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Brookfield Infrastructure (BIPC) Risk Analysis

Public companies are required to disclose risks that can affect the business and impact the stock. These disclosures are known as “Risk Factors”. Companies disclose these risks in their yearly (Form 10-K), quarterly earnings (Form 10-Q), or “foreign private issuer” reports (Form 20-F). Risk factors show the challenges a company faces. Investors can consider the worst-case scenarios before making an investment. TipRanks’ Risk Analysis categorizes risks based on proprietary classification algorithms and machine learning. Brookfield Infrastructure disclosed 71 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Brookfield Infrastructure reported the most risks in the “Finance & Corporate” category.

Risk Overview Q4, 2021

Source: the company's latest filing for the period ended Dec 31, 2021, filed Mar 09, 2022

Risk Distribution
71Risks
Sector Avg.Finance & CorporateTech & InnovationLegal & RegulatoryProductionAbility to SellMacro & Political
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy

Risk Change Over Time

No filing history is available.

Risks removedRisks addedRisks changedBrookfield Infrastructure Risk Factors
No changes from previous report

Risk Highlights Q4, 2021

Main Risk Category
Finance & Corporate
With 33 Risks
Number of Disclosed Risks
71
S&P 500 Average: 32
Recent Changes
0Risks added
0Risks removed
0Risks changed
Since Dec 2021
Number of Risk Changed
0
S&P 500 Average: 1

Risk Word Cloud

many of our group's operations are subject to economic regulation and may be exposed to adverse regulatory decisions.exposed to adverse regulatory decisionsnon-u.s. shareholders are subject to foreign currency risk associated with our company's dividends.subject to foreign currency riskthe exchangeable shares are not units and will not be treated as units for purposes of the application of applicable canadian or u.s. rules relating to takeover bids, issuer bids and tender offers.rules relating to takeover bidscanadian federal income tax considerations described herein may be materially and adversely impacted by certain events.canadian federal income tax considerationsour group's business relies on the use of technology, and as a result, our group may be exposed to cyber-security attacks.exposed to cyber-security attacksperformance of our group's operating subsidiaries may be harmed by future labor disruptions and economically unfavorable collective bargaining agreements.economically unfavorable collective bargaining agrnew regulatory initiatives related to esg could adversely impact our business.regulatory initiatives related to esgour group's operating subsidiaries are exposed to the risk of increasing environmental legislation and the broader impacts of climate change.broader impacts of climate changebrookfield has no obligation to source acquisition opportunities for our group and our group may not have access to all infrastructure acquisitions that brookfield identifies.obligation to source acquisition opportunitieswe may be exposed to transfer pricing risks.exposed to transfer pricing risks

Risk Factors Full Breakdown - Total Risks 71

Share Price & Shareholder Rights18 | 25.4%
  • Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 1
    None of British Columbia corporate law, the Master Services Agreement and our other arrangements with Brookfield impose on Brookfield any fiduciary duties to act in the best interests of our shareholders or the partnership's unitholders.

    None of British Columbia corporate law, the Master Services Agreement and our other arrangements with Brookfield impose on Brookfield any duty (statutory or otherwise) to act in the best interests of the Service Recipients, nor do they impose other duties that are fiduciary in nature.

  • Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 2
    Our organizational and ownership structure may create significant conflicts of interest that may be resolved in a manner that is not in the best interests of our company or the best interests of our shareholders.

