Operator

Good day, and welcome to the Aethlon Medical Fiscal Year-end March 31, 2026, Financial Results and Corporate Update Conference Call. [Operator Instructions]

Please note this event is being recorded. I would now like to turn the conference over to Jim Frakes, CEO and CFO of Aethlon Medical. Please go ahead.

James Frakes
CEO, CFO, Chief Accounting Officer, Secretary & Director

Thank you, operator, and good afternoon, everyone. Welcome to Aethlon Medical’s Fiscal Year-end March 31, 2026, Earnings Conference Call. My name is Jim Frakes, and I’m the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Aethlon Medical. At 4:15 p.m. Eastern Time today, Aethlon Medical released financial results for its fiscal year ended March 31, 2026. If you have not seen or received Aethlon Medical’s earnings release, please visit the Investors page at www.aethlonmedical.com to view it.

Following this introduction and the reading of the company’s forward-looking statement disclaimer, Dr. Steven LaRosa, our Chief Medical Officer, and I will provide an overview of Aethlon’s strategy and recent developments. I will then make some brief remarks on Aethlon’s financials. We will then open up the call for the Q&A session.

Before we start the business portion of the call, please note that the news release today and this call contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended. The company cautions you that any statement that is not a statement of

Soccer fans hoping to watch the World Cup in person may need a housing-sized budget.

The tournament kicks off Thursday in Mexico City, launching a six-week event expected to draw between 5 million and 6 million fans across 16 North American host cities. But for many U.S. fans, getting inside the stadium has become a major financial hurdle, according to Realtor.com.

In five of the 11 U.S. host cities, the cheapest available World Cup tickets for late-stage tournament matches cost more than the average monthly mortgage payment in that market, Realtor.com reported, citing real estate research firm PropertyShark.

HERSHEY’S LAUNCHES LIMITED-EDITION CHRISTIAN PULISIC CHOCOLATE BARS HONORING THEIR HOMETOWN WORLD CUP STAR

A general view outside MetLife Stadium on June 9, 2026, in East Rutherford, New Jersey.  (Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images)

That means fans in Miami, Dallas, Atlanta, Kansas City and the New York area could spend the equivalent of a mortgage payment — or more — for a single seat.  The figure does not include airfare, hotel stays, food, parking or merchandise.

The steepest prices are for the July 19 final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The least expensive seats are listed at $7,256, far above New York’s average monthly mortgage payment of $4,096 and average rent of $4,872, according to Realtor.com.

In Dallas, the cheapest tickets for the July 14 semifinal are listed at $2,391, slightly above the city’s average mortgage payment of $2,351. In Atlanta, the lowest-priced semifinal tickets are $2,208, above the average mortgage payment of $2,149, the outlet reported.

10 HOTTEST RENTAL HOUSING MARKETS IN THE US THIS SUMMER

A general view of FIFA World Cup 2026 signage at Kansas City Stadium on June 8, 2026, in Kansas City, Missouri. (Jay Biggerstaff/Getty Images / Getty Images)

Kansas City’s cheapest seats for a July 11 match are $1,567, compared with an average mortgage payment of $1,477. In Miami, the lowest-priced tickets for Colombia versus Portugal on June 27 are $2,700, nearly matching the city’s average mortgage payment and rent, according to Realtor.com.

Some consumers have already been priced out. A LiveSportsonTV survey of 1,008 U.S. soccer fans found that 52% had given up on buying World Cup tickets because of high prices.

“We’re seeing unprecedented prices for events like the World Cup because of supply and demand, to put it simply,” Mark Sanaiha of Macallan Capital said in a statement. “For years, the experience economy has outpaced wage growth, and younger generations aren’t planning to change that trajectory.”

AMERICANS OPTIMISTIC ABOUT INNOVATION ADDRESSING MAJOR CHALLENGES, SURVEY FINDS

A detailed view of a FIFA World Cup 2026 sign inside Dallas Stadium on April 13, 2026, in Arlington, Texas.  (Stacy Revere/Getty Images / Getty Images)

The pricing has also drawn scrutiny from state officials. Attorneys general in Texas, New York, New Jersey and California have launched probes into World Cup ticket pricing and packaging policies, Realtor.com reported.

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“Being honest about ticket sales is not complicated,” New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport said in a statement. “But FIFA has turned buying a ticket to the World Cup into a gauntlet of confusion, fake scarcity, and impossibly high prices — all at the expense of consumers and hardworking New Jerseyans.”

Thailand is navigating a complex mix of economic pressures, diplomatic tensions, trade disputes, and emerging opportunities across multiple sectors. From regional border conflicts to financial market shifts and digital transformation, the country remains a focal point of activity in Southeast Asia.

