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.

Safeguard Scientifics disclosed 28 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Safeguard Scientifics reported the most risks in the “Finance & Corporate” category.

Risk Overview Q4, 2023

Risk Distribution

46% Finance & Corporate

14% Legal & Regulatory

11% Production

11% Ability to Sell

11% Macro & Political

7% Tech & Innovation

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

2020

S&P500 Average

Sector Average

Risks removed

Risks added

Risks changed

Safeguard Scientifics 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.

Risk Highlights Q4, 2023

Main Risk Category

Finance & Corporate

With 13 Risks

Finance & Corporate

With 13 Risks

Number of Disclosed Risks

-1

From last report

S&P 500 Average: 31

-1

From last report

S&P 500 Average: 31

Recent Changes

3Risks added

4Risks removed

0Risks changed

Since Dec 2023

3Risks added

4Risks removed

0Risks changed

Since Dec 2023

Number of Risk Changed

No changes from last report

S&P 500 Average: 1

No changes from last report

S&P 500 Average: 1

See the risk highlights of Safeguard Scientifics 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 28

Finance & Corporate

Total Risks: 13/28 (46%)Below Sector Average

Share Price & Shareholder Rights5 | 17.9%

Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 1

Added

We have undertaken actions to effect a "going dark" transaction, including delisting our common stock from trading on The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC ("Nasdaq"), terminating the registration of our common stock under Sections 12(b) and 12(g) of the Exchange Act and suspending our reporting obligations under Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act.

On December 15, 2023, our Board approved the voluntarily delisting of our common stock from trading on Nasdaq and the deregistering of our common stock under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act by filing Form 25 (Notification of Removal From Listing and/or Registration under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act) with the SEC. We filed Form 25 on February 2, 2024 and our common stock was delisted from trading on Nasdaq effective as of the end of business on February 9, 2024. On February 20, 2024, we filed Form 15 with the SEC certifying that we had less than 300 shareholders of record, in order to terminate the registration of our common stock under Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act and suspend our reporting obligations under Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act. These actions have the following effects: - Except for filing this Form 10-K, we have ceased filing annual, quarterly, current, and other reports and documents with the SEC, and our shareholders will have significantly less information about us and our business, operations, and financial performance than they previously had. While we currently intend to make financial information available to our shareholders on a voluntary basis, there is no assurance that we will continue to do so in the future. We will continue to hold shareholder meetings as required under Pennsylvania law, including annual meetings, or to take actions by written consent of our shareholders in lieu of meetings as permitted under and in conformity with applicable Pennsylvania law, but we will no longer have to comply with proxy solicitation rules and related disclosure requirements under the Exchange Act. - We are no longer listed on Nasdaq, which may have an adverse effect on the liquidity of our common stock. Effective February 12, 2024, our common stock qualified to trade on the OTCQX Best Market (the "OTC"). Any trading in our common stock will only occur in privately negotiated sales and on the OTC, but only if one or more brokers chooses to make a market for our common stock on the OTC and complies with applicable regulatory requirements, which may adversely affect the liquidity of our common stock and result in a significantly increased spread between the bid and asked prices of our common stock, and there is no guarantee that a broker will continue to make a market in our common stock and that trading of our common stock will continue on the OTC or otherwise. Additionally, the overall price of our stock may be significantly reduced due to the potential that investors may view the investment as inherently riskier given the fact that publicly available information about us will be significantly more limited, as well as due to possible limited liquidity of our common stock. - We will no longer be subject to the reporting requirements under the Exchange Act or other requirements applicable to a public company, including requirements under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the listing standards of any national securities exchange. - Our executive officers, directors and 10% shareholders will no longer be required to file reports relating to their transactions in our common stock with the SEC. In addition, our executive officers, directors and 10% shareholders will no longer be subject to the recovery of profits provision of the Exchange Act, and persons acquiring 5% of our common stock will no longer be required to report their beneficial ownership under the Exchange Act. - We will have no ability to access the public capital markets or to use public securities in attracting and retaining executives and other employees, and we will have a decreased ability to use stock to acquire other companies.

Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 2

Our ability to obtain value from our companies and the return of such value to our shareholders are subject to factors beyond our control.

In January 2018, we announced that we will not deploy any capital into new companies. We will instead focus on supporting, and maximizing monetization opportunities for, our existing company interests to return value to shareholders. In that context, we have considered and continue to consider monetization initiatives including, among others: the sale of our ownership interests, the sale of certain or all ownership interests in secondary market transactions, or a combination thereof, the sale of all of our ownership interests in a single transaction or a series of transactions, business combinations and other strategic transactions as well as other opportunities to maximize shareholder value. However, this strategic plan may require providing additional capital and operational support to such existing companies and we may not be able to complete any such transaction during any specific time frame or otherwise on desirable terms, if at all, and there can be no assurance as to how long this process will take or the results that this process will yield. In addition, the formal strategic process that we undertook through 2023 is no longer in effect and there can be no assurance that any future exploration of a strategic transaction will result in any strategic change or outcome and disclosure of any developments related to such exploration may not be disclosed until required. Further, if one or more strategic or other transactions are identified and completed, we may be required to retain or reinvest additional amounts of our capital as part of such transaction. There can also be no assurance as to whether we will realize the value of escrowed proceeds, holdbacks or other contingent consideration, if any, associated with any transaction. Additionally, there can be no assurance that we will be able to satisfy our liabilities during this process of supporting, and maximizing monetization opportunities for, our existing company interests to return value to shareholders. The method, timing and amount of any return of value to our shareholders will also be at the discretion of our Board of Directors and may depend on market and business conditions and our overall liabilities, capital structure and liquidity position.

Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 3

A disposition of one or more of our company interests may occur at a time that will yield less value than if we held such interests for a longer period of time.

Our companies are at various stages in their lifecycles. The value of our interests in our companies at any point in time is highly dependent on the progress and success such companies have made at such time with respect to the development and marketing of their products and services and that value may fluctuate significantly. This could result in lower exit valuations and/or extended exit timelines for such companies. This, in turn, could negatively affect the amount and timing of the monetization opportunities for such companies and our ability to return value to shareholders.

Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 4

Our companies could make business decisions that are not in our best interests or with which we do not agree, which could impair the value of our holdings.

Although we currently own a significant, influential interest in some of our companies, we do not maintain a controlling interest in any of our companies. Acquisitions of interests in companies in which we share or have no control, and the dilution of our interests in or a further reduction of our control of companies, will involve additional risks that could cause the performance of our interests and our operating results to suffer, including: - the management teams or other equity or debt holders of our companies having economic or business interests or objectives that are different from ours; and - the companies not taking our advice with respect to the financial or operating issues they may encounter. Our inability to control our companies also could prevent us from assisting them, financially or otherwise, or could prevent us from liquidating our interests in them at a time or at a price that is favorable to us. Additionally, our companies may not act in ways that are consistent with our business strategy. These factors could hamper our ability to maximize returns on our interests and cause us to incur losses on our interests in these companies.

Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 5

Fluctuations in the price of the common stock of our publicly traded holdings may affect the price of our common stock.

From time to time, we may hold equity interests in companies that are publicly traded. Fluctuations in the market prices of the common stock of publicly traded holdings may affect the price of our common stock. Historically, the market prices of our publicly traded holdings have been highly volatile and subject to fluctuations unrelated or disproportionate to operating performance.

Accounting & Financial Operations4 | 14.3%

Accounting & Financial Operations - Risk 1

We cannot provide assurance that material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting will not be identified in the future.

We cannot assure you that material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting will not be identified in the future. Any failure to maintain or implement required new or improved controls, or any difficulties we encounter in their implementation, could result in a material weakness, or could result in material misstatements in our Consolidated Financial Statements. These misstatements could result in a restatement of our Consolidated Financial Statements, cause us to fail to meet our reporting obligations and/or cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information, leading to a decline in our stock price.

Accounting & Financial Operations - Risk 2

Most of our companies have a history of operating losses and/or limited operating history and may never be profitable.

