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IBEX (IBEX) Risk Analysis
Risk Overview Q1, 2024
Source: the company's latest filing for the period ended Mar 31, 2024, filed May 09, 2024
Risk Change Over Time
- Corporate Activity and Growth - Risk 1We have a limited operating history as an integrated company under the IBEX brand, which makes it difficult to evaluate our future prospects and the risks and uncertainties we may encounter.
Prior to June 30, 2017, our business was conducted through various wholly- or majority-owned portfolio companies of TRGI, which we refer to as the Continuing Business Entities. On June 30, 2017, TRGI completed a series of transactions, which we refer to as the Reorganization Transaction, as a result of which the Continuing Business Entities became our subsidiaries. Although our subsidiaries have individually conducted operations for years, we have a limited history operating the Continuing Business Entities as an integrated business under the IBEX brand, which make it difficult to evaluate our future prospects and the risks and uncertainties we may encounter in seeking to execute on our strategies. These risks and uncertainties include our ability to: - cross-sell our full spectrum of CLX solutions;- educate the market on our full spectrum of CLX solutions;- reposition and expand our brand to reflect our full spectrum of CLX solutions; and - manage and execute our full spectrum of CLX solutions as part of an integrated company. Our historical performance, or that of our subsidiaries, should not be considered indicative of our future performance. We have encountered and expect to continue to encounter risks and uncertainties frequently experienced by growing companies in rapidly changing industries, such as the risks and uncertainties described above and elsewhere in this annual report. If we are unable to successfully address these risks and uncertainties, our business, financial condition, operating results and prospects could be materially adversely affected. For more information, see "Item 4A. History and development of the company" and "Item 7A. Major Shareholders."
Risk Highlights Q1, 2024
Risk Word Cloud
Risk Factors Full Breakdown - Total Risks 49
- Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 1The market price of our common shares may be volatile.
The stock market in general, and the market for equities of newer public companies in particular, have been highly volatile. As a result, the market price of our common shares is likely to be similarly volatile, and investors in our common shares may experience a decrease, which could be substantial, in the value of their common shares, including decreases unrelated to our operating performance or prospects, or a complete loss of their investment. The price of our common shares could be subject to significant fluctuations in response to a number of factors, including those listed elsewhere in this "Risk Factors" section and others such as: - variations in our operating performance and the performance of our competitors;- actual or anticipated fluctuations in our quarterly or annual operating results;- changes in our revenues or earnings estimates or recommendations by securities analysts;- publication of research reports by securities analysts about us or our competitors in our industry;- failure of securities analysts to initiate or maintain coverage of us, changes in ratings and financial estimates and the publication of other news by any securities analysts who follow our company, or our failure to meet these estimates or the expectations of investors;- our failure or the failure of our competitors to meet analysts' projections or guidance that we or our competitors may give to the market;- additions or departures of key personnel;- strategic decisions by us or our competitors, such as acquisitions, divestitures, spin-offs, joint ventures, strategic investments or changes in business strategy;- announcement of technological innovations by us or our competitors;- the passage of legislation, changes in interpretations of laws or other regulatory events or developments affecting us;- speculation in the press or investment community;- changes in accounting principles;- terrorist acts, acts of war or periods of widespread civil unrest;- health pandemics (including the Pandemic);- changes in general market and economic conditions;- changes or trends in our industry;- investors' perception of our prospects; and - adverse resolution of any new or pending litigation against us. In the past, securities class action litigation has often been initiated against companies following periods of volatility in their stock price. This type of litigation could result in substantial costs and divert our management's attention and resources and could also require us to make substantial payments to satisfy judgments or to settle or defend litigation.
- Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 2We have the ability to issue preferred shares without shareholder approval.
Our common shares may be subordinate to classes of preferred shares issued in the future in the payment of dividends and other distributions made with respect to the common shares, including distributions upon liquidation or dissolution. Our board of directors is authorized to issue preferred shares without first obtaining shareholder approval. If we issue preferred shares, it will create additional securities that may have dividend or liquidation preferences senior to the common shares. If we issue convertible preferred shares, a subsequent conversion may dilute the current common shareholders' interest.
- Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 3Anti-takeover provisions in our bye-laws could make an acquisition of us, which may be beneficial to our shareholders, more difficult and may prevent attempts by our shareholders to replace or remove our current management.
