HRG Still Paying for RadioShack Failure With Two Units on Hook
HRG Group Inc., the holding company formerly known as Harbinger Group Inc., is still paying for the collapse of RadioShack Corp. as it seeks to recover from losses on loans two units made to the retailer before its bankruptcy filing, Bloomberg News reported today. Fidelity & Guaranty Life said on Wednesday that its participation in a $250 million loan to RadioShack arranged by HRG-owned Salus Capital Partners contributed to a $32 million impairment charge that wiped out its first-quarter profit. Harbinger bought FGL in 2011 under former Chairman Philip Falcone, then sold a stake of about 19 percent in an initial public offering in 2013. HRG said in a statement it’s considering the sale of the remaining stake. It’s also reviewing options for Salus that include a sale of the firm after the lender suffered losses linked to the RadioShack loan.