MissionIR Small-Cap Investor Blog: January 2016

Friday, January 29, 2016

Flextronics International Ltd. (FLEX) Q3 Revenues Meet Guidance, EPS Tops by a Penny – Earnings Call This Afternoon

Flextronics International Ltd. (NASDAQ: FLEX), a provider of innovative design, engineering, manufacturing, real-time supply chain insight and logistics services, today posted its third-quarter 2015 financial results, marked by record adjusted earnings per share (EPS), an increase in operating margin, and better-than-expected operating income.

Net sales for the third quarter ended December 31, 2015, were approximately $6.8 billion, in line with the company’s previously provided revenue guidance range of $6.2 billion-$6.8 billion. Adjusted EPS of $0.35 topped the company’s previously provided guidance range of $0.28-$0.34, and represents the all-time highest quarterly adjusted EPS in the company’s history.

Third-quarter adjusted operating income increased 20% sequentially and 14% year-over-year to $236 million, edging the guidance range of $195 million-$235 million. Adjusted operating margin expanded 40 basis points sequentially and 60 basis points year-over-year to 3.5%.

“We continue to position our company as a leader in the IoT space, and our third quarter demonstrated sequential growth across all four of our business groups, resulting from new programs and an improving engagement model,” Mike McNamara, chief executive officer at FLEX, stated in the news release. “Operating margins improved both sequentially and year-over-year, a testament to the stronger value proposition we are delivering to our customers.”

The company also reported $278 million in cash flow from operations and $158 million in free cash flow during the quarter, which CFO Chris Collier said “reflects our strong discipline and execution and enables our consistent stock repurchase.”

For the fourth quarter ending March 31, 2016, Flex said it expects non-GAAP EPS of $0.25-$0.31 on sales between $5.5 billion-$6.1 billion. GAAP EPS is expected to be lower than the adjusted EPS guidance by approximately $0.07 per diluted share for estimated intangible amortization and stock-based compensation expense.

Flex management will hold an earnings call today at 5 p.m. ET. The conference call will be broadcast via the Internet and may be accessed by logging on to the company’s website at www.flextronics.com. Additional information in the form of a slide presentation may also be found on the company’s site, and a replay of the broadcast will remain available on the company’s website afterward.

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CEL-SCI Corp. (CVM) Building Shareholder Value, Using Perseverance and the Body’s Immune System to Fight Cancer

CEL-SCI Corp.’s (NYSE MKT: CVM) body of work with the human immune system is one of perseverance and a passion for survival despite odds that would make the vast majority of biotech companies fold their tents and choose easier endeavors. Faced with trending downturns in the biotech sector, limited funding, and an arduous clinical trial process connected with the development of its investigational therapy for advanced primary head and neck cancer, the company’s mission is now well within sight. CVM’s lead investigational immunotherapy, Multikine® (Leukocyte Interleukin, Injection), has been tested in Phase I and II clinical trials, and is now enrolling patients for a global Phase III trial.

The inception of CVM’s journey began at the Max Planck Institute in Germany in the late 1970s and has been fueled with science and research supporting the theory that the immune system is inherently a cancer fighter. Company founder, Maximilian de Clara, believed strongly that the immune system is pivotal in fighting this disease, but he did not have the technology to transition his concept to product. Brushing off discouragement, Maximilian funded the early Multikine research at the Max Plank Institute in 1978, founded CEL-SCI around the idea of Multikine in 1983, and later took CVM public.

The company’s mission is to improve the treatment of cancer and other diseases by utilizing the immune system. CEL-SCI Corp. aims to create shareholder value by developing unique therapies that address medical needs that are commonly unmet. The company is dedicated to developing its therapies using a scientific and data-driven approach.

CVM’s undying spirit aims to be science-based and data driven – taking no shortcuts on its road to drug development. The company is steadfast in its ethics and integrity while being economical in its daily approach to creating shareholder value.

Multikine is the registered trademark under which CEL-SCI has its investigational therapy. The proprietary name is subject to FDA review in connection with additional, anticipated regulatory submission for approval measures. Multikine has not been licensed or approved for sale by the FDA or any other regulatory agency at this time and its safety or efficacy has not been established for any use. Further research is required, and early-phase clinical trial results must be confirmed in Phase III clinical trials, which are currently underway. CEL-SCI Corporation is headquartered in Vienna, Virginia.

For more information on this company visit http://www.cel-sci.com

The Debate over Tax Policy

Debate over tax policy is an obviously crucial issue because it impacts everything from various government services like police and infrastructure and judicial system and military funding, to having a successful educational system, and so forth.

Between the two political parties, one area of debate which hasn’t really been brought to close scrutiny is corporate taxation. Republicans argue that America has the highest corporate tax rate at 39.1%, which is well above the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) average of 24.1%. Democrats point out that if you look at the effective tax rate, the largest corporations of the S&P 500 are paying effective tax rates well below that level and typically average out to around 15%.

Essentially, due to years of lobbying the politicians, corporate lawyers have continuously changed tax rules to lean in favor of the largest of corporations. Transnational corporations effectively manage a type of tax arbitrage, where profits are realized in subsidiaries headquartered in parts of the world where the taxes are the least, and losses are realized in subsidiaries which are located in regions where taxes are the highest. Usage of subsidiaries with addresses in countries that act as tax havens, like the Cayman Islands, Switzerland and Ireland, have become a common practice. As a result, revenue to the government from the S&P 500 companies has plummeted over the years as can be seen below:

Corporate Taxes as a Percentage of Federal Revenue

1955 . . . 27.3%

2010 . . . 8.9%

Corporate Taxes as a Percentage of GDP

1955 . . . 4.3%

2010 . . . 1.3%

Individual Income/Payrolls as a Percentage of Federal Revenue

1955 . . . 58.0%

2010 . . . 81.5%

Since 2014, the above figures have generally stayed precisely the same. In other words, as corporations paid less, an even greater burden has been placed on individuals. About 54 of the S&P 500 corporations paid no taxes at all, with the majority getting refunds. For example, from 2010 to 2014, General Electric (GE) made $33 billion in profits, but paid zero in income taxes, and actually received $1.4 billion in tax refunds over that same stretch of time.

One way companies have been cutting their taxes is by corporate inversion, in other words, moving their headquarters offshore to cut their taxes. There is a progressive solution which is given the complicated name of single sales factor apportioned corporate tax. This simply means that if a company has only X percentage of its sales in the United States of America, it only pays taxes on X percentage of its earnings. So if a corporation has a mere 30% of its sales in the United States, it only pays taxes on 30% of its earnings. This was proposed by economist Michael Udell of the District Economics Group. Unfortunately, lobbying groups for special interests manage to succeed in allowing this concept to even be brought before Congress.

