<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001193125-13-124568.txt : 20130501
<SEC-HEADER>0001193125-13-124568.hdr.sgml : 20130501
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20130325172847
<PRIVATE-TO-PUBLIC>
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001193125-13-124568
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	CORRESP
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
FILED AS OF DATE:		20130325

FILER:

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			HARBINGER GROUP INC.
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000109177
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	MISCELLANEOUS ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES [3690]
		IRS NUMBER:				741339132
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0930

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		CORRESP

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		450 PARK AVENUE
		STREET 2:		30TH FLOOR
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10022
		BUSINESS PHONE:		212-906-8548

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		450 PARK AVENUE
		STREET 2:		30TH FLOOR
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10022

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	ZAPATA CORP
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920703

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	ZAPATA NORNESS INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19720314

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	ZAPATA OFF SHORE CO
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19690115
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>CORRESP
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>filename1.htm
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<TITLE>Response Letter</TITLE>
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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">March 25, 2013 </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Attention: Mr. Brian Cascio, Accounting Branch Chief </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">United States Securities and Exchange
Commission </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Division of Corporate Finance </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">100 F Street, N.E. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Washington, D.C. 20549 </FONT></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:14%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>Re: Harbinger Group Inc. </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:14%"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>Form 10-K for the Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2012 </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:14%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>Filed November
27, 2012 </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:14%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>File No. 001-04219 </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Dear Mr. Cascio: </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">On behalf of Harbinger Group Inc. (the
&#147;<U>Company</U>&#148;), I am writing in response to the comments contained in the letter from the staff (the &#147;Staff&#148;) of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the &#147;<U>Commission</U>&#148;) addressed to the
undersigned, dated March 19, 2013 (the &#147;<U>Comment Letter</U>&#148;), regarding the above referenced filing. The Staff&#146;s comments and related response from the Company are set forth below and are keyed to the sequential numbering of the
comments used in the Comment Letter. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">In responding to the Staff&#146;s comments, we acknowledge that: </FONT></P>
<P STYLE="font-size:6px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">a)</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">the Company is responsible for the adequacy and accuracy of the disclosure in the filing; </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="font-size:6px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">b)</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Staff Comments or changes to disclosure in response to Staff comments do not foreclose the Commission from taking any action with respect to the filing; and
</FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">c)</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">the Company may not assert Staff comments as a defense in any proceeding initiated by the Commission or any person under the federal securities laws of the United
States. </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:18px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>Staff&#146;s Comment: </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B><U>Item 1. Business, page 8</U> </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B><U>The EXCO/HGI Partnership, page 9</U> </B></FONT></P>


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<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><I>1.</I></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><I>We see that under the terms of the EXCO/HGI Purchase Agreement, and subject to the terms, conditions and purchase price adjustments set forth therein, the EXCO/HGI
Partnership will acquire oil and gas assets from EXCO Parent for approximately $725 million of total consideration, subject to customary closing adjustments to reflect an effective date of July 1, 2012. Please tell us why the effective date is July
1, 2012 since the acquisition did not close until February 2013. Please also clarify when the acquisition will be included in your consolidated results. </I></FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:18px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>Response to Comment 1: </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">In response to the Staff&#146;s comments, the
Company respectfully notes that July 1, 2012 represents the date chosen by the parties for establishing the economic terms of the transaction and is similar to a working capital adjustment. The July 1, 2012 date does not represent the accounting
acquisition date of the oil and gas assets by the EXCO/HGI Partnership. The EXCO/HGI Partnership assumed control of the oil and gas assets on the date of the closing or February 14, 2013 and will fair value the assets and liabilities assumed in
accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (&#147;ASC&#148;) 805, Business Combinations, as of that date. The Company will reflect the investment in the partnership in our consolidated results starting from the February 14, 2013 closing date.
</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:18px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>Staff&#146;s Comment: </B></FONT></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B><U>Harbinger F&amp;G, LLC Financial Statement, page S-56</U> </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B><U>Independent Auditor&#146;s Report, page S-57</U> </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="font-size:6px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><I>2.</I></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><I>Please amend your filing to provide a signed audit opinion for Harbinger F&amp;G, LLC. Please note that in the amended Form&nbsp;10-K you include the entire Item of
Form 10-K that is impacted. </I></FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:18px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Response to Comment 2: </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">In response to the Staff&#146;s comment, the Company will file an amendment to the 10-K, which will provide the signed audit opinion for Harbinger F&amp;G, LLC. </FONT></P>

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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">If you have any questions concerning the above response, please do not hesitate to contact
the undersigned at (212) 906-8555. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P><DIV ALIGN="right">
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<TD VALIGN="top" COLSPAN="3"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Sincerely,</FONT></TD></TR>
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<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">By:</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:1px;border-bottom:1px solid #000000"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">/s/ Thomas A. Williams</FONT></P></TD></TR>
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<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="3"></TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top" COLSPAN="3"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Thomas A. Williams</FONT></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Executive Vice President &amp; Chief</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:1px"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Financial
Officer</FONT></P></TD></TR>
</TABLE></DIV> <P STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="5%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">cc:</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Ehsan Zargar, Vice President, Counsel &amp; Corporate Secretary </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE>
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<TD WIDTH="5%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Harbinger Group Inc. </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="5%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Raphael M. Russo, Partner </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
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<TD WIDTH="5%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton &amp; Garrison LLP </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="5%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Martin James, Senior Assistant Chief Accountant </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
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<TD WIDTH="5%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">United States Securities and Exchange Commission </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="5%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Julie Sherman, Staff Accountant </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
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<TD WIDTH="5%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">United States Securities and Exchange Commission </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE>
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