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Evolution Petroleum Corp (EPM)
:EPM
Risk Overview Q4, 2024
Risk Distribution
44% Finance & Corporate
24% Production
12% Legal & Regulatory
12% Macro & Political
6% Tech & Innovation
3% Ability to Sell
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
Evolution Petroleum 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, 2024
Main Risk Category
Finance & Corporate
With 15 Risks
Finance & Corporate
With 15 Risks
Number of Disclosed Risks
34
No changes from last report
S&P 500 Average: 31
34
No changes from last report
S&P 500 Average: 31
Recent Changes
0Risks added
0Risks removed
0Risks changed
Since Dec 2024
0Risks added
0Risks removed
0Risks changed
Since Dec 2024
Number of Risk Changed
0
No changes from last report
S&P 500 Average: 3
0
No changes from last report
S&P 500 Average: 3
See the risk highlights of Evolution Petroleum 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 34
Finance & Corporate
Total Risks: 15/34 (44%)Above Sector Average
Share Price & Shareholder Rights7 | 20.6%
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 1
If securities or industry analysts do not publish research reports about our business, or if they downgrade our stock, the price of our common stock could decline.Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 2
The market for our common stock is limited and may not provide adequate liquidity.Our common stock trades on the NYSE American. Trading volume in our common stock is relatively low compared to larger companies. Our holders may find it more difficult to sell their shares, should they desire to do so, based on the trading volume and price of our stock at that time relative to the quantity of shares to be sold.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 3
Significant ownership of our common stock is concentrated in a small number of shareholders who may be able to affect the outcome of the election of our directors and all other matters submitted to our stockholders for approval.As of June 30, 2024, our executive officers and directors, in the aggregate, beneficially owned approximately 3.2 million shares, or approximately 9.5% of our outstanding common stock and, based on recent filings with the SEC, we believe one large unaffiliated fund complex owned in excess of 7% of the outstanding shares of our common stock. As a result, a significant percentage of our common stock is concentrated in the hands of relatively few shareholders. These shareholders could potentially exercise significant influence over matters submitted to our stockholders for approval (including the election and removal of directors and any merger, consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of our assets). This concentration of ownership may have the effect of delaying, deferring, or preventing any matter that requires shareholder approval, including a change in control of our company, impede a merger, consolidation, takeover, or other business combination involving our company or discourage a potential acquirer from making a tender offer or otherwise attempting to obtain control of our company, which in turn could have an adverse effect on the market price of our common stock.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 4
Our stock price has been and may continue to be volatile.Our common stock has a relatively low trading volume and the market price has been, and is likely to continue to be, volatile. The variance in our stock price makes it difficult to forecast the stock price at which an investor may be able to buy or sell shares of our common stock. The market price for our common stock could be subject to fluctuations as a result of factors that are out of our control, such as:
- actual or anticipated variations in our results of operations;- changes or fluctuations in the commodity prices of oil and natural gas;- general conditions and trends in the oil and natural gas industry;- redemption demands on institutional funds that hold our stock; and - general economic, political, and market conditions.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 5
Non-U.S. holders may be subject to U.S. income tax and withholding tax with respect to gain on disposition of the Company's common stock.We believe we are a U.S. real property holding corporation. As a result, Non-U.S. holders that own (or are treated as owning under constructive ownership rules) more than a specified amount of our common stock during a specified time period may be subject to U.S. federal income tax and withholding on a sale, exchange or other disposition of such common stock, and may be required to file a U.S. federal income tax return.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 6
There may be future sales or issuances of our common stock, which will dilute the ownership interests of stockholders and may adversely affect the market price of our common stock.We may in the future issue additional shares of common stock, including securities that are convertible into or exchangeable for, or that represent the right to receive, common stock or substantially similar securities, which may result in dilution to our stockholders. In addition, our stockholders may be further diluted by future issuances under our equity incentive plans. The market price of our common stock could decline as a result of future sales or issuances of a large number of shares of our common stock or similar securities in the market or the perception that such sales or issuances could occur.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 7