Real estate investment trust (REIT) structures have an effective tax rate of close to 10%, and are typically publicly traded real estate management companies that pay-out 90% of their taxable income as a dividend to shareholders. Supposedly, 75% of the REIT’s assets are supposed to be real estate. Over the past decade, however, many corporations have switched to REIT structures to cut their tax obligations. For example, prison management companies like Correctional Corporations of America (CXW) and GEO Group Inc. (GEO), cell phone tower management company American Tower (AMT), document storage company Iron Mountain (IRM), and timber company Weyerhauser (WY) avoided taxes altogether using a REIT structure, and it appears that the railroads and power line management companies may adopt this structure as well.

Setting aside corporations, what about taxes on individuals? Franklin D. Roosevelt had a top tax bracket for the rich of 91%. Of course, that isn’t 91% of all income as our tax system is a graduated structure with brackets. In today’s dollars, every dollar made above something like $1.4 million was taxed at 91 cents at the dollar. This tax bracket was lowered to 70% under President Kennedy and then cut down to as low as 28% under Ronald Reagan, and since then has been raised. What do we have today? A top rate of 39.6% for every dollar made above $406,751, and the rich rarely ever pay that. Most of the rich don’t have a salary that can be taxed as income but earn their money from a portfolio of stocks and bonds.

Taxes on cash dividends used to be taxed as ordinary income; however, that tax has been cut so those dividends are now taxed at 15%. Taxes on corporate bonds are taxed at the ordinary income rate, but if you put the corporate bonds into a fund or a unit investment trust, and then have the bond’s interest payments payed out as dividends to unit holders of that trust, you effectively lower that rate to 15%. Municipal bonds are free of federal taxes and, depending on the bond, may be free of your own state tax as well. Sales from long-term capital gains – stocks held more than a year – are taxed as a rate of 15%. As a result, the rich in the top 1% typically end up paying at an effective tax rate of 15%, which is well below the middle class that typically ends up at a 35% tax bracket. This is why famed investor Warren Buffet of Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A) pointed out that his tax rate was well below that of his own secretary.

As mentioned, in the 1980s, Reagan cut the top tax bracket down to 28%. To make up for the decrease in government revenue, Reagan raised the payroll tax 11 times, which amounted to the largest tax increase on the middle class in history. He is better remembered for his tax cuts, but those cuts only benefitted the richest in American society.

Bottom line, not only is the bulk of the government revenue now coming from individuals, a great deal more is now coming from the middle class than it was in the 1950s. So, we went from a system in which the bulk of the tax burden was on capital and far less on labor. Now we are in a system where labor is subsidizing capital.

One of the dominant economic theories is supply side economics, which suggest that greater economic growth is achieved if capital is not taxed and is freed up to invest in assets which encourage job growth and grow the economy. However, historical data counters that narrative. Through what is referred to as globalization, U.S. multinational corporations have been investing since the 1980s in assets offshore seeking cheaper labor costs to enhance profit. For those assets not invested, they are hoarded in savings in other countries to the point where over $2.1 trillion of the S&P 500’s free cash is held in offshore tax havens.

The United States exhibited its highest growth rate in the 1960s when the highest marginal tax rate was initially at levels of 90%, 77%, and 70% throughout that decade, and far higher corporate tax revenue was collected as well. When wealthy elites paid their fair share of taxes, the country benefitted, and both the public and private sectors worked in better balance. Now we appear to be in a system where there is a distribution of wealth from the bottom 90% up to the wealthiest Americans. As a result, the middle class is shrinking, and our infrastructure is poorly funded and falling to disrepair. Republicans continually advocate for flat taxes, which act as yet another tax cut for the rich and further increases the tax burden on the middle class and the poor. Putting in place a more progressive tax structure while eliminating loop holes would aid in growing the middle class, and re-invigorating economic growth.

Moxian, Inc. (MOXC) Provides Proven Advertising Model to China Businesses and Consumers via Social Media

Social media is the most popular game in town. Everyone on the planet, for the most part, uses some form of social media for entertainment, communication, advertising, or research. Facebook (NASDAQ: FB) and Twitter (NYSE: TWTR) dominate the space, but countless others like Pandora, LinkedIn, Instagram, Snapchat, Vine, YouTube, and others have emerged and grown like kudzu over the past few years. Virtually untapped markets like China and India present an alluring growth opportunity for companies such as Moxian, Inc. (OTCQB: MOXC), which provides social marketing and promotion platforms designed to help merchants accelerate and advertise their business growth through social media.

China’s number of social network users is projected to eclipse 525 million by 2017, according to Statista.com, up from just 176 million in 2009. Facebook – which is banned in China – for comparison purposes, has 1.23 billion monthly active users and is worth more than $300 billion. China is home to the world’s largest population with 1.4 billion, followed by India with 1.3 billion. The market for users and merchants looking to utilize an effective social media marketing campaign is limitless.

Moxian offers targeted advertising campaigns that enhance interaction between user and merchant by using consumer behavior data compiled from the company’s database of user activities. The company has two core products: Moxian+ User App and Moxian+ Business App. The Moxian+ User App is designed for consumers to collect loyalty points from issuing merchants; to play games; and to win universal MO-Coins, which can be used globally with any merchant in the Moxian eco-system. The Moxian+ User App also provides consumers a set of social networking features to set up a personalized multimedia profile; to look for friends, interest groups, clans and topics; and to share and chat with their social circles.

The Moxian+ Business App provides merchants with the tools needed to convert customers into members and fans; to issue loyalty points and redeem rewards; to respond to customer inquiries through instant messaging; to conduct targeted marketing campaigns to members of the Moxian community in the form of ads and games; to list products in a light weight online shop; and to process orders. The app also provides business reports and analytical insights for merchants.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.Moxian.com

Oakridge Global Energy Solutions (OGES) Swims with the Tide in the Drone Market

On January 6, 2016, Oakridge Global Energy Solutions (OTCQB: OGES) announced it had signed a deal to supply its lithium-ion batteries, most likely its Patriot Series, to Maritime Tactical Systems, Inc. (MARTAC) for use in that company’s Man-Portable Tactical Autonomous System (MANTAS). This deal is a big deal for Oakridge, since the market potential of the MANTAS is huge.