Most of our companies have a history of operating losses and/or limited operating history, have significant historical losses and may never be profitable. Many have incurred substantial costs to develop and market their products, have incurred net losses and cannot fund their cash needs from operations. We expect that the operating expenses of certain of our companies will increase substantially in the foreseeable future as they continue to develop products and services, increase sales and marketing efforts, and expand operations.

Accounting & Financial Operations - Risk 3

Our business model does not rely upon, or plan for, the receipt of operating cash flows from our companies. Our companies do not provide us with cash flow from their operations. We rely on cash on hand, liquidity events and our ability to generate cash from capital raising activities to finance our operations.

We need capital to fund the capital needs of our existing companies. We also need cash to finance our corporate overhead and meet our existing funding commitments. As a result, we have substantial cash requirements. Our companies do not provide us with cash flow from their operations. To the extent our companies generate any cash from operations, they generally retain the funds to develop their own businesses. As a result, we must rely on cash on hand, company liquidity events and new capital raising activities to meet our cash needs. If we are unable to find ways of monetizing our holdings of company interests or raising additional capital on attractive terms, we may face liquidity issues that will require us to constrain our ability to execute our business strategy and limit our ability to provide financial support to our existing companies.

Accounting & Financial Operations - Risk 4

We may be unable to obtain maximum value for our holdings or to sell our holdings on a timely basis.

We hold significant positions in most of our companies. If we were to divest all or part of our holdings in a company, we may have to sell our interests at a relative discount to intrinsic value. For companies with publicly traded stock, we may be unable to sell our holdings at then-quoted market prices. The trading volume and public float in the common stock of a publicly traded company in which we have an interest may be small relative to our holdings. As a result, any significant open-market divestiture by us of our holdings in such a company, if possible at all, would likely have a material adverse effect on the market price of its common stock and on our proceeds from such a divestiture. Additionally, we may not be able to take our companies public as a means of monetizing our position or creating shareholder value. Registration and other requirements under applicable securities laws and contractual restrictions also may adversely affect our ability to dispose of our company holdings on a timely basis.

Debt & Financing1 | 3.6%

Debt & Financing - Risk 1

Based on our business model, some or all of our companies will need to raise additional capital to fund their operations at any given time. We may not be able to, or decline to, fund some or all of such amounts and such amounts may not be available from third parties on acceptable terms, if at all. Further, if our companies do raise additional capital from third parties, either debt or equity, such capital may rank senior to, or dilute, our interests in such companies.

We cannot be certain that our companies will be able to obtain additional financing on favorable terms when needed, if at all. We may not be able to, or decline to, provide our companies with sufficient capital resources to enable them to reach a cash-flow positive position or a sale of the company. General economic disruptions and downturns may also negatively affect the ability of some of our companies to fund their operations from other stockholders and capital sources. We also may fail to accurately project the capital needs of companies. If our companies need capital, but are not able to raise capital from us or other outside sources, or our companies are unable to service their debt obligations, they may need to, or be forced to, cease or scale back operations. In such event, our interest in any such company will become less valuable. If our companies raise additional capital from third parties, either debt or equity, such capital may be dilutive, making our interests less valuable or if such capital ranks senior to the capital we have deployed, such capital may entitle its holders to receive returns of capital before we are entitled to receive any return of our deployed capital. Also, in the event of any insolvency, liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or bankruptcy of one or more our companies, holders of such company's instruments that rank senior to our deployed capital will typically be entitled to receive payment in full before we receive any return of our deployed capital. After returning such senior capital, such company may not have any remaining assets to use for returning capital to us, causing us to lose some or all of our deployed capital in such company.

Corporate Activity and Growth3 | 10.7%

Corporate Activity and Growth - Risk 1

Our companies may grow rapidly, including through acquisitions of other businesses, and may be unable to manage their growth.

We expect some of our companies to grow rapidly, including through acquisitions of other businesses. Such growth often places considerable operational, managerial, integration and financial strain on a business. To successfully manage such growth, our companies must, among other things: - improve, upgrade and expand their business infrastructures;- successfully integrate and operate any newly acquired businesses;- scale up production operations;- develop appropriate financial reporting controls;- attract and retain qualified personnel; and - maintain appropriate levels of liquidity. If our companies are unable to manage their growth successfully, their ability to respond effectively to competition and to achieve or maintain profitability will be adversely affected. Further, a material weakness in any of our companies' internal controls over their financial reporting could result in material misstatements in our Consolidated Financial Statements. These misstatements could result in a restatement of our Consolidated Financial Statements, cause us to fail to meet our reporting obligations and/or cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information, leading to a decline in our stock price.

Corporate Activity and Growth - Risk 2

Our principal business strategy depends upon our ability to make good decisions regarding the deployment of capital into, and subsequent disposition of, our existing company interests and, ultimately, the performance of such companies, which is uncertain.

If we make poor decisions regarding the deployment of capital into, and subsequent disposition of, our existing companies, our business strategy will not succeed. If such companies do not succeed, the value of our assets could be significantly reduced and require substantial impairments or write-offs and our results of operations and the price of our common stock would be adversely affected. The risks relating to our companies include: - most of our companies have a history of operating losses and/or limited operating history;- the intense competition affecting the products and services our companies offer could adversely affect their businesses, financial condition, results of operations and prospects for growth;- the inability to adapt to changing marketplaces;- the inability to manage growth;- the need for additional capital to fund their operations, which we may not be able to fund or which may not be available from third parties on acceptable terms, if at all;- the inability to protect their proprietary rights and/or infringing on the proprietary rights of others;- that our companies could face legal liabilities from claims made against them based upon their operations, products or work;- the impact of economic downturns on their operations, results and growth prospects;- the inability to attract and retain qualified personnel;- the existence of government regulations and legal uncertainties may place financial burdens on the businesses of our companies; and - the inability to plan for and manage catastrophic events. These and other risks are discussed in detail under the caption "Risks Related to Our Companies" below.

Corporate Activity and Growth - Risk 3

As we execute against our strategy, a significant amount of our deployed capital may be concentrated in fewer companies. These remaining companies may also operate in the same or similar industries. This will limit our diversification and make us more susceptible to a single negative event.

As we execute against our strategy, our capital deployments will be deployed in a decreasing number of companies. Further, our remaining companies could be concentrated in the same or similar industries. Fewer companies, as well as potential industry concentration, may cause us to be more susceptible to any single economic, regulatory or other occurrence affecting a single company or a particular industry than we would have otherwise been if we had a larger number of companies and our companies operated in more diversified industries.

Legal & Regulatory

Total Risks: 4/28 (14%)Below Sector Average

Regulation2 | 7.1%

Regulation - Risk 1

Government regulations and legal uncertainties may place financial burdens on the businesses of our companies.

Manufacturers of medical diagnostic devices and operators of laboratory facilities are subject to strict federal and state regulation regarding validation and the quality of manufacturing and laboratory facilities. Failure to comply with these quality regulation systems requirements could result in civil or criminal penalties or enforcement proceedings, including the recall of a product or a "cease distribution" order. The enactment of any additional laws or regulations that affect healthcare insurance policy and reimbursement (including Medicare reimbursement) could negatively affect some of our companies. If Medicare or private payers change the rates at which our companies or their customers are reimbursed by insurance providers for their products, such changes could adversely impact our companies.

Regulation - Risk 2

We may have to buy, sell or retain assets when we would otherwise not wish to do so in order to avoid registration under the Investment Company Act.

