Music Licensing, Inc. (OTC: SONG) shares skyrocket a whopping 100% gain at the time of writing, marking an incredible 1250% surge since their October low of $0.0004. Many appear to be wondering the cause behind the sudden rise and after today’s spike we decided to do more research. Let’s dig into the company and its recent updates to figure out how they’ve pulled off such an impressive climb and what might be coming next.

Background:

Starting with their name – Music Licensing, Inc., it is more commonly recognized as Pro Music Rights. If you’re diving into your own research, you’ll likely want to search by, “Pro Music Rights” to find the investor information you’re looking for, you won’t find much under the stock name alone.

In a nutshell, SONG is a performance rights organization (PRO) and was the 5th to be established in the United States. If that mean’s absolutely nothing to you, skip to the next title for a better understanding.

Nethertheless, they’ve got some big players under their license umbrella, including TikTok, iHeart Media, Triller, Napster, 7Digital, and Vevo. In total, SONG holds an estimated market share of 7.4% in the United States, representing a whopping 2,500,000 works.

Look out for familiar artists like A$AP Rocky, Wiz Khalifa, and Young Jeezy in their impressive lineup. For more details on other notable artists, their press releases have a comprehensive list for you to explore.

Again if the whole idea of a Performance Rights Organization (PRO) feels confusing, you’re not alone. We did some digging to break it down for you.

What’s a Performance Rights Organization:

To keep it simple, think of a Performance Rights Organization (PRO) as the backstage manager for musicians. It’s like the middle person making sure that when your favorite songs are played in public—on the radio, at concerts, or even on your go-to streaming app—the artists get their fair share of the spotlight. These organizations, such as ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC, keep tabs on where and how music is being enjoyed and make sure the right people get paid for their tunes. It’s a behind-the-scenes gig that ensures artists get a nod and a paycheck every time their music takes center stage.

Latest Press Release:

This morning on November 10th, 2023, the company announced it will be cancelling 59.9% of  their outstanding shares to enhancing Shareholder Value.

“Following the cancellation of an astounding 1,566,945,290 common stock shares, which reduced the total outstanding shares to 2,000,000,000, Mr. Noch is now embarking on yet another groundbreaking endeavor. He has pledged to cancel an additional 1,197,364,785 common stock shares, equating to a remarkable 59.9% of the current outstanding shares”.

Taking the cancellation of all these shares would also mean their market cap would be effected pretty drastically as well. If we do the math (at time of writing), 2B shares outstanding multiplied by the current stock price of $0.004 would mean ~8M market cap.

Okay Jake, so you’ve done the share reduction dance, claiming it’s a boost for shareholders. But really, what else does cutting down on shares mean for investors. Allow us to further break it down.

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Why Does it Matter?

Cutting down on the number of shares a company has floating around might seem like financial gymnastics, but it actually makes sense for a few reasons:

• More Bang for Your Buck (EPS): Picture this – you and your buddies own a pizza joint. If you slice up the pizza into more pieces, each one gets smaller. The same goes for shares. Less shares mean each piece of the company’s earnings pie goes to fewer shareholders, so everyone’s slice gets bigger. That’s what we call Earnings Per Share (EPS), and a bigger slice is usually good news.
• Share Price Perk: When a company trims down its shares, it can potentially give its stock price a boost because the float is now tighter. With a tighter float, it doesn’t take as much buying to move the stock price in either direction.
• Steady Ship: Fewer shares mean fewer folks holding the reins. It’s like steering a ship – with fewer hands on deck, it’s easier to keep things steady. Reducing the number of shares available for purchase also makes it harder and more costly for others to buy a big chunk of ownership, fortifying the company against hostile takeovers.
• Improved Financial Ratios: Reducing shares outstanding can even positively impact financial ratios, such as earnings per share, return on equity, and book value per share. These improvements of course make their financial profile more attractive to investors by and large.

Financial Highlights:

Despite having a market cap of around $15 million on YahooFinance, or $8 million if we consider the share consolidation, SONG has posted impressive numbers for its financials. They’ve managed to rake in a substantial $758 million in revenues, pushing a solid net income of $39 million. Their quarter ending in June, 2023 showed 93M in revenue, which was also net profitable too. Digging into their balance sheet, you’ll find $45 million in assets and a modest $61,000 in liabilities. Given those figures, this valuation’s definitely a head-scratcher and seems completely off.

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Behind SONG’s Low Valuation:

According to one user, @StockPicksNYC, on Twitter there’s a story behind why their valuation is so low given their fundamental financial backing.

Apparently the stock’s low valuation can be attributed to a previous incident where a storm-induced power outage at the CEO’s residence led the company to a downgrade on OTC markets, pushing SONG into ‘Expert Market‘ status with a ‘Shell Risk’ label.

Despite successfully addressing challenges to regain ‘Pink Current’ status and remove the ‘Shell Risk’ designation, SONG is still unable to update its information on the OTCM platform.

This is a well-documented problem with OTCM and there’s ongoing litigation with OTC Link, (an OTC Markets subsidiary), revolving around transparency and responsiveness issues during efforts to resolve downgrade-related issues.

This has now pushed SONG to take further measures to safeguard itself and its shareholders. They currently have a lawsuit filed against OTC Markets, where they’re pursuing $386.6 Million in Damages.

The good news is despite the lack of information on OTCM, SONG filed a Form 1-SA with the SEC to provide detailed information about their business.

OTC Expert Market:

If we look at the OTC Market tiers, there’s OTCQX, OTCQB, OTCPNK, OTC Expert Market, and OTC Grey. Back on September 28, 2021 the SEC put an amendment in place that stops brokers from quoting stocks without current information. That’s where OTC’s Expert Market steps in.

In a nut shell, any company that does not have current information publicly available trades on OTC Expert Market. Only broker-dealers, professionals or sophisticated investors are allowed to view quotations in Expert Market securities. It of course comes with massive risk given you’d be completely unaware of the company’s financial health.

Conclusion:

Among many factors, SONG’s impressive revenue and profits alone make the company appear considerably undervalued. Even without more developments, we can imagine a company of this caliber will inevitably draw increasing interest from investors. Considering the legal issues with OTC, a move to a bigger exchange like  the NYSE or NASDAQ seems likely. They’d atleast be a great candidate considering the fundamentals. Keep in mind, this dynamic story could change at a moments notice, so be sure to keep them on your radar.

We will update you on SONG when more details emerge, subscribe to Microcapdaily to follow along!

Disclosure: We have not been compensated for this article/video. MicroCap Daily is not an investment advisor; this article/video does not provide investment advice. Always do your research, make your own investment decisions, or consult with your nearest financial advisor. This article/video is not a solicitation or recommendation to buy, sell, or hold securities. This article/video is our opinion, is meant for informational and educational purposes only, and does not provide investment advice. Past performance is not indicative of future performance.

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On August 8th, 2023, Lucy Scientific Discovery Inc. (NASDAQ: LSDI), a leading developer in the psychedelic drug industry, witnessed an impressive surge in its stock value, gaining approximately 25% in combined trading, including after-hours (AH) trading. The British Columbia-based company made headlines by announcing its strategic move to acquire intellectual property (IP) from the renowned cannabis publication, High Times Holding Corp. (HHC).

Additional Background:

Under this agreement, Lucy will exchange 20% of its shares and a series of payments for access to HHC’s valuable IP portfolio, which includes the rights to generate licensing and royalty income from renowned brands like High Times, 420.com, and Cannabis Cup, along with their associated domain names.

The partnership between #HighTimes and #LucyScientificDiscovery just makes sense. It's a harmonious alignment that should lead to success. This could be the start of something special as they journey towards ambitious goals.$LSDI $TSLA $SPY pic.twitter.com/qgXYkKQVoe

— Luca Grayson (@GraysonLucasa) September 7, 2023

Lucy’s commitment involves making semi-annual payments to HHC over a five-year period, structured around earnings before income, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) generated through the acquired IP. The flexibility exists for Lucy to fulfill these payments either in cash or through stock issuance and the announcement is generating considerable interest.

Furthermore, post-acquisition, Lucy will grant High Times the opportunity to operate retail outlets and distribute THC products bearing these prestigious brands within the United States. This privilege comes in exchange for an annual license fee of $1 million, set to double to $2 million annually once federal legalization of cannabis occurs in the country.

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Leveraging the brand rights secured from HHC, Lucy aims to bolster its revenue streams by expanding and enhancing its existing 18 licensing agreements, both domestically and internationally. These arrangements encompass a wide array of consumer products and merchandise, promising to further establish Lucy’s presence in the global market. The acquisition is expected to be finalized within the coming two weeks, marking a significant strategic move for Lucy Scientific Discovery Inc.

As a result of the acquisition, High Times is now a publicly-traded entity. Lucy anticipates that this agreement will contribute over $10 million in revenue to its financial results in the upcoming year, along with $5 million in EBITDA.

By purchasing #HighTimes assets, Lucy Scientific Discovery has struck gold. It has acquired a wealth of intellectual property, trademarks, and royalty prospects that will bring #LSDI $LSDI #lucyscientificdiscovery millions of dollars. pic.twitter.com/CEkqQnuFHm

— Rowan Dune (@rowandune) September 7, 2023

Adam Levin, the Executive Chairman of HHC, expressed optimism about the deal, noting, “This transaction will create exciting new growth opportunities for the High Times brand, under the leadership of Richard Nanula, a seasoned executive with extensive experience in major consumer brands and global corporations.”

Levin also emphasized High Times’ enthusiasm in becoming a significant shareholder of Lucy Scientific Discovery. Notably, Lucy completed its initial public offering and Nasdaq listing in February, offering 1,875,000 shares at $4.00 each.

Richard Nanula, CEO of the British Columbia-based company, shared his outlook on the acquisition, stating, “Lucy expects this acquisition to rapidly generate high-margin revenue within the global cannabis sector.”

In recent developments, Lucy introduced the sleep aid product “Twilight,” which includes amanita muscaria and reishi mushrooms. Additionally, the company joined forces with Wesana Health Holdings Inc. (OTCQB: WSNAF) in March to collaborate on the development of the CBD and psilocybin-based drug SANA-013, targeting conditions such as migraines, cluster headaches, and major depressive disorder.

$LSDI's Health Canada license allows approved psilocybin sales, backed by the Canadian government's significant funding $LSDI is on fire. #LucyScientificDiscovery $LSDI

— William James (@jaym_willy) September 8, 2023

High Times, founded in 1974, has a rich history, featuring works by renowned writers like Truman Capote and Hunter S. Thompson. Since 1988, its Cannabis Cup has stood as the most prestigious cannabis competition globally, with notable judges including Snoop Dogg, Joe Rogan, Tommy Chong, and other prominent figures in the cannabis industry.

While Lucy’s shares showed a nearly 16% increase to reach $0.68 on the Nasdaq exchange on Friday, it is worth noting that they have experienced a decline of over 77% over the past year.

Macro Trend:

In recent times, our articles have prominently featured cannabis-related topics, reflecting the growing popularity of stocks in this sector. LSDI’s acquisition aligns perfectly with the current climate, as the cannabis industry experiences a significant surge, coinciding with the Health and Human Services (HHS) exploring the possibility of reclassifying cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act.

Don't overreact to temporary $LSDI EPS decline. Psychedelics mega-trend makes risk/reward compelling.#Shrooms#LucyScientificDiscovery

— gianna snell (@skatette) September 8, 2023

While many countries around the world have already moved towards decriminalization and legalization, the United States has been relatively cautious in its approach. However, the consideration of such a reclassification represents a potential historic turning point. If such a change were to materialize, it would mark a substantial shift in the regulatory landscape, potentially revitalizing cannabis as an attractive investment opportunity. The industry is already showing signs of reestablishing its market presence and could once again become a noteworthy investment option.

I know this Mindful line is set to disrupt the market. Expecting a surge in stock price in the months ahead. #Lucyscientificdiscovery $LSDI pic.twitter.com/2ccR1CttA3

— Tom (@Tomi_l33) September 7, 2023

We will update you on LSDI when more details emerge, subscribe to Microcapdaily to follow along!

Disclosure: We have not been compensated for this article/video. MicroCap Daily is not an investment advisor; this article/video does not provide investment advice. Always do your research, make your own investment decisions, or consult with your nearest financial advisor. This article/video is not a solicitation or recommendation to buy, sell, or hold securities. This article/video is our opinion, is meant for informational and educational purposes only, and does not provide investment advice. Past performance is not indicative of future performance.

Picture by herbalhemp from Pixabay

WM Technology’s (NASDAQ: MAPS) stock has exhibited remarkable growth, surging by an impressive 91% since August 16th, 2023. Intriguingly, this surge occurred in the absence of any substantial news or filings from the company, with their most recent release dating back to August 23rd, 2023. This limited information raises the question: What is driving this impressive rally? We will delve into the details below to shed light on the matter.

Cannabis Industry:

If you’ve been following our newsletter, you may have noticed our recent article spotlighting Flora Growth Corp. (NASDAQ: FLGC), along with larger players like Cronos Group Inc. (NASDAQ: CRON), and Canopy Growth Corporation (NASDAQ: CGC).

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In case you haven’t had a chance to read it, you can find the article here, featuring a dedicated section on the broader trends shaping the cannabis industry.

