EagleBank Enhances Corporate Governance with the Addition of Two Independent Directors

Ernie Jarvis and Steven Freidkin bring deep commercial real estate and technology expertise to Boards of Directors

Boards to expand to 10 directors, eight of whom will be independent

BETHESDA, Md., Nov. 19, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Eagle Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”) (NASDAQ: EGBN), the bank holding company and parent company of EagleBank (the “Bank”), today announced the appointment of Ernie Jarvis and Steve Freidkin to its Board of Directors (the “Board”), as well as to the Board of Directors of EagleBank, both effective January 1, 2021. Following their appointments, each Board will consist of 10 directors, eight of whom will be independent.

Each director brings significant expertise in areas central to EagleBank’s business as well as strong leadership experience. Ernie Jarvis is founder and Managing Principal at Jarvis Commercial Real Estate, a commercial real estate brokerage company, and Steve Freidkin is the CEO and founder of Ntiva Inc., a full-service technology firm that provides businesses with advanced technology expertise and support.

“We are pleased to welcome Ernie and Steve to our Boards,” said Norman Pozez, Executive Chairman of Eagle Bancorp. “Ernie and Steve bring unique skills and experiences that will contribute to our growth initiatives and support robust oversight. Ernie’s extensive knowledge of, and relationships within, the Washington, D.C. commercial real estate market will prove to be a valuable resource as we continue to grow in the space. Likewise, Steve’s information technology expertise will support oversight of our continued efficiency improvements across our business as well as an enhanced digital experience for our clients.”  

Ernie Jarvis

Ernest (“Ernie”) Drew Jarvis is the Managing Principal of Jarvis Commercial Real Estate, a commercial real estate brokerage company he launched in 2016. Previously, Jarvis was a Senior Vice President & D.C. Leader at First Potomac Realty Trust in Washington, D.C. Prior to that, Ernie led CBRE’s D.C. office, one of the largest U.S. offices across the CBRE platform.

A lifelong resident of Washington, D.C., Mr. Jarvis has taken an active role in the business community and has served in leadership positions in several prominent organizations, including the Greater Washington Board of Trade, where he serves on the board, and the District of Columbia Building Industry Association (DCBIA), where he served as President.

Mr. Jarvis is a graduate of Southeastern University.

Steven Freidkin

Steven (“Steve”) Freidkin is the CEO and founder of Ntiva, Inc., a full-service technology firm that provides businesses with advanced technology expertise and support, including managed IT services, strategic consulting, cloud services, cyber security, and telecom solutions. Since its founding in 2004, Ntiva’s primary offices have been in McLean, VA with additional locations added in Washington, DC, Columbia, MD, Chicago, IL, New York, South Florida, West Virginia, and Southern California as the company expanded.

Mr. Freidkin’s current focus is working with Ntiva clients to align their organizational initiatives and growth efforts with technology, developing strategic growth plans for Ntiva, identifying opportunities for business development, and creating an environment for top technical talent to develop.

Mr. Freidkin attended the Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland.

EagleBank Contact
Vikki Kayne,
Chief Marketing Officer
301.986.1800

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/871c0d3c-d62b-4e4e-9fe2-fd6d4dadf251

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/938c5a6e-6f67-419f-9658-6ff6e6e045ab



RPT Realty Announces Inaugural Investment Grade Credit Rating From Fitch Ratings, Inc.

NEW YORK, Nov. 19, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — RPT Realty (NYSE:RPT) (the “Company” or “RPT”) announced today that Fitch Ratings, Inc. (“Fitch”) has assigned a first time rating to RPT, including a Long-Term Issuer Default Rating of ‘BBB-‘ with a stable outlook. According to Fitch’s published report, the rating and outlook reflects RPT’s experienced management team, meaningful improvements to operating performance and the balance sheet prior to the pandemic, performance through the pandemic to-date, below average exposure to local tenants, financial flexibility and conservative balance sheet management.

“We are pleased that we were able to obtain RPT’s inaugural investment grade credit rating, particularly during these unprecedented times,” said Brian Harper, President and CEO. “We believe the investment grade rating validates our track record of delivering strong operational results and the quality of our long-term cash flows, as well as, demonstrating our commitment to a best-in-class balance sheet.”

More information regarding RPT’s rating assignment can be found on Fitch’s website at: fitchratings.com.

A
bout RPT Realty

RPT Realty owns and operates a national portfolio of open-air shopping destinations principally located in top U.S. markets. The Company’s shopping centers offer diverse, locally-curated consumer experiences that reflect the lifestyles of their surrounding communities and meet the modern expectations of the Company’s retail partners. The Company is a fully integrated and self-administered REIT publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”). The common shares of the Company, par value $0.01 per share are listed and traded on the NYSE under the ticker symbol “RPT”. As of September 30, 2020, our property portfolio consisted of 49 shopping centers (including five shopping centers owned through a joint venture) representing 11.9 million square feet of gross leasable area. As of September 30, 2020, the Company’s pro-rata share of the aggregate portfolio was 93.3% leased. For additional information about the Company please visit rptrealty.com.

Contact Information

Vin Chao
Senior Vice President – Finance
[email protected]
(212) 221-1752



Laredo Petroleum Announces Appointment of Jarvis Hollingsworth and Lori Lancaster to the Board of Directors

TULSA, OK, Nov. 19, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Laredo Petroleum, Inc. (NYSE: LPI) (“Laredo” or the “Company”) today announced the appointment of Jarvis Hollingsworth and Lori Lancaster to the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”). Their appointments as independent directors are effective November 19, 2020.

Mr. Hollingsworth’s extensive experience leading and advising boards in corporate governance and strategy, risk management, ESG policy and diversity/inclusion will support Laredo’s vision of expanding the Company’s thinking beyond a traditional E&P mindset. He currently serves as the Secretary/General Counsel of Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors, L.P., and is a member of the Executive Committee and Board of Directors. Previously, Mr. Hollingsworth was a Partner at Bracewell LLP where he led a fiduciary practice counseling boards on corporate governance and strategic matters.

Mr. Hollingsworth currently serves as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Teacher Retirement System of Texas and on the Finance Committee of the Memorial Hermann Hospital System. Additionally, he is a member of the National Association of Corporate Directors and of the United Way’s Alexis de Tocqueville Society. He is a former director of several companies, including Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc., and was previously a Regent and served as Chairman of the Board of the University of Houston System. Mr. Hollingsworth received a Bachelor of Science from the United States Military Academy at West Point and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Houston.

Ms. Lancaster’s substantial deal-making background, in which she played a key role in more than $60 billion of announced energy M&A transactions, brings valuable insight to Laredo as the Company pursues a strategy to transform its asset base. Her 20 years of experience in energy investment banking include positions as a Managing Director at UBS Securities, Nomura Securities and Goldman, Sachs & Co. Prior roles include positions at J.P. Morgan & Co., Inc. and NationsBank Corporation.

