Vector Group, Ltd.
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-K
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For The Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2006
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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Delaware |
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1-5759 |
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65-0949535 |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or
organization) |
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Commission File Number |
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(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
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100 S.E. Second Street, Miami, Florida |
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33131 |
(Address of principal executive offices) |
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(Zip Code) |
(305) 579-8000
(Registrants telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the
Act:
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Name of each exchange on |
Title of each class |
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which registered |
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Common Stock, par value $.10 per share
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New York Stock Exchange |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the
Act:
None
Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is a well-known
seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities
Act.
o Yes x
No
Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is not required to file
reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the
Exchange Act.
o Yes x
No
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 if disclosure of delinquent filers
pursuant to Item 405
Regulation S-K is
not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of
the Registrants knowledge, in definitive proxy or
information statement incorporated by reference in Part III
of this Form 10-K
or any amendment to this
Form 10-K. o
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large
accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated
filer. See definition of accelerated filer and large
accelerated filer in
Rule 12b-2 of the
Exchange Act.
o Large accelerated
filer x Accelerated
filer o Non-accelerated
filer
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
The aggregate market value of the common stock held by
non-affiliates of Vector Group Ltd. as of June 30, 2006 was
approximately $580 million.
At March 14, 2007, Vector Group Ltd. had 57,068,168 shares
of common stock outstanding.
Documents Incorporated by Reference:
Part III (Items 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14) from the
definitive Proxy Statement for the 2007 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders to be filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission no later than 120 days after the end of the
Registrants fiscal year covered by this report.
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
FORM 10-K
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I
Overview
Vector Group Ltd., a Delaware corporation, is a holding company
for a number of businesses. We are engaged principally in:
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the manufacture and sale of cigarettes in the United States
through our subsidiary Liggett Group LLC, |
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the development and marketing of the low nicotine and
nicotine-free QUEST cigarette products and the development of
reduced risk cigarette products through our subsidiary Vector
Tobacco Inc., and |
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the real estate business through our subsidiary, New Valley LLC,
which is seeking to acquire additional operating companies and
real estate properties. New Valley owns 50% of Douglas Elliman
Realty, LLC, which operates the largest residential brokerage
company in the New York metropolitan area. |
In recent years, we have undertaken a number of initiatives to
streamline the cost structure of our tobacco business and
improve operating efficiency and long-term earnings. During
2002, the sales and marketing functions, along with certain
support functions, of our Liggett and Vector Tobacco
subsidiaries were combined into a new entity, Liggett Vector
Brands Inc. This company coordinates and executes the sales and
marketing efforts for our tobacco operations.
Effective year-end 2003, we closed Vector Tobaccos
Timberlake, North Carolina cigarette manufacturing facility in
order to reduce excess cigarette production capacity and improve
operating efficiencies company-wide. Production of QUEST and
Vector Tobaccos other cigarette brands was transferred to
Liggetts state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in
Mebane, North Carolina. In July 2004, we completed the sale of
the Timberlake facility and equipment.
In December 2005, we completed an exchange offer and a
subsequent short-form merger whereby we acquired the remaining
42.3% of the common shares of New Valley that we did not already
own. As a result of these transactions, New Valley became our
wholly-owned subsidiary and each outstanding New Valley common
share was exchanged for 0.514 shares of our common stock. A
total of approximately 5.3 million of our common shares
were issued to the New Valley shareholders in the transactions.
Financial information relating to our business segments can be
found in Note 20 to our consolidated financial statements.
For the purposes of this discussion and segment reporting in
this report, references to the Liggett segment encompass the
manufacture and sale of conventional cigarettes and includes the
former operations of The Medallion Company, Inc. acquired on
April 1, 2002 (which operations are held for legal purposes
as part of Vector Tobacco). References to the Vector Tobacco
segment include the development and marketing of the low
nicotine and nicotine-free cigarette products as well as the
development of reduced risk cigarette products and, for these
purposes, exclude the operations of Medallion.
Strategy
Our strategy is to maximize shareholder value by increasing the
profitability of our subsidiaries in the following ways:
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Capitalize upon Liggetts cost advantage in the U.S.
cigarette market due to the favorable treatment that it receives
under settlement agreements with the state attorneys general and
the Master Settlement Agreement, |
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Focus marketing and selling efforts on the discount segment,
continue to build volume and margin in core discount brands
(LIGGETT SELECT, GRAND PRIX and EVE) and utilize core brand
equity to selectively build distribution, |
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Continue product development to provide the best quality
products relative to other discount products in the marketplace, |
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Increase efficiency by developing and adopting an organizational
structure to maximize profit potential, |
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Selectively expand the portfolio of private and control label
partner brands utilizing a pricing strategy that offers
long-term list price stability for customers, |
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Identify, develop and launch relevant new brands to the market
in the future, and |
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Pursue strategic acquisitions of smaller tobacco manufacturers. |
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Take a measured approach to developing low nicotine and
nicotine-free cigarettes, and |
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Continue to conduct appropriate studies relating to the
development of cigarettes that materially reduce risk to smokers. |
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Continue to grow Douglas Elliman operations by utilizing its
strong brand name recognition and pursuing strategic and
financial opportunities, |
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Continue to leverage our expertise as direct investors by
actively pursuing real estate investments in the United States
and abroad which we believe will generate above-market returns, |
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Acquire operating companies through mergers, asset purchases,
stock acquisitions or other means, and |
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Invest New Valleys excess funds opportunistically in
situations that we believe can maximize shareholder value. |
Liggett Group LLC
General. Liggett is the operating successor to Liggett
& Myers Tobacco Company, which was founded in 1873. Liggett
is currently the fifth largest manufacturer of cigarettes in the
United States in terms of unit sales. Liggetts
manufacturing facilities are located in Mebane, North Carolina.
Liggett manufactures and sells cigarettes in the United States.
According to data from Management Science Associates, Inc.,
Liggetts domestic shipments of approximately
8.9 billion cigarettes during 2006 accounted for 2.4% of
the total cigarettes shipped in the United States during such
year. This market share percentage represents an increase of
0.2% from 2005 and an increase of 0.1% from 2004. Historically,
Liggett produced premium cigarettes as well as discount
cigarettes (which include among others, control label, private
label, branded discount and generic cigarettes). Premium
cigarettes are generally marketed under well-recognized brand
names at higher retail prices to adult smokers with a strong
preference for branded products, whereas discount cigarettes are
marketed at lower retail prices to adult smokers who are more
cost conscious. In recent years, the discounting of premium
cigarettes has become far more significant in the marketplace.
This has led to some brands that were traditionally considered
premium brands to become more appropriately categorized as
branded discount, following list price reductions.
Liggetts EVE brand would fall into that category. All of
Liggetts unit sales volume in 2006 and 2005 and
substantially all of Liggetts unit sales in 2004 were in
the discount segment, which Liggetts management believes
has been the primary growth segment in the industry for over a
decade.
Liggett produces cigarettes in approximately 220 combinations of
length, style and packaging. Liggetts current brand
portfolio includes:
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LIGGETT SELECT the third largest brand in the deep
discount category, |
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GRAND PRIX a rapidly growing brand in the deep
discount segment, |
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EVE a leading brand of 120 millimeter cigarettes in
the branded discount category, |
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PYRAMID the industrys first deep discount
product with a brand identity, and |
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USA and various Partner Brands and private label brands. |
In 1980, Liggett was the first major domestic cigarette
manufacturer to successfully introduce discount cigarettes as an
alternative to premium cigarettes. In 1989, Liggett established
a new price point within the discount market segment by
introducing PYRAMID, a branded discount product which, at that
time, sold for less than most other discount cigarettes. In
1999, Liggett introduced LIGGETT SELECT, one of the leading
brands in the deep discount category. LIGGETT SELECT is now the
largest seller in Liggetts family of brands, comprising
37.5% of Liggetts unit volume in 2006, 44.6% in 2005 and
55.8% in 2004. In September 2005, Liggett repositioned GRAND
PRIX to distributors and retailers nationwide. GRAND PRIX is
marketed as the lowest price fighter to specifically
compete with brands which are priced at the lowest level of the
deep discount segment. According to the data of Management
Science Associates, Liggett held a share of approximately 8.7%
of the overall discount market segment for 2006 compared to 7.5%
for 2005 and 7.4% for 2004.
In March 2005, Liggett Vector Brands announced an agreement with
Circle K Stores, Inc., which operates over 2,200 convenience
stores in the United States under the Circle K and Macs
names, to supply MONTEGO, a deep discount brand, exclusively for
the Circle K and Macs stores. The MONTEGO brand was the
first to be offered under Liggett Vector Brands new
Partner Brands program which offers customers
quality product with long-term price stability. In November
2005, Liggett Vector Brands announced an agreement with Sunoco
Inc., which operates over 800 Sunoco APlus branded convenience
stores in the United States, to manufacture SILVER EAGLE. SILVER
EAGLE, a deep discount brand, is exclusive to Sunoco and is the
second brand to be offered under Liggett Vector Brands
Partner Brands program. In April 2006, Liggett
Vector Brands commenced shipments of BRONSON cigarettes as part
of a multi-year Partner Brands agreement with
QuikTrip, a convenience store chain with over 470 stores
headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
The source of industry data in this report is Management Science
Associates, Inc., an independent third-party database management
organization that collects wholesale shipment data from various
cigarette manufacturers and distributors and provides analysis
of market share, unit sales volume and premium versus discount
mix for individual companies and the industry as a whole.
Management Science Associates information relating to unit
sales volume and market share of certain of the smaller,
primarily deep discount, cigarette manufacturers is based on
estimates developed by Management Science Associates.
Under the Master Settlement Agreement reached in November 1998
with 46 states and various territories, the three largest
cigarette manufacturers must make settlement payments to the
states and territories based on how many cigarettes they sell
annually. Liggett, however, is not required to make any payments
unless its market share exceeds approximately 1.65% of the U.S.
cigarette market. Additionally, as a result of the Medallion
acquisition, Vector Tobacco likewise has no payment obligation
unless its market share exceeds approximately 0.28% of the U.S.
cigarette market. We believe that Liggett has gained a
sustainable cost advantage over its competitors as a result of
the settlement.
In November 1999, Liggett acquired an industrial facility in
Mebane, North Carolina. Liggett completed the relocation of its
tobacco manufacturing operations from its old plant in Durham,
North Carolina to the Mebane facility in October 2000. Since
January 1, 2004, all of Vector Tobaccos cigarette
brands have been produced under contract at Liggetts
Mebane facility.
At the present time, Liggett has no foreign operations. Liggett
does not own the international rights to EVE, which is marketed
by Philip Morris in foreign markets.
Business Strategy. Liggetts business strategy is to
capitalize upon its cost advantage in the United States
cigarette market due to the favorable treatment Liggett receives
under its settlement agreements with the states and the Master
Settlement Agreement. Liggetts long-term business strategy
is to continue to focus its marketing and selling efforts on the
discount segment of the market, to continue to build volume and
margin in its core discount brands (LIGGETT SELECT, GRAND PRIX
and EVE) and to utilize its core brand equity to selectively
build distribution. Liggett intends to continue its product
development to provide
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the best quality products relative to other discount products in
the market place. Liggett will continue to seek to increase
efficiency by developing and adapting its organizational
structure to maximize profit potential. Liggett intends to
expand the portfolio of its private and control label and
Partner Brands utilizing a pricing strategy that offers
long-term list price stability for customers. In addition,
Liggett may bring niche-driven brands to the market in the
future.
Sales, Marketing and Distribution. Liggetts
products are distributed from a central distribution center in
Mebane to 18 public warehouses located throughout the United
States. These warehouses serve as local distribution centers for
Liggetts customers. Liggetts products are
transported from the central distribution center to the public
warehouses by third-party trucking companies to meet
pre-existing contractual obligations to its customers.
Liggetts customers are primarily tobacco and candy
distributors, the military, warehouse club chains, and large
grocery, drug and convenience store chains. Liggett offers its
customers prompt payment discounts, traditional rebates and
promotional incentives. Customers typically pay for purchased
goods within two weeks following delivery from Liggett, and
approximately 90% of customers pay more rapidly through
electronic funds transfer arrangements. Liggetts largest
single customer, Speedway SuperAmerica LLC, accounted for
approximately 10.8% of its revenues in 2006, 11.9% of its
revenues in 2005 and 13.8% of its revenues in 2004. Sales to
this customer were primarily in the private label discount
segment. Liggetts contract with this customer currently
extends through March 31, 2009.
During 2002, the sales and marketing functions, along with
certain support functions, of our Liggett and Vector Tobacco
subsidiaries were combined into a new entity, Liggett Vector
Brands. This company coordinates and executes the sales and
marketing efforts for all of our tobacco operations.
In April 2004, we eliminated a number of positions in our
tobacco operations and subleased excess office space. In October
2004, we announced a plan to restructure the operations of
Liggett Vector Brands. Liggett Vector Brands has realigned its
sales force and adjusted its business model to more efficiently
serve its chain and independent accounts nationwide. In
connection with the restructuring, we eliminated approximately
330 full-time positions and 135 part-time positions in December
2004.
Trademarks. All of the major trademarks used by Liggett
are federally registered or are in the process of being
registered in the United States and other markets. Trademark
registrations typically have a duration of ten years and can be
renewed at Liggetts option prior to their expiration date.
In view of the significance of cigarette brand awareness among
consumers, management believes that the protection afforded by
these trademarks is material to the conduct of its business.
Liggett owns all of its domestic trademarks except for the JADE
trademark, which is licensed on a long-term exclusive basis from
a third-party for use in connection with cigarettes.
Manufacturing. Liggett purchases and maintains leaf
tobacco inventory to support its cigarette manufacturing
requirements. Liggett believes that there is a sufficient supply
of tobacco within the worldwide tobacco market to satisfy its
current production requirements. Liggett stores its leaf tobacco
inventory in warehouses in North Carolina and Virginia. There
are several different types of tobacco, including flue-cured
leaf, burley leaf, Maryland leaf, oriental leaf, cut stems and
reconstituted sheet. Leaf components of American-style
cigarettes are generally the flue-cured and burley tobaccos.
While premium and discount brands use many of the same tobacco
products, input ratios of tobacco products may vary between
premium and discount products. Foreign flue-cured and burley
tobaccos, some of which are used in the manufacture of
Liggetts cigarettes, have historically been 30% to 35%
less expensive than comparable domestic tobaccos. Liggett
normally purchases all of its tobacco requirements from domestic
and foreign leaf tobacco dealers, much of it under long-term
purchase commitments. As of December 31, 2006, virtually
all of Liggetts commitments were for the purchase of
foreign tobacco.
Liggetts cigarette manufacturing facility was designed for
the execution of short production runs in a cost-effective
manner, which enable Liggett to manufacture and market a wide
variety of cigarette brand styles. Liggett produces cigarettes
in approximately 220 different brand styles as well as private
labels for other companies, typically retail or wholesale
distributors who supply supermarkets and convenience stores.
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Liggetts facility currently produces approximately
9.0 billion cigarettes per year, but maintains the capacity
to produce approximately 16.0 billion cigarettes per year.
Vector Tobacco has contracted with Liggett to produce its
cigarettes at Liggetts manufacturing facility in Mebane.
While Liggett pursues product development, its total
expenditures for research and development on new products have
not been financially material over the past three years.
Competition. Liggetts competition is now divided
into two segments. The first segment is made up of the three
largest manufacturers of cigarettes in the United States: Philip
Morris USA Inc., Reynolds American Inc. (following the
combination of RJR Tobacco and Brown & Williamsons
United States tobacco businesses in July 2004) and Lorillard
Tobacco Company. The three largest manufacturers, while
primarily premium cigarette based companies, also produce and
sell discount cigarettes. The second segment of competition is
comprised of a group of smaller manufacturers and importers,
most of which sell lower quality, deep discount cigarettes.
Historically, there have been substantial barriers to entry into
the cigarette business, including extensive distribution
organizations, large capital outlays for sophisticated
production equipment, substantial inventory investment, costly
promotional spending, regulated advertising and, for premium
brands, strong brand loyalty. However, in recent years, a number
of these smaller companies have been able to overcome these
competitive barriers due to excess production capacity in the
industry and the cost advantage for certain manufacturers and
importers resulting from the Master Settlement Agreement.
Many smaller manufacturers and importers that are not parties to
the Master Settlement Agreement have only recently started to be
impacted by the statutes enacted pursuant to the Master
Settlement Agreement and to see a resultant decrease in volume
after years of growth. Liggetts management believes, while
these companies still have significant market share through
competitive discounting in this segment, they are losing their
cost advantage as their payment obligations under these statutes
increase and are more effectively enforced by the states,
through implementation of allocable share legislation.
In the cigarette business, Liggett competes on a dual front. The
three major manufacturers compete among themselves for premium
brand market share, and compete with Liggett and others for
discount market share, on the basis of brand loyalty,
advertising and promotional activities, and trade rebates and
incentives. These three competitors all have substantially
greater financial resources than Liggett and most of their
brands have greater sales and consumer recognition than
Liggetts products. Liggetts discount brands must
also compete in the marketplace with the smaller
manufacturers and importers deep discount brands.
According to Management Science Associates data, the unit
sales of Philip Morris, Reynolds American and Lorillard
accounted in the aggregate for approximately 86.8% of the
domestic cigarette market in 2006. Liggetts domestic
shipments of approximately 8.9 billion cigarettes during
2006 accounted for 2.4% of the approximately 373 billion
cigarettes shipped in the United States, compared to
8.2 billion cigarettes in 2005 (2.2%) and 9 billion
cigarettes (2.3%) during 2004.
Industry-wide shipments of cigarettes in the United States have
been generally declining for a number of years, with Management
Science Associates data indicating that domestic
industry-wide shipments decreased by approximately 2.4%
(9.2 billion units) in 2006. Liggetts management
believes that industry-wide shipments of cigarettes in the
United States will generally continue to decline as a result of
numerous factors. These factors include health considerations,
diminishing social acceptance of smoking, and a wide variety of
federal, state and local laws limiting smoking in restaurants,
bars and other public places, as well as federal and state
excise tax increases and settlement-related expenses which have
contributed to higher cigarette prices in recent years.
Historically, because of their dominant market share, Philip
Morris and RJR Tobacco (which is now part of Reynolds American),
the two largest cigarette manufacturers, have been able to
determine cigarette prices for the various pricing tiers within
the industry. Market pressures have historically caused the
other cigarette manufacturers to bring their prices in line with
the levels established by these two major manufacturers.
Off-list price discounting and similar promotional activity by
manufacturers, however, has substantially affected the average
price differential at retail, which can be significantly less
than the manufacturers list price gap.
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Recent discounting by manufacturers has been far greater than
historical levels, and the actual price gap between premium and
deep-discount cigarettes has changed accordingly. This has led
to shifts in price segment performance depending upon the actual
price gaps of products at retail.
In July 2004, RJR Tobacco and Brown & Williamson, the second
and third largest cigarette manufacturers, completed the
combination of their United States tobacco businesses to create
Reynolds American. This transaction has further consolidated the
dominance of the domestic cigarette market by Philip Morris and
the newly created Reynolds American, which had a combined market
share of approximately 77.1% at December 31, 2006. This
concentration of United States market share could make it more
difficult for Liggett and Vector Tobacco to compete for shelf
space in retail outlets and could impact price competition in
the market, either of which could have a material adverse affect
on their sales volume, operating income and cash flows.
Acquisition of Medallion. In April 2002, a subsidiary of
ours acquired the stock of The Medallion Company, Inc., and
related assets from Gary L. Hall, Medallions principal
stockholder. The total purchase price consisted of
$50 million in cash and $60 million in notes, with the
notes guaranteed by us and Liggett. The remaining
$35 million of notes mature on April 1, 2007.
Medallion is a discount cigarette manufacturer selling product
in the deep discount category, primarily under the USA brand
name. Medallion is a participating manufacturer under the Master
Settlement Agreement. Medallion has no payment obligations under
the Master Settlement Agreement unless its market share exceeds
approximately 0.28% of total cigarettes sold in the United
States (approximately 1.0 billion cigarettes in 2006).
Following the purchase of the Medallion stock, Vector Tobacco
merged into Medallion and Medallion changed its name to Vector
Tobacco Inc. For purposes of this discussion and segment
reporting in this report, references to the Liggett segment
encompass the manufacture and sale of conventional cigarettes
and include the former operations of Medallion (which operations
are held for legal purposes as part of Vector Tobacco).
Philip Morris Brand Transaction. In November 1998, we and
Liggett granted Philip Morris options to purchase interests in
Trademarks LLC which holds three domestic cigarette brands,
L&M, CHESTERFIELD and LARK, formerly held by Liggetts
subsidiary, Eve Holdings Inc.
Under the terms of the Philip Morris agreements, Eve contributed
the three brands to Trademarks, a newly-formed limited liability
company, in exchange for 100% of two classes of Trademarks
interests, the Class A Voting Interest and the Class B
Redeemable Nonvoting Interest. Philip Morris acquired two
options to purchase the interests from Eve. In December 1998,
Philip Morris paid Eve a total of $150 million for the
options, $5 million for the option for the Class A
interest and $145 million for the option for the
Class B interest.
The Class A option entitled Philip Morris to purchase the
Class A interest for $10.1 million. On March 19,
1999, Philip Morris exercised the Class A option, and the
closing occurred on May 24, 1999.
The Class B option entitles Philip Morris to purchase the
Class B interest for $139.9 million. The Class B
option will be exercisable during the 90-day period beginning on
December 2, 2008, with Philip Morris being entitled to
extend the 90-day period for up to an additional six months
under certain circumstances. The Class B interest will also
be redeemable by Trademarks for $139.9 million during the
same period the Class B option may be exercised.
On May 24, 1999, Trademarks borrowed $134.9 million
from a lending institution. The loan is guaranteed by Eve and is
collateralized by a pledge by Trademarks of the three brands and
Trademarks interest in the trademark license agreement
(discussed below) and by a pledge by Eve of its Class B
interest. In connection with the closing of the Class A
option, Trademarks distributed the loan proceeds to Eve as the
holder of the Class B interest. The cash exercise price of
the Class B option and Trademarks redemption price
were reduced by the amount distributed to Eve. Upon Philip
Morris exercise of the Class B option or
Trademarks exercise of its redemption right, Philip Morris
or Trademarks, as relevant, will be required to obtain
Eves release from its guaranty. The Class B interest
will be entitled to a guaranteed payment of $0.5 million
each year with the Class A interest allocated all remaining
income or loss of Trademarks.
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Trademarks has granted Philip Morris an exclusive license of the
three brands for an 11-year term expiring May 24, 2010 at
an annual royalty based on sales of cigarettes under the brands,
subject to a minimum annual royalty payment of not less than the
annual debt service obligation on the loan plus $1 million.
If Philip Morris fails to exercise the Class B option, Eve
will have an option to put its Class B interest to Philip
Morris, or Philip Morris designees, at a put price that is
$5 million less than the exercise price of the Class B
option (and includes Philip Morris obtaining Eves
release from its loan guaranty). The Eve put option is
exercisable at any time during the 90-day period beginning
March 2, 2010.
If the Class B option, Trademarks redemption right
and the Eve put option expire unexercised, the holder of the
Class B interest will be entitled to convert the
Class B interest, at its election, into a Class A
interest with the same rights to share in future profits and
losses, the same voting power and the same claim to capital as
the entire existing outstanding Class A interest, i.e., a
50% interest in Trademarks.
Upon the closing of the exercise of the Class A option and
the distribution of the loan proceeds on May 24, 1999,
Philip Morris obtained control of Trademarks, and we recognized
a pre-tax gain of $294.1 million in our consolidated
financial statements and established a deferred tax liability of
$103.1 million relating to the gain. As discussed in
Note 10 to our consolidated financial statements, in July
2006, we entered into a settlement with the Internal Revenue
Service with respect to the Philip Morris brand transaction.
Vector Tobacco Inc.
Vector Tobacco, a wholly-owned subsidiary of VGR Holding, is
engaged in the development and marketing of the low nicotine and
nicotine-free QUEST cigarette products and the development of
reduced risk cigarette products.
QUEST. In January 2003, Vector Tobacco introduced QUEST,
its brand of low nicotine and nicotine-free cigarette products.
QUEST is designed for adult smokers who are interested in
reducing their levels of nicotine intake and is currently
available in both menthol and non-menthol styles. Each QUEST
style (regular and menthol) offers three different packagings,
with decreasing amounts of nicotine QUEST 1, 2 and
3. QUEST 1, the low nicotine variety, contains 0.6 milligrams of
nicotine. QUEST 2, the extra-low nicotine variety, contains 0.3
milligrams of nicotine. QUEST 3, the nicotine-free variety,
contains only trace levels of nicotine no more than
0.05 milligrams of nicotine per cigarette. QUEST cigarettes
utilize proprietary processes and materials that enable the
production of cigarettes with nicotine-free tobacco that tastes
and smokes like tobacco in conventional cigarettes. All six
QUEST varieties are being sold in box style packs and are priced
comparably to other premium brands.
QUEST is primarily available in New York, New Jersey,
Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Arizona.
These eight states account for approximately 28% of all
cigarette sales in the United States. The brand is supported by
point-of-purchase awareness campaigns. Vector Tobacco has
established a website, www.questcigs.com, to provide adult
smokers with additional information about QUEST.
During the second quarter of 2004, we recognized a non-cash
charge of $37 million to adjust the carrying value of
excess leaf tobacco inventory for the QUEST product, based on
estimates of future demand and market conditions. In the fourth
quarter of 2006, we recognized a non-cash charge of $890,000 to
adjust the carrying value of the remaining excess inventory.
QUEST brand cigarettes are currently marketed to permit adult
smokers, who wish to continue smoking, to gradually reduce their
intake of nicotine. The products are not labeled or advertised
for smoking cessation and Vector Tobacco makes no claims that
QUEST is safer than other cigarette products.
In October 2003, we announced that Jed E. Rose, Ph.D., Director
of Duke University Medical Centers Nicotine Research
Program and co-inventor of the nicotine patch, had conducted a
study at Duke University Medical Center to provide preliminary
evaluation of the use of the QUEST technology as a smoking
cessation aid. In the preliminary study on QUEST, 33% of QUEST 3
smokers were able to achieve four-week
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continuous abstinence. In March 2006, Vector Tobacco concluded a
randomized, multi-center phase II clinical trial to further
evaluate QUEST technology as an effective alternative to
conventional smoking cessation aids. In July 2006, we
participated in an end-of-phase II meeting with the Food and
Drug Administration (FDA) where we received
significant guidance and feedback from the agency with regard to
further development of the QUEST technology.
In November 2006, our Board of Directors determined to
discontinue the genetics operation of our subsidiary, Vector
Research Ltd., and not to pursue, at this time, FDA approval of
QUEST as a smoking cessation aid, due to the projected
significant additional time and expense involved in seeking such
approval. In connection with this decision, we eliminated 12
full-time positions effective December 31, 2006. In
addition, we terminated certain license agreements associated
with the genetics operation. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
Vector Tobacco is continuing its dialogue with the FDA with
respect to the prospects for phase III trials. Vector Tobacco
will continue to evaluate whether to proceed with phase III
trials.
As a result of these actions, we currently expect to realize
annual cost savings in excess of $4 million beginning in
2007. We recognized pre-tax restructuring and inventory
impairment charges of approximately $2.66 million during
the fourth quarter of 2006. The restructuring charges include
$484,000 relating to employee severance and benefit costs,
$338,000 for contract termination and other associated costs,
approximately $954,000 for asset impairment and $890,000 in
inventory write-offs. Approximately $1.84 million of these
charges represent non-cash items.
Through December 31, 2006, the nicotine-free tobacco in
QUEST cigarettes was produced by genetically modifying
nicotine-producing tobacco plants, using technology encompassed
by the now terminated license agreements. Vector Tobacco is
utilizing alternative methods to create reduced nicotine
cigarettes. Management believes that, based on testing at Vector
Tobaccos research facility, the QUEST 3 product will
contain trace levels of nicotine that have no discernible
physiological impact on the smoker, and that, consistent with
other products bearing free claims, QUEST 3 may be
labeled as nicotine-free with an appropriate
disclosure of the trace levels. The QUEST 3 product is similarly
referred to in this report as nicotine-free.
Manufacturing and Marketing. The QUEST brands are priced
as premium cigarettes and are marketed by the sales
representatives of Liggett Vector Brands, which coordinates and
executes the sales and marketing efforts for all our tobacco
operations. In the fourth quarter of 2002, Vector Tobacco began
production of QUEST at a facility it had purchased in
Timberlake, North Carolina, and converted into a modern
cigarette manufacturing plant. In October 2003, we announced
that we would close Vector Tobaccos Timberlake facility in
order to reduce excess cigarette production capacity and improve
operating efficiencies company-wide. Since January 1, 2004,
Liggett has manufactured all of Vector Tobaccos cigarette
brands under contract at its Mebane, North Carolina
manufacturing facility.
As a result of these actions, we recognized pre-tax
restructuring and impairment charges of $21.3 million in
2003, and additional charges of $400,000 were recognized in
2004. Approximately $2.2 million relate to employee
severance and benefit costs, $700,000 to contract termination
and exit and moving costs, and $18.8 million to non-cash
asset impairment charges. Machinery and equipment to be disposed
of was reduced to fair value less costs to sell during 2003.
In July 2004, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Vector Tobacco
completed the sale of the Timberlake, North Carolina
manufacturing facility along with all equipment to an affiliate
of the Flue-Cured Tobacco Cooperative Stabilization Corporation
for $25.8 million. In connection with the closing, the
subsidiary of Vector Tobacco entered into a consulting agreement
to provide certain services to the buyer for $400,000, all of
which was recognized by the Company in 2004. Approximately
$5.2 million of the proceeds from the sale were used at
closing to retire debt secured by the Timberlake property.
We decreased the asset impairment accrual as of June 30,
2004 to reflect the actual amounts to be realized from the
Timberlake sale and to reduce the values of other excess Vector
Tobacco machinery and equipment in accordance with
SFAS No. 144. We also adjusted the previously recorded
restructuring accrual as of June 30, 2004 to reflect
additional employee severance and benefits, contract termination
and associated
8
costs resulting from the Timberlake sale. No charge to
operations resulted from these adjustments as there was no
change to the total impairment and restructuring charges
previously recognized.
Liggett Vector Brands, as part of the continuing effort to
adjust the cost structure of our tobacco business and improve
operating efficiency, eliminated 83 positions during April 2004,
subleased its New York office space in July 2004 and relocated
several employees. As a result of these actions, we recognized
additional pre-tax restructuring charges of $2.7 million in
2004, including $800,000 relating to employee severance and
benefit costs and $1.9 million for contract termination and
other associated costs. Approximately $503,000 of these charges
represent non-cash items.
Annual cost savings related to the Timberlake restructuring and
impairment charges and the actions taken at Liggett Vector
Brands in the first half of 2004 were estimated to be at least
$23 million beginning in 2004. Management believes that the
anticipated annual cost savings have been achieved beginning in
2004.
In October 2004, we announced an additional plan to restructure
the operations of Liggett Vector Brands, our sales, marketing
and distribution agent for our Liggett and Vector Tobacco
subsidiaries. Liggett Vector Brands has realigned its sales
force and adjusted its business model to more efficiently serve
its chain and independent accounts nationwide. In connection
with the restructuring, we eliminated approximately 330
full-time positions and 135 part-time positions in December 2004.
As a result of the actions announced in October 2004, management
believes we have realized annual cost savings of approximately
$30 million beginning in 2005. We recognized pre-tax
restructuring charges of $10.6 million in 2004.
Approximately $5.7 million of the charges related to
employee severance and benefit costs and approximately
$4.9 million to contract termination and other associated
costs. Approximately $2.5 million of these charges
represented non-cash items. Additionally, we incurred other
charges in 2004 for various compensation and related payments to
employees which were related to the restructuring. These charges
of $1.7 million were included in operating, selling,
administrative and general expenses. Management will continue to
review opportunities for additional cost savings in our tobacco
business.
Expenditures by Vector Tobacco for research and development
activities were $6.7 million in 2006, $9.0 million in
2005 and $8.1 million in 2004.
Competition. Vector Tobaccos competitors generally
have substantially greater resources than it, including
financial, marketing and personnel resources. Other major
tobacco companies have stated that they are working on reduced
risk cigarette products and have made publicly available at this
time only limited additional information concerning their
activities. Philip Morris has announced that it is developing
products that potentially reduce smokers exposure to
harmful compounds in cigarette smoke and have been pursuing
patents for its technology. RJR Tobacco has disclosed that a
primary focus for its research and development activity is the
development of potentially reduced exposure products, which may
ultimately be recognized as products that present reduced risks
to health. RJR Tobacco has stated that it continues to sell in
limited distribution throughout the country a brand of
cigarettes that primarily heats rather than burns tobacco, which
it claims reduces the toxicity of its smoke. There is a
substantial likelihood that other companies will continue to
introduce new products that are designed to compete directly
with the low nicotine, nicotine-free and reduced risk products
that Vector Tobacco currently markets or may develop.
Intellectual Property. Vector Tobacco has patents and
pending patent applications that encompass the reduction or
elimination of nicotine and carcinogens in tobacco and the use
of this tobacco to prepare reduced carcinogen tobacco products
and smoking cessation kits. Vector Tobacco has patents and
pending patent applications that encompass the use of palladium
and other compounds to reduce the presence of carcinogens and
other toxins.
Research relating to the biological basis of tobacco-related
disease is being conducted at Vector Tobacco, together with
third party collaborators. This research is being directed by
Dr. Anthony P. Albino, Vector Tobaccos Senior Vice
President of Public Health Affairs. Vector Tobacco has pending
patent applications in the United States directed to technology
arising from this research and as this research progresses, it
may generate additional intellectual property.
9
Risks. Vector Tobaccos new product initiatives are
subject to substantial risks, uncertainties and contingencies
which include, without limitation, the challenges inherent in
new product development initiatives, the ability to raise
capital and manage the growth of its business, recovery of costs
of inventory, the need and ability to obtain FDA approval if
QUEST is to be marketed as a smoking cessation product,
potential disputes concerning Vector Tobaccos intellectual
property, intellectual property of third parties, potential
extensive government regulation or prohibition, uncertainty
regarding pending legislation providing for FDA regulation of
cigarettes, third party allegations that Vector Tobacco products
are unlawful or bear deceptive or unsubstantiated product
claims, potential delays in obtaining tobacco, other raw
materials and any technology needed to produce Vector
Tobaccos products, market acceptance of Vector
Tobaccos products, competition from companies with greater
resources and the dependence on key employees. See Item 1A.
Risk Factors.
Legislation and Regulation
Reports with respect to the alleged harmful physical effects of
cigarette smoking have been publicized for many years and, in
the opinion of Liggetts management, have had and may
continue to have an adverse effect on cigarette sales. Since
1964, the Surgeon General of the United States and the Secretary
of Health and Human Services have released a number of reports
which state that cigarette smoking is a causative factor with
respect to a variety of health hazards, including cancer, heart
disease and lung disease, and have recommended various
government actions to reduce the incidence of smoking. In 1997,
Liggett publicly acknowledged that, as the Surgeon General and
respected medical researchers have found, smoking causes health
problems, including lung cancer, heart and vascular disease, and
emphysema.
Since 1966, federal law has required that cigarettes
manufactured, packaged or imported for sale or distribution in
the United States include specific health warnings on their
packaging. Since 1972, Liggett and the other cigarette
manufacturers have included the federally required warning
statements in print advertising and on certain categories of
point-of-sale display materials relating to cigarettes. The
Federal Cigarette Labeling and Advertising Act (FCLA
Act) requires that packages of cigarettes distributed in
the United States and cigarette advertisements in the United
States bear one of the following four warning statements:
SURGEON GENERALS WARNING: Smoking Causes Lung
Cancer, Heart Disease, Emphysema, And May Complicate
Pregnancy; SURGEON GENERALS WARNING: Quitting
Smoking Now Greatly Reduces Serious Risks to Your Health;
SURGEON GENERALS WARNING: Smoking By Pregnant Women
May Result in Fetal Injury, Premature Birth, And Low Birth
Weight; and SURGEON GENERALS WARNING:
Cigarette Smoke Contains Carbon Monoxide. The law also
requires that each person who manufactures, packages or imports
cigarettes annually provide to the Secretary of Health and Human
Services a list of ingredients added to tobacco in the
manufacture of cigarettes. Annual reports to the United States
Congress are also required from the Secretary of Health and
Human Services as to current information on the health
consequences of smoking and from the Federal Trade Commission
(FTC) on the effectiveness of cigarette labeling and
current practices and methods of cigarette advertising and
promotion. Both federal agencies are also required annually to
make such recommendations as they deem appropriate with regard
to further legislation. It is possible that proposed legislation
providing for regulation of cigarettes by the FDA, if enacted,
could significantly change the warning requirements currently
mandated by the FCLA Act. In addition, since 1997, Liggett has
included the warning Smoking is Addictive on its
cigarette packages.
In January 1993, the Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) released a report on the respiratory effect of
secondary smoke which concludes that secondary smoke is a known
human lung carcinogen in adults and in children, causes
increased respiratory tract disease and middle ear disorders and
increases the severity and frequency of asthma. In June 1993,
the two largest of the major domestic cigarette manufacturers,
together with other segments of the tobacco and distribution
industries, commenced a lawsuit against the EPA seeking a
determination that the EPA did not have the statutory authority
to regulate secondary smoke, and that given the scientific
evidence and the EPAs failure to follow its own guidelines
in making the determination, the EPAs classification of
secondary smoke was arbitrary and capricious. In July 1998, a
federal district court vacated those sections of the report
relating to lung cancer, finding that the EPA may
10
have reached different conclusions had it complied with relevant
statutory requirements. The federal government appealed the
courts ruling. In December 2002, the United States Court
of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit rejected the industry
challenge to the EPA report ruling that it was not subject to
court review. Issuance of the report may encourage efforts to
limit smoking in public areas.
In August 1996, the FDA filed in the Federal Register a Final
Rule classifying tobacco as a drug or medical
device, asserting jurisdiction over the manufacture and
marketing of tobacco products and imposing restrictions on the
sale, advertising and promotion of tobacco products. Litigation
was commenced challenging the legal authority of the FDA to
assert such jurisdiction, as well as challenging the
constitutionality of the rule. In March 2000, the United States
Supreme Court ruled that the FDA does not have the power to
regulate tobacco. Liggett supported the FDA Rule and began to
phase in compliance with certain of the proposed FDA
regulations. Since the Supreme Court decision, various proposals
and recommendations have been made for additional federal and
state legislation to regulate cigarette manufacturers.
Congressional advocates of FDA regulations have introduced
legislation that would give the FDA authority to regulate the
manufacture, sale, distribution and labeling of tobacco products
to protect public health, thereby allowing the FDA to reinstate
its prior regulations or adopt new or additional regulations. In
October 2004, the Senate passed a bill, which did not become
law, providing for FDA regulation of tobacco products. A
substantially similar bill was reintroduced in Congress in
February 2007. The ultimate outcome of these proposals cannot be
predicted, but FDA regulation of tobacco products could have a
material adverse effect on us.
In August 1996, Massachusetts enacted legislation requiring
tobacco companies to publish information regarding the
ingredients in cigarettes and other tobacco products sold in
that state. In December 2002, the United States Court of Appeals
for the First Circuit ruled that the ingredients disclosure
provisions violated the constitutional prohibition against
unlawful seizure of property by forcing firms to reveal trade
secrets. Liggett began voluntarily complying with this
legislation in December 1997 by providing ingredient information
to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and,
notwithstanding the appellate courts ruling, has continued
to provide ingredient disclosure. Liggett and Vector Tobacco
also provide ingredient information annually, as required by
law, to the states of Texas and Minnesota. Several other states
are considering ingredient disclosure legislation, and the
Senate bill providing for FDA regulation also calls for, among
other things, ingredient disclosure.
