people to spread the ‘Visa Fraud Ton Bacho’ message and help protect individuals from falling victim to fraudulent agents.

    Further information

    • The WhatsApp support line is available in English and Punjabi language on +91 70652 51380.  

    • Under the Visa Fraud Ton Bacho campaign, outreach activities will be conducted in and around Amritsar, Ludhiana, Jalandhar and Chandigarh to make people aware of potential scams while applying for visas.   

    • Indian nationals now receive almost a quarter of all UK visas worldwide and the UK is expected to issue approximately 1 million visas this year.   

    • February has also marked the third year of the UK-India Young Professionals Scheme, which has increased opportunities for internships and cultural exchanges in both the countries.   

    Media

    For media queries, please contact:

    David Russell, Communications Counsellor and Spokesperson,
    British High Commission,Chanakyapuri,
    New Delhi 110021. Tel: 24192100

    Media queries: BHCMediaDelhi@fco.gov.uk

    Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Flickr, Youtube and LinkedIn

    Updates to this page

    Published 27 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI: HSBC Bank Plc – Form 8.5 (EPT/RI) – Team Internet Group plc

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    FORM 8.5 (EPT/RI)

    PUBLIC DEALING DISCLOSURE BY AN EXEMPT PRINCIPAL TRADER WITH RECOGNISED INTERMEDIARY STATUS DEALING IN A CLIENT-SERVING CAPACITY
    Rule 8.5 of the Takeover Code (the “Code”)

    1.         KEY INFORMATION

    (a) Name of exempt principal trader: HSBC Bank Plc
    (b) Name of offeror/offeree in relation to whose relevant securities this form relates:
         Use a separate form for each offeror/offeree
    Team Internet Group plc
    (c) Name of the party to the offer with which exempt principal trader is connected: OFFEREE: Team Internet Group plc
    (d) Date dealing undertaken: 26 February 2025
    (e) In addition to the company in 1(b) above, is the exempt principal trader making disclosures in respect of any other party to this offer?
         If it is a cash offer or possible cash offer, state “N/A”
    N/A      

    2.         DEALINGS BY THE EXEMPT PRINCIPAL TRADER

    Where there have been dealings in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(b), copy table 2(a), (b), (c) or (d) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security dealt in.

    The currency of all prices and other monetary amounts should be stated.

    (a)        Purchases and sales

    Class of relevant security Purchases/ sales

     

    Total number of securities Highest price per unit paid/received
    (GBP)
    Lowest price per unit paid/received
    (GBP)
    Ordinary Shares Purchase 2,799 101.156 p 100.724 p
    Ordinary Shares Sale 2,799 101.156 p 100.724 p

    (b)        Cash-settled derivative transactions

    Class of relevant security Product description Nature of dealing Number of reference securities Price per unit (GBP)
    e.g. CFD e.g. opening/closing a long/short position, increasing/reducing a long/short position
             

    (c)        Stock-settled derivative transactions (including options)

    (i)         Writing, selling, purchasing or varying

    Class of relevant security Product description e.g. call option Writing, purchasing, selling, varying etc. Number of securities to which option relates Exercise price per unit Type
    e.g. American, European etc.
    Expiry date Option money paid/ received per unit
                   

    (ii)        Exercise

    Class of relevant security Product description
    e.g. call option
    Exercising/ exercised against Number of securities Exercise price per unit
             

     

    (d)        Other dealings (including subscribing for new securities)

    Class of relevant security Nature of dealing
    e.g. subscription, conversion
    Details Price per unit (if applicable)
       

     

       

    3.         OTHER INFORMATION

    (a)        Indemnity and other dealing arrangements

    Details of any indemnity or option arrangement, or any agreement or understanding, formal or informal, relating to relevant securities which may be an inducement to deal or refrain from dealing entered into by the exempt principal trader making the disclosure and any party to the offer or any person acting in concert with a party to the offer:
    Irrevocable commitments and letters of intent should not be included.  If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”
     

    None

    (b)        Agreements, arrangements or understandings relating to options or derivatives

    Details of any agreement, arrangement or understanding, formal or informal, between the exempt principal trader making the disclosure and any other person relating to:
    (i)  the voting rights of any relevant securities under any option; or
    (ii) the voting rights or future acquisition or disposal of any relevant securities to which any derivative is referenced:
    If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”
     

    None

    Date of disclosure: 27 February 2025
    Contact name: Dhruti Singh
    Telephone number: 0207 088 2000

    Public disclosures under Rule 8 of the Code must be made to a Regulatory Information Service. 

    The Panel’s Market Surveillance Unit is available for consultation in relation to the Code’s dealing disclosure requirements on +44 (0)20 7638 0129.

    The Code can be viewed on the Panel’s website at www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Hyperscale Data Subsidiary Reaches Agreement in Principle to Add Capability for an Incremental 40 Megawatts to its Michigan Data Center, Boosting AI Infrastructure Development

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LAS VEGAS, Feb. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Hyperscale Data, Inc. (NYSE American: GPUS), a diversified holding company (“Hyperscale Data” or the “Company”), today announced that its indirectly wholly owned subsidiary Alliance Cloud Services, LLC (“ACS”) has reached an agreement in principle with the local natural gas utility to provide the capability to energize ACS’ Michigan data center (the “Data Center”), with an additional 40 megawatts (“MW”). This would enable ACS to increase its power capacity from approximately 30 MW to approximately 340 MW. This announcement follows the Company’s recent announcement detailing ACS’ ability to expand the Data Center to 300 MW. The project is expected to be completed within 18 months of the execution of definitive agreements.

    As the Company recently stated, the expansion of the Data Center to 300 MW is a crucial long-term goal for ACS, enabling ACS to better serve the rapidly growing demand for high-performance computing (“HPC”) services powering artificial intelligence (“AI”) infrastructure. The Company notes that the incremental 40 MW of power would be delivered significantly sooner than the previously announced power upgrade. This is due, in part, to the difference in power supply, as the approximately 300 MW increase would be coming from grid utility sources, including nuclear power, while the approximately 40 MW would be coming from natural gas delivered to the Data Center. The Company is working through multiple approaches that could utilize the natural gas supply and provide incremental power to the Data Center while the larger power upgrade project is under way. Additionally, the Company is exploring options that could potentially provide a further incremental capability to energize another approximately 85 MW. As Hyperscale Data moves forward in the coming months with both its short-term transition to HPC services and its power upgrade expansion process, it will provide ongoing updates to its stockholders and the public as developments warrant.

    William B. Horne, Chief Executive Officer of Hyperscale Data, commented, “We are excited to take another step in the right direction for the Company’s long-term goal of becoming a pureplay data center business. The use of alternative power sources will be critical in ACS’ plans to bring incremental power to the Data Center and serve the growing AI data center industry.”

    The completion of the power upgrades is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, one or more which could result in the project being curtailed, delayed or terminated, including, but not limited to: failure to agree upon terms and execute definitive agreements; the inability of the Company to raise sufficient funds to pay for the power upgrades; failure to obtain regulatory consents and approvals; the inability to obtain sufficient easements, rights-of-way and land rights necessary to the work to be performed, and other presently unforeseen events or conditions.

    For more information on Hyperscale Data and its subsidiaries, Hyperscale Data recommends that stockholders, investors and any other interested parties read Hyperscale Data’s public filings and press releases available under the Investor Relations section at hyperscaledata.com or available at www.sec.gov.

    About Hyperscale Data, Inc.

    Through its wholly owned subsidiaries, Hyperscale Data owns and operates a data center at which it mines digital assets and offers colocation and hosting services for the emerging AI ecosystems and other industries. Hyperscale Data’s subsidiary, Ault Capital Group, Inc. (“ACG”), is a diversified holding company pursuing growth by acquiring undervalued businesses and disruptive technologies with a global impact.

    Hyperscale Data intends to completely divest itself of ACG on or about December 31, 2025, at which time it would be solely an owner and operator of data centers to support HPC services. Until then, however, the Company provides, through ACG and its wholly and majority-owned subsidiaries and strategic investments, mission-critical products that support a diverse range of industries, including an artificial intelligence software platform, social gaming platform, equipment rental services, defense/aerospace, industrial, automotive, medical/biopharma and hotel operations. In addition, ACG is actively engaged in private credit and structured finance through a licensed lending subsidiary. Hyperscale Data’s headquarters are located at 11411 Southern Highlands Parkway, Suite 240, Las Vegas, NV 89141.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements generally include statements that are predictive in nature and depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, and include words such as “believes,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “projects,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “strategy,” “future,” “opportunity,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “potential,” or similar expressions. Statements that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on current beliefs and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties.

    Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update any of them publicly in light of new information or future events. Actual results could differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement as a result of various factors. More information, including potential risk factors, that could affect the Company’s business and financial results are included in the Company’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to, the Company’s Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K. All filings are available at www.sec.gov and on the Company’s website at www.hyperscaledata.com.

    Hyperscale Data Investor Contact:
    IR@hyperscaledata.com or 1-888-753-2235

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Outbrain Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Reports another quarter of accelerated growth and profitability, achieved Q4 guidance on Ex TAC gross profit and Adjusted EBITDA, and generated strong cash flow

    Closed acquisition of Teads in February 2025; Combined company operating under the name Teads

    NEW YORK, Feb. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Outbrain Inc. (Nasdaq: OB), which is operating under the new Teads brand, announced today financial results for the quarter and full year ended December 31, 2024.

    Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Key Financial Metrics:

      Three Months Ended
    December 31,
      Twelve Months Ended
    December 31,
    (in millions USD)   2024       2023     % Change     2024       2023     % Change
    Revenue $ 234.6     $ 248.2       (5 )%   $ 889.9     $ 935.8       (5 )%
    Gross profit   56.1       53.2       5  %     192.1       184.8       4  %
    Net (loss) income   (0.2 )     4.1       (104 )%     (0.7 )     10.2       (107 )%
    Net cash provided by operating activities   42.7       25.5       67 %     68.6       13.7       399  %
                                   
    Non-GAAP Financial Data*                              
    Ex-TAC gross profit   68.3       63.8       7  %     236.1       227.4       4  %
    Adjusted EBITDA   17.0       14.0       21  %     37.3       28.5       31  %
    Adjusted net income (loss)   3.5       4.3       (20 )%     4.1       (3.9 )     205  %
    Free cash flow   37.6       21.0       79  %     51.3       (6.5 )   NM

    _____________________________

    NM Not meaningful

    * See non-GAAP reconciliations below

    “Continued momentum in our growth areas helped drive accelerated growth and profitability, with a record level of cash flow” said David Kostman, CEO of Outbrain.

    “A few weeks post closing of our merger with Teads, I am even more excited about combining the category-leading branding and performance capabilities of Outbrain and Teads into one of the largest Open Internet platforms. We believe the new Teads will better serve enterprise brands and agencies, as well as mid-market and direct response advertisers, by delivering elevated outcomes from branding to performance across curated, quality media environments from digital to CTV,” added Kostman.

    Recent Developments

    On February 3, 2025, we completed the acquisition of Teads, for total value of approximately $900 million, comprised of $625 million in cash and 43.75 million shares of Outbrain common stock. The combined company will operate under the name Teads.

    In connection with the acquisition:

    • On February 3, 2025, entered into a credit agreement with Goldman Sachs Bank, U.S. Bank Trust Company, and certain other lenders, which provided, among other things, for a new $100.0 million super senior secured revolving credit facility maturing on February 3, 2030, which may be used for working capital and other general corporate purposes.
    • On February 11, 2025, completed the private offering of $637.5 million in aggregate principal amount of 10.0% senior secured notes due 2030 at an issue price of 98.087% of the principal amount in a transaction exempt from registration. The proceeds were used, together with cash on hand, to repay in full and cancel a bridge credit facility used to finance the cash consideration paid at closing.
    • Terminated the existing revolving credit facility with the Silicon Valley Bank, a division of First Citizens Bank & Trust Company, dated as of November 2, 2021.
    • We expect to realize approximately $65 million to $75 million of annual synergies in 2026 with further opportunities for expanded synergies. Of this amount, approximately $60 million relates to cost synergies, including approximately $45 million of compensation-related expenses, with approximately 70% of the estimated compensation-related synergies already actioned in February.

    Fourth Quarter 2024 Business Highlights:

    • Continued acceleration of year-over-year growth of Ex-TAC gross profit, improvement in Ex-TAC gross margin, and growth in Adjusted EBITDA.
    • Fifth consecutive quarter of year-over-year RPM growth.
    • Strong initial reception of our Moments offering, launched in Q3 and live on over 40 publishers, including New York Post, NewsCorp Australia, RTL and Rolling Stone.
    • Continued growth in advertiser spend on Outbrain DSP (previously known as Zemanta), by approximately 45% in FY 2024, as compared to the prior year.
    • Continued supply expansion outside of traditional feed product representing approximately 30% of our revenue in Q4 2024, versus 26% in Q4 2023.
    • Premium supply competitive wins include Penske Media (US) and Prensa Ibérica (Spain), and renewals including Spiegel (Germany), Il Messaggero (Italy), and Grape (Japan).

    Fourth Quarter 2024 Financial Highlights:

    • Revenue of $234.6 million, a decrease of $13.6 million, or 5%, compared to $248.2 million in the prior year period, including net unfavorable foreign currency effects of approximately $1.8 million.
    • Gross profit of $56.1 million, an increase of $2.9 million, or 5%, compared to $53.2 million in the prior year period. Gross margin increased 250 basis points to 23.9%, compared to 21.4% in the prior year period.
    • Ex-TAC gross profit of $68.3 million, an increase of $4.5 million, or 7%, compared to $63.8 million in the prior year period, as lower revenue was more than offset by our Ex-TAC gross margin improvement of approximately 340 basis points to 29.1%, compared to 25.7% in the prior year period.
    • Net loss of $0.2 million, compared to net income of $4.1 million in the prior year period. Net loss in the current period includes acquisition-related costs of $3.6 million, net of taxes.
    • Adjusted net income of $3.5 million, compared to adjusted net income of $4.3 million in the prior year period.
    • Adjusted EBITDA of $17.0 million, compared to Adjusted EBITDA of $14.0 million in the prior year period. Adjusted EBITDA included net unfavorable foreign currency effects of approximately $0.8 million.
    • Generated net cash provided by operating activities of $42.7 million, compared to $25.5 million in the prior year period. Free cash flow was $37.6 million, as compared to $21.0 million in the prior year period.
    • Cash, cash equivalents and investments in marketable securities were $166.1 million, comprised of cash and cash equivalents of $89.1 million and short-term investments in marketable securities of $77.0 million as of December 31, 2024.

