Spectrum Brands Holdings, Inc. - Annual Report: 2009 (Form 10-K)

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

 

Form 10-K

 

 

Commission file number: 1-4219

 

Harbinger Group Inc.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code (585) 242-2000

 

Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

 

Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None.

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.  Yes o or No þ

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.  Yes o or No þ

 

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 þ or No o.

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes o or No o.

 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of Registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  þ

 

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

 

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

 

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

 

The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant, computed by reference to the closing price as of the last business day of the registrants most recently completed second fiscal quarter, June 30, 2009, was approximately $63.5 million. For the sole purpose of making this calculation, the term “non-affiliate” has been interpreted to exclude directors, corporate officers and holders of 10% or more of the Company’s common stock.

 

As of February 15, 2010, the registrant had outstanding 19,284,850 shares of common stock, $0.01 par value.

 

Documents Incorporated By Reference: The information required by Part III of this Form 10-K, to the extent not set forth herein, is incorporated by reference from the registrant’s definitive proxy statement to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A on or prior to April 30, 2010.

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

PART I

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT FOR PURPOSES OF THE “SAFE HARBOR” PROVISIONS OF THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995. This document contains certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Harbinger Group Inc. (referred to as “the Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) intends such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and includes this statement for purposes of such safe harbor provisions. “Forward-looking” statements, as such term is defined by the Securities Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) in its rules, regulations and releases, represent our expectations or beliefs, including, but not limited to, statements concerning our operations, economic performance, financial condition, growth and acquisition strategies, investments and future operational plans, such as those disclosed under the caption “Risk Factors” appearing in Item 1A of Part I of this report. For this purpose, any statements contained herein that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “could,” “estimate,” “might,” or “continue” or the negative or other variations thereof or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements, by their nature, involve substantial risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond our control, and actual results may differ materially depending on a variety of important factors, including uncertainty related to acquisitions, governmental regulation and any other factors discussed in our filings with the Commission. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, the following:

 

 

 

General

 

We were incorporated in Delaware in 1954 under the name Zapata Corporation (“Zapata”) and reincorporated in Nevada in April 1999 under the same name. On December 23, 2009, we were reincorporated in Delaware under the name Harbinger Group Inc. For further discussion of the reincorporation, see “Reincorporation Merger,” below. Our principal executive offices are located at 100 Meridian Centre, Suite 350, Rochester, New York 14618.

 

We are a holding company with approximately $151.9 million in consolidated cash, cash equivalents and investments at December 31, 2009. We currently own approximately 98% of Zap.Com Corporation (“Zap.Com”), a public shell company that may seek businesses or assets to acquire.

 

In December 2006, we completed the disposition of our 57% ownership interest in common stock of Omega Protein Corporation. Since that time, we have held substantially all of our assets in cash, cash equivalents and investments in U.S. Government Agency or Treasury securities, and have held no “investment securities” as defined by the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”). In addition, we have not held, and do not hold, ourselves out as an investment company. During this time, we have conducted a good faith search for an acquisition or business combination candidate, and have repeatedly and publicly disclosed our intention to acquire or combine with such a business. Based on the foregoing, we believe that we are not an investment company under the 1940 Act.

 

On July 9, 2009, Harbinger Capital Partners Master Fund I, Ltd. (“Master Fund”), Global Opportunities Breakaway Ltd. (“Global Fund”) and Harbinger Capital Partners Special Situations Fund, L.P. (“Special Situations Fund” and together with the Master Fund and Global Fund, our “Principal Stockholders”) purchased 9,937,962 shares, or 51.6%, of our common stock. We refer to this transaction as the “2009 Change of Control.” Our Principal Stockholders subsequently purchased 12,099 additional shares of our common stock.

 

Reincorporation Merger.  On November 3, 2009, our board of directors and Principal Stockholders approved the merger of Zapata Corporation (“Zapata”), a Nevada corporation, with and into its newly formed wholly-owned subisidiary, Harbinger Group Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Reincorporation Merger”). The Principal Stockholders approved the Reincorporation Merger by written consent in lieu of a meeting. On December 23, 2009, the Company completed the Reincorporation Merger and the Company effectively changed its name to Harbinger Group Inc. and changed its domicile from the State of Nevada to the State of Delaware. In connection with the Reincorporation Merger, our stockholders received one share of common stock of Harbinger Group Inc. for each share of Zapata common stock owned at the effective date of the Reincorporation Merger.

 

Business Strategy.  Our principal focus is to identify and evaluate business combinations or acquisitions of businesses. Our new affiliation with our Principal Stockholders may give us access to new acquisition and business combination opportunities, which may include businesses which are controlled by, affiliated with or otherwise known to our Principal Stockholders. We may review acquisition and business combination proposals, including those known to our Principal Stockholders, those presented by third parties and those sought out by us. At any time, we may be engaged in ongoing discussions with respect to possible acquisitions or business combinations of widely varying sizes and in disparate industries. There can be no assurance that any of these discussions will result in a definitive purchase agreement and if they do, what the terms or timing of any agreement would be.

