AMERI Holdings Announces S-4 Has Been Declared Effective

PR Newswire

ATLANTA, Nov. 16, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — AMERI Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMRH) (“Ameri”, the “Company”), announced that the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) has declared the Registration Statement on Form S-4 in connection with the Company’s proposed tender agreement with Jay Pharma to be effective.

The Company has set Wednesday, December 23, 2020 for a special meeting for its stockholders to approve the proposals associated with the merger. The Proxy Statement to its stockholders is available at: www.ameri100.com/for-investors/.

The Boards of Directors of both companies are excited to be entering the final step prior to a successful conclusion of the long-awaited reverse merger transaction.  

The S-4 and other Ameri Holdings’ SEC filings are available at: https://ameri100.com/for-investors/sec-filing/.

Ameri’s common stock is currently traded on Nasdaq under the symbol “AMRH.” Completion of the transaction is subject to approval by Ameri and Jay Pharma stockholders, Nasdaq approval, and other customary closing conditions.

About Ameri100

Ameri is a specialized SAP® cloud, digital and enterprise solutions company that provides SAP® services to customers worldwide. Headquartered in Suwanee, Georgia, Ameri has offices in the U.S. and Canada. The Company also has global delivery centers in India. With its bespoke engagement model, Ameri delivers transformational value to its clients across industry verticals. For further information, visit www.ameri100.com

Important Additional Information Filed with the SEC

In connection with the proposed transactions, Ameri has filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-4 that includes a preliminary joint proxy statement of Ameri and Jay Pharma that also constitutes a prospectus of Ameri and the definitive joint proxy statement statement/prospectus will be mailed to shareholders of Ameri and Jay Pharma. Ameri and Jay Pharma also plan to file other relevant documents with the SEC regarding the proposed transaction AMERI URGES INVESTORS AND STOCKHOLDERS TO READ THESE MATERIALS CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT AMERI, THE PROPOSED TRANSACTIONS AND RELATED MATTERS. Investors and shareholders will be able to obtain free copies of the proxy statement, prospectus and other documents filed by the Company with the SEC (when they become available) through the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. In addition, investors and shareholders will be able to obtain free copies of the proxy statement, prospectus and other documents filed by Ameri with the SEC by contacting Investor Relations by mail at 4080 McGinnis Ferry Road, Suite 1306, Alpharetta, Georgia. Stockholders are urged to read the proxy statement, prospectus and the other relevant materials when they become available before making any voting or investment decision with respect to the proposed transactions.

Participants in the Solicitation

Ameri and Jay Pharma, as well as each of their respective directors and executive officers and certain of their other members of management and employees, may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in connection with the proposed transactions. Additional information regarding these persons and their interests in the transaction will be included in the definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant documents filed with the SEC if and when they become available. Investors should read the definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus carefully when it becomes available before making any voting or investment decisions. These documents can be obtained free of charge from the sources indicated above.

No Offer or Solicitation

This press release does not constitute a solicitation of a proxy, consent or authorization with respect to any securities or in respect of the proposed transaction. This press release also does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor will there be any sale of securities in any states or jurisdictions in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offering of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. These statements relate to future events or future performance. All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking statements or information. Generally, forward-looking statements and information may be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “plans”, ” expects” or “does not expect”, “proposed”, “is expected”, “budgets”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “anticipates” or “does not anticipate”, or “believes”, or variations of such words and phrases, or by the use of words or phrases which state that certain actions, events or results may, could, would, or might occur or be achieved. More particularly and without limitation, this news release contains forward-looking statements and information concerning the Amalgamation. Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, as there can be no assurance that the Amalgamation will be consummated or that the parties other plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are based will occur. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve numerous assumptions, known and unknown risks and uncertainties, both general and specific that contribute to the possibility that the predictions, estimates, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking statements will not occur.

The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release. Except as required by law, Ameri disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Additionally, Ameri undertakes no obligation to comment on the expectations of, or statements made by, third parties in respect of the matters discussed above.

Corporate Contact:

Barry Kostiner, Chief Financial Officer
[email protected]

Ameri Holdings Investor Relations Contact:

Sanjay M. Hurry

LHA Investor Relations
(212) 838-3777
[email protected]

 

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SOURCE Ameri100

Cannabics Pharmaceuticals Founds Digestix Bioscience Inc., a Subsidiary for Treatment of Precancerous and Early Stage Neoplastic Local Tumors

PR Newswire

TEL AVIV, Israel and BETHESDA, Maryland, Nov. 16, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Cannabics Pharmaceuticals Inc. (OTCQB: CNBX), a global leader in the development of cancer related cannabinoid-based therapeutic formulations and medicines, announced today that it has established a subsidiary, Digestix Bioscience Inc., a company dedicated to the development of medical devices and pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of precancerous and early stage neoplastic local tumors. The new company’s initial focus is in developing a medical device and a pharmaceutical composition with inhibitory effects for preventing recurrence of certain adenomatous colorectal polyps.

Adenomatous colorectal polyps are found in approximately 25-30% of colonoscopies performed on men and women over the age of 50, and according to iData Research, approximately 19 million colonoscopies are performed in the US annually. The new company is founded by Professor Eitan Scapa, Dr. Erez Scapa, Gabriel Yariv and Cannabics Pharmaceuticals as a majority shareholder. Gabriel Yariv, who currently serves as Director and COO of Cannabics Pharmaceuticals, will also serve as interim Chairman and CEO of Digestix Bioscience during initial setup.

Prof. Eitan Scapa, Co-Founder of Digestix Bioscience, said: “While the polyps themselves often do not exhibit symptoms, they have the potential to develop into colorectal cancer. Moreover, some of the more aggressive polyps have a tendency for recurrence after having been removed, thus increasing the chances for the tumor turning cancerous. Digestix Bioscience has come up with what we believe is a novel and proprietary treatment solution to potentially reduce the recurrence of these more aggressive polyp types”.

Prof. Scapa specializes in gastroenterology and liver diseases and is a Full Professor of Medicine at Tel Aviv University. He has completed a Fellowship at Harvard University Medical School, as well as having held numerous key positions in his field over the years, including: Head of Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Unit at Asaf Harofe Medical Center; President of the Israeli Association of Gastroenterology (IGA); Chairman of the Helsinki Committee at Asaf Harofe Medical Center; and Chief R&D, Medical Corps, in the IDF (Lieutenant Colonel). Prof. Scapa is also the originator of the PillCam™ Capsule Endoscopy technology developed by Given Imaging (Medtronic), and the CMO and Co-Founder of ART Medical.

Eyal Barad, Cannabics Pharmaceuticals’ CEO said: “The establishment of Digestix Bioscience is a great example of how Cannabics can stay focused on its core activities while leveraging its knowhow and expertise to establish new ventures and partnerships in order to tap adjacent markets such as that of medical devices and pre-cancerous and early stage local tumors in this case”.

About Cannabics Pharmaceuticals:

Cannabics Pharmaceuticals Inc. (OTCQB: CNBX) is a U.S. public company and a global leader in the development of cancer related cannabinoid-based therapeutic formulations and medicines. The Company’s R&D is based in Israel, where it is licensed by the Ministry of Health to conduct scientific and clinical research on cannabinoid formulations and cancer. For more information, please visit www.cannabics.com. For the latest updates on Cannabics Pharmaceuticals follow the Company on Twitter @Cannabics, Facebook @CannabicsPharmaceuticals, LinkedIn, and on Instagram @Cannabics_Pharmaceuticals.

