Star Equity Holdings, Inc. Announces 2021 First Quarter Financial Results

Sale of assets substantially improved balance sheet
Construction revenue grew 65%

OLD GREENWICH, CT, May 14, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Star Equity Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: STRR; STRRP) (“Star” or the “Company”), a diversified, multi-industry holding company with three business divisions, Healthcare, Construction, and Investments, reported today its financial results for the first quarter (Q1) ended March 31, 2021.

During Q1 2021, the Company completed the sale of its DMS Health Technologies, Inc. (“DMS Health”) business unit for $18.75 million and the sale of another small business for $1.4 million. Financial results for both the Q1 2021 and 2020 reporting periods relate to continuing operations, which encompass Healthcare (Diagnostic Services and Diagnostic Imaging), Construction, and Investments.

Q1 2021 Financial Highlights vs. Q1 2020 (unaudited)*

• Total revenues from continuing operations increased 16.5% to $22.4 million from $19.2 million
• Gross profit from continuing operations decreased to $3.1 million from $3.2 million
• Net loss from continuing operations was $0.6 million (or $0.12 per basic and diluted share) compared to a net loss from continuing operations of $2.4 million (or $1.15 per basic and diluted share) *
• Non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations decreased to $(0.9) million from $(0.5) million
• As of March 31, 2021, cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash increased to $13.3 million from $1.6 million and net debt decreased to $3.5 million from $20.4 million

* On May 28, 2020, Star completed a public offering through in which the Company issued and sold 2,225,000 shares of its common stock and 2,225,000 warrants to purchase up to 1,112,500 additional shares of common stock. As of March 31, 2021, 0.9 million of these warrants had been exercised for the issuance of an additional 0.5 million shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $2.25. Per share amounts for Q1 2021 period, reflect the new share count.

Jeff Eberwein, Executive Chairman of Star, noted, “In Q1 2021, our Healthcare division continued to be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic with revenue declining slightly versus the prior year quarter. Activity levels continue to rebound toward pre-COVID levels. Our Construction division grew revenue by 65% with much of the growth attributable to significantly increased output at our KBS business. Gross margin percentage at our Construction division declined as a consequence of rising raw materials prices, but is expected to return to more normal levels in the coming quarters.”

Mr. Eberwein continued, “The asset sales completed in Q1 2021 substantially improved our balance sheet and liquidity position with net debt decreasing from $20.4 million a year ago to $3.5 million at the end of Q1 2021. We are now better positioned to fund high-return internal growth investments and pursue acquisitions, which could be bolt-ons in Healthcare or Construction or entry into a new business sector.”

Revenues

The Company’s total Q1 2021 revenues from continuing operations increased 16.5% to $22.4 million from $19.2 million in the first quarter of the prior year.

Although Q1 2021 revenues for the Healthcare division decreased slightly from Q1 2020, this division has largely recovered from the COVID pandemic related downturn and is now performing at near pre-pandemic levels. Doctor offices have reopened but are not yet operating at full capacity. As state-by-state vaccination levels increase, we expect volumes to increase and our operations fully return to normal levels later this year.

The increase in revenues for the Construction division was mainly due to higher production levels at KBS, with $2.7 million in revenue recognized on a large commercial project.

Gross Profit

Q1 2021 gross profit for the Healthcare division decreased by 9.6% from the prior year’s quarter due to the continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Although revenues only decreased by 2.7%, gross profit declined by a higher percentage because some costs remained fairly constant such as employee costs, insurance, workers compensation, rents, utilities, and repairs and maintenance.

Q1 2021 gross profit for the Construction division increased by 35.0% from the prior year’s quarter due to increased production activity from recently won commercial projects. Gross margin percentage in Q1 2021 was adversely impacted by a rise in raw materials prices. We increased prices at the beginning of 2021 to offset these higher input costs, and our backlog remains very strong. We expect gross margins in Construction to improve over time.

Operating Expenses

Q1 2021 sales, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses increased by 3.9%, or $0.2 million from the prior year period, primarily due to a $0.3 million increase in the Construction business as a result of increased commissions and headcount, offset by $0.1 million reduced travel expense in the Healthcare division.

