Vector Group Ltd.
 

 
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) : March 16, 2007
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
DELAWARE
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)
     
1-5759   65-0949535
     
(Commission File Number)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
     
100 S.E. Second Street, Miami, Florida   33131
     
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)
(305) 579-8000
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
(Not Applicable)
(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)
     Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
     o     Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
     o     Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
     o     Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
     o     Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
 
 

 


 

Item 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Condition
     On March 16, 2007, Vector Group Ltd. announced its financial results for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2006. The full text of the press release issued in connection with the announcement is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.
     The information in this Current Report on Form 8-K and the Exhibit attached hereto is being furnished and shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Exchange Act, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibit
     (c) Exhibit.
         
Exhibit No.   Exhibit
  99.1    
Press Release issued March 16, 2007

2


 

SIGNATURE
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
         
  VECTOR GROUP LTD.
 
 
  By:   /s/ J. Bryant Kirkland III    
    J. Bryant Kirkland III   
    Vice President and Chief Financial Officer   
 
Date: March 16, 2007

3

EX-99.1 Press Release
 

Exhibit 99.1
(Letterhead)
VECTOR GROUP REPORTS FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL YEAR 2006 FINANCIAL RESULTS
 
     MIAMI, FL, March 16, 2007 — Vector Group Ltd. (NYSE: VGR) today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2006.
     For the full year ended December 31, 2006, revenues were $506.3 million, compared to $478.4 million for 2005. The Company recorded operating income of $101.0 million for 2006, compared to operating income of $89.1 million for 2005. The results for 2005 include a pre-tax gain of $12.7 million on the sale of real estate. Income from continuing operations was $42.7 million for 2006, or $0.71 per diluted common share, compared to income of $42.6 million, or $0.86 per diluted common share, for 2005. Income from discontinued operations was $3.0 million in 2005, and income from extraordinary item was $6.8 million in 2005. Net income for 2006 was $42.7 million, or $0.71 per diluted common share, compared to income of $52.4 million, or $1.06 per diluted common share, for 2005.
     Fourth quarter 2006 revenues were $137.5 million, compared to revenues of $136.2 million in the fourth quarter 2005. The Company recorded operating income of $32.6 million in the 2006 fourth quarter, compared to operating income of $26.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2005. The results for the fourth quarter 2005 included the $12.7 million pre-tax gain on the sale of real estate. Income from continuing operations was $15.8 million for the fourth quarter 2006, or $0.25 per diluted share, compared to income of $12.0 million, or $0.23 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter 2005. Income from extraordinary item was $6.8 million in the fourth quarter 2005. Net income for the 2006 fourth quarter was $15.8 million, or $0.25 per diluted common

 


 

share, compared to net income of $18.8 million, or $0.36 per diluted common share, in the 2005 fourth quarter.
     For the three months and year ended December 31, 2006, the Company’s conventional cigarette business, which includes Liggett Group cigarettes and USA brand cigarettes, had revenues of $136.2 million and $499.5 million, respectively, compared to $134.1 million and $468.7 million for the three months and full year ended December 31, 2005, respectively. Operating income was $44.6 million for the fourth quarter 2006 and $140.5 million for the full year 2006, compared to $45.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2005 and $143.4 million for the full year 2005. The 2006 fourth quarter and full year results included a pre-tax gain on sale of assets of $2.5 million. The 2005 fourth quarter and full year results included the pre-tax gain on sale of real estate of $12.7 million and the 2005 full year results included a special federal quota stock liquidation assessment under the federal tobacco buyout legislation of $5.2 million.
     Conference Call to Discuss Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2006 Results
     As previously announced, the Company will host a conference call and webcast on Monday, March 19, 2007 at 11:00 A.M. (DST) to discuss fourth quarter and full year 2006 results. Investors can access the call by dialing 800-859-8150 and entering 85066940 as the conference ID number. The call will also be available via live webcast at www.vcall.com
     A replay of the call will be available shortly after the call ends on March 19, 2007 through April 2, 2007. To access the replay, dial 877-656-8905 and enter 41379161 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]
# # #