MANTAS is an Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV), or water drone, that can be used to patrol waterways along the shore line and in the open sea. They range in size from 9 inches to 50 feet. As MARTAC gushes on its website: the potential for this technology is unlimited through the utilization of COTS based equipment. COTS, for commercial-off-the-shelf, is a U.S. Federal Acquisition Regulation term for goods and services that can be purchased under government contract. MANTAS has an auxiliary command and control system, known as The Tactical System Support Command and Control Remote (TASKER), which has been field-proven many times from thousands of miles away. TASKER is scalable from large integrated control centers to hand-held device control, such as smart phones and tablets, by individuals. MARTAC says its MANTAS drone can be controlled from a full room command center, a mobile command center, an Android smartphone, a tablet or even an Xbox and that it can reach 65 knots (about 75 miles per hour).

Maritime drones or water drones are the less glamorous cousins of aerial drones, but they have as many uses as their high-flying relations. A story on the Boeing Defense, Space & Security website announces SHARCs prowl off the coast of Hawaii. The SHARC, short for Sensor Hosting Autonomous Remote Craft, was a joint venture between Boeing and Liquid Robotics. SHARCs can be used for data collection, surveillance and acoustic monitoring. Again, maritime drones have been successfully employed by the Italian Navy to destroy underwater WWII explosives (http://dtn.fm/UKPd1). With the signing of the MARTAC contract, Oakridge hasn’t wasted any time getting its Patriot Series of batteries to customers. It was just October 2015, that the company announced (http://dtn.fm/8nVQv) ‘the production launch of its Patriot Series line of battery systems for radio controlled vehicles such as drones, multi-copters, aerial vehicles, water based vehicles and land based vehicles that require long lasting levels of power.’

As CEO, Steve Barber, said at that time, “This product line is geared toward those applications such as Drones and R/C vehicles that require a long-lasting power source, without the puffing and swelling, and poor lifecycles seen in many foreign manufactured batteries in this market segment. This is a very exciting product line and we are really pleased with the way that it underscores our mission statement of on-shoring jobs and manufacturing back to the USA by providing the market with another Made in the USA product instead of having to rely on imported products. And not only is the Patriot Series range of R/C batteries a tremendous set of much needed products that are being incredibly well received by the R/C market, it is also a really fun, rapidly growing market segment that can be enjoyed by all the family, and we are delighted to be playing a key role in improving everyone’s ability to enjoy their participation in it.”

The Oakridge Patriot Series product line is being released in 2,500mAh, 5,000mAh and 10,000mAh versions, with plans to release additional models in spring of 2016. These batteries have been tested for more than 600 charge / discharge cycles, which equates to more than 1.5 years of cycling every day.

For more information, visit www.oakridgeglobalenergy.com

OurPet’s Company (OPCO) Fosters Bonds between Pets and Pet Owners

OurPet’s Company (OTCQX: OPCO) is tapping into the love that pet parents have for their beloved animal companions. The company specializes in providing feeding solutions for every dog, cat and home while making the pet-related waste management process a breeze.

Innovation inspires the product development efforts at OurPet’s. The company strives to develop one-of-a-kind products so that, unlike many of its competitors, it can offer products explicitly designed to nurture a healthy relationship between pets and their parents. Presently, most of the company’s products are patented and unmatched on the market.

OPCO’s unique product design process commences with an examination of the health, behavioral and lifestyle needs of pets and their parents. Once the company discovers innovative ways to fulfill these needs, it is able to offer impactful, problem-solving solutions to pet owners and highly-marketable products to retailers.

The company’s list of offerings features inventive toys that exercise a pet’s senses, as well as accessories, feeding and waste management solutions designed to stimulate a pet’s innate instincts.

OPCO’s operations are guided by thorough safety standards, developed using children’s product testing standards. In order to guarantee quality assurance, these principles are part of every product’s development and ongoing lifecycle. The company’s commitment to customer service is also noteworthy. Its customer service representatives, who assist customers via a toll-free number and e-mail address, cater to a broad set of needs, including general queries, product set-up and usage, and warranty and replacement questions.

OPCO’s business model has contributed significantly to its steady sales growth, but so have the markets in which it operates. In 2013, the pet products and services market was estimated at $71 billion, with forecasts calling for even more industry growth in the next few years. Considering this promise of future growth, OurPet’s seems well-placed for long-term success.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.ourpets.com

http://missionir.com/blog/ourpets-company-opco/ourpets-company-opco-fosters-bonds-between-pets-and-pet-owners/

Thursday, January 28, 2016

A Check on Content Checked Holdings, Inc. (CNCK) shows a Company with Momentum

Content Checked Holdings, Inc (OTCQB: CNCK) is a young company in a hurry. Founded in July 2013 by Kris Finstad, the company, according to SEC filings, had no revenues for the 6-month period ending September 30, 2014. One year later, for the comparable 6-month period to September 30, 2015, revenues of $657,850 flowed into the company’s coffers. Finstad and his team at Content Checked have not been sitting on their hands. Those hands have been busy creating and developing a family of mobile apps for those with special dietary needs or who suffer from food allergies.

The company’s first app, ContentChecked, is a smartphone application designed for use by those who suffer from food allergies and intolerances. The app allows its user to scan a product’s bar code and determine if it is safe for consumption. Other features include an expansive menu and recipe database with directions and ideas on food preparation for avoiding allergic reactions. ContentChecked also features a database of allergens and food ingredients that indicate any relationship between the two. Currently, that database has information on more than 400,000 products in the United States, and it’s constantly being expanded. ContentChecked doesn’t only help shoppers. The platform provides a way for food manufacturers and distributors to better inform their markets, where it matters most, at point-of-sale.

Subsequently, the company put out two more apps: MigraineChecked and SugarChecked. MigraineChecked is good news for the 38 million Americans who suffer from migraine and chronic headaches. With SugarChecked, you can scan the barcodes of grocery store products and determine the kind of sugars contained within. SugarChecked identifies four main types of sugars that consumers can avoid, including added sugars, artificial sweeteners, natural low-calorie sweeteners and sugar alcohols. The app is an easy shopping tool for consumers trying to decipher often-misleading food labels and receive recommendations for healthier alternative products in real time as they shop. It’s been estimated (http://dtn.fm/fX0tW) that, in the U.S., there are about 15 million people who suffer from food allergies. It’s a potentially fatal malaise, particularly in children (1 in 13 of whom is affected). According to a study released in 2013 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), food allergies among children increased approximately 50 percent between 1997 and 2011. The economic cost of children’s food allergies is nearly $25 billion per year.

