UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

 

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended JuneSeptember 30, 2023

 

OR

 

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from to

 

 

 

Commission File Number: 1-13906

 

FG GROUP HOLDINGS INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

Nevada 47-0587703
(State or Other Jurisdiction of (IRS Employer
Incorporation or Organization) Identification Number)
   

5960 Fairview Road, Suite 275

Charlotte, North Carolina

 28210
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

 

(704) 994-8279

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Not Applicable

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of Each ClassTrading Symbol(s)

Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered

Common Stock, $0.01 par valueFGHNYSE American

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filerAccelerated filer
Non-accelerated filerSmaller reporting company
  Emerging growth company

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock as of the latest practicable date:

 

Class Outstanding as of AugustNovember 7, 2023
Common Stock, $0.01 par value 19,638,24819,708,184 shares

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

  Page No.
   
 PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION 
   
Item 1.Financial Statements3
   
 Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, JuneSeptember 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 (Unaudited)3
   
 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three and SixNine months Ended JuneSeptember 30, 2023 and 2022 (Unaudited)4
   
 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss for the Three and SixNine months Ended JuneSeptember 30, 2023 and 2022 (Unaudited)5
   
 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the Three and SixNine months Ended JuneSeptember 30, 2023 and 2022 (Unaudited)6
   
 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the SixNine months Ended JuneSeptember 30, 2023 and 2022 (Unaudited)7
   
 Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)8
  
Item 2.Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations2830
   
Item 3.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk3941
   
Item 4.Controls and Procedures3941
   
 PART II. OTHER INFORMATION 
   
Item 1.Legal Proceedings3942
   
Item 1A.Risk Factors4042
   

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

4042

   
Item 6.Exhibits4043
   
 Signatures4144

 

2

 

PART I. Financial Information

 

Item 1. Financial Statements

 

FG Group Holdings Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands, except par values)

(Unaudited)

 

 June 30, 2023  December 31, 2022  September 30, 2023  December 31, 2022 
Assets                
Current assets:                
Cash and cash equivalents $4,966  $3,789  $3,472  $3,789 
Accounts receivable (net of credit allowances of $250 and $409, respectively)  6,408   6,167 
Accounts receivable (net of credit allowances of $221 and $409, respectively)  7,453   6,167 
Inventories, net  3,125   3,389   3,597   3,389 
Other current assets  12,009   4,871   1,725   4,871 
Total current assets  26,508   18,216   16,247   18,216 
Property, plant and equipment, net  12,586   12,649   12,247   12,649 
Operating lease right-of-use assets  259   310   229   310 
Finance lease right-of-use asset  906   666   1,053   666 
Equity holdings  30,240   37,522   27,450   37,522 
Film and television programming rights, net  7,691   1,501   8,205   1,501 
Intangible assets, net  2   5 
Goodwill  902   882   2,049   882 
Other assets  1   2   -   7 
Total assets $79,095  $71,753  $67,480  $71,753 
                
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity                
Current liabilities:                
Accounts payable $3,637  $4,375  $3,885  $4,375 
Accrued expenses  7,521   5,167   7,563   5,167 
Short-term debt  14,927   2,510   5,206   2,510 
Current portion of long-term debt  220   216   222   216 
Current portion of operating lease obligations  116   116   104   116 
Current portion of finance lease obligations  179   117   216   117 
Deferred revenue and customer deposits  1,143   1,787   1,541   1,787 
Total current liabilities  27,743   14,288   18,737   14,288 
Operating lease obligations, net of current portion  200   257   182   257 
Finance lease obligations, net of current portion  732   550   851   550 
Long-term debt, net of current portion and deferred debt issuance costs, net  4,898   5,004   4,916   5,004 
Deferred income taxes  4,490   4,851   3,891   4,851 
Other long-term liabilities  720   105   621   105 
Total liabilities  38,783   25,055   29,198   25,055 
                
Commitments, contingencies and concentrations (Note 16)  -    -  
Commitments, contingencies and concentrations (Note 17)  -   - 
                
Stockholders’ equity:                
Preferred stock, par value $.01 per share; authorized 1,000 shares, none outstanding  -   -   -   - 
Common stock, par value $.01 per share; authorized 50,000 shares; issued 22,264 shares; outstanding 19,470  223   223 
Common stock, par value $.01 per share; authorized 50,000 shares; issued 22,477 and 22,264 shares at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively; outstanding 19,683 and 19,470 shares at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively  225   223 
Additional paid-in capital  55,051   53,882   55,674   53,882 
Retained earnings  7,151   16,437   3,830   16,437 
Treasury stock, 2,794 shares at cost  (18,586)  (18,586)  (18,586)  (18,586)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss  (4,769)  (5,258)  (4,978)  (5,258)
Total FG Group Holdings shareholders’ equity  39,070   46,698   36,165   46,698 
Equity attributable to non-controlling interest  1,242   -   2,117   - 
Total stockholders’ equity  40,312   46,698   38,282   46,698 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $79,095  $71,753  $67,480  $71,753 

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

3

 

FG Group Holdings Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

Three and SixNine Months Ended JuneSeptember 30, 2023 and 2022

(In thousands, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

 

 2023  2022  2023  2022  2023 2022 2023 2022 
 Three Months Ended June 30,  Six Months Ended June 30,  Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 
 2023  2022  2023  2022  2023 2022 2023 2022 
Net product sales $8,411  $6,683  $15,615  $14,386  $7,994  $7,690  $23,609  $22,076 
Net service revenues  9,611   2,460   12,516   4,783   3,100   2,584   15,617   7,366 
Total net revenues  18,022   9,143   28,131   19,169   11,094   10,274   39,226   29,442 
Total cost of products  6,305   4,833   11,770   10,690   5,699   5,543   17,414   16,234 
Total cost of services  4,270   1,890   6,436   3,547   2,289   1,991   8,779   5,538 
Total cost of revenues  10,575   6,723   18,206   14,237   7,988   7,534   26,193   21,772 
Gross profit  7,447   2,420   9,925   4,932   3,106   2,740   13,033   7,670 
Selling and administrative expenses:                                
Selling  618   684   1,152   1,225   501   499   1,653   1,723 
Administrative  7,602   2,621   10,326   5,354   3,347   2,533   13,672   7,887 
Total selling and administrative expenses  8,220   3,305   11,478   6,579   3,848   3,032   15,325   9,610 
Gain on disposal of assets  5   -   6   -   -   -   6   - 
Loss from operations  (768)  (885)  (1,547)  (1,647)  (742)  (292)  (2,286)  (1,940)
Other income (expense):                                
Interest income  -   1   -   7   -   -   -   7 
Interest expense  (138)  (88)  (249)  (147)  (183)  (91)  (432)  (238)
Foreign currency transaction (loss) gain  (426)  206   (307)  (136)
Foreign currency transaction gain (loss)  124   517   (183)  382 
Unrealized loss on equity holdings  (1,647)  (4,178)  (4,538)  (2,451)  (976)  (1,301)  (5,514)  (3,752)
Other (expense) income, net  (14)  3   9   (198)
Other income (expense), net  19   11   27   (187)
Total other expense  (2,225)  (4,056)  (5,085)  (2,925)  (1,016)  (864)  (6,102)  (3,788)
(Loss) income before income taxes and equity method holding loss  (2,993)  (4,941)  (6,632)  (4,572)
Income tax (expense) benefit  (355)  303   (56)  (47)
Loss before income taxes and equity method holding loss  (1,758)  (1,156)  (8,388)  (5,728)
Income tax beneft (expense)  101   (245)  45   (292)
Equity method holding loss  (2,043)  (960)  (2,694)  (1,780)  (1,668)  (798)  (4,362)  (2,578)
Net loss  (5,391)  (5,598)  (9,382)  (6,399)  (3,325)  (2,199)  (12,705)  (8,598)
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest  (118)  -   (118)  -   (4)  -   (122)  - 
Net loss attributable to FG Group Holdings $(5,273) $(5,598) $(9,264) $(6,399) $(3,321) $(2,199) $(12,583) $(8,598)
                                
Net loss per share:                                
Basic $(0.27) $(0.29) $(0.48) $(0.33) $(0.17) $(0.11) $(0.64) $(0.45)
Diluted $(0.27) $(0.29) $(0.48) $(0.33) $(0.17) $(0.11) $(0.64) $(0.45)
                                
Weighted-average shares used in computing net loss per share:                                
Basic  19,470   19,273   19,293   19,133   19,648   19,437   19,530   19,235 
Diluted  19,470   19,273   19,293   19,133   19,648   19,437   19,530   19,235 

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

4

 

FG Group Holdings Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss

Three and SixNine Months Ended JuneSeptember 30, 2023 and 2022

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

 2023  2022  2023  2022  2023  2022  2023  2022 
 Three Months Ended June 30,  Six Months Ended June 30,  Three Months Ended September 30,  Nine Months Ended September 30, 
 2023  2022  2023  2022  2023  2022  2023  2022 
Net loss $(5,391) $(5,598) $(9,382) $(6,399) $(3,325) $(2,199) $(12,705) $(8,598)
Adjustment to postretirement benefit obligation  (4)  (4)  (9)  (11)  (4)  (4)  (13)  (15)
Removal of unrealized gain on available-for sale securities of equity method holding  -   (121)  -   (121)
Currency translation adjustment:                                
Unrealized net change arising during period  558   (730)  485   (553)  (246)  (1,353)  239   (1,906)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)  554   (734)  476   (564)
Total other comprehensive (loss) income  (250)  (1,478)  226   (2,042)
Comprehensive loss  (4,837)  (6,332)  (8,906)  (6,963)  (3,575)  (3,677)  (12,479)  (10,640)
Comprehensive loss attributable to non-controlling interest  (130)  -   (130)  -   (45)  -   (175)  - 
Comprehensive loss attributable to FG Group Holdings $(4,707) $(6,332) $(8,776) $(6,963) $(3,530) $(3,677) $(12,304) $(10,640)

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

5

FG Group Holdings Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity

Three and SixNine Months Ended JuneSeptember 30, 2023 and 2022

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

 Common Stock (Shares) Common Stock ($) Additional Paid-In Capital  Retained Earnings  Treasury Stock  Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss  Total FG Group Holdings Shareholders’ Equity  Non-contolling Interest  Total Stockholders’ Equity 
 Common Stock (Shares) Common Stock ($) Additional Paid-In Capital  Retained Earnings  Treasury Stock  Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss   Total FG Group Holdings Shareholders’ Equity   Non-contolling Interest  Total Stockholders’ Equity  Common Stock (Shares)  Common Stock ($)  

Additional

Paid-In

Capital

  

Retained

Earnings

  

Treasury

Stock

  

Accumulated

Other

Comprehensive

Loss

  

Total FG

Group

Holdings

Shareholders’

Equity

  Non-contolling Interest  

Total

Stockholders’

Equity

 
Balance at December 31, 2022  22,264  $    223  $53,882  $16,437  $

(18,586

) $

(5,258

) $

46,698

  $-  $       46,698   22,264  $223  $53,882  $16,437  $(18,586) $(5,258) $46,698  $-  $46,698 
Cumulative effect of adoption of accounting principle - - -  (24) -  -  (24) -   (24)  -   -   -   (24)  -   -   (24)  -   (24)
Net loss - - -  (3,989) -  -  (3,989) -   (3,989)  -   -   -   (3,989)  -   -   (3,989)  -   (3,989)
Net other comprehensive loss - - -  -  -  (77) (77) -   (77)  -   -   -   -   -   (77)  (77)  -   (77)
Stock-based compensation expense -  -  127   -   -   -   127   -   127   -   -   127   -   -   -   127   -   127 
Balance at March 31, 2023 22,264 223 54,009  12,424  (18,586) (5,335) 42,735  -   42,735   22,264   223   54,009   12,424   (18,586)  (5,335)  42,735   -   42,735 
Net loss - - -  (5,273) -  -  (5,273) (118)  (5,391)  -   -   -   (5,273)  -   -   (5,273)  (118)  (5,391)
Net other comprehensive income - - -  -  -  566 566  (12)  554  -   -   -   -   -   566   566   (12)  554 
IPO of Strong Global Entertainment, Inc. and issuance of Landmark warrant, net of costs - - 1,383 -  -  -  1,383  225   1,608  -   -   1,383   -   -   -   1,383   225   1,608 
Non-controlling interest allocation   (1,147)       (1,147) 1,147   -           (1,147)              (1,147)  1,147   - 
Payments of withholding taxes for net share settlement of equity awards - - (104) -  -  -  (104) -   (104)  -   -   (104)  -   -   -   (104)  -   (104)
Stock-based compensation expense -  -  910   -   -   -   910   -   910   -   -   910   -   -   -   910   -   910 
Balance at June 30, 2023 22,264 $223 $55,051  $7,151  $(18,586) $(4,769) $39,070$1,242  $40,312   22,264   223   55,051   7,151   (18,586)  (4,769)  39,070   1,242   40,312 
Net loss  -   -   -   (3,321)  -   -   (3,321)  (4)  (3,325)
Net other comprehensive loss  -   -   -   -   -   (209)  (209)  (41)  (250)
Vesting of restricted stock  213   2   (2)  -   -   -   -   -   - 
Payments of withholding taxes for net share settlement of equity awards  -   -   (39)  -   -   -   (39)  -   (39)
Issuance of SGE common stock in connection with acquisition of Unbounded (Note 9)  -   -   933   -   -   -   933   273   1,206 
Non-controlling interest allocation  -   -   (647)  -   -   -   (647)  647   - 
Stock-based compensation expense  -   -   378   -   -   -   378   -   378 
Balance at September 30, 2023  22,477  $225  $55,674  $3,830  $(18,586) $(4,978) $36,165  $2,117  $38,282 

  Common Stock (Shares)  Common Stock ($)  Additional Paid-In Capital  Retained Earnings  Treasury Stock  

Accumulated

Other

Comprehensive

Loss

  

Total FG

Group

Holdings

Shareholders’

Equity

  

Non-contolling

Interest

  

Total

Stockholders’

Equity

 
Balance at December 31, 2021  21,286  $213  $50,807  $23,591  $(18,586) $(3,748) $52,277  $          -  $52,277 
Net loss  -   -   -   (802)  -   -   (802)  -   (802)
Net other comprehensive income  -   -   -   -   -   170   170   -   170 
Issuance of common stock  761   8   2,342   -   -   -   2,350   -   2,350 
Issuance of warrants  -   -   109   -   -   -   109   -   109 
Stock-based compensation expense  -   -   194   -   -   -   194   -   194 
Balance at March 31, 2022  22,047   221   53,452   22,789   (18,586)  (3,578)  54,298   -   54,298 
Net loss  -   -   -   (5,598)  -   -   (5,598)  -   (5,598)
Net other comprehensive loss  -   -   -   -   -   (734)  (734)  -   (734)
Vesting of restricted stock  73   -   (16)  -   -   -   (16)  -   (16)
Stock-based compensation expense  -   -   175   -   -   -   175   -   175 
Balance at June 30, 2022  22,120   221   53,611   17,191   (18,586)  (4,312)  48,125   -   48,125 
Net loss  -   -   -   (2,199)  -   -   (2,199)  -   (2,199)
Net other comprehensive loss  -   -   -   -   -   (1,478)  (1,478)  -   (1,478)
Net other comprehensive income/loss  -   -   -   -   -   (1,478)  (1,478)  -   (1,478)
Vesting of restricted stock  111   1   (1)  -   -   -   -   -   - 
Stock-based compensation expense  -   -   142   -   -   -   142   -   142 
Balance at September 30, 2022  22,231  $222  $53,752  $14,992  $(18,586) $(5,790) $44,590  $-  $44,590 

  Common Stock (Shares)  Common Stock ($)  Additional Paid-In Capital  Retained Earnings  Treasury Stock  Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss  Total FG Group Holdings Shareholders’ Equity  Non-contolling Interest  Total Stockholders’ Equity 
Balance at December 31, 2021  21,286  $213  $50,807  $23,591  $(18,586) $     (3,748) $        52,277  $              -  $         52,277 
Net loss  -   -   -   (802)  -   -   (802)  -   (802)
Net other comprehensive income  -   -   -   -   -   170   170   -   170 
Issuance of common stock  761   8   2,342   -   -   -   2,350   -   2,350 
Issuance of warrants  -   -   109   -   -   -   109   -   109 
Stock-based compensation expense  -   -   194   -   -   -   194   -   194 
Balance at March 31, 2022  22,047   221   53,452   22,789   (18,586)  (3,578)  54,298   -   54,298 
Net loss  -   -   -   (5,598)  -   -   (5,598)  -   (5,598)
Net other comprehensive loss  -   -   -   -   -   (734)  (734)  -   (734)
Vesting of restricted stock  73   -   (16)  -   -   -   (16)  -   (16)
Stock-based compensation expense  -   -   175   -   -   -   175   -   175 
Net other comprehensive income/loss  -   -   -   -   -   (734)  (734)  -   (734)
Balance at June 30, 2022  22,120  $221  $53,611  $17,191  $(18,586) $(4,312) $48,125  $-  $48,125 

