Osisko Development Receives Environmental Management Act Permits for Cariboo Gold Project

MONTREAL, Dec. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Osisko Development Corp. (NYSE: ODV, TSXV: ODV) (“Osisko Development” or the “Company“) is pleased to announce the granting of the Environmental Management Act permits for its 100%-owned Cariboo Gold Project (“Cariboo” or the “Project“) located in central British Columbia (“BC“), Canada. Together with the BC Mines Act permits secured on November 20, 2024, these approvals mark the successful completion of the permitting process for key approvals, solidifying the Cariboo Gold Project’s shovel-ready status.

“We are very pleased with the receipt of the EMA permits, which, together with the Mines Act permits put the Cariboo Gold project in the enviable position of being construction and operation ready. This significant milestone brings us one step closer to unlocking the project’s value potential for shareholders, Indigenous nations, and stakeholders, while upholding the highest standards in environmental stewardship. With the ongoing bulk sample and underground development work set for completion in Q1 2025, and an optimized feasibility well underway and expected in Q2 2025, the Cariboo Gold project is on track to becoming Canada’s next large-scale gold mine,”
commented Sean Roosen, Founder, Chairman and CEO.

“Our government is pleased that this project is one step closer to operation, which will provide good, well-paying jobs and open up long-term opportunities for local small businesses, communities, and First Nations,”
said
Jagrup Brar, Minister of Mining and Critical Minerals. “We will continue to work with the mining industry to ensure efficient permitting while also guaranteeing the Province’s commitment to environmental protection and reconciliation.”

As previously disclosed, a formal positive final investment decision and the engagement on a project financing package in the coming months would allow for full-scale construction to commence in the second half of 2025 with a targeted completion date at the end of 2027. The Company is advancing discussions, which are active and ongoing, on various funding options, including a comprehensive financing package.

CARIBOO GOLD PROJECT PERMITS

Following a robust and rigorous review process by a dedicated Mine Review Committee, set up by the Major Mines Office, the Company received the following permits for the Cariboo Gold Project:

  • M-247 – Mines Act permit for the Mine Site Complex and Bonanza Ledge;
  • M-198 – Mines Act permit for the QR Mill;
  • PE-111511 – Environmental Management Act Permit for the Mine Site Complex;
  • PE-12601 – Environmental Management Act Permit for QR Mill; and
  • PE-17876 – Environmental Management Act Permit for Bonanza Ledge.

The Mines Act permits (received on November 20, 2024) grant the Company the ability to proceed with the construction, operation and reclamation activities on each of the site boundaries, as outlined within the scope of the Project. The Environmental Management Act permits pertain to any Project-related discharge activities to the environment, including water and air, and the framework and limitations thereof, within the areas outside of the immediate mine site boundaries.

Work is ongoing with the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship and the Ministry of Forests, which is tracking well, on obtaining all necessary approvals for the construction of the transmission line.

ABOUT
OSISKO
DEVELOPMENT
CORP.

Osisko Development Corp. is a North American gold development company focused on past-producing mining camps located in mining friendly jurisdictions with district scale potential. The Company’s objective is to become an intermediate gold producer by advancing its 100%-owned Cariboo Gold Project, located in central B.C., Canada, the Tintic Project in the historic East Tintic mining district in Utah, U.S.A., and the San Antonio Gold Project in Sonora, Mexico. In addition to considerable brownfield exploration potential of these properties, that benefit from significant historical mining data, existing infrastructure and access to skilled labour, the Company’s project pipeline is complemented by other prospective exploration properties. The Company’s strategy is to develop attractive, long-life, socially and environmentally sustainable mining assets, while minimizing exposure to development risk and growing mineral resources.

For further information, visit our website at www.osiskodev.com or contact:

Sean Roosen Philip Rabenok
Chairman and CEO Director, Investor Relations
Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]
Tel: +1 (514) 940-0685 Tel: +1 (437) 423-3644



CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements contained in this news release may be deemed “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation (together, “forward-looking statements”). These forward-looking statements, by their nature, require Osisko Development to make certain assumptions and necessarily involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance. Words such as “may”, “will”, “would”, “could”, “expect”, “believe”, “plan”, “anticipate”, “intend”, “estimate”, “continue”, or the negative or comparable terminology, as well as terms usually used in the future and the conditional, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Information contained in forward-looking statements is based upon certain material assumptions that were applied in drawing a conclusion or making a forecast or projection, including the assumptions, qualifications and limitations relating to the ability of the Company to complete the optimized feasibility study and the scope, results and timing of thereof; progress in respect of pre-construction activities at Cariboo including bulk sample and underground development work; category conversion; the timing and status of permitting; future consultation efforts between Osisko Development and Xatśūll First Nation; the future development and operations at the Cariboo Gold Project; the results of ongoing stakeholder engagement; the capital resources available to the Company; the ability of the Company to execute its planned activities, including as a result of its ability to seek additional funding; the ability of the Company to obtain future financing and the terms of such financing including a fully-funded solution for the Cariboo Gold Project; management’s perceptions of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments; the ability and timing for Cariboo to reach commercial production (if at all); sustainability and environmental impacts of operations at the Company’s properties; the results (if any) of further exploration work to define and expand mineral resources; the ability of exploration work (including drilling) to accurately predict mineralization; the ability of the Company to expand mineral resources beyond current mineral resource estimates; the ability of the Company to complete its exploration and development objectives for its projects in the timing contemplated and within expected costs (if at all); the ability and timing for Cariboo to reach commercial production (if at all); the ability to adapt to changes in gold prices, estimates of costs, estimates of planned exploration and development expenditures; the ability of the Company to obtain further capital on reasonable terms; the profitability (if at all) of the Company’s operations; as well as other considerations that are believed to be appropriate in the circumstances, and any other information herein that is not a historical fact may be “forward looking information”. Material assumptions also include, management’s perceptions of historical trends, management’s understanding of the permitting process and status thereof, the ability of exploration (including drilling and chip sampling assays, and face sampling) to accurately predict mineralization, budget constraints and access to capital on terms acceptable to the Company, current conditions and expected future developments, regulatory framework remaining defined and understood, results of further exploration work to define or expand any mineral resources, as well as other considerations that are believed to be appropriate in the circumstances. Osisko Development considers its assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available, but cautions the reader that their assumptions regarding future events, many of which are beyond the control of Osisko Development, may ultimately prove to be incorrect since they are subject to risks and uncertainties that affect Osisko Development and its business. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, risks relating to third-party approvals, including the issuance of permits by the government, capital market conditions and the Company’s ability to access capital on terms acceptable to the Company for the contemplated exploration and development at the Company’s properties; the ability to continue current operations and exploration; regulatory framework and presence of laws and regulations that may impose restrictions on mining; the ability of exploration activities (including drill results and chip sampling, and face sampling results) to accurately predict mineralization; errors in management’s geological modelling; the timing and ability of the Company to obtain required approvals and permits; the results of exploration activities; risks relating to exploration, development and mining activities; the global economic climate; metal and commodity prices; fluctuations in the currency markets; dilution; environmental risks; and community, non-governmental and governmental actions and the impact of stakeholder actions. Osisko Development is confident a robust consultation process was followed in relation to its received BC Mines Act and Environmental Management Act permits for the Cariboo Gold Project and continues to actively consult and engage with Indigenous nations and stakeholders. While any party may seek to have the decision related to the BC Mines Act and/or Environmental Management Act permits reviewed by the courts, the Company does not expect that such a review will impact its ability to proceed with the construction and operation of the Cariboo Gold Project in accordance with the approved BC Mines Act and Environmental Management Act permits. Readers are urged to consult the disclosure provided under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s annual information form for the year ended December 31, 2023 as well as the financial statements and MD&A for the year ended December 31, 2023, which have been filed on SEDAR+ (

www.sedarplus.ca

) under Osisko Development’s issuer profile and on the SEC’s EDGAR website (

www.sec.gov

), for further information regarding the risks and other factors facing the Company, its business and operations. Although the Company’s believes the expectations conveyed by the forward-looking statements are reasonable based on information available as of the date hereof, no assurances can be given as to future results, levels of activity and achievements. The Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by law. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance and there can be no assurance that these forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein.



