Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)

Registration No. 333-238757

 

This preliminary prospectus supplement relates to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, but the information contained in this preliminary prospectus is not complete and may be changed. These securities may not be sold until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This preliminary prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS

SUPPLEMENT

(To prospectus dated June 4, 2020)

 

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION

 

 

 

DATED FEBRUARY 3, 2021

 

 

                Shares

Common Stock

 

 

Ballantyne Strong, Inc.

 

We are offering                  shares of our common stock, $0.01 par value per share, at a purchase price of $         per share, pursuant to this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Our common stock is listed on the NYSE American under the symbol “BTN.” The last reported sale price of our common stock on NYSE American on February 3, 2021 was $2.94 per share.

 

As of February 3, 2021, the aggregate market value of our outstanding common stock held by non-affiliates, or our public float, was $22,706,381.46, based on 14,913,172 shares of common stock outstanding on February 2, 2021, of which 7,723,259 shares are held by non-affiliates (using information on the holdings of affiliates on various dates within the 60-day window permitted by General Instruction I.B.6 of Form S-3), and a per share value of $2.94, based on the closing price of our common stock on the NYSE American on February 3, 2021. During the 12 calendar month period that ends on, and includes, the date of this prospectus supplement (excluding this offering), we have not offered and sold any shares of our common stock pursuant to General Instruction I.B.6. of Form S-3. Pursuant to General Instruction I.B.6 of Form S-3, in no event will we sell securities registered on the registration statement, of which this prospectus supplement is a part, in a public primary offering with a value exceeding more than one-third of our public float in any 12-calendar-month period so long as our public float remains below $75.0 million.

 

INVESTING IN OUR COMMON STOCK INVOLVES A HIGH DEGREE OF RISK. BEFORE MAKING ANY INVESTMENT DECISION, YOU SHOULD CAREFULLY REVIEW AND CONSIDER ALL THE INFORMATION IN THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT, THE ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS AND THE DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE HEREIN AND THEREIN, INCLUDING THE RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES DESCRIBED UNDER “RISK FACTORS” BEGINNING ON PAGE S-10 OF THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE RISK FACTORS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE INTO THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS.

 

Neither the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

      Per Share       Total  
Public offering price   $       $    
Underwriting discounts and commissions(1)   $       $    
Proceeds to us, before expenses   $       $    

 

(1) The underwriters will also be reimbursed for certain expenses incurred in this offering. In addition, we have agreed to issue to the representative of the underwriters warrants to purchase a number of shares of our common stock equal to 5% of the total number of shares sold in this public offering at an exercise price of $       per share, which represents 125% of the public offering price per share, or the Representative Warrants. Neither these Representative Warrants nor the shares issuable upon exercise of the Representative Warrants are being registered hereby. See the section of this prospectus supplement entitled “Underwriting” for a description of the compensation payable to the underwriters.

 

We have granted the underwriters a 45-day option to purchase up to an additional                 shares of our common stock from us at the public offering price per share, less underwriting discounts and commissions discount, solely to cover over-allotments, if any. If the underwriters exercise their option in full, the total underwriting discounts and commissions payable by us will be $                 , and the total proceeds to us, before expenses, will be $                 .

 

The underwriters expect to deliver the shares of common stock pursuant to this prospectus supplement to the purchasers on or about                 , 2021.

 

ThinkEquity

a division of Fordham Financial Management, Inc.

 

The date of this prospectus supplement is               , 2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Prospectus Supplement

 

  Page
   
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT S-4
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS S-6
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY S-7
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS S-8
THE OFFERING S-9
RISK FACTORS S-10
USE OF PROCEEDS S-14
DIVIDEND POLICY S-14
DILUTION S-15
UNDERWRITING S-16
MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS FOR NON-U.S. HOLDERS OF OUR COMMON STOCK S-24
LEGAL MATTERS S-28
EXPERTS S-28
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION S-28
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE S-29

 

Prospectus

 

  Page
   
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS 3
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS 4
BALLANTYNE STRONG, INC. 5
RISK FACTORS 5
USE OF PROCEEDS 5
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK 6
DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES 9
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES 11
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS 18
DESCRIPTION OF UNITS 19
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION 20
LEGAL MATTERS 22
EXPERTS 22
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION 22
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE 23

 

S-3

 

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

 

On May 28, 2020, we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, a registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-238757) utilizing a shelf registration process relating to the securities described in this prospectus supplement, which registration statement became effective on June 4, 2020. Under this shelf registration, we may, from time to time, sell common stock and other securities, including in this offering.

 

This document is in two parts. The first part is this prospectus supplement, which describes the specific terms of this offering of common stock and also adds to and updates information contained in the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference into the prospectus and this prospectus supplement. The second part is the accompanying prospectus dated June 4, 2020, which provides more general information, some of which does not apply to this offering. Generally, when we refer to this prospectus, we are referring to both parts of this document combined.

 

If the description of the offering varies between this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, you should rely on the information contained in this prospectus supplement. To the extent there is any other conflict between the information contained in this prospectus supplement, on the one hand, and the information contained in the accompanying prospectus or in any document incorporated by reference that was filed with the SEC before the date of this prospectus supplement, on the other hand, you should rely on the information in this prospectus supplement. If any statement in one of these documents is inconsistent with a statement in another document having a later date (for example, a document incorporated by reference in the accompanying prospectus) the statement in the document having the later date modifies or supersedes the earlier statement. It is important for you to read and consider all information contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, including the documents we have referred you to in the section entitled “Where You Can Find More Information” below in this prospectus supplement.

 

You should rely only on the information incorporated by reference or provided in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Neither we nor the underwriters have authorized anyone to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus do not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to purchase, the securities offered by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus in any jurisdiction where it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation. You should assume that the information contained in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus, or any document incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus, is accurate only as of the date of those respective documents. Neither the delivery of this prospectus supplement nor any distribution of securities pursuant to this prospectus supplement shall, under any circumstances, create any implication that there has been no change in the information set forth or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement or in our affairs since the date of this prospectus supplement. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.

 

We further note that the representations, warranties and covenants made by us in any agreement that is filed as an exhibit to any document that is incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus were made solely for the benefit of the parties to such agreement, including, in some cases, for the purpose of allocating risk among the parties to such agreements, and should not be deemed to be a representation, warranty or covenant to you. Moreover, such representations, warranties or covenants were accurate only as of the date when made. Accordingly, such representations, warranties and covenants should not be relied on as accurately representing the current state of our affairs.

 

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus do not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than the shares of common stock to which it relates, nor do this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in any jurisdiction to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation in such jurisdiction.

 

S-4

 

 

Unless otherwise indicated, information contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus concerning our industry and the markets in which we operate, including market position and market opportunity, is based on information from our management’s estimates, as well as from industry publications and research, surveys and studies conducted by third parties. Management estimates are derived from publicly available information, our knowledge of our industry and assumptions based on such information and knowledge, which we believe to be reasonable. However, assumptions and estimates of our future performance, and the future performance of our industry are subject to numerous known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including those described under the heading “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-10 of this prospectus supplement. These and other important factors could result in our estimates and assumptions being materially different from future results. You should read the information contained in, or incorporated by reference into, this prospectus completely and with the understanding that future results may be materially different and worse from what we expect. See the information included under the heading “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”

 

Unless the context otherwise requires, “Ballantyne,” “the Company,” “we,” “us,” “our” and similar terms refer to Ballantyne Strong, Inc, a Delaware corporation, together with our consolidated subsidiaries.

 

S-5

 

 

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, and the information incorporated by reference herein and therein and any free writing prospectus that we have authorized for use in connection with this offering contain or may include “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act. These forward-looking statements are intended to be covered by the safe harbor for forward-looking statements provided by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. For these purposes, any statements contained or incorporated by reference herein regarding our strategy, future operations, financial position, future revenues, projected costs, prospects, plans and objectives of management, other than statements of historical facts, are forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements included herein or incorporated herein by reference include or may include, but are not limited to, (and you should read carefully) statements that are predictive in nature, depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, or use or contain words, terms, phrases, or expressions such as “achieve,” “forecast,” “plan,” “propose,” “strategy,” “envision,” “hope,” “will,” “continue,” “potential,” “expect,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “project,” “estimate,” “predict,” “intend,” “should,” “could,” “may,” “might,” or similar words, terms, phrases, or expressions or the negative of any of these terms. Any statements in this prospectus or incorporated herein by reference that are not based upon historical fact are forward-looking statements and represent our best judgment as to what may occur in the future. Forward-looking statements involve a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, those discussed in the “Risk Factors” sections contained in Part I, Item 1A in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 and Part II, Item 1A of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2020 and in the documents incorporated by reference herein and the following risks and uncertainties: the negative impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has already had, and may continue to have, on the Company’s business and financial condition; the Company’s ability to maintain and expand its revenue streams to compensate for the lower demand for the Company’s digital cinema products and installation services; potential interruptions of supplier relationships or higher prices charged by suppliers; the Company’s ability to successfully compete and introduce enhancements and new features that achieve market acceptance and that keep pace with technological developments; the Company’s ability to successfully execute its capital allocation strategy or achieve the returns it expects from these investments; the Company’s ability to maintain its brand and reputation and retain or replace its significant customers; challenges associated with the Company’s long sales cycles; the impact of a challenging global economic environment or a downturn in the markets (such as the current economic disruption and market volatility generated by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic); economic and political risks of selling products in foreign countries (including tariffs); risks of non-compliance with U.S. and foreign laws and regulations; potential sales tax collections and claims for uncollected amounts; cybersecurity risks and risks of damage and interruptions of information technology systems; the Company’s ability to retain key members of management and successfully integrate new executives; the Company’s ability to complete acquisitions, strategic investments, entry into new lines of business, divestitures (including the recent divestiture of Convergent Media Systems LLC), mergers or other transactions on acceptable terms, or at all; the Company’s ability to utilize or assert its intellectual property rights; the impact of natural disasters and other catastrophic events (such as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic); the adequacy of insurance; the impact of having a controlling stockholder and vulnerability to fluctuation in the market price of the Company’s common stock. Given the risks and uncertainties, readers should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement and should recognize that the statements are predictions of future results which may not occur as anticipated. Many of the risks listed above have been, and may further be, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, its impact on the cinema and entertainment industry, and the worsening economic environment.

 

Although we believe the expectations reflected in our forward-looking statements are reasonable, in reading this prospectus and the documents incorporated into this prospectus by reference, you should consider the factors discussed above and under the heading “Risk Factors” contained in this prospectus in evaluating any forward-looking statements, and you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Each forward-looking statement is made and applies only as of the date of the particular statement, and except as required by U.S. federal securities laws or other applicable law, we do not intend to update, withdraw, or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. You should consider these risks when reading any forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements attributed or attributable to us or to persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by this section entitled “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”

 

S-6

 

 

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY

 

This summary highlights information contained in other parts of this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or information incorporated by reference herein or therein from our filings with the SEC, listed in the section of the prospectus entitled “Incorporation by Reference.” Because it is only a summary, it does not contain all of the information that you should consider before purchasing our securities in this offering and it is qualified in its entirety by, and should be read in conjunction with, the more detailed information appearing elsewhere or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. You should read the entire prospectus, the registration statement of which this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are a part, and the information incorporated by reference herein in their entirety, including the “Risk Factors” and our financial statements and the related notes incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, before purchasing our securities in this offering.

 

Company Overview

 

We are a leader in the entertainment business as one of the largest manufacturers of premium projection screens and managed services. As of the date of this prospectus, we have approximately 65% of the market share based on sales of projection screens in North America and our managed services team provides coverage across all 50 states of the United States. We manufacture and distribute customized screens, screen support systems, audio visual equipment and provide technical support services to the cinema, amusement park and other markets. We have exclusive relationships to supply large format screens to IMAX and Cinemark theaters and supply many of the other major cinema operators worldwide. We support cinema operators upgrading from digital lamp-based projectors to laser projectors, which provide a superior image quality and consistent long-lasting brightness and result in lower operating costs for the user. We also manufacture and distribute curvilinear screens to theme parks and the U.S. military for flight simulators and immersive experiences.

 

We also own non-controlling investments in three operating businesses: GreenFirst Forest Products, Inc, a pure play operator in the Canadian lumber industry listed on the TSX under the ticker “GFP.V”; FG Financial Group, Inc., a diversified reinsurance and investment management company listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market (“Nasdaq”) under the ticker “FGF,” which recently invested in the sponsor of FG New America Acquisition Corp. (NYSE: FGNA), a blank-check company formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses, and wrote its first reinsurance contract; and Firefly Systems, Inc, a private venture backed, street level mobile media platform operating digital signage on rideshare and taxis.

 

We are a Delaware corporation. Our principal executive offices are located at 4201 Congress Street, Suite 175, Charlotte, North Carolina 28209, and our telephone number at this address is (704) 994-8279. Our website is www.ballantynestrong.com. Information contained on, or that may be accessible through, our website is not a part of, and is not incorporated into, this prospectus.

 

S-7

 

 

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

 

Preliminary Results for the Three Months Ended December 31, 2020

 

Our fourth quarter 2020 net revenues are estimated to be approximately $5.9 to $6.1 million, compared to $10.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2019, primarily due to the impact of COVID-19 on our Strong Entertainment businesses. Our operating loss during the three months ended December 31, 2020 is estimated to be approximately $0.6 to $0.9 million, compared to $0.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2019.

 

In August 2020, we completed the sale of our Strong Outdoor business segment and in February 2021, we completed the sale of our Convergent business segment. As a result of these divestitures, Strong Outdoor and Convergent are classified as discontinued operations and are excluded from the preliminary fourth quarter 2020 estimates and the fourth quarter 2019 financial results included above.

 

The above estimated financial results are preliminary, based upon our estimates and subject to completion of financial and operating closing procedures for the three months ended December 31, 2020. They also represent only a summary of our financial results for such period and are not a comprehensive statement of such results. Final results reflected in our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements as of and for the three months and year ended December 31, 2020 may differ materially from our estimated results, including as a result of the quarter-end and year-end closing procedures, audit adjustments and other related developments that may arise between now and the time our financial results for the three months and year ended December 31, 2020 are finalized. Our independent registered public accounting firm has not audited, reviewed or performed any procedures with respect to these preliminary results and, accordingly, does not express an opinion or any other form of assurance with respect to these estimates. In addition, these estimates as of and for the three months and year ended December 31, 2020 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be achieved for any future period.

 

Sale of Convergent for $23 million

 

On February 1, 2021, we completed the sale of 100% of the issued and outstanding limited liability company membership interests of Convergent (the “Equity Interests”), one of our indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries that operated our Digital Signage Solutions segment, for a total enterprise value of approximately $23.2 million. The purchase price was (i) $15.0 million in cash and (ii) $2.5 million in the form of a subordinated promissory note, in each case, subject to adjustment pursuant to the terms of the purchase agreement. As further consideration for the Equity Interests, the buyer also assumed approximately $5.7 million of third-party debt. We will continue to conduct our Strong Entertainment business segment through our other subsidiaries.

 

Reseller Agreement with Blink Charging Co.

