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TORONTO, Nov. 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited (“BlackRock Canada”), an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of BlackRock, Inc. (“BlackRock”) (NYSE: BLK) today announced that it has called a special meeting of unitholders (the “Meeting”) of the iShares Premium Money Market ETF (the “iShares Fund”), to be held on or about January 22, 2025 to approve a change to the investment objective of the iShares Fund to permit investments in asset-backed commercial paper (the “Proposal”). BlackRock Canada is holding the Meeting solely as a virtual (online) meeting by way of live audio webcast.
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The proposed change to the iShares Fund investment objective is as follows:
Current Investment Objective
Proposed Investment Objective
CMR’s investment objective is to maximize current income to the extent consistent with the preservation of capital and liquidity by investing in high-quality, short-term (generally less than 90 days), investment grade debt securities, including treasury bills and promissory notes issued or guaranteed by Canadian governments or their agencies, bankers’ acceptances and commercial paper (excluding asset-backed commercial paper) issued by Canadian chartered banks, loan companies, trust companies and corporations.
CMR’s investment objective is to maximize current income to the extent consistent with the preservation of capital and liquidity by investing in high-quality, short-term (generally less than 90 days), investment grade debt securities, including treasury bills and promissory notes issued or guaranteed by Canadian governments or their agencies, bankers’ acceptances, asset-backed commercial paper, and commercial paper issued by Canadian chartered banks, loan companies, trust companies and corporations.
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Following the cessation of the Canadian Dollar Offered Rate in June 2024, the bankers’ acceptance (“BA”) based lending model has largely been discontinued in Canada. The discontinuation of BAs has materially reduced the iShares Fund’s access to credit exposure, which is an important source of yield. BlackRock Canada believes that Canadian dollar denominated asset-backed commercial paper is an appropriate investment opportunity for the iShares Fund in order to continue accessing investment-grade, short-term Canadian dollar credit instruments. Credit exposure is an important tool for maximizing income while maintaining liquidity. The asset-backed commercial paper market in Canada is limited to bank-sponsored issuers and has undergone significant reform since the 2007/2008 financial crisis, resulting in enhanced investor protections. The market has continued to grow in response to the discontinuation of BAs and bank-sponsored asset-backed commercial paper is one of the primary instruments used by Canadian money market funds to obtain credit exposure.
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In accordance with applicable securities laws, a joint management information circular relating to the Proposal (the “Circular”) will be made available to unitholders in advance of the Meeting. Notice of the Meeting and information outlining the procedures for accessing the Circular online (or requesting a copy thereof) will be mailed on or about December 20, 2024. Unitholders of record of the iShares Fund at the close of business on December 5, 2024, will be entitled to receive notice of, and vote at, the Meeting. The Circular will also be made available on www.sedarplus.ca and www.blackrock.com/ca and will include additional details regarding the Proposal.
BlackRock Canada believes that the proposed investment objective change is in the best interests of the iShares Fund. If the change to the investment objective is approved by unitholders of the iShares Fund, BlackRock Canada expects that the Proposal will be effective as of January 31, 2025. Implementation of the Proposal is subject to applicable regulatory approvals, including the approval of the Toronto Stock Exchange.
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BlackRock’s purpose is to help more and more people experience financial well-being. As a fiduciary to investors and a leading provider of financial technology, we help millions of people build savings that serve them throughout their lives by making investing easier and more affordable. For additional information on BlackRock, please visit www.blackrock.com/corporate.
About iShares
iShares unlocks opportunity across markets to meet the evolving needs of investors. With more than twenty years of experience, a global line-up of 1400+ exchange traded funds (ETFs) and US$4.2 trillion in assets under management as of September 30, 2024, iShares continues to drive progress for the financial industry. iShares funds are powered by the expert portfolio and risk management of BlackRock.
iShares® ETFs are managed by BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited.
Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with investing in iShares ETFs. Please read the relevant prospectus before investing. The funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. Tax, investment and all other decisions should be made, as appropriate, only with guidance from a qualified professional.
Contact for Media: Reem Jazar Email: reem.jazar@blackrock.com
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Aptose and Hanmi Pharmaceutical Co-developing Triplet Therapy of Tuspetinib with Azacitidine and Venetoclax for Newly Diagnosed AML
SAN DIEGO and TORONTO, Nov. 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Aptose Biosciences Inc. (“Aptose” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: APTO, TSX: APS), a clinical-stage precision oncology company developing highly differentiated oral targeted agents to treat hematologic malignancies, today announced financial results for the three months ended September 30, 2024, and provided a corporate update.
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“Triple drug therapies (triplets) that build on the standard of care in AML have yielded higher response rates yet are limited to specific subpopulations and often cause myelosuppression and other toxicities,” said William G. Rice, Ph.D., Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Aptose. “Tuspetinib, with its breadth of activity and unique safety profile, is a potential game-changer as part of a triplet therapy regimen and we continue to advance its development.”
Key Corporate Highlights
Aptose Facility Agreement with Hanmi – During the quarter, Aptose announced that it received a $10 million loan through a Facility Agreement with Hanmi Pharmaceutical Co. (“Hanmi”), and that the companies are actively negotiating a new tuspetinib co-development collaboration agreement intended to provide additional support to accelerate the clinical development of tuspetinib. The loan is convertible as prepayment of milestone obligations under the future collaboration agreement or repayable after the expected completion of a triple drug combination trial with tuspetinib in newly diagnosed AML patients. Aptose plans to use the proceeds from such loan for the development of tuspetinib.
Tuspetinib Data Drives Interest as Treatment Paradigm for AML Shifts to Triplet Therapy – During our APTIVATE trial, tuspetinib (TUS) as a monotherapy and in combination treatment with venetoclax in a very ill AML patient population safely demonstrated broad clinical activity in AML patients with diverse mutation profiles, including those with adverse genetics. As presented at the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2024 Congress in June, tuspetinib potently targets SYK, FLT3, mutated KIT, JAK1/2, and RSK2 kinases, yet avoids many typical toxicities, drug-related discontinuations, and deaths observed with other agents. In the APTIVATE trial, TUS achieved broad activity across AML patients with a diverse array of mutations, both as a single agent (TUS) and in combination with venetoclax (TUS+VEN) in very ill relapsed/refractory (R/R) and heavily pre-treated AML populations. Responses were observed in patients with Prior-VEN, Prior-FLT3 inhibitor (FLT3i), and Prior-HSCT therapies, those with highly adverse genetics, including mutations in TP53 and RAS genes, and those with mutated or unmutated (wildtype) FLT3 genes. Patients naïve to VEN therapy achieved higher response rates. TUS appears to be an ideal third agent to add to a venetoclax and hypomethylating agent regimen. These data support the launch of the triplet therapy trial in newly diagnosed AML patients who are ineligible to receive induction chemotherapy, irrespective of their FLT3 mutation status. Other triplet therapies in development can achieve high response rates but are limited by toxicities and inability to treat certain AML populations, leaving an unmet need that may be addressed with the addition of tuspetinib. With Hanmi’s support, Aptose plans to initiate its planned triplet combination study during the quarter and to treat patients with and without FLT3 mutations. In addition, the company is evaluating other co-development opportunities to further expand the role of tuspetinib in other settings.
Nasdaq – Aptose has a scheduled meeting with the Nasdaq Listing Qualifications during the current quarter to address compliance with the minimum requirement of $2.5 million in stockholders’ equity (the “Stockholders’ Equity Requirement”) and Aptose continues to work on its compliance with minimum $1.00 per share closing bid price for thirty (30) consecutive business days, needed for continued listing on Nasdaq (the “Minimum Bid Price Requirement”).
On April 2, 2024, the Company received a deficiency letter from Nasdaq stating that the Company was not in compliance with the Stockholders’ Equity Requirement. The Company submitted a Compliance Plan to Nasdaq on this issue on May 17, 2024 and received an extension to meet this Nasdaq requirement by September 30, 2024. On October 1, 2024, the Company received a letter from Nasdaq stating that the Company did not meet the terms of the extension because it did not complete its proposed financing initiatives to regain compliance. On October 8, 2024, the Company requested an appeal and hearing; such hearing is scheduled for November 21, 2024.
On July 16, 2024, Aptose announced that it had received a deficiency letter notifying the Company that was not in compliance with the Minimum Bid Price Requirement. This deficiency letter has no immediate effect on the listing of the Company’s common shares, and its common shares will continue to trade on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “APTO” at this time. The Company’s common shares continue to trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange (“TSX”) under the symbol “APS”. The Company’s listing on the TSX is independent and will not be affected by the Nasdaq listing status. In accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5810(c)(3)(A), the Company has been given one hundred and eighty (180) calendar days, or until January 13, 2025, to regain compliance with the Minimum Bid Price Requirement. If the Company does not regain compliance with the Minimum Bid Price Requirement by January 13, 2025, the Company may, at Nasdaq’s discretion, be afforded a second one hundred and eighty (180) calendar day period to regain compliance, but if Nasdaq does not grant such extension, the Company’s common shares could be delisted from Nasdaq.
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Multiple Planned Value-creating Milestones Ahead
2024: Q4
Initiate dosing of TUS+VEN+AZA triplet in newly diagnosed AML
Completion of Hanmi/Aptose Collaboration ~ Year-end 2024
2024: ASH
Report CR/Safety data from APTIVATE TUS+VEN doublet study
Report dosing accrual from TUS+VEN+AZA triplet study
2025: 1H
Enroll two dose cohorts in TUS+VEN+AZA triplet study
Report CR/MRD/Safety data from TUS+VEN+AZA triplet study
2025: EHA
Report maturing data readout from TUS+VEN+AZA triplet study
2025: ASH
Select TUS dose for TUS+VEN+HMA triplet Ph 2/3 PIVOTAL trials
Prepare for Ph 2 portion of Ph 2 / Ph 3 pivotal program
FINANCIAL RESULTS OF OPERATIONS Aptose Biosciences Inc. Statements of Operations Data (unaudited) ($ in thousands, except per share data)
Three months ended
Nine months ended
September 30,
September 30,
2024
2023
2024
2023
Expenses:
Research and development
$
4,702
$
8,256
$
15,560
$
27,649
General and administrative
2,263
3,425
8,510
12,580
Operating expenses
6,965
11,681
24,070
40,229
Other income, net
12
234
225
977
Net loss
$
(6,953
)
$
(11,447
)
$
(23,845
)
$
(39,252
)
Net Loss per share, Basic and diluted
$
(0.37
)
$
(1.76
)
$
(1.48
)
$
(6.14
)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding used in computing net loss per share, basic and diluted (in thousands)
18,560
6,495
16,107
6,391
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Net loss for the three-month period ended September 30, 2024 decreased by $4.5 million to $7.0 million, as compared to $11.4 million for the comparable period in 2023. Net loss for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2024 decreased by $15.5 million to $23.8 million, as compared to $39.3 million for the comparable period in 2023.
Aptose Biosciences Inc. Balance Sheet Data (unaudited) ($ in thousands)
September 30,
December 31,
2024
2023
Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments
$
7,962
$
9,252
Working capital
477
(3,375
)
Total assets
10,929
12,989
Long-term liabilities
10,305
621
Accumulated deficit
(539,382
)
(515,537
)
Stockholders’ equity
(9,134
)
(2,901
)
Total cash and cash equivalents and investments as of September 30, 2024, were $8 million. Based on current operations, the Company expects that cash on hand and available capital provides the Company with sufficient resources to fund planned Company operations including research and development through to January 2025.
As of November 8, 2024, we had 19,521,183 Common Shares issued and outstanding. In addition, there were 1,212,355 Common Shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding stock options and there were 16,946,491 Common Shares issuable upon the exercise of the outstanding warrants.
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RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT EXPENSES
The research and development expenses for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2024, and 2023 were as follows:
Three months ended
Nine months ended
September 30,
September 30,
(in thousands)
2024
2023
2024
2023
Program costs – Tuspetinib
$
4,067
$
5,814
$
10,656
$
18,659
Program costs – Luxeptinib
(225
)
648
287
2,643
Program costs – APTO-253
–
2
13
28
Personnel related expenses
941
1,523
4,274
5,108
Stock-based compensation
(81
)
259
317
1,182
Depreciation of equipment
–
10
13
29
Total
$
4,702
$
8,256
$
15,560
$
27,649
Research and development expenses decreased by $3.6 million to $4.7 million for the three-month period ended September 30, 2024, as compared to $8.3 million for the comparative period in 2023. Changes to the components of our research and development expenses presented in the table above are primarily as a result of the following events:
Program costs for tuspetinib were $4.1 million for the three-month period ended September 30, 2024, compared with $5.8 million for the comparative period in 2023. The lower program costs for tuspetinib in the current period represent the reduction of activity in our APTIVATE clinical trial, reduced manufacturing costs, and related expenses. In the comparative period in 2023, tuspetinib program costs included the healthy volunteer study, which was completed in 2023.
Program costs for luxeptinib decreased by approximately $873 thousand, primarily due to lower clinical trial and manufacturing activities.
Program costs for APTO-253 decreased by approximately $2 thousand. The Company discontinued further clinical development of APTO-253.
Personnel-related expenses decreased by $582 thousand, related to fewer employees in the current three-month period.
Stock-based compensation decreased by approximately $340 thousand in the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023, primarily due to stock options granted with lower grant date fair values in the current period and option forfeitures recorded in the current period.
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Research and development expenses decreased by $12.0 million to $15.6 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2024, as compared to $27.6 million for the comparative period in 2023. Changes to the components of our research and development expenses presented in the table above are primarily as a result of the following events:
Program costs for tuspetinib were $10.7 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2024, a decrease of $8 million compared with $18.7 million for the comparative period in 2023. The lower program costs for tuspetinib in the current period represent the reduction of activity in our APTIVATE clinical trial, reduced manufacturing costs, and related expenses. In the comparative period in 2023, tuspetinib program costs included the healthy volunteer study, which was completed in 2023.
Program costs for luxeptinib decreased by approximately $2.4 million to $287 thousand for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, as compared to $2.6 million in the comparative period, primarily due to lower clinical trial and manufacturing activities.
Program costs for APTO-253 decreased by approximately $15 thousand, due to the Company’s decision on December 20, 2021 to discontinue further clinical development of APTO-253.
Personnel-related expenses decreased by $834 thousand, related to fewer employees in the current six-month period and partially offset by salary increases.
Stock-based compensation decreased by approximately $865 thousand in the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023, primarily due to stock options granted with lower grant date fair values, in the current period.
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About Aptose
Aptose Biosciences is a clinical-stage biotechnology company committed to developing precision medicines addressing unmet medical needs in oncology, with an initial focus on hematology. The Company’s small molecule cancer therapeutics pipeline includes products designed to provide single agent efficacy and to enhance the efficacy of other anti-cancer therapies and regimens without overlapping toxicities. The Company’s lead clinical-stage compound tuspetinib (TUS), is an oral kinase inhibitor that has demonstrated activity as a monotherapy and in combination therapy in patients with relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and is being developed as a frontline triplet therapy in newly diagnosed AML. For more information, please visit www.aptose.com.
Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Canadian and U.S. securities laws, including, but not limited to, statements regarding the Company’s clinical development plans, the clinical potential, anti-cancer activity, therapeutic potential and applications and safety profile of tuspetinib, clinical trials, the enrollment in clinical trials and the data therefrom, the submission of a compliance plan to Nasdaq and available options to regain compliance, upcoming milestones, financing activities, expectations regarding capital available to the Company to fund planned Company operations, maintenance of the Nasdaq and TSX listings and statements relating to the Company’s plans, objectives, expectations and intentions and other statements including words such as “continue”, “expect”, “intend”, “will”, “hope” “should”, “would”, “may”, “potential” and other similar expressions. Such statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties and are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by us, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors could cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements described in this press release. Such factors could include, among others: our ability to obtain the capital required for research and operations; the inherent risks in early stage drug development including demonstrating efficacy; development time/cost and the regulatory approval process; the progress of our clinical trials; our ability to find and enter into agreements with potential partners; our ability to attract and retain key personnel; changing market and economic conditions; unexpected manufacturing defects and other risks detailed from time-to-time in our ongoing current reports, quarterly filings, annual information forms, annual reports and annual filings with Canadian securities regulators and the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
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Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should the assumptions set out in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in our filings with Canadian securities regulators and the United States Securities and Exchange Commission underlying those forward- looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release and we do not intend, and do not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by law. We cannot assure you that such statements will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and accordingly investors are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein.
For further information, please contact:
Aptose Biosciences Inc. Susan Pietropaolo Corporate Communications & Investor Relations 201-923-2049 spietropaolo@aptose.com
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Tigris Trial Enrollment at 135 Patients Strengthened Balance Sheet with Expected Funds to Complete Tigris Trial Enrollment
TORONTO, Nov. 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Spectral Medical Inc. (“Spectral” or the “Company”) (TSX: EDT), a late-stage theranostic company advancing therapeutic options for sepsis and septic shock, today announced its financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2024, and provided a corporate update.
Spectral has continued its significant progress throughout the third quarter of 2024 both clinically and operationally and year-to-date enrolled 54 patients for a total of 135 patients out of the 150 total patients target. The Company is focused on the final push to fully enroll and finish the Tigris trial, bringing the Company closer to FDA submission and potential FDA approval. In parallel to its clinical trial, the Company continues to work closely with its commercialization partner, Baxter.
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Dr. John Kellum, Chief Medical Officer of Spectral Medical, stated, “We continue to witness robust enrollment activity in 2024, with record enrollment rates over several months of the year. Screening rates have been at approximately 50% higher throughout the year compared to 2023. Tigris is approaching the final phase of the trial, and we have very dedicated investigators who believe in the project. In October, we experienced some disruptions due to Hurricane Helene – mainly the national saline shortage (required to prepare the device for treatment). Our clinical team is focused on trial site support and is working to help resolve this issue. We are committed alongside our trial sites to advancing Tigris and believe PMX, if ultimately approved, will play a major role in reducing the tragic rates of mortality caused by sepsis.”
“I am pleased with the increased level of activity across the Company and the resultant ramp up of patient enrollment throughout 2024. With the recent medical supply chain events negatively impacting enrollment, we anticipate a slight shift in finalizing Tigris enrollment into the early 2025 timeframe,” said Chris Seto, Chief Executive Officer of Spectral. “That being said, with the receipt of gross proceeds of approximately $11 million since the beginning of April, we believe we have secured funding to finalize Tigris enrollment.”
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Corporate Highlights During & Subsequent to Third Quarter 2024
Tigris Trial and Regulatory Program
Patient Enrollment Total of 135 patients randomized to date out of the target 150 total patients to be enrolled in the Tigris trial.
Year-to-date enrollment experienced in 2024 has been robust with 54 patients enrolled so far.
Record monthly enrollment to start Q3 2024, with nine patients enrolled in July; followed by anticipated slowdown in August and September with lighter enrollment activity due to site vacation schedules.
Experienced significantly lower patient enrollment in October due to the impact of Hurricane Helene on the medical supply chain. The disruption in production of critical intravenous fluids has led to a rationing of saline, which is required to prepare PMX for treatment, negatively impacted patient enrollment, despite record patient screening levels. Our clinical team is working to help sites resolve this issue.
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Tigris Sites Currently 22 Tigris sites participating.
Spectral clinical team focused on trial site management activities to ensure that Tigris sites have the support and resources to enroll patients as efficiently as possible.
Timing The Company continues to focus on finalizing the Tigris trial within the reasonably shortest timelines. Based on the current rate of enrollment, management believes Tigris should be completed in first quarter of 2025.
PMX Commercialization
Baxter Partnership Activities In anticipation of a positive Tigris trial outcome, the Company has been working closely with Baxter on post-approval marketing plans for PMX commercialization. This includes developing product branding, pricing and roll-out plans with numerous Baxter departments, including marketing, regulatory, clinical and reimbursement. Baxter has communicated its intention to undertake a broad marketing campaign on day one of FDA approval for PMX.
Prismax Sub-study The Company is also working with Baxter on a sub-study to obtain FDA clearance for hemoperfusion for Baxter’s Prismax device. The Prismax, with its leading installed base in ICUs throughout the U.S., is anticipated to be the primary ICU device utilized for PMX treatments on commercial launch.
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Funding
Exercise of Anti-Dilution Pre-emptive Rights On July 19, 2024 the Company completed an additional non-brokered offering of US$1 million of 9% convertible notes of the Company (the “Notes”) at a price of US$1,000 per convertible note due on May 1, 2028 (the “Offering”). The Notes were sold to one of the Company’s largest shareholders pursuant to the exercise of their anti-dilution pre-emptive rights relating to the closing of the offering of the approximately CAD$8.5 million offering of Notes that was completed on May 30, 2024.
Share Warrant Exercise / Expired Warrants In the third quarter 232,500 share warrants were exercised for gross proceeds of approximately $114,250. These warrants were issued in conjunction with the Company’s July 27, 2021 and November 2, 2022 unit offerings.
On July 29, 2024, 10,982,500 share warrants expired. These expired share warrants were issued in conjunction with the Company’s approximately $10 million unit offering which closed on July 27, 2021. As at the time of this MD&A, the Company has 7,730,464 share warrants outstanding.
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Early conversion of Convertible notes issued on September 7, 2023 On August 19, 2024, 150 Notes having a face value of USD $1,000 were converted into 509,850 Common Shares at a conversion rate of 3,399 Common Shares per USD$1,000 principal amount of the Notes.