In October 2004, the Fair and Equitable Tobacco Reform Act of
2004 (FETRA) was signed into law. FETRA provides for
the elimination of the federal tobacco quota and price support
program through an industry funded buyout of tobacco growers and
quota holders. Pursuant to the legislation, manufacturers of
tobacco products will be assessed $10.14 billion over a ten
year period to compensate tobacco growers and quota holders for
the elimination of their quota rights. Cigarette manufacturers
will initially be responsible for 96.3% of the assessment
(subject to adjustment in the future), which will be allocated
based on relative unit volume of domestic cigarette shipments.
Liggetts and Vector Tobaccos assessment was
$25.3 million in 2005 and $22.6 million in 2006.
Management currently estimates that Liggetts and Vector
Tobaccos assessment will be approximately
$22.6 million for the third year of the program which began
January 1, 2007. The relative cost of the legislation to
the three largest cigarette manufacturers will likely be less
than the cost to smaller manufacturers, including Liggett and
Vector Tobacco, because one effect of the legislation is that
the three largest manufacturers will no longer be obligated to
make certain contractual payments, commonly known as Phase II
payments, that they agreed in 1999 to make to tobacco-producing
states. The ultimate impact of this legislation cannot be
determined, but there is a risk that smaller manufacturers, such
as Liggett and Vector Tobacco, will be disproportionately
affected by the legislation, which could have a material adverse
effect on us.
Cigarettes are subject to substantial and increasing federal,
state and local excise taxes. The federal excise tax on
cigarettes is currently $0.39 per pack. State and local sales
and excise taxes vary considerably and, when combined with sales
taxes, local taxes and the current federal excise tax, may
currently exceed $4.00 per pack. In 2006, eight states enacted
increases in excise taxes. Further increases from other states
are expected. Congress has considered and is currently
considering significant increases in the federal excise tax or
other payments from tobacco manufacturers, and various states
and other jurisdictions have currently under
11
consideration or pending legislation proposing further state
excise tax increases. Management believes increases in excise
and similar taxes have had an adverse effect on sales of
cigarettes.
Various states have adopted or are considering legislation
establishing reduced ignition propensity standards for
cigarettes. Compliance with this legislation could be burdensome
and costly. In June 2000, the New York State legislature passed
legislation charging the states Office of Fire Prevention
and Control with developing standards for
self-extinguishing or reduced ignition propensity
cigarettes. All cigarettes manufactured for sale in New York
State must be manufactured to specific reduced ignition
propensity standards set forth in the regulations. Liggett and
Vector Tobacco are in compliance with the New York reduced
ignition propensity regulatory requirements. Since the passage
of the New York law, the states of Vermont, California, New
Hampshire and Illinois have passed similar laws utilizing the
same technical standards, effective on May 1, 2006,
January 1, 2007, October 1, 2007 and January 1,
2008, respectively. Massachusetts has also recently enacted
reduced ignition propensity standards for cigarettes, although
currently there is no effective date for the legislation.
Similar legislation is being considered by other state
governments and at the federal level. Compliance with such
legislation could harm the business of Liggett and Vector
Tobacco, particularly if there were to be varying standards from
state to state.
Federal or state regulators may object to Vector Tobaccos
low nicotine and nicotine-free cigarette products and reduced
risk cigarette products it may develop as unlawful or allege
they bear deceptive or unsubstantiated product claims, and seek
the removal of the products from the marketplace or significant
changes to advertising. Various concerns regarding Vector
Tobaccos advertising practices have been expressed to
Vector Tobacco by certain state attorneys general. Vector
Tobacco has previously engaged in discussions in an effort to
resolve these concerns and Vector Tobacco has, in the interim,
suspended all print advertising for its QUEST brand. If Vector
Tobacco is ultimately unable to advertise its QUEST brand, it
could have a material adverse effect on sales of QUEST.
Allegations by federal or state regulators, public health
organizations and other tobacco manufacturers that Vector
Tobaccos products are unlawful, or that its public
statements or advertising contain misleading or unsubstantiated
health claims or product comparisons, may result in litigation
or governmental proceedings. Vector Tobaccos business may
become subject to extensive domestic and international
governmental regulation. Various proposals have been made for
federal, state and international legislation to regulate
cigarette manufacturers generally, and reduced constituent
cigarettes specifically. It is possible that laws and
regulations may be adopted covering issues like the manufacture,
sale, distribution, advertising and labeling of tobacco products
as well as any express or implied health claims associated with
reduced risk, low nicotine and nicotine-free cigarette products
and the use of genetically modified tobacco. A system of
regulation by agencies such as the FDA, the FTC or the United
States Department of Agriculture (USDA) may be
established. The FTC has expressed interest in the regulation of
tobacco products which bear reduced carcinogen claims. Recently,
legislation was reintroduced in Congress providing for the
regulation of cigarettes by the FDA. The ultimate outcome of any
of the foregoing cannot be predicted, but any of the foregoing
could have a material adverse effect on us.
A wide variety of federal, state and local laws limit the
advertising, sale and use of cigarettes, and these laws have
proliferated in recent years. For example, many local laws
prohibit smoking in restaurants and other public places, and
many employers have initiated programs restricting or
eliminating smoking in the workplace. There are various other
legislative efforts pending on the federal and state level which
seek to, among other things, eliminate smoking in public places,
further restrict displays and advertising of cigarettes, require
additional warnings, including graphic warnings, on cigarette
packaging and advertising, ban vending machine sales and curtail
affirmative defenses of tobacco companies in product liability
litigation. This trend has had, and is likely to continue to
have, an adverse effect on us.
In addition to the foregoing, there have been a number of other
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 similar litigation or legislation.
12
The cigarette industry continues to be challenged on numerous
fronts. The industry is facing increased pressure from
anti-smoking groups and continued smoking and health litigation,
including private class action litigation and health care cost
recovery actions brought by governmental entities and other
third parties, the effects of which, at this time, we are unable
to evaluate. As of December 31, 2006, there were
approximately 135 individual suits (excluding approximately 975
individual smoker cases pending in West Virginia state court as
a consolidated action; Liggett has been severed from the trial
of the consolidated action), approximately 11 purported class
actions or actions where class certification has been sought and
approximately nine governmental and other third-party payor
health care recovery actions pending in the United States in
which Liggett was a named defendant. See Item 3.
Legal Proceedings and Note 12 to our
consolidated financial statements, which contain a description
of litigation.
Certain State Settlements and the Master Settlement
Agreement
In March 1996, March 1997 and March 1998, Liggett entered into
settlements of tobacco-related litigation with the Attorneys
General of 45 states and territories. The settlements released
Liggett from all tobacco-related claims within 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 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 those Settling States.
The Master Settlement Agreement received final judicial approval
in each settling jurisdiction.
The Master Settlement Agreement restricts tobacco product
advertising and marketing within the Settling States and
otherwise restricts the activities of Participating
Manufacturers. Among other things, the Master Settlement
Agreement prohibits the targeting of youth in the advertising,
promotion or 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 the exception of signs 14 square feet or less,
at retail establishments that sell tobacco products; 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 Master Settlement Agreement; 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 Master Settlement Agreement also requires Participating
Manufacturers to affirm corporate principles to comply with the
Master Settlement Agreement and to reduce underage usage of
tobacco products and imposes restrictions on lobbying activities
conducted on behalf of Participating Manufacturers.
Liggett has no payment obligations under the Master Settlement
Agreement except to the extent its market share exceeds a market
share exemption of approximately 1.65% of total cigarettes sold
in the United States. Vector Tobacco has no payment obligations
under the Master Settlement Agreement, except to the extent its
market share exceeds a market share exemption of approximately
0.28% of total cigarettes sold in the United States. According
to data from Management Science Associates, Inc., domestic
shipments by Liggett and Vector Tobacco accounted for
approximately 2.3% of the total cigarettes shipped in the United
States during 2004, 2.2% during 2005 and 2.4% during 2006. If
Liggetts or Vector Tobaccos 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, would pay on each excess unit an amount
equal (on a per-unit basis) to that due by the OPMs for that
year, subject to applicable adjustments, offsets and reductions.
In April 2004, Liggett and Vector Tobacco paid a total of
approximately $50.3 million for their 2003 Master
13
Settlement Agreement obligations. In April 2005, Liggett and
Vector Tobacco paid a total of approximately $21 million
for their 2004 Master Settlement Agreement obligations. In April
2006, Liggett and Vector Tobacco paid a total of approximately
$10.6 million for their 2005 Master Settlement Agreement
obligations. In April 2007, we expect to pay approximately
$38.7 million with respect to obligations under the Master
Settlement Agreement. Liggett and Vector Tobacco have expensed
approximately $34.8 million for their estimated Master
Settlement Agreement obligations for 2006 as part of cost of
goods sold.
Under the payment provisions of the Master Settlement Agreement,
the Participating Manufacturers are required to pay the
following base annual amounts (subject to applicable
adjustments, offsets and reductions):
|
|
|
|
|
Payment Year |
|
Base Amount | |
|
|
| |
2007
|
|
$ |
8.0 billion |
|
2008 and each year thereafter
|
|
$ |
9.0 billion |
|
These annual payments will be allocated based on unit volume of
domestic cigarette shipments. The payment obligations under the
Master Settlement Agreement are the several, and not joint,
obligations of each Participating Manufacturer and are not the
responsibility of any parent or affiliate of a Participating
Manufacturer.
In 2005, the Independent Auditor under the Master Settlement
Agreement calculated that Liggett owed approximately
$28.7 million in Master Settlement Agreement payments for
Liggetts 2004 sales. In April 2005, Liggett paid
approximately $11.7 million and disputed the balance, as
permitted by the Master Settlement Agreement. Liggett
subsequently paid an additional approximately $9.3 million
although Liggett continues to dispute that this amount is owed.
This $9.3 million relates to an adjustment to its 2003
payment obligation claimed by Liggett for the market share loss
to non-participating manufacturers, which is known as the
NPM Adjustment. The remaining balance in dispute of
$7.7 million, which was withheld from payment, is comprised
of approximately $5.3 million claimed for a 2004 NPM
Adjustment and $2.4 million relating to the Independent
Auditors retroactive change from gross to
net units in calculating Master Settlement Agreement
payments, which Liggett contends is improper, as discussed
below. From its April 2006 payment, Liggett withheld
approximately $1.6 million claimed for the 2005 NPM
Adjustment and $2.6 million relating to the retroactive
change from gross to net units.
The following amounts have not been accrued in the accompanying
consolidated financial statements as they relate to
Liggetts and Vector Tobaccos claim for an NPM
adjustment: $6.5 million for 2003, $3.8 million for
2004 and $0.8 million for 2005.
In March 2006, an independent economic consulting firm selected
pursuant to the Master Settlement Agreement rendered its final
and non-appealable decision that the Master Settlement Agreement
was a significant factor contributing to the loss of
market share of Participating Manufacturers for 2003. In
February 2007, this firm rendered the same decision with respect
to 2004. As a result, the manufacturers are entitled to
potential NPM Adjustments to their 2003 and 2004 Master
Settlement Agreement payments. A Settling State that has
diligently enforced its qualifying escrow statute in the year in
question may be able to avoid application of the NPM Adjustment
to the payments made by the manufacturers for the benefit of
that state or territory.
Since April 2006, notwithstanding provisions in the Master
Settlement Agreement requiring arbitration, litigation has been
commenced in 49 Settling States over the issue of whether the
application of the NPM Adjustment for 2003 is to be determined
through litigation or arbitration. These actions relate to the
potential NPM Adjustment for 2003, which the Independent Auditor
under the Master Settlement Agreement previously determined to
be as much as $1.2 billion. To date, 37 of 38 courts that
have decided the issue have ruled that the 2003 NPM Adjustment
dispute is arbitrable. Many of the decisions compelling
arbitration have been appealed. The Participating Manufacturers
have appealed the decision of the North Dakota court that the
dispute is not arbitrable. There can be no assurance that the
Participating Manufacturers will receive any adjustment as a
result of these proceedings.
14
In October 2004, the Independent Auditor notified Liggett and
all other Participating Manufacturers that their payment
obligations under the Master Settlement Agreement, dating from
the agreements execution in late 1998, were going to be
recalculated utilizing net unit amounts, rather than
gross unit amounts (which had been utilized since
1999). The change in the method of calculation could, among
other things, require additional payments by Liggett under the
Master Settlement Agreement of approximately $14.8 million
for the periods 2001 through 2006, and require Liggett to pay an
additional amount of approximately $3.4 million in 2007 and
in future periods by lowering Liggetts market share
exemption under the Master Settlement Agreement.
Liggett has objected to this retroactive change and has disputed
the change in methodology. Liggett contends that the retroactive
change from utilizing gross unit amounts to
net unit amounts is impermissible for several
reasons, including:
|
|
|
|
|
utilization of net unit amounts is not required by
the Master Settlement Agreement (as reflected by, among other
things, the utilization of gross unit amounts
through 2005); |
|
|
|
such a change is not authorized without the consent of affected
parties to the Master Settlement Agreement; |
|
|
|
the Master Settlement Agreement provides for four-year time
limitation periods for revisiting calculations and
determinations, which precludes recalculating Liggetts
1997 Market Share (and thus, Liggetts market share
exemption); and |
|
|
|
Liggett and others have relied upon the calculations based on
gross unit amounts since 1998. |
No amounts have been accrued in the accompanying consolidated
financial statements for any potential liability relating to the
gross versus net dispute.
The Master Settlement Agreement replaces Liggetts 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 Master Settlement Agreement,
negotiated and executed settlement agreements with each of the
other major tobacco companies, separate from those settlements
reached previously with Liggett. Liggetts agreements with
these states remain in full force and effect, and Liggett made
various payments to these states during 1996, 1997 and 1998
under the agreements. These states settlement agreements
with Liggett contained most favored nation provisions which
could reduce Liggetts 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 or resolutions with United States Tobacco Company,
Liggetts payment obligations to those states had been
eliminated. With respect to all non-economic obligations under
the previous settlements, Liggett is entitled to the most
favorable provisions as between the Master Settlement Agreement
and each states respective settlement with the other major
tobacco companies. Therefore, Liggetts non-economic
obligations to all states and territories are now defined by the
Master Settlement Agreement.
In 2003, in order to resolve any potential issues with Minnesota
as to Liggetts settlement obligations, Liggett negotiated
a $100,000 a year payment to Minnesota, to be paid any year
cigarettes manufactured by Liggett are sold in that state. In
2004, the Attorneys General for each of Florida, Mississippi and
Texas advised Liggett that they believed that Liggett had failed
to make all required payments under the respective settlement
agreements with these states for the period 1998 through 2003
and that additional payments may be due for 2004 and subsequent
years. Liggett believes these allegations are without merit,
based, among other things, on the language of the most favored
nation provisions of the settlement agreements. In December
2004, Florida offered to settle all amounts allegedly owed by
Liggett for the period through 2003 for the sum of
$13.5 million. In March 2005, Florida reaffirmed its
December 2004 offer to settle and provided Liggett with a
60 day notice to cure the alleged defaults. Liggett offered
Florida $2.5 million in a lump sum to settle all alleged
obligations through December 31, 2006 and $100,000 per year
thereafter in any year in which cigarettes manufactured by
Liggett are sold in Florida, to resolve all alleged future
obligations under the settlement agreement. In November 2004,
Mississippi offered to settle all amounts allegedly owed by
Liggett for the period through 2003 for the sum of
$6.5 million. In April 2005, Mississippi reaffirmed its
November
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2004 offer to settle and provided Liggett with a 60 day
notice to cure the alleged defaults. No specific monetary demand
has been made by Texas. Liggett has met with representatives of
Mississippi and Texas to discuss the issues relating to the
alleged defaults, although no resolution has been reached.
Except for $2.0 million accrued for the year ended
December 31, 2005 and an additional $500,000 accrued during
2006, in connection with the foregoing matters, no other amounts
have been accrued in the accompanying consolidated financial
statements for any additional amounts that may be payable by
Liggett under the settlement agreements with Florida,
Mississippi and Texas. There can be no assurance that Liggett
will resolve these matters and that Liggett will not be required
to make additional material payments, which payments could
adversely affect our consolidated financial position, results of
operations or cash flows.
It is possible that our consolidated financial position, results
of operations or cash flows could be materially adversely
affected by an unfavorable outcome in any tobacco-related
litigation or as a result of additional federal or state
regulation relating to the manufacture, sale, distribution,
advertising or labeling of tobacco products.
Liggetts and Vector Tobaccos management is unaware
of any material environmental conditions affecting its existing
facilities. Liggetts and Vector Tobaccos management
believes that current operations are conducted in accordance
with all environmental laws and regulations. Compliance with
federal, state and local provisions regulating the discharge of
materials into the environment, or otherwise relating to the
protection of the environment, have not had a material effect on
the capital expenditures, earnings or competitive position of
Liggett or Vector Tobacco.
Liggetts management believes that it is in compliance in
all material respects with the laws regulating cigarette
manufacturers.
New Valley LLC
New Valley LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, is engaged
in the real estate business and is seeking to acquire additional
real estate properties and operating companies. New Valley owns
a 50% interest in Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC, which operates
the largest residential brokerage company in the New York City
metropolitan area. New Valley also holds, through its New Valley
Realty Division, a 50% interest in the Sheraton Keauhou Bay
Resort & Spa in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, a 50% interest in the
St. Regis Hotel in Washington, D.C. and a 22.22% interest in the
Holiday Isle Resort in Islamorada, Florida. In February 2005,
New Valley completed the sale of its two commercial office
buildings in Princeton, New Jersey.
In December 2005, we completed an exchange offer and subsequent
short-form merger whereby we acquired the remaining 42.3% of the
common shares of New Valley Corporation that we did not already
own. As result of these transactions, New Valley Corporation
became our wholly-owned subsidiary and each outstanding New
Valley Corporation common share was exchanged for 0.514 shares
of our common stock. A total of approximately 5.3 million
of our common shares were issued to the New Valley Corporation
shareholders in the transactions. The surviving corporation in
the short-form merger was subsequently merged into a new
Delaware limited liability company named New Valley LLC, which
conducts the business of the former New Valley Corporation.
Prior to these transactions, New Valley Corporation was
registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and filed
periodic reports and other information with the SEC.
New Valley Corporation was originally organized under the laws
of New York in 1851 and operated for many years under the name
Western Union Corporation. In 1991, bankruptcy
proceedings were commenced against New Valley Corporation. In
January 1995, New Valley Corporation emerged from bankruptcy. As
part of the plan of reorganization, New Valley Corporation sold
the Western Union money transfer and messaging services
businesses and all allowed claims in the bankruptcy were paid in
full.
The business strategy of New Valley is to continue to operate
its real estate business, to acquire additional real estate
properties and to acquire operating companies through merger,
purchase of assets, stock acquisition or other means, or to
acquire control of operating companies through one of such
means. New Valley may also
16
seek from time to time to dispose of such businesses and
properties when favorable market conditions exist. New
Valleys cash and investments are available for general
corporate purposes, including for acquisition purposes.
As a result of the sale of the office buildings in February
2005, New Valleys real estate leasing operations, which
were the primary source of New Valleys revenues in 2004,
have been treated as discontinued operations in the accompanying
consolidated financial statements.
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Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC |
During 2000 and 2001, New Valley acquired for approximately
$1.7 million a 37.2% ownership interest in B&H
Associates of NY, which conducts business as Prudential Douglas
Elliman Real Estate, formerly known as Prudential Long Island
Realty, a residential real estate brokerage company on Long
Island, and a minority interest in an affiliated mortgage
company, Preferred Empire Mortgage Company. In December 2002,
New Valley and the other owners of Prudential Douglas Elliman
Real Estate contributed their interests in Prudential Douglas
Elliman Real Estate to Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC, formerly
known as Montauk Battery Realty, LLC, a newly formed entity. New
Valley acquired a 50% interest in Douglas Elliman Realty as a
result of an additional investment of approximately
$1.4 million by New Valley and the redemption by Prudential
Douglas Elliman Real Estate of various ownership interests. As
part of the transaction, Prudential Douglas Elliman Real Estate
renewed its franchise agreement with The Prudential Real Estate
Affiliates, Inc. for an additional ten-year term. In October
2004, upon receipt of required regulatory approvals, the former
owners of Douglas Elliman Realty contributed to Douglas Elliman
Realty their interests in the related mortgage company.
In March 2003, Douglas Elliman Realty purchased the New York
City based residential brokerage firm, Douglas
Elliman, LLC, formerly known as Insignia Douglas Elliman, and an
affiliated property management company, for $71.25 million.
With that acquisition, the combination of Prudential Douglas
Elliman Real Estate with Douglas Elliman created the largest
residential brokerage company in the New York metropolitan area.
Upon closing of the acquisition, Douglas Elliman entered into a
ten-year franchise agreement with The Prudential Real Estate
Affiliates, Inc. New Valley invested an additional
$9.5 million in subordinated debt and equity of Douglas
Elliman Realty to help fund the acquisition. The subordinated
debt, which had a principal amount of $9.5 million, bears
interest at 12% per annum and is due in March 2013. As part of
the Douglas Elliman acquisition, Douglas Elliman Realty acquired
Douglas Ellimans affiliate, Residential Management Group
LLC, which conducts business as Douglas Elliman Property
Management and is the New York metropolitan areas largest
manager of rental, co-op and condominium housing.
We account for our interest in Douglas Elliman Realty on the
equity method. We recorded income of $12.7 million in 2006,
$11.2 million in 2005 and $11.6 million in 2004
associated with Douglas Elliman Realty. Equity income from
Douglas Elliman Realty includes interest earned by New Valley on
the subordinated debt, management fees, and, prior to
October 1, 2004, our share of the mortgage companys
results from operations.
Real Estate Brokerage Business. Douglas Elliman Realty is
engaged in the real estate brokerage business through its
subsidiaries Douglas Elliman and Prudential Douglas Elliman Real
Estate. The two brokerage companies have 64 offices with
approximately 3,300 real estate agents in the metropolitan New
York area. The companies achieved combined sales of
approximately $11.7 billion of real estate in 2006,
approximately $11.1 billion of real estate in 2005 and
approximately $10 billion of real estate in 2004. Douglas
Elliman Realty was ranked as the sixth largest residential
brokerage company in the United States in 2005 based on closed
sales volume by the Real Trends broker survey. Douglas
Elliman Realty had revenues of $347.2 million in 2006,
$330.0 million in 2005 and $286.8 million in 2004.
Douglas Elliman was founded in 1911 and has grown to be one of
Manhattans leading residential brokers by specializing in
the highest end of the sales and rental marketplaces. It has 17
New York City offices, with approximately 1,550 real estate
agents, and had sales volume of approximately $7.2 billion
of real estate in 2006, approximately $6.3 billion of real
estate in 2005 and approximately $5.9 billion in 2004.
17
Prudential Douglas Elliman Real Estate is headquartered in
Huntington, New York and is the largest residential brokerage
company on Long Island with 47 offices and approximately 1,750
real estate agents. During 2006, Prudential Douglas Elliman Real
Estate closed approximately 7,000 transactions, representing
sales volume of approximately $4.5 billion of real estate.
This compared to approximately 8,250 transactions closed in
2005, representing approximately $4.7 billion of real
estate, and approximately 8,000 transactions closed in 2004,
representing approximately $4.2 billion in real estate.
Prudential Douglas Elliman Real Estate serves approximately 250
communities from Manhattan to Montauk.
Douglas Elliman and Prudential Douglas Elliman Real Estate both
act as a broker or agent in residential real estate
transactions. In performing these services, the companies have
historically represented the seller, either as the listing
broker, or as a co-broker in the sale. In acting as a broker for
the seller, their services include assisting the seller in
pricing the property and preparing it for sale, advertising the
property, showing the property to prospective buyers, and
assisting the seller in negotiating the terms of the sale and in
closing the transaction. In exchange for these services, the
seller pays to the companies a commission, which is generally a
fixed percentage of the sales price. In a co-brokered
arrangement, the listing broker typically splits its commission
with the other co-broker involved in the transaction. The two
companies also offer buyer brokerage services. When acting as a
broker for the buyer, their services include assisting the buyer
in locating properties that meet the buyers personal and
financial specifications, showing the buyer properties, and
assisting the buyer in negotiating the terms of the purchase and
closing the transaction. In exchange for these services a
commission is paid to the companies which also is generally a
fixed percentage of the purchase price and is usually, with the
consent of the listing broker, deducted from, and payable out
of, the commission payable to the listing broker. With the
consent of a buyer and seller, subject to certain conditions,
the companies may, in certain circumstances, act as a selling
broker and as a buying broker in the same transaction. Their
sales and marketing services are mostly provided by licensed
real estate sales associates who have entered into independent
contractor agreements with the companies. The companies
recognize revenue and commission expenses upon the consummation
of the real estate sale.
The two brokerage companies also offer relocation services to
employers, which provide a variety of specialized services
primarily concerned with facilitating the resettlement of
transferred employees. These services include sales and
marketing of transferees existing homes for their
corporate employer, assistance in finding new homes, moving
services, educational and school placement counseling,
customized videos, property marketing assistance, rental
assistance, area tours, international relocation, group move
services, marketing and management of foreclosed properties,
career counseling, spouse/partner employment assistance, and
financial services. Clients can select these programs and
services on a fee basis according to their needs.
As part of the brokerage companies franchise agreement
with Prudential, its subsidiaries have an agreement with
Prudential Relocation Services, Inc. to provide relocation
services to the Prudential network. The companies anticipate
that participation in Prudential network will continue to
provide new relocation opportunities with firms on a national
level.
Preferred Empire Mortgage Company is engaged in the residential
mortgage brokerage business, which involves the origination of
loans for one-to-four family residences. Preferred Empire
primarily originates loans for purchases of properties located
on Long Island and in New York City. Approximately one-half of
these loans are for home sales transactions in which Prudential
Douglas Elliman Real Estate acts as a broker. The term
origination refers generally to the process of
arranging mortgage financing for the purchase of property
directly to the purchaser or for refinancing an existing
mortgage. Preferred Empires revenues are generated from
loan origination fees, which are generally a percentage of the
original principal amount of the loan and are commonly referred
to as points, and application and other fees paid by
the borrowers. Preferred Empire recognizes mortgage origination
revenues and costs when the mortgage loan is consummated.
Marketing. As members of The Prudential Real Estate
Affiliates, Inc., Douglas Elliman and Prudential Douglas Elliman
Real Estate offer real estate sales and marketing and relocation
services, which are marketed by a multimedia program. This
program includes direct mail, newspaper, internet, catalog,
radio and television advertising and is conducted throughout
Manhattan and Long Island. In addition, the integrated nature of
the
18
real estate brokerage companies services is designed to produce
a flow of customers between their real estate sales and
marketing business and their mortgage business.
Competition. The real estate brokerage business is highly
competitive. However, Douglas Elliman and Prudential Douglas
Elliman Real Estate believe that their ability to offer their
customers a range of inter-related services and their level of
residential real estate sales and marketing help position them
to meet the competition and improve their market share.
In the two brokerage companies traditional business of
residential real estate sales and marketing, they compete
primarily with multi-office independent real estate
organizations and, to some extent with franchise real estate
organizations, such as Century-21, ERA, RE/ MAX and Coldwell
Banker. The companies believe that their major competitors in
2007 will also increasingly include multi-office real estate
organizations, such as GMAC Home Services, NRT Inc. (whose
affiliates include the New York City-based Corcoran Group) and
other privately owned companies. Residential brokerage firms
compete for sales and marketing business primarily on the basis
of services offered, reputation, personal contacts, and,
recently to a greater degree, price.
Both companies relocation businesses are fully integrated
with their residential real estate sales and marketing business.
Accordingly, their major competitors are many of the same real
estate organizations previously noted. Competition in the
relocation business is likewise based primarily on level of
service, reputation, personal contact and, recently to a greater
degree, price.
In its mortgage loan origination business, Preferred Empire
competes with other mortgage originators, such as mortgage
brokers, mortgage bankers, state and national banks, and thrift
institutions. Because Preferred Empire does not fund, sell or
service mortgage loans, many of Preferred Empires
competitors for mortgage services have substantially greater
resources than Preferred Empire.
Government Regulation. Several facets of real estate
brokerage businesses are subject to government regulation. For
example, their real estate sales and marketing divisions are
licensed as real estate brokers in the states in which they
conduct their real estate brokerage businesses. In addition,
their real estate sales associates must be licensed as real
estate brokers or salespersons in the states in which they do
business. Future expansion of the real estate brokerage
operations of Douglas Elliman and Prudential Douglas Elliman
Real Estate into new geographic markets may subject them to
similar licensing requirements in other states.
A number of states and localities have adopted laws and
regulations imposing environmental controls, disclosure rules,
zoning, and other land use restrictions, which can materially
impact the marketability of certain real estate. However,
Douglas Elliman and Prudential Douglas Elliman Real Estate do
not believe that compliance with environmental, zoning and land
use laws and regulations has had, or will have, a materially
adverse effect on their financial condition or operations.
In Preferred Empires mortgage business, mortgage loan
origination activities are subject to the Equal Credit
Opportunity Act, the Federal Truth-in-Lending Act, the Real
Estate Settlement Procedures Act, and the regulations
promulgated thereunder which prohibit discrimination and require
the disclosure of certain information to borrowers concerning
credit and settlement costs. Additionally, there are various
state laws affecting Preferred Empires mortgage
operations, including licensing requirements and substantive
limitations on the interest and fees that may be charged. States
also have the right to conduct financial and regulatory audits
of the loans under their jurisdiction. Preferred Empire is
licensed as a mortgage broker in New York, and as a result,
Preferred Empire is required to submit annual audited financial
statements to the New York Commissioner of Banks and maintain a
minimum net worth of $50,000. As of December 31, 2006,
Preferred Empire was in compliance with these requirements.
Preferred Empire is also licensed as a mortgage broker in
Connecticut and New Jersey.
Neither Douglas Elliman nor Prudential Douglas Elliman Real
Estate is aware of any material licensing or other government
regulatory requirements governing its relocation business,
except to the extent that such business also involves the
rendering of real estate brokerage services, the licensing and
regulation of which are described above.
19
Franchises and Trade Names. In December 2002, Prudential
Douglas Elliman Real Estate renewed for an additional ten-year
term its franchise agreement with The Prudential Real Estate
Affiliates, Inc. and has an exclusive franchise, subject to
various exceptions and to meeting annual revenue thresholds, in
New York for the counties of Nassau and Suffolk on Long Island.
In addition, in June 2004, Prudential Douglas Elliman Real
Estate was granted an exclusive franchise, subject to various
exceptions and to meeting annual revenue thresholds, with
respect to the boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens. In March 2003,
Douglas Elliman entered into a ten-year franchise agreement with
The Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc. and has an exclusive
franchise, subject to various exceptions and to meeting annual
revenue thresholds, for Manhattan.
The Douglas Elliman trade name is a registered
trademark in the United States. The name has been synonymous
with the most exacting standards of excellence in the real
estate industry since Douglas Ellimans formation in 1911.
Other trademarks used extensively in Douglas Ellimans
business, which are owned by Douglas Elliman Realty and
registered in the United States, include We are New
York, Bringing People and Places Together,
If You Clicked Here Youd Be Home Now and
Picture Yourself in the Perfect Home.
The Prudential name and the tagline From
Manhattan to Montauk are used extensively in both the
Prudential Douglas Elliman Real Estate and Douglas Elliman
businesses. In addition, Prudential Douglas Elliman Real Estate
continues to use the trade names of certain companies that it
has acquired.
Residential Property Management Business. Douglas Elliman
Realty is also engaged in the management of cooperatives,
condominiums and apartments though its subsidiary, Residential
Management Group, LLC, which conducts business as Douglas
Elliman Property Management and is the New York metropolitan
areas largest manager of rental, co-op and condominium
housing according to a survey in the February 2004 issue of
The Cooperator. Residential Management Group provides
full service third-party fee management for approximately 250
properties, representing approximately 45,000 units in New York
City, Nassau County, Northern New Jersey and Westchester County.
The company is seeking to continue to expand its property
management business in the greater metropolitan New York area in
2007. Among the notable properties currently managed are the
Dakota, Museum Tower, Worldwide Plaza, London Terrace and West
Village Houses buildings in New York City. Residential
Management Group employs approximately 250 people, of whom
approximately 150 work at the companys headquarters and
the remainder at remote site offices in the New York
metropolitan area.
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New Valley Realty Division |
Office Buildings. In December 2002, New Valley purchased
two office buildings in Princeton, N.J. for a total purchase
price of $54 million. In February 2005, New Valley
completed the sale of the office buildings for
$71.5 million. The mortgage loan on the property was
retired at closing with the proceeds of the sale. As a result of
the sale, New Valleys real estate leasing operations have
been treated as discontinued operations in the accompanying
consolidated financial statements.
Hawaiian Hotel. In July 2001, Koa Investors, LLC, an
entity owned by New Valley, developer Brickman Associates and
other investors, acquired the leasehold interests in the former
Kona Surf Hotel in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii in a foreclosure
proceeding. New Valley, which holds a 50% interest in Koa
Investors, had invested $12.525 million in the project as
of December 31, 2006. We account for our investment in Koa
Investors under the equity method and recorded income of
$867,000 in 2006 and losses of $3.5 million in 2005 and
$1.8 million in 2004 associated with the Kona Surf Hotel.
The income in 2006 related to the receipt of tax credits in 2006
from the State of Hawaii of $1.192 million offset by equity
in the loss of Koa Investors of $325,000. Koa Investors
losses in 2004 primarily represented losses from operations and
management fees. Koa Investors capitalized all costs related to
the acquisition and development of the property during the
construction phase, which ceased in connection with the opening
of the hotel in the fourth quarter of 2004.
The hotel is located on a 20-acre tract, which is leased under
two ground leases with Kamehameha Schools, the largest private
land owner in Hawaii. In December 2002, Koa Investors and
Kamehameha amended the leases to provide for significant rent
abatements over the next ten years and extended the
20
remaining term of the leases from 33 years to
65 years. In addition, Kamehameha granted Koa Investors
various right of first offer opportunities to develop adjoining
resort sites.
A subsidiary of Koa Investors has entered into an agreement with
Sheraton Operating Corporation, a subsidiary of Starwood Hotels
and Resorts Worldwide, Inc., for Sheraton to manage the hotel.
Following a major renovation, the property reopened in the
fourth quarter 2004 as the Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort &
Spa, a four star family resort with 521 rooms. The renovation of
the property included comprehensive room enhancements,
construction of a fresh water 13,000 square foot fantasy pool,
lobby and entrance improvements, a new gym and spa, retail
stores and new restaurants. A 10,000 square foot convention
center, wedding chapel and other revenue producing amenities
were also restored. In April 2004, a subsidiary of Koa Investors
closed on a $57 million construction loan to fund the
renovation.
In August 2005, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Koa Investors
borrowed $82 million at an interest rate of LIBOR plus
2.45%. Koa Investors used the proceeds of the loan to repay its
$57 million construction loan and distributed a portion of
the proceeds to its members, including $5.5 million to New
Valley. As a result of the refinancing, we suspended our
recognition of equity losses in Koa Investors to the extent such
losses exceed our basis plus any commitment to make additional
investments, which totaled $600,000 at the refinancing. In
August 2006, New Valley contributed $925,000 to Koa Investors in
the form of $600,000 of the required contributions and $325,000
of discretionary contributions. Accordingly, we recognized in
2006 a $325,000 loss from New Valleys equity investment in
Koa Investors. New Valley was not obligated to fund any
additional amounts to Koa Investors at December 31, 2006.
St. Regis Hotel, Washington, D.C. In June 2005,
affiliates of New Valley and Brickman Associates formed 16th
& K Holdings LLC (Hotel LLC), which acquired the
St. Regis Hotel, a 193 room luxury hotel in Washington, D.C.,
for $47 million in August 2005. In connection with the
purchase of the hotel, a subsidiary of Hotel LLC entered into
agreements to borrow up to $50 million of senior and
subordinated debt. New Valley, which holds a 50% interest in
Hotel LLC, had invested $12.125 million in the project at
December 31, 2006. The St. Regis Hotel was temporarily
closed on August 31, 2006 for an extensive renovation.
Hotel LLC is capitalizing all costs other than management fees
related to the renovation of the property during the renovation
phase. We account for our interest in Hotel LLC under the equity
method and recorded a loss of $2.147 million for 2006 and
$173,000 for 2005.
In the event that Hotel LLC makes distributions of cash, New
Valley is entitled to 50% of the cash distributions until it has
recovered its invested capital and achieved an annual 11%
internal rate of return (IRR), compounded quarterly. New Valley
is then entitled to 35% of subsequent cash distributions until
it has achieved an annual 22% IRR. New Valley is then entitled
to 30% of subsequent cash distributions until it has achieved an
annual 32% IRR. After New Valley has achieved an annual 35% IRR,
New Valley is then entitled to 25% of subsequent cash
distributions.
Holiday Isle. During the fourth quarter of 2005, New
Valley advanced a total of $2.75 million to Ceebraid
Acquisition Corporation (Ceebraid), an entity which
entered into an agreement to acquire the Holiday Isle Resort in
Islamorada, Florida. In February 2006, Ceebraid filed for
Chapter 11 bankruptcy after it was unable to consummate
financing arrangements for the acquisition. Although Ceebraid
continued to seek to obtain financing for the transaction and to
close the acquisition pursuant to the purchase agreement, the
Company determined that a reserve for uncollectibility should be
established against these advances at December 31, 2005. In
April 2006, an affiliate of Ceebraid completed the acquisition
of the property for $98 million, and New Valley increased
its investment in the project to a total of $5.8 million
and indirectly holds an approximate 22.22% equity interest in
Ceebraid. New Valley had committed to make additional
investments of up to $200,000 in Holiday Isle at
December 31, 2006. The investors intend to build on the
property the Ocanos Resort, a condominium hotel resort and
marina with approximately 150 residential units, to be managed
by Obadan Hotels. In connection with the closing of the
purchase, an affiliate of Ceebraid borrowed $98 million of
mezzanine and senior debt to finance a portion of the purchase
price and anticipated development costs. In April 2006, Vector
agreed, under certain circumstances, to guarantee up to
$2 million of the debt. New Valley accounts for its
interest in Holiday Isle under the equity method and recorded a
loss of
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$2.296 million for 2006 in connection with its investment.
Holiday Isle will capitalize all costs other than management
fees related to the renovation of the property during the
renovation phase.
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Former Broker-Dealer Operations |
In May 1995, New Valley acquired Ladenburg Thalmann & Co.
Inc. for $25.8 million, net of cash acquired. Ladenburg
Thalmann & Co. is a full service broker-dealer, which has
been a member of the New York Stock Exchange since 1879. In
December 1999, New Valley sold 19.9% of Ladenburg Thalmann &
Co. to Berliner Effektengesellschaft AG, a German public
financial holding company. New Valley received
$10.2 million in cash and Berliner shares valued in
accordance with the purchase agreement.
In May 2001, GBI Capital Management Corp. acquired all of the
outstanding common stock of Ladenburg Thalmann & Co., and
the name of GBI was changed to Ladenburg Thalmann Financial
Services Inc. (LTS). New Valley received 18,598,098
shares, $8.01 million in cash and $8.01 million
principal amount of senior convertible notes due
December 31, 2005. The notes issued to New Valley bore
interest at 7.5% per annum and were convertible into shares of
LTS common stock. Upon closing, New Valley also acquired an
additional 3,945,060 shares of LTS common stock from the former
Chairman of LTS for $1.00 per share. To provide the funds for
the acquisition of the common stock of Ladenburg Thalmann &
Co., LTS borrowed $10 million from Frost-Nevada, Limited
Partnership and issued to Frost-Nevada $10 million
principal amount of 8.5% senior convertible notes due
December 31, 2005. Following completion of the
transactions, New Valley owned 53.6% and 49.5% of the common
stock of LTS, on a basic and fully diluted basis, respectively.
