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111 (YI) Risk Analysis

Public companies are required to disclose risks that can affect the business and impact the stock. These disclosures are known as “Risk Factors”. Companies disclose these risks in their yearly (Form 10-K), quarterly earnings (Form 10-Q), or “foreign private issuer” reports (Form 20-F). Risk factors show the challenges a company faces. Investors can consider the worst-case scenarios before making an investment. TipRanks’ Risk Analysis categorizes risks based on proprietary classification algorithms and machine learning. 111 disclosed 83 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. 111 reported the most risks in the “Finance & Corporate” category.

Risk Overview Q4, 2023

Source: the company's latest filing for the period ended Dec 31, 2023, filed May 14, 2024

Risk Distribution
83Risks
Sector Avg.Finance & CorporateTech & InnovationLegal & RegulatoryProductionAbility to SellMacro & Political
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy

Risk Change Over Time

111 disclosed risks per quarterNo. of Risks83Q4Showing: Q4, 2023
Risks removedRisks addedRisks changed111 Risk Factors
Risk Changed (5)
  • Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 1
    If the PCAOB is prevented from fully evaluating audits and quality control procedures of our auditor, investors may be deprived of the benefits of such PCAOB inspections.

    Inspections of certain registered public accounting firms that the PCAOB has conducted in mainland China and Hong Kong have identified deficiencies in those firms' audit procedures and quality control procedures, which may be addressed as part of the inspection process to improve future audit quality. The lack of PCAOB inspections in China in the past made it difficult to evaluate the effectiveness of our auditor's audit procedures or quality control procedures as compared to auditors that were subject to PCAOB inspections, although we expect the effectiveness of audit procedures or quality control procedures conducted by auditors in China will gradually improve, given the ability of PCAOB to conduct inspection of such auditor firms since 2022. Nevertheless, investors may lose confidence in our reported financial information and procedures and the quality of our financial statements due to the historical reasons. As part of our continued efforts to ensure accuracy of our financial reporting, our audit committee periodically communicates with our independent auditor to oversee and evaluate the audit procedures and status. However, we cannot assure you that the measures our audit committee has taken or will take in the future will be effective.

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Risk Highlights Q4, 2023

Main Risk Category
Finance & Corporate
With 25 Risks
Number of Disclosed Risks
83
-7
From last report
S&P 500 Average: 32
Recent Changes
3Risks added
4Risks removed
5Risks changed
Since Dec 2023
Number of Risk Changed
5
No changes from last report
S&P 500 Average: 1

Risk Word Cloud

any damage to the reputation and recognition of our brand names, including negative publicity against us, may materially and adversely affect our business operations and prospects.recognition of our brand namesif we are classified as a prc resident enterprise for prc income tax purposes, such classification could result in unfavorable tax consequences to us and our non-prc shareholders or ads holders.unfavorable tax consequences to usif we are unable to implement our strategy to expand our prc operations by completing an initial public offering and listing on the star market, our ability to strengthen our market position and operations in the prc could be materially impaired. if our redemption obligation is triggered by a failure to complete the star market listing, we may not have available liquidity to meet investor redemptions. even if we complete the star market listing, we may not achieve the results contemplated by our business strategy and our strategy for growth in the prc may not result in increase in the trading price of our adss.liquidity to meet investor redemptionswe have granted, and may continue to grant, share incentive awards, which may result in increased share-based compensation expenses.increased share-based compensation expenseswe may be held liable for information or content displayed on, retrieved from or linked to our mobile applications or website, which may materially and adversely affect our business and operating results.linked to our mobile applicationsit may be difficult for regulators to conduct cross-border investigation.regulators to conduct cross-border investigationthe failure of in-house medical team and external doctors to provide adequate and proper service to consumers may have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.failure of in-house medical teamwe may need additional capital and may sell additional adss or other equity securities or incur indebtedness, which could result in additional dilution to our shareholders or increase our debt service obligations.increase our debt service obligationsour dual-class share structure with different voting rights will limit your ability to influence corporate matters and could discourage others from pursuing any change of control transactions that holders of our class a ordinary shares and adss may view as beneficial.ability to influence corporate mattersour dual-class share structure with different voting rights will limit your ability to influence corporate matters and could discourage others from pursuing any change of control transactions that holders of our class a ordinary shares and adss may view as beneficial.our dual-class share structure

Risk Factors Full Breakdown - Total Risks 83

Share Price & Shareholder Rights12 | 14.5%
  • Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 1Added
    If the PCAOB is prevented from fully evaluating audits and quality control procedures of our auditor, investors may be deprived of the benefits of such PCAOB inspections.

