Luokung Technology (LKCOF) Risk Analysis
Risk Overview Q4, 2020
Source: the company's latest filing for the period ended Dec 31, 2020, filed May 14, 2021
Risk Change Over Time
No filing history is available.
- Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 1Recent actions by the U.S. Department of Defense may prohibit you from transacting in our securities at a future date
On January 14, 2021, the United States Department of Defense (the "DoD") placed "Luokong Technology Corporation" on a list of entities operating directly or indirectly in the United States and deemed to be Communist Chinese military companies ("CCMCs") under the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1999. DoD did not accurately spell the Company's name on the list. Under Executive Order 13959, issued by former President Trump on November 12, 2020, and amended on January 13, 2021 by Executive Order 13974 ("Executive Order 13959"), the CCMC designation would have restricted U.S. persons from trading the Company's securities and derivatives of those securities as of March 15, 2021. In response, Luokung, together with two U.S. shareholders of the Company, filed a lawsuit with the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia (the "Court") against the DoD and other government actors alleging that the CCMC designation of Luokung is unlawful. Luokung's complaint in the lawsuit alleges that the government's actions associated with the CCMC designation, and associated restrictions on trading, are ultra vires (i.e. beyond the government defendants' legal authority), and violate the Administrative Procedure Act and the Fifth Amendment. On March 10, 2021, the Company received a letter from the U.S. Department of the Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control ("OFAC") notifying the Company that the DoD formally delisted "Luokong Technology Corporation," but re-designated Luokung as a CCMC, correcting the DoD's prior misspelling of the Company name. The OFAC letter confirmed that restrictions on U.S. persons trading of the Company's securities or derivatives would not take effect until May 8, 2021, and that certain transactions solely for the purpose of divestment by U.S. persons would be permitted through March 9, 2022. After that date, U.S. persons would not be permitted to possess Luokung securities. On April 2, 2021, Luokung filed a motion for a preliminary injunction to enjoin the enforcement and implementation of the DoD's designation of Luokung as a CCMC, and the resulting restrictions on transactions in, and possession of, Luokung securities or derivatives of those securities, pursuant to Executive Order 13959. On May 5, 2021, Luokung's motion for a preliminary injunction was granted by the Court. The Court explained that it was preliminarily enjoining "the prohibitions against Luokung in full," and as a result of the ruling, the DoD and other government defendants are enjoined from implementing or enforcing the designation of Luokung as a CCMC, and the resulting restrictions pursuant to Executive Order 13959. On May 6, 2021, OFAC issued FAQ 893 confirming that in light of the Court's May 5, 2021 preliminary injunction ruling, the prohibitions in Executive Order 13959 do not apply with respect to Luokung pending further order of the Court. However, while the prohibitions in Executive Order 13959 do not currently apply to the Company, the Court could rule in favor of the government defendants at a later stage in the case, and uphold enforcement of the prohibitions in Executive Order 13959 at that point. The timing or outcome of any such future decision is unknown at this time. In light of the CCMC designation, prior to the preliminary injunction ruling, the Company received notice from Nasdaq on April 29, 2021, that trading of the Company's ordinary shares would be halted at the end of the trading day on May 7, 2021, such that trading would not be available as of the first trading date after May 8, 2021. The Nasdaq notice also stated that a Form 25-NSE would be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission which would remove the Company's securities from listing and registration on The Nasdaq Stock Market. Upon receipt of the Court's May 5, 2021 preliminary injunction decision, the Company contacted Nasdaq senior management to inform it of the action taken by the Court and requested that Nasdaq reconsider the delisting determination, as well as its decision to suspend trading in Luokung's ordinary shares at the end of the trading day on May 7, 2021. On May 6, 2021, Nasdaq notified Luokung that it had withdrawn its delisting letter, and that the Company's shares will continued to trade on The Nasdaq Stock Market. However, Nasdaq stated that while the timing of a final decision by the Court is unknown, pending the outcome of the case Nasdaq may issue a new delisting determination. The Company has vigorously pursued its legal rights before the Court, and intends to continue to do so. It continues to believe that it is not a CCMC and that the U.S. government's actions are without factual and legal support. However, if the Court does not ultimately agree with the Company's position, Luokung securities could be suspended from being traded on Nasdaq at some point in the future.
