IIROC Trade Resumption – NWC

Canada NewsWire

TORONTO, Dec. 9, 2020 /CNW/ – Trading resumes in:

Company: North West Company Inc. (The)

TSX Symbol: NWC

All Issues: Yes

Resumption (ET): 11:15 AM

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

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

Nature’s One® Introduces the First Baby’s Only® Quinoa & Oat Cereal

Lewis Center, OH, Dec. 09, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Nature’s One®, introduces Baby’s Only® Quinoa & Oat Cereal to its family of organic nutrition products. A wholesome, nutritious infant cereal option, Quinoa & Oat Cereal is made using only two organic ingredients where purity can be assured: ancient grain quinoa and whole grain oats – both grains are naturally gluten free.  Baby’s Only® Quinoa & Oat Cereal offers parents the best option when introducing first foods to their infant.  There are no controversial ingredients like GMOs, or synthetic or artificial ingredients.  

Jay Highman, Founder and CEO of Nature’s One, says, “Deciding to introduce first food cereal is an exciting step in the infant’s dietary journey — a decision often made with the pediatrician’s approval.  Unfortunately, nearly all the infant cereals offered have hidden arsenic, lead and other heavy metals or chemicals creating developmental disruptions precisely when an infant is the most vulnerable.”  Highman continues, “Nature’s One is offering a pure choice without any hidden interfering heavy metals or chemicals.  In my research, this is the best choice a parent can offer their infant.”    

On its own, Baby’s Only® Quinoa & Oat Cereal is an organic source of important nutrients and amino acids. However, when mixed with any Baby’s Only® formula, the cereal becomes a nutritional powerhouse offering a complete spectrum of organic nutrition.  And for plant-based families, mix the cereal with Baby’s Only® Pea Protein formula for the same nutritional advantages.  Baby’s Only® Pea Protein formula is dairy, soy protein, nut, peanut, egg, wheat and gluten free.  

Baby’s Only® Quinoa & Oat Cereal is currently sold exclusively through the Nature’s One website at www.naturesone.com and on Amazon.   

 

About Nature’s One: 

Founded in 1997, Nature’s One introduced the first organic formula, Baby’s Only Organic® in the United States and continues to be a leader in organic pediatric nutrition.  Nature’s One has spent nearly 25 years dedicating its resources to the research, development, and sourcing of purity ingredients for children of all ages.  Recognized as highest-ranked formulas for purity and nutritional superiority by the Clean Label Project, Baby’s Only Organic® Formulas are preferred by parents who want what’s best for their child. Other brands made by Nature’s One include PediaSmart® Complete Organic Nutritional Beverage and PediaVance® Electrolyte Solution.  Both are sold online by Nature’s One, retailers nationally and Amazon.  



Lisa Edwards
Nature's One
7405480135
[email protected]

INVESTIGATION REMINDER: The Schall Law Firm Announces it is Investigating Claims Against The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated and Encourages Investors with Losses of $100,000 to Contact the Firm

INVESTIGATION REMINDER: The Schall Law Firm Announces it is Investigating Claims Against The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated and Encourages Investors with Losses of $100,000 to Contact the Firm

LOS ANGELES–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The Schall Law Firm, a national shareholder rights litigation firm, announces that it is investigating claims on behalf of investors of The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated (“Cheesecake Factory” or “the Company”) (NASDAQ: CAKE) for violations of the securities laws.

The investigation focuses on whether the Company issued false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose information pertinent to investors. In the midst of the early pandemic months of March and April, Cheesecake Factory stated that its restaurants were “operating sustainably.” The Company was actually losing about $6 million per week due to restaurant closures, which it did not disclose to investors. The Company also failed to disclose to investors that it informed landlords around the country that the COVID-19 pandemic would make it impossible to pay rent for the month of April. The Company announced on December 4, 2020, that it would pay a $125,000 fine to the SEC for misleading statements. Based on this news, shares of Cheesecake Factory fell by 2% on the same day.

If you are a shareholder who suffered a loss, click here to participate.

