8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):          December 11, 2024

HENNESSY ADVISORS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Registrant’s telephone number including area code:

(415) 899-1555

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company          ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Item 2.02.         Results of Operations and Financial Condition

On December 11, 2024, Hennessy Advisors, Inc. issued a press release announcing its financial results for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024. A copy of the press release is being furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8‑K and is incorporated by reference herein.

Item 9.01.         Financial Statements and Exhibits

The exhibit listed in the exhibit index below is furnished under Item 2.02 of this Current Report on Form 8-K.

EXHIBIT INDEX

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

ex_755371.htm

Exhibit 99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Hennessy Advisors, Inc. Reports 46% Increase in Annual Earnings Per Share

December 11, 2024, Novato, CA - Hennessy Advisors, Inc. (Nasdaq: HNNA) today reported results for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024.

“So far in 2024, the U.S. stock market and economy have thrived on a wave of optimism,” said Neil Hennessy, Chairman and CEO. “With the presidential election and initial Federal Reserve rate cuts now behind us, investors can return their focus to core fundamentals of the U.S. economy, which appear solid.”

“Over the course of more than four decades in this business, I have witnessed the economic resilience of the United States through periods of high inflation, rising interest rates, and geopolitical uncertainty. Today, I believe many economic fundamentals are strong. Unemployment is low and stable, corporate earnings and cash flows are robust, and our banking system is both healthy and viable. With positive consumer sentiment, I see spending driving corporate profits, and I believe this will spur the stock market’s continued growth through the end of the year and beyond. As always, our focus remains on navigating any economic environment to deliver long-term value for our shareholders,” he continued.

“In the one-year period ended September 30, 2024, the Dow Jones Industrial Average returned 28.85% and the S&P 500® Index returned 36.35% (on a total return basis). Over the same period, all 17 Hennessy Funds posted positive returns. Over the longer term, 15 of the Hennessy Funds posted positive returns for the three-year period ended September 30, 2024, and all 16 Hennessy Funds with at least 10 years of operating history posted positive returns for both the 5-year and 10-year periods ended September 30, 2024,” stated Neil Hennessy.

“In 2024, we successfully executed on all three fronts of our long-standing business strategy,” said Teresa Nilsen, President and COO. “Over the twelve months ended September 30, 2024, we purchased assets related to the management of $72 million in mutual funds, we welcomed $549 million in net new assets under management, and we benefited from nearly $1 billion in market appreciation.”

“The effective execution of our business model drove a 23% increase in our average assets under management over the prior year, creating a strong start to fiscal year 2025 with total assets under management up more than 50% since September 30, 2023,” she continued. “Our fiscal year results reflect both the strength of our consistent strategy and the dedication of our talented team, whose focused efforts have driven the success of Hennessy Advisors for over 35 years. I am immensely proud of what we’ve accomplished and excited about the opportunities that lie ahead.”

Summary Highlights for the Fiscal Year (compared to fiscal year 2023):

About Hennessy Advisors, Inc.

Hennessy Advisors, Inc. is a publicly traded investment manager offering a broad range of domestic equity, multi-asset, and sector and specialty funds. Hennessy Advisors, Inc. is committed to providing superior service to shareholders and employing a consistent and disciplined approach to investing based on a buy‑and‑hold philosophy that rejects the idea of market timing.

Supplemental Information

Nothing in this press release shall be considered a solicitation to buy or an offer to sell a security to any person in any jurisdiction where such offer, solicitation, purchase, or sale would be unlawful under the securities laws of such jurisdiction.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” for which Hennessy Advisors, Inc. claims the protection of the safe harbor contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward‑looking statements relate to expectations and projections about future events based on currently available information. Forward‑looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance or results and are not necessarily accurate indications of the times at which, or means by which, such performance or results may be achieved. Forward‑looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and assumptions, including those described in the sections entitled “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in the reports that Hennessy Advisors, Inc. files with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Unforeseen developments could cause actual performance or results to differ substantially from those expressed in, or suggested by, the forward‑looking statements. Hennessy Advisors, Inc. management does not assume responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of the forward-looking statements and undertakes no responsibility to update any such statement after the date of this press release to conform to actual results or to changes in expectations.