    Full Year 2024 Financial Results:

    • Revenue of $889.9 million, a decrease of $45.9 million, or 5%, compared to $935.8 million in the prior year period, including net unfavorable foreign currency effects of approximately $2.4 million.
    • Gross profit of $192.1 million, an increase of $7.3 million, or 4%, compared to $184.8 million in the prior year period, including net unfavorable foreign currency effects of approximately $1.3 million. Gross margin increased 190 basis points to 21.6% in 2024, compared to 19.7% in 2023.
    • Ex-TAC gross profit of $236.1 million, an increase of $8.7 million, or 4%, compared to $227.4 million in the prior year period, including net unfavorable foreign currency effects of approximately $1.3 million.
    • Net loss of $0.7 million, including net one-time expenses of $4.8 million, compared to net income of $10.2 million, including net one-time benefits of $14.1 million in the prior year. See non-GAAP reconciliations below for details of one-time items.
    • Adjusted net income of $4.1 million, compared to adjusted net loss of $3.9 million in the prior year.
    • Adjusted EBITDA of $37.3 million, compared to $28.5 million in the prior year. Adjusted EBITDA included net unfavorable foreign currency effects of approximately $1.2 million.
    • Generated net cash provided by operating activities of $68.6 million, compared to net cash provided $13.7 million in the prior year. Free cash flow was $51.3 million, compared to a use of cash of $6.5 million in the prior year.

    Share Repurchases:

    There were no share repurchases during the three months ended December 31, 2024. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2024, we repurchased 1,410,001 shares for $5.8 million, including related costs, under our $30 million stock repurchase program authorized in December 2022. The remaining availability under the repurchase program was $6.6 million as of December 31, 2024.

    2025 Full Year and First Quarter Guidance

    The following forward-looking statements reflect our expectations for 2025, including the contribution from Teads.

    For the first quarter ending March 31, 2025, which includes the results for the legacy Outbrain business plus the addition of operating results for legacy Teads beginning on February 3, 2025, we expect:

    • Ex-TAC gross profit of $100 million to $105 million
    • Adjusted EBITDA of $8 million to $12 million

    For the full year ending December 31, 2025, we expect:

    • Adjusted EBITDA of at least $180 million

    The above measures are forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures for which a reconciliation to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure is not available without unreasonable efforts. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below. In addition, our guidance is subject to risks and uncertainties, as outlined below in this release.

    Conference Call and Webcast Information

    Outbrain will host an investor conference call this morning, Thursday, February 27 at 8:30 am ET. Interested parties are invited to listen to the conference call which can be accessed live by phone by dialing 1-877-497-9071 or for international callers, 1-201-689-8727. A replay will be available two hours after the call and can be accessed by dialing 1-877-660-6853, or for international callers, 1-201-612-7415. The passcode for the live call and the replay is 13750872. The replay will be available until March 13, 2025. Interested investors and other parties may also listen to a simultaneous webcast of the conference call by logging onto the Investors Relations section of the Company’s website at https://investors.outbrain.com. The online replay will be available for a limited time shortly following the call.

    Non-GAAP Financial Measures

    In addition to GAAP performance measures, we use the following supplemental non-GAAP financial measures to evaluate our business, measure our performance, identify trends, and allocate our resources: Ex-TAC gross profit, Ex-TAC gross margin, Adjusted EBITDA, free cash flow, adjusted net income (loss), and adjusted diluted EPS. These non-GAAP financial measures are defined and reconciled to the corresponding GAAP measures below. These non-GAAP financial measures are subject to significant limitations, including those we identify below. In addition, other companies in our industry may define these measures differently, which may reduce their usefulness as comparative measures. As a result, this information should be considered as supplemental in nature and is not meant as a substitute for revenue, gross profit, net income (loss), diluted EPS, or cash flows from operating activities presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

    Because we are a global company, the comparability of our operating results is affected by foreign exchange fluctuations. We calculate certain constant currency measures and foreign currency impacts by translating the current year’s reported amounts into comparable amounts using the prior year’s exchange rates. All constant currency financial information that may be presented is non-GAAP and should be used as a supplement to our reported operating results. We believe that this information is helpful to our management and investors to assess our operating performance on a comparable basis. However, these measures are not intended to replace amounts presented in accordance with GAAP and may be different from similar measures calculated by other companies.

    The Company is also providing fourth quarter and full year guidance. These forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures are calculated based on internal forecasts that omit certain amounts that would be included in GAAP financial measures. The Company has not provided quantitative reconciliations of these forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures because it is unable, without unreasonable effort, to predict with reasonable certainty the occurrence or amount of all excluded items that may arise during the forward-looking period, which can be dependent on future events that may not be reliably predicted. Such excluded items could be material to the reported results individually or in the aggregate.

    Ex-TAC Gross Profit

    Ex-TAC gross profit is a non-GAAP financial measure. Gross profit is the most comparable GAAP measure. In calculating Ex-TAC gross profit, we add back other cost of revenue to gross profit. Ex-TAC gross profit may fluctuate in the future due to various factors, including, but not limited to, seasonality and changes in the number of media partners and advertisers, advertiser demand or user engagements.

    We present Ex-TAC gross profit, Ex-TAC gross margin (calculated as Ex-TAC gross profit as a percentage of revenue), and Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of Ex-TAC gross profit, because they are key profitability measures used by our management and board of directors to understand and evaluate our operating performance and trends, develop short-term and long-term operational plans, and make strategic decisions regarding the allocation of capital. Accordingly, we believe that these measures provide information to investors and the market in understanding and evaluating our operating results in the same manner as our management and board of directors. There are limitations on the use of Ex-TAC gross profit in that traffic acquisition cost is a significant component of our total cost of revenue but not the only component and, by definition, Ex-TAC gross profit presented for any period will be higher than gross profit for that period. A potential limitation of this non-GAAP financial measure is that other companies, including companies in our industry, which have a similar business, may define Ex-TAC gross profit differently, which may make comparisons difficult. As a result, this information should be considered as supplemental in nature and is not meant as a substitute for revenue or gross profit presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

    Adjusted EBITDA

    We define Adjusted EBITDA as net income (loss) before gain on convertible debt; interest expense; interest income and other income (expense), net; provision for income taxes; depreciation and amortization; stock-based compensation; and other income or expenses that we do not consider indicative of our core operating performance, including but not limited to, merger and acquisition costs, regulatory matter costs, and severance costs related to our cost saving initiatives. We present Adjusted EBITDA as a supplemental performance measure because it is a key profitability measure used by our management and board of directors to understand and evaluate our operating performance and trends, develop short-term and long-term operational plans and make strategic decisions regarding the allocation of capital, and we believe it facilitates operating performance comparisons from period to period.

    We believe that Adjusted EBITDA provides useful information to investors and others in understanding and evaluating our operating results in the same manner as our management and board of directors. However, our calculation of Adjusted EBITDA is not necessarily comparable to non-GAAP information of other companies. Adjusted EBITDA should be considered as a supplemental measure and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for any measures of our financial performance that are calculated and reported in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

    Adjusted Net Income (Loss) and Adjusted Diluted EPS

    Adjusted net income (loss) is a non-GAAP financial measure, which is defined as net income (loss) excluding items that we do not consider indicative of our core operating performance, including but not limited to gain on convertible debt, merger and acquisition costs, regulatory matter costs, and severance costs related to our cost saving initiatives. Adjusted net income (loss), as defined above, is also presented on a per diluted share basis. We present adjusted net income (loss) and adjusted diluted EPS as supplemental performance measures because we believe they facilitate performance comparisons from period to period. However, adjusted net income (loss) or adjusted diluted EPS should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net income (loss) or diluted earnings per share reported in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

    Free Cash Flow

    Free cash flow is defined as cash flow provided by (used in) operating activities less capital expenditures and capitalized software development costs. Free cash flow is a supplementary measure used by our management and board of directors to evaluate our ability to generate cash and we believe it allows for a more complete analysis of our available cash flows. Free cash flow should be considered as a supplemental measure and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for any measures of our financial performance that are calculated and reported in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws, which statements involve substantial risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements may include, without limitation, statements generally relating to possible or assumed future results of our business, financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, plans and objectives, and statements relating to our recently completed acquisition of Teads S.A., a public limited liability company(société anonyme) incorporated and existing under the laws of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg (“Teads”). You can generally identify forward-looking statements because they contain words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “could,” “intends,” “guidance,” “outlook,” “target,” “projects,” “contemplates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “foresee,” “potential” or “continue” or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions that concern our expectations, strategy, plans or intentions or are not statements of historical fact. We have based these forward- looking statements largely on our expectations and projections regarding future events and trends that we believe may affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations. The outcome of the events described in these forward-looking statements is subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors including, but not limited to: the ability of Outbrain to successfully integrate Teads or manage the combined business effectively; our ability to realize anticipated benefits and synergies of the acquisition, including, among other things, operating efficiencies, revenue synergies and other cost savings; our due diligence investigation of Teads may be inadequate or risks related to Teads’ business may materialize; unexpected costs, charges or expenses resulting from the acquisition; the outcome of any securities litigation, stockholder derivative or other litigation related to the acquisition; our ability to raise additional financing in the future to fund our operations, which may not be available to us on favorable terms or at all; the volatility of the market price of our common stock and any drop in the market price of our common stock following the acquisition; our ability to attract and retain customers, management and other key personnel; overall advertising demand and traffic generated by our media partners; factors that affect advertising demand and spending, such as the continuation or worsening of unfavorable economic or business conditions or downturns, instability or volatility in financial markets, and other events or factors outside of our control, such as U.S. and global recession concerns, geopolitical concerns, including the ongoing war between Ukraine-Russia and conditions in Israel and the Middle East, tariffs and trade wars, supply chain issues, inflationary pressures, labor market volatility, bank closures or disruptions, the impact of challenging economic conditions, political and policy changes or uncertainties in connection with the new U.S. presidential administration, and other factors that have and may further impact advertisers’ ability to pay; our ability to continue to innovate, and adoption by our advertisers and media partners of our expanding solutions; the success of our sales and marketing investments, which may require significant investments and may involve long sales cycles; our ability to grow our business and manage growth effectively; our ability to compete effectively against current and future competitors; the loss or decline of one or more of our large media partners, and our ability to expand our advertiser and media partner relationships; conditions in Israel, including the sustainability of the recent cease-fire between Israel and Hamas and any conflicts with other terrorist organizations; our ability to maintain our revenues or profitability despite quarterly fluctuations in our results, whether due to seasonality, large cyclical events, or other causes; the risk that our research and development efforts may not meet the demands of a rapidly evolving technology market; any failure of our recommendation engine to accurately predict attention or engagement, any deterioration in the quality of our recommendations or failure to present interesting content to users or other factors which may cause us to experience a decline in user engagement or loss of media partners; limits on our ability to collect, use and disclose data to deliver advertisements; our ability to extend our reach into evolving digital media platforms; our ability to maintain and scale our technology platform; our ability to meet demands on our infrastructure and resources due to future growth or otherwise; our failure or the failure of third parties to protect our sites, networks and systems against security breaches, or otherwise to protect the confidential information of us or our partners; outages or disruptions that impact us or our service providers, resulting from cyber incidents, or failures or loss of our infrastructure; significant fluctuations in currency exchange rates; political and regulatory risks in the various markets in which we operate; the challenges of compliance with differing and changing regulatory requirements; the timing and execution of any cost-saving measures and the impact on our business or strategy; and the risks described in the section entitled “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed for the year ended December 31, 2023, in our definitive proxy statement filed with the SEC on October 31, 2024 and in subsequent reports filed with the SEC. Accordingly, you should not rely upon forward-looking statements as an indication of future performance. We cannot assure you that the results, events and circumstances reflected in the forward-looking statements will be achieved or will occur, and actual results, events, or circumstances could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements made in this press release relate only to events as of the date on which the statements are made. We may not actually achieve the plans, intentions or expectations disclosed in our forward-looking statements and you should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation and do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or circumstances after the date on which the statements are made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events or otherwise, except as required by law.

    About The Combined Company

    Outbrain Inc. (Nasdaq: OB) and Teads combined on February 3, 2025 and are operating under the new Teads brand. The new Teads is the omnichannel outcomes platform for the open internet, driving full-funnel results for marketers across premium media. With a focus on meaningful business outcomes, the combined company ensures value is driven with every media dollar by leveraging predictive AI technology to connect quality media, beautiful brand creative, and context-driven addressability and measurement. One of the most scaled advertising platforms on the open internet, the new Teads is directly partnered with more than 10,000 publishers and 20,000 advertisers globally. The company is headquartered in New York, with a global team of nearly 1,800 people in 36 countries.