We also encourage you to contact Brian Schall of the Schall Law Firm, 2049 Century Park East, Suite 2460, Los Angeles, CA 90067, at 310-301-3335, to discuss your rights free of charge. You can also reach us through the firm’s website at www.schallfirm.com, or by email at [email protected].

The Schall Law Firm represents investors around the world and specializes in securities class action lawsuits and shareholder rights litigation.

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

The Schall Law Firm

Brian Schall, Esq.

310-301-3335

[email protected]

www.schallfirm.com

KEYWORDS: United States North America California

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Legal Professional Services

MEDIA:

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OC BEVERAGES ACQUIRES ANTI-ADDICTION REHABILITATION BUSINESS

OC Beverages changes name to “Revium Recovery, Inc.”, acquires new symbol and implements reverse stock split

New York, Dec. 09, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — OC Beverages, Inc. (OTCPINK: OCBG) has, through its wholly owned subsidiary Revium Recovery, Ltd. (“Revium Ltd.”), acquired exclusive rights to develop and market an innovative and unique anti-addiction treatment which implements measurement based, integrative care which uses a holistic approach and takes into account physical,  cognitive, and psychological parameters of the patient.

Addiction is a global scourge, affecting people of all cultures around the world. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, over 350 million people suffered from substance abuse in 2017. The global substance abuse disorders market is estimated at more than USD $56 billion, which accounts for more than 30% of the total global behavioral rehabilitation market valued at USD $188.1 billion in 2015, according to Grand View Research Data’s report on Behavioral Rehabilitation Market published in 2017.

Revium Recovery, Ltd., based in Israel, is a clinical-caliber company focused on the development of a disruptive, methodical and novel proprietary approach toward addiction treatment, enabled via a unique decision-making support and guidance system (DMSS). Its mission is to design and deliver DMSSs for first-in-class integrative-care to individual treatment programs to produce optimal outcomes in addiction treatment. Revium’s flagship product is a novel, integrative-care program developed for rehabilitation providers, combining comprehensive diagnostics and individualized programs for regulating addiction-related hormone levels, implemented to each patient using advanced informatics tools. The Company’s innovative approach relies on “smart”, patient-tailored use of a natural neurosteroid dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in concert with standard inpatient or outpatient addiction treatment programs.

Revium Recovery, Ltd. entered into an agreement with Retorno, one of the Israel’s largest rehabilitation centers, pursuant to which Revium was granted worldwide exclusive rights to develop and market Retorno’s comprehensive addiction rehabilitation program. The program utilizes DHEA as part of a complex treatment approach currently in use by Retorno. This novel treatment approach has been reviewed by the Department for the Treatment of Substance Abuse within Israel’s Ministry of Health and has been recommended for use as an add on augmenting treatment.

Concurrently, Revium Ltd. has also entered into an agreement with Bar Ilan University and the University of Haifa of Israel to support the Company’s development and testing of the DMSS and testing its efficacy in addition treatment.

In connection with the acquisition of its new business, the Company closed on a private placement of units of its securities to accredited investors with gross proceeds to the company of $1.61 million. The proceeds of the private placement will be applied to executing the combined company’s new business plan which includes continued R&D investment, implementation of the regulatory plan, new initiatives in sales and marketing, as well as strategic acquisitions.

Inna Martin, Revium Recovery, Ltd.’s CEO stated: “Addiction is an illness that can strike anyone, anywhere. With tens of millions of sufferers worldwide, we all know someone struggling with substance use disorder. We see how it literally destroys their lives, and the lives of their families’ as well. Unfortunately, today’s rehab programs do not offer enough beds and offer limited hope of recovery. The thousands of clinics worldwide are characterized by very long years treatment methodology, insufficient long-term rehabilitation rates and high levels of relapse. Revium Recovery was established to achieve a real breakthrough the addiction community’s been waiting for! We develop measurement-based, integrative treatment approach which we believe will significantly increase the first-ever approach to take the whole patient into account.”    

Yoram Drucker, OCBG CEO stated: “I’m pleased to reach this point, where we may offer an upgrade in the way addiction is treated, giving better chance of recovery to the patients and their families. We are looking to implement the new technology, allowing rehabilitation centers use the platform and potentially increase the success rate of their treatment”.

