RISK FACTORS
Before investing in the Notes, you should carefully consider the risk factors discussed below and the risk factors incorporated by reference into this offering circular. See “Where You Can Find More Information.” Any of these risk factors could materially and adversely affect our or our subsidiaries’ business, financial condition and results of operations. These risk factors are not the only risks that we or our subsidiaries may face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or our subsidiaries or that are not currently believed to be material also may adversely affect us or our subsidiaries. These risk factors may be amended, supplemented or superseded from time to time by other reports we file with the SEC in the future.
Risks Related to the Notes
We are a holding company and our only material assets are our equity interests in our operating subsidiaries and our other investments; as a result, our principal source of revenue and cash flow is distributions from our subsidiaries; our subsidiaries may be limited by law and by contract in making distributions to us.
As a holding company, our only material assets are our cash on hand, the equity interests in our subsidiaries and other investments. As of September 30, 2015, excluding cash, cash equivalents and investments held by our subsidiaries, we had approximately $331.3 million in cash, cash equivalents and investments, which includes $33.2 million held by our wholly-owned subsidiary, HGI Funding. Our principal source of revenue and cash flow is distributions from our subsidiaries. Thus, our ability to service our debt, finance acquisitions and pay dividends to our stockholders in the future is dependent on the ability of our subsidiaries to generate sufficient net income and cash flows to make upstream cash distributions to us. Our subsidiaries are and will continue to be separate legal entities, and although they may be wholly-owned or controlled by us, they have no obligation to make any funds available to us, whether in the form of loans, dividends, distributions or otherwise. The boards of directors of our subsidiaries may consider a range of factors and consider their stockholders’ constituencies (including public stockholders) as a whole when making decisions about dividends or other payments. The ability of our subsidiaries to distribute cash to us will also be subject to, among other things, restrictions that are contained in our subsidiaries’ financing agreements, availability of sufficient funds in such subsidiaries and applicable state laws and regulatory restrictions. Claims of creditors of our subsidiaries generally will have priority as to the assets of such subsidiaries over our claims and claims of our creditors and stockholders. To the extent the ability of our subsidiaries to distribute dividends or other payments to us could be limited in any way, our liquidity and ability to grow, pursue business opportunities or make acquisitions that could be beneficial to our businesses, or otherwise fund and conduct our business could be materially limited.
As an example, our subsidiary Spectrum Brands is a holding company with limited business operations of its own and its main assets are the capital stock of its subsidiaries, principally SBI. The terms of SBI’s indebtedness may limit its ability to pay dividends to Spectrum Brands and to us. See Part I, Item IA. “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Spectrum Brands’ Business—Spectrum Brands’ substantial indebtedness may limit its financial and operating flexibility, and Spectrum Brands may incur additional debt, which could increase the risks associated with its substantial indebtedness.” and Part I, Item IA. “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Spectrum Brands’ Business—Restrictive covenants in the SBI Senior Secured Facilities and the SBI Indentures may restrict SBI’s ability to pursue its business strategies.” contained in our 2015 Annual Report.
Our subsidiary, FGL, is also a holding company with limited business operations of its own. Its main assets are the capital stock of its subsidiaries, which are principally regulated insurance companies, whose ability to pay dividends is limited by applicable insurance laws. Accordingly, FGL’s payment of dividends is dependent, to a significant extent, on the generation of cash flow by its subsidiaries and their ability to make such cash available to FGL, by dividend or otherwise. FGL’s subsidiaries may not be able to, or may not be permitted to, make distributions to enable FGL to meet its obligations and pay dividends. Each subsidiary is a distinct legal entity and legal and contractual restrictions may also limit FGL’s ability to obtain cash from its subsidiaries. See Part I, Item 1. “Business—Our Operating Subsidiaries—FGL—Regulation—Financial Regulation—Dividend and Other Distribution Payment Limitations” and Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors—Risks Related to FGL’s and Front Street’s Businesses—The agreements and instruments governing FGL’s debt contain significant operating and financial restrictions, which may prevent FGL from capitalizing on business opportunities.” in our 2015 Annual Report. As discussed in our 2015 Annual Report, while the agreements governing the FGL Merger permit FGL to pay a regular quarterly cash dividend on its common stock in an amount not in excess of $0.065 per share, per quarter, FGL may not pay any other dividends without the consent of Anbang. In addition, if the FGL Merger is consummated, while we will receive the proceeds from the sale of our shares of FGL common stock, we will no longer receive dividends from FGL.
Additionally, the terms of Compass’ indebtedness and recent declines in oil and gas prices may continue to adversely affect Compass' cash flow, may further limit Compass' business operations, may prevent Compass from remaining in compliance with the covenants in its credit facility agreement, and/or further limit Compass' ability to pay distributions to us. Compass may also require additional equity infusions or other support in the near or long term future. In November 2015, HGI Funding provided a limited guaranty with respect to a portion of Compass’ indebtedness. HGI Funding's limited guaranty may not be sufficient credit support for the operations of Compass, to maintain Compass' compliance with the covenants in its credit facility agreement and/or HGI Funding may decide to withdraw (to the extent it may do so under the guaranty documents) or not to provide any other forms of credit
