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.

Sleep Number disclosed 30 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Sleep Number reported the most risks in the “Production” category.

Risk Overview Q4, 2023

Risk Distribution

30% Production

23% Legal & Regulatory

17% Finance & Corporate

13% Tech & Innovation

13% Ability to Sell

3% 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

2020

S&P500 Average

Sector Average

Risks removed

Risks added

Risks changed

Sleep Number 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, 2023

Main Risk Category

Production

With 9 Risks

Production

With 9 Risks

Number of Disclosed Risks

From last report

S&P 500 Average: 31

From last report

S&P 500 Average: 31

Recent Changes

5Risks added

2Risks removed

9Risks changed

Since Dec 2023

5Risks added

2Risks removed

9Risks changed

Since Dec 2023

Number of Risk Changed

From last report

S&P 500 Average: 3

From last report

S&P 500 Average: 3

See the risk highlights of Sleep Number in the last period.

Risk Word Cloud

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 30

Production

Total Risks: 9/30 (30%)Above Sector Average

Manufacturing2 | 6.7%

Manufacturing - Risk 1

Changed

Disruption to the Company's facilities and operations could increase its costs of doing business or harm the Company's ability to satisfy customer demand, develop, test and launch new products, and service its products and customers.

As a vertically integrated business, the Company has various facilities and operations including manufacturing, assembly, distribution, logistics, field services, home delivery, headquarter, product development, retail and customer service. Sleep Number operates a dedicated cut and sew facility for cover production in Irmo, SC and an advanced engineering and prototyping facility in Salt Lake City, UT. Each of these facilities are combined with an assembly distribution center (ADC). There are five additional ADCs (Ontario, CA; Tampa, FL; Dallas, TX; Cincinnati, OH; and Minneapolis, MN) and one former assembly distribution center now used as a distribution center (Baltimore, MD). The seven ADCs leverage component inventory to pre-assemble 100% of its smart mattresses to order rather than stocking finished goods. The Company has field service and home delivery operations and contractors that deliver and service its products across the country as well as a bedding fulfillment center that ships bedding products to consumers via third-party services. The product development and testing operations primarily occur in the Company's corporate headquarters in Minneapolis, Minnesota and Sleep Number Labs facility in San Jose, California. Sleep Number's customer service operations are largely remote positions with team members located across the country, and the Company has retail stores across the country. Disruption to any of the Company's operations, facilities, workforce, or the Company's nationwide logistics network could harm or delay its ability to satisfy customer demand, develop, test and launch new products, service its products and customers, and increase its costs. Such impacts and delays could adversely affect the Company's sales, customer satisfaction, profitability, cash flows, availability of credit, and financial results.

Manufacturing - Risk 2

Failure to achieve and maintain a high level of product quality could negatively impact the Company's sales, profitability, cash flows and financial condition.

The Company's products are highly differentiated from traditional innerspring mattresses and from viscoelastic and other foam mattresses, which have little or no technology and do not rely on electronics and air control systems. As a result, its beds may be susceptible to failures that do not exist with traditional or foam mattresses. Failure to achieve and maintain acceptable quality standards could impact consumer acceptance of its products or result in negative media and Internet reports or owner dissatisfaction that could negatively impact the Company's brand image and sales levels. In addition, a decline in product quality could result in an increase in return rates and a corresponding decrease in sales, or an increase in product warranty claims in excess of the Company's warranty reserves. An unexpected increase in return rates or warranty claims could harm the Company's sales, profitability, cash flows and financial condition. As a consumer innovation Company with differentiated products, the Company faces an inherent risk of exposure to product liability claims or regulatory actions if the use of its products is alleged to have resulted in personal injury or property damage. If any of the Company's products proves to be defective or non-compliant with applicable regulations such as the federal Consumer Product Safety Commission flammability standards, the Company may be required to recall or redesign such products. The Company has at times experienced increased returns and adverse impacts on sales, as well as product liability litigation, as a result of media reports related to the alleged propensity of it products to develop mold. The Company may experience additional adverse impacts on sales and additional litigation if any similar media reports were to occur in the future. The Company maintains insurance against some forms of product liability claims, but such coverage may not be applicable to, or adequate for, liabilities actually incurred. A successful claim brought against the Company outside of, or in excess of, available insurance coverage, or any claim or product recall that results in significant adverse publicity about the Company, may have a material adverse effect on the Company's sales, profitability, cash flows and financial condition.

Employment / Personnel1 | 3.3%

Employment / Personnel - Risk 1

Changed

The Company's operating performance, profitability, and future growth depend upon its ability to attract, retain and motivate qualified and effective personnel.

As a vertically integrated manufacturer and retailer, the Company's future growth and profitability will depend upon its ability to attract, retain and motivate qualified personnel in a wide variety of areas to execute its growth strategy, including qualified management and executive personnel, retail sales professionals and managers, and manufacturing, home delivery and technical personnel. In addition, the Company's success will depend upon the effectiveness of its organizational leadership and managers as well as the capabilities of its team members. The current labor challenges or other economic factors may prevent the Company, and its suppliers and vendors, from successfully hiring and retaining qualified personnel. The failure to attract, retain and motivate qualified personnel or the lack of effective organizational leadership, management or appropriate team capabilities may hinder the Company's ability to execute its business strategy and growth initiatives and may adversely impact the Company's sales, profitability, cash flows, and financial condition. Certain portions of the Company's workforce, in particular its home delivery, logistics, manufacturing, warehouse, and retail, may seek to unionize or engage in unionization activities. Such activities may cause distraction from the Company's core business, reduce the Company's ability to manufacture, sell, or deliver its products, increase the Company's costs, reduce efficiency, and adversely impact the Company's sales, profitability, cash flows, and financial condition.

Supply Chain3 | 10.0%

Supply Chain - Risk 1

Changed

The Company has been, and could continue to be, vulnerable to shortages in supply of components necessary to manufacture its products due to its manufacturing processes which operate with minimal levels of inventory or due to global shortages of supply of electronic componentry or other materials, which, in turn, has and may continue to harm its ability to satisfy consumer demand and adversely impact the Company's sales and profitability.

