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NovelStem International Corp (NSTM)
OTHER OTC:NSTM
Risk Overview Q4, 2023
Risk Distribution
59% Finance & Corporate
12% Tech & Innovation
12% Legal & Regulatory
12% Production
6% Ability to Sell
0% Macro & Political
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
This chart displays the stock's most recent risk distribution according to category. TipRanks has identified 6 major categories: Finance & corporate, legal & regulatory, macro & political, production, tech & innovation, and ability to sell.
Risk Change Over Time
S&P500 Average
Sector Average
Risks removed
Risks added
Risks changed
NovelStem International Risk Factors
New Risk (0)
Risk Changed (0)
Risk Removed (0)
No changes from previous report
The chart shows the number of risks a company has disclosed. You can compare this to the sector average or S&P 500 average.
The quarters shown in the chart are according to the calendar year (January to December). Businesses set their own financial calendar, known as a fiscal year. For example, Walmart ends their financial year at the end of January to accommodate the holiday season.
The quarters shown in the chart are according to the calendar year (January to December). Businesses set their own financial calendar, known as a fiscal year. For example, Walmart ends their financial year at the end of January to accommodate the holiday season.
Risk Highlights Q4, 2023
Main Risk Category
Finance & Corporate
With 10 Risks
Finance & Corporate
With 10 Risks
Number of Disclosed Risks
17
No changes from last report
S&P 500 Average: 32
17
No changes from last report
S&P 500 Average: 32
Recent Changes
0Risks added
0Risks removed
1Risks changed
Since Dec 2023
0Risks added
0Risks removed
1Risks changed
Since Dec 2023
Number of Risk Changed
1
+1
From last reportS&P 500 Average: 4
1
+1
From last reportS&P 500 Average: 4
See the risk highlights of NovelStem International in the last period.
Risk Word Cloud
The most common phrases about risk factors from the most recent report. Larger texts indicate more widely used phrases.
Risk Factors Full Breakdown - Total Risks 17
Finance & Corporate
Total Risks: 10/17 (59%)Above Sector Average
Share Price & Shareholder Rights4 | 23.5%
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 1
The price of our common stock could be highly volatile.Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 2
There is a very limited trading market for our common stock and investors are not assured of the opportunity to sell their stock, should they desire to do so.Our common stock is currently quoted on the OTC Pink Market. However, our stock has traded in very limited quantities in the past. We believe a significant factor in the limited market is our limited capitalization and liquidity, results of operations and the characterization of our stock as a "penny stock." We hope to remedy our financial condition and results of operation in the future. This, in turn, may assist us in obtaining listing of our stock on other exchanges. However, there is no assurance that any of these objectives will be met or that the market will ever increase to a point where investors could sell their stock at a desirable price, should they desire to do so.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 3
Reporting requirement under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the "Sarbanes-Oxley Act"), including establishing and maintaining acceptable internal controls over financial reporting, are costly and may increase substantially.The rules and regulations of the SEC require a public company to prepare and file periodic reports under the Exchange Act, which require that the Company engage legal, accounting, auditing and other professional services. The engagement of such services is costly. Additionally, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires, among other things, that we design, implement and maintain adequate internal controls and procedures over financial reporting. The costs of complying with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the limited technically qualified personnel we have may make it difficult for us to design, implement and maintain adequate internal controls over financial reporting. In the event that we fail to maintain an effective system of internal controls or discover material weaknesses in our internal controls, we may not be able to produce reliable financial reports or report fraud, which may harm our overall financial condition and result in loss of investor confidence and a decline in our share price.
We are working with our legal, accounting and financial advisors to identify those areas in which changes should be made to our financial and management control systems to manage our growth and our obligations as a public company. These areas include corporate governance, corporate control, disclosure controls and procedures and financial reporting and accounting systems. We have made, and will continue to make, changes in these and other areas. However, we anticipate that the expenses that will be required in order to adequately prepare for being a public company could be material. We estimate that the aggregate cost of increased legal services; accounting and audit functions; consultants to design and implement internal controls; and financial printing alone will be a few hundred thousand dollars per year and could be several hundred thousand dollars per year. In addition, we may incur additional expenses related to director compensation and/or premiums for directors' and officers' liability insurance, the costs of which we cannot estimate at this time. We may also incur additional expenses associated with investor relations and similar functions, the cost of which we also cannot estimate at this time. However, these additional expenses individually, or in the aggregate, may also be material.