Risk Highlights Q4, 2020
Risk Word Cloud
Risk Factors Full Breakdown - Total Risks 44
- Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 1AddedRecent actions by the U.S. Department of Defense may prohibit you from transacting in our securities at a future date
On January 14, 2021, the United States Department of Defense (the "DoD") placed "Luokong Technology Corporation" on a list of entities operating directly or indirectly in the United States and deemed to be Communist Chinese military companies ("CCMCs") under the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1999. DoD did not accurately spell the Company's name on the list. Under Executive Order 13959, issued by former President Trump on November 12, 2020, and amended on January 13, 2021 by Executive Order 13974 ("Executive Order 13959"), the CCMC designation would have restricted U.S. persons from trading the Company's securities and derivatives of those securities as of March 15, 2021. In response, Luokung, together with two U.S. shareholders of the Company, filed a lawsuit with the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia (the "Court") against the DoD and other government actors alleging that the CCMC designation of Luokung is unlawful. Luokung's complaint in the lawsuit alleges that the government's actions associated with the CCMC designation, and associated restrictions on trading, are ultra vires (i.e. beyond the government defendants' legal authority), and violate the Administrative Procedure Act and the Fifth Amendment. On March 10, 2021, the Company received a letter from the U.S. Department of the Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control ("OFAC") notifying the Company that the DoD formally delisted "Luokong Technology Corporation," but re-designated Luokung as a CCMC, correcting the DoD's prior misspelling of the Company name. The OFAC letter confirmed that restrictions on U.S. persons trading of the Company's securities or derivatives would not take effect until May 8, 2021, and that certain transactions solely for the purpose of divestment by U.S. persons would be permitted through March 9, 2022. After that date, U.S. persons would not be permitted to possess Luokung securities. On April 2, 2021, Luokung filed a motion for a preliminary injunction to enjoin the enforcement and implementation of the DoD's designation of Luokung as a CCMC, and the resulting restrictions on transactions in, and possession of, Luokung securities or derivatives of those securities, pursuant to Executive Order 13959. On May 5, 2021, Luokung's motion for a preliminary injunction was granted by the Court. The Court explained that it was preliminarily enjoining "the prohibitions against Luokung in full," and as a result of the ruling, the DoD and other government defendants are enjoined from implementing or enforcing the designation of Luokung as a CCMC, and the resulting restrictions pursuant to Executive Order 13959. On May 6, 2021, OFAC issued FAQ 893 confirming that in light of the Court's May 5, 2021 preliminary injunction ruling, the prohibitions in Executive Order 13959 do not apply with respect to Luokung pending further order of the Court. However, while the prohibitions in Executive Order 13959 do not currently apply to the Company, the Court could rule in favor of the government defendants at a later stage in the case, and uphold enforcement of the prohibitions in Executive Order 13959 at that point. The timing or outcome of any such future decision is unknown at this time. In light of the CCMC designation, prior to the preliminary injunction ruling, the Company received notice from Nasdaq on April 29, 2021, that trading of the Company's ordinary shares would be halted at the end of the trading day on May 7, 2021, such that trading would not be available as of the first trading date after May 8, 2021. The Nasdaq notice also stated that a Form 25-NSE would be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission which would remove the Company's securities from listing and registration on The Nasdaq Stock Market. Upon receipt of the Court's May 5, 2021 preliminary injunction decision, the Company contacted Nasdaq senior management to inform it of the action taken by the Court and requested that Nasdaq reconsider the delisting determination, as well as its decision to suspend trading in Luokung's ordinary shares at the end of the trading day on May 7, 2021. On May 6, 2021, Nasdaq notified Luokung that it had withdrawn its delisting letter, and that the Company's shares will continued to trade on The Nasdaq Stock Market. However, Nasdaq stated that while the timing of a final decision by the Court is unknown, pending the outcome of the case Nasdaq may issue a new delisting determination. The Company has vigorously pursued its legal rights before the Court, and intends to continue to do so. It continues to believe that it is not a CCMC and that the U.S. government's actions are without factual and legal support. However, if the Court does not ultimately agree with the Company's position, Luokung securities could be suspended from being traded on Nasdaq at some point in the future.
- Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 2Our corporate actions are substantially controlled by Mr. Xuesong Song, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, who can cause us to take actions in ways you may not agree with.
Mr. Xuesong Song, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, beneficially owns 15.91% of our outstanding ordinary shares and 1,000,000 preferred shares, and each preferred share has the right to 399 votes at a meeting of the shareholders of the Company. As a result, Mr. Song has approximately 71.89% of the voting rights of the shareholders of the Company. Mr. Song can exert control and substantial influence over matters such as electing directors, amending our constitutional documents, and approving acquisitions, mergers or other business combination transactions. This concentration of ownership and voting power may also discourage, delay or prevent a change in control of our company, which could deprive our shareholders of an opportunity to receive a premium for their shares as part of a sale of our company and might reduce the price of our shares. Alternatively, our controlling shareholders may cause a merger, consolidation or change of control transaction even if it is opposed by our other shareholders, including those who purchase shares in this offering
- Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 3The market price of our Ordinary Shares has historically been highly volatile, and you may not be able to resell our ordinary shares at or above your initial purchase price.
