SPAR Group Reports Record Results for 2002 Fourth Quarter and Year; Income From Continuing Operations Up 28 Percent in 2002
SPAR Group Reports Record Results for 2002 Fourth Quarter and Year; Income From Continuing Operations Up 28 Percent in 2002
Feb 28, 2003
SPAR Group Reports Record Results for 2002 Fourth Quarter and Year; Income From Continuing Operations Up 28 Percent in 2002
TARRYTOWN, N.Y., Feb. 28, 2003--SPAR Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:SGRP) today announced financial results for its fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2002.Income from continuing operations for the fourth quarter of 2002 increased 24 percent to $2.5 million, or $0.13 per diluted share, compared to $2.0 million, or $0.11 per diluted share, in the same period a year earlier. Net income for the fourth quarter was $2.5 million compared to a net loss of $3.3 million in the 2001 fourth quarter. The 2001 loss included a non-cash charge for the impairment of goodwill related to the divestiture of SPAR's Incentive Marketing Division that was subsequently sold to employees through an employee stock ownership plan, effective June 30, 2002. Revenues for the fourth quarter were $18.2 million compared to $20.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2001.
For the year ended December 31, 2002, income from continuing operations increased 28 percent to $5.3 million, or $0.28 per diluted share, compared to $4.2 million or $0.23 per diluted share, a year earlier. Net income for the year was $5.3 million compared to a net loss of $1.7 million for 2001. Revenues for 2002 were $69.6 million compared to $70.9 million last year.
"Once again, SPAR achieved record operating results for the year and met its goal of $0.28 per diluted share from continuing operations," said Bob Brown, SPAR Group's chairman and chief executive officer. "During the year, we continued to refine our product offerings and strengthened our selling and marketing functions. We believe our success is testament to our innovative products, superior technology, dedicated people and continued cost management. As always, moving forward we plan to work closely with our clients and leverage SPAR's unique merchandising expertise to increase their sales and profits." Brown noted that the company is well positioned for top line growth in 2003 and is targeting a 20% increase in net income, translating to earnings per share of $0.33 for the year.
During the fourth quarter the company's board of directors authorized a stock repurchase program of up to 100,000 shares of the company's outstanding common stock. Since the time of the authorization, the company has repurchased approximately 24,400 shares of its common stock at an average share price of $3.23. The company will remain active with the share repurchase program should the right market conditions exist.
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 (including, without limitation, the top line, net income and earnings per share estimates for 2003) are forward-looking 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 of 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. Condensed, Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited) (In thousands, except per share data) Three Months Twelve Months Ended Ended December 31, December 31, 2002 2001 2002 2001 Net Revenues $18,249 $20,834 $69,612 $70,891 Cost of revenues 9,230 10,606 40,331 40,883 Gross profit 9,019 10,228 29,281 30,008 Selling, general and administrative expenses 4,593 5,569 18,804 19,380 Depreciation and amortization 499 680 1,844 2,682 Operating income 3,927 3,979 8,633 7,946 Interest expense 133 109 363 561 Other (Income) expense (193) 107 (26) 107 Income before provision for income taxes 3,987 3,763 8,296 7,278 Provision for income taxes 1,454 1,718 2,998 3,123 Income from continuing operations 2,533 2,045 5,298 4,155 Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax benefit 0 (5,332) 0 (5,869) Net Income (loss) $2,533 $(3,287) $5,298 $(1,714) Net income (loss) per common share: Income from continuing operations - basic/diluted $0.13 $0.11 $0.28 $0.23 Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax benefit - basic 0.00 (0.29) 0.00 (0.32) - diluted 0.00 (0.28) 0.00 (0.32) Net Income (loss) - basic $0.13 $(0.18) $0.28 $(0.09) - diluted $0.13 $(0.17) $0.28 $(0.09) Weighted average common shares - basic 18,816 18,582 18,761 18,389 Weighted average common shares - diluted 19,237 18,957 19,148 18,467 SPAR Group, Inc. Condensed, Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited) (In thousands, except per share data) December 31, 2002 2001 Assets Current Assets: Cash and cash equivalents $0 $0 Accounts receivable, net 17,415 21,144 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 783 440 Deferred income taxes 903 3,241 Total current assets 19,101 24,825 Property and equipment, net 1,972 2,644 Goodwill and other intangibles, net 7,858 8,357 Deferred income taxes 705 389 Other assets 121 110 Net assets from discontinued operations 0 4,830 Total assets $29,757 $41,155 Liabilities and stockholders' equity Current liabilities: Accounts payable $422 $440 Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 7,054 5,868 Restructuring and other charges, current 1,355 1,597 Due to certain stockholders 1,951 2,655 Current portion of long-term debt 0 57 Net liabilities from discontinued operations 0 5,732 Total current liabilities 10,782 16,349 Line of credit 148 11,287 Long-term debt due to certain stockholders 2,000 2,000 Restructure and other charges, long-term 235 585 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- 18,824,527 - December 31, 2002 and 18,582,615 - December 31, 2001 188 186 Treasury stock (30) 0 Additional paid-in capital 10,919 10,531 Retained Earnings 5,515 217 Total stockholders' equity 16,592 10,934 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $29,757 $41,155
Contact: SPAR Group, Inc. Charles Cimitile, 914/332-4100 or PondelWilkinson MS&L Roger S. Pondel, 323/866-6060