SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

9 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2024

Equity [Abstract]

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

NOTE 6          SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Reverse Stock Split

The Company’s shareholders authorized, and the Board of Directors approved a 1-for-10 reverse stock split, which became effective on June 18, 2024. Any fractional shares that would have otherwise resulted from the reverse stock split were rounded up to the nearest whole share. Accordingly, all references made to shares, per share, or common share amounts in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements and applicable disclosures have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the reverse stock split. The reverse stock split did not change the par value of the common stock nor the authorized number of shares of common stock, preferred stock or any series of preferred stock.

Nasdaq

In July 2023, the Company was notified by Nasdaq that it was not in compliance with Nasdaq’s $1.00 minimum closing bid price requirement (“Bid Price Requirement”). Thereafter, in February 2024, the Company was notified that it was not in compliance with Nasdaq’s minimum $2.5 million shareholders’ equity requirement (“SE Requirement”) (collectively, with the Bid Price Requirement, the “Minimum Requirements”). In April 2024, the Company presented a plan of action to the Nasdaq Hearings Panel to meet compliance with the Minimum Requirements. As a result of the reverse stock split effected in June 2024 and the entrance into the Accounts Payable Conversion Agreement (described in Note 8), the Company regained compliance with the Minimum Requirements in July 2024 and was formally notified by Nasdaq that the Minimum Requirements were met. Until July 24, 2025, the Company is subject to a Nasdaq “Panel Monitor” which provides for in the event the Company fails to satisfy the SE Requirement (not the Bid Price Requirement) during the monitoring period, the Company will be required to request a hearing before the Panel in order to maintain its listing rather than taking the interim step of submitting a compliance plan for the Listing Qualifications Staff’s review or receiving any otherwise applicable grace period.  We can provide no assurance that if the Company falls below the SE Requirement during this period that the Company will be able to maintain its Nasdaq listing.

Preferred Stock

In connection with the Accounts Payable Conversion Agreement with Forward China (“Conversion Agreement”), the Company filed a Certificate of Amendment of the Certificate of Incorporation (the “COD”) designating 1,700 shares of Series A-1 Convertible Preferred Stock, with a stated value of $1,000 per share (the “Stated Value”), which became effective on July 5, 2024.

The holders of the Series A-1 Convertible Preferred Stock have no voting rights and rank senior to all classes or series of the Company’s common stock with respect to the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution, or winding up. Subject to a 19.9% share cap (as defined in the COD), the Series A-1 Convertible Preferred Stock shall be convertible into a number of shares of the Company’s common stock as determined by (i) multiplying the number of shares to be converted by the Stated Value, (ii) adding the result of all accrued and accumulated and unpaid dividends on such shares to be converted, and then (iii) dividing the result by the conversion price of $7.50, subject to adjustment as defined in the COD. The Series A-1 Convertible Preferred Stock is not redeemable.

Stock Options

On October 1, 2023, the Company granted options to three of its non-employee directors to purchase an aggregate of 33,243 shares of its common stock at an exercise price of $7.60 per share. The options vest one year from the date of grant, expire five years from the date of the grant and 11,081 were forfeited prior to vesting. The options have a weighted average grant-date fair value of $3.60 per share and an aggregate grant-date fair value of $120,000, which will be recognized, net of forfeitures, ratably over the vesting period.

In May 2023, the Company granted options to three of its non-employee directors to purchase an aggregate of 12,474 shares of its common stock at an exercise price of $10.30 per share. The options vested six months from the date of grant and expire five years from the date of grant. The options have a weighted average grant-date fair value of $4.80 per share and an aggregate grant-date fair value of $60,000, which were recognized ratably over the vesting period.

There were no options exercised during the three and nine months ended June 30, 2024 or 2023.

The Company recognized compensation expense for stock option awards of $20,000 and $17,000 during the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and $81,000 and $56,000 during the nine months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, which was recorded as a component of general and administrative expenses in its condensed consolidated statements of operations. As of June 30, 2024, there was $20,000 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested stock option awards that is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 0.25 years.