Public companies are required to disclose risks that can affect the business and impact the stock. These disclosures are known as “Risk Factors”. Companies disclose these risks in their yearly (Form 10-K), quarterly earnings (Form 10-Q), or “foreign private issuer” reports (Form 20-F). Risk factors show the challenges a company faces. Investors can consider the worst-case scenarios before making an investment. TipRanks’ Risk Analysis categorizes risks based on proprietary classification algorithms and machine learning.

Artificial Intelligence Technology Solutions disclosed 27 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Artificial Intelligence Technology Solutions reported the most risks in the “Finance & Corporate” category.

Risk Overview Q4, 2018

Risk Distribution

56% Finance & Corporate

15% Tech & Innovation

11% Production

11% Ability to Sell

4% Legal & Regulatory

4% Macro & Political

Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy

This chart displays the stock's most recent risk distribution according to category. TipRanks has identified 6 major categories: Finance & corporate, legal & regulatory, macro & political, production, tech & innovation, and ability to sell.

Risk Change Over Time

S&P500 Average

Sector Average

Risks removed

Risks added

Risks changed

Artificial Intelligence Technology Solutions Risk Factors

New Risk (0)

Risk Changed (0)

Risk Removed (0)

No changes from previous report

The chart shows the number of risks a company has disclosed. You can compare this to the sector average or S&P 500 average.

The quarters shown in the chart are according to the calendar year (January to December). Businesses set their own financial calendar, known as a fiscal year. For example, Walmart ends their financial year at the end of January to accommodate the holiday season.

Risk Highlights Q4, 2018

Main Risk Category

Finance & Corporate

With 15 Risks

Finance & Corporate

With 15 Risks

Number of Disclosed Risks

No changes from last report

S&P 500 Average: 31

No changes from last report

S&P 500 Average: 31

Recent Changes

0Risks added

0Risks removed

0Risks changed

Since Nov 2018

0Risks added

0Risks removed

0Risks changed

Since Nov 2018

Number of Risk Changed

No changes from last report

S&P 500 Average: 3

No changes from last report

S&P 500 Average: 3

See the risk highlights of Artificial Intelligence Technology Solutions in the last period.

Risk Word Cloud

Currently, no data available

The most common phrases about risk factors from the most recent report. Larger texts indicate more widely used phrases.

Risk Factors Full Breakdown - Total Risks 27

Finance & Corporate

Total Risks: 15/27 (56%)Above Sector Average

Share Price & Shareholder Rights10 | 37.0%

Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 1

Because we do not currently have an audit committee, compensation committee or any other form of corporate governance committee, shareholders will have to rely on our only director, who is not independent, to perform these functions.

We do not have an audit committee, compensation committee or any form of corporate governance committees comprised of an independent director. The Board, which currently consists of our only director, performs these functions as a whole and the only member of the Board is not an independent director.

Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 2

Our shareholders do not have voting control over the Company due to the Company’s issued and outstanding shares of its Series E Preferred Stock.

Mr. Parsons, the Company’s President, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer currently owns 1,000,000 shares of our Series E Preferred Stock and; Steve Reinharz is the CEO of RAD, and is currently the holder of 3,350,000 shares of our Series E Preferred Stock. The outstanding shares of Series E Preferred Stock have the right to take action by written consent or vote based on the number of votes equal to twice the number of votes of all outstanding shares of common stock. As a result, the holders of Series E Preferred Stock have 2/3rds of the voting power of all shareholders at any time corporate action requires a vote of shareholders, and therefore our other shareholders do not have voting control over the Company.

Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 3

Our shares are subject to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s “penny stock” rules that limit trading activity in the market, which may make it more difficult for our shareholders to sell their common stock.