Together ContentChecked, MigraineChecked and SugarChecked have had over 2 million downloads, and 66 percent of users are active at least five times a week. These apps were initially meant for those who suffer from allergies and other dietary restrictions, but they’re catching on as the nation grows more health conscious. Last year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, in a study entitled Changes in Eating Patterns and Diet Quality among Working-Age Adults, 2005-2010 reported that ‘American adults are eating better, making better use of available nutrition information… consuming fewer calories coming from fat and saturated fat, consuming less cholesterol and eating more fiber…’

The ContentChecked suite of apps has been talked about in Forbes, USA Today and the Los Angeles Business Journal. It’s been seen on ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox. Word is certainly getting around. CEO Kris Finstad is confident about the future: “We believe that the iOS (Apple) and Android platforms are moving in the direction of subscription-based applications. To capitalize on this trend and stay ahead of our competition, we are making our core apps free, and are also offering users subscription-based versions of our apps that will provide access to additional desired features. With the re-launch and re-brand of Content Checked’s products, anticipated to take place in March 2016, we will introduce a new subscription based service for the Content Checked line of products, in addition to offering an updated and improved experience for core (free) users.” We look forward to that.

For more information, visit www.contentchecked.com

International Stem Cell Corporation (ISCO) Teaming with Leading Brain Research Center to Advance Development of Powerful Stem Cell Technology

International Stem Cell Corporation (OTCQB: ISCO) is the company behind a powerful new stem cell technology called parthenogenesis, which promises to significantly advance the field of regenerative medicine by addressing the problem of immune-rejection. Derived from unfertilized eggs, the company’s human parthenogenetic stem cells (hPSCs) are pluripotent, meaning that they have the potential to become virtually any cell in the human body.

The first pluripotent stem cells to be studied for the purposes of regenerative medicine were embryonic stem cells (ESCs), which were taken from donated human embryos. While these cells could offer considerable healing potential, they also present a number of ethical concerns, because their production involves the destruction of a human embryo. ISCO’s hPSCs avoid these ethical issues while retaining many of the inherent advantages of ESCs.

One of the key factors limiting the advancement of regenerative medicine in the past has been the issue of immune-rejection. ESCs, much like transplanted organs, come with a high probability of rejection. This means that, after injection, the host’s immune system attacks the stem cells in an effort to prevent infection. When unfertilized human eggs undergo parthenogenesis, however, they inherit a duplicate set of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes, which greatly decrease the risk of immune-rejection. According to the company’s preclinical data, a relatively small number of hPSCs could be sufficient to provide ‘immune matched’ cells to a large percentage of the global population.

ISCO’s developmental pipeline includes a collection of hPSC-based treatments targeting severe diseases of the central nervous system, the liver and the eye. The company’s most advanced product candidate is for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease, which affects an estimated 10 million people worldwide and as many as one million in the United States alone. In preclinical studies, rodent and non-human primate subjects have shown measurable improvement in Parkinson’s disease symptoms and an increase in brain dopamine levels following the intracranial administration of hPSCs.

Last month, ISCO announced that it had entered into a master clinical research agreement with the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health of Australia, one of the world’s leading brain research centers, to conduct a phase I/IIa clinical trial of hPSCs in Parkinson’s disease patients. Under the terms of this agreement, ISCO will work with the Florey to conduct these studies at the Royal Melbourne Hospital.

“We recently received authorization to initiate Phase I/IIa and now we are moving forward toward formal engagement of the clinical site to conduct this study,” Russell Kern, PhD, executive vice president and chief scientific officer at ISCO, stated in a news release. “We expect to enroll all patients into the clinical trial in Q1 2016 and provide interim results in October 2016.”

For more information, visit www.internationalstemcell.com

OurPet’s Company (OPCO) Featured in The Bowser Report Daily Mover Alert

OurPet’s Company (OTCQX: OPCO) led all companies covered by The Bowser Report on Wednesday when its price per share surged by more than 10 percent. Bowser readers are likely already familiar with OPCO, as the company was featured in the publication’s November issue as its ‘Company of the Month’. In fact, OPCO has been recommended multiple times by Bowser’s panel of investment experts dating all the way back to May 2007.

In yesterday’s Daily Mover Alert, Thomas Rice, editor of The Bowser Report, detailed the specifics of OPCO’s big day by giving his opinion on the company as an option for prospective investors. His take was as follows:

Typical volatility from OPCO, but in a good direction this time. OPCO hit a high of $1 after we recommended the company in November 2015 at $0.90. Since, it has traded closer to $0.80 per share.

OCPO is currently in Category 1 with a Bowser Rating of 10. This is one to purchase if you’re looking to expand your portfolio. The price is right, and the company is doing well fundamentally.

OPCO may have some resistance moving up because of its low investor interest, but if investors take note of its steady growth, this stock could soar. In the meantime, if you have a position or enter a position, stick to the Game Plan!

OPCO’s strong performance in the rapidly expanding pet industry makes it an intriguing investment option moving forward. In 2013, the pet products and services market was valued at $71.3 billion, and additional industry growth is forecast for the coming years. OPCO is in a favorable strategic position to capitalize on this market performance through the use of its proven, two-pronged branding strategy, which includes the OurPets® brand for the pet specialty channel and the PetZone® brand for the food, drug and mass retail channel.

Over the past four years, OPCO has successfully leveraged this defined branding strategy, along with its extensive intellectual property portfolio, to record a 20.8 percent increase in sales while securing placements in nationwide retailers such as Walmart (NYSE: WMT), PetSmart, Petco and Kroger (NYSE: KR). Similarly, the company’s earnings have skyrocketed from $120,674 to $1.1 million since 2011.

The Bowser Report has been covering the most intriguing mini-priced stocks for just under 40 years. Utilizing a proprietary rating system and investing game plan, the report highlights the most promising stocks for long-term investment. Since 1976, The Bowser Report’s effectiveness has attracted tens of thousands of investors to the subscription-only newsletter.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.ourpets.com

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Forward Industries, Inc. (FORD) Settled Proxy Battle, Return to Profitability, Bayer Supply Extension are Positive Indicators Moving Forward

While just about every investor has likely heard of globally-recognized companies and brands such as Lenovo’s Motorola Mobility (OTC: LNVGY), Nokia (NYSE: NOK), Philips (NYSE: PHG) and Toshiba (OTC: TOSYY), or healthcare sector operators like Roche (OTCQX: RHHBY) and Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ), many remain surprisingly unfamiliar with the increasingly vital carrying case and protective solutions provider which reinforces these heavy-hitters: Forward Industries (NASDAQ: FORD). West Palm Beach, Florida-headquartered Forward Industries conceptualizes, designs and delivers an extremely wide variety of tailored carrying case and usability solutions for gadgets produced by these globally-recognized brands. These solutions are either packaged with the branded product or sold in the retail aftermarket, and they significantly enhance the functionality, as well as brand presence, of the core product.

