Broadwind, Inc.: Form 10-Q for the period ended Mar 31, 2023

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto in Item 1, “Financial Statements,” of this Quarterly Report and the audited consolidated financial statements and related notes and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022. The discussion below contains forward-looking statements that are based upon our current expectations and are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances including, but not limited to, those identified in “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” at the end of Item 2. Actual results may differ materially from these expectations due to inaccurate assumptions and known or unknown risks and uncertainties. As used in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the terms “we,” “us,” “our,” and the “Company” refer to Broadwind, Inc., a Delaware corporation headquartered in Cicero, Illinois, and its subsidiaries, as appropriate.

(Dollars are presented in thousands except share, per share and per employee data or unless otherwise stated)

KEY METRICS USED BY MANAGEMENT TO MEASURE PERFORMANCE

In addition to measures of financial performance presented in our consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP, we use certain other financial measures to analyze our performance. These non-GAAP financial measures primarily consist of adjusted EBITDA (as defined below) and free cash flow which help us evaluate growth trends, establish budgets, assess operational efficiencies, oversee our overall liquidity, and evaluate our overall financial performance.

Key Financial Measures

(1) We provide non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation, amortization, share based compensation and other stock payments, restructuring costs, impairment charges, proxy contest-related expenses, and other non-cash gains and losses) as supplemental information regarding our business performance. Our management uses adjusted EBITDA when it internally evaluates the performance of our business, reviews financial trends and makes operating and strategic decisions. We believe that this non-GAAP financial measure is useful to investors because it provides a better understanding of our past financial performance and future results, and it allows investors to evaluate our performance using the same methodology and information as used by our management. Our definition of adjusted EBITDA may be different from similar non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies and/or analysts.

(2) We define free cash flow as adjusted EBITDA plus or minus changes in operating working capital less capital expenditures net of any proceeds from disposals of property and equipment. We believe free cash flow is a useful measure for investors because it portrays our ability to generate cash from our business for purposes such as repaying maturing debt and funding future investments.

(3) We define operating working capital as accounts receivable and inventory net of accounts payable and customer deposits.

(4) Our backlog at March 31, 2023 and 2022 is net of revenue recognized over time.

(5) We define the book-to-bill as the ratio of new orders we received, net of cancellations, to revenue during a period.

The following table reconciles our non-GAAP key financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measure:

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OUR BUSINESS

First Quarter Overview

We booked $39,602 in new orders in the first quarter of 2023, down from $52,693 in the first quarter of 2022. Within our Heavy Fabrications segment, wind tower orders decreased 63% compared to the prior year quarter primarily due to the timing of tower orders as a major wind tower customer secured relatively longer-term capacity during the fourth quarter of 2022 instead of ordering in more regular intervals as was the case in the prior year. Partially offsetting this decrease was a 113% increase in industrial fabrication orders primarily due to improved demand from industrial customers and demand for our Pressure Reducing Systems (“PRS”) units. Gearing segment orders decreased 12% from the prior year period primarily due to reduced demand from O&G customers. Orders within our Industrial Solutions segment increased by 56% as compared to the prior year quarter, primarily due to improved demand for new gas turbine content.

We recognized revenue of $48,873 in the first quarter of 2023, up 17% compared to the first quarter of 2022. Within the Heavy Fabrications segment wind tower revenue increased 12% primarily as a result of less customer supplied materials in the current year quarter and increased steel content, which is generally a pass-through to customers. Industrial fabrication revenue within the Heavy Fabrications segment increased 31% primarily due to increased demand from mining customers and our PRS units in the current year quarter. Gearing segment revenue increased 13% relative to the comparable prior year period primarily due to higher order intake in recent quarters from industrial customers, partially offset by a decrease in other markets served. Industrial Solutions segment revenue increased by 33% from the prior year period primarily due to the timing of revenue recognized from international customers.

We recorded net income of $769 or $0.04 per share in the first quarter of 2023, compared to a net loss $2,404 or $0.12 per share in the first quarter of 2022.This increase in net income was primarily due to higher sales and the $3,162 recognized from the AMP credits (discussed below). This was partially offset by higher medical costs and proxy contest-related expenses.

During the first quarter of 2023, we were able to recognize advanced manufacturing tax credits (“AMP credits”) of $3,162 within the Heavy Fabrications segment. The AMP credits were a part of the Inflation Reduction Act (“IRA”) which was enacted on August 16, 2022. The IRA includes advanced manufacturing tax credits for manufacturers of eligible components, including wind and solar components. Manufacturers qualify for the AMP credits based on the total rated capacity, expressed on a per watt basis, of the completed wind turbine for which such component is designed. The credit is applicable for each component produced and sold in the U.S. starting in 2023 through 2032. Wind towers within our Heavy Fabrications segment were eligible for credits of $0.03 per watt for each wind tower produced.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Three months ended March 31, 2023, Compared to Three months ended March 31, 2022

The condensed consolidated statement of operations table below should be read in connection with a review of the following discussion of our results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2023, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2022.

Consolidated

Revenues increased by $7,029 versus the prior year quarter primarily due to an increase in wind tower revenue by 12% as a result of less customer supplied materials in the current year quarter and increased steel content, which is generally a pass-through to customers. Industrial fabrication revenue within the Heavy Fabrications segment increased 31% primarily due to increased demand from mining customers and for our PRS units in the current year quarter. Gearing segment revenue increased 13% relative to the comparable prior year period primarily due to higher order intake in recent quarters from industrial customers, partially offset by a decrease in other markets served. Industrial Solutions segment revenue increased by 33% from the prior year period primarily due to the timing of revenue recognized from international customers.

Gross profit increased by $4,964 when compared to the prior year quarter, primarily due to the higher sales volumes within all segments and the $3,162 recognized from the AMP credits.

Due primarily to higher medical costs and proxy-contest related expenses, operating expenses as a percentage of sales increased to 11.7% in the current-year quarter from 9.8% in the prior year quarter.

Net income was $769 during the three months ended March 31, 2023, compared to a net loss of $2,404 during the three months ended March 31, 2022. This increase in net income was primarily due to the factors described above.

Heavy Fabrications Segment

Within our Heavy Fabrications segment, wind tower orders decreased 63% compared to the prior year quarter primarily due to the timing of tower orders as a major wind tower customer secured relatively longer-term capacity during the fourth quarter of 2022 instead of ordering in more regular intervals as was the case in the prior year. Partially offsetting this decrease in orders was a 113% increase in industrial fabrication orders primarily due to improved demand from industrial customers and demand for our PRS units.

Segment revenues increased by 16% during the three months ended March 31, 2023 primarily due to a 12% increase in wind tower revenue as a result of less customer supplied materials in the current year quarter and increased steel content, which is generally a pass-through to customers. Industrial fabrication revenue within the Heavy Fabrications segment increased 31% primarily due to increased demand from mining customers and for our PRS units in the current year quarter.

Heavy Fabrications segment operating results improved by $3,251 as compared to the prior year quarter. The improvement in operating performance was primarily a result of reduced tower costs as a result of the AMP credits recognized of $3,162 and higher industrial fabrication revenues recognized in the current year quarter. Operating profit margin was 8.8% during the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to (1.7%) during the three months ended March 31, 2022.

Gearing Segment

Gearing segment orders decreased 12% from the prior year period primarily due to reduced demand from O&G customers. Gearing revenue was up 13% relative to the comparable prior year period primarily due to higher order intake in recent quarters from industrial customers, partially offset by a decrease in mining and aftermarket wind revenue.

Gearing segment operating income improved by $693 from the prior year period. This improvement was primarily attributable to higher sales, the absence of ramp-up costs incurred in the prior year, and a more profitable mix of product sold. Operating margin was 4.9% during the three months ended March 31, 2023, an improvement from (1.1)% during the three months ended March 31, 2022, driven primarily by the items identified above.

Industrial Solutions Segment

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Industrial Solutions segment orders increased by 56% from the prior year period primarily due to improved demand for new gas turbine content. Segment revenue increased by 33% from the prior year period primarily due to revenue recognized from international customers. Operating income increased versus the prior-year quarter primarily as a result of higher sales and a more profitable mix of product sold.