See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

6


FG Group Holdings Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

SixNine Months Ended JuneSeptember 30, 2023 and 2022

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 2023  2022  2023  2022 
 Six Months Ended June 30,  Nine Months Ended September 30, 
 2023  2022  2023  2022 
Cash flows from operating activities:                
Net loss $(9,382)  $(6,399) $(12,705) $(8,598)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss from continuing operations to net cash used in operating activities:                
Recovery of doubtful accounts  (3)   3 
Provision for obsolete inventory  29   6 
(Recovery of) provision for doubtful accounts  (32)  11 
Benefit from obsolete inventory  (47)  - 
Provision for warranty  73   15   131   9 
Depreciation and amortization  2,527   702   2,814   1,038 
Amortization and accretion of operating leases  59   137   88   166 
Equity method holding loss  2,694   1,780   4,362   2,578 
Adjustment to SageNet promissory note in connection with prepayment  -   202   -   202 
Unrealized loss on equity holdings  4,538   2,451   5,514   3,752 
Deferred income taxes  (388)   (292)  124   (435)
Stock-based compensation expense  1,037   369   1,415   511 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:                
Accounts receivable  (225)   (1,085)  (1,213)  (394)
Inventories  286  (602)  (158)  (556)
Current income taxes  (401)   (135)  (666)  117 
Other assets  (8,692)   1,055   (9,760)  1,455 
Accounts payable and accrued expenses  5,978  (674)  7,053   (1,490)
Deferred revenue and customer deposits  (651)   (446)  (248)  (975)
Operating lease obligations  (65)   (132)  (98)  (161)
Net cash used in operating activities  (2,586)   (3,045)  (3,426)  (2,770)
                
Cash flows from investing activities:                
Capital expenditures  (318)   (840)  (306)  (858)
Acquisition of programming rights  (86)   (337)  (511)  (407)
Sale (purchase) of equity holdings  198    (2,000)  198   (2,000)
Receipt of SageNet promissory note  -    2,300   -   2,300 
Net cash used in investing activities  (206)   (877)  (619)  (965)
                
Cash flows from financing activities:                
Principal payments on short-term debt  (414)   (285)  (678)  (487)
Principal payments on long-term debt  (101)   (66)  (152)  (114)
Proceeds from Strong Global Entertainment initial public offering  2,411   -  2,411   - 
Borrowings under credit facility  4,344    -   6,790   - 
Repayments under credit facility  (2,132)   -   (4,483)  - 
Payments of withholding taxes for net share settlement of equity awards  (104)  (15)  (131)  (15)
Payments on finance lease obligations  (66)   (2)  (109)  (5)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities  

3,938

   (368)  3,648   (621)
                
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents  

31

   (30)  80   (184)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash  1,177   (4,320)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash  (317)  (4,540)
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period  3,789   8,881   3,789   8,882 
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period $4,966  $4,561  $3,472  $4,342 
                
Components of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash:                
Cash and cash equivalents $4,966   $4,411  $3,472  $4,191 
Restricted cash  -   150   -   151 
Total cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash $4,966  $4,561  $3,472  $4,342 
                
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities:                
Short-term borrowings to finance insurance $586   $392  $338  $392 
Issuance of Strong Global Entertainment common stock in connection with acquisition of Unbounded (Note 9) $1,206  $- 
Issuance of debt, common shares, and warrants in connection with purchase of Digital Ignition building $-   $7,609  $-  $7,609 
Amount payable to Landmark Studio Group in connection with aquistion of projects (Note 9) $-   $1,345 
Amount payable to Landmark Studio Group in connection with acquisition of projects (Note 10) $-  $1,345 

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

7

FG Group Holdings Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

 

1. Nature of Operations

FG Group Holdings Inc. (previously Ballantyne Strong, Inc.) (“FG Group Holdings,” or the “Company”), a Nevada corporation, is a holding company. The Company’s holdings primarily consist of equity securities in public and private companies and real estate holdings in the United States and Canada.

The Company has historically conducted a large portion of its operations primarily through its Strong Entertainment operating segment. The Company completed the Separation (as defined below) and initial public offering (“IPO”) of the Strong Entertainment business on May 18, 2023. Following this transaction, Strong Global Entertainment became a separate publicly listed company, and FG Group Holdings holds approximately 84%76% of the Class A common shares and 100%100% of the Class B common shares as of the date hereof. As the Company continues to be the majority shareholder of Strong Global Entertainment, the financial results of Strong Global Entertainment are presented on a consolidated basis in the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements. The Company reports the noncontrolling interest in Strong Global Entertainment as a component of equity separate from the Company’s equity. The Company’s net loss excludes the net loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest.

Strong Global Entertainment manufactures and distributes premium large format projection screens and provides technical support services and other related products and services to the cinema exhibition industry, theme parks, schools, museums and other entertainment-related markets. Strong Entertainment also distributes and supports third party products, including digital projectors, servers, library management systems, menu boards and sound systems. In March 2022, the Company launched Strong Studios, Inc. (“Strong Studios”) with the goal of expanding Strong Entertainment to include content creation and production of feature films and series. The launch of Strong Studios is intended to further diversify our revenue streams and increase our addressable markets, while leveraging and expanding our existing relationships in the industry.

 

Following the Separation and IPO, the operations of the Strong Entertainment operating segment are part of a newly established British Columbia corporation, Strong Global Entertainment, Inc. (“Strong Global Entertainment”). Strong Global Entertainment’s common shares are listed on the NYSE American under the ticker symbol “SGE.” In connection with the IPO, the Company and Strong Global Entertainment (and the subsidiaries of each) entered into a Master Asset Purchase Agreement, an IP Assignment Agreement, the FG Group Holdings Asset Transfer Agreement, the FG Group Holdings IP Assignment Agreement, the Joliette Plant Lease, the Share Transfer Agreements and a number of other agreements to govern the separation of the legacy Strong Entertainment business from the Company and the contribution of certain of the related business and assets to Strong Global Entertainment (the “Separation”). Under the Management Services Agreement, Strong Global Entertainment and the Company provide certain services to each other, which include information technology, legal, finance and accounting, human resources, tax, treasury, and other services, and charges a fee that is based on its actual costs and expenses for those services in the future (with mark-up, if necessary, to comply with applicable transfer pricing principles under Canadian and U.S. tax regulations).

The Company owns and operates its Digital Ignition technology incubator and co-working facility in Alpharetta, Georgia. In addition, the Company holds minority equity positions in three companies as discussed in Note 7.

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation

 

The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and all majority-owned and controlled domestic and foreign subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Unless the context indicates otherwise, references to the “Company” include the Company and its majority-owned and controlled domestic and foreign subsidiaries.

8

 

The condensed consolidated financial statements included in this report are presented in accordance with the requirements of Form 10-Q and consequently do not include all of the disclosures normally required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (also referred to as “GAAP”) for annual reporting purposes or those made in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022.

8

The condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2022, was derived from the Company’s audited consolidated balance sheet as of that date. All other condensed consolidated financial statements contained herein are unaudited and, in the opinion of management, reflect all adjustments of a normal recurring nature necessary to present a fair statement of the financial position and the results of operations and cash flows for the respective interim periods. Certain prior period balances have been reclassified to conform to current period presentation. The results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of trends or results expected for a full year.

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all references to “dollars” and “$” in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are to, and amounts are presented in, U.S. dollars.

 

Use of Management Estimates

 

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results and changes in facts and circumstances may alter such estimates and affect results of operations and financial position in future periods.

 

The coronavirus pandemic (“COVID-19”) had an unprecedented impact to consumer behaviors and our customers, particularly our customers’ ability and willingness to purchase our products and services. The Company believes that consumer reticence to engage in outside-the-home activities, caused by the risk of contracting COVID-19, has abated, and our customers have resumed more typical, pre-COVID-19 purchasing behaviors. And while we believe our customers made significant progress in its recovery from the pandemic, the impact of COVID-19 on inflation and supply chains and the continued economic recovery will be contingent upon several key factors, including the volume of new film content available, the box office performance of new film content released, the duration of the exclusive theatrical release window, and evolving consumer behavior with competition from other forms of in- and out-of-home entertainment. There can be no assurances that there will be no additional public health crises, including further resurgence or variants of COVID-19, which could reverse the current trend and have a negative impact on the Company’s results of operations.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

All short-term, highly liquid financial instruments are classified as cash equivalents in the condensed consolidated balance sheets and statements of cash flows. Generally, these instruments have maturities of three months or less from date of purchase. As of JuneSeptember 30, 2023, $2.51.6 million of the $5.03.5 million in cash and cash equivalents was held in Canada by Strong Global Entertainment.

 

9

Accounts Receivable

Trade accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount and do not bear interest. The Company determines the allowance for credit losses based on several factors, including overall customer credit quality, historical write-off experience and a specific analysis that projects the ultimate collectability of the account. As such, these factors may change over time causing the allowance level and bad debt expense to be adjusted accordingly. Past due accounts are written off when our efforts have been unsuccessful in collecting amounts due.

Equity Holdings

The Company accounts for its equity holdings using the equity method, at cost, or at fair value depending on the facts and circumstances related to each individual holding. The Company applies the equity method of accounting to its holdings when it has significant influence, but not controlling interest, in the entity. Judgment regarding the level of influence over each equity method holding includes considering key factors such as ownership interest, representation on the board of directors, participation in policy-making decisions and material intercompany transactions. The Company’s proportionate share of the net income or loss resulting from these equity holdings is reported under the line item captioned “equity method holding loss” in our condensed consolidated statements of operations. The Company’s equity method holding is reported at cost and adjusted each period for the Company’s share of the entity’s income or loss and dividends paid, if any. The Company’s share of the entity’s income or loss is recorded on a one-quarter lag for all equity method holdings. The Company classifies distributions received from equity method holdings using the cumulative earnings approach on the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows.

9

Changes in fair value of holdings in marketable equity securities of unconsolidated entities in which the Company is not able to exercise significant influence (“Fair Value Holdings”) are recognized on the consolidated statement of operations. Nonmarketable equity holdings in unconsolidated entities in which the Company is not able to exercise significant influence (“Cost Method Holdings”) are accounted for at the Company’s initial cost, minus any impairment (if any), plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for the identical or a similar holding or security of the same issuer. Dividends on Fair Value Holdings and Cost Method Holdings received are recorded as income.

The Company assesses its equity holdings for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an equity holding may not be recoverable. Management reviewed the underlying net assets of the Company’s equity method holding as of JuneSeptember 30, 2023, and determined that the Company’s proportionate economic interest in the entity indicates that the equity holding was not impaired. There were no observable price changes in orderly transactions for an identical or similar holding or security of the Company’s Cost Method Holding during the three or sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2023. The carrying value of our equity method, Fair Value Holdings and Cost Method Holdings is reported as “equity holdings” on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. Note 7 contains additional information on our equity method, Fair Value Holdings and Cost Method Holdings.

 

Film and Television Programming Rights

 

Commencing in March 2022, the Company began producing original productions and acquiring rights to films and television programming. Film and television programming rights include the unamortized costs of in-process or in-development content produced or acquired by the Company. The Company’s capitalized costs include all direct production and financing costs, capitalized interest when applicable, and production overhead. Where available, the Company utilizes certain governmental incentives, programs and other structures from states and foreign countries (e.g., refundable tax credits calculated based on the amount of money spent in the particular jurisdiction in connection with the production) to fund its film and television productions and reduce financial risk. Film and television program rights are stated at the lower of amortized cost or estimated fair value.

10

The costs of producing content are amortized using the individual-film-forecast method. These costs are amortized based on the ratio of the current period’s revenues to management’s estimated remaining total gross revenues to be earned (“Ultimate Revenue”) as of each reporting date to reflect the most current available information. Participation costs represent contingent consideration payable based on the performance of the film or television program to parties associated with the film or television program, including producers, writers, directors or actors and estimated liabilities for participations are accrued based on the ratio of the current period’s revenues to management’s estimated remaining total gross revenues to be earned. Management’s judgment is required in estimating Ultimate Revenue and the costs to be incurred throughout the life of each film or television program. Amortization is adjusted when necessary to reflect increases or decreases in forecasted Ultimate Revenues.

For an episodic television series, the period over which Ultimate Revenues are estimated cannot exceed ten years following the date of delivery of the first episode, or, if still in production, five years from the date of delivery of the most recent episode, if later. For films, Ultimate Revenue includes estimates over a period not to exceed ten years following the date of initial release.

 

Content assets are expected to be predominantly monetized individually and therefore are reviewed at the individual level when an event or change in circumstance indicates a change in the expected usefulness of the content or the fair value may be less than the unamortized cost.

 

Due to the inherent uncertainties involved in making such estimates of Ultimate Revenues and expenses, these estimates may materially differ from actual results. In addition, in the normal course of our business, some films and titles will be more successful or less successful than anticipated. Management regularly reviews and revises, when necessary, its Ultimate Revenue and cost estimates, which may result in a change in the rate of amortization of film costs and participations and residuals and/or a write-down of all or a portion of the unamortized costs of the film or television program to its estimated fair value. An increase in the estimate of Ultimate Revenue will generally result in a lower amortization rate and, therefore, less film and television program amortization expense, while a decrease in the estimate of Ultimate Revenue will generally result in a higher amortization rate and, therefore, higher film and television program amortization expense, and also periodically result in an impairment requiring a write-down of the film cost to the title’s fair value. The Company has not incurred any of these write-downs.

 

10

An impairment charge would be recorded in the amount by which the unamortized costs exceed the estimated fair value. Estimates of future revenue involve measurement uncertainties and it is therefore possible that reductions in the carrying value of capitalized costs may be required because of changes in management’s future revenue estimates.

 

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

 

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value are categorized into a fair value hierarchy based upon the observability of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability as of the measurement date. Inputs refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk. The categorization within the valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value are classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories:

Level 1 – inputs to the valuation techniques are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities
Level 2 – inputs to the valuation techniques are other than quoted prices but are observable for the assets or liabilities, either directly or indirectly
Level 3 – inputs to the valuation techniques are unobservable for the assets or liabilities

 

The following tables present the Company’s financial assets measured at fair value based upon the level within the fair value hierarchy in which the fair value measurements are classified, as of JuneSeptember 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022.

11

 

Fair values measured on a recurring basis at JuneSeptember 30, 2023 (in thousands):

 Schedule of Fair Value Measured Financial Assets and Liabilities

 Level 1  Level 2  Level 3  Total  Level 1  Level 2  Level 3  Total 
Cash and cash equivalents $4,966  $    -  $    -  $4,966  $3,472  $-  $-  $3,472 
Fair value method equity holding  12,205   -    -    12,205   11,083   -   -   11,083 
Total $17,171  $-  $-  $17,171  $14,555  $-  $-  $14,555 

 

Fair values measured on a recurring basis at December 31, 2022 (in thousands):

 

  Level 1  Level 2  Level 3  Total 
Cash and cash equivalents $3,789  $-  $-  $3,789 
Fair value method equity holding  16,792   -   -   16,792 
Total $20,581  $-  $-  $20,581 

 

The carrying values of all other financial assets and liabilities, including accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued expenses and short-term debt reported in the consolidated balance sheets equal or approximate their fair values due to the short-term nature of these instruments. Based on a combination of the cash on hand as well as quoted market prices of the securities held by FGF Holdings (as defined below), the liquidation value of the Company’s equity method holding was $5.13.5 million at JuneSeptember 30, 2023 (see Note 7).

 

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

 

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, “Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments.” This ASU requires the measurement of all expected credit losses for financial assets, including trade receivables, held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts. The Company adopted this ASU effective January 1, 2023. Upon adoption the Company recorded a cumulative effect adjustment decreasing retained earnings by $24 thousand.

11

 

3. Revenue

 

The Company accounts for revenue using the following steps:

 

Identify the contract, or contracts, with a customer;
Identify the performance obligations in the contract;
Determine the transaction price;
Allocate the transaction price to the identified performance obligations; and
Recognize revenue when, or as, the Company satisfies the performance obligations.

 

The Company combines contracts with the same customer into a single contract for accounting purposes when the contracts are entered into at or near the same time and the contracts are negotiated as a single commercial package, consideration in one contract depends on the other contract, or the services are considered a single performance obligation. If an arrangement involves multiple performance obligations, the items are analyzed to determine whether they are distinct, whether the items have value on a standalone basis, and whether there is objective and reliable evidence of their standalone selling price. The total contract transaction price is allocated to the identified performance obligations based upon the relative standalone selling prices of the performance obligations. The standalone selling price is based on an observable price for services sold to other comparable customers, when available, or an estimated selling price using a cost-plus margin approach. The Company estimates the amount of total contract consideration it expects to receive for variable arrangements by determining the most likely amount it expects to earn from the arrangement based on the expected quantities of services it expects to provide and the contractual pricing based on those quantities. The Company only includes a portion of variable consideration in the transaction price when it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur or when the uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is subsequently resolved. The Company considers the sensitivity of the estimate, its relationship and experience with the client and variable services being performed, the range of possible revenue amounts and the magnitude of the variable consideration to the overall arrangement.