    Media Contact

    press@outbrain.com

    Investor Relations Contact

    IR@outbrain.com

    (332) 205-8999

    OUTBRAIN INC.
    Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
    (In thousands, except for share and per share data)
     
      Three Months Ended
    December 31,
      Twelve Months Ended
    December 31,
        2024       2023       2024       2023  
      (Unaudited)
    Revenue $ 234,586     $ 248,229     $ 889,875     $ 935,818  
    Cost of revenue:              
    Traffic acquisition costs   166,247       184,425       653,731       708,449  
    Other cost of revenue   12,277       10,572       44,042       42,571  
    Total cost of revenue   178,524       194,997       697,773       751,020  
    Gross profit   56,062       53,232       192,102       184,798  
    Operating expenses:            
    Research and development   9,434       8,369       37,080       36,402  
    Sales and marketing   25,736       25,254       97,498       98,370  
    General and administrative   18,357       13,899       70,162       58,665  
    Total operating expenses   53,527       47,522       204,740       193,437  
    Income (loss) from operations   2,535       5,710       (12,638 )     (8,639 )
    Other income (expense), net:              
    Gain on convertible debt               8,782       22,594  
    Interest expense   (699 )     (965 )     (3,649 )     (5,393 )
    Interest income and other income, net   1,522       2,060       9,209       7,793  
    Total other income, net   823       1,095       14,342       24,994  
    Income before income taxes   3,358       6,805       1,704       16,355  
    Provision for income taxes   3,525       2,748       2,415       6,113  
    Net (loss) income $ (167 )   $ 4,057     $ (711 )   $ 10,242  
                   
    Weighted average shares outstanding:              
    Basic   49,767,704       50,076,364       49,321,301       50,900,422  
    Diluted   49,767,704       50,108,460       52,709,356       56,965,299  
                   
    Net income (loss) per common share:              
    Basic $ 0.00     $ 0.08     $ (0.01 )   $ 0.20  
    Diluted $ 0.00     $ 0.08     $ (0.11 )   $ (0.06 )
    OUTBRAIN INC.
    Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
    (In thousands, except for number of shares and par value)
     
      December 31,
    2024
      December 31,
    2023
      (Unaudited)    
    ASSETS:      
    Current assets:      
    Cash and cash equivalents $ 89,094     $ 70,889  
    Short-term investments in marketable securities   77,035       94,313  
    Accounts receivable, net of allowances   149,167       189,334  
    Prepaid expenses and other current assets   27,835       47,240  
    Total current assets   343,131       401,776  
    Non-current assets:      
    Long-term investments in marketable securities         65,767  
    Property, equipment and capitalized software, net   45,250       42,461  
    Operating lease right-of-use assets, net   15,047       12,145  
    Intangible assets, net   16,928       20,396  
    Goodwill   63,063       63,063  
    Deferred tax assets   40,825       38,360  
    Other assets   24,969       20,669  
    TOTAL ASSETS $ 549,213     $ 664,637  
           
    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:      
    Current liabilities:      
    Accounts payable $ 149,479     $ 150,812  
    Accrued compensation and benefits   19,430       18,620  
    Accrued and other current liabilities   113,630       119,703  
    Deferred revenue   6,932       8,486  
    Total current liabilities   289,471       297,621  
    Non-current liabilities:      
    Long-term debt         118,000  
    Operating lease liabilities, non-current   11,783       9,217  
    Other liabilities   16,616       16,735  
    TOTAL LIABILITIES $ 317,870     $ 441,573  
           
    STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:      
    Common stock, par value of $0.001 per share − one billion shares authorized; 63,503,274 shares issued and 50,090,114 shares outstanding as of December 31, 2024; 61,567,520 shares issued and 49,726,518 shares outstanding as of December 31, 2023   64       62  
    Preferred stock, par value of $0.001 per share − 100,000,000 shares authorized, none issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023          
    Additional paid-in capital   484,541       468,525  
    Treasury stock, at cost − 13,413,160 shares as of December 31, 2024 and 11,841,002 shares as of December 31, 2023   (74,289 )     (67,689 )
    Accumulated other comprehensive loss   (9,480 )     (9,052 )
    Accumulated deficit   (169,493 )     (168,782 )
    TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY   231,343       223,064  
    TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY $ 549,213     $ 664,637  
    OUTBRAIN INC.
    Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
    (In thousands)
     
      Three Months Ended December 31,   Twelve Months Ended December 31,
        2024       2023       2024       2023  
      (Unaudited)
    CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:              
    Net (loss) income $ (167 )   $ 4,057     $ (711 )   $ 10,242  
    Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:              
    Gain on convertible debt               (8,782 )     (22,594 )
    Stock-based compensation   3,974       2,988       15,461       12,141  
    Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment   1,658       1,720       6,312       6,915  
    Amortization of capitalized software development costs   2,477       2,372       9,758       9,633  
    Amortization of intangible assets   850       853       3,409       4,154  
    Provision for credit losses   55       1,931       3,006       8,008  
    Non-cash operating lease expense   1,305       1,092       5,130       4,453  
    Deferred income taxes   (664 )     (1,478 )     (5,095 )     (4,312 )
    Amortization of discount on marketable securities   (396 )     (729 )     (2,235 )     (3,604 )
    Other   665       (483 )     47       (717 )
    Changes in operating assets and liabilities:              
    Accounts receivable   4,471       (16,939 )     35,905       (12,946 )
    Prepaid expenses and other current assets   9,291       2,409       18,412       843  
    Accounts payable and other current liabilities   18,867       27,127       (11,696 )     (1,228 )
    Operating lease liabilities   (1,223 )     (1,018 )     (5,092 )     (4,297 )
    Deferred revenue   555       1,524       (1,496 )     1,621  
    Other non-current assets and liabilities   945       51       6,228       5,434  
    Net cash provided by operating activities   42,663       25,477       68,561       13,746  
                   
    CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:              
    Acquisition of a business, net of cash acquired         (77 )     (181 )     (389 )
    Purchases of property and equipment   (2,712 )     (2,257 )     (7,380 )     (10,127 )
    Capitalized software development costs   (2,321 )     (2,243 )     (9,913 )     (10,107 )
    Purchases of marketable securities   (34,436 )     (44,658 )     (90,602 )     (131,543 )
    Proceeds from sales and maturities of marketable securities   31,068       35,228       175,325       221,878  
    Other   (15 )     (63 )     (96 )     (72 )
    Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities   (8,416 )     (14,070 )     67,153       69,640  
                   
    CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:              
    Repayment of long-term debt obligations               (109,740 )     (96,170 )
    Payment of deferred financing costs   (598 )           (1,099 )      
    Treasury stock repurchases and share withholdings on vested awards   (210 )     (5,270 )     (6,600 )     (18,521 )
    Principal payments on finance lease obligations         (353 )     (263 )     (1,830 )
    Payment of contingent consideration liability up to acquisition-date fair value                     (547 )
    Net cash used in financing activities   (808 )     (5,623 )     (117,702 )     (117,068 )
                   
    Effect of exchange rate changes   (1,400 )     564       634       (1,004 )
                   
    Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash $ 32,039     $ 6,348     $ 18,646     $ (34,686 )
    Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash — Beginning   57,686       64,731       71,079       105,765  
    Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash — Ending $ 89,725     $ 71,079     $ 89,725     $ 71,079  
    OUTBRAIN INC.
    Non-GAAP Reconciliations
    (In thousands)
    (Unaudited)
     

    The following table presents the reconciliation of Gross profit to Ex-TAC gross profit and Ex-TAC gross margin, for the periods presented:

    Three Months Ended December 31,   Twelve Months Ended December 31,
      2024       2023       2024       2023  
    Revenue $ 234,586     $ 248,229     $ 889,875     $ 935,818  
    Traffic acquisition costs   (166,247 )     (184,425 )     (653,731 )     (708,449 )
    Other cost of revenue   (12,277 )     (10,572 )     (44,042 )     (42,571 )
    Gross profit   56,062       53,232       192,102       184,798  
    Other cost of revenue   12,277       10,572       44,042       42,571  
    Ex-TAC gross profit $ 68,339     $ 63,804     $ 236,144     $ 227,369  
                   
    Gross margin (gross profit as % of revenue)   23.9 %     21.4 %     21.6 %     19.7 %
    Ex-TAC gross margin (Ex-TAC gross profit as % of revenue)   29.1 %     25.7 %     26.5 %     24.3 %

    The following table presents the reconciliation of net income (loss) to Adjusted EBITDA, for the periods presented:

    Three Months Ended December 31,   Twelve Months Ended December 31,
      2024       2023       2024       2023  
    Net (loss) income $ (167 )   $ 4,057     $ (711 )   $ 10,242  
    Interest expense   699       965       3,649       5,393  
    Interest income and other income, net   (1,522 )     (2,060 )     (9,209 )     (7,793 )
    Gain on convertible debt               (8,782 )     (22,594 )
    Provision for income taxes   3,525       2,748       2,415       6,113  
    Depreciation and amortization   4,985       4,945       19,479       20,702  
    Stock-based compensation   3,974       2,988       15,461       12,141  
    Regulatory matter costs                     742  
    Acquisition-related costs   5,469             14,256        
    Severance and related costs         361       742       3,509  
    Adjusted EBITDA $ 16,963     $ 14,004     $ 37,300     $ 28,455  
                   
    Net (loss) income as % of gross profit   (0.3 )%     7.6 %     (0.4 )%     5.5 %
    Adjusted EBITDA as % of Ex-TAC Gross Profit   24.8 %     21.9 %     15.8 %     12.5 %

    The following table presents the reconciliation of net income (loss) and diluted EPS to adjusted net income (loss) and adjusted diluted EPS, respectively, for the periods presented:

    Three Months Ended December 31,   Twelve Months Ended December 31,
      2024       2023       2024       2023  
    Net loss (income) $ (167 )   $ 4,057     $ (711 )   $ 10,242  
    Adjustments:              
    Gain on convertible debt               (8,782 )     (22,594 )
    Regulatory matter costs                     742  
    Acquisition-related costs   5,469             14,256        
    Severance and related costs         361       742       3,509  
    Total adjustments, before tax   5,469       361       6,216       (18,343 )
    Income tax effect   (1,844 )     (97 )     (1,438 )     4,234  
    Total adjustments, after tax   3,625       264       4,778       (14,109 )
    Adjusted net income (loss) $ 3,458     $ 4,321     $ 4,067     $ (3,867 )
                   
    Basic weighted-average shares, as reported   49,767,704       50,076,364       49,321,301       50,900,422  
    Restricted stock units   793,713       32,096       519,729        
    Adjusted diluted weighted average shares   50,561,417       50,108,460       49,841,030       50,900,422  
                   
    Diluted net income (loss) per share – reported $     $ 0.08     $ (0.11 )   $ (0.06 )
    Adjustments, after tax   0.07       0.01       0.19       (0.02 )
    Diluted net income (loss) per share – adjusted $ 0.07     $ 0.09     $ 0.08     $ (0.08 )

    The following table presents the reconciliation of net cash provided by (used in) operating activities to free cash flow, for the periods presented:

      Three Months Ended December 31,   Twelve Months Ended December 31,
        2024       2023       2024       2023  
    Net cash provided by operating activities $ 42,663     $ 25,477     $ 68,561     $ 13,746  
    Purchases of property and equipment   (2,712 )     (2,257 )     (7,380 )     (10,127 )
    Capitalized software development costs   (2,321 )     (2,243 )     (9,913 )     (10,107 )
    Free cash flow $ 37,630     $ 20,977     $ 51,268     $ (6,488 )

    Teads
    Non-IFRS Reconciliations
    (In thousands)
    (Unaudited)

    The below information is presented for informational purposes only. The acquisition of Teads closed in February 2025. Therefore, its results are not included in Outbrain Inc.’s consolidated results of operations for any periods in 2024. The following is a summary of Teads’ non-IFRS financial measures, as calculated based on Teads’ historical financial statements, which we may publicly present from time to time, and which differ from US GAAP. Non-IFRS financial measures should be viewed in addition to, and not as an alternative for, Teads’ historical financial results prepared in accordance with IFRS. The financial information set forth below for the three months and twelve months ended December 31, 2024 is preliminary and is subject to change. Actual financial results may differ from these preliminary estimates due to the completion of Teads’ annual audit and are subject to adjustments and other developments that may arise before such results are finalized.

    Ex-TAC Gross Profit is defined as gross profit plus other cost of revenue. The following table presents the reconciliation of Ex-TAC Gross Profit to gross profit for the periods presented:

    Three Months
    Ended
    March 31,
    2024
      Three Months
    Ended
    June 30,
    2024
      Three Months
    Ended
    September 30,
    2024
      Three Months
    Ended
    December 31,
    2024
      Twelve Months
    Ended
    December 31,
    2024
    (in thousands)
    Revenue $ 125,372     $ 153,734     $ 149,376     $ 188,953     $ 617,435  
    Traffic acquisition costs   (46,939 )     (55,716 )     (59,085 )     (69,091 )     (230,831 )
    Other cost of revenue(a)   (26,387 )     (26,721 )     (26,865 )     (26,441 )     (106,414 )
    Gross profit   52,046       71,297       63,426       93,421       280,190  
    Other cost of revenue(a)   26,387       26,721       26,865       26,441       106,414  
    Ex-TAC Gross Profit $ 78,433     $ 98,018     $ 90,291     $ 119,862     $ 386,604  

    __________________________________
    (a) Other cost of revenue for Teads is subject to accounting policy alignment with Outbrain, with no impact to Ex-TAC Gross Profit included in the above table.

    Teads defines Adjusted EBITDA as profit (loss) for the year/period before income tax expense, finance costs, other financial income and expenses, depreciation and amortization, other expenses and income (capital gains, non-recurring litigation, restructuring costs) and share-based compensation. This may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. Further, this measure should not be considered as an alternative for net income as the effects of income tax expense, finance costs, other financial income and expenses, depreciation and amortization, other expenses and income (such as severance costs, and merger and acquisition costs) and share-based compensation excluded from Adjusted EBITDA do affect the operating results. Teads believes that Adjusted EBITDA is a useful supplementary measure for evaluating the operating performance of Teads’ business. The following table provides a reconciliation of profit (loss) for the period to Adjusted EBITDA, the most directly comparable IFRS measure, for the periods presented:

    Three Months
    Ended
    March 31,
    2024
      Three Months
    Ended
    June 30,
    2024
      Three Months
    Ended
    September 30,
    2024
      Three Months
    Ended
    December 31,
    2024
      Twelve Months
    Ended
    December 31,
    2024
    (in thousands)
    (Loss) profit for the period   (36,551 )     23,323       32,933     $ 46,158     $ 65,863  
    Finance Costs   250       277       532       117       1,176  
    Other financial (income) and expenses   20,531       (12,432 )     (20,529 )     (19,967 )     (32,397 )
    Provision for income taxes   716       10,800       10,597       17,637       39,750  
    Depreciation and amortization   3,180       3,350       3,277       3,027       12,834  
    Share-based compensation   25,612       5,760       (3,284 )     (134 )     27,954  
    Severance costs   281       520       398       394       1,593  
    Merger and acquisition costs   323       763       (125 )     4,929       5,890  
    Adjusted EBITDA $ 14,342     $ 32,361     $ 23,799     $ 52,161     $ 122,663  

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Samsung Launches Galaxy M16 5G and Galaxy M06 5G in India with Refreshed Design and Monster Performance  

    Source: Samsung

     
    Samsung, India’s largest consumer electronics brand, today announced the launch of two monster devices, Galaxy M16 5G and Galaxy M06 5G, with several segment-leading features. The latest additions to the immensely popular Galaxy M series offer an impressive combination of style and cutting-edge innovations, ensuring newer possibilities for every consumer.
     
    “Galaxy M16 5G and Galaxy M06 5G come with monster innovations and performance, the twin legacies of M series. With a refreshed design, these devices are built to enhance both style and performance, featuring MediaTek Dimensity 6300 processor and full 5G support across operators. The Galaxy M16 5G also sets a new benchmark with a segment-leading FHD+ Super AMOLED display, six generations of OS upgrades, and the introduction of Samsung Wallet with Tap & Pay functionality,” said Akshay S Rao, General Manager, MX Business, Samsung India.
     