 

We may pay acquisition consideration in the form of cash, our debt or equity securities or a combination thereof. In addition, as a part of our acquisition strategy we may consider raising additional capital through the issuance of equity or debt securities, including the issuance of preferred stock. We believe that our status as a public entity and potential access to the public equity markets may give us a competitive advantage over privately-held entities with a similar business objective to acquire certain target businesses on favorable terms.

 

We have not focused and do not intend to focus our acquisition efforts solely on any particular industry. While we generally focus our attention in the United States, we may investigate acquisition opportunities outside of the United States when we believe that such opportunities might be attractive.

 

In identifying, evaluating and selecting a target business, we may encounter intense competition from other entities having similar business objectives such as strategic investors, private equity groups and special purpose acquisition corporations. Many of these entities are well established and have extensive experience identifying and

effecting business combinations directly or through affiliates. Many of these competitors possess greater technical, human and other resources than us, and our financial resources will be relatively limited when contrasted with many of these competitors. Any of these factors may place us at a competitive disadvantage in successfully negotiating a business combination.

 

Our Principal Stockholders and their affiliates include other vehicles that actively are seeking investment opportunities, and any one of those vehicles may at any time be seeking investment opportunities similar to those targeted by the Company. Our directors and officers who are affiliated with our Principal Stockholders may consider, among other things, asset type and investment time horizon in evaluating opportunities for the Company. In recognition of the potential conflicts that these persons and our other directors may have with respect to corporate opportunities, our certificate of incorporation permits our board of directors from time to time to assert or renounce our interests and expectancies in one or more specific industries. In accordance with this provision, we have determined that we will not seek business combinations or acquisitions of businesses engaged in the wireless communications industry.

 

As of the date of this report, due to a variety of factors including the current global economic and financial market conditions and the significant deterioration of the credit markets, competitive pressures, and our limited funds (compared to many competitors) available for such a transaction, we have been unable to consummate an acquisition or business combination.

 

Available Information.  We file annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to these reports with the Commission. We make these reports and Section 16 filings by our officers and directors available free of charge on our website at www.harbingergroupinc.com as soon as reasonably practicable after such reports are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the Commission. Information contained on our website is not incorporated by reference to this report. This report should be read in conjunction with the reports and other items filed by us with the Commission.

 

In addition, the public may read and copy any materials filed by us with the Commission at their Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549. The public may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330. The Commission maintains an Internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the Commission at www.sec.gov.

 

Employees.  At December 31, 2009, we employed 8 personnel. In the normal course of business, we use contract personnel to supplement our employee base to meet our business needs. We believe that our employee relations are generally satisfactory.

 

Financial Information About Segments.  We follow the accounting guidance which establishes standards for reporting information about operating segments in annual financial statements and related disclosures about products and services, geographic areas and major customers. We have determined that we do not have any separately reportable operating segments.

 

 

In examining an investment in our common stock, you should be aware that there are various risks which could negatively impact our results of operations, cash flows and financial condition, including those described below. We urge you to carefully consider these risk factors together with all of the other information included in this filing and other risks and uncertainties identified in our filings made with the Commission, press releases and public statements made by our authorized officers before you decide to purchase or make an investment decision regarding our common stock.

 

We may not be successful in identifying any suitable acquisition opportunities and future acquisitions may involve various risks.

 

There is no assurance that we will be successful in identifying or consummating any suitable acquisitions and, if we do complete an acquisition, there is no assurance that it will be successful in enhancing our business or our financial condition. We face significant competition for acquisition opportunities, which may inhibit our ability to

complete suitable transactions or increase the cost we must pay. Acquisitions could divert a substantial amount of our management time and may be difficult for us to integrate. We may issue additional shares of common stock or other securities in connection with one or more acquisitions which may dilute the interest of our existing stockholders.

 

Depending upon the size and number of any acquisitions, we may also borrow money to fund acquisitions or to fund operations of our business. In that event, we would be subject to the risks normally associated with indebtedness, including the inability to service the debt or the dedication of a significant amount of cash flow to service the debt, limits on our ability to secure future financing and the imposition of various covenants, including restrictions on our operations.

 

Volatility in global credit markets may impact our ability to obtain financing to fund acquisitions.

 

Our ability to consummate an acquisition may be largely dependent on our ability to obtain debt or equity financing. The current global economic and financial market conditions, including severe disruptions in the credit markets and the potential for a significant and prolonged global economic recession, may impact our ability to raise equity capital or to obtain sufficient credit to finance an acquisition until the conditions become more favorable.

 

Our Principal Stockholders hold a majority of our outstanding common stock and have interests which may conflict with interests of other stockholders. As a result of this ownership, we are a “controlled company” within the meaning of the NYSE rules and are exempt from certain corporate governance requirements.

 

Our Principal Stockholders beneficially own shares of outstanding common stock that collectively constitute more than 50% of our total voting power and, because of this, exercise a controlling influence over our business and affairs and have the power to determine all matters submitted to a vote of our stockholders, including the election of directors, the removal of directors, and approval of significant corporate transactions such as amendments to our certificate of incorporation, mergers and the sale of all or substantially all of our assets. This concentration of voting power could have the effect of deterring or preventing a change in control of our company that might otherwise be beneficial to our stockholders. Moreover, a majority of the members of our board of directors were nominated by and are affiliated with or employed by our Principal Stockholders or their affiliates. Our Principal Stockholders could cause corporate actions to be taken even if the interests of these entities conflict with or are not aligned with the interests or plans of our other stockholders.