LTS (AMEX: LTS) is registered under the Securities Act of 1934
and files periodic reports and other information with the SEC.
In December 2001, New Valley distributed its 22,543,158 shares
of LTS common stock to holders of New Valley common shares
through a special dividend. At the same time, we distributed the
12,694,929 shares of LTS common stock, that we received from New
Valley, to the holders of our common stock as a special
dividend. Our stockholders received 0.348 of a LTS share for
each share of ours.
In 2002, LTS borrowed a total of $5 million from New
Valley. The loans, which bore interest at 1% above the prime
rate, were due on the earlier of December 31, 2003 or the
completion of one or more equity financings where LTS received
at least $5 million in total proceeds. In November 2002,
New Valley agreed, in connection with a $3.5 million loan
to LTS by an affiliate of its clearing broker, to extend the
maturity of its notes to December 31, 2006 and to
subordinate its notes to the repayment of the loan from the
clearing broker. The maturity of the notes has been further
extended to March 31, 2007.
New Valley evaluated its ability to collect its notes receivable
and related interest from LTS at September 30, 2002. These
notes receivable included the $5 million of notes issued in
2002 and the $8.01 million convertible note issued to New
Valley in May 2001. Management determined, based on the then
current trends in the broker-dealer industry and LTSs
operating results and liquidity needs, that a reserve for
uncollectibility should be established against these notes and
interest receivable. As a result, New Valley recorded a charge
of $13.2 million in the third quarter of 2002.
In November 2004, New Valley entered into a debt conversion
agreement with LTS and the other remaining holder of the
convertible notes. New Valley and the other holder agreed to
convert their notes, with an aggregate principal amount of
$18 million, together with the accrued interest, into
common stock of LTS. Pursuant to the debt conversion agreement,
the conversion price of the note held by New Valley was reduced
from the previous conversion price of approximately $2.08 to
$0.50 per share, and New Valley and the other holder each agreed
to purchase $5 million of LTS common stock at $0.45 per
share.
The note conversion transaction was approved by the LTS
shareholders in January 2005 and closed in March 2005. At the
closing, New Valleys note, representing approximately
$9.9 million of principal and accrued interest, was
converted into 19,876,358 shares of LTS common stock and New
Valley purchased 11,111,111 LTS shares.
22
LTS borrowed $1.75 million from New Valley in 2004 and an
additional $1.75 million in the first quarter 2005. At the
closing of the note conversion agreement, New Valley delivered
these notes for cancellation as partial payment for its purchase
of LTS common stock.
In March 2005, New Valley distributed the 19,876,358 shares of
LTS common stock it acquired from the conversion of the notes to
holders of New Valley common shares through a special dividend.
On the same date, we distributed the 10,947,448 shares of LTS
common stock that we received from New Valley to the holders of
our common stock as a special dividend. Our stockholders of
record on March 18, 2005 received approximately 0.23 of a
LTS share for each share of ours.
Following the distribution, New Valley continues to hold the
11,111,111 shares of LTS common stock (approximately 7.2% of the
outstanding shares) and the $5 million of LTSs notes
due March 31, 2007. The shares of LTS common stock held by
New Valley have been accounted for as investment securities
available for sale and are carried at $13.6 million and
$5.1 million on our consolidated balance sheets at
December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively.
In February 2007, LTS entered into a Debt Exchange Agreement
with New Valley, the holder of $5 million principal amount
of promissory notes due March 31, 2007. Pursuant to the
agreement, New Valley has agreed to exchange the principal
amount of its notes for shares of LTS common stock at an
exchange price of $1.80 per share, representing the average
closing price of the LTS common stock for the 30 prior trading
days ending on the date of the agreement. The promissory notes
will continue to accrue interest through the closing of the debt
exchange. The accrued interest on the notes, which was
approximately $1.5 million at December 31, 2006, will
be paid in cash at or prior to closing.
The consummation of the debt exchange is subject to approval by
LTS shareholders at its annual meeting of shareholders, which
LTS anticipates holding during the second quarter of 2007. New
Valley and several shareholders of LTS affiliated with New
Valley have committed to vote their shares of common stock of
LTS at the shareholder meeting on the debt exchange in
accordance with the vote of a majority of votes cast at the
meeting, excluding the shares held by such parties. Upon
closing, the $5 million principal amount of notes will be
exchanged for approximately 2,777,778 shares of LTS common
stock. As a result, New Valleys ownership of LTSs
common stock will increase from approximately 7.2% to
approximately 8.7%.
Four of our directors, Howard M. Lorber, Henry C. Beinstein,
Robert J. Eide and Jeffrey S. Podell, also serve as directors of
LTS. Richard J. Lampen, who along with Mr. Lorber is an
executive officer of ours, also serves as a director of LTS and
has served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of LTS
since September 2006. See Note 14 to our consolidated
financial statements.
As of December 31, 2006, long-term investments consisted
primarily of investments in investment partnerships of
$43.2 million. New Valley has committed to make an
additional investment in one of these investment partnerships of
up to $262,000. In the future, we may invest in other
investments including limited partnerships, real estate
investments, equity securities, debt securities and certificates
of deposit depending on risk factors and potential rates of
return.
Employees
At December 31, 2006, we had approximately 430 employees,
of whom approximately 252 were employed at Liggetts Mebane
facility, approximately 11 were employed by Vector Tobacco and
Vector Research and approximately 137 were employed by Liggett
Vector Brands. Approximately 40% of our employees are hourly
employees who are represented by unions. We have not experienced
any significant work stoppages since 1977, and we believe that
relations with our employees and their unions are satisfactory.
Available Information
Our website address is www.vectorgroupltd.com. We make available
free of charge on the Investor Relations section of our website
(http://vectorgroupltd.com/invest.asp) our Annual Report on
Form 10-K,
23
Quarterly Reports on
Form 10-Q, Current
Reports on
Form 8-K and all
amendments to those reports as soon as reasonably practicable
after such material is electronically filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission. We also make available through our
website other reports filed with the SEC under the Exchange Act,
including our proxy statements and reports filed by officers and
directors under Section 16(a) of that Act. Copies of our
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, Corporate Governance
Guidelines, Audit Committee charter, Compensation Committee
charter and Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee
charter have been posted on the Investor Relations section of
our website and are also available in print to any shareholder
who requests it. We do not intend for information contained in
our website to be part of this Annual Report on
Form 10-K.
24
Our business faces many risks. We have described below some of
the more significant risks which we and our subsidiaries face.
There may be additional risks that we do not yet know of or that
we do not currently perceive to be significant that may also
impact our business or the business of our subsidiaries. Each of
the risks and uncertainties described below could lead to events
or circumstances that have a material adverse effect on the
business, results of operations, cash flows, financial condition
or equity of us or one or more of our subsidiaries, which in
turn could negatively affect the value of our common stock. You
should carefully consider and evaluate all of the information
included in this report and any subsequent reports that we may
file with the Securities and Exchange Commission or make
available to the public before investing in any securities
issued by us.
We and our subsidiaries have a substantial amount of
indebtedness.
We and our subsidiaries have significant indebtedness and debt
service obligations. At December 31, 2006, we and our
subsidiaries had total outstanding indebtedness (including
embedded derivative liability and beneficial conversion feature
related to convertible notes) of $294 million. 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 are a holding company and depend on cash payments from our
subsidiaries, which are subject to contractual and other
restrictions, in order to service our debt and to pay dividends
on our common stock.
We are a holding company and have no operations of our own. We
hold our interests in our various businesses through our
wholly-owned subsidiaries, VGR Holding and New Valley. In
addition to our own cash resources, our ability to pay interest
on our convertible debentures and to pay dividends on our common
stock depends on the ability of VGR Holding and New Valley to
make cash available to us. VGR Holdings ability to pay
dividends to us depends primarily on the ability of Liggett, its
wholly-owned subsidiary, to generate cash and make it available
to VGR Holding. Liggetts revolving credit agreement
permits Liggett to pay cash dividends to VGR Holding only if
Liggetts borrowing availability exceeds $5 million
for the 30 days prior to payment of the dividend and
immediately after giving effect to the dividend, and so long as
no event of default has occurred under the agreement, including
Liggetts compliance with the covenants in the credit
facility, including maintaining minimum levels of EBITDA (as
defined) if its borrowing availability is below $20 million
and not exceeding maximum levels of capital expenditures (as
defined).
Our receipt of cash payments, as dividends or otherwise, from
our subsidiaries is an important source of our liquidity and
capital resources. If we do not have sufficient cash resources
of our own and do not receive payments from our subsidiaries in
an amount sufficient to repay our debts and to pay dividends on
our common stock, we must obtain additional funds from other
sources. There is a risk that we will not be able to obtain
additional funds at all or on terms acceptable to us. Our
inability to service these obligations and to continue to pay
dividends on our common stock would significantly harm us and
the value of our common stock.
Liggett faces intense competition in the domestic tobacco
industry.
Liggett is considerably smaller and has fewer resources than its
major competitors and, as a result, has a more limited ability
to respond to market developments. Management Science Associates
data indicate that the three largest cigarette manufacturers
controlled approximately 86.8% of the United States cigarette
market during 2006. Philip Morris is the largest and most
profitable manufacturer in the market, and its profits are
derived principally from its sale of premium cigarettes. Philip
Morris had approximately 62.5% of the premium segment and 49.2%
of the total domestic market during 2006. During 2006, all of
Liggetts sales were in the discount segment, and its share
of the total domestic cigarette market was 2.4%. Philip Morris
and RJR Tobacco (which is now part of Reynolds American), the
two largest cigarette manufacturers, have
25
historically, because of their dominant market share, been able
to determine cigarette prices for the various pricing tiers
within the industry. Market pressures have historically caused
the other cigarette manufacturers to bring their prices into
line with the levels established by these two major
manufacturers.
In July 2004, RJR Tobacco and Brown & Williamson, the second
and third largest cigarette manufacturers, completed the
combination of their United States tobacco businesses to create
Reynolds American. This transaction has further consolidated the
dominance of the domestic cigarette market by Philip Morris and
Reynolds American, which had a combined market share of
approximately 77.1% at December 31, 2006. This
concentration of United States market share could make it more
difficult for Liggett and Vector Tobacco to compete for shelf
space in retail outlets and could impact price competition in
the market, either of which could have a material adverse affect
on their sales volume, operating income and cash flows, which in
turn could negatively affect the value of our common stock.
Liggetts business is highly dependent on the discount
cigarette segment.
Liggett depends more on sales in the discount cigarette segment
of the market, relative to the full-price premium segment, than
its major competitors. All of Liggetts unit volume in 2006
and 2005 was generated in the discount segment. The discount
segment is highly competitive, with consumers having less brand
loyalty and placing greater emphasis on price. While the three
major manufacturers all compete with Liggett in the discount
segment of the market, the strongest competition for market
share has recently come from a group of small manufacturers and
importers, most of which sell low quality, deep discount
cigarettes. While Liggetts share of the discount market
increased to 8.7% in 2006 from 7.5% in 2005 and 7.4% in 2004,
Management Science Associates data indicate that the discount
market share of these other smaller manufacturers and importers
was approximately 36.3% in 2006, 38.0% in 2005 and 39.4% in
2004. If pricing in the discount market continues to be impacted
by these smaller manufacturers and importers, margins in
Liggetts only current market segment could be negatively
affected, which in turn could negatively affect the value of our
common stock.
Liggetts market share is susceptible to decline.
In years prior to 2000, Liggett suffered a substantial decline
in unit sales and associated market share. Liggetts unit
sales and market share increased during each of 2000, 2001 and
2002, and its market share increased in 2003 while its unit
sales declined. In 2006, Liggetts unit sales and market
share increased compared to 2005 after declines in 2005 and 2004
compared to the prior year. This earlier market share erosion
resulted in part from Liggetts highly leveraged capital
structure that existed until December 1998 and its limited
ability to match other competitors wholesale and retail
trade programs, obtain retail shelf space for its products and
advertise its brands. The decline in recent years also resulted
from adverse developments in the tobacco industry, intense
competition and changes in consumer preferences. According to
Management Science Associates data, Liggetts overall
domestic market share during 2006 was 2.4% compared to 2.2%
during 2005 and 2.3% during 2004. Liggetts share of the
discount segment during 2006 was 8.7%, up from 7.5% in 2005 and
7.4% in 2004. If Liggetts market share declines,
Liggetts sales volume, operating income and cash flows
could be materially adversely affected, which in turn could
negatively affect the value of our common stock.
The domestic cigarette industry has experienced declining
unit sales in recent periods.
Industry-wide shipments of cigarettes in the United States have
been generally declining for a number of years, with published
industry sources estimating that domestic industry-wide
shipments decreased by approximately 2.4% during 2006. According
to Management Science Associates data, domestic industry-wide
shipments decreased by 3.2% in 2005 compared to 2004. We believe
that industry-wide shipments of cigarettes in the United States
will generally continue to decline as a result of numerous
factors. These factors include health considerations,
diminishing social acceptance of smoking, and a wide variety of
federal, state and local laws limiting smoking in restaurants,
bars and other public places, as well as federal and state
excise tax increases and settlement-related expenses which have
contributed to high cigarette price levels in recent years. If
this decline in industry-wide shipments continues and Liggett is
unable to capture market share from
26
its competitors, or if the industry as a whole is unable to
offset the decline in unit sales with price increases,
Liggetts sales volume, operating income and cash flows
could be materially adversely affected, which in turn could
negatively affect the value of our common stock.
Litigation will continue to harm the tobacco industry.
The cigarette industry continues to be challenged on numerous
fronts. New cases continue to be commenced against Liggett and
other cigarette manufacturers. As of December 31, 2006,
there were approximately 135 individual suits (excluding
approximately 975 individual smoker cases pending in West
Virginia state court as a consolidated action; Liggett has been
severed from the trial of the consolidated action), 11 purported
class actions and nine governmental and other third-party payor
health care reimbursement actions pending in the United States
in which Liggett was a named defendant. It is likely that
similar legal actions, proceedings and claims will continue to
be filed against Liggett. Punitive damages, often in amounts
ranging into the billions of dollars, are specifically pled in
these cases, in addition to compensatory and other damages. It
is possible that there could be adverse developments in pending
cases including the certification of additional class actions.
An unfavorable outcome or settlement of pending tobacco-related
litigation could encourage the commencement of additional
litigation. In addition, an unfavorable outcome in any
tobacco-related litigation could have a material adverse effect
on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or
cash flows.
A civil lawsuit was filed by the United States federal
government seeking disgorgement of approximately
$289 billion from various cigarette manufacturers,
including Liggett. In August 2006, the trial court entered a
Final Judgment and Remedial Order against each of the cigarette
manufacturing defendants, except Liggett. The Final Judgment,
among other things, ordered the following relief against the
non-Liggett defendants: (i) the defendants are enjoined
from committing any act of racketeering concerning the
manufacturing, marketing, promotion, health consequences or sale
of cigarettes in the United States; (ii) the defendants are
enjoined from making any material false, misleading, or
deceptive statement or representation concerning cigarettes that
persuades people to purchase cigarettes; (iii) the
defendants are permanently enjoined from utilizing
lights, low tar, ultra
lights, mild, or natural
descriptors, or conveying any other express or implied health
messages in connection with the marketing or sale of cigarettes
as of January 1, 2007; (iv) the defendants must make
corrective statements on their websites, and in television and
print media advertisements; (v) the defendants must
maintain internet document websites until 2016 with access to
smoking and health related documents; (vi) the defendants
must disclose all disaggregated marketing data to the government
on a confidential basis; (vii) the defendants are not
permitted to sell or otherwise transfer any of their cigarette
brands, product formulas or businesses to any person or entity
for domestic use without a court order, and unless the acquiring
person or entity will be bound by the terms of the Final
Judgment; and (viii) the defendants must pay the
appropriate costs of the government in prosecuting the action,
in an amount to be determined by the trial court. It is unclear
what impact, if any, the Final Judgment will have on the
cigarette industry as a whole. While Liggett was excluded from
the Final Judgment, to the extent that it leads to a decline in
industry-wide shipments of cigarettes in the United States,
Liggetts sales volume, operating income and cash flows
could be materially adversely affected, which in turn could
negatively affect the value of our common stock.
In one of the other cases pending against Liggett, in 2000, an
action against cigarette manufacturers involving approximately
975 named individual plaintiffs was consolidated for trial on
some common issues before a single West Virginia state court.
Liggett is a defendant in most of the cases pending in West
Virginia. In January 2002, the court severed Liggett from the
trial of the consolidated action. Two purported class actions
have been certified in state court in Kansas and New Mexico
alleging antitrust violations. As new cases are commenced, the
costs associated with defending these cases and the risks
relating to the inherent unpredictability of litigation continue
to increase.
Class action suits have been filed in a number of states against
individual cigarette manufacturers, alleging, among other
things, that the use of the terms light and
ultralight constitutes unfair and deceptive trade
practices. One such suit (Schwab v. Philip Morris),
pending in federal court in New York against the cigarette
manufacturers, seeks to create a nationwide class of
light cigarette smokers and includes Liggett as
27
a defendant. The action asserts claims under Racketeer
Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO). The
proposed class is seeking as much as $200 billion in
damages, which could be trebled under RICO. In November 2005,
the court ruled that if the class is certified, the plaintiffs
would be permitted to calculate damages on an aggregate basis
and use fluid recovery theories to allocate them
among class members. Fluid recovery would permit potential
damages to be paid out in ways other than merely giving cash
directly to plaintiffs, such as establishing a pool of money
that could be used for public purposes. On September 25,
2006, the court granted plaintiffs motion for class
certification.
There are currently four individual tobacco-related actions
pending where Liggett is the only tobacco company defendant. In
April 2004, in one of these cases, a jury in a Florida state
court action awarded compensatory damages of $540,000 against
Liggett. In addition, plaintiffs counsel was awarded legal
fees of $752,000. Liggett has appealed both the verdict and the
award of legal fees. In March 2005, in another case in Florida
state court in which Liggett is the only defendant, the court
granted Liggetts motion for summary judgment. The
plaintiff appealed and, in June 2006, a Florida intermediate
appellate court reversed the trial courts decision and
remanded the case for further proceedings. Trial has been
scheduled in Missouri state court for May 2007 in another case.
Individual tobacco-related cases may increase as a result of
the Florida Supreme Courts ruling in Engle.
In May 2003, a Florida intermediate appellate court overturned a
$790 million punitive damages award against Liggett and
decertified the Engle v. R. J. Reynolds Tobacco
Co. smoking and health class action. In July 2006, the
Florida Supreme Court affirmed in part and reversed in part the
May 2003 intermediate appellate court decision. Among other
things, the Florida Supreme Court affirmed the decision
decertifying the class and the order vacating the punitive
damages award, but preserved several of the trial courts
Phase I findings (including that: (i) smoking causes lung
cancer, among other diseases; (ii) nicotine in cigarettes
is addictive; (iii) defendants placed cigarettes on the
market that were defective and unreasonably dangerous;
(iv) the defendants concealed material information;
(v) the defendants agreed to misrepresent information
relating to the health effects of cigarettes with the intention
that the public would rely on this information to its detriment;
(vi) all defendants sold or supplied cigarettes that were
defective; and (vii) all defendants were negligent) and
allowed plaintiffs to proceed to trial on individual liability
issues (utilizing the above findings) and compensatory and
punitive damage issues, provided they commence their individual
lawsuits within one year of the date the courts decision
became final on January 11, 2007. The motions for
reconsideration and/or clarification of the decision were denied
except that the Florida Supreme Court vacated the determination
of a finding as to fraud, misrepresentation and conspiracy to
misrepresent. The decision could result in the filing of a large
number of individual personal injury cases in Florida which
could have a material adverse effect on us.
In June 2002, the jury in Lukacs v. R.J. Reynolds Tobacco
Company, an individual case brought under the third phase of
the Engle case, awarded $37.5 million (subsequently
reduced by the court to $24.9 million) of compensatory
damages against Liggett and two other defendants and found
Liggett 50% responsible for the damages. The plaintiff has
recently moved for the trial court to enter final judgment in
this matter and to tax costs and attorneys fees. A hearing
on the motion occurred on March 15, 2007. Liggett may be
required to bond the amount of the judgment against it to
perfect its appeal. It is possible that additional cases could
be decided unfavorably and that there could be further adverse
developments in the Engle case. Liggett may enter into
discussions in an attempt to settle particular cases if it
believes it is appropriate to do so. We cannot predict the cash
requirements related to any future settlements and judgments,
including cash required to bond any appeals, and there is a risk
that those requirements will not be able to be met.
Regulation, legislation and taxation may negatively impact
sales of tobacco products and our financial condition.
In recent years, there have been a number of proposed
restrictive regulatory actions from various federal
administrative bodies, including the EPA and the FDA. Recently,
legislation was reintroduced in Congress providing for
regulation of cigarettes by the FDA. The proposal would give the
FDA authority to impose product standards relating to, among
other things, nicotine yields and smoke constituents. The
proposal would also restrict marketing and impose larger warning
labels on tobacco products. There have also been adverse
28
political decisions and other unfavorable developments
concerning cigarette smoking and the tobacco industry. The
industry is also subject to a wide range of laws regarding the
marketing, sale, taxation (both federal and state) and use of
tobacco products imposed by local, state and federal
governments. These developments generally receive widespread
media attention. We are not able to evaluate the effect of these
developing matters on pending litigation or the possible
commencement of additional litigation. Our consolidated
financial position, results of operations or cash flows could be
materially adversely affected by an unfavorable outcome in any
tobacco-related litigation or enactment of any of the proposed
regulations or legislation, which in turn could negatively
affect the value of our common stock. The regulation,
legislation and taxation of the industry will likely continue to
have an adverse effect on the sale of tobacco products.
Liggett may have additional payment obligations under the
Master Settlement Agreement and its other settlement agreements
with the states.
In October 2004, the Independent Auditor notified Liggett and
all other participating manufacturers that their payment
obligations under the Master Settlement Agreement, dating from
the agreements execution in late 1998, were going to be
recalculated utilizing net unit amounts, rather than
gross unit amounts (which had been utilized since
1999). The change in the method of calculation could, among
other things, require additional payments by Liggett under the
Master Settlement Agreement of approximately $14.8 million
for the periods 2001 through 2006, and require Liggett to pay an
additional amount of approximately $3.4 million in 2007 and
in future periods by lowering Liggetts market share
exemption under the Master Settlement Agreement. Liggett has
objected to this retroactive change and has disputed the change
in methodology. No amounts have been accrued in our consolidated
financial statements for any potential liability relating to the
gross versus net dispute.
In 2005, the Independent Auditor under the Master Settlement
Agreement calculated that Liggett owed $28.7 million for
its 2004 sales. In April 2005, Liggett paid $11.7 million
and disputed the balance, as permitted by the Master Settlement
Agreement. Liggett subsequently paid an additional
$9.3 million of the disputed amount although Liggett
continues to dispute that this amount is owed. This
$9.3 million relates to an adjustment to its 2003 payment
obligation claimed by Liggett for the market share loss to
non-participating manufacturers, which is known as the NPM
Adjustment. The remaining balance in dispute of
$7.7 million, which was withheld from payment, is comprised
of $5.3 million claimed for a 2004 NPM Adjustment and
$2.4 million relating to the Independent Auditors
retroactive change from gross to net
units in calculating Master Settlement Agreement payments, which
Liggett contends is improper, as discussed above. From its April
2006 payment, Liggett withheld $1.6 million claimed for the
2005 NPM Adjustment and $2.6 million relating to the
retroactive change from gross to net
units. The following amounts have not been accrued in our
consolidated financial statements as they relate to
Liggetts claims for NPM Adjustments: $6.5 million for
2003, $3.8 million for 2004 and $0.8 million for 2005.
In 2004, the Attorneys General for each of Florida, Mississippi
and Texas advised Liggett that they believed that Liggett had
failed to make all required payments under the respective
settlement agreements with these states for the period 1998
through 2003 and that additional payments may be due for 2004
and subsequent years. Liggett believes these allegations are
without merit, based, among other things, on the language of the
most favored nation provisions of the settlement agreements. In
December 2004, Florida offered to settle all amounts allegedly
owed by Liggett for the period through 2003 for the sum of
$13.5 million. In March 2005, Florida reaffirmed its
December 2004 offer to settle and provided Liggett with a
60 day notice to cure the alleged defaults. Liggett offered
Florida $2.5 million in a lump sum to settle all alleged
obligations through December 31, 2006 and $100,000 per year
thereafter in any year in which cigarettes manufactured by
Liggett are sold in Florida, to resolve all alleged future
obligations under the settlement agreement. There can be no
assurance that a settlement will be reached. In November 2004,
the State of Mississippi offered to settle all amounts allegedly
owed by Liggett for the period through 2003 for the sum of
$6.5 million. In April 2005, Mississippi reaffirmed its
November 2004 offer to settle and provided Liggett with a
60 day notice to cure the alleged defaults. No specific
monetary demand has been made by Texas. Liggett has met with
representatives of Mississippi and Texas to discuss the issues
relating to the alleged defaults, although no resolution has
been reached.
29
Except for $2.0 million accrued for the year ended
December 31, 2005 and an additional $500,000 accrued during
the third quarter of 2006, in connection with the foregoing
matters, no other amounts have been accrued in our consolidated
financial statements for any additional amounts that may be
payable by Liggett under the settlement agreements with Florida,
Mississippi and Texas. There can be no assurance that Liggett
will prevail in any of these matters and that Liggett will not
be required to make additional material payments, which payments
could materially adversely affect our consolidated financial
position, results of operations or cash flows and the value of
our common stock.
Liggett has significant sales to a single customer.
During 2006, 10.8% of Liggetts total revenues and 10.6% of
our consolidated revenues were generated by sales to
Liggetts largest customer. Liggetts contract with
this customer currently extends through March 31, 2009. If
this customer discontinues its relationship with Liggett or
experiences financial difficulties, Liggetts results of
operations could be materially adversely affected.
Liggett may be adversely affected by recent legislation to
eliminate the federal tobacco quota system.
In October 2004, federal legislation was enacted which
eliminated the federal tobacco quota system and price support
system through an industry funded buyout of tobacco growers and
quota holders. Pursuant to the legislation, manufacturers of
tobacco products will be assessed $10.1 billion over a
ten-year period to compensate tobacco growers and quota holders
for the elimination of their quota rights. Cigarette
manufacturers will initially be responsible for 96.3% of the
assessment (subject to adjustment in the future), which will be
allocated based on relative unit volume of domestic cigarette
shipments. Liggetts and Vector Tobaccos assessment
was $25.3 million in 2005 and $22.6 million in 2006.
Management currently estimates that Liggetts and Vector
Tobaccos assessment will be approximately
$22.9 million for the third year of the program which began
January 1, 2007. The relative cost of the legislation to
each of the three largest cigarette manufacturers will likely be
less than the cost to smaller manufacturers, including Liggett
and Vector Tobacco, because one effect of the legislation is
that the three largest manufacturers will no longer be obligated
to make certain contractual payments, commonly known as Phase II
payments, they agreed in 1999 to make to tobacco-producing
states. The ultimate impact of this legislation cannot be
determined, but there is a risk that smaller manufacturers, such
as Liggett and Vector Tobacco, will be disproportionately
affected by the legislation, which could have a material adverse
effect on us.
Excise tax increases adversely affect cigarette sales.
Cigarettes are subject to substantial and increasing federal,
state and local excise taxes. The federal excise tax on
cigarettes is currently $0.39 per pack. State and local sales
and excise taxes vary considerably and, when combined with the
current federal excise tax, may currently exceed $4.00 per pack.
In 2006, eight states enacted increases in excise taxes. Further
increases from other states are expected. Congress has
considered and is currently considering significant increases in
the federal excise tax or other payments from tobacco
manufacturers, and various states and other jurisdictions have
currently under consideration or pending legislation proposing
further state excise tax increases. We believe that increases in
excise and similar taxes have had an adverse impact on sales of
cigarettes. Further substantial federal or state excise tax
increases could accelerate the trend away from smoking and could
have a material adverse effect on Liggetts sales and
profitability, which in turn could negatively affect the value
of our common stock.
Vector Tobacco is subject to risks inherent in new product
development initiatives.
We have made, and plan to continue to make, significant
investments in Vector Tobaccos development projects in the
tobacco industry. Vector Tobacco is in the business of
developing and marketing the low nicotine and nicotine-free
QUEST cigarette products and developing reduced risk cigarette
products. These initiatives are subject to high levels of risk,
uncertainties and contingencies, including the challenges
inherent in new product development. There is a risk that
continued investments in Vector Tobacco will harm our results of
operations, liquidity or cash flow.
30
The substantial risks facing Vector Tobacco include:
Risks of market acceptance of new products. In November
2001, Vector Tobacco launched nationwide its reduced carcinogen
OMNI cigarettes. During 2002, acceptance of OMNI in the
marketplace was limited, with revenues of only approximately
$5.1 million on sales of 70.7 million units. Since
2003, Vector Tobacco has not been actively marketing the OMNI
product, and the product is not currently in distribution.
Vector Tobacco was unable to achieve the anticipated breadth of
distribution and sales of the OMNI product due, in part, to the
lack of success of its advertising and marketing efforts in
differentiating OMNI from other conventional cigarettes with
consumers through the reduced carcinogen message.
Over the next several years, our in-house research program,
together with third-party collaborators, plans to conduct
appropriate studies relating to the development of cigarettes
that materially reduce risk to smokers and, based on these
studies, we will evaluate whether, and how, to further market
the OMNI brand. OMNI has not been a commercially successful
product to date and is not currently being manufactured by
Vector Tobacco.
Vector Tobacco introduced its low nicotine and nicotine-free
QUEST cigarettes in an initial seven-state market in January
2003 and in Arizona in January 2004. During the second quarter
of 2004, based on an analysis of the market data obtained since
the introduction of the QUEST product, we determined to postpone
indefinitely the national launch of QUEST. A national launch of
the QUEST brands would require the expenditure of substantial
additional sums for advertising and sales promotion, with no
assurance of consumer acceptance. Low nicotine and nicotine-free
cigarettes may not ultimately be accepted by adult smokers and
also may not prove to be commercially successful products. Adult
smokers may decide not to purchase cigarettes made with low
nicotine and nicotine-free tobaccos due to taste or other
preferences or other product modifications.
Third party allegations that Vector Tobacco products are
unlawful or bear deceptive or unsubstantiated product claims.
Vector Tobacco is engaged in the development and marketing
of low nicotine and nicotine-free cigarettes and the development
of reduced risk cigarette products. With respect to OMNI, which
is not currently being distributed by Vector Tobacco, reductions
in carcinogens have not yet been proven to result in a safer
cigarette. Like other cigarettes, the OMNI and QUEST products
also produce tar, carbon monoxide, other harmful by-products,
and, in the case of OMNI, increased levels of nitric oxide and
formaldehyde. There are currently no specific governmental
standards or parameters for these products and product claims.
There is a risk that federal or state regulators may object to
Vector Tobaccos low nicotine and nicotine-free cigarette
products and reduced risk cigarette products it may develop as
unlawful or allege they bear deceptive or unsubstantiated
product claims, and seek the removal of the products from the
marketplace, or significant changes to advertising. Various
concerns regarding Vector Tobaccos advertising practices
have been expressed to Vector Tobacco by certain state attorneys
general. Vector Tobacco has previously engaged in discussions in
an effort to resolve these concerns and Vector Tobacco has, in
the interim, suspended all print advertising for its QUEST
brand. If Vector Tobacco is unable to advertise its QUEST brand,
it could have a material adverse effect on sales of QUEST.
Allegations by federal or state regulators, public health
organizations and other tobacco manufacturers that Vector
Tobaccos products are unlawful, or that its public
statements or advertising contain misleading or unsubstantiated
health claims or product comparisons, may result in litigation
or governmental proceedings. Vector Tobaccos defense
against such claims could require it to incur substantial
expense and to divert significant efforts of its scientific and
marketing personnel. An adverse determination in a judicial
proceeding or by a regulatory agency could have a material and
adverse impact on Vector Tobaccos business, operating
results and prospects.
Potential extensive government regulation. Vector
Tobaccos business may become subject to extensive
additional domestic and international government regulation.
Various proposals have been made for federal, state and
international legislation to regulate cigarette manufacturers
generally, and reduced constituent cigarettes specifically. It
is possible that laws and regulations may be adopted covering
matters such as the manufacture, sale, distribution and labeling
of tobacco products as well as any health claims associated with
reduced risk and low nicotine and nicotine-free cigarette
products and the use of genetically modified tobacco. A system
of regulation by agencies such as the FDA, the FTC and the USDA
may be established. Recently, legislation was reintroduced in
Congress providing for the regulation of cigarettes by the FDA.
The outcome of
31
any of the foregoing cannot be predicted, but any of the
foregoing could have a material adverse effect on Vector
Tobaccos business, operating results and prospects.
Competition from other cigarette manufacturers with greater
resources. Vector Tobaccos competitors generally have
substantially greater resources than Vector Tobacco has,
including financial, marketing and personnel resources. Other
major tobacco companies have stated that they are working on
reduced risk cigarette products and have made publicly available
at this time only limited additional information concerning
their activities. Philip Morris has announced it is developing
products that potentially reduce smokers exposure to
harmful compounds in cigarette smoke. RJR Tobacco has disclosed
that a primary focus for its research and development activity
is the development of potentially reduced exposure products,
which may ultimately be recognized as products that present
reduced risks to health. RJR Tobacco has stated that it
continues to sell in limited distribution throughout the country
a brand of cigarettes that primarily heats rather than burns
tobacco, which it claims reduces the toxicity of its smoke.
There is a substantial likelihood that other major tobacco
companies will continue to introduce new products that are
designed to compete directly with the low nicotine,
nicotine-free and reduced risk products that Vector Tobacco
currently markets or may develop.
Potential disputes concerning intellectual property.
Vector Tobaccos ability to commercialize its reduced
carcinogen and low nicotine and nicotine-free products may
depend in large part on its ability to obtain and defend issued
patents, to obtain further patent protection for its existing
technology in the United States and abroad, and to operate
without infringing on the patents and rights of others both in
the United States and abroad. Additionally, it must be able to
obtain appropriate licenses to patents and proprietary rights
held by third parties, or issued to third parties, if
infringement would otherwise occur, both in the United States
and abroad.
Intellectual property rights, including Vector Tobaccos
patents involve complex legal and factual issues. Any
conflicts resulting from third party patent applications and
granted patents could significantly limit Vector Tobaccos
ability to obtain meaningful patent protection or to
commercialize its technology. If patents currently exist or are
issued to other companies that contain claims which encompass
Vector Tobaccos products or the processes used by Vector
Tobacco to manufacture or develop its products, Vector Tobacco
may be required to obtain licenses to use these patents or to
develop or obtain alternative technology. Licensing agreements,
if required, may not be available on acceptable terms or at all.
If licenses are not obtained, Vector Tobacco could be delayed
in, or prevented from, pursuing the further development of
marketing of its new cigarette products. Any alternative
technology, if feasible, could take several years to develop.
Litigation, which could result in substantial cost, also may be
necessary to enforce any patents to which Vector Tobacco has
rights, or to determine the scope, validity and unenforceability
of other parties proprietary rights which may affect
Vector Tobaccos rights. Vector Tobacco also may have to
participate in interference proceedings declared by the U.S.
Patent and Trademark Office to determine the priority of an
invention or in opposition proceedings in foreign countries or
jurisdictions, which could result in substantial costs. The mere
uncertainty resulting from the institution and continuation of
any technology-related litigation or any interference or
opposition proceedings could have a material adverse effect on
Vector Tobaccos business, operating results and prospects.
Vector Tobacco may also rely on unpatented trade secrets and
know-how to maintain its competitive position, which it seeks to
protect, in part, by confidentiality agreements with employees,
consultants, suppliers and others. There is a risk that these
agreements will be breached or terminated, that Vector Tobacco
will not have adequate remedies for any breach, or that its
trade secrets will otherwise become known or be independently
discovered by competitors.
Dependence on key scientific personnel. Vector
Tobaccos business depends on the continued services of key
scientific personnel for its continued development and growth.
The loss of Dr. Anthony Albino, Vector Tobaccos
Senior Vice President of Public Health Affairs, could have a
serious negative impact upon Vector Tobaccos business,
operating results and prospects.
32
Ability to raise capital and manage growth of business.
If Vector Tobacco succeeds in introducing to market and
increasing consumer acceptance for its new cigarette products,
Vector Tobacco will be required to obtain significant amounts of
additional capital and manage substantial volume from its
customers. There is a risk that adequate amounts of additional
capital will not be available to Vector Tobacco to fund the
growth of its business. To accommodate growth and compete
effectively, Vector Tobacco will also be required to attract,
integrate, motivate and retain additional highly skilled sales,
technical and other employees. Vector Tobacco will face
competition for these people. Its ability to manage volume also
will depend on its ability to scale up its tobacco processing,
production and distribution operations. There is a risk that it
will not succeed in scaling its processing, production and
distribution operations and that its personnel, systems,
procedures and controls will not be adequate to support its
future operations.
Potential delays in obtaining tobacco and other raw materials
needed to produce products. Vector Tobacco is dependent on
third parties to produce tobacco and other raw materials that
Vector Tobacco requires to manufacture its products. In
addition, the growing of new tobacco and new seeds is subject to
adverse weather conditions. The failure by such third parties to
supply Vector Tobacco with tobacco or other raw materials on
commercially reasonable terms, or at all, in the absence of
readily available alternative sources, would have a serious
negative impact on Vector Tobaccos business, operating
results and prospects. There is also a risk that interruptions
in the supply of these materials may occur in the future. Any
interruption in their supply could have a serious negative
impact on Vector Tobacco.
The actual costs and savings associated with restructurings
of our tobacco business may differ materially from amounts we
estimate.
In recent years, we have undertaken a number of initiatives to
streamline the cost structure of our tobacco business and
improve operating efficiency and long-term earnings. For
example, during 2002, the sales, marketing and support functions
of our Liggett and Vector Tobacco subsidiaries were combined.
Effective year-end 2003, we closed Vector Tobaccos
Timberlake, North Carolina manufacturing facility and moved all
production to Liggetts facility in Mebane, North Carolina.
In April 2004, we eliminated a number of positions in our
tobacco operations and subleased excess office space. In
December 2004, we restructured the operations of Liggett Vector
Brands. In November 2006, we eliminated positions at Vector
Research and terminated certain license agreements associated
with the genetics operation. We may consider various additional
opportunities to further improve efficiencies and reduce costs.
These prior and current initiatives have involved material
restructuring and impairment charges, and any future actions
taken are likely to involve material charges as well. These
restructuring charges are based on our best estimate at the time
of restructuring. The status of the restructuring activities is
reviewed on a quarterly basis and any adjustments to the
reserve, which could differ materially from previous estimates,
are recorded as an adjustment to operating income. Although we
may estimate that substantial cost savings will be associated
with these restructuring actions, there is a risk that these
actions could have a serious negative impact on our tobacco
business and that any estimated increases in profitability
cannot be achieved.
New Valley is subject to risks relating to the industries in
which it operates.
Risks of real estate ventures. New Valley has three
significant investments, Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC, the
Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & Spa (which reopened in the
fourth quarter 2004) and the St. Regis Hotel in Washington, D.
