Heritage Global Inc. Reports Third Quarter 2024 Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Heritage Global (NASDAQ: HGBL) reported its Q3 2024 financial results, showing a decline in performance compared to the same period in 2023. Operating income decreased to $1.5 million from $2.8 million, while net income fell to $1.1 million ($0.03 per diluted share) from $2.0 million ($0.05 per diluted share). The company strengthened its balance sheet, increasing stockholders' equity to $66.1 million and net working capital to $16.2 million. The Board approved an increase in share repurchase authorization to $6.0 million, with $4.1 million remaining. The industrial segment experienced lower revenue due to fewer large auctions, while the financial assets division performed as expected.

Positive

• Stockholders' equity increased to $66.1M from $61.1M
• Net working capital improved to $16.2M from $11.6M
• Secured new contracts with Fortune 100 clients
• Board approved increased share repurchase program to $6.0M

Negative

• Operating income declined 46.6% to $1.5M from $2.8M YoY
• Net income decreased 44.9% to $1.1M from $2.0M YoY
• Diluted EPS dropped to $0.03 from $0.05 YoY
• Lower than expected industrial segment revenue
• Largest borrower in default and non-accrual status

Insights

Financial Analyst

Heritage Global's Q3 2024 results show significant headwinds, with $1.5 million operating income marking a 46.6% decline from the previous year's $2.8 million. Net income dropped to $1.1 million ($0.03 per share) from $2.0 million ($0.05 per share). The industrial segment underperformed due to fewer large auctions, though the company secured notable bankruptcy cases and Fortune 100 clients.

Despite challenges, the balance sheet strengthened with stockholders' equity increasing to $66.1 million and working capital rising to $16.2 million. The expanded share repurchase program to $6.0 million demonstrates management's confidence, with $4.1 million remaining. The lending business faces headwinds with its largest borrower in default, prompting a strategic shift toward industrial assets and brokerage initiatives.

Market Research Analyst

The market context reveals both challenges and opportunities. High consumer spending coupled with elevated delinquency rates creates a favorable environment for financial asset transactions. However, the company's strategic pivot away from lending toward industrial assets and brokerage indicates risk management concerns. The increased M&A opportunities and market consolidation potential could provide growth catalysts, though execution will be critical.

The stock repurchase activity (601,449 shares) reflects management's view that shares are undervalued, yet the declining financial performance and strategic repositioning suggest near-term volatility. The secured high-profile bankruptcy cases and new Fortune 100 relationships provide a foundation for future revenue streams, potentially offsetting current headwinds.

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Heritage Global Inc. (NASDAQ: HGBL) (“Heritage Global,” “HG” or “the Company”), an asset services company specializing in financial and industrial asset transactions, today reported financial results for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2024.

Third Quarter and First Nine Months 2024 Summary of Financial Results (unaudited):

($ in thousands, except per share amounts)	Three Months Ended September 30,					Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2024			2023		2024			2023
Operating income	$	1,479		$	2,769	$	7,581		$	9,764
Net income	$	1,089		$	1,977	$	5,385		$	7,585
Net income per share – diluted	$	0.03		$	0.05	$	0.14		$	0.20
(Non-GAAP Financial Measures) (1)
EBITDA	$	1,631		$	2,901	$	8,021		$	10,137
Adjusted EBITDA	$	1,914		$	3,076	$	8,822		$	10,719

(1) EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are commonly used non-GAAP financial measures utilized by management as a supplemental tool to evaluate the underlying operating performance of the Company on an ongoing basis and should be considered together with Heritage Global’s GAAP financial measures. Definitions and disclosures regarding non-GAAP financial information including reconciliations are included at the end of the press release.

Third Quarter 2024 Review:

• The Company recorded operating income of $1.5 million for the third quarter of 2024, as compared to operating income of $2.8 million in the third quarter of 2023.
• EBITDA totaled $1.6 million in the third quarter of 2024 versus EBITDA of $2.9 million in the third quarter of 2023, and Adjusted EBITDA was $1.9 million compared to $3.1 million in the prior-year quarter.
• Net income totaled $1.1 million or $0.03 of diluted earnings per share for the third quarter of 2024, compared to net income of $2.0 million or $0.05 of diluted earnings per share in the prior-year quarter.
• The Company strengthened its balance sheet by increasing stockholders’ equity to $66.1 million as of September 30, 2024, compared to $61.1 million as of December 31, 2023, and increased net working capital to $16.2 million at September 30, 2024, compared to $11.6 million at December 31, 2023.
• On September 13, 2024 the Company's Board of Directors approved an amendment to the repurchase program which increased the authorized aggregate amount of common shares the Company may repurchase to an aggregate of $6.0 million in common shares. The Company repurchased 601,449 shares in the open market during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024. As of September 30, 2024, the Company had approximately $4.1 million in remaining aggregate dollar value of shares that may be purchased under the repurchase program.

