Signature Group Holdings, Inc. Reports Second Quarter 2013 Results

SHERMAN OAKS, Calif., Aug. 1, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Signature Group Holdings, Inc. (OTCQX: SGGH) today announced financial results for its second quarter ended June 30, 2013.

The Company's net loss for the second quarter of 2013 was $1.9 million, or $0.02 per share, an improvement to the net loss of $3.9 million, or $0.04 per share, reported for the second quarter of 2012.  The 2013 second quarter results include a $5.0 million, or $0.04 per share, gain on sale of residential loans as compared to no gain in the second quarter of 2012.  The second quarter results also included a $3.7 million, or $0.03 per share, noncash charge related to the Company's common stock warrant liability while the 2012 second quarter results included a $0.6 million, or $0.01 per share, noncash charge.  The Company also incurred $1.8 million of expenses related to the contested proxy and associated settlements in the second quarter of 2013, compared to $0.7 million of contested proxy and related expenses in the second quarter of 2012.   

"I am satisfied with the progress the Company is making to execute on its growth plan and would like to thank the shareholders for their overwhelming support of that plan by approving the increase of our authorized share count," stated Craig T. Bouchard, Chairman and CEO of Signature.  "During the quarter, we reduced headcount and operating expenses at the holding company, divested the remaining legacy residential mortgage assets and increased our cash position.  Our focus now turns to completing an accretive acquisition.  We are seeing an abundance of excellent opportunities."

Quarterly Results

Operating revenues from continuing operations were $14.9 million in the second quarter of 2013, compared to $9.3 million in the second quarter of 2012.  The increase is primarily related to the $5.0 million gain recognized on the sale of the residential loan portfolio.  Adjusting for the one-time gain, operating revenues increased 6.5 percent year over year, primarily driven by an increase in net sales at Industrial Supply.

Operating costs increased $0.9 million year over year, primarily from an increase in selling, general and administrative expenses attributable to contested proxy and related expenses, partially offset by a reduction in litigation expenses. 

Operating profit in the second quarter of 2013 was $1.8 million, compared to a $2.9 million operating loss in the second quarter of 2012.  Adjusting for the one-time gain on sale of loans, as well as the contested proxy and related expenses in both quarters, the operating loss in the second quarter of 2013 would have been $1.5 million; a $0.6 million improvement to what would have been a $2.1 million operating loss in the second quarter of 2012. 

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations were $(0.4) million and $0.6 million, respectively, for the second quarter of 2013, compared to $(1.5) million and $(0.1) million, respectively, for the second quarter of 2012.  The $0.7 million improvement in Adjusted EBITDA was primarily driven by operating cost reductions in the corporate office and the increase in net earnings from Industrial Supply.  (See Non-GAAP Financial Measures below for more information about EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, and a reconciliation to the most comparable GAAP financial measures.)

At June 30, 2013, the Company had $76.2 million in cash and cash equivalents, $84.3 million of working capital and $49.5 million in total debt.

Key Segment Developments

• Industrial Supply – Net earnings increased 38.3 percent on a 4.3 percent increase in net sales over the comparable period in 2012.  Inventory continued to increase during the quarter in preparation for the summer sales season,  to support the ongoing expansion of the warehouse network and as part of a strategic effort to protect gross margins through opportunistic purchases.  With the opening of the Charlotte, North Carolina facility on July 1, the Company achieved its original goal of opening two new locations in 2013 and now expects to open two additional locations in the coming twelve months. 
• Signature Special Situations – As a result of the loan sales during the quarter, operating results were very strong, but this segment's asset base is now at a size that is not expected to generate material earnings in the next several quarters. 
• Corporate and Other and Discontinued Operations – During the quarter, staff was reduced by six full time employees.

Mr. Bouchard added, "We are excited about Industrial Supply's continued organic growth and future prospects to increase market share throughout North America.  The recent sale of our residential loan portfolio has provided further capital flexibility as we pursue strategic and targeted acquisition opportunities."

About Signature Group Holdings, Inc.

Signature is a diversified enterprise with current principal activities in industrial supply and special situations finance.  Signature has significant capital resources and is actively seeking additional acquisitions as well as growth opportunities for its existing businesses.  Signature has federal net operating loss tax carryforwards of approximately $886.9 million.  For more information about Signature, visit its corporate website at www.signaturegroupholdings.com.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This earnings release contains forward-looking statements, which are based on current expectations, estimates, and projections about the Company's business and prospects, as well as management's beliefs, and certain assumptions made by management. Words such as "anticipates," "expects," "intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks," "estimates," "may," "should," "will" and variations of these words are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements speak only as of the date hereof and are subject to change. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly revise or update any forward-looking statements for any reason. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements about the Company's expansion and business strategies and anticipated growth opportunities, as well as future performance, growth, operating results, financial condition and prospects. Such statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Accordingly, actual results could differ materially and adversely from those expressed in any forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. Important factors that may cause such a difference include, but are not limited to the demand for Industrial Supply's products; the Company's ability to successfully identify, consummate and integrate the acquisitions of other businesses; the Company's ability to open warehouses in additional geographic regions; changes in business or other market conditions; the difficulty of keeping expense growth at modest levels while increasing revenues; and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including but not limited to the most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent reports on Forms 10-Q and 8-K.

Contact

Signature Group Holdings, Inc.
Jeff Crusinberry, SVP and Treasurer
(805) 435-1255
[email protected]

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

A non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure of historical or future financial performance, financial position or cash flows that excludes amounts, or is subject to adjustments that have the effect of excluding amounts that are included in the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") in the balance sheets, statements of operations, or statements of cash flows; or includes amounts, or is subject to adjustments that have the effect of including amounts that are excluded from the most directly comparable measures so calculated and presented. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not measures computed in accordance with GAAP. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are presented and discussed in the Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, because management believes they enhance the understanding of the Company's financial performance by investors and lenders. As a complement to financial measures provided in accordance with GAAP, management believes that EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA assist investors who follow the practice of some investment analysts who adjust GAAP financial measures to exclude items that may obscure underlying performance and distort comparability. Because EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not measures computed in accordance with GAAP, they are not intended to be presented herein as a substitute for net earnings (loss) as an indicator of operating performance. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are primarily performance measurements used by senior management and the Board of Directors to evaluate certain operating results.

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, are calculated as earnings (loss) before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, or EBITDA, which is then adjusted to remove or add back certain items, or Adjusted EBITDA. These items are identified below in the reconciliation of net earnings (loss) to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations. Net earnings (loss) is the GAAP measure most directly comparable to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA.

The Company's calculation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA may be different from the calculation used by other companies for non-GAAP measures having the same or similar names; therefore, the Company's calculations may not be comparable to those of other companies.

The following tables present a reconciliation of net loss to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations for the three months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012:

SOURCE Signature Group Holdings, Inc.