Category: Economy

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Capital funding for three city centre projects withdrawn

    Source: Scotland – City of Perth

    The money, from the previous Conservative UK Government’s Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, had been earmarked for three projects to support culture and regeneration in Perth city centre.

    These projects were to create a visitor attraction and office space at Lower City Mills, to create an exhibition and retail space at The Ironworks and a high street outlet for micro producers.

    Perth and Kinross Council leader Councillor Grant Laing said: “We are all well aware of the financial challenges facing the UK but this is an extremely disappointing – and, in my opinion, short-sighted – decision.

    “We have three excellent projects ready to start, all of which would help to breathe new life into Perth city centre for the benefit of residents, businesses and visitors.

    “Perth fought hard for a share of funding. When the £5 million was announced in March this year I was pleased the UK government had finally recognised the value of investing in Perth and Kinross, even if we received a smaller share than many other areas.

    “To have the rug pulled out from under us by the new Labour government now simply adds insult to injury.

    “We will look to see if other sources of funding is possible for these three projects and continue our ongoing efforts to regenerate Perth city centre.”

    Perth and Kinross Council Chief Executive Thomas Glen said: “It is extremely disappointing the new UK Government has chosen not to uphold the pledge made to Perth and Kinross in March.

    “These three projects are part of our ambitious plans to regenerate Perth city centre but they require funding to become a reality.

    “Consultation on the Perth City Centre Design and Development Framework, which sets out our ambitions for the city, will begin in November.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI USA: Oregon Requests a Major Disaster Declaration After Historic Wildfire Season Impacts Rural Communities

    Source: US State of Oregon

    span dir=”ltr”>SALEM, Ore.The unprecedented severity of this wildfire season led Governor Tina Kotek to declare a State of Emergency on July 12 and prompted a request for a federal major disaster declaration from President Biden.

    Governor Kotek’s request, made under the Robert T. Stafford Act, seeks federal aid through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Public Assistance program. If approved, federal aid will help reimburse state, tribal, and local governments, for some of the costs associated with response efforts, and the recovery of public infrastructure damaged during the 2024 wildfires—one of the most destructive wildfire seasons in Oregon’s history.

    The FEMA–State Joint Preliminary Damage Assessment determined that public infrastructure in six counties—Gilliam, Grant, Jefferson, Umatilla, Wasco, and Wheeler— had damage that met the federal cost threshold, prompting those six counties to be included in the state’s request for a federal major disaster declaration.

    The destruction of utility poles and power lines led to prolonged power outages, communication failures, compromised emergency response capabilities, and limited access to critical services. Temporary shelters were required to support medically fragile individuals, elderly residents, and isolated communities affected by extended power outages.

    Other areas of the state—such as Baker, Douglas, Harney, and Malheur counties—also sustained damage. However, the public infrastructure damages in these counties did not meet the federal cost threshold necessary to be included in the request for a major disaster declaration via FEMA’s Public Assistance program.

    Governor Kotek also requested a waiver for Oregon’s required cost-share for emergency response activities. This additional federal support is requested due to the state’s significant resource commitment to wildfire response and the financial strain on these rural areas. This season’s extraordinary wildfire activity saw the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Office (OSFM) mobilize a record number of resources under the Emergency Conflagration Act, deploying 17 times, and thousands of wildland firefighters mobilized through the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF).

    This wildfire season, Oregon endured 1.9 million acres of wildfire damage, far surpassing the state’s 10-year average of 640,000 acres. Fires destroyed more than 40 homes, damaged an additional 132 structures, and disrupted critical transportation, utilities, and essential services. Ranchers in eastern Oregon face long-term recovery challenges due to the devastation of livestock resources, which have severe financial implications for these communities.

    While the federal government’s response to the disaster declaration request may take up to six weeks, the Oregon Department of Emergency Management continues coordination with community partners to ensure support reaches residents and ranchers in these areas. OEM continues to provide resources, guidance and support to communities as they navigate the aftermath.

    In addition, OEM is assessing the substantial economic losses faced by small businesses in the impacted areas. Small business owners within fire-affected communities are encouraged to complete the economic injury loss form by October 31 to help OEM evaluate the extent of the damage and shape future support efforts.

    For further information on Oregon’s wildfire response and recovery initiatives, please visit the Oregon Wildfire Response and Recovery Homepage or consult the online Community FAQs. The 2024 Wildfire Spotlight also offers an overview of the challenges faced, the coordinated response efforts, and estimated recovery costs from damage assessments conducted with FEMA.

    Those interested in supporting recovery efforts can help in several ways. Donations of hay are being coordinated by OSU Extension and the Oregon Cattlemen’s Association, and volunteers are needed to transport hay from the Willamette Valley to ranchers in need. Additionally, the OSU Foundation, Oregon Farm Bureau, and Oregon Cattlemen’s Association are accepting cash donations that will be distributed directly to ranchers and farmers to help offset recovery costs.

    ###

    It is the mission of Oregon Emergency Management to proactively develop emergency response, risk reduction and disaster recovery programs to better serve Oregonians during times of disaster. OEM prioritizes an equitable and inclusive culture of preparedness that empowers all Oregonians to thrive in times in crisis. The agency leads collaborative statewide efforts, inclusive of all partners and the communities we serve, to ensure capability to get help in an emergency and to protect, mitigate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies or disasters. For more information about the OEM, visit oregon.gov/oem.

    You can get this document in other languages, large print, braille, or a format you prefer. For assistance, email OEM_publicinfo@oem.oregon.gov or dial 711.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: CONGRESSMAN RYAN DELIVERS ON PROMISE OF A GOVERNMENT THAT WORKS FOR ALL, SECURES $30 MILLION OWED TO CONSTITUENTS BY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Pat Ryan (New York 18th)

    Congressman Ryan Delivers on Promise of a Government that Works for All, Secures $30 Million Owed to Constituents by Federal Government  

     

    Ryan’s team of caseworkers has secured $30 million owed to NY-18 constituents by federal agencies

    WASHINGTON, DC  –  Today, Congressman Pat Ryan announced that his team of expert caseworkers has secured $30 million owed to NY-18 constituents by federal agencies. Cases most commonly involved the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Social Security Administration, and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Aided in large part by his mobile C.A.R.E.S Van, today’s announcement reflects Congressman Ryan’s prioritization of serving constituents directly and making government assistance easy and accessible.

    “From day one, my top priority has been delivering much-needed economic relief to our neighbors across the Hudson Valley,” said Congressman Ryan. “My team leaves no stone unturned to make sure that Hudson Valley families receive every dollar they deserve. Everyone’s feeling the pressure of making ends meet – we’re helping deliver the extra breathing room families need to finally exhale. If there is absolutely anything my team or I can be helpful with, please do not hesitate to reach out.”

    “I had spent 30 months trying to get my social security benefits and had gotten nowhere,” said Thomas Christopher of Port Jervis. “After contacting Congressman Ryan’s office I was put in touch with Destiny H.who interceded on my behalf and got me results. I cannot thank her enough and am totally sincere when I say that her help changed my life.”

    “For months on end, Middletown Medical was being stonewalled by two health plans for large payments. Their representatives would repeatedly make commitments that payments were on the way, but they never came through, putting Middletown Medical in a significantly difficult position,” said Darcy Shepard, CEO of Middletown Medical. “As soon as we reached out to Congressman Ryan’s office, each immediately met their financial obligations. Middletown Medical is very thankful for the instant financial relief provided by Congressman Ryan’s caseworkers!”

    “We are so grateful for the excellent assistance we received from Congressman Ryan’s office,” said David Friedman of New Paltz. “For two years we have been trying to resolve a problem with the IRS, and because of the intervention of his office, the issue has been properly resolved, and we actually received interest on an amount due from the IRS! It took something special to get this matter looked at and Congressman Ryan’s office provided that!”

    “Congressman Ryan’s team was extremely polite, professional, and emphatic towards my situation as a disabled veteran,” said Middletown veteran Nicholas White. “They contacted me to inform me of everything and what they could do to assist. I was granted 100% P&T disability compensation. My wife and I couldn’t be happier. Thank you!”

    “The Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, an historic Hudson Valley service organization, experienced an unexpected automated action from the IRS that if not resolved quickly could have had very negative consequences. I immediately contacted Congressman Ryan’s office for advice and support,” said David Toman, Executive Director of Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, Inc. “The Congressman’s staff promptly responded to our request for assistance, contacted the IRS Tax Advocate Services on our behalf, and advocated for our need to expedite review and resolution with professional skill. We greatly appreciate the response we received.”

    “For two years after retiring from federal service, I was unable to get my full annuity despite numerous phone calls and written correspondence to the Office of Personnel Management,” said Joseph Curto of Modena. “Congressman Ryan’s Constituent Advocates accomplished in a matter of months what I could not in two years. I am extremely grateful for their assistance.”

    “My 2022 tax return was held up by the IRS for nine months,” said Robert Warhola of Kingston. “I had plans for my refund. The case worker assured me this problem could be resolved in two weeks. As promised, I received my refund electronically. It is nice to see our government working efficiently.” 

    “My elderly brother was admitted to the hospital in need of acute care for 3 weeks and then transferred to a rehab center for a month-long stay to regain his motor skills. He had no insurance and only a pending application for Social Security and Medicare,” said John St. Leger of Poughkeepsie. “We contacted Congressman Ryan’s Office and they were able to have my brother’s application for benefits quickly approved. Without their assistance, particularly Maria Ingrassia, Director of Constituent Services, I’m not sure how our family crisis would have been resolved. Thanks to all of you! What a difference you have made.”

    “Thanks to Congressman Ryan’s office, the IRS finally issued refunds this spring for 2 returns I filed back in 2021,” said Stacy Quinn of Rhinebeck. “ After a very frustrating year of follow up – including an appointment at the IRS regional office in Poughkeepsie, multiple IRS assurances that I would hear back but never did, and a request for help from a senator’s office that was ignored – I was about to lose hope.  Congressman Ryan’s office responded immediately, however, provided frequent updates, and I received the missing refunds in 6 weeks.” 

    “Thank you to Congressman Ryan’s office for your help with obtaining my husband’s insurance policy through the Office of Personnel Management,” said Dutchess County resident Marianne Walker. “I tried to resolve the issue since November 2022, but could not get an answer. After I contacted Congressman Ryan’s office, the problem was resolved within two weeks. Thank you for also keeping in contact with me through the entire process.”

    “I would like to sincerely thank Congressman Ryan’s office for all their assistance with reinstating my disability compensation benefit payments from the Department of Veterans Affairs and retrieving over $15,000.00 in retroactive benefit payments,” said Beacon resident and veteran Christopher Kattis.

    “Representative Pat Ryan stands by his commitments to his constituents, tackling government and Social Security bureaucracy and ensuring that senior citizens in his district are not just a number to be ignored,” said Barbara Myers of Middletown. “After 14 months of frustration with the Social Security Administration for benefits owed to me, Representative Ryan’s office was able to support me and resolve my challenge with Social Security in less than a week.” 

    Congressman Pat Ryan has prioritized serving constituents directly and providing easily accessible casework assistance since taking office. He unveiled his mobile office, the Constituent Advocacy Resources Empowerment Services (C.A.R.E.S.) Van, in the summer of 2023 to bring assistance with federal agencies directly to constituents in their own neighborhoods. In under one year, the C.A.R.E.S. Van visited every one of the 82 municipalities in NY-18, allowing Ryan’s caseworkers to assist nearly 2,000 constituents in their own communities.

    Congressman Ryan has also held numerous resource fairs, connecting constituents with additional services outside of federal agencies and financial aid not included in the $30 million from federal agencies. Most recently, in April, Ryan held a Senior Resource Fair at the Kingston YMCA that connected over 150 Hudson Valley seniors with assistance from dozens of community partners and organizations. Congressman Ryan’s office additionally provides assistance with federal agencies that do not include monetary returns, including assistance with passports, immigration cases, returning lost military medals, securing military and personnel records, and more.

    In addition to the $30 million from federal agencies returned to individual constituents and organizations, Congressman Ryan has also secured major federal funding and grants for local communities, businesses, and organizations, including the $21.7 million RAISE grant for Kingston to restore its waterfront, the largest in the city’s history. Congressman Ryan has also delivered funding for local small businesses and farmers to save money on their energy costs, including a USDA Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) grant for Sheely’s Walden Car Wash to install a solar array and save 72% of its annual energy use. 

    Constituents, businesses, local governments, and organizations interested in casework assistance from Congressman Ryan’s office are encouraged to reach out by calling (845) 443-2930 or here on his website

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    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Financial news: The first all-Russian competition “Capital of Financial Culture” starts on October 29

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Central Bank of Russia –

    Target competition— support the best regional initiatives aimed at improving financial literacy and forming people’s financial culture. Organizers: the Bank of Russia and the Ministry of Finance of Russia.

    Applications from regions for participation are accepted until November 18. The best will reach the final.

    In the final, the regions’ projects will be reviewed by a jury headed by the Chairman of the Bank of Russia Elvira Nabiullina and the Minister of Finance of Russia Anton Siluanov.

    It will also include representatives of the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation, the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs, the State Duma and the Federation Council, professional associations of market participants, public and scientific organizations.

    The winning region will receive information, expert and methodological support for its future projects. In addition, which is no less important, it will become a platform for various forums and conferences on the exchange of experience and the popularization of financial culture in the country.

    In the future, the competition will be held annually until 2030. The status of “Capital of Financial Culture” is assigned to the administrative center of a constituent entity of the Russian Federation for one year.

    Preview photo: Adriaticfoto / Shutterstock / Fotodom

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    http://vvv.kbr.ru/press/event/?id=21116

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI: AML GO Launches Its Anti-Money Laundering Online System at the Consumer Credit Conference

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, Oct. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — UPAY Inc. (“UPAY” or the “Company”) (OTCQB: UPYY), through its South African subsidiary, AML GO (Pty) Ltd, is excited to announce the official launch of the AML GO Anti-Money Laundering (AML) online system. The launch will take place at the prestigious Consumer Credit Conference on 30 and 31 October 2024, hosted at the Indaba Hotel in Fourways, Johannesburg.

    AML GO’s cutting-edge online platform is designed to provide financial institutions, credit providers, and businesses with powerful tools for AML compliance in today’s dynamically digital world. With a focus on retail credit risk management and regulatory compliance, the system offers a robust solution for identifying, assessing, and mitigating the risks associated with money laundering and related financial crimes.

    Key Features of the AML GO System:

    • Advanced AML Screening: Real-time monitoring and screening against global databases to ensure compliance with the latest AML regulations.
    • Seamless Integration: Easy integration into existing financial workflows, providing automated and comprehensive compliance checks.
    • Customizable Alerts and Reports: Tailored reporting tools that enable financial institutions to track and report suspicious activity efficiently.
    • User-Friendly Interface: A simple yet effective dashboard, allowing users to manage compliance requirements with ease.

    About AML GO (Pty) Ltd:
    AML GO is your trusted partner for cutting-edge Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and credit risk solutions. Our streamlined Client Onboarding Platform offers seamless access to AML, Politically Exposed Persons (PEP), and sanctions screening, along with risk rating assessments, bank account verification, and bank statement verification. In addition, we provide comprehensive credit risk assessment, identity verification, affordability calculations, and proof of address confirmation. AML GO ensures that your organization stays compliant with the Financial Intelligence Centre Act (FICA) while optimizing operations for enhanced efficiency and reduced risk.

    Jaco Fölscher, CEO of UPAY Inc., shared his enthusiasm for the system’s launch: “The introduction of the AML GO online platform marks a pivotal moment for UPAY and AML GO. We are thrilled to offer this innovative solution at such a critical time for the consumer credit industry. As financial institutions face growing regulatory pressures, AML GO provides the technology needed to enhance compliance and safeguard against financial crimes.”

    About the Consumer Credit Conference 2024:
    The Consumer Credit Conference is a key industry event that brings together professionals in retail credit, unsecured lending, and risk management to explore strategies for managing credit risks in an increasingly digital world. The conference will cover topics such as credit scoring models, digital lending platforms, risk management strategies, and regulatory compliance. AML GO’s launch at this event highlights the importance of integrating cutting-edge technology in addressing compliance challenges in today’s financial landscape.

    Attendees of the conference will have the opportunity to see the AML GO platform in action and engage in interactive sessions to understand how it addresses their specific compliance needs.

    Mia-Daniel Bester COO of AML GO (Pty) Ltd, commented: “AML GO is proud to be launching at the Consumer Credit Conference. Our platform not only addresses the current compliance challenges but also looks ahead to the future of AML management, ensuring businesses stay ahead in the face of evolving regulations.”

    The launch of the AML GO system reinforces UPAY’s commitment to providing innovative solutions that empower financial institutions in South Africa and beyond. The company continues to set the standard in compliance and risk management technology, driving both innovation and regulatory excellence.

    For more information about AML GO and its new anti-money laundering online system, please visit www.amlgo.co.za

    CONTACT INFORMATION
    UPAY Inc.
    Email: info@upaytechnology.com

    About UPAY Inc.:
    UPAY Inc. is a forward-thinking US public company dedicated to delivering cutting-edge financial solutions across the fintech sector. With a strong focus on innovation, UPAY remains a leader in AML compliance technology and financial risk management.

    About AML GO (Pty) Ltd:
    AML GO is a South African subsidiary of UPAY Inc., specializing in providing anti-money laundering compliance and credit risk solutions for financial institutions. The company’s mission is to empower businesses to meet stringent regulatory requirements through innovative, user-centric technology.

    CAUTIONARY DISCLOSURE ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
    The information contained in this publication does not constitute an offer to sell or solicit an offer to buy securities of UPAY Inc. This publication contains forward-looking statements, which are not guarantees of future performance. The Company has no obligation to provide the recipient with additional updated information. No information in this publication should be interpreted as any indication whatsoever of the Company’s future revenues, results of operations, or stock price.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI USA: Padilla Announces Over a Billion Dollars to Decarbonize California Ports and Improve Air Quality

    US Senate News:

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

    Padilla Announces Over a Billion Dollars to Decarbonize California Ports and Improve Air Quality