 

12

As discussed in more detail below, revenue is recognized when a customer obtains control of promised goods or services under the terms of a contract and is measured as the amount of consideration the Company expects to receive in exchange for transferring goods or providing services. The Company typically does not have any material extended payment terms, as payment is due at or shortly after the time of the sale. Sales, value-added and other taxes collected concurrently with revenue producing activities are excluded from revenue.

 

The Company recognizes contract assets or unbilled receivables related to revenue recognized for services completed but not yet invoiced to the clients. Unbilled receivables are recorded as accounts receivable when the Company has an unconditional right to contract consideration. A contract liability is recognized as deferred revenue when the Company invoices clients, or receives cash, in advance of performing the related services under the terms of a contract. Deferred revenue is recognized as revenue when the Company has satisfied the related performance obligation.

 

The Company defers costs to acquire contracts, including commissions, incentives and payroll taxes, if they are incremental and recoverable costs of obtaining a customer contract with a term exceeding one year. Deferred contract costs are reported within other assets and amortized to selling expense over the contract term, which generally ranges from one to five years. The Company has elected to recognize the incremental costs of obtaining a contract with a term of less than one year as a selling expense when incurred. The Company did not have any deferred contract costs as of JuneSeptember 30, 2023 or December 31, 2022.

12

 

The following tables disaggregate the Company’s revenue by major source and by operating segment for the three and sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2023 and 2022 (in thousands):

 Schedule of Disaggregation of Revenue

 Strong Entertainment  Other  Total  Strong Entertainment  Other  Total  Strong Entertainment  Other  Total  Strong Entertainment  Other  Total 
 Three Months Ended June 30, 2023  Three Months Ended June 30, 2022  Three Months Ended September 30, 2023  Three Months Ended September 30, 2022 
 Strong Entertainment  Other  Total  Strong Entertainment  Other  Total  Strong Entertainment  Other  Total  Strong Entertainment  Other  Total 
Screen system sales $4,046  $-  $4,046  $    3,251  $-  $3,251  $3,914  $-  $3,914  $3,374  $-  $3,374 
Digital equipment sales  3,537   -   3,537   2,673   -   2,673   3,434   -   3,434   3,592   -   3,592 
Extended warranty sales  49   -   49   84   -   84   43   -   43   106   -   106 
Other product sales  779   -   779   675   -   675   603   -   603   618   -   618 
Total product sales  8,411   -   8,411   6,683   -   6,683   7,994   -   7,994   7,690   -   7,690 
Field maintenance and monitoring services  1,912   -   1,912   1,649   -   1,649   2,008   -   2,008   1,708   -   1,708 
Installation services  1,038   -   1,038   469   -   469   763   -   763   453   -   453 
Strong Studios services  6,379   -   6,379   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   - 
Other service revenues  99   183   282   21   321   342   155   174   329   53   370   423 
Total service revenues  9,428   183   9,611   2,139   321   2,460   2,926   174   3,100   2,214   370   2,584 
Total $17,839  $183  $18,022  $8,822  $321  $9,143  $10,920  $174  $11,094  $9,904  $370  $10,274 

 

 Strong Entertainment  Other  Total  Strong Entertainment  Other  Total  Strong Entertainment  Other  Total  Strong Entertainment  Other  Total 
 Six Months Ended June 30, 2023  Six Months Ended June 30, 2022  Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023  Nine Months Ended September 30, 2022 
 Strong Entertainment  Other  Total  Strong Entertainment  Other  Total  Strong Entertainment  Other  Total  Strong Entertainment  Other  Total 
Screen system sales $     7,003  $-  $7,003  $     6,743  $-  $6,743  $10,918  $-  $10,918  $10,117  $-  $10,117 
Digital equipment sales  7,063   -   7,063   6,216   -   6,216   10,497   -   10,497   9,808   -   9,808 
Extended warranty sales  100   -   100   184   -   184   143   -   143   290   -   290 
Other product sales  1,449   -   1,449   1,243   -   1,243   2,051   -   2,051   1,861   -   1,861 
Total product sales  15,615   -   15,615   14,386   -   14,386   23,609   -   23,609   22,076   -   22,076 
Field maintenance and monitoring services  3,803   -   3,803   3,267   -   3,267   5,811   -   5,811   4,975   -   4,975 
Installation services  1,840   -   1,840   841   -   841   2,603   -   2,603   1,294   -   1,294 
Strong Studios services  6,379   -   6,379   -   -   -   6,379   -   6,379   -   -   - 
Other service revenues  153   341   494   49   626   675   307   517   824   101   996   1,097 
Total service revenues  12,175   341   12,516   4,157   626   4,783   15,100   517   15,617   6,370   996   7,366 
Total $27,790  $341  $28,131  $18,543  $626  $19,169  $38,709  $517  $39,226  $28,446  $996  $29,442 

13

Screen system sales

 

The Company typically recognizes revenue on the sale of its screen systems when control of the screen is transferred to the customer, usually at time of shipment. However, revenue is recognized upon delivery for certain international shipments with longer shipping transit times because control transfers upon customer delivery. The cost of freight and shipping to the customer is recognized in cost of sales at the time of transfer of control to the customer. For contracts that are long-term in nature, the Company believes that the use of the percentage-of-completion method is appropriate as the Company has the ability to make reasonably dependable estimates of the extent of progress towards completion, contract revenues, and contract costs. Under the percentage-of-completion method, revenue is recorded based on the ratio of actual costs incurred to total estimated costs expected to be incurred related to the contract.

 

Digital equipment sales

 

The Company recognizes revenue on sales of digital equipment when the control of the equipment is transferred, which typically occurs at the time of shipment from the Company’s warehouse or drop-shipment from a third party. The cost of freight and shipping to the customer is recognized in cost of sales at the time of transfer of control to the customer.

 

Field maintenance and monitoring services

 

The Company sells service contracts that provide maintenance and monitoring services to its Strong Entertainment customers. These contracts are generally 12 months in length. Revenue related to service contracts is recognized ratably over the term of the agreement.

 

13

In addition to selling service contracts, the Company also performs discrete time and materials-based maintenance and repair work for customers in the Strong Entertainment segment. Revenue related to time and materials-based maintenance and repair work is recognized at the point in time when the performance obligation has been fully satisfied.

 

Installation services

 

The Company performs installation services for its Strong Entertainment customers and recognizes revenue upon completion of the installations.

 

Extended warranty sales

The Company sells extended warranties to its Strong Entertainment customers. Typically, the Company is the primary obligor, and revenue is recognized on a gross basis ratably over the term of the extended warranty.

Strong Studios services

 

The Company develops and produces original films and television series, as well as acquires third-party rights to content for global multi-platform distribution and recognizes revenue upon the transfer or license of film and television programming rights and related intellectual property.

Extended warranty sales

The Company performs installation services for its Strong Entertainment customers and recognizes revenue upon completion of the installations.

 

Timing of revenue recognition

 

The following tables disaggregate the Company’s revenue by the timing of transfer of goods or services to the customer for the three and sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2023 and 2022 (in thousands):

 Schedule of Disaggregation of Revenue

 Strong Entertainment  Other  Total  Strong Entertainment  Other  Total  Strong Entertainment  Other  Total  Strong Entertainment  Other  Total 
 Three Months Ended June 30, 2023  Three Months Ended June 30, 2022  Three Months Ended September 30, 2023  Three Months Ended September 30, 2022 
 Strong Entertainment  Other  Total  Strong Entertainment  Other  Total  Strong Entertainment  Other  Total  Strong Entertainment  Other  Total 
Point in time $   16,312  $34  $16,346  $     7,532  $14  $7,546  $9,389  $15  $9,404  $8,588  $63  $8,651 
Over time  1,527   149   1,676   1,290   307   1,597   1,531   159   1,690   1,316   307   1,623 
Total $17,839  $183  $18,022  $8,822  $321  $9,143  $10,920  $174  $11,094  $9,904  $370  $10,274 

 

 Strong Entertainment  Other  Total  Strong Entertainment  Other  Total  Strong Entertainment  Other  Total  Strong Entertainment  Other  Total 
 Six Months Ended June 30, 2023  Six Months Ended June 30, 2022  Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023  Nine Months Ended September 30, 2022 
 Strong Entertainment  Other  Total  Strong Entertainment  Other  Total  Strong Entertainment  Other  Total  Strong Entertainment  Other  Total 
Point in time $   24,742  $48  $24,790  $    15,974  $17  $15,991  $34,130  $63  $34,193  $24,561  $80  $24,641 
Over time  3,048   293   3,341   2,569   609   3,178   4,579   454   5,033   3,885   916   4,801 
Total $27,790  $341  $28,131  $18,543  $626  $19,169  $38,709  $517  $39,226  $28,446  $996  $29,442 
Revenue $38,709  $517  $39,226  $28,446  $996  $29,442 

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At JuneSeptember 30, 2023, the unearned revenue amount associated with long-term projects that the Company uses the percentage-of-completion method to recognize revenue, maintenance and monitoring services and extended warranty sales in which the Company is the primary obligor was $0.40.8 million. The Company expects to recognize approximately $0.40.7 million of the unearned revenue amounts during the remainder of 2023, $0.1 million during 2024 and immaterial amounts from 2024 throughin 2025 and 2026.

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4. Net Loss Per Common Share

Basic net loss per share has been computed on the basis of the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding. In periods when the Company reported a net loss, there were no differences between average shares used to compute basic and diluted loss per share as inclusion of stock options and restricted stock units would have been anti-dilutive in those periods. The following table summarizes the weighted average shares used to compute basic and diluted net loss per share (in thousands):

 Schedule of Net(Loss) Income Per Share

 2023  2022  2023  2022  2023  2022  2023  2022 
 Three Months Ended June 30,  Six Months Ended June 30,  Three Months Ended September 30,  Nine Months Ended September 30, 
 2023  2022  2023  2022  2023  2022  2023  2022 
Weighted average shares outstanding:                         
Basic weighted average shares outstanding  19,470   19,273   19,293   19,133   19,648   19,437   19,530   19,235 
Dilutive effect of stock options and certain non-vested restricted stock units  -   -   -   -   -   -   -   - 
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding  19,470   19,273   19,293   19,133   19,648   19,437   19,530   19,235 
                                
Anti-dilutive employee stock-based awards excluded  370   197   436   179   111   160   167   114 

 

Options to purchase 742,000 632,000and 349,500 489,500shares of common stock were outstanding as of JuneSeptember 30, 2023 and JuneSeptember 30, 2022, respectively, but were not included in the computation of diluted loss per share as the options’ exercise prices were greater than the average closing price of the common shares for each period.

 

5. Inventories

 

Inventories consisted of the following (in thousands):

 Schedule of Inventories

 June 30, 2023  December 31, 2022  September 30, 2023  December 31, 2022 
Raw materials and components $1,984  $1,826  $1,964  $1,826 
Work in process  312   279   496   279 
Finished goods  829   1,284   1,137   1,284 
Total $3,125  $3,389  $3,597  $3,389 

 

The inventory balances are net of reserves of approximately $0.4 million and $0.5 million as of both JuneSeptember 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022.2022, respectively. The inventory reserves are primarily related to the Company’s finished goods inventory. A rollforward of the inventory reserve for the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2023, is as follows (in thousands):

 Schedule of Inventory Reserve

        
Inventory reserve balance at December 31, 2022 $486  $486 
Inventory write-offs during 2023  (16)  (57)
Provision for inventory reserve during 2023  29   (47)
Inventory reserve balance at June 30, 2023 $499 
Inventory reserve balance at September 30, 2023 $382 

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6. Other Current Assets

Other current assets consisted of the following as of JuneSeptember 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 (in thousands):

Schedule of Other Current Assets

  September 30, 2023  December 31, 2022 
Prepaid expenses $1,006  $553 
Receivable from Safehaven 2022, Inc.  -   1,625 
Costs incurred in connection with Strong Global Entertainment initial public offering  -   1,920 
Unbilled accounts receivable  432   337 
Other  287   436 
Total $1,725  $4,871 

  June 30, 2023  December 31, 2022 
Prepaid expenses $1,346  $553 
Receivable from Safehaven 2022, Inc.  -   1,625 
Costs incurred in connection with Strong Global Entertainment initial public offering  -   1,920 
Unbilled accounts receivable  541   337 
Production tax rebate receivable  3,476   - 
Receivable from Ravenwood Productions LLC  6,379   - 
Other  267   436 
Total $12,009  $4,871 

7. Equity Holdings

 

The following summarizes our equity holdings (dollars in thousands):

 Summary of Investments

 June 30, 2023  December 31, 2022  September 30, 2023  December 31, 2022 
 Carrying Amount  Economic Interest  Carrying Amount  Economic Interest  Carrying Amount  Economic Interest  Carrying Amount  Economic Interest 
Equity Method Holding                                
FG Financial Holdings, LLC $5,137   45.4% $7,832   47.2% $3,469   44.3% $7,832   47.2%
                                
Fair Value Method Holding                                
GreenFirst Forest Products Inc.  12,205   8.3%  16,792   8.4%  11,083   8.3%  16,792   8.4%
                                
Cost Method Holding                                
Firefly Systems, Inc.  12,898       12,898       12,898       12,898     
Total Investments $30,240      $37,522     
Total Equity holdings $27,450      $37,522     

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Equity Method Holding

FG Financial Holdings, LLC (“FGF Holdings”) is a limited liability company formed under the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act. The Company is a member of FGF Holdings and contributed its 2.9 million shares of FG Financial Group, Inc. (“FGF”) common stock to FGF Holdings on September 12, 2022. FGF is a publicly-traded reinsurance and investment management holding company focused on opportunistic collateralized and loss capped reinsurance, while allocating capital to special purpose acquisition companies (each, a “SPAC”) and SPAC sponsor-related businesses.

In consideration of its contribution to FGF Holdings, the Company was issued Series B Common Interests of FGF Holdings and 50% of the voting power over FGF Holdings. The members of FGF Holdings agreed that the powers of FGF Holdings shall be exercised by, or under the authority of, its managers. FGF Holdings has two managers, one of which was appointed by the Company. The Company designated its Chairman, D. Kyle Cerminara, to serve as a manager of FGF Holdings. The managers of FGF Holdings, acting unanimously, have the right, power and authority on behalf of FGF Holdings and in its name to execute documents or other instruments and exercise all of the rights, power and authority of FGF Holdings. Allocations of profits and losses and distributions of cash are made in accordance with the terms of the FGF Holdings operating agreement.agreement.

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The Company has the ability to significantly influence FGF Holdings through its 50% voting power but does not maintain a controlling interest. Based on quoted closing stock of the securities held by FGF Holdings, as well as the liabilities and cash balance on hand, the liquidation value of the Company’s LLC interest in FGF Holdings was approximately $5.13.5 million as of JuneSeptember 30, 2023.

The Company recorded an equity method loss related to FGF Holdings of $2.01.7 million and $2.74.4 million during the three and sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2023, respectively. As of JuneSeptember 30, 2023, the Company’s retained earnings included an accumulated deficit from its equity method holding of approximately $8.7$10.4 million.

 

Fair Value Method Holding

 

GreenFirst Forest Products Inc. (“GreenFirst”) is a publicly-traded Canadian company focused on environmentally sustainable forest management and lumber production. In April 2021, GreenFirst announced that it had entered into an asset purchase agreement pursuant to which it would acquire a portfolio of forest and paper product assets (the “GreenFirst Acquisition”). The Company’s Chairman, Mr. Cerminara, served as a member of the board of directors of GreenFirst from June 2016 to October 2021, and was also appointed Chairman of GreenFirst from June 2018 to June 2021. Prior to the closing of the GreenFirst Acquisition, the Company held a 20.7% ownership position in GreenFirst. The Company’s 20.7% ownership of GreenFirst, combined with Mr. Cerminara’s board seat, provided the Company with significant influence over GreenFirst, but not a controlling interest. Accordingly, the Company applied the equity method of accounting to its equity holding in GreenFirst. Following the GreenFirst Acquisition and GreenFirst’s issuance of additional common shares, the Company’s ownership percentage decreased to 8.6%. As a result, the Company is no longer able to exercise significant influence over GreenFirst and the equity holding in GreenFirst no longer qualified for equity method accounting. As a result of applying the fair value method of accounting, the Company recorded aan unrealized loss on equity holding of approximately $4.55.5 million and $2.53.8 million during the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2023 and JuneSeptember 30, 2023,2022, respectively. The Company did not receive dividends from GreenFirst during the three and sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2023 or JuneSeptember 30, 2022. Based on quoted closing stock price, the fair value of the Company’s ownership in GreenFirst was $12.211.1 million as of JuneSeptember 30, 2023.

