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2014 Q1 10Q


 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 10-Q
 

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For The Quarterly Period Ended March 31, 2014
 

VECTOR GROUP LTD.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
1-5759
65-0949535
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation
Commission File Number
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)
 
 

4400 Biscayne Boulevard
Miami, Florida 33137
305/579-8000
(Address, including zip code and telephone number, including area code,
of the principal executive offices)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
x Yes o No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
x Yes o No

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See definition of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
x Large accelerated filer
o  Accelerated filer
o  Non-accelerated filer
o  Smaller reporting company
 
 
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
 

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
o Yes x No

At May 12, 2014, Vector Group Ltd. had 99,763,436 shares of common stock outstanding.

 



VECTOR GROUP LTD.

FORM 10-Q

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 
Page
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
 
 
Item 1. Vector Group Ltd. Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


1
VECTOR GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Unaudited

 
March 31,
2014
 
December 31,
2013
ASSETS:
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
381,476

 
$
234,466

Investment securities available for sale
180,836

 
172,534

Accounts receivable - trade, net
13,181

 
12,159

Inventories
110,030

 
93,496

Deferred income taxes
28,424

 
50,479

Income tax receivable, net
22,160

 
—

Restricted assets
3,517

 
1,785

Other current assets
27,254

 
23,392

Total current assets
766,878

 
588,311

Property, plant and equipment, net
81,090

 
79,258

Investments in consolidated real estate businesses, net
21,087

 
20,911

Long-term investments accounted for at cost
21,787

 
20,788

Long-term investments accounted for under the equity method
12,834

 
8,595

Investments in non-consolidated real estate businesses
129,879

 
128,202

Restricted assets
11,011

 
11,981

Deferred income taxes
59,015

 
51,474

Intangible assets. net
9,382

 
11,919

Goodwill
71,681

 
71,681

Trademarks
80,000

 
80,000

Intangible asset associated with benefit under the Master Settlement Agreement
107,511

 
107,511

Prepaid pension costs
26,872

 
26,080

Other assets
60,218

 
53,553

Total assets
$
1,459,245

 
$
1,260,264

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIENCY:
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
   Current portion of notes payable and long-term debt
$
132,791

 
$
151,577

   Current portion of fair value of derivatives embedded within convertible debt
12,107

 
19,128

 Current payments due under the Master Settlement Agreement
49,919

 
25,348

   Current portion of employee benefits
939

 
939

Accounts payable
9,515

 
26,799

Accrued promotional expenses
18,566

 
18,655

Income taxes payable
3,145

 
6,423

Accrued excise and payroll taxes payable, net
23,528

 
11,621

Litigation accruals
4,797

 
59,310

Deferred income taxes
50,454

 
45,734

Accrued interest
13,099

 
21,968

Other current liabilities
25,555

 
17,608

Total current liabilities
344,415

 
405,110

Notes payable, long-term debt and other obligations, less current portion
690,826

 
540,766

Fair value of derivatives embedded within convertible debt
181,868

 
92,934

Non-current employee benefits
48,232

 
47,917

Deferred income taxes
151,986

 
137,650

Payments due under the Master Settlement Agreement
27,571

 
27,571

Litigation accruals
23,746

 
27,058

Other liabilities
3,176

 
2,867

Total liabilities
1,471,820

 
1,281,873

Commitments and contingencies

 

Stockholders' deficiency:
 
 
 
Preferred stock, par value $1.00 per share, 10,000,000 shares authorized
—

 
—

Common stock, par value $0.10 per share, 150,000,000 shares authorized, 103,668,756 and 101,430,853 shares issued and 99,720,901 and 97,482,998 shares outstanding
9,972

 
9,748

Additional paid-in capital
—

 
—

Accumulated deficit
(112,234
)
 
(114,787
)
Accumulated other comprehensive income
28,168

 
22,860

Less: 3,947,855 and 3,947,855 shares of common stock in treasury, at cost
(12,857
)
 
(12,857
)
Total Vector Group Ltd. stockholders' deficiency
(86,951
)
 
(95,036
)
Non-controlling interest
74,376

 
73,427

Total stockholders' deficiency
(12,575
)
 
(21,609
)
Total liabilities and stockholders' deficiency
$
1,459,245

 
$
1,260,264


The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated financial statements.

2


VECTOR GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Unaudited

 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2014
 
2013
Revenues:
 
 
 
   Tobacco*
$
233,392

 
$
240,402

   Real estate
108,044

 
5,767

   E-Cigarettes
5,800

 
—

          Total revenues
347,236

 
246,169

 
 
 
 
Expenses:
 
 
 
   Cost of sales:
 
 
 
     Tobacco*
168,166

 
172,956

     Real estate
67,324

 
4,221

     E-Cigarettes
3,547

 
—

        Total cost of sales
239,037

 
177,177

 
 
 
 
Operating, selling, administrative and general expenses
65,477

 
25,896

Operating income
42,722

 
43,096

 
 
 
 
Other income (expenses):
 
 
 
Interest expense
(35,453
)
 
(33,376
)
Loss on extinguishment of debt
—

 
(21,458
)
Change in fair value of derivatives embedded within convertible debt
(1,650
)
 
3,049

Acceleration of interest expense related to debt conversion
(3,679
)
 
—

Equity income from non-consolidated real estate businesses
1,552

 
481

Equity income (loss) on long-term investments
906

 
(23
)
(Loss) gain on sale of investment securities available for sale
(53
)
 
5,406

Other, net
2,126

 
809

Income (loss) before provision for income taxes
6,471

 
(2,016
)
Income tax expense (benefit)
2,942

 
(335
)
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss)
3,529

 
(1,681
)
 
 
 
 
Net income attributed to non-controlling interest
(949
)
 
—

 
 
 
 
Net income (loss) attributed to Vector Group Ltd.
$
2,580

 
$
(1,681
)
 
 
 
 
Per basic common share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss) applicable to common shares attributed to Vector Group Ltd.
$
0.03

 
$
(0.02
)
 
 
 
 
Per diluted common share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss) applicable to common shares attributed to Vector Group Ltd.
$
0.03

 
$
(0.02
)
 
 
 
 
Cash distributions and dividends declared per share
$
0.40

 
$
0.38

                                      

* Revenues and Cost of goods sold include excise taxes of $102,413 and $108,911, respectively.


The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated financial statements.

3



VECTOR GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Unaudited


 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
Net income (loss)
$
3,529

 
$
(1,681
)
 
 
 
 
Net unrealized gains (losses) on investment securities available for sale:
 
 
 
    Change in net unrealized gains
5,994

 
14,038

    Net unrealized losses (gains) reclassified into net income
53

 
(5,406
)
Net unrealized gains on investment securities available for sale
6,047

 
8,632

 


 
 
Net unrealized gains on long-term investments accounted for under the equity method:
 
 
 
Change in net unrealized gains
3,332

 
958

Net unrealized gains reclassified into net income
—

 
—

Net unrealized gains on long-term investments accounted for under the equity method
3,332

 
958

 
 
 
 
Net change in forward contracts
17

 
15

 
 
 
 
Net change in pension-related amounts
148

 
351

 
 
 
 
Other comprehensive income
9,544

 
9,956

 
 
 
 
Income tax effect on:
 
 
 
Change in net unrealized gains on investment securities
(2,973
)
 
(5,700
)
Net unrealized losses (gains) reclassified into net income on investment securities
(22
)
 
2,195

Change in unrealized gains on long-term investments
(1,370
)
 
(389
)
Net unrealized gains reclassified into net income on long-term investments
—

 
—

Forward contracts
(6
)
 
(6
)
Pension-related amounts
135

 
(142
)
Income tax provision on other comprehensive income
(4,236
)
 
(4,042
)
 
 
 
 
Other comprehensive income, net of tax
5,308

 
5,914

 
 
 
 
Comprehensive income
8,837

 
4,233

 
 
 
 
Comprehensive income attributed to non-controlling interest
(949
)
 
—

Comprehensive income attributed to Vector Group Ltd.
$
7,888

 
$
4,233


The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated financial statements.

4


VECTOR GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIENCY
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Unaudited


 
Vector Group Ltd. Stockholders' Deficiency
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Additional
 
 
 
Accumulated
Other
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common Stock
 
Paid-In
 
Accumulated
 
Comprehensive
 
Treasury
 
Non-controlling
 
 
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
Capital
 
Deficit
 
Income
 
Stock
 
Interest
 
Total
Balance, January 1, 2014
97,482,998

 
$
9,748

 
$
—

 
$
(114,787
)
 
$
22,860

 
$
(12,857
)
 
$
73,427

 
$
(21,609
)
Net income
—

 
—

 
—

 
2,580

 
—

 
—

 
949

 
3,529

Change in net loss and prior service cost, net of income taxes
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
283

 
—

 
—

 
283

Forward contract adjustments, net of income taxes
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
11

 
—

 
—

 
11

Unrealized gain on long-term investment securities accounted for under the equity method, net of income taxes
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
1,962

 
—

 
—

 
1,962

Change in net unrealized gain on investment securities, net of income taxes
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
3,021

 
—

 
—

 
3,021

Net unrealized loss reclassified into net income, net of income taxes
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
31

 
—

 
—

 
31

Unrealized gain on investment securities, net of income taxes
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
3,052

Total other comprehensive income
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
5,308

Total comprehensive income
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
8,837

Distributions and dividends on common stock
—

 
—

 
(39,768
)
 
(27
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(39,795
)
Note conversion, net of income taxes
2,121,479

 
212

 
23,745

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
23,957

Beneficial conversion feature of notes payable, net of income taxes of $10,327
—

 
—

 
14,648

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
14,648

Exercise of stock options
116,424

 
12

 
1,373

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
1,385

Tax benefit of options exercised
—

 
—

 
344

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
344

Stock-based compensation
—

 
—

 
523

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
523

Tax rate adjustment
—

 
—

 
(865
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(865
)
Balance as of March 31, 2014
99,720,901

 
$
9,972

 
$
—

 
$
(112,234
)
 
$
28,168

 
$
(12,857
)
 
$
74,376

 
$
(12,575
)


The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated financial statements.


5


VECTOR GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Unaudited


 
Three Months Ended
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
2014
 
March 31,
2013
Net cash used in operating activities
$
(39,084
)
 
$
(9,917
)
Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
Sale of investment securities
35,009

 
6,582

Purchase of investment securities
(36,763
)
 
(5,000
)
Purchase of long-term investments
(1,000
)
 
—

Investments in non-consolidated real estate businesses
(4,068
)
 
(1,354
)
Investments in consolidated real estate businesses
—

 
(7,617
)
Distributions from non-consolidated real estate businesses
2,575

 
—

Increase in cash surrender value of life insurance policies
(47
)
 
(68
)
Increase in restricted assets
(390
)
 
7

Capital expenditures
(6,424
)
 
(3,557
)
Repayments of notes receivable
933

 
—

Net cash used in investing activities
(10,175
)
 
(11,007
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
Proceeds from debt issuance
260,508

 
450,000

Deferred financing costs
(8,210
)
 
(11,447
)
Repayments of debt
(2,215
)
 
(416,904
)
Borrowings under revolver
196,842

 
214,762

Repayments on revolver
(211,520
)
 
(233,691
)
Dividends and distributions on common stock
(40,865
)
 
(35,749
)
Proceeds from exercise of Vector options
1,385

 
—

Tax benefit of options exercised
344

 
—

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
196,269

 
(33,029
)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
147,010

 
(53,953
)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
234,466

 
405,855

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
$
381,476

 
$
351,902


The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated financial statements.

6
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Unaudited


1.
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

(a)
Basis of Presentation:

The condensed consolidated financial statements of Vector Group Ltd. (the “Company” or “Vector”) include the accounts of VGR Holding LLC (“VGR Holding”), Liggett Group LLC (“Liggett”), Vector Tobacco Inc. (“Vector Tobacco”), Liggett Vector Brands LLC (“Liggett Vector Brands”), Zoom E-Cigs LLC ("Zoom"), New Valley LLC (“New Valley”) and other less significant subsidiaries. New Valley includes the accounts of Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC ("Douglas Elliman") and other less significant subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.

Liggett and Vector Tobacco are engaged in the manufacture and sale of cigarettes in the United States. New Valley is engaged in the real estate business.

The accompanying unaudited, interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and, in management's opinion, contain all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring items, necessary for a fair statement of the results for the periods presented. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The consolidated results of operations for interim periods should not be regarded as necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the entire year.

In connection with the acquisition of Douglas Elliman, the Company was required to disclose Douglas Elliman’s revenues and costs separately on the face of its condensed consolidated statements of operation. Consequently, the Company also revised the prior period in order to correctly present the gross revenues and costs of the consolidated real estate investments. The prior period revisions on the Company's condensed consolidated statements of operations are as follows: an increase of $5,767 in real estate revenue, an increase of $4,221 in real estate cost of sales and a decrease of $1,546 in operating, selling, administrative and general expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2013.

In addition, related to the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheet, the preliminary fair values of the assets acquired, liabilities assumed and the non-controlling interest recorded for Douglas Elliman as of December 13, 2013 were adjusted during the first quarter of 2014. Goodwill and current liabilities were reduced by $454 and $105, respectively, while intangible assets related to favorable lease agreements were increased by $559. The amounts are preliminary as management is still evaluating the valuations of certain assets acquired in the acquisition. These adjustments have been reflected in the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2013.
 

(b)
Distributions and Dividends on Common Stock:

The Company records distributions on its common stock as dividends in its condensed consolidated statement of stockholders' equity to the extent of retained earnings and accumulated paid-in capital. Any amounts exceeding retained earnings are recorded as a reduction to additional paid-in capital. Any amounts then exceeding accumulated paid-in capital are recorded as an increase to accumulated deficit.

(c)
Earnings Per Share (“EPS”):

Information concerning the Company's common stock has been adjusted to give retroactive effect to the 5% stock dividend paid to Company stockholders on September 27, 2013. All per share amounts and references to share amounts have been updated to reflect the retrospective effect of the stock dividends.


7
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Unaudited


Net income (loss) for purposes of determining basic and diluted EPS was as follows:

 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2014
 
2013
Net income (loss) attributed to Vector Group Ltd.
$
2,580

 
$
(1,681
)
Income attributed to participating securities
(77
)
 
—

Net income (loss) available to common stockholders
$
2,503

 
$
(1,681
)


 

Basic and diluted EPS were calculated using the following shares:

 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2014
 
2013
Weighted-average shares for basic EPS
94,599,967

 
91,163,599

Plus incremental shares related to stock options and non-vested restricted stock
123,329

 
—

Weighted-average shares for basic and fully diluted EPS
94,723,296

 
91,163,599



The following stock options, non-vested restricted stock and shares issuable upon the conversion of convertible debt were outstanding during the three and three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 but were not included in the computation of diluted EPS because the effect was anti-dilutive.

 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2014
 
2013
  Number of stock options
—

 
538,460

  Weighted-average exercise price
N/A

 
$
12.55

  Weighted-average shares of non-vested restricted stock
—

 
19,883

  Weighted-average expense per share
N/A

 
$
14.30

  Weighted-average number of shares issuable upon
  conversion of debt
25,680,611

 
28,310,522

  Weighted-average conversion price
$
15.69

 
$
15.22




8
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Unaudited


(d)
Fair Value of Derivatives Embedded within Convertible Debt:

The Company has estimated the fair market value of the embedded derivatives based principally on the results of a valuation model. The estimated fair value of the derivatives embedded within the convertible debt is based principally on the present value of future dividend payments expected to be received by the convertible debt holders over the term of the debt. The discount rate applied to the future cash flows is estimated based on a spread in the yield of the Company's debt when compared to risk-free securities with the same duration; thus, a readily determinable fair market value of the embedded derivatives is not available. The valuation model assumes future dividend payments by the Company and utilizes interest rates and credit spreads for secured to unsecured debt, unsecured to subordinated debt and subordinated debt to preferred stock to determine the fair value of the derivatives embedded within the convertible debt. The valuation also considers other items, including current and future dividends and the volatility of the Company's stock price.  At March 31, 2014, the range of estimated fair market values of the Company's embedded derivatives was between $191,682 and $196,319.  The Company recorded the fair market value of its embedded derivatives at the midpoint of the inputs at $193,975 as of March 31, 2014. At December 31, 2013, the range of estimated fair market values of the Company's embedded derivatives was between $110,758 and $113,392.  The Company recorded the fair market value of its embedded derivatives at the midpoint of the inputs at $112,062 as of December 31, 2013.  The estimated fair market value of the Company's embedded derivatives could change significantly based on future market conditions. (See Note 6.)

(e)
Other Income, Net:

Other income, net consists of:
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2014
 
2013
(Loss) gain on warrants
$
(168
)
 
$
65

Interest income
1,000

 
650

Accretion of interest income from debt discount on notes receivable
66

 
35

Out-of-period adjustment
1,231

 
—

Other (expense) income
(3
)
 
59

Other income, net
$
2,126

 
$
809


The out-of-period adjustment related to a non-accrual of a receivable from Douglas Elliman in the fourth quarter of 2013 and would have increased the Company’s gain on acquisition of Douglas Elliman in 2013. The Company assessed the materiality of this error on all previously issued financial statements and concluded that the error was immaterial to all previously issued financial statements. The impact of correcting this error in the current year is not expected to be material to the Company’s 2014 consolidated financial statements.


(f)
New Accounting Pronouncements:
 
On April 10, 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued final guidance to change the criteria for reporting discontinued operations while enhancing disclosures in this area (Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-08). Under the new guidance, only disposals representing a strategic shift, such as a major line of business, a major geographical area or a major equity investment, should be presented as discontinued operations. The guidance will be applied prospectively to new disposals and new classifications of disposal groups as held for sale after the effective date. The guidance is effective for annual financial statements with fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2014 with early adoption permitted for disposals or classifications as held for sale which have not been reported in financial statements previously issued or available for issuance. The Company will adopt the guidance effective January 1, 2015 and the guidance is not anticipated to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements and notes to the consolidated financial statements.

On March 13, 2014, the Emerging Issues Task Force (the “Task Force”) reached a final consensus to amend the accounting guidance for stock compensation tied to performance targets (Issue No. 13-D). The objective of this guidance is to clarify the

9
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Unaudited


accounting treatment of certain types of performance conditions in stock-based compensation awards, more specifically, when performance targets can be achieved after the requisite service period. The Task Force concluded that performance criteria subsequent to a service period vesting requirement should be treated as vesting conditions, and as a result, this type of performance condition may delay expense recognition until achievement of the performance target is probable. Issue No. 13-D will be effective for all entities for reporting periods (including interim periods) beginning after December 15, 2015, and early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this guidance is not anticipated to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements or notes to the consolidated financial statements.




2.
INVENTORIES

Inventories consist of:

 
March 31,
2014
 
December 31,
2013
Leaf tobacco
$
60,991

 
$
49,140

Other raw materials
3,149

 
3,161

Work-in-process
797

 
353

Finished goods
73,566

 
68,040

Inventories at current cost
138,503

 
120,694

LIFO adjustments
(28,473
)
 
(27,198
)
 
$
110,030

 
$
93,496


The Company has a leaf inventory management program whereby, among other things, it is committed to purchase certain quantities of leaf tobacco. The purchase commitments are for quantities not in excess of anticipated requirements and are at prices, including carrying costs, established at the commitment date. At March 31, 2014, Liggett had purchase commitments of approximately $13,235. The Company has a single source supply agreement for fire safe cigarette paper through 2015.

All of the Company's inventories at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 have been reported under the LIFO method.


3. INVESTMENT SECURITIES AVAILABLE FOR SALE

The components of investment securities available for sale at March 31, 2014 were as follows:

 
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gain
 
Gross
Unrealized
Loss
 
Fair
Value
Marketable equity securities
$
54,042

 
$
71,684

 
$
(1,335
)
 
$
124,391

Marketable debt securities
54,862

 
2,042

 
(459
)
 
56,445

Total investment securities available for sale
$
108,904

 
$
73,726

 
$
(1,794
)
 
$
180,836



10
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Unaudited


The components of investment securities available for sale at December 31, 2013 were as follows:

 
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gain
 
Gross
Unrealized
Loss
 
Fair
Value
Marketable equity securities
$
53,586

 
$
65,851

 
$
(963
)
 
$
118,474

Marketable debt securities
53,063

 
1,497

 
(500
)
 
54,060

Total investment securities available for sale
$
106,649

 
$
67,348

 
$
(1,463
)
 
$
172,534



The table below summarizes the maturity dates of marketable debt securities at March 31, 2014.

Investment Type:
Market Value
 
Under 1 Year
 
1 Year up to 5 Years
 
More than 5 years
U.S. Government securities
$
14,970

 
$
5,216

 
$
9,754

 
$
—

Corporate securities
30,304

 
1,919

 
20,671

 
7,714

U.S. mortgage backed securities
219

 


 
219

 


Commercial mortgage-backed securities
6,705

 
427

 
6,278

 
—

U.S. asset backed securities
3,995

 
251

 
3,744

 


Index-linked U.S. bonds
252

 


 
252

 


Total marketable debt securities by maturity dates
$
56,445

 
$
7,813

 
$
40,918

 
$
7,714



4.
LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS

Long-term investments accounted for at cost:

 
March 31, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
 
Carrying
 
Fair
 
Carrying
 
Fair
 
Value
 
Value
 
Value
 
Value
Investment partnerships
$
21,040

 
$
25,660

 
$
20,041

 
$
24,095

Real estate partnership
747

 
1,067

 
747

 
1,067

Investments accounted for at cost
$
21,787

 
$
26,727

 
$
20,788

 
$
25,162



Long-term investment partnership accounted for under the equity method:
 
March 31,
2014
 
December 31,
2013
Investment partnership
$
12,834

 
$
8,595


The Company recorded equity income of $906 and an equity loss of $23 for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, related to the limited partnership.