Penny stocks generally are equity securities with a price of less than $5.00. Since our common stock is trading at less than $5.00 per share, we are subject to the penny stock rules adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission that require broker-dealers to deliver extensive disclosure to its customers prior to executing trades in penny stocks not otherwise exempt from the rules. The broker-dealer must also provide its customers with current bid and offer quotations for the penny stock, the compensation of the broker-dealer and its salesperson in the transaction, and monthly account statements showing the market value of each penny stock held by the customer. Under the penny stock regulations, a broker-dealer selling a penny stock to anyone other than an established customer or accredited investor must make a special suitability determination regarding the purchaser and must receive the purchaser’s written consent to the transaction prior to the sale, unless the broker-dealer is otherwise exempt. Generally, an individual with a net worth in excess of $1,000,000, or annual income exceeding $200,000 individually, or $300,000 together with his or her spouse, is considered an accredited investor. The additional burdens from the penny stock requirements may deter broker-dealers from effecting transactions in our securities, which could limit the liquidity and market price of our securities. These disclosure requirements may cause a reduction in the trading activity of our common stock, which likely would make it difficult for our stockholders to resell their securities.

Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 4

FINRA sales practice requirements may also limit a stockholder’s ability to buy and sell our stock.

In addition to the “penny stock” rules described above, FINRA has adopted Rule 2111 that requires a broker-dealer to have reasonable grounds for believing that an investment is suitable for a customer before recommending the investment. Prior to recommending speculative low priced securities to their non-institutional customers, broker-dealers must make reasonable efforts to obtain information about the customer’s financial status, tax status, investment objectives and other information. Under interpretations of these rules, FINRA believes that there is a high probability that speculative low priced securities will not be suitable for at least some customers. The FINRA requirements make it more difficult for broker-dealers to recommend that their customers buy our common stock, which may limit your ability to buy and sell our stock and have an adverse effect on the market for our shares.

Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 5

Because we are a small company with a limited operating history, stockholders may find it difficult to sell their common stock in the public markets.

The number of persons interested in purchasing our common stock s at any given time may be relatively small. This situation is attributable to a number of factors, including the fact that we are a small company which is still relatively unknown to stock analysts, stock brokers, institutional investors, and others in the investment community that generate or influence sales volume, and that even if we came to the attention of such persons, they tend to be risk-averse and would likely be reluctant to follow an unproven company such as ours. Additionally, many brokerage firms may not be willing to effect transactions in our securities. As a consequence, there may be periods when trading activity in our common stock is minimal or even non-existent, as compared to a seasoned issuer which has a large and steady volume of trading activity. We cannot give you any assurance that an active public trading market for our common stock will develop or be sustained, or that trading levels will be sustained.

Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 6

We will continue to incur significant costs to ensure compliance with United States corporate governance and accounting requirements.

We will continue to incur significant costs associated with our public company reporting requirements, costs associated with applicable corporate governance requirements, including requirements under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and other rules implemented by the Securities and Exchange Commission. We expect all of these applicable rules and regulations will result in significant legal and financial compliance costs and to make some activities more time consuming and costly. We are currently evaluating and monitoring developments with respect to these rules, and we cannot predict or estimate the amount of additional costs we may incur or the timing of such costs.

Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 7

An investment in the Company’s common stock is extremely speculative and there can be no assurance of any return on any such investment.

An investment in the Company’s common stock is extremely speculative and there is no assurance that investors will obtain any return on their investment. Investors will be subject to substantial risks involved in an investment in the Company, including the risk of losing their entire investment. The market price of our common stock is subject to significant fluctuations in response to variations in our quarterly operating results, general trends in the market and other factors, many of which we have little or no control over. In addition, broad market fluctuations, as well as general economic, business and political conditions, may adversely affect the market for our common stock, regardless of our actual or projected performance.

Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 8

Our shareholders’ percentage of ownership may become diluted upon conversion of shares of our Series F convertible preferred stock, 1,000 shares of which are currently issued and outstanding and held by Garett Parsons, our President, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer and 2,450 shares of which are currently issued and outstanding and held by Steve Reinharz, the CEO of RAD.

