INSERTING and REPLACING Salem Media Group Announces Voluntary Delisting from the Nasdaq Global Market
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The decision by Salem Media Group to voluntarily delist from the Nasdaq Global Market is a strategic move that will have significant financial implications for the company and its shareholders. Delisting often suggests a company is looking to reduce regulatory costs and the burdens associated with remaining on a major exchange, which for smaller companies can be substantial.
However, this move could also limit the liquidity of Salem's shares, as it often leads to a narrower investor base and potentially lower trading volumes. Shareholders might find it more challenging to buy or sell shares at their preferred prices. Moreover, institutional investors and funds often have mandates restricting them from holding stocks not listed on major exchanges, which could lead to a sell-off around the delisting period.
Long-term implications include the potential for reduced visibility in the investment community and less stringent reporting requirements, which might affect investor confidence. It's crucial to monitor the company's financial health and performance in subsequent quarters to assess the impact of this decision.
From a market perspective, Salem Media Group's delisting could be perceived as a negative signal, prompting analysts and investors to re-evaluate the company's market position and future growth prospects. It is essential to analyze industry trends to understand the potential reasons behind such a decision. For instance, if the media industry is facing headwinds, such as declining advertising revenue or shifts in consumer behavior, Salem's move might be a preemptive step to mitigate these challenges.
Conversely, this could also be a strategic pivot towards a different business model that does not align with the expectations of Nasdaq's investors. It's important to consider how this delisting aligns with broader industry trends and whether it positions Salem to capitalize on emerging opportunities in digital media and content distribution.
The legal implications of Salem Media Group's voluntary delisting involve a complex web of regulatory considerations. By deregistering its Class A Common Stock under Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the company will no longer be subject to certain reporting obligations mandated by the SEC for publicly traded companies. This includes the requirement to file quarterly and annual reports (10-Qs and 10-Ks), proxy statements and to maintain compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley regulations.
While this may reduce administrative burdens and costs for Salem, it does raise questions about transparency and corporate governance standards moving forward. Investors will need to rely more on the company's voluntary disclosures for information, which may not be as comprehensive or timely as those required by the SEC.
The updated release reads:
SALEM MEDIA GROUP ANNOUNCES VOLUNTARY DELISTING FROM THE NASDAQ GLOBAL MARKET
Salem Media Group, Inc. (the “Company”) (NASDAQ: SALM) announced today that it has given formal notice to the Nasdaq Stock Market (“Nasdaq”) of its intention to voluntarily delist its Class A Common Stock from the Nasdaq Global Market and to deregister its Class A Common Stock under Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”).
The Company currently anticipates that it will file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) a Form 25 (Notification of Removal of Listing) on or about January 8, 2024, with the delisting of its Class A Common Stock taking effect no earlier than ten days thereafter. As a result, the Company expects that the last trading day of its common stock on the Nasdaq Global Market will be on or about January 18, 2024. Further, prior to March 29, 2024, the Company intends to file a Form 15 with the SEC to suspend the Company's reporting obligations under Sections 12(g) and 15(d) of the Exchange Act.
As previously noted in the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 23, 2023, the Company had received written notice from Nasdaq that the Company was not in compliance with the minimum bid price required for continued listing on the Nasdaq Global Market under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5450(a)(1) based upon the closing bid price of the Class A Common Stock for the 30 consecutive business days prior to the date of the notice.
On December 22, 2023, the Company received written notice from Nasdaq notifying the Company that it has not regained compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5450(a)(1) and that the Class A Common Stock is subject to delisting from Nasdaq and is scheduled for delisting at the opening of business on January 3, 2024, and that a Form 25-NSE will be filed with the SEC, unless the Company (i) submits an on-line application to transfer its Class A Common Stock to The Nasdaq Capital Market by December 29, 2023, or (ii) appeals such determination by requesting a hearing to the Nasdaq Hearings Panel (the “Panel”), pursuant to the procedures set forth in the Nasdaq Listing Rule 5800 Series, and submits a non-refundable hearing request fee.
On December 26, 2023, the Company submitted a hearing request to stay the suspension of the Company’s Class A Common Stock and the filing of the Form 25-NSE pending the Panel’s decision.
However, subsequent to submitting the hearing request, on December 26, 2023, after careful evaluation of the options available to the Company, the Company’s board of directors determined that the voluntary delisting of the Company’s Class A Common Stock from Nasdaq is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders. The Company anticipates significant financial savings as a result of this decision. In addition, delisting and deregistration provide several benefits to the Company and its stockholders including lower operating costs and reduced management time commitment for compliance and reporting activities.
The Company anticipates that its Class A Common Stock will be quoted on the OTCQX or other market operated by OTC Markets Group Inc. (the “OTC”), and it intends to take such actions to enable its Class A Common Stock to be quoted on the OTCQX or on another OTC market so that a trading market may continue to exist for its Class A Common Stock. The Company expects its Class A Common Stock to be quoted on the OTCQX Market beginning on or around January 19, 2024, pending approval by OTC Markets.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS:
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company intends such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such statements, including statements regarding the expected timing and process for delisting and deregistering the Company’s Class A Common Stock, are based upon current plans, estimates and expectations of management that are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements. The inclusion of forward-looking statements should not be regarded as a representation that such plans, estimates and expectations will be achieved. All forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those that we expected, including, but not limited to, the Company’s ability to facilitate the quoting of its Class A Common Stock on the OTCQX or another OTC market, and other important factors discussed in the Company’s reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q, 8-K and other filings filed with or furnished to the SEC. Readers are urged to consider these factors carefully and in the totality of the circumstances when evaluating these forward-looking statements, and not to place undue reliance on any of them. Any such forward-looking statements represent management’s reasonable estimates and beliefs as of the date of this press release. We assume no obligation to publicly update or revise these forward-looking statements for any reason, or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future.
ABOUT SALEM MEDIA GROUP:
Salem Media Group is America’s leading multimedia company specializing in Christian and conservative content, with media properties comprising radio, digital media and book and newsletter publishing. Each day Salem serves a loyal and dedicated audience of listeners and readers numbering in the millions nationally. With its unique programming focus, Salem provides compelling content, fresh commentary and relevant information from some of the most respected figures across the Christian and conservative media landscape. Learn more about Salem Media Group, Inc. at www.salemmedia.com.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231229938490/en/
Evan D. Masyr
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(805) 384-4512
evan@salemmedia.com
Source: Salem Media Group, Inc.
FAQ
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