Whether we are talking about a carrying case for portable electronic healthcare devices, such as the blood glucose monitoring kits used by diabetics, handheld bar code scanners used in a warehouse, GPS devices for recreation and navigation, firearms, or even the average consumer’s smartphone/tablet – chances are that Forward Industries makes a carrying case, clip, stand or other accessory that the reader has used. With a highly skilled team of innovators that work hand-in-hand with the company’s OEM clients (or their contract manufacturing firms) to custom design the perfect carry, protective or usability accessory and over three decades of experience leveraging the premium manufacturing metrics available in China and the Far East, Forward Industries is one of the most sought-after accoutrement design shops on earth today.

After Forward Industries has worked with the OEM customer and its sizable supply chain in Asia, consisting of 800,000 square feet of manufacturing capacity, the company then ensures that gold-standard quality control procedures are utilized in order to make certain that the commercially approved production units meet with the exacting specifications that have been laid out. The company’s logistical and global warehousing capacity, as well as its comprehensive compliance structures, have won Forward Industries mounting favor among the roughly 81 OEMs around the world with which the company currently does business.

One of the largest companies that FORD has such a tight-knit relationship with is Germany-based multinational chemical and pharmaceutical developer, Bayer (OTC: BAYRY), with whom Forward Industries recently signed a sizable carry case extension deal. This extension deal adds to a relationship stretching back several years and has FORD supplying the customized carrying cases that go with Bayer’s diabetic products all the way through to the end of 2018. Such a deal speaks volumes about how Forward Industries has become one of only a handful of trusted go-to suppliers chosen by healthcare and tech sector majors to handle the accessories for their most important products.

The Bayer extension deal should also give investors a hint as to how important the company’s proven abilities to satisfy the complex compliance demands within this heavily regulated industry are, especially when it comes to differentiating FORD from its numerous competitors. Little wonder then that the company’s Q4 financials (ended September 30, 2015) showed a 2.3 percent increase in gross profit percentages when compared to Q4 FY14, or the company’s 128 percent jump in gross profits over the same interval. FORD’s Q4 FY15 EPS of $0.03 per share was quite a feat considering the turbulence experienced by the company due to an expensive (now resolved) proxy battle and paints a stark contrast with the loss of $(0.08) per share seen during the same quarter in the prior year.

The company’s ability to turn profitability around so sharply despite the proxy battle, and its ability to shore up its OEM-focused presence with the Bayer deal, is a positive signal to markets about where the company’s CEO, Terry Wise, is taking Forward Industries this year. Consistently delighted multinational customers, who continue to praise FORD for its quality and cost-effectiveness, will most likely see this case and accessory designer through to a profitable 2016 – following up nicely on its return to the black, with two back-to-back quarters of solid profitability.

Forward Industries is now fully committed to mustering sustained momentum via the hammering out of long-term sourcing agreements with new and existing customers, as well as a broadening of its product mix, which should help FORD secure access to an expanding customer base. Innovation has long been the watchword at FORD, and its in-house conceptualization and design capabilities are a force in this sector that has to be reckoned with. Given that the company has the ability to go from co-creation sessions with the customer, through traditional art approaches and on into 3D modelling quite rapidly, rounding out the design phase with both traditional mockup and 3D printing, FORD should be able to continue landing new customers across the board with ease this year.

Already serving industries ranging from tech, medical devices and video gaming to military, government and automotive, the sky is the limit for Forward Industries when it comes to design. With warehousing and production in Shenzhen and Dongguan, China, as well as operational footholds in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong and Taipei, Taiwan, Forward Industries can offer unique scaling/sourcing benefits to its customers, and also has the global sales footprint to back it up. With sales offices in California and Indiana, as well as Switzerland – managed via the company’s wholly-owned Forward US and Forward Switzerland subsidiaries – FORD has the cost-effective manufacturing/supply capacity, as well as the key target market localized sales force strength, needed to really deliver in 2016 on its aspirations of continued profitability.

This is true whether we are talking about the $10 billion plus global glucose monitoring and diabetes management device market (Kalorama Information), or the smartphone market, which shipped around 1.44 billion units last year (IDC).

Take a closer look, visit http://www.forwardindustries.com/

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Forward Industries, Inc. (FORD) Settled Proxy Battle, Return to Profitability, Bayer Supply Extension are Positive Indicators Moving Forward

Take a closer look, visit http://www.forwardindustries.com/

Monday, January 25, 2016

Among Ad Techs, Why Social Reality (SCRI)? CEO Gives Compelling Presentation at NobleCon12

There are a lot of players looking for relevance and roots in the crowded $15 billion ad tech (advertising technology) space. Capturing market share in this competitive industry requires aggressive strategy, new technologies, and the ability to successfully innovate and integrate into the evolving landscape.

While a handful of behemoths hoard the majority of ad tech market share, there’s plenty of room for smaller companies that can pull off the above-mentioned objectives to add their weight to the scale.

Los Angeles-based Social Reality is one such player. Using proprietary technology, Social Reality delivers a full suite of advertising and marketing tools and services that enable brands, agencies and publishers to target, reach and monetize their audiences. This six-year old company differentiates itself from other companies in many aspects.

Christopher Miglino, chief executive officer and one of the founders of Social Reality, has been in the ad tech game since the 90s and is moving the company forward at an impressive pace. He recently took the stage at NobleCon12 Investor Conference to showcase his company and how it is growing roots in the ad tech space.

Watch the full webcast here: http://noble.mediasite.com/mediasite/Play/e43da8714ae54e438b727cd3ffe4de7a1d?catalog=3a734bfc-b7b0-4496-95ea-5193c0db8116&playFrom=4983&autoStart=true

In short, Social Reality is building tools that brand marketers and advertisers and publishers can use to generate revenue from inventory or to buy media. The company’s core platform creates solid footing in the real time bidding (RTB) and social media markets, both of which are valued at $15 billion for 2015.