Corporate and Other

Corporate and Other expenses during the three months ended March 31, 2023 increased from the prior year period primarily due to higher medical costs and increased professional fees associated with the contested proxy election.

LIQUIDITY, FINANCIAL POSITION AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

On August 4, 2022, we entered into a credit agreement (the “2022 Credit Agreement”) with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as lender (“Wells Fargo”), providing the Company and its subsidiaries with a $35,000 senior secured revolving credit facility (which may be further increased by up to an additional $10,000 upon the request of the Company and at the sole discretion of Wells Fargo) and a $7,578 senior secured term loan (collectively, the “2022 Credit Facility”). The proceeds of the 2022 Credit Facility are available for general corporate purposes, including strategic growth opportunities. As of March 31, 2023, cash totaled $1,729, a decrease of $11,003 from December 31, 2022. Debt and finance lease obligations at March 31, 2023 totaled $30,591. As of March 31, 2023, we had the ability to borrow up to an additional $10,567 under the 2022 Credit Facility.

In addition to the 2022 Credit Facility, we also utilize supply chain financing arrangements as a component of our funding for working capital, which accelerates receivable collections and helps to better manage cash flow. Under these agreements, we have agreed to sell certain of our accounts receivable balances to banking institutions who have agreed to advance amounts equal to the net accounts receivable balances due, less a discount as set forth in the respective agreements. The balances under these agreements are accounted for as sales of accounts receivable, as they are sold without recourse. Cash proceeds from these agreements are reflected as operating activities included in the change in accounts receivable in the consolidated statements of cash flows. Fees incurred in connection with the agreements are recorded as interest expense.

On August 18, 2020, we filed a “shelf” registration statement on Form S-3, which was declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on October 13, 2020 (the “Form S-3”) and expires on October 12, 2023. This shelf registration statement, which includes a base prospectus, allows us at any time to offer any combination of securities described in the prospectus in one or more offerings. Unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement accompanying the base prospectus, we would use the net proceeds from the sale of any securities offered pursuant to the shelf registration statement for general corporate purposes.

On September 12, 2022, we entered into a Sales Agreement (the “Sales Agreement”) with Roth Capital Partners, LLC and HC Wainwright & Co., LLC (collectively, the “Agents”). Pursuant to the terms of the Sales Agreement, we may sell from time to time through the Agents shares of our common stock with an aggregate sales price of up to $12,000. Any shares offered and sold under the Sales Agreement are to be issued pursuant to the Form S-3 and the 424(b) prospectus supplement relating to the offering dated September 12, 2022. We will pay a commission to the Agents of 2.75% of the gross proceeds of the sale of the shares sold under the Sales Agreement and reimburse the Agents for the expenses incident to the performance of their obligations under the Sales Agreement. During the year ended December 31, 2022, we issued 100,379 shares of our common stock under the Sales Agreement and the net proceeds (before upfront costs) to us from the sale of our common stock were approximately $323 after deducting commissions paid of approximately $9. No shares of the Company’s common stock were issued under the Sales Agreement during the three months ended March 31, 2023. As of March 31, 2023, shares of our common stock having a value of approximately $11,667 remained available for issuance under the Sales Agreement.

We anticipate that current cash resources, amounts available under the 2022 Credit Facility, cash to be generated from operations and equipment financing, proceeds from the sale of securities under the Sales Agreement and any potential proceeds from the sale of further securities under the Form S-3 will be adequate to meet our liquidity needs for at least the next twelve months.

If assumptions regarding our production, sales and subsequent collections from certain of our large customers, as well as receipt of customer deposits and revenues generated from new customer orders, are materially inconsistent with management’s expectations, we may encounter cash flow and liquidity issues.

