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

VECTOR GROUP LTD.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

DELAWARE

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

(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 May 6, 2010, Vector Group Ltd. announced its financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2010. 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 May 6, 2010

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, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer

Date: May 6, 2010

Exhibit 99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:		Paul Caminiti/Carrie Bloom/Jonathan Doorley
		Sard Verbinnen & Co
		212-687-8080

VECTOR GROUP REPORTS FIRST QUARTER 2010 FINANCIAL RESULTS

     MIAMI, FL, May 6, 2010 — Vector Group Ltd. (NYSE: VGR) today announced financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2010.

     First quarter 2010 revenues were $222.1 million, compared to $121.2 million for 2009. The increase in revenues in 2010 was primarily due to the increase in federal excise taxes on cigarettes, which became effective on April 1, 2009. The Company recorded operating income of $31.0 million for 2010, compared to operating income of $31.2 million for 2009. Net income for 2010 was $11.9 million, or $0.15 per diluted common share, compared to net income of $3.1 million, or $0.04 per diluted common share, for 2009. The results for 2009 included a one-time pre-tax gain of $5.0 million related to an exercise of an option from the 1999 brand transaction with Philip Morris, pre-tax impairment charges of $8.5 million on real estate investments and $1.0 million of restructuring charges. Adjusting for these items, the Company’s net income for 2009 would have been $5.7 million, or $0.08 per diluted common share.

     For the three months ended March 31, 2010, the Company’s tobacco business had revenues of $222.1 million, compared to $121.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009. Operating income was $34.9 million for the first quarter 2010, compared to $35.6 million for the first quarter of 2009. Adjusting for the one-time gain on the brand transaction and the restructuring charges, operating income for the first quarter of 2009 would have been $31.6 million. As a result of the suspension of the marketing of low nicotine and nicotine-free cigarette products as well as a significant reduction in Vector Tobacco’s research-related activities, the Liggett and Vector Tobacco businesses have been combined into a single segment and 2009 information has been recast to conform to the 2010 presentation.

-more-

     Conference Call to Discuss First Quarter 2010 Results

     As previously announced, the Company will host a conference call and webcast on Friday, May 7, 2010 at 11:00 A.M. (ET) to discuss first quarter 2010 results. Investors can access the call by dialing 800-859-8150 and entering 19396815 as the conference ID number. The call will also be available via live webcast at www.vcall.com. Webcast participants should allot extra time before the webcast begins to register.

     A replay of the call will be available shortly after the call ends on May 7, 2010 through May 21, 2010. To access the replay, dial 877-656-8905 and enter 19396815 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
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Unaudited

		Three Months				Three Months
		Ended				Ended
		March 31, 2010				March 31, 2009
Revenues*		$	222,087			$	121,216
Expenses:
Cost of goods sold*			169,911				72,526
Operating, selling, administrative and general expenses			21,158				21,530
Gain on brand transaction			—				(5,000	)
Restructuring charges			—				1,000
Operating income			31,018				31,160
Other income (expenses):
Interest and dividend income			65				150
Interest expense			(18,805	)			(16,074	)
Change in fair value of derivatives embedded within convertible debt			(2,714	)			(303	)
Impairment charges on investments			—				(8,500	)
Equity income (loss) from non-consolidated real estate businesses			4,571				(995	)
Gain on the sale of investment securities available for sale			4,664				—
Other, net			61				—
Income before provision for income taxes			18,860				5,438
Income tax expense			6,922				2,338
Net income		$	11,938			$	3,100
Per basic common share:
Net income applicable to common shares		$	0.17			$	0.04
Per diluted common share:
Net income applicable to common shares		$	0.15			$	0.04
Cash distributions and dividends declared per share		$	0.40			$	0.38