Ms. Lancaster currently serves as an independent director for HighPoint Resources (NYSE: HPR) and was previously an independent director for Energen Corporation. Her educational background includes a Bachelor of Business Administration, Finance, from Texas Christian University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business.

“We are very excited to have Jarvis and Lori joining the Board,” stated Jason Pigott, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Their additions further the substantial refresh of our Board and highlight our commitment to expand our diversity of expertise and thought beyond a traditional E&P operating background. These are unprecedented times for our industry, and we are building a Board with broad and varied credentials to inform our strategy as we grow Laredo and create value for our stakeholders.”

About Laredo

Laredo Petroleum, Inc. is an independent energy company with headquarters in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Laredo’s business strategy is focused on the acquisition, exploration and development of oil and natural gas properties, primarily in the Permian Basin of West Texas.

Additional information about Laredo may be found on its website at www.laredopetro.com

Contacts:
Ron Hagood: 918.858.5504 – [email protected] 



P10 Holdings Announces Transformative Transaction

DALLAS, Nov. 19, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — P10 Holdings, Inc. (OTC: PIOE) has signed a definitive agreement on a transformative transaction. More details can be found at p10holdings.com under the Press Releases section of the Investor Relations page.

Ownership Limitations

P10’s Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, contains certain provisions for the protection of tax benefits relating to P10’s net operating losses. Such provisions generally void transfers of shares that would result in the creation of a new 4.99% shareholder or result in an existing 4.99% shareholder acquiring additional shares of P10.

Important Cautions Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes forward-looking statements that relate to the business and expected future events or future performance of P10 Holdings, Inc. and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause its actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Words such as, but not limited to, “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “targets,” “likely,” “will,” “would,” “could,” and similar expressions or phrases identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about P10’s ability to implement their business strategy, and their ability to consummate the contemplated transaction. The future performance of P10 may be adversely affected by various risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, future capital requirements, regulatory actions or delays and other factors that may cause actual results to be materially different from those described or anticipated by these forward-looking statements. For a more detailed discussion of these factors and risks, investors should review P10’s annual and quarterly reports. Forward-looking statements in this press release are based on management’s beliefs and opinions at the time the statements are made. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement, and P10 undertakes no duty to update this information to reflect future events, information or circumstances.

P10 Press and Investor Contact:

[email protected]

 



Matinas BioPharma to Participate in Annual Piper Sandler Healthcare Conference

BEDMINSTER, N.J., Nov. 19, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Matinas BioPharma Holdings, Inc. (NYSE AMER: MTNB), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing next generation therapeutics to advance standards of care in areas of significant unmet medical need, has been invited to participate in a fireside chat as part of the Piper Sandler 32nd Annual Virtual Healthcare Conference, being held December 1-3, 2020. The Company will also host investor meetings during the conference.

The pre-recorded fireside chat will be available on the IR Calendar page of the Investors section of the Company’s website (www.matinasbiopharma.com) beginning November 23, 2020. A webcast replay will be accessible for 90 days following the event.

About Matinas BioPharma

Matinas BioPharma is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing next generation therapeutics to advance standards of care for patients in areas of significant unmet medical need. Company leadership has a deep history and knowledge of drug development and is supported by a world-class team of scientific advisors.

MAT9001, the Company’s lead product candidate for the treatment of cardiovascular and metabolic conditions, is a prescription-only omega-3 fatty acid-based composition, comprised primarily of EPA and DPA, under development for hypertriglyceridemia. MAT9001 is currently in a second head-to-head comparative study against Vascepa® (ENHANCE-IT), with topline data expected in the first quarter of 2021.

In addition, Matinas is developing a portfolio of products based upon its proprietary lipid nano-crystal (LNC) drug delivery platform, which can solve complex challenges relating to the safe and effective delivery of potent medicines, making them more targeted, less toxic and orally bioavailable.

MAT2203, the Company’s lead product candidate utilizing its LNC platform, is an oral, encochleated formulation of the well-known, but highly toxic, antifungal medicine amphotericin B, to treat serious invasive fungal infections. MAT2203 is currently in a Phase 2 open-label, sequential cohort study (EnACT) in HIV-infected patients with cryptococcal meningitis. EnACT is set to begin enrolling patients in its second cohort, with the next DSMB evaluation of safety and efficacy data anticipated to occur in the middle of 2021.

Forward Looking Statements

This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including those relating to the Company’s anticipated capital and liquidity needs, strategic focus and the future development of its product candidates, including MAT2203 and MAT2501, the anticipated timing of regulatory submissions, the anticipated timing of clinical studies, the anticipated timing of regulatory interactions, the Company’s ability to identify and pursue development and partnership opportunities for its products or platform delivery technology on favorable terms, if at all, and the ability to obtain required regulatory approval and other statements that are predictive in nature, that depend upon or refer to future events or conditions. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “could,” “believes,” “estimates” and similar expressions. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results to be materially different from any future results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, our ability to obtain additional capital to meet our liquidity needs on acceptable terms, or at all, including the additional capital which will be necessary to complete the clinical trials of our product candidates; our ability to successfully complete research and further development and commercialization of our product candidates; the uncertainties inherent in clinical testing; the timing, cost and uncertainty of obtaining regulatory approvals; our ability to protect the Company’s intellectual property; the loss of any executive officers or key personnel or consultants; competition; changes in the regulatory landscape or the imposition of regulations that affect the Company’s products; and the other factors listed under “Risk Factors” in our filings with the SEC, including Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release. Except as may be required by law, the Company does not undertake any obligation to release publicly any revisions to such forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Matinas BioPharma’s product candidates are all in a development stage and are not available for sale or use.


Investor and Media Contacts

Peter Vozzo
Westwicke
443-213-0505
[email protected]

Ian Cooney
Director – Investor Relations & Corporate Development
Matinas Biopharma, Inc.
(415) 722-4563
[email protected]



ESCO Announces Fiscal 2020 Results

– GAAP EPS $3.90 (Includes Technical Packaging Gain and Pension Termination Charge) – Adjusted EPS 2.76 (Tops Consensus Estimate) – Net Debt of $10 Million, Leverage Ratio 0.47x, Liquidity of $725 Million –

St. Louis, Nov. 19, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE: ESE) (ESCO, or the Company) today reported its operating results for the fourth quarter (Q4 2020) and fiscal year (2020) ended September 30, 2020.


COVID-19 Update

Vic Richey, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “As we continue to manage through the COVID-19 global pandemic, we remain focused on the health and safety of our employees, customers and suppliers, thereby securing the financial well-being of the Company.

“Our 2020 results reflect the importance of maintaining diversity across our end-markets, as this diversity, coupled with our strong balance sheet and substantial liquidity will support our long-term growth. Because of our multi-segment platform, we were able to partially mitigate COVID-19’s impact on sales and earnings as we reported 2020 sales of $733 million with an Adjusted EBITDA of $137 million and Adjusted EPS of $2.76 per share. Additionally, we generated record cash flow in 2020 and paid down our net debt to $10 million resulting in a 0.47 leverage ratio at September 30th. Driven by effective cost management, solid operating execution, and acquisition contributions, we delivered solid performance in a challenging year.

“I’m confident that our well-tested operating model and our track record of taking action to reduce spending and resize the business will position us for solid earnings growth as our end-markets return to normal.

“Our deep and experienced leadership team has us well-positioned for the future and we continue to invest in growth initiatives both organically and through acquisition. The fundamentals of our portfolio remain strong and our goal remains the same – to create long-term shareholder value.”


2020 Discrete Items

On January 2, 2020, the Company announced that it had completed the sale of its Technical Packaging segment effective December 31, 2019 which resulted in $191 million of gross cash proceeds and $77 million, or $2.93 per share of net earnings from discontinued operations. Earnings from discontinued operations are excluded from Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EPS.

In Q4 2020, the Company completed its previously announced “Pension Plan Termination” and fully funded, terminated, and annuitized its defined benefit pension plan. Annuitizing this non-strategic liability through an insurance company removes equity market risk and interest rate volatility, reduces ongoing costs, and eliminates future cash payments. The termination resulted in a $41 million, or $1.55 per share non-cash charge, which is excluded from the calculation of Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EPS.

Additionally, the Company took cost reduction actions in Q4 2020 to lower its Aerospace & Defense (A&D) and Utility Solutions Group (USG) segments’ operating costs by reducing headcount, eliminating certain under-performing product lines, and reducing the footprint at a less-efficient manufacturing operation. As a result, the Company recognized $6 million, or $0.18 per share of discrete charges in Q4 2020 (total of $8 million, or $0.24 for the full year) which are excluded from the calculation of Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EPS in their respective periods. Certain additional period costs related to these items will be recognized in 2021.

Discontinued operations, the pension termination, and the cost reduction actions are collectively referred to as the “2020 Discrete Items” in the following discussion.

The financial results presented include certain non-GAAP financial measures such as EBIT, EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EPS, as defined within the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” described below. Any non-GAAP financial measures presented are reconciled to their respective GAAP equivalents.

Management believes these non-GAAP financial measures are useful in assessing the ongoing operational profitability of the Company’s business segments, and therefore, allow shareholders better visibility into the Company’s underlying operations. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” described below.


Subsequent Event – Acquisition

On October 22, 2020, the Company acquired Advanced Technology Machining, Inc. and its affiliate TECC Grinding, Inc. (collectively TECC and ATM referred to as “ATM”), small, privately held manufacturers of precision machined metal parts serving the aerospace, defense, and space industries. Located in Valencia, California near Crissair’s facility, ATM has a solid customer base supplying custom-designed parts widely used on defense and commercial aircraft, as well as missile and tank programs.

ATM will become part of Crissair in the A&D operating segment and has annual sales of approximately $7 million with EBITDA margin percentages in the high teens.

Vic Richey ESCO’s Chairman and CEO, commented, “ATM is a great addition to the Crissair portfolio of products, and I welcome the ATM team to ESCO, and look forward to growing their sales of high-quality products which serve the same end users in A&D that we serve today.”


Earnings Summary – Full Year

2020 GAAP EPS was $3.90 per share (GAAP net earnings of $102 million) and included the net earnings impact of the 2020 Discrete Items described above. Excluding the net earnings impact of the 2020 Discrete Items, 2020 Adjusted EPS was $2.76 per share.

2019 GAAP EPS was $3.10 per share (GAAP net earnings of $81 million) and included $0.15 per share from discontinued operations and other non-operating items described in prior releases. Excluding discontinued operations and other non-operating items, 2019 Adjusted EPS was $2.95 per share.

2020 Adjusted EBITDA was $137 million, compared to 2019 Adjusted EBITDA of $141 million.


Earnings Summary – Q4

Q4 2020 GAAP EPS was ($0.81) per share (GAAP net loss of $21 million) and included the quarterly impact of the 2020 Discrete Items. Excluding the net earnings impact of the 2020 Discrete Items, Q4 2020 Adjusted EPS was $0.90 per share.

Q4 2019 GAAP EPS was $0.95 per share (GAAP net earnings of $25 million) and included $0.07 per share from discontinued operations and other non-operating items described in prior releases. Excluding discontinued operations and other non-operating items, Q4 2019 Adjusted EPS was $1.02 per share.

Q4 2020 Adjusted EBITDA was $42 million, compared to Q4 2019 Adjusted EBITDA of $48 million.


Operating Highlight


s

  • Net sales increased $7 million in 2020 to $733 million, compared to $726 million in 2019.
  • A&D segment sales increased $29 million (9 percent) from 2019, including a $41 million increase in navy and space sales from Globe (full year contribution), Westland, and Vacco, partially offset by lower commercial aerospace sales due to COVID-19.
  • Test sales were $187 million in 2020 compared to $188 million in 2019, driven by strong chamber project sales, offset by timing delays on certain installation projects due to COVID-19 related customer closure mandates and on-site personnel restrictions at customer locations.
  • USG sales decreased $20 million in 2020 due to deferrals of various project deliverables as utility customers re-aligned their short-term maintenance and spending protocols to focus on uninterrupted power delivery due to COVID-19. Maintenance deferrals also reflect various mandates restricting on-site personnel at substations, large transformers and other customer locations. Q4 2020 sales were only down $2 million from Q4 2019 as USG began seeing some recovery in customer spending.
  • SG&A expenses decreased $3 million in 2020 driven by cost mitigation programs implemented to help offset the negative sales impact from COVID-19, despite continued spending on R&D and new product development to enhance future growth.
  • 2020 non-cash amortization of intangible assets increased $3 million, or 18 percent, compared to 2019 as a result of the Globe acquisition.
  • Interest expense decreased in 2020 due to the lower net debt outstanding.  
  • The effective income tax rate used for determining Adjusted EPS was approximately 18 percent in 2020 and 20 percent in 2019 as both periods were favorably impacted by tax reduction initiatives.
  • Entered orders were $799 million in 2020 (book-to-bill of 1.09x) resulting in an ending backlog of $517 million at September 30, 2020, an increase of $66 million, or 15 percent, from September 30, 2019.
  • 2020 net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations was $109 million, and included a $26 million cash payment to fund the pension plan termination completed in Q4 2020. Net debt (total borrowings, less cash on hand) was $10 million at September 30, 2020 reflecting a 0.47x leverage ratio.


Chairman’s Commentary

Vic Richey, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “While 2020 was a clearly a challenging year, there are several highlights to touch on in this unprecedented period.

“The key highlight of 2020 was the strength of our cash generation, which was driven by the sale of our packaging business and our increased focus on working capital management to improve and increase our liquidity. We believe we will benefit from this strong liquidity position during 2021 as we continue our pursuit of acquisitions and expand our internal investments in new product development across the company.