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Chair of the Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Fisheries, Water, and Wildlife, announced that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will award over $1 billion across seven California ports to build zero-emission (ZE) port infrastructure and implement climate and air quality management plans. This substantial investment comes from the EPA’s Clean Ports Program, which is funded by the Inflation Reduction Act and aims to reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality at ports across the nation.
    California ports will receive three of the largest seven grants nationwide, including over $411 million for the Port of Los Angeles, the biggest award in the country.
    California’s ports play an important role in the nation’s economy, moving hundreds of billions of dollars’ worth of goods annually. These ports process about 40 percent of all containerized imports and 30 percent of all exports in the United States.
    “California’s ports move the goods that power our economy. This historic investment in our ports is a major step forward in accelerating the zero-emission infrastructure transition,” said Senator Padilla. “With more than a billion dollars in Inflation Reduction Act funding headed to California, we’re decarbonizing our supply chain to produce cleaner air in neighboring communities and meet our climate goals while creating green jobs.”
    “This transformative investment will be a tremendous boost to our efforts to meet our ambitious zero emission goals, improve regional air quality, and combat climate change, while accelerating the port-industry’s transition to zero emissions across the country,” said Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka. “This grant will fund over 400 pieces of ZE cargo handling equipment, replacing nearly one-third of the diesel equipment currently on our docks, and eliminating over 40,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually. This successful application is the culmination of a deep partnership with environmental justice groups, labor, the private sector, and stakeholders at all levels of government, and we’ll continue to work with our local communities to ensure this investment delivers benefits in their neighborhoods. We thank Senator Padilla, the EPA and the Biden-Harris Administration for their unprecedented support of our ambition and look forward to delivering on our commitment to cleaner air for future generations.”
    “Special thanks to U.S. Senator Alex Padilla for his continued advocacy on supply chain decarbonization,” said Port of Oakland Executive Director Danny Wan. “These Clean Ports grant funds will allow us to bring hundreds of additional zero emissions equipment and vehicles to our seaport resulting in more environmental and economic benefits for the region.” 
    “The funding Senator Padilla has helped to secure from the EPA will be transformational for the Port of Stockton. These funds will significantly decrease freight-related emissions in the Central Valley by transitioning more than 90 percent of our cargo-handling equipment to Zero Emissions. We have been working hard over the years to reduce emissions and replace diesel powered cargo handling equipment with Zero Emission technology and this grant will springboard our efforts. We look forward to leveraging this support to further our advancements in zero-emission equipment and foster a more sustainable future for all,” said Port of Stockton Director Kirk DeJesus.
    “The Port of San Diego is grateful to Senator Padilla for his continued advocacy of the work we are doing to get closer to our goal of becoming a zero emissions operation,” said Chairman Frank Urtasun, Port of San Diego Board of Port Commissioners. “Modernizing our cargo terminals is a win for our maritime tenants, cargo trade business, and most importantly for our public health goals. Together we are delivering on our promise to those who live, work, and play on and around San Diego Bay.”
    “We are grateful for the U.S. EPA’s award to the Port of San Francisco,” said Elaine Forbes, Executive Director of the Port of San Francisco. “This major investment will allow us to complete the Mission Bay Ferry Landing and to achieve an electric fleet, with zero emissions. We look forward to working with our partners at San Francisco Bay Ferry and the SFPUC to provide Bay Area residents with the nation’s first zero-emission ferry network, and to bring ferry service to Mission Bay. These EPA funds will also support access to critical, well-paying jobs in the maritime trades.”
    “This grant represents an enormous push forward for the nation’s first high-speed zero-emission ferry network,” said Jim Wunderman, Chair of the SF Bay Ferry Board of Directors. “SF Bay Ferry will provide a critical transportation link to Mission Bay, an incredibly successful development hub in San Francisco. And because of the EPA’s decision, we’ll be able to do so with clean, reliable and efficient electric ferries. Thank you to Senator Padilla and the Bay Area Congressional Delegation for their support in winning this transformational grant.”
    “The EPA Clean Ports announcement is exciting news for the Port of Hueneme,” said Celina Zacarias, President of the Oxnard Harbor District/Port of Hueneme. “We have the funding to accelerate the Board’s policy to decarbonize the port.”
    “The $43 million EPA Clean Ports Grant is transformative for the Port of Hueneme,” said Kristin Decas, President & CEO of the Port of Hueneme. “We are grateful for the support and leadership of Senator Padilla to help secure these critical dollars for the betterment of communities adjacent to Ports throughout California.”
    “The Port of Redwood City applauds the EPA for this investment to facilitate the long-range planning and create a roadmap towards decarbonization by diversifying fueling options of Port operations,” said Kristine A. Zortman, Executive Director. “This investment represents an opportunity to create new jobs in a transformative sector of energy production furthering our environmental stewardship, workforce development, and emissions reductions.”
    California ports receiving funding from the Clean Ports Program include:
    Port of Los Angeles — $411.69 million: This project aims to accelerate the port’s transition toward ZE on-terminal operations by significantly reducing air pollution in and around the port, deploying ZE cargo handling equipment (CHE), and enhancing electric vehicle charging infrastructure. The funding will help acquire over 400 pieces of ZE CHE and 250 ZE drayage trucks and associated charging infrastructure, replace nearly 30 percent of the Port’s diesel-burning CHE fleet, and eliminate 41,500 tons of carbon dioxide and 55 tons of NOx emissions annually. The port will also install cutting-edge power management systems, innovative heavy-duty drayage truck and charging deployments, and one of the world’s first shore-power support systems for auto carrier vessels.
    Port of Oakland — $322.17 million: This project will support the vision of reducing emissions and fully decarbonizing port acti­­vities by transitioning to ZE alternatives for drayage trucks and cargo handling equipment. This includes the purchase of 762 pieces of ZE equipment (battery electric or hydrogen fuel cell) to complete a nearly 100 percent­­ conversion of all cargo handling equipment to zero emissions technologies.
    Port of Stockton — $110.47 million: This project will transform the port into the first small port with ZE terminal operations and increase the ZE workforce in Northern California. The port will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, particulate matter, and nitrogen oxide by acquiring electric forklifts, cranes, terminal tractors, and a mobile railcar indexer; obtaining a direct current fast charger; implementing a shore power system; and deploying rooftop solar power and battery energy storage to power new equipment.
    Port of San Diego — $58.6 million: This project will support the port’s longstanding commitment to the electrification of San Diego’s maritime cargo handling facilities and freight transportation by implementing the final electrification elements to transform San Diego’s maritime cargo terminals and the goods movement network on San Diego Bay. These funds will help construct all remaining improvements to the Port’s Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal’s (TAMT) legacy 12kv loop to support all future investments in electrical infrastructure and install a grid-based shore power systems to connect ocean-going vessels and support electric commercial harbor craft homeported at TAMT and deployed throughout San Diego Bay, among other improvements.
    Port of San Francisco — $55.39 million: This investment will transition ferry operations along the San Francisco waterfront to zero-emissions, removing 455,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide greenhouse gases and enhancing air quality at the Port of San Francisco and throughout the Bay Area airshed. The project will also connect disadvantaged communities with high-paying employment centers. The funding will deliver a series of projects that will complete the establishment of the first ZE fast ferry network in the country, connecting the two visitor and employment centers of Downtown San Francisco and Mission Bay with the emerging waterfront neighborhood on Treasure Island.
    Port of Hueneme — $42.29 million: The Port of Hueneme Reducing Emissions, Supporting Health (PHRESH) project consists of two components: PHRESH START (Sustainable, Thoughtful And Resilient Transformation), which includes planning activities, and PHRESH AIR (Accelerating Implementation and Results), which involves the deployment of roughly 35 pieces of ZE terminal equipment and a drayage truck incentive program.
    Port of Redwood City — $1.97 million: This project, in partnership with a private entity, includes climate and air quality planning for hydrogen-based fueling and infrastructure.
    Grants from the Zero-Emission Technology Deployment Competition will slash mobile source emissions (criteria pollutants, air toxics, and greenhouse gases) at California ports, while grants from the Climate and Air Quality Planning Competition will fund emissions inventories, strategy analysis, community engagement, and resiliency measure identification to strengthen zero-emissions port operations and reduce air pollution.
    Senator Padilla believes decarbonizing our ports is vital for powering economic growth and protecting public health. Last year, he announced $74.5 million from the Department of Transportation Maritime Administration to decarbonize, upgrade, and rehabilitate key ports along California’s coast. He has consistently pushed for funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for California’s ports, including over $283 million for the Port of Long Beach last year, $94 million in port infrastructure grant funding in 2022, and over $57 million in 2021. Earlier this year, Padilla announced that the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach (San Pedro Ports) will receive more than $112 million through the FY 2024 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Work Plan for critical construction upgrades and operations and maintenance activities.
    Last year, Senator Padilla and Representative Nanette Barragán (D-Calif.-44) led 16 California lawmakers in urging EPA Administrator Michael Regan to grant authorization for the California Air Resources Board’s (CARB) request for its Ocean-going Vessels At-Berth Regulation, which would reduce air pollution in California and protect the health of millions of people who are impacted by emissions from diesel-powered ships. Additionally, Padilla and Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) introduced the Clean Shipping Act of 2023 to reduce air pollution within the shipping industry and protect the health of port communities.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Wyden, Merkley: Port of Portland Earns $2.77 Million Federal Award

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore)
    October 29, 2024
    U.S. EPA invests in Port of Portland through its Clean Ports Program
    Washington D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced a federal investment of $2.77 million toward the Port of Portland’s work to decarbonize as well as improve natural disaster resilience.
    “The Port of Portland plays an integral role in many Oregonians’ travel plans, and also a crucial element for small Oregon businesses who depend on the Port to ship their Oregon-grown goods around the world,” Wyden said. “Ensuring the Port of Portland has the long-term tools it needs to build a strong, resilient port Oregonians can depend on today and into the future is vital for our economy and quality of life.”“Ports are a crucial part of keeping the economies of Oregon and the Pacific Northwest flowing as they move goods throughout our region and export our amazing Oregon products around the world,” said Merkley. “This federal funding will provide crucial support to the Port of Portland’s plans to cut down on pollution and transition to zero-emission operations, a big win in our fight against climate chaos.”
    Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, the funding is through the U.S. EPA’s Clean Ports Program: Climate and Air Quality Planning Competition for the Port of Portland’s Clean Ports Energy Future Roadmap.
    “This funding is a game-changer for planning a greener future at our marine terminals, from zero-emissions equipment to new renewable power and clean fuel options for the vessels our terminals serve,” said Port of Portland Executive Director Curtis Robinhold. “We’re grateful to Senator Merkley and Senator Wyden for their environmental leadership as we create a roadmap for minimizing the carbon footprint of marine shipping operations.”

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Feenstra Helps Introduce Legislation to Deliver Financial Relief for Iowa Farmers

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Randy Feenstra (IA-04)

    HULL, IOWA – Last week, U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-Hull) helped introduce legislation – led by U.S. Rep. Trent Kelly (R-MS) – to help deliver financial relief to American farmers facing low commodity prices and high input costs this crop year.

    “President Biden and Vice President Harris approved trillions of dollars in reckless government spending that sent inflation skyrocketing and have completely failed to open new export markets for our producers. This one-two punch helped cause interest rates and input costs to rise significantly while a lack of demand for American-made agricultural products across the globe has exacerbated our low commodity prices,” said Rep. Feenstra. “It’s why I’m glad to support the FARM Act, which will deliver financial relief to our farmers and producers in the face of high operating costs and unrelenting inflation. We must pass this legislation in conjunction with the Farm Bill – which includes an increase in reference prices for commodities like corn and soybeans – to provide certainty and support for our farm families.”

    This legislation – dubbed the FARM Act – specifically directs the Secretary of Agriculture to make emergency assistance payments to farm producers to alleviate the financial imbalance between high input costs and low commodity prices.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Graphite exploitation projects – P-001913/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The Commission opened a call for applications for strategic projects[1] under the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA)[2] on 23 May 2024.

    The Commission received 170 applications by the cut-off date of 22 August 2024. These applications are currently under assessment.

    The Commission will not communicate about the applications during the assessment since it could undermine the commercial interests of the project promoters. Once the assessment process is finalised, the Commission will publish on its website the list of recognised strategic projects.

    Strategic projects under the CRMA are expected to contribute to the achievement of the 2030 benchmarks defined in Article 5 of the CRMA.

    They must also demonstrate that they are technically feasible, implemented sustainably and that they make a meaningful contribution to the security of the EU’s supply of strategic raw materials.

    The recognition of a project as a strategic project by the Commission has several advantages, including streamlined and predictable permitting procedures and support in gaining access to finance. The CRMA itself does not provide for direct EU funding to the recognised projects.

    • [1] https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/sectors/raw-materials/areas-specific-interest/critical-raw-materials/strategic-projects-under-crma_en
    • [2] Regulation (EU) 2024/1252 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 April 2024 establishing a framework for ensuring a secure and sustainable supply of critical raw materials and amending Regulations (EU) No 168/2013, (EU) 2018/858, (EU) 2018/1724 and (EU) 2019/1020 (Text with EEA relevance), https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=OJ:L_202401252
    Last updated: 29 October 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Boost for climate adaptation in Europe as EIB and WWF join forces to develop Nature-based Solutions at scale

    Source: European Investment Bank

    EIB

    • EIB and WWF will collaborate to mobilise early-stage funding for Nature-based Solutions.
    • Partnership will develop projects to strengthen climate adaptation by working with nature.
    • Accord signed during United Nations Convention on Biodiversity COP16 in Colombia.

    With Europe facing increasingly intense floods and droughts, the European Investment Bank (EIB) and WWF are teaming up to accelerate climate adaptation in Europe by developing Nature-based Solutions (NbS) that will help to buffer societies and economies against the worsening impacts of the climate and biodiversity crises.

    In a Memorandum of Understanding, the EIB and WWF pledged to promote Nature-based Solutions across Europe to tackle the twin crises of climate change and biodiversity loss. Signed during the United Nations Convention on Biodiversity COP16 in Colombia, the four-year partnership will focus on ecosystem restoration projects linked to sectors such as agriculture, energy, and urban resilience, which will harness the power of nature to strengthen climate adaptation in Europe – the fastest-warming continent on Earth.

    By investing in enhancing the health of ecosystems, the projects will also help to reverse nature loss in the continent. The recent WWF Living Planet Report found that species populations have declined by 35 per cent on average in Europe and Central Asia since 1970.

    Under the agreement, WWF will establish an ‘Incubation facility’ to develop a pipeline of Nature-based Solutions from origination until they are investment-ready, while the EIB will provide guidance on mobilising public and private funding for them.

    “Europe’s adaptation to climate change lags far behind what is needed,” said EIB Vice-President, Ambroise Fayolle, ”We want to support more nature-based-solution projects to restore and protect biodiversity and strengthen the climate resilience of our society. Partnerships with organisations like WWF with a strong presence on the ground are a relevant way for us to help deliver tangible results on a large scale.”

    Nature-based solutions face significant obstacles including a lack of awareness among investors and a need for consensus building among a wide range of local players.

    “Nowhere is immune from the climate crisis. Europe has been hit by a series of historic floods and droughts in recent years, devastating lives and livelihoods – and they are only going to get worse unless we urgently and drastically scale up investment in Nature-based Solutions,” said WWF Director General Kirsten Schuijt. “This partnership will do exactly that by creating a pipeline of projects that work with nature rather than against it. These projects will enhance the power of nature to protect Europeans from the worsening impacts of climate change, particularly droughts and extreme floods along the continent’s rivers and coasts.”

    The announcement of this partnership is timely as the new European Commission has announced that it will work on a European Climate Adaptation Plan, which will support building preparedness and planning with regular science-based risk assessments and a European Water Resilience Strategy.

    It also comes after the EU Nature Restoration Law was adopted in August 2024. This regulation combines an overarching restoration objective for the long-term recovery of nature in the EU with binding restoration targets for specific habitats and species.

    Over the years, the EIB has worked with WWF on a range of matters including Nature-based Solutions, biodiversity, climate resilience and ecosystem restoration. Cooperation has focused on the Sustainable Blue Economy Finance Principles, of which the EIB is one of the founding partners alongside WWF. Another example is EIB cooperation with WWF-Greece on stakeholder engagement to identify and develop nature-based solutions for flood resilience in Thessaly, Greece.

    EIB at COP16

    The EIB delegation will be led by Vice-President Ambroise Fayolle. For interview requests with members of the EIB delegation please get in touch with the press contact below. Find out more about EIB at the United Nations Biodiversity Conference here.

    Background information

    The European Investment Bank (EIB) is the long-term lending institution of the European Union owned by its Member States. It is active in more than 160 countries and makes long-term finance available for sound investment in order to contribute towards EU policy goals.

    As the Climate Bank, the EIB recognises that climate change and nature loss are deeply interconnected and mutually reinforcing environmental crises. The EIB Climate Adaptation Plan builds on the EU Adaptation Strategy, setting out how the EU can adapt to the unavoidable impacts of climate change. The EIB Environment Framework outlines the EIB’s delivery of environmental sustainability impacts at scale. Mainstreaming nature-positive investments, increasing the co-benefits for nature, protecting biodiversity and managing the risks from biodiversity and nature loss are key elements of the Framework. 

    WWF is one of the world’s largest and most respected independent conservation organizations, with over 5 million supporters and a global network active in over 100 countries. WWF’s mission is to stop the degradation of the earth’s natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world’s biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Highlights – 2023 Parliament Discharge: Exchange of views with Directors- General – Committee on Budgetary Control

    Source: European Parliament

    On 04 November 2024, in the context of the discharge to the European Parliament for the financial year 2023, CONT Members will exchange views with the Directorates-General of DG COMM, DG PERS, DG INLO and DG ITEC.

    The following Directores-General will participate in the exchange of views:

    – Directorate-General for Communication (DG COMM)
    – Directorate-General for Personnel (DG PERS)
    – Directorate-General for Infrastructure and Logistics (DG INLO)
    – Directorate-General for Innovation and Technological Support (DG ITEC)

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Highlights – Presentation of the Annual Report on the Protection of the EU’s financial interests – Committee on Budgetary Control

    Source: European Parliament

    Johannes Hahn, Commissioner for Budget and Administration, will attend CONT meeting of 05 November 2024 to present the Annual Report on the Protection of the European Union’s financial interests – Fight against fraud 2023.

    The Report 2023 provides data and analyses on the cases of fraud and irregularities reported by the competent EU and national authorities, allowing an assessment of which areas are most at risk, thereby making it possible to better target action at both EU and national levels.

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on design and concept flaws of new own resources – B10-0076/2024

    Source: European Parliament

    B10‑0076/2024

    Motion for a European Parliament resolution on design and concept flaws of new own resources

     

    The European Parliament,

     having regard to the Interinstitutional Agreement of 16 December 2020 on budgetary discipline, on cooperation in budgetary matters and on sound financial management, as well as on new own resources, including a roadmap on the introduction of new own resources[1],

     having regard to Rule 149 of its Rules of Procedure,

    1. Is gravely concerned that the European Court of Auditors, in 2024, found the data on the recently introduced plastic-based own resource (‘plastic tax’) to be unreliable and to lack comparability[2];

    2. Expresses concern that the amounts paid by Member States are not calculated justly or reasonably;

    3. Underlines that all forms of EU taxation, including indirect taxation such as the emissions trading system, lack democratic legitimacy;

    4. Regrets that many new own resources unfairly burden the poorest citizens through indirect taxes and incentives to move jobs to non-EU countries;

    5. Emphasises that the public will closely scrutinise new revenue schemes if industrial jobs keep disappearing to non-EU countries;

    6. Recalls that citizens have a right to be informed of the cost of new own resources;

    7. Calls on the Commission not to present any proposals for new EU taxes, nor to promote existing ones.

     

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on limiting the freedom of movement for criminals – B10-0075/2024

    Source: European Parliament

    B10‑0075/2024

    Motion for a European Parliament resolution on limiting the freedom of movement for serious criminals

    The European Parliament,

     having regard to the freedom of movement and the growing threat posed by organised criminal gangs,

     having regard to Rule 149 of its Rules of Procedure,

    A. whereas securing the external border is essential to maintain free movement within the Schengen area;

    B. whereas massive numbers of illegal crossings of the external border have taken place, resulting in the growth of parallel societies that often finance their existence through criminal activities;

    C. whereas large economic disparities between Member States incentivise cross-border crime;

    D. whereas cross-border crime leads to financial and societal disruptions and a loss of trust in national authorities and EU institutions;

    1. Calls on the Commission to limit the freedom of movement for career criminals, repeat offenders and anyone aiding or assisting organised criminal gangs, by introducing an ‘individual ban on freedom of movement (IBFM)’ framework that empowers Member States to prohibit entry to criminals, and to issue lifelong entry bans in certain cases, such as those of repeat offenders or organised criminals;

    2. Calls for the automatic application of the IBFM framework to anyone who has crossed the external border illegally and for those persons to be subjected to mandatory detention until they can be deported.

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Orange juice cartel – E-002160/2024

    Source: European Parliament

    18.10.2024

    Question for written answer  E-002160/2024
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Emmanouil Kefalogiannis (PPE)

    Greek orange growers and orange juice businesses are complaining about the existence of a ‘cartel’ in Brazil that is controlling orange juice prices worldwide. This creates an uncompetitive business environment, whereby a handful of large companies are unduly amassing huge profits to the detriment of smaller competitors, with Greek and European consumers left at the mercy of unjustified price increases.

    Given that the orange juice sector makes a significant contribution to the Greek economy and provides a source of income for thousands of families:

    • 1.What steps will the Commission take to verify the substance of these complaints, ensure transparent competition and guarantee fair and affordable prices for European consumers?
    • 2.What are the findings so far from the investigations carried out in the context of the complaints lodged by Greek businesses?

    Submitted: 18.10.2024

    Last updated: 29 October 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the audit of green investments in light of Northvolt developments – B10-0069/2024

    Source: European Parliament

    B10‑0069/2024

    Motion for a European Parliament resolution on the audit of green investments in light of Northvolt developments

    The European Parliament,

     having regard to Rule 149 of its Rules of Procedure,

    A. whereas concerns have arisen over the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of EU climate policy, with companies such as Northvolt benefiting from public subsidies and loans from the European Investment Bank, despite considerable financial difficulties;

    B. whereas the European Court of Auditors’ special report 14/2024 found that green spending under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) could be overestimated by up to EUR 34.5 billion, with some projects having minimal impact on the energy transition or even causing environmental harm;

    1. Urges the Commission to ensure rigorous oversight of green investments benefiting from EU funding and to assess their efficiency and overall contribution to the EU’s efforts to improve its competitiveness;

    2. Stresses the importance of safeguarding taxpayer contributions by ensuring that public funds and subsidies from the EU budget and the RRF are used transparently and provide clear value for money;

    3. Calls for the establishment of clear, measurable criteria for green investments under the EU budget and RRF to ensure that only projects with significant and proven environmental and economic benefits receive funding, thereby enhancing accountability and long-term sustainability.

     

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Information on managing and preventing fires in Sicily and Italy – E-001700/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    1. The primary responsibility for disaster risk management lies with Member State authorities. The Commission’s main role is to coordinate a response through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM)[1] when activated. The Commission also supports national efforts with financial support such as under the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)[2] or the forest fire prevention and restoration measures under the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development[3].

    2. The Commission supports local and regional authorities in implementing effective prevention strategies through funding from the ERDF in technologies for early detection and monitoring of fires, as well as critical infrastructure to enhance resilience against fire hazards. In Sicily the ERDF Regional Programme 2021-2027 allocates around EUR 204 million of EU resources to investments related to environmental risks[4].

    3. The Commission has established a fleet of planes and helicopters under rescEU[5] in 2019. The Commission is also working on creating a permanent wildfire fleet, comprising new aircraft[6] dedicated to EU-coordinated response operations.

    One of the key activities for institutional capacity development is the UCPM peer review programme[7]. After the 2023 wildfire season, the Italian Civil Protection Department requested a peer review of its wildfire risk management system[8].

    Finally, the Commission has established the Expert Group on Forest Fires, which allows for the exchange of good practices among the fire management services of the EU countries and its neighbours. Through the Copernicus European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS), the Commission also provides most advance technology for the assessment of fire danger and real time monitoring of wildfires.