The Investment Company Act of 1940 regulates companies which are engaged primarily in the business of investing, reinvesting, owning, holding or trading in securities. Under the Investment Company Act, a company may be deemed to be an investment company if it owns investment securities with a value exceeding 40% of the value of its total assets (excluding government securities and cash items) on an unconsolidated basis, unless an exemption or safe harbor applies. We refer to this test as the "40% Test." Securities issued by companies other than consolidated companies are generally considered "investment securities" for purposes of the Investment Company Act, unless other circumstances exist which actively involve the company holding such interests in the management of the underlying company. We are a company that partners with growth-stage companies to build value; we are not engaged primarily in the business of investing, reinvesting or trading in securities. We are in compliance with the 40% Test. Consequently, we do not believe that we are an investment company under the Investment Company Act. We monitor our compliance with the 40% Test and seek to conduct our business activities to comply with this test. It is not feasible for us to be regulated as an investment company because the Investment Company Act rules are inconsistent with our strategy of actively helping our companies in their efforts to build value. In order to continue to comply with the 40% Test, we may need to take various actions which we would otherwise not pursue. For example, we may be limited in the manner or timing in which we sell our interests in a company. Our ownership levels also may be affected if our companies are acquired by third parties or if our companies issue stock which dilutes our ownership interest. The actions we may need to take to address these issues while maintaining compliance with the 40% Test could adversely affect our ability to create and realize value at our companies.

Litigation & Legal Liabilities1 | 3.6%

Litigation & Legal Liabilities - Risk 1

Certain of our companies could face legal liabilities from claims made against their operations, products or work.

Because the manufacture and sale of certain company products entail an inherent risk of product liability, certain of our companies maintain product liability insurance. Although none of our current companies have experienced any material losses in this regard, there can be no assurance that they will be able to maintain or acquire adequate product liability insurance in the future and any product liability claim could have a material adverse effect on a company's financial stability, revenues and results of operations. In addition, many of the engagements of our companies involve projects that are critical to the operation of their clients' businesses. If our companies fail to meet their contractual obligations, they could be subject to legal liability, which could adversely affect their business, operating results and financial condition. Our companies' contracts typically include provisions designed to limit their exposure to legal claims relating to their services and products. However, these provisions may not protect our companies or may not be enforceable. Also, some of our companies depend on their relationships with their clients and their reputation for high-quality services and integrity to retain and attract clients. As a result, claims made against our companies' work may damage their reputation, which in turn could impact their ability to compete for new work and negatively impact their revenue and profitability.

Environmental / Social1 | 3.6%

Environmental / Social - Risk 1

Some of our companies may be subject to significant environmental, health, data security and safety regulation.

Some of our companies may be subject to licensing and regulation under federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to the protection of the environment and human health and safety, including laws and regulations relating to the handling, transportation and disposal of medical specimens, infectious and hazardous waste and radioactive materials, as well as to the safety and health of manufacturing and laboratory employees. In addition, some of our companies are subject to federal, state and local financial securities and data security regulations, including, without limitation, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, as amended, the California Consumer Privacy Act and the European General Data Protection Regulation, which impose varying degrees of additional obligations, costs and risks upon such companies, including the imposition of significant penalties in the event of any non-compliance. Further, the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration has established extensive requirements relating to workplace safety. Compliance with such regulations could increase operating costs at certain of our companies, and the failure to comply could negatively affect the operations and results of some of our companies.

Production

Total Risks: 3/28 (11%)Above Sector Average

Employment / Personnel1 | 3.6%

Employment / Personnel - Risk 1

Our companies' success depends on their ability to attract and retain qualified personnel.

Our companies depend upon their ability to attract and retain senior management and key personnel, including trained technical and marketing personnel. Our companies also will need to continue to hire additional personnel as they expand. Although our current companies have not been the subject of a work stoppage, any future work stoppage could have a material adverse effect on their respective operations. A shortage in the availability of the requisite qualified personnel or work stoppage would limit the ability of our companies to grow, to increase sales of their existing products and services, and to launch new products and services.

Supply Chain1 | 3.6%

Supply Chain - Risk 1

Added

We are managed by a third-party service provider and our success in executing our strategy is dependent on such service provider.

As of December 31, 2023, our then serving Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer ceased serving us in such capacities, and we engaged Rock Creek Advisors, LLC ("Rock Creek") to perform certain consulting and advisory services related to our financial and operational functions effective January 1, 2024. An employee of Rock Creek has been serving as our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary since January 1, 2024. Our success is dependent on Rock Creek's ability to execute our strategy. If Rock Creek is unable to execute the strategy or elects to terminate the services agreement it entered into with us, which it may do with a 30-day notice to us, our business could experience a material adverse effect.

