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• Our exposure to legal liability is significant and could lead to substantial damages.
+Added: • Events and developments arising out of our investment in Freedom VCM and our prior business relationship with Brian Kahn has had and may continue to have adverse effects on our business, results of operations, reputation, and stock price.
• Financial services firms have been subject to increased scrutiny over the last several years, increasing the risk of financial liability and reputational harm resulting from adverse regulatory actions.
−Removed: • The restatement of our previously issued financial statements, the error that resulted in such restatement, the material weaknesses that were identified in our internal control over financial reporting and the determination that our internal control over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures were not effective, could result in loss of investor confidence, shareholder litigation or governmental proceedings or investigations, any of which could cause the market value of our securities to decline or impact our ability to access the capital markets.
+Added: • We have identified material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting which exposes us to additional risks and uncertainties and could cause the market value of our securities to decline or impact our ability to access the capital markets.
• Our failure to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting in accordance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and business and the price of our common stock and other securities.
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• We are exposed to credit risk from a variety of our activities, including loans, lines of credit, guarantees and backstop commitments, and we may not be able to fully realize the value of the collateral securing certain of our loans.
−Removed: • A substantial portion of our cash flows and net income are dependent upon payments from our investments in receivables.
• We may incur losses as a result of “guarantee” based engagements that we enter into in connection with our auction and liquidation solutions business.
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• Dial-up and DSL pay accounts may decline faster than expected and adversely impact our business.
−Removed: • If we fail to innovate and develop new products in our consumer businesses in a timely and cost-effective manner for its new and existing product categories, our business and operating results could be adversely affected.
• Our consumer businesses purchase key components and products from a limited number of sources, and our business and operating results could be adversely affected if supply were delayed or constrained or if there were shortages of required components.
• The failure of our licensees to sell products that generate royalties to us, to pay us royalties pursuant to their license agreements with us, or to renew these agreements could negatively affect our results of operations and financial condition.
−Removed: • We operate in highly competitive industries.
−Removed: Some of our competitors may have certain competitive advantages, which may cause us to be unable to effectively compete with or gain market share from our competitors.
−Removed: • Security breaches and other disruptions could compromise our information and expose us to liability, which would cause our business and reputation to suffer.
−Removed: • We may be unsuccessful in protecting our proprietary rights or may have to defend ourselves against claims of infringement, which could impair or significantly affect our business.
+Added: • Significant disruptions of information technology systems, breaches of data security, or unauthorized disclosures of sensitive data or personally identifiable information could adversely affect our business, and could subject us to liability or reputational damage.
• Anti-takeover provisions under our charter documents and Delaware law could delay or prevent a change of control and could also limit the market price of our stock.
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• Our level of indebtedness, and restrictions under such indebtedness, could adversely affect our operations and liquidity.
−Removed: • An increase in market interest rates could result in a decrease in the value of our senior notes and increase our future borrowing costs.
+Added: • The price of our securities may be adversely affected by third parties who raise allegations about our Company.
Risks Related to Global and Economic Conditions and International Operations
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We rely on projections of revenues in developing our operating plans for the future and will base our expectations regarding expenses on these projections and plans.
−Removed: If we inaccurately forecast revenues and/or earnings, or fail to accurately project expenses, we may be unable to adjust our spending in a timely manner to compensate for these inaccuracies and, as a result, may suffer operating losses and such losses could have a negative impact on our financial condition and results of operations.
+Added: If we inaccurately forecast revenues and/or earnings, or fail to accurately project expenses, we may be unable to adjust our spending in a timely manner to compensate for these inaccuracies and, as a result, may suffer operating losses and such losses could have a negative impact on our financial
+Added: condition and results of operations.
If, for any reason, we fail to meet company, investor or analyst projections of revenue, growth or earnings, the market price of the common stock could decline and you may lose all or part of your investment.
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In the event existing internal and external financial resources do not satisfy our needs, we would have to seek additional outside financing.
−Removed: The availability of outside financing will depend on a variety of factors, such as our financial condition and results of operations, the availability of acceptable collateral, market conditions, the general availability of credit, the volume of trading activities, and the overall availability of credit to the financial services industry, all of which are under increased pressure due to recent increases in inflation and the present rising interest rate environment.
+Added: The availability of outside financing will depend on a variety of factors, such as our financial condition and results of operations, the availability of acceptable collateral, market conditions, the general availability of credit, the volume of trading activities, and the overall availability of credit to the financial services industry, all of which are under increased pressure due to the continuing inflationary environment and increased interest rates.
Widening credit spreads, as well as significant declines in the availability of credit, could adversely affect our ability to borrow on an unsecured basis.
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Our clients engaging us with respect to mergers and acquisitions often rely on access to the secured and unsecured credit markets to finance their transactions.
−Removed: The lack of available credit and the increased cost of credit could adversely
−Removed: affect the size, volume and timing of our clients’ merger and acquisition transactions-particularly large transactions-and adversely affect our investment banking business and revenues.
+Added: The lack of available credit and the increased cost of credit could adversely affect the size, volume and timing of our clients’ merger and acquisition transactions-particularly large transactions-and adversely affect our investment banking business and revenues.
Climate change could have a material negative impact on us and our customers and counterparties, and our efforts to address concerns relating to climate change could result in damage to our reputation.
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The risks associated with, and the perspective of regulators, shareholders, employees and other stakeholders regarding, climate change are continuing to evolve rapidly, which can make it difficult to assess the ultimate impact on us of climate change-related risks and uncertainties, and we expect that climate change-related risks will increase over time.
−Removed: Our third-party contract manufacturers are located across seven countries in Asia, Turkey, and U.S., which could expose us to risks associated with doing business in those geographic areas.
+Added: Our third-party contract manufacturers are located across several countries in Asia, which could expose us to risks associated with doing business in those geographic areas.
All of our production is performed by third-party contract manufacturers, including original design manufacturers, in Taiwan, China, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, India, Korea and Philippines.
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Lead times for materials, components and products ordered by us or by our contract manufacturers can vary significantly and depend on factors such as contract terms, demand for an input component, and supplier capacity.
−Removed: time to time, we have experienced component shortages and extended lead times on semiconductors and other input products used in our finished products.
+Added: From time to time, we have experienced component shortages and extended lead times on semiconductors and other input products used in our finished products.
Shortages or interruptions in the supply of components or subcontracted products, or our inability to procure these components or products from alternate sources at acceptable prices in a timely manner, could delay shipment of our products or increase our production costs, which could adversely affect our business and operating results.
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The volume and amount of damages claimed in litigation, arbitrations, regulatory enforcement actions and other adversarial proceedings against financial services firms have increased in recent years.
−Removed: We also are subject to claims from disputes with our employees and
−Removed: our former employees under various circumstances.
