The Buckle, Inc. Reports First Quarter Net Income

The Buckle, Inc. Reports First Quarter Net Income

KEARNEY, Neb.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
The Buckle, Inc. (NYSE: BKE) announced today that net income for the fiscal quarter ended April 29, 2023 was $42.9 million, or $0.87 per share ($0.86 per share on a diluted basis).

Net sales for the 13-week fiscal quarter ended April 29, 2023 decreased 8.5 percent to $282.8 million from net sales of $309.1 million for the prior year 13-week fiscal quarter ended April 30, 2022. Comparable store net sales for the 13-week period ended April 29, 2023 decreased 9.2 percent from comparable store net sales for the prior year 13-week period ended April 30, 2022. Online sales decreased 5.6 percent to $51.3 million for the 13-week period ended April 29, 2023, compared to net sales of $54.3 million for the 13-week period ended April 30, 2022.

Net income for the first quarter of fiscal 2023 was $42.9 million, or $0.87 per share ($0.86 per share on a diluted basis), compared with net income of $55.3 million, or $1.12 per share ($1.12 per share on a diluted basis) for the first quarter of fiscal 2022.

Management will hold a live audio webcast at 10:00 a.m. EDT today to discuss results for the quarter. To register for the live event, please visit https://buckle.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_F7hbXv9HRVeCsrGOANMJlw. A replay of the event can be accessed through Buckle’s investor relations website within twenty-four hours after the conclusion of the live event (https://corporate.buckle.com/investors/earnings-webcasts).

About Buckle

Offering a unique mix of high-quality, on-trend apparel, accessories, and footwear, Buckle caters to fashion-conscious young men and women. Known as a denim destination, each store carries a wide selection of fits, styles, and finishes from leading denim brands, including the Company’s exclusive brand, BKE. Headquartered in Kearney, Nebraska, Buckle currently operates 440 retail stores in 42 states. As of the end of the fiscal quarter, it operated 440 stores in 42 states compared with 439 stores in 42 states at the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2022.

SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995: All forward-looking statements made by the Company involve material risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on factors which may be beyond the Company’s control. Accordingly, the Company’s future performance and financial results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in any such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to, those described in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company does not undertake to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements even if experience or future changes make it clear that any projected results expressed or implied therein will not be realized.

Note: News releases and other information on The Buckle, Inc. can be accessed at www.buckle.com.

THE BUCKLE, INC.

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(Amounts in Thousands Except Per Share Amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thirteen Weeks Ended

 

April 29,

2023

 

April 30,

2022

 

 

 

 

SALES, Net of returns and allowances

$

282,834

 

$

309,064

 

 

 

 

COST OF SALES (Including buying, distribution, and occupancy costs)

 

149,577

 

 

156,904

 

 

 

 

Gross profit

 

133,257

 

 

152,160

 

 

 

 

OPERATING EXPENSES:

 

 

 

Selling

 

66,102

 

 

67,246

General and administrative

 

13,425

 

 

11,855

 

 

79,527

 

 

79,101

 

 

 

 

INCOME FROM OPERATIONS

 

53,730

 

 

73,059

 

 

 

 

OTHER INCOME, Net

 

3,139

 

 

125

 

 

 

 

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES

 

56,869

 

 

73,184

 

 

 

 

INCOME TAX EXPENSE

 

13,933

 

 

17,930

 

 

 

 

NET INCOME

$

42,936

 

$

55,254

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EARNINGS PER SHARE:

 

 

 

Basic

$

0.87

 

$

1.12

 

 

 

 

Diluted

$

0.86

 

$

1.12

 

 

 

 

Basic weighted average shares

 

49,513

 

 

49,214

Diluted weighted average shares

 

49,861

 

 

49,528

THE BUCKLE, INC.

 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Amounts in Thousands Except Share and Per Share Amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ASSETS

April 29,

2023

 

January 28,

2023 (1)

 

April 30,

2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

CURRENT ASSETS:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

$

254,433

 

 

$

252,077

 

 

$

250,073

 

Short-term investments

 

23,066

 

 

 

20,997

 

 

 

12,895

 

Receivables

 

6,356

 

 

 

12,648

 

 

 

4,414

 

Inventory

 

137,735

 

 

 

125,134

 

 

 

121,166

 

Prepaid expenses and other assets

 

12,325

 

 

 

12,480

 

 

 

19,663

 

Total current assets

 

433,915

 

 

 

423,336

 

 

 

408,211

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

 

471,152

 

 

 

466,321

 

 

 

457,179

 

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization

 

(355,091

)

 

 

(353,919

)

 

 

(353,891

)

 

 

116,061

 

 

 

112,402

 

 

 

103,288

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OPERATING LEASE RIGHT-OF-USE ASSETS

 

265,716

 

 

 

271,421

 

 

 

245,784

 

LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS

 

22,512

 

 

 

20,624

 

 

 

20,136

 

OTHER ASSETS

 

10,656

 

 

 

9,796

 

 

 

11,615

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

$

848,860

 

 

$

837,579

 

 

$

789,034

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CURRENT LIABILITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

$

57,774

 

 

$

44,835

 

 

$

61,246

 

Accrued employee compensation

 

17,942

 

 

 

55,490

 

 

 

23,095

 

Accrued store operating expenses

 

23,627

 

 

 

19,754

 

 

 

27,549

 

Gift certificates redeemable

 

14,325

 

 

 

16,777

 

 

 

13,611

 

Current portion of operating lease liabilities

 

84,619

 

 

 

89,187

 

 

 

84,565

 

Income taxes payable

 

8,517

 

 

 

 

 

 

13,647

 

Total current liabilities

 

206,804

 

 

 

226,043

 

 

 

223,713

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DEFERRED COMPENSATION

 

22,512

 

 

 

20,624

 

 

 

20,136

 

NON-CURRENT OPERATING LEASE LIABILITIES

 

214,370

 

 

 

214,598

 

 

 

191,592

 

Total liabilities

 

443,686

 

 

 

461,265

 

 

 

435,441

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COMMITMENTS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, authorized 100,000,000 shares of $.01 par value; issued and outstanding; 50,456,196 shares at April 29, 2023, 50,092,616 shares at January 28, 2023, and 50,094,851 shares at April 30, 2022

 

505

 

 

 

501

 

 

 

501

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

182,544

 

 

 

178,964

 

 

 

170,272

 

Retained earnings

 

222,125

 

 

 

196,849

 

 

 

182,820

 

Total stockholders’ equity

 

405,174

 

 

 

376,314

 

 

 

353,593

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

$

848,860

 

 

$

837,579

 

 

$

789,034

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1) Derived from audited financial statements.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thomas B. Heacock, Chief Financial Officer

The Buckle, Inc.

(308) 236-8491

KEYWORDS: United States North America Nebraska

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Retail Footwear Fashion

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Asbury Automotive Group Approves New Stock Repurchase Authorization of $250 Million

Asbury Automotive Group Approves New Stock Repurchase Authorization of $250 Million

DULUTH, Ga.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. (NYSE: ABG) (the “Company”), one of the largest automotive retail and service companies in the U.S., today announced its board of directors approved a new authorization to repurchase up to $250 million shares of the Company’s common stock.

“We believe we are a prudent steward of capital. We evaluate on a periodic and ongoing basis our alternate uses of capital – whether it be reduction of leverage, growth through acquisitions, reinvestment in our business or repurchase of shares – to achieve what we believe will generate the best returns for our shareholders over the long-term. We fully exhausted our authorization under our prior stock repurchase program opportunistically. The new authorization reflects our renewed commitment to a key pillar of our balanced capital allocation approach, bolstered by our strong cash flow and balance sheet,” said David Hult, Asbury’s President and Chief Executive Officer.

Year-to-date 2023, the Company has repurchased approximately 1.1 million shares for approximately $211 million. The Company has no remaining availability to repurchase shares of common stock under the previously announced stock repurchase program.

Under the new stock repurchase program, the shares of common stock of the Company may be purchased from time to time in the open market, in privately negotiated transactions or in other manners as permitted by federal securities laws and other legal and contractual requirements. The extent to which the Company repurchases its shares, the number of shares and the timing of any repurchase will depend on such factors as Asbury’s stock price, general economic and market conditions, the potential impact on its capital structure, the expected return on competing uses of capital such as strategic dealership acquisitions and capital investments and other considerations. The new program does not require the Company to repurchase any specific number of shares, and may be modified, suspended or terminated at any time without further notice.

About Asbury Automotive Group, Inc.

Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. (NYSE: ABG), a Fortune 500 company headquartered in Duluth, GA, is one of the largest automotive retailers in the U.S. In late 2020, Asbury embarked on a five-year plan to increase revenue and profitability strategically through organic and acquisitive growth as well as their innovative Clicklane digital vehicle purchasing platform, with its guest-centric approach as Asbury’s constant North Star. Asbury operates 138 new vehicle dealerships, consisting of 183 franchises, representing 31 domestic and foreign brands of vehicles. Asbury also operates Total Care Auto, Powered by Landcar, a leading provider of service contracts and other vehicle protection products, and 32 collision repair centers. Asbury offers an extensive range of automotive products and services, including new and used vehicles; parts and service, which includes vehicle repair and maintenance services, replacement parts and collision repair services; and finance and insurance products, including arranging vehicle financing through third parties and aftermarket products, such as extended service contracts, guaranteed asset protection debt cancellation, and prepaid maintenance.

For additional information, visit www.asburyauto.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are statements other than historical fact, and may include statements relating to goals, plans, objectives, projections regarding Asbury’s financial position, liquidity, results of operations, cash flows, leverage, market position and dealership portfolio, revenue enhancement strategies, operational improvements, projections regarding the expected benefits of Clicklane, management’s plans, projections and objectives for future operations, scale and performance, integration plans and expected synergies from acquisitions, capital allocation strategy and business strategy.