The carrying value of the investment was approximately $12,834 and $8,595 as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, which approximated the investment's fair value.



11
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Unaudited


5. NEW VALLEY LLC
Residential Brokerage Business Acquisition. New Valley is engaged in the real estate business and is seeking to acquire additional real estate properties and operating companies. As of January 1, 2013, the Company owned a 50% interest in Douglas Elliman, and the Company accounted for its 50% using the equity method of accounting. On December 13, 2013, an affiliate of New Valley acquired an additional 20.59% interest in Douglas Elliman from Prudential Real Estate Financial Services of America, Inc. for a purchase price of $60,000 in cash. The acquisition increased the Company's ownership position in Douglas Elliman from 50% to 70.59%.
The preliminary fair values of the assets acquired, liabilities assumed and the non-controlling interest recorded for Douglas Elliman as of December 13, 2013 were adjusted during the first quarter of 2014. Goodwill and current liabilities were reduced by $454 and $105, respectively, while intangible assets related to favorable lease agreements were increased by $559. The amounts are preliminary as management is still evaluating the valuations of certain assets acquired in the acquisition. These adjustments have been reflected in the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2013 and March 31, 2014, respectively.
Equity Method of Accounting. Prior to December 13, 2013, New Valley accounted for its 50% interest in Douglas Elliman under the equity method of accounting. New Valley recorded income of $623, which includes management fees earned by New Valley from Douglas Elliman, for the three months ended March 31, 2013 associated with Douglas Elliman.
Summarized income statement information for Douglas Elliman for the three months ended March 31, 2013, is presented below.
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
 
 
March 31,
2013
 
Revenues
 
$
74,537

 
Costs and expenses
 
73,614

 
Depreciation expense
 
973

 
Amortization expense
 
56

 
Other income
 
142

 
Interest expense, net
 
—

 
Income tax benefit
 
(59
)
 
Net income
 
$
95

 

New Valley received cash distributions from Douglas Elliman of $1,325 for the three months ended March 31, 2013.

12
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Unaudited



Investments in non-consolidated real estate businesses.  New Valley also holds equity investments in various real estate projects domestically and internationally. The components of “Investments in non-consolidated real estate businesses” were as follows:

 
March 31,
2014
 
December 31,
2013
 
 
 
 
Sesto Holdings
$
5,037

 
$
5,037

Land Development
5,037

 
5,037

 
 
 
 
1107 Broadway
6,384

 
6,579

The Whitman
1,165

 
1,165

The Marquand
7,000

 
7,000

11 Beach Street
12,249

 
11,160

701 Seventh Avenue
10,791

 
11,148

101 Murray Street
20,506

 
19,256

Leroy Street
605

 
1,150

8701 Collins Avenue
3,832

 
3,794

Condominium and Mixed Use Development
62,532

 
61,252

 
 
 
 
23-10 Queens Plaza South
8,058

 
8,058

Maryland Portfolio
3,688

 
3,498

ST Portfolio
15,722

 
15,984

Apartment and Office Buildings
27,468

 
27,540

 
 
 
 
Chrystie Street
2,986

 
2,048

Park Lane Hotel
18,545

 
19,514

Hotel Taiwana
7,600

 
7,428

Coral Beach
2,447

 
2,964

Hotels
31,578

 
31,954

 
 
 
 
Other
3,264

 
2,419

 
 
 
 
Investments in non-consolidated real estate businesses
$
129,879

 
$
128,202


Condominium and Mixed Use Development:
Condominium and mixed use developments investments range in ownership percentage from 5% to 49.5%. During the three months ended March 31, 2014, New Valley made capital contributions totaling $3,070, received distributions of $4,142, and recorded equity income of $2,292 primarily related to the sale of a commercial unit at 1107 Broadway. New Valley's maximum exposure to loss as a result of its investments in condominium and mixed use developments was $62,532 at March 31, 2014.

13
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Unaudited



Apartment and Office Buildings:
Apartment and office buildings investments range in ownership percentage from 7.5% to 45.4%. During the three months ended March 31, 2014, New Valley received distributions of $125 and recorded net equity income of $53. New Valley received distributions of $142 and recorded equity loss of $142 for the same period in 2013. New Valley's maximum exposure to loss as a result of its investment in apartment and office buildings was $27,468 at March 31, 2014.

Hotels:
Hotel investments range in ownership percentage from 5% to 49%. During the three months ended March 31, 2014, New Valley made capital contributions totaling $938 and recorded a net equity loss of $1,314. New Valley's maximum exposure to loss as a result of its investments in hotels was $31,578 at March 31, 2014.

Consolidated real estate investments:
The components of “Investments in consolidated real estate businesses, net” were as follows:
 
March 31,
2014
 
December 31,
2013
Escena, net
$
10,765

 
$
10,625

Indian Creek
10,322

 
10,286

            Investment in consolidated real estate businesses, net
$
21,087

 
$
20,911


Escena.  In October 2013, the Company sold 200 of the 867 residential lots. The remaining project consists of 667 residential lots, consisting of both single family and multi-family lots, an 18-hole golf course, clubhouse restaurant and golf shop, and a seven-acre site approved for a 450-room hotel.
The assets of "Escena, net" are as follows:

 
March 31,
2014
 
December 31,
2013
Land and land improvements
$
8,930

 
$
8,930

Building and building improvements
1,530

 
1,530

Other
1,818

 
1,577

 
12,278

 
12,037

Less accumulated depreciation
(1,513
)
 
(1,412
)
 
$
10,765

 
$
10,625


The Company recorded operating income of $520 and $383 for three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, from Escena.

Investment in Indian Creek. In March 2013, New Valley invested $7,616 for an 80% interest in Timbo LLC ("Indian Creek") which owns a residential real estate project located on Indian Creek, Florida. As a result of the 80% ownership interest, the consolidated financial statements of the Company include the balances of Indian Creek which included land and building of approximately $9,979, a line of credit of $3,570, equity interest of $4,742 and a minority interest of $1,185 as of March 31, 2014. There is a $770 is payable to the minority interest shareholder as of March 31, 2014.

In May 2014, the Indian Creek property was sold for approximately $14,400 and New Valley received a distribution of approximately $7,100.


14
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Unaudited


6.
NOTES PAYABLE, LONG-TERM DEBT AND OTHER OBLIGATIONS

Notes payable, long-term debt and other obligations consist of:

 
March 31,
2014
 
December 31,
2013
Vector:
 
 
 
7.75% Senior Secured Notes due 2021
$
450,000

 
$
450,000

6.75% Variable Interest Senior Convertible Note due 2014, net of unamortized discount of $7,504 and $19,311*
17,496

 
30,689

6.75% Variable Interest Senior Convertible Exchange Notes due 2014, net of unamortized discount of $19,615 and $25,944*
87,915

 
81,586

7.5% Variable Interest Senior Convertible Notes due 2019, net of unamortized discount of $153,886 and $155,817*
76,114

 
74,183

5.5% Variable Interest Senior Convertible Debentures due 2020, net of unamortized discount of $107,464 and $0*
151,286

 
—

Liggett:
 
 
 
Revolving credit facility
15,747

 
30,424

Term loan under credit facility
3,810

 
3,884

Equipment loans
17,029

 
17,252

Other
4,220

 
4,325

Total notes payable, long-term debt and other obligations
823,617

 
692,343

Less:
 
 
 
Current maturities
(132,791
)
 
(151,577
)
Amount due after one year
$
690,826

 
$
540,766

______________________
* The fair value of the derivatives embedded within the 6.75% Variable Interest Senior Convertible Note ($2,527 at March 31, 2014 and $6,607 at December 31, 2013, respectively), the 6.75% Variable Interest Senior Convertible Exchange Notes ($9,579 at March 31, 2014 and $12,521 at December 31, 2013, respectively), the 5.50% Variable Interest Senior Convertible Debentures ($83,573 at March 31, 2014 and $0 at December 31, 2013, respectively), and the 7.50% Variable Interest Senior Convertible Debentures ($98,296 at March 31, 2014 and $92,934 at December 31, 2013, respectively), is separately classified as a derivative liability in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

7.75% Senior Secured Notes due 2021 - Vector:

On April 15, 2014, the Company completed the sale of $150,000 principal amount of its 7.75% Senior Secured Notes due 2021 for a price of 106.750% in a private offering to qualified institutional investors in accordance with Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. The Company received net proceeds of approximately $156,000 and the net proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes, including additional investments in real estate and in its tobacco business. In connection with the issuance of the 7.75% Senior Secured Notes, the Company entered into a Registration Rights Agreement. The Company agreed to consummate a registered exchange offer for the 7.75% Senior Secured Notes within 360 days after the date of the initial issuance of the 7.75% Senior Secured Notes. The new 7.75% Senior Secured Notes to be issued in the exchange offer will have substantially the same terms as the original notes, except that the new 7.75% Senior Secured Notes will have been registered under the Securities Act. The Company will be required to pay additional interest on the 7.75% Senior Secured Notes if it fails to timely comply with its obligations under the Registration Rights Agreement until such time as it complies.

6.75% Variable Interest Senior Convertible Note due 2014 - Vector:
On March 14, 2014, the holder of the 6.75% Variable Interest Senior Convertible Note due 2014 converted $25,000 principal balance of the $50,000 Note into 2,121,479 of the Company's common shares. The Company recorded non-cash accelerated interest expense related to the converted debt of $3,679 for the three months ended March 31, 2014. The debt conversion resulted in a reduction of debt and an increase to equity in the amount of $25,000.

5.5% Variable Interest Senior Convertible Notes due 2020 - Vector:
On March 24, 2014, the Company completed the sale of $258,750 of its Variable Interest Convertible Senior Notes due 2020 (the "2020 Convertible Notes"). The 2020 Convertible Notes are the Company's senior unsecured obligations and are effectively

15
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Unaudited


subordinated to any of its secured indebtedness to the extent of the assets securing such indebtedness. The 2020 Convertible Notes are also structurally subordinated to all liabilities and commitments of the Company's subsidiaries.
The aggregate net proceeds from the sale of the 2020 Convertible Notes were approximately $250,300 after deducting underwriting discounts, commissions, fees and offering expenses. The net proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes, including for additional investments in real estate and in the Company's tobacco business. The Company may also consider using a portion of the net proceeds from the sale of the notes to address upcoming debt maturities.
The 2020 Convertible Notes pay interest (“Total Interest”) on a quarterly basis beginning April 15, 2014 at a rate of 1.75% per annum plus additional interest, which is based on the amount of cash dividends paid during the prior three-month period ending on the record date for such interest payment multiplied by the total number of shares of its common stock into which the debt will be convertible on such record date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, the interest payable on each interest payment date after April 15, 2014 shall be the higher of (i) the Total Interest and (ii) 5.5% per annum with the interest payment on April 15, 2014 being based on 5.5% per annum. The notes are convertible into the Company’s common stock at the holder’s option. The conversion price at March 31, 2014 was $27.16 per share (approximately 36.8155 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount of the note), and is subject to adjustment for various events, including the issuance of stock dividends. The notes will mature on April 15, 2020. If a fundamental change (as defined in the indenture) occurs, the Company will be required to offer to repurchase the notes at 100% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the fundamental change repurchase date.


Revolving Credit Facility and Term Loan Under Credit Facility - Liggett:

As of March 31, 2014, a total of $19,557 was outstanding under the revolving and term loan portions of the credit facility. Availability as determined under the facility was approximately $30,443 based on eligible collateral at March 31, 2014.


Non-Cash Interest Expense - Vector:

 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2014
 
2013
Amortization of debt discount
$
12,456

 
$
7,348

Amortization of deferred finance costs
708

 
597

Loss on extinguishment of 11% Senior Secured Notes
—

 
3,638

Accelerated interest expense on 6.75% Variable Interest Senior Convertible Note converted
3,679

 
—


$
16,843

 
$
11,583



Fair Value of Notes Payable and Long-Term Debt:

 
March 31, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
 
Carrying
 
Fair
 
Carrying
 
Fair
 
Value
 
Value
 
Value
 
Value
Notes payable and long-term debt
$
823,617

 
$
1,325,898

 
$
692,343

 
$
1,006,562


Notes payable and long-term debt are carried on the condensed balance sheet at amortized cost. The fair value determination disclosed above would be classified as Level 2 under the fair value hierarchy disclosed in Note 9 if such liabilities were recorded on the condensed balance sheet at fair value. The estimated fair value of the Company's notes payable and long-term debt has been determined by the Company using available market information and appropriate valuation methodologies including the evaluation of the Company's credit risk as described in the Company's Form 10-K. However, considerable judgment is required to develop the estimates of fair value and, accordingly, the estimate presented herein are not necessarily indicative of the amount that could be realized in a current market exchange.



16
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Unaudited



7. CONTINGENCIES

Tobacco-Related Litigation:

Overview
Since 1954, Liggett and other United States cigarette manufacturers have been named as defendants in numerous direct, third-party and purported class actions predicated on the theory that cigarette manufacturers should be liable for damages alleged to have been caused by cigarette smoking or by exposure to secondary smoke from cigarettes. The cases have generally fallen into the following categories: (i) smoking and health cases alleging personal injury brought on behalf of individual plaintiffs (“Individual Actions”); (ii) lawsuits by individuals requesting the benefit of the Engle ruling ("Engle progeny cases"); (iii) smoking and health cases primarily alleging personal injury or seeking court-supervised programs for ongoing medical monitoring, as well as cases alleging that use of the terms “lights” and/or “ultra lights” constitutes a deceptive and unfair trade practice, common law fraud or violation of federal law, purporting to be brought on behalf of a class of individual plaintiffs (“Class Actions”); and (iv) health care cost recovery actions brought by various foreign and domestic governmental plaintiffs and non-governmental plaintiffs seeking reimbursement for health care expenditures allegedly caused by cigarette smoking and/or disgorgement of profits (“Health Care Cost Recovery Actions”). As new cases are commenced, the costs associated with defending these cases and the risks relating to the inherent unpredictability of litigation increase. The future financial impact of the risks and expenses of litigation are not quantifiable. For the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, Liggett incurred tobacco product liability legal expenses and other litigation costs totaling $3,357 and $1,609, respectively.
Litigation is subject to uncertainty and it is possible that there could be adverse developments in pending cases. Management reviews on a quarterly basis with counsel all pending litigation and evaluates whether an estimate can be  made of the possible loss or range of loss that could result from an unfavorable outcome. An unfavorable outcome or settlement of pending tobacco-related litigation could encourage the commencement of additional litigation. Damages awarded in some tobacco-related litigation can be significant.
Bonds. Although Liggett has been able to obtain required bonds or relief from bonding requirements in order to prevent plaintiffs from seeking to collect judgments while adverse verdicts are on appeal, there remains a risk that such relief may not be obtainable in all cases. This risk has been reduced given that a majority of states now limit the dollar amount of bonds or require no bond at all. To obtain stays on judgments pending current appeals, Liggett has secured approximately $5,237 in bonds as of March 31, 2014.
In June 2009, Florida amended its existing bond cap statute by adding a $200,000 bond cap that applies to all Engle progeny cases in the aggregate and establishes individual bond caps for individual Engle progeny cases in amounts that vary depending on the number of judgments in effect at a given time. In several cases, plaintiffs have challenged the constitutionality of the bond cap statute, but to date the courts that have addressed the issue have upheld the constitutionality of the statute. It is possible that the Company's consolidated financial position, results of operations, and cash flows could be materially adversely affected by an unfavorable outcome of such challenges.
Accounting Policy. The Company and its subsidiaries record provisions in their consolidated financial statements for pending litigation when they determine that an unfavorable outcome is probable and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. At the present time, while it is reasonably possible that an unfavorable outcome in a case may occur, except as disclosed in this Note 7: (i) management has concluded that it is not probable that a loss has been incurred in any of the pending tobacco-related cases; or (ii) management is unable to estimate the possible loss or range of loss that could result from an unfavorable outcome of any of the pending tobacco-related cases and, therefore, management has not provided any amounts in the consolidated financial statements for unfavorable outcomes, if any. Legal defense costs are expensed as incurred.

17
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Unaudited


Cautionary Statement About Engle Progeny Cases. Judgments have been entered against Liggett and other industry defendants in Engle progeny cases. A number of the judgments have been affirmed on appeal and satisfied by the defendants. As of March 31, 2014, 16 Engle progeny cases where Liggett was a defendant at trial resulted in verdicts. Eleven verdicts were returned in favor of the plaintiffs and five in favor of Liggett. Excluding the Lukacs case, which was tried in 2002, seven years before the trials of Engle progeny cases commenced, the compensatory verdicts against Liggett have ranged from $1 to $3,479. In certain cases, the judgments entered have been joint and several with other defendants. In two of the cases, punitive damages were awarded against Liggett for $1,000 and $7,600. Except as discussed in this Note 7 regarding the cases where an adverse verdict was entered against Liggett and that remain on appeal, management is unable to estimate the possible loss or range of loss from the remaining Engle progeny cases as there are currently multiple defendants in each case and, in most cases, discovery has not occurred or is limited. As a result, the Company lacks information about whether plaintiffs are in fact Engle class members (non-class members' claims are generally time-barred), the relevant smoking history, the nature of the alleged injury and the availability of various defenses, among other things. Further, plaintiffs typically do not specify their demand for damages. Although in October 2013 Liggett entered into a comprehensive settlement of a substantial majority of the Engle progeny cases, it believes that the process under which Engle progeny cases are tried is unconstitutional and continues to pursue its appellate rights in the remaining cases.
Although Liggett has generally been successful in managing litigation, litigation is subject to uncertainty and significant challenges remain, including with respect to the remaining Engle progeny cases. There can be no assurances that Liggett's past litigation experience will be representative of future results. Judgments have been entered against Liggett in the past, in Individual Actions and Engle progeny cases, and several of those judgments were affirmed on appeal and satisfied by Liggett. It is possible that the consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the Company could be materially adversely affected by an unfavorable outcome or settlement of any of the remaining smoking-related litigation. Liggett believes, and has been so advised by counsel, that it has valid defenses to the litigation pending against it, as well as valid bases for appeal of adverse verdicts. All such cases are, and will continue to be, vigorously defended. Liggett may, however, enter into settlement discussions in particular cases if it believes it is in its best interest to do so, including the remaining Engle progeny cases. As of March 31, 2014, Liggett (and in certain cases the Company) had, on an individual basis, settled 137 Engle progeny cases for approximately $1,126 in the aggregate. Seven of those cases were settled in the first quarter of 2014. In addition, in October 2013, Liggett announced a global settlement of the claims of over 4,900 Engle progeny plaintiffs (see Engle Progeny Settlement below).
Individual Actions
As of March 31, 2014, there were 50 Individual Actions pending against Liggett and, in certain cases, the Company, where one or more individual plaintiffs allege injury resulting from cigarette smoking, addiction to cigarette smoking or exposure to secondary smoke and seek compensatory and, in some cases, punitive damages. These cases do not include Engle progeny cases or the approximately 100 individual cases pending in West Virginia state court as part of a consolidated action. The following table lists the number of Individual Actions, by state, that are pending against Liggett or the Company as of March 31, 2014:
State
 
Number
of Cases
Florida
 
30

New York
 
9

Maryland
 
4

Louisiana
 
3

West Virginia
 
2

Missouri
 
1

Ohio
 
1

The plaintiffs' allegations of liability in cases in which individuals seek recovery for injuries allegedly caused by cigarette smoking are based on various theories of recovery, including negligence, gross negligence, breach of special duty, strict liability, fraud, concealment, misrepresentation, design defect, failure to warn, breach of express and implied warranties, conspiracy, aiding and abetting, concert of action, unjust enrichment, common law public nuisance, property damage, invasion of privacy, mental anguish, emotional distress, disability, shock, indemnity, violations of deceptive trade practice laws, the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (“RICO”), state RICO statutes and antitrust statutes. In many of these cases, in addition to compensatory damages, plaintiffs also seek other forms of relief including treble/multiple damages, medical monitoring,

18
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Unaudited


disgorgement of profits and punitive damages. Although alleged damages often are not determinable from a complaint, and the law governing the pleading and calculation of damages varies from state to state and jurisdiction to jurisdiction, compensatory and punitive damages have been specifically pleaded in a number of cases, sometimes in amounts ranging into the hundreds of millions and even billions of dollars.
Defenses raised in Individual Actions include lack of proximate cause, assumption of the risk, comparative fault and/or contributory negligence, lack of design defect, statute of limitations, equitable defenses such as “unclean hands” and lack of benefit, failure to state a claim and federal preemption.