 


 

VECTOR GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(
Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
                                 
    Three Months ended     Twelve Months ended  
    December 31,     December 31,  
    2006     2005     2006     2005  
            Revised           Revised  
Revenues*
  $ 137,528     $ 136,176     $ 506,252     $ 478,427  
 
                               
Expenses:
                               
Cost of goods sold*
    84,189       82,613       315,163       285,393  
Operating, selling, administrative and general expenses
    21,737       37,563       90,833       114,048  
Gain on sale of assets
    (2,476 )     (12,748 )     (2,210 )     (12,748 )
Provision for loss on uncollectible receivable
          2,750             2,750  
Restructuring and impairment charges
    1,437       (127 )     1,437       (127 )
 
                       
Operating income
    32,641       26,125       101,029       89,111  
 
                               
Other income (expenses):
                               
Interest and dividend income
    2,617       2,350       9,000       5,610  
Interest expense
    (9,981 )     (7,449 )     (37,776 )     (29,812 )
Changes in fair value of derivatives embedded within convertible debt
    1,337       824       112       3,082  
Loss on extinguishment of debt
                (16,166 )      
Gain on investments, net
    1,633       (7 )     3,019       1,426  
Gain from conversion of LTS notes
                      9,461  
Equity in loss on operations of LTS
                      (299 )
Equity income (loss) from non-consolidated real estate businesses
    (640 )     1,341       9,086       7,543  
Other, net
    18       (423 )     176       (354 )
 
                       
 
                               
Income from continuing operations before provision for income taxes and minority interests
    27,625       22,761       68,480       85,768  
Income tax expense
    (11,834 )     (11,196 )     (25,768 )     (41,214 )
Minority interests
          434             (1,969 )
 
                       
 
                               
Income from continuing operations
    15,791       11,999       42,712       42,585  
 
                               
Discontinued operations:
                               
Income from discontinued operations, net of minority interests and taxes
                      82  
Gain on disposal of discontinued operations, net of minority interests and taxes
                      2,952  
 
                       
 
                               
Income from discontinued operations
                      3,034  
 
                       
 
                               
Income before extraordinary item
          11,999       42,712       45,619  
 
                               
Extraordinary item, unallocated negative goodwill
          6,766             6,766  
 
                       
 
                               
Net income
  $ 15,791     $ 18,765     $ 42,712     $ 52,385  
 
                       
 
                               
Per basic common share:
                               
 
                               
Income from continuing operations
  $ 0.26     $ 0.26     $ 0.73     $ 0.91  
 
                       
 
                               
Income from discontinued operations
  $ 0.00     $ 0.00     $ 0.00     $ 0.07  
 
                       
 
                               
Income from extraordinary item
  $ 0.00     $ 0.14     $ 0.00     $ 0.15  
 
                       
 
                               
Net income applicable to common shares
  $ 0.26     $ 0.40     $ 0.73     $ 1.13  
 
                       
 
                               
Per diluted common share:
                               
 
                               
Income from continuing operations
  $ 0.25     $ 0.23     $ 0.71     $ 0.86  
 
                       
 
                               
Income from discontinued operations
  $ 0.00     $ 0.00     $ 0.00     $ 0.06  
 
                       
 
                               
Income from extraordinary item
  $ 0.00     $ 0.13     $ 0.00     $ 0.14  
 
                       
 
                               
Net income applicable to common shares
  $ 0.25     $ 0.36     $ 0.71     $ 1.06  
 
                       
 
                               
Cash distributions declared per share
  $ 0.40     $ 0.38     $ 1.54     $ 1.47  
 
                       
 
*   Revenues and Cost of goods sold include excise taxes of $46,383, $48,897, $174,339 and $161,753, respectively.