 

Because of our ownership structure, described above, we are deemed a “controlled company” under the rules of the NYSE. As a result, we qualify for, and rely upon, the “controlled company” exception to the board of directors and committee composition requirements under the rules of the NYSE. Pursuant to this exception, we are exempt from rules that would otherwise require that our board of directors be comprised of a majority of “independent directors” (as defined under the rules of the NYSE), and that any compensation committee and corporate governance and nominating committee be comprised solely of “independent directors,” so long as our Principal Stockholders continue to own more than 50% of our combined voting power.

 

Future acquisitions and dispositions may not require a stockholder vote and may be material to us.

 

Any acquisitions could be material in size and scope, and since we have not yet identified any additional assets, property or business that we may acquire or develop, potential investors will have virtually no substantive information about any such new business upon which to base a decision whether to invest in our common stock. In any event, depending upon the size and structure of any acquisitions, stockholders may not have the opportunity to vote on the transaction, and may not have access to any information about any new business until the transaction is completed and we file a report with the Commission disclosing the nature of such transaction and/or business. In addition, our certificate of incorporation allows us to enter into a merger, asset sale, acquisition or lease transaction with an entity controlled by our Principal Stockholders without the requirement of a super-majority vote.

The market liquidity for our common stock is relatively low and may make it difficult to purchase or sell our stock.

 

The average daily trading volume in our stock during the twelve month period ended December 31, 2009 was approximately 14,000 shares. Although a more active trading market may develop in the future, the limited market liquidity for our stock could affect a stockholder’s ability to sell at a price satisfactory to that stockholder.

 

We may suffer adverse consequences if we are deemed an investment company and we may incur significant costs to avoid investment company status.

 

Since the December 2006 sale of our Omega shares, we have held substantially all of our assets in cash, cash equivalents and investments in U.S. Government Agency and Treasury securities, and have held no “investment securities.” In addition, we have not held, and do not hold, ourself out as an investment company. We have been conducting a good faith search for a merger or acquisition candidate, and have repeatedly and publicly disclosed our intention to acquire a business. However, as of the date of this report, due to a variety of factors, we have been unable to consummate such a transaction. We believe that we are not an investment company under the 1940 Act. If the Commission or a court were to disagree with us, we could be required to register as an investment company. This would negatively affect our ability to consummate an acquisition of an operating company, subjecting us to disclosure and accounting guidance geared toward investment, rather than operating, companies; limiting our ability to borrow money, issue options, issue multiple classes of stock and debt, and engage in transactions with affiliates; and requiring us to undertake significant costs and expenses to meet the disclosure and regulatory requirements to which we would be subject as a registered investment company.

 

We may be subject to an additional tax as a personal holding company on future undistributed personal holding company income if we generate passive income in excess of operating expenses.

 

Section 541 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “IRC”), subjects a corporation which is a “personal holding company,” as defined in the IRC, to a 15% tax on “undistributed personal holding company income” in addition to the corporation’s normal income tax. Generally, undistributed personal holding company income is based on taxable income, subject to certain adjustments, most notably a reduction for Federal income taxes. Personal holding company income is comprised primarily of passive investment income plus, under certain circumstances, personal service income. A corporation generally is considered to be a personal holding company (“PHC”) if (1) 60% or more of its adjusted ordinary gross income is personal holding company income and (2) more than 50% in value of its outstanding common stock is owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer individuals, as calculated under the applicable tax rule at any time during the last half of the taxable year.

 

Although we believe that we are classified as a PHC for 2009, we did not incur a PHC tax as we had a net operating loss for the year ended December 31, 2009. Additionally, subsequent to the 2009 Change of Control, we may continue to qualify as a PHC in future periods. If it is determined that five or fewer individuals hold more than 50% in value of our outstanding common stock during the second half of future tax years, it is possible that we could have at least 60% of adjusted ordinary gross income consist of PHC income as discussed above. Thus, there can be no assurance that we will not be subject to this tax in the future, which, in turn, may materially and adversely impact our financial position, results of operations and cash flows. In addition, if we are subject to this tax during future periods, statutory tax rate increases could significantly increase tax expense and adversely affect operating results and cash flows. Specifically, the current 15% tax rate on undistributed PHC income is scheduled to expire as of December 31, 2010, after which the rate will revert back to the highest individual ordinary income rate of 39.6%.

 

Agreements and transactions involving former subsidiaries may give rise to future claims that could materially adversely impact our capital resources.