These statements are based on management’s current expectations and beliefs and involve significant risks and uncertainties that may cause results to differ materially from those set forth in the statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, our inability to realize the benefits expected from recently completed transactions; our inability to promptly and effectively integrate completed transactions and the diversion of management’s attention from ongoing business and regular business responsibilities; our inability to complete future acquisitions or divestitures and the risks resulting therefrom; any impact from the COVID-19 pandemic on our industry and business, market factors, Asbury’s relationships with, and the financial and operational stability of, vehicle manufacturers and other suppliers, acts of God, acts of war or other incidents and the shortage of semiconductor chips and other components, which may adversely impact supply from vehicle manufacturers and/or present retail sales challenges; risks associated with Asbury’s indebtedness and our ability to comply with applicable covenants in our various financing agreements, or to obtain waivers of these covenants as necessary; risks related to competition in the automotive retail and service industries, general economic conditions both nationally and locally, governmental regulations, legislation, including changes in automotive state franchise laws, adverse results in litigation and other proceedings, and Asbury’s ability to execute its strategic and operational strategies and initiatives, including its five-year strategic plan, Asbury’s ability to leverage gains from its dealership portfolio, Asbury’s ability to capitalize on opportunities to repurchase its debt and equity securities or purchase properties that it currently leases, and Asbury’s ability to stay within its targeted range for capital expenditures. There can be no guarantees that Asbury’s plans for future operations will be successfully implemented or that they will prove to be commercially successful.

These and other risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in our forward-looking statements are and will be discussed in Asbury’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time, including its most recent annual report on Form 10-K and any subsequently filed quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. These forward-looking statements and such risks, uncertainties and other factors speak only as of the date of this press release. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Investors & Reporters May Contact:

Joe Sorice

Manager, Investor Relations

(770) 418-8211

[email protected]

KEYWORDS: Georgia United States North America

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Retail Other Automotive General Automotive Automotive Specialty

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Booz Allen Hamilton Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Fiscal Year 2023 Results

Booz Allen Hamilton Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Fiscal Year 2023 Results

MCLEAN, Va.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corporation (NYSE: BAH), the parent company of management and technology consulting and engineering services firm Booz Allen Hamilton Inc., today announced preliminary results for the fourth quarter and full fiscal year 2023.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230526005083/en/

Booz Allen’s press release is available at:

http://boozallen.com/media

https://investors.boozallen.com

Booz Allen’s earnings presentation is available at:

https://investors.boozallen.com

Booz Allen will host a conference call at 8 a.m. EDT on Friday, May 26, 2023, to discuss the financial results for its fourth quarter and full fiscal year 2023. Analysts and institutional investors may participate by registering online at investors.boozallen.com. Participants are requested to register a minimum 15 minutes before the start of the call.

The conference call will be webcast simultaneously to the public through a link on the investor relations section of the Booz Allen Hamilton website at investors.boozallen.com. A replay of the conference call will be available online at investors.boozallen.com beginning at 11 a.m. EDT on Friday, May 26, 2023, and continuing for 30 days.

About Booz Allen Hamilton

Trusted to transform missions with the power of tomorrow’s technologies, Booz Allen Hamilton advances the nation’s most critical civil, defense, and national security priorities. We lead, invest, and invent where it’s needed most—at the forefront of complex missions, using innovation to define the future. We combine our in-depth expertise in AI and cybersecurity with leading-edge technology and engineering practices to deliver impactful solutions. Combining more than 100 years of strategic consulting expertise with the perspectives of diverse talent, we ensure results by integrating technology with an enduring focus on our clients. We’re first to the future—moving missions forward to realize our purpose: Empower People to Change the World®.

With global headquarters in McLean, Virginia, our firm employs approximately 31,900 people globally as of March 31, 2023 and had revenue of $9.3 billion for the 12 months ended March 31, 2023. To learn more, visit www.boozallen.com. (NYSE: BAH)

BAHPR-FI

Media Relations – Jessica Klenk, 703-377-4296

Investor Relations – Nathan P. Rutledge, 202-440-3943

KEYWORDS: United States North America Virginia

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Defense Security Technology Software Military Government Technology Contracts

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Lazard Appoints Peter R. Orszag as CEO and Kenneth M. Jacobs as Executive Chairman

Lazard Appoints Peter R. Orszag as CEO and Kenneth M. Jacobs as Executive Chairman

Leadership changes to take effect on October 1, 2023

NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
Lazard Ltd (NYSE: LAZ) today announced that Peter R. Orszag, currently CEO of Financial Advisory at Lazard, has been unanimously elected by its Board to serve as CEO of Lazard and as a Board Director. Kenneth M. Jacobs, Chairman and CEO of Lazard, will serve as Executive Chairman of the Board and will continue to advise clients on strategic financial matters. These changes will take effect October 1, 2023.

“Peter is the optimal choice as the next CEO of Lazard,” said Richard D. Parsons, Lead Independent Director of Lazard. “Over his career spanning both banking and government, Peter has proven to be a strategic, visionary and decisive leader, with deep relationships across the industry and the ability to effectively lead Lazard through evolving global markets and complex geopolitical dynamics.”

“We are tremendously grateful for Ken’s leadership and contributions to Lazard as Chairman and CEO and we look forward to continuing to benefit from Ken’s deep client relationships in his role as Executive Chairman,” said Mr. Parsons. “He is one of the world’s premier bankers, and, for more than three decades, and throughout his tenure leading the firm, Ken has advised many of Lazard’s most important clients with a commitment to understanding their needs and delivering optimal results.”

“I am honored, humbled, and excited to become the next CEO of Lazard,” said Mr. Orszag. “I want to thank our Board of Directors and Ken for entrusting me with this role. Put simply, it is a privilege to work with such exceptionally talented colleagues across the firm. I look forward to serving and supporting them, our clients, and our shareholders. Along with Evan Russo, our CEO of Asset Management, and the rest of our firm, we have a strong team to build on the firm’s successful foundation for the future.”

“It has been the highlight of my professional career to lead Lazard for the past 14 years and an honor to have worked with such a talented and dedicated global team during my tenure. I look forward to continuing to work alongside the Board, Peter, Evan and the leadership team, as well as with Lazard colleagues on client business around the world,” said Mr. Jacobs. “Our 175-year legacy speaks to our best-in-class people and our commitment to excellence in all that we do. I believe strongly that Peter is the right choice as CEO for Lazard’s next chapter in its storied history.”

About Peter R. Orszag

Peter R. Orszag has served as CEO of Financial Advisory at Lazard Freres & Co LLC since 2019, leading the firm’s advisory businesses that serve companies and governments across the globe. Mr. Orszag previously served as the firm’s Head of North America Mergers & Acquisitions and Global Co-Head of Healthcare. He joined Lazard as a Managing Director and Vice Chairman of Investment Banking in 2016. Prior to that, he served as the Director of the Office of Management and Budget in the Obama Administration, and before that as the Director of the Congressional Budget Office. Mr. Orszag graduated summa cum laude in economics from Princeton University and obtained a Ph.D. in economics from the London School of Economics, which he attended as a Marshall Scholar.

About Kenneth M. Jacobs

Kenneth M. Jacobs has served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Lazard since November 2009. Previously, he was a Deputy Chairman of the firm and Chief Executive Officer of Lazard North America since 2002. He initially joined Lazard in 1988. He serves on the Board of Trustees of the Brookings Institution and of the University of Chicago and is a Director of the Partnership for New York City. He is also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. In 2017, he was inducted into the French Legion of Honor. Mr. Jacobs earned a BA in economics at The University of Chicago and an MBA from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business.

About Lazard

Lazard, one of the world’s preeminent financial advisory and asset management firms, operates from 43 cities across 26 countries in North and South America, Europe, Asia and Australia. Celebrating its 175th year, the firm provides advice on mergers and acquisitions, capital markets and other strategic matters, restructuring and capital solutions, and asset management services to corporations, partnerships, institutions, governments and individuals. For more information on Lazard, please visit www.lazard.com. Follow Lazard at @Lazard.

LAZ-EPE

Media:

Judi Frost Mackey, + 1 212 632 1428

[email protected]

Investors:

Alexandra Deignan, +1 212 632 6886

[email protected]

KEYWORDS: New York United States North America

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Asset Management Professional Services Finance

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Masimo Board of Directors Files Definitive Proxy and Issues Letter to Stockholders

Masimo Board of Directors Files Definitive Proxy and Issues Letter to Stockholders

Strongly Encourages Stockholders to Protect Their Investment by Voting FOR H Michael Cohen and Julie Shimer, Ph.D., on the WHITE Proxy Card

Highlights Track Record of Stockholder Value Creation, Winning Strategy, Positive Governance Changes and Risks to the Company Posed by Quentin Koffey

Visit KeepMasimoStrong.com for More Information

IRVINE, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
The Masimo Corporation (“Masimo” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: MASI) Board of Directors today issued a letter to stockholders in connection with its definitive proxy materials filed on May 24, 2023, and the Company’s Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on June 26, 2023. The letter outlines the management team and Board of Directors’ long track record of creating stockholder value, compelling strategy and responsive governance changes, in addition to detailing the risk Politan Capital Management (“Politan”) and its nominee Quentin Koffey pose to the Company’s strategy, principles and leadership. To protect stockholders’ investment and to ensure Masimo continues to create value, the Board encourages stockholders to vote FOR Masimo’s highly qualified director nominees, H Michael Cohen and Julie Shimer, Ph.D.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230526005070/en/

(Graphic: Business Wire)

(Graphic: Business Wire)

Find our definitive proxy materials and more information on why your vote is so important to the future of Masimo at www.KeepMasimoStrong.com. The full text of the Board’s letter to our stockholders can be found here:

Dear Fellow Masimo Shareholders:

Masimo was founded in 1989 by our current Chairman and CEO, Joe Kiani, and has become one of the most successful medical technology companies in the world by adhering to its guiding principles and developing breakthrough innovations that improve lives. The entire Masimo team and Board of Directors remain deeply committed to this approach, which has created incredible value and earned Masimo a sterling reputation with its customers, investors, and even competitors. Masimo has delivered exceptional shareholder returns from our initial public offering more than 15 years ago and over nearly all time periods. And as we look to the future, we intend to grow Masimo by continuing to develop and commercialize breakthrough products for both the hospital and the home.

Politan, a start-up activist hedge fund, and its founder and nominee Quentin Koffey, who has never even invested in, much less run, a medical technology company, want you to trust them to “fix” Masimo. Mr. Koffey’s track record and his representatives’ statements in court all indicate that Politan is ultimately seeking control of Masimo’s future. Yet their comments on Masimo’s strategy and performance show a dangerous ignorance of how we have achieved our success, the returns on our investments in innovation, and the rationale for our strategy, as well as a reckless willingness to distort the truth in pursuit of their agenda.