As a prelude to the new business, the Company changed its corporate name to “Revium Recovery, Inc.” and implemented a reverse stock split at a ratio of 1-for-500. Beginning December 9, 2020, the company stock is anticipated to trade under the new symbol on post-split basis.

“We believe the name change and the change in our capital structure are critical steps to attracting a broader range of investors,” said Yoram Drucker, OCBG CEO.

Following the Private Placement and the capital restructure, currently there will be approximately 34 million shares of common stock outstanding.

New Trading Symbol and CUSIP

Our common stock is currently quoted on the OTC Markets Pink tier under the trading symbol “OCBG.” Beginning December 9, 2020, our common stock will be quoted on the OTC Markets Pink tier on a post-split adjusted basis under the symbol “OCBGD” for 20 business days, after which time the symbol will change to our new trading symbol, RVRC.

The CUSIP number of our common stock will change to 76151C100.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other Federal securities laws. For example, we are using forward-looking statements when we discuss Revium Recovery, Inc.’s (“Revium”) future operations and its ability to successfully advance the anti-addiction rehabilitation program; the nature, strategy and focus of Revium’s business; and the development and commercial potential and potential benefits of any of other related service offerings of Revium. Revium may not actually achieve the plans, carry out the intentions or meet the expectations or projections disclosed in the forward-looking statements and you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Because such statements deal with future events and are based on our current expectations, they are subject to various risks and uncertainties and actual results, performance or achievements of these forward-looking statements could differ materially from those described in or implied by the statements in this press release, including: the uncertainties associated with raising sufficient capital and the requirement for significant additional capital to advance our new business, which may not be available on favorable terms or at all; risks related to business interruptions, including but not limited to, the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, which could seriously harm our financial condition and increase costs and expenses. The foregoing review of important factors that could cause actual events to differ from expectations should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with statements that are included herein and elsewhere, including the risks discussed in our public filings with the OTC Markets. Except as otherwise required by law, Revium disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof, whether, as a result of new information, future events or circumstances or otherwise.

Contact:

Inna Martin
+972-3-641-7779



IIROC Trading Resumption – KTO

Canada NewsWire

VANCOUVER, BC, Dec. 9, 2020 /CNW/ – Trading resumes in:

Company: K2 Gold Corporation

TSX-Venture Symbol: KTO

All Issues: Yes

Resumption (ET): 11:15 AM

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

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

IIROC Trading Resumption – MTRX

Canada NewsWire

VANCOUVER, BC, Dec. 9, 2020 /CNW/ – Trading resumes in:

Company: Loop Insights Inc.

TSX-Venture Symbol: MTRX

All Issues: No

Resumption (ET): 10:37:46 AM

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

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

Great Bear Drills 510 m Step-Down, Doubles Hinge Zone Depth with 15.18 g/t Gold Over 4.90 m from 1,190.00 m Downhole

PR Newswire

TSX-V:  GBR

VANCOUVER, BC, Dec. 9, 2020 /PRNewswire/ – Great Bear Resources Ltd. (the “Company” or “Great Bear”, TSX-V: GBR) (OTCQX: GTBAF) today reported results from its ongoing $21 million fully funded exploration program at its 100% owned flagship Dixie Project in the Red Lake district of Ontario.

Chris Taylor, President and CEO of Great Bear said, “Our second deep drill hole at Dixie has more than doubled the depth of the Hinge zone to over 850 vertical metres.  The deep intercept demonstrates the significant expansion potential of the Dixie Project at depth.  While our drilling remains mostly focused on the larger LP Fault zone, we believe the Hinge and Dixie Limb zones have comparable potential to other successful “Red Lake style” projects in the district.  To expand on this potential, we plan to add additional drills in 2021 that will be focused on the Hinge and Dixie Limb zones, while the current five drills remain focused on the LP Fault.”