    • [1] https://civil-protection-humanitarian-aid.ec.europa.eu/what/civil-protection/eu-civil-protection-mechanism_en
    • [2] https://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/funding/erdf_en
    • [3] https://commission.europa.eu/funding-tenders/find-funding/eu-funding-programmes/european-agricultural-fund-rural-development-eafrd_en
    • [4] Of which EUR 55 million are estimated to be invested on risk prevention and management measures related to fires.
    • [5] https://civil-protection-humanitarian-aid.ec.europa.eu/what/civil-protection/resceu_en
    • [6] Planned to become gradually operational as of end 2027.
    • [7] https://civil-protection-knowledge-network.europa.eu/disaster-prevention-and-risk-management/ucpm-peer-review-programme
    • [8] The report is planned to be finalised before end of 2024 and will highlight good practices and provide recommendations.
    Last updated: 29 October 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Investing in the first peatland UNESCO world heritage site in the world

    Source: Scotland – Highland Council

    The Flow Country Partnership has received funding from the Community Loan Fund towards their pioneering peatland restoration project in Sutherland. The fund is delivered by Highland Opportunity (Investments) Limited, HOIL, on behalf of The Highland Council.

    The Community Loan fund aims to encourage and support Highland based community and third sector organisations to start up and grow and contribute to a thriving and sustainable Highland and Scottish economy.  Loans can be used for capital start up-costs, growth of an existing organisation, working capital and bridging finance, with a repayment period of 1 to 10 years.

    Peatland restoration is a vital part of Scotland’s twin goals of reducing emissions and restoring nature.  The Flow Country Partnership was founded in 2006 and became a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) in February 2024 to bring together a community including crofters, farmers, landowners/managers, local businesses, residents, ecologists and local government to grow the resilience of the Flow Country and its people. This restoration will help achieve emission reduction by restoring the capacity of the peatlands to store carbon and improving biodiversity in the first and only peatland UNESCO World Heritage Site in the World.

    The partnership approached HOIL for funding to finance the peatlands restoration project on a farming and sporting estate.  Securing loan funding before the sale of carbon credits will support its long-term aspirations to become a self-sustaining organisation whilst restoring and protecting the ecosystem. 

    The Flow Country Partnership is a SCIO, with a trading subsidiary, Flow Country Restoration Limited and blends public and private finance to deliver its objectives. This project is supported by The Facility for Investment Ready Nature in Scotland (FIRNS) and is being delivered by NatureScot in collaboration with The Scottish Government and in partnership with the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Scottish Government’s Peatland ACTION Fund.  Trustees,  initiative partners and stakeholders,  amongst others are The Highland Council,  Highlands & Islands Enterprise, Skills Development Scotland, RSPB,  North Highland Initiative, the Environmental Research Institute UHI and local landowners, farmers, crofters and estate owners.

    Councillor Paul Oldham, Chair of HOIl said: “I welcome this opportunity to help The Flow Country Partnership move forward with their Peatland Restoration project which not only helps improve the environment and create carbon storage but also brings local work to Caithness and Sutherland.

    “The Community Loan Fund which is managed by HOIL provides accessible and affordable finance for community projects across the Highlands and is one of several funds we can use to help projects across the area.”

    Graham Neville, Flow Country Partnership Vice-chair and director of Flow Country Restoration Limited added: “We are pleased to have the support of Highland Opportunity (Investments) Limited for our peatland restoration project. This funding is a key step in restoring this vital landscape, which plays a crucial role in carbon storage and biodiversity, while also contributing to Scotland’s Net Zero ambitions. By working with local partners, we aim to create lasting community benefits, support sustainable carbon investments, and protect The Flow Country.”

    To find out more about the support HOIL can provide to Highland community organisations and businesses please visit their website

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: You Said… We Did… Lifestyles

    Source: City of Liverpool

    A key part of Liverpool City Council’s improvement journey is reaching out and listening to our residents; as part of that initiative we have had some great feedback which has led to some changes which will hopefully raise fitness levels, without putting an extra squeeze on finances.

    Residents told us they can’t afford gym membership in the three of the most deprived areas of the city – we listened to that feedback and we have introduced the Neighbourhood Platinum site-specific membership will launch on Friday 1 July as part of a three-month pilot scheme which will see membership costs reduced at Austin Rawlinson, Everton Park and Park Road Lifestyles.

    It is hoped by reducing costs, it will increase physical activity in these areas and improve life expectancy – which is currently 3.3 years lower than the English average.

    For £16.99 a month (a 55 per cent reduction), members will be able to use all of the facilities in their chosen centre, making the most of the pool, gyms and the varied classes on offer in that individual location.  There is no contract commitment and members will be able to renew on a monthly basis.

    Residents also told us the opening hours weren’t helpful, we’ve listened to that and from July Lifestyles Park Road and Everton will be open for longer:

    Lifestyles Park Road

    Monday to Friday – 8am to 8.30pm

    Saturday & Sunday – 8am to 2pm

    Lifestyles Everton Park

    Monday to Friday – 7.30am to 9pm

    Saturday – 9am to 1pm

    Sunday – 7.30am to 1pm

     For the latest information head to the official Lifestyles web pages.

    Liverpool’s Cabinet Member for Culture and Visitor Economy, Councillor Harry Doyle, said:

    “It’s no exaggeration to say our Lifestyles Centres offer a lifeline for so many.  The figures about deprivation and life expectancy are both shocking and disturbing and make us even more committed to making it as easy as possible for people to get active, as we know this has a positive impact on our physical and mental wellbeing.

    “I’m a Lifestyles member and have spent time visiting the different centres across the city, chatting to other members and finding out what they like and don’t like about the service we currently offer. There is a huge amount of love for these community assets and we should make them more accessible to all our residents, and the this trial is a good way to do that.

    “Clearly a one-size-fits-all membership price does not work – the cost of living crisis is already starting to bite and we need to look at ways in which we can help residents get active at a reasonable and achievable price.

    “Thanks to everyone who has engaged with us over recent months – we do listen and we do take action where we can and I really hope we see some great results from the Neighbourhood Platinum trial which will help to turn the tide on health inequalities experienced in parts of our city.”

    Lifestyles General Manager, Mark Lancaster, said:

    “We want our centres to meet their full potential and increasing opening hours gives people more opportunity to use the facilities.

    “In recent months we have seen a rise in demand for swim time, particularly at the weekends, so extending the timetable will allow us to meet this need.

    “We always encourage feedback from members – and potential members – and we hope these latest changes will support residents in their ambition to lead healthier and happier lives and at the same time support their local centre.”

    #YouSaidWeDid #ImprovingLiverpool #TheNextChapter

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Hurry Up! A golden opportunity for emerging Visual Effects (VFX) artists across India

    Source: Government of India

    Hurry Up! A golden opportunity for emerging Visual Effects (VFX) artists across India

    WAFX WAVES VFX challenge launched by Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and ABAI to foster local talent and support ‘Create in India’ initiative

    Registration opens for young artists ready to explore opportunities in India’s Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comics sector

    The top finalists will compete in the grand finale at the WAVES Summit in Delhi, scheduled for 5th – 9th February 2025

    Posted On: 29 OCT 2024 8:35PM by PIB Delhi

    If you’re creative, know how to tell a story, and have the capability to bring the theme “Daily Life Superhero” to life through a 30-second Visual effects (VFX) clip, and then you have a great opportunity to win prizes and goodies worth up to INR 5 lakhs, as well as exclusive studio internships. Not only win prizes but an opportunity to make a career as your work will be trained & your work will be showcased before professionals in a global level world audio visual entertainment Summit in February. To promote VFX ecosystem in India, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, in collaboration with ABAI- India’s leading AVGC (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comics) has launched the WAFX WAVES VFX Challenge as part of the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit 2025 (WAVES). This initiative is part of the ‘Create in India’ challenge, aimed at nurturing local talent and promoting India as a one-stop destination for content creation, Align with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision for creative growth.

    Join the Movement: Register Today

    Emerging Visual effects (VFX) artists across India may join the WAFX Waves VFX Challenge and gain recognition in the rapidly growing VFX industry. Registration is open now, with more details available at www.wafx.abai.avgc.in This competition is not only an opportunity for a showcase of skillsets, but also a stepping stone to professional growth, offering a chance to join a robust network of India’s top VFX studios and mentors. For further details, please contact wafx@abai.avgc.in, generalsecretary@abai.avgc.in ,www.wafx.abai.avgc.in

    Competition Structure and Prizes: WAFX will consist of 3 phases

    The first stage will feature an online qualifier round where we expect 2000+ entries out of which a ‘Pre-Selection’ Jury will shortlist 10 students and 10 professional contestants to move to the second phase and compete at the Zonal -level in-person competitions. Thereafter, the Zonal Winners will advance to the Grand Finale which will be held in a 24-Hour VFX Marathon format in front of a Grand Jury that is constituted of National Award-winning famed VFX Supervisors.

    Participants at WAFX will bring the theme “Daily Life Superhero” to life through a 30-second VFX clip and submit their work online in qualifying round, competing for prizes and goodies worth up to INR 5 lakhs, as well as exclusive studio internships. The Online Qualifiers winners will progress to the Zonal Finals scheduled in Chandigarh, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Kolkata, where they will showcase their work before a panel of esteemed industry experts. The top finalists will compete in the grand finale at the WAVES Summit in Delhi, scheduled for 5th – 9th February 2025.

    WAFX challenge empowers aspiring VFX artists and boosts India’s global standing

    With India’s film and media industry witnessing unprecedented growth in Visual Effects, this national competition aims to prepare a generation of VFX professionals to meet industry demands and advance India’s competitiveness and prowess on the global stage. ABAI – the Karnataka-based trade association for the AVGC-XR industry has launched the national initiative of ‘WAFX Challenge,’ with a call to action to all budding Visual Effects artists to create stunning VFX masterpieces.

    WAFX Waves VFX Challenge: Unleashing young talent for a thriving future

    Indian cinema, recognized globally for its creativity and storytelling, now competes with international counterparts at global standards, owing much of its evolution to our VFX abilities. Despite this growth, the sector faces a shortage of skilled professionals to meet rising demands, making skill development and employment in VFX crucial for sustainable industry growth. The WAFX Waves VFX Challenge- ABAI’s flagship contest, has been curated to find & nurture young talent to prepare them for exciting opportunities in the AVGC sector.

    WAFX challenge and WAVES summit to propel India’s Creative Industry with New Skills

    Shri Biren Ghose, President- ABAI and Managing Director- Asia Pacific, Technicolor Group, spoke on the importance of WAFX and WAVES as game-changers for the business. “The creative sector is undergoing a remarkable transformation, with technological advancements and increasingly cutting-edge immersive content augmenting consumer experiences,” he said. “As we enter this new economy, imagery and storytelling are moving beyond TV and film into museums, airports, and across public spaces. This will foster innovation and to encourage new skills talent and diverse employment opportunities to create in and from India. The WAFX challenge is curated specifically to mobilize thousands of Indians in every nook and corner of the country to underscore every facet of AVGC-XR and help spotlight excellence at WAVES on a global stage for the finals.”

    *****

     

    Dharmendra Tewari/kshitij Singha

    (Release ID: 2069381) Visitor Counter : 73

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi launches & inaugurates multiple projects of Ministry of Ayush on the occasion of Dhanvantari Jayanti & the 9th Ayurveda Day here today

    Source: Government of India

     Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi launches & inaugurates multiple projects of Ministry of Ayush on the occasion of Dhanvantari Jayanti & the 9th Ayurveda Day here today

    PM Modi Inaugurates Phase II of India’s First All India Institute of Ayurved in Delhi; total cost of ₹Project cost is 274.58 Crore

    Prime Minister launches Nationwide Campaign “Desh Ka Prakriti ParikshanAbhiyan” to promote Health Awareness among Citizens

    Prime Minister inaugurates 4 Centers of Excellence in Ayush

    PM lays Foundation Stone for 2 Yoga & Naturopathy Institutes in Odisha & Chhattisgarh

    Country had witnessed the beginning of a new chapter in the health sector with the amalgamation of knowledge of Ayurveda with modern medicine: Shri Narendra Modi

    Efforts of PM Shri Narendra Modi have significantly contributed to the global prominence of Ayurveda in health: Shri Parataprao Jadhav, Minister of State (Independent Charge) Ayush

    Posted On: 29 OCT 2024 8:31PM by PIB Delhi

    On the occasion of Dhanvantari Jayanti and the 9th Ayurveda Day, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi launched, inaugurated, and laid the foundation stone of multiple health sector projects worth around ₹12,850 crore at the All-India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), New Delhi. Shri J.P. Nadda, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare & Chemicals & Fertilizers; Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of Labour and Employment & Youth Affairs and Sports, Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha,Secretary Ayush, Dr. Manoj Nesari (Advisor, Ayush), and others dignitaries were present on the occasion.

    Among the projects launched under the ministry of Ayush, the Prime Minister inaugurated Phase II of India’s First All-India Institute of Ayurveda. This phase, a significant project with a total cost of ₹258.73 crore, includes key features such as a 150-bed Panchakarma hospital, an Ayurvedic pharmacy for drug manufacturing, a sports medicine unit, a central library, an IT and start-ups center, a 500-seat auditorium, and guest houses for both general and international visitors.

    Moreover, to capitalize on the growing interest of the international community in Indian health and wellness solutions, especially yoga, and to boost R&D in the domain, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stones of two Central Research Institutes in Yoga and Naturopathy (CRIYNs) at Khorda (Odisha) and Raipur (Chhattisgarh), along with other significant projects. Additionally, the Prime Minister launched four Ayush Centres of Excellence (CoEs), each targeting specific areas in health research and innovation.  ​Centre of Excellence for Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders at the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, focused on prediabetes and diabetes research and Ayurvedic formulation validation; ​Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Ayush at IIT Delhi, dedicated to developing advanced technological solutions, supporting start-ups, and creating net-zero sustainable solutions for Rasaushadhis; ​Centre of Excellence for Fundamental and Translational Research in Ayurveda at CDRI Lucknow, focused on advanced research in Ayurvedic botanicals like Ashwagandha; Centre of Excellence on Ayurveda and Systems Medicine at JNU, New Delhi, aimed at researching the molecular mechanisms of Ayurvedic treatments for rheumatoid arthritis using systems medicine.

     

    The Prime Minister also launched “Desh Ka PrakritiParikshan Abhiyan,” a nationwide campaign promoting health awareness and highlighting the importance of holistic well-being as part of daily life. Led by Shri Prataprao Jadhav, Union Minister of State (I/C), Ministry of Ayush, with 4,70,000 dedicated volunteers, this campaign aims to revolutionize health awareness efforts among citizens and will also attempt multiple Guinness World Records.

     

    Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister underscored that in the past decade, the country had witnessed the beginning of a new chapter in the health sector with the amalgamation of knowledge of Ayurveda with modern medicine. He added that the All India Institute of Ayurveda has been a focal point of this new chapter. Shri Narendra Modi remarked that seven years ago, on Ayurveda Day, he had the privilege to dedicate the first phase of the institute to the country, and today, with the blessings of Lord Dhanvantari, he was inaugurating the second phase.

    The Prime Minister stated that 7.5 lakh registered Ayush practitioners are already contributing to the nation’s healthcare. He stressed the need to increase this number further and highlighted the growing demand for medical and wellness tourism in India. He emphasized the need for youth and Ayush practitioners to prepare for expanding fields such as preventive cardiology, Ayurvedic orthopedics, and Ayurvedic rehabilitation centers, both in India and abroad. “Immense opportunities are being created for Ayushpractitioners,” he added.

    Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi underscored the importance of validating traditional herbs like Ashwagandha, turmeric, and black pepper through high-impact scientific studies. “Lab validation of our traditional healthcare systems will not only increase the value of these herbs but also create a significant market,” he remarked, noting the rising demand for Ashwagandha, which is projected to reach USD 2.5 billion by the end of this decade.

    Underlining that the success of Ayush is transforming not only the health sector but also the economy, the Prime Minister stated that the Ayush manufacturing sector has grown from USD 3 billion in 2014 to nearly USD 24 billion today, an 8-fold increase in just 10 years.

    Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Ayush and Minister of State, Health & Family Welfare Shri Prataprao Jadhav said, “The essence of Ayurveda is rooted in the principle, ‘Sarve BhavantuSukhinah, Sarve Santu Niramayah.’ A recent survey on Ayush revealed that nearly 95% of the rural and 96% of the urban populations are aware of Ayush. These results are highly encouraging, and I am confident that this awareness will continue to grow. Prime Minister, you will be pleased to know that Ayurveda Day is celebrated today in over 150 countries”. The Ayush minister said that the efforts of the Prime Minister have significantly contributed to the global prominence of Ayurveda in health and since 2014 Ayurveda has reached new heights under his exemplary leadership.

    The Union Minister of State for Ayush added that “With the support of Ayurveda students, teachers, and professionals, we are launching a nationwide campaign called ‘Desh Ka Prakriti Parikshan’. Through this campaign, based on the principles of Ayurveda, we can design an ideal lifestyle for every individual and conduct risk analysis to prevent diseases before they strike. In this direction, a positive approach can redefine our health sector.”

    Thanking the Prime Minister for inaugurating the second phase of AIIA, Prof. (Dr.) Tanuja Nesari, Director, AIIA, said, “On this auspicious day of Dhanvantari Jayanti, the day of worshiping Lord Dhanvantari, the deity of health, we seek blessings for health as the greatest wealth. This is why we celebrate Dhanvantari Day as Ayurveda Day—acknowledging Ayurveda as a divine blessing from Lord Dhanvantari that brings both health and happiness. Today, it is a matter of great pride for the All India Institute of Ayurveda that our esteemed Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the second phase of our institute, equipped with modern facilities and spread across 4.5 acres. This phase involves an investment of ₹275 crore.”

    The All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) became the nodal agency for the 9th Ayurveda Day celebrations. Under the Ministry of Ayush, AIIA organized several initiatives to celebrate the event, including a marathon, selfie points, webinars, and health

     

    ****

    MV/AKS

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the creation of a European fund, financed by the extraordinary profits from ‘COVID-19 vaccines’, to compensate victims and to finance research into the treatment of long COVID and its persistent side-effects – B10-0067/2024

    Source: European Parliament

    B10‑0067/2024

    Motion for a European Parliament resolution on the creation of a European fund, financed by the extraordinary profits from ‘COVID-19 vaccines’, to compensate victims and to finance research into the treatment of long COVID and its persistent side-effects

    The European Parliament,

     having regard to Rule 149 of its Rules of Procedure,

    A. whereas extraordinary profits were made by Pfizer (35 billion), BioNTech (20 billion) and Moderna (20 billion) in 2021/2022[1];

    B. whereas 1.7 million adverse – and sometimes very serious – reactions have been reported to the European Medicines Agency[2];

    C. whereas, according to the European Medicines Agency, 12 000 people have died in the European Union from COVID-19 vaccines:

    D. whereas 17 million people have reportedly experienced persistent symptoms after contracting COVID-19 or after being vaccinated against it[3];

     

    1. Calls on the European Commission to create a fund, financed by the extraordinary profits from ‘COVID-19 vaccines’, to compensate victims and to finance research into the treatment of long COVID and its persistent side-effects;

     

    2. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission and the Member States.

     

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Probationers of Indian Trade Service and Indian Cost Accounts Service call on The President

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 29 OCT 2024 6:32PM by PIB Delhi

    The probationers of Indian Trade Service and Indian Cost Accounts Service called on the President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan today (October 29, 2024).

    Speaking on the occasion, the President said that with a rapid economic growth of 8.2 percent in the year 2023-24, the Indian economy has been demonstrating resilience in the face of geopolitical challenges. India needs to attract private investment to increase the levels of per capita income and to get to continued high levels of growth, even amidst a turbulent global environment. Several initiatives of the government of India are creating an enabling ecosystem for growth.

    The President said that with the enhanced focus of the government on boosting manufacturing, it would be the responsibility of Indian Trade Service officers to facilitate the creation of an enabling environment and infrastructure for increasing trade across borders. They are expected to bring up new dimensions in trade negotiation, create innovative policies and provide new impetus to boost India’s trade. She reminded Indian Trade Service officers that they would play an important role in powering India’s growth and making an impact on the lives of people at large.

    The President said that Indian Cost Accounts Service officers play a proactive role in rationalising expenditure across government operations, schemes and projects while ensuring transparent assessment of revenues. They are expected to have an acumen for handling complex financial and cost management issues. They also play an important role in navigating international trade matters such as anti-dumping measures and safeguard duties under various bilateral and multilateral agreements. She said that their decisions and actions would be key to safeguarding public finances and boosting efficiency and effectiveness in government procurement systems.

    The President was happy to note that in the implementation of the GST system, audits undertaken by Indian Cost Accounts Service officers have been instrumental in detecting revenue leakages and enhancing compliance measures. She advised them to be aware of the fact that whatever they do has an ultimate impact on the welfare of underprivileged and deprived sections.

    Please click here to see the President’s Speech – 

    ***

    MJPS/VJ/SKS

    (Release ID: 2069315) Visitor Counter : 63

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI: RBAZ Bancorp, Inc. Announces Unaudited Financial Results For the Quarter Ending September 30, 2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PHOENIX, Oct. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — RBAZ Bancorp, Inc. (OTCIQ: RBAZ) (the “Company”), parent company of Republic Bank of Arizona (the “Bank” or “RBAZ”), announced a consolidated net income of $981,000, or $0.55 per share, for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 and $2,586,000, or $1.45 per share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 as compared to a consolidated net income of $748,000, or $0.41 per share, for the quarter ended September 30, 2023 and $1,771,000, or $0.98 per share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2023.

    President and CEO Brian Ruisinger stated “I am pleased with our strong Q3 earnings performance as we achieved a 22% increase in our net interest margin while the increase in overhead costs was nominal at 2% from the year ago quarter. Net interest margin was bolstered by premium loan pricing that more than offset the increase in cost of deposits over the same period. Additionally, non-interest income was up 26% over the same quarter from a year ago. RBAZ experienced a surge in loan growth in Q3, which necessitated a commensurate increase in our allowance for credit losses, driving the provision expense recorded for the quarter.”

