LiveOne (Nasdaq: LVO) Provides Update for Its $10M Stock Repurchase Program
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LiveOne's ongoing $10M stock repurchase program is a strategic financial operation that signals confidence in the company's valuation and future performance. The repurchase of 3.4M+ LVO shares since the inception of the program, including 1.1M+ in FY 2024, indicates a substantial reduction in the number of shares outstanding. This typically leads to an earnings per share (EPS) boost, assuming net income remains constant, which can be seen as an attempt to create shareholder value and possibly prop up the stock price.
Furthermore, the intention to retire all repurchased shares will permanently reduce the share count, potentially leading to a more favorable supply-demand dynamic for the stock. However, the effectiveness of such programs largely depends on the market's perception of the company's intrinsic value and growth prospects. Investors should be aware that stock repurchase programs are sometimes used to offset the dilution from employee stock option plans or other stock-based compensation, which may not lead to a significant appreciation in stock price.
Lastly, the plan to use excess cash to retire outstanding liabilities and debt can improve the company's balance sheet and reduce interest expenses, which is generally well-received by the market. However, it is crucial to monitor whether this capital allocation strategy aligns with the company's long-term growth opportunities and whether it might be foregoing potential investments for future expansion.
The decision by LiveOne to engage in a stock repurchase program reflects broader market trends where companies use buybacks as a mechanism to return value to shareholders. By stating that the shares are 'grossly undervalued', management is sending a market signal that they believe the current stock price does not reflect the company's true value, which could influence investor sentiment and behavior.
It is important to consider the context of the industry in which LiveOne operates. The music, entertainment and technology sectors are highly competitive and subject to rapid change. LiveOne's capital allocation strategy, which prioritizes business growth while also repurchasing shares, suggests a dual focus on immediate shareholder returns and long-term business scalability. The impact of such a strategy on the company's stock will depend on how well it can balance these priorities and continue to innovate and capture market share within its industry.
The share repurchase process is governed by strict regulatory frameworks to ensure fair market practices. LiveOne's compliance with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rules during its buyback program is essential to maintain market integrity and investor trust. The discretionary nature of the repurchase program, with no obligation to acquire a set number of shares, allows for flexibility in response to market conditions.
Investors should be aware of the legal stipulations that such repurchase programs must adhere to, including the timing, volume and manner of purchases. These regulations are designed to prevent market manipulation and protect investors from potential abuses of insider knowledge. As the repurchase program also involves a subsidiary, PodcastOne, in which LiveOne owns approximately 80% of the common stock, it is crucial to understand any additional legal considerations or potential conflicts of interest that may arise from transactions involving a majority-owned subsidiary.
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- 3.4M+ LVO shares repurchased since inception of program
- 1.1M+ LVO shares repurchased in FY 2024, 178K+ since Dec 1, 2023
- Plans to immediately retire all repurchased shares
LOS ANGELES, CA, Jan. 09, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NewMediaWire – LiveOne (Nasdaq: LVO), an award-winning, creator-first, music, entertainment and technology platform, provided today certain updates for its ongoing
Robert Ellin, Chairman and CEO of LiveOne, commented, “As previously announced, we are continuing to repurchase shares of our common stock in the open market. We strongly believe our shares are grossly undervalued and our actions are intended to maximize shareholder value. Our month-over-month increasing recurring cash flows have enabled us to retire outstanding liabilities and debt, and we believe this is the best use of our excess cash.”
The timing, price and actual number of shares repurchased under the stock repurchase program will be at the discretion of LiveOne's management and will depend on a variety of factors, including stock price, general business and market conditions, and alternative investment opportunities. The repurchase program will continue to be executed consistent with LiveOne's capital allocation strategy, which will continue to prioritize growing LiveOne's business.
Under the stock repurchase program, repurchases can be made from time to time using a variety of methods, including open market purchases, all in compliance with the rules of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and other applicable legal requirements. The repurchase program does not obligate LiveOne to acquire any particular amount of shares, and the program may be suspended or discontinued at any time at LiveOne's discretion. LiveOne will review the stock repurchase program periodically and may authorize adjustment of its terms and size.