 

Throughout our history, we have entered into numerous transactions relating to the sale, disposal or spin-off of partially and wholly owned subsidiaries. We may have continuing obligations pursuant to certain of these transactions, including obligations to indemnify other parties to agreements, and may be subject to risks resulting from these transactions. For example, in 2005, we were notified by Weatherford International Inc. of a claim for reimbursement in connection with the investigation and cleanup of purported environmental contamination at two

properties formerly owned by one of our non-operating subsidiaries. The claim was made under an indemnification provision given by us to Weatherford in a 1995 asset purchase agreement. There can be no assurance that we will not incur costs and expenses in excess of our reserves in connection with any continuing obligation.

 

Litigation defense and settlement costs may be material.

 

There can be no assurance that we will prevail in any pending litigation in which we are involved, or that our insurance coverage will be adequate to cover any potential losses. To the extent that we sustain losses from any pending litigation which are not presently reserved or otherwise provided for or insured against, our business, results of operations, cash flows and/or financial condition could be adversely affected.

 

Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 requires us to document and test our internal controls over financial reporting and to report on our assessment as to the effectiveness of these controls. Any delays or difficulty in satisfying these requirements or negative reports concerning our internal controls could adversely affect our future results of operations and our stock price.

 

We may in the future discover areas of our internal controls that need improvement, particularly with respect to businesses that we may acquire in the future. We cannot be certain that any remedial measures we take will ensure that we implement and maintain adequate internal controls over our financial reporting processes and reporting in the future. Any failure to implement required new or improved controls, or difficulties encountered in their implementation, could harm our operating results or cause us to fail to meet our reporting obligations. If we are unable to conclude that we have effective internal controls over financial reporting, or if our independent auditors are unable to provide us with an unqualified report regarding the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting as required by Section 404, investors could lose confidence in the reliability of our financial statements, which could result in a decrease in the market price of our common stock. Failure to comply with Section 404 could potentially subject us to sanctions or investigations by the Commission, or other regulatory authorities, which could also result in a decrease in the market price of our common stock.

 

Our previously filed Form 10-Q/A for the period ended September 30, 2009 stated that we did not maintain effective controls over the application and monitoring of our accounting for income taxes. Specifically, we did not have controls designed and in place to ensure the accuracy and completeness of financial information provided by third party tax advisors used in accounting for income taxes and the determination of deferred income tax assets and the related income tax provision and the review and evaluation of the application of generally accepted accounting principles relating to accounting for income taxes. This control deficiency resulted in the restatement of our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for the quarter ended September 30, 2009. Accordingly, we determined that this control deficiency constituted a material weakness as of September 30, 2009. As of the end of the period covered by this report, we have concluded that our ongoing remediation efforts resulted in control enhancements which have operated for an adequate period of time to demonstrate operating effectiveness. Although we believe that this material weakness has been remediated, there can be no assurance that similar weaknesses will not occur in the future which could adversely affect our future results of operations or our stock price.

 

 

None.

 

 

Our corporate headquarters are located in Rochester, New York where we lease approximately 3,000 square feet of office space which is adequate and suitable for our current level of operations. We plan to move our headquarters to New York, New York during the second quarter of 2010.

 

 

We are subject to various claims and litigation relating to our past and current operations, which are being handled and vigorously defended in the ordinary course of business. While the results of any ultimate resolution cannot be predicted, as of December 31, 2009 it is the opinion of management, based upon discussions with counsel,

that any losses resulting from these matters will not have a material adverse effect on our financial position or results of operations.

 

 

 

Market Information and Dividends

 

Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) and trades under the symbol “HRG.” Prior to our Reincorporation Merger on December 23, 2009, our stock traded under the symbol “ZAP.” The high and low sales prices for our common stock for each quarterly period for the last two years are shown in the following table.

 

 

We have not declared any dividends since our board of directors discontinued dividend payments in 1998 and we do not anticipate paying dividends in the foreseeable future.

 

In 2002, our board of directors authorized the purchase of up to 4.0 million shares of our outstanding common stock in the open market or privately negotiated transactions. No shares were repurchased under this authorization and our board of directors terminated this authorization on November 3, 2009.

 

As of February 15, 2010, there were approximately 1,800 holders of record of common stock. This number does not include the stockholders for whom shares are held in a “nominee” or “street” name.

Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans

 

The following table sets forth information with respect to compensation plans under which our equity securities are authorized for issuance as of December 31, 2009:

 

 

The following table sets forth certain selected historic financial information for the periods and as of the dates presented and should be read in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements and the related notes thereto included in Item 8 of this report and with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in Item 7 of this report. All amounts are in thousands, except for per share amounts.

 

 

 

 

The following is a discussion of our financial condition and results of operations. This discussion should be read in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this report. This discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those discussed herein. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed above in “Part I, Item 1A., Risk Factors,” as well as those discussed in this section and elsewhere in this report.

 

We are a holding company with approximately $151.9 million in consolidated cash, cash equivalents and investments at December 31, 2009. We currently own approximately 98% of Zap.Com, a public shell company.

 

In December 2006, we completed the disposition of our 57% ownership interest in common stock of Omega Protein Corporation. Since that time, we have held substantially all of our assets in cash, cash equivalents and investments in U.S. Government Agency or Treasury securities, and have held no “investment securities” (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act). In addition, we have not held, and do not hold, ourselves out as an investment company. During this time, we have conducted a good faith search for an acquisition or business combination candidate, and have repeatedly and publicly disclosed our intention to acquire or combine with such a business. Based on the foregoing, we believe that we are not an investment company under the 1940 Act.