 

On February 2, 2021, we entered into a reseller agreement with Blink Charging Co. (Nasdaq: BLNK) to allow the Company to distribute Blink electronic vehicle charging stations to cinemas, theme parks and other venues across the United States.

 

IPIC Projection and Audio Installation in Atlanta

 

On December 22, 2020, we announced that our Strong Technical Services, Inc. (“STS”) subsidiary had completed the installation of projection equipment for IPIC Theater’s newest location in Midtown Atlanta at the reimagined Colony Square. STS installed state-of-the-art projection systems complete with an advanced load balanced and fault tolerant network to support projection booth equipment, a streaming content library and a large QSC Q-SYS ecosystem across the entire complex.

 

Partnership with INDY Cinema Group to Provide Managed Services in Europe

 

On December 2, 2020, we announced that STS will offer INDY Cinema Group customers in Europe with a complete managed service offering, including 24x7x365 support, STRONG Management System access, field service dispatch, equipment discounts, and STRONG MDI screens. The STRONG Management System includes equipment monitoring, digital signage, remote access, and reporting.

 

S-8

 

 

THE OFFERING

 

Common stock outstanding prior to offering

 

 

 

14,913,172 shares

Common stock offered by us pursuant to this prospectus supplement                      Shares

 

Offering price

 

 

$                    per share

     
Common stock to be outstanding immediately after this offering                       shares (or                  shares if the underwriters exercise their option in full to purchase additional shares of our common stock)(1)
     
Underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares of common stock   We have granted the underwriters an option, exercisable for 45 days from the date of this prospectus supplement, to purchase up to an additional                    shares of our common stock from us, solely to cover over-allotments, if any.
     
Use of proceeds   We estimate the net proceeds from this offering will be approximately $ , after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. We intend to use the net proceeds for and general corporate purposes, which may include working capital, capital expenditures, operational purposes and potential acquisitions in complementary businesses. See “Use of Proceeds” on page S-14 of this prospectus supplement.
     
Risk factors   Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. Before making any investment decision, you should carefully review and consider all the information in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein, including the risks and uncertainties described under “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-10 of this prospectus supplement and the risk factors incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.
     
NYSE American symbol   “BTN”

 

Except as otherwise indicated, the number of shares of common stock to be outstanding after this offering is based on an aggregate of 14,913,172 shares outstanding as of February 2, 2021, and excludes, as of that date, the following:

 

  1,009,500 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding options having a weighted average exercise price of $3.99 per share;
     
  568,853 shares of common stock issuable upon the vesting of outstanding restricted stock units, or RSUs;
     
  100,000 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding warrants having a weighted average exercise price of $13.00 per share; and
     
  2,190,349 shares of common stock reserved for future grants under the Company’s 2017 Omnibus Equity Compensation Plan, amended and restated effective October 28, 2019, or the 2017 Plan.

 

Except as otherwise indicated, all information in this prospectus supplement assumes (i) no exercise or vesting of the securities listed above; (ii) no exercise by the representative of the underwriters of the option to purchase up to an additional                     shares of our common stock; and (iii) no exercise of the Representative’s Warrants.

 

S-9

 

 

RISK FACTORS

 

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should consider carefully the risks and uncertainties described below together with the other information included in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, and other information included in our securities filings, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, as amended by Amendment No. 1 thereto, and any subsequent updates described in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, our Current Reports on Form 8-K (other than, in each case, information “furnished” rather than “filed” under Section 18 of the Exchange Act), and other information in our consolidated financial statements incorporated by reference herein, before deciding to purchase our common stock. These risks and uncertainties are not the only risks and uncertainties we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us, or that we currently view as immaterial, may also impair our business. If any of the risks or uncertainties described in our SEC filings or any additional risks and uncertainties actually occur, our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flow could be materially and adversely affected. In that case, the trading price of our common stock could decline, and you might lose all or part of your investment. Certain statements below are forward-looking statements. See the information included under the heading “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”

 

Risks Related to our Business

 

The COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing governmental responses have materially negatively impacted, and could further materially adversely affect, our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

 

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a widespread and detrimental effect on the global economy as a result of the continued increase in the number of cases, particularly in the United States, and actions by public health and governmental authorities, businesses, other organizations and individuals to address the outbreak, including travel bans and restrictions, quarantines, shelter in place, stay at home or total lock-down orders and business limitations and shutdowns. The COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing governmental responses have materially negatively impacted, and could further materially adversely affect, our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. The ultimate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business and results of operations remains unknown and will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted with confidence, including the duration and severity of the COVID-19 pandemic, including repeat or cyclical outbreaks, and any additional preventative and protective actions that governments, or we or our customers, may direct, which may result in an extended period of continued business disruption and reduced operations. For instance, some areas of the United States are experiencing new surges in COVID-19 cases, which has, in some cases, led to the closure of recently re-opened businesses and further postponed opening other businesses, including movie theaters. Any resulting financial impact cannot be reasonably estimated at this time, but we expect it will continue to have a material impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

The repercussions of the COVID-19 global pandemic resulted in a significant impact to our customers, specifically those in the entertainment and advertising industries, and their ability and willingness to purchase our products and services, which continues to negatively impact us. A significant number of our customers temporarily ceased operations during the pandemic, some of which continue to be suspended; as such, we have experienced, and anticipate that we will continue to experience at least until our customers have resumed normal operations, a significant decline in our results of operations. For instance, during this time, many movie theaters and other entertainment centers were forced to close or curtail their hours and, correspondingly, have terminated or deferred their non-essential capital expenditures; many advertisers began to reduce, postpone, or cancel their advertising campaigns as social distancing measures, including closures of schools and non-essential businesses, and restrictions around the free movement of people were implemented; and a number of events during which our experiential marketing services may have been provided, such as Coachella, have been postponed, cancelled or shifted to virtual venues. While some movie theaters and chains have begun to re-open, or announced plans to re-open in the near future, theater operators may continue to experience reduced revenues for an extended period due to, among other things, consumer concerns over safety and social distancing, depressed consumer sentiment due to adverse economic conditions, including job losses, capacity restrictions, and postponed release dates, shortened “release windows” between the release of motion pictures in theaters and an alternative delivery method, or the release of motion pictures directly to alternative delivery methods, bypassing the theater entirely, for certain movies, and continued COVID-19 outbreaks could cause these theaters to suspend operations again. The COVID-19 pandemic has also adversely affected film production and may adversely affect the pipeline of feature films available in the short- or long-term. In addition to decreased business spending by our customers and prospective customers and reduced demand for our products, lower renewal rates by our customers, increased customer losses/churn, increased challenges in or cost of acquiring new customers and increased risk in collectability of accounts receivable may have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations. We have also experienced other negative impacts; among other actions, we were required to temporarily close our screen manufacturing facility in Canada due to the governmental response to COVID-19, which we were able to re-open on May 11, 2020, and have experienced lower revenues from field services and a reduction in non-recurring time and materials-based services. The completion of our outsourced screen finishing facility in China was also delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, and we are currently evaluating the timing of when we will be able to commence operations at the facility in light of current travel restrictions. We may also experience one or more of the following conditions that could have a material adverse impact on our business operations and financial condition: adverse effects on our strategic partners’ businesses or on the businesses of companies in which we hold investments; impairment charges; extreme currency exchange-rate fluctuations; inability to recover costs from insurance carriers; and business continuity concerns for us, our customers and our third-party vendors.

 

S-10

 

 

In response to uncertainties associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, we have taken, and are continuing to take, significant steps to preserve cash and remain in a strong competitive position when the current crisis subsides by eliminating non-essential costs, reducing employee hours and deferring all non-essential capital expenditures to minimum levels. Among other mitigating actions, we implemented targeted furloughs, temporarily curtailed our service and distribution activities in the United States and temporarily reduced compensation of our executive officers and certain other employees, and our board of directors waived its cash compensation for 2020. We have also implemented remote work policies for many employees, and the resources available to such employees may not enable them to maintain the same level of productivity and efficiency. In addition, these and other employees may face additional demands on their time, such as increased responsibilities resulting from school and childcare closures or illness of family members. Our increased reliance on remote access to our information systems also increases our exposures to potential cybersecurity breaches. We cannot provide any assurance that these actions, or any other mitigating actions we may take, will help mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on us.

 

In addition, we have undertaken new initiatives as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, including our BrightNight program, which converts movie theater and other parking lots into temporary drive-in theaters, and a Theatre Readiness Program, which includes an auditorium quality assurance service visit in advance of customers returning to movie theaters. While we believe these programs will provide an additional source of revenue during the COVID-19 pandemic, we cannot provide any assurance that these programs will provide the anticipated benefits to our business.

 

We cannot provide any assurance that our assumptions used to estimate our liquidity requirements will remain accurate due to the unprecedented nature of the disruption to our operations and the unpredictability of the COVID-19 global pandemic. As a consequence, our estimates of the duration of the pandemic and the severity of the impact on our future earnings and cash flows could change and have a material impact on our results of operations and financial condition. In the second quarter of 2020, management decided to draw down CDN$2.9 million, or approximately $2.1 million, under Strong/MDI’s credit facility, all of which was repaid prior to September 30, 2020. Furthermore, we have applied for and received wage subsidies, and are in the process of reviewing tax credits and other financial support under the newly enacted COVID-19 relief legislation in the U.S. and Canada. However, the legislation and guidance from the authorities continues to evolve; as such, the amount and timing of support, if any, that we could receive is not determinable at this time, and there can be no guarantees that we will receive financial support through these programs. In addition, certain government benefits that we seek to access have not previously been administered on the present scale or at all. Government or third-party program administrators may be unable to cope with the volume of applications in the near term, and any benefits we receive may not be as extensive as we currently estimate, may impose additional conditions and restrictions on our operations or may otherwise provide less relief than we contemplate. In the event of a sustained market deterioration, and continued declines in net sales, including the impact of such events on the borrowing base under the Strong/MDI credit facility, we may need additional liquidity, which would require us to evaluate available alternatives and take appropriate actions. We cannot provide any assurance that we will be able to obtain additional sources of financing or liquidity on acceptable terms, or at all.

 

The ultimate duration and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows is dependent on future developments, the duration of the pandemic, including repeat or cyclical outbreaks, additional “waves” and the related length of its impact on the global economy, which are uncertain and cannot be predicted at this time due to the daily evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic and the global responses to curb its spread. Furthermore, the extent to which our mitigation efforts are successful, if at all, is not presently ascertainable. However, we expect that our results of operations, including revenues, in future periods will continue to be adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and its negative effects on global economic conditions, which include a global recession, and that, as result of such effects, we may continue to be adversely affected even after the COVID-19 pandemic has subsided.

 

S-11

 

 

Risks Related to the Offering or an Investment in our Common Stock

 

Purchasers of common stock in this offering will experience immediate and substantial dilution in the book value of their investment. You may experience further dilution upon exercise of our outstanding options and warrants.

 

If you purchase shares of our common stock in this offering, you will experience immediate and substantial dilution, as the public offering price of our common stock will be substantially greater than the net tangible book value per share of our common stock before giving effect to this offering. Accordingly, if you purchase our common stock in this offering, you will incur immediate substantial dilution of approximately $         per share, representing the difference between the public offering price per share of common stock and our pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value as of September 30, 2020. For a further description of the dilution that you will experience immediately after this offering, see the section in this prospectus supplement entitled “Dilution.”

 

Future sales of our common stock, or the perception that such future sales may occur, may cause our stock price to decline.

 

Sales of a substantial number of shares of our common stock in the public market, or the perception that these sales could occur, following this offering could cause the market price of our common stock to decline. As of February 1, 2021, there were 3,868,702 shares available for future issuance under our 2017 Plan and 2010 Long-Term Incentive Plan or the 2010 Plan, including 1,009,500 shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding options having a weighted average exercise price of $3.99 per share, 568,853 shares issuable upon the vesting of outstanding RSUs and 2,190,349 shares available for future grant under the 2017 Plan. As of February 1, 2021, there were also 100,000 shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding warrants having a weighted average exercise price of $13.00 per share. Upon the closing of this offering, we have agreed to issue the representative of the Representative’s Warrants to purchase a number of shares of common stock equal to 5% of the total number of shares sold in this public offering. The majority of the shares under the 2017 Plan and 2010 Plan are, and the shares of common stock sold in this offering upon issuance will be, freely tradable without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act. With respect to certain shares under the 2017 Plan and 2010 Plan, the Representative’s Warrants and our outstanding warrants, there may be certain restrictions on the holders to sell the underlying shares to the extent they are restricted securities, held by “affiliates” or subject to ownership thresholds.

 

We have broad discretion in the use of the net proceeds from this offering and we may not use them effectively.

 

Our management will have broad discretion in the application of the net proceeds from this offering, including for any of the purposes described in the section titled “Use of Proceeds,” and you will be relying on the judgment of our management regarding the application of these proceeds. You will not have the opportunity, as part of your investment decision, to assess whether the proceeds are being used appropriately. Our management might not apply the net proceeds or our existing cash in ways that ultimately increase the value of your investment. If we do not invest or apply the net proceeds from this offering or our existing cash in ways that enhance stockholder value, we may fail to achieve expected financial results, which could cause our stock price to decline. We intend to use the net proceeds from the offering for general corporate purposes, which may include working capital, capital expenditures, operational purposes and potential acquisitions in complementary businesses. Such use of the net proceeds from the offering may not yield a favorable return to our stockholders. See “Use of Proceeds.”

 

Raising additional capital, including as a result of this offering, may cause dilution to our stockholders, or restrict our operations.

 

To the extent that we raise additional capital through the sale of equity securities, including from this offering, or convertible debt securities, your ownership interest will be diluted, and the terms of these securities may include liquidation or other preferences that adversely affect your rights as a common stockholder. Additionally, pursuant to the rules of Form S-3, in no event will we sell securities registered on a Form S-3 in a public primary offering with a value exceeding more than one-third of our public float in any 12-month period so long as our public float remains below $75.0 million. During the 12 calendar month period that ends on, and includes, the date of this prospectus supplement (excluding this offering), we have not offered and sold any shares of our common stock. To raise additional capital in the public markets, including taking into account limitations on use of our Form S-3, we may be required to seek other methods, such as a registration statement on Form S-1, the preparation of which tends to be more time-consuming and costly. We may also conduct fundraising transactions in the form of private placements, potentially with registration rights or priced at a discount to the market value of our shares, which could require stockholder approval under the rules of the NYSE American, or other equity raise transactions. In addition to entailing increased capital costs, any such transactions could result in substantial dilution of our stockholders’ interests, transfer control to a new investor and diminish the value of an investment in our shares.

 

S-12

 

 

Debt financing and preferred equity financing, if available, may involve agreements that include covenants limiting or restricting our ability to take specific actions, such as incurring additional debt, making capital expenditures or declaring dividends. In addition, if we issue secured debt securities, the holders of the debt would have a claim to our assets that would be senior to the rights of stockholders until the debt is paid. Interest on these debt securities would increase costs and negatively impact operating results. If the issuance of new securities results in diminished rights to holders of our common stock, the market price of our common stock could be negatively impacted.