C. (since August 2005), in each of which it holds only a 50%
interest. In addition, New Valley has a 22.22% interest in a
condominium hotel project in Islamorada, Florida. New Valley
must seek approval from other parties for important actions
regarding these joint ventures. Since these other parties
interests may differ from those of New Valley, a deadlock could
arise that might impair the ability of the ventures to function.
Such a deadlock could significantly harm the ventures.
New Valley may pursue a variety of real estate development
projects. Development projects are subject to special risks
including potential increase in costs, changes in market demand,
inability to meet deadlines which may delay the timely
completion of projects, reliance on contractors who may be
unable to perform and the need to obtain various governmental
and third party consents.
33
Risks relating to the residential brokerage business.
Through New Valleys investment in Douglas Elliman
Realty, LLC, we are subject to the risks and uncertainties
endemic to the residential brokerage business. Both Douglas
Elliman and Prudential Douglas Elliman Real Estate operate as
franchisees of The Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc.
Prudential Douglas Elliman operates each of its offices under
its franchisers brand name, but generally does not own any
of the brand names under which it operates. The franchiser has
significant rights over the use of the franchised service marks
and the conduct of the two brokerage companies business.
The franchise agreements require the companies to:
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coordinate with the franchiser on significant matters relating
to their operations, including the opening and closing of
offices; |
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make substantial royalty payments to the franchiser and
contribute significant amounts to national advertising funds
maintained by the franchiser; |
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indemnify the franchiser against losses arising out of the
operations of their business under the franchise agreements; and |
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maintain standards and comply with guidelines relating to their
operations which are applicable to all franchisees of the
franchisers real estate franchise system. |
The franchiser has the right to terminate Douglas Ellimans
and Prudential Douglas Elliman Real Estates franchises,
upon the occurrence of certain events, including a bankruptcy or
insolvency event, a change in control, a transfer of rights
under the franchise agreement and a failure to promptly pay
amounts due under the franchise agreements. A termination of
Douglas Ellimans or Prudential Douglas Elliman Real
Estates franchise agreement could adversely affect our
investment in Douglas Elliman Realty.
The franchise agreements grant Douglas Elliman and Prudential
Douglas Elliman Real Estate exclusive franchises in New York for
the counties of Nassau and Suffolk on Long Island and for
Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens, subject to various exceptions
and to meeting specified annual revenue thresholds. If the two
companies fail to achieve these levels of revenues for two
consecutive years or otherwise materially breach the franchise
agreements, the franchisor would have the right to terminate
their exclusivity rights. A loss of these rights could have a
material adverse on Douglas Elliman Realty.
Interest rates in the United States have been at historically
low levels in recent years. The low interest rate
environment in recent years has significantly contributed to
high levels of existing home sales and residential prices and
has positively impacted Douglas Elliman Realtys operating
results. However, the residential real estate market tends to be
cyclical and typically is affected by changes in the general
economic conditions that are beyond Douglas Elliman
Realtys control. Any of the following could have a
material adverse effect on Douglas Elliman Realtys
residential business by causing a general decline in the number
of home sales and/or prices, which in turn, could adversely
affect its revenues and profitability:
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periods of economic slowdown or recession, |
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a change in the low interest rate environment resulting in
rising interest rates, |
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decreasing home ownership rates, or |
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declining demand for real estate. |
All of Douglas Elliman Realtys current operations are
located in the New York metropolitan area. Local and
regional economic conditions in this market could differ
materially from prevailing conditions in other parts of the
country. A downturn in the residential real estate market or
economic conditions in that region could have a material adverse
effect on Douglas Elliman Realty and our investment in that
company.
Potential new investments we may make are unidentified and
may not succeed.
We currently hold a significant amount of marketable securities
and cash not committed to any specific investments. This
subjects a security holder to increased risk and uncertainty
because a security holder will not be able to evaluate how this
cash will be invested and the economic merits of particular
investments. There
34
may be substantial delay in locating suitable investment
opportunities. In addition, we may lack relevant management
experience in the areas in which we may invest. There is a risk
that we will fail in targeting, consummating or effectively
integrating or managing any of these investments.
We depend on our key personnel.
We depend on the efforts of our executive officers and other key
personnel. While we believe that we could find replacements for
these key personnel, the loss of their services could have a
significant adverse effect on our operations.
We are exposed to risks from legislation requiring companies
to evaluate their internal control over financial reporting.
Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 requires our
management to assess, and our independent registered certified
public accounting firm to attest to, the effectiveness of our
internal control structure and procedures for financial
reporting. We completed an evaluation of the effectiveness of
our internal control over financial reporting for the fiscal
year ended December 31, 2006, and we have an ongoing
program to perform the system and process evaluation and testing
necessary to continue to comply with these requirements. We
expect to continue to incur increased expense and to devote
additional management resources to Section 404 compliance.
In the event that our chief executive officer, chief financial
officer or independent registered certified public accounting
firm determines that our internal control over financial
reporting is not effective as defined under Section 404,
investor perceptions and our reputation may be adversely
affected and the market price of our stock could decline.
The price of our common stock may fluctuate significantly,
and this may make it difficult for you to resell the shares of
our common stock when you want or at prices you find
attractive.
The trading price of our common stock has ranged between $14.47
and $19.13 per share over the past 52 weeks. We expect that
the market price of our common stock will continue to fluctuate.
The market price of our common stock may fluctuate in response
to numerous factors, many of which are beyond our control. These
factors include the following:
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actual or anticipated fluctuations in our operating results; |
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changes in expectations as to our future financial performance,
including financial estimates by securities analysts and
investors; |
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the operating and stock performance of our competitors; |
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announcements by us or our competitors of new products or
services or significant contract, acquisitions, strategic
partnerships, joint ventures or capital commitments; |
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the initiation or outcome of litigation; |
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changes in interest rates; |
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general economic, market and political conditions; |
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additions or departures of key personnel; and |
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future sales of our equity or convertible securities. |
We cannot predict the extent, if any, to which future sales of
shares of common stock or the availability of shares of common
stock for future sale, may depress the trading price of our
common stock or the value of the debentures.
In addition, the stock market in recent years has experienced
extreme price and trading volume fluctuations that often have
been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance
of individual companies. These broad market fluctuations may
adversely affect the price of our common stock, regardless of
35
our operating performance. Furthermore, stockholders may
initiate securities class action lawsuits if the market price of
our stock drops significantly, which may cause us to incur
substantial costs and could divert the time and attention of our
management. These factors, among others, could significantly
depress the price of our common stock.
We have many potentially dilutive securities outstanding.
At December 31, 2006, we had outstanding options granted to
employees to purchase approximately 8,930,764 shares of our
common stock, with a weighted-average exercise price of $10.22
per share, of which options for 8,588,528 shares were
exercisable at December 31, 2006. We also have outstanding
convertible notes and debentures maturing in November 2011 and
June 2026, which are currently convertible into 11,727,002
shares of our common stock. The issuance of these shares will
cause dilution which may adversely affect the market price of
our common stock. The availability for sale of significant
quantities of our common stock could adversely affect the
prevailing market price of the stock.
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Item 1B. |
Unresolved Staff Comments |
None.
Our principal executive offices are located in Miami, Florida.
We lease 13,849 square feet of office space from an unaffiliated
company in an office building in Miami, which we share with
various of our subsidiaries. The lease expires in November 2009.
We lease approximately 18,000 square feet of office space in New
York, New York under leases that expire in 2013. Approximately
9,000 square feet of such space has been subleased to third
parties for the balance of the term of the lease. New
Valleys operating properties are discussed above under the
description of New Valleys business.
Liggetts tobacco manufacturing facilities, and several of
the distribution and storage facilities, are currently located
in or near Mebane, North Carolina. Various of such facilities
are owned and others are leased. As of December 31, 2006,
the principal properties owned or leased by Liggett are as
follows:
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Approximate | |
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Owned or | |
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Total Square | |
Type |
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Location | |
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Leased | |
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Footage | |
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Storage Facilities
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Danville, VA |
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Owned |
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578,000 |
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Office and Manufacturing Complex
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Mebane, NC |
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Owned |
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240,000 |
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Warehouse
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Mebane, NC |
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Owned |
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60,000 |
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Warehouse
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Mebane, NC |
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Leased |
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50,000 |
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Warehouse
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Mebane, NC |
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Leased |
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30,000 |
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Warehouse
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Mebane, NC |
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Leased |
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8,500 |
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In December 2005, Liggett completed the sale for
$15.45 million of its former manufacturing plant, research
facility and offices located in Durham, North Carolina.
Subsequent to the sale, Vector Research leased a portion of the
premises from the purchaser. This lease was terminated in
December 2006 and the premises were vacated.
In November 1999, 100 Maple LLC, a newly formed entity owned by
Liggett, purchased an approximately 240,000 square foot
manufacturing facility located on 42 acres in Mebane, North
Carolina. In October 2000, Liggett completed a 60,000 square
foot warehouse addition at the Mebane facility, and finished the
relocation of its tobacco manufacturing operations to Mebane.
Liggett also leases three smaller warehouses in Mebane.
36
Liggett Vector Brands leases approximately 24,000 square feet of
office space in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. The
lease expires in October 2007.
Liggetts management believes that its property, plant and
equipment are well maintained and in good condition and that its
existing facilities are sufficient to accommodate a substantial
increase in production.
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Item 3. |
Legal Proceedings |
Liggett and other United States cigarette manufacturers have
been named as defendants in numerous, direct, third-party and
class actions predicated on the theory that they should be
liable for damages from adverse health effects alleged to have
been caused by cigarette smoking or by exposure to secondary
smoke from cigarettes.
As of December 31, 2006, there were approximately 135
individual suits (excluding approximately 975 individual smoker
cases pending in West Virginia state court as a consolidated
action; Liggett has been severed from the trial of the
consolidated action), 11 purported class actions and nine
governmental and other third-party payor health care
reimbursement actions pending in the United States in which
Liggett was a named defendant. Reference is made to Note 12
to our consolidated financial statements, which contains a
general description of certain legal proceedings to which
Liggett, New Valley or their subsidiaries are a party and
certain related matters. Reference is also made to
Exhibit 99.1, Material Legal Proceedings, incorporated
herein, for additional information regarding the pending
tobacco-related material legal proceedings to which Liggett is a
party. A copy of Exhibit 99.1 will be furnished without
charge upon written request to us at our principal executive
offices, 100 S.E. Second Street, Miami, Florida 33131, Attn:
Investor Relations.
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Item 4. |
Submission of Matters To a Vote of Security Holders |
During the last quarter of 2006, no matter was submitted to
stockholders for their vote or approval, through the
solicitation of proxies or otherwise.
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
The table below, together with the accompanying text, presents
certain information regarding all our current executive officers
as of March 15, 2007. Each of the executive officers serves
until the election and qualification of such individuals
successor or until such individuals death, resignation or
removal by the Board of Directors.
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Year Individual | |
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Became an | |
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Position | |
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Executive Officer | |
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Bennett S. LeBow
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69 |
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Executive Chairman |
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1990 |
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Howard M. Lorber
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58 |
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President and Chief |
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2001 |
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Executive Officer |
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Richard J. Lampen
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53 |
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Executive Vice President |
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1996 |
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J. Bryant Kirkland III
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41 |
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Vice President, Chief |
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2006 |
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Financial Officer and Treasurer |
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Marc N. Bell
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46 |
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Vice President, General |
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1998 |
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Counsel and Secretary |
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Ronald J. Bernstein
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53 |
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President and Chief |
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2000 |
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Executive Officer of Liggett |
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Bennett S. LeBow has been our Executive Chairman since
January 2006. He served as our Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer from June 1990 to December 31, 2005 and has been a
director of ours since October 1986. Mr. LeBow has served
as President and Chief Executive Officer of Vector Tobacco since
January 2001
37
and as a director since October 1999. Mr. LeBow was
Chairman of the Board of New Valley from January 1988 to
December 2005 and served as its Chief Executive Officer from
November 1994 to December 2005.
Howard M. Lorber has been our President and Chief
Executive Officer since January 2006. He served as our President
and Chief Operating Officer from January 2001 to December 2005
and has served as a director of ours since January 2001. From
November 1994 to December 2005, Mr. Lorber served as
President and Chief Operating Officer of New Valley, where he
also served as a director. Mr. Lorber was Chairman of the
Board of Hallman & Lorber Assoc., Inc., consultants and
actuaries of qualified pension and profit sharing plans, and
various of its affiliates from 1975 to December 2004 and has
been a consultant to these entities since January 2005; a
stockholder and a registered representative of Aegis Capital
Corp., a broker-dealer and a member firm of the National
Association of Securities Dealers, since 1984; Chairman of the
Board of Directors since 1987 and Chief Executive Officer from
November 1993 to December 2006 of Nathans Famous, Inc., a
chain of fast food restaurants; a consultant to us and Liggett
from January 1994 to January 2001; a director of United Capital
Corp., a real estate investment and diversified manufacturing
company, since May 1991; and Vice Chairman of the Board of
Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services since May 2001. He is also
a trustee of Long Island University.
Richard J. Lampen has served as our Executive Vice
President since July 1996. From October 1995 to December 2005,
Mr. Lampen served as the Executive Vice President and
General Counsel of New Valley, where he also served as a
director. Since September 2006, he has served as President and
Chief Executive Officer of Ladenburg Thalmann Financial
Services. Since November 1998, he has served as President and
Chief Executive Officer of CDSI Holdings Inc., an affiliate of
New Valley seeking acquisition or investment opportunities. From
May 1992 to September 1995, Mr. Lampen was a partner at
Steel Hector & Davis, a law firm located in Miami, Florida.
From January 1991 to April 1992, Mr. Lampen was a Managing
Director at Salomon Brothers Inc, an investment bank, and was an
employee at Salomon Brothers Inc from 1986 to April 1992.
Mr. Lampen is a director of CDSI Holdings and Ladenburg
Thalmann Financial Services. Mr. Lampen has served as a
director of a number of other companies, including U.S. Can
Corporation, The International Bank of Miami, N.A. and
Specs Music Inc., as well as a court-appointed independent
director of Trump Plaza Funding, Inc.
J. Bryant Kirkland III has been our Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer since April 2006.
Mr. Kirkland has served as a Vice President of ours since
January 2001 and served as New Valleys Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer from January 1998 to December 2005. He
has served since November 1994 in various financial capacities
with us and New Valley. Mr. Kirkland has served as Vice
President and Chief Financial Officer of CDSI Holdings Inc.
since January 1998 and as a director of CDSI Holdings Inc. since
November 1998.
Marc N. Bell has been a Vice President of ours since
January 1998, our General Counsel and Secretary since May 1994
and the Senior Vice President and General Counsel of Vector
Tobacco since April 2002. From November 1994 to December 2005,
Mr. Bell served as Associate General Counsel and Secretary
of New Valley and from February 1998 to December 2005, as a Vice
President of New Valley. Prior to May 1994, Mr. Bell was
with the law firm of Zuckerman Spaeder LLP in Miami, Florida and
from June 1991 to May 1993, with the law firm of Fischbein
Badillo Wagner Harding in New York, New
York.
Ronald J. Bernstein has served as President and Chief
Executive Officer of Liggett since September 1, 2000 and of
Liggett Vector Brands since March 2002 and has been a director
of ours since March 2004. From July 1996 to December 1999,
Mr. Bernstein served as General Director and, from December
1999 to September 2000, as Chairman of Liggett-Ducat, our former
Russian tobacco business sold in 2000. Prior to that time,
Mr. Bernstein served in various positions with Liggett
commencing in 1991, including Executive Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer.
38
PART II
|
|
Item 5. |
Market for Registrants Common Equity, Related
Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity
Securities |
Our common stock is listed and traded on the New York Stock
Exchange under the symbol VGR. The following table
sets forth, for the periods indicated, high and low sale prices
for a share of its common stock on the NYSE, as reported by the
NYSE, and quarterly cash dividends declared on shares of common
stock:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year |
|
High | |
|
Low | |
|
Cash Dividends | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
2006:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fourth Quarter
|
|
$ |
18.46 |
|
|
$ |
15.80 |
|
|
$ |
.40 |
|
Third Quarter
|
|
|
17.57 |
|
|
|
14.82 |
|
|
|
.38 |
|
Second Quarter
|
|
|
18.18 |
|
|
|
14.47 |
|
|
|
.38 |
|
First Quarter
|
|
|
18.36 |
|
|
|
16.33 |
|
|
|
.38 |
|
2005:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fourth Quarter
|
|
$ |
19.83 |
|
|
$ |
17.09 |
|
|
$ |
.38 |
|
Third Quarter
|
|
|
19.30 |
|
|
|
16.20 |
|
|
|
.36 |
|
Second Quarter
|
|
|
17.89 |
|
|
|
13.61 |
|
|
|
.36 |
|
First Quarter
|
|
|
15.25 |
|
|
|
13.92 |
|
|
|
.36 |
|
At March 9, 2007, there were approximately 2,183 holders of
record of our common stock.
The declaration of future cash dividends is within the
discretion of our Board of Directors and is subject to a variety
of contingencies such as market conditions, earnings and our
financial condition as well as the availability of cash.
Liggetts revolving credit agreement currently permits
Liggett to pay dividends to VGR Holding only if Liggetts
borrowing availability exceeds $5 million for the
30 days prior to payment of the dividend, and so long as no
event of default has occurred under the agreement, including
Liggetts compliance with the covenants in the credit
facility, including maintaining minimum levels of EBITDA (as
defined) if its borrowing availability is below $20 million
and not exceeding maximum levels of capital expenditures (as
defined).
We paid 5% stock dividends on September 29, 2004,
September 29, 2005 and September 29, 2006 to the
holders of our common stock. All information presented in this
report is adjusted for the stock dividends.
A special dividend of 0.22 of a share of Ladenburg Thalmann
Financial Services Inc. common stock was paid on each share of
our common stock on March 30, 2005.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of
Proceeds
No securities of ours which were not registered under the
Securities Act of 1933 have been issued or sold by us during the
three months ended December 31, 2006.
39
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Our purchases of our common stock during the three months ended
December 31, 2006 were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Number | |
|
Maximum | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
of Shares | |
|
Number of | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchased as | |
|
Shares That | |
|
|
Total | |
|
|
|
Part of Publicly | |
|
May Yet Be | |
|
|
Number of | |
|
Average | |
|
Announced | |
|
Purchased Under | |
|
|
Shares | |
|
Price Paid | |
|
Plans or | |
|
The Plans or | |
Period |
|
Purchased | |
|
Per Share | |
|
Programs | |
|
Programs | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
October 1 to October 31, 2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
November 1 to November 30, 2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 1 to December 31, 2006
|
|
|
22,264 |
(1) |
|
|
17.46 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
22,264 |
|
|
$ |
17.46 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
Delivery of 9,528 shares to us in payment of exercise price in
connection with exercise of a director stock option for 14,068
shares on December 18, 2006 and 12,736 shares in payment of
exercise price in connection with exercise of an employee stock
option for 20,177 shares on December 20, 2006. |
40
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
Selected Items of 2005
Form 10-K, as
Revised
|
|
Item 6. |
Selected Financial Data |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2006 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2002 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts) | |
|
|
|
|
Revised(1) | |
|
Revised(1) | |
|
|
Statement of Operations Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues(2),(4)
|
|
$ |
506,252 |
|
|
$ |
478,427 |
|
|
$ |
498,860 |
|
|
$ |
529,385 |
|
|
$ |
503,078 |
|
Income (loss) from continuing operations
|
|
|
42,712 |
|
|
|
42,585 |
|
|
|
4,462 |
|
|
|
(16,132 |
) |
|
|
(31,819 |
) |
Income from discontinued operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,034 |
|
|
|
2,689 |
|
|
|
522 |
|
|
|
25 |
|
Extraordinary item
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,766 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss)
|
|
|
42,712 |
|
|
|
52,385 |
|
|
|
7,151 |
|
|
|
(15,610 |
) |
|
|
(31,794 |
) |
Per basic common share(3):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income (loss) from continuing operations
|
|
$ |
0.73 |
|
|
$ |
0.91 |
|
|
$ |
0.10 |
|
|
$ |
(0.36 |
) |
|
$ |
0.75 |
|
|
Income from discontinued operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
0.07 |
|
|
$ |
0.06 |
|
|
$ |
0.01 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from extraordinary item
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
0.15 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss) applicable to common shares
|
|
$ |
0.73 |
|
|
$ |
1.13 |
|
|
$ |
0.16 |
|
|
$ |
(0.35 |
) |
|
$ |
0.75 |
|
Per diluted common share(3):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income (loss) from continuing operations
|
|
$ |
0.71 |
|
|
$ |
0.86 |
|
|
$ |
0.09 |
|
|
$ |
(0.36 |
) |
|
$ |
0.75 |
|
|
Income from discontinued operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
0.06 |
|
|
$ |
0.06 |
|
|
$ |
0.01 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from extraordinary items
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
0.14 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss) applicable to common shares
|
|
$ |
0.71 |
|
|
$ |
1.06 |
|
|
$ |
0.15 |
|
|
$ |
(0.35 |
) |
|
$ |
0.75 |
|
Cash distributions declared per common share(3)
|
|
$ |
1.54 |
|
|
$ |
1.47 |
|
|
$ |
1.40 |
|
|
$ |
1.33 |
|
|
$ |
1.27 |
|
Balance Sheet Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current assets
|
|
$ |
303,156 |
|
|
$ |
319,099 |
|
|
$ |
242,124 |
|
|
$ |
314,741 |
|
|
$ |
376,815 |
|
Total assets
|
|
|
637,462 |
|
|
|
603,552 |
|
|
|
535,927 |
|
|
|
628,212 |
|
|
|
707,270 |
|
Current liabilities
|
|
|
168,786 |
|
|
|
128,100 |
|
|
|
119,835 |
|
|
|
173,086 |
|
|
|
184,384 |
|
Notes payable, embedded derivatives, long-term debt and other
obligations, less current portion
|
|
|
198,777 |
|
|
|
277,613 |
|
|
|
279,800 |
|
|
|
299,977 |
|
|
|
307,028 |
|
Noncurrent employee benefits, deferred income taxes, minority
interests and other long-term liabilities
|
|
|
174,922 |
|
|
|
168,773 |
|
|
|
225,509 |
|
|
|
201,624 |
|
|
|
193,561 |
|
Stockholders equity (deficit)
|
|
|
94,977 |
|
|
|
29,066 |
|
|
|
(89,217 |
) |
|
|
(46,475 |
) |
|
|
22,297 |
|
|
|
(1) |
Revised as a result of the retrospective application of EITF
Issue No. 05-8,
Income Tax Effects of Issuing Convertible Debt with
Beneficial Conversion Feature. |
|
(2) |
Revenues include excise taxes of $174,339, $161,753, $175,674,
$195,342 and $192,664, respectively. |
|
(3) |
Per share computations include the impact of 5% stock dividends
on September 29, 2006, September 29, 2005, September
29, 2004, September 29, 2003 and September 27, 2002. |
|
(4) |
Revenues in 2002 include nine months of activity related to the
Medallion acquisition. All other periods include 12 months
of activity from the Medallion acquisition. |
41
|
|
Item 7. |
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations |
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Overview
We are a holding company for a number of businesses. We are
engaged principally in:
|
|
|
|
|
the manufacture and sale of cigarettes in the United States
through our subsidiary Liggett Group Inc., |
|
|
|
the development and marketing of the low nicotine and
nicotine-free QUEST cigarette products and the development of
reduced risk cigarette products through our subsidiary Vector
Tobacco Inc., and |
|
|
|
the real estate business through our subsidiary, New Valley LLC,
which is seeking to acquire additional operating companies and
real estate properties. New Valley owns 50% of Douglas Elliman
Realty, LLC, which operates the largest residential brokerage
company in the New York metropolitan area. |
In recent years, we have undertaken a number of initiatives to
streamline the cost structure of our tobacco business and
improve operating efficiency and long-term earnings. During
2002, the sales and marketing functions, along with certain
support functions, of our Liggett and Vector Tobacco
subsidiaries were combined into a new entity, Liggett Vector
Brands Inc. This company coordinates and executes the sales and
marketing efforts for our tobacco operations.
Effective year-end 2003, we closed Vector Tobaccos
Timberlake, North Carolina cigarette manufacturing facility in
order to reduce excess cigarette production capacity and improve
operating efficiencies company-wide. Production of QUEST and
Vector Tobaccos other cigarette brands was transferred to
Liggetts manufacturing facility in Mebane, North Carolina.
In July 2004, we completed the sale of the Timberlake facility
and equipment.
In April 2004, we eliminated a number of positions in our
tobacco operations and subleased excess office space. In October
2004, we announced a plan to restructure the operations of
Liggett Vector Brands. Liggett Vector Brands has realigned its
sales force and adjusted its business model to more efficiently
serve its chain and independent customers nationwide. In
connection with the restructuring, we eliminated approximately
330 full-time positions and 135 part-time positions as of
December 15, 2004.
We may consider various additional opportunities to further
improve efficiencies and reduce costs. These prior and current
initiatives have involved material restructuring and impairment
charges, and any further actions taken are likely to involve
material charges as well. Although management may estimate that
substantial cost savings will be associated with these
restructuring actions, there is a risk that these actions could
have a serious negative impact on our tobacco operations and
that any estimated increases in profitability cannot be achieved.
In December 2005, we completed an exchange offer and a
subsequent short-form merger whereby we acquired the remaining
42.3% of the common shares of New Valley that we did not already
own. As a result of these transactions, New Valley became our
wholly-owned subsidiary and each outstanding New Valley common
share was exchanged for 0.514 shares of our common stock. A
total of approximately 5.3 million of our common shares
were issued to the New Valley shareholders in the transactions.
All of Liggetts unit sales volume in 2005 and 2006 was in
the discount segment, which Liggetts management believes
has been the primary growth segment in the industry for over a
decade. The significant discounting of premium cigarettes in
recent years has led to brands, such as EVE, that were
traditionally considered premium brands to become more
appropriately categorized as discount, following list price
reductions. Effective February 1, 2004, Liggett reduced the
EVE list price from the premium price level to the branded
discount level.
42
Liggetts cigarettes are produced in approximately 220
combinations of length, style and packaging. Liggetts
current brand portfolio includes:
|
|
|
|
|
LIGGETT SELECT the third largest brand in the deep
discount category, |
|
|
|
GRAND PRIX a rapidly growing brand in the deep
discount segment, |
|
|
|
EVE a leading brand of 120 millimeter cigarettes in
the branded discount category, |
|
|
|
PYRAMID the industrys first deep discount
product with a brand identity, and |
|
|
|
USA and various Partner Brands and private label brands. |
In 1999, Liggett introduced LIGGETT SELECT, one of the leading
brands in the deep discount category. LIGGETT SELECT is now the
largest seller in Liggetts family of brands, comprising
37.5% of Liggetts unit volume in 2006, 44.6% in 2005 and
55.8% in 2004. In September 2005, Liggett repositioned GRAND
PRIX to distributors and retailers nationwide. GRAND PRIX is
marketed as the lowest price fighter to specifically
compete with brands which are priced at the lowest level of the
deep discount segment.
Under the Master Settlement Agreement reached in November 1998
with 46 states and various territories, the three largest
cigarette manufacturers must make settlement payments to the
states and territories based on how many cigarettes they sell
annually. Liggett, however, is not required to make any payments
unless its market share exceeds approximately 1.65% of the U.S.
cigarette market. Additionally, as a result of the Medallion
acquisition, Vector Tobacco likewise has no payment obligation
unless its market share exceeds approximately 0.28% of the U.S.
market. We believe that Liggett has gained a sustainable cost
advantage over its competitors as a result of the settlement.
The discount segment is highly competitive, with consumers
having less brand loyalty and placing greater emphasis on price.
While the three major manufacturers all compete with Liggett in
the discount segment of the market, the strongest competition
for market share has recently come from a group of small
manufacturers and importers, most of which sell low quality,
deep discount cigarettes.
In January 2003, Vector Tobacco introduced QUEST, its brand of
low nicotine and nicotine-free cigarette products. QUEST is
designed for adult smokers who are interested in reducing their
levels of nicotine intake and is currently available in both
menthol and non-menthol styles. Each QUEST style (regular and
menthol) offers three different packagings, with decreasing
amounts of nicotine QUEST 1, 2 and 3. QUEST 1, the
low nicotine variety, contains 0.6 milligrams of nicotine. QUEST
2, the extra-low nicotine variety, contains 0.3 milligrams of
nicotine. QUEST 3, the nicotine-free variety, contains only
trace levels of nicotine no more than 0.05
milligrams of nicotine per cigarette. QUEST cigarettes utilize
proprietary processes and materials that enables the production
of cigarettes with nicotine-free tobacco that tastes and smokes
like tobacco in conventional cigarettes. All six QUEST varieties
are being sold in box style packs and are priced comparably to
other premium brands.
QUEST is primarily available in New York, New Jersey,
Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Arizona.
These eight states account for approximately 28% of all
cigarette sales in the United States. The brand is supported by
point-of-purchase awareness campaigns.
During the second quarter 2004, we recognized a non-cash charge
of $37,000 to adjust the carrying value of excess leaf tobacco
inventory for the QUEST product, based on estimates of future
demand and market conditions. During the fourth quarter of 2006,
we recognized a non-cash charge of $890 to adjust the carrying
value of excess leaf inventory for the QUEST product.
QUEST brand cigarettes are currently marketed solely to permit
adult smokers, who wish to continue smoking, to gradually reduce
their intake of nicotine. The products are not labeled or
advertised for smoking cessation or as a safer form of smoking.
In October 2003, we announced that Jed E. Rose, Ph.D., Director
of Duke University Medical Centers Nicotine Research
Program and co-inventor of the nicotine patch, had conducted a
study at Duke University Medical Center to provide preliminary
evaluation of the use of the QUEST technology as a smoking
cessation
43
aid. In the preliminary study on QUEST, 33% of QUEST 3 smokers
were able to achieve four-week continuous abstinence. In March
2006, Vector Tobacco concluded a randomized, multi-center phase
II clinical trial to further evaluate QUEST technology as an
effective alternative to conventional smoking cessation aids. In
July 2006, we participated in an end-of-phase II meeting with
the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) where we
received significant guidance and feedback from the agency with
regard to further development of the QUEST technology.
In November 2006, our Board of Directors determined to
discontinue the genetics operation of our subsidiary, Vector
Research Ltd., and, not to pursue, at this time, FDA approval of
QUEST as a smoking cessation aid, due to the projected
significant additional time and expense involved in seeking such
approval. In connection with this decision, we eliminated 12
full-time positions effective December 31, 2006. In
addition, we terminated certain license agreements associated
with the genetics operations. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
Vector Tobacco is continuing its dialogue with the FDA with
respect to the prospects for phase III trials. Vector Tobacco
will continue to evaluate whether to proceed with phase III
trials.
As a result of these actions, we currently expect to realize
annual cost savings in excess of $4,000 beginning in 2007. We
recognized pre-tax restructuring and inventory impairment
charges of approximately $2,664, primarily during the fourth
quarter of 2006. The restructuring charges include approximately
$484 relating to employee severance and benefit costs, $338 for
contract termination and other associated costs, approximately
$954 for asset impairment and $890 in inventory write-offs.
Approximately $1,840 of these charges represent non-cash items.
Recent Developments
Issuance of New Convertible Debentures. In July 2006, we
sold $110,000 principal amount of our 3.875% variable interest
senior convertible debentures due June 15, 2026 in a
private offering to qualified institutional investors in
accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act. We used
the net proceeds of the offering to redeem our remaining 6.25%
convertible subordinated notes due July 15, 2008 and for
general corporate purposes.
Redemption of 6.25% Convertible Notes. On August 14,
2006, we redeemed $62,492 principal amount of our 6.25%
convertible subordinated notes at a redemption price of 101.042%
of the principal amount plus accrued interest. We recorded a
loss of $1,306 in the third quarter of 2006 on the retirement of
the notes.
Conversion of 6.25% Convertible Notes. In June 2006, an
investment entity affiliated with Dr. Phillip Frost and an
investment entity affiliated with Carl C. Icahn converted a
total of $70,000 principal amount of our 6.25% convertible
subordinated notes due 2008 into 3,447,468 shares of our common
stock in accordance with the terms of the notes. In connection
with the conversion of the notes, we issued an additional
962,531 shares of our common stock to these holders and paid
these holders $1,766 of accrued interest. The additional shares
and accrued interest were issued and paid as an inducement to
these holders to convert the notes. We recognized a non-cash
expense of $14,860 in connection with these transactions in the
second quarter of 2006.
Tax Settlement. On July 20, 2006, we entered into a
settlement with the Internal Revenue Service with respect to the
Philip Morris brand transaction where a subsidiary of Liggett
contributed three of its premium cigarette brands to Trademarks
LLC, a newly-formed limited liability company. In such
transaction, Philip Morris acquired an option to purchase the
remaining interest in Trademarks for a 90-day period commencing
in December 2008, and we have an option to require Philip Morris
to purchase the remaining interest for a 90-day period
commencing in March 2010. The Company deferred, for income tax
purposes, a portion of the gain on the transaction until such
time as the options were exercised. In connection with an
examination of our 1998 and 1999 federal income tax returns, the
Internal Revenue Service issued to us in September 2003 a notice
of proposed adjustment. The notice asserted that, for tax
reporting purposes, the entire gain should have been recognized
in 1998 and 1999 in the additional amounts of $150,000 and
$129,900, respectively, rather than upon the exercise of the
options during either of the 90-day periods commencing in
December 2008 or in March 2010. As part of the settlement, we
agreed that $87,000 of our gain on the transaction would be
recognized by us as income for tax purposes in 1999 and that the
balance of the remaining gain, net of previously capitalized
expenses of $900, ($192,000) will be recognized by us as income
in 2008 or 2009 upon
44
exercise of the options. We paid during the third and fourth
quarters of 2006 approximately $41,400, including interest, with
respect to the gain recognized in 1999. As a result of the
settlement, we reduced, during the third quarter of 2006, the
excess portion ($11,500) of a previously established reserve in
our consolidated financial statements, which resulted in a
decrease in such amount in reported tax expense in our
consolidated statements of operations.
New Valley Exchange Offer. In December 2005, we completed
an exchange offer and subsequent short-form merger whereby we
acquired the remaining 42.3% of the common shares of New Valley
Corporation that we did not already own. As result of these
transactions, New Valley Corporation became our wholly-owned
subsidiary and each outstanding New Valley Corporation common
share was exchanged for 0.514 shares of our common stock. A
total of approximately 5.3 million of our common shares
were issued to the New Valley Corporation shareholders in the
transactions. The surviving corporation in the short-form merger
was subsequently merged into a new Delaware limited liability
company named New Valley LLC, which conducts the business of the
former New Valley Corporation. Prior to these transactions, New
Valley Corporation was registered under the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 and filed periodic reports and other information
with the SEC.
Tobacco Settlement Agreements. In October 2004, the
Independent Auditor notified Liggett and all other Participating
Manufacturers that their payment obligations under the Master
Settlement Agreement, dating from the agreements execution
in late 1998, were going to be recalculated utilizing
net unit amounts, rather than gross unit
amounts (which have been utilized since 1999). The change in the
method of calculation could, among other things, require
additional payments by Liggett under the Master Settlement
Agreement of approximately $14,800 for the periods 2001 through
2006, and require Liggett to pay an additional amount of
approximately $3,400 in 2007 and in future periods by lowering
Liggetts market share exemption under the Master
Settlement Agreement. Liggett has objected to this retroactive
change and has disputed the change in methodology. No amounts
have been accrued in our consolidated financial statements for
any potential liability relating to the gross versus
net dispute.
In 2005, the Independent Auditor under the Master Settlement
Agreement calculated that Liggett owed $28,668 for its 2004
sales. In April 2005, Liggett paid $11,678 and disputed the
balance, as permitted by the Master Settlement Agreement.
Liggett subsequently paid an additional $9,304 of the disputed
amount although Liggett continues to dispute that this amount is
owed. This $9,304 relates to an adjustment to its 2003 payment
obligation claimed by Liggett for the market share loss to
non-participating manufacturers, which is known as the NPM
Adjustment. At December 31, 2006, included in
Other assets on our consolidated balance sheet was a
receivable of $6,513 relating to such amount. The remaining
balance in dispute of $7,686, which has been withheld from
payment, is comprised of $5,318 claimed for a 2004 NPM
Adjustment and $2,368 relating to the Independent Auditors
retroactive change from gross to net
units in calculating Master Settlement Agreement payments, which
Liggett contends is improper, as discussed above. From its April
2006 payment, Liggett withheld approximately $1,600 claimed for
the 2005 NPM Adjustment and $2,612 relating to the retroactive
change from gross to net units.
The following amounts have not been accrued in our consolidated
financial statements as they relate to Liggetts claims for
NPM Adjustments: $6,513 for 2003, $3,789 for 2004 and $800 for
2005.
In March 2006, an independent economic consulting firm selected
pursuant to the Master Settlement Agreement rendered its final
and non-appealable decision that the Master Settlement Agreement
was a significant factor contributing to the loss of
market share of Participating Manufacturers for 2003. In
February 2007, this firm rendered the same decision with respect
to 2004. As a result, the manufacturers are entitled to
potential NPM Adjustments to their 2003 and 2004 Master
Settlement Agreement payments. A Settling State that has
diligently enforced its qualifying escrow statute in the year in
question may be able to avoid application of the NPM Adjustment
to the payments made by the manufacturers for the benefit of
that state or territory.
Since April 2006, notwithstanding provisions in the Master
Settlement Agreement requiring arbitration, litigation has been
commenced in 49 Settling States over the issue of whether the
application of the NPM Adjustment for 2003 is to be determined
through litigation or arbitration. These actions relate to the
potential
45
NPM Adjustment for 2003, which the Independent Auditor under the
Master Settlement Agreement previously determined to be as much
as $1,200,000. To date, 37 of 38 courts that have decided the
issue have ruled that the 2003 NPM Adjustment dispute is
arbitrable. Many of the decisions compelling arbitration have
been appealed. The Participating Manufacturers have appealed the
decision of the North Dakota court that the dispute is not
arbitrable. There can be no assurance that the Participating
Manufacturers will receive any adjustment as a result of these
proceedings.
In 2003, in order to resolve any potential issues with Minnesota
as to Liggetts settlement obligations, Liggett negotiated
a $100 a year payment to Minnesota, to be paid any year
cigarettes manufactured by Liggett are sold in that state. In
2004, the Attorneys General for each of Florida, Mississippi and
Texas advised Liggett that they believed that Liggett has failed
to make all required payments under the respective settlement
agreements with these states for the period 1998 through 2003
and that additional payments may be due for 2004 and subsequent
years. Liggett believes these allegations are without merit,
based, among other things, on the language of the most favored
nation provisions of the settlement agreements. In December
2004, Florida offered to settle all amounts allegedly owed by
Liggett for the period through 2003 for the sum of $13,500. In
March 2005, Florida reaffirmed its December 2004 offer to settle
and provided Liggett with a 60 day notice to cure the
alleged defaults. Liggett offered Florida $2,500 in a lump sum
to settle all alleged obligations through December 31, 2006
and $100 per year thereafter in any year in which cigarettes
manufactured by Liggett are sold in Florida, to resolve all
alleged future obligations under the settlement agreement. In
November 2004, Mississippi offered to settle all amounts
allegedly owed by Liggett for the period through 2003 for the
sum of $6,500. In April 2005, Mississippi reaffirmed its
November 2004 offer to settle and provided Liggett with a
60 day notice to cure the alleged defaults. No specific
monetary demand has been made by Texas. Liggett has met with
representatives of Mississippi and Texas to discuss the issues
relating to the alleged defaults, although no resolution has
been reached.