The continued increased costs associated with operating as a public company may decrease our net income or increase our net loss and may cause us to reduce costs in other areas of our business or increase the prices of our products or services to offset the effect of such increased costs. Additionally, if these requirements divert our management's attention from other business concerns, they could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 4
We are an emerging growth company and the reduced disclosure requirements applicable to emerging growth companies could make our common stock less attractive to investors.We are an emerging growth company. Under the JOBS Act, emerging growth companies can take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies including, without limitation, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements, exemptions from the requirements of holding a non-binding advisory shareholder vote on executive compensation and golden parachute payments, exemption from the requirement of auditor attestation in the assessment of our internal control over financial reporting and exemption from any requirement that may be adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding mandatory audit firm rotation or a supplement to the auditor's report providing additional information about our audit and the financial statements (auditor discussion and analysis). As a result of the foregoing, the information that we provide shareholders may be different than what is available with respect to other public companies.
In addition, Section 107 of the JOBS Act also provides that an emerging growth company can take advantage of the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act of 1933 for complying with new or revised accounting standards. We plan to elect to use the extended period for compliance and, as a result, our financial statements may not be comparable to companies that comply with public company effective dates.
Accounting & Financial Operations5 | 29.4%
Accounting & Financial Operations - Risk 1
Because we do not intend to pay any cash dividends on our common stock, our shareholders will not be able to receive a return on their shares unless they sell them.Accounting & Financial Operations - Risk 2
Because our holding company structure creates restrictions on the payment of dividends, our ability to pay dividends is limited.We are a holding company whose primary assets are our ownership of equity interests in NewStem and NetCo. We conduct no other business and, as a result, we depend entirely upon NewStem's and NetCo's earnings and cash flow. If we decide in the future to pay dividends, as a holding company, our ability to pay dividends and meet other obligations depends upon the receipt of dividends or other payments from NewStem or NetCo. NewStem and/or NetCo may be restricted in their ability to pay dividends, make distributions or otherwise transfer funds to us prior to the satisfaction of other obligations, including the payment of operating expenses or debt service, appropriation to reserves prescribed by laws and regulations, covering losses in previous years, restrictions on the conversion of local currency into U.S. dollars or other hard currency, completion of relevant procedures with governmental authorities or banks and other regulatory restrictions. We do not presently have any intention to declare or pay dividends in the future. You should not purchase shares of our common stock in anticipation of receiving dividends in future periods.
Accounting & Financial Operations - Risk 3
We have identified material weaknesses in our internal control and procedures and internal control over financial reporting. If not remediated, our failure to establish and maintain effective disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting could result in material misstatements in our financial statements and a failure to meet our reporting and financial obligations, each of which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and the trading price of our common stock.Maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and effective disclosure controls and procedures are necessary for us to produce reliable financial statements. We have re-evaluated our internal control over financial reporting and our disclosure controls and procedures and concluded that they were not effective as of December 31, 2023 and we concluded there was a material weakness in the design of our internal control over financial reporting.
A material weakness is defined as a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.
Accounting & Financial Operations - Risk 4
We are a holding company the principal assets of which are illiquid, ownership interests in NewStem and NetCo.Our Company's primary assets are equity interests in NewStem and NetCo. Our President and Executive Chairman, Jan Loeb, is also the Chairman of NewStem and through this shared management structure along with our 30.51% ownership interest in NewStem, we are able to exert significant influence over the operations of NewStem. Additionally, we are a 50% partner in NetCo and through our ownership interest.
We conduct no other business and, as a result, we depend entirely upon earnings and cash flow from NewStem and NetCo. If we decide in the future to pay dividends, as a holding company, our ability to pay dividends and meet other obligations depends upon the receipt of dividends or other payments from our operating subsidiaries.
Accounting & Financial Operations - Risk 5
We and NewStem have limited operating histories and have generated minimal revenue to date.Changed
We and NewStem have a limited operating history and do not have a meaningful historical record of sales and revenues, nor do we or NewStem have an established business track record. While we believe that we have the opportunity to be successful, there can be no assurance that we will be successful in accomplishing our business initiatives, or that we will be able to achieve any significant levels of revenues or net income.