Disclaimer:

Certain statements contained in this release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other U.S. Federal securities laws. Such statements include but are not limited to statements identified by words such as “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “intends,” “plans,” “targets,” “projects” and similar expressions. The statements in this release are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of our Company’s management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ from those outlined in the forward-looking statements. Numerous factors could cause or contribute to such differences, including, but not limited to, results of clinical trials and other studies, the challenges inherent in new product development initiatives, the effect of any competitive products, our ability to license and protect our intellectual property, our ability to raise additional capital in the future that is necessary to maintain our business, changes in government policy and regulation, potential litigation by or against us, any governmental review of our products or practices, as well as other risks discussed from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission including, without limitation, our latest 10-K Report filed November 4th, 2020. We undertake no duty to update any forward-looking statement or any information contained in this press release or other public disclosures at any time. Finally, the investing public is reminded that the only announcements or information about Cannabics Pharmaceuticals Inc., which are condoned by the Company, must emanate from the Company itself and bear our name as its source.

For more information about Cannabics:

Cannabics Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Phone: +1-(877)-424-2429
[email protected]
http://www.Cannabics.com

Related Links

https://cannabics.com

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1335255/Digestix_Bioscience.jpg

 

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SOURCE Cannabics Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Perficient Creates Award-Winning, Consumer-Centric Experiences for Henry Ford Health System and Ochsner Health

Perficient Creates Award-Winning, Consumer-Centric Experiences for Henry Ford Health System and Ochsner Health

Strategically-Driven Digital Health Solutions Boost User Interactions and Inform Providers about Consumers

ST. LOUIS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Perficient, Inc. (Nasdaq: PRFT) (“Perficient”), the leading global digital consultancy transforming the world’s largest enterprises and biggest brands, today announced the development of digital health solutions for two healthcare systems – Henry Ford Health System (“Henry Ford”) and Ochsner Health (“Ochsner”).

New healthcare delivery and customer experience innovations have saturated the healthcare industry, leading some providers to adopt tools that satisfy shifting demands but do not holistically consider the broader strategic implications. To improve digital brand experience and drive positive outcomes, providers must consider the overall consumer journey when evaluating which tools will strategically align with organizational plans and priorities.

“Consumer-centric experience has become a buzzword in healthcare, but few health systems are delivering on that promise,” said Linda Watts, digital healthcare strategy director, Perficient. “It’s common for providers to focus on the clinical and operational considerations during the initial development stages and focus less on the consumer journey leading up to it. With Henry Ford and Ochsner, we are building seamless, strategy-driven solutions that are helping customers navigate services while enabling the providers to learn more about their consumers.”

Creating an Award-Winning Consumer Experience and Streamlining User Platforms into a Centralized Hub

Henry Ford, a non-profit, integrated health system headquartered in Detroit, sought to attract and retain new patients by conveniently connecting people with their services through a multi-faceted digital platform. Henry Ford partnered with Perficient to incorporate several new capabilities into the platform, including an open scheduling solution that won Henry Ford recognition from the eHealthcare Leadership Awards for Best Doctor Directory and Best Overall Digital Patient Experience.

“From the beginning, we wanted to create a ‘digital front door’ that gave consumers the keys to access the information and services they needed,” said Anna Hansard, web strategy director, Henry Ford Health System. “We’re creating an approach to strategically streamline the consumer journey by revising existing functionality and designing new processes to adequately guide users to their desired destination.”

Working with Perficient, Henry Ford developed a customer experience strategy that focused on the healthcare consumer journey and conducted a site survey and primary care journey map to uncover key issues consumers were facing. Based on the findings, Perficient is designing a centralized hub to help users navigate all the options available to them and efficiently access the information they need.

Optimizing Voice and Chatbot Capabilities Based On User Interactions Leads to 54 Percent Increase in Satisfaction

Ochsner, a non-profit health system headquartered in New Orleans, wanted to optimize voice and chatbot capabilities that resonated with users. Both tools were designed to help users access specific information or perform preset actions, like using voice to locate the nearest urgent care center or accessing the chatbot to schedule an appointment.

“We introduced chatbot and voice capabilities to give our consumers the information and services we thought they wanted. However, we learned that we needed to expand our strategy to best serve their needs and expectations,” said Ashley Hoyuela, web design and development manager, Ochsner Health. “We worked with Perficient to develop a strategy roadmap that leveraged our consumers’ interactions to inform our approach.”

Together, Perficient and Ochsner analyzed the questions consumers were asking, developed KPIs, and relied on qualitative and quantitative data to develop new conversation functionalities. As inquiries about COVID-19 grew, real-time responses and risk assessment capabilities were prioritized to help inform and triage users. Since optimizing these tools, chatbot user satisfaction increased by 54 percent, average daily voice interactions increased, and contact center calls decreased by 21 percent.

Perficient, Henry Ford, and Ochsner to Showcase Digital Experience Solutions at Healthcare Internet Conference

The successful digital health solutions at Henry Ford and Ochsner and the need for strategic delivery will be the subject of a presentation at the virtual 2020 Healthcare Internet Conference (HCIC). Watts, Hansard, and Hoyuela will deliver the presentation, “Not Just Shiny New Tools: Using Innovation to Improve the Digital Brand Experience and Drive Outcomes,” on Monday, Nov. 16, at 1 p.m. ET.

Perficient will deliver a second presentation during the virtual HCIC event on Monday, Nov. 16, at 11 a.m. ET. During the session, “Does Your Digital Content Make Sense to Machines and Humans? Getting the Most from Taxonomy and Schema,” Rachelle Montano, digital healthcare strategy director, and other presenters will discuss how providers can build consumer trust and support business goals by following a taxonomy and schema strategy.

A trusted digital partner with more than 20 years of experience, Perficient helps healthcare organizations combine data, strategy, technology, and design to build strategies and solutions that transform healthcare delivery, improve patient engagement, and solve inefficiencies. For more information about Perficient’s expertise in the healthcare industry and digital health consulting capabilities, subscribe to our blog and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.

About Perficient

Perficient is a leading global digital consultancy. We imagine, create, engineer, and run digital transformation solutions that help our clients exceed customers’ expectations, outpace competition, and grow their business. With unparalleled strategy, creative, and technology capabilities, we bring big thinking and innovative ideas, along with a practical approach to help the world’s largest enterprises and biggest brands succeed. Traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market, Perficient is a member of the Russell 2000 index and the S&P SmallCap 600 index. Perficient is an award-winning Adobe Platinum Partner, Platinum Level IBM business partner, a Microsoft National Service Provider and Gold Certified Partner, an Oracle Platinum Partner, a Gold Salesforce Consulting Partner, and a Sitecore Platinum Partner. For more information, visit www.perficient.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

Some of the statements contained in this news release that are not purely historical statements discuss future expectations or state other forward-looking information related to financial results and business outlook for 2020. Those statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the statements. The forward-looking information is based on management’s current intent, belief, expectations, estimates, and projections regarding our company and our industry. You should be aware that those statements only reflect our predictions. Actual events or results may differ substantially. Important factors that could cause our actual results to be materially different from the forward-looking statements include (but are not limited to) those disclosed under the heading “Risk Factors” in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, as supplemented by the risk factor contained under the heading “Risk Factors” in our quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2020.

