SUNation Energy Inc
For the period ended Apr 3, 2025. Filed Mar 10, 2025.
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Apr 3, 2025 · Filed Mar 10, 2025
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PROPOSAL 2 – THE REVERSE STOCK SPLIT PROPOSAL
PROPOSAL 2
AUTHORIZATION OF REVERSE STOCK SPLIT
The Board has approved an amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation to combine the outstanding shares of our Common Stock into a lesser number of outstanding shares (a “Reverse Stock Split”).
If approved by our stockholders, this proposal would permit (but not require) the Board to effect a Reverse Stock Split of the outstanding shares of our Common Stock within one (1) year of the date the proposal is approved by stockholders, at a specific ratio within a range of one-for-five (1-for-5) to a maximum of a one-for-two hundred (1-for-200), with the specific ratio to be fixed within this range by the Board in its sole discretion without further stockholder approval. We believe that enabling the Board to fix the specific ratio of the Reverse Stock Split within the stated range will provide us with the flexibility to implement it in a manner designed to maximize the anticipated benefits for our stockholders.
In fixing the ratio, the Board may consider, among other things, factors such as: the initial and continued listing requirements of the Nasdaq Stock Market; the number of shares of our Common Stock outstanding; potential financing opportunities; and prevailing general market and economic conditions.
The Reverse Stock Split, if approved by our stockholders, would become effective upon the filing of the amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of Delaware, or at the later time set forth in the amendment. The timing of the amendment will be determined by the Board based on its evaluation as to when such action will be the most advantageous to our Company and our stockholders. In addition, the Board reserves the right, notwithstanding stockholder approval and without further action by the stockholders, to abandon the amendment and the Reverse Stock Split if, at any time prior to the effectiveness of the filing of the amendment with the Secretary of State of Delaware, the Board, in its sole discretion, determines that it is no longer in our best interest and the best interests of our stockholders to proceed.
The proposed form of amendment to our certificate of incorporation to effect the Reverse Stock Split is attached as Appendix B to this Proxy Statement. Any amendment to our certificate of incorporation to effect the Reverse Stock Split will include the Reverse Stock Split ratio fixed by the Board, within the range approved by our stockholders.
Reasons for the Reverse Stock Split
To increase the per share price of our Common stock
Our Common Stock is currently listed for trading on the Capital Market tier of the Nasdaq Stock Market (the “Nasdaq Stock Market”). As discussed above, the main objective for effecting the Reverse Stock Split, should our Board choose to effect one, would be to increase the per share price of the Common Stock primarily, if necessary, to maintain compliance with the listing standards and policies of the Nasdaq Stock Market. However, there can be no assurance that the market price of our Common Stock will remain at a level that will be sufficient to meet any requirements and policies of the Nasdaq Stock Market or that our Common Stock will remain listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market. The Nasdaq Stock Market has discretion in determining whether or not to allow a company to stay listed with a low stock price. In the event that we are not successful in maintaining the listing of our Common Stock on the Nasdaq Stock Market, we intend to seek a listing on another national securities exchange, which will also require that the per share trading price of our Common Stock be higher than our current per share trading price. In addition, our Board believes that, should the appropriate circumstances arise, effecting the Reverse Stock Split, could, among other things, help us to appeal to a broader range of investors, generate greater investor interest in the Company, and improve the perception of our Common Stock as an investment security.
To potentially improve the liquidity of the Common Stock
A Reverse Stock Split could allow a broader range of institutions to invest in the Common Stock (namely, funds that are prohibited from buying stocks whose price is below certain thresholds), potentially increasing trading volume and liquidity of the Common Stock and potentially decreasing the volatility of the Common Stock if institutions become long-term holders of the Common Stock. A Reverse Stock Split could help increase analyst and broker interest in the Common Stock as their policies can discourage them from following or recommending companies with low stock prices. Because of the trading volatility often associated with low-priced stocks, many brokerage houses and institutional investors have internal policies and practices that either prohibit them from investing in low-priced stocks or tend to discourage individual brokers from recommending low-priced stocks to their customers. Some of those policies and practices may make the processing of trades in low-priced stocks economically unattractive to brokers. Additionally, because brokers’ commissions on low-priced stocks generally represent a higher percentage of the stock price than commissions on higher-priced stocks, a low average price per share of Common Stock can result in individual stockholders paying transaction costs representing a higher percentage of their total share value than would be the case if the share price were higher. Some investors, however, may view a Reverse Stock Split negatively since it reduces the number of shares of Common Stock available in the public market.