For those seeking a quick summary, a significant development has emerged in the cannabis landscape. A high-ranking official at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has proposed moving cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act. This shift marks a historic moment and comes after a comprehensive yearlong investigation requested by President Biden.

The Whole Weed space is up $TLRY $CGC $MJ $YOLO $CURLF $CRLBF $MJ $MAPS pic.twitter.com/hBS04Ko52p

— ACE (@ACE52weekhigh) August 30, 2023

It’s worth noting the potential implications of this change for U.S.-based, plant-touching marijuana companies. Currently, these companies are restricted from trading on major exchanges like the NYSE or NASDAQ and are relegated to smaller markets such as the OTC, or smaller Canadian markets like the TSX, CSE, or NEO.

The CEO of Trulieve Cannabis Corp. (OTC: TCNNF), Kim Rivers delves into these implications in a podcast conversation with a Twitter user known as @stock_mj. She also recommends keeping a close eye on the AdvisorShares Pure US Cannabis ETF (MSOS) as the cannabis sector garners increasing attention from investors.

According to Kim Rivers on Spaces, the NASDAQ is currently going through regulatory policy to check if a Schedule 3 move would allow for uplisting.

She said to stay tuned. $MSOS

— Do the Right Thing (@abarnes2201) September 1, 2023

Weedmap’s Earnings:

To evaluate the potential of MAPS, it’s essential to examine their recent earnings and assess the fundamentals. Here’s a brief overview of the news release.

Revenue: Amounted to $50.9 million, representing a decline compared to the same period in the prior year when it reached $58.3 million.

Net Income: Recorded at $2.0 million for the second quarter of 2023, marking a significant decrease from the previous year’s figure of $19.8 million.

Adjusted EBITDA: Showed substantial improvement, totaling $10.2 million in the second quarter of 2023, as opposed to a negative figure of $(0.6) million in the same period of the prior year.

Cash: As of June 30, 2023, the company held $24.6 million in cash, noteworthy for being entirely debt-free.

WM Technology’s Executive Chair, Doug Francis, underscored the company’s dedication to reinforcing its financial position and delivering sustained growth.

Guidance for the third quarter of 2023:

Revenue: An estimated $47 million.

Non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA: Approximately $4 million.

It’s important to note that these projections are subject to potential variations based on various factors and developments.

Furthermore, WM Technology announced the transition to Moss Adams LLP as its new independent registered public accounting firm, effective upon the filing of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2023, following the resignation of Baker Tilly US, LLP due to staffing constraints.

Although the company maintains a debt-free status, it’s crucial to recognize that there has been a substantial decline in both revenue and net income. Consequently, it is advisable to exercise caution when considering investment, as the current trajectory of their top-line figures does not exhibit a positive trend.

https://twitter.com/5teelersfan/status/1699102436672299134?s=20

Weedmap’s Strategic Partnership:

Furthermore, the company made another recent announcement regarding its strategic partnership with the producer of “The Freak Brothers,” a celebrated stoner comic series that has captivated audiences for over five decades.

The series follows the adventures of three stoner characters and their cat, who awaken from a 50-year slumber induced by a magical strain of weed in 1969, now navigating life in contemporary San Francisco.

Key highlights of this partnership include in-episode Weedmaps integrations in the upcoming second half of “Freak Brothers” season two, commencing on September 24th. Additionally, exclusive “Smoke & Screen” events will be held across the U.S., bringing together influential figures from both the cannabis and entertainment industries.

“The Freak Brothers” series, based on Gilbert Shelton’s cult classic comic, celebrates its 55th anniversary with a star-studded voice cast for Season 2, featuring Woody Harrelson, John Goodman, Pete Davidson, Tiffany Haddish, Adam Devine, Blake Anderson, Andrea Savage, La La Anthony, ScHoolboy Q, and a special guest appearance by Joe Sikora.

To watch Season 2 of “The Freak Brothers,” visit Tubitv.com, and for cannabis-related information, explore Weedmaps.com. For more on “The Freak Brothers,” visit the official website at www.thefreakbrothers.com.

We will update you on MAPS when more details emerge, subscribe to Microcapdaily to follow along!

Disclosure: We have not been compensated for this article/video. MicroCap Daily is not an investment advisor; this article/video does not provide investment advice. Always do your research, make your own investment decisions, or consult with your nearest financial advisor. This article/video is not a solicitation or recommendation to buy, sell, or hold securities. This article/video is our opinion, is meant for informational and educational purposes only, and does not provide investment advice. Past performance is not indicative of future performance.

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