Heritage Global Chief Executive Officer Ross Dove commented, “Our third quarter results reflected lower than expected revenue in our industrial segment primarily due to the absence of the larger auctions we typically see. Despite the quarter’s result, our business development efforts were strong as we were selected to manage two prominent bankruptcy cases and added several notable Fortune 100 corporate clients, including one of the top five largest companies by market cap. Additionally, we have been engaged to run an auction project for a preeminent aerospace company slated to take place in 2025. These types of engagements illustrate the strong brand recognition and the excellent reputation our Company has within the industry.”

“The performance in the financial assets side of the business was consistent with our expectations. Consumer spending remains near all-time highs and with this dynamic alongside elevated delinquency rates, we expect the amount of charge-offs available for sale to remain robust. At NLEX, we continue to capture the opportunities presented by the current market landscape to drive growth and continued profitability.

“As we move through the balance of 2024, we are focused on executing on our strategic priorities and delivering continued profitability. We remain confident in Heritage Global’s long-term value proposition and look forward to the opportunities ahead. On the M&A front, I am encouraged by the ongoing increase in potential opportunities and receptivity to our initial inquiries. Our team is well positioned for significant progress as consolidation activity appears to be escalating in the markets we serve.”

Heritage Global Chief Financial Officer Brian Cobb commented, “As previously announced, Heritage Global Capital's largest borrower was placed into a default and non-accrual status in the second quarter of 2024. With our visibility today, the Company does not currently intend to make any significant structural changes to its lending business. While the market for debt buyers is attractive, we will conservatively manage the portfolio to gain a higher concentration of performing loans and to limit the consolidated Company’s potential exposure to lending risk. Concurrently, we plan to utilize our strong cash position, continued profitability, and potential financing capabilities to invest more heavily in our industrial asset division and brokerage segment strategic initiatives, while repurchasing shares opportunistically.”

Third Quarter Conference Call

Management will host a webcast and conference call on Thursday, November 7, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. ET to discuss financial results for the third quarter of 2024. Analysts and investors may participate via conference call, using the following dial-in information:

• 1-800-717-1738 (Domestic)
• 1-646-307-1865 (International)
• Conference ID: 59480

To access the webcast, individuals can use this link. The conference call will also be available in the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website. To listen to a live broadcast, go to the site or click on the webcast link at least 10 minutes prior to the scheduled start time in order to register.

Replay

A replay of the call will be available approximately three hours after the call ends through November 21, 2024. To access the replay, dial 1-844-512-2921 (domestic) or 1-412-317-6671 (international). The replay pin number is 1159480. A webcast replay can also be accessed on the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website.

About Heritage Global Inc. (“HG”)

Heritage Global Inc. (NASDAQ: HGBL) values and monetizes industrial & financial assets by providing acquisition, disposition, valuation, and lending services for surplus and distressed assets. This aids in facilitating the circular economy by diverting useful industrial assets from landfills and operating an ethical supply chain by overseeing post-sale account activity of financial assets. Specialties consist of acting as an adviser, in addition to acquiring or brokering turnkey manufacturing facilities, surplus industrial machinery and equipment, industrial inventories, real estate, and charged-off account receivable portfolios through its two business units: Industrial Assets and Financial Assets.

Definitions and Disclosures Regarding non-GAAP Financial Information
The Company defines EBITDA as net income/loss plus depreciation and amortization, interest and other expense, and provision for income taxes. Adjusted EBITDA reflects EBITDA adjusted further to eliminate the effects of stock-based compensation. Management uses EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA in assessing the Company’s results, evaluating the Company’s performance and in reaching operating and strategic decisions. Management believes that the presentation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, when considered together with our GAAP financial statements and the reconciliation to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, is useful in providing investors a more complete understanding of the factors and trends affecting the underlying performance of the Company on a historical and ongoing basis. The Company’s use of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA is not meant to be, and should not be, considered in isolation or as a substitute for, or superior to, any GAAP financial measure. You should carefully evaluate the financial information, below, which reconciles our GAAP reported net income to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA for the periods presented (in thousands).

Forward-Looking Statements
This communication includes forward-looking statements based on our current expectations and projections about future events. For these statements, the Company claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. While the Company believes the forward-looking statements contained in this communication are accurate, these forward-looking statements represent the Company’s beliefs only as of the date of this communication, and there are a number of factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements, including variability in magnitude and timing of asset liquidation transactions, the collectability of the charged off receivables that secure our loan portfolio, the impact of changes in the U.S. national and global economies, and interest rate and foreign exchange rate sensitivity, as well as other factors beyond the Company’s control. Unless required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release. For more details on factors that could affect these expectations, please see our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

