EDGAR 10-K Filing

Company CIK: 1464790
Filing Year: 2025
Filename: 1464790_10-K_2025_0001464790-25-000011.json

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ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Item 1. BUSINESS
Overview
B. Riley Financial, Inc. (NASDAQ: RILY) (the “Company”) is a diversified financial services platform that delivers tailored solutions to meet the strategic, operational, and capital needs of its clients and partners. We operate through several consolidated subsidiaries (collectively, “B. Riley”) that provide investment banking, brokerage, wealth management, asset management, direct lending, and business advisory services to a broad client base spanning public and private companies, financial sponsors, investors, financial institutions, legal and professional services firms, and individuals.
The Company also opportunistically invests in and acquires companies or assets with attractive risk-adjusted return, with a focus on making operational improvements within these companies in an effort to maximize free cash flow. However, during 2024 and continuing into 2025, our focus has been on reducing indebtedness, including through the net proceeds from a number of strategic asset dispositions or other monetizations as described in additional detail below under “-Disposition and Monetization Transactions”. The Company has reduced its total outstanding indebtedness from $2.4 billion at December 31, 2023 to $1.8 billion at December 31, 2024. The Company anticipates that reduction of indebtedness, including potentially through additional asset disposition or monetization transactions, will remain a key priority for the foreseeable future.
We refer to B. Riley as a “platform” because of the unique composition of our business and diversification of its operations. Our platform is comprised of more than 2,500 affiliated professionals, including employees and independent contractors. We are headquartered in Los Angeles, California and maintain offices throughout the U.S., including in New York, Chicago, Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Metro Detroit, Houston, Memphis, Miami, San Francisco, Boca Raton, and West Palm Beach, as well as additional offices located in Canada, Europe, Asia, and Australia.
B. Riley was founded in 1997 by our Co-Chief Executive Officers Bryant Riley and Tom Kelleher, incorporated in Delaware in 2009, and became publicly listed through its strategic combination with Great American Group, Inc. in 2014.
Disposition and Monetization Transactions
During 2024 and through the date of this report, we have completed the following disposition and monetization transactions:
•Brands Transaction: In October 2024, the Company entered into a transfer and contribution agreement pursuant to which, among other things, B. Riley Brand Management transferred and contributed to a subsidiary and securitization financing vehicle the limited liability company interests held by B. Riley Brand Management in the entities that held certain assets related to six consumer brands and equity method investments for Hurley, Justice and Scotch & Soda. In connection with this transaction, that subsidiary and securitization financing vehicle issued
notes and preferred stock secured by those limited liability company interests to a third party purchaser, the proceeds of which were used to fund an upfront payment to the Company of approximately $189.3 million.
•In addition, in October 2024, bebe stores, inc., a majority owned subsidiary of the Company (“bebe”), sold its limited liability company interests in entities that held certain brand assets to a third party purchaser for approximately $46.6 million in net cash proceeds. Upon closing of the bebe Brands sale, proceeds of $22.2 million was used to pay off the outstanding balance of the bebe Credit Agreement in full and $224 of loan-related pay off expenses. The remaining amount of the proceeds were paid as a dividend to the Company.
•Great American Group: In November 2024, the Company completed a transaction in which (1) it and certain of its subsidiaries contributed all of the interests in the Company’s Appraisal and Valuation Services, Retail, Wholesale & Industrial Solutions and Real Estate businesses to Great American NewCo. and (2) third party investors received all of the outstanding class A preferred limited liability units of Great American NewCo and 52.6% of the class A common limited liability units of Great American NewCo for a purchase price of approximately $203.0 million. After amounts paid to minority stockholders and certain transaction expenses, approximately $167.1 million was distributed to the Company.
•Atlantic Coast Recycling Transaction: In March 2025, the Company sold all of the issued and outstanding membership interests in subsidiaries engaged in a recycling business to a third party purchaser for a purchase price of approximately $102.5 million, subject to certain adjustments resulting in cash proceeds of $68.6 million to the Company after adjustments for amounts allocated to non-controlling interests, repayment of contingent consideration, transaction costs and other items directly attributable to the closing of the transaction.
•Wealth Management: In April 2025, the Company sold a portion of the Company's (W-2) Wealth Management business to Stifel Financial Corp. ("Stifel") for net cash consideration of $26.0 million.
•GlassRatner and Farber: In June 2025, the Company sold all of the membership interests of GlassRatner Advisory & Capital Group, LLC and B. Riley Farber Advisory Inc., for cash consideration of approximately $117.8 million.
•Others: The Company also engaged in the sale of certain investments and collection of proceeds from loans receivable to create additional liquidity and facilitate the repayment of debt.
Our Business Segments
We report our activities in six reportable business segments: Capital Markets, Wealth Management, Financial Consulting, Communications, Consumer Products segment, and E-Commerce Segment. The descriptions below illustrate the businesses that comprise our segments.
Capital Markets Segment
We provide investment banking and institutional brokerage services to publicly traded and privately held companies, institutional investors, and financial sponsors; fund and asset management services to institutional and high-net-worth individual investors; and direct lending services to middle market companies.
In addition, we trade equity securities as a principal for our account, including investments in funds managed by our subsidiaries. We maintain an investment portfolio comprised of public and private equities and debt securities. We also opportunistically provide loans to our clients and other borrowers. Our investment approach is value-oriented and represents a core competency of our capital markets strategy. We act as an advisor to our clients, which at times involves complex transactions consistent with our value-oriented investment philosophy. We often provide consulting, capital raising, or investment banking services for companies in which B. Riley may have significant influence through equity ownership, representation on the board of directors (or similar governing body), or both.
Investment Banking
We provide a full suite of capital markets and financial advisory services for small- and mid-cap companies and issuers and middle market financial sponsors, as well as larger companies in industries where we have particular expertise.
Our equity capital markets team provides an array of financing and sector-specific corporate finance solutions focused on the execution of public and private equity offerings. We source, structure, price and allocate underwritten public offerings and private placements spanning initial public offerings (“IPOs”), secondary and follow-on offerings, at-the-
market offerings (“ATMs”), Rule 144A offerings (pre-public private placements), block trades, and corporate equity repurchase programs.
Our debt capital markets capabilities include the structuring and sourcing of debt financing solutions in public and private capital markets including acting as an underwriter of preferred stock and unsecured notes offerings, convertible and mezzanine debt offerings, and leveraged loans.
Our investment banking advisory professionals blend deep industry and transaction expertise to execute financial transactions for healthy companies pursuing growth, and for stakeholders of financially distressed companies, both in bankruptcy proceedings and out-of-court transactions. We provide financial advisory and execution services in support of M&A, restructuring, and recapitalization.
Equity Research
We are widely recognized for our proprietary and thematic approach to equity research. Our research primarily focuses on small- and mid-cap equities that are under-followed by Wall Street. We maintain research coverage for a variety of companies and industry sectors, focused on in-depth analyses of earnings, cash flow, balance sheet strength, and industry outlook involving extensive discussions with key management, competitors, channel partners, and customers.
Institutional Sales and Trading
Our institutional equity sales and trading team distributes our proprietary equity research products and communicates our investment recommendations to our client base of institutional investors, executes equity trades on behalf of clients, sells the securities of companies for which we act as an underwriter, and makes a market in over 1,500 securities. We maintain active trading relationships with over 1,000 institutional money managers.
Securities Lending
We engage in securities-based lending which involves the borrowing and lending of equity and fixed income securities.
Proprietary Trading
We also engage in proprietary trading for strategic investment purposes and to facilitate the execution of client transactions by utilizing the firm’s capital.
Direct Lending
Certain of our affiliates originate and underwrite senior secured loans, second lien secured loan facilities, and unsecured loans to asset-rich middle market public and private U.S. companies. We periodically participate in loans and financing arrangements for entities in which the Company has an equity ownership and representation on the board of directors (or similar governing body). B. Riley may also provide consulting services or investment banking services to raise capital for these companies.
Loan Origination and Underwriting
From time to time, we provide loans to clients and other borrowers. The loans encompass senior secured loans, second lien secured loan facilities, and unsecured loans primarily to middle market public and private companies. We may also participate in loans and financing arrangements for entities in which the Company has an equity ownership or board representation.
Our underwriting process for originating loans involves a review of the borrower’s business, capital structure, asset base, collateral, and relevant financial information, as appropriate. As part of this process, the underwriting may also include an analysis of liquidity, historical financial performance, and forecasted cash flow to determine the borrower’s ability to meet repayment obligations. For loans that are primarily collateralized by assets, we perform an assessment of the underlying collateral and its potential recovery value relative to the loan amount. These factors are taken into consideration in determining the loan amount, interest rate, maturity date, payment terms and other loan terms.
We regularly monitor the loans, which may include conducting quarterly financial and collateral reviews, discussions with management, and compliance with covenants. We also analyze the borrower’s liquidity projections to evaluate their
ability to repay. Loan terms may be adjusted to reflect changes in borrower's creditworthiness, which may be the result of these factors, industry dynamics or macroeconomic conditions.
Investing
Part of our overall strategy includes identifying attractive investment opportunities where we may seek to control or influence the operations of the companies in which we invest in order to deliver financial and operational improvements designed to maximize free cash flow and, therefore, returns to our shareholders. Our team concentrates on opportunities presented by distressed companies or divisions that exhibit challenging market dynamics. Representative transactions include acquisitions of receivable portfolios, recapitalizations, direct equity investments, debt investments, active minority investments, and buyouts.
Wealth Management Segment
We provide retail brokerage, investment management, and insurance, and tax preparation services to individuals and families, small businesses, non-profits, trusts, foundations, endowments, and qualified retirement plans through a boutique private wealth and investment management firm to meet the individual financial needs and goals of our customers.
Our experienced financial advisors provide investment management, retirement planning, education planning, wealth transfer and trust coordination, and lending and liquidity solutions. Our investment strategists provide strategies and real-time market views and commentary to help our clients make important and informed financial and investment decisions. Assets under management ("AUM") in our wealth management segment totaled approximately $20.7 billion as of December 31, 2024. On April 4, 2025, we completed the sale of a portion of our (W-2) wealth management business representing 36 financial advisors whose managed accounts represented approximately $4.0 billion in AUM as of December 31, 2024. Following the transaction, the Company’s Wealth Management business continues to have approximately 231 financial advisors and $14.4 billion in AUM.
Financial Consulting Segment
We provide a variety of specialized advisory services spanning bankruptcy, restructuring, turnaround management, forensic accounting, crisis and litigation support, and operations management.
Our financial consulting clients include companies, financial institutions, lenders, financial sponsors, boards of directors, shareholders, creditors, government agencies, municipalities, regulatory agencies, and legal and professional services firms.
Bankruptcy Restructuring and Turnaround Management
Professionals in our bankruptcy restructuring and turnaround management group provide restructuring advisory services spanning strategic and operational advisory, turnaround management, Chief Restructuring Officer and interim management, and fiduciary and receivership services. We are often engaged to represent debtors, creditors, committees and lenders in out-of-court restructuring and formal bankruptcy court proceedings. We also act as court-appointed fiduciaries and trustees in chapter 11 and chapter 7 bankruptcy proceedings.
Forensic Accounting and Litigation Support
Our services support highly complex, sensitive matters spanning antitrust, competition and class action lawsuits, commercial litigation and construction disputes, valuation disputes, fraud, and internal investigations. We are often called on to assist government agencies such as the Department of Justice, and various state and municipalities to investigate allegations and provide expert analyses related to lost profits and financial damages, data analytics, and to provide expert witness testimony in court proceedings.
On June 27, 2025, the Company signed an equity purchase agreement to sell all of the membership interests of its wholly owned subsidiary, GlassRatner Advisory & Capital Group, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“GlassRatner”), and B. Riley Farber Advisory Inc., an Ontario corporation (“Farber”). The aggregate cash consideration paid by the Buyers for the interests of GlassRatner and shares of Farber was $117.8 million, which is based on a target closing working capital amount that is subject to adjustment within 180-days following the sale date. In connection with the sale, the Company entered into a transition services agreement with the buyer to provide certain services.
Communications Segment
Our communications portfolio of companies consists of related businesses that we have acquired for attractive risk-adjusted investment return characteristics. We may pursue future acquisitions to expand this portfolio of businesses which currently includes: Lingo Management, LLC (“Lingo” or “Lingo Management”), a global cloud/unified communications (“UC”) and managed service provider that includes the operations of BullsEye Telecom, Inc. (“BullsEye”), a single source communications and cloud technology provider previously merged into Lingo; Marconi Wireless Holdings, LLC (“Marconi Wireless”), a mobile virtual network operator (“MVNO”) that provides mobile phone voice, text, and data services and devices; magicJack VoIP Services, LLC, (“magicJack”), a VoIP cloud-based technology and communications provider that offers related devices and subscription services; and United Online, Inc. (“UOL”), an Internet access provider that offers dial-up, mobile broadband and digital subscriber line (“DSL”) services under the NetZero and Juno brands.
Consumer Products Segment
The Consumer Products segment is comprised of Tiger US Holdings, Inc. Group (“Targus”), which is a multinational company that, together with its subsidiaries, designs, manufactures, and sells consumer and enterprise productivity products with a large business-to-business (B2B) customer client base and global distribution in over 100 countries. The Targus product line includes laptop and tablet cases, backpacks, universal docking stations, and computer accessories. We acquired Targus on October 18, 2022.
E-Commerce Segment
The E-Commerce segment is comprised of Nogin, Inc.'s ("Nogin's") operations for the period from the acquisition date on May 3, 2024 through December 31, 2024, which is a technology platform operating e-commerce stores that delivers Commerce-as-a-Service (“CaaS”) solutions for apparel brands and other retailers. The Company manages clients’ front-to-back-end operations of the e-commerce stores and also provides marketing services to their clients. The Company’s business model is based on providing a comprehensive e-commerce solution to its customers on a revenue sharing basis.
As discussed in Note 10 to the consolidated financial statements, we recognized an impairment charge to Nogin goodwill of $57,664 during the year ended December 31, 2024. At December 31, 2024, due to the size of the impairment charge, Nogin met the 10% segment profit test and is required to be reported as a separate reportable segment. On March 31, 2025, we signed a Deed of Assignment for the Benefit of Creditors, (i) pursuant to which all of the assets of Nogin were transferred to an assignee for the benefit of Nogin’s creditors, and (ii) which provides the assignee the right to, among other things, sell or dispose of such assets and settle all claims against Nogin. We no longer control or own the assets of Nogin and the results of operations will no longer be reported in our financial statements after March 31, 2025.
Recent Developments
Conn’s and FRG
The Company’s results during the year ended December 31, 2024 were negatively impacted by a significant non-cash markdown of $287.0 million related to its investment in Freedom VCM Holdings, LLC (“Freedom VCM”), the indirect parent entity for Franchise Group (“FRG”). Freedom VCM’s strategy, which included the potential divestiture or monetization of certain assets, was materially negatively impacted by the unexpected announcement in November 2023 concerning FRG’s former CEO and his alleged involvement in fraudulent schemes despite the fact that these allegations are unrelated to FRG and its businesses. In the meantime, the consumer facing portion of the U.S. economy has deteriorated. On November 3, 2024, FRG, its operating businesses, and certain other affiliates, including Freedom VCM, filed voluntary petitions for relief (the “FRG Chapter 11 Cases”) under chapter 11 of title 11 of the United States Code (the "Bankruptcy Code"). As a result, on November 4, 2024, we concluded that we were required to record an impairment (in addition to prior impairments) with respect to the Freedom VCM Investment and the Vintage Loan Receivable. The additional non-cash impairments of the Freedom VCM Investment and the Vintage Loan Receivable are $118.0 million in the aggregate as of November 4, 2024. As a result of such additional impairments, we have ascribed no value to the Freedom VCM Investment and the Vintage Loan Receivable was valued at $2.1 million at December 31, 2024, which approximates the fair value of the underlying collateral for this loan which is primarily comprised of other securities. Subsequent to December 31, 2024, the fair value of the underlying collateral for this loan, which is comprised of other public securities, decreased to a fair value of $1.3 million at September 16, 2025.
Additionally, on July 23, 2024, Conn’s, Inc. (“Conn’s”) and certain of its subsidiaries filed voluntary petitions for relief (the “Chapter 11 Cases”) under chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the
Southern District of Texas (the “Bankruptcy Court”). FRG, pursuant to a transaction consummated in January 2024, acquired a substantial equity investment in Conn’s in exchange for the sale of its Badcock Home Furniture & more business to Conn’s. The commencement of the Chapter 11 Cases constitutes an event of default that accelerated the obligations under the Term Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of December 18, 2023 (the “Conn’s Term Loan”), among Conn’s, W.S. Badcock LLC, as borrowers, and an affiliate of the Company, as administrative agent, collateral agent, and lender. As of the date of the filing of the Chapter 11 Cases, $93.0 million in outstanding borrowings existed under the Conn’s Term Loan. Any efforts to enforce payment obligations under the Conn’s Term Loan are automatically stayed as a result of the Chapter 11 Cases and the Company’s rights of enforcement in respect of the Conn’s Term Loan are subject to the applicable provisions of the Bankruptcy Code. The fair value adjustment on the Conn’s loan receivable was $(71.7) million for the year ended December 31, 2024.
Wealth Management
On October 31, 2024, the Company signed a definitive agreement to sell a portion of the Company’s (W-2) Wealth Management business to Stifel for estimated net consideration based on the number of advisors that join Stifel at closing, among other things. Upon closing the transaction on April 4, 2025, the sale was completed for net cash consideration of $26.0 million, representing 36 financial advisors whose managed accounts represent approximately $4.0 billion, or 19.3%, of AUM as of December 31, 2024.
Debt Financing and Repayment of Nomura Credit Facility
On February 26, 2025, the Company and the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, BR Financial Holdings, LLC (the “BRFH Borrower”), entered into a new credit agreement with a group of funds indirectly or directly controlled by Oaktree Capital Management, L.P. with Oaktree Fund Administration, LLC, acting as the administrative agent and collateral agent. The new credit agreement provided for (i) a three-year $125.0 million secured term loan credit facility (the “Initial Term Loan Facility”) and (ii) a four-month $35.0 million secured delayed draw term loan credit facility (the “Delayed Draw Facility” and, together with the Initial Term Loan Facility, the “Credit Facility”). The proceeds from the Initial Term Loan Facility were primarily used (a) to repay the existing indebtedness under the Nomura Credit agreement discussed in Note 13, to the consolidated financial statements (b) for working capital and general corporate purposes and (c) to pay transaction fees and expenses. The proceeds of the Delayed Draw Facility were used (a) to fund obligations relating to the liquidation of substantially all of the assets of JOANN, Inc. and its subsidiaries and (b) for working capital and general corporate purposes.
Borrowings accrue interest at the adjusted term Secured Overnight Financing Rate ("SOFR") rate as defined in the Credit Facility with an applicable margin of 8.00%. In addition to paying interest on outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility, the Company was required to pay (i) a closing fee of 3.00% of the aggregate principal amount of the loans under the Initial Term Loan Facility and 2.00% of the aggregate principal amount of the loans under the Delayed Draw Facility, and (ii) an exit fee upon the prepayment or repayment of the Credit Facility of 5.00% of the aggregate principal amount of such loans repaid, provided, that the Initial Term Loan Facility exit fee shall not be payable if the share price for the Company's common stock exceeds a certain threshold. The Credit Facility also contains a provision where the final $62.5 million of repayment of principal on the Initial Term Loan may be subject to an additional prepayment premium, as defined in the Credit Facility, if the prepayment occurs before the second anniversary date of the Credit Facility.
The Company issued warrants to certain affiliates of Oaktree Capital Management, L.P. in connection with the Credit Facility to purchase approximately 1,832,290 shares (or 6% on a fully diluted basis) of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $5.14 per share. The warrants contain certain anti-dilution provisions pursuant to which, under certain circumstances, the warrant holders would be entitled to exercise the warrants for up to 19.9% of the then-outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock.
Subject to certain eligibility requirements, certain assets of the BRFH Borrower are placed into a borrowing base (the “Borrowing Base”), which serves to limit the borrowings under the Credit Facility. The sale of an asset in the Borrowing Base requires the BRFH Borrower to make a prepayment in an amount equal to the proceeds of such disposition multiplied by the percentage “credit” that is assigned to such asset in the Borrowing Base. The BRFH Borrower may be obligated to prepay the loans or post cash in a controlled account in the event the Borrowing Base falls below a certain level as defined in the Credit Facility. The Credit Facility contains covenants that, among other things, limit the Company’s, the BRFH Borrower’s and the BRFH Borrower’s subsidiaries’ ability to incur additional indebtedness or liens, to dispose of assets, to make certain fundamental changes, to enter into restrictive agreements, to make certain investments, loans, advances,
guarantees and acquisitions, to prepay certain indebtedness and to pay dividends or to make other distributions or redemptions/repurchases in respect of their respective equity interests.
Redemption of Senior Notes
On February 28, 2025, we redeemed all the issued and outstanding 6.375% Senior Notes due February 28, 2025 (the "6.375% 2025 Notes"). The redemption price was equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount, plus any accrued interest and unpaid interest up to, but excluding, the redemption date The total redemption payment included approximately $0.7 million accrued interest. In connection with the full redemption, the 6.375% 2025 Notes, which were listed on NASDAQ under the ticker symbol “RILYM,” were delisted from NASDAQ and ceased trading on the redemption date.
Sale of Atlantic Coast Recycling
On March 3, 2025, the Company and BR Financial Holdings, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (“BR Financial”), B. Riley Environmental Holdings, LLC and other indirect subsidiaries of the Company which included Atlantic Coast Recycling, LLC (“Atlantic Coast Recycling”), Atlantic Coast Recycling of Ocean County, LLC, (“Atlantic Coast Recycling of Ocean County” and, together with Atlantic Coast Recycling, the “Atlantic Companies”), entered into a Membership Interest Purchase Agreement, dated as of March 1, 2025 (the “MIPA”). Pursuant to the MIPA, on March 3, 2025, all of the issued and outstanding membership interests in each of the Atlantic Companies (the “Interests”) owned by BR Financial and the minority holders were sold to a third party. The Interests were sold to the third party on March 3, 2025 for a purchase price of $102.5 million, subject to certain adjustments and a holdback amount pending receipt of a certain third party consent, resulting in cash proceeds of $68.6 million to the Company after adjustments for amounts allocated to non-controlling interests, repayment of contingent consideration, transaction costs and other items directly attributable to the closing of the transaction. Of the $68.6 million of cash proceeds received by the Company, approximately $22.6 million was used to pay interest, fees, and principal on the Credit Facility discussed above. A gain of $52.7 million was recognized in the first quarter of 2025 from this sale.
B. Riley Securities Holdings, Inc. Equity Issuance
On March 10, 2025, the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary B. Riley Securities Holdings, Inc. (“BRSH”) which is comprised of the broker dealer operations within the Capital Markets segment merged with a shell corporation and issued 0.6% of the equity in BRSH to certain investors in the shell corporation and upon completion of the transaction became minority stockholders of BRSH. Simultaneously with the merger with the shell corporation, BRSH approved the BRSH Stock Incentive Plan (the “BRSH Stock Plan”) and issued restricted stock awards to employees and officers of BRSH which represented 10.0% of the equity of BRSH that vest over a period of four to five years. Assuming the full issuance of the restricted stock awards, the Company continues to own 89.4% of BRSH.
Exchange of Senior Notes
On March 26, 2025, the Company completed a private exchange transaction with an institutional investor pursuant to which the investor exchanged $86.3 million of aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 5.50% Senior Notes due March 2026 Notes and $36.7 million aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 5.00% Senior Notes due December 2026 owned by it for approximately $87.8 million aggregate principal amount of newly-issued 8.00% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due 2028 (the “New Notes”), whereupon the exchanged notes were cancelled.
On April 7, 2025, the Company completed a private exchange transaction with a certain institutional investor pursuant to which such investor exchanged approximately $22.0 million aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 5.00% Senior Notes due December 2026, 6.00% Senior Notes due January 2028 and 5.25% Senior Notes due August 2028 for approximately $10.0 million aggregate principal amount of the New Notes.
On May 21, 2025, the Company completed a private exchange transaction with certain institutional investors pursuant to which such investors exchanged approximately $139.1 million aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 5.50% Senior Notes due March 2026, 5.00% Senior Notes due December 2026 and 6.00% Senior Notes due January 2028 for approximately $93.1 million aggregate principal amount of the New Notes.
On June 30, 2025, the Company entered into a private exchange transaction with a certain institutional investor pursuant to which such investor exchanged approximately $28.0 million aggregate principal amount of the Company’s
5.00% Senior Notes due December 2026, 6.00% Senior Notes due January 2028 and 5.25% Senior Notes due August 2028 for $13.0 million aggregate principal amount of the New Notes.
On July 11, 2025, the Company entered into a private exchange transaction with a certain institutional investor pursuant to which such investor exchanged approximately $42.8 million aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 6.50% Senior Notes due September 2026, 5.00% Senior Notes due December 2026, 6.00% Senior Notes due January 2028 and 5.25% Senior Notes due August 2028 for $24.6 million aggregate principal amount of the New Notes.
In connection with these exchange transactions, the Company issued to such investors warrants to purchase a total of approximately 914,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, $0.0001 par value per share (the “Common Stock”), at an exercise price of $10.00 per share. In connection with the issuance of such warrants, the Company entered into registration rights agreements with such investors, pursuant to which the Company has granted such investors (i) certain shelf registration rights whereby the Company will register resales of the shares of Common Stock issued upon exercise of the warrants and (ii) certain piggyback registration rights, in each case subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the registration rights agreement.
The New Notes were issued pursuant to an Indenture, dated as of March 26, 2025 (the “Indenture”), between the Company, certain subsidiaries of the Company, as guarantors, and GLAS Trust Company LLC, a New Hampshire limited liability company, as trustee and collateral agent (in such capacities, the “Trustee”), and the New Notes are unconditionally guaranteed jointly and severally by all direct and indirect wholly-owned restricted subsidiaries of the Company, subject to certain excluded subsidiaries (collectively, the “Guarantors”). The New Notes are secured on a second lien basis, junior to the obligations under the Company’s Credit Facility, by substantially all of the assets of the Company and the Guarantors. The New Notes are subordinated in right of payment to the payment in full of the obligations under the Company’s Credit Facility.
The New Notes accrue interest at a rate of 8.00% per annum, payable semi-annually in arrears on April 30 and October 31, starting October 31, 2025. The New Notes mature on January 1, 2028. The Company may redeem the New Notes (i) at any time, in whole or in part, before March 26, 2026, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount being redeemed, plus a customary make-whole premium, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date; and (ii) at any time, in whole or in part, after March 26, 2026, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount being redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date.
The New Notes contain change of control provisions, whereby the holders of the New Notes have the right to require the Company to repurchase all or a portion of the New Notes at a purchase price, in cash, equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest. In addition, if the Company or its restricted subsidiaries engage in certain asset sales and do not invest such proceeds or permanently reduce certain debt within a specified period of time, the Company will be required to use a portion of the proceeds of such asset sales above a specified threshold to make an offer to purchase the New Notes at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the New Notes being purchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest. The Indenture contains certain covenants that, among other things, limit the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ ability to incur additional indebtedness or liens, to dispose of assets, to make certain fundamental changes, to enter into restrictive agreements, to make certain investments, loans, advances, guarantees and acquisitions, to prepay certain indebtedness and to pay dividends or to make other distributions or redemptions/repurchases in respect of their respective equity interests.
Nogin
On March 31, 2025, the Company signed a Deed of Assignment for the Benefit of Creditors, (i) pursuant to which all of the assets of Nogin were transferred to an assignee for the benefit of Nogin’s creditors, and (ii) which provides the assignee the right to, among other things, sell or dispose of such assets and settle all claims against Nogin. The Company no longer controls or owns the assets of Nogin and the results of operations will no longer be reported in the Company’s financial statements after March 31, 2025.
Sale of GlassRatner and Farber
On June 27, 2025, the Company signed an equity purchase agreement to sell all of the membership interests of GlassRatner and Farber. The aggregate cash consideration paid by the Buyers for the interests of GlassRatner and shares of Farber was $117.8 million, which is based on a target closing working capital amount that is subject to adjustment within
180-days following the sale date. In connection with the sale, the Company entered into a transition services agreement with the buyer to provide certain services.
Targus/FGI Credit Agreement
On August 20, 2025, Targus (the "Targus Borrower") and certain of the Targus Borrowers' direct and indirect subsidiaries (the “FGI Loan Parties”) entered into a Revolving Credit, Receivables Purchase, Security and Guaranty Agreement (the “Targus/FGI Credit Agreement”) with FGI Worldwide LLC (“FGI”), as agent and for a three-year $30.0 million revolving loan facility, the proceeds of which were used to refinance and repay all obligations under the existing Targus Credit Agreement with PNC. The final maturity date of the Targus/FGI Credit Agreement is August 20, 2028.
The Targus/FGI Credit Agreement is a revolving line of credit facility with a receivables purchase feature under which the purchase of eligible receivables is on a full recourse basis with each borrower retaining the risk of non-payment. The revolving loans bear interest at the greater of (a) 5.25% per annum or (b) 3.00% above the term SOFR for a period of 1 month plus 10 basis points, plus (c) 0.30% per month collateral management fee.
The Targus/FGI Credit Agreement is secured by (i) a first priority perfected security interest in and a lien upon all of the assets of the FGI Loan Parties, and (ii) a pledge of all of the equity interests of the Targus Borrower and its direct and indirect subsidiaries. The Targus/FGI Credit Agreement contains certain covenants, including those limiting the FGI Loan Parties' ability to incur indebtedness, incur liens, sell or acquire assets or businesses, change the nature of their businesses, engage in transactions with related parties, make certain investments or pay dividends. The Targus/FGI Credit Agreement also contains customary representations and warranties, affirmative covenants, and events of default, including payment defaults, breach of representations and warranties, covenant defaults and cross defaults. If an uncured event of default occurs, FGI would be entitled to take various actions, including the acceleration of amounts outstanding under the Targus/FGI Credit Agreement.
As required under the Targus/FGI Credit Agreement, B. Riley Commercial Capital, LLC ("BRCC"), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into an amendment to an existing intercompany loan and security agreement to extend an additional subordinated loan to the Targus Borrower at the closing of the Targus/FGI Credit Agreement in the amount of $5.0 million increasing the aggregate principal amount of such loan from $5.0 million to $10.0 million.
Our Customers
We serve retail, corporate, capital providers and individual customers across our services lines. We are primarily engaged for our financial services by corporate customers, including publicly held and privately owned companies, financial institutions, institutional investors, lenders and other capital providers, and legal and other professional services firms.
We maintain client relationships with companies and service providers to the consumer goods, industrials, energy, financial services, healthcare, real estate, and technology industries. We provide fund and asset management services and products to institutional, high-net-worth and individual investors.
Our communications and consumer products businesses primarily provide services and related consumer products to individual customers.
Competition
We face intense competition across all our business lines. While some competitors are unique to specific service offerings, some competitors cross multiple service offerings.
The industry trend toward continued consolidation among financial services companies has significantly increased the capital base and geographic reach of many of our competitors. We compete with other investment banks, bank holding companies, brokerage firms, merchant banks, and financial advisory firms. Our focus on our target industries also subjects us to direct competition from several specialty firms and smaller investment banking boutiques that specialize in providing services to these industries.
Larger, more diversified and better-capitalized competitors may be better positioned to respond to industry changes, to recruit and retain skilled professionals, to finance acquisitions, to fund internal growth and to compete for market share
generally. Many of these firms may offer a wider range of services and products, which may enhance their competitive position relative to us. These firms can also support services and products with other financial services revenues to gain market share, which could result in downward pricing pressure in our businesses.
As it relates to our communications businesses, the U.S. market for Internet and broadband services is highly competitive. We compete with numerous providers of broadband services, as well as other dial-up Internet access providers, wireless and satellite service providers, cable service providers, and broadband resellers. We face competition from other manufacturers of smart phones, tablets and other handheld wireless devices. Also, we compete against established alternative voice communication providers, and may face competition from other large, well-capitalized Internet companies.
Our Targus business competes with companies that own other brands and trademarks, and other consumer brands as these companies could enter into similar licensing arrangements with domestic and international retailers and wholesalers.
Existing and potential clients across our businesses can choose from a variety of qualified service providers and products. In a cost-sensitive environment, such competitive arrangements may prevent us from acquiring new clients or new engagements with existing clients. Some of our competitors may be able to negotiate secure alliances with clients and affiliates on more favorable terms and devote greater resources to marketing and promotional campaigns or to the development of technology systems than us. In addition, new technologies and the expansion of existing technologies with respect to the online auction business may increase competitive pressures, including for the services of skilled professionals. There can be no assurance that we will be able to compete successfully against current or future competitors, and these competitive pressures could harm our business, operating results and financial condition.
Regulation
As a financial services provider, we are subject to complex and extensive regulation of most aspects of our business by U.S. federal and state regulatory agencies, self-regulatory organizations and securities exchanges. The laws, rules, and regulations comprising the regulatory framework are constantly changing, as are the interpretation and enforcement of existing laws, rules, and regulations. The effect of any such changes cannot be predicted and may direct the manner of our operations and affect our profitability.
Our broker-dealer subsidiaries are subject to regulations governing every aspect of the securities business, including the execution of securities transactions; capital requirements; record-keeping and reporting procedures; relationships with customers, including the handling of cash and margin accounts; the experience of and training requirements for certain employees; and business interactions with firms that are not members of regulatory bodies.
Our broker-dealer subsidiaries are registered with the SEC and are members of Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”). FINRA is a self-regulatory body composed of members such as our broker-dealer subsidiaries that have agreed to abide by the rules and regulations of FINRA. FINRA may expel, fine, and otherwise discipline member firms and their employees. Our broker-dealer subsidiaries are licensed as broker-dealers in all 50 states in the U.S., requiring us to comply with the laws, rules and regulations of each such state. Each state may revoke the license to conduct securities business, fine, and otherwise discipline broker-dealers and their employees. We are also registered with NASDAQ and must comply with its applicable rules.
Our broker-dealer subsidiaries are also subject to the SEC’s Uniform Net Capital Rule, Rule 15c3-1, which may limit our ability to make withdrawals of capital from our broker-dealer subsidiaries. The Uniform Net Capital Rule sets the minimum level of net capital a broker-dealer must maintain and also requires that a portion of its assets be relatively liquid. In addition, our broker-dealer subsidiaries are subject to certain notification requirements related to withdrawals of excess net capital.
The SEC requires broker-dealers to act in the best interest of their customers, and in December 2022, the SEC issued a proposed rule that would establish a best execution standard for broker-dealers and require broker-dealers to, among other things, establish, maintain, and enforce written policies and procedures reasonably designed to comply with the best execution standard.
We are also subject to the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001 (the Patriot Act), which imposes obligations regarding the prevention and detection of money-laundering activities, including the establishment of customer due diligence and customer verification, and other compliance policies and procedures. The conduct of research analysts is also the subject of
rulemaking by the SEC, FINRA and the federal government through the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. These regulations require certain disclosures by, and restrict the activities of, research analysts and broker-dealers, among others. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in monetary, regulatory and, in the case of the USA Patriot Act, criminal penalties.
Our asset management subsidiaries are SEC-registered investment advisers, and accordingly subject to regulation by the SEC. Requirements under the Investment Advisors Act of 1940 include record-keeping, advertising and operating requirements, and prohibitions on fraudulent activities.
We are subject to federal and state consumer protection laws, including regulations prohibiting unfair and deceptive trade practices.
Our communications businesses are subject to a number of international, federal, state, and local laws and regulations, including, without limitation, those relating to taxation, bulk email or “spam” advertising, user privacy and data protection, consumer protection, antitrust, export, and unclaimed property. In addition, proposed laws and regulations relating to some or all of the foregoing, as well as to other areas affecting our businesses, are continuously debated and considered for adoption in the U.S. and other countries, and such laws and regulations could be adopted in the future. For additional information, see “Risk Factors,” which appears in Item 1A of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Our communications companies provide numerous communication services, including broadband telephone services, mobile phone and data services, global cloud technology/unified communications, mobile broadband and digital subscriber lines. In the United States, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC” or the “Commission”) has asserted limited statutory jurisdiction and regulatory authority over the operations and offerings of providers of such services. The scope of the FCC regulations applicable to magicJack’s, Lingo Management's, Marconi Wireless' and UOL's services may change. Some of these operations are also subject to regulation by state public utility commissions.
Our Targus business conducts operations in a number of countries and is subject to a variety of laws and regulations which vary from country to country. Such laws and regulations include, in addition to environmental regulations described below, tax, import/export and anti-corruption laws, varying accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards, import or export restrictions or licensing requirements, trade protection measures, custom duties, tariffs, import or export duties, and other trade barriers, restrictions and regulations.
Our Targus business and its respective contract manufacturers are subject to regulation under various federal, state, local, and foreign laws concerning the environment, including laws addressing governing the manufacturing use and distribution of materials and chemical substances in products, their safe use, and laws restricting the presence of certain substances in electronics products. We could incur costs, including fines and civil or criminal sanctions, and third-party damage or personal injury claims, if we or our contract manufacturers were to violate or become liable under environmental laws.
We have established systems that facilitate our products’ compliance with applicable laws and regulations relating to testing, sourcing, traceability, and reporting obligations on a product basis. We require all contract manufacturers to attest to the compliance of the products they manufacture for such laws and regulations, and that the materials they utilize are as specified and tested. By signing a Supplier Hazardous Substance Free Declaration of Conformity to Targus, or other relevant Declaration of Conformity by product type, contract manufacturers confirm that they, and all components utilized in the products they manufacture for us, are in compliance with applicable regulations.
Human Capital
As of December 31, 2024, we had 2,056 full time employees, with over 500 additional affiliated associates active across our business and industry verticals.
We have a world-class team of colleagues across B. Riley. We recognize that our people are our most valuable asset and remain committed to providing the direction, support and resources necessary for our teams to succeed both professionally and personally. We operate in a highly collaborative, competitive, and fast-paced environment with an entrepreneurial culture that empowers our professionals to grow their own way and to succeed through mentorship opportunities. We strive to attract quality talent with the expertise to lead in their respective fields, innovative and independent thinkers who can collaborate on creative ways to better serve our clients and customers, and individuals with the agility to thrive in a fast-paced environment. We believe access to leadership is a critical part of mentoring our associates and the future leaders of our profession across all practices and sectors.
We offer competitive compensation and benefits to support our employees’ wellbeing and reward strong performance. Our pay-for-performance compensation philosophy is designed to reward employees for achievement and to align employee interests with the firm’s long-term growth. Our benefits program includes healthcare, wellness initiatives, retirement offerings, paid time off, and flexible leave arrangements. We also offer all employees access to our employee assistance program, physical health and mental wellness programs and whenever possible, support flexible employment arrangements, such as remote work, that provide personal flexibility without sacrificing productivity and client service.
Workplace health and safety is vital to the successful operation of our business. The safety and protection of our employees, visitors, and event attendees is our utmost priority and an integral part of any function or service we provide. We continue to enhance our business continuity program to address how we respond to threats, while ensuring that we can continue to provide quality service to our clients and shareholders at all times.
Available Information
We maintain a website at www.brileyfin.com. The information on our website is not a part of, or incorporated in, this Annual Report. We file annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, proxy and information statements, among other reports and filings, with the SEC, and make available, free of charge, on or through our website, such reports and filings and amendments thereto filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the SEC. The public may obtain copies of these reports and filings and any amendments thereto at www.sec.gov.
Our Board of Directors (“Board” or “Board of Directors”) has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to all of our directors, officers and employees. The Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is available for review on our website at https://ir.brileyfin.com/governance. Each of our directors, employees and officers, including our Chief Executive Officers, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer, and all of our other principal executive officers, are required to comply with the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics. Any changes to or waiver of our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics for senior financial officers, executive officers or Directors will be made available on our investor relations website.