Connor Stieferman, Communications Manager

314-529-3595

[email protected]

KEYWORDS: Missouri United States North America

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Software Practice Management Internet Health Consulting Hospitals Professional Services Technology

MEDIA:

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UFP Industries expands construction capabilities with the acquisition of three New England companies

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Nov. 16, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — UFP Industries (Nasdaq: UFPI) today announced that affiliates of UFP Construction LLC acquired the assets of three companies: Atlantic Prefab, Inc.; Exterior Designs, LLC; and Patriot Building Systems, LLC. The companies, which had combined trailing 12-month sales through September of approximately $28 million, serve the commercial and multi-family construction markets in the Northeast. The operational leadership of the companies will remain unchanged.

“The employees of these three companies have done an excellent job growing their businesses, creating long-term relationships with customers, and developing expertise in areas of commercial and multi-family construction that are mostly new to UFP Industries. They will help us expand our product offerings and give other UFP companies opportunities to extend their existing business lines into new markets,” said Mike Ellerbrook, executive vice president, Site Built, for UFP Construction.

Based in Wilton, New Hampshire, Atlantic Prefab produces prefabricated steel wall panels and light gauge metal trusses. The company’s steel component and prefinished wall panel lines are new, value-added product additions for UFP Construction that help shorten project timelines.

Exterior Designs is a leading installer of siding and exterior cladding such as fiber cement, ACM (aluminum composite material) panels, phenolic panels, and EIFS (exterior insulation and finish systems). The company is based in Londonderry, New Hampshire, and serves commercial and multi-family clients throughout the Northeast.

Also based in Londonderry, Patriot Building Systems provides commercial and multi-family framing services in the Northeast and will focus on markets not currently served by companies of UFP Industries.

“It’s been a pleasure working with UFP Industries during this transaction,” said Mike Dion, majority owner of the acquired companies. “I want to thank the employees of all three companies for their commitment and excellent work over the years. It’s reassuring to know that our employees and customers are in good hands and will be well taken care of.”

“Last year, we reorganized our operations to bring more focus and more efficient use of capital and resources to the markets we serve,” said UFP Industries CEO Matthew J. Missad. “The acquisition of these three complementary companies is an example of how our reorganization is helping us grow and bring more value-added products and services to our construction customers. These companies have outstanding reputations, and we’re excited that they’ve joined the UFP family of companies.”

UFP Industries
, Inc.

UFP Industries is a holding company whose subsidiaries supply wood, wood composite and other products to three markets: retail, construction and industrial. Founded in 1955, the company is headquartered in Grand Rapids, Mich., with affiliates throughout North America, Europe, Asia and Australia. For more about UFP Industries, go to www.ufpi.com.

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act, as amended, that are based on management’s beliefs, assumptions, current expectations, estimates and projections about the markets we serve, the economy and the Company itself. Words like “anticipates,” “believes,” “confident,” “estimates,” “expects,” “forecasts,” “likely,” “plans,” “projects,” “should,” variations of such words, and similar expressions identify such forward-looking statements. These statements do not guarantee future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict with regard to timing, extent, likelihood and degree of occurrence. The Company does not undertake to update forward-looking statements to reflect facts, circumstances, events, or assumptions that occur after the date the forward-looking statements are made. Actual results could differ materially from those included in such forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainty. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking statements are the following: fluctuations in the price of lumber; adverse or unusual weather conditions; adverse economic conditions in the markets we serve; government regulations, particularly involving environmental and safety regulations; and our ability to make successful business acquisitions. Certain of these risk factors as well as other risk factors and additional information are included in the Company’s reports on Form 10-K and 10-Q on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

—————AT THE COMPANY—————

Dick Gauthier
VP, Business Outreach
(616) 365-1555



Genius Brands International Announces Strategic Acquisition of ChizComm Ltd. and ChizComm Beacon Media

With Over $100 Million Dollars in Annual Aggregated Media Spend, ChizComm is the Largest Purchaser of Children’s Media in North America

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, today announced plans for a transformative acquisition of ChizComm Ltd., a leading North American marketing and media agency, as well as ChizComm Beacon Media, its best-in-class media research, planning and buying division.

ChizComm is the largest purchaser of children’s media across both traditional and digital platforms in North America, as well as a leader in PR, media, and marketing within the kids/family media and consumer product sectors. Founded by Harold and Jennifer Chizick in 2013, with offices in New Jersey, Los Angeles, and Toronto, the company represents more than 30 major toy companies and some of the most powerful and iconic brands in the children and family media and toy industries.

ChizComm Beacon Media has consistently been ranked the largest media buyer within the Kids 2-11 age group, representing over 32% of total Gross Rating Points (GRPs).  ChizComm Beacon Media has gained market share year-to-date, and now represents 34% of the total GRPs within the Kids 2-11 demographic.  The company’s unique purchasing power and extensive media relationships across networks, including Viacom, Warner Media, Disney, YouTube and other digital platforms, offer clients an unmatched competitive advantage and access to audiences of all ages.

“Our strategy has been to accelerate the growth of Genius Brands through smart and accretive acquisitions. ChizComm achieves this goal and more, by driving revenue and generating immediate synergies and strategic opportunities to enhance the core businesses of Genius,” stated Genius Brands’ Chairman & CEO Andy Heyward. “ChizComm’s reputation, integrity and unparalleled passion for the industry is completely aligned with what we stand for. Their team has very smartly built an incredible marketing engine with best-in-class ability to connect brands and consumers in a highly competitive market, and we see that as a powerful complement to our forward growth at Genius Brands, including Kartoon Channel!”

Well known for its growth, track record and extensive expertise in toy, kids entertainment, gaming and related industries, ChizComm’s comprehensive integrated marketing approach and deep understanding of kids, youth, millennials and parents help brands connect with audiences to drive growth and make noise using PR, social media, influencer marketing, and paid media strategies.

The addition of marketing and media buying expertise positions the Company to create synergies and fuel new opportunities with broadcast clients and toy companies, for innovative offerings, reach and engagement in a rapidly evolving landscape as well as fueling the growth of Kartoon Channel!.

As a part of the transaction, ChizComm Ltd and ChizComm Beacon Media will continue to operate as independent divisions of Genius Brands, under the leadership of Harold Chizick as CEO, Jennifer Chizick as COO, Donna MacNeil as President, and Kathleen Campisano as ChizComm Global CMO and GM of ChizComm Beacon Media.

“We are simply thrilled to find a partner in Genius Brands who shares our energy, enthusiasm and passion for the business of entertainment, media, licensing and consumer products,” said Harold Chizick, ChizComm CEO and Co-Founder. “Many of our clients are expanding into content development and licensing opportunities, so this partnership extends our capabilities to meet our clients’ evolving needs. This transaction also provides us a solid financial partner and additional resources to further accelerate our growth.”

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, and the recently announced SHAQ’S GARAGE produced in association with Shaquille O’Neal and Authentic Brands Group. 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 iOs, Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire and more.

About
ChizComm

ChizComm is a full-service marketing and communications agency, specializing in the strategic planning and execution of public relations, digital marketing, social media, and creative services. Through its ChizComm Beacon Media division, ChizComm offers media research, planning, and buying services. The company is the largest purchaser of children’s media across traditional and emerging platforms (including TV, OTT, VOD, OLV, Social and Digital Media). Focused on cultivating long-lasting, impactful connections between consumers and brands across a diverse range of industries including consumer products, entertainment, gaming, lifestyle and tech. ChizComm’s integrated expertise brings the voice of brands to the forefront and makes them part of influential consumer conversation.