 

We do not currently intend to pay dividends on our common stock, and any return to investors is expected to come, if at all, only from potential increases in the price of our common stock.

 

At the present time, we intend to use available funds to finance our operations. Accordingly, while payment of dividends rests within the discretion of our board of directors, we have no intention of paying any such dividends in the foreseeable future. Any return to investors is expected to come, if at all, only from potential increases in the price of our common stock.

 

We are subject to the continued listing requirements of the NYSE American. If we are unable to comply with such requirements, our common stock would be delisted from the NYSE American, which would limit investors’ ability to effect transactions in our common shares and subject us to additional trading restrictions.

 

Our common stock is currently listed on the NYSE American. In order to maintain our listing, we must maintain certain share prices, financial and share distribution targets, including maintaining a minimum amount of shareholders’ equity and a minimum number of public shareholders. In addition to these objective standards, the NYSE American may delist the securities of any issuer if, in its opinion, the issuer’s financial condition and/or operating results appear unsatisfactory; if it appears that the extent of public distribution or the aggregate market value of the security has become so reduced as to make continued listing on the NYSE American inadvisable; if the issuer sells or disposes of principal operating assets or ceases to be an operating company; if an issuer fails to comply with the NYSE American’s listing requirements; if an issuer’s common stock sells at what the NYSE American considers a “low selling price” (generally trading below $0.20 per share for an extended period of time); or if any other event occurs or any condition exists which makes continued listing on the NYSE American, in its opinion, inadvisable.

 

While we currently do not believe we are at risk of delisting, there can be no assurance that we will continue to satisfy the continued listing rules of the NYSE American. If the NYSE American delists our common shares from trading on its exchange and we are not able to list our securities on another national securities exchange, we expect our common shares would qualify to be quoted on an over-the-counter market. If this were to occur, we could face significant material adverse consequences, including: limited availability of market quotations for our securities; reduced liquidity for our securities; a determination that our common stock is a “penny stock,” which will require brokers trading in our common stock to adhere to more stringent rules and possibly result in a reduction of trading activity in the secondary trading market for our securities; a limited degree of news and analyst coverage; decreased ability to issue additional securities or obtain additional financing in the future; and potential breaches under or terminations of our agreements with current or prospective large shareholders, strategic investors and banks.

 

S-13

 

 

USE OF PROCEEDS

 

We estimate the net proceeds to us in this offering will be approximately $         million (or $         million if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares of our common stock in full), after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

 

We intend to use the net proceeds for general corporate purposes, which may include working capital, capital expenditures, operational purposes and potential acquisitions in complementary businesses. We do not currently have any agreement or understanding with respect to an acquisition in which we plan to invest the proceeds of the offering.

 

Due to the uncertainties inherent in the Company’s business, we cannot estimate with certainty the exact amounts of the net proceeds from this offering that may be used for any purpose. As a result, our management will have broad discretion in applying the net proceeds from this offering.

 

DIVIDEND POLICY

 

We intend to retain our earnings to assist in financing our business and making investments and do not anticipate paying cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. The declaration and payment of dividends by the Company are also subject to the discretion of the board of directors, or the Board. Any determination by the Board as to the payment of dividends in the future will depend upon, among other things, business conditions, our financial condition and capital requirements, as well as any other factors deemed relevant by the Board. We have not paid cash dividends since we went public in 1995.

 

S-14

 

 

DILUTION

 

If you invest in our common stock in this offering, you will experience dilution to the extent of the difference between the public offering price per share and the net tangible book value per share of our common stock immediately after this offering.

 

Our net tangible book value on September 30, 2020 was approximately $26.5 million, or $1.79 per share of our common stock. “Net tangible book value” is total assets minus the sum of liabilities and intangible assets. “Net tangible book value per share” is net tangible book value divided by the total number of shares outstanding. Dilution in net tangible book value per share represents the difference between the amount per share paid by purchasers of shares of common stock in this offering and the net tangible book value per share of our common stock immediately after this offering.

 

After giving effect to the sale of                            shares of our common stock in this offering at the public offering price of $        per share and after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, our net tangible book value as of September 30, 2020 would have been approximately $        million, or $        per share. This represents an immediate increase in net tangible book value of $        per share to existing stockholders and immediate dilution in net tangible book value of $        per share to new investors purchasing our common stock in this offering at the public offering price. The following table illustrates this dilution on a per share basis:

 

Public offering price per share of common stock           $    
Net tangible book value per share as of September 30, 2020   $ 1.79          
Increase in net tangible book value per share attributable to new investors                
As adjusted net tangible book value per share as of September 30, 2020, after giving effect to this offering           $    
Dilution in net tangible book value per share to investors in this offering           $    

 

The information above assumes that the underwriters do not exercise their option to purchase additional shares of our common stock. If the underwriters exercise their option in full to purchase additional shares of our common stock in this offering at the public offering price of $        per share, the net tangible book value per share after this offering would be $        per share, the immediate increase in the net tangible book value per share to existing stockholders would be $        per share and the immediate dilution to investors participating in this offering would be $        per share.

 

The above discussion and table are based on 14,789,100 shares outstanding as of September 30, 2020, and excludes, as of that date, the following:

 

884,500 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding options having a weighted average exercise price of $4.33 per share;
   
544,725 shares of common stock issuable upon the vesting of outstanding RSUs;
   
100,000 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding warrants having a weighted average exercise price of $13.00 per share; and
   
2,589,278 shares of common stock reserved for future grants under the 2017 Plan.

 

The above illustration of dilution per share to the investors participating in this offering assumes no exercise of outstanding options to purchase our common stock or warrants to purchase shares of our common stock that will be outstanding after this offering, including the Representative’s Warrants. The exercise, if any, of outstanding options and warrants that will be outstanding after this offering having an exercise price less than the offering price will increase dilution to the new investors.

 

S-15

 

 

UNDERWRITING

 

ThinkEquity, a division of Fordham Financial Management, Inc., is acting as the representative of the underwriters of the offering. We have entered into an underwriting agreement dated , 2021 with the representative. Subject to the terms and conditions of the underwriting agreement, we have agreed to sell to each underwriter named below, and each underwriter named below has severally agreed to purchase, at the public offering price less the underwriting discounts set forth on the cover page of this prospectus supplement, the number of shares of common stock at the public offering price, less the underwriting discounts and commissions, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus supplement, the number of shares of common stock listed next to its name in the following table:

 

Underwriter  

Number of

Shares

 
ThinkEquity, a division of Fordham Financial Management, Inc.        
         
Total        

 

The underwriters are committed to purchase all the shares of common stock offered by the Company. The obligations of the underwriters may be terminated upon the occurrence of certain events specified in the underwriting agreement. Furthermore, the underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the underwriters to pay for and accept delivery of the shares offered by us in this prospectus supplement are subject to various representations and warranties and other customary conditions specified in the underwriting agreement, such as receipt by the underwriters of officers’ certificates and legal opinions.

 

We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against specified liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, and to contribute to payments the underwriters may be required to make in respect thereof.

 

The underwriters are offering the shares of common stock subject to prior sale, when, as and if issued to and accepted by them, subject to approval of legal matters by their counsel and other conditions specified in the underwriting agreement. The underwriters reserve the right to withdraw, cancel or modify offers to the public and to reject orders in whole or in part.

 

We have granted the underwriters an option to purchase additional shares of our common stock. This option, which is exercisable for up to 45 days after the date of this prospectus, permits the underwriters to purchase up to an aggregate of                      additional shares of common stock (equal to 15% of the total number of shares sold in this offering) at the public offering price per share, less underwriting discounts and commissions, solely to cover over-allotments, if any. If the underwriters exercise this option in whole or in part, then the underwriters will be severally committed, subject to the conditions described in the underwriting agreement, to purchase the additional shares of common stock in proportion to their respective commitments set forth in the prior table.

 

Discounts, Commissions and Reimbursement

 

The representative has advised us that the underwriters propose to offer the shares of common stock to the public at the public offering price per share set forth on the cover page of this prospectus. The underwriters may offer shares to securities dealers at that price less a concession of not more than $          per share. After the initial offering to the public, the public offering price and other selling terms may be changed by the representative.

 

The following table summarizes the underwriting discounts and commissions and proceeds, before expenses, to us assuming both no exercise and full exercise by the underwriters of their over-allotment option:

 

          Total  
    Per Share     Without
Option
    With
Option
 
Public offering price   $       $       $    
Underwriting discounts and commissions (7%)   $       $       $    
Proceeds, before expenses, to us   $       $       $    

 

S-16

 

 

We have paid an expense deposit of $35,000 to the representative, which will be applied against the actual out-of-pocket accountable expenses that will be paid by us to the underwriters in connection with this offering, and will be reimbursed to us to the extent not incurred.

 

In addition, we have also agreed to pay up to an aggregate of $159,500 of the underwriters’ reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in connection with the offering, including the following expenses: (a) all fees, expenses and disbursements relating to background checks of our officers and directors in an amount not to exceed $7,000 in the aggregate; (b) all filing fees and communication expenses associated with the review of this offering by FINRA and relating to the listing of the offered shares on NYSE American; (c) all fees, expenses and disbursements relating to the registration, qualification or exemption of securities offered under the securities laws of foreign jurisdictions reasonably designated by the underwriters, including the reasonable fees and expenses of the underwriters’ blue sky counsel; (d) $29,500 for the underwriters’ use of Ipreo’s book-building, prospectus tracking and compliance software for this offering; (e) the costs associated with bound volumes of the public offering materials as well as commemorative mementos and lucite tombstones, in an amount not to exceed $3,000 in aggregate; (f) the fees and expenses of the underwriters’ legal counsel incurred in connection with this offering in an amount up to $100,000; (g) the $10,000 cost for data services and communications expenses; and (h) up to $10,000 of the underwriters’ actual accountable “road show” expenses for the offering.

 

We estimate the expenses of this offering payable by us, not including underwriting discounts and commissions, will be approximately $               .

 

Representative’s Warrants

 

Upon the closing of this offering, we have agreed to issue to the representative the Representative’s Warrants, to purchase a number of shares of common stock equal to 5% of the total number of shares sold in this public offering. The Representative’s Warrants will be exercisable at a per share exercise price equal to 125% of the public offering price per share of common stock sold in this offering. The Representative’s Warrants are exercisable at any time and from time to time, in whole or in part, during the four- and one-half-year period commencing six months from the effective date of this prospectus supplement. The Representative’s Warrants also provide for one “piggyback” registration right with respect to the registration of the shares of common stock underlying the Representative’s Warrants and customary antidilution provisions. The piggyback registration right provided will not be greater than four- and one-half years from the date of the underwriting agreement related to this offering in compliance with FINRA Rule 5110(g)(8)(C).

 

The Representative’s Warrants and the shares of common stock underlying the Representative’s Warrants have been deemed compensation by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, or FINRA, and are therefore subject to a 180-day lock-up pursuant to Rule 5110(e)(1) of FINRA. Except as permitted by Rule 5110(e)(2), the representative, or permitted assignees under such rule, may not sell, transfer, assign, pledge, or hypothecate the Representative’s Warrants or the securities underlying the Representative’s Warrants, nor will the representative engage in any hedging, short sale, derivative, put, or call transaction that would result in the effective economic disposition of the Representative’s Warrants or the underlying shares for a period of 180 days from the effective date of this prospectus supplement, except in the case of certain limited transfers to any underwriter and selected dealer participating in the offering and their bona fide officers or partners. The Representative’s Warrants will provide for adjustment in the number and price of the Representative’s Warrants and the shares of common stock underlying such Representative’s Warrants in the event of a rights offering, non-cash distribution, recapitalization, merger, stock split or other structural transaction.

 

Right of First Refusal

 

Until            , 2022 (twelve (12) months from the date of the underwriting agreement) the representative shall have an irrevocable right of first refusal to act as sole investment banker, sole book-runner and/or sole placement agent, at the representative sole discretion, for each and every future public and private equity and debt offering, including all equity linked financings, for the Company, or any successor to or any subsidiary of the Company, using an investment banker, placement agent or broker on terms customary to the representative. The representative shall have the sole right to determine whether or not any other broker-dealer shall have the right to participate in any such offering and the economic terms of any such participation. The representative will not have more than one opportunity to waive or terminate the right of first refusal in consideration of any payment or fee.

 

S-17

 

 

Lock-Up Agreements

 

Subject to certain customary exceptions, we and each of our directors and officers have agreed for a period of 90 days after the date of this prospectus supplement, without the prior written consent of the representative, not to directly or indirectly:

 

  issue (in the case of us), offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend or otherwise transfer or dispose of any shares of common stock or other capital stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for our common stock or other capital stock;

 

  in the case of us, file or cause the filing of any registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to any shares of common stock or other capital stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for our common stock or other capital stock;

 

  in the case of our directors and officers, make any demand for or exercise any right with respect to the registration of any shares of common stock or other capital stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for our common stock or other capital stock;

 

  in the case of us, complete any offering of debt securities of the Company, other than entering into a line of credit, term loan arrangement or other debt instrument with a traditional bank; or

 

  enter into any swap or other agreement or arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, any of the economic consequences of ownership of our common stock or other capital stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for our common stock or other capital stock, whether any transaction described in any of the foregoing bullet points is to be settled by delivery of our common stock or other capital stock, other securities, in cash or otherwise, or publicly announce an intention to do any of the foregoing.

 

Electronic Offer, Sale and Distribution of Securities

 

A prospectus in electronic format may be made available on the websites maintained by one or more of the underwriters or selling group members. The representative may agree to allocate a number of securities to underwriters and selling group members for sale to its online brokerage account holders. Internet distributions will be allocated by the underwriters and selling group members that will make internet distributions on the same basis as other allocations. Other than the prospectus in electronic format, the information on these websites is not part of, nor incorporated by reference into, this prospectus or the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, has not been approved or endorsed by us, and should not be relied upon by investors.

 

Stabilization

 

In connection with this offering, the underwriters may engage in stabilizing transactions, over-allotment transactions, syndicate-covering transactions, penalty bids and purchases to cover positions created by short sales.

 

Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase shares so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum, and are engaged in for the purpose of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the shares while the offering is in progress.

 

Over-allotment transactions involve sales by the underwriters of shares in excess of the number of shares the underwriters are obligated to purchase. This creates a syndicate short position which may be either a covered short position or a naked short position. In a covered short position, the number of shares over-allotted by the underwriters is not greater than the number of shares that they may purchase in the over-allotment option. In a naked short position, the number of shares involved is greater than the number of shares in the over-allotment option. The underwriters may close out any short position by exercising their over-allotment option and/or purchasing shares in the open market.

 

S-18

 

 

Syndicate covering transactions involve purchases of shares in the open market after the distribution has been completed in order to cover syndicate short positions. In determining the source of shares to close out the short position, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of shares available for purchase in the open market as compared with the price at which they may purchase shares through exercise of the over-allotment option. If the underwriters sell more shares than could be covered by exercise of the over-allotment option and, therefore, have a naked short position, the position can be closed out only by buying shares in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that after pricing there could be downward pressure on the price of the shares in the open market that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the offering.