Except for $2,000 accrued for the year ended December 31,
2005 and an additional $500 accrued during 2006, in connection
with the foregoing matters, no other amounts have been accrued
in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for any
additional amounts that may be payable by Liggett under the
settlement agreements with Florida, Mississippi and Texas. There
can be no assurance that Liggett will resolve these matters and
that Liggett will not be required to make additional material
payments, which payments could adversely affect our consolidated
financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
Real Estate Activities. In December 2002, New Valley
purchased two office buildings in Princeton, New Jersey for a
total purchase price of $54,000. In February 2005, New Valley
completed the sale of the office buildings for $71,500. The
mortgage loan on the properties was retired at closing with the
proceeds of the sale. As a result of the sale, New Valleys
real estate leasing operations have been treated as discontinued
operations in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
New Valley accounts for its 50% interests in Douglas Elliman
Realty LLC, Koa Investors LLC and 16th & K Holdings LLC, as
well as its 22.22% interest in Ceebraid Acquisition Corporation,
on the equity method. Douglas Elliman Realty operates the
largest residential brokerage company in the New York
metropolitan area. Koa Investors LLC owns the Sheraton Keauhou
Bay Resort & Spa in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. Following a major
renovation, the property reopened in the fourth quarter 2004 as
a four star resort with 521 rooms. In August 2005, 16th & K
Holdings LLC acquired the St. Regis Hotel, a 193 room luxury
hotel in Washington, D.C., for $47,000. The St. Regis Hotel was
temporarily closed for an extensive renovation on
August 31, 2006. 16th & K Holdings LLC is capitalizing
all costs other than management fees related to the renovation
of the property during the renovation phase. Ceebraid owns the
Holiday Isle Resort in Islamorada, Florida.
NASA Settlement. In 1994, New Valley commenced an action
against the United States government seeking damages for breach
of a launch services agreement covering the launch of one of the
Westar satellites owned by New Valleys former Western
Union satellite business. On March 14, 2007, the parties
entered into a Stipulation for the Entry of Judgment to settle
New Valleys claims. The settlement, among other things,
calls for the payment of $20,000, by the government to New
Valley, inclusive of interest, with each party to bear its own
costs, expenses and attorney fees. The stipulation has been
submitted to the United States
46
Court of Federal Claims for approval. The Company expects to
recognize a pre-tax gain in 2007 of approximately $19,500 in
connection with the settlement.
Recent Developments in Legislation, Regulation and
Tobacco-Related Litigation
The cigarette industry continues to be challenged on numerous
fronts. New cases continue to be commenced against Liggett and
other cigarette manufacturers. As of December 31, 2006,
there were approximately 135 individual suits (excluding
approximately 975 individual smoker cases pending in West
Virginia state court as a consolidated action; Liggett has been
severed from the trial of the consolidated action), 11 purported
class actions and nine governmental and other third-party payor
health care reimbursement actions pending in the United States
in which Liggett was a named defendant.
A civil lawsuit was filed by the United States federal
government seeking disgorgement of approximately $289,000,000
from various cigarette manufacturers, including Liggett. In
August 2006, the trial court entered a Final Judgment and
Remedial Order against each of the cigarette manufacturing
defendants, except Liggett. The Final Judgment, among other
things, ordered the following relief against the non-Liggett
defendants: (i) the defendants are enjoined from committing
any act of racketeering concerning the manufacturing, marketing,
promotion, health consequences or sale of cigarettes in the
United States; (ii) the defendants are enjoined from making
any material false, misleading, or deceptive statement or
representation concerning cigarettes that persuades people to
purchase cigarettes; (iii) the defendants are permanently
enjoined from utilizing lights, low tar,
ultra lights, mild, or
natural descriptors, or conveying any other express
or implied health messages in connection with the marketing or
sale of cigarettes as of January 1, 2007; (iv) the
defendants must make corrective statements on their websites,
and in television and print media advertisements; (v) the
defendants must maintain internet document websites until 2016
with access to smoking and health related documents;
(vi) the defendants must disclose all disaggregated
marketing data to the government on a confidential basis;
(vii) the defendants are not permitted to sell or otherwise
transfer any of their cigarette brands, product formulas or
businesses to any person or entity for domestic use without a
court order, and unless the acquiring person or entity will be
bound by the terms of the Final Judgment; and (viii) the
defendants must pay the appropriate costs of the government in
prosecuting the action, in an amount to be determined by the
trial court. It is unclear what impact, if any, the Final
Judgment will have on the cigarette industry as a whole. While
Liggett was excluded from the Final Judgment, to the extent that
it leads to a decline in industry-wide shipments of cigarettes
in the United States, Liggetts sales volume, operating
income and cash flows could be materially adversely affected.
Class action suits have been filed in a number of states against
individual cigarette manufacturers, alleging, among other
things, that the use of the terms light and
ultralight constitutes unfair and deceptive trade
practices. One such suit (Schwab v. Philip Morris),
pending in federal court in New York against the cigarette
manufacturers, seeks to create a nationwide class of
light cigarette smokers and includes Liggett as a
defendant. The action asserts claims under the Racketeer
Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO). The proposed
class is seeking as much as $200,000,000 in damages, which could
be trebled under RICO. In November 2005, the court ruled that if
the class is certified, the plaintiffs would be permitted to
calculate damages on an aggregate basis and use fluid
recovery theories to allocate them among class members.
Fluid recovery would permit potential damages to be paid out in
ways other than merely giving cash directly to plaintiffs, such
as establishing a pool of money that could be used for public
purposes. On September 25, 2006, the court granted
plaintiffs motion for class certification. On
November 20, 2006, the United States Court of Appeals for
the Second Circuit issued a permanent stay of the case, pending
appeal.
There are currently four individual tobacco-related actions
pending where Liggett is the only tobacco company defendant. In
April 2004, in one of these cases, a jury in a Florida state
court action awarded compensatory damages of $540 against
Liggett. In addition, plaintiffs counsel was awarded legal
fees of $752. Liggett has appealed both the verdict and the
award of legal fees. In March 2005, in another case in Florida
state court in which Liggett is the only defendant, the court
granted Liggetts motion for summary judgment. The
plaintiff appealed and, in June 2006, a Florida intermediate
appellate court reversed the trial courts decision and
remanded the case back to the trial court. Trial has been
scheduled in Missouri state court for May 2007 in another case.
47
In May 2003, Floridas Third District Court of Appeal
reversed a $790,000 punitive damages award against Liggett and
decertified the Engle smoking and health class action. In
July 2006, the Florida Supreme Court affirmed in part and
reversed in part the May 2003 intermediate appellate court
decision. Among other things, the Florida Supreme Court affirmed
the decision decertifying the class and the order vacating the
punitive damages award, but preserved several of the trial
courts Phase I findings (including that: (i) smoking
causes lung cancer, among other diseases; (ii) nicotine in
cigarettes is addictive; (iii) defendants placed cigarettes
on the market that were defective and unreasonably dangerous;
(iv) the defendants concealed material information;
(v) the defendants agreed to misrepresent information
relating to the health effects of cigarettes with the intention
that the public would rely on this information to its detriment;
(vi) all defendants sold or supplied cigarettes that were
defective; and (vii) all defendants were negligent) and
allowed plaintiffs to proceed to trial on individual liability
issues (utilizing the above findings) and compensatory and
punitive damage issues, provided they commence their individual
lawsuits within one year of the date the courts decision
became final on January 11, 2007. All parties moved for
reconsideration and/or clarification. In December 2006, the
Florida Supreme Court denied the motions, except that the court
vacated the determination of a finding as to fraud and
misrepresentation by defendants, and, therefore, the conspiracy
to misrepresent finding was also vacated. The Florida Supreme
Court issued its mandate on that decision on January 11,
2007. The decision could result in the filing of a large number
of individual personal injury cases in Florida which could have
a material adverse effect on us. In June 2002, the jury in
Lukacs v. R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, an individual
case brought under the third phase of the Engle case,
awarded $37,500 (subsequently reduced by the court to $24,860)
of compensatory damages against Liggett and two other defendants
and found Liggett 50% responsible for the damages. The plaintiff
has recently moved for the trial court to enter final judgment
in this matter and to tax costs and attorneys fees.
Liggett may be required to bond the amount of the judgment
against it to perfect its appeal. It is possible that additional
cases could be decided unfavorably and that there could be
further adverse developments in the Engle case. Liggett
may enter into discussions in an attempt to settle particular
cases if it believes it is appropriate to do so. We cannot
predict the cash requirements related to any future settlements
and judgments, including cash required to bond any appeals, and
there is a risk that those requirements will not be able to be
met.
In recent years, there have been a number of proposed
restrictive regulatory actions from various federal
administrative bodies, including the United States Environmental
Protection Agency and the FDA. There have also been adverse
political decisions and other unfavorable developments
concerning cigarette smoking and the tobacco industry, including
the commencement and certification of class actions and the
commencement of third-party payor actions. Recently, legislation
was reintroduced in Congress providing for the regulation of
cigarettes by the FDA. These developments generally receive
widespread media attention. We are not able to evaluate the
effect of these developing matters on pending litigation or the
possible commencement of additional litigation, but our
consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash
flows could be materially adversely affected by an unfavorable
outcome in any tobacco-related litigation.
Critical Accounting Policies
General. The preparation of financial statements in
conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the
United States of America requires management to make estimates
and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and
liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities and
the reported amounts of revenues and expenses. Significant
estimates subject to material changes in the near term include
restructuring and impairment charges, inventory valuation,
deferred tax assets, allowance for doubtful accounts,
promotional accruals, sales returns and allowances, actuarial
assumptions of pension plans, embedded derivative liability, the
tobacco quota buyout, settlement accruals and litigation and
defense costs. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
During the fourth quarter of 2006, we adopted Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 158,
Employers Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and
Other Postretirement Plans. SFAS 123R,
Share-Based Payment, and Emerging Issues Task Force
(EITF) Issue
No. 05-8,
Income Tax Effects of Issuing Convertible Debt with a
Beneficial Conversion Feature were adopted on
January 1, 2006. There were no other accounting policies
adopted during 2006 that had a material effect on our financial
condition or
48
results of operations. Refer to Note 1 of our consolidated
financial statements for a discussion of our significant
accounting policies.
Revenue Recognition. Revenues from sales of cigarettes
are recognized upon the shipment of finished goods when title
and risk of loss have passed to the customer, there is
persuasive evidence of an arrangement, the sale price is
determinable and collectibility is reasonably assured. We
provide an allowance for expected sales returns, net of any
related inventory cost recoveries. In accordance with the EITF
Issue No. 06-3,
How Sales Taxes Should Be Presented in the Income
Statement (Gross Versus Net), our accounting policy is to
include federal excise taxes in revenues and cost of goods sold.
Such revenues and cost of sales totaled $174,339, $161,753 and
$175,674 for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and
2004, respectively. Since our primary line of business is
tobacco, our financial position and our results of operations
and cash flows have been and could continue to be materially
adversely affected by significant unit sales volume declines,
litigation and defense costs, increased tobacco costs or
reductions in the selling price of cigarettes in the near term.
Marketing Costs. We record marketing costs as an expense
in the period to which such costs relate. We do not defer the
recognition of any amounts on our consolidated balance sheets
with respect to marketing costs. We expense advertising costs as
incurred, which is the period in which the related advertisement
initially appears. We record consumer incentive and trade
promotion costs as a reduction in revenue in the period in which
these programs are offered, based on estimates of utilization
and redemption rates that are developed from historical
information.
Restructuring and Asset Impairment Charges. We have
recorded charges related to employee severance and benefits,
asset impairments, contract termination and other associated
exit costs during 2003, 2004 and 2006. The calculation of
severance pay requires management to identify employees to be
terminated and the timing of their severance from employment.
The calculation of benefits charges requires actuarial
assumptions including determination of discount rates. As
discussed further below, the asset impairments were recorded in
accordance with SFAS No. 144, Accounting for the
Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, which
requires management to estimate the fair value of assets to be
disposed of. On January 1, 2003, we adopted
SFAS No. 146, Accounting for Costs Associated
with Exit or Disposal Activities. Charges related to
restructuring activities initiated after this date were recorded
when incurred. Prior to this date, charges were recorded at the
date of an entitys commitment to an exit plan in
accordance with EITF 94-3, Liability Recognition for
Certain Employee Termination Benefits and Other Costs to Exit an
Activity (including Certain Costs Incurred in a
Restructuring). These restructuring charges are based on
managements best estimate at the time of restructuring.
The status of the restructuring activities is reviewed on a
quarterly basis and any adjustments to the reserve, which could
differ materially from previous estimates, are recorded as an
adjustment to operating income.
Purchase Accounting. We account for business combination
transactions, including the exchange offer and merger with New
Valley, in accordance with SFAS No. 141,
Business Combinations. SFAS No. 141
requires that we allocate the cost of the acquisition to assets
acquired and liabilities assumed, based on their fair values as
of the acquisition date. Estimates of fair values for the
non-consolidated real estate businesses of New Valley are
generally based on independent appraisals and other accounts are
based on managements best estimates using assumptions that
are believed to be reasonable. The determination of fair values
involves considerable estimation and judgment, including
developing forecasts of cash flows and discount rates for the
non-consolidated real estate businesses.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets. We evaluate our
long-lived assets for possible impairment annually or whenever
events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying
value of the asset, or related group of assets, may not be fully
recoverable. Examples of such events or changes in circumstances
include a significant adverse charge in the manner in which a
long-lived asset, or group of assets, is being used or a current
expectation that, more likely than not, a long-lived asset, or
group of assets, will be disposed of before the end of its
estimated useful life. The estimate of fair value of our
long-lived assets is based on the best information available,
including prices for similar assets and the results of using
other valuation techniques. Since judgment is involved in
determining the fair value of long-lived assets, there is a risk
that the carrying value of our long-lived assets may be
overstated or understated.
49
Contingencies. We record Liggetts product liability
legal expenses and other litigation costs as operating, selling,
general and administrative expenses as those costs are incurred.
As discussed in Note 12 to our consolidated financial
statements and above under the heading Recent Developments
in Legislation, Regulation and Litigation, legal
proceedings covering a wide range of matters are pending or
threatened in various jurisdictions against Liggett. Management
is unable to make a reasonable estimate with respect to the
amount or range of loss that could result from an unfavorable
outcome of pending tobacco-related litigation or the costs of
defending such cases, and we have not provided any amounts in
our consolidated financial statements for unfavorable outcomes,
if any. You should not infer from the absence of any such
reserve in our consolidated financial statements that Liggett
will not be subject to significant tobacco-related liabilities
in the future. Litigation is subject to many uncertainties, and
it is possible that our consolidated financial position, results
of operations or cash flows could be materially adversely
affected by an unfavorable outcome in any such tobacco-related
litigation.
Settlement Agreements. As discussed in Note 12 to
our consolidated financial statements, Liggett and Vector
Tobacco are participants in the Master Settlement Agreement, the
1998 agreement to settle governmental healthcare cost recovery
actions brought by various states. Liggett and Vector Tobacco
have no payment obligations under the Master Settlement
Agreement except to the extent their market shares exceed
approximately 1.65% and 0.28%, respectively, of total cigarettes
sold in the United States. Their obligations, and the related
expense charges under the Master Settlement Agreement, are
subject to adjustments based upon, among other things, the
volume of cigarettes sold by Liggett and Vector Tobacco, their
relative market shares and inflation. Since relative market
shares are based on cigarette shipments, the best estimate of
the allocation of charges under the Master Settlement Agreement
is recorded in cost of goods sold as the products are shipped.
Settlement expenses under the Master Settlement Agreement
recorded in the accompanying consolidated statements of
operations were $32,635 for 2006, $14,924 for 2005 and $23,315
for 2004. Adjustments to these estimates are recorded in the
period that the change becomes probable and the amount can be
reasonably estimated.
Derivatives; Beneficial Conversion Feature. We measure
all derivatives, including certain derivatives embedded in other
contracts, at fair value and recognize them in the consolidated
balance sheet as an asset or a liability, depending on our
rights and obligations under the applicable derivative contract.
In 2004, 2005 and 2006, we issued variable interest senior
convertible debt in a series of private placements where a
portion of the total interest payable on the debt is computed by
reference to the cash dividends paid on our common stock. This
portion of the interest payment is considered an embedded
derivative within the convertible debt, which we are required to
separately value. As a result, we have bifurcated this embedded
derivative and, based on a valuation by a third party, estimated
the fair value of the embedded derivative liability. The
resulting discount created by allocating a portion of the
issuance proceeds to the embedded derivative is then amortized
to interest expense over the term of the debt using the
effective interest method.
At December 31, 2006 and 2005, the fair value of derivative
liabilities was estimated at $95,473 and $39,371, respectively.
Changes to the fair value of these embedded derivatives are
reflected on our consolidated statements of operations as
Change 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. We recognized a gain of $112 in 2006, a gain of $3,082
in 2005 and a loss of $412 in 2004, due to changes in the fair
value of the embedded derivative, which were reported as
Change in fair value of derivatives embedded within
convertible debt.
After giving effect to the recording of embedded derivative
liabilities as a discount to the convertible debt, our common
stock had a fair value at the issuance date of the notes in
excess of the conversion price, resulting in a beneficial
conversion feature. The intrinsic value of the beneficial
conversion feature was recorded as additional paid-in capital
and as a discount on the debt. The discount is then amortized to
interest expense over the term of the debt using the effective
interest rate method.
We recognized non-cash interest expense of $3,470, $2,063 and
$144 for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004,
respectively, due to the amortization of the debt discount
attributable to the embedded
50
derivatives and $1,818 in 2006, $1,139 in 2005 and $79 in 2004,
due to the amortization of the debt discount attributable to the
beneficial conversion feature.
Inventories. Tobacco inventories are stated at lower of
cost or market and are determined primarily by the last-in,
first-out (LIFO) method at Liggett and the first-in,
first-out (FIFO) method at Vector Tobacco. Although
portions of leaf tobacco inventories may not be used or sold
within one year because of time required for aging, they are
included in current assets, which is common practice in the
industry. We estimate an inventory reserve for excess quantities
and obsolete items based on specific identification and
historical write-offs, taking into account future demand and
market conditions. At December 31, 2006, approximately $92
of our leaf inventory was associated with Vector Tobaccos
QUEST product. During the second quarter of 2004, we recognized
a non-cash charge of $37,000 to adjust the carrying value of
excess leaf tobacco inventory for the QUEST product, based on
estimates of future demand and market conditions. During the
fourth quarter of 2006, we recognized a non-cash charge of $890
to adjust the carrying value of the remaining excess inventory.
Stock-Based Compensation. In January 2006, we adopted
SFAS No. 123®,
Share-Based Payment, under which share-based
transactions are accounted for using a fair value-based method
to recognize non-cash compensation expense. Prior to adoption,
our stock-based compensation plans were accounted for in
accordance with APB Opinion No. 25, Accounting for
Stock Issued to Employees with the intrinsic value-based
method permitted by SFAS No. 123, Accounting for
Stock-Based Compensation as amended by
SFAS No. 148. We adopted
SFAS No. 123®
using the modified prospective method. Under the modified
prospective method, we recognize compensation expense for all
share-based payments granted after January 1, 2006 and
prior to, but not yet vested as of January 1, 2006 in
accordance with
SFAS No. 123®.
Under the fair value recognition provisions of
SFAS No. 123®,
we recognize stock-based compensation net of an estimated
forfeiture rate and only recognize compensation cost for those
shares expected to vest on a straight line basis over the
requisite service period of the award. Upon adoption, there was
no cumulative adjustment for the impact of the change in
accounting principles because the assumed forfeiture rate did
not differ significantly from prior periods. We recognized
compensation expense of $470 for the year ended December, 2006
as a result of adopting
SFAS No. 123®.
In addition, effective January 1, 2006, as a result of the
adoption of
SFAS No. 123®,
payments of dividend equivalent rights on the unexercised
portion of stock options are accounted for as reductions in
additional paid-in capital on our consolidated balance sheet
($6,186 for the year ended December 31, 2006). Prior to
January 1, 2006, in accordance with APB Opinion
No. 25, we accounted for these dividend equivalent rights
as additional compensation expense ($6,178 and $5,636, net of
taxes, for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004,
respectively). As of December 31, 2006, there was $638 of
total unrecognized cost related to employee stock options. See
Note 11 to our consolidated financial statements for a
discussion of the adoption of this standard.
Employee Benefit Plans. The determination of our net
pension and other postretirement benefit income or expense is
dependent on our selection of certain assumptions used by
actuaries in calculating such amounts. Those assumptions
include, among others, the discount rate, expected long-term
rate of return on plan assets and rates of increase in
compensation and healthcare costs. We determine discount rates
by using a quantitative analysis that considers the prevailing
prices of investment grade bonds and the anticipated cash flow
from our two qualified defined benefit plans and our
postretirement medical and life insurance plans. These analyses
construct a hypothetical bond portfolio whose cash flow from
coupons and maturities match the annual projected cash flows
from our pension and retiree health plans. As of
December 31, 2006, our benefit obligations and service cost
were computed assuming a discount rate of 5.85% and 5.68%,
respectively. In determining our expected rate of return on plan
assets we consider input from our external advisors and
historical returns based on the expected long-term rate of
return is the weighted average of the target asset allocation of
each individual asset class. Our actual 10-year annual rate of
return on our pension plan assets was 8.2%, 8.3% and 9.9% for
the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004,
respectively. We assumed an 8.5% annual rate of return on our
pension plan assets at December 31, 2006. In accordance
with accounting principles generally accepted in the United
States of America, actual results that differ from our
assumptions are accumulated and amortized over future periods
and therefore, generally affect our recognized income or expense
in such future periods. While we believe that our assumptions
are appropriate, significant differences
51
in our actual experience or significant changes in our
assumptions may materially affect our future net pension and
other postretirement benefit income or expense.
Net pension expense for defined benefit pension plans and other
postretirement benefit expense aggregated approximately $4,650
for 2006, and we currently anticipate such expense will be
approximately $7,200 for 2007. In contrast, our funding
obligations under the pension plans are governed by ERISA. To
comply with ERISAs minimum funding requirements, we do not
currently anticipate that we will be required to make any
funding to the pension plans for the pension plan year beginning
on January 1, 2007 and ending on December 31, 2007.
Any additional funding obligation that we may have for
subsequent years is contingent on several factors and is not
reasonably estimable at this time.
In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 158, Employers
Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement
Plans. SFAS No. 158 requires an employer to
recognize the overfunded or underfunded status of their benefit
plans as an asset or liability in its balance sheet and to
recognize changes in that funded status in the year in which the
changes occur as a component of other comprehensive income. The
funded status is measured as the difference between the fair
value of the plans assets and its benefit obligation. In
addition, SFAS No. 158 requires an employer to measure
benefit plan assets and obligations that determine the funded
status of a plan as of the end of its fiscal year. We presently
measure the funded status of its plans at September 30 and the
new measurement date requirements become effective for us on
December 31, 2008. The prospective requirement to recognize
the funded status of a benefit plan and to provide the required
disclosures became effective for us on December 31, 2006.
The adoption of SFAS No. 158 had no impact on our
results of operations or cash flows. The adoption of
SFAS No. 158 resulted in a $10,705 reduction of
Prepaid pension costs, which is classified in other
assets, a decrease in an intangible asset of $1,232, an increase
of $4,643 in Deferred income taxes, which is also
included in other assets, an increase of other accrued current
liabilities of $1,142, a decrease of non-current employee
benefits of $1,799, which is comprised of a $349 decrease in
non-current pension liabilities and $1,450 in non-current
postretirement liabilities, and an $11,280 increase ($6,637 net
of income taxes) to Accumulated Other Comprehensive
Loss, which is included in stockholders equity.
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 consolidated financial statements
and related notes included elsewhere in this report. The
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 years
ended December 31, 2006 were Liggett and Vector Tobacco.
The Liggett segment consists of the manufacture and sale of
conventional cigarettes and, for segment reporting purposes,
includes the operations of Medallion acquired on April 1,
2002 (which operations are held for legal purposes as part of
Vector Tobacco). The Vector Tobacco segment includes the
development and marketing of the low nicotine and nicotine-free
cigarette products as well as the development of reduced risk
cigarette products and, for segment reporting purposes, excludes
the operations of Medallion.
52
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2006 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(Dollars in Thousands) | |
Revenues:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liggett
|
|
$ |
499,468 |
|
|
$ |
468,652 |
|
|
$ |
484,898 |
|
|
|
Vector Tobacco
|
|
|
6,784 |
|
|
|
9,775 |
|
|
|
13,962 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenues
|
|
$ |
506,252 |
|
|
$ |
478,427 |
|
|
$ |
498,860 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liggett
|
|
$ |
140,508 |
(1) |
|
$ |
143,361 |
(2) |
|
$ |
110,675 |
(3) |
|
|
Vector Tobacco
|
|
|
(13,971 |
)(1) |
|
|
(14,992 |
)(2) |
|
|
(64,942 |
)(3) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total tobacco
|
|
|
126,537 |
|
|
|
128,369 |
|
|
|
45,733 |
|
|
Corporate and other
|
|
|
(25,508 |
) |
|
|
(39,258 |
) |
|
|
(30,286 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total operating income
|
|
$ |
101,029 |
(1) |
|
$ |
89,111 |
(2) |
|
$ |
15,447 |
(3) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
Includes a gain on sale of assets at Liggett of $2,217 in 2006
and a loss on sale of assets of $7 at Vector Tobacco,
restructuring charges of $2,664 at Vector Tobacco and a reversal
of restructuring charges of $116 at Liggett. |
|
(2) |
Includes a special federal quota stock liquidation assessment
under the federal tobacco buyout legislation of $5,219 in 2005
($5,150 at Liggett and $69 at Vector Tobacco), gain on sale of
assets at Liggett of $12,748 in 2005 and a reversal of
restructuring charges of $114 at Liggett and $13 at Vector
Tobacco in 2005. |
|
(3) |
Includes restructuring and impairment charges of $11,075 at
Liggett and $2,624 at Vector Tobacco and a $37,000 inventory
impairment charge at Vector Tobacco in 2004. |
Revenues. Total revenues were $506,252 for the year ended
December 31, 2006 compared to $478,427 for the year ended
December 31, 2005. This $27,825 (5.8%) increase in revenues
was due to a $30,816 (6.6%) increase in revenues at Liggett and
a $2,991 (30.6%) decrease in revenues at Vector Tobacco.
Tobacco Revenues. Liggett repositioned GRAND PRIX in
September 2005 to compete with brands which are priced at the
lowest level of the deep discount segment. In September 2006,
Liggett generally reduced its promotional spending on LIGGETT
SELECT and Eve by $1.00 per carton and increased the list price
of GRAND PRIX by $1.00 per carton.
All of Liggetts sales in 2005 and 2006 were in the
discount category. In 2006, net sales at Liggett totaled
$499,468, compared to $468,652 in 2005. Revenues increased by
6.6% ($30,816) due to a 8.5% increase in unit sales volume
(approximately 689 million units) accounting for $39,614 in
favorable volume variance and $11,356 of favorable pricing and
reduced promotional spending offset by $20,155 in unfavorable
sales mix. Net revenues of the LIGGETT SELECT brand decreased
$18,262 in 2006 compared to 2005, and its unit volume decreased
8.6% in 2006 compared to 2005. Net revenues of the GRAND PRIX
brand increased $53,588 in 2006 compared to 2005.
Revenues at Vector Tobacco were $6,784 in 2006 compared to
$9,775 in 2005 due to decreased sales volume. Vector
Tobaccos revenues in 2006 and 2005 related primarily to
sales of QUEST.
Tobacco Gross Profit. Tobacco gross profit was $191,089
in 2006 compared to $193,034 in 2005. This represented a
decrease of $1,945 (1.0%) when compared to the same period last
year, due primarily to decreased gross profit of $2,742 at
Vector Tobacco due to restructuring charges of $1,099 at Vector
Tobacco, including an $890 write-off of QUEST inventory, offset
by increased gross profit of $794 at Liggett due increased
revenues offset by higher Master Settlement Agreement expense.
Liggetts brands contributed 99.8% to our gross profit and
Vector Tobacco contributed 0.2% for the year ended
December 31, 2006. Over
53
the same period in 2005, Liggetts brands contributed 98.4%
to tobacco gross profit and Vector Tobacco contributed 1.6%.
In recent years, industry shipment volume has declined at an
annual rate of approximately 2.5%. Industry shipment volume is a
major component of Liggetts expense under the Master
Settlement Agreement because Liggett is exempt from payments
under the Master Settlement Agreement unless its market share
exceeds approximately 1.65% and Vector Tobaccos market
share exceeds 0.28% of the U.S. cigarette market. In 2006,
industry shipment volume remained flat compared to shipment
volume for 2005 due to increased industry inventory levels,
which we believe occurred because in anticipation of an increase
in the Master Settlement Agreement rates in 2007. As a result,
our expense under the Master Settlement Agreement decreased by
approximately $2,000 in 2006 as compared to the normal annual
decline in industry volume.
Liggetts gross profit of $190,755 in 2006 increased $794
from gross profit of $189,961 in 2005. As a percent of revenues
(excluding federal excise taxes), gross profit at Liggett
decreased to 58.4% in 2006 compared to gross profit of 61.8% in
2005. The increase in Liggetts gross profit in 2006 period
was attributable to increased revenues offset by higher Master
Settlement Agreement expense.
Vector Tobaccos gross profit was $334 in 2006 compared to
gross profit of $3,073 for the same period in 2005. The decrease
was due primarily to non-cash restructuring charges of $1,099 at
Vector Tobacco, including the $890 write-off of QUEST inventory
and reduced sales volume.
Expenses. Operating, selling, general and administrative
expenses were $90,833 in 2006 compared to $114,048 in 2005, a
decrease of $23,215 (20.6%). Expenses at Liggett were $52,580 in
2006 compared to $59,463 in 2005, a decrease of $6,883 (11.6%).
The decrease was primarily due to lower compensation expense of
$3,178 at Liggett in 2006 compared to 2005 and lower product
liability legal expenses and other litigation costs of $2,695 in
2006 compared to 2005. Liggetts product liability legal
expenses and other litigation costs of $5,353 in 2006 compared
to $8,048 in 2005.
Expenses at Vector Tobacco in 2006 were $12,745 compared to
expenses of $18,070 in 2005. The decrease of $5,325 was
primarily due to lower research and development costs of $2,281
at Vector Tobacco in 2006 compared to 2005 and lower
compensation expense of $2,924 in 2006.
Expenses at the corporate segment in 2006 were $25,508 compared
to $36,515 in 2005. The decrease of $11,007 from 2005 to 2006
was primarily as a result of the adoption of
SFAS No. 123(R) in 2006 and the absence of expenses in
the 2006 period of $1,720 associated with the New Valley merger,
which occurred in 2005. Payments of dividend equivalent rights
on unexercised stock options previously charged to compensation
cost ($6,353 for the year ended December 31, 2005) are now
recognized as reductions to additional paid-in capital on our
consolidated balance sheet ($6,186 for the year ended
December 31, 2006).
In 2006, Liggetts operating income decreased to $140,508
compared to $143,361 for the prior year. In 2006, Vector
Tobaccos operating loss was $13,971 compared to a loss of
$14,992 in 2005. Liggetts operating income for 2005
included a gain on sale of assets of $2,217 as compared to a
gain on sale of assets of $12,748 in 2005.
Other Income (Expenses). In 2006, other income
(expenses) was a loss of $32,549 compared to a loss of
$3,343 in 2005. The results for the 2006 period included
expenses of $16,166 associated with the issuance in June 2006 of
additional shares of our common stock in connection with the
conversion of our 6.25% convertible notes and the redemption of
the notes in August 2006, interest expense of $37,776 primarily
offset by a gain of $112 on changes in fair value of embedded
derivatives, equity income from non-consolidated real estate
businesses of $9,086, gains from the sale of investments of
$3,019 and interest and dividend income of $9,000. 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 the loss from the
embedded derivative in 2006 was primarily the result of
declining long-term interest rates since the issuance of our
3.875% convertible debentures on July 12, 2006 offset by
higher long-term interest rates for the overall twelve-month
period. The equity income of $9,086 for the 2006 period resulted
primarily from income of $12,662 related to New Valleys
investment in Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC and income of $867
related to its investment in Koa Investors, which owns the
Sheraton
54
Keauhou Bay Resort and Spa in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, which were
offset by losses of $2,147 from Hotel LLC and $2,296 from
Holiday Isle.
In 2005, interest expense of $29,812 and equity loss in
operations of LTS of $299 were partially offset by a gain from
conversion of the LTS notes of $9,461, equity income from
non-consolidated real estate businesses of $7,543, interest and
dividend income of $5,610, changes in the fair value of
derivatives embedded within convertible debt of $3,082 and a net
gain on sale of investments of $1,426. The equity income
resulted primarily from $11,217 related to New Valleys
investment in Douglas Elliman Realty offset by losses of $3,501
related to its investment in Koa Investors and $173 related to
its investment in 16th & K Holdings.
Income from Continuing Operations. The income from
continuing operations before income taxes and minority interests
in 2006 was $68,480 compared to income of $85,768 in 2005. The
income tax provision was $25,768 in 2006. This compared to a tax
provision of $41,214 and minority interests in income of
subsidiaries of $1,969 in 2005. Our income tax rate for the 2006
period did not bear a customary relationship to statutory income
tax rates as a result of the impact of the nondeductible expense
associated with the conversion of its 6.25% convertible notes
due 2008, nondeductible expenses and state income taxes offset
by the $11,500 reduction in previously established reserves. Our
tax rate for the 2005 period did not bear a customary
relationship to statutory income tax rates as a result of the
impact of nondeductible expenses, state income taxes, the
receipt of the LTS distribution, the utilization of deferred tax
assets at New Valley and the intraperiod allocation at New
Valley between income from continuing and discontinued
operations.
Significant Fourth Quarter 2006 Transactions. Fourth
quarter 2006 income from continuing operations included a $2,476
gain on the sale of Liggetts excess Durham real estate,
restructuring charges of $2,664 at Vector Tobacco and a $116
gain from the reversal of amounts previously accrued as
restructuring charges at Liggett.
Revenues. Total revenues were $478,427 for the year ended
December 31, 2005 compared to $498,860 for the year ended
December 31, 2004. This $20,433 (4.1%) decrease in revenues
was due to a $16,246 (3.4%) decrease in revenues at Liggett and
a $4,187 (30.0%) decrease in revenues at Vector Tobacco.
Tobacco Revenues. Effective February 1, 2004,
Liggett reduced the list prices for EVE from the premium price
level to the branded discount level. In August 2004, Liggett
increased its list price on LIGGETT SELECT by $1.00 per carton.
In October 2004, Liggett increased the list price of all its
brands by $.65 per carton.
All of Liggetts sales in 2004 and 2005 were in the
discount category. In 2005, net sales at Liggett totaled
$468,652, compared to $484,898 in 2004. Revenues decreased by
3.4% ($16,246) due to a 7.9% decrease in unit sales volume
(approximately 700 million units) accounting for $38,391 in
unfavorable volume variance and $13,721 in unfavorable sales
mix, partially offset by a combination of list price increases
and reduced promotional spending of $35,866. Net revenues of the
LIGGETT SELECT brand decreased $47,262 in 2005 compared to 2004,
and its unit volume decreased 26.5% in 2005 compared to 2004.
Unit sales volume for Liggett has been affected by the strategic
changes in distribution associated with the restructuring at
Liggett Vector Brands in the fourth quarter of 2004.
Revenues at Vector Tobacco were $9,775 in 2005 compared to
$13,962 in 2004 due to decreased sales volume. Vector
Tobaccos revenues in 2005 and 2004 related primarily to
sales of QUEST.
Tobacco Gross Profit. Tobacco gross profit was $193,034
in 2005 compared to $210,197 in 2004, excluding the inventory
write-off of $37,000 taken by Vector Tobacco in the second
quarter of 2004 to adjust the carrying value of excess leaf
tobacco inventory for the QUEST product. This represented a
decrease of $17,163 (8.2%) when compared to 2004, due primarily
to the reduced sales volume net of related reduced promotional
spending as well as tobacco quota buyout costs which included a
special federal quota stock liquidation assessment of $5,219.
Liggetts brands contributed 98.4% to our gross profit and
Vector Tobacco contributed 1.6% in 2005. In 2004, Liggetts
brands contributed 97.9% to tobacco gross profit and Vector
Tobacco contributed 2.1%.
55
Liggetts gross profit of $189,961 in 2005 decreased
$15,853 from gross profit of $205,814 in 2004. As a percent of
revenues (excluding federal excise taxes), gross profit at
Liggett decreased to 61.5% in 2005 compared to gross profit of
66.2% in 2004. This decrease in Liggetts gross profit in
2005 was attributable to higher than anticipated tobacco quota
buyout costs discussed above, partially offset by lower Master
Settlement Agreement costs and increased prices.
Vector Tobaccos gross profit was $3,073 in 2005 compared
to gross profit, excluding the inventory write-down, of $4,383
for the same period in 2004. The decrease was due primarily to
the reduced sales volume.
Expenses. Operating, selling, general and administrative
expenses were $114,048 in 2005 compared to $144,051 in 2004, a
decrease of $30,003 (20.8%). Expenses for 2004 included a charge
of $4,177 (net of minority interests) in connection with the
settlement of the shareholder derivative lawsuit. Expenses at
Liggett were $59,463 in 2005 compared to $84,064 in 2004, a
decrease of $24,601 (29.3%). The decrease in expense in 2005 was
due primarily to the lower expenses of a reduced sales force
resulting from the 2004 restructuring. Liggetts product
liability legal expenses and other litigation costs of $8,048 in
2005 compared to $5,110 in 2004. Expenses at Vector Tobacco in
2005 were $18,070 compared to expenses of $29,702 in 2004 due to
the sale of the Timberlake facility in 2004 and the reduction in
headcount in the fourth quarter of 2004.
Restructuring and impairment charges in 2004 were $11,075 at
Liggett and $2,624 at Vector Tobacco, a total of $13,699, and
relate to the closing of the Timberlake facility, sales force
reductions and the loss on the sublease of Liggett Vector
Brands New York office space.
In 2005, Liggetts operating income increased to $143,361
compared to $110,675 for the prior year. In 2005, Vector
Tobaccos operating loss was $14,992 compared to a loss of
$64,942 in 2004. Liggetts operating income for 2005
included a gain on sale of assets of $12,748. Liggetts
operating income for 2004 included restructuring charges of
$11,075, and Vector Tobaccos operating loss for 2004
included the non-cash inventory charge of $37,000 and
restructuring charges of $2,624.
Other Income (Expenses). In 2005, other income
(expenses) was a loss of $3,343 compared to a loss of
$8,820 in 2004. In 2005, interest expense of $29,812 and equity
loss in operations of LTS of $299 were partially offset by a
gain from conversion of the LTS notes of $9,461, equity income
from non-consolidated real estate businesses of $7,543, interest
and dividend income of $5,610, changes in the fair value of
derivatives embedded within convertible debt of $3,082 and a net
gain on sale of investments of $1,426. The equity income
resulted primarily from $11,217 related to New Valleys
investment in Douglas Elliman Realty offset by losses of $3,501
related to its investment in Koa Investors and $173 related to
its investment in 16th & K Holdings. In 2004, interest
expense of $24,144, loss on extinguishment of debt of $5,333 and
changes in the fair value of derivatives embedded within
convertible debt of $412 were offset by interest and dividend
income of $2,563, a gain on sale of investments of $8,664 and
equity income from non-consolidated New Valley real estate
businesses of $9,782.