Garett Parsons, our President, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, is the current holder of 1,000 shares of the Company’s Series F Convertible Preferred Stock, and Steve Reinharz, the CEO of RAD, is currently the holder of 2,450 shares of Series F Convertible Preferred Stock. As the holders of such stock, Mr. Parsons and Mr. Reinharz, can each, at any time, convert all, but not less than all of their shares of Series F Convertible Preferred Stock into a number of fully paid and nonassessable shares of the Company’s common stock determined by multiplying the number of issued and outstanding shares of common stock of the Company on the date of conversion by three and 45 100ths (3.45). The conversion of such shares shall cause substantial dilution to the Company’s current shareholders.

Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 9

The Company may conduct further offerings in the future, in which case your shareholdings will be diluted.

The Company may rely on equity sales of common stock to fund operations. The Company may conduct further equity and/or convertible debt offerings in the future to finance operations or other projects that it decides to undertake. If common stock is issued in return for additional funds, or upon conversion or exercise of outstanding convertible debentures or warrants, the price per share could be lower than that paid by existing common stockholders. The Company anticipates continuing to rely on equity sales of common stock and issuances of convertible debt and/or warrants convertible or exercisable into shares of common stock in order to fund its business operations. If the Company issues additional shares of common stock, your percentage interest in the Company will be lower. This is often referred to as “dilution,” which could result in a reduction in the per share value of your shares of common stock.

Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 10

The trading price of our common stock may fluctuate significantly.

Volatility in the trading price of our common stock may prevent our shareholders from being able to sell their shares of our common stock at prices equal to or greater than their purchase price. The trading price of our common stock could fluctuate significantly for various reasons, including: ? our operating and financial performance and prospects; ? our quarterly or annual earnings or those of other companies in our industry; ? the public’s reaction to our press releases, other public announcements and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission; ? changes in earnings estimates or recommendations by research analysts who track our common stock or the stock of other companies in our industry; ? strategic actions by us or our competitors; ? new laws or regulations or new interpretations of existing laws or regulations applicable to our business; ? changes in accounting standards, policies, guidance, interpretations or principles; ? changes in general economic conditions in the U.S. and global economies or financial markets, including such changes resulting from war or incidents of terrorism; and ? sales of our common stock by us or members of our management team. In addition, in recent years, the stock market has experienced significant price and volume fluctuations. This volatility has had a significant impact on the trading price of securities issued by many companies. The changes frequently occur irrespective of the operating performance of the affected companies. Hence, the trading price of our common stock could fluctuate based upon factors that have little or nothing to do with our business.

Accounting & Financial Operations3 | 11.1%

Accounting & Financial Operations - Risk 1

The Company does not anticipate paying dividends in the future.

We have never declared or paid any cash dividends on our common stock. Our current policy is to retain earnings to reinvest in our business. Therefore, we do not anticipate paying cash dividends in the foreseeable future. The Company’s dividend policy will be reviewed from time to time by the Board of Directors in the context of its earnings, financial condition and other relevant factors. Until the Company pays dividends, which it may never do, its shareholders will not be able to receive a return on shares of our common stock unless they are able to sell them, of which there can be no assurance. In addition, there is no guarantee that our common stock will appreciate in value or even maintain the price at which stockholders have purchased their shares or that our stockholders will be able to sell their shares of our common stock at all.

Accounting & Financial Operations - Risk 2

Our financial results will fluctuate in the future, which makes them difficult to predict.

RAD’s financial results may fluctuate in the future. Additionally, we have a limited operating history with the current scale of our business, which makes it difficult to forecast future results. As a result, you should not rely upon the Company’s past financial results as indicators of future performance. You should take into account the risks and uncertainties frequently encountered by rapidly growing companies in evolving markets. Our financial results in any given quarter can be influenced by numerous factors, many of which we are unable to predict or are outside of our control, including, but not limited to the following: ? Our ability to maintain and grow our client base; ? Our clients may suffer downturns, financial instability or be subject to mergers or acquisitions; ? The development and introduction of new products by RAD or our competitors; ? Increases in marketing, sales, service and other operating expenses that we may incur to grow and expand our operations and to remain competitive; ? RAD ability to maintain gross margins and operating margins; ? Changes affecting our suppliers and other third-party service providers; ? Adverse litigation judgments, settlements, or other litigation-related costs; and ? Changes in business or macroeconomic conditions including regulatory changes.