Bausch + Lomb Responds to Rumors of a Potential Sale

Bausch + Lomb Responds to Rumors of a Potential Sale

VAUGHAN, Ontario–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
Bausch + Lomb Corporation (NYSE/TSX: BLCO), a leading global eye health company dedicated to helping people see better to live better, issued the following statement in response to a request from the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO):

“The Bausch + Lomb Board of Directors authorized management and its advisors to explore a potential sale, which is one of several options being explored to complete a full separation from Bausch Health Companies Inc. That process is ongoing, and there can be no assurance that it will result in a transaction.

“While the company normally would not comment on deal negotiations, CIRO requested confirmation of a potential sale process given stock volatility often associated with market rumors. Bausch + Lomb does not intend to provide additional detail until further disclosure is appropriate or necessary.”

Bausch + Lomb is traded on both the New York Stock Exchange and Toronto Stock Exchange.

About Bausch + Lomb

Bausch + Lomb is dedicated to protecting and enhancing the gift of sight for millions of people around the world – from birth through every phase of life. Its comprehensive portfolio of approximately 400 products includes contact lenses, lens care products, eye care products, ophthalmic pharmaceuticals, over-the-counter products and ophthalmic surgical devices and instruments. Founded in 1853, Bausch + Lomb has a significant global research and development, manufacturing and commercial footprint with approximately 13,000 employees and a presence in nearly 100 countries. Bausch + Lomb is headquartered in Vaughan, Ontario, with corporate offices in Bridgewater, New Jersey. For more information, visit www.bausch.com and connect with us on X, LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.

Forward-looking Statements

This news release may contain forward-looking statements, which may generally be identified by the use of the words “anticipates,” “hopes,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “will,” “may,” “believes,” “estimates,” “potential,” “target,” or “continue” and variations or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding the Separation, including any potential sale of the Company and timing and terms of any such transaction. These statements are based upon the current expectations and beliefs of management and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the risks and uncertainties discussed in Bausch + Lomb’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the Canadian Securities Administrators (including the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2023 and its most recent quarterly filings). In particular, the Company can offer no assurance that the Separation (including a potential sale) will occur on terms or timelines acceptable to the company or at all. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any of these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof. Bausch + Lomb undertakes no obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this news release or to reflect actual outcomes, unless required by law.

© 2024 Bausch + Lomb.

Media Contact:

T.J. Crawford

[email protected]

(908) 705-2851

Investor Contact:

George Gadkowski

[email protected]

(877) 354-3705 (toll free)

(908) 927-0735

KEYWORDS: North America Canada

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Health Medical Devices Surgery General Health Pharmaceutical Optical Biotechnology

MEDIA:

Logo
Logo

CervoMed Announces Inducement Grants Under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4)

BOSTON, Dec. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — CervoMed Inc. (NASDAQ: CRVO) (the “Company”), a clinical stage company focused on developing treatments for age-related neurologic disorders, today announced that it has granted equity awards as a material inducement to the employment of two new employees.

On December 6, 2024, the Company granted options to purchase an aggregate of 14,753 shares of common stock to two new employees. Each option has an exercise price of $11.91, the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the grant date, and each will vest in 36 equal installments on the last day of each month over a three-year period, subject to the employee’s continued employment with the Company on each such date. The awards were approved by the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors as an inducement material to each new employee entering into employment with the Company in accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4).

About CervoMed

CervoMed Inc. is a clinical-stage company focused on developing treatments for age-related neurologic disorders. The Company is currently developing neflamapimod, an investigational, orally administered small molecule brain penetrant designed to inhibit p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase alpha. Neflamapimod has the potential to treat synaptic dysfunction, the reversible aspect of the underlying neurodegenerative processes that causes disease in certain other major neurological disorders.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes express and implied forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, regarding the intentions, plans, beliefs, expectations or forecasts for the future of the Company, including, but not limited to, the therapeutic potential of neflamapimod. Terms such as “believes,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “plans,” “aims,” “seeks,” “intends,” “may,” “might,” “could,” “might,” “will,” “should,” “approximately,” “potential,” “target,” “project,” “contemplate,” “predict,” “forecast,” “continue,” or other words that convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes (including the negative of these terms) may identify these forward-looking statements. Although there is believed to be reasonable basis for each forward-looking statement contained herein, forward-looking statements by their nature involve risks and uncertainties, known and unknown, many of which are beyond the Company’s control and, as a result, actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statement. Particular risks and uncertainties include, among other things, those related to: the Company’s available cash resources and the availability of additional funds on acceptable terms; the results of the Company’s clinical trials, including RewinD-LB; the likelihood and timing of any regulatory approval of neflamapimod or the nature of any feedback the Company may receive from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration; the ability to implement business plans, forecasts, and other expectations in the future; general economic, political, business, industry, and market conditions, inflationary pressures, and geopolitical conflicts; and the other factors discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on March 29, 2024, and other filings that the Company may file from time to time with the SEC. Any forward-looking statements in this press release speak only as of the date hereof (or such earlier date as may be identified). The Company does not undertake any obligation to update such forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release, except to the extent required by law.

Investor Contact:

PJ Kelleher
LifeSci Advisors
[email protected]
617-430-7579



InspireMD Announces Expected Retirement of its CFO Craig Shore and CFO Transition in 2025

MIAMI, Dec. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — InspireMD, Inc. (Nasdaq: NSPR), developer of the CGuard™ Embolic Prevention Stent System (EPS) for the prevention of stroke, today announced that Craig Shore, Chief Financial Officer, has decided to retire from the Company after a successor CFO is identified and appointed. Mr. Shore will remain as CFO until his successor is appointed and will assist in a smooth and orderly transition.

Marvin Slosman, Chief Executive Officer of InspireMD, commented, “Craig has served the company for 15 years with a tireless commitment to building our business as a global leader in carotid interventions. As we advance our priorities, including potential U.S. FDA approval in the first half of 2025, along with a heightened focus on the investment community, Craig made this decision confident in the future of the company and understanding the needs of a growing global business. On behalf of the entire InspireMD organization and Board of Directors, I would like to thank Craig for his contribution to our success for the past 15 years. It has been a pleasure working alongside Craig for the past five of those years, and I look forward to him continuing to be a part of our team during this important transition.”

“It has been a tremendous opportunity to contribute to the transformation of InspireMD from an early-stage growth company to a maturing leader in the field of carotid intervention and stroke prevention. The next chapter for the company will be an exciting time as the business grows and I have full faith in the pathway to success. I look forward to my personal next chapter and proud to have been a part of this remarkable journey,” noted Mr. Shore.

The Company has initiated a search to identify its next Chief Financial Officer.

About InspireMD, Inc.

InspireMD seeks to utilize its proprietary MicroNet® technology to make its products the industry standard for carotid stenting by providing outstanding acute results and durable, stroke-free long-term outcomes. InspireMD’s common stock is quoted on the Nasdaq under the ticker symbol NSPR.

We routinely post information that may be important to investors on our website. For more information, please visit www.inspiremd.com.