-financial tables follow-

HERITAGE GLOBAL INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (In thousands of US dollars, except share and per share amounts) (unaudited)
		Three Months Ended September 30,								Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2024				2023				2024				2023
Revenues:
Services revenue		$	8,063			$	9,985			$	25,527			$	30,040
Asset sales			2,347				5,566				9,067				15,221
Total revenues			10,410				15,551				34,594				45,261
Operating costs and expenses:
Cost of services revenue			1,735				2,423				4,665				6,570
Cost of asset sales			1,458				3,413				6,140				9,683
Selling, general and administrative			5,686				6,806				18,390				19,546
Depreciation and amortization			152				132				440				373
Total operating costs and expenses			9,031				12,774				29,635				36,172
Earnings of equity method investments			100				(8	)			2,622				675
Operating income			1,479				2,769				7,581				9,764
Interest income (expense), net			17				(56	)			(183	)			(225	)
Income before income tax expense			1,496				2,713				7,398				9,539
Income tax expense			407				736				2,013				1,954
Net income		$	1,089			$	1,977			$	5,385			$	7,585
Weighted average common shares outstanding – basic			36,576,931				36,742,018				36,641,820				36,675,838
Weighted average common shares outstanding – diluted			37,189,029				37,647,321				37,292,200				37,605,363
Net income per share – basic		$	0.03			$	0.05			$	0.15			$	0.21
Net income per share – diluted		$	0.03			$	0.05			$	0.14			$	0.20

HERITAGE GLOBAL INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (In thousands of US dollars, except share and per share amounts)
		September 30, 2024				December 31, 2023
ASSETS		(unaudited)
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	26,571			$	12,279
Accounts receivable (net of allowance for credit losses of $130 in 2024 and $132 in 2023)			877				1,910
Current portion of notes receivable (net of allowance for credit losses of $422 in 2024 and $650 in 2023)			3,959				6,581
Inventory – equipment			4,721				5,074
Other current assets			833				448
Total current assets			36,961				26,292
Non-current portion of notes receivable, net			7,337				10,890
Equity method investments			21,447				21,361
Right-of-use assets			2,381				2,539
Property and equipment, net			1,692				1,705
Intangible assets, net			3,460				3,753
Goodwill			7,446				7,446
Deferred tax assets			7,740				9,115
Other assets			64				67
Total assets		$	88,528			$	83,168
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		$	6,268			$	7,237
Payables to sellers			13,125				4,975
Current portion of third party debt			525				1,733
Current portion of lease liabilities			802				789
Total current liabilities			20,720				14,734
Non-current portion of third party debt			—				5,495
Non-current portion of lease liabilities			1,681				1,859
Total liabilities			22,401				22,088
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, $10.00 par value, authorized 10,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 563 of Series N as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023; with liquidation preference over common stockholders equivalent to $1,000 per share			6				6
Common stock, $0.01 par value, authorized 300,000,000 shares; issued 37,341,185 and 37,157,616 shares as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively; and outstanding 36,343,561 and 36,761,441 shares as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively			373				372
Additional paid-in capital			295,241				294,522
Accumulated deficit			(227,641	)			(233,026	)
Treasury stock at cost, 997,624 and 396,175 shares as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively			(1,852	)			(794	)
Total stockholders’ equity			66,127				61,080
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity		$	88,528			$	83,168

– EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP measures) reconciliation follows –

HERITAGE GLOBAL INC. Reconciliation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA (Non-GAAP Measures) (In thousands of US dollars) (unaudited)
		Three Months Ended September 30,								Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2024				2023				2024				2023
Net income		$	1,089			$	1,977			$	5,385			$	7,585
Add back:
Depreciation and amortization			152				132				440				373
Interest expense, net			(17	)			56				183				225
Income tax expense			407				736				2,013				1,954
EBITDA			1,631				2,901				8,021				10,137
Management add back:
Stock based compensation			283				175			801				582
Adjusted EBITDA		$	1,914			$	3,076			$	8,822			$	10,719

 

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241107487059/en/

Investor Relations:

John Nesbett/Jennifer Belodeau

IMS Investor Relations

203/972.9200

InvestorRelations@hginc.com

Source: Heritage Global Inc.

FAQ

What was Heritage Global's (HGBL) Q3 2024 earnings per share?

Heritage Global reported diluted earnings per share of $0.03 for Q3 2024, compared to $0.05 in Q3 2023.

How much did Heritage Global's (HGBL) operating income decrease in Q3 2024?

Heritage Global's operating income decreased to $1.5 million in Q3 2024 from $2.8 million in Q3 2023, representing a 46.6% decline.

How many shares did Heritage Global (HGBL) repurchase in Q3 2024?

Heritage Global repurchased 601,449 shares during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024.

What was Heritage Global's (HGBL) stockholders' equity as of September 30, 2024?

Heritage Global's stockholders' equity was $66.1 million as of September 30, 2024, up from $61.1 million at December 31, 2023.