If our operational performance deteriorates, we may be unable to comply with existing financial covenants, and could lose access to the 2022 Credit Facility. This could limit our operational flexibility, require a delay in making planned investments and/or require us to seek additional equity or debt financing. Any attempt to raise equity through the public markets could have a negative effect on our stock price, making an equity raise more difficult or more dilutive. Any additional equity financing or equity linked financing, if available, will be dilutive to stockholders, and additional debt financing, if available, would likely require new financial covenants or impose other operating and financial restrictions on us. While we believe that we will continue to have sufficient cash available to operate our businesses and to meet our financial obligations and debt covenants, there can be no assurances that our operations will generate sufficient cash or that existing or new credit facilities or equity or equity linked financings will be available in an amount sufficient to enable us to meet these financial obligations.

Sources and Uses of Cash

The following table summarizes our cash flows from operating, investing, and financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022:

Operating Cash Flows

During the three months ended March 31, 2023, net cash used in operating activities totaled $25,984 compared to net cash used in operating activities of $6,005 during the prior year period. The increase in net cash used during the current year period was primarily due to an increase in accounts receivable and inventory, combined with a decrease in customer deposits, as expected and consistent with the updated terms with a major customer. Increases in accounts receivable and inventory were also driven by increased production levels when compared to the prior year period.

Investing Cash Flows

During the three months ended March 31, 2023, net cash used in investing activities totaled $1,065, compared to net cash used in investing activities of $492 during the prior year period. The increase in net cash used in investing activities as compared to the prior-year period was primarily due to an increase in purchases of property and equipment.

Financing Cash Flows

During the three months ended March 31, 2023, net cash provided by financing activities totaled $16,046, compared to net cash provided by financing activities of $6,418 during the prior year period. The increase was primarily due to increased net borrowings under the 2022 Credit Facility in the current year period.

In addition, we have outstanding notes payable for capital expenditures in the amount of $1,060 and $1,094 as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively, with $62 and $88 included in the “Line of Credit and current portion of long-term debt” line item of our condensed consolidated financial statements as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. The notes payable have monthly payments that range from $3 to $16 and an interest rate of approximately 5%. The equipment purchased is utilized as collateral for the notes payable. The outstanding notes payable mature in September 2028.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

There have been no material changes in our critical accounting estimates during the three months ended March 31, 2023 as compared to the critical accounting estimates described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022.

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

The preceding discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes included in Item 1 of Part I of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and the audited consolidated financial statements and related notes and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022. Portions of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including the discussion and analysis in this Part I, Item 2, contain “forward looking statements”, as defined in Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (the “Exchange Act”), that reflect our current expectations regarding our future growth, results of operations, financial condition, cash flows, performance, business prospects and opportunities, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, our management. We have tried to identify forward looking statements by using words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “will,” “should,” “may,” “plan” and similar expressions, but these words are not the exclusive means of identifying forward looking statements. Forward looking statements include any statement that does not directly relate to a current or historical fact. Our forward-looking statements may include or relate to our beliefs, expectations, plans and/or assumptions with respect to the following: (i) the impact of global health concerns on the economies and financial markets and the demand for our products; (ii) state, local and federal regulatory frameworks affecting the industries in which we compete, including the wind energy industry, and the related extension, continuation or renewal of federal tax incentives and grants, including the advanced manufacturing tax credits (which remain subject to further technical guidance and regulations), and state renewable portfolio standards as well as new or continuing tariffs on steel or other products imported into the United States; (iii) our customer relationships and our substantial dependency on a few significant customers and our efforts to diversify our customer base and sector focus and leverage relationships across business units; (iv) the economic and operational stability of our significant customers and suppliers, including their respective supply chains, and the ability to source alternative suppliers as necessary; (v) our ability to continue to grow our business organically and through acquisitions; (vi) the production, sales, collections, customer deposits and revenues generated by new customer orders and our ability to realize the resulting cash flows; (vii) information technology failures, network disruptions, cybersecurity attacks or breaches in data security; (viii) the sufficiency of our liquidity and alternate sources of funding, if necessary; (ix) our ability to realize revenue from customer orders and backlog; (x) our ability to operate our business efficiently, comply with our debt obligations, manage capital expenditures and costs effectively, and generate cash flow; (xi) the economy and the potential impact it may have on our business, including our customers; (xii) the state of the wind energy market and other energy and industrial markets generally and the impact of competition and economic volatility in those markets; (xiii) the effects of market disruptions and regular market volatility, including fluctuations in the price of oil, gas and other commodities; (xiv) competition from new or existing industry participants including, in particular, increased competition from foreign tower manufacturers; (xv) the effects of the change of administrations in the U.S. federal government; (xvi) our ability to successfully integrate and operate acquired companies and to identify, negotiate and execute future acquisitions; (xvii) the potential loss of tax benefits if we experience an “ownership change” under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended; (xviii) the limited trading market for our securities and the volatility of market price for our securities; and (xix) the impact of future sales of our common stock or securities convertible into our common stock on our stock price. These statements are based on information currently available to us and are subject to various risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause our actual growth, results of operations, financial condition, cash flows, performance, business prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these statements including, but not limited to, those set forth under the caption “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, as supplemented by the risk factors set forth under the caption “Risk Factors” in Part II, Item IA of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. We are under no duty to update any of these statements. You should not consider any list of such factors to be an exhaustive statement of all of the risks, uncertainties or other factors that could cause our current beliefs, expectations, plans and/or assumptions to change. Accordingly, forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as a predictor of actual results.