    Our organizational and ownership structure involves a number of relationships that may give rise to conflicts of interest between our company and our shareholders, on the one hand, and Brookfield and Brookfield Infrastructure, on the other hand. For example, our board mirrors the board of the general partner of the partnership, except that our board has one additional non-overlapping board member to assist us with, among other things, resolving any conflicts of interest that may arise from our relationship with Brookfield Infrastructure. In certain instances, the interests of Brookfield or Brookfield Infrastructure may differ from the interests of our company and our shareholders, including with respect to the types of acquisitions made, the timing and amount of distributions by our company, the reinvestment of returns generated by our operations, the use of leverage when making acquisitions and the appointment of outside advisors and service providers. Further, Brookfield may make decisions, including with respect to tax or other reporting positions, from time to time that may be more beneficial to one type of investor or beneficiary than another, or to Brookfield rather than to our company and our shareholders. In accordance with our articles, the holders of the class B shares are entitled to cast, in the aggregate, a number of votes equal to three times the number of votes attached to the exchangeable shares (which carry one vote per exchangeable share), and except as otherwise expressly provided in the articles or as required by law, the holders of exchangeable shares and class B shares vote together and not as separate classes. Brookfield Infrastructure, which itself is controlled by Brookfield, holds all of our issued and outstanding class B shares, having a 75% voting interest in our company, and class C shares of our company, which entitle the partnership to all of the residual value in our company after payment in full of the amount due to holders of exchangeable shares and class B shares and subject to the prior rights of holders of preferred shares. As a result, Brookfield is able to control the election and removal of our directors and the directors of the partnership's general partner and, accordingly, exercises substantial influence over our group. In addition, the Service Providers, being wholly-owned subsidiaries of Brookfield, provide management services to us pursuant to the Master Services Agreement. Pursuant to the Master Services Agreement, on a quarterly basis, Brookfield Infrastructure will pay a quarterly base management fee to the Service Providers equal to 0.3125% (1.25% annually) of the market value of Brookfield Infrastructure. We reimburse Brookfield Infrastructure for our proportionate share of such fee. For purposes of calculating the base management fee, the market value of Brookfield Infrastructure is equal to the aggregate value of all outstanding units (assuming full conversion of Brookfield's limited partnership interests in Holding LP into units), preferred units and securities of the other Service Recipients (including our exchangeable shares and the Exchangeable units) that are not held by Brookfield Infrastructure, plus all outstanding third party debt with recourse to a Service Recipient, less all cash held by such entities. Brookfield Infrastructure Special LP, a subsidiary of Brookfield, also receives incentive distributions based on the amount by which quarterly distributions on Holding LP units (other than Holding LP Class A Preferred Units) as well as economically equivalent securities, such as the exchangeable shares, of the other Service Recipients exceed specified target levels as set forth in Holding LP's limited partnership agreement. This relationship may give rise to conflicts of interest between our company and our shareholders, on the one hand, and Brookfield, on the other, as Brookfield's interests may differ from the interests of Brookfield Infrastructure, our company or our shareholders.

  • Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 3
    The role and ownership of Brookfield may change.

    Our arrangements with Brookfield do not require Brookfield to maintain any ownership level in our group, and Brookfield may sell the units or exchangeable shares that it holds in the partnership or our company, respectively. Brookfield may sell or transfer all or part of its interests in the Service Providers without the approval of our group, which could result in changes to the management of our group and its current growth strategy. Additionally, our group cannot predict with any certainty the effect that any changes in ownership level of Brookfield of our group would have on the trading price of our exchangeable shares, the units or our group's ability to raise capital or make investments in the future. As a result, the future of the group would be uncertain and our group's business, financial condition and results of operations may suffer.

  • Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 4
    Each exchangeable share has been structured with the intention of providing an economic return equivalent to one unit and therefore we expect that the market price of our exchangeable shares will be significantly impacted by the market price of the units and the combined business performance of our group as a whole.

    Each exchangeable share has been structured with the intention of providing an economic return equivalent to one unit and, in addition to contemplating identical dividends to the distributions paid on one unit, each exchangeable share is exchangeable at the option of the holder for one unit (subject to adjustment to reflect certain capital events) or its cash equivalent (the form of payment to be determined at the election of our group). See Item 10.B "Memorandum and Articles of Association - Description of Our Share Capital-Exchangeable Shares-Exchange by Holder-Adjustments to Reflect Certain Capital Events." Our company currently intends to satisfy any exchange requests on the exchangeable shares through the delivery of units rather than cash. As a result, the business operations of Brookfield Infrastructure, and the market price of the units, are expected to have a significant impact on the market price of the exchangeable shares, which could be disproportionate in circumstances where the business operations and results of our company on a standalone basis are not indicative of such market trends. Exchangeable shareholders will have no ability to control or influence the decisions or business of Brookfield Infrastructure.

  • Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 5
    Our company is a "foreign private issuer" under U.S. securities law. Therefore, we are exempt from requirements applicable to U.S. domestic registrants listed on the NYSE.

    Although our company is subject to the periodic reporting requirement of the Exchange Act, the periodic disclosure required of foreign private issuers under the Exchange Act is different from periodic disclosure required of U.S. domestic registrants. Therefore, there may be less publicly available information about our company than is regularly published by or about other companies in the United States. Our company is exempt from certain other sections of the Exchange Act to which U.S. domestic issuers are subject, including the requirement to provide our shareholders with information statements or proxy statements that comply with the Exchange Act. In addition, insiders and large shareholders of our company are not obligated to file reports under Section 16 of the Exchange Act, and we are permitted to follow certain home country corporate governance practices instead of those otherwise required under the NYSE Listed Company Manual for domestic issuers. We currently intend to follow the same corporate practices as would be applicable to U.S. domestic companies under the U.S. federal securities laws and NYSE corporate governance standards; however, as our company is externally managed by the Service Providers pursuant to the Master Services Agreement, we do not have a compensation committee. However, we may in the future elect to follow our home country law for certain of our other corporate governance practices (being Bermuda and British Columbia for the partnership and our company, respectively), as permitted by the rules of the NYSE, in which case our shareholders would not be afforded the same protection as provided under NYSE corporate governance standards to U.S. domestic registrants. Following our home country governance practices as opposed to the requirements that would otherwise apply to a U.S. domestic company listed on the NYSE may provide less protection than is accorded to investors of U.S. domestic issuers.

  • Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 6
    Our company may redeem the exchangeable shares at any time without the consent of the holders.

    Our board, in its sole discretion and for any reason, and without the consent of holders of exchangeable shares, may elect to redeem all of the then outstanding exchangeable shares at any time upon sixty (60) days' prior written notice, including without limitation following the occurrence of any of the following redemption events: (i) the total number of exchangeable shares outstanding decreases by 50% or more over any twelve-month period; (ii) a person acquires 90% of the units in a take-over bid (as defined by applicable securities law); (iii) unitholders of the partnership approve an acquisition of the partnership by way of arrangement or amalgamation; (iv) unitholders of the partnership approve a restructuring or other reorganization of the partnership; (v) there is a sale of all or substantially all of the partnership assets; (vi) there is a change of law (whether by legislative, governmental or judicial action), administrative practice or interpretation, or a change in circumstances of our company and our shareholders, that may result in adverse tax consequences for our company or our shareholders; or (vii) our board, in its sole discretion, concludes that the unitholders of the partnership or holders of exchangeable shares are adversely impacted by a fact, change or other circumstance relating to our company. For greater certainty, unitholders do not have the ability to vote on such redemption and the board's decision to redeem all of the then outstanding exchangeable shares will be final. In addition, the holder of class B shares may deliver a notice to our company specifying a redemption date upon which our company shall redeem all of the then outstanding exchangeable shares, and upon sixty (60) days' prior written notice from our company to holders of the exchangeable shares and without the consent of holders of exchangeable shares, our company shall be required to redeem all of the then outstanding exchangeable shares on such redemption date. In the event of such redemption, holders of exchangeable shares will no longer own a direct interest in our company and will become unitholders of the partnership or receive cash based on the value of a unit, even if such holders desired to remain holders of exchangeable shares. Such redemption could occur at a time when the trading price of the exchangeable shares is greater than the trading price of the units, in which case holders would receive units (or its cash equivalent) with a lower trading price. See Item 10.B "Memorandum and Articles of Association - Description of Our Share Capital - Exchangeable Shares - Redemption by Issuer". In the event that an exchangeable share held by a holder is redeemed by our company or exchanged by the holder, the holder will be considered to have disposed of such exchangeable share for Canadian income tax purposes. See Item 10.E "Taxation - Certain Material Canadian Federal Income Tax Considerations" for more information.

  • Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 7
    Holders of exchangeable shares do not have a right to elect whether to receive cash or units upon a liquidation, exchange or redemption event. Rather, our group has the right to make such election in its sole discretion.

    In the event that (i) there is a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our company or the partnership, (ii) our company or the partnership exercises its right to redeem (or cause the redemption of) all of the then outstanding exchangeable shares, or (iii) a holder of exchangeable shares requests an exchange of exchangeable shares, holders of exchangeable shares shall be entitled to receive one unit per exchangeable share held (subject to adjustment to reflect certain capital events described in this annual report on Form 20-F and certain other payment obligations in the case of a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our company or the partnership) or its cash equivalent. The form of payment will be determined at the election of our group so a holder will not know whether cash or units will be delivered in connection with any of the events described above. Our company and the partnership currently intend to satisfy any exchange requests on the exchangeable shares through the delivery of units rather than cash. See Item 10.B "Memorandum and Articles of Association - Description of Our Share Capital - Exchangeable Shares".

  • Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 8
    Any holder requesting an exchange of their exchangeable shares for which our company or the partnership elects to provide units in satisfaction of the exchange amount may experience a delay in receiving such units, which may affect the value of the units the holder receives in an exchange.

    Each exchangeable share is exchangeable at the option of the holder for one unit (subject to adjustment to reflect certain capital events) or its cash equivalent (the form of payment to be determined at the election of our group). See Item 10.B "Memorandum and Articles of Association - Description of Our Share Capital - Exchangeable Shares - Exchange by Holder - Adjustments to Reflect Certain Capital Events." In the event cash is used to satisfy an exchange request, the amount payable per exchangeable share will be equal to the NYSE closing price of one unit on the date that the request for exchange is received by the transfer agent. As a result, any decrease in the value of the units after that date will not affect the amount of cash received. However, any holder whose exchangeable shares are exchanged for units will not receive such units for up to ten (10) business days after the applicable request is received. During this period, the market price of units may decrease. Any such decrease would affect the value of the unit consideration to be received by the holder of exchangeable shares on the effective date of the exchange. The partnership is required to maintain an effective registration statement in order to exchange any exchangeable shares for units. If a registration statement with respect to the units issuable upon any exchange, redemption or acquisition of exchangeable shares (including in connection with any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our company) is not current or is suspended for use by the SEC, no exchange or redemption of exchangeable shares for units may be effected during such period.

  • Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 9
    The exchangeable shares may not trade at the same price as the units.

    Although the exchangeable shares are intended to provide an economic return that is equivalent to the units, there can be no assurance that the market price of exchangeable shares will be equal to the market price of units at any time. If our company redeems the exchangeable shares (which can be done without the consent of the holders) at a time when the trading price of the exchangeable shares is greater than the trading price of the units, holders will receive units (or its cash equivalent) with a lower trading price. Factors that could cause differences in such market prices may include: - perception and/or recommendations by analysts, investors and/or other third parties that these securities should be priced differently;- actual or perceived differences in distributions to holders of exchangeable shares versus holders of the units, including as a result of any legal prohibitions;- business developments or financial performance or other events or conditions that may be specific to only Brookfield Infrastructure or our company; and - difficulty in the exchange mechanics between exchangeable shares and units, including any delays or difficulties experienced by the transfer agent in processing the exchange requests.

  • Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 10
    If a sufficient amount of exchangeable shares are exchanged for units, then the exchangeable shares may be de-listed.

    The exchangeable shares trade on the NYSE and the TSX. However, if a sufficient amount of exchangeable shares are exchanged for units, or our company exercises our redemption right at any time including if the total number of exchangeable shares decreases by 50% or more over any twelve-month period, our company may fail to meet the minimum listing requirements on the NYSE and the TSX, and the NYSE or the TSX may take steps to de-list the exchangeable shares. Though holders of exchangeable shares will still be entitled to exchange each such share at any time for one unit (subject to adjustment to reflect certain capital events described in Item 10.B "Memorandum and Articles of Association -Description of our Share Capital"), or its cash equivalent (the form of payment to be determined at the election of our group), a de-listing of the exchangeable shares would have a significant adverse effect on the liquidity of the exchangeable shares, and holders thereof may not be able to exit their investments in the market on favorable terms.

  • Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 11
    The market price of the exchangeable shares and units may be volatile, and holders of exchangeable shares and/or units may lose a significant portion of their investment due to drops in the market price of exchangeable shares and/or units.

    The market price of the exchangeable shares and the units may be volatile and holders of such securities may not be able to resell their securities at or above the implied price at which they acquired such securities or otherwise due to fluctuations in the market price of such securities, including changes in market price caused by factors unrelated to our company or Brookfield Infrastructure's operating performance or prospects. Specific factors that may have a significant effect on the market price of the exchangeable shares and the units include: - changes in stock market analyst recommendations or earnings estimates regarding the exchangeable shares or units, other companies and partnerships that are comparable to our company or Brookfield Infrastructure or are in the industries that they serve;- with respect to the exchangeable shares, changes in the market price of the units, and vice versa;- actual or anticipated fluctuations in our company and partnership's operating results or future prospects;- reactions to public announcements by our company and Brookfield Infrastructure;- strategic actions taken by our company or Brookfield Infrastructure;- adverse conditions in the financial market or general U.S. or international economic conditions, including those resulting from war, incidents of terrorism and responses to such events; and - sales of such securities by our company, Brookfield Infrastructure or significant stockholders.

  • Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 12
    Exchanges of exchangeable shares for units may negatively affect the market price of the units, and additional issuances of exchangeable shares would be dilutive to the units.

    Each exchangeable share is exchangeable by the holder thereof for one unit (subject to adjustment to reflect certain capital events) or its cash equivalent (the form of payment to be determined at the election of our group). See Item 10.B "Memorandum and Articles of Association - Description of Our Share Capital - Exchangeable Shares -Exchange by Holder - Adjustments to Reflect Certain Capital Events." If our group elects to deliver units in satisfaction of any such exchange request, a significant number of additional units may be issued from time to time which could have a negative impact on the market price for units. Additionally, any exchangeable shares issued by our company in the future will also be exchangeable in accordance with the terms of the exchangeable shares and, accordingly, any future exchanges satisfied by the delivery of units would dilute the percentage interest of existing holders of the units and may reduce the market price of the units.

  • Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 13
    We or the partnership may issue additional shares or units in the future, or securities exchangeable into shares or units, including in lieu of incurring indebtedness, which may dilute holders of our equity securities and could depress the trading price of our shares and/or the units. We or the partnership may also issue securities that have rights and privileges that are more favorable than the rights and privileges accorded to our equity holders.

    Subject to the terms of any of our securities then outstanding, we may issue additional securities, including exchangeable shares, class B shares, class C shares, preference shares, options, rights and warrants for any purpose and for such consideration and on such terms and conditions as our board may determine. Subject to the terms of any of our securities then outstanding, our board will be able to determine the class, designations, preferences, rights, powers and duties of any additional securities, including any rights to share in our profits, losses and dividends, any rights to receive our company's assets upon our dissolution or liquidation and any redemption, conversion and exchange rights. Subject to the terms of any of our securities then outstanding, our board may use such authority to issue such additional securities, which would dilute holders of such securities, or to issue securities with rights and privileges that are more favorable than those of our exchangeable shares. Similarly, under the partnership's limited partnership agreement, subject to the terms of any preferred units then outstanding, the partnership's general partner may issue additional partnership securities, including units, preferred units, options, rights, warrants and appreciation rights relating to partnership securities for any purpose and for such consideration and on such terms and conditions as the board of the partnership's general partner may determine. Subject to the terms of any of the partnership securities then outstanding, the board of the partnership's general partner will be able to determine the class, designations, preferences, rights, powers and duties of any additional partnership securities, including any rights to share in the partnership's profits, losses and dividends, any rights to receive the partnership's assets upon its dissolution or liquidation and any redemption, conversion and exchange rights. Subject to the terms of any of the partnership securities then outstanding, the board of the partnership's general partner may use such authority to issue such additional partnership securities, which would dilute holders of such securities, or to issue securities with rights and privileges that are more favorable than those of the units. The sale or issuance of a substantial number of our exchangeable shares, the units, other equity securities of our company or the partnership, other securities exchangeable into our exchangeable shares or the units, or the exchange of the BIPC Exchangeable LP Units or the perception that such sales, issuances or exchanges could occur, could depress the market price of our exchangeable shares and impair our ability to raise capital through the sale of additional exchangeable shares. For example, November 2021, our group issued 9,476,900 units and 2,140,000 exchangeable shares in a public offering in the United States and Canada, together with an additional 7,104,300 Redeemable Partnership Units to Brookfield in a concurrent private placement. In addition, we have also issued securities as consideration for acquisitions. For example, in connection with the acquisition of IPL, in the third and fourth quarter of 2021 we issued a total of 25,990,103 exchangeable shares and BIPC Exchange LP issued a total of 4,075,217 BIPC Exchangeable LP Units. We cannot predict the effect that future sales or issuances of our exchangeable shares, units, other equity securities, or securities exchangeable into our exchangeable shares or the units would have on the market price of our exchangeable shares or the units. Subject to the terms of any of our securities then outstanding, holders of exchangeable shares will not have any pre-emptive right or any right to consent to or otherwise approve the issuance of any securities or the terms on which any such securities may be issued.

  • Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 14
    Non-U.S. shareholders are subject to foreign currency risk associated with our company's dividends.

    A significant number of our shareholders reside in countries where the U.S. dollar is not the functional currency. Our dividends are denominated in U.S. dollars but are settled in the local currency of the shareholder receiving the dividend. For each non-U.S. shareholder, the value received in the local currency from the dividend will be determined based on the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and the applicable local currency at the time of payment. As such, if the U.S. dollar depreciates significantly against the local currency of the non-U.S. shareholder, the value received by such shareholder in its local currency will be adversely affected.

  • Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 15
    The exchangeable shares are not units and will not be treated as units for purposes of the application of applicable Canadian or U.S. rules relating to takeover bids, issuer bids and tender offers.

    Units and exchangeable shares are not securities of the same class. As a result, holders of exchangeable shares will not be entitled to participate in an offer or bid made to acquire units, and holders of units will not be entitled to participate in an offer or bid made to acquire exchangeable shares. In the event of a takeover bid for units, a holder of exchangeable shares who would like to participate would be required to tender his or her exchangeable shares for exchange, in order to receive a unit, or the cash equivalent, at the election of our group, pursuant to the exchange right. If an issuer tender offer or issuer bid is made for the units at a price in excess of the market price of the units and a comparable offer is not made for the exchangeable shares, then the conversion factor for the exchangeable shares may be adjusted. See Item 10.B "Memorandum and Articles of Association - Description of Our Share Capital - Exchangeable Shares - Exchange by Holder - Adjustments to Reflect Certain Capital Events" for more information on the circumstances in which adjustments may be made to the conversion factor.

  • Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 16
    The exchange of exchangeable shares for units may result in the U.S. federal income taxation of any gain realized by a U.S. Holder.

    Depending on the facts and circumstances, the exchange of exchangeable shares for units by a U.S. Holder may result in the U.S. federal income taxation of any gain realized by such U.S. Holder. In general, a U.S. Holder exchanging exchangeable shares for units pursuant to the exercise of the exchange right will recognize capital gain or loss (i) if the exchange request is satisfied by the delivery of units by Brookfield pursuant to the Rights Agreement or (ii) if the exchange request is satisfied by the delivery of units by our company and the exchange is, within the meaning of Section 302(b) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code, in "complete redemption" of the U.S. Holder's equity interest in our company, a "substantially disproportionate" redemption of stock, or "not essentially equivalent to a dividend", applying certain constructive ownership rules that take into account not only the exchangeable shares and other equity interests in our company actually owned but also other equity interests in our company treated as constructively owned by such U.S. Holder for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If an exchange request satisfied by the delivery of units by our company is not treated as a sale or exchange under the foregoing rules, then it will be treated as a taxable distribution equal to the amount of cash and the fair market value of property received (such as units) without any offset for a U.S. Holder's tax basis in the exchangeable shares exchanged. In general, if the partnership satisfies an exchange request by delivering units to a U.S. Holder pursuant to the partnership's exercise of the partnership call right, then the U.S. Holder's exchange of exchangeable shares for units will qualify as tax-free under Section 721(a) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code, unless at the time of such exchange, the partnership (i) is a publicly traded partnership treated as a corporation or (ii) would be an "investment company" if it were incorporated for purposes of Section 721(b) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code. In the case described in (i) or (ii) of the preceding sentence, a holder that is a U.S. taxpayer may recognize gain upon the exchange. We understand that the general partner of the partnership believes that the partnership will be treated as a partnership and not as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In addition, based on the shareholders' rights in the event of the liquidation or dissolution of our company (or the partnership) and the terms of the exchangeable shares, which are intended to provide an economic return equivalent to the economic return on the units (including identical distributions), and taking into account the expected relative values of the partnership's assets and its ratable share of the assets of its subsidiaries for the foreseeable future, we understand that the general partner of the partnership currently expects that a U.S. Holder's exchange of exchangeable shares for units pursuant to the exercise of the partnership call right will not be treated as a transfer to an investment company for purposes of Section 721(b) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code. Accordingly, we understand that the general partner of the partnership currently expects a U.S. Holder's exchange of exchangeable shares for units pursuant to the partnership's exercise of the partnership call right to qualify as tax-free under Section 721(a) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code. However, no definitive determination can be made as to whether any such future exchange will qualify as tax-free under Section 721(a) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code, as this will depend on the facts and circumstances at the time of the exchange. Many of these facts and circumstances are not within the control of the partnership, and no assurance can be provided as to the position, if any, taken by the general partner of the partnership with regard to the U.S. federal income tax treatment of any such exchange. Nor can any assurance be given that the IRS will not assert, or that a court would not sustain, a position contrary to any future position taken by the partnership. If Section 721(a) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code does not apply, then a U.S. Holder who exchanges exchangeable shares for units pursuant to the partnership's exercise of the partnership call right will be treated as if such holder had sold its exchangeable shares to the partnership in a taxable transaction for cash in an amount equal to the value of the units received. Even if a U.S. Holder's transfer of exchangeable shares in exchange for units pursuant to the partnership's exercise of the partnership call right qualifies as tax-free under Section 721(a) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code, we understand that the general partner of the partnership currently expects for the partnership and Holding LP to immediately undertake subsequent transfers of such exchangeable shares that would result in the allocation to such U.S. Holder of any gain realized under Section 704(c)(1) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code. Under this provision, if appreciated property is contributed to a partnership, the contributing partner must recognize any gain that was realized but not recognized for U.S. federal income tax purposes with respect to the property at the time of the contribution (referred to as "built-in gain") if the partnership sells such property (or otherwise transfers such property in a taxable exchange) at any time thereafter or distributes such property to another partner within seven years of the contribution in a transaction that does not otherwise result in the recognition of "built-in gain" by the partnership. If, contrary to the current expectations of the general partner of the partnership, Section 704(c)(1) does not apply as a result of any such subsequent transfers by the partnership or Holding LP of exchangeable shares transferred by a U.S. Holder for units in an exchange qualifying as tax-free under Section 721(a) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code, then such U.S. Holder could, nonetheless, be required to recognize part or all of the built-in gain in its exchangeable shares deferred as a result of such exchange under Section 737 or Section 707(a) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code, depending on whether the partnership or Holding LP were to make certain types of distributions to such U.S. Holder following the exchange. For a more complete discussion of the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the exchange of exchangeable shares for units, see Item 10.E "Taxation - Certain Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations - Consequences to U.S. Holders - Ownership and Disposition of Exchangeable Shares" below. The U.S. federal income tax consequences of exchanging exchangeable shares for units are complex, and U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisers regarding such consequences in light of their particular circumstances.

  • Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 17
    Distributions on exchangeable shares made to Non-U.S. Holders may be subject to U.S. withholding tax if Section 871(m) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code applies.

    Distributions on exchangeable shares made to Non-U.S. Holders generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax, except that U.S. withholding tax may apply to any portion of a distribution made on exchangeable shares that is treated as a deemed dividend under Section 871(m) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code. Specifically, a 30% withholding tax generally applies to deemed dividend amounts ("dividend equivalents") with respect to certain contractual arrangements held by non-U.S. persons which reference any interest in an entity if that interest could give rise to a U.S.-source dividend. Under Treasury Regulations, a Section 871(m) transaction is treated as directly referencing the assets of a partnership that holds significant investments in certain securities (such as stock of a U.S. corporation). The partnership indirectly holds stock of a U.S. corporation through the Holding LP, and the exchangeable shares are intended to be structured so that distributions are identical to distributions on units. Accordingly, the contractual arrangements relating to the exchangeable shares could be subject to Section 871(m) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code, as discussed below. Whether U.S. withholding tax applies with respect to a Section 871(m) transaction depends, in part, on whether it is classified for purposes of Section 871(m) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code as a "simple" contract or "complex" contract. No direct authority addresses whether the contractual arrangements relating to the exchangeable shares constitute a simple contract or a complex contract. Our company intends to take the position and believes that such contractual arrangements do not constitute a simple contract. In such case, under Treasury Regulations, as modified by an IRS Notice, such contractual arrangements should not be subject to Section 871(m) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code before January 1, 2023, and no portion of a distribution made on exchangeable shares before such date should be subject to U.S. withholding tax by reason of treatment as a dividend equivalent under Section 871(m). For distributions made on exchangeable shares on or after January 1, 2023, Section 871(m) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code will apply if the contractual arrangements relating to the exchangeable shares meet a "substantial equivalence" test. If this is the case, U.S. federal withholding tax (generally at a rate of 30%) is expected to apply to any portion of a distribution on exchangeable shares that is treated as a dividend equivalent and paid on or after January 1, 2023. This 30% withholding tax may be reduced or eliminated under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code or an applicable income tax treaty, provided that the Non-U.S. Holder properly certifies its eligibility by providing an IRS Form W-8. If, notwithstanding the foregoing, our company is unable to accurately or timely determine the tax status of a Non-U.S. Holder for purposes of establishing whether reduced rates of withholding apply, then U.S. withholding tax at a rate of 30% may apply to any portion of a distribution on exchangeable shares that is treated as a dividend equivalent under Section 871(m) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code. A dividend equivalent may also be subject to a 30% withholding tax under the Foreign Account Tax Compliance provisions of the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act of 2010 ("FATCA"), unless a Non-U.S. Holder properly certifies its FATCA status on IRS Form W-8 or other applicable form and satisfies any additional requirements under FATCA. Notwithstanding the foregoing, our company's position that the contractual arrangements relating to the exchangeable shares do not constitute a simple contract does not bind the IRS. The Treasury Regulations under Section 871(m) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code require complex determinations with respect to contractual arrangements linked to U.S. equities, and the application of these regulations to the exchangeable shares is uncertain. Accordingly, the IRS could challenge our company's position and assert that the contractual arrangements relating to the exchangeable shares constitute a simple contract, in which case U.S. withholding tax currently would apply, generally at a rate of 30% (subject to reduction or elimination under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code or an applicable income tax treaty), to that portion, if any, of a distribution on exchangeable shares that is treated as referencing a U.S.-source dividend paid to the partnership or the Holding LP. Non-U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisers regarding the implications of Section 871(m) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code and FATCA for their ownership of exchangeable shares with regard to their particular circumstances. For a more complete discussion of the U.S. federal income tax consequences to Non-U.S. Holders of owning exchangeable shares, see Item 10.E "Taxation - Certain Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations - Consequences to Non-U.S. Holders - Ownership and Disposition of Exchangeable Shares" below. The U.S. federal income tax consequences of owning exchangeable shares are complex, and Non-U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisers regarding such consequences in light of their particular circumstances.

  • Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 18
    U.S. investors in our exchangeable shares may find it difficult or impossible to enforce service of process and enforcement of judgments against us and our board and the Service Providers.

