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DEADLINE ALERT for GTX, GTXMQ, BMRN, BTU, PT: Law Offices of Howard G. Smith Reminds Investors of Class Actions on Behalf of Shareholders

BENSALEM, Pa., Nov. 16, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Law Offices of Howard G. Smith reminds investors that class action lawsuits have been filed on behalf of shareholders of the following publicly-traded companies. Investors have until the deadlines listed below to file a lead plaintiff motion.

Investors suffering losses on their investments are encouraged to contact the Law Offices of Howard G. Smith to discuss their legal rights in these class actions at 888-638-4847 or by email to [email protected].

Garrett Motion Inc. (NYSE: GTX, OTC: GTXMQ)
Class Period: October 1, 2018 – September 18, 2020
Lead Plaintiff Deadline: November 24, 2020

The complaint filed alleges that throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and/or misleading statements, as well as failed to disclose material adverse facts about the Company’s business, operations, and prospects. Specifically, Defendants failed to disclose to investors: (1) that, due to its agreement to indemnify and reimburse Honeywell for certain asbestos-related liability, Garrett was saddled with an unsustainable level of debt; (2) that, as a result, Garrett had a highly leveraged capital structure that posed significant challenges to its overall strategic and financial flexibility; (3) that, as a result of the foregoing, Garrett’s ability to gain or hold market share was impaired; (4) that, as a result of the foregoing, the Company was reasonably likely to seek bankruptcy protection; and (5) that, as a result of the foregoing, Defendants’ positive statements about the Company’s business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis. 

BioMarin Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: BMRN)
Class Period: February 28, 2020 – August 18,2020
Lead Plaintiff Deadline:  November 24, 2020

The complaint filed alleges that throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose material adverse facts about the Company’s business, operations, and prospects. Specifically, Defendants failed to disclose to investors that: (1) the differences between the Phase 1/2 and Phase 3 study of valoctocogene roxaparvovec limited the reliability of the Phase 1/2 study to support valoctocogene roxaparvovec’s durability of effect; (2) as a result, it was foreseeable that the FDA would not approve the BLA for valoctocogene roxaparvovec without further data; and (3) that, as a result of the foregoing, Defendants’ positive statements about the Company’s business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis.

Peabody Energy Corporation (NYSE: BTU)
Class Period: April 3, 2017 – October 28, 2019
Lead Plaintiff Deadline: November 27, 2020


Shareholders with $250,000 losses or more are encouraged to contact the firm

The complaint alleges that Defendants made materially false and/or misleading statements, as well as failed to disclose material adverse facts about the Company’s business, operations, and prospects. Specifically, Defendants failed to disclose to investors that: (1) Peabody had failed to implement adequate safety controls at the North Goonyella mine to prevent the risk of a spontaneous combustion event; (2) Peabody failed to follow its own safety procedures; (3) as a result, the North Goonyella mine was at a heightened risk of shutdown; (4) Peabody’s low-cost plan to restart operations at the North Goonyella mine posed unreasonable safety and environmental risks; (5) the Queensland Mines Inspectorate (“QMI”), the Australian body responsible for ensuring acceptable health and safety standards, would likely mandate a safer, cost-prohibitive approach; (6) as a result, there would be major delays in reopening the North Goonyella mine and restarting coal production; and (7) that, as a result, of the foregoing, Defendants’ statements about the Peabody’s business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis.

Pintec Technology Holdings Limited (NASDAQ: PT)
IPO: October 2018
Lead Plaintiff Deadline: November 30, 2020

The complaint alleges that the Registration Statement was false and misleading and omitted to state material facts. Specifically, Defendants failed to disclose to investors: (1) that Pintec erroneously recorded revenue earned from certain technical service fee on a net basis, rather than a gross basis; (2) that there were material weaknesses in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting related to cash advances outside the normal course of business to Jimu Group, a related party, and to a non-routine loan financing transaction with a third-party entity, Plutux Labs; (3) that, as a result of the foregoing, Pintec’s financial results for fiscal 2017 and 2018 had been misstated; and (4) that, as a result of the foregoing, Defendants’ positive statements about the Pintec’s business, operations, and prospects, were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis

To be a member of these class actions, you need not take any action at this time; you may retain counsel of your choice or take no action and remain an absent member of the class action. If you wish to learn more about these class actions, or if you have any questions concerning this announcement or your rights or interests with respect to these matters, please contact Howard G. Smith, Esquire, of Law Offices of Howard G. Smith, 3070 Bristol Pike, Suite 112, Bensalem, Pennsylvania 19020, by telephone at (215) 638-4847, toll-free at (888) 638-4847, or by email to [email protected], or visit our website at www.howardsmithlaw.com.

This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules.

Contacts

Law Offices of Howard G. Smith
Howard G. Smith, Esquire
215-638-4847
888-638-4847
[email protected]
www.howardsmithlaw.com



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Glancy Prongay & Murray LLP Reminds Investors of Looming Deadline in the Class Action Lawsuit Against Evolus, Inc. (EOLS)

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 16, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Glancy Prongay & Murray LLP (“GPM”) reminds investors of the upcoming December 15, 2020 deadline to file a lead plaintiff motion in the class action filed on behalf of investors who purchased or otherwise acquired Evolus, Inc.(“Evolus” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: EOLS) securities between February 1, 2019 and July 6, 2020, inclusive (the “Class Period”).

If you suffered a loss on your Evolus investments or would like to inquire about potentially pursuing claims to recover your loss under the federal securities laws, you can submit your contact information at https://www.glancylaw.com/cases/evolus-inc/. You can also contact Charles H. Linehan, of GPM at 310-201-9150, Toll-Free at 888-773-9224, or via email at [email protected] to learn more about your rights.

Evolus is a direct competitor with Botox, which is manufactured by Allergan plc and Allergan Inc. (collectively, “Allergan”) and distributed by Medytox Inc. (“Medytox”). Botox has been the gold standard of the industry since its approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) more than twenty years ago. 