    Mr. Ruisinger continued, “During the quarter, the Federal Reserve executed its first rate cut in over four years. As a result of this signaling from the Fed, we have seen both loan and deposit rates begin to drop in the Phoenix market. RBAZ management closely monitors our peer and competitor banks and will adjust rates accordingly to remain competitive in our market while maintaining a healthy net interest margin.”

    Mr. Ruisinger concluded, “At a Special Shareholder meeting held on August 22nd, shareholders approved the transaction to join forces with Pima Federal Credit Union, headquartered in Tucson, AZ, that was announced on May 16th of this year. Our coming together will create a premier banking experience in Maricopa County as RBAZ’s commercial expertise will be combined with Pima’s strength in consumer products. This proposed transaction is a great outcome for our loyal shareholders and customers and is pending regulatory approval. Additional information will be provided once approvals are obtained, and a closing date is established.”

    September 30, 2024 Company Highlights Include:

    • Total loans of $216,451,000 increased $14,622,000, or 7.2%, from December 31, 2023. This increase consisted of $40,976,000 in new loan originations and advances on construction lines of credit, offset by $25,879,000 in loan maturities and participations sold. Advances and repayments on commercial lines of credit and normal payment attrition comprise the balance of the loan activity in the first three quarters of 2024.
    • Total deposits of $259,902,000 increased $31,730,000, or 13.9%, from December 31, 2023 and related entirely to core deposit generation. The increase in core deposits was the result of deepening of existing relationships and cultivation of new banking relationships. Liquidity continues to be a top priority for the remainder of 2024.
    • Total interest income increased $694,000 to $4,653,000 for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 outpacing total interest income of $3,959,000 for the same period of the prior year equating to an increase of 17.5%.
    • Cost of deposits increased to 2.11% for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 from 1.93% for the quarter ended September 30, 2023 representing an increase of 18 basis points. For two consecutive quarters, the increase in cost of deposits over the prior year comparative quarter has been at a declining rate evidencing stabilization in the interest rate environment.
    • Total non-interest expense increased $45,000 to $1,881,000 for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 compared to $1,836,000 for the same period of the prior year resulting primarily from additional full-time employees and the addition of the new Scottsdale branch and conversion of the existing location to an administrative office, all of which took place in Q4 2023.

    The Bank remains “Well Capitalized” under the Community Bank Leverage Ratio (CBLR) framework as follows:

      September 30,
    2024 (%)
      Ratio to be Well
    Capitalized (%)
    CBLR ratio 10.67   9.00
           

    About the Company
    RBAZ Bancorp, Inc. was established on June 10, 2021 as a single-bank holding company for its Arizona state-chartered bank subsidiary, Republic Bank of Arizona. The Company is traded over-the-counter as RBAZ.

    About the Bank

    Republic Bank of Arizona is a locally owned, community bank in Phoenix, Scottsdale and Gilbert, Arizona. RBAZ is a full service, community bank providing deposit and loan products and convenient, online and mobile banking to individuals, businesses and professionals. The Bank was established in April 2007 and is headquartered at 645 E. Missouri Avenue, Suite 108, Phoenix, AZ. Additional branches are located at 7373 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite A-195, Scottsdale, AZ and 1417 W. Elliot Road, Gilbert, AZ. The Bank is the wholly-owned subsidiary of RBAZ Bancorp, Inc. For further information, please visit our web site: www.republicbankaz.com.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release may include forward-looking statements about the Company and the Bank (collectively referred to herein as the “Company”), for which the Company claims the protection of safe harbor provisions contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are based on management’s knowledge and belief as of today and include information concerning the Company’s possible or assumed future financial condition, and its results of operations and business. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties. Several important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Those factors include fluctuations in interest rates, government policies and regulations (including monetary and fiscal policies), legislation, economic conditions, borrower capacity to repay, operational factors and competition in the geographic and business areas in which the Company conducts its operations. All forward-looking statements included in this press release are based on information available at the time of the release, and the Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement.

      Summary Company Financial Information (unaudited)
      For the three months
    ended September 30,
    For the nine months
    ended September 30,
    Year-End
      2024 2023 2024 2023 2023
      (dollars in thousands, except per share data)
    Summary Income Data:          
    Interest income $4,653 $3,959 $13,321 $10,393 $14,208
    Interest expense 1,469 1,346 4,467 3,383 4,742
    Net interest income 3,184 2,613 8,854 7,010 9,466
    Provision for credit losses 269 394
    Non-interest income 246 196 722 601 820
    Non-interest expense 1,881 1,836 5,810 5,285 7,142
    Income before provision for income tax 1,280 973 3,372 2,326 3,144
    Provision for income tax 299 225 786 555 684
    Net income $981 $748 $2,586 $1,771 $2,460
    Per Share Data:          
    Shares outstanding end-of-period 1,779 1,831 1,779 1,831 1,795
    Earnings per common share $0.55 $0.41 $1.45 $0.98 $1.36
    Diluted earnings per common share $0.52 $0.40 $1.36 $0.96 $1.33
    Book value per share $13.56 $10.73 $13.56 $10.73 $11.77
    Selected Balance Sheet Data:          
    Total assets $291,765 $285,627 $291,765 $285,627 $272,044
    Securities available-for-sale, at fair value 34,746 36,318 34,746 36,318 40,998
    Securities held-to-maturity 9,850 10,907 9,850 10,907 10,648
    Loans 216,451 187,117 216,451 187,117 201,829
    Allowance for credit losses 2,290 2,116 2,290 2,116 2,116
    Deposits 259,902 257,997 259,902 257,997 228,172
    Other borrowings 5,951 5,921 5,951 5,921 20,929
    Shareholders’ equity 24,123 19,646 24,123 19,646 21,128
    Performance Ratios:          
    Return on average shareholders’ equity (annualized) (%) 16.27 15.23 14.29 12.02 11.64
    Net interest margin (%) 4.48 3.76 4.24 3.65 3.68
    Average assets $292,192 $283,605 $290,218 $264,252 $264,488
    Return on average assets (annualized) (%) 1.34 1.05 1.19 0.89 0.93
    Shareholders’ equity to assets (%) 8.27 6.88 8.27 6.88 7.77
    Efficiency ratio (%) 54.84 65.36 60.67 69.44 69.43
    Asset Quality Data:          
    Nonaccrual loans $387 $219 $387 $219 $209
    Loan modifications to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty $- $54 $- $54 $-
    Other real estate owned $- $- $- $- $-
    Nonperforming loans $387 $219 $387 $219 $209
    Nonperforming loans to total assets (%) 0.13 0.08 0.13 0.08 0.08
    Nonperforming loans to total loans (%) 0.18 0.12 0.18 0.12 0.10
    Allowance for credit losses to total loans (%) 1.06 1.13 1.06 1.13 1.05
    Allowance for credit losses to nonperforming loans (%) 591.73 966.21 591.73 966.21 1,012.44
    Net charge-offs (recoveries) for period $141 $- $164 ($352) ($352)
    Average loans $213,008 $183,063 $204,992 $171,002 $176,146
    Ratio of net charge-offs (recoveries) to average loans (%) 0.07 n/a 0.08 (0.21) (0.20)

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Medallion Bank Reports 2024 Third Quarter Results and Declares Series F Preferred Stock Dividend

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SALT LAKE CITY, Oct. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Medallion Bank (Nasdaq: MBNKP, the “Bank”), an FDIC-insured bank specializing in consumer loans for the purchase of recreational vehicles, boats, and home improvements, as well as loan products and services offered through fintech strategic partners, today announced its results for the quarter ended September 30, 2024. The Bank is a wholly owned subsidiary of Medallion Financial Corp. (Nasdaq: MFIN).

    2024 Third Quarter Highlights

    • Net income of $15.5 million, compared to $17.2 million in the prior year quarter.
    • Net interest income of $53.2 million, compared to $48.7 million in the prior year quarter.
    • Net interest margin of 8.44%, compared to 8.70% in the prior year quarter.
    • Total provision for credit losses was $20.2 million, compared to $14.0 million in the prior year quarter. Total provision for credit losses included $2.2 million of net taxi medallion recoveries, compared to $1.7 million of net taxi medallion recoveries in the prior year quarter.
    • Annualized net charge-offs were 2.31% of average loans outstanding, compared to 1.97% in the prior year quarter.
    • Annualized return on assets and return on equity were 2.47% and 16.72%, respectively, compared to 3.06% and 20.46% for the prior year period.
    • The total loan portfolio grew 13% from September 30, 2023 to $2.4 billion as of September 30, 2024.
    • Total assets were $2.6 billion and the Tier 1 leverage ratio was 15.66% at September 30, 2024.

    Donald Poulton, President and Chief Executive Officer of Medallion Bank, stated, “Earnings grew over the sequential quarter as combined recreation and home improvement loan origination volumes reached their anticipated peak for 2024. Net interest income rose to $53 million on more than $72 million of total interest income. As is typical for the time of year, delinquency rose compared to the second quarter while the net charge-off rate was essentially flat. Aided by the new fintech relationship announced in September, we originated $40 million in loans through our fintech strategic partners during the quarter. The strategic partnership program, which we have approached with caution and patience, is expected to grow steadily in the coming periods as our partners grow. Though overall demand for our products remains strong, we continue to prioritize credit quality and managed growth that maintains our market position.”

    Recreation Lending Segment

    • The Bank’s recreation loan portfolio grew 15% to $1.555 billion as of September 30, 2024, compared to $1.346 billion at September 30, 2023. Loan originations were $139.1 million, compared to $92.6 million in the prior year quarter.
    • Net interest income was $40.2 million, compared to $36.5 million in the prior year quarter.
    • Recreation loans were 65% of loans receivable as of September 30, 2024, compared to 64% at September 30, 2023.
    • Delinquencies 30 days or more past due were $64.6 million, or 4.15%, of recreation loans as of September 30, 2024, compared to $51.4 million, or 3.82%, at September 30, 2023.
    • Annualized net charge-offs were 3.18% of average recreation loans outstanding, compared to 2.67% in the prior year quarter.
    • The provision for recreation credit losses was $17.5 million and the allowance for credit losses was 4.53% of the outstanding balance, compared to $11.9 million and 4.24% of the outstanding balance in the prior year quarter.

    Home Improvement Lending Segment

    • The Bank’s home improvement loan portfolio grew 8% to $814.1 million as of September 30, 2024, compared to $750.5 million at September 30, 2023. Loan originations were $96.5 million, compared to $79.3 million in the prior year quarter.
    • Net interest income was $12.6 million, compared to $11.9 million in the prior year quarter.
    • Home improvement loans were 34% of loans receivable as of September 30, 2024, compared to 36% at September 30, 2023.
    • Delinquencies 30 days or more past due were $8.3 million, or 1.02%, of home improvement loans as of September 30, 2024, compared to $6.8 million, or 0.90%, at September 30, 2023.
    • Annualized net charge-offs were 1.76% of average home improvement loans outstanding, compared to 1.61% in the prior year quarter.
    • The provision for home improvement credit losses was $4.9 million and the allowance for credit losses was 2.42% of the outstanding balance, compared to $3.9 million and 2.31% of the outstanding balance in the prior year quarter.

    Series F Preferred Stock Dividend

    On October 24, 2024, the Bank’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.50 per share on the Bank’s Fixed-to-Floating Rate Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series F, which trades on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the ticker symbol “MBNKP.” The dividend is payable on January 2, 2025, to holders of record at the close of business on December 16, 2024.

    About Medallion Bank

    Medallion Bank specializes in providing consumer loans for the purchase of recreational vehicles, boats, and home improvements, along with loan origination services to fintech strategic partners. The Bank works directly with thousands of dealers, contractors and financial service providers serving their customers throughout the United States. Medallion Bank is a Utah-chartered, FDIC-insured industrial bank headquartered in Salt Lake City and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Medallion Financial Corp. (Nasdaq: MFIN).

    For more information, visit www.medallionbank.com 

    Please note that this press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties relating to business performance, cash flow, costs, sales, net investment income, earnings, returns and growth. These statements are often, but not always, made through the use of words or phrases such as “remains,” “anticipated,” “expected,” “continue,” “maintain” or the negative versions of these words or other comparable words or phrases of a future or forward-looking nature. These statements may relate to our future earnings, returns, capital levels, sources of funding, growth prospects, asset quality and pursuit and execution of our strategy. Medallion Bank’s actual results may differ significantly from the results discussed in such forward-looking statements. For a description of certain risks to which Medallion Bank is or may be subject, please refer to the factors discussed under the captions “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors” included in Medallion Bank’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, and in its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, filed with the FDIC. Medallion Bank’s Form 10-K, Form 10-Qs and other FDIC filings are available in the Investor Relations section of Medallion Bank’s website. Medallion Bank’s financial results for any period are not necessarily indicative of Medallion Financial Corp.’s results for the same period.  

    Company Contact:
    Investor Relations
    212-328-2176
    InvestorRelations@medallion.com 

    MEDALLION BANK
    STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
    (UNAUDITED)
     
      Three Months Ended September 30,   Nine Months Ended September 30,
    (In thousands) 2024   2023   2024   2023
    Total interest income $ 72,352   $ 62,193   $ 202,079   $ 173,414
    Total interest expense   19,193     13,446     50,470     33,384
    Net interest income   53,159     48,747     151,609     140,030
    Provision for credit losses   20,153     14,024     55,345     26,740
    Net interest income after provision for credit losses   33,006     34,723     96,264     113,290
    Other non-interest income   645     968     2,116     1,263
    Non-interest expense              
    Salaries and benefits   5,035     5,024     14,971     14,004
    Loan servicing   3,158     3,007     9,074     8,723
    Collection costs   1,604     1,509     4,578     4,473
    Regulatory fees   961     1,021     2,826     2,484
    Professional fees   368     450     1,185     1,612
    Information technology   317     252     858     750
    Occupancy and equipment   193     211     626     625
    Other   875     839     2,685     2,705
    Total non-interest expense   12,511     12,313     36,803     35,376
    Income before income taxes   21,140     23,378     61,577     79,177
    Provision for income taxes   5,661     6,222     16,583     21,268
    Net income $ 15,479   $ 17,156   $ 44,994   $ 57,909
    Less: Preferred stock dividends   1,512     1,512     4,535   $ 4,535
    Net income attributable to common shareholder $ 13,967   $ 15,644   $ 40,459   $ 53,374
     
    MEDALLION BANK
    BALANCE SHEETS
    (UNAUDITED)
     
    (In thousands) September 30, 2024   December 31, 2023   September 30, 2023
    Assets          
    Cash and federal funds sold $ 148,446     $ 110,043     $ 100,192  
    Investment securities, available-for-sale   56,754       54,282       53,175  
    Loans, inclusive of net deferred loan acquisition cost and fees   2,374,673       2,100,338       2,101,786  
    Allowance for credit losses   (90,784 )     (79,283 )     (75,094 )
    Loans, net   2,283,889       2,021,055       2,026,692  
    Loan collateral in process of foreclosure   3,424       4,165       7,658  
    Fixed assets and right-of-use lease assets, net   9,275       8,140       7,705  
    Deferred tax assets   13,338       12,761       11,634  
    Accrued interest receivable   14,013       13,439       13,405  
    Other assets   38,472       38,171       37,595  
    Total assets $ 2,567,611     $ 2,262,056     $ 2,258,056  
    Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity          
    Liabilities          
    Deposits and other funds borrowed $ 2,143,132     $ 1,866,657     $ 1,865,096  
    Accrued interest payable   4,880       4,029       3,052  
    Income tax payable   25,559       21,219       30,472  
    Other liabilities   17,301       17,509       18,397  
    Due to affiliates   1,038       849       942  
    Total liabilities   2,191,910       1,910,263       1,917,959  
    Shareholder’s Equity          
    Series E Preferred stock   26,303       26,303       26,303  
    Series F Preferred stock   42,485       42,485       42,485  
    Common stock   1,000       1,000       1,000  
    Additional paid in capital   77,500       77,500       77,500  
    Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax   (3,080 )     (4,529 )     (5,794 )
    Retained earnings   231,493       209,034       198,603  
    Total shareholders’ equity   375,701       351,793       340,097  
    Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $ 2,567,611     $ 2,262,056     $ 2,258,056  

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Expand Energy Corporation Reports Third Quarter 2024 Results, Provides Preliminary 2025 Capital and Operating Plan and Announces Enhanced Capital Return Framework

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    OKLAHOMA CITY, Oct. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Expand Energy Corporation (NASDAQ: EXE) (“Expand Energy” or the “company”) today reported third quarter 2024 financial and operating results. In addition, the company provided its preliminary 2025 capital and operating plan and announced details regarding its enhanced capital return framework. On October 1, 2024, Expand Energy announced the completion of the previously disclosed merger between Chesapeake Energy Corporation (“Chesapeake”) and Southwestern Energy Company (“Southwestern”).

    Legacy Chesapeake Third Quarter Highlights

    • Net cash provided by operating activities of $422 million
    • Net loss of $114 million, or $0.85 per fully diluted share; adjusted net income(1)of $22 million, or $0.16 per share
    • Adjusted EBITDAX(1)of $365 million
    • Produced approximately 2.65 bcf/d net (100% natural gas)

    Expand Energy Highlights

    • Raised annual synergy target by $100 million; expected to achieve approximately $225 million in 2025 and approximately $500 million in annual synergies by year end 2027
    • Upgraded at the start of fourth quarter to Investment Grade credit rating from S&P (BBB-) and Fitch (BBB-)
    • Quarterly base dividend of $0.575 per common share to be paid in December 2024, 15th straight quarter paying a dividend
    • 2025 capital expenditures expected to be approximately $2.7 billion, yielding net production of approximately 7 bcf/day (~91% natural gas)
    • Enhanced capital return framework to more effectively return cash to shareholders and reduce net debt; announced new $1 billion share repurchase authorization

    (1) Definitions of non-GAAP financial measures and reconciliations of each non-GAAP financial measure to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure are included at the end of this news release.

    “Our strong third quarter results, recent Investment Grade rating and preliminary 2025 outlook demonstrate the power of our advantaged portfolio and resilient financial foundation,” said Nick Dell’Osso, Expand Energy’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “Our integration efforts are already delivering, allowing us to raise our annual synergy expectations by 25% to $500 million, as we drive to lower our breakeven costs and more efficiently reach markets in need. As the largest domestic producer of natural gas, and a top producer globally, we are built to answer the call for affordable, reliable, lower carbon energy and expand opportunity for all stakeholders.”
    Operations Update

    In the third quarter, legacy Chesapeake operated an average of seven rigs to drill 30 wells and turned seven wells in line, resulting in net production of approximately 2.65 bcfe per day (100% natural gas). Additionally, the company built an inventory of 18 drilled but uncompleted (“DUCs”) wells and 12 deferred turn in lines (“TILs”). A detailed breakdown of third quarter production, capital expenditures and activity can be found in supplemental slides which have been posted at https://investors.expandenergy.com/events-presentations.

    Expand Energy continues to execute its previously disclosed plan to defer completions and new TILs. As of October 1, 2024, the combined company had 58 DUCs, excluding working inventory, and 58 deferred TILs. The company intends to prudently activate production as market conditions warrant.

    Expand Energy is currently running 12 rigs (8 in Haynesville, 2 in Northeast Appalachia, and 2 in Southwest Appalachia) and 6 completion crews (3 in Haynesville, 2 in Northeast Appalachia, and 1 in Southwest Appalachia). At current market conditions, the company expects to drop two rigs in the first quarter of 2025.

    Annual Synergy Outlook and Preliminary 2025 Capital & Operating Program

    Expand Energy increased its expected annual synergy outlook by $100 million to $500 million. The company expects to achieve approximately $225 million in synergies in 2025 and to achieve the full $500 million in annual synergies by year end 2027.

    In 2025, at current market conditions, the company expects to run 10 to 12 rigs and invest approximately $2.7 billion yielding an estimated daily production of approximately 7 bcfe per day. Expand Energy will provide complete guidance in early 2025.

    Shareholder Returns Update

    Expand Energy plans to pay its quarterly base dividend of $0.575 per share on December 4, 2024 to shareholders of record at the close of business on November 14, 2024.

    The company announced today its enhanced capital return framework which is designed to more effectively return cash to shareholders and reduce net debt. The plan is expected to go into effect January 1, 2025, and prioritizes the base dividend of $2.30 per share and $500 million of annual net debt reduction. Once both have been funded, it is anticipated that 75% of remaining free cash flow be distributed as market conditions warrant, between share repurchases and additional dividend payments. The remaining free cash flow would be maintained on the balance sheet.

    In conjunction with the enhanced framework, Expand Energy’s Board of Directors approved a $1 billion repurchase authorization.

    Conference Call Information

    A conference call to discuss the results and preliminary 2025 plan has been scheduled for 9 a.m. EDT on October 30, 2024. Participants can view the live webcast here. Participants who would like to ask a question, can register here, and will receive the dial-in info and a unique PIN to join the call. Links to the conference call will be provided on Expand Energy’s website. A replay will be available on the website following the call.

