Q3 2025 Heritage Global Inc Earnings Call
Speaker #3: Hello and welcome to today's Heritage Global Incorporated . Third quarter 2025 Earnings Call . At this time , all participants are in a listen only mode .
Speaker #3: Later , you will opportunity to ask questions during the question and answer session . You may register to ask a question at any time by pressing the star and one on your telephone keypad .
Speaker #3: You may withdraw yourself from the queue by pressing star two . Please note this call may be recorded . I'll be standing by if you should need any assistance .
Speaker #3: It is my pleasure to turn the program over to IMS Investor Relations . John Nesbett .
Speaker #4: Thank you and good afternoon , everyone . Before we begin , I'd like to remind everyone that this conference call contains forward looking statements
Speaker #4: a current expectations and projections have the about future events , and are subject to change based on various important factors . In light of these risks , uncertainties and assumptions .
Speaker #4: You should not place undue reliance on these forward looking statements , which speak only as of the date of this call . For more details on factors that could affect these expectations , please see our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission .
Speaker #4: Now , I'd like to turn the call over to Heritage Global Inc chief Executive Officer , Mr. Ross Dove Ross .
Speaker #5: Thank you , John , and welcome , everyone . And thank you for joining . The older I get , the faster every 90 days seems to come .
Speaker #5: What never changes is every 90 days presents new opportunities and challenges . Earning 1.4 million in Ebit . This 90 days was to me more than meets the eyes .
Speaker #5: My brother in lifetime , business partner always said Ross . Numbers don't lie . To put that in context . Every Sunday he was on the golf course and I was in the card room .
Speaker #5: Of course he was correct . But what I have learned is there are many factors to the story beyond the numbers . The greatest challenge in a business is not always execution , but equally significant how you play the cards you're dealt .
Speaker #5: For many reasons , we were challenged and succeeded through a wait and see economy for transactions . We made a profit more like a journeyman fighter going all 12 rounds because we kept swinging with many large transactions slowed in a wait and see time with interest rate and tariff considerations .
Speaker #5: And overall less ability to execute large transactions . There were no needle movers opportunities . We performed were at a high conversion rate on transactions that did occur , albeit a lot of smaller ones , without overemphasizing the future outlook .
Speaker #5: On the financial side , regional banks continue to report an increase in distressed assets and every indicator says asset flow is on the rise .
Speaker #5: On the industrial side , a continued push towards lean manufacturing and the prediction of more consolidation over time also bodes well for increased asset flow .
Speaker #5: We have built both our balance sheet and staffing and systems very prepared to garner market share as opportunities arise . Further , I am excited to report after a two year phased approach to our M&A , we are well past fine tuning our strategy and 100% now in tactical execution .
Speaker #5: We have isolated the companies that are define as plugging in the gaps that will create long term shareholder value with the fastest secretion dynamics .
Speaker #5: I call it our GTS plan . Geography and sector growth . We know the sectors we believe we can serve as needle movers and the geographies we can win and execute in .
Speaker #5: We are also in advanced negotiations with who we have identified as best practices and as important , a shared vision . Like minded DNA and all in one canoe .
Speaker #5: Paddles and tandem . When is day one on this near term is now . Our emphasis . At all hands on deck with that , it's time for Brian to drill down on a quarter , and I am here to answer any questions .
Speaker #5: Once he shares the current results , thank you all for joining . Brian . You're up .
Speaker #6: Thank you Ross , and good afternoon , everyone . I'll begin with a brief overview of our third quarter operating results before walking through our industrial and financial segment performance .
Speaker #6: Consolidated operating income was 1.3 million in the third quarter of 2025 , compared to 1.5 million in the third quarter of 2024 . Our industrial Assets division reported operating income of approximately 900,000 in the third quarter of 2025 , compared to approximately 700,000 in the prior year quarter .
Speaker #6: Our financial Assets division reported operating income of 1.6 million in the third quarter of 2025 , compared to 1.8 million in the third quarter of 2020 .
Speaker #6: For our industrial assets division executed well on an auctions and liquidation opportunities , and we saw growth in a refurbishment and resale segment .
Speaker #6: Alt reported improved operating income of approximately 400,000 in the third quarter , compared to approximately 200,000 in the third quarter of 2020 . For the third quarter , also included a healthy amount of auctions , though the volume was primarily comprised of smaller scale activity as certain companies opted to hold off on larger scale non-essential transaction decisions amid ongoing economic uncertainty .
