Delistings Watch: Journal Register, Sun-Times, Charter
This story was written by Joseph Weisenthal.
A trio of media firms stand to lose their NYSE-traded status due to non-compliance with exchange regulations. Bear in mind that there's a big gap between being in violation and actually getting kicked off the exchange, as companies have all kinds of ways of delaying and drawing out the process.
Journal Register: Newspaper publisher Journal Register (NYSE: JRC) has been given a delisting notice from the NYSE, as its shares have traded below $1.00 for 30 consecutive days. It recently closed at $.52, down from a one-year high of $6.48. The company has 10 days to announce a plan to increase its share price (a reverse split is a possibility) and then another six months to actually implement that plan. Statement
-- Meanwhile NYT reports that the company has hired investment bank Lazard to explore some sort of restructuring. It's not exactly clear what the company has in mind, but a bankruptcy filing is a possibility, given the company's struggling operations and high debt load.
Sun-Times: Sitting in the same boat, Chicago-based Sun-Times Media Group has been given a non-compliance warning from the NYSE, because its market cap and stockholders equity have been below $75 million for thirty trading days. The company, which made the announcement Friday after the bell, has 45 days to submit a turnaround plan that it can execute within 18 months. The company said back in February that it was exploring strategic alternatives.
Charter (NSDQ: CHTR) Communications: The struggling cable operator hasn't received a warning yet, but its stock last touched the key $1.00 level on March 3, over a month ago. According to MultiChannel News, Charter has struggled with its listing status in the past. In 2003, it traded sub $1.00 for 21 days, and in 2005, it was short one board director. The company will hit the 30 day trading benchmark on April 15.
By Joseph Weisenthal