Drill Results Highlights:

  • Previously reported LP Fault drill hole BR-036 (October 30, 2019; 10.32 g/t gold over 18.20 metres from 58.80 to 77.00 metres) was extended from its original final depth of 537 metres to a new downhole depth of1,425metres to intersect the Hinge zone at depth.
  • BR-036 intersected the deep extension of the Hinge zone 850 metres vertically below the surface, and 510 metres down-plunge from the previous deepest Hinge zone intercept. The new intercept is located close to the regional D2 fold axial plane that controls the Hinge zone mineralization. Figure 1.
  • BR-036 intersected identical quartz veining with red-brown hydrothermal biotite alteration and similar grades and widths to those observed at shallower depths, assaying 15.18 g/t gold over 4.90 metres, from 1,190.90 to 1,195.80 metres, within a broader interval of 6.00 g/t gold over 15.30 metres, from 1,190.20 to 1,205.50 metres. The centre of the mineralized zone assayed 55.95 g/t gold over 1.00 metre from 1194.80 to 1195.80 metres. Table 1, Figure 2, Figure 3 and Figure 4.
  • Previously reported deep drill hole BR-085, which targeted the deep extension of the Dixie Limb zone (May 11, 2020; 10.19 g/t gold over 19.00 metres from 1,008.55 to 1,027.55 metres), also intersected three similar Hinge zone style veins, approximately 200 metres northwest of the intercept in

BR-036 (including 25.50 g/t gold over 0.50 metres from 1,180.85 to 1,181.35 metres). 

Table
1
: Assay results from BR-036, the first deep drill hole targeting the Hinge zone.


Drill Hole


From (m)


To (m)


Width* (m)


Gold (g/t)


Zone

BR-036

1182.00

1184.50

2.50

2.50

Hinge

including

1182.00

1182.50

0.50

5.28


and


1190.20


1205.50


15.30


6.00


including


1190.90


1195.80


4.90


15.18


and including


1190.90


1191.40


0.50


15.30


and including


1193.55


1195.80


2.25


28.86


and including


1194.20


1195.80


1.60


37.89


and including


1194.80


1195.80


1.00


55.95


and including


1203.25


1203.80


0.55


19.60

*True widths are 90% of interval widths based on intersection points of the drill hole intercept with the geological model and oriented drill core data. Interval widths are calculated using a 0.10 g/t gold cut-off grade with up to 3 m of internal dilution of zero grade.


New Regional Vein Zone Northwest of the Hinge Zone

The Company has also identified a new regional exploration target.  LP Fault drill hole BR-074 (December 16, 2019) was extended from an original depth of 576 metres to a new downhole depth of 1,359 metres into the area approximately half-way between the Hinge and Arrow (June 18, 2020; 19.32 g/t gold over 2.10 m within 3.00 g/t gold Over 15.00 m) zones, located approximately 600 metres to the northwest of the deep Hinge intercept in BR-036.  Figure 5.

BR-074 intersected one of the widest occurrences of locally gold-bearing quartz veins observed at the Dixie project to-date.  Multiple quartz veins with minor carbonate veining were intersected over more than 130 metres of drill length from approximately 1,122 to 1,258 metres down hole.  Visible gold was noted in 2 locations, with the interval from 1,165.50 to 1,166.00 assaying 2.53 g/t.  At the Dixie Project, this type of widespread veining and alteration helps identify the overall hydrothermal footprint of the gold mineralizing system and provides key targets for follow-up drilling.  Figure 6.

Further regional drilling will be undertaken in this area to determine if significant gold mineralization is present where this large new vein swarm intersects various geological contacts and structures.  The new vein zone may also be an on-strike continuation of the Hinge zone.


Planned 2021 Drill Program Expansion

The Company also announces its intention to expand its current drill program by an additional 100,000 metres in 2021.  The Company currently has approximately $41 million in cash and the expanded program is expected to cost approximately $25 million through the end of 2021.

Great Bear has been operating with 3 to 5 drill rigs throughout 2020, with approximately 25,000 metres drilled per fiscal quarter.  The Company recently acquired a larger additional core logging facility located in the town of Red Lake and plans to increase the number of drill rigs during 2021.

Additional drills will be largely used to expand and define the mineralized zones at the Hinge and Dixie Limb zones, while the current five drill rigs remain focused on the larger LP Fault target.  The additional drills may also be used at various times throughout the calendar year to drill other regional targets at the Dixie Project, and/or at Great Bear’s other Red Lake area properties.