In the coming weeks, Politan and Mr. Koffey will deny they are seeking control and claim they only want greater oversight. Even taking that dubious claim at face value, Mr. Koffey is not qualified to deliver that. He lacks credibility and brings no industry experience, prior public company board service or diversity to Masimo. He has sued the Company and its current and former Board members and has refused to collaborate with the Board to appoint two new directors independent of both Masimo and Politan for the benefit of all shareholders, insisting on a seat for himself despite clearly not meeting the Board’s criteria for new directors. He has refused to even provide dates for Masimo’s Nominating Committee to interview Michelle Brennan, the other Politan nominee.

The risks of giving Mr. Koffey a foothold in the boardroom so he can try to scrap the approach that has served Masimo and its shareholders well for its entire history are immense. Masimo is not an industry laggard that has nowhere to go but up. Masimo is the market leader in non-invasive monitoring, with robust plans to continue leading and transforming healthcare and consumer health.

At the upcoming Annual Meeting, you have a critical choice to make regarding your investment in the future of Masimo. The Company’s mission, strategy and guiding principles are all at stake.

Here are five important reasons why you should vote “FOR” Masimo’s director nominees―Julie Shimer, Ph.D., and H Michael Cohen―on the WHITE proxy card today:

  1. Masimo has consistently outperformed for its long-term shareholders,driven by steady strategic and operational execution and disciplined capital allocation that has led to profitable, above-market growth.
  2. Masimo’s management team and Board have built the right strategy for the future,creating new long-term growth opportunities while strengthening the healthcare franchise.
  3. Politan and its founder/nominee Quentin Koffey have been unprincipled and self-serving, concealing their agenda and refusing to cooperate for the benefit of all shareholders, even when offered two board seats for mutually agreeable directors independent of both Masimo and Politan.
  4. Masimo’s nominees are clearly superior to Mr. Koffey,who lacks relevant industry experience, prior public company board service and understanding of the business and threatens to mire the boardroom in dysfunction and chaos.
  5. Since our IPO, the Board has embraced change in response to shareholder input and continues to do so, most recently taking action to elect a lead independent director and expand and declassify the Board.

For 34 years, whether public or private, Masimo has delivered for its shareholders, and under the current strategy, the Company is well-positioned to continue creating shareholder value. Mr. Koffey’s candidacy threatens Masimo’s strategy, principles and leadership. As our actions and plans show, your Board brings experienced oversight, new ideas and diverse and ethical perspectives. There is no need to risk derailing Masimo’s progress to advance Quentin Koffey’s personal self-interest and hidden agenda.

LONG TRACK RECORD OF OUTPERFORMANCE AND STRATEGIC EXECUTION

Since its 2007 IPO through May 1, 2023, when Politan nominated its director candidates, Masimo’s stock has returned more than 1,000 percent for shareholders, more than triple that of the S&P 500 Index, more than double that of the Nasdaq Composite Index and nearly double that of the Dow Jones U.S. Select Medical Equipment Index (the “Medical Devices Index”) during the same period. Indeed, Masimo has outperformed relevant comparisons for almost all time periods, both short-term and long-term. All the while, Masimo has been a beacon of hope for clinicians and patients, helping clinicians save and improve countless lives.

Total Shareholder Return

 

From

To

Masimo

S&P 500

NASDAQ Composite

Medical Devices Index

Various Time Periods

 

 

 

 

YTD

1/3/2023

5/1/2023

29%

10%

18%

8%

From 1 Year Ago

5/2/2022

5/1/2023

59%

2%

(2%)

4%

From 3 Years Ago

5/1/2020

5/1/2023

(13%)

54%

45%

38%

From 5 Years Ago

5/1/2018

5/1/2023

106%

71%

79%

85%

From 10 Years Ago

5/1/2013

5/1/2023

852%

219%

311%

396%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Key Events

 

 

 

 

 

 

Since Investor Day

12/12/2022

5/1/2023

32%

5%

10%

6%

Since IPO

8/7/2007

5/1/2023

1,012%

288%

460%

568%

The Company has achieved these strong returns for shareholders through sustained improvements in operating performance and disciplined capital allocation that have driven profitable, above-market growth. Under the Company’s previous long-term strategic plan announced at its 2017 Investor Day and overseen by the current Board, Masimo delivered total shareholder returns of 243 percent through December 31, 2021, compared to 109 percent for the S&P 500 Index, 156 percent for the Nasdaq Composite Index and 150 percent for the Medical Devices Index.

[See image]

Across that period, Masimo recorded the following operating results, delivering on its promises by exceeding targets set under the 2017 plan:

  • Revenue grew at a 14 percent compound annual growth rate vs. the 8-10 percent growth target set in 2017;

  • Revenue growth in each major product category (pulse oximetry, capnography, and brain monitoring) substantially exceeded the respective market growth rates1;

  • Total operating expenditures as a percent of revenue were reduced by 370 basis points vs. the 200 basis-point target, despite a 230 basis-point increase in R&D investment to create new long-term growth opportunities and enhance shareholder value;

  • Operating margins expanded over 500 basis points vs. the 400 basis-point target;

  • Earnings per share grew at a 23 percent compound annual growth rate vs. the 12-15 percent target; and

  • Free cash flow reached $239 million in FY 2021 vs. the long-term target of $150-275 million.

______________

(1) Market estimates based upon internal data, iData & Futuresource.

During the same period, the Company’s innovation-focused strategy and rigorous capital allocation process sustained ROIC at levels well above the medical device industry and Masimo’s prior performance, even as the Company expanded into new and adjacent markets.

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RIGHT STRATEGY FOR THE FUTURE

Masimo’s strategic plan sets the stage for the Company to continue to deliver superior shareholder returns by strengthening the existing professional healthcare franchise and creating new long-term growth opportunities in the telemonitoring, consumer health and hearables markets.

The acquisition of Sound United and the creation of Masimo Consumer have opened these markets to the Company without a dilutive, multi-year investment. The management team and Board thoroughly assessed both organic and inorganic strategies to enter these markets and evaluated more than 200 potential acquisition targets before determining that Sound United offered the best prospects for long-term value creation. By providing immediate sales and distribution scale and opportunities for synergistic tech transfer, product development and marketing efforts, the acquisition allows Masimo to leverage the value of its unique technologies and capabilities in the $20 billion telemonitoring, $50 billion consumer health, and $85 billion hearables markets.​

At the same time, shifting physician and patient preferences in the wake of the Covid pandemic and the pressure to reduce the cost of care have revealed significant unmet needs and new opportunities in the professional healthcare market that merit continued innovation and investment. Strengthening our capabilities to monitor patients at home and seamlessly connect them and their data to providers increases the appeal of our healthcare solutions in a rapidly evolving market. This approach mirrors our past successes driving adoption of SET® by entering and innovating in adjacent markets. Masimo couldn’t have continued to gain market share from a powerful incumbent with pricing advantages and bundling practices with a much broader product portfolio if it had relied on SET® pulse oximetry alone. Rainbow®, Hospital AutomationTM, Radius PPG®, and other advanced technologies have given hospitals further reasons to standardize on Masimo SET®. By pursuing consumer health applications for its core technologies, Masimo is also bolstering its core healthcare business.

Our strategy creates value for patients, clinicians, hospitals and shareholders by bringing Masimo’s differentiated and clinically superior technologies, proven track record of innovation and customer-driven approach to product development to new markets, while also enhancing the Company’s ability to serve patients and providers regardless of care setting. With management’s track record of strong execution, Masimo is well-positioned to drive sustainable revenue and earnings growth.

We have also set clear guardrails in our pursuit of this strategy, beginning with the reasonable and accretive purchase price for Sound United and our modest use of financial leverage. We have publicly explained our commitment to exit the business in three years if our consumer health products do not gain traction in the market. We have limited our incremental spending on consumer product launches to one percent of revenue and are intensely focused on leveraging Sound United’s existing 20,000 points of distribution and 500 consumer sales and marketing professionals to drive consumer adoption.

As disclosed at the Investor Day on December 13, 2022, Masimo has issued conservative long-range financial targets for 2023-2028 that contemplate profitable long-term growth:

  • Consolidated revenue compound annual growth rate of 7-9 percent;

  • Adjusted EBITDA and operating profit compound annual growth rate of 10-12 percent; and

  • Adjusted earnings per share compound annual growth rate of 10-12 percent.

Notably, these targets include Masimo’s product portfolio as of Investor Day but do not reflect the potential benefits of future consumer-focused products that are rolling out beginning in the second half of 2023.

Masimo has already made significant progress advancing its strategy, as more fully detailed at the Investor Day and on the Q4 2022 and Q1 2023 earnings calls. Masimo has won a number of hospital customers for the W1 advanced health tracking watch for telemonitoring, launched the Stork baby monitor and Opioid Halo opioid overdose prevention and alert system, and has begun the presale of the Masimo Freedom health-tracking smartwatch with Android OS. So far, the reaction of our existing hospital customers to our plans has been remarkable because they see how this could benefit them and their patients. We will soon find out if consumers agree.

Since management unveiled the strategy at the Investor Day through May 1, 2023, the day before Politan publicly announced its nominees for the Board, Masimo’s stock has returned 32 percent, compared to 5 percent for the S&P 500 Index, 10 percent for the Nasdaq Composite Index and 6 percent for the Medical Device Index. This outperformance has substantially closed the valuation gap between Masimo and its peers that opened following the Sound United acquisition.2 We believe the strong market response demonstrates the growing conviction that this strategy maximizes the value of the Company and validates the potential return on investment of the Sound United acquisition.

[See image]

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(2) Peer index reflects average of premium / discount of Masimo AV / NTM EBITDA to select peers (Align, Edwards Life Sciences, Intuitive Surgical, Resmed)

KOFFEY HAS BEEN UNPRINCIPLED AND SELF-SERVING IN HIS ENGAGEMENT

Unlike most activist investors, Politan did not come to the table offering business ideas or even a point of view.Until this week, Politan and Mr. Koffey did not share any actionable recommendation or guidance for the Company other than demanding two board seats, including one for himself. Indeed, Mr. Koffey even predicated his views about the Company on its response to his demand, stating directly to the Company that he would be management’s “biggest cheerleader” if added to the Board and would wage a proxy contest against the Company if not.

This unprincipled statement contradicts Mr. Koffey’s long track record of instigating CEO change at his targets. In all but one of his past campaigns, the CEO has been replaced within one year of the campaign.3 Mr. Koffey’s attacks on the validity of Mr. Kiani’s eight-year-old employment agreement indicate his end goal is the same in this case. Indeed, in the litigation filed by Politan against Masimo’s current and former directors, Politan’s attorney gave the court an indication of Politan’s true intentions:

“[Y]es, we may be able to get two seats, but nobody going into this election will know if a third seat and potential control is available. And the [Politan] candidates are telling us that’s important to them.”