There is a limited public market for our ordinary shares. We cannot assure you that there will be an active trading market for our ordinary shares. You may not be able to sell your ordinary shares quickly or at the market price if trading in our ordinary shares is not active. The trading price of our ordinary shares may be volatile. The price of our ordinary shares could be subject to wide fluctuations in response to a variety of factors, including the following: 1. Introduction of new products, services or technologies offered by us or our competitors; 2. Failure to meet or exceed revenue and financial projections we provide to the public; 3. Actual or anticipated variations in quarterly operating results; 4. Failure to meet or exceed the estimates and projections of the investment community; 5. General market conditions and overall fluctuations in United States equity markets; 6. Announcements of significant acquisitions, strategic partnerships, joint ventures or capital commitments by us or our competitors; 7. Disputes or other developments relating to proprietary rights, including patents, litigation matters and our ability to obtain patent protection for our technologies;8. Additions or departures of key management personnel; 9. Issuances of debt or equity securities; 10. Significant lawsuits, including patent or shareholder litigation; 11. Changes in the market valuations of similar companies; 12. Sales of additional ordinary shares or other securities by us or our shareholders in the future; 13. Trading volume of our ordinary shares; 14. Fluctuations in the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and Renminbi; 15. Negative market perception and media coverage of our company or other companies in the same or similar industry with us; and 16. Other events or factors, many of which are beyond our control. In addition, the stock market in general, and the NASDAQ Capital Market and software products and services companies in particular, have experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations that have often been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of these companies. Broad market and industry factors may negatively affect the market price of our ordinary shares, regardless of our actual operating performance.
- Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 4Our ordinary shares may be subject to the SEC's penny stock rules which may make it difficult for broker-dealers to complete customer transactions and trading activity in our securities.
Our ordinary shares may be deemed to be "penny stock" as that term is defined under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Penny stocks generally are equity securities with a price of less than $5.00 (other than securities registered on certain national securities exchanges or quoted on the NASDAQ system, provided that current price and volume information with respect to transactions in such securities is provided by the exchange or system). Penny stock rules impose additional sales practice requirements on broker-dealers who sell to persons other than established customers and "accredited investors." The term "accredited investor" refers generally to institutions with assets in excess of $5,000,000 or individuals with a net worth in excess of $1,000,000 or annual income exceeding $200,000 or $300,000 jointly with their spouse in each of the prior two years. The penny stock rules require a broker-dealer, prior to a transaction in a penny stock not otherwise exempt from the rules, to deliver a standardized risk disclosure document in a form prepared by the SEC, which provides information about penny stocks and the nature and level of risks in the penny stock market. Moreover, broker-dealers are required to determine whether an investment in a penny stock is a suitable investment for a prospective investor. A broker-dealer must receive a written agreement to the transaction from the investor setting forth the identity and quantity of the penny stock to be purchased. These requirements may make it more difficult for broker-dealers to effectuate customer transactions and trading activity in our securities. As a result, the market price of our ordinary shares may be depressed, and you may find it more difficult to sell our ordinary shares.
- Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 5Sales of a substantial number of ordinary shares in the public market by our existing shareholders could cause the price of our ordinary shares to fall.
Sales of a substantial number of our ordinary shares in the public market or the perception that these sales might occur, could depress the market price of our ordinary shares and could impair our ability to raise capital through the sale of additional equity securities. We are unable to predict the effect that sales may have on the prevailing market price of our ordinary shares. Subject to certain limitations all of our total outstanding shares are now eligible for sale. Sales of ordinary shares by these shareholders could have a material adverse effect on the trading price of our ordinary shares.
- Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 6Future sales and issuances of our ordinary shares, or rights to purchase our ordinary shares, including pursuant to our 2010 Omnibus Incentive Plan, could result in additional dilution of the percentage ownership of our shareholders and could cause the price of our ordinary shares to fall.
We expect that significant additional capital will be needed in the future to continue our planned operations. To the extent we raise additional capital by issuing equity securities, our shareholders may experience substantial dilution. We may sell ordinary shares, convertible securities or other equity securities in one or more transactions at prices and in a manner we determine from time to time. If we sell ordinary shares, convertible securities or other equity securities in more than one transaction, investors may be materially diluted by subsequent sales. Such sales may also result in material dilution to our existing shareholders, and new investors could gain rights superior to our existing shareholders.
- Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 7As the rights of shareholders under British Virgin Islands law differ from those under U.S. law, you may have fewer protections as a shareholder.
