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UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
 
FORM 8-K
 
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): August 10, 2023
 
Safeguard Scientifics, Inc.
(Exact Name of registrant as Specified in Charter)
 
 
Pennsylvania
1-5620
23-1609753
(State or other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)
(Commission File Number)
(IRS Employer ID No.)
 
150 N. Radnor Chester Rd., STE F-200
Radnor, PA
19087
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(Zip Code)
 
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 610-293-0600
 
Not applicable 

(Former Name or Former Address if Changed Since Last Report)
 
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
☐ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
 
Title of each class
Trading Symbol(s)
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock ($.10 par value)
SFE
The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
 
Emerging growth company ☐
 
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
 
 

 
Item 2.02.
Results of Operations and Financial Condition.
 
On August 10, 2023 Safeguard Scientifics, Inc. (the “Company”) issued a press release setting forth the Company’s financial information for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023. A copy of the Company’s press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is hereby incorporated by reference.
 
This information shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”), or incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.
 
ITEM 9.01.
Financial Statements and Exhibits.
 
(d)
Exhibits.
 
104
Press Release of Safeguard Scientifics, Inc. dated August 10, 2023.
Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL).
 
2
 
 
SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
 
 
Safeguard Scientifics, Inc.
 
       
       
Date: August 10, 2023
By:
/s/ G. Matthew Barnard
 
 
Name:    
G. Matthew Barnard  
 
Title:   
General Counsel  
     
 
3

Exhibit 99.1

 

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SAFEGUARD SCIENTIFICS ANNOUNCES SECOND QUARTER 2023 FINANCIAL RESULTS

 

 

Conference call and webcast on August 10, 2023 at 5 p.m. ET

 

 

Radnor, PA, August 10, 2023 — Safeguard Scientifics, Inc. (NASDAQ:SFE) (“Safeguard” or the “Company”) today announced financial results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023.

 

SECOND QUARTER 2023 HIGHLIGHTS

 

 

Financial Results

 

o

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash totaled $15.1 million at June 30, 2023.

 

o

The carrying value of the Company’s ownership interests totaled $13.0 million at June 30, 2023. The total cost of the Company’s ownership interests was $138.4 million.

 

o

Net loss for the three months ended June 30, 2023 was $2.9 million, or $0.18 per share, as compared with a net income of $0.5 million, or $0.03 per share, for the same period in 2022.

 

o

Net loss for the six months ended June 30, 2023 was $6.3 million, or $0.39 per share, as compared with a net loss of $6.2 million, or $0.38 per share, for the same period in 2022.

 

 

Exits & Deployments

 

o

Safeguard deployed $3.0 million to Prognos as part of a financing round consisting of existing and new investors.

 

o

Safeguard received $0.4 million of cash proceeds from the secondary sale of a subordinated promissory note issued by Aktana. In a separate transaction, Aktana completed a recapitalization transaction in which Safeguard declined to participate resulting in Safeguard having no remaining material ownership position in Aktana.

 

o

Subsequent to the quarter, Trice Medical completed a recapitalization transaction in which Safeguard declined to participate that resulted in Safeguard retaining a small, subordinated debt position and a di minimis ownership interest.

 

 

Safeguard Company Performance

 

o

The aggregate trailing twelve-month revenues ending March 31, 2023 for six of Safeguard’s companies, which excludes the Other Ownership Interests, was $95 million, an increase of 12.8% from the comparable prior period.

 

 

Operating Costs

 

o

General and administrative expenses totaled $1.2 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2023 as compared to $1.1 million for the comparable period of 2022, a 3.5% increase. General and administrative expenses were $2.4 million for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2023 and 2022.

 

o

Safeguard also continued to lower its corporate expenses1, which totaled $0.7 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2023, as compared to $0.8 million for the comparable period of 2022, a decrease of 12.2%. Corporate expenses were $1.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023 as compared to $1.7 million for the comparable period of 2022.

 


1 Corporate expenses are general and administrative expenses excluding depreciation, severance, stock-based compensation and other non-recurring items.  See full reconciliation in the financial section of this statement

 

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Outlook

 

o

Safeguard is no longer in discussions regarding a potential strategic transaction with the counterparty it disclosed last quarter due to, among other things, certain valuation, tax and structural issues that were fundamental to the transaction.  While other strategic transactions could still be considered, Safeguard is currently planning to return excess cash to shareholders in Q4 2023.

 

o

Excess cash represents cash on hand less the amounts required to be retained to support the operations of the Company, satisfy its liabilities and pay one-time costs incurred as a result of pursuing this strategy. While subject to change, and assuming a substantial reduction in operational costs as noted below, the excess cash is currently estimated to be approximately half of our cash balance in Q4 2023.

 

o

In addition, in order to substantially reduce its ongoing operating costs, Safeguard is exploring delisting from Nasdaq and becoming a non-reporting company, which would be subject to shareholder approval.

 

o

Safeguard estimates that the exit values from the remaining portfolio companies, assuming normal conditions and ordinary course exits, would range between $25 million and $45 million over the next two years.

 

o

Safeguard’s year to date follow on deployments in the portfolio totals $3.3 million and we do not expect to make additional deployments to the portfolio.

 

o

Safeguard will continue to closely manage corporate expenses for the remainder of 2023. We expect to be below $3.0 million, the low end of the range previously estimated for the year.    

 

“While we are disappointed that our strategic process did not result in a transaction, we are working diligently on a plan to return excess cash to our shareholders in Q4 2023, materially reduce our ongoing operating costs, and allow the remaining portfolio companies to exit over the next two years,” said Eric C. Salzman, Chief Executive Officer.

 

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OWNERSHIP INTERESTS AT JUNE 30, 2023

Companies

Category

Acquisition

Year

 

Primary

Ownership%

   

Fully Diluted

Ownership%

**

   

Carrying

Value

(in millions)

   

Cost

(in millions)

 
                                     
                                     
 

Revenue of $5 million to $10 million

 

Moxe

Healthcare

2016

    19.3 %     18.0 %     5.8       7.5  
 

Revenue of $10 million to $20 million

 

Clutch Holdings, Inc.

Digital Media

2013

    41.7 %     33.3 %     1.5       18.3  

InfoBionic, Inc.

Healthcare

2014

    25.2 %     22.1 %     -       22.0  

Syapse, Inc.

Healthcare

2014

    11.0 %     8.8 %     -       26.6  

Prognos Health, Inc. +

Healthcare

2011

    19.4 %     17.8 %     4.5       17.6  
 

Revenue of $20 million to $30 million

 
                                     

meQuilibrium ++

Healthcare

2015

    31.3 %     21.1 %     -       14.5  

Trice Medical, Inc. *

Healthcare

2014

    11.6 %     8.7 %     -       12.2  
 

Other Ownership Interests

 

All others

Various

                      1.2       19.7  
               

TOTAL:

    $ 13.0     $ 138.4  

 

 

* Subsequent to the quarter, Trice Medical completed a recapitalization transaction resulting in Safeguard retaining a small subordinated debt position and a di minimis ownership interest.

 

+ Company dropped into a lower revenue category this quarter.

 

++ Company progressed into a higher revenue category this quarter.

 

** Based on information provided by each respective company. Assumes the conversion or exercise of all currently outstanding securities including the issuance of all shares available under authorized employee equity programs. Does not reflect liquidation preferences, priority payments, proceeds from option and/or warrant exercises or other company-specific transaction-related obligations in a liquidation or exit transaction.

 

 

CONFERENCE CALL AND WEBCAST DETAILS

 

Please call 10-15 minutes prior to the call to register.

 

Date: August 10, 2023

 

Time: 5:00 p.m. ET

 

Webcast: https://www.webcast-eqs.com/register/safeguardscientific081023/en

 

Live Number: 877-407-0989

 

Speakers: Chief Executive Officer, Eric C. Salzman; and Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Mark A. Herndon

 

Format: Discussion of the second quarter’s financial results followed by Q&A

 

The replay will be available at Safeguard.com’s investor relations site under “Past events”. For more information please contact IR@safeguard.com. 

 

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About Safeguard Scientifics

Historically, Safeguard Scientifics has provided capital and relevant expertise to fuel the growth of technology-driven businesses. Safeguard has a distinguished track record of fostering innovation and building market leaders that spans more than six decades. Safeguard is currently pursuing a focused strategy to value-maximize and monetize its ownership interests over a multi-year time frame to drive shareholder value. For more information, please visit www.safeguard.com.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

Except for the historical information and discussions contained herein, statements contained in this release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Our forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding Safeguards ability to maximize the value of monetization opportunities of its ownership interests and drive total shareholder returns, Safeguards initiatives, including, without limitation, taken or contemplated to enhance and unlock value for all of its shareholders, Safeguards efforts to execute on and implement its strategy to streamline its organizational structure, reduce its operating costs, pursue monetization opportunities for ownership interests and maximize the return of value to its shareholders, Safeguards ability to create, unlock, enhance and maximize shareholder value, the effect of Safeguards management succession plan on driving increased organizational effectiveness and efficiencies, the ability of the management team to execute Safeguards strategy, the availability of, the timing of, and the proceeds that may ultimately be derived from the monetization of ownership interests, Safeguards projections regarding the reduction in its ongoing operating expenses, Safeguards projections regarding annualized operating expenses and expected severance expenses, monetization opportunities for ownership interests, and the amount of net proceeds from the monetization of ownership interests that will enable the return of value to Safeguard shareholders after satisfying working capital needs and the timing of such return of value. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future operational or financial performance and are based on current expectations that involve a number of uncertainties, risks and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and/or results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially include, among others, our ability to make good decisions about the monetization of our ownership interests for maximum value or at all and the return of value to our shareholders, our ability to successfully execute on our strategy to streamline our organizational structure and align our cost structure to increase shareholder value, whether our strategy will better position us to focus our resources on the highest-return opportunities and deliver enhanced shareholder value, the ongoing support of our existing ownership interests, the fact that our companies may vary from period to period, challenges to achieving liquidity from our ownership interests, fluctuations in the market prices of our publicly traded holdings, if any, competition, our inability to obtain maximum value for our ownership interests, our ability to attract and retain qualified employees, market valuations in sectors in which our ownership interests operate, our inability to control our ownership interests, our need to manage our assets to avoid registration under the Investment Company Act of 1940, risks, disruption, costs and uncertainty caused by or related to the actions of activist shareholders, including that if individuals are elected to our Board with a specific agenda, it may adversely affect our ability to effectively implement our business strategy and create value for our shareholders and perceived uncertainties as to our future direction as a result of potential changes to the composition of our Board may lead to the perception of a change in the direction of our business, instability or a lack of continuity that may adversely affect our business, and risks associated with our ownership interests, including the fact that most of our ownership interests have a limited operating history and a history of operating losses, face intense competition and may never be profitable, the effect of economic conditions in the business sectors in which our companies operate, and other uncertainties described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Many of these factors are beyond our ability to predict or control. As a result of these and other factors, the Companys past operational and financial performance should not be relied on as an indication of future performance. Further information on the above risk factors and other potential factors that could affect our future business, operating results and financial condition is included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 and other periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including risks under the heading Risk Factors. The Company does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements or other information contained in this press release.

 

###

 

SAFEGUARD CONTACT:

Mark Herndon

Chief Financial Officer

(610) 975-4913

mherndon@safeguard.com

 

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Safeguard Scientifics, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in thousands)

 

   

June 30, 2023

   

December 31, 2022

 

Assets

               

Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and marketable securities

  $ 15,112     $ 19,312  

Ownership interests

          860  

Other current assets

    1,615       1,251  

Total current assets

    16,727       21,423  

Ownership interests in and advances

    12,972       14,545  

Other assets

    1,383       1,724  

Total Assets

  $ 31,082     $ 37,692  
                 

Liabilities and Equity

               

Other current liabilities

  $ 1,256     $ 1,817  

Total current liabilities

    1,256       1,817  

Lease liability - non-current

    1,013       1,249  

Other long-term liabilities

    50       50  

Total equity

    28,763       34,576  

Total Liabilities and Equity

  $ 31,082     $ 37,692  

 

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Safeguard Scientifics, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

   

Three Months Ended

   

Six Months Ended

 
   

June 30,

   

June 30,

 
   

2023

   

2022

   

2023

   

2022

 

Operating expenses

  $ 1,186     $ 1,146     $ 2,371     $ 2,380  

Operating loss

    (1,186

)

    (1,146

)

    (2,371

)

    (2,380

)

Other income (loss), net

    (166

)

    30       (175

)

    (1,967

)

Interest, net

    249       145       523       246  

Equity income (loss), net

    (1,759

)

    1,454       (4,323

)

    (2,125

)

Net income (loss) before income taxes

    (2,862

)

    483       (6,346

)

    (6,226

)

Income tax benefit (expense)

                       

Net income (loss)

  $ (2,862

)

  $ 483     $ (6,346

)

  $ (6,226

)

Net income (loss) per share:

                               

Basic

  $ (0.18

)

  $ 0.03     $ (0.39

)

  $ (0.38

)

Diluted

  $ (0.18

)

  $ 0.03     $ (0.39

)

  $ (0.38

)

Weighted average shares used in computing income (loss) per share:

                               

Basic

    16,143       16,356       16,108       16,468  

Diluted

    16,143       16,356       16,108       16,468  

 

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Safeguard Scientifics, Inc.

 

Financial Data

(in thousands)

 

Additional Financial Information

 

Non-GAAP Measures

 

In discussing financial results and guidance, the Company refers to the measure "corporate expenses" which is not in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). We use this non-GAAP financial measure internally to make operating and strategic decisions, including evaluating our overall performance and as a factor in determining compensation for certain employees. We have defined corporate expenses as general and administrative costs excluding stock based compensation, severance costs, and non-recurring items and other.  Non-recurring items and other includes accruals related to the Company's LTIP plan that will not be paid until reaching a specified threshold within that plan as well as costs incurred for exploring strategic alternatives. We believe presenting this non-GAAP financial measure provides additional information to facilitate comparison of our historical operating costs and their trends, and provides additional transparency on how we evaluate our cost structure. We also believe presenting this measure allows investors to view our performance using the same measure that we use in evaluating our performance and trends.

 

 

Corporate expenses reconciliation:

 

   

Three Months Ended

   

Six Months Ended

 
   

June 30,

   

June 30,

 
   

2023

   

2022

   

2023

   

2022

 

Corporate expenses

  $ 730     $ 831     $ 1,521     $ 1,676  

Stock based compensation

    278       262       570       576  

Non-recurring items and other

    178       53       280       128  

General and administrative expenses

  $ 1,186     $ 1,146     $ 2,371     $ 2,380  

 

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