Accounting & Financial Operations - Risk 3

Our business is at an early stage and we have not yet generated any profits or significant revenues.

RAD was formed in 2016 and made its first sale in 2016. Accordingly, the Company has a limited operating history upon which to evaluate its performance and future prospects. Our current and proposed operations are subject to all the business risks associated with new enterprises. These include likely fluctuations in operating results as the Company makes significant investments in research, development and product opportunities, and reacts to developments in its market, including purchasing patterns of customers, and the entry of competitors into the market. We cannot assure you that we will generate sufficient revenue to be profitable in the next three years or at all, which could lead to a loss of part or all of an investment in the Company.

Debt & Financing1 | 3.7%

Debt & Financing - Risk 1

The Company’s continued operations may be dependent on the Company raising additional capital.

To the extent that the cash flow from operations are insufficient to fund the Company’s operations, we will be required to raise additional capital through equity or debt financing. Any additional equity financing may be dilutive to shareholders, and debt financing, if available, may involve significant restrictive covenants. The Company’s failure or inability to raise capital when needed, or on terms acceptable to the Company and our shareholders, could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations. There can be no assurance that such financing will be available on terms satisfactory to the Company, if at all. If we are unable to obtain such financing when needed, in addition to having an adverse effect on our business operations, it would also have a negative adverse effect on the price of our Common Stock.

Corporate Activity and Growth1 | 3.7%

Corporate Activity and Growth - Risk 1

We cannot assure you that we can effectively manage our growth.

RAD expects to continue hiring additional employees. The growth and expansion of our business and products create significant challenges for our management, operational, and financial resources, including managing multiple relationships and interactions with users, distributors, vendors, and other third parties. As the Company continues to grow, our information technology systems, internal management processes, internal controls and procedures and production processes may not be adequate to support our operations. To ensure success, we must continue to improve our operational, financial, and management processes and systems and to effectively expand, train, and manage our employee base. As we continue to grow, and implement more complex organizational and management structures, we may find it increasingly difficult to maintain the benefits of our corporate culture, including our current team’s efficiency and expertise, which could negatively affect our business performance.

Tech & Innovation

Total Risks: 4/27 (15%)Below Sector Average

Innovation / R&D1 | 3.7%

Innovation / R&D - Risk 1

We may not be able to develop automatic charging four our products, which could negatively affect our growth strategy.

Part of the Company’s growth strategy is to implement automatic charging for our products. The Company plans to implement autonomous charging capabilities for its products as part of its long-term efforts. The Company believes that adding this feature would allow companies to add security to areas that are either not suitable for humans or cost effective for permanent security and thus expanding the market for our products. If the Company cannot implement automatic charging for its products it would impact the size of the market for its products and could negatively affect its growth strategy.

Trade Secrets1 | 3.7%

Trade Secrets - Risk 1

If we are unable to protect our intellectual property, the value of our brand and other intangible assets may be diminished and our business may be adversely affected.

RAD relies and expects to continue to rely on a combination of confidentiality agreements with its employees, consultants, and third parties with whom it has relationships, as well as trademark, copyright, patent, trade secret, and domain name protection laws, to protect its proprietary rights. As of the date of this report, there are no patents filed on behalf of the Company. The Company plans to file various applications in the United States for protection of certain aspects of its intellectual property. However, third parties may knowingly or unknowingly infringe our proprietary rights, may challenge proprietary rights held by us and pending and future trademark and patent applications may not be approved. In addition, effective intellectual property protection may not be available in every country in which we intend to operate in the future. In any or all of these cases, we may be required to expend significant time and expense in order to prevent infringement or to enforce our rights. Although we plan to take measures to protect our proprietary rights, there can be no assurance that others will not offer products or concepts that are substantially similar to those of RAD and compete with our business. If the protection of our proprietary rights is inadequate to prevent unauthorized use or appropriation by third parties, the value of our brand and other intangible assets may be diminished and competitors may be able to more effectively mimic our service and methods of operations. Any of these events could have an adverse effect on our business and financial results.