GENIUS BRANDS INTERNATIONAL INVESTOR RELATIONS CONTACT:
T: 844-589-8760 [email protected]
   
CHIZCOMM LTD CONTACT:
T: 647-992-3561 [email protected]

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2334d91e-d2ba-45d1-b76e-1c035791e355



Navios Maritime Partners L.P. Announces Offer to Acquire Outstanding Units of Navios Maritime Containers L.P.

MONACO, Nov. 16, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Navios Maritime Partners L.P. (“Navios Partners”) (NYSE: NMM), an international owner and operator of dry cargo vessels, announced today that it has submitted a proposal to the board of directors of Navios Maritime Containers L.P. (“Navios Containers”) (NASDAQ: NMCI) to acquire the outstanding common units of Navios Containers not already owned by Navios Partners.

Subject to negotiation and execution of a definitive agreement, Navios Partners is proposing to issue in a merger transaction 0.37 of a common unit of Navios Partners for each outstanding common unit of Navios Containers. Based on the respective closing prices of the common units of the two companies on November 13, 2020, this exchange ratio represents a value of $2.48 per common unit of Navios Containers and a premium of 15%. The exchange ratio represents a premium of 121.7% based on the 60-day volume weighted average price of Navios Containers.

The proposed transaction is subject to the negotiation and execution of a definitive agreement, approval of the board of directors of Navios Partners and the necessary approvals under Navios Containers’ limited partnership agreement. The consummation of the proposed transaction would be subject to customary closing conditions. There can be no assurance that any such approvals will be forthcoming, that a definitive agreement will be executed, or that any transaction will be consummated.

This communication does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities. This communication is not a substitute for any documents that may be filed with the SEC or sent to equity holders in connection with the proposed transaction. Equity holders are urged to read those documents, which will contain important information.

About Navios Maritime Partners L.P
.

Navios Maritime Partners L.P. (NYSE: NMM) is a publicly traded master limited partnership which owns and operates dry cargo vessels. For more information, please visit our website at www.navios-mlp.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements (as defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) concerning future events including Navios Partners’ expected cash flow generation, future contracted revenues, future distributions and its ability to have a dividend going forward, opportunities to reinvest cash accretively in a fleet renewal program or otherwise, potential capital gains, its ability to take advantage of dislocation in the market and Navios Partners’ growth strategy and measures to implement such strategy; including expected vessel acquisitions and entering into further time charters. Words such as “may,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “anticipates,” “hopes,” “estimates,” and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements.

These forward-looking statements are based on the information available to, and the expectations and assumptions deemed reasonable by Navios Partners at the time these statements were made. Although Navios Partners believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, no assurance can be given that such expectations will prove to have been correct. These statements involve risks and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond the control of Navios Partners. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, risks relating to: global and regional economic and political conditions including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and efforts throughout the world to contain its spread, including effects on global economic activity, demand for seaborne transportation of the products we ship, the ability and willingness of charterers to fulfill their obligations to us and prevailing charter rates, shipyards performing scrubber installations, drydocking and repairs, changing vessel crews and availability of financing; potential disruption of shipping routes due to accidents, diseases, pandemics, political events, piracy or acts by terrorists, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing efforts throughout the world to contain it; uncertainty relating to global trade, including prices of seaborne commodities and continuing issues related to seaborne volume and ton miles, our continued ability to enter into long-term time charters, our ability to maximize the use of our vessels, expected demand in the dry cargo shipping sector in general and the demand for our Panamax, Capesize, Ultra-Handymax and Containerships in particular, fluctuations in charter rates for dry cargo carriers and container vessels, the aging of our fleet and resultant increases in operations costs, the loss of any customer or charter or vessel, the financial condition of our customers, changes in the availability and costs of funding due to conditions in the bank market, capital markets and other factors, increases in costs and expenses, including but not limited to: crew, insurance, provisions, port expenses, lube oil, bunkers, repairs, maintenance and general and administrative expenses, the expected cost of, and our ability to comply with, governmental regulations and maritime self-regulatory organization standards, as well as standard regulations imposed by our charterers applicable to our business, general domestic and international political conditions, competitive factors in the market in which Navios Partners operates; risks associated with operations outside the United States; and other factors listed from time to time in Navios Partners’ filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Form 20-Fs and Form 6-Ks. Navios Partners expressly disclaims any obligations or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in Navios Partners’ expectations with respect thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any statement is based. Navios Partners makes no prediction or statement about the performance of its common units.

Contacts

Navios Maritime Partners L.P.
+1 (212) 906 8645
[email protected] 

Nicolas Bornozis
Capital Link, Inc.
+1 (212) 661 7566
[email protected]



S&P Global Platts to Assess Prices for Food-Grade Recycled PET Packaging Pellets

Now Allows Price Transparency Across the PET Plastic Bottle Value Chain in the U.S.

-Comes Amid Upped Market Demand for Recycled Plastics & Follows on Virgin PET, Recycled PET Prices-

PR Newswire

HOUSTON, N.Y., Nov. 16, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — S&P Global Platts, the leading independent provider of information and benchmark prices for the commodities and energy markets, today announced the launch of first-to-market, new daily spot price assessments for recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) food-grade pellets in Los Angeles, California. This follows on the earlier-year announcements of Platts publishing US post-consumer PET bottle bales as of April 1, 2020 and the July 1, 2020 launch of recycled PET clear flakes in Los Angeles. Platts now offers price assessments covering the entire PET chain, from virgin PET assessments on the US West Coast (USWC) through all stages of the PET recycling chain, as part of its larger coverage of energy transition under the environment and social governance (ESG) umbrella.  

California is the first US state to require PET beverage containers to use a set amount of recycled plastic, under Assembly Bill 793, signed on September 24, 2020. As of January 1, 2022, bottles will have to be made of at least 15% recycled PET. This rises to 50% in 2030.


Ben Brooks, Head of Plastics Recycling Price Reporting, S&P Global Platts said:
 “Amid upcoming legislation requiring companies to increase their use of recycled PET in California, there is demand for price perspectives across the entire PET value chain, so that market participants can understand the relationships between recycled and virgin PET. S&P Global Platts can now offer transparency across the entire value chain through its suite of price assessments.”

Presently, the recycled plastic markets are nascent markets characterised by a lack of standardisation, given that recycled plastic is derived from waste. The latest addition to the S&P Global Platts suite of recycled PET price assessments, combined with pre-existing price assessments of virgin PET, brings crucial market insight and never-before-available transparency, based on Platts’ deep experience building independent and robust assessment methodologies, that better enables recycled plastics’ evolution into tradable commodities.

Proposed US legislation (Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act of 2020), unveiled in February 2020, aims to create a nation-wide container-deposit system whereby producers will be required to fund waste and recycling systems through an Extended Producer Responsibility Program. The Act proposes incremental increases in the minimum recycled content in food-service products to 25% by 2025 (which broadly matches European standard).

European food-grade recycled PET (RPET) pellet prices have averaged $500 per metric ton (/mt) over virgin PET prices since 2019. The demand for food-grade RPET will increase worldwide as brand owners commit to higher recycled content in their products.

The daily assessments will reflect price information for the greater Los Angeles, California on a free-on-board (FOB) basis, as gathered and published through Platts price assessment process, closing 4:00 pm CST.

FOB Los Angeles prices will value clear R-PET pellets loading 3-30 days forward from the date of publication. The assessment will reflect spot transactions with a typical volume size of 1-5 truckloads (approximately 40,000-200,000 lbs).