On July 6, 2020, the Initial Final Determination was issued by the U.S. International Trade Commission (“ITC”) in a case brought by Allergan and Medytox against Evolus, asserting that Evolus stole certain trade secrets to develop Jeuveau™. The ITC Judge determined that the Company misappropriated the botulinum toxin strain as well as the manufacturing processes that led to its development and manufacture. As a result, the ITC Judge recommended a ten-year long ban on the Company’s ability to import Jeuveau™ into the United States and a ten-year long cease and desist order preventing Evolus from selling Jeuveau™ in the United States.

On this news, the Company’s share price declined significantly, falling 37% over the course of two trading days, to close at $3.35 on July 8, 2020, thereby injuring investors.

The complaint filed in this class action alleges that throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and/or misleading statements, as well as failed to disclose material adverse facts about the Company’s business, operations, and prospects. Specifically, Defendants failed to disclose to investors that: (1) the real source of botulinum toxin bacterial strain, along with the manufacturing processes used to develop Jeuveau, originated with and were misappropriated from Medytox; (2) sufficient evidentiary support existed for the allegations that the Company misappropriated certain trade secrets relating to the botulin toxin strain and the manufacturing processes for the development of Jeuveau; (3) as a result, the Company faced a real threat of regulatory and/or court action, barring the import, marketing, and sale of Jeuveau; which in turn (4) seriously threatened Evolus’ ability to commercialize Jeuveau in the United States and generate revenue; and (5) any revenues generated from the sale of Jeuveau were based on Evolus’ unlawful actions, including the misappropriation of trade secrets and secret manufacturing processes belonging to Allergan and Medytox; and (6) that, as a result, the Company’s public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times.

If you purchased or otherwise acquired Evolus securities during the Class Period, you may move the Court no later than December 15, 2020 to request appointment as lead plaintiff in this putative class action lawsuit. To be a member of the class action you need not take any action at this time; you may retain counsel of your choice or take no action and remain an absent member of the class action. If you wish to learn more about this class action, or if you have any questions concerning this announcement or your rights or interests with respect to the pending class action lawsuit, please contact Charles Linehan, Esquire, of GPM, 1925 Century Park East, Suite 2100, Los Angeles, California 90067 at 310-201-9150, Toll-Free at 888-773-9224, by email to [email protected], or visit our website at www.glancylaw.com. If you inquire by email please include your mailing address, telephone number and number of shares purchased.

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn, Twitter, or Facebook.

This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules.

Contacts

Glancy Prongay & Murray LLP, Los Angeles
Charles H. Linehan, 310-201-9150 or 888-773-9224
1925 Century Park East, Suite 2100
Los Angeles, CA 90067
www.glancylaw.com  
[email protected]



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Wilsonart Unveils New Laminate Collection Designed to Enhance Wellness

The 2020 Virtual Design Library offers textures and colors that help bring calm and relaxation to healthcare settings

TEMPLE, Texas, Nov. 16, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — As interior design that prioritizes mindfulness and comfort becomes increasingly important, Wilsonart continues to push the practice forward with its 2020 Virtual Design Library. Embracing the concept of “Wellness,” the new curated collection of boutique laminate designs takes inspiration from nature and brings healing, calm, and serenity to healthcare-built environments and beyond.

Based on research that suggests a strong connection between well-being and familiar elements found in the natural world, these new Wellness offerings feature organic patterns, textures, and colors. From large-scale abstract scenes reminiscent of foggy grey mountains to layered sky motifs that exude warmth, all are designed to soothe the soul and invigorate the senses. This collection also introduces the Hinoki range, consisting of three neutral-hued woodgrains that get their name from Japanese cypress trees famous for their “divine wood.”

“The concept of wellness has rippled through communities and industries as people look for a bit of respite from the stresses of modern life. We’re proud to offer intentional design coupled with high performance that can bring tranquility to healthcare settings,” says Danielle Mikesell, Global Vice President of Marketing and Design for Wilsonart. “The best part is that while these looks were created with healthcare in mind, they also work beautifully for hospitality, retail, and residential.”

Extending the 2020 Virtual Design Library umbrella theme of “Community,” the Wellness collection offers individual appeal — while also harmonizing to create a unique palette. Their coordinating possibilities increase exponentially when combined with Wilsonart’s engineered surfaces portfolio, including Wilsonart® Quartz, Solid Surface, High Pressure Laminate (HPL), and Coordinated Surfaces. This flexibility helps facilities quickly adapt to new modes of care.

Staying true to the durability and easy maintenance Wilsonart is known for, the 2020 Virtual Design Library Wellness collection also offers exceptional cleanability and resistance to scratches and scuffs for lasting beauty and high-quality appearance.

Learn more about the Virtual Design Library Wellness collection.

About Wilsonart


Wilsonart
, a world-leading engineered surfaces company, is driven by a mission to create surfaces people love, with service they can count on, delivered by people who care. The Company manufactures and distributes High Pressure Laminate, Quartz, Solid Surface, Coordinated TFL and Edgebanding and other decorative engineered surfaces for use in the office, education, healthcare, residential, hospitality, and retail markets. Operating under the Wilsonart®, Arborite®, Bushboard™, Durcon®, KML®, Laminart®, Mermaid™, New Leaf, Polyrey®, Ralph Wilson®, Resopal®, Shore™, Technistone® and Wetwall brands, the company continuously redefines decorative surfaces through improved performance and award-winning designs. For more information and samples visit www.wilsonart.com or connect with us on Facebook, Houzz, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

Tammy Weadock
[email protected]
(254) 207-3444

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d72333c1-a08d-4ce4-af09-c0e886efb055



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Park Aeropsace Corp. Announces Ben Shore is Leaving the Company

NEWTON, Kansas, Nov. 16, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Park Aerospace Corp. (NYSE-PKE) announced that Ben Shore, the Company’s Senior Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Business Development, has decided to leave the Company. Ben’s last day with the Company is planned to be December 23, 2020.

Brian Shore, Park’s Chairman and CEO, said, “Ben is a great guy and a very smart guy. All of us who worked with him at Park very much enjoyed and appreciated being able to do so. It has been a real pleasure for us. We all wish Ben well in his future endeavors. We also all wish Ben the best of luck, which he likely will not need. Thanks Ben. It has been great working with you!”