 

Penalty bids permit the representative to reclaim a selling concession from a syndicate member when the shares originally sold by that syndicate member are purchased in stabilizing or syndicate covering transactions to cover syndicate short positions.

 

These stabilizing transactions, syndicate covering transactions and penalty bids may have the effect of raising or maintaining the market price of our shares of common stock or preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of our shares of common stock. As a result, the price of our common stock in the open market may be higher than it would otherwise be in the absence of these transactions. Neither we nor the underwriters make any representation or prediction as to the effect that the transactions described above may have on the price of our common stock. These transactions may be effected in the over-the-counter market or otherwise and, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.

 

Other Relationships

 

Certain of the underwriters and their affiliates may in the future provide various investment banking, commercial banking and other financial services for us and our affiliates for which they may in the future receive customary fees.

 

Offer Restrictions Outside the United States

 

Other than in the United States, no action has been taken by us or the underwriters that would permit a public offering of the securities offered by this prospectus in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required. The securities offered by this prospectus may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, nor may this prospectus or any other offering material or advertisements in connection with the offer and sale of any such securities be distributed or published in any jurisdiction, except under circumstances that will result in compliance with the applicable rules and regulations of that jurisdiction. Persons into whose possession this prospectus comes are advised to inform themselves about and to observe any restrictions relating to the offering and the distribution of this prospectus. This prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities offered by this prospectus in any jurisdiction in which such an offer or a solicitation is unlawful.

 

Australia

 

This prospectus is not a disclosure document under Chapter 6D of the Australian Corporations Act, has not been lodged with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission and does not purport to include the information required of a disclosure document under Chapter 6D of the Australian Corporations Act. Accordingly, (i) the offer of the securities under this prospectus is only made to persons to whom it is lawful to offer the securities without disclosure under Chapter 6D of the Australian Corporations Act under one or more exemptions set out in section 708 of the Australian Corporations Act, (ii) this prospectus is made available in Australia only to those persons as set forth in clause (i) above, and (iii) the offeree must be sent a notice stating in substance that by accepting this offer, the offeree represents that the offeree is such a person as set forth in clause (i) above, and, unless permitted under the Australian Corporations Act, agrees not to sell or offer for sale within Australia any of the securities sold to the offeree within 12 months after its transfer to the offeree under this prospectus.

 

S-19

 

 

China

 

The information in this document does not constitute a public offer of the securities, whether by way of sale or subscription, in the People’s Republic of China (excluding, for purposes of this paragraph, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Macau Special Administrative Region and Taiwan). The securities may not be offered or sold directly or indirectly in the PRC to legal or natural persons other than directly to “qualified domestic institutional investors.”

 

European Economic Area—Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg and Netherlands

 

The information in this document has been prepared on the basis that all offers of securities will be made pursuant to an exemption under the Directive 2003/71/EC (“Prospectus Directive”), as implemented in Member States of the European Economic Area (each, a “Relevant Member State”), from the requirement to produce a prospectus for offers of securities.

 

An offer to the public of securities has not been made, and may not be made, in a Relevant Member State except pursuant to one of the following exemptions under the Prospectus Directive as implemented in that Relevant Member State:

 

  to legal entities that are authorized or regulated to operate in the financial markets or, if not so authorized or regulated, whose corporate purpose is solely to invest in securities;

 

  to any legal entity that has two or more of (i) an average of at least 250 employees during its last fiscal year; (ii) a total balance sheet of more than €43,000,000 (as shown on its last annual unconsolidated or consolidated financial statements) and (iii) an annual net turnover of more than €50,000,000 (as shown on its last annual unconsolidated or consolidated financial statements);

 

  to fewer than 100 natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors within the meaning of Article 2(1)(e) of the Prospectus Directive) subject to obtaining the prior consent of the Company or any underwriter for any such offer; or

 

  in any other circumstances falling within Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive, provided that no such offer of securities shall result in a requirement for the publication by the Company of a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive.

 

France

 

This document is not being distributed in the context of a public offering of financial securities (offre au public de titres financiers) in France within the meaning of Article L.411-1 of the French Monetary and Financial Code (Code Monétaire et Financier) and Articles 211-1 et seq. of the General Regulation of the French Autorité des marchés financiers (“AMF”). The securities have not been offered or sold and will not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, to the public in France.

 

This document and any other offering material relating to the securities have not been, and will not be, submitted to the AMF for approval in France and, accordingly, may not be distributed or caused to distributed, directly or indirectly, to the public in France.

 

Such offers, sales and distributions have been and shall only be made in France to (i) qualified investors (investisseurs qualifiés) acting for their own account, as defined in and in accordance with Articles L.411-2-II-2° and D.411-1 to D.411-3, D.744-1, D.754-1 ;and D.764-1 of the French Monetary and Financial Code and any implementing regulation and/or (ii) a restricted number of non-qualified investors (cercle restreint d’investisseurs) acting for their own account, as defined in and in accordance with Articles L.411-2-II-2° and D.411-4, D.744-1, D.754-1; and D.764-1 of the French Monetary and Financial Code and any implementing regulation.

 

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Pursuant to Article 211-3 of the General Regulation of the AMF, investors in France are informed that the securities cannot be distributed (directly or indirectly) to the public by the investors otherwise than in accordance with Articles L.411-1, L.411-2, L.412-1 and L.621-8 to L.621-8-3 of the French Monetary and Financial Code.

 

Ireland

 

The information in this document does not constitute a prospectus under any Irish laws or regulations and this document has not been filed with or approved by any Irish regulatory authority as the information has not been prepared in the context of a public offering of securities in Ireland within the meaning of the Irish Prospectus (Directive 2003/71/EC) Regulations 2005 (the “Prospectus Regulations”). The securities have not been offered or sold, and will not be offered, sold or delivered directly or indirectly in Ireland by way of a public offering, except to (i) qualified investors as defined in Regulation 2(l) of the Prospectus Regulations and (ii) fewer than 100 natural or legal persons who are not qualified investors.

 

Israel

 

The securities offered by this prospectus have not been approved or disapproved by the Israeli Securities Authority (the ISA), or ISA, nor have such securities been registered for sale in Israel. The shares may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, to the public in Israel, absent the publication of a prospectus. The ISA has not issued permits, approvals or licenses in connection with the offering or publishing the prospectus; nor has it authenticated the details included herein, confirmed their reliability or completeness, or rendered an opinion as to the quality of the securities being offered. Any resale in Israel, directly or indirectly, to the public of the securities offered by this prospectus is subject to restrictions on transferability and must be effected only in compliance with the Israeli securities laws and regulations.

 

Italy

 

The offering of the securities in the Republic of Italy has not been authorized by the Italian Securities and Exchange Commission (Commissione Nazionale per le Societ—$$—Aga e la Borsa, “CONSOB” pursuant to the Italian securities legislation and, accordingly, no offering material relating to the securities may be distributed in Italy and such securities may not be offered or sold in Italy in a public offer within the meaning of Article 1.1(t) of Legislative Decree No. 58 of 24 February 1998 (“Decree No. 58”), other than:

 

  to Italian qualified investors, as defined in Article 100 of Decree no.58 by reference to Article 34-ter of CONSOB Regulation no. 11971 of 14 May 1999 (“Regulation no. 1197l”) as amended (“Qualified Investors”); and
     
  in other circumstances that are exempt from the rules on public offer pursuant to Article 100 of Decree No. 58 and Article 34-ter of Regulation No. 11971 as amended.

 

Any offer, sale or delivery of the securities or distribution of any offer document relating to the securities in Italy (excluding placements where a Qualified Investor solicits an offer from the issuer) under the paragraphs above must be:

 

  made by investment firms, banks or financial intermediaries permitted to conduct such activities in Italy in accordance with Legislative Decree No. 385 of 1 September 1993 (as amended), Decree No. 58, CONSOB Regulation No. 16190 of 29 October 2007 and any other applicable laws; and

 

  in compliance with all relevant Italian securities, tax and exchange controls and any other applicable laws.

 

Any subsequent distribution of the securities in Italy must be made in compliance with the public offer and prospectus requirement rules provided under Decree No. 58 and the Regulation No. 11971 as amended, unless an exception from those rules applies. Failure to comply with such rules may result in the sale of such securities being declared null and void and in the liability of the entity transferring the securities for any damages suffered by the investors.

 

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Japan

 

The securities have not been and will not be registered under Article 4, paragraph 1 of the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law of Japan (Law No. 25 of 1948), as amended (the “FIEL”) pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements applicable to a private placement of securities to Qualified Institutional Investors (as defined in and in accordance with Article 2, paragraph 3 of the FIEL and the regulations promulgated thereunder). Accordingly, the securities may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to, or for the benefit of, any resident of Japan other than Qualified Institutional Investors. Any Qualified Institutional Investor who acquires securities may not resell them to any person in Japan that is not a Qualified Institutional Investor, and acquisition by any such person of securities is conditional upon the execution of an agreement to that effect.

 

Portugal

 

This document is not being distributed in the context of a public offer of financial securities (oferta pública de valores mobiliários) in Portugal, within the meaning of Article 109 of the Portuguese Securities Code (Código dos Valores Mobiliários). The securities have not been offered or sold and will not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, to the public in Portugal. This document and any other offering material relating to the securities have not been, and will not be, submitted to the Portuguese Securities Market Commission (Comissăo do Mercado de Valores Mobiliários) for approval in Portugal and, accordingly, may not be distributed or caused to distributed, directly or indirectly, to the public in Portugal, other than under circumstances that are deemed not to qualify as a public offer under the Portuguese Securities Code. Such offers, sales and distributions of securities in Portugal are limited to persons who are “qualified investors” (as defined in the Portuguese Securities Code). Only such investors may receive this document and they may not distribute it or the information contained in it to any other person.

 

Sweden

 

This document has not been, and will not be, registered with or approved by Finansinspektionen (the Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority). Accordingly, this document may not be made available, nor may the securities be offered for sale in Sweden, other than under circumstances that are deemed not to require a prospectus under the Swedish Financial Instruments Trading Act (1991:980) (Sw. lag (1991:980) om handel med finansiella instrument). Any offering of securities in Sweden is limited to persons who are “qualified investors” (as defined in the Financial Instruments Trading Act). Only such investors may receive this document and they may not distribute it or the information contained in it to any other person.

 

Switzerland

 

The securities may not be publicly offered in Switzerland and will not be listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (“SIX”) or on any other stock exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. This document has been prepared without regard to the disclosure standards for issuance prospectuses under art. 652a or art. 1156 of the Swiss Code of Obligations or the disclosure standards for listing prospectuses under art. 27 ff. of the SIX Listing Rules or the listing rules of any other stock exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. Neither this document nor any other offering material relating to the securities may be publicly distributed or otherwise made publicly available in Switzerland.

 

Neither this document nor any other offering material relating to the securities have been or will be filed with or approved by any Swiss regulatory authority. In particular, this document will not be filed with, and the offer of securities will not be supervised by, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA).

 

This document is personal to the recipient only and not for general circulation in Switzerland.

 

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United Arab Emirates

 

Neither this document nor the securities have been approved, disapproved or passed on in any way by the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates or any other governmental authority in the United Arab Emirates, nor has the Company received authorization or licensing from the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates or any other governmental authority in the United Arab Emirates to market or sell the securities within the United Arab Emirates.

 

This document does not constitute and may not be used for the purpose of an offer or invitation. No services relating to the securities, including the receipt of applications and/or the allotment or redemption of such shares, may be rendered within the United Arab Emirates by the Company.

 

No offer or invitation to subscribe for securities is valid or permitted in the Dubai International Financial Centre.

 

United Kingdom

 

Neither the information in this document nor any other document relating to the offer has been delivered for approval to the Financial Services Authority in the United Kingdom and no prospectus (within the meaning of section 85 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, as amended (“FSMA”) has been published or is intended to be published in respect of the securities. This document is issued on a confidential basis to “qualified investors” (within the meaning of section 86(7) of FSMA) in the United Kingdom, and the securities may not be offered or sold in the United Kingdom by means of this document, any accompanying letter or any other document, except in circumstances which do not require the publication of a prospectus pursuant to section 86(1) FSMA. This document should not be distributed, published or reproduced, in whole or in part, nor may its contents be disclosed by recipients to any other person in the United Kingdom.

 

Any invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of section 21 of FSMA) received in connection with the issue or sale of the securities has only been communicated or caused to be communicated and will only be communicated or caused to be communicated in the United Kingdom in circumstances in which section 21(1) of FSMA does not apply to the Company.

 

In the United Kingdom, this document is being distributed only to, and is directed at, persons (i) who have professional experience in matters relating to investments falling within Article 19(5) (investment professionals) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotions) Order 2005 (“FPO”), (ii) who fall within the categories of persons referred to in Article 49(2)(a) to (d) (high net worth companies, unincorporated associations, etc.) of the FPO or (iii) to whom it may otherwise be lawfully communicated (together “relevant persons”). The investments to which this document relates are available only to, and any invitation, offer or agreement to purchase will be engaged in only with, relevant persons. Any person who is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this document or any of its contents.

 

Canada

 

The securities may be sold in Canada only to purchasers purchasing, or deemed to be purchasing, as principal that are accredited investors, as defined in National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions or subsection 73.3(1) of the Securities Act (Ontario), and are permitted clients, as defined in National Instrument 31-103 Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations. Any resale of the securities must be made in accordance with an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the prospectus requirements of applicable securities laws. Securities legislation in certain provinces or territories of Canada may provide a purchaser with remedies for rescission or damages if this prospectus (including any amendment thereto) contains a misrepresentation, provided that the remedies for rescission or damages are exercised by the purchaser within the time limit prescribed by the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory. The purchaser should refer to any applicable provisions of the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory for particulars of these rights or consult with a legal advisor. Pursuant to section 3A.3 of National Instrument 33-105 Underwriting Conflicts (NI 33-105), the underwriters are not required to comply with the disclosure requirements of NI33-105 regarding underwriter conflicts of interest in connection with this offering.

 

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MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS FOR NON-U.S. HOLDERS OF OUR COMMON STOCK

 

The following discussion is a summary of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences to Non-U.S. Holders (as defined below) of the purchase, ownership and disposition of our common stock issued pursuant to this offering, but does not purport to be a complete analysis of all potential tax consequences. The consequences of other U.S. federal tax laws, such as estate and gift tax laws, and any applicable state, local or non-U.S. tax laws are not discussed. This discussion is based on the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, Treasury Regulations promulgated under the Code, judicial decisions, and published rulings and administrative pronouncements of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, or the IRS, in each case in effect as of the date of this prospectus. These authorities may change or be subject to differing interpretations. Any such change or differing interpretation may be applied retroactively in a manner that could adversely affect a Non-U.S. Holder of our common stock. We have not sought and will not seek any rulings from the IRS regarding the matters discussed below. There can be no assurance the IRS or a court will not take a contrary position to that discussed below regarding the tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of our common stock.