+Added: We also are subject to claims from disputes with our employees and our former employees under various circumstances.
Risks associated with legal liability often are difficult to assess or quantify and their existence and magnitude can remain unknown for significant periods of time, making the amount of legal reserves related to these legal liabilities difficult to determine and subject to future revision.
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In addition, future results of operations could be adversely affected if reserves relating to these legal liabilities are required to be increased or legal proceedings are resolved in excess of established reserves.
+Added: Events and developments arising out of our investment in Freedom VCM and our prior business relationship with Brian Kahn has had and may continue to have adverse effects on our business, results of operations, reputation, and stock price.
+Added: On August 21, 2023, we completed the FRG take-private transaction, as further described in Item 1.
+Added: Business – Recent Developments – FRG Take-Private and Related Transactions.
+Added: In November 2023, we learned from news reports that Mr.
+Added: Kahn was identified as an unindicted co-conspirator in criminal and civil charges of securities fraud against the executive of an unrelated hedge fund.
+Added: While we had no involvement with, or knowledge of, any of the alleged misconduct concerning that hedge fund (and each of the separate review and investigations undertaken by the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors confirmed this), as a result of these matters we have experienced and will likely continue to experience adverse impacts on our business, results of operations, reputation, and/or stock price.
+Added: These adverse impacts arise and will likely continue to arise out of current and future legal proceedings initiated since the November 2023 news reports, the many continuing unfounded allegations by short sellers and others, the substantial short pressure on our stock price (for further information, see the Risk Factor “— The price of our securities may be adversely affected by third parties who raise allegations about our Company ” below), and the resulting damage to certain business relationships and employee morale, among others.
+Added: We have incurred and will continue to incur expenses in connection with these matters and any future legal proceedings arising out of these matters, which expenses may be material and, in some cases, are not or will not be covered by insurance.
+Added: We are also subject to risks as a result of the concentration of investments in Freedom VCM given (i) our ownership of a 31% equity interest in Freedom VCM, (ii) the $200.5 million amended and restated promissory note secured by Freedom VCM equity interests (the “Amended and Restated Note”), and (iii) the Freedom Receivables Note.
+Added: Accordingly, we may suffer adverse impacts on our financial condition or results of operations as a result of Freedom VCM and its subsidiary FRG performing worse than we expect;
+Added: the development of their strategies, including the possible disposition of additional businesses and further de-leveraging of their balance sheet, taking longer than expected;
+Added: the risks associated with consumer-facing businesses described elsewhere in these Risk Factors;
+Added: and current and future claims, demands, and legal proceedings arising out of the FRG take-private transaction itself and for Mr.
+Added: Kahn’s ownership of and involvement with Freedom VCM and FRG and related expenses which may be material.
+Added: For example, as it relates to the $2 00.5 million Amende d and Restated Note, the Company has determined that the repayment of the Note will be primarily from the cash distributions from Freedom VCM or the foreclosure on the underlying collateral provided by Mr.
+Added: Kahn and his spouse being in the Freedom VCM equity interests.
+Added: In addition, in light of Mr.
+Added: Kahn’s alleged involvement with the alleged
+Added: misconduct concerning Prophecy Asset Management LP, we can provide no assurances that we will not be subject to claims asserting an interest in the Freedom VCM equity interests owned by Mr.
+Added: Kahn, including those that collateralize the Amended and Restated Note.
+Added: If a claim were successful, it would diminish the value of the collateral which could impact the carrying value of the loan.
+Added: If such claims are made, however, we believe we have valid defenses from any such claim and any such claim would be without merit.
+Added: For further information regarding existing litigation, please refer to the matters disclosed under the heading “Item 3.
+Added: Legal Proceedings”.
We may incur losses as a result of ineffective risk management processes and strategies.
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In recent years the Company has experienced significant pricing pressures on trading margins and commissions in debt and equity trading.
−Removed: In the equity and fixed income markets, regulatory requirements and the increased use of electronic trading and alternative trading systems has resulted in greater price transparency, leading to
−Removed: increased price competition and decreased trading margins.
+Added: In the equity and fixed income markets, regulatory requirements and the increased use of electronic trading and alternative trading systems has resulted in greater price transparency, leading to increased price competition and decreased trading margins.
The trend toward using alternative trading systems is continuing to grow, which may result in decreased commission and trading revenue, reduce our participation in the trading markets and our ability to access market information, and lead to the creation of new and stronger competitors.
In the equity markets, we utilize certain market centers to execute orders on our behalf in exchange for payment for our order flow.
−Removed: Market centers are selected based on their ability to provide liquidity, price improvement, and timely execution for client orders.
+Added: Market centers are selected based on their ability to provide liquidity, price improvement, and timely execution for
+Added: client orders.
Increased regulatory scrutiny of payment for order flow may result in a decrease in this type of revenue.
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However, future changes to tax laws or regulations, or to interpretations of existing tax laws or regulations, could increase our tax burden or otherwise adversely affect our financial condition and cash flows.
−Removed: The restatement of our previously issued financial statements, the error that resulted in such restatement, the material weaknesses that were identified in our internal control over financial reporting and the determination that our internal control over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures were not effective, could result in loss of investor confidence, shareholder litigation or governmental proceedings or investigations, any of which could cause the market value of our securities to decline or impact our ability to access the capital markets.
−Removed: As discussed in the "Explanatory Note" and Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements, prior to the filing of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, we identified a classification error of dividend income and realized and unrealized gains (losses) on certain investments within revenue in our consolidated statement of operations.
−Removed: Due to the error, on March 15, 2023, the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors, after considering the recommendation of management and after discussion with our independent registered public accounting firm, Marcum LLP, we concluded that our previously issued audited consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2020 and 2021 and each of our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for the quarterly and year-to-date periods during 2021 and for the first three quarters of the year ending 2022 should no longer be relied upon.
−Removed: As a result of the error and restatement, we are subject to additional risks and uncertainties, including unanticipated costs for legal fees, litigation, governmental proceedings or investigations and loss of investor confidence.
−Removed: Management has determined that the restatement described above resulted from a material weakness in internal control over financial reporting.
−Removed: We have also identified a material weakness relating to the operating effectiveness of management review controls over key assumptions that are utilized to determine the fair value of intangible assets for new acquisitions and the fair value of reporting units in our assessment of goodwill impairment and a material weakness relating to the operating effectiveness of management's review controls over the income tax provision in our internal control over financial reporting.
−Removed: As a result of the foregoing, we have concluded that our internal control over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of December 31, 2022.
−Removed: For further discussion of the material weaknesses identified and our remediation efforts, see Item 9A, Controls and Procedures.
−Removed: Remediation efforts place a significant burden on management and add increased pressure to our financial resources and processes.