Park Aerospace Corp. develops and manufactures solution and hot-melt advanced composite materials used to produce composite structures for the global aerospace markets. Park’s advanced composite materials include film adhesives (undergoing qualification) and lightning strike materials. Park offers an array of composite materials specifically designed for hand lay-up or automated fiber placement (AFP) manufacturing applications. Park’s advanced composite materials are used to produce primary and secondary structures for jet engines, large and regional transport aircraft, military aircraft, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs commonly referred to as “drones”), business jets, general aviation aircraft and rotary wing aircraft. Park also offers specialty ablative materials for rocket motors and nozzles and specially designed materials for radome applications. As a complement to Park’s advanced composite materials offering, Park designs and fabricates composite parts, structures and assemblies and low volume tooling for the aerospace industry. Target markets for Park’s composite parts and structures (which include Park’s proprietary composite SigmaStrut™ and AlphaStrut™ product lines) are, among others, prototype and development aircraft, special mission aircraft, spares for legacy military and civilian aircraft and exotic spacecraft. Park’s objective is to do what others are either unwilling or unable to do. When nobody else wants to do it because it is too difficult, too small or too annoying, sign us up.

Additional corporation information is available on the Company’s web site at www.parkaerospace.com.

Contact: Donna D’Amico-Annitto 486 North Oliver Road, Bldg. Z 
    Newton, Kansas 67114
    (316) 283-6500



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NRG Energy, Inc. Announces Proposed Offerings of Senior Secured First Lien Notes, Senior Unsecured Notes and Pre-Capitalized Trust Securities

NRG Energy, Inc. Announces Proposed Offerings of Senior Secured First Lien Notes, Senior Unsecured Notes and Pre-Capitalized Trust Securities

PRINCETON, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
NRG Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NRG) intends to commence concurrent offerings of (i) senior secured first lien notes, consisting of senior secured first lien notes due 2025 (the “2025 Secured Notes”) and senior secured first lien notes due 2027 (the “2027 Secured Notes” and, together with the 2025 Secured Notes, the “Secured Notes”), and (ii) senior unsecured notes, consisting of senior unsecured notes due 2029 and senior unsecured notes due 2031 (collectively, with the Secured Notes, the “Notes”). The 2027 Secured Notes are being issued under NRG’s Sustainability-Linked Bond Framework, which sets out certain sustainability targets, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

NRG intends to use the net proceeds from the offerings of the Notes (the “Notes Offerings”), together with cash on hand, to fund the purchase price of the previously announced acquisition (the “Acquisition”) of Direct Energy, the North American energy supply, services and trading business of Centrica plc (“Centrica”), pursuant to the previously disclosed Purchase Agreement, dated July 24, 2020, among NRG, Centrica and certain of Centrica’s subsidiaries (the “Purchase Agreement”), and to pay fees and expenses relating to the Acquisition, if consummated, and the Notes Offerings.

Concurrently with the Notes Offerings, Alexander Funding Trust, a newly-formed Delaware statutory trust (the “Trust”), intends to issue pre-capitalized trust securities redeemable 2023 (the “P-Caps”) in a private offering to certain qualified institutional buyers. The Trust will initially invest the proceeds from the sale of the P-Caps in a portfolio of principal and/or interest strips of U.S. Treasury securities (the “Eligible Assets”) and will enter into a facility agreement with NRG under which NRG will pay a periodic premium to the Trust, and NRG will agree to issue senior secured notes due 2023 (the “P-Caps Secured Notes” and, together with the P-Caps, the “P-Caps Securities”) to the Trust under certain circumstances. The Eligible Assets held by the Trust will be used to provide collateral to certain banks that have agreed to provide letters of credit for NRG’s account to support NRG’s existing and future collateral obligations, including following consummation of the Acquisition. NRG will not receive any proceeds directly from the offering of the P-Caps.

If the Acquisition is not consummated, or the Purchase Agreement is terminated, on or before July 24, 2021 (or, certain later dates pursuant to the automatic extension provisions of the Purchase Agreement, as applicable) (such event, an “Acquisition Triggering Event”), then NRG will be required to redeem, within 30 days of the Acquisition Triggering Event, a specified aggregate principal amount of the senior unsecured notes due 2029 and a specified aggregate principal amount of the senior unsecured notes due 2031, in each case, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the redemption date. In addition, the Trust will mandatorily redeem all of the P-Caps at a redemption price equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the redemption date.

The Notes will be guaranteed on a first-priority basis by each of NRG’s current and future subsidiaries that guarantee indebtedness under its credit agreement. The Secured Notes, and any P-Caps Secured Notes, will be secured by a first priority security interest in the same collateral that is pledged for the benefit of the lenders under NRG’s credit agreement, which consists of a substantial portion of the property and assets owned by NRG and the guarantors. The collateral securing the Secured Notes and any P-Caps Secured Notes will be released if NRG obtains an investment grade rating from two out of the three rating agencies, subject to reversion if such rating agencies withdraw NRG’s investment grade rating or downgrade NRG’s rating below investment grade. The new senior unsecured notes will be senior unsecured obligations of NRG and will be guaranteed by the same subsidiaries that guarantee indebtedness under NRG’s credit agreement.

The Notes and related guarantees, as well as the P-Caps Securities, are being offered only to qualified institutional buyers in reliance on Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or in the case of the Notes and related guarantees, outside the United States, to persons other than “U.S. persons” in compliance with Regulation S under the Securities Act. The Notes and related guarantees, as well as the P-Caps Securities, have not been registered under the Securities Act or the securities laws of any other jurisdiction and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell any security, including the Notes and the P-Caps Securities, nor a solicitation for an offer to purchase any security, including the Notes and the P-Caps Securities.

About NRG

At NRG, we’re bringing the power of energy to people and organizations by putting customers at the center of everything we do. We generate electricity and provide energy solutions and natural gas to more than 3.7 million residential, small business, and commercial and industrial customers through our diverse portfolio of retail brands. A Fortune 500 company, operating in the United States and Canada, NRG delivers innovative solutions while advocating for competitive energy markets and customer choice, and by working towards a sustainable energy future.

