Many taxpayers mistakenly believe an extension pauses IRS penalties and interest. Experts say that misunderstanding can quietly inflate tax bills by thousands.
IRVINE, CA / ACCESS Newswire / December 17, 2025 / As the annual tax deadline passes, millions of Americans who filed for an extension may be unaware that extra time to file does not mean extra time to pay. According to tax resolution specialists at Clear Start Tax, interest on unpaid balances continues to accrue from the original filing deadline – often catching taxpayers off guard months later when their balance is significantly higher than expected.
An IRS filing extension allows taxpayers to submit their return later in the year, typically by October, but it does not stop interest from accumulating on any unpaid taxes. In many cases, penalties may also apply, depending on how much was paid by the original deadline.
“Extensions are commonly misunderstood as a pause button,” said a spokesperson for Clear Start Tax. “In reality, the IRS starts charging interest immediately on unpaid taxes, even if you’ve done everything ‘right’ by requesting an extension.”
Clear Start Tax reports that taxpayers who underestimate their balance or delay payment often face compounding costs that can escalate quickly. Interest accrues daily, and even relatively modest balances can grow substantially over time.
“We regularly speak with people who are shocked when their tax bill increases by hundreds or even thousands of dollars,” the spokesperson said. “They assumed filing later meant paying later, and that’s simply not how the system works.”
The firm advises taxpayers who need more time to file to still submit an estimated payment by the April deadline whenever possible. Even partial payments can significantly reduce interest and penalties.
“The IRS doesn’t require perfection, but it does reward proactive effort,” the Clear Start Tax spokesperson added. “Paying something is almost always better than paying nothing.”
Tax professionals note that with enforcement efforts increasing, misunderstandings around extensions could lead to avoidable financial stress later in the year, especially for self-employed individuals, gig workers, and households with variable income.
By answering a few simple questions, taxpayers can find out if they’re eligible for the IRS Fresh Start Program and take the first step toward resolving their tax debt.
About Clear Start Tax Clear Start Tax is a national tax resolution firm that helps individuals and businesses navigate complex IRS matters, including back taxes, penalties, and collection actions. The company focuses on education-driven guidance and personalized strategies designed to help taxpayers regain financial stability and compliance.
Claims Would Strengthen Competitive Moat and Reinforce Market Leadership
Omnibus Application includes 167 Invention Claims Covering 5E’s End-to-End Borate Mining, Bolstering Long-term IP Protection
HESPERIA, CA / ACCESS Newswire / December 17, 2025 / 5E Advanced Materials, Inc. (“5E” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq:FEAM)(ASX:5EA), a U.S. development-stage company focused on becoming a vertically integrated global leader and supplier of refined borates and advanced boron derivative materials, has filed an omnibus application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for a proprietary, closed-loop in-situ leach (ISL) mining and production process that has lowered 5E’s operating costs, reduced its environmental footprint, and, if granted, will create meaningful barriers to competitors seeking to replicate the Company’s ISL technology. The patent application includes 167 claims covering 5E’s mining process and production for boric acid, gypsum, sodium chloride, as well as the management of metal impurities. Over the coming weeks, 5E intends to file several additional standalone applications. The patents would form a cornerstone of 5E’s intellectual property portfolio, covering key steps from injection to recovery, processing, and reinjection.
“With 5E filing the omnibus application, we are taking an important step to secure the intellectual property that underpins our differentiated ISL mining and processing platform that has led to our technical successes,” said Paul Weibel, Chief Executive Officer of 5E Advanced Materials. “5E performed ISL pilot operations in the 1980’s and has been mining consistently for nearly two years. Building on this experience, our team developed a closed-loop process designed to lower costs, improve sustainability, and enhance mining efficiency. This patent filing is intended to protect that know-how and support our long-term commercial and strategic objectives through the protections provided by the USPTO.”
ISL borate mining techniques at the Fort Cady Project trace back to pilot programs in the early 1980s with the discovery of mineral resources dating to 1964. Primary exploration work and land acquisition occurred over the next two decades. A series of ISL pilot programs occurred on three separate occasions from 1981 to 1982, 1986 to 1987, and 1987 to 1988. The major permitting initiative commenced in 1990 with the Record of Decision from the United States Bureau of Land Management and a Conditional Use Permit and Reclamation Plan from the California Department of Conservation and San Bernardino County obtained in 1994. This unique history, combined with permits from federal, state and local agencies, positions 5E with one of the most strategically advanced and de-risked ISL boron assets in the United States.
5E obtained its approval to commence mining from the United States Environmental Protection Agency in November 2023 and recommenced ISL mining in January 2024. Mining occurs via ISL technology and initially utilized four vertical injection-recovery wells where recovered leached solution is processed at 5E’s Small-Scale Facility (SSF). In July 2025, two vertical injection-recovery wells were converted to horizontal wells with downhole fiber optics to pilot ISL techniques and demonstrate baseline head grades, temperatures, impurity profiles, injection rates, and recovery rates. Mined solution is processed into boric acid and gypsum at the SSF where it has demonstrated meeting the highest commercial product specifications.
The novel processing technology produces boric acid, gypsum and calcium chloride via ISL technology while regenerating hydrochloric acid via aqueous chemistry, with the overall mining process being a closed loop where mining feedstock is regenerated and recycled. This closed-loop ISL approach is designed to minimize waste, reduce reagent consumption, lower water and energy use, and limit surface disturbance compared with conventional open-pit mining. These advantages are aligned with increasing demand from customers and end-markets for more sustainable mineral production.