We have limited control over the activities on properties we do not operate.All of our property interests are operated by third-party working interest owners, not by us. As a result, we have limited ability to influence or control the operations or future development of such properties, including compliance with environmental, safety, and other standards, or the amount of capital or other expenditures that we will be required to fund with respect to such properties. Operators of these properties may act in ways that are not in our best interest. Moreover, we are dependent on the other working interest owners of such projects to fund their contractual share of the capital expenditures of such projects. These limitations and our dependence on the operator and other working interest owners for these projects could cause us to incur unexpected future costs, result in lower production, and materially and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
Accounting & Financial Operations2 | 5.9%
Accounting & Financial Operations - Risk 1
Our oil and natural gas reserves are only estimates and may prove to be inaccurate.Accounting & Financial Operations - Risk 2
Our stated objective of returning cash to shareholders is subject to our ability to generate sufficient cash flows to pay dividends on our common stock and to repurchase shares of our common stock, as applicable, and we have, in the past, and may in the future, reduced or eliminate dividend payments and stock repurchases.Our Board of Directors declared cash dividends on our common stock for the first time in December 2013 and we have declared and paid quarterly cash dividends since that time. Additionally, our Board of Directors has approved stock repurchase programs pursuant to which we have expended $8.6 million to repurchase shares over such period. Although one of our primary objectives is to return cash to shareholders, we are not required to repurchase shares of common stock or to pay dividends thereon and may be contractually or legally prohibited from doing so at certain times. Further, even if we are legally and contractually permitted to do so and have available cash to do so, we may elect to reduce or suspend the payment of dividends or the repurchase of shares of common stock to preserve cash based on the current and future capital requirements of our business, our financial condition, the amount of funds legally available therefor, any contractual restrictions to which we are subject at such time, our expectations about future cash inflows and such other factors as our Board of Directors may consider relevant. Accordingly, there is no certainty that dividends will be declared by our Board of Directors or shares of common stock will be repurchased by us in the future.
Debt & Financing1 | 2.9%
Debt & Financing - Risk 1
Our operations, funding required to develop and produce reserves and our growth plans require significant amounts of capital and our ability to access additional capital at acceptable costs is important if we are to fund our operations, grow our reserves and production and execute our growth plans.Corporate Activity and Growth5 | 14.7%
Corporate Activity and Growth - Risk 1
Our derivative activities could result in financial losses or could reduce our income.Corporate Activity and Growth - Risk 2
We may encounter difficulties integrating the operations of newly acquired oil and natural gas properties or businesses.Increasing our reserve base through acquisitions has been an important part of our business strategy. We may encounter difficulties integrating newly acquired oil and natural gas properties or businesses. In particular, we may face significant challenges in consolidating functions and integrating procedures, personnel, and business operations in an effective manner. The failure to successfully integrate such properties or businesses into our Company may adversely affect our business and results of operations. Any acquisition we make may involve numerous risks, including:
- a significant increase in our indebtedness and working capital requirements;- the inability to timely and effectively integrate the operations of recently acquired businesses or assets;- the incurrence of substantial costs to address unforeseen environmental and other liabilities arising out of the acquired businesses or assets;- liabilities arising from the operation of the acquired businesses or assets before our acquisition;- our lack of drilling or operational history in the areas in which the acquired business operates;- customer or key employee loss from the acquired business;- increased administration of new personnel;- additional costs due to increased scope and complexity of our business;- potential disruption of our ongoing business; and - assumptions made on estimated development by the operator may not be accurate or may change.
Additionally, significant acquisitions can change the nature of our operations and business depending upon the character of the acquired properties, which may have substantially different operating and geological characteristics or be in different geographic locations than our existing properties. To the extent that we acquire properties substantially different from the properties we currently own or that require different technical expertise, we may not be able to realize the economic benefits of these acquisitions as effectively as with acquisitions within our current footprint and expertise. We may not be successful in addressing these risks or any other problems encountered in connection with any acquisition we may make.
Corporate Activity and Growth - Risk 3
Our inability to complete acquisitions at our historical rate and at appropriate prices, that support our long-term strategy, could negatively impact our growth rate and stock price.One of our key strategies is growth through acquisition of low decline, long-life oil and natural gas properties. Our ability to grow revenues, earnings and cash flow at or above our historic rates depends in part upon our ability to identify and successfully acquire and integrate oil and natural gas properties at appropriate prices, and to make appropriate investments that support our long-term strategy. We may not be able to consummate acquisitions at rates similar to the past, which could adversely impact our growth rate and our stock price. Acquisitions are difficult to identify and complete for a number of reasons, including high valuations, competition among prospective buyers or investors, the availability of affordable funding in the capital markets and the need to satisfy applicable closing conditions.
Corporate Activity and Growth - Risk 4
We will be subject to risks in connection with acquisitions.We periodically evaluate acquisitions of reserves, properties, prospects, leaseholds, and other strategic transactions that appear to fit within our overall business strategy. The successful acquisition of producing properties requires an assessment of several factors, including, but not limited to:
- recoverable reserves;- future oil and natural gas prices and their appropriate differentials;- development and operating costs;- potential for future drilling and production;- validity of the seller's title to properties, which may be less than expected at closing; and - potential environmental issues, litigation, and other liabilities.
The accuracy of these assessments is inherently uncertain. In connection with these assessments, we perform a review of the subject properties that we believe to be generally consistent with industry practices. Our review will not reveal all existing or potential problems nor will it permit us to become sufficiently familiar with the properties to fully assess their deficiencies and potential recoverable reserves. Inspections may not always be performed on every well, and environmental problems are not necessarily observable at the ground surface or otherwise when an inspection is performed. Even when problems are identified, the seller may be unwilling or unable to provide effective contractual protection against all or part of the problems. Moreover, in the event of such an acquisition, there is a risk that we could ultimately be liable for unknown obligations related to acquisitions and, importantly, that our assumptions regarding future oil and natural gas prices, differentials, reserves, or production could prove materially inaccurate and have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.
Corporate Activity and Growth - Risk 5
The types of resources we focus on have substantial operational risks.Our business plan focuses on the acquisition and development of known resources in partially depleted, naturally fractured, or low permeability reservoirs. Our Chaveroo oilfield, Hamilton Dome Field and Delhi Field properties produce from relatively shallow reservoirs, while our SCOOP/STACK, Jonah Field, Williston Basin and Barnett Shale properties produce from deeper reservoirs. Shallower reservoirs usually have lower pressure, which generally translates into lower reserves volumes in place. Deeper reservoirs have higher pressures and usually more reserves volumes in place, but capturing those reserves often comes at increased drilling and completion costs and risks and, generally, a higher rate of initial production decline. Low permeability reservoirs require substantial stimulation for development of commercial production. Naturally fractured reservoirs require penetration of sufficient un-depleted fractures to establish commercial production. Depleted reservoirs require successful application of newer, or more expensive, technologies to produce incremental reserves. Our approach on the development and application of technologies on these different types of reservoirs could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.
The CO2-EOR project in the Delhi Field, operated by Denbury, requires significant amounts of CO2 reserves, development capital, and technical expertise, the sources of which to date have been committed by the operator. On November 2, 2023, ExxonMobil acquired Denbury. Additional capital remains to be invested to fully develop the EOR project and maximize the value of the properties. The operator's failure to manage these and other technical, environmental, operational, strategic, financial, and logistical risks may ultimately cause enhanced recoveries from the planned CO2-EOR project to fall short of our expectations in volume and/or timing. Such occurrences could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
Production
Total Risks: 8/34 (24%)Above Sector Average
Manufacturing3 | 8.8%
Manufacturing - Risk 1
We may assume risks and financial responsibility for drilling and completing wells at our Chaveroo oilfield and Williston Basin properties if our third-party operator declines to drill wells and it or other joint interest owners elect not to participate.Manufacturing - Risk 2
Oil and natural gas development, re-completion of wells from one reservoir to another reservoir, restoring wells to production, and drilling and completing new wells are speculative activities which involve numerous risks and substantial uncertain costs.Our growth will be partially dependent upon the success of future development programs on our properties. Drilling for oil and natural gas and extracting NGLs and re-working existing wells involve numerous risks. The cost of drilling, completing, and operating wells is substantial and uncertain; drilling operations may be curtailed, delayed, or canceled as a result of a variety of factors beyond our control, including, but not limited to:
- unexpected drilling conditions;- pressure fluctuations or irregularities in reservoir formations;- equipment failures or accidents;- well blowouts and other releases of hazardous materials;- inability to obtain or maintain leases on economic terms, where applicable;- the cost and availability of goods and services, such as drilling rigs, fracture stimulation services, and tubulars;- adverse weather conditions;- compliance with governmental requirements; and - shortages or delays in the availability of drilling rigs or crews and the delivery of equipment.
Drilling or re-working is a highly speculative activity. Even when fully and correctly utilized, modern well completion and production techniques, such as Horizontal Drilling or CO2 injection, do not guarantee that we will find and produce oil and/or natural gas in economic quantities. Our future drilling, completion and production activities may not be successful and, if unsuccessful, such failure would have an adverse effect on our future results of operations and financial condition.
We may also identify and develop prospects through a number of methods, some of which may include Horizontal Drilling or tertiary injectants, and some of which may be unproven. The drilling and results for these prospects may be particularly uncertain. We cannot ensure that these projects can be successfully developed or that wells will, if drilled, encounter reservoirs of commercially productive oil or natural gas.
Manufacturing - Risk 3
Our existing developed oil and natural gas production will decline; we may be unable to acquire or develop the additional oil and natural gas reserves that are required in order to sustain our production and business operations.The volume of production from developed oil and natural gas properties declines as reserves are depleted, with the rate of decline depending on reservoir characteristics. Environmental issues, operating problems, or lack of extended future investment in any of our properties would cause our net production of oil, natural gas, and NGLs to decline significantly over time, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition.
Employment / Personnel1 | 2.9%
Employment / Personnel - Risk 1
The loss of key personnel could adversely affect us.Supply Chain1 | 2.9%
Supply Chain - Risk 1
We cannot market the oil and natural gas that we produce without the assistance of third-parties.Costs3 | 8.8%
Costs - Risk 1
Oilfield service and materials prices may increase, and the availability of such services and materials may be inadequate to meet our needs.Costs - Risk 2
Our insurance may not protect us against all of the operating risks to which our business is exposed.The oil and natural gas business involves numerous operating hazards such as well blowouts, mechanical failures, explosions, uncontrollable flows of oil, natural gas, or well fluids, fires, formations with abnormal pressures, hurricanes and storms, flooding, pollution, releases of toxic gas, and other environmental hazards and risks, which can result in (1) damage to or destruction of wells and/or production facilities, (2) damage to or destruction of formations, (3) injury to persons, (4) loss of life, or (5) damage to property, the environment or natural resources. While we carry general liability, control of well, and operator's extra expense coverage typical in our industry, we are not fully insured against all risks incidental to our business. Should we experience any losses, the costs of our premiums may rise, which could in turn reduce the amount of insurance we are able to carry.
Costs - Risk 3
A substantial or extended decline in oil and natural gas prices may adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and our ability to meet our capital expenditure obligations and financial commitments.The price we receive for our oil and natural gas significantly influences our revenue, profitability, access to capital, capital spending, and future rate of growth. At June 30, 2024, approximately 37% of our proved reserves were oil reserves, 41% were natural gas and 22% were NGLs. Oil, natural gas and NGLs are commodities and their prices are subject to wide fluctuations in response to relatively minor changes in supply and demand. Historically, the markets for oil, natural gas, and NGLs have been volatile and these markets will likely continue to be volatile in the future. The prices we receive for our production depend on numerous factors beyond our control, including, but not limited to the following:
- changes in global supply and demand for oil and natural gas;- worldwide and regional economic conditions impacting the global supply and demand for oil and natural gas;- social unrest, political instability or armed conflict in major oil and natural gas producing regions outside the United States, such as the conflict between Ukraine and Russia and the conflict between Israel and Gaza, and acts of terrorism or sabotage;- the ability and willingness of the members of OPEC+ to agree and maintain oil price and production controls;- the price and quantity of imports of foreign oil and natural gas;- energy transition away from hydrocarbons in response to governmental, scientific, and public concern over the threat of climate change arising from greenhouse gas emissions;- the relative strength or weakness of the U.S. dollar compared to other currencies;- the level of global oil and natural gas exploration and production;- the level of global oil and natural gas inventories;- localized supply and demand fundamentals of regional, domestic, and international transportation availability;- weather conditions, natural disasters, and seasonal trends;- domestic and foreign governmental regulations, including embargoes, sanctions, tariffs, and environmental regulations;- speculation as to the future price of oil and the speculative trading of oil and natural gas futures contracts;- price and availability of competitors' supplies of oil and natural gas;- technological advances affecting energy consumption; and - the price, availability and use of alternative fuels.
Substantially all of our production is sold to purchasers under short-term (less than 12-month) contracts at market-based prices. A decline in oil, natural gas, and NGL prices will reduce our cash flows, borrowing ability, the present value of our reserves, and our ability to develop future reserves. We may be unable to obtain the needed capital or financing on satisfactory terms. Low oil, natural gas, and NGL prices may also reduce the amount of oil, natural gas, and NGL that we can produce economically, which could lead to a decline in our oil, natural gas and NGL reserves. Generally, we hedge substantially less than all of our anticipated oil and natural gas production and typically only with the requirements of our Senior Secured Credit Facility. To the extent that we have not hedged production, any significant and extended decline in oil, natural gas, and NGL prices may adversely affect our financial position.
Legal & Regulatory
Total Risks: 4/34 (12%)Above Sector Average
Regulation2 | 5.9%
Regulation - Risk 1
Government regulation and liability for oil and natural gas operations and environmental matters may adversely affect our business and results of operations.Regulation - Risk 2
Regulatory and accounting requirements may require substantial reductions in reporting proven reserves.On a periodic basis, we review the carrying value of our oil and natural gas properties under the applicable rules of various regulatory agencies, including the SEC. Under the full cost method of accounting that we use, the after-tax carrying value of our oil and natural gas properties may not exceed the present value of estimated future net after-tax cash flows from proved reserves, discounted at 10%. Application of this "ceiling" test requires pricing future revenues at the previous 12-month average beginning-of-month price and requires a write-down of the carrying value for accounting purposes if the ceiling is exceeded. We may in the future be required to write down the carrying value of our oil and natural gas properties when oil and natural gas prices are depressed or unusually volatile. Whether we will be required to take such a charge will depend in part on the prices of oil and natural gas during the previous period and the effect of reserve additions or revisions and capital expenditures during such period. If a write-down is required, it would result in a current charge to our earnings but would not impact our current cash flow from operating activities. A large write-down could adversely affect our compliance with the current financial covenants under our credit facility, could limit our access to future borrowings under that facility, or require repayment of any amounts that might be outstanding at the time.