    Inspections of certain registered public accounting firms that the PCAOB has conducted in mainland China and Hong Kong have identified deficiencies in those firms' audit procedures and quality control procedures, which may be addressed as part of the inspection process to improve future audit quality. The lack of PCAOB inspections in China in the past made it difficult to evaluate the effectiveness of our auditor's audit procedures or quality control procedures as compared to auditors that were subject to PCAOB inspections, although we expect the effectiveness of audit procedures or quality control procedures conducted by auditors in China will gradually improve, given the ability of PCAOB to conduct inspection of such auditor firms since 2022. Nevertheless, investors may lose confidence in our reported financial information and procedures and the quality of our financial statements due to the historical reasons. As part of our continued efforts to ensure accuracy of our financial reporting, our audit committee periodically communicates with our independent auditor to oversee and evaluate the audit procedures and status. However, we cannot assure you that the measures our audit committee has taken or will take in the future will be effective.

  • Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 2
    Our dual-class share structure with different voting rights will limit your ability to influence corporate matters and could discourage others from pursuing any change of control transactions that holders of our Class A ordinary shares and ADSs may view as beneficial.

    We have a dual-class share structure such that our ordinary shares consists of Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares. In respect of matters requiring the votes of shareholders, holders of Class A ordinary shares will be entitled to one vote per share, while holders of Class B ordinary shares will be entitled to fifteen votes per share based on our dual-class share structure. Each Class B ordinary share is convertible into one Class A ordinary share at any time by the holder thereof, while Class A ordinary shares are not convertible into Class B ordinary shares under any circumstances. Upon any sale, transfer, assignment or disposition of any Class B ordinary share by our Founders (defined in our memorandum and articles of association to mean Dr. Gang Yu and Mr. Junling Liu) or Founder Affiliate (as defined in our memorandum and articles of association) to any person who is not a "Founder Affiliate," or upon a change of ultimate beneficial ownership of any Class B ordinary share to any person who is not a Founder Affiliate, such Class B ordinary share shall be automatically and immediately converted into one Class A ordinary share. As of March 31, 2024, our founders, Dr. Gang Yu and Mr. Junling Liu, beneficially own all of our issued and outstanding Class B ordinary shares. These Class B ordinary shares constitute approximately 42.02% of our total outstanding share capital and 91.58% of the aggregate voting power of our total outstanding share capital due to the disparate voting powers associated with our dual-class share structure. See "Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees-E. Share Ownership." As a result of the dual-class share structure and the concentration of ownership, holders of Class B ordinary shares will have considerable influence over matters such as decisions regarding mergers, consolidations and the sale of all or substantially all of our assets, election of directors and other significant corporate actions. Such holders may take actions that are not in the best interest of us or our other shareholders. This concentration of ownership may discourage, delay or prevent a change in control of our company, which could have the effect of depriving our other shareholders of the opportunity to receive a premium for their shares as part of a sale of our company and may reduce the price of our ADSs. This concentrated control will limit your ability to influence corporate matters and could discourage others from pursuing any potential merger, takeover or other change of control transactions that holders of Class A ordinary shares and ADSs may view as beneficial.

  • Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 3
    The dual-class structure of our ordinary shares may adversely affect the trading market for our ADSs.