“The performance of the Test segment in 2020 was also noteworthy as we increased our EBIT margin to 14.6 percent, up from 13.6 percent in 2019 despite flat sales. Our A&D segment demonstrated its resilience by delivering an EBIT margin of 21.1 percent despite a decrease in high-margin commercial aerospace sales. A&D’s solid margin was driven by its program, product and end-market diversity, as the navy and defense markets remained strong which offset the decline in commercial aerospace. PTI, Crissair and Mayday’s sales decline reflected the reduction in both OEM build rates and air traffic, while Globe, Vacco and Westland outperformed on their navy / submarine platforms.

“While we expect the softness in commercial aerospace deliveries to continue for the next few quarters, the commercial aerospace industry continues to see signs of a recovery emerging as several airlines are bringing more of their idled fleets back into service and daily aircraft passenger boarding has been increasing.

“The defense portion of A&D, both military aerospace and navy products, is expected to remain strong for the foreseeable future given its sizeable backlog coupled with the timing of expected platform deliveries.

“We expect Test to remain relatively solid given the strength of its served markets, primarily related to new communications technologies such as 5G and our growing shielding business. Our view of 5G’s future is favorable given the size of the investments being made by numerous large, global companies leading the development of this technology.

“USG sales remained soft over the second half of 2020 as utility customers continued deferring test equipment purchases and maintenance-related projects to focus their resources on issues such as critical power delivery. Given their ongoing travel and site access restrictions, Doble’s service business was largely on hold in the second half of the year while utilities tried to reduce personal safety risks.

“On the positive side, USG’s order pipeline was solid in 2020 with over $200 million in new orders received. A significant number of the orders at Doble related to cyber security solutions such as the DUCe, and I’m pleased to see the enthusiasm being generated in the market surrounding several new products and solutions recently introduced. We continue to see NRG’s end markets recovering as investments in renewable energy have been increasing in both wind and solar. Our new products supporting solar have been growing far better than anticipated and we expect that growth to continue.

“We expect Doble’s customer spending softness to continue for the next few quarters before returning to normal levels. We take comfort knowing that COVID-19 does not change the fundamentals of the global utility market as society needs reliable, safe and secure electricity. While customers can defer testing and maintenance for a period of time, they cannot do it indefinitely without significantly increasing the risk of catastrophic failure.

“Doble is using this temporary pause in the market to accelerate development of several new products and software solutions that we expect to introduce over the next several quarters.

“Wrapping up 2020, I’m pleased that we were able to generate substantial cash from operations and maintain our Adjusted EBITDA margin at 19 percent despite the lower contribution from our highest margin businesses.

“Given our solid financial condition, we plan to use a portion of our liquidity and debt capacity to fund future acquisitions and grow our business. We continue to evaluate a robust pipeline of M&A opportunities, but we are taking a particularly prudent and deliberate approach evaluating our near-term targets. As end-markets continue to settle down and more clarity appears in our targeted areas, we are comfortable adding to our current portfolio and capitalizing on today’s slightly lower valuations.

“Despite the recent economic challenges, we plan to continue our history of proven cost management and believe that we will benefit from our disciplined operating culture to minimize our risks going forward. We have positioned ourselves favorably from a cost structure standpoint entering 2021, and we anticipate a gradual return to a more normal operating environment. I continue to have a strong, favorable view of our future.”


Dividend


Payment


The next quarterly cash dividend of $0.08 per share will be paid on January 19, 2021 to stockholders of record on January 4, 2021.


2021 Annual Meeting


The 2021 Annual Meeting of the Company’s Shareholders will be held on February 5, 2021.


Business Outlook –


2021 (COVID Uncertainty)

In mid-year 2020, business disruptions related to the pandemic started to affect the Company’s operations and continued throughout the balance of the year. Entering 2021, the commercial aerospace and utility end-markets are seeing some degree of customer stabilization, as well as notable pockets of recovery. However, there is still some uncertainty as to the timing and pace of the recovery in these areas.

The prospect of a viable COVID-19 vaccine will certainly benefit and accelerate the anticipated recovery of commercial air travel and utility spending with customers resuming normal testing protocols and equipment purchases, but Management determined it is best to take a “wait and see” approach for at least the next 90 days before resuming specific and finite guidance.

Given this uncertainty, it is difficult to predict how 2021 will be affected using our normal forecasting methodologies, therefore, the Company will continue the suspension of forward-looking guidance.

To assist shareholders and analysts, Management will offer “directional” guidance for 2021, by stating we are seeing tangible signs of recovery in the second half of fiscal 2021 that point to a solid outlook for the back half of the year.

Given the strength of the first half of 2020 pre-COVID, it is projected that the first half of 2021 will be a slightly lower comparison to 2020’s first half. The outlook for the second half of 2021 is expected to be a favorable comparison to the second half of 2020 given the tangible elements of recovery we are anticipating.

Management’s current expectations for the 2021 outlook show growth in Sales, Adjusted EBITDA, and Adjusted EPS compared to 2020, with Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EPS reasonably consistent with 2019.


Conference Call

The Company will host a conference call today, November 19th, at 4:00 p.m. Central Time, to discuss the Company’s 2020 results. A live audio webcast will be available on the Company’s website at www.escotechnologies.com. Please access the website at least 15 minutes prior to the call to register, download and install any necessary audio software. A replay of the conference call will be available on the Company’s website noted above or by phone (dial 1-855-859-2056 and enter the pass code 2765908).


Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this press release regarding the future impacts of COVID-19, including the impact of a viable COVID-19 vaccine on the Company’s results, the financial success of the Company, the strength of its end markets, including without limitation, the slowdown in commercial aerospace and the timing of expected recovery, growth in the Company’s solar business, the outlook for the A&D, Test and USG segments, the ability to increase shareholder value, the success of acquisition efforts, internal investments in new products, the long-term success of the Company, and any other statements which are not strictly historical are “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the federal securities laws.

Investors are cautioned that such statements are only predictions and speak only as of the date of this release, and the Company undertakes no duty to update them except as may be required by applicable laws or regulations. The Company’s actual results in the future may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements due to risks and uncertainties that exist in the Company’s operations and business environment including but not limited to those described in Item 1A, “Risk Factors”, of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019, in Item 8.01 of the Company’s Form 8-K filed May 6, 2020, and the following: impacts arising from COVID-19 including without limitation labor shortages due to illness, shelter in place policies or quarantines, material shortages, transportation delays, delays or termination of Company contracts, the inability of our suppliers to perform, weakening of economic conditions in served markets; changes in customer demands or customer insolvencies; inability to access work sites; competition; intellectual property rights; technical difficulties; delivery delays or defaults by customers; material changes in the costs and availability of certain raw materials; the appropriation, allocation and availability of Government funds; the termination for convenience of Government and other customer contracts; the timing and content of future contract awards or customer orders; performance issues with key customers, suppliers and subcontractors; labor disputes; the impacts of natural disasters on the Company’s operations and those of the Company’s customers and suppliers; changes in laws and regulations, including but not limited to changes in accounting standards, taxation requirements, and new or modified tariffs; changes in interest rates; costs relating to environmental matters arising from current or former facilities; the availability of select acquisitions; and the uncertainty regarding the ultimate resolution of current disputes, claims, litigation or arbitration.


Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The financial measures EBIT, EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EPS are presented in this press release. The Company defines “EBIT” as earnings before interest and taxes, “EBITDA” as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, “Adjusted EBITDA” as EBITDA excluding certain defined charges, and “Adjusted EPS” as GAAP earnings per share (EPS) excluding the net impact of the items described above which were $1.73 per share in Q4 2020 and $1.79 per share in 2020.

EBIT, EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EPS are not recognized in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). However, Management believes that EBIT, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are useful in assessing the operational profitability of the Company’s business segments because they exclude interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, which are generally accounted for across the entire Company on a consolidated basis. EBIT is also one of the measures used by Management in determining resource allocations within the Company as well as incentive compensation. The presentation of EBIT, EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EPS provides important supplemental information to investors by facilitating comparisons with other companies, many of which use similar non-GAAP financial measures to supplement their GAAP results. The use of non-GAAP financial measures is not intended to replace any measures of performance determined in accordance with GAAP.

ESCO, headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri: Manufactures highly-engineered filtration and fluid control products for the aviation, navy, space and process markets worldwide, as well as composite-based products and solutions for navy, defense and industrial customers; is the industry leader in RF shielding and EMC test products; and provides diagnostic instruments, software and services for the benefit of industrial power users and the electric utility and renewable energy industries. Further information regarding ESCO and its subsidiaries is available on the Company’s website at www.escotechnologies.com.

  ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES  
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)  
 (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)  
   
          Three Months
Ended
September 30,
2020
  Three Months
Ended
September 30,
2019
 
                 
Net Sales $ 208,030     213,177  
Cost and Expenses:          
  Cost of sales   129,763     126,961  
  Selling, general and administrative expenses   40,467     43,641  
  Amortization of intangible assets   5,247     5,276  
  Interest expense   1,466     2,506  
  Pension plan termination charge   40,600                          –    
  Other expenses, net   6,948     4,201  
    Total costs and expenses   224,491     182,585  
                 
(Loss) earnings before income taxes   (16,461 )   30,592  
Income tax expense   5,347     7,319  
                 
    (Loss) earnings from continuing operations   (21,808 )   23,273  
                 
Earnings from discontinued operations, net of tax (benefit)          
  expense of $(502) and $535, respectively   502     1,585  
                 
    Net earnings $ (21,306 )   24,858  
                 
    Diluted EPS:          
    Diluted – GAAP          
      Continuing operations $ (0.83 )   0.89  
      Discontinued operations   0.02     0.06  
      Net earnings $ (0.81 )   0.95  
                 
    Diluted – As Adjusted Basis          
      Continuing operations $ 0.90   (1 ) 1.02 (2 )
                 
    Diluted average common shares O/S:   26,163     26,146  
                 
(1 ) Q4 FY 20 Adjusted EPS excludes $1.55 per share of charges related to the pension plan termination and $0.18 per share of charges incurred within the USG and A&D segments due to facility consolidation, asset impairment and severance charges in the fourth quarter of FY 20.
                 
(2 ) Q4 FY 19 Adjusted EPS excludes $0.13 per share net impact of purchase accounting charges related to the Globe acquisition and restructuring charges incurred primarily at Doble, PTI and VACCO during the fourth quarter of FY 19.
ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES  
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)  
 (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)  
   
          Year Ended
September 30,
2020
  Year Ended
September 30,
2019
 
                 
Net Sales $ 732,915     726,044  
Cost and Expenses:          
  Cost of sales   457,418     437,998  
  Selling, general and administrative expenses   159,490     162,734  
  Amortization of intangible assets   21,812     18,492  
  Interest expense   6,730     8,092  
  Pension plan termination charge   40,600                          –    
  Other expenses, net   7,122     851  
    Total costs and expenses   693,172     628,167  
                 
Earnings before income taxes   39,743     97,877  
Income tax expense   14,278     20,388  
                 
    Earnings from continuing operations   25,465     77,489  
                 
(Loss) earnings from discontinued operations, net          
  of tax expense of $269 and $789   (601 )   3,550  
Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax          
  expense of $23,232   77,116                          –    
    Earnings from discontinued operations   76,515     3,550  
                 
    Net earnings $ 101,980     81,039  
                 
    Diluted EPS:          
    Diluted – GAAP          
      Continuing operations $ 0.97     2.97  
      Discontinued operations   2.93     0.13  
      Net earnings $ 3.90     3.10  
                 
    Diluted – As Adjusted Basis          
      Continuing operations $ 2.76   (1 ) 2.95 (2 )
                 
    Diluted average common shares O/S:   26,135     26,097  
                 
(1 ) FY20 Adjusted EPS excludes $1.55 per share of charges related to the pension plan termination and $0.24 per share of charges within the USG and A&D segments related to facility consolidation, asset impairment, severance charges, and the incremental costs associated with COVID-19.
                 
(2 ) FY 19 Adjusted EPS excludes $0.02 per share of after-tax income mainly resulting from the gain on the sale of the Doble Watertown property partially offset by certain restructuring charges primarily at Doble, PTI & VACCO.
ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Business Segment Information (Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)
  
        GAAP   As Adjusted  
        Q4 2020   Q4 2019   Q4 2020   Q4 2019  
Net  Sales                  
  Aerospace & Defense $ 97,613     96,966     97,613     96,966    
  USG   52,524     54,276     52,524     54,276    
  Test   57,893     61,935     57,893     61,935    
    Totals $ 208,030     213,177     208,030     213,177    
                       
EBIT                  
  Aerospace & Defense $ 21,555     23,050     22,075     23,459    
  USG   4,058     11,708     9,884     12,715    
  Test   9,718     10,849     9,718     10,849    
  Corporate   (50,326 )   (12,509 )   (9,718 )   (9,349 )  
    Consolidated EBIT   (14,995 )   33,098     31,959     37,674    
    Less: Interest expense   (1,466 )   (2,506 )   (1,466 )   (2,506 )  
    Less: Income tax expense   (5,347 )   (7,319 )   (6,872 )   (8,386 )  
    Net (loss) earnings from cont ops $ (21,808 )   23,273     23,621     26,782    
                       
Note 1: Adjusted net earnings were $23.6 million in Q4 20 which excluded $40.6 million (or $1.55 per share) net impact related to the pension plan termination and $6.3 million (or $0.18 per share) of pretax charges incurred within the USG and A&D segments due to facility consolidation, asset impairment and severance charges in the fourth quarter of FY 20.
                       
Note 2: Adjusted net earnings were $26.8 million in Q4 19 which excluded $3.5 million (or $0.13 per share) net impact of the purchase accounting charges related to the Globe acquisition and the restructuring charges incurred at Doble, PTI and VACCO during the fourth quarter of FY 19.
                       