A significant percentage of the Company's products are assembled after it receives orders from customers utilizing manufacturing processes with minimal levels of raw materials, work-in-process and finished goods inventories. Lead times for ordered components may vary significantly, and some components used to manufacture its products are provided on a sole source basis. The Company's ongoing efforts to mitigate supply chain weaknesses may not be successful or may have unfavorable effects such as increased storage costs or excess supply. Shortage of materials caused by disruptions or unavailability of supply or an increase in the demand for some or all of its products, has harmed and could continue to harm the Company's ability to satisfy customer demand, delay deliveries of its products to customers, lead to customer cancellations and returns, delay the development and launch of new products, and increase its costs. In addition, the Company may carry some excess inventory of certain components for various products from time to time especially when the Company has faced component shortages or when the Company introduces new products that use different components, and if the Company is unable to use that excess inventory fully or timely, the Company may run the risk of obsolescence, which could result in write-downs of inventory and an adverse effect on gross margins. Any such impacts or delays could adversely affect the Company's sales, customer satisfaction, profitability, cash flows and financial condition.

Supply Chain - Risk 2

Changed

The Company relies upon several key suppliers and third parties that are, in some instances, the only source of supply or services currently used by the Company for particular materials, components, products, services, or consumer financing. A disruption in the supply or substantial increase in cost of any of these products or services has, and could continue to, harm the Company's sales, profitability, cash flows, availability of credit, and financial condition.

Sleep Number currently obtains all the materials and components used to produce its smart beds from outside sources including some that are located outside the United States. In several cases, including its air chambers, integrated non-adjustable foundations, adjustable foundations, various components for its Firmness Control and Smart Control systems, certain electronic componentry, certain foam formulations, as well as its fabrics and zippers, the Company obtains these materials, components and products from suppliers who serve as the only source of supply, or who supply the vast majority of the Company's needs of the particular material, component or product. While the Company believes that some of these materials, components and products, or suitable replacements, could be obtained from other sources in the event of a disruption or loss of supply, it has not been able to, and in the future may not be able to, find alternative sources of supply or alternative sources of supply on comparable terms, quantities and timelines. If the Company's relationship with these suppliers or the suppliers' services are disrupted, terminated or otherwise negatively impacted, the Company could have difficulty in replacing these sources since there are relatively few other suppliers presently capable of manufacturing these components and products. Constraints on the ability of certain of its suppliers to timely meet commitments, including in an environment of increased demand for consumer products and labor challenges, has, and may continue to, adversely impact the Company's ability to meet its product demand, result in additional costs, or otherwise adversely impact the Company's business, operations and financial results. The Company also relies on several suppliers for information technology systems and services as well as on Synchrony Financial for the majority of its consumer financing services. If the Company's relationship with these suppliers or the suppliers' services are disrupted, terminated or otherwise negatively impacted, the Company could have difficulty in replacing these services in a timely and cost-effective manner, adversely impacting the Company's sales, profitability, cash flows, availability of credit, and financial condition. In addition, third parties on which the Company relies may, for various reasons have demanded or required or may demand or require changes to their payment terms and frequency, credit limits and exposures, or other contractual terms with the Company. If the Company is unable to accommodate or otherwise resolve such demands or changes, the Company's supply of goods, products and services from these third parties could be disrupted, terminated or otherwise negatively impacted and the Company may not be able to or could have difficulty in replacing the supply of such goods, products and services in a timely and cost-effective manner, adversely impacting the Company's sales, profitability, cash flows, availability of credit, and financial condition.

Supply Chain - Risk 3

The Company's business is subject to risks inherent in global sourcing activities.

Sleep Number's air chambers, certain electronic components, and some of its other components are manufactured outside the United States, and therefore are subject to risks associated with foreign sourcing of materials, including but not limited to: - Existing or potential duties, tariffs or quotas on certain types of goods that may be imported into the United States;- Foreign regulations that may impact availability or cost of supply;- Political instability, unrest, geopolitical turmoil, acts of terrorism, global conflicts (such as any conflict that may arise between China and Taiwan) or war (such as the war between Russia and Ukraine and the war between Israel and Hamas), outbreaks of pandemics or contagious diseases, shipping delays, foreign or domestic strikes, customs inspections, or other factors resulting in disruption in supply, transportation, trade, labor, or the availability of global contractors utilized in the Company's business operations;- Foreign currency fluctuations;- Economic uncertainties, including inflation; and - Adverse weather conditions, climate change or other natural or man-made disasters. The Company cannot predict whether the countries in which some of its components are manufactured, or may be manufactured in the future, or where the Company contracts for labor will be subject to new or additional trade restrictions imposed by the United States or other foreign governments, including the likelihood, type, or effect of any such restrictions. The United States government has implemented certain trade policies, including imposing tariffs on certain goods imported from China and other countries and imposing sanctions against Russia as a result of the war in Ukraine, and may take further actions with respect to these policies in the future. Additionally, although the Company does not have operations in Russia, Belarus, or Ukraine and has not been directly impacted by the war in Ukraine, some of the Company's third-party suppliers have disclosed that they may source, directly or indirectly, a portion of their supply chain requirements of gold, tantalum, tin, and tungsten (collectively the "3TGs"), as well as birch plywood from Russia. Similarly, some of the Company's third-party suppliers have disclosed that they may source, directly or indirectly, a portion of their supply chain requirements of 3TGs or fabrics from China, which materials have generally been under scrutiny for potential ties to Uyghur forced labor camps. These factors have, and could continue to, increase the costs of doing business with foreign suppliers, lead to inadequate inventory levels or delays in shipping products to customers, or the need to find new sources for certain materials on short notice, which could harm the Company's sales, customer satisfaction, profitability, cash flows and financial condition. The locations where Sleep Number and its suppliers and global contractors operate have experienced, and may experience in the future, adverse regional events such as extreme weather conditions, climate change and other natural and man-made disasters, which could have a significant adverse effect on the Company, its ability to source necessary materials, components and products, and its ability to develop, launch, sell and deliver its products to customers. Climate change may increase the frequency and severity of adverse weather conditions and other natural disasters. All regions of the U.S. and warmer climates globally may be particularly impacted by extreme weather, such as hurricanes, natural disasters, droughts, wildfires and rising sea levels. These events have disrupted, and may continue to, disrupt the Company's operations and ability to source components and products.

