SPAR Group Announces Financial Results for the Fourth Quarter and Year Ended December 31, 2015

Mar 30, 2016

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., March 30, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SPAR Group, Inc. (Nasdaq:SGRP), a leading supplier of retail merchandising and other marketing services throughout the United States and internationally, today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2015.

Highlights for the three and twelve month periods ended December 31, 2015, as compared to the same periods in the prior year include:

  • Revenue for the fourth quarter of 2015 increased 0.7 percent to $32.3 million.  Adjusting for the impact of foreign currency translation, revenue for the fourth quarter of 2015 increased $3.7 million, or 11.6 percent.

  • Net income attributable to SPAR Group for the fourth quarter of 2015 was $1.0 million, or $0.05 per diluted share, compared to $2.7 million, or $0.12 per diluted share, during the fourth quarter of 2014.  Net income for the prior year period included a positive contribution of $1.9 million or $0.09 per diluted share related to the release of a deferred tax asset valuation allowance. 

  • Revenue for the fiscal year 2015 decreased 2.2 percent to $119.3 million.  Adjusting for the impact of foreign currency translation, revenue for the fiscal year 2015 increased $7.5 million or 6.1 percent.

  • Net income attributable to SPAR Group for the fiscal year 2015 was $892,000, or $0.04 per diluted share, compared to net income of $3.3 million, or $0.15 per diluted share for the fiscal year 2014.  Net income for the prior year period included a positive contribution of $1.9 million or $0.09 per diluted share related to the release of a deferred tax asset valuation allowance.

Financial Results by Geography (in 000's)

 Three Months Ended December 31,  % Twelve Months Ended December 31,%
Revenue: 2015   2014   Change  2015   2014 Change
International        $  21,448  $  20,912  2.6% $  75,667  $  75,617  0.1%
Domestic   10,828     11,140  (2.8)%    43,612     46,404  (6.0)%
Total$  32,276  $  32,052     0.7% $  119,279  $  122,021   (2.2)%


 Three Months Ended December 31,                  Twelve Months Ended December 31,  
Net Income: 2015   2014          2015   2014   
International$  877  $  536   $  505  $  628   
Domestic   151     2,142      387     2,640   
Total$  1,028  $  2,678   $  892  $  3,268   
                    
Earnings Per Share:                 
Basic$ 0.05  $0.13   $0.04  $0.16   
Diluted:$0.05   $0.12   $0.04  $0.15   


"Our financial performance for 2015 was a mix of strength in those geographies and business units where we have put in place new strategic initiatives, offset by weakness in areas where we have yet to implement change.  In addition, positive sales and profit comparisons from acquisitive growth in China and strong performance in South Africa and Mexico were masked by the strength of the U.S. dollar relative to other currencies," commented Chief Executive Officer, Jill Blanchard. "While our performance has been inconsistent across geographies and business units, importantly we are having success in becoming a value partner to our clients and adding new global customers in late 2015, which will be incremental to revenue in the current year.  Finally, we took our foot off of the accelerator in terms of investment in domestic business development.  We expect this to stabilize profitability while allowing for modest growth with existing and new domestic customers.  Overall, I'm encouraged that we have put in place the right strategic initiatives that will allow for more consistent financial performance in 2016 and beyond."

Margin Profile by Geography
Gross Margin:

 Three Months Ended December 31,Basis
Point		 Twelve Months Ended December 31,Basis
Point
  2015   2014 Change  2015   2014 Change
International 23.4%  25.2% (178)    20.7%  20.8% (6)  
Domestic 31.8%  34.5% (269)    31.1%  31.5% (40)  
Total 26.2%  28.4% (220)    24.5%  24.9% (34)  


Operating Expenses as a % of Sales:

 Three Months Ended December 31,Basis
Point		 Twelve Months Ended December 31,Basis
Point
  2015   2014 Change  2015   2014 Change
International 14.7%  18.8% (411)    17.2%  18.2% (100)  
Domestic 29.0%  30.0% (100)    29.7%  28.6% 111   
Total 19.5%  22.7% (320)    21.8%  22.2% (38)  


International gross profit margin for the fourth quarter of 2015 was 23.4% compared to 25.2% for the same period last year.  The gross margin change relative to the prior period was primarily due to a mix of higher cost business in China, Mexico and Japan, partially offset by a mix of lower cost business in India, Australia, South Africa and Canada.  International gross profit margin for the fiscal year 2015 was relatively unchanged year over year at 20.7%.

Domestic gross profit margin for the three months ended December 31, 2015, was 31.8% compared to 34.5% for the same period in 2014. The decrease in gross profit margin was primarily due to an unfavorable mix of project work compared to the same period last year.  Domestic gross profit margin for the fiscal year 2015 was 31.1% compared to 31.5% for the prior year.

International operating income for fourth quarter of 2015 was $1.9 million, a 40 percent increase compared to $1.3 million during the same period in 2014.  For fiscal 2015, international operating income was $2.7 million, a 37 percent increase from the prior year.  International operating profit benefited from increased volume growth and the positive effect of foreign exchange on expenses.