By submitting for patent protection for its proprietary ISL process in the United States, 5E aims to underpin a secure, domestic source of boron, a U.S.-designated critical mineral used in defense, clean energy, and high-tech applications, at a time when supply chain resilience has become a strategic priority for both government and industry. The patent filings align with 5E’s strategy to advance toward scaled production and long-term offtake discussions.
About 5E Advanced Materials, Inc.
5E Advanced Materials, Inc. (Nasdaq:FEAM)(ASX:5EA) is focused on becoming a vertically integrated global leader and supplier of refined borates and advanced boron materials, complemented by calcium-based co-products, and potentially other by-products such as lithium carbonate. The Company’s mission is to become a supplier of these critical materials to industries addressing global decarbonization, energy independence, food, national security, and the defense sector. The Company believes factors such as government regulation and incentives focused on domestic manufacturing and supply chains and capital investments across industries will drive demand for end-use applications like solar and wind energy infrastructure, neodymium-ferro-boron magnets, defense applications, lithium-ion batteries, and other critical material applications. The business is based on the Company’s large domestic boron resource, which is located in Southern California and designated as Critical Infrastructure by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and with the U.S. Government’s 2025 Critical Minerals List following boron’s inclusion.
Forward Looking Statements
Statements in this press release may contain “forward-looking statements” that are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release may be identified by the use of words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “could,” “intend,” “target,” “project,” “contemplate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential” or “continue” or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions, and include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the success and enforceability of the Company’s patent applications and other intellectual property protections, development plans, production capabilities, commercialization strategy, offtake discussions, customer qualification processes and success thereof, market demand for boron and lithium, the potential applications of its products across energy, defense, and industrial markets, and ability to access and secure any government-based financing. Any forward-looking statements are based on 5E’s current expectations, forecasts, and assumptions and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially and adversely from those set forth in or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the timing, outcome, and enforceability of the Company’s patent applications and other intellectual property protections and statements regarding the Company’s development plans, production capabilities, commercialization strategy, offtake discussions, customer qualification processes, market demand for boron and lithium, and potential applications of its products across energy, defense, and industrial markets, and ability to access and secure any government-based financing. For a discussion of other risks and uncertainties, and other important factors, any of which could cause our actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see the section entitled “Risk Factors” in 5E’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and its other reports filed with the SEC. Forward-looking statements contained in this announcement are based on information available to 5E as of the date hereof and are made only as of the date of this release. 5E undertakes no obligation to update such information except as required under applicable law. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing 5E’s views as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release. In light of the foregoing, investors are urged not to rely on any forward-looking statement in reaching any conclusion or making any investment decision about any securities of 5E.
DENVER, COLORADO / ACCESS Newswire / December 17, 2025 / New guidance is available for Nebraskans seeking a career kickstart. The CE Shop’s new 96-hour Nebraska Salesperson Pre-Licensing Course helps aspiring real estate professionals meet state regulations by combining the required three 30-hour courses and one 6-hour course. The CE Shop offers a five-day free trial for career changers interested in becoming a real estate agent.
The value and impact of a thriving new career is amplified in Nebraska real estate, as the average salary for a Nebraska real estate agent is $135,246.* Nebraska real estate education from The CE Shop can be completed in less than two-and-a-half standard workweeks, so career seekers can quickly accelerate their path to success.
About The CE Shop The CE Shop is the leading provider of professional real estate education with online mortgage, real estate, home inspection, and appraisal courses available throughout the United States. The CE Shop produces quality education for professionals across the nation, whether they’re veterans in their industry or are looking to launch a new career. We believe that the right education can truly make a difference. Visit TheCEShop.com to learn more.
NEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / December 17, 2025 / The tools driving digital transformation have never lacked innovation. What they have lacked is a reliable connection to the physical world.
Digital ledgers can be immutable. Automated contracts can be precise. Digital assets can be programmable. None of it matters if the information entering the system cannot be verified at the source. That gap has quietly limited enterprise adoption, regulatory confidence, and real-world deployment for more than a decade.
This is where SMX (NASDAQ:SMX) changes the equation. To be clear, SMX is not a disruptor of digital ledger systems or a replacement for existing frameworks. Its intent is to become the MVP on the digital team by making an already transformative system even better.
Keep in mind that SMX is already a key sector player. It enables digital systems to finally do what they were designed to do: enforce transparency, accountability, and verification without relying on trust. All in the physical world.
That distinction matters as distributed technologies move beyond theory and into infrastructure. Here’s the gap SMX fills.
Why Digital Ledgers Have Struggled With the Real World
Distributed ledgers are highly effective at preserving information once it exists. They are far less effective at determining whether that information was accurate to begin with. This limitation has followed the technology since its earliest enterprise pilots.
Supply chains, sustainability reporting, and asset provenance still depend largely on declarations. Someone reports data, the system records it, and the record is preserved sounds great. The problem is that the information stored isn’t always accurate. Why? Middlement that can change things that were supposed to be immutable into something less formidable.
SMX addresses this problem at the point of origin. And doing so, remove the guesswork and replace it with a single thing: proof.
By embedding identity directly into physical materials, SMX ensures that what enters a digital ledger is not a claim but a verifiable fact. Identity persists through transformation, recycling, and reuse. The data layer becomes grounded in physical reality rather than interpretation.
This is not an enhancement to ledger architecture. It is a correction to the layer that those systems depend on most.
