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Chicken Soup For The Soul Entertainment (CSSEQ) Risk Analysis
Risk Overview Q1, 2024
Source: the company's latest filing for the period ended Mar 31, 2024, filed May 20, 2024
Risk Change Over Time
- Debt & Financing - Risk 1Although we have an effective forbearance agreement with our principal lender, the forbearance period thereunder is limited and requires us to successfully consummate numerous complex transactions.
Although we have entered into a forbearance agreement with our principal lender, this agreement only provides for a limited period of forbearance during which we must negotiate and consummate certain complex licensing and asset-related financing transactions. While we have entered into term sheets for these transactions, such term sheets are non-binding and the transactions are subject to the negotiation of definitive agreements and thereafter various conditions to closing. Complex transactions involve numerous risks that can result in the terms of such transactions being modified or the transactions failing to close, including general economic risks that are beyond our control. In the event we are unable to consummate these transactions on or prior to June 6, 2024, and pay down at least $75 million of our outstanding obligations with our principal lender, the forbearance period will end, and such lender will be entitled to pursue numerous remedies against our company. In the event we are successful in closing these transactions and making the necessary initial paydown, we would be required to identify, negotiate and consummate other transactions during the period for June 7, 2024, through September 30, 2024, that result in our principal lender receiving a pre-agreed repayment amount. If we are unable to accomplish the foregoing on or prior to September 30, 2024, the principal lender will be entitled to pursue numerous remedies against our company.
- Debt & Financing - Risk 2We have defaulted under our publicly traded bonds (Nasdaq: CSSEN) which could have adverse consequences to our publicly announced capital initiatives and our company.
We have defaulted on the payment of quarterly interest on our publicly traded bonds (Nasdaq: CSSEN) and have not cured such default within the initially prescribed time. Although we are engaged in discussions with the trustee, the trustee and holders of the bonds currently have available to them all remedies prescribed by the indentures governing the bonds, including the right to demand acceleration of payment of all unpaid principal and interest thereunder, which as of the date hereof is $46.0 million in the aggregate. As part of our publicly announced strategic plan and related capital initiatives, we believe we will be able to fulfill our obligations in the future and repay any accrued and unpaid interest on the bonds, if the bonds are accelerated, such acceleration will cause material harm to our company and could make the execution of our strategic plan and capital initiatives more difficult to achieve and could result in material harm to our financial position.
Risk Highlights Q1, 2024
Risk Word Cloud
Risk Factors Full Breakdown - Total Risks 84
- Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 1The market price of our Class A Common Stock may fall below the exercise price of our warrants.
The market price of our Class A Common Stock may fall below the exercise prices of our warrants and remain below such exercise prices through the date of expiration of our warrants. Any warrants not exercised by their date of expiration will expire worthless and we will be under no further obligation to the warrant holder.
- Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 2Holders of our warrants will have no rights as a common stockholder until such warrants are exercised.
Until holders of our warrants acquire shares of our Class A Common Stock they will have no rights with respect to the shares of Class A Common Stock underlying such warrants.
- Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 3Our Redbox Warrants are listed on Nasdaq under the symbol "CSSEL" and our Class Z Warrants are quoted on the OTC Pink Market but a market may not develop for these warrants.
? Our Redbox Warrants are listed on Nasdaq under the symbol "CSSEL" and our Class Z Warrants are quoted on the OTC Pink Market under the symbol "CSSEZ", respectively. We cannot assure you that active trading markets for these warrants will develop, or, if developed, will be sustained. With respect to the Class Z Warrants, the over-the-counter market is a significantly more limited market than Nasdaq, due to factors such as the reduced number of investors that will consider investing in securities traded over the counter, the reduced number of market makers in the securities, and the reduced number of securities analysts that follow such securities. As a result of the foregoing, holders of our warrants may find it difficult to resell their warrants at prices quoted in the market or at all. You may be unable to sell Class Z Warrants unless a market for such securities can be established or sustained.
- Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 4The Series A Preferred Stock is not convertible into Class A Common Stock, including in the event of a change of control, and investors will not realize a corresponding upside if the price of the Class A Common Stock increases.
The Series A Preferred Stock is not convertible into shares of Class A Common Stock and earns dividends at a fixed rate. Accordingly, an increase in market price of our Class A Common Stock will not necessarily result in an increase in the market price of our Series A Preferred Stock. The market value of the Series A Preferred Stock may depend more on dividend and interest rates for other preferred stock, commercial paper and other investment alternatives and our actual and perceived ability to pay dividends on, and in the event of dissolution satisfy the liquidation preference with respect to, the Series A Preferred Stock.
- Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 5A reduction in the credit rating of our Series A Preferred Stock could adversely affect the pricing and liquidity of such stock.