−Removed: If we are unable to successfully remediate our existing, or any future, material weaknesses or other deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting or disclosure controls and procedures, investors may lose confidence in our financial reporting and the accuracy and timing of our financial reporting and disclosures and our business, reputation, results of operations, financial condition, price of our securities, and ability to access the capital markets through equity or debt issuances could be adversely affected.
−Removed: In addition, we may be subject to governmental investigations and penalties and litigation.
+Added: We have identified material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting, and these material weaknesses, or our failure or inability to remediate them, or our failure to otherwise design and maintain effective internal control over financial reporting, exposes us to additional risks and uncertainties and could result in loss of investor confidence, shareholder litigation or governmental proceedings or investigations, any of which could cause the market value of our securities to decline or impact our ability to access the capital markets.
+Added: As a public company, we are subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the Dodd-Frank Act and are required to prepare our financial statements according to the rules and regulations required by the SEC.
+Added: In addition, the Exchange Act requires that we file annual, quarterly and current reports.
+Added: Our failure to prepare and disclose this information in a timely manner or to otherwise comply with applicable law could subject us to penalties under federal securities laws, expose us to lawsuits and restrict our ability to access financing.
+Added: In addition, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires, among other things, that we establish and maintain effective internal controls and procedures for
+Added: financial reporting and disclosure purposes.
+Added: Internal control over financial reporting is complex and may be revised over time to adapt to changes in our business, or changes in applicable accounting rules.
+Added: As reported in Item 9A, Controls and Procedures of this Annual Report, we have identified material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting.
+Added: A material weakness is a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our consolidated financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.
+Added: As a result of these material weaknesses, we are subject to additional risks and uncertainties.
+Added: For example, we cannot assure you that the measures we have taken to date and that we intend to continue to take will be sufficient to remediate the internal control deficiencies that led to our material weaknesses, that the material weaknesses will be remediated on a timely basis, or that additional material weaknesses will not be identified in the future.
+Added: If the steps we take do not remediate the outstanding material weaknesses in a timely manner, there could continue to be a possibility that these control deficiencies or others could result in a material misstatement of our annual or interim consolidated financial statements.
+Added: Moreover, remediation efforts place a significant burden on management and add increased pressure to our financial resources and processes.
+Added: If we are unable to successfully remediate our existing, or any future, material weaknesses or other deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting or disclosure controls and procedures, or we failure to otherwise design and maintain effective internal control over financial reporting, investors may lose confidence in our financial reporting and the accuracy and timing of our financial reporting and disclosures and our business, reputation, results of operations, financial condition, price of our securities, and ability to access the capital markets through equity or debt issuances could be adversely affected.
+Added: In addition, we may be subject to governmental investigations and penalties and litigation as a result of these control deficiencies.
We may suffer losses if our reputation is harmed.
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We may enter into new lines of business, make future strategic investments or acquisitions and enter into joint ventures.
−Removed: As we have in the past, and subject to market conditions, we may grow our business by increasing assets under
−Removed: management in existing investment strategies, pursue new investment strategies, which may be similar or complementary to our existing strategies or be wholly new initiatives, or enter into strategic relationships, or joint ventures.
+Added: As we have in the past, and subject to market conditions, we may grow our business by increasing assets under management in existing investment strategies, pursue new investment strategies, which may be similar or complementary to our existing strategies or be wholly new initiatives, or enter into strategic relationships, or joint ventures.
In addition, opportunities may arise to acquire or invest in other businesses that are related or unrelated to our current businesses.
−Removed: To the extent we make strategic investments or acquisitions, enter into strategic relationships or joint ventures or enter into new lines of business, we will face numerous risks and uncertainties, including risks associated with the required investment of capital and other resources and with combining or integrating operational and management systems and controls and managing potential conflicts.
+Added: To the extent we make strategic investments or acquisitions, enter into strategic relationships or joint ventures or enter into new lines of business, we will face numerous risks and uncertainties, including risks associated with the required
+Added: investment of capital and other resources and with combining or integrating operational and management systems and controls and managing potential conflicts.
Entry into certain lines of business may subject us to new laws and regulations with which we are not familiar, or from which we are currently exempt, and may lead to increased litigation and regulatory risk.
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If one or more of such events occur, this potentially could jeopardize our or our clients’ or counterparties’ confidential and other information processed and stored in, and transmitted through, our computer systems and networks, or otherwise cause interruptions or malfunctions in our, our clients’, our counterparties’ or third parties’ operations.
−Removed: We may be required to expend significant additional resources to
−Removed: modify our protective measures or to investigate and remediate vulnerabilities or other exposures, and we may be subject to litigation and financial losses that are either not insured against or not fully covered through any insurance maintained by us.
−Removed: A disruption in the infrastructure that supports our business due to fire, natural disaster, health emergency (for example, the COVID-19 pandemic), power or communication failure, act of terrorism or war may affect our ability to service and interact with our clients.
+Added: We may be required to expend significant additional resources to modify our protective measures or to investigate and remediate vulnerabilities or other exposures, and we may be subject to litigation and financial losses that are either not insured against or not fully covered through any insurance maintained by us.
+Added: A disruption in the infrastructure that supports our business due to fire, natural disaster, health emergency (for example, the COVID-19 pandemic), power or communication failure, act of terrorism or war may affect our ability to
+Added: service and interact with our clients.
If we are not able to implement contingency plans effectively, any such disruption could harm our results of operations.
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Certain financial services firms make larger and more frequent commitments of capital in many of their activities.
−Removed: For example, in order to win business, some investment banks increasingly commit to purchase large blocks of stock from
−Removed: publicly traded issuers or significant stockholders, instead of the more traditional marketed underwriting process in which marketing is typically completed before an investment bank commits to purchase securities for resale.
+Added: For example, in order to win business, some investment banks increasingly commit to purchase large blocks of stock from publicly traded issuers or significant stockholders, instead of the more traditional marketed underwriting process in which marketing is typically completed before an investment bank commits to purchase securities for resale.
We have participated in this activity and expect to continue to do so and, as a result, we are subject to increased risk.
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In the case of fund or similar investments, our investments may be illiquid until such investment vehicles are liquidated.
−Removed: We expect that there will be restrictions on our ability to resell the securities that we acquire for a period of up to one year after we acquire those securities.
+Added: expect that there will be restrictions on our ability to resell the securities that we acquire for a period of up to one year after we acquire those securities.
Thereafter, a public market sale may be subject to volume limitations or dependent upon securing a registration statement for an initial and potentially secondary public offering of the securities.
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We incur credit risk through loans, lines of credit, guarantees and backstop commitments issued to or on behalf of businesses and individuals, and other loans collateralized by a variety of assets, including securities.