In 2014, Social Reality’s grasp in these markets generated revenues around $4 million and set in motion a reiterated forecast for $30 million in total revenues for full-year 2015.

“It’s been one of those fantastic years … we think we’ll continue to see growth into 2016. We have a lot of technologies in place now to help us make that transition of really giving our salespeople what they need to make it to the next level,” Miglino explains in his NobleCon12 presentation.

Targeting brand marketers, agencies, and online publishers, Social Reality’s sales team has built an impressive roster of customers and clients that include big names like Subaru, Time Warner Cable (NYSE: TWC), McDonald’s, Disney (NYSE: DIS), H&R Block, P&G, Wells Fargo (NYSE: WFC), State Farm, New Balance, Comcast (NYSE: CCV), Red Bull, Pantene, Sam’s Club, Kenmore, Toyota (NYSE: TM), American Red Cross and General Electric (NYSE: GE), Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) and several big pharmaceutical marketers.

Miglino’s NobleCon12 presentation provides extensive insight into Social Reality’s core platforms: SRAX (social reality ad exchange), SRAX social, SRAX MD for pharmaceutical companies. He walks through each of these products, describing their function and application, strategies for client retention and how they generate revenue.

In alignment with the prevailing trend of consolidation in the ad tech space, Social Reality boasts a strong and recent acquisition history. In 2014 the company acquired Steel Media, Social Spotlight Media and Five Delta – each of which contribute a unique component to the SRAX platform.

When you place Social Reality in a lineup of its peers, as Miglino does in the NobleCon12 presentation, you get a greater idea of who is who, what they’re doing to gain footing, and how/if they’re able to combat industry headwinds to achieve financial success.

“I think that we fit well within the eco system of the companies that are making money. We’ve had positive net income and we’re generating excess cash flow. We’ve run a really tight ship within the organization …,” he explains.

To sum up what a “tight ship” looks like for Social Reality, Miglino offers the following:

• Strong management

• Multiple recurring revenue streams

• Positioned in two multi-billion dollar markets

• Explosive year-over-year revenue growth

• Value accretive acquisition history

• Secured $25 million in financing

Closer inspection of the picture Miglino paints of Social Reality validates his confidence in the company’s ability to perform in an exciting space dominated by the big boys.

“It’s been a really exciting year this year for us. We think that we’re good at going out and finding a creed of opportunities in the market. We have another $10 million left on our line with Victory Park if there are other acquisitions for us to do,” Miglino tells the audience at NobleCon12.

The ad tech field is brimming with potential as it constantly changes with the tides of resources, innovations and products. By leveraging its core products and strong business model, Social Reality is showing it has what it takes to navigate the waters and achieve its full potential.

For more information, visit www.socialreality.com

Content Checked Holdings, Inc. (CNCK) Combats Food Allergies and Other Dietary Restrictions with Innovative Apps

It all began when ContentChecked (OTCQB: CNCK) CEO Kris Finstad had trouble buying the correct food for both his daughter and her friend with food allergies. While so many people suffer from food allergies, something new had to be done to ensure that the right foods got into the grocery cart. As a result, Finstad created the ContentChecked app, which was first released in Norway in 2012, and then in the United States in 2014. This app allows people to scan barcodes on food items and beverages at the grocery store, which then gives them a status of whether or not the item contains any of their allergens in question. Behind the app is a team of nutritional experts analyzing nutritional labels and contacting food manufacturers to track the allergen cross contact status of grocery store products available in the U.S. So far, over 70% of all conventional food items are in the ContentChecked database, ready to be scanned by users. The number of products in the database is constantly growing, and products are constantly being updated for formula changes and allergy recalls.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, food allergies among children increased 50% between 1997 and 2011. Since over 15 million Americans suffer from food allergies, awareness of ingredients is vital when preventing reactions, which range from mild to severe. The most common allergens include milk, eggs, peanuts, soy, wheat, fish, shellfish and tree nuts.

In addition to the app itself, ContentChecked provides printable Allergy Cards in multiple languages for allergy sufferers to give to their servers at restaurants. Each card lists an allergen, and an explanation of the importance of keeping all kitchen items clean and clear from the allergen(s) of concern.

In addition to the ContentChecked app for food allergies and intolerances, the company has released two other dietary restriction apps: SugarChecked for those avoiding added sugars and sweeteners, and MigraineChecked for those avoiding migraine triggers in food. SugarChecked helps users trying to lose weight, get fit, or manage diabetes by alerting them of added sugars or dangerous artificial sweeteners in their food. MigraineChecked, showcases otherwise unknown ingredients that may trigger migraines and headaches. Not only do these apps alert and educate the user about unwanted ingredients in food items, but they also offer healthy alternatives.

ContentChecked will continue its mission of offering “fast, reliable, and efficient mobile apps” to ensure consumers make more informed decisions when buying food. As ContentChecked continues to diversify and grow, the company plans to expand to include more niche apps within the health and wellness sector, with a focus on weight loss and development/degenerative conditions.

For more information, visit www.contentchecked.com

Friday, January 22, 2016

Content Checked Holdings, Inc. (CNCK) Nutritionist Offers Tips for Cutting Back on Sugar in Bustle Article

In a recent article on Bustle, a pop culture site with more than 8 million unique monthly visitors, Content Checked Holdings, Inc.’s (OTCQB: CNCK) innovative app, SugarChecked, was mentioned as an effective tool for individuals attempting to cut back on sugar without sacrificing on taste. In the article, Tory Tedrow, RD, Certified Nutrition Support Clinician for SugarChecked, gave tips on decreasing sugar content in recipes without having a noticeable impact on the flavor of the final dish.

To view the full article, titled “7 Tips to Cut Back on Sugar,” visit http://www.bustle.com/articles/136602-7-tips-to-cut-back-on-sugar-because-it-can-be-hard-to-give-up.

The Bustle article marks the second time this week that Content Checked has gained exposure for its suite of innovative mobile apps by contributing dietary tips to websites with expansive, global audiences. On Monday, the company’s head of nutrition, Victoria Brodsky, offered some insight into the healthiest ways to enjoy a popular cinematic snack.

For more information, visit www.contentchecked.com

Moxian, Inc. (MOXC) and Xinhua New Media Partnership Serves as Springboard to Growth

Moxian, Inc. (OTCQB: MOXC) earlier this week announced that its subsidiary, Moxian Technologies (Beijing) Co. Ltd., has entered into a partnership agreement with Xinhua New Media Culture Communication Co. Ltd. The arrangement enables Moxian to serve as the exclusive seller of advertising space for the Xinhua New Media App, Xinhua’s gaming platform. The five-year agreement states that Moxian will assist Xinhua with bolstering user retention by offering Mo-Coins and Mo-Points in exchange for interacting with advertisements within the app. Once the credits are acquired, users can log into the Moxian platform to redeem their rewards.