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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Item 1A. Risk Factors.
Given the nature of our operations and services we provide, and as described in more detail below, a wide range of factors could materially affect our operations and profitability. The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only risks and uncertainties facing us. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known or that are currently considered to be immaterial may also materially and adversely affect our business operations or stock price.
Summary Risk Factors
Some of the factors that could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows include, but are not limited to, the following:
•Our revenues and results of operations are volatile and difficult to predict and have been impacted by recent divestiture transactions.
•Changes in trade policy and regulations in the United States and other countries, including changes in trade agreements and the imposition of tariffs, retaliatory measures and the resulting consequences, may have adverse impacts on our business, results of operations, and financial condition.
•Our exposure to legal liability is significant and could lead to substantial damages.
•Recent events and developments related to our investment in Freedom VCM and our prior business relationship with Brian Kahn and related to the SEC subpoenas we received have had and may continue to have adverse effects on our business, results of operations, reputation, and stock price.
•We may incur losses as a result of ineffective risk management processes and strategies.
•If we cannot meet our future capital requirements, we may be unable to develop and enhance our services, take advantage of business opportunities and respond to competitive pressures.
•We may suffer losses if our reputation is harmed.
•Our failure to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting in accordance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and business and the price of our common stock and other securities.
•We may enter into new lines of business, make strategic investments or acquisitions or enter into joint ventures, each of which may result in additional risks and uncertainties for our business.
•Our corporate finance and strategic advisory engagements are singular in nature and do not generally provide for subsequent engagements.
•We are subject to net capital and other regulatory capital requirements; failure to comply with these rules would significantly harm our business.
•We have made and may make investments in relatively high-risk, illiquid assets that often have significantly leveraged capital structures, and we may fail to realize any profits from these activities for a considerable period of time or lose some or all of the principal amount we invest in these activities.
•We are exposed to credit risk from a variety of our activities, including loans, lines of credit, guarantees and backstop commitments, and we may not be able to fully realize the value of the collateral securing certain of our loans.
•We have had and may experience write downs of our investments and other losses related to the valuation of our investments and volatile and illiquid market conditions.
•We depend on financial institutions as primary clients for our financial consulting business. Consequently, the loss of any financial institutions as clients may have an adverse impact on our business.
•If we are unable to attract and retain qualified personnel, we may not be able to compete successfully in our industry.
•Significant disruptions of information technology systems, breaches of data security, or unauthorized disclosures of sensitive data or personally identifiable information could adversely affect our business, and could subject us to liability or reputational damage.
•Our Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer is a party to a credit agreement pursuant to which he has pledged as collateral the substantial majority of his common stock in our Company to a bank, and any foreclosure on such stock or the sale or attempted sale of such common stock, could adversely impact the price of our common stock and result in negative publicity.
•We did not pay dividends with respect to shares of our preferred stock and common stock and may not pay dividends regularly or at all in the future.
•Our level of indebtedness, and restrictions under such indebtedness, could adversely affect our operations and liquidity.
•Our publicly traded senior notes are unsecured and therefore are effectively subordinated to any secured indebtedness that we currently have or that we may incur in the future.
•The indenture under which our senior notes were issued contains limited protection for holders of our publicly traded senior notes.
•We have and may continue to issue additional notes.
•The rating for the 5.00% 2026 Notes, 5.25% 2028 Notes, 6.50% 2026 Notes, 5.50% 2026 Notes, or 6.00% 2028 Notes could at any time be revised downward or withdrawn entirely at the discretion of the issuing rating agency.
Risks Related to Global and Economic Conditions and International Operations
Our revenues and results of operations are volatile and difficult to predict and have been impacted by recent divestiture transactions.
Our revenues and results of operations fluctuate significantly from quarter to quarter, due to a number of factors. These factors include, but are not limited to, the following:
•Our ability to attract new clients and obtain additional business from our existing client base;
•The number, size and timing of M&A transactions, capital raising transactions and investment banking engagements;
•The extent to which we acquire assets for resale, or guarantee a minimum return thereon, and our ability to resell those assets at favorable prices;
•Variability in the mix of revenues from the Financial Consulting businesses;
•The rate of decline we experience from our dial-up and DSL Internet access pay accounts in our UOL business as customers continue to migrate to broadband access which provides faster Internet connection and download speeds offered by our competitors;
•The rate of growth of new service areas;
•The types of fees we charge clients, or other financial arrangements we enter into with clients; and
•Changes in general economic and market conditions, including increased inflation and rising interest rates.
We have limited or no control over some of the factors set forth above and, as a result, may be unable to forecast our revenues accurately. For example, our investment banking revenues are typically earned upon the successful completion of a transaction, the timing of which is uncertain and beyond our control. A client’s acquisition transaction may be delayed or terminated because of a failure to agree upon final terms with the counterparty, failure to obtain necessary regulatory consents or board or stockholder approvals, failure to secure necessary financing, adverse market conditions or unexpected financial or other problems in the business of a client or a counterparty. If the parties fail to complete a transaction on which we are advising or an offering in which we are participating, we will earn little or no revenue from the contemplated transaction.
We rely on projections of revenues in developing our operating plans for the future and will base our expectations regarding expenses on these projections and plans. If we inaccurately forecast revenues and/or earnings, or fail to accurately project expenses, we may be unable to adjust our spending in a timely manner to compensate for these inaccuracies and, as a result, may suffer operating losses and such losses could have a negative impact on our financial condition and results of operations. If, for any reason, we fail to meet company, investor or analyst projections of revenue, growth or earnings, the market price of the common stock could decline and you may lose all or part of your investment.
Conditions in the financial markets and general economic conditions have impacted and may continue to impact our ability to generate business and revenues, which may cause significant fluctuations in our stock price.
•Our opportunity to act as underwriter or placement agent could be adversely affected by a reduction in the number and size of capital raising transactions or by competing sources of equity.
•The number and size of M&A transactions or other strategic advisory services where we act as adviser could be adversely affected by continued uncertainties in valuations related to asset quality and creditworthiness, volatility in the equity markets, and diminished access to financing.
•Market volatility could lead to a decline in the volume of transactions that we execute for our customers and, therefore, to a decline in the revenue we receive from commissions and spreads.
•We have experienced and may experience in the future losses in securities trading activities, or as a result of write-downs in the value of securities that we own, as a result of deteriorations in the businesses or creditworthiness of the issuers of such securities.
•We have experienced and may experience in the future losses or write downs in the realizable value of our proprietary investments due to the inability of companies we invest in to repay their borrowings.
•Our access to liquidity and the capital markets could be limited, preventing us from making proprietary investments and restricting our sales and trading businesses.
•We have incurred, and may incur in the future, unexpected costs or losses as a result of the bankruptcy or other failure of companies for which we have performed investment banking services to honor ongoing obligations such as indemnification or expense reimbursement agreements, or in whom we have invested or to whom we have extended credit.
•Sudden sharp declines in market values of securities can result in illiquid markets and the failure of counterparties to perform their obligations, which could make it difficult for us to sell securities, hedge securities positions, and invest funds under management.
•As an introducing broker to clearing firms, we are responsible to the clearing firm and could be held liable for the defaults of our customers, including losses incurred as the result of a customer’s failure to meet a margin call. When we allow customers to purchase securities on margin, we are subject to risks inherent in extending credit. This risk increases when a market is rapidly declining and the value of the collateral held falls below the amount of a customer’s indebtedness. If a customer’s account is liquidated as the result of a margin call, we are liable to our clearing firm for any deficiency.
•Competition in our investment banking, sales, and trading businesses could intensify as a result of the increasing pressures on financial services companies and larger firms competing for transactions and business that historically would have been too small for them to consider.
•Market volatility often results in lower prices for securities, which results in reduced management fees calculated as a percentage of assets under management.
•Market declines could increase claims and litigation, including arbitration claims from customers.
•Our industry could face increased regulation as a result of legislative or regulatory initiatives. Compliance with such regulation may increase our costs and limit our ability to pursue business opportunities.
•Government intervention may not succeed in improving the financial and credit markets and may have negative consequences for our business.
Global economic and political uncertainty could adversely affect our revenue and results of operations.
As a result of the international nature of our business, we are subject to the risks arising from adverse changes in global economic and political conditions. An unpredictable or volatile political environment in the United States or globally, reductions in government spending, concerns related to the U.S. debt ceiling, the imposition of tariffs and retaliatory responses, and uncertainty about the effects of current and future economic and political conditions, including acts of war, aggression or terrorism, on us, our customers, suppliers and partners, makes it difficult for us to forecast operating results and to make decisions about future investments. Deterioration in economic conditions in any of the countries in which we do business could result in reductions in sales of our products and services and could cause slower or impaired collections on accounts receivable, which may adversely impact our liquidity and financial condition.
As was observed during the COVID-19 pandemic, a significant outbreak of a contagious disease or other severe public health crisis could negatively impact the availability of key personnel necessary to conduct our business, and the business and operations of our third-party service providers who perform critical services for our business. Pandemics, epidemics, future highly infectious or contagious diseases, or other severe public health crisis could cause a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flow.
We focus principally on certain sectors of the economy in our investment banking operations, and deterioration in the business environment in these sectors or a decline in the market for securities of companies within these sectors could harm our business.
Volatility in the business environment in the industries in which our clients operate or in the market for securities of companies within these industries could adversely affect our financial results and the market value of our preferred stock, common stock and senior notes. The business environment for companies in some of these industries has been subject to high levels of volatility in recent years, and our financial results have consequently been subject to significant variations from year to year. For example, the consumer goods and services sectors are subject to consumer spending trends, which have been volatile, to mall traffic trends, which have been down, to the availability of credit, and to broader trends such as the rise of Internet retailers. Emerging markets have driven the growth of certain consumer companies but emerging market economies are fragile, subject to wide swings in GDP, and subject to changes in foreign currencies. The technology industry has been volatile, driven by evolving technology trends, by technological obsolescence, by enterprise spending, and by changes in the capital spending trends of major corporations and government agencies around the world.
Our investment banking operations focus on various sectors of the economy, and we also depend significantly on private company transactions for sources of revenues and potential business opportunities. Most of these private company clients are initially funded and controlled by private equity firms. To the extent that the pace of these private company transactions slows or the average transaction size declines due to a decrease in private equity financings, difficult market conditions in our target industries or other factors, our business and results of operations may be harmed.
Underwriting and other corporate finance transactions, strategic advisory engagements and related sales and trading activities in our target industries represent a significant portion of our investment banking business. This concentration of activity in our target industries exposes us to the risk of declines in revenues in the event of downturns in these industries, such as those due to rising inflation and interest rates.
Our businesses may be adversely affected by the disruptions in the credit markets, including reduced access to credit and liquidity and higher costs of obtaining credit.
In the event existing internal and external financial resources do not satisfy our needs, we would have to seek additional outside financing. The availability of outside financing will depend on a variety of factors, such as our financial condition and results of operations, the availability of acceptable collateral, market conditions, the general availability of credit, the volume of trading activities, and the overall availability of credit to the financial services industry, all of which are under increased pressure due to the continuing inflationary environment and increased interest rates.
Widening credit spreads, as well as significant declines in the availability of credit, could adversely affect our ability to borrow on an unsecured basis. Disruptions in the credit markets could make it more difficult and more expensive to obtain funding for our businesses. If our available funding is limited or we are forced to fund our operations at a higher cost, these conditions may require us to curtail our business activities and increase our cost of funding, both of which could reduce our profitability, particularly in our businesses that involve investing and taking principal positions.
Liquidity, or ready access to funds, is essential to financial services firms, including ours. Failures of financial institutions have often been attributable in large part to insufficient liquidity. Liquidity is of particular importance to our sales and trading business, and perceived liquidity issues may affect the willingness of our clients and counterparties to engage in sales and trading transactions with us. Our liquidity could be impaired due to circumstances that we may be unable to control, such as a general market disruption or an operational problem that affects our sales and trading clients, third parties, or us. Further, our ability to sell assets may be impaired if other market participants are seeking to sell similar assets at the same time.
Our clients engaging us with respect to M&A often rely on access to the secured and unsecured credit markets to finance their transactions. The lack of available credit and the increased cost of credit could adversely affect the size, volume and timing of our clients’ merger and acquisition transactions-particularly large transactions-and adversely affect our investment banking business and revenues.
Climate change could have a material negative impact on us and our customers and counterparties, and our efforts to address concerns relating to climate change could result in damage to our reputation.
Our business, as well as the operations and activities of our customers and counterparties, could be negatively impacted by climate change. Climate change presents both immediate and long-term risks to us and our customers and these risks are expected to increase over time. Climate change may cause extreme weather events that disrupt operations at one or more of our primary locations, which may negatively affect our ability to service and interact with our clients, adversely affect the value of our investments, and reduce the availability of insurance. Climate change and the transition to a less carbon-dependent economy may also have a negative impact on the operations or financial condition of our clients and counterparties, which may decrease revenues from those clients and counterparties and increase the credit risk associated with loans and other credit exposures to those clients and counterparties. In addition, climate change may impact the broader economy, including through disruptions to supply chains.
Climate change also exposes us to transition risks associated with the transition to a less carbon-dependent economy. Transition risks may result from changes in policies; laws and regulations; technologies; and/or market preferences to address climate change. Such changes could materially, negatively impact our business, results of operations, financial condition and/or our reputation, in addition to having a similar impact on our customers and counterparties.
For example, our reputation and client relationships may be damaged as a result of our involvement, or our clients’ involvement, in certain industries or projects associated with causing or exacerbating climate change, as well as any decisions we make to continue to conduct or change our activities in response to considerations relating to climate change.
New regulations or guidance relating to climate change, as well as the perspectives of regulators, stockholders, employees and other stakeholders regarding climate change, may affect whether and on what terms and conditions we engage in certain activities or offer certain products. The risks associated with, and the perspective of regulators, shareholders, employees and other stakeholders regarding, climate change are continuing to evolve rapidly and in some cases greatly diverge, which can make it difficult to assess the ultimate impact on us of climate change-related risks and uncertainties, and we expect that climate change-related risks will increase over time.
Our third-party contract manufacturers are located across several countries in Asia, which could expose us to risks associated with doing business in those geographic areas.
All of our production is performed by third-party contract manufacturers, including original design manufacturers, in Taiwan, China, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, India, South Korea and Philippines.
Our global manufacturing suppliers in Asia and other countries could be adversely affected by changes in the interpretation and enforcement of legal standards, strains on available labor pool, changes in labor costs and other employment dynamics, high turnover among skilled employees, infrastructure issues, import-export issues, cross-border intellectual property and technology restrictions, currency transfer restrictions, natural disasters, regional or global pandemics, conflicts or disagreements between the United States and some other countries, labor unrest, and other trade customs and practices that are dissimilar to those in the United States and Europe.
We depend on overseas third-party suppliers for the manufacture of Targus and magicJack products, and our reputation and results of operations would be harmed if these manufacturers or suppliers fail to meet our requirements.
Our manufacturers supply substantially all of the raw materials and provide all facilities and labor required to manufacture our products. Within Asia, except for India, the majority of raw materials are from China. If these companies were to terminate their arrangements with us or fail to provide the required capacity and quality on a timely basis, either due to actions of the manufacturers; earthquakes, typhoons, tsunamis, fires, floods, or other natural disasters; COVID-19 or other pandemics; wars or armed conflicts; strains on infrastructure; available labor pools or manufacturing capacity; or the actions of their respective governments, we would be unable to manufacture our products until replacement contract manufacturing services could be obtained. To qualify a new contract manufacturer, familiarize it with our products, quality standards and other requirements, and commence volume production is a costly and time-consuming process.
Lead times for materials, components and products ordered by us or by our contract manufacturers can vary significantly and depend on factors such as contract terms, demand for an input component, and supplier capacity. From time to time, we have experienced component shortages and extended lead times on semiconductors and other input products used in our finished products. Shortages or interruptions in the supply of components or subcontracted products, or our inability to procure these components or products from alternate sources at acceptable prices in a timely manner, could delay shipment of our products or increase our production costs, which could adversely affect our business and operating results. While we work to address and mitigate such risks, we are exposed to the risks of supply chain disruption which could negatively impact our business. Any material interruption in the manufacture of our products could likely result in delays in shipment, lost sales and revenue, and damage to our reputation in the market, all of which would harm our business and results of operations.
Changes in trade policy and regulations in the United States and other countries, including changes in trade agreements and the imposition of tariffs, retaliatory measures and the resulting consequences, may have adverse impacts on our business, results of operations, and financial condition.
In recent years, the U.S. government has instituted or proposed changes to international trade policy through the renegotiation, and potential termination, of certain existing bilateral or multilateral trade agreements and treaties with, and the imposition of tariffs on a wide range of products and other goods from China, EMEA, and other countries. Given our contract manufacturing and logistic providers in those countries, policy or regulations changes in the United States or other countries present particular risks for us.
The new administration has imposed, and has indicated it plans to continue to impose, tariffs on various U.S. trading partners, and those trading partners have retaliated or threatened to retaliate with tariffs on U.S. goods. New or increased tariffs, retaliatory tariffs and resulting trade wars could adversely affect many of our products. We cannot predict future trade policy and regulations in the United States and other countries, the terms of any renegotiated trade agreements or treaties, or tariffs and their impact on our business. An escalated trade war could have a significant adverse effect on world trade and the world economy. To the extent that trade tariffs and other restrictions imposed by the United States or other countries increase the price of, or limit the amount of, our products or components or materials used in our products imported into the United States or other countries, or create adverse tax consequences, the sales, cost, or gross margin of our products may be adversely affected and the demand from our customers for products and services may be diminished. Uncertainty surrounding international trade policy and regulations as well as disputes and protectionist measures could also have an adverse effect on consumer confidence and spending. If we deem it necessary to alter all or a portion of our activities or operations in response to such policies, agreements, or tariffs, our capital and operating costs may increase.
Our financial performance is subject to risks associated with fluctuations in currency exchange rates.
While the majority of our business is conducted in U.S. Dollars, we face some exposure to movements in currency exchange rates. For manufacturing, our components are sourced mainly in U.S. Dollars.
Our primary exposure to movements in currency exchange rates relates to non-U.S. Dollar-denominated sales and operating expenses worldwide. The weakening of currencies relative to the U.S. Dollar adversely affects the U.S. Dollar value of our non-U.S. Dollar-denominated sales and earnings. If we raise international pricing to compensate, it could potentially reduce demand for our products, adversely affecting our sales and potentially having an adverse impact on our market share. Margins on sales of our products in non-U.S. Dollar-denominated countries and on sales of products that include components obtained from suppliers in non-U.S. Dollar-denominated countries could be adversely affected by currency exchange rate fluctuations. In some circumstances, for competitive or other reasons, we may decide not to raise local prices to fully offset the U.S. Dollar’s strengthening, which would adversely affect the U.S. Dollar value of our non-U.S. Dollar-denominated sales and earnings. Competitive conditions in the markets in which we operate may also limit our ability to increase prices in the event of fluctuations in currency exchange rates. Conversely, strengthening of currency rates may also increase our product component costs and other expenses denominated in those currencies, adversely affecting operating results.
As a result, fluctuations in currency exchange rates could and have in the past adversely affected our business, operating results and financial condition.
Risks Related to Legal Liability, Risk Management, Finance and Accounting
Our exposure to legal liability is significant, and could lead to substantial damages.
We face significant legal risks in our businesses. These risks include potential liability under securities laws and regulations in connection with our capital markets, asset management and other businesses. The volume and amount of damages claimed in litigation, arbitrations, regulatory enforcement actions and other adversarial proceedings against financial services firms have increased in recent years. We also are subject to claims from disputes with our employees and our former employees under various circumstances. Risks associated with legal liability often are difficult to assess or quantify and their existence and magnitude can remain unknown for significant periods of time, making the amount of legal reserves related to these legal liabilities difficult to determine and subject to future revision. Legal or regulatory matters involving our directors, officers or employees in their individual capacities also may create exposure for us because we may be obligated or may choose to indemnify the affected individuals against liabilities and expenses they incur in connection with such matters to the extent permitted under applicable law. In addition, like other financial services companies, we may face the possibility of employee fraud or misconduct. The precautions we take to prevent and detect this activity may not be effective in all cases and there can be no assurance that we will be able to deter or prevent fraud or misconduct.
Exposures from and expenses incurred related to any of the foregoing actions or proceedings could have a negative impact on our results of operations and financial condition. In addition, future results of operations could be adversely affected if reserves relating to these legal liabilities are required to be increased or legal proceedings are resolved in excess of established reserves.
Recent events and developments related to our investment in Freedom VCM and our prior business relationship with Brian Kahn and related to the SEC subpoenas we received have had and may continue to have adverse effects on our business, results of operations, reputation, and stock price.
On August 21, 2023, we completed the FRG take-private transaction. In November 2023, we learned from news reports that Mr. Kahn was identified as an unindicted co-conspirator in criminal and civil charges of securities fraud against the executive of an unrelated hedge fund.
While we had no involvement with, or knowledge of, any of the alleged misconduct concerning that hedge fund (and each of the separate review and investigations undertaken by the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors confirmed this), as a result of these matters we have experienced and will likely continue to experience adverse impacts on our business, results of operations, reputation, and/or stock price. These adverse impacts have arisen and will likely continue to arise out of current and future legal proceedings initiated since the November 2023 news reports, the many continuing unfounded allegations by short sellers and others, the substantial short pressure on our stock price (for further information, see the Risk Factor “-The price of our securities may be adversely affected by third parties who raise allegations about our Company” below), and the resulting damage to certain business relationships and employee morale and increased employee attrition, among others. We have incurred and will continue to incur expenses in connection with these matters and any future legal proceedings arising out of these matters, which expenses may be material and, in some cases, are not or will not be covered by insurance.
In addition, on November 3, 2024, FRG, its operating businesses, and certain other affiliates, including Freedom VCM, filed the FRG Chapter 11 Cases under chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code. As a result, on November 4, 2024, we concluded that we were required to record an additional impairment with respect to the Freedom VCM Investment and the Vintage Loan Receivable. As a result of such additional impairment, we have ascribed no value to the Freedom VCM Investment as of December 31, 2024 and a value of $1.3 million to the Vintage Loan Receivable as of September 16, 2025. For the year ended December 31, 2024, non-cash impairments of the Freedom VCM Investment and the Vintage Loan Receivables were $221.0 million and $222.9 million respectively.
Prior to the filing of the FRG Chapter 11 Cases in November 2024, Conn’s and certain of its subsidiaries filed voluntary petitions for relief (the “Conn's Chapter 11 Cases”) under chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code. FRG, pursuant to a transaction consummated in January 2024, acquired a substantial equity investment in Conn’s, and in December 2023, the
Company loaned $108.0 million to Conn’s subsequently reduced to $93.0 million due to principal repayments. The fair value of this loan receivable was $19.1 million at December 31, 2024.
We expect that the Company may be subject to lawsuits and other claims related to the FRG Chapter 11 Cases and the Conn's Chapter 11 Cases (see "Recent Developments - Conn's and FRG"). These events and developments have exacerbated, and they and additional similar events and developments including additional litigation and claims will continue to exacerbate, the risk that we will continue to: (i) incur expenses in connection with these matters, which expenses may be material and, in some cases, are not or will not be covered by insurance; (ii) harm our reputation and negatively impact employee morale, retention and hiring; (iii) lose customers or negatively impact on our ability to attract new customers and increased competition for new clients and business; and (iv) result in additional write-downs, which may be material.
We may incur losses as a result of ineffective risk management processes and strategies.
We seek to monitor and control our risk exposure through operational and compliance reporting systems, internal controls, management review processes and other mechanisms. Our investing and trading processes seek to balance our ability to profit from investment and trading positions with our exposure to potential losses. While we employ limits, hedging transactions, and other risk mitigation techniques, those techniques and the judgments that accompany their application cannot anticipate economic and financial outcomes or the specifics and timing of such outcomes. Thus, we may, in the course of our investment and trading activities, incur losses, which may be significant.
In addition, we are investing our own capital in our funds and funds of funds as well as principal investing activities, and limitations on our ability to withdraw some or all of our investments in these funds or liquidate our investment positions, whether for legal, reputational, illiquidity or other reasons, may make it more difficult for us to control the risk exposures relating to these investments.
Our risk management policies and procedures may leave us exposed to unidentified or unanticipated risks.
Our risk management strategies and techniques may not be fully effective in mitigating our risk exposure in all market environments or against all types of risk. We seek to manage, monitor and control our operational, legal and regulatory risk through operational and compliance reporting systems, internal controls, management review processes and other mechanisms; however, there can be no assurance that our procedures will be fully effective. Further, our risk management methods may not effectively predict future risk exposures, which could be significantly greater than the historical measures indicate. In addition, some of our risk management methods are based on an evaluation of information regarding markets, clients and other matters that are based on assumptions that may no longer be accurate. A failure to adequately manage our growth, or to effectively manage our risk, could materially and adversely affect our business and financial condition.
We are exposed to the risk that third parties that owe us money, securities or other assets will not perform their obligations. These parties may default on their obligations to us due to bankruptcy, lack of liquidity, operational failure, and breach of contract or other reasons. We are also subject to the risk that our rights against third parties may not be enforceable in all circumstances. As an introducing broker, we could be held responsible for the defaults or misconduct of our customers. These may present credit concerns, and default risks may arise from events or circumstances that are difficult to detect, foresee or reasonably guard against. In addition, concerns about, or a default by, one institution could lead to significant liquidity problems, losses or defaults by other institutions, which in turn could adversely affect us. If any of the variety of instruments, processes and strategies we utilize to manage our exposure to various types of risk are not effective, we may incur losses.
Our failure to deal appropriately with conflicts of interest could damage our reputation and adversely affect our business.
We confront potential conflicts of interest relating to our and our funds’ and clients’ investment and other activities. Certain of our funds have overlapping investment objectives, including funds which have different fee structures, and potential conflicts may arise with respect to our decisions regarding how to allocate investment opportunities among ourselves and those funds. For example, a decision to acquire material non-public information about a company while pursuing an investment opportunity for a particular fund gives rise to a potential conflict of interest when it results in our having to restrict the ability of the Company or other funds to take any action.
In addition, there may be conflicts of interest regarding investment decisions for funds in which our officers, directors and employees, who have made and may continue to make significant personal investments in a variety of funds, are
personally invested. Similarly, conflicts of interest may exist or develop regarding decisions about the allocation of specific investment opportunities between the Company and the funds.
We also have potential conflicts of interest with our investment banking and institutional clients including situations where our services to a particular client or our own proprietary or fund investments or interests conflict or are perceived to conflict with a client. It is possible that potential or perceived conflicts could give rise to investor or client dissatisfaction or litigation or regulatory enforcement actions. Appropriately dealing with conflicts of interest is complex and difficult and our reputation could be damaged if we fail, or appear to fail, to deal appropriately with one or more potential or actual conflicts of interest. Regulatory scrutiny of, or litigation in connection with, conflicts of interest would have a material adverse effect on our reputation, which would materially adversely affect our business in a number of ways, including as a result of redemptions by our investors from our hedge funds, an inability to raise additional funds and a reluctance of counterparties to do business with us.
Financial services firms have been subject to increased scrutiny over the last several years, increasing the risk of financial liability and reputational harm resulting from adverse regulatory actions.
Firms in the financial services industry have been operating in a difficult regulatory environment which we expect may become even more stringent in light of recent well-publicized failures of regulators to detect and prevent fraud. The industry has experienced increased scrutiny from a variety of regulators, including the SEC, the NYSE, FINRA and state attorneys general. Penalties and fines sought by regulatory authorities have increased substantially over the last several years. This regulatory and enforcement environment has created uncertainty with respect to a number of transactions that had historically been entered into by financial services firms and that were generally believed to be permissible and appropriate. We may be adversely affected by changes in the interpretation or enforcement of existing laws and rules by these governmental authorities and self-regulatory organizations. Each of the regulatory bodies with jurisdiction over us has regulatory powers dealing with many aspects of financial services, including, but not limited to, the authority to fine us and to grant, cancel, restrict or otherwise impose conditions on the right to carry on particular businesses. For example, a failure to comply with the obligations imposed by the Exchange Act on broker-dealers and the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 on investment advisers, including record-keeping, advertising and operating requirements, disclosure obligations and prohibitions on fraudulent activities, or by the Investment Company Act of 1940, could result in investigations, sanctions and reputational damage. We also may be adversely affected as a result of new or revised legislation or regulations imposed by the SEC, other U.S. or foreign governmental regulatory authorities or FINRA or other self-regulatory organizations that supervise the financial markets. Substantial legal liability or significant regulatory action against us could have adverse financial effects on us or cause reputational harm to us, which could harm our business prospects.
In addition, financial services firms are subject to numerous conflicts of interests or perceived conflicts. The SEC and other federal and state regulators have increased their scrutiny of potential conflicts of interest. We have adopted various policies, controls and procedures to address or limit actual or perceived conflicts and regularly review and update our policies, controls and procedures. However, appropriately addressing conflicts of interest is complex and difficult and our reputation could be damaged if we fail, or appear to fail, to appropriately address conflicts of interest. Our policies and procedures to address or limit actual or perceived conflicts may also result in increased costs and additional operational personnel. Failure to adhere to these policies and procedures may result in regulatory sanctions or litigation against us. For example, the research operations of investment banks have been and remain the subject of heightened regulatory scrutiny which has led to increased restrictions on the interaction between equity research analysts and investment banking professionals at securities firms. Several securities firms in the U.S. reached a global settlement in 2003 and 2004 with certain federal and state securities regulators and self-regulatory organizations to resolve investigations into the alleged conflicts of interest of research analysts, which resulted in rules that have imposed additional costs and limitations on the conduct of our business.
Asset management businesses have experienced a number of highly publicized regulatory inquiries which have resulted in increased scrutiny within the industry and new rules and regulations for mutual funds, investment advisors and broker-dealers. Our subsidiary, B. Riley Capital Management, LLC, is registered as an investment advisor with the SEC and regulatory scrutiny and rulemaking initiatives may result in an increase in operational and compliance costs or the assessment of significant fines or penalties against our asset management business, and may otherwise limit our ability to engage in certain activities. In recent years, the Company has experienced significant pricing pressures on trading margins and commissions in debt and equity trading. In the equity and fixed income markets, regulatory requirements and the increased use of electronic trading and alternative trading systems has resulted in greater price transparency, leading to increased price competition and decreased trading margins. The trend toward using alternative trading systems is continuing to grow, which may result in decreased commission and trading revenue, reduce our participation in the trading
markets and our ability to access market information, and lead to the creation of new and stronger competitors. In the equity markets, we utilize certain market centers to execute orders on our behalf in exchange for payment for our order flow. Market centers are selected based on their ability to provide liquidity, price improvement, and timely execution for client orders. Increased regulatory scrutiny of payment for order flow may result in a decrease in this type of revenue. Institutional clients also have pressured financial services firms to alter "soft dollar" practices under which brokerage firms bundle the cost of trade execution with research products and services. Some institutions separate (or “unbundle”) payments for research products or services from sales commissions. Institutions subject to MiFID II were required to unbundle such payments commencing January 3, 2018. The SEC’s decision to no longer extend regulatory relief from certain arrangements required by MiFID II will increase competitive pressures from those clients which have yet to unbundle payments for research products or services from sales commissions. Should we be unable to reach agreement regarding the terms of unbundling arrangements with institutional clients who are actively seeking such arrangements, this could result in the loss of those clients, which would likely reduce the level of institutional commissions. We believe that price competition and pricing pressures in these and other areas will continue as institutional investors continue to reduce the amounts they are willing to pay, including reducing the number of brokerage firms they use, and some of our competitors seek to obtain market share by reducing fees, commissions or margins. In addition, Congress is currently considering imposing new requirements on entities that securitize assets, which could affect our credit activities. It is impossible to determine the extent of the impact of any new laws, regulations or initiatives that may be proposed, or whether any of the proposals will become law. Compliance with any new laws or regulations could make compliance more difficult and expensive and affect the manner in which we conduct business.
If we cannot meet our future capital requirements, we may be unable to develop and enhance our services, take advantage of business opportunities and respond to competitive pressures.
We may need to raise additional funds in the future to grow our business internally, invest in new businesses, expand through acquisitions, enhance our current services or respond to changes in our target markets. If we raise additional capital through the sale of equity or equity derivative securities, the issuance of these securities could result in dilution to our existing stockholders. If additional funds are raised through the issuance of debt securities, the terms of that debt could impose additional restrictions on our operations or harm our financial condition. Additional financing may be unavailable on acceptable terms.
Our ability to use net loss carryovers to reduce our taxable income may be limited.
The Company may be limited to the amount of net operating loss carryforwards that may be utilized in future taxable years depending on the Company’s actual taxable income. As of December 31, 2024, the Company has recorded a valuation allowance for what it believes that its net operating loss carryforwards that are available to be utilized in future tax periods since it is more likely than not that future taxable earnings will be sufficient to utilize the net operating loss carryforwards before they expire.
Changes in tax laws or regulations, or to interpretations of existing tax laws or regulations, to which we are subject could adversely affect our financial condition and cash flows.
We are subject to taxation in the United States and in some foreign jurisdictions. Our financial condition and cash flows are impacted by tax policy implemented at each of the federal, state, local and international levels. We cannot predict whether any changes to tax laws or regulations, or to interpretations of existing tax laws or regulations, will be implemented in the future or whether any such changes would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and cash flows. However, future changes to tax laws or regulations, or to interpretations of existing tax laws or regulations, could increase our tax burden or otherwise adversely affect our financial condition and cash flows.
We have identified material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting, and these material weaknesses, or our failure or inability to remediate them, or our failure to otherwise design and maintain effective internal control over financial reporting, exposes us to additional risks and uncertainties and could result in loss of investor confidence, shareholder litigation or governmental proceedings or investigations, any of which could cause the market value of our securities to decline or impact our ability to access the capital markets.
As a public company, we are subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the Dodd-Frank Act and are required to prepare our financial statements according to the rules and regulations required by the SEC. In addition, the Exchange Act requires that we file annual, quarterly and current reports. Our failure to prepare and disclose this information in a timely manner or to otherwise comply with applicable law could subject us to penalties
under federal securities laws, expose us to lawsuits and restrict our ability to access financing. In addition, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires, among other things, that we establish and maintain effective internal controls and procedures for financial reporting and disclosure purposes. Internal control over financial reporting is complex and may be revised over time to adapt to changes in our business, or changes in applicable accounting rules. As reported in Item 9A, Controls and Procedures of this Annual Report, we have identified material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting. A material weakness is a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our consolidated financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.
As a result of these material weaknesses, we are subject to additional risks and uncertainties. For example, we cannot assure you that the measures we have taken to date and that we intend to continue to take will be sufficient to remediate the internal control deficiencies that led to our material weaknesses, that the material weaknesses will be remediated on a timely basis, or that additional material weaknesses will not be identified in the future. If the steps we take do not remediate the outstanding material weaknesses in a timely manner, there could continue to be a possibility that these control deficiencies or others could result in a material misstatement of our annual or interim consolidated financial statements. Moreover, remediation efforts place a significant burden on management and add increased pressure to our financial resources and processes. If we are unable to successfully remediate our existing, or any future, material weaknesses or other deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting or disclosure controls and procedures, or we failure to otherwise design and maintain effective internal control over financial reporting, investors may lose confidence in our financial reporting and the accuracy and timing of our financial reporting and disclosures and our business, reputation, results of operations, financial condition, price of our securities, and ability to access the capital markets through equity or debt issuances could be adversely affected. In addition, we may be subject to governmental investigations and penalties and litigation as a result of these control deficiencies.
We may suffer losses if our reputation is harmed.
Our ability to attract and retain customers and employees may be diminished to the extent our reputation is damaged. If we fail, or are perceived to fail, to address various issues that may give rise to reputational risk, we could harm our business prospects. These issues include, but are not limited to, appropriately dealing with market dynamics, potential conflicts of interest, legal and regulatory requirements, ethical issues, customer privacy, record-keeping, sales and trading practices, and the proper identification of the legal, reputational, credit, liquidity and market risks inherent in our products and services. Failure to appropriately address these issues could give rise to loss of existing or future business, financial loss, and legal or regulatory liability, including complaints, claims and enforcement proceedings against us, which could, in turn, subject us to fines, judgments and other penalties. In addition, our Capital Markets operations depend to a large extent on our relationships with our clients and reputation for integrity and high-caliber professional services to attract and retain clients. As noted above under, “Recent events and developments related to our investment in Freedom VCM and our prior business relationship with Brian Kahn and related to the SEC subpoenas we received have had and may continue to have adverse effects on our business, results of operations, reputation, and stock price”, damage to our reputation from the matters described in that risk factor have led to negative impacts on our business relationships particularly in B. Riley Securities, Inc.'s ("BRS'") Capital Markets segment and could continue to have a negative impact on our business relationships. As a result, if a client is not satisfied with our services, it may be more damaging in our business than in other businesses.
Misconduct by our employees or by the employees of our business partners could harm us and is difficult to detect and prevent.
There have been a number of highly publicized cases involving fraud or other misconduct by employees in the financial services industry in recent years, and we run the risk that employee misconduct could occur at our firm. For example, misconduct could involve the improper use or disclosure of confidential information, which could result in regulatory sanctions and serious reputational or financial harm. It is not always possible to deter misconduct and the precautions we take to detect and prevent this activity may not be effective in all cases. Our ability to detect and prevent misconduct by entities with which we do business may be even more limited. We may suffer reputational harm for any misconduct by our employees or those entities with which we do business.
We may enter into new lines of business, make strategic investments or acquisitions or enter into joint ventures, each of which may result in additional risks and uncertainties for our business.
We may enter into new lines of business, make future strategic investments or acquisitions and enter into joint ventures. As we have in the past, and subject to market conditions, we may grow our business by increasing assets under management in existing investment strategies, pursue new investment strategies, which may be similar or complementary to our existing strategies or be wholly new initiatives, or enter into strategic relationships, or joint ventures. In addition, opportunities may arise to acquire or invest in other businesses that are related or unrelated to our current businesses.
To the extent we make strategic investments or acquisitions, enter into strategic relationships or joint ventures or enter into new lines of business, we will face numerous risks and uncertainties, including risks associated with the required investment of capital and other resources and with combining or integrating operational and management systems and controls and managing potential conflicts. Entry into certain lines of business may subject us to new laws and regulations with which we are not familiar, or from which we are currently exempt, and may lead to increased litigation and regulatory risk. If a new business generates insufficient revenues, or produces investment losses, or if we are unable to efficiently manage our expanded operations, our results of operations will be adversely affected, and our reputation and business may be harmed. In the case of joint ventures, we are subject to additional risks and uncertainties in that we may be dependent upon, and subject to liability, losses or reputational damage relating to, systems, controls and personnel that are not under our control.
Risks Related to BRS' Capital Markets Activities
Our corporate finance and strategic advisory engagements are singular in nature and do not generally provide for subsequent engagements.
Our investment banking clients generally retain us on a short-term, engagement-by-engagement basis in connection with specific corporate finance, merger and acquisition transactions (often as an advisor in company sale transactions) and other strategic advisory services, rather than on a recurring basis under long-term contracts. As these transactions are typically singular in nature and our engagements with these clients may not recur, we must seek new engagements when our current engagements are successfully completed or are terminated. As a result, high activity levels in any period are not necessarily indicative of continued high levels of activity in any subsequent period. If we are unable to generate a substantial number of new engagements that generate fees from new or existing clients, our business, results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected.
Our Capital Markets operations are highly dependent on communications, information and other systems and third parties, and any systems failures could significantly disrupt our capital markets business.
Our data and transaction processing, custody, financial, accounting and other technology and operating systems are essential to our capital markets operations. A system malfunction (due to hardware failure, capacity overload, security incident, data corruption, etc.) or mistake made relating to the processing of transactions could result in financial loss, liability to clients, regulatory intervention, reputational damage and constraints on our ability to grow. We outsource a substantial portion of our critical data processing activities, including trade processing and back office data processing. We also contract with third parties for market data and other services. In the event that any of these service providers fails to adequately perform such services or the relationship between that service provider and us is terminated, we may experience a significant disruption in our operations, including our ability to timely and accurately process transactions or maintain complete and accurate records of those transactions.
Adapting or developing our technology systems to meet new regulatory requirements, client needs, expansion and industry demands also is critical for our business. Introduction of new technologies present new challenges on a regular basis. We have an ongoing need to upgrade and improve our various technology systems, including our data and transaction processing, financial, accounting, risk management and trading systems. This need could present operational issues or require significant capital spending. It also may require us to make additional investments in technology systems and may require us to reevaluate the current value and/or expected useful lives of our technology systems, which could negatively impact our results of operations.
Secure processing, storage and transmission of confidential and other information in our internal and outsourced computer systems and networks also is critically important to our business. We take protective measures and endeavor to modify them as circumstances warrant. However, our computer systems and software are subject to unauthorized access, computer viruses or other malicious code, inadvertent, erroneous or intercepted transmission of information (including by e-mail), and other events that have had an information security impact. If one or more of such events occur, this potentially could jeopardize our or our clients’ or counterparties’ confidential and other information processed and stored in, and
transmitted through, our computer systems and networks, or otherwise cause interruptions or malfunctions in our, our clients’, our counterparties’ or third parties’ operations. We may be required to expend significant additional resources to modify our protective measures or to investigate and remediate vulnerabilities or other exposures, and we may be subject to litigation and financial losses that are either not insured against or not fully covered through any insurance maintained by us.
A disruption in the infrastructure that supports our business due to fire, natural disaster, health emergency (for example, the COVID-19 pandemic), power or communication failure, act of terrorism or war may affect our ability to service and interact with our clients. If we are not able to implement contingency plans effectively, any such disruption could harm our results of operations.
The growth of electronic trading and the introduction of new technology in the markets in which our market-making business operates may adversely affect this business and may increase competition.
The continued growth of electronic trading and the introduction of new technologies is changing our market-making business and presenting new challenges. Securities, futures and options transactions are increasingly occurring electronically, through alternative trading systems. We expect that the trend toward alternative trading systems will continue to accelerate. This acceleration could further increase program trading, increase the speed of transactions and decrease our ability to participate in transactions as principal, which would reduce the profitability of our market-making business. Some of these alternative trading systems compete with our market-making business and with our algorithmic trading platform, and we may experience continued competitive pressures in these and other areas. Significant resources have been invested in the development of our electronic trading systems, which includes our at-the-market business, but there is no assurance that the revenues generated by these systems will yield an adequate return on the investment, particularly given the increased program trading and increased percentage of stocks trading off of the historically manual trading markets.
Pricing and other competitive pressures may impair the revenues of our sales and trading business.
We derive a significant portion of our revenues for our investment banking operations from our sales and trading business. There has been intense price competition and trading volume reduction in this business in recent years. In particular, the ability to execute trades electronically and through alternative trading systems has increased the downward pressure on per share trading commissions and spreads. We expect these trends toward alternative trading systems and downward pricing pressure in the business to continue. We experience competitive pressures in these and other areas in the future as some of our competitors seek to obtain market share by competing on the basis of price or by using their own capital to facilitate client trading activities. In addition, we face pressure from our larger competitors, many of whom are better able to offer a broader range of complementary products and services to clients in order to win their trading business. These larger competitors may also be better able to respond to changes in the research, brokerage and investment banking industries, to compete for skilled professionals, to finance acquisitions, to fund internal growth and to compete for market share generally. As we are committed to maintaining and improving our comprehensive research coverage in our target sectors to support our sales and trading business, we may be required to make substantial investments in our research capabilities to remain competitive. If we are unable to compete effectively in these areas, the revenues of our sales and trading business may decline, and our business, results of operations and financial condition may be harmed.
Some of our large institutional sales and trading clients in terms of brokerage revenues have entered into arrangements with us and other investment banking firms under which they separate payments for research products or services from trading commissions for sales and trading services, and pay for research directly in cash, instead of compensating the research providers through trading commissions (referred to as “soft dollar” practices). In addition, we have entered into certain commission sharing arrangements in which institutional clients execute trades with a limited number of brokers and instruct those brokers to allocate a portion of the commission directly to us or other broker-dealers for research or to an independent research provider. If more of such arrangements are reached between our clients and us, or if similar practices are adopted by more firms in the investment banking industry, we expect that would increase the competitive pressures on trading commissions and spreads and reduce the value our clients place on high quality research. Conversely, if we are unable to make similar arrangements with other investment managers that insist on separating trading commissions from research products, volumes and trading commissions in our sales and trading business also would likely decrease.
Larger and more frequent capital commitments in our trading and underwriting businesses increase the potential for significant losses.
Certain financial services firms make larger and more frequent commitments of capital in many of their activities. For example, in order to win business, some investment banks increasingly commit to purchase large blocks of stock from publicly traded issuers or significant stockholders, instead of the more traditional marketed underwriting process in which marketing is typically completed before an investment bank commits to purchase securities for resale. We have participated in this activity and expect to continue to do so and, as a result, we are subject to increased risk. Conversely, if we do not have sufficient regulatory capital to so participate, our business may suffer. Furthermore, we may suffer losses as a result of the positions taken in these transactions even when economic and market conditions are generally favorable for others in the industry.
We may commit our own capital as part of our trading business to facilitate client sales and trading activities. The number and size of these transactions may adversely affect our results of operations in a given period. We may also incur significant losses from our sales and trading activities due to market fluctuations and volatility in our results of operations. To the extent that we own assets, i.e., have long positions, in any of those markets, a downturn in the value of those assets or in those markets could result in losses. Conversely, to the extent that we have sold assets we do not own, i.e., have short positions, in any of those markets, an upturn in those markets could expose us to potentially large losses as we attempt to cover our short positions by acquiring assets in a rising market.
Our underwriting and market making activities may place our capital at risk.
We may incur losses and be subject to reputational harm to the extent that, for any reason, we are unable to sell securities we purchased as an underwriter at the anticipated price levels. As an underwriter, we also are subject to heightened standards regarding liability for material misstatements or omissions in prospectuses and other offering documents relating to offerings we underwrite. Further, even though underwriting agreements with issuing companies typically include a right to indemnification in favor of the underwriter for these offerings to cover potential liability from any material misstatements or omissions, indemnification may be unavailable or insufficient in certain circumstances, for example if the issuing company has become insolvent. As a market maker, we may own large positions in specific securities, and these undiversified holdings concentrate the risk of market fluctuations and may result in greater losses than would be the case if our holdings were more diversified.
We are subject to net capital and other regulatory capital requirements; failure to comply with these rules would significantly harm our business.
Our broker-dealer subsidiaries are subject to the net capital requirements of the SEC, FINRA, and various self-regulatory organizations of which they are members. These requirements typically specify the minimum level of net capital a broker-dealer must maintain and also mandate that a significant part of its assets be kept in relatively liquid form. Failure to maintain the required net capital may subject a firm to limitation of its activities, including suspension or revocation of its registration by the SEC and suspension or expulsion by FINRA and other regulatory bodies, and ultimately may require its liquidation. Failure to comply with the net capital rules could have material and adverse consequences, such as:
•limiting our operations that require intensive use of capital, such as underwriting or trading activities; or
•restricting us from withdrawing capital from our subsidiaries when our broker-dealer subsidiaries have more than the minimum amount of required capital. This, in turn, could limit our ability to implement our business and growth strategies, pay interest on and repay the principal of our debt and/or repurchase our shares.
In addition, a change in the net capital rules or the imposition of new rules affecting the scope, coverage, calculation, or amount of net capital requirements, or a significant operating loss or any large charge against net capital, could have similar adverse effects.
Furthermore, our broker-dealer subsidiaries are subject to laws that authorize regulatory bodies to block or reduce the flow of funds from it to B. Riley Financial, Inc. As a holding company, B. Riley Financial, Inc. depends on dividends, distributions and other payments from its subsidiaries to fund dividend payments, if any, and to fund all payments on its obligations, including debt obligations. As a result, regulatory actions could impede access to funds that B. Riley Financial, Inc. needs to make payments on obligations, including debt obligations, or dividend payments. In addition, because B. Riley Financial, Inc. holds equity interests in the firm’s subsidiaries, its rights as an equity holder to the assets of these subsidiaries may not materialize, if at all, until the claims of the creditors of these subsidiaries are first satisfied.
Risks Related to our Investment Activities
We have made and may make investments in relatively high-risk, illiquid assets that often have significantly leveraged capital structures, and we may fail to realize any profits from these activities for a considerable period of time or lose some or all of the principal amount we invest in these activities.
From time to time, we use our capital, including on a leveraged basis, in proprietary investments in both private company and public company securities that may be illiquid and volatile. The equity securities of a privately-held entity in which we make a proprietary investment are likely to be restricted as to resale and are otherwise typically highly illiquid. In the case of fund or similar investments, our investments may be illiquid until such investment vehicles are liquidated. We expect that there will be restrictions on our ability to resell the securities that we acquire for a period of up to one year after we acquire those securities. Thereafter, a public market sale may be subject to volume limitations or dependent upon securing a registration statement for an initial and potentially secondary public offering of the securities. We may make investments that are significant relative to the overall capitalization of the investee company and resales of significant amounts of these securities might be subject to significant limitations and adversely affect the market and the sales price for the securities in which we invest. In addition, our investments may involve entities or businesses with capital structures that have significant leverage. The large amount of borrowing in the leveraged capital structure increases the risk of losses due to factors such as rising inflation, interest rates, downturns in the economy or deteriorations in the condition of the investment or its industry. In the event of defaults under borrowings, the assets being financed would be at risk of foreclosure, and we could lose our entire investment.
Even if we make an appropriate investment decision based on the intrinsic value of an enterprise, we cannot assure you that general market conditions will not cause the market value of our investments to decline. For example, a further increase in inflation, interest rates, a general decline in the stock markets, such as the recent declines in the stock markets due to the anticipated rising interest rate environment, or other market and industry conditions adverse to companies of the type in which we invest and intend to invest could result in a decline in the value of our investments or a total loss of our investment.
In addition, some of these investments are, or may in the future be, in industries or sectors which are unstable, in distress or undergoing some uncertainty. Further, the companies in which we invest may rely on new or developing technologies or novel business models, or concentrate on markets which are or may be disproportionately impacted by pressures in the financial services and/or mortgage and real estate sectors, have not yet developed and which may never develop sufficiently to support successful operations, or their existing business operations may deteriorate or may not expand or perform as projected. Such investments may be subject to rapid changes in value caused by sudden company-specific or industry-wide developments. Contributing capital to these investments is risky, and we may lose some or all of the principal amount of our investments. There are no regularly quoted market prices for a number of the investments that we make. The value of our investments is determined using fair value methodologies described in valuation policies, which may consider, among other things, the nature of the investment, the expected cash flows from the investment, bid or ask prices provided by third parties for the investment and the trading price of recent sales of securities (in the case of publicly-traded securities), restrictions on transfer and other recognized valuation methodologies. The methodologies we use in valuing individual investments are based on estimates and assumptions specific to the particular investments. Therefore, the value of our investments does not necessarily reflect the prices that would actually be obtained by us when such investments are sold. Realizations, if any, at values significantly lower than the values at which investments have been reflected on our balance sheet would result in losses of potential incentive income.
We are exposed to credit risk from a variety of our activities, including loans, lines of credit, guarantees and backstop commitments, and we may not be able to fully realize the value of the collateral securing certain of our loans.
We are generally exposed to the risk that third parties that owe us money, securities or other assets will fail to meet their obligations to us due to numerous causes, including bankruptcy, lack of liquidity, or operational failure, among others. Additionally, when we guarantee or backstop the obligations of third parties, we are exposed to the risk that our guarantee or backstop may be called by the holder following a default by the primary obligor, which could cause us to incur significant losses, and, when our obligations are secured, expose us to the risk that the holder may seek to foreclose on collateral pledged by us.
We incur credit risk through loans, lines of credit, guarantees and backstop commitments issued to or on behalf of businesses and individuals, and other loans collateralized by a variety of assets, including securities. We have experienced credit losses and bear increased credit risk because we have made loans and commitments to borrowers or issuers engaged
in emerging businesses or who lack access to conventional financing who, as a group, may be uniquely or disproportionately affected by economic or market conditions. For example, we have made loans to borrowers in the cryptocurrency industry and have incurred losses as cryptocurrency prices have declined and participants in the cryptocurrency industry have experienced liquidity issues and we expect to incur further losses in the event that the cryptocurrency market experiences further volatility or liquidity issues or further declines or fails to recover. Our credit risk and credit losses can further increase if our loans or investments are concentrated among borrowers or issuers engaged in the same or similar activities, industries, or geographies. The deterioration of an individually large exposure, for example due to natural disasters, health emergencies or pandemics (like the COVID-19 pandemic), acts of terrorism or war, severe weather events or other adverse economic events, could lead to additional loan loss provisions and/or charges-offs, or credit impairment of our investments, and subsequently have a material impact on our net income and regulatory capital.
The amount and duration of our credit exposures have been increasing over the past year, as have the breadth and size of the entities to which we have credit exposures.
We permit our clients to purchase securities on margin. During periods of steep declines in securities prices, the value of the collateral securing client margin loans may fall below the amount of the purchaser’s indebtedness. If clients are unable to provide additional collateral for these margin loans, we may incur losses on those margin transactions. This may cause us to incur additional expenses defending or pursuing claims or litigation related to counterparty or client defaults.
Although a substantial amount of our loans to counterparties are protected by holding security interests in the assets or equity interests of the borrower, we may not be able to fully realize the value of the collateral securing our loans due to one or more of the following factors:
•Our loans may be unsecured, therefore our liens on the collateral, if any, are subordinated to those of the senior secured debt of the borrower, if any. As a result, we may not be able to control remedies with respect to the collateral.
•The collateral may not be valuable enough to satisfy all of the obligations under our secured loan, particularly after giving effect to the repayment of secured debt of the borrower that ranks senior to our loan.
•Bankruptcy laws may limit our ability to realize value from the collateral and may delay the realization process.
•Our rights in the collateral may be adversely affected by the failure to perfect security interests in the collateral.
•The need to obtain regulatory and contractual consents could impair or impede how effectively the collateral would be liquidated and could affect the value received.
•Some or all of the collateral may be illiquid and may have no readily ascertainable market value. The liquidity and value of the collateral could be impaired as a result of changing economic conditions, competition, and other factors, including the availability of suitable buyers.
For example, in December 2023, the Company loaned $108.0 million to Conn’s which loan amount was subsequently reduced to $93.0 million due to principal repayments. The fair value of this loan receivable was $19.1 million at December 31, 2024 given that in July 2024, Conn’s and certain of its subsidiaries filed voluntary petitions for relief under chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code.
In addition, on November 3, 2024, FRG, its operating businesses, and certain other affiliates, including Freedom VCM, filed the FRG Chapter 11 Cases under chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code. As a result, on November 4, 2024, we concluded that we were required to record an additional impairment with respect to the Freedom VCM Investment and the Vintage Loan Receivable. As a result of such additional impairment, we have ascribed no value to the Freedom VCM Investment as of December 31, 2024 and a value of $1.3 million to the Vintage Loan Receivable as of September 16, 2025. For the year ended December 31, 2024, non-cash impairments of the Freedom VCM Investment and the Vintage Loan Receivable were $221.0 million and $222.9 million, respectively.
We have had and may experience write downs of our investments and other losses related to the valuation of our investments and volatile and illiquid market conditions.
In our proprietary investment activities, our concentrated holdings, illiquidity and market volatility may make it difficult to value certain of our investment securities. We have experienced, and may continue to experience in light of factors then prevailing, such as rising interest rates, general economic and market conditions or changes in the financial condition of the applicable issuer, significant downward adjustments in subsequent valuations of securities on our balance sheet. In addition, at the time of any sales and settlements of these securities, the price we ultimately realize will depend on the demand and liquidity in the market at that time and may be materially lower than their current fair value. Any of these factors could require us to take write downs in the value of our investment and securities portfolio, which may have an adverse effect on our results of operations in future periods.
A substantial portion of our cash flows and net income are dependent upon payments from our investments in consumer finance receivables.
We have a related party loan receivable with a fair value of approximately $2.2 million as of December 31, 2024, from home-furnishing retailer W.S. Badcock Corporation (“Badcock”) that is collateralized by consumer finance receivables of Badcock. These consumer finance receivables were acquired from Badcock in multiple purchases beginning in December 2021. On December 18, 2023, Badcock was sold by Freedom VCM to Conn’s and now operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of Conn’s. This continues to be reported as a related party loan receivable due to the Company’s related party relationship with Freedom VCM and Freedom VCM’s ability to exercise influence over Conn’s as a result of the equity consideration Freedom VCM received from the sale of Badcock to Conn’s on December 18, 2023.
The Company also has a related party loan receivable from a Freedom VCM affiliate with a fair value of approximately $3.9 million as of December 31, 2024, the Freedom Receivables Note (see Part I, Item 1 above). The Freedom Receivables Note resulted from the sale of BRRII to a Freedom VCM affiliate and the collateral for this note includes the collection of certain consumer finance receivables by the Freedom VCM affiliate. The collectability and repayment of the principal balance and interest on these loans receivable, which total $45.8 million, are a function of many factors including the ultimate collection of the consumer finance receivables that collateralize the loans, criteria used to select the consumers that were issued credit, the pricing of the credit products, the lengths of the relationships, general economic conditions, the rate at which consumers repay their accounts or become delinquent, and the rate at which consumers borrow funds. Deterioration in these factors would adversely impact our business. In addition, to the extent we have over-estimated collectability, in all likelihood we have over-estimated our financial performance. Some of these concerns are discussed more fully below.
Our investment in these loans is not diversified and primarily originates from consumers whose creditworthiness is considered less than prime. Our reliance on these receivables may in the future negatively impact our performance.
Economic slowdowns increase our credit losses. During periods of economic slowdown or recession, we generally experience an increase in rates of delinquencies and frequency and severity of credit losses. Our actual rates of delinquencies and frequency and severity of credit losses may be comparatively higher during periods of economic slowdown or recession.
Because a significant portion of our reported interest income is based on management’s estimates of the future performance of receivables that collateralize $6.1 million of loans receivable, at fair value as of December 31, 2024, differences between actual and expected performance of the receivables may cause fluctuations in interest income. The fair value of these loans and the interest income we report are based on management’s estimates of cash flows we expect to receive on receivables that collateralize the loan receivable. The expected cash flows are based on management’s estimates of future default rates, payment rates, servicing costs, and charge-offs from the receivables portfolio. These estimates are based on a variety of factors, many of which are not within our control. Substantial differences between actual and expected performance of the receivables can occur and cause fluctuations in the interest income we record. For instance, higher than expected rates of delinquencies and losses from the receivables portfolio could cause interest income to be lower than expected.
Our past and ongoing investment in consumer credit receivables may not be indicative of our ability to grow such receivables in the future. Additionally, even if such receivables continue to increase, the rate of such growth could decline. If we cannot manage the growth in receivables effectively, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows. Furthermore, reliance upon our relationship with a single retailer may adversely affect our revenues and operating results from our receivables portfolio.
Changes to consumer protection laws or changes in their interpretation may impede collection efforts or otherwise adversely impact us or the originator of our receivables.
Federal and state consumer protection laws regulate the creation and enforcement of consumer receivables and other loans. Many of these laws (and the related regulations) are focused on non-prime lenders and are intended to prohibit or curtail industry-standard practices as well as non-standard practices. For instance, Congress enacted legislation that regulates loans to military personnel through imposing interest rate and other limitations and requiring new disclosures, all as regulated by the Department of Defense. Similarly, in 2009, Congress enacted legislation that required changes to a variety of marketing, billing, and collection practices, and the Federal Reserve adopted significant changes to a number of practices through its issuance of regulations. Badcock originated the transactions that underlie our receivables investments and any others we may make. Furthermore, we rely on Badcock to service our receivables portfolio. We depend on Badcock to comply with all applicable laws and regulations applicable to our receivables portfolio, and for Badcock to adapt to changing laws and regulations. Furthermore, if Badcock becomes unable or unwilling to continue to service our receivables portfolio, we will likely need to engage another third party to provide such services, which could cause us to incur unanticipated costs. Changes in the consumer protection laws could result in the following:
•receivables not originated in compliance with law (or revised interpretations) could become unenforceable and uncollectible under their terms against the obligors;
•the servicer may be required to credit or refund previously collected amounts, resulting in a reduction in amounts paid to us;
•certain fees and finance charges could be limited, prohibited, or restricted, reducing the profitability of certain investments in receivables;
•certain collection methods could be prohibited, forcing the parties that service our receivables portfolio to revise their practices or adopt more costly or less effective practices;
•limitations on the servicer's ability to recover on charged-off receivables regardless of any act or omission on their or our part;
•some credit products and services could be banned in certain states or at the federal level;
•federal or state bankruptcy or debtor relief laws could offer additional protections to consumers seeking bankruptcy protection, providing a court greater leeway to reduce or discharge amounts owed; and
• a reduction in our ability or willingness to invest in receivables arising under loans to certain consumers, such as military personnel.
Risks Related to our Wealth Management Business
Poor investment performance may decrease assets under management and reduce revenues from and the profitability of our asset management business.
Revenues from our asset management business are primarily derived from asset management fees. Asset management fees are generally comprised of management and incentive fees. Management fees are typically based on assets under management, and incentive fees are earned on a quarterly or annual basis only if the return on our managed accounts exceeds a certain threshold return, or “highwater mark,” for each investor. We will not earn incentive fee income during a particular period, even when a fund had positive returns in that period, if we do not generate cumulative performance that surpasses a highwater mark. If a fund experiences losses, we will not earn incentive fees with regard to investors in that fund until its returns exceed the relevant highwater mark.
In addition, investment performance is one of the most important factors in retaining existing investors and competing for new asset management business. Investment performance may be poor as a result of the current or future difficult market or economic conditions, including changes in interest rates or inflation, acts of war, aggression or terrorism,
widespread outbreaks of disease, such as the COVID-19 pandemic or similar pandemics, or political uncertainty, our investment style, the particular investments that we make, and other factors. Poor investment performance may result in a decline in our revenues and income by causing (i) the net asset value of the assets under our management to decrease, which would result in lower management fees to us, (ii) lower investment returns, resulting in a reduction of incentive fee income to us, and (iii) investor redemptions, which would result in lower fees to us because we would have fewer assets under management.
To the extent our future investment performance is perceived to be poor in either relative or absolute terms, the revenues and profitability of our asset management business will likely be reduced and our ability to grow existing funds and raise new funds in the future will likely be impaired.
The historical returns of our funds may not be indicative of the future results of our funds.
The historical returns of our funds should not be considered indicative of the future results that should be expected from such funds or from any future funds we may raise. Our rates of returns reflect unrealized gains, as of the applicable measurement date, which may never be realized due to changes in market and other conditions not in our control that may adversely affect the ultimate value realized from the investments in a fund. The returns of our funds may have also benefited from investment opportunities and general market conditions that may not repeat themselves, and there can be no assurance that our current or future funds will be able to avail themselves of profitable investment opportunities. Furthermore, the historical and potential future returns of the funds we manage also may not necessarily bear any relationship to potential returns on our common stock.
We are subject to risks in using custodians.
Our asset management subsidiary and its managed funds depend on the services of custodians to settle and report securities transactions. In the event of the insolvency of a custodian, our funds might not be able to recover equivalent assets in whole or in part as they will rank among the custodian’s unsecured creditors in relation to assets which the custodian borrows, lends or otherwise uses. In addition, cash held by our funds with the custodian will not be segregated from the custodian’s own cash, and the funds will therefore rank as unsecured creditors in relation thereto.
We manage debt investments that involve significant risks.
We have and may invest in secured and unsecured debt issued by companies that have or may incur additional debt that is senior to the such debt. In the event of insolvency, liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or bankruptcy of any such borrower, the owners of senior secured debt (i.e., the owners of first priority liens) generally will be entitled to receive proceeds from any realization of the secured collateral until they have been reimbursed. At such time, the owners of junior secured debt (including, in certain circumstances, the Company or an affiliate) will be entitled to receive proceeds from the realization of the collateral securing such debt. There can be no assurances that the proceeds, if any, from the sale of such collateral would be sufficient to satisfy the loan obligations secured by subordinate debt instruments. To the extent that the Company or an affiliate owns secured debt that is junior to other secured debt, the Company or such affiliate may lose the value of its entire investment in such debt.
In addition, the Company may invest in loans that are secured by a second lien on assets. Second lien loans have been a developed market for a relatively short period of time, and there is limited historical data on the performance of second lien loans in adverse economic circumstances. In addition, second lien loan products are subject to intercreditor arrangements with the holders of first lien indebtedness, pursuant to which the second lien holders have waived many of the rights of a secured creditor, and some rights of unsecured creditors, including rights in bankruptcy, which can materially affect recoveries. While there is broad market acceptance of some second lien intercreditor terms, no clear market standard has developed for certain other material intercreditor terms for second lien loan products. This variation in key intercreditor terms may result in dissimilar recoveries across otherwise similarly situated second lien loans in insolvency or distressed situations. While uncertainty of recovery in an insolvency or distressed situation is inherent in all debt instruments, second lien loan products carry more risks than certain other debt products.
Risks Related to Our Communications Businesses
Dial-up and DSL pay accounts may decline faster than expected and adversely impact our business.
A significant portion of UOL’s revenues and profits come from dial-up Internet and DSL access services and related services and advertising revenues. UOL’s dial-up and DSL Internet access pay accounts and revenues have been declining and are expected to continue to decline due to the continued maturation of the market for dial-up and DSL Internet access, competitive pressures in the industry and limited sales efforts. Consumers continue to migrate to broadband access, primarily due to the faster connection and download speeds provided by broadband access. Advanced applications such as online gaming, music downloads and videos require greater bandwidth for optimal performance, which adds to the demand for broadband access. The pricing for basic broadband services has been declining as well, making it a more viable option for consumers. In addition, the popularity of accessing the Internet through tablets and mobile devices has been growing and may accelerate the migration of consumers away from dial-up Internet access. The number of dial-up Internet access pay accounts has been adversely impacted by both a decrease in the number of new pay accounts signing up for UOL’s services, as well as the impact of subscribers canceling their accounts, which we refer to as “churn.” Churn has increased from time to time and may increase in the future. If we experience a higher than expected level of churn, it will make it more difficult for us to increase or maintain the number of pay accounts, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
We expect UOL’s dial-up and DSL Internet access pay accounts to continue to decline. As a result, related services revenues and the profitability of this segment may decline. The rate of decline in these revenues may continue to accelerate.
We may not be able to consistently make a high level of expense reductions in the future. Continued declines in revenues relating to the UOL business, particularly if such declines accelerate, will materially and adversely impact the profitability of this business.
Our marketing efforts for our communications businesses may not be successful or may become more expensive, either of which could increase our costs and adversely impact our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
We rely on relationships with a wide variety of third parties, including Internet search providers such as Google, social networking platforms such as Facebook, Internet advertising networks, co-registration partners, retailers, distributors, television advertising agencies, and direct marketers, to source new customers and to promote or distribute our services and products. In addition, in connection with the launch of new services or products for our communications businesses, we may spend a significant amount of resources on marketing. With any of our brands, services, and products, if our marketing activities are inefficient or unsuccessful, if important third-party relationships or marketing strategies, such as Internet search engine marketing and search engine optimization, become more expensive or unavailable, or are suspended, modified, or terminated, for any reason, if there is an increase in the proportion of consumers visiting our websites or purchasing our services and products by way of marketing channels with higher marketing costs as compared to channels that have lower or no associated marketing costs, or if our marketing efforts do not result in our services and products being prominently ranked in Internet search listings, our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows could be materially and adversely impacted.
Our communications businesses are dependent on the availability of telecommunications services and compatibility with third-party systems and products.
Our communications businesses substantially depend on the availability, capacity, affordability, reliability, and security of telecommunications networks operated by third parties. Only a limited number of telecommunications providers offer the network and data services we currently require for our services, and we purchase most of our telecommunications services from a few providers. Some of our telecommunications services are provided pursuant to short-term agreements that the providers can terminate or elect not to renew. In addition, some telecommunications providers may cease to offer network services for certain less populated areas, which would reduce the number of providers from which we may purchase services and may entirely eliminate our ability to purchase services for certain areas.
Currently, the mobile network service of our Marconi Wireless business is entirely dependent upon services acquired from one service provider. If we are unable to maintain, renew or obtain a new agreement with the telecommunications provider on acceptable terms, or the provider discontinues its services, our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows could be materially and adversely affected.
Our dial-up Internet access services of our UOL business also rely on their compatibility with other third-party systems, products and features, including operating systems. Incompatibility with third-party systems and products could
adversely affect our ability to deliver our services or a user’s ability to access our services and could also adversely impact the distribution channels for our services. Our dial-up Internet access services are dependent on dial-up modems and an increasing number of computer manufacturers, including certain manufacturers with whom we have distribution relationships, do not pre-load their new computers with dial-up modems, requiring the user to separately acquire a modem to access our services. We cannot assure you that, as the dial-up Internet access market declines and new technologies emerge, we will be able to continue to effectively distribute and deliver our services.
Government regulations could adversely affect our business or force us to change our business practices.
The services we provide are subject to varying degrees of international, federal, state and local laws and regulation, including, without limitation, those relating to taxation, bulk email or “spam,” advertising (including, without limitation, targeted or behavioral advertising), user privacy and data protection, consumer protection, antitrust, export, and unclaimed property. Compliance with such laws and regulations, which in many instances are unclear or unsettled, is complex. New laws and regulations, such as those being considered or recently enacted by certain states, the federal government, or international authorities related to automatic-renewal practices, spam, user privacy, targeted or behavioral advertising, and taxation, could impact our revenues or certain of our business practices or those of our advertisers. Moreover, distribution partners or customers may require us, or we may otherwise deem it necessary or advisable, to alter our products to address actual or anticipated changes in the regulatory environment. Our inability to alter our products to address these requirements and any regulatory changes could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and operating results.
The current regulatory environment for broadband telephone services is developing and therefore uncertain. The United States and other countries have begun to assert regulatory authority over broadband telephone service and are continuing to evaluate how broadband telephone service will be regulated in the future. Both the application of existing rules to us and our competitors and the effects of future regulatory developments are uncertain. Future legislative, judicial or other regulatory actions could have a negative effect on our business, which may involve significant compliance costs and require that we restructure our service offerings, exit certain markets, or increase our prices to recover our regulatory costs, any of which could cause our services to be less attractive to customers.
Regulatory and governmental agencies may determine that we should be subject to rules applicable to certain broadband telephone service providers or seek to impose new or increased fees, taxes, and administrative burdens on broadband telephone service providers. We also may change our product and service offerings in a manner that subjects us to greater regulation and taxation. We are faced, and may continue to face, difficulty collecting such charges from our customers and/or carriers, and collecting such charges may cause us to incur legal fees. We may be unsuccessful in collecting all of the regulatory fees owed to us. The imposition of any such additional regulatory fees, charges, taxes and regulations on VoIP communications services could materially increase our costs and may limit or eliminate our competitive pricing advantages.
We offer our magicJack products and services in other countries, and therefore could also be subject to regulatory risks in each such foreign jurisdiction, including the risk that regulations in some jurisdictions will prohibit us from providing our services cost-effectively or at all, which could limit our growth. Currently, there are several countries where regulations prohibit us from offering service. In addition, because customers can use our services almost anywhere that a broadband Internet connection is available, including countries where providing broadband telephone service is illegal, the governments of those countries may attempt to assert jurisdiction over us. Violations of these laws and regulations could result in fines, criminal sanctions against us, our officers or our employees, and prohibitions on the conduct of our business. Any such violations could include prohibitions on our ability to offer our products and services in one or more countries, could delay or prevent potential acquisitions, expose us to significant liability and regulation and could also materially damage our reputation, our brand, our international expansion efforts, our ability to attract and retain employees, our business and our operating results. Our success depends, in part, on our ability to anticipate these risks and manage these difficulties.
Broadband Internet access is currently classified by the FCC as an “information service.” While this classification means that broadband Internet access services are not subject to Universal Service Fund (“USF”) contributions, Congress or the FCC may expand the USF contribution obligations to include broadband Internet access services. If broadband Internet access providers become subject to USF contribution obligations, it would likely raise the effective cost of our services to customers, which could adversely affect customer satisfaction and have an adverse impact on our revenues and profitability.
We are faced, and may continue to face, difficulty collecting regulatory charges from our customers and/or carriers and collecting such charges may cause us to incur legal fees. We may be unsuccessful in collecting all the regulatory fees owed to us. The imposition of any such additional regulatory fees, charges, taxes and regulations on our services could materially increase our costs and may limit or eliminate our competitive pricing advantages.
Failure to remit regulatory fees, charges and taxes mandated by federal and state regulations; failure to maintain proper state tariffs and certifications; failure to comply with federal, state or local laws and regulations; failure to obtain and maintain required licenses, franchises and permits; imposition of burdensome license, franchise or permit requirements for us to operate in public rights-of-way; and imposition of new burdensome or adverse regulatory requirements could limit the types of services we provide or the terms on which we provide these services.
We cannot predict the outcome of any ongoing legislative initiatives or administrative or judicial proceedings or their potential impact upon the communications and information technology industries generally or upon our communications businesses specifically. Any changes in the laws and regulations applicable to our communications businesses, the enactment of any additional laws or regulations, or the failure to comply with, or increased enforcement activity by regulators of, such laws and regulations, could significantly impact our services and products, our costs, or the manner in which we or our advertisers conduct business, all of which could adversely impact our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows and cause our business to suffer.
The FCC and some states require us to obtain prior approval of certain major merger and acquisition transactions, such as the acquisition of control of another telecommunications carrier. Delays in obtaining such approvals could affect our ability to close proposed transactions in a timely manner and could increase our costs and increase the risk of non-consummation of some transactions.
Increases in credit card processing fees and high chargeback costs would increase our operating expenses and adversely affect our results of operations, and an adverse change in, or the termination of, our relationship with any major credit card company would have a severe, negative impact on our business.
A significant number of our communications customers purchase their products through our websites and pay for our communications products and services using credit or debit cards. The major credit card companies or the issuing banks may increase the fees that they charge for transactions using their cards. An increase in those fees would require us to either increase the prices we charge for our products, or suffer a negative impact on our profitability, either of which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We have potential liability for chargebacks associated with the transactions we process, or that are processed on our behalf by merchants selling our products. If a customer returns his or her products at any time, or claims that our product was purchased fraudulently, the returned product is “charged back” to magicJack or its bank, as applicable. If we or our sponsoring banks are unable to collect the chargeback from the merchant’s account, or, if the merchant refuses or is financially unable, due to bankruptcy or other reasons, to reimburse the merchant’s bank for the chargeback, we bear the loss for the amount of the refund paid.
We are vulnerable to credit card fraud, as we sell communications products and services directly to customers through our website. Card fraud occurs when a customer uses a stolen card (or a stolen card number in a card-not-present-transaction) to purchase merchandise or services. In a traditional card-present transaction, if the merchant swipes the card, receives authorization for the transaction from the card issuing bank and verifies the signature on the back of the card against the paper receipt signed by the customer, the card issuing bank remains liable for any loss. In a fraudulent card-not-present transaction, even if the merchant or we receive authorization for the transaction, we or the merchant are liable for any loss arising from the transaction. Because sales made directly from our websites are card-not-present transactions, we are more vulnerable to customer fraud. We are also subject to acts of consumer fraud by customers that purchase our products and services and subsequently claim that such purchases were not made.
In addition, as a result of high chargeback rates or other reasons beyond our control, the credit card companies or issuing bank may terminate their relationship with us, and there are no assurances that it will be able to enter into a new credit card processing agreement on similar terms, if at all. Upon a termination, if our credit card processor does not assist it in transitioning its business to another credit card processor, or if we were not able to obtain a new credit card processor, the negative impact on the liquidity of our communications businesses likely would be significant. The credit card processor may also prohibit us from billing discounts annually or for any other reason. Any increases in the credit card fees paid by our communications businesses could adversely affect our results of operations, particularly if we elect not to raise
our service rates to offset the increase. The termination of our ability to process payments on any major credit or debit card, due to high chargebacks or otherwise, would significantly impair our ability to operate our business.
Flaws in our technology and systems could cause delays or interruptions of service, damage our reputation, cause us to lose customers and limit our growth.
Our communications services could be disrupted by problems with our technology and systems, such as malfunctions in our software or other facilities and overloading of our servers. Our customers could experience interruptions in the future as a result of these types of problems. Interruptions could in the future cause us to lose customers, which could adversely affect our revenue and profitability. In addition, because our systems and our customers’ ability to use our services are Internet-dependent, our services may be subject to “hacker attacks” from the Internet, which could have a significant impact on our systems and services. If service interruptions adversely affect the perceived reliability of our service, it may have difficulty attracting and retaining customers and our brand reputation and growth may suffer.
We rely on independent retailers to sell the magicJack devices, and disruption to these channels would harm our business.
Because we sell a significant amount of the magicJack devices, other devices and certain services to independent retailers, we are subject to many risks, including risks related to their inventory levels and support for magicJack’s products. In particular, magicJack’s retailers may maintain significant levels of our products in their inventories. If retailers attempt to reduce their levels of inventory or if they do not maintain sufficient levels to meet customer demand, our sales could be negatively impacted.
The retailers who sell magicJack products also sell products offered by its competitors. If these competitors offer the retailers more favorable terms, those retailers may de-emphasize or decline to carry magicJack’s products. In the future, we may not be able to retain or attract a sufficient number of qualified retailers. If we are unable to maintain successful relationships with retailers or to expand our distribution channels, our business will suffer.
To continue this method of sales, we will have to allocate resources to train vendors, systems integrators and business partners as to the use of our products, resulting in additional costs and additional time until sales by such vendors, systems integrators and business partners are made feasible. Our business depends to a certain extent upon the success of such channels and the broad market acceptance of our products. To the extent that our channels are unsuccessful in selling our products, our revenues and operating results will be adversely affected.
If magicJack fails to maintain relationships with these channels, fails to develop new channels, fails to effectively manage, train, or provide incentives to existing channels or if these channels are not successful in their sales efforts, sales of magicJack’s products may decrease and our operating results would suffer.
The success of our business relies on customers’ continued and unimpeded access to broadband service. Providers of broadband services may be able to block our services or charge their customers more for also using our services, which could adversely affect our revenue and growth.
Our customers must have broadband access to the Internet in order to use our service. Providers of broadband access, some of whom are also competing providers of broadband voice services, may take measures that affect their customers’ ability to use our service, such as degrading the quality of the data packets they transmit over their lines, giving those packets low priority, giving other packets higher priority than ours, blocking our packets entirely or attempting to charge their customers more for also using our services.
In December 2017, the FCC rescinded rules that, among other things, prohibited broadband Internet access providers from blocking, throttling, or otherwise degrading the quality of data packets, or attempting to extract additional fees from edge service providers.
In October 2019, the D.C. Circuit largely upheld the FCC decision. Although some states, most notably California, have adopted prohibitions similar to those rescinded by the FCC, if broadband providers block, throttle or otherwise degrade the quality of our data packets or attempt to extract additional fees from us or our customers, it could adversely impact our business.
Risks Related to Our Consumer Products Segment
If Targus fails to innovate and develop new products in a timely and cost-effective manner for its new and existing product categories, our business and operating results could be adversely affected.
Targus product categories are characterized by short product life cycles, intense competition, frequent new product introductions, rapidly changing technology, dynamic consumer demand and evolving industry standards. As a result, we must continually innovate in our new and existing product categories, introduce new products and technologies, and enhance existing products in order to remain competitive.
The success of our product portfolio depends on several factors, including our ability to:
•Identify new features, functionality and opportunities;
•Anticipate technology, market trends and consumer preferences;
•Develop innovative, high-quality, and reliable new products and enhancements in a cost-effective and timely manner;
•Distinguish our products from those of our competitors; and
•Offer our products at prices and on terms that are attractive to our customers and consumers.
If we do not execute on these factors successfully, products that we introduce or technologies or standards that we adopt may not gain widespread commercial acceptance, and our business and operating results could suffer. In addition, if we do not continue to differentiate our products through distinctive, technologically advanced features, designs, and services that are appealing to our customers and consumers, as well as continue to build and strengthen our brand recognition and our access to distribution channels, our business could be adversely affected.
The development of new products and services can be very difficult and requires high levels of innovation. The development process also can be lengthy and costly. There are significant initial expenditures for research and development, tooling, manufacturing processes, inventory, and marketing, and we may not be able to recover those investments. If we fail to accurately anticipate technological trends or our users’ needs or preferences, are unable to complete the development of products and services in a cost-effective and timely fashion, or are unable to appropriately increase production to fulfill customer demand, we will be unable to successfully introduce new products and services into the market or compete with other providers. Even if we complete the development of our new products and services in a cost-effective and timely manner, they may not be competitive with products developed by others, they may not achieve acceptance in the market at anticipated levels or at all, they may not be profitable or, even if they are profitable, they may not achieve margins as high as our expectations or as high as the margins we have achieved historically.
As we introduce new or enhanced products, integrate new technology into new or existing products, or reduce the overall number of products offered, we face risks including, among other things, disruption in customers’ ordering patterns, excessive levels of new and existing product inventories, revenue deterioration in our existing product lines, insufficient supplies of new products to meet customers’ demand, possible product and technology defects, and a potentially different sales and support environment. Premature announcements or leaks of new products, features or technologies may exacerbate some of these risks by reducing the effectiveness of our product launches, reducing sales volumes of current products due to anticipated future products, making it more difficult to compete, shortening the period of differentiation based on our product innovation, straining relationships with our partners or increasing market expectations for the results of our new products before we have had an opportunity to demonstrate the market viability of the products. Our failure to manage the transition to new products and services or the integration of new technology into new or existing products and services could adversely affect our business, results of operations, operating cash flows and financial condition.
We rely on third parties to sell and distribute our products, and we rely on their information to manage our business.
Targus primarily sells products to a network of distributors, retailers and e-tailers (together with our direct sales channel partners). We are dependent on those direct sales channel partners to distribute and sell our products to indirect sales channel partners and ultimately to consumers. The sales and business practices of all such sales channel partners, their
compliance with laws and regulations, and their reputations - of which we may or may not be aware - may affect our business and our reputation.
Our sales channel partners also sell products offered by our competitors and in the case of retailer house brands and original equipment manufacturers, may also be our competitors. If product competitors offer our sales channel partners more favorable terms, have more products available to meet their needs, or utilize the leverage of broader product lines sold through the channel, or if our sales channel partners show preference for their own house brands, our sales channel partners may de-emphasize or decline to carry our products. In addition, certain of our sales channel partners could decide to de-emphasize the product categories that we offer in exchange for other product categories that they believe provide them with higher returns. If we are unable to maintain successful relationships with these sales channel partners or to maintain our distribution channels, our business will suffer.
As we expand into new product categories and markets in pursuit of growth, we will have to build relationships with new channel partners and adapt to new distribution and marketing models. These new partners, practices, and models may require significant management attention and operational resources and may affect our accounting, including revenue recognition, gross margins, and the ability to make comparisons from period to period. Entrenched and more experienced competitors will make these transitions difficult. If we are unable to build successful distribution channels or successfully market our products in these new product categories, we may not be able to take advantage of the growth opportunities, and our business and our ability to grow our business could be adversely affected.
We reserve for cooperative marketing arrangements, incentive programs, and pricing programs with our sales channel partners. These reserves are based on judgments and estimates, using historical experience rates, inventory levels in distribution, current trends, and other factors. There could be significant differences between the actual costs of such arrangements and programs and our estimates.
We use sell-through data, which represents sales of our products by our direct retailer and e-tailer customers to consumers, and by our distributor customers to their customers, along with other metrics, to assess consumer demand for our products. Sell-through data is subject to limitations due to collection methods and the third-party nature of the data and thus may not be an accurate indicator of actual consumer demand for our products. The customers supplying sell-through data vary by geographic region and from period to period, but typically represent a majority of our retail sales. In addition, we rely on channel inventory data from our sales channel partners. If we do not receive this information on a timely and accurate basis, if this information is not accurate, or if we do not properly interpret this information, our results of operations and financial condition may be adversely affected.
Targus’ business is heavily reliant on the general demand for IT and personal computer-related devices.
Targus' business of selling products that relate primarily to the computer accessory markets makes our business performance sensitive to the general demand for IT and personal computer-related devices. As such, declines in the overall demand for personal computers and tablet devices can directly impact the demand for our accessory products as often our products are sold as an attachment to the original equipment manufacturer device that is being sold. The Company performs interim and year end impairment assessments of goodwill and intangible assets utilizing qualitative and quantitative analyses surrounding Targus' financial performance, market conditions in which it operates in, and other financial and non-financial factors. As a result of these assessments, the Company has recognized aggregate impairments to goodwill and intangible assets of $31.7 million and $68.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Risks Related to Competition
We operate in highly competitive industries. Some of our competitors may have certain competitive advantages, which may cause us to be unable to effectively compete with or gain market share from our competitors.
We face competition with respect to all of our service and product areas. The level of competition depends on the particular service or product area.
Some of our competitors may be able to devote greater financial resources to marketing and promotional campaigns, secure merchandise from sellers on more favorable terms, adopt more aggressive pricing or inventory availability policies and devote more resources to website and systems development than we are able to do. Any inability on our part to
effectively compete could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, growth potential and results of operations.
We compete with specialized investment banks to provide financial and investment banking services to small and middle-market companies. Middle-market investment banks provide access to capital and strategic advice to small and middle-market companies in our target industries. We compete with those investment banks on the basis of a number of factors, including client relationships, reputation, the abilities of our professionals, transaction execution, innovation, price, market focus and the relative quality of our products and services. We have experienced intense competition over obtaining advisory mandates in recent years, and we may experience pricing pressures in our investment banking business in the future as some of our competitors seek to obtain increased market share by reducing fees. Competition in the middle-market may further intensify if larger Wall Street investment banks expand their focus to this sector of the market. Increased competition could reduce our market share from investment banking services and our ability to generate fees at historical levels.
We also face increased competition due to a trend toward consolidation. In recent years, there has been substantial consolidation and convergence among companies in the financial services industry. This trend was amplified in connection with the unprecedented disruption and volatility in the financial markets during the past several years, and, as a result, a number of financial services companies have merged, been acquired or have fundamentally changed their respective business models. Many of these firms may have the ability to support investment banking, including financial advisory services, with commercial banking, insurance and other financial services in an effort to gain market share, which could result in pricing pressure in our businesses.
The businesses in our communications segment compete with numerous communications providers, many of whom are large and have significantly more financial and marketing resources. The principal competitors for UOL’s mobile broadband and DSL services include, among others, local exchange carriers, wireless and satellite service providers, and cable service providers.
magicJack, Lingo, and BullsEye compete with the traditional telephone service providers, which provide telephone service using the public switched telephone network. Certain of these traditional providers have also added, or are planning to add, broadband telephone services to their existing telephone and broadband offerings. We also face, or expect to face, competition from cable companies, which offer broadband telephone services to their existing cable television and broadband offerings. Further, wireless providers offer services that some customers may prefer over wireline-based service. In the future, as wireless companies offer more minutes at lower prices, their services may become more attractive to customers as a replacement for broadband or wireline-based phone service. We face competition on magicJack device sales from manufacturers of smart phones, tablets and other handheld wireless devices. Also, we compete against established alternative voice communication providers, and may face competition from other large, well-capitalized Internet companies. In addition, we compete with independent broadband telephone service providers.
Our Consumer Products segment competes with companies that make consumer retail products and/or own other brands and trademarks. Targus operates in an intensely competitive marketplace along with many other makers of consumer and enterprise productivity products. Competitors to our Consumer Products segment may be able to respond more quickly to changes in retailer, wholesaler and consumer preferences and devote greater resources to brand acquisition, development and marketing.
In addition, our competitors may be larger, more diversified, better funded, and have access to more advanced technology, including artificial intelligence (AI). These competitive advantages may enable our competition to innovate better and more quickly, to compete more effectively on quality and price, causing us to lose business and profitability. Burgeoning interest in AI may increase our competition and disrupt our business model. AI may lower barriers to entry in our industry and we may be unable to effectively compete with the products or services offered by new competitors. AI-related changes to the products and services on offer may affect our customers’ expectations, requirements, or tastes in ways we cannot adequately anticipate or adapt to, causing our business to lose sales, market share, or the ability to operate profitably and sustainably.
If we are unable to attract and retain qualified personnel, we may not be able to compete successfully in our industry.
Our future success depends to a significant degree upon the continued contributions of senior management and the ability to attract and retain other highly qualified management personnel. We face competition for management from other companies and organizations; therefore, we may not be able to retain our existing personnel or fill new positions or
vacancies created by expansion or turnover at existing compensation levels. Although we have entered into employment agreements with key members of the senior management team, there can be no assurances such key individuals will remain with us. Recently, we have failed to retain the services of certain key personnel which may adversely affect our business and prospects. The loss of any of our executive officers or other key management personnel would disrupt our operations and divert the time and attention of our remaining officers and management personnel which could have an adverse effect on our results of operations and potential for growth.
We also face competition for highly skilled employees with experience in the industries in which we operate, and some of which requires a unique knowledge base. We may be unable to recruit or retain existing technical, sales and client support personnel that are critical to our ability to execute our business plan, with such difficulties exacerbated by the labor shortages that arose during the COVID-19 pandemic and persist throughout the economy.
Risks Related to Data Security and Intellectual Property
Significant disruptions of information technology systems, breaches of data security, or unauthorized disclosures of sensitive data or personally identifiable information could adversely affect our business, and could subject us to liability or reputational damage.
Our business is increasingly dependent on critical, complex, and interdependent information technology (“IT”) systems, including Internet-based systems, some of which are managed or hosted by third parties, to support business processes as well as internal and external communications. The size and complexity of our IT systems make us vulnerable to, and we have experienced, IT system breakdowns, malicious intrusion, and computer viruses, which may result in the impairment of our ability to operate our business effectively.
In addition, our systems and the systems of our third-party providers and collaborators are potentially vulnerable to data security breaches which may expose sensitive data to unauthorized persons or to the public. Such data security breaches could lead to the loss of confidential information, trade secrets or other intellectual property, or could lead to the public exposure of personal information (including personally identifiable information) of our employees, customers, business partners, and others. In addition, the increased use of social media by our employees and contractors could result in inadvertent disclosure of sensitive data or personal information, including but not limited to, confidential information, trade secrets and other intellectual property.
Any such disruption or security breach, as well as any action by us or our employees or contractors that might be inconsistent with the rapidly evolving data privacy and security laws and regulations applicable within the United States and elsewhere where we conduct business, could result in enforcement actions by U.S. states, the U.S. Federal government or foreign governments, liability or sanctions under data privacy laws that protect personally identifiable information, regulatory penalties, other legal proceedings such as but not limited to private litigation, the incurrence of significant remediation costs, disruptions to our development programs, business operations and collaborations, diversion of management efforts and damage to our reputation, which could harm our business and operations. Because of the rapidly moving nature of technology and the increasing sophistication of cybersecurity threats, our measures to prevent, respond to and minimize such risks may be unsuccessful.
In addition, the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union adopted a comprehensive general data privacy regulation (“GDPR”) in 2016 that took effect in 2018 and governs the collection and use of personal data in the European Union. The GDPR, which is wide-ranging in scope, imposes several requirements relating to the consent of the individuals to whom the personal data relates, the information provided to the individuals, the security and confidentiality of the personal data, data breach notification requirements and the use of third party processors in connection with the processing of the personal data. The GDPR also imposes strict rules on the transfer of personal data out of the European Union to the United States, enhances enforcement authority and imposes large penalties for noncompliance, including the potential for fines of up to €20 million or 4% of the annual global revenues of the infringer, whichever is greater. In addition, the California Consumer Privacy Act ("CCPA") effective since January 1, 2020 applies to for-profit businesses that conduct business in California and meet certain revenue or data collection thresholds. The CCPA established new requirements regarding handling of personal data to entities serving or employing California residents, and gave consumers the right to request disclosure of information collected about them, and whether that information has been sold or shared with others, the right to request deletion of personal information (subject to certain exceptions), the right to opt out of the sale of the consumer’s personal information, and the right not to be discriminated against for exercising these rights. Such rights were expanded under the California Privacy Rights Act (“CPRA”) which went into effect on January 1, 2023. In
addition, similar laws have and may be adopted by other states where the Company does business. The impact of the CCPA and other state privacy laws on the Company’s business is yet to be determined.
We may be unsuccessful in protecting our proprietary rights or may have to defend ourselves against claims of infringement, which could impair or significantly affect our business.
Our future success depends in part on our proprietary technology, technical know-how, and other intellectual property. We rely on a combination of patent, trade secret, copyright, trademark and other intellectual property laws, and confidentiality procedures and contractual provisions such as nondisclosure terms and licenses, to protect our intellectual property.
We hold various United States patents and pending applications, together with corresponding patents and pending applications from other countries.
Our means of protecting our proprietary rights may not be adequate and our competitors may independently develop technology that is similar to ours. Legal protections afford only limited protection for our technology. The laws of many countries do not protect our proprietary rights to as great an extent as do the laws of the United States. Despite our efforts to protect our proprietary rights, unauthorized parties have in the past attempted, and may in the future attempt, to copy aspects of our products or to obtain and use information that it regards as proprietary. Third parties may also design around our proprietary rights, which may render our protected products less valuable if the design around is favorably received in the marketplace. In addition, if any our products or the technology underlying our products is covered by third-party patents or other intellectual property rights, we could be subject to various legal actions.
We cannot assure you that our products do not infringe intellectual property rights held by others or that they will not in the future. Third parties may assert infringement, misappropriation, or breach of license claims against us from time to time. Such claims could cause us to incur substantial liabilities and to suspend or permanently cease the use of critical technologies or processes or the production or sale of major products. Litigation may be necessary to enforce our intellectual property rights, to protect our trade secrets, to determine the validity and scope of the proprietary rights of others, or to defend against claims of infringement or invalidity, misappropriation, or other claims. Any such litigation could result in substantial costs and diversion of our resources, which in turn could materially adversely affect our business and financial condition. Moreover, any settlement of or adverse judgment resulting from such litigation could require us to obtain a license to continue to use the technology that is the subject of the claim, or otherwise restrict or prohibit our use of the technology. Any required licenses may not be available to us on acceptable terms, if at all. If we attempt to design around the technology at issue or to find another provider of suitable alternative technology to permit it to continue offering applicable software or product solutions, our continued supply of software or product solutions could be disrupted or our introduction of new or enhanced software or products could be significantly delayed.
Risks Related to our Securities and Ownership
Anti-takeover provisions under our charter documents and Delaware law could delay or prevent a change of control and could also limit the market price of our stock.
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and our bylaws, as amended, contain provisions that could delay or prevent a change of control of our company or changes in our board of directors that our stockholders might consider favorable. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that our board of directors will be authorized to issue from time to time, without further stockholder approval, up to 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock in one or more series and to fix or alter the designations, preferences, rights and any qualifications, limitations or restrictions of the shares of each series, including the dividend rights, dividend rates, conversion rights, voting rights, rights of redemption, including sinking fund provisions, redemption price or prices, liquidation preferences and the number of shares constituting any series or designations of any series. Such shares of preferred stock could have preferences over our common stock with respect to dividends and liquidation rights. We may issue additional preferred stock in ways which may delay, defer or prevent a change of control of our company without further action by our stockholders. Such shares of preferred stock may be issued with voting rights that may adversely affect the voting power of the holders of our common stock by increasing the number of outstanding shares having voting rights, and by the creation of class or series voting rights.
We are also governed by the provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporate Law, which may prohibit certain business combinations with stockholders owning 15% or more of our outstanding voting stock. The foregoing and other provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, our bylaws, as amended, and Delaware law could
make it more difficult for stockholders or potential acquirers to obtain control of our board of directors or initiate actions that are opposed by the then-current board of directors, including delaying or impeding a merger, tender offer, or proxy contest or other change of control transaction involving our company. Any delay or prevention of a change of control transaction or changes in our board of directors could prevent the consummation of a transaction in which our stockholders could receive a substantial premium over the then current market price for their shares.
Because of their significant stock ownership, some of our existing stockholders will be able to exert control over us and our significant corporate decisions.
Our executive officers, directors and their affiliates own or control, in the aggregate, approximately 31.0% of our outstanding common stock as of December 31, 2024. In particular, our Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer, Bryant R. Riley, owns or controls, in the aggregate, 6,914,063 shares of our common stock or 22.8% of our outstanding common stock as of December 31, 2024. These stockholders are able to exercise influence over matters requiring stockholder approval, such as the election of directors and the approval of significant corporate transactions, including transactions involving an actual or potential change of control of the company or other transactions that non-controlling stockholders may not deem to be in their best interests. This concentration of ownership may harm the market price of our common stock by, among other things:
•delaying, deferring, or preventing a change in control of our company;
•impeding a merger, consolidation, takeover, or other business combination involving our company;
•causing us to enter into transactions or agreements that are not in the best interests of all stockholders; or
•discouraging a potential acquirer from making a tender offer or otherwise attempting to obtain control of our company.
Our Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer is a party to a credit agreement pursuant to which he has pledged as collateral the substantial majority of his common stock in our Company to a bank, and any foreclosure on such stock or the sale or attempted sale of such common stock, could adversely impact the price of our common stock and result in negative publicity.
As reported by Mr. Riley in his Schedule 13D filed with the SEC, he has pledged as collateral the substantial majority of his shares of Company common stock beneficially owned by him as well as other personal assets in favor of a bank lender (the “Lender”), pursuant to a Credit Agreement and Pledge Agreement, each dated as of March 19, 2019, as amended (collectively, the “Loan Agreements”). Pursuant to the Loan Agreements, Mr. Riley has pledged a total of 5,804,124 shares of Company common stock in exchange for a loan of $21.4 million (as of September 16, 2025) which loan is currently due on April 1, 2026. The Loan Agreements permit the Lender, under certain specified circumstances (including upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an event of default), to exercise its rights to foreclose on, and dispose of, the pledged shares and other collateral, in each case, in accordance with the Loan Agreements. An event of default may occur if, upon the satisfaction of loan-to-collateral value ratios including as a result of a decline in our stock price, Mr. Riley was unable to pre-pay a requisite portion of the loan amount or post additional collateral. Any such foreclosure or disposition of shares of our common stock, or any attempt by the Lender to exercise such remedies, could cause the price of our common stock to decline and result in negative publicity for the Company.
Our common stock price may fluctuate substantially, and your investment could suffer a decline in value.
The market price of our common stock may be volatile and could fluctuate substantially due to many factors, including, among other things:
•actual or anticipated fluctuations in our results of operations;
•announcements of significant contracts and transactions by us or our competitors;
•sale of common stock or other securities in the future;
•the trading volume of our common stock;
•changes in our pricing policies or the pricing policies of our competitors; and
•general economic conditions
In addition, the stock market in general has experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations that have often been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of those companies. These broad market factors may materially harm the market price of our common stock, regardless of our operating performance.
The trading price of our common shares is subject to volatility.
Trading of our common stock has in the past been highly volatile and the market price of shares of our common stock could continue to fluctuate substantially. Additionally, if we are not able to maintain our listing on NASDAQ, then our common stock will be quoted for trading on an over-the-counter quotation system and may be subject to more significant fluctuations in stock price and trading volume and large bid and ask price spreads.
We may not pay dividends regularly or at all in the future.
During 2024, we suspended paying dividends on our preferred stock and common stock, and we may not pay dividends in the near future. Even if we were to reinitiate dividends, our Board of Directors may reduce or discontinue dividends at any time for any reason it deems relevant and there can be no assurances that we will continue to generate sufficient cash to pay dividends, or that we will continue to pay dividends with the cash that we do generate. The determination regarding the payment of dividends is subject to the discretion of our Board of Directors and compliance with applicable laws, and there can be no assurances that we will generate sufficient cash to pay dividends, or that we will pay dividends in future periods.
Our level of indebtedness, and restrictions under such indebtedness, could adversely affect our operations and liquidity.
Together with our subsidiaries, we have a significant amount of indebtedness and substantial debt service requirements. As of December 31, 2024, we had approximately $1.8 billion of outstanding indebtedness. The terms of the instruments governing such indebtedness contain various restrictions and covenants regarding the operation of our business, including, but not limited to, restrictions on our ability to merge or consolidate with or into any other entity. We may also secure additional debt financing in the future in addition to our current debt. Our level of indebtedness generally could adversely affect our operations and liquidity, by, among other things: (i) making it more difficult for us to pay or refinance our debts as they become due during adverse economic and industry conditions because we may not have sufficient cash flows to make our scheduled debt payments; (ii) causing us to use a larger portion of our cash flows to fund interest and principal payments, thereby reducing the availability of cash to fund working capital, capital expenditures and other business activities; (iii) making it more difficult for us to take advantage of significant business opportunities, such as acquisition opportunities or other strategic transactions, and to react to changes in market or industry conditions; and (iv) limiting our ability to borrow additional monies in the future to fund working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions and other general corporate purposes as and when needed, which could force us to suspend, delay or curtail business prospects, strategies or operations.
We may not be able to generate sufficient cash flow to pay the interest on our debt, and future working capital, borrowings or equity financing may not be available to pay or refinance such debt. If we are unable to generate sufficient cash flow to pay the interest on our debt, we may have to delay or curtail our operations. If we are unable to service our indebtedness, we will be forced to adopt an alternative strategy that may include actions such as reducing capital expenditures, selling assets, restructuring or refinancing our indebtedness or seeking additional equity capital. These alternative strategies may not be affected on satisfactory terms, if at all, and they may not yield sufficient funds to make required payments on our indebtedness. During 2024 and the first half of 2025, we engaged in a number of assets sales the proceeds of which were largely used to repay indebtedness. If, for any reason, we are unable to meet our debt service and repayment obligations, we would be in default under the terms of the agreements governing our debt, which could allow our creditors at that time to declare certain outstanding indebtedness to be due and payable or exercise other available remedies, which may in turn trigger cross acceleration or cross default rights in other agreements. If that should occur, we may not be able to pay all such debt or to borrow sufficient funds to refinance it. Even if new financing were then available, it may not be on terms that are acceptable to us.
Our publicly traded senior notes are unsecured and therefore are effectively subordinated to any secured indebtedness that we currently have or that we may incur in the future.
Our publicly traded senior notes are not secured by any of our assets or any of the assets of our subsidiaries. As a result, our senior notes are effectively subordinated to any secured indebtedness that we or our subsidiaries have currently outstanding or may incur in the future (or any indebtedness that is initially unsecured to which we subsequently grant security) to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness. The indenture governing our senior notes does not prohibit us or our subsidiaries from incurring additional secured (or unsecured) indebtedness in the future. In any liquidation, dissolution, bankruptcy or other similar proceeding, the holders of any of our existing or future secured indebtedness and the secured indebtedness of our subsidiaries may assert rights against the assets pledged to secure that indebtedness and may consequently receive payment from these assets before they may be used to pay other creditors, including the holders of our senior notes.
Our publicly traded senior notes are structurally subordinated to the indebtedness and other liabilities of our subsidiaries.
Our publicly traded senior notes are obligations exclusively of the Company and not of any of our subsidiaries. None of our subsidiaries is a guarantor of our senior notes, and our senior notes are not required to be guaranteed by any subsidiaries we may acquire or create in the future. Therefore, in any bankruptcy, liquidation or similar proceeding, all claims of creditors (including trade creditors) of our subsidiaries will have priority over our equity interests in such subsidiaries (and therefore the claims of our creditors, including holders of our senior notes) with respect to the assets of such subsidiaries. Even if we are recognized as a creditor of one or more of our subsidiaries, our claims would still be effectively subordinated to any security interests in the assets of any such subsidiary and to any indebtedness or other liabilities of any such subsidiary senior to our claims. Consequently, our senior notes will be structurally subordinated to all indebtedness and other liabilities (including trade payables and the New Notes) of any of our subsidiaries and any subsidiaries that we may in the future acquire or establish as financing vehicles or otherwise. The indenture governing our senior notes does not prohibit us or our subsidiaries from incurring additional indebtedness in the future. In addition, future debt and security agreements entered into by our subsidiaries may contain various restrictions, including restrictions on payments by our subsidiaries to us and the transfer by our subsidiaries of assets pledged as collateral.
On March 26, 2025, the Company completed a private exchange transaction with an institutional investor pursuant to which the investor exchanged approximately $86.3 million aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 5.50% Senior Notes due March 2026 and approximately $36.7 million aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 5.00% Senior Notes due December 2026 owned by it for approximately $87.8 million aggregate principal amount of New Notes, whereupon the exchanged notes were cancelled. The New Notes were issued pursuant to the Indenture between the Company, certain subsidiaries of the Company, as guarantors, and the Trustee, GLAS Trust Company LLC, a New Hampshire limited liability company, and the New Notes are unconditionally guaranteed jointly and severally by all direct and indirect wholly-owned restricted subsidiaries of the Company, subject to certain excluded subsidiaries (collectively, the "Guarantors"). The New Notes are secured on a second lien basis, junior to the obligations under the Company’s credit agreement, by substantially all of the assets of the Company and the Guarantors. The New Notes are subordinated in right of payment to the payment in full of the obligations under the Company’s credit agreement, dated as of February 26, 2025, with Oaktree Fund Administration, LLC, as administrative agent and as collateral agent, as amended. On April 7, 2025, the Company completed a private exchange transaction with a certain institutional investor pursuant to which the such investor exchanged approximately $22.0 million aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 5.00% Senior Notes due December 2026, 6.00% Senior Notes due January 2028 and 5.25% Senior Notes due August 2028 for approximately $10.0 million aggregate principal amount of the New Notes. On May 21, 2025, the Company completed a private exchange transaction with certain institutional investors pursuant to which such investors exchanged approximately $139.1 million aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 5.50% Senior Notes due March 2026, 5.00% Senior Notes due December 2026 and 6.00% Senior Notes due January 2028 for approximately $93.1 million aggregate principal amount of the New Notes. On June 30, 2025, the Company entered into a private exchange transaction with a certain institutional investor pursuant to which such investor exchanged approximately $28.0 million aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 5.00% Senior Notes due December 2026, 6.00% Senior Notes due January 2028 and 5.25% Senior Notes due August 2028 for $13.0 million aggregate principal amount of the New Notes. On July 11, 2025, the Company entered into a private exchange transaction with a certain institutional investor pursuant to which such investor exchanged approximately $42.8 million aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 6.50% Senior Notes due September 2026, 5.00% Senior Notes due December 2026, 6.00% Senior Notes due January 2028 and 5.25% Senior Notes due August 2028 for $24.6 million aggregate principal amount of the New Notes.
The indenture under which our senior notes were issued contains limited protection for holders of our publicly traded senior notes.
The indenture under which our publicly traded senior notes were issued offers limited protection to holders of such senior notes. The terms of the indenture and our senior notes do not restrict our or any of our subsidiaries’ ability to engage in, or otherwise be a party to, a variety of corporate transactions, circumstances or events that could have an adverse impact on the holders of our senior notes. In particular, the terms of the indenture and our senior notes do not place any restrictions on our or our subsidiaries’ ability to:
•issue debt securities or otherwise incur additional indebtedness or other obligations, including (1) any indebtedness or other obligations that would be equal in right of payment to our senior notes, (2) any indebtedness or other obligations that would be secured and therefore rank effectively senior in right of payment to our senior notes to the extent of the values of the assets securing such debt, (3) indebtedness of ours that is guaranteed by one or more of our subsidiaries and which therefore is structurally senior to our senior notes and (4) securities, indebtedness or obligations issued or incurred by our subsidiaries that would be senior to our equity interests in our subsidiaries and therefore rank structurally senior to our senior notes with respect to the assets of our subsidiaries;
•pay dividends on, or purchase or redeem or make any payments in respect of, capital stock or other securities subordinated in right of payment to our senior notes;
•sell assets (other than certain limited restrictions on our ability to consolidate, merge or sell all or substantially all of our assets);
•enter into transactions with affiliates;
•create liens (including liens on the shares of our subsidiaries) or enter into sale and leaseback transactions;
•make investments; or
•create restrictions on the payment of dividends or other amounts to us from our subsidiaries.
In addition, the indenture does not include any protection against certain events, such as a change of control, a leveraged recapitalization or “going private” transaction (which may result in a significant increase of our indebtedness levels), restructuring or similar transactions. Furthermore, the terms of the indenture and our senior notes do not protect holders of our senior notes in the event that we experience changes (including significant adverse changes) in our financial condition, results of operations or credit ratings, as they do not require that we or our subsidiaries adhere to any financial tests or ratios or specified levels of net worth, revenues, income, cash flow, or liquidity. Also, an event of default or acceleration under our other indebtedness would not necessarily result in an event of default under our senior notes.
Our ability to recapitalize, incur additional debt and take a number of other actions that are not limited by the terms of our senior notes may have important consequences for the holders of our senior notes, including making it more difficult for us to satisfy our obligations with respect to our senior notes or negatively affecting the trading value of our senior notes.
Other current debt contain, or debt we may issue or incur in the future could contain, more protections for its holders than the indenture and our senior notes, including additional covenants and events of default. The additional issuance or incurrence of any such debt with incremental protections could affect the market for and trading levels and prices of our senior notes.
An increase in market interest rates could result in a decrease in the value of our senior notes and increase our future borrowing costs.
In general, as market interest rates rise, notes bearing interest at a fixed rate decline in value. The increase in market interest rates over the last several years contributed to the decline in the market value of our senior notes. We cannot predict the future level of market interest rates, but to the extent market interest rates rise, the market value of our existing
senior notes can be expected to further decline. Additionally, if interest rates rise, we may be required to refinance existing lower interest rate indebtedness with indebtedness bearing a higher rate of interest, and our issuance of new indebtedness at higher interest rates would likely cause the market value of our existing indebtedness that we do not refinance to decline. We cannot predict the future level of market interest rates.
An active trading market for our senior notes may not develop, which could limit the market price of our senior notes or the ability of our senior note holders to sell them.
The 5.00% 2026 Notes are quoted on NASDAQ under the symbol “RILYG,” the 5.25% 2028 Notes are quoted on NASDAQ under the symbol “RILYZ,” the 6.50% 2026 Notes are quoted on NASDAQ under the symbol “RILYN,” the 5.50% 2026 Notes are quoted on the NASDAQ under the symbol “RILYK” and the 6.00% 2028 Notes are quoted on NASDAQ under the symbol “RILYT”. We cannot provide any assurances that an active trading market will develop for our senior notes or that our senior note holders will be able to sell their senior notes. Since issuance, our senior notes have traded at times at a discount from their initial offering price due to prevailing interest rates, the market for similar securities, our credit ratings, general economic conditions, our financial condition, performance and prospects and other factors. We cannot assure our senior note holders that a liquid trading market will develop for our senior notes, that our senior note holders will be able to sell our senior notes at a particular time or that the price our senior note holders receive when they sell will be favorable. To the extent an active trading market does not develop, the liquidity and trading price for our senior notes may be harmed. Accordingly, our senior note holders may be required to bear the financial risk of an investment in our senior notes for an indefinite period of time.
We have and may continue to issue additional notes.
Under the terms of the indenture governing our senior notes, we may from time to time without notice to, or the consent of, the holders of our senior notes, create and issue additional notes which will be equal in rank to our senior notes. We will not issue any such additional notes unless such issuance would constitute a “qualified reopening” for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
From March 26, 2025 through July 11, 2025, the Company completed five private exchange transactions with certain institutional investors pursuant to which the investors exchanged approximately $355.0 million of our outstanding publicly traded senior notes for approximately $228.4 million aggregate principal amount of the New Notes. The New Notes are unconditionally guaranteed jointly and severally by all direct and indirect wholly-owned restricted subsidiaries of the Company, subject to certain excluded subsidiaries and are secured on a second lien basis, junior to the obligations under the Company’s credit agreement, by substantially all of the assets of the Company and the Guarantors.
The rating for the 5.00% 2026 Notes, 5.25% 2028 Notes, 6.50% 2026 Notes, 5.50% 2026 Notes, or 6.00% 2028 Notes could at any time be revised downward or withdrawn entirely at the discretion of the issuing rating agency.
We have obtained a rating for the 5.00% 2026 Notes, 5.25% 2028 Notes, 6.50% 2026 Notes, 5.50% 2026 Notes, and 6.00% 2028 Notes (collectively, the “Rated Notes”). Ratings only reflect the views of the issuing rating agency or agencies and such ratings could at any time be revised downward or withdrawn entirely at the discretion of the issuing rating agency. A rating is not a recommendation to purchase, sell or hold any of the Rated Notes. Ratings do not reflect market prices or suitability of a security for a particular investor and the rating of the Rated Notes may not reflect all risks related to us and our business, or the structure or market value of the Rated Notes. We may elect to issue other securities for which we may seek to obtain a rating in the future. If we issue other securities with a rating, such ratings, if they are lower than market expectations or are subsequently lowered or withdrawn, could adversely affect the market for or the market value of the Rated Notes.
There is no established market for the Depositary Shares and the market value of the Depositary Shares could be substantially affected by various factors.
The Depositary Shares are an issue of securities with no established trading market. Although the shares are trading on the NASDAQ Global Market, an active trading market on the NASDAQ Global Market for the Depositary Shares may not develop or last, in which case the trading price of the Depositary Shares could be adversely affected. If an active trading market does develop on the NASDAQ Global Market, the Depositary Shares may trade at prices higher or lower than their initial offering price. The trading price of the Depositary Shares also depends on many factors, including, but not limited to:
•prevailing interest rates;
•the market for similar securities;
•general economic and financial market conditions; and
•the Company’s financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
The Company has been advised by some of the underwriters that they intend to make a market in the Depositary Shares, but they are not obligated to do so and may discontinue market-making at any time without notice.
The Existing Preferred Stock and the Depositary Shares rank junior to all of the Company’s indebtedness and other liabilities and are effectively junior to all indebtedness and other liabilities of the Company’s subsidiaries.
In the event of a bankruptcy, liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the affairs of the Company, the Company’s assets will be available to pay obligations on the 6.875% Series A Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Series A Preferred Stock”) and the 7.375% Series B Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Series B Preferred Stock” and, together with the Series A Preferred Stock, the “Existing Preferred Stock”), which ranks in parity with the Series A Preferred Stock, only after all of the Company’s indebtedness and other liabilities have been paid. The rights of holders of the Existing Preferred Stock to participate in the distribution of the Company’s assets will rank junior to the prior claims of the Company’s current and future creditors and any future series or class of preferred stock the Company may issue that ranks senior to the Existing Preferred Stock. In addition, the Existing Preferred Stock effectively ranks junior to all existing and future indebtedness and other liabilities of (as well as any preferred equity interests held by others) the Company’s existing subsidiaries and any future subsidiaries. The Company’s existing subsidiaries are, and any future subsidiaries would be, separate legal entities and have no legal obligation to pay any amounts to the Company in respect of dividends due on the Existing Preferred Stock. If the Company is forced to liquidate its assets to pay its creditors, the Company may not have sufficient assets to pay amounts due on any or all of the Existing Preferred Stock then outstanding. The Company and its subsidiaries have incurred and may in the future incur substantial amounts of debt and other obligations that will rank senior to the Existing Preferred Stock. The Company may incur additional indebtedness and become more highly leveraged in the future, which could harm the Company’s financial position and potentially limit cash available to pay dividends. As a result, the Company may not have sufficient funds remaining to satisfy its dividend obligations relating to the Existing Preferred Stock if the Company incurs additional indebtedness. In January 2025, the Company suspended payment of cash dividends on its 6.875% Series A and 7.375% Series B preferred shares.
Future offerings of debt or senior equity securities may adversely affect the market price of the Depositary Shares. If the Company decides to issue debt or senior equity securities in the future, it is possible that these securities will be governed by an indenture or other instrument containing covenants restricting the Company’s operating flexibility. Additionally, any convertible or exchangeable securities that the Company issues in the future may have rights, preferences and privileges more favorable than those of the Existing Preferred Stock and may result in dilution to owners of the Depositary Shares. The Company and, indirectly, the Company’s shareholders, will bear the cost of issuing and servicing such securities. Because the Company’s decision to issue debt or equity securities in any future offering will depend on market conditions and other factors beyond the Company’s control, the Company cannot predict or estimate the amount, timing or nature of the Company’s future offerings. Thus, holders of the Depositary Shares will bear the risk of the Company’s future offerings reducing the market price of the Depositary Shares and diluting the value of their holdings in the Company.
The Company may issue additional shares of the Existing Preferred Stock and additional series of preferred stock that rank on a parity with the Existing Preferred Stock as to dividend rights, rights upon liquidation or voting rights.
The Company is allowed to issue additional shares of Existing Preferred Stock and additional series of preferred stock that would rank on a parity with the Existing Preferred Stock as to dividend payments and rights upon the Company’s liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company’s affairs pursuant to the Company’s certificate of incorporation and the certificate of designation for the Existing Preferred Stock without any vote of the holders of the Existing Preferred Stock. The Company’s certificate of incorporation authorizes the Company to issue up to 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock in one or more series on terms determined by the Company’s Board of Directors. However, the use of depositary shares enables the Company to issue significant amounts of preferred stock, notwithstanding the number of shares authorized by the Company’s certificate of incorporation. The issuance of additional shares of Existing Preferred Stock and additional series of parity preferred stock could have the effect of reducing the amounts available to the Existing Preferred
stockholders upon the Company’s liquidation or dissolution or the winding up of the Company’s affairs. It also may reduce dividend payments on the Existing Preferred Stock issued and outstanding if the Company does not have sufficient funds to pay dividends on all Existing Preferred Stock outstanding and other classes of stock with equal priority with respect to dividends.
In addition, although holders of the Depositary Shares are entitled to limited voting rights (discussed further below), the holders of the Depositary Shares will vote separately as a class along with all other outstanding series of the Company’s preferred stock that the Company may issue upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable. As a result, the voting rights of holders of the Depositary Shares may be significantly diluted, and the holders of such other series of preferred stock that the Company may issue may be able to control or significantly influence the outcome of any vote.
Future issuances and sales of parity preferred stock, or the perception that such issuances and sales could occur, may cause prevailing market prices for the Depositary Shares and the Company’s common stock to decline and may adversely affect the Company’s ability to raise additional capital in the financial markets at times and prices favorable to the Company. Such issuances may also reduce or eliminate the Company’s ability to pay dividends on the Company’s common stock.
Holders of Depositary Shares have extremely limited voting rights.
The voting rights of holders of Depositary Shares are limited. The Company’s common stock is the only class of the Company’s securities that carries full voting rights. Voting rights for holders of Depositary Shares exist primarily with respect to the ability to elect (together with the holders of other outstanding series of the Company’s preferred stock, or Depositary Shares representing interests in the Company’s preferred stock, or additional series of preferred stock the Company may issue in the future and upon which similar voting rights have been or are in the future conferred and are exercisable) two additional directors to the Company’s Board of Directors in the event that six quarterly dividends (whether or not declared or consecutive) payable on the Existing Preferred Stock are in arrears, and with respect to voting on amendments to the Company’s certificate of incorporation or certificate of designation (in some cases voting together with the holders of other outstanding series of the Company’s preferred stock as a single class) that materially and adversely affect the rights of the holders of Depositary Shares (and other series of preferred stock, as applicable) or create additional classes or series of the Company’s stock that are senior to the Existing Preferred Stock, provided that in any event adequate provision for redemption has not been made. Other than the limited circumstances described in this prospectus supplement, holders of Depositary Shares will not have any voting rights.
The Depositary Shares have not been rated.
The Existing Preferred Stock and the Depositary Shares have not been rated and may never be rated. It is possible, however, that one or more rating agencies might independently decide to assign a rating to the Depositary Shares or that the Company may elect to obtain a rating of the Depositary Shares in the future. Furthermore, the Company may elect to issue other securities for which the Company may seek to obtain a rating. If any ratings are assigned to the Depositary Shares in the future or if the Company issues other securities with a rating, such ratings, if they are lower than market expectations or are subsequently lowered or withdrawn, could adversely affect the market for, or the market value of, the Depositary Shares.
Ratings reflect the views of the issuing rating agency or agencies, and such ratings could at any time be revised downward, placed on negative outlook or withdrawn entirely at the discretion of the issuing rating agency or agencies. Furthermore, a rating is not a recommendation to purchase, sell or hold any particular security, including the Depositary Shares. Ratings do not reflect market prices or the suitability of a security for a particular investor, and any future rating of the Depositary Shares may not reflect all risks related to the Company and its business, or the structure or market value of the Depositary Shares.
The conversion feature may not adequately compensate the holders, and the conversion and redemption features of the Existing Preferred Stock and the Depositary Shares may make it more difficult for a party to take over the Company and may discourage a party from taking over the Company.
Upon the occurrence of a Delisting Event or Change of Control (each as defined in the certificate of designation for each series of the Existing Preferred Stock, respectively), holders of the Depositary Shares will have the right (unless, prior to the Delisting Event Conversion Date or Change of Control Conversion Date (each as defined in the certificate of
designation for each series of the Existing Preferred Stock, respectively), as applicable, the Company has provided or provide notice of the Company’s election to redeem such series of Existing Preferred Stock) to direct the depositary to convert some or all of such series of Existing Preferred Stock underlying their Depositary Shares into the Company’s common stock (or equivalent value of alternative consideration), and under these circumstances the Company will also have a special optional redemption right to redeem such series of Existing Preferred Stock. Upon such a conversion, the holders will be limited to a maximum number of shares of the Company’s common stock equal to the Share Cap (as defined in the certificate of designation for each series of the Existing Preferred Stock, respectively) multiplied by the number of shares of such series of Existing Preferred Stock converted. If the common stock price is less than $11.49 in the case of the Series A Preferred Stock (which is approximately 50% of the closing sale price per share of the Company’s common stock on October 1, 2019) or $13.39 in the case of the Series B Preferred Stock (which is approximately 50% of the closing sale price per share of the Company’s common stock on August 31, 2020), subject to adjustment, the holders will receive a maximum number of shares of the Company’s common stock per depositary share, which may result in a holder receiving value that is less than the liquidation preference of the Depositary Shares. In addition, those features of the Existing Preferred Stock and Depositary Shares may have the effect of inhibiting a third party from making an acquisition proposal for the Company or of delaying, deferring or preventing a change of control of the Company under circumstances that otherwise could provide the holders of the Company’s common stock and Depositary Shares with the opportunity to realize a premium over the then-current market price or that shareholders may otherwise believe is in their best interests.
The market price of the Depositary Shares could be substantially affected by various factors.
The market price of the Depositary Shares will depend on many factors, which may change from time to time, including:
•prevailing interest rates, increases in which may have an adverse effect on the market price of the Depositary Shares;
•the annual yield from distributions on the Depositary Shares as compared to yields on other financial instruments;
•general economic and financial market conditions;
•government action or regulation;
•the financial condition, performance and prospects of the Company and its competitors;
•changes in financial estimates or recommendations by securities analysts with respect to the Company, its competitors or the industry in which the Company operates;
•the Company’s issuance of additional preferred equity or debt securities; and
•actual or anticipated variations in quarterly operating results of the Company and its competitors.
As a result of these and other factors, investors who purchase the Depositary Shares may experience a decrease, which could be substantial and rapid, in the market price of the Depositary Shares, including decreases unrelated to the Company’s operating performance or prospects.
The price of our securities may be adversely affected by third parties who raise allegations about our Company.
Short sellers and others who raise allegations regarding the legality of our business activities, some of whom are positioned to profit if the price of our securities decline, have negatively affected the price of our securities and may continue to do so. For example, in early 2023, a short-focused research firm raised allegations regarding our investment portfolio, accounting practices, and other matters, and announced that they had taken a significant short position regarding our common stock, leading to public scrutiny and significant volatility in the price of our securities. This firm, as well as additional short sellers, have raised additional allegations over the course of 2023 and 2024, particularly around our relationship with Brian Kahn and the FRG take-private transaction. These reports and allegations have caused and may continue to cause significant volatility in the price of our common stock and other securities that may cause the value of a securityholder’s investment to decline rapidly.
We have received, and may continue to receive, a high degree of media coverage that is published or otherwise disseminated by third parties, including on X, other forms of social media, articles, message boards and other media. This includes coverage that is not attributable to statements made by our directors, officers, employees or agents. Information provided by third parties may not be reliable or accurate and has materially impacted, and may continue to materially impact, the trading price of our common stock and other securities which could cause investors to lose their investments.
A “short squeeze” due to a sudden increase in demand for our securities that largely exceeds supply has led to, and may continue to lead to, extreme price volatility in our securities.
Investors may purchase our common stock and other securities to hedge existing exposure or to speculate on the price of our common stock and other securities. Speculation on the price of our securities may involve long and short exposures. To the extent aggregate short exposure exceeds the number of securities available for purchase on the open market, investors with short exposure may have to pay a premium to repurchase our securities for delivery to lenders of our securities. Those repurchases may, in turn, dramatically increase the price of our securities until additional securities are available for trading or borrowing. This is often referred to as a “short squeeze.”
A large proportion of our common stock has been and may continue to be traded by short sellers which may increase the likelihood that our common stock will be the target of a short squeeze. It is also possible that such a short squeeze could develop with respect to our other securities. A short squeeze could lead to volatile price movements in our securities that are unrelated or disproportionate to our operating performance or prospects and, once investors purchase the securities necessary to cover their short positions, the price of our securities may rapidly decline. Securityholders that purchase securities that are the subject of the short squeeze during such short squeeze may lose a significant portion of their investment.

