WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., Nov. 21, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SPAR Group, Inc. (Nasdaq:SGRP), a leading supplier of retail merchandising and other marketing services throughout the United States and internationally, today announced financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2016.

Highlights for the third quarter and nine-month period ended September 30, 2016, as compared to the same periods in the prior year include:

• Revenue for the third quarter of 2016 increased 18% to $33.4 million.  Adjusting for the negative impact of foreign currency translation, third quarter revenue increased 22% year over year.
  
  
• For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, revenue increased 3% to $89.8 million.  Adjusting for the negative impact of foreign currency translation, revenue for the nine-month period increased 11% year over year.
  
  
• Net loss attributable to SPAR Group for the third quarter of 2016 was ($58,000), or ($0.00) per diluted share, compared to a net loss of ($92,000), or ($0.00) per diluted share, during the third quarter of 2015.
  
  
• For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, net income was $84,000, or $0.00 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $(137,000), or ($0.01) per diluted share for the same period in 2015.
  
  
• In mid-September, the Company established SPAR Brazil by acquiring a majority ownership position of New Momentum and New Momentum Services from The Interpublic Group in Brazil.  For the short period in September 2016, SPAR Brazil contributed approximately $1.9 million to the Company’s revenue and $(43,000) to its net loss.

Financial Results by Geography (in 000's)

	Three Months Ended September 30,								%			Nine Months Ended September 30,								%
Revenue:	2016				2015				Change			2016				2015				Change
International	$	22,106			$	17,563			26	%		$	57,513			$	54,219			6	%
Domestic		11,332				10,706			6	%			32,268				32,783			(2	)%
Total	$	33,438			$	28,269			18	%		$	89,781			$	87,002			3	%

	Three Months Ended September 30,								Nine Months Ended September 30,
Net Income (loss):	2016				2015				2016				2015
International	$	(66	)		$	(131	)		$	43			$	(372	)
Domestic		8				39				41				235
Total	$	(58	)		$	(92	)		$	84			$	(137	)
Earnings Per Basic and Diluted share:
	$	(0.00	)		$	(0.00	)		$	0.00			$	(0.01	)

“We saw solid improvement in revenue and profitability in our international business, which unfortunately, was partially offset by weak performance in our domestic operations.  SPAR Group has great people and systems, but our operational and financial performance has been inconsistent.  With a little realignment, I think we can make significant improvements,” commented Chief Executive Officer, Scott Popaditch.  “Near term, we will focus on making improvements to our domestic operations to drive growth and profitability on a more consistent basis.  At the same time, we are investing in the growth of our international operations.  We established operations in Brazil through acquisition, and plan further investment there to build a solid foundation that can lead to even greater growth in South America.  These changes and investment will take time to show results, but I am optimistic we will begin to see meaningful change by the end of 2017.” 

Margin Profile by Geography
Gross Margin:

								Basis									Basis
		Three Months Ended September 30,						Point			Nine Months Ended September 30,						Point
		2016			2015			Change			2016			2015			Change
International		19.3	%		19.7	%		(43	)		19.6	%		19.7	%		(7	)
Domestic		26.5	%		30.3	%		(380	)		28.5	%		30.9	%		(240	)
Total		21.8	%		23.8	%		(199	)		22.8	%		23.9	%		(110	)

Operating Income as a % of Sales:

		Three Months Ended September 30,								Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2016				2015				2016				2015
International		2.8		%			1.0	%			2.6	%			1.5	%
Domestic		(1.6		)%			0.6	%			(0.4	)%			0.9	%
Total		1.3		%			0.8	%			1.5	%			1.3	%

International gross profit margin for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2016 was 19.3% and 19.6%, compared to 19.7% and 19.7%, respectively, for the same periods last year.  Changes in gross margin for both period comparisons were related to changes in the mix of business within the international subsidiaries. 

Domestic gross profit margin for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2016, was 26.5% and 28.5%, compared to 30.3% and 30.9%, respectively, for the same periods in 2015.  The decrease in gross profit margin was primarily due to continued pricing pressure.

Operating income for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2016 increased 88% and 26% to $430,000 and $1.4 million, from $229,000 and $1.1 million, respectively, during the same periods last year, as increased contribution from international operations was partially offset by domestic operations.

International operating income for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2016 was $614,000 and $1.5 million, a 270% and 91% increase compared to $166,000 and $784,000, respectively, during the same periods in 2015.  International operating profit benefited from increased revenue and continued operating expense management especially in Mexico, China and South Africa.