Drill collar location, azimuth and dip for drill holes included in this release are provided in the table below:

Hole ID

Easting

Northing

Elevation

Length

Dip

Azimuth

BR-036

456942

5634074

356

1425

-54

213

BR-074

456440

5634357

359

1359

-55

220

About the Dixie Project

The Dixie Project is 100% owned, comprised of 9,140 hectares of contiguous claims that extend over 22 kilometres, and is located approximately 25 kilometres southeast of the town of Red Lake, Ontario. The project is accessible year-round via a 15 minute drive on a paved highway which runs the length of the northern claim boundary and a network of well-maintained logging roads.

The Dixie Project hosts two principal styles of gold mineralization:

  • High-grade gold in quartz veins and silica-sulphide replacement zones (Dixie Limb, Hinge and Arrow zones). Hosted by mafic volcanic rocks and localized near regional-scale D2 fold axes. These mineralization styles are also typical of the significant mined deposits of the Red Lake district.

  • High-grade disseminated gold with broad moderate to lower grade envelopes (LP Fault). The LP Fault is a significant gold-hosting structure which has been seismically imaged to extend to 14 kilometres depth (Zeng and Calvert, 2006), and has been interpreted by Great Bear to have up to 18 kilometres of strike length on the Dixie property. High-grade gold mineralization is controlled by structural and geological contacts, and moderate to lower-grade disseminated gold surrounds and flanks the high-grade intervals. The dominant gold-hosting stratigraphy consists of felsic sediments and volcanic units.

About Great Bear

Great Bear Resources Ltd. is a well-financed gold exploration company managed by a team with a track record of success in mineral exploration.  Great Bear is focused in the prolific Red Lake gold district in northwest Ontario, where the company controls over 330 km2 of highly prospective tenure across 5 projects: the flagship Dixie Project (100% owned), the Pakwash Property (earning a 100% interest), the Dedee Property (earning a 100% interest), the Sobel Property (earning a 100% interest), and the Red Lake North Property (earning a 100% interest) all of which are accessible year-round through existing roads.

QA/QC and Core Sampling Protocols

Drill core is logged and sampled in a secure core storage facility located in Red Lake Ontario.  Core samples from the program are cut in half, using a diamond cutting saw, and are sent to Activation Laboratories in Ontario, an accredited mineral analysis laboratory, for analysis. All samples are analysed for gold using standard Fire Assay-AA techniques. Samples returning over 10.0 g/t gold are analysed utilizing standard Fire Assay-Gravimetric methods.  Pulps from approximately 5% of the gold mineralized samples are submitted for check analysis to a second lab.  Selected samples are also chosen for duplicate assay from the coarse reject of the original sample.  Selected samples with visible gold are also analyzed with a standard 1 kg metallic screen fire assay.  Certified gold reference standards, blanks and field duplicates are routinely inserted into the sample stream, as part of Great Bear’s quality control/quality assurance program (QAQC).  No QAQC issues were noted with the results reported herein. 

Qualified Person and NI 43-101 Disclosure

Mr. R. Bob Singh, P.Geo, Director and VP Exploration, and Ms. Andrea Diakow P.Geo, Exploration Manager for Great Bear are the Qualified Persons as defined by National Instrument 43-101 responsible for the accuracy of technical information contained in this news release.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD


“Chris Taylor”                                  

Chris Taylor, President and CEO

www.greatbearresources.ca


Cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements

This release contains certain “forward looking statements” and certain “forward-looking information” as defined under applicable Canadian and U.S. securities laws. Forward-looking statements and information can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may”, “will”, “should”, “expect”, “intend”, “estimate”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “continue”, “plans” or similar terminology. The forward-looking information contained herein is provided for the purpose of assisting readers in understanding management’s current expectations and plans relating to the future. Readers are cautioned that such information may not be appropriate for other purposes.

Forward-looking information are based on management of the parties’ reasonable assumptions, estimates, expectations, analyses and opinions, which are based on such management’s experience and perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, and other factors that management believes are relevant and reasonable in the circumstances, but which may prove to be incorrect.

