Why I think the RS still matters to OPTT management as much as it mattered before (and why this "strategic review" doesn't mean they'll drop it)
Alright everyone, let’s talk about this "strategic review" announcement and why some people are mistakenly assuming management is suddenly going to abandon the reverse stock split vote on September 10. Chances are slim to none that they will drop the split. In fact, this “strategic review” initiative with Bowen, Inc. was likely part of their playbook all along, right alongside the push for an RS.
Whether the SEC gave them a runway extension or not, management still needed to fix their capital structure:
If they stay standalone: They need an RS to maintain compliance on the exchange.
If they are heading toward a buyout or M&A transaction: They need an RS because major corporate buyers, defense partners, or institutional players typically have internal rules preventing them from touching or buying out a sub-$0.25 penny stock.
The reverse split execution method is the tool they want either way. So think twice before you vote.
Do not be fooled into thinking a strategic review replaces the split—they are using them in tandem.
Why you need to vote AGAINST the split:
1. There is no guarantee of a buyout: Management is waving the phrase "strategic review" around like a shiny object, but hiring an investment bank doesn't guarantee a savior is coming. It just means they are *looking*. If talks fall through or they don't find a buyer, we are left completely exposed with a decimated share count and a brutal reverse split structure.
2. Even if a buyout does happen, there's no guarantee the price will cover your average: Even if they pull off an M&A transaction, there is zero guarantee the buyout price will be high enough for us to recover our capital or reach breakeven. If they negotiate a low-ball or distress buyout, a cleaned-up, post-RS structure just makes it easier for them to sweep a bad deal across the finish line while retail holders take heavy realized losses.
3. There is no guarantee of post-RS recovery in general. Even if we look past M&A, history with micro-caps shows that reverse splits almost always lead to further downward spirals and short-selling pressure, rather than a magical spiking recovery that saves our bags.
While management frames cleaning up the structure as "maximizing value," handing them a blank check for a reverse split right now gives them all the leverage to dilute or squeeze retail before any deal is even finalized. Remember, silence is a vote FOR management because brokers default uninstructed shares right along with the board's recommendation.
If we want to force them to respect retail and actually fight for a real premium instead of using a split to cover their tracks, we can't just sit on our hands and ignore our proxy emails.
Check your broker apps, find your proxy ballots, and vote AGAINST the reverse split. Let's make sure our voices are heard before September 10.