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ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
Item 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.

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ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
Item 2. PROPERTIES
Our headquarters are located in Los Angeles, California in a leased facility. We believe that this facility and our other existing facilities are suitable and adequate for the business conducted therein, appropriately used and have sufficient capacity for their intended purpose.

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ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Item 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
The Company is subject to certain legal and other claims that arise in the ordinary course of its business. In particular, the Company and its subsidiaries are named in and subject to various proceedings and claims arising primarily from the Company’s securities business activities, including lawsuits, arbitration claims, class actions, and regulatory matters. Some of these claims seek substantial compensatory, punitive, or indeterminate damages. The Company and its subsidiaries are also involved in other reviews, investigations, and proceedings by governmental and self-regulatory organizations regarding the Company’s business, which may result in adverse judgments, settlements, fines, penalties, injunctions, and other relief. In addition to such legal and other claims, reviews, investigations, and proceedings, the Company and its subsidiaries are subject to the risk of unasserted claims, including, among others, as it relates to matters related to Mr. Kahn and our investment in Freedom VCM. For example, in light of Mr. Kahn’s alleged involvement with the alleged misconduct concerning Prophecy Asset Management LP, the Company can provide no assurances that it will not be subject to claims asserting an interest in the Freedom VCM equity interests owned by Mr. Kahn, including those that collateralize the Amended and Restated Note. If a claim were successful, it would diminish the value of the collateral which could impact the carrying value of the loan. If such claims are made, however, the Company believes it has valid defenses from any such claim and any such claim would be without merit.
On July 11, 2025, the Company’s subsidiary, BRS, received a demand letter from certain parties that invested in a special purpose entity (the “SPV”) that in turn invested in the going private transaction (the “Transaction”) in August 2023 of FRG. The letter alleges that BRS failed to disclose certain material facts regarding FRG and the Transaction in violation of certain securities and other laws. Such investors seek rescission of the aggregate investment amount of $37.5 million. The Company believes such claims are meritless and intends to defend such claims.
On February 14, 2025, a stockholder derivative complaint was filed by Michael Marchner in the Delaware Chancery Court on behalf of the Company and against the members of the Company’s Board of Directors. The complaint alleges that certain of the Company's officers and the board of directors (i) breached their fiduciary duties related to the Company’s involvement with Brian Kahn and subsequent legal issues, (ii) engaged in misconduct, and (iii) wasted corporate assets, including the approval of improper compensation. The Company believes that these claims are meritless and intends to defend this action.
On January 22, 2025, a stockholder derivative complaint was filed by James Smith in the Superior Court for Los Angeles County against the Company, certain of the Company’s executive officers and the members of the Company’s Board of Directors. The complaint alleges that certain of the Company's officers and directors (i) breached their fiduciary duties related to the Company’s involvement with Brian Kahn and subsequent legal issues, (ii) engaged in a waste of corporate assets, and (iii) received unjust enrichment. The Company believes that these claims are meritless and intends to defend this action.
On July 9, 2024, a putative class action was filed by Brian Gale, Mark Noble, Terry Philippas and Lawrence Bass in the Delaware Chancery Court against Freedom VCM, Mr. Kahn, Andrew Laurence, Matthew Avril and the Company. This complaint alleges that former shareholders of FRG suffered damages due to alleged breaches of fiduciary duties by officers, directors and other participants in the August 2023 management-led take private transaction of FRG and that the Company aided and abetted those alleged breaches of fiduciary duties. The claim seeks an award of unspecified damages, rescissory damages and/or quasi-appraisal damages, disgorgement of profits, attorneys’ fees and expenses, and interest thereon. The Company believes these claims are meritless and intends to defend this action.
On July 3, 2024, each of the Company and Bryant Riley, Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer, received a subpoena from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) requesting the production of certain documents and other information primarily related to (i) the Company’s business dealings with Brian Kahn, (ii) certain transactions in an unrelated public company’s securities, and (iii) the communications and related compliance and other policies and procedures of certain of its regulated subsidiaries. On November 22, 2024, each of the Company and Mr. Riley received an additional SEC subpoena requesting the production of certain additional documents and information relating to Franchise Group, Inc. (including its holding company, Freedom VCM Holdings, LLC) as well as Mr. Riley’s personal loan and his pledge of shares of the Company’s common stock as collateral for such loan. As previously disclosed on April 23, 2024, the Audit Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors, with the assistance of Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, the Company’s legal counsel, conducted an internal review, and separately the Audit Committee retained Winston & Strawn LLP, independent legal counsel, to conduct an independent investigation, to review transactions among Mr. Kahn (and his affiliates) and the Company (and its affiliates). The review and the investigation both confirmed that the Company and its executives, including Mr. Riley, had no involvement with, or knowledge of, any alleged misconduct concerning Mr. Kahn or any of his affiliates. The receipt of subpoenas is not an indication that the SEC or its staff has determined that any violations of law have occurred. Both the Company and Mr. Riley are responding to the subpoenas and are fully cooperating with the SEC.
On May 2, 2024 a putative class action was filed Ted Donaldson in the Superior Court for the State of California, County of Los Angeles on behalf of all persons who acquired the Company’s senior notes pursuant to the shelf registration statement filed with the SEC on Form S-3 dated January 28, 2021, and the prospectuses filed and published on August 4, 2021 and December 2, 2021 (the “Offerings”). The action asserts claims under §§ 11, 12, and 15 of the Securities Act of 1933 against the Company, some of the Company's current and former officers and directors, and the financial institutions that served as underwriters and book runners for the Offerings. An amended complaint was filed on September 27, 2024. The amended complaint alleges that the offering documents failed to advise investors that Brian Kahn and/or one or more of his controlled entities was engaged in illicit business activities, that the Company, despite the foregoing, continued to finance transactions for Kahn, eventually enabling him and others to take FRG private, and that the foregoing was reasonably likely to draw regulatory scrutiny and reputational harm to the Company. The Company believes these claims are meritless and intends to defend this action.
On January 24, 2024, a putative securities class action complaint was filed by Mike Coan in U.S. Federal District Court, Central District of California, against the Company, Mr. Riley, Tom Kelleher and Phillip Ahn. The purported class includes persons and entities that purchased shares of the Company’s common stock between May 10, 2023 and November 9, 2023. A second putative class action lawsuit was filed on March 15, 2024 by the KL Kamholz Joint Revocable Trust (“Kamholz”). On August 8, 2024, this matter was consolidated with the Kamholz matter and an amended complaint was then filed on April 21, 2025. The amended complaint alleges that the Company failed to disclose to investors material financial details concerning a going private transaction involving FRG, and that the Company made false or misleading statements concerning the Company’s lending practices, its high concentration of risk in transactions involving Mr. Kahn and his affiliates, the condition and composition of the Company’s loan portfolio, the Company’s due diligence and risk management procedures, and the Company’s level of concern and internal scrutiny concerning Mr. Kahn after it learned he was potentially implicated in a fraud involving an unrelated third party. The amended complaint asserts claims under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Company cannot estimate the amount of potential liability, if any, that could arise from these matters and believes these claims are meritless and intends to defend these actions.
On September 21, 2023, the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, B. Riley Commercial Capital, LLC (“BRCC”), received a demand alleging that certain payments to BRCC in the aggregate amount of approximately $32.2 million made by Sorrento Therapeutics, Inc. (“Sorrento”), a chapter 11 debtor in the Bankruptcy Court, pursuant to that certain Bridge
Loan Agreement dated September 30, 2022 between Sorrento and BRCC, are avoidable as preferential transfers (the “Alleged Preferences”). On June 16, 2025, the liquidating trustee on behalf of the Sorrento Liquidating Trust filed a complaint with the Court in an adversary proceeding seeking to avoid and recover the Alleged Preferences. On September 12, 2025, the Court denied BRCC’s motion to dismiss. The Company believes that the liquidating trustee’s claims lack merit and intends to continue to assert its statutory defenses to defeat such claims.
In light of the significant factual issues to be resolved with respect to the asserted claims and other proceedings described above and uncertainties regarding unasserted claims described above, at the present time reasonably possible losses cannot be estimated with respect to the asserted and unasserted claims described in the preceding paragraphs.

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ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE
Item 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
PART II

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ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY
Item 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Stock Market and Other Information
Our common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol: “RILY”. From July 16, 2015 to November 15, 2016, our common stock was traded on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol “RILY”.
As of September 16, 2025, there were approximately 129 holders of record of our Common Stock. This number does not include beneficial owners holding shares through nominees or in “street” name.
On June 4, 2025 and August 20, 2025, the Company received notices (the “Notices”) from the NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (“NASDAQ”), which stated that, as a result of the Company’s delays in filing its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2024, its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the periods ended March 31, and June 30, 2025 (the "Delayed Quarterly Reports" (collectively, the "Delayed SEC Periodic Reports"), the Company was not in compliance with NASDAQ Listing Rule 5250(c)(1) (the “Rule”), which requires NASDAQ-listed companies to timely file all required periodic financial reports with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The Notices state that based on NASDAQ’s further review and the materials submitted by the Company on June 2, 2025, the Staff determined to grant an exception to enable the Company to regain compliance with the Rule. This exception allowed the Company to remain listed while it worked to regain compliance with all delinquent filings. This exception presently expires on September 29, 2025. The Notices had no immediate effect on the listing of the Company’s securities on NASDAQ.
On September 4 and 19, 2025, the Company provided updates to its plan of compliance to the Staff. More specifically in the September 19 update, the Company determined that it would be unable to file the Delayed Quarterly Reports by September 29, 2025. While the Company is hopeful that the Staff will leave the terms of the exception in place through September 29, 2025, it is possible that the Staff will truncate the exception period, which would result in the issuance of a Staff Determination Letter.
Upon receipt of a Staff Determination Letter, the Company has the right under NASDAQ rules to request a hearing before a NASDAQ Hearings Panel. The Company intends to request such a hearing once it receives a Staff Determination Letter. Within the hearing request letter, the Company must explain why continued listing of its securities is appropriate pending the hearing.
Given the Company’s efforts to address the Delayed SEC Periodic Reports, its priority to remain transparent and disclose on a timely basis all material information via Current Report, as required by SEC rules, and the filing of the 2024 Form 10-K, the Company is hopeful that a NASDAQ Hearings Panel will both grant its request to continue trading pending the hearing and then grant the Company additional time to remain listed on NASDAQ until such time as it again becomes current in the SEC periodic public filings; however, we cannot provide any assurances that NASDAQ will do so.
Dividend Policy
We currently intend to retain all available funds and any future earnings for use in the operation of our business and do not anticipate paying any dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. Any future determination to declare dividends will be made at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend on our financial condition, operating results, capital requirements, general business conditions and other factors that our Board of Directors may deem relevant.
Recent Repurchases of Equity Securities
None.
Share Performance Graph
The following graph and table compares the cumulative total shareholder return on our common share with the cumulative total return on the Russell 2000 Financial Index and S&P 500 index for the period from December 31, 2019 to
December 31, 2024. The graph and table below assume that $100 was invested on the starting date and dividends, if any, were reinvested on the date of payment without payment of any commissions. The performance shown in the graph and table represents past performance and should not be considered an indication of future performance.
As of December 31, 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
B. Riley Financial, Inc. $ 100 $ 351 $ 844 $ 351 $ 243 $ 55
Russell 2000 $ 100 $ 146 $ 166 $ 131 $ 150 $ 165
Russell 2000 Financial $ 100 $ 114 $ 144 $ 118 $ 128 $ 145
S&P 500 $ 100 $ 150 $ 190 $ 153 $ 190 $ 235
The information provided above under the heading “Share Performance Graph” shall not be considered “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act or incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended or the Exchange Act.

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ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
Item 6. RESERVED
None.

