Nasdaq Threatens to Delist SafeGuard

SafeGuard Health Enterprises Inc. said Friday that it has received a letter from Nasdaq indicating the company no longer meets certain requirements for listing on the market. The Aliso Viejo company, which markets a variety of health-care, vision and life insurance plans, said it has requested a hearing by Nasdaq, which would postpone any delisting action. The letter said the company doesn’t meet tangible net asset requirements for national listing. In April, the company reported its losses for 1998 widened to $11.1 million from $2.3 million the previous year while revenue rose 2.9% to $99.8 million from $97 million. SafeGuard discontinued dental offices, eliminated jobs and lowered the value of its former headquarters in Anaheim. SafeGuard’s stock closed Friday at $2.97 a share, up 9 cents.