On September 25, 2024, 225 Notes having a face value of USD $1,000 were converted into 764,755 Common Shares at a conversion rate of 3,399 Common Shares per USD $ 1,000 principal amount of the Notes.
Change of Auditors
On July 11, 2024, the Company announced that MNP had been appointed as the auditors of the Company following the decision by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (“PWC”) to resign as the auditor of Spectral. The PWC resignation was not the result of any disagreement between the Company and PWC on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure.
Financial Review
Revenue for the three-months ended September 30, 2024 was $502,000 compared to $397,000 for the same three-month period last year, representing an increase of $105,000 or 26%. Revenue for nine months ended September 30, 2024, was $1,641,000 and $1,233,000 for the same period last year, representing an increase of $408,000 or 33%. Royalty revenue for the three-months ended September 30, 2024 was $NIL and $NIL for the same period prior year. Royalty revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was $135,000 compared to $126,000 for the same nine-month period last year. This is due to an increase in usage of the Company’s IP from one customer. Product Revenue for the three-months ended September 30, 2024 was $274,000 compared to $186,000 for the same three-month period last year, representing an increase of $88,000 or 47% Product revenue for nine months ended September 30, 2024 was $841,000 and $562,000, representing an increase of $279,000 or 50%.
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Operating expenses for the three-months ended September 30, 2024, were $10,497,000, compared to $4,072,000 for the same period in the preceding year, an increase of $6,425,000 or 158%. The increase is majorly due to the change in Fair value adjustment for derivative liabilities which increased by $6,075,000 and also the Interest expense increased by $628,000 due to convertible notes payable issued on September 7, 2023, May 30, 2024 and July 19, 2024.
Operating expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 were $20,194,000 compared to $10,292,000 for the same period in the preceding year, an increase of $9,902,000 or 96%. The change is primarily due to an increase in interest expense by $1,339,000 and Fair value adjustment in derivative liability increased by $6,530,000. All these increases are due to the funding received during September 2023, May 2024 and July 19, 2024. In addition, share-based compensation expense increased by $197,000. Lastly, consulting and professional fees increased by $352,000 due to increased site and patient fees related to the Tigris trial.
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Clinical development and regulatory program costs (as disclosed in Note 13 of the condensed interim consolidated financial statements) were $638,000 for the three-months ended September 30, 2024 compared to $1,263,000 for the same period in the prior year. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, clinical development costs are $3,015,000 compared to $3,258,000 for the corresponding period in the prior year. A significant portion of clinical trial and regulatory costs consists of consulting and professional fees paid to contract research organizations, clinical sites, and other clinical and regulatory consultants. The decrease in costs reflects decreased start up activity with respect to the initialization of new clinical sites and the absence of upfront CRO switching costs which were experienced in 2023.
Loss for the three-months ended September 30, 2024 was $9,995,000, $(0.04) per share compared to a loss of $3,804,000, $(0.01) per share for the same period in the prior year. The increased loss of $6,191,000 was due to increased operating expenses, partially offset by a reduction in loss from discontinued operations of $130,000 related to the reduction in Dialco operating expenses.
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Loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was $18,556,000, $(0.07) per share, compared to a loss of $9,184,000 $(0.03) per share, for the same period in the prior year. The increased loss of $9,372,000 was due to operating expenses, partially offset by a reduction in loss from discontinued operations of $122,000 related to the reduction in Dialco operating expenses.
The Company concluded the third quarter of 2024 with cash of $5,759,000 compared to $2,952,000 of cash on hand as of December 31, 2023.
The total number of common shares outstanding for the Company was 282,815,223 at September 30, 2024.
About Spectral
Spectral is a Phase 3 company seeking U.S. FDA approval for its unique product for the treatment of patients with septic shock, Toraymyxin™ (“PMX”). PMX is a therapeutic hemoperfusion device that removes endotoxin, which can cause sepsis, from the bloodstream and is guided by the Company’s Endotoxin Activity Assay (EAA™), the only FDA cleared diagnostic for the risk of developing sepsis.
PMX is approved for therapeutic use in Japan and Europe and has been used safely and effectively on more than 340,000 patients to date. In March 2009, Spectral obtained the exclusive development and commercial rights in the U.S. for PMX, and in November 2010, signed an exclusive distribution agreement for this product in Canada. In July 2022, the U.S. FDA granted Breakthrough Device Designation for PMX for the treatment of endotoxic septic shock. Approximately 330,000 patients are diagnosed with septic shock in North America each year.
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The Tigris Trial is a confirmatory study of PMX in addition to standard care vs standard care alone and is designed as a 2:1 randomized trial of 150 patients using Bayesian statistics. Endotoxic septic shock is a malignant form of sepsis https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RANrHHi9L8.
Spectral is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol EDT. For more information, please visit www.spectraldx.com.
Forward-looking statement
Information in this news release that is not current or historical factual information may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of securities laws. Implicit in this information, particularly in respect of the future outlook of Spectral and anticipated events or results, are assumptions based on beliefs of Spectral’s senior management as well as information currently available to it. While these assumptions were considered reasonable by Spectral at the time of preparation, they may prove to be incorrect. Readers are cautioned that actual results are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including the availability of funds and resources to pursue R&D projects, the successful and timely completion of clinical studies, the ability of Spectral to take advantage of business opportunities in the biomedical industry, the granting of necessary approvals by regulatory authorities as well as general economic, market and business conditions, and could differ materially from what is currently expected.
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The TSX has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this statement.
For further information, please contact:
Spectral Medical Inc.
Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Financial Position
In CAD (000s), except for share and per share data
(Unaudited)
Notes
September 30, 2024
December 31, 2023 (Refer Note 3)
January 1, 2023 (Refer Note 3)
$
$
$
Assets
Current assets
Cash
5,759
2,952
8,414
Trade and other receivables
337
186
1,056
Inventories
318
366
340
Prepayments and other assets
882
621
276
7,296
4,125
10,086
Non-current assets
Right-of-use-asset
475
567
464
Property and equipment
268
326
237
Intangible asset
180
193
211
Investment in Dialco
–
–
998
Total assets
8,219
5,211
11,996
Liabilities
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables
3,004
2,820
3,087
Current portion of contract liabilities
7
502
727
696
Current portion of lease liability
126
121
96
Notes Payable
8&3
12,890
7,940
3,566
Derivative Liability
8&4
17,405
6,310
2,674
33,927
17,918
10,119
Non-current liability
Lease liability
404
500
420
Non-current portion of contract liabilities
7
5,170
3,342
4,011
Total liabilities
39,501
21,760
14,550
Shareholders’ (deficiency) equity
10
Share capital
89,871
87,061
87,050
Contributed surplus
10,148
8,916
8,773
Share-based compensation
11,308
10,385
8,908
Warrants
1,384
2,526
2,490
Deficit
(143,993)
(125,437)
(109,775)
Total shareholders’ (deficiency) equity
(31,282)
(16,549)
(2,554)
Total liabilities and shareholders’ (deficiency) equity
8,219
5,211
11,996
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Spectral Medical Inc.
Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Loss and Comprehensive Loss
In CAD (000s), except for share and per share data
(Unaudited)
Revised
Revised
(Refer Note 16)
(Refer Note 16)
Notes
Three months ended Sep 30, 2024
Three months ended Sep 30, 2023
Nine months ended Sep 30, 2024
Nine months ended Sep 30, 2023
$
$
$
$
Revenue
7&12
502
397
1,641
1,233
Expenses
Raw materials and consumables used
327
305
994
722
Salaries and benefits
14
1,078
986
3,101
2,918
Consulting and professional fees
1,282
1,198
3,652
3,300
Regulatory and investor relations
284
110
585
414
Travel and entertainment
136
63
407
245
Facilities and communication
90
81
353
245
Insurance
105
102
315
290
Depreciation and amortization
64
57
191
172
Interest expense
8
970
342
2,178
839
Foreign exchange loss
(399)
46
129
(205)
Share-based compensation
241
340
1,497
1,300
Other expense
163
320
704
289
Net loss on joint arrangement
6
–
41
–
205
Fair value adjustment derivative liabilities
8
6,156
81
6,088
(442)
10,497
4,072
20,194
10,292
Loss and comprehensive loss for the period from continuing operations
(9,995)
(3,675)
(18,553)
(9,059)
Gain (loss) from discontinued operations
5
–
(130)
(3)
(125)
Loss and comprehensive loss for the period
(9,995)
(3,805)
(18,556)
(9,184)
Basic and diluted loss from continuing operations per common share
11
(0.04)
(0.01)
(0.07)
(0.03)
Basic and diluted loss from discontinued operations per common share
11
(0.00)
(0.00)
(0.00)
(0.00)
Basic and diluted loss per common share
11
(0.04)
(0.01)
(0.07)
(0.03)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding – basic and diluted
11
281,705,359
278,604,718
280,269,516
278,569,902
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Spectral Medical Inc.
Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Deficiency
In CAD (000s)
(Unaudited)
Notes
Number of Shares
Share Capital
Contributed surplus
Share-based compensation
Warrants
Deficit
Total Shareholders’ (deficiency) equity
$
$
$
$
$
$
Balance January 1, 2023
278,547,804
87,050
8,773
8,908
2,490
(109,775)
(2,554)
RSU released
10
28,457
11
–
(11)
–
–
–
Warrants issued
10
–
–
–
–
179
–
179
Warrants expired
10
–
–
143
–
(143)
–
–
Loss and comprehensive loss for the period
–
–
–
–
–
(9,184)
(9,184)
Share-based compensation
10
–
–
–
1,300
–
–
1,300
Revised (Refer note 16) Balance, September 30, 2023
278,576,261
87,061
8,916
10,197
2,526
(118,959)
(10,259)
Loss and comprehensive loss for the period
–
–
–
–
–
(6,478)
(6,478)
Share-based compensation
10
–
–
–
188
–
–
188
Balance December 31, 2023
278,576,261
87,061
8,916
10,385
2,526
(125,437)
(16,549)
Balance January 1, 2024
278,576,261
87,061
8,916
10,385
2,526
(125,437)
(16,549)
Warrants exercised
10
982,500
618
–
–
(121)
–
497
Warrants issued
10
–
–
–
–
211
–
211
Warrants expired
10
–
–
1,232
–
(1,232)
–
–
Share Options Exercised
10
1,867,627
1,163
–
(524)
–
–
639
RSU released
10
114,210
50
–
(50)
–
–
–
Notes Conversion
10
1,274,625
979
–
–
–
–
979
Loss and comprehensive loss for the period
–
–
–
–
–
(18,556)
(18,556)
Share-based compensation
10
–
–
–
1,497
–
–
1,497
Balance September 30, 2024
282,815,223
89,871
10,148
11,308
1,384
(143,993)
(31,282)
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Spectral Medical Inc.
Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
The content in this section is supplied by GlobeNewswire for the purposes of distributing press releases on behalf of its clients. Postmedia has not reviewed the content.
All amounts in U.S. dollars unless otherwise stated
Launches substantial issuer bid for up to C$400 million of its Subordinated Voting Shares
TORONTO, Nov. 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Onex Corporation (TSX: ONEX) today announced its financial results for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2024. In a separate news release issued today, Onex also announced that it has commenced a Substantial Issuer Bid.
“We are advancing our strategic plan focused on value creation, accelerating profitability and the long-term compounding of our investing capital,” said Bobby Le Blanc, CEO and President. “The third quarter was marked by continued growth in investing capital per share and successful investing and realization activity across our platforms. The launch of a substantial issuer bid reflects our confidence in the inherent value in our shares, combined with our strong liquidity position.”
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Financial Results
($ millions except per share amounts)
Three Months Ended Sept. 30
Nine Months Ended Sept. 30
2024
2023
2024
2023
Net earnings
$
127
$
256
$
305
$
156
Net earnings per diluted share
$
1.68
$
3.23
$
3.99
$
1.94
Investing segment net earnings
$
121
$
245
$
315
$
489
Asset management segment net earnings (loss)
22
38
3
(44
)
Total segment net earnings (1)
$
143
$
283
$
318
$
445
Total segment net earnings per fully diluted share(2)
$
1.88
$
3.58
$
4.11
$
5.51
Asset management fee-related earnings(3)
$
6
$
13
$
–
$
9
Total fee-related earnings (loss)(4)
$
–
$
8
$
(20
)
$
(12
)
Distributable earnings(5)
$
267
$
223
$
386
$
658
Substantial Issuer Bid
Onex announced today that it has launched a substantial issuer bid (the “Offer”) to repurchase up to C$400 million of its Subordinate Voting Shares. The Offer commences today and expires on December 13, 2024 unless extended or withdrawn. Further details are available in the separate news release issued today. Given its strong liquidity position, Onex is confident in being able to execute on the Offer while continuing to invest in priority areas.
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Highlights
Onex’ investing capital per fully diluted share(6) returned 3% for the three months ended September 30, 2024. Onex had approximately $8.5 billion of investing capital, or $113.37 (C$153.04) per fully diluted share at September 30, 2024. Onex’ investing capital per fully diluted share has had a compound annual return of 9% for the 12 months ended September 30, 2024, and 14% over the last five years.
Onex’ private equity investments had net gains of $96 million or a return of 2% in the third quarter of 2024(7) (Q3 2023: net gains of $190 million or a return of 4%). Investments in Credit strategies generated net gains of $29 million or a return of 3% in the third quarter of 2024(8) (Q3 2023: net gains of $44 million or a return of 6%).
Onex raised approximately $2.1 billion in fee-generating capital across its Private Equity and Credit platforms in the third quarter.
To date, the Onex Partners Opportunities Fund has raised aggregate commitments approaching $1.2 billion, including pending co-investment commitments and Onex’ commitment of $400 million. The Fund entered into an agreement to acquire Farsound, which is expected to close in the fourth quarter. In October, the Fund also acquired a majority interest in Fischbach.
ONCAP V has reached aggregate commitments of more than $1.0 billion, including Onex’ commitment of $250 million, and continues to show positive fundraising momentum.
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The sales of ASM Global and Englobe were completed in the third quarter and the partial realization of PowerSchool closed in October. Collectively, our private equity teams have returned approximately $2.7 billion of capital to Limited Partners so far in 2024, including approximately $910 million to Onex.
Onex has raised or extended a total of $10.6 billion of fee-generating assets across its CLO platform so far in 2024. Activity in Q3 includes closing of our 34th and 35th U.S. CLOs and 10th European CLO for approximately $1.5 billion in new fee-generating assets. In Q3 we also priced our 36th and 37th U.S. CLOs and 11th European CLO which will add approximately $1.7 billion in fee-generating assets in Q4 2024.
Onex repurchased 2,179,882 Subordinate Voting Shares (SVS) in the third quarter for a total cost of $144 million (C$197 million) or an average cost per share of $66.13 (C$90.25). Onex has repurchased 3,943,482 SVS over the 12 months ended September 30, 2024.
Onex had $34.1 billion of fee-generating assets under management at September 30, 2024, a 4% increase from the prior quarter.
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Run-rate management fees(9) increased to $187 million at September 30, 2024.
Unrealized carried interest from funds managed by Onex was $270 million at September 30, 2024.
Onex’ cash and near-cash(10) balance was $1.6 billion or 19% of Onex’ investing capital as of September 30, 2024 (December 31, 2023 – $1.5 billion or 17% of Onex’ investing capital).
Webcast
Onex management will host a webcast to review Onex’ third quarter 2024 results on Friday, November 8, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. ET. The webcast will be available in listen-only mode from the Presentations and Events section of Onex’ website, https://www.onex.com/events-and-presentations. A 90-day on-line replay will be available shortly following the completion of the event.
Additional Information
Enclosed are supplementary financial schedules related to Onex’ consolidated net earnings, investing capital, fee-related earnings (loss), distributable earnings, and cash and near-cash changes for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024. The financial statements prepared in accordance with IFRS Accounting Standards, including Management’s Discussion and Analysis of the results, are posted on Onex’ website, www.onex.com, and are also available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. A supplemental information package with additional information is available on Onex’ website, www.onex.com.
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About Onex
Onex invests and manages capital on behalf of its shareholders and clients across the globe. Formed in 1984, we have a long track record of creating value for our clients and shareholders. Our investors include a broad range of global clients, including public and private pension plans, sovereign wealth funds, insurance companies, family offices and high-net-worth individuals. In total, Onex has approximately $50 billion in assets under management, of which $8.5 billion is Onex’ own investing capital. With offices in Toronto, New York, New Jersey and London, Onex and its experienced management teams are collectively the largest investors across Onex’ platforms.
Onex is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol ONEX. For more information on Onex, visit its website at www.onex.com. Onex’ security filings can also be accessed at www.sedarplus.ca.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release may contain, without limitation, statements concerning possible or assumed future operations, performance or results preceded by, followed by or that include words such as “believes”, “expects”, “potential”, “anticipates”, “estimates”, “intends”, “plans” and words of similar connotation, which would constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees. The reader should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and information because they involve significant and diverse risks and uncertainties that may cause actual operations, performance or results to be materially different from those indicated in these forward-looking statements. Except as may be required by Canadian securities law, Onex is under no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained herein should material facts change due to new information, future events or other factors. These cautionary statements expressly qualify all forward-looking statements in this press release.
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Non-GAAP Financial Measures
This press release contains non-GAAP financial measures and ratios which have been calculated using methodologies that are not in accordance with IFRS Accounting Standards. The presentation of financial measures in this manner does not have a standardized meaning prescribed under IFRS Accounting Standards and is therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar financial measures presented by other companies. Onex management believes these financial measures and ratios provide useful information to investors. Reconciliations of the non-GAAP financial measures to information contained in the consolidated financial statements have been presented where practical.
For Further Information:
Jill Homenuk Managing Director – Shareholder Relations and Communications Tel: +1 416.362.7711
Amortization of property, equipment and intangible assets, excluding right-of-use assets
(2
)
(5
)
Restructuring expenses, net
(3
)
(5
)
Unrealized carried interest included in segment net earnings – Credit
(2
)
(5
)
Unrealized performance fees included in segment net earnings
(1
)
–
Integration expenses
–
(3
)
Net impairment reversal of property and equipment
–
7
Other net expenses
(1
)
(2
)
Net earnings
$
127
$
256
Segment net earnings per fully diluted share
$
1.58
$
0.30
$
1.88
$
3.58
Net earnings per share
Basic
$
1.68
$
3.24
Diluted
$
1.68
$
3.23
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(i) Refer to pages 20 and 21 of Onex’ Q3 2024 Interim MD&A for further details concerning the composition of segmented results.
Nine months ended September 30
2024(i)
2023(i)
(Unaudited)($ millions except per share amounts)
Investing
Asset Management
Total
Total
Segment income
$
315
$
182
$
497
$
663
Segment expenses
–
(179
)
(179
)
(218
)
Segment net earnings
$
315
$
3
$
318
$
445
Stock-based compensation expense
(3
)
(42
)
Amortization of property, equipment and intangible assets, excluding right-of-use assets
(12
)
(20
)
Restructuring expenses, net
(11
)
(40
)
Carried interest from Falcon Funds previously recognized in segment net earnings
25
–
Unrealized carried interest included in segment net earnings – Credit
(5
)
(11
)
Unrealized performance fees included in segment net earnings
(5
)
(5
)
Integration expenses
–
(3
)
Net impairment of goodwill, intangible assets and property and equipment
–
(164
)
Other net expenses
(1
)
(1
)
Earnings before income taxes
306
159
Provision for income taxes
(1
)
(3
)
Net earnings
$
305
$
156
Segment net earnings per fully diluted share
$
4.05
$
0.06
$
4.11
$
5.51
Net earnings per share
Basic
$
3.99
$
1.94
Diluted
$
3.99
$
1.94
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(i) Refer to pages 20 and 22 of Onex’ Q3 2024 Interim MD&A for further details concerning the composition of segmented results.
Investing Capital(i)
(Unaudited)($ millions except per share amounts)
September 30, 2024
December 31, 2023
Private Equity
Onex Partners Funds
$
4,314
$
4,445
ONCAP Funds
818
929
Other Private Equity
555
407
Carried Interest
253
252
5,940
6,033
Private Credit
Investments
888
904
Carried Interest
17
12
905
916
Real Estate
–
18
Cash and Near-Cash
1,599
1,466
Other Net Assets
29
–
Investing Capital
$
8,473
$
8,433
Investing Capital per fully diluted share (U.S. dollars)(ii)
$
113.37
$
107.82
Investing Capital per fully diluted share (Canadian dollars)(ii)
$
153.04
$
142.61
(i) Refer to the glossary in Onex’ Q3 2024 Interim MD&A for further details concerning the composition of investing capital. (ii) Fully diluted shares for investing capital per share were 74.7 million at September 30, 2024.
Fee-Related Earnings (Loss) and Distributable Earnings
(Unaudited)($ millions)
Three months ended September 30, 2024
Three Months Ended September 30, 2023
Private Equity Management and advisory fees
$
24
$
31
Total fee-related revenues from Private Equity
24
31
Compensation expense
(16
)
(18
)
Support and other net expenses
(10
)
(7
)
Net contribution
$
(2
)
$
6
Credit Management and advisory fees Performance fees
$
25 1
$
34 1
Other income
1
1
Total fee-related revenues from Credit
$
27
$
36
Compensation expense
(10
)
(16
)
Support and other net expenses
(9
)
(13
)
Net contribution
$
8
$
7
Asset management fee-related earnings
$
6
$
13
Public Company and Onex Capital Investing
Compensation expense
$
(4
)
$
(3
)
Other net expenses
(2
)
(2
)
Total expenses
$
(6
)
$
(5
)
Total fee-related earnings (loss)
$
–
$
8
Realized carried interest(i)
$
10
$
1
Net realized gain on corporate investments
257
214
Distributable earnings
$
267
$
223
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(i) Includes realized carried interest from the Falcon Funds, when applicable.