EBITDA Reconciliation to Net earnings:         Adjusted   Adjusted  
        Q4 2020   Q4 2019   Q4 2020   Q4 2019  
Consolidated EBITDA $ (4,723 )   43,291     42,231     47,867    
Less: Depr & Amort   (10,272 )   (10,193 )   (10,272 )   (10,193 )  
Consolidated EBIT   (14,995 )   33,098     31,959     37,674    
Less: Interest expense   (1,466 )   (2,506 )   (1,466 )   (2,506 )  
Less: Income tax expense   (5,347 )   (7,319 )   (6,872 )   (8,386 )  
Net (loss) earnings from cont ops $ (21,808 )   23,273     23,621     26,782    
                       
ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Business Segment Information (Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)
  
        GAAP   As Adjusted  
        FY 2020   FY 2019   FY 2020   FY 2019  
Net  Sales                  
  Aerospace & Defense $ 354,320     325,735     354,320     325,735    
  USG   191,703     211,915     191,703     211,915    
  Test   186,892     188,394     186,892     188,394    
    Totals $ 732,915     726,044     732,915     726,044    
                       
EBIT                  
  Aerospace & Defense $ 73,213     70,142     74,618     71,316    
  USG   24,368     52,169     30,974     46,282    
  Test   27,201     25,640     27,270     25,640    
  Corporate   (78,309 )   (41,982 )   (37,510 )   (38,153 )  
    Consolidated EBIT   46,473     105,969     95,352     105,085    
    Less: Interest expense   (6,730 )   (8,092 )   (6,730 )   (8,092 )  
    Less: Income tax expense   (14,278 )   (20,388 )   (16,265 )   (19,903 )  
    Net earnings from cont ops $ 25,465     77,489     72,357     77,090    
                       
Note 1: Adjusted net earnings were $72.4 million in FY 20 which excluded $40.6 million (or $1.55 per share) net impact related to the pension plan termination and $8.3 million (or $0.24 per share) of pretax charges within the USG and A&D segments related to facility consolidation, asset impairment, severance charges, and the incremental costs associated with COVID-19.
                       
Note 2: Adjusted net earnings were $77.1 million in FY 19 which excluded $0.4 million (or $0.02 per share) of after-tax income mainly resulting from the gain on the sale of the Doble Watertown property partially offset by certain restructuring charges at Doble, PTI & VACCO.
                       
EBITDA Reconciliation to Net earnings:       Adjusted   Adjusted  
        FY 2020   FY 2019   FY 2020   FY 2019  
Consolidated EBITDA $ 87,811     141,964     136,690     141,080    
Less: Depr & Amort   (41,338 )   (35,995 )   (41,338 )   (35,995 )  
Consolidated EBIT   46,473     105,969     95,352     105,085    
Less: Interest expense   (6,730 )   (8,092 )   (6,730 )   (8,092 )  
Less: Income tax expense   (14,278 )   (20,388 )   (16,265 )   (19,903 )  
Net earnings from cont ops $ 25,465     77,489     72,357     77,090    
                       
ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)
  
        September 30,
2020
  September 30,
2019
             
Assets        
  Cash and cash equivalents $ 52,560   61,808
  Accounts receivable, net   144,082   158,715
  Contract assets   96,746   110,211
  Inventories   136,189   124,956
  Other current assets   17,053   14,190
  Assets of discontinued operations-current                       –     25,314
    Total current assets   446,630   495,194
  Property, plant and equipment, net   139,870   127,843
  Intangible assets, net   346,632   381,605
  Goodwill   408,063   390,256
  Operating lease assets   21,390                       –  
  Other assets   10,938   4,445
  Assets of discontinued operations-other                       –     67,377
      $ 1,373,523   1,466,720
             
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity        
  Current maturities of long-term debt & short-term borrowings $ 22,368   20,000
  Accounts payable   50,525   63,800
  Contract liabilities   100,551   81,177
  Other current liabilities   82,585   75,141
  Liabilities of discontinued operations-current                       –     11,517
    Total current liabilities   256,029   251,635
  Deferred tax liabilities   60,938   60,856
  Non-current operating lease liabilities   16,785                       –  
  Other liabilities   38,176   59,008
  Long-term debt   40,000   265,000
  Liabilities of discontinued operations-other                       –     3,999
  Shareholders’ equity   961,595   826,222
      $ 1,373,523   1,466,720
ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)
  
     Year Ended
September 30,
2020
Cash flows from operating activities:    
   Net earnings $ 101,980  
   Earnings from discontinued operations   (76,515 )
   Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash    
     provided by operating activities:    
         Depreciation and amortization   41,338  
         Stock compensation expense   5,550  
         Changes in assets and liabilities   23,793  
         Effect of deferred taxes   (2,562 )
         Pension contributions related to terminated pension plan   (25,650 )
         Pension plan termination charge   40,600  
           Net cash provided by operating activities – continuing operations   108,534  
           Net cash used by operating activities – discontinued operations   (26,254 )
           Net cash provided by operating activities   82,280  
     
Cash flows from investing activities:    
   Capital expenditures   (32,108 )
   Additions to capitalized software   (9,023 )
       Net cash used by investing activities – continuing operations   (41,131 )
   Proceeds from sale of discontinued operations   183,812  
   Capital expenditures – discontinued operations   (1,728 )
       Net cash provided by investing activities – discontinued operations 182,084  
       Net cash provided by investing activities   140,953  
     
Cash flows from financing activities:    
   Proceeds from long-term debt and short-term borrowings   12,368  
   Principal payments on long-term debt   (235,000 )
   Dividends paid   (8,323 )
   Other   (3,125 )
     Net cash used by financing activities – continuing operations   (234,080 )
     Net cash used by financing activities – discontinued operations   (2,140 )
     Net cash used by financing activities   (236,220 )
     
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents   3,739  
     
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents   (9,248 )
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period   61,808  
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 52,560  
ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Other Selected Financial Data (Unaudited)  — Continuing Operations Basis
(Dollars in thousands)
  
Backlog And Entered Orders – Q4 FY 2020   Aerospace & Defense   Test   USG   Total
  Beginning Backlog – 7/1/20 $ 370,429     126,410     53,709     550,548  
  Entered Orders   71,845     53,515     49,503     174,863  
  Sales     (97,613 )   (57,893 )   (52,524 )   (208,030 )
  Ending Backlog – 9/30/20 $ 344,661     122,032     50,688     517,381  
                     
                     
Backlog And Entered Orders – FY 2020   Aerospace & Defense   Test   USG   Total
  Beginning Backlog – 10/1/19 $ 276,273     133,571     41,715     451,559  
  Entered Orders   422,708     175,353     200,676     798,737  
  Sales     (354,320 )   (186,892 )   (191,703 )   (732,915 )
  Ending Backlog – 9/30/20 $ 344,661     122,032     50,688     517,381  
ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures (Unaudited)
  
EPS – Adjusted Basis Reconciliation – Q4 FY 20    
  EPS from Continuing Ops – GAAP Basis – Q4 FY 20 $ (0.83 )
  Adjustments (defined below)   1.73  
  EPS from Continuing Ops – As Adjusted Basis – Q4 FY 20 $ 0.90  
       
  Adjustments consist of $1.55 per share related to the pension plan termination  
  and $0.18 per share of restructuring charges within the USG and A&D segments
  due to facility consolidation, asset impairment and severance charges in Q4 FY 20.
  (The $1.73 per share of EPS adjustments consists of $46.9 million of pre-tax charges
  offset by $1.5 million of tax benefit for net impact of $45.4 million.)    
       
