Mullen Automotive Starts Stock Buyback Program

Rhea-AI Summary

Mullen Automotive announces the start of a $25 million stock buyback program and CEO David Michery purchases shares in the open market. The company aims to regain compliance with the NASDAQ minimum bid price requirement.

Positive

• Mullen Automotive begins a $25 million stock buyback program, signaling confidence in the company's value.
• CEO David Michery purchases 102,040 shares in the open market, demonstrating his belief in the company's potential.

Negative

• Mullen Automotive is at risk of being delisted from NASDAQ if it fails to regain compliance with the minimum bid price requirement by September 5, 2023.

$25 Million buyback program began on Aug. 16, 2023, and is authorized through Dec. 31, 2023

BREA, Calif., Aug. 17, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via IBN -- Mullen Automotive Inc. (NASDAQ: MULN) (“Mullen” or the “Company”), an emerging electric vehicle (“EV”) manufacturer, today announces the start of the Company’s $25 million stock buyback program with the repurchase of 3.7 million shares of common stock, which started on Aug. 16, 2023, and can continue through Dec. 31, 2023, for an aggregate of $3,626,000.

David Michery, CEO and chairman of Mullen also purchased 102,040 shares in the open market on Aug. 16, 2023, at a price of $0.9842 per share.

The Company is committed to taking all available measures to regain compliance with the NASDAQ minimum $1.00 bid price requirement.

NASDAQ Listing Rule 5810(c)(3)(H) states that, “If a Company fails to meet the [Minimum Bid Price requirement], compliance is generally achieved by meeting the requirement for a minimum of ten consecutive business days. However, Staff may, in its discretion, require a Company to [maintain a bid price of at least $1.00 per share] for a period in excess of ten consecutive business days, but generally no more than 20 consecutive business days, before determining that the Company has demonstrated an ability to maintain long-term compliance. In determining whether to require a Company to meet the [minimum $1.00 bid price standard] beyond ten business days, Staff will consider the following four factors: (i) margin of compliance (the amount by which the [bid price is above the $1.00 minimum standard]); (ii) trading volume (a lack of trading volume may indicate a lack of bona fide market interest in the security at the posted bid price); (iii) the Market Maker montage (the number of Market Makers quoting at or above $1.00 and the size of their quotes); and, (iv) the trend of the stock price (is it up or down).” For further information, please visit NASDAQ.com.

The Company was noticed by Nasdaq on March 7, 2023, which stated in part that “If compliance cannot be demonstrated by September 5, 2023, Staff will provide written notification that the Company’s securities will be delisted. At that time, the Company may appeal Staff’s determination to a Hearings Panel.”

“We believe that our stock is undervalued. The Company has begun production of our Class 3 EV with deliveries pending to customers and a strong balance sheet allowing us to execute on our business plan,” said David Michery, CEO and chairman of Mullen.

On July 6, 2023, the Board of Directors (the "Board") of the Company authorized a stock buyback program, pursuant to which the Company may, until Dec. 31, 2023, purchase up to $25 million in shares of its outstanding common stock. The shares may be repurchased, from time to time, in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions depending upon market conditions and other factors, and in accordance with applicable regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The authorization of the stock buyback program does not obligate the Company to purchase any shares and may be terminated or amended by the Board at any time prior to its expiration date.

For more information on Mullen Automotive or SEC public filings, please visit the investor relations section of Mullen’s website or SEC.gov.

About Mullen
Mullen Automotive (NASDAQ: MULN) is a Southern California-based automotive company building the next generation of electric vehicles (“EVs”) that will be manufactured in its two United States-based assembly plants. Mullen’s EV development portfolio includes the Mullen FIVE EV Crossover, Mullen-GO Commercial Urban Delivery EV, Mullen Commercial Class 1-3 EVs and Bollinger Motors, which features both the B1 and B2 electric SUV trucks and Class 4-6 commercial offerings. On Sept. 7, 2022, Bollinger Motors became a majority-owned EV truck company of Mullen Automotive, and on Dec. 1, 2022, Mullen closed on the acquisition of Electric Last Mile Solutions’ (“ELMS”) assets, including all IP and a 650,000-square-foot plant in Mishawaka, Indiana.

To learn more about the Company, visit www.MullenUSA.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Any statements contained in this press release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed forward-looking statements. Words such as “continue,” “will,” “may,” “could,” “should,” “expect,” “expected,” “plans,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential” and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements, many of which are generally outside the control of Mullen and are difficult to predict. Examples of such risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to the impact of the buyback program on the Company or the stock performance; whether the Company will conduct additional stock purchases; whether the Company will regain compliance with Nasdaq’s minimum bid requirement; and if the Company fails to meet compliance and appeals its delisting, what the outcome of such appeal will be. Additional factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements can be found in the most recent annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K filed by Mullen with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Mullen anticipates that subsequent events and developments may cause its plans, intentions and expectations to change. Mullen assumes no obligation, and it specifically disclaims any intention or obligation, to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by law. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and should not be relied upon as representing Mullen’s plans and expectations as of any subsequent date.

Contact:
Mullen Automotive, Inc.
+1 (714) 613-1900
www.MullenUSA.com

Corporate Communications:
InvestorBrandNetwork (IBN)
Los Angeles, California
www.InvestorBrandNetwork.com
310.299.1717 Office
Editor@InvestorBrandNetwork.com

FAQ

What is Mullen Automotive's stock buyback program?

Mullen Automotive has started a $25 million stock buyback program to repurchase its common stock.

Who purchased shares in the open market?

CEO David Michery purchased 102,040 shares of Mullen Automotive in the open market.

What is the NASDAQ minimum bid price requirement?

The NASDAQ minimum bid price requirement is a rule that states a company's stock price must be at least $1.00 per share.

What happens if Mullen Automotive fails to regain compliance with the minimum bid price requirement?

If Mullen Automotive fails to regain compliance with the minimum bid price requirement by September 5, 2023, its securities may be delisted from NASDAQ.

What is the purpose of the stock buyback program?

The stock buyback program aims to increase the value of Mullen Automotive's stock and regain compliance with the NASDAQ minimum bid price requirement.