Such factors, among other things, include: impacts arising from the global disruption caused by the Covid-19 coronavirus outbreak, business integration risks; fluctuations in general macroeconomic conditions; fluctuations in securities markets; fluctuations in spot and forward prices of gold or certain other commodities; change in national and local government, legislation, taxation, controls, regulations and political or economic developments; risks and hazards associated with the business of mineral exploration, development and mining (including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected formations pressures, cave-ins and flooding); discrepancies between actual and estimated metallurgical recoveries; inability to obtain adequate insurance to cover risks and hazards; the presence of laws and regulations that may impose restrictions on mining; employee relations; relationships with and claims by local communities and indigenous populations; availability of increasing costs associated with mining inputs and labour; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development (including the risks of obtaining necessary licenses, permits and approvals from government authorities); and title to properties.

Great Bear undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information except as required by applicable law. Such forward-looking information represents management’s best judgment based on information currently available. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual future results may vary materially. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information.

Cision View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/great-bear-drills-510-m-step-down-doubles-hinge-zone-depth-with-15-18-gt-gold-over-4-90-m-from-1-190-00-m-downhole-301189624.html

SOURCE Great Bear Resources Ltd.

IIROC Trading Halt – MTRX

Canada NewsWire

VANCOUVER, BC, Dec. 9, 2020 /CNW/ – The following issues have been halted by IIROC:

Company: Loop Insights Inc.

TSX-Venture Symbol: MTRX

All Issues: No

Reason: Single Stock Circuit Breaker

Halt Time (ET): 10:32:46 AM

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

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

The North West Company Inc. Announces Third Quarter Earnings and a Quarterly Dividend

WINNIPEG, Manitoba, Dec. 09, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — (TSX: NWC): The North West Company Inc. (the “Company” or “North West”) today reported its unaudited financial results for the third quarter ended October 31, 2020. It also announced that the Board of Directors have declared a dividend of $0.36 per share to shareholders of record on December 31, 2020, to be paid on January 15, 2021.

“North West continues to provide essential products and services that people depend on during this unprecedented pandemic,” commented President and CEO Edward Kennedy. ”Our associates are incredibly dedicated, community-minded and enterprising, as shown by their ability to take on the challenges and opportunities uniquely presented to us. I am especially proud of how we’ve risen to even higher levels of community responsibility while keeping our focus on fast-shifting customer needs. Throughout, health and safety remain our first priority, as seen in the low rate of COVID-19 transmission within our work and shopping spaces.

Our sales gains show the strength of an everyday needs offering and an exceptional ability to sustain our business within difficult operating conditions, without serious disruption. These are the main reasons we have increased market shares across all of our store banners and regions.

Our effort is balanced between immediate reactions to the pandemic and work that will make us a more compelling shopping choice in the years ahead. We were well along this path before last March and since then we have forged deeper connections with existing and new customers. We also see new growth areas that build on these relationships and our core abilities.

As we confront the current, most precarious stages of the pandemic, the stress on the people and communities we work with and live in is at its highest. Our resolve, experience and resources are even deeper than at the beginning and I am confident we will be a reliable, reassuring and safe presence through the next several months and until a vaccine is broadly distributed.“


Financial Highlights

Third quarter consolidated sales increased 6.4% to $553.0 million and were up 17.8% on a same store basis driven by market share gains and COVID-19-related factors including a continuing shift towards in-community spending as well as income support provided by different jurisdictions within which the Company operates. These factors were largely offset by a decrease in sales due to the sale of 36 of the Company’s Giant Tiger stores which was completed in the second quarter (the “Giant Tiger Transaction”).

Gross profit increased 9.3% driven by higher sales and an 88 basis point rate increase compared to last year primarily due to favourable changes in product sales blend and higher inventory turns contributing to lower markdowns and inventory shrinkage. These factors were partially offset by lower margin rates in the British Virgin Islands, a higher blend of CUL sales which carry a lower gross profit rate consistent with CUL’s discount warehouse format and the impact of lower margin wholesale food sales as part of the Giant Tiger Transaction.