    Financial Statements, Non-GAAP Financial Measures and 2024 Guidance and Outlook Projections

    Reconciliations of each non-GAAP financial measure used in this news release to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure are provided below. Additional detail on the company’s 2024 third quarter financial and operational results, along with non-GAAP measures that adjust for items typically excluded by certain securities analysts, are available on the company’s website. Non-GAAP measures should not be considered as an alternative to GAAP measures. Management’s updated guidance for 2024 and preliminary plan for 2025 can be found on the company’s website at www.expandenergy.com.

    Expand Energy Corporation (NASDAQ: EXE) is the largest independent natural gas producer in the United States, powered by dedicated and innovative employees focused on disrupting the industry’s traditional cost and market delivery model to responsibly develop assets in the nation’s most prolific natural gas basins. Expand Energy’s returns-driven strategy strives to create sustainable value for its stakeholders by leveraging its scale, financial strength and operational execution. Expand Energy is committed to expanding America’s energy reach to fuel a more affordable, reliable, lower carbon future.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements include our current expectations or forecasts of future events, including matters relating to the combined company after the merger with Southwestern Energy Company (“Southwestern”), armed conflict and instability in Europe and the Middle East, along with the effects of the current global economic environment, and the impact of each on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows, actions by, or disputes among or between, members of OPEC+ and other foreign oil-exporting countries, market factors, market prices, our ability to meet debt service requirements, our ability to continue to pay cash dividends, the amount and timing of any cash dividends and our ESG initiatives. Forward-looking and other statements in this release regarding our environmental, social and other sustainability plans and goals are not an indication that these statements are necessarily material to investors or required to be disclosed in our filings with the SEC. In addition, historical, current, and forward-looking environmental, social and sustainability-related statements may be based on standards for measuring progress that are still developing, internal controls and processes that continue to evolve, and assumptions that are subject to change in the future. Forward-looking statements often address our expected future business, financial performance and financial condition, and often contain words such as “expect,” “could,” “may,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “ability,” “believe,” “seek,” “see,” “will,” “would,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “target,” “guidance,” “outlook,” “opportunity” or “strategy.” The absence of such words or expressions does not necessarily mean the statements are not forward-looking.

    Although we believe the expectations and forecasts reflected in our forward-looking statements are reasonable, they are inherently subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control. No assurance can be given that such forward-looking statements will be correct or achieved or that the assumptions are accurate or will not change over time. Particular uncertainties that could cause our actual results to be materially different than those expressed in our forward-looking statements include:

    • conservation measures and technological advances could reduce demand for natural gas and oil;
    • negative public perceptions of our industry;
    • competition in the natural gas and oil exploration and production industry;
    • the volatility of natural gas, oil and NGL prices, which are affected by general economic and business conditions, as well as increased demand for (and availability of) alternative fuels and electric vehicles;
    • risks from regional epidemics or pandemics and related economic turmoil, including supply chain constraints;
    • write-downs of our natural gas and oil asset carrying values due to low commodity prices;
    • significant capital expenditures are required to replace our reserves and conduct our business;
    • our ability to replace reserves and sustain production;
    • uncertainties inherent in estimating quantities of natural gas, oil and NGL reserves and projecting future rates of production and the amount and timing of development expenditures;
    • drilling and operating risks and resulting liabilities;
    • our ability to generate profits or achieve targeted results in drilling and well operations;
    • leasehold terms expiring before production can be established;
    • risks from our commodity price risk management activities;
    • uncertainties, risks and costs associated with natural gas and oil operations;
    • our need to secure adequate supplies of water for our drilling operations and to dispose of or recycle the water used;
    • pipeline and gathering system capacity constraints and transportation interruptions;
    • our plans to participate in the LNG export industry;
    • terrorist activities and/or cyber-attacks adversely impacting our operations;
    • risks from failure to protect personal information and data and compliance with data privacy and security laws and regulations;
    • disruption of our business by natural or human causes beyond our control;
    • a deterioration in general economic, business or industry conditions;
    • the impact of inflation and commodity price volatility, including as a result of armed conflict and instability in Europe and the Middle East, along with the effects of the current global economic environment, on our business, financial condition, employees, contractors, vendors and the global demand for natural gas and oil and on U.S. and global financial markets;
    • our inability to access the capital markets on favorable terms;
    • the limitations on our financial flexibility due to our level of indebtedness and restrictive covenants from our indebtedness;
    • our actual financial results after emergence from bankruptcy may not be comparable to our historical financial information;
    • risks related to acquisitions or dispositions, or potential acquisitions or dispositions, including risks related to the merger with Southwestern, such as risks related to loss of management personnel, other key employees, customers, suppliers, vendors, landlords, joint venture partners and other business partners following the merger; risks related to disruption of management time from ongoing business operations due to integration; the risk of any litigation relating to the transaction; the risk that problems may arise in successfully integrating the businesses of the companies, which may result in the combined company not operating as effectively and efficiently as expected; and the risk that the combined company may be unable to achieve synergies or other anticipated benefits of the transaction or it may take longer than expected to achieve those synergies or benefits;
    • our ability to achieve and maintain ESG certifications, goals and commitments;
    • legislative, regulatory and ESG initiatives, addressing environmental concerns, including initiatives addressing the impact of global climate change or further regulating hydraulic fracturing, methane emissions, flaring or water disposal;
    • federal and state tax proposals affecting our industry;
    • risks related to an annual limitation on the utilization of our tax attributes, as well as trading in our common stock, additional issuance of common stock, and certain other stock transactions, which could lead to an additional, potentially more restrictive, annual limitation; and
    • other factors that are described under Risk Factors in Item 1A of Part I of our Annual Report on Form 10-K.

    We caution you not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this release, which speak only as of the filing date, and we undertake no obligation to update this information. We urge you to carefully review and consider the disclosures in this release and our filings with the SEC that attempt to advise interested parties of the risks and factors that may affect our business.

    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (unaudited)
     
    ($ in millions, except per share data) September 30, 2024   December 31, 2023
    Assets      
    Current assets:      
    Cash and cash equivalents $ 1,044     $ 1,079  
    Restricted cash   76       74  
    Accounts receivable, net   261       593  
    Derivative assets   199       637  
    Other current assets   217       226  
    Total current assets   1,797       2,609  
    Property and equipment:      
    Natural gas and oil properties, successful efforts method      
    Proved natural gas and oil properties   12,373       11,468  
    Unproved properties   1,806       1,806  
    Other property and equipment   518       497  
    Total property and equipment   14,697       13,771  
    Less: accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization   (4,743 )     (3,674 )
    Total property and equipment, net   9,954       10,097  
    Long-term derivative assets   15       74  
    Deferred income tax assets   1,038       933  
    Other long-term assets   588       663  
    Total assets $ 13,392     $ 14,376  
           
    Liabilities and stockholders’ equity      
    Current liabilities:      
    Accounts payable $ 264     $ 425  
    Accrued interest   41       39  
    Derivative liabilities   5       3  
    Other current liabilities   589       847  
    Total current liabilities   899       1,314  
    Long-term debt, net   2,017       2,028  
    Long-term derivative liabilities         9  
    Asset retirement obligations, net of current portion   271       265  
    Other long-term liabilities   17       31  
    Total liabilities   3,204       3,647  
    Contingencies and commitments      
    Stockholders’ equity:      
    Common stock, $0.01 par value, 450,000,000 shares authorized: 135,107,576 and 130,789,936 shares issued   1       1  
    Additional paid-in capital   5,778       5,754  
    Retained earnings   4,409       4,974  
    Total stockholders’ equity   10,188       10,729  
    Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 13,392     $ 14,376  
    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (unaudited)
     
      Three Months Ended
    September 30,
      Nine Months Ended
    September 30,
        2024       2023       2024       2023  
    ($ in millions, except per share data)              
    Revenues and other:              
    Natural gas, oil and NGL $ 407     $ 682     $ 1,374     $ 2,784  
    Marketing   193       724       641       1,987  
    Natural gas and oil derivatives   46       106       207       1,195  
    Gains on sales of assets   2             12       807  
    Total revenues and other   648       1,512       2,234       6,773  
    Operating expenses:              
    Production   50       73       158       293  
    Gathering, processing and transportation   152       192       479       663  
    Severance and ad valorem taxes   11       27       58       136  
    Exploration   2       4       7       19  
    Marketing   192       723       656       1,985  
    General and administrative   39       29       133       95  
    Separation and other termination costs               23       3  
    Depreciation, depletion and amortization   335       382       1,082       1,148  
    Other operating expense, net   22       3       55       15  
    Total operating expenses   803       1,433       2,651       4,357  
    Income (loss) from operations   (155 )     79       (417 )     2,416  
    Other income (expense):              
    Interest expense   (20 )     (23 )     (59 )     (82 )
    Losses on purchases, exchanges or extinguishments of debt               (2 )      
    Other income   17       15       58       48  
    Total other income (expense)   (3 )     (8 )     (3 )     (34 )
    Income (loss) before income taxes   (158 )     71       (420 )     2,382  
    Income tax expense (benefit)   (44 )     1       (105 )     532  
    Net income (loss) $ (114 )   $ 70     $ (315 )   $ 1,850  
    Earnings (loss) per common share:              
    Basic $ (0.85 )   $ 0.53     $ (2.39 )   $ 13.86  
    Diluted $ (0.85 )   $ 0.49     $ (2.39 )   $ 12.90  
    Weighted average common shares outstanding (in thousands):              
    Basic   133,794       132,153       131,958       133,460  
    Diluted   133,794       142,348       131,958       143,463  
    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (unaudited)
     
      Three Months Ended
    September 30,
      Nine Months Ended
    September 30,
    ($ in millions)   2024       2023       2024       2023  
    Cash flows from operating activities:              
    Net income (loss) $ (114 )   $ 70     $ (315 )   $ 1,850  
    Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:              
    Depreciation, depletion and amortization   335       382       1,082       1,148  
    Deferred income tax expense (benefit)   (44 )     (80 )     (105 )     319  
    Derivative gains, net   (46 )     (106 )     (207 )     (1,195 )
    Cash receipts on derivative settlements, net   207       216       695       167  
    Share-based compensation   10       9       29       25  
    Gains on sales of assets   (2 )           (12 )     (807 )
    Losses on purchases, exchanges or extinguishments of debt               2        
    Other   (9 )     6       (16 )     35  
    Changes in assets and liabilities   85       9       30       368  
    Net cash provided by operating activities   422       506       1,183       1,910  
    Cash flows from investing activities:              
    Capital expenditures   (298 )     (423 )     (1,021 )     (1,450 )
    Receipts of deferred consideration               116        
    Contributions to investments   (26 )     (61 )     (71 )     (149 )
    Proceeds from divestitures of property and equipment   5       4       17       1,967  
    Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities   (319 )     (480 )     (959 )     368  
    Cash flows from financing activities:              
    Proceeds from Credit Facility                     1,125  
    Payments on Credit Facility                     (2,175 )
    Funds held for transition services         (6 )           91  
    Proceeds from warrant exercise               1        
    Debt issuance and other financing costs               (4 )      
    Cash paid to repurchase and retire common stock         (132 )           (313 )
    Cash paid for common stock dividends   (78 )     (77 )     (254 )     (412 )
    Net cash used in financing activities   (78 )     (215 )     (257 )     (1,684 )
    Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash   25       (189 )     (33 )     594  
    Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period   1,095       975       1,153       192  
    Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period $ 1,120     $ 786     $ 1,120     $ 786  
                   
    Cash and cash equivalents $ 1,044     $ 713     $ 1,044     $ 713  
    Restricted cash   76       73       76       73  
    Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash $ 1,120     $ 786     $ 1,120     $ 786  
    NATURAL GAS, OIL AND NGL PRODUCTION AND AVERAGE SALES PRICES (unaudited)
     
      Three Months Ended September 30, 2024
      Natural Gas   Oil   NGL   Total
      MMcf
    per day
      $/Mcf   MBbl
    per day
      $/Bbl   MBbl
    per day
      $/Bbl   MMcfe
    per day
      $/Mcfe
    Marcellus 1,531   1.51           1,531   1.51
    Haynesville 1,116   1.88           1,116   1.88
    Total 2,647   1.67           2,647   1.67
                                   
    Average NYMEX Price     2.16                      
    Average Realized Price (including realized derivatives)     2.51                   2.51
      Three Months Ended September 30, 2023
      Natural Gas   Oil   NGL   Total
      MMcf
    per day
      $/Mcf   MBbl
    per day
      $/Bbl   MBbl
    per day
      $/Bbl   MMcfe
    per day
      $/Mcfe
    Marcellus 1,734   1.63           1,734   1.63
    Haynesville 1,568   2.15           1,568   2.15
    Eagle Ford 76   2.52   9   82.33   10   25.76   193   6.36
    Total 3,378   1.89   9   82.33   10   25.76   3,495   2.12
                                   
    Average NYMEX Price     2.55       82.26                
    Average Realized Price (including realized derivatives)     2.58       82.33       25.76       2.79
      Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024
      Natural Gas   Oil   NGL   Total
      MMcf
    per day
      $/Mcf   MBbl
    per day
      $/Bbl   MBbl
    per day
      $/Bbl   MMcfe
    per day
      $/Mcfe
    Marcellus 1,601   1.65           1,601   1.65
    Haynesville 1,261   1.88           1,261   1.88
    Total 2,862   1.75           2,862   1.75
                                   
    Average NYMEX Price     2.10                      
    Average Realized Price
    (including realized derivatives)
        2.64                   2.64
      Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023
      Natural Gas   Oil   NGL   Total
      MMcf
    per day
      $/Mcf   MBbl
    per day
      $/Bbl   MBbl
    per day
      $/Bbl   MMcfe
    per day
      $/Mcfe
    Marcellus 1,845   2.24           1,845   2.24
    Haynesville 1,569   2.26           1,569   2.26
    Eagle Ford 96   2.22   26   77.41   12   25.61   323   7.82
    Total 3,510   2.25   26   77.41   12   25.61   3,737   2.73
                                   
    Average NYMEX Price     2.69       77.39                
    Average Realized Price
    (including realized derivatives)
        2.56       72.10       25.61       2.99
    CAPITAL EXPENDITURES ACCRUED (unaudited)
     
      Three Months Ended
    September 30,
      Nine Months Ended
    September 30,
        2024       2023       2024       2023  
    ($ in millions)              
    Drilling and completion capital expenditures:              
    Marcellus $ 82     $ 91     $ 280     $ 324  
    Haynesville   151       191       477       704  
    Eagle Ford         9             222  
    Total drilling and completion capital expenditures   233       291       757       1,250  
    Non-drilling and completion – field   32       48       106       100  
    Non-drilling and completion – corporate   24       18       73       56  
    Total capital expenditures $ 289     $ 357     $ 936     $ 1,406  
    NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
     

    As a supplement to the financial results prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, Expand Energy’s quarterly earnings releases contain certain financial measures that are not prepared or presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. These non-GAAP financial measures include Adjusted Net Income, Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Common Share, Adjusted EBITDAX, Free Cash Flow, Adjusted Free Cash Flow and Net Debt. A reconciliation of each financial measure to its most directly comparable GAAP financial measure is included in the tables below. Management believes these adjusted financial measures are a meaningful adjunct to earnings and cash flows calculated in accordance with GAAP because (a) management uses these financial measures to evaluate the company’s trends and performance, (b) these financial measures are comparable to estimates provided by certain securities analysts, and (c) items excluded generally are one-time items or items whose timing or amount cannot be reasonably estimated. Accordingly, any guidance provided by the company generally excludes information regarding these types of items.

    Expand Energy’s definitions of each non-GAAP measure presented herein are provided below. Because not all companies or securities analysts use identical calculations, Expand Energy’s non-GAAP measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies or securities analysts.

    Adjusted Net Income: Adjusted Net Income is defined as net income (loss) adjusted to exclude unrealized (gains) losses on natural gas and oil derivatives, (gains) losses on sales of assets, and certain items management believes affect the comparability of operating results, less a tax effect using applicable rates. Expand Energy believes that Adjusted Net Income facilitates comparisons of the company’s period-over-period performance, which many investors use in making investment decisions and evaluating operational trends and performance. Adjusted Net Income should not be considered an alternative to, or more meaningful than, net income (loss) as presented in accordance with GAAP.

    Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Common Share: Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Common Share is defined as diluted earnings (loss) per common share adjusted to exclude the per diluted share amounts attributed to unrealized (gains) losses on natural gas and oil derivatives, (gains) losses on sales of assets, and certain items management believes affect the comparability of operating results, less a tax effect using applicable rates. Expand Energy believes that Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Common Share facilitates comparisons of the company’s period-over-period performance, which many investors use in making investment decisions and evaluating operational trends and performance. Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Common Share should not be considered an alternative to, or more meaningful than, earnings (loss) per common share as presented in accordance with GAAP.

    Adjusted EBITDAX: Adjusted EBITDAX is defined as net income (loss) before interest expense, income tax expense (benefit), depreciation, depletion and amortization expense, exploration expense, unrealized (gains) losses on natural gas and oil derivatives, separation and other termination costs, (gains) losses on sales of assets, and certain items management believes affect the comparability of operating results. Adjusted EBITDAX is presented as it provides investors an indication of the company’s ability to internally fund exploration and development activities and service or incur debt. Adjusted EBITDAX should not be considered an alternative to, or more meaningful than, net income (loss) as presented in accordance with GAAP.

    Free Cash Flow: Free Cash Flow is defined as net cash provided by (used in) operating activities less cash capital expenditures. Free Cash Flow is a liquidity measure that provides investors additional information regarding the company’s ability to service or incur debt and return cash to shareholders. Free Cash Flow should not be considered an alternative to, or more meaningful than, net cash provided by (used in) operating activities, or any other measure of liquidity presented in accordance with GAAP.

    Adjusted Free Cash Flow: Adjusted Free Cash Flow is defined as net cash provided by (used in) operating activities less cash capital expenditures and cash contributions to investments, adjusted to exclude certain items management believes affect the comparability of operating results. Adjusted Free Cash Flow is a liquidity measure that provides investors additional information regarding the company’s ability to service or incur debt and return cash to shareholders and is used to determine Expand Energy’s returns framework payout. Adjusted Free Cash Flow should not be considered an alternative to, or more meaningful than, net cash provided by (used in) operating activities, or any other measure of liquidity presented in accordance with GAAP.

    Net Debt: Net Debt is defined as GAAP total debt excluding premiums, discounts, and deferred issuance costs less cash and cash equivalents. Net Debt is useful to investors as a widely understood measure of liquidity and leverage, but this measure should not be considered as an alternative to, or more meaningful than, total debt presented in accordance with GAAP.

    RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME (LOSS) TO ADJUSTED NET INCOME (unaudited)
     
      Three Months Ended
    September 30,
      Nine Months Ended
    September 30,
    ($ in millions)   2024       2023       2024       2023  
    Net income (loss) (GAAP) $ (114 )   $ 70     $ (315 )   $ 1,850  
                   
    Adjustments:              
    Unrealized (gains) losses on natural gas and oil derivatives   160       110       489       (931 )
    Separation and other termination costs               23       3  
    Gains on sales of assets   (2 )           (12 )     (807 )
    Other operating expense, net   23       3       58       18  
    Losses on purchases, exchanges or extinguishments of debt               2        
    Other   (4 )     (4 )     (17 )     (19 )
    Tax effect of adjustments(a)   (41 )     (24 )     (125 )     403  
    Adjusted net income (Non-GAAP) $ 22     $ 155     $ 103     $ 517  
    (a) The three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023 include a tax effect attributed to the reconciling adjustments using a statutory rate of 23%.
    RECONCILIATION OF EARNINGS (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE TO ADJUSTED DILUTED EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE (unaudited)
     
      Three Months Ended
    September 30,
      Nine Months Ended
    September 30,
    ($/share)   2024       2023       2024       2023  
    Earnings (loss) per common share (GAAP) $ (0.85 )   $ 0.53     $ (2.39 )   $ 13.86  
    Effect of dilutive securities         (0.04 )           (0.96 )
    Diluted earnings (loss) per common share (GAAP) $ (0.85 )   $ 0.49     $ (2.39 )   $ 12.90  
                   
    Adjustments:              
    Unrealized (gains) losses on natural gas and oil derivatives   1.20       0.78       3.70       (6.49 )
    Separation and other termination costs               0.17       0.02  
    Gains on sales of assets   (0.02 )           (0.09 )     (5.63 )
    Other operating expense, net   0.17       0.02       0.44       0.13  
    Losses on purchases, exchanges or extinguishments of debt               0.01        
    Other   (0.03 )     (0.03 )     (0.13 )     (0.13 )
    Tax effect of adjustments(a)   (0.31 )     (0.17 )     (0.95 )     2.81  
    Effect of dilutive securities               (0.03 )      
    Adjusted diluted earnings per common share (Non-GAAP) $ 0.16     $ 1.09     $ 0.73     $ 3.61  
    (a) The three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023 include a tax effect attributed to the reconciling adjustments using a statutory rate of 23%.
    RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME (LOSS) TO ADJUSTED EBITDAX (unaudited)
     
      Three Months Ended
    September 30,
      Nine Months Ended
    September 30,
        2024       2023       2024       2023  
    ($ in millions)              
    Net income (loss) (GAAP) $ (114 )   $ 70     $ (315 )   $ 1,850  
                   
    Adjustments:              
    Interest expense   20       23       59       82  
    Income tax expense (benefit)   (44 )     1       (105 )     532  
    Depreciation, depletion and amortization   335       382       1,082       1,148  
    Exploration   2       4       7       19  
    Unrealized (gains) losses on natural gas and oil derivatives   160       110       489       (931 )
    Separation and other termination costs               23       3  
    Gains on sales of assets   (2 )           (12 )     (807 )
    Other operating expense, net   23       3       58       18  
    Losses on purchases, exchanges or extinguishments of debt               2        
    Other   (15 )     (13 )     (57 )     (36 )
    Adjusted EBITDAX (Non-GAAP) $ 365     $ 580     $ 1,231     $ 1,878  
    RECONCILIATION OF NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES TO ADJUSTED FREE CASH FLOW (unaudited)
     
      Three Months Ended
    September 30,
      Nine Months Ended
    September 30,
        2024       2023       2024       2023  
    ($ in millions)              
    Net cash provided by operating activities (GAAP) $ 422     $ 506     $ 1,183     $ 1,910  
    Cash capital expenditures   (298 )     (423 )     (1,021 )     (1,450 )
    Free cash flow (Non-GAAP)   124       83       162       460  
    Cash contributions to investments   (26 )     (61 )     (71 )     (149 )
    Free cash flow associated with divested assets(a)         (57 )           (195 )
    Adjusted free cash flow (Non-GAAP) $ 98     $ (35 )   $ 91     $ 116  
    (a) In March and April of 2023, we closed two divestitures of certain Eagle Ford assets. Due to the structure of these transactions, both of which had an effective date of October 1, 2022, the cash generated by these assets was delivered to the respective buyers through a reduction in the proceeds we received at the closing of each transaction. Additionally, in August 2023, we entered into an agreement to sell the final portion of our Eagle Ford assets, with an economic effective date of February 1, 2023. Included within the adjustment above reflects the cash flows from the three months ended September 30, 2023, associated with the final portion of our Eagle Ford assets as the cash generated by those assets were delivered to the buyer through a reduction in the proceeds we received once the transaction closed during the fourth quarter of 2023.
    RECONCILIATION OF TOTAL DEBT TO NET DEBT (unaudited)
     
    ($ in millions) September 30, 2024
    Total debt (GAAP) $ 2,017  
    Premiums and issuance costs on debt   (67 )
    Principal amount of debt   1,950  
    Cash and cash equivalents   (1,044 )
    Net debt (Non-GAAP) $ 906  
    INVESTOR CONTACT: MEDIA CONTACT: EXPAND ENERGY CORPORATION
    Chris Ayres Brooke Coe 6100 North Western Avenue
    (405) 935-8870 (405) 935-8878 P.O. Box 18496
    ir@expandenergy.com media@expandenergy.com Oklahoma City, OK 73154

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: EXL Reports 2024 Third Quarter Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    2024 Third Quarter Revenue of $472.1 Million, up 14.9% year-over-year

    Q3 Diluted EPS (GAAP) of $0.33, up 24.2% from $0.26 in Q3 of 2023

    Q3 Adjusted Diluted EPS (Non-GAAP) (1)of $0.44, up 16.3% from $0.37 in Q3 of 2023

    NEW YORK, Oct. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ExlService Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: EXLS), a leading data analytics and digital operations and solutions company, today announced its financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2024.

    Rohit Kapoor, chairman and chief executive officer, said, “We are pleased with our third quarter results. We delivered revenue and adjusted diluted EPS growth of 15% and 16% respectively. The ongoing execution of our data and AI-led strategy enabled us to accelerate our growth, achieving double-digit growth across both our data analytics and digital operations and solutions businesses during the quarter. As we continue to expand our data modernization and AI solution set with innovations such as industry-specific large language models (LLMs), we are well positioned to continue our momentum into the fourth quarter and beyond.”

    Maurizio Nicolelli, chief financial officer, said, “Based on our strong year-to-date performance and current visibility for the remainder of the year, we are raising the full-year guidance range for revenue and EPS. We now expect revenue to be in the range of $1.825 billion to $1.835 billion, up from our prior guidance of $1.805 billion to $1.830 billion. This represents 12% to 13% year-over-year growth on a reported currency basis and approximately 12% on a constant currency basis. We now expect our adjusted diluted earnings per share for 2024 to be in the range of $1.61 to $1.63, up from our prior guidance of $1.59 to $1.62, representing growth of 13% to 14% over the prior year.”

    __________________________________________________________

    (1) Reconciliations of adjusted (non-GAAP) financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures, where applicable, are included at the end of this release under “Reconciliation of Adjusted Financial Measures to GAAP Measures.” These non-GAAP measures, including adjusted diluted EPS and constant currency measures, are not measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP.

    Financial Highlights: Third Quarter 2024

    • Revenue for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 increased to $472.1 million compared to $411.0 million for the third quarter of 2023, an increase of 14.9% on a reported basis and 14.5% on a constant currency basis. Revenue increased by 5.3% sequentially on a reported basis and 4.9% on a constant currency basis, from the second quarter of 2024.
        Revenue   Gross Margin
        Three months ended
      Three months ended
    Reportable Segments   September 30,
    2024

      September 30,
    2023

      June 30,
    2024

      September 30,
    2024

      September 30,
    2023

      June 30,
    2024

        (dollars in millions)        
    Insurance   $ 157.6     $ 136.4     $ 149.3       36.3 %     36.6 %     36.0 %
    Healthcare     30.5       26.2       28.1       33.6 %     36.8 %     33.1 %
    Emerging Business     80.0       65.3       77.2       40.2 %     42.4 %     41.6 %
    Analytics     204.0       183.1       193.8       38.5 %     37.0 %     36.7 %
    Revenues, net   $ 472.1     $ 411.0     $ 448.4       37.8 %     37.7 %     37.1 %
     
    • Operating income margin for each of the quarter ended September 30, 2024 and the third quarter of 2023, was 14.7%, and 13.7% for the second quarter of 2024. Adjusted operating income margin for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, was 19.9%, compared to 20.0% for the third quarter of 2023 and 19.8% for the second quarter of 2024.
    • Diluted earnings per share for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, was $0.33, compared to $0.26 for the third quarter of 2023 and $0.28 for the second quarter of 2024. Adjusted diluted earnings per share for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, was $0.44, compared to $0.37 for the third quarter of 2023 and $0.40 for the second quarter of 2024.

    Business Highlights: Third Quarter 2024

    • Won 13 new clients in the third quarter of 2024, with 8 clients in digital operations and solutions business and 5 clients in analytics.
    • Launched the EXL Insurance LLM, developed using NVIDIA AI software. This LLM addresses the highly specialized needs of the insurance industry, leveraging EXL’s 25 years of experience in the industry and a proprietary data set with more than a decade of claims-related data.
    • Expanded partnership with Databricks to deploy new data management and generative AI solutions into the Databricks ecosystem, speeding the development of cutting-edge data management solutions for EXL clients.
    • Recognized as a Major Player in the IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Data Modernization Services 2024 Vendor Assessment based on our core value propositions, execution and innovation capabilities, go-to-market strategy, and market impact.
    • Named by Newsweek as one of America’s Most Reliable Companies 2025 based on parameters including: Likelihood of Recommendation, Ease of Doing Business, Value for Money, Consistency of Deliverables, and Reputation for Dependability.

    2024 Guidance
    Based on current visibility, and a U.S. dollar to Indian rupee exchange rate of 84.0, U.K. pound sterling to U.S. dollar exchange rate of 1.30, U.S. dollar to the Philippine peso exchange rate of 58.0 and all other currencies at current exchange rates, we are providing the following guidance for the full year 2024:

    • Revenue of $1.825 billion to $1.835 billion, representing an increase of 12% to 13% on a reported currency basis and approximately 12% on a constant currency basis from 2023.
    • Adjusted diluted earnings per share of $1.61 to $1.63, representing an increase of 13% to 14% from 2023.

    Conference Call

    ExlService Holdings, Inc. will host a conference call on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024, at 10:00 A.M. ET to discuss the company’s quarterly operating and financial results. The conference call will be available live via the internet by accessing the investor relations section of EXL’s website at ir.exlservice.com, where an accompanying investor-friendly spreadsheet of historical operating and financial data can also be accessed. Please access the website at least fifteen minutes prior to the call to register, download and install any necessary audio software.

    Please note that there is a new system to access the live call-in order to ask questions. To join the live call, please register here. For those who cannot access the live broadcast, a replay will be available on the EXL website ir.exlservice.com for a period of approximately twelve months.

    About ExlService Holdings, Inc.

    EXL (Nasdaq: EXLS) is a leading data analytics and digital operations and solutions company. We partner with clients using a data and AI-led approach to reinvent business models, drive better business outcomes and unlock growth with speed. EXL harnesses the power of data, analytics, AI, and deep industry knowledge to transform operations for the world’s leading corporations in industries including insurance, healthcare, banking and financial services, media and retail, among others. EXL was founded in 1999 with the core values of innovation, collaboration, excellence, integrity and respect. We are headquartered in New York and have more than 57,000 employees spanning six continents. For more information, visit www.exlservice.com.

    Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You should not place undue reliance on those statements because they are subject to numerous uncertainties and factors relating to EXL’s operations and business environment, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond EXL’s control. Forward-looking statements include information concerning EXL’s possible or assumed future results of operations, including descriptions of its business strategy. These statements may include words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “estimate” or similar expressions. These statements are based on assumptions that we have made in light of management’s experience in the industry as well as its perceptions of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors it believes are appropriate under the circumstances. You should understand that these statements are not guarantees of performance or results. They involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Although EXL believes that these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, you should be aware that many factors could affect EXL’s actual financial results or results of operations and could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. These factors, which include our ability to maintain and grow client demand, our ability to hire and retain sufficiently trained employees, and our ability to accurately estimate and/or manage costs, rising interest rates, rising inflation, recessionary economic trends, and ability to successfully integrate strategic acquisitions, are discussed in more detail in EXL’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including EXL’s Annual Report on Form 10-K. You should keep in mind that any forward-looking statement made herein, or elsewhere, speaks only as of the date on which it is made. New risks and uncertainties come up from time to time, and it is impossible to predict these events or how they may affect EXL. EXL has no obligation to update any forward-looking statements after the date hereof, except as required by applicable law.

    EXLSERVICE HOLDINGS, INC.
    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)
    (In thousands, except per share amount and share count)
     
      Three months ended September 30,   Nine months ended September 30,
        2024       2023       2024       2023  
    Revenues, net $ 472,073     $ 410,971     $ 1,356,946     $ 1,216,610  
    Cost of revenues(1)   293,806       256,002       849,336       760,691  
    Gross profit(1)   178,267       154,969       507,610       455,919  
    Operating expenses:              
    General and administrative expenses   57,495       52,213       167,195       144,564  
    Selling and marketing expenses   37,568       30,943       108,982       88,674  
    Depreciation and amortization expense   13,799       11,583       39,055       38,192  
    Total operating expenses   108,862       94,739       315,232       271,430  
    Income from operations   69,405       60,230       192,378       184,489  
    Foreign exchange gain, net   278       409       673       838  
    Interest expense   (5,526 )     (3,405 )     (14,145 )     (10,030 )
    Other income, net   4,374       778       11,876       6,594  
    Income before income tax expense and earnings from equity affiliates   68,531       58,012       190,782       181,891  
    Income tax expense   15,460       14,161       43,086       37,773  
    Income before earnings from equity affiliates   53,071       43,851       147,696       144,118  
    Gain/(loss) from equity-method investment   (34 )     25       (71 )     157  
    Net income $ 53,037     $ 43,876     $ 147,625     $ 144,275  
    Earnings per share:              
    Basic $ 0.33     $ 0.26     $ 0.90     $ 0.87  
    Diluted $ 0.33     $ 0.26     $ 0.90     $ 0.86  
    Weighted average number of shares used in computing earnings per share:              
    Basic   161,732,872       166,159,619       163,197,767       166,707,599  
    Diluted   163,187,733       167,688,374       164,620,081       168,591,612  

    (1) Exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense.

    EXLSERVICE HOLDINGS, INC.
    CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)
    (In thousands, except per share amount and share count)
     
      As of
      September 30, 2024   December 31, 2023
           
    Assets      
    Current assets:      
    Cash and cash equivalents $ 150,102     $ 136,953  
    Short-term investments   175,648       153,881  
    Restricted cash   7,342       4,062  
    Accounts receivable, net   340,904       308,108  
    Other current assets   93,693       76,669  
    Total current assets   767,689       679,673  
    Property and equipment, net   107,395       100,373  
    Operating lease right-of-use assets   71,796       64,856  
    Restricted cash   5,820       4,386  
    Deferred tax assets, net   106,881       82,927  
    Goodwill   427,663       405,639  
    Other intangible assets, net   51,291       50,164  
    Long-term investments   14,184       4,430  
    Other assets   57,113       49,524  
    Total assets $ 1,609,832     $ 1,441,972  
    Liabilities and stockholders’ equity      
    Current liabilities:      
    Accounts payable $ 4,082     $ 5,055  
    Current portion of long-term borrowings   4,891       65,000  
    Deferred revenue   12,472       12,318  
    Accrued employee costs   110,677       117,137  
    Accrued expenses and other current liabilities   105,159       114,113  
    Current portion of operating lease liabilities   16,904       12,780  
    Total current liabilities   254,185       326,403  
    Long-term borrowings, less current portion   339,828       135,000  
    Operating lease liabilities, less current portion   62,336       58,175  
    Deferred tax liabilities, net   3,245       1,495  
    Other non-current liabilities   42,675       31,462  
    Total liabilities   702,269       552,535  
    Commitments and contingencies      
    Stockholders’ equity:      
    Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 15,000,000 shares authorized, none issued          
    Common stock, $0.001 par value; 400,000,000 shares authorized, 205,317,002 shares issued and 160,880,592 shares outstanding as of September 30, 2024 and 203,410,038 shares issued and 165,277,880 shares outstanding as of December 31, 2023   205       203  
    Additional paid-in capital   572,430       508,028  
    Retained earnings   1,231,288       1,083,663  
    Accumulated other comprehensive loss   (122,593 )     (127,040 )
    Total including shares held in treasury   1,681,330       1,464,854  
    Less: 44,436,410 shares as of September 30, 2024 and 38,132,158 shares as of December 31, 2023, held in treasury, at cost   (773,767 )     (575,417 )
    Total stockholders’ equity   907,563       889,437  
    Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 1,609,832     $ 1,441,972  

    EXLSERVICE HOLDINGS, INC.

    Reconciliation of Adjusted Financial Measures to GAAP Measures

    In addition to its reported operating results in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), EXL has included in this release certain financial measures that are considered non-GAAP financial measures, including the following:

    1. Adjusted operating income and adjusted operating income margin;
    2. Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin;
    3. Adjusted net income and adjusted diluted earnings per share; and
    4. Revenue growth on constant currency basis.

    These non-GAAP financial measures are not based on any comprehensive set of accounting rules or principles, should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP, and may be different from non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies. Accordingly, the financial results calculated in accordance with GAAP and reconciliations from those financial statements should be carefully evaluated. EXL believes that providing these non-GAAP financial measures may help investors better understand EXL’s underlying financial performance. Management also believes that these non-GAAP financial measures, when read in conjunction with EXL’s reported results, can provide useful supplemental information for investors analyzing period-to-period comparisons of the Company’s results and comparisons of the Company’s results with the results of other companies. Additionally, management considers some of these non-GAAP financial measures to determine variable compensation of its employees. The Company believes that it is unreasonably difficult to provide its earnings per share financial guidance in accordance with GAAP, or a qualitative reconciliation thereof, for a number of reasons, including, without limitation, the Company’s inability to predict its future stock-based compensation expense under ASC Topic 718, the amortization of intangibles associated with future acquisitions and the currency fluctuations and associated tax effects. As such, the Company presents guidance with respect to adjusted diluted earnings per share. The Company also incurs significant non-cash charges for depreciation that may not be indicative of the Company’s ability to generate cash flow.

    EXL non-GAAP financial measures exclude, where applicable, stock-based compensation expense, amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets, restructuring costs, litigation settlement costs and associated legal fees, effects of termination of leases, certain defined social security contributions, allowance for certain material expected credit losses, other acquisition-related expenses or benefits and effect of any non-recurring tax adjustments. Acquisition-related expenses or benefits include, changes in the fair value of contingent consideration, external deal costs, integration expenses, direct and incremental travel costs and non-recurring benefits or losses. Our adjusted net income and adjusted diluted EPS also excludes the effects of income tax on the above pre-tax items, as applicable. The effects of income tax of each item is calculated by applying the statutory rate of the local tax regulations in the jurisdiction in which the item was incurred.

    A limitation of using non-GAAP financial measures versus financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP is that non-GAAP financial measures do not reflect all of the amounts associated with our operating results as determined in accordance with GAAP and exclude costs that are recurring, namely stock-based compensation and amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets. EXL compensates for these limitations by providing specific information regarding the GAAP amounts excluded from non-GAAP financial measures to allow investors to evaluate such non-GAAP financial measures.

    EXL’s primary exchange rate exposure is with the Indian rupee, the Philippine peso, the U.K. pound sterling and the South African rand. The average exchange rate of the U.S. dollar against the Indian rupee increased from 82.69 during the quarter ended September 30, 2023 to 83.79 during the quarter ended September 30, 2024, representing a depreciation of 1.3% against the U.S. dollar. The average exchange rate of the U.S. dollar against the Philippine peso increased from 56.02 during the quarter ended September 30, 2023 to 56.84 during the quarter ended September 30, 2024, representing a depreciation of 1.5% against the U.S. dollar. The average exchange rate of the U.K. pound sterling against the U.S. dollar increased from 1.26 during the quarter ended September 30, 2023 to 1.31 during the quarter ended September 30, 2024, representing an appreciation of 4.4% against the U.S. dollar. The average exchange rate of the U.S. dollar against the South African rand decreased from 18.49 during the quarter ended September 30, 2023 to 17.74 during the quarter ended September 30, 2024, representing an appreciation of 4.1% against the U.S. dollar.

    The following table shows the reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023, and the three months ended June 30, 2024:

    Reconciliation of Adjusted Operating Income and Adjusted EBITDA
    (Amounts in thousands)
     
      Three months ended
      September 30,   June 30,
        2024       2023       2024  
    Net Income (GAAP) $ 53,037     $ 43,876     $ 45,825  
    add: Income tax expense   15,460       14,161       13,873  
    add/(subtract): Foreign exchange gain, net, interest expense,
    gain/(loss) from equity-method investment and other income/(loss), net
      908       2,193       1,751  
    Income from operations (GAAP) $ 69,405     $ 60,230     $ 61,449  
    add: Stock-based compensation expense   21,232       17,067       18,095  
    add: Amortization of acquisition-related intangibles   3,449       3,157       3,077  
    add: Restructuring and litigation settlement costs (a)               6,174  
    add: Allowance for expected credit losses (b)         1,700        
    Adjusted operating income (Non-GAAP) $ 94,086     $ 82,154     $ 88,795  
    Adjusted operating income margin as a % of Revenue (Non-GAAP)   19.9 %     20.0 %     19.8 %
    add: Depreciation on long-lived assets   10,350       8,426       9,833  
    Adjusted EBITDA (Non-GAAP) $ 104,436     $ 90,580     $ 98,628  
    Adjusted EBITDA margin as a % of revenue (Non-GAAP)   22.1 %     22.0 %     22.0 %

    (a) To exclude effects of employee severance costs and outplacement support costs of $4,762 and litigation settlement costs and associated legal fees of $1,412 during the three months ended June 30, 2024.

    (b) To exclude the effects of material allowance for expected credit losses on accounts receivables related to a customer bankruptcy event during the three months ended September 30, 2023.

    Reconciliation of Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share
    (Amounts in thousands, except per share amount)
     
      Three months ended
      September 30,   June 30,
        2024       2023       2024  
    Net income (GAAP) $ 53,037     $ 43,876     $ 45,825  
    add: Stock-based compensation expense   21,232       17,067       18,095  
    add: Amortization of acquisition-related intangibles   3,449       3,157       3,077  
    add: Restructuring and litigation settlement costs (a)               6,174  
    add: Effects of changes in fair value of contingent consideration         2,500        
    add: Allowance for expected credit losses (b)         1,700        
    subtract: Tax impact on stock-based compensation expense (c)   (5,830 )     (4,340 )     (4,619 )
    subtract: Tax impact on amortization of acquisition-related intangibles   (866 )     (771 )     (765 )
    subtract: Tax impact on restructuring and litigation settlement costs               (1,588 )
    subtract: Tax impact on allowance for expected credit losses         (429 )      
    Adjusted net income (Non-GAAP) $ 71,022     $ 62,760     $ 66,199  
    Adjusted diluted earnings per share (Non-GAAP) $ 0.44     $ 0.37     $ 0.40  

    (a) To exclude effects of employee severance costs and outplacement support costs of $4,762 and litigation settlement costs and associated legal fees of $1,412 during the three months ended June 30, 2024.

    (b) To exclude the effects of material allowance for expected credit losses on accounts receivables related to a customer bankruptcy event during the three months ended September 30, 2023.

    (c) Tax impact includes $1,673 and $462 during the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 respectively, and $18 during the three months ended June 30, 2024, related to discrete benefits recognized in income tax expense in accordance with ASU No. 2016-09, Compensation – Stock Compensation.