Engle Progeny Cases
Engle Case. In May 1994, Engle was filed against Liggett and others in Miami-Dade County, Florida. The class consisted of all Florida residents who, by November 21, 1996, “have suffered, presently suffer or have died from diseases and medical conditions caused by their addiction to cigarette smoking.” In July 1999, after the conclusion of Phase I of the trial, the jury returned a verdict against Liggett and other cigarette manufacturers on certain issues determined by the trial court to be “common” to the causes of action of the plaintiff class. The jury made several findings adverse to the defendants including that defendants' conduct “rose to a level that would permit a potential award or entitlement to punitive damages.” Phase II of the trial was a causation and damages trial for three of the class plaintiffs and a punitive damages trial on a class-wide basis before the same jury that returned the verdict in Phase I. In April 2000, the jury awarded compensatory damages of $12,704 to the three class plaintiffs, to be reduced in proportion to the respective plaintiff’s fault. In July 2000, the jury awarded approximately $145,000,000 in punitive damages, including $790,000 against Liggett.
In May 2003, Florida’s Third District Court of Appeal reversed the trial court and remanded the case with instructions to decertify the class. The judgment in favor of one of the three class plaintiffs, in the amount of $5,831, was overturned as time barred and the court found that Liggett was not liable to the other two class plaintiffs.
In July 2006, the Florida Supreme Court affirmed the decision vacating the punitive damages award and held that the class should be decertified prospectively, but determined that the following Phase I findings are entitled to res judicata effect in Engle progeny cases: (i) that smoking causes lung cancer, among other diseases; (ii) that nicotine in cigarettes is addictive; (iii) that defendants placed cigarettes on the market that were defective and unreasonably dangerous; (iv) that defendants concealed material information knowing that the information was false or misleading or failed to disclose a material fact concerning the health effects or addictive nature of smoking; (v) that defendants agreed to conceal or omit information regarding the health effects of cigarettes or their addictive nature with the intention that smokers would rely on the information to their detriment; (vi) that defendants sold or supplied cigarettes that were defective; and (vii) that defendants were negligent. The Florida Supreme Court decision also allowed former class members to proceed to trial on individual liability issues (using the above findings) and compensatory and punitive damage issues, provided they filed their individual lawsuits by January 2008. In December 2006, the Florida Supreme Court added the finding that defendants sold or supplied cigarettes that, at the time of sale or supply, did not conform to the representations made by defendants. In October 2007, the United States Supreme Court denied defendants' petition for writ of certiorari.
Pursuant to the Florida Supreme Court’s July 2006 ruling in Engle, which decertified the class on a prospective basis, and affirmed the appellate court’s reversal of the punitive damages award, former class members had until January 2008 in which to file individual lawsuits. As a result, Liggett and the Company, and other cigarette manufacturers, were named defendants in thousands of Engle progeny cases in both federal and state courts in Florida. Although the Company was not named as a defendant in the Engle case, it was named as a defendant in substantially all of the Engle progeny cases where Liggett was named as a defendant.
Engle Progeny Settlement. On October 23, 2013, the Company entered into a settlement with approximately 4,900 Engle progeny plaintiffs and their counsel. Pursuant to the terms of the settlement, Liggett agreed to pay a total of approximately $110,000, with approximately $61,600 paid in a lump sum ($2,100 was paid in December 2013 and approximately $59,500 was paid in February 2014) with the balance to be paid in installments over the next 14 years, subject to a cost of living adjustment beginning in year eight. In exchange, the claims of over 4,900 plaintiffs were dismissed with prejudice against the Company and Liggett. In 2013 the Company recorded a charge of $86,213 in connection with the settlement. Of this amount, $25,213 is related to certain payments discounted to their present value because the timing and amounts of such payments are fixed and determinable. The present value of the installment payments was computed using an 11% annual discount rate. The installment payments total approximately $48,000 on an undiscounted basis. The Company’s future payments will be approximately $3,500 per annum in 2015 through 2018 and approximately $34,500 in the aggregate thereafter.

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(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Unaudited


Notwithstanding the comprehensive nature of the Engle Progeny Settlement, approximately 350 plaintiffs' claims remain outstanding. Therefore, the Company and Liggett may still be subject to periodic adverse judgments which could have a material adverse affect on the Company's consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
As of March 31, 2014, the following Engle progeny cases have resulted in judgments against Liggett:
Date
 
Case Name
 
County
 
Net Compensatory
Damages
 
Punitive Damages
 
Status
June 2002
 
Lukacs v. R.J. Reynolds
 
Miami-Dade
 
$12,418
 
None
 
Liggett satisfied the judgment and the case is concluded.
August 2009
 
Campbell v. R.J. Reynolds
 
Escambia
 
$156
 
None
 
Liggett satisfied the judgment and the case is concluded.
March 2010
 
Douglas v. R.J. Reynolds
 
Hillsborough
 
$1,350
 
None
 
Liggett satisfied the judgment and the case is concluded.
April 2010
 
Clay v. R.J. Reynolds
 
Escambia
 
$349
 
$1,000
 
Liggett satisfied the judgment and the case is concluded.
April 2010
 
Putney v. R.J. Reynolds
 
Broward
 
$3,008
 
None
 
On June 12, 2013, the Fourth District Court of Appeal reversed and remanded the case for further proceedings. Plaintiff filed a motion for rehearing which was denied. Both sides have sought discretionary review from the Florida Supreme Court. The appeal is stayed pending the outcome of the Hess appeal.
April 2011
 
Tullo v. R.J. Reynolds
 
Palm Beach
 
$225
 
None
 
Affirmed by the Fourth District Court of Appeal. The defendants have sought discretionary review from the Florida Supreme Court.
January 2012
 
Ward v. R.J. Reynolds
 
Escambia
 
$1
 
None
 
Affirmed by the First District Court of Appeal. Liggett satisfied the merits judgment and other than an issue regarding attorneys' fees, the case is concluded. Oral argument on the attorneys' fee appeal occurred on February 11, 2014.
May 2012
 
Calloway v. R.J. Reynolds
 
Broward
 
$1,947
 
$7,600
 
A joint and several judgment for $16,100 was entered against R.J. Reynolds, Philip Morris, Lorillard and Liggett. On appeal to the Fourth District Court of Appeal.
December 2012
 
Buchanan v. R.J. Reynolds
 
Leon
 
$2,035
 
None
 
A joint and several judgment for $5,500 was entered against Liggett and Philip Morris. On appeal to the First District Court of Appeal.
May 2013
 
Cohen v. R.J. Reynolds
 
Palm Beach
 
$205
 
None
 
Defendants' motion seeking a new trial was granted by the trial court. Plaintiff appealed to the Fourth District Court of Appeal.
August 2013
 
Rizzuto v. R.J. Reynolds
 
Hernando
 
$3,479
 
None
 
A joint and several judgment for $11,132 was entered against Philip Morris and Liggett. The court denied defendants' request to reduce the compensatory damages by the plaintiff's comparative fault. Liggett entered into a settlement agreement to resolve its portion of the judgment for $1,500. The settlement is subject to bankruptcy court approval.
Total Damages Awarded:
$25,173
 
$8,600
 
 


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(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Unaudited


Through March 31, 2014, Liggett has paid $18,540, including interest and legal fees, to satisfy the judgments in five Engle progeny cases (Lukacs, Campbell, Douglas, Clay and Ward).
The Company's potential range of loss in the Putney, Tullo, Calloway, Buchanan, Cohen and Rizzuto cases is between $0 and $18,500 in the aggregate, plus accrued interest and legal fees. In determining the range of loss, the Company considers potential settlements as well as future appellate relief. Except as disclosed elsewhere in this Note 7, the Company is unable to determine a range of loss related to the remaining Engle progeny cases. Other than $1,500 accrued for Rizzuto, no amounts have been expensed or accrued in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for the cases described above. However, as cases proceed through the appellate process, the Company will consider accruals on a case-by-case basis if an unfavorable outcome becomes probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated.
Federal Engle Progeny Cases. Three federal judges (in the Merlob, B. Brown and Burr cases) ruled that the findings in Phase I of the Engle proceedings could not be used to satisfy elements of plaintiffs' claims, and two of those rulings (B. Brown and Burr) were certified by the trial court for interlocutory review. The certification was granted by the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit and the appeals were consolidated (in February 2009, the appeal in Burr was dismissed for lack of prosecution). In July 2010, the Eleventh Circuit ruled that plaintiffs do not have an unlimited right to use the findings from the original Engle trial to meet their burden of establishing the elements of their claims at trial. Rather, plaintiffs may only use the findings to establish specific facts that they demonstrate with a reasonable degree of certainty were actually decided by the original Engle jury. The Eleventh Circuit remanded the case to the district court to determine what specific factual findings the Engle jury actually made. That determination was never undertaken.
Instead, in the Waggoner case, the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida ruled that the application of the Phase I findings did not deprive defendants of any constitutional due process rights. The court ruled, however, that plaintiffs must establish legal causation to establish liability. With respect to punitive damages, the district court held that the plaintiffs could rely on the findings in support of their punitive damages claims but that, in addition, plaintiffs must demonstrate specific conduct by specific defendants, independent of the Engle findings, that satisfies the standards for awards of punitive damages. The Waggoner ruling applies to all of the cases pending in the Middle District of Florida. Subsequently, in September 2013 the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit affirmed the judgments in two lower court cases, holding that giving full faith and credit to the Florida Supreme Court's Engle decision would not deprive defendant R.J. Reynolds of due process of law.
Appeals of Engle Progeny Verdicts. In December 2010, in the Martin case, a state court case against R.J. Reynolds, the First District Court of Appeal issued the first ruling by a Florida intermediate appellate court to address the B. Brown decision discussed above. The panel held that the trial court correctly construed the Florida Supreme Court's 2006 decision in Engle in instructing the jury on the preclusive effect of the Phase I Engle proceedings, expressly disagreeing with certain aspects of the B. Brown decision. In July 2011, the Florida Supreme Court declined to review the First District Court of Appeal's decision. In March 2012, the United States Supreme Court declined to review the Martin case, along with the Campbell case and two other Engle progeny cases. This decision has led to other adverse rulings by other state appellate courts.
In Jimmie Lee Brown, a state court case against R.J. Reynolds, the trial court tried the case in two phases. In the first phase, the jury determined that the smoker was addicted to cigarettes that contained nicotine and that his addiction was a legal cause of his death, thereby establishing he was an Engle class member. In the second phase, the jury determined whether the plaintiff established legal cause and damages with regard to each of the underlying claims.  The jury found in favor of plaintiff in both phases.  In September 2011, the Fourth District Court of Appeal affirmed the judgment entered in plaintiff's favor and approved the trial court's procedure of bifurcating the trial.  The Fourth District Court of Appeal agreed with Martin that individual post-Engle plaintiffs need not prove conduct elements as part of their burden of proof, but disagreed with Martin to the extent that the First District Court of Appeal only required a finding that the smoker was a class member to establish legal causation as to addiction and the underlying claims.  The Fourth District Court of Appeal held that in addition to establishing class membership, Engle progeny plaintiffs must also establish legal causation and damages as to each claim asserted.  In so finding, the Fourth District Court of Appeal's decision in Jimmie Lee Brown is in conflict with Martin. 
In the Rey case, a state court case, the trial court entered final summary judgment on all claims in favor of the Company, Liggett and Lorillard based on what has been referred to in the Engle progeny litigation as the "Liggett Rule."  The Liggett Rule stands for the proposition that a manufacturer cannot have liability to a smoker under any asserted claim if the smoker did not use a product manufactured by that particular defendant.  The Liggett Rule is based on the entry of final judgment in favor of Liggett/Brooke Group in Engle on all of the claims asserted against them by class representatives Mary Farnan and Angie Della Vecchia, even though the Florida Supreme Court upheld, as res judicata, the generic finding that Liggett/Brooke Group engaged in a conspiracy to commit fraud by concealment. In September 2011, the Third District Court of Appeal affirmed in part and

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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Unaudited


reversed in part holding that the defendants were entitled to summary judgment on all claims asserted against them other than the claim for civil conspiracy.  Defendants' further appellate efforts were unsuccessful.
In March 2012, in Douglas, the Second District Court of Appeal issued a decision affirming the judgment of the trial court in favor of the plaintiff and upholding the use of the Engle jury findings but certified to the Florida Supreme Court the question of whether granting res judicata effect to the Engle jury findings violates defendants' federal due process rights. In March 2013, the Florida Supreme Court affirmed the use of Engle jury findings and determined that there is no violation of the defendants' due process rights. This was the first time the Florida Supreme Court addressed the merits of an Engle progeny case. In October 2013, the United States Supreme Court declined to review the decision and Liggett satisfied the judgment.
Liggett Only Cases.  There are currently four cases pending where Liggett is the only remaining defendant. These cases consist of three Individual Actions and one Engle progeny case. In one of the Individual Actions, Hausrath (NY state court), plaintiff moved to restore the case to the active docket calendar after it was removed by the court. The motion was granted. There has been no recent activity in the other two Individual Actions. The Engle progeny case is not currently set for trial. Cases where Liggett is the only defendant could increase as a result of the remaining Engle progeny cases.
Class Actions
As of March 31, 2014, there were four actions pending for which either a class had been certified or plaintiffs were seeking class certification, where Liggett is a named defendant, including one alleged price fixing case. Other cigarette manufacturers are also named in these actions.
Plaintiffs' allegations of liability in class action cases are based on various theories of recovery, including negligence, gross negligence, strict liability, fraud, misrepresentation, design defect, failure to warn, nuisance, breach of express and implied warranties, breach of special duty, conspiracy, concert of action, violation of deceptive trade practice laws and consumer protection statutes and claims under the federal and state anti-racketeering statutes. Plaintiffs in the class actions seek various forms of relief, including compensatory and punitive damages, treble/multiple damages and other statutory damages and penalties, creation of medical monitoring and smoking cessation funds, disgorgement of profits, and injunctive and equitable relief.
Defenses raised in these cases include, among others, lack of proximate cause, individual issues predominate, assumption of the risk, comparative fault and/or contributory negligence, statute of limitations and federal preemption.
In November 1997, in Young v. American Tobacco Co., a purported personal injury class action was commenced on behalf of plaintiff and all similarly situated residents in Louisiana who, though not themselves cigarette smokers, allege they were exposed to secondhand smoke from cigarettes that were manufactured by the defendants, including Liggett, and suffered injury as a result of that exposure. The plaintiffs seek to recover an unspecified amount of compensatory and punitive damages. No class certification hearing has been held.   In October 2004, the trial court stayed the Young case pending the outcome of an appeal in Scott v. The American Tobacco Co., a Louisiana case seeking medical monitoring for resident smokers. Liggett was not a party in the Scott case.  The Scott case was tried to a jury which denied the medical monitoring claim but determined instead that the defendants must establish a smoking cessation program.  Notwithstanding the fact that Scott is now concluded, in June 2013, plaintiffs’ counsel moved for an indefinite stay of the Young case.  The defendants did not oppose the stay and it was entered upon consent.
In February 1998, in Parsons v. AC & S Inc., a class was commenced on behalf of all West Virginia residents who allegedly have personal injury claims arising from exposure to cigarette smoke and asbestos fibers. The complaint seeks to recover $1,000 in compensatory and punitive damages individually and unspecified compensatory and punitive damages for the class. The case is stayed as a result of the December 2000 bankruptcy of three of the defendants.
In February 2000, in Smith v. Philip Morris, a case pending in Kansas, a class was commenced against cigarette manufacturers alleging they conspired to fix cigarette prices in violation of antitrust laws. Plaintiffs seek to recover an unspecified amount in actual and punitive damages. Class certification was granted in November 2001. In January 2012, the trial court heard oral argument on defendants' motions for summary judgment and in March 2012, the court granted the motions and dismissed plaintiffs' claims with prejudice. In July 2012, plaintiffs noticed an appeal. Oral argument occurred on December 11, 2013. A decision is pending.

22
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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Unaudited


Although not technically a class action, in In Re: Tobacco Litigation (Personal Injury Cases), a West Virginia state court consolidated approximately 750 individual smoker actions that were pending prior to 2001 for trial of certain common issues. In January 2002, the court severed Liggett from the trial of the consolidated action. After two mistrials, on May 15, 2013, the jury rejected all but one of the plaintiffs' claims, finding for the plaintiffs on the claim that ventilated filter cigarettes, sold between 1964 and July 1, 1969, should have included instructions on how to use them. On July 15, 2013, plaintiffs filed a renewed motion for judgment as a matter of law and a motion for a new trial. Defendants filed a motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict. All post-trial motions were denied and the issue of damages was reserved for further proceedings that have not yet been scheduled. Final judgment as to liability was issued on October 28, 2013, after which the plaintiffs filed a Notice of Appeal with respect to the defense verdicts obtained on five of the six claims. The defendants did not appeal the verdict in favor of the plaintiffs on the "failure to instruct" claim which impacted less than 30 of the plaintiffs. If the case were to proceed against Liggett, it is estimated that Liggett could be a defendant in approximately 100 of the individual cases.
Class action suits have been filed in a number of states against cigarette manufacturers, alleging, among other things, that use of the terms “lights” and “ultra lights” constitutes unfair and deceptive trade practices. In December 2008, the United States Supreme Court, in Altria Group v. Good, ruled that the Federal Cigarette Labeling and Advertising Act did not preempt the state law claims asserted by the plaintiffs and that they could proceed with their claims under the Maine Unfair Trade Practices Act. The Good decision has resulted in the filing of additional “lights” class action cases in other states against other cigarette manufacturers. Although Liggett was not a defendant in the Good case, and is not currently a defendant in any other “lights” class actions, an adverse ruling or commencement of additional “lights” related class actions could have a material adverse effect on the Company.
In addition to the cases described above, numerous class actions remain certified against other cigarette manufacturers. Adverse decisions in these cases could have a material adverse affect on Liggett’s sales volume, operating income and cash flows.
Health Care Cost Recovery Actions
As of March 31, 2014, there was one remaining Health Care Cost Recovery Action pending against Liggett, Crow Creek Sioux Tribe v. American Tobacco Company, a South Dakota case filed in 1997, where the plaintiff seeks to recover damages based on various theories of recovery as a result of alleged sales of tobacco products to minors. The case is inactive. Other cigarette manufacturers are also named as defendants.
The claims asserted in health care cost recovery actions vary. Although, typically, no specific damage amounts are pled, it is possible that requested damages might be in the billions of dollars. In these cases, plaintiffs typically assert equitable claims that the tobacco industry was “unjustly enriched” by their payment of health care costs allegedly attributable to smoking and seek reimbursement of those costs. Relief sought by some, but not all, plaintiffs include punitive damages, multiple damages and other statutory damages and penalties, injunctions prohibiting alleged marketing and sales to minors, disclosure of research, disgorgement of profits, funding of anti-smoking programs, additional disclosure of nicotine yields, and payment of attorney and expert witness fees.
Other claims asserted include the equitable claim of indemnity, common law claims of negligence, strict liability, breach of express and implied warranty, breach of special duty, fraud, negligent misrepresentation, conspiracy, public nuisance, claims under state and federal statutes governing consumer fraud, antitrust, deceptive trade practices and false advertising, and claims under RICO.
Department of Justice Lawsuit. In September 1999, the United States government commenced litigation against Liggett and other cigarette manufacturers in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. The action sought to recover an unspecified amount of health care costs paid and to be paid by the federal government for lung cancer, heart disease, emphysema and other smoking-related illnesses allegedly caused by the fraudulent and tortious conduct of defendants, to restrain defendants and co-conspirators from engaging in alleged fraud and other allegedly unlawful conduct in the future, and to compel defendants to disgorge the proceeds of their unlawful conduct. Claims were asserted under RICO.

