SPAR Group Reports Third Quarter and Nine-Month Results

Nov 04, 2002
SPAR Group Reports Third Quarter and Nine-Month Results

SPAR Group Reports Third Quarter and Nine-Month Results

Income From Continuing Operations up 31% for Nine Months; Board Authorizes Stock Repurchase

TARRYTOWN, N.Y., Nov. 4, 2002 -- SPAR Group, Inc. (Nasdaq:SGRP) today announced results for its third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2002.

Income from continuing operations for the third quarter increased 17 percent to $1.21 million, or $0.06 per diluted share, from $1.04 million, or $0.06 per diluted share, a year earlier. Net income for the third quarter was $1.21 million, or $0.06 per diluted share, compared with $578,000, or $0.03 per diluted share, last year. Revenues for the quarter were $17.8 million compared with $19.0 million a year ago. Results in the third quarter of 2001 included a loss from discontinued operations of $463,000.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2002, income from continuing operations climbed 31 percent to $2.8 million, or $0.14 per diluted share, from $2.1 million, $0.12 per diluted share, in the same period a year ago. Net income for the nine months was $2.8 million, or $0.14 per diluted share, from $1.6 million, or $0.09 per diluted share, last year. Revenues for the nine months of 2002 were $51.4 million compared with $50.1 million in the comparable 2001 period.

Separately, the company announced that its board of directors has authorized a stock repurchase program of up to 100,000 shares of the company's outstanding common stock. The common stock may be repurchased from time to time in the open market at varying prices depending on market conditions and other factors.

"Despite a less than robust retailing environment, which impacted top-line growth for the quarter, the company's margins remain strong and the business is expected to continue to benefit from customers seeking to increase sales and profit by distinguishing their products in the retail marketplace," said Bob Brown, SPAR Group's chairman and chief executive officer.

He noted that gross margins for the quarter and the nine-month period were approximately 40 percent, reflecting continued management of the company's field cost.

Commenting on the company's stock repurchase program, Brown said, "We believe the current stock price does not adequately represent the value of SPAR Group's shares. The share repurchase program underscores management's confidence in SPAR's long-term prospects and the growth opportunities for the company.

"As we enter the fourth quarter, which is historically SPAR's strongest period, due in part to the holiday season, we remain cautiously optimistic regarding the company's previous estimate of achieving $0.28 per diluted share from continuing operations for 2002," Brown said. "Obviously, given the current economic environment, it is more difficult to gauge sales trends, but our internal forecasts appear to justify current targets," Brown added.

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 two operating divisions. The Merchandising Division provides in-store merchandising, database and research services to general retail, mass market, drug, and grocery chains. SPAR's International Division, through a joint venture with a large Japanese wholesaler, provides in-store merchandising services to the Japanese market.

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 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      Nine Months
                                           Ended            Ended
                                          Sept. 30,        Sept. 30,
                                       2002    2001     2002    2001

   Net revenues                     $17,775 $19,026  $51,363 $50,058
   Cost of revenues                  10,760  11,669   31,102  30,277
   Gross profit                       7,015   7,357   20,261  19,781

   Selling, general and administrative
    expenses                          4,571   4,826   14,212  13,811
   Depreciation and amortization        467     692    1,345   2,002
   Operating income                   1,977   1,839    4,704   3,968

   Interest expense                     144     126      231     452
   Other expense                         32      --      166      --
   Income before provision for income
    taxes                             1,801   1,713    4,307   3,516

   Provision for income taxes           588     672    1,544   1,405
   Income from continuing operations  1,213   1,041    2,763   2,111
    operations, net                      --    (463)      --    (538)
   Net Income                        $1,213    $578   $2,763  $1,573
   Basic/diluted net income (loss) per
    common share:

   Net Income from continuing operations:
     - basic                          $0.06   $0.06    $0.15   $0.12
     - diluted                        $0.06   $0.06    $0.14   $0.12

   Loss from discontinued operations, net
     - basic/diluted                  $0.00  $(0.03)   $0.00  $(0.03)

   Net Income:
     - basic                          $0.06   $0.03    $0.15   $0.09
     - diluted                        $0.06   $0.03    $0.14   $0.09

   Weighted average common shares -
    basic                            18,696  18,272   18,700  18,272

  Weighted average common shares -
    diluted                          19,103  18,391   19,118  18,350


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

                                           September    December
                                               30,         31,
                                              2002        2001
   Assets

   Current Assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents                       $--         $--
   Accounts receivable, net                     18,370      21,144
   Prepaid expenses and other current
    assets                                         705         440
    Deferred income taxes                         3,241       3,241
   Total current assets                          22,316      24,825

   Property and equipment, net                    1,658       2,644
   Goodwill and other intangibles, net            8,357       8,357
   Deferred income taxes                            389         389
   Other assets                                      84         110
   Net assets from discontinued operations           --       4,830
   Total assets                                 $32,804     $41,155

   Liabilities and stockholders' equity

   Current liabilities:
   Accounts payable                             $1,159        $440
   Accrued expenses and other current
    liabilities                                  6,678       5,868
   Restructuring and other charges, current      1,392       1,597
   Due to certain stockholders                   2,201       2,655
   Current portion of long-term debt                --          57
   Net liabilities from discontinued
    operations                                      --       5,732
   Total current liabilities                     11,430      16,349

  Line of credit and long-term liabilities,
    net of current portion                        4,060      11,287
  Long-term debt due to certain
    stockholders                                  2,000       2,000
   Restructure and other charges, long-term         515         585
   Other long-term liabilities                      828          --
   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 --
        18,807,242 -- September 30, 2002 and
        18,585,615 -- December 31, 2001             188         186
     Treasury stock                                 (11)         --
     Additional paid-in capital                  10,814      10,531
     Retained Earnings                            2,980         217
    Total stockholders' equity                    13,971      10,934
    Total liabilities and stockholders'
     equity                                      $32,804     $41,155

Contact:
SPAR Group, Inc.
Charles Cimitile, 914/332-4100
     or
PondelWilkinson MS&L
Gary S. Maier, 323/866-6060