Forward-looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements.” Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding InspireMD or its management team’s expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future. Such statements may be preceded by the words “intends,” “may,” “will,” “plans,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “projects,” “predicts,” “estimates,” “aims,” “believes,” “hopes,” “potential”, “scheduled” or similar words. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding InspireMD or its management team’s or directors’ expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding future events, future financial performance, strategies, expectations, competitive environment and regulation, including potential U.S. commercial launch. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, are based on certain assumptions and are subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the company’s control, and cannot be predicted or quantified and consequently; actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, risks and uncertainties associated with our history of recurring losses and negative cash flows from operating activities, significant future commitments and the uncertainty regarding the adequacy of our liquidity to pursue our complete business objectives, and substantial doubt regarding our ability to continue as a going concern; our need to raise additional capital to meet our business requirements in the future and such capital raising may be costly or difficult to obtain and could dilute our stockholders’ ownership interests; market acceptance of our products; an inability to secure and maintain regulatory approvals for the sale of our products; negative clinical trial results or lengthy product delays in key markets; our ability to maintain compliance with the Nasdaq listing standards; our ability to generate revenues from our products and obtain and maintain regulatory approvals for our products; our ability to adequately protect our intellectual property; our dependence on a single manufacturing facility and our ability to comply with stringent manufacturing quality standards and to increase production as necessary; the risk that the data collected from our current and planned clinical trials may not be sufficient to demonstrate that our technology is an attractive alternative to other procedures and products; intense competition in our industry, with competitors having substantially greater financial, technological, research and development, regulatory and clinical, manufacturing, marketing and sales, distribution and personnel resources than we do; entry of new competitors and products and potential technological obsolescence of our products; inability to carry out research, development and commercialization plans; loss of a key customer or supplier; technical problems with our research and products and potential product liability claims; product malfunctions; price increases for supplies and components; insufficient or inadequate reimbursement by governmental and other third-party payers for our products; our efforts to successfully obtain and maintain intellectual property protection covering our products, which may not be successful; adverse federal, state and local government regulation, in the United States, Europe or Israel and other foreign jurisdictions; the fact that we conduct business in multiple foreign jurisdictions, exposing us to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, logistical and communications challenges, burdens and costs of compliance with foreign laws and political and economic instability in each jurisdiction; the escalation of hostilities in Israel, which could impair our ability to manufacture our products; and current or future unfavorable economic and market conditions and adverse developments with respect to financial institutions and associated liquidity risk. More detailed information about the Company and the risk factors that may affect the realization of forward-looking statements is set forth in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Investors and security holders are urged to read these documents free of charge on the SEC’s web site at http://www.sec.gov. The Company assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise its forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Investor Contacts:

Craig Shore
Chief Financial Officer
InspireMD, Inc.
888-776-6804
[email protected]

Chuck Padala, Managing Director
LifeSci Advisors
646-627-8390
[email protected]
[email protected]



MetLife Unveils New Frontier Growth Strategy and Long-Term Financial Commitments at 2024 Investor Day

MetLife Unveils New Frontier Growth Strategy and Long-Term Financial Commitments at 2024 Investor Day

  • New five-year strategy to accelerate growth across global platform while delivering attractive returns and all-weather performance

  • Outlines strong long-term financial commitments including double-digit adjusted earnings per share growth1 and 15-17% adjusted return on equity2

NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET), one of the world’s leading financial services companies, will host its previously announced Investor Day in New York City today. At the Investor Day, MetLife senior executives and other senior leaders will introduce the company’s powerful five-year growth strategy, New Frontier, that is designed to support consistent delivery of:

  • Double-digit adjusted earnings per share growth;

  • 15-17% adjusted return on equity;

  • A 100-basis-point reduction in direct expense ratio target;3 and

  • Free cash flow4 of $25 billion.

“We introduced our Next Horizon strategy in 2019 with an aim to focus, simplify and differentiate the company,” said MetLife President and Chief Executive Officer Michel Khalaf. “In just five years, our team delivered on those goals while achieving all of our Next Horizon commitments.”

“Building on that strong progress, today we introduce our New Frontier strategy with commitments that quantify MetLife’s superior value proposition.” Khalaf said. “We operate in highly attractive markets, with deep competitive moats and strong tailwinds. We are positioned to deliver growth and attractive returns with lower risk.”

The New Frontier strategy will leverage the company’s strengths to prioritize growth across four key areas of opportunity:

  • Extend leadership in Group Benefits by capturing and enlarging the addressable market via more employers, more products per employee, and greater employee participation;
  • Capitalize on a unique retirement platform across our U.S. and Japan businesses through new liability origination and enhanced capital flexibility;
  • Accelerate growth in asset management by building on existing capabilities and broadening MetLife’s suite of investment products while harnessing complementary businesses within the larger organization; and
  • Expand in high-growth international markets byleveraging MetLife’s strong position in Latin America and Asia and targeting above-market growth in emerging regions through distribution innovation and product and channel diversification.

About MetLife

MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET), through its subsidiaries and affiliates (“MetLife”), is one of the world’s leading financial services companies, providing insurance, annuities, employee benefits and asset management to help individual and institutional customers build a more confident future. Founded in 1868, MetLife has operations in more than 40 markets globally and holds leading positions in the United States, Asia, Latin America, Europe and the Middle East. For more information, visit www.metlife.com.

Webcast Information

MetLife will hold an Investor Day in New York City on Thursday, December 12, 2024, beginning at 8:30 a.m. (ET). A live webcast of the event, along with presentation materials, will be available at (http://www.metlife.com/InvestorDay2024). Those who want to access Investor Day should go to the web page at least 15 minutes prior to the event to register.

A replay of the Investor Day will be available at the above-mentioned website beginning shortly after the event ends on Thursday, December 12, 2024.

Endnotes

1 Excluding total notable items.

2 Excluding accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) other than foreign currency translation adjustments (FCTA) and excluding total notable items.

3 Excluding total notable items related to direct expenses and pension risk transfers.

4 Represents free cash flow of all holding companies.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release may contain or incorporate by reference information that includes or is based upon forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements give expectations or forecasts of future events and do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They use words and terms such as “anticipate,” “are confident,” “assume,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “if,” “intend,” “likely,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “project,” “should,” “target,” “will,” “would,” and other words and terms of similar meaning or that are otherwise tied to future periods or future performance, in each case in all derivative forms. They include statements relating to future actions, prospective services or products, future performance or results of current and anticipated services or products, future sales efforts, future expenses, the outcome of contingencies such as legal proceedings, and future trends in operations and financial results.