Any downward revision or withdrawal of the credit rating on our Series A Preferred Stock could materially adversely affect market confidence in such stock and could cause material decreases in the market price of such stock and could diminish market liquidity.
- Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 6The Series A Preferred Stock ranks junior to all our indebtedness and other liabilities.
In the event of our bankruptcy, liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of our affairs, our assets will be available to pay obligations on the Series A Preferred Stock only after all our indebtedness and other liabilities have been paid. The rights of holders of the Series A Preferred Stock to participate in the distribution of our assets will rank junior to the prior claims of our current and future creditors and any future series or class of preferred stock we may issue that ranks senior to the Series A Preferred Stock. Also, the Series A Preferred Stock effectively ranks junior to all existing and future indebtedness and to the indebtedness and other liabilities of our existing subsidiaries and any future subsidiaries. Our existing subsidiaries are, and future subsidiaries would be, separate legal entities and have no legal obligation to pay any amounts to us in respect of dividends due on the Series A Preferred Stock. We have incurred and may in the future incur substantial amounts of debt and other obligations that will rank senior to the Series A Preferred Stock. As of December 31, 2023, our total liabilities (excluding contingent consideration) equaled approximately $920.6 million. If we are forced to liquidate our assets to pay our creditors, we may not have sufficient assets to pay amounts due on any or all the Series A Preferred Stock then outstanding.
- Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 7The market price of the Series A Preferred Stock could be substantially affected by various factors.
The market price of the Series A Preferred Stock depends on many factors, some of which are beyond our control and may not be directly related to our operating performance. These factors include, but are not limited to, the following: - prevailing interest rates, increases in which may have an adverse effect on the market price of the Series A Preferred Stock;- trading prices of similar securities;- our history of timely dividend payments;- the annual yield from dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock as compared to yields on other financial instruments;- general economic and financial market conditions;- government action or regulation;- the financial condition, performance and prospects of us and our competitors;- changes in financial estimates or recommendations by securities analysts with respect to us or our competitors in our industry - our issuance of additional preferred equity or debt securities; and - actual or anticipated variations in quarterly operating results of us and our competitors.
- Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 8A holder of Series A Preferred Stock has extremely limited voting rights.
The voting rights for a holder of Series A Preferred Stock are limited. Our shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock vote together as a single class and are the only class of our securities that carry full voting rights. Mr. Rouhana, our chairman of the board and chief executive officer, beneficially owns the vast majority of the voting power of our outstanding common stock. As a result, Mr. Rouhana exercises a significant level of control over all matters requiring stockholder approval, including the election of directors, amendment of our certificate of incorporation, and approval of significant corporate transactions. This control could have the effect of delaying or preventing a change of control of our company or changes in management and will make the approval of certain transactions difficult or impossible without his support, which in turn could reduce the price of our Series A Preferred Stock. Voting rights for holders of the Series A Preferred Stock exist primarily with respect to the ability to elect, voting together with the holders of any other series of our preferred stock having similar voting rights, two additional directors to our board of directors in the event that eighteen monthly dividends (whether or not consecutive) payable on the Series A Preferred Stock are in arrears, and with respect to voting on amendments to our certificate of incorporation, including the certificate of designations relating to the Series A Preferred Stock, that materially and adversely affect the rights of the holders of Series A Preferred Stock or authorize, increase or create additional classes or series of our capital stock that are senior to the Series A Preferred Stock.
- Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 9We may redeem the Series A Preferred Stock.
On or after June 27, 2023, we may, at our option, redeem the Series A Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, at any time or from time to time. Also, upon the occurrence of a Change of Control prior to June 27, 2023, we may, at our option, redeem the Series A Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, within 120 days after the first date on which such Change of Control occurred. We may have an incentive to redeem the Series A Preferred Stock voluntarily if market conditions allow us to issue other preferred stock or debt securities at a rate that is lower than the dividend rate on the Series A Preferred Stock. If we redeem the Series A Preferred Stock, then from and after the redemption date, dividends will cease to accrue on shares of Series A Preferred Stock, the shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall no longer be deemed outstanding and all rights as a holder of those shares will terminate, except the right to receive the redemption price plus accumulated and unpaid dividends, if any, payable upon redemption.
- Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 10Only a limited market exists for our Class A Common Stock, Series A Preferred Stock, Notes and Warrants, which could lead to price volatility.
Our Class A Common Stock, Series A Preferred Stock, Notes and Redbox Warrants trade on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbols "CSSE", "CSSEP", "CSSEN" and "CSSEL", respectively. Our Class Z warrants are quoted on the OTC Markets under the symbol "CSSEZ," respectively. However, trading volume for our securities has historically been relatively limited. The limited trading market for our securities may cause fluctuations in the market value of these securities to be exaggerated, leading to price volatility in excess of that which would occur in a more active trading market for our securities. We currently face delisting of our securities on Nasdaq and have a scheduled hearing in May 2024 to appeal the delisting notice. The delisting of our securities will materially harm liquidity and likely the value of such securities.
- Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 11We utilize At the Market Issuance Sales Agreements and private sales, pursuant to which we may offer and sell, from time to time, shares of Class A Common Stock and shares of Series A Preferred Stock, which may adversely affect the price of our Class A Common Stock and Series A Preferred Stock .
We utilize At the Market Issuance Sales Agreement ("ATM Agreements") and private sales pursuant to which we may issue shares of Class A Common Stock and Series A Preferred Stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $1,000,000,000. The sale of Class A Common Stock will dilute our other equity holders and may adversely affect the market price of the Class A Common Stock. Issuance of shares of our Series A Preferred Stock will increase our dividend payment obligations and increase the liquidation preference. Under our currently existing ATM Agreement with Virtu Americas and B. Riley, for the year ended December 31, 2023, we have sold an aggregate of 1,200,703 shares of Series A Preferred Stock, generating net proceeds to us of $18.8 million. Outside of that, we completed private unregistered sales of 1,200,000 shares of preferred stock, generating $8.1 million.
- Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 12A substantial number of shares of our Class A Common Stock may be issued upon exercise of outstanding warrants, which could adversely affect the price of our publicly traded securities.
A substantial number of shares of Class A Common Stock may be issued upon the exercise of outstanding warrants, including the following: - Class Z Warrants, exercisable for up to an aggregate of 123,109 shares of Class A Common Stock at a price of $12.00 per share;- Class I Warrants, exercisable for up to an aggregate of 800,000 shares of our Class A Common Stock at an exercise price of $8.13 per share;- Class II Warrants, exercisable for up to an aggregate of 1,200,000 shares of our Class A Common Stock at an exercise price of $9.67 per share;- Class III-A Warrants, exercisable for up to an aggregate of 380,000 shares of our Class A Common Stock at an exercise price of $11.61 per share;- Class III-B Warrants, exercisable for up to an aggregate of 1,620,000 shares of our Class A Common Stock at an exercise price of $11.61 per share;- Redbox Warrants, exercisable for up to an aggregate of 1,378,248 shares of our Class A Common Stock at an exercise price of $132.18 per share. If all of the outstanding warrants are exercised for cash we will be required to issue an aggregate of 5,501,357 shares of Class A Common Stock, or approximately 20% of our Class A Common Stock outstanding as of December 31, 2023. The warrant holders will likely exercise the warrants only at a time when it is economically beneficial to do so. Accordingly, the exercise of these warrants will significantly dilute our other equity holders and may adversely affect the market price of our publicly traded securities.
- Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 13Because our common stock currently trades at prices below $5.00 per share, we are subject to "penny stock" rules.
As a company whose securities are traded at a low price per share, we are subject to additional regulatory requirements under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, commonly referred to as the "penny stock rules." These rules impose certain disclosure and trading restrictions on broker-dealers who engage in transactions in penny stocks, defined generally as equity securities with a price of less than $5.00 per share. The penny stock rules require broker-dealers to provide specific disclosures to investors prior to executing transactions in penny stocks. These disclosures include information about the risks associated with investing in penny stocks, the salesperson's compensation, and the bid and offer quotations for the penny stock. Additionally, the rules require broker-dealers to obtain written consent from investors before executing transactions in penny stocks, confirming that the investors have received the required disclosures and understand the risks involved. The trading restrictions imposed by the penny stock rules may limit the liquidity and marketability of our securities. As a result, investors may find it more difficult to sell their shares at prevailing market prices or to find a willing buyer for their shares. This limited liquidity may contribute to greater price volatility and wider bid-ask spreads for our securities, which could negatively impact the market price of our common stock. Furthermore, the additional regulatory requirements associated with trading as a penny stock may deter broker-dealers from facilitating transactions in our securities. This reduced market-making activity may further exacerbate the liquidity and trading challenges faced by investors in our stock. Investors should be aware of the risks associated with trading in penny stocks, including limited liquidity, heightened price volatility, and the potential for regulatory scrutiny. These risks may make it more difficult for investors to buy or sell our securities at favorable prices and could result in losses for investors.
- Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 14Our certificate of incorporation provides, subject to limited exceptions, that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware is the sole and exclusive forum for certain stockholder litigation matters, which could limit our stockholders' ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with us or our directors, officers, employees or stockholders.