EPS – Adjusted Basis Reconciliation – FY 20    
  EPS from Continuing Ops – GAAP Basis – FY 20 $ 0.97  
  Adjustments (defined below)   1.79  
  EPS from Continuing Ops – As Adjusted Basis – FY 20 $ 2.76  
       
  Adjustments consist of $1.55 per share related to the pension plan termination  
  and $0.24 per share of restructuring charges within the USG and A&D segments
  due to facility consolidation, asset impairment, severance and incremental costs
  associated with COVID-19 in FY 20.    
  (The $1.79 per share of EPS adjustments consists of $48.9 million of pre-tax charges
  offset by $2 million of tax benefit for net impact of $46.9 million.)    
       
EPS – Adjusted Basis Reconciliation – Q4 FY 19    
  EPS from Continuing Ops – GAAP Basis – Q4 FY 19 $ 0.89  
  Adjustments (defined below)   0.13  
  EPS from Continuing Ops – As Adjusted Basis – Q4 FY 19 $ 1.02  
       
  Adjustments consist of $0.13 per share net impact of the purchase accounting charges
  related to the Globe acquisition and the restructuring charges related to Doble,
  PTI, & VACCO during Q4 FY 19.    
  (The $0.13 per share of EPS adjustments consists of $4.6 million of pre-tax charges
  offset by $1.1 million of tax benefit for net impact of $3.5 million.)    
       
EPS – Adjusted Basis Reconciliation – FY 19    
  EPS from Continuing Ops – GAAP Basis – FY 19 $ 2.97  
  Adjustments (defined below)   (0.02 )
  EPS from Continuing Ops – As Adjusted Basis – FY 19 $ 2.95  
       
  Adjustments consist of $0.02 per share net impact of income related to the    
  gain on sale of the Doble Watertown property partially offset by certain    
  restructuring charges at Doble, PTI & VACCO in FY 19.    
  (The $0.02 per share of EPS adjustments consists of $0.9 million of pre-tax  
  income offset by $0.5 million of tax expense for net impact of $0.4 million.)  

  
SOURCE ESCO Technologies Inc.
Kate Lowrey, Director of Investor Relations, (314) 213-7277



SP+ Valet Adds “Check ‘N Fly™” Baggage Check-In at William P. Hobby Airport

CHICAGO, Nov. 19, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — SP Plus Corporation (SP+), (Nasdaq: SP), a leading provider of technology-driven mobility solutions for aviation, commercial, hospitality and institutional clients throughout North America, today announced the addition of Check N Fly baggage check-in services exclusively for valet parking customers who are traveling on domestic flights with American Airlines or Delta Air Lines at William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) in Houston, Texas.

Valet parking customers at Hobby Airport now enjoy the option to check their luggage, check in for their flight and obtain their boarding pass—with one-stop at the valet stand. This valuable service by SP+ valet attendants allows customers to save time, bypass the airline ticket counters, maintain social distancing and proceed directly to TSA screening without having to stand in line to check their luggage. The service is complimentary to valet parking customers. Associated airline luggage fees will be collected from the customer with a major credit card at the valet stand.

“We’re excited to add the CheckN Fly baggage check-in service at Hobby Airport’s valet parking location,” Houston Airports Parking Director Walt Gray said. “It will give travelers an extra level of convenience with more time to enjoy their experience from the start of their trip.”

Hobby Airport is starting the new service with two airlines, American and Delta. Check N Fly is operated by SP+, which offers its airline and baggage check-in capabilities at some of the other airport operations across the country where SP+ provides valet parking. Check ‘N Fly is managed through Sphere Express™, which is the aviation/hospitality-specific travel solution launched under its new suite of technologies named Sphere™, Technology by SP+. Today, SP+ manages the parking operations and transportation services for the Houston Airport Systems, which includes Hobby Airport and George Bush International Airport (IAH).

“Adding Check N Fly at Hobby Airport allows our team to greet passengers with a timesaving service that expedites the entire check-in process and makes travel easier—which ultimately gives them a higher level of satisfaction with their overall experience at the airport,” added Darren Barton, Senior Vice President, Bags Airport Division at SP+.


SP+ 

facilitates the efficient movement of people, vehicles and personal belongings with the goal of enhancing the consumer experience while improving bottom line results for our clients. The Company provides professional parking management, ground transportation, remote baggage check-in and handling, facility maintenance, security, event logistics, and other technology-driven mobility solutions to aviation, commercial, hospitality, healthcare and government clients
across North America. For more
information
,
visit 

www.spplus.com

.


Houston Airports

is the City of Houston’s Department of Aviation. Comprised of George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) and Ellington Airport (EFD) / Houston Spaceport, Houston Airports served nearly 60 million passengers in 2019. Houston Airports forms one of North America’s largest public airport systems and positions Houston as the international passenger and cargo gateway to the South Central United States and as a primary gateway to Latin America. Houston is proud to be the only city in the Western Hemisphere with two
Skytrax
rated 4-star airports. 

fly2houston.com

CONTACT: Jill Nagel
  Senior Communications Manager
 
[email protected]
, 312-274-2102

 



IIROC Trading Resumption – HAND

Canada NewsWire

VANCOUVER, BC, Nov. 19, 2020 /CNW/ – Trading resumes in:

Company: Handa Mining Corporation

TSX-Venture Symbol: HAND

All Issues: No

Resumption (ET): 9:30 AM11/20/2020

IIROC can make a decision to impose a temporary suspension (halt) of trading in a security of a publicly-listed company. Trading halts are implemented to ensure a fair and orderly market. IIROC is the national self-regulatory organization which oversees all investment dealers and trading activity on debt and equity marketplaces in Canada.

SOURCE Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC) – Halts/Resumptions

ROSEN, RESPECTED INVESTOR COUNSEL, Continues to Investigate Securities Claims Against Lizhi Inc.; Encourages Investors with Losses in Excess of $100K to Contact Firm – LIZI

NEW YORK, Nov. 19, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, continues to investigate potential securities claims on behalf of shareholders of Lizhi Inc. (NASDAQ: LIZI) resulting from allegations that Lizhi may have issued materially misleading business information to the investing public.

On or around January 17, 2020, Lizhi conducted its initial public offering (“IPO”), issuing 4.1 million American depositary shares (“ADSs”) priced at $11.00 per ADS. Since the IPO, Lizhi’s ADS price has fallen precipitously.