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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Item 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
This report contains forward-looking statements. These statements relate to future events or our future financial performance. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “future,” “intend,” “seek,” “likely,” “potential” or “continue,” the negative of such terms or other comparable terminology. These statements are only predictions. Actual events or results may differ materially.
Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Moreover, neither we, nor any other person,
assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of the forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, we are under no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements after the filing of this Annual Report to conform such statements to actual results or to changes in our expectations.
The following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes and other financial information appearing elsewhere in this Annual Report. Readers are also urged to carefully review and consider the various disclosures made by us which attempt to advise interested parties of the factors which affect our business, including without limitation the disclosures made in Item 1A of Part II of this Annual Report under the caption “Risk Factors.”
Factors that could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: volatility in our revenues and results of operations; changing conditions in the financial markets; matters related to our investment in Freedom VCM Holdings, LLC (“Freedom VCM”) and developments related to our prior business relationship with Brian Kahn (the former CEO of Freedom VCM); the receipt by the Company and Bryant Riley of subpoenas from the SEC; material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting; our ability to generate sufficient revenues to achieve and maintain profitability; our exposure to credit risk; the short term nature of our engagements; failure to successfully compete in any of our businesses; our dependence on communications, information and other systems and third parties; the potential loss of financial institution clients; the illiquidity of, and additional potential losses from, our proprietary investments; changing economic and market conditions, including inflation and any actions by the Federal Reserve to address inflation, and the possibility of recession or an economic downturn; the effects of tariffs and other governmental initiatives, and related impacts including supply chain disruptions, labor shortages and increased labor costs; potential liability and harm to our reputation if we were to provide an inaccurate appraisal or valuation; potential mark-downs in inventory in connection with purchase transactions; loss of key personnel; our ability to borrow under our credit facilities; failure to comply with the terms of our credit agreements or senior notes; the level of our indebtedness; our ability to meet future capital requirements; our ability to realize the benefits of our completed acquisitions, including our ability to achieve anticipated opportunities and cost savings, and accretion to reported earnings estimated to result from completed and proposed acquisitions in the time frame expected by management or at all; the diversion of management time on divestiture -related issues; the impact of legal proceedings, including in respect of matters related to Freedom VCM and Brian Kahn; the activities of short sellers and their impact on our business and reputation; and the effect of geopolitical instability, including wars, conflicts and terrorist attacks, including the impacts of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and conflicts in the Middle East. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Except as otherwise required by the context, references in this Annual Report to the “Company,” “B. Riley,” “B. Riley Financial,” “we,” “us” or “our” refer to the combined business of B. Riley Financial, Inc. and all of its subsidiaries.
Overview
Description of the Company
B. Riley Financial, Inc. (NASDAQ: RILY) (the “Company”) is a diversified financial services platform that delivers tailored solutions to meet the strategic, operational, and capital needs of its clients and partners. We operate through several consolidated subsidiaries (collectively, “B. Riley”) that provide investment banking, brokerage, wealth management, asset management, direct lending, business advisory services to a broad client base spanning public and private companies, financial sponsors, investors, financial institutions, legal and professional services firms, and individuals.
The Company also opportunistically invests in and acquires companies or assets with attractive risk-adjusted return, with a focus on making operational improvements within these companies in an effort to maximize free cash flow. However, during 2024 and continuing into 2025, our focus has been on reducing indebtedness, including through the net proceeds from a number of strategic asset dispositions or other monetizations as described in additional detail under “-Disposition and Monetization Transactions”. The Company has reduced its total indebtedness from $2.4 billion at December 31, 2023 to $1.8 billion at December 31, 2024. The Company anticipates that reduction of indebtedness, including potentially through additional asset disposition or monetization transactions, will remain a key priority for the foreseeable future.
Our Business Segments
We report our activities in six reportable business segments: Capital Markets, Wealth Management, Financial Consulting, Communications, Consumer segment and E-Commerce segment. The descriptions below illustrate the businesses that comprise our segments.
We maintain a diverse composition of businesses that operate in six reportable segments. Management evaluates many different financial and non-financial metrics to assess the individual performance of each of these various businesses. However, across most businesses, management primarily assesses each business’s financial performance based upon each of the businesses revenues and operating profits generated excluding non-cash charges and the impact of gains and losses related to securities and other investments held. Management believes that gains and losses on individual investments are generally impacted by individual characteristics specific to each investment and although this has an impact on our overall financial performance the impact of these gains and losses may not be indicative of the overall strength or weakness in each of our business operations. Additionally, in evaluating the financial performance of each of our businesses, management monitors the increase or decrease in operating results from period to period while factoring in the relative volatility inherent in each industry in which these businesses operate. Management recognizes that some of the Company’s businesses exhibit more volatile results.
Capital Markets - We provide investment banking, equity research and institutional brokerage services to publicly traded and privately held companies, institutional investors, and financial sponsors; fund and asset management services to institutional and high-net-worth individual investors; and direct lending services to middle market companies. We also trade equity securities as a principal for our account, including investments in funds managed by our subsidiaries. We maintain an investment portfolio comprised of public and private equities and debt securities. We also opportunistically provide loans to our clients and we engage in securities-based lending which involves the borrowing and lending of equity and fixed income securities.
Our investment approach is value-oriented and represents a core competency of our capital markets strategy. We act as an advisor to our clients, which at times involves complex transactions consistent with our value-oriented investment philosophy. We often provide consulting, capital raising, or investment banking services for companies in which B. Riley may have significant influence through equity ownership, representation on the board of directors (or similar governing body), or both.
In our Capital Markets segment we have a portfolio of loans receivable that consisted of the following at December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 (dollars in thousands):
Fair Value Adjustments on Loans
Loans Receivable, at Fair Value Year Ended
December 31,
Industry or Type of Loan December 31,
2024 December 31,
2023 2024 2023 2022
Related Party Loans:
Vintage Capital Management, LLC Retail / consumer $ 2,057 $ 200,506 $ (222,911) $ - $ -
Freedom VCM Receivables, Inc. Consumer receivable portfolio 3,913 42,183 (13,874) - -
Conn's, Inc. Retail / consumer 38,826 104,760 (71,724) 494 -
W.S. Badcock Corporation Consumer receivable portfolio 2,169 20,624 (5,339) (7,940) -
Other related party loans Services, Oil & Gas and Industrial 4,937 10,695 (14,823) (29,342) (1,603)
Total related party 51,902 378,768 (328,671) (36,788) (1,603)
Exela Technologies, Inc. Technology 32,136 50,296 (701) 21,028 (20,191)
Core Scientific, Inc. Technology - 45,509 8,473 34,696 (34,791)
Other loans Various 6,065 57,846 (4,599) 1,289 2,251
Total $ 90,103 $ 532,419 $ (325,498) $ 20,225 $ (54,334)
The fair value adjustments on loans receivable for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, were $(325.5) million, $20.2 million, and $(54.3) million, respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, fair value adjustments for loans receivable from related parties totaled $(328.7) million, $(36.8) million, and $(1.6) million, respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, fair value adjustments for other loans receivable totaled $3.2 million, $57.0 million, and $(52.7) million respectively.
During the year ended December 31, 2024, fair value adjustments for the loan receivable for Vintage Capital Management, LLC were $(222.9) million. The fair value adjustments are related primarily to the decline in the equity fair value of Freedom VCM which, along with certain guarantees, is the primary collateral for this loan. The decline in the equity fair value of Freedom VCM is primarily due to Freedom VCM’s filing of voluntary petitions for relief under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code on November 3, 2024 as a result of increases in net debt, a decrease in the operational performance of Freedom VCM various business units during 2024, and a decline in the equity value of Freedom VCM’s investment in Conn’s, Inc. common stock which was impacted by the Chapter 11 Cases under chapter 11 the Bankruptcy Code in the Bankruptcy Court.
During the year ended December 31, 2024, we recorded $(13.9) million of fair value adjustments to the loan receivable for Freedom VCM Receivables, Inc., primarily due to higher projected charge offs of receivables on the consumer receivable portfolio that are serviced by Conn's, Inc. which was impacted by the Chapter 11 Cases under chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code in the Bankruptcy Court.
During the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, we recorded $(71.7) million and $0.5 million of fair value adjustments to the loan receivable for Conn’s, Inc., respectively. The fair value adjustments are primarily related to Conn’s Inc. July 23, 2024 Chapter 11 Cases. The filing of the Chapter 11 Cases impacted the operational performance of the stores operated by Conn’s, Inc. and the additional expenses projected to be incurred in the Chapter 11 Cases resulted in a decline in the projected recovery value of the collateral for the Conn’s Inc. loan receivable.
During the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, fair value adjustments for the loan receivable from W.S. Badcock Corporation were $(5.3) million and $(7.9) million, respectively. The fair value adjustment of $(5.3) million during the year ended December 31, 2024, was primarily due to higher projected charge offs of receivables on the consumer receivable portfolio resulting from Conn’s, Inc. bankruptcy and estimated costs and losses from the projected liquidation of the consumer receivable portfolio. The fair value adjustment of $(7.9) million during the year ended December 31, 2023, was primarily due to changes in an increase in projected charge-offs due to a slowdown in the economy that impacted customer collections on the individual consumer loans in the portfolio.
During the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, fair value adjustments for the loan receivable from Exela Technologies, Inc. were $(0.7) million, $21.0 million, and $(20.2) million, respectively. The fair value adjustment of $21.0 million was primarily due to the payment of promissory note in full during year ended December 31, 2023 The fair value adjustment of $(20.2) million for the year ended December 31, 2022, was primarily due to deterioration in the collateral for the loan.
During the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, fair value adjustments for the loan receivable from Core Scientific, Inc. were $8.5 million, $34.7 million, and $(34.8) million, respectively. Core Scientific, Inc. provides digital infrastructure for bitcoin mining and high-performance computing. Core Scientific, Inc. filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2022, leading to a significant mark down of the loan receivable in the fourth quarter of 2022. Subsequent to the Chapter 11 restructuring, and during the first quarter of 2023, there was a significant rebound in bitcoin prices resulting in significant growth and value assumptions. The $45.5 million of loans receivable from Core Scientific, Inc. (“Core Scientific”) at December 31, 2023 included a loan in the amount of $42.1 million that was settled in full upon Core Scientific’s exit from Chapter 11 bankruptcy in January 2024.
Wealth Management - We provide retail brokerage, investment management, and insurance, and tax preparation services to individuals and families, small businesses, non-profits, trusts, foundations, endowments, and qualified retirement plans through a boutique private wealth and investment management firm to meet the individual financial needs and goals of our customers. Our experienced financial advisors provide investment management, retirement planning, education planning, wealth transfer and trust coordination, and lending and liquidity solutions. Our investment strategists provide strategies and real-time market views and commentary to help our clients make important and informed financial and investment decisions. Wealth management revenues are comprised of the following:
Year Ended
December 31,
2024 2023 2022
Revenues - Services and fees
Brokerage revenues $ 91,488 $ 88,866 $ 112,837
Advisory revenues 77,307 73,904 85,768
Other 28,673 30,717 32,130
Total services and fees revenue
197,468 193,487 230,735
Trading income 3,278 4,758 3,522
Total revenues
$ 200,746 $ 198,245 $ 234,257
Total assets under management were approximately $20.7 billion, $25.4 billion, and $23.9 billion at December 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively. Of these amounts, advisory assets under management totaled approximately $6.9 billion at December 31, 2024, and $8.0 billion at December 31, 2023, and $7.2 billion at December 31, 2022. Advisory revenues were 0.25%, 0.24%, and 0.32% of average advisory assets under management during the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively. The average revenues earned on advisory assets under management are not expected to fluctuate significantly from period to period as a percentage of advisory assets under management. Broker revenues are primarily comprised of commissions and fees earned from trading activities from brokerage client assets. Other revenues are primarily comprised of tax service fees and management fees earned from comprehensive client focused services performed.
Financial Consulting Segment - We provide a variety of specialized advisory services spanning bankruptcy, restructuring, turnaround management, forensic accounting, crisis and litigation support, and operations management. On November 15, 2024, as more fully described in “-Recent Developments”, the Company entered into a transaction whereby approximately 52.6% of the common equity interests of a newly formed subsidiary that included the Company’s appraisal and valuation and real estate advisory services operations along with the Company’s auction and liquidations operations was sold to an investment management firm. These operations are included in discontinued operations as discussed in Note 4 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements and will be deconsolidated in future periods since B. Riley no longer has control and owns a non-controlling equity investment ownership interest of 44.2% in the business. On June 27, 2025, as more fully described in “-Recent Developments”, the Company signed an equity purchase agreement to sell all of the membership interests of GlassRatner and Farber. The aggregate cash consideration paid by the Buyers for the interests of GlassRatner and shares of Farber was $117.8 million, which is based on a target closing working capital amount that is subject to adjustment within 180-days following the sale date. In connection with the sale, the Company entered into a transition services agreement with the buyer to provide certain services.
Communications Segment - We own a number of businesses that comprises our Communications Segment that we have acquired for attractive risk-adjusted investment return characteristics. We may pursue future acquisitions to expand this portfolio of businesses which currently includes: Lingo Management, LLC ("Lingo Management"), a global cloud/unified communications and managed service provider that includes the operations of BullsEye Telecom, Inc. ("BullsEye"), a single source communications and cloud technology provider previously merged into Lingo; Marconi Wireless Holdings, LLC ("Marconi Wireless"), a mobile virtual network operator that provides mobile phone voice, text, and data services and devices; magicJack VoIP Services, LLC ("magicJack"), a VoIP cloud-based technology and communications provider that offers related devices and subscription services; and United Online, Inc. ("UOL"), an Internet access provider that offers dial-up, mobile broadband and digital subscriber line services under the NetZero and Juno brands.
Consumer Products Segment - This segment is comprised of Tiger US Holdings, Inc. ("Targus"), which we acquired on October 18, 2022 and is a multinational company that, together with its subsidiaries, designs, manufactures, and sells consumer and enterprise productivity products with a large business-to-business (B2B) customer client base and global distribution in over 100 countries. The Targus product line includes laptop and tablet cases, backpacks, universal docking stations, and computer accessories.
E-Commerce Segment - This segment is comprised of Nogin, Inc. ("Nogin"), which is a technology platform operating e-commerce stores that delivers CaaS solutions for apparel brands and other retailers. The Company manages clients’ front-to-back-end operations of the e-commerce stores and also provides marketing services to their clients. The Company’s business model is based on providing a comprehensive e-commerce solution to its customers on a revenue sharing basis.
Our operating results are primarily comprised of the operations of these businesses within our six reportable operating segments. However, we also generate revenues from other businesses that we may acquire with the goal to expand their operations, drive growth, and create operational efficiencies to improve cash flows to reinvest across other business operations in our platform. These businesses are typically in fragmented markets and include the operations of a regional environmental services business, and bebe which operates rent-to-own stores.
In prior years, we also generated operating revenues from an entity that was then a majority owned subsidiary of ours which licensed the trademarks and intellectual properties from ownership of six brands: Catherine Malandrino, English Laundry, Joan Vass, Kensie Girl, Limited Too and Nanette Lepore. We also generated other income from dividends we received from our then equity ownership of investments that ranged from 10% to 50% in companies that license the trademark and intellectual property of the Hurley, Justice, and Scotch & Soda brands as well as from our majority owned subsidiary bebe stores, inc. which owns the bebe and Brookstone brands. We also reported fair value adjustments from these equity investments since we elected to account for these equity investments using the fair value method of accounting. As of December 31, 2024, B. Riley no longer has control over these operations and are included as discontinued operations in the consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2023, and for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022.
Securities and Other Investments Owned Portfolio - We have a portfolio of securities and other investments owned that consists of public equity securities, private securities, partnership interests and other investments, corporate bonds and other fixed income securities as follows at December 31, 2024 and 2023:
December 31,
2024 December 31,
Public Equity Securities:
Badcock & Wilcox Enterprises, Inc. - common stock $ 45,012 $ 40,072
Badcock & Wilcox Enterprises, Inc. - preferred stock 1,528 6,386
Alta Equipment Group, Inc. - common stock - 44,653
Double Down Interactive Co., Ltd - common stock 43,706 30,439
Synchronoss Technologies, Inc. - common stock 7,200 8,780
Other public equities 27,446 64,211
Total public equity securities 124,892 194,541
Private Equity Securities:
Freedom VCM Holdings, LLC - 287,043
Other private equities 107,616 229,993
Total private equity securities 107,616 517,036
Total equity securities 232,508 711,577
Corporate bonds 29,027 59,287
Other fixed income securities 4,923 2,989
Partnership interest and other 15,867 35,196
Total securities and other investments owned $ 282,325 $ 809,049
Securities and other investments owned was $282.3 million and $809.0 million as of December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. Of this amount, the fair value of equity securities totaled $232.5 million and $711.6 million as of December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023. Of these amounts, public equity securities totaled $124.9 million and $194.5 million as of December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, and private equity securities totaled $107.6 million and $517.0 million as of December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023.
The fair value of Badcock & Wilcox Enterprises, Inc. - common stock held as of held as of December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 was $45.0 million and $40.1 million, respectively. The change in fair value for the year ended December 31, 2024 is primarily related to an increase in the public share price during the period.
The fair value of Alta Equipment Group, Inc. common stock held as of December 31, 2023 was $44.7 million, and the Company sold the entire position in the first quarter of 2024 and recorded a loss of $(3.5) million. The sale was executed to raise additional capital to fund operating activities.
The fair value of our Double Down Interactive Co., Ltd common stock held as of December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 was $43.7 million and $30.4 million, respectively. The change in fair value for the year ended December 31, 2024 is primarily related to an increase in the public share price during the period.
The fair value of our investment in Freedom VCM Holdings, LLC, held as of December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 was zero and $287.0 million, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2024, we recorded fair value adjustments of $(221.0) million primarily due to increases in net debt, declines in Freedom VCM Holdings, LLC’s investment in Conn’s, Inc. common stock and impact of Conn's bankruptcy filing on July 23, 2024, and a decrease in the operational performance of Freedom VCM Holdings, LLC’s various business segments. The investment in Freedom VCM Holdings, LLC was also impacted due to the filing of Freedom VCM’s voluntary petitions for relief under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code on November 3, 2024.
Realized and Unrealized Gains (Losses)
Year Ended
December 31,
2024 2023 2022
Other Income (Expense) - Realized & Unrealized Gains (Losses)
Public Equity Securities:
Babcock & Wilcox Enterprises, Inc. - common stock $ 1,181 $ (84,244) $ (49,583)
Babcock & Wilcox Enterprises, Inc. - preferred stock 1,830 (2,204) (9,105)
Alta Equipment Group, Inc. - common stock (3,537) 3,502 13,617
Double Down Interactive Co., Ltd - common stock 11,977 (4,260) (26,662)
Synchronoss Technologies, Inc. - common stock 6,368 (3,392) -
Franchise Group, Inc. - common stock - - (775)
Arena Group Holdings, Inc. - common stock - (31,041) (6,101)
Other public equities (2,163) (15,634) (157,466)
Subtotal 15,656 (137,273) (236,075)
Private Equity Securities:
Freedom VCM Holdings, LLC (221,042) 4,542 -
Other private equities (58,903) (30,334) (9,074)
Subtotal (279,945) (25,792) (9,074)
Corporate bonds 898 1,224 (3,671)
Partnership interest and other (295) (212) 1,280
Total $ (263,686) $ (162,053) $ (247,540)
During the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022, realized and unrealized losses of $(263.7) million, $(162.1) million, and $(247.5) million were recorded to other income as realized and unrealized losses on investments, respectively. These realized and unrealized losses are made up of realized and unrealized gains (losses) recorded to public equity securities, private equity securities, corporate bonds, and partnership interest and other investments. The majority of realized and unrealized (losses) gains on investments are related to public equity securities (equity securities that trade on major exchanges), and private equity securities.
During the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022, $15.7 million, $(137.3) million, and $(236.1) million of realized and unrealized gains (losses) were recorded for public equity securities to other income as realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments. During the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022, we recorded $1.2 million, $(84.2) million, and $(49.6) million, respectively, to realized and unrealized gains (losses) related to Babcock & Wilcox Enterprises, Inc. ("B&W") - common stock, primarily due to public share price movements during these periods.
During the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022, we recorded $12.0 million, $(4.3) million, and $(26.7) million, respectively, to realized and unrealized gains (losses) related to Double Down Interactive Co., Ltd. primarily related to public share price movements during these periods.
During the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022, $(279.9) million, $(25.8) million, and $(9.1) million of realized and unrealized losses were recorded for private equity securities to other income as realized and unrealized losses on investments. During the year ended December 31, 2024, we recorded $(221.0) million to realized and unrealized losses related to our investment in Freedom VCM Holdings, LLC. The entirety of the balances were related to fair value adjustments due primarily to increases in net debt as well as significant declines in Freedom VCM Holdings, LLC’s investment in Conn’s, Inc. common stock and impact of Conn's, Inc. bankruptcy filing on July 23, 2024, and a decrease in the operational performance of Freedom VCM Holdings, LLC’s various business segments. The investment in Freedom VCM Holdings, LLC was also impacted due to the filing of Freedom VCM’s voluntary petitions for relief under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code on November 3, 2024.
Recent Developments
Conn’s and FRG
The Company’s results during the year ended December 31, 2024 were negatively impacted by a significant non-cash markdown of $287.0 million related to its investment in Freedom VCM, the indirect parent entity for FRG. Freedom VCM’s strategy, which included the potential divestiture or monetization of certain assets, was materially negatively impacted by the unexpected announcement in November 2023 concerning FRG’s former CEO and his alleged involvement in fraudulent schemes despite the fact that these allegations are unrelated to FRG and its businesses. In the meantime, the consumer facing portion of the U.S. economy has deteriorated. On November 3, 2024, FRG, its operating businesses, and certain other affiliates, including Freedom VCM, filed the FRG Chapter 11 Cases under chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code in the Bankruptcy Court. As a result, on November 4, 2024, we concluded that we were required to record an impairment (in addition to prior impairments) with respect to the Freedom VCM Investment and the Vintage Loan Receivable. The additional non-cash impairments of the Freedom VCM Investment and the Vintage Loan Receivable are $118.0 million in the aggregate as of November 4, 2024. As a result of such additional impairments, we have ascribed no value to the Freedom VCM Investment and the Vintage Loan Receivable was valued at $2.1 million at December 31, 2024, which approximates the fair value of the underlying collateral for this loan which is primarily comprised of other securities. Subsequent to December 31, 2024, the fair value of the underlying collateral for this loan, which is comprised of other public securities, decreased to a fair value of $1.3 million at September 16, 2025.
Additionally, on July 23, 2024, Conn’s and certain of its subsidiaries filed the Chapter 11 Cases under chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code in the Bankruptcy Court. FRG, pursuant to a transaction consummated in January 2024, acquired a substantial equity investment in Conn’s in exchange for the sale of its Badcock Home Furniture & more business to Conn’s. The commencement of the Chapter 11 Cases constituted an event of default that accelerated the obligations under the Conn’s, among Conn’s, W.S. Badcock LLC, as borrowers, and an affiliate of the Company, as administrative agent, collateral agent, and lender. As of the date of the filing of the Chapter 11 Cases, $93.0 million in outstanding borrowings existed under the Conn’s Term Loan. Any efforts to enforce payment obligations under the Conn’s Term Loan were automatically stayed as a result of the Chapter 11 Cases and the Company’s rights of enforcement in respect of the Conn’s Term Loan are subject to the applicable provisions of the Bankruptcy Code. The fair value of the Conn's loans receivable was $38.8 million as of December 31, 2024. The fair value adjustment on the Conn’s loan receivable was $(71.7) million for the year ended December 31, 2024.
Wealth Management
On October 31, 2024, the Company signed a definitive agreement to sell a portion of the Company’s (W-2) Wealth Management business to Stifel for estimated net consideration based on the number of advisors that join Stifel at closing, among other things. Upon closing the transaction on April 4, 2025, the sale was completed for net cash consideration of $26.0 million, representing 36 financial advisors whose managed accounts represent approximately $4.0 billion, or 19.3%, of AUM as of December 31, 2024.
Debt Financing and Repayment of Nomura Credit Facility
On February 26, 2025, the Company and the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, BR Financial Holdings, LLC (the “BRFH Borrower”), entered into a new credit agreement with a group of funds indirectly or directly controlled by Oaktree Capital Management, L.P. with Oaktree Fund Administration, LLC, acting as the administrative agent and collateral agent. The new credit agreement provided for (i) a three-year $125.0 million secured term loan credit facility (the “Initial Term Loan Facility”) and (ii) a four-month $35.0 million secured delayed draw term loan credit facility (the “Delayed Draw Facility” and, together with the Initial Term Loan Facility, the “Credit Facility”). The proceeds from the Initial Term Loan Facility were primarily used (a) to repay the existing indebtedness under the Nomura Credit agreement discussed in Note 13, (b) for working capital and general corporate purposes and (c) to pay transaction fees and expenses. The proceeds of the Delayed Draw Facility were used (a) to fund obligations relating to the liquidation of substantially all of the assets of JOANN, Inc. and its subsidiaries and (b) for working capital and general corporate purposes.
Borrowings accrue interest at the adjusted term Secured Overnight Financing Rate ("SOFR") rate as defined in the Credit Facility with an applicable margin of 8.00%. In addition to paying interest on outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility, the Company was required to pay (i) a closing fee of 3.00% of the aggregate principal amount of the loans under the Initial Term Loan Facility and 2.00% of the aggregate principal amount of the loans under the Delayed Draw Facility, and (ii) an exit fee upon the prepayment or repayment of the Credit Facility of 5.00% of the aggregate principal amount of such loans repaid, provided, that the Initial Term Loan Facility exit fee shall not be payable if the share price for the Company's common stock exceeds a certain threshold. The Credit Facility also contains a provision where the final $62.5 million of repayment of principal on the Initial Term Loan may be subject to an additional prepayment premium, as defined in the Credit Facility, if the prepayment occurs before the second anniversary date of the Credit Facility.
The Company issued warrants to certain affiliates of Oaktree Capital Management, L.P. in connection with the Credit Facility to purchase approximately 1,832,290 shares (or 6% on a fully diluted basis) of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $5.14 per share. The warrants contain certain anti-dilution provisions pursuant to which, under certain circumstances, the warrant holders would be entitled to exercise the warrants for up to 19.9% of the then-outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock.
Subject to certain eligibility requirements, certain assets of the BRFH Borrower are placed into a borrowing base (the “Borrowing Base”), which serves to limit the borrowings under the Credit Facility. The sale of an asset in the Borrowing Base requires the BRFH Borrower to make a prepayment in an amount equal to the proceeds of such disposition multiplied by the percentage “credit” that is assigned to such asset in the Borrowing Base. The BRFH Borrower may be obligated to prepay the loans or post cash in a controlled account in the event the Borrowing Base falls below a certain level as defined in the Credit Facility. The Credit Facility contains covenants that, among other things, limit the Company’s, the BRFH Borrower’s and the BRFH Borrower’s subsidiaries’ ability to incur additional indebtedness or liens, to dispose of assets, to make certain fundamental changes, to enter into restrictive agreements, to make certain investments, loans, advances, guarantees and acquisitions, to prepay certain indebtedness and to pay dividends or to make other distributions or redemptions/repurchases in respect of their respective equity interests.
Redemption of Senior Notes
On February 28, 2025 we redeemed all the issued and outstanding 6.375% 2025 Notes. The redemption price was equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount, plus any accrued interest and unpaid interest up to, but excluding, the redemption date The total redemption payment included approximately $0.7 million accrued interest. In connection with the full redemption, the 6.375% 2025 Notes, which were listed on NASDAQ under the ticker symbol “RILYM,” were delisted from NASDAQ and ceased trading on the redemption date.
Sale of Atlantic Coast Recycling
On March 3, 2025, the Company and BR Financial, B. Riley Environmental Holdings, LLC and other indirect subsidiaries of the Company, which included the Atlantic Companies, entered into the MIPA. Pursuant to the MIPA, on March 3, 2025, the Interests owned by BR Financial and the minority holders were sold to a third party. The Interests were sold to the third party on March 3, 2025 for a purchase price of $102.5 million, subject to certain adjustments and a holdback amount pending receipt of a certain third party consent, resulting in cash proceeds of $68.6 million to the Company after adjustments for amounts allocated to non-controlling interests, repayment of contingent consideration, transaction costs and other items directly attributable to the closing of the transaction. Of the $68.6 million of cash
proceeds received by the Company, approximately $22.6 million was used to pay interest, fees, and principal on the Credit Facility discussed above. A gain of $52.7 million was recognized in the first quarter of 2025 from this sale.
B. Riley Securities Holdings, Inc. Equity Issuance
On March 10, 2025, the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary B. Riley Securities Holdings, Inc. ("BRSH") which is comprised of the broker dealer operations within the Capital Markets segment merged with a shell corporation and issued 0.6% of the equity in BRSH to certain investors in the shell corporation and upon completion of the transaction became minority stockholders of BRSH. Simultaneously with the merger with the shell corporation, BRSH approved the BRSH Stock Plan and issued restricted stock awards to employees and officers of BRSH which represented 10.0% of the equity of BRSH that vest over a period of four to five years. Assuming the full issuance of the restricted stock awards, the Company continues to own 89.4% of BRSH.
Exchange of Senior Notes
On March 26, 2025, the Company completed a private exchange transaction with an institutional investor pursuant to which the investor exchanged $86.3 million of aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 5.50% Senior Notes due March 2026 and $36.7 million aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 5.00% Senior Notes due December 2026 owned by it for approximately $87.8 million aggregate principal amount of 8.00% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due 2028 (the "New Notes"), whereupon the exchanged notes were cancelled. In addition, on April 7, 2025, the Company completed a private exchange transaction with a certain institutional investor pursuant to which the investor exchanged approximately $22.0 million aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 5.00% Senior Notes due December 2026, 6.00% Senior Notes due January 2028 and 5.25% Senior Notes due August 2028 for approximately $10.0 million aggregate principal amount of the New Notes. On May 21, 2025, the Company completed a private exchange transaction with a certain institutional investor to exchange principal amounts of approximately $29.5 million, $75.0 million, and $34.5 million of the Company's 5.50% Senior Notes due March 2026, 5.00% Senior Notes due December 2026, and 6.00% Senior Notes due January 2028, respectively, for approximately $93.1 million aggregate principal amount of the New Notes. On June 30, 2025, the Company entered into a private exchange transaction with a certain institutional investor pursuant to which such investor exchanged approximately $28.0 million aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 5.00% Senior Notes due December 2026, 6.00% Senior Notes due January 2028 and 5.25% Senior Notes due August 2028 for $13.0 million aggregate principal amount of the New Notes. On July 11, 2025, the Company entered into a private exchange transaction with a certain institutional investor pursuant to which such investor exchanged approximately $42.8 million aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 6.50% Senior Notes due September 2026, 5.00% Senior Notes due December 2026, 6.00% Senior Notes due January 2028 and 5.25% Senior Notes due August 2028 for $24.6 million aggregate principal amount of the New Notes.
The New Notes were issued pursuant to an indenture, dated as of March 26, 2025 (the “Indenture”), between the Company, certain subsidiaries of the Company, as guarantors, and GLAS Trust Company LLC, a New Hampshire limited liability company, as trustee and collateral agent (in such capacities, the “Trustee”), and the New Notes are unconditionally guaranteed jointly and severally by all direct and indirect wholly-owned restricted subsidiaries of the Company, subject to certain excluded subsidiaries (collectively, the “Guarantors”). The New Notes are secured on a second lien basis, junior to the obligations under the Company’s Credit Facility, by substantially all of the assets of the Company and the Guarantors. The New Notes are subordinated in right of payment to the payment in full of the obligations under the Company’s Credit Facility.
The New Notes accrue interest at a rate of 8.00% per annum, payable semi-annually in arrears on April 30 and October 31, starting October 31, 2025. The New Notes mature on January 1, 2028. The Company may redeem the New Notes (i) at any time, in whole or in part, before March 26, 2026, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount being redeemed, plus a customary make-whole premium, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date; and (ii) at any time, in whole or in part, after March 26, 2026, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount being redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date.
The New Notes contain change of control provisions, whereby the holders of the New Notes have the right to require the Company to repurchase all or a portion of the New Notes at a purchase price, in cash, equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest. In addition, if the Company or its restricted subsidiaries engage in certain asset sales and do not invest such proceeds or permanently reduce certain debt within a specified period of time, the Company will be required to use a portion of the proceeds of such asset sales above a specified threshold to make an offer
to purchase the New Notes at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the New Notes being purchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest. The Indenture contains certain covenants that, among other things, limit the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ ability to incur additional indebtedness or liens, to dispose of assets, to make certain fundamental changes, to enter into restrictive agreements, to make certain investments, loans, advances, guarantees and acquisitions, to prepay certain indebtedness and to pay dividends or to make other distributions or redemptions/repurchases in respect of their respective equity interests.
Nogin
On March 31, 2025, the Company signed a Deed of Assignment for the Benefit of Creditors, (i) pursuant to which all of the assets of Nogin were transferred to an assignee for the benefit of Nogin’s creditors, and (ii) which provides the assignee the right to, among other things, sell or dispose of such assets and settle all claims against Nogin. The Company no longer controls or owns the assets of Nogin and the results of operations will no longer be reported in the Company’s financial statements after March 31, 2025.
Sale of GlassRatner and Farber
On June 27, 2025, the Company signed an equity purchase agreement to sell all of the membership interests GlassRatner and Farber. The aggregate cash consideration paid by the Buyers for the interests of GlassRatner and shares of Farber was $117.8 million, which is based on a target closing working capital amount that is subject to adjustment within 180-days following the sale date. In connection with the sale, the Company entered into a transition services agreement with the buyer to provide certain services.
Targus/FGI Credit Agreement
On August 20, 2025, Targus (the "Targus Borrower") and certain of the Targus Borrowers' direct and indirect subsidiaries (the “FGI Loan Parties”) entered into a Revolving Credit, Receivables Purchase, Security and Guaranty Agreement (the “Targus/FGI Credit Agreement”) with FGI Worldwide LLC (“FGI”), as agent and for a three-year $30.0 million revolving loan facility, the proceeds of which were used to refinance and repay all obligations under the existing Targus Credit Agreement with PNC. The final maturity date of the Targus/FGI Credit Agreement is August 20, 2028.
The Targus/FGI Credit Agreement is a revolving line of credit facility with a receivables purchase feature under which the purchase of eligible receivables is on a full recourse basis with each borrower retaining the risk of non-payment. The revolving loans bear interest at the greater of (a) 5.25% per annum or (b) 3.00% above the term SOFR for a period of 1 month plus 10 basis points, plus (c) 0.30% per month collateral management fee.
The Targus/FGI Credit Agreement is secured by (i) a first priority perfected security interest in and a lien upon all of the assets of the FGI Loan Parties, and (ii) a pledge of all of the equity interests of the Targus Borrower and its direct and indirect subsidiaries. The Targus/FGI Credit Agreement contains certain covenants, including those limiting the FGI Loan Parties' ability to incur indebtedness, incur liens, sell or acquire assets or businesses, change the nature of their businesses, engage in transactions with related parties, make certain investments or pay dividends. The Targus/FGI Credit Agreement also contains customary representations and warranties, affirmative covenants, and events of default, including payment defaults, breach of representations and warranties, covenant defaults and cross defaults. If an uncured event of default occurs, FGI would be entitled to take various actions, including the acceleration of amounts outstanding under the Targus/FGI Credit Agreement.
As required under the Targus/FGI Credit Agreement, B. Riley Commercial Capital, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company ("BRCC"), entered into an amendment to an existing intercompany loan and security agreement to extend an additional subordinated loan to the Targus Borrower at the closing of the Targus/FGI Credit Agreement in the amount of $5.0 million increasing the aggregate principal amount of such loan from $5.0 million to $10.0 million.
Results of Operations
The following period to period comparisons of our financial results are not necessarily indicative of future results.
Year Ended December 31, 2024 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2023
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Dollars in thousands)
Year Ended
December 31, 2024 Year Ended
December 31, 2023 Change
Amount % Amount % Amount %
Revenues:
Services and fees $ 875,480 104.3 % $ 898,750 61.3 % $ (23,270) (2.6) %
Trading (loss) income (57,007) (6.8) % 21,603 1.5 % (78,610) n/m
Fair value adjustments on loans (325,498) (38.8) % 20,225 1.4 % (345,723) n/m
Interest income - loans 54,141 6.5 % 123,244 8.4 % (69,103) (56.1) %
Interest income - securities lending 70,862 8.5 % 161,652 11.0 % (90,790) (56.2) %
Sale of goods 220,619 26.3 % 240,303 16.4 % (19,684) (8.2) %
Total revenues 838,597 100.0 % 1,465,777 100.0 % (627,180) (42.8) %
Operating expenses:
Direct cost of services 213,901 25.5 % 214,065 14.6 % (164) (0.1) %
Cost of goods sold 167,634 20.0 % 172,836 11.8 % (5,202) (3.0) %
Selling, general and administrative expenses 759,777 90.6 % 764,926 52.2 % (5,149) (0.7) %
Restructuring charge 1,522 0.2 % 2,131 0.1 % (609) (28.6) %
Impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets
105,373 12.6 % 70,333 4.8 % 35,040 49.8 %
Interest expense - Securities lending and loan participations sold 66,128 7.9 % 145,435 9.9 % (79,307) (54.5) %
Total operating expenses 1,314,335 156.8 % 1,369,726 93.4 % (55,391) (4.0) %
Operating (loss) income (475,738) (56.8) % 96,051 6.6 % (571,789) n/m
Other income (expense):
Interest income 3,621 0.4 % 3,875 0.3 % (254) (6.6) %
Dividend income 4,462 0.5 % 12,747 0.9 % (8,285) (65.0) %
Realized and unrealized losses on investments (263,686) (31.4) % (162,053) (11.1) % (101,633) 62.7 %
Change in fair value of financial instruments and other 4,614 0.6 % (3,998) (0.3) % 8,612 n/m
Gain on bargain purchase - - % 15,903 1.1 % (15,903) (100.0) %
Income (loss) from equity method investments 31 - % (152) - % 183 (120.4) %
Loss on extinguishment of debt (18,725) (2.2) % (5,409) (0.4) % (13,316) n/m
Interest expense (133,308) (15.9) % (156,240) (10.7) % 22,932 (14.7) %
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes (878,729) (104.8) % (199,276) (13.6) % (679,453) n/m
(Provision for) benefit from income taxes (22,125) (2.6) % 39,115 2.7 % (61,240) (156.6) %
Loss from continuing operations (900,854) (107.4) % (160,161) (10.9) % (740,693) n/m
Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes 125,915 15.0 % 54,530 3.7 % 71,385 130.9 %
Net loss (774,939) (92.4) % (105,631) (7.2) % (669,308) n/m
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests (10,665) (1.3) % (5,721) (0.4) % (4,944) 86.4 %
Net loss attributable to B. Riley Financial, Inc. (764,274) (91.1) % (99,910) (6.8) % (664,364) n/m
Preferred stock dividends 8,060 1.0 % 8,057 0.5 % 3 - %
Net loss available to common shareholders $ (772,334) (92.1) % $ (107,967) (7.4) % $ (664,367) n/m
n/m - Not applicable or not meaningful.
Revenues
The table below and the discussion that follows are based on how we analyze our business.
Year Ended
December 31, 2024 Year Ended
December 31, 2023 Change
Amount % Amount % Amount %
Services and fees:
Capital Markets segment $ 192,499 22.8 % $ 249,036 17.0 % $ (56,537) (22.7) %
Wealth Management segment 197,468 23.5 % 193,487 13.2 % 3,981 2.1 %
Financial Consulting segment 92,176 11.0 % 77,283 5.3 % 14,893 19.3 %
Communications segment 289,435 34.5 % 330,952 22.6 % (41,517) (12.5) %
E-Commerce segment 13,855 1.7 % - - % 13,855 100.0 %
All Other 90,047 10.7 % 47,992 3.3 % 42,055 87.6 %
Subtotal 875,480 104.2 % 898,750 61.4 % (23,270) (2.6) %
Trading (loss) income:
Capital Markets segment (60,285) (7.2) % 16,845 1.1 % (77,130) n/m
Wealth Management segment 3,278 0.4 % 4,758 0.3 % (1,480) (31.1) %
Subtotal (57,007) (6.8) % 21,603 1.4 % (78,610) n/m
Fair value adjustments on loans:
Capital Markets segment (325,498) (38.8) % 20,225 1.4 % (345,723) n/m
Interest income - loans:
Capital Markets segment 54,141 6.5 % 123,244 8.4 % (69,103) (56.1) %
Interest income - securities lending:
Capital Markets segment 70,862 8.5 % 161,652 11.0 % (90,790) (56.2) %
Sale of goods:
Communications segment 5,589 0.7 % 6,737 0.5 % (1,148) (17.0) %
Consumer Products segment 202,597 24.2 % 233,202 15.9 % (30,605) (13.1) %
E-Commerce segment 10,646 1.3 % - - % 10,646 100.0 %
All Other 1,787 0.2 % 364 - % 1,423 n/m
Subtotal 220,619 26.4 % 240,303 16.4 % (19,684) (8.2) %
Total revenues $ 838,597 100.0 % $ 1,465,777 100.0 % $ (627,180) (42.8) %
n/m - Not applicable or not meaningful.
Total revenues decreased approximately $627.2 million to $838.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2024 from $1.5 billion during the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease in revenues during the year ended December 31, 2024 was primarily due to a decrease in fair value adjustments on loans of $345.7 million, decrease in interest income from securities lending of $90.8 million, higher trading losses of $78.6 million, decrease in interest income from loans of $69.1 million, lower revenue from services and fees of $23.3 million, and lower revenue from sale of goods of $19.7 million. The $345.7 million decrease in fair value adjustments related to loans was primarily driven by unfavorable changes in fair value adjustments of $222.9 million related to the loan to Vintage Capital Management, LLC, $72.2 million related to the loan to Conn’s, $26.2 million related to Core Scientific, Inc., $13.9 million related to the loan to Freedom VCM, and the remaining
decrease in fair value adjustments of $10.5 million related to other loans. The decrease in revenue from services and fees of $23.3 million was primarily due to decreases of $56.5 million in the Capital Markets segment and $41.5 million in the Communications segment, partially offset by increases of $42.1 million in All Other, $14.9 million in the Financial Consulting segment, $13.9 million in the E-Commerce segment and $4.0 million in the Wealth Management segment.
Revenues from services and fees in the Capital Markets segment decreased approximately $56.5 million, to $192.5 million during the year ended December 31, 2024 from $249.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease in revenues was primarily due to decreases in revenue of $36.1 million in corporate finance, consulting, and investment banking fees, $9.5 million in commission fees, $6.7 million in dividends, $3.0 million in interest income and $2.0 million in other income, partially offset by an increase of $0.7 million in asset management fees.
Revenues from services and fees in the Wealth Management segment increased $4.0 million, to $197.5 million during the year ended December 31, 2024 from $193.5 million during the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase in revenues was primarily due to increases in revenue of $3.2 million from wealth and asset management fees, and $1.3 million in other income, partially offset by a decrease of $0.5 million in commission fees.
Revenues from services and fees in the Financial Consulting segment increased $14.9 million, to $92.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2024 from $77.3 million during the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase in revenues was primarily due to an increase of $21.0 million from the bankruptcy and restructuring, forensic and litigation, C&W, Interface Consulting and Farber divisions, partially offset by a decrease in revenues of $6.1 million from the automotive restructuring and finance and valuations divisions.
Revenues from services and fees in the Communications segment decreased $41.5 million to $289.4 million during the year ended December 31, 2024 from $331.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease in revenues was primarily due to a decrease of $40.4 million in subscription services partially due to $18.8 million from the Lingo/Bullseye carrier business which was divested in the third quarter of 2024 and other revenue of $1.1 million. We expect Communications segment revenue to continue to decline year over year.
Revenues from services and fees in the E-Commerce segment were $13.9 million during the year ended December 31, 2024. These revenues include commission fees from Nogin, which we acquired in the second quarter of 2024,
Revenues from services and fees in All Other increased by $42.1 million to $90.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2024 from $48.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2023. These revenues include merchandise rental fees and sales from bebe in which we acquired a controlling interest during the fourth quarter of 2023, and the operations of a regional environmental services business and a landscaping business that we acquired in 2022. Revenues from services and fees in All Other increased by approximately $39.3 million related to merchandise rental fees from bebe, $10.1 million related to the operations of the regional environmental services business, and $0.6 million in other income, partially offset by a decrease of $8.0 in revenues from the landscaping business, which was sold in the third quarter of 2023.
Trading (loss) income decreased $78.6 million to a loss of $57.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to income of $21.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2023. This was primarily due to decreases of $77.1 million in the Capital Markets segment and $1.5 million in the Wealth Management segment. The loss of $57.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2024 was primarily due to $64.6 million in realized loss on Freedom VCM.
The decrease in fair value adjustment of $345.7 million on our loans receivable during the year ended December 31, 2024 was primarily driven by unfavorable changes in fair value adjustments of $222.9 million related to the loan to VCM, $72.2 million related to the loan to Conn’s, $26.2 million related to Core Scientific, Inc., $13.9 million related to the loan to Freedom VCM, and the remaining decrease in fair value adjustments of $10.5 million related to other loans.
Interest income from loans decreased $69.1 million to $54.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2024 from $123.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease was due to a reduction in loan receivable balances from $532.4 million as of December 31, 2023 to $90.1 million as of December 31, 2024.
Interest income from securities lending decreased $90.8 million to $70.9 million during the year ended December 31, 2024 from $161.7 million during the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease was due to a decrease in the securities borrowed balance from $2.9 billion as of December 31, 2023 to $43.0 million as of December 31, 2024 and business decline due to counterparties constraining their business activity with the Company.
Revenues from the sale of goods decreased $19.7 million, to $220.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2024 from $240.3 million during the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease in revenues from sale of goods was primarily due to decreases of $30.6 million from the Consumer Products segment due to a decrease in computer and peripheral sales worldwide and a decrease of $1.1 million from the Communications segment, partially offset by increases of $10.6 million from the E-Commerce segment, consisting of sale of goods from Nogin, which we acquired in the second quarter of 2024 and $1.4 million from All Other, consisting of sale of goods from bebe, in which we acquired a controlling interest and consolidated during the fourth quarter of 2023.
Operating Expenses
Direct cost of services
Direct costs decreased $0.2 million, to $213.9 million during the year ended December 31, 2024 from $214.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease in direct costs of services was primarily attributable to a decrease of $18.7 million in the Communications segment, mostly offset by increases of $12.1 million in All Other, primarily from bebe which we acquired a controlling interest and consolidated during the fourth quarter of 2023, and $6.4 million in the E-Commerce segment from Nogin, which we acquired in the second quarter of 2024.
Cost of goods sold
Cost of goods sold during the year ended December 31, 2024 decreased by $5.2 million to $167.6 million, from $172.8 million during the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease of $5.2 million is primarily comprised of a decrease in cost of goods sold of $12.0 million in the Consumer Products segment and $1.8 million in the Communications segment, partially offset by increases of $7.0 million from the E-Commerce segment consisting of Nogin, which we acquired in the second quarter of 2024, and $1.6 million from All Other and consisting of bebe, which we acquired a controlling interest and consolidated during the fourth quarter of 2023.
Selling, general and administrative expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 were comprised of the following:
Year Ended
December 31, 2024 Year Ended
December 31, 2023 Change
Amount % Amount % Amount %
Capital Markets segment $ 181,699 24.0 % $ 228,991 30.0 % $ (47,292) (20.7) %
Wealth Management segment 194,316 25.6 % 195,087 25.5 % (771) (0.4) %
Financial Consulting segment 74,578 9.8 % 64,366 8.4 % 10,212 15.9 %
Communications segment 94,084 12.4 % 109,583 14.3 % (15,499) (14.1) %
Consumer Products segment 69,515 9.1 % 77,147 10.1 % (7,632) (9.9) %
E-Commerce segment
25,310 3.3 % - - % 25,310 100.0 %
Corporate and Other 120,275 15.8 % 89,752 11.7 % 30,523 34.0 %
Total selling, general & administrative expenses $ 759,777 100.0 % $ 764,926 100.0 % $ (5,149) (0.7) %
Total selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $5.1 million to $759.8 million during the year ended December 31, 2024 from $764.9 million during the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease of $5.1 million in selling, general and administrative expenses was due to decreases of $47.3 million in the Capital Markets segment, $15.5 million in the Communications segment, $7.6 million in the Consumer Products segment, and $0.8 million in the Wealth Management segment, mostly offset by increases of $25.3 million in the E-Commerce segment, $30.5 million in Corporate and Other, and $10.2 million in the Financial Consulting segment.
Capital Markets
Selling, general and administrative expenses in the Capital Markets segment decreased by $47.3 million to $181.7 million during the year ended December 31, 2024 from $229.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease was primarily due to decreases of $31.0 million in employee compensation and benefits, which primarily related to decreases in share based compensation, salaries, commissions and bonuses, $15.0 million in professional services, of which $12.9 million related to an advisory agreement which ended in August of 2023, $3.3 million in clearing and execution charges, $2.8 million in investment banking deal expenses, and $1.1 million in occupancy and related expenses, partially offset by an increase of $4.9 million in change in fair value of contingent consideration and increase of $1.0 million in foreign currency fluctuations.
An advisory agreement was terminated in August 2023 in connection with the FRG take private transaction, as more fully described in Note 2(t) to the consolidated financial statements, and there was no expense during the year ended December 31, 2024 as compared to the prior year when the expense totaled $12.9 million. For any given reporting period in 2023, the advisory agreement would result in an expense being reported in selling, general and administrative expenses when realized and unrealized gains on certain invested balances in the Company’s broker-dealer subsidiary exceeded a minimum return on the invested balances during such period; in addition, a decrease in the invested balance in value during such reporting period would result in the reporting of a credit to selling, general and administrative expense. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company recorded an advisory fee of $12.9 million in accordance with the advisory agreement due to the realized and unrealized gains earned.
Wealth Management
Selling, general and administrative expenses in the Wealth Management segment decreased by $0.8 million to $194.3 million during the year ended December 31, 2024 from $195.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease was primarily due to decreases of $2.5 million in occupancy and related expenses, $2.1 million in other expenses, and $0.6 million in change in fair value of contingent consideration, partially offset by an increase of $4.4 million in employee compensation and benefits, primarily related to commissions paid.
Financial Consulting
Selling, general and administrative expenses in the Financial Consulting segment increased by $10.2 million to $74.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2024 from $64.4 million during the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase was due to increases of $6.8 million in employee compensation and benefits, related to a business acquired in the third quarter of 2023, an increase in headcount, and an increase in variable compensation, $1.4 million in change in fair value of contingent consideration, $1.1 million in other expenses, and $0.9 million in legal settlements.
Communications
Selling, general and administrative expenses in the Communications segment decreased by $15.5 million to $94.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2024 from $109.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease was primarily due to decreases of $9.7 million in employee compensation and benefits, due to lower headcount, $4.4 million in depreciation and amortization expenses due to items being fully amortized, $1.8 million in regulatory taxes due to receiving credits, and $1.7 million in occupancy and related expenses, partially offset by an increase of $1.3 million in professional services and $0.8 million in other expenses. The decrease in employee compensation and benefits and other expenses was primarily due to cost savings in 2024 resulting from the implementation of cost savings programs in the second half of 2023 that included a reduction in headcount and other operating expenses and sale of the Lingo carrier business in the third quarter of 2024.
Consumer Products
Selling, general and administrative expenses in the Consumer Products segment decreased by $7.6 million to $69.5 million during the year ended December 31, 2024 from $77.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease was primarily due to decreases of $1.9 million in depreciation and amortization expense due to items being fully amortized, $1.5 million in professional services, $1.4 million in employee compensation and benefits due to reduced headcount and a reversal of performance based shares in the prior year, $0.7 million in travel and entertainment expenses, and $0.7 million in marketing costs, and $1.4 million in other expenses.
E-Commerce
Selling, general and administrative expenses for the E-Commerce segment increased by $25.3 million during the year ended December 31, 2024 from Nogin which was acquired in the second quarter of 2024.
Corporate and Other
Selling, general and administrative expenses for the Corporate and Other category increased $30.5 million to $120.3 million during the year ended December 31, 2024 from $89.8 million during the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase was primarily due to increases of $16.6 million in professional services, of which $2.2 million was attributable to new acquisitions, and $6.7 million in occupancy related expenses, of which $6.6 million was attributable to new acquisitions, partially offset by a decrease of $1.2 million in employee compensation and benefits, of which $16.0 million primarily related to decreases in share based compensation and other variable compensation, mostly offset by an increase of $14.8 million attributable to new acquisitions. Other selling, general and administrative expenses increased $7.6 million from bebe, which we acquired a controlling interest and consolidated during the fourth quarter of 2023, $2.1 million from the regional environmental services business, $3.9 million in transaction costs, $1.7 million in legal settlements, and $0.6 million in other expenses. These increases in other selling, general and administrative expenses were partially offset by $2.1 million related to the landscaping business that was sold in 2023, decreases of $4.1 million in foreign currency fluctuations, and a $1.3 million change in the fair value of contingent consideration.
Impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets. We recognized impairment charges of $105.4 million during the year ended December 31, 2024. We performed an interim impairment test as of June 30, 2024 and annual impairment tests as of December 31 2024, as further discussed in Note 10 of the consolidated financial statements. Based on the results of the impairment tests, we recorded non-cash impairment charges of $26.7 million related to goodwill and $5.0 million related to tradenames in the Consumer Products segment and $57.7 million related to goodwill and $16.0 million related to other intangible assets in the E-Commerce segment. We recognized impairment charges of $70.3 million during the year ended December 31, 2023. We performed an interim impairment test as of September 30, 2023 and a year-end impairment test as of December 31, 2023, as further discussed in Note 10 of the consolidated financial statements. Based on the results of the impairment tests, we recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $68.6 million consisting of a goodwill impairment charge of $53.1 million and a tradename impairment charge of $15.5 million in the Consumer Products segment. We previously recognized $1.7 million in impairment in the second quarter of 2023 for a tradename in the Capital Markets segment that we no longer use.
Interest expense - Securities lending and loan participations sold. Interest expense - Securities lending and loan participation sold decreased $79.3 million to $66.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2024 from $145.4 million during the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease was due to a decrease in the securities loaned and loan participations sold balances from $2.9 billion as of December 31, 2023 to $33.9 million as of December 31, 2024 as a result of a decline in our securities lending activities due to counterparties constraining their business activity with the Company.
Other Income (Expense). Other income included interest income of $3.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to $3.9 million during the year ended December 31, 2023. Dividend income was $4.5 million during the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to $12.7 million during the year ended December 31, 2023, due to sales of securities investments, $5.4 million of which was related to Synchronoss Technologies, Inc. ("Synchronoss") as more fully discussed in Note 2(t) to the consolidated financial statements. Realized and unrealized losses on investments were $263.7 million during the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to $162.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2023. The change was primarily due to a decrease in overall values of our investments. Change in fair value of financial instruments and other in the amount of $4.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2024 was primarily due to $2.5 million of gain on the sale of a retail location. Change in fair value of financial instruments and other in the amount of $4.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2023 was primarily due to losses on remeasurement of the bebe equity method investment of $12.9 million recorded in the third quarter of 2023, partially offset by a $9.3 million gain on the sale of certain assets related to our landscaping business in 2023. Gain on bargain purchase of $15.9 million during the year ended December 31, 2023 was related to the acquisition of a majority interest in bebe in the fourth quarter of 2023. Income from equity method investments was zero during the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to a loss of $0.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2023. Loss on extinguishment of debt was $18.7 million during the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to $5.4 million during the year ended December 31, 2023. The loss on extinguishment of debt was primarily from accelerated paydowns of the Nomura facility.
Interest expense was $133.3 million during the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to $156.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease in interest expense was due to lower debt balances during the year ended December 31, 2024. The decreases in interest expense primarily consisted of $14.4 million from the Capital Markets segment, $2.3 million from the Communications segment, $3.7 million from the Consumer Products segment and $3.7 million from Corporate and other, partially offset by an increase of $1.1 million from the E-Commerce segment.
Loss from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes. Loss from continuing operations before income taxes increased $679.5 million to a loss of $878.7 million during the year ended December 31, 2024 from a loss of $199.3 million during the year ended December 31, 2023. The change was primarily due to a decrease in revenues of approximately $627.2 million, a change in realized and unrealized losses on investments and fair value adjustments of $101.6 million, a 2023 gain on bargain purchase of $15.9 million, a decrease in dividend income of $8.3 million, and a decrease in interest income of $0.3 million, partially offset by a decrease in operating expenses of $55.4 million, a decrease in interest expense of $22.9 million, an increase to change in fair value of financial instruments and other of $8.6 million and an increase in income from equity method investments of $0.2 million.
(Provision for) Benefit from Income Taxes. Provision for income taxes was $22.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to a benefit from income taxes of $39.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2023. The effective income tax rate was expense of 2.5% during the year ended December 31, 2024 as compared to a benefit of 19.6% during the year ended December 31, 2023.The provision for income taxes and the effective income tax rate were unfavorably impacted as a result of an increase in the valuation allowance for deferred tax assets in 2024.
Loss from Continuing Operations. Loss from continuing operations was $900.9 million during the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to loss of $160.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2023. The change was due to a change in operating (loss) income of $571.8 million, an increase in realized and unrealized losses on investments of $101.6 million, a change in provision for income taxes of $61.2 million, a 2023 gain on bargain purchase of $15.9 million, a decrease of $8.3 million in dividend income, and a decrease of $0.3 million in interest income, partially offset by a decrease in interest expense of $22.9 million, an increase to change in fair value of financial instruments and other of $8.6 million and an increase in income from equity method investments of $0.2 million.
Income from Discontinued Operations, Net of Income Taxes. On October 25, 2024, we and our subsidiary bebe have completed a transaction for our brand assets yielding approximately $236.0 million in cash proceeds. The results have been presented as discontinued operations for the year ended December 31, 2024. Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax for Brands Transaction was $109.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to income from discontinued operations of $48.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2023. The loss from discontinued operations is primarily due to realized and unrealized losses incurred on the brand equity investments during the year ended December 31, 2024 from the planned securitization transaction and sale of equity investments by the Company’s majority owned subsidiary bebe, as more fully discussed in Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements.
On November 15, 2024, we completed the sale of our Great American Group and its results have been presented as discontinued operations for the year ended December 31, 2024. Income from discontinued operations, net of tax, for Great American Group was $235.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to income from discontinued operations, net of tax, of $6.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2023. The $229.6 million favorable variance was primarily driven by the $258.3 million gain recognized from the sale of the Great American Group, partially offset by a $31.8 million decrease in operating income driven by lower sales of goods. Refer to Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.
Net Loss Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest and Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests. Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests and redeemable noncontrolling interests represents the proportionate share of net income generated by membership interests of partnerships that we do not own. The net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests and redeemable noncontrolling interests was $10.7 million during the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to loss of $5.7 million during the year ended December 31, 2023.
Net Loss Attributable to the Company. Net loss attributable to the Company during the year ended December 31, 2024 was $764.3 million compared to net loss attributable to the Company of $99.9 million during the year ended December 31, 2023. The change was primarily due to a decrease in operating income of $571.8 million, a change in realized and unrealized losses on investments and fair value adjustments of $101.6 million, a change in the provision for income taxes of $61.2 million, a 2023 gain on bargain purchase of $15.9 million, a decrease in dividend income of $8.3 million, a change in net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests and redeemable noncontrolling interests of $4.9 million, and a decrease in interest income of $0.3 million, partially offset by a decrease in interest expense of $22.9 million, an
increase in change in fair value of financial instruments and other of $8.6 million, and an increase in income from equity method investments of $0.2 million.
Preferred Stock Dividends. Preferred stock dividends were $8.1 million during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023. Dividends on the Series A preferred paid during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 were $0.4296875 per depository share. Dividends on the Series B preferred paid during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 were $0.4609375 per depository share. On January 21, 2025, the Company announced that it had temporarily suspended dividends on its Series A and B Preferred Stock. Unpaid dividends will accrue until paid in full.
Net Loss Available to Common Shareholders. Net loss available to common shareholders during the year ended December 31, 2024 was $772.3 million compared to net loss available to common shareholders of $108.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2023. The change was primarily due to a decrease in operating income of $571.8 million, a change in realized and unrealized losses on investments of $101.6 million, a change in the provision for income taxes of $61.2 million, a 2023 gain on bargain purchase of $15.9 million, a decrease in dividend income of $8.3 million, a change in net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests and redeemable noncontrolling interests of $4.9 million, and a decrease in interest income of $0.3 million, partially offset by a decrease in interest expense of $22.9 million, an increase in change in fair value of financial instruments and other of $8.6 million, and an increase in income from equity method investments of $0.2 million.
Results of Operations
The following period to period comparisons of our financial results are not necessarily indicative of future results.
Year Ended December 31, 2023 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2022
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Dollars in thousands)
Year Ended
December 31, 2023 Year Ended
December 31, 2022 Change
Amount % Amount % Amount %
Revenues:
Services and fees $ 898,750 61.3 % $ 815,951 86.9 % $ 82,799 10.1 %
Trading income (loss) 21,603 1.5 % (148,294) (15.8) % 169,897 (114.6) %
Fair value adjustments on loans 20,225 1.4 % (54,334) (5.8) % 74,559 (137.2) %
Interest income - loans 123,244 8.4 % 157,669 16.8 % (34,425) (21.8) %
Interest income - securities lending 161,652 11.0 % 83,144 8.8 % 78,508 94.4 %
Sale of goods 240,303 16.4 % 85,347 9.1 % 154,956 181.6 %
Total revenues 1,465,777 100.0 % 939,483 100.0 % 526,294 56.0 %
Operating expenses:
Direct cost of services 214,065 14.6 % 118,535 12.6 % 95,530 80.6 %
Cost of goods sold 172,836 11.8 % 60,754 6.5 % 112,082 184.5 %
Selling, general and administrative expenses 764,926 52.2 % 654,826 69.7 % 110,100 16.8 %
Restructuring charge 2,131 0.1 % 9,011 1.0 % (6,880) (76.4) %
Impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets 70,333 4.8 % - - % 70,333 100.0 %
Interest expense - Securities lending and loan participations sold 145,435 9.9 % 66,495 7.1 % 78,940 118.7 %
Total operating expenses 1,369,726 93.4 % 909,621 96.9 % 460,105 50.6 %
Operating income 96,051 6.6 % 29,862 3.1 % 66,189 n/m
Other income (expense):
Interest income 3,875 0.3 % 2,735 0.3 % 1,140 41.7 %
Dividend income 12,747 0.9 % 7,851 0.8 % 4,896 62.4 %
Realized and unrealized losses on investments (162,053) (11.1) % (247,540) (26.3) % 85,487 (34.5) %
Change in fair value of financial instruments and other (3,998) (0.3) % 10,188 1.1 % (14,186) (139.2) %
Gain on bargain purchase 15,903 1.1 % - - % 15,903 100.0 %
(Loss) income from equity method investments (152) - % 3,570 0.4 % (3,722) (104.3) %
Loss on extinguishment of debt (5,409) (0.4) % - - % (5,409) 100.0 %
Interest expense (156,240) (10.7) % (141,003) (15.0) % (15,237) 10.8 %
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes (199,276) (13.6) % (334,337) (35.6) % 135,061 (40.4) %
Benefit from income taxes 39,115 2.7 % 65,252 6.9 % (26,137) (40.1) %
Loss from continuing operations (160,161) (10.9) % (269,085) (28.6) % 108,924 (40.5) %
Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes 54,530 3.7 % 112,491 12.0 % (57,961) (51.5) %
Net loss (105,631) (7.2) % (156,594) (16.7) % 50,963 (32.5) %
Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests and redeemable noncontrolling interests (5,721) (0.4) % 3,235 0.3 % (8,956) n/m
Net loss attributable to B. Riley Financial, Inc. (99,910) (6.8) % (159,829) (17.0) % 59,919 (37.5) %
Preferred stock dividends 8,057 0.5 % 8,008 0.9 % 49 0.6 %
Net loss available to common shareholders $ (107,967) (7.4) % $ (167,837) (17.9) % $ 59,870 (35.7) %
n/m - Not applicable or not meaningful.
Revenues
The table below and the discussion that follows are based on how we analyze our business.
Year Ended
December 31, 2023 Year Ended
December 31, 2022 Change
Amount % Amount % Amount %
Services and fees:
Capital Markets segment $ 249,036 17.0 % $ 292,933 31.1 % $ (43,897) (15.0) %
Wealth Management segment 193,487 13.2 % 230,735 24.6 % (37,248) (16.1) %
Financial Consulting segment 77,283 5.3 % 50,357 5.4 % 26,926 53.5 %
Communications segment 330,952 22.6 % 228,129 24.3 % 102,823 45.1 %
All Other 47,992 3.3 % 13,797 1.5 % 34,195 n/m
Subtotal 898,750 61.4 % 815,951 86.9 % 82,799 10.1 %
Trading income (loss):
Capital Markets segment 16,845 1.1 % (151,816) (16.2) % 168,661 (111.1) %
Wealth Management segment 4,758 0.3 % 3,522 0.4 % 1,236 35.1 %
Subtotal 21,603 1.4 % (148,294) (15.8) % 169,897 (114.6) %
Fair value adjustments on loans:
Capital Markets segment 20,225 1.4 % (54,334) (5.8) % 74,559 (137.2) %
Interest income - loans:
Capital Markets segment 123,244 8.4 % 157,669 16.8 % (34,425) (21.8) %
Interest income - securities lending:
Capital Markets segment 161,652 11.0 % 83,144 8.8 % 78,508 94.4 %
Sale of goods:
Communications segment 6,737 0.5 % 7,526 0.8 % (789) (10.5) %
Consumer segment 233,202 15.9 % 77,821 8.3 % 155,381 199.7 %
All Other 364 - % - - % 364 100.0 %
Subtotal 240,303 16.4 % 85,347 9.1 % 154,956 181.6 %
Total revenues $ 1,465,777 100.0 % $ 939,483 100.0 % $ 526,294 56.0 %
n/m - Not applicable or not meaningful.
Total revenues increased approximately $526.3 million to $1.5 billion during the year ended December 31, 2023 from $939.5 million during the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase in revenues during the year ended December 31, 2023 was primarily due to improvement in trading income of $169.9 million, favorable fair value adjustments on loans of $74.6 million, an increase in revenue from sale of goods of $155.0 million, an increase in revenue from services and fees of $82.8 million, and an increase in revenue from interest income - securities lending of $78.5 million, offset by a decrease from interest income - loans of $34.4 million. The increase in the fair value of the portfolio of securities and other investments owned during the year ended December 31, 2023 was primarily due to the increase in overall values in the stock market. The increase in revenue from services and fees of $82.8 million was primarily due to increases of $102.8 million in the Communications segment, $26.9 million in the Financial Consulting segment, and $34.2 million in All Other, partially offset by decreases in revenue of $43.9 million in the Capital Markets segment and $37.2 million in the Wealth Management segment.
Revenues from services and fees in the Capital Markets segment decreased approximately $43.9 million, to $249.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2023 from $292.9 million during the year ended December 31, 2022. The decrease in revenues was primarily due to decreases in revenue of $40.5 million in incentive fees and $8.9 million in commission fees, partially offset by an increase of $5.6 million in interest income. The Capital Markets segment faced a more challenging capital markets merger and acquisitions environment in 2023.
Revenues from services and fees in the Wealth Management segment decreased $37.2 million, to $193.5 million during the year ended December 31, 2023 from $230.7 million during the year ended December 31, 2022. The decrease in revenues was primarily due to decreases in revenue of $27.5 million from wealth and asset management fees, $9.3 million in commission fees, and $0.4 million in other income. The restructuring of the Wealth Management segment in Q3 of 2022 resulted in a reduction in financial advisors, and the decrease in revenues of 2023 has the full year impact of these financial advisors no longer being part of our platform.
Revenues from services and fees in the Financial Consulting segment increased $26.9 million, to $77.3 million during the year ended December 31, 2023 from $50.4 million during the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase in revenues was primarily due to an increase of $32.6 million from the bankruptcy and restructuring, automotive restructuring, Farber and C&W divisions offset by a decrease in revenues of $5.7 million from the risk compliance and forensic and litigation divisions.
Revenues from services and fees in the Communications segment increased $102.8 million to $331.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2023 from $228.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase in revenues was primarily due to an increase of $115.4 million in subscription services from inclusion of a full year of operating results from the acquisition of a controlling interest in Lingo in the second quarter of 2022 and the acquisition of BullsEye in the third quarter of 2022, partially offset by decreases in subscription revenue of $10.0 million and other revenue of $2.6 million for UOL, magicJack and Marconi Wireless. We expect UOL, magicJack and Marconi Wireless subscription revenue to continue to decline year over year.