Many factors determine the results of MetLife, Inc., its subsidiaries and affiliates, and they involve unpredictable risks and uncertainties. Our forward-looking statements depend on our assumptions, our expectations, and our understanding of the economic environment, but they may be inaccurate and may change. MetLife, Inc. does not guarantee any future performance. Our results could differ materially from those MetLife, Inc. expresses or implies in forward-looking statements. The risks, uncertainties and other factors identified in MetLife, Inc.’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and others, may cause such differences. These factors include:

(1)

economic condition difficulties, including risks relating to interest rates, credit spreads, declining equity or debt markets, real estate, obligors and counterparties, government default, currency exchange rates, derivatives, climate change, public health and terrorism and security;

(2)

global capital and credit market adversity;

(3)

credit facility inaccessibility;

(4)

financial strength or credit ratings downgrades;

(5)

unavailability, unaffordability, or inadequate reinsurance, including reinsurance risks that arise from reinsurers’ credit risk, and the potential shortfall or failure of risk mitigants to protect against such risks;

(6)

statutory life insurance reserve financing costs or limited market capacity;

(7)

legal, regulatory, and supervisory and enforcement policy changes;

(8)

changes in tax rates, tax laws or interpretations;

(9)

litigation and regulatory investigations;

(10)

unsuccessful efforts to meet all environmental, social, and governance standards or to enhance our sustainability;

(11)

MetLife, Inc.’s inability to pay dividends and repurchase common stock;

(12)

MetLife, Inc.’s subsidiaries’ inability to pay dividends to MetLife, Inc.;

(13)

investment defaults, downgrades, or volatility;

(14)

investment sales or lending difficulties;

(15)

collateral or derivative-related payments;

(16)

investment valuations, allowances, or impairments changes;

(17)

claims or other results that differ from our estimates, assumptions, or models;

(18)

global political, legal, or operational risks;

(19)

business competition;

(20)

technological changes;

(21)

catastrophes;

(22)

climate changes or responses to it;

(23)

deficiencies in our closed block;

(24)

goodwill or other asset impairment, or deferred income tax asset allowance;

(25)

impairment of VOBA, value of distribution agreements acquired or value of customer relationships acquired;

(26)

product guarantee volatility, costs, and counterparty risks;

(27)

risk management failures;

(28)

insufficient protection from operational risks;

(29)

failure to protect confidentiality and integrity of data or other cybersecurity or disaster recovery failures;

(30)

accounting standards changes;

(31)

excessive risk-taking;

(32)

marketing and distribution difficulties;

(33)

pension and other postretirement benefit assumption changes;

(34)

inability to protect our intellectual property or avoid infringement claims;

(35)

acquisition, integration, growth, disposition, or reorganization difficulties;

(36)

Brighthouse Financial, Inc. separation risks;

(37)

MetLife, Inc.’s Board of Directors influence over the outcome of stockholder votes through the voting provisions of the MetLife Policyholder Trust; and

(38)

legal- and corporate governance-related effects on business combinations.

MetLife, Inc. does not undertake any obligation to publicly correct or update any forward-looking statement if MetLife, Inc. later becomes aware that such statement is not likely to be achieved. Please consult any further disclosures MetLife, Inc. makes on related subjects in subsequent reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Non-GAAP and Other Financial Disclosures

Any references in this news release (except in

this section) to:

 

should be read as, respectively:

 

 

 

 

(i)

adjusted earnings;

 

(i)

adjusted earnings available to common shareholders, excluding total notable items;

(ii)

adjusted earnings per share;

 

(ii)

adjusted earnings available to common shareholders per diluted common share, excluding total notable items;

(iii)

adjusted return on equity; and

 

(iii)

adjusted return on MetLife, Inc.’s common stockholders’ equity, excluding total notable items (excludes AOCI other than FCTA); and

(iv)

direct expense ratio.

 

(iv)

direct expense ratio, excluding total notable items related to direct expenses and pension risk transfers.

In this news release, MetLife presents certain measures of its performance that are not calculated in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). MetLife believes that these non-GAAP financial measures enhance the understanding for MetLife and its investors of MetLife’s performance by highlighting the results of operations and the underlying profitability drivers of the business.

The following non-GAAP financial measures should not be viewed as substitutes for the most directly comparable financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP:

Non-GAAP financial measures:

 

Comparable GAAP financial measures:

 

 

 

 

(i)

total adjusted revenues;

 

(i)

total revenues;

(ii)

total adjusted expenses;

 

(ii)

total expenses;

(iii)

adjusted premiums, fees and other revenues;

 

(iii)

premiums, fees and other revenues;

(iv)

adjusted premiums, fees and other revenues, excluding PRT;

 

(iv)

premiums, fees and other revenues;

(v)

adjusted net investment income;

 

(v)

net investment income;

(vi)

adjusted capitalization of deferred policy acquisition costs (DAC);

 

(vi)

capitalization of DAC;

(vii)

adjusted earnings available to common shareholders;

 

(vii)

net income (loss) available to MetLife, Inc.’s common shareholders;

(viii)

adjusted earnings available to common shareholders, excluding total notable items;

 

(viii)

net income (loss) available to MetLife, Inc.’s common shareholders;

(ix)

adjusted earnings available to common shareholders per diluted common share;

 

(ix)

net income (loss) available to MetLife, Inc.’s common shareholders per diluted common share;

(x)

adjusted earnings available to common shareholders, excluding total notable items, per diluted common share;

 

(x)

net income (loss) available to MetLife, Inc.’s common shareholders per diluted common share;

(xi)

adjusted return on equity;

 

(xi)

return on equity;

(xii)

adjusted return on equity, excluding AOCI other than FCTA;

 

(xii)

return on equity;

(xiii)

adjusted return on equity, excluding total notable items (excludes AOCI other than FCTA);

 

(xiii)

return on equity;

(xiv)

investment portfolio gains (losses);

 

(xiv)

net investment gains (losses);

(xv)

derivative gains (losses);

 

(xv)

net derivative gains (losses);

(xvi)

total MetLife, Inc.’s common stockholders’ equity, excluding AOCI other than FCTA;

 

(xvi)

total MetLife, Inc.’s stockholders’ equity;

(xvii)

total MetLife, Inc.’s common stockholders’ equity, excluding total notable items (excludes AOCI other than FCTA);

 

(xvii)

total MetLife, Inc.’s stockholders’ equity;

(xviii)

book value per common share, excluding AOCI other than FCTA;

 

(xviii)

book value per common share;

(xix)

free cash flow of all holding companies;

 

(xix)

MetLife, Inc. (parent company only) net cash provided by (used in) operating activities;

(xx)

adjusted other expenses;

 

(xx)

other expenses;

(xxi)

adjusted other expenses, net of adjusted capitalization of DAC;

 

(xxi)

other expenses, net of capitalization of DAC;

(xxii)

adjusted other expenses, net of adjusted capitalization of DAC, excluding total notable items related to adjusted other expenses;

 

(xxii)

other expenses, net of capitalization of DAC;

(xxiii)

adjusted expense ratio;

 

(xxiii)

expense ratio;

(xxiv)

adjusted expense ratio, excluding total notable items related to adjusted other expenses and PRT;

 

(xxiv)

expense ratio;

(xxv)

direct expenses;

 

(xxv)

other expenses;

(xxvi)

direct expenses, excluding total notable items related to direct expenses;

 

(xxvi)

other expenses;

(xxvii)

direct expense ratio; and

 

(xxvii)

expense ratio; and

(xxviii)

direct expense ratio, excluding total notable items related to direct expenses and PRT.

 

(xxviii)

expense ratio.

Any of these financial measures shown on a constant currency basis reflect the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates and are calculated using the average foreign currency exchange rates for the current period and applied to the comparable prior period (“constant currency basis”).

Reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures are not accessible on a forward-looking basis because we believe it is not possible without unreasonable effort to provide other than a range of net investment gains and losses and net derivative gains and losses, which can fluctuate significantly within or outside the range and from period to period and may have a material impact on net income.

MetLife’s definitions of non-GAAP and other financial measures discussed in this news release may differ from those used by other companies:

Adjusted earnings and related measures

  • adjusted earnings;

  • adjusted earnings available to common shareholders;

  • adjusted earnings available to common shareholders on a constant currency basis;

  • adjusted earnings available to common shareholders, excluding total notable items;

  • adjusted earnings available to common shareholders, excluding total notable items, on a constant currency basis;

  • adjusted earnings available to common shareholders per diluted common share;

  • adjusted earnings available to common shareholders on a constant currency basis per diluted common share;

  • adjusted earnings available to common shareholders, excluding total notable items per diluted common share; and

  • adjusted earnings available to common shareholders, excluding total notable items, on a constant currency basis per diluted common share.

