U.S. ENERGY CORP. (NASDAQ:USEG) Files An 8-K Notice of Delisting or Failure to Satisfy a Continued Listing Rule or Standard; Transfer of ListingItem 3.01. Notice of Delisting or Failure to Satisfy a Continued Listing Rule or Standard; Transfer of Listing
U.S. Energy Corp. (the "Company") announced that on September 20, 2017, the Company received notice from the NASDAQ Stock Exchange (“NASDAQ”) that the Company has not regained compliance with NASDAQ’s continued listing standards.
On March 23, 2017, NASDAQ notified the Company that the bid price of its listed security had closed at less than $1 per share over the previous 30 consecutive business days, and, as a result, did not comply with Listing Rule 5550(a)(2) (the “Rule”). In accordance with Listing Rule 5810(c)(3)(A), the Company was provided 180 calendar days, or until September 19, 2017, to regain compliance with the Rule.
The Company has not regained compliance with the Rule and is not eligible for a second 180 day period. Specifically, the Company does not meet the minimum $5 million stockholders’ equity, $50 million Market Value of Listed Securities, or $750,000 net income from continuing operations initial listing requirements for The NASDAQ Capital Market. Accordingly, unless the Company requests an appeal of this determination as described in further detail below, the Company’s securities will be scheduled for delisting from The NASDAQ Capital Market and will be suspended at the opening of business on September 29, 2017, and a Form 25-NSE will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), which will remove the Company’s securities from listing and registration on The NASDAQ Stock Market.
In accordance with NASDAQ procedures, the Company plans to appeal the determination and intends to submit a business plan to NASDAQ demonstrating how it intends to regain compliance with the continued listing standards set forth in in Listing Rule 5550(a)(2). A hearing request will stay the suspension of the Company’s securities and the filing of the Form 25-NSE pending the Panel’s decision.The Company intends to submit such a business plan within the required time frame and will continue to work with NASDAQ to attempt to comply with all continued listing standards. Assuming that NASDAQ accepts the plan, the Company will be subject to quarterly monitoring for compliance with the business plan and the Company's common stock will continue to trade on the NASDAQ Capital Market, subject to the Company's compliance with other NASDAQ continued listing requirements.
If the Company's common stock ultimately were to be delisted for any reason, it could negatively impact the Company by (i) reducing the liquidity and market price of the Company's common stock; (ii) reducing the number of investors willing to hold or acquire the Company's common stock, which could negatively impact the Company's ability to raise equity financing; (iii) limiting the Company's ability to use a registration statement to offer and sell freely tradable securities, thereby preventing the Company from accessing the public capital markets; and (iv)impairing the Company's ability to provide equity incentives to its employees
There can be no assurance that the Company’s plans to comply with the required bid price, minimum shareholders’ equity, market value of listed securities or net income from continuing operations will be successful.There can also be no assurance that the Company’s appeal of the determination would be successful. If the Company’s Common Stock ceases to be listed for trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market, the Company expects that its Common Stock would be traded on the Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board on or about the same day
About U.S. ENERGY CORP. (NASDAQ:USEG)
U.S. Energy Corp. (U.S. Energy) is an independent energy company focused on the acquisition and development of oil and gas producing properties in the continental United States. The Company’s business activities are focused on South Texas and the Williston Basin in North Dakota. The Company operates through Oil and Gas segment. The Company participates in oil and gas projects primarily as a non-operating working interest owner through exploration and development agreements with various oil and gas exploration and production companies. The Company is also pursuing acquisitions of exploration, development and production-stage oil and gas properties or companies. The Company holds a geographically and geologically diverse portfolio of oil-weighted prospects in varying-stages of exploration and development. The Company engages in the prospect stages either for its own account or with prospective partners to enlarge its oil and gas lease ownership base.