Costs3 | 10.0%

Costs - Risk 1

A reduction in the availability of, or increase in the cost of, credit to consumers generally or under the Company's existing consumer credit programs has negatively impacted, and could continue to negatively impact, the Company's sales, profitability, cash flows and financial condition.

A significant percentage of the Company's sales are made under consumer credit programs through third parties. The amount and cost of credit available to consumers may be adversely impacted by macroeconomic factors, including general economic conditions, consumer confidence and sentiment, consumer disposable income, the housing market, employment, fuel prices, income and debt levels, interest rates, inflation, taxation, political conditions and election uncertainty, inclement weather, natural disasters, recession and fears of recession, civil unrest and disturbances, terrorist activities, war and fears of war, including the war between Russia and Ukraine and the war between Israel and Hamas, as well as consumer perceptions of personal wellbeing and security, health epidemics or pandemics, which could cause suppliers of credit to adjust their lending criteria and costs. These macroeconomic factors have, and may continue to, adversely impact the cost of credit which, in turn, has and may continue to negatively impact the Company's sales, profitability, cash flows and financial condition. Synchrony Bank provides credit to the Company's customers through a private label credit card agreement that is currently scheduled to expire on December 31, 2028, subject to earlier termination upon certain events. Synchrony Bank has discretion to control the content of financing offers to the Company's customers and to set minimum credit standards under which credit is extended to customers. Reduction of credit availability due to changing economic conditions, including rising inflation, increased interest rates, changes in credit standards under the Company's private label credit card program or changes in regulatory requirements, or the termination of its agreement with Synchrony Bank, could harm the Company's sales, profitability, cash flows and financial condition.

Costs - Risk 2

Added

The Company may not be successful in achieving the expected cost savings, efficiencies, and other benefits related to its business restructuring actions and such actions could have unexpected adverse effects on the Company.

The Company's strategy includes identifying and executing cost savings and operating efficiencies to increase financial resilience by expanding profit margins and cash flows to pay down debt as part of its operating transformation to a more durable business model. The Company may not be successful in fully implementing its cost savings plans or realizing anticipated savings and efficiencies, including potentially as a result of factors outside the Company's control. A failure or delay in implementing or realizing the anticipated savings and efficiencies of its cost savings plans and related strategic initiatives could materially and adversely impact the Company's business, results, profitability, cash flows, availability of credit, and financial condition. Charges and costs incurred in connection with implementing the cost savings plan and business restructuring actions may be significant and have and may continue to be higher than expected. In addition, implementing the cost savings plans could unexpectedly and negatively impact the Company's workforce, partnerships, initiatives, innovation, and development plans or otherwise interfere with the Company's ability to grow and compete effectively, each of which could adversely impact the Company's business, results, profitability, cash flows, availability of credit, and financial condition.

Costs - Risk 3

Changed

Fluctuations in commodity prices or availability or third-party delivery or logistics costs has resulted, and could continue to result, in an increase in component costs and/or delivery costs.

The Company's business is subject to significant increases or volatility in the prices of certain commodities, including but not limited to electronic componentry, fuel, oil, natural gas, rubber, cotton, plastic resin, corrugate, steel and chemical ingredients used to produce foam, as well as third-party logistic costs. Increases in prices of these commodities or logistics costs or other inflationary pressures have resulted, and may continue to result, in significant cost increases for the Company's raw materials and product components, as well as increases in the cost of delivering its products to customers. The Company has been, and may continue to be, unable to offset any such increased costs through value engineering and similar initiatives, or through price increases, and, as a result, the Company's profitability, cash flows and financial condition have been, and may continue to be adversely impacted. Price increases to offset the increased costs, have, and may continue to, adversely impact the Company's sales volumes. The Company relies on third parties to deliver some of its products to its facilities and customers on a timely and cost-effective basis. These third-party providers could be vulnerable to labor challenges, liquidity concerns, the impacts of global health conditions, or other factors that may result in disruption, delays in deliveries or increased costs of deliveries. Any significant delay in deliveries to its customers could lead to increased cancellations or returns and cause the Company to lose sales or incur increased costs. Delays in deliveries and increases in freight charges or other costs of deliveries has and could continue to harm the Company's sales, profitability, cash flows and financial condition.

Legal & Regulatory

Total Risks: 7/30 (23%)Above Sector Average

Regulation3 | 10.0%

Regulation - Risk 1

Added

Our business could be negatively affected as a result of the actions of activists.

The Company could be negatively affected as a result of shareholder activism, which could cause the Company to incur significant expense, hinder execution of its business strategy, and impact the trading value of its securities. In the past, the Company has been the subject of shareholder activism, and it is subject to the risks associated with any ongoing or future such activism. Shareholder activism, including potential proxy contests, requires significant time and attention by management and the Board, potentially interfering with the Company's ability to execute its strategic plan. The Company may be required to incur significant legal fees and other expenses related to activist shareholder matters, and the attention of management may be diverted by such activism. While the Company welcomes shareholders' constructive input, there can be no assurance that shareholder actions would not result in negative impacts to the Company. Any of these impacts could materially and adversely affect the Company's business and operating results, and the Company's stock price has experienced fluctuation and could continue to experience fluctuation or otherwise be adversely affected by shareholder activism.

Regulation - Risk 2

The Company's business is subject to a wide variety of government laws and regulations. These laws and regulations, as well as any new or changed laws or regulations, could disrupt the Company's operations or increase its compliance costs. Failure to comply with such laws and regulations could have further adverse impacts on the Company's operations.