 

Cost Method Holding

 

Firefly Systems, Inc. (“Firefly”) is a private company which operates a media network and digital advertising solutions on taxi and rideshare vehicles. The Company holds approximately 1.1 million and 0.6 million Firefly Series B-1 and Firefly Series B-2 preferred shares, respectively, which were acquired in connection with the transactions with Firefly in May 2019 and August 2020. In addition, the Company holds an additional 0.7 million Firefly Series B-2 preferred shares, which were acquired in August 2020 pursuant to a stock purchase agreement with Firefly. The Company and its affiliated entities have designated Kyle Cerminara, Chairman of the Company’s board of directors and a principal of the Company’s largest shareholder, to Firefly’s board of directors.

 

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8. Property, Plant and Equipment, Net

 

Property, plant and equipment, net consisted of the following as of JuneSeptember 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 (in thousands):

 Schedule of Property, Plant and Equipment

 June 30, 2023  December 31, 2022  September 30, 2023  December 31, 2022 
Land $2,342  $2,341  $2,341  $2,341 
Buildings and improvements  9,463   12,756   9,414   12,756 
Machinery and other equipment  4,976   4,786   5,059   4,786 
Office furniture and fixtures  873   860   884   860 
Construction in progress  238   11   12   11 
Total properties, cost  17,892   20,754 
Total Property, plant and equipment, cost  17,710   20,754 
Less: accumulated depreciation  (5,306)  (8,105)  (5,463)  (8,105)
Property, plant and equipment, net $12,586  $12,649  $12,247  $12,649 

9. Acquisition of Unbounded Media Corporation

On September 12, 2023, Strong Global Entertainment acquired all of the outstanding capital stock of Unbounded Media Corporation and its subsidiaries (“Unbounded”), an independent media and creative production company. In connection with the acquisition of Unbounded, Strong Global Entertainment issued 0.6 million of its Class A Voting Common Shares.

Unbounded develops, creates and produces film, advertising, and branded content for a broad range of clients. In an all-stock transaction, the deal with Unbounded marks the first acquisition in a broader strategy to acquire a portfolio of multi-disciplined content and services companies. Unbounded, in partnership with Strong Studios, also plans to further develop its original IP portfolio, under its Fieldhouse Entertainment division, which currently includes feature films employing Strong Studios’ long form production expertise and industry network.

The following table summarizes the fair values assigned to the net assets acquired and the liabilities assumed as part of the acquisition of Unbounded (in thousands):

Schedule of Net Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed

     
Cash $2 
Accounts receivable  59 
Other current assets  51 
Intangible assets  10 
Total identifiable assets acquired  122 
     
Accounts payable and accrued expenses  11 
Revolving credit facility  71 
Total liabilities assumed  82 
     
Net identifiable assets acquired  40 
Goodwill  1,166 
Net assets acquired $1,206 

Strong Global Entertainment is in the process of finalizing the acquisition purchase price and valuations of certain intangible assets; thus, the provisional measurements of intangible assets and goodwill are subject to change. Pro forma results of operations for this acquisition have not been presented because the effects on net revenues and net (loss) income were not material to Strong Global Entertainment’s historical consolidated financial statements.

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9.10. Film and Television Programming Rights, Net

 

Film and television programming rights, net consisted of the following as of JuneSeptember 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 (in thousands):

Schedule of Development Assets AcquiredFilm and Television Programming Rights, Net

 June 30, 2023  December 31, 2022  September 30, 2023  December 31, 2022 
Television series in development $9,449  $1,308  $9,933  $1,308 
Films in development  222   193   252   193 
Total film and programming rights  9,671   1,501   10,185   1,501 
Accumulated amortization  (1,980)  -   (1,980)  - 
Total film and programming rights, net $7,691  $1,501  $8,205  $1,501 

 

A rollforward of film and television programming rights, net for the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2023, is as follows (in thousands):

 Schedule of Rollforward of Film and Television Programming Rights

Balance at December 31, 2022 $1,501  $1,501 
Expenditures on in-process projects  86   511 
Acquisition of distribution rights  8,188   8,267 
Amortization of film and programming rights  (1,980)  (1,980)
In process projects assumed in connection with acquisition of Unbounded  10 
Adjustment to fair value of warrant issued to Landmark  (104)  (104)
Balance at June 30, 2023 $7,691 
Balance at September 30, 2023 $8,205 

 

In March 2022, Strong Studios acquired the rights to original feature films and television series from Landmark Studio Group LLC (“Landmark”), including the assignment of third party rights to content for global multiplatform distribution. The transaction entailed the acquisition of certain projects which are in varying stages of development, noneone of which havehas produced revenue as of JuneSeptember 30, 2023. In connection with such assignment and purchase, Strong Studios agreed to pay to Landmark approximately $1.7 million in four separate payments, $0.3 million of which was paid upon the closing of the transaction. The $1.7 million acquisition price was allocated to three projects in development: $1.0 million to Safehaven, $0.3 million to Flagrant and $0.4 million to Shadows in the Vineyard. The Company also agreed to issue to Landmark no later than 10 days after the completion of the IPO of Strong Global Entertainment, a warrant to purchase up to 150,000 Common Shares of Strong Global Entertainment, exercisable for three years beginning six months after the consummation of the IPO, at an exercise price equal to the per-share offering price of Strong Global Entertainment’s Common Shares in the IPO (the “Landmark Warrant”). The Landmark Warrant allows for cashless exercise in certain limited circumstances and provides for certain registration rights for such warrant shares.

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As a condition precedent to entry into the AA Agreement, Strong Studios agreed to enter into distribution agreements for Safehaven and Flagrant (the “AA Distribution Agreements”) with Screen Media Ventures, LLC (“SMV”). Pursuant to the AA Distribution Agreements, SMV agreed to purchase the global distribution rights to Safehaven for $6.5 million and Flagrant for $2.5 million upon delivery of each project. In January 2023, Strong Studios amended its agreement with SMV resulting in Strong Studios retaining the worldwide global distribution rights for the Flagrant series and releasing SMV from the obligation to purchase the distribution rights for the series. On June 30, 2023, Strong Studios amended the Safehaven AA Agreement with SMV resulting in Strong Studios retaining the worldwide global distribution rights for the Safehaven series and releasing SMV from the obligation to purchase the distribution rights for the series.

 

During the second quarter of 2022, Safehaven 2022, Inc. (“Safehaven 2022”) was established to manage the production and financing of Safehaven. Strong Studios owned 49% of Safehaven 2022 and the remaining 51% was owned by Unbounded Services, LLC (“Unbounded”). Strong Studios assigned the Landmark distribution agreement to Safehaven 2022, and the Landmark distribution agreement serves as collateral for the production financing at Safehaven 2022. Effective June 23, 2023, the Company increased its ownership in Safehaven 2022 from49% to 100%, and Safehaven 2022 became a wholly owned subsidiary of Strong Studios.

 

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Prior to acquiring 100% of Safehaven 2022 in June 2023, Strong Studios reviewed its ownership in Safehaven 2022 and concluded that it had significant influence, but not a controlling interest, in Safehaven 2022 based on its ownership being less than 50% along with having one of three representatives on the board of managers of Safehaven 2022. Strong Studios also reviewed whether it otherwise had the power to make decisions that significantly impact the economic performance of Safehaven 2022 and concluded that it did not control the entity and is not the primary beneficiary. Accordingly, the Company applied the equity method of accounting to its equity holding in Safehaven 2022 through June 30, 2023, at which time the Company increased its ownership interest in Safehaven 2022 from 49% to 100% and began consolidating Safehaven 2022 as a wholly owned subsidiary of Strong Studios. A summary of the balance sheet of Safehaven 2022 as of JuneSeptember 30, 2023, is as follows (in thousands):

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 Schedule of Balance Sheets

        
Cash $164  $51 
Television programming rights  8,142   6,686 
Other assets  3,505   29 
Total assets $11,811  $6,766 
        
Accounts payable and accrued expenses $250  $3,901 
Due to Strong Studios  1,710   1,491 
Debt  9,851   404 
Equity  -   970 
Total liabilities and equity $11,811  $6,766 

 

Effective June 30, 2023, Safehaven 2022 entered into a purchase agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with SMV, to purchase all of SMV’s right, title and interest in Safehaven. Under the terms of the Purchase Agreement, the purchase price payable to Safehaven 2022 was satisfied by the payment in full by Ravenwood-Productions, LLC (“Ravenwood”) of the amount due as a minimum guarantee under the Safehaven AA Distribution Agreement to Bank of Hope. SMV is entitled to receive no further payments in respect of the Safehaven series, provided that, upon Strong Studios’ receipt of $15.0 million in gross receipts, SMV shall be paid an amount equal to five percent (5%) of the net proceeds up to a maximum of $0.4million.

Effective June 30, 2023, the Company and Ravenwood entered into a management agreement (the “Management Agreement”), pursuant to which:

 

 Ravenwood advanced the amount due to Bank of Hope in respect of the minimum guarantee under the Safehaven AA Distribution Agreement of approximately $6.4million.
 Safehaven 2022, Strong Studios and Ravenwood will enter into a sales agent agreement with an agency to represent and sell the Safehavenseries.
 Each of Ravenwood and Strong Studios will be paid a management commission of 20% and 7%, respectively, of the Net Sales Price of the Series (as defined in the Management Agreement).
 All Gross Receipts (as defined by the Management Agreement) shall be distributed according to an agreed waterfall, with the balance to be paid to the named participants, including Strong Studios which will be paid 32.5%.
 Safehaven 2022 conveyed to Ravenwood an undivided 75% interest in all rights in and to the Safehaven series, retaining 25% for itself.

 

Safehaven 2022 recognizes revenue and cost of sales using the individual-film-forecast method based on the ratio of the current period’s revenues to management’s estimated remaining total gross revenues to be earned. During the quarter ended June 30, 2023, Safehaven 2022 recognized $6.4 million of revenue in connection with the sale of a portion of the intellectual property rights, recorded a total of $5.4 million of expenses, including $2.0 million amortization of the film and programming rights intangible asset and $3.4 million of accrued participation costs.

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10.

11. Goodwill

 

The following represents a summary of changes in the Company’s carrying amount of goodwill for the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2023 (in thousands):

 Summary of Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill

Balance as of December 31, 2022 $882  $882 
Acquisition of Unbounded  1,166 
Foreign currency translation adjustment  20   1 
Balance as of June 30, 2023 $902 
Balance as of September 30, 2023 $2,049 

 

11.12. Accrued Expenses

 

The Company’s accrued expense consisted of the following as of JuneSeptember 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 (in thousands):

Schedule of Accrued Expense 

 June 30, 2023 December 31, 2022  September 30, 2023  December 31, 2022 
Employee-related $2,169  $1,428  $1,497  $1,428 
Warranty obligation  321   309   303   309 
Interest and taxes  309   671   192   671 
Legal and professional fees  279   725   385   725 
Accrued participation costs  3,473   -   3,426   - 
Film and television programming rights  650   1,709   875   1,709 
Other  320   325   885   325 
Total $7,521  $5,167  $7,563  $5,167 

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12.13. Debt

 

The Company’s short-term debt and long-term debt consisted of the following as of JuneSeptember 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 (in thousands):

Schedule of Short term and Long term Debt 

 June 30, 2023  December 31, 2022  September 30, 2023  December 31, 2022 
Short-term debt:                
Strong/MDI 20-year installment loan $2,283  $2,289  $2,189  $2,289 
Strong/MDI 5-year equipment loan  -   221   -   221 
Strong/MDI revolving credit facility  2,237   -   2,293   - 
Safehaven production debt  9,851   - 
Safehaven 2022 debt  404   - 
Insurance note payable  586   -   338   - 
Total short-term debt  14,957   2,510   5,224   2,510 
Less: deferred debt issuance costs, net  (30)  -   (18)  - 
Total short-term debt, net of issuance costs $14,927  $2,510  $5,206  $2,510 
                
Long-term debt:                
Tenant improvement loan $144  $162  $135  $162 
Unbounded credit facility  71   - 
Digital Ignition building loan  5,015   5,105   4,971   5,105 
Total long-term debt $5,159  $5,267  $5,177  $5,267 
Less: current portion  (220)  (216)  (222)  (216)
Less: deferred debt issuance costs, net  (41)  (47)  (39)  (47)
Long-term debt, net of current portion and deferred debt issuance costs, net $4,898  $5,004  $4,916  $5,004 

 

Strong/MDI Installment Loans and Revolving Credit Facility

 

On September 5, 2017, the Company’s Canadian subsidiary, Strong/MDI, entered into a demand credit agreement, as amended and restated May 15, 2018, with Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (“CIBC”) consisting of a revolving line of credit for up to CAD$3.5 million, subject to a borrowing base requirement, a 20-year installment loan for up to CAD$6.0 million and a 5-year installment loan for up to CAD$0.5 million. On June 7, 2021, Strong/MDI entered into a demand credit agreement (the “2021 Credit Agreement”), which amended and restated the demand credit agreement dated as of September 5, 2017. The 2021 credit agreement consisted of a revolving line of credit for up to CAD$2.0 million subject to a borrowing base requirement, a 20-year installment loan for up to CAD$5.1 million and a 5-year installment loan for up to CAD$0.5 million. Amounts outstanding under the line of credit are payable on demand and bear interest at the prime rate established by CIBC. Amounts outstanding under the installment loans bear interest at CIBC’s prime rate plus 0.5% and are payable in monthly installments, including interest, over their respective borrowing periods. CIBC may also demand repayment of the installment loans at any time. The Strong/MDI credit facilities are secured by a lien on Strong/MDI’s Quebec, Canada facility and substantially all of Strong/MDI’s assets. The 2021 Credit Agreement required Strong/MDI to maintain a ratio of liabilities to “effective equity” (tangible stockholders’ equity, less amounts receivable from affiliates and equity method holdings) not exceeding 2.5 to 1, a current ratio (excluding amounts due from related parties) of at least 1.3 to 1 and minimum “effective equity” of CAD$4.0 million.million.

 

2022

 

In January 2023, Strong/MDI and CIBC entered into a demand credit agreement (the “2023 Credit Agreement”), which amended and restated the 2021 Credit Agreement. The 2023 Credit Agreement consists of a revolving line of credit for up to CAD$5.0million and a 20-year installment loan for up to CAD$3.1million. Under the 2023 Credit Agreement: (i) the amount outstanding under the line of credit is payable on demand and bears interest at the lender’s prime rate plus 1.0% and (ii) the amount outstanding under the installment loan bears interest at the lender’s prime rate plus 0.5% and is payable in monthly installments, including interest, over their respective borrowing periods. The lender may also demand repayment of the installment loan at any time. The 2023 Credit Agreement is secured by a lien on Strong/MDI’s Quebec, Canada facility and substantially all of Strong/MDI’s assets. The 2023 Credit Agreement requires Strong/MDI to maintain a ratio of liabilities to “effective equity” (tangible stockholders’ equity, less amounts receivable from affiliates and equity holdings) not exceeding 2.5 to 1 and a fixed charge coverage ratio of not less than 1.1 times earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization. The 5-year installment note was paid in full in connection with entering into the 2023 Credit Agreement. As of JuneSeptember 30, 2023, there was CAD$3.1 3.0million, or approximately $2.3 2.2million, of principal outstanding on the 20-year installment loan, which bears variable interest at 7.208.2%. Strong/MDI was in compliance with its debt covenants as of JuneSeptember 30, 2023. In May 2023, Strong/MDI and CIBC entered into an amendment to the 2023 Credit Agreement which reduced the amount available under the revolving line of credit to CAD$3.4million, and CIBC provided an undertaking to Strong/MDI to a release of CIBC’s security interest in certain assets to be transferred to a subsidiary in connection with transactions related to the IPO. As of JuneSeptember 30, 2023, there was CAD$3.0 3.1million, or approximately $2.2 2.3million, of principal outstanding on the revolving credit facility, which bears variable interest at 7.958.2%

 

Safehaven Production Debt

 

Safehaven 2022 entered into a Loan and Security Agreement (“Loan Agreement”) with Bank of Hope to provide interim production financing for the Safehaven production. The Company is not a borrower or guarantor under the Loan Agreement, and Safehaven 2022 is the sole borrower and guarantor under the Loan Agreement. The maturity date of the Loan Agreement is the earlier of (i) the date on which payment is accelerated by Bank of Hope due to an event of default or (ii) March 15, 2024. As of June 30, 2023, Safehaven 2022 had borrowed $9.9 million under the facility for production costs incurred to that date. Subsequent to June 30,In July 2023, Ravenwood paid approximately $6.4 million of the outstanding production debt.debt (Note 10). The remaining balance on the Loan Agreement was satisfied in July 2023 upon receipt of the production tax rebates and incentives earned as a result of shooting the Safehaven series in Canada. The remaining balance of $0.4 million represents working capital advances made by Ravenwood that are expected to be repaid as part of the distribution of proceeds received from the licensing of Safehaven.