    Monster Display
    Galaxy M16 5G features segment-leading 6.7” Full HD+ Super AMOLED display that provides higher quality colour contrast, giving an immersive viewing experience. Galaxy M16 5G comes with adaptive high brightness mode ensuring that users can enjoy their favourite content even under bright sunlight. Galaxy M06 5G features a 6.7” HD+ display, which makes scrolling through social media feeds, even in outdoor settings, a breeze for the tech-savvy Gen Z and millennial customers.
     
    Monster Design
    Both Galaxy M16 5G and Galaxy M06 5G feature an all-new design with new linear grouped camera module, a bold yet balanced colour palette, and an enhanced finish, making them visually appealing and trendy. Both devices are sleek and incredibly ergonomic. The Galaxy M16 5G is just 7.9 mm slim, while the Galaxy M06 5G measures 8 mm. The Galaxy M16 5G will be available in three bold and refreshing colours – Blush Pink, Mint Green, and Thunder Black – while the Galaxy M06 5G will elevate your style with Sage Green and Blazing Black.
     
    Monster Performance and Connectivity
    Galaxy M16 5G and Galaxy M06 5G are powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 6300 processor, making them fast and power-efficient for smooth multitasking. With ultimate speed and connectivity, supported by the segment’s leading 5G bands, users can stay fully connected wherever they go—experiencing faster download and upload speeds, smoother streaming, and uninterrupted browsing.
     
    Monster Camera
    Galaxy M16 5G and Galaxy M06 5G feature a striking new camera module. The Galaxy M16 5G boasts a segment-leading 50MP main camera for enhanced clarity, complemented by a 5MP ultra-wide lens and a 2MP macro camera. With its 13MP front camera, you can capture crisp and clear selfies. Galaxy M06 5G features a high-resolution 50MP wide-angle lens with an F1.8 aperture, capturing vibrant and detailed photos, while the 2MP depth camera delivers sharper images. Additionally, Galaxy M06 5G comes with an 8MP front camera for taking selfies.’
     
    Monster Battery
    Both Galaxy M16 5G and Galaxy M06 5G packs 5000 mAh battery that enables long sessions of browsing, gaming and binge watching. Both smartphones support 25W fast charging, giving users more power in lesser time.
     
    Monster Galaxy Experiences
    Samsung is reaffirming its commitment to customer satisfaction by providing best-in-segment 6 generations of OS upgrades and 6 years of security updates with Galaxy M16 5G and 4 generations of OS upgrades and 4 years of security updates with Galaxy M06 5G, ensuring users can enjoy the latest features and enhanced security for years to come.
     
    In our continuous endeavour to enhance the consumer experience, Samsung is introducing its innovative Tap & Pay feature with Samsung Wallet for the first time in this segment with the Galaxy M16 5G, allowing consumers to make secure payments effortlessly.
     
    Both devices will feature Samsung’s most advanced security innovations: Samsung Knox Vault. This hardware-based security system provides comprehensive protection against both hardware and software attacks. Galaxy M16 5G and Galaxy M06 5G also include features like Voice Focus, which reduces ambient noise for an enhanced calling experience.
     
    Product
    Variant
    Introductory Price
    Offers
     
    Galaxy M16 5G
    4GB+128GB
    INR 11499
    Inclusive of INR 1000 Bank Cashback offer
    6GB+128GB
    INR 12999
    8GB+128GB
    INR 14499
    Galaxy M06 5G
    4GB+128GB
    INR 9499
    Inclusive of INR 500 Bank Cashback offer
    6GB+128GB
    INR 10999

    MIL OSI Economics

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Dementia Cafe Awareness Day, March 2025

    Source: Scotland – City of Perth

    Perth and Kinross Dementia Cafe will be holding an awareness day event on Wednesday 5 March 2025 from 10am to 12.30pm at the North Church on Perth High Street, to which all are welcome.

    The Dementia Cafe meets on the first Wednesday of each month, providing advice and information to people living with dementia in Perth and Kinross, their families and carers.  

    Alongside staff from Perth and Kinross Council’s Safer Communities and Trading Standards teams and Perth and Kinross Health and Social Care Partnership, organisations also being represented at the session will be NHS Tayside (Occupational Therapy, Podiatry, Community Mental Health), Telecare Services, Alzheimer’s Scotland, SCARF, Live Active Leisure, PKAVS Carers Support, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Blueberry Hill Meals and Macnabs Solicitors.  

    Hot filled rolls from Langs Foods will be available as well as a selection of other refreshments. 

    Last modified on 27 February 2025

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    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UN Human Rights Council 58: UK Statement on Occupied Palestinian Territories

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3

    Speech

    UN Human Rights Council 58: UK Statement on Occupied Palestinian Territories

    UK Statement at the 58 Human Rights Council during the Interactive Dialogue with the High Commissioner on the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Delivered by Eleanor Sanders, Human Rights Ambassador.

    High Commissioner, thank you for your update.

    Back on 7 October 2023, Israel suffered the worst terror attack in its history at the hands of Hamas: the hostages have suffered an unbearable trauma. 

    The people of Gaza, so many of whom have lost their lives, homes or loved ones, have also experienced a living nightmare.

    We’ve been crystal clear. Palestinian civilians must be permitted to return to their communities and rebuild. It is for Palestinians to determine the future of Gaza. And international humanitarian law must be respected.

    In the West Bank, the UK is deeply concerned at the expansion of Israel’s war aims and operations. Civilians must be protected.

    But let me be clear, the UK is opposed to the existence of item 7. The UK wants to see all countries face appropriate scrutiny of their human rights record but opposes the disproportionate focus of this item. 

    Mr President,

    The UK has urged all parties to sustain the ceasefire deal, implement the agreement in full, and support efforts to move to phase two and a sustainable peace.

    Indeed, let me reaffirm, once again, our support for a credible pathway towards a peaceful future for both Palestinians and Israelis, based on a two-state solution where they live side-by-side in peace, dignity and security. 

    Thank you.

    Updates to this page

    Published 27 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI: Enerflex Ltd. Announces Fourth Quarter 2024 Financial and Operational Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ADJUSTED EBITDA OF $121 MILLION AND FREE CASH FLOW OF $76 MILLION1

    EI CONTRACT BACKLOG AND ES BACKLOG OF $1.5 BILLION AND $1.3 BILLION, RESPECTIVELY, PROVIDING STRONG OPERATIONAL VISIBILITY

    REDUCED BANK ADJUSTED NET DEBT-TO-EBITDA RATIO2TO 1.5X TIMES AT YEAR-END

    CALGARY, Alberta, Feb. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Enerflex Ltd. (TSX: EFX) (NYSE: EFXT) (“Enerflex” or the “Company”) today reported its financial and operational results for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2024.

    All amounts presented are in U.S. Dollars (“USD”) unless otherwise stated.

    Q4/24 FINANCIAL AND OPERATIONAL OVERVIEW         

    • Generated revenue of $561 million compared to $574 million in Q4/23 and $601 million in Q3/24.
    • Recorded gross margin before depreciation and amortization of $174 million, or 31% of revenue, compared to $158 million, or 28% of revenue in Q4/23 and $176 million, or 29% of revenue during Q3/24.
      • Energy Infrastructure (“EI”) and After-Market Services (“AMS”) product lines generated 67% of consolidated gross margin before depreciation and amortization during Q4/24 and 69% on a full-year basis in 2024.
      • ES gross margin before depreciation and amortization increased to 21% in Q4/24 compared to 15% in Q4/23 and 19% in Q3/24, benefiting from favorable product mix and strong project execution.
    • Adjusted earnings before finance costs, income taxes, depreciation, and amortization (“adjusted EBITDA”) of $121 million compared to $91 million in Q4/23 and $120 million during Q3/24. The year-over-year increase in adjusted EBITDA reflects improved gross margin and favorable foreign exchange rate movements.
    • Cash provided by operating activities was $113 million, which included net working capital recovery of $39 million. This compares to cash provided by operating activities of $158 million in Q4/23 and $98 million in Q3/24. Free cash flow was $76 million in Q4/24 compared to $139 million during Q4/23 and $78 million during Q3/241.
    • Invested $47 million in the business in Q4/24, consisting of $32 million in capital expenditures and $15 million for expansion of an EI project in the Eastern Hemisphere (“EH”) that will be accounted for as a finance lease.
    • Recorded ES bookings of $301 million inclusive of a $75 million derecognition, with no associated gross margin on future revenue, related to the termination of the cryogenic natural gas processing facility project contract in Kurdistan. The majority of bookings originated in the North America segment and relate to gas compression solutions. Total backlog as at December 31, 2024 was $1.3 billion, providing strong visibility into future revenue generation and business activity levels.
    • Enerflex’s USA contract compression business continues to perform well, led by increasing natural gas production in the Permian basin and continued discipline across industry competitors.
      • This business generated revenue of $36 million and gross margin before depreciation and amortization of 78% during Q4/24 compared to $33 million and 76% in Q4/23 and $37 million and 70% during Q3/24.
      • Utilization remained stable at 95% across a fleet size of approximately 428,000 horsepower. Enerflex expects its North American contract compression fleet will grow to over 475,000 horsepower by the end of 2025.
    • The Board of Directors has declared a quarterly dividend of CAD$0.0375 per share, payable on March 24, 2025, to shareholders of record on March 10, 2025.

    BALANCE SHEET AND LIQUIDITY

    • Enerflex exited Q4/24 with net debt of $616 million, which included $92 million of cash and cash equivalents, a reduction of $208 million compared to Q4/23 and $76 million lower than the third quarter.
    • During Q4/24, Enerflex redeemed $62.5 million (or 10% of the aggregate principal amount originally issued) of its 9.00% Senior Secured Notes due 2027. The redemption was completed at a price of 103% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest up to, but excluding, the redemption date. The redemption was funded with available liquidity, which included cash and cash equivalents and the undrawn portion of Enerflex’s lower cost $800 million revolving credit facility.
    • Enerflex’s bank-adjusted net debt-to-EBITDA ratio was approximately 1.5x at the end of Q4/24, down from 2.3x at the end of Q4/23 and 1.9x at the end of Q3/24. The leverage ratio at the end of Q4/24 is within Enerflex’s target bank-adjusted net debt-to-EBITDA ratio range of 1.5x to 2.0x.
    • The Company maintains strong liquidity with access to $614 million under its credit facility.

    __________________________________________
    1 During the fourth quarter of 2024, the Company modified its calculation of free cash flow. Free cash flow is now defined as cash provided by (used in) operating activities, less total capital expenditures (growth and maintenance) for PP&E and EI assets, mandatory debt repayments, and lease payments, while proceeds on disposals of PP&E and EI assets are added back. Refer to the “Free Cash Flow” section of this press release for further details.
    2 The Company defines bank-adjusted net debt to EBITDA as borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility (“RCF”) and its 9.00% Senior Secured Notes due 2027 (the “Notes”) less cash and cash equivalents, divided by EBITDA as defined by the Company’s lenders for the trailing 12- months.


    MANAGEMENT COMMENTARY

    “We delivered a strong finish to the year, with solid operating results across Enerflex’s geographies and product lines,” said Marc Rossiter, Enerflex’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “Our Energy Infrastructure and After-Market Services business lines continue to provide steady, reliable performance and revenue streams, reinforcing Enerflex’s ability to deliver sustainable returns across our global platform. Our Engineered Systems business delivered solid performance throughout 2024, highlighted by strong project execution.”

    Rossiter continued, “As we enter 2025, visibility across our business remains solid, underpinned by a $1.5 billion contract backlog for our Energy Infrastructure assets, the recurring nature of our After-Market Services business, and a $1.3 billion Engineered Systems backlog. By focusing on operational execution, optimizing our core business, and maintaining disciplined capital allocation, we expect to further reduce debt and create meaningful long-term value for our shareholders.”

    Preet S. Dhindsa, Enerflex’s Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, stated, “Enerflex delivered fourth-quarter results that exceeded the ranges included in our 2024 guidance. We are particularly pleased with our ongoing progress in efficiently managing working capital, lowering net finance costs, and optimizing the Company’s debt stack. Backed by Enerflex’s strong global leadership team and talented employees, we continue to enhance the profitability and resilience of our operations. Our focus remains on generating sustainable free cash flow, further improving our balance sheet health and positioning the Company for long-term growth and value creation.”

    SUMMARY RESULTS

      Three months ended
    December 31,
    Twelve months ended
    December 31,
    ($ millions, except percentages and ratios)   2024   2023   2024   2023
    Revenue $ 561 $ 574 $ 2,414 $ 2,343
    Gross margin   140   119   504   457
    Gross margin as a percentage of revenue   25.0%   20.7%   20.9%   19.5%
    Selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”)   92   74   327   293
    Foreign exchange (gain) loss   (2)   16   4   43
    Operating income   50   29   173   121
    EBITDA1   92     364   240
    EBIT1   47   (51)   179   42
    EBT1   21   (76)   81   (52)
    Net earnings (loss)   15   (95)   32   (83)
    Cash provided by operating activities   113   158   324   206
                     
    Key Financial Performance Indicators (“KPIs”)2                
    ES bookings3 $ 301 $ 265 $ 1,401 $ 1,306
    ES backlog3   1,280   1,134   1,280   1,134
    EI contract backlog4   1,545   1,700   1,545   1,700
    Gross margin before depreciation and amortization (“Gross margin before D&A”)5   174   158   642   609
    Gross margin before D&A as a percentage of revenue5   31.0%   27.5%   26.6%   26.0%
    Adjusted EBITDA6   121   91   432   378
    Free cash flow7   76   139   222   95
    Net debt   616   824   616   824
    Bank-adjusted net debt to EBITDA ratio   1.5x   2.3x   1.5x   2.3x
    Return on capital employed (“ROCE”)8   10.3%   2.1%   10.3%   2.1%


    1
    EBITDA is defined as earnings before finance costs, income taxes, depreciation and amortization. EBIT is defined as earnings before finance costs and income taxes. EBT is defined as earnings before taxes.
    2These KPIs are non-IFRS measures. Further detail is provided in the “Non-IFRS Measures” section of the fourth quarter 2024 MD&A.
    3Refer to the “ES Bookings and Backlog” section of the MD&A for more information on these KPIs.
    4Refer to the “EI Contract Backlog” section of the MD&A.
    5Refer to the “Gross Margin by Product line” section of the MD&A for further details.
    6Refer to the “Adjusted EBITDA” section of the MD&A for further details.
    7During the fourth quarter of 2024, the Company modified its calculation of free cash flow. Free cash flow is now defined as cash provided by (used in) operating activities, less total capital expenditures (growth and maintenance) for PP&E and EI assets, mandatory debt repayments, and lease payments, while proceeds on disposals of PP&E and EI assets are added back. Refer to the “Free Cash Flow” section of this press release for further details.
    8Determined by using the trailing 12-month period.

