Investor Relations

Harbinger Group Inc. Announces Full Year 2010 Financial Results

03/11/11

NEW YORK, Mar 11, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) --

Harbinger Group Inc. ("HGI"; NYSE: HRG) today announced its consolidated financial results for the year ended December 31, 2010. HGI reported a net loss of $22.3 million or $(1.16) per share as a result of costs incurred in implementing its business strategy including interest expense in connection with the raising of capital.

During 2010, HGI announced its first transaction in line with its strategy to acquire significant equity stakes in businesses across a diversified range of industries. HGI acquired a majority interest in global consumer products company Spectrum Brands Holdings, Inc. in a share exchange completed in January 2011.

Additionally, in November 2010 HGI completed it's offering of $350 million aggregate principal amount of 10.625% Senior Secured Notes due 2015. Including these proceeds, the combined value of HGI's cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments as of December 31, 2010 is $471.1 million, which includes $360.1 million of restricted cash. The restricted cash became unrestricted with the subsequent completion of the Spectrum share exchange.

On March 7, 2011, HGI announced its second major transaction in line with its overall strategy. HGI has acquired Harbinger OM, LLC, which is the purchasing party to a definitive agreement to acquire Old Mutual U.S. Life Holdings, Inc. ("U.S. Life") for $350 million. The purchase price represents approximately 39% of U.S. Life's statutory capital as of December 31, 2010. U.S. Life is a leading provider of fixed annuity and life insurance products. The acquisition of U.S. Life is expected to close around the end of HGI's second fiscal quarter ending April 3, 2011, after receipt of regulatory approvals. The purchase price will be funded from cash on hand.

HGI's net loss for the year ended December 31, 2010 increased $9.0 million from $13.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2009. The increase in net loss principally resulted from increases in professional fees associated with advisors retained to evaluate business acquisition opportunities, such as Spectrum Brands Holdings, Inc., and the related public company filings, interest expense on its $350 million Senior Secured Notes and to a much lesser extent, employee and other costs associated with relocating the corporate headquarters to New York City.

About Harbinger Group Inc.

HGI is a holding company that seeks to acquire significant interests in businesses across a diverse range of industries and bring an owner's perspective to building long-term value for stockholders. As of December 31, 2010, HGI had $471.1 million in consolidated cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, which includes $360.1 million in restricted cash that has subsequently become unrestricted. A majority of HGI's outstanding common stock is owned by investment funds affiliated with Harbinger Capital Partners LLC. HGI makes certain reports available free of charge on its website at www.harbingergroupinc.com as soon as reasonably practicable after this information is electronically filed, or furnished to, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

About Harbinger Capital Partners

Harbinger Capital Partners is a multi-billion dollar private investment fund based in New York. The firm was founded in 2001 and employs a fundamental approach to deep value and distressed credit investing. Harbinger Capital Partners is led by Philip A. Falcone, its Chief Executive Officer, who has more than 20 years of investment experience across an array of market cycles.

About Spectrum Brands Holdings, Inc.

Spectrum Brands Holdings, Inc., a member of the Russell 2000 Index, is a global consumer products company and a leading supplier of batteries, shaving and grooming products, personal care products, small household appliances, specialty pet supplies, lawn & garden and home pest control products, personal insect repellents and portable lighting. Helping to meet the needs of consumers worldwide, included in its portfolio of widely trusted brands are Rayovac(R), Remington(R), Varta(R), George Foreman(R), Black&Decker Home(R), Toastmaster(R), Tetra(R), Marineland(R), Nature's Miracle(R), Dingo(R), 8-in-1(R), Littermaid(R), Spectracide(R), Cutter(R), Repel(R), and HotShot(R). Spectrum Brands Holdings' products are sold by the world's top 25 retailers and are available in more than one million stores in more than 120 countries around the world. Spectrum Brands Holdings generates annual net sales in excess of $3 billion. For more information, visit www.spectrumbrands.com.

About Old Mutual U.S. Life Holdings, Inc. and the U.S. Life Acquisition

U.S. Life, through its insurance subsidiaries, is a leading provider of fixed annuity and life insurance products, with approximately 800,000 policyholders in the U.S. and a distribution network of approximately 300 independent marketing organizations representing approximately 24,000 agents nationwide. Mr. Lee Launer will become Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of U.S. Life upon completion of the acquisition. The acquisition of U.S. Life will be made pursuant to a stock purchase agreement signed by Harbinger OM, LLC with OM Group (UK) Limited in August 2010, as amended in February 2011. Following extensive review and unanimous approval by a special committee of HGI's board of directors, consisting solely of independent directors, HGI accepted an offer from an affiliate of Harbinger Capital Partners to acquire Harbinger OM, LLC and its right to acquire 100% of U.S. Life for $350 million (subject to potential decrease post-closing). HGI has agreed to reimburse Harbinger for certain of its out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with the transaction. The special committee received an opinion of Gleacher & Company Securities, Inc. that the consideration to be paid in the U.S. Life acquisition is fair to HGI from a financial point of view. The U.S. Life acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions for similar transactions, including receipt of approval by the Maryland and New York insurance departments.