Tenant Improvement Loan

 

During the fourth quarter of 2021, the Company entered into a lease for a combined office and warehouse in Omaha, Nebraska. The Company incurred total costs of approximately $0.4million to complete the build-out of the new combined office and warehouse facility. The landlord has agreed to fund approximately 50% of the build-out costs, and the Company is required to repay the portion funded by the landlord in equal monthly installments through the end of the initial lease term in February 2027. Through the end of 2021, the Company incurred approximately $0.2million of total costs to build out the facility, of which approximately $0.1million was funded by the landlord. The Company completed the build-out during the first quarter of 2022 and incurred an additional $0.2million of total costs to complete the build-out, of which approximately $0.1million was funded by the landlord.

Unbounded Credit Facility

In April 2023, Unbounded and Signature Bank entered into a revolving line of credit for up to $0.3 million (the “Unbounded Credit Facility”). The Unbounded Credit Facility is secured by substantially all of Unbounded assets and is due in full in May 2025. Unbounded is the sole borrower and guarantor under the Unbounded Credit Facility. The amount outstanding under the Unbounded Credit Facility bears interest at the prime rate, which was 8.5% on September 30, 2023. Unbounded was in compliance with its debt covenants as of September 30, 2023.

 

Digital Ignition Building Loam

 

In January 2022, the Company purchased a parcel of land with buildings and improvements in Alpharetta, Georgia. In connection with the purchase of the land and building, the Company entered into a Commercial Loan Agreement (the “Loan Agreement”) with Community First Bank (the “Lender”), dated February 1, 2022. Pursuant to the Loan Agreement, the Lender agreed to lend the Company approximately $5.3 million (the “Loan Amount”), and the Borrower agreed to repay the Loan Amount pursuant to the terms of a promissory note (the “Note”).

23

 

The term of the Loan Agreement runs from February 1, 2022, until the Loan Amount is repaid in full by the Company or the Loan Agreement is terminated pursuant to its terms or by agreement between the Company and the Lender. The terms of the Note include (i) a fixed interest rate of 4%, (ii) maturity date of February 1, 2027, (iii) monthly payments of approximately $32 thousand beginning on March 1, 2022, and continuing on the first of each month until the maturity date or until the Note has been paid in full, (iv) a default interest of 8% in the event of a default pursuant to the terms of the Note, and (v) prepayment penalties of (a) 3% of all excess payments during the first two years of the term of the Note, (b) 2% of all excess payments during the third and fourth years of the term of the Note, and (c) 1% of all excess payments made during the fifth year of the term of the Note.Note.

 

The Note includes standard events of default and references defaults under the Loan Agreement and the Deed to Secure Debt as events of default under the Note. The Company has a right to cure any curable events of default.

21

Insurance Debt

 

The Company maintains certain commercial insurance policies, including management liability and other policies customarily held by publicly traded companies. The Company elected to finance a portion of the annual premium, which will be repaid in monthly installments through January 2024. The finance agreement bears fixed interest of approximately 9%.

Contractual Principal Payments

Contractual required principal payments on the Company’s long-term debt at JuneSeptember 30, 2023, are as follows (in thousands):

Schedule of Contractual Principal Payments of Long-term Debt 

 Tenant Improvement Loan  Digital Ignitiion Building Loan  Total  Tenant Improvement Loan  Digital Ignition Building Loan  Unbounded Credit Facility  Total 
Remainder of 2023 $      18   90  $108  $9   46   -  $55 
2024  37   187   224   37   187   -   224 
2025  40   195   235   40   195   71   306 
2026  42   203   245   42   203   -   245 
2027  7   4,340   4,347   7   4,340   -   4,347 
Thereafter  -   -   -   -   -   -   - 
Total $144  $5,015  $5,159  $135  $4,971  $71  $5,177 

 

13.14. Leases

 

The Company and its subsidiaries lease plant and office facilities and equipment under operating and finance leases expiring through 2027. The Company determines if a contract is or contains a lease at inception or modification of a contract. A contract is or contains a lease if the contract conveys the right to control the use of an identified asset for a period in exchange for consideration. Control over the use of the identified asset means the lessee has both (a) the right to obtain substantially all of the economic benefits from the use of the asset and (b) the right to direct the use of the asset.

 

Right-of-use assets and liabilities are recognized based on the present value of future minimum lease payments over the expected lease term at commencement date. Certain of the leases contain extension options; however, the Company has not included such options as part of its right-of-use assets and lease liabilities because it does not expect to extend the leases. The Company measures and records a right-of-use asset and lease liability based on the discount rate implicit in the lease, if known. In cases where the discount rate implicit in the lease is not known, the Company measures the right-of-use assets and lease liabilities using a discount rate equal to the Company’s estimated incremental borrowing rate for loans with similar collateral and duration.

 

24

The Company elected to not apply the recognition requirements of Accounting Standards Codification Topic 842, “Leases,” to leases of all classes of underlying assets that, at the commencement date, have a lease term of 12 months or less and do not include an option to purchase the underlying asset that the lessee is reasonably certain to exercise. Instead, lease payments for such short-term leases are recognized in operations on a straight-line basis over the lease term and variable lease payments in the period in which the obligation for those payments is incurred.

 

The Company elected, as a lessee, for all classes of underlying assets, to not separate nonlease components from lease components and instead to account for each separate lease component and the nonlease components associated with that lease component as a single lease component.

 

22

The following tables present the Company’s lease costs and other lease information (dollars in thousands):

Schedule of Lease Costs and Other Lease Information 

 June 30, 2023  June 30, 2022  June 30, 2023  June 30, 2022  September 30, 2023  September 30, 2022  September 30, 2023  September 30, 2022 
Lease cost Three Months Ended  Six Months Ended  Three Months Ended  Nine Months Ended 
 June 30, 2023  June 30, 2022  June 30, 2023  June 30, 2022  September 30, 2023  September 30, 2022  September 30, 2023  September 30, 2022 
Finance lease cost:                                
Amortization of right-of-use assets $37  $2  $70  $2  $53  $3  $123  $6 
Interest on lease liabilities  15   1   27   1   22   1   49   2 
Operating lease cost  39   46   73   150   38   36   111   160 
Short-term lease cost  14   14   31   28   14   13   45   41 
Sublease income  -   -   -   (32)  -   -   -   (32)
Net lease cost $105  $63  $201  $149  $127  $53  $328  $177 

 

 June 30, 2023  June 30, 2022  June 30, 2023  June 30, 2022  September 30, 2023  September 30, 2022  September 30, 2023  September 30, 2022 
Other information Three Months Ended  Six Months Ended  Three Months Ended  Nine Months Ended 
 June 30, 2023  June 30, 2022  June 30, 2023  June 30, 2022  September 30, 2023  September 30, 2022  September 30, 2023  September 30, 2022 
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:                                
Operating cash flows from finance leases $15  $1  $27  $1  $22  $1  $49  $2 
Operating cash flows from operating leases $33  $49  $65  $141  $33  $29  $98  $170 
Financing cash flows from finance leases $38  $2  $66  $2  $40  $3  $106  $5 
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new finance lease liabilities $310  $68  $310  $68  $200  $-  $510  $68 
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities $-  $-  $-  $-  $-  $97  $-  $97 

  As of June
September
30, 20222023
 
Weighted-average remaining lease term - finance leases (years)  1.51.3 
Weighted-average remaining lease term - operating leases (years)  3.23.1 
Weighted-average discount rate - finance leases  4.85.1%
Weighted-average discount rate - operating leases  3.83.9%

 

The following table presents a maturity analysis of the Company’s operating and finance lease liabilities as of JuneSeptember 30, 2023 (in thousands):

Schedule of Future Minimum Lease Payments 

 Operating Leases  Finance Leases  Operating Leases  Finance Leases 
Remainder of 2023 $66  $124  $33  $75 
2024  101   249   101   300 
2025  79   496   79   548 
2026  81   188   81   308 
2027  14   5   14   5 
Thereafter  -   -   -   - 
Total lease payments  341   1,062   308   1,236 
Less: Amount representing interest  (25)  (151)  (22)  (169)
Present value of lease payments  316   911   286   1,067 
Less: Current maturities  (116)  (179)  (104)  (216)
Lease obligations, net of current portion $200  $732  $182  $851 

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14.15. Income and Other Taxes

 

In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, the Company considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income. The Company considers the scheduled reversal of taxable temporary differences, projected future taxable income and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. A cumulative loss in a particular tax jurisdiction in recent years is a significant piece of evidence with respect to the realizability that is difficult to overcome. Based on the available objective evidence, including recent updates to the taxing jurisdictions generating income, the Company concluded that a valuation allowance should be recorded against all of the Company’s U.S. tax jurisdiction deferred tax assets as of JuneSeptember 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022.

 

23

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act provides for a territorial tax system, which began in 2018. It includes the global intangible low-taxed income (“GILTI”) provision. The GILTI provisions require the Company to include in its U.S. income tax return foreign subsidiary earnings in excess of an allowable return on the foreign subsidiary’s tangible assets. The GILTI provisions also allow for a high-tax exclusion if the effective tax rate of the tested income is greater than 18.9%. The Company has evaluated these regulations in determining the appropriate amount of the inclusion for the tax provision. The effective tax rate on the tested income is greater than 18.9%; thus, the Company is utilizing the GILTI high-tax exclusion for purposes of the tax provision for the three and sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2023, as well as the year ended December 31, 2022.

 

Changes in tax laws may affect recorded deferred tax assets and liabilities and our effective tax rate in the future. In March 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) was enacted and made significant changes to Federal tax laws, including certain changes that were retroactive to the 2019 tax year. The effects of these changes relate to deferred tax assets and net operating losses; all of which are offset by valuation allowance. There were no material income tax consequences of this enacted legislation on the reporting period of these financial statements.

 

The Company is subject to possible examinations not yet initiated for Federal purposes for the fiscal years 20192020 through 2021.2022. The Company is also subject to possible examinations for state and local purposes. In most cases, these examinations in the state and local jurisdictions remain open based on the particular jurisdiction’s statute of limitations.

 

15.16. Stock Compensation

 

The Company recognizes compensation expense for all stock-based payment awards based on estimated grant date fair values. Stock-based compensation expense included in selling and administrative expenses approximated $0.90.4 million and $0.20.1 million for the three months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2023 and JuneSeptember 30, 2022, respectively, and $1.01.4 million and $0.40.5 million for the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2023 and JuneSeptember 30, 2022, respectively. Consolidated stock-based compensation expense for the three months and sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2023 includes approximately $0.70.1 million and $0.8 million, respectively, related to stock-based compensation at Strong Global Entertainment, pursuant to the equity compensation plans established at the subsidiary level.

 

The Company’s 2017 Omnibus Equity Compensation Plan (“2017 Plan”) was approved by the Company’s stockholders and provides the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors with the discretion to grant stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted shares, restricted stock units, performance shares, performance units and other stock- based awards and cash-based awards. Vesting terms vary with each grant and may be subject to vesting upon a “change in control” of the Company. On December 17, 2019, the Company’s stockholders approved the amendment and restatement of the 2017 Plan to (i) increase the number of shares of the Company’s common stock authorized for issuance under the 2017 Plan by 1,975,000 shares and (ii) extend the expiration date of the 2017 Plan by approximately two years, until October 27, 2029.2029. As of JuneSeptember 30, 2023, approximately 1.81.7 million shares were available for issuance under the amended and restated 2017 Plan.

 

26

Stock Options

 

The Company granted a total of 107,500 options during the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2023. Options to purchase shares of common stock were granted with exercise prices equal to the fair value of the common stock on the date of the grant. The weighted average grant date fair value of stock options granted during the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2023 was $1.16. The fair value of each stock option granted is estimated on the date of grant using a Black-Scholes valuation model with the following weighted average assumptions:

Schedule of Fair Value Valuation Model 

Expected dividend yield at date of grant  0.00%
Risk-free interest rate  3.52%
Expected stock price volatility  68.2%
Expected life of options (in years)  5.0 

 

24

The following table summarizes stock option activity for the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2023:

Summary of Stock Option Activities 

 Number of Options Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (Years) Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in thousands)  Number of Options  Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share  Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (Years)  Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in thousands) 
Outstanding at December 31, 2022  639,500  $3.72   5.6  $127   639,500  $3.72   5.6  $127 
Granted  107,500  $1.96           107,500  $1.96         
Exercised  -               -             
Forfeited  (5,000) $1.96           (18,000) $1.99         
Expired  -               -             
Outstanding at June 30, 2023  742,000  $3.21   4.4  $35 
Exercisable at June 30, 2023  530,500  $4.06   4.7  $14 
Outstanding at September 30, 2023  729,000  $3.51   5.4  $8,080 
Exercisable at September 30, 2023  532,500  $4.06   4.5  $3,520 

 

The aggregate intrinsic value in the table above represents the total that would have been received by the option holders if all in-the-money options had been exercised and sold on the date indicated.

 

As of JuneSeptember 30, 2023, 211,500196,500 stock option awards were non-vested. Unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock options was approximately $0.2 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.22.1 years.

 

Restricted Stock Units

 

The Company estimates the fair value of restricted stock unit awards based upon the closing price of the underlying common stock on the date of grant. The following table summarizes restricted stock unit activity for the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2023:

Summary of Restricted Stock Activity 

 Number of Restricted Stock Units Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value  

Number of Restricted

Stock Units

  

Weighted Average Grant

Date Fair Value

 
Non-vested at December 31, 2022  206,934  $2.06   206,934  $2.06 
Granted  390,000  $1.96   541,039  $1.95 
Shares vested  -       (228,599)  2.10 
Shares forfeited  -       -     
Non-vested at June 30, 2023  596,934  $2.06 
Non-vested at September 30, 2023  519,374  $1.93 

27

As of JuneSeptember 30, 2023, the total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested restricted stock unit awards was approximately $0.70.8 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.72.0 years.

 

16.17. Commitments, Contingencies and Concentrations

 

Litigation

 

The Company is involved, from time to time, in certain legal disputes in the ordinary course of business. No such disputes, individually or in the aggregate, are expected to have a material effect on the Company’s business or financial condition.

 

The Company and certain of its subsidiaries are named as defendants in personal injury lawsuits based on alleged exposure to asbestos-containing materials. A majority of the cases involve product liability claims based principally on allegations of past distribution of commercial lighting products containing wiring that may have contained asbestos. Each case names dozens of corporate defendants in addition to the Company. In the Company’s experience, a large percentage of these types of claims have never been substantiated and have been dismissed by the courts. The Company has not suffered any adverse verdict in a trial court proceeding related to asbestos claims and intends to continue to defend these lawsuits. As of JuneSeptember 30, 2023, the Company has a loss contingency reserve of approximately $0.20.3 million, which represents the Company’s estimate of its potential losses related to the settlement of open cases. During 2022 and the first halfnine months of 2023, the Company settled three cases, which resulted in payments totaling $53 thousand. When appropriate, the Company may settle additional claims in the future. The Company does not expect the resolution of these cases to have a material adverse effect on its consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

 

25

Gain contingency

The Company has carried key man life insurance covering one of its employees for several years. The covered employee passed away during the third quarter of 2023. The company completed and filed a $2.5 million claim with the insurance company in October 2023. The claim was accepted and fully paid during the fourth quarter of 2023.

 

Concentrations

 

The Company’s top ten customers accounted for approximately 4042% of consolidated net revenues during the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2023. Trade accounts receivable from these customers represented approximately 6243% of net consolidated receivables at JuneSeptember 30, 2023. One of the Company’s customers accounted for more than 10% of both its consolidated net revenues during the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2023 and its net combined receivables as of JuneSeptember 30, 2023. While the Company believes its relationships with such customers are stable, most arrangements are made by purchase order and are terminable at will by either party. A significant decrease or interruption in business from the Company’s significant customers could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations. The Company could also be adversely affected by such factors as changes in foreign currency rates and weak economic and political conditions in each of the countries in which the Company sells its products.

 

Financial instruments that potentially expose the Company to a concentration of credit risk principally consist of accounts receivable. The Company sells product to a large number of customers in many different geographic regions. To minimize credit risk, the Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers’ financial condition.

17.18. Business Segment Information

The Company conducts its operations primarily through its Strong Entertainment business segment which manufactures and distributes premium large format projection screens and provides technical support services and other related products and services to the cinema exhibition industry, theme parks, schools, museums and other entertainment-related markets. Strong Entertainment also distributes and supports third party products, including digital projectors, servers, library management systems, menu boards and sound systems. Strong Studios, which is part of the Strong Entertainment operating segment, develops and produces original feature films and television series. The Company’s operating segments were determined based on the manner in which management organizes segments for making operating decisions and assessing performance.