Non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA

Q1 2021 non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations decreased to negative $0.9 million from negative $0.5 million in the same quarter of the prior year due to a rise in raw materials prices in Construction and decrease in gross profit due to the continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in Healthcare.

Net Loss

Q1 2021 net loss from continuing operations was $0.6 million, or $0.12 per basic and diluted share, compared to net loss of $2.4 million, or $1.15 per basic and diluted share, in the same period in the prior year. Q1 2021 non-GAAP adjusted net loss from continuing operations was $1.7 million, or $0.35 per basic and diluted share, compared to adjusted net loss from continuing operations of $1.3 million, or $0.65 per basic and diluted share, in the prior year period.

Operating cash flow

Q1 2021 cash flow from operations was an outflow of $2.2 million, compared to an inflow of $0.6 million for the same period in the prior year due to increased investment in working capital to fund the revenue growth in the Construction division.

Conference Call Information

A conference call is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. ET (7:00 a.m. PT) on May 14, 2021 to discuss the results and management’s outlook. The call may be accessed by dialing 1-877-407-9039 (international callers: +1-201-689-8470) five minutes prior to the scheduled start time and referencing Star. A simultaneous webcast of the call may be accessed online from the Events & Presentations link on the Investor Relations page at starequity.com/events-and-presentations/presentations; an archived replay of the webcast will be available within 15 minutes of the end of the conference call.

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

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

This release presents the non-GAAP financial measures “adjusted net income (loss),” “adjusted net income (loss) per basic and diluted share,” “adjusted cash earnings per share”, and “adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations.” The most directly comparable measure for these non-GAAP financial measures are “net income and basic and diluted net income per share”, and “cash flows from operating activities”. The Company has included below unaudited adjusted financial information, which presents the Company’s results of operations after excluding acquired intangible asset amortization, one time transaction costs, financing costs, gain or loss from the early retirement of debt, litigation costs, COVID-19 protection equipment, unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities, non-recurring gain on disposals, non-recurring costs related to sales and use tax and income tax adjustments. Further excluded in the measure of adjusted EBITDA are interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, and stock-based compensation.

A discussion of the reasons why management believes that the presentation of non-GAAP financial measures provides useful information to investors regarding Star’s financial condition and results of operations is included as Exhibit 99.2 to Star’s report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 14, 2021.

About Star Equity Holdings, Inc.

Star Equity Holdings, Inc. is a diversified holding entity with three divisions: Healthcare, Construction, and Investments.

Healthcare

Our Healthcare division designs, manufactures, and distributes diagnostic medical imaging products and provides mobile imaging services. Our Healthcare division operates in two businesses:   (i) diagnostic services and (i) diagnostic imaging. The diagnostic services business offers imaging services to healthcare providers as an outsourced alternative to purchasing and operating their own equipment. The diagnostic imaging business develops, sells, and maintains solid-state gamma cameras.

Construction

Our Construction division manufactures modular housing units for commercial and residential real estate projects and operates in two businesses: (i) modular building manufacturing and (ii) structural wall panel and wood foundation manufacturing, including building supply distribution operations for professional builders.

Investments

Our Investments division manages and finances the Company’s real estate assets and investments.