 

This discussion is limited to Non-U.S. Holders that hold our common stock as a “capital asset” within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code (generally, property held for investment). This discussion does not address all U.S. federal income tax consequences relevant to a Non-U.S. Holder’s particular circumstances, including the impact of the Medicare contribution tax on net investment income. In addition, it does not address consequences relevant to Non-U.S. Holders subject to special rules, including, without limitation:

 

  U.S. expatriates and former citizens or long-term residents of the United States;
  persons subject to the alternative minimum tax;
  persons holding our common stock as part of a hedge, straddle, or other risk reduction strategy or as part of a conversion transaction or other integrated investment;
  banks, insurance companies, and other financial institutions;
  brokers, dealers, or traders in securities;
  “controlled foreign corporations,” “passive foreign investment companies,” and corporations that accumulate earnings to avoid U.S. federal income tax;
  partnerships or other entities or arrangements treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes and other pass-through entities (and investors in such entities);
  tax-exempt organizations or governmental organizations;
  persons deemed to sell our common stock under the constructive sale provisions of the Code;
  persons who hold or receive our common stock pursuant to the exercise of any employee stock option or otherwise as compensation;
  persons that own, or are deemed to own, more than 5% of our common stock (except to the extent specifically set forth below);
  tax-qualified retirement plans;
  “qualified foreign pension funds” as defined in Section 897(l)(2) of the Code and entities all of the interests of which are held by qualified foreign pension funds; and
  persons subject to special tax accounting rules as a result of any item of gross income with respect to the common stock being taken into account in an applicable financial statement.

 

If an entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds our common stock, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership will depend on the status of the partner, the activities of the partnership, and certain determinations made at the partner level. Accordingly, partnerships holding our common stock and the partners in such partnerships should consult their tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences to them.

 

S-24

 

 

THIS DISCUSSION IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TAX ADVICE. INVESTORS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISORS WITH RESPECT TO THE APPLICATION OF THE U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX LAWS TO THEIR PARTICULAR SITUATIONS AS WELL AS ANY TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE PURCHASE, OWNERSHIP, AND DISPOSITION OF OUR COMMON STOCK ARISING UNDER THE U.S. FEDERAL ESTATE OR GIFT TAX LAWS OR UNDER THE LAWS OF ANY STATE, LOCAL, OR NON-U.S. TAXING JURISDICTION OR UNDER ANY APPLICABLE INCOME TAX TREATY.

 

Definition of a Non-U.S. Holder

 

For purposes of this discussion, a “Non-U.S. Holder” is any beneficial owner of our common stock that is neither a “U.S. person” nor an entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. A U.S. person is any person that, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, is or is treated as any of the following:

 

  an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States;
  a corporation (or an entity treated as a corporation) created or organized under the laws of the United States, any state thereof, or the District of Columbia;
  an estate, the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income tax regardless of its source; or
  a trust that (1) is subject to the primary supervision of a U.S. court and the control of one or more “United States persons” (within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code), or (2) has a valid election in effect to be treated as a United States person for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

 

Distributions

 

As described in the section entitled “Dividend Policy,” we do not anticipate paying cash dividends to holders of our common stock in the foreseeable future. However, if we do make distributions of cash or property on our common stock, such distributions will constitute dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent paid from our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles. Amounts not treated as dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes will constitute a return of capital and first be applied against and reduce a Non-U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in its common stock, but not below zero. Any excess will be treated as capital gain and will be treated as described below under “— Sale or Other Taxable Disposition.”

 

Subject to the discussion below on effectively connected dividends and under “—Information Reporting and Backup Withholding” and “—Additional Withholding Tax on Payments Made to Foreign Accounts”, dividends paid to a Non-U.S. Holder will be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax at a rate of 30% of the gross amount of the dividends (or such lower rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty, provided the Non-U.S. Holder furnishes a valid IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E (or other applicable documentation) certifying qualification for the lower treaty rate). If a Non-U.S. Holder holds the stock through a financial institution or other intermediary, the Non-U.S. Holder will be required to provide appropriate documentation to the intermediary, which then will be required to provide appropriate documentation to the applicable withholding agent, either directly or through other intermediaries. A Non-U.S. Holder that does not timely furnish the required documentation, but that qualifies for a reduced treaty rate, may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld by timely filing an appropriate claim for refund with the IRS. Non-U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding their entitlement to benefits under any applicable income tax treaty.

 

If dividends paid to a Non-U.S. Holder are effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, the Non-U.S. Holder maintains a permanent establishment in the United States to which such dividends are attributable), the Non-U.S. Holder will be exempt from the U.S. federal withholding tax described above. To claim the exemption, the Non-U.S. Holder must furnish to the applicable withholding agent a valid IRS Form W-8ECI, certifying that the dividends are effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States.

 

S-25

 

 

Any such effectively connected dividends will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis at the regular graduated rates. A Non-U.S. Holder that is a corporation also may be subject to a branch profits tax at a rate of 30% (or such lower rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty) on such effectively connected dividends, as adjusted for certain items. Non-U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding any applicable tax treaties that may provide for different rules.

 

Sale or Other Taxable Disposition

 

Subject to the discussion below under “—Information Reporting and Backup Withholding” and “—Additional Withholding Tax on Payments Made to Foreign Accounts”, a Non-U.S. Holder will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on any gain realized upon the sale or other taxable disposition of our common stock unless:

 

  the gain is effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, the Non-U.S. Holder maintains a permanent establishment in the United States to which such gain is attributable);
  the Non-U.S. Holder is a nonresident alien individual present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year of the disposition and certain other requirements are met; or
  our common stock constitutes a U.S. real property interest, or a USRPI, by reason of our status as a U.S. real property holding corporation, or a USRPHC, for U.S. federal income tax purposes at any applicable time within the shorter of the five year period preceding the Non-U.S. Holder’s disposition of, or the Non-U.S. Holder’s holding period for, our common stock.

 

Gain described in the first bullet point above generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax in the same manner as if the Non-U.S. Holder were a U.S. person and be taxed on the net gain derived from the sale or other taxable disposition under regular graduated U.S. federal income tax rates. A Non-U.S. Holder that is a corporation also may be subject to a branch profits tax at a rate of 30% (or such lower rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty) on such effectively connected gain, as adjusted for certain items.

 

Gain described in the second bullet point above will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 30% (or such lower rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty), which may be offset by U.S. source capital losses of the Non-U.S. Holder (even though the individual is not considered a resident of the United States), provided the Non-U.S. Holder has timely filed U.S. federal income tax returns with respect to such losses.

 

With respect to the third bullet point above, we believe we currently are not, and do not anticipate becoming, a USRPHC. Because the determination of whether we are a USRPHC depends, however, on the fair market value of our USRPIs relative to the fair market value of our non-U.S. real property interests and our other business assets, there can be no assurance that we currently are not a USRPHC or will not become one in the future. Even if we are or were to become a USRPHC, gain arising from the sale or other taxable disposition of our common stock by a Non-U.S. Holder will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax if our common stock is “regularly traded,” as defined by applicable Treasury Regulations, on an established securities market, and such Non-U.S. Holder owned, actually or constructively, 5% or less of our common stock throughout the shorter of the five-year period ending on the date of the sale or other taxable disposition of our common stock, or the Non-U.S. Holder’s holding period for our common stock.

 

Non-U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding potentially applicable income tax treaties that may provide for different rules.

 

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Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

 

Payments of dividends on our common stock will not be subject to backup withholding, provided the applicable withholding agent does not have actual knowledge or reason to know the holder is a United States person and the holder either certifies its non-U.S. status, such as by furnishing a valid IRS Form W-8BEN, W-8BEN-E or W-8ECI, or other applicable documentation, or otherwise establishes an exemption. However, information returns are required to be filed with the IRS in connection with any dividends on our common stock paid to the Non-U.S. Holder, regardless of whether any tax was actually withheld. In addition, proceeds of the sale or other taxable disposition of our common stock within the United States or conducted through certain U.S.-related brokers generally will not be subject to backup withholding or information reporting, if the applicable withholding agent receives the certification described above and does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that such holder is a United States person, or the holder otherwise establishes an exemption. Proceeds of a disposition of our common stock conducted through a non-U.S. office of a non-U.S. broker generally will not be subject to backup withholding or information reporting.

 

Copies of information returns that are filed with the IRS may also be made available under the provisions of an applicable treaty or agreement to the tax authorities of the country in which the Non-U.S. Holder resides or is established.

 

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules may be allowed as a refund or a credit against a Non-U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

 

Additional Withholding Tax on Payments Made to Foreign Accounts

 

Withholding taxes may be imposed under Sections 1471 to 1474 of the Code (such sections commonly referred to as the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act, or “FATCA”) on certain types of payments made to non-U.S. financial institutions and certain other non-U.S. entities. Specifically, a 30% withholding tax may be imposed on dividends on, or (subject to the proposed Treasury Regulations discussed below) gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition of, our common stock paid to a “foreign financial institution” or a “non-financial foreign entity” (each as defined in the Code), unless (1) the foreign financial institution undertakes certain diligence and reporting obligations, (2) the non-financial foreign entity either certifies it does not have any “substantial United States owners” (as defined in the Code) or furnishes identifying information regarding each substantial United States owner, or (3) the foreign financial institution or non-financial foreign entity otherwise qualifies for an exemption from these rules. If the payee is a foreign financial institution and is subject to the diligence and reporting requirements in (1) above, it must enter into an agreement with the U.S. Department of the Treasury requiring, among other things, that it undertake to identify accounts held by certain “specified United States persons” or “United States-owned foreign entities” (each as defined in the Code), annually report certain information about such accounts, and withhold 30% on certain payments to non-compliant foreign financial institutions and certain other account holders. Foreign financial institutions located in jurisdictions that have an intergovernmental agreement with the United States governing FATCA may be subject to different rules.

 

Under the applicable Treasury Regulations and administrative guidance, withholding under FATCA generally applies to payments of dividends on our common stock. While withholding under FATCA would have applied also to payments of gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition of stock on or after January 1, 2019, recently proposed Treasury Regulations eliminate FATCA withholding on payments of gross proceeds entirely. Taxpayers generally may rely on these proposed Treasury Regulations until final Treasury Regulations are issued.

 

Prospective investors should consult their tax advisors regarding the potential application of withholding under FATCA to their investment in our common stock.

 

S-27

 

 

LEGAL MATTERS

 

The validity of the common stock being offered under this prospectus supplement by us will be passed upon for us by White & Case LLP, New York, New York. Sullivan & Worcester LLP, New York, New York, is acting as counsel for the underwriters in connection with this offering.

 

EXPERTS

 

The consolidated financial statements of the Company as of December 31, 2019 and for the year ended December 31, 2019, incorporated in this prospectus by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of Haskell & White LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, incorporated herein by reference, given on the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

The consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2018 and for the year then ended incorporated by reference in this prospectus have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of BDO USA, LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, incorporated herein by reference, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

 

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

 

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-238757) with the SEC for the securities we are offering by this prospectus supplement. This prospectus supplement does not include all of the information contained in the registration statement. You should refer to the registration statement and its exhibits for additional information. Whenever a reference is made in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus to a contract or other document, the reference is only a summary and you should refer to the exhibits that are a part of the registration statement for a copy of the contract or other document. You may review a copy of the registration statement through the SEC’s website.

 

We are subject to the information reporting requirements of the Exchange Act and, in accordance with these requirements, we file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements, information statements, and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available to the public over the Internet at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. In addition, we provide free access to these materials through our website, www.ballantynestrong.com, as soon as reasonably practicable after they are filed with or furnished to the SEC. Information contained on, or that may be accessible through, our website is not a part of, and is not incorporated into, this prospectus supplement.

 

S-28
 

 

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

 

The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference information in this document. This means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to documents that we have previously filed with the SEC or documents that we will file with the SEC in the future. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be an important part of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, except for any information that is superseded by information that is included directly in this document. We filed a registration statement on Form S-3 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, with the SEC with respect to the securities being offered pursuant to this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus omit certain information contained in the registration statement, as permitted by the SEC. You should refer to the registration statement, including the exhibits, for further information about us and the securities being offered pursuant to this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Statements in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus regarding the provisions of certain documents filed with, or incorporated by reference in, the registration statement are not necessarily complete and each statement is qualified in all respects by that reference. Copies of all or any part of the registration statement, including the documents incorporated by reference or the exhibits, may be obtained upon payment of the prescribed rates at the offices of the SEC listed above in “Where You Can Find More Information.”

 

S-29
 

 

We are incorporating by reference in this prospectus supplement the following documents which we have previously filed with the SEC (other than any portions of the Current Reports on Form 8-K that were furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 or 7.01 of Form 8-K or other applicable SEC rules):

 

(1) our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, filed on March 16, 2020 (File No. 001-13906) and Amendment No. 1 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, filed on April 20, 2020 (File No. 001-13906), or, collectively, the 2019 Annual Report;

 

(2) our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2020, filed on May 12, 2020, for the quarter ended June 30, 2020, filed on August 12, 2020, and for the quarter ended September 30, 2020 filed on November 12, 2020 (Files Nos. 001-13906);
   
(3) our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on March 16, 2020, April 16, 2020, April 24, 2020, April 30, 2020, June 18, 2020, July 8, 2020, August 4, 2020, August 18, 2020, September 3, 2020, September 15, 2020, October 7, 2020, November 30, 2020, and February 2, 2021 (File Nos. 001-13906); and
   
(4) the description of our shares of common stock contained in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A, as filed with the SEC on September 22, 2004 (File No. 001-13906), including Exhibit 4.1 to our 2019 Annual Report and any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description.

 

In addition, we incorporate by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus any filings we make with the SEC pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act from the date of this prospectus supplement until the termination of the offering under this prospectus supplement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no information is incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus where such information under applicable forms and regulations of the SEC is not deemed to be “filed” under Section 18 of the Exchange Act or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section (such as under Item 2.02 or 7.01 of Form 8-K), unless we indicate in the report or filing containing such information that the information is to be considered “filed” under the Exchange Act or is to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus.

 

Certain statements in and portions of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus update and replace information in the above-listed documents incorporated by reference. Likewise, statements in or portions of a future document incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus may update and replace statements in and portions of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus or the above-listed documents.

 

You may request, without charge, a copy of any incorporated document (excluding exhibits, unless we have specifically incorporated an exhibit in an incorporated document) by writing or telephoning us at our principal executive offices at the following address:

 

Ballantyne Strong, Inc.

Attention: Investor Relations

4201 Congress Street, Suite 175

Charlotte, North Carolina 28209

(704) 994-8279

 

S-30
 

 

PROSPECTUS

 

 

Ballantyne Strong, Inc.

 

Common Stock

Preferred Stock

Senior Debt Securities

Subordinated Debt Securities

Depositary Shares

Units

Warrants

 

We may from time to time offer up to $50,000,000 of the securities listed above in one or more offerings in amounts, at prices and on terms determined at the time of such offering or offerings. When we use the term “securities” in this prospectus, we mean any of the securities we may offer with this prospectus, unless we say otherwise.

 

This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities and the general manner in which such securities may be offered. The specific terms of any securities to be offered, and the specific manner in which they may be offered, will be described in a supplement to this prospectus or incorporated into this prospectus by reference. You should read this prospectus and any supplement carefully before you invest. Each prospectus supplement will indicate if the securities offered thereby will be listed or quoted on a securities exchange or quotation system.