Our corporate affairs will be governed by our memorandum of association and articles of association, the BVI Business Companies Act, 2004, or the BVI Act, of the British Virgin Islands and the common law of the British Virgin Islands. The rights of shareholders to take legal action against our directors, actions by minority shareholders and the fiduciary responsibilities of our directors under British Virgin Islands law are to a large extent governed by the BVI Act and the common law of the British Virgin Islands. The common law of the British Virgin Islands is derived in part from comparatively limited judicial precedent in the British Virgin Islands as well as from English common law, which has persuasive, but not binding, authority on a court in the British Virgin Islands. The rights of our shareholders and the fiduciary responsibilities of our directors under British Virgin Islands law are not as clearly established as they would be under statutes or judicial precedents in some jurisdictions in the United States. In particular, the British Virgin Islands has a less developed body of securities laws as compared to the United States, and some states (such as Delaware) have more fully developed and judicially interpreted bodies of corporate law. As a result of all of the above, holders of our ordinary shares may have more difficulty in protecting their interests through actions against our management, directors or major shareholders than they would as shareholders of a U.S. company.
- Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 8British Virgin Islands companies may not be able to initiate shareholder derivative actions, thereby depriving shareholders of the ability to protect their interests.
British Virgin Islands companies may not have standing to initiate a shareholder derivative action in a federal court of the United States. The circumstances in which any such action may be brought, and the procedures and defenses that may be available in respect to any such action, may result in the rights of shareholders of a British Virgin Islands company being more limited than those of shareholders of a company organized in the United States. Accordingly, shareholders may have fewer alternatives available to them if they believe that corporate wrongdoing has occurred. The British Virgin Islands courts are also unlikely to recognize or enforce against us judgments of courts in the United States based on certain liability provisions of U.S. securities law; and to impose liabilities against us, in original actions brought in the British Virgin Islands, based on certain liability provisions of U.S. securities laws that are penal in nature. There is no statutory recognition in the British Virgin Islands of judgments obtained in the United States, although the courts of the British Virgin Islands will generally recognize and enforce the non-penal judgment of a foreign court of competent jurisdiction without retrial on the merits.
- Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 9Anti-takeover provisions in our memorandum of association and articles of association and our right to issue preference shares could make a third-party acquisition of us difficult.
Some provisions of our memorandum of association and articles of association may discourage, delay or prevent a change in control of our company or management that shareholders may consider favorable, including provisions that authorize our board of directors to issue preference shares in one or more series and to designate the price, rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of such preference shares.
- Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 10We may be a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, which could lead to additional taxes for U.S. holders of our ordinary shares.
We do not expect to be, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, a passive foreign investment company, or a PFIC, which is a foreign company for which, in any given taxable year, either at least 75% of its gross income is passive income, or investment income in general, or at least 50% of its assets produce or are held to produce passive income, for the current taxable year, and we expect to operate in such a manner so as not to become a PFIC for any future taxable year. However, because the determination of PFIC status for any taxable year cannot be made until after the close of such year and requires extensive factual investigation, including ascertaining the fair market value of our assets on a quarterly basis and determining whether each item of gross income that we earn is passive income, we cannot assure you that we will not become a PFIC for the current taxable year or any future taxable year. If we are or become a PFIC, a U.S. holder's ordinary shares could be subject to additional U.S. federal income taxes on gain recognized with respect to the ordinary shares and on certain distributions, plus an interest charge on certain taxes treated as having been deferred under the PFIC rules. Non-corporate U.S. holders will not be eligible for reduced rates of taxation on any dividends received from us if we are a PFIC in the taxable year in which such dividends are paid or in the preceding taxable year.
- Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 11If the trading price of our ordinary shares fails to comply with the continued listing requirements of the NASDAQ Capital Market, we would face possible delisting, which would result in a limited public market for our ordinary shares and make obtaining future debt or equity financing more difficult for us.
Companies listed on NASDAQ are subject to delisting for, among other things, failure to maintain a minimum closing bid price of $1.00 per share for 30 consecutive business days. On April 13, 2020, we received a letter from NASDAQ indicating that for the last 30 consecutive business days, the closing bid price of our ordinary shares fell below the minimum $1.00 per share requirement pursuant to NASDAQ Listing Rule 5550(a)(2) for continued listing on the NASDAQ Capital Market. Although the Company has regained compliance with the minimum bid price requirement, we cannot be sure that the price of our ordinary shares will comply with this requirement for continued listing on the NASDAQ Capital Market in the future. If we were not able to do so, our ordinary shares would be subject to delisting and would likely trade on the over-the-counter market. If our ordinary shares were to trade on the over-the-counter market, selling our ordinary shares could be more difficult because smaller quantities of shares would likely be bought and sold, transactions could be delayed, and security analysts' coverage of us may be reduced. In addition, broker-dealers have certain regulatory burdens imposed upon them, which may discourage broker-dealers from effecting transactions in our ordinary shares, further limiting the liquidity of our ordinary shares. As a result, the market price of our ordinary shares may be depressed, and you may find it more difficult to sell our ordinary shares. Such delisting from the NASDAQ Capital Market and continued or further declines in our share price could also greatly impair our ability to raise additional necessary capital through equity or debt financing.
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