−Removed: We have experienced credit losses and bear increased credit risk because we have made loans and commitments to borrowers or issuers engaged
−Removed: in emerging businesses or who lack access to conventional financing who, as a group, may be uniquely or disproportionately affected by economic or market conditions.
+Added: We have experienced credit losses and bear increased credit risk because we have made loans and commitments to borrowers or issuers engaged in emerging businesses or who lack access to conventional financing who, as a group, may be uniquely or disproportionately affected by economic or market conditions.
For example, we have made loans to borrowers in the cryptocurrency industry and have incurred losses as cryptocurrency prices have declined and participants in the cryptocurrency industry have experienced liquidity issues and we expect to incur further losses in the event that the cryptocurrency market experiences further volatility or liquidity issues or further declines or fails to recover.
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Any of these factors could require us to take write downs in the value of our investment and securities portfolio, which may have an adverse effect on our results of operations in future periods.
−Removed: A substantial portion of our cash flows and net income are dependent upon payments from our investments in receivables.
−Removed: We hold approximately $406.2 million of consumer receivables, which we acquired from home-furnishing retailer W.S.
−Removed: Badcock Corporation (“Badcock”) in multiple purchases beginning in December 2021.
−Removed: The collectability of our investments in receivables is a function of many factors including the criteria used to select who is issued credit, the pricing of the credit products, the lengths of the relationships, general economic conditions, the rate at which consumers repay their accounts or become delinquent, and the rate at which consumers borrow funds.
+Added: A substantial portion of our cash flows and net income are dependent upon payments from our investments in consumer finance receivables.
+Added: We have a related party loan receivable with a fair value of approximately $20.6 million from home-furnishing retailer W.S.
+Added: Badcock Corporation (“Badcock”) that is collateralized by consumer finance receivables of Badcock.
+Added: These consumer finance receivables were acquired from Badcock in multiple purchases beginning in December 2021.
+Added: On December 18, 2023, Badcock was sold by Freedom VCM to Conn’s.
+Added: and now operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of Conn’s.
+Added: This continues to be reported as a related party loan receivable due to the Company’s related party relationship with Freedom VCM and Freedom VCM’s ability to exercise influence over Conn’s as a result of the equity consideration Freedom VCM received from the sale of Badcock to Conn’s on December 18, 2023.
+Added: The Company also has a related party loan receivable from a Freedom VCM affiliate with a fair value of approximately $42.2 million, the Freedom Receivables Note (see Part I, Item 1 above).
+Added: The Freedom Receivables Note resulted from the sale of BRRII to a Freedom VCM affiliate and the collateral for this note includes the collection of certain consumer finance receivables by the Freedom VCM affiliate.
+Added: The collectability and repayment of the principal
+Added: balance and interest on these loans receivable, which total $62.8 million, are a function of many factors including the ultimate collection of the consumer finance receivables that collateralize the loans, criteria used to select the consumers that were issued credit, the pricing of the credit products, the lengths of the relationships, general economic conditions, the rate at which consumers repay their accounts or become delinquent, and the rate at which consumers borrow funds.
Deterioration in these factors would adversely impact our business.
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Some of these concerns are discussed more fully below.
−Removed: Our portfolio of receivables is not diversified and primarily originates from consumers whose creditworthiness is considered less than prime.
+Added: Our investment in these loans is not diversified and primarily originates from consumers whose creditworthiness is considered less than prime.
Our reliance on these receivables may in the future negatively impact our performance.
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Our actual rates of delinquencies and frequency and severity of credit losses may be comparatively higher during periods of economic slowdown or recession.
−Removed: Because a significant portion of our reported interest income is based on management’s estimates of the future performance of receivables to that collateralize $318.1 million of loans receivable, at fair value as of December 31, 2022, differences between actual and expected performance of the receivables may cause fluctuations in interest income.
+Added: Because a significant portion of our reported interest income is based on management’s estimates of the future performance of receivables that collateralize $62.8 million of loans receivable, at fair value as of December 31, 2023, differences between actual and expected performance of the receivables may cause fluctuations in interest income.
The fair value of these loans and the interest income we report are based on management’s estimates of cash flows we expect to receive on receivables that collateralize the loan receivable.
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For instance, higher than expected rates of delinquencies and losses from the receivables portfolio could cause interest income to be lower than expected.
−Removed: Our recent and ongoing investment in consumer credit receivables may not be indicative of our ability to grow such receivables in the future.
+Added: Our past and ongoing investment in consumer credit receivables may not be indicative of our ability to grow such receivables in the future.
Additionally, even if such receivables continue to increase, the rate of such growth could decline.
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Similarly, in 2009, Congress enacted legislation that required changes to a variety of marketing, billing, and collection practices, and the Federal Reserve adopted significant changes to a number of practices through its issuance of regulations.
−Removed: Badcock originated the transactions that underlie the receivables we have purchased and may continue to purchase.
+Added: Badcock originated the transactions that underlie our receivables investments and any others we may make.
Furthermore, we rely on Badcock to service our receivables portfolio.
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In addition, investment performance is one of the most important factors in retaining existing investors and competing for new asset management business.
−Removed: Investment performance may be poor as a result of the current or future difficult market or economic conditions, including changes in interest rates, with increases anticipated in 2023, or inflation, which continues to be an ongoing concern going into 2023, acts of war, aggression or terrorism, widespread outbreaks of disease, such as the COVID-19 pandemic or similar pandemics, or political uncertainty, our investment style, the particular investments that we make, and other factors.
+Added: Investment performance may be poor as a result of the current or future difficult market or economic conditions, including changes in interest rates or inflation, acts of war, aggression or terrorism, widespread outbreaks of disease, such as the COVID-19 pandemic or similar pandemics, or political uncertainty, our investment style, the particular investments that we make, and other factors.
Poor investment performance may result in a decline in our revenues and income by causing (i) the net asset value of the assets under our management to decrease, which would result in lower management fees to us, (ii) lower investment returns, resulting in a reduction of incentive fee income to us, and (iii) investor redemptions, which would result in lower fees to us because we would have fewer assets under management.
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Continued declines in revenues relating to the UOL business, particularly if such declines accelerate, will materially and adversely impact the profitability of this business.
−Removed: Failure to maintain advertising revenues from UOL, including as a result of failing to increase or maintain the number of subscribers for UOL’s services, could have a negative impact on advertising profitability.
−Removed: Advertising revenues are a key component of revenues and profitability from UOL.
−Removed: UOL’s services currently generate advertising revenues from search placements, display advertisements and online market research associated with Internet access and email services.