We believe Mr. Koffey is seeking control of the Company. He doesn’t want to say as much to Masimo shareholders because most will not agree it is a risk worth taking. CEO change would have a devastating impact on Masimo and its ability to retain the core engineering and management teams, many of whom have worked closely with Mr. Kiani for more than a decade, some for three decades.

With no business ideas, no public plan and a history of CEO change, Politan’s campaign was poorly received by the market. From the day prior to Politan’s first public announcement of its ownership stake on August 16, 2022, to Masimo’s Investor Day, Masimo’s stock price declined 10 percent, compared to a 7 percent decline for the S&P 500 Index, a 15 percent decline for the Nasdaq Composite Index and a 3 percent decline for the Medical Devices Index. The stock’s outperformance following the Investor Day is a powerful reminder of the value of Masimo’s strategic vision and the critical importance of not allowing Mr. Koffey to derail the Company’s momentum.

______________

(3) Includes past campaigns publicly associated with Quentin Koffey at Politan, D.E. Shaw and Senator Investment Group and excludes Masimo and hostile bid campaigns; CEO replacement includes cases where a CEO departure was announced within 1 year of the public campaign announcement

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Despite Politan’s unprincipled behavior and failure to produce business ideas or even a positive market reaction to its presence, we gave Mr. Koffey multiple opportunities to work with us to identify and add to the Board two mutually agreeable directors who are independent of both Masimo and Politan. Instead of accepting this clear path to strengthening the Board as Politan claims to desire, Politan refused to engage unless we acquiesced to its self-serving demand that Mr. Koffey be added to the Board. Politan has so far refused to provide available dates for Masimo’s Nominating Committee to interview Michelle Brennan, Politan’s other nominee.

Politan’s unprincipled approach, hidden agenda and unwillingness to cooperate to find outside directors more qualified than Mr. Koffey clearly demonstrate that its campaign is not about delivering the best outcome for Masimo shareholders but about laying the groundwork to oust Mr. Kiani and getting Quentin Koffey his first public company board seat, regardless of his qualifications.

MASIMO’S NOMINEES ARE CLEARLY SUPERIOR TO QUENTIN KOFFEY

On that account, the facts are that Mr. Koffey is a woefully unqualified candidate for Masimo’s Board.

Mr. Koffey does not meet a single criterion for director candidates set out by the Board and would never have made it through an independent process.

  • Mr. Koffey has not demonstrated the trustworthy and principled behavior that Masimo shareholders should expect from their Board members. Masimo’s culture requires principled leadership. From distorting facts about Masimo and its Board to releasing a damaging press release before our important trade secrets trial with Apple, he has demonstrated that he puts his own interests ahead of the Company’s.

  • Mr. Koffey has no relevant industry experience. To our knowledge, he has never even led an investment in a public or private medical technology company, much less overseen capital allocation in the industry.

  • He has no track record of prior public company board service.

  • He lacks the specific skills, background and experiences that the Board’s Nominating Committee, after multiple discussions with the Company’s various shareholders during the past year, determined would be most valuable to add to the Board at this point in time.

While his lack of credentials speaks volumes on its own, Mr. Koffey’s commentary shows he has barely been paying attention since establishing his position in Masimo. Putting aside the factual errors and inaccuracies – which we will correct separately – his critique of the Company issued this week reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of Masimo’s business, industry and history.

  • The idea that Mr. Kiani and Masimo’s management believe they have “immunity from market realities” is absurd to anyone who has a passing familiarity with Masimo’s battles to break into the pulse oximetry market. The barriers to entry that Masimo and Mr. Kiani fought to overcome existed in large part due to competitors’ broad portfolios of adjacent products and unfair business practices, including exclusionary agreements with group purchasing organizations and original equipment manufacturers. The continued profitable growth of both SET and Masimo is not a case of a “Midas Touch” but the product of a focused, disciplined strategy, informed by “market realities” and including the development of innovative adjacent products to leverage customer relationships, sales and marketing expenses and R&D and to reinforce the SET franchise. Ironically, Mr. Koffey’s plan to “fix innovation” at Masimo risks killing the goose that laid the golden egg.

  • The “consistent” declines in ROIC that Mr. Koffey purports to identify are in fact a mirage created by the gradual, contractual cessation of the royalties won by Masimo’s defense of its intellectual property. Properly adjusting for those royalties, as shown in the earlier chart of our historical ROIC, yields a clear picture of Masimo’s highly disciplined capital allocation. Mr. Koffey’s mischaracterization of Masimo’s excellent capital allocation track record reflects his desire to choke off investments in growth to achieve a short-term pop in the stock at the expense of long-term value, not reality. This is a familiar and tired playbook with a bad ending for all Masimo’s stakeholders, especially long-term shareholders.

  • The products that Mr. Koffey cites as “further and further afield from [Masimo’s] core competencies” all directly rely on adaptive signal processing – the same technology Mr. Kiani used to revolutionize pulse oximetry. Rather than stray from its core competencies, Masimo is leveraging its existing technology platform and clinical expertise.

  • Not only is the Company “cognizant of the need to build a repeatable and successful market entry process” in consumer health, the primary rationale for the Sound United acquisition was to accelerate just that. On Masimo’s 1Q 2023 earnings call only two weeks ago, Mr. Kiani said, “As one of our first consumer health product launches, Stork is creating a great template for how our teams can leverage our integrated global brand and marketing framework, which we will rapidly refine and replicate as we learn from the Stork rollout and launch more consumer health products.”

We are hardly surprised by Mr. Koffey’s ignorance, willful or otherwise, on these matters. Despite Politan’s stated interest in Masimo, they have repeatedly refused to engage with management to learn more about the Company and its business strategies.

Mr. Koffey himself can’t even explain why he’d make a good candidate for Masimo’s Board. When asked about his demand to be installed as a Board member during his first meeting with the Company in September 2022 and in subsequent meetings, Mr. Koffey offered no reason beyond Politan’s standing as a large shareholder. His letter shows he has not advanced his case.

By contrast, our current independent directors all have highly relevant strategic, operational, financial, and investing experience in healthcare and medical devices that has allowed them to exercise the proper level of oversight. Dr. Shimer and Mr. Cohen, the current directors standing for election in 2023, both have exceptionally deep healthcare industry experience and were supported by more than 95 percent of voting shareholders in past elections. Dr. Shimer has significant experience as a CEO and director of numerous medical device and consumer-facing technology companies, while Mr. Cohen has more than 30 years of experience in healthcare investment banking and equity research covering medical technology, devices and related industries.

Along with wasting a valuable Board seat on a candidate with no complementary skills or experience, Mr. Koffey’s track record of instigating CEO change and his self-interested and uniquely adversarial posture towards the Company threaten to mire the boardroom in dysfunction and chaos and further exacerbate the potential for harm to Masimo and its shareholders.

OUR EMBRACE OF POSITIVE SHAREHOLDER-DRIVEN CHANGE

Taking this risk is needless. We have consistently solicited and responded to constructive input from Masimo’s shareholders as part of our longstanding shareholder outreach program. In the past, the Board has supported and implemented many ideas proposed by shareholders, including establishing an OUS headquarters, changing our executive pay and contracting practices and limiting the tenure of independent Board members. Most recently, on March 23, 2023, Masimo announced significant changes to its governance policies as a result of a review process that involved meetings with shareholders representing more than 50 percent of the Company’s outstanding shares, including:

  • the Company’s intention to expand the size of the Board from five to seven directors and its efforts, with the support of an external advisory firm, to identify two new, highly qualified and complementary independent directors;

  • the appointment of H Michael Cohen as Lead Independent Director;

  • a proposal to amend Masimo’s charter to declassify the Board;

  • the termination of the Company’s rights agreement; and

  • certain executive compensation enhancements, including moving to multi-year performance goals for Masimo’s equity-based incentive awards by incorporating three-year cumulative performance metrics and adding market-based performance conditions.

These changes show that we respect the wishes of our shareholders and understand the need to ensure that you have confidence in the integrity of our decision-making processes. Just as importantly, we remain deeply committed to gathering and acting on shareholder feedback, and these changes support our continued ability to do so.

One point consistently raised by shareholders in our recent engagement meetings was the need fora larger and more diverse Board. Masimo has traditionally had seven directors, but due to retirements and Covid, the Board now has five. Shareholders also agreed that extensive consumer, payer/provider, or government policy experience are important qualifications for new directors.Our proposal to expand the Board from five to seven directors and to identify two new, highly qualified and complementary independent directors with the support of an external advisory firm is a direct response to that feedback.

To act promptly on this, the Board is actively engaged with an independent third-party search firm to develop a robust pipeline of highly qualified director candidates. In addition, the Board welcomes suggestions for potential director candidates from all its shareholders, including Politan. On multiple occasions, we have directly expressed to Politan our willingness to work together to identify two new, mutually agreeable directors who are independent of both Masimo and Politan to join the expanded Board, and Politan has refused to cooperate at every turn.

YOUR VOTE ON THE WHITE PROXY CARD IS CRITICAL

Your vote for our nominees helps maintain Masimo’s momentum and ensures that the Company’s ability to create shareholder value, improve lives, improve patient outcomes, reduce the cost of care, and take noninvasive monitoring to new sites and applications, is not disrupted.

We urge you to use the enclosed WHITE proxy card to vote today “FOR” all Masimo’s director nominees: Julie Shimer, Ph.D., and H Michael Cohen.

Electing Quentin Koffey to the Board threatens Masimo’s mission, principles, strategy and leadership and jeopardizes the potential of your investment in Masimo. Please do not vote using any blue proxy card you may receive from Politan. Any vote on the blue proxy card will revoke your prior vote on a WHITE proxy card, and only your latest-dated proxy counts.

Masimo’s Board has been unified and unwavering in its commitment to act in the best interests of all shareholders. We look forward to continuing our fruitful engagement with you as we work to deliver enhanced shareholder value in the years ahead.