These measures are used by management to evaluate performance and allocate resources. Consistent with GAAP guidance for segment reporting, adjusted earnings and components of, or other financial measures based on, adjusted earnings are also MetLife’s GAAP measures of segment performance. Adjusted earnings and other financial measures based on adjusted earnings are also the measures by which MetLife senior management’s and many other employees’ performance is evaluated for the purposes of determining their compensation under applicable compensation plans. Adjusted earnings and other financial measures based on adjusted earnings allow analysis of MetLife’s performance relative to its business plan and facilitate comparisons to industry results.

Adjusted earnings is defined as adjusted revenues less adjusted expenses, net of income tax. Adjusted earnings available to common shareholders is defined as adjusted earnings less preferred stock dividends.

Adjusted revenues and adjusted expenses

These financial measures, along with the related adjusted premiums, fees and other revenues, focus on our primary businesses principally by excluding the impact of (i) market volatility which could distort trends, (ii) asymmetrical and non-economic accounting, and (iii) revenues and costs related to divested businesses, non-core products and certain entities required to be consolidated under GAAP. Also, these measures exclude results of discontinued operations under GAAP.

Market volatility can have a significant impact on MetLife’s financial results. Adjusted earnings excludes net investment gains (losses), net derivative gains (losses), market risk benefits remeasurement gains (losses) and goodwill impairments. Further, policyholder benefits and claims exclude (i) changes in the discount rate on certain annuitization guarantees accounted for as additional liabilities and (ii) market value adjustments.

Asymmetrical and non-economic accounting adjustments are made to the line items indicated in calculating adjusted earnings:

  • Net investment income includes earned income on derivatives and amortization of premium on derivatives that are hedges of investments or that are used to replicate certain investments, but do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment (“Investment hedge adjustments”).

  • Other revenues include settlements of foreign currency earnings hedges and exclude asymmetrical accounting associated with in-force reinsurance.

  • Policyholder benefits and claims excludes (i) amortization of basis adjustments associated with de-designated fair value hedges of future policy benefits, (ii) inflation-indexed benefit adjustments associated with contracts backed by inflation-indexed investments, (iii) asymmetrical accounting associated with in-force reinsurance, and (iv) non-economic losses incurred at contract inception for certain single premium annuity business. These losses are amortized into adjusted earnings within policyholder benefits and claims over the estimated lives of the contracts.

  • Interest credited to policyholder account balances excludes amounts associated with periodic crediting rate adjustments based on the total return of a contractually referenced pool of assets and other pass-through adjustments and asymmetrical accounting associated with in-force reinsurance.

Divested businesses are those that have been or will be sold or exited by MetLife but do not meet the discontinued operations criteria under GAAP. Divested businesses also include the net impact of transactions with exited businesses that have been eliminated in consolidation under GAAP and costs relating to businesses that have been or will be sold or exited by MetLife that do not meet the criteria to be included in results of discontinued operations under GAAP.

Other adjustments are made to the line items indicated in calculating adjusted earnings:

  • Net investment income and interest credited to policyholder account balances excludes certain amounts related to contractholder-directed equity securities (“Unit-linked contract income”) and (“Unit-linked contract costs”).

  • Other revenues include fee revenue on synthetic guaranteed interest contracts (“GICs”) accounted for as freestanding derivatives.

  • Other revenues exclude and other expenses include fees received in connection with services provided under transition service agreements.

  • Other expenses exclude (i) implementation of new insurance regulatory requirements and other costs, and (ii) acquisition, integration and other related costs. Other expenses include (i) deductions for net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, and (ii) benefits accrued on synthetic GICs accounted for as freestanding derivatives.

Adjusted earnings also excludes the recognition of certain contingent assets and liabilities that could not be recognized at acquisition or adjusted for during the measurement period under GAAP business combination accounting guidance.

The tax impact of the adjustments mentioned above are calculated net of the U.S. or foreign statutory tax rate, which could differ from MetLife’s effective tax rate. Additionally, the provision for income tax (expense) benefit also includes the impact related to the timing of certain tax credits, as well as certain tax reforms.

In addition, adjusted earnings available to common shareholders excludes the impact of preferred stock redemption premium, which is reported as a reduction to net income (loss) available to MetLife, Inc.’s common shareholders.

Investment portfolio gains (losses) and derivative gains (losses)

These are measures of investment and hedging activity. Investment portfolio gains (losses) principally excludes amounts that are reported within net investment gains (losses) but do not relate to the performance of the investment portfolio, such as gains (losses) on sales and divestitures of businesses, as well as investment portfolio gains (losses) of divested businesses. Derivative gains (losses) principally excludes earned income on derivatives and amortization of premium on derivatives, where such derivatives are either hedges of investments or are used to replicate certain investments, and where such derivatives do not qualify for hedge accounting. This earned income and amortization of premium is reported within adjusted earnings and not within derivative gains (losses).

Return on equity and related measures

  • Total MetLife, Inc.’s common stockholders’ equity, excluding AOCI other than FCTA: total MetLife, Inc.’s common stockholders’ equity, excluding the net unrealized investment gains (losses), future policy benefits discount rate remeasurement gains (losses), market risk benefits instrument-specific credit risk remeasurement gains (losses) and defined benefit plans adjustment components of AOCI, net of income tax.

  • Total MetLife, Inc.’s common stockholders’ equity, excluding total notable items (excludes AOCI other than FCTA): total MetLife, Inc.’s common stockholders’ equity, excluding the net unrealized investment gains (losses), future policy benefits discount rate remeasurement gains (losses), market risk benefits instrument-specific credit risk remeasurement gains (losses), defined benefit plans adjustment components of AOCI, and total notable items, net of income tax.

  • Return on MetLife, Inc.’s common stockholders’ equity: net income (loss) available to MetLife, Inc.’s common shareholders divided by MetLife, Inc.’s average common stockholders’ equity.

  • Adjusted return on MetLife, Inc.’s common stockholders’ equity: adjusted earnings available to common shareholders divided by MetLife, Inc.’s average common stockholders’ equity.

  • Adjusted return on MetLife, Inc.’s common stockholders’ equity, excluding AOCI other than FCTA: adjusted earnings available to common shareholders divided by MetLife, Inc.’s average common stockholders’ equity, excluding AOCI other than FCTA.

  • Adjusted return on MetLife, Inc.’s common stockholders’ equity, excluding total notable items (excludes AOCI other than FCTA): adjusted earnings available to common shareholders, excluding total notable items, divided by MetLife, Inc.’s average common stockholders’ equity, excluding total notable items (excludes AOCI other than FCTA).

The above measures represent a level of equity consistent with the view that, in the ordinary course of business, MetLife does not plan to sell most investments for the sole purpose of realizing gains or losses.

Expense ratio, direct expense ratio, adjusted expense ratio and related measures

  • Expense ratio: other expenses, net of capitalization of DAC, divided by premiums, fees and other revenues.

  • Direct expense ratio: adjusted direct expenses, divided by adjusted premiums, fees and other revenues. Direct expenses are comprised of employee-related costs, third-party staffing costs, and general and administrative expenses.

  • Direct expense ratio, excluding total notable items related to direct expenses and PRT: adjusted direct expenses, excluding total notable items related to direct expenses, divided by adjusted premiums, fees and other revenues, excluding PRT.

  • Adjusted expense ratio: adjusted other expenses, net of adjusted capitalization of DAC, divided by adjusted premiums, fees and other revenues.

  • Adjusted expense ratio, excluding total notable items related to adjusted other expenses and PRT: adjusted other expenses, net of adjusted capitalization of DAC, excluding total notable items related to adjusted other expenses, divided by adjusted premiums, fees and other revenues, excluding PRT.