 

We may offer and sell the securities described in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement to or through one or more underwriters, dealers and agents, or directly to purchasers, or through a combination of these methods. If any underwriters, dealers or agents are involved in the sale of any of the securities, their names and any applicable purchase price, fee, commission or discount arrangement between or among them will be set forth, or will be calculable from the information set forth, in the applicable prospectus supplement. See the sections of this prospectus entitled “About this Prospectus” and “Plan of Distribution” for more information. No securities may be sold without delivery of this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement describing the method and terms of the offering of such securities.

 

INVESTING IN OUR SECURITIES INVOLVES RISKS. WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT YOU READ CAREFULLY THE RISKS WE DESCRIBE IN THIS PROSPECTUS AND IN ANY ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT, AS WELL AS THE RISK FACTORS THAT ARE INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE INTO THIS PROSPECTUS FROM OUR FILINGS MADE WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. SEE “RISK FACTORS” ON PAGE 5 OF THIS PROSPECTUS.

 

Our common stock is listed on the NYSE American under the symbol “BTN.” On May 27, 2020 the last reported sale price of our common stock on the NYSE American was $1.57 per share.

 

As of May 27, 2020, the aggregate market value of our outstanding common stock held by non-affiliates was $13,042,488, based on 14,651,253 shares of outstanding common stock, of which 8,307,317 shares were held by affiliates, and a per share price of $1.57, based on the closing sale price of our common stock on May 27, 2020. Pursuant to General Instruction I.B.6 of Form S-3, in no event will we sell securities pursuant to this registration statement in a public primary offering with a value of more than one-third of the aggregate market value of our common stock held by non-affiliates in any 12-month period, so long as the aggregate market value of our common stock held by non-affiliates is less than $75,000,000. In the event that subsequent to the effective date of this registration statement, the aggregate market value of our outstanding common stock held by non-affiliates equals or exceeds $75,000,000, then the one-third limitation on sales shall not apply to additional sales made pursuant to this registration statement. We have not sold any securities pursuant to General Instruction I.B.6 of Form S-3 during the 12 calendar months prior to, and including, the date of this registration statement.

 

You should carefully read this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement and the information described under the headings “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation by Reference” before you invest in any of these securities. This prospectus may not be used to sell securities in a primary offering by us unless it is accompanied by a prospectus supplement that describes the securities being offered.

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved the securities we may be offering or determined that this prospectus is accurate or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

The date of this prospectus is June 4, 2020

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

  Page
   
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS 3
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS 4
BALLANTYNE STRONG, INC. 5
RISK FACTORS 5
USE OF PROCEEDS 5
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK 6
DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES 9
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES 11
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS 18
DESCRIPTION OF UNITS 19
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION 20
LEGAL MATTERS 22
EXPERTS 22
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION 22
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE 23

 

2

 

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

 

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, using a “shelf” registration process. By using a shelf registration statement, we may sell securities from time to time and in one or more offerings up to a total dollar amount of $50,000,000 as described in this prospectus. Each time that we offer and sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement to this prospectus that contains specific information about the securities being offered and sold and the specific terms of that offering. We may also authorize one or more free writing prospectuses to be provided to you that may contain material information relating to these offerings. The prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus with respect to that offering. If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus, you should rely on the prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus, as applicable. Before purchasing any securities, you should carefully read both this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement (and any applicable free writing prospectuses), together with the additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information; Incorporation by Reference.”

 

We have not authorized any other person to provide you with any information or to make any representations other than those contained in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any free writing prospectuses prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you. We take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. We will not make an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement to this prospectus is accurate only as of the date on its respective cover, that the information appearing in any applicable free writing prospectus is accurate only as of the date of that free writing prospectus, and that any information incorporated by reference is accurate only as of the date of the document incorporated by reference, unless we indicate otherwise. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates. This prospectus incorporates by reference, and any prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus may contain and incorporate by reference, market data and industry statistics and forecasts that are based on independent industry publications and other publicly available information. Although we believe these sources are reliable, we do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of this information and we have not independently verified this information. In addition, the market and industry data and forecasts that may be included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement or any applicable free writing prospectus may involve estimates, assumptions and other risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various factors, including those discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” contained in this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement and any applicable free writing prospectus, and under similar headings in other documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on this information.

 

Unless we state otherwise or the context otherwise requires, references in this prospectus to “we,” “our,” “us,” or “the Company” are to Ballantyne Strong, Inc., a Delaware corporation, together with our consolidated subsidiaries.

 

3

 

 

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference into it contains forward-looking statements regarding the Company and represents our expectations and beliefs concerning future events that are, or may be considered to be, “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. These forward-looking statements are intended to be covered by the safe harbor for forward-looking statements provided by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The forward-looking statements included herein or incorporated herein by reference include or may include, but are not limited to, (and you should read carefully) statements that are predictive in nature, depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, or use or contain words, terms, phrases, or expressions such as “achieve,” “forecast,” “plan,” “propose,” “strategy,” “envision,” “hope,” “will,” “continue,” “potential,” “expect,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “project,” “estimate,” “predict,” “intend,” “should,” “could,” “may,” “might,” or similar words, terms, phrases, or expressions or the negative of any of these terms. Any statements in this prospectus or incorporated herein by reference that are not based upon historical fact are forward-looking statements and represent our best judgment as to what may occur in the future. Forward-looking statements involve a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to those discussed in the “Risk Factors” section contained in Item 1A in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 and the following risks and uncertainties: the Company’s ability to maintain and expand its revenue streams, potential interruptions of supplier relationships or higher prices charged by suppliers, the Company’s ability to successfully compete and introduce enhancements and new features that achieve market acceptance and that keep pace with technological developments, the Company’s access to capital, the Company’s ability to successfully execute its capital allocation strategy, the Company’s ability to maintain its brand and reputation and retain or replace its significant customers, the impact of a challenging global economic environment or a downturn in the markets (such as the current economic disruption and market volatility generated by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic), economic and political risks of selling products in foreign countries (including tariffs), risks of non-compliance with U.S. and foreign laws and regulations, potential sales tax collections and claims for uncollected amounts, cybersecurity risks and risks of damage and interruptions of information technology systems, the Company’s ability to retain key members of management and successfully integrate new executives, the Company’s ability to complete acquisitions, strategic investments, entry into new lines of business, divestitures, mergers or other transactions on acceptable terms or at all, the Company’s ability to utilize or assert its intellectual property rights, the impact of natural disasters and other catastrophic events (such as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic), the adequacy of insurance and the impact of having a controlling stockholder. Given the risks and uncertainties, readers should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement and should recognize that the statements are predictions of future results which may not occur as anticipated. Many of the risks listed above have been, and may be further be, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, its impact on the cinema and entertainment industry, and the worsening economic environment.

 

Although we believe the expectations reflected in our forward-looking statements are reasonable, in reading this prospectus and the documents incorporated into this prospectus by reference, you should consider the factors discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” contained in this prospectus in evaluating any forward-looking statements and you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Each forward-looking statement is made and applies only as of the date of the particular statement, and we are not obligated to update, withdraw, or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. You should consider these risks when reading any forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements attributed or attributable to us or to persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by this section entitled “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”

 

4

 

 

BALLANTYNE STRONG, INC.

 

We are a holding company with diverse business activities focused on serving the entertainment, retail and advertising markets. The Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries design, integrate and install technology solutions for a broad range of applications; develop and deliver out-of-home messaging, advertising and communications; manufacture projection screens; and provide managed services including monitoring of networked equipment to our customers. We add value through our design, engineering, manufacturing excellence and customer service.

 

We conduct our operations through three operating segments: Strong Entertainment, Convergent and Strong Outdoor. Our Strong Entertainment business is one of the largest manufacturers of premium projection screens. We also manufacture customized screen support systems, distribute other products and provide technical support services to the cinema, amusement park and other markets. Convergent delivers digital signage solutions and related services to large multi-location organizations in the United States and Canada. Strong Outdoor provides outdoor advertising and experiential marketing to advertising agencies and corporate accounts, primarily in New York City.

 

We are a Delaware corporation. Our principal executive offices are located at 4201 Congress Street, Suite 175, Charlotte, North Carolina 28209, and our telephone number at this address is (704) 994-8279. Our website is www.ballantynestrong.com. Information contained on, or that may be accessible through, our website is not a part of, and is not incorporated into, this prospectus.

 

RISK FACTORS

 

An investment in our securities involves various risks. Before making an investment in our securities, you should carefully consider the risks discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended, our most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and any subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K (other than, in each case, information furnished rather than filed), which are incorporated herein by reference, as well as the information contained in this prospectus and in any prospectus supplements relating to particular offers of securities. Any of those risk factors could significantly and adversely affect our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations, and the trading price of our securities. Although we describe, and will describe, what we believe to be the principal risks related to our Company and the securities we offer, we can also be affected by risks we do not anticipate or do not think will have a material effect upon us.

 

USE OF PROCEEDS

 

Unless otherwise indicated in a prospectus supplement relating to a specific offering, we intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of securities by us under this prospectus for general corporate purposes, which may include working capital, capital expenditures, operational purposes and potential acquisitions.

 

The intended application of proceeds from the sale of any particular offering of securities using this prospectus will be described in the accompanying prospectus supplement relating to such offering. The precise amount and timing of the application of these proceeds will depend on our funding requirements and the availability and costs of other funds.

 

5

 

 

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

 

The following summary of the material terms of our securities is not intended to be a complete summary of the rights and preferences of such securities. We urge you to read our certificate of incorporation, or the Certificate of Incorporation, and bylaws, or the Bylaws, in their entirety for a complete description of the rights and preferences of our securities, copies of which have been filed with the SEC. These documents are also incorporated by reference into the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.

 

Authorized Capital

 

The Company’s authorized capital stock consists of 25,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.01 par value per share, or the Common Stock, and 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share, or the Preferred Stock.

 

Under Delaware law, stockholders generally are not personally liable for a corporation’s acts or debts.

 

Exchange and Trading Symbol

 

The Common Stock is listed for trading on the NYSE American under the trading symbol “BTN.”

 

Rights and Preferences

 

All outstanding shares of Common Stock are duly authorized, fully paid and nonassessable. Holders of shares of Common Stock have no conversion, preemptive or subscription rights, and there are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to the Common Stock. The rights, preferences and privileges of the holders of Common Stock are subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of the holders of shares of any series of Preferred Stock that the Company may designate and issue in the future.

 

In the event of the Company’s liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the holders of Common Stock are entitled to share ratably in the assets legally available for distribution to stockholders after the payment of all of the Company’s known debts and liabilities and after adequate provision has been made for each class of stock having preference over the Common Stock, if any.

 

Voting Rights

 

Holders of Common Stock are entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters to be voted on by the stockholders. There is no cumulative voting with respect to the election of directors. Directors are elected by a plurality of the votes cast by the holders of Common Stock. Except as otherwise required by law, all other matters brought to a vote of the holders of Common Stock are determined by a majority of the votes cast and, except as may be provided with respect to any other outstanding class or series of the Company’s stock, the holders of shares of Common Stock possess the exclusive voting power.

 

Dividends

 

Subject to preferences that may be applicable to any then outstanding shares of Preferred Stock, the holders of Common Stock are entitled to receive dividends, if any, as may be declared from time to time by the Company’s Board of Directors out of legally available funds.

 

6

 

 

Preferred Stock

 

The Board of Directors of the Company is authorized, subject to any limitations prescribed by applicable law and without further approval or action by the holders of Common Stock, to issue shares of Preferred Stock in one or more series. The Board of Directors may fix the designation, powers, preferences and rights of the shares of each such series and any qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, including dividend rights, conversion rights, voting rights, terms of redemption, liquidation preferences and sinking fund terms. The Company has no outstanding shares of Preferred Stock.

 

The rights of the holders of Common Stock will generally be subject to the prior rights of the holders of any outstanding shares of Preferred Stock with respect to dividends, liquidation preferences and other matters.

 

Anti-Takeover Effects of Provisions of Delaware Law and the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws

 

Delaware Anti-Takeover Law

 

The Company is subject to Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (“Section 203”). Section 203 generally prohibits a public Delaware corporation from engaging in a “business combination” with an “interested stockholder” for a period of three years after the date of the transaction in which the person became an interested stockholder unless:

 

prior to the date of the transaction, the board of directors of the corporation approved either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder;
   
upon consummation of the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding for purposes of determining the number of shares outstanding (but not the outstanding voting stock owned by the interested stockholder) those shares owned by (i) persons who are directors and also officers and (ii) employee stock plans in which employee participants do not have the right to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer; or
   
at or subsequent to such time the business combination is approved by the board of directors and authorized at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, and not by written consent, by the affirmative vote of at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding voting stock which is not owned by the interested stockholder.

 

Section 203 defines a “business combination” to generally include:

 

any merger or consolidation of the corporation or any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the corporation with the interested stockholder;
   
any sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or other disposition (in one transaction or a series of transactions), except proportionately as a stockholder of such corporation, to or with the interested stockholder of assets of the corporation or of any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the corporation which assets have an aggregate market value equal to 10% or more of either the aggregate market value of all the assets of the corporation determined on a consolidated basis or the aggregate market value of all the outstanding stock of the corporation;
   
subject to certain exceptions, any transaction which results in the issuance or transfer by the corporation or by any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the corporation of any stock of the corporation or of such subsidiary to the interested stockholder;
   
subject to certain exceptions, any transaction involving the corporation or any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the corporation that has the effect, directly or indirectly, of increasing the interested stockholder’s proportionate share of the stock of any class or series of securities, or securities convertible into the stock of any class or series, of the corporation or of any such subsidiary; and
   
any receipt by the interested stockholder of the benefit, directly or indirectly (except proportionately as a stockholder of such corporation), of any loans, advances, guarantees, pledges or other financial benefits provided by or through the corporation or any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary.

 

7

 

 

In general, Section 203 defines an interested stockholder as any entity or person that (i) is the owner of 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation, or (ii) is an affiliate or associate of the corporation and was the owner of 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation at any time within the three-year period immediately prior to the date on which it is sought to be determined whether such person is an interested stockholder, and the affiliates and associates of such person.

 

Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws

 

The Company’s Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws include anti-takeover provisions that:

 

authorize the Board of Directors, without further action by the stockholders, to issue shares of Preferred Stock in one or more series, and with respect to each series, to fix the number of shares constituting that series, and establish the rights and terms of that series;
   
establish advance notice procedures for stockholders to submit nominations of candidates for election to the Board of Directors to be brought before a stockholders meeting;
   
allow the Company’s directors to establish the size of the Board of Directors and fill vacancies on the Board created by an increase in the number of directors (subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock to elect additional directors under specified circumstances);
   
require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of all of the then-outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors in order to remove a director or the entire Board of Directors for cause;
   
 ● do not provide stockholders cumulative voting rights with respect to director elections; and
   
provide that the Company’s Bylaws may be amended by the Board of Directors without stockholder approval; provided, however, that the stockholders may amend the Bylaws only with the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of all of the then-outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors.