We are a smaller reporting company as defined by Item 10(f)(1) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act and as such are not required to provide information under this Item pursuant to Item 305I of Regulation S-K.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We seek to maintain disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15I and 15d-15I under the Exchange Act) that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. This information is also accumulated and communicated to management, including our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Our management, under the supervision and with the participation of our CEO and CFO, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the most recent fiscal quarter reported on herein. Based on that evaluation, our CEO and CFO concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2023.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the three months ended March 31, 2023 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

The Risk Factors identified in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 continue to represent the most significant risks to the Company’s future results of operations and financial conditions, except as set forth below.

The U.S. wind energy industry is significantly impacted by tax and other economic incentives. A significant change in these incentives could significantly impact our business, results of operations, financial performance and future development efforts and growth.

We sell towers to wind turbine manufacturers who supply wind energy generation facilities. The U.S. wind energy industry is significantly impacted by federal tax incentives and state Renewable Portfolio Standards (“RPSs”). Despite recent reductions in the cost of wind energy, due to variability in wind quality and consistency, and other regional differences, wind energy may not be economically viable in certain parts of the country absent such incentives. These programs have provided material incentives to develop wind energy generation facilities and thereby impact the demand for our products. The increased demand for our products that generally results from the credits and incentives could be impacted by the expiration or curtailment of these programs.

One such federal government program, the production tax credit (“PTC”), provides a supplemental payment based on electricity produced from each qualifying wind turbine. Legislative support for the PTC has been intermittent since its introduction in 1992, which has caused volatility in the demand for new wind energy projects. In 2015, the PTC was extended for a five-year period, with a time-based phase-out depending on the year the wind project is commenced. The phase-out schedule legislated in 2015 provided for: 100% extension of the credit for projects commenced before the end of 2016, 80% extension of the credit for projects commenced in 2017, 60% extension of the credit for projects commenced in 2018 and 40% extension of the credit for projects commenced in 2019. As part of a year-end tax extenders bill in 2019, the PTC was extended for an additional year, allowing for a 60% extension of the credit for projects commenced before the end of 2020.

On December 27, 2020, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 (“COVID IV”) was signed into law. As part of COVID IV, the PTC was extended for an additional year, allowing for a 60% credit for projects that start construction by the end of 2021. In order to benefit from the PTC, qualifying projects must either be completed within four years from their start of construction, or the developer must demonstrate that its projects are in continuous construction between start of construction and completion. As a result of COVID IV, the PTC will subsidize wind projects commenced as late as 2021 and completed by 2025, or later if continuous construction can be demonstrated. The PTC tax benefits are available for the first ten years of operation of a wind energy facility, and also applies to significant redevelopment of existing wind energy facilities. Included in COVID IV is the addition of a new 30% ITC created for offshore wind projects that start construction by the end of 2025. The provision will be retroactively applied to projects that started production in 2016.

