Hrg Group Inc fka HRG

[Enterprising Investor]

HRG Grows Consumer Segment Through Spectrum Brands Acquisition of Stanley Black & Decker’s Hardware & Home Improvement Group (10/09/12)

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Harbinger Group Inc. ("HGI" or the "Company"; NYSE: HRG) today announced that Spectrum Brands Holdings, Inc. (“Spectrum Brands”; NYSE: SPB), HGI's majority owned global and diversified consumer products subsidiary, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire the Hardware & Home Improvement Group (“HHI”) of Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. (NYSE: SWK) for $1.4 billion in cash.

We are extremely excited about this significant transaction, which is expected to increase Spectrum Brands’ top line growth and margins, and be significantly and immediately accretive to Spectrum Brands EPS, EBITDA and free cash flow before synergies,” said HGI's President, Omar Asali. “This transaction adds renowned brands with top market share positions in growing markets, which will increase Spectrum Brands’ scale and product diversity while creating a platform for significant future global growth. Executing on these types of strategic transactions is a testament to the shared commitment of the Spectrum Brands management team and HGI as the majority shareholder to continue to drive value creation for all shareholders over time.”

HHI is a manufacturer of residential locksets, residential builders’ hardware and faucets for residential application with such renowned brands as Kwikset, Weiser, Baldwin, National Hardware, Stanley, FANAL, Pfister and EZSET.

For additional details on Spectrum Brands’ acquisition of HHI and any other related announcements and any changes thereto (if any), please refer to the Investor Relations section of the Spectrum Brands website, at www.spectrumbrands.com. Interested parties may also read Spectrum Brands’ press release, dated October 9, 2012, regarding the HHI acquisition, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit A below.

About Harbinger Group Inc.

Harbinger Group Inc. ("HGI"; NYSE: HRG) is a diversified holding company. HGI’s principal operations are conducted through subsidiaries that offer life insurance and annuity products, and branded consumer products such as batteries, personal care products, small household appliances, pet supplies, and home and garden pest control products. HGI is principally focused on acquiring controlling and other equity stakes in businesses across a diversified range of industries and growing its existing businesses. In addition to HGI’s intention to acquire controlling equity interests, HGI may also from time to time make investments in debt instruments and acquire minority equity interests in companies. Harbinger Group Inc. is headquartered in New York and traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol HRG. For more information on HGI, visit: www.harbingergroupinc.com.

About Spectrum Brands Holdings, Inc.

On January 7, 2011, HGI completed the first step of its business strategy with the acquisition of Spectrum Brands Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: SPB). Spectrum Brands continues as a stand-alone company with its common stock traded on the New York Stock Exchange. Spectrum Brands, a member of the Russell 2000 Index, is a global and diversified consumer products company and a leading supplier of batteries, shaving and grooming products, personal care products, small household appliances, specialty pet supplies, lawn & garden and home pest control products, personal insect repellents and portable lighting. Helping to meet the needs of consumers worldwide, Spectrum Brands offers a broad portfolio of market-leading, well-known and widely trusted brands including Rayovac®, Varta®, Remington®, George Foreman®, Black & Decker®, Russell Hobbs®, Toastmaster®, Farberware®, Tetra®, Marineland®, Nature’s Miracle®, Dingo®, 8-in-1®, FURminator®, Littermaid®, Spectracide®, Cutter®, Repel®, Hot Shot® and Black Flag®. Spectrum Brands' products are sold by the world's top 25 retailers and are available in more than one million stores in approximately 120 countries. With nearly 6,000 employees in 43 countries, Spectrum Brands generated net sales of approximately $3.2 billion in Fiscal 2011. For more information on Spectrum Brands, visit: www.spectrumbrands.com.

Forward Looking Statements

"Safe Harbor" Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Some of the statements contained in the Press Release, including those statements related to acquisition of HHI and related activities, are or may be forward-looking statements based upon management's current expectations that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, events and developments to differ materially from those set forth in or implied by such forward-looking statements. These statements and other forward-looking statements made from time-to-time by HGI and its representatives are based upon certain assumptions and describe future plans, strategies and expectations of HGI, are generally identifiable by use of the words "believes," "expects," "intends," "anticipates," "plans," "seeks," "estimates," "projects," "may" or similar expressions. Factors that could cause actual results, events and developments to differ include, without limitation, the ability of HGI’s subsidiaries to generate sufficient net income and cash flows to make upstream cash distributions, capital market conditions, the risk that HGI may not be successful in identifying any suitable future acquisition opportunities, the risks that may affect the performance of the operating subsidiaries of HGI and those factors listed under the caption "Risk Factors" in HGI’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements described herein are qualified by these cautionary statements and there can be no assurance that the actual results, events or developments referenced herein will occur or be realized. Neither HGI nor any of its affiliates undertake any obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events or changes to future operation results.

Exhibit A

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts

Investors:

Dave Prichard
Spectrum Brands Holdings
608.278.6141

Media:
Jamie Tully/Michael Henson
Sard Verbinnen & Co
212.687.8080

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