 

Provisions of the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws may delay or discourage transactions involving an actual or potential change in the Company’s control or change in the Company’s Board of Directors or management, including transactions in which stockholders might otherwise receive a premium for their shares or transactions that the Company’s stockholders might otherwise deem to be in their best interests. Therefore, these provisions could adversely affect the price of the Common Stock.

 

Authorized and Unissued Shares

 

The Company’s authorized and unissued shares of Common Stock are available for future issuance without stockholder approval except as may otherwise be required by applicable stock exchange rules or Delaware law. The Company may issue additional shares for a variety of purposes, including future offerings to raise additional capital, to fund acquisitions and as employee and consultant compensation. The existence of authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock could render more difficult, or discourage an attempt, to obtain control of the Company by means of a proxy contest, tender offer, merger or otherwise.

 

The issuance of shares of Preferred Stock by the Company could have certain anti-takeover effects under certain circumstances, and could enable the Board of Directors to render more difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain control of the Company by means of a merger, tender offer, or other business combination transaction directed at the Company by, among other things, placing shares of Preferred Stock with investors who might align themselves with the Board of Directors.

 

8

 

 

Transfer Agent and Registrar

 

The transfer agent for the shares of the Company’s common stock is Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc.

 

DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES

 

We may issue depositary receipts representing interests, which are called depositary shares, in shares of our common stock or of particular series of preferred stock. If we did that, we would deposit the common or preferred stock which is the subject of depositary shares with a depositary, which would hold that common or preferred stock for the benefit of the holders of the depositary shares, in accordance with a deposit agreement between the depositary and us. The holders of depositary shares would be entitled to all the rights and preferences of the common or preferred stock to which the depositary shares relate, including dividend, voting, conversion, redemption and liquidation rights, to the extent of their interests in that common or preferred stock.

 

While the deposit agreement relating to common stock or a particular series of preferred stock may have provisions applicable solely to common stock or that series of preferred stock, all deposit agreements relating to common or preferred stock we issue would include the following provisions:

 

Dividends and Other Distributions. Each time we pay a cash dividend or make any other type of cash distribution with regard to the common stock or to the preferred stock of a series, the depositary will distribute to the holder of record of each depositary share relating to that common stock or to that series of preferred stock, an amount equal to the dividend or other distribution per depositary share the depositary receives. If there is a distribution of property other than cash, the depositary either will distribute the property to the holders of depositary shares in proportion to the depositary shares held by each of them, or the depositary will, if we approve, sell the property and distribute the net proceeds to the holders of the depositary shares in proportion to the depositary shares held by them.

 

Withdrawal of Common or Preferred Stock. A holder of depositary shares will be entitled to receive, upon surrender of depositary receipts representing depositary shares, the number of shares of the applicable common stock or series of preferred stock, and any money or other property, to which the depositary shares relate.

 

Redemption of Depositary Shares. Whenever we redeem shares of a series of preferred stock held by a depositary, the depositary will be required to redeem, on the same redemption date, depositary shares relating, in total, to the number of shares of that series held by the depositary which we redeem, subject to the depositary’s receiving the redemption price of those shares. If fewer than all the depositary shares relating to a series are to be redeemed, the depositary shares to be redeemed will be selected by lot or by another method we determine to be equitable.

 

Voting. Any time we send a notice of meeting or other materials relating to a meeting to the holders of common stock or a series of preferred stock to which depositary shares relate, we will provide the depositary with sufficient copies of those materials so they can be sent to all holders of record of the applicable depositary shares, and the depositary will send those materials to the holders of record of the depositary shares on the record date for the meeting. The depositary will solicit voting instructions from holders of depositary shares and will vote or not vote the common or preferred stock to which the depositary shares relate in accordance with those instructions.

 

Liquidating Distributions. Upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the holder of each depositary share will be entitled to what the holder of the depositary share would have received if the holder had owned the number of shares of common stock or of the series of preferred stock which is represented by the depositary share.

 

Conversion. If shares of a series of preferred stock are convertible into common stock or other of our securities or property, holders of depositary shares relating to that series of preferred stock will, if they surrender depositary receipts representing depositary shares with appropriate instructions to convert them, receive the shares of common stock or other securities or property into which the number of shares of the series of preferred stock to which the depositary shares relate could at the time be converted.

 

9

 

 

Amendment and Termination of a Deposit Agreement. We and the depositary may amend a deposit agreement, except that an amendment which materially and adversely affects the rights of holders of depositary shares, or would be materially and adversely inconsistent with the rights granted to the holders of common stock or the series of preferred stock to which they relate, will have to be approved by holders of at least two-thirds of the applicable depositary shares. No amendment will impair the right of a holder of depositary shares to surrender the depositary receipts evidencing those depositary shares and receive the common or preferred stock to which they relate, except as required to comply with law. We may terminate a deposit agreement with the consent of holders of a majority of the depositary shares to which it relates. Upon termination of a deposit agreement, the depositary will make the shares of common or preferred stock to which the depositary shares issued under the deposit agreement relate available to the holders of those depositary shares. A deposit agreement will automatically terminate if:

 

  all outstanding depositary shares to which it relates have been withdrawn, redeemed or converted, or
     
  the depositary has made a final distribution to the holders of the depositary shares issued under the deposit agreement upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up.

 

Miscellaneous. There will be provisions (i) requiring the depositary to forward to holders of record of depositary shares any reports or communications from us which the depositary receives with respect to the common or preferred stock to which the depositary shares relate, (ii) regarding compensation of the depositary, (iii) regarding resignation of the depositary, (iv) limiting our liability and the liability of the depositary under the deposit agreement (usually to failure to act in good faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct) and (v) indemnifying the depositary against certain possible liabilities.

 

10

 

 

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

 

General

 

We will issue the debt securities offered by this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement under an indenture to be entered into between us and the trustee identified in the applicable prospectus supplement. The terms of the debt securities will include those stated in the indenture and those made part of the indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as in effect on the date of the indenture. We have filed a copy of the form of indenture as an exhibit to the registration statement in which this prospectus is included. The indenture will be subject to and governed by the terms of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939.

 

We may offer under this prospectus up to an aggregate principal amount of $50,000,000 in debt securities, or if debt securities are issued at a discount, or in a foreign currency, foreign currency units or composite currency, the principal amount as may be sold for an aggregate public offering price of up to $50,000,000. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities will represent our direct, unsecured obligations and will rank equally with all of our other unsecured indebtedness.

 

The debt securities, if and when issued, will be direct, unsecured obligations of our company and may be either senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities. We may issue debt securities in one or more issuances or series. An indenture, or a supplemental indenture, will set forth specific terms of each issue or series of debt securities. There will be prospectus supplements relating to particular issues or series of debt securities. Each prospectus supplement will describe:

 

  the title of the debt securities and whether the debt securities are senior or subordinated debt securities;
     
  the total principal amount of the debt securities we are offering by that prospectus supplement;
     
  the date or dates on which principal of the debt securities will be payable and the amount of principal which will be payable;
     
  the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) at which the debt securities will bear interest, if any, or contingent interest, if any, as well as the dates from which interest will accrue, the dates on which interest will be payable, the persons to whom interest will be payable, if other than the registered holders on the record date, and the record date for the interest payable on any payment date;
     
  the currency in which principal and interest, and any premium, will be payable;
     
  the place or places where principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the debt securities will be payable and where debt securities which are in registered form can be presented for registration of transfer or exchange;
     
  any provisions regarding our right to prepay debt securities or of holders to require us to prepay debt securities;
     
  the right, if any, of holders of the debt securities to convert them into common stock or other securities, including any contingent conversion provisions;
     
  any provisions requiring or permitting us to make payments to a sinking fund which will be used to redeem debt securities or a purchase fund which will be used to purchase debt securities;
     
  the percentage of the principal amount of the debt securities which is payable if maturity of the debt securities is accelerated because of a default;
     
  any special or modified events of default or covenants with respect to the debt securities; and
     
  any other material terms of the debt securities.

 

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We may issue discount debt securities that provide for an amount less than the stated principal amount to be due and payable upon acceleration of the maturity of such debt securities in accordance with the terms of the indenture. We may also issue debt securities in bearer form, with or without coupons. If we issue discount debt securities or debt securities in bearer form, we will describe material U.S. federal income tax considerations and other material special considerations which apply to these debt securities in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

We may issue debt securities denominated in or payable in a foreign currency or currencies or a foreign currency unit or units. If we do, we will describe the restrictions, elections, and general tax considerations relating to the debt securities and the foreign currency or currencies or foreign currency unit or units in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

Registrar and Paying Agent

 

The debt securities may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange at the corporate trust office of the security registrar or at any other office or agency that we maintain for those purposes. In addition, the debt securities may be presented for payment of principal, interest and any premium at the office of the paying agent or at any office or agency that we maintain for those purposes.

 

Conversion or Exchange Rights

 

Debt securities may be convertible into or exchangeable for shares of our common stock. The terms and conditions of conversion or exchange will be stated in the applicable prospectus supplement. The terms will include, among others, the following:

 

  the conversion or exchange price;
     
  the conversion or exchange period;
     
  provisions regarding the convertibility or exchangeability of the debt securities, including who may convert or exchange;
     
  events requiring adjustment to the conversion or exchange price;
     
  provisions affecting conversion or exchange in the event of our redemption of the debt securities; and
     
  any anti-dilution provisions, if applicable.

 

Registered Global Securities

 

If we decide to issue debt securities in the form of one or more global securities, then we will register the global securities in the name of the depositary for the global securities or the nominee of the depositary, and the global securities will be delivered by the trustee to the depositary for credit to the accounts of the holders of beneficial interests in the debt securities.

 

The prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms of the depositary arrangement for debt securities of a series that are issued in global form. None of us, the trustee, any payment agent or the security registrar will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in a global debt security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to these beneficial ownership interests.

 

No Protection in the Event of a Change of Control

 

The indenture does not have any covenants or other provisions providing for a put or increased interest or otherwise that would afford holders of our debt securities additional protection in the event of a recapitalization transaction, a change of control or a highly leveraged transaction. If we offer any covenants or provisions of this type with respect to any debt securities covered by this prospectus, we will describe them in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

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Covenants

 

Unless otherwise indicated in this prospectus or the applicable prospectus supplement, our debt securities will not have the benefit of any covenants that limit or restrict our business or operations, the pledging of our assets or the incurrence by us of indebtedness. We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement any material covenants in respect of a series of debt securities.

 

Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Asset

 

The form of indenture provides that we will not consolidate with or merge into any other person or convey, transfer, sell or lease our properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any person, unless:

 

  we are the surviving person of such merger or consolidation, or if we are not the surviving person, the person formed by the consolidation or into or with which we are merged or the person to which our properties and assets are conveyed, transferred, sold or leased, is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the U.S., any state or the District of Columbia or a corporation or comparable legal entity organized under the laws of a foreign jurisdiction and has expressly assumed all of our obligations, including the payment of the principal of and, premium, if any, and interest on the debt securities and the performance of the other covenants under the indenture; and

 

  immediately before and immediately after giving effect to the transaction on a pro forma basis, no event of default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an event of default, has occurred and is continuing under the indenture.

 

Events of Default and Remedies

 

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the following events will be events of default under the indenture with respect to debt securities of any series:

 

  we fail to pay any principal or premium, if any, when it becomes due;
     
  we fail to pay any interest within 30 days after it becomes due;
     
  we fail to observe or perform any other covenant in the debt securities or the indenture for 60 days after written notice specifying the failure from the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series; and
     
  certain events involving bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of us or any of our significant subsidiaries.

 

The trustee may withhold notice to the holders of the debt securities of any series of any default, except in payment of principal of or premium, if any, or interest on the debt securities of a series, if the trustee considers it to be in the best interest of the holders of the debt securities of that series to do so.

 

If an event of default (other than an event of default resulting from certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization) occurs, and is continuing, then the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may accelerate the maturity of the debt securities. If this happens, the entire principal amount, plus the premium, if any, of all the outstanding debt securities of the affected series plus accrued interest to the date of acceleration will be immediately due and payable. At any time after the acceleration, but before a judgment or decree based on such acceleration is obtained by the trustee, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of outstanding debt securities of such series may rescind and annul such acceleration if:

 

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  all events of default (other than nonpayment of accelerated principal, premium or interest) have been cured or waived;
     
  all lawful interest on overdue interest and overdue principal has been paid; and
     
  the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree.

 

In addition, if the acceleration occurs at any time when we have outstanding indebtedness that is senior to the debt securities, the payment of the principal amount of outstanding debt securities may be subordinated in right of payment to the prior payment of any amounts due under the senior indebtedness, in which case the holders of debt securities will be entitled to payment under the terms prescribed in the instruments evidencing the senior indebtedness and the indenture.

 

If an event of default resulting from certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization occurs, the principal, premium and interest amount with respect to all of the debt securities of any series will be due and payable immediately without any declaration or other act on the part of the trustee or the holders of the debt securities of that series.

 

The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of a series will have the right to waive any existing default or compliance with any provision of the indenture or the debt securities of that series and to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee, subject to certain limitations specified in the indenture.

 

No holder of any debt security of a series will have any right to institute any proceeding with respect to the indenture or for any remedy under the indenture, unless:

 

  the holder gives to the trustee written notice of a continuing event of default;
     
  the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the affected series make a written request and offer reasonable indemnity to the trustee to institute a proceeding as trustee;
     
  the trustee fails to institute a proceeding within 60 days after such request; and
     
  the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the affected series do not give the trustee a direction inconsistent with such request during such 60-day period.

 

These limitations do not, however, apply to a suit instituted for payment on debt securities of any series on or after the due dates expressed in the debt securities.

 

We will periodically deliver certificates to the trustee regarding our compliance with our obligations under the indenture.

 

Modification of an Indenture

 

From time to time, we and the trustee may, without the consent of holders of the debt securities of one or more series, amend the indenture or the debt securities of one or more series, or supplement the indenture, for certain specified purposes, including:

 

  to provide that the surviving entity following a change of control permitted under the indenture will assume all of our obligations under the indenture and debt securities;
     
  to provide for certificated debt securities in addition to uncertificated debt securities;
     
  to comply with any requirements of the SEC under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939;
     
  to provide for the issuance of and establish the form and terms and conditions of debt securities of any series as permitted by the indenture;

 

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  to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency, or make any other change that does not materially and adversely affect the rights of any holder; and
     
  to appoint a successor trustee under the indenture with respect to one or more series.

 

From time to time we and the trustee may, with the consent of holders of at least a majority in principal amount of an outstanding series of debt securities, amend or supplement the indenture or the debt securities series, or waive compliance in a particular instance by us with any provision of the indenture or the debt securities. We may not, however, without the consent of each holder affected by such action, modify or supplement the indenture or the debt securities or waive compliance with any provision of the indenture or the debt securities in order to:

 

  reduce the amount of debt securities whose holders must consent to an amendment, supplement, or waiver to the indenture or such debt security;
     
  reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest or reduce the amount of or postpone the date for payment of sinking fund or analogous obligations;
     
  reduce the principal of or change the stated maturity of the debt securities;
     
  make any debt security payable in money other than that stated in the debt security;
     
  change the amount or time of any payment required or reduce the premium payable upon any redemption, or change the time before which no such redemption may be made;
     
  waive a default in the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the debt securities or a redemption payment;
     
  waive a redemption payment with respect to any debt securities or change any provision with respect to redemption of debt securities; or
     
  take any other action otherwise prohibited by the indenture to be taken without the consent of each holder affected by the action.