Revenues from services and fees in All Other increased by $34.2 million to $48.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2023 from $13.8 million during the year ended December 31, 2022. These revenues include merchandise rental fees and sales from bebe in which we acquired a controlling interest during the fourth quarter of 2023, and the operations of a regional environmental services business and a landscaping business that we acquired in 2022. Revenues from services and fees in All Other increased by approximately $18.1 million related to the full year operations of a regional environmental services business (which was acquired in September 2022), $12.0 million related to merchandise rental fees from bebe, which was acquired in October 2023, and revenues from the landscaping business. The landscaping business had $8.0 million of revenues in 2023 and was sold in the third quarter of 2023.
Trading income (loss) increased $169.9 million to a gain of $21.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to loss of $148.3 million during the year ended December 31, 2022. This was primarily due to increases of $168.7 million in the Capital Markets segment and $1.2 million in the Wealth Management segment. The gain of $21.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2023 was primarily due to realized and unrealized gains on investments made in our proprietary trading accounts.
The increase in fair value adjustment of $74.6 million on our loans receivable during the year ended December 31, 2023 is primarily due to favorable fair value adjustments of $69.5 million for Core Scientific, Inc., $41.2 million for Exela Technologies, Inc., offset by $27.7 million unfavorable adjustments for other related party loans. Core Scientific, Inc. provides digital infrastructure for bitcoin mining and high-performance computing. Core Scientific, Inc. filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2022, leading to a significant mark down of the loan receivable in the fourth quarter of 2022. Subsequent to the Chapter 11 restructuring, and during the first quarter of 2023, there was a significant rebound in bitcoin prices resulting in significant growth and value assumptions. The fair value adjustment for Exela Technologies, Inc. was primarily due to paydowns on the term loan and revolver, relative to the underlying collateral coverage by the publicly traded XELA 2026 Senior Notes.
Interest income from loans decreased $34.4 million to $123.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2023 from $157.7 million during the year ended December 31, 2022. The decrease was due to paydowns on our Badcock Receivables I loan receivable portfolio.
Interest income from securities lending increased $78.5 million to $161.7 million during the year ended December 31, 2023 from $83.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase in interest income from securities lending was primarily due to increased interest rates.
Revenues from the sale of goods increased $155.0 million, to $240.3 million during the year ended December 31, 2023 from $85.3 million during the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase in revenues from sale of goods was primarily due to increases of $155.4 million from the acquisition of Targus in the fourth quarter of 2022.
Operating Expenses
Direct Cost of Services
Direct costs increased $95.5 million, to $214.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2023 from $118.5 million during the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase in direct costs of services was primarily attributable to increases of $75.3 million in the Communications segment from the acquisitions of a controlling interest in Lingo during the second quarter of 2022 and BullsEye during the third quarter of 2022, and $20.2 million in All Other due to other acquisitions made during 2023 and subsequent to the first quarter of 2022.
Cost of goods sold
Cost of goods sold during the year ended December 31, 2023 increased by $112.1 million to $172.8 million, from $60.8 million during the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase of $112.1 million is primarily comprised of an increase in cost of goods sold in the Consumer Products segment of $112.5 million, which was primarily due to owning Targus for the full year 2023 as compared to 2022 when we acquired Targus in October 2022.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 were comprised of the following:
Year Ended
December 31, 2023 Year Ended
December 31, 2022 Change
Amount % Amount % Amount %
Capital Markets segment $ 228,991 30.0 % $ 179,498 27.4 % $ 49,493 27.6 %
Wealth Management segment 195,087 25.5 % 263,622 40.3 % (68,535) (26.0) %
Financial Consulting segment 64,366 8.4 % 46,791 7.1 % 17,575 37.6 %
Communications segment 109,583 14.3 % 84,001 12.8 % 25,582 30.5 %
Consumer Products segment 77,147 10.1 % 17,471 2.7 % 59,676 n/m
Corporate and Other 89,752 11.7 % 63,443 9.7 % 26,309 41.5 %
Total selling, general & administrative expenses $ 764,926 100.0 % $ 654,826 100.0 % $ 110,100 16.8 %
Total selling, general and administrative expenses increased $110.1 million to $764.9 million during the year ended December 31, 2023 from $654.8 million during the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase of $110.1 million in selling, general and administrative expenses was due to increases of $59.7 million in the Consumer Products segment, $49.5 million in the Capital Markets segment, $26.3 million in Corporate and Other, $25.6 million in the Communications segment, and $17.6 million in the Financial Consulting segment, partially offset by a decrease of $68.5 million in the Wealth Management segment.
Capital Markets
Selling, general and administrative expenses in the Capital Markets segment increased by $49.5 million to $229.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2023 from $179.5 million during the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase was primarily due to changes in amounts between years of $78.8 million in professional services, of which $77.3 million related to an advisory agreement which ended in August of 2023, and $1.7 million in change in fair value of contingent consideration, partially offset by decreases of $21.7 million in employee compensation and benefits due to a decrease in fee income in 2023 as compared to 2022 which resulted in lower variable compensation, $4.5 million in depreciation and amortization, and $2.4 million in foreign currency fluctuation and $2.4 million in other expenses.
Wealth Management
Selling, general and administrative expenses in the Wealth Management segment decreased by $68.5 million to $195.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2023 from $263.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2022. The decrease was primarily due to decreases of $38.9 million in employee compensation and benefits, $13.7 million in legal settlements and penalties, $5.3 million in other expenses, $4.4 million in professional services, $2.9 million in occupancy and related expenses, $2.1 million in clearing charges, and $1.2 million in depreciation and amortization.
Financial Consulting
Selling, general and administrative expenses in the Financial Consulting segment increased by $17.6 million to $64.4 million during the year ended December 31, 2023 from $46.8 million during the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase was primarily due to increases of $13.4 million in employee compensation and benefits, as a result of an increase in headcount from acquisitions, $3.1 million in other expenses, and $1.1 million in travel and entertainment expenses.
Communications
Selling, general and administrative expenses in the Communications segment increased by $25.6 million to $109.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2023 from $84.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase was primarily due to increases of $11.1 million in employee compensation and benefits $6.8 million in depreciation and amortization expenses, and $2.7 million in occupancy related costs, all of which were in large part driven by the acquisition of Lingo and BullsEye in the second and third quarters of fiscal year 2022, respectively. Other selling general and administrative expenses increased $11.1 million due to the acquisition Lingo and BullsEye in subsequent to the first quarter of fiscal year 2022. The increase from these acquisitions was partially offset by decreases of $4.4 million in other expenses, $0.9 million in transaction costs, and $0.8 million in marketing expenses.
Consumer Products
Selling, general and administrative expenses in the Consumer Products segment increased by $59.7 million to $77.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2023 from $17.5 million during the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase was primarily due to the inclusion of the full year of results in the current year after the acquisition of Targus in the fourth quarter of 2022.
Corporate and Other
Selling, general and administrative expenses for the Corporate and Other category increased $26.3 million to $89.8 million during the year ended December 31, 2023 from $63.4 million during the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase was primarily due to increases of $10.3 million in professional services, of which $0.7 million was attributable to new acquisitions, $4.7 million in occupancy related costs, of which $3.3 million was attributable to new acquisitions, $4.3 million in employee compensation and benefits driven in large part by acquisitions made subsequent to the first quarter of fiscal year 2022. Other selling general and administrative expenses increased $1.8 million from the acquisition of bebe in which we acquired a controlling interest during the fourth quarter of 2023, $5.4 million in change in fair value of contingent consideration, and $5.2 million in foreign currency fluctuations, partially offset by decreases of $3.8 million from the acquisition of a regional environmental services business and a decrease of $1.6 million in other expenses.
Impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets. We recognized impairment charges of $70.3 million during the year ended December 31, 2023. We performed an interim impairment test as of September 30, 2023 and a year-end impairment test as of December 31, 2023, as further discussed in Note 10 of the consolidated financial statements. Based on the results of the impairment tests, we recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $68.6 million consisting of a goodwill impairment charge of $53.1 million and a tradename impairment charge of $15.5 million in the Consumer Products segment. We previously recognized $1.7 million in impairment in the second quarter of 2023 for a tradename in the Capital Markets segment that we no longer use. There was no impairment recognized during the year ended December 31, 2022.
Interest expense - Securities lending. Interest expense - Securities lending increased $78.9 million to $145.4 million during the year ended December 31, 2023 from $66.5 million during the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase was due to an increase in the securities loaned balances from $2.3 billion as of December 31, 2022 to $2.9 billion as of December 31, 2023.
Other Income (Expense). Other income included interest income of $3.9 million during the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to $2.7 million during the year ended December 31, 2022. Dividend income was $12.7 million during the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to $7.9 million during the year ended December 31, 2022. Realized and unrealized losses on investments were $162.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to $247.5 million during the year ended December 31, 2022. The change was primarily due to a decrease in overall values of our investments. Change in fair value of financial instruments and other in the amount of $4.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2023 was primarily due to losses on remeasurement of the bebe equity method investment of $12.9 million recorded in the third quarter of 2023 and remeasurement of mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interest in an investment of $0.8 million, partially offset by a $9.3 million gain on the sale of certain assets related to our landscaping business in 2023. Gain on bargain purchase of $15.9 million during the year ended December 31, 2023 was related to the acquisition of a majority interest in bebe in the fourth quarter of 2023. Income from equity method investments was a loss of $0.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to income of $3.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2022. Loss on extinguishment of debt was $5.4 million during the year ended December 31, 2023. Interest expense was $156.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to $141.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase in interest expense was due to higher interest rates due to variable rates on certain of our outstanding debt during the year ended December 31, 2023, which also were responsible for higher interest income as discussed above. The increases in interest expense primarily consisted of $9.1 million from the Capital Markets segment, $6.5 million from the Communications segment, $6.6 million from the Consumer Products segment, partially offset by a $6.9 million increase from Corporate and other.
Loss from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes. Loss from continuing operations before income taxes decreased $135.1 million to a loss of $199.3 million during the year ended December 31, 2023 from a loss of $334.3 million during the year ended December 31, 2022. The change was primarily due to an increase in revenues of approximately $526.3 million, a change in realized and unrealized losses on investments of $85.5 million, a 2023 gain on bargain purchase of $15.9 million, an increase in dividend income of $4.9 million, and an increase in interest income of $1.1 million, partially offset by an increase in operating expenses of $460.1 million, an increase in interest expense of $15.2 million, a decrease to change in fair value of financial instruments and other of $14.2 million and a decrease in income from equity method investments of $3.7 million.
Benefit from Income Taxes. Benefit from income taxes was $39.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to a benefit from income taxes of $65.3 million during the year ended December 31, 2022. The effective income tax rate was a benefit of 19.6% during the year ended December 31, 2023 as compared to a benefit of 19.5% during the year ended December 31, 2022.
Loss from Continuing Operations. Loss from continuing operations was $160.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to loss of $269.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2022. The change was due to an increase in operating income of $66.2 million, a change in realized and unrealized losses on investments of $85.5 million, a 2023 gain on bargain purchase of $15.9 million, an increase in dividend income of $4.9 million, and an increase in interest income of $1.1 million, partially offset by an increase in interest expense of $15.2 million, a change in fair value of financial instruments and other of $14.2 million and a decrease in income from equity method investments of $3.7 million.
(Loss) Income from Discontinued Operations, Net of Income Taxes. On October 25, 2024, we and our subsidiary bebe have completed a transaction for our brand assets yielding approximately $236.0 million in cash proceeds. The results have been presented as discontinued operations for the year ended December 31, 2023. Income from discontinued operations, net of tax, for the Brands Transaction was $48.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to income from discontinued operations, net of tax, of $88.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2022. Refer to Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.
On November 15, 2024, we completed the sale of our Great American Group and its results have been presented as discontinued operations for the year ended December 31, 2023. Income from discontinued operations, net of tax, for Great American Group was $6.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to income from discontinued operations, net of tax, of $24.3 million during the year ended December 31, 2022. Refer to Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.
Net Loss (Income) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest and Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests. Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests and redeemable noncontrolling interests represents the proportionate share of net income generated by membership interests of partnerships that we do not own. The net loss attributable to
noncontrolling interests and redeemable noncontrolling interests was $5.7 million during the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to income of $3.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2022.
Net Loss Attributable to the Company. Net loss attributable to the Company during the year ended December 31, 2023 was $99.9 million compared to net loss attributable to the Company of $159.8 million during the year ended December 31, 2022. The change was primarily due to an increase in operating income of $66.2 million, a change in realized and unrealized losses on investments of $85.5 million, a 2023 gain on bargain purchase of $15.9 million, an increase in dividend income of $4.9 million, a change in net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests and redeemable noncontrolling interests of $9.0 million, and an increase in interest income of $1.1 million, partially offset by a decrease in benefit from income taxes of $26.1 million, an increase in interest expense of $15.2 million, a decrease in change in fair value of financial instruments and other of $14.2 million, and a decrease in income from equity method investments of $3.7 million.
Preferred Stock Dividends. Preferred stock dividends were $8.1 million during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022. Dividends on the Series A preferred paid during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 were $0.4296875 per depository share. Dividends on the Series B preferred paid during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 were $0.4609375 per depository share.
Net Loss Available to Common Shareholders. Net loss available to common shareholders during the year ended December 31, 2023 was $108.0 million compared to net loss available to common shareholders of $167.8 million during the year ended December 31, 2022. The change was primarily due to an increase in operating income of $66.2 million, a change in realized and unrealized losses on investments of $85.5 million, a 2023 gain on bargain purchase of $15.9 million, a change in net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests and redeemable noncontrolling interests of $9.0 million, an increase in dividend income of $4.9 million, and an increase in interest income of $1.1 million, partially offset by a decrease in benefit from income taxes of $26.1 million, an increase in interest expense of $15.2 million, a decrease in change in fair value of financial instruments and other of $14.2 million, and a decrease in income from equity method investments of $3.7 million.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our operations are funded through a combination of existing cash on hand, cash generated from operations, borrowings under our senior notes payable, term loans and credit facilities, and special purposes financing arrangements. During the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, we generated net loss attributable to the Company of $764.3 million and net loss attributable to the Company of $99.9 million, respectively. The Company operates a number of businesses in its segments that provide steady cash flows and operating income throughout the year. However, our cash flows and profitability are impacted by capital market engagements.
As of December 31, 2024, we had $154.9 million of unrestricted cash and cash equivalents, $100.5 million of restricted cash, $282.3 million of securities and other investments, at fair value, $90.1 million of loans receivable, at fair value, and $1.8 billion of borrowings outstanding. The borrowings outstanding of $1.8 billion as of December 31, 2024 included $1.5 billion of borrowings from the issuance of the series of senior notes that are due at various dates ranging from February 28, 2025 to August 31, 2028 with interest rates ranging from 5.00% to 6.50%, $199.4 million in term loans borrowed pursuant to the Targus, Lingo, BRPI Acquisition Co LLC (“BRPAC"), and Nomura credit agreements discussed below, $16.3 million of revolving credit facility under the Targus credit facility discussed below, and $28.0 million of notes payable.
As more fully described in Note 25 - Subsequent Events, we entered into a new term loan facility on February 26, 2025 with Oaktree affiliated companies, with a maturity date of February 26, 2028 and the proceeds were primarily used to repay all amounts outstanding under the Nomura Credit Agreement as more fully described in Note 13 - Term Loans and Revolving Credit Facility.
We completed the Brands Transaction in October 2024 and the Great American Group Transaction in November 2024 as more fully discussed in Note 4. The proceeds from these transactions were used for general working capital purposes, make principal payments on the term loan with Nomura, and retire all of the $145.2 million of outstanding 6.375% senior notes due February 28, 2025. We also completed the sale of the Company’s majority owned subsidiary Atlantic Coast Recycling, LLC on March 3, 2025 for proceeds of approximately $68.6 million (the “Atlantic Coast Transaction”) and the sale of part of Wealth Management business for $26.0 million (the “Wealth Transaction”) as more fully described in Note 4 and the sale of the Company’s financial consulting business for $117.8 million on June 27, 2025.
From March 26, 2025 to July 11, 2025, we completed five private exchange transactions with an institutional investors pursuant to which approximately $115.8 million of aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 5.50% Senior Notes due March 2026, approximately $2.1 million aggregate principal amount of 6.50% Senior Notes due September 2026, approximately $146.4 million aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 5.00% Senior Notes due December 2026, approximately $51.1 million aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 6.00% Senior Notes due January 2028, and approximately $39.5 million aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 5.25% Senior Notes due August 2028 (collectively, the “Exchanged Notes”) owned by the investors were exchanged for approximately $228.4 million aggregate principal amount of New Notes, whereupon the Exchanged Notes were cancelled.
After the completion of the Exchanged Notes described above, we have approximately $100,818 of 5.50% Senior Notes due March 31, 2026 as more fully described in Note 14 - Senior Notes Payable. We believe that the current cash and cash equivalents, securities and other investments owned, funds available under our credit facilities, cash expected to be generated from operating activities and proceeds received from the Atlantic Coast Transaction, the Wealth Management Transaction and the sale of the Company’s financial consulting business will be sufficient to meet our working capital and capital expenditure requirements for at least the next 12 months from issuance date of the accompanying financial statements.
Due to the fact that we are no longer a well-known seasoned issuer and no longer eligible to file a short form registration statement with the SEC, accessing the capital markets could take longer and cost more than would otherwise be the case. We continue to monitor our financial performance to ensure sufficient liquidity to fund operations and execute on our business plan.
Cash Flow Summary
Following is a summary of our cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities, investing activities and financing activities during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023. A discussion of cash flows during the year ended December 31, 2022 has been omitted from this Annual Report on Form 10-K, but may be found in “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” under the heading “Liquidity and Capital Resources” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K during the year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on April 24, 2024, which is available free of charge on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
Year Ended December 31, 2024 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2023
Year Ended December 31,
2024 2023
(Dollars in thousands)
Net cash provided by (used in):
Operating activities $ 263,551 $ 24,502
Investing activities 440,534 301,174
Financing activities (671,947) (365,923)
Effect of foreign currency on cash (9,301) 3,160
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash $ 22,837 $ (37,087)
Cash provided by operating activities was $263.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to cash provided by operating activities of $24.5 million during the year ended December 31, 2023. Cash provided by operating activities during the year ended December 31, 2024 included a net loss of $774.9 million adjusted for noncash items of $323.7 million and changes in operating assets and liabilities of $714.8 million. Noncash items of $323.7 million included fair value adjustments of $327.6 million, impairment of goodwill and tradenames of $105.4 million, depreciation and amortization of $45.4 million, deferred income taxes of $25.9 million, share-based compensation of $19.1 million, loss on extinguishment of debt of $19.2 million, depreciation of rental merchandise of $15.1 million, provision for credit losses of $6.0 million, income allocated to and fair value adjustment for mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests of $1.2 million, and dividends from equity method investments of $0.2 million, partially offset by gain on disposal of discontinued operations of $217.5 million, non-cash interest and other of $23.3 million, effect of foreign currency on operations of $0.2 million, and gain on sale of business, disposal of fixed assets, and other of $0.2 million. Cash provided by operating activities during the year ended December 31, 2023 included net loss of $105.6 million adjusted for noncash items of $97.5
million and changes in operating assets and liabilities of $32.7 million. Noncash items of $97.5 million included impairment of goodwill and tradenames of $70.3 million, depreciation and amortization of $49.6 million, share-based compensation of $45.1 million, provision for credit losses of $7.1 million, loss on extinguishment of debt of $5.3 million, depreciation of rental merchandise of $4.1 million, income allocated to and fair value adjustment for mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests of $1.8 million, dividends from equity method investments of $0.4 million, and income from equity method investments of $0.2 million, partially offset by deferred income taxes of $40.9 million, gain on bargain purchase of $15.9 million, fair value adjustments of $10.7 million, non-cash interest and other of $9.7 million, gain on sale of business, disposal of fixed assets, and other of $9.0 million, and effect of foreign currency on operations of $0.3 million.
Cash provided by investing activities was $440.5 million during the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to cash provided by investing activities of $301.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2023. During the year ended December 31, 2024, cash provided by investing activities consisted of cash received from sale of Brands Interests of $234.1 million, sale of Great American Group of $167.1 million, loans receivable repayment of $149.0 million, sale of loans receivable of $31.0 million, proceeds from loan participations sold of $6.0 million, and proceeds from sale of business and other of $0.3 million, partially offset by cash used for purchases of loans receivable of $118.7 million, acquisition of businesses of $19.1 million, purchases of property and equipment and intangible assets of $8.0 million, and purchases of equity method investments of $1.1 million. During the year ended December 31, 2023, cash provided by investing activities consisted of cash received from loans receivable repayment of $606.7 million, funds received from trust account of subsidiary of $175.8 million, sale of loans receivable of $85.0 million, and proceeds from sale of business and other of $17.5 million, partially offset by cash used for purchases of loans receivable of $545.0 million, acquisition of businesses of $26.2 million, purchases of property and equipment and intangible assets of $7.7 million, and purchases of equity method investments of $4.9 million.
Cash used in financing activities was $671.9 million during the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to cash used in financing activities of $365.9 million during the year ended December 31, 2023. During the year ended December 31, 2024, cash used in financing activities primarily consisted of repayment on our term loans of $444.8 million, redemption of senior notes of $140.5 million, repayment of our revolving line of credit of $116.7 million, payment of dividends on our common shares of $33.7 million, payment for contingent consideration of $12.9 million, distributions to noncontrolling interests of $10.7 million, payment of dividends on our preferred shares of $8.1 million, repayment of our notes payable and other of $6.7 million, payment of debt issuance and offering costs of $3.5 million, and ESPP and payment of employment taxes on vesting of restricted stock of $3.2 million, partially offset by proceeds from revolving line of credit of $89.3 million, proceeds from notes payable of $15.0 million, contributions from noncontrolling interests of $3.9 million and proceeds from exercise of warrants of $0.7 million. During the year ended December 31, 2023, cash used in financing activities primarily consisted of repayment on our term loans of $520.8 million, repayment of our revolving line of credit of $303.0 million, redemption of subsidiary temporary equity and distributions of $175.8 million, payment of dividends on our common shares of $141.1 million, repurchase of our common stock of $69.5 million, redemption of senior notes of $58.9 million, payment of debt issuance costs of $28.0 million, repayment of our notes payable of $13.8 million, payment of dividends on our preferred shares of $8.1 million, payment of employment taxes on vesting of restricted stock of $7.6 million, distribution to noncontrolling interests of $6.5 million, and payment for contingent consideration of $1.9 million, partially offset by proceeds from term loans of $628.2 million, proceeds from revolving line of credit of $219.2 million, proceeds from our offering of common stock of $115.0 million, contributions from noncontrolling interests of $6.1 million, proceeds from our offering of preferred stock of $0.5 million, and proceeds from issuance of senior notes of $0.2 million.
Credit Agreements
Targus Credit Agreement
On October 18, 2022, Targus Borrower, among others, entered into a credit agreement (“Targus Credit Agreement”) with PNC Bank, National Association (“PNC”), as agent and security trustee for a five-year $28.0 million term loan and a five-year $85.0 million revolver loan, which was used to finance part of the acquisition of Targus. The final maturity date is October 18, 2027.
The Targus Credit Agreement was secured by substantially all Targus assets as collateral defined in the Targus Credit Agreement which assets had an aggregate value of approximately $176.6 million including $39.1 million of accounts receivable and $57.5 million of inventory as of December 31, 2024. The Targus Credit Agreement contained certain covenants, including those limiting the Targus Borrower’s ability to incur certain indebtedness, incur liens, sell or acquire assets or businesses, change the nature of their businesses, engage in transactions with related parties, make certain investments or pay dividends. The Targus Credit Agreement also contains customary representations and warranties,
affirmative covenants, and events of default, including payment defaults, breach of representations and warranties, covenant defaults and cross defaults. If an event of default were to have occurred, the agent would have been entitled to take various actions, including the acceleration of amounts outstanding under the Targus Credit Agreement. On October 31, 2023 and February 20, 2024, the Company entered into Amendment No. 1 and Amendment No. 2 to the Targus Credit Agreement, which, among other things, modified the fixed charge coverage ratio (the “FCCR”) and the minimum earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization ("EBITDA") requirements which waived the financial covenant breaches for the periods ended September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2023, respectively. Amendment No. 2 also provided, among other things, with a cure right for the Company to provide a capital contribution to Targus in the event of a financial covenant breach (the "Keepwell"). For the period ended September 30, 2023, the FCCR covenant was not fulfilled in accordance with the Targus Credit Agreement, and for the period ended December 31, 2023, the FCCR and minimum EBITDA covenant was not fulfilled in accordance with the Targus Credit Agreement. However, the amendments to the Targus Credit Agreement and the capital contributions made to the subsidiary cured the covenant breaches. On June 27, 2024 the Company entered into Amendment No. 3 to the Targus Credit Agreement to replace the terminating Canadian benchmark interest rate with the Term CORRA Reference Rate. For the period ended June 30, 2024, the minimum EBITDA covenant was also breached. On August 14, 2024, the Company contributed $1.6 million to Targus to cure a minimum EBITDA financial covenant requirement for the period ended June 30, 2024. For the period ended September 30, 2024, the minimum EBITDA covenant was also breached. On November 7, 2024, the Company entered into Amendment No. 4 to the Targus Credit Agreement, which among other things, reduced revolving loan sub-limits, modified the FCCR covenant, removed the minimum EBITDA requirement, imposed a minimum undrawn availability covenant, and modified the terms of the Keepwell. Amendment No. 4 to the Targus Credit Agreement also waived the September 30, 2024 minimum EBITDA covenant breach. Concurrently with the effectiveness of Amendment No. 4 to the Targus Credit Agreement, the Company repaid the outstanding balance of the term loan in full with $2.1 million of revolver loan advances and $7.5 million of cash from the Company.
On May 9, 2025, the Targus Borrower entered into Amendment No. 5 to the Targus Credit Agreement, which among other things, (i) required quarterly repayments of revolver loan advances in an amount equal to $2.5 million commencing on September 30, 2025 and continuing until the total outstanding amount thereunder is paid in full, (ii) reduced the maximum revolving commitments from $30.0 million to $25.0 million, (iii) required the repayment of $5.0 million of outstanding revolving advances and (iv) requires that the Targus Borrower pay a deferred amendment fee of $1.0 million in the event the Company is unable to refinance the obligations under the Targus Credit Agreement by July 31, 2025. On July 25, 2025, the Targus Borrower entered into Amendment No. 6 to the Targus Credit Agreement, which among other things, (i) reduced the deferred amendment fee of $1.0 million to $0.2 million, due and payable on July 25, 2025, and (ii) requires that the Targus Borrower pay an additional deferred amendment fee of $0.9 million in the event the Company is unable to refinance the Targus Credit Agreement by August 15, 2025. On August 15, 2025, the Targus Borrower entered into Amendment No. 7 to the Targus Credit Agreement, which among other things, (i) required the Targus Borrower to pay an additional deferred amendment fee of $0.1 million in the event the Targus Borrower is unable to refinance the Targus Credit Agreement by August 15, 2025, and (ii) requires the Targus Borrower to pay an additional deferred amendment fee of $0.9 million in the event the Targus Borrower is unable to refinance the Targus Credit Agreement by August 20, 2025.
In connection with the above amendments to the Targus Credit Agreement, the Company entered into Amendment No. 2 to the Keepwell on May 9, 2025, Amendment No. 3 to the Keepwell on July 25, 2025, and Amendment No. 4 to the Keepwell on August 15, 2025, which among other things, modified the conditions under which, if satisfied, the Company would be required to make certain capital contributions to the Targus Borrower.
On August 20, 2025, the Company entered into the new Targus/FGI Credit Agreement to refinance and repay all obligations under the existing Targus Credit Agreement, as more fully described below.
The Company is in compliance with all financial covenants with the Targus Credit Agreement, as amended, and no defaults or events of default, as defined in the credit agreement, were noted as of December 31, 2024.
The term loan bears interest on the outstanding principal amount equal to the term SOFR rate plus an applicable margin of 5.75%. The revolver loan consists of base rate loans that bear interest on the outstanding principal amount equal to the base rate plus an applicable margin of 3.00% and term rate loans that bear interest on the outstanding principal amount equal to the revolver SOFR rate plus an applicable margin of 4.00%.
As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the outstanding balance on the term loan was zero and $17.8 million (net of unamortized debt issuance costs of $0.4 million), respectively. As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the outstanding balance on the revolver loan was $16.3 million and $43.8 million, respectively. The average borrowings under the revolver loan was $21.4 million and $56.7 million during the year ended December 31 2024 and 2023, respectively. The amount
available for borrowings under the Targus Credit Agreement was $5.4 million and $1.8 million at December 31, 2024, and 2023, respectively.
Interest expense on these loans during the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022 was $4.2 million, $7.3 million, and $1.3 million (including amortization of deferred debt issuance costs and unused commitment fees of $1.0 million, $0.7 million, and $0.2 million), respectively. In connection with the principal payments made on the term loan during the year ended December 31, 2024, we recorded losses of the extinguishment of this debt in the amount of $0.8 million, which was included in the consolidated statements of operations in 2024. The interest rate on the term loan was 10.45%, 10.20% and 8.43% and the interest rate on the revolver loan ranged between 8.44% to 11.25%, between 8.45% to 11.25% and between 6.03% to 9.25% as of December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The weighted average interest rate on the revolver loan was 10.39%, 8.53% and 6.68% as of December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
Targus/FGI Credit Agreement
On August 20, 2025, the Targus Borrower and the FGI Loan Parties entered into the Targus/FGI Credit Agreement with FGI, as agent and for a three-year $30.0 million revolving loan facility, the proceeds of which were used to refinance and repay all obligations under the existing Targus Credit Agreement with PNC. The final maturity date of the Targus/FGI Credit Agreement is August 20, 2028.
The Targus/FGI Credit Agreement is a revolving line of credit facility with a receivable purchase feature under which the purchase of eligible receivables is on a full recourse basis with each borrower retaining the risk of non-payment. The revolving loans bear interest at the greater of (a) 5.25% per annum or (b) 3.00% above the term SOFR for a period of 1 month plus 10 basis points, plus (c) 0.30% per month collateral management fee.
The Targus/FGI Credit Agreement is secured by (i) a first priority perfected security interest in and a lien upon all of the assets of the FGI Loan Parties, and (ii) a pledge of all of the equity interests of the Targus Borrower and its direct and indirect subsidiaries. The Targus/FGI Credit Agreement contains certain covenants, including those limiting the FGI Loan Parties' ability to incur indebtedness, incur liens, sell or acquire assets or businesses, change the nature of their businesses, engage in transactions with related parties, make certain investments or pay dividends. The Targus/FGI Credit Agreement also contains customary representations and warranties, affirmative covenants, and events of default, including payment defaults, breach of representations and warranties, covenant defaults and cross defaults. If an uncured event of default occurs, FGI would be entitled to take various actions, including the acceleration of amounts outstanding under the Targus/FGI Credit Agreement.
As required under the Targus/FGI Credit Agreement, B. Riley Commercial Capital, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into an amendment to an existing intercompany loan and security agreement to extend an additional subordinated loan to the Targus Borrower at the closing of the Targus/FGI Credit Agreement in the amount of $5.0 million increasing the aggregate principal amount of such loan from $5.0 million to $10.0 million.
Lingo Credit Agreement
On August 16, 2022, Lingo Management, (the “Lingo Borrower”), entered into a credit agreement (the “Lingo Credit Agreement”) by and among the Lingo Borrower, the Company as the secured guarantor, and Banc of California, N.A. in its capacity as administrative agent and lender, for a five-year $45.0 million term loan. This loan was used to finance part of the purchase of BullsEye by the Lingo Borrower. On September 9, 2022, the Lingo Borrower entered into the First Amendment to the Lingo Credit Agreement with Grasshopper Bank (the "New Lender") for an incremental term loan of $7.5 million, increasing the principal balance of the term loan to $52.5 million. On November 10, 2022, the Lingo Borrower entered into the Second Amendment to the Lingo Credit Agreement with KeyBank National Association for an incremental term loan of $20.5 million, increasing the principal balance of the term loan to $73.0 million.
The term loan bears interest on the outstanding principal amount equal to the term SOFR rate plus a margin of 3.00% to 3.75% per annum, depending on the consolidated total funded debt ratio as defined in the Lingo Credit Agreement, plus applicable spread adjustment. As of December 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022, the interest rate on the Lingo Credit Agreement was 7.91%, 8.70%, and 7.89% respectively.
The Lingo Credit Agreement is guaranteed by the Company and the Lingo Borrower's subsidiaries and secured by certain Lingo assets and equity interests as collateral which totals approximately $228.7 million defined in the Lingo Credit Agreement which includes $12.3 million of accounts receivable. The agreement contains certain covenants, including those limiting the Lingo Borrower's ability to incur indebtedness, incur liens, sell or acquire assets or businesses, change the
nature of its businesses, engage in transactions with related parties, make certain investments or pay dividends. In addition, the Lingo Credit Agreement requires the Lingo Borrower to maintain certain financial ratios. The Lingo Credit Agreement also contains customary representations and warranties, affirmative covenants, and events of default, including payment defaults, breach of representations and warranties, covenant defaults and cross defaults. If an event of default occurs, the agent would be entitled to take various actions, including the acceleration of amounts due under the Lingo Credit Agreement. We are in compliance with all financial covenants in the Lingo Credit Agreement as of December 31, 2024.
Principal outstanding is due in quarterly installments. The quarterly installments from March 31, 2025 to June 30, 2027 are in the amount of $3.7 million, and the remaining principal balance is due at final maturity on August 16, 2027.
As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the outstanding balance on the term loan was $52.4 million (net of unamortized debt issuance costs of $0.6 million) and $63.2 million (net of unamortized debt issuance costs of $0.7 million), respectively. Interest expense on the term loan during the years ended December 31, 2024 was $5.8 million (including amortization of deferred debt issuance costs of $0.5 million), $6.4 million (including amortization of deferred debt issuance costs of $0.3 million) and $1.6 million (including amortization of deferred debt issuance costs of $0.1 million), respectively.
On January 6, 2025, as discussed below BRPAC entered into an amended and restated credit agreement (the “BRPAC Amended Credit Agreement”) with the Banc of California, in the capacity as agent and lender and with other lenders party thereto from time to time. A portion of the proceeds from the BRPAC Amended Credit Agreement were used to pay all outstanding principal amounts and accrued interest under the Lingo Credit Agreement and the Lingo Credit Agreement was effectively terminated upon repayment on January 6, 2025.
bebe Credit Agreement
As a result of the Company obtaining a majority ownership interest in bebe on October 6, 2023, bebe's credit agreement with SLR Credit Solutions (the “bebe Credit Agreement”) for a $25.0 million five-year term loan with a maturity date of August 24, 2026 is included in the Company's long-term debt. The term loan bears interest on the outstanding principal amount equal to the Term SOFR rate plus a margin of 5.50% to 6.00% per annum, depending on the total fixed charge coverage ratio as defined in the bebe Credit Agreement. As of December 31, 2023, the interest rate on the bebe Credit Agreement was 11.14%.
The bebe Credit Agreement is collateralized by a first lien on all bebe assets and pledges of capital stock including equity interests. The agreement contains certain covenants, including those limiting the borrower’s ability to incur indebtedness, incur liens, sell or acquire assets or businesses, change the nature of their businesses, engage in transactions with related parties, make certain investments or pay dividends. In addition the agreement requires bebe to maintain certain financial ratios. The agreement also contains customary representations and warranties, affirmative covenants, and events of default, including payment defaults, breach of representations and warranties, covenant defaults and cross defaults.
As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the outstanding balance on the term loan was zero (net of unamortized debt issuance costs of zero) and $22.5 million (net of unamortized debt issuance costs of $0.6 million), respectively. Interest expense on the term loan during the year ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 was $2.7 million (including amortization of deferred debt issuance costs of $0.6 million and allocated to income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes in the consolidated statement of operations) and $0.7 million (including amortization of deferred debt issuance costs of $0.1 million), respectively. Principal outstanding is due in quarterly installments through June 30, 2026 in the amount of $0.3 million per quarter and the remaining principal balance of $20.0 million is due at final maturity on August 24, 2026.
On October 25, 2024, upon the closing of the Brands Transaction, as described in Note 4 - Discontinued Operation, proceeds of $22.2 million was used to pay off the then outstanding balance of the loan in full and $0.2 million of loan payoff expenses.
Nomura Credit Agreement
The Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries, BR Financial Holdings, LLC, and BR Advisory & Investments, LLC had entered into a credit agreement dated June 23, 2021 (as amended, the “Prior Credit Agreement”) with Nomura Corporate Funding Americas, LLC, as administrative agent, and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as collateral agent, for a four-year $300.0 million secured term loan credit facility (the “Prior Term Loan Facility”) and a four-year $80.0 million secured revolving loan credit facility (the “Prior Revolving Credit Facility”) with a maturity date of June 23, 2025.
On August 21, 2023, the Company and its wholly owned subsidiary, BR Financial Holdings, LLC, and certain direct and indirect subsidiaries of the BRFH Borrower (the “BRFH Guarantors”), entered into a credit agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with Nomura Corporate Funding Americas, LLC, as administrative agent, and Computershare Trust Company, N.A., as collateral agent, for a four-year $500.0 million secured term loan credit facility (the “New Term Loan Facility”) and a four-year $100.0 million secured revolving loan credit facility (the “New Revolving Credit Facility” and together, the “New Credit Facilities”). The purpose of the Credit Agreement was to (i) fund the Freedom VCM equity investment, (ii) prepay in full the Prior Term Loan Facility and Prior Revolving Credit Facility with an aggregate outstanding balance of $347.9 million, which included $342.0 million in principal and $5.9 million in interest and fees, (iii) fund a dividend reserve in an amount not less than $65.0 million, (iv) pay related fees and expenses, and (v) for general corporate purposes. We recorded a loss on extinguishment of debt related to the Prior Credit Agreement of $5.4 million, which was included in the consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2023.
SOFR rate loans under the New Credit Facilities accrued interest at the adjusted term SOFR rate plus an applicable margin of 6.00%. In addition to paying interest on outstanding borrowings under the New Revolving Credit Facility, we were required to pay a quarterly commitment fee based on the unused portion, which was determined by the average utilization of the facility for the immediately preceding fiscal quarter.
The Credit Agreement was secured on a first priority basis by a security interest in the equity interests of the BRFH Borrower and each of the BRFH Borrower’s subsidiaries (subject to certain exclusions) and a security interest in substantially all of the assets of the BRFH Borrower and the BRFH Guarantors. The borrowing base as defined in the Credit Agreement consisted of a collateral pool that included certain of the Company's loans receivables in the amount of $112.5 million (which is included in the total loans receivable, at fair value balance of $90.1 million reported in our consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2024) and $375.8 million (which is included in the total loans receivable, at fair value balance of $532.4 million reported in our consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2023) and investments in the amount of $228.3 million (which is included in the total securities and other investments owned, at fair value of $282.3 million reported in our consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2024) and $786.7 million (which is included in the total securities and other investments owned, at fair value of $809.0 million reported in our consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2023) as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
The Credit Agreement contained certain affirmative and negative covenants customary for financings of this type that, among other things, limited the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ ability to incur additional indebtedness or liens, to dispose of assets, to make certain fundamental changes, to enter into restrictive agreements, to make certain investments, loans, advances, guarantees and acquisitions, to prepay certain indebtedness and to pay dividends or to make other distributions or redemptions/repurchases in respect of their respective equity interests. The Credit Agreement contained customary events of default, including with respect to a failure to make payments under the credit facilities, cross-default, certain bankruptcy and insolvency events and customary change of control events. We were in compliance with all financial covenants in the Credit Agreement as of December 31, 2024. On September 17, 2024, the Company entered into Amendment No. 4 to its credit agreement, dated August 21, 2023, with Nomura Corporate Funding Americas, LLC, as administrative agent (the “Fourth Amendment”). On September 17, 2024, the Company made a payment of $85.9 million which consisted of a principal payment of $85.1 million and accrued interest of $0.7 million. Loan fees incurred in connection with the Fourth Amendment totaled $5.9 million of which $3.5 million was added to the principal balance of the term loan. After giving effect to these amounts, the outstanding principal balance on the term loan was reduced from $469.8 million to $388.1 million. In connection with the Fourth Amendment, the revolving credit facility in the amount of $100.0 million which had no balance outstanding at September 17, 2024 was terminated and the Company was required to reduce the principal amount of the term loan to be no greater than $100.0 million on or prior to September 30, 2025. The scheduled maturity date of the term loan was August 21, 2027.
The Fourth Amendment contained certain provisions related to borrowing base, including specific treatment for certain assets in the calculation of borrowing base and also included mandatory prepayment provisions regarding asset sales. Interest on the term loan increased to SOFR loans accrued interest at the adjusted term SOFR plus an applicable margin of
7.00% cash interest or, at the election of the Company, at the adjusted term SOFR determined plus an applicable margin of 6.00% cash interest plus 1.50% paid-in-kind interest; and base rate loans accrued interest at the base rate plus an applicable margin of 6.00% cash interest or, at the election of the Company, at the adjusted term SOFR determined for such day plus an applicable margin of 5.00% cash interest plus 1.50% PIK Interest. On December 9, 2024, the Company entered into Amendment No. 5 to its credit agreement, dated August 21, 2023, with Nomura Corporate Funding Americas, LLC, as administrative agent (the “Fifth Amendment”). The Fifth Amendment extended the springing maturity date of the term loans if more than $25.0 million aggregate principal amount of the 5.50% 2026 Notes were outstanding to February 3, 2026 and permitted under certain conditions an additional $10.0 million of telecommunications financing. On January 3, 2025, the Company entered into Amendment No. 6 to its credit agreement, dated August 21, 2023, with Nomura Corporate Funding Americas, LLC, as administrative agent (the “Sixth Amendment”). The Sixth Amendment agreed to permit under certain conditions the contribution by BRPI of 100% of the equity interests in Lingo to BRPAC in connection with the entry into the BRPAC Amended Credit Agreement. There was no fee charged in connection with the Sixth Amendment.
As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the outstanding balance on the term loan was $117.3 million (net of unamortized debt issuance costs of $5.2 million) and $475.1 million (net of unamortized debt issuance costs of $18.7 million), respectively. Interest on the term loan during the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022 was $23.5 million (including amortization of deferred debt issuance costs of $5.8 million), $11.7 million (including amortization of deferred debt issuance costs of $2.9 million), and $21.3 million (including amortization of deferred debt issuance costs of $2.1 million), respectively. The interest rate on the term loan as of December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022 was 11.52%, 11.37% and 9.23%, respectively.
We had an outstanding balance of zero and $74.7 million under the revolving facility as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Interest on the revolving facility during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 was $1.4 million (including unused commitment fees of $0.7 million and amortization of deferred financing costs of $0.7 million) and $5.9 million (including unused commitment fees of $0.3 million and amortization of deferred financing costs of $0.8 million), and $5.4 million (including unused commitment fees of $0.01 million and amortization of deferred financing costs of $0.6 million), respectively. The interest rate on the revolving credit facility as of December 31, 2024 and 2023 was 11.37%.
In connection with the principal payments made on the term loan and revolving credit facility with Nomura during the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company recorded losses of the extinguishment of this debt in the amount of $18.0 million, which was included in the consolidated statements of operations in 2024.
On February 26, 2025, we entered into a new credit agreement with a group of funds indirectly or directly controlled by Oaktree Capital Management, L.P. with Oaktree Fund Administration, LLC, acting as the administrative agent and collateral agent, as more fully described in Note 25. The new credit agreement provided for (i) a three-year $125.0 million secured term loan credit facility (the “Initial Term Loan Facility”) and (ii) a four-month $35.0 million secured delayed draw term loan credit facility (the “Delayed Draw Facility” and, together with the Initial Term Loan Facility, the “Oaktree Credit Facilities”). The Nomura Credit Agreement discussed above was paid in full and terminated using proceeds from the Initial Term Loan Facility.
BRPAC Credit Agreement
On December 19, 2018, BRPAC, UOL, and YMAX Corporation, Delaware corporations (collectively, the “BRPAC Borrowers”), indirect wholly owned subsidiaries of ours, in the capacity as borrowers, entered into a credit agreement (the “BRPAC Credit Agreement”) with the Banc of California, N.A. in the capacity as agent (the “Agent”) and lender and with the other lenders party thereto (the “Closing Date Lenders”). Certain of the BRPAC Borrowers’ U.S. subsidiaries are guarantors of all obligations under the BRPAC Credit Agreement and are parties to the BRPAC Credit Agreement in such capacity (collectively, the “Secured Guarantors”; and together with the BRPAC Borrowers, the “Credit Parties”). In addition, we and B. Riley Principal Investments, LLC, the parent corporation of BRPAC and a subsidiary of ours, are guarantors of the obligations under the BRPAC Credit Agreement pursuant to standalone guaranty agreements pursuant to which the shares outstanding membership interests of BRPAC are pledged as collateral.
The obligations under the BRPAC Credit Agreement are secured by first-priority liens on, and first priority security interest in, substantially all of the assets of the Credit Parties which totals approximately $184.6 million (which includes $3.7 million of accounts receivable and $3.3 million of inventory), including a pledge of (a) 100% of the equity interests of the Credit Parties; (b) 65% of the equity interests in United Online Software Development (India) Private Limited, a private limited company organized under the laws of India; and (c) 65% of the equity interests in magicJack VocalTec Ltd., an Israel corporation. Such security interests are evidenced by pledge, security, and other related agreements.
The BRPAC Credit Agreement contains certain covenants, including those limiting the Credit Parties’ and their subsidiaries’ ability to incur indebtedness, incur liens, sell or acquire assets or businesses, change the nature of their businesses, engage in transactions with related parties, make certain investments or pay dividends. In addition, the BRPAC Credit Agreement requires the Credit Parties to maintain certain financial ratios. The BRPAC Credit Agreement also contains customary representations and warranties, affirmative covenants, and events of default, including payment defaults, breach of representations and warranties, covenant defaults and cross defaults. If an event of default occurs, the agent would be entitled to take various actions, including the acceleration of amounts due under the outstanding BRPAC Credit Agreement. We are in compliance with all financial covenants in the BRPAC Credit Agreement as of December 31, 2024.
Through a series of amendments, including the most recent Fourth Amendment to the BRPAC Credit Agreement (the “Fourth Amendment”) on June 21, 2022, the BRPAC Borrowers, the Secured Guarantors, the Agent and the Closing Date Lenders agreed to the following, among other things: (i) the Closing Date Lenders agreed to make a new $75.0 million term loan to the BRPAC Borrowers, the proceeds of which the BRPAC Borrowers’ used to repay the outstanding principal amount of the existing terms loans and optional loans and will use for other general corporate purposes, (ii) a new applicable margin level of 3.50% was established as set forth from the date of the Fourth Amendment, (iii) Marconi Wireless was added to the BRPAC Borrowers, (iv) the maturity date of the term loan was set to June 30, 2027, and (v) the BRPAC Borrowers were permitted to make certain distributions to the parent company of the BRPAC Borrowers.
The borrowings under the amended BRPAC Credit Agreement bear interest equal to the Term SOFR rate plus a margin of 2.75% to 3.50% per annum, depending on the BRPAC Borrowers’ consolidated total funded debt ratio as defined in the BRPAC Credit Agreement. As of December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, the interest rate on the BRPAC Credit Agreement was 7.42%, 8.46% and 7.65%, respectively.
Principal outstanding under the Amended BRPAC Credit Agreement is due in quarterly installments. The quarterly installments from March 31, 2025 to December 31, 2026 are in the amount of $3.2 million per quarter, the quarterly installment on March 31, 2027 is in the amount of $2.4 million, and the remaining principal balance is due at final maturity on June 30, 2027.
As of December 31, 2024, and 2023, the outstanding balance on the term loan was $29.8 million (net of unamortized debt issuance costs of $0.3 million) and $46.4 million (net of unamortized debt issuance costs of $0.4 million), respectively. Interest expense on the term loan during the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022, was $3.5 million (including amortization of deferred debt issuance costs of $0.3 million), $5.2 million (including amortization of deferred debt issuance costs of $0.3 million), and $3.5 million (including amortization of deferred debt issuance costs of $0.3 million), respectively.
On January 6, 2025 (the “Closing Date”), BRPAC entered into the BRPAC Amended Credit Agreement with certain subsidiaries of the Company, the Banc of California, in the capacity as agent and lender and with other lenders party thereto from time to time. Our subsidiary Lingo was added as a BRPAC Borrower to the BRPAC Amended Credit Agreement. Pursuant to the BRPAC Amended Credit Agreement, the lenders made a new five-year $80.0 million term loan to the BRPAC Borrowers, the proceeds of which were used to repay in full the obligations under the original BRPAC Credit Agreement dated December 19, 2018 and the Lingo Credit Agreement. In connection with the BRPAC Amended Credit Agreement, the BRPAC Borrowers also made certain distributions to the parent company of the BRPAC Borrowers from existing cash on hand. The BRPAC Amended Credit Agreement also builds in provisions for incremental term loans up to $40.0 million allowing certain distributions to the parent company of the BRPAC Borrowers from the proceeds of such incremental term loans. The BRPAC Borrowers’ U.S. subsidiaries are guarantors of all obligations under the BRPAC Amended Credit Agreement. The obligations under the BRPAC Amended Credit Agreement are secured by first-priority liens on, and first priority security interest in, substantially all of the assets of the BRPAC Borrowers, including a pledge of (a) 100% of the equity interests of the BRPAC Borrowers; (b) 65% of the equity interests in United Online Software Development (India) Private Limited, a private limited company organized under the laws of India; and (c) 65% of the equity interests in magicJack VocalTec Ltd., an Israel corporation. Such security interests are evidenced by pledge, security, and other related agreements.
The borrowings under the BRPAC Amended Credit Agreement bear interest equal to the Term SOFR rate plus a margin of 2.75% to 3.50% per annum, depending on the BRPAC Borrowers consolidated total funded debt ratio as defined in the BRPAC Amended Credit Agreement. The interest rate is subject to a margin level of 3.25%. As of the Closing Date, the outstanding principal amount was $80.0 million with quarterly installments of principal due in the amount of $4.0 million, and any remaining principal balance is due at final maturity on January 6, 2030.
The BRPAC Amended Credit Agreement contains certain covenants, including those limiting the Credit Parties’, and their subsidiaries’, ability to incur indebtedness, incur liens, sell or acquire assets or businesses, change the nature of their businesses, engage in transactions with related parties, make certain investments or pay dividends. In addition, the BRPAC Amended Credit Agreement requires the Credit Parties to maintain certain financial ratios. The BRPAC Amended Credit Agreement also contains customary representations and warranties, affirmative covenants, and events of default, including payment defaults, breach of representations and warranties, covenant defaults and cross defaults. If an event of default occurs, the agent would be entitled to take various actions, including the acceleration of outstanding amounts due under the BRPAC Amended Credit Agreement. The Company obtained a waiver from the lender to allow for an extra 15 days to deliver interim financial statements for the quarter ended March 31, 2025. The Company delivered the interim financial statements within the amended time period.
Senior Note Offerings
During the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, we issued zero and $0.2 million, respectively, of senior notes with maturity dates ranging from May 2024 to August 2028 pursuant to At the Market Issuance Sales Agreements with B. Riley Securities, Inc. ("BRS") which governs the program of at-the-market sales of our senior notes. We filed a series of prospectus supplements with the SEC in respect of our offerings of these senior notes.
In June 2023, we entered into note purchase agreements in connection with the 6.75% Senior Notes due 2024 (“6.75% 2024 Notes”) that were issued for the Targus acquisition. The note purchase agreements had a repurchase date of June 30, 2023 on which date we repurchased our 6.75% 2024 Notes with an aggregate principal amount of $58.9 million. The repurchase price was equal to the aggregate principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest up to, but excluding, the repurchase date. The total repurchase payment included approximately $0.7 million in accrued interest.
On February 29, 2024, we partially redeemed $115.5 million aggregate principal amount of our 6.75% 2024 Notes pursuant to the seventh supplemental indenture dated December 3, 2021. The redemption price was equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, up to, but excluding, the redemption date. The total redemption payment included approximately $0.6 million in accrued interest.
On May 31, 2024, we redeemed the remaining $25.0 million aggregate principal amount of the 6.75% 2024 Notes. The redemption price was equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount, plus any accrued and unpaid interest up to, but excluding, the redemption date. The total redemption payment included approximately $0.1 million in accrued interest. In connection with the full redemption, the 6.75% 2024 Notes, which were listed on NASDAQ under the ticker symbol “RILYO,” were delisted from NASDAQ and ceased trading on the redemption date.
On February 28, 2025, we redeemed all the issued and outstanding 6.375% Senior Notes due February 28, 2025 (the "6.375% 2025 Notes"). The redemption price was equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount, plus any accrued interest and unpaid interest up to, but excluding, the redemption date The total redemption payment included approximately $0.7 million accrued interest. In connection with the full redemption, the 6.375% 2025 Notes, which were listed on NASDAQ under the ticker symbol “RILYM,” were delisted from NASDAQ and ceased trading on the redemption date.
As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the total senior notes outstanding was $1.5 billion (net of unamortized debt issue costs of $0.1 million and $1.7 billion (net of unamortized debt issue costs of $13.1 million) with a weighted average interest rate of 5.62% and 5.71%, respectively. Interest on the senior notes is payable on a quarterly basis. Interest expense on the senior notes totaled $92.7 million, $103.2 million and $99.9 million during the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
From March 26, 2025 to July 11, 2025, we completed five private exchange transactions with institutional investors pursuant to which approximately $115.8 million of aggregate principal amount of our 5.50% Senior Notes due March 2026, approximately $2.1 million aggregate principal amount of 6.50% Senior Notes due September 2026, approximately $146.4 million aggregate principal amount of our 5.00% Senior Notes due December 2026, approximately $51.1 million aggregate principal amount of our 6.00% Senior Notes due January 2028, and approximately $39.5 million aggregate principal amount of our 5.25% Senior Notes due August 2028 (collectively, the “Exchanged Notes”) owned by the investors were exchanged for approximately $228.4 million aggregate principal amount of New Notes, whereupon the Exchanged Notes were cancelled.
Dividends
From time to time, we may decide to pay dividends which will be dependent upon our financial condition and results of operations. During the years ended December 31, 2024, and 2023, we paid cash dividends on our common stock of $33.7 million, and $141.1 million, respectively. In August 2024, we announced the suspension of our common stock dividend as we prioritize reducing our debt. The declaration and payment of any future dividends or repurchases of our common stock will be made at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will be dependent upon our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, capital expenditures, and other factors that may be deemed relevant by our Board of Directors.
A summary of our common stock dividend activity during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 was as follows:
Date Declared Date Paid Stockholder Record Date Amount
May 15, 2024 June 11, 2024 May 27, 2024 $ 0.500
February 29, 2024 March 22, 2024 March 11, 2024 0.500
November 8, 2023 November 30, 2023 November 20, 2023 1.000
July 25, 2023 August 21, 2023 August 11, 2023 1.000
May 4, 2023 May 23, 2023 May 16, 2023 1.000
February 22, 2023 March 23, 2023 March 10, 2023 1.000
Holders of Series A Preferred Stock, when and as authorized by our board of directors, are entitled to cumulative cash dividends at the rate of 6.875% per annum of the $0.03 million liquidation preference ($25.00 per Depositary Share) per year (equivalent to $1,718.75 or $1.71875 per Depositary Share). Dividends are payable quarterly in arrears. As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, dividends in arrears in respect of the Depositary Shares were $0.8 million. On January 21, 2025, the Company announced that it had temporarily suspended dividends on its Series A Preferred Stock. Unpaid dividends will accrue until paid in full.
Holders of Series B Preferred Stock, when and as authorized by our board of directors, are entitled to cumulative cash dividends at the rate of 7.375% per annum of the $0.03 million liquidation preference $25.00 per Depositary Share) per year (equivalent to $1,843.75 or $1.84375 per Depositary Share). Dividends are payable quarterly in arrears. As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, dividends in arrears in respect of the Depositary Shares were $0.5 million. On January 21, 2025, the Company announced that it had temporarily suspended dividends on its Series B Preferred Stock. Unpaid dividends will accrue until paid in full.
A summary of our preferred stock dividend activity during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 was as follows:
Preferred Dividend per Depositary Share
Date Declared Date Paid Stockholder Record Date Series A Series B
October 16, 2024 October 31, 2024 October 28, 2024 $ 0.4296875 $ 0.4609375
July 9, 2024 July 31, 2024 July 22, 2024 0.4296875 0.4609375
April 9, 2024 April 30, 2024 April 22, 2024 0.4296875 0.4609375
January 9, 2024 January 31, 2024 January 22, 2024 0.4296875 0.4609375
October 10, 2023 October 31, 2023 October 23, 2023 0.4296875 0.4609375
July 11, 2023 July 31, 2023 July 21, 2023 0.4296875 0.4609375
April 10, 2023 May 1, 2023 April 21, 2023 0.4296875 0.4609375
January 9, 2023 January 31, 2023 January 20, 2023 0.4296875 0.4609375
Critical Accounting Estimates
The Company’s accounting estimates are essential to understanding and interpreting the financial results on the consolidated financial statements. The significant accounting policies used in the preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements are summarized in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements. Certain of those policies require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts in our consolidated financial statements. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. On a continual basis, management reviews its estimates utilizing currently available information, changes in facts and circumstances, historical experience, and reasonable assumptions. After such reviews, and if deemed appropriate, management’s estimates are adjusted accordingly. Actual results may vary from these estimates and assumptions under different and/or future circumstances.
We consider an accounting estimate to be critical if: (1) the accounting estimate requires us to make assumptions about matters that were highly uncertain at the time the accounting estimate was made, and (2) changes in the estimate that are reasonably likely to occur from period to period, or use of different estimates that we reasonably could have used in the current period, would have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations. We believe the following accounting estimates to be critical to our business operations and the understanding of results of operations and affect the more significant judgements and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.
Fair Value Measurements
The fair value of loan receivables, investments which are included in securities and other investments owned, and securities sold, not yet purchased, are accounted for in accordance with the accounting guidance Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 820 - Fair Value Measurements with gains or losses recognized in our consolidated statement of operations. The fair value of a financial instrument is the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. In determining fair value, the hierarchy under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) gives (i) the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities (level 1 inputs), (ii) the next priority to inputs other than level 1 inputs that are observable, either directly or indirectly (level 2 inputs), and (iii) the lowest priority to inputs that cannot be observed in market activity (level 3 inputs).
A significant amount of our assets consist of loan receivables and equity securities for which market quotes are not readily available and a significant degree of judgement is applied to reflect those judgements that a market participant would use in valuing the asset or liability. Absent evidence to the contrary, financial instruments classified in level 3 of the fair value hierarchy are initially valued at transaction price, which is considered the best initial estimate of fair value. Subsequent to the transaction date, these financial instruments that are classified in level 3 of the fair value hierarchy are valued using valuation techniques that incorporate one or more significant unobservable inputs, and therefore involve the greatest degree of management judgements. These judgements include (a) determining the appropriate valuation methodology and/or model for each type of level 3 financial instrument; (b) determining model inputs based on an assessment of relevant empirical market data, including prices evidenced in market transactions, interest rates, credit spreads, volatilities, and correlations; and (c) determining the appropriate valuation adjustments to reflect counterparty credit quality, liquidity considerations, and other observations as it pertains to the individual financial instrument.
See Note 2(v), “Fair Value Measurements,” to the consolidated financial statements for further discussion regarding fair value of financial instruments.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
We account for goodwill and intangible assets in accordance with the accounting guidance which requires that goodwill and other intangibles with indefinite lives be tested for impairment annually or on an interim basis if events or circumstances indicate that the fair value of an asset has decreased below its carrying value.
Goodwill includes the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net assets acquired in business combinations and the acquisition of noncontrolling interests. ASC 350 - Intangibles - Goodwill and Other, as amended by Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2017-04, Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment, permits management to perform a qualitative analysis to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its corresponding carrying value. If management determines the reporting unit's fair value is more likely than not less than its
carrying value, a quantitative analysis will be performed to compare the fair value of the reporting unit with its corresponding carrying value. If the conclusion of the quantitative analysis is that the fair value is in fact less than the carrying value, management will recognize a goodwill impairment charge for the amount by which the reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its fair value. Application of the goodwill impairment test requires judgment, including the identification of reporting units, assigning assets and liabilities to reporting units, assigning goodwill to reporting units, and determining the fair value. We operate six reporting units, which are the same as our reporting segments described in Note 24 - Business Segments: the Capital Markets segment, Wealth Management segment, Financial Consulting segment, Communications segment, and Consumer Products segment and the All Other category. Significant judgment is required to estimate the fair value of reporting units which includes estimating future cash flows, determining appropriate discount rates and other assumptions. Changes in these estimates and assumptions could materially affect the determination of fair value and/or goodwill impairment.
We review the carrying value of our finite-lived amortizable intangibles and other long-lived assets for impairment at least annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of long-lived assets is measured by comparing the carrying amount of the asset or asset group to the undiscounted cash flows that the asset or asset group is expected to generate. If the undiscounted cash flows of such assets are less than the carrying amount, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset or asset group, if any, exceeds its fair market value.
In performing the annual review of goodwill and other intangible assets at December 31, 2024, qualitative factors indicated it could be more likely than not that the carrying value of goodwill and other intangible assets for the Nogin reporting unit could be impaired and the tradename for the Targus reporting unit could be impaired. For the Targus reporting unit, there were also qualitative factors in performing the interim and annual analysis at June 30, 2024, December 31, 2023 and September 30, 2023 that indicated it could be more likely than not that the carrying value of goodwill and tradename for the Targus reporting unit could be impaired. As more fully described in Note 10, based on the results of these analyses, we recorded non-cash impairment charges of $105.4 million during the year ended December 31, 2024 which included impairment charges related to (a) indefinite lived assets of $84.3 million related to goodwill and $5.0 million related to tradenames and (b) $16.0 million related to finite-lived intangible assets for customer relationships, internally developed software and other intangible assets, and trademarks. We recorded non-cash impairment charges of $70.3 million during the year ended December 31, 2023 which included impairment charges related to (a) indefinite lived assets of $53.1 million related to goodwill and $15.5 million related to tradenames and (b) $1.7 million related to finite-lived tradename in the Capital Markets segment that was no longer used by us. There were no impairments of goodwill or indefinite-lived intangibles identified during the year ended December 31, 2022. During the year ended December 31, 2022, we recognized $4.2 million impairment of finite-lived intangibles representing the carrying amount of tradenames and software development costs as a result of the reorganization and consolidation activities in the Wealth Management segment and the Communications segment, which was included as a restructuring charge in our consolidated statements of operations.
See Note 2(u), “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” to the consolidated financial statements for further discussion regarding goodwill impairment.
Income Taxes
The Company is subject to the income tax laws of the various jurisdictions in which it operates, including U.S. federal, state and local, and non-U.S. jurisdictions. These laws are often complex and may be subject to different interpretations. To determine the financial statement impact of accounting for income taxes, including the provision for income tax expense and unrecognized tax benefits, management must make assumptions and judgments about how to interpret and apply these complex tax laws to numerous transactions and business events, as well as make judgments regarding the timing of when certain items may affect taxable income in the U.S. and non-U.S. tax jurisdictions.
The Company’s interpretations of tax laws in the U.S. and non-U.S. jurisdictions are subject to review and examination by the various taxing authorities in the jurisdictions where the Company operates, and disputes may occur regarding its view on a tax position. Generally, disputes over interpretations with the various taxing authorities may be settled by audit or administrative appeals in the tax jurisdictions in which the Company operates. The Company regularly reviews whether it may be assessed additional income taxes as a result of the resolution of these matters, and the Company records additional unrecognized tax benefits, as appropriate. In addition, the Company may revise its estimate of income taxes due to changes in income tax laws, legal interpretations, and business strategies. It is possible that revisions in the Company’s estimate of income taxes may materially affect the Company’s results of operations in any reporting period.
Deferred taxes arise from differences between assets and liabilities measured for financial reporting versus income tax return purposes. Deferred tax assets are recognized if, in management’s judgment, their realizability is determined to be more likely than not. Deferred taxes are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred taxes of a change in tax rates is recognized within the provision for income taxes in the period enacted.
The Company has also recognized deferred tax assets in connection with certain tax attributes, including net operating loss (“NOL”), interest expense limitations and capital loss carryforwards. The Company performs regular reviews to ascertain whether its deferred tax assets are realizable. These reviews include management’s estimates and assumptions regarding future taxable income and may incorporate various tax planning strategies, including strategies that may be available to utilize tax attributes before they expire. In connection with these reviews, if it is determined that a deferred tax asset is not realizable, a valuation allowance is established. The valuation allowance may be reversed in a subsequent reporting period if the Company determines that, based on revised estimates of future taxable income or changes in tax planning strategies, it is more likely than not that all or part of the deferred tax asset will become realizable. As of December 31, 2024, management has recorded a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets that the Company has determined it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will not be realized.
The Company adjusts its unrecognized tax benefits as necessary when new information becomes available, including changes in tax law and regulations and interactions with taxing authorities. Uncertain tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold are measured to determine the amount of benefit to recognize. An uncertain tax position is measured at an amount of benefit that management believes is more likely than not to be realized upon settlement. It is possible that the reassessment of unrecognized tax benefits may have a material impact on the Company’s effective income tax rate in the period in which the reassessment occurs. Although the Company believes that its estimates are reasonable, the final tax amount could be different from the amounts reflected in the Company’s income tax provisions and accruals. To the extent that the final outcome of these amounts is different than the amounts recorded, such differences will generally impact the Company’s provision for income taxes in the period in which such a determination is made.
The Company’s provision for income taxes is composed of current and deferred taxes. The current and deferred tax provisions are calculated based on estimates and assumptions that could differ from the actual results reflected in income tax returns filed during the subsequent year. Adjustments based on filed returns are generally recorded in the period when the tax returns are filed and these adjustments could impact the Company’s effective tax rate.
See Note 16, “Income Taxes,” to the consolidated financial statements for further discussion regarding income taxes.
Recent Accounting Standards
See Note 2(af) to the accompanying financial statements for recent accounting standards we have not yet adopted and recently adopted.

