VGR-11.3.2011-8K


 
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): November 3, 2011

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
 
33,131
(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 November 3, 2011, Vector Group Ltd. announced its financial results for the three months ended September 30, 2011. 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 November 3, 2011

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, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer 
Date: November 3, 2011

3
VGR-11.3.2011-EX99.1


Exhibit 99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
 
Paul Caminiti/Carrie Bloom/Jonathan Doorley
 
 
Sard Verbinnen & Co
 
 
212-687-8080
VECTOR GROUP REPORTS THIRD QUARTER 2011 FINANCIAL RESULTS
 
MIAMI, FL, November 3, 2011 - Vector Group Ltd. (NYSE: VGR) today announced financial results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011.
Third quarter 2011 revenues were $289.0 million, compared to revenues of $295.1 million in the third quarter of 2010. The decline in revenues in 2011 was primarily due to decreased unit sales of approximately 5.9% in the 2011 period compared to the 2010 period. The Company recorded operating income of $37.9 million in the 2011 third quarter, compared to operating income of $29.9 million in the third quarter of 2010. Net income for the 2011 third quarter was $17.5 million, or $0.21 per diluted common share, compared to $10.9 million, or $0.14 per diluted common share, in the 2010 third quarter. The results for the three months ended September 30, 2011 included pre-tax gains from changes in the fair value of derivatives embedded within convertible debt of $4.4 million and the liquidation of long-term investments of $2.2 million. Adjusting for the pre-tax gains, third quarter 2011 net income was $13.6 million or $0.17 per diluted share. The results for the 2010 period included a $3.0 million pre-tax non-recurring settlement charge and $1.7 million of pre-tax gains from changes in fair value of derivatives embedded within convertible debt. Adjusting for these items, third quarter 2010 operating income was $32.9 million and net income was $11.7 million or $0.15 per diluted share.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2011, revenues were $840.6 million, compared to $785.7 million for the first nine months of 2010. The increase in revenues in 2011 was primarily due to increased unit sales of approximately 3.9% in the 2011 nine-month period compared to the 2010 period. The Company recorded operating income of $107.3 million for the 2011 nine-month period, compared to operating income of $82.0 million for the 2010 period. Net income for the 2011 nine-month period was $67.2 million, or $0.82 per diluted common share, compared to $42.1 million, or $0.52 per diluted common share, for the 2010 period. The results for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 included pre-tax gains from the liquidation of long-term investments of $25.8 million, changes in the fair value of derivatives embedded within convertible debt of $13.2 million and the sales of townhomes of $3.7 million offset by a loss on extinguishment of debt of $1.2 million. Adjusting for these items, net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 was $42.6 million or $0.53 per diluted share. Adjusting for the pre-tax charges related to the resolution of a litigation judgment of $14.4 million, settlement charges of $3.0 million and $12.7 million of non-cash gains from the Company's convertible debt, operating income for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 was $99.3 million and net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 was $44.8 million or $0.56 per diluted share.
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, the Company's tobacco business had revenues of $289.0 million and $840.6 million, respectively, compared to $295.1 million and $785.7 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, respectively. Operating income was $42.9 million for the third quarter of 2011 and $121.5 million for the first nine months of 2011, compared to $35.5 million and $96.5 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, respectively. Adjusting for the litigation judgment and settlement charges, operating income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 was $38.5 million and $113.9 million, respectively.

Conference Call to Discuss Third Quarter 2011 Results
As previously announced, the Company will host a conference call and webcast on Friday, November 4, 2011 at 11:00 A.M. (ET) to discuss third quarter 2011 results. Investors can access the call by dialing 800-859-8150 and entering 20257968 as the conference ID number. The call will also be available via live webcast at www.investorcalendar.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 November 4, 2011 through November 18, 2011. To access the replay, dial 877-656-8905 and enter 20257968 as the conference ID number. The archived webcast will also be available at www.investorcalendar.com for 30 days.
Vector Group is a holding company that indirectly owns Liggett Group LLC and Vector Tobacco Inc. and directly owns 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 Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
2011
 
2010
 
2011
 
2010
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues*
$
288,995

 
$
295,124

 
$
840,553

 
$
785,671

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of goods sold*
227,863

 
239,160

 
664,113

 
620,065

Operating, selling, administrative and general expenses
23,277

 
26,088

 
69,142

 
69,274

Litigation judgment expense

 

 

 
14,361

Operating income
37,855

 
29,876

 
107,298

 
81,971

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other income (expenses):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
(25,421
)
 
(21,511
)
 
(75,431
)
 
(61,086
)
Change in fair value of derivatives embedded within convertible debt
4,386

 
1,660

 
13,248

 
12,735

Loss on extinguishment of debt

 

 
(1,217
)
 

Equity income from non-consolidated real estate businesses
6,496

 
7,060

 
17,597

 
18,838

Equity (loss) income on long-term investments
(1,699
)
 
(436
)
 
(1,090
)
 
2,334

Gain on sale of investment securities available for sale
6,017

 
708

 
20,558

 
11,819

Gain on liquidation of long-term investments
2,221

 

 
25,832

 

Gain on sales of townhomes
10

 

 
3,722

 

Other, net
135

 
179

 
351

 
387

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income before provision for income taxes
30,000

 
17,536

 
110,868

 
66,998

Income tax expense
12,451

 
6,629

 
43,645

 
24,930

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
17,549

 
$
10,907

 
$
67,223

 
$
42,068

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Per basic common share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income applicable to common shares
$
0.22

 
$
0.14

 
$
0.84

 
$
0.53

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Per diluted common share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income applicable to common shares
$
0.21

 
$
0.14

 
$
0.82

 
$
0.52

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash distributions and dividends declared per share
$
0.38

 
$
0.36

 
$
1.14

 
$
1.09

                                      

* Revenues and Cost of goods sold include excise taxes of $141,473, $150,413, $412,041 and $396,823, respectively.