 

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Summary by Business Segments

Schedule of Segment Reporting Information by Segment 

 2023 2022 2023 2022  2023  2022  2023  2022 
 Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30,  Three Months Ended September 30,  Nine Months Ended September 30, 
 2023 2022 2023 2022  2023  2022  2023  2022 
 (in thousands) (in thousands)  (in thousands) (in thousands) 
Net revenues                                
Strong Entertainment $17,839  $8,822  $27,790  $18,543  $10,920  $9,904  $38,709  $28,446 
Other  183   321   341   626   174   370   517   996 
Total net revenues  18,022   9,143   28,131   19,169   11,094   10,274   39,226   29,442 
                                
Gross profit                                
Strong Entertainment  7,264   2,098   9,585   4,304   2,822   2,371   12,351   6,674 
Other  183   322   340   628   284   369   682   996 
Total gross profit  7,447   2,420   9,925   4,932   3,106   2,740   13,033   7,670 
                                
Operating income (loss)                                
Strong Entertainment  349  180   924   790   183   732   1,112   1,522 
Other  (122)  (36)  (291)  (170)  (102)  (34)  (376)  (204)
Total segment operating income  227  144   633  620   81   698   736   1,318 
Unallocated administrative expenses  (995)  (1,029)  (2,180)  (2,267)  (823)  (990)  (3,022)  (3,258)
Loss from operations  (768)  (885)  (1,547)  (1,647)  (742)  (292)  (2,286)  (1,940)
Other expense, net  (2,225)  (4,056)  (5,085)  (2,925)  (1,016)  (864)  (6,102)  (3,788)
Loss before income taxes and equity method holding loss $(2,993) $(4,941) $(6,632) $(4,572) $(1,758) $(1,156) $(8,388) $(5,728)

 

Reconciliation of Assets from Segment to Consolidated  

(In thousands) June 30, 2023 December 31, 2022  September 30, 2023  December 31, 2022 
Identifiable assets                
Strong Entertainment $39,843  $35,392  $31,183  $35,392 
Corporate assets  39,252   36,361   36,297   36,361 
Total $79,095  $71,753  $67,480  $71,753 

Summary by Geographical Area

Schedule of Segment Reporting Information by Geographic Area 

                     
 Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30,  Three Months Ended September 30,  Nine Months Ended September 30, 
(In thousands) 2023 2022 2023 2022  2023  2022  2023  2022 
Net revenues                                
United States $17,072  $7,840  $25,808  $16,623  $8,553  $8,780  $34,360  $25,403 
Canada  108   466   420   873   336   391   756   1,264 
China  -   44   22   279   -   48   22   327 
Mexico  64   7   64   7   80   12   145   19 
Latin America  16   74   273   220   216   97   488   317 
Europe  171   169   566   265   533   525   1,100   790 
Asia (excluding China)  433   279   586   432   1,131   142   1,716   573 
Other  158   264   392   470   245   279   639   749 
Total $18,022  $9,143  $28,131  $19,169  $11,094  $10,274  $39,226  $29,442 

 

Summary of Identifiable Assets by Geographical Area

(In thousands) June 30, 2023 December 31, 2022  September 30, 2023  December 31, 2022 
Identifiable assets                
United States $51,187  $51,423  $38,946  $51,423 
Canada  27,908   20,330   28,534   20,330 
Total $79,095  $71,753  $67,480  $71,753 

 

Net revenues by business segment are to unaffiliated customers. Net revenues by geographical area are based on destination of sales. Identifiable assets by geographical area are based on location of facilities.

 

19. Subsequent Event

On November 3, 2023, Strong Global Entertainment entered into an asset purchase agreement with Innovative Cinema Solutions, LLC (“ICS”), a full-service provider of technical services and solutions to national cinema chains. The operations of ICS will be rolled into Strong Global Entertainment’s wholly owned subsidiary, Strong Technical Services, Inc., which provides comprehensive managed service offerings with 24/7/365 support nationwide to ensure solution uptime and availability. The purchase price included $0.2 million in cash, $0.2 million worth of Strong Global Entertainment’s Class A Voting Common Shares, and the issuance of a $0.5 million promissory note.

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this report. In addition to historical information, this Quarterly Report on Form 10–Q, including management’s discussion and analysis, contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Statements that are not historical are forward-looking and reflect expectations for future Company performance. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as “may,” “will,” “forecast,” “estimate,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “expect,” “should,” “believe” and other similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. These forward-looking statements are based only on our current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding the future of our business, future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, the economy and other future conditions and speak only as of the date on which it is made. 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.

 

Forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to those discussed in the “Risk Factors” section contained in Item 1A in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, and the following risks and uncertainties: the Company’s ability to maintain and expand its revenue streams to compensate for the lower demand for certain of the Company’s digital cinema products and installation services; potential interruptions of supplier relationships or higher prices charged by suppliers; the Company’s ability to successfully compete and introduce enhancements and new features that achieve market acceptance and that keep pace with technological developments; the Company’s ability to successfully execute its capital allocation strategy or achieve the returns it expects from these holdings; the Company’s ability to maintain its brand and reputation and retain or replace its significant customers; challenges associated with the Company’s long sales cycles; the impact of a challenging global economic environment or a downturn in the markets; the effects of economic, public health, and political conditions that impact business and consumer confidence and spending, including rising interest rates, periods of heightened inflation and market instability, the outbreak of any highly infectious or contagious diseases, such as COVID-19 and its variants or other health epidemics or pandemics, and armed conflicts, such as the ongoing military conflict in Ukraine and related sanctions; economic and political risks of selling products in foreign countries (including tariffs); risks of non-compliance with U.S. and foreign laws and regulations, potential sales tax collections and claims for uncollected amounts; cybersecurity risks and risks of damage and interruptions of information technology systems; the Company’s ability to retain key members of management and successfully integrate new executives; the Company’s ability to complete acquisitions, strategic investments, entry into new lines of business, divestitures, mergers or other transactions on acceptable terms, or at all; the impact of economic, public health and political conditions on the companies in which the Company holds equity stakes; the Company’s ability to utilize or assert its intellectual property rights, the impact of natural disasters and other catastrophic events, whether natural, man-made, or otherwise (such as the outbreak of any highly infectious or contagious diseases, or armed conflict); the adequacy of the Company’s insurance; the impact of having a controlling stockholder and vulnerability to fluctuation in the Company’s stock price. Given the risks and uncertainties, readers should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement and should recognize that the statements are predictions of future results which may not occur as anticipated. Many of the risks listed above have been, and may further be, exacerbated by the impact of economic, public health (such as a resurgence of the COVID-19 pandemic) and political conditions (such as the military conflict in Ukraine) that impact consumer confidence and spending, particularly in the cinema, entertainment, and other industries in which the Company and the companies in which the Company holds an equity stake operate, and the worsening economic environment. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements and from historical results, due to the risks and uncertainties described herein, as well as others not now anticipated. New risk factors emerge from time to time and it is not possible for management to predict all such risk factors, nor can it assess the impact of all such factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Except where required by law, the Company assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual results or changes in factors or assumptions affecting such forward-looking statements.

 

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Overview

 

FG Group Holdings Inc. (“FG Group Holdings”, the “Company”, “we”, “our”, and “us”) is a holding company with business operations in the entertainment industry and holdings in public and privately held companies. Our Strong Entertainment segment includesStrong Entertainment segment includes one of the largest manufacturersthe largest manufacturers of premium projection screens and customized screen support systems, andpremium projection screens and customized screen support systems, and we also distribute other productsalso distribute other products and provide technical support servicesprovide technical support services to the cinema, amusementcinema, amusement park and other markets.and other markets. We are focusedare focused on improvingimproving our operating performance asoperating performance as the United StatesUnited States and other countriesother countries recover from COVID-19 related business disruptions.COVID-19 related business disruptions. We planplan to manage the Strong Entertainment business segmentmanage the Strong Entertainment business segment to grow market share and organic revenue and improve operating results,market share and organic revenue and improve operating results, with thethe intent of expandingexpanding the ultimate valuationultimate valuation of the business.business.

 

In May 2023, we separated our Strong Entertainment operating business from the Company pursuant to an initial public offering to support the growth plans for that line of business. Following the separation, we continue to be the majority shareholder of Strong Global Entertainment, and this discussion and analysis is prepared on a consolidated basis.

 

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In addition, we use our facility in Alpharetta, Georgia for our Digital Ignition technology incubator and co-working facility. Results of those operations are included within Other” in our results of operations. We also continue to evaluate capital allocation opportunities to invest in other public or private companies, real estate or acquire other businesses, which may be within or outsideOn September 12, 2023, Strong Global Entertainment acquired all of the Cooutstanding capital stock of Unbounded Media Corporation (“Unbounded”), an independent media and creative production company. Unbounded develops, creates and produces film, advertising, and branded content for a broad range of clients. In an all-stock transaction, the deal with Unbounded marks the first acquisition in a broader strategy to acquire a portfolio of multi-disciplined content and services companies. Unbounded, in partnership with Strong Studios, will also further develop its original IP portfolio, under its Fieldhouse Entertainment division, which currently includes feature films employing Strong Studios’ long form production expertise and industry network.mpanys existing markets.

 

On November 3, 2023, Strong Global Entertainment entered into an asset purchase agreement with Innovative Cinema Solutions, LLC (“ICS”), a full-service provider of technical services and solutions to national cinema chains.

In addition, we use our facility in Alpharetta, Georgia for our Digital Ignition technology incubator and co-working facility. Results of those operations are included within “Other” in our results of operations. We also continue to evaluate capital allocation opportunities to invest in other public or private companies, real estate or acquire other businesses, which may be within or outside of the Company’s existing markets.

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic

The coronavirus pandemic (“COVID-19”) had an unprecedented impact to consumer behaviors and our customers, particularly our customers’ ability and willingness to purchase our products and services. The Company believes that consumer reticence to engageas consumers have made progress in outside-the-home activities, caused by the risk of contracting COVID-19, has abated, andresuming pre-COVID-19 behaviors, our customers have resumed more typical, pre-COVID-19 purchasing behaviors. And while we believe our customers made significant progress in its recovery from the pandemic, the impact of COVID-19 on inflation and supply chains and the continued economic recovery will be contingent upon several key factors, including the volume of new film content available, the box office performance of new film content released, the duration of the exclusive theatrical release window, and evolving consumer behavior with competition from other forms of in- and out-of-home entertainment. There can be no assurances that there will be no additional public health crises, including further resurgence or variants of COVID-19, which could reverse the current trend and have a negative impact on the Company’s results of operations. Our results of operations in future periods may continue to be adversely impacted by inflationary pressures and global supply chain issues, and other negative effects on global economic conditions.

 

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Results of Operations

 

The following table sets forth our operating results for the periods indicated:indicated (dollars in thousands):

 

 Three Months Ended June 30,    
 2023 2022 $ Change % Change  Three Months Ended September 30,      
   (dollars in thousands)      2023  2022  $ Change  % Change 
Net revenues $18,022  $9,143  $8,879   97.1% $11,094  $10,274  $820   8.0%
Cost of revenues  10,575   6,723   3,852   57.3%  7,988   7,534   454   6.0%
Gross profit  7,447   2,420   5,027   207.7%  3,106   2,740   366   13.4%
Gross profit percentage  41.3%  26.5%          28.0%  26.7%        
Selling and administrative expenses  8,220   3,305   4,915   148.7%  3,848   3,032   816   26.9%
Gain on disposal of assets  5   -   5   100.0%
Loss from operations  (768)  (885)  117  (13.2)%  (742)  (292)  (450)  154.1%
Other expense  (2,225)  (4,056)  1,831   (45.1)%  (1,016)  (864)  (152)  17.6%
Loss before income taxes and equity method holding loss  (2,993)  (4,941)  1,948   (39.4)%  (1,758)  (1,156)  (602)  52.1%
Income tax (expense) benefit  (355)  303   (658)  (217.2)%
Income tax benefit (expense)  101   (245)  346   (141.2)%
Equity method holding loss  (2,043)  (960)  (1,083)  112.8%  (1,668)  (798)  (870)  109.0%
Net loss (5,391) (5,598) 207  (3.7)%  (3,325)  (2,199)  (1,126)  51.2%
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest  (118)  -   (118)  N/M   (4)  -   (4)  N/M 
Net loss attributable to FG Group Holdings $(5,273) $(5,598) $325   (5.8)% $(3,321) $(2,199) $(1,122)  51.0%

 

  Nine Months Ended September 30,       
  2023  2022  $ Change  % Change 
Net revenues $39,226  $29,442  $9,784   33.2%
Cost of revenues  26,193   21,772   4,421   20.3%
Gross profit  13,033   7,670   5,363   69.9%
Gross profit percentage  33.2%  26.1%        
Selling and administrative expenses  15,325   9,610   5,715   59.5%
Gain on disposal of assets  6   -   6   100.0%
Loss from operations  (2,286)  (1,940)  (346)  17.8%
Other (expense) income  (6,102)  (3,788)  (2,314)  61.1%
Loss before income taxes and equity method holding loss  (8,388)  (5,728)  (2,660)  46.4%
Income tax benefit (expense)  45   (292)  337   (115.4)%
Equity method holding loss  (4,362)  (2,578)  (1,784)  69.2%
Net loss  (12,705)  (8,598)  (4,107)  47.8%
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest  (122)  -   (122)  N/M 
Net loss attributable to FG Group Holdings $(12,583) $(8,598) $(3,985)  46.3%

  Six Months Ended June 30,       
  2023  2022  $ Change  % Change 
  (dollars in thousands)    
Net revenues $28,131  $19,169  $8,962   46.8%
Cost of revenues  18,206   14,237   3,969   27.9%
Gross profit  9,925   4,932   4,993   101.2%
Gross profit percentage  35.3%  25.7%        
Selling and administrative expenses  11,478   6,579   4,899   74.5%
Gain on disposal of assets  6   -   6   100.0%
Loss from operations  (1,547)  (1,647)  100   (6.1)%
Other (expense) income  (5,085)  (2,925)  (2,160)  73.8%
Loss  before income taxes and equity method holding loss  (6,632)  (4,572)  (2,060)  45.1%
Income tax expense  (56)  (47)  (9)  19.1%
Equity method holding loss  (2,694)  (1,780)  (914)  51.3%
Net loss  (9,382)  (6,399)  (2,983)  46.6%
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest  (118)  -   (118)  N/M 
Net loss attributable to FG Group Holdings $(9,264) $(6,399) $(2,865)  44.8%
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Three Months Ended JuneSeptember 30, 2023 Compared to the Three Months Ended JuneSeptember 30, 2022

 

Revenues

 

Net revenues during the quarter ended JuneSeptember 30, 2023 was $18.0$11.1 million compared to $9.1$10.3 million during the quarter ended JuneSeptember 30, 2022.

 

 Three Months Ended June 30,       Three Months Ended September 30,      
 2023 2022 $ Change % Change  2023  2022  $ Change  % Change 
   (dollars in thousands)      (dollars in thousands)   
Strong Entertainment $17,839  $8,822  $9,017   102.2% $10,920  $9,904  $1,016   10.3%
Other  183   321   (138)  (43.0)%  174   370   (196)  (53.0)%
Total net revenues $18,022  $9,143  $8,879   97.1% $11,094  $10,274  $820   8.0%

 

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Strong Entertainment

 

Revenue from Strong Entertainment more than doubledincreased 10.3% to $17.8$10.9 million in the secondthird quarter of 2023 from $8.8$9.9 million in the secondthird quarter of 2022. The increase from the prior year was due to $1.7$0.3 million of higher revenue from product sales and a $7.3$0.7 million increase in service revenue, which included $6.4 million from the sale of an ownership stake in the Safehaven series. The revenue recognized in connection with Strong Studios’ projects will vary from period to period and will depend on the timing of the monetization of the projects. Excluding the revenue related to Safehaven, total revenue during the second quarter of 2023 increased 29.9% over the prior year, and service revenue increased 42.5%.revenue.

 

The increase in revenue from products was primarily due to a 24%16% increase in sales of screen systems as the upgrade to laser projection continues across the industry, as well as higher revenue from our Eclipse product line as a 32% increaseresult of new projects, partially offset by a slight decline in salesthe sale of digital equipment. We expect the upgrades from xenon to laser to accelerate throughout 2023 and continue for at least the next several years.

 

On the cinema services side, the primary driver of the revenue increase was from installation services and field maintenance and monitoring services, both of which grew 121%were up $0.3 million from the third quarter in the prior year as we have increased the scope of our offerings to better support our customers and to increase market share in cinema services, including cinema screen installation work performed for certain of our customers.

 

Other

 

The decrease in other revenue primarily related to the expiration of the agreement covering support services provided to Firefly, which expired at the end of 2022.

 

Gross Profit

 

Consolidated gross profit was $7.4$3.1 million compared to $2.4$2.7 million during the quarter ended JuneSeptember 30, 2022. As a percentage of revenue, gross profit was 41.3%28.0% and 26.5%26.7% for the quarters ended JuneSeptember 30, 2023 and JuneSeptember 30, 2022, respectively.