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ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Item 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
We transact business in various foreign currencies. In countries where the functional currency of the underlying operations has been determined to be the local country’s currency, revenues and expenses of operations outside the United States are translated into United States dollars using average exchange rates while assets and liabilities of operations outside the United States are translated into United States dollars using period-end exchange rates. The effects of foreign currency translation adjustments are included in stockholders’ equity as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Transaction gains (losses) are included in selling, general and administrative expenses in our consolidated statements of operations.
Interest Rate Risk
We have exposure to interest rate risk which primarily relates to changes in cost of borrowings as a result of changes in interest rates. We utilize borrowings under our senior notes payable and credit facilities to fund costs and expenses incurred in connection with our acquisitions and operations. Borrowings under our senior notes payable are at fixed interest rates and borrowings under our credit facilities bear interest at a floating rates of interest. As of December 31, 2024, approximately 88% of our debt obligations bore interest at fixed rates and not impacted by changes in interest rates. Our interest expense from variable-rate debt obligations is principally affected by changes in the published SOFR rate in connection with our credit facilities. Our variable-rate debt obligations are principally used to provide financing to our
operating businesses which are supported by cash flows from operations for those businesses. The cash flows of such operating businesses are utilized to help to mitigate any increases in interest expense as a result of an increase in interest rates. Our Nomura credit facility is also a variable rate debt obligation which is collateralized by a portfolio of investment assets and certain operating businesses. Increased interest costs on the Nomura facility as a result of a rise in interest rates are partially offset by variable rate investment assets that are securing the facility as well as cash flows from other businesses securing the facility.
Management monitors the composition of debt obligations and debt investments on a periodic basis, as well as projected net interest income, interest coverage, and sensitivity of interest income changes in interest rates. This exposure is also monitored by our risk management group and reviewed periodically in risk committee meetings. If floating rates of interest had increased by 1% during the year ended December 31, 2024, the rate increase would have resulted in an increase in interest expense of $5.3 million. If conditions existed in which Management would seek to mitigate potential interest rate risk, Management could elect to take steps such as entering into interest rate hedges, and refinancing debt obligations from floating-rate to fixed-rate.
An objective of our investment activities is to preserve capital for the purpose of funding operations while at the same time maximizing the income that we receive from investments without significantly increasing risk. To achieve these objectives, our investments allow us to maintain a portfolio of cash equivalents, short-term investments through a variety of securities owned that primarily includes common stocks, loans receivable, and investments in partnership interests. Our cash and cash equivalents through December 31, 2024 included amounts in bank checking and liquid money market accounts. We may be exposed to interest rate risk through trading activities in convertible and fixed income securities as well as U.S. Treasury securities, however, based on our daily monitoring of this risk, we believe we currently have limited exposure to interest rate risk in these activities.
Foreign Currency Risk
The majority of our operating activities are conducted in U.S. dollars. Revenues generated from our foreign subsidiaries totaled $134.5 million and $154.4 million during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, or 16.0% and 10.5% of our total revenues of $838.6 million and $1.5 billion during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The financial statements of our foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars at period-end rates, with the exception of revenues, costs, and expenses, which are translated at average rates during the reporting period. We include gains and losses resulting from foreign currency transactions in income, while we exclude those resulting from translation of financial statements from income and include them as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Transaction gains (losses), which were included in our consolidated statements of operations, amounted to a gain of $2.8 million and loss of $2.3 million during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. We may be exposed to foreign currency risk; however, our operating results during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 included $134.5 million and $154.4 million of revenues, respectively, and $23.1 million and $27.2 million of operating expenses, respectively, from our foreign subsidiaries. A 10% appreciation or depreciation of the U.S. dollar relative to the local currency exchange rates would result in an approximately $0.3 million change in our operating income during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

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ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
Item 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
The information required by this Item 8 is submitted as a separate section beginning on page 134 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K (the “Financial Statements”).

