Harbinger Group Inc. Announces Financial Results for Third Quarter of Fiscal Year 2011

NEW YORK, Aug. 11, 2011 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ --

Harbinger Group Inc. ("HGI"; NYSE: HRG) today announced its consolidated Fiscal 2011 results for the third quarter and nine month period ending July 3, 2011.

• $188 million in consolidated net income attributable to HGI shareholders
• Bargain purchase gain of $135 million underscores value of Fidelity & Guaranty Life acquisition
• Consumer and Insurance segments report profitable operating performance
• Capital raises add to HGI's strong liquidity to support investment strategy

Omar Asali, Acting President of HGI, said, "Both of HGI's business segments contributed to our strong profitability this quarter. The $135 million bargain purchase gain on the acquisition of Fidelity & Guarantee Life represents immediate value creation for our shareholders, and the Insurance business also made an initial contribution to our operating profit. Consumer Products continued to improve its financial performance with strong cash flow, merger-related and restructuring cost savings and debt reduction. HGI has raised $900 million in new capital through the beginning of the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2011, underscoring investor confidence in our strategy to build HGI's diversified business portfolio."

For the third quarter of Fiscal 2011, HGI reported consolidated net income attributable to common and participating preferred stockholders of $188 million or $1.03 per common share, compared to a consolidated net loss attributable to common and participating preferred stockholders of $(52) million or $(0.39) per common share in 2010. For the nine month period ended July 3, 2011, HGI reported consolidated net income attributable to common and participating preferred stockholders of $106 million or $0.58 per common share, compared to a consolidated net loss attributable to common and participating preferred stockholders of $(131) million or $(1.00) per common share.

HGI's results reflect the first-time consolidation of its Insurance segment following the acquisition of Fidelity & Guaranty Life ("FGL") in April 2011. The increase in income is attributable to a $135 million bargain purchase gain recognized upon HGI's acquisition of FGL and positive earnings at both FGL and Spectrum Brands for the quarter.

HGI's consolidated revenues for its third quarter of Fiscal 2011 were $1.03 billion, a 58 percent increase compared to $653 million for the same period in 2010. Consolidated revenues for the first nine months of Fiscal 2011 were $2.59 billion, a 46 percent increase compared to $1.78 billion in the prior year period. These revenue increases are principally attributable to HGI's acquisition of FGL in April 2011, which accounted for $230 million of revenues in the quarter and nine months ended July 3, 2011. Also contributing to the increase was Spectrum Brands' acquisition of Russell Hobbs in June 2010.

At July 3, 2011, HGI held approximately $500 million in cash and short-term securities on its corporate balance sheet. The balance sheet was also strengthened by the approximately $625 million equity value recorded for FGL, significantly above the purchase price for this acquisition. From a statutory reporting perspective, the adjusted capital of FGL's insurance subsidiaries increased 4.4 percent in the first six calendar months of 2011, from approximately $902 million to approximately $941 million.

During the quarter, FGL had net income of approximately $54 million, primarily driven by the volume of, and investment spread earned on, in-force business, net of expenses, and realized investment trading gains of approximately $15 million. Annuity sales during the period were approximately $350 million, including approximately $270 million of fixed index annuity ("FIA") sales. FIA sales have become the dominant product within the fixed annuity market and industry growth is expected to continue as individuals nearing retirement increasingly seek fixed annuity benefits.

With the acquisitions of FGL and a controlling interest in Spectrum Brands during the first nine months of Fiscal 2011, HGI has made significant progress in its strategy to acquire businesses across a diversified range of industries. In addition, HGI has successfully completed $900 million in capital raises through the beginning of the fourth quarter 2011, comprised of $400 million in preferred stock and $500 million in senior debt. Issuances during the third quarter 2011 include $150 million in Senior Secured Notes and $280 million in preferred stock from a group of leading institutional investors, with a further $120 millionpreferred stock issue that was completed following the close of the quarter.

HGI's financial statements have been retrospectively adjusted in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for business combinations between entities under common control. Spectrum Brands has been reflected as our accounting predecessor. Accordingly, HGI's financial statements have been adjusted to reflect those of Spectrum Brands prior to June 16, 2010, the date that common control was first established, and the combined results of HGI and Spectrum Brands thereafter. As a result, the comparative results of operations for the prior quarter and nine months ended July 4, 2010, are those of Spectrum Brands with the addition of HGI's results for the period June 16, 2010 through July 4, 2010.

For the full text of Spectrum Brands' third quarter earnings announcement, please visit: http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=75225&p=irol-news.

About Harbinger Group Inc.

Harbinger Group Inc. is a diversified holding company. The Company's principal operations are conducted through subsidiaries that offer life insurance and annuity products, and branded consumer products such as batteries, pet supplies, home and garden control products, personal care and small appliances. The Company focuses on opportunities in these sectors as well as financial products, telecommunications, agriculture, power generation and water and natural resources. HGI makes certain reports available free of charge on its website at http://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 Spectrum Brands Holdings, Inc.

Spectrum Brands Holdings, Inc., a member of the Russell 2000 Index, is a diversified 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®, Remington®, Varta®, George Foreman®, Black&Decker®, Toastmaster®, Tetra®, Marineland®, Nature's Miracle®, Dingo®, 8-in-1®, Littermaid®, Spectracide®, Cutter®, Repel®, and HotShot®. 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 http://www.spectrumbrands.com/.

About Fidelity & Guaranty Life

On April 6, 2011, HGI completed the acquisition of the U.S. annuity and life insurance business of Old Mutual. Under new ownership, the companies have adopted a new corporate identity, Fidelity & Guaranty Life, as well as new insurance company names: Fidelity & Guaranty Life Insurance Company and Fidelity & Guaranty Life Insurance Company of New York. Headquartered in Baltimore, MD, the company focuses its efforts on serving middle market consumers seeking the safety, protection and income features of secure life insurance and annuity products. Products are distributed though Fidelity & Guaranty Life's established, independent network of master general agents. Fidelity & Guaranty Life has approximately $17 billion of investment assets under management as of July 3, 2011. For more information on Fidelity & Guaranty Life, visit https://home.fglife.com/.

Forward Looking Statements

"Safe Harbor" Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Some of the statements contained in the 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 such forward-looking statements. These statements and other forward-looking statements made from time-to-time by the Company and its representatives are based upon certain assumptions and describe future plans, strategies and expectations of the Company, 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 the operating subsidiaries of the Company and those factors listed under the caption "Risk Factors" in the Company's prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 9, 2011 pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. All forward-looking statements described 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 operation results.

Contact Information

APCO Worldwide Jeff Zelkowitz, 646-218-8744 jzelkowitz@apcoworldwide.com

or

Harbinger Group Inc. Francis T. McCarron, CFO, 212-906-8560 investorrelations@harbingergroupinc.com

SOURCE Harbinger Group Inc.