−Removed: Factors that have caused, or may cause in the future, UOL’s advertising revenues to fluctuate include, without limitation, changes in the number of visitors to UOL’s websites, active accounts or consumers purchasing our services and products, the effect of, changes to, or terminations of key advertising relationships, changes to UOL’s websites and advertising inventory, changes in applicable laws, regulations or business practices, including those related to behavioral or targeted advertising, user privacy, and taxation, changes in business models, changes in the online advertising market, changes in the economy, advertisers’ budgeting and buying patterns, competition, and changes in usage of UOL’s services.
−Removed: Decreases in UOL’s advertising revenues are likely to adversely impact our profitability.
−Removed: Further, our successful operation and management of UOL, including the ability to generate advertising revenues for UOL’s services, will depend in part upon our ability to increase or maintain the number of subscribers for UOL’s services.
−Removed: A decline in the number of subscribers using UOL’s services could result in decreased advertising revenues, and decreases in advertising revenues
−Removed: would adversely impact our profitability.
−Removed: The failure to increase or maintain the number of subscribers for UOL’s services could have a material adverse effect on advertising revenues and our profitability.
Our marketing efforts for our communications businesses may not be successful or may become more expensive, either of which could increase our costs and adversely impact our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
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In addition, some telecommunications providers may cease to offer network services for certain less populated areas, which would reduce the number of providers from which we may purchase services and may entirely eliminate our ability to purchase services for certain areas.
−Removed: Currently, our mobile broadband service of our UOL business is entirely dependent upon services acquired from one service provider, and the devices required by the provider can be used for only such provider’s service.
+Added: Currently, the mobile network service of our Marconi Wireless business is entirely dependent upon services acquired from one service provider.
If we are unable to maintain, renew or obtain a new agreement with the telecommunications provider on acceptable terms, or the provider discontinues its services, our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows could be materially and adversely affected.
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Moreover, distribution partners or customers may require us, or we may otherwise deem it necessary or advisable, to alter our products to address actual or anticipated changes in the regulatory environment.
−Removed: Our inability to alter our products to address these
−Removed: requirements and any regulatory changes could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and operating results.
+Added: Our inability to alter our products to address these requirements and any regulatory changes could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and operating results.
The current regulatory environment for broadband telephone services is developing and therefore uncertain.
7 unchanged sentences
The imposition of any such additional regulatory fees, charges, taxes and regulations on VoIP communications services could materially increase our costs and may limit or eliminate our competitive pricing advantages.
−Removed: We offer our magicJack products and services in other countries, and therefore could also be subject to regulatory risks in each such foreign jurisdiction, including the risk that regulations in some jurisdictions will prohibit us from providing our services cost-effectively or at all, which could limit our growth.
+Added: We offer our magicJack products and services in other countries, and therefore could also be subject to regulatory risks in each such foreign jurisdiction, including the risk that regulations in some jurisdictions will prohibit us from providing
+Added: our services cost-effectively or at all, which could limit our growth.
Currently, there are several countries where regulations prohibit us from offering service.
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We rely on independent retailers to sell the magicJack devices, and disruption to these channels would harm our business.
−Removed: Because we sell a significant amount of the magicJack devices, other devices and certain services to independent retailers, we are subject to many risks, including risks related to their inventory levels and support for magicJack’s
+Added: Because we sell a significant amount of the magicJack devices, other devices and certain services to independent retailers, we are subject to many risks, including risks related to their inventory levels and support for magicJack’s products.
In particular, magicJack’s retailers may maintain significant levels of our products in their inventories.
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Although some states, most notably California, have adopted prohibitions similar to those rescinded by the FCC, if broadband providers block, throttle or otherwise degrade the quality of our data packets or attempt to extract additional fees from us or our customers, it could adversely impact our business.
−Removed: Risks Related to Our Consumer Segment
+Added: Risks Related to Our Consumer Products Segment
If Targus fails to innovate and develop new products in a timely and cost-effective manner for its new and existing product categories, our business and operating results could be adversely affected.
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As such, declines in the overall demand for personal computers and tablet devices can directly impact the demand for our accessory products as often our products are sold as an attachment to the original equipment manufacturer device that is being sold.
+Added: Risks Related to Our Brands Portfolio
The failure of our licensees to sell products that generate royalties to us, to pay us royalties pursuant to their license agreements with us, or to renew these agreements could negatively affect our results of operations and financial condition.
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We also compete with other providers of valuation and advisory services.
−Removed: Competitive pressures within the Financial Consulting and other Advisory Services and real estate services markets, including a decrease in the number of
−Removed: engagements and/or a decrease in the fees which can be charged for these services, could affect revenues from our Financial Consulting and other Advisory Services and real estate services as well as our ability to engage new or repeat clients.
+Added: Competitive pressures within the Financial Consulting and other Advisory Services and real estate services markets, including a decrease in the number of engagements and/or a decrease in the fees which can be charged for these services, could affect revenues from our Financial Consulting and other Advisory Services and real estate services as well as our ability to engage new or repeat clients.
We believe that given the relatively low barriers to entry in the Financial Consulting and other Advisory Services and real estate services markets, these markets may become more competitive as the demand for such services increases.
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Many of these firms may have the ability to support investment banking, including financial advisory services, with commercial banking, insurance and other financial services in an effort to gain market share, which could result in pricing pressure in our businesses.
−Removed: The businesses in our communications segment compete competes with numerous communications providers, many of whom are large and have significantly more financial and marketing resources.
+Added: The businesses in our communications segment compete with numerous communications providers, many of whom are large and have significantly more financial and marketing resources.
The principal competitors for UOL’s mobile broadband and DSL services include, among others, local exchange carriers, wireless and satellite service providers, and cable service providers.
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In addition, we compete with independent broadband telephone service providers.
−Removed: Our consumer segment, consisting of Targus and our brand investment portfolio, competes with companies that make consumer retail products and/or own other brands and trademarks.
+Added: Our Consumer Products segment, competes with companies that make consumer retail products and/or own other brands and trademarks.
Targus operates in an intensely competitive marketplace along with many other makers of consumer and enterprise productivity products.
−Removed: With respect to our brand investment portfolio, other brand licensors could enter into similar licensing arrangements with retailers and wholesalers in the United States and internationally.
−Removed: These arrangements could be with our existing retail and wholesale partners, thereby competing with us for consumer attention and limited floor or rack space in the same stores in which our branded products are sold, and vying with us for the time and resources of the retailers and wholesale licensees that manufacture and distribute our products.
−Removed: Competitors to our consumer segment may be able to respond more quickly to changes in retailer, wholesaler and consumer preferences and devote greater resources to brand acquisition, development and marketing.
+Added: Competitors to our Consumer Products segment may be able to respond more quickly to changes in retailer, wholesaler and consumer preferences and devote greater resources to brand acquisition, development and marketing.
If we are unable to attract and retain qualified personnel, we may not be able to compete successfully in our industry.