    Contacts:
    Investor Relations
    John Kristoff
    Vice President, Investor Relations
    +1 212 209 4613
    ir@exlservice.com

    Media – US
    Keith Little
    Assistant Vice President, Media Relations
    +1 703 598 0980
    media.relations@exlservice.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Qorvo® Announces Fiscal 2025 Second Quarter Financial Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    GREENSBORO, N.C., Oct. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Qorvo® (Nasdaq:QRVO), a leading global provider of connectivity and power solutions, today announced financial results for the Company’s fiscal 2025 second quarter ended September 28, 2024.

    On a GAAP basis, revenue for Qorvo’s fiscal 2025 second quarter was $1.047 billion, gross margin was 42.6%, operating income was $9.7 million, and loss per share was $0.18. On a non-GAAP basis, gross margin was 47.0%, operating income was $212.2 million, and diluted earnings per share was $1.88.

    Bob Bruggeworth, president and chief executive officer of Qorvo, said, “In the September quarter, ACG successfully supported our largest customer’s seasonal smartphone ramp. In HPA, we expanded our D&A business while building a broad-based business in power management. In CSG, we maintained our leadership in Wi-Fi applications while investing to grow in diverse businesses including automotive solutions and SoCs for ultra-wideband and Matter. HPA and CSG are on pace to achieve mid-teen year-over-year growth in fiscal 2025.”

    Financial Commentary and Outlook

    Grant Brown, chief financial officer of Qorvo, said, “In the September quarter, we exceeded the midpoint of guidance in revenue, gross margin and EPS. Looking forward, the flagship and premium tiers in the smartphone market are holding up well, however, content and ramp profiles vary by model, and we are experiencing unfavorable mix. We expect this to continue in the second half of fiscal 2025. In addition, in the mid and entry tiers of Android 5G smartphones, mix has shifted toward entry-tier 5G at the expense of mid-tier 5G. In our current view, we don’t expect this mix shift in Android 5G from mid-tier to entry-tier to reverse. As a result, we are taking appropriate actions, including factory consolidation and operating expense reductions as well as focusing on opportunities that align with our long-term profitability objectives. We currently expect full-year fiscal 2025 revenue and gross margin will be slightly down versus fiscal 2024.”

    Qorvo’s current outlook for the December 2024 quarter is:

    • Quarterly revenue of approximately $900 million, plus or minus $25 million
    • Non-GAAP gross margin of approximately 45%
    • Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share between $1.10 and $1.30

    See “Forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures” below. Qorvo’s actual quarterly results may differ from these expectations and projections, and such differences may be material.

    Selected Financial Information

    The following tables set forth selected GAAP and non-GAAP financial information for Qorvo for the periods indicated. See the more detailed financial information for Qorvo, including reconciliations of GAAP and non-GAAP financial information, attached.

    SELECTED GAAP RESULTS
    (In millions, except for percentages and EPS)
    (Unaudited)
                           
      Q2 Fiscal 2025   Q1 Fiscal 2025   Q2 Fiscal 2024   Sequential Change   Year-over-Year Change
    Revenue $ 1,046.5     $ 886.7     $ 1,103.5     $ 159.8     $ (57.0 )
    Gross profit $ 445.3     $ 332.3     $ 489.7     $ 113.0     $ (44.4 )
    Gross margin   42.6 %     37.5 %     44.4 %   5.1 ppt   (1.8) ppt
    Operating expenses $ 435.6     $ 327.7     $ 338.3     $ 107.9     $ 97.3  
    Operating income $ 9.7     $ 4.6     $ 151.4     $ 5.1     $ (141.7 )
    Net (loss) income $ (17.4 )   $ 0.4     $ 97.5     $ (17.8 )   $ (114.9 )
    Weighted-average diluted shares   94.9       96.5       98.6       (1.6 )     (3.7 )
    Diluted EPS (loss per share) $ (0.18 )   $ 0.00     $ 0.99     $ (0.18 )   $ (1.17 )
                           
                           
    SELECTED NON-GAAP RESULTS(1)
    (In millions, except for percentages and EPS)
    (Unaudited)
                           
      Q2 Fiscal 2025   Q1 Fiscal 2025   Q2 Fiscal 2024   Sequential Change   Year-over-Year Change
    Revenue $ 1,046.5     $ 886.7     $ 1,103.5     $ 159.8     $ (57.0 )
    Gross profit $ 492.0     $ 362.7     $ 525.2     $ 129.3     $ (33.2 )
    Gross margin   47.0 %     40.9 %     47.6 %     6.1 ppt       (0.6) ppt  
    Operating expenses $ 279.8     $ 264.5     $ 245.8     $ 15.3     $ 34.0  
    Operating income $ 212.2     $ 98.1     $ 279.4     $ 114.1     $ (67.2 )
    Net income $ 179.8     $ 83.5     $ 235.5     $ 96.3     $ (55.7 )
    Weighted-average diluted shares   95.8       96.5       98.6       (0.7 )     (2.8 )
    Diluted EPS $ 1.88     $ 0.87     $ 2.39     $ 1.01     $ (0.51 )

    (1) Adjusted for stock-based compensation expense, amortization of intangible assets, restructuring-related charges, acquisition and integration-related costs, goodwill and other asset impairments, gain or loss on assets, other expense or income, gain or loss on investments, and an adjustment of income taxes.

    SELECTED GAAP RESULTS BY OPERATING SEGMENT
    (In millions, except percentages)
    (Unaudited)
      Q2 Fiscal 2025   Q1 Fiscal 2025   Q2 Fiscal 2024   Sequential Change   Year-over-Year Change
    Revenue                  
    HPA $ 148.3     $ 129.5     $ 149.8       14.5 %     (1.0 )%
    CSG   146.8       114.9       103.6       27.8 %     41.7 %
    ACG   751.4       642.3       850.1       17.0 %     (11.6 )%
    Total revenue $ 1,046.5     $ 886.7     $ 1,103.5       18.0 %     (5.2 )%
    Operating income (loss)                      
    HPA $ 13.1     $ 4.9     $ 25.4       167.3 %     (48.4 )%
    CSG   (9.0 )     (19.5 )     (27.7 )     53.8 %     67.5 %
    ACG   215.1       116.4       284.8       84.8 %     (24.5 )%
    All other(1)   (209.5 )     (97.2 )     (131.1 )     (115.5 )%     (59.8 )%
    Total operating income $ 9.7     $ 4.6     $ 151.4       110.9 %     (93.6 )%
    Operating income (loss) as a % of revenue                          
    HPA   8.8 %     3.8 %     17.0 %     5.0 ppt       (8.2) ppt  
    CSG   (6.1 )     (17.0 )     (26.7 )     10.9 ppt       20.6 ppt  
    ACG   28.6       18.1       33.5       10.5 ppt       (4.9) ppt  
    Total operating income as a % of revenue   0.9 %     0.5 %     13.7 %     0.4 ppt       (12.8) ppt  

    (1) Includes stock-based compensation expense, amortization of intangible assets, restructuring-related charges, acquisition and integration-related costs, goodwill and other asset impairments, gain or loss on assets, other expense or income, and other miscellaneous corporate overhead expenses.

    Non-GAAP Financial Measures

    In addition to disclosing financial results calculated in accordance with United States (U.S.) generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), this earnings release contains some or all of the following non-GAAP financial measures: (i) non-GAAP gross profit and gross margin, (ii) non-GAAP operating expenses, operating income and operating margin, (iii) non-GAAP net income, (iv) non-GAAP net income per diluted share, (v) free cash flow, (vi) EBITDA, (vii) non-GAAP return on invested capital (ROIC), and (viii) net debt or positive net cash. Each of these non-GAAP financial measures is either adjusted from GAAP results to exclude certain expenses or derived from multiple GAAP measures, which are outlined in the “Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures” tables, attached, and the “Additional Selected Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Reconciliations” tables, attached.

    In managing Qorvo’s business on a consolidated basis, management develops an annual operating plan, which is approved by our Board of Directors, using non-GAAP financial measures. In developing and monitoring performance against this plan, management considers the actual or potential impacts on these non-GAAP financial measures from actions taken to reduce costs with the goal of increasing gross margin and operating margin. In addition, management relies upon these non-GAAP financial measures to assess whether research and development efforts are at an appropriate level, and when making decisions about product spending, administrative budgets, and other operating expenses. Also, we believe that non-GAAP financial measures provide useful supplemental information to investors and enable investors to analyze the results of operations in the same way as management. We have chosen to provide this supplemental information to enable investors to perform additional comparisons of our operating results, to assess our liquidity and capital position and to analyze financial performance excluding the effect of expenses unrelated to operations, and stock-based compensation expense, which may obscure trends in Qorvo’s underlying performance.

    We believe that these non-GAAP financial measures offer an additional view of Qorvo’s operations that, when coupled with the GAAP results and the reconciliations to corresponding GAAP financial measures, provide a more complete understanding of Qorvo’s results of operations and the factors and trends affecting Qorvo’s business. However, these non-GAAP financial measures should be considered as a supplement to, and not as a substitute for, or superior to, the corresponding measures calculated in accordance with GAAP.

    Our rationale for using these non-GAAP financial measures, as well as their impact on the presentation of Qorvo’s operations, are outlined below:

    Non-GAAP gross profit and gross margin. Non-GAAP gross profit and gross margin exclude amortization of intangible assets, stock-based compensation expense, restructuring-related charges, acquisition and integration-related costs, and certain other expense (income). We believe that exclusion of these costs in presenting non-GAAP gross profit and gross margin facilitates a useful evaluation of our historical performance and projected costs and the potential for realizing cost efficiencies.

    We view amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets, such as the amortization of the cost associated with an acquired company’s research and development efforts, trade names, and customer relationships, as items arising from pre-acquisition activities, determined at the time of an acquisition, rather than ongoing costs of operating Qorvo’s business. While these intangible assets are continually evaluated for impairment, amortization of the cost of purchased intangible assets is a static expense, which is not typically affected by operations during any particular period. Although we exclude the amortization of purchased intangible assets from these non-GAAP financial measures, management believes that it is important for investors to understand that such intangible assets were recorded as part of purchase price accounting and contribute to revenue generation.

    We believe that presentation of non-GAAP gross profit and gross margin and other non-GAAP financial measures that exclude the impact of stock-based compensation expense assists management and investors in evaluating the period-over-period performance of Qorvo’s ongoing operations because (i) the expenses are non-cash in nature, and (ii) although the size of the grants is within our control, the amount of expense varies depending on factors such as short-term fluctuations in stock price volatility and prevailing interest rates, which can be unrelated to the operational performance of Qorvo during the period in which the expense is incurred and generally are outside the control of management. Moreover, we believe that the exclusion of stock-based compensation expense in presenting non-GAAP gross profit and gross margin and other non-GAAP financial measures is useful to investors to understand the impact of the expensing of stock-based compensation to Qorvo’s gross profit and gross margins and other financial measures in comparison to prior periods. We also believe that the adjustments to profit and margin related to restructuring-related charges, and acquisition and integration-related costs do not constitute part of Qorvo’s ongoing operations and therefore the exclusion of these items provides management and investors with better visibility into the actual costs required to generate revenues over time and facilitates a useful evaluation of our historical and projected performance. We believe disclosure of non-GAAP gross profit and gross margin has economic substance because the excluded expenses do not represent continuing cash expenditures and, as described above, we have little control over the timing and amount of the expenses in question.

    Non-GAAP operating expenses, operating income and operating margin. Non-GAAP operating expenses, operating income and operating margin exclude stock-based compensation expense, amortization of intangible assets, acquisition and integration-related costs, goodwill and other asset impairments, restructuring-related charges, (gain) loss on assets and certain other expense (income). We believe that presentation of a measure of operating expenses, operating income and operating margin that excludes amortization of intangible assets and stock-based compensation expense is useful to both management and investors for the same reasons as described above with respect to our use of non-GAAP gross profit and gross margin. We believe that acquisition and integration-related costs, goodwill and other asset impairments, restructuring-related charges, (gain) loss on assets and certain other expense (income) do not constitute part of Qorvo’s ongoing operations and therefore, the exclusion of these costs provides management and investors with better visibility into the actual costs required to generate revenues over time and facilitates a useful evaluation of our historical and projected performance. We believe disclosure of non-GAAP operating expenses, operating income and operating margin has economic substance because the excluded expenses are either unrelated to ongoing operations or do not represent current cash expenditures.

    Non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP net income per diluted share. Non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP net income per diluted share exclude the effects of stock-based compensation expense, amortization of intangible assets, acquisition and integration-related costs, goodwill and other asset impairments, restructuring-related charges, (gain) loss on assets, certain other expense (income), gain or loss on investments, and also reflect an adjustment of income taxes. The income tax adjustment primarily represents the use of research and development tax credit carryforwards, deferred tax expense (benefit) items not affecting taxes payable, adjustments related to the deemed and actual repatriation of historical foreign earnings, non-cash expense (benefit) related to uncertain tax positions and other items unrelated to the current fiscal year or that are not indicative of our ongoing business operations. We believe that presentation of measures of net income and net income per diluted share that exclude these items is useful to both management and investors for the reasons described above with respect to non-GAAP gross profit and gross margin and non-GAAP operating expenses, operating income and operating margin. We believe disclosure of non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP net income per diluted share has economic substance because the excluded expenses are either unrelated to ongoing operations or do not represent current cash expenditures.

    Free cash flow. Qorvo defines free cash flow as net cash provided by operating activities during the period minus property and equipment expenditures made during the period, and free cash flow margin is calculated as free cash flow as a percentage of revenue. We use free cash flow as a supplemental financial measure in our evaluation of liquidity and financial strength. Management believes that this measure is useful as an indicator of our ability to service our debt, meet other payment obligations and make strategic investments. Free cash flow should be considered in addition to, rather than as a substitute for, net income as a measure of our performance and net cash provided by operating activities as a measure of our liquidity. Additionally, our definition of free cash flow is limited, in that it does not represent residual cash flows available for discretionary expenditures due to the fact that the measure does not deduct the payments required for debt service and other contractual obligations. Therefore, we believe it is important to view free cash flow as a measure that provides supplemental information to our entire statement of cash flows.

    EBITDA. Qorvo adjusts GAAP net income for interest expense, interest income, income tax expense (benefit), depreciation and intangible amortization expense, stock-based compensation and other charges that are not representative of Qorvo’s ongoing operations (including goodwill and other asset impairments, investment activity, acquisition-related costs and restructuring-related costs) when presenting EBITDA. Management believes that this measure is useful to evaluate our ongoing operations and as a general indicator of our operating cash flow (in conjunction with a cash flow statement which also includes among other items, changes in working capital and the effect of non-cash charges).

    Non-GAAP ROIC. Return on invested capital (ROIC) is a non-GAAP financial measure that management believes provides useful supplemental information for management and the investor by measuring the effectiveness of our operations’ use of invested capital to generate profits. We use ROIC to track how much value we are creating for our shareholders. Non-GAAP ROIC is calculated by dividing annualized non-GAAP operating income, net of an adjustment for income taxes (as described above), by average invested capital. Average invested capital is calculated by subtracting the average of the beginning balance and the ending balance of equity plus net debt, less certain goodwill.

    Net debt or positive net cash. Net debt or positive net cash is defined as unrestricted cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments minus any borrowings under our credit facility and the principal balance of our senior unsecured notes. Management believes that net debt or positive net cash provides useful information regarding the level of Qorvo’s indebtedness by reflecting cash and investments that could be used to repay debt.

    Inventory days on hand. Inventory days on hand is defined as (a) average net inventory for the period, divided by (b) the result of non-GAAP cost of goods sold for the period divided by the number of days in the period.

    Forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures. Our earnings release contains forward-looking free cash flow, gross margin, income tax rate and diluted earnings per share. We provide these non-GAAP measures to investors on a prospective basis for the same reasons (set forth above) that we provide them to investors on a historical basis. We are unable to provide a reconciliation of the forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable forward-looking GAAP financial measures without unreasonable effort due to variability and difficulty in making accurate projections for items that would be required to be included in the GAAP measures, such as stock-based compensation, acquisition and integration-related costs, restructuring-related charges, gain or loss on assets, goodwill and other asset impairments, gain or loss on investments and the provision for income taxes, which could have a potentially significant impact on our future GAAP results.

    Limitations of non-GAAP financial measures. The primary material limitations associated with the use of non-GAAP financial measures as an analytical tool compared to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures are these non-GAAP financial measures (i) may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies in our industry, and (ii) exclude financial information that some may consider important in evaluating our performance, thus limiting their usefulness as a comparative tool. We compensate for these limitations by providing full disclosure of the differences between these non-GAAP financial measures and the corresponding GAAP financial measures, including a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measures to the corresponding GAAP financial measures, to enable investors to perform their own analysis of our gross profit and gross margin, operating expenses, operating income, net income, net income per diluted share and net cash provided by operating activities. We further compensate for the limitations of our use of non-GAAP financial measures by presenting the corresponding GAAP measures more prominently.

    Qorvo will conduct a conference call at 5:00 p.m. ET today to discuss today’s press release. The conference call will be broadcast live over the Internet and can be accessed by any interested party at the following URL: https://ir.qorvo.com (under “Events & Presentations”). A telephone playback of the conference call will be available approximately two hours after the call’s completion and can be accessed by dialing 1-412-317-0088 and using the passcode 2723791. The playback will be available through the close of business November 5, 2024.

    About Qorvo

    Qorvo (Nasdaq:QRVO) supplies innovative semiconductor solutions that make a better world possible. We combine product and technology leadership, systems-level expertise and global manufacturing scale to quickly solve our customers’ most complex technical challenges. Qorvo serves diverse high-growth segments of large global markets, including automotive, consumer, defense & aerospace, industrial & enterprise, infrastructure and mobile. Visit www.qorvo.com to learn how our diverse and innovative team is helping connect, protect and power our planet.

    Qorvo is a registered trademark of Qorvo, Inc. in the U.S. and in other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

    This press release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about our plans, objectives, representations and contentions, and are not historical facts and typically are identified by terms such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “forecast”, “predict,” “potential,” “continue” and similar words, although some forward-looking statements are expressed differently. You should be aware that the forward-looking statements included herein represent management’s current judgment and expectations as of the date the statement is first made, but our actual results, events and performance could differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. We caution you not to place undue reliance upon any such forward-looking statements. We do not intend to update any of these forward-looking statements or publicly announce the results of any revisions to these forward-looking statements, other than as is required under U.S. federal securities laws. Our business is subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including those relating to fluctuations in our operating results on a quarterly and annual basis; our substantial dependence on developing new products and achieving design wins; our dependence on several large customers for a substantial portion of our revenue; a loss of revenue if defense and aerospace contracts are canceled or delayed; our dependence on third parties; risks related to sales through distributors; risks associated with the operation of our manufacturing facilities; business disruptions; poor manufacturing yields; increased inventory risks and costs, due to timing of customers’ forecasts; our inability to effectively manage or maintain relationships with chipset suppliers; our ability to continue to innovate in a very competitive industry; underutilization of manufacturing facilities; unfavorable changes in interest rates, pricing of certain precious metals, utility rates and foreign currency exchange rates; our acquisitions, divestitures and other strategic investments failing to achieve financial or strategic objectives; our ability to attract, retain and motivate key employees; warranty claims, product recalls and product liability; changes in our effective tax rate; enactment of international or domestic tax legislation, or changes in regulatory guidance; changes in the favorable tax status of certain of our subsidiaries; risks associated with social, environmental, health and safety regulations, and climate change; risks from international sales and operations; economic regulation in China; changes in government trade policies, including imposition of tariffs and export restrictions; we may not be able to generate sufficient cash to service all of our debt; restrictions imposed by the agreements governing our debt; our reliance on our intellectual property portfolio; claims of infringement of third-party intellectual property rights; security breaches, failed system upgrades or regular maintenance and other similar disruptions to our IT systems; theft, loss or misuse of personal data by or about our employees, customers or third parties; provisions in our governing documents and Delaware law may discourage takeovers and business combinations that our stockholders might consider to be in their best interests; and volatility in the price of our common stock. These and other risks and uncertainties, which are described in more detail under “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 30, 2024, and Qorvo’s subsequent reports and statements that we file with the SEC, could cause actual results and developments to be materially different from those expressed or implied by any of these forward-looking statements.