Domestic operating income for the fourth quarter of 2015 was $301,000, versus $498,000 during the fourth quarter of 2014.  For the fiscal year 2015, domestic operating income was $609,000, compared to $1.3 million during fiscal year 2015.  The increase in domestic operating expense margin for the twelve month period ended December 31, 2015 compared to last year is primarily attributable to lower sales volumes.

Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2015

As of December 31, 2015, cash and cash equivalents totaled $5.7 million. Working capital was $16.8 million and current ratio was 2.3 to 1. Total current assets and total assets were $30.1 million and $43.4 million, respectively.  Total current liabilities and total liabilities were $13.3 million and $19.0 million respectively, total equity was $24.4 million as of December 31, 2015.

Recorded Comments Available

Following the issuance of this release, the Company will provide recorded comments that can be accessed on the SPAR Group website under the "Investor Relations" section. http://investors.sparinc.com/releases.cfm

About SPAR Group

SPAR Group, Inc. is a diversified international merchandising and marketing services Company and provides a broad array of services worldwide to help companies improve their sales, operating efficiency and profits at retail locations. The Company provides merchandising and other marketing services to manufacturers, distributors and retailers worldwide, primarily in mass merchandiser, office supply, value, grocery, drug, independent, convenience, toy, home improvement and electronics stores, as well as providing furniture and other product assembly services, audit services, in-store events, technology services and marketing research. The Company has supplied these project and product services in the United States since certain of its predecessors were formed in 1979 and internationally since the Company acquired its first international subsidiary in Japan in May of 2001. Product services include restocking and adding new products, removing spoiled or outdated products, resetting categories "on the shelf" in accordance with client or store schematics, confirming and replacing shelf tags, setting new sale or promotional product displays and advertising, replenishing kiosks, providing in-store event staffing and providing assembly services in stores, homes and offices. Audit services include price audits, point of sale audits, out of stock audits, intercept surveys and planogram audits. Other merchandising services include whole store or departmental product sets or resets (including new store openings), new product launches, in-store demonstrations, special seasonal or promotional merchandising, focused product support and product recalls. The Company currently does business in 9 countries that encompass approximately 50% of the total world population through its operations in the United States, Canada, Japan, South Africa, India, China, Australia, Mexico and Turkey. For more information, please visit the SPAR Group's website at http://www.sparinc.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This Press Release contains and the above referenced recorded comments will contain "forward-looking statements" made by SPAR Group, Inc. ("SGRP", and together with its subsidiaries, the "SPAR Group" or the "Company"), will be filed shortly in a Current Report on Form 8-K by SGRP with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). There also are "forward looking statements" contained in SGRP's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 (the "Annual Report"), which will be filed shortly by SGRP with the SEC, SGRP's definitive Proxy Statement respecting its Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on or about May 19, 2016 (the "Proxy Statement"), which SGRP expects to file with the SEC on or about April 25, 2016, and SGRP's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and other reports and statements as and when filed with the SEC (including the Annual Report and the Proxy Statement, each a "SEC Report"). "Forward-looking statements" are defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and other applicable federal and state securities laws, rules and regulations, as amended (together with the Securities Act and Exchange Act, collectively, "Securities Laws").

The forward-looking statements made by the Company in this Press Release may include (without limitation) any expectations, guidance or other information respecting the pursuit or achievement of the Company's corporate strategic objectives (growth, customer value, employee development, productivity & efficiency, and earnings per share), building upon the Company's strong foundation, leveraging compatible global opportunities, improving on the value we already deliver to customers, our growing client base, continuing balance sheet strength, customer contract expansion, growing revenues and becoming profitable through organic growth and acquisitions, attracting new business that will increase SPAR Group's revenues, improving product mix, continuing to maintain or reduce costs or consummating any transactions. The Company's forward-looking statements also include, in particular and without limitation, those made in "Business", "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in the Annual Report. You can identify forward-looking statements in such information by the Company's use of terms such as "may", "will", "expect", "intend", "believe", "estimate", "anticipate", "continue" or similar words or variations or negatives of those words.

You should carefully consider (and not place undue reliance on) the Company's forward-looking statements, risk factors and the other risks, cautions and information made, contained or noted in or incorporated by reference into this Press Release, the Proxy Statement and the other applicable SEC Reports that could cause the Company's actual performance or condition (including its assets, business, capital, cash flow, credit, expenses, financial condition, income, liabilities, liquidity, locations, marketing, operations, performance, prospects, sales, strategies, taxation or other achievement, results, risks, trends or condition) to differ materially from the performance or condition planned, intended, anticipated, estimated or otherwise expected by the Company (collectively, "expectations") and described in the information in the Company's forward-looking and other statements, whether express or implied. Although the Company believes them to be reasonable, those expectations involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other unpredictable factors (many of which are beyond the Company's control) that could cause those expectations to fail to occur or be realized or such actual performance or condition to be materially and adversely different from the Company's expectations. In addition, new risks and uncertainties arise from time to time, and it is impossible for the Company to predict these matters or how they may arise or affect the Company. Accordingly, the Company cannot assure you that its expectations will be achieved in whole or in part, that the Company has identified all potential risks, or that the Company can successfully avoid or mitigate such risks in whole or in part, any of which could be significant and materially adverse to the Company and the value of your investment in SGRP's Common Stock.