Domestic operating loss for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2016 was $(184,000) and $(120,000), compared to operating income of $63,000 and $309,000 during the same periods in 2015.  Costs saving initiatives implemented late in 2015 were more than offset by the decrease in gross profit margin and one-time expenses related to management changes, resulting in the decrease in operating profit.

Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2016

As of September 30, 2016, cash and cash equivalents totaled $7.5 million. Working capital was $9.4 million and current ratio was 1.3 to 1. Total current assets and total assets were $39.7 million and $55.5 million, respectively.  Total current liabilities and total liabilities were both $30.3 million.  Total equity was $25.1 million as of September 30, 2016.

Recorded Comments Available

Following the issuance of this release, the Company will provide recorded comments that can be accessed on the SPAR Group website under the "Investor Relations" section. http://investors.sparinc.com/releases.cfm

About SPAR Group

SPAR Group, Inc. is a diversified international merchandising and marketing services Company and provides a broad array of services worldwide to help companies improve their sales, operating efficiency and profits at retail locations. The Company provides merchandising and other marketing services to manufacturers, distributors and retailers worldwide, primarily in mass merchandiser, office supply, value, grocery, drug, independent, convenience, toy, home improvement and electronics stores, as well as providing furniture and other product assembly services, audit services, in-store events, technology services and marketing research. The Company has supplied these project and product services in the United States since certain of its predecessors were formed in 1979 and internationally since the Company acquired its first international subsidiary in Japan in May of 2001. Product services include restocking and adding new products, removing spoiled or outdated products, resetting categories "on the shelf" in accordance with client or store schematics, confirming and replacing shelf tags, setting new sale or promotional product displays and advertising, replenishing kiosks, providing in-store event staffing and providing assembly services in stores, homes and offices. Audit services include price audits, point of sale audits, out of stock audits, intercept surveys and planogram audits. Other merchandising services include whole store or departmental product sets or resets (including new store openings), new product launches, in-store demonstrations, special seasonal or promotional merchandising, focused product support and product recalls. The Company currently does business in 10 countries that encompass approximately 50% of the total world population through its operations in the United States, Canada, Japan, South Africa, India, China, Australia, Mexico, Brazil and Turkey. For more information, please visit the SPAR Group's website at http://www.sparinc.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This Press Release contains and the above referenced recorded comments will contain "forward-looking statements" made by SPAR Group, Inc. ("SGRP", and together with its subsidiaries, the "SPAR Group" or the "Company"), and will be filed shortly in a Current Report on Form 8-K by SGRP with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). There also are "forward looking statements" contained in SGRP's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 (the "Annual Report"), which was filed by SGRP with the SEC, SGRP's definitive Proxy Statement respecting its Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 19, 2016 (the "Proxy Statement"), which SGRP filed with the SEC on April 27, 2016, and SGRP's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and other reports and statements as and when filed with the SEC (including the Annual Report and the Proxy Statement, each a "SEC Report"). "Forward-looking statements" are defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and other applicable federal and state securities laws, rules and regulations, as amended (together with the Securities Act and Exchange Act, collectively, "Securities Laws").

The forward-looking statements made by the Company in this Press Release may include (without limitation) any expectations, guidance or other information respecting the pursuit or achievement of the Company's corporate strategic objectives (growth, customer value, employee development, productivity & efficiency, and earnings per share), building upon the Company's strong foundation, leveraging compatible global opportunities, improving on the value we already deliver to customers, our growing client base, continuing balance sheet strength, customer contract expansion, growing revenues and becoming profitable through organic growth and acquisitions, attracting new business that will increase SPAR Group's revenues, improving product mix, continuing to maintain or reduce costs or consummating any transactions. The Company's forward-looking statements also include, in particular and without limitation, those made in "Business", "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in the Annual Report. You can identify forward-looking statements in such information by the Company's use of terms such as "may", "will", "expect", "intend", "believe", "estimate", "anticipate", "continue" or similar words or variations or negatives of those words.

You should carefully consider (and not place undue reliance on) the Company's forward-looking statements, risk factors and the other risks, cautions and information made, contained or noted in or incorporated by reference into this Press Release, the Proxy Statement and the other applicable SEC Reports that could cause the Company's actual performance or condition (including its assets, business, capital, cash flow, credit, expenses, financial condition, income, liabilities, liquidity, locations, marketing, operations, performance, prospects, sales, strategies, taxation or other achievement, results, risks, trends or condition) to differ materially from the performance or condition planned, intended, anticipated, estimated or otherwise expected by the Company (collectively, "expectations") and described in the information in the Company's forward-looking and other statements, whether express or implied. Although the Company believes them to be reasonable, those expectations involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other unpredictable factors (many of which are beyond the Company's control) that could cause those expectations to fail to occur or be realized or such actual performance or condition to be materially and adversely different from the Company's expectations. In addition, new risks and uncertainties arise from time to time, and it is impossible for the Company to predict these matters or how they may arise or affect the Company. Accordingly, the Company cannot assure you that its expectations will be achieved in whole or in part, that the Company has identified all potential risks, or that the Company can successfully avoid or mitigate such risks in whole or in part, any of which could be significant and materially adverse to the Company and the value of your investment in SGRP's Common Stock.

