FG Group Holdings Inc. - Quarter Report: 2023 September (Form 10-Q)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2023

OR

For the transition period from to

Commission File Number: 1-13906

FG GROUP HOLDINGS INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

(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:

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.

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:

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I. Financial Information

Item 1. Financial Statements

FG Group Holdings Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands, except par values)

(Unaudited)

See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

FG Group Holdings Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023 and 2022

(In thousands, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

FG Group Holdings Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss

Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023 and 2022

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

FG Group Holdings Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity

Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023 and 2022

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

FG Group Holdings Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023 and 2022

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

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 76% of the Class A common shares and 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.

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.

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 September 30, 2023, $1.6 million of the $3.5 million in cash and cash equivalents was held in Canada by Strong Global Entertainment.

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.

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 September 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 nine months ended September 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.

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.

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:

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 September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022.

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

 Schedule of Fair Value Measured Financial Assets and Liabilities

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

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 $3.5 million at September 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.

3. Revenue

The Company accounts for revenue using the following steps:

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.

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 September 30, 2023 or December 31, 2022.

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

 Schedule of Disaggregation of Revenue

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.

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.

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 nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 (in thousands):

 Schedule of Disaggregation of Revenue

At September 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 $0.8 million. The Company expects to recognize approximately $0.7 million of the unearned revenue amounts during the remainder of 2023, $0.1 million during 2024 and immaterial amounts in 2025 and 2026.

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

Options to purchase 632,000 and 489,500 shares of common stock were outstanding as of September 30, 2023 and September 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

The inventory balances are net of reserves of approximately $0.4 million and $0.5 million as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. The inventory reserves are primarily related to the Company’s finished goods inventory. A rollforward of the inventory reserve for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, is as follows (in thousands):

 Schedule of Inventory Reserve

6. Other Current Assets

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

 Schedule of Other Current Assets

7. Equity Holdings

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

 Summary of Investments