 

 Three Months Ended June 30,       Three Months Ended September 30,      
 2023 2022 $ Change % Change  2023  2022  $ Change  % Change 
   (dollars in thousands)      (dollars in thousands)   
Strong Entertainment $7,264  $2,098  $5,166   246.2% $2,822  $2,371  $451   19.0%
Other  183   322   (139)  (43.2)%  284   369   (85)  (23.0)%
Total gross profit $7,447  $2,420  $5,027   207.7% $3,106  $2,740  $366   13.4%

 

Strong Entertainment

 

Gross profit in the Strong Entertainment segment $7.3was $2.8 million or 40.7%25.8% of revenues in the secondthird quarter of 2023 compared to $2.1$2.4 million or 23.8%23.9% in the secondthird quarter of 2022. Gross profit during the 2nd quarter of 2023 included approximately $4.4 million from the sale of an ownership stake in Safehaven. Gross profit generated from Strong Studios’ projects will vary from period to period and will depend on the timing of the monetization of the projects. Excluding the gross profit related to Safehaven, total gross profits during the second quarter of 2023 would have been 24.5% of revenue.

 

Gross profit from product sales was $2.2 million or 25.7%27.3% of revenues for the secondthird quarter of 2023 compared to $1.8$2.1 million or 27.7%27.9% of revenues for the secondthird quarter of 2022. The decrease in gross profit percentage from product sales resulted primarily from product mix as revenue from sales of lower margin digital equipment grew at a slightly faster rate than our higher margin cinema screens.

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Gross profit from service revenue was $5.1$0.6 million or 54.1%21.8% of revenues for the secondthird quarter of 2023 compared to $0.2 million or 11.6%10.0% of revenues for the secondthird quarter of 2022. Gross profit percentage increased from the prior year due to the sale of an ownership stake in the Safehaven series, as well as slightly higher overall gross margin from cinema services. Gross margin on our installation services also improved from the prior year as we started to see the benefitsbenefited from the transition from third-party screen installation costs towith internal labor. We expect margins on installation services to continue to improve as we continue to onboard and utilize our internal installation team.

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Other

 

Other gross profit decreased primarily related to the expiration of the agreement covering support services provided to Firefly, which expired at the end of 2022.

 

Loss From Operations

 

Consolidated loss from operations was $0.8$0.7 million during the quarter ended JuneSeptember 30, 2023, compared to $0.9$0.3 million during the quarter ended JuneSeptember 30, 2022.

 

 Three Months Ended June 30,       Three Months Ended September 30,      
 2023 2022 $ Change % Change  2023  2022  $ Change  % Change 
   (dollars in thousands)      (dollars in thousands)   
Strong Entertainment $349 $180  $169  93.9% $183  $732  $(549)  (75.0)%
Other  (122)  (36)  (86)  238.9%  (102)  (34)  (68)  200.0%
Total segment operating income  227  144   83  57.6%  81   698   (617)  (88.4)%
Unallocated administrative expenses  (995)  (1,029)  34   (3.3)%  (823)  (990)  167   (16.9)%
Total loss from operations $(768) $(885) $117  (13.2)% $(742) $(292) $(450)  154.1%

 

The Strong Entertainment segment generated operating income of $0.3$0.2 million in the secondthird quarter of 2023 compared to operating income of $0.2$0.7 million during the secondthird quarter of 2022. We recorded approximately $1.2 million of costs in connection with the completion of the IPO and $3.4 million of production participation costs in connection with the sale of an ownership stake in the Safehaven series. The increase in gross profit was partially offset by higher selling and administrative expenses, including marketing and travel and entertainment expenses, as revenue and business activity increased. Strong Entertainment also incurred higher general and administrative expenses in connection with operating as an independent public company following the IPO in May 2023.

 

Unallocated administrative expenses were $0.8 million in the third quarter 2023 compared to $1.0 million in eachduring the third quarter of 2022. The decrease was primarily due to lower overhead costs after the second quarters 2023 and 2022. A decrease in stock-based compensationspinout IPO of Strong Global Entertainment, which was partially offset by an increase in professional fees and higher overall compensation costs.stock-based compensation.

 

Other Financial Items

 

Total other expense of $2.2$1.0 million during the secondthird quarter of 2023 primarily consisted of a $1.6$1.0 million unrealized loss on equity holdings $0.4and $0.2 million of interest expense, partially offset by $0.1 million of foreign currency transaction adjustments and $0.1 million of interest expense.adjustments. Total other expense of $4.1$0.9 million during the secondthird quarter of 2022 primarily consisted of a $4.2$1.3 million unrealized loss on equity holdings and $0.1 million of interest expense, partially offset by $0.2$0.5 million of foreign currency transaction adjustments.

 

Income tax expensebenefit was $0.4$0.1 million during the secondthird quarter of 2023 compared to income tax benefitexpense of $0.3$0.2 million during the secondthird quarter of 2022. Our income tax benefit/expense during the secondthird quarter of 2023 and 2022 consisted primarily of current and deferred income tax on foreign earnings, which includes the unrealized (loss) gainloss on equity holdings.

 

We recorded a loss on our FGF Holdings equity method holding of $2.0$1.7 million during the secondthird quarter of 2023 compared to $1.0$0.8 million during the secondthird quarter of 2022.

 

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As a result of the items outlined above, we generated a net loss attributable to FG Group Holdings of $5.3$3.3 million, or $0.27$0.17 per basic and diluted share, in the secondthird quarter of 2023, compared to $5.6$2.2 million, or $0.29$0.11 per basic and diluted share, in the secondthird quarter of 2022.

 

SixNine Months Ended JuneSeptember 30, 2023 Compared to the SixNine Months Ended JuneSeptember 30, 2022

 

Revenues

 

Net revenues during the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2023 was $28.1$39.2 million compared to $19.2$29.4 million during the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2022.

 

 Six Months Ended June 30,       Nine Months Ended September 30,      
 2023 2022 $ Change % Change  2023  2022  $ Change  % Change 
   (dollars in thousands)       (dollars in thousands)   
Strong Entertainment $27,790  $18,543  $9,247   49.9% $38,709  $28,446  $10,263   36.1%
Other  341   626   (285)  (45.5)%  517   996   (479)  (48.1)%
Total net revenues $28,131  $19,169  $8,962   46.8% $39,226  $29,442  $9,784   33.2%

 

Strong Entertainment

 

Revenue from Strong Entertainment increased 49.9%36.1% to $27.8$38.7 million in the first halfnine months of 2023 from $18.5$28.4 million in the first halfnine months of 2022. The increase from the prior year was due to $1.2$1.5 million of higher revenue from product sales and $8.0$8.7 million increase in service revenue, which included $6.4 million from the sale of an ownership stake in the Safehaven series. The revenue recognized in connection with Strong Studios’ projects will vary from period to period and will depend on the timing of the monetization of the projects. Excluding the revenue related to Safehaven,, total revenue during the first halfnine months of 2023 increased 15.5%13.7% over the prior year, and service revenue increased 39.4%36.9%.

 

The increase in revenue from products was primarily due to a $0.8 million increase in sales of digital equipment and $0.3 million of higher sales of traditional cinema screens.screens and a $0.7 million increase in the sale of digital equipment. We expect the upgrades from xenon to laser to accelerate throughout 2023 and continue for at least the next several years.

 

On the cinema services side, the primary driver of the revenue increase was from installation services, which increased $1.0$1.3 million from the prior year as we have increased the scope of our offerings to better support our customers and to increase market share in cinema services, including cinema screen installation work performed for certain of our customers.

 

Other

 

The decrease in other revenue primarily related to the expiration of the agreement covering support services provided to Firefly, which expired at the end of 2022.

 

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Gross Profit

 

Consolidated gross profit was $9.9$13.0 million during the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2023 compared to $4.9$7.7 million during the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2022. As a percentage of revenue, gross profit was 35.3%33.2% and 25.7%26.1% for the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2023 and JuneSeptember 30, 2022, respectively.

 

  Six Months Ended June 30,    
  2023  2022  $ Change  % Change 
     (dollars in thousands)       
Strong Entertainment $9,585  $4,304  $5,281   122.7%
Other  340   628   (288)  (45.9)%
Total gross profit $9,925  $4,932  $4,993   101.2%

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  Nine Months Ended September 30,       
  2023  2022  $ Change  % Change 
  (dollars in thousands)    
Strong Entertainment $12,351  $6,674  $5,677   85.1%
Other  682   996   (314)  (31.5)%
Total gross profit $13,033  $7,670  $5,363   69.9%

 

Strong Entertainment

 

Gross profit was $9.6$12.4 million or 34.5%31.9% of revenues in the first halfnine months of 2023 compared to $4.3$6.7 million or 22.7%23.5% in the first halfnine months of 2022. Gross profit during the first halfnine months of 2023 included approximately $4.4 million from the sale of an ownership stake in Safehaven. Gross profit generated from Strong Studios’ projects will vary from period to period and will depend on the timing of the monetization of the projects. Excluding the gross profit related to Safehaven, total gross profit during the first halfnine months of 2023 would have been 24.0%25.1% of revenue.

 

Gross profit from product sales was $3.9$6.0 million or 25.0%25.5% of revenues for the first halfnine months of 2023 compared to $3.7$5.8 million or 25.7%26.5% of revenues for the first halfnine months of 2022. The slight decrease in gross profit percentage from product sales resulted primarily from product mix as revenue from salesthe sale of lower margin digital equipment grew at a slightly faster rate than our higher margin traditional cinema screens.

 

Gross profit from service revenue was $5.7$6.3 million or 46.7%41.9% of revenues for the first halfnine months of 2023 compared to $0.6$0.8 million or 14.7%13.1% of revenues for the first halfnine months of 2022. Gross profit percentage increased from the prior year primarily due to the sale of an ownership stake in the Safehavenseries. Excluding the gross profit related to Safehaven, gross profit from service revenue during the first nine months of 2023 would have been 22.0% of revenue. We expect margins on installation services to continue to improve as we continue to onboard and utilize our internal installation team.

 

Other

 

Other gross profit decreased primarily related to the expiration of the agreement covering support services provided to Firefly, which expired at the end of 2022.

 

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Loss From Operations

 

Consolidated loss from operations for the first halfnine months of 2023 was $1.5$2.3 million, compared to $1.6$1.9 million during the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2022.

 

 Six Months Ended June 30,     Nine Months Ended September 30,      
 2023 2022 $ Change % Change  2023  2022  $ Change  % Change 
   (dollars in thousands)      (dollars in thousands)   
Strong Entertainment $924  $790  $134  17.0% $1,112  $1,522  $(410)  (26.9)%
Other  (291)  (170)  (121)  71.2%  (376)  (204)  (172)  84.3%
Total segment operating income  633  620   13  2.1%  736   1,318   (582)  (44.2)%
Unallocated administrative expenses  (2,180)  (2,267)  87   (3.8)%  (3,022)  (3,258)  236   (7.2)%
Total loss from operations $(1,547) $(1,647) $100  (6.1)% $(2,286) $(1,940) $(346)  17.8%

 

The Strong Entertainment segment generated operating income of $0.9$1.1 million in the first halfnine months of 2023 compared to operating income of $0.8$1.5 million during the first halfnine months of 2022. We recorded approximately $1.2 million of costs in connection with the completion of the Strong Global Entertainment IPO and $3.4 million of production participation costs in connection with the sale of an ownership stake in the Safehaven series. In addition, selling and administrative expenses, marketing and travel and entertainment expenses were higher during the first halfnine months of 2023 as revenue and business activity increased, including the addition of Strong Studios, in the current period as compared to the prior year, and operating as a publicly traded company, which was offset by an increase in gross profit.

 

Unallocated administrative expenses were $2.2$3.0 million compared to $2.3$3.3 million during the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2022. AThe decrease in stock-based compensation was partially offset by an increase in professional fees and higher overall compensation costs.primarily due to lower overhead costs after the spinout IPO of Strong Global Entertainment.

 

Other Financial Items

 

Total other expense of $5.1$6.1 million during the sixnine months of 2023 primarily consisted of a $4.5$5.5 million unrealized loss on equity holdings, $0.3$0.2 million of foreign currency transaction adjustments and $0.2$0.4 million of interest expense. Total other expense of $2.9$3.8 million during the first halfnine months of 2022 primarily consisted of a $2.5$3.8 million unrealized loss on equity holdings, a $0.2 million adjustment to the carrying value of the SageNet Promissory Note in connection with a prepayment, and $0.1$0.2 million of interest expense, and $0.1$0.4 million of foreign currency transaction adjustments.

 

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Income tax expensebenefit was $0.1 million$45 thousand during the sixnine months of 2023 compared to income tax expense of $47,000$0.3 million during the sixnine months of 2022. Our income tax benefit/expense during the sixnine months of 2023 and 2022 consisted primarily of current and deferred income tax on foreign earnings, which includes the unrealized (loss) gain on equity holdings.

 

We recorded a loss on our FGF Holdings equity method holding of $2.7$4.4 million during the first sixnine months of 2023 compared to $1.8$2.6 million during the first sixnine months of 2022.

 

As a result of the items outlined above, we generated a net loss attributable to FG Group Holdings of $9.3$12.6 million, or $0.48$0.64 per basic and diluted share, in the first sixnine months of 2023, compared to $6.4$8.6 million, or $0.33$0.45 per basic and diluted share, in the first sixnine months of 2022.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

We ended the secondthird quarter of 2023 with total cash and cash equivalents of $5.0$3.5 million compared to $3.8 million as of December 31, 2022. Of the $5.0$3.5 million as of JuneSeptember 30, 2023, $2.5$1.6 million was held in Canada by Strong Global Entertainment. Strong/MDI makes intercompany loans to the U.S. parent company which do not trigger Canadian withholding taxes if they meet certain requirements. As of JuneSeptember 30, 2023, the parent company had outstanding intercompany loans from Strong/MDI of approximately $38.6 million. In the event those loans are not repaid, or are recharacterized as dividends to the U.S. parent company, we would be required to pay 5% Canadian withholding taxes, which have been fully accrued as of JuneSeptember 30, 2023.

37

On June 7, 2021, Strong/MDI entered into a demand credit agreement (the “2021 Credit Agreement”) with CIBC, which amended and restated the demand credit agreement dated as of September 5, 2017. The 2021 Credit Agreement consisted of a revolving line of credit for up to CDN$2.0 million subject to a borrowing base requirement, a 20-year installment loan for up to CDN$5.1 million and a 5-year installment loan for up to CDN$0.5 million. These borrowings were due on demand by the lender. In January 2023, Strong/MDI entered into a demand credit agreement (the “2023 Credit Agreement”), which amended and restated the 2021 Credit Agreement. The 2023 Credit Agreement consists of a revolving line of credit for up to CAD$5.0 million and a 20-year installment loan for up to CAD$3.1 million. Under the 2023 Credit Agreement: (i) the amount outstanding under the line of credit is payable on demand and bears interest at the lender’s prime rate plus 1.0% and (ii) the amount outstanding under the installment loan bears interest at the lender’s prime rate plus 0.5% and is payable in monthly installments, including interest, over their respective borrowing periods. The lender may also demand repayment of the installment loan at any time. The 2023 Credit Agreement is secured by a lien on Strong/MDI’s Quebec, Canada facility and substantially all of Strong/MDI’s assets. The 2023 Credit Agreement requires Strong/MDI to maintain a ratio of liabilities to “effective equity” (tangible stockholders’ equity, less amounts receivable from affiliates and equity holdings) not exceeding 2.5 to 1 and a fixed charge coverage ratio of not less than 1.1 times earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization. These borrowings are due on demand by the lender and total $3.6$4.5 million as of JuneSeptember 30, 2023. Although the borrowings are due on demand, the lender has not informed us of any plans to do so. If the lender does notify us of their intention to exercise their ability to demand repayment, we expect we will be able to obtain replacement financing arrangements with a different lender. In May 2023, Strong/MDI and CIBC entered into an amendment to the 2023 Credit Agreement which reduced the amount available under the revolving line of credit to CAD$3.4 million, and CIBC provided an undertaking to Strong/MDI to a release of CIBC’s security interest in certain assets to be transferred to a subsidiary in connection with transactions related to the announced initial public offeringIPO of Strong Global Entertainment.

We believe that our existing sources of liquidity, including cash and cash equivalents, operating cash flow, credit facilities, proceeds from equity holdings, real estate, receivables and other assets will be sufficient to meet our projected capital needs for at least the next twelve months. However, our ability to continue to meet our cash requirements will depend on, among other things, our ability to achieve anticipated levels of revenues and cash flow from operations, performance of our equity holdings, our ability to manage costs and working capital successfully, any unforeseen disruptions of cinemas, theme parks and other entertainment venues (such as those experienced with COVID-19), and the continued availability of financing, if needed. In addition, following the separation and initial public offeringIPO of Strong Global Entertainment, treasury and liquidity management are managed separately, and the costs of operating separate public companies will likely increase from historical levels. We cannot provide any assurance that our assumptions used to estimate our liquidity requirements will remain accurate due to the variability and unpredictability of the current economic environment. In the event of a sustained market deterioration or declines in net sales or other events, we may need additional liquidity, which would require us to evaluate available alternatives and take appropriate actions. We may, depending on a variety of factors, including market conditions for capital raises, the trading price of our common stock and opportunities for uses of any proceeds, engage in additional public or private offerings of equity or debt securities to increase our capital resources. However, financial and economic conditions could limit our access to credit and impair our ability to raise capital, if needed, on acceptable terms or at all, and we cannot provide any assurance that we will be able to obtain any additional sources of financing or liquidity on acceptable terms, or at all. See Note 1213 to the condensed consolidated financial statements for a description of our debt as of JuneSeptember 30, 2023.

35

 

Cash Flows from Operating Activities

 

Net cash used in operating activities was $2.6$3.4 million during the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2023 and $3.0$2.8 million during the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2022. Cash used in operating activities decreasedincreased primarily due to improvements inhigher utilization of working capital, including the collection ofincreases in accounts receivable and customer deposits, which was partially offset by higher payments to our vendors and for other accrued expenses.

 

Cash Flows from Investing Activities

 

Net cash provided by investing activities was $0.2$0.6 million during the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2023, which consisted of $0.2 million of proceeds from the sale of equity securities, offset by $0.3 million of capital expenditures and a $0.1$0.5 million outflow related to the acquisition of film and television programming rights. Net cash used in investing activities from continuing operations was $0.9$1.0 million during the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2022, which consisted of a $2.0 million purchase of common stock of FGF, $0.8$0.9 million of capital expenditures and $0.3$0.4 million outflow related to the acquisition of film and television programming rights, partially offset by the $2.3 million receipt of the SageNet Promissory Note.

 

38

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

 

Net cash provided by financing activities was $3.9$3.6 million during the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2023, which primarily consisted of $2.4 million of net proceeds from the Strong Global Entertainment IPO and $2.2$2.3 million of net borrowings under the CIBC revolving line of credit, partially offset by principal payments on short-term and long-term debt and finance lease obligations. Net cash used in financing activities from continuing operations was $0.4$0.6 million during the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2022, which primarily consisted of principal payments on short-term and long-term debt.

 

Use of Non-GAAP Measures

 

We prepare our consolidated financial statements in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). In addition to disclosing financial results prepared in accordance with GAAP, we disclose information regarding Adjusted EBITDA, which differs from the term EBITDA as it is commonly used. In addition to adjusting net income (loss) to exclude income taxes, interest, and depreciation and amortization, Adjusted EBITDA also excludes share-based compensation, impairment charges, equity method income (loss), fair value adjustments, severance, foreign currency transaction gains (losses), transactional gains and expenses, gains on insurance recoveries and other cash and non-cash charges and gains.

 

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not measures of performance defined in accordance with GAAP. However, Adjusted EBITDA is used internally in planning and evaluating our operating performance. Accordingly, management believes that disclosure of these metrics offers investors, bankers and other stakeholders an additional view of our operations that, when coupled with the GAAP results, provides a more complete understanding of our financial results.

36

 

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to net income (loss) or to net cash from operating activities as measures of operating results or liquidity. Our calculation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies, and the measures exclude financial information that some may consider important in evaluating our performance.

 

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA have limitations as analytical tools, and you should not consider them in isolation, or as substitutes for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. Some of these limitations are (i) they do not reflect our cash expenditures, or future requirements for capital expenditures or contractual commitments, (ii) they do not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, our working capital needs, (iii) EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not reflect interest expense, or the cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments, on our debt, (iv) although depreciation and amortization are non-cash charges, the assets being depreciated and amortized will often have to be replaced in the future, and EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not reflect any cash requirements for such replacements, (v) they do not adjust for all non-cash income or expense items that are reflected in our statements of cash flows, (vi) they do not reflect the impact of earnings or charges resulting from matters we consider not to be indicative of our ongoing operations, and (vii) other companies in our industry may calculate these measures differently than we do, limiting their usefulness as comparative measures.

 

We believe EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA facilitate operating performance comparisons from period to period by isolating the effects of some items that vary from period to period without any correlation to core operating performance or that vary widely among similar companies. These potential differences may be caused by variations in capital structures (affecting interest expense), tax positions (such as the impact on periods or companies of changes in effective tax rates or net operating losses) and the age and book depreciation of facilities and equipment (affecting relative depreciation expense). We also present EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA because (i) we believe these measures are frequently used by securities analysts, investors and other interested parties to evaluate companies in our industry, (ii) we believe investors will find these measures useful in assessing our ability to service or incur indebtedness, and (iii) we use EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA internally as benchmarks to evaluate our operating performance or compare our performance to that of our competitors.

 

39

The following table sets forth reconciliations of net (loss) income under GAAP to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA (in thousands):

 

  Quarters Ended June 30, 
  2023  2022 
                   
  Strong Entertainment  Corporate and Other  Consolidated  Strong Entertainment  Corporate and Other  Consolidated 
Net (loss) income $(623) $(4,768) $(5,391) $561  $(6,159) $(5,598)
Interest expense, net  62   76   138   29   58   87 
Income tax expense (benefit)  413   (58)  355   (271)  (32)  (303)
Depreciation and amortization  2,130   125   2,255   154   182   336 
EBITDA  1,982   (4,625)  (2,643)  473   (5,951)  (5,478)
Stock-based compensation expense  714   196   910   -   175   175 
Equity method holding loss  -   2,043   2,043   -   960   960 
Unrealized loss on equity holdings  -   1,647   1,647   -   4,178   4,178 
IPO related expenses  475   -   475   -   -   - 
Gain on disposal of assets  -   (5)  (5)  -   -   - 
Foreign currency transaction loss (income)  426   -   426   (206)  -   (206)
Adjusted EBITDA $3,597  $(744) $2,853  $267  $(638) $(371)

  Quarters Ended September 30, 
  2023  2022 
                   
  Strong Entertainment  Corporate and Other  Consolidated  Strong Entertainment  Corporate and Other  Consolidated 
Net income (loss) $34  $(3,359) $(3,325) $315  $(2,514) $(2,199)
Interest expense, net  88   95   183   33   58   91 
Income tax expense (benefit)  205   (306)  (101)  202   43   245 
Depreciation and amortization  129   163   292   153   183   336 
EBITDA  456   (3,407)  (2,951)  703   (2,230)  (1,527)
Stock-based compensation expense  124   254   378   -   142   142 
Equity method holding loss  -   1,668   1,668   -   798   798 
Unrealized loss on equity holdings  -   976   976   631   670   1,301 
Foreign currency transaction (income) loss  (126)  2   (124)  (517)  -   (517)
Transaction related expenses  42   -   42   -   -   - 
Severance and other  7   -   7   -   -   - 
Adjusted EBITDA $503  $(507) $(4) $817  $(620) $197 

 

 Six Months Ended June 30,  Nine Months Ended September 30, 
 2023  2022  2023  2022 
                          
 Strong Entertainment Corporate and Other Consolidated Strong Entertainment Corporate and Other Consolidated  Strong Entertainment Corporate and Other Consolidated Strong Entertainment Corporate and Other Consolidated 
Net income (loss) $246  $(9,628) $(9,382) $427  $(6,826) $(6,399) $156  $(12,861) $(12,705) $(322) $(8,276) $(8,598)
Interest expense, net  118   131   249   53   87   140   (983)  1,416   433   85   146   231 
Income tax expense  113   (57)  56   40   7   47   318   (363)  (45)  242   50   292 
Depreciation and amortization  2,309   212   2,521   367   335   702   2,438   376   2,814   521   517   1,038 
EBITDA  2,786   (9,342)  (6,556)  887   (6,397)  (5,510)  1,929   (11,432)  (9,503)  526   (7,563)  (7,037)
Stock-based compensation expense  714   323   1,037   -   369   369   839   351   1,190   -   511   511 
Equity method holding loss  -   2,694   2,694   -   1,780   1,780   -   4,362   4,362   -   2,578   2,578 
Unrealized loss on equity holdings  -   4,538   4,538   -   2,451   2,451   1,191   4,323   5,514   1,695   2,057   3,752 
IPO related expenses  475   -   475   -   -   -   475   -   475   -   -   - 
Gain on disposal of assets  -   (5)  (5)  -   -   -   (1)  (5)  (6)  -   -   - 
Transaction related expenses  42   -   42   -   -   - 
Foreign currency transaction loss (income)  309   (2)  307   134   2   136   183   -   183   (383)  1   (382)
Severance and other  -   -   -   -   222   222   7   -   7   -   222   222 
Adjusted EBITDA $4,284  $(1,794) $2,490  $1,021  $(1,573) $(552) $4,665  $(2,401) $2,264  $1,838  $(2,194) $(356)

Hedging and Trading Activities

 

Our primary exposure to foreign currency fluctuations pertains to our subsidiary in Canada. In certain instances, we may enter into a foreign exchange contract to manage a portion of this risk. We do not have any trading activities that include non-exchange traded contracts at fair value.

 

Seasonality

 

Generally, our revenue and earnings fluctuate moderately from quarter to quarter. As we increase our sales in our current markets, and as we expand into new markets in different geographies, it is possible we may experience different seasonality patterns in our business. As a result, the results of operations for the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2023 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for an entire fiscal year.

 

40

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

 

See Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, to the condensed consolidated financial statements for a description of recently issued accounting pronouncements.

38

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

In preparing our consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, management must make a variety of decisions which impact the reported amounts and the related disclosures. These decisions include the selection of the appropriate accounting principles to be applied and the assumptions on which to base accounting estimates. In making these decisions, management applies its judgment based on its understanding and analysis of the relevant circumstances and our historical experience.

 

Our accounting policies and estimates that are most critical to the presentation of our results of operations and financial condition, and which require the greatest use of judgments and estimates by management, are designated as our critical accounting policies. See further discussion of our critical accounting policies under Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for our year ended December 31, 2022. We periodically re-evaluate and adjust our critical accounting policies as circumstances change. There were no significant changes in our critical accounting policies during the sixthree months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2023.

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

Not applicable as we are a “smaller reporting company” as defined by Item 229.10(f)(1) of Regulation S-K.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

 

The Company carried out an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) and Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer and principal accounting officer), of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that as of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in § 240.13a-15(e) or 240.15d-15(e) of Regulation S-K) were effective at ensuring that information required to be disclosed in the reports that the Company files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (as amended) is (1) accumulated and communicated to management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures and (2) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms.

 

There have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the fiscal quarter covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, such internal control over financial reporting.

 

41

PART II. Other Information

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

 

In the ordinary course of our business operations, we are involved, from time to time, in certain legal disputes. We and certain of our subsidiaries are named as defendants in personal injury lawsuits based on alleged exposure to asbestos-containing materials. A majority of the cases involve product liability claims based principally on allegations of past distribution of commercial lighting products containing wiring that may have contained asbestos. Each case names dozens of corporate defendants in addition to us. In our experience, a large percentage of these types of claims have never been substantiated and have been dismissed by the courts. We have not suffered any adverse verdict in a trial court proceeding related to asbestos claims and intend to continue to defend these lawsuits. As of JuneSeptember 30, 2023, the Company has a loss contingency reserve of approximately $0.2$0.3 million, which represents our estimate of our potential losses related to the settlement of open cases. During 2022 and the first halfnine months of 2023, we settled three cases, which resulted in payments totaling $53 thousand. When appropriate, we may settle additional claims in the future. We do not expect the resolution of these cases to have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

 

39

Item 1A. Risk Factors

 

Item 1A “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 includes a detailed discussion of the Company’s risk factors. As of the date of this filing there have been no material changes to the risk factors as previously disclosed.

 

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

On August 20, 2015, we announced that our Board of Directors adopted a stock repurchase program authorizing the repurchase of up to 700,000 shares of our outstanding Common Stock pursuant to a plan adopted under Rule 10b5-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (as amended). The repurchase program has no expiration date. The following table provides information about purchases made by us of our common stock for each month included in the quarter ended JuneSeptember 30, 2023:

ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

 

Period Total Number of Shares Purchased  Average Price Paid Per Share  Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs  The Maximum Number of Shares That May Still be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs 
       
AprilJuly 2023     -  $    -         -   636,931 
MayAugust 2023  -   -   -   636,931 
JuneSeptember 2023  -   -   -   636,931 
Quarter Ended JuneSeptember 30, 2023  -  $-  $-   636,931 

 

42

Item 6. Exhibits

 

    Incorporated by Reference  
Exhibit Number Document Description Form Exhibit Filing Date Filed Herewith
           
3.1 Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of FG Group Holdings Inc. 

8-K

 
 

3.4

 

December 23, 2022

  
 3.2 

Bylaws of FG Group Holdings Inc.

 

8-K

 3.5 December 23, 2022  

10.1

 

Underwriting Agreement dated May 15, 2023, by and among Strong Global Entertainment, Inc., FG Group Holdings Inc., Strong/MDI Screen Systems, Inc. and ThinkEquity LLC

 

8-K

 

10.1

 

May 19, 2023

  
10.2† 

Master Asset Purchase Agreement dated May 18, 2023, by and between Strong/MDI Screen Systems, Inc. and Strong/MDI Screen Systems, Inc.

 

8-K

 

10.2

 

May 19, 2023

  
10.3† 

Confirmatory of Ownership Assignment of Intellectual Property dated May 18, 2023, by and between Strong/MDI Screen Systems, Inc. and Strong/MDI Screen Systems, Inc.

 

8-K

 

10.3

 

May 19, 2023

  

10.4†

 

FG Group Holdings Asset Transfer Agreement dated May 18, 2023, by and between FG Group Holdings Inc. and Strong Technical Services, Inc.

 

8-K

 

10.4

 

May 19, 2023

  

10.5†

 

Patent Assignment dated May 18, 2023, by and between FG Group Holdings Inc. and Strong Technical Services, Inc.

 

8-K

 

10.5

 

May 19, 2023

  
10.6† 

Management Services Agreement dated May 18, 2023, by and between FG Group Holdings Inc. and Strong Global Entertainment Inc.

 

8-K

 

10.6

 

May 19, 2023

  

10.7

 

Lease Agreement dated May 18, 2023, by and between Strong/MDI Screen Systems, Inc. and Strong/MDI Screen Systems, Inc.

 

8-K

 

10.7

 

May 19, 2023

  
10.8 

Share Transfer Agreement dated May 18, 2023, by and between FG Group Holdings Inc. and Strong/MDI Screen Systems, Inc.

 

8-K

 

10.8

 

May 19, 2023

  
10.9 

Mutual Termination and Release dated May 18, 2023, by and between FG Group Holdings Inc. and Ray F. Boegner.

 

8-K

 

10.9

 

May 19, 2023

  

10.10+†

 

Amended and Restated Employment Agreement dated May 18, 2023, by and between FG Group Holdings Inc. and Mark D. Roberson.

 

8-K

 

10.10

 

May 19, 2023

  

10.11+†

 

Amended and Restated Employment Agreement dated May 18, 2023, by and between FG Group Holdings Inc. and Todd R. Major.

 

8-K

 

10.11

 

May 19, 2023

  
           
31.1 Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer.       X
           
31.2 Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer.       X
           
32.1** 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 Certification of Chief Executive Officer.       X
           
32.2** 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 Certification of Chief Financial Officer.       X
           
101 The following materials from FG Group Holdings Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2023, formatted in iXBRL (Inline eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited); (ii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited); (iii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss (unaudited); (iv) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity (unaudited); (v) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited); and (vi) the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited).       X
           
104 

XBRL Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document).

       X

 Incorporated by Reference
Exhibit
Number
Document DescriptionFormExhibitFiling
Date
Filed
Herewith
31.1Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer.X
31.2Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer.X
32.1**18 U.S.C. Section 1350 Certification of Chief Executive Officer.X
32.2**18 U.S.C. Section 1350 Certification of Chief Financial Officer.X
101The following materials from FG Group Holdings Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2023, formatted in iXBRL (Inline eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited); (ii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited); (iii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss (unaudited); (iv) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity (unaudited); (v) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited); and (vi) the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited).X
104XBRL Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document).X

 

+Indicates management contract or compensatory plan.
Exhibits and schedules to this Exhibit have been omitted pursuant to Regulation S-K Item 601(a)(5). The Registrant agrees to furnish supplementally a copy of any omitted schedule or exhibit to the SEC upon request.
**Furnished herewith.

 

4043


SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

FG GROUP HOLDINGS INC.   
     
By:

/s/ MARK D. ROBERSON

 By:

/s/ TODD R. MAJOR

 

Mark D. Roberson

Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)

  

Todd R. Major
Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer and

Principal Accounting Officer)

     
Date:August 14,November 13, 2023 Date:August 14,November 13, 2023

 

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