 

Defeasance of Debt Securities and Certain Covenants in Certain Circumstances

 

The indenture permits us, at any time, to elect to discharge our obligations with respect to one or more series of debt securities by following certain procedures described in the indenture. These procedures will allow us either:

 

  to defease and be discharged from any and all of our obligations with respect to any debt securities except for the following obligations (which discharge is referred to as “legal defeasance”);
     
  to register the transfer or exchange of such debt securities;
     
  to replace temporary or mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen debt securities;
     
  to compensate and indemnify the trustee;
     
  to maintain an office or agency in respect of the debt securities and to hold monies for payment in trust; or
     
  to be released from our obligations with respect to the debt securities under certain covenants contained in the indenture, as well as any additional covenants which may be contained in the applicable supplemental indenture (which release is referred to as “covenant defeasance”).

 

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In order to exercise either defeasance option, we must irrevocably deposit with the trustee or other qualifying trustee, in trust for that purpose:

 

  money;
     
  U.S. Government Obligations (as described below) or Foreign Government Obligations (as described below) that through the scheduled payment of principal and interest in accordance with their terms will provide money; or
     
  a combination of money and/or U.S. Government Obligations and/or Foreign Government Obligations sufficient in the written opinion of a nationally-recognized firm of independent accountants to provide money;

 

that, in each case specified above, provides a sufficient amount to pay the principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the debt securities of the series, on the scheduled due dates or on a selected date of redemption in accordance with the terms of the indenture.

 

In addition, defeasance may be effected only if, among other things:

 

  in the case of either legal or covenant defeasance, we deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel, as specified in the indenture, stating that as a result of the defeasance neither the trust nor the trustee will be required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940;
     
  in the case of legal defeasance, we deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel stating that we have received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling to the effect that, or there has been a change in any applicable federal income tax law with the effect that (and the opinion shall confirm that), the holders of outstanding debt securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes solely as a result of such legal defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner, including as a result of prepayment, and at the same times as would have been the case if legal defeasance had not occurred;
     
  in the case of covenant defeasance, we deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that the holders of the outstanding debt securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of covenant defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if covenant defeasance had not occurred; and
     
  certain other conditions described in the indenture are satisfied.

 

If we fail to comply with our remaining obligations under the indenture and applicable supplemental indenture after a covenant defeasance of the indenture and applicable supplemental indenture, and the debt securities are declared due and payable because of the occurrence of any undefeased event of default, the amount of money or U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign Government Obligations on deposit with the trustee could be insufficient to pay amounts due under the debt securities of the affected series at the time of acceleration. We will, however, remain liable in respect of these payments.

 

The term “U.S. Government Obligations” as used in the above discussion means securities that are direct obligations of or non-callable obligations guaranteed by the United States of America for the payment of which obligation or guarantee the full faith and credit of the United States of America is pledged.

 

The term “Foreign Government Obligations” as used in the above discussion means, with respect to debt securities of any series that are denominated in a currency other than U.S. dollars, (1) direct obligations of the government that issued or caused to be issued such currency for the payment of which obligations its full faith and credit is pledged or (2) obligations of a person controlled or supervised by or acting as an agent or instrumentality of such government the timely payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by that government, which in either case under clauses (1) or (2), are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer.

 

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Regarding the Trustee

 

We will identify the trustee with respect to any series of debt securities in the prospectus supplement relating to the applicable debt securities. You should note that if the trustee becomes a creditor of ours, the indenture and the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 limit the rights of the trustee to obtain payment of claims in certain cases, or to realize on certain property received in respect of any such claim, as security or otherwise. The trustee and its affiliates may engage in, and will be permitted to continue to engage in, other transactions with us and our affiliates. If, however, the trustee acquires any “conflicting interest” within the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, it must eliminate such conflict or resign.

 

The holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding debt securities of any series may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy available to the trustee. If an event of default occurs and is continuing, the trustee, in the exercise of its rights and powers, must use the degree of care and skill of a prudent person in the conduct of his or her own affairs. Subject to that provision, the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture at the request of any of the holders of the debt securities, unless they have offered to the trustee reasonable indemnity or security.

 

No Individual Liability of Incorporators, Stockholders, Officers or Directors

 

Each indenture provides that no incorporator and no past, present or future stockholder, officer or director of our Company or any successor corporation in those capacities will have any individual liability for any of our obligations, covenants or agreements under the debt securities or such indenture.

 

Governing Law

 

The indentures and the debt securities will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

 

We may issue warrants to purchase common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares, debt securities or units. Each issue of warrants will be the subject of a warrant agreement which will contain the terms of the warrants. In the event that we issue warrants, we will distribute a prospectus supplement with regard to each issue of warrants. Each prospectus supplement will describe, as to the warrants to which it relates:

 

  the securities which may be purchased by exercising the warrants (which may be common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares, debt securities or units consisting of two or more of those types of securities);
     
  the exercise price of the warrants (which may be wholly or partly payable in cash or wholly or partly payable with other types of consideration);
     
  the period during which the warrants may be exercised;
     
  any provision adjusting the securities which may be purchased on exercise of the warrants and the exercise price of the warrants in order to prevent dilution or otherwise;
     
  the place or places where warrants can be presented for exercise or for registration of transfer or exchange; and
     
  any other material terms of the warrants.

 

Exercise of Warrants

 

Each warrant will entitle the holder of the warrant to purchase for cash the amount of common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares, debt securities or units at the exercise price stated or determinable in the applicable prospectus supplement for the warrants. Warrants may be exercised at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date shown in the applicable prospectus supplement, unless otherwise specified in such prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date, unexercised warrants will become void. Warrants may be exercised as described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

Until a holder exercises the warrants to purchase any securities underlying the warrants, the holder will not have any rights as a holder of the underlying securities by virtue of ownership of warrants.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

 

We may issue securities in units, each consisting of two or more types of securities. For example, we might issue units consisting of a combination of debt securities and warrants to purchase common stock. If we issue units, the prospectus supplement relating to the units will contain the information described above with regard to each of the securities that is a component of the units. In addition, each prospectus supplement relating to units will:

 

  state how long, if at all, the securities that are components of the units must be traded in units, and when they can be traded separately;
     
  state whether we will apply to have the units traded on a securities exchange or securities quotation system; and
     
  describe how, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the purchase price paid for the units is to be allocated among the component securities.

 

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

 

We may sell the securities offered through this prospectus and applicable prospectus supplements in one or more of the following ways from time to time: (i) to or through underwriters or dealers, (ii) directly to one or more purchasers, including our affiliates, (iii) through agents, (iv) through a combination of any these methods, or (v) through any other method permitted by applicable law.

 

In addition, the manner in which we may sell some or all of the securities covered by this prospectus, includes, without limitation, through:

 

  an “at the market” offering, within the meaning of Rule 415(a)(4) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the “Securities Act,” to or through a market maker or into an existing trading market on an exchange or otherwise;
     
  a block trade in which a broker-dealer will attempt to sell as agent, but may position or resell a portion of the block, as principal, in order to facilitate the transaction;
     
  purchases by a broker-dealer, as principal, and resale by the broker-dealer for its account;
     
  ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which a broker solicits purchasers; or
     
  privately negotiated transactions.

 

The securities may be distributed at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, based on market prices prevailing at the time of sale, prices related to the prevailing market prices, or negotiated prices. The prospectus supplement relating to an offering of securities will set forth the terms of such offering, including:

 

  the name or names of any underwriters or agents;
     
  the name or names of any managing underwriter or underwriters;
     
  the name or names of any broker/dealers or placement agents;
     
  the purchase price of the securities;
     
  any over-allotment options under which underwriters may purchase additional securities;
     
  the net proceeds from the sale of the securities;
     
  any delayed delivery arrangements;
     
  any underwriting discounts, commissions and other items constituting underwriters’ compensation;
     
  any initial public offering price;
     
  any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers;
     
  any commissions paid to agents; and
     
  any securities exchange or market on which the securities may be listed.

 

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Sale Through Underwriters or Dealers

 

Only underwriters named in a prospectus supplement are underwriters of the securities offered by such prospectus supplement.

 

If underwriters are used in the sale, the underwriters will acquire the securities for their own account, including through underwriting, purchase, security lending or repurchase agreements with us. The underwriters may resell the securities from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions. Underwriters may sell the securities in order to facilitate transactions in any of our other securities (described in this prospectus or otherwise), including other public or private transactions and short sales. Underwriters may offer securities to the public either through underwriting syndicates represented by one or more managing underwriters or directly by one or more firms acting as underwriters without a syndicate. Unless otherwise indicated in a prospectus supplement, the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the securities will be subject to certain conditions, and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all the offered securities if they purchase any of them. The underwriters may change from time to time any public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers.

 

If dealers are used in the sale of securities offered through this prospectus, we will sell the securities to them as principals. The dealers may then resell those securities to the public at varying prices determined by the dealers at the time of resale. The prospectus supplement will include the names of the dealers and the terms of the transaction.

 

The maximum compensation or discount to be received by any FINRA member or independent broker-dealer will not be greater than 8% for the sale of any securities being registered hereunder pursuant to Rule 415 of the Securities Act.

 

Direct Sales and Sales Through Agents

 

We may sell the securities offered through this prospectus directly. In this case, no underwriters or agents would be involved. Such securities may also be sold through agents designated from time to time. Any applicable prospectus supplement will name any agent involved in the offer or sale of the offered securities and will describe any commissions payable to the agent. Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, any agent will agree to use its reasonable best efforts to solicit purchases for the period of its appointment.

 

We may sell the securities directly to institutional investors or others who may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act with respect to any sale of those securities. The terms of any such sales will be described in a prospectus supplement.

 

Delayed Delivery Contracts

 

If an applicable prospectus supplement indicates, we may authorize agents, underwriters or dealers to solicit offers from certain types of institutions to purchase securities at the public offering price under delayed delivery contracts. These contracts would provide for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. The contracts would be subject only to those conditions described in the prospectus supplement. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the commission payable for solicitation of those contracts.

 

Market Making, Stabilization and Other Transactions

 

We may elect to list offered securities on an exchange or in the over-the-counter market. Any underwriters that we use in the sale of offered securities may make a market in such securities, but may discontinue such market making at any time without notice. Therefore, we cannot assure you that the securities will have a liquid trading market.

 

Certain persons participating in an offering may engage in overallotment, stabilizing transactions, syndicate covering transactions and penalty bids in accordance with rules and regulations under the Exchange Act. Overallotment involves the sale in excess of the offering size, which create a short position. Stabilizing transactions involve bids to purchase the underlying security in the open market for the purpose of pegging, fixing or maintaining the price of the securities. Syndicate covering transactions involve purchases of the securities in the open market after the distribution has been completed in order to cover syndicate short positions.

 

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Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a syndicate member when the securities originally sold by the syndicate member are purchased in a syndicate covering transaction to cover syndicate short positions. Stabilizing transactions, syndicate covering transactions and penalty bids may cause the price of the securities to be higher than it would be in the absence of the transactions. The underwriters may, if they commence these transactions, discontinue them at any time.

 

General Information

 

Agents, underwriters, and dealers may be entitled, under agreements entered into with us, to indemnification by us against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. Our agents, underwriters, and dealers, or their affiliates, may be customers of, engage in transactions with or perform services for us in the ordinary course of business.

 

LEGAL MATTERS

 

Winston & Strawn LLP, New York, New York, or other counsel selected by the Company with regard to a particular offering, who will be named in the prospectus supplement relating to that offering, will pass upon the validity of any securities we offer by this prospectus. If the validity of any securities is also passed upon by counsel for the underwriters of an offering of those securities, that counsel will be named in the prospectus supplement relating to that offering.

 

EXPERTS

 

The consolidated financial statements of the Company as of December 31, 2019 and for the year ended December 31, 2019, incorporated in this prospectus by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of Haskell & White LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, incorporated herein by reference, given on the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

The consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2018 and for the year then ended incorporated by reference in this prospectus have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of BDO USA, LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, incorporated herein by reference, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

 

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

 

We are subject to the information reporting requirements of the Exchange Act and, in accordance with these requirements, we file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements, information statements, and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available to the public over the Internet at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. In addition, we provide free access to these materials through our website, www.ballantynestrong.com, as soon as reasonably practicable after they are filed with or furnished to the SEC. Information contained on, or that may be accessible through, our website is not a part of, and is not incorporated into, this prospectus.

 

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-3 relating to the securities covered by this prospectus and any prospectus supplement. This prospectus is a part of the registration statement and does not contain all the information in the registration statement. Whenever a reference is made in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement to a contract or other document, the reference is only a summary and you should refer to the exhibits that are a part of the registration statement for a copy of the contract or other document. You may review a copy of the registration statement through the SEC’s website.

 

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INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

 

The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference information in this document. This means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to documents that we have previously filed with the SEC or documents that we will file with the SEC in the future. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be an important part of this prospectus, except for any information that is superseded by information that is included directly in this document.

 

We are incorporating by reference in this prospectus the following documents which we have previously filed with the SEC (other than any portions of the Current Reports on Form 8-K that were furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 or 7.01 of Form 8-K or other applicable SEC rules):

 

(1) Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, filed on March 16, 2020 (File No. 001-13906) and Amendment No. 1 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, filed on April 20, 2020 (File No. 001-13906);

 

(2) Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2020, filed on May 12, 2020 (File No. 001-13906);
   
(3) Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on March 16, 2020, April 16, 2020, April 24, 2020 and April 30, 2020 (File Nos. 001-13906); and
   
(4) the description of our shares of common stock contained in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A, as filed with the SEC on September 22, 2004 (File No. 001-13906), including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description.

 

Whenever after the date of filing the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and until all of the securities to which this prospectus relates have been sold or the offering is otherwise terminated, we file reports or documents under Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, those reports and documents will be deemed to be part of this prospectus from the time they are filed. Any statements made in this prospectus or in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus will be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus or in any subsequently filed document that is also incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus modifies or supersedes the statement. Nothing in this prospectus will be deemed to incorporate information furnished by us on Form 8-K that under the rules of the SEC, is not deemed “filed” for purposes of the Exchange Act.

 

You may request, without charge, a copy of any incorporated document (excluding exhibits, unless we have specifically incorporated an exhibit in an incorporated document) by writing or telephoning us at our principal executive offices at the following address:

 

Ballantyne Strong, Inc.

Attention: Investor Relations

4201 Congress Street, Suite 175

Charlotte, North Carolina 28209

(704) 994-8279

 

23
 

 

Shares of Common Stock

 

 

Ballantyne Strong, Inc.

 

 

 

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

 

 

 

ThinkEquity

a division of Fordham Financial Management, Inc.

 

, 2021

 

 

 

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