On August 16, 2022, the IRA was enacted to reduce inflation and promote clean energy in the United States. The IRA modifies and extends the PTC until the later of 2032 or when greenhouse gas emissions have been reduced by 75% compared to 2022. It provides for tax credits up to a maximum of 30%, adjusted for inflation annually, for electricity generated from qualified renewable energy sources where taxpayers meet prevailing wage standards and employ a sufficient proportion of qualified apprentices from registered apprenticeship programs. It also provides a bonus credit for qualifying clean energy production in energy communities.

The IRA also includes advanced manufacturing tax credits for manufacturers of eligible components, including wind and solar components (“AMP credits”). Manufacturers qualify for the AMP credits based on the electricity output for each component produced and sold in the U.S. starting in 2023 through 2032. The credit amount varies based on the eligible component, which includes solar components, wind energy components, inverters, qualifying battery components, and critical minerals. Tower manufacturers are eligible for credits of $0.03 per watt for applicable components produced. Manufacturers can apply to the Internal Revenue Service for cash refunds of the AMP credits for up to five years. After the first five years, the AMP credits are transferable and can be sold to third parties for cash. There are currently several critical and complex aspects of the IRA pending technical guidance and regulations from the Internal Revenue Service and the U.S. Treasury Department. Any modifications to the law or its effects arising, for example, through technical guidance and regulations from the Internal Revenue Service and the U.S. Treasury Department could result in changes to the expected and/or actual benefits in the future, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial performance and future development efforts.

RPSs generally require or encourage state regulated electric utilities to supply a certain proportion of electricity from renewable energy sources or to devote a certain portion of their plant capacity to renewable energy generation. Typically, utilities comply with such standards by qualifying for renewable energy credits evidencing the share of electricity that was produced from renewable sources. Under many state standards, these renewable energy credits can be unbundled from their associated energy and traded in a market system, allowing generators with insufficient credits to meet their applicable state mandate. These standards have spurred significant growth in the wind energy industry and a corresponding increase in the demand for our products. Currently, the majority of states have RPSs in place and certain states have voluntary utility commitments to supply a specific percentage of their electricity from renewable sources. The enactment of RPSs in additional states or any changes to existing RPSs (including changes due to the failure to extend or renew the federal incentives described above), or the enactment of a federal RPS or imposition of other greenhouse gas regulations, may impact the demand for our products. We cannot assure that government support for renewable energy will continue. The elimination of, or reduction in, state or federal government policies that support renewable energy could have a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations, financial performance and future development efforts.

Recent increases in inflation and interest rates in the United States and elsewhere, inadequate access to capital and global economic instability could adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.

We are exposed to fluctuations in inflation and interest rates, which could negatively affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. The United States and other jurisdictions have recently experienced high levels of inflation. If the inflation rate continues to increase, it will likely affect our expenses, including, but not limited to, employee compensation and labor expenses and increased costs for supplies, and we may not be successful in offsetting such cost increases. In addition, historically we have carried a significant amount of variable rate debt which is subject to fluctuations in interest rates. Recent increases in interest rates will result in increased interest expense to the extent we cannot limit our debt balances. Further, recent and potential future disruptions in access to bank deposits or lending commitments due to bank failure, could materially and adversely affect our liquidity, our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The recent closures of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank and their placement into receivership with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) created bank-specific and broader financial institution liquidity risk and concerns. Although the Department of the Treasury, the Federal Reserve, and the FDIC jointly released a statement that depositors at Silicon Valley Band and Signature Bank would have access to their funds, even those in excess of the standard FDIC insurance limits, future adverse developments with respect to specific financial institutions or the broader financial services industry may lead to market-wide liquidity shortages. The failure of any bank with which we do business or with which our customers do business could reduce the amount of cash we have available for our operations or delay our ability to access such funds. Any such failure may increase the possibility of a sustained deterioration of financial market liquidity, or illiquidity at clearing, cash management and/or custodial financial institutions. In the event we have a commercial relationship with a bank that has failed or is otherwise distressed, we may experience delays or other issues in meeting our financial obligations. If other banks and financial institutions enter receivership or become insolvent in the future in response to financial conditions affecting the banking system and financial markets, our ability and our customers’ ability to access our cash and cash equivalents and investments may be threatened and could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition or results of operations.