On July 26, 2023, we received a deficiency letter from the Nasdaq Stock Market notifying the Company that, for the last 30 consecutive business days, the bid price for the Company’s common stock had closed below the minimum bid price for continued inclusion on the Nasdaq Global Market pursuant to Nasdaq Listing Rule 5450(a)(1) (the “minimum bid price rule”). In accordance with Nasdaq rules, the Company was provided an initial period of 180 calendar days, or until January 22, 2024, to regain compliance. Under the Nasdaq rules, companies may be eligible for an additional 180 calendar day compliance period but the Company is not presently eligible. If the Company does not regain compliance with the minimum bid price rule by January 22, 2024 and is not eligible for an additional compliance period, Nasdaq will provide written notification to the Company that its common stock may be delisted.
Our Board is seeking stockholder approval of the Amendment Proposal in order to have the authority to effectuate the reverse stock split as a means of increasing the share price of our common stock at or above $1.00 per share in order to avoid further action by Nasdaq, in the event we are not able to satisfy the minimum bid price requirement in adequate time before the deadline. We expect that the reverse stock split would increase the bid price per share of our common stock above the $1.00 per share minimum price, thereby satisfying this listing requirement. However, there can be no assurance that the reverse stock split would have that effect, initially or in the future, or that it would enable us to maintain the listing of our common stock on the Nasdaq Global Market. The proposed reverse stock split is not intended to be an anti-takeover device.
In addition, we believe that the low per-share market price of our common stock impairs its marketability to, and acceptance by, institutional investors and other members of the investing public and creates a negative impression of the Company. Theoretically, decreasing the number of shares of our common stock outstanding should not, by itself, affect the marketability of the shares, the type of investor who would be interested in acquiring them or our reputation in the financial community. In practice, however, many investors, brokerage firms and market makers consider low-priced stocks as unduly speculative in nature and, as a matter of policy, avoid investment and trading in such stocks. Moreover, the analysts at many brokerage firms do not monitor the trading activity or otherwise provide coverage of lower-priced stocks. The presence of these factors may be adversely affecting, and may continue to adversely affect, not only the price of our common stock but also its trading liquidity. In addition, these factors may affect our ability to raise additional capital through the sale of our common stock.
We also believe that a higher stock price could help us attract and retain employees and other service providers. We believe that some potential employees and service providers are less likely to work for a company with a low stock price, regardless of the size of the company’s market capitalization. If the reverse stock split successfully increases the per-share price of our common stock, we believe this increase would enhance our ability to attract and retain employees and service providers. Further, the reverse stock split will result in additional authorized and unissued shares becoming available for general corporate purposes as the Board may determine from time to time, including for use under its equity compensation plans.
We believe that the decrease in the number of shares of our outstanding common stock because of the reverse stock split, and the anticipated increase in the price per share, would possibly promote greater liquidity for our stockholders with respect to their shares. However, liquidity may be adversely affected by the reduced number of shares that would be outstanding if the reverse stock split is effected, particularly if the price per share of our common stock begins a declining trend after the reverse stock split is effectuated.
There can be no assurance that the reverse stock split would achieve any of the desired results. There also can be no assurance that the price per share of our common stock immediately after the reverse stock split would increase proportionately with the reverse stock split, or that any increase would be sustained for any period of time.
We believe the reverse stock split is the most likely way to assist the stock price in reaching the minimum bid level required by the Nasdaq Global Market, although effecting the reverse stock split cannot guarantee that we would be in compliance with the minimum bid price requirement for even the minimum ten-day trading period required by the Nasdaq Global Market. Furthermore, the reverse stock split cannot guarantee we would be in compliance with the market capitalization, net worth or stockholders’ equity criteria required to maintain our listing on the Nasdaq Global Market. If our stockholders do not approve the Amendment Proposal and our stock price does not otherwise increase to greater than $1.00 per share for an least ten consecutive trading days before January 22, 2024 (or before the end of an extended compliance period, if granted), we expect our common stock to be subject to a delisting action by Nasdaq.