(Unaudited)($ millions)
Nine months ended September 30, 2024
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023
Private Equity Management and advisory fees
$
68
$
86
Total fee-related revenues from Private Equity
68
86
Compensation expense
(59
)
(61
)
Support and other net expenses
(30
)
(29
)
Net contribution
$
(21
)
$
(4
)
Credit Management and advisory fees Performance fees
$
82 7
$
109 9
Other income
2
2
Total fee-related revenues from Credit
$
91
$
120
Compensation expense
(35
)
(56
)
Support and other net expenses
(35
)
(51
)
Net contribution
$
21
$
13
Asset management fee-related earnings
$
–
$
9
Public Company and Onex Capital Investing
Compensation expense
$
(10
)
$
(10
)
Other net expenses
(10
)
(11
)
Total expenses
$
(20
)
$
(21
)
Total fee-related earnings (loss)
$
(20
)
$
(12
)
Realized carried interest(i)
$
17
$
9
Net realized gain on corporate investments
389
661
Distributable earnings
$
386
$
658
(i) Includes realized carried interest from the Falcon Funds, when applicable. Fee-related earnings (loss) and distributable earnings are non-GAAP financial measures. The tables below provide reconciliations of Onex’ net earnings to fee-related earnings (loss) and distributable earnings during the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023.
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(Unaudited)($ millions)
Three months ended September 30, 2024
Three months ended September 30, 2023
Net earnings
$
127
$
256
Stock-based compensation expense
7
14
Amortization of property, equipment and intangible assets, excluding right-of-use assets
2
5
Restructuring expenses, net
3
5
Unrealized carried interest included in segment net earnings – Credit
2
5
Unrealized performance fees included in segment net earnings
1
–
Integration expenses
–
3
Net impairment reversal of property and equipment
–
(7
)
Other net expenses
1
2
Total segment net earnings
143
283
Net unrealized increase in carried interest(i)
(12
)
(29
)
Net unrealized loss (gain) on corporate investments
136
(31
)
Distributable earnings
267
223
Less: Realized carried interest(i)
(10
)
(1
)
Less: Net realized gain on corporate investments
(257
)
(214
)
Total fee-related earnings
$
–
$
8
(i) Includes carried interest Onex is entitled to from the Falcon Funds.
(Unaudited)($ millions)
Nine months ended September 30, 2024
Nine months ended September 30, 2023
Net earnings
$
305
$
156
Provision for income taxes
1
3
Earnings before income taxes
306
159
Stock-based compensation expense
3
42
Amortization of property, equipment and intangible assets, excluding right-of-use assets
12
20
Restructuring expenses, net
11
40
Carried interest from Falcon funds previously recognized in segment net earnings
(25
)
–
Unrealized carried interest included in segment net earnings – Credit
5
11
Unrealized performance fees included in segment net earnings
5
5
Integration expenses
–
3
Net impairment of goodwill, intangible assets and property and equipment
–
164
Other net expenses
1
1
Total segment net earnings
318
445
Net unrealized decrease (increase) in carried interest(i)
(12
)
41
Net unrealized loss on corporate investments
80
172
Distributable earnings
386
658
Less: Realized carried interest(i)
(17
)
(9
)
Less: Net realized gain on corporate investments
(389
)
(661
)
Total fee-related earnings (loss)
$
(20
)
$
(12
)
(i) Includes carried interest Onex is entitled to from the Falcon Funds.
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Cash and Near-Cash
The table below provides a breakdown of cash and near-cash at Onex as at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023.
(Unaudited)($ millions)
September 30, 2024
December 31, 2023
Cash and cash equivalents within Investment Holding Companies(i)
$
687
$
398
Management fees and recoverable fund expenses receivable(ii)
542
615
Cash and cash equivalents – Investing segment(iii)
205
142
Treasury investments within Investment Holding Companies
118
197
Subscription financing and short-term loan receivable(iv)
47
114
Cash and near-cash
$
1,599
$
1,466
(i) Excludes cash and cash equivalents for Onex’ share of uncalled expenses payable by the Investment Holding Companies of $34 million (December 31, 2023 – $35 million) and $2 million payable by the Investment Holding Companies for Onex’ management incentive programs related to a private equity realization (December 31, 2023 – less than $1 million). The December 31, 2023 balance also includes $22 million of restricted cash and cash equivalents for which the Company can readily remove the external restriction or for which the restriction will be removed in the near term.
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(ii) Includes management fees and recoverable fund expenses receivable from certain funds which Onex has elected to defer cash receipt from.
(iii) Excludes cash and cash equivalents allocated to the asset management segment related to accrued incentive compensation ($70 million (December 31, 2023 – $108 million)). The December 31, 2023 balance also excludes $15 million of cash and cash equivalents allocated to the asset management segment concerning the contingent consideration related to the 2020 acquisition of Onex Falcon.
(iv) Includes $47 million of subscription financing receivable, including interest receivable, attributable to third-party investors in certain Credit Funds, Onex Partners V and ONCAP V (December 31, 2023 – $77 million). The December 31, 2023 balance also includes $37 million related to a short-term loan receivable from an Onex Partners operating company, which was repaid during the nine months ended September 30, 2024.
The table below provides a reconciliation of the change in cash and near-cash from December 31, 2023 to September 30, 2024.
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(Unaudited)($ millions)
Cash and near-cash at December 31, 2023
$
1,466
Private equity realizations and distributions
578
Private equity investments
(223
)
Net private credit strategies investment activity
76
Share repurchases, dividends and net cash paid for stock-based compensation
(270
)
Reversal of Onex Falcon contingent consideration
15
Net other, including cash flows from asset management activities, operating costs and changes in working capital
(43
)
Cash and near-cash at September 30, 2024
$
1,599
(1) Refer to pages 20, 21 and 22 of Onex’ Q3 2024 Interim MD&A for further details concerning the composition of segment net earnings (loss). A reconciliation of total segment net earnings to net earnings is provided in the supplementary financial schedules in this press release. (2) Refer to the glossary in Onex’ Q3 2024 Interim MD&A for details concerning the composition of fully diluted shares. (3) Asset management fee-related earnings excludes Onex’ public company expenses and other expenses associated with managing Onex’ investing capital and is a component of total fee-related earnings (loss). (4) Total fee-related earnings (loss) is a non-GAAP financial measure that does not have a standardized meaning prescribed under International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IFRS Accounting Standards”). Therefore, it may not be comparable to similar financial measures disclosed by other companies. The most directly comparable financial measure under IFRS Accounting Standards to fee-related earnings (loss) is Onex’ net earnings. Refer to the 2024 Year-To-Date Results & Activity section of Onex’ Q3 2024 Interim MD&A and the supplementary financial schedules in this press release for further details concerning fee-related earnings (loss). (5) Distributable earnings is a non-GAAP financial measure that does not have a standardized meaning prescribed under IFRS Accounting Standards. Therefore, it may not be comparable to similar financial measures disclosed by other companies. The most directly comparable financial measure under IFRS Accounting Standards to distributable earnings is Onex’ net earnings. Refer to the 2024 Year-To-Date Results & Activity section of Onex’ Q3 2024 Interim MD&A and the supplementary financial schedules in this press release for further details concerning distributable earnings. (6) Refer to the glossary in Onex’ Q3 2024 Interim MD&A for details concerning the composition of investing capital per fully diluted share. The percentage changes in investing capital per share exclude the impact of capital deployed in Onex’ asset management segment, where applicable, and dividends paid by Onex. (7) The gross return on Onex’ private equity investments is a non-GAAP ratio calculated using methodologies that are not in accordance with IFRS Accounting Standards. The presentation of these ratios does not have a standardized meaning prescribed under IFRS Accounting Standards and therefore may not be comparable to similar financial measures presented by other companies. The net gains (losses) used to calculate the gross return of Onex’ private equity investments are gross of management incentive programs. Refer to page 10 of Onex’ Q3 2024 Interim MD&A for further details concerning the gross performance of Onex’ private equity investments. (8) The percentage returns on Credit investments have been adjusted for capital deployed, realizations and distributions. (9) Refer to the glossary in Onex’ Q3 2024 Interim MD&A for details concerning the composition of run-rate management fees.(10) Cash and near-cash is a non-GAAP financial measure calculated using methodologies that are not in accordance with IFRS Accounting Standards. The presentation of these measures does not have standardized meaning prescribed under IFRS Accounting Standards and therefore might not be comparable to similar financial measures presented by other companies. The most directly comparable financial measure under IFRS Accounting Standards to cash and near-cash is Onex’ consolidated cash and cash equivalents balance, which was $275 million at September 30, 2024 (December 31, 2023 – $265 million). Refer to the Cash and Near-Cash section of Onex’ Q3 2024 Interim MD&A and the supplementary financial schedules in this press release for further details concerning Onex’ cash and near-cash.
The content in this section is supplied by GlobeNewswire for the purposes of distributing press releases on behalf of its clients. Postmedia has not reviewed the content.
TORONTO, Nov. 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Onex Corporation (the “Company”) (TSX: ONEX) announces today that its board of directors has authorized the initiation of a substantial issuer bid (the “Offer”) pursuant to which the Company will offer to repurchase for cancellation up to $400,000,000 of its subordinate voting shares (the “Subordinate Voting Shares”). All amounts are in Canadian dollars.
The Offer will commence today and will expire on December 13, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. (EST), unless withdrawn, extended or varied, and the Company anticipates announcing the results of the Offer after the close of markets on December 16, 2024.
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The Offer is for up to approximately 5.2% of the Company’s total number of issued and outstanding Subordinate Voting Shares (based on a purchase price equal to the minimum purchase price per Subordinate Voting Share and 73,968,434 Subordinate Voting Shares issued and outstanding as at the close of business on November 7, 2024).
The Offer will proceed by way of a “modified Dutch auction” procedure that includes the ability for shareholders to participate via a proportionate tender. The modified Dutch auction procedure will have a tender price range from $105.00 per Subordinate Voting Share to $112.00 per Subordinate Voting Share. Holders of Subordinate Voting Shares wishing to tender to the Offer may do so pursuant to: (i) auction tenders in which the tendering shareholders specify the number of Subordinate Voting Shares being tendered at a specified price of not less than $105.00 per Subordinate Voting Share and not more than $112.00 per Subordinate Voting Share in increments of $0.25 per Subordinate Voting Share; (ii) purchase price tenders in which they will not specify a price per Subordinate Voting Share, but will rather agree to have a specified number of Subordinate Voting Shares purchased at the Purchase Price, as defined below; or (iii) proportionate tenders in which they will agree to sell, at the Purchase Price, a number of Subordinate Voting Shares that will result in them maintaining their proportionate Subordinate Voting Share ownership in the Company following completion of the Offer. Shareholders who validly tender Subordinate Voting Shares without specifying the method in which they are tendering their Subordinate Voting Shares, or who make an invalid proportionate tender, including by tendering an insufficient number of Subordinate Voting Shares, will be deemed to have made a purchase price tender. For purposes of determining the Purchase Price, shareholders who make, or who are deemed to have made, a purchase price tender will be deemed to have tendered their Subordinate Voting Shares at the minimum price of $105.00 per Subordinate Voting Share.
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The purchase price to be paid by the Company for each validly deposited Subordinate Voting Share taken up by the Company (the “Purchase Price”) will be the lowest price (which will not be less than $105.00 per Subordinate Voting Share and not more than $112.00 per Subordinate Voting Share) that enables the Company to purchase Subordinate Voting Shares up to the maximum amount available for auction tenders and purchase price tenders, determined in accordance with the terms of the Offer. Subordinate Voting Shares deposited at or below the Purchase Price as finally determined by the Company will be purchased at such Purchase Price. Subordinate Voting Shares that will not be taken up in connection with the Offer, including Subordinate Voting Shares deposited pursuant to auction tenders at prices above the Purchase Price, will be returned to the shareholders.
If the aggregate purchase price for Subordinate Voting Shares validly tendered pursuant to auction tenders and purchase price tenders is greater than the amount available for auction tenders and purchase price tenders (after taking into consideration the proportionate tenders), the Company will purchase Subordinate Voting Shares from the shareholders who made purchase price tenders or tendered at or below the Purchase Price as finally determined by the Company on a pro rata basis, except that “odd lot” holders (shareholders who own fewer than 100 Shares) will not be subject to proration.
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The Offer is not conditional upon any minimum number of Subordinate Voting Shares being tendered. The Offer is, however, subject to other conditions and the Company reserves the right, subject to applicable laws, to withdraw or amend the Offer, if, at any time prior to the payment of deposited Subordinate Voting Shares, certain events occur.
Mr. Gerald W. Schwartz, the Founder and Chairman of Onex, who beneficially owns, controls or directs as at the date of hereof, directly or indirectly, 8,364,140 Subordinate Voting Shares representing approximately 11.308% of the issued and outstanding Subordinate Voting Shares of the Company, has indicated an intention to participate in the Offer by making a proportionate tender in order to maintain his proportionate ownership interest in the Company.
Except as described above, to the knowledge of the Company, after reasonable inquiry, no director or officer of the Company has indicated an intention to deposit any of such person’s or company’s Subordinate Voting Shares pursuant to the Offer.
The board of directors of the Company has obtained a liquidity opinion from RBC Dominion Securities Inc., a member company of RBC Capital Markets (“RBC Capital Markets”), to the effect that, based on and subject to the qualifications, assumptions and limitations stated in such opinion, a liquid market exists for the Subordinate Voting Shares as of the date hereof, and that it is reasonable to conclude that, following the completion of the Offer in accordance with its terms, there will be a market for the holders of Subordinate Voting Shares who do not tender to the Offer that is not materially less liquid than the market that existed at the time of the making of the Offer. A copy of the opinion of RBC Capital Markets is included in the Offer Documents (as defined below).
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The Company has also engaged RBC Capital Markets to act as financial advisor and dealer manager for the Offer. The Company has engaged TSX Trust Company to act as the depositary for the Offer.
During the 12 months ended November 7, 2024, the closing prices of the Subordinate Voting Shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange (the “TSX”) have ranged from a low of $77.72 to a high of $108.75. The closing price of the Subordinate Voting Shares on the TSX on November 7, 2024 (the last full trading day before the Company announced its intention to make the Offer) was $108.75.
This press release is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in any jurisdiction. Details of the Offer, including instructions for tendering Subordinate Voting Shares, are included in the formal offer to purchase and issuer bid circular, letter of transmittal and notice of guaranteed delivery (collectively, the “Offer Documents”). The Offer Documents have been mailed to shareholders, filed with applicable Canadian securities regulatory authorities and made available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca, and will also be posted on the Company’s website at www.onex.com. Shareholders should carefully read the Offer Documents prior to making a decision with respect to the Offer.
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ABOUT ONEX
Onex invests and manages capital on behalf of its shareholders and clients across the globe. Formed in 1984, we have a long track record of creating value for our clients and shareholders. Our investors include a broad range of global clients, including public and private pension plans, sovereign wealth funds, insurance companies, family offices and high-net-worth individuals. In total, Onex has approximately $50 billion in assets under management, of which $8.5 billion is Onex’ own investing capital. With offices in Toronto, New York, New Jersey and London, Onex and its experienced management teams are collectively the largest investors across Onex’ platforms.
Onex is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol ONEX. For more information on Onex, visit its website at www.onex.com. Onex’ security filings can also be accessed at www.sedarplus.ca.
CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
This press release may contain, without limitation, statements concerning possible or assumed future operations, performance or results preceded by, followed by or that include words such as “believes”, “expects”, “potential”, “anticipates”, “estimates”, “intends”, “plans” and words of similar connotation, which would constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees. The reader should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and information because they involve significant and diverse risks and uncertainties that may cause actual operations, performance or results to be materially different from those indicated in these forward-looking statements. Except as may be required by Canadian securities law, Onex is under no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained herein should material facts change due to new information, future events or other factors. These cautionary statements expressly qualify all forward-looking statements in this press release.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
Jill Homenuk Managing Director – Shareholder Relations and Communications Tel: +1 416.362.7711
The content in this section is supplied by GlobeNewswire for the purposes of distributing press releases on behalf of its clients. Postmedia has not reviewed the content.
CALGARY, Alberta, Nov. 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — NuVista Energy Ltd. (“NuVista” or the “Company“) (TSX: NVA) is pleased to announce strong financial and operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, and to provide an update on our operational performance. The quality and composition of our asset base consistently enables us to generate strong returns across commodity price cycles. Subsequent to the third quarter, our daily production has reached new record levels, as we continue to invest in new high-return wells and infrastructure projects to support our development plans. We also added LNG market access to our diversified natural gas portfolio and made significant progress on our return of capital to shareholders program through our normal course issuer bid (the “2024 NCIB”), while maintaining a financial position with low debt.
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Financial Highlights
During the third quarter of 2024, NuVista:
Delivered adjusted funds flow(1) of $139.5 million ($0.68/share, basic(3)), and free adjusted funds flow(2) of $19.4 million. Adjusted funds flow and free adjusted funds flow remained strong relative to the second quarter, supported by condensate rich production and lower cash costs, despite softer commodity prices;
Generated net earnings of $59.8 million ($0.29/share, basic), resulting in year-to-date net earnings of $206.6 million ($1.00/share, basic);
Completed a well-executed capital expenditures(2) program, investing $118.4 million in well and facility activities including the drilling of 14 wells and completion of 12 wells in our condensate rich Wapiti Montney asset base. Year-to-date, the capital expenditures program has totaled $427.8 million, with 34 wells drilled and 38 wells completed, in addition to completing several infrastructure projects;
Added LNG sales to our natural gas diversification portfolio by gaining exposure to the Japan/Korea marker (“JKM”) through a netback agreement with Trafigura based on 21,000 MMbtu/d of LNG for a period of up to thirteen years commencing January 1, 2027;
Exited the quarter with $37.5 million drawn on our $450 million credit facility and net debt(1) of $261.9 million, maintaining a favorable net debt to annualized third quarter adjusted funds flow(1) ratio of 0.5x;
Repurchased and subsequently cancelled 816,800 common shares under its 2024 NCIB program at a weighted average price of $13.81 per share for a total cost of $11.3 million. Since the inception of our NCIB programs in 2022, NuVista has repurchased and subsequently cancelled 33.2 million common shares for an aggregate cost of $394.6 million or $11.89 per share; and
Recognized as part of the TSX30 for the third consecutive year. The TSX30 recognizes the thirty top-performing companies on the Toronto Stock Exchange (“TSX”) over the prior three-year period (see www.tsx.com/tsx30). NuVista ranked a notable sixth place overall.
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Notes: (1) Each of “adjusted funds flow”, “net debt”, “net debt to annualized third quarter adjusted funds flow” are capital management measures. Reference should be made to the section entitled “Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures” in this press release. (2) “Free adjusted funds flow” and “capital expenditures” are non-GAAP financial measures that do not have standardized meanings under IFRS Accounting Standards and therefore may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies where similar terminology is used. Reference should be made to the section entitled “Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures” in this press release. (3) “Adjusted funds flow per share” is a supplementary financial measure. Reference should be made to the section entitled “Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures” in this press release.
Operational Excellence
During the third quarter of 2024, NuVista:
Produced an average of 83,475 Boe/d, within the third quarter guidance range of 83,000 – 86,000 Boe/d, and consistent with the second quarter production despite unplanned downtime at third-party facilities, which negatively impacted the quarter by approximately 5,000 Boe/d. All impacted production has since been brought back online, with daily production levels in late October reaching record levels above 90,000 Boe/d. It is expected that production will stabilize around this new level throughout much of the fourth quarter;
Production for the third quarter comprised 31% condensate, 9% NGLs and 60% natural gas, a favorable outcome despite the fact that the production outage occurred in our richest condensate area. This was mainly due to outperformance of the most recent pad brought online at Pipestone;
Realized strong production milestones for both pads brought online during the second quarter in the Pipestone area. A 4-well pad at Pipestone South has reached its IP90 at average rates per well of 1,300 Boe/d including 40% condensate, in line with historic averages for the area despite flowing at restricted rates since coming on production due to infrastructure capacity. In addition, the most southerly pad drilled at Pipestone North to-date has reached its IP60 milestone, producing 1,650 Boe/d including 50% condensate over the period. This pad included co-development of the Lower Montney and is important as it illustrates the continued repeatability in condensate yields as we progress development to the south. Completion operations in Pipestone will resume in the new year where we will begin on the 14-well pad that is scheduled to come on production at the end of the first quarter;
Commenced the production ramp-up of two new pads in the Wapiti area, as planned during the third quarter, following the completion of our infrastructure expansion projects in the first half of the year. With firm transportation capacity in place, area production has reached record levels. Both the 6-well pad in Elmworth and a 4-well pad in Gold Creek have reached IP90 milestones and with facilities very recently expanded, they have now been able to produce consistently. The pad on the southern end of Elmworth co-developed the entire stack including one well in the Lower Montney which averaged 1,675 Boe/d including 15% condensate over the period and reflects over 25% more production than the other 5 wells on the pad which averaged 1,300 Boe/d per well including 26% condensate. The 4-well pad on the western side of Gold Creek also has reached IP90 averaging 1,500 Boe/d per well including 35% condensate over the period. This pad was also co-developed in the Lower and Middle Montney and exhibited exceptional consistency in deliverability across the zones which reinforces our view on inventory expansion in Gold Creek area; and
Brought on production a 6-well pad between Gold Creek and Elmworth. Notably, this pad was co-developed across the entire stack of 4 zones, and included one Lower Montney pilot. The pad has reached its IP30 milestone producing on average 1,725 Boe/d per well including 40% condensate. Importantly, the Lower Montney well exhibited robust productivity compared to the other benches, producing 1,850 Boe/d including 38% condensate.
