Signature Group Holdings, Inc. Reports Third Quarter 2012 Results

Signature Group Holdings, Inc. Reports Third Quarter 2012 Results

-- Sequential Quarterly Improvement in Loss Per Share --

-- Record Sales at NABCO --

SHERMAN OAKS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Signature Group Holdings, Inc. (OTCQX: SGGH), a diversified business and financial services enterprise with current principal activities in industrial distribution and special situations financings, today announced financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2012.

The Company's net loss for the third quarter of 2012 was $2.6 million, or $0.02 per share, a reduction from the second quarter net loss of $3.9 million, or $0.03 per share, but a decrease of $3.9 million from the $1.3 million net earnings, or $0.01 per share, reported for the third quarter of 2011. Total revenues from continuing operations rose to a record $11.3 million in the third quarter of 2012, compared to $9.8 million in the second quarter of 2012 and $7.3 million in the third quarter of 2011.

"The third quarter was most noteworthy for the continuing strong growth and financial performance of NABCO, our industrial distribution subsidiary, the remediation of the previously reported material weakness in internal controls, as well as our progress toward resolving outstanding litigation and reducing reliance on outside consultants," stated Craig Noell, CEO of Signature Group Holdings. "Additionally, with the proxy contest now behind us, management and our new Board have been able to focus much more of our collective efforts on seeking acquisitions to grow the business and to take advantage of our unique tax situation."

Quarterly Results

Total revenues from continuing operations rose to $11.3 million in the third quarter of 2012, compared to $7.3 million in the third quarter of 2011, primarily due to the inclusion of NABCO as an operating segment for the full quarter in 2012, as compared to the period from July 29, 2011, the acquisition date, to September 30, 2011. On a sequential basis, total revenues increased $1.5 million, or 15.9%, from the second quarter of 2012, primarily due to a seasonally strong performance by NABCO.

Cost of goods sold increased to $6.5 million during the third quarter of 2012, as compared to $3.8 million in the third quarter of 2011, primarily due to NABCO's full quarter. On a sequential basis, cost of goods sold increased $0.8 million, or 13.2%, from the second quarter of 2012 due to higher sales at NABCO.

Selling, general and administrative expenses were $0.9 million in the third quarter of 2012, in line with the previous quarter and a more normalized level than the $1.5 million reported for the third quarter in 2011.

Compensation expense was $2.2 million in the third quarter of 2012, as compared to $2.0 million in the third quarter of 2011 and the sequential quarter.

Professional fees decreased to $1.6 million in the third quarter of 2012, as compared to $1.9 million in the third quarter of 2011 and $2.1 million reported in the second quarter of 2012. The decrease is primarily related to substantially lower accounting, legal and other compliance expenses associated with SEC filings and transaction costs, partially offset by $0.6 million of costs related to the Company's 2012 proxy contest.

Other expense was $0.8 million in the third quarter of 2012, as compared to other income of $4.6 million in the third quarter of 2011, primarily due to a $3.6 million swing in the valuation of the common stock warrant liability due to the increase in Signature's common stock price and also a nonrecurring $1.4 million gain on sale of premises.

The loss from continuing operations was $2.3 million in the third quarter of 2012, as compared to earnings of $3.8 million in the third quarter of 2011. Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes was $0.3 million in the third quarter compared to $2.5 million in the third quarter of 2011.

At the end of the third quarter, the Company had $50.5 million in cash and cash equivalents as compared to $52.4 million at December 31, 2011. Total debt was $47.8 million, a reduction of $7.9 million from the $56.7 million reported at December 31, 2011. Additionally, Signature has federal net operating loss tax carryforwards of approximately $882 million.

Operating Segment Review

NABCO

NABCO demonstrated solid organic growth in the third quarter, generating quarterly net sales of $10.2 million, an increase of $1.1 million over the second quarter of 2012. Although NABCO was only partially included in Signature's operations in the third quarter of 2011, the Company estimates that NABCO's third quarter sales increased by 11.7% compared to last year. NABCO's strongest quarters historically have been the second and third due to increased circuit breaker sales activity during the summer season.

Gross margin in the third quarter of 2012 was 37.1%, in line with NABCO's gross margin of 37.8% reported in the second quarter of 2012.

Net earnings for the third quarter of 2012 were $0.9 million and Adjusted EBITDA was $2.6 million, reflecting an improvement from net earnings of $0.7 and Adjusted EBITDA of $2.2 million reported in the previous quarter. Given certain changes in cost structure at NABCO since Signature's acquisition in July 2011, year-over-year comparisons of net earnings and Adjusted EBITDA are not meaningful.

NABCO's strong operating performance enabled it to reduce its debt by $2.9 million during the third quarter of 2012. NABCO fully paid off its revolving line of credit and maintains ongoing borrowing capacity of $7.5 million.

Signature Special Situations

Signature Special Situations generated net income of $0.3 million in the third quarter of 2012, a decrease of $1.4 million from the third quarter of 2011, primarily as a result of a $0.5 million decrease in revenue and other income and a $0.9 million increase associated with a change in its internal allocation of interest and income tax expense.

Discontinued Operations

Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes was $0.3 million, a decrease of $2.2 million from the third quarter of 2011, primarily as a result of a $1.4 million decrease in total expenses, a $0.2 million decrease in reorganization items, net, and a $0.6 million decrease in income tax expense.

About Signature Group Holdings, Inc.

Signature is a diversified business and financial services enterprise with current principal activities in industrial distribution and special situations financings. Signature has significant capital resources and is actively seeking both acquisitions and growth opportunities for its existing businesses. Signature has federal net operating loss tax carryforwards of approximately $882 million. For more information about Signature, visit its corporate website at www.signaturegroupholdings.com.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release may include forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may differ materially. These risks include: 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 reports, including but not limited to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the most recent year ended. Pursuant to the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, the Company does not undertake to update forward-looking statements contained within this news release.