 

On July 9, 2009, our Principal Stockholders purchased 9,937,962 shares, or 51.6%, of our common stock during the 2009 Change of Control. Our Principal Stockholders subsequently purchased 12,099 additional shares of our common stock.

 

Our principal focus is to identify and evaluate business combinations or acquisitions of businesses. We expect that management associated with our Principal Stockholders will assist us in identifying acquisition and business combination opportunities, which may include businesses which are controlled by, affiliated with or otherwise known to our Principal Stockholders, and we also have engaged third parties to assist us in this effort. At any time, we may be engaged in ongoing discussions with respect to possible acquisitions or business combinations of widely varying sizes and in disparate industries. There can be no assurance that any of these discussions will result in a definitive purchase agreement and if they do, what the terms or timing of any agreement would be.

 

We may pay acquisition consideration in the form of cash, our debt or equity securities or a combination thereof. In addition, as a part of our acquisition strategy we may consider raising additional capital through the issuance of equity or debt securities, including the issuance of preferred stock.

 

We have not focused and do not intend to focus our acquisition efforts solely on any particular industry. While we generally focus our attention in the United States, we may investigate acquisition opportunities outside of the United States when we believe that such opportunities may be attractive.

 

Our Principal Stockholders and their affiliates include other vehicles that actively are seeking investment opportunities, and any one of those vehicles may at any time be seeking investment opportunities similar to those targeted by the Company. Our directors and officers who are affiliated with our Principal Stockholders may consider, among other things, asset type and investment time horizon in evaluating opportunities for the Company. In recognition of the potential conflicts that these persons and our other directors may have with respect to corporate opportunities, the certificate of incorporation for Harbinger Group Inc. permits our board of directors from time to time to assert or renounce our interests and expectancies in one or more specific industries. In accordance with this provision, we have determined that we will not seek business combinations or acquisitions of businesses engaged in the wireless communications industry.

 

Presented below is a table that summarizes our results of operations and compares the amount of the change between 2009 and 2008 (the “2009 Change”) and between 2008 and 2007 (the “2008 Change”).

 

 

2009 Compared to 2008

 

We reported a net loss of $13.3 million or $(0.69) per diluted share for the year ended December 31, 2009 compared to a net loss of $12,000 or $0.00 per diluted share in 2008. The increase in net loss resulted from the write off of $7.4 million of net operating loss carryforward tax benefits and alternative minimum tax credits resulting from the 2009 Change of Control which constituted a change of ownership under sections 382 and 383 of the IRC. Additionally, as a result of cumulative losses in recent years, we increased our valuation allowance for our deferred tax assets by $2.8 million during the fourth quarter of 2009. The increase in net loss also resulted from increases in professional fees and pension expenses and a decrease in interest income, all partially offset by the recognition of other income in 2009 related to former businesses of the Company.

 

The following presents a more detailed discussion of our operating results:

 

Revenues.  For the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, we had no revenues. We sold our remaining operating business in December 2006 and we do not expect to recognize revenues until we acquire one or more operating businesses.

 

Cost of revenues.  For the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, we had no cost of revenues.

 

General and administrative expenses.  General and administrative expenses consist primarily of professional fees (including advisory services, legal and accounting fees), salaries and benefits, pension expense and insurance costs. General and administrative expenses increased $3.1 million from $3.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 to $6.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2009. This increase was primarily a result

of increases in professional fees of $1.9 million, predominately arising from the 2009 Change of Control, the transition to a reconstituted board of directors, the Reincorporation Merger, and increased efforts in evaluating possible business acquisitions, and an increase of $0.9 million in actuarially determined pension expenses. We expect general and administrative expenses to increase substantially as a result of fees associated with advisors we have and will retain to assist us in evaluating business acquisition opportunities. In addition, our planned relocation of our corporate headquarters to New York, New York during the second quarter of 2010 will result in additional general and administrative expenses.

 

Interest income.  Interest income decreased $2.8 million from $3.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 to $0.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2009, resulting from sustained lower interest rates on our cash equivalents and investments which are invested principally in U.S. Government instruments.

 

Other, net.  Other, net was $1.3 million and $0.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. During 2009, we received a refund of excess collateral of $0.8 million from a rent-a-captive insurance arrangement which we entered into in 1993. As we had previously written off the balance of our excess collateral, the full amount of this refund was recorded as other income. We do not believe we have any material obligations under this arrangement and do not expect to receive any additional material reimbursements related to this program. Also during 2009, we received $0.3 million from settlement agreements entered into during 2009 in which we agreed to accept a payment in exchange for the termination of insurance coverage on certain non-operating subsidiaries.

 

Income taxes.  Despite a pretax loss of $4.8 million, we recorded a provision for income taxes of $8.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2009 compared to a benefit for income taxes of $0.1 million for the prior year. The change from a benefit to a provision resulted primarily from the write-off of $7.4 million of net operating loss carryforward tax benefits and alternative minimum tax credits resulting from the 2009 Change of Control which constituted a change in ownership under sections 382 and 383 of the IRC. Additionally, as a result of our cumulative losses, we have determined that, as of December 31, 2009, a valuation allowance of approximately $2.8 million was required for deferred tax assets whose realization did not meet the more likely than not criteria.

 

2008 Compared to 2007

 

We reported a net loss of $12,000 or $0.00 per diluted share for the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to net income of $2.6 million or $0.13 per diluted share in 2007. The change from net income to net loss resulted primarily from decreased interest income during 2008 compared to 2007.

 

The following presents a more detailed discussion of our operating results:

 

Revenues.  For the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, we had no revenues.

 

Cost of revenues.  For the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, we had no cost of revenues.

 

General and administrative expenses.  General and administrative expenses decreased $0.2 million from $3.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 to $3.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 as a result of decreases in professional fees and costs.

 

Interest income.  Interest income decreased $4.7 million from $7.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 to $3.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2008. This decrease was primarily attributable to sustained lower interest rates on cash equivalents and investments during 2008 compared to 2007. In July 2008, due to market conditions and in an effort to preserve principal, we liquidated our U.S. Government Agency securities and purchased U.S. Treasury securities with the proceeds.

 

Other, net.  Other, net decreased $0.5 million from $0.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 to $0.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2008. This decrease resulted from higher levels of insurance and other recoveries recognized during 2007 compared to 2008.

 

Income taxes.  The Company recorded a benefit for income taxes of $0.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to a provision for income taxes of $2.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2007. The change from a provision to a benefit for income taxes was attributable to the pretax loss in the year ended

December 31, 2008 compared to pretax income in 2007. Additionally, the loss in 2008 resulted in no additional provision for a 15% tax on undistributed personal holding company income for the year ended December 31, 2008 as was required for 2007.

 

Our liquidity needs are primarily for professional fees (including advisory services, legal and accounting fees), salaries and benefits, pension expense and insurance costs. We may also utilize a significant portion of our cash, cash equivalents and investments to fund all or a portion of the cost of any future acquisitions.

 

The following table summarizes information about our contractual obligations (in thousands) as of December 31, 2009 and the effect such obligations are expected to have on our liquidity and cash flow in future periods:

 

 

 

 

Our current source of liquidity is our cash, cash equivalents and investments. Because we limit our investments principally to U.S. Government instruments, we do not expect to earn significant interest income in the near term. We expect these assets to continue to be a source of liquidity except to the extent that they may be used to fund the acquisition of operating businesses or assets. As of December 31, 2009, our cash, cash equivalents and investments were $151.9 million compared to $154.7 million as of December 31, 2008.

 

Based on current levels of operations, we do not have any significant capital expenditure commitments and management believes that our consolidated cash, cash equivalents and investments on hand will be adequate to fund our operational and capital requirements for at least the next twelve months. Depending on the size and terms of future acquisitions of operating businesses or assets, we may raise additional capital through the issuance of equity or debt. There is no assurance, however, that such capital will be available at the time, in the amounts necessary or with terms satisfactory to us.

 

Throughout our history, we have entered into indemnifications in the ordinary course of business with our customers, suppliers, service providers, business partners and in certain instances, when we sold businesses. Additionally, we have indemnified our directors and officers who are, or were, serving at our request in such capacities. Although the specific terms or number of such arrangements is not precisely known due to the extensive history of our past operations, costs incurred to settle claims related to these indemnifications have not been material to our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. Further, we have no reason to believe that

future costs to settle claims related to our former operations will have material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

The following table summarizes our consolidated cash flow information for the last three years:

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities.

 

Cash used in operating activities was $2.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2009 compared to cash provided by operating activities of $0.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2008. The change from cash provided by operating activities to cash used in operating activities resulted principally from lower interest income and higher administrative expenses during 2009 compared to 2008.

 

Cash provided by operating activities was $0.4 million and $2.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. This decrease resulted principally from lower interest income during 2008 compared to 2007.

 

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities.

 

Variations in our net cash provided by (used in) investing activities are typically the result of the change in mix of cash, cash equivalents and investments during the period. All highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less are considered to be cash equivalents and all investments with original maturities of greater than three months are classified as either short- or long-term investments.

 

Cash used in investing activities was $12.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2009 compared to cash provided by investing activities of $3.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2008. This change from cash used in investing activities to cash provided by investing activities resulted from additional purchases of investments during 2009 compared to 2008.

 

Cash provided by investing activities was $3.1 million and $0.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. This increase resulted from additional purchases and sales of short-term investments during 2008 compared to 2007.

 

Other than possible acquisitions of operating businesses or assets, we do not expect any significant capital expenditures during 2010.

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities.

 

There was no cash provided by (used in) financing activities for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 or 2007.

 

As of the date of this report, there are no recent accounting pronouncements that have not yet been adopted that we believe may have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

The discussion and analysis of our financial condition, liquidity and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported therein. The following lists our current accounting policies involving significant management judgment and provides a brief description of these policies:

 

Litigation and environmental reserves.  The establishment of litigation and environmental reserves requires judgments concerning the ultimate outcome of pending claims against the Company and our subsidiaries. In applying judgment, management utilizes opinions and estimates obtained from outside legal counsel to apply the appropriate accounting for contingencies. Accordingly, estimated amounts relating to certain claims have met the criteria for the recognition of a liability. Other claims for which a liability has not been recognized are reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with accounting guidance. A liability is recognized for all associated legal costs as incurred. Liabilities for litigation settlements, environmental settlements, legal fees and changes in these estimated amounts may have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

If the actual cost of settling these matters, whether resulting from adverse judgments or otherwise, differs from the reserves totaling $0.3 million we have accrued as of December 31, 2009, that difference will be reflected in our results of operations when the matter is resolved or when our estimate of the cost changes.

 

Deferred income taxes.  Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which the temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in the tax rates is recognized in earnings in the period that includes the enactment date. Additionally, taxing jurisdictions could retroactively disagree with our tax treatment of certain items, and some historical transactions have income tax effects going forward. Accounting guidance require these future effects to be evaluated using current laws, rules and regulations, each of which can change at any time and in an unpredictable manner.

 

Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Cumulative losses weigh heavily in the overall assessment of the need for a valuation allowance. As a result of our cumulative losses in recent years, we determined that, as of December 31, 2009, a valuation allowance was required for all of our deferred tax assets other than the refundable alternative minimum tax credits. Consequently, our valuation allowance, which related only to state net operating loss carryforward tax benefits in previous years, increased from $7,000 as of December 31, 2008 to $2.7 million as of December 31, 2009.

 

We also apply the accounting guidance for uncertain tax positions which prescribes a minimum recognition threshold a tax position is required to meet before being recognized in the financial statements. It also provides information on derecognition, measurement, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. Accrued interest expense and penalties related to uncertain tax positions are recorded in “(Provision) benefit for income taxes.” Our reserve for uncertain tax positions totaled $0.7 million as of December 31, 2009 and 2008.

 

Defined benefit plan assumptions.  We have two defined benefit plans, under which participants earn a retirement benefit based upon a formula set forth in each plan. We record income or expense related to these plans using actuarially determined amounts that are calculated using the accounting guidance for pensions. Key assumptions used in the actuarial valuations include the discount rate and the anticipated rate of return on plan assets. These rates are based on market interest rates, and therefore fluctuations in market interest rates could impact the amount of pension income or expense recorded for these plans. Despite our belief that our estimates are reasonable for these key actuarial assumptions, future actual results may differ from our estimates, and these differences could be material to our future financial statements.

 

The discount rate enables a company to state expected future cash flows at a present value on the measurement date. We have little latitude in selecting this rate as it is based on a review of projected cash flows and on high-

quality fixed income investments at the measurement date. A lower discount rate increases the present value of benefit obligations and increases pension expense. The expected long-term rate of return reflects the average rate of earnings expected on funds invested or to be invested in the pension plans to provide for the benefits included in the pension liability. We establish the expected long-term rate of return at the beginning of each year based upon information available to us at that time, including the plan’s investment mix and the forecasted rates of return on these types of securities.

 

Differences in actual experience or changes in the assumptions may materially affect our financial position or results of operations. Actual results that differ from the actuarial assumptions are accumulated and amortized over future periods and, therefore, generally affect recognized expense and the recorded obligation in future periods. For example, due to significant adverse market conditions during 2008, our pension expense significantly increased during 2009. A significant component of the increase was caused by the amortization of actuarial losses which reflects the increase in the accumulated differences in actual plan results compared to assumptions utilized in previous years.

 

We continually update and assess the facts and circumstances regarding these critical accounting matters and other significant accounting matters affecting estimates in our financial statements.

 

 

Not required for Smaller Reporting Companies.

 

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of

Harbinger Group Inc.

Rochester, NY

 

We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of Harbinger Group Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2009, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting appearing under Item 9A. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

 

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the company’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the company’s board of directors, management, and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

 

Because of the inherent limitations of internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of collusion or improper management override of controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

 

In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009, based on the criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

 

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2009 of the Company and our report date February 26, 2010 expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements.

 

Deloitte & Touche LLP

 

Rochester, New York

February 26, 2010

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of

Harbinger Group, Inc.

Rochester, NY

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Harbinger Group Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in equity and comprehensive income (loss), and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2009. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the financial statements based on our audits.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Harbinger Group Inc. and subsidiaries at December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2009, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009, based on the criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated February 26, 2010 expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Deloitte & Touche LLP

 

Rochester, New York

February 26, 2010

 

HARBINGER GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

HARBINGER GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

HARBINGER GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

HARBINGER GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 

Harbinger Group Inc. (which, together with its consolidated subsidiaries, is referred to as the “Company”) is a holding company with approximately $151.9 million in consolidated cash, cash equivalents and investments at December 31, 2009. The Company’s principal focus is to identify and evaluate business combinations or acquisitions of businesses. The Company currently owns 98% of Zap.Com Corporation (“Zap.Com”), a public shell company that may seek assets or businesses to acquire.