Thank you for your continued support,

Masimo Board of Directors

About Masimo

Masimo (Nasdaq: MASI) is a global technology company that develops and produces a wide array of industry-leading monitoring technologies, including innovative measurements, sensors, patient monitors, and automation and connectivity solutions. In addition, Masimo Consumer Audio is home to eight legendary audio brands, including Bowers & Wilkins®, Denon®, Marantz®, and Polk Audio®. Our mission is to improve life, improve patient outcomes and reduce the cost of care. Masimo SET® Measure-through Motion and Low Perfusion pulse oximetry, introduced in 1995, has been shown in over 100 independent and objective studies to outperform other pulse oximetry technologies. Masimo SET® has also been shown to help clinicians reduce severe retinopathy of prematurity in neonates, improve CCHD screening in newborns, and, when used for continuous monitoring with Masimo Patient SafetyNet in post-surgical wards, reduce rapid response team activations, ICU transfers, and costs. Masimo SET® is estimated to be used on more than 200 million patients in leading hospitals and other healthcare settings around the world, and is the primary pulse oximetry at 9 of the top 10 hospitals as ranked in the 2022-23 U.S. News and World Report Best Hospitals Honor Roll. In 2005, Masimo introduced rainbow® Pulse CO-Oximetry technology, allowing noninvasive and continuous monitoring of blood constituents that previously could only be measured invasively, including total hemoglobin (SpHb®), oxygen content (SpOC), carboxyhemoglobin (SpCO®), methemoglobin (SpMet®), Pleth Variability Index (PVi®), RPVi (rainbow® PVi), and Oxygen Reserve Index (ORi). In 2013, Masimo introduced the Root® Patient Monitoring and Connectivity Platform, built from the ground up to be as flexible and expandable as possible to facilitate the addition of other Masimo and third-party monitoring technologies; key Masimo additions include Next Generation SedLine® Brain Function Monitoring, O3® Regional Oximetry, and ISA Capnography with NomoLine® sampling lines. Masimo’s family of continuous and spot-check monitoring Pulse CO-Oximeters® includes devices designed for use in a variety of clinical and non-clinical scenarios, including tetherless, wearable technology, such as Radius-7®, Radius PPG® and Radius VSM, portable devices like Rad-67®, fingertip pulse oximeters like MightySat® Rx, and devices available for use both in the hospital and at home, such as Rad-97®. Masimo hospital and home automation and connectivity solutions are centered around the Masimo Hospital Automation platform, and include Iris® Gateway, iSirona™, Patient SafetyNet, Replica®, Halo ION®, UniView®, UniView :60, and Masimo SafetyNet®. Its growing portfolio of health and wellness solutions includes Radius T® and Masimo W1watch. Additional information about Masimo and its products may be found at www.masimo.com. Published clinical studies on Masimo products can be found at www.masimo.com/evidence/featured-studies/feature/.

ORi and RPVi have not received FDA 510(k) clearance and are not available for sale in the United States. The use of the trademark Patient SafetyNet is under license from University HealthSystem Consortium.

Forward-Looking Statements

All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this press release that address activities, events or developments that we expect, believe or anticipate will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements including, in particular, the statements about our expectations for full-year 2023 financial guidance; the interest in our W1 watch and upcoming innovations; our long-term outlook; demand for our products; anticipated revenue and earnings growth; our financial condition, results of operations and business generally; expectations regarding our ability to design and deliver innovative new noninvasive technologies and reduce the cost of care; our ability to address supply chain challenges; anticipated benefits from our acquisition of Sound United; and demand for our products and technologies; including with respect to revenue, revenue growth and constant currency revenue growth, gross margin, operating margin, GAAP earnings per diluted share, non-GAAP earnings per diluted share, estimated tax rate and year-over-year currency headwinds; our long-term outlook; our ability to continue in our leadership in delivering innovative solutions to clinicians and patients worldwide; anticipated revenue and earnings growth. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations and beliefs and are subject to uncertainties and factors, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control and could cause actual results to differ materially and adversely from those described in the forward-looking statements. These risks include, but are not limited to, those related to: our dependence on Masimo SET® and Masimo rainbow SET products and technologies for substantially all of our revenue; any failure in protecting our intellectual property exposure to competitors’ assertions of intellectual property claims; the highly competitive nature of the markets in which we sell our products and technologies; any failure to continue developing innovative products and technologies; the lack of acceptance of any of our current or future products and technologies; obtaining regulatory approval of our current and future products and technologies; the risk that the implementation of our international realignment will not continue to produce anticipated operational and financial benefits, including a continued lower effective tax rate; the loss of our customers; the failure to retain and recruit senior management; product liability claims exposure; a failure to obtain expected returns from the amount of intangible assets we have recorded; the maintenance of our brand; the amount and type of equity awards that we may grant to employees and service providers in the future; our ongoing litigation and related matters; risks related to global economic and marketplace uncertainties related to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic; and other factors discussed in the “Risk Factors” section of our most recent periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including our most recent Form 10-K and Form 10-Q, all of which you may obtain for free on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in our forward-looking statements are reasonable, we do not know whether our expectations will prove correct. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof, even if subsequently made available by us on our website or otherwise. We do not undertake any obligation to update, amend or clarify these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.

Additional Information Regarding The Annual Meeting of Stockholders Currently Expected to Be Held on June 26, 2023 and Where to Find It

Masimo has filed a definitive proxy statement containing a form of WHITE proxy card with the SEC in connection with its solicitation of proxies for its 2023 Annual Meeting. MASIMO’S SHAREHOLDERS ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO READ THE DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT (AND ANY AMENDMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTS THERETO) AND ACCOMPANYING WHITE PROXY CARD AS THEY WILL CONTAIN OR CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Shareholders may obtain the proxy statement, any amendments or supplements to the proxy statement and other documents as and when filed by Masimo with the SEC without charge from the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

Certain Information Regarding Participants

Masimo, its directors and certain of its executive officers may be deemed to be participants in connection with the solicitation of proxies from Masimo’s shareholders in connection with the matters to be considered at the 2023 Annual Meeting. Information regarding the ownership of Masimo’s directors and executive officers in Masimo common shares is included in Masimo’s definitive proxy statement, which can be found through the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. To the extent holdings of Masimo’s securities by directors or executive officers have changed since the amounts set forth in the definitive proxy statement, such changes have been or will be reflected on SEC filings filed by the applicable individuals on Forms 3, 4, and 5, which can be found through the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. These documents can be obtained free of charge from the sources indicated above.

Masimo, SET, Signal Extraction Technology, Improving Patient Outcome and Reducing Cost of Care… by Taking Noninvasive Monitoring to New Sites and Applications, rainbow, SpHb, SpOC, SpCO, SpMet, PVI and ORI are trademarks or registered trademarks of Masimo Corporation.

Investor Contact: Eli Kammerman

(949) 297-7077

[email protected]

Media Contact: Evan Lamb

(949) 396-3376

[email protected]

KEYWORDS: California United States North America

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Hospitals Health Technology Health Medical Devices

MEDIA:

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Hibbett Reports First Quarter Results

Hibbett Reports First Quarter Results

  • Q1 Comparable Sales Increase 4.1% Versus Prior Year; Net Sales Up 7.4% Year-Over-Year
  • Q1 Diluted EPS of $2.74; 10.1% Operating Income Margin
  • Updates Full Year Fiscal 2024 Guidance to Reflect A More Cautious Consumer Outlook

BIRMINGHAM, Ala.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
Hibbett, Inc. (Nasdaq/GS: HIBB), an athletic-inspired fashion retailer, today provided financial results for its first quarter ended April 29, 2023, and business updates.

Mike Longo, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, “Hibbett posted solid sales results in a challenging environment, delivering a 4.1% comparable sales increase and a total sales increase of 7.4% versus last year. We maintain very good relationships with our valued brand partners that enables us to maintain our new store growth plan and provide the product assortment to meet consumer’s narrowed demand. We’re investing in our already best-in-class consumer experience while also taking costs out of the business, producing leverage on SG&A of 140 basis points versus last year. We believe our product array and outstanding customer service is a competitive advantage, resulting in market share gains.”

Mr. Longo continued, “Our consumers are facing a number of headwinds that range from inflation to concerns over outright job loss. Of note, the total amount of the average tax refund was unfavorable to last year by approximately 10%. We believe this disproportionately impacted our consumer and impacted our sales in the important first quarter of the year. Additionally, the athletic inspired segment of our industry is carrying surplus inventory and therefore experienced an elevated level of promotional activity. As a result of the challenging retail environment, consumers are focused on a narrower range of products. The combination of these factors is a major contributor to our revised guidance for the remainder of this fiscal year. Notwithstanding our more cautious near-term consumer outlook, we believe Hibbett remains well positioned for the long-term to continue to grow and increase market share.”

First Quarter Results

Net sales for the 13-weeks ended April 29, 2023, increased 7.4% to $455.5 million compared with $424.1 million for the 13-weeks ended April 30, 2022. Comparable sales increased 4.1% versus the prior year. Brick and mortar comparable sales were up 4.7% while e-commerce sales increased 0.6% on a year-over-year basis. E-commerce represented 13.7% of total net sales for the 13-weeks ended April 29, 2023, compared to 14.6% in the 13-weeks ended April 30, 2022.

Gross margin was 33.7% of net sales for the 13-weeks ended April 29, 2023, compared with 37.0% of net sales for the 13-weeks ended April 30, 2022. The approximate 330 basis point decline was driven primarily by lower average product margin which was about 375 basis points lower than the prior year due to higher promotional activity across both footwear and apparel. Store occupancy was relatively flat as a percent of sales year-over-year while both freight and logistics operations were favorable as a percentage of net sales.

Store operating, selling and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses were 21.1% of net sales for the 13-weeks ended April 29, 2023, compared with 22.5% of net sales for the 13-weeks ended April 30, 2022. The decrease of 140 basis points is primarily the result of expense reduction initiatives, lower advertising spend and reduced incentive compensation expense partially offset by wage inflation.

Net income for the 13-weeks ended April 29, 2023, was $35.9 million, or $2.74 per diluted share, compared with net income of $39.3 million, or $2.89 per diluted share, for the 13-weeks ended April 30, 2022.

For the 13-weeks ended April 29, 2023, we opened 10 net new stores, bringing the store base to 1,143 in 36 states.

As of April 29, 2023, we had $26.9 million of available cash and cash equivalents on our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet and $103.6 million of debt outstanding. Inventory as of April 29, 2023, was $438.0 million, a 39.1% increase compared to the prior year first quarter and up 4.1% from the beginning of the year.

During the 13-weeks ended April 29, 2023, we repurchased 159,592 shares of common stock under our Stock Repurchase Program (the “Repurchase Program”) for a total expenditure of $10.2 million. We also paid a quarterly dividend equal to $0.25 per outstanding common share that resulted in a cash outlay of $3.2 million.