    We were established under the laws of the Province of British Columbia, and most of our subsidiaries are organized in jurisdictions outside of the United States. In addition, our executive officers are located outside of the United States. Certain of our directors and officers and the Service Providers reside outside of the United States. A substantial portion of our assets are, and the assets of our directors and officers and the Service Providers may be located outside of the United States. It may not be possible for investors to effect service of process within the United States upon our directors and officers and the Service Providers. It may also not be possible to enforce against us, or our directors and officers and the Service Providers, judgments obtained in U.S. courts predicated upon the civil liability provisions of applicable securities law in the United States.

See a full breakdown of risk according to category and subcategory. The list starts with the category with the most risk. Click on subcategories to read relevant extracts from the most recent report.

FAQ

What are “Risk Factors”?
Risk factors are any situations or occurrences that could make investing in a company risky. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) requires that publicly traded companies disclose their most significant risk factors. This is so that potential investors can consider any risks before they make an investment. They also offer companies protection, as a company can use risk factors as liability protection. This could happen if a company underperforms and investors take legal action as a result. It is worth noting that smaller companies, that is those with a public float of under $75 million on the last business day, do not have to include risk factors in their 10-K and 10-Q forms, although some may choose to do so.
How do companies disclose their risk factors?
Publicly traded companies initially disclose their risk factors to the SEC through their S-1 filings as part of the IPO process. Additionally, companies must provide a complete list of risk factors in their Annual Reports (Form 10-K) or (Form 20-F) for “foreign private issuers”. Quarterly Reports also include a section on risk factors (Form 10-Q) where companies are only required to update any changes since the previous report. According to the SEC, risk factors should be reported concisely, logically and in “plain English” so investors can understand them.
How can I use TipRanks risk factors in my stock research?
Use the Risk Factors tab to get data about the risk factors of any company in which you are considering investing. You can easily see the most significant risks a company is facing. Additionally, you can find out which risk factors a company has added, removed or adjusted since its previous disclosure. You can also see how a company’s risk factors compare to others in its sector. Without reading company reports or participating in conference calls, you would most likely not have access to this sort of information, which is usually not included in press releases or other public announcements. A simplified analysis of risk factors is unique to TipRanks.
What are all the risk factor categories?
TipRanks has identified 6 major categories of risk factors and a number of subcategories for each. You can see how these categories are broken down in the list below. 1. Financial & Corporate Accounting & Financial Operations - risks related to accounting loss, value of intangible assets, financial statements, value of intangible assets, financial reporting, estimates, guidance, company profitability, dividends, fluctuating results. Share Price & Shareholder Rights – risks related to things that impact share prices and the rights of shareholders, including analyst ratings, major shareholder activity, trade volatility, liquidity of shares, anti-takeover provisions, international listing, dual listing. Debt & Financing – risks related to debt, funding, financing and interest rates, financial investments. Corporate Activity and Growth – risks related to restructuring, M&As, joint ventures, execution of corporate strategy, strategic alliances. 2. Legal & Regulatory Litigation and Legal Liabilities – risks related to litigation/ lawsuits against the company. Regulation – risks related to compliance, GDPR, and new legislation. Environmental / Social – risks related to environmental regulation and to data privacy. Taxation & Government Incentives – risks related to taxation and changes in government incentives. 3. Production Costs – risks related to costs of production including commodity prices, future contracts, inventory. Supply Chain – risks related to the company’s suppliers. Manufacturing – risks related to the company’s manufacturing process including product quality and product recalls. Human Capital – risks related to recruitment, training and retention of key employees, employee relationships & unions labor disputes, pension, and post retirement benefits, medical, health and welfare benefits, employee misconduct, employee litigation. 4. Technology & Innovation Innovation / R&D – risks related to innovation and new product development. Technology – risks related to the company’s reliance on technology. Cyber Security – risks related to securing the company’s digital assets and from cyber attacks. Trade Secrets & Patents – risks related to the company’s ability to protect its intellectual property and to infringement claims against the company as well as piracy and unlicensed copying. 5. Ability to Sell Demand – risks related to the demand of the company’s goods and services including seasonality, reliance on key customers. Competition – risks related to the company’s competition including substitutes. Sales & Marketing – risks related to sales, marketing, and distribution channels, pricing, and market penetration. Brand & Reputation – risks related to the company’s brand and reputation. 6. Macro & Political Economy & Political Environment – risks related to changes in economic and political conditions. Natural and Human Disruptions – risks related to catastrophes, floods, storms, terror, earthquakes, coronavirus pandemic/COVID-19. International Operations – risks related to the global nature of the company. Capital Markets – risks related to exchange rates and trade, cryptocurrency.