 

On December 23, 2009, the Company completed a reincorporation merger with Zapata Corporation (the “Reincorporation Merger”). As a result, the Company’s name changed from Zapata Corporation to Harbinger Group Inc. and the Company changed its domicile from the State of Nevada to the State of Delaware. See Note 8.

 

On July 9, 2009, Harbinger Capital Partners Master Fund I, Ltd. (“Master Fund”), Global Opportunities Breakaway Ltd. (“Global Fund”) and Harbinger Capital Partners Special Situations Fund, L.P. (“Special Situations Fund” and together with the Master Fund and Global Fund, the Company’s “Principal Stockholders”) purchased 9,937,962 shares, or 51.6%, of the Company’s common stock (the “2009 Change of Control”). The Company’s Principal Stockholders subsequently purchased 12,099 additional shares of the Company’s common stock.

 

 

Consolidation

 

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Harbinger Group Inc., it’s 98% owned subsidiary, Zap.Com, and certain wholly-owned non-operating subsidiaries and are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

On January 1, 2009, the Company adopted new accounting guidance which changed the accounting and reporting for minority interests in consolidated subsidiaries. Under the new guidance, ownership interests in subsidiaries held by parties other than the Company are classified as a component of equity in the Consolidated Balance Sheets titled “Noncontrolling interest.” The Consolidated Statements of Operations include the line items “Net (loss) income,” which represents net (loss) income attributable to both the Company and the noncontrolling interest in Zap.Com, “Net loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest” and “Net (loss) income attributable to Harbinger Group Inc.,” which is the same amount as would be reported under the prior definition of “Net income (loss).” In addition, prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the requirements of the new guidance.

 

The Company follows the accounting guidance which establishes standards for reporting information about operating segments in annual financial statements and related disclosures about products and services, geographic areas and major customers. The Company has determined that it does not have any separately reportable operating segments.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

The Company principally invests its excess cash in U.S. Government instruments. All highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less are considered to be cash equivalents.

 

Investments

 

A portion of the Company’s investments are held in U.S. Government instruments with maturities greater than three months. As the Company has both the intent and the ability to hold these securities to maturity, they are considered held-to-maturity investments. Such investments are recorded at original cost plus accrued interest, which is included in “Non-trade receivables.”

 

HARBINGER GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

Income Taxes

 

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.

 

The Company also applies the accounting guidance for uncertain tax positions which prescribes a minimum recognition threshold a tax position is required to meet before being recognized in the financial statements. It also provides information on derecognition, measurement, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. Accrued interest expense and penalties related to uncertain tax positions are recorded in “(Provision) benefit for income taxes.”

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of 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 financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Due to the inherent uncertainty involved in making estimates, actual results in future periods could differ from these estimates.

 

The Company’s significant estimates which are susceptible to change in the near term relate to (1) estimates of reserves for litigation and environmental reserves (see Note 11), (2) recognition of deferred tax assets and related valuation allowances (see Note 10), and (3) assumptions used in the actuarial valuations for defined benefit plans (see Note 12).

 

Concentrations of Credit Risk

 

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk include the Company’s cash, cash equivalents and investments. These funds are currently concentrated among three financial institutions; however, the majority of the Company’s funds are invested in U.S. Government Treasuries, backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government, which are held by these financial institutions on behalf of the Company.

 

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

 

There are no recent accounting pronouncements that have not yet been adopted that the Company believes may have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

 

Reclassifications

 

In addition to the retrospective reclassifications made in connection with the Company’s adoption of the new accounting guidance for noncontrolling interests disclosed under “Consolidation” above, certain other reclassifications have been made to prior year financial information to conform to the current year presentation. Specifically, in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for 2008 and 2007, the change in prepaid pension cost was previously classified within the change in “Other assets” and is now classified within the change in “Pension liabilities.”

 

Subsequent Events

 

The Company evaluated subsequent events through the date when the financial statements were issued.

 

HARBINGER GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

 

 

All highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less are considered to be cash equivalents. The Company’s cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008 consisted of the following:

 

 

As of December 31, 2009, amortized cost shown above included no accrued interest. Interest rates on the Company’s Treasury Bills were 0.00% at December 31, 2009.

 

 

As of December 31, 2008, amortized cost shown above included no accrued interest. Interest rates on the Company’s Treasury Bills ranged from -0.10% to 0.00% at December 31, 2008.

 

 

As of December 31, 2009, the Company had held-to-maturity investments with maturities up to approximately 10 months. Interest rates on the Company’s short-term investments ranged from 0.38% to 0.62% at December 31, 2009.

 

 

HARBINGER GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

As of December 31, 2008, the Company had held-to-maturity investments with maturities up to approximately six months. Interest rates on the Company’s short-term investments ranged from 1.70% to 2.05% at December 31, 2008.

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2009, the Company had held-to-maturity investments with maturities up to approximately 1.3 years. Interest rates on the Company’s long-term investments ranged from 0.44% to 0.60% at December 31, 2009. The Company held no long-term investments at December 31, 2008.

 

 

 

Accrued and other current liabilities are summarized as follows:

 

 

HARBINGER GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

 

 

Other liabilities are summarized as follows: