Vector Group Reports Second Quarter 2007 Financial Results
Vector Group Reports Second Quarter 2007 Financial Results
August 6, 2007 at 12:00 AM EDT
Second quarter 2007 revenues were $140.4 million, compared to revenues of $113.4 million in the second quarter of 2006. The Company recorded operating income of $29.2 million in the 2007 second quarter, compared to operating income of $22.5 million in the second quarter of 2006. Net income for the 2007 second quarter was $21.4 million, or $0.34 per diluted common share, compared to net loss of $2.7 million, or $0.05 per diluted common share, in the 2006 second quarter. The results for the three months ended June 30, 2007 included an $8.1 million pre-tax gain from the exchange of notes receivable from Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services Inc., which had been previously written-off, for shares of Ladenburg common stock and approximately $1.7 million of accrued interest. Adjusting for this gain, the Company’s income for the 2007 second quarter would have been $16.6 million, or $0.27 per diluted common share. The results for the three months ended June 30, 2006 included a non-cash charge of $14.9 million associated with the issuance in June 2006 of additional shares of common stock in connection with the conversion of $70 million of the Company’s 6.25% convertible notes due 2008. Adjusting for this debt conversion expense, the Company’s net income for the 2006 second quarter would have been $12.2 million, or $0.21 per diluted common share.
For the six months ended June 30, 2007, revenues were $274.2 million, compared to $231.1 million for the first six months of 2006. The Company recorded operating income of $54.9 million for the 2007 six-month period, compared to operating income of $42.7 million for the 2006 period. Net income for the 2007 six-month period was $44.5 million, or $0.71 per diluted common share, compared to net income of $7.3 million, or $0.13 per diluted common share, for the 2006 period. The results for the six months ended June 30, 2007 included a $19.6 million pre-tax gain associated with the Company’s previously announced NASA litigation settlement and the $8.1 million pre-tax gain related to the exchange of notes receivable from Ladenburg. Adjusting for these gains, the Company’s income for the six months ended June 30, 2007 would have been $28.2 million, or $0.45 per diluted common share. The results for the six months ended June 30, 2006 included the debt conversion expense of $14.9 million. Adjusting for this debt conversion expense, net income for the first six months of 2006 would have been $22.2 million or $0.38 per diluted common share.
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2007, the Company’s conventional cigarette business, which includes Liggett Group cigarettes and USA brand cigarettes, had revenues of $139.3 million and $272.1 million, respectively, compared to $111.6 million and $227.4 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2006, respectively. Operating income was $37.5 million for the second quarter of 2007 and $72.9 million for the first six months of 2007, compared to $30.9 million and $61.3 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2006, respectively.
Conference Call To Discuss Second Quarter 2007 Results
As previously announced, the Company will host a conference call and webcast on Monday, August 6, 2007 at 11:00 A.M. (ET) to discuss second quarter 2007 results. Investors can access the call by dialing 800-859-8150 and entering 78220877 as the conference ID number. The call will also be available via live webcast at www.vcall.com.
A replay of the call will also be available shortly after the call ends on August 6, 2007 through August 20, 2007. To access the replay, dial 877-656-8905 and enter 78220877 as the conference ID number. The archived webcast will also be available at www.vcall.com for 30 days.
Vector Group is a holding company that indirectly owns Liggett Group LLC, Vector Tobacco Inc. and New Valley LLC. Additional information concerning the company is available on the company’s website, www.VectorGroupLtd.com.
[Financial Table Follows]
# # #
Contact:
Paul Caminiti/Carrie Bloom/Jonathan Doorley
Sard Verbinnen & Co
212/687 - 8080