You should carefully review the risk factors described in the Annual Report (See Item 1A - Risk Factors) and any other risks, cautions or information made, contained or noted in or incorporated by reference into the Annual Report, the Proxy Statement or other applicable SEC Report. All forward-looking and other statements or information attributable to the Company or persons acting on its behalf are expressly subject to and qualified by all such risk factors and other risks, cautions and information.

The Company does not intend or promise, and the Company expressly disclaims any obligation, to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, risk factors or other risks, cautions or information (in whole or in part), whether as a result of new information, risks or uncertainties, future events or recognition or otherwise, except as and to the extent required by applicable law. 


SPAR Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 (In thousands, except share and per share data)

 Three Months Ended
December 31,		 Twelve Months Ended
December 31,
  2015  2014    2015  2014 
 

Net revenues		$  32,276 $  32,052  $119,279 $122,021 
Cost of revenues 23,808  22,938    90,015  91,671 
Gross profit 8,468  9,114   29,264  30,350 
      
Selling, general and administrative expenses 5,805  6,786   24,094  25,308 
Depreciation and amortization 491   493   1,905  1,753 
Operating income 2,172  1,835    3,265  3,289 
      
Interest expense 27  30   214  158 
Other income, net (175) (90)  (243 ) (292)
Income before income tax expense 2,320  1,895   3,294  3,423 
      
Income tax expense (benefit) 385   (1,321)  819  (948)
Net income 1,935  3,216   2,475  4,371 
Net income attributable to non-controlling interest (907) (538)  (1,583 ) (1,103)
Net income attributable to SPAR Group, Inc.$  1,028 $  2,678  $  892 $  3,268 


Basic income per common share:		$  0.05 $  0.13  $    0.04 $  0.16 
 

Diluted income per common share:		$  0.05 $  0.12  $    0.04 $  0.15 
      
Weighted average common shares - basic 20,551  20,558   20,559  20,578 
      
Weighted average common shares - diluted 21,546  21,743   21,573  21,830 
      
Net income$  1,935 $  3,216  $  2,475 $  4,371 
Other comprehensive income (loss):     
  Foreign currency translation adjustments 100   (147)  (1,313) (525)
Comprehensive income    2,035    3,069      1,162    3,846 
Comprehensive loss attributable to non-controlling interest (907) (538)  (1,583) (1,103)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to SPAR Group, Inc.$  1,128 $  2,531  $  (421)$  2,743 
       


SPAR Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 December 31,
2015		December 31,
2014
Assets  
Current assets:  
Cash and cash equivalents$    5,718  $  4,382 
Accounts receivable, net 23,203   26,245 
Deferred income taxes 529    464 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 661   868 
Total current assets 30,111    31,959 
 

Property and equipment, net		 2,443   2,175 
Goodwill 1,800   1,800 
Intangible assets, net 2,551   3,149 
Deferred income taxes  5,890   5,134 
Other assets 611   353 
Total assets$  43,406  $  44,570 
 

Liabilities and equity		  
Current liabilities:  
Accounts payable$  2,984  $  4,011 
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 7,082   8,149 
Accrued expenses due to affiliates 78   487 
Deferred income taxes  2,154   1,540 
Customer deposits  503   659 
Lines of credit and short-term loans 476    658 
Total current liabilities 13,277   15,504 
Long-term debt and other liabilities 5,731   5,855 
Total liabilities 19,008   21,359 
   
Equity:  
SPAR Group, Inc. equity   
Preferred stock, $.01 par value:  
Authorized and available shares- 2,445,598  
Issued and outstanding shares-  
None -  December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014  -    -    
Common stock, $.01 par value:  
Authorized shares - 47,000,000  
Issued shares -       
20,680,717 -  December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 207   207 
Treasury stock, at cost
       
119,695 shares -  December 31, 2015 and       
121,663 shares -  December 31, 2014 (169)  (183)
Additional paid-in capital 15,871   15,519 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss  (2,869)  (1,556)
Retained earnings 5,662   4,770 
Total SPAR Group, Inc. equity 18,702   18,757 
Non-controlling interest 5,696   4,454 
Total equity 24,398   23,211 
Total liabilities and equity $  43,406  $  44,570 
        
Company Contact:



James R. Segreto

Chief Financial Officer

SPAR Group, Inc.

(914) 332-4100





Investor Contact:



Dave MossbergThree Part Advisors

(817) 310-0051

Source: SPAR Group

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