Costs1 | 3.6%

Costs - Risk 1

Added

Non-performance by the subtenant of our previous office space could adversely affect us.

In March 2019, we entered into a sublease of our prior corporate headquarters office space beginning in June 2019. The term of the sublease is through April 2026, the same as our underlying lease. Fixed sublease payments to us are escalating over the term of the sublease. We remain obligated under the original lease for such office space and, in the event the subtenant of such office space fails to satisfy its obligations under the sublease, we would be required to satisfy our obligations directly to the landlord under such original lease.

Ability to Sell

Total Risks: 3/28 (11%)Above Sector Average

Competition1 | 3.6%

Competition - Risk 1

Our companies face intense competition, which could adversely affect their business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects for growth.

There is intense competition in the technology marketplaces, and we expect competition to intensify in the future. Our business, financial condition, and results of operations will be materially adversely affected if our companies are not able to compete successfully. Many of the present and potential competitors may have greater financial, technical, marketing and other resources than those of our companies. This may place our companies at a disadvantage in responding to the offerings of their competitors, technological changes or changes in client requirements. Also, our companies may be at a competitive disadvantage because many of their competitors have greater name recognition, more extensive client bases and a broader range of product offerings. In addition, our companies may compete against one another.

Demand1 | 3.6%

Demand - Risk 1

Our business strategy may not be successful if valuations in the market sectors in which our companies participate decline.

Our strategy involves creating value for our shareholders by helping our companies build value and, if appropriate, access the public and private capital markets. Therefore, our success is dependent on the value of our companies as determined by the public and private capital markets. Many factors, including reduced market interest, may cause the market value of our companies to decline. If valuations in the market sectors in which our companies participate decline, their access to the public and private capital markets on terms acceptable to them may be limited.

Sales & Marketing1 | 3.6%

Sales & Marketing - Risk 1

Our companies may fail if they do not adapt to changing marketplaces.

If our companies fail to adapt to changes in technology and customer and supplier demands, they may not become or remain profitable. There is no assurance that the products and services of our companies will achieve or maintain market penetration or commercial success, or that the businesses of our companies will be successful. The technology marketplaces are characterized by: - rapidly changing technology;- evolving industry standards;- frequent introduction of new products and services;- shifting distribution channels;- evolving government regulation;- frequently changing intellectual property landscapes; and - changing customer demands. Our future success will depend on our companies' ability to adapt to these evolving marketplaces. They may not be able to adequately or economically adapt their products and services, develop new products and services or establish and maintain effective distribution channels for their products and services. If our companies are unable to offer competitive products and services or maintain effective distribution channels, they will sell fewer products and services and forego potential revenue, possibly causing them to lose money. In addition, we and our companies may not be able to respond to the marketplace changes in an economically efficient manner, and our companies may become or remain unprofitable.

Macro & Political

Total Risks: 3/28 (11%)Above Sector Average

Economy & Political Environment2 | 7.1%

Economy & Political Environment - Risk 1

Economic disruptions and downturns may negatively affect our companies' plans and their results of operations.

Many of our companies are largely dependent upon outside sources of capital to fund their operations. Disruptions in the availability of capital from such sources will negatively affect the ability of such companies to pursue their business models and will force such companies to revise their growth and development plans accordingly. Any such changes will, in turn, negatively affect our ability to realize the value of our capital deployments in such companies. In addition, downturns in the economy as well as possible governmental responses to such downturns and/or to specific situations in the economy could affect the business prospects of certain of our companies, including, but not limited to, in the following ways: reduced business and/or consumer spending; and/or systemic changes in the ways the healthcare system operates in the United States.

Economy & Political Environment - Risk 2

Economic disruptions and downturns may have negative repercussions for us.

Events in the United States and international capital markets, debt markets and economies may negatively impact our stock price and our ability to pursue certain tactical and strategic initiatives, such as accessing additional public or private equity or debt financing for us or for our companies and selling our interests in companies on terms acceptable to us and in time frames consistent with our expectations.