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Balance Sheet Strength and Return of Capital to Shareholders
At the end of the third quarter, our net debt was $261.9 million, resulting in a net debt to annualized third quarter adjusted funds flow ratio of 0.5x, which supports our strong financial position. The net debt level is also well below the $350 million limit set by management, to ensure that our net debt to adjusted funds flow ratio remains comfortably below 1.0x in a stress test price environment of US$45/Bbl WTI oil and US$2.00/MMBtu NYMEX natural gas.
We remain focused on our disciplined value-adding growth strategy, balanced with providing significant shareholder returns. We continue to believe the best way to return capital to shareholders is through the repurchase of shares, although we will continue to consider other options in tandem with our longer term, high return growth plans. This evaluation will consider commodity prices, the economic and tax environment, and will include all options including share repurchases and dividend payments.
Presently, our Board has set a target of returning approximately 75% of free adjusted funds flow to shareholders through the repurchase of the NuVista’s common shares pursuant to our NCIB programs.
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2024 Guidance Reaffirmed
We are extremely well-positioned with top-tier assets and highly favorable economics. Our disciplined execution has enabled us to achieve growth in production and adjusted funds flow, while also generating positive free adjusted funds flow. This has allowed us to continue to return capital to our shareholders through the repurchase of shares. Our high condensate weighting, for which pricing has remained supportive, continues to drive superior economics despite the weakness in natural gas prices experienced for much of 2024. We continue to execute according to our plans, with well and facility outperformance in several areas. As such, we reaffirm our 2024 capital expenditure guidance target of approximately $500 million, allowing us to maintain the efficiencies of a steady 2-drill-rig execution.
Recent average weekly production has reached a record level above 90,000 Boe/d and our guidance for the fourth quarter of 2024 is 89,000 – 91,000 Boe/d. This includes the minor impact associated with our decision to temporarily shut in the very small amount of our production which was exposed to AECO when those prices reached historically low levels at the start of the fourth quarter. We are pleased that despite the unplanned impacts of third-party downtime in the third quarter, we are able to reaffirm our previously announced full-year 2024 guidance range of 83,500 – 86,000 Boe/d.
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2025 Budget Further Enhances Priority of Return of Capital to Shareholders
With well outperformance continuing to drive strong capital efficiencies, and with commodity prices retreating from the highs of 2022, we have taken this as a market signal to moderate capital spending and production growth in order to increase the priority of at least triple-digit return of cash to shareholders via share buybacks. We are fortunate that our business has the flexibility and superior asset quality to afford this. We have set our 2025 capital expenditure guidance at approximately $450 million to grow production volumes by 7% to a 2025 annual average of approximately 90,000 Boe/d. This includes a planned six-week turnaround for maintenance and expansion of major third party facilities in Wapiti which will impact the second and third quarters. Production volumes are expected to approach 100,000 Boe/d in the second half of the year. Our budget is based on commodity price assumptions of $65/Bbl WTI oil and $3/MMBtu Nymex natural gas. In this base scenario we would expect to generate approximately $175 million of free adjusted funds flow, of which we will target at least 75% for return to shareholders. This capital budget is approximately $125 million lower than our previous outlook with only a modest tempering of our production growth from 10% to 7%. Superior ongoing execution and new well performance are the main drivers that provide us the flexibility to exercise this discipline and reduce capital substantially with only a modest growth impact.
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Substantially all of our production growth in 2025 will come from the Pipestone North area, beginning with the startup of the CSV Midstream Albright gas plant which is anticipated to be commissioned during the first quarter. 14 wells will be completed in Pipestone to ramp into this additional capacity of 8,000 to 10,000 Boe/d by the second quarter. Looking further ahead, Gold Creek area production growth will be a high focus for 2026 and 2027.
We will monitor the economic environment, and if commodity prices are averaging higher than our base assumptions, we have the ability and intention to increase returns to shareholders and 2025 capital expenditures for future growth concurrently to maximize long term value per share. If in an environment where commodity prices soften, we have the flexibility to further moderate production growth and reduce 2025 capital expenditures to act counter-cyclically and ensure our return of capital to shareholders remains intact. Underlying our commitment to shareholder returns is a pristine balance sheet. We expect to enter 2025 with approximately $250 million of net debt.
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We intend to continue our track record of carefully directing free adjusted funds flow towards a prudent balance of capital return to shareholders and debt reduction, while investing in high return growth projects. NuVista’s top quality asset base, deep inventory, and management’s relentless focus on value maximization supports our medium-term plans for value-adding growth to the plateau level of 125,000 Boe/d. We will continue to closely monitor and adjust to the environment in order to maximize the value of our asset base and ensure the long-term sustainability of our business. We would like to thank our staff, contractors, and suppliers for their continued dedication and delivery, and we thank our Board of Directors and our shareholders for their continued guidance and support.
Please note that our corporate presentation will be available at www.nuvistaenergy.com on November 8, 2024. NuVista’s management’s discussion and analysis, condensed consolidated interim financial statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and notes thereto, will be filed on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) on November 8, 2024 and can also be obtained at www.nuvistaenergy.com.
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FINANCIAL AND OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS
Three months ended September 30
Nine months ended September 30
($ thousands, except otherwise stated)
2024
2023
% Change
2024
2023
% Change
FINANCIAL
Petroleum and natural gas revenues
301,406
360,373
(16
)
933,780
1,032,600
(10
)
Cash provided by operating activities
150,249
160,194
(6
)
464,422
509,581
(9
)
Adjusted funds flow(3)
139,478
202,010
(31
)
415,137
554,956
(25
)
Per share, basic(6)
0.68
0.94
(28
)
2.01
2.55
(21
)
Per share, diluted(6)
0.67
0.91
(26
)
1.98
2.47
(20
)
Net earnings
59,823
110,323
(46
)
206,566
278,165
(26
)
Per share, basic
0.29
0.51
(43
)
1.00
1.28
(22
)
Per share, diluted
0.29
0.50
(42
)
0.99
1.24
(20
)
Total assets
3,339,971
3,009,291
11
Net capital expenditures(1)
118,433
110,036
8
427,786
405,036
6
Net debt(3)
261,898
150,158
74
OPERATING
Daily Production
Natural gas (MMcf/d)
297.2
283.1
5
296.6
264.4
12
Condensate (Bbls/d)
26,204
26,704
(2
)
25,398
23,873
6
NGLs (Bbls/d)
7,735
6,491
19
7,395
6,295
17
Total (Boe/d)
83,475
80,382
4
82,228
74,240
11
Condensate & NGLs weighting
41
%
41
%
40
%
41
%
Condensate weighting
31
%
33
%
31
%
32
%
Average realized selling prices(5)
Natural gas ($/Mcf)
1.92
3.36
(43
)
2.41
4.49
(46
)
Condensate ($/Bbl)
95.51
103.92
(8
)
98.20
100.33
(2
)
NGLs ($/Bbl)(4)
26.09
29.19
(11
)
26.90
31.54
(15
)
Netbacks ($/Boe)
Petroleum and natural gas revenues
39.25
48.73
(19
)
41.45
50.95
(19
)
Realized gain (loss) on financial derivatives
1.53
1.30
18
0.55
0.39
41
Other income
0.34
—
—
0.14
—
—
Royalties
(4.64
)
(3.64
)
27
(4.71
)
(4.92
)
(4
)
Transportation expense
(5.13
)
(4.91
)
4
(4.85
)
(4.86
)
—
Net operating expense(2)
(11.43
)
(11.49
)
(1
)
(11.47
)
(11.69
)
(2
)
Operating netback(2)
19.92
29.99
(34
)
21.11
29.87
(29
)
Corporate netback(2)
18.17
27.30
(33
)
18.44
27.37
(33
)
SHARE TRADING STATISTICS
High ($/share)
14.86
13.55
10
14.86
13.55
10
Low ($/share)
10.70
10.34
3
9.59
9.93
(3
)
Close ($/share)
11.12
13.00
(14
)
11.12
13.00
(14
)
Common shares outstanding (thousands of shares)
205,381
213,209
(4
)
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(1) Non-GAAP financial measure that does not have any standardized meaning under IFRS Accounting Standards and therefore may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies where similar terminology is used. Reference should be made to the section entitled “Non-GAAP and other financial measures”. (2) Non-GAAP ratio that does not have any standardized meaning under IFRS Accounting Standards and therefore may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies where similar terminology is used. Reference should be made to the section entitled “Non-GAAP and other financial measures”. (3) Capital management measure. Reference should be made to the section entitled “Non-GAAP and other financial measures”. (4) Natural gas liquids (“NGLs”) include butane, propane and ethane revenue and sales volumes, and sulphur revenue. (5) Product prices exclude realized gains/losses on financial derivatives. (6) Supplementary financial measure. Reference should be made to the section entitled “Non-GAAP and other financial measures”.
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Advisories Regarding Oil and Gas Information
BOEs may be misleading, particularly if used in isolation. A BOE conversion ratio of 6 Mcf: 1 Bbl is based on an energy equivalency conversion method primarily applicable at the burner tip and does not represent a value equivalency at the wellhead. As the value ratio between natural gas and crude oil based on the current prices of natural gas and crude oil is significantly different from the energy equivalency of 6:1, utilizing a conversion on a 6:1 basis may be misleading as an indication of value.
Any references in this press release to initial production rates are useful in confirming the presence of hydrocarbons, however, such rates are not determinative of the rates at which such wells will continue production and decline thereafter and are not indicative of long-term performance or ultimate recovery. While encouraging, readers are cautioned not to place reliance on such rates in calculating the aggregate production for NuVista.
This press release contains certain oil and gas metrics, which do not have standardized meanings or standard methods of calculation and therefore such measures may not be comparable to similar measures used by other companies and should not be used to make comparisons. Such metrics have been included herein to provide readers with additional measures to evaluate NuVista’s performance; however, such measures are not reliable indicators of NuVista’s future performance and future performance may not compare to NuVista’s performance in previous periods and therefore such metrics should not be unduly relied upon. Management uses these oil and gas metrics for its own performance measurements and to provide security holders with measures to compare the NuVista’s operations over time. Readers are cautioned that the information provided by these metrics, or that can be derived from the metrics presented in this presentation, should not be relied upon for investment or other purposes.
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NuVista has presented certain well economics based on type curves for the Pipestone development block. The type curves are based on historical production in respect of NuVista’s Pipestone assets as well as drilling results from analogous development located in close proximity to such area. Such type curves and well economics are useful in understanding management’s assumptions of well performance in making investment decisions in relation to development drilling in the Montney area and for determining the success of the performance of development wells; however, such type curves and well economics are not necessarily determinative of the production rates and performance of existing and future wells and such type curves do not reflect the type curves used by our independent qualified reserves evaluator in estimating our reserves volumes.
Basis of presentation
Unless otherwise noted, the financial data presented in this news release has been prepared in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) also known as International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”).
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Natural gas liquids are defined by National Instrument 51-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Oil and Gas Activities” to include ethane, butane, propane, pentanes plus and condensate. Unless explicitly stated in this press release, references to “NGL” refers only to ethane, butane and propane and references to “condensate” refers to only to condensate and pentanes plus. NuVista has disclosed condensate and pentanes plus values separately from ethane, butane and propane values as NuVista believes it provides a more accurate description of NuVista’s operations and results therefrom.
Production split for Boe/d amounts referenced in the news release are as follows:
Reference
Total Boe/d
Natural Gas %
Condensate %
NGLs %
Q3 2024 production – actual
83,475
60
%
31
%
9
%
Q3 2024 production guidance
83,000 – 86,000
61
%
30
%
9
%
Q4 2024 production guidance
89,000 – 91,000
61
%
30
%
9
%
2024 annual production guidance
83,500 – 86,000
61
%
30
%
9
%
2025 annual production guidance
~90,000
61
%
30
%
9
%
Advisory regarding forward-looking information and statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, “forward-looking statements”) within the meaning of applicable securities laws. The use of any of the words “will”, “expects”, “believe”, “plans”, “potential” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. More particularly and without limitation, this press release contains forward looking statements, including but not limited to:
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our expectations that production will stabilize around 90,000 Boe/d for much of the fourth quarter;
our assumption that completion operations in Pipestone will resume in 2025 beginning with a 14-well pad scheduled to come on production at the end of the first quarter;
the expectation that recent lower Montney results at Pipestone will be an important indicator for future development plans;
our expectations regarding the consistency in deliverability of inventory in the Gold Creek area;
that our soft ceiling net debt will allow our current production levels to be sustainable and maintain an adjusted funds flow ratio below 1.0x in a stress test price environment of US$45/Bbl WTI oil and US$2.00/MMBtu NYMEX natural gas;
NuVista’s ability to continue directing free adjusted funds flow towards a prudent balance of return of capital to shareholders and debt reduction, while investing in high return growth projects;
the anticipated allocation of free adjusted funds flow;
that 75% of NuVista’s free adjusted funds flow will be put towards the repurchase of the Company’s common shares pursuant to the 2024 NCIB;
our 2024 full year production and capital expenditures guidance ranges;
our plan to continue to maintain an efficient drilling program by employing 2-drill-rig execution;
guidance with respect to our updated 2024 full year production mix;
guidance with respect to fourth quarter 2024 production and production mix;
future commodity prices;
our expectation with respect to our 2025 capital expenditures, free adjusted funds flow and average annual production guidance;
expectations that the Company will exit 2024 with net debt significantly below $300 million;
our expectation that growth in 2025 will be largely supported by Pipestone North;
the expected timing of start-up of a third-party gas plant in the Pipestone area and the anticipated benefits thereof;
that production volumes in the second half of 2025 will approach approximately 100,000 Boe/d;
that production during the second and third quarters of 2025 will be impacted due to planned turnaround activity at third-party facilities which is expected to be at least six weeks in duration;
the exception that more detailed quarterly production guidance will be released throughout 2025, once more detailed information in known;
our expectation that the Gold Creek area will be an important area of development focus in 2026 and 2027;
our expectation that our value-adding growth plateau level will be approximately 125,000 Boe/d;
our future focus, strategy, plans, opportunities and operations; and
other such similar statements.
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The future acquisition of our common shares pursuant to a share buyback (including through our normal course issuer bid), if any, and the level thereof is uncertain. Any decision to acquire common shares pursuant to a share buyback will be subject to the discretion of the Board of Directors and may depend on a variety of factors, including, without limitation, the Company’s business performance, financial condition, financial requirements, growth plans, expected capital requirements and other conditions existing at such future time including, without limitation, contractual restrictions and satisfaction of the solvency tests imposed on the Company under applicable corporate law. There can be no assurance of the number of common shares that the Company will acquire pursuant to a share buyback, if any, in the future.
By their nature, forward-looking statements are based upon certain assumptions and are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, some of which are beyond NuVista’s control, including the impact of general economic conditions, industry conditions, current and future commodity prices and inflation rates; the impact of ongoing global events, including Middle East and European tensions, with respect to commodity prices, currency and interest rates, anticipated production rates, borrowing, operating and other costs and adjusted funds flow; the timing, allocation and amount of capital expenditures and the results therefrom; anticipated reserves and the imprecision of reserve estimates; the performance of existing wells; the success obtained in drilling new wells; the sufficiency of budgeted capital expenditures in carrying out planned activities; access to infrastructure and markets; competition from other industry participants; availability of qualified personnel or services and drilling and related equipment; stock market volatility; effects of regulation by governmental agencies including changes in environmental regulations, tax laws and royalties; the ability to access sufficient capital from internal sources and bank and equity markets; that we will be able to execute our 2024 drilling plans as expected; our ability to carry out our 2024 production and capital guidance as expected and including, without limitation, those risks considered under “Risk Factors” in our Annual Information Form.
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Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. NuVista’s actual results, performance or achievement could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements, or if any of them do so, what benefits NuVista will derive therefrom. NuVista has included the forward-looking statements in this press release in order to provide readers with a more complete perspective on NuVista’s future operations and such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. NuVista disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
This press release also contains financial outlook and future oriented financial information (together, “FOFI”) relating to NuVista including, without limitation, capital expenditures in 2024, capital expenditures in 2025, net debt, free adjusted funds flow and production which are based on, among other things, the various assumptions disclosed in this press release including under “Advisory regarding forward-looking information and statements” and including assumptions regarding benchmark pricing as it relates to free adjusted funds flow and the 2024 and 2025 capital allocation framework. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on FOFI. NuVista’s actual results, performance or achievement could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these FOFI, or if any of them do so, what benefits NuVista will derive therefrom. NuVista has included the FOFI in order to provide readers with a more complete perspective on NuVista’s future operations and such information may not be appropriate for other purposes.
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These forward-looking statements and FOFI are made as of the date of this press release and NuVista disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statements and FOFI, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, other than as required by applicable securities law.
Non-GAAP and other financial measures
This press release uses various specified financial measures (as such terms are defined in National Instrument 52-112 – Non-GAAP Disclosure and Other Financial Measures Disclosure (“NI 52-112“)) including “non-GAAP financial measures”, “non-GAAP ratios”, “capital management measures” and “supplementary financial measures” (as such terms are defined in NI 52-112), which are described in further detail below. Management believes that the presentation of these non-GAAP measures provides useful information to investors and shareholders as the measures provide increased transparency and the ability to better analyze performance against prior periods on a comparable basis.
(1) Non-GAAP financial measures
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NI 52-112 defines a non-GAAP financial measure as a financial measure that: (i) depicts the historical or expected future financial performance, financial position or cash flow of an entity; (ii) with respect to its composition, excludes an amount that is included in, or includes an amount that is excluded from, the composition of the most directly comparable financial measure disclosed in the primary financial statements of the entity; (iii) is not disclosed in the financial statements of the entity; and (iv) is not a ratio, fraction, percentage or similar representation.
These non-GAAP financial measures are not standardized financial measures under IFRS Accounting Standards and might not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies where similar terminology is used. Investors are cautioned that these measures should not be construed as alternatives to or more meaningful than the most directly comparable GAAP measures as indicators of NuVista’s performance. Set forth below are descriptions of the non-GAAP financial measures used in this press release.
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Free adjusted funds flow
Free adjusted funds flow is adjusted funds flow less net capital expenditures, power generation expenditures, and asset retirement expenditures. Each of the components of free adjusted funds flow are non-GAAP financial measures. Management uses free adjusted funds flow as a measure of the efficiency and liquidity of its business, measuring its funds available for additional capital allocation to manage debt levels and return capital to shareholders through its NCIB program and/or dividend payments. By removing the impact of current period net capital and asset retirement expenditures, management believes this measure provides an indication of the funds NuVista has available for future capital allocation decisions.
The following table sets out our free adjusted funds flow compared to the most directly comparable GAAP measure of cash provided by operating activities less cash used in investing activities for the applicable periods:
Three months ended September 30
Nine months ended September 30
($ thousands)
2024
2023
2024
2023
Cash provided by operating activities
150,249
160,194
464,422
509,581
Cash used in investing activities
(124,352
)
(120,713
)
(428,489
)
(398,940
)
Excess (deficit) cash provided by operating activities over cash used in investing activities
25,897
39,481
35,933
110,641
Adjusted funds flow
139,478
202,010
415,137
554,956
Net capital expenditures
(118,433
)
(110,036
)
(427,786
)
(405,036
)
Power generation expenditures
—
—
(1,680
)
—
Asset retirement expenditures
(1,636
)
(773
)
(8,478
)
(9,987
)
Free adjusted funds flow
19,409
91,201
(22,807
)
139,933
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Capital expenditures
Capital expenditures are equal to cash used in investing activities, excluding changes in non-cash working capital, other asset expenditures, power generation expenditures, proceeds on property dispositions and costs of acquisitions. NuVista considers capital expenditures to represent its organic capital program and a useful measure of cash flow used for capital reinvestment.
The following table provides a reconciliation between the non-GAAP measure of capital expenditures to the most directly comparable GAAP measure of cash used in investing activities for the applicable periods:
Three months ended September 30
Nine months ended September 30
($ thousands)
2024
2023
2024
2023
Cash used in investing activities
(124,352
)
(120,713
)
(428,489
)
(398,940
)
Changes in non-cash working capital
5,919
10,677
(977
)
(15,596
)
Other asset expenditures
—
—
—
9,500
Power generation expenditures
—
—
1,680
—
Proceeds on property disposition
—
—
—
(26,000
)
Capital expenditures
(118,433
)
(110,036
)
(427,786
)
(431,036
)
Net capital expenditures
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Net capital expenditures are equal to cash used in investing activities, excluding changes in non-cash working capital, other asset expenditures, and power generation expenditures. The Company includes funds used for property acquisitions or proceeds from property dispositions within net capital expenditures as these transactions are part of its development plans. NuVista considers net capital expenditures to represent its organic capital program inclusive of capital spending for acquisition and disposition proposes and a useful measure of cash flow used for capital reinvestment.