Litigation & Legal Liabilities1 | 2.9%
Litigation & Legal Liabilities - Risk 1
We have been, and in the future may become, involved in legal proceedings related to our properties or operations and, as a result, may incur substantial costs in connection with those proceedings.Taxation & Government Incentives1 | 2.9%
Taxation & Government Incentives - Risk 1
Unanticipated changes in effective tax rates or laws or adverse outcomes resulting from examination of our income or other tax returns could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.Macro & Political
Total Risks: 4/34 (12%)Above Sector Average
Economy & Political Environment1 | 2.9%
Economy & Political Environment - Risk 1
Poor general economic, business, or industry conditions may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, liquidity, and financial condition.Natural and Human Disruptions3 | 8.8%
Natural and Human Disruptions - Risk 1
The risks arising out of the threat of climate change, including transition risks and physical risks, may adversely affect our business and results of operations.Natural and Human Disruptions - Risk 2
Events outside of our control, including a pandemic or broad outbreak of an infectious disease, such as the global outbreak of a novel strain of the coronavirus ("COVID-19"), may materially adversely affect our business.We face risks related to pandemics, outbreaks, or other public health events that are outside of our control and could significantly disrupt our operations and adversely affect our financial condition. In December 2019, COVID-19 was identified in Wuhan, China and rapidly spread around the world. This virus and its variants, and governmental actions to contain it, had material adverse economic impacts globally. These and other actions could, among other things, impact the ability of our employees and contractors to perform their duties, cause increased technology and security risk due to extended and company-wide telecommuting, and lead to disruptions in our permitting activities and critical business relationships. Additionally, governmental restrictions intended to contain COVID-19 or future pandemics have in the past, and may in the future, significantly impact economic activity and markets and dramatically reduce actual or anticipated demand for oil and natural gas, adversely impacting the prices we receive for our production. The severity and duration of any such events are uncertain and difficult to predict, as is the extent that such events may have on our business.
Natural and Human Disruptions - Risk 3
Investor sentiment towards climate change, fossil fuels, sustainability, and other ESG matters could adversely affect our business and our stock price.There have been efforts in recent years aimed at the investment community, including investment advisors, sovereign wealth funds, public pension funds, universities, and other groups, to promote the divestment of shares of fossil fuel companies, as well as to pressure lenders and other financial services companies to limit or curtail activities with fossil fuel companies. As a result, some financial intermediaries, investors, and other capital markets participants have reduced or ceased lending to, or investing in, companies that operate in industries with higher perceived environmental exposure, such as the oil and natural gas industry. For example, in December 2020, the State of New York announced that it will be divesting the state's Common Retirement Fund from fossil fuels. If this or similar divestment efforts are continued, the price of our common stock or debt securities, and our ability to access capital markets or to otherwise obtain new investment or financing, may be negatively impacted.
Members of the investment community are also increasing their focus on ESG practices and disclosures, including practices and disclosures related to greenhouse gases and climate change in the energy industry in particular, and diversity and inclusion initiatives and governance standards among companies more generally. The SEC, for example, promulgated new rules in 2024 that require disclosure of various specific risks related to climate but promptly issued an order staying their applicability pending resolution of legal challenges. The growing emphasis on ESG may lead the investment community to screen our ESG performance before investing in our common stock or debt securities or lending to us. Over the past few years there also has been an acceleration in investor demand for ESG investing opportunities, and many large institutional investors have committed to increasing the percentage of their portfolios that are allocated towards ESG-focused investments. As a result, there has been a proliferation of ESG-focused investment funds seeking ESG-oriented investment products.
If we are unable to meet the ESG standards or investment or lending criteria set by these investors and funds, we may lose investors, investors may allocate a portion of their capital away from us, our cost of capital may increase, the price of our common stock may be negatively impacted, and our reputation may be negatively affected.
Tech & Innovation
Total Risks: 2/34 (6%)Above Sector Average
Trade Secrets1 | 2.9%
Trade Secrets - Risk 1
Ownership of our oil, natural gas, and mineral production depends on good title to our property.Cyber Security1 | 2.9%
Cyber Security - Risk 1
Our business could be negatively affected by security threats. A cyber-attack or similar incident could occur and result in information theft, data corruption, operational disruption, damage to our reputation, and/or financial loss.Ability to Sell
Total Risks: 1/34 (3%)Above Sector Average
Competition1 | 2.9%
Competition - Risk 1
We face strong competition from larger oil and natural gas companies.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.