Forward-Looking Statements

This communication contains forward-looking statements that may state NRG’s or its management’s intentions, beliefs, expectations or predictions for the future. Such forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions, and typically can be identified by the use of words such as “will,” “expect,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “forecast,” “plan,” “believe” and similar terms. Although NRG believes that its expectations are reasonable, it can give no assurance that these expectations will prove to have been correct, and actual results may vary materially. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated above include, among others, risks and uncertainties related to the capital markets generally and whether the Notes Offerings or the offering of P-Caps will be consummated, the anticipated terms of the Notes and the P-Caps, and the anticipated use of proceeds, including the consummation of the Acquisition.

The foregoing review of factors that could cause NRG’s actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in the forward-looking statements included herein should be considered in connection with information regarding risks and uncertainties that may affect NRG’s future results included in NRG’s filings with the SEC at www.sec.gov.

Investors:

Kevin L. Cole, CFA

609.524.4526

[email protected]

Media:

Candice Adams

609.524.5428

[email protected]

KEYWORDS: New Jersey United States North America

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Other Energy Utilities Oil/Gas Coal Alternative Energy Energy Nuclear

MEDIA:

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IMPORTANT SHAREHOLDER UPDATE: Interface, Inc. Sued for Violations of the Federal Securities Laws; Investors Should Contact Block & Leviton LLP

BOSTON, Nov. 16, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — On September 28, 2020, Interface, Inc. (NASDAQ: TILE) announced the conclusion of the long-awaited investigation by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission into Interface’s historical quarterly earnings per share calculations and rounding practices. Interface agreed to pay a $5 million fine to resolve the matter, and was ordered to cease-and-desist from violating the federal securities laws. On this news, shares of Interface common stock fell precipitously.

According to the Wall Street Journal, the SEC had charged Interface for reporting earnings that did not comply with the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles for multiple quarters in 2015 and 2016. Interface allegedly made unsupported, manual accounting adjustments, often when internal forecasts indicated the Company would fall short of Wall Street estimates, the SEC found. Per the SEC, Interface would then report earnings that met or exceeded those consensus estimates. In addition to the Company’s $5 million fine, two of Interface’s former executives agreed to pay penalties of $45,000 and $70,000.

A lawsuit alleging violations of federal securities laws has been filed against Interface and certain of its officers and directors. The suit alleges that beginning in March 2018, Interface misled investors by, among other things, reporting artificially inflated income and earnings per share in 2015 and 2016, failing to disclose and/or downplaying that Interface and certain of its employees were under investigation by the SEC, and having inadequate disclosure controls and procedures and internal controls over financial reporting. The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, and is captioned Swanson v. Interface, Inc., et al., No. 20-cv-5518.

If you purchased or acquired shares of Interface between March 2, 2018 and September 28, 2020, and have questions about your legal rights or possess information relevant to this matter, please contact Block & Leviton attorneys at (617) 398-5600, via email at [email protected], or at https://www.blockleviton.com/cases/tile. The deadline to move the Court to be appointed lead plaintiff is January 11, 2021.

Block & Leviton LLP is a firm dedicated to representing investors and maintaining the integrity of the country’s financial markets. The firm represents many of the nation’s largest institutional investors as well as individual investors in securities litigation throughout the United States. The firm’s lawyers have recovered billions of dollars for its clients.

This notice may constitute attorney advertising.

CONTACT:
BLOCK & LEVITON LLP
260 Franklin St., Suite 1860
Boston, MA 02110
Phone: (617) 398-5600
Email: [email protected] 
SOURCE: Block & Leviton LLP
www.blockleviton.com



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Thinking about buying stock in FuelCell Energy, Delta Air Lines, Zomedica, Electrameccanica Vehicles, or Wynn Resorts?

PR Newswire

NEW YORK, Nov. 16, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — InvestorsObserver issues critical PriceWatch Alerts for FCEL, DAL, ZOM, SOLO, and WYNN.

To see how InvestorsObserver’s proprietary scoring system rates these stocks, view the InvestorsObserver’s PriceWatch Alert by selecting the corresponding link.

(Note: You may have to copy this link into your browser then press the [ENTER] key.)

InvestorsObserver’s PriceWatch Alerts are based on our proprietary scoring methodology. Each stock is evaluated based on short-term technical, long-term technical and fundamental factors. Each of those scores is then combined into an overall score that determines a stock’s overall suitability for investment.

 

Cision View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/thinking-about-buying-stock-in-fuelcell-energy-delta-air-lines-zomedica-electrameccanica-vehicles-or-wynn-resorts-301173740.html

SOURCE InvestorsObserver

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Should you invest in Nio, Boeing, Novavax, Bank of America, or Li Auto?

PR Newswire

NEW YORK, Nov. 16, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — InvestorsObserver issues critical PriceWatch Alerts for NIO, BA, NVAX, BAC, and LI.

Click a link below then choose between in-depth options trade idea report or a stock score report.

Options Report – Ideal trade ideas on up to seven different options trading strategies. The report shows all vital aspects of each option trade idea for each stock.

Stock Report – Measures a stock’s suitability for investment with a proprietary scoring system combining short and long-term technical factors with Wall Street’s opinion including a 12-month price forecast.

(Note: You may have to copy this link into your browser then press the [ENTER] key.)

 

Cision View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/should-you-invest-in-nio-boeing-novavax-bank-of-america-or-li-auto-301173743.html

SOURCE InvestorsObserver

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Genius Brands International Issues CEO Newsletter

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., Nov. 16, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Genius Brands International, Inc.(“Genius Brands” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: GNUS), a global brand management company that creates and licenses multimedia entertainment content for children, released a letter to shareholders from Chairman & CEO Andy Heyward. The complete letter follows:

Dear Friends and Shareholders,

As I write to you, and with our 3rd quarter 10Q set to be released later today, I am extremely excited to share key business developments that are building powerful assets for Genius Brands shareholders.

Today’s update can be summarized through 5 pillars of asset creation that individually and in the aggregate, are actively moving forward and driving long term value for Genius.