Cyber Security1 | 3.7%

Cyber Security - Risk 1

Our business is subject to data security risks, including security breaches.

Our products employ technologies which are subject to various data security risks including security breaches and hacking and we cannot guarantee that our products may not be negatively affected by these risks causing them to suffer damages. Any occurrence of the foregoing may damage our brand and increase our costs. Any of these events or circumstances could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and operating results.

Technology1 | 3.7%

Technology - Risk 1

We have a limited number of deployments and our success depends on an unproven market.

The market for advanced physical security technology is relatively new and unproven and is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. In order to grow our business and extend our market position, we will need to place into service additional robots, expand our service offerings, and expand our presence. Our ability to expand the market for our products depends on a number of factors, including the cost, performance and perceived value associated with our products and services. Furthermore, the public’s perception of the use of robots to perform tasks traditionally reserved for humans may negatively affect demand for our products and services. Ultimately, our success will depend largely on our customers’ acceptance that security services can be performed more efficiently and cost effectively through the use of our robots and ancillary services, of which there can be no assurance.

Production

Total Risks: 3/27 (11%)Below Sector Average

Employment / Personnel2 | 7.4%

Employment / Personnel - Risk 1

The loss of one or more of our key personnel, or our failure to attract and retain other highly qualified personnel in the future, could harm our business.

RAD currently depends on the continued services and performance of key members of the management team, in particular, founder and CEO, Steven Reinharz, and Chief Technology Officer, Aziz Sekander. If we cannot call upon them or other key management personnel for any reason, our operations and development could be harmed. The Company has not yet developed a succession plan. Furthermore, as the Company grows, it will be required to hire and attract additional qualified professionals such as accounting, legal, finance, production, service and engineering experts. The Company may not be able to locate or attract qualified individuals for such positions, which will affect the Company’s ability to grow and expand its business.

Employment / Personnel - Risk 2

We have no employment agreements in place with our executive officers or directors.

We currently do not have any employment agreements in place with our only executive officer and director. Since the Company has no such agreements currently in place, there is a risk that our only executive officer and director may terminate their association with the Company. The loss of our only executive officer and director would have a material and adverse effect on our Company and our business prospects. Further, in the future, the Company may attract additional persons to serve as its executive officers and directors and may negotiate and consummate employment agreements with its executive officers and directors and such agreements may contain issuance of the Company’s securities as part of the compensation, which would lead our shareholders to experience dilution.

Costs1 | 3.7%

Costs - Risk 1

Our costs may grow more quickly than our revenues, harming our business and profitability.

We expect our expenses to continue to increase in the future as we expand our product offerings, expand production capabilities and hire additional employees. We expect to continue to incur increasing costs, in particular for working capital to purchase inventory, marketing and product deployments as well as costs associated with customer support in the field. Our expenses may be greater than we anticipate which would have a negative impact on our financial position, assets and ability to invest further in the growth and expansion of our business.

Ability to Sell

Total Risks: 3/27 (11%)Below Sector Average

Competition1 | 3.7%

Competition - Risk 1

We currently face some competition and may face additional competition in the future and if we are not able to compete effectively, our business prospects and operations would be harmed.

We are aware of a number of other companies that are already active in our industry and others that are developing physical security technology in the U.S. and abroad that may potentially compete with our technology and services. These, or new, competitors may have more resources than us or may be better capitalized, which may give them a significant advantage, for example, in offering better pricing than the Company, surviving an economic downturn or in reaching profitability. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to compete successfully against existing or emerging competitors. Additionally, existing private security firms may also compete on price by lowering their operating costs, developing new business models or providing other incentives. We cannot give any assurance that we can adequately compete with existing or new competitors which could lead us to expend additional funds toward our marketing efforts and would further adversely affect our business operations.

Demand1 | 3.7%

Demand - Risk 1

Our success depends on the growth of our industry and specifically on the growing adoption and use of physical security technology in general and of our products.

The market for products and for physical security technology is relatively unproven and new, as well as being subject to many risks and uncertainties. Our ability to gain growing market acceptance and adoption of our products, depends on the market’s acceptance of physical security technology in general. If we are unable to increase acceptance of our products and if the market for physical security technology generally does not develop we will not be able to sell our products and our financial performance will be adversely affected.

Sales & Marketing1 | 3.7%

Sales & Marketing - Risk 1

Our business success depends on large part on the success of our efforts to rent our products through dealerships.

The Company plans to primarily look to rent its robots through dealerships with guarding companies. The Company believes that the guarding partnership model is valuable. The Company currently has such partnerships with 5 dealers and plans to sign on additional dealers. However, there can be no assurance that the Company can successfully secure agreements with dealerships for the use of our products, which could materially impair our sales and our business prospects.

Legal & Regulatory

Total Risks: 1/27 (4%)Below Sector Average

Environmental / Social1 | 3.7%

Environmental / Social - Risk 1

Our ability to operate and collect digital information on behalf of our clients is dependent on the privacy laws of jurisdictions in which our machines operate, as well as the corporate policies of our clients, which may limit our ability to fully deploy our technologies in various markets.

Our robots collect, store and analyze certain types of personal or identifying information regarding individuals that interact with the machines. While we maintain stringent data security procedures, the regulatory framework for privacy and security issues is rapidly evolving worldwide and is likely to remain uncertain for the foreseeable future. Federal and state government bodies and agencies have in the past adopted, and may in the future adopt, laws and regulations affecting data privacy, which in turn affect the breadth and type of features that we can offer to our clients. In addition, our clients have separate internal policies, procedures and controls regarding privacy and data security with which we may be required to comply. Because the interpretation and application of many privacy and data protection laws are uncertain, it is possible that these laws may be interpreted or applied in a manner that is inconsistent with our current data management practices or the features of our products. If so, in addition to the possibility of fines, lawsuits and other claims and penalties, we could be required to fundamentally change our business activities and practices or modify our products, which could have an adverse effect on our business. Any inability to adequately address privacy and security concerns, even if unfounded, or comply with applicable privacy and data security laws, regulations, and policies, could result in additional cost and liability to us, damage our reputation, inhibit sales, and adversely affect our business. Furthermore, the costs of compliance with, and other burdens imposed by, the laws, regulations, and policies that are applicable to the businesses of our clients may limit the use and adoption of, and reduce the overall demand for, our products. Privacy and data security concerns, whether valid or not valid, may inhibit market adoption of our products, particularly in certain industries and foreign countries. If we are not able to adjust to changing laws, regulations, our business may be harmed.

Macro & Political

Total Risks: 1/27 (4%)Below Sector Average

Economy & Political Environment1 | 3.7%

Economy & Political Environment - Risk 1

Economic factors generally may negatively affect our operations.

The Company is subject to the general risks of the marketplace in which the Company does business. Moreover, the results of operations of the Company will depend on a number of factors over which the Company will have no control, including changes in general economic or local economic conditions, changes in supply of or demand for similar and/or competing products and services, and changes in tax and governmental regulations that may affect demand for such products and services. Any significant decline in general economic conditions or uncertainties regarding future economic prospects that affect industrial and consumer spending could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business. For these and other reasons, no assurance of profitable operations can be given.

See a full breakdown of risk according to category and subcategory. The list starts with the category with the most risk. Click on subcategories to read relevant extracts from the most recent report.

FAQ

What are “Risk Factors”?

Risk factors are any situations or occurrences that could make investing in a company risky.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) requires that publicly traded companies disclose their most significant risk factors. This is so that potential investors can consider any risks before they make an investment.

They also offer companies protection, as a company can use risk factors as liability protection. This could happen if a company underperforms and investors take legal action as a result.

It is worth noting that smaller companies, that is those with a public float of under $75 million on the last business day, do not have to include risk factors in their 10-K and 10-Q forms, although some may choose to do so.

How do companies disclose their risk factors?

Publicly traded companies initially disclose their risk factors to the SEC through their S-1 filings as part of the IPO process.

Additionally, companies must provide a complete list of risk factors in their Annual Reports (Form 10-K) or (Form 20-F) for “foreign private issuers”.

Quarterly Reports also include a section on risk factors (Form 10-Q) where companies are only required to update any changes since the previous report.

According to the SEC, risk factors should be reported concisely, logically and in “plain English” so investors can understand them.

How can I use TipRanks risk factors in my stock research?

Use the Risk Factors tab to get data about the risk factors of any company in which you are considering investing.

You can easily see the most significant risks a company is facing. Additionally, you can find out which risk factors a company has added, removed or adjusted since its previous disclosure. You can also see how a company’s risk factors compare to others in its sector.

Without reading company reports or participating in conference calls, you would most likely not have access to this sort of information, which is usually not included in press releases or other public announcements.

A simplified analysis of risk factors is unique to TipRanks.

What are all the risk factor categories?

TipRanks has identified 6 major categories of risk factors and a number of subcategories for each. You can see how these categories are broken down in the list below.

1. Financial & Corporate

Accounting & Financial Operations - risks related to accounting loss, value of intangible assets, financial statements, value of intangible assets, financial reporting, estimates, guidance, company profitability, dividends, fluctuating results.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights – risks related to things that impact share prices and the rights of shareholders, including analyst ratings, major shareholder activity, trade volatility, liquidity of shares, anti-takeover provisions, international listing, dual listing.
Debt & Financing – risks related to debt, funding, financing and interest rates, financial investments.
Corporate Activity and Growth – risks related to restructuring, M&As, joint ventures, execution of corporate strategy, strategic alliances.

2. Legal & Regulatory

Litigation and Legal Liabilities – risks related to litigation/ lawsuits against the company.
Regulation – risks related to compliance, GDPR, and new legislation.
Environmental / Social – risks related to environmental regulation and to data privacy.
Taxation & Government Incentives – risks related to taxation and changes in government incentives.

3. Production

Costs – risks related to costs of production including commodity prices, future contracts, inventory.
Supply Chain – risks related to the company’s suppliers.
Manufacturing – risks related to the company’s manufacturing process including product quality and product recalls.
Human Capital – risks related to recruitment, training and retention of key employees, employee relationships & unions labor disputes, pension, and post retirement benefits, medical, health and welfare benefits, employee misconduct, employee litigation.

4. Technology & Innovation

Innovation / R&D – risks related to innovation and new product development.
Technology – risks related to the company’s reliance on technology.
Cyber Security – risks related to securing the company’s digital assets and from cyber attacks.
Trade Secrets & Patents – risks related to the company’s ability to protect its intellectual property and to infringement claims against the company as well as piracy and unlicensed copying.

5. Ability to Sell

Demand – risks related to the demand of the company’s goods and services including seasonality, reliance on key customers.
Competition – risks related to the company’s competition including substitutes.
Sales & Marketing – risks related to sales, marketing, and distribution channels, pricing, and market penetration.
Brand & Reputation – risks related to the company’s brand and reputation.

6. Macro & Political

Economy & Political Environment – risks related to changes in economic and political conditions.
Natural and Human Disruptions – risks related to catastrophes, floods, storms, terror, earthquakes, coronavirus pandemic/COVID-19.
International Operations – risks related to the global nature of the company.
Capital Markets – risks related to exchange rates and trade, cryptocurrency.

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