Tan Meng Dong James, Moxian’s CEO, stated, “This strategic cooperation agreement with Xinhua New Media Culture Communication Co. Ltd., a Xinhua Media affiliate, lays a solid foundation for Moxian’s future promotions and developments, while also gradually yet effectively driving the Moxian App into the Internet mainstream.”

The partnership fosters Moxian’s ability to have access to an impressive base of active members. Tan Meng Dong James’s recent statement notes that the app’s membership numbers are in the range of over 110 million registered users, including 10 million daily active users. As the exclusive reseller of advertising space for the app, Moxian is now poised to increase its visibility and market influence while simultaneously expanding its current base of customers.

The MOXC agreement with Xinhua initiates a key move toward maximizing on the market potential presented by its new Beijing subsidiary. This new revenue source puts Moxian in a strong position to take advantage of its expanded presence in the market. Meng Dong James added in his statement, “We look forward to the headway and potential this mutually advantageous deal provides both companies.”

Moxian, Inc. operates a social network online-to-offline platform that integrates social media and business for small- and medium-sized enterprises, primarily in China. MOXC products and services focus on creating interaction between users and merchant clients by allowing merchant clients to study consumer behavior. The company formerly operated under the name Moxian China, Inc. before changing its name to Moxian, Inc. in July 2015. Moxian, Inc. was founded in 2010 and is based in Shenzhen, China.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.Moxian.com

Gopher Protocol Inc. (GOPH) Anti-Theft Technology Using Encrypted Private Network Could Secure Everything from Cars to Smartphones

While there are existing after-market solutions for anti-theft and tracking that can be wired into a vehicle’s electric system, or slotted into the On-board diagnostics (OBD) port, clever thieves and OCGs (organized criminal groups) have learned to bypass such security devices in recent years, and now they routinely exploit the OBD port to compromise on-board security solutions. Electronic entry protocols involving near-field communications have actually exacerbated the problem in certain respects, making it easier than ever for tech savvy criminals to get into vehicles and jack into the OBD port, with recent cases showing that some thieves are now able to simply lurk in parking areas and intercept the remote locking signal as owners walk away from their vehicle.

The most recent data on vehicle theft in the U.S. from the non-profit National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), which tracks auto theft and insurance fraud, indicated a theft rate of around 800 vehicles per 100,000. This data tracks very well against the more conservative FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program data, which puts the figure closer to 230 per 100,000. According to one of the top intelligence providers to the automotive industry, SBD, vehicle theft rates are highest in South America and lowest in Europe. However, Interpol analysis makes it clear that while less prevalent, vehicle theft in Europe is much more well-coordinated overall, with vehicles disappearing across borders into neighboring countries quite easily after their security has been compromised.

Enter one Gopher Protocol Inc. (OTC: GOPH), which recently filed a patent and trademark for its revolutionary new sticky patch package, designed to offer consumers a surreptitious anti-theft global tracking solution that does not require on-board GPS, and uses a standalone encrypted private network. With battery power that lasts up to a year, the lightweight and waterproof GopherAntiTheft™ (GAT) device can be hidden anywhere in or on the vehicle and uses real-time heuristics to keep track of its location. This ingenious fusion of technologies combines a patented integrated circuit known as the GopherInsight™ chip, with a GPS chipset (where GPS is available) and/or the GopherNET™ transceiver (in the case no GPS is available), as well as a unique antenna that is married to the GopherAntiTheft (GAT) circuit.

This combination of a smart microchip/circuitry and supporting software running on a server allows users to track the unit using a mobile app or web browser, and can also help reduce insurance fees. Moving forward the company anticipates that its technology should see broader adoption across a variety of other markets, including smartphones and drones, as its microchip technologies may be installed within mobile devices, or on SIM cards. The GopherAntiTheft platform is also aligned with the goals of Horizon 2020, the EU’s biggest research and innovation effort to date, with over €80 billion in funding. Horizon 2020 is a financing framework designed to secure Europe’s competitiveness by incubating breakthroughs and world-firsts under the auspices of the Europe 2020 flagship initiative’s Innovation Union.

Headquartered in Perris, California, development-stage Gopher Protocol sees a very bright future for its anti-theft technologies and envisions the creation of a global network based on what it believes is the first system of this type to use a human heuristic-based analysis engine. The fact that the core element of the GopherAntiTheft platform is its smartchip technology, which can be installed on any mobile device, the potential of a parallel global network between mobile devices powered by GOPH technology offers tantalizing possibilities. Including the ability to enhance mobile device computing performance capabilities through the network, or provide advanced database management and sharing capabilities, as well as as-yet unforeseen features, whose implementation would be enabled by the presence of the chip/access to the network.

Given that the latest International Data Corporation analysis of the smartphone market projects a forward five-year CAGR of 7.4 percent, with around 1.43 billion units shipped last year, and that by the end of 2016 82 percent of all mobile phones are expected be smartphones – the market for GOPH is indeed quite large.

Take a closer look at this innovative anti-theft company by visiting http://gopherprotocol.com

DreamTeamNetwork (DTN) is Platinum Sponsor for 2016 Disruptive Growth & Healthcare Conference – LinkedIn Page Now Ready to Follow

DreamTeamNetwork (DTN) is proud to announce its role as a platinum-level sponsor for the upcoming 2016 Disruptive Growth & Healthcare Conference, hosted by Source Capital Group, taking place in New York City February 10-11.

As a platinum sponsor, DTN has created and will manage a LinkedIn page specifically for the conference – the page will serve as a real-time hub where interested parties can take a look at what company is making its presentation and when, as well as a brief profile describing the specialty of each presenting company.

This one-of-a-kind conference will feature presentations from top executives of approximately 100 life science companies focused on solutions to unmet medical needs and growth companies with disruptive technologies and business models. The panels will cover regenerative medicine, immunotherapy, diagnostics, disruptive innovations and business models, disruptive holding companies, energy – clean tech, technology media & telecom (TMT), and a discussion regarding NOLs and rights offerings.

Attendees will include more than 400 institutional investors, accredited investors, family offices, analysts, registered investment advisors, wealth managers, source reps and their clients. If you’re not among those privy to attend, DTN has you covered.