They are:

  • KARTOON CHANNEL!
  • STAN LEE UNIVERSE
  • OUR TENTPOLE ANIMATED CONTENT BRANDS
  • THE GENIUS BALANCE SHEET
  • ACQUISITIONS

PILLAR #1:


ACQUISITIONS

I want to start today with ACQUISITIONS, by sharing that this morning we announced the acquisition of CHIZCOMM.  With over $100 million dollars in annual aggregated media spend, ChizComm is the largest single purchaser of children’s media in North America.  They spend more on children’s advertising, than anyone including well known kids advertisers like Hasbro, Mattel, or Lego. The acquisition of ChizComm and ChizComm Beacon Media will be a transformational event for Genius Brands. 

ChizComm today represents more than 30 major toy companies and has worked for some of the most powerful and iconic brands in the children, family media and toy industries. Once again, the acquisition of ChizComm will be a transformational event for Genius Brands. 

  1. The ChizComm marketing agency, will enable us to put rocket fuel into the growth of Kartoon Channel!, its viewership and ultimately Kartoon Channel! revenues. As viewership grows, so does revenue alongside it. And that drives significant value for Genius Brands.
  2. The ChizComm media buying agency will provide us with additional standing as a content provider, with our broadcast partners.
     
  3. The ChizComm toy and gaming client base will provide Genius unusual access to the key companies that are the backbone of the children’s consumer product business, with billions of dollars of revenues, in significant part driven by licensing of animated entertainment properties such as those created and offered by Genius Brands.

Founded by Harold and Jennifer Chizick, the ChizComm management team is world class with offices in Toronto, New Jersey, and Los Angeles. Harold Chizick served as VP Marketing Services for Spin Master Toys for years before starting the agency alongside Jennifer Chizick.  Donna MacNeil, the company President in Toronto, was Publisher of Kidscreen, the leading trade journal in kids media, and highly regarded by all in the kids media business, and Kathleen Campisano previously led the Barnes & Noble Toys and Games buying division with significant growth during a ten year period before joining as CMO of ChizComm and running U.S. operations.

The ChizComm acquisition will be strategic because it will not just be a valuable business in its own right, but it will enhance Genius’ existing businesses of broadcasting, licensing, and distribution, thus becoming a virtuous circle.

As you know, we have raised capital in recent months in part because we wanted to be able to take advantage of strategic acquisition opportunities to unlock what we believe is significant value for Genius Brands and its shareholders.  We are using part of that cash to pay for ChizComm, and a portion of the acquisition price is being funded with Genius Brands stock.

Just as Pixar, Marvel and Lucasfilm were smart acquisitions that drove value forward for Disney, we equally see ChizComm as accretive, not dilutive, and though smaller, in the same vein, driving value forward for Genius Brands now and for years to come.

PILLAR #2:


KARTOON CHANNEL!

Since launching Kartoon Channel! on June 15th, we have been laying the groundwork for a powerful kids distribution system and a valuable and growing asset to the company and its shareholders, for years to come. By all metrics, we are rapidly moving forward. The aggregating of an unmatched library has been job one. Our focus now moves to growing the audience.

Our marketing team is hard at work executing plans to grow the audience, in exciting ways  to match the quality of programming we are creating.

When we launched Kartoon Channel!, we described it as ‘like a Netflix for kids, but free’, and that has not changed.  Like Netflix, we are an On-Demand streaming programming service.  But unlike Netflix, we are free with no subscription fees.*  We are advertiser supported.  And unlike Netflix, we are exclusively for kids.  We expect Kartoon Channel! to become a profit center of Genius Brands going forward for years to come, and believe it will prosper because of:

  • The caliber of the core children’s content itself
  • The technology of how and where we deliver that content to children
  • The extremely kid friendly interface.

(For those of our shareholders who have not yet visited Kartoon Channel! I encourage you to visit the site on one of the many platforms where it is available).   

We remain focused on having programming for kids which is SAFE, POSITIVE, ENRICHING, DIVERSE, and KID FRIENDLY, PARENT FRIENDLY, and ADVERTISER FRIENDLY. Since our launch in June, we have debuted a brand-new architecture which is now carried on a number of platforms including:

  • Amazon Prime
  • Amazon Fire
  • Apple TV
  • Apple iOS
  • Android TV
  • Android Mobile
  • Roku
  • Comcast Cable
  • Cox Cable
  • Tubi
  • Dish/Sling
  • and online through Kartoonchannel.com.

In other words, 

Kartoon


Channel

!
 is now available virtually everywhere. 

Additionally, we have done a deal with the world’s #1 TV manufacturer, Samsung, to carry the Kartoon Channel! app on their Smart TVs.  Theirs is the leading smart TV app platform and the Kartoon Channel! app is available on Samsung right now. We are in discussions with other manufacturers, and expect to announce similar deals in the near future.

Kartoon Channel! has seen steady organic growth and we are finding that viewers are not just staying for a single episode, but watching multiple episodes in one sitting. (I’m also pleased to report that Kartoon Channel! audience response has been extremely high with a 5-Star rating in the Apple App store for example, versus even Disney+ with a 4.5 rating.)

In September we launched KARTOON CLASSROOM! to coincide with back-to-school.  Kartoon Classroom! is a sub-brand and offering on Kartoon Channel! for digitally infused learning.

We will also soon be launching a Kartoon Classroom! microsite (website within a website) before the end of the year to help parents, daycare professionals, and professional educators reinforce with their kid’s lessons taught in the shows.

Each week we continue to roll out new and compelling programs.  In addition to existing series from the Genius Brands catalogue such as Warren Buffett’s Secret Millionaires Club, Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab, and Martha & Friends, we are also showing selected shorts  and promotional episodes of our hit Rainbow Rangers(also running on Nickelodeon) and Llama Llama(Netflix).

We have acquired proven and recognized branded programs including:

  • Angry Birds
  • Babar
  • Yu Gi Oh (Arc V)
  • Pac-Man
  • Pig on the Hill – in partnership with Pierce Brosnan
  • Mellodees (from the hugely successful DJ Marshmello)

We have also launched the “KARTOON CHANNEL! MOVIE OF THE WEEK” with our first slate of feature films including:

  • Stan Lee’s Mighty 7
  • Beauty and the Beast
  • Snow White
  • Cinderella
  • Jack and the Beanstalk
  • and running this week, HERCULES

The reception has been strong, and we will be shortly migrating these to the “KARTOON CHANNEL! FRIDAY NIGHT FAMILY FUN FILM.”