    Several shareholder advisory firms have announced their opposition to the use of multiple class structures. As a result, the dual-class structure of our ordinary shares may prevent the inclusion of our ADSs representing Class A ordinary shares in such indices and may cause shareholder advisory firms to publish negative commentary about our corporate governance practices or otherwise seek to cause us to change our capital structure. Any such exclusion from indices could result in a less active trading market for our ADSs. Any actions or publications by shareholder advisory firms critical of our corporate governance practices or capital structure could also adversely affect the value of our ADSs.

  • Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 4
    The voting rights of holders of ADSs are limited by the terms of the deposit agreement, and you may not be able to exercise your right to direct the voting of the underlying Class A ordinary shares which are represented by your ADSs.

    As a Cayman Islands exempted company, we are not obliged by the Companies Act (As Revised) of the Cayman Islands to call shareholders' annual general meetings. As a holder of ADSs, you will not have any direct right to attend general meetings of our shareholders or to cast any votes at such meetings. You will only be able to exercise the voting rights that attach to the underlying Class A ordinary shares represented by your ADSs indirectly by giving voting instructions to the depositary in accordance with the provisions of the deposit agreement. Under the deposit agreement, you may vote only by giving voting instructions to the depositary, as the holder of the underlying Class A ordinary shares that are represented by your ADSs. If we ask the depositary to solicit your instructions, upon receipt of your voting instructions, the depositary will endeavor to vote the underlying Class A ordinary shares in accordance with your instructions. If we do not instruct the depositary to solicit, you can still send voting instructions to the depositary, and the depositary may, but is not required, to endeavor to carry out those instructions. You will not be able to directly exercise any right to vote with respect to the underlying Class A ordinary shares unless you withdraw the shares and become the registered holder of such shares prior to the record date for the general meeting. Under our memorandum and articles of association, the minimum notice period required to be given by our company to our registered shareholders for convening a general meeting is ten calendar days. When a general meeting is convened, you may not receive sufficient advance notice to enable you to withdraw the underlying shares which are represented by your ADSs and become the registered holder of such shares prior to the record date for the general meeting to allow you to attend the general meeting or to vote directly with respect to any specific matter or resolution which is to be considered and voted upon at the general meeting. In addition, under our memorandum and articles of association, for the purposes of determining those shareholders who are entitled to attend and vote at any general meeting, our directors may close our register of members and/or fix in advance a record date for such meeting, and such closure of our register of members or the setting of such a record date may prevent you from withdrawing the underlying shares which are represented by your ADSs and becoming the registered holder of such shares prior to the record date, so that you would not be able to attend the general meeting or to vote directly. Where any matter is to be put to a vote at a general meeting, the depositary will endeavor to notify you of the upcoming vote and to deliver our voting materials to you if we ask it to. We cannot assure you that you will receive the voting materials in time to ensure that you can instruct the depositary to vote the underlying shares which are represented by your ADSs. In addition, the depositary and its agents are not responsible for failing to carry out voting instructions or for their manner of carrying out your voting instructions. This means that you may not be able to exercise your right to direct the voting of the underlying shares that are represented by your ADSs, and you may have no legal remedy if the underlying shares are not voted as you requested.

  • Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 5
    The depositary for our ADSs may give us a discretionary proxy to vote the Class A ordinary shares underlying your ADSs if you do not give voting instructions, which could adversely affect your interests.

    Under the deposit agreement for the ADSs, if (i) we timely instruct the depositary to solicit your voting instructions, the depositary does not receive your instructions by the specified date and (ii) we confirm to the depositary that: - we wish a discretionary proxy to be given;- we reasonably believe there is no substantial opposition as to a matter to be voted on at the meeting; and - a matter to be voted on at the meeting would not have a material adverse impact on shareholders, then the depositary will give us a proxy to vote the shares represented by your ADSs. The effect of this discretionary proxy is that, if you fail to give voting instructions to the depositary as to how to vote the Class A ordinary shares underlying your ADSs at any particular shareholders' meeting, you cannot prevent our ordinary shares underlying your ADSs from being voted at that meeting, and it may make it more difficult for shareholders to influence our management. Holders of our Class A ordinary shares are not subject to this discretionary proxy.

  • Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 6
    Proceedings instituted by the SEC against Chinese affiliates of the "big four" accounting firms, including our independent registered public accounting firm, could result in financial statements being determined to not be in compliance with the requirements of the Exchange Act.

    In December 2012, the SEC instituted administrative proceedings against the Big Four PRC-based accounting firms, including our independent registered public accounting firm, alleging that these firms had violated U.S. securities laws and the SEC's rules and regulations thereunder by failing to provide to the SEC the firms' audit work papers with respect to certain PRC-based companies that are publicly traded in the United States. On January 22, 2014, the administrative law judge presiding over the matter rendered an initial decision that each of the firms had violated the SEC's rules of practice by failing to produce audit papers and other documents to the SEC. The initial decision censured each of the firms and barred them from practicing before the SEC for a period of six months. On February 6, 2015, the four China-based accounting firms each agreed to a censure and to pay a fine to the SEC to settle the dispute and avoid suspension of their ability to practice before the SEC and audit U.S.-listed companies. The settlement required the firms to follow detailed procedures and to seek to provide the SEC with access to Chinese firms' audit documents via the CSRC. Under the terms of the settlement, the underlying proceeding against the four China-based accounting firms was deemed dismissed with prejudice four years after entry of the settlement. The four-year mark occurred on February 6, 2019. While we cannot predict if the SEC will further challenge the four China-based accounting firms' compliance with U.S. law in connection with U.S. regulatory requests for audit work papers or if the results of such a challenge would result in the SEC imposing penalties such as suspensions, if the accounting firms are subject to additional remedial measures, our ability to file our financial statements in compliance with SEC requirements could be impacted. A determination that we have not timely filed financial statements in compliance with the SEC requirements could ultimately lead to the delisting of our ADSs from the Nasdaq or the termination of the registration of our ordinary shares under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or both, which would substantially reduce or effectively terminate the trading of our ADSs in the United States.

  • Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 7
    The trading price for the ADSs may be volatile.

    Since the ADSs became listed on Nasdaq on September 12, 2018, the trading price of the ADSs has ranged from US$1.19 to US$45.88. The trading prices of the ADSs are likely to be volatile and could fluctuate widely due to factors beyond our control. This may happen because of broad market and industry factors, like the performance and fluctuation in the trading prices or the underperformance or deteriorating financial results of internet or other companies based in China that have listed their securities in the United States in recent years. The securities of some of these companies have experienced significant volatility since their initial public offerings, including, in some cases, substantial price declines in their trading prices. The trading performances of other Chinese companies' securities after their offerings, including internet and e-commerce companies, may affect the attitudes of investors toward Chinese companies listed in the United States, which consequently may impact the trading performance of the ADSs, regardless of our actual operating performance. In addition, any negative news or perceptions about inadequate corporate governance practices or fraudulent accounting, corporate structure or other matters of other Chinese companies may also negatively affect the attitudes of investors towards Chinese companies in general, including us, regardless of whether we have conducted any inappropriate activities. In addition, securities markets may from time to time experience significant price and volume fluctuations that are not related to our operating performance, which may have a material adverse effect on the trading price of the ADSs. In addition to the above factors, the price and trading volume of the ADSs may be highly volatile due to multiple factors, including the following: - regulatory developments affecting us, our consumers or our industry;- conditions in the online healthcare industry and the public perception of the legitimacy and ethics of certain business practices of our competitors or other market players within the industry;- announcements of studies and reports relating to the quality of our product and service offerings or those of our competitors;- changes in the economic performance or market valuations of other online healthcare platforms;- actual or anticipated fluctuations in our quarterly results of operations and changes or revisions of our expected results;- changes in financial estimates by securities research analysts;- announcements by us or our competitors of new product and service offerings, acquisitions, strategic relationships, joint ventures or capital commitments;- additions to or departures of our senior management;- detrimental negative publicity about us, our management or our industry;- the potential delisting pursuant to the HFCAA;- fluctuations of exchange rates between the Renminbi and the U.S. dollar;- allegations of a lack of effective internal control over financial reporting resulting in financial and accounting irregularities and mistakes; inadequate corporate governance policies, or allegations of fraud, among other things, involving China-based issuers;- release or expiry of any transfer restrictions on our outstanding ordinary shares or the ADSs; and - sales or perceived potential sales of additional ordinary shares or ADSs. The trading market for the ADSs will depend in part on the research and reports that securities or industry analysts publish about us or our business. If research analysts do not establish and maintain adequate research coverage or if one or more of the analysts who cover us downgrade the ADSs or publish inaccurate or unfavorable research about our business, the trading price for our ADSs would likely decline. If one or more of these analysts cease coverage of our company or fail to publish reports on us regularly, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which, in turn, could cause the trading price or trading volume for the ADSs to decline.

  • Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 8
    You may face difficulties in protecting your interests, and your ability to protect your rights through U.S. courts may be limited, because we are incorporated under Cayman Islands law.

    We are an exempted company limited by shares incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands. Our corporate affairs are governed by our memorandum and articles of association, the Companies Act (As Revised) of the Cayman Islands and the common law of the Cayman Islands. The rights of shareholders to take action against our directors, actions by our minority shareholders and the fiduciary duties of our directors to us under Cayman Islands law are to a large extent governed by the common law of the Cayman Islands. The common law of the Cayman Islands is derived in part from comparatively limited judicial precedent in the Cayman Islands as well as from the common law of England, the decisions of whose courts are of persuasive authority, but are not binding, on a court in the Cayman Islands. The rights of our shareholders and the fiduciary duties of our directors under Cayman Islands law are not as clearly established as they would be under statutes or judicial precedent in some jurisdictions in the United States. In particular, the Cayman Islands has a less developed body of securities laws than the United States. Some U.S. states, such as Delaware, have more fully developed and judicially interpreted bodies of corporate law than the Cayman Islands. In addition, Cayman Islands companies may not have standing to initiate a shareholder derivative action in a federal court of the United States. Shareholders of Cayman Islands exempted companies like us have no general rights under Cayman Islands law to inspect corporate records (other than copies of our memorandum and articles of association, register of mortgages and charges, and any special resolutions passed by our shareholders) or to obtain copies of lists of shareholders of these companies. Our directors will have discretion under our memorandum and articles of association to determine whether or not, and under what conditions, our corporate records may be inspected by our shareholders, but are not obliged to make them available to our shareholders. This may make it more difficult for you to obtain the information needed to establish any facts necessary for a shareholder resolution or to solicit proxies from other shareholders in connection with a proxy contest. As a result of all of the above, our public shareholders may have more difficulty in protecting their interests in the face of actions taken by our management, members of the board of directors or controlling shareholders than they would as public shareholders of a company incorporated in the United States.

  • Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 9
    Our memorandum and articles of association contains anti-takeover provisions that could discourage a third party from acquiring us and adversely affect the rights of holders of our Class A ordinary shares and the ADSs.

    Our memorandum and articles of association contains certain provisions that could limit the ability of others to acquire control of our company, including a provision that grants authority to our board of directors to establish and issue from time to time one or more series of preferred shares without action by our shareholders and to determine, with respect to any series of preferred shares, the terms and rights of that series. These provisions could have the effect of depriving our shareholders and holders of the ADSs of the opportunity to sell their shares or ADSs at a premium over the prevailing trading price by discouraging third parties from seeking to obtain control of our company in a tender offer or similar transactions. In addition, our dual-class structure could discourage others from pursuing any change of control transactions. See "-Our dual-class share structure with different voting rights will limit your ability to influence corporate matters and could discourage others from pursuing any change of control transactions that holders of our Class A ordinary shares and the ADSs may view as beneficial."

  • Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 10
    Certain existing shareholders have substantial influence over our company and their interests may not be aligned with the interests of our other shareholders.

