STRRP - Star Equity Holdings Inc. Announces 2024 First Quarter Financial Results

Ended the first quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $14.7 million

Well positioned to expand existing businesses organically and through acquisitions

Timber Technologies acquisition marks a significant step forward in growth strategy

OLD GREENWICH, Conn., May 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Star Equity Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: STRR; STRRP) (“Star” or the “Company”), a diversified holding company, reported today its financial results for the first quarter (Q1) ended March 31, 2024. All 2024 and 2023 amounts in this release are unaudited.

Following the sale of our Digirad Health business on May 4, 2023, all financial results for the 2023 reporting period, unless stated otherwise, relate to continuing operations, which currently include two divisions: Building Solutions (formerly known as Construction) and Investments.

Q1 2024 Financial Highlights vs. Q1 2023 (unaudited)

• Revenues decreased by 26.1% to $9.1 million from $12.3 million.
• Gross profit decreased by 63.1% to $1.6 million from $4.3 million.
• Net loss from continuing operations was $2.2 million (or $0.14 per basic and diluted share) compared to net income from continuing operations of $16 thousand (or $0.00 per basic and diluted share).
• Non-GAAP adjusted net loss was $1.4 million (or $0.09 per basic and diluted share) compared to net income of $0.5 million (or $0.03 per basic and diluted share).
• Non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA was a loss of $1.1 million versus income of $0.8 million.
• As of March 31, 2024, cash and cash equivalents increased to $14.7 million versus cash and cash equivalents of $5.0 million at March 31, 2023.
• Our TTG common equity investment and Note Receivable from TTG, including accrued interest, are recorded at cost and amounted to $6.0 million and $7.6 million, respectively, at March 31, 2024.
• Debt increased to $1.9 million at March 31, 2024 from $0.7 million at March 31, 2023.

Rick Coleman, Chief Executive Officer, noted, “In the first quarter of 2024, Building Solutions revenue and gross profit both declined versus the first quarter of 2023. Although our sales pipeline and signed backlog are roughly equivalent to historical averages, our customers are experiencing the effects of credit tightening resulting in delays in getting financing. In particular, financing delays caused large commercial projects expected to commence in Q1 to slip from the first quarter into future periods.”

Mr. Coleman continued, “We believe there is strong demand for new construction in the markets we serve, and the current macroeconomic impacts are temporary. We remain focused on all elements of our growth strategy including Building Solutions division expansion, acquisitions in new industries, and exploring new opportunities at our Investments division.”

Jeff Eberwein, Executive Chairman, added, “We are very pleased to announce our acquisition of Timber Technologies, a WI-based engineered wood products (“EWP”) manufacturer, effective May 17. The acquisition creates scale, diversifies our revenue sources and end markets, and expands our client base and geographic footprint. Identifying, evaluating, and completing accretive acquisitions is part of our holding company growth strategy for delivering shareholder value.”

For more information on the transaction, please visit www.starequity.com .

Revenues

The Company’s Q1 2024 revenues decreased 26.1% to $9.1 million from $12.3 million in Q1 2023.

Q1 2024 Building Solutions revenue decreased by 26.1% from the prior year as a result of slower business activity at both KBS and EBGL. Economic headwinds, higher interest rates, and weather related project delays contributed to the slowdown which we believe to be temporary. Specifically, some of our largest commercial projects expected to commence in Q1 were delayed into future periods. Our backlog and sales pipeline indicate continued strong demand for new projects, although the revenue impact and timing are uncertain.

Gross Profit

Q1 2024 Building Solutions gross profit decreased 61.2% primarily due to lower revenues.

Operating Expenses

On a consolidated basis, Q1 2024 sales, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses increased by $0.4 million, or 11.1%, versus the prior year period. Also, SG&A as a percentage of revenue increased in Q1 2024 to 44.9% versus 29.8% in Q1 2023. The major drivers of the increase in SG&A were increases in legal and outside services expense related to our mergers and acquisitions activity.

Net Income

Q1 2024 net loss from continuing operations was $2.2 million, or $0.14 per basic and diluted share, compared to net income of $16 thousand, or $0.00 per basic and diluted share in the same period in the prior year. Q1 2024 non-GAAP adjusted net loss from continuing operations was $1.4 million, or $0.09 per basic and diluted share, compared to non-GAAP adjusted net income from continuing operations of $0.5 million, or $0.03 per basic and diluted share, in the prior year period.

Non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA

Q1 2024 non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA was a loss of $1.1 million versus income of $0.8 million in the same quarter of the prior year, primarily due to decreased revenues.

Operating Cash Flow

Q1 2024 cash flow from operations was an outflow of $2.4 million, compared to an inflow of $5.1 million for Q1 2023. The decrease in net cash provided by operating activities is attributable to lower results from operations, particularly in our Building Solutions division, and increased net working capital expenditures.

Preferred Stock Dividends

In Q1 2024, the Company’s board of directors declared a cash dividend to holders of our Series A Preferred Stock of $0.25 per share, for an aggregate amount of approximately $0.5 million. The record date for this dividend was February 1, 2024, and the payment date was March 11, 2024.

NOL Carryforward

As of December 31, 2023, Star had $43.2 million of U.S. federal net operating losses (“NOL”), which the Company considers to be a valuable asset for its stockholders. In order to protect the value of the NOL for all stockholders, the Company has a rights agreement and charter amendment in place that limit beneficial ownership of the Company’s common stock to 4.99%. Stockholders who wish to own more than 4.99% of Star common stock, or who already own more than 4.99% of Star common stock and wish to buy more, may only acquire additional shares with the Board’s prior written approval.