The following table provides a reconciliation between the non-GAAP measure of net capital expenditures to the most directly comparable GAAP measure of cash used in investing activities for the applicable periods:
Three months ended September 30
Nine months ended September 30
($ thousands)
2024
2023
2024
2023
Cash used in investing activities
(124,352
)
(120,713
)
(428,489
)
(398,940
)
Changes in non-cash working capital
5,919
10,677
(977
)
(15,596
)
Other asset expenditures
—
—
—
9,500
Power generation expenditures
—
—
1,680
—
Net capital expenditures
(118,433
)
(110,036
)
(427,786
)
(405,036
)
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Net operating expense
NuVista considers that any incremental gross costs incurred to process third party volumes at its facilities are offset by the applicable fees charged to such third parties. However, under IFRS Accounting Standards, NuVista is required to reflect operating costs and processing fee income separately on its statements of earnings. Management believes that net operating expense, calculated as gross operating expense less processing income and other recoveries, is a meaningful measure for investors to understand the net impact of the NuVista’s operating activities.
The following table sets out net operating expense compared to the most directly comparable GAAP measure of operating expenses for the applicable periods:
Three months ended September 30
Nine months ended September 30
($ thousands)
2024
2023
2024
2023
Operating expense
90,091
85,952
265,899
238,989
Other income(1)
(2,293
)
(1,003
)
(7,496
)
(2,020
)
Net operating expense
87,798
84,949
258,403
236,969
(1) Processing income and other recoveries, included within Other Income as presented in the table below:
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Three months ended September 30
Nine months ended September 30
($ thousands)
2024
2023
2024
2023
Other income
2,642
—
3,178
—
Processing income and other recoveries
2,293
1,003
7,496
2,020
Other Income
4,935
1,003
10,674
2,020
Non-GAAP ratios
NI 52-112 defines a non-GAAP ratio as a financial measure that: (i) is in the form of a ratio, fraction, percentage or similar representation; (ii) has a non-GAAP financial measure as one or more of its components; and (iii) is not disclosed in the financial statements of the entity. Set forth below is a description of the non-GAAP ratios used in this press release.
These non-GAAP ratios are not standardized financial measures under IFRS Accounting Standards and might not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies where similar terminology is used. Investors are cautioned that these ratios should not be construed as alternatives to or more meaningful than the most directly comparable GAAP measures as indicators of NuVista’s performance.
Per Boe disclosures for petroleum and natural gas revenues, realized gains/losses on financial derivatives, royalties, transportation expense, G&A expense, financing costs, and DD&A expense are non-GAAP ratios that are calculated by dividing each of these respective GAAP measures by NuVista’s total production volumes for the period.
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Non-GAAP ratios presented on a “per Boe” basis may also be considered to be supplementary financial measures (as such term is defined in NI 52-112).
Operating netback and corporate netback (“netbacks”), per Boe
NuVista calculated netbacks per Boe by dividing the netbacks by total production volumes sold in the period. Each of operating netback and corporate netback are non-GAAP financial measures. Operating netback is calculated as petroleum and natural gas revenues including realized financial derivative gains/losses, less royalties, transportation expense and net operating expense. Corporate netback is operating netback less general and administrative expense, cash share-based compensation expense, financing costs excluding accretion expense, and current income tax expense (recovery).
Management believes both operating and corporate netbacks are key industry benchmarks and measures of operating performance for NuVista that assists management and investors in assessing NuVista’s profitability, and are commonly used by other petroleum and natural gas producers. The measurement on a Boe basis assists management and investors with evaluating NuVista’s operating performance on a comparable basis.
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Net operating expense, per Boe
NuVista has calculated net operating expense per Boe by dividing net operating expense by NuVista’s production volumes for the period.
Management believes that net operating expense, calculated as gross operating expense less processing income and other recoveries, which are included in other income on the statement of income and comprehensive income, is a meaningful measure for investors to understand the net impact of the Company’s operating activities. The measurement on a Boe basis assists management and investors with evaluating NuVista’s operating performance on a comparable basis.
(2) Capital management measures
NI 52-112 defines a capital management measure as a financial measure that: (i) is intended to enable an individual to evaluate an entity’s objectives, policies and processes for managing the entity’s capital; (ii) is not a component of a line item disclosed in the primary financial statements of the entity; (iii) is disclosed in the notes to the financial statements of the entity; and (iv) is not disclosed in the primary financial statements of the entity.
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NuVista has defined net debt, adjusted funds flow, and net debt to annualized third quarter adjusted funds flow ratio as capital management measures used by the Company in this press release.
Adjusted funds flow
NuVista considers adjusted funds flow to be a key measure that provides a more complete understanding of the Company’s ability to generate cash flow necessary to finance capital expenditures, expenditures on asset retirement obligations, and meet its financial obligations. NuVista has calculated adjusted funds flow based on cash flow provided by operating activities, excluding changes in non-cash working capital and asset retirement expenditures, as management believes the timing of collection, payment, and occurrence is variable and by excluding them from the calculation, management is able to provide a more meaningful performance measure of NuVista’s operations on a continuing basis. More specifically, expenditures on asset retirement obligations may vary from period to period depending on the Company’s capital programs and the maturity of its operating areas, while environmental remediation recovery relates to an incident that management doesn’t expect to occur on a regular basis. The settlement of asset retirement obligations is managed through NuVista’s capital budgeting process which considers its available adjusted funds flow.
A reconciliation of adjusted funds flow is presented in the following table:
Three months ended September 30
Nine months ended September 30
2024
2023
2024
2023
Cash provided by operating activities
$
150,249
$
160,194
$
464,422
$
509,581
Asset retirement expenditures
1,636
773
8,478
9,987
Change in non-cash working capital
(12,407
)
41,043
(57,763
)
35,388
Adjusted funds flow
$
139,478
$
202,010
$
415,137
$
554,956
Net debt and Net debt to annualized current quarter adjusted funds flow
Net debt is used by management to provide a more complete understanding of NuVista’s capital structure and provides a key measure to assess the Company’s liquidity. NuVista has calculated net debt based on accounts receivable and prepaid expenses, other receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, long-term debt (credit facility) and senior unsecured notes and other liabilities. NuVista calculated annualized current quarter adjusted funds flow ratio by dividing net debt by the annualized adjusted funds flow for the current quarter.
The following is a summary of total market capitalization, net debt, annualized current quarter adjusted funds flow, and net debt to annualized current quarter adjusted funds flow:
September 30, 2024
December 31, 2023
Basic common shares outstanding (thousands of shares)
205,381
207,584
Share price(1)
$
11.12
$
11.04
Total market capitalization
$
2,283,837
$
2,291,727
Accounts receivable and prepaid expenses
(133,904
)
(163,987
)
Inventory
(12,080
)
(20,705
)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
176,123
157,711
Current portion of other liabilities
14,805
14,082
Long-term debt (credit facility)
37,529
16,897
Senior unsecured notes
163,080
162,195
Other liabilities
16,345
17,358
Net debt
$
261,898
$
183,551
Annualized current quarter adjusted funds flow
$
557,912
$
807,948
Net debt to annualized current quarter adjusted funds flow
0.5
0.2
(3) Supplementary financial measures
This press release may contain certain supplementary financial measures. NI 52-112 defines a supplementary financial measure as a financial measure that: (i) is intended to be disclosed on a periodic basis to depict the historical or expected future financial performance, financial position or cash flow of an entity; (ii) is not disclosed in the financial statements of the entity; (iii) is not a non-GAAP financial measure; and (iv) is not a non-GAAP ratio.
NuVista calculates “adjusted funds flow per share” by dividing adjusted funds flow for a period by the number of weighted average common shares of NuVista for the specified period.
The content in this section is supplied by GlobeNewswire for the purposes of distributing press releases on behalf of its clients. Postmedia has not reviewed the content.
MONTREAL, Nov. 07, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Osisko Development Corp. (NYSE: ODV, TSXV: ODV) (“Osisko Development” or the “Company“) is pleased to announce that the Mines Act permit for its 100%-owned Cariboo Gold Project (“Cariboo” or the “Project“) located in central British Columbia (“BC“), Canada has been referred for decision to the statutory decision maker in the BC Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation. The review of the Environmental Management Act permits has been completed, as well, and the Company is awaiting referral thereof to the statutory decision maker in the immediate future. The Company anticipates receiving final decisions in Q4 2024.
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The Company is committed to advancing collaborative partnerships with Indigenous nations related to the Project as evidenced by years of extensive consultation and the signing and ongoing implementation of the participation agreements with each of the Lhtako Dené Nation in 2020 and the Williams Lake First Nation in 2022.
The Company has yet to reach an agreement with the Xatśūll First Nation, but it will continue to engage and consult with Xatśūll First Nation, including after any decision on the Mines Act and other permits.
“We have made good faith and reasonable efforts in the past two years to reach agreement with Xatśūll First Nation, including reasonable offers for financial and other benefits along substantially similar frameworks as those offered to, and agreed by, other Indigenous communities,” commented Sean Roosen, Chairman and CEO. “Our efforts have focused on providing meaningful benefits to all Indigenous nations, whilst ensuring the project remains viable.”
The Company is dedicated to developing a modern, safe and sustainable operation at the Cariboo Gold Project, and remains committed to engaging in constructive dialogue to ensure all stakeholders benefit from the development of the Project.
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“We must ensure the integrity of the permitting process is respected, because we believe the consultation on this Project has been robust. We stand by our record to date in meeting our obligations and expect the provincial government will act within its authority,” continued Sean Roosen. “Our commitment to engaging with Xatśūll First Nation will continue including after the permit decision is made. We genuinely want to find a meaningful, sustainable and realistic way to share the socio-economic benefits from this Project”.
Over the last four years, the Company has engaged in constructive and extensive discussions with all provincial regulators, Indigenous nation partners and host communities. This culminated in the receipt of the Environmental Assessment Certificate (“EA Certificate“) on October 10, 2023.
Through its EA review process the Company received and successfully addressed over 1,700 comments, which underpinned receipt of the positive EA Certificate. More recently, as part of the permit application process, through four rounds of review from the Mine Review Committee, which included Lhtako Dené Nation, Williams Lake First Nation, and Xatśūll First Nation, the Company responded to, addressed, and closed over 1,800 comments. The Company has commitments through permitting, management plans and positive relationships to continue engaging with all Indigenous nations and stakeholders.
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ABOUT OSISKO DEVELOPMENT CORP.
Osisko Development Corp. is a North American gold development company focused on past-producing mining camps located in mining friendly jurisdictions with district scale potential. The Company’s objective is to become an intermediate gold producer by advancing its 100%-owned Cariboo Gold Project, located in central B.C., Canada, the Tintic Project in the historic East Tintic mining district in Utah, U.S.A., and the San Antonio Gold Project in Sonora, Mexico. In addition to considerable brownfield exploration potential of these properties, that benefit from significant historical mining data, existing infrastructure and access to skilled labour, the Company’s project pipeline is complemented by other prospective exploration properties. The Company’s strategy is to develop attractive, long-life, socially and environmentally sustainable mining assets, while minimizing exposure to development risk and growing mineral resources.
For further information, visit our website at www.osiskodev.com or contact:
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CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements contained in this news release may be deemed “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation (together, “forward-looking statements”). These forward-looking statements, by their nature, require Osisko Development to make certain assumptions and necessarily involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance. Words such as “may”, “will”, “would”, “could”, “expect”, “believe”, “plan”, “anticipate”, “intend”, “estimate”, “continue”, or the negative or comparable terminology, as well as terms usually used in the future and the conditional, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Information contained in forward-looking statements is based upon certain material assumptions that were applied in drawing a conclusion or making a forecast or projection, including the assumptions, qualifications and limitations relating to the potential for unknown mineralized structures to extend existing zones of mineralization; category conversion; the timing and status of permitting, including receiving a final decision (if any); future consultation efforts between Osisko Development and Xatśūll First Nation; the future development and operations at the Cariboo Gold Project; the ability of the Company to execute its planned activities; management’s perceptions of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments; the ability and timing for Cariboo to reach commercial production (if at all); the Company being a well-positioned gold development company in Canada, USA and Mexico; sustainability and environmental impacts of operations at the Company’s properties; as well as other considerations that are believed to be appropriate in the circumstances, and any other information herein that is not a historical fact may be “forward looking information”. Material assumptions also include, management’s perceptions of historical trends, management’s understanding of the permitting process and status thereof, the ability of exploration (including drilling and chip sampling assays, and face sampling) to accurately predict mineralization current conditions and expected future developments, regulatory framework remaining defined and understood, as well as other considerations that are believed to be appropriate in the circumstances. Osisko Development considers its assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available, but cautions the reader that their assumptions regarding future events, many of which are beyond the control of Osisko Development, may ultimately prove to be incorrect since they are subject to risks and uncertainties that affect Osisko Development and its business. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, risks relating to third-party approvals, including the issuance of permits by the government; regulatory framework and presence of laws and regulations that may impose restrictions on mining; the ability of exploration activities (including drill results and chip sampling, and face sampling results) to accurately predict mineralization; errors in management’s geological modelling the timing and ability of the Company to obtain required approvals and permits; the results of exploration activities; risks relating to exploration, development and mining activities; the global economic climate; metal and commodity prices; environmental risks; and community, non-governmental and governmental actions and the impact of stakeholder actions. Readers are urged to consult the disclosure provided under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s annual information form for the year ended December 31, 2023 as well as the financial statements and MD&A for the year ended December 31, 2023, which have been filed on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) under Osisko Development’s issuer profile and on the SEC’s EDGAR website (www.sec.gov), for further information regarding the risks and other factors facing the Company, its business and operations. Although the Company’s believes the expectations conveyed by the forward-looking statements are reasonable based on information available as of the date hereof, no assurances can be given as to future results, levels of activity and achievements. The Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by law. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance and there can be no assurance that these forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein.
The content in this section is supplied by GlobeNewswire for the purposes of distributing press releases on behalf of its clients. Postmedia has not reviewed the content.
NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Nov. 07, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Perseverance Metals Inc. (“Perseverance” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement with Haywood Securities Inc. (“Haywood”), as co-lead agent and sole bookrunner, on behalf of Agentis Capital Markets LP (together with Haywood, the “Agents”), as co-lead agent, in connection with a private placement of subscription receipts on a “best efforts” agency basis, for aggregate gross proceeds of up to C$10,004,774 (the “Offering”).
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Perseverance was formed in March 2022 with the goal of becoming a best-in-class North American critical mineral exploration company, and have assembled a carefully curated, growing portfolio of high-grade nickel-copper-cobalt-PGE projects in Québec, Michigan, and Ontario. Perseverance has assembled an experienced board of directors, management, and technical teams, and a “hands on” advisory board with mining and capital markets skillsets encompassing greenfield nickel exploration through globally significant nickel discoveries, mine development, and production.
Key highlights of Perseverance include:
Board of directors, management, and advisory board specifically assembled to target significant nickel discoveries;
Hold an option to acquire 100% of the flagship Lac Gayot nickel-copper-PGE project, which covers the entirety of the very high-grade Venus Greenstone Belt in Québec, and boasts 13 high-grade nickel surface showings throughout the belt;
Successfully concluded Perseverance’s maiden exploration program at Lac Gayot in September 2024 with highlights including the discovery of new nickel sulphide surface showings validated by drill holes with >1.6% nickel intercepts;
Hold an option to acquire 100% of the Voyageur nickel-copper-PGE project, which covers 680 km2 of the Upper Peninsula in Michigan, 70 km west of the only producing nickel mine in the United States*;
Acquired 100% of the Armit Lake nickel-copper-cobalt project, which is the consolidated and sparsely explored western half of the nickel and gold-rich Savant Lake Greenstone Belt in Ontario; and
Attracted a strong shareholder base with strategic shareholders including Teck Resources Limited, Electric Elements Mining Corp. (recent Critical Minerals-focused spin-out of Osisko Development Corp.), Altius Minerals Corporation (ALS-TSX), and Québec institutional investors SIDEX LP and Fonds de solidarité FTQ.
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“I am proud of the progress our team has made over the last two years as a private company. The results of our summer work program at Lac Gayot exceeded our expectations, setting the stage for a comprehensive 2025 drill program. The proceeds of this Offering will allow us to ramp up our exploration efforts following our exciting discoveries this summer and thoroughly test high priority targets that have the potential to reshape the Company”, said Michael Tucker, CEO and Founder of Perseverance.
* Mineralization hosted on nearby or adjacent properties is not necessarily indicative of mineralization hosted on the Company’s properties.
2025 Exploration Program
Perseverance will advance exploration programs on all three projects in 2025
Lac Gayot
~5,000m of drilling focused on new discoveries in the Venus Greenstone Belt
Ground EM and borehole EM on key target areas
Extensive field mapping and prospecting over high priority areas indicated by the recent airborne property-wide HeliTEM2 survey
Voyageur
Additional, detailed ground gravity surveys over key target areas
~1,000-1,500m of drill testing of the highest priority geological and geophysical targets
Ground EM and borehole EM follow-up on prospective target areas confirmed by drilling
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Armit Lake
Extensive field mapping, prospecting, and soil sampling over the entire property
Targeted ground truthing/validation of key geophysical targets from the 2023 HeliTEM2 survey
Subscription Receipt Financing
The Offering will consist of: (i) up to 3,810,000 subscription receipts of the Company (the “Subscription Receipts”) at a price of C$1.050 per Subscription Receipt (the “Issue Price”); (ii) up to 2,575,000 tranche 1 flow-through subscription receipts of the Company (the “Tranche 1 FT Subscription Receipts”) at a price of C$1.943 per Tranche 1 FT Subscription Receipt; and (iii) up to 653,000 tranche 2 flow-through subscription receipts of the Company (the “Tranche 2 FT Subscription Receipts” and together with the Subscription Receipts and Tranche 1 FT Subscription Receipts, the “Offered Subscription Receipts”) at a price of C$1.533 per Tranche 2 FT Subscription Receipt.
Perseverance has granted the Agents an option to sell up to an additional C$1,500,000 in Offered Subscription Receipts, exercisable in whole or in part at any time up to 48 hours prior to the closing of the Offering.
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Additionally, the Company intends to complete a concurrent non-brokered private placement of approximately C$500,000 in any combination of: (i) common shares of the Company (“Common Shares”) at the Issue Price, and (ii) Subscription Receipts at the Issue Price, on the same terms and conditions as the Offering.
Each Subscription Receipt, Tranche 1 FT Subscription Receipt, and Tranche 2 FT Subscription Receipt will be automatically exchanged upon satisfaction of the Escrow Release Conditions (as defined below), without payment of additional consideration, into one Common Share (an “Underlying Share”), one tranche 1 flow-through share of the Company (a “Tranche 1 FT Share”) and one tranche 2 flow-through share of the Company (a “Tranche 2 FT Share”), respectively. Each Tranche 1 FT Share will qualify as a “flow-through share” within the meaning of subsection 66(15) of the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the “Tax Act”) and section 359.1 of the Taxation Act (Québec) (the “Québec Tax Act”). Each Tranche 2 FT Share will qualify as a “flow-through share” within the meaning of subsection 66(15) of the Tax Act and as an “Ontario focused flow-through share” within the meaning of subsection 103(7) of the Taxation Act, 2007 (Ontario) (the “Ontario Tax Act”).
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Subsequent to the Offering, the Company will pursue a direct listing (the “Listing”) of the Common Shares, including any such shares underlying the Offered Subscription Receipts and the Compensation Options (as defined below), on the TSX Venture Exchange (the “Exchange”), subject to certain terms and conditions and all necessary regulatory and stock exchange approvals.
The Company will prepare and file with the British Columbia Securities Commission (the “BCSC”), in its capacity as principal regulator under Multilateral Instrument 11-102 – Passport System, and with each of the securities regulatory authorities in each of the Provinces of Canada a final long-form prospectus (the “Qualification Prospectus”) in the English and French languages qualifying: (i) the distribution of the Underlying Shares, the Tranche 1 FT Shares and the Tranche 2 FT Shares upon the deemed exercise and automatic exchange of the Subscription Receipts, the Tranche 1 FT Subscription Receipts and the Tranche 2 FT Subscription Receipts, respectively; and (ii) the issuance of the Compensation Options, in compliance with the applicable requirements of National Instrument 41-101 – General Prospectus Requirements (“NI 41-101”) using the long-form prospectus distribution system as provided in NI 41-101.
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The gross proceeds of the Offering, less: (i) 50% of the Cash Fee (as defined below); (ii) other Agents’ costs, and (iii) the expenses of the Agents incurred in connection with the Offering will be held in escrow by a licensed Canadian trust company or other escrow agent (the “Escrow Agent”) pending satisfaction of the Escrow Release Conditions. In the event that the Escrow Release Conditions are not satisfied by February 28, 2025, the gross proceeds derived from the sale of the Offered Subscription Receipts will be returned to the holders of the Offered Subscription Receipts and the Offered Subscription Receipts shall be cancelled.
The “Escrow Release Conditions” include:
the issuance of a receipt for the final Qualification Prospectus has been issued by the BCSC;
receipt of conditional approval by the Exchange for the Listing of the Common Shares, including any Underlying Shares, Tranche 1 FT Shares, Tranche 2 FT Shares and any Common Shares underlying the Compensation Options, subject only to the satisfaction of standard listing conditions;
the receipt by the Escrow Agent of a notice from the Agents confirming that the Agents are in a position to execute settlement in connection with the Tranche 1 FT Shares and the Tranche 2 FT Shares; and
certain other conditions as agreed to between the Company and the Agents.
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The gross proceeds from the sale of Tranche 1 FT Subscription Receipts will be used by the Company to incur eligible “Canadian exploration expenses” that will qualify as “flow-through critical mineral mining expenditures” as such terms are defined in the Tax Act and for any individual purchasers who are resident or subject to tax in the Province of Québec or any purchaser who is a partnership of which a partner or limited partner is an individual who is resident or subject to tax in the Province of Quebec, will also qualify for inclusion in the “exploration base relating to certain Québec exploration expenses” within the meaning of Section 726.4.10 of the Québec Tax Act and for inclusion in the “exploration base relating to certain Québec surface mining exploration expenses” within the meaning of Section 726.4.17.2 of the Québec Tax Act (the “Tranche 1 Qualifying Expenditures”) related to the Company’s projects in Quebec, Canada on or before December 31, 2026.
The gross proceeds from the sale of Tranche 2 FT Subscription Receipts will be used by the Company to incur eligible “Canadian exploration expenses” that will qualify as “flow-through critical mineral mining expenditures” as such terms are defined in the Tax Act and “Ontario flow-through critical mineral mining expenditures” (as defined in subsection 103(4.1) of the Ontario Tax Act) (together with the Tranche 1 Qualifying Expenditures, the “Qualifying Expenditures”) related to the Company’s projects in Ontario, Canada on or before December 31, 2026.
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All Qualifying Expenditures will be renounced in favour of the subscribers of the Tranche 1 FT Subscription Receipts and Tranche 2 FT Subscription Receipts effective on or before December 31, 2025. The proceeds of the sale of Subscription Receipts are expected to be used to fund exploration and other expenses relating to the Company’s projects in Canada and the USA, and for general working capital and corporate purposes.
In consideration for their services in connection with the Offering, the Company has agreed to pay the Agents a cash fee (the “Cash Fee”) equal to 7.0% of the gross proceeds from the sale of the Offered Subscription Receipts. 50% of the Cash Fee will be paid to the Agents on the closing date of the Offering and the remaining 50% of the Cash Fee will be deposited in escrow. As additional consideration for the services of the Agents, the Agents will be granted subscription receipt compensation options of the Company (the “SR Compensation Options”) equal to 7.0% of the number of Offered Subscription Receipts sold in the Offering. Each SR Compensation Option shall, upon satisfaction of the Escrow Release Conditions, be automatically exchanged for one compensation option of the Company (the “Compensation Options”). Each Compensation Option shall be exercisable to acquire one Common Share at the Issue Price for a period of 24 months. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Cash Fee will be reduced to 2.0% and the number of Compensation Options will be reduced to nil on sales and proceeds of up to an aggregate amount of C$2,500,000 from purchasers directly arranged by Perseverance through a president’s list.
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The Offering is subject to the receipt of all required regulatory approvals, including the approval of the Exchange and is expected to close on or about the week of December 16, 2024 or such other date as may be agreed to by the Company and the Agents.
All of the securities issuable in connection with the Offering will be subject to the private company “indefinite” hold period set out in National Instrument 45-102 – Resale of Securities (“NI 45-102”). Upon satisfaction of the Escrow Release Conditions and the exchange of the Offered Subscription Receipts, the Underlying Shares, the Tranche 1 FT Shares, the Tranche 2 FT Shares and the Compensation Options will be qualified by the Qualification Prospectus and shall not be subject to any hold period set out in NI 45-102.
The securities offered have not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any State in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.
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Qualified Person
Michael J. Tucker P.Geo., CEO and Director of Perseverance Metals, a Qualified Person as defined in National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed, verified, and approved the scientific and technical information in this news release pertaining to properties in Ontario and Michigan.
Hugues Guérin-Tremblay, P.Geo., OGQ #1584 of Laurentia Exploration, and a Qualified Person as defined in National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed, verified, and approved the scientific and technical information in this news release pertaining to properties in the province of Québec.
About Perseverance Metals
Perseverance Metals is pioneering a North American critical minerals exploration company with a carefully curated, growing portfolio of high-grade nickel-copper-PGE projects in Québec, Michigan, and Ontario. Perseverance has assembled an experienced board of directors, management, and technical teams, and a “hands on” advisory board with mining and capital markets skillsets encompassing greenfield nickel exploration through globally significant nickel discoveries, mine development, and production.
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Perseverance was created to identify, acquire, and explore high quality critical mineral assets – with a particular focus on high-grade magmatic nickel-copper-PGE sulphide projects – in pursuit of discoveries that will achieve critical mass size and grade to advance, and ultimately attract acquisition.
Perseverance’s mineral projects include the Lac Gayot nickel-copper-PGE project, which covers the entirety of the very high-grade Venus Greenstone Belt in Québec, and boasts 13 high-grade nickel surface showings throughout the belt; the Voyageur nickel-copper-PGE project which covers 680 km2 of the Upper Peninsula in Michigan, 70 km west of the only producing nickel mine in the United States, and the Armit Lake nickel-copper-cobalt project, which is the consolidated and sparsely explored western half of the nickel and gold-rich Savant Lake Greenstone Belt in Ontario.
The execution of Perseverance’s strategy provides investors with exposure to multiple discovery opportunities in some of the most highly sought-after mineral deposits of the modern world.
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Additional information about Perseverance Metals can be found at www.perseverancemetals.com.
On Behalf of the Board,
Michael J. Tucker CEO and Director
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Perseverance Metals Inc. Michael J. Tucker, CEO +1 (778) 834-3528 mtucker@perseverancemetals.com
Perseverance Metals Inc. John Foulkes, President +1 (604) 614-2999 jfoulkes@perseverancemetals.com
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. Such forward looking statements concern, without limitation, the intended use of proceeds of the Offering and the benefits therefrom, the renunciation of Qualifying Expenditures, the Company’s intention to conduct a non-brokered private placement of Common Shares and/or Subscription Receipts, the Company’s intention to pursue a direct listing of the Common Shares on the Exchange, the anticipated closing date of the Offering and the Company’s operational strategy and mineral exploration goals. Such forward-looking statements or information are based on a number of assumptions which may prove to be incorrect. Assumptions have been made regarding, among other things: conditions in general economic and financial markets; timing and amount of capital expenditures; timing and amount of Qualifying Expenditures incurred; the Offering and non-brokered private placement completing on the terms described in this news release; the use of proceeds from the Offering; the Listing; the anticipated closing date of the Offering and approvals from regulatory authorities and effects of regulation by governmental agencies. The actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward looking statements as a result of risk factors including, but not limited to: the availability of funds; the timing and content of work programs; results of exploration activities of mineral properties; the interpretation of drilling results and other geological data; general market and industry conditions; that the Offering and non-brokered private placement will not complete on the terms described in this news release, if at all; that the proceeds from the Offering will not allow the Company to ramp up exploration efforts or thoroughly test high priority targets that have the potential to reshape the Company; that the Company will not pursue the Listing; that the closing of the Offering will not occur on the timeline currently expected by management, if at all and failure to incur Qualifying Expenditures. Forward-looking statements are based on the expectations and opinions of the Company’s management on the date the statements are made. The assumptions used in the preparation of such statements, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date the statements were made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements included in this news release if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as otherwise required by applicable law.
The content in this section is supplied by GlobeNewswire for the purposes of distributing press releases on behalf of its clients. Postmedia has not reviewed the content.
15% SaaS Revenue Growth; Record Partner-Attached Bookings at 47%
Q3 2024 Financial Highlights1
Revenue (in $ millions)
SaaS Subscription
Recurring
Total
Reported
Y/Y growth
Reported
Y/Y growth
Reported
Y/Y growth
$7.4
15.1%
$10.9
9.4%
$16.6
2.1%
SaaS ARR up 13% Y/Y to $29.2 million;
Total ARR up 8% Y/Y to $43.6 million;
SaaS NRR of 107%;
Bookings up 14% Y/Y and 32% Q/Q to $8.7 million;
Partner-attached Bookings up 52% Q/Q at 47% of overall Bookings;
Adjusted EBITDA margin of 25.3% or $4.2 million;
Gross profit margin of 60%;
RPO of $32.1 million.
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CALGARY, Alberta, Nov. 07, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Sylogist Ltd. (TSX: SYZ) (“Sylogist” or the “Company”), a leading public sector SaaS company, today announced its results for the third quarter of fiscal 2024, ended September 30, 2024.
“Our Q3 performance further validates our successful transition to a SaaS-driven enterprise,” said Bill Wood, CEO of Sylogist. “We are ahead of our plan in terms of the contribution from our partner community, as evidenced by 47% of Bookings in the quarter being partner-attached, as well as the accelerating hand-off of project services relating to new implementations and customer upgrades to partners. These developments are very positive to see as it reflects that our focus on high-value SaaS ARR growth is achieving the desired results; and that we’re well positioned to scale the business, generate higher margins, create operating leverage, and drive increasing free cash flows. We’re also seeing increasingly balanced pipeline growth and bookings from our Sylogist Mission, Ed and Gov sectors which bodes well for expanded long term value creation.”
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Sylogist’s Board of Directors approved a dividend of $0.01 per share for shareholders of record on November 29, 2024, to be paid on December 11, 2024.
1 Comparisons to prior periods have been adjusted to reflect the divestiture of the Managed IT Services division.
Conference Call Details
The Company will host a conference call at 8:30 AM Eastern Time on November 7, 2024. A replay of the call will be archived in the investor section of the Company’s website.
Please dial-in before the start of the conference to secure a line and avoid delays.
About Sylogist
Sylogist provides mission-critical SaaS solutions to over 2,000 public sector customers globally across the government, non-profit, and education market segments. The Company’s stock is traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol SYZ. Information about Sylogist, inclusive of full financial statements together with Management’s Discussion and Analysis, can be found at www.sedarplus.ca or at www.sylogist.com.
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Forward-looking Statements
This news release contains “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Although the forward-looking information is based on what the Company believes are reasonable assumptions, current expectations, and estimates, investors are cautioned from placing undue reliance on this information since actual results may vary from the forward-looking information. Forward-looking information may be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “believe”, “assume”, “intend”, “may”, “will”, “expect”, “estimate”, “anticipate”, “continue”, “could”, “can”, “outlook” or similar terms, variations of those terms or the negative of those terms, and the use of the conditional tense as well as similar expressions.
Such forward-looking information that is not historical fact, including statements based on management’s belief and assumptions, cannot be considered as guarantees of future performance. They are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to future economic conditions, the markets that the Company serves, the actions of competitors, major new technological trends, and other factors, many of which are beyond the Company’s control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those that are disclosed in or implied by such forward-looking information. The Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking information whether because of new information, future events or otherwise other than as required by applicable legislation. Important risk factors that may affect these expectations include, but are not limited to, the factors described under the section “Risks and Uncertainties” found in the Company’s Annual Information Form for the fiscal period ended December 31, 2023, and in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the quarters ended September 30, 2023, December 31, 2023, March 31, 2024, June 30, 2024 and September 30, 2024 and other documents available on the Company’s profile at www.sedarplus.ca.
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Actual results and developments are likely to differ, and may differ materially, from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in this news release. Such statements are based on a number of assumptions which may prove to be incorrect, including, but not limited to, assumptions about: (i) competitive environment; (ii) operating risks; (iii) the Company’s management and employees; (iv) capital investment by the Company’s customers; (v) customer project implementations; (vi) liquidity; (vii) current global financial and geopolitical conditions; (viii) implementation of the Company’s commercial strategic plan; (ix) credit; (x) potential product liabilities and other lawsuits to which the Company may be subject; (xi) additional financing and dilution; (xii) market liquidity of the Company’s common shares; (xiii) development of new products; (xiv) intellectual property and other proprietary rights; (xv) acquisition and expansion; (xvi) foreign currency; (xvii) interest rates; (xviii) technology and regulatory changes; (xix) internal information technology infrastructure and applications and (xx) cyber security. Certain information set out herein may be considered as “financial outlook” within the meaning of applicable securities laws. The purpose of this financial outlook is to provide readers with disclosure regarding Sylogist’s reasonable expectations as to the anticipated results of its proposed business activities for the periods indicated. Readers are cautioned that the financial outlook may not be appropriate for other purposes.
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Non-IFRS Financial Measures
This news release refers to certain non-IFRS measures. These non-IFRS measures do not have any standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. These measures are provided as additional information to complement measures under IFRS by providing further understanding of the Company’s expected results of operations from management’s perspective. Accordingly, such measures should not be considered in isolation nor as a substitute for analysis of the Company’s financial information reported under IFRS. Remaining Performance Obligation (“RPO”), Bookings, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA Margin, Annualized Recurring Revenue (“ARR”), Software as a Service (“SaaS”) ARR, and SaaS Net Revenue Retention (“SaaS NRR”), are non-IFRS financial measures.
RPO generally refers to the value of contracted revenue that is not yet recognized to revenue. The Company defines RPO as the sum of its deferred revenue in addition to the total value of un-invoiced SaaS and project services bookings. Unlike ARR which has a one-year time horizon, RPO can include multiple years of contracted SaaS subscriptions.
Bookings refers to the total value of customer accepted contracts during the reporting period. This includes SaaS bookings (the value of SaaS contracts for the entire contracted term) and the project services bookings (the full value of contracted project services).
Adjusted EBITDA is calculated as earnings before interest expense, interest income, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation, foreign exchange gains/losses and the impact of acquisition and restructuring.
Adjusted EBITDA Margin refers to Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of revenue.
ARR is defined as the annualized value of contractually committed SaaS and maintenance and support services. This quantification assumes that customers will renew the contractual commitment on a periodic basis as they come up for renewal unless the customer has notified the Company of its intention to cancel. This portion of the Company’s revenue is predictable and stable.
SaaS ARR refers to ARR attributable to SaaS customer contracts.
SaaS NRR refers to the percentage of beginning of period ARR retained over a given 12-month period inclusive of the impact of contractions, losses and the impact of any additional expansion revenues from customer upgrades within the existing customer base. The Company’s calculation of SaaS NRR includes the impact of customers converting from its maintenance and support offerings to its SaaS offerings
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RPO, Bookings, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA Margin, ARR, SaaS ARR, and SaaS NRR are provided to investors as alternative methods for assessing the Company’s operating results in a manner that is focused on the Company’s ongoing operations and to provide a more consistent basis for comparison between periods. These measures should not be construed as alternatives to profit or cash flow from operating activities determined in accordance with IFRS as an indicator of the Company’s performance.
For further information regarding non-IFRS measures used by the Company, please refer to a copy of the Financial Statements and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of the Company, copies of which are available on Sylogist’s SEDAR profile at www.sedarplus.ca.
Currency and Rounding All amounts in this Press Release are expressed in millions of Canadian dollars unless otherwise stated. All percentage variations expressed herein have been calculated based on variations resulting from numbers expressed in millions. Any potential differences from similarly calculated percentages in the Company’s Financial Statements and Management’s Discussion and Analysis are due to rounding and are nonmaterial.
For further information contact: Sujeet Kini, Chief Financial Officer Sylogist Ltd.
Jennifer Smith, Investor Relations LodeRock Advisors
The content in this section is supplied by GlobeNewswire for the purposes of distributing press releases on behalf of its clients. Postmedia has not reviewed the content.
Total Quarterly Revenue of $4 million, up 9% year-over-year. Record Backlog of $54.9 million. Gross Margin of 42%. Cost-Cutting Results in Over $3 Million in Recurring Annual Savings.
Continued Momentum in Military, Aerospace, and Waste Destruction Businesses
MONTREAL, Nov. 06, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — PyroGenesis Canada Inc. (“PyroGenesis”) (http://pyrogenesis.com) (TSX:PYR) (OTCQX:PYRGF) (FRA:8PY), a high-tech company that designs, develops, manufactures and commercializes advanced plasma processes and sustainable solutions which are geared to reduce greenhouse gases (GHG) and address environmental pollutants, today announces its financial and operating results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2024.
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“2024 continues to demonstrate favourable momentum for PyroGenesis, both for revenue as well as for revenue backlog from our order book, which surged to a new all-time high at quarter’s end because of continued confidence by recurring military and aerospace customers, and sustained interest in waste remediation – furthering 2023’s resurgence of that business line,” said P. Peter Pascali, President and CEO of PyroGenesis. “The sequential revenue progress seen so far in 2024 has resulted in three consecutive quarters of year-over-year growth, with five of the last six quarters exceeding the previous quarter. And we’ve done this while cutting costs significantly.”
“Our third quarter 2024 results, with revenue up and costs way down, reflect the investments we’ve made in cost-cutting initiatives, a disciplined focus on operational efficiency, and of course the execution of our strategy that deploys our expertise in ultra-high temperature applications to multiple industries around the world. As we continue to grow revenue quarter to quarter while simultaneously reducing costs, we put ourselves in an even better position to expand market share over the long-term as energy transition and emission reduction efforts expand,” added Mr. Pascali. “With an escalating demand for significantly higher plasma torch power levels, as evidenced by our post-quarter end contract announcement of a $27 million 20MW plasma torch order, we are entering a new growth phase for plasma applications, and we will work diligently to ensure that the appropriate operational stage is set to unlock multi-year growth trajectories.”
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PyroGenesis is also announcing that its name has changed from PyroGenesis Canada Inc. to PyroGenesis Inc. Additionally, the Company is pleased to announce that it has moved its headquarters to a larger office location in downtown Montreal. More information on the changes to the company name and headquarters is located further below.
KEY Q3 2024 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Revenue of $4 million, up 9% vs. Q3 2023, the 3rd straight quarter of year-over-year growth
All-time High Revenue (Order) Backlog of $54.9 million of signed and/or awarded contracts as at November 6, 2024, reflecting rapid acceleration in the power needs for military, space exploration, and the heavy industry sectors undergoing energy transitioning
Gross margin of 42%, a 13-point improvement from Q2 and 12-point improvement YOY
EPS loss of $0.02, net loss of $3.9 million, an improvement of 38% compared to $6.3 million loss during the same quarter a year ago
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
Post quarter end, in October 2024 [news release dated October 21, 2024], the Company announced a contract valued at approximately $27 million for the development of a plasma torch system powered at 20 megawatts, from an existing U.S. client which provides technology and test services geared to solving critical defense, military, aeronautics, and space exploration challenges. The client, which previously ordered a 4.5MW plasma torch system from PyroGenesis in August 2023 [news release dated August 1, 2023], regularly serves as a prime contractor for the U.S. government. A plasma torch at this 20 megawatts power level, based on PyroGenesis’ own research, represents one of the most powerful (if not the most powerful) plasma torches ever produced commercially. The project was expected to start within 30 days of the news release, with an estimated duration of 3 years.
Post quarter end, in October 2024 [news release dated October 31, 2024], the Company provided an update on the Repriced Warrants. As a result of the repricing, 1,457,500 of the Repriced Warrants have been exercised, for total proceeds to the Company of $1,093,125.
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Q3 2024 PRODUCTION AND SALES HIGHLIGHTS
Q3 2024 continued the positive revenue growth trend that began in Q2 2023. Q3 2024 marks the 6th straight quarter of revenue improvement compared to the low revenue mark of Q1 2023, with five of those six quarters – including this Q3 2024 – surpassing the previous quarter’s revenues:
The Company operates primarily within three business verticals that align with economic drivers that are key to global heavy industry:
1. Energy Transition & Emission Reduction:
fuel switching, utilizing the Company’s electric-powered plasma torches and biogas upgrading technology to help heavy industry reduce fossil fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions,
2. Commodity Security & Optimization:
recovery of viable metals, and optimization of production methods/processes geared to increase output, maximize raw material usage, and improve the availability of critical minerals,
3. Waste Remediation:
safe destruction of hazardous materials, and the recovery and valorization of underlying substances such as chemicals and minerals.
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Within each vertical the Company offers a selection of solutions at different stages of commercialization:
The information below represents highlights from the past quarter for each of the Company’s main business verticals.
Energy Transition & Emission Reduction
In September, the Company acknowledged that EarthGrid, a plasma tunnel-boring technology and infrastructure development company, was its client, as part of an announcement congratulating EarthGrid on its signing of a joint venture with Enertech, a Kuwait-based investment entity, to deploy infrastructure projects in four phases across the United States, Europe and the Middle East. According to EarthGrid’s own announcement on September 17, 2024, the first two phases of the projects consist of an estimated US$18 billion in US infrastructure projects. Previously, in a press release date January 16, 2020, PyroGenesis had announced that it had received a $667,000 non-refundable down payment under a master agreement for multi-year multi-plasma torch purchases from an undisclosed client, now revealed as EarthGrid. At the time of this earlier announcement, EarthGrid’s name was withheld for competitive and confidentiality reasons.
Post quarter end, in October 2024 [news release dated October 21, 2024], the Company announced a contract valued at approximately $27 million for the development of a plasma torch system powered at 20 megawatts, from an existing U.S. client which provides technology and test services geared to solving critical defense, military, aeronautics, and space exploration challenges. The client, which previously ordered a 4.5MW plasma torch system from PyroGenesis in August 2023 [news release dated August 1, 2023], regularly serves as a prime contractor for the U.S. government. A plasma torch at this 20 megawatts power level, based on PyroGenesis’ own research, represents one of the most powerful (if not the most powerful) plasma torches ever produced commercially. The project was expected to start within 30 days of the news release, with an estimated duration of 3 years.
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Commodity Security & Optimization
In July, the Company announced that HPQ Polvere had signed a letter of intent with Evonik Corporation, a global specialty chemicals company. HPQ Polvere’s primary initiative is the Fumed Silica Reactor (FSR) project that PyroGenesis has been designing, engineering, and constructing to convert quartz into fumed silica in a single and eco-friendly step. PyroGenesis previously announced in a press released dated May 30, 2024, its intent to exercise its right to convert its annual royalty rights into a 50% ownership stake of HPQ Polvere pursuant to a design and development agreement. The objective of HPQ Polvere’s letter of intent with Evonik is to outline the basis of collaboration during the FSR pilot scale phase with the goal to validate the ability of the FSR to produce low-cost, low-carbon material acceptable to Evonik’s specifications.
In September, the Company announced the signing of a $1 million first-phase contract with an entity engaged in the production of graphite, for which PyroGenesis will design and deliver a customized pilot-scale plasma reactor and associated testing system. Upon the successful completion of the first phase, the next step would be negotiation of a contract for the development of a full-scale graphite production plant for which PyroGenesis has exclusive rights. Additionally, PyroGenesis has negotiated a 10% royalty on future gross revenues generated from an initial commercial graphite production plant built by the client, and a 5% royalty on any subsequent plants. Graphite is a critical mineral widely used across manufacturing.
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Waste Remediation
In July, the Company announced the signing of a 2-stage contract for a land-based plasma waste-to-energy system with a European consortium. The first stage consists of a conceptual and preliminary design phase for approximately $2 million, which commenced in Q3 2024 and is scheduled to last no more than one year. The design phase will determine the order of magnitude cost estimate of the system construction, expected to range between $120-160 million depending on the system’s capacity and other details. The design of the Plasma Waste-to-Energy System is based on the Company’s Plasma Resource Recovery System (PRRS), a waste-to-energy technology that eliminates toxic compounds while transforming waste into reusable products such as syngas and chemicals such as methanol.
Post quarter end, in October 2024 [news release dated October 10, 2024], the Company announced the receipt of a purchase order of approximately $1,015,000 for after-sales component production related to the US Navy aircraft carrier contract. The components are scheduled to be produced and delivered to the client by March 2025.
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Q3 2024 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Through the quarter and most of 2024, the Company continued to monitor its selling, general and administrative expenses in order to maximize savings and reduce expenses. A year-to-date savings of over $3 million was realized mainly from a change in the directors’ and officers’ insurance, a reduction in professional fees, consulting and other expenses, along with adjustments to staffing and optimal use of employees. These are savings the Company will benefit from every year going forward.
In July, the Company announced a repricing of up to 4,107,850 existing common share purchase warrants (the “Repriced Warrants”), wherein the exercise price of those Repriced Warrants was reduced to $0.75 per share. Of the Repriced Warrants, (i) 697,500 warrants were to expire on October 19, 2024, (ii) 2,380,350 warrants expire on March 7, 2025, and (iii) 1,030,000 warrants expire on July 21, 2025. The Repriced Warrants were also amended to provide that if at any time before their expiry date, the closing price of the Company’s Common Shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange (“TSX”) is greater than $0.9375 (such amount being 125% of $0.75) over any 5 consecutive trading days, the Company will be entitled, within 15 days of the occurrence of such event, to accelerate the expiry date of the Repriced Warrants to the date that is 30 days following the date that notice of such acceleration is provided.
In July, the Company announced the closing of a $2.8 million non-brokered private placement consisting of the issuance and sale of 3,505,750 units at a price of $0.80 per unit. Each unit consists if one common share of PyroGenesis, and one common share purchase warrant, entitling the holder to purchase one common share at a price of $1.20 during the twelve months following the closing date of the private placement.
Post quarter end, in October 2024 [news release dated October 31, 2024], the Company provided an update on the Repriced Warrants. As a result of the repricing, 1,457,500 of the Repriced Warrants have been exercised, for total proceeds to the Company of $1,093,125.
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Q3 2024 OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
In July, the Company announced purchase of 100% control of Drosrite International, a US-based private company, for $1.00. Drosrite International had already been, on an accounting basis, a subsidiary of the Company, but legally a stand-alone entity. An exclusive agreement was entered into between PyroGenesis and Drosrite International on August 29, 2019, under which Drosrite International received the required rights from PyroGenesis to manufacture, market, sell and distribute Drosrite™ systems and technology to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and certain other countries in the Middle East.
In July, the Company announced that its subsidiary Drosrite International LLC was renamed PyroGenesis International LLC.
CORPORATE NAME AND ADDRESS CHANGE
PyroGenesis’ corporate name has changed from PyroGenesis Canada Inc. to PyroGenesis Inc. Simultaneously, the French version of its name has changed from PyroGènese Canada Inc. to PyroGènese Inc.
“This change to our name is a subtle but indicative change,” noted Mr. Pascali. “With sales across 21 countries and counting, this name change is part of an initiative to better express in all areas of communication that we are an internationally focused company with global reach.”
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This name change does not involve any restructuring, change of control, or other corporate reorganization. This decision solely pertains to a more inclusive and internationally resonant brand image. The name change does not affect trading of the Company’s shares. The shares will continue to trade on the TSX under the symbol PYR and through the OTCQX under the symbol PYRGF. It is currently expected that the new corporate name will be effective on the Canadian and US capital markets as of November 11, 2024, with no change to the stock symbols.
Additionally, the Company is pleased to announce that it has recently moved its headquarters to a larger office location in downtown Montreal. The move comes as a result of the Company having outgrown its previous headquarters after more than 30 years in Montreal’s historic Griffintown neighbourhood. The new office location resides in the heart of downtown near Montreal Central Station, the Queen Elizabeth Hotel, and the Bell Centre arena (home of the Montreal Canadiens), and provides more modern amenities and a smarter office layout, while also providing easier access for employees and customers that use public transit.
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PyroGenesis’ new corporate headquarters are located at 1100 René-Lévesque Boulevard West, Montréal, Québec, Suite 1825, H3B 4N4. Phone numbers will remain the same, with 514-937-0002 as the main line.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
1. Revenues
PyroGenesis recorded revenue of $4.0 million in the third quarter of 2024 (“Q3, 2024”), representing an increase of $0.3 million compared with $3.7 million recorded in the third quarter of 2023 (“Q3, 2023”). Revenue for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2024, was $11.4 million, an increase of $2.1 million over revenue of $9.3 million in the same period of 2023.
Revenues recorded in the three and nine-months ended September 30, 2024, were generated primarily from:
Three months ended September 30
Variation
Nine months ended September 30
Variation
2024
2023
2024 vs 2023
2024
2023
2024 vs 2023
High purity metallurgical grade silicon & solar grade silicon from quartz (PUREVAP™)
221,627
415,415
(193,788
)
717,861
1,388,854
(670,993
)
Aluminium and zinc dross recovery (DROSRITE™)
503,230
118,745
384,485
1,493,918
324,296
1,169,622
Development and support related to systems supplied to the U.S. Navy
344,540
1,003,592
(659,052
)
1,626,149
2,168,820
(542,671
)
Torch-related products and services
1,310,709
950,290
360,419
4,979,766
2,682,979
2,296,787
Refrigerant destruction (SPARC™)
705,027
104,784
600,243
956,918
360,075
596,843
Biogas upgrading and pollution controls
691,941
768,396
(76,455
)
899,950
1,419,362
(519,412
)
Other sales and services
225,615
324,503
(98,888
)
753,621
972,440
(218,819
)
Revenue
4,002,689
3,685,725
316,964
11,428,183
9,316,826
2,111,357
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Q3, 2024 revenues increased by $0.3 million, mainly as a result of:
PUREVAP™ related sales generated revenue of $0.2 million, a decrease of $0.2 million compared to Q3, 2023 due to the completion of the project and with the successful silicon “pour” previously announced by the Company. As a result, minimal revenue was forecasted and realized in the current quarter,
DROSRITE™ related sales increased by $0.4 million due to the rise in active client site trials across Europe, increased spare parts orders from existing clients, and higher revenue from storage and other ancillary revenue and transportation related to the DROSRITE units, at the request of the client,
Development and support related to systems supplied to the U.S Navy decreased by $0.7 million compared to Q3, 2023, due to the current stage of the project, whereas, in the comparable period, significant advancement was made related to inspection, packaging and shipment of the equipment to our customer in order to move forward with installation and commissioning,
Torch-related products and services increased by $0.4 million, due to the continued progress on the significant projects related to our 4.5MW and 1MW torch systems, and additional recurring monthly 24/7 onsite support,
SPARC™ related sales increased by $0.6 million, due to substantial advancements in fabrication, assembly, and delivery preparation, installation and commissioning scheduled for early 2025.
Biogas upgrading and pollution controls generated revenue of $0.7 million, a decrease of $0.1 million compared to Q3, 2023, due to the nature and status of the projects.
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During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2024, revenues varied by $2.1 million, mainly as a result of:
PUREVAP™ related sales decreased to $0.7 million due to the completion of the project and current project phase, whereby lower revenue was expected,
DROSRITE™ related sales increased to $1.2 million due to additional site trials for customers and the increase in spare parts orders from existing clients and the increase in storage revenue, other ancillary revenue and transportation related to the DROSRITE units,
Development and support related to systems supplied to the U.S Navy decreased by $0.5 million due to the current stage of the project, with the advancements contingent upon the client’s inspections scheduled for Q4, 2024, partially offset, by the increase in awarded contracts for spare parts and engineering services from clients that are third-party suppliers of the US Navy,
Torch-related products and services increased by $2.3 million, due to the Company providing continuous 24/7 onsite support and the significant progress related to the current ongoing torch systems projects,
SPARC™ related sales increased by $0.6 million, due to significant advancements, particularly the completion of long-lead major equipment, with focus now on preparing for installation and commissioning at the client’s facility,
Biogas upgrading and pollution controls related sales decreased by $0.5 million due to a decrease in project volume,
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As of November 6, 2024, revenue expected to be recognized in the future related to backlog of signed and/or awarded contracts is $54.9 million. Revenue will be recognized as the Company satisfies its performance obligations under long-term contracts, which is expected to occur over a maximum period of approximately 3 years.
2. Cost of Sales and Services and Gross Margins
Cost of sales and services were $2.3 million in Q3, 2024, representing a decrease of $0.3 million compared to $2.6 million in Q3, 2023, primarily attributable to a $0.6 million reduction in direct materials, totaling $0.9 million, and a $0.2 million decrease in amortization of intangible assets, compared to $1.5 million and $0.2 million, respectively for the three-month period ended September 30, 2023. The decrease in direct materials is related to the decrease in recognition of costs related to the Company’s DROSRITE™, PUREVAP™, and Biogas upgrading and pollution controls product lines, offset by the recognition of costs from the completion of the power supplies required for the Company’s high-powered torch systems. However, the decrease was offset by the increase in employee compensation of $0.1 million increasing to $0.9 million (three-month period ended September 30, 2023 – $0.8 million), an increase of $0.2 million in subcontracting (three-month period ended September 30, 2023 – $0.1 million), attributed to additional work being subcontracted and the product mix related to the cost of sales and the increase in manufacturing overhead and other of $0.2 million, to $0.4 million (three-month period ended September 30, 2023 – $0.2 million).
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The gross profit for Q3, 2024 was $1.7 million or 42% of revenue compared to a gross profit of $1.1 million for Q3, 2023, representing 30% of revenue. The increase in gross margin percentage was mainly due to the decrease on direct materials costs, and amortization of intangible assets.
During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2024, cost of sales and services were $7.9 million, an increase from $6.6 million for the same period in the prior year. The $1.3 million increase is primarily driven by a $1.4 million rise in direct materials related to the recognized costs of substantial items, namely power supplies. Employee compensation and manufacturing overhead and other increased by $0.2 million and $0.1 million, to $2.8 million and $0.9 million, respectively (nine-month period ended September 30, 2023 – $2.6 million and $0.8 million). This increase was partially offset by the decrease in amortization of intangible assets of $0.5 million to $0.1 million compared to $0.7 million for the same period in the prior year.
The amortization of intangible assets for Q3, 2024 was $0.02 million compared to $0.2 million for Q3, 2023, and during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2024, was $0.1 million compared to $0.7 million for the same period in the prior year. This expense variation relates mainly to the intangible assets in connection with the Pyro Green-Gas acquisition, which have been fully amortized by January 2024. These expenses were non-cash items, and the remaining intangible assets are composed of patents, and deferred development costs that will be amortized over the expected useful lives.
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As a result of the type of contracts being executed, the nature of the project activity, as well as the composition of the cost of sales and services, the mix between labour, materials and subcontracts may be significantly different. In addition, due to the nature of these long-term contracts, the Company has not necessarily passed on to the customer, the increased cost of sales which was attributable to inflation, if any. The costs of sales and services are in line with management’s expectations and with the nature of the revenue.
3. Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Included within Selling, General and Administrative expenses (“SG&A”) are costs associated with corporate administration, business development, project proposals, operations administration, investor relations and employee training.
SG&A expenses for the third quarter of 2024 amounted to $5.0 million, reflecting a decrease of $2.6 million from Q3, 2023. This reduction is primarily attributed to several key factors. The expected credit loss and bad debt experienced a decrease of $2.0 million, primarily due a reduction in provisioned outstanding receivable. Additionally, professional fees were reduced by $0.3 million from the three-month period ended September 30, 2023, due to decreased reliance on external consultants, legal services, and other professional services. Other expenses showed a favorable variance of $0.3 million, driven by reductions in insurance expenses and marketing costs and an increase of $0.2 million in government grants due to higher levels of activities supported by such grants. The decreases were partially offset by the negative impact of $0.3 million due to changes in the foreign exchange charge on materials due to the variation of the U.S. dollar and the increase of employee compensation of $0.3 million from $2.1 million to $2.4 million for the three-month period ended September 30, 2024.
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During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2024, SG&A expenses totaled $9.7 million, a significant decrease of $11.8 million from $21.6 million for the same period in the prior year. The key factors contributing to this decrease include the expected credit loss and bad debt provision, which varied favourably by $8.2 million. This was caused by the payment received from a customer whose balance was provisioned, and to higher credit loss expense recognized in Q3, 2023. Professional fees saw a significant reduction of $1.2 million due to less reliance on external consultants, legal services, and other professional services. Other expenses decreased by $1.0 million, as well, due to a favorable impact of $0.3 million on the foreign exchange charge on materials due to the variation of the U.S. dollar.
Share-based compensation expense for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2024, was $0.2 million and $1.0 million, respectively (three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2023 – $0.7 million and $2.4 million, respectively), a decrease of $0.5 million and $1.4 million respectively, which is a non-cash item and relates mainly to 2022, and 2023 grants not repeated in 2024.
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Share-based payments expenses as explained above, are non-cash expenses and are directly impacted by the vesting structure of the stock option plan whereby options vest between 10% and up to 100% on the grant date and may require an immediate recognition of that cost.
4. Depreciation on Property and Equipment
The depreciation on property and equipment for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2024, decreased to $0.09 million and $0.3 million, respectively, compared with $0.2 million and $0.5 million for the same periods in the prior year. The expense is comparable to the same quarters last year and the decrease is primarily due to the nature and useful lives of the property and equipment being depreciated.
5. Research and Development (“R&D”) Costs, net
During the three-months ended September 30, 2024, the Company incurred $0.2 million of R&D costs on internal projects, a decrease of $0.5 million when compared to Q3, 2023. The decrease in Q3, 2024 is primarily related to a decrease in employee compensation and in materials and equipment due to a reduction in R&D activities.
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During the nine-months ended September 30, 2024, the Company incurred $0.7 million of R&D costs on internal projects, a decrease of $1.0 million when compared to the same period in the prior year. The decrease is mainly due to lower levels of R&D activities in the 2024 period.
In addition to internally funded R&D projects, the Company also incurred R&D expenditures during the execution of client funded projects. These expenses are eligible for Scientific Research and Experimental Development (“SR&ED”) tax credits. SR&ED tax credits on client funded projects are applied against cost of sales and services (see “Cost of Sales” above).
6. Finance Expenses (income), net
Finance expenses for Q3, 2024 totaled $0.3 million as compared with to $0.2 million for Q3, 2023, representing a variation of $0.1 million year-over-year. The increase in finance expenses in Q3, 2024 is mainly due to the increase in interest accretion on the balance due on the business combination of $0.1 million and the increase in interest and accretion related to the convertible loan, whereby this loan was only issued in December 2023.
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During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2024, the finance expenses totaled $0.9 million as compared with an income of $1.6 million for the 2023 comparable period, representing a variation of $2.5 million year-over-year. This is caused by the 2023 favourable revaluation of the balance due on business combination due to two milestones that would not be achieved, thus a reversal of the liabilities was recorded. In addition, greater financial expenses were due to the interest and accretion for the convertible debenture and convertible loan, which were only outstanding for portion of 2023.
7. Strategic Investments
During the three-months ended September 30, 2024, the adjustment to fair market value of strategic investments for Q3, 2024 resulted in a gain of $0.04 million compared to a gain in the amount of $1.2 million in Q3, 2023, a favorable variation of $1.2 million. During the nine-months ended September 30, 2024, the adjustment to fair market value of strategic investments resulted in a loss of $0.2 million compared to a gain in the amount of $0.2 million for the same period in the prior year, a variation of $0.4 million. The decrease in variations for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2024, is attributable to the variation of the market value of the common shares owned by the Company of HPQ Silicon Inc.
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8. Other Income
During the nine-months ended September 30, 2024, Other Income includes a gain on settlement of legal proceedings with a third party which was also a customer of the Company’s subsidiary, Pyro Green-Gas. As a result, the Company received a settlement of $1.5 million and recognized a gain of $1,180,335, included in Other Income, and the remainder as a reduction of accounts receivable.
9. Comprehensive loss
The comprehensive loss for Q3, 2024 of $3.9 million compared to a loss of $6.3 million, in Q3, 2023, represents a favourable variation of $2.3 million, and is primarily attributable to the factors described above, which have been summarized as follows:
an increase in product and service-related revenue of $0.3 million arising in Q3, 2024, which generated a 42% gross margin, compared to 30% in Q3, 2023. As a result, gross profit is $1.7 million compared to $1.1 million for the same three-month period ended September 30, 2024,
a decrease in SG&A expenses of $2.6 million arising in Q3, 2024, was primarily due to the expected credit loss and bad debt decrease, and also to lower professional fees, other expenses and increase in government grants. This was offset by increases in employee compensation, depreciation of right-of-use assets, and an unfavourable impact due to changes in the foreign exchange charge on materials,
a decrease in share-based expenses of $0.5 million,
a decrease in R&D expenses of $0.5 million due to a reduction of R&D activities,
an increase in net finance expenses primarily due the interest and accretion on the convertible debentures, convertible loan and balance due on the business combination,
a variation in the fair market value of strategic investments of $1.2 million.
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The comprehensive loss for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2024, of $6.9 million compared to a loss of $18.7 million, for the same period in the prior year, represents a significant reduction of $11.9 million, and is primarily attributable to the factors described above, which have been summarized as follows:
an increase in product and service-related revenue of $2.1 million, which generated a 31% gross margin, compared to 29% in 2023. As a result, gross profit is $3.6 million compared to $2.7 million for the same nine-month period of 2023,
a decrease in SG&A expenses of $11.8 million was primarily due to the favourable impact of the expected credit loss and bad debt decrease and also to the decrease in professional fees, travel, depreciation of property, other expenses and foreign exchange,
a decrease in share-based expenses of $1.4 million
a decrease in R&D expenses of $1.0 million primarily due to decreased R&D activities,
an increase in net finance expenses primarily due to the revaluation of balance due on business combination of $2.1 million in 2023 not repeated in 2024 and in the increase of accretion and interest on the convertible debentures and convertible loan,
a variation in the fair market value of strategic investments of $0.4 million.
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10. Liquidity and Capital Resources
As at September 30, 2024, the Company had cash of $0.04 million, included in the net working capital deficiency of $10.4 million. Certain working capital items such as billings in excess of costs and profits on uncompleted contracts do not represent a direct outflow of cash. The Company expects that with its liquidity position and its access to capital markets it will be able to finance its operations for the foreseeable future.
The Company’s term loan balance at September 30, 2024 was $303,127 and decreased by $100,952 since December 31, 2023, due mainly to the complete reimbursement of a loan. The decrease from January 1, 2023, to December 31, 2023 was mainly attributable to the accretion on the Economic Development Agency of Canada loan, which is interest free and will remain so, until the balance is paid over the 60-month period ending March 2029. In July 2023, the Company closed a brokered private placement for $3,030,000, bearing interest at 10%. On December 20, 2023, the Company closed a non-brokered private placement of a convertible loan for gross proceeds of $1,250,000 and bears interest at 3%. The average interest expense on the other term loans and convertible debenture is approximately 10%. The Company does not expect changes to the structure of term loans and convertible debentures and loans in the next twelve-month period. The Company maintained one credit facility which bears interest at a variable rate of prime plus 2%, therefore 8.45% at September 30, 2024. The Company will continue to reimburse the existing credit facility in 2024.
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OUTLOOK
Consistent with the Company’s past practice, and in view of the early stage of market adoption of our core lines of business, the Company is not providing specific revenue or net income (loss) guidance for 2024.
The following is an outline of the many factors that impact the Company’s strategy and future success, plus key developments that are expected to impact subsequent quarters.
Overall Strategy
PyroGenesis provides technology solutions to heavy industry that leverage the Company’s expertise in ultra-high temperature processes. The Company has evolved from its early beginnings as a specialty-engineering firm to being a provider of a robust technology eco-system for heavy industry that helps address key strategic goals.
The Company believes its strategy to be timely, as multiple heavy industries are committing to major carbon and waste reduction programs at the same time as many governments are increasingly supportive – from both a policy and financial perspective – of environmental technologies and infrastructure projects. Additionally, both industry and government are developing strategies to ensure the availability of critical minerals during the coming decades of increased output demand.
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While there can be no guarantees, the Company believes the evolution of its strategy beyond greenhouse gas emission reduction, to an expanded focus that encapsulates the key verticals listed in the section “Q3 2024 Production and Sales Highlights”, both (i) improves the Company’s chances for success while (ii) also providing a clearer picture of how the Company’s wide array of offerings work in tandem to support heavy industry goals.
PyroGenesis’ market opportunity is significant, as major industries such as aluminum, steelmaking, manufacturing, cement, chemicals, defense, aeronautics, and government seek factory-ready, technology-based solutions to help steer through the challenging landscape of increasing demand, tightening regulations, and material availability.
As more of the Company’s offerings reach full commercialization, PyroGenesis will remain focused on attracting influential customers in broad markets while at the same time ensuring that operating expenses are controlled to achieve profitable growth.
Key Performance Indicators
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The Company uses key performance indicators (KPIs) to monitor, analyze, and optimize organizational output and performance, with KPIs specific to different parts of its production and manufacturing (such as cycle time, capacity utilization, yield, changeover time, and scrap), plus a different set of KPIs designed to evaluate the broader corporate results and uptake, identify trends affecting the business, and make strategic decisions. This latter category of KPIs includes:
Industry Depth: number of customers within an industry and/or amount and % of revenue from that industry. To date, the Company’s greatest depth has been with the aluminum, military, and government industries.
New Industry Engagement: as the energy transition and carbon/GHG-reduction trends grow, more industries are realizing the benefit of using PyroGenesis’ technology. Over the past five years the Company has begun to penetrate the mining and metal, iron ore, aerospace, automotive, general parts manufacturing, steel, materials (especially silica and silicon), chemical, and cement industries, among others.
Customer Depth: the number of projects with a single customer and/or amount of revenue from that customer. The Company treats most customer identities as confidential unless otherwise approved or suggested by the customer.
New Customer Engagement: as a relatively small company with technology that is potentially of interest across thousands of companies in many different industries, the Company takes a cautious approach when engaging with new customers. Primarily, the Company evaluates the potential customer’s access to capital, operational history, and reputation when weighing engagement. With regard to net new technology ideas or start-up customers, PyroGenesis considers the long-term commercialization potential of the idea, the possibility of revenue sharing or royalties, and access to capital. Aligning to the Company’s three tier business model is imperative, though exceptions can be made.
Studies Undertaken: scientific and engineering studies have been a key part of new customer acquisition for much of the Company’s history. A study such as a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) study is often the first phase requirement for a potential customer in investigating the potential future use of the Company’s technology. Since transitioning from a legacy fossil fuel-based system to the Company’s all-electric plasma can be a transformative and often expensive proposition, a study allows a potential new client to better understand the future technological fit and prospective budgetary requirements, while also gaining an understanding of the high-quality working relationship with the Company. The wide array of different specs, uses, industries, and in-factory customization of furnace, heating, and melting machinery, mandates ground-up studies for most new initiatives. The Company’s experience conducting studies and its exposure to more and different types of systems, especially over the last 5 years, has allowed the Company to further streamline and perfect its study process as a route to new business. The number, type, and duration of studies undertaken during each quarter varies.
Monthly Recurring Revenue: ongoing, repeating revenue is a major goal for the Company. To date, after-sale parts and components (such as those related to consumable aspects of plasma torches) have represented the largest revenue and growth potential on a recurring basis. As the energy transition trend grows and more plasma systems are sold, recurring revenue is expected to represent a much larger percentage of overall revenue. Other areas targeted for recurring revenue include sales of titanium metal powders, revenue from tolling contracts in areas such as aluminum dross treatment and metal recovery, and co-venture/royalty agreements such as those related to waste remediation.
Revenue Mix: PyroGenesis has established a technology eco-system comprised of a number of inter-related solutions, often referred to in previous Company communications as a “multi-legged stool”. This type of diversification offers a measure of protection to the Company in both difficult and rapidly changing economic environments. As such, the Company targets a wide versus a narrow mix of revenue sources.
Growth Mix: new revenue is currently driven by existing customers. A key goal for the Company is to develop an optimal mix of existing and new customers.
Cost Controls and Efficiencies
PyroGenesis has been, and continues to, scrutinize both potential and existing projects to ensure that the utilization of labour and financial resources are optimized. The Company continues to only engage in projects that reflect significant benefits to PyroGenesis and the risks of which are defined. The Company intends to intensify its focus on project and budgetary clarity during this period of elevated inflationary pressures, by identifying alternative suppliers while constantly adjusting project resources. The early-stage project assessment process has also been refined to allow for faster “go / no-go” decisions on project viability.
Enhanced Sales and Marketing
Against the backdrop of its 3-tiered strategy, the Company continues to increase sales, marketing, and R&D efforts in-line with – and in some cases ahead of – the growth curve for industrial change related to greenhouse gas reduction efforts.
Macroeconomic Conditions
With some continued uncertainty in the macroeconomic environment, including ambiguity in the banking sector with regard to interest rate adjustments, and the continued inflationary pressures causing shifting demand dynamics across various industries at different times, it may be difficult to assess the future impact these events and conditions will have on our customer base, the end markets we serve, and the resulting effect on our business and operations, both in the short term and in the long term.
Despite these uncertainties, we continue to believe there is an accelerated need for PyroGenesis’ solutions in the industries we serve as heavy industry continues to decarbonize / transition their energy sources, manufacture utilizing both lighter metals (such as aluminum) and additive manufacturing, and deal with tighter hazardous waste regulations.
While we expect these uncertainties and other macroeconomic conditions to continue to impact the variability in our quarter-to-quarter revenue, we believe our diversity in both customer base and solution set will continue to be a strong mitigating factor to these challenges. Additionally, the Company’s ongoing efforts to reduce costs through various measures including the sourcing of more high quality, cost-competitive suppliers, further bolsters the Company against cost fluctuations.
The various military conflicts in the Middle East and Eastern Europe continue to create some level of global economic uncertainty, as well as supply chain disruptions that can change at any time. However, it’s important to note that the Company does not have any operations, customers or supplier relationships in Russia, Belarus or Ukraine, and as such are not directly impacted at a customer level in these countries. The Company does have customer relationships and projects in Poland and will continue to monitor the situation in the region regarding challenges to the completion of current projects, which at this time are not inhibited.
As always, the Company monitors the potential impact macroeconomic events and conditions could have on the business, operations, and financial health of the Company.
Generally, the Company believes that broad-based threats to global supply chains increase awareness and interest in the many solutions the Company offers. This is particularly true within the minerals and metals industries, as manufacturers seek alternatives to off-shore suppliers as well as technologies that could optimize output or recycle critical material from byproducts or waste – solutions that the Company currently offers.
Business Line Developments
The upcoming milestones which are expected to confirm the validity of our strategies are outlined below. Please note that these timelines are estimates based on information provided to us by the clients/potential clients, and while we do our best to be accurate, timelines can and will shift, due to protracted negotiations, client technical and resource challenges, or other unexpected situations beyond our or the clients’ control:
Business Line Developments: Near Term (0 – 3 months)
Financial
Payments for Outstanding Major Receivables: Regarding the outstanding receivable under the Company’s existing $25 million+ Drosrite™ contract: and as previously announced, PyroGenesis had agreed to a strategic extension of the payment plan, by the customer and its end-customer, geared to better align the pressures on the end-user’s operating cash flows created by increased business opportunities.
Energy Transition & Emission Reduction
Plasma Torches for Metal Manufacturing: The Company is in advanced discussions with one of the world’s largest producers of metal products to design and develop a plasma-based solution for use in improving precision in the manufacturing process.
Aluminum Remelting Furnaces: The Company has been working on aluminum remelting furnace solutions using plasma for use by secondary aluminum producers or any manufacturer of aluminum components that uses recycled or scrap aluminum. With gas-fired furnaces responsible for much of the scope 1 emissions of secondary aluminum production, aluminum companies have been searching for solutions that can help in the decarbonization efforts of aluminum remelting and cast houses.
The Company has two potential solutions: the retro-fitting of plasma torches in existing remelting and cast house furnaces that currently use other forms of heating, such as natural gas; and the manufacturing and sale of a PyroGenesis produced furnace based off the Company’s existing Drosrite metal recovery furnace design, which has been in use commercially for several years.
As mentioned in previous Outlooks, the Company has been working with different companies over the past few years towards these goals. During Q2 2024, the Company announced a signed letter of intent with global aluminum product manufacturer Constellium for large-scale plasma remelting furnaces, and a contract with a global mining supply company, with the agreement related to the client’s intention to examine the use of plasma in decarbonizing its cast houses. Discussions remain underway with other clients for similar contracts.
Aluminum Furnace Tests:
The Company has started, and will continue in the near term, live furnace tests of plasma as a process heat source in melting and holding furnaces with major aluminum companies and is in advanced discussions with other companies for similar live furnace tests of plasma as a process heat source in melting and holding furnaces. Due to the nature of these tests and the increasing number of similar tests, the Company may choose not to announce every test session it engages in.
Plasma Torches for Tunnel Boring:
As noted above, the Company is a party to a framework master agreement with EarthGrid, which included the payment to the Company of a non-refundable downpayment for $667,000.
Negotiations of a first substantial statement of work are ongoing and remain positive, but depend in large part on the client’s ability to secure funding in a timely manner. The client now anticipates proceeding with the purchase of a single plasma torch system in the near to mid term, followed by one or more larger orders in subsequent quarters, dependent upon the client’s financing. While there is no guarantee this statement of work or additional ones will be completed, if successful the Company foresees the potential for a multi-phase, multi-year partnership with the client that may result in materially significant additional plasma torch orders over the next few years.
Iron Ore Pelletization Torch Trials:
CLIENT B As mentioned in previous Outlooks, the commissioning of the plasma torch systems – for use in the pelletization furnaces of a client previously identified as Client B – was underway, with the Company’s engineers onsite at Client B’s iron ore facility. The commissioning process includes installation, start-up, and site acceptance testing (SAT). The Company previously announced that it had shipped four 1 MW plasma torch systems for use in Client B’s iron ore pelletization furnaces, for trials toward potentially replacing fossil-fuel burners with plasma torches in Client B’s furnaces.
As also mentioned in previous Outlooks, this project continues to move forward after the commissioning suffered a series of unforeseeable delays and infrastructure challenges caused by, among other things, damaging torrential rainstorms that flooded and damaged the facility’s electrical system and furnace components, and intermittent power outages that led to damage of the plasma burners cooling system.
However, Client B remains committed and trials are ongoing, and will remain as such until the customer determines they have sufficient performance data. The latest information provided to the Company suggests a late Q1 2025 timeline for the completion of this performance testing and data gathering phase, though this is an estimate.
CLIENT A Sustained weakness in global steel demand due to the combination of a supply glut plus significantly reduced steel production particularly in China, has reduced demand and spot prices for steel and iron ore – both of which have seen declines as high as 25% in 2024, with iron ore exhibiting a three-year price low. With some suggestions that the steel and ore industries are in the midst of an adjustment period, ore producers are exhibiting caution, especially around the production of lower quality ore used in coal-consuming blast furnaces. Eventually, as steelmakers and ore producers begin to retool for more low-carbon iron and steel making, and the overall steel demand rebound that is expected to occur in 2025 takes hold, the outlook for both the higher-grade ore suitable for use in low-carbon steel and the lower grade ore for traditional blast furnaces improves.
Industry-wide, with this current unstable demand environment for ore, ore producers are taking an added measure of caution around large infrastructure decision-making. Most notably, the client previously identified as Client A, a large international mining company which has also previously purchased a full plasma torch system for use in trials in its pelletization furnaces, has paused its trials for the foreseeable future. Whether Client A resumes plasma investigation in their pelletization furnaces in the future is largely dependent on internal confidence around ore price future, resumption of ore demand, strategic priorities of specific pelletization locations, and other various aspects unknown to the Company. The Company continues to present new ideas to Client A for use of plasma in additional applications and locations.
CLIENT C Client C, a third global market-leading client who the Company previously identified as one “who is not only a significant player in the iron ore pelletization industry but is also a major player in the steel industry”, has been working with PyroGenesis over the past few years on various potential initiatives related to using plasma for decarbonization. Recently, PyroGenesis was awarded official supplier status to Client C, as part of an impending initiative. The Company will have more information on this in the upcoming weeks.
With live pelletization furnace plasma trials (with Client B) continuing, as the latest development with Client C renews their commitment to investigating plasma, and as new interest from other entities appears, the Company believes its position relative to both the steelmaking and iron ore industries remains very strong. The early publicity and research results surrounding plasma’s potential for use in iron ore pelletization opened the doors to these and multiple other industries for furnaces and high heat applications that the Company believes will ultimately far surpass the specific pelletization application.
Aluminum Cast House Decarbonization:
The Company is part of a tendered bid process for the testing of plasma within an aluminum cast house of a leading global aluminum company. This is unrelated to the project announcement made in conjunction with Constellium. During the quarter, the Company was advanced past the preliminary tender phase to the full tender proposal phase.
The Company submitted its full proposal in August 2024, with the final client decision expected in the near- to mid-term.
Commodity Security & Optimization
Waste Remediation
SPARC Refrigerant Waste Destruction System:
The Company is in negotiations with a Middle Eastern customer for the construction of the Company’s SPARC (Steam Plasma Refrigerant Cracking) system, for the safe destruction of hazardous end-of-life refrigerants, such as CFCs, HCFCs, and HFCs. The customer has access to a very large existing stockpile of these hazardous materials. This project is under discussion as a co-venture, whereby PyroGenesis would receive revenue on a profit-sharing basis.
Plasma-Based Glass Valorization: The Company is in final negotiations with an entity in Canada, for a plasma-based furnace for use in the melting and valorization of recycled glass, with an estimated contract value of $2 million.
Business Line Developments: Mid Term (3-6 months)
Energy Transition & Emission Reduction
Mining Industry Parts Manufacturer Decarbonization:
As noted above, in April 2024 the Company announced the signing of a contract with a client to assess the applicability and examine the use of plasma as a heat source in the client’s cast furnaces. The client, a billion-dollar entity with facilities on five continents, is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of products that serve the mining and defense industries, amongst others. The tests noted as targeted for completion by the end of the Q2 were conducted and have concluded, successfully.
Negotiations are now underway for the sale of initial plasma torch system(s) as well as the accompanying manipulation/handling components, as a per unit price of between US$500,000-$1,000,000 in revenues to PyroGenesis per torch.
Commodity Security & Optimization
“FSR” Project:
In September, the Company’s client, HPQ Silicon Inc., announced [news release dated September 27th] the successful completion of commissioning of the Fumed Silica Reactor (FSR) pilot plant that PyroGenesis has been designing, engineering, and constructing to convert quartz into fumed silica in a single and eco-friendly step. The pilot plant has commenced pre-commercial production tests of fumed silica, with commercial samples scheduled to be sent to key parties such as Evonik and others under NDA in the near to mid-term.
Drosrite Systems:
The Company is in various stages of discussions with aluminum manufacturers to purchase Drosrite aluminum dross processing systems, including with two Middle Eastern aluminum companies for the purchase of multiple 5,000+ tonnes per year Drosrite furnaces. In addition, multiple European and American aluminum manufacturers are considering systems of various capacities.
Critical Mineral Production:
The Company is in discussion with a producer of critical minerals used in electronics, renewable energy, and EV manufacturing, to use plasma during the production process of these minerals.
Titanium Metal Powder:
The Company is in discussions several companies in both North America and Europe regarding the potential sale of multiple tonnes of titanium metal powder, across both “coarse” and “fine” powder cuts.
Waste Remediation
SPARC Refrigerant Waste Destruction System:
The Company is in negotiations with a large US-based distributor of refrigerants and specialty gases for the construction of the Company’s SPARC (Steam Plasma Refrigerant Cracking) system, for the safe destruction of hazardous end-of-life refrigerants, such as CFCs, HCFCs, and HFCs, for a contract amount of approximately $2-3 million.
e-Waste Recycling and Valorization: The Company is in negotiations with a potential customer to develop a scalable system for recycling decommissioned equipment used in the energy industry, for the purpose of recovering valuable materials like silicon, silver, and other metals from e-waste.
Business Line Developments: Long Term (> 6 months)
Energy Transition & Emission Reduction
Plasma-Based Glass Recycling: The Company is in advanced negotiations with a global leader in glass recycling, to investigate plasma as part of the customer’s energy transition initiatives.
Furnace Electrification Co-Venture: The Company is in negotiations with a large global manufacturer of energy equipment to co-venture with PyroGenesis on the electrification of third-party furnaces.
Commodity Security & Optimization
Silicon, Nano-Silicon, and Silica Production:
The Company is in discussions at quotation stage with several different potential customers who have expressed interest in PyroGenesis’ advances methods for producing silicon, nano-silicon, and silica. The customers include a major global automaker (whose interest lies primarily in nano-silicon for EV batteries), a US battery manufacturer, and a raw material supplier to the construction materials industry.
Waste Remediation
Plasma Waste-to-Energy System / Resource Recovery System (PRRS): In July [press release dated July 29, 2024], the Company announced the signing of a 2-stage contract for a land-based plasma waste-to-energy system with a European consortium. The first stage consists of a conceptual and preliminary design phase for approximately $2 million, which commenced in Q3 and is scheduled to last no more than one year. The design of the Plasma Waste-to-Energy System is based on the Company’s Plasma Resource Recovery System (PRRS), a waste-to-energy technology that eliminates toxic compounds while transforming waste into reusable products such as syngas and chemicals such as methanol.
The design phase, which is scheduled to end by Q3 2025, will determine the order of magnitude cost estimate of the system construction, expected to range between $120-160 million depending on the system’s capacity and other details. The customer may then engage with PyroGenesis for the design and development of a large waste-to-energy system.
Plasma Torches:
The Company has been in discussions over several years with a European entity, to act as a potential supplier of plasma torches for the entity’s waste-to-energy initiative; the entity has at times, listed PyroGenesis as their torch supplier in various publications online. This entity has recently announced having entered into an agreement with a German multi-Billion-dollar leading technology company to accelerate green energy transition through waste-to-energy technology. The entity announced that it aims to establish 300 plants producing 1 million tons of hydrogen over the next several years.
** Please note that projects or potential projects previously announced that do not appear in the above summary updates should not be considered as at risk. Noteworthy developments can occur at any time based on project stages, and the information presented above reflects information on hand. Projects not mentioned may have simply not concluded or not presented milestones or client updates worthy of discussion or update.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Additional information relating to Company and its business, including the 2023 consolidated financial statements, the Annual Information Form and other filings that the Company has made and may make in the future with applicable securities authorities, may be found on or through SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca, or the Company’s website at www.pyrogenesis.com.
Additional information, including directors’ and officers’ remuneration and indebtedness, principal holders of the Company’s securities and securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans, is also contained in the Company’s most recent management information circular for the most recent annual meeting of shareholders of the Company.
About PyroGenesis
PyroGenesis, a high-tech company, is a proud leader in the design, development, manufacture and commercialization of advanced plasma processes and sustainable solutions which reduce greenhouse gases (GHG) and are economically attractive alternatives to conventional “dirty” processes. PyroGenesis has created proprietary, patented and advanced plasma technologies that are being vetted and adopted by multiple multibillion dollar industry leaders in four massive markets: iron ore pelletization, aluminum, waste management, and additive manufacturing. With a team of experienced engineers, scientists and technicians working out of its Montreal office, and its 3,800 m2 and 2,940 m2 manufacturing facilities, PyroGenesis maintains its competitive advantage by remaining at the forefront of technology development and commercialization. The operations are ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100D certified, having been ISO certified since 1997. PyroGenesis’ shares are publicly traded on the TSX in Canada (TSX: PYR), the OTCQX in the US (OTCQX: PYRGF), and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange in Germany (FRA: 8PY). For more information, please visit: www.pyrogenesis.com.
Cautionary and Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking information” and “forward-looking statements” (collectively, “forward-looking statements”) within the meaning of applicable securities laws. In some cases, but not necessarily in all cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “plans”, “targets”, “expects” or “does not expect”, “is expected”, “an opportunity exists”, “is positioned”, “estimates”, “intends”, “assumes”, “anticipates” or “does not anticipate” or “believes”, or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might”, “will” or “will be taken”, “occur” or “be achieved”. In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not historical facts, nor guarantees or assurances of future performance but instead represent management’s current beliefs, expectations, estimates and projections regarding future events and operating performance.
Forward-looking statements are necessarily based on a number of opinions, assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by PyroGenesis as of the date of this release, are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ, possibly materially, from those indicated by the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the risk factors identified under “Risk Factors” in PyroGenesis’ latest annual information form, and in other periodic filings that it has made and may make in the future with the securities commissions or similar regulatory authorities, all of which are available under PyroGenesis’ profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. These factors are not intended to represent a complete list of the factors that could affect PyroGenesis. However, such risk factors should be considered carefully. There can be no assurance that such estimates and assumptions will prove to be correct. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release. PyroGenesis undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, except as required by applicable securities laws.
Neither the Toronto Stock Exchange, its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Toronto Stock Exchange) nor the OTCQX Best Market accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.
For further information please contact: Rodayna Kafal, Vice President, IR/Comms. and Strategic BD E-mail: ir@pyrogenesis.com
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