Kartoon Channel! now has several thousand episodes that have been acquired of high quality children’s content with positive values and enriching stories.  We have gender-neutral series for boys, for girls, for toddlers and for older kids, and many which are for parental co-viewing.

Nickelodeon was launched in 1979. Over the years it grew, and is the single most valuable asset in Viacom, today worth several billion dollars. Cartoon Network, and Disney Channel followed similar trajectories for their parent companies, Warner Brothers, and the Walt Disney Company.  We can not represent that we will enjoy these same successes let alone that of Netflix, and others, but kids viewing habits today are migrating to digital networks, to YouTube, and to Apps, and not just on TV sets, but also on computers, game platforms, and cell phones, and that aggregation of platforms is where Kartoon Channel! lives because that is where today’s kids are.

Kartoon Channel! lives off advertising not subscription fees. We are excited that if you go to the channel, you will see that we have now brought in prominent kids advertisers including McDonalds, Lego, Playmobil, and family-oriented advertisers like Wells Fargo. And because we live off advertising, not subscription fees, that again is where the synergies with ChizComm Media becomes so extremely powerful for Genius Brands.

Moreover, the addition of marketing and media buying expertise, now positions Genius to enjoy those synergies and fuel new opportunities with broadcast clients and toy companies, for innovative offerings, reach and engagement in a rapidly evolving landscape, as we fuel the growth of Kartoon Channel!.

PILLAR #3:


TENTPOLE ANIMATION BRANDS

There are 4 Genius Brands’ Tentpole Animation Brands

These are existing animated series and upcoming animated series.  They are:

  1. Rainbow Rangers
  2. Llama Llama
  3. Stan Lee’s Superhero Kindergarten
  4. Shaq’s Garage

We consider these tentpole brands because they each have the possibility of breaking out and becoming substantial businesses.

Of course, one never knows which will thrive and which will not, so we have a portfolio approach of multiple brands.  Our core brands share three attributes which we feel advantage them over content without these attributes.

  • They are EVERGREEN which means like a Tom & Jerry, or a Flintstones or a Scooby-Doo, they can live for generations being relicensed again and again and again, long after they have paid for their original cost of production
  • They are INTERNATIONAL, which means they are not just products for the U.S. market, but rather, also like a Tom & Jerry or a Flintstones or a Scooby-Doo, they can live anywhere. They are global businesses.
  • They have DUEL INCOME STREAMS.  Not only are they valuable programs which continuously are licensed to broadcast and generate money from license fees, but they have a second income stream in Consumer Products.  The characters have a second life in toys, video games, publishing, apparel, backpacks sleep wear bedding, school supplies, costumes, and numerous categories of licensed products.

In the case of Genius Brands, our core properties will ultimately reside on Kartoon Channel! and drive viewership forward there, and build the value of that asset, similar to Disney core brands like Mickey Mouse, Winnie the Pooh and Duck Tales, reside on Disney Channel and Disney+.

RAINBOW RANGERS (Playing on Nickelodeon and Kartoon Channel!)
Rainbow Rangers is now just coming into the market.  Early products from Mattel are in Walmart, Amazon, and Target.com.  Going beyond just toys, there are a significant number of licensed products in a variety of categories, many of which are already in the marketplace.

The series is broadly distributed overseas, and we are assigning international licensing agents as we speak. Due to COVID-19 and supply channel challenges, this took longer than we would like to see and it is too early still to get a read, however we are pleased to see things moving.

Our goal now for Rainbow Rangers, is to add additional retail partners (both brick and mortar and online), and simultaneously work to build a global presence for the show through Kartoon Channel! and global partnerships. By the end of Christmas season, we will have a good idea of the performance of product at retail and how big the brand can be and we look forward to sharing that early in the new year. 

LLAMA
LLAMA

(Playing on Netflix and Kartoon Channel!)

Llama Llama is currently in an exclusive retail promotion with Kohls with plush toys and books. Initial reports have been strong. We have over 50 Llama Llama licensed products in a broad range of categories.

Over 30 million books have been sold since Llama Llama was first introduced and it continues to be a top-selling series in children’s’ literature.  We see this as a brand that will grow and endure for many years. 

STAN LEE’S SUPERHERO KINDERGARTEN

(Playing on Amazon Prime and Kartoon Channel!)

When Stan Lee created Spider-Man, he said, “With Great Power comes Great Responsibility.’” Years later, when he created Superhero Kindergarten, he said, “With Great Power comes Great Mess.”

Stan Lee’s Superhero Kindergarten was the last series created by the iconic Stan Lee, and it is simply crazy superhero kindergarten fun.  It stars Arnold Schwarzenegger as Captain Fantastic, a former superhero now charged with teaching a special group of kids how to develop their superpowers.  Starting with Arnold and Stan, there is nothing about this show that is not in the category of excellence.  The head writer was the head writer of SpongeBob SquarePants, and did some of the best stories ever written in kids television. Iconic film director, John Landis (director of The Blues Brothers, Three Amigos, Animal House, Coming to America, Beverly Hills Cop III, Trading Places, Honey, I Shrunk the Kids TV and Michael Jackson’s Thriller), is the voice director for the series. 

The show is in the middle of production, and we will deliver the first episode tease next month.   Arnold and John are in the recording studio weekly doing his voice recordings, and we all agree they are “FANTASTIC!”

We have high expectations for both the series and the consumer products worldwide and are currently in discussions with a MAJOR RETAILER to carry the toy line.

SHAQ’S GARAGE

The last series, I want to take a moment to discuss is our recently announced Shaq’s Garage.

Shaq’s Garage features a group of insanely imaginative vehicles, owned by Shaquille O’Neal that get into larger than life adventures.

For a long time, we have been talking to Shaquille about doing an animated series together and we finally found the right concept.

Let me describe it as ‘TOY STORY meets HOT WHEELS meets SHAQUILLE O’NEAL.’

Shaq’s Garage has the most amazing vehicles anyone has ever imagined.  Not unlike Toy Story, nobody but our audience knows they are actually “alive,” with real personalities and voices.  Not even Shaq himself, who only sees them at the beginning and ending of each episode before and after each adventure, unknowing that they lead lives as amazing as his own!