Speaker #6: As we close out the year , we are energized by the opportunities ahead and proud to be nearing the completion of our new facility in San Diego .
Speaker #6: A key milestone that supports our next phase of growth: our Financial Assets Division reported solid profitability in the third quarter, while our brokerage business was down slightly quarter over quarter. Lex continues to proactively add new sellers to our existing clients.
Speaker #6: Transaction volumes from our largest recurring clients softened early in the quarter . But ended September in an upward trend leading into the fourth quarter , which historically represents a stronger period as lending institutions work to optimize their balance sheets ahead of year end .
Speaker #6: Overall , consumer debt remains at high levels , even as credit performance metrics suggest that the market has stabilized this year . At the same time , regional banks are facing increased scrutiny over the quality of their loan portfolios , which we believe will lead to higher charge offs and non-performing loan volumes .
Speaker #6: As these institutions begin to offload underperforming assets . Additional consolidated financial results include the following . Adjusted EBITDA was 1.6 million , compared to 1.9 million in the prior year period .
Speaker #6: Net income was approximately 600,000 , or $0.02 per diluted share , compared to net income 1.1 million , or $0.03 per diluted share , in the third quarter of 2024 .
Speaker #6: The change , largely due to a non-cash adjustment made to the valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets as we fine tune our estimated utilization of net operating loss , carryforwards prior to expiration at year end .
Speaker #6: Our balance sheet is strong with stockholders equity of 66.5 million as of September 30th , 2025 , compared to 65.2 million at December 31st , 2024 , with net working capital of of 17.9 million .
Speaker #6: Our cash balance reflects a total of 19.4 million as of September 30th , 2025 , and after removing amounts due to our clients or payables to sellers on our balance sheet , our net available cash balance was 12.6 million .
Speaker #6: M&A remains a critical component of our long term strategy and capital deployment framework . Now , with a sharpened focus , our team is laying the groundwork for accretive transactions that will define the next phase of the company's strategy and growth prospects .
Speaker #6: We are optimistic and motivated . This is the right time and the opportunities ahead are compelling . We did not repurchase any shares in the quarter as we have prioritized meaning maintaining our cash position , given our advancing progress on M&A front .
Speaker #6: With that said , the company authorized a new share repurchase program on July 31st that allows for the repurchase of up to 7.5 million in common stock for the next three years , though it remains a part of a capital allocation strategy .
Speaker #6: And with that , I'll send it back over to Ross .
Speaker #5: Thank you Brian . After hearing you , I think it's worthwhile to take a moment to add some details to our M&A strategy .
Speaker #5: We're focused on businesses that are very capable of operating independently , that we also believe can scale significantly and thrive within HG . Companies with systems and processes that are a match day one .
Speaker #5: Our goal is to build shareholder value that both lasts long term and built to last . Heritage . While we're also mindful that the value also needs to be transferable to the market at large .
Speaker #5: This took a long time to get there , but we're well on the way now and excited about our future . Thank you all for listening in .
Speaker #5: We're here for any questions .
Speaker #3: At this time , if you would like to ask a question , please press star one now on your telephone keypad . To withdraw yourself from the queue , press star two .
Speaker #3: We'll take a question from Mark Argento of Lake Street . Your line is open .
Speaker #7: Hey , Rob , hey , Brian . Just one . In terms of capital allocation question , I know M&A is important from a strategy perspective .
Speaker #7: And you guys have been focused on it for a while . But with the stock kind of where it's at , you know , kind of come into this question of just , you know , do you just get aggressive and buy more of your own stock back or the business , you know , and know ?
Speaker #7: Well versus allocating capital to new acquisitions ? Probably the answer somewhere in between . But how do you guys think about it ? What are the criteria when you're when you're looking at M&A from both the strategic perspective but also from an accretive financial perspective , right .
Speaker #5: So we thought these M&A transactions were more in the distance than they are , than we would have put a greater emphasis on buying a stock back .
Speaker #5: Yes , we think the stock is way undervalued . But at the same time we think that we think that these acquisitions are really going to help grow the company and showing growth in the company is is really the most significant , most important thing we can do .
Speaker #5: However , we did authorize $7.5 million and are prepared to flip the switch , so to speak , and start buying stock back .
Speaker #5: But you know , right now there's a heightened emphasis on getting some things that are right in front of us . Done . First .
Speaker #5: Mark , if that's a fair answer .