Income from Continuing Operations. The income from
continuing operations before income taxes and minority interests
in 2005 was $85,768 compared to income of $6,627 in 2004. The
income tax provision was $41,214 and minority interests in
income of subsidiaries was $1,969 in 2005. This compared to a
tax benefit of $6,862 and minority interests in income of
subsidiaries of $9,027 in 2004. Our income tax rate for 2005
does not bear a customary relationship to statutory income tax
rates as a result of the impact of nondeductible expenses, state
income taxes, the receipt of the LTS distribution, the
intraperiod allocation at New Valley between income from
continuing and discontinued operations and the utilization of
deferred tax assets at New Valley. Our tax rate for 2004 does
not bear a customary relationship to statutory income tax rates
as a result of the impact of nondeductible expenses, state
income taxes and the intraperiod allocation at New Valley
between income from continuing and discontinued operations.
Significant Fourth Quarter 2005 Transactions. Fourth
quarter 2005 income from continuing operations included a
$12,748 gain on the sale of Liggetts excess Durham real
estate, an $860 charge in connection with the settlement of
shareholder litigation relating to the New Valley acquisition,
reserves for uncollectibility of $2,750 established against
advances by New Valley, a $2,000 charge related to
Liggetts state settlement agreements and a $127 gain from
the reversal of amounts previously accrued as restructuring
charges. In the
56
fourth quarter 2005, we recognized extraordinary income of
$6,860 in connection with unallocated goodwill associated with
the New Valley acquisition.
Discontinued Operations
Real Estate Leasing. In February 2005, New Valley
completed the sale for $71,500 of its two office buildings in
Princeton, N.J. As a result of the sale, the consolidated
financial statements of the Company reflect New Valleys
real estate leasing operations as discontinued operations for
the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004. Accordingly,
revenues, costs and expenses of the discontinued operations have
been excluded from the respective captions in the consolidated
statements of operations. The net operating results of the
discontinued operations have been reported, net of applicable
income taxes and minority interests, as Income from
discontinued operations.
Summarized operating results of the discontinued real estate
leasing operations for the years ended December 31, 2005
and 2004 are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Revenues
|
|
$ |
924 |
|
|
$ |
7,333 |
|
Expenses
|
|
|
515 |
|
|
|
5,240 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from operations before income taxes and minority interests
|
|
|
409 |
|
|
|
2,093 |
|
Provision for income taxes
|
|
|
223 |
|
|
|
1,125 |
|
Minority interests
|
|
|
104 |
|
|
|
510 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from discontinued operations
|
|
$ |
82 |
|
|
$ |
458 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gain on Disposal of Discontinued Operations. New Valley
recorded a gain on disposal of discontinued operations of $2,952
(net of minority interests and taxes) for the year ended
December 31, 2005 in connection with the sale of the office
buildings. New Valley recorded a gain on disposal of
discontinued operations of $2,231 (net of minority interests and
taxes) for the year ended December 31, 2004 related to the
adjustment of accruals established during New Valleys
bankruptcy proceedings in 1993 and 1994. The reversal of these
accruals reduced various tax accruals previously established and
were made due to the completion of settlements related to these
matters. The adjustment of these accruals is classified as gain
on disposal of discontinued operations since the original
establishment of such accruals was similarly classified as a
reduction of gain on disposal of discontinued operations.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Net cash and cash equivalents decreased by $34,290 in 2006 and
increased by $71,055 in 2005 and $35,196 in 2004. Net cash
provided by operations was $46,015 in 2006, $68,189 in 2005 and
$44,622 in 2004. Cash provided by operations in 2006 resulted
primarily from the net income of $42,712, loss on extinguishment
on debt of $16,166, depreciation and amortization of $9,888,
distributions from non-consolidated real estate businesses of
$7,311 and non-cash interest expense of $5,176, partially offset
by increases in inventories of $20,904, equity income in
non-consolidated real estate businesses of $9,086, gains on sale
of investments available for sale and assets of $3,019, a
decrease in current liabilities of $3,145 and an increase in
receivables of $2,766. Cash provided by operations in 2005
resulted primarily from the net income of $52,385, depreciation
and amortization of $11,220, deferred income taxes of $20,904
and non-cash interest expense of $1,068, partially offset by a
gain on sale of assets of $12,432, a gain from conversion of LTS
notes of $9,461, a decrease in current liabilities and an
increase in receivables. Cash provided by operations in 2004
resulted primarily from non-cash charges for depreciation and
amortization expense, restructuring and impairment charges, loss
on retirement of debt and effect of minority interests, offset
by the payment of the Master Settlement Agreement expense for
2003 in April of 2004, a decrease in current liabilities, the
non-cash gain on investment securities and equity income from
non-consolidated real estate businesses.
The difference in cash flows from operations in 2006 compared to
2005 primarily relates to an increase in inventories of $20,904
in the 2006 period versus a decrease in inventories of $8,546 in
the 2005 period, a
57
decrease in accrued liabilities of $2,677 in the 2006 period
versus a increase of $5,279 in the 2005 period. The decrease in
accrued liabilities was primarily the result of the $41,400 in
income tax payments in connection with the settlement with the
Internal Revenue Service related to Trademarks LLC, lower
promotional accruals resulting from Liggetts reduction in
its promotional allowances in September 2006 and lower
compensation accruals at Liggett and Vector Tobacco in 2006. In
September 2006, Liggett generally reduced its promotional
spending on LIGGETT SELECT and Eve by $1.00 per carton and
increased the list price of GRAND PRIX by $1.00 per carton. The
decrease in accrued taxes payable and accrued promotional
spending was offset by increases of $27,086 in settlement
accruals in the 2006 period compared to decreases of $5,695 in
the 2005 period. The increase in settlement accruals in 2006 was
caused primarily by increased unit sales volume in 2006 compared
to 2005 and increased inventory subject to the Master Settlement
Agreement at December 31, 2006 compared to
December 31, 2005. At December 31, 2006, finished
goods inventories were increased in anticipation of the rate
increase under the Master Settlement Agreement effective with
2007 shipments. The Company capitalizes the incremental prepaid
cost of the Master Settlement Agreement in ending inventory,
which was $21.76 per 1,000 units at December 31, 2006.
The difference in cash flows from operations in 2005 compared to
2004 primarily relates to increased income from continuing
operations of $38,123 in 2005 compared to 2004 and a decrease in
accrued liabilities of $21,040 from 2003 to 2004 compared to an
increase in accrued liabilities of $6,172 from 2004 to 2005. The
decrease in accrued liabilities for the year ended
December 31, 2004 was primarily the result of lower volume
in 2004 than 2003, which lowered accruals for the Master
Settlement Agreement as well as promotional spending. The
amounts were offset by lower noncash items in 2005, which
consisted of noncash income of $11,185, than 2004, which
consisted of noncash charges of $52,520 and a decrease of
accounts receivable of $7,961 in 2004 versus an increase in
accounts receivable of $10,235 in 2005.
Cash used in investing activities $44,665 in 2006 compared to
cash provided by investing activities of $64,177 in 2005 and
$72,693 in 2004. In 2006, cash was used for capital expenditures
of $9,558, the net purchases of long-term investments of
$35,345, investments in non-consolidated real estate businesses
of $9,850 and increases in restricted assets of $1,527 offset by
the net sales of investment securities of $10,701, proceeds from
the sale of assets of $1,486 and increases in the cash surrender
value of life insurance policies of $898. In 2005, cash was
provided by cash flows from discontinued operations of $66,912,
the sale or maturity of investment securities of $7,490,
distributions from non-consolidated real estate businesses at
New Valley of $5,500 and proceeds from the sale of assets of
$14,118. This was offset in part by capital expenditures of
$10,295, purchase of investment securities of $4,713, investment
in non-consolidated real estate businesses at New Valley of
$6,250, purchase of LTS common stock for $3,250, issuance of
note receivable for $2,750 and costs associated with New Valley
acquisition of $2,422. In 2004, cash was provided primarily
through the sale or maturity of investment securities for
$68,357, the sale of assets for $25,713 and the decrease in
restricted cash of $1,157. This was partially offset primarily
by the purchase of investment securities for $12,197, investment
in non-consolidated real estate businesses at New Valley of
$4,500 and capital expenditures of $4,294.
In August 2006, we invested $25,000 in Icahn Partners, LP, a
privately managed investment partnership, of which Carl Icahn is
the portfolio manager and the controlling person of the general
partner, and manager of the partnership. Affiliates of
Mr. Icahn are the beneficial owners of approximately 20.4%
of our common stock. On November 1, 2006, we invested
$10,000 in Jefferies Buckeye Fund, LLC, a privately managed
investment partnership, of which Jefferies Asset Management, LLC
is the portfolio manager. Affiliates of Jefferies Asset
Management, LLC own approximately 8.8% of our common stock.
Cash used in financing activities was $35,640 in 2006, $61,311
in 2005 and $82,119 in 2004. In 2006, cash was used for
repayments of debt of $72,925, distributions on common stock of
$90,138, and deferred financing charges of $5,280. Cash used was
offset primarily by the proceeds of debt of $118,146, net
borrowings under the Liggett credit facility of $11,986,
proceeds from the exercise of options of $2,571 and an increase
in cash overdraft at Liggett of $759. In 2005, cash was used for
distributions on common stock of $70,252, discontinued
operations of $39,213, repayments on debt of $4,305 and deferred
financing charges of $2,068, offset by proceeds from debt of
$50,841, and proceeds from the exercise of options of $3,626. In
2004, cash was used for distributions on common stock of $64,106
and repayments on debt of $84,425, including $70,000
58
of VGR Holdings 10% senior secured notes. These were
offset by the proceeds from the sale of convertible notes of
$66,905 and proceeds from the exercise of options of $3,233.
Liggett. Liggett has a $50,000 credit facility with
Wachovia Bank, N.A. under which $11,986 was outstanding at
December 31, 2006. Availability as determined under the
facility was approximately $24,000 based on eligible collateral
at December 31, 2006. The facility is collateralized by all
inventories and receivables of Liggett. The facility requires
Liggetts compliance with certain financial and other
covenants including a restriction on Liggetts ability to
pay cash dividends unless Liggetts borrowing availability
under the facility for the 30-day period prior to the payment of
the dividend, and after giving effect to the dividend, is at
least $5,000 and no event of default has occurred under the
agreement, including Liggetts compliance with the
covenants in the credit facility. Prior to February 2007, the
facility imposed requirements with respect to Liggetts
adjusted net worth (not to fall below $8,000 as computed in
accordance with the agreement) and working capital (not to fall
below a deficit of $17,000 as computed in accordance with the
agreement). At December 31, 2006, management believed that
Liggett was in compliance with all covenants under the credit
facility; Liggetts adjusted net worth was approximately
$38,600 and net working capital was approximately $21,000, as
computed in accordance with the agreement.
In February 2007, Liggett entered into an amendment to the
Wachovia credit facility. The amendment extends the term of the
facility from March 8, 2008 to March 8, 2010, subject
to automatic renewal for additional one year periods unless a
notice of termination is given by Wachovia or Liggett at least
60 days prior to such date or the anniversary of such date.
Also, the amendment reduces the interest rates payable on
borrowings under the facility and revises certain financial
covenants. Prime rate loans under the facility will now bear
interest at a rate equal to the prime rate of Wachovia, as
compared to the previous interest rate of 1.0% above the prime
rate. Further, Eurodollar rate loans will now bear interest at a
rate of 2.0% above Wachovias adjusted Eurodollar rate, as
compared to the previous interest rate of 3.5% above the
adjusted Eurodollar rate. The amendment also eliminates the
minimum adjusted working capital and net working capital
requirements previously imposed by the facility and replaces
those requirements with new covenants based on Liggetts
earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization
(EBITDA), as defined in the Amendment, and
Liggetts capital expenditures, as defined in the
Amendment. The revised covenants provide that Liggetts
EBITDA, on a trailing twelve month basis, shall not be less than
$100,000 if Liggetts excess availability, as defined,
under the facility is less than $20,000. The revised covenants
also require that annual capital expenditures (before a maximum
carryover amount of $2,500) shall not exceed $10,000 during any
fiscal year.
100 Maple LLC, a company formed by Liggett in 1999 to purchase
its Mebane, North Carolina manufacturing plant, had a term loan
under the credit facility which was repaid on November 2,
2006.
In March 2000, Liggett purchased equipment for $1,000 through
the issuance of a note, payable in 60 monthly installments
of $21 with an effective annual interest rate of 10.14%. In
April 2000, Liggett purchased equipment for $1,071 through the
issuance of notes, payable in 60 monthly installments
through April 2005 of $22 with an effective interest rate of
10.20%. The notes were paid in full during the first half of
2005.
Beginning in October 2001, Liggett upgraded the efficiency of
its manufacturing operation at Mebane with the addition of four
new cigarette makers and packers, as well as related equipment.
The total cost of these upgrades was approximately $20,000.
Liggett took delivery of the first two of the new lines in the
fourth quarter of 2001 and financed the purchase price of $6,404
through the issuance of notes, guaranteed by us and payable in
60 monthly installments of $106 with interest calculated at
the prime rate. These notes were paid in full in the fourth
quarter of 2006. In March 2002, the third line was delivered,
and the purchase price of $3,023 was financed through the
issuance of a note, payable in 30 monthly installments of
$62 and then 30 monthly installments of $51 with an
interest rate of LIBOR plus 2.8%. In May 2002, the fourth line
was delivered, and Liggett financed the purchase price of $2,871
through the issuance of a note, payable in 30 monthly
installments of $59 and then 30 monthly installments of $48
with an interest rate of LIBOR plus 2.8%. In September 2002,
Liggett purchased additional equipment for $1,573 through the
issuance of a note guaranteed by us, payable in 60 monthly
installments of $26 plus interest calculated at LIBOR plus 4.31%.
59
During 2003, Liggett leased three 100 millimeter box packers,
which will allow Liggett to meet the growing demand for this
cigarette style, and a new filter maker to improve product
quality and capacity. These operating lease agreements provide
for payments totaling approximately $4,500. In October 2005,
Liggett purchased the three box packers for $2,351.
In October 2005, Liggett purchased equipment for $4,441 through
a financing agreement payable in 24 installments of $112 and
then 24 installments of $90. Interest is calculated at 4.89%.
Liggett was required to provide a security deposit equal to 25%
of the funded amount or $1,110.
In December 2005, Liggett purchased equipment for $2,272 through
a financing agreement payable in 24 installments of $58 and then
24 installments of $46. Interest is calculated at 5.03%. Liggett
was required to provide a security deposit equal to 25% of the
funded amount or $568.
In December 2005, Liggett completed the sale for $15,450 of its
former manufacturing plant, research facility and offices
located in Durham, North Carolina. We recorded a gain of $7,706,
net of income taxes of $5,042, in 2005 in connection with the
sale.
In August 2006, Liggett purchased equipment for $7,922 through a
financing agreement payable in 30 installments of $191 and then
30 installments of $103. Interest is calculated at 5.15%.
Liggett was required to provide a security deposit equal to 20%
of the funded amount or $1,584.
Each of these equipment loans is collateralized by the purchased
equipment.
Liggett and other United States cigarette manufacturers have
been named as defendants in a number of direct and third-party
actions (and purported class actions) predicated on the theory
that they should be liable for damages from cancer and other
adverse health effects alleged to have been caused by cigarette
smoking or by exposure to so-called secondary smoke from
cigarettes. We believe, and have been so advised by counsel
handling the respective cases, that Liggett has a number of
valid defenses to claims asserted against it. Litigation is
subject to many uncertainties. In June 2002, the jury in an
individual case brought under the third phase of the Engle
case awarded $37,500 (subsequently reduced by the court to
$24,860) of compensatory damages against Liggett and two other
defendants and found Liggett 50% responsible for the damages.
Plaintiff has recently moved the court to enter final judgment
and to tax costs and attorneys fees. Liggett may be
required to bond the amount of the judgment against it to
perfect its appeal. In April 2004, a Florida state court jury
awarded compensatory damages of $540 against Liggett in an
individual action. In addition, plaintiffs counsel was
awarded legal fees of $752. Liggett has appealed the verdict. It
is possible that additional cases could be decided unfavorably
and that there could be further adverse developments in the
Engle case. Liggett may enter into discussions in an
attempt to settle particular cases if it believes it is
appropriate to do so. Management cannot predict the cash
requirements related to any future settlements and 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 and health case could
encourage the commencement of additional similar litigation. In
recent years, there have been a number of adverse regulatory,
political and other developments concerning cigarette smoking
and the tobacco industry. These developments generally receive
widespread media attention. Neither we nor Liggett are able to
evaluate the effect of these developing matters on pending
litigation or the possible commencement of additional litigation
or regulation. See Note 12 to our consolidated financial
statements and Legislation and Regulation below for
a description of legislation, regulation and litigation.
Management is unable to make a reasonable estimate of the amount
or range of loss that could result from an unfavorable outcome
of the cases pending against Liggett or the costs of defending
such cases. It is possible that our consolidated financial
position, results of operations or cash flows could be
materially adversely affected by an unfavorable outcome in any
such tobacco-related litigation.
V.T. Aviation. In February 2001, V.T. Aviation LLC, a
subsidiary of Vector Research Ltd., purchased an airplane for
$15,500 and borrowed $13,175 to fund the purchase. The loan,
which is collateralized by the airplane and a letter of credit
from us for $775, is guaranteed by Vector Research, VGR Holding
and us. The loan is payable in 119 monthly installments of
$125 including annual interest of 2.31% above the 30-day
commercial paper rate, with a final payment of $2,873, based on
current interest rates.
60
VGR Aviation. In February 2002, V.T. Aviation purchased
an airplane for $6,575 and borrowed $5,800 to fund the purchase.
The loan is guaranteed by us. The loan is payable in
119 monthly installments of $40, including annual interest
at 2.75% above the 30-day commercial paper rate, with a final
payment of $3,944 based on current interest rates. During the
fourth quarter of 2003, this airplane was transferred to our
direct subsidiary, VGR Aviation LLC, which has assumed the debt.
Vector Tobacco. On April 1, 2002, a subsidiary of
ours acquired the stock of The Medallion Company, Inc., a
discount cigarette manufacturer, and related assets from
Medallions principal stockholder. Following the purchase
of the Medallion stock, Vector Tobacco merged into Medallion and
Medallion changed its name to Vector Tobacco Inc. The total
purchase price for the Medallion shares and the related assets
consisted of $50,000 in cash and $60,000 in notes, with the
notes guaranteed by us and by Liggett. Of the notes, $25,000
have been repaid with the final quarterly principal payment of
$3,125 made on March 31, 2004. The remaining $35,000 of
notes bear interest at 6.5% per year, payable semiannually, and
mature on April 1, 2007.
New Valley. In December 2002, New Valley financed a
portion of its purchase of two office buildings in Princeton,
New Jersey with a $40,500 mortgage loan from HSBC Realty Credit
Corporation (USA). In February 2005, New Valley completed the
sale of the office buildings. The mortgage loan on the
properties was retired at closing with the proceeds of the sale.
Vector. We believe that we will continue to meet our
liquidity requirements through 2007. Corporate expenditures
(exclusive of Liggett, Vector Research, Vector Tobacco and New
Valley) over the next twelve months for current operations
include cash interest expense of approximately $29,750,
dividends on our outstanding shares (currently at an annual rate
of approximately $99,000) and corporate expenses. In addition,
$35,000 of Vector Tobacco notes issued in the 2002 Medallion
acquisition mature on April 1, 2007. We anticipate funding
our expenditures for current operations and required principal
payments with available cash resources, proceeds from public
and/or private debt and equity financing, management fees and
other payments from subsidiaries. New Valley 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 its ability to make such
distributions.
In July 2006, we sold $110,000 of our 3.875% variable interest
senior convertible debentures due 2026 in a private offering to
qualified institutional buyers in accordance with Rule 144A
under the Securities Act of 1933. We used the net proceeds of
the offering to redeem our remaining 6.25% convertible
subordinated notes due 2008 and for general corporate purposes.
The debentures pay interest on a quarterly basis at a rate of
3.875% per annum, with an additional amount of interest payable
on each interest payment date. The additional amount is based on
the amount of cash dividends paid by us on our common stock
during the prior three-month period ending on the record date
for such interest payment multiplied by the total number of
shares of our common stock into which the debentures will be
convertible on such record date (together, the Debenture
Total Interest). Notwithstanding the foregoing, however,
the interest payable on each interest payment date shall be the
higher of (i) the Debenture Total Interest and
(ii) 5.75% per annum. The debentures are convertible into
our common stock, at the holders option. The conversion
price, which was $20.48 per share at December 31, 2006, is
subject to adjustment for various events, including the issuance
of stock dividends.
The debentures will mature on June 15, 2026. We must redeem
10% of the total aggregate principal amount of the debentures
outstanding on June 15, 2011. In addition to such
redemption amount, we will also redeem on June 15, 2011 and
at the end of each interest accrual period thereafter an
additional amount, if any, of the debentures necessary to
prevent the debentures from being treated as an Applicable
High Yield Discount Obligation under the Internal Revenue
Code. The holders of the debentures will have the option on
June 15, 2012, June 15, 2016 and June 15, 2021 to
require us to repurchase some or all of their remaining
debentures. The redemption price for such redemptions will equal
100% of the principal amount of the debentures plus accrued
interest. If a fundamental change occurs, we will be required to
offer to repurchase the debentures at 100% of their principal
amount, plus accrued interest and, under certain circumstances,
a make-whole premium.
61
In November 2004, we sold $65,500 of our 5% variable interest
senior convertible notes due November 15, 2011 in a private
offering to qualified institutional investors in accordance with
Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933. The buyers of
the notes had the right, for a 120-day period ending
March 18, 2005, to purchase an additional $16,375 of the
notes. At December 31, 2004, buyers had exercised their
rights to purchase an additional $1,405 of the notes, and the
remaining $14,959 principal amount of notes were purchased
during the first quarter of 2005. In April 2005, we issued an
additional $30,000 principal amount of 5% variable interest
senior convertible notes due November 15, 2011 in a
separate private offering to qualified institutional investors
in accordance with Rule 144A. These notes, which were
issued under a new indenture at a net price of 103.5%, were on
the same terms as the $81,864 principal amount of notes
previously issued in connection with the November 2004 placement.
The notes pay interest on a quarterly basis at a rate of 5% per
year with an additional amount of interest payable on the notes
on each interest payment date. This additional amount is based
on the amount of cash dividends actually paid by us per share on
our common stock during the prior three-month period ending on
the record date for such interest payment multiplied by the
number of shares of our common stock into which the notes are
convertible on such record date (together, the
Notes Total Interest). Notwithstanding the
foregoing, however, during the period prior to November 15,
2006, the interest payable on each interest payment date is the
higher of (i) the Notes Total Interest and
(ii) 63/4%
per year. The notes are convertible into our common stock, at
the holders option. The conversion price, which was of
$17.60 at December 31, 2006, is subject to adjustment for
various events, including the issuance of stock dividends.
The notes will mature on November 15, 2011. We must redeem
12.5% of the total aggregate principal amount of the notes
outstanding on November 15, 2009. In addition to such
redemption amount, we will also redeem on November 15, 2009
and on each interest accrual period thereafter an additional
amount, if any, of the notes necessary to prevent the notes from
being treated as an Applicable High Yield Discount
Obligation under the Internal Revenue Code. The holders of
the notes will have the option on November 15, 2009 to
require us to repurchase some or all of their remaining notes.
The redemption price for such redemptions will equal 100% of the
principal amount of the notes plus accrued interest. If a
fundamental change occurs, we will be required to offer to
repurchase the notes at 100% of their principal amount, plus
accrued interest and, under certain circumstances, a
make-whole premium.
In July 2001, we completed the sale of $172,500 (net proceeds of
approximately $166,400) of our 6.25% convertible subordinated
notes due July 15, 2008 through a private offering to
qualified institutional investors in accordance with
Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933. The notes paid
interest at 6.25% per annum and were convertible into our common
stock, at the option of the holder. The conversion price was
subject to adjustment for various events, and any cash
distribution on our common stock resulted in a corresponding
decrease in the conversion price. In December 2001, $40,000 of
the notes were converted into our common stock, in October 2004,
$8 of the notes were converted, and, in June 2006, $70,000 of
the notes were converted. We redeemed the remaining notes on
August 14, 2006 at a redemption price of 101.042% of the
principal amount plus accrued interest.
On July 20, 2006, we entered into a settlement with the
Internal Revenue Service with respect to the Philip Morris brand
transaction where a subsidiary of Liggett contributed three of
its premium cigarette brands to Trademarks LLC, a newly-formed
limited liability company. In such transaction, Philip Morris
acquired an option to purchase the remaining interest in
Trademarks for a 90-day period commencing in December 2008, and
we have an option to require Philip Morris to purchase the
remaining interest for a 90-day period commencing in March 2010.
The Company deferred for income tax purposes, a portion of the
gain on the transaction until such time as the options were
exercised. In connection with an examination of our 1998 and
1999 federal income tax returns, the Internal Revenue Service
issued to us in September 2003 a notice of proposed adjustment.
The notice asserted that, for tax reporting purposes, the entire
gain should have been recognized in 1998 and in 1999 in the
additional amounts of $150,000 and $129,900, respectively,
rather than upon the exercise of the options during the 90-day
periods commencing in December 2008 or in March 2010. As part of
the settlement, we agreed that $87,000 of the gain on the
transaction would be recognized by us as income for tax purposes
in 1999 and that the balance of the remaining gain, net of
previously capitalized expenses of $900, ($192,000) will be
recognized by us as income in 2008 or 2009 upon exercise of the
options.
62
We paid during the third and fourth quarters of 2006
approximately $41,400, including interest, with respect to the
gain recognized in 1999. As a result of the settlement, we
reduced, during the third quarter of 2006, the excess portion
($11,500) of a previously established reserve in our
consolidated financial statements, which resulted in a decrease
in such amount in reported income tax expense in our
consolidated statements of operations.
Our consolidated balance sheets include deferred income tax
assets and liabilities, which represent temporary differences in
the application of accounting rules established by generally
accepted accounting principles and income tax laws. As of
December 31, 2006, our deferred income tax liabilities
exceeded our deferred income tax assets by $64,000. The largest
component of our deferred tax liabilities exists because of
differences that resulted from the Philip Morris brand
transaction discussed above.
Long-Term Financial Obligations and Other Commercial
Commitments
Our significant long-term contractual obligations as of
December 31, 2006 were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal Year | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contractual Obligations |
|
2007 | |
|
2008 | |
|
2009 | |
|
2010 | |
|
2011 | |
|
Thereafter | |
|
Total | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Long-term debt(1)
|
|
$ |
52,686 |
|
|
$ |
4,923 |
|
|
$ |
17,867 |
|
|
$ |
2,574 |
|
|
$ |
112,920 |
|
|
$ |
102,982 |
|
|
$ |
293,952 |
|
Operating leases(2)
|
|
|
4,647 |
|
|
|
3,840 |
|
|
|
3,005 |
|
|
|
2,222 |
|
|
|
2,181 |
|
|
|
3,017 |
|
|
|
18,912 |
|
Inventory purchase commitments(3)
|
|
|
5,882 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,882 |
|
Capital expenditure purchase commitments(4)
|
|
|
1,390 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,390 |
|
New Valley obligations under limited partnership agreements
|
|
|
462 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
462 |
|
Interest payments(5)
|
|
|
31,714 |
|
|
|
31,797 |
|
|
|
30,425 |
|
|
|
31,202 |
|
|
|
31,151 |
|
|
|
258,964 |
|
|
|
415,253 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total(6)
|
|
$ |
96,781 |
|
|
$ |
40,560 |
|
|
$ |
51,297 |
|
|
$ |
35,998 |
|
|
$ |
146,252 |
|
|
$ |
364,963 |
|
|
$ |
735,851 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
Long-term debt is shown before discount. For more information
concerning our long-term debt, see Liquidity and Capital
Resources above and Note 7 to our consolidated
financial statements. |
|
(2) |
Operating lease obligations represent estimated lease payments
for facilities and equipment. The amounts presented do not
include amounts scheduled to be received under non-cancelable
operating subleases of $1,038 in 2007, $1,040 in 2008, $1,024 in
2009, $946 in 2010, $965 in 2011 and $1,367 thereafter. See
Note 8 to our consolidated financial statements. |
|
(3) |
Inventory purchase commitments represent purchase commitments
under our leaf inventory management program. See Note 4 to
our consolidated financial statements. |
|
(4) |
Capital expenditure purchase commitments represent purchase
commitments for machinery and equipment at Liggett and Vector
Tobacco. See Note 5 to our consolidated financial
statements. |
|
(5) |
Interest payments are based on current interest rates at
December 31, 2006 and the assumption our current cash
dividend policy of $0.40 per quarter and our current stock
dividend policy of 5% per year will continue. |
|
(6) |
Because their future cash outflows are uncertain, the above
table excludes our pension and postretirement benefit plans,
contractual guarantees, and deferred taxes. |
Payments under the Master Settlement Agreement, discussed in
Note 12 to our consolidated financial statements, and the
federal tobacco quota legislation, discussed in
Legislation and Regulation below, are excluded from
the table above, as the payments are subject to adjustment for
several factors, including inflation, overall industry volume,
our market share and the market share of non-participating
manufacturers.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We have various agreements in which we may be obligated to
indemnify the other party with respect to certain matters.
Generally, these indemnification clauses are included in
contracts arising in the normal course of business under which
we customarily agree to hold the other party harmless against
losses arising from a breach of representations related to such
matters as title to assets sold and licensed or certain
intellectual
63
property rights. Payment by us under such indemnification
clauses is generally conditioned on the other party making a
claim that is subject to challenge by us and dispute resolution
procedures specified in the particular contract. Further, our
obligations under these arrangements may be limited in terms of
time and/or amount, and in some instances, we may have recourse
against third parties for certain payments made by us. It is not
possible to predict the maximum potential amount of future
payments under these indemnification agreements due to the
conditional nature of our obligations and the unique facts of
each particular agreement. Historically, payments made by us
under these agreements have not been material. As of
December 31, 2006, we were not aware of any indemnification
agreements that would or are reasonably expected to have a
current or future material adverse impact on our financial
position, results of operations or cash flows.
In May 1999, in connection with the Philip Morris brand
transaction, Eve Holdings Inc., a subsidiary of Liggett,
guaranteed a $134,900 bank loan to Trademarks LLC. The loan is
secured by Trademarks three premium cigarette brands and
Trademarks interest in the exclusive license of the three
brands by Philip Morris. The license provides for a minimum
annual royalty payment equal to the annual debt service on the
loan plus $1,000. We believe that the fair value of Eves
guarantee was negligible at December 31, 2006.
In December 2001, New Valleys subsidiary, Western Realty
Development LLC, sold all the membership interests in Western
Realty Investments LLC to Andante Limited. In August 2003,
Andante submitted an indemnification claim to Western Realty
Development alleging losses of $1,225 from breaches of various
representations made in the purchase agreement. Under the terms
of the purchase agreement, Western Realty Development has no
obligation to indemnify Andante unless the aggregate amount of
all claims for indemnification made by Andante exceeds $750, and
Andante is required to bear the first $200 of any proven loss.
New Valley would be responsible for 70% of any damages payable
by Western Realty Development. New Valley has contested the
indemnification claim.
In February 2004, Liggett Vector Brands and another cigarette
manufacturer entered into a five year agreement with a
subsidiary of the American Wholesale Marketers Association to
support a program to permit tobacco distributors to secure, on
reasonable terms, tax stamp bonds required by state and local
governments for the distribution of cigarettes. Under the
agreement, Liggett Vector Brands has agreed to pay a portion of
losses, if any, incurred by the surety under the bond program,
with a maximum loss exposure of $500 for Liggett Vector Brands.
To secure its potential obligations under the agreement, Liggett
Vector Brands has delivered to the subsidiary of the Association
a $100 letter of credit and agreed to fund up to an additional
$400. Liggett Vector Brands has incurred no losses to date under
this agreement, and we believe the fair value of Liggett Vector
Brands obligation under the agreement was immaterial at
December 31, 2006.
At December 31, 2006, we had outstanding approximately
$3,180 of letters of credit, collateralized by certificates of
deposit. The letters of credit have been issued as security
deposits for leases of office space, to secure the performance
of our subsidiaries under various insurance programs and to
provide collateral for various subsidiary borrowing and capital
lease arrangements.
As of December 31, 2006, New Valley has committed to fund
up to $200 to a non-consolidated real estate business and up to
$262 to an investment partnership in which it is an investor. We
have agreed, under certain circumstances, to guarantee up to
$2,000 of debt of another non-consolidated real estate business.
We believe the fair value of our guarantee was negligible at
December 31, 2006.
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 December 31, 2006, approximately $24,766 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 December 31, 2006, we had no interest rate
caps or swaps.
64
Based on a hypothetical 100 basis point increase or decrease in
interest rates (1%), our annual interest expense could increase
or decrease by approximately $150.
In addition, as of December 31, 2006, approximately $83,904
($221,864 principal amount) of outstanding debt had a variable
interest rate determined by the amount of the dividends on our
common stock. Included in the difference between the stated
value of the debt and carrying value are embedded derivatives,
which were estimated at $95,473 at December 31, 2006.
Changes to the fair value of these embedded derivatives are
reflected quarterly within the Companys statements of
operations as Change 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. Based on a hypothetical 100 basis point
increase or decrease in interest rates (1%), our annual
Change in fair value of derivatives embedded within
convertible debt could increase or decrease by
approximately $4,100 with approximately $700 resulting from the
embedded derivative associated with our 5% variable interest
senior convertible notes due 2011 and the remaining $3,400
resulting from the embedded derivative associated with our
3.875% variable interest senior convertible debentures due 2026.
An increase in our quarterly dividend rate by $0.10 per share
would increase interest expense by approximately $4,750 per year.
We held investment securities available for sale totaling
$18,960 at December 31, 2006, which includes 11,111,111
shares of Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services Inc., which were
carried at $13,556. See Note 3 to our consolidated
financial statements. Adverse market conditions could have a
significant effect on the value of these investments.
New Valley also holds 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
Effective January 1, 2006, we adopted EITF Issue
No. 05-8,
Income Tax Effects of Issuing Convertible Debt with a
Beneficial Conversion Feature. The issuance of convertible
debt with a beneficial conversion feature creates a temporary
difference on which deferred taxes should be provided. The
consensus is required to be applied in fiscal periods (years or
quarters) beginning after December 15, 2005, by retroactive
restatement of prior financial statements back to the issuance
of the convertible debt. The retrospective application of EITF
Issue No. 05-8
reduced income tax expense by $27 and $406 for the years ended
December 31, 2004 and 2005, respectively and decreased
stockholders equity by $7,859 as of January 1, 2006.
The adoption of EITF Issue
No. 05-8 reduced
income tax expense and increased net income by $744 for the year
ended December 31, 2006. See Note 1(u) to our
consolidated financial statements for a reconciliation of
stockholders equity accounts.
In February 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 155,
Accounting for Certain Hybrid Instruments.
SFAS No. 155 amends SFAS Nos. 133 and 140 and
relates to the financial reporting of certain hybrid financial
instruments. SFAS No. 155 allows financial instruments
that have embedded derivatives to be accounted for as a whole
(eliminating the need to bifurcate the derivative from its host)
if the holder elects to account for the whole instrument on a
fair value basis. SFAS No. 155 is effective for all
financial instruments acquired or issued after the beginning of
fiscal years commencing after September 15, 2006. We have
not completed our assessment of the impact of this standard.
In June 2006, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 48,
Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes (an
interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109), which is
effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15,
2006 with earlier adoption encouraged. This interpretation was
issued to clarify the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes
recognized in the financial statements by prescribing a
recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the
financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax
position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. We have
not completed our assessment of the impact of this standard.
In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157,
Fair Value Measurements, which defines fair value,
establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands
disclosures about fair value measure-
65
ments. SFAS No. 157 clarifies that fair value should
be based on assumptions that market participants would use when
pricing an asset or liability and establishes a fair value
hierarchy of three levels that prioritizes the information used
to develop those assumptions. The fair value hierarchy gives the
highest priority to quoted prices in active markets and the
lowest priority to unobservable data. SFAS No. 157
requires fair value measurements to be separately disclosed by
level within the fair value hierarchy. The provisions of
SFAS No. 157 will become effective for us beginning
January 1, 2008. Generally, the provisions of this
statement are to be applied prospectively. Certain situations,
however, require retrospective application as of the beginning
of the year of adoption through the recognition of a cumulative
effect of accounting change. Such retrospective application is
required for financial instruments, including derivatives and
certain hybrid instruments with limitations on initial gains or
losses under EITF Issue
No. 02-3,
Issues Involved in Accounting for Derivative Contracts
Held for Trading Purposes and Contracts Involved in Energy
Trading and Risk Management Activities. We have not
completed our assessment of the impact of this standard.
In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 158,
Employers Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and
Other Postretirement Plans. SFAS No. 158
requires an employer to recognize the overfunded or underfunded
status of their benefit plans as an asset or liability in its
balance sheet and to recognize changes in that funded status in
the year in which the changes occur as a component of other
comprehensive income. The funded status is measured as the
difference between the fair value of the plans assets and
its benefit obligation. In addition, SFAS No. 158
requires an employer to measure benefit plan assets and
obligations that determine the funded status of a plan as of the
end of its fiscal year. We presently measure the funded status
of our plans at September 30 and the new measurement date
requirements become effective for us for the year ended
December 31, 2008. The prospective requirement to recognize
the funded status of a benefit plan and to provide the required
disclosures became effective for us on December 31, 2006.
The adoption of SFAS No. 158 had no impact on our
results of operations or cash flows. The adoption of
SFAS No. 158 resulted in a $10,705 reduction of
Pension costs in excess of projected benefit
obligations, which is classified in other assets, a
decrease in an intangible asset of $1,232, which is classified
in other assets, an increase of $4,643 in Deferred income
taxes, which is also included in other assets, an increase
of other accrued current liabilities of $1,142, a decrease of
non-current employee benefits of $1,799, which is comprised of a
$349 decrease in non-current pension liabilities and $1,450 in
non-current postretirement liabilities, and an $11,280 increase
($6,637 net of income taxes) to Accumulated Other
Comprehensive Loss, which is included in
stockholders equity.
In September 2006, the SEC issued Staff Accounting
Bulletin No. 108, Considering the Effects of
Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in
Current Year Financial Statements. SAB 108 provides
guidance on how prior year misstatements should be taken into
consideration when quantifying misstatements in current year
financial statements for purposes of determining whether the
current years financial statements are materially
misstated. The provisions of SAB 108 are required to be
applied beginning December 31, 2006. The adoption of
SAB 108 did not impact our consolidated financial
statements.
In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159,
The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial
Liabilities. SFAS No. 159 permits entities to
choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other
items at fair value that are not currently required to be
measured at fair value. SFAS No. 159 is effective for
fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, with early
adoption permitted provided the entity also elects to apply the
provisions of SFAS No. 157. We are currently
evaluating the impact of adopting SFAS No. 159 on our
consolidated financial statements.
Legislation and Regulation
Reports with respect to the alleged harmful physical effects of
cigarette smoking have been publicized for many years and, in
the opinion of Liggetts management, have had and may
continue to have an adverse effect on cigarette sales. Since
1964, the Surgeon General of the United States and the Secretary
of Health and Human Services have released a number of reports
which state that cigarette smoking is a causative factor with
respect to a variety of health hazards, including cancer, heart
disease and lung disease, and have recommended various
government actions to reduce the incidence of smoking. In 1997,
Liggett publicly
66
acknowledged that, as the Surgeon General and respected medical
researchers have found, smoking causes health problems,
including lung cancer, heart and vascular disease, and emphysema.