Visit this link to follow the investor conference page and keep up-to-date on this exciting conference:

http://dtn.fm/linkedin-scg-conference

For more information visit www.sourcecapitalconference.com

Oakridge Global Energy Solutions, Inc. (OGES) is Embracing the New Age of Battery Manufacturing

Oakridge Global Energy Solutions, Inc. (OTCQB: OGES) is journeying into a new era in battery manufacturing. The company is broadening its horizons in its quest to become a leader in every corner of the world battery market and using novel media and communications tools, including a new website (www.oakridgeglobalenergy.com), to spread the word about its moving message.

As a manufacturer, Oakridge is in an old-fashioned business, yet the corporation approaches its operations – developing, manufacturing, marketing and selling energy storage products – in unique ways. With an estimated market capitalization of USD $250,000,000, Oakridge is doing many things right.

Oakridge fully embraces the technology, vision and capability needed to execute its expansion strategies. Using the latest technology, the company designs, develops and manufactures the high-quality cells, batteries and energy storage systems that comprise its innovative ‘Made in the USA’ product portfolio. The portfolio includes multiple lithium-ion chemistries, technologies and form factors optimized for four high-demand target markets, including:

Motive applications, such as electric and hybrid electric fleet vehicles (especially golf cars and local area electric vehicles);

Remote control and portable devices (including medical devices);

Starter motor batteries for motorcycles, jet skis, snow mobiles and boats, as well as cars and trucks; and

Stationary living space power for domestic, commercial and grid applications (homes, businesses, RVs, boats and uninterruptable power supplies).

Generally, Oakridge’s power systems and batteries also have applications in the aerospace, marine, medical, military and telecom sectors.

Oakridge is a staple in the world of integrated energy storage solutions. It has been three decades since Oakridge was established (the company was incorporated in 1986), and the company continues to improve every facet of its business. While conducting a complete review and renovation of its business and products in 2014 and 2015, the company identified its investors’ and customers’ growing demand for information on Oakridge’s revolutionary energy storage technology. To address this need for more access, the company embarked on rebranding. Now, with new, best-in-class media and communication tools, Oakridge is providing its stakeholders with improved information and keeping them engaged in the company’s activities. The tools also provide Oakridge with a distinct point of differentiation over its competition in the Far East.

For more information, visit www.oakridgeglobalenergy.com

Thursday, January 21, 2016

Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc. (SBOT) Announces Joint Venture With Neovacs S.A.

Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: SBOT), a California-based biotechnology company and world leader in the sustainable manufacture of keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH), a protein used for stimulating and measuring immune response, has announced plans to form a joint venture with Neovacs S.A., a French biotechnology company focused on an active immunotherapy technology platform.

The joint venture will be for the manufacture of conjugated therapeutic vaccines based upon Stellar’s proprietary KLH protein, specifically to produce Neovacs’ Kinoid product candidates, including IFNa-Kinoid, and to potentially produce other KLH-based immunotherapies on behalf of third party customers. However, negotiations are not complete and will continue regarding details of the venture’s exact ownership and organization, though it is anticipated that initial ownership will be 70% with Neovacs and 30% with Stellar. The announcement was also careful to make clear that there can be no assurance the joint venture will be consummated or, if consummated, will achieve the expected results.

Stellar’s Chairman and CEO, Frank Oakes, said of the proposed venture: “We believe the proposed joint venture could be a very positive development for both Stellar and Neovacs. It would enable us to work together to ensure the successful development of IFNa-Kinoid at scale but, importantly, we anticipate building manufacturing infrastructure and expertise that could be offered to other developers of conjugate vaccines looking to transition their product candidates from clinical to commercial scale. For Stellar, this is an example of leveraging our KLH core business to expand our potential clinical and commercial opportunities.”

Neovacs CEO, Miguel Sieler, added: “We look forward to working with Stellar Biotechnologies to form this cooperative venture, as they are the leading supplier of KLH protein based on sustainable, scalable aquaculture techniques. Since KLH is a key component of IFNa-Kinoid, this venture is intended to support Neovacs as we work toward potential market launch, as well as bring added value in the field of KLH-Kinoid conjugate vaccines.”

For more information, visit www.StellarBiotech.com and http://ir.StellarBiotechnologies.com.

Nike, Inc. (NKE) Continues Worldwide Growth

Nike, Inc. (NYSE: NKE), headquartered in Beaverton, OR, is the world’s leading sportswear and sporting goods company, with a market cap approaching $100 billion. Founded in 1964 as Blue Ribbon Sports, and changing its name to NIKE in 1971, the company offers a full range of sports related clothing, accessories, and equipment through sports and department stores and shops worldwide, as well as directly to consumers over the Internet. Nike’s stated mission is “To bring inspiration and innovation to every athlete in the world”, adding that “if you have a body, you are an athlete”, the latter being a mantra used by legendary University of Oregon track and field coach, Bill Bowerman, who, along with Philip Knight, founded the company.

Philip H. Knight, a director of the company since 1968, is Chairman of the Board, and also served as company President for much of that time. Nike’s current CEO and President, Mark Parker, joined in 1979, using his experience as a competitive runner to design footwear for the company. Nike feels it has built its dominant position in the marketplace largely through its close connection with both the casual and professional sports community, and now serves the sports market on six continents. It continues to grow sales and market share.

In addition to its large Oregon headquarters, with over 8,000 employees, Nike has corporate locations in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Toronto, and Fort Worth. Its European headquarters is in the Netherlands, with operational and administrative centers in London, Paris, Frankfurt, Stockholm, Moscow, and several other locations. The Japan & Asia Pacific region is supported by key operations in Japan, Korea, India, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Australia, and other countries, while the Nike Greater China Campus, with nearly 2,000 employees, is located in Shanghai. Nike also employs more than 3,000 workers in Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Paraguay, Bolivia, and Mexico, and has operations in South Africa.

As a worldwide employer, Nike emphasizes its ongoing efforts to demand ethical working conditions from its suppliers and business partners, affirming detailed steps it continues to take to eliminate forced or bonded labor, and to incentivize changes that benefit workers throughout the supply chain. According to the company’s Standards for Compliance: “Nike uses third-party auditors to verify contracted factories are (in) compliance with laws. If a contracted factory is found to violate laws or Nike standards, it is responsible for improving performance against a master action plan. If the factory fails to make progress against that plan, they are subject to review and sanctions, including potential termination.”

For more information, visit http://investors.Nike.com/Home/default.aspx and http://about.Nike.com/