Consolidated Revenues of $68.7 million, up 7% from Last Year U.S. and Canada Revenues up 22% from Last Year Consolidated Operating Income of $9.6 million compared to $3.2 million Last Year Diluted EPS of $0.28 compared to $0.04 Last Year AUBURN HILLS, Mich., May 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SPAR Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:SGRP) ("SPAR," "SPAR Group" or the "Company"), today announced first-quarter 2024 consolidated revenues of $68.7 million, a 6.7% increase from the first quarter of 2023. Consolidated operating income was $9.6 million, up 204% compared to the first quarter of 2023. Diluted earnings per share were $0.28, including one-time recognition of a $7.2 million pre-tax gain on sale for the quarter, up 600% from the same period in 2023. "I want to thank all of our team for their hard work and efforts," said Mike Matacunas, SPAR chief executive officer. "Our financial performance in the first quarter exceeded our expectations as the U.S. remodel business recovered more quickly than planned, our Canada business continued to deliver outstanding results and demand for our services grew." "We continue to make significant progress in simplifying our operating and financial structure while driving our core business of merchandising, brand marketing, store transformation and fulfillment services. To date, the company has announced the sale of Australia, China, National Merchandising Services, South Africa and Brazil. In addition, we announced the acquisition of the minority interest in our remaining U.S. joint venture to own 100% of the value for our shareholders and acquired 1 million shares under our share repurchase plan from one of our largest shareholders and founder. We have more to do, but I am pleased with our results to date," concluded Matacunas. First Quarter 2024 Financial Results Net revenues were $68.7 million, comprised of $54.7 million from the Americas segment (79.6%), $8.3 million from EMEA (12.0%), and $5.8 million from APAC (8.4%). Total net revenue increased by 6.7% despite business divestitures compared to the prior year. The Americas revenues increased by 12.5%, driven mostly by the U.S. and Canada, and APAC revenues decreased by 5.5% compared to the prior year. EMEA revenues declined by 14.7% from the prior year quarter.       Gross profit was $12.5 million, or 18.3% of revenues, compared to $14.1 million, or 22.0% of revenues, in the prior year's quarter. The decrease in gross margin was due to a mix shift to the remodeling business, which has higher labor and travel cost, and lower gross margin in South Africa due to (i) additional variable expenses in the cost of sales, (ii) government-imposed wage increases ahead of inflation at a time when the economy is under pressure which forced margin reduction in contract renegotiations. Selling, general, and administrative (SG&A) expenses were $9.6 million, or 14.0% of revenues, an improvement from $10.5 million, or 16.2% of revenues, in the prior year's quarter.      Operating income was $9.6 million in the first quarter, compared to $3.2 million in the year-ago quarter. Current-year results included a $7.2 million gain on the sale of the business from the Company's strategic divestitures, which are intended to simplify operations and focus on profitable businesses. Net income attributable to SPAR Group, Inc. was $6.6 million, or $0.28 per diluted share, compared to $866 thousand, or $0.04 per diluted share, in the year-ago quarter. Non-GAAP Adjusted net income attributable to SPAR Group, Inc. (1) in the quarter was $1.3 million, or $0.06 per diluted share, compared to Adjusted net income of $1.3 million, or $0.05 per diluted share, in the year-ago quarter. Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA (1) in the 2024 quarter was $3.4 million, comparable to $4.2 million in the prior year. Adjusted EBITDA attributable to SPAR Group, Inc. (1) in the 2024 quarter was $2.5 million, compared to $2.9 million in the prior year. (1) Adjusted Net income attributable to SPAR Group, Inc., Adjusted Diluted earnings per share attributable to SPAR Group, Inc., and Adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures as defined and reconciled below. Financial Position as of March 31, 2024 The Company's total worldwide liquidity at the end of the quarter was $21.0 million, with $16.6 million in cash and cash equivalents and $4.4 million of unused availability as of March 31, 2024.   For the three months ended March 31, 2024, net cash provided by operating activities was $615 thousand. The Company ended the quarter with net working capital of $38.2 million on March 31, 2024. Conference Call The Company will conduct a conference call today at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss financial and operating results for the period ended March 31, 2024. To access the call live by phone, dial 1-833-630-1542 (Domestic) and 1-412-317-1821 (International) and ask for the SPAR Group call at least 10 minutes prior to the start time.   A telephonic replay will be available through May 20, 2024, by calling 1-877-344-7529 using passcode ID 5949651#. A webcast of the call will also be available live and for later replay on the Company's Investor Relations website at https://investors.sparinc.com/events-and-presentations. About SPAR Group, Inc. SPAR Group is a leading global merchandising and marketing services company, providing a broad range of services to retailers, manufacturers, and distributors around the world. With more than 50 years of experience, approximately 25,000 merchandising specialists around the world, an average of 200,000+ store visits a week and long-term relationships with some of the world's leading manufacturers and retail businesses, we provide specialized capabilities across more than eight countries. Our unique combination of scale, merchandising and marketing expertise, combined with our unwavering commitment to excellence, separate us from the competition. For more information, please visit the SPAR Group's website at http://www.sparinc.com. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This Press Release contains, and the above referenced recorded comments, will contain "forward-looking statements" within the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, made by, or respecting, SPAR Group, Inc. ("SGRP") and its subsidiaries (together with SGRP, "SPAR", "SPAR Group" or the "Company"), filed in an Annual Report on Form 10-K by SGRP with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC")  for its fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, 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 Quarterly Report, the Annual Report and the Proxy Statement, the Information Statement, the Second Special Meeting Proxy/Information 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, the "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. The Company's forward-looking statements also include, in particular and without limitation, those made in "Business", "Risk Factors", "Legal Proceedings", 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", "plan", "project" 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 Annual Report, the Proxy Statement and the other applicable SEC Reports that could cause the Company's actual performance or condition (including its assets, business, clients, 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 expressed 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 also 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. Media Contact:Ronald MargulisRAM Investor Relations Contact:Sandy MartinThree Part     - Financial Statements Follow –  SPAR Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited) (In thousands, except per share amounts)             Three Months Ended,March 31     2024     2023             Net revenues $ 68,693   $ 64,380   Related party - cost of revenues   -     1,497   Cost of revenues   56,151     48,745   Gross profit   12,542     14,138   Selling, general and administrative expense   9,616     10,456   Gain on sale of business   (7,157 )   -   Depreciation and amortization   511     532   Operating income   9,572     3,150   Interest expense   530     390   Other expense (income), net   7     (58 ) Income before income tax expense   9,035     2,818             Income tax expense   1,854     1,041   Net income   7,181     1,777   Net (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interest   (554 )   (911 ) Net income (loss) attributable to SPAR Group, Inc. $ 6,627   $ 866   Basic income per common share attributable to SPAR Group, Inc.   0.28     0.04   Diluted income per common share attributable to SPAR Group, Inc. $ 0.28   $ 0.04   Weighted-average common shares outstanding– basic   23,817     23,114   Weighted-average common shares outstanding – diluted   24,013     23,279             SPAR Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited) (In thousands, except share and per share data)                       March 31, December 31,     2024     2023           Assets: