Precision Optics Announces Pricing of $1.4 Million Registered Direct Offering of Common Stock

Rhea-AI Summary

Precision Optics (NASDAQ: POCI) has announced a $1.4 million registered direct offering of common stock. The company will sell 265,868 shares at $5.25 per share to institutional and accredited investors, and $5.79 per share to directors and officers. The offering is expected to close on August 15, 2024, subject to customary conditions. A.G.P./Alliance Global Partners is acting as the sole placement agent. The offering is made pursuant to an effective shelf registration statement on Form S-3. Proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes, potentially including working capital, capital expenditures, and business development activities.

Positive

• Raised $1.4 million in gross proceeds to strengthen financial position
• Directors and officers participating in the offering at a premium price, showing confidence in the company
• Successful execution of a registered direct offering, demonstrating market interest

Negative

• Potential dilution of existing shareholders' ownership
• Offering price for institutional investors below current market price, possibly indicating weak demand

Insights

Financial Analyst

Precision Optics' $1.4 million registered direct offering is a strategic move to bolster its financial position. The $5.25 per share price for institutional investors, slightly below the $5.79 for insiders, suggests a balanced approach to fundraising. This 10.3% premium for insiders demonstrates management's confidence in the company's prospects. However, the relatively small size of the offering may indicate near-term capital needs or challenges in attracting larger investments. The participation of directors and officers is a positive signal, but investors should monitor how effectively the company deploys this capital to drive growth in its medical and defense optical instruments business.

Market Research Analyst

This offering highlights the ongoing interest in specialized optics companies serving critical sectors like healthcare and defense. Precision Optics' ability to secure funding, albeit modest, in a challenging market environment for small-cap stocks is noteworthy. The pricing strategy, with a premium for insiders, may help maintain investor confidence. However, the size of the offering could raise questions about the company's growth trajectory and market position. Investors should watch for upcoming product developments or contract announcements that could justify this capital raise and potentially drive future stock performance.

Legal Expert

The structured approach of this offering, utilizing an effective shelf registration statement, demonstrates Precision Optics' compliance with SEC regulations. The differentiated pricing for insiders versus external investors adheres to fair practice guidelines, potentially mitigating concerns about insider advantages. The clear disclosure of the offering's terms and the involvement of a placement agent add transparency. However, investors should note the standard disclaimers regarding the speculative nature of such investments. The successful execution of this offering, expected to close promptly, suggests efficient legal and financial preparation by the company.

GARDNER, Mass., Aug. 14, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Precision Optics Corporation, Inc. (NASDAQ: POCI) (the “Company”), a leading designer and manufacturer of advanced optical instruments for the medical and defense industries, today announced that it has entered into securities purchase agreements with institutional and accredited investors in addition to certain directors and officers of the Company for the purchase and sale of 265,868 shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share, pursuant to a registered direct offering at a purchase price of $5.25 per share for the institutional and accredited investors and $5.79 per share for the directors and officers, resulting in gross proceeds of approximately $1.4 million before deducting placement agent commissions and other estimated offering expenses. The closing of the offering is expected to occur on or about August 15, 2024, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

A.G.P./Alliance Global Partners is acting as the sole placement agent for the offering.

This offering is being made pursuant to an effective shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-280047) previously filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and declared effective on June 14, 2024. A prospectus supplement describing the terms of the offering will be filed with the SEC and will be available on the SEC’s website located at http://www.sec.gov. Electronic copies of the prospectus supplement may be obtained, when available, from A.G.P./Alliance Global Partners, 590 Madison Avenue, 28th Floor, New York, NY 10022, or by telephone at (212) 624-2060, or by email at prospectus@allianceg.com.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy these securities, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or other jurisdiction.

About Precision Optics Corporation

Founded in 1982, Precision Optics is a vertically integrated optics company primarily focused on leveraging its proprietary micro-optics and 3D imaging technologies to the healthcare and defense/aerospace industries by providing services ranging from new product concept through mass manufacture. Utilizing its leading-edge in-house design, prototype, regulatory and fabrication capabilities as well as its Lighthouse Imaging division's electronic imaging expertise and its Ross Optical division's high volume world-wide sourcing, inspecting and production resources, the Company designs and manufactures next-generation product solutions for the most challenging customer requirements. Within healthcare, Precision Optics enables next generation medical device companies around the world to meet the increasing demands of the surgical community who require more enhanced and smaller imaging systems for minimally invasive surgery, including single-use medical devices, as well as 3D endoscopy systems to support the rapid proliferation of surgical robotic systems. In addition to these next generation applications, Precision Optics has supplied top tier medical device companies with a wide variety of optical products for decades, including complex endocouplers and specialized endoscopes. The Company is also leveraging its technical proficiency in micro-optics to enable leading edge defense/aerospace applications which require the highest quality standards and the optimization of size, weight and power. For more information, please visit www.poci.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of U.S. federal securities laws. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the closing of this   offering. Any statements contained herein that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. In addition, any statements that refer to projections, forecasts, or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking statements. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intends,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “would” and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based on certain assumptions and analyses made by the management of the Company in light of their respective experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions, and expected future developments and their potential effects on the Company as well as other factors they believe are appropriate in the circumstances. There can be no assurance that future developments affecting the Company will be those anticipated. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties (some of which are beyond the control of the parties), or other assumptions that may cause actual results or performance to be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements, including risks that the closing conditions for this offering will not be achieved, the demand for the Company’s products, global supply chains and economic activity in general and other risks and uncertainties identified in the Company’s filings with the SEC. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize or should any of the assumptions being made prove incorrect, actual results may vary in material respects from those projected in these forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.

Company Contact:
PRECISION OPTICS CORPORATION
22 East Broadway
Gardner, Massachusetts 01440-3338
Telephone: 978-630-1800

Investor Contact:
LYTHAM PARTNERS, LLC
Robert Blum
Telephone: 602-889-9700
poci@lythampartners.com

FAQ

What is the size and price of Precision Optics' (POCI) recent stock offering?

Precision Optics (POCI) is offering 265,868 shares of common stock at $5.25 per share for institutional and accredited investors, and $5.79 per share for directors and officers, raising approximately $1.4 million in gross proceeds.

When is the closing date for Precision Optics' (POCI) registered direct offering?

The closing of Precision Optics' (POCI) registered direct offering is expected to occur on or about August 15, 2024, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

Who is the placement agent for Precision Optics' (POCI) $1.4 million stock offering?

A.G.P./Alliance Global Partners is acting as the sole placement agent for Precision Optics' (POCI) $1.4 million registered direct offering of common stock.

What is the purpose of Precision Optics' (POCI) recent $1.4 million stock offering?

While not explicitly stated in the press release, the proceeds from Precision Optics' (POCI) $1.4 million stock offering are likely to be used for general corporate purposes, which may include working capital, capital expenditures, and business development activities.