Ocean Power Technologies Announces $1.2 million award from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) Net Operating Loss (NOL) Program
- None.
- None.
Insights
The receipt of $1.2 million from the NJEDA Technology Business Tax Certificate Transfer Program is a liquidity-boosting event for Ocean Power Technologies. This capital infusion can support the company's operational expenses, particularly as it advances towards profitability. The transaction involving the sale of net operating losses (NOLs) and R&D tax credits is a strategic move to monetize otherwise non-cash assets. This practice, while not uncommon among technology firms, underlines OPT's current inability to utilize these tax assets directly due to a lack of sufficient taxable income.
It's important to note that the immediate cash benefit might improve the company's short-term financial health, potentially affecting the stock's attractiveness to investors. However, this is a non-dilutive form of financing, which is preferable to issuing new shares. Long-term implications include the need for OPT to generate sustainable taxable income to capitalize on future tax assets internally rather than selling them. Investors should monitor the company's progress towards profitability, as the ability to use NOLs internally would be a sign of financial maturity.
The marine power and data service industry is on the cusp of growth, driven by the global push for low-carbon solutions. OPT's participation in the NJEDA NOL Program not only provides immediate financial support but also signals to the market that the company is recognized for its technological and scientific contributions. This could enhance OPT's reputation and potentially lead to increased market opportunities.
However, investors should consider the competitive landscape and the scalability of OPT's solutions. The ability to secure and efficiently utilize such funding can be an indicator of management's adeptness at navigating financial opportunities to support growth. Future monetization of tax assets should be weighed against the company's need for direct tax benefits as it grows, which would indicate a shift in the company's life cycle and potentially its investment profile.
The intricacies of the NJEDA Net Operating Loss Program highlight a tactical approach to financial management within the tech sector. By selling NOLs and unused R&D tax credits, OPT is effectively converting tax positions into immediate capital. This underscores the value of tax planning and asset management, especially for companies that are pre-profitability. The program is designed to support innovation by providing an alternative funding stream, which is critical for companies like OPT that are investing heavily in R&D.
For stakeholders, the key takeaway is the importance of such tax programs in sustaining innovation-focused businesses. While this transaction does not directly impact the company's operational performance, it does provide a stopgap measure for liquidity. Stakeholders should be aware that the long-term success of OPT will depend on its ability to generate profits and organically utilize its tax credits, rather than relying on external monetization.
MONROE TOWNSHIP, N.J., Jan. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ocean Power Technologies, Inc. (“OPT” or the “Company”) (NYSE American: OPTT), a leader in innovative and cost-effective low-carbon marine power, data, and service solutions, today announced it has been awarded approximately
This program enables technology and life sciences businesses in New Jersey to sell a percentage of their New Jersey net operating losses and unused research and development (R&D) tax credits to unrelated profitable corporations for cash. OPT takes part in the NJEDA NOL program annually and this funding represents a significant resource as the Company continues to make progress on its previously announced path to profitability. In addition, the receipt of this award demonstrates the potential value of the Company’s net operating losses and unused R&D tax credits and the need to preserve these potentially valuable assets and thereby preserve OPT’s ability to participate in future value enhancing monetization opportunities.