Turning Decentralized Design Into Physical Reality
The original promise of decentralized systems was trust minimization. Reduce intermediaries. Remove reliance on belief. Let systems enforce outcomes.
Extending that promise into the physical economy has proven difficult. Materials cross borders. They are blended, processed, and resold. Paper trails degrade. Audits lag behind reality. Verification becomes probabilistic.
Again, SMX removes that uncertainty at the source. Because when identity is embedded into materials themselves, verification becomes continuous rather than episodic.
Digital ledger systems can then record, settle, and enforce outcomes based on reliable inputs. In basic terms, trust is not minimized after the fact. It becomes unnecessary from the start.
This is how decentralized principles scale beyond digital-native assets.
The Plastic Cycle Token as an Incentive Mechanism
In discussions around digital infrastructure, incentive mechanisms often receive outsized attention. With SMX, the Plastic Cycle Token (PCT) serves a specific and practical function.
It represents verified circularity rather than aspirational sustainability. Its value is derived from proof, not promises. That makes it an incentive mechanism rather than a speculative instrument.
From a systems perspective, this structure is familiar. Platforms function best when incentives reward behavior that strengthens the ecosystem. In this case, the behavior is verified recovery, reuse, and accountability across physical supply chains.
The token does not replace digital ledger platforms. It gives them something meaningful to settle.
Why Enterprises and Regulators Pay Attention
Enterprise adoption of distributed ledger technology has always hinged on one question. Can regulators trust it?
SMX helps answer that question directly. With its platform, saying a resounding YES.
They are showing across the world that when physical inputs are verifiable at the molecular or material level, ledger records become auditable without reliance on self-reporting. Compliance becomes measurable. ESG reporting becomes defensible. Cross-border trade gains transparency instead of friction.
For regulators, this is not about ideology. It is about visibility. For enterprises, it is about reducing risk. Distributed systems shift from experimentation to infrastructure.
This is where SMX operates, at the intersection of incentives, compliance, and technology.
The Market Is Recognizing the Enablement Layer
Recent market attention to SMX reflects global market recognition, not day trader excitement. Markets tend to reward systems that enable other systems to function better. Infrastructure often outperforms applications over time because it compounds value elsewhere.
Here’s the best part. SMX does not ask existing ecosystems to change how they operate. It gives them better inputs. Better data. Better certainty.
Once that layer exists, value builds across platforms, applications, and settlement systems, finally giving them something solid to rely on.
The Next Phase Is Physical
The next phase of digital ledger adoption will not be driven by louder narratives or theoretical architectures. It will be driven by integration with the physical economy. Materials. Goods. Supply chains. Compliance.
SMX represents that shift. Not as a competitor to digital ledger systems, but as an enabler of their original purpose. To make truth verifiable. To make trust optional. To allow systems to enforce reality rather than interpret it.
SMX does exactly that. And by doing so, it strengthens the foundation on which modern digital infrastructure was always meant to operate.
About SMX
As global businesses face new and complex challenges relating to carbon neutrality and meeting new governmental and regional regulations and standards, SMX is able to offer players along the value chain access to its marking, tracking, measuring and digital platform technology to transition more successfully to a low-carbon economy.
Forward-Looking Statements
The information in this press release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future. In addition, any statements that refer to projections, forecasts or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking statements. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “contemplate,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “intends,” “may,” “will,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “would” and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements in this press release may include, for example: matters relating to the Company’s fight against abusive and possibly illegal trading tactics against the Company’s stock; successful launch and implementation of SMX’s joint projects with manufacturers and other supply chain participants of steel, rubber and other materials; changes in SMX’s strategy, future operations, financial position, estimated revenues and losses, projected costs, prospects and plans; SMX’s ability to develop and launch new products and services, including its planned Plastic Cycle Token; SMX’s ability to successfully and efficiently integrate future expansion plans and opportunities; SMX’s ability to grow its business in a cost-effective manner; SMX’s product development timeline and estimated research and development costs; the implementation, market acceptance and success of SMX’s business model; developments and projections relating to SMX’s competitors and industry; and SMX’s approach and goals with respect to technology. These forward-looking statements are based on information available as of the date of this press release, and current expectations, forecasts and assumptions, and involve a number of judgments, risks and uncertainties. Accordingly, forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing views as of any subsequent date, and no obligation is undertaken to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date they were made, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws. As a result of a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties, actual results or performance may be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Some factors that could cause actual results to differ include: the ability to maintain the listing of the Company’s shares on Nasdaq; changes in applicable laws or regulations; any lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on SMX’s business; the ability to implement business plans, forecasts, and other expectations, and identify and realize additional opportunities; the risk of downturns and the possibility of rapid change in the highly competitive industry in which SMX operates; the risk that SMX and its current and future collaborators are unable to successfully develop and commercialize SMX’s products or services, or experience significant delays in doing so; the risk that the Company may never achieve or sustain profitability; the risk that the Company will need to raise additional capital to execute its business plan, which may not be available on acceptable terms or at all; the risk that the Company experiences difficulties in managing its growth and expanding operations; the risk that third-party suppliers and manufacturers are not able to fully and timely meet their obligations; the risk that SMX is unable to secure or protect its intellectual property; the possibility that SMX may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors; and other risks and uncertainties described in SMX’s filings from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
RICHARDSON, TX / ACCESS Newswire / December 17, 2025 / Optex Systems Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq:OPXS), a leading manufacturer of precision optical sighting systems for domestic and worldwide military and commercial applications, announced financial results for the year ended September 28, 2025.