The Company is subject to a wide variety of laws and regulations relating to the bedding industry or to various aspects of its business. Laws and regulations at the federal, state and local levels frequently change and the Company cannot always reasonably predict the impact from, or the ultimate cost of compliance with, future regulatory or administrative changes. Changes in law, the imposition of new or additional regulations or the enactment of any new or more stringent legislation that impacts employment and labor, trade, advertising claims, marketing practices, pricing, consumer credit offerings, "do not call/mail" requirements, text messaging requirements, product testing and safety, health and wellness product requirements, use of artificial intelligence, transportation and logistics, health care, tax, accounting, privacy and data security, health and safety or environmental issues, warranty disclosures, delivery timing requirements, accessibility requirements, among others, could require the Company to change the way it does business and could have a material adverse impact on the Company's sales, profitability, cash flows and financial condition. New or different laws or regulations could increase direct compliance costs for the Company or may cause its vendors to raise the prices they charge the Company because of increased compliance costs. Further, the adoption of a multi-layered regulatory approach to any one of the state or federal laws or regulations to which the Company is currently subject, particularly where the layers are in conflict, could require alteration of its manufacturing processes or operational parameters which may adversely impact the Company's business. Legislative or regulatory changes that impact the Company's relationship with its workforce, such as minimum wage requirements or health insurance or other employee benefits mandates, could increase the Company's expenses and adversely affect its operations. While it is Sleep Number's policy and practice to comply with legal and regulatory requirements and its procedures and internal controls are designed to promote such compliance, the Company cannot assure that all of its operations will comply with all such legal and regulatory requirements. Further, laws and regulations change over time and the Company may be required to incur significant expenses and/or to modify its operations in order to ensure compliance. This could harm the Company's profitability or financial condition. If Sleep Number is found to be in violation of any laws or regulations, it could become subject to fines, penalties, damages or other sanctions as well as potential adverse publicity or litigation exposure. This could adversely impact the Company's business, reputation, sales, profitability, cash flows or financial condition.

Regulation - Risk 3

The Company's ability to commercialize new products and innovations may be delayed or prevented by regulatory requirements.

As the Company works to develop innovations with enhanced health capabilities, including possible capabilities of providing advanced monitoring and health risk evaluations, depending on the features that ultimately become commercially available, some features may require regulatory requirements or approvals beyond those that apply to Sleep Number's current products or features. These additional regulatory requirements or approvals may be prohibitively expensive or otherwise delay or prevent certain features, innovations, or product from being commercialized.

Litigation & Legal Liabilities1 | 3.3%

Litigation & Legal Liabilities - Risk 1

Pending or unforeseen litigation and the potential for adverse publicity associated with litigation could adversely impact the Company's business, reputation, financial results or financial condition.

The Company is involved from time to time in various legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of its business, including primarily commercial, product liability, employment and intellectual property claims. The Company currently does not expect the outcome of any pending matters to have a material effect on the Company's consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows. Litigation, however, is inherently unpredictable, and it is possible that the ultimate outcome of one or more pending claims asserted against the Company, or claims that may be asserted in the future that the Company is currently not aware of, or adverse publicity resulting from any such litigation, could adversely impact the Company's business, reputation, sales, profitability, cash flows and financial condition.

Environmental / Social3 | 10.0%

Environmental / Social - Risk 1

The Company's priorities and progress with respect to Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) matters may expose it to numerous risks, including risks to its reputation and stock price, and may impose additional costs on the Company.

There has been an increased focus on the Company's ESG practices within the general markets. Investor advocacy groups, investment funds and influential investors are also increasingly focused on these practices, especially as they relate to the environment, climate change, health and safety, supply chain management, diversity, equity and inclusion, labor conditions and human rights, both in their own operations and in the Company's operations and supply chain. Sleep Number current ESG priorities reflect the Company's strategic plans and aspirations and are not guarantees that it will be able to achieve them. The Company's efforts to accomplish and accurately report its progress present numerous operational, reputational, financial, legal, and other risks, any of which could have a material adverse impact, including on the Company's reputation, stock price, and results of operation. Sleep Number could also incur additional costs and require additional resources to implement various projects that impact the progress made against its priorities and hurt its ability to monitor and track its performance with respect to such priorities. The standards for tracking and reporting on ESG matters are relatively new, have not been formalized and continue to evolve. Collecting, measuring, and reporting ESG information and metrics can be difficult and time consuming. While Sleep Number has taken steps to evolve its priorities and related disclosures, including through implementing enhanced data collection methods and reporting certain data under recognized reporting frameworks and standards, the Company's practices may not meet the standards of all of its stakeholders and advocacy groups may campaign for further changes. Additionally, the Company's selected disclosure framework or standards may need to be changed from time to time, which may result in a lack of consistent or meaningful comparative data from period to period. Further, the Company's interpretation of reporting frameworks or standards may differ from those of others and such frameworks or standards may change over time, any of which could result in significant revisions to the Company's ESG priorities or reported progress. The Company's ability to achieve any ESG-related objective is subject to numerous risks, many of which are outside of its control, including: the availability and cost of low-or non-carbon-based energy sources and technologies, evolving regulatory requirements affecting relevant standards or disclosures, the availability of vendors and suppliers that can meet its sustainability, diversity and other standards, and the availability of raw materials that meet and further the Company's sustainability objectives. If its ESG practices do not meet evolving standards or the Company cannot make progress on its priorities, then the Company's reputation, its ability to attract or retain employees and its competitiveness, including as an investment and business partner, could be negatively impacted. Furthermore, if Sleep Number's competitors' ESG performance is perceived to be better than the Company's, potential or current customers and investors may elect to do business with its competitors instead, and the Company's ability to attract or retain employees could be negatively impacted. The Company's failure, or perceived failure, to pursue or fulfill its priorities and objectives or to satisfy various reporting standards within the timelines the Company announces, or at all, could also expose the Company to government enforcement actions and private litigation.

Environmental / Social - Risk 2

Climate change and legal or regulatory responses may adversely affect the Company's business, operations and financial condition.

