NEW YORK - The Buxton Helmsley Group, Inc. (BHG), an investment advisory firm based in New York City, has shifted its investment position to short on Assertio Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASRT) due to allegations of fraud related to the company's product Rolvedon and its acquisition of Spectrum Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:SPPI). BHG claims that Assertio's board has consistently ignored evidence of product-related fraud and misconduct, which has led to a massive write-down of Spectrum immediately after its acquisition.
BHG's Senior Managing Director, Alexander Parker, expressed disappointment in Assertio's board for their lack of response to whistleblowers' claims and the potential risks posed to cancer patients. The investment firm alleges that Assertio's board has not conducted a thorough investigation and has failed to act in accordance with its fiduciary duties, thereby exposing stockholders to what BHG describes as an imminent catastrophe.
The investment group's decision to go short was influenced by their belief that Assertio stockholders and Spectrum stockholders were defrauded during the Assertio-Spectrum merger. BHG has engaged outside counsel to conduct an independent investigation, which included reviewing substantial non-public evidence supporting these allegations.
BHG's open letter to Assertio stockholders details their concerns and urges stockholders to carefully consider the implications of net asset insolvency on the value of their investment in Assertio. The investment firm plans to donate a portion of any profits from their short position to the Cancer Research Institute of New York, a nonprofit organization.
This shift in investment strategy by BHG underscores the significant challenges Assertio Holdings, Inc. faces amid these serious allegations. BHG has disclosed that they hold a short position in the securities of ASSERTIO HOLDINGS, INC., and have stated that their analysis and the subsequent investment decision are based on information available to them, including evidence provided by whistleblowers.
The full letter to Assertio's stockholders and the extensive private correspondence between BHG and Assertio's leadership can be found on BHG's website. The information in this article is based on a press release statement from The Buxton Helmsley Group, Inc.
In other recent news, Assertio Holdings has disclosed its Q2 2024 financial results, emphasizing a robust balance sheet, controlled debt levels, and an uptick in Rolvedon sales. Despite a minor decrease in total product sales, the company's strategy remains committed to consistent execution and cash flow enhancement. The firm is actively seeking new assets to strengthen its commercial model. A completed enrollment for a Rolvedon same-day dosing trial has been reported, with data expected later in the year.
Financial specifics include a $400,000 inventory step-up charge and a $1 million inventory write-down charge. CEO Brendan O'Grady expressed optimism about Assertio Holdings' stable foundational business and growth potential, particularly with Rolvedon as the main driver. However, a slight decrease in total product sales and a drop in Indocin sales due to generic competition were noted.
On the brighter side, Rolvedon sales have increased, positively impacting the company's revenue. Meanwhile, the company's first-half product sales were approximately $62.5 million. These are among the recent developments at Assertio Holdings.
InvestingPro Insights
To complement the analysis of Assertio Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASRT) presented in the article, recent data from InvestingPro offers additional context to the company's financial situation.
As of the latest available data, Assertio's market capitalization stands at $96.29 million, reflecting the market's current valuation of the company. This relatively small market cap aligns with the concerns raised by The Buxton Helmsley Group regarding potential risks to stockholders.
InvestingPro Tips highlight that Assertio holds more cash than debt on its balance sheet, which could provide some financial flexibility amid the allegations. However, the company was not profitable over the last twelve months, with a negative P/E ratio of -0.64, underscoring the financial challenges it faces.
The revenue growth for Assertio has been declining, with a -21.33% decrease in the last twelve months as of Q2 2024. This downward trend in revenue supports BHG's concerns about the company's financial health and potential impact of the alleged fraud.
It's worth noting that despite these challenges, analysts predict the company will be profitable this year, according to another InvestingPro Tip. This forecast presents an interesting contrast to the current negative sentiment surrounding the stock.
For investors seeking a more comprehensive analysis, InvestingPro offers 7 additional tips for Assertio Holdings, providing a deeper understanding of the company's financial position and market performance.
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