We chose to do this series first and foremost because we saw it as an opportunity to tell heartwarming stories with adventure, comedy music, and diversity.  We also saw it as an opportunity in success to take an ownership position in a major category of the toy industry… “vehicle play.” It is no small fact to mention that Mattel’s Hot Wheels does almost $1 billion dollars annually in die-cast vehicle sales.  The Disney movie Cars did several billion dollars of sales itself over a 4-year period, in the die-cast vehicle category.  We think that Shaq’s Garage has every possibility to become a hit animated series, and an important player in the vehicle play category, taking substantial market share with it.  Shaquille is not just an NBA legend.  He is one of the most sought after and successful businessmen in the country, and beloved across all sectors.  He is selective of the companies he gets in business with and has promotional and sponsorship relationships, including American Express, Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes, Papa John’s Pizza, Carnival Cruises, The General Insurance, Icy Hot, and Reebok , among others.  We are proud to be among them, and that Shaquille O’Neal has now become a significant shareholder of Genius Brands.

Shaq is fully committed to promoting SHAQ’S GARAGE using all of his fan base, social media and promotional tools, to turn the series and the licensing program into a major success 

PILLAR #4


STAN LEE UNIVERSE

When we first announced the transaction to acquire the rights to the Stan Lee name, likeness, signature, consumer products licensing, and intellectual property rights, we described it as one of the last great prizes in Hollywood.

Today, we believe this more than ever.  After all, Stan Lee was the creator/co-creator of more billion-dollar properties  than anyone ever, including Spider-Man, X-Men, Iron Man, Black Panther, Guardians of the Galaxy, Captain America, Captain Marvel, The Incredible Hulk, Thor, The Avengers and so many more. In fact, Stan Lee created 5 of the top 12 box office hits of all time, including the #1 box office hit of all time, Avengers: Endgame.

We have important things coming forth with this one of a kind asset.  I am authorized to share today that we are now working with Marvel Studios on an important Stan Lee initiative which we will be announcing shortly.  Like everything that Stan Lee ever touched, I can assure all our shareholders it will be significant, and the announcement will be worth the wait. 

PILLAR #5:


BALANCE SHEET

The balance sheet of Genius is immaculate.  We have zero debt. A fact that very few companies anywhere can state.  We have a war chest of over $100 million dollars sitting in cash.  As we seek smart acquisitions to accelerate the company’s growth, we will use our cash, our shares, and our balance sheet cautiously and judiciously to create value for our shareholders.    We are building an important business, and the cleanliness of the  balance sheet is one of our most important tools.

Our shareholder base has expanded from individual retail shareholders to include a broad array of funds, including many premier funds, such as Vanguard, BlackRock, and CalPERS (California Public Employees Retirement System) among our top 15 shareholders.

Genius Brands has exceptional liquidity, and regularly trades volumes in excess of 20 million shares per day. We attribute this to the passion and loyalty of our shareholders.  Without your support, none of our accomplishments would have been possible.

The management team of Genius Brands, and our Board of Directors believe in the future of our Company.  None of us has sold a single share of the Company’s stock because we believe in the value being created and the prospects for growth that we are putting in place.  

We also recognize that Value doesn’t come over night, and there will be volatility along the road. But we continue to build assets, increase our animated program catalogue size, grow our channel footprint, invest in acquiring top tier animated content, invest in growing our licensing business, and lastly investing in our people.   In Genius Brands senior management, we have some of the most accomplished people in children’s media, who have joined us from the senior ranks of iconic companies like Disney, Warner Bros., Hasbro, Marvel, and major retail outlets. 

When all is said and done, we are committed to building value by making timeless animated entertainment for children, that is positive, diverse, and enriching. We distribute this content worldwide, and license it onto consumer products which delight and entertain children.   Regardless of COVID-19, regardless of interest rates, regardless of political parties or elections, kids around the world continue to watch cartoons. 

As we build our
catalogue, and
look at the pioneers in children’s entertainment who came before us, we are reminded that animated programming for children is an enduring business of global value.

Sincerely,

Andy Heyward
Chairman & CEO
Genius Brands International, Inc.

*Additionally, Kartoon Channel! is available add-free, with a subscription, on certain platforms for families who prefer this experience. 

About Genius Brands International

Genius Brands International, Inc. (Nasdaq: GNUS) is a leading global kids media company developing, producing, marketing and licensing branded children’s entertainment properties and consumer products for media and retail distribution. The Company’s award-winning ‘content with a purpose’ portfolio includes the upcoming Stan Lee’s Superhero Kindergarten, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and in partnership with Alibaba; Rainbow Rangers for Nick Jr.; Llama Llama, starring Jennifer Garner, for Netflix; award-winning toddler brand Baby Genius; adventure comedy STEM series Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab; and entrepreneurship series Warren Buffett’s Secret Millionaires Club. Through licensing agreements with leading partners, characters from Genius Brands’ IP also appear on a wide range of consumer products for the worldwide retail marketplace. The Company’s new Kartoon Channel! is available in over 100 million U.S. television households via a broad range of distribution platforms, including Comcast, Cox, DISH, Amazon Prime, Sling TV, Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire and more. For additional information, please visit www.gnusbrands.com.

Forward Looking Statements:

Certain statements in this press release constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Words such as “may,” “might,” “will,” “should,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “continue,” “predict,” “forecast,” “project,” “plan,” “intend” or similar expressions, or statements regarding intent, belief, or current expectations, are forward-looking statements. While the Company believes these forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on any such forward-looking statements, which are based on information available to us on the date of this release. These forward looking statements are based upon current estimates and assumptions and are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including without limitation, our ability to generate revenue or achieve profitability; our ability to obtain additional financing on acceptable terms, if at all; our ability to repay our outstanding debt; the potential issuance of a significant number of shares to our convertible note holders which will dilute our equity holders; fluctuations in the results of our operations from period to period; general economic and financial conditions; our ability to anticipate changes in popular culture, media and movies, fashion and technology; competitive pressure from other distributors of content and within the retail market; our reliance on and relationships with third-party production and animation studios; our ability to market and advertise our products; our reliance on third-parties to promote our products; our ability to keep pace with technological advances; our ability to protect our intellectual property and those other risk factors set forth in the “Risk Factors” section of the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and in the Company’s subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Thus, actual results could be materially different. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update or alter statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

MEDIA CONTACT:

[email protected]

INVESTOR RELATIONS CONTACT: 

[email protected]



Posted on

Grace Scientist Yuying Shu’s Discovery Now Enhancing FCC Catalyst Performance and Sustainability

Earns Grace’s Top Innovation Award in 2020

COLUMBIA, Md., Nov. 16, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — W. R. Grace & Co. (NYSE:GRA) today announced that Principal Scientist Yuying Shu has been awarded its highest honor for her discovery of the now patented Grace Stable Activity Improvement (GSI) Rare Earth (RE) technology. This significant innovation improves catalyst performance while reducing CO2 emissions for the company’s Fluid Catalytic Cracking (FCC) refinery customers. Grace, headquartered in Columbia, Md., is the world’s leading supplier of FCC catalysts and additives.