Our certificate of incorporation requires, to the fullest extent permitted by law, that derivative actions brought in our name, actions against directors, officers and employees for breach of fiduciary duty and other similar actions may be brought only in the Court of Chancery in the State of Delaware (or if the Court of Chancery does not have jurisdiction, another state court located within the State of Delaware, or if no state court located within the State of Delaware has jurisdiction, the federal district court for the District of Delaware) and, if brought outside of Delaware, the stockholder bringing the suit will be deemed to have consented to the personal jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located within the State of Delaware and to service of process on such stockholder's counsel. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of our capital stock shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the forum provisions in our certificate of incorporation. This choice of forum provision may limit a stockholder's ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes with us or any of our directors, officers or employees, which may discourage lawsuits with respect to such claims. We cannot be certain that a court will decide that this provision is either applicable or enforceable, and if a court were to find the choice of forum provision contained in our certificate of incorporation to be inapplicable or unenforceable in an action, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving such action in other jurisdictions, which could harm our business, operating results and financial condition. Our certificate of incorporation provides that the exclusive forum provision is applicable to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law. Section 27 of the Exchange Act creates exclusive federal jurisdiction over all suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Exchange Act or the rules and regulations thereunder. As a result, we anticipate that the exclusive forum provision will not apply to suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Exchange Act, the Securities Act or any other claim for which the federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction and the exclusive forum provision is not intended to waive our compliance with federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder or bar claims properly brought thereunder.
- Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 15Certain conflicts of interest may arise between us and our affiliated companies and we have waived certain rights with respect thereto.
Our certificate of incorporation includes a provision stating that we renounce any interest or expectancy in any business opportunities that are presented to us or our officers, directors or stockholders or affiliates thereof, except as may be set forth in any written agreement between us and any of the CSS Companies (such as the CSS License Agreement under which CSS has agreed that all video content operations shall be conducted only through our company). This provision also states that, to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law, our officers, directors and employees shall not be liable to us or our stockholders for monetary damages for breach of any fiduciary duty by reason of any of our activities or any activities of any of the CSS Companies. As a result of these provisions, there may be conflicts of interest among us and our officers, directors, stockholders or their affiliates, including the CSS Companies, relating to business opportunities, and we have waived our right to monetary damages in the event of any such conflict.
- Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 16We have received a delisting notice from Nasdaq, which may diminish or eliminate an active trading market for our common stock, our 9.75% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock ("Series A Preferred Stock"), and outstanding publicly traded notes ("Notes").
In March 2024, we received a notification from the NASDAQ Capital Market indicating that we have failed to comply with certain continued listing standards. Specifically, we do not meet the minimum bid price requirement and the minimum stockholders' equity threshold as prescribed by NASDAQ rules. This non-compliance presents several material risks to our company and our shareholders. We have appealed the delisting, but there can be no certainty that we will be successful. The appeals process will require us to put forth a definitive plan to regain and maintain compliance. If our appeal is not successful, our common stock, Series A preferred stock and Notes will be delisted, which would likely lead to reduced liquidity for our securities, limiting investors' ability to buy and sell such securities. This could also result in decreased visibility in the market and a reduction in the value of our securities. Failure to maintain our Nasdaq listing would make it more difficult and more expensive for us to raise capital, which would materially adversely affect our business and operations.
- Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 17There is substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern and this could materially impact our ability to obtain capital financing and the value of our common and preferred stock.
CSSE's merger with Redbox occurred in August 2022. The merger included the assumption of $359.9 million of debt. The ability to service this debt was predicated on a partial return to pre-COVID levels in the number and cadence of theatrical releases that were available to the Company for its kiosk network, as well as cost synergies. The corresponding rebound in demand for physical kiosk rentals was expected to return to approximately a third of 2019 levels, along with expected synergies from the acquisition, would generate sufficient cash flows to cover the cash needs of the combined businesses. Since the acquisition, operating results have not met management's expectations, particularly Redbox's kiosk rentals, resulting in insufficient cash flows and working capital to operate the business efficiently. The combination of these factors has resulted in an increasing number of defaults and/or contractual terminations across critical counterparties and service providers, impacting our ability to procure and monetize content efficiently across our distribution platforms. Due to the on-going impact of these factors on our future results of operations, cash flows and financial condition, as well as our inability to factor longer dated receivables under our credit facility constraints, there is substantial doubt as to the ability of the Company to continue as a going concern. The Company is considering strategic alternatives and transactions, as well as restructuring actions and initiatives to improve its efficiency and reduce its cost structure. However, there can be no assurance that these steps will be sufficient to mitigate the adverse trends we are experiencing in our businesses. Management may seek to implement further cost and capital expenditure reductions, as necessary. Even if the Company is able to achieve some or all of the contemplated actions, there can be no assurances that we can complete any such actions or strategic transactions in amounts sufficient to alleviate the substantial doubt regarding the Company's ability to continue as a going concern. If we cannot continue as a going concern, our stockholders would likely lose most or all of their investment in our company and holders of our indebtedness may also suffer material losses on their investments. Reports raising substantial doubt as to a company's ability to continue as a going concern are generally viewed unfavorably by analysts and investors and could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial position, results of operations and liquidity.
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