Metal Storm Plans to Move American Depositary Shares to OTC Market
July 11 2008 - 4:55AM
Marketwired
BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA (ASX: MST) (NASDAQ: MTSX) today announced
that it intends to move the trading of its American Depositary
Shares (ADSs) in the United States to the Over-the-Counter Market
(OTC Market).
This has no effect on the Company's listing on the Australian
Securities Exchange (ASX).
The decision follows notice from NASDAQ Stock Market that the
company is currently below the minimum threshold levels for market
capitalization, shareholders equity and net income needed to
maintain its NASDAQ listing. NASDAQ has determined that the
company's eligible US listed securities total US$23,729,279 which
is below the minimum threshold of US$35,000,000.
"Metal Storm currently has in excess of US$40,000,000 of listed
securities on global markets," said Metal Storm CEO, Dr Lee
Finniear. "However, NASDAQ does not include securities listed only
on non-US national securities exchanges in its calculation of
market capitalization. This is purely a technical compliance issue
in respect of the NASDAQ listing rules."
"Despite the positive working relationship we have with the
NASDAQ, neither party has been able to find an avenue by which
NASDAQ could take into account our full complement of listed
securities for compliance purposes," Dr Finniear added.
In making the decision to move to the OTC Market, Metal Storm's
paramount objective has been to provide an alternative and
effective trading market for the holders and beneficial owners of
its ADSs.
Metal Storm Chairman Terry O'Dwyer stated that the OTC market is
one of the most popular and effective methods by which ASX listed
companies trade securities in the US Market.
"By moving to the OTC market we are joining a broad complement
of highly respected Australian companies such as Telstra, National
Australia Bank, and ANZ who trade their securities in the US on the
OTC market," said Mr O'Dwyer.
The Company intends to maintain its SEC registration.
For any US holder, the process for buying or selling interests
in Metal Storm ADSs will remain unchanged, conducting such
transactions through their normal stock broker as before.
Quotations for the securities can be obtained from the NASDAQ
administered OTCBB web site at www.otcbb.com. The Bank of New York
will continue to administer Metal Storm's ADS facility.
NASDAQ listing rules require the Company to note that its
auditors included an explanatory paragraph in Metal Storm's
recently filed Annual Report on Form 20-F submission for fiscal
year ended 31st December 2007, relating to its ability to continue
as a going concern. This does not represent any change or amendment
to the Company financial statements for 2007 or to its Annual
Report on Form 20-F. NASDAQ has not raised any concern over Metal
Storm's corporate governance, prospects or reporting.
"The Company is making rapid progress toward completing
qualification of its 40mm ammunition and weapons systems at the end
of the year," said Mr O'Dwyer. "The Board is unanimous in its view
that the company is undervalued given its current position and
prospects."
Notes:
Metal Storm's Australian Stock Exchange trading code: MST
Metal Storm's NASDAQ Small Cap ticker symbol: MTSX
About Metal Storm
Metal Storm Limited is a multi-national defence technology
company engaged in the development of electronically initiated
ballistics systems using its unique "stacked projectile"
technology. The company is headquartered in Brisbane, Australia,
and incorporated in Australia. Metal Storm Limited technology and
products are represented in the USA by Metal Storm Inc., which has
offices in Arlington, Virginia.
Metal Storm is working with government agencies and departments,
as well as industry, to develop a variety of systems utilising the
Metal Storm non-mechanical, electronically fired stacked ammunition
system.
Metal Storm's weapon technology uses computer-controlled
electronic ignition and a system of stacked projectiles, to achieve
a completely non-mechanical gun that is very lightweight and
compact, providing a very high firepower to weight ratio. The Metal
Storm weapons system utilizes multiple barrels mounted together on
one platform which allows varying munitions types to be deployed in
a single, low cost, lightweight weapon system. Firing the weapons
by electronic ignition requires no moving parts, allowing reliable
long term unattended weapon operation.
Safe Harbour
Certain statements made herein that use the words "estimate,"
"project," "intend," "expect," "believe" and similar expressions
are intended to identify forward-looking statements within the
meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks
and uncertainties which could cause the actual results, performance
or achievements of the company to be materially different from
those which may be expressed or implied by such statements,
including, among others, risks or uncertainties associated with the
development of the company's technology, the ability of the company
to meet its financial requirements, the ability of the company to
protect its proprietary technology, potential limitations on the
company's technology, the market for the company's products,
government regulation in Australia and the US, changes in tax and
other laws, changes in competition and the loss of key personnel.
For additional information regarding these and other risks and
uncertainties associated with the company's business, reference is
made to the company's reports filed from time to time with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, including the company's Form
20-F.
Company Contact: Australia & USA Dr Lee Finniear - Chief
Executive Officer Metal Storm Limited Ph: +61 7 3123 4700
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