Provisions in our bye-laws may delay or prevent an acquisition of us or a change in our management. In addition, by making it more difficult for shareholders to replace members of our board of directors, these provisions also may frustrate or prevent any attempts by our shareholders to replace or remove our current management because our board of directors is responsible for appointing the members of our management team. These provisions include: - the ability of our board of directors to determine the rights, preferences and privileges of our preferred shares and to issue the preferred shares without shareholder approval; and - the ability of our major shareholder (i.e., a shareholder holding 50% or more; in the absence of such a holder, 25% or more) to appoint directors to the Board. These provisions could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire us, even if the third party's offer may be considered beneficial by many shareholders. As a result, shareholders may be limited in their ability to obtain a premium for their shares.
- Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 4A significant portion of our total outstanding shares may be sold into the market in the near future. This could cause the market price of our common shares to drop significantly, even if our business is doing well.
Sales of a substantial number of our common shares in the public market could occur at any time. These sales, or the perception in the market that the holders of a large number of shares intend to sell shares, could reduce the market price of our common shares. As of September 1, 2023, we have 18,303,853 outstanding common shares. Certain of our security holders have rights, subject to some conditions, to require us to file registration statements covering common shares that it holds or to include their shares in registration statements that we may file for ourselves or for other shareholders.
- Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 5Certain U.S. holders of our common shares may suffer adverse U.S. tax consequences if we are characterized as a passive foreign investment company.
Based on our gross income and the average value of our gross assets, and our current share price, as well as the nature of our business, we do not expect to be classified as a "passive foreign investment company," or PFIC, for U.S. federal income tax purposes for the current tax year or in tax years in the foreseeable future. A corporation organized outside the United States generally will be classified as a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes in any taxable year in which at least 75% of its gross income is passive income or, on average, at least 50% of the gross value of its assets is attributable to assets that produce passive income or are held for the production of passive income. Passive income for this purpose generally includes dividends, interest, royalties, rents and gains from commodities and securities transactions. Our status in any taxable year will depend on our assets and activities in each year, and because this is a factual determination made annually after the end of each taxable year, there can be no assurance that we will not be considered a PFIC for the current taxable year or any future taxable year. The market value of our assets may be determined in large part by reference to the market price of our common shares, which is likely to fluctuate. If we were to be treated as a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. holder held our common shares, however, certain adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences could apply to the U.S. holder.
- Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 6Our largest shareholder, The Resource Group International Limited, and its major shareholder, TRG Pakistan Limited, have substantial control over us and could limit your ability to influence the outcome of key transactions, including any change of control.
As of June 30, 2023, our largest shareholder, TRGI, beneficially owns, in the aggregate, approximately 30% of our outstanding common shares. As of June 30, 2023, TRG Pakistan Limited ("TRGP"), a publicly traded Pakistan corporation listed on the Pakistan Stock Exchange, beneficially owned 45% of TRGI's outstanding voting securities (with an ability to vote up to 69% of TRGI's total voting securities with the consent of the chief executive officer of TRGI). In addition, while TRGI has voting and dispositive control over its ibex shares, TRGP holds the economic interest in those shares. The members of the boards of directors of TRGP and TRGI have some overlap, and TRGP has the exclusive right to appoint three out of the seven directors at TRGI, with the remaining directors appointed jointly with or solely by other shareholders of TRGI. John Leone serves as a director of each of TRGP and TRGI and also serves as TRGI's chairman. Mohammed Khaishgi serves as a director and the chief executive officer of TRGI. Additionally, pursuant to a stockholder's agreement, dated September 15, 2017, between TRGI and us (the "TRGI Stockholder's Agreement"), we will not take or commit to take, or cause or permit any of our subsidiaries to take, certain enumerated actions without TRGI's consent, to be withheld or given in TRGI's sole discretion. The TRGI Stockholder's Agreement will remain in effect until the date that TRGI ceases to hold 10% or more of all shares issued by us, as measured on an as-converted basis. As a result, we expect that TRGP and TRGI will be able to exert significant influence over our business. TRGP and TRGI may have interests that differ from your interests and may cause TRGI's shares in our company to be voted in a way with which you disagree and that may be adverse to your interests. The concentration of ownership of our share capital may have the effect of delaying, preventing or deterring a change of control of our company and its subsidiaries, as well as certain M&A activity and securities offerings, and could deprive our shareholders of an opportunity to receive a premium for their common shares as part of a sale of our company and may adversely affect the market price of our common shares. In addition, because of the terms of our bye-laws providing rights to TRGI, as the first-in-time shareholder of 25% or more of the nominal value of our voting shares, to appoint a majority of our directors, we are able to take advantage of exemptions from the Nasdaq corporate governance rules for as long as we continue to qualify as a "controlled company" within the meaning of the Nasdaq corporate governance standards. Our bye-laws provide that any shareholder holding 50% or more of the nominal value of our voting shares will have the right to appoint five directors to our board of directors. If there is no such 50% holder, then any shareholder holding 25% or more of the nominal value of our voting shares (first in time as compared to any other 25% shareholder) will have the right to appoint five directors to our board of directors.
- Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 7Our executive officers, directors and principal shareholders have the ability to control all matters submitted to shareholders for approval.
Our executive officers, directors and shareholders owning more than 5% of our outstanding common shares, which we refer to as our principal shareholders, beneficially own shares representing greater than 50% of our outstanding common shares as of June 30, 2023. As a result, if some or all of these shareholders were to choose to act together, they would be able to control all matters submitted to our shareholders for approval, as well as our management and affairs. For example, these persons, if they choose to act together, would control the election of directors and approval of any merger, amalgamation, consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of our assets. This concentration of voting power could delay or prevent an acquisition of our company on terms that other shareholders may desire.
- Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 8We are a "controlled company" within the meaning of the rules of Nasdaq and, as a result, qualify for, and intend to rely on, exemptions from certain corporate governance requirements.
Our bye-laws provide that any shareholder holding 50% or more of the nominal value of our voting shares will have the right to appoint five directors to our board of directors. If there is no such 50% holder, then any shareholder holding 25% or more of the nominal value of our voting shares (first in time as compared to any other 25% shareholder) will have the right to appoint five directors to our board of directors. Our board of directors is currently set at eight members. TRGI is the first-in-time shareholder, holding 30% by nominal value of the voting shares of the Company as of June 30, 2023 and thus holds the right to appoint five of the eight members of our board of directors (a majority). As a result, we are a "controlled company" within the meaning of the corporate governance standards of Nasdaq. Under these rules, a company of which more than 50% of the voting power in the election of directors is held by an individual, group or another company is a "controlled company" and may elect not to comply with certain corporate governance requirements. For example, controlled companies, within one year of the date of the listing of their common stock: 1.are not required to have a board of directors that is composed of a majority of "independent directors" as defined under the Nasdaq rules;2.are not required to have a compensation committee that is composed entirely of independent directors;3.are not required to have director nominations be made, or recommended to the full board of directors, by our independent directors or by a nomination committee that is composed entirely of independent directors. Accordingly, you may not have the same protections afforded to stockholders of companies that are subject to all of the corporate governance requirements of Nasdaq.
- Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 9Any U.S. or other foreign judgments you may obtain against us may be difficult to enforce against us in Bermuda.
We are incorporated in Bermuda and a significant portion of our assets is located outside the United States. In addition, certain of our directors are non-residents of the United States. As a result, it may be difficult or impossible for U.S. investors to serve process within the United States upon us or our directors and executive officers, or to enforce a judgment against us for civil liabilities in U.S. courts. In addition, you should not assume that courts in the countries in which we are incorporated or where our assets are located would enforce judgments of U.S. courts obtained in actions against us based upon the civil liability provisions of applicable U.S. federal and state securities laws or would enforce, in original actions, liabilities against us based on those laws.
- Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 10We are an emerging growth company, and the reduced disclosure requirements applicable to emerging growth companies may make our common shares less attractive to investors.
We are an emerging growth company ("EGC"), as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act (the "JOBS Act"), and we may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not EGCs including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the "Sarbanes-Oxley Act"), reduced financial disclosure obligations, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and any golden parachute payments not previously approved. We may take advantage of these provisions until we are no longer an EGC. We would cease to be an EGC upon the earliest to occur of: the last day of the fiscal year in which we have more than $1.235 billion in annual revenue; the date we qualify as a "large accelerated filer," with at least $700 million of equity securities held by non-affiliates; the issuance, in any three-year period, by us of more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt securities; and the last day of the fiscal year ending after the fifth anniversary of our initial public offering. If we take advantage of any of these reduced reporting requirements in future filings, the information that we provide our security holders may be different than you might get from other public companies in which you hold equity interests. We cannot predict if investors will find our common shares less attractive because we may rely on these exemptions. If some investors find our common shares less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our common shares and our share price may be more volatile.
- Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 11Our future earnings and earnings per share could be adversely impacted by the Amazon Warrant and if Amazon exercises its right to acquire our common shares pursuant to the Amazon Warrant, it will dilute the ownership interests of our then-existing shareholders and could adversely affect the market price of our common shares.
The Amazon Warrant increases the number of diluted shares reported, which has an effect on our fully diluted earnings per share. If Amazon exercises its right to acquire our common shares pursuant to the Amazon Warrant, it will dilute the ownership interests of our then-existing shareholders and reduce our earnings per share. In addition, any sales in the public market of any common shares issuable upon the exercise of the Amazon Warrant by Amazon could adversely affect the market price of our common shares.
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