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ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS
Item 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.

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ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Item 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We maintain a system of disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in the Rules 13a-15(e) and 15(d)-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) that is designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Co-Chief Executive Officers and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.
Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Co-Chief Executive Officers and Chief Financial Officer, we conducted an evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15 under the Exchange Act. Based upon the foregoing evaluation, our Co-Chief Executive Officers and our Chief Financial Officer concluded that as of December 31, 2024 our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective at the reasonable assurance level due to the material weaknesses described in the Report of Management on Internal Control over Financial Reporting.
Report of Management on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act). Under the supervision and with the participation of management, including our Co-Chief Executive Officers and Chief Financial Officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on our evaluation, our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was not effective as of December 31, 2024.
In making our assessment of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2024, we excluded from our assessment the internal control over financial reporting at Nogin, Inc. (“Nogin”). On May 3, 2024, B. Riley completed the acquisition of Nogin as result of a debt facility agreement that was subsequently converted to equity.
Management concluded that two of the material weaknesses identified in 2023 are fully remediated. Management has also identified additional material weaknesses for the year ended December 31, 2024, both as fully described below.
A “material weakness” is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our annual or interim financial statements would not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.
Remediation of Previously Reported Material Weaknesses
The following two material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting that were reported in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, have been remediated as of December 31, 2024. The remediation of our internal control over financial reporting to address the underlying causes of the material weaknesses are summarized below:
•The Company enhanced the precision level of user access management procedures and controls related to the previously identified material weakness relating to IT general controls, specifically user access management controls, in our B. Riley Advisory Holdings, LLC subsidiaries primarily.
•The Company was able to rely on the System and Organization Controls (“SOC”) 1 Type 2 report associated with the utilization of our third-party service organization's hosted IT solution for the processing of customer sales and billing information in our Marconi Wireless Holdings, LLC subsidiary. As a result, management in conjunction with the complementary user entity controls was able to rely on the design and operating effectiveness of the internal control processes performed by the third-party service organization.
Material Weaknesses Identified during the Current Period
For the period ended December 31, 2024:
•The Company identified two material weaknesses in controls related to information technology general controls (“ITGCs”) at Lingo Management, LLC and Tiger US Holdings, Inc. and subsidiaries in the areas of user access, program change management, and information technology (“IT”) operations over IT systems and the reports generated from these systems used in the execution of controls that support the Company’s financial reporting processes. As a result, business process automated and manual controls that were dependent on the affected ITGCs could have been adversely impacted.
•The Company identified a material weakness relating to the design and operating effectiveness of management’s review controls over the investment valuation of Level 3 investments such that management’s review procedures were not operating at a level of precision to prevent or detect a potential material misstatement in the consolidated financial statements.
•The Company identified a material weakness relating to the design and operating effectiveness of management’s review controls over the identification and disclosure of material related party transactions in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 850, Related Party Disclosures. Specifically, management’s review procedures were not operating at a level of precision sufficient to prevent or detect a potential material misstatement in the consolidated financial statements.
•The Company identified a material weakness relating to the design and operating effectiveness of management’s review controls over the income tax provision such that management’s review procedures were not operating at a level of precision to prevent or detect a potential material misstatement in the consolidated financial statements.
•The Company identified material weaknesses in controls related to ITGCs at Bebe Stores Inc. in the areas of user access, program change management, and IT operations over IT systems and the reports generated from these systems used in the execution of controls that support the Company’s financial reporting processes. As a result, business process automated and manual controls that were dependent on the affected ITGCs could have been adversely impacted. Additionally, the Company did not consistently retain evidence of review, further contributing to the material weakness.
•The Company identified a material weakness in controls due to its inability to rely on the SOC 1 Type 2 reports associated with two third-party service organizations that support significant elements of its financial reporting processes over B. Riley Retail Solutions, LLC. Specifically, the Company did not have adequate ITGCs in place over the IT systems and related reports at these third-party service providers, which are used in the execution of controls supporting the Company’s financial reporting. As a result, business process automated and manual controls that were dependent on these ITGCs at the service organizations could have been adversely impacted.
•The Company identified two material weaknesses relating to the design and operating effectiveness of management’s review controls over goodwill such that management did not adequately evaluate relevant factors and indicators to determine whether it was more likely than not that the fair value of a business segment was less than the carrying amount of goodwill and other intangibles assigned to that reporting unit as well as a lack of appropriate approval in accordance with Company policy over significant decisions involving goodwill.
•The Company identified a material weakness related to the design and operating effectiveness of controls related to journal entry controls. There was a lack of segregation of duties considerations associated within the journal entry approval workflow. The workflow in the system did not systemically prevent individuals who can post journal entries to also approve the same entries. Additionally, the Company did not retain evidence of review of certain journal entries.
Prior to filing this Annual Report on Form 10-K, we completed significant additional procedures for the year ended December 31, 2024. Based on these procedures, management believes that our consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-K have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. Our Co-Chief Executive Officers and Chief Financial Officer have certified that, based on their knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this Form 10-K, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Company as of, and for, the periods presented in this Form 10-K.
Remediation Plan for Current Period Material Weaknesses
Management has begun to implement and plans to continue implementing measures designed to ensure that the control deficiencies contributing to the material weaknesses, described above, are remediated, such that the controls are designed, implemented, and operating effectively. The remediation actions for the material weaknesses noted above include:
•Prior to December 31, 2024, the Retail Solutions material weakness was remediated through the divestiture of the business in November 2024.
•Implementation and enhancement of its ITGCs and related policies. This includes providing resources, training and support to process owners and reviewers with a specific focus on understanding the risks being addressed by the controls they are performing, as well as requirements for sufficient documentation and evidence in the execution of the controls.
•Updating of its IT policies and procedures to enhance user access, change management, and IT operations processes to ensure timely and accurate assignment of access rights and prompt removal of access for terminated employees, and to ensure appropriate restriction of access rights based on job responsibilities.
•Designing of alternative processes and controls to mitigate the risk of the third-party services providers not producing the SOC 1 Type 2 reports.
•Implementation of measures designed to ensure controls are appropriately designed, implemented, and operating effectively as it relates to the material weakness identified in investment valuations, related party transactions, income taxes, goodwill impairment assessment, and journal entries. The remediation actions include the improvement of the precision level of management review controls, documentation retention and additional resources.
While the foregoing measures are intended to effectively remediate the material weaknesses described in this Item 9A, it is possible that additional remediation steps will be necessary. As such, as we continue to evaluate and implement our plan to remediate the material weaknesses, our management may decide to take additional measures to address the material weaknesses or modify the remediation steps described above. The weaknesses will not be considered remediated, however, until the applicable controls operate for a sufficient period and management has concluded, through testing, that these controls are operating effectively. We expect that the remediation of these material weaknesses will be completed by the end of fiscal 2025.
Our independent registered public accounting firm, Marcum LLP (“Marcum”), has audited the consolidated financial statements and has issued an adverse attestation report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2024, as stated in their report which is included in the Financial Statements of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Excluding the above remediation actions of prior disclosed material weaknesses and the identification of new current period material weaknesses as fully described above, there have not been any changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) to which this report relates that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
Certain of our officers have made elections to participate in, and are participating in, our employee stock purchase plan and 401(k) plan and have made, and may from time to time make, elections to have shares withheld upon the vesting of restricted stock units ("RSUs") to cover withholding taxes, which may be designed to satisfy the affirmative defense conditions of Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act or may constitute non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangements (as defined in Item 408(c) of Regulation S-K).
On September 18, 2025, the Company’s Board of Directors re-appointed Messrs. Riley, Kelleher, Yessner, Forman and Weitzman as the Company’s executive officers. Mr. Andrew Moore was not re-appointed as an executive officer of the Company, but continues to serve as the Co-Chief Executive Officer of B. Riley Securities, Inc.

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ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Item 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Our board of directors (the “Board”) are elected annually to a one year term to serve as directors until the next annual meeting of stockholders, or until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified or their earlier death, resignation, or removal. There are no familial relationships between any of our directors and any other director or any of our executive officers. No arrangement or understanding exists between any of our directors and any other person or persons pursuant to which any director was or is to be selected as our director. The following table provides the name, age, and position(s) of each of our directors as of September 18, 2025:
Name Age Committees
Bryant R. Riley 58 None.
Thomas J. Kelleher 57 None.
Robert L. Antin 75 Compensation Committee, Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance Committee
Tammy Brandt 50 None.
Robert D’Agostino 58 Audit Committee, Compensation Committee*
Renée E. LaBran 65 Audit Committee, Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance Committee
Randall E. Paulson 63 Audit Committee*
Michael J. Sheldon 65 Compensation Committee
Mimi K. Walters 62 Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance Committee*
* Chairman of the respective committee.
Bryant R. Riley has served as our Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer since June 2014 and July 2018 respectively, and as a director since August 2009. He also previously served as our Chief Executive Officer from June 2014 to July 2018. In addition, Mr. Riley served as the Chairman of B. Riley & Co., LLC since founding the stock brokerage firm in 1997 until its combination with FBR Capital Markets & Co., LLC in 2017 and as Chief Executive Officer of B. Riley & Co., LLC from 1997 to 2006. He also served as Chairman of B. Riley Principal Merger Corp. from April 2019 to February 2020, at which time it completed its business combination with Alta Equipment Group, Inc. (NYSE: ALTG); as Chairman of B. Riley Principal Merger Corp. II from May 2020 to November 2020 at which time it had completed it business combination with Eos Energy Enterprises Inc. (NASDAQ: EOSE); and as Chairman of B. Riley Principa1 150 Merger Corp. from June 2020 to July 2022, at which time it completed its business combination with FaZe Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: FAZE). He served as Chairman of B. Riley Principal 250 Merger Corp. from May 2021 until its dissolution in May 2023. Since November 2024, Mr. Riley serves on the board of Great American Holdings, LLC. Mr. Riley served as director of Select Interior Concepts, Inc. from November 2019 until October 2021. He also previously served on the board of Babcock & Wilcox Enterprises, Inc. (NYSE: BW) from April 2019 to September 2020; Sonim Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: SONM) from October 2017 to March 2019; and Freedom VCM Holdings, LLC (fka Franchise Group, Inc., a public company (NASDAQ: FRG), with the last day of trading of 8/21/23) from September 2018 through March 2020, rejoining in August of 2023. Freedom VCM Holdings, LLC filed for bankruptcy on November 3, 2024 and Mr. Riley resigned as director in June 2025. Mr. Riley received his B.S. in Finance from Lehigh University. Mr. Riley’s experience and expertise in the investment banking industry provides the Board with valuable insight into the capital markets. Mr. Riley’s extensive experience serving on other public company boards is an important resource for the Board.
Thomas J. Kelleher has served as our Co-Chief Executive Officer since July 2018 and as a member of our board since October 2015. He also previously served as President from August 2014 to July 2018. Mr. Kelleher previously served as Chief Executive Officer of B. Riley & Co., LLC, a position he held from 2006 to 2014. From the firm’s founding in 1997 to 2006, Mr. Kelleher held several senior management positions with B. Riley & Co., LLC, including Chief Financial Officer and Chief Compliance Officer. Mr. Kelleher served on the board of directors of Special Diversified Opportunities Inc. from October 2015 to June 2017. He received his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Lehigh University. Mr. Kelleher’s experience and expertise in the investment banking industry provides the Board with valuable insight into the capital markets. Mr. Kelleher’s executive leadership experience is an important resource for the Board.
Robert L. Antin has served as a member of the Board since June 2017. Mr. Antin was a co-founder of VCA Inc., a national animal healthcare company that provides veterinary services, diagnostic testing and various medical technology products and related services to the veterinary market and was publicly traded (NASDAQ: WOOF) until the company was privately acquired in September 2017. Mr. Antin has served as a Chief Executive Officer and President at VCA Inc. since its inception in 1986. Mr. Antin also served as the Chairman of the Board of VCA, Inc. from inception through the
September 2017 acquisition. Mr. Antin currently serves on the Board of Directors of Rexford Industrial Realty, Inc. (NYSE: REXR) since July 2013. He previously served on the Board of Heska Corporation (NASDAQ: HSKA) from November 2020 to May 2023. From September 1983 to 1985, Mr. Antin was President, Chief Executive Officer, a director, and co-founder of AlternaCare Corp., a publicly held company that owned, operated and developed freestanding out-patient surgical centers. From July 1978 until September 1983, Mr. Antin was an officer of American Medical International, Inc., an owner and operator of health care facilities. Mr. Antin received his MBA with a certification in hospital and health administration from Cornell University. Mr. Antin’s executive leadership experience provides an important resource to the Board.
Tammy Brandt has served as a member of the Board since December 20, 2021. Since February 2023, Ms. Brandt has served as a senior member of the legal team at Creative Artists Agency (CAA), a leading global entertainment and sports agency. From March 2021 to January 2023, Ms. Brandt served as Chief Legal Officer; Head of Business and Legal Affairs at FaZe Clan Inc. (NASDAQ: FAZE), a leading gaming, lifestyle, and media platform. She has served on the Lambda Legal West Coast Leadership Board from 2019 to December 2024, and has served as a member of the Bluffton University Board of Trustees since July 2023. From 2018 to June 2022, Ms. Brandt served on the Board of Cayton Children’s Museum, including as chair of its Audit Committee and a member of its Nomination and Governance Committee. From May 2017 to May 2021, she served as Chief Legal Officer at Dreamscape Immersive, and previously served as Chief Corporate, Securities, M&A and Alliance Counsel at DXC Technology and its predecessor, Computer Sciences Corporation; and as General Counsel at ServiceMesh, Inc., an enterprise software company in the cloud management space. Ms. Brandt is a graduate of Notre Dame Law School, where she was Managing Editor of the Notre Dame Law Review, and graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in economics and business administration from Bluffton University. Ms. Brandt’s business and legal experience provides an important resource to the Board.
Robert D’Agostino has served as a member of the Board since October 2015. Mr. D’Agostino has served as President of Q-mation, Inc. since 1999. Q-mation, Inc. is a leading supplier of software solutions targeted at increasing operational efficiencies and asset performance in manufacturing companies. Mr. D’Agostino joined Q-mation, Inc. in 1990 and held various sales, marketing, and operations management positions prior to his appointment as President. He previously served on the board of Alliance Semiconductor Corp. from July 2005 to February 2012. Mr. D’Agostino graduated from Lehigh University with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering. Mr. D’Agostino’s executive leadership experience provides an important resource to the Board.
Renée E. LaBran has served as a member of the Board since August 11, 2021. Ms. LaBran co-founded Rustic Canyon Partners, a technology venture capital fund launched in 2000, and has served from 2006 to 2021 as Partner with Rustic Canyon/Fontis Partners, an investment fund which is now completed, targeting growth investments and lower middle market buy-outs in media, consumer goods, and business and consumer services industries. During this time, she served as a board director and advisor to multiple portfolio companies while providing oversight of her investment firm’s finance and operations functions. Ms. LaBran currently serves on the board of Idealab, Inc. since March 2015 and Stravos Education, LLC since August 2022. Since December 2024, she also serves as Interim President of FindLaw, recently acquired by Internet Brands, a digital media, marketing services and software company. Ms. LaBran previously served on the boards of Iconic Sports Acquisition Corp (NYSE:ICNC-UN) from October 2021 to October 2023; Sambazon, Inc. from 2009 to 2021; and TomboyX from 2018 to 2019. From March 2015 to December 2020, she served as a governor-appointed non-attorney public member on the Board of Trustees for the State Bar of California. Ms. LaBran is an Adjunct Professor at UCLA Anderson School of Management’s MBA program, earned an M.B.A. with distinction from Harvard Business School, and received an A.B. degree in Economics from UC Berkeley. Ms. LaBran’s board experience, business and financial acumen, and venture capital experience provide an important resource to the Board.
Randall E. Paulson has served as a member of the Board since June 18, 2020. Mr. Paulson currently serves on the Board of Directors of Dash Medical Holdings, LLC. He also served on the board of Testek, Inc. from 2016 to November 2024 when the company was sold. Testek was a portfolio company of Odyssey Investment Partners, LLC where he served as a Managing Principal from 2005 to 2019. Prior to this, Mr. Paulson was Executive Vice President - Acquisitions and Strategic Development at National Financial Partners, a New York based consolidator of independent financial services distribution firms. From 1993 to 2000, Mr. Paulson was at Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc. where he was a Senior Managing Director in the M&A and Corporate Finance groups. Prior to Bear Stearns, Mr. Paulson was a member of GE Capital’s merchant banking group. A native of Minnesota, Mr. Paulson received a BSB in Accounting from the University of Minnesota and his MBA from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University. Mr. Paulson’s financial services industry and accounting experience will provide an important resource to the Board.
Michael J. Sheldon has served as a member of the Board since July 2017. Mr. Sheldon served as CEO of Deutsch North America, one of the most awarded creative agencies in the United States, from January 2015 until his retirement in December 2019. Mr. Sheldon had also served as CEO of Deutsch’s Los Angeles office from September 1997 to January 2015. Mr. Sheldon received a B.A. degree from Michigan State University in Advertising. Mr. Sheldon’s entrepreneurial skills and marketing experience provide an important resource to the Board.
Mimi K. Walters has served as a member of the Board since July 12, 2019. She served from 2015 to 2019 as the U.S. Representative for California’s 45th Congressional District. She has worked on key legislation, business and policy initiatives related to technology, energy, environmental and healthcare, including the opioid crisis and veterans’ medical services. As a member of House leadership, she served on the Energy and Commerce Committee, the Judiciary Committee and the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Ms. Walters represented California’s 37th State Senate District from
2008 to 2014, where she served on the Banking and Financial Institutions Committee and as Vice Chair for the Public Employment and Retirement Committee. From 2004 to 2008, she represented California’s 73rd Assembly District. Ms. Walters was a member of the Laguna Niguel City Council from 1996 to 2004, serving as Mayor in 2000, and chair of Laguna Niguel’s Investment and Banking Committee. Previously, Ms. Walters was an investment executive at Drexel Burnham Lambert and, subsequently, Kidder, Peabody & Co. from 1988 to 1995. Currently, Ms. Walters is the Chief Commercial Officer for Leading Edge Power Solutions, LLC since November 2019. In addition, she serves on the Board of Directors of Eos Energy Enterprises, Inc. (NASDAQ: EOSE) since November 2020, and Pacific Specialty Insurance Company since January 2025. Ms. Walters earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of California, Los Angeles. Ms. Walters extensive political and financial experience provides an important resource to the Board.
Executive Officers
Executive officers are elected by our Board and serve at its discretion. There are no family relationships between any director or executive officer and any other directors or executive officers. Set forth below is information regarding our executive officers as of September 18, 2025.
Name Position Age
Bryant R. Riley Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer 58
Thomas J. Kelleher Co-Chief Executive Officer 57
Scott Yessner Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer 55
Alan N. Forman Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary 64
Howard Weitzman Senior Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer 63
Bryant Riley and Thomas Kelleher’s biographical information is included above with those of the other members of our Board.
Scott Yessner has served as our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since June 2025 and has previously served as Chief Financial Officer of Funko, Inc, from 2022 to 2023. Prior to that role, Mr. Yessner served as Chief Financial Officer of California Expanded Metal Products Company (CEMCO), from 2020 to 2022, and as Chief Financial Officer of Universal Technical Institute from 2018 to 2019. Mr. Yessner received a B.A in Economics from the University of California, Los Angeles and is a CPA licensed in California.
Alan N. Forman has served as our Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary since May 2015. Prior to joining us, Mr. Forman served as Senior Vice President and General Counsel of STR Holdings, Inc. from April 2012 until May 2015, and as Vice President and General Counsel from May 2010 to April 2012. Mr. Forman was also a partner at Brown Rudnick LLP from May 1998 to May 2010. Mr. Forman brings extensive experience in corporate and securities law including intellectual property, licensing agreements, financing transactions, corporate governance, and M&A. Mr. Forman holds a B.A. in Economics from Emory University and a J.D. from the George Washington University Law School.
Howard Weitzman has served as our Senior Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer since December 2009. Prior to December 2009, Mr. Weitzman served as a Senior Manager in the SEC Services Group in the audit practice at Moss Adams, LLP and also worked twelve years in public accounting at two “Big 4” accounting firms, most recently as a Senior Manager in the financial services audit practice of Deloitte & Touche, LLP. Mr. Weitzman also held various senior financial management positions, with Banner Holdings, Inc. as the Chief Financial Officer of Central Financial Acceptance Corporation and Controller and Principal Accounting Officer of Central Rents, Inc. Mr. Weitzman also served as a Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Peoples Choice Financial Corporation. Mr. Weitzman received a B.S. in Accounting from California State University, Northridge and is a California licensed Certified Public Accountant.
Corporate Governance
Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”)
The Company recognizes the increasing importance of ESG initiatives with respect to all stakeholders. In 2021, the Company formed a management committee to assess our ESG and diversity efforts, to develop and execute our strategies, and to track our progress in this endeavor. We strive to expand our efforts in attracting talent from diverse cultural backgrounds to support the expansion of racial and gender diversity, equity, and inclusion within the industries in which we operate. We participate in targeted job fairs and events to seek out diverse talent recruits. We partner with a nonprofit foundation whose mission is to develop industry education programs that support developing diverse leaders as they prepare to embark upon their careers.
Meetings and Committees of the Board
Our Board is responsible for overseeing the management of our business. We keep our directors informed of our business at meetings and through reports and analyses presented to the Board and the committees of the Board. Regular communications between our directors and management also occur apart from meetings of the Board and committees of the Board.
Meeting Attendance
Our Board normally meets quarterly but may hold additional meetings as required. During fiscal year 2024, the Board held three regularly scheduled meetings, and 38 additional meetings. Each of our directors attended at least 75% of the total number of Board meetings and committee meetings of the Board on which he/she served. We do not have a policy requiring that directors attend our annual meeting of stockholders. A majority of our directors attended our 2024 annual meeting of stockholders.
Committees of the Board of Directors
Our Board currently has three standing committees to facilitate and assist the Board in the execution of its responsibilities: the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee, and the ESG Committee.
Audit Committee
Our Audit Committee is composed of Randall E. Paulson (Chairperson), Renée E. LaBran, and Robert D’Agostino. Our Board has affirmatively determined that each member of the Audit Committee during 2024 was, and each current member is, independent under NASDAQ Marketplace Rule 5605(a)(2), and meets all other qualifications under NASDAQ Marketplace Rule 5605(c) and the applicable rules of the SEC. Our Board has also affirmatively determined that Randall E. Paulson qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” as such term is defined in Regulation S-K under the Securities Act of 1933. During 2024, the Audit Committee held two regularly scheduled meetings, and 28 additional meetings. The Audit Committee acts pursuant to a written charter, which is available for review on our website at http://ir.brileyfin.com/governance. The responsibilities of the Audit Committee include overseeing, reviewing, and evaluating our financial statements, accounting and financial reporting processes, internal control functions and the audits of our financial statements. The Audit Committee is also responsible for the appointment, compensation, retention, and as necessary, the termination of our independent auditors.
Compensation Committee
Our Compensation Committee is composed of Robert D’Agostino (Chairperson), Robert L. Antin and Michael J. Sheldon. The Board has affirmatively determined that each member of the Compensation Committee during 2024 was, and each current member is, independent as such term is defined under NASDAQ Marketplace Rule 5605(a)(2) and the applicable rules of the SEC. During 2024, the Compensation Committee held four regularly scheduled meetings, and two additional meetings. The Board has adopted a charter for the Compensation Committee (the “Compensation Committee Charter”), which is available for review on our website at http://ir.brileyfin.com/governance. The Compensation Committee reviews and makes recommendations to the Board concerning the compensation and benefits of our executive officers, including the Co-Chief Executive Officers, and directors, oversees the administration of our stock incentive and employee benefits plans and reviews general policies relating to compensation and benefits.
ESG Committee
Our ESG Committee is composed of Mimi K. Walters (Chairperson), Robert L. Antin and Renée E. LaBran. The Board has affirmatively determined that each member of the ESG Committee during 2024 was, and each current member is, independent as such term is defined under NASDAQ Marketplace Rule 5605(a)(2). The ESG Committee evaluates and recommends to the Board nominees for each election of directors. During 2024, the ESG Committee held three regularly scheduled meetings. The Board has adopted a charter for the ESG Committee (the “ESG Committee Charter”), and a copy of that charter is available for review on our website at http://ir.brileyfin.com/governance. The responsibilities of the ESG
Committee include making recommendations to the Board with respect to the nominations or elections of directors and providing oversight of our corporate governance policies and practices.
Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our executive officers, directors and persons who beneficially own more than 10% of our common stock to file initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership with the SEC. Such persons are required by SEC regulations to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) forms filed by such person.
Based solely on our review of such forms furnished to us and written representations from our reporting persons, we believe that all filing requirements applicable to our executive officers, directors and more than 10% stockholders were met in a timely manner.
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
Our Board has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to all our directors, officers, and employees. The Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is available for review on our website at http://ir.brileyfin.com/governance, and is also available in print, without charge, to any stockholder who requests a copy by writing to us at B. Riley Financial, Inc., 11100 Santa Monica Boulevard, Suite 800, Los Angeles, California 90025, Attention: Investor Relations. Each of our directors, employees, and officers, including our Co-Chief Executive Officers, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Accounting Officer, are required to comply with the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics. There have not been any waivers of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics relating to any of our executive officers or directors in the past year.
Corporate Governance Documents
Our corporate governance documents, including the Audit Committee Charter, Compensation Committee Charter, ESG Committee Charter and Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, are available, free of charge, on our website at https://ir.brileyfin.com/governance. Please note, however, that the information contained on the website is not incorporated by reference in, or considered part of, this Form 10-K. We will also provide copies of these documents, free of charge, to any stockholder upon written request to B. Riley Financial, Inc., 11100 Santa Monica Boulevard, Suite 800, Los Angeles, CA 90025, Attention: Investor Relations.
Changes in Stockholder Nomination Procedures
There have been no material changes to the procedures by which stockholders may recommend individuals for consideration by the ESG Committee as potential nominees for director since such procedures were last described in our annual proxy statement filed with the SEC on May 10, 2024.
Board Leadership Structure
Pursuant to our Corporate Governance Guidelines and Bylaws, the Board may, but is not required to, select a Chairman of the Board on an annual basis. In addition, the positions of Chairman of the Board and Co-Chief Executive Officer may be filled by one individual or two different individuals. Bryant Riley, our Co-Chief Executive Officer, currently serves as Chairman of our Board.
The Board has determined that its current structure, with a combined Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer and independent directors as members of each Board committee, is in the best interests of our Company and our stockholders. The Board believes that combining the Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer positions is currently the most effective leadership structure for our Company given Mr. Riley’s in-depth knowledge of many of the businesses and industries in which we operate, his ability to formulate and implement strategic initiatives, and his extensive contact with and knowledge of certain of our customers. In addition, as a member of our Board of Directors since 2009, Chairman of B. Riley & Co., LLC since founding the stock brokerage firm in 1997 and Chief Executive Officer of B. Riley & Co., LLC from 1997 to 2006, Mr. Riley provides important continuity in the operation of our business and its oversight by our Board. His knowledge and experience, as well as his role as our Co-Chief Executive Officer, position him to elevate the most critical business issues for consideration by our independent directors.
We believe that the independent nature of the Board committees, as well as the practice of our independent directors regularly meeting in executive session without members of the Board who are also members of management including Bryant Riley and Thomas Kelleher or other members of our management present, ensures that our Board maintains a level of independent oversight of management that we believe is appropriate for our Company. We do not have a lead independent director; however, pursuant to our Corporate Governance Guidelines, the non-management members of the Board may at any time decide to appoint a Presiding Director to provide leadership of executive sessions of the Board and consult with the Chairman with respect to matters to be brought before the Board, should it believe that such an appointment would be beneficial to the Company and its stockholders.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
No member of our Compensation Committee is or has been an officer or employee of the Company. No member of our Compensation Committee or our Board is or has been in 2024 an executive officer of another entity at which one of our executive officers serves or has in 2024 served on either the board of directors or the Compensation Committee. For information about related person transactions involving members of our Compensation Committee, see “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.”
Board Role in Risk Management
The Board as a whole has responsibility for risk oversight, with reviews of certain areas being conducted by the relevant Board committees. These committees then provide reports to the full Board. The oversight responsibility of the Board and its committees is enabled by management reporting processes that are designed to provide visibility to the Board about the identification, assessment, and management of critical risks and management’s risk mitigation strategies. These areas of focus include strategic, operational, cybersecurity, financial and reporting, succession and compensation, and other risks. The Board and its committees oversee risks associated with their respective areas of responsibility, as summarized below. Each committee meets in executive session with key management personnel and representatives of outside advisors as required.
Board/Committee
Primary Areas of Risk Oversight
Full Board Risks and exposures associated with our business strategy and other current matters that may present material risk to our financial performance, operations, prospects, or reputation.
Audit Committee Overall risk management profile and policies with respect to risk assessment and risk management, cybersecurity, material pending legal proceedings involving the Company, other contingent liabilities, as well as other risks and exposures that may have a material impact on our financial statements.
Compensation Committee Risks and exposures associated with management succession planning and executive compensation programs and arrangements, including incentive plans.
ESG Committee
Risks and exposures associated with director succession planning, corporate governance, and overall board effectiveness.
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
The following compensation discussion and analysis provides information regarding our overall compensation philosophy and objectives and the elements of compensation paid to our named executive officers in 2024.
Our named executive officers for 2024, determined in accordance with SEC rules, are:
•Bryant R. Riley, Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer
•Thomas J. Kelleher, Co-Chief Executive Officer
•Phillip J. Ahn, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer(1)
•Kenneth Young, President(2)
•Andrew Moore, Chief Executive Officer of B. Riley Securities, Inc.(3)
•Alan N. Forman, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
(1) Mr. Ahn resigned effective as of June 3, 2025. On June 3, 2025, Mr. Scott Yessner joined the Company as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.
(2) Mr. Young resigned effective as of September 20, 2024.
(3) Mr. Moore was not re-appointed as an executive officer of the Company, but continues to serve as the Co-Chief Executive Officer of B. Riley Securities, Inc. effective as of September 18, 2025.
Executive Summary
2024 Compensation Philosophy
Our executive compensation program is designed (i) to provide incentives to our executive officers to manage and grow our businesses and (ii) to attract, retain, and motivate top quality, effective executives. In addition to general senior management responsibilities, each of our named executive officers also has revenue production or management responsibilities within our operating subsidiaries. In determining compensation for our named executive officers, the primary emphasis is on our consolidated financial performance, but each individual’s performance and/or business unit performance are considered. The effective implementation of this program plays an integral role in our success.
The Compensation Committee of the Board (the “Compensation Committee”) has responsibility for overseeing our compensation philosophy. The Compensation Committee has the primary authority to determine and recommend to the Board for final approval the compensation of our named executive officers.
Compensation Philosophy and Objectives
A substantial portion of each named executive officer’s total compensation is variable and delivered on a pay-for-performance basis. We believe this model provides a key incentive to motivate management to achieve our business objectives. The executive compensation program provides compensation opportunities contingent upon performance that we believe are competitive with practices of other similar financial services firms. We strongly believe that the components of our compensation programs align the interests of our named executive officers with our stockholders and promote long-term stockholder value creation.
We link rewards to both corporate and individual performance, emphasizing long-term results and alignment with our stockholders’ interests. We align compensation with business strategy and risk and provide a mix of performance and retentive-based compensation. Long-term equity compensation is an integral part of our compensation program with awards of equity subject to vesting requirements, including continued employment. Although we do not have formal equity ownership guidelines for our executive officers and other key leaders of our Company, we encourage our executives to maintain a meaningful ownership interest in our Company, in order to align their interests with those of our stockholders.
Our executives are eligible for the same benefit plans available to all of our employees, and we do not provide any executive perquisites, defined benefit plans, or other retirement benefits (other than the defined contribution plan available to employees generally).
Principles and Objectives of Our Compensation Program
The Compensation Committee has discretionary authority over the compensation of our named executive officers. In developing a compensation program for our named executive officers, the Compensation Committee’s goal is to link compensation decisions to both corporate and individual performance, with a focus on rewarding the achievement of financial results, as well as rewarding the individual performance and accomplishments of our named executive officers in
light of their respective duties and responsibilities, the impact of their actions on our strategic initiatives, and their overall contribution to the culture, strategic direction, stability and performance of our Company. Our Co-Chief Executive Officers recommend to the Compensation Committee the amount and form of compensation for each of our named executive officers other than themselves, and the amount and form of compensation for our Co-Chief Executive Officers are initially developed by the Chairman of the Compensation Committee with input from the committee’s independent compensation consultant, as necessary, and are then reviewed and approved by the Compensation Committee. Our Compensation Committee retains the discretion to compensate and reward our named executive officers based on a variety of other factors, including subjective or qualitative factors.
Principles
Our compensation program for our named executive officers is designed to attract, retain, and motivate executives and professionals of the highest quality and effectiveness while aligning their interests with the long-term interests of our stockholders. The following five “Principles of Compensation” summarize key categories that our Board, the Compensation Committee, and our management team believe are critical to recognize:
•Company Performance - All compensation decisions are made within the context of overall Company performance. We evaluate Company performance primarily from a financial perspective, but also from a strategic perspective.
•Alignment - We believe that the interests of our employees and stockholders should be aligned. Compensation directly reflects both the annual and longer-term performance of the business.
•Risk Management - Compensation practices and decisions are designed to neither encourage nor reward excessive or inappropriate risk taking.
•Employee Contribution - An individual’s compensation, evaluated within the context of overall Company results, is determined by the individual’s contribution to the business. We consider both financial and non-financial factors. In determining individual compensation, teamwork and unselfish behavior are recognized and appropriately rewarded.
•Quality and Retention of Staff - Total compensation levels are calibrated to the market such that we remain competitive for attracting, motivating, and retaining the very best people in light of our business strategy. We seek to maximize the value of an executive’s compensation through both appropriate pay design and effective communication of pay programs. Compensation is structured to encourage long-term service and loyalty.
Objectives
The Compensation Committee seeks, through our compensation programs, to foster an entrepreneurial, results-focused culture that we believe is critical to the success of our Company and to the long-term growth of stockholder value. In addition to appropriately rewarding individual performance, viewed in light of each named executive officer’s duties, responsibilities and function, the Compensation Committee also believes that it is critical to encourage commitment among the named executive officers to our overall corporate objectives and culture of partnership. A key objective of our overall compensation program is for the named executive officers to have a significant portion of their compensation linked to building long-term value for our stockholders.
Role of Independent Compensation Consultant
In 2024, the Compensation Committee retained Mercer LLC, an independent consulting firm, to assist the Compensation Committee in fulfilling its duties in setting compensation for our Co-Chief Executive Officers and other named executive officers. Mercer was engaged by and is reporting solely to the Compensation Committee, and the Compensation Committee has the sole authority to approve the terms of the engagement. Mercer did not provide any services to the Company in Fiscal 2024 other than executive compensation consulting services provided to the Compensation Committee. Before engaging Mercer, the Compensation Committee determined that Mercer is independent, after taking into account the factors set forth in Rule 10C-1 of the Exchange Act and NASDAQ Marketplace Rule 5605(d)(3). Mercer identified a group of public peer companies to benchmark compensation for our Co-Chief Executive Officers and other named executive officers against peer company Chief Executive Officers and market survey data. Mercer’s analysis considered: (i) base salary; (ii) annual incentive compensation; (iii) total cash compensation; (iv) long-term incentive compensation; and (v) total direct compensation.
Peer Group
As part of its services, in 2023, Mercer compiled data regarding Chief Executive Officer and other named executive officer compensation from the following “peer” companies: BGC Group, Inc., Canaccord Genuity Inc., Cowen Inc., Greenhill & Co. Inc., Houlihan Lokey Inc., Lazard Ltd., Moelis & Company, Oppenheimer Holdings Inc., Perella Weinberg Partners, Piper Sandler Cos and PJT Partners Inc. This peer group includes companies primarily consisting of investment banks and asset managers with revenues and market capitalizations most comparable to ours. Though the Compensation Committee considered the level of compensation paid by the firms in the peer group as a reference point that
provides a framework for its decisions regarding compensation for the Co-Chief Executive Officers and other named executive officers, in order to maintain competitiveness and flexibility, the Compensation Committee did not target compensation at a particular level relative to the peer group. Similarly, the Compensation Committee did not employ a formal benchmarking strategy or rely upon specific peer-derived targets. This peer group market data is an important factor considered by the Compensation Committee when setting compensation, but it is only one of multiple factors considered by the Compensation Committee, and the amount paid to each named executive officer may be more or less than the composite market median based on individual performance, the roles and responsibilities of the executive, experience level of the individual, internal equity and other factors that the Compensation Committee deems important.
Review of Stockholder Advisory Votes on Our Executive Compensation
Consistent with the preference of our stockholders, which was expressed at our 2019 annual meeting of stockholders held in Beverly Hills, CA, our stockholders currently have the opportunity to cast an advisory vote on our executive compensation once every three years. At our 2022 annual meeting of stockholders, our executive compensation received a favorable advisory vote from 91.24% of the votes cast on the proposal at the meeting (which excludes abstentions and broker non-votes). The Compensation Committee believes this approval affirmed stockholders’ support of our approach to executive compensation, and therefore the Compensation Committee did not significantly change our compensation policies, philosophy, structure, or levels in response to such advisory vote. The Compensation Committee will continue to consider the outcome of stockholder advisory votes on our executive compensation when making compensation decisions for our named executive officers and in respect of our compensation programs generally.
Elements of 2024 Compensation
This section describes the various elements of our compensation program for our named executive officers in 2024, summarized in the table below, and the Compensation Committee’s rationale for including the items in our compensation program. As detailed below, the primary elements of our compensation program during 2024 consisted of base salary, discretionary bonuses, or “at risk,” compensation opportunities, and long-term equity incentive compensation. We also provided benefit programs that apply to all employees. The elements of our executive compensation program are summarized as follows:
Element Description Function
Base Salary Fixed cash compensation
Provides basic compensation at a level
consistent with competitive practices; reflects role, responsibilities, skills, experience, and performance; encourages retention
Annual Incentive Plan Annual discretionary bonuses awarded based on individual contribution and Company performance; payable in cash or stock at the discretion of the Compensation Committee
Motivates and rewards for achievement of annual Company financial and non-financial performance goals; rewards excellent performance relative to the duties, responsibilities, and functions of an individual executive officer
Long-Term Equity Incentives Equity awards granted at the Compensation Committee’s discretion under the 2021
B. Riley Financial, Inc. Stock Incentive Plan (the “2021 Plan”)
Motivates and rewards for financial performance over a sustained period; strengthens mutuality of interests between executives and stockholders; increases retention; rewards creation of shareholder value
Base Salary
The purpose of base salary is to provide a set amount of cash compensation for each named executive officer that is not variable in nature and is generally competitive with market practices. Consistent with our performance-based compensation philosophy, the base salary for each named executive officer is targeted to account for less than half of total direct compensation.
The Compensation Committee seeks to pay our named executive officers a competitive base salary in recognition of their job responsibilities for a publicly-held company by considering several factors, including competitive factors within our industry, past contributions and individual performance of each named executive officer, as well as retention. In setting base salaries, the Compensation Committee is mindful of total compensation and the overall goal of keeping the amount of cash compensation that is provided in the form of base salary substantially lower than the amount of bonus opportunity that is available, assuming that performance targets are met or exceeded.
Base salaries for all of our named executive officers remained unchanged in 2024.
B. Riley Financial, Inc. Annual Incentive Plan
The Compensation Committee believes performance-based cash compensation is important to focus B. Riley’s executives on, and reward B. Riley’s executives for, achieving key objectives. In furtherance of this, in July 2021, the Compensation Committee approved an annual incentive compensation discretionary bonus plan for our named executive officers, which remained in place for Fiscal 2024. The purpose of the B. Riley discretionary bonus plan is to increase stockholder value and the success of B. Riley by motivating key employees, including B. Riley’s named executive officers, to perform to the best of their abilities and to achieve B. Riley’s objectives. No specific target levels of performance are set by the Compensation Committee to determine the annual incentive compensation of our named executive officers. Instead, the Compensation Committee determines the amount of each named executive officer’s annual incentive compensation based on the Compensation Committee’s subjective assessment of the Company (and in some cases, of a particular business unit) and individual performance relative to the qualitative and quantitative performance indicators used by the Compensation Committee to evaluate performance.
Long-Term Equity Incentive Compensation
The Compensation Committee believes that a significant portion of our named executive officer compensation should be in the form of equity-based awards as a retention tool, and to align further the long-term interests of our named executive officers with those of our other stockholders. In furtherance of that objective, the Compensation Committee makes annual grants of long-term, equity-based incentive compensation awards to our named executive officers.
The Compensation Committee understands that equity incentive compensation can promote high-risk behavior if the incentives it creates for short-term performance are not properly aligned with the interests of our Company over the long-term. The Compensation Committee believes that the structure of our Company’s long-term equity incentive compensation appropriately mitigates the risk by directly aligning the recipients’ interests with those of our Company. We use judgment and discretion rather than relying solely on formulaic results, and do not use highly leveraged incentives that drive risky short-term behavior. Instead, we reward consistent and longer-term performance. Our long-term equity incentive compensation rewards long-term performance on a per share basis.
In March 2024, the Compensation Committee granted time-based restricted stock units ("RSUs") under the 2021 Plan to our named executive officers as a component of their annual compensation for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, as further described below in the “Executive Compensation-2024 Summary Compensation Table” and “2024 Grants of Plan-Based Awards.” The RSUs vest ratably over a three-year period beginning on March 15, 2025, subject to the named executive officer’s continued employment with our Company. The Compensation Committee believes that these awards appropriately align the interests of our named executive officers with those of our stockholders and retain, motivate, and reward such executives.
Timing Mix and Level of Equity Compensation Awards
In determining the number and type of equity awards to grant in any fiscal year, the Compensation Committee considers a variety of factors, including the responsibilities and seniority of the named executive officer, the contribution that the named executive officer is expected to make to our Company in the coming years and has made in the past, and the size and terms of prior equity awards granted to the named executive officer. Decisions regarding these equity awards are typically made at the Compensation Committee’s first fiscal quarter meeting at which executive compensation for the coming year is determined. However, the Compensation Committee may also grant equity awards from time to time based on individual and corporate achievements and other factors it deems relevant, such as for retention purposes or to reflect changes in responsibilities or similar events or circumstances.
Change in Control and Post-Termination Severance Benefits
The employment agreements for each of our named executive officers provide them certain benefits if their employment is terminated under specified conditions. The Compensation Committee believes these benefits are important elements of each named executive officer’s comprehensive compensation package, primarily for their retention value and their alignment of the interests of our named executive officers with those of our stockholders. The details and amounts of these benefits are described in the Executive Compensation section under “Payment Due Upon Termination Without Cause, for Death or Disability, or Resignation for Good Reason.”
Anti-Hedging or Pledging Policy
Our insider trading policy prohibits any covered person, including directors, executive officers, and certain other employees, as well as certain immediate family members and entities over which such person exercises control, from entering into the following prohibited transactions with respect to Company securities, unless advance approval is obtained from the Company’s chief compliance officer:
•Short sales. Covered persons may not sell the Company’s securities short;
•Options trading. Covered persons may not buy or sell puts or calls or other derivative securities on the Company’s securities;
•Trading on margin or pledging. Covered persons may not hold Company securities in a margin account or pledge Company securities as collateral for a loan; and
•Hedging. Covered persons may not enter into hedging or monetization transactions or similar arrangements with respect to Company securities.
•Pledging. Covered persons may not hypothecate or otherwise encumber shares of the Company’s common stock or other equity securities as collateral for indebtedness. This prohibition includes, but is not limited to, holding shares in a margin account.
The Company also requires all directors, executive officers, and certain other persons to refrain from trading without first pre-clearing all transactions in the Company’s securities.
Practices Related to the Grant of Certain Equity Awards
The Company did not grant any stock options, stock appreciation rights or similar option-like instruments during Fiscal 2024. Accordingly, in 2024 the Company did not have any specific policy or practice on the timing of the grant of such options or option-like instruments relative to the Company’s disclosure of material nonpublic information.
Insider Trading Arrangements and Policies
The Company has adopted an insider trading policy governing the purchase, sale and/or other disposition of our securities by our directors and officers, our employees and other covered persons, as well as by the Company, that the Company believes is reasonably designed to promote compliance with insider trading laws, rules and regulations and the NASDAQ listing standards. A copy of the Company’s insider trading policy is filed as Exhibit 19.1 to this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024.
Employment Agreements
Amended and Restated Employment Agreements
The Company is party to employment agreements with each of the named executive officers, which agreements were amended and restated on April 11, 2023. Mr. Ahn resigned from the Company, effective as of June 3, 2025, and Mr. Young resigned from the Company, effective as of September 20, 2024, and each such named executive officer’s employment agreement is no longer in effect.
The material terms of the amended and restated employment agreements for each such executive are as follows:
•An initial term of two years with automatic one year renewals unless either party notified the other party of non-renewal at least 90 days prior to the end of the then-current term.
•An annual base salary, subject to review and adjustment on an annual basis, in the amounts of: $700,000 per year for Mr. Riley and Mr. Kelleher, $450,000 per year for Mr. Ahn, $550,000 per year for Mr. Young, $550,000 per year for Mr. Moore and $450,000 per year for Mr. Forman.
•Eligibility for annual performance bonuses based on individual performance and/or Company performance in an amount determined by the Company in its sole discretion, to be paid in cash less applicable withholdings no later than March 15th of the following calendar year subject to the executive’s continued employment through the payment date.
•Eligibility for each fiscal year to receive an annual long-term incentive award under our equity incentive plan with a value determined by the Company in its sole discretion. Each such award will be subject to approval of the Compensation Committee and vest annually over a three-year period.
•Notwithstanding the terms of any existing agreement or plan, all outstanding unvested stock options, RSUs, stock appreciation rights and other unvested equity linked awards granted to such individual during the term of such individual’s employment agreement shall become fully vested upon a Change of Control (as defined in the 2021 Plan) and exercisable for the remainder of their full term.
•Participation in benefit plans for our executives, reimbursement for all reasonable and necessary out-of-pocket expenses incurred by such executive in the performance of such executive’s respective duties and vacation in accordance with our policies.
•A requirement for each party to give twenty (20) days prior written notice to terminate such individual’s employment.
•If such executive is terminated with Cause (as defined in the employment agreements) or resigns without Good Reason (as defined in the employment agreements), such individual receives such individual’s base salary and accrued unused leave through termination.
•If such executive is terminated without Cause, for death or for Disability (as defined in the employment agreements) or resigns for Good Reason, such executive receives, subject to the execution of a general release, a severance payment payable in one lump sum within 60 days of termination in an amount equal to the four (4) times such individual’s base salary for Mr. Riley and Mr. Kelleher, and two (2) times such individual’s base salary for Messrs. Ahn, Young, Moore and Forman. In such circumstances, such individual shall also be eligible for reimbursement for the monthly COBRA premium paid by such executive for himself (and his dependents, if applicable), for a period ending upon the earliest of the twelve (12) month anniversary of such termination and the date on which such executive becomes eligible to receive substantially similar coverage from another employer.
•Restrictive covenants, including non-competition and client non-solicitation covenants that apply while the executive is employed by the Company, an employee non-solicitation covenant that applies while the executive is employed by the Company and for one year thereafter and perpetual confidentiality and non-disparagement covenants.
Appointment of EVP and CFO - Employment & Stock Option Agreement
Scott Yessner was appointed to serve as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, effective June 3, 2025 (the “Commencement Date”).
The material terms of the employment agreement for Mr. Yessner are as follows:
•An initial term of one year, which term shall automatically renew for additional one year term, unless either party notifies the other of non-renewal at least 90 days prior to the end the then-current term.
•An annual base salary, subject to review and adjustment on an annual basis, in the amount of $600,000 per year.
•A signing bonus equal to a total of one million dollars ($1,000,000), one quarter of which shall be paid within ten (10) days following each of (i) the date on which the Company files its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ending December 31, 2024 with the Securities & Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), (ii) the date on which the Company files its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ending June 30, 2025 with the SEC, (iii) the date on which the Company timely files its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ending September 30, 2025, and (iv) the date on which the Company timely files its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ending December 31, 2025. The Executive shall also be paid additional bonuses each equal to one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) (x) within ten days following the date on which the Company timely files its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ending June 30, 2025, and (y) upon the Company realizing an aggregate expense reduction of at least $7,500,000 by no later than December 31, 2025. Such bonus payments will be paid in cash by the Company in full, less applicable tax and other authorized withholdings.
•Eligibility to earn a discretionary annual performance bonus based upon his performance and/or the Company’s performance in an amount determined by the Company in its sole discretion; provided however, that the target Annual Bonus shall be one million dollars ($1,000,000) and not less than six hundred thousand dollars ($600,000) nor more than one million two hundred thousand dollars ($1,200,000). Any such annual performance bonus will be paid in cash by the Company in full, less applicable tax and other authorized withholdings, by no later than March 15th of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the services were rendered, subject to continued employment through the payment date.
•Promptly following the Commencement Date, a grant of options to purchase a total of three hundred thousand (300,000) shares of common stock (i) 100,000 of which are exercisable at $7 per share, (ii) 100,000 of which are exercisable at $10 per share, and (iii) 100,000 of which are exercisable at $12.50 per share. The options will vest ratably over three years, subject to continued employment with the Company through each such date.
•Promptly following the Commencement Date, one hundred thousand (100,000) unregistered shares of Common Stock.
•Eligibility each fiscal year, beginning with fiscal year ending December 31, 2026, to receive an annual long-term incentive award under our equity incentive plan with a value determined by the Company in its sole discretion. Each such award will be subject to approval of the Compensation Committee and vest annually over a three-year period.
•Notwithstanding the terms of any existing agreement or plan, all outstanding unvested stock options, RSUs, stock appreciation rights and other unvested equity linked awards granted during the term of Mr. Yessner’s employment agreement shall become fully vested upon a Change of Control (as defined in the 2021 Plan) and exercisable for the remainder of their full term.
•Participation in benefit plans for our executives, reimbursement for all reasonable and necessary out-of-pocket expenses incurred by such executive in the performance of such executive’s respective duties and vacation in accordance with our policies.
•A requirement for each party to give twenty (20) days prior written notice to terminate such individual’s employment.
•If Mr. Yessner is terminated with Cause (as defined in the employment agreement) or resigns without Good Reason (as defined in the employment agreement), he shall be paid his base salary and accrued unused leave, if any, owed through the termination date.
•If Mr. Yessner is terminated without Cause, for Death or for Disability (as defined in the employment agreement) or resigns for Good Reason, he shall receive, subject to the execution of a general release, a severance payment
payable in one lump sum within 60 days of termination in an amount equal to two times his base salary. In such circumstances, he shall also be eligible for reimbursement for the monthly COBRA premium paid by such executive for himself (and his dependents, if applicable), for a period ending upon the earliest of the twelve (12) month anniversary of such termination and the date on which he becomes eligible to receive substantially similar coverage from another employer.
•Restrictive covenants, including non-competition and client non-solicitation covenants that apply while the executive is employed by the Company, an employee non-solicitation covenant that applies while the executive is employed by the Company and for one year thereafter and perpetual confidentiality and non-disparagement covenants.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT
The Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis required by Item 402(b) of Regulation S-K, which appears elsewhere in Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, with our management. Based on this review and discussion, the Compensation Committee has recommended to our board of directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included herein.
Respectfully submitted,
THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Robert D’Agostino
Robert L. Antin
Michael J. Sheldon

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ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Item 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The tables below reflect the compensation of our named executive officers for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” for an explanation of our compensation philosophy and program.
2024 Summary Compensation Table
The following table shows information concerning the annual compensation for services provided to us by our named executive officers during fiscal 2024, 2023 and 2022.(1)
Name and Principal Position Year Salary
($)
Bonus (2) ($)
Stock Awards (3) ($)
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation
($)
All Other Compensation (7)
($)
Total
($)
Bryant R. Riley 2024 700,000 - 1,081,780 - 386,843 2,168,623
Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer 2023 700,000 - 1,889,256 - 2,974,063 5,563,319
2022 700,000 - 2,118,490 - 548,758 3,367,248
Thomas J. Kelleher 2024 700,000 - 1,081,780 - 386,843 2,168,623
Co-Chief Executive Officer 2023 700,000 - 1,889,256 - 2,974,063 5,563,319
2022 700,000 2,800,000 2,118,490 - 548,758 6,167,248
Phillip J. Ahn 2024 450,000 - 540,890 - 203,321 1,194,211
Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer(4)
2023 450,000 675,000 944,609 - 1,485,871 3,555,480
2022 450,000 675,000 1,109,676 - 264,968 2,499,644
Kenneth Young 2024 423,077 - - - 962,634 1,385,711
President(5)
2023 550,000 - 708,456 - 2,420,493 3,678,949
2022 550,000 750,000 1,109,676 - 1,168,749 3,578,425
Andrew Moore 2024 550,000 950,000 579,520 - 198,146 2,277,666
Chief Executive Officer, B. Riley Securities, Inc.(6)
2023 550,000 1,100,000 944,609 - 1,663,877 4,258,486
2022 550,000 1,100,000 1,109,676 - 289,174 3,048,850
Alan N. Forman 2024 450,000 675,000 309,082 - 46,370 1,480,452
Executive Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary 2023 450,000 675,000 283,398 - 611,714 2,020,112
2022 450,000 675,000 207,309 - 159,475 1,491,784
(1) The table above summarizes the total compensation earned by each of our named executive officers for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022. Neither Mr. Riley nor Mr. Kelleher, each of whom were directors during all or a portion of the fiscal years ended December 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022, received any compensation for his services as a director.
(2) Bonus amounts in 2024, 2023, and 2022 were discretionary bonuses for named executive officers approved by the Compensation Committee.
(3) Represents the aggregate grant date fair value computed in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 718 of restricted stock units ("RSUs") and performance-based restricted stock units (“PRSUs”) granted during the applicable fiscal year. The assumptions used in the calculations for these amounts are described in Note 20 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024. For a discussion of the material terms of outstanding RSUs, see the table below entitled “Outstanding Equity Awards at 2024 Fiscal Year-End.”
(4) Mr. Ahn resigned effective as of June 3, 2025.
(5) Mr. Young resigned effective as of September 20, 2024. Mr. Young’s 2024 salary reflects amount actually paid during 2024 through his date of resignation.
(6) Mr. Moore was not re-appointed as an executive officer of the Company, but continues to serve as the Co-Chief Executive Officer of B. Riley Securities, Inc. effective as of September 18, 2025.
(7) The table below shows the components of the All Other Compensation column.
Name Dividend Rights Paid Upon 2024 Vesting of RSUs (1)
($)
401k Plan Match (2)
($)
Other (3)
($)
Total
($)
Bryant R. Riley 381,668 5,175 - 386,843
Thomas J. Kelleher 381,668 5,175 - 386,843
Phillip J. Ahn 198,146 5,175 - 203,321
Kenneth Young 188,917 5,175 768,542 962,634
Andrew Moore 198,146 - - 198,146
Alan N. Forman 41,195 5,175 - 46,370
(1) Reflects accrued dividend rights paid upon (i) March 15, 2024 vesting of RSUs originally granted on February 24, 2023 and (ii) May 31, 2024 vesting of RSUs originally granted on May 28, 2021 and May 24, 2022, in each case in accordance with award agreements, as approved by the Compensation Committee.
(2) Reflects the maximum 401(k) employer match for 2024 ($5,175), which was received by each of our NEOs who contributed to the 401(k) in 2024. Our executive officers are eligible for the same 401(k) match program as is available to all employees.
(3) Reflects payments to Mr. Young pursuant to a services agreement between one of our wholly owned subsidiaries and Mr. Young for consulting services to B&W. in the capacity of Chief Executive Officer of B&W, and fees for consulting services rendered to B. Riley in 2024 following the cessation of his employment.
2024 Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table
The following table presents information concerning each grant made to our named executive officers in our fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, under any equity or non-equity incentive plan.
Name Grant Date All Other Stock Awards: Number of Units of Stock (1)
(#)
Grant Date Fair Value (2)
($)
Bryant R. Riley 3/4/2024 83,086 1,081,780
Thomas J. Kelleher 3/4/2024 83,086 1,081,780
Phillip J. Ahn(3)
3/4/2024 41,543 540,890
Kenneth Young(4)
- -
Andrew Moore(5)
3/4/2024 44,510 579,520
Alan N. Forman 3/4/2024 23,739 309,082
(1)On March 4, 2024, we granted our NEOs RSU awards as a component of their annual compensation for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024. The RSUs vested one-third on March 15, 2025, will vest one-third on March 15, 2026, and one-third on March 15, 2027, subject to continued employment with our Company through each vesting date. Each RSU represents the right to receive one share of our common stock.
(2) Represents the grant date fair value, which has been computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718.
(3) Mr. Ahn resigned effective as of June 3, 2025.
(4) Mr. Young resigned effective as of September 20, 2024.
(5) Mr. Moore was not re-appointed as an executive officer of the Company, but continues to serve as the Co-Chief Executive Officer of B. Riley Securities, Inc. effective as of September 18, 2025.
2024 Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
The following table provides information concerning outstanding equity awards held by our named executive officers as of December 31, 2024.
Name Number of Units of Stock That Have Not Vested (1)
(#)
Market Value of Units of Stock That Have Not Vested (2)
($)
Bryant R. Riley (3)
129,932 596,388
Thomas J. Kelleher (4)
129,932 596,388
Phillip J. Ahn (5)
65,300 299,727
Kenneth Young (6)
19,655 90,216
Andrew Moore (7)
68,267 313,346
Alan N. Forman (8)
30,034 137,856
(1) Represents awards of RSUs granted under the 2021 Plan.
(2) The market value of awards of RSUs that have not yet vested is based on the number of unvested RSUs as of December 31, 2024, multiplied by the closing sale price of our common shares on December 31, 2024 ($4.59 per share).
(3)Unvested RSUs held by Mr. Riley at December 31, 2024, vest as follows: Subject to continued employment with our Company, 44,109 RSUs vested in full on March 15, 2025, 44,101 RSUs will vest in full on March 15, 2026 and 27,692 RSUs will vest in full on March 15, 2027. Additionally, 14,030 RSUs vested in full on June 2, 2025.
(4)Unvested RSUs held by Mr. Kelleher at December 31, 2024, vest as follows: Subject to continued employment with our Company, 44,109 RSUs vested in full on March 15, 2025, 44,101 RSUs will vest in full on March 15, 2026 and 27,692 RSUs will vest in full on March 15, 2027. Additionally, 14,030 RSUs vested in full on June 2, 2025.
(5)Unvested RSUs held by Mr. Ahn at December 31, 2024, vest as follows: Subject to continued employment with our Company, 22,055 RSUs vested in full on March 15, 2025, 22,050 RSUs will vest in full on March 15, 2026 and 13,846 RSUs will vest in full on March 15, 2027. Additionally, 7,349 RSUs vested in full on June 2, 2025. Mr. Ahn resigned effective as of June 3, 2025. All of Mr. Ahn’s unvested equity awards were forfeited upon such resignation.
(6)Unvested RSUs held by Mr. Young at December 31, 2024 vest as follows: Subject to continued employment with our Company, 6,153 RSUs vested in full on March 15, 2025 and 6,153 RSUs will vest in full on March 15, 2026. Additionally, 7,349 RSUs vested in full on June 2, 2025. Mr. Young resigned effective as of September 20, 2024. Mr. Young’s RSUs will continue to vest following such resignation, subject to continued service to the Company in a consultant role.
(7)Unvested RSUs held by Mr. Moore at December 31, 2024 vest as follows: Subject to continued employment with our Company, 23,044 RSUs vested in full on March 15, 2025, 23,039 RSUs will vest in full on March 15, 2026 and 14,835 RSUs will vest in full on March 15, 2027. Additionally, 7,349 RSUs vested in full on June 2, 2025. Mr. Moore was not re-appointed as an executive officer of the Company, but continues to serve as the Co-Chief Executive Officer of B. Riley Securities, Inc. effective as of September 18, 2025.
(8)Unvested RSUs held by Mr. Forman at December 31, 2024 vest as follows: Subject to continued employment with our Company, 10,376 RSUs vested in full on March 15, 2025, 10,373 RSUs will vest in full on March 15, 2026 and 7,912 RSUs will vest in full on March 15, 2027. Additionally, 1,373 RSUs vested in full on June 2, 2025.
2024 Stock Vested
The following table provides information on the value realized by each of our named executive officers as a result of the vesting of RSUs during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024.
Name Number of Shares Acquired on Vesting (1) (#)
Value Realized on Vesting
($)
Bryant R. Riley 44,414 982,946
Thomas J. Kelleher 44,414 982,946
Phillip J. Ahn(2)
22,872 507,975
Kenneth Young(3)
20,821 471,960
Andrew Moore(4)
22,872 507,975
Alan N. Forman 5,202 111,212
(1)RSUs of Messrs. Riley, Kelleher, Ahn, Young, Moore and Forman vested on March 15, 2024 as follows: 16,409, 16,409, 8,204, 6,153, 8,204, and 2,462 respectively. The closing price of our common stock on the prior trading date was $17.56 in accordance with the 2021 Plan definition of Fair Market Value (FMV). RSUs of Messrs. Riley, Kelleher, Ahn, Young, Moore and Forman vested on May 31, 2024 as follows: 28,005, 28,005, 14,668, 14,668, 14,668, and 2,740 respectively. The closing price of our common stock on the prior trading date was $24.81.
(2) Mr. Ahn resigned effective as of June 3, 2025.
(3) Mr. Young resigned effective as of September 20, 2024.
(4) Mr. Moore was not re-appointed as an executive officer of the Company, but continues to serve as the Co-Chief Executive Officer of B. Riley Securities, Inc. effective as of September 18, 2025.
Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control
Each of our named executive officers is party to an employment agreement with the Company, the material terms of which are discussed above under “Compensation Discussion and Analysis - Employment Agreements.” Each of the employment agreements provides for a severance payment equal to four (4) times such individual’s base salary for Mr. Riley and Mr. Kelleher, and two (2) times such individual’s base salary for Messrs. Ahn, Young, Moore and Forman. The employment agreements also provide for reimbursement of a portion of the executive’s COBRA premiums for up to twelve months following a qualifying termination. Qualifying terminations include (i) termination without Cause by the Company, (ii) termination due to death or disability and (iii) resignation for Good Reason, as such terms are defined therein. In addition, the employment agreements provide that all outstanding and unvested equity-based awards, including PRSUs, become fully vested upon a change of control.
The tables below provide information about the payments and other benefits to which each of our named executive officers would be entitled upon a certain terminations of employment or in the event of a change in control. The tables below show, for each named executive officer, our estimates of potential cash payments and other benefits that would have been paid to the NEO assuming that (i) a qualifying termination or change in control was effected as of December 31, 2024, and (ii) the market value of RSUs that were unvested as of December 31, 2024 was $4.59 per share, which was the closing price of Company common stock on December 31, 2024. The tables below also assume that all salary amounts earned by each NEO through the date of termination or change in control had already been paid. As a result, all amounts in these tables are only estimates, and the actual amounts that would be paid can only be determined at the time of the event triggering the payments.
Payments Due Upon Termination Without Cause, for Death or Disability, or Resignation for Good Reason
Name Cash Payment (1)
($)
Stock Awards (2)
($)
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation
($)
All Other Compensation (3)
($)
Benefits (4)
($)
Total
($)
Bryant R. Riley 2,800,000 596,388 - 262,290 37,441 3,696,119
Thomas J. Kelleher 2,800,000 596,388 - 262,290 37,441 3,696,119
Phillip J. Ahn(5)
900,000 299,727 - 133,483 22,981 1,356,191
Kenneth Young(6)
- - - - - -
Andrew Moore(7)
1,100,000 313,346 - 133,483 35,069 1,581,898
Alan N. Forman 900,000 137,856 - 34,221 - 1,072,077
(1) In the event of involuntary termination without Cause, for death or disability, or resignation for Good Reason, in accordance with their employment agreements, Messrs. Riley and Kelleher shall each receive a severance payment equal to 4x his base salary, and Messrs. Ahn, Young, Moore and Forman shall each receive a severance payment equal to 2x his base salary.
(2) Upon termination without Cause or for death or disability or resignation for Good Reason, in accordance with award agreements, unvested time-based RSUs shall vest.
(3) Upon vesting of RSUs, accrued dividend rights, equivalent to dividends declared and paid per share of common stock from June 1, 2022 through December 31, 2024, are paid for RSUs awarded in 2022 and 2023 in accordance with award agreements.
(4) According to the terms of their employment agreements, executives shall be reimbursed the difference between the cost of health insurance coverage under COBRA and premiums paid by similarly situated employees for 12 months, or until the executive becomes eligible to receive substantially similar coverage from another employer.
(5) Mr. Ahn resigned effective as of June 3, 2025 and did not receive any severance payments or benefits in connection with such resignation.
(6) Mr. Young resigned effective as of September 20, 2024 and did not receive any severance payments or benefits in connection with such resignation.
(7) Mr. Moore was not re-appointed as an executive officer of the Company, but continues to serve as the Co-Chief Executive Officer of B. Riley Securities, Inc. effective as of September 18, 2025.
Payments Due Upon Termination With Cause or Resignation Without Good Reason(1)
Name Cash Payment
($)
Stock Awards
($)
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation (1)
($)
All Other Compensation
($)
Benefits
($)
Total
($)
Bryant R. Riley - - - - - -
Thomas J. Kelleher - - - - - -
Phillip J. Ahn (2)
- - - - - -
Kenneth Young(3)
- - - - - -
Andrew Moore(4)
- - - - - -
Alan N. Forman - - - - - -
(1) In the event an executive is terminated by the Company with Cause or resigns without Good Reason, the executive shall only be paid his base salary through the effective of termination.
(2) Mr. Ahn resigned effective as of June 3, 2025 and did not receive any severance payments or benefits in connection with such resignation.
(3) Mr. Young resigned effective as of September 20, 2024 and did not receive any severance payments or benefits in connection with such resignation.
(4) Mr. Moore was not re-appointed as an executive officer of the Company, but continues to serve as the Co-Chief Executive Officer of B. Riley Securities, Inc. effective as of September 18, 2025.
Payments Due Upon Change in Control
Name Cash Payment
($)
Stock Awards
($)
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation (1)
($)
All Other Compensation(2)
($)
Benefits
($)
Total
($)
Bryant R. Riley - 596,388 - 262,290 - 858,678
Thomas J. Kelleher - 596,388 - 262,290 - 858,678
Phillip J. Ahn(3)
- 299,727 - 133,483 - 433,210
Kenneth Young(4)
- 90,216 - 112,973 - 203,189
Andrew Moore(5)
- 313,346 - 133,483 - 446,829
Alan N. Forman - 137,856 - 34,221 - 172,077
(1) In accordance with executive employment agreements and RSU award agreements, unvested RSUs will vest upon Change in Control.
(2) Upon vesting of RSUs upon a Change in Control, accrued dividend rights, equivalent to dividends declared and paid per share of common stock from June 1, 2022 through December 31, 2024, are paid for RSUs awarded in 2022 and 2023 in accordance with award agreements.
(3) Mr. Ahn resigned effective as of June 3, 2025.
(4) Mr. Young resigned effective as of September 20, 2024.
(5) Mr. Moore was not re-appointed as an executive officer of the Company, but continues to serve as the Co-Chief Executive Officer of B. Riley Securities, Inc. effective as of September 18, 2025.
Risks Related to Compensation Policies and Practices
The Compensation Committee has considered and regularly monitors whether our overall employee compensation program creates incentives for employees to take excessive or unreasonable risks that could materially harm our business. Although risk-taking is a necessary part of building any business, the Compensation Committee focuses on aligning our compensation policies with the long-term interests of the Company and its stockholders and avoiding short-term rewards for management or other employee decisions that could pose long-term risks to the Company. We believe that several features of our compensation policies for management-level employees appropriately mitigate these risks, including a mix of long- and short-term compensation incentives that we believe is properly weighted for a company of our size, in our industry and with our stage of growth, and the uniformity of compensation policies and objectives across our employees. We also believe our internal legal and financial controls appropriately mitigate the probability and potential impact of an individual employee committing us to a harmful long-term business transaction in exchange for short-term compensation benefits.
CEO Pay Ratio
As required by Section 953(b) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, we are providing disclosure regarding the ratio of annual total compensation of Mr. Riley and Mr. Kelleher, our Co-CEOs, to that of our median employee. Our median employee earned $89,019 in total compensation for 2024. Based upon the total 2024 compensation reported for each of Mr. Riley and Mr. Kelleher of $2,168,622, as reported under each CEO’s “Total” in the Summary Compensation Table, our ratio of Co-CEO pay to median employee pay was 24:1. Our median employee is employed in our B. Riley Wealth Management subsidiary.
Calculation Methodology
To identify our median employee, we identified our total employee population worldwide as of December 31, 2024, excluding our Co-CEOs, in accordance with SEC rules. On December 31, 2024, 81% of our employee population was located in the U.S., with 19% in non-U.S. locations.
We collected full-year 2024 actual gross earnings data for the December 31, 2024 employee population, including cash-based compensation and equity-based compensation that was realized in 2024, relying on our internal payroll records. Compensation was annualized on a straight-line basis for non-temporary new hire employees who did not work with our Company for the full calendar year.
Once we determined the median employee, we calculated total compensation for the median employee in the same manner in which we determine the compensation shown for our named executive officers in the Summary Compensation Table, in accordance with SEC rules.
Equity Compensation Plan Information
The 2021 Plan, and 2018 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”)
Information about the 2021 Plan and the ESPP at December 31, 2024 was as follows:
Plan Category Number Shares to
be Issued Upon Exercise of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights
(a)
Weighted Average Exercise Price of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights(2)
(b)
Number of Securities Remaining Available for Future Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans
(excluding securities reflected
in column (a))
(c)
Equity compensation plans approved by our stockholders: 1,412,305(1)
-
2,382,529(3)
Total 1,412,305(1)
-
2,382,529(3)
(1)Includes unvested RSU awards granted under the 2021 Plan.
(2)RSU awards listed in column (a) have no associated exercise price.
(3)Includes 2,145,580 shares remaining available for future issuance under the 2021 Plan and 236,949 shares remaining available for issuance under our ESPP.
For more information on our equity compensation plans, see Notes 20 and 21 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024.
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
We use cash and equity-based compensation to attract and retain qualified candidates to serve on our Board. In setting director compensation, we consider the significant amount of time that members of the Board expend in fulfilling their duties to us, the skill level required of such members and other relevant information. The Compensation Committee and the Board have the primary responsibility for reviewing, considering any revisions to, and approving director compensation. We do not pay our management directors for board service in addition to their regular employee compensation.
Since June 30, 2020, each of our non-employee directors has received annual fees of $75,000 in cash, payable in quarterly installments, and $75,000 in equity in the form of RSUs granted under the 2021 Plan. In 2024, the Compensation Committee approved the granting of such RSUs promptly following the date on which they may be permissibly granted. The RSUs are subject to vesting and will be treated as vested on June 21, 2025, subject to continued service on the Board through such vesting date. In addition, for grants awarded from 2020 through 2023, each of our non-employee directors had the right to receive promptly following the vesting date an amount equal to the product of (i) the number of RSUs vested on such date, multiplied by (ii) the total dividends declared and paid per share of common stock since the date of award. Such vesting is subject to full acceleration in the event of certain change in control transactions for us.
In addition to the foregoing, the chairpersons of the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee and the ESG Committee receive annual fees of $15,000, $10,000 and $5,000, respectively, and each of our non-employee directors that is a member of the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and ESG Committee receive annual fees of $5,000, $2,500 and $2,500, respectively.
On August 20, 2024, the Company established a Special Committee to review the take private proposal presented to the Board by Bryant Riley. The Special Committee was comprised of Tammy Brandt, Renée E. LaBran and Mimi K. Walters, each of whom received an initial payment of $30,323 prorated for August/September, followed by a subsequent monthly fee of $15,000. Effective March 3, 2025, the take private proposal was withdrawn by Mr. Riley and shortly thereafter the Special Committee was disbanded.
From time to time, our non-employee directors may receive additional compensation through equity compensation or otherwise at the discretion of the disinterested directors of the Board for extraordinary service relating to their capacity as members of the Board.
2024 Director Compensation Table
The following table summarizes the total compensation that members of the Board (other than directors who are named executive officers) earned during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 for services rendered as members of the Board.
Name(1)
Fees Earned or Paid in Cash($)
Stock Awards(2)
($)
All Other Compensation(3)
($)
Total($)
Robert L. Antin
80,000 - 4,993 84,993
Tammy Brandt
135,323 - 4,993 140,316
Robert D’Agostino
90,000 - 4,993 94,993
Renée E. LaBran 142,823 - 4,993 147,816
Randall E. Paulson
90,000 - 4,993 94,993
Michael J. Sheldon
77,500 - 4,993 82,493
Mimi K. Walters 140,323 - 4,993 145,316
(1)Bryant R. Riley, a member of the Board, our Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer, and Thomas J. Kelleher, a member of the Board and our Co-Chief Executive Officer are not included in this table because as employees Messrs. Riley and Kelleher received no additional compensation for services as directors for 2024. The compensation received by Messrs. Riley and Kelleher as our employees is shown in the summary compensation table provided above in “Executive Compensation-Summary Compensation Table.”
(2)Non-employee directors did not receive any stock awards in Fiscal 2024. However, RSU awards were approved on August 6, 2024 by the Compensation Committee in the amount of 3,660 RSUs to Robert Antin, Tammy Brandt, Robert D’Agostino, Renée E. LaBran, Randall Paulson, Michael Sheldon, and Mimi Walters for such directors’ annual stock grant of $75,000 as a non-employee director and will be granted promptly following the date on which the RSUs may be permissibly granted under the 2021 Plan. All awards will be treated as vested on June 21, 2025, subject to continued service on the Board through such vesting date. As of December 31, 2024, D’Agostino, Antin, Brandt, LaBran, Paulson, Sheldon, and Walters have no equity awards outstanding.
(3)Reflects accrued dividend rights paid upon May 23, 2024 vesting of RSUs originally granted on May 23, 2023, in accordance with award agreements, as approved by the Compensation Committee.

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ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
Item 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The following table sets forth information concerning the beneficial ownership of the shares of our common stock as of September 18, 2025, by (i) each person we know to be the beneficial owner of 5% or more of the outstanding shares of our common stock (ii) each named executive officer listed in the Summary Compensation Table; (iii) each of our directors; and (iv) all of our executive officers and directors as a group.
Shares Beneficially Owned(2)
Name or Group of Beneficial Owners(1)
Number Percent
Directors and Named Executive Officers:
Bryant R. Riley(3)
6,914,063 22.6 %
Thomas J. Kelleher(4)
973,409 3.2 %
Phillip J. Ahn(5)
249,226 *
Scott Yessner(6)
100,000 *
Kenneth Young(7)
237,156 *
Andrew Moore(8)
286,546 *
Alan N. Forman 123,283 *
Robert L. Antin(9)
295,495 1.0 %
Tammy Brandt 6,195 *
Robert D’Agostino 160,570 *
Renée E. LaBran 6,734 *
Randall E. Paulson 318,979 1.0 %
Michael J. Sheldon 56,677 *
Mimi K. Walters 10,262 *
Executive officers and directors as a group (15 persons):
9,787,202 32.0 %
(1) Unless otherwise indicated, the business address of each holder is c/o B. Riley Financial, Inc., 11100 Santa Monica Boulevard, Suite 800, Los Angeles, California 90025.
(2) Applicable percentage ownership is based on 30,597,066 shares of our common stock outstanding as of September 18, 2025. Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC and is based on voting and investment power with respect to shares, subject to the applicable community property laws. Shares of our common stock subject to options or other contractual rights currently exercisable, or exercisable within 60 days after September 18, 2025, are deemed outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of the person holding such options but are not deemed outstanding for computing the percentage ownership of any other person.
(3) Represents 6,714,994 of our common shares beneficially owned by Mr. Riley directly or jointly with his wife; 70,151 of our common shares beneficially owned by Mr. Riley in custodial accounts for his children; and 128,918 of our common shares held of record by the B. Riley and Co., LLC 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan FBO Bryant Riley, which we refer to as the Riley profit sharing plan. Mr. Riley pledged as collateral 4,389,553 shares in favor of Axos Bank, as approved by our Board of Directors on February 27, 2019, and pursuant to the terms of a Credit Agreement and Pledge Agreement each dated as of March 19, 2019. As disclosed on Form 8K and Schedule 13D amendment filed on October 30, 2024, in 2023 Mr. Riley pledged an additional 1,414,571 shares for a total of 5,804,124 shares pledged. The business address of each of Mr. Riley, and the Riley profit-sharing plan is 11100 Santa Monica Boulevard, Suite 800, Los Angeles, California 90025.
(4) Represents 21,188 of our common shares beneficially owned by Mr. Kelleher, 902,288 of our common shares held of record by Mr. Kelleher and M. Meighan Kelleher as trustees for the Kelleher Family Trust, 34,118 of our common shares held by Mr. Kelleher’s self-directed IRA, Thomas John Kelleher IRA, 5,600 of our common shares held with dispositive power for Mary Meighan Kelleher IRA, 3,405 of our common shares held with dispositive power for Lyndsey Kelleher, 3,405 of our common shares held with dispositive power for Kaitlin Kelleher and 3,405 of our common shares held with dispositive power for Mackenna Kelleher.
(5) Mr. Ahn resigned effective as of June 3, 2025.
(6) Mr. Yessner joined the Company on June 3, 2025 as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.
(7) Mr. Young resigned effective as of September 20, 2024.
(8) Mr. Moore was not re-appointed as an executive officer of the Company, but continues to serve as the Co-Chief Executive Officer of B. Riley Securities, Inc. effective as of September 18, 2025.
(9) Represents 80,495 of our common shares beneficially owned by Mr. Antin, 200,000 shares held of record by Robert L. Antin and Patti Antin as Trustees for the Robert and Patti Antin Living Trust, and 15,000 shares held of record by The Bob and Patti Antin Family Foundation over which Mr. Antin has voting and dispositive power.

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ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Item 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
Other than as described below, since the beginning of fiscal year 2024, there were no transactions with respect to which we were a participant or currently proposed transactions with respect to which we are to be a participant in which the amount involved exceeds $120,000 and in which any director, executive officer or beneficial holder of more than 5% of any class of our voting securities or member of such person’s immediate family had or will have a direct or indirect material interest.
John Ahn
The Company is party to an investment advisory services agreement with Whitehawk Capital Partners, L.P. (“Whitehawk”), a limited partnership controlled by John Ahn, who is the brother of Phil Ahn, the Company’s former Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Ahn resigned effective as of June 3, 2025. Pursuant to this agreement, Whitehawk provided investment advisory services for GACP I, L.P. and GACP II, L.P., limited partnership vehicles which were subsidiaries of the Company. On February 1, 2024, one of the Company’s loans receivable with a principal amount of $4,521,000 was sold to a fund managed by Whitehawk for $4,584,000. During the year ended December 31, 2024, management fees paid for investment advisory services by Whitehawk were $2,272,000. GACP I, L.P. and GACP II, L.P., were wound down in June 2024 and December 2024, respectively.
Charlie Riley
Charlie Riley is the son of Bryant Riley, the Company’s Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer, and is employed by the Company’s subsidiary, B. Riley Principal Investments, LLC as an associate. For 2024, the Company paid Charlie Riley total compensation of $246,129 consisting of salary, bonus, and an award of restricted stock units of 1,460 of our common shares, with a grant date fair value of $24,995, calculated in accordance with FASB ASC 718, that vests ratably over three years beginning on March 15, 2025, subject to continued employment.
Babcock & Wilcox
One of the Company’s wholly owned subsidiaries entered into a services agreement with B&W that provided for the President of the Company to serve as the Chief Executive Officer of B&W until November 30, 2020 (the “Executive Consulting Agreement”), unless terminated by either party with thirty days written notice. The agreement was extended through December 31, 2028. Under this agreement, fees for services provided are $750,000 per annum, paid monthly. In addition, subject to the achievement of certain performance objectives as determined by B&W’s compensation committee of the board, a bonus or bonuses may also be earned and payable to the Company. In March 2022, a $1,000,000 performance fee was approved in accordance with the Executive Consulting Agreement. On September 20, 2024, Kenny Young resigned from his position as the President of the Company, the Executive Consulting Agreement with B&W was terminated, and concurrently, entered into a one-year consulting agreement (“the Agreement”) to provide services to the Company, pursuant to which he will be paid an annual fee of $250,000 paid on a monthly basis, subject to deduction of damages, fees and expenses that he owes the Company pursuant to this agreement.
On January 18, 2024, the Company, entered into a guaranty (the “Axos Guaranty”) in favor of (i) Axos Bank, in its capacity as administrative agent (the “Administrative Agent”) for the secured parties under that certain credit agreement, dated as of January 18, 2024, among B&W, the guarantors party thereto, the lenders party thereto and the Administrative Agent (the “B&W Axos Credit Agreement”), and (ii) the secured parties. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Axos Guaranty, the Company has guaranteed certain obligations of B&W (subject to certain limitations) under the B&W Axos Credit Agreement, including the obligation to repay outstanding loans and letters of credit and to pay earned interest, fees costs and expenses of enforcing the Axos Guaranty, provided however, that the Company’s obligations with respect to the principal amount of credit extensions and unreimbursed letter of credit obligations under the B&W Axos Credit Agreement shall not at any time exceed $150,000,000 in the aggregate, which is the maximum potential amount of future payments under the guaranty. In consideration for the agreements and commitments under the Axos Guaranty and pursuant to a separate fee and reimbursement agreement, B&W has agreed to pay the Company a fee equal to 2.00% of the aggregate revolving commitments (as defined in the B&W Axos Credit Agreement) under the B&W Axos Credit Agreement, payable quarterly and, at B&W’s election, in cash in full or 50% in cash and 50% in the form of penny warrants.
During the year ended December 31, 2024, and year-to-date 2025, the Company earned $3,850,000 and $1,500,000 respectively, of underwriting and financial advisory and other fees from B&W in connection with B&W’s capital raising activities. On June 18, 2025, an amendment was made to the Axos Guaranty whereby the Company's obligations as guarantor were suspended until January 1, 2027.
Randall E. Paulson
We owned a minority equity interest (purchased on March 2, 2021 for $2,400,000) in Dash Medical Holdings, LLC (“Dash”). On June 13, 2024, the Company sold its equity interest in Dash for $2,760,000. This transaction was reviewed and approved by the Audit Committee of B. Riley with Mr. Paulson excluded. Mr. Paulson is a member of the board of directors of Dash and is a Co-Managing member with his partner.
Robert D’Agostino
In September 2023, Q-Mation, Inc. (“Q-Mation”) engaged B. Riley Securities, Inc. to act as exclusive financial advisor in connection with a possible sale or recapitalization transaction. In December 2024, B. Riley Securities, Inc. earned an advisory fee of $2,650,000 for services in connection with the sale of Q-mation. Mr. D’Agostino serves as president of Q-Mation.
Procedures for Approval of Related Party Transactions
Under its charter, the Audit Committee is charged with reviewing all potential related party transactions. Our policy has been that the Audit Committee, which is comprised solely of independent directors, reviews and then recommends such related party transactions to the entire Board for further review and approval. All such related party transactions are then required to be reported under applicable SEC rules. Pursuant to our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, our Audit Committee must review and approve in advance all material related party transactions or business or professional relationships. The Code of Business Conduct and Ethics also requires that any dealings with a related party must be conducted in such a way as to avoid preferential treatment and assure that the terms obtained by the Company are no less favorable than could be obtained from unrelated parties on an arm’s-length basis. Aside from this policy and our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, we have not adopted additional procedures for review of, or standards for approval of, related party transactions, but instead review such transactions on a case-by-case basis.
Director Independence
Our Board has unanimously determined that seven of our directors - Robert Antin, Tammy Brandt, Robert D’Agostino, Renée E. LaBran, Randall Paulson, Michael Sheldon, and Mimi Walters, a majority of the Board - are “independent” directors as that term is defined by NASDAQ Marketplace Rule 5605(a)(2). In addition, based upon such standards, the Board determined that Bryant Riley and Thomas Kelleher are not “independent” because of their service as employees of the Company.

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ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
Item 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
Audit and All Other Fees
The following table sets forth the aggregate fees for services provided to us by Marcum for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023:
Fiscal 2024 Fiscal 2023
Audit Fees(1)
$ 10,501,500 $ 8,678,220
Audit-Related Fees(2)
1,278,400 -
Tax Fee - -
All Other Fee - -
TOTAL $ 11,779,900 $ 8,678,220
(1)Audit Fees consist of audit and various attest services performed by Marcum and include the following for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023: (a) reviews of our financial statements for the quarterly periods ended March 31, June 30, and September 30, and (b) the audit of our financial statements for the year ended December 31.
(2) Audit-Related fees in connection with SEC investigation.
Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policy
As a matter of policy, all audit and non-audit services provided by our independent registered public accounting firm are approved in advance by the Audit Committee, which considers whether the provision of non-audit services is compatible with maintaining such firm’s independence. All services provided by Marcum during fiscal years 2024 and 2023 were pre-approved by the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee has considered the role of Marcum in providing services to us for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 and has concluded that such services are compatible with their independence as our auditors.
PART IV

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ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
Item 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
(a)The following documents are filed as part of this report:
1.Financial Statements. The Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements required to be filed in the Annual Report on the Form 10-K and the notes thereto, together with the report of the independent auditors on those Consolidated Financial Statements and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of the Company, are hereby filed as part of this report, beginning on page 134.
2.Financial Statement Schedules. Financial Statement Schedules other than those listed above have been omitted because they are either not applicable or the information is otherwise included in the consolidated financial statements or the notes thereto.
The financial statements of Babcock & Wilcox required by Rule 3-09 of Regulation S-X are provided as Exhibit 99.1 to this Form 10-K.
3.Exhibits Required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K. The exhibits listed in the Exhibit Index of the Form 10-K and this Amendment are field with, or incorporated by reference in, this report.
(b)Exhibits and Index to Exhibits, below.
(c)Financial Statement Schedule and Separate Financial Statements of Subsidiaries Not Consolidated and Fifty Percent or Less Owned Persons.
Babcock & Wilcox was deemed a significant equity investee under Rule 3-09 of Regulation S-X for the year ended December 31, 2022. As such, Babcock & Wilcox’s financial statements for its fiscal years ended December 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022 are provided as Exhibit 99.1 to this Form 10-K incorporation by reference to Item 8 and the Financial Statement Schedule - Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts included in Item 15 of Babcock & Wilcox Enterprises, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 2025.
(c) Exhibit Index
Incorporated by Reference
Exhibit No. Description Form Exhibit Filing Date
3.1 Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, dated as of August 17, 2015
10-Q 3.1 8/3/2018
3.2 Amended and Restated Bylaws, dated as of November 6, 2014
10-Q 3.6 11/6/2014
3.3 Amendment to Amended and Restated Bylaws of B. Riley Financial, Inc., dated as of April 3, 2019
8-K 3.1 4/9/2019
3.4 Certificate of Designation designating the 6.875% Series A Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock of B. Riley Financial, Inc.
8-K 3.1 10/7/2019
3.5 Certificate of Designation designating the 7.375% Series B Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock of B. Riley Financial, Inc.
8-K 3.1 9/4/2020
3.6 State of Delaware, B Riley Financial, Series A Certificate of Correction
10-Q 3.1 2/21/2025
3.7 State of Delaware, B Riley Financial, Series B Certificate of Correction
10-Q 3.2 2/21/2025
4.1 Description of Registered Securities
10-K 4.29 5/16/2023
4.2 Form of common stock certificate
10-K 4.1 3/30/2015
4.3 Base Indenture, dated as of May 7, 2019, by and between the registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee
8-K 4.1 5/7/2019
4.4 Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of September 23, 2019, by and between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee (NASDAQ: RILYN)
8-K 4.3 9/23/2019
4.5 Form of 6.50% Senior Note due 2026 (NASDAQ: RILYN) (included in Exhibit 4.4)
8-K 4.3 9/23/2019
4.6 Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of January 25, 2021, by and between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (NASDAQ: RILYT)
8-K 4.5 1/25/2021
4.7 Form of 6.00% Senior Note due 2028 (NASDAQ: RILYT) (included in Exhibit 4.6)
8-K 4.5 1/25/2021
4.8 Fifth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 29, 2021, by and between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (NASDAQ: RILYK)
8-K 4.6 3/29/2021
4.9 Form of 5.50% Senior Note due 2026 (NASDAQ: RILYK) (included in Exhibit 4.8)
8-K 4.6 3/29/2021
4.10 Sixth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of August 6, 2021, by and between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (NASDAQ: RILYZ)
8-K 4.7 8/6/2021
4.11 Form of 5.25% Senior Note due 2028 (NASDAQ: RILYZ) (included in Exhibit 4.10)
8-K 4.7 8/6/2021
4.12 Seventh Supplemental Indenture, dated as of December 3, 2021, by and between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (NASDAQ: RILYG)
8-K 4.8 12/3/2021
4.13 Form of 5.00% Senior Note due 2026 (NASDAQ: RILYG) (included in Exhibit 4.12)
8-K 4.8 12/3/2021
4.14 Deposit Agreement, dated October 7, 2019, among B. Riley Financial, Inc., Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as Depositary, and the holders of depositary receipts, with respect to B. Riley Financial, Inc.’s 6.875% Series A Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock (NASDAQ: RILYP)
8-K 4.1 10/7/2019
4.15 Form of Specimen Certificate representing the 6.875% Series A Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of B. Riley Financial, Inc. (NASDAQ: RILYP)
8-K 4.2 10/7/2019
4.16 Form of Depositary Receipt (NASDAQ: RILYP) (included as Exhibit A to Exhibit 4.1)
8-K 4.3 10/7/2019
4.17 Deposit Agreement, dated September 4, 2020, among B. Riley Financial, Inc., Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as Depositary, and the holders of depositary receipts, with respect to B. Riley Financial, Inc.’s 7.375% Series B Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock (NASDAQ: RILYL)
8-K 4.1 9/4/2020
4.18 Form of Specimen certificate representing the 7.375% Series B Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of B. Riley Financial, Inc. (NASDAQ: RILYL)
8-K 4.2 9/4/2020
4.19 Form of Depositary Receipt (included as Exhibit A to Exhibit 4.1)
8-K 4.3 9/4/2020
10.1#
Amended and Restated 2009 Stock Incentive Plan
10-Q 10.1 8/11/2015
10.2#
Amended and Restated 2009 Stock Incentive Plan - Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement
10-Q 10.2 8/11/2015
10.3#
Amended and Restated 2009 Stock Incentive Plan - Stock Bonus Program and Form of Stock Bonus Award Agreement
10-Q 10.3 8/11/2015
10.4#
Amendment to Amended and Restated 2009 Stock Incentive Plan
10-Q 10.4 11/1/2019
10.5#
B. Riley Financial, Inc. Management Bonus Plan
8-K 10.1 8/18/2015
10.6#
2018 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
8-K 10.1 7/31/2018
10.7 BRPI Acquisition Co LLC and Banc of California Credit Agreement, dated as of December 19, 2018
8-K 10.1 12/27/2018
10.8 First Amendment to BRPI Acquisition Co LLC and Banc of California Credit Agreement and Joinder, dated as of February 1, 2019
8-K 10.1 2/7/2019
10.9 Second Amendment to BRPI Acquisition Co LLC and Banc of California Credit Agreement, dated December 31, 2020
8-K 10.1 1/6/2021
10.10 Third Amendment to BRPI Acquisition Co LLC and Banc of California Credit Agreement, dated as of December 16, 2021
10-K 10.44 2/25/2022
10.11 Fourth Amendment to BRPI Acquisition Co LLC and Banc of California Credit Agreement, dated as of June 21, 2022
10-Q 10.1 7/29/2022
10.12 Fifth Amendment to BRPI Acquisition Co LLC Banc of California Credit Agreement, dated as of March 15, 2024
10-Q 10.4 5/15/2024
10.13 Sixth Amendment to BRPI Acquisition Co LLC Banc of California Credit Agreement, dated as of April 9, 2024
10-Q 10.5 5/15/2024
10.14 Seventh Amendment to BRPI Acquisition Co LLC and Banc of California Credit Agreement, dated as of August 22, 2024
10-Q 10.1 2/21/2025
10.15 Eighth Amendment to BRPI Acquisition Co LLC. and Banc of California Credit Agreement, dated as of September 6, 2024
10-Q 10.1 2/21/2025
10.16 Ninth Amendment to BRPI Acquisition Co LLC and Banc of California Credit Agreement, dated as of September 13, 2024
10-Q 10.1 2/21/2025
10.17 Tenth Amendment to BRPI Acquisition Co LLC and Banc of California Credit Agreement, dated as of September 20, 2024
10-Q 10.1 2/21/2025
10.18 Eleventh Amendment to BRPI Acquisition Co LLC and Banc of California Credit Agreement, dated as of September 30, 2024
10-Q 10.2 2/21/2025
10.19*
Twelfth Amendment to BRPI Acquisition Co LLC and Banc of California Credit Agreement, dated as of November 18, 2024
10.20*
Thirteenth Amendment to BRPI Acquisition Co LLC and Banc of California Credit Agreement, dated as of December 18, 2024
10.21 Security and Pledge Agreement, dated as of December 19, 2018
8-K 10.2 12/27/2018
10.22 Unconditional Guaranty and Pledge Agreement by B. Riley Principal Investments, LLC, dated as of December 19, 2018
8-K 10.3 12/27/2018
10.23 Unconditional Guaranty by the registrant, dated as of December 19, 2018
8-K 10.3 12/27/2018
10.24 B. Riley Financial, Inc. 2021 Stock Incentive Plan, incorporated by reference to Appendix A to the Company’s definitive proxy statement, dated April 20, 2021 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
8-K 10.01 6/3/2021
10.25 Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (Time-Vesting) under the B. Riley Financial, Inc. 2021 Stock Incentive Plan
10-K 10.34 4/24/2024
10.26 Form of Director and Officer Indemnification Agreement
8-K 10.3 12/22/2021
10.27#
PRSU Grant Agreement
10-K 10.46 2/25/2022
10.28#
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated as of April 11, 2023 by and between the registrant and Bryant R. Riley
8-K 10.1 4/14/2023
10.29#
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated as of April 11, 2023 by and between the registrant and Thomas J. Kelleher
8-K 10.2 4/14/2023
10.30#
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated as of April 11, 2023 by and between the registrant and Phillip J. Ahn
8-K 10.3 4/14/2023
10.31#
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated as of April 11, 2023 by and between the registrant and Alan N. Forman
8-K 10.4 4/14/2023
10.32#
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated as of April 11, 2023 by and between the registrant and Andrew Moore
8-K 10.5 4/14/2023
10.33#
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated as of April 11, 2023 by and between the registrant and Kenneth M. Young
8-K 10.6 4/14/2023
10.34 Kenny Young Consulting Services Agreement, dated as of September 20, 2024
10-Q 10.20 2/21/2025
10.35 Guaranty, dated as of January 18, 2024, among B. Riley Financial, Inc., Babcock & Wilcox Enterprises, Inc. and Axos Bank
8-K 10.1 1/22/2024
10.36§
Transfer and Contribution Agreement, dated as of October 25, 2024, between B. Riley Brand Management, LLC and BR Funding Holdings 2024-1, LLC.
8-K 2.1 10/31/2024
10.37 Membership Interest Purchase Agreement, dated October 25, 2024, by and among bebe stores, inc., HBN 120, LLC, BB Brand Holdings, LLC and BKST Brand Management, LLC.
8-K 2.2 10/31/2024
10.38§
Equity Purchase Agreement, dated as of October 13, 2024, relating to Great American Holdings, LLC.
8-K 2.1 11/21/2024
10.39§*
Great American Holdings LLC Second Amended and Restated Agreement, dated as of November 15, 2024.
10.40§*
Credit Agreement among Lingo Management, LLC and Banc of California Credit Agreement, dated as of August 16, 2022
10.41§*
First Amendment to Lingo Management, LLC and Banc of California Credit Agreement and Joinder, dated as of September 9, 2022
10.42§*
Second Amendment to Lingo Management, LLC and Banc of California Credit Agreement, dated as of November 10, 2022
10.43* Third Amendment to Lingo Management, LLC and Banc of California Credit Agreement, dated as of March 2, 2023
10.44*
Fourth Amendment to Lingo Management, LLC and Banc of California Credit Agreement, dated as of November 6, 2023
10.45*
Fifth Amendment to Lingo Management, LLC and Banc of California Credit Agreement, dated as of February 29, 2024
10.46*
Sixth Amendment to Lingo Management, LLC and Banc of California Credit Agreement, dated as of March 15, 2024
10.47 Seventh Amendment to Lingo Management, LLC and Banc of California Credit Agreement, dated as of April 9, 2024
10-Q 10.2 1/14/2025
10.48 Eighth Amendment to Lingo Management, LLC and Banc of California Credit Agreement, dated as of August 22, 2024
10-Q 10.16 2/21/2025
10.49 Ninth Amendment to Lingo Management, LLC and Banc of California Credit Agreement, dated as of September 6, 2024
10-Q 10.17 2/21/2025
10.50 Tenth Amendment to Lingo Management, LLC and Banc of California Credit Agreement, dated as of September 20, 2024
10-Q 10.18 2/21/2025
10.51 Eleventh Amendment to Lingo Management, LLC and Banc of California Credit Agreement, dated as of September 30, 2024
10-Q 10.19 2/21/2025
10.52* Twelfth Amendment to Lingo Management, LLC and Banc of California Credit Agreement, dated as of November 18, 2024
10.53*
Thirteenth Amendment to Lingo Management, LLC and Banc of California Credit Agreement, dated as of December 18, 2024
14.1 B. Riley - Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
8-K 14.1 5/30/2023
19.1*
B. Riley - Insider Trading Policy
21.1* Subsidiary List
31.1* Certification of Co-Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
31.2* Certification of Co-Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
31.3* Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
32.1** Certification of Co-Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.2** Certification of Co-Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.3** Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
97.1# B. Riley - Clawback Policy
10-K 97.10 4/24/2024
99.1***
Babcock & Wilcox Financial Statements
10-K 99.1 3/31/2025
101.INS* Inline XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH* Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL* Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF* Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB* Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE* Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
104 Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101).
_________________________________
* Filed herewith.
** Furnished herewith.
*** Audited consolidated financial statements of Babcock & Wilcox Enterprises, Inc. as of December 31, 2024 and 2023 and for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022 (incorporated by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed by Babcock & Wilcox Enterprises, Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2024).
# Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
§ In accordance with Item 601(a)(5) of Regulation S-K, certain schedules and exhibits have not been filed. The Company agrees to furnish supplementally a copy of any omitted schedule or exhibit to the SEC upon request.