23
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Unaudited


In August 2006, the trial court entered a Final Judgment against each of the cigarette manufacturing defendants, except Liggett. In May 2009, the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia affirmed most of the district court's decision. The United States Supreme Court denied review. As a result, the cigarette manufacturing defendants, other than Liggett, are now subject to the trial court's Final Judgment which ordered the following relief: (i) an injunction against “committing any act of racketeering” relating to the manufacturing, marketing, promotion, health consequences or sale of cigarettes in the United States; (ii) an injunction against participating directly or indirectly in the management or control of the Council for Tobacco Research, the Tobacco Institute, or the Center for Indoor Air Research, or any successor or affiliated entities of each; (iii) an injunction against “making, or causing to be made in any way, any material false, misleading, or deceptive statement or representation or engaging in any public relations or marketing endeavor that is disseminated to the United States' public and that misrepresents or suppresses information concerning cigarettes”; (iv) an injunction against conveying any express or implied health message through use of descriptors on cigarette packaging or in cigarette advertising or promotional material, including “lights,” “ultra lights,” and “low tar,” which the court found could cause consumers to believe one cigarette brand is less hazardous than another brand; (v) the issuance of “corrective statements” in various media regarding the adverse health effects of smoking, the addictiveness of smoking and nicotine, the lack of any significant health benefit from smoking “low tar” or “lights” cigarettes, defendants' manipulation of cigarette design to ensure optimum nicotine delivery and the adverse health effects of exposure to environmental tobacco smoke; (vi) the disclosure of defendants' public document websites and the production of all documents produced to the government or produced in any future court or administrative action concerning smoking and health; (vii) the disclosure of disaggregated marketing data to the government in the same form and on the same schedules as defendants now follow in disclosing such data to the Federal Trade Commission for a period of ten years; (viii) certain restrictions on the sale or transfer by defendants of any cigarette brands, brand names, formulas or cigarette business within the United States; and (ix) payment of the government's costs in bringing the action.
It is unclear what impact, if any, the Final Judgment will have on the cigarette industry as a whole. To the extent that the Final Judgment leads to a decline in industry-wide shipments of cigarettes in the United States or otherwise results in restrictions that adversely affect the industry, Liggett's sales volume, operating income and cash flows could be materially adversely affected.
Upcoming Trials
As of March 31, 2014, there were 18 Engle progeny cases scheduled for trial through March 31, 2015, where Liggett (and in many cases, the Company) is a named defendant. Trial dates are, however, subject to change.
MSA and Other State Settlement Agreements
In March 1996, March 1997 and March 1998, Liggett entered into settlements of smoking-related litigation with 45 states and territories. The settlements released Liggett from all smoking-related claims made by those states and territories, including claims for health care cost reimbursement and claims concerning sales of cigarettes to minors.
In November 1998, Philip Morris, Brown & Williamson, R.J. Reynolds and Lorillard (the “Original Participating Manufacturers” or “OPMs”) and Liggett (together with any other tobacco product manufacturer that becomes a signatory, the “Subsequent Participating Manufacturers” or “SPMs”) (the OPMs and SPMs are hereinafter referred to jointly as the “Participating Manufacturers”) entered into the Master Settlement Agreement (the “MSA”) with 46 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, the United States Virgin Islands, American Samoa and the Northern Mariana Islands (collectively, the “Settling States”) to settle the asserted and unasserted health care cost recovery and certain other claims of the Settling States. The MSA received final judicial approval in each Settling State.
As a result of the MSA, the Settling States released Liggett from:
•
all claims of the Settling States and their respective political subdivisions and other recipients of state health care funds, relating to: (i) past conduct arising out of the use, sale, distribution, manufacture, development, advertising and marketing of tobacco products; (ii) the health effects of, the exposure to, or research, statements or warnings about, tobacco products; and
•
all monetary claims of the Settling States and their respective subdivisions and other recipients of state health care funds relating to future conduct arising out of the use of, or exposure to, tobacco products that have been manufactured in the ordinary course of business.
The MSA restricts tobacco product advertising and marketing within the Settling States and otherwise restricts the activities of Participating Manufacturers. Among other things, the MSA prohibits the targeting of youth in the advertising, promotion or

24
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Unaudited


marketing of tobacco products; bans the use of cartoon characters in all tobacco advertising and promotion; limits each Participating Manufacturer to one tobacco brand name sponsorship during any 12-month period; bans all outdoor advertising, with certain limited exceptions; prohibits payments for tobacco product placement in various media; bans gift offers based on the purchase of tobacco products without sufficient proof that the intended recipient is an adult; prohibits Participating Manufacturers from licensing third parties to advertise tobacco brand names in any manner prohibited under the MSA; and prohibits Participating Manufacturers from using as a tobacco product brand name any nationally recognized non-tobacco brand or trade name or the names of sports teams, entertainment groups or individual celebrities.
The MSA also requires Participating Manufacturers to affirm corporate principles to comply with the MSA and to reduce underage use of tobacco products and imposes restrictions on lobbying activities conducted on behalf of Participating Manufacturers. In addition, the MSA provides for the appointment of an independent auditor to calculate and determine the amounts of payments owed pursuant to the MSA.
Under the payment provisions of the MSA, the Participating Manufacturers are required to make annual payments of $9,000,000 (subject to applicable adjustments, offsets and reductions). These annual payments are allocated based on unit volume of domestic cigarette shipments. The payment obligations under the MSA are the several, and not joint, obligation of each Participating Manufacturer and are not the responsibility of any parent or affiliate of a Participating Manufacturer.
Liggett has no payment obligations under the MSA except to the extent its market share exceeds a market share exemption of 1.63% (approximately 1.65% if the "gross" vs "net" settlement, described below, is not concluded) of total cigarettes sold in the United States. Vector Tobacco has no payment obligations under the MSA except to the extent its market share exceeds a market share exemption of approximately 0.28% of total cigarettes sold in the United States. Liggett and Vector Tobacco's domestic shipments accounted for 3.3% of the total cigarettes sold in the United States in 2013. If Liggett’s or Vector Tobacco’s market share exceeds their respective market share exemption in a given year, then on April 15 of the following year, Liggett and/or Vector Tobacco, as the case may be, must pay on each excess unit an amount equal (on a per-unit basis) to that due from the OPMs for that year. On December 31, 2013, Liggett pre-paid $95,000 of its 2013 MSA obligation. On April 15, 2014, Liggett and Vector Tobacco paid approximately $16,300 for the balance of their 2013 MSA obligation.
Certain MSA Disputes
NPM Adjustment.  In March 2006, an economic consulting firm selected pursuant to the MSA determined that the MSA was a “significant factor contributing to” the loss of market share of Participating Manufacturers, to non-participating manufacturers, for 2003. This is known as the “NPM Adjustment.” The economic consulting firm subsequently rendered the same decision with respect to 2004 and 2005. In March 2009, a different economic consulting firm made the same determination for 2006. As a result, the manufacturers are entitled to potential NPM Adjustments to each of their 2003 - 2006 MSA payments. The Participating Manufacturers are also entitled to potential NPM Adjustments to their 2007 - 2013 payments pursuant to agreements entered into between the OPMs and the Settling States under which the OPMs agreed to make certain payments for the benefit of the Settling States, in exchange for which the Settling States stipulated that the MSA was a “significant factor contributing to” the loss of market share of Participating Manufacturers for each of those years. A Settling State that has diligently enforced its qualifying escrow statute in the year in question may be able to avoid allocation of the NPM Adjustment to the payments made by the manufacturers for the benefit of that Settling State.
For 2003 through 2013, Liggett and Vector Tobacco, as applicable, disputed that they owed the Settling States the NPM Adjustments as calculated by the Independent Auditor. As permitted by the MSA, Liggett and Vector Tobacco paid subject to dispute, withheld payment or paid into a disputed payment account the amounts associated with these NPM Adjustments.
Notwithstanding provisions in the MSA requiring arbitration, litigation was filed in 49 Settling States involving the application of the NPM Adjustment for 2003 and whether it was to be determined through litigation or arbitration. These actions related to the potential NPM Adjustment for 2003, which the independent auditor under the MSA previously determined to be as much as $1,200,000 for all Participating Manufacturers. All but one of the 48 courts that decided the issue ruled that the 2003 NPM Adjustment dispute was arbitrable.
In response to a proposal from the OPMs and many of the SPMs, 45 of the Settling States, representing approximately 90% of the allocable share of the Settling States, entered into an agreement providing for a nationwide arbitration of the dispute with respect to the NPM Adjustment for 2003. In exchange the OPMs and SPMs agreed to a 20% reduction in the NPM Adjustment for 2003. In June 2010, the three person arbitration panel was selected. In November 2011, the Participating Manufacturers advised the arbitration panel that they were not contesting diligent enforcement of 16 Settling States for 2003. Substantive hearings commenced in April 2012 and were completed in June 2013.

25
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Unaudited


In December 2012, the Participating Manufacturers entered into a “term sheet” with 20 Settling States setting out terms for settlement of the NPM Adjustment for 2003 through 2012 and addressing the NPM Adjustment with respect to those states for future years. Certain of the non-settling states objected to the settlement. In March 2013, the arbitration panel entered a Stipulated Partial Settlement and Award which, among other things, overruled the objections of the non-settling states and directed the independent auditor to implement certain terms of the term sheet effective with the April 15, 2013 MSA payments. In May 2013, two additional states joined the settlement. Several non-settling states are attempting to vacate the settlement award by filing state court actions. In Idaho, a trial court denied that state's motion to vacate, and the state noticed an appeal of that denial. In Colorado, a trial court also denied that state’s motion to vacate; Colorado has not filed an appeal, and the time period for appeal has passed. Although certain terms of the settlement were implemented by the independent auditor on April 15, 2013, no assurance can be given as to the ultimate outcome of the non-settling states' challenges.
As a result of the settlement, in the first quarter of 2013 Liggett and Vector Tobacco recognized income of $5,602. Following the additional two states joining the settlement in May 2013, Liggett and Vector Tobacco recognized an additional $1,345 of income in the second quarter of 2013. Finally, Liggett and Vector Tobacco received credits of $1,733 in April 2014 from these settling states related to the 2013 NPM Adjustment. The remaining NPM Adjustment accrual of $27,600 at March 31, 2014 relates to the disputed amounts Liggett and Vector Tobacco have withheld from the non-settling states for 2004 through 2010, which may be subject to payment, with interest, if Liggett and Vector Tobacco lose the disputes for those years. Approximately $24,400 currently remains in the disputed payments accounts relating to the 2011, 2012 and 2013 NPM Adjustment dispute with these non-settling states.
In September 2013, the panel issued its decisions with respect to the 15 states that did not enter into the Stipulated Partial Settlement and Award, finding that six states did not diligently enforce their MSA escrow statutes in 2003. As a result of this ruling Liggett recognized income of $5,987 including interest, in the third quarter of 2013. All six of the states that were found to be non-diligent filed motions in state court seeking to vacate or reduce the amount of the arbitration award. A trial court in one of those states, Pennsylvania, rejected the state's motion to vacate the award but granted its motion to reduce the award. As a result, in April 2014, Liggett received a credit in the amount of $6,441 for the 2003 NPM Adjustment (as calculated by the independent auditor). It subsequently reimbursed the six states 20% of that credit, pursuant to the agreement discussed above, bringing its net recovery to $5,152, which is approximately $835 lower than the amount Liggett believes it’s entitled to. Subsequent to the April 15th MSA payment date, a state court in Missouri ruled similarly to the ruling in Pennsylvania. As such, Liggett's 2003 NPM credit adjustment could be reduced by an additional $500. The Participating Manufacturers, including Liggett, plan to appeal the Pennsylvania and Missouri decisions. If Liggett is unsuccessful in its appeal of the Pennsylvania or Missouri court rulings or if other states are successful with respect to any such motions, the amount of the 2003 NPM Adjustment and any interest or earnings to which Liggett is entitled could be lower than the amounts described above and Liggett would have to pay the difference.
"Gross" v. "Net" Calculations.  In October 2004, the independent auditor notified Liggett and all other Participating Manufacturers that their payment obligations under the MSA, dating from the agreement’s execution in late 1998, had been re-calculated using “net” units, rather than “gross” units (which had been used since 1999). Liggett objected to this retroactive change and disputed the change in methodology.
The change in the method of calculation could have resulted in Liggett owing as much as $38,800 of additional MSA payments for prior years, including interest, because the proposed change from “gross” to “net” units would have lowered Liggett’s grandfathered market share exemption under the MSA. The Company estimated that Liggett’s future annual MSA payments would have been at least approximately $2,500 higher under the revised method of calculation.
In December 2012, the parties arbitrated the dispute before a panel of three arbitrators. In February 2013, the arbitrators granted the relief sought by Liggett.  The arbitrators ruled that the limitations provisions of the MSA precluded the independent auditor from recalculating Liggett's grandfathered market share exemption or Liggett's payment obligations beyond the last four years.  The arbitrators further ruled that, for purposes of calculating Liggett's payment obligations for the applicable years, Liggett's market share, calculated on a net basis, should be increased by a factor of 1.25%.  Liggett filed a motion seeking correction of the part of the arbitrators' decision that would require the 1.25% increase in Liggett's market share. The states objected to Liggett's motion and sought additional relief from the panel declaring that any adjustment ordered by the panel is not limited by the four years limitations set forth in the MSA. If the arbitrator's ruling is not modified, Liggett would be required to pay approximately $16,200 for the previous five years. If the relief requested by the states is granted, Liggett could be required to pay up to approximately $36,200. The panel agreed to hear arguments on the motions in May 2013, but due to the conditional settlement described below, the parties agreed to adjourn the hearing.

26
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Unaudited


In June 2013, Liggett and a negotiating group on behalf of the Settling States reached an agreement in principle to resolve all disputes regarding "gross" v. "net", subject to definitive documentation and approval thereof by each Settling State. The proposed settlement requires that Liggett pay $8,500 to the Settling States and agree to reduce its market share exemption from 1.645% to 1.63% starting in 2013 and for all years thereafter. In exchange, the Settling States will release Liggett from all claims in connection with the "gross" v. "net" dispute. The Company fully accrued the proposed settlement payment of $8,500 in 2013. There can be no assurance that the settlement will be concluded and if it is not, that Liggett will be successful in seeking modification of the award by the panel or that Liggett will not be required to make additional payments, which could adversely affect the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
Litigation Challenging the MSA.  Litigation challenging the validity of the MSA, including claims that the MSA violates antitrust laws, has not been successful to date, although several cases are pending. Participating Manufacturers are not typically named as defendants in these cases.
Other State Settlements.  The MSA replaced Liggett’s prior settlements with all states and territories except for Florida, Mississippi, Texas and Minnesota. Each of these four states, prior to the effective date of the MSA, negotiated and executed settlement agreements with each of the other major tobacco companies, separate from those settlements reached previously with Liggett. Except as described below, Liggett's agreements with these states remain in full force and effect. These states' settlement agreements with Liggett contained most favored nation provisions which could reduce Liggett's payment obligations based on subsequent settlements or resolutions by those states with certain other tobacco companies. Beginning in 1999, Liggett determined that, based on each of these four states' settlements with United States Tobacco Company, Liggett's payment obligations to those states had been eliminated. With respect to all non-economic obligations under the previous settlements, Liggett believes it is entitled to the most favorable provisions as between the MSA and each state's respective settlement with the other major tobacco companies. Therefore, Liggett's non-economic obligations to all states and territories are now defined by the MSA.
In 2003, as a result of a dispute with Minnesota regarding its settlement agreement, Liggett agreed to pay $100 a year, in any year cigarettes manufactured by Liggett are sold in that state. In 2003 and 2004, the Attorneys General for Florida, Mississippi and Texas advised Liggett that they believed that Liggett had failed to make certain required payments under the respective settlement agreements with these states. In December 2010, Liggett settled with Florida and agreed to pay $1,200 and to make further annual payments of $250 for a period of 21 years, starting in March 2011. The payments in years 12 – 21 will be subject to an inflation adjustment. These payments are in lieu of any other payments allegedly due to Florida under the original settlement agreement. In February 2012, Mississippi provided Liggett with a 60-day notice that the state intended to pursue its remedies if Liggett did not cure the alleged defaults. Liggett responded to Mississippi's letter denying the existence of any defaults. There can be no assurance that Liggett will be able to resolve the matters with Texas and Mississippi or that Liggett will not be required to make additional payments which could adversely affect the Company's consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
Cautionary Statement.  Management is not able to predict the outcome of the litigation pending or threatened against Liggett or the Company. Litigation is subject to many uncertainties. Liggett has been found liable in several Engle progeny cases and in Individual Actions, several of which were affirmed on appeal and satisfied by Liggett. It is possible that other cases could be decided unfavorably against Liggett and that Liggett will be unsuccessful on appeal. Liggett may attempt to settle particular cases if it believes it is in its best interest to do so.
Management cannot predict the cash requirements related to any future defense costs, settlements or judgments, including cash required to bond any appeals, and there is a risk that those requirements will not be able to be met. An unfavorable outcome of a pending smoking-related case could encourage the commencement of additional litigation. Except as discussed in this Note 7, management is unable to estimate the loss or range of loss that could result from an unfavorable outcome of the cases pending against Liggett or the costs of defending such cases and as a result has not provided any amounts in its consolidated financial statements for unfavorable outcomes.
The tobacco industry is subject to a wide range of laws and regulations regarding the marketing, sale, taxation and use of tobacco products imposed by local, state and federal governments. There have been a number of restrictive regulatory actions, adverse legislative and political decisions and other unfavorable developments concerning cigarette smoking and the tobacco industry. These developments may negatively affect the perception of potential triers of fact with respect to the tobacco industry, possibly to the detriment of certain pending litigation, and may prompt the commencement of additional litigation or legislation.
It is possible that the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows could be materially adversely affected by an unfavorable outcome in any of the smoking-related litigation.

27
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Unaudited


The activity in the Company's accruals for the MSA and tobacco litigation for the three months ended March 31, 2014 were as follows:

 
Current Liabilities
 
Non-Current Liabilities
 
Payments due under Master Settlement Agreement
 
Litigation Accruals
 
Total
 
Payments due under Master Settlement Agreement
 
Litigation Accruals
 
Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at January 1, 2014
$
25,348

 
$
59,310

 
$
84,658

 
$
27,571

 
$
27,058

 
$
54,629

Expenses
24,542

 
1,688

 
26,230

 
—

 
—

 
—

NPM Settlement adjustment
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Change in MSA obligations capitalized as inventory
29

 
—

 
29

 
—

 
—

 
—

Payments
—

 
(59,782
)
 
(59,782
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

Reclassification from non-current liabilities
—

 
3,575

 
3,575

 
—

 
(3,575
)
 
(3,575
)
Interest on withholding
—

 
6

 
6

 
—

 
263

 
263

Balance as of March 31, 2014
$
49,919

 
$
4,797

 
$
54,716

 
$
27,571

 
$
23,746

 
$
51,317


The activity in the Company's accruals for the MSA and tobacco litigation for the three months ended March 31, 2013 were as follows:
 
Current Liabilities
 
Non-Current Liabilities
 
Payments due under Master Settlement Agreement
 
Litigation Accruals
 
Total
 
Payments due under Master Settlement Agreement
 
Litigation Accruals
 
Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at January 1, 2013
$
32,970

 
$
1,470

 
$
34,440

 
$
52,639

 
$
1,862

 
$
54,501

Expenses
28,389

 
124

 
28,513

 
—

 
—

 
—

NPM Settlement adjustment
—

 
—

 
—

 
(12,144
)
 
—

 
(12,144
)
Change in MSA obligations capitalized as inventory
96

 
—

 
96

 
—

 
—

 
—

Payments
—

 
(1,580
)
 
(1,580
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

Reclassification from non-current liabilities
3,277

 
223

 
3,500

 
(3,277
)
 
(223
)
 
(3,500
)
Interest on withholding
—

 
11

 
11

 
—

 
42

 
42

Balance as of March 31, 2013
$
64,732

 
$
248

 
$
64,980

 
$
37,218

 
$
1,681

 
$
38,899



Other Matters:

Liggett’s and Vector Tobacco’s management are unaware of any material environmental conditions affecting their existing facilities. Liggett’s and Vector Tobacco’s management believe that current operations are conducted in material compliance with all environmental laws and regulations and other laws and regulations governing cigarette manufacturers. Compliance with federal, state and local provisions regulating the discharge of materials into the environment, or otherwise relating to the protection of the environment, has not had a material effect on the capital expenditures, results of operations or competitive position of Liggett or Vector Tobacco.

28
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Unaudited


Liggett Vector Brands entered into an agreement with a subsidiary of the American Wholesale Marketers Association to support a program to permit certain tobacco distributors to secure, on reasonable terms, tax stamp bonds required by state and local governments for the distribution of cigarettes. The agreement expires in February 2016. Under the agreement, Liggett Vector Brands has agreed to pay a portion of losses incurred by the surety under the bond program, with a maximum loss exposure of $500. To secure its potential obligations under the agreement, Liggett Vector Brands posted a $100 letter of credit and agreed to fund up to an additional $400. In the third quarter of 2013, Liggett paid $83 for obligations under this program, and therefore, is only committed to fund an additional $317 over the letter of credit. The Company believes the fair value of Liggett Vector Brands’ obligation under the agreement was immaterial at March 31, 2014.
There may be several other proceedings, lawsuits and claims pending against the Company and certain of its consolidated subsidiaries unrelated to tobacco or tobacco product liability. Management is of the opinion that the liabilities, if any, ultimately resulting from such other proceedings, lawsuits and claims should not materially affect the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.



8.
INCOME TAXES

The Company's provision for income taxes in interim periods is based on an estimated annual effective income tax rate derived, in part, from estimated annual pre-tax results from ordinary operations. The annual effective income tax rate is reviewed and, if necessary, adjusted on a quarterly basis.
The Company's income tax expense (benefit) consisted of the following:

 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2014
 
2013
Income (loss) before provision for income taxes
$
6,471

 
$
(2,016
)
Income tax expense (benefit) using estimated annual effective income tax rate
2,303

 
(788
)
Impact of discrete items, net
639

 
453

Income tax expense (benefit)
$
2,942

 
$
(335
)

The discrete item for the three months ended March 31, 2014 is primarily related to an increase in the blended state tax rate that resulted in the Company's revaluation of its deferred taxes and the results of a recent state income tax audit. The discrete item for the three months ended March 31, 2013 is related to the the loss on the extinguishment of the 11% Senior Secured Notes.