Danny Schoening, CEO of Optex Systems Holdings, Inc., commented, “It’s been an exciting year for Optex. A 21.6% increase in revenue drove strong results across both the income statement and balance sheet, while also reducing our net inventory position in line with our prior commitments. Significant contract wins, along with continued investment in equipment and personnel, have strengthened the company. As a result, our employees, customers, and shareholders are all well positioned for the future.”
Our total revenues increased by $7.3 million, or 21.6% in fiscal year 2025 compared to fiscal year 2024. The Optex Richardson segment realized a $5.6 million, or 30.8%, increase in revenue and the Applied Optics Center segment realized an increase of $1.8 million, or 11.1%, in revenue compared to the prior fiscal year. The increase in revenue at Optex Richardson was primarily driven by a 56% increase production throughput on our periscope line whereas the Applied Optics Center increase was driven by higher customer demand for military products, partially offset by lower customer demand in optical assemblies.
Gross profit increased by $2.5 million to $12.1 million in fiscal year 2025 as compared to $9.5 million in fiscal year 2024. Gross margin for the year ended September 28, 2025 was 29.2% of revenue as compared to a gross margin of 28.0% of revenue for the year ended September 29, 2024. The increased gross profit as compared to the prior year is primarily driven by higher revenue and product mix changes combined with improved manufacturing overhead rates as the fixed overhead costs are spread across a significantly higher revenue base.
For the year ended September 28, 2025, we recorded operating income of $7.1 million as compared to operating income of $4.8 million during the year ended September 29, 2024. The $2.3 million increase in operating income is primarily due to increased gross profit of $2.5 million, offset by an increase of $0.2 million in general and administrative spending.
During the year ended September 28, 2025, we recorded net income applicable to common shareholders of $5.1 million as compared to net income applicable to common shareholders of $3.8 million during the year ended September 29, 2024. The $1.3 million increase in net income is primarily attributable to increased operating income of $2.3 million, offset by ($0.8) million in asset impairment for our Speedtracker product line acquisition and increased federal income tax expense of $0.2 million.
Our key performance measures for year ended September 28, 2025 and September 29, 2024 are summarized below.
(Thousands)
Twelve months ended
Metric
Sept 28, 2025
Sept 29, 2024
% Change
Revenue
$
41,337
$
33,995
21.6
%
Gross Profit
$
12,057
$
9,529
26.5
%
Gross Margin %
29.2
%
28.0
%
4.3
%
Operating Income
$
7,132
$
4,821
47.9
%
Net Income
$
5,147
$
3,768
36.6
%
Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP)
$
8,030
$
5,733
40.1
%
Our Adjusted EBITDA increased by $2.3 million to $8.0 million during the twelve months ended September 28, 2025 as compared to $5.7 million during the twelve months ended September 29, 2024. The increase in EBITDA is primarily driven by increased revenue and gross profit.
The table below summarizes our twelve-month operating results for the periods ended September 28, 2025 and September 29, 2024, in terms of both the GAAP net income measure and the non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA measure. We believe that including both measures allows the reader better to evaluate our overall performance.
(Thousands)
Twelve months ended
September 28,
2025
September 29,
2024
Net Income – GAAP
$
5,147
$
3,768
Add:
Federal Income Tax Expense
1,204
1,006
Asset Impairment
804
–
Depreciation & Amortization
515
487
Stock Compensation
383
425
Interest (Income) Expense
(23
)
47
Adjusted EBITDA – Non GAAP
$
8,030
$
5,733
Adjusted EBITDA has limitations and should not be considered in isolation or a substitute for performance measures calculated under GAAP. This non-GAAP measure excludes certain cash expenses that we are obligated to make. In addition, other companies in our industry may calculate Adjusted EBITDA differently than we do or may not calculate it at all, which limits the usefulness of Adjusted EBITDA as a comparative measure.
During the twelve months ended September 28, 2025, the Company booked $36.2 million in new orders, representing a 0.5% decrease from the prior year period orders of $36.4 million. The orders for the most recently completed twelve months consist of $21.3 million for our Optex Richardson segment and $14.9 million attributable to the Applied Optics Center segment. We believe a portion of the reduced demand is related to the delay in the award of ARC III Abrams replenishment contracts to the prime contractors, as well as the delay in award for the BNVG Night Vision Goggle program, both of which were expected during the 2025 fiscal year combined with the delay in passing the annual congressional appropriations bill by the U.S. government.
From October 1, 2025 to November 12, 2025, the federal government of the United States was in a shutdown as Congress failed to pass appropriations legislation for the 2026 fiscal year. On November 10, 2025, Congress passed a continuing resolution (“CR”), which funds the government at existing spending levels through January 30, 2026, by which time the legislature must approve the annual appropriations bill or an additional CR to avoid another government shutdown. As a result of the 2025 government shutdown and CR through January 2026, the Company has experienced a slow-down of contract awards. While we are unable to predict the outcome past January 2026, we anticipate the funding delays may affect our revenue during the second through fourth quarters of fiscal year 2026.
As of September 28, 2025, Optex Systems Holdings had working capital of $21.1 million, as compared to $15.1 million as of September 29, 2024. During the twelve months ended September 28, 2025, we generated operating cash of $6.9 million, primarily driven by increased net income of $5.1 million, non-cash expenses of $1.7 million for depreciation and amortization, asset impairment and stock compensation, and all other changes in other working capital of $0.1 million. During the twelve months ended September 28, 2025, we paid $1.0 million against the credit facility and purchased capital assets of $0.5 million.
At September 28, 2025, the Company had $6.4 million in cash and no balance outstanding on its $3.0 million revolving credit line. As of September 28, 2025, our outstanding accounts receivable balance was $4.6 million, which has been collected during the first quarter of fiscal year 2026. During the first quarter of 2025, we paid $1.0 million against our credit facility bringing the balance to zero.
The Company plans to spend $2.4 million in capital investment over the next twelve months to expand its current capacity as well as develop new capabilities to expand into adjacent markets. Obsolete equipment will be replaced with new or upgraded systems to reduce downtime and drive capacity improvements for both Optex Richardson and the Applied Optics Center. Also, new capabilities will be required to support new product lines at AOC, as well as support the increased focus on research and rapid prototype development at Optex Richardson.
On December 4, 2025, Mr. Schoening notified the Company that he intends to resign, effective as of the Effective Date, from the position of Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Mr. Schoening will remain on the Board of Directors of the Company (“the “Board”), will continue to serve in the position of Chairman of the Board, and will continue to serve as the Company’s Facilities Security Officer.
In response to the notification by Danny Schoening that he intends to resign from the position of Chief Executive Officer of the Company, effective as of December 20, 2025 (the “Effective Date”), on December 5, 2025, the Board appointed Chad George, the Company’s President, to assume the additional role of Chief Executive Officer to fill the vacancy left by Mr. Schoening, effective as of the Effective Date.
Mr. George, 48, has served as President of the Company since August 11, 2025. Previously, he spent 20 years in senior operations and supply chain roles in the defense sector. Between January 2022 and August 2025, he served as Vice President of Operations and Supply Chain at Leonardo DRS, where he played a key role in streamlining production processes and enhancing strategic sourcing capabilities. He also worked as Factory Manager and Operations Leader at Raytheon from April 2009 through March 2021. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Engineering from Oklahoma State University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Texas at Dallas.
Highlights of the Consolidated and Segment Results of Operations have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. These financial highlights do not include all information and disclosures required in the consolidated financial statements and footnotes and should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the twelve months ended September 28, 2025 filed with the SEC on December 17, 2025.
Optex Systems Holdings, Inc. Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Thousands, except share and per share data)
September 28,
2025
September 29,
2024
ASSETS
Cash and Cash Equivalents
$
6,389
$
1,009
Accounts Receivable, Net
4,569
3,764
Inventory, Net
14,322
14,863
Contract Asset
142
219
Prepaid Expenses
285
217
Current Assets
25,707
20,072
Property and Equipment, Net
1,427
1,292
Other Assets
Deferred Tax Asset
1,199
947
Intangibles, net
–
951
Right-of-use Asset
1,700
2,233
Security Deposits
23
23
Other Assets
2,922
4,154
Total Assets
$
30,056
$
25,518
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current Liabilities
Accounts Payable
$
1,525
$
1,177
Credit Facility
–
1,000
Operating Lease Liability
645
638
Federal Income Taxes Payable
87
74
Accrued Expenses
1,634
1,258
Accrued Selling Expense
141
237
Accrued Warranty Costs
162
52
Contract Loss Reserves
132
259
Customer Advance Deposits
234
255
Current Liabilities
4,560
4,950
Other Liabilities
Operating Lease Liability, net of current portion
1,205
1,760
Total Liabilities
5,765
6,710
Commitments and Contingencies
–
Stockholders’ Equity
Common Stock – ($0.001 par, 2,000,000,000 authorized, 6,920,658 and 6,873,938 shares issued and outstanding, respectively)
7
7
Additional Paid in Capital
21,801
21,465
Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)
2,483
(2,664
)
Stockholders’ Equity
24,291
18,808
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
$
30,056
$
25,518
The accompanying notes in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the twelve months ended September 28, 2025 filed with the SEC on December 17, 2025 are an integral part of these financial statements.
Optex Systems Holdings, Inc. Consolidated Statements of Income
(Thousands, except share and per share data)
Twelve months ended
September 28,
2025
September 29,
2024
Revenue
$
41,337
$
33,995
Cost of Sales
29,280
24,466
Gross Profit
12,057
9,529
General and Administrative Expense
4,925
4,708
Operating Income
7,132
4,821
Other Expenses
Asset Impairment
804
–
Interest (Income) Expense, net
(23
)
47
Other Expenses
781
47
Income Before Taxes
6,351
4,774
Income Tax Expense, net
1,204
1,006
Net income applicable to common shareholders
$
5,147
$
3,768
Basic income per share
$
0.75
$
0.56
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding – basic
6,865,280
6,762,145
Diluted income per share
$
0.74
$
0.55
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding – diluted
6,923,657
6,833,274
The accompanying notes in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the twelve months ended September 28, 2025 filed with the SEC on December 17, 2025 are an integral part of these financial statements.
ABOUT OPTEX SYSTEMS
Optex, which was founded in 1987, is a Richardson, Texas based ISO 9001:2015 certified concern, which manufactures optical sighting systems and assemblies, primarily for Department of Defense (DOD) applications. Its products are installed on various types of U.S. military land vehicles, such as the Abrams and Bradley fighting vehicles, Light Armored and Armored Security Vehicles, and have been selected for installation on the Stryker family of vehicles. Optex also manufactures and delivers numerous periscope configurations, rifle and surveillance sights, and night vision optical assemblies. Optex delivers its products both directly to the military services and to prime contractors. For additional information, please visit the Company’s website at www.optexsys.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements, as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including those relating to the products and services described herein. You can identify these statements by the use of the words “may,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “would,” “plans,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “continue,” “estimate,” “project,” “intend,” “likely,” “forecast,” “probable,” and similar expressions.
These forward-looking statements represent our expectations, beliefs, intentions or strategies concerning future events, including, but not limited to, any statements regarding growth strategy; product and development programs; financial performance and financial condition (including revenue, net income, profit margins and working capital); customer demand; orders and backlog; expected timing of contract deliveries to customers and corresponding revenue recognition; increases in the cost of materials and labor; costs remaining to fulfill contracts; contract loss reserves; labor shortages; follow-on orders; supply chain challenges; the continuation of historical trends; the sufficiency of our cash balances for future liquidity and capital resource needs; the expected impact of changes in accounting policies on our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows; anticipated problems and our plans for future operations; and the economy in general or the future of the defense industry.
These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or anticipated. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, continued funding of defense programs and military spending, the timing of such funding, general economic and business conditions, including unforeseen weakness in the Company’s markets, effects of continued geopolitical unrest and regional conflicts, competition, changes in technology and methods of marketing, delays in completing engineering and manufacturing programs, changes in customer order patterns, changes in product mix, continued success in technological advances and delivering technological innovations, changes in the U.S. Government’s interpretation of federal procurement rules and regulations, changes in spending due to policy changes in any new federal presidential administration, market acceptance of the Company’s products, shortages in components, production delays due to performance quality issues with outsourced components, inability to fully realize the expected benefits from acquisitions and restructurings or delays in realizing such benefits, challenges in integrating acquired businesses and achieving anticipated synergies, changes to export regulations, increases in tax rates, changes to generally accepted accounting principles, difficulties in retaining key employees and customers, unanticipated costs under fixed-price service and system integration engagements, changes in the market for microcap stocks regardless of growth and value and various other factors beyond our control.
You must carefully consider any such statement and should understand that many factors could cause actual results to differ from the Company’s forward-looking statements. These factors include inaccurate assumptions and a broad variety of other risks and uncertainties, including some that are known and some that are not. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual future results may vary materially. The Company does not assume the obligation to update any forward-looking statement. You should carefully evaluate such statements in light of factors described in the Company’s filings with the SEC, especially on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K. In various filings the Company has identified important factors that could cause actual results to differ from expected or historic results. You should understand that it is not possible to predict or identify all such factors. Consequently, you should not consider any such list to be a complete list of all potential risks or uncertainties.
MIAMI, FL / ACCESS Newswire / December 17, 2025 / KIFFIK Biomedical announced today the successful close of its Series A financing, completed ahead of schedule and significantly oversubscribed. The strong demand reflects growing investor conviction that the future of diagnostics lies in continuous, real-time measurement of human biology rather than episodic blood-based testing.
The round was led by a group of global strategic investors aligned around a shared thesis: healthcare is entering a new era where dynamic molecular data will be essential for earlier disease detection, therapy optimization, and next-generation drug development. Proceeds from the financing will support the expansion of KIFFIK’s K-EXP™ platform, advance five active clinical programs across oncology, neurology, and cardiometabolic disease, and accelerate manufacturing scale-up and regulatory readiness.
The KIFFIK K-EXP is a proprietary real-time molecular diagnostics platform designed to enable continuous access to interstitial fluid, a biological fluid that reflects tissue-level molecular activity in near real time. Shifting diagnostics from static snapshots to longitudinal molecular monitoring unlocks earlier insights into disease progression and treatment response that are not possible with traditional testing models.
“This financing validates a fundamental shift in how biology will be measured going forward,” said George Cagna, President and CEO of KIFFIK Biomedical. “We built the platform to move diagnostics beyond episodic testing and toward continuous molecular intelligence. Closing an oversubscribed Series A ahead of schedule reflects both the maturity of our platform and the urgency of the problems we are solving.”
KIFFIK cited the broad applicability of their platform architecture, strong intellectual property, and ability to scale across multiple clinical and commercial applications as primary drivers for investment.
“KIFFIK is not building a single diagnostic product,” said an investor participating in the round. “It is building a new measurement layer for biology with potential implications into how medicine is practiced over time.”
KIFFIK now enters its next phase of growth with a focus on deepening strategic partnerships, and achieving key regulatory and commercialization milestones.
About KIFFIK Biomedical KIFFIK Biomedical is building the molecular infrastructure of the future. Through the KIFFIK K-EXPTM, its proprietary real-time molecular diagnostics platform, the company enables continuous access to interstitial fluid, delivering dynamic insight into human biology to support earlier detection, adaptive therapies, and next-generation precision medicine. KIFFIK operates globally through partnerships spanning research, clinical, and industrial domains.
Media Contact Deb Ruppert President, Global Marketing KIFFIK Biomedical Deb.Ruppert@kiffik.com
CAMBRIDGE, MA / ACCESS Newswire / December 17, 2025 / Moderna, Inc. (Nasdaq:MRNA) today announced it will present at the 44th annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference on Monday, January 12th at 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT.
A live webcast of the presentation will be available under “Events and Presentations” in the Investors section of the Moderna website at investors.modernatx.com.
A replay of the webcast will be archived on Moderna’s website for at least 30 days following the presentation.
About Moderna
Moderna is a pioneer and leader in the field of mRNA medicine. Through the advancement of its technology platform, Moderna is reimagining how medicines are made to transform how we treat and prevent diseases. Since its founding, Moderna’s mRNA platform has enabled the development of vaccines and therapeutics across infectious diseases, cancer, rare diseases and more.