The Board believes that retaining our listing on the Nasdaq Stock Market is in the best interests of the Company and our stockholders and is crucial to stockholder value and liquidity and our long-term business prospects.
In evaluating whether to seek stockholder approval for the Reverse Stock Split, the Board took into consideration negative factors associated with reverse stock splits. These factors include: the negative perception of reverse stock splits that investors, analysts and other stock market participants may hold; the fact that the stock prices of some companies that have effected reverse stock splits have subsequently declined, sometimes significantly, following their reverse stock splits; the possible adverse effect on liquidity that a reduced number of outstanding shares could cause; and the costs associated with implementing a reverse stock split.
Even if our stockholders approve the Reverse Stock Split, the Board reserves the right not to effect the Reverse Stock Split if in the Board’s opinion it would not be in the best interests of the Company or our stockholders to effect such Reverse Stock Split.
Potential Effects of the Proposed Amendment
If our stockholders approve the Reverse Stock Split and the Board effects one, the number of shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding will be reduced, depending upon the ratio determined by the Board. The Reverse Stock Split will affect all holders of our Common Stock uniformly and will not affect any stockholder’s percentage ownership interest in the Company, except that as described below in “Fractional Shares,” record holders of Common Stock otherwise entitled to a fractional share as a result of the Reverse Stock Split because they hold a number of shares not evenly divisible by the Reverse Stock Split ratio will automatically be entitled to receive an additional fraction of a share of Common Stock to round up to the next whole share. For those stockholders who hold shares with a brokerage firm, the Company will round up fractional shares at the participant level. The Reverse Stock Split will not affect any stockholder’s proportionate voting power (subject to the treatment of fractional shares).
The Reverse Stock Split will not change the terms of the Common Stock. After the Reverse Stock Split, the shares of Common Stock will have the same voting rights and rights to dividends and distributions and will be identical in all other respects to the Common Stock now authorized. Our outstanding shares of Common Stock will remain fully paid and non-assessable.
After the effective time of the Reverse Stock Split, we will continue to be subject to the periodic reporting and other requirements of the Exchange Act.
The Reverse Stock Split, if implemented, will not affect the total authorized number of shares of our preferred stock or the par value of our preferred stock.
The following table illustrates the effects of a 1-for-5 to 1-for-200 Reverse Stock Split (without giving effect to the treatment of fractional shares), based on share information as of February 27, 2025:
| Shares of Common Stock | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Issued and Outstanding(1) | Issuable Under Existing Arrangements(1)(2)(3) | Authorized for Issuance(1) | |
| Pre-Reverse Stock Split | 4,393,587 | 798,919,523 | 25,000,000 |
| 1-for-5 Reverse Stock Split | 878,718 | 159,783,905 | 5,000,000 |
| 1-for-50 Reverse Stock Split | 87,872 | 15,978,391 | 500,000 |
| 1-for-100 Reverse Stock Split | 43,436 | 7,989,196 | 250,000 |
| 1-for-200 Reverse Stock Split | 21,718 | 3,994,598 | 125,000 |
| (1) | These estimates do not reflect the potential effects of the issuance of additional share(s) to round up fractional shares that may result from the Reverse Stock Split. |
| (2) | This column reflects shares issuable under our existing obligations in connection with our common stock warrants, as further described in the Authorized Share Amendment Proposal and Issuance Proposal set forth herein. Unless the Authorized Share Amendment Proposal is approved and implemented, our exercise obligations in connection with the common stock warrants will exceed our total shares authorized. |
| (3) | This column assumes that the Issuance Proposal was approved and resulted in the maximum number of shares that can be issued under the Series A and Series B Warrants, combined, in addition to the then outstanding shares of common stock of the Company on a fully diluted basis. |
There are risks associated with the Reverse Stock Split, all of which have been considered by the Board in recommending to the shareholders the Reverse Stock Split Proposal for approval.
We cannot predict whether the Reverse Stock Split will increase the market price for our common stock. The history of similar stock split combinations for companies in like circumstances is varied. There is no assurance that:
| • | the market price per share of our common stock after the Reverse Stock Split will rise in proportion to the reduction in the number of shares of our common stock outstanding before the Reverse Stock Split; |
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| • | the Reverse Stock Split will result in a per share price that will attract brokers and investors who do not trade in lower priced stocks; |
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| • | the Reverse Stock Split will result in a per share price that will increase the ability of the Company to attract and retain employees; or |
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| • | the bid price per share will either exceed, or be maintained for the required period of time, in excess of $1.00 under the Minimum Bid Rule or $0.10 under the Low Priced Stock Rule as required by Nasdaq for continued listing. |
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The market price of our common stock will also be based on the performance of the Company, and other factors, some of which are unrelated to the number of shares outstanding. If the Reverse Stock Split is effectuated and the market price of our common stock declines, the percentage decline as an absolute number and as a percentage of the overall market capitalization of the Company may be greater than would occur in the absence of a Reverse Stock Split. Furthermore, the liquidity of our common stock could be adversely affected by the reduced number of shares that would be outstanding after the Reverse Stock Split. In addition, there can be no assurance that our common stock will not be delisted due to a failure to meet other listing requirements even if the market price per share of our common stock post Reverse Stock Split remains in excess of the requirements under the Minimum Bid Rule and the Low Priced Stock Rule.
