Harbinger Group Inc. Announces Purchase Authorization of One Million Shares of Spectrum Brands Holdings, Inc.
NEW YORK-- August 13, 2012 -- Harbinger Group Inc. ("HGI"; NYSE: HRG) today announced that its Board of Directors has authorized a share purchase program of up to 1 million shares of Spectrum Brands Holdings, Inc. ("Spectrum Brands"; NYSE: SPB), HGI's majority owned global and diversified consumer products subsidiary.
Omar Asali, HGI's President said, "Spectrum Brands recent announcements to initiate quarterly dividends, to pay a special dividend in September, and to make a $50 million voluntary prepayment on its term loan demonstrate their strong, consistent and ongoing ability to generate free cash flow. Spectrum Brands management team continues to deliver on its business objectives, and we are extremely excited about the future of the business. With this share purchase program we seek to opportunistically increase our stake in Spectrum Brands and create substantial value for all of HGI's shareholders."
Under the program, purchases may be made from time to time in accordance with Rule 10b5-1 and paragraphs (b) and (c) of Rule 10b-18, each promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The manner of purchase, the number of shares to be purchased and the timing of purchases will be based on the price of the Spectrum Brands' common stock, general business and market conditions and applicable legal requirements, and is subject to the discretion of HGI's management. The program does not require HGI to purchase any specific number of shares or any shares at all, and may be suspended, discontinued or re-instituted at any time without prior notice.
About Harbinger Group Inc.
Harbinger Group Inc. ("HGI"; NYSE: HRG) is a diversified holding company. HGI's principal operations are conducted through subsidiaries that offer life insurance and annuity products, and branded consumer products such as batteries, personal care products, small household appliances, pet supplies, and home and garden pest control products. HGI is principally focused on acquiring controlling and other equity stakes in businesses across a diversified range of industries and growing its existing businesses. In addition to HGI's intention to acquire controlling equity interests, HGI may also from time to time make investments in debt instruments and acquire minority equity interests in companies. Harbinger Group Inc. is headquartered in New York and traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol HRG. For more information on HGI, visit: www.harbingergroupinc.com.
About Spectrum Brands Holdings, Inc.
On January 7, 2011, HGI completed the first step of its business strategy with the acquisition of Spectrum Brands Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: SPB). Spectrum Brands continues as a stand-alone company with its common stock traded on the New York Stock Exchange. Spectrum Brands, a member of the Russell 2000 Index, is a global and diversified 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, Spectrum Brands offers a broad portfolio of market-leading, well-known and widely trusted brands including Rayovac®, Varta®, Remington®, George Foreman®, Black & Decker®, Russell Hobbs®, Toastmaster®, Farberware®, Tetra®, Marineland®, Nature's Miracle®, Dingo®, 8-in-1®, FURminator®, Littermaid®, Spectracide®, Cutter®, Repel®, Hot Shot® and Black Flag®. Spectrum Brands' products are sold by the world's top 25 retailers and are available in more than one million stores in approximately 120 countries. With nearly 6,000 employees in 43 countries, Spectrum Brands generated net sales of approximately $3.2 billion in Fiscal 2011. For more information, visit: www.spectrumbrands.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, including statement regarding HGI purchase program, 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 HGI and its representatives are based upon certain assumptions and describe future plans, strategies and expectations of HGI, 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 HGI may not be successful or may chose not to purchase any shares of Spectrum Brands, the risks that may affect the performance of the operating subsidiaries of HGI and those factors listed under the caption "Risk Factors" in HGI's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, the ability of HGI's subsidiaries to generate sufficient net income and cash flows to make upstream cash distributions is subject to numerous factors, including restrictions contained in such subsidiary's financing agreements, availability of sufficient funds in such subsidiary, applicable state laws and regulatory restrictions and the approval of such payment by such subsidiary's board of directors, which must consider various factors, including general economic and business conditions, tax considerations, strategic plans, financial results and condition, expansion plans, any contractual, legal or regulatory restrictions on the payment of dividends, and such other factors such subsidiary's board of directors considers relevant. 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. HGI 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.