    Financial Tables to Follow

    QORVO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
    (In thousands, except per share data)
    (Unaudited)
     
      Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended
      September 28, 2024   September 30, 2023   September 28, 2024   September 30, 2023
    Revenue $ 1,046,509     $ 1,103,493     $ 1,933,180     $ 1,754,657  
                   
    Costs and expenses:              
    Cost of goods sold   601,203       613,803       1,155,570       1,035,897  
    Research and development   201,050       174,947       388,652       338,037  
    Selling, general and administrative   107,760       103,696       222,683       209,119  
    Other operating expense   126,821       59,619       151,994       68,312  
    Total costs and expenses   1,036,834       952,065       1,918,899       1,651,365  
                   
    Operating income   9,675       151,428       14,281       103,292  
    Interest expense   (22,594 )     (17,121 )     (39,688 )     (34,382 )
    Other income, net   15,422       5,211       27,187       18,927  
                   
    Income before income taxes   2,503       139,518       1,780       87,837  
    Income tax expense   (19,938 )     (42,057 )     (18,801 )     (33,956 )
    Net (loss) income $ (17,435 )   $ 97,461     $ (17,021 )   $ 53,881  
                   
    Net (loss) income per share:              
    Basic $ (0.18 )   $ 1.00     $ (0.18 )   $ 0.55  
    Diluted $ (0.18 )   $ 0.99     $ (0.18 )   $ 0.54  
                   
    Weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding:              
    Basic   94,886       97,945       95,116       98,167  
    Diluted   94,886       98,590       95,116       98,892  
    QORVO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
    RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
    (In thousands, except per share data)
    (Unaudited)
     
      Three Months Ended
      September 28, 2024   June 29, 2024   September 30, 2023
               
    GAAP operating income $ 9,675     $ 4,606     $ 151,428  
    Stock-based compensation expense   38,181       42,366       39,053  
    Amortization of intangible assets   29,482       30,474       29,963  
    Restructuring-related charges   34,396       19,574       8,418  
    Acquisition and integration-related costs   1,211       2,582       852  
    Goodwill impairment   96,458             48,000  
    Other expense (income)   2,811       (1,477 )     1,712  
    Non-GAAP operating income $ 212,214     $ 98,125     $ 279,426  
               
    GAAP net (loss) income $ (17,435 )   $ 414     $ 97,461  
    Stock-based compensation expense   38,181       42,366       39,053  
    Amortization of intangible assets   29,482       30,474       29,963  
    Restructuring-related charges   34,396       19,574       8,418  
    Acquisition and integration-related costs   1,211       2,582       852  
    Goodwill impairment   96,458             48,000  
    Other expense (income)   379       (3,446 )     2,616  
    Loss on investments   780       2,499       1,574  
    Adjustment of income taxes   (3,611 )     (10,939 )     7,576  
    Non-GAAP net income $ 179,841     $ 83,524     $ 235,513  
               
    GAAP weighted-average outstanding diluted shares   94,886       96,510       98,590  
    Dilutive stock-based awards   867              
    Non-GAAP weighted-average outstanding diluted shares   95,753       96,510       98,590  
               
    Non-GAAP net income per share, diluted $ 1.88     $ 0.87     $ 2.39  
    QORVO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
    RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
    (Unaudited)
     
      Three Months Ended
    (in thousands, except percentages) September 28, 2024   June 29, 2024   September 30, 2023
    GAAP gross profit/margin $ 445,306       42.6 %   $ 332,304       37.5 %   $ 489,690       44.4 %
    Stock-based compensation expense   6,047       0.6       5,186       0.6       7,481       0.7  
    Amortization of intangible assets   25,523       2.4       25,827       2.9       25,591       2.3  
    Restructuring-related charges   15,414       1.4                   2,482       0.2  
    Acquisition and integration-related costs   636       0.1       1,925       0.2       1        
    Other income   (885 )     (0.1 )     (2,586 )     (0.3 )            
    Non-GAAP gross profit/margin $ 492,041       47.0 %   $ 362,656       40.9 %   $ 525,245       47.6 %
      Three Months Ended
    Non-GAAP Operating Income September 28, 2024
    (as a percentage of revenue)  
       
    GAAP operating income   0.9 %
    Stock-based compensation expense   3.7  
    Amortization of intangible assets   2.8  
    Restructuring-related charges   3.3  
    Acquisition and integration-related costs   0.1  
    Goodwill impairment   9.2  
    Other expense   0.3  
    Non-GAAP operating income   20.3 %
      Three Months Ended
    Free Cash Flow(1) September 28, 2024
    (in millions)  
       
    Net cash provided by operating activities $ 127.8  
    Purchases of property and equipment   (33.0 )
    Free cash flow $ 94.8  

    (1) Free Cash Flow is calculated as net cash provided by operating activities minus property and equipment expenditures.

    QORVO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
    ADDITIONAL SELECTED NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES AND RECONCILIATIONS
    (In thousands)
    (Unaudited)
     
      Three Months Ended
      September 28, 2024   June 29, 2024   September 30, 2023
    GAAP research and development expense $ 201,050     $ 187,602     $ 174,947  
    Less:          
    Stock-based compensation expense   13,468       12,727       11,519  
    Acquisition and integration-related costs   2       2       2  
    Non-GAAP research and development expense $ 187,580     $ 174,873     $ 163,426  
               
      Three Months Ended
      September 28, 2024   June 29, 2024   September 30, 2023
    GAAP selling, general and administrative expense $ 107,760     $ 114,923     $ 103,696  
    Less:          
    Stock-based compensation expense   18,488       24,322       20,030  
    Amortization of intangible assets   3,959       4,647       4,372  
    Acquisition and integration-related costs   1              
    Non-GAAP selling, general and administrative expense $ 85,312     $ 85,954     $ 79,294  
               
      Three Months Ended
      September 28, 2024   June 29, 2024   September 30, 2023
    GAAP other operating expense $ 126,821     $ 25,173     $ 59,619  
    Less:          
    Stock-based compensation expense   178       131       23  
    Restructuring-related charges   18,982       19,574       5,936  
    Acquisition and integration-related costs   572       655       849  
    Goodwill impairment   96,458             48,000  
    Other expense   3,696       1,109       1,712  
    Non-GAAP other operating expense $ 6,935     $ 3,704     $ 3,099  
               
      Three Months Ended
      September 28, 2024   June 29, 2024   September 30, 2023
    GAAP total operating expense $ 435,631     $ 327,698     $ 338,262  
    Less:          
    Stock-based compensation expense   32,134       37,180       31,572  
    Amortization of intangible assets   3,959       4,647       4,372  
    Restructuring-related charges   18,982       19,574       5,936  
    Acquisition and integration-related costs   575       657       851  
    Goodwill impairment   96,458             48,000  
    Other expense   3,696       1,109       1,712  
    Non-GAAP total operating expense $ 279,827     $ 264,531     $ 245,819  
    QORVO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
    (In thousands)
    (Unaudited)
     
      September 28, 2024   March 30, 2024
    ASSETS      
    Current assets:      
    Cash and cash equivalents $ 1,096,452     $ 1,029,258  
    Accounts receivable, net   580,963       412,960  
    Inventories   694,457       710,555  
    Other current assets   160,587       133,983  
    Assets of disposal group held for sale         159,278  
    Total current assets   2,532,459       2,446,034  
           
    Property and equipment, net   846,540       870,982  
    Goodwill   2,437,790       2,534,601  
    Intangible assets, net   445,715       509,383  
    Long-term investments   24,804       23,252  
    Other non-current assets   215,767       170,383  
    Total assets $ 6,503,075     $ 6,554,635  
           
    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY      
    Current liabilities:      
    Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ 675,581     $ 589,760  
    Current portion of long-term debt   412,179       438,740  
    Other current liabilities   245,977       113,215  
    Liabilities of disposal group held for sale         88,372  
    Total current liabilities   1,333,737       1,230,087  
           
    Long-term debt   1,549,244       1,549,272  
    Other long-term liabilities   209,925       218,904  
    Total liabilities   3,092,906       2,998,263  
           
    Stockholders’ equity   3,410,169       3,556,372  
    Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 6,503,075     $ 6,554,635  

    At Qorvo®
    Doug DeLieto
    VP, Investor Relations
    1.336.678.7968

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Gibson Energy Announces 2024 Third Quarter Results and 2024 Record Crude Volumes at Edmonton Terminal

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    All financial figures are in Canadian dollars unless otherwise noted

    CALGARY, Alberta, Oct. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Gibson Energy Inc. (TSX:GEI) (“Gibson” or the “Company”) announced today its financial and operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024.

    “Gibson delivered strong results in the third quarter, driven by the continued strength and stability of our Infrastructure segment, which now represents over 85% of our business, and saw 2024 record third party crude volumes at our Edmonton Terminal in the third quarter, driven by deliveries onto the Trans Mountain Expansion pipeline,” said Curtis Philippon, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Since joining Gibson in August, I have had the opportunity to visit all of our operations. Gibson’s critical energy infrastructure spans from touching one in four barrels produced in Western Canada to exporting Permian & Eagle Ford barrels through one of the largest crude export terminals in the United States. It is impressive to see firsthand our asset base and meet the passionate talented teams that support it.”

    Financial Highlights:

    • Revenue of $2,900 million in the third quarter, a $325 million or 10% decrease relative to the third quarter of 2023, due to lower revenues within the Marketing segment driven by Crude Marketing sales volume
    • Infrastructure adjusted EBITDA(1) of $150 million in the third quarter, a $10 million or 7% increase from the third quarter of 2023, primarily driven by a full quarter of contribution from the Gateway Terminal
    • Marketing adjusted EBITDA(1) of $14 million in the third quarter, a $10 million or 41% decrease from the third quarter of 2023, due to lower contributions from the Refined Products business resulting from compressed refining margins and the Crude Marketing business due to fewer opportunities
    • Adjusted EBITDA(1) on a consolidated basis of $151 million in the third quarter, a $2 million or 1% increase over the third quarter of 2023, as higher Infrastructure adjusted EBITDA(1) offset lower Marketing results
    • Net income of $54 million in the third quarter, a $33 million or 161% increase over the third quarter of 2023, primarily due to one-time transaction and finance costs incurred in relation to the acquisition of the Gateway Terminal in the comparative period, and the factors noted above, partially offset by higher depreciation, amortization, income tax expense and foreign exchange losses
    • Distributable cash flow(1) of $88 million in the third quarter, a $5 million or 5% decrease from the third quarter of 2023, primarily due to higher current income tax expense
    • Dividend payout ratio(2) on a trailing twelve-month basis of 65%, below the Company’s 70% – 80% target
    • Net debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio(2) at September 30, 2024 of 3.2x, within the Company’s 3.0x – 3.5x target

    Strategic Developments and Highlights:

    • On July 15, 2024, Gibson announced the extension of a long-term contract with an investment grade global E&P company at its Gateway Terminal which further enhanced the quality of the Company’s cash flows, as well as the sanction of a connection to the Cactus II Pipeline, providing customers with access to up to approximately 700,000 barrels per day of incremental supply

    (1) Adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow are non-GAAP financial measures. See the “Specified Financial Measures” section of this release.
    (2) Net debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio and dividend payout ratio are non-GAAP financial ratios. See the “Specified Financial Measures” section of this release.

    Management’s Discussion and Analysis and Financial Statements
    The 2024 third quarter Management’s Discussion and Analysis and unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements provide a detailed explanation of Gibson’s financial and operating results for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2024, as compared to the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2023. These documents are available at www.gibsonenergy.com and on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

    Earnings Conference Call & Webcast Details
    A conference call and webcast will be held to discuss the 2024 third quarter financial and operating results at 7:00am Mountain Time (9:00am Eastern Time) on Wednesday, October 30, 2024.

    To register for the call, view dial-in numbers, and obtain a dial-in PIN, please access the following URL:

    Registration at least five minutes prior to the conference call is recommended. 

    This call will also be broadcast live on the Internet and may be accessed directly at the following URL:

    The webcast will remain accessible for a 12-month period at the above URL.

    Supplementary Information
    Gibson has also made available certain supplementary information regarding the 2024 third quarter financial and operating results, available at www.gibsonenergy.com.

    About Gibson
    Gibson is a leading liquids infrastructure company with its principal businesses consisting of the storage, optimization, processing, and gathering of liquids and refined products. Headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, the Company’s operations are located across North America, with core terminal assets in Hardisty and Edmonton, Alberta, Ingleside, Texas, and a facility in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan.

    Gibson shares trade under the symbol GEI and are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange. For more information, visit www.gibsonenergy.com.

    Forward-Looking Statements
    Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information and statements (collectively, forward-looking statements). All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. The use of any of the words ‘‘anticipate’’, ‘‘plan’’, ‘‘contemplate’’, ‘‘continue’’, ‘‘estimate’’, ‘‘expect’’, ‘‘intend’’, ‘‘propose’’, ‘‘might’’, ‘‘may’’, ‘‘will’’, ‘‘shall’’, ‘‘project’’, ‘‘should’’, ‘‘could’’, ‘‘would’’, ‘‘believe’’, ‘‘predict’’, ‘‘forecast’’, ‘‘pursue’’, ‘‘potential’’ and ‘‘capable’’ and similar expressions are intended to identify forward looking statements. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. No assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking statements included in this press release should not be unduly relied upon. These statements speak only as of the date of this press release. The Company does not undertake any obligations to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements except as required by securities law. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of numerous risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, the risks and uncertainties described in “Forward-Looking Information” and “Risk Factors” included in the Company’s Annual Information Form and Management’s Discussion and Analysis, each dated February 20, 2024, as filed on SEDAR+ and available on the Gibson website at www.gibsonenergy.com.

    For further information, please contact:

    Investor Relations:
    (403) 776-3077
    investor.relations@gibsonenergy.com

    Media Relations:
    (403) 476-6334
    communications@gibsonenergy.com

    Specified Financial Measures

    This press release refers to certain financial measures that are not determined in accordance with GAAP, including non-GAAP financial measures and non-GAAP financial ratios. Readers are cautioned that non-GAAP financial measures and non-GAAP financial ratios do not have standardized meanings prescribed by GAAP and, therefore, may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other entities. Management considers these to be important supplemental measures of the Company’s performance and believes these measures are frequently used by securities analysts, investors and other interested parties in the evaluation of companies in industries with similar capital structures.

    For further details on these specified financial measures, including relevant reconciliations, see the “Specified Financial Measures” section of the Company’s MD&A for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, which is incorporated by reference herein and is available on Gibson’s SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca and Gibson’s website at www.gibsonenergy.com.

    a) Adjusted EBITDA

    Noted below is the reconciliation to the most directly comparable GAAP measures of the Company’s segmented and consolidated adjusted EBITDA for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, and 2023:

    Three months ended September 30, Infrastructure Marketing Corporate and Adjustments Total
    ($ thousands) 2024   2023   2024   2023   2024   2023   2024   2023  
                           
    Segment profit 150,271   137,727   14,183   17,900       164,454   155,627  
    Unrealized (gain) loss on derivative financial instruments (1,553 ) 740   25   6,059       (1,528 ) 6,799  
    General and administrative         (13,004 ) (14,258 ) (13,004 ) (14,258 )
    Adjustments to share of profit from equity accounted investees 1,166   1,432           1,166   1,432  
    Executive transition costs             251     251    
    Renewable power purchase agreement         (175 )   (175 )  
    Other                
    Adjusted EBITDA 149,884   139,899   14,208   23,959   (12,928 ) (14,258 ) 151,164   149,600  
                           
    Nine months ended September 30, Infrastructure Marketing Corporate and Adjustments Total
    ($ thousands) 2024   2023   2024   2023   2024   2023   2024   2023  
                         
    Segment profit 446,566   336,483   69,391   123,962       515,957   460,445  
    Unrealized loss (gain) on derivative financial instruments 3,746   740   (1,884 ) (6,872 )     1,862   (6,132 )
    General and administrative         (51,920 ) (38,677 ) (51,920 ) (38,677 )
    Adjustments to share of profit from equity accounted investees 4,071   4,293           4,071   4,293  
    Executive transition costs         10,665     10,665    
    Renewable power purchase agreement         (175 )   (175 )  
    Other           218     218  
    Adjusted EBITDA 454,383   341,516   67,507   117,090   (41,430 ) (38,459 ) 480,460   420,147  
                                     
      Three months ended September 30,
     
    ($ thousands) 2024   2023  
         
    Net Income 53,916   20,633  
         
    Income tax expense 14,573   7,678  
    Depreciation, amortization, and impairment charges 44,289   38,542  
    Finance costs, net 32,545   50,222  
    Unrealized (gain) loss on derivative financial instruments (1,528 ) 6,799  
    Corporate unrealized (gain) loss on derivative financial instruments (1) (1,934 ) 430  
    Stock based compensation 4,747   6,455  
    Acquisition and integration costs   19,959  
    Adjustments to share of profit from equity accounted investees 1,166   1,432  
    Corporate foreign exchange loss (gain) and other 3,139   (2,550 )
    Executive transition costs 251    
    Adjusted EBITDA 151,164   149,600  
             
      Nine months ended September 30,
     
    ($ thousands) 2024   2023  
           
    Net Income 157,737   160,910  
           
    Income tax expense 46,205   50,864  
    Depreciation, amortization, and impairment charges 131,452   94,788  
    Finance costs, net 104,285   80,357  
    Unrealized loss (gain) on derivative financial instruments 1,862   (6,132 )
    Corporate unrealized loss (gain) on derivative financial instruments (1) 6,707   430  
    Stock based compensation 15,158   15,344  
    Acquisition and integration costs 1,371   19,959  
    Adjustments to share of profit from equity accounted investees 4,071   4,293  
    Corporate foreign exchange loss (gain) and other 947   (666 )
    Executive transition costs 10,665    
    Adjusted EBITDA 480,460   420,147  
             

    b) Distributable Cash Flow

    The following is a reconciliation of distributable cash flow from operations to its most directly comparable GAAP measure, cash flow from operating activities:

      Three months ended September 30,
      Nine months ended September 30,
     
    ($ thousands) 2024   2023   2024   2023  
             
    Cash flow from operating activities 404,794   190,015   531,178   419,254  
    Adjustments:        
    Changes in non-cash working capital and taxes paid (258,264 ) (61,420 ) (64,620 ) (14,921 )
    Replacement capital (13,023 ) (12,876 ) (24,260 ) (25,702 )
    Cash interest expense, including capitalized interest (34,045 ) (32,290 ) (102,405 ) (65,677 )
    Acquisition and integration costs (1)   19,959   1,371   19,959  
    Executive transition costs 7,433     10,665    
    Lease payments (8,144 ) (8,575 ) (24,178 ) (26,268 )
    Current income tax (10,582 ) (1,860 ) (23,633 ) (23,800 )
    Distributable cash flow 88,169   92,953   304,118   282,845  
                     
    Twelve months ended September 30,
     
    ($ thousands) 2024   2023  
         
    Cash flow from operating activities 686,780   489,312  
    Adjustments:    
    Changes in non-cash working capital and taxes paid (57,133 ) 47,812  
    Replacement capital (34,486 ) (32,559 )
    Cash interest expense, including capitalized interest (136,861 ) (81,966 )
    Acquisition and integration costs (1) 3,454   19,959  
    Executive transition costs 10,665    
    Lease payments (33,806 ) (34,035 )
    Current income tax (31,550 ) (37,218 )
    Distributable cash flow 407,063   371,305  
             

    c) Dividend Payout Ratio

    Twelve months ended September 30,
     
      2024   2023  
    Distributable cash flow 407,063   371,305  
    Dividends declared 263,050   226,755  
    Dividend payout ratio 65 % 61 %
             

    d) Net Debt To Adjusted EBITDA Ratio

      Twelve months ended September 30,
     
      2024   2023  
         
    Current and long-term debt 2,528,454   2,645,904  
    Lease  liabilities 50,246   67,862  
    Less: unsecured hybrid debt (450,000 ) (450,000 )
    Less: cash and cash equivalents (55,584 ) (54,464 )
         
    Net debt 2,073,116   2,209,302  
    Adjusted EBITDA 650,141   557,481  
    Net debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio 3.2   4.0  
             

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Enovix and Leading Smartphone OEM Execute Development Agreement for Mass Production in 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    FREMONT, Calif., Oct. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Enovix Corporation (“Enovix”) (Nasdaq: ENVX), a global high-performance battery company, announced today that it executed a development agreement with one of the leading global smartphone OEMs with top 5 market share in China. Under the terms of the agreement and subject to applicable milestones, the companies will develop a 100% active silicon anode battery customized for specific smartphone models targeted for launch in Q4 2025. The company now has agreements with 2 of the leading smartphone OEMs and has further sales momentum building in IoT and EV markets.

    Enovix’s CEO Raj Talluri commented, “We are thrilled to formalize this relationship, and we see it as a proof point of smartphones needing batteries with much higher energy density and capacity to satisfy the needs of AI enabled apps. Upon meeting specified milestones in this new agreement, we will enter the smartphone market in 2025 with high-volume production out of Fab2 in Malaysia.”

    About Enovix

    Enovix is on a mission to deliver high-performance batteries that unlock the full potential of technology products. Everything from IoT, mobile, and computing devices, to the vehicle you drive, needs a better battery. Enovix partners with OEMs worldwide to usher in a new era of user experiences. Our innovative, materials-agnostic approach to building a higher performing battery without compromising safety keeps us flexible and on the cutting-edge of battery technology innovation.

    Enovix is headquartered in Silicon Valley with facilities in India, Korea and Malaysia. For more information visit www.enovix.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

    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, about us and our industry that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements generally relate to future events or our future financial or operating performance. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements because they contain words such as “believe”, “will”, “may”, “estimate”, “continue”, “anticipate”, “intend”, “should”, “plan”, “expect”, “predict”, “could”, “potentially”, “target”, “project”, “believe”, “continue” or the negative of these terms or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the applicable OEM agreement, including, without limitation, with respect to our ability to successfully develop a 100% active silicon anode battery customized for a specific smartphone model, our ability to satisfy applicable contract milestones and other terms, and our ability to achieve high-volume production out of Fab2 in Malaysia in 2025. Actual results could differ materially from these forward-looking statements as a result of certain risks and uncertainties. For additional information on these risks and uncertainties and other potential factors that could affect our business and financial results or cause actual results to differ from the results predicted, please refer to our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including in the “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” sections of our most recently filed annual periodic reports on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and other documents that we have filed, or that we will file, with the SEC. Any forward-looking statements made by us in this press release speak only as of the date on which they are made and subsequent events may cause these expectations to change. We disclaim any obligations to update or alter these forward-looking statements in the future, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

    For media and investor inquiries, please contact:
    Enovix Corporation
    Robert Lahey
    Email: ir@enovix.com

    The MIL Network