29
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Unaudited


9. INVESTMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

The Company's recurring financial assets and liabilities subject to fair value measurements are as follows:

 
 
Fair Value Measurements as of March 31, 2014
Description
 
Total
 
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets
(Level 1)
 

Significant Other Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
 


Significant Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Money market funds
 
$
130,030

 
$
130,030

 
$
—

 
$
—

Certificates of deposit
 
3,350

 
—

 
3,350

 
—

Bonds
 
5,237

 
5,237

 
—

 
—

Investment securities available for sale
 

 
 
 
 
 
—

Equity securities
 
124,391

 
123,514

 
877

 
—

Fixed income securities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Government securities
 
14,970

 
—

 
14,970

 
—

Corporate securities
 
30,304

 
6,975

 
23,329

 
—

U.S. mortgage backed securities
 
219

 
—

 
219

 
—

Commercial mortgage-backed securities
 
6,705

 
—

 
6,705

 
—

U.S. asset backed securities
 
3,995

 
—

 
3,995

 
—

Index-linked U.S. bonds
 
252

 
—

 
252

 
—

Total fixed income securities
 
56,445

 
6,975

 
49,470

 
—

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Warrants
 
1,602

 
—

 
—

 
1,602

Total
 
$
321,055

 
$
265,756

 
$
53,697

 
$
1,602

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair value of derivatives embedded within convertible debt
 
$
193,975

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
193,975

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

(1)
Warrants include 1,000,000 of LTS Warrants received on November 4, 2011 which were carried at $1,602 as of March 31, 2014 and are included in "Other assets". The Company recognized loss of $157 for the three months ended March 31, 2014 related to the change in fair value of the Warrants.


30
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Unaudited


 
 
Fair Value Measurements as of December 31, 2013
Description
 
Total
 
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets
(Level 1)
 

Significant Other Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
 


Significant Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Money market funds
 
$
130,733

 
$
130,733

 
$
—

 
$
—

Certificates of deposit
 
2,961

 
—

 
2,961

 
—

Bonds
 
5,337

 
5,337

 
—

 
—

Investment securities available for sale
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
—

Equity securities
 
118,474

 
117,737

 
737

 
—

Fixed income securities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
—

U.S. Government securities
 
13,990

 
—

 
13,990

 
—

Corporate securities
 
29,923

 
6,497

 
23,426

 
—

U.S. mortgage backed securities
 
495

 
—

 
495

 
—

Commercial mortgage-backed securities
 
6,822

 
—

 
6,822

 
—

U.S. asset backed securities
 
2,081

 
—

 
2,081

 
—

Index-linked U.S. bonds
 
749

 
—

 
749

 
—

Total fixed income securities
 
54,060

 
6,497

 
47,563

 
—

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Warrants (1)
 
1,935

 
—

 
—

 
1,935

Total
 
$
313,500

 
$
260,304

 
$
51,261

 
$
1,935

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair value of derivatives embedded within convertible debt
 
$
112,062

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
112,062

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

(1)
Warrants include 1,000,000 of LTS Warrants received on November 4, 2011 which were carried at $1,758 as of December 31, 2013 and are included in "Other assets". The Company recognized income of $65 for the three months ended March 31, 2013 related to the change in fair value of the Warrants.


The fair value of the Level 2 certificates of deposit are based on prices posted by the financial institutions. The fair value of investment securities available for sale included in Level 1 are based on quoted market prices from various stock exchanges. The Level 2 investment securities available for sale are equity securities based on quoted market prices of securities that are thinly traded and debt securities based on evaluated prices using observable, market-based inputs.
The fair value of derivatives embedded within convertible debt was derived using a valuation model and have been classified as Level 3. The valuation model assumes future dividend payments by the Company and utilizes interest rates and credit spreads based upon the implied debt rate of the 5.50% Convertible Notes to determine the fair value of the derivatives embedded within the convertible debt. The changes in fair value of derivatives embedded within convertible debt are presented on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
The value of the embedded derivatives is contingent on changes in implied interest rates of the convertible debt, the Company's stock price, stock volatility as well as projections of future cash and stock dividends over the term of the debt.  The interest rate component of the value of the embedded derivative is computed by calculating an equivalent non-convertible, unsecured and subordinated borrowing cost. This rate is determined by calculating the implied rate on the Company's 2019 Convertible Notes when removing the embedded option value within the convertible security. This rate is based upon market observable inputs and influenced by the Company's stock price, convertible bond trading price, risk free interest rates and stock volatility. 

31
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Unaudited


The Company recognized charges of $1,650 and income of $3,049 for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
The fair value of the warrants was derived using the Black-Scholes model and has been classified as Level 3. The assumptions used under the Black-Scholes model in computing the fair value of the warrants are based on contractual term of the warrants, volatility of the underlying stock based on the historical quoted prices of the underlying stock, assumed future dividend payments and a risk-free rate of return.
The unobservable inputs related to the valuations of the Level 3 assets and liabilities are as follows at March 31, 2014:

 
 
Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements
 
 
Fair Value at
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
March 31,
2014
 
Valuation Technique
 
Unobservable Input
 
Range (Actual)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Warrants
 
$
1,602

 
Option model
 
Stock price
 
$
3.02

 
 
 
 
 
 
Exercise price
 
$
1.68

 
 
 
 
 
 
Term (in years)
 
2.6

 
 
 
 
 
 
Volatility
 
50.64
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dividend rate
 
—

 
 
 
 
 
 
Risk-free return
 
0.70
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair value of derivatives embedded within convertible debt
 
$
193,975

 
Discounted cash flow
 
Assumed annual stock dividend
 
5
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assumed annual cash dividend
 
$
1.60

 
 
 
 
 
 
Stock price
 
$
21.54

 
 
 
 
 
 
Convertible trading price
 
104.56
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Volatility
 
16
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Implied credit spread
 
6.25% - 7.25% (6.75%)



32
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Unaudited


The unobservable inputs related to the valuations of the Level 3 assets and liabilities are as follows at December 31, 2013:

 
 
Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements
 
 
Fair Value at
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31,
2013
 
Valuation Technique
 
Unobservable Input
 
Range (Actual)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Warrants
 
$
1,935

 
Option model
 
Stock price
 
$
3.13

 
 
 
 
 
 
Exercise price
 
$
1.68

 
 
 
 
 
 
Term (in years)
 
2.8

 
 
 
 
 
 
Volatility
 
53.82
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dividend rate
 
—

 
 
 
 
 
 
Risk-free return
 
0.72
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair value of derivatives embedded within convertible debt
 
$
112,062

 
Discounted cash flow
 
Assumed annual stock dividend
 
5
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assumed annual cash dividend
 
$
1.60

 
 
 
 
 
 
Stock price
 
$
16.37

 
 
 
 
 
 
Convertible trading price
 
118.70
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Volatility
 
18
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Implied credit spread
 
7.5% - 8.5% (8.0%)



In addition to assets and liabilities that are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis, the Company is required to record assets and liabilities at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. Generally, assets and liabilities are recorded at fair value on a nonrecurring basis as a result of impairment charges. The Company had no nonrecurring nonfinancial assets subject to fair value measurements as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.

10. SEGMENT INFORMATION

The Company's significant business segments for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 were Tobacco and Real Estate. The Tobacco segment consists of the manufacture and sale of conventional cigarettes. The Real Estate segment includes the Company’s investment in New Valley LLC, which includes Douglas Elliman, Escena, Indian Creek and investments in non-consolidated real estate businesses. Corporate and other includes the operations of the Company's e-cigarette business ("Zoom"). The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies.
  

33
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Unaudited


Financial information for the Company's operations before taxes for three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 follows:

 
 
 
Real
 
Corporate
 
 
 
Tobacco
 
Estate
 
and Other
 
Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three months ended March 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues
$
233,392

 
$
108,044

 
$
5,800

 
$
347,236

Operating income (loss)
42,896

(1
)
4,744

 
(4,918
)
 
42,722

Equity income from non-consolidated real estate businesses
—

 
1,552

 
—

 
1,552

Depreciation and amortization
2,493

 
4,347

 
252

 
7,092

Capital expenditures
4,551

 
1,873

 
—

 
6,424

 


 
 
 
 
 
 
Three months ended March 31, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues
$
240,402

 
$
5,767

 
$
—

 
$
246,169

Operating income (loss)
47,160

(2) 
86

 
(4,150
)
 
43,096

Equity income from non-consolidated real estate businesses
—

 
481

 
—

 
481

Depreciation and amortization
2,385

 
128

 
83

 
2,596

Capital expenditures
1,937

 
305

 
1,315

 
3,557

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

(1) Operating income includes $1,500 of litigation settlement charges.
(2) Operating income includes $5,602 of income from NPM Settlement.




34
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Unaudited



11. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL INFORMATION

The accompanying condensed consolidating financial information has been prepared and presented pursuant to Securities and Exchange Commission Regulation S-X, Rule 3-10, “Financial Statements of Guarantors and Issuers of Guaranteed Securities Registered or Being Registered”. Each of the subsidiary guarantors are 100% owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company, and all guarantees are joint and several and subject to certain automatic release provisions. Relief from the financial statement requirements under Rule 3-10 is being provided because the Company's guarantee release provisions are considered customary. Such release provisions are as follows:
•
the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets or all of the capital stock of any subsidiary guarantor; and
•
the satisfaction of the requirements for legal defeasance or the satisfaction and discharge of the indenture.
The Company's investments in its consolidated subsidiaries are presented under the equity method of accounting.
The indenture of the 7.75% Senior Secured Notes contains covenants that restrict the payment of dividends by the Company if the Company's consolidated earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, as defined in the indenture, for the most recently ended four full quarters is less than $75,000 and the indenture also restricts the incurrence of debt if the Company's Leverage Ratio and its Secured Leverage Ratio, as defined in the indenture, exceed 3.0 and 1.5, respectively.





35
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Unaudited


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS
 
 
 
March 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Subsidiary
 
 
 
Consolidated
 
Parent/
 
Subsidiary
 
Non-
 
Consolidating
 
Vector Group
 
Issuer
 
Guarantors
 
Guarantors
 
Adjustments
 
Ltd.
ASSETS:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
292,285

 
$
19,299

 
$
69,892

 
$
—

 
$
381,476

Investment securities available for sale
121,872

 
58,964

 
—

 
—

 
180,836

Accounts receivable - trade, net
—

 
10,782

 
2,399

 
—

 
13,181

Intercompany receivables
331

 
191

 
—

 
(522
)
 
—

Inventories
—

 
110,030

 
—

 
—

 
110,030

Deferred income taxes
22,801

 
5,623

 
—

 
—

 
28,424

Income taxes receivable, net
27,504

 
—

 
—

 
(5,344
)
 
22,160

Restricted assets
—

 
2,103

 
1,414

 
—

 
3,517

Other current assets
25,905

 
12,743

 
13,924

 
(25,318
)
 
27,254

Total current assets
490,698

 
219,735

 
87,629

 
(31,184
)
 
766,878

Property, plant and equipment, net
3,389

 
57,193

 
20,508

 
—

 
81,090

Investment in consolidated real estate businesses, net
—

 
—

 
21,087

 
—

 
21,087

Long-term investments accounted for at cost
21,040

 
—

 
747

 
—

 
21,787

Long-term investments accounted for under the equity method
12,834

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
12,834

Investments in non-consolidated real estate businesses
—

 
—

 
129,879

 
—

 
129,879

Investments in consolidated subsidiaries
433,400

 
—

 
—

 
(433,400
)
 
—

Restricted assets
1,595

 
9,416

 
—

 
—

 
11,011

Deferred income taxes
46,856

 
8,383

 
3,776

 
—

 
59,015

Goodwill and other intangible assets, net
—

 
107,511

 
161,063

 
—

 
268,574

Prepaid pension costs
—

 
26,872

 
—

 
—

 
26,872

Other assets
44,677

 
10,290

 
5,251

 
—

 
60,218

Total assets
$
1,054,489

 
$
439,400

 
$
429,940

 
$
(464,584
)
 
$
1,459,245

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIENCY:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current portion of notes payable and long-term debt
$
105,411

 
$
52,447

 
$
251

 
$
(25,318
)
 
$
132,791

Current portion of fair value of derivatives embedded within convertible debt
12,107

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
12,107

Current portion of employee benefits
—

 
939

 
—

 
—

 
939

Accounts payable
1,210

 
4,083

 
4,222

 
—

 
9,515

Intercompany payables
—

 
—

 
522

 
(522
)
 
—

Accrued promotional expenses
—

 
18,566

 
—

 
—

 
18,566

Income taxes payable, net
—

 
8,489

 
—

 
(5,344
)
 
3,145

Accrued excise and payroll taxes payable, net
—

 
23,528

 
—

 
—

 
23,528

Litigation accruals and current payments due under the Master Settlement Agreement
—

 
54,716

 
—

 
—

 
54,716

Deferred income taxes
36,311

 
14,143

 
—

 
—

 
50,454

Accrued interest
13,099

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
13,099

Other current liabilities
2,645

 
8,388

 
14,522

 
—

 
25,555

Total current liabilities
170,783

 
185,299

 
19,517

 
(31,184
)
 
344,415

Notes payable, long-term debt and other obligations, less current portion
677,399

 
9,473

 
3,954

 
—

 
690,826

Fair value of derivatives embedded within convertible debt
181,868

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
181,868

Non-current employee benefits
31,828

 
16,404

 
—

 
—

 
48,232

Deferred income taxes
78,241

 
38,356

 
35,389

 
—

 
151,986

Other liabilities, primarily litigation accruals and payments due under the Master Settlement Agreement
1,321

 
51,761

 
1,411

 
—

 
54,493

Total liabilities
1,141,440

 
301,293

 
60,271

 
(31,184
)
 
1,471,820

Commitments and contingencies


 


 


 


 


Stockholders' (deficiency) equity attributed to Vector Group Ltd.
(86,951
)
 
138,107

 
295,293

 
(433,400
)
 
(86,951
)
Non-controlling interest
—

 
—

 
74,376

 
—

 
74,376

Total Stockholders' (deficiency) equity
(86,951
)
 
138,107

 
369,669

 
(433,400
)
 
(12,575
)
Total liabilities and stockholders' deficiency
$
1,054,489

 
$
439,400

 
$
429,940

 
$
(464,584
)
 
$
1,459,245




36
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Unaudited


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS
 
 
 
December 31, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Subsidiary
 
 
 
Consolidated
 
Parent/
 
Subsidiary
 
Non-
 
Consolidating
 
Vector Group
 
Issuer
 
Guarantors
 
Guarantors
 
Adjustments
 
Ltd.
ASSETS:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
151,342

 
$
11,812

 
$
71,312

 
$
—

 
$
234,466

Investment securities available for sale
114,886

 
57,648

 
—

 
—

 
172,534

Accounts receivable - trade, net
—

 
10,154

 
2,005

 
—

 
12,159

Intercompany receivables
509

 
—

 
—

 
(509
)
 
—

Inventories
—

 
93,496

 
—

 
—

 
93,496

Deferred income taxes
45,578

 
4,901

 
—

 
—

 
50,479

Income taxes receivable, net
—

 
10,447

 
—

 
(10,447
)
 
—

Restricted assets
—

 
1,060

 
725

 
—

 
1,785

Other current assets
513

 
12,579

 
10,300

 
—

 
23,392

Total current assets
312,828

 
202,097

 
84,342

 
(10,956
)
 
588,311

Property, plant and equipment, net
3,641

 
55,093

 
20,524

 
—

 
79,258

Investment in consolidated real estate businesses, net
—

 
—

 
20,911

 
—

 
20,911

Long-term investments accounted for at cost
20,041

 
—

 
747

 
—

 
20,788

Long-term investments accounted for under the equity method
8,595

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
8,595

Investments in non-consolidated real estate businesses
—

 
—

 
128,202

 
—

 
128,202

Investments in consolidated subsidiaries
410,442

 
—

 
—

 
(410,442
)
 
—

Restricted assets
1,895

 
10,086

 
—

 
—

 
11,981

Deferred income taxes
35,000

 
12,766

 
3,708

 
—

 
51,474

Goodwill and other intangible assets, net
—

 
107,511

 
163,600

 
—

 
271,111

Prepaid pension costs
—

 
26,080

 
—

 
—

 
26,080

Other assets
38,374

 
10,126

 
5,053

 
—

 
53,553

Total assets
$
830,816

 
$
423,759

 
$
427,087

 
$
(421,398
)
 
$
1,260,264

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIENCY:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current portion of notes payable and long-term debt
$
112,275

 
$
39,013

 
$
289

 
$
—

 
$
151,577

Current portion of fair value of derivatives embedded within convertible debt
19,128

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
19,128

Current portion of employee benefits
—

 
939

 
—

 
—

 
939

Accounts payable
1,509

 
4,136

 
21,154

 
—

 
26,799

Intercompany payables
—

 
39

 
470

 
(509
)
 
—

Accrued promotional expenses
—

 
18,655

 
—

 
—

 
18,655

Income taxes payable, net
16,870

 
—

 
—

 
(10,447
)
 
6,423

Accrued excise and payroll taxes payable, net
—

 
11,621

 
—

 
—

 
11,621

Litigation accruals and current payments due under the Master Settlement Agreement
—

 
84,658

 
—

 
—

 
84,658

Deferred income taxes
32,309

 
13,425

 
—

 
—

 
45,734

Accrued interest
21,968

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
21,968

Other current liabilities
6,103

 
10,495

 
1,010

 
—

 
17,608

Total current liabilities
210,162

 
182,981

 
22,923

 
(10,956
)
 
405,110

Notes payable, long-term debt and other obligations, less current portion
524,182

 
12,573

 
4,011

 
—

 
540,766

Fair value of derivatives embedded within convertible debt
92,934

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
92,934

Non-current employee benefits
31,462

 
16,455

 
—

 
—

 
47,917

Deferred income taxes
65,759

 
37,602

 
34,289

 
—

 
137,650

Other liabilities, primarily litigation accruals and payments due under the Master Settlement Agreement
1,353

 
54,924

 
1,219

 
—

 
57,496

Total liabilities
925,852

 
304,535

 
62,442

 
(10,956
)
 
1,281,873

Commitments and contingencies


 


 


 


 


Stockholders' (deficiency) equity attributed to Vector Group Ltd.
(95,036
)
 
119,224

 
291,218

 
(410,442
)
 
(95,036
)
Non-controlling interest
—

 
—

 
73,427

 
—

 
73,427

Total Stockholders' (deficiency) equity
(95,036
)
 
119,224

 
364,645

 
(410,442
)
 
(21,609
)
Total liabilities and stockholders' deficiency
$
830,816

 
$
423,759

 
$
427,087

 
$
(421,398
)
 
$
1,260,264



37
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Unaudited


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS


 
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Subsidiary
 
 
 
Consolidated
 
  Parent/  
 
Subsidiary
 
Non-
 
Consolidating
 
Vector Group
 
  Issuer  
 
Guarantors
 
Guarantors
 
Adjustments
 
        Ltd.        
Revenues
$
—

 
$
239,192

 
$
108,044

 
$
—

 
$
347,236

Expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of sales
—

 
171,713

 
67,324

 
—

 
239,037

Operating, selling, administrative and general expenses
6,283

 
23,185

 
36,009

 
—

 
65,477

Management fee expense
—

 
2,467

 
—

 
(2,467
)
 
—

Operating (loss) income
(6,283
)
 
41,827

 
4,711

 
2,467

 
42,722

Other income (expenses):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
(34,782
)
 
(955
)
 
(34
)
 
318

 
(35,453
)
Change in fair value of derivatives embedded within convertible debt
(1,650
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(1,650
)
Acceleration of interest expense related to debt conversion
(3,679
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(3,679
)
Equity income from non-consolidated real estate businesses
—

 
—

 
1,552

 
—

 
1,552

Equity income on long-term investments
906

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
906

Loss on investment securities available for sale
(53
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(53
)
Equity income in consolidated subsidiaries
28,667

 
—

 
—

 
(28,667
)
 
—

Management fee income
2,467

 
—

 
—

 
(2,467
)
 
—

Other income, net
698

 
260

 
1,486

 
(318
)
 
2,126

(Loss) income before provision for income taxes
(13,709
)
 
41,132

 
7,715

 
(28,667
)
 
6,471

Income tax benefit (expense)
17,238

 
(16,639
)
 
(3,541
)
 
—

 
(2,942
)
Net income
3,529

 
24,493

 
4,174

 
(28,667
)
 
3,529

Net income attributed to non-controlling interest
—

 
—

 
(949
)
 
—

 
(949
)
Net income attributed to Vector Group Ltd.
3,529

 
24,493

 
3,225

 
(28,667
)
 
2,580

Comprehensive income attributed to non-controlling interest
—

 
—

 
(949
)
 
—

 
(949
)
Comprehensive income attributed to Vector Group
$
7,888

 
$
25,195

 
$
3,225

 
$
(28,420
)
 
$
7,888






















38
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Unaudited


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS



 
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Subsidiary
 
 
 
Consolidated
 
  Parent/  
 
Subsidiary
 
Non-
 
Consolidating
 
Vector Group
 
  Issuer  
 
Guarantors
 
Guarantors
 
Adjustments
 
        Ltd.        
Revenues
$
—

 
$
240,402

 
$
5,767

 
$
—

 
$
246,169

Expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of sales
—

 
172,956

 
4,221

 
—

 
177,177

Operating, selling, administrative and general expenses
5,876

 
18,494

 
1,526

 
—

 
25,896

Management fee expense
—

 
2,377

 
—

 
(2,377
)
 
