SPAR Group Reports Second Quarter Results

Aug 11, 2003
SPAR Group Reports Second Quarter Results

SPAR Group Reports Second Quarter Results

TARRYTOWN, N.Y.----Aug. 11, 2003--SPAR Group, Inc. (Nasdaq:SGRP - News) today reported financial results for the second quarter and six months ended June 30, 2003.

Net income for the 2003 second quarter amounted to $608,000, equal to $0.03 per share, on net revenues of $17.4 million. For the comparable prior-year period, the company recorded net income of $1.1 million, or $0.06 per share, on net revenues of $17.5 million.

For the 2003 year-to-date period, net income advanced 21.5% to $1.9 million, equal to $0.10 per share, from $1.6 million, or $0.08 per share, a year ago. Net revenues for the first half of 2003 rose 7.4% to $36.1 million from $33.6 million last year.

The company said results for the quarter were impacted primarily by external economic factors affecting the retail sector.

"The second quarter was challenging for retailers throughout the nation, and, hence, for most of our customers," said Bob Brown, SPAR Group's chairman and chief executive officer. "In turn, our customers utilized our services to a lesser degree, restraining our revenues and impacting earnings. Additionally, costs associated with the completion earlier in the year of two acquisitions and a restructuring of our field organization also impacted results. The acquisitions, as well as the field organization restructuring, however, are expected to positively contribute to our performance in the future. However, if these revenue challenges continue during the 3rd and 4th quarter, the Company would fall short of our previously announced goal of $0.33 in earnings per share for 2003.

"Our business base remains strong, and the company's foundation is solid," Brown said. "We are intensifying our marketing efforts, paying close attention to costs and getting our message across to existing and prospective clients that SPAR's unique merchandising expertise can help enhance their sales and profitability."

SPAR Group, Inc. is a diversified marketing services company, providing a broad array of productivity enhancing products and services to help Fortune 1000 companies improve their sales, operating efficiency and profits. The company provides in-store merchandising, database and research services to general retail, mass market, drug, and grocery chains both throughout the United States and internationally.

Certain statements in this news release are forward-looking, including, but not limited to, benefits from the company's two acquisitions completed earlier in the year and from the field organization restructuring, and involve a number of risks and uncertainties (both known and unknown). The company's actual results, performance and trends could differ materially from those indicated or implied by such statements as a result of various factors, including (without limitation) the continued strengthening of SPAR's selling and marketing functions, continued customer satisfaction and contract renewal, new product development and marketing, continued technological superiority over its competitors, continued availability of capable dedicated personnel, continued cost management, the success of its international efforts, and other factors, as well as by factors applicable to most companies such as general economic, competitive and other business and civil conditions. Information respecting certain of these and other factors that could effect future results, performance or trends are discussed in SPAR Group's annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and other filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time.


                           SPAR Group, Inc.
                   Consolidated Statements of Income
                              (unaudited)
                 (In thousands, except per share data)

                                 Three Months Ended  Six Months Ended
                                 June 30, June 30,   June 30, June 30,
                                  2003      2002      2003     2002

Net Revenues                     $17,351   $17,542   $36,090  $33,588
Cost of revenues                  11,146    10,591    22,397   20,342
Gross profit                       6,205     6,951    13,693   13,246

Selling, general and
 administrative expenses           4,768     4,675     9,711    9,642
Depreciation and amortization        399       460       777      877
Operating income                   1,038     1,816     3,205    2,727

Interest expense                      72        38       140       86
Other (income) expense               (10)       52        28      134
Income before provision for
 income taxes                        976     1,726     3,037    2,507

Provision for income taxes           368       657     1,151      956
Net Income                          $608    $1,069    $1,886   $1,551

Net Income per common share
 (basic/diluted)                   $0.03     $0.06     $0.10    $0.08

Weighted average common shares -
 basic                            18,858    18,593    18,850   18,592

Weighted average common shares -
 diluted                          19,538    19,021    19,447   19,021


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

                                              June 30,    December 31,
                                                2003         2002

ASSETS
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents                        $-              $-
  Accounts receivable, net                     19,504          17,415
  Prepaid expenses and other current
   assets                                       1,208             783
  Deferred income taxes                           707             903
  Total current assets                         21,419          19,101
Property and equipment, net                     2,267           1,972
Goodwill                                        8,100           7,858
Deferred income taxes                             648             705
Other assets                                      677             121
Total assets                                  $33,101         $29,757

LIABILITIES & STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
   Accounts payable                              $958            $422
   Accrued expenses and other current
    liabilities                                 5,229           6,097
   Accrued expense due to affiliates            1,535             958
   Restructuring charges, current                 772           1,354
   Due to certain stockholders                      -           3,951
Total current liabilities                       8,494          12,782

Line of credit                                  6,648             148
Restructuring charges, long-term                    -             235

Commitments and contingencies

Stockholders' equity:
   Preferred stock, $.01 par value:
     Authorized shares--3,000,000
     Issued and outstanding shares--
      none
   Common stock, $.01 par value:
     Authorized shares--47,000,000
     Issued and outstanding shares--
      18,858,972 - June 30, 2003, and
      18,824,527 - December 31, 2002              189             188
Treasury Stock                                   (582)            (30)
Additional paid-in capital                     10,951          10,919
Retained Earnings                               7,401           5,515
Total stockholders' equity                     17,959          16,592
Total liabilities and stockholders'
 equity                                       $33,101         $29,757

Contacts:  SPAR Group, Inc.
           Charles Cimitile
           914-332-4100
       
           PondelWilkinson MS&L
           Roger S. Pondel
           323-866-6060