Selling, operating and administrative expenses (“Expenses”) were flat to last year and down 158 basis points as a percentage to sales. The decrease in Expenses related to the Giant Tiger Transaction and lower Canadian administration costs was offset by higher share-based compensation costs, an increase in annual incentive plan costs and the impact of COVID-19-related expenses. Excluding the impact of the share-based compensation costs, Expenses decreased $8.5 million or 6.4% and were down 308 basis points as a percentage to sales. This decrease is primarily due to the reductions previously noted and the impact of $2.3 million in store opening, support office restructuring and relocation costs in International Operations last year.

Earnings from operations increased $15.9 million to $52.9 million compared to $37.0 million last year and earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA2) increased $16.4 million to $75.7 million due to the sales, gross profit and Expense factors previously noted. Adjusted EBITDA2, which excludes share-based compensation costs, increased $24.8 million compared to last year and as a percentage to sales was 15.1% compared to 11.3% as the impact of sales gains and gross profit rate improvements in the quarter more than offset higher Expenses.

Net earnings increased $11.1 million to $35.9 million. Net earnings attributable to shareholders were $34.6 million and diluted earnings per share were $0.71 per share compared to $0.49 per share last year due to the factors noted above. Adjusted net earnings2, which excludes the impact of the after-tax share-based compensation costs, increased $18.5 million compared to last year driven by earnings gains in Canadian Operations and International Operations resulting from the factors previously noted.

Further information on the financial results is available in the Company’s 2020 third quarter Report to Shareholders, Management’s Discussion and Analysis and unaudited interim period condensed consolidated financial statements which can be found in the investor section of the Company’s website at www.northwest.ca.  



Third Quarter Conference Call

North West will host a conference call results on December 9, 2020 at 1:30 p.m. (Central Time). To access the call, please dial 416-340-2217 or 800-806-5484 with a pass code of 3198094. The conference call will be archived and can be accessed by dialing 905-694-9451 or 800-408-3053 with a pass code of 4473728 on or before January 9, 2021.



Notice to Readers

Certain forward-looking statements are made in this news release, within the meaning of applicable securities laws. These statements reflect North West’s current expectations and are based on information currently available to management. The words may, will, should, believe, expect, plan, anticipate, intend, estimate, predict, potential, continue, or the negative of these terms, identify forward-looking matters. These statements speak only as of the date of this press release. The actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements.

Reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the actual results, performance, capital expenditures or achievements of North West to differ materially from anticipated future results, performance, capital expenditures or achievement expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including the Company’s intentions regarding a normal course issuer bid, the anticipated impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company’s operations and the Company’s related business continuity plans and the realization of expected savings from administrative cost reduction plans. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, business performance, fluctuations in interest rates and currency values, legislative and regulatory developments, legal developments, the occurrence of weather-related and other natural catastrophes, changes in tax laws, and those risks and uncertainties detailed in the section entitled Risk Factors in North West’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis and Annual Information Form, both for the year-ended January 31, 2020. The preceding list is not an exhaustive list of possible factors. These and other factors should be considered carefully and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. North West undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by applicable law.



Company Profile

The North West Company Inc., through its subsidiaries, is a leading retailer of food and everyday products and services to rural communities and urban neighbourhoods in Canada, Alaska, the South Pacific and the Caribbean. North West operates 211 stores under the trading names Northern, NorthMart, Giant Tiger, Alaska Commercial Company, Cost-U-Less and RiteWay Food Markets and has annualized sales of approximately CDN$2.0 billion.


The common shares of North West trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol NWC.

1  Excluding the impact of foreign exchange
2  See Non-GAAP Measures Section of Management’s Discussion & Analysis


For more information contact:

Edward Kennedy, President and Chief Executive Officer, The North West Company Inc.
Phone 204-934-1482; fax 204-934-1317; email [email protected]

John King, Executive Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer, The North West Company Inc.
Phone 204-934-1397; fax 204-934-1317; email [email protected]

 



IIROC Trading Halt – NWC

Canada NewsWire

TORONTO, Dec. 9, 2020 /CNW/ – The following issues have been halted by IIROC:

Company: North West Company Inc. (The)

TSX Symbol: NWC

All Issues: Yes

Reason: Pending News

Halt Time (ET): 10:28 AM

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

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