—

Operating (loss) income
(5,876
)
 
46,575

 
20

 
2,377

 
43,096

Other income (expenses):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
(32,960
)
 
(412
)
 
(4
)
 
—

 
(33,376
)
Change in fair value of derivatives embedded within convertible debt
3,049

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
3,049

Loss on extinguishment of debt
(21,458
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(21,458
)
Equity income from non-consolidated real estate businesses
—

 
—

 
481

 
—

 
481

Equity loss on long-term investments
(23
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(23
)
Gain on investment securities available for sale
—

 
5,406

 
—

 
—

 
5,406

Equity income in consolidated subsidiaries
31,288

 
—

 
—

 
(31,288
)
 
—

Management fee income
2,377

 
—

 
—

 
(2,377
)
 
—

Other, net
702

 
55

 
52

 
—

 
809

(Loss) income before provision for income taxes
(22,901
)
 
51,624

 
549

 
(31,288
)
 
(2,016
)
Income tax benefit (expense)
21,220

 
(20,657
)
 
(228
)
 
—

 
335

Net (loss) income
(1,681
)
 
30,967

 
321

 
(31,288
)
 
(1,681
)
Comprehensive income
$
4,233

 
$
34,445

 
$
321

 
$
(34,766
)
 
$
4,233


 


 
    

39
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Unaudited


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Subsidiary
 
 
 
Consolidated
 
  Parent/  
 
Subsidiary
 
Non-
 
Consolidating
 
Vector Group
 
Issuer   
 
Guarantors
 
Guarantors
 
Adjustments
 
Ltd.
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities
$
(36,859
)
 
$
1,776

 
$
1,880

 
$
(5,881
)
 
$
(39,084
)
Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sale of investment securities
35,009

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
35,009

Purchase of investment securities
(36,763
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(36,763
)
Purchase of long-term investments
(1,000
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(1,000
)
Investments in non-consolidated real estate businesses
—

 
—

 
(4,068
)
 
—

 
(4,068
)
Distributions from non-consolidated real estate businesses
—

 
—

 
2,575

 
—

 
2,575

Increase in cash surrender value of life insurance policies
—

 
(47
)
 
—

 
—

 
(47
)
Decrease (increase) in restricted assets
300

 
(1
)
 
(689
)
 
—

 
(390
)
Issuance of notes receivable
(35,000
)
 
—

 
—

 
35,000

 
—

Investments in subsidiaries
(7,081
)
 
—

 
—

 
7,081

 
—

Capital expenditures
—

 
(4,551
)
 
(1,873
)
 
—

 
(6,424
)
Repayments of notes receivable
10,933

 
—

 
—

 
(10,000
)
 
933

Net cash used in investing activities
(33,602
)
 
(4,599
)
 
(4,055
)
 
32,081

 
(10,175
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Proceeds from debt issuance
258,750

 
36,758

 
—

 
(35,000
)
 
260,508

Deferred financing costs
(8,210
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(8,210
)
Repayments of debt
—

 
(12,120
)
 
(95
)
 
10,000

 
(2,215
)
Borrowings under revolver
—

 
196,842

 
—

 
—

 
196,842

Repayments on revolver
—

 
(211,520
)
 
—

 
—

 
(211,520
)
Capital contributions received
—

 
350

 
6,731

 
(7,081
)
 
—

Intercompany dividends paid
—

 
—

 
(5,881
)
 
5,881

 
—

Dividends and distributions on common stock
(40,865
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(40,865
)
Proceeds from exercise of Vector options
1,385

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
1,385

Tax benefit of options exercised
344

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
344

Net cash provided by financing activities
211,404

 
10,310

 
755

 
(26,200
)
 
196,269

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
140,943

 
7,487

 
(1,420
)
 
—

 
147,010

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
151,342

 
11,812

 
71,312

 
—

 
234,466

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
$
292,285

 
$
19,299

 
$
69,892

 
$
—

 
$
381,476



40
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Unaudited


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Subsidiary
 
 
 
Consolidated
 
  Parent/  
 
Subsidiary
 
Non-
 
Consolidating
 
Vector Group
 
Issuer   
 
Guarantors
 
Guarantors
 
Adjustments
 
Ltd.        
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities
$
(36,170
)
 
$
40,891

 
$
900

 
$
(15,538
)
 
$
(9,917
)
Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sale of investment securities
—

 
6,582

 
—

 
—

 
6,582

Purchase of investment securities
—

 
(5,000
)
 
—

 
—

 
(5,000
)
Investments in non-consolidated real estate businesses
—

 
—

 
(1,354
)
 
—

 
(1,354
)
Investments in consolidated real estate businesses
—

 
—

 
(7,617
)
 
—

 
(7,617
)
Increase in cash surrender value of life insurance policies
(21
)
 
(47
)
 
—

 
—

 
(68
)
Decrease (increase) in restricted assets
8

 
(1
)
 
—

 
—

 
7

Investments in subsidiaries
(15,777
)
 
—

 
—

 
15,777

 
—

Capital expenditures
(1,315
)
 
(1,937
)
 
(305
)
 
—

 
(3,557
)
Net cash used in investing activities
(17,105
)
 
(403
)
 
(9,276
)
 
15,777

 
(11,007
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Proceeds from debt issuance
450,000

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
450,000

Deferred financing costs
(11,447
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(11,447
)
Repayments of debt
(415,000
)
 
(1,870
)
 
(34
)
 
—

 
(416,904
)
Borrowings under revolver
—

 
214,762

 
—

 
—

 
214,762

Repayments on revolver
—

 
(233,691
)
 
—

 
—

 
(233,691
)
Capital contributions received
—

 
5,800

 
9,977

 
(15,777
)
 
—

Intercompany dividends paid
—

 
(14,000
)
 
(1,538
)
 
15,538

 
—

Dividends and distributions on common stock
(35,749
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(35,749
)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
(12,196
)
 
(28,999
)
 
8,405

 
(239
)
 
(33,029
)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
(65,471
)
 
11,489

 
29

 
—

 
(53,953
)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
401,344

 
3,776

 
735

 
—

 
405,855

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
$
335,873

 
$
15,265

 
$
764

 
$
—

 
$
351,902



41


ITEM 2.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION    AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)


Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) is designed to provide a reader of Vector Group Ltd.’s  financial statements with a narrative from our management's perspective. Our MD&A is divided into the following sections:
•Overview and Recent Developments
•Results of Operations
•Liquidity and Capital Resources

Please read this discussion along with our MD&A and audited financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2013 and Notes thereto, included in the our 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K, and our Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements and related Notes as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2014.

Overview
We are a holding company and are engaged principally in:
•
the manufacture and sale of cigarettes in the United States through our Liggett Group LLC and Vector Tobacco Inc. subsidiaries, and
•
the real estate business through our New Valley LLC subsidiary, which is seeking to acquire additional operating companies and real estate properties. New Valley owns 70.59% of Douglas Elliman, which operates the largest residential brokerage company in the New York metropolitan area.
On December 13, 2013, an affiliate of New Valley LLC acquired an additional 20.59% interest in Douglas Elliman from Prudential Real Estate Financial Services of America, Inc. The acquisition increased our ownership of Douglas Elliman from 50% to 70.59%. Consequently, after December 13, 2013, we consolidate the operations and financial position of Douglas Elliman.
Our subsidiary, Zoom E-Cigs LLC ("Zoom"), entered the emerging United States electronic cigarette ("e-cigarette") market in limited retail distribution outlets. Zoom’s operations are included in our “Corporate and Other” reporting segment.
On March 14, 2014, the holder of the 6.75% Variable Interest Senior Convertible Note due 2014 converted $25,000 principal balance of the $50,000 Note into 2,121,479 of our common shares.
On March 24, 2014, we completed the sale of $258,750 of our Variable Interest Convertible Senior Notes due 2020 and received net proceeds from the sale of the Notes were approximately $250,300. On April 15, 2014, we completed the sale of principal amount of our 7.75% Senior Secured Notes due 2021 for a price of 106.750% in a private offering to qualified institutional investors in accordance with Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. We received net proceeds of approximately $156,000. The net proceeds of both issuances will be used for general corporate purposes, including for additional investments in real estate and in our tobacco business. We may also consider using a portion of the net proceeds from the sale of the Notes to address upcoming debt maturities.
In May 2014, the Indian Creek property was sold for approximately $14,400 and New Valley received a distribution of approximately $7,100.



Recent Developments in Smoking-Related Litigation

There are no material changes from the Recent Developments in Smoking-Related Litigation set forth in Item 7, “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the year ended December 31, 2013. Please refer to that section and the information below for disclosures regarding the critical accounting policies related to our business.



42


Critical Accounting Policies

There are no material changes from the critical accounting policies set forth in Item 7, “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the year ended December 31, 2013. Please refer to that section and the information below for disclosures regarding the critical accounting policies related to our business.


Results of Operations

The following discussion provides an assessment of our results of operations, capital resources and liquidity and should be read in conjunction with our condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this report. The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of VGR Holding, Liggett, Vector Tobacco, Liggett Vector Brands, New Valley and other less significant subsidiaries.

For purposes of this discussion and other consolidated financial reporting, our significant business segments for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 were Tobacco and Real Estate. The Tobacco segment consists of the manufacture and sale of cigarettes. The Real Estate segment includes the Company’s investment in New Valley LLC, which includes Douglas Elliman, Escena, Indian Creek and investments in non-consolidated real estate businesses. Corporate and other includes the operations of our e-cigarette business ("Zoom").
 
Three Months Ended
 
 
March 31,
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
Tobacco
$
233,392

 
$
240,402

 
Real estate
108,044

 
5,767

 
Corporate and other
5,800

 
—

 
  Total revenues
$
347,236

 
$
246,169

 
Operating income (loss):
 
 
 
 
Tobacco
$
42,896

(1) 
$
47,160

(2) 
Real Estate
4,744

 
86

 
Corporate and other
(4,918
)
 
(4,150
)
 
Total operating income
$
42,722

 
$
43,096

 
____________________

(1) Operating income includes $1,500 of litigation settlement charges.
(2) Operating income includes $5,602 of income from NPM Settlement.




Three Months Ended March 31, 2014 Compared to Three Months ended March 31, 2013

Revenues: Total Revenues were $347,236 for the three months ended March 31, 2014 compared to $246,169 for the three months ended March 31, 2013. The $101,067 (41.1% ) increase in revenues was due to an increase in real estate revenues of $102,277 primarily related to the addition of the Douglas Elliman revenues in 2014 and $5,800 of revenues in the corporate and other segment associated with the Zoom e-cigarette brand. This was offset by a $7,010 decrease in Tobacco revenues.
Tobacco Revenues. Liggett increased the list price of PYRAMID, LIGGETT SELECT, EVE and GRAND PRIX by $0.60 per carton in June 2013 and $0.70 per carton in December 2013.
All of our Tobacco sales were in the discount category in 2014 and 2013. For the three months ended March 31, 2014, tobacco revenues were $233,392 compared to $240,402 for the three months ended March 31, 2013. Revenues declined by 2.9% ($7,010) due to a decline in sales volume of $14,490 (approximately 129.1 million units) offset by a favorable price variance of $7,480.

43


Real Estate Revenues. Real estate revenues were $108,044 and $5,767 for the three months ended ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Real estate revenues increased by $102,277 primarily related to the Douglas Elliman operations. Douglas Elliman became a consolidated subsidiary of ours in December 2013.
Other Revenues. Corporate and other revenues were $5,800 for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and relate to Zoom, our e-cigarette brand.

Cost of Sales. Total cost of sales were $239,037 for the three months ended ended March 31, 2014 compared to $177,177 for the three months ended March 31, 2013. The $61,860 (34.9% ) increase in cost of sales was due to an increase in real estate cost of sales of $63,103 related to the Douglas Elliman real estate commissions expense offset by a $4,790 decline in tobacco cost of sales.
Tobacco Cost of Sales. Our tobacco cost of sales declined from $172,956 for the three months ended March 31, 2013 to $168,166 for the three months ended March 31, 2014. The major components of our tobacco cost of sales are federal excise taxes, expenses under the MSA, FDA legislation and tobacco buyout, which are variable costs based on the number of units sold, and tobacco and other manufacturing costs, which are fixed and variable costs. Federal excise taxes declined from $108,911 for the three months ended March 31, 2013 to $102,413 for the three months ended March 31, 2014 as a result of decreased unit sales volume of 6.0%. Tobacco and other manufacturing costs were $29,268 and $28,827 for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Expenses under the MSA were $24,543 and $22,788 for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
Tobacco gross profit was $65,226 for the three months ended March 31, 2014 compared to $67,445 for the three months ended March 31, 2013. The $2,219 (3.3%) decline was due to decreased unit volume sales offset by the absence of the $5,602 NPM Settlement in the 2014 period. As a percentage of revenues (excluding federal excise taxes), Tobacco gross profit declined to 49.8% in the 2014 period compared to gross profit of 51.3% in the 2013 period (47.0% adjusting for the NPM Settlement) due to a decreased unit volume sales offset by price increases primarily on the PYRAMID brand.
Real Estate Cost of Sales. Real estate cost of sales was $67,324 and $4,221 for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Real estate costs of sales increased by $63,103 primarily due to the Douglas Elliman commissions expense.
Other Cost of Sales. Corporate and other cost of sales was $3,547 for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and primarily relate to our Zoom operations.
Expenses. Operating, selling, general and administrative expenses were $65,477 for the three months ended March 31, 2014 compared to $25,896 for the same period last year. This was an increase of $39,581 (152.8%) of which $34,840 was primarily related to the operating, selling and administrative expenses of real estate and $2,696 of corporate and other expenses.
Tobacco expenses. Tobacco operating, selling, general and administrative expenses were $22,330 for the three months ended March 31, 2014 compared to $20,285 for the three months ended March 31, 2013. Tobacco product liability legal expenses were $3,357 and $1,609 for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
Real Estate expenses. Real estate operating, selling, general and administrative expenses were $36,301 and $1,461 for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Real estate operating, selling, general and administrative expenses increased by $34,840 primarily related to the operating, selling and administrative expenses of Douglas Elliman.
Corporate and other expenses. Expenses at the corporate segment increased from $4,150 to $6,846 for the three months ended March 31, 2014. The $2,696 increase related primarily to expenses associated with the operations of Zoom.

Operating income. Operating income was $42,722 for the three months ended March 31, 2014 compared to $43,096 for the same period last year, a decline of $374 (0.9%). Tobacco operating income declined by $4,264 offset by an increase in real estate operating income of $4,658 from the Douglas Elliman. Corporate and other expenses increased by $768.

44


Tobacco operating income. Tobacco operating income declined from $47,160 for the three months ended March 31, 2014 to $42,896 for the same period last year. The Tobacco operating income decline of $4,264 was primarily associated with the absense of the $5,602 NPM Settlement in the 2014 period.
Real Estate operating income. The real estate segment had operating income of $4,744 and $86 for the three months ended March 31, 2013. The increase of $4,658 was primarily related to the Douglas Elliman operations.
Corporate and Other operating loss. The operating loss at the corporate segment was $4,918 for the three months ended March 31, 2014 compared to $4,150 for 2013. Corporate and other operating losses increased by $768 primarily as a result of Zoom.

Other income (expenses). Other expenses were $36,251 and $45,112 for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2014, other expenses primarily consisted of interest expense of $35,453, acceleration of interest expense related to the debt conversion of the 6.75% Variable Interest Senior Convertible Note of $3,679, expense of $1,650 from changes in fair value of derivatives embedded within convertible debt and a loss on sale of investment securities available for sale of $53. The increase in interest expense in 2014 was primarily attributable to higher average debt balances. This was offset by equity income on non-consolidated real estate businesses of $1,552, equity income on long-term investments of $906 and interest and other income of $2,126. For the three months ended March 31, 2013, other expenses primarily consisted of interest expense of $33,376, loss on the extinguishment of debt of $21,458 and equity loss on long-term investments of $23. This was offset by equity income on non-consolidated real estate businesses of $481, income of $3,049 from changes in fair value of derivatives embedded within convertible debt, gain on sale of investment securities available for sale of $5,406 , and other income of $809.
Income before income taxes. Income before income taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2014 was $6,471 compared to a loss of $2,016 for the three months ended March 31, 2013. The increase is attributable to the items discussed above.
Income tax expense. The income tax expense was $2,942 for the three months ended March 31, 2014, compared to a benefit of $335 for the three months ended March 31, 2013. Our provision for income taxes in interim periods is based on an estimated annual effective income tax rate derived, in part, from estimated annual income before provision for income taxes in accordance with guidance on accounting for income taxes on interim periods. For the three months ended March 31, 2014, our income tax expense was increased by $639 due primarily to a change in the blended state tax rate that resulted in the Company's reevaluation of its deferred taxes and the results of a recent state income tax audit.


Liquidity and Capital Resources

Cash and cash equivalents increased by $147,010 for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and decreased by $53,953 for the three months ended March 31, 2013.
Cash used in operations was $39,084 and $9,917 for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The change primarily related to cash payments in the 2014 period related to the Engle progeny settlement offset by payments in the 2013 period associated with the extinguishment of our 11% Senior Secured Notes due 2015.
Cash used in investing activities was $10,175 and $11,007 for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. In the first three months of 2014, cash used in investing activities was for the purchase of investment securities of $36,763, investment in non-consolidated real estate businesses of $4,068, capital expenditures of $6,424, purchase of long-term investments of $1,000, an increase in non-current restricted assets of $390 and an increase in cash surrender value of corporate-owned life insurance policies of $47. This was offset by the sale of investment securities of $35,009, distributions from non-consolidated real estate of $2,575, and collections of notes receivable of $933. In the first three months of 2013, cash used in investing activities was for investments in consolidated real estate business of $7,617, the purchase of investment securities of $5,000, capital expenditures of $3,557, investment in non-consolidated real estate businesses of $1,354 and an increase in cash surrender value of corporate-owned life insurance policies of $68. This was offset by the sale of investment securities of $6,582 and an increase in non-current restricted assets of $7.
Cash provided by financing activities was $196,269 compared to cash used in financing activities of $33,029 for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. In the first three months of 2014, cash was used for the repayment of debt of $2,215, distributions on common stock of $40,865, net repayments of debt under the revolver of $14,678 and deferred financing costs of $8,210. This was offset by proceeds from debt issuance of $260,508, proceeds from the exercise of Vector options of $1,385, and tax benefit of options exercised of $344. In the first three months of 2013, cash was used for the repayment of debt

45


of $416,904, distributions on common stock of $35,749, net repayments of debt under the revolver of $18,929 and deferred financing costs of $11,447. This was offset by proceeds from debt issuance of $450,000,
Liggett Credit Facility and Liggett Term Loan Under Credit Facility. As of March 31, 2014, $19,557 was outstanding under the revolving and term loan portions of the credit facility. Availability as determined under the Credit Facility was approximately $30,443 based on eligible collateral at March 31, 2014. At March 31, 2014, management believed that Liggett was in compliance with all covenants under the credit facility; Liggett's EBITDA, as defined, were approximately $120,323 for the twelve months ended March 31, 2014.
Vector.   On March 14, 2014, the holder of the 6.75% Variable Interest Senior Convertible Note due 2014 converted $25,000 principal balance of the $50,000 Note into 2,121,479 of our common shares.
On March 24, 2014, we completed the sale of $258,750 of our Variable Interest Convertible Senior Notes due 2020 and received net proceeds from the sale of the Notes were approximately $250,300. On April 15, 2014, we completed the sale of principal amount of our 7.75% Senior Secured Notes due 2021 for a price of 106.750% in a private offering to qualified institutional investors in accordance with Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. We received net proceeds of approximately $156,000. The net proceeds of both issuances will be used for general corporate purposes, including for additional investments in real estate and in our tobacco business. We may also consider using a portion of the net proceeds from the sale of the Notes to address upcoming debt maturities.
The indenture of our 7.75% senior secured notes due 2021 contains covenants that restrict the payment of dividends if our consolidated earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“Consolidated EBITDA”), as defined in the indenture, for the most recently ended four full quarters is less than $75,000. The indenture also restricts the incurrence of debt if our Leverage Ratio and our Secured Leverage Ratio, as defined in the indenture, exceed 3.0 and 1.5, respectively. Our Leverage Ratio is defined in the indenture as the ratio of our guaranteeing subsidiaries’ total debt less the fair market value of our cash, investments in marketable securities and long-term investments to Consolidated EBITDA, as defined in the indenture. Our Secured Leverage Ratio is defined in the indenture in the same manner as the Leverage Ratio, except that secured indebtedness is substituted for indebtedness. The following table summarizes the requirements of financial covenants and the results of the calculation, as defined by the indenture.