Fiscal 2024 Outlook

The current retail business climate is challenging as consumers have been dealing with persistent inflation and higher interest rates. Consumer confidence has weakened, which we believe has impacted purchasing behavior, especially for discretionary products and services. We anticipate the risks noted below will impact us through the remainder of the 53-week fiscal year ending February 3, 2024 (“Fiscal 2024”) and expect these headwinds will be more impactful on our second fiscal quarter than in the back half of the year. Therefore, we are updating the guidance for Fiscal 2024 that we presented on March 3, 2023, in conjunction with the release of our results for the fiscal fourth quarter and full year ended January 28, 2023.

Risks to be considered for the remainder of Fiscal 2024 include inflation, a high interest rate environment, reduced consumer confidence, the ongoing promotional environment, potential reduction or deferral of discretionary purchases, a tight labor market, inventory quantities above ideal levels and geopolitical conflicts. These factors may contribute to the complexity and volatility in forecasting Fiscal 2024 results.

Our updated full-year guidance compared to the previous guidance provided is summarized in the following table:

Metric

Prior Guidance

Updated Guidance

Comment

Total sales

Up mid-single digit

Flat to up ~2.0%

Includes 53rd week

Sales percent by quarter

~26%, ~22%, ~24%, ~28%

~26%, ~22%, ~24%, ~28%

 

Comp sales

Up low-single digit

Down low-single digit

Softer sales; cautious consumer

Brick and mortar

Flat to up low-single digit

Down low-single digit

 

E-commerce

Up high-single digit

Down low-single digit

 

Net store growth in units

40 to 50

40 to 50

 

Gross margin %

34.9% to 35.0%

33.9% to 34.0%

More promotional environment; occupancy deleverage

SG&A %

23.2% to 23.3%

23.3% to 23.5%

Deleverage offset by cost reductions

Operating profit %

9.0% to 9.3%

7.4% to 7.8%

Lower margin and SG&A deleverage

Interest expense %

0.25% to 0.30%

0.40% to 0.45%

Higher average debt; rising interest rates

Diluted EPS

$9.50 to $10.00

$7.00 to $7.75

 

Diluted shares

~12.7 million

~12.8 million

 

Tax rate

24.0%

23.5% to 23.7%

 

Capital expenditures

$60 to $70 million

$60 to $70 million

 

Investor Conference Call and Simulcast

Hibbett, Inc. will host a webcast at 10:00 a.m. ET on Friday, May 26, 2023, to discuss first quarter results. The webcast of Hibbett’s earnings review and a slide deck of supporting information that will be referenced during the webcast will be available at https://investors.hibbett.com/ under the News & Events section. A replay of the webcast will be available for 30 days.

About Hibbett, Inc.

Hibbett, headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, is a leading athletic-inspired fashion retailer with 1,143 Hibbett, City Gear and Sports Additions specialty stores located in 36 states nationwide as of April 29, 2023. Hibbett has a rich history of convenient locations, personalized customer service and access to coveted footwear, apparel and equipment from top brands like Nike, Jordan and Adidas. Consumers can browse styles, find new releases, shop looks and make purchases online or in their nearest store by visiting www.hibbett.com. Follow us @hibbettsports and @citygear on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Other than statements of historical facts, all statements which address activities, events, or developments that the Company anticipates will or may occur in the future, including, but not limited to, such things as our Fiscal 2024 outlook, future capital expenditures, expansion, strategic plans, financial objectives, dividend payments, stock repurchases, growth of the Company’s business and operations, including future cash flows, revenues, and earnings, our effective tax rate and other such matters, are forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release reflect our current views about future events and are subject to risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and changes in circumstances that may cause events or our actual activities or results to differ significantly from those expressed in any forward-looking statement. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future events, results, actions, levels of activity, or performance or achievements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. A number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to: changes in general economic or market conditions that could affect overall consumer spending or our industry, including the possible effects of inflation and higher interest rates; changes to the financial health of our customers; our ability to successfully execute our long-term strategies; our ability to effectively drive operational efficiency in our business; the potential impact of new trade, tariff and tax regulations on our profitability; our ability to effectively develop and launch new, innovative and updated products; our ability to accurately forecast consumer demand for our products and manage our inventory in response to changing demands; future reliability of, and cost associated with, disruptions in the global supply chain including increased freight and transportation costs, and the potential impacts on our domestic and international sources of product; increased competition causing us to lose market share or reduce the prices of our products or to increase significantly our marketing efforts; the impact of public health crises or other significant or catastrophic events such as extreme weather, natural disasters or climate change; the impact of any future federal government shutdown and uncertainty regarding the federal government’s debt level or changes in fiscal, monetary or regulatory policy; fluctuations in the costs of our products; loss of key suppliers or manufacturers or failure of our suppliers or manufacturers to produce or deliver our products in a timely or cost-effective manner, including due to port disruptions; labor availability and wage pressures; our ability to accurately anticipate and respond to seasonal or quarterly fluctuations in our operating results; our ability to successfully manage or realize expected results from an acquisition, and other significant investments or capital expenditures; the availability, integration and effective operation of information systems and other technology, as well as any potential interruption of such systems or technology; risks related to data security or privacy breaches; our ability to raise additional capital required to grow our business on terms acceptable to us; our potential exposure to litigation and other proceedings; and our ability to attract key talent and retain the services of our senior management and key employees.

These forward-looking statements are based largely on our expectations and judgments and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are unforeseeable and beyond our control. For additional discussion on risks and uncertainties that may affect forward-looking statements, see “Risk Factors” disclosed in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K. Any changes in such assumptions or factors could produce significantly different results. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

HIBBETT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

 

13-Weeks Ended

 

April 29,

2023

 

April 30,

2022

 

 

% to Sales

 

 

% to Sales

Net sales

$

455,497

 

 

$

424,051

 

Cost of goods sold

 

301,877

66.3

%

 

 

267,218

63.0

%

Gross margin

 

153,620

33.7

%

 

 

156,833

37.0

%

Store operating, selling and administrative expenses

 

96,014

21.1

%

 

 

95,596

22.5

%

Depreciation and amortization

 

11,693

2.6

%

 

 

10,518

2.5

%

Operating income

 

45,913

10.1

%

 

 

50,719

12.0

%

Interest expense, net

 

1,327

0.3

%

 

 

72

%

Income before provision for income taxes

 

44,586

9.8

%

 

 

50,647

11.9

%

Provision for income taxes

 

8,711

1.9

%

 

 

11,300

2.7

%

Net income

$

35,875

7.9

%

 

$

39,347

9.3

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic earnings per share

$

2.80

 

 

$

2.98

 

Diluted earnings per share

$

2.74

 

 

$

2.89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average shares:

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

12,791

 

 

 

13,224

 

Diluted

 

13,111

 

 

 

13,612

 

 

Percentages may not foot due to rounding.

HIBBETT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands)

 

 

April 29,

2023

 

January 28,

2023

 

April 30,

2022

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

$

26,926

 

$

16,015

 

$

23,221

Receivables, net

 

12,582

 

 

12,850

 

 

13,877

Inventories, net

 

437,957

 

 

420,839

 

 

314,861

Other current assets

 

13,662

 

 

23,351

 

 

16,579

Total current assets

 

491,127

 

 

473,055

 

 

368,538

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property and equipment, net

 

175,285

 

 

169,476

 

 

153,993

Operating right-of-use assets

 

262,999

 

 

263,391

 

 

250,522

Finance right-of-use assets, net

 

1,913

 

 

2,279

 

 

2,348

Tradename intangible asset

 

23,500

 

 

23,500

 

 

23,500

Deferred income taxes, net

 

2,744

 

 

3,025

 

 

3,236

Other assets, net

 

7,777

 

 

4,434

 

 

3,477

Total assets

$

965,345

 

$

939,160

 

$

805,614

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ INVESTMENT

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

$

131,437

 

$

190,648

 

$

164,294

Operating lease obligations

 

73,142

 

 

72,544

 

 

65,054

Credit facility

 

103,577

 

 

36,264

 

 

20,415

Finance lease obligations

 

929

 

 

1,132

 

 

1,034

Accrued payroll expense

 

7,707

 

 

11,361

 

 

9,730

Other accrued expenses

 

14,183

 

 

15,803

 

 

15,271

Total current liabilities

 

330,975

 

 

327,752

 

 

275,798

Operating lease obligations

 

228,645

 

 

229,388

 

 

219,296

Finance lease obligations

 

1,116

 

 

1,305

 

 

1,516

Other liabilities

 

5,594

 

 

4,484

 

 

2,898

Stockholders’ investment

 

399,015

 

 

376,231

 

 

306,106

Total liabilities and stockholders’ investment

$

965,345

 

$

939,160

 

$

805,614

HIBBETT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Supplemental Information

(Unaudited)

 

 

13-Weeks Ended

 

April 29,

2023

 

April 30,

2022

Sales Information

 

 

 

Net sales increase (decrease)

 

7.4

%

 

 

(16.3

)%

Comparable store sales increase (decrease)

 

4.1

%

 

 

(18.9

)%

 

 

 

 

Store Count Information

 

 

 

Beginning of period

 

1,133

 

 

 

1,096

 

New stores opened

 

12

 

 

 

9

 

Rebranded stores

 

 

 

 

1

 

Stores closed

 

(2

)

 

 

(1

)

End of period

 

1,143

 

 

 

1,105

 

 

 

 

 

Estimated square footage at end of period (in thousands)

 

6,485

 

 

 

6,252

 

 

 

 

 

Balance Sheet Information

 

 

 

Average inventory per store

$

383,164

 

 

$

284,942

 

 

 

 

 

Share Repurchase Information

 

 

 

Shares purchased under our Repurchase Program

 

159,592

 

 

 

491,218

 

Cost (in thousands)

$

10,199

 

 

$

22,399

 

Settlement of net share equity awards

 

47,177

 

 

 

45,993

 

Cost (in thousands)

$

2,833

 

 

$

2,069

 

 

 

 

 

Dividend Information

 

 

 

Number of declarations

 

1

 

 

 

1

 

Cash paid (in thousands)

$

3,173

 

 

$

3,277

 

Total paid per share

$

0.25

 

 

$

0.25

 

 

Robert Volke – SVP, Chief Financial Officer

Gavin Bell – VP, Investor Relations

205-944-1312

KEYWORDS: United States North America Alabama

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Fashion Footwear Online Retail Retail Specialty General Sports

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Dole plc Set to Join Russell 3000® and Russell 2000® Indexes

Dole plc Set to Join Russell 3000® and Russell 2000® Indexes

DUBLIN–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
Dole plc (NYSE: DOLE) is set to join the broad-market Russell 3000® Index and the small-cap Russell 2000® Index at the conclusion of the 2023 Russell indexes annual reconstitution, effective after the US market opens on June 26, 2023.

