SPAR Group Reports Results For 2007 First Quarter

May 07, 2007
SPAR Group Reports Results For 2007 First Quarter

SPAR Group Reports Results For 2007 First Quarter

TARRYTOWN, N.Y., May 7, 2007 -- SPAR Group, Inc. (Nasdaq:SGRP) today reported results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2007. Net revenues for the 2007 first quarter amounted to $15.4 million, compared with $15.8 million a year ago. Last year included an additional one quarter of revenue, or approximately $1.3 million, from the company's Japan joint venture in connection with its change to a calendar reporting year, as well as approximately $770,000 from the termination of a customer service agreement.

The company recorded a net loss of $509,000, equal to $0.03 per share, for the 2007 first quarter, compared with net income of $777,000, or $0.04 per share, a year ago. Net income for the prior year included two material items, approximately $770,000 from the termination of a customer service agreement and $175,000 in connection with settlement of a vendor lawsuit.

Selling, general and administrative expenses for the 2007 first quarter increased to $5.2 million from $5.1 million last year. The prior year included an additional one quarter of expense, or approximately $544,000, from the company's Japan joint venture.

Robert G. Brown, SPAR Group's chairman and chief executive officer, said, "Domestically, we continue to face a challenging environment. We are hopeful that with our new customers and our current business prospects, domestic results will improve by year end," Brown said. "Internationally, we will continue our efforts to expand, and we hope to improve our profits. We will continue to invest in technology such as RFID that we believe will have a positive impact on the company's long-term future. We are building a foundation and believe SPAR Group is well-positioned in the markets we serve, both domestically and internationally."

During the 2007 first quarter, SPAR Group announced the further expansion of its international presence, entering New Zealand to complement its existing operation in Australia, which was established in 2006.

SPAR Group said international revenue for the 2007 first quarter rose to $7.0 million from $5.0 million last year. The $5.0 million included an additional one quarter of revenue, or approximately $1.3 million in 2006 from the company's Japan joint venture. SPAR Group reported a net loss from international operations of $118,000, compared with a net loss of $44,000 for first quarter of 2006.

Revenue in the U.S. amounted to $8.4 million, compared with $10.8 million a year ago, including approximately $770,000 from the termination of a customer service agreement. Net loss attributable to the company's U.S. operations amounted to $391,000 for the 2007 first quarter, compared with net income of $821,000 last year, that included $770,000 from the termination of a customer service agreement and $175,000 in connection with settlement of a vendor lawsuit.

About SPAR Group

SPAR Group, Inc., a diversified international marketing services company, provides a broad array of services to help manufacturers and retailers improve their sales, operating efficiency and profits at retail worldwide. Services include in-store merchandising and event staffing, RFID and other technology and research, covering all product classifications and all classes of trade, including mass market, drug store, electronic store, convenience store and grocery chains. The company operates throughout the United States and internationally in Japan, Canada, Turkey, South Africa, India, Romania, China, Lithuania, Australia, Latvia and New Zealand. For more information, visit SPAR Group's Web site, www.sparinc.com.

Certain statements in this news release are forward-looking, including, but not limited to, improving business prospects during the year, customer response to new services and the success of the company's Australian joint venture. 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 Group's selling and marketing functions, continued customer satisfaction and contract renewal, new product development, continued availability of capable dedicated personnel, continued cost management, the success of its international efforts, success and availability of acquisitions, availability of financing and other factors, as well as by factors applicable to most companies such as general economic, competitive and other business and civil conditions. Information regarding certain of these and other factors that could affect 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 Operations
                              (unaudited)
                 (in thousands, except per share data)

                                                   Three Months Ended
                                                  --------------------
                                                  March 31,   March 31,
                                                    2007        2006
                                                  --------    --------
 Net Revenues                                     $ 15,413    $ 15,850
 Cost of revenues                                   10,294       9,854
                                                  --------    --------
 Gross profit                                        5,119       5,996

 Selling, general and administrative
  expenses                                           5,209       5,071
 Depreciation and amortization                         197         213
                                                  --------    --------
 Operating (loss) income                              (287)        712

 Interest expense                                       89          51
 Other expense (income)                                 21        (178)
                                                  --------    --------
 (Loss) income before provision for
  income taxes and minority interest                  (397)        839

 Provision for income taxes                             67          45
                                                  --------    --------
 (Loss) income before minority interest               (464)        794
 Minority interest                                      45          17
                                                  --------    --------

 Net (loss) income                                $   (509)   $    777
                                                  ========    ========

 Basic/diluted net (loss) income per common share:

    Net (loss) income - basic/diluted             $  (0.03)   $   0.04

 Weighted average common shares - basic             18,934      18,918
                                                  ========    ========

 Weighted average common shares - diluted           18,934      19,071
                                                  ========    ========


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

                                                March 31,  December 31,
                                                  2007       2006
                                                --------    --------
 Assets
 Current Assets:
   Cash and cash equivalents                    $  2,132    $  1,148
   Accounts receivable, net                       11,500      12,982
   Prepaid expenses and other current assets         522         553
                                                --------    --------
 Total current assets                             14,154      14,683

 Property and equipment, net                       1,296         901
 Goodwill                                            798         798
 Other assets                                      1,446       1,695
                                                --------    --------
 Total assets                                   $ 17,694    $ 18,077
                                                ========    ========

 Liabilities and stockholders' equity
 Current liabilities:
  Accounts payable                              $  3,320    $  2,551
  Accrued expenses and other current
   liabilities                                     2,828       2,864
  Accrued expense due to affiliates                2,521       1,752
  Customer deposits                                  550         560
  Lines of credit                                  3,609       5,318
                                                --------    --------
 Total current liabilities                        12,828      13,045

 Other long-term liabilities                         252           6
 Minority Interest                                   542         498
                                                --------    --------
 Total liabilities                                13,622      13,549

 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 - 18,934,182 - March 31, 2007
    18,934,182 - December 31, 2006                   189         189
   Treasury Stock                                     (1)         (1)
   Additional paid-in capital                     11,542      11,484
   Accumulated other comprehensive loss             (114)       (109)
   Accumulated deficit                            (7,544)     (7,035)
                                                --------    --------
 Total stockholders' equity                        4,072       4,528
                                                --------    --------
 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity     $ 17,694    $ 18,077
                                                ========    ========
CONTACT:  SPAR Group, Inc.
          Charles Cimitile, Chief Financial Officer
          (914) 332-4100

          PondelWilkinson Inc.
          Roger S. Pondel
          (310) 279-5980