Find full methodology for the S&P Global Platts petrochemical price assessments here:  https://www.spglobal.com/platts/en/our-methodology/methodology-specifications/petrochemicals/americas-petrochemicals-methodology

Contact:
Americas: Kathleen Tanzy, +1 917 331 4607[email protected]

About S&P Global Platts
At S&P Global Platts, we provide the insights; you make better informed trading and business decisions with confidence. We’re the leading independent provider of information and benchmark prices for the commodities and energy markets. Customers in over 150 countries look to our expertise in news, pricing and analytics to deliver greater transparency and efficiency to markets. S&P Global Platts coverage includes oil and gas, power, petrochemicals, metals, agriculture and shipping.

S&P Global Platts is a division of S&P Global (NYSE: SPGI), which provides essential intelligence for individuals, companies and governments to make decisions with confidence. For more information, visit https://www.spglobal.com/platts/en

Cision View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sp-global-platts-to-assess-prices-for-food-grade-recycled-pet-packaging-pellets-301173672.html

SOURCE S&P Global Platts

The Vitamin Shoppe® Launches Extensive Range Of CBD Hemp Extract Products Under The Full Spectrum plnt® And Broad Spectrum Vthrive The Vitamin Shoppe™ Brands

Continuing the expansion of its private brands portfolio, The Vitamin Shoppe brings trusted quality and value to the innovative CBD category with exclusive formulas available in stores and online

PR Newswire

SECAUCUS, N.J., Nov. 16, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — The Vitamin Shoppe®, an omni-channel specialty retailer of nutritional products, announced today the launch of its first proprietary CBD hemp extract products under its Vthrive The Vitamin Shoppe™ and plnt® brands.

Developed to meet the growing consumer demand for accessible, high quality CBD from trusted sources, these new and exclusive tincture and capsule formulas are produced with The Vitamin Shoppe’s promise of unrivaled quality, expertise, and value. Both brands are exclusively available at The Vitamin Shoppe and Super Supplements stores, as well as www.vitaminshoppe.com.

“Bringing these new CBD products to market is a decisive milestone in the expansion of our private brands business and The Vitamin Shoppe’s commitment to industry-leading innovation. The exceptional skill and knowledge of our product development and scientific and regulatory teams delivered a range of CBD formulas that are second to none in this dynamic product category. Our ingredient purity, unique CBD extraction methods, and rigorous testing guarantees the highest level of quality from farm to lab to shelf. This launch further establishes The Vitamin Shoppe as the trusted national destination for CBD innovation and as a leader in health and wellness solutions,” said Sharon Leite, CEO of The Vitamin Shoppe.

The CBD offerings from plnt and Vthrive The Vitamin Shoppe join over 20 other brands within CBD HQ, The Vitamin Shoppe’s exclusive merchandise concept for quality CBD, both in-store and online. CBD HQ currently offers a comprehensive assortment of ingestible CBD formulations in liquid tinctures, capsules, gummies, and beverages, as well as topical CBD products and beauty formulas. The full CBD HQ experience is currently available in 582 locations of The Vitamin Shoppe and Super Supplements, with another 143 locations offering a focused assortment of topical and beauty CBD products.

Both the plnt and Vthrive The Vitamin Shoppe CBD product lines offer customers an easy-to-understand potency classification system with three tiers of strength, as well as solution-oriented blends that address specific need-states. Priced from $24.99 to $69.99, depending on CBD potency and added therapeutic ingredients, each product offers exceptional value in terms of CBD potency per serving in comparison to leading competitive brands. To shop the complete assortments, please visit www.vitaminshoppe.com/plntcbd and www.vitaminshoppe.com/vthrivecbd.

Each product from plnt and Vthrive The Vitamin Shoppe is put through rigorous quality assurance steps, and ingredient purity and potency are verified by independent, third-party labs. Consumers can be confident that all products from The Vitamin Shoppe family of brands meet or exceed industry quality standards.

Vthrive The Vitamin Shoppe CBD

Vthrive The Vitamin Shoppe offers a premium selection of broad spectrum CBD hemp extract products, which contain two or more cannabinoids, plus naturally occurring terpenes and fatty acids, with no detectable THC (defined as <0.05% THC). Each product is created from U.S. farm-grown hemp and refined using Isopropyl Alcohol, or IPA, to remove all detectable THC while leaving minor cannabinoids and terpenes intact.

Additionally, every Vthrive The Vitamin Shoppe product is made with clean ingredients, meaning no Magnesium Stearate, Stearic Acid, or Titanium Dioxide, as well as zero artificial colors, flavors or sweeteners.

This brand includes standalone CBD oil in tinctures and liquid veggie capsules, as well as expert-formulated blends that meet specific wellness goals. The tinctures are available in peppermint, chocolate mint, and unflavored versions, with three tiers of potency: mild at 15mg per serving, moderate at 35mg, and strong at 55mg. The CBD liquid veggie capsules offer the same three levels of potency, plus BioPerine® to enhance nutrient absorption.

The solution-focused formulations each provide 35mg of CBD, blended with clinically-studied ingredients at efficacious doses to target the most requested need-states associated with CBD: sleep, stress, and temporary inflammation. These products, available as liquid capsules, include:

  • Vthrive The Vitamin Shoppe CBD + Sleep Blend includes melatonin, Venetron®, and GABA to support relaxation, sleep quality, plus antioxidant support from the melatonin
  • Vthrive The Vitamin Shoppe CBD + Stress Blend includes Zembrin® and Sensoril® Ashwaghanda to manage and reduce stress, and support focus, energy levels, and mood
  • Vthrive The Vitamin Shoppe CBD + Inflammation Blend includes CurcuWIN® and ApresFlex® to support joints, flexibility and mobility, and exercise recovery

plnt CBD

The plnt brand offers a comprehensive assortment of full spectrum CBD hemp extract products, which contain the extensive range of cannabinoids, terpenes, bioflavonoids, flavonoids, and fatty acids naturally occurring in hemp. This includes less than 0.3% THC, and no synthetic ingredients, preservatives, artificial flavors, colors, or sweeteners.

Created from hemp grown on a family farm and harvested by hand in Vermont, plnt CBD is manufactured with a solvent-free extraction process that uses only water and plant-based oils. This environmentally friendly process guarantees greater purity and potency, yielding more naturally occurring hemp-based compounds.

The plnt assortment includes standalone CBD in tincture potencies of 10mg, 20 mg, and 40 mg of CBD per serving, in vanilla and unflavored versions. Vegetarian liquid capsules are available in potencies of 10mg, 20mg, and 35mg of CBD per serving. Additional condition-specific formulas pair 20mg of CBD with efficacious doses of popular organic herbs and adaptogens, available as tinctures or liquid capsules, including:

  • plnt CBD + Organic Turmeric for cardiovascular, antioxidant, and joint support
  • plnt CBD + Organic Valerian and California Poppy for sleep and relaxation support
  • plnt CBD + Organic Ashwagandha for stress management, energy, and vitality support
  • plnt CBD + Organic Black Seed Oil for cellular and immune support (available only as a tincture)

In states where the sale of CBD is prohibited by state or local regulations, The Vitamin Shoppe is introducing a complete line of eight hemp oil products with phytocannabinoids that share similar formulas and potencies to the plnt CBD line.

About The Vitamin Shoppe®

The Vitamin Shoppe®, a subsidiary of Franchise Group Inc. (NASDAQ: FRG), is an omni-channel specialty retailer and wellness lifestyle Company with the mission of providing customers with the most trusted products, guidance, and services to help them become their best selves, however they define it. Based in Secaucus, New Jersey, the Company offers a comprehensive assortment of nutritional solutions, including vitamins, minerals, specialty supplements, herbs, sports nutrition, homeopathic remedies, green living products, and natural beauty aids. In addition to carrying products from approximately 700 national brands, The Vitamin Shoppe offers products from its proprietary brands within its owned and wholesale channels, including: The Vitamin Shoppe®, Vthrive The Vitamin Shoppe™, BodyTech®, BodyTech® Elite, fitfactor Weight Management System™, fitfactor KETO™, plnt®, ProBioCare®, and True Athlete®. The Company conducts business through over 720 company-operated retail stores under The Vitamin Shoppe and Super Supplements banners, and via its website, www.vitaminshoppe.com.

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SOURCE The Vitamin Shoppe

Performance Shipping Inc. Reports Financial Results for the Third Quarter and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020

ATHENS, Greece, Nov. 16, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Performance Shipping Inc. (NASDAQ: PSHG) (the “Company”), a global shipping company specializing in the ownership of tanker vessels, today reported net income and net income attributable to common stockholders of $0.4 million for the third quarter of 2020, compared to a net loss and net loss attributable to common stockholders of $18.1 million for the same period in 2019. Earnings per common share, basic and diluted, for the third quarter of 2020 were $0.08, while loss per share for the third quarter of 2019 was $5.58.

Voyage and time charter revenues were $9.5 million ($6.7 million net of voyage expenses) for the third quarter of 2020, compared to $6.3 million ($5.5 million net of voyage expenses) for the same period in 2019. This increase was mainly attributable to the increased time-charter equivalent rates (TCE rates) contributed by the Company’s Aframax tankers. Fleetwide, the average time charter equivalent rate for the third quarter of 2020 was $15,990, compared with an average rate of $12,915 for the same period of 2019. As a result, during the third quarter of 2020, net cash provided by operating activities was $2.3 million, compared with net cash used in operating activities of $3.2 million for the third quarter of 2019.

Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, amounted to $6.3 million, compared to a net loss of $19.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019. Net income attributable to common stockholders for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, amounted to $7.8 million, due to a one-time gain of $1.5 million derived from the repurchase of the Series C preferred shares, and resulted in earnings per common share, basic and diluted, of $1.62 and $1.59, respectively. Net loss attributable to common stockholders for the nine months ended September 30, 2019, was $19.8 million, resulting in a loss per share, basic and diluted, of $7.83.


Third


Quarter


2020


and


Subsequent


Developments:

  • Delivery of the last containership M/V Domingo to her new owners in August 2020;
  • Appointment of Andreas Michalopoulos as Chief Executive Officer and Anthony Argyropoulos as Chief Financial Officer in October 2020;
  • Initiation of new variable quarterly dividend policy and declaration of $0.01 dividend per share to all shareholders in October 2020;
  • Introduction of new business strategy and posting of the relevant presentation on the Company’s website in October 2020;
  • Effectiveness of one-for-ten reverse stock split to comply with NASDAQ’s minimum price rule in November 2020;
  • Acceptance of signed Offer Letter of up to $31.5 million from Piraeus Bank S.A. in November 2020, for the partial refinancing of the existing Nordea loan and additional financing for a fifth Aframax Tanker;
  • Acquisition of 2011-built Aframax Tanker for $22.0 million in November 2020.

As of November 15, 2020, the Company had 5,015,501 shares of common stock issued and outstanding.

Commenting on the results of the third quarter of 2020, Mr. Andreas Michalopoulos, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, stated:

“During the third quarter of 2020, despite the prevailing deterioration in tanker charter rates, we continued to operate profitably with all four Aframax tankers in aggregate contributing to our operations with the support of our medium term time charter contract for the M/T Blue Moon at $28,000 per day. Midway through the current quarter, the tanker charter market is very low on the back of lower demand due to COVID-19 and low OPEC output. We have a new management team in place, a new business strategy, and initiated a variable quarterly dividend policy coupled with our specific low leverage target. We also secured an additional term loan to refinance part of our existing debt to reduce our quarterly installments and acquired our fifth Aframax tanker, resulting in a significant reduction in our daily cash break- even rate. We believe the low orderbook in conjunction with the gradual resurfacing of oil demand following a return to normality post COVID-19 will result in higher tanker charter rates in the future.”


Tanker Market Update


for the Third Quarter 2020


:

  • Fleet supply was 634.1 million dwt, up 0.8% from 629.0 million dwt from the previous quarter, and up 4.0% from Q3 2019 levels of 609.9 million dwt.
  • Demand, however, is estimated to have contracted by 14.5% from the previous quarter but remains up 1.3% from Q3 2019 levels.
  • Fleet utilization was estimated at 79.9%, down from 94.4% from the previous quarter and down from Q3 2019 levels of 81.9%.
  • Newbuilding contracting at 4.2 million dwt resulted in a further reduction of the orderbook to 8.0% of the fleet, the lowest level since 1996.
  • Daily spot charter rates for Aframax Tankers averaged $8,698, down 73.3% from the previous quarter average of $32,624 and down 41.0% from Q3 2019 average of $14,748.     
  • The value of a 10-year-old Aframax tanker ended the quarter at $23 million, down 11.5% from the previous quarter assessed value of $26 million, and down 2.1% from Q3 2019 assessed value of $23.5 million.
  • Tankers used for floating storage was 307 (50.7 million dwt), down 15.4% from 363 (53.2 million dwt) from the previous quarter and up 270.0% from Q3 2019 levels of 83 (19.9 million dwt).
  • Global oil consumption was 94.1 million bpd, up 10.2% from the previous quarter level of 85.4 million bpd, and down 8.1% from Q3 2019 levels of 102.4 million bpd.
  • Global oil production was 91.1 million bpd, down 1.6% from the previous quarter level of 92.5 million bpd and down 9.0% from Q3 2019 levels of 100.1 million bpd.
  • OECD commercial inventories were 3,169.3 million barrels, down 0.1% from the previous quarter level of 3,173.1 million barrels, and up 7.6% from Q3 2019 levels of 2,946.3 million barrels.


Novel


Coronavirus R


isks:

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the recent Novel coronavirus disease (“COVID-19”) outbreak a pandemic. In response to the outbreak, many countries, ports and organizations, including those where the Company conducts a large part of its operations, have implemented measures to combat the outbreak, such as quarantines and travel restrictions. Such measures have, and will likely continue to, negatively affect the global economy. Any prolonged restrictive measures in order to control the spread of COVID-19 or other adverse public health developments in Asia or in other geographies in which the Company’s vessels operate may significantly impact the demand for the Company’s vessels. The extent to which COVID-19 will impact the Company’s results of operations and financial condition will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, including new information which may emerge concerning the severity of the virus and the actions to contain or treat its impact or a potential second wave, among others. Accordingly, an estimate of the impact cannot be made at this time. However, if the COVID-19 pandemic worsens, additional restrictions are imposed, or current restrictions are imposed for a longer period of time in response to the outbreak, it may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s future results of operation and financial condition.

