LivePerson Adopts Tax Benefits Preservation Plan To Protect Valuable Tax Assets

Rhea-AI Summary

LivePerson, Inc. adopts a tax benefits preservation plan to protect its net operating loss carryforwards, estimated at over $400 million, from substantial impairment due to an 'ownership change' within the meaning of Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code. The plan aims to preserve long-term stockholder value and will be submitted for stockholder ratification at the 2024 annual meeting.

Insights

Tax Analyst

A tax benefits preservation plan, like the one adopted by LivePerson, is a strategic maneuver to safeguard the company's net operating loss carryforwards (NOLs), which are valuable tax assets. NOLs can be used to offset future taxable income, thereby reducing federal income tax liability. The estimated $400 million in NOLs that LivePerson currently holds could provide significant tax savings, assuming the company generates taxable income in the future. The adoption of such a plan is a proactive step to prevent an 'ownership change' as defined by Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code, which could limit the company's ability to utilize these NOLs.

From a financial standpoint, the NOL Plan can be seen as a defensive measure to protect the company's balance sheet strength. By deterring any single shareholder from accumulating a significant stake without board approval, LivePerson is attempting to maintain control over the timing and use of its tax assets. This is important for current investors because it aims to ensure the company's ability to optimize its financial strategy without unforeseen limitations imposed by tax regulations.

Corporate Governance Expert

The implementation of the NOL Plan reflects a broader strategy within corporate governance to balance shareholder rights with the need to protect corporate assets. The plan introduces a new dynamic in the relationship between the company's board and its shareholders. By requiring board approval for shareholders seeking to exceed the 4.9% ownership threshold, the board is effectively placing a check on rapid changes in ownership that could inadvertently trigger a loss of tax benefits. This governance mechanism, while not uncommon, can be contentious as it restricts market activity concerning the company's shares.

However, the fact that LivePerson plans to submit the NOL Plan for stockholder ratification at the next annual meeting demonstrates a commitment to shareholder democracy. The board's decision to allow stockholders to have a say on the NOL Plan can be seen as a move to align the interests of the board with those of the shareholders, potentially reducing the risk of shareholder activism or discontent. Furthermore, the distribution of rights as a dividend to existing shareholders is a non-dilutive measure that does not impact their current holdings, which is generally viewed positively by the market.

Market Analyst

LivePerson's rights plan may have implications for the stock's liquidity and market perception. By deterring accumulations of stock above the 4.9% threshold, the plan could potentially reduce trading volume and volatility, as large investors may be cautious about approaching the ownership limit. While this may stabilize the stock price to some extent, it could also be interpreted as a signal that the company is guarding against potential takeovers or significant shifts in share ownership.

Investors and analysts monitoring LivePerson will need to consider how the NOL Plan might affect the company's attractiveness as an investment. If the rights plan is perceived as overly protective, it could lead to skepticism about the board’s openness to change and its responsiveness to shareholder interests. On the other hand, if the plan is successful in preserving the NOLs, it could enhance the company's long-term financial position and be seen as a prudent step by management. The market's reaction to such rights plans can be mixed and it will be important to monitor the stock's performance and shareholder sentiment following this announcement.

Preserving long-term stockholder value by adopting a rights plan intended to protect tax assets effective immediately, to be submitted for stockholder ratification at 2024 annual meeting

NEW YORK, Jan. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- LivePerson, Inc. ("LivePerson" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: LPSN), the global leader in enterprise conversations, today announced that its Board of Directors (the "Board") has unanimously adopted a tax benefits preservation plan (the "NOL Plan") designed to help preserve the full availability of the Company's net operating loss carryforwards ("NOLs").

As of December 31, 2023, the Company estimates that its cumulative NOLs exceed $400 million. These NOLs, most of which are not subject to any expiration date, represent a valuable asset of the Company and are available to reduce the Company's future federal income tax expense.

The Company's NOL Plan is similar to NOL Plans adopted by other companies with significant NOL tax assets. The purpose of the NOL Plan is to reduce the risk of substantial impairment to the Company's NOL assets that could result from inadvertent triggering of an "ownership change" within the meaning of Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code. In general, an "ownership change" would occur if the Company's "5% stockholders" (within the meaning of Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code) increase their aggregate ownership in LivePerson over a rolling three-year period by more than 50 percentage points over their lowest aggregate ownership percentage. 