    As of March 31, 2024, our directors and executive officers collectively owned an aggregate of 92.3% of the total voting power of our outstanding ordinary shares. As a result, they have substantial influence over our business, including significant corporate actions such as mergers, consolidations, election of directors and other significant corporate actions. They may take actions that are not in the best interest of us or our other shareholders. This concentration of ownership may 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 may reduce the price of the ADSs. These actions may be taken even if they are opposed by our other shareholders. In addition, the significant concentration of share ownership may adversely affect the trading price of the ADSs due to investors' perception that conflicts of interest may exist or arise. For more information regarding our principal shareholders and their affiliated entities, see "Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees-E. Share Ownership."

  • Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 11
    We are a foreign private issuer within the meaning of the rules under the Exchange Act, and as such we are exempt from certain provisions applicable to U.S. domestic public companies.

    Because we qualify as a foreign private issuer under the Exchange Act, we are exempt from certain provisions of the securities rules and regulations in the United States that are applicable to U.S. domestic issuers, including: - the rules under the Exchange Act requiring the filing with the SEC of quarterly reports on Form 10-Q or current reports on Form 8-K;- the sections of the Exchange Act regulating the solicitation of proxies, consents or authorizations in respect of a security registered under the Exchange Act;- the sections of the Exchange Act requiring insiders to file public reports of their stock ownership and trading activities and liability for insiders who profit from trades made in a short period of time; and - the selective disclosure rules by issuers of material nonpublic information under Regulation FD. We are required to file an annual report on Form 20-F within four months of the end of each fiscal year. In addition, we intend to publish our results on a quarterly basis as press releases, distributed pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Nasdaq Global Market. Press releases relating to financial results and material events will also be furnished to the SEC on Form 6-K. However, the information we are required to file with or furnish to the SEC will be less extensive and less timely compared to that required to be filed with the SEC by U.S. domestic issuers. As a result, you may not be afforded the same protections or information that would be made available to you were you investing in a U.S. domestic issuer. As a company incorporated in the Cayman Islands, we are permitted to adopt certain home country practices in relation to corporate governance matters that differ significantly from the Nasdaq Global Market corporate governance requirements; these practices may afford less protection to shareholders than they would enjoy if we complied fully with the Nasdaq Global Market corporate governance requirements.

  • Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 12
    There can be no assurance that we will not be a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, for any taxable year, which could result in adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. investors in the ADSs or ordinary shares.

    In general, a non-U.S. corporation is a passive foreign investment company for U.S. federal income tax purposes, or PFIC, for any taxable year in which (i) 75% or more of its gross income consists of passive income; or (ii) 50% or more of the value of its assets (generally determined on an average quarterly basis) consists of assets that produce, or are held for the production of, passive income. For purposes of the above calculations, a non-U.S. corporation that owns (or is treated as owning for U.S. federal income tax purposes), directly or indirectly, at least 25% by value of the shares of another corporation is treated as if it held its proportionate share of the assets of the other corporation and received directly its proportionate share of the income of the other corporation. Passive income generally includes dividends, interest, rents, royalties and certain gains. Cash is generally a passive asset for these purposes. Goodwill (the value of which generally may be determined by reference to the excess of the sum of the corporation's market capitalization and liabilities over the value of its assets) is generally characterized as a non-passive or passive asset based on the nature of the income produced in the activity to which the goodwill is attributable. Based on the composition of our income and assets and the estimated value of our assets, including goodwill, which is based on the price of our ADSs, we believe that we were not a PFIC for our taxable year ended on December 31, 2023. However, our PFIC status for any taxable year will depend on the composition of our income and assets and the value of our assets from time to time (which may be determined, in large part, by reference to the market price of the ADSs, which has been and may continue to be volatile). Therefore, the risk of us being or becoming a PFIC will increase if during any taxable year our ADS price declines significantly. In addition, the extent to which our goodwill should be characterized as an active asset is not entirely clear. We also hold a substantial amount of cash. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that we will not be a PFIC for our 2024 or any future taxable year. If we were a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. taxpayer holds ADSs or ordinary shares, the U.S. taxpayer generally would be subject to adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences, including increased tax liability on disposition gains and "excess distributions," and additional reporting requirements. See "Item 10. Additional Information-E. Taxation-Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations-Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules."

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.