A portion of the stock repurchase program, which may include the possibility of buying back shares of common stock of PodcastOne, is subject to approval by LiveOne’s board of directors and any other applicable approvals and consents, which LiveOne fully expects to promptly obtain.
About LiveOne
Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, LiveOne, Inc. (Nasdaq: LVO) (the “Company”) is an award-winning, creator-first, music, entertainment, and technology platform focused on delivering premium experiences and content worldwide through memberships and live and virtual events. The Company's subsidiaries include Slacker Radio, PodcastOne (Nasdaq: PODC), PPVOne, Palm Beach Records, CPS, LiveXLive, DayOne Music Publishing, Drumify and Splitmind. LiveOne is available on iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Spotify, Samsung, Amazon Fire, Android TV, and through STIRR’s OTT applications. For more information, visit liveone.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and Twitter at @liveone. For more investor information, please visit ir.liveone.com.
About PodcastOne
PodcastOne (Nasdaq: PODC) is a Los Angeles based podcast network founded in 2012 by Kit Gray and Norm Pattiz providing creators and advertisers with a full 360-degree solution in sales, marketing, public relations, production, and distribution delivering over 2.1 billion downloads per year with a community of 250 of the top podcasters, including Adam Carolla, Kaitlyn Bristowe, Jordan Harbinger, LadyGang, and A&E's Cold Case Files. PodcastOne has built a distribution network reaching over 1 billion listeners a month across all of its own properties, LiveOne (Nasdaq: LVO), Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Samsung and over 150 shows exclusively available in Tesla vehicles. PodcastOne is also the parent company of LaunchpadOne, an innovative self-serve platform developed to launch, host, distribute and monetize independent user-generated podcasts. For more information, visit podcastone.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter at @podcastone.
Forward-Looking Statements
All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this press release are “forward-looking statements,” which may often, but not always, be identified by the use of such words as “may,” “might,” “will,” “will likely result,” “would,” “should,” “estimate,” “plan,” “project,” “forecast,” “intend,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “seek,” “continue,” “target” or the negative of such terms or other similar expressions. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements, including: the Company’s reliance on one key customer for a substantial percentage of its revenue; the Company’s ability to consummate any proposed financing, acquisition, spin-out, special dividend, merger, distribution or transaction, the timing of the consummation of any such proposed event, including the risks that a condition to the consummation of any such event would not be satisfied within the expected timeframe or at all, or that the consummation of any proposed financing, acquisition, spin-out, merger, special dividend, distribution or transaction will not occur or whether any such event will enhance shareholder value; the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern; the Company’s ability to attract, maintain and increase the number of its users and paid members; the Company identifying, acquiring, securing and developing content; the Company’s intent to repurchase shares of its and PodcastOne’s common stock from time to time under its announced stock repurchase program and the timing, price, and quantity of repurchases, if any, under the program; the Company’s ability to maintain compliance with certain debt covenants; the Company successfully implementing its growth strategy, including relating to its technology platforms and applications; management’s relationships with industry stakeholders; the effects of the global Covid-19 pandemic; uncertain and unfavorable outcomes in legal proceedings; changes in economic conditions; competition; risks and uncertainties applicable to the businesses of the Company’s subsidiaries; and other risks, uncertainties and factors including, but not limited to, those described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on June 29, 2023, Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter year ended September 30, 2023, filed with the SEC on November 20, 2023, and in the Company’s other filings and submissions with the SEC. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof, and the Company disclaims any obligation to update these statements, except as may be required by law. The Company intends that all forward-looking statements be subject to the safe-harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
LiveOne IR Contact:
Liviakis Financial Communications, Inc.
(415) 389-4670
john@liviakis.com
Press Contact:
For LiveOne
press@liveone.com
For PodcastOne
310.246.4600
Susan@Guttmanpr.com