The Board has adopted the NOL Plan after determination that, as a result of a recently announced accumulation of more than 10% of the Company's common stock by a new stockholder, taken together with other changes in ownership of LivePerson common stock over the last three years, the Company is significantly closer to triggering an "ownership change" within the meaning of Section 382, which would substantially impair its ability to utilize its NOLs.

LivePerson intends to submit the NOL Plan for stockholder ratification at its 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. The NOL Plan is not designed to prevent any action that the Board determines is in the best interest of all LivePerson stockholders.

The NOL Plan aims to preserve the Company's NOL assets by creating a disincentive for any stockholder to accumulate beneficial ownership of LivePerson common stock of 4.9% or more, or further accumulate LivePerson common stock if the stockholder's beneficial ownership already exceeds 4.9%, in each case without the approval of the Board. If a stockholder beneficially owns 4.9% or more of the outstanding shares of LivePerson common stock prior to today's announcement of the Plan, then that stockholder's existing ownership percentage will be exempted. However, such stockholder will not be permitted under the NOL Plan to acquire any additional shares without approval of the Board. 

In connection with its adoption of the NOL Plan, the Board declared a dividend of one "right" under the NOL Plan for each outstanding share of LivePerson common stock. The dividend will be made to holders of record as of the close of business on January 22, 2024. Any shares of LivePerson common stock issued after the record date will be issued together with a right. The distribution of the rights is not taxable to stockholders or to the Company.

The rights will expire on January 21, 2027. However, if LivePerson stockholders do not ratify the NOL Plan at the Company's 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, the rights will expire on January 21, 2025. The rights may also expire on an earlier date upon the occurrence of certain events, including a determination by the Board that the NOL Plan is no longer necessary or desirable for the preservation of the Company's NOLs or that no NOLs may be carried forward. Because the Rights may be redeemed under certain circumstances by the Company's Board, the NOL Plan should not interfere with any action that the Board determines to be in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders.

There is no assurance, however, that the NOL Plan will prevent an "ownership change" within the meaning of Section 382 and it is possible that acquisitions or sales of LivePerson common stock by other persons or groups, not yet publicly disclosed, may already have resulted in an "ownership change".

Further details about the NOL Plan will be contained in a Form 8-K and in a Registration Statement on Form 8-A to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by the Company.

About LivePerson

LivePerson (NASDAQ: LPSN) is the global leader in enterprise conversations. Hundreds of the world's leading brands — including HSBC, Chipotle, and Virgin Media — use our award-winning Conversational Cloud platform to connect with millions of consumers. We power nearly a billion conversational interactions every month, providing a uniquely rich data set and safety tools to unlock the power of Conversational AI for better business outcomes. Fast Company named us the #1 Most Innovative AI Company in the world. To talk with us or our AI, please visit liveperson.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this press release regarding LivePerson that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual future events or results to differ materially from such statements. Any such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include statements regarding LivePerson's plan to seek stockholder ratification of the NOL Plan at its 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders; LivePerson's future U.S. corporate income tax liabilities; LivePerson's ability to use its NOLs and whether its NOLs would become substantially limited if the Company were to experience an "ownership change" as defined under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code; and whether the NOL Plan will reduce the risk of such an "ownership change" occurring. It should be clearly understood that the current information and beliefs upon which we base our expectations may change. Although these expectations may change, we are under no obligation to inform you if they do. Actual events or results may differ materially from those contained in the projections or forward-looking statements. Some of the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained herein include, without limitation, our ability to execute on and deliver our current business and product plans and goals, and the other factors described in the "Risk Factors" section of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, filed with the SEC on March 16, 2023. The list of risk factors is intended to identify only certain of the principal factors that could cause actual results to differ from those discussed in the forward-looking statements.

IR Contact

Jon Perachio
jperachio@liveperson.com

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SOURCE LivePerson, Inc.

FAQ

What is LivePerson's ticker symbol?

LivePerson's ticker symbol is LPSN.

What is the purpose of LivePerson's tax benefits preservation plan?

The purpose is to protect the Company's net operating loss carryforwards from substantial impairment due to an 'ownership change' within the meaning of Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code.

What is the estimated value of LivePerson's cumulative NOLs?

The Company estimates that its cumulative NOLs exceed $400 million.

When will LivePerson submit the NOL Plan for stockholder ratification?

LivePerson intends to submit the NOL Plan for stockholder ratification at its 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

What is the purpose of the rights plan adopted by LivePerson?

The rights plan aims to create a disincentive for any stockholder to accumulate beneficial ownership of LivePerson common stock of 4.9% or more, without the approval of the Board.