With a global team and a unique culture, driven by the company’s values and mindsets, Moderna’s mission is to deliver the greatest possible impact to people through mRNA medicines. For more information about Moderna, please visit modernatx.com and connect with us on X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.
Investors: Lavina Talukdar Senior Vice President & Head of Investor Relations 617-209-5834 Lavina.Talukdar@modernatx.com
TAMPA, FL / ACCESS Newswire / December 17, 2025 / Wellgistics Health, Inc. (“Wellgistics”) (NASDAQ:WGRX), a health information technology leader, integrating proprietary pharmacy dispensing optimization artificial intelligence platform EinsteinRx™ into its patented blockchain-enabled smart contracts platform PharmacyChain™, today reminded shareholders of the December 19, 2025 record date (the “Record Date”) to receive Dream Bowl 2026 Meme Coin (“Dream Bowl”) tokens. All eligible record holders of Wellgistics Health, Inc. common stock will receive one (1) Dream Bowl token for every one (1) share of common stock owned.
The Company will set a distribution date and provide additional details regarding how shareholders can receive their Dream Bowl tokens following the Record Date.
About Wellgistics Health, Inc.
Wellgistics Health (NASDAQ:WGRX) is a health information technology leader, integrating proprietary pharmacy dispensing optimization artificial intelligence platform EinsteinRx™ into its patented blockchain-enabled smart contracts platform PharmacyChain™ to optimize the prescription drug dispending journey. Its integrated platform connects 6,500+ pharmacies (the “Wellgistics Pharmacy Network”) and 200+ manufacturers, offering wholesale distribution, digital prescription routing, direct-to-patient delivery, and AI-powered hub services such as eligibility, adherence, onboarding, prior authorization, and cash-pay fulfillment as needed to optimize patient access. Wellgistics provides end-to-end solutions designed to restore access, transparency, and trust in the U.S. prescription drug market for independent pharmacies.
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including, without limitation, statements regarding the anticipated timing, structure, and administrative mechanics of the distribution of Dream Bowl 2026 Meme Coin tokens and the Company’s expectations regarding the record date and related communications to shareholders. Forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations and assumptions and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied, including, without limitation, regulatory developments, technological or operational considerations, market conditions, and other risks and uncertainties described in Wellgistics Health, Inc.’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, except as required by law. Additional information regarding risk factors is included in Wellgistics Health, Inc.’s filings with the SEC, available at www.sec.gov.
This press release is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities, digital assets, or tokens in any jurisdiction. The Dream Bowl 2026 Meme Coin tokens described herein are not securities, are not cash or cash equivalents, do not represent equity or debt of the Company, do not confer any ownership, voting, dividend, or economic rights, and are not intended to be a substitute for a cash dividend or other distribution. The tokens are not being offered or sold pursuant to a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and have not been registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission or any other regulatory authority.
No assurance is given as to the future utility, functionality, transferability, or value (if any) of the tokens, or that a trading market will develop or be sustained. The distribution of the tokens is not expected to impact the Company’s capital structure, outstanding shares, earnings, or compliance with Nasdaq listing requirements. There shall be no offer, solicitation, or sale in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful.
Skyline Corporate Communications Group, LLC Scott Powell, President 1177 Avenue of the Americas, 5th Floor New York, NY 10036 Office: (646) 893-5835 Email: info@skylineccg.com
By Mandy Bell, Vice President of Product Innovation, Avel eCare
SIOUX FALLS, SD / ACCESS Newswire / December 17, 2025 / If you’ve never seen telemedicine in action, it may sound simple – a clinician and a video connection. But the reality is far more powerful. At Avel eCare, our Virtual Health System combines advanced technology, seamless integration, and human expertise to deliver care anywhere it’s needed – from an ICU bedside to an ambulance speeding down a rural highway.
Inside that ambulance, a high-definition camera, microphone, and monitor link paramedics to Avel’s board-certified emergency physicians. We can see the patient, the monitors, even the paramedics’ hands as they work, and guide them in real time. In hospital emergency rooms, our cameras pan and zoom to view the entire room, allowing our remote physicians and nurses to assist directly at the bedside. In intensive care units, we connect to ventilator data, bedside monitors, and electronic health records to track vitals and trends second by second – documenting directly into the same chart the local team uses.
Our pharmacists continuously monitor medication orders, flagging potential interactions before they become problems. Our behavioral health teams use secure telehealth technology in police cruisers to connect first responders and psychiatric providers during mental health emergencies. Even in rural schools and nursing homes, our clinicians can be present virtually at the touch of a button.
This is what a Virtual Health System looks like – a seamless network of clinicians, technology, and data designed to extend expert care to every corner of the country. It’s healthcare that never clocks out, never closes for weather, and never leaves a patient without help.
But technology is just the tool. People are the purpose. That’s the philosophy guiding every innovation at Avel eCare. Our mission is not to replace clinicians – it’s to support them. Every nurse, paramedic, and physician who activates an Avel connection gains a partner who lightens the load. Behind every camera feed and digital chart is a team of seasoned specialists whose only goal is to make sure care is safe, timely, and effective.
For more than 30 years, Avel has operated as a Virtual Health System, partnering with hospitals, health systems, schools, nursing homes, and first-response agencies nationwide. From emergency departments to ICUs, we provide around-the-clock access to experts who help communities deliver the right care at the right time – without unnecessary transfers or costly staffing gaps.