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Risks Related to Data Security and Intellectual Property
−Removed: Security breaches and other disruptions could compromise our information and expose us to liability, which would cause our business and reputation to suffer.
−Removed: In the ordinary course of our business, we collect and store sensitive data, including intellectual property, our proprietary business information and that of our customers, clients and business partners, and personally identifiable information of our employees, in our servers and on our networks.
−Removed: The secure processing, maintenance and transmission of this information is critical to our operations and business strategy.
−Removed: Despite our security measures, our information technology and infrastructure is vulnerable to attacks by hackers or breach due to employee error, malfeasance or other disruptions.
−Removed: Any such breach could compromise our networks and the information stored there could be accessed, publicly disclosed, lost or stolen.
−Removed: Any such access, disclosure or other loss of information could result in legal claims or proceedings, liability under laws that protect the privacy of personal information, and regulatory penalties.
−Removed: In addition, such a breach could disrupt our operations and the services we provide to our clients, damage our reputation, and cause a loss of confidence in our services, which could adversely affect our business and our financial condition.
Significant disruptions of information technology systems, breaches of data security, or unauthorized disclosures of sensitive data or personally identifiable information could adversely affect our business, and could subject us to liability or reputational damage.
−Removed: Our business is increasingly dependent on critical, complex, and interdependent information technology (“IT”) systems, including Internet-based systems, some of which are managed or hosted by third parties, to support business processes as well as internal and external communications.
+Added: Our business is increasingly dependent on critical, complex, and interdependent information technology (“IT”) systems, including Internet-based systems, some of which are managed or hosted by third parties, to support business
+Added: processes as well as internal and external communications.
The size and complexity of our IT systems make us vulnerable to, and we have experienced, IT system breakdowns, malicious intrusion, and computer viruses, which may result in the impairment of our ability to operate our business effectively.
1 unchanged sentence
Such data security breaches could lead to the loss of confidential information, trade secrets or other intellectual property, or could lead to the public exposure of personal information (including personally identifiable information) of our employees, customers, business partners, and others.
+Added: For example, on April 5, 2024, Targus discovered that a threat actor gained unauthorized access to certain of Targus’ file systems.
+Added: This matter, as well as our cybersecurity policies and procedures, is discussed in greater detail in Item 1C of Part I, “Cybersecurity”.
In addition, the increased use of social media by our employees and contractors could result in inadvertent disclosure of sensitive data or personal information, including but not limited to, confidential information, trade secrets and other intellectual property.
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Federal government or foreign governments, liability or sanctions under data privacy laws that protect personally identifiable information, regulatory penalties, other legal proceedings such as but not limited to private litigation, the incurrence of significant remediation costs, disruptions to our development programs, business operations and collaborations, diversion of management efforts and damage to our reputation, which could harm our business and operations.
−Removed: Because of the rapidly
−Removed: moving nature of technology and the increasing sophistication of cybersecurity threats, our measures to prevent, respond to and minimize such risks may be unsuccessful.
−Removed: In addition, the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union adopted a comprehensive general data privacy regulation (“GDPR”) in 2016 that took effect in May 2018 and governs the collection and use of personal data in the European Union.
−Removed: The GDPR, which is wide-ranging in scope, will impose several requirements relating to the consent of the individuals to whom the personal data relates, the information provided to the individuals, the security and confidentiality of the personal data, data breach notification and the use of third party processors in connection with the processing of the personal data.
+Added: Because of the rapidly moving nature of technology and the increasing sophistication of cybersecurity threats, our measures to prevent, respond to and minimize such risks may be unsuccessful.
+Added: In addition, the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union adopted a comprehensive general data privacy regulation (“GDPR”) in 2016 that took effect in 2018 and governs the collection and use of personal data in the European Union.
+Added: The GDPR, which is wide-ranging in scope, imposes several requirements relating to the consent of the individuals to whom the personal data relates, the information provided to the individuals, the security and confidentiality of the personal data, data breach notification requirements and the use of third party processors in connection with the processing of the personal data.
The GDPR also imposes strict rules on the transfer of personal data out of the European Union to the United States, enhances enforcement authority and imposes large penalties for noncompliance, including the potential for fines of up to €20 million or 4% of the annual global revenues of the infringer, whichever is greater.
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The CCPA established new requirements regarding handling of personal data to entities serving or employing California residents, and gave consumers the right to request disclosure of information collected about them, and whether that information has been sold or shared with others, the right to request deletion of personal information (subject to certain exceptions), the right to opt out of the sale of the consumer’s personal information, and the right not to be discriminated against for exercising these rights.
−Removed: Such rights will be expanded under the California Privacy Rights Act (“CPRA”) once it goes into effect on January 1, 2023.
+Added: Such rights were expanded under the California Privacy Rights Act (“CPRA”) which went into effect on January 1, 2023.
In addition, similar laws have and may be adopted by other states where the Company does business.
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Despite our efforts to protect our proprietary rights, unauthorized parties have in the past attempted, and may in the future attempt, to copy aspects of our products or to obtain and use information that it regards as proprietary.
−Removed: Third parties may also design around our proprietary rights, which may render our protected products less valuable if the design around is favorably received in the marketplace.
+Added: Third parties may also design around
+Added: our proprietary rights, which may render our protected products less valuable if the design around is favorably received in the marketplace.
In addition, if any our products or the technology underlying our products is covered by third-party patents or other intellectual property rights, we could be subject to various legal actions.
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While we currently pay dividends quarterly, our Board of Directors may reduce or discontinue dividends at any time for any reason it deems relevant and there can be no assurances that we will continue to generate sufficient cash to pay dividends, or that we will continue to pay dividends with the cash that we do generate.
+Added: For example, while we paid regular quarterly dividends of $1.00 per share of common stock in 2023 and 2022, in the first quarter of 2024 we reduced our dividend to $0.50 per share.
The determination regarding the payment of dividends is subject to the discretion of our Board of Directors, and there can be no assurances that we will continue to generate sufficient cash to pay dividends, or that we will pay dividends in future periods.
Our level of indebtedness, and restrictions under such indebtedness, could adversely affect our operations and liquidity.
−Removed: Our senior notes include:
−Removed: (a) the 6.75% 2024 Notes with an aggregate principal amount of approximately $199.2 million;
−Removed: (b) the 6.50% 2026 Notes with an aggregate principal amount of approximately $180.5 million;
−Removed: (c) the 6.375% 2025 Notes with an aggregate principal amount of approximately $146.4 million;
−Removed: (d) the 6.00% 2028 Notes with an aggregate principal amount of approximately $266.1 million;
−Removed: (e) the 5.50% 2026 Notes with an aggregate principal amount of approximately $217.4 million;
−Removed: (f) the 5.25% 2028 Notes with an aggregate principal amount of approximately $405.5 million;
−Removed: and (g) the 5.00% 2026 Notes with an aggregate principal amount of approximately $324.7 million.
−Removed: The Company periodically enters into At Market Issuance Sales Agreements with B.
−Removed: Riley Securities.
−Removed: The most recent sales agreement prospectus was filed by us with the SEC on January 5, 2022 (the “January 2022 Sales Agreement Prospectus”) superseding the prospectus filed with the SEC on August 11, 2021, the prospectus filed with the SEC on April 6, 2021, and the prospectus filed with the SEC on January 28, 2021.
−Removed: Pursuant to the January 2022 Sales Agreement, the Company may sell from time to time, at the Company’s option, up to an aggregate principal amount of $250.0 million, 6.75% 2024 Notes, 6.50% 2026 Notes, 6.375% 2025 Notes, 6.00% 2028 Notes, 5.50% 2026 Notes, 5.25% 2028 Notes, 5.00% 2026 Notes and Depositary Shares.
−Removed: As of December 31, 2022, the Company had $69.5 million available for offer and sale pursuant to the January 2022 Sales Agreement.
−Removed: In connection with the acquisition of Targus, on October 18, 2022, our subsidiary, Tiger US Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation, among others, entered into a credit agreement with PNC Bank, National Association (“PNC”), as agent and security trustee for a five-year $28.0 million term loan and a five-year $85.0 million revolver loan.
−Removed: On September 23, 2022, our subsidiary, B.
−Removed: Riley Receivables II, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Borrower”), entered into a credit agreement (the “Pathlight Credit Agreement”) by and among PLC Agent, LLC in the capacity as administrative agent and Pathlight Capital Fund I LP, Pathlight Capital Fund II LP, and Pathlight Capital Fund III LP as the lenders (collectively, “Pathlight”) for a five-year $148.2 million term loan.
−Removed: The Pathlight Credit Agreement was entered in connection with the purchase of the 2022 Badcock Receivable discussed in Note 3 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report.
−Removed: On August 16, 2022, our subsidiary, Lingo, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Borrower”), entered into a credit agreement (the “Lingo Credit Agreement”) by and among the Borrower, us as the secured guarantor, and Banc of California, N.A.
−Removed: in its capacity as administrative agent and lender, for a five-year $45.0 million term loan.
−Removed: On September 9, 2022, Lingo entered into the First Amendment to the Lingo Credit Agreement with Grasshopper Bank (the “New Lender”)
−Removed: for an incremental term loan of $7.5 million, increasing the principal balance of the term loan to $52.5 million.
−Removed: On November 10, 2022, Lingo entered into the Second Amendment to the Lingo Credit Agreement with KeyBank National Association for an incremental term loan of $20.5 million, increasing the principal balance of the term loan to $73.0 million.
−Removed: On June 23, 2021, we and our wholly owned subsidiaries, BR Financial Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Primary Guarantor”), and BR Advisory & Investments, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Borrower”), entered into a credit agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) by and among us, Primary Guarantor, the Borrower, the lenders party thereto, Nomura Corporate Funding Americas, LLC, as administrative agent and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as collateral agent, providing for a four-year $200.0 million secured term loan credit facility (the “Term Loan Facility”) and a four-year $80.0 million secured revolving loan credit facility (the “Revolving Credit Facility” and, together with the Term Loan Facility, the “Credit Facilities”).
−Removed: On December 17, 2021 (the “Amendment Date”), we, the Primary Guarantor, and the Borrower entered into a Second Incremental Amendment to Credit Agreement, pursuant to which the Borrower established an incremental facility in an aggregate principal amount of $100.0 million (the “Incremental Facility”)
−Removed: On December 19, 2018, BRPI Acquisition Co LLC (“BRPAC”), a Delaware limited liability company, UOL, and YMAX Corporation, Delaware corporations (collectively, the “Borrowers”), indirect wholly owned subsidiaries of ours, in the capacity as borrowers, entered into a credit agreement (the “BRPAC Credit Agreement”) with the Banc of California, N.A.
−Removed: in the capacity as agent (the “Agent”) and lender and with the other lenders party thereto (the “Closing Date Lenders”).
−Removed: Through a series of amendments, including the most recent Fourth Amendment to the BRPAC Credit Agreement (the “Fourth Amendment”) on June 21, 2022, the Borrowers, the Secured Guarantors, the Agent and the Closing Date Lenders agreed to the following, among other things:
−Removed: (i) the Lenders agreed to make a new $75.0 million term loan to the Borrowers, the proceeds of which the Borrowers’ used to repay the outstanding principal amount of the existing terms loans and optional loans and will use for other general corporate purposes, (ii) a new applicable margin level of 3.50% was established as set forth from the date of the Fourth Amendment, (iii) Marconi Wireless was added to the Borrowers, (iv) the maturity date of the term loan was set to June 30, 2027, and (v) the Borrowers were permitted to make certain distributions to the parent company of the Borrowers.
−Removed: We are party to a credit agreement (as amended, the “Credit Agreement”) governing our asset based credit facility with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (“Wells Fargo Bank”) with a maximum borrowing limit of $200.0 million.
−Removed: and a maturity date of April 20, 2027.
−Removed: The terms of such indebtedness contain various restrictions and covenants regarding the operation of our business, including, but not limited to, restrictions on our ability to merge or consolidate with or into any other entity.
+Added: Together with our subsidiaries, we have a significant amount of indebtedness and substantial debt service requirements.
+Added: As of December 31, 2023, we had approximately $2,356.4 million of outstanding indebtedness.
+Added: The terms of the instruments governing such indebtedness contain various restrictions and covenants regarding the operation of our business, including, but not limited to, restrictions on our ability to merge or consolidate with or into any other entity.
We may also secure additional debt financing in the future in addition to our current debt.
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(ii) causing us to use a larger portion of our cash flows to fund interest and principal payments, thereby reducing the availability of cash to fund working capital, capital expenditures and other business activities;
−Removed: (iii) making it more difficult for us to take advantage of significant business opportunities, such as acquisition opportunities or other strategic transactions, and to react to changes in market or industry conditions;
+Added: (iii) making it more difficult for us to take advantage of significant business opportunities, such as
+Added: acquisition opportunities or other strategic transactions, and to react to changes in market or industry conditions;
and (iv) limiting our ability to borrow additional monies in the future to fund working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions and other general corporate purposes as and when needed, which could force us to suspend, delay or curtail business prospects, strategies or operations.