Corporate Activity and Growth1 | 5.9%
Corporate Activity and Growth - Risk 1
Our investments in NewStem and NetCo are illiquid.Tech & Innovation
Total Risks: 2/17 (12%)Below Sector Average
Innovation / R&D2 | 11.8%
Innovation / R&D - Risk 1
Our ongoing viability as a company depends on NewStem's ability to successfully develop and commercialize its products.Innovation / R&D - Risk 2
Rapid technological change could cause products to become obsolete, and if NewStem does not enhance its product offerings through research and development efforts, it may be unable to effectively compete.NewStem's future business success will depend upon its ability to maintain and enhance its product portfolio with respect to advances in technological improvements for certain products that meet customer needs and market conditions in a cost-effective and timely manner. NewStem may not be successful in gaining access to new products that successfully compete or are able to anticipate customer needs and preferences, and customers may not accept one or more of its products. If NewStem fails to keep pace with evolving technological innovations or fails to modify its products and services in response to customers' needs or preferences, then NewStem's and our business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.
The technologies underlying NewStem's products are subject to rapid and profound technological change. Competition intensifies as technical advances in each field are made and become more widely known. We can give no assurance that others will not develop services, products, or processes with significant advantages over the products, services, and processes that NewStem offers or is seeking to develop. Any such occurrence could have a material and adverse effect on NewStem's and our business, results of operations and financial condition.
NewStem plans to enhance and broaden its product offerings in response to changing customer demands and competitive pressure and technologies. The success of any new product offering or enhancement to an existing product will depend on numerous factors, including the ability to:
- Properly identify and anticipate physician and patient needs; - Develop and introduce new products or product enhancements in a timely manner; - Adequately protect intellectual property and avoid infringing upon the intellectual property rights of third parties; - Demonstrate the safety and efficacy of new products; and - Obtain the necessary regulatory clearances or approvals for new products or product enhancements.
If NewStem does not develop and, when necessary, obtain regulatory clearance or approval for new products or product enhancements in time to meet market demand, or if there is insufficient demand for these products or enhancements, its results of operations will suffer. NewStem's research and development efforts may require a substantial investment of time and resources before it is adequately able to determine the commercial viability of a new product, technology, material or other innovation. In addition, even if NewStem is able to successfully develop enhancements or new generations of its products, these enhancements or new generations of products may not produce sales in excess of the costs of development, and they may be quickly rendered obsolete by changing customer preferences or the introduction by competitors of products embodying new technologies or features.
Legal & Regulatory
Total Risks: 2/17 (12%)Below Sector Average
Regulation1 | 5.9%
Regulation - Risk 1
We may be deemed an investment company, which could impose on us burdensome compliance requirements.Litigation & Legal Liabilities1 | 5.9%
Litigation & Legal Liabilities - Risk 1
The value of our investment in NetCo and our ability to receive distributions may be affected by disputes between the Company and C.P. Group, our partner in NetCo.Production
Total Risks: 2/17 (12%)Below Sector Average
Employment / Personnel2 | 11.8%
Employment / Personnel - Risk 1
We depend on our executive officers and consultants and other key individuals along with the executive officers and key individuals of NewStem to continue the implementation of our long-term business strategy and could be harmed by the loss of their services and our inability to make up for such loss with qualified replacements.Employment / Personnel - Risk 2
If NetCo fails to develop relationships with new creative talent, its business could be adversely affected.NetCo's business, in particular the trade publishing and media portions of the business, is highly dependent on maintaining strong relationships with the authors, illustrators and other creative talent who produce the products and services that are sold to its customers. Any overall weakening of these relationships, or the failure to develop successful new relationships, could have an adverse impact on NetCo and the Company's business and financial performance.
Ability to Sell
Total Risks: 1/17 (6%)Below Sector Average
Competition1 | 5.9%
Competition - Risk 1
NetCo's business is intensely competitive and "hit" driven. NetCo may not deliver "hit" products and services, or consumers may prefer a competitors' products or services over NetCo.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.