Natural and Human Disruptions1 | 3.6%

Natural and Human Disruptions - Risk 1

Catastrophic events may disrupt our companies' businesses.

Some of our companies are highly automated businesses and rely on their network infrastructure, various software applications and many internal technology systems and data networks for their customer support, development, sales and marketing and accounting and finance functions. Further, some of our companies provide services to their customers from data center facilities in multiple locations. Some of these data centers are operated by third parties, and the companies have limited control over those facilities. A disruption or failure of these systems or data centers in the event of a natural disaster, telecommunications failure, power outage, cyber-attack, war, terrorist attack or other catastrophic event could cause system interruptions, reputational harm, delays in product development, breaches of data security and loss of critical data. Such an event could also prevent the companies from fulfilling customer orders or maintaining certain service level requirements, particularly in respect of their SaaS offerings. While certain of our companies have developed certain disaster recovery plans and maintain backup systems to reduce the potentially adverse effect of such events, a catastrophic event that resulted in the destruction or disruption of any of their data centers or their critical business or information technology systems could severely affect their ability to conduct normal business operations and, as a result, their business, operating results and financial condition could be adversely affected. We cannot provide assurance that our companies' disaster recovery plans will address all of the issues they may encounter in the event of a disaster or other unanticipated issue, and their business interruption insurance may not adequately compensate them for losses that may occur from any of the foregoing. In the event that a natural disaster, terrorist attack or other catastrophic event were to destroy any part of their facilities or interrupt their operations for any extended period of time, or if harsh weather or health conditions prevent them from delivering products in a timely manner, their business, financial condition and operating results could be adversely affected.

Tech & Innovation

Total Risks: 2/28 (7%)Below Sector Average

Trade Secrets1 | 3.6%

Trade Secrets - Risk 1

Some of our companies may be unable to protect their proprietary rights and may infringe on the proprietary rights of others.

Our companies assert various forms of intellectual property protection. Intellectual property may constitute an important part of our companies' assets and competitive strengths. Federal law, most typically copyright, patent, trademark and trade secret laws, generally protects intellectual property rights. Although we expect that our companies will take reasonable efforts to protect the rights to their intellectual property, third parties may develop similar intellectual property independently. Moreover, the complexity of international trade secret, copyright, trademark and patent law, coupled with the limited resources of our companies and the demands of quick delivery of products and services to market, create a risk that our companies' efforts to prevent misappropriation of their technology will prove inadequate. Some of our companies also license intellectual property from third parties and it is possible that they could become subject to infringement actions based upon their use of the intellectual property licensed from those third parties. Our companies generally obtain representations as to the origin and ownership of such licensed intellectual property. However, this may not adequately protect them. Any claims against our companies' proprietary rights, with or without merit, could subject the companies to costly litigation and divert their technical and management personnel from other business concerns. If our companies incur costly litigation and their personnel are not effectively deployed, the expenses and losses incurred by our companies will increase and their profits, if any, will decrease. Third parties have and may assert infringement or other intellectual property claims against our companies based on their patents or other intellectual property claims. Even though we believe our companies' products do not infringe any third party's patents, they may have to pay substantial damages, possibly including treble damages, if it is ultimately determined that they do. They may have to obtain a license to sell their products if it is determined that their products infringe on another person's intellectual property. Our companies might be prohibited from selling their products before they obtain a license, which, if available at all, may require them to pay substantial royalties. Even if infringement claims against our companies are without merit, defending these types of lawsuits takes significant time, is expensive and may divert management attention from other business concerns.

Technology1 | 3.6%

Technology - Risk 1

The success or failure of many of our companies is dependent upon the ultimate effectiveness of newly-created technologies, medical devices, healthcare diagnostics, etc.

Our companies' business strategies are often highly dependent upon the successful launch and commercialization of an innovative technology or device, including, without limitation, technologies or devices used in healthcare or digital media. Despite all of our efforts to understand the research and development underlying the innovation or creation of such technologies and devices before we deploy capital into a company, sometimes the performance of the technology or device does not match our expectations or those of such company. In those situations, it is likely that we will incur a partial or total loss of the capital which we deployed in such company.

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.

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