Trade Disputes and Economic Pressures

Shrimp Industry Faces Crisis

One of the most pressing economic issues involves Thailand’s seafood sector. Malaysia has imposed a ban on Thai shrimp imports, dealing a significant blow to what was once the world’s largest shrimp industry. Thailand is preparing to challenge the ban through both the World Trade Organization (WTO) and ASEAN frameworks, signaling a deepening trade rift between the two neighbors. The dispute has escalated tensions between Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur, raising broader questions about regional trade relations.

Simultaneously, Thailand is accelerating efforts to finalize a free trade agreement with the European Union, partly to reduce its dependence on US markets amid ongoing tariff uncertainties. Multiple sources confirm this push is gaining momentum, with Thailand viewing the EU deal as a strategic hedge against external economic shocks.

Financial Markets Under Pressure

Thai financial markets are showing signs of strain. Capital is fleeing Thai stocks as the baht continues to decline, reflecting investor concern about the country’s economic trajectory. However, the Bank of Thailand has indicated low risk of a currency crisis, citing robust foreign reserves. Supporting this cautious optimism, Moody’s has upgraded Thailand’s economic outlook to “Stable,” acknowledging improving economic momentum. The JSCIB has also raised its GDP forecast to between 1.6% and 2.0%, offering some positive signals amid broader uncertainty.

Thailand’s automotive sector is also struggling, with car production falling to its lowest level in five years in April, according to Reuters.

Regional Security and Diplomatic Relations

Cambodia-Thailand Border Tensions

Regional security remains fragile. Cambodia has deployed Chinese-built tanks near the Thai border, prompting Thailand’s National Security Council to monitor the situation closely. Former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has publicly acknowledged that the recent conflict with Thailand was “my fault,” a rare admission that may open the door for diplomatic progress.

Both nations are exploring frameworks for lasting peace, with analysts suggesting UNCLOS-based mechanisms could help rebuild trust and resolve maritime boundary disputes. Thailand has confirmed it will participate in UN-backed conciliation on the maritime dispute, a step seen as constructive by regional observers.

Political Developments

On the domestic political front, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is officially free but now faces a new multimillion-dollar tax battle. A Thai criminal court has acquitted a political leader of lèse-majesté charges, a notable development in the country’s ongoing tension between political freedom and royal defamation laws. Separately, a prominent pro-democracy activist, Tiwagorn Withiton, has been convicted and sentenced to prison, drawing criticism from human rights organizations.

Digital Economy and Financial Innovation

Virtual Banking and Crypto Regulation

Thailand is making significant strides in its digital economy ambitions. The country’s newly launched virtual banks are operating within a model that currently offers thin profit margins, raising questions about long-term viability. Meanwhile, Thailand’s crypto regulatory framework has entered a market-building phase, suggesting a more structured and growth-oriented approach to digital assets.

The country is also positioning digital ID infrastructure as the backbone of its emerging digital economy, with biometric systems being developed to streamline services and improve security. True IDC, backed by CP Group and GIP, has won a major award for digital infrastructure{rel=”nofollow” target=”_blank”}, with a large-scale data center project planned for the Eastern Economic Corridor.

Public Health and Environmental Concerns

Air Quality and Health Alerts

Thailand continues to grapple with serious air quality challenges. PM2.5 pollution is costing the country more than 5 billion baht, with structural policy failures prolonging the crisis, according to Kasikorn Research. New regulations are being introduced to mandate emissions monitoring at factories, representing a tightening of environmental standards.

On the health front, the US Embassy in Thailand has issued an Enhanced Ebola Screening Health Alert, and the WHO is working with Thailand to strengthen risk assessment frameworks for health emergencies.

Tourism, Culture, and Soft Power

Tourism Growth Initiatives

Thailand is actively promoting itself as a premier tourist destination. Initiatives include the Amazing Thailand Grand Sale, participation in tourism expos in Amsterdam, and the promotion of T-POP fandom tourism to attract culturally motivated travelers. The country is also exploring seaplane routes to boost tourism in the Andaman region and eyeing a mysterious eye-shaped island as a potential sustainable travel hotspot.

Vietnam and Thailand have jointly launched a “Two Countries, One Destination” initiative{rel=”nofollow” target=”_blank”} aimed at attracting regional and long-haul visitors through enhanced connectivity and shared tourism products.

Thailand also remains a notable destination for expatriates, with lifestyle publications highlighting its lower cost of living, relaxed pace of life, and family-friendly environment.

Conclusion

Thailand stands at a critical crossroads, balancing economic headwinds, regional security challenges, and ambitious digital and trade agendas. While pressures from currency depreciation, trade disputes, and political tensions persist, positive signals from Moody’s, FTA negotiations, and digital economy investments suggest the country is actively positioning itself for long-term resilience and growth.

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