SPAR Group (SGRP) Q2 Revenue Up 53%, Year-Over-Year hits $24.3 Million

TARRYTOWN, NY — (Marketwire) — 08/07/12 — SPAR Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: SGRP) (the “Company” or “SPAR Group”), a leading supplier of retail merchandising and other marketing services throughout the United States and internationally, today announced second quarter 2012 financial results, including revenue of $24.3 million, gross profit of $6.7 million and net income attributable to SPAR Group, Inc. of $718,000. In the first six months of 2012 the Company achieved revenue of $45.4 million, gross profit of $12.5 million and diluted earnings per share of $0.05.

Company Highlights

• Second quarter 2012 domestic net income increased 66% to $928,000.
• Second quarter consolidated net income attributable to SPAR Group, Inc. increased 41% to $0.03 per diluted share.
• Consolidated revenue for the first six months of 2012 increased 40% to $45.4 million.
• Consolidated net income attributable to SPAR Group, Inc. for the first six months of 2012 increased 35% to $1.0 million.
• Working capital continued to improve.

“We are pleased by the 35% growth in our net income for the first six months of 2012, based on the success we experienced in our domestic operations,” stated Gary Raymond, Chief Executive Officer of SPAR Group. “We are currently in discussions with several Fortune 500 companies and expect to secure additional contracts that will augment our rapidly escalating revenue base and net income. The Company is confident that we have successfully implemented our long-term plan to reposition the Company for sustained, profitable growth for the foreseeable future. Our first six months results provide us with confidence in meeting our 2012 guidance of $90 million in revenue.”

Mr. Raymond continued, “Our international division’s net revenue grew by 105% in the second quarter based on strong growth from recent acquisitions in Mexico, Romania and Turkey. These additions provide proof of efficacy in our acquisition model. We have identified several potential acquisition candidates that could provide immediate earnings to our bottom-line. Our financial growth is typically the strongest during the second half of the year, and we fully expect that trend to persist in 2012.”

Financial Results for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2012 and 2011

               For the Three Months Ended     For the Six Months Ended June
                        June 30,                           30,
                                 Change                           Change
                             --------------                   -------------
               2012    2011     $       %       2012    2011     $      %
             ------- ------- ------- ------   ------- ------- -------------
Net Revenue:
Domestic     $10,881 $ 9,367 $ 1,514     16%  $20,166 $18,889 $ 1,277     7%
International 13,462   6,577   6,885    105%   25,224  13,474  11,750    87%
             ------- ------- -------          ------- ------- -------
Total        $24,343 $15,944 $ 8,399     53%  $45,390 $32,363 $13,027    40%

Gross Profit:
Domestic     $ 3,744 $ 2,930 $   814     28%  $ 6,704 $ 6,208 $   496     8%
International  2,964   2,027     937     46%    5,773   3,985   1,788    45%
             ------- ------- -------          ------- ------- -------
Total        $ 6,708 $ 4,957 $ 1,751     35%  $12,477 $10,193 $ 2,284    22%

Net Income attributable to SPAR Group, Inc.:
Domestic     $   928 $   560 $   368     66%  $ 1,190 $ 1,059 $   131    12%
International   (210)    (51)   (159)  (312)%    (165)   (297)    132    44%
             ------- ------- -------          ------- ------- -------
Total        $   718 $   509 $   209     41%  $ 1,025 $   762 $   263    35%

Earnings per Diluted Share:
             $  0.03 $  0.02 $  0.01          $  0.05 $  0.04 $  0.01

Consolidated net revenue for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2012 increased 53% and 40%, respectively, when compared to the same periods in 2011. The increases in net revenue were primarily due to our new subsidiaries in Mexico, Romania and Turkey and strong performances in South Africa and Japan combined with continued growth in our domestic operations resulting from new client initiatives and continued organic growth from our syndicated service and assembly businesses.

Consolidated gross profit for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2012 increased 35% and 22%, respectively, when compared to the prior year due primarily to our international expansion efforts and improved margins in our domestic operations.

Net income attributable to SPAR Group, Inc. increased 41% and 35% for the three and six month periods ended June 30, respectively, when compared to the same period a year ago. The increase for the three month period ended June 30, 2012 was driven by a 66% increase in domestic operations while international net income declined for the same period primarily due to margin pressure in our Canadian market. The improvement in net income for the six month period ended June 30, 2012 was equally attributed to the improved performances in both the domestic and international divisions.

Balance Sheet as of June 30, 2012

As of June 30, 2012 our working capital improved to $8.2 million and our current ratio was to 1.7 to 1. Total current assets and total assets were $19.8 million and $23.5 million, respectively, and cash and cash equivalents totaled $1.7 million at June 30, 2012. Total current liabilities and total liabilities were $11.5 million and $11.9 million, respectively and total equity was $10.5 million at June 30, 2012.

The Company currently plans to file its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or before August 10, 2012 and to host a shareholder conference call on August 13, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. eastern daylight time.

