Historical price data; Registration of shares; etc...
The SI chart of monthly share price data for CHY shows a big gap down in early 1997 after reaching heights exceeding $55/sh in 1996. I think these charts do not reflect the 1-for-3 reverse stock split that took effect in early 1997. The following share price data was obtained from old 10-K reports:
====== The following table sets forth the high and low reported sales price for the common stock adjusted to reflect the one-for-three reverse stock split which occurred in February 1997. Price Range of Common Stock High Low Year ended December 31, 1999 ÿ ÿ Fourth quarter $4.250 $0.656 Third quarter 1.938 1.125 Second quarter 3.125 1.438 First quarter 2.750 1.500
Year Ended December 31, 1998 Fourth quarter $3.000 $1.250 Third quarter 3.625 1.625 Second quarter 4.938 3.125 First quarter 4.813 3.125
Year Ended December 31, 1997 Fourth Quarter $6.125 $4.125 Third Quarter 5.500 4.063 Second Quarter 5.875 3.750 First Quarter 9.375 4.875 Year Ended December 31, 1996 Fourth Quarter $15.375 $7.50 Third Quarter 19.875 12.00 Second Quarter 18.750 9.375 First Quarter 10.125 6.375
Year Ended December 31, 1995 Fourth Quarter............. $8.625 $5.250 Third Quarter.............. 9.000 2.438 Second Quarter............. 3.000 1.500 First Quarter.............. 2.250 1.125
The approximate number of holders of record of the Company's common stock at March 1, 2000 was 5,400.
On March 1, 2000, the closing price of the Company's common stock as reported on the NYSE was $4 3/16.
The Company has not declared or paid any cash dividend since November 27, 1989. The Company currently plans to retain its future earnings, if any, for use in the operation and expansion of its business and does not anticipate paying cash dividends on the common stock in the foreseeable future. In connection with the Company's term loan and revolving credit facility, the Company is prohibited from paying dividends in excess of 25% of its net income in any fiscal year.
During late 1998 and 1999 the Company raised $7.7 million through the issuance of 8% subordinated convertible debentures, due December 31, 2003, to certain persons and entities, including certain directors, affiliates and shareholders of the Company. The Series A debentures, totaling $1.2 million, are convertible, at any time, at the option of the holders thereof, into Common Stock of the Company at a conversion price of $2.466 per share (which is equal to 120% of the average of the closing selling prices of the Common Stock for the 90 trading days immediately preceding the issue date of the debentures). The Series A debentures may be redeemed by the Company at any time after December 31, 1999 for a price equal to the principal and accrued but unpaid interest on the debentures at the redemption date. The net proceeds from the sale of the debentures were used for general working capital purposes.
The Series B debentures, totaling $6.5 million, are convertible, at any time, at the option of the holders thereof, into common stock of the Company at a conversion price of $1.625 per share. The Series B debentures may be redeemed by the Company, commencing one year from issue date, for a price equal to the principal and accrued but unpaid interest at the redemption date. Interest, which is payable quarterly, may be paid in the form of additional debentures until July 15, 2001. Through December 31, 1999, approximately $0.2 million of interest was paid in the form of additional debentures issued by the Company. These funds are being used to build the Company's restructured operations and to fund research and development, particularly for certain Internet initiatives.
The debentures have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933 and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. In addition, in order for the debentures purchased by funds managed by Weiss Peck & Greer LLC to be converted into shares of common stock, under the rules of the New York Stock Exchange, shareholder approval is required. In the event that shareholder approval is not given, the debentures owned by such funds will not be convertible. The Company intends to seek such shareholder approval. The sales of the debentures were made in reliance upon the exemption from the registration provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, afforded by Section 4(2) thereof and/or Regulation D promulgated thereunder, as a transaction by an issuer not involving a public offering. To the best of the Company's knowledge, the purchasers of the debentures acquired them for their own accounts, and not with a view to any distribution thereof. ======
In relation to these last few paragraphs, note that on 19 May 2000 CHY filed an S-3 registration statement with the SEC for 9,409,046 shares of common stock...
freeedgar.com
This filing includes the following paragraph:
====== This Prospectus (the "Prospectus") relates solely to the sale of 9,409,046 shares of our Common Stock, par value $.01 per share (the "Common Stock"), issuable upon the conversion of: (1) $1,292,000 aggregate principal amount of 8% Subordinated Convertible Debentures which we issued to certain investors in a private placement completed on January 22, 1999, which are convertible at any time, at the option of the holders thereof, into shares of our Common Stock at a conversion rate of $2.466; (2) $6,452,000 aggregate principal amount of Series B 8% Subordinated Convertible Debentures which we issued to certain investors in a private placement completed on September 7, 1999, which are convertible at any time, at the option of the holders thereof, into shares of our Common Stock at a conversion rate of $1.625 per share, additional convertible debentures of 1,048,109 related to interest which may be paid in kind through July 1, 2001 and related placement agent stock purchase warrants of 123,631; (3) Common Stock which we issued to certain investors in a private placement completed on April 20, 2000, Common Stock sold by shareholders in such placement and related placement agent stock purchase warrants of 151,914; and (4) stock purchase warrants of 170,000 issued for consulting services. ======
Thus it appears that the company will clear its books of about $7.7 million in long-term debt while the number of shares outstanding will increase from about 35 million to about 45 million. Also, it appears that CHY will receive about $1.7 million in cash in the process because a bunch of outstanding warrants will be exercised. Here are some more words from the S-3 filing...
===== As of April 26, 2000 approximately 35,400,000 shares of Common Stock were issued and outstanding. Of these shares, approximately 19,200,000 shares will be freely tradable without restriction under the Securities Act. The remaining 16,200,000 outstanding shares are "restricted securities" as defined in Rule 144 of the Securities Act.
Of the approximately 16,200,000 restricted shares, 16,170,000 may be eligible for immediate sale under Rule 144, and 30,000 may become eligible for sale in the second quarter of 2000. =====
and here are some more words from this S-3 filing...
===== The Company's portion of net proceeds of the offering will be realized upon the exercise of outstanding warrants and will be approximately $1.7 million. As of the date of this document, the Company would expect to apply the net proceeds towards sales, marketing, the pursuit of strategic alliances, and research and development in connection with its New Media Business. However, the Company reserves the right to allocate the net proceeds to other uses which it considers to be in the best interests of its shareholders.
We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of the remainder of the shares of Common Stock being offered because they are being offered by the Selling Shareholders. =====
Despite the fact that the S-3 consistently refers to the "Selling Shareholders". I believe that these shares are merely being *registered* and not necessarily being sold. What I think this means is simply that there will be another 9.4 million shares out on the market (just like the shares that you and I own) and the owners of these shares could decide to trade them at any time (just like you or me).
I haven't decided whether I think this is a net plus or a net minus for current shareholders. That is, I'm not entirely sure how the market will react... perhaps it has already reacted! In any case, since this isn't a matter for shareholder vote (and I don't think the company itself has any say in the matter) all we can do is watch.
Comments?
Rob |