Annual Russell indexes reconstitution captures the 4,000 largest US stocks as of April 28, 2023, ranking them by total market capitalization. Membership in the US all-cap Russell 3000® Index, which remains in place for one year, means automatic inclusion in the large-cap Russell 1000® Index or small-cap Russell 2000® Index as well as the appropriate growth and value style indexes. FTSE Russell determines membership for its Russell indexes primarily by objective, market-capitalization rankings and style attributes.

Russell indexes are widely used by investment managers and institutional investors for index funds and as benchmarks for active investment strategies. Approximately $12.1 trillion in assets are benchmarked against Russell’s US indexes. Russell indexes are part of FTSE Russell, a leading global index provider.

For more information on the Russell 3000® Index and the Russell indexes reconstitution, go to the “Russell Reconstitution” section on the FTSE Russell website

About Dole plc:

A global leader in fresh produce, Dole plc grows, markets, and distributes an extensive variety of fresh fruits and vegetables sourced locally and from around the world. Dedicated and passionate in exceeding our customers’ requirements in over 75 countries, our goal is to make the world a healthier and a more sustainable place.

About FTSE Russell:

FTSE Russell is a global index leader that provides innovative benchmarking, analytics and data solutions for investors worldwide. FTSE Russell calculates thousands of indexes that measure and benchmark markets and asset classes in more than 70 countries, covering 98% of the investable market globally.

FTSE Russell index expertise and products are used extensively by institutional and retail investors globally. Approximately $20.1 trillion is currently benchmarked to FTSE Russell indexes. For over 30 years, leading asset owners, asset managers, ETF providers and investment banks have chosen FTSE Russell indexes to benchmark their investment performance and create ETFs, structured products and index-based derivatives.

A core set of universal principles guides FTSE Russell index design and management: a transparent rules-based methodology is informed by independent committees of leading market participants. FTSE Russell is focused on applying the highest industry standards in index design and governance and embraces the IOSCO Principles. FTSE Russell is also focused on index innovation and customer partnerships as it seeks to enhance the breadth, depth and reach of its offering.

FTSE Russell is wholly owned by London Stock Exchange Group.

For more information, visit www.ftserussell.com

Forward-looking information

Certain statements made in this press release that are not historical are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements are based on management’s beliefs, assumptions, and expectations of our future economic performance, considering the information currently available to management. These statements are not statements of historical fact. The words “believe,” “may,” “could,” “will,” “should,” “would,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “objective,” “seek,” “strive,” “target” or similar words, or the negative of these words, identify forward-looking statements. The inclusion of this forward-looking information should not be regarded as a representation by us or any other person that the future plans, estimates, or expectations contemplated by us will be achieved. Such forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties and assumptions relating to our operations, financial results, financial condition, business prospects, growth strategy and liquidity. Accordingly, there are, or will be, important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those indicated in these statements. If one or more of these or other risks or uncertainties materialize, or if our underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, our actual results may vary materially from what we may have expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. We caution that you should not place undue reliance on any of our forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and we do not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made except as required by the federal securities laws

Category: Financial

Investor Contact:

James O’Regan, Head of Investor Relations, Dole plc

[email protected]

+353 1 887 2794

Media Contact:

Brian Bell, Ogilvy

[email protected]

+353 87 2436 130

KEYWORDS: Ireland Europe

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Retail Agriculture Natural Resources Food/Beverage

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NW Natural Holdings and NW Natural Directors Name Justin B. Palfreyman President and Approve Senior Management Promotions

NW Natural Holdings and NW Natural Directors Name Justin B. Palfreyman President and Approve Senior Management Promotions

PORTLAND, Ore.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
The Boards of Directors of NW Natural Holding Company (NYSE: NWN) (NW Natural Holdings) and NW Natural Gas Company (NW Natural), announced they have approved a number of senior management promotions effective May 25, 2023.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230526005067/en/

Justin Palfreyman (Photo: Business Wire)

Justin Palfreyman (Photo: Business Wire)

Justin B. Palfreyman has been appointed president of NW Natural Holdings and NW Natural. David H. Anderson remains chief executive officer of NW Natural Holdings and NW Natural.

“NW Natural has a long record of thoughtful succession planning and Justin’s appointment is another step in that tradition,” said Malia H. Wasson, NW Natural Holdings and NW Natural chair of the board. “Justin is ready to assume these responsibilities and we congratulate him on his promotion.”

“Over the last seven years, Justin has demonstrated exceptional leadership skills and that he has the experience and talent to add great value to NW Natural’s core operations, customers and shareholders while helping to set the course for the company’s future,” said David H. Anderson, NW Natural Holdings and NW Natural chief executive officer. “Justin will now be responsible for the bulk of day-to-day operations of the company and will continue to report directly to me.”

Previously, Palfreyman served as NW Natural’s senior vice president, strategy and business development since February 2023, and vice president of strategy since 2017 and business development since joining NW Natural in 2016. In addition, Palfreyman remains president of NW Natural Water, a position he has held since 2018.

“It’s an honor for me to be given this opportunity,” said Palfreyman. “Every day our employees deliver utility services and renewable energy safely, reliably and affordably to our customers in a sustainable way, and I’m extremely proud of our commitment to our communities.”

Prior to joining the company, Palfreyman served as a director in the Power, Energy & Infrastructure Group for Lazard, Freres & Co. and worked in the Infrastructure Investment Banking Group at Goldman Sachs in New York. Palfreyman currently serves as president of the Board of CASA for Children. He graduated from Pacific Lutheran University with a Bachelor of Business Administration. He also holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from The University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a Master of Public Policy (MPP) from The University of Chicago Irving B. Harris School of Public Policy.

The board approved three additional senior management promotions.

Frank H. Burkhartsmeyer senior vice president and chief financial officerwas promoted to executive vice president strategy and business development and remains the chief financial officer of NW Natural Holdings and NW Natural. Burkhartsmeyer has been with the company since 2017 and will continue reporting to Anderson. Prior to that, Burkhartsmeyer served as president and CEO of Avangrid Renewables and senior vice president of finance at Iberdrola Renewables Holdings US.

Kim Rush senior vice president operations and chief marketing officer was promoted to senior vice president and chief operating officer of NW Natural. Rush has served as senior vice president of operations since 2018; her career at NW Natural began in 1998.

Kathryn M. Williams vice president of public affairs and sustainability was promoted to vice president, chief public affairs and sustainability officer of NW Natural. Williams has been with the company since 2019. Prior to that, Williams was the state affairs manager at the Port of Portland and has also worked at Imeson & Carter, a public affairs consulting firm.

Rush, Williams and Mike Kotyk, President of NW Natural Renewables, will report to Palfreyman.

“We are very pleased to continue the company’s core strength of succession planning by elevating such outstanding leaders to fill these critical positions,” said Anderson. “For 164 years NW Natural Holdings has successfully navigated challenges and seized opportunities — and it’s done so by growing and nurturing strong leaders. These changes are in keeping with that legacy.”

ABOUT NW NATURAL HOLDINGS

Northwest Natural Holding Company, (NYSE: NWN) (NW Natural Holdings), is headquartered in Portland, Oregon and has been doing business for over 160 years in the Pacific Northwest. It owns NW Natural Gas Company (NW Natural), NW Natural Water Company (NW Natural Water), NW Natural Renewables Holdings (NW Natural Renewables), and other business interests.

We have a longstanding commitment to safety, environmental stewardship and the energy transition, and taking care of our employees and communities. NW Natural Holdings was recognized by Ethisphere® in 2022 and 2023 as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies®. NW Natural consistently leads the industry with high J.D. Power & Associates customer satisfaction scores. Learn more in our latest ESG Report at nwnatural.com/about-us/the-company/sustainability.

NW Natural is a local distribution company that currently provides natural gas service to approximately 2.5 million people in more than 140 communities through more than 795,000 meters in Oregon and Southwest Washington with one of the most modern pipeline systems in the nation. NW Natural owns and operates 21.6 Bcf of underground gas storage capacity in Oregon.

NW Natural Water provides water distribution and wastewater services to communities throughout the Pacific Northwest, Texas and Arizona. Upon closing of its pending acquisitions, NW Natural Water will serve over 168,000 people through nearly 68,000 meters and provide operation and maintenance services to an additional 15,000 connections. Learn more about our water business at nwnaturalwater.com.

NW Natural Renewables is an unregulated business committed to leading in the energy transition by providing cost-effective solutions to support decarbonization in the utility, commercial, industrial and transportation sectors. Learn more at nwnaturalrenewables.com.

Additional information is available at nwnaturalholdings.com.

“World’s Most Ethical Companies” and “Ethisphere” names and marks are registered trademarks of Ethisphere LLC

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release, and other releases and presentations made by NW Holdings and NW Natural from time to time, may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as “anticipates,” “assumes,” “continues,” “intends,” “plans,” “seeks,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “will,” and similar references to future periods. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the following: plans, objectives, assumptions, estimates, timing, goals, strategies, future events, water and wastewater services and delivery, operations and maintenance support, value creation, succession planning, including promotions of executive officers, environmental stewardship, the energy transition, and other statements that are other than statements of historical facts.

Forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and assumptions regarding our business, the economy, geopolitical factors, and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. Our actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. You are therefore cautioned against relying on any of these forward-looking statements. They are neither statements of historical fact nor guarantees or assurances of future operational, economic or financial performance. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements are discussed by reference to the factors described in Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors,” and Part II, Item 7 and Item 7A “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk” in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and in Part I, Items 2 and 3 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk,” and Part II, Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” in the Company’s quarterly reports filed thereafter.

All forward-looking statements made in this report and all subsequent forward-looking statements, whether written or oral and whether made by or on behalf of the Company, are expressly qualified by these cautionary statements. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

New factors emerge from time to time and it is not possible to predict all such factors, nor is it possible to assess the impact of each such factor or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements.

