Cash cost of the wait: management is funding a defined waiting period whose end is already scheduled
The model's full reasoning — Q1 2024 call → NOWe need to determine if management describes the company as currently living through a defined waiting period it is paying for out of its own pocket, with the end being a specific near-dated event. The transcript mentions several initiatives: PRESERVE study for NanoKnife, APEX PE study for AlphaVac, Auryon for small vessel DVT and CAD, CE Mark for Auryon, etc. But we need to see if management explicitly says they are currently paying costs for something not yet earning, and that the wait is the main current work, and the far side is a specific near-dated event. Let's examine the transcript. Jim Clemmer says: "we enrolled and treated our final patient in our PRESERVE study... We look forward to collecting data from this study at the 12-month follow-up stage, then submitting our data to the FDA in Q3 of calendar 2024 to support an expanded indication for NanoKnife to treat prostate tissue." That is a future event, but is the company currently paying for something? The study is done enrollment, but they are waiting for follow-up data. They are not necessarily paying for something now? They might be paying for the study costs, but that's not described as a burden. Also, they say "We believe that the timing of our submission is ideal." Not really a waiting period cost. For AlphaVac, they say "Our APEX PE study is now more than 75% enrolled. This study is designed to prove that the AlphaVac F18 can be a safe and effective interventional treatment tool... We look forward to completing enrollment soon and after the 30 day patient follow-up period, we'll collect and submit our data to the FDA. We expect the data to support a PE indication around the end of calendar Q2 2024." That is a specific near-dated event (end of calendar Q2 2024). But are they currently paying for something? They are funding the study, but is that described as a cost they are bearing? They mention R&D spending, but not specifically as a burden. Also, they say "We have been very pleased with the clinical feedback... They feel that our product will soon be an important part of the treatment options." That suggests they are investing in the study, but is it a "waiting period" where they are paying for something not yet earning? The AlphaVac is already on the market, they are selling it. So they are earning from it already.
| Ticker | Company | Call | Date | Call grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KOPN | Kopin Corporation | Q4 2023 | 2024-03-14 | C+ |
| LILA | Liberty Latin America Ltd. | Q4 2023 | 2024-02-23 | C |
| SBS | Companhia de Saneamento Básico do Estado | Q3 2023 | 2023-11-10 | C+ |
| QTRX | Quanterix Corporation | Q3 2023 | 2023-11-07 | B |
| APPS | Digital Turbine, Inc. | Q1 2024 | 2023-08-08 | D |
| PRPH | ProPhase Labs, Inc. | Q1 2023 | 2023-05-11 | F |
| CDE | Coeur Mining, Inc. | Q1 2023 | 2023-05-11 | C+ |
| SOL | ReneSola Ltd | Q3 2022 | 2022-12-01 | C+ |
| FLL | Full House Resorts, Inc. | Q3 2022 | 2022-11-07 | B |
| EHTH | eHealth, Inc. | Q2 2021 | 2021-07-29 | F |
| IRT | Independence Realty Trust, Inc. | Q2 2018 | 2018-08-02 | B |
| YUM | Yum! Brands, Inc. | Q2 2018 | 2018-08-02 | C |
| IBTX | Independent Bank Group, Inc. | Q3 2017 | 2017-10-24 | A |
| FLEX | Flex Ltd. | Q1 2018 | 2017-07-28 | F |
| DAN | Dana Incorporated | Q1 2017 | 2017-05-02 | B |
SBS · Q3 2023 → YESThe question is whether management describes the company as currently living through a defined waiting period it's paying for out of its own pocket. YES The transcript shows management describing the company as currently bearing real, ongoing cash costs (salaries, consulting, transition work) for the IDP/restructuring program whose benefits (full expense reduction, shared-services center operational) are not yet realized. The far side is a specific, near-dated event: full 3.7% staff reduction and shared-services center operational by mid-2024 (July 2024 for full benefit), with the program already in motion and on schedule. Management frames this as the main current work, not a setback, and treats the costs as self-funded. This meets all three conditions.
EHTH · Q2 2021 → YESThe question is whether management describes the company as currently living through a defined waiting period it is paying for out of its own pocket. YES The transcript shows management describing the company as currently living through a defined waiting period for the AEP, paying for it out of its own pocket through heavy investments in internal agents and quality initiatives. They hired agents early, many still in training with lower productivity, and are bearing the cost of additional training and customer service expansion in Q3. This is framed as a chosen investment to improve enrollment quality and prepare for the fourth-quarter AEP, not an apology or external issue.
YUM · Q2 2018 → YESThe question is whether management describes the company as currently living through a defined waiting period it is paying for out of its own pocket. YES The transcript shows management describing a clear, self-funded transition cost tied to the refranchising effort. They explicitly call out the “timing mismatch between G&A savings and refranchising” as one of the four items weighing on Q2 core operating profit, and they quantify the full-year headwind at 6 7 percentage points. This is presented as a real, ongoing drag on current results while they complete the shift to 98 % franchised by year-end 2018 and reach the 1.7 % G&A run-rate target in 2019.