Climate change presents various near and long-term risks that may adversely impact the Company's business. The enactment of new laws and regulations to address or limit the effects of climate change, or changes to existing laws and regulations, could mandate more restrictive standards or require such changes on a more accelerated time frame. The consequences of climate change and the ensuing governmental regulations could disrupt the Company's operations or harm its ability to source necessary materials and components and manufacture its products, which may adversely affect the Company's financial condition. If public perception of Sleep Number's compliance with laws and regulations related to climate change is negative, it could adversely affect the Company's business, reputation and shareholder perception. Adverse publicity or climate-related litigation that impacts the Company could also have a negative impact on its business. Extreme weather, natural disasters, power outages, or other unexpected climate-related events could result in physical damage to and complete or partial closure of one or more of the Company's manufacturing, distribution centers or other facilities or those of its suppliers, temporary or long-term disruption in its supply chain or logistics, disruption of or harm to the Company's workforce and/or disruption of its ability to deliver products to customers. Current or future insurance arrangements may not provide protection for costs that may arise from such events, particularly if such events are catastrophic in nature or if multiple such events occur. Climate change may also subject the Company's business to significant increases or volatility in the prices of certain commodities, including but not limited to electronic componentry, fuel, oil, natural gas, rubber, cotton, plastic resin, corrugate, plywood, steel and chemical ingredients used to produce foam, as well as third-party logistic costs. Further, the long-term effects of climate change on general economic conditions and the Company's industry in particular are unclear, and changes in the supply, demand, or available sources of energy and the regulatory and other costs associated with energy production and delivery may affect the availability or cost of goods and services, including natural resources, necessary to run its business. Any long-term disruption in the Company's ability to service its customers from one or more manufacturing, distribution centers or other facilities could have an adverse effect on the Company's operations.

Environmental / Social - Risk 3

Changed

New climate disclosure rules passed by California, as well as those proposed by the SEC, will increase the Company's compliance costs and may subject the Company to litigation or other risks, which would materially and adversely affect its future results of operations and financial condition.

During fiscal 2022, the SEC proposed new climate disclosure rules, which if adopted, would require new climate-related disclosures in SEC filings, including certain climate-related metrics and greenhouse gas emissions data, information about climate-related targets and goals, transition plans, if any, and extensive attestation requirements. During fiscal 2023, California passed new climate disclosure rules similar to those proposed by the SEC and that currently would require the Company to begin reporting on such climate-related data for its fiscal year 2025. In addition to requiring filers to quantify and disclose direct emissions data, the new California rules and the proposed SEC rules also would require disclosure of climate impact arising from the operations and uses by the filer's business partners and contractors and end-users of the filer's products and/or services. The Company is currently assessing the impact of the new California rules as well as the proposed SEC rules, but at this time, it cannot predict the costs of implementation or any specific potential adverse impacts resulting from the new rules. However, Sleep Number will incur increased costs relating to the collection, review and assurance for new required disclosures of climate metrics and climate-related risks and may experience increased litigation, regulatory, business, reputation, or other risks related to disclosures made pursuant to the new rules. Either the increased cost to comply with the new rules or the potential for increased litigation and other risks could materially and adversely affect the Company's future results of operations and financial condition.

Finance & Corporate

Total Risks: 5/30 (17%)Below Sector Average

Share Price & Shareholder Rights4 | 13.3%

Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 1

Added

The Company's stock price has and may continue to fluctuate and the Company's financial results, removal from various stock indices and other factors have and may continue to adversely affect the Company's stock price.

The Company's stock price has and may continue to fluctuate significantly in response to numerous factors such as: the overall performance of the equity markets and the economy as a whole; the Company's' financial and operating performance, which may fluctuate due to the risk factors set forth herein; changes in the financial projections the Company or third parties may provide to the public or the Company's failure to meet these projections; actual or anticipated changes in its growth rate relative to that of its competitors; inclusion or removal from various stock indices; significant stock trades by large shareholders; failure of securities analysts to maintain coverage of the Company; changes in financial estimates by securities analysts who follow the Company or its failure to meet these estimates or the expectations of investors; sales of share of the Company's common stock by Sleep Number or its shareholders particularly sales by its directors, executive officers and significant shareholders or the perception that these sales could occur. Although our common shares are quoted on the Nasdaq Stock Market, the volume of trades on any given day may be limited and, as a result, shareholders might not be able to sell or purchase our common shares at the volume, price or time desired. On November 28, 2023, S&P Global announced that the Company's common shares would be removed from the S&P SmallCap 600 index effective December 4, 2023. This removal and any other removal from various stock indices has and may continue to cause index funds, institutional investors, or other shareholders attempting to track the composition of that index to sell the Company's common stock, adversely affecting the stock price.

Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 2

Added

If securities analysts do not publish, or cease publishing, research or reports about the Company, the Company's business, or if they change their recommendations regarding the Company's stock adversely, the price of the Company's common stock and trading volume could decline.

The trading market for the Company's common stock could be influenced by any research and reports that securities or industry analysts publish about the Company, the Company's business or the Company's market. If one or more of the analysts who covers the Company downgrades the Company's common stock or publishes inaccurate or unfavorable research about the Company, the Company's business or the Company's market, the price of the Company's common stock would likely decline. If one or more of these analysts ceases coverage of the Company or fails to publish reports on the Company regularly, demand for the Company's common stock could decrease, which could cause the price of the Company's common stock and trading volume to decline.

Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 3

Changed

A substantial amount of the Company's stock is held by a small number of large investors and significant sales of its common stock by one or more of these holders could adversely affect the Company's stock price.

As of December 31, 2023, the Company's 25 largest holders of common stock were investors who held approximately 66% of the outstanding shares of common stock in the aggregate. These investors have sold and may sell some or all of their shares at any time for a variety of reasons, and such sales could depress the market price of the Company's common stock, which could adversely affect the Company's stock price. In addition, any such sales of the Company's common stock by these entities could also impair its ability to raise capital through the sale of additional equity securities.

Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 4

The timing and amount of the Company's share repurchases is subject to a number of uncertainties.