Registered “Book-Entry” Holders of Common Stock
Our registered holders of Common Stock hold some or all of their shares electronically in book-entry form with the transfer agent. These stockholders do not have stock certificates evidencing their ownership of the Common Stock. They are, however, provided with statements reflecting the number of shares registered in their accounts.
Stockholders who hold shares electronically in book-entry form with the transfer agent will not need to take action to receive evidence of their shares of post-Reverse Stock Split Common Stock.
Holders of Certificated Shares of Common Stock
Stockholders holding shares of our Common Stock in certificated form will be sent a transmittal letter by the transfer agent after the effective time of the Reverse Stock Split. The letter of transmittal will contain instructions on how a stockholder should surrender his, her or its certificate(s) representing shares of our Common Stock (the “Old Certificates”) to the transfer agent. Unless a stockholder specifically requests a new paper certificate or holds restricted shares, upon the stockholder’s surrender of all of the stockholder’s Old Certificates to the transfer agent, together with a properly completed and executed letter of transmittal, the transfer agent will register the appropriate number of shares of post-Reverse Stock Split Common Stock electronically in book-entry form and provide the stockholder with a statement reflecting the number of shares registered in the stockholder’s account. No stockholder will be required to pay a transfer or other fee to exchange his, her or its Old Certificates. Until surrendered, we will deem outstanding Old Certificates held by stockholders to be cancelled and only to represent the number of shares of post-Reverse Stock Split Common Stock to which these stockholders are entitled. Any Old Certificates submitted for exchange, whether because of a sale, transfer or other disposition of stock, will automatically be exchanged for appropriate number of shares of post-Reverse Stock Split Common Stock. If an Old Certificate has a restrictive legend on its reverse side, a new certificate will be issued with the same restrictive legend on its reverse side.
STOCKHOLDERS SHOULD NOT DESTROY ANY STOCK CERTIFICATE(S) AND SHOULD NOT SUBMIT ANY STOCK CERTIFICATE(S) UNTIL REQUESTED TO DO SO.
Fractional Shares
We will not issue fractional shares in connection with the Reverse Stock Split. Instead, record holders who otherwise would be entitled to receive fractional shares because they hold a number of shares not evenly divisible by the
Reverse Stock Split ratio will automatically be entitled to receive an additional fraction of a share of Common Stock to round up to the next whole share. For those stockholders who hold shares with a brokerage firm, the Company will round up fractional shares at the participant level. Cash will not be paid for fractional shares.
Effect of the Reverse Stock Split on Outstanding Stock Options and Warrants
Based upon the Reverse Stock Split ratio, proportionate adjustments are generally required to be made to the per share exercise price and the number of shares issuable upon the exercise of all outstanding options, convertible instruments and warrants. This would result in approximately the same aggregate price being required to be paid under such options or warrants upon exercise, and approximately the same value of shares of Common Stock being delivered upon such exercise or conversion, as applicable, immediately following the Reverse Stock Split as was the case immediately preceding the Reverse Stock Split. The number of shares reserved for issuance pursuant to these securities will be reduced proportionately based upon the Reverse Stock Split ratio.
Accounting Matters
The proposed amendment to our certificate of incorporation will not affect the par value of our Common Stock. As a result, at the effective time of the Reverse Stock Split, the stated capital on our balance sheet attributable to the Common Stock will be reduced in the same proportion as the Reverse Stock Split ratio, and the additional paid-in capital account will be credited with the amount by which the stated capital is reduced. The per share net income or loss will be restated for prior periods to conform to the post-Reverse Stock Split presentation.
No Dissenters’ or Appraisal Rights
Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, our stockholders are not entitled to any dissenters’ or appraisal rights with respect to the Reverse Stock Split, and we will not independently provide stockholders with any such right.
Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Reverse Stock Split
The following summary describes, as of the date of this proxy statement, certain U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Reverse Stock Split to holders of our Common Stock. This summary addresses the tax consequences only to a U.S. holder, which is a beneficial owner of our Common Stock that is either:
| • | an individual citizen or resident of the United States; |
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| • | a corporation, or other entity taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or any state thereof or the District of Columbia; |
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| • | an estate, the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or |
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| • | a trust, if: (i) a court within the United States is able to exercise primary jurisdiction over its administration and one or more U.S. persons has the authority to control all of its substantial decisions or (ii) it was in existence before August 20, 1996 and a valid election is in place under applicable Treasury regulations to treat such trust as a U.S. person for U.S. federal income tax purposes. |
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This summary is based on the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), U.S. Treasury regulations, administrative rulings and judicial authority, all as in effect as of the date of this proxy statement. Subsequent developments in U.S. federal income tax law, including changes in law or differing interpretations, which may be applied retroactively, could have a material effect on the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Reverse Stock Split.
This summary does not address all of the tax consequences that may be relevant to any particular investor, including tax considerations that arise from rules of general application to all taxpayers or to certain classes of taxpayers or that are generally assumed to be known by investors. This summary also does not address the tax consequences to (i) persons that may be subject to special treatment under U.S. federal income tax law, such as banks, insurance companies, thrift institutions, regulated investment companies, real estate investment trusts, tax-exempt organizations, U.S. expatriates, persons subject to the alternative minimum tax, persons whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar, partnerships or other pass-through entities, traders in securities that elect to mark to market and dealers in securities or currencies, (ii) persons that hold our Common Stock as part of a position in a “straddle” or as part of a “hedging transaction,” “conversion transaction” or other integrated investment transaction for federal income tax purposes or (iii) persons that do not hold our Common Stock as “capital assets” (generally, property held for investment). This summary does not address backup withholding and information reporting. This summary does not address U.S. holders who beneficially own Common Stock through a “foreign financial institution” (as defined in Code Section 1471(d)(4)) or certain other non-U.S. entities specified in Code Section 1472. This summary does not address tax considerations arising under any state, local or foreign laws, or under federal estate or gift tax laws.
If a partnership (or other entity classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) is the beneficial owner of our Common Stock, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner in the partnership will generally depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Partnerships that hold our Common Stock, and partners in such partnerships, should consult their own tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Reverse Stock Split.
Each holder should consult his, her or its own tax advisors concerning the particular U.S. federal tax consequences of the Reverse Stock Split, as well as the consequences arising under the laws of any other taxing jurisdiction, including any foreign, state, or local income tax consequences.
General Tax Treatment of the Reverse Stock Split
The Reverse Stock Split is intended to qualify as a “reorganization” under Section 368 of the Code that should constitute a “recapitalization” for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Assuming the Reverse Stock Split qualifies as a reorganization, a U.S. holder generally will not recognize gain or loss upon the exchange of our shares for a lesser number of shares, based upon the Reverse Stock Split ratio. A U.S. holder’s aggregate tax basis in the lesser number of shares received in the Reverse Stock Split will be the same such U.S. holder’s aggregate tax basis in the shares of our Common Stock that such U.S. holder owned immediately prior to the Reverse Stock Split. The holding period for the shares received in the Reverse Stock Split will include the period during which a U.S. holder held the shares of our Common Stock that were surrendered in the Reverse Stock Split. The United States Treasury regulations provide detailed rules for allocating the tax basis and holding period of the shares of our Common Stock surrendered to the shares of our Common Stock received pursuant to the Reverse Stock Split. U.S. holders of shares of our Common Stock acquired on different dates and at different prices should consult their tax advisors regarding the allocation of the tax basis and holding period of such shares.
THE FOREGOING IS INTENDED ONLY AS A SUMMARY OF CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE REVERSE STOCK SPLIT, AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A TAX OPINION. EACH HOLDER OF OUR COMMON STOCK SHOULD CONSULT ITS OWN TAX ADVISOR REGARDING THE TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE REVERSE STOCK SPLIT TO THEM AND FOR REFERENCE TO APPLICABLE PROVISIONS OF THE CODE.
Interests of Officers and Directors in this Proposal
Our officers and directors do not have any substantial interest, direct or indirect, in this proposal.
Approval of Proposal No. 2 requires the affirmative vote of the majority of the votes cast on this proposal. Abstentions are not considered votes cast and will have no effect on the outcome of Proposal No. 2.
The Board unanimously recommends a vote “FOR” Proposal 2.
The text of this filing, as the company filed it with the SEC, without its images or exhibits. This is not investment advice.