Genius Group Announces Reverse Stock Split Effective on August 16, 2024

Rhea-AI Summary

Genius Group (NYSE American: GNS) has announced a 1-for-10 reverse stock split effective August 16, 2024. This move aims to increase the per share market price to meet NYSE's minimum requirements for continued listing. Key points include:

- Trading under the same symbol 'GNS' on NYSE American
- New CUSIP number: Y3005A117
- Approved by stockholders on February 16, 2023
- Every 10 shares will consolidate into 1 share
- Adjustments to exercise prices and shares underlying equity awards
- No fractional shares issued; rounded down to nearest whole share
- VStock Transfer acting as exchange agent

The reverse split doesn't affect the number of authorized shares or par value. Stockholders with electronic holdings don't need to take action.

Positive

• Potential to meet NYSE minimum share price requirements for continued listing
• Stockholder-approved action to address listing compliance issues

Negative

• Reduction in total number of outstanding shares, potentially affecting liquidity
• Risk of not achieving desired share price increase post-split
• Possible negative market perception of reverse splits

Financial Analyst

The 1-for-10 reverse stock split announced by Genius Group is a strategic move to maintain NYSE American listing compliance. While it doesn't directly impact the company's market capitalization, it artificially inflates the stock price, potentially making it more attractive to institutional investors. However, this action often signals underlying financial challenges.

The consolidation may reduce liquidity and increase volatility in the short term. Investors should be cautious, as reverse splits are sometimes associated with struggling companies. The key will be watching for improvements in Genius Group's fundamental financials post-split to gauge long-term viability.

Market Research Analyst

Genius Group's reverse split reflects a broader trend among smaller cap companies struggling to maintain major exchange listings. This move could be seen as a defensive strategy rather than a sign of growth. The AI-powered education sector is highly competitive and Genius Group's need for this action suggests they may be lagging behind industry leaders.

Investor sentiment towards reverse splits is generally negative, often leading to short-term selling pressure. However, if Genius Group can leverage this to attract more institutional investors and improve its market position, it could potentially turn the tide. The coming quarters will be important in determining whether this was a successful strategy or merely a stopgap measure.

SINGAPORE, Aug. 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Genius Group Limited (NYSE American: GNS) (“Genius Group” or the “Company”), a leading AI-powered education group, today announced a 1-for-10 reverse stock split effective August 16, 2024, consolidating every 10 shares into 1 share. The Company's common stock will trade on a post-split basis under the same symbol 'GNS' on NYSE American. The primary goal of the reverse stock split is to increase the per share market price of the Company's ordinary shares to meet the minimum per share price requirement for continued listing on the NYSE.

Shares of the Company’s common stock will be assigned a new CUSIP number (Y3005A117) and are expected to begin trading on a split-adjusted basis on Friday, August 16, 2024. The reverse stock split was approved by the Company's stockholders at its extraordinary general meeting of stockholders held on February 16, 2023. On August 5, 2024, the Company's Board of Directors approved the reverse stock split at the ratio of 1-for-10. 

As a result of the reverse stock split, every ten ordinary shares of the Company issued and outstanding will be automatically consolidated into one of the Company's ordinary shares. Proportionate adjustments will be made to the exercise prices and the number of shares underlying the Company's outstanding equity awards, as applicable, as well as to the number of shares issuable under the Company's equity incentive plans. The ordinary shares issued pursuant to the reverse stock split will remain fully paid and non-assessable. The reverse stock split will not decrease the number of authorized ordinary shares or otherwise affect the par value of the ordinary shares.

No fractional shares will be issued in connection with the reverse stock split. Stockholders who would otherwise be entitled to receive fractional shares as a result of the reverse stock split will be rounded down and any fractional shares shall be returned to treasury. VStock Transfer, the Company's transfer agent, is acting as the exchange agent for the reverse stock split. Stockholders holding their shares electronically in book-entry form and stockholders who hold their shares through a bank, broker or other nominee will not need to take any action and will have their positions adjusted to reflect the reverse stock split.

The terms of outstanding warrants and equity-based awards (including exercise price and number of shares issuable thereunder) will all be proportionately adjusted, in accordance with the terms of the applicable agreements. Specifically, every ten shares of common stock that may be purchased pursuant to the exercise of warrants prior to the Effective Time represent one share of Common Stock that may be purchased pursuant to such warrants following the Effective Time. The exercise price for each warrant following the Effective Time equals the product of ten multiplied by the exercise price prior to the Effective Time.

About Genius Group

Genius Group (NYSE: GNS) is a leading provider of AI powered, digital-first education and acceleration solutions for the future of work. Genius Group serves 5.4 million users in over 100 countries through its Genius City model and online digital marketplace of AI training, AI tools and AI talent. It provides personalized, entrepreneurial AI pathways combining human talent with AI skills and AI solutions at the individual, enterprise and government level. To learn more, please visit www.geniusgroup.net.

Forward-Looking Statements 

Statements made in this press release include forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “may,” “will”, “plan,” “should,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “continue,” or comparable terminology. Such forward-looking statements are inherently subject to certain risks, trends and uncertainties, many of which the Company cannot predict with accuracy and some of which the Company might not even anticipate and involve factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or suggested. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements and are advised to consider the factors listed above together with the additional factors under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company's Annual Reports on Form 20-F, as may be supplemented or amended by the Company's Reports of a Foreign Private Issuer on Form 6-K. The Company assumes no obligation to update or supplement forward-looking statements that become untrue because of subsequent events, new information or otherwise. 

Contacts
MZ Group - MZ North America
(949) 259-4987
GNS@mzgroup.us
www.mzgroup.us

FAQ

When will Genius Group's (GNS) 1-for-10 reverse stock split take effect?

Genius Group's (GNS) 1-for-10 reverse stock split will take effect on August 16, 2024. The company's common stock is expected to begin trading on a split-adjusted basis on this date.

What is the new CUSIP number for Genius Group (GNS) shares after the reverse split?

The new CUSIP number for Genius Group (GNS) shares after the reverse split is Y3005A117.

How will the reverse split affect Genius Group's (GNS) outstanding warrants and equity awards?

The terms of Genius Group's (GNS) outstanding warrants and equity-based awards will be proportionately adjusted. The exercise price will be multiplied by ten, and the number of shares issuable will be divided by ten, in accordance with the terms of the applicable agreements.

Will Genius Group (GNS) issue fractional shares as a result of the reverse stock split?

No, Genius Group (GNS) will not issue fractional shares as a result of the reverse stock split. Stockholders who would otherwise be entitled to receive fractional shares will have their shares rounded down to the nearest whole share.