Forward-Looking Statements

“Safe Harbor” Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements in this release that are not statements of historical fact are hereby identified as “forward-looking statements” for the purpose of the safe harbor provided by Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking Statements include, without limitation, statements regarding (i) the plans and objectives of management for future operations, including plans or objectives relating to acquisitions and related integration, development of commercially viable products, novel technologies, and modern applicable services, (ii) projections of income (including income/loss), EBITDA, earnings (including earnings/loss) per share, free cash flow (FCF), capital expenditures, cost reductions, capital structure or other financial items, (iii) the future financial performance of the Company or acquisition targets and (iv) the assumptions underlying or relating to any statement described above. Moreover, forward-looking statements necessarily involve assumptions on the Company’s part. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believe”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “project”, “intend”, “plan”, “should”, “may”, “will”, “would”, “will be”, “will continue” or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements are not meant to predict or guarantee actual results, performance, events or circumstances and may not be realized because they are based upon the Company’s current projections, plans, objectives, beliefs, expectations, estimates and assumptions and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties and other influences, many of which the Company has no control over. Actual results and the timing of certain events and circumstances may differ materially from those described above as a result of these risks and uncertainties. Factors that may influence or contribute to the inaccuracy of forward-looking statements or cause actual results to differ materially from expected or desired results may include, without limitation, the substantial amount of debt of the Company and the Company’s ability to repay or refinance it or incur additional debt in the future; the Company’s need for a significant amount of cash to service and repay the debt and to pay dividends on the Company’s preferred stock; the restrictions contained in the debt agreements that limit the discretion of management in operating the business; legal, regulatory, political and economic risks in markets and public health crises that reduce economic activity and cause restrictions on operations (including the recent coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak); the length of time associated with servicing customers; losses of significant contracts or failure to get potential contracts being discussed; disruptions in the relationship with third party vendors; accounts receivable turnover; insufficient cash flows and resulting lack of liquidity; the Company’s inability to expand the Company’s business; unfavorable changes in the extensive governmental legislation and regulations governing healthcare providers and the provision of healthcare services and the competitive impact of such changes (including unfavorable changes to reimbursement policies); high costs of regulatory compliance; the liability and compliance costs regarding environmental regulations; the underlying condition of the technology support industry; the lack of product diversification; development and introduction of new technologies and intense competition in the healthcare industry; existing or increased competition; risks to the price and volatility of the Company’s common stock and preferred stock; stock volatility and in liquidity; risks to preferred stockholders of not receiving dividends and risks to the Company’s ability to pursue growth opportunities if the Company continues to pay dividends according to the terms of the Company’s preferred stock; the Company’s ability to execute on its business strategy (including any cost reduction plans); the Company’s failure to realize expected benefits of restructuring and cost-cutting actions; the Company’s ability to preserve and monetize its net operating losses; risks associated with the Company’s possible pursuit of acquisitions; the Company’s ability to consummate successful acquisitions and execute related integration, as well as factors related to the Company’s business including economic and financial market conditions generally and economic conditions in the Company’s markets; failure to keep pace with evolving technologies and difficulties integrating technologies; system failures; losses of key management personnel and the inability to attract and retain highly qualified management and personnel in the future; and the continued demand for and market acceptance of the Company’s services. For a detailed discussion of cautionary statements and risks that may affect the Company’s future results of operations and financial results, please refer to the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to, the risk factors in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. This release reflects management’s views as of the date presented.

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

(Financial tables follow)

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

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

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

^{(1) Reflects change in fair value of investments in equity securities.
(2) Reflects one time litigation costs.
(3) Reflects the gain from the sale of MDOS.
(4) Reflects one time write off in uncollectible tenant receivable.
(5) Reflects legal and other costs related to the ATRM merger and holding company conversion.
(6) Reflects financing costs from our credit facilities.
(7) Reflects purchases related to COVID -19 Protection Equipment.
(8) Reflects the forgiveness of the Paycheck Protection Program.
(9) Per share amounts are computed independently for each discrete item presented. Therefore, the sum of the quarterly per share amounts will not necessarily equal to the total for the year, and sum of individual items may not equal the total.}

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

^{(1) Reflects change in fair value of investments in equity securities.
(2) Reflects one time litigation costs.
(3) Reflects the gain from the sale of MDOS.
(4) Reflects one time write off in uncollectible tenant receivable.
(5) Reflects legal and other costs related to the ATRM merger and holdings company conversion.
(6) Reflects financing costs from our credit facilities.
(7) Reflects purchases related to COVID -19 Protection Equipment.
(8) Reflects the forgiveness of the Paycheck Protection Program.}

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

A summary of the Company’s credit facilities and related party notes are as follows:

Term Loan Facilities

The following table presents the Star and Premier term loans balance net of unamortized debt issuance costs as of March 31, 2021 (in thousands):

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