Total Assets Under Management (“Total AUM”) is comprised of GA AUM plus Institutional Client AUM (each, as defined below).

General Account AUM (“GA AUM”) is used by MetLife to describe assets in its general account (“GA”) investment portfolio. GA AUM is stated at estimated fair value and is comprised of GA total investments, the portion of the GA investment portfolio classified within assets held-for-sale, and cash and cash equivalents, excluding policy loans, contractholder-directed equity securities, fair value option securities, mortgage loans originated for third parties, assets subject to reinsurance arrangements with third-party reinsurers, and certain other invested assets. Mortgage loans, net of mortgage loans originated for third parties (“net mortgage loans”) (including commercial (“net commercial mortgage loans”), agricultural (“net agricultural mortgage loans”) and residential mortgage loans) and real estate equity (including real estate and real estate joint ventures) included in GA AUM (at net asset value, net of deduction for encumbering debt) have been adjusted from carrying value to estimated fair value. Classification of GA AUM by sector is based on the nature and characteristics of the underlying investments which can vary from how they are classified under GAAP. Accordingly, the underlying investments within certain real estate and real estate joint ventures that are primarily net commercial mortgage loans (at net asset value, net of deduction for encumbering debt) have been reclassified to exclude them from real estate equity and include them as net commercial mortgage loans.

Institutional Client AUM is comprised of SA AUM plus Reinsurance AUM plus TP AUM (each, as defined below). MetLife Investment Management. LLC and certain of its affiliates (“MIM”) manage Institutional Client AUM in accordance with client guidelines contained in each investment advisory agreement (“Mandates”).

  • Separate Account AUM (“SA AUM”) is comprised of separate account investment portfolios of MetLife insurance companies, which are managed by MIM and included in MetLife, Inc.’s consolidated financial statements at estimated fair value.
  • Reinsurance AUM is comprised of GA investments subject to reinsurance arrangements with third-party reinsurers, which are managed by MIM and are generally included in MetLife, Inc.’s consolidated financial statements at estimated fair value.
  • Third-Party AUM (“TP AUM”) is comprised of non-proprietary assets managed by MIM on behalf of unaffiliated/third-party clients, which are stated at estimated fair value. Such non-proprietary assets are owned by unaffiliated/third-party clients and, accordingly, are generally not included in MetLife, Inc.’s consolidated financial statements.

Asia (GA AUM) and related measures

Asia GA AUM is used by MetLife to describe assets in its Asia GA investment portfolio. Asia GA AUM is stated at estimated fair value and is comprised of Asia GA total investments, the portion of the Asia GA investment portfolio classified within assets held-for-sale, and cash and cash equivalents, excluding policy loans, contractholder-directed equity securities, fair value option securities, mortgage loans originated for third parties, assets subject to reinsurance arrangements with third-party reinsurers, and certain other invested assets. Mortgage loans, net of mortgage loans originated for third parties (“net mortgage loans”) (including commercial (“net commercial mortgage loans”), agricultural (“net agricultural mortgage loans”) and residential mortgage loans) and real estate equity (including real estate and real estate joint ventures) included in Asia GA AUM (at net asset value, net of deduction for encumbering debt) have been adjusted from carrying value to estimated fair value. At the segment level, intersegment balances (intercompany activity, primarily related to investments in subsidiaries, that eliminate at the MetLife consolidated level) are excluded from Asia GA AUM.

Asia GA AUM (at amortized cost) excludes the following adjustments: (i) unrealized gain (loss) on investments carried at estimated fair value and (ii) adjustments from carrying value to estimated fair value on net mortgage loans (including net commercial mortgage loans, net agricultural mortgage loans and residential mortgage loans) and real estate and real estate joint ventures. Asia GA AUM (at amortized cost) is presented net of related allowance for credit loss.

Statistical sales information:

  • Group Benefits: calculated using 10% of single premium deposits and 100% of annualized full-year premiums and fees from recurring premium policy sales of all products.

  • RIS: calculated using 10% of single premium contracts, on and off-balance sheet deposits, and the contract value for new UK longevity reinsurance contracts, and 100% of annualized full-year premiums and fees only from recurring premium policy sales of specialized benefit resources and corporate-owned life insurance.

  • Latin America, Asia and EMEA: calculated using 10% of single premium deposits (mainly from retirement products such as variable annuity, fixed annuity and pensions), 20% of single premium deposits from credit insurance and 100% of annualized full-year premiums and fees from recurring-premium policy sales of all products (mainly from risk and protection products such as individual life, accident & health and group).

Sales statistics do not correspond to revenues under GAAP, but are used as relevant measures of business activity.

The following additional information is relevant to an understanding of MetLife’s performance results and outlook:

  • Volume growth, as discussed in the context of business growth, is the period over period percentage change in adjusted earnings available to common shareholders attributable to adjusted premiums, fees and other revenues and assets under management levels, applying a model in which certain margins and factors are held constant. The most significant of such items are underwriting margins, investment margins, changes in equity market performance, expense margins and the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates.

  • Holding company cash and liquid assets are held by MetLife, Inc. collectively with other MetLife holding companies and include cash and cash equivalents, short term investments and publicly traded securities excluding assets that are pledged or otherwise committed. Assets pledged or otherwise committed include amounts received in connection with securities lending, repurchase agreements, derivatives, regulatory deposits, the collateral financing arrangement, funding agreements and secured borrowings, as well as amounts held in the closed block.

  • MetLife uses a measure of free cash flow to facilitate an understanding of its ability to generate cash for reinvestment into its businesses or use in non-mandatory capital actions. MetLife defines free cash flow as the sum of cash available at MetLife’s holding companies from dividends from operating subsidiaries, expenses and other net flows of the holding companies (including capital contributions to subsidiaries), and net contributions from debt to be at or below target leverage ratios. This measure of free cash flow is prior to capital actions, such as common stock dividends and repurchases, debt reduction and mergers and acquisitions. Free cash flow should not be viewed as a substitute for net cash provided by (used in) operating activities calculated in accordance with GAAP. The free cash flow ratio is typically expressed as a percentage of annual adjusted earnings available to common shareholders.

  • Notable items reflect the unexpected impact of events that affect MetLife’s results, but that were unknown and that MetLife could not anticipate when it devised its business plan. Notable items also include certain items regardless of the extent anticipated in the business plan, to help investors have a better understanding of MetLife’s results and to evaluate and forecast those results. Notable items represent a positive (negative) impact to adjusted earnings available to common shareholders.

  • We refer to observable forward yield curves as of a particular date in connection with making our estimates for future results. The observable forward yield curves at a given time are based on implied future interest rates along a range of interest rate durations. This includes the 10-year U.S. Treasury rate which we use as a benchmark rate to describe longer-term interest rates used in our estimates for future results.

 

For Media:

Dave Franecki

973-264-7465

[email protected]

For Investors:

John Hall

212-578-7888

[email protected]

KEYWORDS: New York United States North America

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Banking Professional Services Insurance Finance

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NorthWestern Energy to Participate in Regional Transmission Projects

NorthWestern Energy to Participate in Regional Transmission Projects

BUTTE, Mont. & SIOUX FALLS, S.D.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
NorthWestern Energy Group, Inc. d/b/a NorthWestern Energy (Nasdaq: NWE) is joining new high voltage transmission projects to expand Montana’s grid, meet the state’s increasing energy demand, enhance energy security and create opportunities to serve regional energy needs that will benefit all of our customers.

NorthWestern Energy joins North Plains Connector east-west transmission line

NorthWestern Energy has signed a nonbinding memorandum of understanding with North Plains Connector LLC, a wholly owned entity of Grid United, to own 10% (300 megawatts) of North Plains Connector, a 3,000-megawatt, 420-mile high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission line to be constructed with endpoints near Bismarck, North Dakota, and Colstrip, Montana. Grid United and ALLETE, Inc. are jointly developing North Plains Connector. Avista, Portland General Electric and Puget Sound Energy also have ownership MOUs with North Plains Connector. The project is entering the permitting phase and initiating regulatory filings with approvals targeted in 2026. Construction is expected to commence in 2028, aiming for the project to be operational by 2032. Under the terms of the memorandum of understanding, Grid United will continue to fund the development of North Plains Connector. NorthWestern Energy would invest when project regulatory approvals and permits are in place.

“NorthWestern Energy’s Colstrip, Montana substation is strategically located and will serve as a critical endpoint for North Plains Connector, reinforcing Colstrip’s position as an essential energy hub,” said NorthWestern Energy President and CEO Brian Bird. “The North Plains Connector developer’s collaborative approach with Montana communities to address concerns and ensure the footprint reflects local priorities aligns with NorthWestern Energy’s commitment to our customers.”

North Plains Connector is the first interregional transmission line to create a major grid-to-grid connection across the three energy markets, the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO), Southwest Power Pool (SPP), and Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC). The transmission line will create connection between NorthWestern Energy’s Montana and South Dakota service areas. The bidirectional transmission line will efficiently transport large amounts of power from areas with supply to areas in need and take advantage of diverse load and weather patterns.

“NorthWestern Energy is the only partner serving customers in both regions, which have diverse energy load demands and diverse energy generation resources,” said Bird.

“We are pleased to welcome NorthWestern Energy to North Plains Connector,” said Michael Skelly, CEO and co-founder of Grid United. “As Montana’s largest energy provider, NorthWestern Energy brings a breadth of experience and deep understanding of the region’s energy needs. Their support reinforces the importance of North Plains Connector as a meaningful solution for a strong and reliable electric grid.”

Earlier this year, NorthWestern Energy supported the Montana Department of Commerce as part of the North Plains Connector Interregional Innovation (NPCII) consortium in its successful application for a $700 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnership (GRIP) program. The NPCII includes an upgrade of the Colstrip Transmission System and while the majority of the grant is earmarked for the North Plains Connector, the grant also includes funding for a potential upgrade of the Colstrip Transmission System, which is jointly owned and operated by NorthWestern Energy.

Montana to the South Transmission Corridor

NorthWestern Energy and Grid United have also entered into a letter of intent to continue transmission development to further enhance the grid through the southwest corridor of Montana. Development to expand the southwest corridor of Montana through grid buildout would represent a significant step in enhancing connectivity between Montana and the broader Western energy market – bolstering grid reliability, allowing for critical import capability and enabling customers to access and benefit from emerging energy markets in the West.

Follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn and Instagram: @NorthWesternEnergy

NorthWestern Energy – Delivering a Bright Future

NorthWestern Energy Group, Inc., doing business as NorthWestern Energy, provides essential energy infrastructure and valuable services that enrich lives and empower communities while serving as long-term partners to our customers and communities. We work to deliver safe, reliable, and innovative energy solutions that create value for customers, communities, employees, and investors. We do this by providing low-cost and reliable service performed by highly-adaptable and skilled employees. We provide electricity and / or natural gas to approximately 775,300 customers in Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Yellowstone National Park. Our operations in Montana and Yellowstone National Park are conducted through our subsidiary, NW Corp, and our operations in South Dakota and Nebraska are conducted through our subsidiary, NWE Public Service. We have provided service in South Dakota and Nebraska since 1923 and in Montana since 2002.

About Grid United

Grid United is an independent transmission company aiming to modernize the United States’ power grid to create a more resilient and efficient electric system that uses the nation’s abundant and geographically diverse natural resources to the benefit of all consumers. For more information, visit www.gridunited.com.

About ALLETE

ALLETE, Inc. (NYSE: ALE) is an energy company headquartered in Duluth, Minnesota. In addition to its electric utilities, Minnesota Power and Superior Water, Light and Power of Wisconsin, ALLETE owns ALLETE Clean Energy, based in Duluth; BNI Energy in Bismarck, North Dakota; and New Energy Equity, headquartered in Annapolis, Maryland; and has an 8% equity interest in the American Transmission Co. More information about ALLETE is available at www.allete.com.

NorthWestern Energy

Investor Relations Contact:

Travis Meyer (605) 978-2967

[email protected]

Media Contact:

Jo Dee Black (866) 622-8081

[email protected]

Grid United

Media contact:

Ashley McGeary, Communications Director

[email protected]

ALLETE, Inc.

Media Contact:

Amy Rutledge

218-723-7400

[email protected]

KEYWORDS: Nebraska Montana North Dakota South Dakota Minnesota United States North America

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Energy Utilities Oil/Gas

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D-Wave Announces Successful Completion of $175 Million At-the-Market Equity Offerings

D-Wave Announces Successful Completion of $175 Million At-the-Market Equity Offerings

PALO ALTO, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
D-Wave Quantum Inc. (NYSE: QBTS) (“D-Wave” or the “Company”), a leader in quantum computing systems, software, and services, and the world’s first commercial supplier of quantum computers, today announced that it has successfully completed sales of $175 million in gross proceeds of its common stock pursuant to its previously disclosed $100 million and $75 million “at-the-market” equity offering programs (the “ATM Programs”). The $75 million ATM Program, implemented on Monday, December 9th, was completed at an average price per share of $4.8149. Over that same three-day period, D-Wave stock traded at a Volume Weighted Average Price (“VWAP”) of $4.6625 (per Bloomberg). The Company expects to end the current fiscal 2024 fourth quarter with at least $160 million in cash. The funds were used, and will continue to be used, for working capital and capital expenditures in support of D-Wave’s ongoing technical development efforts and business operations.

“We believe that annealing quantum computing is serving as an important catalyst for the increasing commercial adoption of quantum,” said Dr. Alan Baratz, CEO of D-Wave. “Our 5,000 qubit Advantage™ quantum computer, the largest quantum computer in the world, is helping to drive this adoption, as businesses, researchers, and governments recognize the near-term value we can deliver. We believe this funding substantially improves the company’s financial strength, positioning D-Wave for the future and enabling us to fully execute against our product and go-to-market strategies and roadmaps.”

About D-Wave Quantum Inc.

D-Wave is a leader in the development and delivery of quantum computing systems, software, and services, and is the world’s first commercial supplier of quantum computers—and the only company building both annealing quantum computers and gate-model quantum computers. Our mission is to unlock the power of quantum computing today to benefit business and society. We do this by delivering customer value with practical quantum applications for problems as diverse as logistics, artificial intelligence, materials sciences, drug discovery, scheduling, cybersecurity, fault detection, and financial modeling. D-Wave’s technology has been used by some of the world’s most advanced organizations including Mastercard, Deloitte, Davidson Technologies, ArcelorMittal, Siemens Healthineers, Unisys, NEC Corporation, Pattison Food Group Ltd., DENSO, Lockheed Martin, Forschungszentrum Jülich, University of Southern California, and Los Alamos National Laboratory.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking, as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements involve risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from the information expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements and may not be indicative of future results. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including, among others, various factors beyond management’s control, including the risks set forth under the heading “Risk Factors” discussed under the caption “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in Part I of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K or any updates discussed under the caption “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in Part II of our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and in our other filings with the SEC. Undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements in this press release in making an investment decision, which are based on information available to us on the date hereof. We undertake no duty to update this information unless required by law.

