FiscalNote authorizes Board discretion for 1:2–1:15 reverse split to address NYSE pricing
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
FiscalNote Holdings, Inc. notifies holders that certain stockholders controlling approximately 25.1% of Class A and 100% of Class B (together about 66.9% of voting power) approved resolutions authorizing the Board to file an amendment giving the Board discretion, until October 10, 2025, to effect a reverse stock split of each class of Common Stock at a ratio between 1-for-2 and 1-for-15. The Board previously approved and recommended the proposal and the Company had 172,070,261 shares of Common Stock outstanding (consisting of 163,779,340 Class A and 8,290,921 Class B) as of the Record Date.
The stated primary purpose is to raise the per-share trading price of Class A Common Stock to address a NYSE notice for average closing price below $1.00. If implemented, the reverse split would proportionately reduce outstanding shares and increase the number of authorized but unissued shares available for future issuance, preserve each holder's percentage ownership (subject to fractional-share cash-outs), and proportionately adjust options, warrants and convertible instruments. The Information Statement warns there is no assurance the reverse split will achieve or sustain a higher market price and identifies potential liquidity and odd-lot impacts and the availability of cash in lieu of fractional shares.
Positive
- Board flexibility: Authorization to implement a reverse split at any ratio between 1-for-2 and 1-for-15 gives management tactical options.
- Consenting Stockholders approved filing: Holders controlling ~66.9% voting power approved the resolutions by written consent, so no further stockholder vote is required to file the amendment.
- Preserves proportional ownership: The reverse split, if implemented, would maintain each stockholder's percentage ownership (except for fractional-share rounding/cash-outs).
- Increases available authorized shares: Because authorized shares are not reduced, the reverse split would effectively increase the number of shares available for future issuance.
Negative
- NYSE non-compliance: The Company received a notice for an average closing price below $1.00, prompting the reverse-split proposal.
- No assurance of price improvement: The Information Statement explicitly states there is no assurance the reverse split will achieve or sustain a higher market price or maintain NYSE compliance.
- Liquidity and odd-lot risks: The reverse split may reduce trading liquidity, lead to fewer market makers, and leave some holders in odd-lot positions with potentially higher trading costs.
- Potential dilution/anti-takeover effect: The effective increase in authorized but unissued shares could be used to dilute ownership or frustrate takeover attempts.
Insights
TL;DR: Board authorized a flexible reverse-split range (1:2–1:15) to address NYSE sub-$1 price; outcome dependent on Board timing and market reaction.
The Information Statement documents a corporate-authority step to permit a reverse split aimed at regaining NYSE compliance after a notice for an average closing price below $1.00. The approval by Consenting Stockholders representing ~66.9% voting power removes a procedural hurdle, while reserving the Board's discretion to implement or abandon the split through October 10, 2025. Key metrics disclosed include 172.1 million shares outstanding and the permitted split range. Material investor implications noted include preserved proportional ownership, proportional adjustment of derivatives and conversion features, potential increase in authorized-but-unissued shares (enabling future issuances), and explicit caution that the split may not achieve sustained price improvement.
TL;DR: Governance action grants the Board tactical flexibility but concentrates decision power and enables increased issuance capacity.
The filing shows the Board and controlling stockholders followed DGCL and charter procedures to authorize a Charter amendment permitting a reverse split within specified ratios. The Consenting Stockholders' written consent satisfied the charter voting thresholds so no further stockholder vote is required to file the amendment; however, the Board retains sole discretion to implement the split by the specified deadline. The amendment explicitly leaves authorized shares unchanged, producing an effective expansion of the pool available for issuance post-split, which the document flags as a potential anti-takeover or dilution tool. Investors should note the formal mechanics for fractional-share treatment (cash in lieu) and proportional adjustments to equity-linked instruments are described in detail.