About Ocean Power Technologies
OPT provides intelligent maritime solutions and services that enable safer, cleaner, and more productive ocean operations for the defense and security, oil and gas, science and research, and offshore wind markets. Our PowerBuoy® platforms provide clean and reliable electric power and real-time data communications for remote maritime and subsea applications. We also provide WAM-V® autonomous surface vessels (ASVs) and marine robotics services. The Company’s headquarters is in Monroe Township, New Jersey and it has an additional office in Richmond, California. To learn more, visit www.OceanPowerTechnologies.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements that are within the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements in this release include, but are not limited to, those statements relating to the value to OPT of its net operating losses and unused R&D tax credits, OPT’s ability to preserve its net operating losses and unused R&D tax credits, the future opportunities OPT may have to participate in the NJEDA NOL program and monetize its net operating losses and unused R&D tax credits, OPT’s future operating and financial performance, the impact of the completion by OPT of various milestones and initiatives – including the reallocation of headcount towards commercialization – on the enhancement of stockholder value and OPT’s future operating and financial performance, OPT’s expectation that it will reach profitability during calendar year 2025 using current capital resources the growth in OPT’s opportunity pipeline and backlog, OPT’s ability to monetize such opportunities and backlog into actual revenue, and the impact on OPT of expanding its executive leadership team, OPT’s ability to drive the next phase of its growth and the commercialization of its products, the current and future commercial viability and success of OPT’s suite of products and their ability to drive OPT’s profitability during calendar year 2025, OPT’s belief that it is well-positioned to drive shareholder value creation, OPT’s ability to execute on its strategy and create value for its stockholders, the expenses that OPT will incur to respond to the actions of Paragon Technologies, Inc., including, but not limited to, the litigation Paragon has brought against OPT in the Delaware Court of Chancery, OPT’s ability to finance its operations without seeking additional capital from financing sources, the impact on OPT of recent contract wins, the growth in OPT’s commercial pipeline, the cessation of OPT’s material R&D efforts, the divestiture of OPT’s strategic consulting team and the projected savings therefrom, and the projected savings from the reduction of OPT’s engineering team, other statements relating to OPT’s future economic and operating performance, plans, or objectives, and all other statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts. Other forward-looking statements are identified by certain words or phrases such as “may”, “will”, “aim”, “will likely result”, “believe”, “expect”, “will continue”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “intend”, “plan”, “contemplate”, “seek to”, “future”, “objective”, “goal”, “project”, “should”, “will pursue” and similar expressions or variations of such expressions. These forward-looking statements reflect OPT’s current expectations about its future performance, plans, and objectives. By their nature, forward-looking statements rely on a number of assumptions and estimates that could be inaccurate and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to materially differ from those anticipated or expressed in any forward-looking statement. These estimates and assumptions reflect our best judgment based on currently known market conditions and other factors. Although we believe such estimates and assumptions to be reasonable, they are inherently uncertain and involve a number of risks and uncertainties that are beyond our control, including, without limitation risks related to our ability to execute on our strategy, drive growth, and create value for our stockholders; our ability to develop, market, and commercialize our products; our ability to monetize our opportunity pipeline; our ability to achieve and, thereafter, sustain profitability; our ability to win government contracts, including in the defense and security sectors; the possibility that we may not be able to obtain the necessary facility and personnel clearances to qualify for certain government contracts, including in the defense and security sectors; our ability to continue the development of our proprietary technologies; our expected continued use of cash from operating activities unless or until we achieve positive cash flow from the commercialization of our products and services; our ability to obtain additional funding, as and if needed; our history of operating losses, which we expect to continue for at least the short term and possibly longer; our ability to control our expenses; our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel, including executive management; our ability to manage and mitigate risks associated with our internal cyber security protocols and protection of the data we collect and distribute; our ability to protect our intellectual property portfolio; the impact of inflation related to the U.S. dollar on our business, operations, customers, suppliers and manufacturers, and personnel; our ability to meet product development, manufacturing and customer delivery deadlines; our ability to identify and penetrate markets for our products, services, and solutions; and the risks related to the actions of Paragon Technologies, Inc. against OPT and the related litigation brought against OPT in the Delaware Court of Chancery, including the amount of related costs incurred by OPT and the disruption caused to OPT’s business activities by these actions.
Many of these factors are beyond our ability to control or predict. These factors are not intended to represent a complete list of the general or specific factors that may affect us. Additional factors are described in OPT’s Form 10-K, Form 10-Q, and Form 8-K reports (including all amendments to those reports). Any forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which such statements are made, and OPT undertakes no obligation or intent to update such forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances arising after such date. OPT cautions investors not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. These cautionary statements qualify all forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf.
FAQ
What is the award amount received by Ocean Power Technologies, Inc. (OPTT)?
What is the purpose of the NJEDA NOL Program?
How does the funding benefit Ocean Power Technologies, Inc. (OPTT)?
Why is the receipt of this award important for Ocean Power Technologies, Inc. (OPTT)?
