UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (date of earliest event reported): December 20, 2023
ASHFORD INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| Nevada | | 001-36400 | | 84-2331507 |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation
or organization) | | (Commission
File Number) | | (IRS employer
identification number) |
14185 Dallas Parkway
Suite 1200
Dallas
Texas | | | | 75254 |
| (Address of principal executive offices) | | | | (Zip code) |
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (972) 490-9600
Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Check the appropriate box if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
| ¨ | Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) |
| | |
| ¨ | Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) |
| | |
| ¨ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) |
| | |
| ¨ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company ¨
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of each class | | Trading Symbol | | Name of each exchange on which registered |
| Common Stock | | AINC | | NYSE American LLC |
| Preferred Stock Purchase Rights | | True | | NYSE American LLC |
Item 3.01 Notice of Delisting or Failure to Satisfy a Continued Listing Rule or Standard; Transfer of Listing.
On December 20, 2023, Ashford Inc. (the “Company”) received a letter (the “Letter”) from the NYSE American LLC (the “NYSE American”) stating that the Company is not in compliance with the continued listing standards set forth in Sections 1003(a)(i) and (ii) of the NYSE American Company Guide (the “Company Guide”). Section 1003(a)(i) requires a listed company to have stockholders’ equity of $2 million or more if the listed company has reported losses from continuing operations and/or net losses in two of its three most recent fiscal years. Section 1003(a)(ii) requires a listed company to have stockholders’ equity of $4 million or more if the listed company has reported losses from continuing operations and/or net losses in three of its four most recent fiscal years. The Company reported a stockholders’ deficit of $295.7 million as of September 30, 2023, and has had losses from continuing operations and/or net losses in three of its four most recent fiscal years ended December 31, 2022.
However, Section 1003(a) of the Company Guide states that the NYSE American will not normally consider suspending dealings in, or removing from the list, the securities of a listed company which is below standards (i) and (ii) of Section 1003(a) if the listed company is in compliance with the following two standards: (1) total value of market capitalization of at least $50 million; or total assets and revenue of $50 million each in its last fiscal year, or in two of its last three fiscal years; and (2) the listed company has at least 1.1 million shares publicly held, a market value of publicly held shares of at least $15 million and 400 round lot shareholders. As of December 20, 2023, the Company was in compliance with the first standard because it had total assets and total revenue of at least $50 million in its last fiscal year and was in compliance with the second standard, except that the current market value of publicly held shares was below $15 million.
Accordingly, the Letter states that the Company must submit a plan of compliance (the “Plan”) by January 19, 2024 addressing how it intends to regain compliance with Sections 1003(a)(i) and (ii) of the Company Guide by June 20, 2025, or sooner if the NYSE American determines that the nature and circumstances of the Company’s continued listing status warrant a shorter period of time. The Company intends to fully comply with the NYSE American’s requests and will submit its Plan accordingly.
The Company’s stock will continue to be listed on the NYSE American while the Company evaluates its various alternatives. The Company’s receipt of such notification from the NYSE American does not affect the Company’s business, operations or reporting requirements with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
A copy of the Company’s press release dated December 26, 2023, regarding the receipt of the Letter from the NYSE American is included as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits
Exhibit Number Description
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
| | ASHFORD INC. |
| | | |
| | By: | /s/ ALEX ROSE |
| | | Alex Rose |
| | | Executive Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary |
Date: December 26, 2023