While the Company currently has no plans to resume share repurchases, the Company's Board has authorized management to repurchase up to $600 million worth of shares. As of December 30, 2023, the remaining authorization under that program was $348 million. The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (the Act) imposed a non-deductible 1% excise tax on net repurchases of shares, with some exceptions. The excise tax was imposed on transactions occurring after December 31, 2022. The imposition of the excise tax increased the cost to the Company of making repurchases and may cause it to reduce the number of shares repurchased when or if the Company were to resume share repurchases. Other factors that may influence the Company's decision to utilize, limit, suspend or delay future share repurchases include market conditions, the trading price of its common stock, the nature and magnitude of other investment opportunities available to the Company from time to time, and the amount of available cash.

Debt & Financing1 | 3.3%

Debt & Financing - Risk 1

Increases in interest rates has increased and may continue to increase the cost of servicing the Company's indebtedness and have an adverse effect on its results of operations, cash flows and stock price.

The Company's credit facility currently bears interest at a variable rate based on its leverage ratio. The Company bears the risk that the rates charged by the Company's lenders will outpace expectations and the earnings and cash flow of its business. This has reduced the Company's profitability and has potential to continue to reduce profitability in addition to the potential to adversely affect the Company's ability to service its debt, or cause the Company to breach covenants or other terms contained in its Credit Agreement, which could materially adversely affect the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations. In 2023, the average interest rate with respect to the Company's credit facility significantly increased year-over-year, which has and continues to adversely affect the Company's profitability, operations and reported earnings-per-share.

Tech & Innovation

Total Risks: 4/30 (13%)Above Sector Average

Innovation / R&D1 | 3.3%

Innovation / R&D - Risk 1

The Company's future growth and profitability depend in part on its ability to continue to improve and expand its product line and to successfully execute new product introductions.

As described in greater detail below, the bedding industry, as well as the market for sleep monitoring products, are both highly competitive, and the Company's ability to compete effectively and to profitably grow its market share depend in part on its ability to continue to improve and expand the Company's product line of adjustable firmness air beds, SleepIQ technology and related accessory products. The Company incurs significant research and development and other expenditures in the pursuit of improvements and additions to its product line and is re-prioritizing research and development resources in this highly constrained environment. If these efforts do not result in meaningful product improvements or new product introductions, if the Company is not able to gain widespread consumer acceptance of product improvements or new product introductions, or there are delays or production limitations with respect to its product improvements or new product introductions, the Company's sales, profitability, cash flows and financial condition may be adversely affected. If the Company offers products or services in other countries, the Company's business may be exposed to additional risks, such as additional and varied legal/regulatory requirements, complexity and cost to maintain operations in multiple countries, adapting and localizing products for enhanced market acceptance, ability to enforce intellectual property rights, tariffs and non-tariff barriers, fluctuation in and barriers to currency exchange, and political or social unrest, and economic instability. In addition, if any significant product improvements or new product introductions are not successful, delayed, or constrained the Company's reputation and brand image may be adversely affected.

Trade Secrets1 | 3.3%

Trade Secrets - Risk 1

The Company's intellectual property rights may not prevent others from using its technology or trademarks in connection with the sale of competitive products. The Company is from time to time subject to claims that its products, processes or trademarks infringe intellectual property rights of others.

The Company owns various U.S. and foreign patents and patent applications related to certain elements of the design and function of the Company's beds, biosignal monitoring and related products. The Company owns numerous registered and unregistered trademarks and trademark applications, including in particular the Sleep Number, Climate360 and SleepIQ trademarks, as well as other intellectual property rights, including trade secrets, trade dress and copyrights, which it believes has significant value and is important to the development, function, and marketing of its products. These intellectual property rights may not provide adequate protection against infringement or piracy, may not prevent competitors from developing and marketing products that are similar to or competitive with Sleep Number beds, biosignal monitoring or other products, and may be costly and time-consuming to protect and enforce. The Company's patents are also subject to varying expiration dates. In addition, the laws of some foreign countries may not protect its intellectual property rights and confidential information to the same extent as the laws of the United States. If the Company is unable to protect and enforce its intellectual property, the Company may be unable to prevent other companies from using the Company's technology or trademarks in connection with competitive products, which could adversely affect the Company's sales, profitability, cash flows and financial condition. The Company is from time to time subject to claims that its products, processes, advertising, or trademarks infringe the intellectual property rights of others. The defense of these claims, even if ultimately successful, may result in costly litigation, and if the Company is not successful in its defense, it could be subject to injunctions and liability for damages or royalty obligations, and the Company's sales, profitability, cash flows and financial condition could be adversely affected.

Cyber Security1 | 3.3%

Cyber Security - Risk 1

Information systems that contain confidential Company data, consumers' personal information, and team members' personal information may be subject to attacks by hackers or other cyber threats that could compromise the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the data, which could substantially disrupt the Company's business and could result in a breach of the data.

The Company's information systems and information systems of third-party vendors it uses to assist in the storage and management of information, including on-premise and cloud-based systems, contain personal, financial, and SleepIQ data and information related to its customers and team members collected and maintained in the ordinary course of its business. These information systems also contain confidential Company data regarding its business and innovations. The Company's use and dependence on its information systems has increased with amplified remote working and has required additional data storage in cloud-based systems. While the Company maintains, and requires the Company's third-party vendors to maintain, security measures to protect this information, a breach of these security measures, such as through third-party action and attacks, team member error, access to its data and systems, malfeasance or otherwise, could compromise the security of the Company's data and customers' and team members' personal information. Like many other businesses, Sleep Number has and will likely continue to experience cyber-based attacks and incidents from time to time. As the techniques used to breach security measures change frequently and may not be recognized until launched against a target, the Company may be unable to anticipate these techniques or to implement adequate preventive measures. In addition, the Company or its third-party vendors may not be successful in timely identifying or remediating cyber-based attacks and incidents. Any failure of the Company's systems and processes or its third-party vendors' systems and processes to adequately protect its data or customer or team member personal information from exposure, theft or loss could adversely impact the Company's business, reputation, sales, profitability, cash flows and financial condition.

Technology1 | 3.3%

Technology - Risk 1

Changed

Any maintenance, improvements or upgrades to information systems and services that may be required to meet the ongoing and evolving needs of the Company's business and cybersecurity needs as well as existing and emerging regulatory requirements may be costly to implement, may take longer or require greater resources than anticipated and may result in disruptions to its systems or business.