Since 1966, federal law has required that cigarettes
manufactured, packaged or imported for sale or distribution in
the United States include specific health warnings on their
packaging. Since 1972, Liggett and the other cigarette
manufacturers have included the federally required warning
statements in print advertising and on certain categories of
point-of-sale display materials relating to cigarettes. The
Federal Cigarette Labeling and Advertising Act (FCLA
Act) requires that packages of cigarettes distributed in
the United States and cigarette advertisements in the United
States bear one of the following four warning statements:
SURGEON GENERALS WARNING: Smoking Causes Lung
Cancer, Heart Disease, Emphysema, And May Complicate
Pregnancy; SURGEON GENERALS WARNING: Quitting
Smoking Now Greatly Reduces Serious Risks to Your Health;
SURGEON GENERALS WARNING: Smoking By Pregnant Women
May Result in Fetal Injury, Premature Birth, And Low Birth
Weight; and SURGEON GENERALS WARNING:
Cigarette Smoke Contains Carbon Monoxide. The law also
requires that each person who manufactures, packages or imports
cigarettes annually provide to the Secretary of Health and Human
Services a list of ingredients added to tobacco in the
manufacture of cigarettes. Annual reports to the United States
Congress are also required from the Secretary of Health and
Human Services as to current information on the health
consequences of smoking and from the Federal Trade Commission
(FTC) on the effectiveness of cigarette labeling and
current practices and methods of cigarette advertising and
promotion. Both federal agencies are also required annually to
make such recommendations as they deem appropriate with regard
to further legislation. It is possible that proposed legislation
providing for regulation of cigarettes by the Food and Drug
Administration (FDA), if enacted, could
significantly change the warning requirements currently mandated
by the FCLA Act. In addition, since 1997, Liggett has included
the warning Smoking is Addictive on its cigarette
packages.
In January 1993, the Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) released a report on the respiratory effect of
secondary smoke which concludes that secondary smoke is a known
human lung carcinogen in adults and in children, causes
increased respiratory tract disease and middle ear disorders and
increases the severity and frequency of asthma. In June 1993,
the two largest of the major domestic cigarette manufacturers,
together with other segments of the tobacco and distribution
industries, commenced a lawsuit against the EPA seeking a
determination that the EPA did not have the statutory authority
to regulate secondary smoke, and that given the scientific
evidence and the EPAs failure to follow its own guidelines
in making the determination, the EPAs classification of
secondary smoke was arbitrary and capricious. In July 1998, a
federal district court vacated those sections of the report
relating to lung cancer, finding that the EPA may have reached
different conclusions had it complied with relevant statutory
requirements. The federal government appealed the courts
ruling. In December 2002, the United States Court of Appeals for
the Fourth Circuit rejected the industry challenge to the EPA
report ruling that it was not subject to court review. Issuance
of the report may encourage efforts to limit smoking in public
areas.
In August 1996, the FDA filed in the Federal Register a Final
Rule classifying tobacco as a drug or medical
device, asserting jurisdiction over the manufacture and
marketing of tobacco products and imposing restrictions on the
sale, advertising and promotion of tobacco products. Litigation
was commenced challenging the legal authority of the FDA to
assert such jurisdiction, as well as challenging the
constitutionality of the rule. In March 2000, the United States
Supreme Court ruled that the FDA does not have the power to
regulate tobacco. Liggett supported the FDA Rule and began to
phase in compliance with certain of the proposed FDA
regulations. Since the Supreme Court decision, various proposals
and recommendations have been made for additional federal and
state legislation to regulate cigarette manufacturers.
Congressional advocates of FDA regulations have introduced
legislation that would give the FDA authority to regulate the
manufacture, sale, distribution and labeling of tobacco products
to protect public health, thereby allowing the FDA to reinstate
its prior regulations or adopt new or additional regulations. In
October 2004, the Senate passed a bill, which did not become
law, providing for FDA regulation of tobacco products. A
substantially similar bill was reintroduced in Congress in
February 2007. The ultimate outcome of these proposals cannot be
predicted, but FDA regulation of tobacco products could have a
material adverse effect on the Company.
67
In August 1996, Massachusetts enacted legislation requiring
tobacco companies to publish information regarding the
ingredients in cigarettes and other tobacco products sold in
that state. In December 2002, the United States Court of Appeals
for the First Circuit ruled that the ingredients disclosure
provisions violated the constitutional prohibition against
unlawful seizure of property by forcing firms to reveal trade
secrets. Liggett began voluntarily complying with this
legislation in December 1997 by providing ingredient information
to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and,
notwithstanding the appellate courts ruling, has continued
to provide ingredient disclosure. Liggett and Vector Tobacco
also provide ingredient information annually, as required by
law, to the states of Texas and Minnesota. Several other states
are considering ingredient disclosure legislation, and the
Senate bill providing for FDA regulation also calls for, among
other things, ingredient disclosure.
In October 2004, the Fair and Equitable Tobacco Reform Act of
2004 (FETRA) was signed into law. FETRA provides for
the elimination of the federal tobacco quota and price support
program through an industry funded buyout of tobacco growers and
quota holders. Pursuant to the legislation, manufacturers of
tobacco products will be assessed $10,140,000 over a ten year
period to compensate tobacco growers and quota holders for the
elimination of their quota rights. Cigarette manufacturers will
initially be responsible for 96.3% of the assessment (subject to
adjustment in the future), which will be allocated based on
relative unit volume of domestic cigarette shipments. Management
currently estimates that Liggetts and Vector
Tobaccos assessment will be approximately $22,900 for the
third year of the program which began January 1, 2007. The
relative cost of the legislation to the three largest cigarette
manufacturers will likely be less than the cost to smaller
manufacturers, including Liggett and Vector Tobacco, because one
effect of the legislation is that the three largest
manufacturers will no longer be obligated to make certain
contractual payments, commonly known as Phase II payments, that
they agreed in 1999 to make to tobacco-producing states. The
ultimate impact of this legislation cannot be determined, but
there is a risk that smaller manufacturers, such as Liggett and
Vector Tobacco, will be disproportionately affected by the
legislation, which could have a material adverse effect on the
Company.
Cigarettes are subject to substantial and increasing federal,
state and local excise taxes. The federal excise tax on
cigarettes is currently $0.39 per pack. State and local sales
and excise taxes vary considerably and, when combined with sales
taxes, local taxes and the current federal excise tax, may
currently exceed $4.00 per pack. In 2006, eight states enacted
increases in excise taxes. Further increases from other states
are expected. Congress has considered and is currently
considering significant increases in the federal excise tax or
other payments from tobacco manufacturers, and various states
and other jurisdictions have currently under consideration or
pending legislation proposing further state excise tax
increases. Management believes increases in excise and similar
taxes have had an adverse effect on sales of cigarettes.
Various states have adopted or are considering legislation
establishing reduced ignition propensity standards for
cigarettes. Compliance with this legislation could be burdensome
and costly. In June 2000, the New York State legislature passed
legislation charging the states Office of Fire Prevention
and Control with developing standards for
self-extinguishing or reduced ignition propensity
cigarettes. All cigarettes manufactured for sale in New York
State must be manufactured to specific reduced ignition
propensity standards set forth in the regulations. Liggett and
Vector Tobacco are in compliance with the New York reduced
ignition propensity regulatory requirements. Since the passage
of the New York law, the states of Vermont, California, New
Hampshire and Illinois have passed similar laws utilizing the
same technical standards, effective on May 1, 2006,
January 1, 2007, October 1, 2007 and January 1,
2008, respectively. Massachusetts has also recently enacted
reduced ignition propensity standards for cigarettes, although
currently there is no effective date for the legislation.
Similar legislation is being considered by other state
governments and at the federal level. Compliance with such
legislation could harm the business of Liggett and Vector
Tobacco, particularly if there were to be varying standards from
state to state.
Federal or state regulators may object to Vector Tobaccos
low nicotine and nicotine-free cigarette products and reduced
risk cigarette products it may develop as unlawful or allege
they bear deceptive or unsubstantiated product claims, and seek
the removal of the products from the marketplace or significant
changes to advertising. Various concerns regarding Vector
Tobaccos advertising practices have been expressed to
Vector Tobacco by certain state attorneys general. Vector
Tobacco has previously engaged in
68
discussions in an effort to resolve these concerns and Vector
Tobacco has, in the interim, suspended all print advertising for
its QUEST brand. If Vector Tobacco is ultimately unable
to advertise its QUEST brand, it could have a material
adverse effect on sales of QUEST. Allegations by federal
or state regulators, public health organizations and other
tobacco manufacturers that Vector Tobaccos products are
unlawful, or that its public statements or advertising contain
misleading or unsubstantiated health claims or product
comparisons, may result in litigation or governmental
proceedings. Vector Tobaccos business may become subject
to extensive domestic and international governmental regulation.
Various proposals have been made for federal, state and
international legislation to regulate cigarette manufacturers
generally, and reduced constituent cigarettes specifically. It
is possible that laws and regulations may be adopted covering
issues like the manufacture, sale, distribution, advertising and
labeling of tobacco products as well as any express or implied
health claims associated with reduced risk, low nicotine and
nicotine-free cigarette products and the use of genetically
modified tobacco. A system of regulation by agencies such as the
FDA, the FTC or the United States Department of Agriculture may
be established. The FTC has expressed interest in the regulation
of tobacco products which bear reduced carcinogen claims. The
ultimate outcome of any of the foregoing cannot be predicted,
but any of the foregoing could have a material adverse effect on
the Company.
A wide variety of federal, state and local laws limit the
advertising, sale and use of cigarettes, and these laws have
proliferated in recent years. For example, many local laws
prohibit smoking in restaurants and other public places, and
many employers have initiated programs restricting or
eliminating smoking in the workplace. There are various other
legislative efforts pending on the federal and state level which
seek to, among other things, eliminate smoking in public places,
further restrict displays and advertising of cigarettes, require
additional warnings, including graphic warnings, on cigarette
packaging and advertising, ban vending machine sales and curtail
affirmative defenses of tobacco companies in product liability
litigation. This trend has had, and is likely to continue to
have, an adverse effect on us.
In addition to the foregoing, there have been a number of other
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 similar litigation or legislation.
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:
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economic outlook, |
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capital expenditures, |
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cost reduction, |
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new legislation, |
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cash flows, |
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operating performance, |
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litigation, |
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impairment charges and cost savings associated with
restructurings of our tobacco operations, and |
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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.
69
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:
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general economic and market conditions and any changes therein,
due to acts of war and terrorism or otherwise, |
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governmental regulations and policies, |
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effects of industry competition, |
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impact of business combinations, including acquisitions and
divestitures, both internally for us and externally in the
tobacco industry, |
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impact of restructurings on our tobacco business and our ability
to achieve any increases in profitability estimated to occur as
a result of these restructurings, |
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impact of new legislation on our competitors payment
obligations, results of operations and product costs, i.e. the
impact of recent federal legislation eliminating the federal
tobacco quota system, |
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uncertainty related to litigation and potential additional
payment obligations for us under the Master Settlement Agreement
and other settlement agreements with the states, and |
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risks inherent in our new product development initiatives. |
Further information on risks and uncertainties specific to our
business include the risk factors discussed above under
Item 1A. Risk Factors and in
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations.
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.
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Item 7A. |
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market
Risk |
The information under the caption Managements
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations Market Risk is incorporated herein
by reference.
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Item 8. |
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data |
Our Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto,
together with the report thereon of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
dated March 16, 2007, are set forth beginning on page F-1
of this report.
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Item 9. |
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on
Accounting and Financial Disclosure |
None.
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Item 9A. |
Controls and Procedures |
Conclusions Regarding the Effectiveness of Disclosure
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.
70
Managements Report on Internal Control Over Financial
Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining
adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term
is defined in Exchange Act
Rule 13a-15(f).
Under the supervision and with the participation of our
management, including our principal executive officer and
principal financial officer, we conducted an evaluation of the
effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting
based on the framework in Internal Control
Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring
Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on our
evaluation under the framework in Internal
Control Integrated Framework, our management
concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was
effective as of December 31, 2006.
Our managements assessment of the effectiveness of our
internal control over financial reporting as of
December 31, 2006 has been audited by
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered certified
public accounting firm, as stated in their report which is
included herein.
Material Changes in Internal Control
During the fourth quarter of 2006, we implemented changes
related to remediation of a material weakness in internal
control over financial reporting with respect to accounting for
the amortization of the debt discount created by the embedded
derivative and the beneficial conversion feature associated with
our 5% variable interest senior convertible notes due 2011
issued in the fourth quarter of 2004 and the first half of 2005
(as reported in our Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q for the
quarter ended September 30, 2006). We have revised the
amortization of our debt discount for our 5% variable interest
senior convertible notes due 2011 and have established a control
to test the amortization of debt discounts to ascertain that
such amortization results in a consistent yield on our
convertible debt over its term in accordance with the effective
interest method and generally accepted accounting principles. We
will perform such a review and test for any new convertible debt
or any changes to projected interest payments on our existing
convertible debt to ensure it results in a consistent yield.
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Item 9B. |
Other Information |
None.
PART III
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Item 10. |
Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate
Governance |
This information is contained in our definitive Proxy Statement
for our 2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, to be filed with
the SEC not later than 120 days after the end of our fiscal
year covered by this report pursuant to Regulation 14A
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and incorporated
herein by reference.
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Item 11. |
Executive Compensation |
This information is contained in the Proxy Statement and
incorporated herein by reference.
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Item 12. |
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and
Management and Related Stockholder Matters |
This information is contained in the Proxy Statement and
incorporated herein by reference.
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Item 13. |
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and
Director Independence |
This information is contained in the Proxy Statement and
incorporated herein by reference.
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Item 14. |
Principal Accountant Fees and Services |
This information is contained in the Proxy Statement and
incorporated herein by reference.
PART IV
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Item 15. |
Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules |
(a)(1) INDEX TO 2006 CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS:
Our consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto,
together with the report thereon of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
dated March 16, 2007, appear beginning on page F-1 of this
report.
(a)(2) FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES:
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Schedule II Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
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Page F-75 |
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Financial statement schedules not included in this report have
been omitted because they are not applicable or the required
information is shown in the consolidated financial statements or
the notes thereto.
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Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC |
The consolidated financial statements of Douglas Elliman Realty,
LLC as of December 31, 2006 and 2005 and for the three
years ended December 31, 2006 will be filed by amendment
hereto on
Form 10-K/ A. Such
financial statements will be filed with the SEC no later than
90 days after the end of our fiscal year covered by this
report in accordance with
Rule 3-09 of
Regulation S-X.
The consolidated financial statements of Koa Investors LLC as of
December 31, 2006 and 2005 and for the three years ended
December 31, 2006 will be filed by amendment hereto on
form 10-K/ A. Such
financial statements will be filed with the SEC no later than
90 days after the end of our fiscal year covered by this
report in accordance with
Rule 3-09 of
Regulation S-X.
72
(a)(3) EXHIBITS
(a) The following is a list of exhibits filed herewith as
part of this Annual Report on
Form 10-K:
INDEX OF EXHIBITS
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Exhibit |
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No. |
|
Description |
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* 3 |
.1 |
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Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Vector
Group Ltd. (formerly known as Brooke Group Ltd.)
(Vector) (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 3.1 in Vectors Form 10-Q for the quarter
ended September 30, 1999) |
|
* 3 |
.2 |
|
Certificate of Amendment to the Amended and Restated Certificate
of Incorporation of Vector (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 3.1 in Vectors Form 8-K dated
May 24, 2000) |
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* 3 |
.3 |
|
By-Laws of Vector (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1
in Vectors Form 8-K dated January 1, 2006) |
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* 4 |
.1 |
|
Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of
April 14, 2004, by and between Congress Financial
Corporation, as lender, Liggett Group Inc., as borrower, 100
Maple LLC and Epic Holdings Inc. (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.1 in Vectors Form 8-K dated
April 14, 2004) |
|
* 4 |
.2 |
|
Amendment to Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement,
dated December 13, 2005, by and between Wachovia Bank,
N.A., as lender, Liggett Group Inc., as borrower, 100 Maple LLC
and Epic Holdings Inc. (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4.1 in Vectors Form 8-K dated
December 13, 2005) |
|
* 4 |
.3 |
|
Form of
61/2%
Promissory Note of VGR Acquisition Inc. due 2007 (incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 10.3 in Vectors Form 8-K
dated February 15, 2002) |
|
* 4 |
.4 |
|
Indenture, dated as of November 18, 2004, between Vector
and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as Trustee, relating to the 5%
Variable Interest Senior Convertible Notes due 2011, including
the form of Note (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1
in Vectors Form 8-K dated November 18, 2004) |
|
* 4 |
.5 |
|
Indenture, dated as of April 13, 2005, by and between
Vector and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., relating to the 5% Variable
Interest Senior Convertible Notes due 2011 including the form of
Note (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 in
Vectors Form 8-K dated April 14, 2005) |
|
* 4 |
.6 |
|
Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of April 13, 2005,
by and between Vector and Jefferies & Company, Inc.
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 in Vectors
Form 8-K dated April 14, 2005) |
|
* 4 |
.7 |
|
Indenture, dated as of July 12, 2006, by and between Vector
and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., relating to the
37/8%
Variable Interest Senior Convertible Debentures due 2026 (the
37/8%
Debentures), including the form of the
37/8%
Debenture (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 in
Vectors Form 8-K dated July 11, 2006) |
|
* 4 |
.8 |
|
Registration Right Agreement, dated as of July 12, 2006, by
and between Vector and Jefferies & Company, Inc.
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 in Vectors
Form 8-K dated July 11, 2006) |
|
* 10 |
.1 |
|
Corporate Services Agreement, dated as of June 29, 1990,
between Vector and Liggett (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.10 in Liggetts Registration Statement on
Form S-1, No. 33-47482) |
|
* 10 |
.2 |
|
Services Agreement, dated as of February 26, 1991, between
Brooke Management Inc. (BMI) and Liggett (the
Liggett Services Agreement) (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.5 in VGR Holdings
Registration Statement on Form S-1, No. 33-93576) |
|
* 10 |
.3 |
|
First Amendment to Liggett Services Agreement, dated as of
November 30, 1993, between Liggett and BMI (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.6 in VGR Holdings
Registration Statement on Form S-1, No. 33-93576) |
|
* 10 |
.4 |
|
Second Amendment to Liggett Services Agreement, dated as of
October 1, 1995, between BMI, Vector and Liggett
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(c) in
Vectors Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
September 30, 1995) |
|
* 10 |
.5 |
|
Third Amendment to Liggett Services Agreement, dated as of
March 31, 2001, by and between Vector and Liggett
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 in Vectors
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003) |
73
|
|
|
|
|
Exhibit |
|
|
No. |
|
Description |
|
|
|
|
* 10 |
.6 |
|
Corporate Services Agreement, dated January 1, 1992,
between VGR Holding and Liggett (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.13 in Liggetts Registration Statement on
Form S-1, No. 33-47482) |
|
* 10 |
.7 |
|
Settlement Agreement, dated March 15, 1996, by and among
the State of West Virginia, State of Florida, State of
Mississippi, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and State of
Louisiana, Brooke Group Holding and Liggett (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 15 in the Schedule 13D filed by
Vector on March 11, 1996, as amended, with respect to the
common stock of RJR Nabisco Holdings Corp.) |
|
* 10 |
.8 |
|
Addendum to Initial States Settlement Agreement (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.43 in Vectors Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended March 31, 1997) |
|
* 10 |
.9 |
|
Settlement Agreement, dated March 12, 1998, by and among
the States listed in Appendix A thereto, Brooke Group
Holding and Liggett (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.35 in Vectors Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 1997) |
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* 10 |
.10 |
|
Master Settlement Agreement made by the Settling States and
Participating Manufacturers signatories thereto (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.1 in Philip Morris Companies
Inc.s Form 8-K dated November 25, 1998,
Commission File No. 1-8940) |
|
* 10 |
.11 |
|
General Liggett Replacement Agreement, dated as of
November 23, 1998, entered into by each of the Settling
States under the Master Settlement Agreement, and Brooke Group
Holding and Liggett (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.34 in Vectors Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 1998) |
|
* 10 |
.12 |
|
Stipulation and Agreed Order regarding Stay of Execution Pending
Review and Related Matters, dated May 7, 2001, entered into
by Philip Morris Incorporated, Lorillard Tobacco Co., Liggett
Group Inc. and Brooke Group Holding Inc. and the class counsel
in Engel, et. al., v. R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., et. al.
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 in Philip Morris
Companies Inc.s Form 8-K dated May 7, 2001) |
|
* 10 |
.13 |
|
Letter Agreement, dated November 20, 1998, by and among
Philip Morris Incorporated (PM), Brooke Group
Holding, Liggett & Myers Inc. (L&M) and
Liggett (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 in
Vectors Report on Form 8-K dated November 25,
1998) |
|
* 10 |
.14 |
|
Amended and Restated Formation and Limited Liability Company
Agreement of Trademarks LLC, dated as of May 24, 1999,
among Brooke Group Holding, L&M, Eve Holdings Inc.
(Eve), Liggett and PM, including the form of
Trademark License Agreement (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.4 in Vectors Form 10-Q for the
quarter ended June 30, 1999) |
|
* 10 |
.15 |
|
Class A Option Agreement, dated as of January 12,
1999, among Brooke Group Holding, L&M, Eve, Liggett and PM
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.61 in
Vectors Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1998) |
|
* 10 |
.16 |
|
Class B Option Agreement, dated as of January 12,
1999, among Brooke Group Holding, L&M, Eve, Liggett and PM
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.62 in
Vectors Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1998) |
|
* 10 |
.17 |
|
Pledge Agreement dated as of May 24, 1999 from Eve, as
grantor, in favor of Citibank, N.A., as agent (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.5 in Vectors Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended June 30, 1999) |
|
* 10 |
.18 |
|
Guaranty dated as of June 10, 1999 from Eve, as guarantor,
in favor of Citibank, N.A., as agent (incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 10.6 in Vectors Form 10-Q for the
quarter ended June 30, 1999) |
|
* 10 |
.19 |
|
Vector Group Ltd. 1998 Long-Term Incentive Plan (incorporated by
reference to the Appendix to Vectors Proxy Statement dated
September 15, 1998) |
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* 10 |
.20 |
|
Stock Option Agreement, dated July 20, 1998, between Vector
and Bennett S. LeBow (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 6 in the Amendment No. 5 to the
Schedule 13D filed by Bennett S. LeBow on October 16,
1998 with respect to the common stock of Vector) |
|
* 10 |
.21 |
|
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement (LeBow
Employment Agreement), dated as of September 27, 2005,
between Vector and Bennett S. LeBow (incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 10.1 in Vectors Form 8-K dated
September 27, 2005) |
74
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|
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Exhibit |
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No. |
|
Description |
|
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|
* 10 |
.22 |
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Amendment dated January 27, 2006 to LeBow Employment
Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 in
Vectors Form 8-K dated January 27, 2006) |
|
* 10 |
.23 |
|
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement dated as of
January 27, 2006, between Vector and Howard M. Lorber
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 in Vectors
Form 8-K dated January 27, 2006) |
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* 10 |
.24 |
|
Employment Agreement, dated as of January 27, 2006, between
Vector and Richard J. Lampen (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.3 in Vectors Form 8-K dated
January 27, 2006) |
|
* 10 |
.25 |
|
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated as of
January 27, 2006, between Vector and Marc N. Bell
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 in Vectors
Form 8-K dated January 27, 2006) |
|
* 10 |
.26 |
|
Executive Retirement Agreement and Release, dated as of
February 3, 2006, between Vector and Joselynn D. Van Siclen
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 in Vectors
Form 8-K dated February 3, 2006) |
|
* 10 |
.27 |
|
Employment Agreement, dated as of November 11, 2005,
between Liggett Group Inc. and Ronald J. Bernstein (incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 10.1 in Vectors Form 8-K
dated November 11, 2005) |
|
* 10 |
.28 |
|
Employment Agreement, dated as of January 27, 2006, between
Vector and J. Bryant Kirkland III (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.5 in Vectors Form 8-K dated
January 27, 2006) |
|
* 10 |
.29 |
|
Vector Group Ltd. Amended and Restated 1999 Long-Term Incentive
Plan (incorporated by reference to Appendix A in
Vectors Proxy Statement dated April 21, 2004) |
|
* 10 |
.30 |
|
Stock Option Agreement, dated November 4, 1999, between
Vector and Bennett S. LeBow (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.59 in Vectors Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 1999) |
|
* 10 |
.31 |
|
Stock Option Agreement, dated November 4, 1999, between
Vector and Richard J. Lampen (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.60 in Vectors Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 1999) |
|
* 10 |
.32 |
|
Stock Option Agreement, dated November 4, 1999, between
Vector and Marc N. Bell (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.61 in Vectors Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 1999) |
|
* 10 |
.33 |
|
Stock Option Agreement, dated November 4, 1999, between
Vector and Howard M. Lorber (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.63 in Vectors Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 1999) |
|
10 |
.34 |
|
Stock Option Agreement, dated November 4, 1999, between
Vector and J. Bryant Kirkland III |
|
* 10 |
.35 |
|
Stock Option Agreement, dated January 22, 2001, between
Vector and Bennett S. LeBow (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.1 in Vectors Form 10-Q for the
quarter ended March 31, 2001) |
|
* 10 |
.36 |
|
Stock Option Agreement, dated January 22, 2001, between
Vector and Howard M. Lorber (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.2 in Vectors Form 10-Q for the
quarter ended March 31, 2001) |
|
* 10 |
.37 |
|
Restricted Share Award Agreement, dated as of September 27,
2005, between Vector and Howard M. Lorber (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.2 in Vectors Form 8-K
dated September 27, 2005) |
|
* 10 |
.38 |
|
Restricted Share Award Agreement, dated as of November 11,
2005, between Vector and Ronald J. Bernstein (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.2 in Vectors Form 8-K
dated November 11, 2005) |
|
* 10 |
.39 |
|
Option Letter Agreement, dated as of November 11, 2005
between Vector and Ronald J. Bernstein (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.3 in Vectors Form 8-K
dated November 11, 2005) |
|
* 10 |
.40 |
|
Restricted Share Award Agreement, dated as of November 16,
2005, between Vector and Howard M. Lorber (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.1 in Vectors Form 8-K
dated November 16, 2005) |
|
* 10 |
.41 |
|
Vector Senior Executive Annual Bonus Plan (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.7 in Vectors Form 8-K
dated January 27, 2006) |
75
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|
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Exhibit |
|
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No. |
|
Description |
|
|
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|
* 10 |
.42 |
|
Vector Supplemental Retirement Plan (as amended and restated
January 27, 2006) (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.6 in Vectors Form 8-K dated
January 27, 2006) |
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* 10 |
.43 |
|
Letter Agreement, dated November 22, 2004, between Vector
and Mr. LeBow (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 14
to Amendment No. 11, dated November 23, 2004, to the
Schedule 13D filed by Bennett S. LeBow with respect to the
Companys common stock) |
|
* 10 |
.44 |
|
Purchase Agreement, dated as of March 30, 2005, among
Vector and Jefferies & Company, Inc. (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 1.1 in Vectors Form 8-K
dated March 30, 2005) |
|
* 10 |
.45 |
|
Letter Agreement, dated April 13, 2005, between Vector and
Howard M. Lorber (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3
in Vectors Form 8-K dated April 14, 2005) |
|
* 10 |
.46 |
|
Agreement, dated as of June 7, 2006, between the Company
and Frost Gamma Investments Trust, an entity affiliated with
Dr. Phillip Frost, relating to the conversion of 6.25%
convertible subordinated notes due 2008 (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.1 in Vectors Form 8-K
dated June 7, 2006) |
|
* 10 |
.47 |
|
Agreement, dated as of June 7, 2006, between the Company
and Barberry Corp., an entity affiliated with Carl C. Icahn,
relating to the conversion of 6.25% convertible subordinated
notes due 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2
in Vectors Form 8-K dated June 7, 2006) |
|
* 10 |
.48 |
|
Purchase Agreement, dated as of June 27, 2006, among Vector
and Jefferies (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.1 in
Vectors Form 8-K dated June 27, 2006) |
|
* 10 |
.49 |
|
Letter Agreement, dated July 14, 2006, between Vector and
Howard M. Lorber (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1
in Vectors Form 8-K dated July 11, 2006) |
|
* 10 |
.50 |
|
Notice of Redemption of 6
1/4%
Convertible Subordinated Notes due 2008, dated July 14,
2006 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 in
Vectors Form 8-K dated July 11, 2006) |
|
* 10 |
.51 |
|
Closing Agreement on Final Determination Covering Specific
Matters between Vector and the Commissioner of Internal Revenue
of the United States of America dated July 20, 2006
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 in Vectors
Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2006) |
|
* 10 |
.52 |
|
Operating Agreement of Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC (formerly
known as Montauk Battery Realty LLC) dated December 17,
2002 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 in New
Valleys Form 8-K dated December 13, 2002) |
|
* 10 |
.53 |
|
First Amendment to Operating Agreement of Douglas Elliman
Realty, LLC (formerly known as Montauk Battery Realty LLC),
dated as of March 14, 2003 (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.1 in New Valleys Form 10-Q for the
quarter ended March 31, 2003) |
|
* 10 |
.54 |
|
Second Amendment to Operating Agreement of Douglas Elliman
Realty, LLC, dated as of May 19, 2003 (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.1 in New Valleys
Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2003) |
|
* 10 |
.55 |
|
Note and Equity Purchase Agreement, dated as of March 14,
2003 (the Note and Equity Purchase Agreement), by
and between Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC (formerly known as
Montauk Battery Realty LLC), New Valley Real Estate Corporation
and The Prudential Real Estate Financial Services of America,
Inc., including form of 12% Subordinated Note due March 14,
2013 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 in New
Valleys Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
March 31, 2003) |
|
* 10 |
.56 |
|
Amendment to the Note and Equity Purchase Agreement, dated as of
April 14, 2003 (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.3 in New Valleys Form 10-Q for the
quarter ended March 31, 2003) |
|
21 |
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Subsidiaries of Vector |
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23 |
|
|
Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP relating to Vectors
Registration Statements on Form S-8 (No. 333-59210,
No. 333-71596, No. 333-118113 and 333-130406) and
Registration Statements on Form S-3 (No. 333-46055,
No. 33-38869, No. 333-45377, No. 333-56873,
No. 333-62156, No. 333-69294, No. 333-82212,
No. 333-121502, No. 333-121504, No. 333-125077,
No. 333-131393, No. 333-135816, No. 333-135962
and No. 333-137093) |
|
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 |
76
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Exhibit |
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No. |
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Description |
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31 |
.2 |
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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 |
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* |
Incorporated by reference |
Each management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement
required to be filed as an exhibit to this report pursuant to
Item 14(c) is listed in exhibit nos. 10.19 through 10.42.
77
SIGNATURES
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.
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VECTOR GROUP LTD. |
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(Registrant) |
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By: |
/s/ J. Bryant Kirkland III
|
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J. Bryant Kirkland III |
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Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and |
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Treasurer |
Date: March 16, 2007
78
POWER OF ATTORNEY
The undersigned directors and officers of Vector Group Ltd.
hereby constitute and appoint Richard J. Lampen, J. Bryant
Kirkland III and Marc N. Bell, and each of them, with full power
to act without the other and with full power of substitution and
resubstitutions, our true and lawful attorneys-in-fact with full
power to execute in our name and behalf in the capacities
indicated below, this Annual Report on
Form 10-K and any
and all amendments thereto and to file the same, with all
exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith,
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and hereby ratify
and confirm all that such attorneys-in-fact, or any of them, or
their substitutes shall lawfully do or cause to be done by
virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, this Report has been signed below by the following persons
on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities indicated on
March 16, 2007.
|
|
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|
|
Signature |
|
Title |
|
|
|
|
/s/ Howard M. Lorber
Howard
M. Lorber |
|
President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive
Officer) |
|
/s/ J. Bryant Kirkland
III
J.
Bryant Kirkland III |
|
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial
Officer and Principal Accounting Officer) |
|
/s/ Henry C. Beinstein
Henry
C. Beinstein |
|
Director |
|
/s/ Ronald J. Bernstein
Ronald
J. Bernstein |
|
Director |
|
/s/ Robert J. Eide
Robert
J. Eide |
|
Director |
|
/s/ Bennett S. LeBow
Bennett
S. LeBow |
|
Director |
|
/s/ Jeffrey S. Podell
Jeffrey
S. Podell |
|
Director |
|
/s/ Jean E. Sharpe
Jean
E. Sharpe |
|
Director |
79
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
FORM 10-K FOR
THE Year Ended December 31, 2006
ITEMS 8, 15(a)(1) AND (2)
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
Financial Statements and Schedules of the Registrant and its
subsidiaries required to be included in Items 8, 15(a)
(1) and (2) are listed below:
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Page | |
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FINANCIAL STATEMENTS:
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Vector Group Ltd. Consolidated Financial Statements
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F-2 |
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F-3 |
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F-4 |
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F-5 |
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F-6 |
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F-8 |
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FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE:
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F-75 |
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Financial Statement Schedules not listed above have been omitted
because they are not applicable or the required information is
contained in our consolidated financial statements or
accompanying notes.
F-1
Report of Independent Registered Certified Public Accounting
Firm
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders
of Vector Group Ltd.:
We have completed integrated audits of Vector Group Ltd.s
consolidated financial statements and of its internal control
over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006, in
accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting
Oversight Board (United States). Our opinions, based on our
audits, are presented below.
Consolidated financial statements and financial statement
schedule
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements listed in
the accompanying index present fairly, in all material respects,
the financial position of Vector Group Ltd. and its subsidiaries
at December 31, 2006 and 2005, and the results of their
operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in
the period ended December 31, 2006 in conformity with
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of
America. In addition, in our opinion, the financial statement
schedule listed in the accompanying index presents fairly, in
all material respects, the information set forth therein when
read in conjunction with the related consolidated financial
statements. These financial statements and financial statement
schedule are the responsibility of the Companys
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these
financial statements and financial statement schedule based on
our audits. We conducted our audits of these statements in
accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting
Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we
plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about
whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit of financial statements includes
examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and
disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the
accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, and evaluating the overall financial statement
presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable
basis for our opinion.
As discussed in Note 1 (m) and Note 1 (n) to
the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed the
manner in which it accounts for defined benefit and other post
retirement plans effective December 31, 2006 and the manner
in which it accounts for share-based compensation in 2006. In
addition, in 2006, the Company changed the manner in which it
accounts for the income tax effect of issuing convertible debt
with a beneficial conversion feature as discussed in Note 1
(u) to the consolidated financial statements.
Internal control over financial reporting
Also, in our opinion, managements assessment, included in
Managements Report on Internal Control Over
Financial Reporting, appearing under Item 9A, that
the Company maintained effective internal control over financial
reporting as of December 31, 2006 based on criteria
established in Internal Control Integrated
Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring
Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), is
fairly stated, in all material respects, based on those
criteria. Furthermore, in our opinion, the Company maintained,
in all material respects, effective internal control over
financial reporting as of December 31, 2006, based on
criteria established in Internal Control
Integrated Framework issued by the COSO. The Companys
management is responsible for maintaining effective internal
control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the
effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. Our
responsibility is to express opinions on managements
assessment and on the effectiveness of the Companys
internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We
conducted our audit of internal control over financial reporting
in accordance with the standards of the Public Company
Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards
require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable
assurance about whether effective internal control over
financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. An
audit of internal control over financial reporting includes
obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial
reporting, evaluating managements assessment, testing and
evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal
control, and performing such other procedures as we consider
necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit
provides a reasonable basis for our opinions.
A companys internal control over financial reporting is a
process designed 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. A companys
internal control over financial reporting includes those
policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance
of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly
reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the
company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that
transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of
financial statements in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the
company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of
management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide
reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of
unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the
companys assets that could have a material effect on the
financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over
financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements.
Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future
periods are subject to the risk that controls may become
inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree
of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Miami, Florida
March 16, 2007
F-2
VECTOR GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, | |
|
December 31, | |
|
|
2006 | |
|
2005 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Revised(1) | |
ASSETS:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
$ |
146,769 |
|
|
$ |
181,059 |
|
|
Investment securities available for sale
|
|
|
18,960 |
|
|
|
18,507 |
|
|
Accounts receivable trade
|
|
|
15,480 |
|
|
|
12,714 |
|
|
Inventories
|
|
|
91,299 |
|
|
|
70,395 |
|
|
Deferred income taxes
|
|
|
27,580 |
|
|
|
26,179 |
|
|
Other current assets
|
|
|
3,068 |
|
|
|
10,245 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total current assets
|
|
|
303,156 |
|
|
|
319,099 |
|
Property, plant and equipment, net
|
|
|
59,921 |
|
|
|
62,523 |
|
Long-term investments accounted for at cost
|
|
|
32,971 |
|
|
|
7,828 |
|
Long-term investments accounted for on the equity method
|
|
|
10,230 |
|
|
|
|
|
Investments in non-consolidated real estate businesses
|
|
|
28,416 |
|
|
|
17,391 |
|
Restricted assets
|
|
|
8,274 |
|
|
|
6,743 |
|
Deferred income taxes
|
|
|
43,973 |
|
|
|
69,988 |
|
Intangible asset
|
|
|
107,511 |
|
|
|
107,511 |
|
Prepaid pension costs
|
|
|
20,933 |
|
|
|
|
|
Other assets
|
|
|
22,077 |
|
|
|
12,469 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets
|
|
$ |
637,462 |
|
|
$ |
603,552 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current portion of notes payable and long-term debt
|
|
$ |
52,686 |
|
|
$ |
9,313 |
|
|
Accounts payable
|
|
|
7,203 |
|
|
|
15,394 |
|
|
Accrued promotional expenses
|
|
|
12,527 |
|
|
|
18,317 |
|
|
Accrued taxes payable, net
|
|
|
22,904 |
|
|
|
32,392 |
|
|
Settlement accruals
|
|
|
47,408 |
|
|
|
22,505 |
|
|
Deferred income taxes
|
|
|
5,020 |
|
|
|
3,891 |
|
|
Accrued interest
|
|
|
2,586 |
|
|
|
5,770 |
|
|
Other accrued liabilities
|
|
|
18,452 |
|
|
|
20,518 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total current liabilities
|
|
|
168,786 |
|
|
|
128,100 |
|
Notes payable, long-term debt and other obligations, less
current portion
|
|
|
103,304 |
|
|
|
238,242 |
|
Fair value of derivatives embedded within convertible debt
|
|
|
95,473 |
|
|
|
39,371 |
|
Non-current employee benefits
|
|
|
36,050 |
|
|
|
17,235 |
|
Deferred income taxes
|
|
|
130,533 |
|
|
|
145,892 |
|
Other liabilities
|
|
|
8,339 |
|
|
|
5,646 |
|
Commitments and contingencies
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities
|
|
|
542,485 |
|
|
|
574,486 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stockholders equity:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Preferred stock, par value $1.00 per share, authorized
10,000,000 shares
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common stock, par value $0.10 per share, authorized
100,000,000 shares, issued 59,843,379 and
53,417,525 shares and outstanding 57,031,269 and
49,849,735 shares
|
|
|
5,703 |
|
|
|
4,985 |
|
|
Additional paid-in capital
|
|
|
132,807 |
|
|
|
133,325 |
|
|
Unearned compensation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(11,681 |
) |
|
Deficit
|
|
|
(28,192 |
) |
|
|
(70,633 |
) |
|
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
|
|
|
(2,587 |
) |
|
|
(10,610 |
) |
|
Less: 2,812,110 and 3,567,790 shares of common stock in
treasury, at cost
|
|
|
(12,754 |
) |
|
|
(16,320 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total stockholders equity
|
|
|
94,977 |
|
|
|
29,066 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities and stockholders equity
|
|
$ |
637,462 |
|
|
$ |
603,552 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated
financial statements.