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 merchandisers, office supply, grocery and drug store chains, independent, convenience and electronics stores, as well as providing furniture and other product assembly services, in-store events, radio frequency identification (“RFID”) and related 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 product additions; placement, reordering, replenishment, labeling, evaluation and deletions, and project services include seasonal and special product promotions, product recalls and complete setups of departments and stores. The Company operates throughout the world in 10 of the most populated countries, including China and India. For more information, visit the SPAR Group’s Web site at http://www.sparinc.com/.

Certain statements in this news release and such conference call are forward-looking, including (without limitation) expectations or guidance respecting customer contract expansion, increasing revenues, profits and earnings per share, through organic growth and acquisitions, attracting new business that will increase SPAR Group’s revenues, continuing to maintain costs and consummating any acquisitions or other transactions. Undue reliance should not be placed on such forward-looking statements because the matters they describe are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other unpredictable factors, many of which are beyond the Company’s control. 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 those and other risk factors and cautionary statements that could affect future results, performance or trends are discussed in SPAR Group’s most recent 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. All of the Company’s forward-looking statements are expressly qualified by all such risk factors and other cautionary statements.

                             SPAR Group, Inc.
        Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income
                                (unaudited)
                   (in thousands, except per share data)

                              Three Months Ended       Six Months Ended
                                    June 30,                June 30,
                            ----------------------- -----------------------
                                2012        2011        2012        2011
                            ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------

Net revenues                $    24,343 $    15,944 $    45,390 $    32,363
Cost of revenues                 17,635      10,987      32,913      22,170
                            ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Gross profit                      6,708       4,957      12,477      10,193

Selling, general, and
 administrative expense           5,634       4,137      10,655       8,711
Depreciation and
 amortization                       293         265         570         528
                            ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Operating income                    781         555       1,252         954

Interest expense                     12          24          63         106
Other expense (income)               75          (2)         (7)          7
                            ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Income before provision for
 income taxes                       694         533       1,196         841

Provision for income taxes           58          29         101          53
                            ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Net income                          636         504       1,095         788
Net loss (income)
 attributable to the non-
 controlling interest                82           5         (70)        (26)
                            ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Net income attributable to
 SPAR Group, Inc.           $       718 $       509 $     1,025 $       762
                            =========== =========== =========== ===========

Net income per
 basic/diluted common
 share:

Net income - basic          $      0.04 $      0.03 $      0.05 $      0.04
                            =========== =========== =========== ===========

Net income -diluted         $      0.03 $      0.02 $      0.05 $      0.04
                            =========== =========== =========== ===========

Weighted average common
 shares - basic                  20,134      20,012      20,125      19,826
                            =========== =========== =========== ===========

Weighted average common
 shares - diluted                22,320      21,656      22,306      21,387
                            =========== =========== =========== ===========

Net income                  $       636 $       504 $     1,095 $       788
Other comprehensive income:
Foreign currency
 translation adjustments           (153)          2        (195)         25
                            ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Comprehensive income        $       483 $       506 $       900 $       813
                            =========== =========== =========== ===========

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

                                                  June 30,     December 31,
                                                    2012           2011
                                               -------------  -------------
Assets                                          (unaudited)       (note)
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents                    $       1,722  $       1,705
  Accounts receivable, net                            17,344         15,461
  Prepaid expenses and other current assets              701            801
                                               -------------  -------------
Total current assets                                  19,767         17,967

Property and equipment, net                            1,724          1,523
Goodwill                                               1,148          1,148
Intangibles                                              637            705
Other assets                                             261            178
                                               -------------  -------------
Total assets                                   $      23,537  $      21,521
                                               =============  =============

Liabilities and equity
Current liabilities:
  Accounts payable                             $       3,220  $       1,819
  Accrued expenses and other current
   liabilities                                         5,035          4,039
  Accrued expense due to affiliates                    1,600          1,092
  Customer deposits                                      424            183
  Lines of credit                                      1,246          3,641
                                               -------------  -------------
Total current liabilities                             11,525         10,774
Long-term debt and other liabilities                     375            334
                                               -------------  -------------
Total liabilities                                     11,900         11,108

Equity:
SPAR Group, Inc. equity
  Preferred stock, $.01 par value:
    Authorized and available shares -
     2,445,598
    Issued and outstanding shares -
    None - June 30, 2012
    None - December 31, 2011                               -              -
  Common stock, $.01 par value:
    Authorized shares - 47,000,000
    Issued and outstanding shares -
    20,136,418 - June 30, 2012
    20,103,043 - December 31, 2011                       201            201
  Additional paid-in capital                          14,225         13,940
  Accumulated other comprehensive loss                  (367)          (172)
  Accumulated deficit                                 (3,601)        (4,626)
                                               -------------  -------------
Total SPAR Group, Inc. equity                         10,458          9,343
Non-controlling interest                               1,179          1,070
                                               -------------  -------------
Total liabilities and equity                   $      23,537  $      21,521
                                               =============  =============

Note: The Balance Sheet at December 31, 2011, is excerpted from the consolidated audited financial statements as of that date but does not include certain information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for complete financial statements.

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

Investors:
Alan Sheinwald
Alliance Advisors, LLC
(212) 398-3486
Email Contact

Chris Camarra
Alliance Advisors, LLC
(212) 398-3487