    Enerflex’s consolidated financial statements and notes (the “financial statements”) and Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) as at December 31, 2024, can be accessed on the Company’s website at www.enerflex.com and under the Company’s SEDAR+ and EDGAR profiles at www.sedarplus.ca and www.sec.gov/edgar, respectively.

    OUTLOOK        

    During 2025, Enerflex’s priorities include: (1) enhancing the profitability of core operations; (2) leveraging the Company’s leading position in core operating countries to capitalize on expected increases in natural gas and produced water volumes; and (3) maximizing free cash flow to further strengthen Enerflex’s financial position, provide direct shareholder returns, and invest in selective customer supported growth opportunities.

    Industry Update

    Enerflex’s preliminary outlook for 2025 reflects steady demand across its business lines and geographic regions. Operating results will be underpinned by the highly contracted EI product line and the recurring nature of AMS, which together are expected to account for approximately 65% of our gross margin before depreciation and amortization. Enerflex’s EI product line is supported by customer contracts, which are expected to generate approximately $1.5 billion of revenue during their current terms.

    Complementing Enerflex’s recurring revenue businesses is the ES product line, which carried a backlog of approximately $1.3 billion as at December 31, 2024, the majority of which is expected to convert into revenue over the next 12 months. During 2025, ES gross margin before depreciation and amortization is expected to be more consistent with the historical long-term average for this business line, reflective of the weakness in domestic natural gas prices during much of 2024 and a shift of project mix in Enerflex’s ES backlog. Notwithstanding, near-term revenue for this business line is expected to remain steady. Enerflex is encouraged by initial customer response to improved domestic natural gas prices, and the medium-term outlook for ES products and services continues to be attractive, driven by expected increases in natural gas and produced water volumes across Enerflex’s global footprint.

    The Company continues to closely monitor geopolitical tensions across North America, including the potential application of tariffs. Based on currently available information, the direct impact of tariffs on Enerflex’s business is expected to be mitigated by the Company’s diversified operations and proactive risk management. Enerflex’s operations in the USA, Canada and Mexico are largely distinct in the customers and projects they serve, and the Company has been working to mitigate the impact of potential tariffs. The United States is Enerflex’s largest operating region, generating 45% of consolidated revenue in 2024 by destination of sale, and we believe the Company is well positioned to benefit from growth in domestic energy production. Enerflex’s operations in Canada and Mexico generated 10% and 3% of consolidated revenue in 2024, respectively.

    Capital Spending

    Enerflex is targeting a disciplined capital program in 2025, with total capital expenditures of $110 million to $130 million. This includes a total of approximately $70 million for maintenance and PP&E capital expenditures. Similar to 2024, disciplined capital spending will focus on customer supported opportunities in the USA and Middle East. Notably, the fundamentals for contract compression in the USA remain strong, led by expected increases in natural gas production in the Permian basin and capital spending discipline from market participants. Enerflex will continue to make selective customer supported growth investments in this business.

    Capital Allocation

    Providing meaningful direct shareholder returns is a priority for Enerflex. With the Company operating within its target leverage range of bank-adjusted net debt-to-EBITDA ratio of 1.5x to 2.0x, Enerflex is positioned to increase direct shareholder returns. This is reflected through the previously announced 50% increase of the Company’s quarterly dividend.

    Going forward, capital allocation decisions will be based on delivering value to Enerflex shareholders and measured against Enerflex’s ability to maintain balance sheet strength. In addition to increases to the Company’s dividend, share repurchases, and disciplined growth capital spending, Enerflex will also consider reducing leverage below its target range to further improve balance sheet strength and lower net finance costs. Unlocking greater financial flexibility positions the Company to capitalize on opportunities to optimize its debt stack and respond to evolving market conditions.

    DIVIDEND DECLARATION

    Enerflex is committed to paying a sustainable quarterly cash dividend to shareholders. The Board of Directors has declared a quarterly dividend of CAD$0.0375 per share, payable on March 24, 2025, to shareholders of record on March 10, 2025. With this dividend declaration, Enerflex has shortened the number of calendar days between its record date and payment date to better align the Company’s dividend approach with peers.

    CONFERENCE CALL AND WEBCAST DETAILS

    Investors, analysts, members of the media, and other interested parties, are invited to participate in a conference call and audio webcast on Thursday, February 27, 2025 at 8:00 a.m. (MST), where members of senior management will discuss the Company’s results. A question-and-answer period will follow.

    To participate, register at https://register.vevent.com/register/BI3947144f36ac4488be4e38db59385a7f. Once registered, participants will receive the dial-in numbers and a unique PIN to enter the call. The audio webcast of the conference call will be available on the Enerflex website at www.enerflex.com under the Investors section or can be accessed directly at https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/dvksnz6g/.

    NON-IFRS MEASURES

    Throughout this news release and other materials disclosed by the Company, Enerflex employs certain measures to analyze its financial performance, financial position, and cash flows, including net debt-to-EBITDA ratio and bank-adjusted net debt-to-EBITDA ratio. These non-IFRS measures are not standardized financial measures under IFRS and may not be comparable to similar financial measures disclosed by other issuers. Accordingly, non-IFRS measures should not be considered more meaningful than generally accepted accounting principles measures as indicators of Enerflex’s performance. Refer to “Non-IFRS Measures” of Enerflex’s MD&A for the three months ended December 31, 2024, for information which is incorporated by reference into this news release and can be accessed on Enerflex’s website at www.enerflex.com and under the Company’s SEDAR+ and EDGAR profiles at www.sedarplus.ca and www.sec.gov/edgar, respectively.

    ADJUSTED EBITDA

    Three months ended
    December 31, 2024
    ($ millions)   NAM   LATAM   EH   Total
    Net earnings1             $ 15
    Income taxes1               6
    Net finance costs1,2               26
    EBIT3 $ 34 $ 11 $ 4 $ 47
    Depreciation and Amortization   19   12   14   45
    EBITDA $ 53 $ 23 $ 18 $ 92
    Restructuring, transaction and integration costs   1       1
    Share-based compensation   11   2   3   16
    Impact of finance leases                
    Principal payments received       10   10
    Loss on redemption options3               2
    Adjusted EBITDA $ 65 $ 25 $ 31 $ 121


    1
    The Company included net earnings, income taxes, and net finance costs on a consolidated basis to reconcile to EBIT.
    2Net finance costs are considered corporate expenditures and therefore have not been allocated to reporting segments.
    3EBIT includes $2 million loss on redemption options associated with the Notes. Debt is managed within Corporate and is not allocated to reporting segments.

    Three months ended
    December 31, 2023
    ($ millions)   NAM   LATAM   EH   Total
    Net loss1             $ (95)
    Income taxes1               19
    Net finance costs1,2               25
    EBIT $ 47 $ (84) $ (14) $ (51)
    Depreciation and amortization   18   14   19   51
    EBITDA $ 65 $ (70) $ 5 $
    Restructuring, transaction and integration costs   3   2   13   18
    Share-based compensation   (1)       (1)
    Impact of finance leases                
    Principal payments received       9   9
    Goodwill impairment     65     65
    Adjusted EBITDA $ 67 $ (3) $ 27 $ 91


    1
    The Company included net earnings, income taxes, and net finance costs on a consolidated basis to reconcile to EBIT.
    2Net finance costs are considered corporate expenditures and therefore have not been allocated to reporting segments.

    Twelve months ended
    December 31, 2024
    ($ millions)   NAM   LATAM   EH   Total
    Net earnings1             $ 32
    Income taxes1               49
    Net finance costs1,2               98
    EBIT3 $ 166 $ 29 $ (33) $ 179
    Depreciation and amortization   74   53   58   185
    EBITDA $ 240 $ 82 $ 25 $ 364
    Restructuring, transaction and integration costs   7   4   3   14
    Share-based compensation   19   5   5   29
    Impact of finance leases                
    Upfront gain       (3)   (3)
    Principal payments received     1   44   45
    Gain on redemption options3               (17)
    Adjusted EBITDA $ 266 $ 92 $ 74 $ 432


    1
    The Company included net earnings, income taxes, and net finance costs on a consolidated basis to reconcile to EBIT.
    2Net finance costs are considered corporate expenditures and therefore have not been allocated to reporting segments.
    3EBIT includes $17 million gain on redemption options associated with the Notes. Debt is managed within Corporate and is not allocated to reporting segments.

    Twelve months ended
    December 31, 2023
    ($ millions)   NAM   LATAM   EH   Total
    Net loss1             $ (83)
    Income taxes1               31
    Net finance costs1,2               94
    EBIT $ 127 $ (90) $ 5 $ 42
    Depreciation and amortization   69   48   81   198
    EBITDA $ 196 $ (42) $ 86 $ 240
    Restructuring, transaction and integration costs   11   10   23   44
    Share-based compensation   4   1   1   6
    Impact of finance leases                
    Upfront gain       (13)   (13)
    Principal payments received     1   35   36
    Goodwill impairment     65     65
    Adjusted EBITDA $ 211 $ 35 $ 132 $ 378


    1
    The Company included net earnings, income taxes, and net finance costs on a consolidated basis to reconcile to EBIT.
    2Net finance costs are considered corporate expenditures and therefore have not been allocated to reporting segments.


    FREE CASH FLOW AND DIVIDEND PAYOUT RATIO

    The Company modified its calculation of free cash flow to include a deduction for growth capital expenditures and exclude the deduction for dividends paid. Free cash flow is now defined as cash provided by (used in) operating activities, less total capital expenditures (growth and maintenance) for PP&E and EI assets, mandatory debt repayments, and lease payments, while proceeds on disposals of PP&E and EI assets are added back. This modification is aimed at providing additional clarity into Enerflex’s free cash flow and help users of the financial statements assess the level of free cash generated to fund other non-operating activities. These activities could include dividend payments, share repurchases, and non-mandatory debt repayments. Free cash flow may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies as it does not have a standardized meaning under IFRS. Management has adopted this non-IFRS measure to improve comparability with its peers.

      Three months ended
    December 31,
    Twelve months ended
    December 31,
    ($ millions, except percentages)   2024   2023   2024   2023
    Cash provided by operating activities before changes in working capital and other1 $ 74 $ 46 $ 218 $ 193
    Net change in working capital and other   39   112   106   13
    Cash provided by operating activities2 $ 113 $ 158 $ 324 $ 206
    Less:                
    Capital expenditures – Maintenance and PP&E   (21)   (13)   (53)   (45)
    Capital expenditures – Growth   (11)   (4)   (22)   (61)
    Mandatory debt repayments     (10)   (10)   (20)
    Lease payments   (5)   (3)   (20)   (15)
    Add:                
    Proceeds on disposals of PP&E and EI assets     11   3   30
    Free cash flow $ 76 $ 139 $ 222 $ 95
    Dividends paid   2   2   9   9
    Dividend payout ratio   2.6%   1.4%   4.1%   9.5%


    1
    Enerflex also refers to cash provided by operating activities before changes in working capital and other as “Funds from operations” or “FFO”.
    2Enerflex also refers to cash provided by operating activities as “Cashflow from operations” or “CFO”.


    BANK-ADJUSTED NET DEBT-TO-EBITDA RATIO

    The Company defines net debt as short- and long-term debt less cash and cash equivalents at period end, which is then divided by EBITDA for the trailing 12 months. In assessing whether the Company is compliant with the financial covenants related to its debt instruments, certain adjustments are made to net debt and EBITDA to determine Enerflex’s bank-adjusted net debt-to-EBITDA ratio. These adjustments and Enerflex’s bank-adjusted net-debt-to EBITDA ratio are calculated in accordance with, and derived from, the Company’s financing agreements.

    GROSS MARGIN BEFORE DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION

    Gross margin before depreciation and amortization is a non-IFRS measure defined as gross margin excluding the impact of depreciation and amortization. The historical costs of assets may differ if they were acquired through acquisition or constructed, resulting in differing depreciation. Gross margin before depreciation and amortization is useful to present operating performance of the business before the impact of depreciation and amortization that may not be comparable across assets.

    ADVISORY REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

    This news release contains “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws and “forward-looking statements” (and together with “forward-looking information”, “FLI”) within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the US Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact are FLI. The use of any of the words “anticipate”, “believe”, “could”, “estimate”, “expect”, “future”, “intend”, “may”, “plan”, “potential”, “predict”, “should”, “will” and similar expressions, (including negatives thereof) are intended to identify FLI.

    In particular, this news release includes (without limitation) forward-looking information and statements pertaining to:

    • expectations that the North American contract compression fleet will grow to over 475,000 horsepower by the end of 2025;
    • the Company’s expectations to further reduce debt, provide direct shareholder returns and create meaningful long-term value for Enerflex shareholders, and the timing associated therewith, if at all;
    • disclosures under the heading “Outlook” including:
      • steady demand will continue across our business lines and geographic regions for 2025;
      • the highly contracted EI product line and the recurring nature of AMS will, together, account for approximately 65% of Enerflex’s gross margin before depreciation and amortization;
      • customer contracts within Enerflex’s EI product line will generate approximately $1.5 billion of revenue during their current terms;  
      • a majority of the ES product line backlog of approximately $1.3 billion as at December 31, 2024, will convert into revenue over the next 12 months;
      • ES gross margin before depreciation and amortization is expected to be more consistent with the historical long-term average for this business line with near term revenue remaining steady;
      • the potential application of tariffs and the anticipated impact of such tariffs including the Company’s expectation that such impact to Enerflex will be mitigated by the Company’s diversified operations and proactive risk management;
      • that the Company is well positioned to benefit from growth in domestic energy production;
      • total capital expenditures in 2025 will be $110 million to $130 million which includes approximately $70 million for maintenance and PP&E capital expenditures; and
      • the fundamentals for contract compression in the USA remain strong, led by expected increases in natural gas production in the Permian and capital spending discipline from market participants;
    • the ability of Enerflex to continue to pay a sustainable quarterly cash dividend.

    FLI reflect management’s current beliefs and assumptions with respect to such things as the impact of general economic conditions; commodity prices; the markets in which Enerflex’s products and services are used; general industry conditions, forecasts, and trends; changes to, and introduction of new, governmental regulations, laws, and income taxes; increased competition; availability of qualified personnel; political unrest and geopolitical conditions; and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of Enerflex. More specifically, Enerflex’s expectations in respect of its FLI are based on a number of assumptions, estimates and projections developed based on past experience and anticipated trends, including but not limited to:

    • any potential tariffs imposed will have a manageable impact on our operations and cost structure and increased domestic energy production will offset any negative effects of such tariffs;
    • market dynamics, including increased energy demand, infrastructure development, and production activity, will drive growth in natural gas and produced water volumes across Enerflex’s core operating countries;
    • market conditions, customer activity, and industry fundamentals will support stable demand across our business lines and geographic regions throughout 2025;
    • the high level of contractual commitments within the EI product line and the predictable, recurring revenue from AMS will continue;
    • existing customer contracts within the EI product line will remain in effect and with no material cancellations or renegotiations over their remaining terms;
    • the execution of projects within the ES product line will proceed as scheduled and the conversion to revenue will proceed without significant delays or cancellations;
    • no significant unforeseen cost overruns or project delays;
    • Enerflex will maintain sufficient cash flow, profitability, and financial flexibility to support the ongoing payment of a sustainable quarterly cash dividend, subject to market conditions, operational performance, and board approval.

    As a result of the foregoing, actual results, performance, or achievements of Enerflex could differ and such differences could be material from those expressed in, or implied by, the FLI. The principal risks, uncertainties and other factors affecting Enerflex and its business are identified under the heading “Risk Factors” in: (i) Enerflex’s Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2024, dated February 27, 2025; and (ii) Enerflex’s Annual Report dated February 28, 2024, copies of which are available under the electronic profile of the Company on SEDAR+ and EDGAR at www.sedarplus.ca and www.sec.gov/edgar, respectively.

    The FLI included in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and are based on the information available to the Company at such time and, other than as required by law, Enerflex disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any FLI, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. This news release and its contents should not be construed, under any circumstances, as investment, tax, or legal advice.

    The outlook provided in this news release is based on assumptions about future events, including economic conditions and proposed courses of action, based on Management’s assessment of the relevant information currently available. The outlook is based on the same assumptions and risk factors set forth above and is based on the Company’s historical results of operations. The outlook set forth in this news release was approved by Management and the Board of Directors. Management believes that the prospective financial information set forth in this news release has been prepared on a reasonable basis, reflecting Management’s best estimates and judgments, and represents the Company’s expected course of action in developing and executing its business strategy relating to its business operations. The prospective financial information set forth in this news release should not be relied on as necessarily indicative of future results. Actual results may vary, and such variance may be material.

    ABOUT ENERFLEX

    Enerflex is a premier integrated global provider of energy infrastructure and energy transition solutions, deploying natural gas, low-carbon, and treated water solutions – from individual, modularized products and services to integrated custom solutions. With over 4,600 engineers, manufacturers, technicians, and innovators, Enerflex is bound together by a shared vision: Transforming Energy for a Sustainable Future. The Company remains committed to the future of natural gas and the critical role it plays, while focused on sustainability offerings to support the energy transition and growing decarbonization efforts.

    Enerflex’s common shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol “EFX” and on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “EFXT”. For more information about Enerflex, visit www.enerflex.com.

    For investor and media enquiries, contact:

    Marc Rossiter
    President and Chief Executive Officer
    E-mail: MRossiter@enerflex.com

    Preet S. Dhindsa
    Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
    E-mail: PDhindsa@enerflex.com

    Jeff Fetterly
    Vice President, Corporate Development and Investor Relations
    E-mail: JFetterly@enerflex.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK Statement at the UN HRC on Occupied Palestinian Territories

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Speech

    UK Statement at the UN HRC on Occupied Palestinian Territories

    UK Human Rights Ambassador Eleanor Sander’s statement during the Interactive Dialogue with the High Commissioner on the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

    High Commissioner, thank you for your update.

    Back on 7 October 2023, Israel suffered the worst terror attack in its history at the hands of Hamas: the hostages have suffered an unbearable trauma. 

    The people of Gaza, so many of whom have lost their lives, homes or loved ones, have also experienced a living nightmare.

    We’ve been crystal clear. Palestinian civilians must be permitted to return to their communities and rebuild. It is for Palestinians to determine the future of Gaza. And international humanitarian law must be respected.

    In the West Bank, the UK is deeply concerned at the expansion of Israel’s war aims and operations. Civilians must be protected.

    But let me be clear, the UK is opposed to the existence of item 7. The UK wants to see all countries face appropriate scrutiny of their human rights record but opposes the disproportionate focus of this item. 

    Mr President,

    The UK has urged all parties to sustain the ceasefire deal, implement the agreement in full, and support efforts to move to phase two and a sustainable peace.

    Indeed, let me reaffirm, once again, our support for a credible pathway towards a peaceful future for both Palestinians and Israelis, based on a two-state solution where they live side-by-side in peace, dignity and security. 

    Thank you.

    Updates to this page

    Published 27 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: £230m DHL investment in Coventry to create hundreds of local jobs

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    £230m DHL investment in Coventry to create hundreds of local jobs

    DHL Group has announced a £230 million e-commerce hub investment in Coventry creating up to 600 local jobs.

    • Major £230m investment in new state-of-the-art e-commerce hub in Coventry will create up to 600 local jobs.
    • New hub near Coventry Airport can handle up to 1 million parcels a day and is part of DHL e-Commerce’s wider £482m investment into the UK.
    • Minister Justin Madders will open the hub today, celebrating the latest in a series of job-boosting investments across the country.

    Logistics giant DHL has invested £230 million in a new state-of-the-art e-commerce hub in Coventry which will create up to 600 local jobs, in the latest in a series of job-boosting investments across the UK. 

    Today (27 February), Business Minister Justin Madders will formally open the new hub which covers 25,000 m² of space and can handle up to a million parcels a day, speeding up delivery times for UK consumers in a major win to the Coventry and wider West Midlands economy. 

    During his visit, the Minister will meet with DHL Group’s senior leadership, including CEO of DHL eCommerce Pablo Ciano, tour the new site to see the latest e-commerce technologies in action, and learn about how the new hub will benefit not only Coventry but the wider West Midlands.

    This announcement comes as the latest research shows the UK is expected to reach a turnover in e-commerce of £176 billion by 2029, leading all European economies. The latest figures from the Department for Business & Trade also show the West Midlands region landed 133 foreign direct investments in 2023/24, generating 7,581 new jobs.

    Securing investment is central to the Government’s mission to deliver economic growth which will create jobs, improve living standards, and make communities and families across the country better off as part of our Plan for Change.

    Since entering office, the Government has been focused on restoring economic stability – which is the foundation of growth – to give businesses the confidence to invest and expand in the UK, and today’s announcement from DHL is a major vote of confidence in the UK’s investment environment.  

    Business Minister Justin Madders said:

    The West Midlands is a powerhouse for investment, and this state-of-the-art hub in Coventry will not only create hundreds of local jobs but give a major boost to our logistics sector and speed up delivery times for consumers. 

    The UK is open for business, and DHL’s investment is the latest vote of confidence in the country which will deliver economic growth and raise living standards, showing our Plan for Change is working.

    Stuart Hill, CEO of DHL eCommerce UK said:

    As e-commerce continues to shape the way we live and work, this expansion will enable us to meet growing demand. The investment reflects our confidence in British business and our dedication to helping our customers thrive in the digital marketplace through innovation and best-in-class service delivery.

    By increasing our capacity with a state-of-the-art operation, we’re creating long-term jobs, growth opportunities for our customers and a blueprint for more sustainable logistics.

    DHL’s cutting-edge new site will help to grow UK e-commerce businesses and improve delivery to consumers across the UK, as well as improving export logistics for businesses in the region. The hub features secure bonded storage and customs capabilities to support international e-commerce, making it quicker and easier to dispatch parcels internationally.  

    The hub also provides EV charging points and 7,000m² of solar panels along with LED lighting. This minimises the site’s environmental impact and preserves the area’s natural biodiversity – supporting the government’s ambitions to make the UK a clean energy superpower. 

    Economic growth is the foundation of our Plan for Change, and DHL’s vote of confidence will play a vital role in not only unlocking further investment but turbocharging the UK’s logistics sector. 

    DHL’s announcement today is the latest in a series of recent investment wins for the UK, including: 

    • Creating nearly 38,000 jobs across the UK following our record-breaking International Investment Summit last October, with £63 billion worth of investment secured by companies such as Amazon Web Services, Iberdrola and Octopus Energy.
    • Car manufacturer Nissan, and the Japan Automatic Transmission Company (JATCO) securing a £50 million investment deal in partnership with the government to create a new manufacturing plant in Sunderland.
    • US company Knighthead’s £3 billion regeneration project in East Birmingham, creating 8,400 new jobs annually, paving the way for a new 60,000-seater stadium alongside a sports campus of training facilities, a new academy, and community pitches.
    • Rolls Royce investing £300m in the expansion of their Goodwood facility to meet the growing demand for bespoke upgrades.
    • JLR investing £500 million in its Halewood facility to enable the production of electric vehicles, alongside existing combustion and hybrid models.
    • Blackstone’s £10 billion investment to create the biggest AI data centre in Europe, creating 4000 jobs.
    • Eren Holding investing £1 billion in the redevelopment of Shotton Mill in North Wales, safeguarding 147 jobs and creating a further 220 jobs.
    • Heathrow Airport announcing a multibillion-pound investment programme to expand the airport, including new terminal buildings, aircraft stands, passenger infrastructure and work towards its third runway.

    Background:

    Updates to this page

    Published 27 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI: Asimily and Blood Centers of America Partner to Protect the Nation’s Blood Banking Network from Cyberattacks

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SUNNYVALE, Calif., Feb. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Asimily, a leading innovator in IoT, OT, and IoMT risk management, today announced a partnership with Blood Centers of America (BCA), whose 60+ member and affiliate organizations are responsible for over 50% of the U.S. blood supply. This partnership makes Asimily’s comprehensive Lab, Medical Device, and IoT security and risk management platform directly available to all BCA members, enabling blood centers to protect their critical connected equipment and sensitive data.

    This partnership addresses protecting the various connected devices in the blood bank ecosystem, from collections through testing and ultimately distribution.

    “The security of our members’ operations directly impacts the safety and availability of America’s blood supply,” said Sam Keith, Senior Vice President, Blood Centers of America. “By partnering with Asimily, we’re ensuring our nationwide member organizations have the industry-leading solution to secure their Lab, Medical, and IoT devices and to protect their critical equipment and sensitive data. The Asimily platform’s capabilities, the trust that other healthcare-industry customers have in Asimily, and BCA’s support have made this an ideal solution for securing our operations and protecting the communities we serve. This partnership reflects our commitment to providing our members with proven solutions that strengthen their operations and resilience.”

    Asimily’s platform combines comprehensive device visibility, vulnerability management, continuous threat monitoring, and streamlined remediation workflows that are optimized for healthcare and life sciences environments like blood centers. The company has extensive experience securing organizations’ critical healthcare operations, with customers including MemorialCare and Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare. Asimily is also the top-ranked medical device security solution by Gartner Peer Review Insights.

    “Recent security breaches continue to underscore how attractive healthcare and life sciences targets are for cybercriminals—unfortunately, blood centers have been part of that story,” said Mike McDermott, Vice President, Asimily. “Particularly with FDA guidance becoming more specific and urgent for blood centers, Asimily’s technology ensures that all devices and equipment can be monitored for the most current and serious vulnerabilities and threats. With Asimily, blood centers can confidently scale IoT assets with the visibility and continuous monitoring required to protect data thoroughly and efficiently.”

    The Asimily platform enables BCA members to:

    • Monitor all connected devices, including critical blood testing and processing equipment
    • Reduce their threat surface by mitigating exploitable vulnerabilities
    • Detect and respond to threats before they impact blood center operations
    • Automate security operations with healthcare-optimized workflows
    • Meet stringent compliance requirements and follow FDA guidance
    • Safeguard sensitive patient data and intellectual property

    For more information about Asimily’s security solutions for blood centers, BCA members can contact Asimily’s IoT specialist team.

    About Asimily

    Asimily has built an industry-leading risk management platform that secures IoT devices for organizations in healthcare, manufacturing, higher education, government, life sciences, retail, and finance. With the most extensive knowledge base of IoT and security protocols, Asimily inventories and classifies every device across organizations, both connected and standalone. Because risk assessment—and threats—are not a static target, Asimily monitors organizations’ devices, detects anomalous behavior, and alerts operators to remediate any identified anomalies. With secure IoT devices and equipment, Asimily customers know their business-critical devices and data are safe. For more information on Asimily, visit https://www.asimily.com

    About BCA

    Blood Centers of America (BCA) is the largest blood supply network in the U.S., uniquely positioning us to sustain, advocate and mobilize for the nation’s blood supply. Our 60+ independent community blood centers collect and distribute 50% of the nation’s blood supply, delivering reliable service with a profound commitment to the communities we serve. For more information about BCA, visit https://www.bca.coop

    Asimily Contact

    Kyle Peterson

    kyle@clementpeterson.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Cenovus Energy announces redemption of Series 5 Preferred Shares

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CALGARY, Alberta, Feb. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Cenovus Energy Inc. (“Cenovus” or the “Company”) (TSX: CVE) (NYSE: CVE) announced today it will exercise its right to redeem the Company’s 4.591% Series 5 Preferred Shares (the “Series 5 Preferred Shares”) on March 31, 2025 (the “Redemption”). All 8 million Series 5 Preferred Shares outstanding will be redeemed at the price of $25.00 per share, for an aggregate amount payable to holders of $200 million, less required withholdings, if any, funded primarily from cash on hand.

    As previously announced, the Company’s Board of Directors has declared a quarterly dividend of $0.28694 per Series 5 Preferred Share payable on March 31, 2025, to shareholders of record as of March 14, 2025. This will be the final dividend paid on the Series 5 Preferred Shares.

    Inquiries from registered holders of Series 5 Preferred Shares should be directed to Cenovus’s Registrar and Transfer Agent, Computershare Investor Services Inc. at 1-866-332-8898 or (514) 982-8717 outside North America. Beneficial holders, who are not directly registered holders of Series 5 Preferred Shares, should contact the financial institution, broker, or other intermediary through which they hold these shares to confirm how they will receive their redemption proceeds.

    Advisory

    This news release contains certain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively referred to as “forward-looking information”), within the meaning of applicable securities legislation, about Cenovus’s current expectations, estimates and projections about the future, based on certain assumptions made in light of the Company’s experiences and perceptions of historical trends. Although Cenovus believes that the expectations represented by such forward-looking information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking information in this news release is identified by words such as “anticipate”, “continue”, “expect”, “intend”, “will” or similar expressions and includes suggestions of future outcomes, including, but not limited to, statements about: the completion of the Redemption, including the timing and funding thereof and the dividend payments with respect to the Series 5 Preferred Shares.

    Developing forward-looking information involves reliance on a number of assumptions and consideration of certain risks and uncertainties, some of which are specific to Cenovus and others that apply to the industry generally.

    Except as required by applicable securities laws, Cenovus disclaims any intention or obligation to publicly update or revise any forward‐looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing lists are not exhaustive and are made as at the date hereof. Events or circumstances could cause actual results to differ materially from those estimated or projected and expressed in, or implied by, the forward‐looking information. Accordingly, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. For additional information regarding Cenovus’s material risk factors, the assumptions made, and risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ from the anticipated results, refer to “Risk Management and Risk Factors” and “Advisory” in Cenovus’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the period ended December 31, 2024, and to the risk factors, assumptions and uncertainties described in other documents Cenovus files from time to time with securities regulatory authorities in Canada, which are available on SEDAR+ at sedarplus.ca, on EDGAR at sec.gov and Cenovus’s website at cenovus.com.

    Cenovus Energy Inc.

    Cenovus Energy Inc. is an integrated energy company with oil and natural gas production operations in Canada and the Asia Pacific region, and upgrading, refining and marketing operations in Canada and the United States. The company is focused on managing its assets in a safe, innovative and cost-efficient manner, integrating environmental, social and governance considerations into its business plans. Cenovus common shares and warrants are listed on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges, and the company’s preferred shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange. For more information, visit cenovus.com.

    Find Cenovus on Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube and Instagram.

    Cenovus contacts

    Investors Media
    Investor Relations general line Media Relations general line
    403-766-7711 403-766-7751

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Global: Gene Hackman will be remembered as the Hollywood actor’s actor

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Will Jeffery, Sessional Academic, Discipline of Film Studies, University of Sydney

    Gene Hackman, an acting titan of 1970s and ‘80s Hollywood with more than 80 screen credits to his name, has died at 95. He was found dead in his home with his wife, pianist Betsy Arakawa, and his dog.

    Hackman had a rugged, dominating and commanding presence on screen, known for his emotionally honest, raw and fierce performances. Always the tough guy, never the romantic lead, off camera he was shy and enjoyed the quiet life.

    I first saw Hackman as a child in The Poseidon Adventure (1972). My dad put the film on for the upside-down ocean liner disaster sequences, but it was Hackman who left a lasting impression. I vividly remember being so moved by his final speech berating God for deserting the ship’s passengers and crew while he hangs from a pressure valve door over flames.

    There is no actor who comes close to conveying authority with such humanity and reserve.

    He was often referred to as the actor’s actor and mentioned by Hollywood A-listers such as Kevin Costner as the best actor they’ve ever worked with. Clint Eastwood, once Hackman retired, described him as “too good not to be performing”.

    Hackman will leave a legacy to be studied and appreciated for years to come.

    Finding a foot in show business

    Born in San Bernardino, California, on January 30 1930, Hackman’s family moved to Danville, Illinois, when he was three. Hackman’s father left when he was 13, which he described to James Lipton on Inside the Actors Studio as his father “driving by with a casual wave goodbye”.

    Hackman joked to Lipton the departure of his father at an early age made him a better actor.

    Hackman left Danville at the age of 16 to join the marines, where he spent roughly four years. He was a rebellious child, but as Peter Shelley detailed in his biography of Hackman, the marine corps was the first time he gave in to authority.

    After the marine corps, Hackman moved to New York wanting to become an actor, telling people he was inspired by tough guy James “Jimmy” Cagney.

    In New York, Hackman struggled making a living as an artist while waiting for his breakthrough (his uncle told him to give up and get an honest job). Moving to California, he became friends early on with Dustin Hoffman (they finally appeared opposite each other in Hackman’s penultimate film, 2003’s Runaway Jury).

    After struggling for years, Hackman landed his first credited screen role in 1964’s Lilith at the age of 34. He played a small part opposite upcoming star Warren Beatty.

    As Hackman recounted to Lipton, Beatty told director Arthur Penn how great Hackman was in a scene they did together. That landed Hackman his breakthrough role playing Buck Barrow opposite Beatty and Faye Dunaway in the 1967 hit Bonnie and Clyde, earning him an Oscar nomination for best supporting actor.

    Breaking through in the 1970s

    It wasn’t until the 1970s that Hackman began his leading role career, starring in The French Connection (1971) as the unforgettable hard-boiled New York detective Jimmy “Popeye” Doyle. This role earned him his first Academy Award, for best actor.

    He was to wait more than 20 years for his second and final Academy Award, for playing the ruthless Little Bill Daggett opposite Clint Eastwood in Unforgiven (1992).

    Throughout the 1970s, Hackman was gaining huge popularity on screen, sharing records with the likes of Robert Redford and Harrison Ford as the highest grossing stars at the box office.

    There are too many great Hackman performances to mention, but my favourites are Unforgiven, The French Connection, The Poseidon Adventure, The Conversation (1974), Hoosiers (1986), Mississippi Burning (1988) and The Royal Tenenbaums (2001).

    The French Connection’s director, William Friedkin, said in an interview Hackman was anti-authority and anti-racism because of his upbringing in an area known for its large Ku Klux Klan presence, and his absent father.

    Hackman almost pulled out of The French Connection one week into shooting because he didn’t like “beating on people” for a four-month shoot. He told Friedkin “I don’t think I can do this,” but Friedkin refused to let him go.

    Hackman recalled he was eternally grateful Friedkin didn’t, as it was “the start of [his] career”.

    Hackman said his character Popeye Doyle was a “bigot, an antisemitic, and whatever else you wanted to call him”, and he famously struggled to say the N-word in one key scene. He initially protested the line but eventually went with it, believing “that’s who the guy is […] you couldn’t really whitewash him”.

    Hackman often played the character who had the greatest authority on the surface but slipped up, whether he was playing the hero or the villain. Even for a role such as Reverend Scott in The Poseidon Adventure, in which Hackman played a self-righteous preacher onboard the capsized SS Poseidon, he questions his religion as he leads the entire band of escapees to safety.

    A life after acting

    Hackman retired from acting in 2004 at age 74.

    There are many stories about why he retired, like, as Shelley writes, not wanting to play Hollywood “grandfathers” and his “heart wasn’t in shape”, but his life after acting gives a strong hint: he had other interests.

    Over the past 20 years, Hackman wrote three historical fiction novels, was a keen painter, and enjoyed exercise such as cycling. Married to classical pianist Arakawa from 1991 until their death, they lived in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where he designed his own home (yes, he also loved architecture!).

    A man of many talents who played a kaleidoscopic range of authoritative roles, Hackman will almost certainly be remembered mainly for his tough-guy performance in The French Connection – though many will also remember him as the Hollywood actor’s actor.

    Will Jeffery does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    ref. Gene Hackman will be remembered as the Hollywood actor’s actor – https://theconversation.com/gene-hackman-will-be-remembered-as-the-hollywood-actors-actor-233109

    MIL OSI – Global Reports

  • MIL-OSI Africa: African Leaders Unite to Mobilize African Investment and Financing for Implementing Agenda 2063

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

    ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, February 27, 2025/APO Group/ —

    On the sidelines of the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, African Heads of State, Government and Business Leaders convened for a Presidential Breakfast Dialogue to address the continent’s financing and investment gaps. The event was held under the theme “Africa at the Forefront: Mobilizing African Investment and Financing for Implementing Agenda 2063”.

    The dialogue, which was hosted by His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana and Champion on African Union Financial Institutions, in collaboration with the African Union Commission (AUC) and the Alliance of African Multilateral Financial Institutions (AAMFI), reaffirmed the continent’s commitment to accelerating self-reliant, sustainable economic development.

    In his keynote address, President Mahama emphasized the urgency of strengthening Africa’s financial independence through domestic resource mobilization, concessional financing, and strategic public-private partnerships. “Africa must harness its own financial and investment capacities to drive the transformative vision of Agenda 2063. We cannot continue to rely on external financing mechanisms that do not align with our long-term development goals,” he stated.

    Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director General, World Trade Organization (WTO) emphasized the need for Africans to take charge of their own development by shifting mindsets and strengthening financial self-sufficiency.

    She Said, “The Africa Club is a crucial step toward looking inward and harnessing our own potential. However, we need to focus on four key priorities for Africa’s financial and economic transformation: Firstly, strengthening African financial institutions – If we are to finance our continent’s development, we must capitalize our own financial institutions, including national development banks, ensuring they have the resources to support Africa’s needs. Secondly, let’s address debt challenges to attract investment – we must focus on attracting and retaining investment, including foreign direct investment (FDI), and implementing coordinated strategies to leverage equity financing. Instead of relying on aid, Africa should push for partnerships that channel financial resources into investments. Thirdly, let’s leverage domestic resources – with over $250 billion in pension funds on the continent, we must tap into these resources for development. Strengthening our capital markets, integrating African financial institutions, and utilizing diaspora bonds can significantly boost Africa’s financial resilience. Lastly, let’s drive trade and economic growth – sustainable financing hinges on Africa’s ability to grow its economies, trade more, and add value to its products. Without economic expansion, the resources needed to bridge financing gaps will remain out of reach.”

    Speaking during the dialogue, H.E. Dr. Monique Nsanzabaganwa, Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission, highlighted Africa’s immense potential and the critical role of collaboration. “This is an exciting time for Africa, which has been stretching and renewing itself economically, politically, and socially in recent years. Only the grumpiest pessimists will bet against this new era of ‘Africa Time’ for its economic and social transformation as envisioned under Agenda 2063.”

    Dr. Nsanzabaganwa urged investors to seize the opportunities within Africa’s evolving economic landscape. “You will be right to have faith and believe in investing in Africa. The continent is perceived as the ‘new frontier,’ the ‘future paradise’ that sharpens a race to markets by an increasing number of investors.”

    Speaking on behalf of AAMFI, Prof. Benedict O. Oramah, Chairperson of AAMFI’s Governing Council and President of Afreximbank, underscored the significance of African financial institutions leading the charge in development finance. “AAMFI represents Africa’s collective financial strength, and through coordinated action, we will mobilize resources at scale to achieve Agenda 2063,” he stated. He further emphasized Africa’s need for financial solidarity in debt resolution: “We have developed a platform that will make it possible to jointly invest in projects that are impactful to the continent. There is no reason why the bridge across Congo Brazzaville and Congo Kinshasa should not be built, the cost is a mere US$500 million; there is no reason why railways cannot be built across Africa, at best they cost about US$1-2Bn. We cannot call for a reform of the international financial architecture on weak legs, no one will listen to us if they view us as mere beggars. We must rely on our own institutions and use this platform to leverage our individual and collective resources to transform our continent. Let’s strengthen our alliance to meet our set objectives.”

    The dialogue featured a high-level panel of distinguished leaders and finance experts, including: Dr. Donald Kaberuka, African Union (AU) High Representative for Financing of the Union and the Peace Fund; Samaila Zubairu, 1st Vice Chairperson, AAMFI and President & CEO of Africa Finance Corporation (AFC); Dr. Corneille Karekezi, 2nd Vice Chairperson AAMFI and Group Managing Director & CEO, African Reinsurance Corporation; Ahunna Eziakonwa, Assistant Administrator and Regional Director for Africa, UNDP; and H.E. Amb. Albert Muchanga, Commissioner for Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry, and Minerals, African Union Commission.

    Discussions centered on innovative strategies for mobilizing African capital, strengthening financial institutions, and leveraging the role of African Multilateral Financial Institutions (AMFIs) in financing critical development sectors such as infrastructure, industrialization, and trade.

    The event also witnessed special investment announcements:

    • African Trade Transformation Fund (ATTF), a groundbreaking USD5 billion concessional finance window initiative by Afreximbank to provide concessional financing to unlock new opportunities for African businesses and governments.
    • Shelter Afrique Development Bank (ShafDB) introduced the Catalytic Capital Replenishment Fund to bridge the housing and urban infrastructure gap in Africa which is reported to be a 53-million-unit deficit requiring $1.3 trillion to bridge. 
    • The African Reinsurance Corporation (Africa Re) Group has pledged $1 million to the African Union Peace Fund. Additionally, the Corporation donated $500,000 to the Africa CDC during the COVID-19 pandemic and has now authorized the use of the balance for Mpox response efforts. The Group Managing Director further stated that Africa Re has committed 2% of its net profits to the African Re Foundation, which will allocate funds to support various initiatives across the continent, including disaster risk financing.
    • The African Solidarity Fund (ASF) established two key partnerships: a $320 million Guarantee Line to enhance access to housing credit and a $240 million Credit Line Guarantee to support women and youth empowerment, fostering entrepreneurship in the WAEMU.
    • Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) launched a Debt for Equity initiative to support the capitalization of African Multilateral Financial Institutions by mobilizing resources from the Arab world towards sub-Saharan Africa. 

    African Heads of State & Government, including leaders from Angola, Nigeria, Mauritania, Rwanda, Zambia, Libya, Kenya, Cote d’Ivoire, Benin, and Equatorial Guinea, reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening Africa’s financial ecosystem and supporting the growth of AAMFIs as key instruments of economic transformation.

    The event concluded with a unified call to action for African governments, financial institutions, and the private sector to strengthen coordination and build strategic partnerships to accelerate Africa’s development by His Excellency Ambassador Albert Muchanga, Commissioner for Trade and Industry at the African Union Commission.

    MIL OSI Africa

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: London leaders unveil Growth Plan to turbocharge productivity and add more than £100bn to London’s economy

    Source: Mayor of London

    • London Growth Plan aims to put an extra £11k a year in the pocket of every Londoner and provide £27bn extra tax revenue to fund vital public services in the capital and across the country  
    • The plan targets restoring London’s productivity growth back to 2% per year – making London’s economy £107bn larger by 2035 
    • Plan’s inclusive growth ambitions include a 20% rise in household income for the lowest earning 20% of Londoners 
    • £21m additional funding this year will revitalise local high streets  
    • The Mayor and London Councils issue joint call on UK Government for more investment and devolution to boost local and national growth 

     

    The Mayor of London and London Councils have come together today (Thursday 27 February 2025) with local leaders from business, education and the voluntary sector to launch a bold new plan to turbocharge economic growth and increase prosperity across the capital.

     

    Developed together with London & Partners – in collaboration with businesses, trade unions and London’s communities – the London Growth Plan sets out a blueprint to kickstart the capital’s productivity, which has flatlined since the 2008 global financial crisis.

     

    The plan aims to restore productivity growth to an average of two per cent a year in the next decade, which would make London’s economy £107bn* larger by 2035 and put an extra £11,000 on average in the pockets of the near-nine million Londoners. This would also mean the capital contributing an extra £27.5bn in taxes to the Treasury in 2035, providing vital revenues for investment in public services.