Conference Call Information

A conference call is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. ET (7:00 a.m. PT) on May 20, 2024 to discuss the results and management’s outlook. The call may be accessed by dialing (833) 630-1956 (toll free) or (412) 317-1837 (international), five minutes prior to the scheduled start time and referencing Star Equity. A simultaneous webcast of the call may be accessed online from the Events & Presentations link on the Investor Relations page at www.starequity.com/events-and-presentations/presentations; an archived replay of the webcast will be available within 15 minutes of the end of the conference call.

If you have any questions, either prior to or after our scheduled Earnings Conference call, please e-mail admin@starequity.com or lcati@equityny.com .

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures by Star Equity Holdings, Inc.

This release presents the non-GAAP financial measures “adjusted net income (loss),” “adjusted net income (loss) per basic and diluted share,” and “adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations.” The most directly comparable measures for these non-GAAP financial measures are “net income (loss),” “net income (loss) per basic and diluted share,” and “cash flows from operating activities.” The Company has included below unaudited adjusted financial information, which presents the Company’s results of operations after excluding acquired intangible asset amortization, unrealized gain (loss) on equity securities and lumber derivatives, litigation costs, transaction costs, financing costs, and income tax adjustments. Further excluded in the measure of adjusted EBITDA are stock-based compensation, interest, depreciation, and amortization.

A discussion of the reasons why management believes that the presentation of non-GAAP financial measures provides useful information to investors regarding the Company’s financial condition and results of operations is included as Exhibit 99.2 to the Company’s report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 20, 2024.

About Star Equity Holdings, Inc.

Star Equity Holdings, Inc. is a diversified holding company with two divisions: Building Solutions and Investments. Prior to the May 4, 2023 sale of Digirad Health, Star Equity Holdings had three divisions: Healthcare, Building Solutions, and Investments.

Building Solutions

Our Building Solutions division operates in three businesses: (i) modular building manufacturing; (ii) structural wall panel and wood foundation manufacturing, including building supply distribution operations; and (iii) glue-laminated timber (glulam) column, beam, and truss manufacturing.

Investments

Our Investments division manages and finances the Company’s real estate assets as well as its investment positions in private and public companies.

Healthcare

Our Healthcare division, which operated as Digirad Health until the sale of Digirad Health on May 4, 2023, provided products and services in the area of nuclear medical imaging with a focus on cardiac health.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements in this press release that are not statements of historical fact are hereby identified as “forward-looking statements” for the purpose of the safe harbor provided by Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such statements are based upon management’s current beliefs, views, estimates and expectations, including as pertains to (i) the plans and objectives of management for future operations, including plans or objectives relating to acquisitions and related integration, (ii) projections of income, EBITDA, earnings per share, capital expenditures, cost reductions, capital structure or other financial items, (iii) the future financial performance of the Company or acquisition targets and (iv) the assumptions underlying or relating to any statement described above. Forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believe”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “project”, “intend”, “plan”, “should”, “may”, “will”, “would”, “will be”, “will continue” or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements are not meant to predict or guarantee actual results, performance, events or circumstances and may not be realized because they are based upon the Company's current projections, plans, objectives, beliefs, expectations, estimates and assumptions and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties and other influences, many of which the Company has no control over. Actual results and the timing of certain events and circumstances may differ materially from those described above as a result of these risks and uncertainties. Factors that may influence or contribute to the inaccuracy of forward-looking statements or cause actual results to differ materially from expected or desired results may include, without limitation, the cyclical nature of our operating businesses, the Company’s debt and its ability to repay, refinance, or incur additional debt in the future; the Company’s need for a significant amount of cash to service, repay the debt, and to pay dividends on the Company’s preferred stock; the restrictions contained in the debt agreements that limit the discretion of management in operating the business; legal, regulatory, political and economic risks in markets and public health crises that reduce economic activity and cause restrictions on operations; the length of time associated with servicing customers; losses of significant contracts or failure to get potential contracts being discussed; disruptions in the relationship with third party vendors; accounts receivable turnover; insufficient cash flows and resulting lack of liquidity; the Company's inability to expand its business operations; the liability and compliance costs regarding environmental regulations; the lack of product diversification; existing or increased competition; risks to the price and volatility of the Company’s common stock and preferred stock; stock volatility and in liquidity; risks to preferred stockholders of not receiving dividends and risks to the Company’s ability to pursue growth opportunities if the Company continues to pay dividends according to the terms of the Company’s preferred stock; the Company’s ability to execute on its business strategy (including any cost reduction plans); the Company’s failure to realize expected benefits of restructuring and cost-cutting actions; the Company’s ability to preserve and monetize its net operating losses; risks associated with the Company’s possible pursuit of acquisitions; the Company’s ability to consummate successful acquisitions and execute related integration; general economic and financial market conditions; failure to keep pace with evolving technologies and difficulties integrating technologies; system failures; losses of key management personnel and the inability to attract and retain highly qualified management and personnel in the future; and the continued demand for and market acceptance of the Company’s services. For a detailed discussion of cautionary statements and risks that may affect the Company’s future results of operations and financial results, please refer to the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to, the risk factors in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. This press release reflects management’s views as of the date presented.

All forward-looking statements are necessarily only estimates of future results, and there can be no assurance that actual results will not differ materially from expectations. Therefore, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such statements. Further, any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which the statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Star Equity Holdings, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Unaudited) (In thousands, except for per share amounts)

Star Equity Holdings, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited) (In thousands, except share amounts)

Star Equity Holdings, Inc.
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
(Unaudited) (In thousands, except per share amounts)

Star Equity Holdings, Inc.
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

(Unaudited) (In thousands)

Star Equity Holdings, Inc.
Supplemental Debt Information
(Unaudited) (In thousands)

A summary of the Company’s credit facilities are as follows:

Star Equity Holdings, Inc.
Supplemental Segment Information
(Unaudited) (In thousands)