You should carefully review the risk factors described in the Annual Report (See Item 1A – Risk Factors) and any other risks, cautions or information made, contained or noted in or incorporated by reference into the Annual Report, the Proxy Statement or other applicable SEC Report. All forward-looking and other statements or information attributable to the Company or persons acting on its behalf are expressly subject to and qualified by all such risk factors and other risks, cautions and information.

The Company does not intend or promise, and the Company expressly disclaims any obligation, to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, risk factors or other risks, cautions or information (in whole or in part), whether as a result of new information, risks or uncertainties, future events or recognition or otherwise, except as and to the extent required by applicable law. 

SPAR Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
(Unaudited)
		Three Months Ended September 30,								Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2016			2015					2016			2015
Net revenues		$	33,438			$	28,269			$	89,781			$	87,002
Cost of revenues			26,162				21,555				69,309				66,206
Gross profit			7,276				6,714				20,472				20,796
Selling, general and administrative expenses			6,360				6,014				17,637				18,289
Depreciation and amortization			486				471				1,459				1,414
Operating income			430				229				1,376				1,093
Interest expense			51				47				111				187
Other (income), net			(78	)			(8	)			(183	)			(68	)
Income before income tax expense			457				190				1,448				974
Income tax expense			(31	)			83				200				435
Net income			488				107				1,248				539
Net income attributable to non-controlling interest			(546	)			(199	)			(1,164	)			(676	)
Net (loss) income attributable to SPAR Group, Inc.		$	(58	)		$	(92	)		$	84			$	(137	)
Basic and diluted loss per common share:		$	-			$	-			$	-			$	(0.01	)
Weighted average common shares – basic			20,607				20,556				20,580				20,562
Weighted average common shares – diluted			20,607				20,556				21,299				20,562
Net income		$	488			$	107			$	1,248			$	539
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustments			206				(663	)			(495	)			(1,413	)
Comprehensive income (loss)			694				(556	)			753				(874	)
Comprehensive (income) attributable to non-controlling interest			(546	)			(199	)			(1,164	)			(676	)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to SPAR Group, Inc.		$	148			$	(755	)		$	(411	)		$	(1,550	)

SPAR Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
		September 30, 2016				December 31, 2015
Assets		(Unaudited)
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	7,502			$	5,718
Accounts receivable, net			30,782				23,203
Deferred income taxes			532				529
Prepaid expenses and other current assets			898				661
Total current assets			39,714				30,111
Property and equipment, net			2,556				2,443
Goodwill			2,257				1,800
Intangible assets, net			2,154				2,551
Deferred income taxes			6,513				5,890
Other assets			2,290				611
Total assets		$	55,484			$	43,406
Liabilities and equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable		$	5,007			$	2,984
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities			12,628				7,082
Accrued expenses due to affiliates			989				78
Deferred income taxes			2,566				2,154
Customer deposits			955				503
Lines of credit and short-term loans			8,181				476
Total current liabilities			30,326				13,277
Long-term debt and other liabilities			12				5,731
Total liabilities			30,338				19,008
Equity:
SPAR Group, Inc. equity
Preferred stock, $.01 par value:
Authorized and available shares– 2,445,598
Issued and outstanding shares–
None –  September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015			–				–
Common stock, $.01 par value:
Authorized shares – 47,000,000
Issued shares –
20,680,717 –  September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015			207				207
Treasury stock, at cost
42,177 shares –  September 30, 2016 and
119,695 shares –  December 31, 2015			(58	)			(169	)
Additional paid-in capital			16,041				15,871
Accumulated other comprehensive loss			(3,364	)			(2,869	)
Retained earnings			5,746				5,662
Total SPAR Group, Inc. equity			18,572				18,702
Non-controlling interest			6,574				5,696
Total equity			25,146				24,398
Total liabilities and equity		$	55,484			$	43,406

Company Contact:

James R. Segreto
Chief Financial Officer
SPAR Group, Inc.
(914) 332-4100

Investor Contact: 

Dave Mossberg
Three Part Advisors
(817) 310-0051