Media Contact:

D-Wave

Alex Daigle

[email protected]

KEYWORDS: California United States North America

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Hardware Other Technology Apps/Applications Technology Software

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C.H. Robinson to Host 2024 Investor Day

C.H. Robinson to Host 2024 Investor Day

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. (“C.H. Robinson”) (Nasdaq: CHRW) a leading global logistics provider, will host an Investor Day in New York City today, Thursday, December 12, 2024, starting at 9:00 a.m. (ET). The event is expected to conclude at approximately 12:00 p.m. (ET).

C.H. Robinson President and CEO Dave Bozeman, CFO Damon Lee, and other members of the senior leadership team will provide an in-depth review of the company’s strategy, operating model, growth drivers, and financial objectives. The event will include formal presentations, along with a Q&A session with senior leadership.

“We are excited to engage with our valued investors and share how C.H. Robinson is leading the way in transforming global supply chains,” said Bozeman. “Our continued investments in innovation, talent, and operational excellence position us for long-term profitable growth. We look forward to an exciting discussion about our path forward and the value we aim to create for stakeholders.”

The live audio webcast of the conference, as well as the presentation materials, will be available to the public today in the Investor Relations section of C.H. Robinson’s website at https://investor.chrobinson.com. The webcast replay will be available on the Investor Relations webpage within 24 hours following the event and will be archived for 12 months.

About C.H. Robinson

C.H. Robinson delivers logistics like no one else™. Companies around the world look to us to reimagine supply chains, advance freight technology and solve logistics challenges—from the simple to the most complex. Over 90,000 customers and 450,000 contract carriers in our network trust us to manage 35 million shipments and $22 billion in freight annually. Through our unmatched expertise, unrivaled scale and tailored solutions, we ensure the seamless delivery of goods across industries and continents via truckload, less-than-truckload, ocean, air and beyond. As a responsible global citizen, we make supply chains more sustainable and proudly contribute millions to the causes that matter most to our employees. For more information, visit us at chrobinson.com (Nasdaq: CHRW).

CHRW-IR

FOR INVESTOR INQUIRES, CONTACT:

Chuck Ives, Senior Director of Investor Relations

E-mail: [email protected]

FOR MEDIA INQUIRES, CONTACT:

Duncan Burns, Chief Communications Officer

E-mail: [email protected]

KEYWORDS: Minnesota United States North America

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Trucking Rail Maritime Air Logistics/Supply Chain Management Transport Other Transport

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Slope Taps Marqeta to Power Buy Now, Pay Later Card, Enabling Brands And Marketplaces To Offer Flexible Loan Options

Slope Taps Marqeta to Power Buy Now, Pay Later Card, Enabling Brands And Marketplaces To Offer Flexible Loan Options

The Marqeta-powered Slope Card will allow businesses of any size to get lower cost and modern access to business capital at checkout

OAKLAND, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Marqeta (NASDAQ: MQ), the global modern card issuing platform that enables embedded finance solutions for the world’s innovators, today announced its customer Slope, powering the Slope Card and enabling low interest Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) loan options for its commercial customers. The Slope Card enables businesses to pay in-store or online with 30 or 60 day loan options, allowing for increased flexibility and choice in how they make payments and manage their finances.

The status quo in accessing capital and streamlining expenses creates a struggle for many businesses today. The Slope Card is an example of how flexible payment solutions can overcome that status quo, make capital more accessible and meet the evolving needs of businesses of all sizes. Global retailer IKEA is already utilizing the Slope Card, enabling its IKEA for Business small and medium sized (SMB) business clientele to access BNPL options at checkout in-store and online. Slope chose Marqeta to power its Slope Card because of its single, trusted platform and proven expertise in powering scalable card programs for some of the biggest names in the BNPL space. By integrating with Marqeta, Slope enables its customers to make in-store purchases when needed and spread payments over time, enhancing cash flow and allowing for faster access to working capital.

“At Slope, we are committed to empowering businesses to thrive by making digital payments and financing more seamless and accessible,” said Lawrence Lin Murata, CEO and Co-Founder of Slope. “Marqeta allows us to deliver flexible and scalable BNPL solutions that provide businesses with timely access to low interest loans. Together, we’re driving a transformative approach to financial management, empowering businesses with easier access to working capital when they need it most.”

Marqeta’s technology simplifies the process of launching card programs, enabling companies to put their brands front and center and provide the embedded, mobile payment experiences today’s consumers expect. With flexible APIs, Marqeta offers control and security, enabling real time card issuance and transaction monitoring, and simplified financial management, allowing businesses to focus on what’s most important–their growth.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled to power Slope’s commercial BNPL card solution, bringing the innovative payment experience that changed the consumer retail landscape to household names like IKEA, and building on their ability to provide fast, secure and flexible digital payment options to their SMB customers,” said Todd Pollak, Chief Revenue Officer at Marqeta. “This is another example of how Marqeta is pioneering the responsible transformation in payments to enable brands to offer embedded finance solutions that unlock purchasing power for businesses whenever needed.”

About Marqeta (NASDAQ: MQ)

Marqeta makes it possible for companies to build and embed financial services into their branded experience—and unlock new ways to grow their business and delight users. The Marqeta platform puts businesses in control of building financial solutions, enabling them to turn real-time data into personalized, optimized solutions for everything from consumer loyalty to capital efficiency. With compliance and security built-in, Marqeta’s platform has been proven at scale, processing more than $200 billion in annual payments volume in 2023. Marqeta is certified to operate in more than 40 countries worldwide and counting. Visit www.marqeta.com to learn more.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements expressed or implied in this press release include, but are not limited to, quotations and statements relating to changing consumer preferences; increasing consumer adoption of certain digital payment methods, products, and solutions; which payment, banking, and financial services products and solutions may succeed; technological and market trends; Marqeta’s business; Marqeta’s products and services; and statements made by Marqeta’s senior leadership. Actual results may differ materially from the expectations contained in these statements due to risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the following: any factors creating issues with changes in domestic and international business, market, financial, political and legal conditions; and those risks and uncertainties included in the “Risk Factors” disclosed in Marqeta’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, as may be updated from time to time in Marqeta’s periodic filings with the SEC, available at www.sec.gov and Marqeta’s website at http://investors.marqeta.com. The forward-looking statements in this press release are based on information available to Marqeta as of the date hereof. Marqeta disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

James Robinson

[email protected]

KEYWORDS: California United States North America

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Technology Payments Finance Other Retail Fintech Professional Services Digital Cash Management/Digital Assets Software Retail

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Virtus Investment Partners Declares Quarterly Cash Dividend on Common Stock

Virtus Investment Partners Declares Quarterly Cash Dividend on Common Stock

HARTFORD, Conn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Virtus Investment Partners, Inc. (NYSE: VRTS), which operates a multi-boutique asset management business, today announced that its Board of Directors has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $2.25 per common share for the fourth quarter of 2024.

The dividend will be paid on February 12, 2025 to shareholders of record at the close of business on January 31, 2025. Future declarations of dividends will be subject to the approval of the Board of Directors.

About Virtus Investment Partners, Inc.

Virtus Investment Partners (NYSE: VRTS) is a distinctive partnership of boutique investment managers singularly committed to the long-term success of individual and institutional investors. We provide investment management products and services from our affiliated managers, each with a distinct investment style and autonomous investment process, as well as select subadvisers. Investment solutions are available across multiple disciplines and product types to meet a wide array of investor needs. Additional information about our firm, investment partners, and strategies is available at virtus.com.

Sean Rourke

Investor Relations

(860) 263-4709

[email protected]

KEYWORDS: Connecticut United States North America

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Asset Management Professional Services Finance

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