 
 
Indenture
 
March 31,
2014
 
December 31,
2013
Covenant
 
Requirement
 
 
Consolidated EBITDA, as defined
 
$75,000
 
$259,155
 
$264,958
Leverage ratio, as defined
 
<3.0 to 1
 
1.13 to 1
 
1.22 to 1
Secured leverage ratio, as defined
 
<1.5 to 1
 
0.4 to 1
 
0.5 to 1

We and our subsidiaries have significant indebtedness and debt service obligations. At March 31, 2014, we and our subsidiaries had total outstanding indebtedness of $1,112,087. Approximately $132,530  of our 6.75% convertible notes mature in 2014, $230,000 of our 7.5% convertible notes mature in 2019 and $450,000 of our 7.75% senior secured notes mature in 2021. We incurred an additional $258,750 of indebtedness in connection with the March 2014 offering of our 5.5% variable interest senior convertible notes due 2020. In addition, subject to the terms of any future agreements, we and our subsidiaries will be able to incur additional indebtedness in the future. There is a risk that we will not be able to generate sufficient funds to repay our debt. If we cannot service our fixed charges, it would have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.
We believe that our cigarette and real estate operations are positive cash flow generating units and will continue to be able to sustain their operations without any significant liquidity concerns.
In order to meet the above liquidity requirements as well as other anticipated liquidity needs in the normal course of business, we had cash and cash equivalents of approximately $381,500, investment securities available for sale of approximately $180,800, long-term investments with an estimated value of approximately $39,600 and availability under Liggett's credit facility of approximately $30,400 at March 31, 2014. Management currently anticipates that these amounts, as well as expected cash flows from our operations, proceeds from public and/or private debt and equity financing, management fees and other payments from subsidiaries should be sufficient to meet our liquidity needs over the next 12 months.  We may acquire or seek to acquire additional operating businesses through merger, purchase of assets, stock acquisition or other means, or to make other investments, which may limit our liquidity otherwise available.
On a quarterly basis, we evaluate our investments to determine whether an impairment has occurred. If so, we also make a determination if such impairment is considered temporary or other-than-temporary. We believe that the assessment of temporary or other-than-temporary impairment is facts and circumstances driven. However, among the matters that are considered in making

46


such a determination are the period of time the investment has remained below its cost or carrying value, the likelihood of recovery given the reason for the decrease in market value and our original expected holding period of the investment.

Market Risk

We are exposed to market risks principally from fluctuations in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates and equity prices. We seek to minimize these risks through our regular operating and financing activities and our long-term investment strategy. Our market risk management procedures cover all market risk sensitive financial instruments.
As of March 31, 2014, approximately $19,600 of our outstanding debt at face value had variable interest rates determined by various interest rate indices, which increases the risk of fluctuating interest rates. Our exposure to market risk includes interest rate fluctuations in connection with our variable rate borrowings, which could adversely affect our cash flows. As of March 31, 2014, we had no interest rate caps or swaps. Based on a hypothetical 100 basis point increase or decrease in interest rates (1%), our annual interest expense could increase or decrease by approximately $196.
In addition, as of March 31, 2014, $332,811 ($621,280 principal amount) of outstanding debt had a variable interest rate determined by the amount of the dividends on our common stock. The difference between the stated value of the debt and carrying value is due principally to certain embedded derivatives, which were separately valued and recorded upon issuance. Changes to the estimated fair value of these embedded derivatives are reflected within our statements of operations as “Changes in fair value of derivatives embedded within convertible debt.” The value of the embedded derivative is contingent on changes in interest rates of debt instruments maturing over the duration of the convertible debt as well as projections of future cash and stock dividends over the term of the debt and changes in the closing stock price at the end of each quarterly period. Based on a hypothetical 100 basis point increase or decrease in interest rates (1%), our annual “Changes in fair value of derivatives embedded within convertible debt” could increase or decrease by approximately $4,541 with approximately $9 resulting from the embedded derivative associated with our 6.75% note due 2014, $34 resulting from the embedded derivative associated with our 6.75% exchange notes due 2014, $2,143 resulting from the embedded derivative associated with the 7.5% variable interest senior convertible notes, and the remaining $2,355 resulting from the embedded derivative associated with our 5.5% variable interest senior convertible debentures due 2020. An increase in our quarterly dividend rate by $0.10 per share would increase interest expense by approximately $11,600 per year.
We have estimated the fair market value of the embedded derivatives based principally on the results of a valuation model. The value of the embedded derivatives is contingent on changes in interest rates of debt instruments maturing over the duration of the convertible debt, our stock price as well as projections of future cash and stock dividends over the term of the debt. The interest rate component of the value of the embedded derivative is computed by calculating an equivalent non-convertible, unsecured and subordinated borrowing cost. This rate is determined by calculating the implied rate on our 7.5% Convertible Notes when removing the embedded option value within the convertible security. This rate is based upon market observable inputs and influenced by our stock price, convertible bond trading price, risk free interest rates and stock volatility.The range of estimated fair market values of our embedded derivatives was between $196,319 and $191,682. We recorded the fair market value of our embedded derivatives at the midpoint of the inputs at $193,975 as of March 31, 2014. The estimated fair market value of our embedded derivatives could change significantly based on future market conditions.

We and New Valley also hold long-term investments in various investment partnerships. These investments are illiquid, and their ultimate realization is subject to the performance of the underlying entities.

New Accounting Pronouncements

Refer to Note 1, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, to our financial statements for further information on New Accounting Pronouncements.

Legislation and Regulation

There are no material changes from the Legislation and Regulation section set forth in Item 7, “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the year ended December 31, 2013. Please refer to that section and the information below for disclosures regarding the critical accounting policies related to our business.



47


SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
In addition to historical information, this report contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities law. Forward-looking statements include information relating to our intent, belief or current expectations, primarily with respect to, but not limited to:
•
economic outlook,
•
capital expenditures,
•
cost reduction,
•
legislation and regulations,
•
cash flows,
•
operating performance,
•
litigation,
•
impairment charges and cost saving associated with restructurings of our tobacco operations, and
•
related industry developments (including trends affecting our business, financial condition and results of operations).
We identify forward-looking statements in this report by using words or phrases such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “expect”, “intend”, “may be”, “objective”, “plan”, “seek”, “predict”, “project” and “will be” and similar words or phrases or their negatives.
The forward-looking information involves important risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from our anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested by the forward-looking statements include, without limitation, the following:
•
general economic and market conditions and any changes therein, due to acts of war and terrorism or otherwise,
•
governmental regulations and policies,
•
effects of industry competition,
•
impact of business combinations, including acquisitions and divestitures, both internally for us and externally in the tobacco industry,
•
impact of legislation on our competitors’ payment obligations, results of operations and product costs, i.e. the impact of federal legislation eliminating the federal tobacco quota system and providing for regulation of tobacco products by the FDA,
•
impact of substantial increases in federal, state and local excise taxes,
•
uncertainty related to product liability litigation including the Engle progeny cases pending in Florida; and,
•
potential additional payment obligations for us under the MSA and other settlement agreements with the states.
Further information on the risks and uncertainties to our business include the risk factors discussed above in "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and under Item 1A, "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Although we believe the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, there is a risk that these expectations will not be attained and that any deviations will be material. The forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made.

ITEM 3.    QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

The information under the caption “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Market Risk” is incorporated herein by reference.


48


ITEM 4.    CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, we have evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report, and, based on their evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that these controls and procedures are effective.

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the first quarter of 2014 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II

OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.     Legal Proceedings

Reference is made to Note 7, incorporated herein by reference, to our condensed consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report which contains a general description of certain legal proceedings to which our company, or its subsidiaries are a party and certain related matters. Reference is also made to Exhibit 99.1 for additional information regarding the pending smoking-related legal proceedings to which Liggett or us is a party. A copy of Exhibit 99.1 will be furnished without charge upon written request to us at our principal executive offices, 4400 Biscayne Boulevard, 10th Floor, Miami, Florida 33137, Attn. Investor Relations.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

Except as set forth below, there are no material changes from the risk factors set forth in Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” of our Annual Report on 10-K, as amended, for the year ended December 31, 2013.


We have significant liquidity commitments

We have certain liquidity commitments that could require the use of our existing cash resources. As of March 31, 2014, our corporate expenditures (exclusive of Liggett, Vector Tobacco and New Valley) and other potential liquidity requirements over the next 12 months could include the following:
•
cash interest expense of approximately $70.2 million,
•
retirement of our 6.75% variable interest senior convertible notes of $132.5 million;
•
dividends on our outstanding common shares (currently at an annual rate of approximately $161.2 million), 
•
Engle progeny installment payment of $3.5 million, and
•
other corporate expenses and taxes.

In order to meet the above liquidity requirements as well as other liquidity needs in the normal course of business, we will be required to use cash flows from operations and existing cash and cash equivalents. Should these resources be insufficient to meet the upcoming liquidity needs, we may also be required to liquidate investment securities available for sale and other long-term investments, or, if available, draw on Liggett's credit facility. While there are actions we can take to reduce our liquidity needs, there can be no assurance that such measures can be achieved.

We and our subsidiaries have a substantial amount of indebtedness.
We and our subsidiaries have significant indebtedness and debt service obligations. At March 31, 2014, we and our subsidiaries had total outstanding indebtedness of $1,112,087. Approximately $132,530  of our 6.75% convertible notes mature in 2014, $230,000 of our 7.5% convertible notes mature in 2019 and $450,000 of our 7.75% senior secured notes mature in 2021. We incurred an additional $258,750 of indebtedness in connection with the March 2014 offering of our 5.5% variable

49


interest senior convertible notes due 2020. In addition, subject to the terms of any future agreements, we and our subsidiaries will be able to incur additional indebtedness in the future. There is a risk that we will not be able to generate sufficient funds to repay our debt. If we cannot service our fixed charges, it would have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.


Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

No securities of ours that were not registered under a private offering of the Securities Act of 1933 have been issued or sold by us during the three months ended March 31, 2014.


50


Item 6.    Exhibits


 
 
4.1
Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 24, 2014, to the Base Indenture, by and between Vector Group Ltd. and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of Vector's Form 8-K dated March 24, 2014).
 
 
4.2
Form of Global Note, relating to the 5.5% Variable Interest Senior Convertible Notes due 2020 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 of Vector's Form 8-K dated March 24, 2014).
 
 
10.1
Vector Group Ltd. Stock Ownership Guidelines (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Vector’s Form 8-K dated March 10, 2014).
 
 
10.2
Vector Group Ltd. Stock Executive Compensation Clawback Policy (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of Vector's Form 8-K dated March 10, 2014).
 
 
10.3
Vector Group Ltd. Management Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of Vector's Form 8-K dated March 10, 2014).
 
 
12.1
Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges for each of the five years within the period ended December 31, 2013 and for each of the three months within the periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013.
 
 
31.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer, Pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a), as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
31.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer, Pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a), as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
32.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer, Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
32.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer, Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
99.1
Material Legal Proceedings
 
 
101.INS
XBRL Instance Document
 
 
101.SCH
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
 
 
101.CAL
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase
 
 
101.DEF
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase
 
 
101.LAB
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase
 
 
101.PRE
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase
 
 

51


SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


 
 
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
 
 
(Registrant)
 
 
 
 
 
By: /s/ J. Bryant Kirkland III
 
 
J. Bryant Kirkland III
 
 
Vice President, Treasurer and
 
 
Chief Financial Officer
Date:
May 12, 2014
 

52
2014 Q1-EX12.1


Exhibit 12.1
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Ratios)
(Unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2014
 
2013
 
2013
 
2012
 
2011
 
2010
 
2009
Earnings as defined:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pre-tax income (loss)
6,471

 
(2,016
)
 
63,487

 
53,717

 
123,157

 
85,570

 
28,537

Distributions from investees
1,693

 
1,450

 
4,251

 
19,169

 
9,322

 
12,212

 
6,715

Interest expense
40,782

 
30,327

 
147,084

 
132,538

 
93,939

 
72,572

 
104,415

(Income) in equity of affiliate
(1,552
)
 
(481
)
 
(22,925
)
 
(29,764
)
 
(19,966
)
 
(23,963
)
 
(15,213
)
Interest portion of rental expense (1)
1,755

 
503

 
2,174

 
1,367

 
1,438

 
1,223

 
1,301

Total earnings
49,149

 
29,783

 
194,071

 
177,027

 
207,890

 
147,614

 
125,755

Fixed charges as defined:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
40,782

 
30,327

 
147,084

 
132,538

 
93,939

 
72,572

 
104,415

Interest portion of rent expense (1)
1,755

 
503

 
2,174

 
1,367

 
1,438

 
1,223

 
1,301

Total fixed charges
42,537

 
30,830

 
149,258

 
133,905

 
95,377

 
73,795

 
105,716

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges
1.16

 
0.97

 
1.3

 
1.32

 
2.18

 
2.00

 
1.19


________________________
(1) One-third of rent expense is the portion deemed representative of the interest factor.
 


2014 Q1 EX31.1


EXHIBIT 31.1

RULE 13a-14(a) CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER


I, Howard M. Lorber, certify that:

1.
I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Vector Group Ltd.;

2.
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.
The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a)
designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b)
designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c)
evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d)
disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

5.
The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a)
all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b)
any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

Date: May 12, 2014
 
/s/ Howard M. Lorber
 
Howard M. Lorber
 
President and Chief Executive Officer


2014 Q1-EX31.2


EXHIBIT 31.2
RULE 13a-14(a) CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER


I, J. Bryant Kirkland III, certify that:

1.
I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Vector Group Ltd.;

2.
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.
The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a)
designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b)
designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c)
evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d)
disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

5.
The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a)
all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b)
any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

Date: May 12, 2014
 
/s/ J. Bryant Kirkland III
 
J. Bryant Kirkland III
 
Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer



2014 Q1-EX32.1


EXHIBIT 32.1


SECTION 1350 CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER


In connection with the Quarterly Report of Vector Group Ltd. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2014 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Howard M. Lorber, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. section 1350, as adopted pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to my knowledge:

1.
The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

2.
The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.




May 12, 2014
 
/s/ Howard M. Lorber
 
Howard M. Lorber
 
President and Chief Executive Officer


2014 Q1-EX32.2


EXHIBIT 32.2


SECTION 1350 CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER


In connection with the Quarterly Report of Vector Group Ltd. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2014 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, J. Bryant Kirkland III, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. section 1350, as adopted pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to my knowledge:

1.
The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

2.
The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.




May 12, 2014
 
/s/ J. Bryant Kirkland III
 
J. Bryant Kirkland III
 
Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer


2014 Q1-EX99.1


Exhibit 99.1

Pursuant to the Florida Supreme Court's July 2006 ruling in Engle v. Liggett Group Inc., which decertified the Engle class on a prospective basis, former class members had until January 2008 to file individual lawsuits. Lawsuits by individuals requesting the benefit of the Engle ruling are referred to as the “Engle progeny” cases. In October 2013, the Company and Liggett announced a settlement of the claims of over 4,900 Engle progeny plaintiffs. Notwithstanding the settlement, the claims of approximately 350 Engle progeny plaintiffs remain pending. For more information on the Engle case and on the settlement, see “Note 7. Contingencies.”

(i)
Engle Progeny Cases with trial dates through March 31, 2014.

Baum v. R.J. Reynolds, et al., Case No. 10-CA-60768, Circuit Court of the 11th Judicial Circuit, Miami-Dade County (case filed 11/23/10). One individual suing on behalf of the estate and survivors of a deceased smoker. The case is scheduled for trial starting 08/18/14.

Boatright, et al. v. R.J. Reynolds, et al., Case No. 53-2011-CA-000158-000-WH, Circuit Court of the 10th Judicial Circuit, Polk County (case filed 01/12/11).  Two individuals suing.  The case is scheduled for trial starting 10/20/14.

Bradley v. R.J. Reynolds, et al., Case No. 2008-CA-2775, Circuit Court of the 1st Judicial Circuit, Escambia County (case filed 07/08/08).  One individual suing on behalf of the estate and survivors of a deceased smoker.  The case is scheduled for trial starting 03/30/15.

Caprio v. R.J. Reynolds, et al., Case No. 07-45316, Circuit Court of the 17th Judicial Circuit, Broward County (case filed 12/28/07). One individual suing. The case is scheduled for trial during the third quarter of 2014, but no earlier than 08/21/14.

Cooper v. R.J. Reynolds, et al., Case No. 08-026350, Circuit Court of the 17th Judicial Circuit, Broward County (case filed 06/09/08).  One individual suing.  The case is scheduled for trial starting 08/07/14.

Danielson v. R.J. Reynolds, et al., Case No. 2007-CA-2737, Circuit Court of the 1st Judicial Circuit, Escambia County (case filed 11/14/07).  One individual suing on behalf of the estate and survivors of a deceased smoker.  The case is scheduled for trial starting 08/18/14.

Hall, et al. v. R.J. Reynolds, et al., Case No.12-CA 6497, Circuit Court of the 10th Judicial Circuit, Polk County (case filed 09/20/12).  Two individuals suing.  The case is scheduled for trial starting 02/02/15.

Hoff v. R.J. Reynolds, et al., Case No. 50 2008 CA 000234, Circuit Court of the 15th Judicial Circuit, Palm Beach County (case filed 01/04/08).  One individual suing.  The case is scheduled for trial starting 01/09/15.

Irimi v. R.J. Reynolds, et al., Case No. 08-26337 19, Circuit Court of the 17th Judicial Circuit, Broward County (case filed 06/30/08).  One individual suing on behalf of the estate and survivors of a deceased smoker.  The case is scheduled for trial starting 07/30/14. 

Lambert v. R.J. Reynolds, et al., Case No. 2007-013530-CI-19, Circuit Court of the 6th Judicial Circuit, Pinellas County (case filed 02/05/08).  One individual suing on behalf of the estate and survivors of a deceased smoker.  The case is scheduled for trial starting 09/15/14.

Lustig v. R.J. Reynolds, et al., Case No. 11-20501 (19), Circuit Court of the 17th Judicial Circuit, Broward County (case filed 08/25/11).  One individual suing on behalf of the estate and survivors of a deceased smoker.  The case is scheduled to be tried during the trial period of 04/07/14 - 06/27/14, but no earlier than 06/01/14.


1


McCoy v. R.J. Reynolds, et al., Case No. 08-25806, Circuit Court of the 17th Judicial Circuit, Broward County (case filed 06/05/08).  One individual suing on behalf of the estate and survivors of a deceased smoker.  The case is scheduled to be tried during the trial period of 09/22/14 - 12/12/14.

Murgas v. R.J. Reynolds, et al., Case No 12-00475, Circuit Court of the 11th Judicial Circuit, Miami-Dade County (case filed 01/06/12).  One individual suing.  The case is scheduled for trial in 10/14.

Perrotto v. R.J. Reynolds, et al.., Case No. 502007-CA-023841, Circuit Court of the 15th Judicial Circuit, Palm Beach County (case filed 12/21/07).  One individual suing on behalf of the estate and survivors of a deceased smoker.  The case is scheduled for trial starting 10/06/14. 

Pijuan, et al. v. R.J. Reynolds, et al., Case No. 10-8359, Circuit Court of the 11th Judicial Circuit, Miami-Dade County (case filed 02/08/10).  Two individuals suing.  The case is scheduled for trial starting 01/05/15. 

Sommers v. R.J. Reynolds, et al., Case No. 08-1464, Circuit Court of the 11th Judicial Circuit, Miami-Dade County (case filed 1/11/08).  One individual suing on behalf of the estate and survivors of a deceased smoker. The case is scheduled for trial starting no earlier than 10/14. 

Varner v. R.J. Reynolds, et al., Case No. 08-26345, Circuit Court of the 17th Judicial Circuit, Broward County (case filed 06/09/08).  One individual suing on behalf of the estate and survivors of a deceased smoker.  The case is scheduled for trial no earlier than 09/05/14.

Wilfong v. R.J. Reynolds, et al., Case No. 2007-CA-2541, Circuit Court of the 1st Judicial Circuit, Escambia County (case filed 07/08/08).  One individual suing on behalf of the estate and survivors of a deceased smoker.  The case is set for trial as the back up to Bradley starting 03/30/15. 


(ii)
Post-Trial Engle Progeny Cases.

Buchanan v. R.J. Reynolds, et al., Case No. 2007-CA-3565, Circuit Court of the 2nd Judicial Circuit, Leon County (case filed 12/17/07). This was a wrongful death action that proceeded to jury trial in November 2012. In December 2012, the jury returned a verdict in favor of the plaintiff and awarded compensatory damages in the amount of $5,500,000. The jury apportioned fault as follows: Decedent - 26%, Philip Morris - 37% and Liggett - 37% ($2,035,000). In April 2012, a joint and several judgment for $5,500,000 was entered against the defendants. In April 2013, the defendants filed a notice of appeal to the First District Court of Appeal. Briefing is complete. Oral argument is scheduled for June 10, 2014.

Calloway v. R.J. Reynolds, et al., Case No. 08-21770, Circuit Court of the17th Judicial Circuit, Broward County (case filed 05/15/08). This was a wrongful death action that proceeded to jury trial in April 2012. In May 2012, the jury returned a verdict in favor of the plaintiff and awarded compensatory damages in the amount of $20,500,000.  The jury apportioned fault as follows: Decedent - 20.5%, R.J. Reynolds - 27%, Philip Morris - 25%, Lorillard - 18% and Liggett - 9.5% ($1,947,500).  In August 2012, a joint and several judgment for compensatory damages of $16,100,000 plus interest was entered against all of the defendants. In addition, the judgment awarded plaintiff $7,600,000 in punitive damages against Liggett. An order of entitlement to attorneys' fees and costs was also entered against the defendants. In September 2012, the defendants filed a notice of appeal to the Fourth District Court of Appeal. The plaintiffs filed a notice of cross-appeal. Briefing is underway.

Cohen, D. v. R.J. Reynolds, et al., Case No. 09-004042, Circuit Court of the 15th Judicial Circuit, Palm Beach County (case filed 02/04/09).  This was a wrongful death action that proceeded to jury trial in April 2013. In May 2013, the jury returned a verdict in favor of the plaintiff and awarded compensatory damages in the amount of $2,055,000. The jury apportioned fault as follows: Decedent - 40%, RJR - 30%, Lorillard - 20%

2


and Liggett - 10% ($205,500). In June 2013, the trial court granted defendants' motion for a new trial. Plaintiff filed a notice of appeal. Briefing is underway.

Putney v. R.J. Reynolds, et al., Case No. 07-36668, Circuit Court of the 17th Judicial Circuit, Broward County (case filed 12/28/07). This was a wrongful death action that proceeded to jury trial in March 2010. In April 2010, the jury returned a verdict in favor of the plaintiff and awarded compensatory damages in the amount of $15,000,000. The jury apportioned fault as follows: Decedent - 35%, Liggett - 20% ($3,008,138), R.J. Reynolds - 30% and Philip Morris - 15%. No punitive damages were awarded against Liggett. Defendants appealed the final judgment. The Fourth District Court of Appeal reversed and remanded the case for further proceedings, however, because it found that the trial court erred in entering summary judgment against defendants' on their statute of repose defense and in denying Defendants' Motion for Remittitur of the compensatory damage award for loss of consortium, it ruled that the award was excessive.  Plaintiff filed a motion for rehearing which was denied. Both parties filed notices to involve the discretionary jurisdiction of the Florida Supreme Court. The appeal is stayed pending the outcome of the appeal in Hess. Plaintiff also moved for an award of attorneys' fees against Liggett pursuant to the fee shifting provisions of Florida's proposal for settlement statute based on a settlement offer that was not accepted by Liggett.  Entitlement to an attorney fee award has been entered, and the amount of such award will be determined in a separate proceeding.

Rizzuto/Green v. R.J. Reynolds, et al., Case No. H27-CA-2008-003318, Circuit Court of the 5th Judicial Circuit, Hernando County (case filed 10/09/08).  This was a personal injury action which proceeded to jury trial in August 2013.  In August 2013, the jury returned a verdict in favor of the plaintiff and awarded compensatory damages in the amount of $12,550,000.  The jury apportioned damages as follows:  Plaintiff - 20%, Philip Morris - 55%, Liggett - 25% ($3,478,855).  No punitive damages were awarded.  In September 2013, a joint and several final judgment was entered against defendants in the amount of $11,132,337, after the court granted a Remittitur.  In October 2013, defendants filed a notice of appeal to the Fifth District Court of Appeal. In April 2014, Liggett entered into an agreement to settle its portion of the damages for $1,500,000. The settlement is subject to approval by the bankruptcy court.

Tullo v. R.J. Reynolds, et al., Case No. 2008-CA-035457, Circuit Court of the 15th Judicial Circuit, Palm Beach County (case filed 11/14/08). This was a wrongful death action that proceeded to jury trial in March 2011. In April 2011, the jury returned a verdict in favor of the plaintiff and awarded compensatory damages in the amount of $4,500,000. The jury apportioned damages as follows: Plaintiff - 45%, Philip Morris - 45%, Liggett - 5% ($225,000) and Lorillard - 5%. No punitive damages were awarded. In August 2013, the Fourth District Court of Appeal affirmed. Defendants filed a notice to involve the discretionary jurisdiction of the Florida Supreme Court. Jurisdictional briefing is complete.

Ward v. R.J. Reynolds, et al., Case No. 2008-CA-2135, Circuit Court of the 1st Judicial Circuit, Escambia County (case filed 12/13/07). This was a wrongful death action that proceeded to jury trial in January 2012. In January 2012, the jury returned a verdict in favor of the plaintiff and awarded compensatory damages in the amount of $1,000,000. The jury apportioned fault as follows: Decedent - 50%, R.J. Reynolds - 30%, Philip Morris - 10%, Lorillard - 9.9% and Liggett - 0.1% ($1,000). Philip Morris and Lorillard were dismissed from the case before trial. No punitive damages were awarded against Liggett. A joint and several judgment was entered against RJR and Liggett for $487,000. In September 2013, the First District Court of Appeal affirmed. Liggett satisfied the merits judgment on January 31, 2014. Plaintiff moved for an award of attorneys' fees against Liggett pursuant to the fee shifting provisions of Florida's proposal for settlement statute based on a settlement offer that was not accepted by Liggett.  Defendants appealed the court's ruling that plaintiff was entitled to attorneys' fees. The parties reached a confidential settlement agreement regarding the amount of attorneys' fees incurred through trial, which is contingent upon the pending appeal of the court's ruling. Oral argument occurred on February 11, 2014.

B. Other Individual Cases.


3


Bagshaw v. R.J. Reynolds, et al., Case No. 06-CA-004768, Circuit Court of the 13th Judicial Circuit, Hillsborough County (case filed 06/01/06). One individual suing.

Bryant v. Philip Morris Inc., et al., Case No. 50-2008-CA-25429 (AJ), Circuit Court of the 15th Judicial Circuit, Palm Beach County (case filed 08/25/08).  One individual suing on behalf of the estate and survivors of a deceased smoker.

Caldwell v. Philip Morris Inc., et al., Case No. 08-000391 (AA), Circuit Court of the 15th Judicial Circuit, Palm Beach County (case filed 01/07/08).  One individual suing on behalf of the estate and survivors of a deceased smoker.

Calhoun, et al., v. Brown & Williamson Tobacco Co., et al., Case No. 02-CA-007970, Circuit Court of the 13th Judicial Circuit, Hillsborough County (case filed 08/27/02). Three individuals suing on behalf of the estate and survivors of a deceased smoker.

Colic v. Brown & Williamson Tobacco Co., et al., Case No. 03-CA-010844, Circuit Court of the 13th Judicial Circuit, Hillsborough County (case filed 11/18/03). One individual suing on behalf of the estate and survivors of a deceased smoker.

Cotto v. Brown & Williamson Tobacco Co., et al., Case No. 03-CA-000748, Circuit Court of the 13th Judicial Circuit, Hillsborough County (case filed 01/22/03). One individual suing on behalf of the estate and survivors of a deceased smoker.

Cowart v. Liggett Group Inc., et al., Case No. 98-01483-CA, Circuit Court of the 4th Judicial Circuit, Duval County (case filed 03/16/98). One individual suing. Liggett is the only tobacco company defendant in this case. The case is dormant.

Cox v. R.J. Reynolds, et al., Case No. 05-CA-000677, Circuit Court of the 13th Judicial Circuit, Hillsborough County (case filed 01/21/05). One individual suing.

Diamond v. R.J. Reynolds, et al., Case No. 08-24533, Circuit Court of the 17th Judicial Circuit, Broward County (case filed 05/30/08).  One individual suing.

Ditslear v. R.J. Reynolds, et al., Case No. 05-CA-000899, Circuit Court of the 13th Judicial Circuit, Hillsborough County (case filed 01/28/05). One individual suing.

Fine v. Philip Morris, Inc., et al., Case No. 08-000383 (AA), Circuit Court of the 15th Judicial Circuit, Palm Beach County (case filed 01/07/08).  One individual suing on behalf of the estate and survivors of a deceased smoker.

Fuchs v. R.J. Reynolds, et al., Case No. 05-CA-000681, Circuit Court of the 13th Judicial Circuit, Hillsborough County (case filed 01/21/05). One individual suing.

Garcia v. R.J. Reynolds, et al., Case No. 05-CA-004159, Circuit Court of the 13th Judicial Circuit, Hillsborough County (case filed 05/11/05). One individual suing.

Grant v. Brown & Williamson Tobacco Co., et al., Case No. 03-CA-002673, Circuit Court of the 13th Judicial Circuit, Hillsborough County (case filed 03/17/03). One individual suing on behalf of the estate and survivors of a deceased smoker.

Grose v. R.J. Reynolds, et al., Case No. 08-38276, Circuit Court of the 17th Judicial Circuit, Broward County (case filed 08/15/08).  One individual suing on behalf of the estate and survivors of a deceased smoker. In

4


addition to Liggett, Vector Tobacco Inc. was named as a defendant. In October 2008, defendants filed a motion to dismiss the complaint. A hearing has not been scheduled.

Hikin, et al. v. Philip Morris Inc., et al., Case No. 08-57479, Circuit Court of the 17th Judicial Circuit, Broward County (case filed 11/21/08). Two individuals suing.

Hearne v. R.J. Reynolds, et al., Case No. 06-CA-000550, Circuit Court of the 13th Judicial Circuit, Hillsborough County (case filed 01/20/06). One individual suing.

Hecker v. Brown & Williamson Tobacco Co., et al., Case No. 03-CA-009336, Circuit Court of the 13th Judicial Circuit, Hillsborough County (case filed 10/07/03). One individual suing.

Laschke, et al. v. R.J. Reynolds, et al., Case No. 96-8131-CI-008, Circuit Court of the 6th Judicial Circuit, Pinellas County (case filed 12/20/96). Two individuals suing. The dismissal of the case was reversed on appeal, and the case was remanded to the trial court. An amended complaint was filed by the plaintiffs. In January 2006, defendants filed motions to dismiss the amended complaint. A hearing has not been scheduled.

Lewis v. R.J. Reynolds, et al., Case No. 05-CA-002167, Circuit Court of the 13th Judicial Circuit, Hillsborough County (case filed 03/09/05). One individual suing.

McDonald v. Brown & Williamson Tobacco Co., et al., Case No. 03-CA-004767, Circuit Court of the 13th Judicial Circuit, Hillsborough County (case filed 05/19/03). One individual suing. In January 2008, plaintiff filed a motion to amend the complaint alleging that plaintiff is a member of the Engle class. There has been no further activity in the case.

Meckler v. Liggett Group Inc., Case No. 97-03949-CA, Circuit Court of the 4th Judicial Circuit, Duval County (case filed 07/10/97). One individual suing. Liggett is the only defendant in this case. The case is dormant.

Morgan v. Brown & Williamson Tobacco Co., et al., Case No. 02-CA-007084, Circuit Court of the 13th Judicial Circuit, Hillsborough County (case filed 08/02/02). One individual suing on behalf of the estate and survivors of a deceased smoker.

Quinn v. Brown & Williamson Tobacco Co., et al., Case No. 03-CA-004768, Circuit Court of the 13th Judicial Circuit, Hillsborough County (case filed 05/19/03). One individual suing.

Schuman v. R.J. Reynolds, et al., Case No. 04-CA-009409, Circuit Court of the 13th Judicial Circuit, Hillsborough County (case filed 10/18/04). One individual suing on behalf of the estate and survivors of a deceased smoker.

Shaw v. R.J. Reynolds, et al., Case No. 05-CA-002863, Circuit Court of the 13th Judicial Circuit, Hillsborough County (case filed 03/30/05). One individual suing on behalf of the estate and survivors of a deceased smoker.

Spivak v. Philip Morris Inc., et al., Case No. 08-19309 (AH), Circuit Court of the 15th Judicial Circuit, Palm Beach County (case filed 06/26/08).  One individual suing on behalf of the estate and survivors of a deceased smoker.

Swindells v. R.J. Reynolds, et al., Case No. 06-CA-007837, Circuit Court of the 13th Judicial Circuit, Hillsborough County (case filed 09/01/06). One individual suing.

Ward v. Brown & Williamson Tobacco Co., et al., Case No. 03-CA-008480, Hillsborough County (case filed 09/11/03). One individual suing.

Witt v. Brown & Williamson Tobacco Co., et al., Case No. 04-CA-008530, Circuit Court of the 13th Judicial Circuit, Hillsborough County (case filed 09/21/04). One individual suing.

5



Louisiana

Dimm, et al. v. R.J. Reynolds, et al., Case No. 53919, Circuit Court of the 18th Judicial District Court, Iberville Parish (case filed 07/25/00).  Seven individuals suing.  The case was dismissed at the trial court level as abandoned.  Plaintiffs filed a notice of appeal. Briefing is underway.

Oser v. The American Tobacco Co., et al., Case No. 97-9293, Circuit Court of the Civil District Court, Parish of Orleans (case filed 05/27/97). One individual suing.

Reese, et al. v. R. J. Reynolds, et al., Case No. 2003-12761, Circuit Court of the 22nd Judicial District Court, St. Tammany Parish (case filed 06/10/03). Five individuals suing.

Maryland

Cook, et al. v. Union Carbide Corporation, et al., Case No. 24-X-13-000445, Circuit Court, Baltimore City (case filed 09/12/13). Two individuals suing. Plaintiff and his wife seek damages allegedly caused by exposure to asbestos and cigarettes, with claims against certain asbestos manufacturer defendants and certain tobacco company defendants. In November 2013, defendants moved to dismiss the complaint. The motion is pending.

Cowens, et al. v. John Crane-Houdaille Inc., et al., Case No. 24-X-11-000335, Circuit Court, Baltimore City (case filed 09/12/13). Three individuals suing. Plaintiffs are the surviving children of decedent Frank E. Cowens. Plaintiffs seek damages allegedly caused to decedent by exposure to asbestos and cigarette smoke, with claims against certain asbestos manufacturer defendants and certain tobacco company defendants, including Vector Tobacco Inc. In January 2014, defendants moved to dismiss the complaint. The motion is pending.

Culotta, et al. v. Union Carbide Corporation, et al., Case No. 24-X-12-000690, Circuit Court, Baltimore City (case filed 06/20/13). One individual suing. Plaintiff seeks damages allegedly caused to decedent by exposure to asbestos and cigarette smoke, with claims against certain asbestos manufacturer defendants and certain tobacco company defendants. In July 2013, defendants moved to dismiss the complaint. The motion is pending.

Fales Jr., et al. v. John Crane-Houdaille, Inc., et al., Case No. 24-X-11-000326, Circuit Court, Baltimore City (case filed 06/10/13). One individual suing. Plaintiff is the surviving child of decedent Lolita Fales. Plaintiff seeks damages allegedly caused to decedent by exposure to asbestos and cigarette smoke, with claims against certain asbestos manufacturer defendants and certain tobacco company defendants. In July 2013, defendants moved to dismiss the complaint. The motion is pending.

Missouri

Nuzum, et al. v. Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation, et al., Case No. 03-cv-237237, Circuit Court, Jackson County (case filed 05/21/03). Two individuals suing.

New York

Aponte, et al. v. Liggett Group Inc., et al., Case No. 13CIV569, Southern District of New York, U.S. District Court, NY (case filed 01/25/13). Two individuals suing.  A motion to dismiss was filed in May 2013. The motion was granted and plaintiffs, pro se, filed an amended complaint.  In September 2013, a second motion to dismiss was filed, which motion was granted by the court in March 2014 and the case was dismissed.

Brantley v. The American Tobacco Company, et al., Case No. 114317/01, Supreme Court of New York, New York County (case filed 07/23/01). One individual suing. The case is stayed by stipulation of the parties.


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Debobes v. The American Tobacco Company, et al., Case No. 29544/92, Supreme Court of New York, Nassau County (case filed 10/17/97). One individual suing.
Hausrath, et al. v. Liggett Group LLC, Case No. I2001-09526, Supreme Court of New York, Erie County (case filed 01/24/02). Two individuals suing. Liggett is the only defendant. In July 2013, the court granted plaintiffs' motion to restore the case to the active docket calendar. Liggett appealed the decision. Briefing is underway.

James v. The American Tobacco Company, et al., Case No. 103034/02, Supreme Court of New York, New York County (case filed 04/04/97). One individual suing.

Shea, et al. v. The American Tobacco Company, et al., Case No. 008938/03, Supreme Court of New York, Nassau County (case filed 10/17/97). Two individuals suing. In December 2008, the trial court granted defendants' motion to dismiss plaintiffs' claims for punitive damages as barred by the industry's 1998 settlement with the New York Attorney General, but denied the defendants' motion to dismiss the case. The dismissal of the punitive damages claim was affirmed by the intermediate appellate court in May 2010. Plaintiffs' motion to reargue the decision was denied by the appellate court.

Standish v. The American Tobacco Company, et al., Case No. 18418-97, Supreme Court of New York, Bronx County (case filed 07/28/97). One individual suing.

Tomasino, et al. v. The American Tobacco Company, et al., Case No. 027182/97, Supreme Court of New York, Nassau County (case filed 09/23/97). Two individuals suing. In June 2009, the trial court granted defendants' motion to dismiss plaintiffs' claims for punitive damages as barred by the industry's 1998 settlement with the New York Attorney General, but denied the defendants' motion to dismiss the case. The dismissal of the punitive damages claim was affirmed by the intermediate appellate court in May 2010.  Plaintiffs' motion to reargue the decision was denied by the appellate court.

Yedwabnick v. The American Tobacco Company, et al., Case No. 20525/97, Supreme Court of New York, Queens County (case filed 09/19/97). One individual suing.

Ohio

Croft, et al. v. Akron Gasket & Packing, et al., Case No. CV04541681, Court of Common Pleas, Cuyahoga County (case filed 08/25/05). Two individuals suing.

West Virginia

Brewer, et al. v. The American Tobacco Company, et al., Case No. 01-C-82, Circuit Court, Ohio County (case filed 03/20/01). Two individuals suing.

Little v. The American Tobacco Company, et al., Case No. 01-C-235, Circuit Court, Ohio County (case filed 06/04/01). One individual suing.


II. CLASS ACTION CASES

A.
Smoking Related.

In Re: Tobacco Litigation (Personal Injury Cases), Case No. 00-C-5000, Circuit Court, West Virginia, Ohio County (case filed 01/18/00). Although not technically a class action, the court consolidated approximately 750 individual smoker actions that were pending prior to 2001 for trial on some common related issues. Liggett was severed from trial of the consolidated action. After two mistrials, in May 2013, the jury rejected all but one of the plaintiffs' claims, finding in favor of plaintiffs on the claim that ventilated filter cigarettes between 1964 and July 1, 1969 should have included instructions on how to use them. Post trial motions were denied.

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The issue of damages was reserved for further proceedings not yet scheduled. A final judgment as to liability was issued in October 2013, after which the plaintiff filed a notice of appeal with respect to the defense verdicts obtained on five of the claims. The defendants did not appeal the verdict in favor of the plaintiff on the "failure to instruct" claim which impacted less than 30 of the plaintiffs.

Parsons, et al. v. A C & S Inc., et al., Case No. 98-C-388, Circuit Court, West Virginia, Ohio County (case filed 02/09/98). This class action is brought on behalf of plaintiff's decedent and all West Virginia residents who allegedly have personal injury claims arising from their exposure to cigarette smoke and asbestos fibers. The complaint seeks to recover unspecified compensatory and punitive damages for all potential members of the class. The plaintiff alleges that Parsons' use of tobacco products and exposure to asbestos products caused her to develop lung cancer and to become addicted to tobacco. The case is stayed as a result of the December 2000 bankruptcy petitions filed by three defendants (Nitral Liquidators, Inc., Desseaux Corporation of North America and Armstrong World Industries) in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware.

Young, et al. v. American Brands Inc., et al., Case No. 97-19984cv, Civil District Court, Louisiana, Orleans Parish (case filed 11/12/97). This purported personal injury class action is brought on behalf of plaintiff and all similarly situated residents in Louisiana who, though not themselves cigarette smokers, were exposed to secondhand smoke from cigarettes that were manufactured by the defendants, including Liggett, and suffered injury as a result of that exposure. The plaintiffs seek to recover an unspecified amount of compensatory and punitive damages. No class certification hearing has been held. In October 2004, the trial court stayed the Young case pending the outcome of an appeal in Scott v. American Tobacco Co., a Louisiana case seeking medical monitoring for resident smokers. Liggett was not a party in the Scott case.  The Scott case was tried to a jury which denied the medical monitoring claim but determined instead that the defendants must establish a smoking cessation program.   Notwithstanding the fact that Scott is now concluded, in June 2013, plaintiffs’ counsel moved for an indefinite stay of the Young case.  The defendants did not oppose the stay and it was entered upon consent.

B.
Price Fixing.

Smith, et al. v. Philip Morris, Inc., et al., Case No. 00-cv-26, District Court, Kansas, Seward County (case filed 02/07/00). In this class action, plaintiffs allege that defendants conspired to fix, raise, stabilize, or maintain prices for cigarettes in Kansas. The court granted class certification in November 2001.  In November 2010, codefendants filed a motion for summary judgment. In addition to joining that summary judgment motion, Liggett filed a summary judgment motion in June 2011. In March 2012, the court granted the defendants' motions and dismissed the plaintiffs' claims with prejudice. In July 2012, plaintiffs filed a notice of appeal. Oral argument occurred on December 11, 2013. A decision is pending.

III. HEALTH CARE COST RECOVERY ACTIONS

Crow Creek Sioux Tribe v. The American Tobacco Company, et al., Case No. cv-97-09-082, Tribal Court of the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe, South Dakota (case filed 09/26/97). The plaintiff seeks to recover actual and punitive damages, restitution, funding of a clinical cessation program, funding of a corrective public education program and disgorgement of unjust profits from alleged sales to minors. The case is dormant.

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