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In particular, the terms of the indenture and our senior notes do not place any restrictions on our or our subsidiaries’ ability to:
−Removed: • issue debt securities or otherwise incur additional indebtedness or other obligations, including (1) any indebtedness or other obligations that would be equal in right of payment to our senior notes, (2) any indebtedness or other obligations that would be secured and therefore rank effectively senior in right of payment to our senior notes to the extent of the values of the assets securing such debt, (3) indebtedness of ours that is guaranteed by one or more of our subsidiaries and which therefore is structurally senior to our senior notes and (4) securities, indebtedness or obligations issued or incurred by our subsidiaries that would be senior to our equity interests in our subsidiaries and therefore rank structurally senior to our senior notes with respect to the assets of our subsidiaries;
+Added: • issue debt securities or otherwise incur additional indebtedness or other obligations, including (1) any indebtedness or other obligations that would be equal in right of payment to our senior notes, (2) any indebtedness or other obligations that would be secured and therefore rank effectively senior in right of
+Added: payment to our senior notes to the extent of the values of the assets securing such debt, (3) indebtedness of ours that is guaranteed by one or more of our subsidiaries and which therefore is structurally senior to our senior notes and (4) securities, indebtedness or obligations issued or incurred by our subsidiaries that would be senior to our equity interests in our subsidiaries and therefore rank structurally senior to our senior notes with respect to the assets of our subsidiaries;
• pay dividends on, or purchase or redeem or make any payments in respect of, capital stock or other securities subordinated in right of payment to our senior notes;
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In general, as market interest rates rise, notes bearing interest at a fixed rate decline in value.
−Removed: Following the recent increase in market interest rates, the market value of our senior notes has declined.
+Added: Following the increase in market interest rates over the last two years, the market value of our senior notes has declined.
We cannot predict the future level of market interest rates, but to the extent market interest rates continue to rise, the market value of our existing senior notes can be expected to further decline.
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We cannot provide any assurances that an active trading market will develop for our senior notes or that our senior note holders will be able to sell their senior notes.
−Removed: If the senior notes are traded after their initial issuance, they may trade at a discount from their initial offering price depending on prevailing interest rates, the market for similar securities, our credit ratings, general economic conditions, our financial condition, performance and prospects and other factors.
+Added: If the senior notes are traded after their initial issuance, they may trade at a discount from their initial offering price depending on prevailing interest rates, the market for similar securities, our credit ratings, general economic conditions, our financial
+Added: condition, performance and prospects and other factors.
Accordingly, we cannot assure our senior note holders that a liquid trading market will develop for our senior notes, that our senior note holders will be able to sell our senior notes at a particular time or that the price our senior note holders receive when they sell will be favorable.
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In the event of a bankruptcy, liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the affairs of the Company, the Company’s assets will be available to pay obligations on the 6.875% Series A Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Series A Preferred Stock”) and the 7.375% Series B Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Series B Preferred Stock” and, together with the Series A Preferred Stock, the “Existing Preferred Stock”), which ranks in parity with the Series A Preferred Stock, only after all of the Company’s indebtedness and other liabilities have been paid.
−Removed: The rights of holders of the Existing Preferred Stock to participate in the distribution of the Company’s assets will rank junior to the prior claims of the Company’s current and future creditors and any future series or class of preferred stock the Company may issue that ranks senior to the Existing Preferred Stock.
+Added: The rights of holders of the Existing Preferred Stock to participate in the distribution of the
+Added: Company’s assets will rank junior to the prior claims of the Company’s current and future creditors and any future series or class of preferred stock the Company may issue that ranks senior to the Existing Preferred Stock.
In addition, the Existing Preferred Stock effectively ranks junior to all existing and future indebtedness and other liabilities of (as well as any preferred equity interests held by others in) the Company’s existing subsidiaries and any future subsidiaries.
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As a result of these and other factors, investors who purchase the Depositary Shares may experience a decrease, which could be substantial and rapid, in the market price of the Depositary Shares, including decreases unrelated to the Company’s operating performance or prospects.
−Removed: UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
−Removed: Our headquarters are located in Los Angeles, California in a leased facility.
−Removed: We believe that this facility and our other existing facilities are suitable and adequate for the business conducted therein, appropriately used and have sufficient capacity for their intended purpose.
+Added: The price of our securities may be adversely affected by third parties who raise allegations about our Company.
+Added: Short sellers and others who raise allegations regarding the legality of our business activities, some of whom are positioned to profit if the price of our securities decline, have negatively affected the price of our securities and may continue to do so.
+Added: For example, in early 2023, a short-focused research firm raised allegations regarding our investment portfolio, accounting practices, and other matters, and announced that they had taken a significant short position regarding our common stock, leading to public scrutiny and significant volatility in the price of our securities.
+Added: This firm, as well as additional short sellers, have raised additional allegations over the course of 2023 and 2024, particularly around our relationship with Brian Kahn and the FRG take-private as further described in Item 1.
+Added: Business – Recent Developments – FRG Take-Private and Related Transactions.
+Added: These reports and allegations have caused and may continue to cause significant volatility in the price of our common stock and other securities that may cause the value of a securityholder’s investment to decline rapidly.
+Added: We have received, and may continue to receive, a high degree of media coverage that is published or otherwise disseminated by third parties, including on X (fka “Twitter”), other forms of social media, articles, message boards and other media.
+Added: This includes coverage that is not attributable to statements made by our directors, officers, employees or agents.
+Added: Information provided by third parties may not be reliable or accurate and has materially impacted, and may continue to materially impact, the trading price of our common stock and other securities which could cause investors to lose their investments.
+Added: A “short squeeze” due to a sudden increase in demand for our securities that largely exceeds supply has led to, and may continue to lead to, extreme price volatility in our securities.
+Added: Investors may purchase our common stock and other securities to hedge existing exposure or to speculate on the price of our common stock and other securities.
+Added: Speculation on the price of our securities may involve long and short exposures.
+Added: To the extent aggregate short exposure exceeds the number of securities available for purchase on the open market, investors with short exposure may have to pay a premium to repurchase our securities for delivery to lenders of our securities.
+Added: Those repurchases may, in turn, dramatically increase the price of our securities until additional securities are available for trading or borrowing.
+Added: This is often referred to as a “short squeeze.”
+Added: A large proportion of our common stock has been and may continue to be traded by short sellers which may increase the likelihood that our common stock will be the target of a short squeeze.
+Added: It is also possible that such a short squeeze could develop with respect to our other securities.
+Added: A short squeeze could lead to volatile price movements in our securities that are unrelated or disproportionate to our operating performance or prospects and, once investors purchase the securities necessary to cover their short positions, the price of our securities may rapidly decline.
+Added: Securityholders that purchase securities that are the subject of the short squeeze during such short squeeze may lose a significant portion of their investment.
Compared sentence by sentence after normalising whitespace, quotation marks, case and digits, so re-formatting and restated figures do not read as changed language. Wording changes appear as one removal and one addition. The current filing and the prior one are authoritative.