Daktronics Announces Intention to Convert $25 Million Convertible Promissory Note into Common Stock
November 08 2024 - 8:00AM
Daktronics, Inc. (“Daktronics” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ-DAKT), the
leading U.S.-based designer and manufacturer of best-in-class
dynamic video communication displays and control systems for
customers worldwide, today announced that, after careful
deliberation, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) has determined
that it is in the best interests of the Company and its common
shareholders to exercise the Company’s right to convert an initial
$7.0 million in face value of the $25 million senior second lien
secured promissory note (the “Convertible Note”) held by Alta Fox
Capital Management, LLC (together with its affiliates, “Alta Fox”)
into approximately 1.1 million shares of the Company’s common
stock.
The Board intends to deliver to Alta Fox notice of
the conversion on November 11, 2024, with a conversion date of
December 3, 2024. The Company intends to convert the remainder of
the Convertible Note over the next several months, in tranches of
up to $7 million in face value every 30 days, as provided for in
the Convertible Note.
Daktronics has delivered outstanding financial
results over the last twelve months, with record revenue, gross
profit and operating income in fiscal year 2024, and strong returns
for shareholders, with the Company’s stock price increasing more
than 300% over the last two years and over 175% since the issuance
of the Convertible Note on May 11, 2023.1 This performance is the
result of several initiatives implemented by the management team
and Board, including strengthening the Company’s financial
position, reducing order backlog, and improving margins through
operational enhancements and strategic cost reductions.
The Board’s decision to force the conversion of
the Convertible Note is consistent with the Company’s ongoing focus
on balance sheet optimization and cost efficiency and will save the
Company approximately $5.4 million in interest expense over the
remaining term of the Convertible Note. To help offset the share
dilution that will result from the conversion of the Convertible
Note into common stock, the Company intends to execute on its
existing share repurchase authorization as soon as practicable.
The Company engaged in good faith with Alta Fox
regarding an accelerated repayment of the Convertible Note as an
alternative to the forced conversion of the Convertible Note or
keeping the Convertible Note outstanding. Alta Fox and the Company
have been unable to agree on terms that the Board believes are in
the best interests of the Company and its shareholders. The Company
remains amenable to considering reasonable proposals for a
negotiated retirement of the Convertible Note.
Summary of Convertible Note Terms with
Alta Fox Capital Management
On May 11, 2023, Alta Fox purchased from
Daktronics $25,000,000 in Convertible Notes, due on May 11, 2027.
The Notes bear interest at a rate of 9% per annum.
Under the terms of the Convertible Note,
Daktronics has the right to convert the Convertible Note into
common stock at a conversion price equal to $6.31 after 18 months
following the issuance date of the Notes if the closing sale price
of the Company’s common stock has been equal to at least 150% of
the conversion price in 19 of the last 20 consecutive trading days.
Under these terms, Alta Fox may set a limit on the amount of common
stock it wishes to be issued in connection with a conversion of the
Convertible Note (a “Maximum Percentage”). If the shares to be
delivered as a result of a conversion of the Convertible Note would
cause Alta Fox to exceed the Maximum Percentage, the so-called
“Excess Shares” are treated as if they had never been issued and
would be delivered to Alta Fox only when Alta Fox certifies that
the delivery of the Excess Shares will not cause its ownership to
exceed the Maximum Percentage. Because the Maximum Percentage
currently in effect is 3% and Alta Fox currently owns, according to
Alta Fox’s disclosures to the Company, 3% or more of our common
stock, the forced conversion of the Convertible Note will not
result in the issuance of common shares to Alta Fox at this time.
Instead, delivery will be made after Alta Fox certifies it owns
less than the Maximum Percentage.
Daktronics encourages shareholders to read the
full terms of the Convertible Note, which are available as Exhibit
10.4 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the Company on May
12, 2023.
About Daktronics
Daktronics has strong leadership positions in, and
is the world's largest supplier of, large-screen video displays,
electronic scoreboards, LED text and graphics displays, and related
control systems. The Company excels in the control of display
systems, including those that require integration of multiple
complex displays showing real-time information, graphics,
animation, and video. Daktronics designs, manufactures, markets and
services display systems for customers around the world in four
domestic business units: Live Events, Commercial, High School Park
and Recreation, and Transportation, and one International business
unit. For more information, visit the company's website at:
www.daktronics.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
Cautionary Notice: In addition to statements of
historical fact, this news release contains forward-looking
statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995 and is intended to enjoy the protection of that
Act. These forward-looking statements reflect the Company's
expectations or beliefs concerning future events. The Company
cautions that these and similar statements involve risk and
uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially
from our expectations, including, but not limited to, changes in
economic and market conditions, management of growth, timing and
magnitude of future contracts and orders, fluctuations in margins,
the introduction of new products and technology, the impact of
adverse weather conditions, increased regulation, and other risks
described in the company's SEC filings, including its Annual Report
on Form 10-K for its 2024 fiscal year. Forward-looking statements
are made in the context of information available as of the date
stated. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise
such statements to reflect new circumstances or unanticipated
events as they occur.
For more information contact:
INVESTOR RELATIONS: Sheila M. Anderson, Chief
Financial Officer Tel (605) 692-0200 Investor@daktronics.com
LHA Investor Relations Carolyn Capaccio / Jody
Burfening DAKTIRTeam@lhai.com 1 Source: FactSet. Data as of
November 7, 2024.
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