Speaker #7: Yeah . No . That's fair answer . Just pivoting to the business . You said industrial assets . You saw a decent amount of activity , but there were smaller , you know , either smaller ticket type transactions or a little different mix .
Speaker #7: What is it in particular ? I think you've kind of called it taking a wait and see approach . But what is it that you know that you see a lot of these potential sellers or customers , what are they waiting for ?
Speaker #7: Are they waiting to see the government .
Speaker #5: Shutdown ? Like a lot of it felt like a lot of companies were releasing some surplus assets in kind of a hold on mode , rather than shutting down .
Speaker #5: And it felt like other companies were holding assets because they're looking at . And these are the larger companies . They were looking at M&A , but they have concerns about , you know , if the supply chain is going to be wide open and they can get new assets .
Speaker #5: So there was just a certain amount of people that weren't making the significant big decisions . So we made a profit working really hard , doing a lot of work on a lot of smaller transactions that were less needle movers .
Speaker #5: But fortunately , out of them all up together , and they added up to a profit . But we didn't have that one big or two big or three big , really large auctions that we usually get in the quarter .
Speaker #7: Got it . And then just one more housekeeping , one for Brian . So it looks like you guys paid off the the the remaining couple million dollars on the alt note .
Speaker #7: And really at this point , really the only real debt you guys have on the books is just the mortgage , right ? For your new headquarters ?
Speaker #7: Am I looking at that correctly ?
Speaker #6: Yeah . So we we we purchased the building early this year for $7.3 million approximately , and took out a $4.1 million interest only mortgage for three years .
Speaker #6: And we did pay off the alt note after four years . So that's the only debt currently on the balance sheet . Other than we have .
Speaker #6: The capacity on our line of credit , which is at a zero balance . Currently $10 million capacity .
Speaker #7: Awesome. I appreciate the help, guys. I'll hop back in the queue.
Speaker #5: Thanks , Mark .
Speaker #3: And once again , if you'd like to ask a question , please press star one . Now on your telephone keypad , one moment while we queue .
Speaker #3: And it appears that we have no further questions . I'd be happy to return the call to management for closing comments . Actually , we do have a follow up from Mark Argento .
Speaker #3: Lake Street , your line is open .
Speaker #7: If I got the mic, I got the mic right. Let's keep going.
Speaker #5: Yeah , go for it , go for .
Speaker #7: It . Well , one I was gonna I was gonna ask , but wanted to see if somebody else would . Was just any updates on any progress in regards to heritage Capital and working down the , the , the portfolio there and the related , you know , related assets there .
Speaker #5: There's there's real progress . But I'll let Brian take over . Brian , go ahead .
Speaker #6: Yeah . So I just had a couple high level notes . This is this is really a long term workout that requires a couple of things .
Speaker #6: Meaning one alignment with our senior lenders and the borrowers . So all parties involved and requires a good plan . So we do have alignment with our senior lenders .
Speaker #6: And we do have a plan . And we've talked about the plan being one of the key initiatives in that plan being allocating cash to the legal process .
Speaker #6: So we've been spending we've been investing in that process since late last year . And initial results . Results are positive right now , and we're kind of on an accelerated time frame now after those results to get as many consumer accounts into the process as we can .
Speaker #6: So progress is is solid right now . No change to the reserve . And as long as we continue along this path , I think we'll be in the best position in the long term .
Speaker #7: Got it . Looks like you guys maybe got paid it down a little bit , like 100 , a couple hundred thousand bucks or something in the in the quarter .
Speaker #7: Is that accurate ?
Speaker #6: Yeah . We have a small portion of really high performing loans and good borrowers that that spins off some interest in interest income .
Speaker #6: So, we do, we are operating in a small profit right now.
Speaker #7: Got it . That's helpful . All right . That's it for me . Thanks guys .
Speaker #5: Thanks , Mark .
Speaker #3: And it appears that we have no further questions at this time . I'd be happy to once again return the program to our management for closing comments .
Speaker #5: Thank you all for joining . Thank you all for listening . Thank you all for sticking with us . I leave the call like I started the call feeling very positive that we're in the right place at the right time with the right opportunities right in front of us , and we positioned ourselves well to capture and optimize what exists in front of us .
Speaker #5: So I'm feeling good and hopefully you enjoyed the call . And we've given you some decent insight into where we're going . So thanks for joining .
Speaker #5: We're always available . If you want to check in with us , everyone have a great day .
Speaker #3: This does conclude today's conference . You may now disconnect your lines and everyone have a great day .