Local Bounti Announces NYSE Acceptance of Plan to Regain Listing Compliance

Rhea-AI Summary

Local Bounti (NYSE: LOCL), an indoor agriculture firm, has received acceptance from the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) for its plan to regain compliance with listing standards.

On April 3, 2024, Local Bounti was notified of its noncompliance due to its average global market capitalization and stockholders' equity both falling below $50 million. The NYSE has granted an 18-month period, starting from April 3, 2024, for the company to meet the listing standards. The company will undergo quarterly reviews by the NYSE during this period.

Failure to comply by the end of the 18-month period may result in the NYSE initiating delisting proceedings. Local Bounti's stock will continue to trade on the NYSE during this time, and the notification does not affect its business operations or SEC reporting requirements.

Positive

• NYSE accepted Local Bounti's plan to regain compliance.
• Granted an 18-month period to meet listing standards.
• Stock continues to be listed on the NYSE during the Plan Period.

Negative

• Noncompliance due to market capitalization and stockholders' equity both falling below $50 million.
• Potential delisting if compliance is not regained within 18 months.

HAMILTON, Mont., June 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Local Bounti Corporation (NYSE: LOCL) ("Local Bounti" or the "Company"), a breakthrough U.S. indoor agriculture company, announced today it received notification (the "Acceptance Letter") from the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") that the NYSE has accepted the Company's previously-submitted plan (the "Plan") to regain compliance with the NYSE's continued listing standards. In the Acceptance Letter, the NYSE granted the Company an 18-month period from the Company's receipt of the NYSE's April 3, 2024, notice of noncompliance (the "Plan Period") to regain compliance with the continued listing standards.

As previously reported, on April 3, 2024, the Company received a notice from the NYSE stating that it is not in compliance with the NYSE continued listing standards set forth in Section 802.01B of the NYSE Listed Company Manual due to the fact that the Company's average global market capitalization over a consecutive 30 trading-day period was less than $50 million and, at the same time, its stockholders' equity was less than $50 million.

The Company will be subject to quarterly reviews by the NYSE during the Plan Period for compliance with the goals and initiatives in the Plan. If the Company does not regain compliance with the NYSE listing standards by the end of the Plan Period, or if the Company does not make sufficient progress consistent with the Plan, then the NYSE may initiate delisting proceedings.

The Company's stock will continue to be listed on the NYSE during the Plan Period. The Company's receipt of such notification from the NYSE does not affect the Company's business, operations or reporting requirements with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

About Local Bounti

Local Bounti is redefining indoor farming with an innovative method – its patented Stack & Flow Technology® – that significantly improves crop turns, increases output and improves unit economics. Local Bounti operates advanced indoor growing facilities across the United States, servicing approximately 13,000 retail doors. Local Bounti grows healthy food utilizing a hybrid approach that integrates the best attributes of controlled environment agriculture with natural elements. Local Bounti's sustainable growing methods are better for the planet, using 90% less land and 90% less water than conventional farming methods. With a mission to 'revolutionize agriculture, ensuring accessibility to fresh, sustainable, locally grown produce and nourishing communities everywhere for generations to come,' Local Bounti's food is fresher, more nutritious, and lasts longer than traditional agriculture. To find out more, visit localbounti.com or follow Local Bounti on LinkedIn for the latest news and developments. 

Forward-Looking Statements 

This press release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some cases, you can identify these forward-looking statements by the use of terms such as "expect," "will," "continue," "believe," expect," "estimate," "project," "intend," "should," "is to be," or similar expressions, and variations or negatives of these words, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, statements regarding the Company's plans to regain compliance with the NYSE's continued listing standards. These statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements to differ materially from results expressed or implied in this press release. The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in these forward-looking statements: the risk that Local Bounti will fail to obtain additional necessary capital when needed on acceptable terms, or at all; the risk that Local Bounti will not be able to close the financings contemplated by the previously announced conditional commitment letters; Local Bounti's ability to effectively integrate the acquired operations of any CEA or similar operations which it acquires into its existing operations; the ability of Local Bounti to retain and hire key personnel; the Company's ability to meet the continued listing requirements of the New York Stock Exchange or cure noncompliance; the uncertainty of projected financial information; if and when the Company will repurchase the stock authorized by its Board of Directors and the impact of the share repurchase program to the Company and its stockholders; Local Bounti's increased leverage as a result of additional indebtedness incurred in connection with the acquisition of Pete's or as the result of the incurrence of additional future indebtedness; restrictions contained in Local Bounti's debt facility agreements with Cargill; Local Bounti's ability to repay, refinance, restructure and/or extend its indebtedness as it comes due; Local Bounti's ability to generate revenue; the risk that Local Bounti may never achieve or sustain profitability; the risk that Local Bounti could fail to effectively manage its future growth; Local Bounti's ability to build out additional facilities; reliance on third parties for construction, delays relating to material delivery and supply chains, and fluctuating material prices; Local Bounti's ability to decrease its cost of goods sold over time; potential for damage to or problems with Local Bounti's CEA facilities; Local Bounti's ability to attract and retain qualified employees, including management; Local Bounti's ability to develop and maintain its brand or brands it may acquire; Local Bounti's ability to maintain its company culture or focus on its vision as it grows; Local Bounti's ability to execute on its growth strategy; the risks of diseases and pests destroying crops; Local Bounti's ability to compete successfully in the highly competitive natural food market; Local Bounti's ability to defend itself against intellectual property infringement claims; changes in consumer preferences, perception and spending habits in the food industry; seasonality; Local Bounti's ability to achieve its sustainability goals; and other risks and uncertainties indicated from time to time, including those under "Risk Factors" and "Forward-Looking Statements" in Local Bounti's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on March 28, 2024, as supplemented by other reports and documents Local Bounti files from time to time with the SEC. Local Bounti cautions that the foregoing list of factors is not exclusive and cautions readers not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Local Bounti does not undertake or accept any obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in its expectations or any change in events, conditions, or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

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SOURCE Local Bounti

FAQ

What did Local Bounti announce on June 20, 2024?

Local Bounti announced that the NYSE accepted its plan to regain compliance with listing standards.

What is Local Bounti's stock symbol?

The stock symbol for Local Bounti is LOCL.

Why was Local Bounti not in compliance with NYSE standards?

Local Bounti's average global market capitalization and stockholders' equity both fell below $50 million.

How long does Local Bounti have to regain compliance with NYSE standards?

Local Bounti has an 18-month period to regain compliance, starting from April 3, 2024.

What will happen if Local Bounti does not regain compliance within the 18-month period?

The NYSE may initiate delisting proceedings if Local Bounti does not regain compliance within the 18-month period.

Will Local Bounti's stock continue to trade on the NYSE during the Plan Period?

Yes, Local Bounti's stock will continue to be listed on the NYSE during the 18-month Plan Period.

Does the NYSE's notification affect Local Bounti's business operations?

No, the NYSE's notification does not affect Local Bounti's business operations or SEC reporting requirements.