Dr. Shu’s work on this discovery spans nearly a decade and the chemistry is described in a 2015 paper in the peer-reviewed journal, Topics in Catalysis. Shu demonstrated a significant improvement in catalytic activity when RE elements with smaller ionic radii are used to make a more stable REUSY catalyst (Rare Earth Ultra Stable Y-zeolite). Compared to conventional RE-stabilized zeolites, GSI-stabilized zeolite has better surface area retention and requires lower input to achieve equal catalytic activity.

The company’s Prime technology, based on this innovation, has been commercialized in more than 20 FCC units, raising the performance bar within two of Grace’s most successful and established global catalyst platforms. ACHIEVE® 400 Prime limits undesirable hydrogen transfer reactions, delivers maximum butylene selectivity, and increases FCC yields of valuable gasoline range olefins. IMPACT® Prime provides improved zeolite stabilization and leading coke selectivity in applications with high levels of nickel and vanadium contaminant metals.

Dr. Shu’s patent has thus far received 18 citations. More important to Grace customers, these FCC catalysts now have delivered on their early promise, demonstrating superior commercial performance in refineries around the world.

Grace’s Prime catalyst technology not only results in performance improvements, it also delivers sustainability benefits. The higher catalyst activity per unit of surface area resulting from Dr. Shu’s innovation allows for more efficient utilization of raw materials and results in less effluent from Grace manufacturing plants. In addition, Prime technology reduces coke and dry gas yields, thereby resulting in lower CO2 emissions from the refinery and the conversion of more of each barrel of feedstock into valuable products. ACHIEVE® 400 Prime allows the production of more alkylate, which improves engine efficiency and lowers CO2 emissions per mile.

Grace President and Chief Executive Officer Hudson La Force congratulated Dr. Shu on winning the company’s most prestigious scientific award, the Grace Award for Technical Excellence (GATE).

“Yuying’s breakthrough work is a great example of our commitment to innovation that leads directly to delivering value to our customers,” said La Force. “For our customers, this means helping them achieve both higher performance and sustainability goals. Our Prime series of FCC catalysts do both very well, thanks in large measure to Yuying’s discovery.”

About
Principal
Scientist Shu

Dr. Shu has worked in the development of FCC catalysts and additives for 14 years and has filed 30 patent applications, many of which have been granted, including seven in the United States. She has published 71 peer-reviewed journal articles and is the recipient of many awards including Maryland’s Top Innovator of the Year for 2010, as well as both the Procter and Gamble Prize and the President’s Prize at the Chinese Academy of Science.

Before joining Grace in 2006, Yuying was Associate Professor and Group Leader at Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics. She honed her research skills through appointments at the University of Delaware, Virginia Tech, and Hokkaido University. Dr Shu earned her Ph.D. at Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Her major research interest is the development of new catalysts and new chemical reactions.

About Grace

Built on talent, technology, and trust, Grace is a leading global specialty chemical company. The company’s two industry-leading business segments—Catalysts Technologies and Materials Technologies—provide innovative products, technologies, and services that enhance the products and processes of our customers around the world. With approximately 4,000 employees, Grace operates and/or sells to customers in over 60 countries. More information about Grace is available at grace.com.


Forward-looking Statements

This document contains, and our other public communications may contain, forward-looking statements, that is, information related to future, not past, events. Such statements generally include the words “believes,” “plans,” “intends,” “targets,” “will,” “expects,” “suggests,” “anticipates,” “outlook,” “continues,” or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding future: financial positions; results of operations; cash flows; financing plans; business strategy; operating plans; capital and other expenditures; impact of COVID-19 on our business; competitive positions; growth opportunities for existing products; benefits from new technology; benefits from cost reduction initiatives; succession planning; and markets for securities. For these statements, we claim the protections of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. We are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from our projections or that could cause other forward-looking statements to prove incorrect. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements include, without limitation: risks related to foreign operations, especially in areas of active conflicts and in emerging regions; the costs and availability of raw materials, energy and transportation; the effectiveness of our research and development and growth investments; acquisitions and divestitures of assets and businesses; developments affecting our outstanding indebtedness; developments affecting our pension obligations; legacy matters (including product, environmental, and other legacy liabilities) relating to past activities of Grace; our legal and environmental proceedings; environmental compliance costs (including existing and potential laws and regulations pertaining to climate change); the inability to establish or maintain certain business relationships; the inability to hire or retain key personnel; natural disasters such as storms and floods; fires and force majeure events; the economics of our customers’ industries, including the petroleum refining, petrochemicals, and plastics industries, and shifting consumer preferences; public health and safety concerns, including pandemics and quarantines; changes in tax laws and regulations; international trade disputes, tariffs, and sanctions; the potential effects of cyberattacks; and those additional factors set forth in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and current reports on Form 8-K, which have been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and are readily available on the internet at www.sec.gov. Our reported results should not be considered as an indication of our future performance. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on our projections and forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the dates those projections and statements are made. We undertake no obligation to release publicly any revisions to our projections and forward-looking statements, or to update them to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the dates those projections and statements are made.

Media Relations

Rich Badmington
T +1 410.531.4370
[email protected] 

Investor Relations

Jeremy Rohen
+1 410.531.8234
[email protected] 

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3dc5afa9-09aa-4e50-b29d-ce393e627fd5