On November 9, 2020, after the market closed, Lizhi disclosed its financial results for the third quarter of 2020, which included revenue of $53.24 million, $0.77 million lower than consensus estimates. On this news, Lizhi’s stock price fell $0.25 per share, or 10.5%, to close at $2.13 per share on November 10, 2020.

Rosen Law Firm is preparing a securities lawsuit on behalf of Lizhi shareholders. If you purchased securities of Lizhi please visit the firm’s website at http://www.rosenlegal.com/cases-register-1986.html to join the securities action. You may also contact Phillip Kim of Rosen Law Firm toll free at 866-767-3653 or via email at [email protected] or [email protected].

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm or on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm.

Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 3 each year since 2013. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm’s attorneys are ranked and recognized by numerous independent and respected sources. Rosen Law Firm has secured hundreds of millions of dollars for investors.

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

——————————-

Contact Information:

Laurence Rosen, Esq.
Phillip Kim, Esq.
The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.
275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor
New York, NY 10016
Tel: (212) 686-1060
Toll Free: (866) 767-3653
Fax: (212) 202-3827
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
www.rosenlegal.com



YCG, LLC Crosses the Threshold of $1 Billion Assets Under Management

YCG, LLC Crosses the Threshold of $1 Billion Assets Under Management

AUSTIN, Texas–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
Today YCG, LLC (“YCG”) is pleased to announce that the firm has surpassed $1 billion in assets under management. Since the firm’s inception in 2007, YCG has built a successful separately managed accounts business and launched a Mutual Fund.

The YCG Enhanced Fund (YCGEX), which beats 97 percent of its peers over the last 3-year in the Morningstar US Fund Large Blend category of 1,237 Funds based on total returns as of October 31, 2020, has also been gaining attention in the national media. In the past year, the Fund was recognized by Forbes contributorsas one of the Top 6 Mutual Funds and ETFs to Buy in 2020i; one of Wall Street’s 7 Top-Performing Investors by Business Insiderii, and one of The Best Mutual Funds You’ve Never Heard Of by Barron’siii.

Brian Yacktman, President, Founding Partner, President and Chief Investment Officer of YCG, thinks that the firm’s returns are just one part of the equation, however.

“These past few years, we have seen considerable recognition for our performance, but it’s not just about your returns — it’s about how you get there. We’re proud to have achieved market-beating results with very favorable risk statistics,” he said.

Will Kruger, Partner and CEO of YCG, who shares this sentiment, also attributes the firm’s growth to quality service and strategy.

“At YCG, it’s all about our clients and shareholders, and providing them with exceptional service and performance,” he said. “This was our focus when we were managing $100 million in assets and it remains so now, as we see our assets exceed $1 billion.”

In addition, Elliott Savage, Partner and Portfolio Manager at YCG stated that YCG’s pledge to its clients and shareholders will remain the same going forward.

“We’ll remain disciplined in our strategy by continuing to invest in global champions with enduring pricing power and long-term volume growth opportunities.” He also said, “We’ll continue to seek to achieve our clients’ and shareholders’ financial goals through a customized high-touch approach.”

To visit YCG’s website, go to: www.ycginvestments.com or for the YCG Enhanced Fund (YCGEX) visit www.ycgfunds.com

For further information or questions regarding separately managed accounts, please contact:

Will Kruger, Partner & CEO

YCG, LLC

512-505-2347, Option 2

Email: [email protected]

To Invest directly with the YCG Enhanced Fund (YCGEX), please contact:

YCG Enhanced Fund

1-855-444-9243

www.ycgfunds.com

About YCG, LLC:

YCG, LLC is an independent investment advisory firm wholly owned by its principals Brian Yacktman, Will Kruger, and Elliott Savage and is registered with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm was established in 2007 and is not affiliated with any parent organization. YCG provides professional investment management services to individuals, investment advisors, corporations, endowments, and other institutions through separate account management and through a mutual fund.

This release is for informational purposes only and is not intended for any individual investor. YCG is not liable for investment decisions made based on the content of this document. YCG does not guarantee the accuracy or reliability of information provided by third parties.

For standardized performance, current expense ratios, risk statistics and Morningstar ratings, please click here. Performance data quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. Performance data current to the most recent month end may be obtained by calling 1-855-444-9243. Investment returns and principal value will fluctuate, and when sold, may be worth more or less than their original cost

Mutual fund investing involves risk. Principal loss is possible. The fund is non-diversified, meaning it may concentrate its assets in fewer individual holdings than a diversified fund. Therefore, the Fund is more exposed to individual stock volatility than a diversified fund. The Fund invests primarily in equity securities without regard to market capitalization, thus investments will be made in mid and smaller capitalization companies, which involve additional risks such as limited liquidity and greater volatility. The Fund may also write put options and covered call options on a substantial portion of the Fund’s long equity portfolio, which have the risks of early option contract assignment forcing the Fund to purchase the underlying stock at the exercise price which may be the cause of significant losses due to the failure of correctly predicting the direction of securities prices, interest rates and currency exchange rates. The investment in options is not suitable for all investors. Covered call writing may limit the upside of an underlying security. The Fund may also invest in foreign securities which involve greater volatility and political, economic and currency risks and differences in accounting methods. Investments in debt securities typically decrease in value when interest rates rise. This risk is usually greater for longer-term debt securities. Investment in lower-rated, non-rated and distressed securities presents a greater risk of loss to principal and interest than higher-rated securities.

Click here for prospectus.

The YCG Enhanced Fund is distributed by Quasar Distributors, LLC. YCG, LLC is the advisor for the YCG Enhanced Fund.

Morningstar Rankings represent a fund’s total-return percentile rank relative to all funds that have the same Morningstar Category. The highest percentile rank is 1 and the lowest is the number of funds in the category. It is based on Morningstar total return, which includes both income and capital gains or losses and is not adjusted for sales charges or redemption fees. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

© 2020 Morningstar, Inc. All Rights Reserved. The information contained herein (1) is proprietary to Morningstar (2) may not be copied or distributed and (3) is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. Neither Morningstar nor its content providers are responsible for any damages or losses arising from any issue of this information.

Morningstar ranked YCGEX in the top 56%, 3% and 10% out of 1370, 1237 and 1071 for the Large Cap Blend Category for the one-, three- and five-year periods ending 10/31/2020, respectively based on total returns.

The Morningstar Large Cap Blend category fairly represents the overall U.S. stock market in size, growth rates, and price. Stocks in the top 70% of the capitalization of the U.S. equity market are defined as large cap. The blend style is assigned to portfolios where neither growth nor value characteristics predominate.

___________________________

i Published January 24, 2020.

ii Published December 16, 2019.

iii Published July 5, 2019.

Will Kruger, Partner & CEO

YCG, LLC

512-505-2347, Option 2

Email: [email protected]

KEYWORDS: United States North America Texas

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Professional Services Finance

MEDIA:

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