Core Viewpoint - Broadwood Partners and its affiliates announced that Egan-Jones Ratings Company has reaffirmed its recommendation for shareholders to vote "AGAINST" the proposed acquisition of STAAR Surgical Company by Alcon Inc. [1] Group 1 - Egan-Jones Ratings Company is a leading proxy advisory firm [1] - The recommendation is to vote against the acquisition on the GREEN Proxy Card [1] - The announcement follows STAAR's completion of a 30-day go-shop period [1]

Core Viewpoint - Egan-Jones recommends Cracker Barrel shareholders vote against the election of CEO Julie Masino and several directors due to the company's significant underperformance and operational challenges, indicating an urgent need for leadership change [1][6]. Financial Performance - Cracker Barrel's Total Shareholder Return (TSR) has declined by 70% since early 2020, significantly underperforming compared to peers like Brinker, Darden, and Texas Roadhouse [2]. - Net income has fallen nearly 80% in FY2025, while operating expenses have increased by 31% since 2017, outpacing revenue growth of 19% [2]. - The company's market capitalization has decreased by approximately 50% since Masino's appointment, reflecting a decline in consumer sentiment and traffic [2]. Operational Challenges - Declining guest traffic has created a "death spiral" dynamic, where high fixed costs and capital expenditures strain profitability, further limiting cash flow for maintenance and reinvestment [2][3]. - Guest traffic has decreased by 3% in FY2025 and 5% in FY2024, indicating ongoing struggles in attracting customers [5]. Strategic Issues - The Strategic Transformation Plan has not yielded tangible results, with the company lowering its FY2026 revenue guidance to between $3.35 billion and $3.45 billion, alongside projected traffic declines of 4-7% [5]. - The lack of measurable progress raises doubts about management's ability to execute meaningful change, risking ongoing value erosion and financial underperformance [5]. Leadership Recommendations - Egan-Jones advises shareholders to withhold votes from CEO Julie Masino and long-tenured directors due to the destruction of shareholder value, estimating a loss of approximately $1 billion under their leadership [6].

Core Viewpoint - Carlyle Credit Income Fund has initiated an underwritten public offering of its Series D Preferred Shares, with pricing and terms to be determined through negotiations with underwriters [1] Group 1: Offering Details - The Preferred Shares are expected to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "CCID" within 30 days of the original issue date [2] - Lucid Capital Markets, LLC is the lead book-running manager, with B. Riley Securities, Inc. and Piper Sandler & Co. as joint book-running managers, and A.G.P. / Alliance Global Partners as the lead manager [2] Group 2: Fund Information - Carlyle Credit Income Fund is an externally managed closed-end fund that primarily invests in equity and junior debt tranches of collateralized loan obligations (CLOs), which are backed by U.S. senior secured loans across various industry sectors [6] - The Fund is advised by Carlyle Global Credit Investment Management L.L.C., leveraging Carlyle's extensive resources as one of the largest CLO managers globally [6]

ISS Validates Elliott's Case for Change and Recommends Nominees Brian Coffman, Sigmund Cornelius, Michael Heim and Stacy Nieuwoudt Notes Phillips 66's "Disappointing" Operating Performance, "Selective Disclosure, Unverifiable Claims About Various Operational Successes, and Ambiguous and Vague Responses to Otherwise Basic Questions" Cites the Board's "Failure" to Ensure Strong Governance and Board Oversight as Evidence of the Company's "Disconnect from Shareholders" All Three Proxy Advisory Firms – ISS, Glas ...