"Safe Harbor" Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Some of the statements contained in this press release may be forward-looking statements based upon management's current expectations that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, events and developments to differ materially from those set forth in or implied by the forward-looking statements. These statements and other forward-looking statements made from time-to-time by Harbinger Group Inc. (the "Company") are based upon certain assumptions and describe future plans, strategies and expectations of the Company and are generally identifiable by use of the words "believes," "expects," "intends," "anticipates," "plans," "seeks," "estimates," "projects," "may" or similar expressions. Factors that could cause actual results, events and developments to differ include, without limitation, capital market conditions, the risk that the Company may not be successful in identifying any suitable future acquisition opportunities, the risks that may affect the performance of Spectrum Brands Holdings, Inc, and those factors listed under the caption "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010. All forward-looking statements made herein are qualified by these cautionary statements and there can be no assurance that the actual results, events or developments referenced herein will occur or be realized. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events or changes to future operating results.

HARBINGER GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except per share data)
               
          Years Ended December 31,
          2010   2009
               
Revenues   $ -     $ -  
Cost of revenues     -       -  
    Gross profit     -       -  
Operating expenses:        
  General and administrative     18,846       6,290  
    Total operating expenses     18,846       6,290  
Operating loss     (18,846 )     (6,290 )
               
Other income (expense):        
  Interest expense     (4,963 )     -  
  Interest income     220       229  
  Other, net     523       1,280  
            (4,220 )     1,509  
               
Loss before income taxes     (23,066 )     (4,781 )
               
(Provision for) benefit from income taxes     758       (8,566 )
               
Net loss     (22,308 )     (13,347 )
               
Less: Net loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest     3       3  
               
Net loss attributable to Harbinger Group Inc.   $ (22,305 )   $ (13,344 )
               
Net loss per common share - basic and diluted   $ (1.16 )   $ (0.69 )
               
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic and diluted     19,286       19,280  
                 
                 
HARBINGER GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands)

               
         

December 31,
2010

 

December 31,
2009

ASSETS
  Current assets:        
    Cash and cash equivalents   $ 39,311     $ 127,932  
    Short-term investments     71,688       15,952  
    Prepaid expenses and other current assets     799       530  
      Total current assets     111,798       144,414  
               
  Restricted cash     360,133       -  
  Long-term investments     -       8,039  
  Property and equipment, net     137       35  
  Debt issuance costs, net     11,395       -  
  Other assets     471       395  
      Total assets   $ 483,934     $ 152,883  
               
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
  Current liabilities:        
    Accounts payable   $ 2,728     $ 593  
    Accrued and other current liabilities     7,414       1,874  
      Total current liabilities     10,142       2,467  
               
  Long-term debt     345,146       -  
  Pension liabilities     3,611       3,519  
  Other liabilities     709       1,100  
      Total liabilities     359,608       7,086  
               
  Commitments and contingencies        
               
  Harbinger Group Inc. stockholders' equity:        
    Common stock     193       193  
    Additional paid in capital     132,773       132,638  
    Retained earnings     1,543       23,848  
    Accumulated other comprehensive loss     (10,210 )     (10,912 )
      Total Harbinger Group Inc. stockholders' equity     124,299       145,767  
  Noncontrolling interest     27       30  
      Total equity     124,326       145,797  
      Total liabilities and equity   $ 483,934     $ 152,883  

SOURCE: Harbinger Group Inc.

APCO Worldwide
Jeff Zelkowitz, 646-218-8744
jzelkowitz@apcoworldwide.com
or
Harbinger Group Inc.
Francis T. McCarron, CFO, 212-906-8560
investorrelations@harbingergroupinc.com
Safe Harbor Disclaimer

Certain matters discussed herein, with the exception of historical matters, are forward-looking statements which involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from these statements as a result of changes in external competitive market factors, unanticipated changes in the company's industry, or the economy in general, as well as various other factors, including those discussed herein and those set forth in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K.

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