NewLead Holdings Announces Cancellation of 1-for-5 Reverse Split of Common Shares

NewLead Holdings Ltd.

today announced that the Company's Board of Directors decided to cancel the 1-for-5 reverse stock split of its common shares that was scheduled to take effect upon the opening of the NASDAQ market today March 19, 2012, with a view to rectifying the minimum bid listing deficiency as previously announced. NewLead decided not to proceed with the 1-for-5 reverse split of its common shares following the increase in the price as well as the increase in the volume of trading during the last five business days subsequent to the latest significant developments in the restructuring process and the deleveraging of the Company. As a result, NewLead will evaluate further and reconsider its strategy in the following days for the benefit of its shareholders.