The Company depends on its information systems and services for many aspects of its business including those provided by suppliers and third parties. Sleep Number has and may continue to have disruptions or outages to these information systems and services that negatively impact its business and systems. If the Company's information systems and services are disrupted in any material way, or maintenance, improvements or upgrades are required to meet the ongoing or evolving needs of its business, cybersecurity needs, and existing and emerging regulatory requirements, then the Company may be required to incur significant capital expenditures in the pursuit of continuity, improvements or upgrades to its information systems and services. These efforts may take longer and may require greater financial and other resources than anticipated, may cause distraction of key personnel, and may cause short-term disruptions, fines, security vulnerabilities to, or otherwise negatively impact the Company's existing systems and business. Any of these outcomes could impair the Company's ability to achieve critical strategic initiatives and could adversely impact the Company's sales, profitability, cash flows and financial condition. New SEC rules related to cybersecurity risk management may further increase the Company's regulatory burden and the cost of compliance in such events.

Ability to Sell

Total Risks: 4/30 (13%)Below Sector Average

Competition2 | 6.7%

Competition - Risk 1

Added

Advancements in and adoption of artificial intelligence technologies may increase cost and risks associated with competition, regulatory requirements, and cybersecurity threats.

Rapidly evolving technological and regulatory developments related to artificial intelligence and related technologies may increase competitive, legal, and security risks facing the Company. To effectively compete, the Company may need to increase investments to innovate new capabilities and features based on artificial intelligence as well as to develop appropriate protections, safeguards, and policies for handling the processing of data. In addition, the regulatory and legal landscape regarding artificial intelligence is rapidly evolving and the Company may be challenged to timely comply in a cost-effective manner. Any actual or perceived failure to comply with evolving regulatory frameworks regarding, or the introduction of potential or actual bias through, the development and use of artificial intelligence could adversely affect the Company's business operations, reputation, customer satisfaction, profitability, cash flows, and financial condition. In addition, new artificial intelligence technologies may increase the risk of internal or external data loss, misappropriation of intellectual property, and enable cyber-attackers to create increasingly effective and powerful methods of cyber-attack, including, for example, the development of malicious code, denial-of-service attacks, use of quantum computing, sophisticated phishing attempts, and other attacks. The Company may not be able to sufficiently identify, withstand, and remediate such attacks, which may cause disruption to business operations and harm the Company's sales, customer satisfaction, profitability, cash flows and financial condition.

Competition - Risk 2

Significant competition could adversely affect the Company's business.

Because of the vertical integration of the Company's business model, its products and distribution face significant competition from both manufacturers of different types of mattresses and a variety of retailers. The Company's SleepIQ technology also faces significant competition from various manufacturers and retailers of sleep tracking and monitoring products. The mattress industry is characterized by a high degree of concentration among the largest manufacturers of innerspring mattresses and foam mattresses and one dominant national mattress retailer, including further consolidation pending a publicly announced merger or other business combination of one such mattress manufacturer and a national mattress retailer set to close in the second half of 2024. In recent years, numerous direct-to-consumer companies and low-cost importers have entered the market, offering "bed-in-a-box" or similar products primarily through online distribution directly to consumers though many now also partner with traditional mattress retailers. A variety of sleep tracking and monitoring products that compete with the Company's SleepIQ technology have been introduced by various manufacturers and retailers, both within and outside of the traditional mattress industry. A variety of mattress and base manufacturers have also come to market with copycat smart beds, some featuring a version of what they market as "adjustable firmness." This competition has and may continue to increase the costs of search terms and digital advertising and otherwise adversely affect the Company's business. Some of the Company's competitors have substantially greater financial, marketing and manufacturing resources and greater brand name recognition than the Company does and sell products through broader and more established distribution touchpoints. Proposed consolidation in the mattress industry will amplify this disparity. The Company's national, exclusive distribution competes with other retailers who generally provide a wider selection of mattress alternatives than the Company offers. A number of these retailers also have more points of distribution, greater marketing resources, and greater brand name recognition than the Company does. These manufacturing and retailing competitors, or a combination of these competitors, or new entrants into the market, may compete aggressively and gain market share with existing or new products, and may pursue or expand their presence in the adjustable firmness air bed segment of the market as well as in the market for sleep tracking and monitoring products. The Company has limited ability to anticipate the timing and scale of new product introductions, advertising campaigns or new pricing strategies by its competitors, which could inhibit its ability to retain or increase market share, or to maintain the Company's profit margins. If the Company is unable to effectively compete with other manufacturers and retailers of mattress and sleep tracking and monitoring products, the Company's sales, profitability, cash flows and financial condition may be adversely impacted.

Sales & Marketing2 | 6.7%

Sales & Marketing - Risk 1

The Company's future growth and profitability depend upon the effectiveness and efficiency of its marketing programs.

The Company is highly dependent on the effectiveness of its marketing messages and the efficiency of its advertising expenditures in generating consumer awareness, consideration and conversation leading to sales of its products. Sleep Number continues to evolve its marketing strategies, adjust its messages, and review the amount it spends on advertising and where it is spent. The Company may not always be successful in developing effective messages, as the consumer and competition change, or in achieving efficiency in its advertising expenditures. The Company relies in part upon third parties, such as social media influencers and athletes, to market its brand, and are unable to fully control their efforts. Influencers and athletes with whom the Company maintains a relationship could engage in behavior or use their platforms to communicate directly with Sleep Number's customers in a manner that reflects poorly on its brand, and these communications may be attributed to the Company or otherwise adversely affect the Company. It is not possible to prevent such behavior, and the precautions the Company takes to prevent or detect this activity may not be effective. Consumers are increasingly having digital experiences and interactions as a part of their shopping experience. As a result, the Company's future growth and profitability will depend in part on (i) the effectiveness and efficiency of the Company's online experience, including without limitation advertising and search marketing and optimization programs, in generating consumer awareness and sales of its products; (ii) the Company's ability to prevent confusion among consumers that can result from search engines that allow competitors to use its trademarks to direct consumers to competitors' websites through confusing or misleading advertisements; (iii) its ability to prevent Internet publication of false or misleading information regarding its products or the Company's competitors' products; (iv) reviews of Sleep Number's products; (v) the nature and tone of consumer sentiment, including those published online or elsewhere; and (vi) the stability of the Company's website. Competitor spending on digital marketing programs has and may continue to increase, including without limitation from a number of direct-to-consumer, digital and omnichannel retailers, which, in turn, has and may continue to increase the cost of the Company's digital marketing programs and online search terms. If the Company's marketing messages are ineffective or its advertising expenditures and other marketing programs, including digital programs, are inefficient in creating awareness and consideration of its products and brand name, and in driving consumer traffic to the Company's website, call centers, or stores, the Company's sales, profitability, cash flows, availability of credit, and financial condition may be adversely impacted. In addition, if the Company is not effective in preventing the publication of confusing, false or misleading information regarding its brand or its products, or if there is publication online or elsewhere of significant negative consumer sentiment regarding the Company, brand or products, sales, profitability, cash flows, availability of credit, and financial condition may be adversely impacted.

Sales & Marketing - Risk 2

The Company's future growth and profitability depend on its ability to execute its Total Retail distribution strategy.

The vast majority of the Company's sales occur through Total Retail, including its retail stores and website. Total Retail represents the Company's largest opportunity for growth in sales and improvement in profitability. The Company's retail stores carry significant fixed costs. Sleep Number also makes significant capital expenditures as it open new stores and remodel or reposition existing stores. The Company is highly dependent on its ability to maintain and increase sales per store to cover these fixed expenses, provide a return on its capital investments and improve the Company operating margins. As a part of the Company's cost savings plan and business restructuring actions, select stores have been closed and additional stores are expected to be closed. These closures may result in higher than expected costs, charges, lost sales, lower brand awareness, or otherwise negatively impact the Company's sales, profitability, cash flows, availability of credit, and financial condition. Some of the Company's stores are mall-based. The Company depends on the continued popularity of malls as shopping destinations and the ability of mall anchor tenants and other attractions to generate customer traffic for its mall-based retail stores. Any decrease in mall traffic, including due to increased online shopping, could adversely affect the Company's sales, profitability, cash flows, availability of credit, and financial condition. The Company's Total Retail distribution strategy results in relatively few points of distribution, including 672 retail stores in 50 U.S. states as of the end of 2023, Online, Phone and Chat. Several of the mattress manufacturers and retailers with which the Company competes have significantly more brick-and-mortar points of distribution than it does, which makes the Company highly dependent on its ability to drive consumers to its points of distribution to gain market share. The Company's longer-term Total Retail distribution strategy is also dependent on its ability to effectively select stores to close, renew existing store leases and to secure suitable locations for new store openings, in each case on a cost-effective basis. The Company may encounter higher than anticipated rents and other costs in connection with managing its retail store base. The Company may also be unable to find or obtain suitable new locations or renew existing locations.

Macro & Political

Total Risks: 1/30 (3%)Below Sector Average

Economy & Political Environment1 | 3.3%

Economy & Political Environment - Risk 1

Changed

Adverse changes in general economic conditions have reduced, and could continue to reduce discretionary consumer spending and, as a result, have adversely affected and could continue to adversely affect the Company's sales, profitability, cash flows, availability of credit, and financial condition.

The Company's success depends significantly upon discretionary consumer spending, which is influenced by a number of general economic factors, including without limitation economic growth, consumer confidence and sentiment, consumer disposable income, the housing market, employment, fuel prices, income and debt levels, interest rates, inflation, taxation, consumer shopping trends and the level of customer traffic in malls and shopping centers, political conditions and election uncertainty, inclement weather, natural disasters, recession and fears of recession, civil unrest and disturbances, terrorist activities, war and fears of war, including the war between Russia and Ukraine and the war between Israel and Hamas, as well as perceptions of personal wellbeing and security, health epidemics or pandemics. Adverse trends in these general economic factors and reduced consumer spending have and may continue to adversely affect the Company's sales, profitability, cash flows, financial condition, availability of credit, including with respect to the Company's current credit facility, its ability to service and pay down debt, and any potential new or replacement sources of credit, or cause the Company to breach covenants or other terms contained in its Credit Agreement, which could materially adversely affect the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations. During 2022 and 2023, high inflation due to various economic factors, adversely affected the Company's business operations and financial results by increasing the costs of fuel, shipping, raw materials, labor, commodity, and other costs and may continue to do so going forward. While the Company has historically been able to pass along some cost increases to its customers, it has not and may not be able to offset such higher costs through price increases or other means, and its margins, profitability, cash flows, availability of credit, and financial condition have been and could continue to be adversely impacted. The Federal Reserve significantly increased the federal funds rate in 2022 and 2023 and has not reduced the rate to date. Such rate increases, as well as decisions and timing on whether or not to reduce the rate, have and may continue to negatively affect customer purchasing behavior, which has and may continue to adversely affect the Company's sales, profitability, cash flows, credit availability, and financial condition. It is uncertain whether the Federal Reserve will hold, reduce, or increase the rate going forward and such uncertainty, as well as any Federal Reserve action or non-action with respect to the rate, has and may continue to negatively affect customer purchasing behavior, which has and may continue to adversely affect the Company's sales profitability, cash flows, credit availability, and financial condition. The United States debt ceiling and budget deficit concerns have increased the possibility of credit-rating downgrades, economic slowdowns, or a recession in the United States. There remain increased risks of a government shutdown or sovereign default if the spending bills necessary to fund the government through 2024 are not passed by Congress. Whether or not these concerns materialize, growing uncertainty may reduce consumer confidence and increase levels of unemployment, all of which may reduce demand for the Company's products, causing harm to its sales, profitability, cash flows, availability of credit, and financial condition. Additionally, instability or disruptions to credit markets or the financial services industry, including banks that fail or otherwise become distressed, could adversely affect the Company's, sales, operations, profitability, cash flows, availability of credit, and financial condition.

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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