 

 
Summary of Selected Financial & Other Data
      For the three months ended

September 30,
  For the nine months ended

September
30,
      2020    2019    2020    2019 
      (unaudited)   (unaudited)   (unaudited)   (unaudited)
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA (in thousands of US Dollars):
                   
  Voyage and time charter revenues $ 9,543   $ 6,250   $ 39,078   $ 16,266  
  Voyage expenses   2,843     761     11,311     1,363  
  Vessel operating expenses   2,814     2,886     9,133     8,716  
  Net income / (loss)   389     (18,082 )   6,325     (19,829 )
  Net income / (loss) attributable to common stockholders   389     (18,082 )   7,825     (19,829 )
  Earnings / (Loss) per common share, basic   0.08     (5.58 )   1.62     (7.83 )
  Earnings / (Loss) per common share, diluted   0.08     (5.58 )   1.59     (7.83 )
FLEET DATA
  Average number of vessels   4.6     4.6     4.8     4.2  
  Number of vessels   4.0     5.0     4.0     5.0  
  Ownership days   419     425     1,304     1,149  
  Available days   419     425     1,304     1,149  
  Operating days, excluding ballast leg (1)   329     375     1,004     1,071  
  Operating days, including ballast leg (2)   393     389     1,194     1,085  
  Fleet utilization, excluding ballast leg   78.5 %   88.2 %   77.0 %   93.2 %
  Fleet utilization, including ballast leg   93.8 %   91.5 %   91.6 %   94.4 %
AVERAGE DAILY RESULTS
  Time charter equivalent (TCE) rate (3) $ 15,990   $ 12,915   $ 21,294   $ 12,970  
  Daily vessel operating expenses (4) $ 6,716   $ 6,791   $ 7,004   $ 7,586  
                           

_________________

(1) Operating days, excluding ballast leg, are the number of available days in a period less the aggregate number of days that our vessels are off-hire. The specific calculation counts the ballast leg of spot voyages as off-hire days, even if a charter party exists, so as to be in line with the accounting guidelines of ASC 606 for the revenue recognition (“loading” to “discharging” accounting). The shipping industry uses operating days to measure the aggregate number of days in a period during which vessels actually generate revenues.

(2) Operating days, including ballast leg, are the number of available days in a period less the aggregate number of days that our vessels are off-hire. The specific calculation does not count as off-hire the days of the ballast leg of the spot voyages, as long as a charter party is in place. The shipping industry uses operating days to measure the aggregate number of days in a period during which vessels actually generate revenues.

(3) Time charter equivalent rates, or TCE rates, are defined as our voyage and time charter revenues, less voyage expenses during a period divided by the number of our available days during the period, which is consistent with industry standards. Voyage expenses include port charges, bunker (fuel) expenses, canal charges and commissions. TCE is a non-GAAP measure. TCE rate is a standard shipping industry performance measure used primarily to compare daily earnings generated by vessels despite changes in the mix of charter types (i.e., voyage (spot) charters, time charters and bareboat charters).

(4) Daily vessel operating expenses, which include crew wages and related costs, the cost of insurance and vessel registry, expenses relating to repairs and maintenance, the costs of spares and consumable stores, lubricant costs, tonnage taxes, regulatory fees, environmental costs, lay-up expenses and other miscellaneous expenses, are calculated by dividing vessel operating expenses by ownership days for the relevant period.

   
Fleet Employment Profile (As of November 16, 2020)  
Performance Shipping Inc.’s fleet is employed as follows:  
                   
Vessel Year of
Built
Capacity Builder Gross Rate
(USD Per
Day)
Com* Charterers Delivery Date to
Charterers**
Redelivery Date to
Owners***
Notes
BLUE MOON 2011 104,623 DWT Sumitomo Heavy
Industries Marine &
Engineering Co., LTD.
$28,000 5.00 % Aramco Trading
Company, Saudi
Arabia
 19-Jun-20 19-Nov-21 – 18-Jan-22  
BRIOLETTE 2011 104,588 DWT Sumitomo Heavy
Industries Marine &
Engineering Co., LTD.
Spot   – – –  
P. FOS 2007 115,577 DWT Sasebo Heavy Industries
Co. Ltd
Spot   – – –  
P. KIKUMA 2007 115,915 DWT Samsung Heavy
Industries Co Ltd.,
Geoje, South Korea
Spot   – – –  
                    
* Total commission paid to third parties.
** In case of newly acquired vessel with time charter attached, this date refers to the expected/actual date of delivery of the vessel to the Company.
*** Range of redelivery dates, with the actual date of redelivery being at the Charterers’ option, but subject to the terms, conditions, and exceptions of the particular charterparty.
 

About the Company

Performance Shipping Inc. is a global provider of shipping transportation services through its ownership of Aframax tankers. The Company’s current fleet of tanker vessels is employed primarily on short to medium term charters with leading energy companies and traders.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Matters discussed in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides safe harbor protections for forward-looking statements in order to encourage companies to provide prospective information about their business. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance, and underlying assumptions and other statements, which are other than statements of historical facts.

The Company desires to take advantage of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and is including this cautionary statement in connection with this safe harbor legislation. The words “believe,” “anticipate,” “intends,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “project,” “plan,” “potential,” “may,” “should,” “expect,” “pending” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements.

The forward-looking statements in this press release are based upon various assumptions, many of which are based, in turn, upon further assumptions, including without limitation, our management’s examination of historical operating trends, data contained in our records and other data available from third parties. Although we believe that these assumptions were reasonable when made, because these assumptions are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies which are difficult or impossible to predict and are beyond our control, we cannot assure you that we will achieve or accomplish these expectations, beliefs or projections.

In addition to these important factors, other important factors that, in our view, could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include the strength of world economies and currencies, general market conditions, including fluctuations in charter rates and vessel values, changes in demand for our vessels, changes in our operating expenses, including bunker prices, drydocking and insurance costs, the market for our vessels, availability of financing and refinancing, the length and severity of the recent novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and its impact on the demand for seaborne transportation of petroleum and other types of products, changes in governmental rules and regulations or actions taken by regulatory authorities, potential liability from pending or future litigation, general domestic and international political conditions, potential disruption of shipping routes due to accidents or political events, vessel breakdowns and instances of off-hires and other factors. Please see our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a more complete discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties.

(See financial tables attached)

 

 
PERFORMANCE SHIPPING INC.
FINANCIAL TABLES
Expressed in thousands of U.S. Dollars, except for share and per share data
                   
UNAUDITED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                   
      For the three months ended
September 30,
  For the nine months ended

September 30,
      2020    2019    2020    2019 
REVENUES:                
  Voyage and time charter revenues $ 9,543   $ 6,250   $ 39,078   $ 16,266  
                   
EXPENSES:                
  Voyage expenses   2,843     761     11,311     1,363  
  Vessel operating expenses   2,814     2,886     9,133     8,716  
  Depreciation and amortization of deferred charges   1,588     1,053     4,267     2,793  
  Management fees   76     47     347     47  
  General and administrative expenses   1,721     1,966     6,127     5,430  
  Impairment losses       17,434     339     17,694  
  Gain on vessel’s sale   (345 )       (319 )    
  Provision for doubtful receivables   21         152      
  Foreign currency (gains) / losses   16     (22 )   24     (17 )
  Operating income / (loss) $ 809   $ (17,875 ) $ 7,697   $ (19,760 )
                   
OTHER INCOME / (EXPENSES):                
  Interest and finance costs   (433 )   (253 )   (1,470 )   (253 )
  Interest income   13     46     98     184  
  Total other expenses, net $ (420 ) $ (207 ) $ (1,372 ) $ (69 )
                   
Net income / (loss) $ 389   $ (18,082 ) $ 6,325   $ (19,829 )
                   
Gain from repurchase of preferred shares           1,500      
                   
Net income / (loss) attributable to common stockholders $ 389   $ (18,082 )   7,825     (19,829 )
                   
Earnings / (Loss) per common share, basic
*
$ 0.08   $ (5.58 ) $ 1.62   $ (7.83 )
                   
Earnings / (Loss) per common share, diluted
*
$ 0.08   $ (5.58 ) $ 1.59   $ (7.83 )
                   
Weighted average number of common shares, basic
*
  4,922,239     3,239,186     4,845,009     2,531,008  
                   
Weighted average number of common shares, diluted
*
  4,922,239     3,239,186     4,919,898     2,531,008  
  * Adjusted to give effect to the reverse stock split that became effective on November 2, 2020.                
                   
 
UNAUDITED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME / (LOSS)
                   
      For the three months ended

September 30,
  For the nine months ended

September 30,
      2020    2019    2020    2019 
                   
Net income / (loss) $ 389   $ (18,082 ) $ 6,325   $ (19,829 )
                   
Comprehensive income/ (loss) $ 389   $ (18,082 ) $ 6,325   $ (19,829 )
                   

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET DATA    
(Expressed in thousands of US Dollars)    
      September 30, 2020   December 31, 2019*
*

ASSETS
  (unaudited)    
           
Cash and cash equivalents $ 37,188 $ 26,363
Advances for vessel acquisitions and other vessels’ costs     11,017
Vessels, net   107,565   82,871
Other fixed assets, net   1,073   993
Other assets   9,075   9,325
  Total assets $ 154,901 $ 130,569
           

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
       
           
Long-term debt, net of unamortized deferred financing costs $ 51,403 $ 32,283
Other liabilities   3,780   4,048
Total stockholders’ equity   99,718   94,238
  Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 154,901 $ 130,569
           
* *The balance sheet data as of December 31, 2019 has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements at that date.

OTHER FINANCIAL DATA        
                 
    For the three months ended
September 30,
  For the nine months ended

September 30,
    2020    2019    2020    2019 
    (unaudited)   (unaudited)   (unaudited)   (unaudited)
Net Cash provided by / (used in) Operating Activities $ 2,289   $ (3,245 ) $ 12,295   $ (3,889 )
Net Cash provided by / (used in) Investing Activities $ 5,298   $ (22,146 ) $ (17,911 ) $ (21,705 )
Net Cash provided by / (used in) Financing Activities $ (2,453 ) $ (16,148 ) $ 16,441   $ 22,600  
                         



Corporate Contact:
Andreas Michalopoulos
Chief Executive Officer, Director and Secretary
Telephone: + 30-216-600-2400
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.pshipping.com

Investor and Media Relations:
Edward Nebb
Comm-Counsellors, LLC
Telephone: + 1-203-972-8350
Email: [email protected]

Covis Group Completes Acquisition of AMAG Pharmaceuticals

PR Newswire

LUXEMBOURG and ZUG, Switzerland, Nov. 16, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Covis Group S.à r.l. (“Covis”) today announced the completion of its acquisition of AMAG Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMAG) through the successful tender offer for all of the outstanding shares of common stock of AMAG at $13.75 per share in cash and subsequent merger. The combined organization will operate as part of the Covis Pharma Group and will be led by Covis CEO Michael Porter.

The addition of AMAG’s category leading treatments and development-stage assets in women’s health and hematology/oncology supports the execution of Covis’ strategic vision to enhance the company’s ability to impact the lives of patients by expanding its portfolio of ‘best in class’ products in attractive new therapeutic areas. In addition, Covis will be positioned to further support patients, building on its track record of efficient and effective management of therapeutic solutions.

“The acquisition of AMAG represents a key milestone in Covis’ efforts to fulfill our strategic vision to become a leading global specialty pharma company for life threatening and chronic illnesses for both commercial and development stage assets,” said Michael Porter, CEO of Covis. “AMAG’s expertise and key products—Feraheme®, Makena® and Ciraparantag—add tremendous value to Covis as we execute our mandate of expanding patient access to much needed therapies. We will continue to put patients’ interests first and look forward to collaborating with the FDA to ensure that Makena continues to be available as an option for appropriate patients. More than ever, we are positioned to continue growth of our therapeutic portfolio globally and look forward to further enhancing our capabilities and offerings.  We’re excited to work with our designated transition teams to execute on our integration plans and move forward as a stronger, unified organization.”

The tender offer expired at 12:00 a.m., Eastern Time, on November 12, 2020 (one minute after 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on November 12, 2020).  The condition to the tender offer that a majority of the outstanding shares of AMAG’s common stock be validly tendered and not withdrawn was satisfied and, accordingly, all such validly tendered shares were accepted for payment.  Following the consummation of the tender offer, Covis Mergerco Inc. merged with and into AMAG pursuant to Section 251(h) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. As a result of the merger, each share of AMAG that was not validly tendered in the tender offer (other than shares held by any stockholder of AMAG who properly demanded appraisal of such shares under the applicable provisions of Delaware law) was cancelled and converted into the right to receive $13.75 per share in cash, and AMAG became an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Covis. Shares of AMAG will cease to be traded on NASDAQ.

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC acted as exclusive financial advisor, and Goodwin Procter LLP acted as legal advisor to AMAG.  Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton and Garrison LLP acted as legal advisor to Covis. Financing for this transaction has been provided by Capital One, N.A. and investment funds and accounts managed by HPS Investment Partners, LLC.

About Covis

Covis is headquartered in Luxembourg with operations in Zug, Switzerland and is a global specialty pharmaceutical company that markets therapeutic solutions for patients with life-threatening conditions and chronic illnesses.  Additional information is available at www.covispharma.com.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This communication contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or Covis’ future financial performance. Covis generally identifies forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “could,” “intends,” “target,” “projects,” “contemplates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential” or “continue” or the negative of these terms or other similar words. These statements are only predictions. Covis has based these forward-looking statements largely on its then-current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends as well as the beliefs and assumptions of management. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which involve factors or circumstances that are beyond Covis’ control. Covis’ actual results could differ materially from those stated or implied in forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including but not limited to: risks associated with the combined organization following completion of the merger transaction including difficulties in executing Covis’ strategic vision, continuing to grow Covis’ therapeutic portfolio and enhancing Covis’ capabilities and offerings; the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against the parties and others related to the merger transaction; the inability of Covis’ to impact the lives of patients by expanding its portfolio of ‘best in class’ products in attractive new therapeutic areas; Covis not being positioned to further support patients, and failing to efficiently and effectively manage therapeutic solutions; Covis not being able to fulfill its strategic vision of becoming a leading specialty pharma company globally for life threatening and chronic illnesses for both commercial and development stage assets, which could have a material adverse impact on Covis’ business, financial results and operations; Covis failing to collaborate with the FDA to ensure that Makena continues to be available as an option for appropriate patients; risks associated with Makena’s withdrawal, including the impacts on Covis’ financial results; Covis failing to grow its therapeutic portfolio globally and enhancing its capabilities and offerings; Covis not being able to execute on its integration plans, resulting in a failure to achieve synergies or a more unified, stronger organization; and unanticipated difficulties or expenditures relating to the merger transaction, the response of business partners and competitors to the completion of the merger transaction, and/or potential difficulties in employee retention as a result of the completion of the merger transaction. Accordingly, you should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Covis cannot assure you that the events and circumstances reflected in the forward-looking statements will be achieved or occur, and actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements made in this communication relate only to events as of the date on which the statements are made. Covis undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which the statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Contact

Arik Ben-Zvi

Breakwater Strategy
(202) 270-1848
[email protected]

Cision View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/covis-group-completes-acquisition-of-amag-pharmaceuticals-301173667.html

SOURCE Covis Pharma