     

    London’s productivity grew by an average of 3.16 per cent each year between 1998 and 2007, but between 2008 and 2022, average productivity growth was just 0.12 per cent a year. Growing productivity is the key to higher wages, higher living standards and increased investment in public services in London and across the UK.

     

    The new plan focuses on inclusive economic growth to make sure that more Londoners can contribute to and benefit from the capital’s success. Helping more Londoners into work, bringing down housing costs and improving public transport are all vital to reducing poverty in London, improving living standards and driving growth. The plan aims to achieve a 20 per cent rise in the household weekly income (after housing costs) of the lowest earning 20 per cent of Londoners – which would mean more than a million London households would have an extra £50 to spend each week, on average, after paying for housing costs. 

     

    The London Growth Plan outlines huge opportunities for turbocharging the capital’s economy and harnessing the growth potential of sectors such as AI, life sciences, robotics, clean tech, quantum computing and the creative industries. Key drivers to deliver the plan’s growth ambitions for the capital include a renewed focus on nurturing world-class talent, helping Londoners get the skills they need for productive careers, backing business innovation with new investment and technology, taking a bolder approach to housing and infrastructure, and reinvigorating London’s local high streets. 

     

    A long-term strategic relationship between London and the UK Government will be a crucial part of delivering the plan. London is the engine of the UK economy and, with national support, this plan can harness its economic power and potential for the benefit of all Londoners and the whole country, helping to fund investment in public services across Britain.

     

    Priorities in the London Growth Plan include:  

     

    • Backing business: London government will help to power ‘industrial innovation corridors’ around the capital – supporting new space, facilities and infrastructure to ensure innovation can thrive. This will build on the potential of the WestTech Corridor (anchored in White City going through Old Oak and Park Royal), the UK Innovation Corridor (anchored in the Knowledge Quarter going towards Cambridge) and the Thames Estuary (anchored in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park going out to Essex and Kent).  A new proposed London Tech and Inclusive Growth Fund could provide up to £100m loan and equity funding for high-growth small and midsize enterprises.  
    • Talent and skills: An Inclusive Talent Strategy will build the capital’s skilled workforce to unleash the potential of Londoners and – in turn – London’s economy. This will help create at least 150,000 high quality jobs, with a focus on fair pay and good work, to deliver Mayoral manifesto commitments. As well as supporting more people into work and ensuring all Londoners can get the skills or training needed to progress their careers, the strategy will help attract world-class talent to study and work in the capital. New rent-controlled Key Worker Homes will also help London to attract and retain its essential workforce. 
    • Housing and infrastructure: Local leaders will work with UK Government to extend and upgrade London’s public transport network, prioritising transformational projects to unlock new affordable homes and growth – including the Docklands Light Railway extension to Thamesmead, the Bakerloo line extension and the West London Orbital. The plan also calls for more devolution of London’s suburban rail services. This will be reinforced by the next London Plan, which will prioritise growth, increase housing delivery and ensure better digital connectivity.  
    • Inward investment and promotion: London will take the lead in implementing national reforms to the Local Government Pension Scheme, exploring the development of a major joint fund to invest in places that encourage innovation, including venture capital. The plan will also support London’s goal to be a net-zero city by 2030, attracting significant institutional capital for green infrastructure. There will be support to set up a new quantum tech incubator, London Life Sciences Week will be backed to become a key global event for the sector, and London leaders will explore a new business visitor centre to promote the capital’s world-leading offer by bringing companies together with agencies and developers.  
    • High streets and local economies: £21m additional funding this year will support boroughs with town centre regeneration, including potentially creating a publicly owned High Street Estate Agency to bring empty properties back into use. The plan also reiterates the Mayor’s commitment to revitalising neighbourhood policing so that the capital’s high streets always feel welcoming and safe.  

     

    Delivering the London Growth Plan will be a genuine partnership between the Mayor, local government leaders and central government, working in coalition with universities, incubators, accelerators, venture capitalists, innovation districts, corporate innovators, capital markets and international investors.  

     

    London’s leaders want central government to help unleash the capital’s economic potential by giving the Mayor and boroughs more freedoms to fund their own growth priorities, and the flexibility to spend money in the best way to drive good growth. This is on top of continuing to lobby the Government to secure agreements with our biggest international trading partners that ensure London’s key sectors can continue to grow and thrive.  

     

    Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “This growth plan provides a golden opportunity to turbocharge growth and unlock London’s full potential – for the benefit of all Londoners and the whole country.  

     

    “It’s a blueprint for how we can help to create 150,000 good jobs, build more affordable homes, deliver major new transport upgrades and skill up Londoners for the well-paid jobs of tomorrow. From AI, life sciences and climate tech to our financial and creative industries, London is home to many of the best businesses in the world, which we want to back to grow and thrive over the next decade. 

     

    “Ultimately, growth means little if people cannot feel the benefits or see the positive change it brings to their area. So our goal is to deliver economic growth in every corner of our city that helps to raise living standards, puts more money in people’s pockets and enables us to invest in our public services, as we continue to build a fairer and more prosperous London for all.” 

     

    Cllr Claire Holland, leader of London Councils, added: “The London Growth Plan is a blueprint to drive inclusive economic growth in the capital and across the UK, boosting productivity and ensuring more Londoners can feel the benefits of growth.

     

    “It sets out our ambitions to unleash growth in the industries of the future, deliver new housing and infrastructure to support the London economy, and develop a new Inclusive Talent Strategy, helping more people to get into work and get the skills they need to progress.

     

    “Boroughs are resolutely pro-growth and are committed to working with business, the Mayor of London and national government to turbocharge growth in every corner of our city.” 

     

    Laura Citron, chief executive of London & Partners, concluded: “This is a huge moment for our city: a shared vision, a clear plan, and now the momentum to make it happen. As the capital’s growth agency, we’ll be working closely with investors, entrepreneurs, partners, and places across the city to drive growth for London and Londoners – attracting investment, scaling our businesses, bringing in visitors and world-class events, while telling London’s story brilliantly. Our city is built on reinvention, and this is our next big chapter.”

    London’s universities and research institutes will be key partners in nurturing the talent and innovation required to deliver the Plan’s growth targets. The Plan highlights University College London’s Person-Environment-Activity Research Laboratory and Imperial’s recent purchase of the Victoria Industrial Estate in the proposed WestTech innovation corridor as examples of the specialist spaces needed to support inclusive growth. 

    Prof Hugh Brady, President of Imperial College London, said: “Universities like Imperial play a critical role in attracting and nurturing world-class talent, fuelling inclusive growth, and strengthening London’s position as a global leader in innovation. That’s why the best innovation ecosystems have world-renowned research universities at their heart.

    “The WestTech Corridor, anchored by Imperial College London, will be central to delivering the Mayor’s ambitious London Growth Plan, driving a vibrant innovation ecosystem in West London and acting as a powerful engine for investment, economic growth and job creation across the UK and the wider world.”

    Dr Michael Spence, President and Provost at UCL, said: “Innovation, driven by universities working with local government and businesses, has huge potential to spur growth and create jobs in London. The London Growth Plan reflects the importance of universities like UCL in helping to attract, nurture and realise inclusive growth in our capital city.

    “UCL’s campuses are at the heart of London’s innovation corridors, driving the talent pipeline alongside our cutting-edge facilities delivering world class research. Within ten minutes of our Bloomsbury campus, one of the world’s largest and most collaborative innovation districts is taking shape in the Knowledge Quarter, with huge potential to bring together life science, technology, healthcare and academia in one place. On Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, UCL East is at the heart of the UK’s newest culture and learning quarter at East Bank, a driving force behind cultural and creative industries innovation and regeneration in London.”

    The newly published London Growth Plan has also been welcomed by leading voices from across the capital’s business community.  

    Karim Fatehi OBE, Chief Executive of the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said: “LCCI welcomes the Mayor’s London Growth Plan to maximise London’s economic potential and maintain its position as the best city in the world to do business. Businesses of all sizes are the lifeblood of the London economy, and measures such as the London Tech and Inclusive Growth fund will help them grow and attract investment.

    “We especially welcome the Growth Plan’s focus on skills – giving Londoners access to industry-relevant training, employment and careers support. This inclusive strategy will ensure London’s economic success means prosperity for all Londoners.”

    Laura Timm, London Policy Representative at the Federation of Small Businesses, said: “FSB is delighted to see a strong, ambitious and upbeat Growth Plan that hones in on three key FSB drivers for small business growth—namely, access to targeted finance, cultivating a high-functioning skills system, and presenting opportunities for small firms to win public procurement contracts.

    “Over 99 per cent of all firms in the capital are small in size but significant in growth potential. We look forward to working with the Mayor of London, the Deputy Mayor for Business and other stakeholders in implementing the Growth Plan – which we hope will create the environment that helps a local small firm take on their first apprentice, seal an exporting opportunity, and tackle the scourge of business crimes up and down our high streets.”

    John Dickie, Chief Executive of Business LDN, said: “The bold ambitions set out in the London Growth Plan rightly focus on unlocking the city’s full potential so that businesses can succeed and Londoners thrive. Delivering on this agenda will require the city to double down on existing efforts to tackle barriers to inclusive growth such as housing and skills where we have the agency to act.

    “The Government needs to ensure London has the tools it needs to turbocharge growth and help the UK get out of the economic slow lane. This means stepping up by providing long-term, flexible funding to unlock vital infrastructure and affordable housing so that the city remains an attractive place to live, work, visit and do business.”

    Read more at www.growthplan.london.  

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI Video: Changing Landscape of Food | World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2025

    Source: World Economic Forum (video statements)

    In 2024, 1 in 11 people worldwide faced hunger, with continued inflation, conflict and the impact of climate change raising the risk of food insecurity and malnutrition globally.

    From farm to consumer, how can we rethink the economics of food?

    This session is linked to the ongoing work of the Food and Water initiative of the World Economic Forum.

    This session was developed in collaboration with CNBC.

    Speakers: Laurent Freixe, Asma Khan, Steve Sedgwick, Cindy H. McCain, Stefaan Decraene, Arnold Puech Pays d’Alissac

    The 55th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum will provide a crucial space to focus on the fundamental principles driving trust, including transparency, consistency and accountability.

    This Annual Meeting will welcome over 100 governments, all major international organizations, 1000 Forum’s Partners, as well as civil society leaders, experts, youth representatives, social entrepreneurs, and news outlets.

    The World Economic Forum is the International Organization for Public-Private Cooperation. The Forum engages the foremost political, business, cultural and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas. We believe that progress happens by bringing together people from all walks of life who have the drive and the influence to make positive change.

    World Economic Forum Website ► http://www.weforum.org/
    Facebook ► https://www.facebook.com/worldeconomicforum/
    YouTube ► https://www.youtube.com/wef
    Instagram ► https://www.instagram.com/worldeconomicforum/
    X ► https://twitter.com/wef
    LinkedIn ► https://www.linkedin.com/company/world-economic-forum
    TikTok ► https://www.tiktok.com/@worldeconomicforum
    Flipboard ► https://flipboard.com/@WEF

    #Davos2025 #WorldEconomicForum #wef25

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EqeSDebapQ

    MIL OSI Video

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Publication of financial reports: Federal Office of Justice imposes disciplinary fine on pferdewetten.de AG

    Source: Bundesanstalt für Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht – In English

    The disciplinary fine order related to a breach of section 325 of the German Commercial Code (Handelsgesetzbuch – HGB). pferdewetten.de AG failed to submit its accounting documents for the financial year 2023 for the purpose of disclosure to the operator of the German Federal Gazette (Bundesanzeiger) in electronic form within the prescribed period. The legal basis for the sanction is section 335 of the HGB.

    The company lodged an appeal against the Federal Office of Justice’s decision to impose a disciplinary fine.

    MIL OSI Global Banks

  • MIL-OSI: The recording of Šiaulių Bankas Investor Conference Webinar of introducing the financial results for the Year 2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    During the Investor Conference Webinar by Vytautas Sinius, CEO, Tomas Varenbergas, Head of Investment Management Division and Tautvydas Mėdžius, Strategy Partner introduced the Bank’s financial results for Q4 and FY2024 and recent developments and answered the participant questions afterwards.

    The recording of it can be found on Šiaulių Bankas youtube channel here.

    Presentation and the recording of webinar are also posted on the Bank’s website https://sb.lt/en/investors

    Šiaulių bankas thanks all participants.

    If you would like to receive Šiaulių Bankas news for investors directly to your inbox, subscribe to our newsletter.

    Additional information:
    Tomas Varenbergas
    Head of Investment Management Division
    tomas.varenbergas@sb.lt

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Axi Recognised With ‘Best Workplace 2025’ Award by Xref Engage

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SYDNEY, Feb. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Leading online FX and CFD broker Axi announced that it has been recognised with the Best Workplace 2025 award by Xref Engage. The latest award builds on the broker’s previous recognition by Voice Project, where Axi won the ‘Best Workplace’ award for two consecutive years in 2020 and 2021.

    Rajesh Yohannan, CEO at Axi, shared his excitement for the company’s newest recognition: “This award is a testament to the strong culture we’ve built together—one grounded in innovation, collaboration, and a shared commitment to excellence. At Axi, we continually invest in creating a safe and respectful environment where everyone can express their opinion and be heard, and thrive and succeed, and we’re incredibly proud to see our efforts reaffirmed.

    Founded in 2007, the Australian-based broker has grown from a two-person startup to a highly respected global group of companies, with over 400 staff members from 45+ nationalities across nine offices worldwide: Australia, Singapore, United Kingdom, Cyprus, Dubai, Philippines, Malaysia, India, and Vanuatu.

    The latest accolade follows a series of other notable achievements for Axi. In 2024, the broker was recognised with the ‘Innovator of the Year’ award at the 2024 Dubai Forex Expo and was recently named ‘Most Innovative Proprietary Trading Firm’ by Finance Feeds. Additionally, the broker was also named Best Broker (MENA), Most Trusted Broker (LatAm), Most Reliable Broker (Europe), and Best Introducing Broker Programme (Asia) for 2024 by Global Forex Awards.

    About Axi

    Axi is a global online FX and CFD trading company, with thousands of customers in 100+ countries worldwide. Axi offers CFDs for several asset classes including Forex, Shares, Gold, Oil, Coffee, and more.

    For more information or additional comments from Axi, please contact: mediaenquiries@axi.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/cccccb40-307b-4f21-bcf2-1af3f88de766

    The MIL Network