Media Contact:

David Roy

Phone: 503-610-7157

Email: [email protected]

Investor Contact:

Nikki Sparley

Phone: 503-721-2530

Email: [email protected]

KEYWORDS: United States North America Oregon

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Alternative Energy Energy Utilities Oil/Gas

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Justin Palfreyman (Photo: Business Wire)
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Frank Burkhartsmeyer (Photo: Business Wire)
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Kim Rush (Photo: Business Wire)
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Kathryn Williams (Photo: Business Wire)

UniCredit and Mastercard Expand Payments Partnership

UniCredit and Mastercard Expand Payments Partnership

  • Unprecedented commitment, first of its kind in Europe
  • Agreement extends to 13 banks in 12 markets across all card products, totaling 20 mln cards
  • Focus on accelerating innovation and enhanced customer experience

MILAN–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
UniCredit and Mastercard today announce a global expansion of their payment partnership.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230526005126/en/

The agreement sets the stage for the start of a strong partnership consistent with the UniCredit Unlocked strategy. This is the first time any large commercial bank has put in place a single card multi market strategy of this scale in Europe. It brings together in one agreement UniCredit’s ability to harness the collective weight of 13 banks as one institution with Mastercard’s expertise in the card payment space. The significant broadening of the parties’ relationship will deliver payment innovation and enhanced digital experiences to customers.

This enhanced multi-year partnership provides the necessary resources to achieve a shared ambition to increase the speed of innovation in the payments space and put customers at the center. It enables UniCredit to provide a best in class offering for all its cardholders, delivering a simplified core product proposition, optimized digital experience with a full suite of in-app solutions and the development of a dedicated approach for innovation, increasing payment choice to customers, across multiple payments rails.

Both parties’ commitment to increase their tangible actions across environmental and social sustainability will also be enhanced through this partnership. Insight and resources will be combined with a particular focus on the implementation of new projects on common ESG goals, developing solutions to support empowering communities to progress, fighting climate change with mindful spending choices and the ability to contribute tangibly to environmental goals, integrating donations in the everyday spend.

This agreement is a clear example of the execution of the UniCredit Unlocked plan, uniting 13 banks to deliver value for UniCredit stakeholders in a capital-light manner, taking opportunities from European DNA but working as a unified group. It is the most immediate manifestation of the potential within payments, which UniCredit is focused on to further extract value in terms of product simplification, cost synergies and digital transformation.

The partnership will focus on supporting the delivery of the UniCredit’s strategic priorities. This includes digitalization of payments solutions, offering multi functioning solutions with a fully equipped card. It aligns with UniCredit’s brand attributes to build increased preference and loyalty across the consumer lifecycle, enriching bank wide opportunities thanks to Mastercard’s strong award-winning Priceless brand platform and sponsorship marketing assets.

“This partnership epitomizes the essence of UniCredit Unlocked and our commitment to leverage the full impact of our multi market footprint as one complete offering for the benefit of our clients,” said Andrea Orcel, CEO, UniCredit. “Our geographical reach and Mastercard’s expertise in this space enables us to not only streamline our partnerships and contracts, but enhance our digital, security and product offering for all our current and future cardholders. This is a perfect example of the new way of managing projects in UniCredit, bringing benefits to all legal entities in a disciplined way and acting as a single company.”

“UniCredit has been an important partner for many years. Together we have created real solutions that help people and businesses across Europe. This expanded relationship will build on that experience to bring new innovations to UniCredit cardholders,” said Michael Miebach, CEO, Mastercard.

UniCredit Note for Editors

UniCreditis a pan-European Commercial Bank with a unique service offering in Italy, Germany, Central and Eastern Europe. Our purpose is to empower communities to progress, delivering the best-in-class for all stakeholders, unlocking the potential of our clients and our people across Europe. We serve over 15 million customers worldwide. They are at the heart of what we do in all our markets. UniCredit is organized in four core regions and two product factories, Corporate and Individual Solutions. This allows us to be close to our clients and use the scale of the entire Group for developing and offering the best products across all our markets. Digitalisation and our commitment to ESG principles are key enablers for our service. They help us deliver excellence to our stakeholders and creating a sustainable future for our clients, communities and people.

Mastercard Note for Editors

Mastercard is a global technology company in the payments industry. Our mission is to connect and power an inclusive, digital economy that benefits everyone, everywhere by making transactions safe, simple, smart and accessible. Using secure data and networks, partnerships and passion, our innovations and solutions help individuals, financial institutions, governments and businesses realize their greatest potential. With connections across more than 210 countries and territories, we are building a sustainable world that unlocks priceless possibilities for all.

UniCredit Media Relations e-mail: [email protected]

UniCredit Investor Relations e-mail: [email protected]

Mastercard Media Relations e-mail: [email protected]

KEYWORDS: Italy Europe

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Professional Services Payments Technology Finance Networks Banking

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Rocket Lab Successfully Launches Second Batch of TROPICS Satellites for NASA

Rocket Lab Successfully Launches Second Batch of TROPICS Satellites for NASA

The ‘Coming To A Storm Near You’ launch was the second of two dedicated Electron launches to deploy a constellation of hurricane monitoring satellites for NASA

MAHIA, New Zealand–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB) (“Rocket Lab” or “the Company”), a leading launch and space systems company, today successfully completed the second of two dedicated Electron launches to deploy a constellation of tropical cyclone monitoring satellites for NASA.

The Coming To A Storm Near You launch lifted-off on May 26 at 15:46 NZST (03:46 UTC) from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 on New Zealand’s Mahia Peninsula, deploying the final two CubeSats of NASA’s TROPICS constellation (Time-Resolved Observations of Precipitation structure and storm Intensity with a Constellation of Smallsats) to orbit. ‘Coming To A Storm Near You’ is Rocket Lab’s second of two TROPICS launches for NASA, following the first launch on May 8th NZST. Like the previous launch, ‘Coming To A Storm Near You’ deployed a pair of shoebox-sized satellites to low Earth orbit to collect tropical storm data more frequently than other weather satellites. The constellation aims to help increase understanding of deadly storms and improve tropical cyclone forecasts

The TROPICS CubeSats required launch to a specific orbit at an altitude of 550 kilometers and inclination of about 30 degrees, with all four satellites needing to be deployed into their operational orbit within a 60-day period ahead. Rocket Lab has now launched all four satellites across two dedicated launches within 18 days, enabling the TROPICS satellites to settle into their orbits and begin commissioning ahead of the 2023 North American storm season which begins in June. While the TROPICS launches were Rocket Lab’s 36th and 37th launches, they were unique from most of the Company’s other missions to low Earth orbit due to the 30 degree inclination requirement. To reach such a low inclination from Launch Complex 1, Rocket Lab used Electron’s second stage to place the Kick Stage and TROPICS satellites into a circular orbit, and the Kick Stage’s Curie engine carried out a plane change maneuver to position the TROPICS satellites at 30 degrees.

“Electron was developed for exactly these kids of missions – to deploy spacecraft reliably and on rapid timelines to precise and bespoke orbits, so we’re proud to have delivered that for NASA across both TROPICS launches and meet the deadline for getting TROPICS to orbit in time for the 2023 storm season,” said Rocket Lab founder and CEO Peter Beck. “Thank you to the team at NASA for entrusting us with such an important science mission, we’re grateful to be your mission launch providers once again.”

“We needed multiple launches for this mission,” said Dr. Will McCarty, program scientist, NASA’s Earth Science Division. “Rocket Lab provided the ability to have the TROPICS CubeSats serve as that primary payload and thus define the orbit based on our scientific objectives.”

‘Coming To A Storm Near You’ was Rocket Lab’s fifth mission for 2023 and the Company’s 37th Electron mission overall. It brings the total number of satellites launched to orbit by Rocket Lab to 163.

Follow Rocket Lab on Twitter @RocketLab for real-time updates on upcoming missions.

About Rocket Lab

Founded in 2006, Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company with an established track record of mission success. We deliver reliable launch services, satellite manufacture, spacecraft components, and on-orbit management solutions that make it faster, easier and more affordable to access space. Headquartered in Long Beach, California, Rocket Lab designs and manufactures the Electron small orbital launch vehicle, the Photon satellite platform and the Company is developing the large Neutron launch vehicle for constellation deployment. Since its first orbital launch in January 2018, Rocket Lab’s Electron launch vehicle has become the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually and has delivered 163 satellites to orbit for private and public sector organizations, enabling operations in national security, scientific research, space debris mitigation, Earth observation, climate monitoring, and communications. Rocket Lab’s Photon spacecraft platform has been selected to support NASA missions to the Moon and Mars, as well as the first private commercial mission to Venus. Rocket Lab has three launch pads at two launch sites, including two launch pads at a private orbital launch site located in New Zealand and a third pad in Virginia. To learn more, visit www.rocketlabusa.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, contained in this press release, including statements regarding any expectations of financial results, strategy, future operations, future financial position, projected costs, prospects, plans and objectives of management, are forward-looking statements. Words such as, but not limited to, “anticipate,” “aim,” “believe,” “contemplate,” “continue,” “could,” “design,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “seek,” “should,” “suggest,” “strategy,” “target,” “will,” “would,” and similar expressions or phrases, or the negative of those expressions or phrases, are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. These forward-looking statements are based on Rocket Lab’s current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties (many of which are beyond Rocket Lab’s control), or other assumptions that may cause actual results or performance to be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this release, including risks related to our dependence on a limited number of customers; the harsh and unpredictable environment of space in which our products operate which could adversely affect our launch vehicle and spacecraft; increased congestion from the proliferation of low Earth orbit constellations which could materially increase the risk of potential collision with space debris or another spacecraft and limit or impair our launch flexibility and/or access to our own orbital slots; increased competition in our industry due in part to rapid technological development and decreasing costs; technological change in our industry which we may not be able to keep up with or which may render our services uncompetitive; average selling price trends; failure of our launch vehicles, spacecraft and components to operate as intended either due to our error in design in production or through no fault of our own; launch schedule disruptions; supply chain disruptions, product delays or failures; design and engineering flaws; launch failures; natural disasters and epidemics or pandemics; changes in governmental regulations including with respect to trade and export restrictions, or in the status of our regulatory approvals or applications; or other events that force us to cancel or reschedule launches, including customer contractual rescheduling and termination rights; risks that acquisitions do not achieve the anticipated benefits and results; and the other risks detailed from time to time in Rocket Lab’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including under the heading “Risk Factors” in Rocket Lab’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, which was filed with the SEC on March 7, 2023, and elsewhere. There can be no assurance that the future developments affecting Rocket Lab will be those that we have anticipated. Except as required by law, Rocket Lab is not undertaking any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Rocket Lab Media Contact

Murielle Baker

[email protected]

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