We do this by weaving telemedicine into the fabric of everyday care. When seconds count, a single button press can connect a rural ER to a board-certified emergency physician. When an ICU needs extra support, our intensivists monitor patients continuously, using real-time data and integrated alerts to spot early signs of decline. When a pharmacist is off-shift, our remote pharmacy team keeps an eye on medication orders, protecting patients and preserving resources.
At its core, this work is about access. Access for patients to receive high-quality care close to home. Access for clinicians to the expertise they need, when they need it. Access for health systems to reliable, scalable solutions that strengthen – not strain – their teams.
The American healthcare system is under immense pressure. Rural hospitals are closing at record rates, urban hospitals are stretched thin, and caregivers everywhere are asked to do more with less. We have the tools to change that – right now.
Technology alone cannot save healthcare. But technology applied with purpose and partnership can. Avel eCare’s innovation lies not in gadgets, but in reliability – in ensuring the connection works every time. In our Innovation Lab, we test every camera, every integration, every workflow, because failure is not an option when lives depend on it.
If you lead a hospital, let’s explore how virtual care can strengthen your teams and sustain your community. If you serve in government, let’s make these proven solutions accessible in every state. If you’re part of a healthcare team, know that help is closer than you think – and that you never have to face the next emergency alone.
The technology is ready. The expertise is proven. The results are real. You can help us provide access to care for every patient everywhere.
Innovation is here. The time to act is now.
About Avel eCare
Founded in 1993 as the nation’s first virtual hospital, Avel eCare provides virtual emergency, EMS, critical care, pharmacy, clinic, senior care, and behavioral health services to healthcare partners across the U.S. The organization specializes in expanding access, improving outcomes, and supporting care delivery in rural and underserved communities.
Contact:
Jessica Gaikowski, Director of Marketing & Communications media@avelecare.com | 605.606.0150
SINGAPORE, SG – December 17, 2025 – PRESSADVANTAGE –
Voiso, a global leader in AI-powered contact center solutions, has reaffirmed its commitment to partnership-driven growth through a renewed focus on collaboration, empowerment, and mutual success. The announcement comes as the company expands its partner ecosystem, supporting distributors, resellers, integrators, and technology alliances worldwide.
According to Greg Garrett, Director of Partnerships at Voiso, the future of the contact center industry depends not only on advanced technology but also on strong, trusted partnerships. “Not all partnerships are created equal,” said Garrett. “Everyone talks about collaboration, but real partnership is about alignment, not just association. It is about finding a team that shares your values, amplifies your strengths, and helps you grow in the right direction.”
Garrett explained that Voiso’s partner program is designed to help organizations scale faster, improve customer experience, and unlock new opportunities across regions and industries. “At Voiso, partnership is not a transaction. It is a shared journey toward success. In a market where so many platforms offer similar tools, the real difference lies in how you use them and who is standing next to you while you do,” he said.
Voiso’s partnerships enable businesses to expand their reach, enhance customer support, and accelerate go-to-market strategies. By combining Voiso’s AI-powered communication technology with its partners’ local market expertise, companies gain the ability to deliver tailored, data-driven customer engagement solutions.
Through this ecosystem, Voiso helps partners enter new geographies and industries by leveraging their established networks. This two-way relationship allows partners to introduce Voiso’s solutions to local markets while receiving sales, technical, and marketing support to strengthen their position.
“When partners bring Voiso into their network, they are not just offering another CCaaS platform,” said Garrett. “They are introducing a proven way to increase revenue, boost performance, and improve customer satisfaction. Partnerships should expand your reach, not your workload. They should create opportunities, not complexity.”
Partnerships also create tangible benefits for end customers. Voiso’s collaborative model ensures that clients receive comprehensive, consistent support from both the platform provider and local experts. This integrated approach improves onboarding, shortens time-to-value, and enhances customer retention.
“When you have the right partner ecosystem, your clients experience smoother onboarding, better support, and vendor collaboration which fosters real results,” Garrett explained. “The customer does not feel like they are dealing with multiple vendors. They feel like they are supported by one unified team. That is what true partnership looks like.”
Voiso’s partner program also emphasizes continuous innovation. Through close communication with partners, the company collects insights from real-world customer use cases that directly influence product development. This feedback loop ensures that Voiso continues to evolve based on the needs of its global partner network.
“The best partnerships do not just sell products. They shape them,” said Garrett. “Our partners help us see how businesses use Voiso in the field and what we can improve. Their input fuels our roadmap and keeps us focused on delivering real, measurable value.”
To support this growing ecosystem, Voiso provides structured partner enablement programs that include sales and technical training, marketing resources, and dedicated account management. This combination of empowerment and transparency helps partners strengthen local markets while building long-term resilience.
“Most CCaaS vendors offer similar features, but not everyone offers the same level of commitment,” said Garrett. “At Voiso, we are setting a new standard for what partnership really means. We do not just hand over software. We share our expertise, our vision, and our roadmap. Our success is tied to the success of our partners.” Partnership must be a win-win, and not a one-sided transaction. It’s important that we succeed together.
About Voiso
Voiso is an AI-powered contact center platform that helps global organizations deliver seamless, human-first customer engagement. With predictive dialing, speech analytics, omnichannel routing, and CRM integration, Voiso simplifies complex operations while enabling teams to scale with confidence. Trusted by enterprises, BPOs, and global brands, Voiso ensures that every interaction becomes a human connection.
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For more information about Voiso Inc, contact the company here:
