SPAR Group Reports First Quarter Results

Apr 26, 2002
SPAR Group Reports First Quarter Results

SPAR Group Reports First Quarter Results

Income From Continuing Operations Up 31% for Quarter

TARRYTOWN, N.Y., April 26, 2002 -- SPAR Group, Inc. (Nasdaq:SGRP) today announced results for its first quarter ended March 31, 2002, with income from continuing operations up 31 percent.

Income from continuing operations for the first quarter was $482,000, or $0.03 per diluted share, compared with $367,000, or $0.02 per diluted share a year earlier. Net income for the first quarter of 2002 was $482,000, or $0.03 per diluted share, compared with $677,000, or $0.04 per diluted share last year. Net income for the first quarter of 2001 included $310,000 or $0.02 per diluted share from the company's Incentive Marketing Division. As previously announced, the company intends to divest its Incentive Marketing Division and reported a non-cash charge for the impairment of goodwill and related costs for this entity in the fourth quarter of 2001. In accordance with accounting for discontinued operations, current year results from the Incentive Marketing business have been charged against the reserve recorded at December 31, 2001. Revenues from continuing operations for the 2002 first quarter increased 7.4 percent to $16.0 million compared to $14.9 million a year ago.

"Our business continues to build momentum with companies seeking to measurably impact their return on investment from marketing services. During the quarter, we continued to expand our business with certain key, long-term clients, as well as attract interest in the market place. Our proprietary Internet systems continue to provide us with a significant advantage and we are poised to increase our business as our competitors falter. With the discontinuation of our incentive business, SPAR is now completely focused on its core competencies and we are committed to increasing revenue, both domestically and internationally," said Bob Brown, SPAR Group's chairman and chief executive officer.

Based upon the current business environment, Brown indicated he remains optimistic regarding the company's previous estimate of achieving $0.28 per diluted share from continuing operations for 2002.

SPAR Group, Inc., a diversified marketing services company, provides a broad array of productivity enhancing products and services to help Fortune 1000 companies improve their sales, operating efficiency and profits. SPAR is organized into three operating divisions. The Merchandising Division provides in-store merchandising, database and research services to general retail, mass market, drug, and grocery chains. Its Technology Division offers a series of Internet-based productivity improvement applications designed to help clients increase operating efficiencies and train employees in remote locations. SPAR's International Division, through a joint venture with a large Japanese wholesaler, provides in-store merchandising, database and research services in general retail, mass market, drug, and grocery chains in the Far East.

Certain statements in this news release are forward-looking and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those indicated by such statements as a result of various factors, including the continued building of sales momentum, the success of marketing its Internet application software products and other factors discussed in SPAR Group's Form 10-K, Form 10-Q, and other filings made with the SEC from time to time.


                            SPAR Group, Inc.
           Condensed, Consolidated Statements of Operations
                              (unaudited)
                 (in thousands, except per share data)

                                                 Three Months ended
                                                      March 31,
                                                  2002         2001

Net revenues                                   $ 16,046     $ 14,941
Cost of revenues                                  9,751        8,748
Gross profit                                      6,295        6,193
     Selling, general, and administrative
       expenses                                   4,967        4,770
     Depreciation and amortization                  417          630
Operating income                                    911          793
Interest expense                                     48          153
Other expense                                        82            0
Income from continuing operations before
  income taxes                                      781          640
Provision for income taxes                          299          273
Income from continuing operations                   482          367
Income from discontinued operations, net              0          310
Net income                                     $    482     $    677
Basic/diluted net income per common share:
Income from continuing operations              $   0.03     $   0.02
Income from discontinued operations, net       $      0     $   0.02
Net income                                     $   0.03     $   0.04
Weighted average common shares -- basic          18,584       18,272
Weighted average common shares -- diluted        18,951       18,322


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

                                             March 31,    December 31,
                                                2002          2001
ASSETS
Current assets:
   Cash and cash equivalents                 $     --      $     --
   Accounts receivable, net                    18,381        21,144
   Prepaid expenses and other current
     assets                                       557           440
   Deferred income taxes                        3,241         3,241
   Total current assets                        22,179        24,825

Property and equipment, net                     2,321         2,644
Goodwill and other intangibles, net             8,357         8,357
Deferred income taxes                             389           389
Other assets                                       28           110
Net assets from discontinued operations         4,824         4,830
Total assets                                 $ 38,098      $ 41,155

LIABILITIES & STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
   Accounts payable                          $    877      $    440
   Accrued expenses and other current
     liabilities                                6,251         5,868
   Restructuring and other charges              1,507         1,597
   Due to certain stockholders                  2,455         2,655
   Current portion of long-term debt                0            57
   Net liabilities from discontinued
     operations                                 5,822         5,732
Total current liabilities                      16,912        16,349

Line of credit and long-term liabilities,
  net of current portion                        7,269        11,287
Long-term debt due to certain stockholders      2,000         2,000
Restructuring and other charges, long-term        497           585

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 --
       18,585,441 -- 2002 and 18,582,615
       -- 2001                                    186           186
   Additional paid-in capital                  10,535        10,531
   Retained earnings                              699           217
Total stockholders' equity                     11,420        10,934
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity   $ 38,098      $ 41,155

Contacts:
Charles Cimitile
914/332-4100

PondelWilkinson MS&L
Gary S. Maier
310/207-9300