F-3
VECTOR GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2006 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Revised(1) | |
|
Revised(1) | |
Revenues*
|
|
$ |
506,252 |
|
|
$ |
478,427 |
|
|
$ |
498,860 |
|
Expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of goods sold (including inventory impairment of $890 in
2006 and $37,000 in 2004)*
|
|
|
315,163 |
|
|
|
285,393 |
|
|
|
325,663 |
|
|
Operating, selling, administrative and general expenses
|
|
|
90,833 |
|
|
|
114,048 |
|
|
|
144,051 |
|
|
Gain on sale of assets
|
|
|
(2,210 |
) |
|
|
(12,748 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
Provision for loss on uncollectible receivable
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,750 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Restructuring and impairment charges
|
|
|
1,437 |
|
|
|
(127 |
) |
|
|
13,699 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income
|
|
|
101,029 |
|
|
|
89,111 |
|
|
|
15,447 |
|
Other income (expenses):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest and dividend income
|
|
|
9,000 |
|
|
|
5,610 |
|
|
|
2,563 |
|
|
Interest expense
|
|
|
(37,776 |
) |
|
|
(29,812 |
) |
|
|
(24,144 |
) |
|
Changes in fair value of derivatives embedded within convertible
debt
|
|
|
112 |
|
|
|
3,082 |
|
|
|
(412 |
) |
|
Loss on extinguishment of debt
|
|
|
(16,166 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(5,333 |
) |
|
Gain on investments, net
|
|
|
3,019 |
|
|
|
1,426 |
|
|
|
8,664 |
|
|
Gain from conversion of LTS notes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,461 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity in loss on operations of LTS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(299 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
Equity income from non-consolidated real estate businesses
|
|
|
9,086 |
|
|
|
7,543 |
|
|
|
9,782 |
|
|
Other, net
|
|
|
176 |
|
|
|
(354 |
) |
|
|
60 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from continuing operations before provision for income
taxes and minority interests
|
|
|
68,480 |
|
|
|
85,768 |
|
|
|
6,627 |
|
|
Income tax (expense) benefit
|
|
|
(25,768 |
) |
|
|
(41,214 |
) |
|
|
6,862 |
|
|
Minority interests
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,969 |
) |
|
|
(9,027 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from continuing operations
|
|
|
42,712 |
|
|
|
42,585 |
|
|
|
4,462 |
|
Discontinued operations:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from discontinued operations, net of minority
interests
and taxes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
82 |
|
|
|
458 |
|
|
Gain on disposal of discontinued operations, net of minority
interest and taxes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,952 |
|
|
|
2,231 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from discontinued operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,034 |
|
|
|
2,689 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before extraordinary item
|
|
|
42,712 |
|
|
|
45,619 |
|
|
|
7,151 |
|
Extraordinary item, unallocated negative goodwill
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,766 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
$ |
42,712 |
|
|
$ |
52,385 |
|
|
$ |
7,151 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Per basic common share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from continuing operations
|
|
$ |
0.73 |
|
|
$ |
0.91 |
|
|
$ |
0.10 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from discontinued operations
|
|
$ |
0.00 |
|
|
$ |
0.07 |
|
|
$ |
0.06 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from extraordinary item
|
|
$ |
0.00 |
|
|
$ |
0.15 |
|
|
$ |
0.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income applicable to common shares
|
|
$ |
0.73 |
|
|
$ |
1.13 |
|
|
$ |
0.16 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Per diluted common share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from continuing operations
|
|
$ |
0.71 |
|
|
$ |
0.86 |
|
|
$ |
0.09 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from discontinued operations
|
|
$ |
0.00 |
|
|
$ |
0.06 |
|
|
$ |
0.06 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from extraordinary item
|
|
$ |
0.00 |
|
|
$ |
0.14 |
|
|
$ |
0.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income applicable to common shares
|
|
$ |
0.71 |
|
|
$ |
1.06 |
|
|
$ |
0.15 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash distributions declared per share
|
|
$ |
1.54 |
|
|
$ |
1.47 |
|
|
$ |
1.40 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
Revenues and Cost of goods sold include excise taxes of
$174,339, $161,753 and $175,674 for the years ended
December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively. |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated
financial statements.
F-4
VECTOR GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY
(DEFICIT)
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Revised(1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other | |
|
|
|
|
Common Stock | |
|
Additional | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Comprehensive | |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Paid-In | |
|
Unearned | |
|
|
|
Treasury | |
|
Income | |
|
|
|
|
Shares | |
|
Amount | |
|
Capital | |
|
Compensation | |
|
Deficit | |
|
Stock | |
|
(Loss) | |
|
Total | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Balance, January 1, 2004
|
|
|
39,021,189 |
|
|
$ |
3,902 |
|
|
$ |
100,829 |
|
|
$ |
(428 |
) |
|
$ |
(129,760 |
) |
|
$ |
(11,683 |
) |
|
$ |
(9,335 |
) |
|
$ |
(46,475 |
) |
Net income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,151 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,151 |
|
|
Pension related minimum liability adjustments, net of taxes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
885 |
|
|
|
885 |
|
|
Unrealized loss on investment securities, net of taxes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,959 |
) |
|
|
(1,959 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total other comprehensive loss
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,074 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total comprehensive income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,077 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Distributions on common stock
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(64,106 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(64,106 |
) |
Effect of stock dividend
|
|
|
1,987,129 |
|
|
|
199 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(199 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Restricted stock grants
|
|
|
40,000 |
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
596 |
|
|
|
(600 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercise of warrants and options, net of 332,022 shares
delivered to pay exercise price
|
|
|
724,954 |
|
|
|
72 |
|
|
|
7,589 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(4,469 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,192 |
|
Tax benefit of options exercised
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,990 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,990 |
|
Amortization of deferred compensation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
372 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
372 |
|
Note conversion
|
|
|
319 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8 |
|
Effect of New Valley share repurchase
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(63 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(63 |
) |
Beneficial conversion feature of notes payable
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,788 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,788 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance, December 31, 2004
|
|
|
41,773,591 |
|
|
|
4,177 |
|
|
|
56,631 |
|
|
|
(656 |
) |
|
|
(122,808 |
) |
|
|
(16,152 |
) |
|
|
(10,409 |
) |
|
|
(89,217 |
) |
Net income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
52,385 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
52,385 |
|
|
Pension related minimum liability adjustments, net of taxes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
322 |
|
|
|
322 |
|
|
Forward contract adjustments, net of taxes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(599 |
) |
|
|
(599 |
) |
|
Unrealized loss on investment securities, net of taxes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(494 |
) |
|
|
(494 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total other comprehensive loss
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(771 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total comprehensive income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
51,614 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Distributions on common stock
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(73,238 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(73,238 |
) |
Effect of stock dividend
|
|
|
2,099,451 |
|
|
|
210 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(210 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Restricted stock grants
|
|
|
628,570 |
|
|
|
63 |
|
|
|
12,295 |
|
|
|
(12,295 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
63 |
|
Exercise of options, net of 8,100 shares delivered to pay
exercise price
|
|
|
303,764 |
|
|
|
30 |
|
|
|
3,764 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(168 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,626 |
|
Tax benefit of options exercised
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
578 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
578 |
|
Amortization of deferred compensation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,270 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,270 |
|
Effect of New Valley restricted stock transactions, net
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(379 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(379 |
) |
Beneficial conversion feature of convertible debt, net of taxes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,418 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,418 |
|
Acquisition of New Valley minority interest
|
|
|
5,044,359 |
|
|
|
505 |
|
|
|
127,256 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
570 |
|
|
|
128,331 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance, December 31, 2005
|
|
|
49,849,735 |
|
|
|
4,985 |
|
|
|
133,325 |
|
|
|
(11,681 |
) |
|
|
(70,633 |
) |
|
|
(16,320 |
) |
|
|
(10,610 |
) |
|
|
29,066 |
|
Net income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
42,712 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
42,712 |
|
|
Pension related minimum liability adjustments, net of taxes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,461 |
|
|
|
9,461 |
|
|
Forward contract adjustments, net of taxes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
254 |
|
|
|
254 |
|
|
Unrealized loss on investment securities, net of taxes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,945 |
|
|
|
4,945 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total other comprehensive income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
14,660 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total comprehensive income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
57,372 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adoption of SFAS No. 158
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(6,637 |
) |
|
|
(6,637 |
) |
Reclassifications in accordance with SFAS No. 123(R)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(11,681 |
) |
|
|
11,681 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Distributions on common stock
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(92,359 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(92,359 |
) |
Effect of stock dividend
|
|
|
2,708,295 |
|
|
|
271 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(271 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercise of options, net of 41,566 shares delivered to pay
exercise price
|
|
|
273,239 |
|
|
|
27 |
|
|
|
3,241 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(697 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,571 |
|
Amortization of deferred compensation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,926 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,926 |
|
Note conversion
|
|
|
4,200,000 |
|
|
|
420 |
|
|
|
79,522 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,263 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
84,205 |
|
Beneficial conversion feature of convertible debt, net of taxes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
16,833 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
16,833 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance, December 31, 2006
|
|
|
57,031,269 |
|
|
$ |
5,703 |
|
|
$ |
132,807 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
(28,192 |
) |
|
$ |
(12,754 |
) |
|
$ |
(2,587 |
) |
|
$ |
94,977 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See Note 1(u)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated
financial statements.
F-5
VECTOR GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2006 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Revised(1) | |
|
Revised(1) | |
Cash flows from operating activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
$ |
42,712 |
|
|
$ |
52,385 |
|
|
$ |
7,151 |
|
|
Income from discontinued operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3,034 |
) |
|
|
(2,689 |
) |
|
Extraordinary item
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(6,766 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
42,712 |
|
|
|
42,585 |
|
|
|
4,462 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by
operating activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
9,888 |
|
|
|
11,220 |
|
|
|
11,823 |
|
|
|
Non-cash stock-based expense
|
|
|
3,926 |
|
|
|
3,133 |
|
|
|
578 |
|
|
|
Non-cash portion of restructuring and impairment charges
|
|
|
1,437 |
|
|
|
(127 |
) |
|
|
44,241 |
|
|
|
Loss on extinguishment of debt
|
|
|
16,166 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,333 |
|
|
|
Minority interests
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,969 |
|
|
|
9,027 |
|
|
|
Gain on sale of investment securities available for sale
|
|
|
(3,019 |
) |
|
|
(1,426 |
) |
|
|
(8,518 |
) |
|
|
Gain on long-term investments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(146 |
) |
|
|
(Gain) loss on sale of assets
|
|
|
(2,210 |
) |
|
|
(12,432 |
) |
|
|
14 |
|
|
|
Provision for loss on uncollectible receivable
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,750 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred income taxes
|
|
|
(10,379 |
) |
|
|
20,904 |
|
|
|
(14,132 |
) |
|
|
Gain from conversion of LTS notes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(9,461 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity loss on operations of LTS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
299 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Provision for loss on marketable securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
433 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity income in non-consolidated real estate businesses
|
|
|
(9,086 |
) |
|
|
(7,543 |
) |
|
|
(9,782 |
) |
|
|
Distributions from non-consolidated real estate businesses
|
|
|
7,311 |
|
|
|
5,935 |
|
|
|
5,840 |
|
|
|
Non-cash interest expense
|
|
|
5,176 |
|
|
|
1,068 |
|
|
|
4,123 |
|
|
Changes in assets and liabilities (net of effect of acquisitions
and dispositions):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Receivables
|
|
|
(2,766 |
) |
|
|
(10,235 |
) |
|
|
7,961 |
|
|
|
Inventories
|
|
|
(20,904 |
) |
|
|
8,546 |
|
|
|
10,774 |
|
|
|
Change in book overdraft.
|
|
|
759 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
|
|
|
(2,881 |
) |
|
|
6,172 |
|
|
|
(21,040 |
) |
|
|
Cash payments on restructuring liabilities
|
|
|
(1,284 |
) |
|
|
(4,842 |
) |
|
|
(6,458 |
) |
|
|
Other assets and liabilities, net
|
|
|
11,169 |
|
|
|
8,509 |
|
|
|
(1,221 |
) |
|
|
Cash flows from discontinued operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
732 |
|
|
|
1,743 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by operating activities
|
|
|
46,015 |
|
|
|
68,189 |
|
|
|
44,622 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flows from investing activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from sale of businesses and assets
|
|
|
1,486 |
|
|
|
14,118 |
|
|
|
25,713 |
|
|
Proceeds from sale or maturity of investment securities
|
|
|
30,407 |
|
|
|
7,490 |
|
|
|
68,357 |
|
|
Purchase of investment securities
|
|
|
(19,706 |
) |
|
|
(4,713 |
) |
|
|
(12,197 |
) |
|
Proceeds from sale or liquidation of long-term investments
|
|
|
326 |
|
|
|
48 |
|
|
|
576 |
|
|
Purchase of long-term investments
|
|
|
(35,345 |
) |
|
|
(227 |
) |
|
|
(409 |
) |
|
Purchase of LTS stock
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3,250 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
(Increase) decrease in restricted assets
|
|
|
(1,527 |
) |
|
|
16 |
|
|
|
1,157 |
|
|
Investments in non-consolidated real estate businesses
|
|
|
(9,850 |
) |
|
|
(6,250 |
) |
|
|
(4,500 |
) |
|
Distributions from non-consolidated real estate businesses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Issuance of note receivable
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2,750 |
) |
|
|
(1,750 |
) |
|
Costs associated with New Valley acquisition
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2,422 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
Capital expenditures
|
|
|
(9,558 |
) |
|
|
(10,295 |
) |
|
|
(4,294 |
) |
|
Increase in cash surrender value of life insurance policies
|
|
|
(898 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flows from discontinued operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
66,912 |
|
|
|
40 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities
|
|
|
(44,665 |
) |
|
|
64,177 |
|
|
|
72,693 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated
financial statements.
F-6
VECTOR GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Continued)
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2006 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Revised(1) | |
|
Revised(1) | |
Cash flows from financing activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from debt
|
|
|
118,146 |
|
|
|
50,841 |
|
|
|
66,905 |
|
|
Repayments of debt
|
|
|
(72,925 |
) |
|
|
(4,305 |
) |
|
|
(84,425 |
) |
|
Deferred financing charges
|
|
|
(5,280 |
) |
|
|
(2,068 |
) |
|
|
(2,918 |
) |
|
Borrowings under revolver
|
|
|
514,739 |
|
|
|
457,111 |
|
|
|
531,467 |
|
|
Repayments on revolver
|
|
|
(502,753 |
) |
|
|
(457,127 |
) |
|
|
(531,450 |
) |
|
Distributions on common stock
|
|
|
(90,138 |
) |
|
|
(70,252 |
) |
|
|
(64,106 |
) |
|
Proceeds from exercise of Vector options and warrants
|
|
|
2,571 |
|
|
|
3,626 |
|
|
|
3,233 |
|
|
Proceeds from exercise of New Valley warrants
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
91 |
|
|
New Valley repurchase of common shares
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(202 |
) |
|
Other, net
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
76 |
|
|
|
(17 |
) |
|
Cash flows from discontinued operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(39,213 |
) |
|
|
(697 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash used in financing activities
|
|
|
(35,640 |
) |
|
|
(61,311 |
) |
|
|
(82,119 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
|
|
|
(34,290 |
) |
|
|
71,055 |
|
|
|
35,196 |
|
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year
|
|
|
181,059 |
|
|
|
110,004 |
|
|
|
74,808 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year
|
|
$ |
146,769 |
|
|
$ |
181,059 |
|
|
$ |
110,004 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated
financial statements.
F-7
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
|
|
1. |
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES |
|
|
|
(a) Basis of Presentation: |
The 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 Inc. (Liggett Vector
Brands), New Valley LLC (New Valley) and other
less significant subsidiaries. The Company owned all of the
limited liability company interests of New Valley at
December 31, 2006 and 2005 and owned 58.1% of the common
shares of its corporate predecessor, New Valley Corporation, at
December 31, 2004. (See Note 18.) All significant
intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.
Liggett is engaged in the manufacture and sale of cigarettes in
the United States. Vector Tobacco is engaged in the development
and marketing of low nicotine and nicotine-free cigarette
products and the development of reduced risk cigarette products.
New Valley is engaged in the real estate business and is seeking
to acquire additional operating companies and real estate
properties.
As discussed in Note 19, New Valleys real estate
leasing operations, sold in February 2005, are presented as
discontinued operations for the years ended December 31,
2005 and 2004.
|
|
|
(b) Estimates and Assumptions: |
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of
America requires management to make estimates and assumptions
that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities,
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities and the reported
amounts of revenues and expenses. Significant estimates subject
to material changes in the near term include restructuring and
impairment charges, inventory valuation, deferred tax assets,
allowance for doubtful accounts, promotional accruals, sales
returns and allowances, actuarial assumptions of pension plans,
embedded derivative liability, the tobacco quota buy-out,
settlement accruals and litigation and defense costs. Actual
results could differ from those estimates.
|
|
|
(c) Cash and Cash Equivalents: |
For purposes of the statements of cash flows, cash includes cash
on hand, cash on deposit in banks and cash equivalents,
comprised of short-term investments which have an original
maturity of 90 days or less. Interest on short-term
investments is recognized when earned. The Company places its
cash and cash equivalents with large commercial banks. The
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and Securities
Investor Protection Corporation (SPIC) insure these
balances, up to $100 and $500, respectively, and substantially
all of the Companys cash balances at December 31,
2006 are uninsured.
|
|
|
(d) Financial Instruments: |
The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, restricted
assets and short-term loans approximate their fair value.
The carrying amounts of short-term debt reported in the
consolidated balance sheets approximate fair value. The fair
value of long-term debt for the years ended December 31,
2006 and 2005 was estimated based on current market quotations,
where available.
As required by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
(SFAS) No. 133, derivatives embedded within the
Companys convertible debt are recognized on the
Companys balance sheet and are stated at estimated fair
value as determined by a third party at each reporting period.
Changes in the fair value of the
F-8
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share
Amounts) (Continued)
embedded derivatives are reflected quarterly as Change in
fair value of derivatives embedded within convertible debt.
The methods and assumptions used by the Companys
management in estimating fair values for financial instruments
presented herein are not necessarily indicative of the amounts
the Company could realize in a current market exchange. The use
of different market assumptions and/or estimation methodologies
may have a material effect on the estimated fair values.
The Company uses forward foreign exchange contracts to mitigate
its exposure to changes in exchange rates relating to purchases
of equipment from third parties. The primary currency to which
the Company is exposed is the euro. A substantial portion of the
Companys foreign exchange contracts is effective as
hedges. The fair value of forward foreign exchange contracts
designated as hedges is reported in other current assets or
current liabilities and is recorded in other comprehensive
income. The fair value of the hedge was an asset of $31 at
December 31, 2006 and a liability of approximately $734 at
December 31, 2005.
|
|
|
(e) Investment Securities: |
The Company classifies investments in debt and marketable equity
securities as available for sale. Investments classified as
available for sale are carried at fair value, with net
unrealized gains and losses included as a separate component of
stockholders equity. The cost of securities sold is
determined based on average cost.
Gains are recognized when realized in the Companys
consolidated statements of operations. Losses are recognized as
realized or upon the determination of the occurrence of an
other-than-temporary decline in fair value. The Companys
policy is to review its securities on a periodic basis to
evaluate whether any security has experienced an
other-than-temporary decline in fair value. If it is determined
that an other-than-temporary decline exists in one of the
Companys marketable securities, it is the Companys
policy to record an impairment charge with respect to such
investment in the Companys consolidated statements of
operations. The Company recorded a loss related to
other-than-temporary declines in the fair value of its
marketable equity securities totaling $433 for the year ended
December 31, 2005.
|
|
|
(f) Significant Concentrations of Credit Risk: |
Financial instruments which potentially subject the Company to
concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash and
cash equivalents and trade receivables. The Company places its
temporary cash in money market securities (investment grade or
better) with what management believes are high credit quality
financial institutions.
Liggetts customers are primarily candy and tobacco
distributors, the military and large grocery, drug and
convenience store chains. One customer accounted for
approximately 10.8%, 11.9% and 13.8% of Liggetts revenues
in 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively. Sales to this customer
were primarily in the private label discount segment.
Concentrations of credit risk with respect to trade receivables
are generally limited due to the large number of customers,
located primarily throughout the United States, comprising
Liggetts customer base. Ongoing credit evaluations of
customers financial condition are performed and,
generally, no collateral is required. Liggett maintains reserves
for potential credit losses and such losses, in the aggregate,
have generally not exceeded managements expectations.
Accounts receivable-trade are recorded at their net realizable
value.
The allowance for doubtful accounts and cash discounts was $611
and $474 at December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively.
F-9
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share
Amounts) (Continued)
Tobacco inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market
and are determined primarily by the
last-in, first-out
(LIFO) method at Liggett and the
first-in, first out
(FIFO) method at Vector Tobacco. Although portions of leaf
tobacco inventories may not be used or sold within one year
because of the time required for aging, they are included in
current assets, which is common practice in the industry. It is
not practicable to determine the amount that will not be used or
sold within one year.
The Company recorded an increase in income of $790 for LIFO
layer increments in 2006 and a charge to operations for LIFO
layer liquidations of $924 and $747 in 2005 and 2004,
respectively.
In 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the
FASB) issued SFAS No. 151, Inventory
Costs. SFAS No. 151 requires that abnormal idle
facility expense and spoilage, freight and handling costs be
recognized as current period charges. In addition,
SFAS No. 151 requires that allocation of fixed
production overhead costs to inventories be based on the normal
capacity of the production facility. The Company adopted the
provisions of SFAS No. 151 prospectively on
January 1, 2006 and the effect of adoption did not have a
material impact on its consolidated results of operations,
financial position or cash flows.
Long-term restricted assets of $8,274 and $6,743 at
December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively, consist primarily
of certificates of deposit which collateralize letters of credit
and deposits on long-term debt. The certificates of deposit
mature at various dates from January 2007 to December 2007.
|
|
|
(j) Property, Plant and Equipment: |
Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost. Property,
plant and equipment are depreciated using the straight-line
method over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets,
which are 20 to 30 years for buildings and 3 to
10 years for machinery and equipment.
Interest costs are capitalized in connection with the
construction of major facilities. Capitalized interest is
recorded as part of the asset to which it relates and is
amortized over the assets estimated useful life. There
were no capitalized interest costs in 2006, 2005 and 2004.
Repairs and maintenance costs are charged to expense as
incurred. The costs of major renewals and betterments are
capitalized. The cost and related accumulated depreciation of
property, plant and equipment are removed from the accounts upon
retirement or other disposition and any resulting gain or loss
is reflected in operations.
The Company is required to conduct an annual review of
intangible assets for potential impairment including the
intangible asset of $107,511, which is not subject to
amortization due to its indefinite useful life. This intangible
asset relates to the exemption of The Medallion Company
(Medallion), acquired in April 2002, under the
Master Settlement Agreement.
Other intangible assets, included in other assets, consisting of
trademarks and patent rights, are amortized using the
straight-line method over 10-12 years and had a net book
value of $60 and $831 at December 31, 2006 and 2005,
respectively. In connection with the December 2006 restructuring
of Vector Research Ltd., the Company recorded an impairment
charge of approximately $650, which is included as a component
of Restructuring and impairment charges in the
Companys consolidated statement of operations for the year
ended December 31, 2006.
F-10
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share
Amounts) (Continued)
|
|
|
(l) Impairment of Long-Lived Assets: |
The Company reviews long-lived assets for impairment annually or
whenever events or changes in business circumstances indicate
that the carrying amount of the assets may not be fully
recoverable. The Company performs undiscounted operating cash
flow analyses to determine if impairment exists. If impairment
is determined to exist, any related impairment loss is
calculated based on fair value of the asset on the basis of
discounted cash flow. Impairment losses on assets to be disposed
of, if any, are based on the estimated proceeds to be received,
less costs of disposal.
As discussed in Note 2, the Company recorded a $954 asset
impairment charge in 2006 related to the restructuring of Vector
Research Ltd. and a $3,006 asset impairment charge in 2004
relating to the Liggett Vector Brands restructuring. These
amounts have been included as a component of Restructuring
and impairment charges in the Companys consolidated
statement of operations for the respective years.
|
|
|
(m) Pension, postretirement and postemployment benefits
plans: |
The cost of providing retiree pension benefits, health care and
life insurance benefits is actuarially determined and accrued
over the service period of the active employee group. On
September 29, 2006, SFAS No. 158,
Employers Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and
Other Postretirement Plans was issued.
SFAS No. 158 requires, among other things, the
recognition of the funded status of each defined benefit pension
plan, retiree health care and other postretirement benefit plans
and postemployment benefit plans on the balance sheet. We
adopted SFAS No. 158 as of December 31, 2006.
(See Note 9.)
Effective January 1, 2006, the Company accounted for
employee stock compensation plans under SFAS No. 123
(revised 2004), Share-Based Payment
(SFAS No. 123R), which requires companies
to measure compensation cost for share-based payments at fair
value.
Prior to January 1, 2006, the Company accounted for
employee stock compensation plans under APB Opinion No. 25,
Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees with the
intrinsic value-based method permitted by
SFAS No. 123, and Accounting for Stock-Based
Compensation as amended by SFAS No. 148,
Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation
Transition and Disclosure an Amendment to FASB
Statement No. 123. Accordingly, no compensation
expense was recognized when the exercise price was equal to the
market price of the underlying common stock on the date of grant
for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004,
respectively. (See Note 11.)
Deferred taxes reflect the impact of temporary differences
between the amounts of assets and liabilities recognized for
financial reporting purposes and the amounts recognized for tax
purposes as well as tax credit carryforwards and loss
carryforwards. These deferred taxes are measured by applying
currently enacted tax rates. A valuation allowance reduces
deferred tax assets when it is deemed more likely than not that
some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be
realized.
Sales: Revenues from sales are recognized upon the
shipment of finished goods when title and risk of loss have
passed to the customer, there is persuasive evidence of an
arrangement, the sale price is determinable and collectibility
is reasonably assured. The Company provides an allowance for
expected sales returns, net of any related inventory cost
recoveries. Certain sales incentives, including buydowns, are
classified as reductions of net sales in accordance with the
FASBs Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) Issue
No. 01-9,
Accounting
F-11
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share
Amounts) (Continued)
for Consideration Given by a Vendor to a Customer (Including a
Reseller of the Vendors Products). In accordance
with EITF Issue
No. 06-3,
How Sales Taxes Should be Presented in the Income
Statement (Gross versus Net), the Companys
accounting policy is to include federal excise taxes in revenues
and cost of goods sold. Such revenues and cost of goods sold
totaled $174,339, $161,753 and $175,674 for the years ended
December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively. Since the
Companys primary line of business is tobacco, the
Companys financial position and its results of operations
and cash flows have been and could continue to be materially
adversely affected by significant unit sales volume declines,
litigation and defense costs, increased tobacco costs or
reductions in the selling price of cigarettes in the near term.
Real Estate Leasing Revenues: Prior to February 2005, the
Company leased real estate properties to tenants under operating
leases. (See Note 19.) Base rental revenue was generally
recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease.
The lease agreements for certain properties contained provisions
which provided for reimbursement of real estate taxes and
operating expenses over base year amounts, and in certain cases
as fixed increases in rent.
Shipping and Handling Fees and Costs: Shipping and
handling fees related to sales transactions are neither billed
to customers nor recorded as revenue. Shipping and handling
costs, which were $7,329 in 2006, $6,596 in 2005 and $6,805 in
2004, are recorded as operating, selling, administrative and
general expenses.
|
|
|
(q) Advertising and Research and Development: |
Advertising costs, which are expensed as incurred, were $172,
$296 and $4,920 for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005
and 2004, respectively.
Research and development costs, primarily at Vector Tobacco, are
expensed as incurred, and were $7,750, $10,089 and $9,177 for
the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004,
respectively.
Information concerning the Companys common stock has been
adjusted to give effect to the 5% stock dividends paid to
Company stockholders on September 29, 2006,
September 29, 2005 and September 29, 2004,
respectively. The dividends were recorded at par value of $271
in 2006, $210 in 2005 and $199 in 2004 since the Company
reported an accumulated deficit in each of the aforementioned
years. In connection with the 5% stock dividends, the Company
increased the number of outstanding stock options by 5% and
reduced the exercise prices accordingly.
In March 2004, the EITF reached a final consensus on Issue
No. 03-6,
Participating Securities and the Two-Class Method
under FASB Statement 128, which established standards
regarding the computation of earnings per share
(EPS) by companies that have issued securities other
than common stock that contractually entitle the holder to
participate in dividends and earnings of the company. For
purposes of calculating basic EPS, earnings available to common
stockholders for the period are reduced by the contingent
interest and the non-cash interest expense associated with the
discounts created by the beneficial conversion features and
embedded derivatives related to the Companys convertible
debt issued in 2004, 2005 and 2006. The convertible debt issued
by the Company in 2004, 2005 and 2006, which are participating
securities due to the contingent interest feature, had no impact
on EPS for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and
2004, as the dividends on the common stock reduced earnings
available to common stockholders so there were no unallocated
earnings under
EITF 03-6.
As discussed in Note 11, the Company has stock option
awards which provide for common stock dividend equivalents at
the same rate as paid on the common stock with respect to the
shares underlying the unexercised portion of the options. These
outstanding options represent participating securities under
EITF Issue
No. 03-6. Because
the Company accounted for the dividend equivalent rights on
these options as
F-12
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share
Amounts) (Continued)
additional compensation cost in accordance with APB Opinion
No. 25, these participating securities had no impact on the
calculation of basic EPS in periods ending prior to
January 1, 2006. Effective with the adoption of
SFAS No. 123(R) on January 1, 2006, the Company
recognizes payments of the dividend equivalent rights ($6,413
for the year ended December 31, 2006) on these options as
reductions in additional paid-in capital on the Companys
consolidated balance sheet. As a result, in its calculation of
basic EPS for the year ended December 31, 2006, the Company
has adjusted its net income for the effect of these
participating securities as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Net income
|
|
$ |
42,712 |
|
|
$ |
52,385 |
|
|
$ |
7,151 |
|
Income attributable to participating securities
|
|
|
(2,958 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income available to common stockholders
|
|
$ |
39,754 |
|
|
$ |
52,385 |
|
|
$ |
7,151 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic EPS is computed by dividing net income available to common
stockholders by the weighted-average number of shares
outstanding, which includes vested restricted stock. Diluted EPS
includes the dilutive effect of stock options and unvested
restricted stock grants and warrants and convertible securities.
Basic and diluted EPS were calculated using the following shares
for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Weighted-average shares for basic EPS
|
|
|
54,255,899 |
|
|
|
46,440,310 |
|
|
|
45,647,661 |
|
Plus incremental shares related to stock options and warrants
|
|
|
1,427,212 |
|
|
|
2,272,318 |
|
|
|
2,005,623 |
|
Plus incremental shares related to convertible debt
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,130,336 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted-average shares for diluted EPS
|
|
|
55,683,111 |
|
|
|
54,842,964 |
|
|
|
47,653,284 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The following stock options, non-vested restricted stock and
shares issuable upon the conversion of convertible debt were
outstanding during the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005
and 2004 but were not included in the computation of diluted EPS
because the exercise prices of the options and the per share
expense associated with the restricted stock were greater than
the average market price of the common shares during the
respective periods, and the impact of common shares issuable
under the convertible debt were anti-dilutive to EPS.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2006 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Number of stock options
|
|
|
497,873 |
|
|
|
229,193 |
|
|
|
834,863 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted-average exercise price
|
|
$ |
21.07 |
|
|
$ |
26.52 |
|
|
$ |
24.83 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted-average shares of non-vested
restricted stock
|
|
|
613,283 |
|
|
|
154,007 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted-average expense per share
|
|
$ |
18.73 |
|
|
$ |
18.68 |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted-average number of shares issuable upon conversion of
debt
|
|
|
12,298,878 |
|
|
|
11,910,369 |
|
|
|
497,323 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted-average conversion price
|
|
$ |
18.97 |
|
|
$ |
20.08 |
|
|
$ |
17.75 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted EPS are calculated by dividing income by the weighted
average common shares outstanding plus dilutive common stock.
The Companys convertible debt was anti-dilutive in 2004
and 2006 and, in 2005, the Companys 5% variable interest
senior convertible notes due 2011 were anti-dilutive. As a
result of the dilutive
F-13
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share
Amounts) (Continued)
nature in 2005 of the Companys 6.25% convertible
subordinated notes due 2008, the Company adjusted its net income
for the effect of these convertible securities for purposes of
calculating diluted EPS as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2006 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Net income
|
|
$ |
42,712 |
|
|
$ |
52,385 |
|
|
$ |
7,151 |
|
Expense attributable to 6.25% convertible subordinated
notes due 2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,766 |
|
|
|
|
|
Income attributable to participating securities
|
|
|
(2,958 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income for diluted EPS
|
|
$ |
39,754 |
|
|
$ |
58,151 |
|
|
$ |
7,151 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(s) Comprehensive Income: |
Other comprehensive income is a component of stockholders
equity and includes such items as the unrealized gains and
losses on investment securities available for sale, forward
foreign contracts, minimum pension liability adjustments and,
prior to December 9, 2005, the Companys proportionate
interest in New Valleys capital transactions. Total
comprehensive income for the years ended December 31, 2006,
2005 and 2004 is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2006 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Net income as revised (see Note 1(u))
|
|
$ |
42,712 |
|
|
$ |
52,385 |
|
|
$ |
7,151 |
|
Net unrealized gains on investment securities available for sale:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change in net unrealized gains, net of income taxes and minority
interests
|
|
|
6,729 |
|
|
|
165 |
|
|
|
1,311 |
|
Net unrealized gains reclassified into net income, net of income
taxes and minority interests
|
|
|
(1,784 |
) |
|
|
(659 |
) |
|
|
(3,270 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,945 |
|
|
|
(494 |
) |
|
|
(1,959 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net change in forward contracts
|
|
|
254 |
|
|
|
(599 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Net change in additional minimum pension liability, net of
income taxes
|
|
|
9,461 |
|
|
|
322 |
|
|
|
885 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Comprehensive income as revised (see Note 1(u))
|
|
$ |
57,372 |
|
|
$ |
51,614 |
|
|
$ |
6,077 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The components of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of
taxes, were as follows as of December 31, 2006 and 2005:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, 2006 | |
|
December 31, 2005 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Net unrealized gains on investment securities available for
sale, net of taxes of $3,857 and $423, respectively
|
|
$ |
5,573 |
|
|
$ |
628 |
|
Forward contracts adjustment, net of taxes of $226 and $404,
respectively
|
|
|
(345 |
) |
|
|
(599 |
) |
Additional pension liability, net of taxes of $5,076 and $6,732,
respectively
|
|
|
(7,815 |
) |
|
|
(10,639 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
|
|
$ |
(2,587 |
) |
|
$ |
(10,610 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-14
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share
Amounts) (Continued)
The Company records Liggetts product liability legal
expenses and other litigation costs as operating, selling,
general and administrative expenses as those costs are incurred.
As discussed in Note 12, legal proceedings covering a wide
range of matters are pending or threatened in various
jurisdictions against Liggett.
Management is unable to make a reasonable estimate with respect
to the amount or range of loss that could result from an
unfavorable outcome of pending tobacco-related litigation or the
costs of defending such cases, and the Company has not provided
any amounts in its consolidated financial statements for
unfavorable outcomes, if any. Litigation is subject to many
uncertainties, and it is possible that the Companys
consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash
flows could be materially adversely affected by an unfavorable
outcome in any such tobacco-related litigation.
|
|
|
(u) New Accounting Pronouncements: |
Effective January 1, 2006, the Company adopted EITF Issue
No. 05-8,
Income Tax Effects of Issuing Convertible Debt with a
Beneficial Conversion Feature. In Issue
No. 05-8, the EITF
concluded that the issuance of convertible debt with a
beneficial conversion feature creates a temporary difference on
which deferred taxes should be provided. The consensus is
required to be applied in fiscal periods beginning after
December 15, 2005, by retroactive restatement of prior
financial statements retroactive to the issuance of the
convertible debt. The retrospective application of EITF Issue
No. 05-8 reduced income tax expense by $406 and $27 for the
years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively.
The adoption of EITF Issue
No. 05-8 reduced
income tax expense and increased net income by $744 for the year
ended December 31, 2006. The net impact of the adoption of
EITF Issue
No. 05-8 was to
increase diluted earnings per share from $0.70 to $0.71 for the
year ended December 31, 2006. The net impact of the
F-15
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share
Amounts) (Continued)
application of EITF Issue No. 05-8 on the Companys basic
and diluted earnings per share for the years ended
December 31, 2005 and 2004 is as follows (as revised):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EPS From | |
|
EPS From | |
|
EPS From | |
|
|
|
|
Continuing | |
|
Discontinued | |
|
Extraordinary | |
|
|
|
|
Operations | |
|
Operations | |
|
Item | |
|
EPS | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Year Ended December 31, 2005 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic earnings per share prior to the adoption of EITF 05-8
|
|
$ |
0.90 |
|
|
$ |
0.07 |
|
|
$ |
0.18 |
|
|
$ |
1.15 |
|
Impact of application of EITF 05-8
|
|
|
0.01 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.03 |
) |
|
|
(0.02 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic earnings per share, as revised
|
|
$ |
0.91 |
|
|
$ |
0.07 |
|
|
$ |
0.15 |
|
|
$ |
1.13 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted earnings per share prior to the adoption of
EITF 05-8
|
|
$ |
0.85 |
|
|
$ |
0.06 |
|
|
$ |
0.16 |
|
|
$ |
1.07 |
|
Impact of application of EITF 05-8
|
|
|
0.01 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.02 |
) |
|
|
(0.01 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted earnings per share, as revised
|
|
$ |
0.86 |
|
|
$ |
0.06 |
|
|
$ |
0.14 |
|
|
$ |
1.06 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31, 2004 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic earnings per share prior to the adoption of EITF 05-8
|
|
$ |
0.10 |
|
|
$ |
0.06 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
0.16 |
|
Impact of application of EITF 05-8
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic earnings per share, as revised
|
|
$ |
0.10 |
|
|
$ |
0.06 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
0.16 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted earnings per share prior to the adoption of
EITF 05-8
|
|
$ |
0.09 |
|
|
$ |
0.06 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
0.15 |
|
Impact of application of EITF 05-8
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted earnings per share, as revised
|
|
$ |
0.09 |
|
|
$ |
0.06 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
0.15 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A reconciliation of the net impact of the application of EITF
Issue No. 05-8 at December 31, 2004 on the Companys
consolidated balance sheet is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-Term | |
|
Additional | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred | |
|
Paid-In | |
|
Accumulated | |
|
Stockholders | |
|
|
Income Taxes | |
|
Capital | |
|
Deficit | |
|
Equity | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
December 31, 2004 prior to the adoption of EITF 05-8
|
|
$ |
146,409 |
|
|
$ |
61,468 |
|
|
$ |
(122,835 |
) |
|
$ |
(84,407 |
) |
Application of EITF 05-8:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Establishment of deferred tax liability for the year ended
December 31, 2004
|
|
|
4,837 |
|
|
|
(4,837 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(4,837 |
) |
Increase to income tax benefit for the year ended
December 31, 2004
|
|
|
(27 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
27 |
|
|
|
27 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, 2004, as revised
|
|
$ |
151,219 |
|
|
$ |
56,631 |
|
|
$ |
(122,808 |
) |
|
$ |
(89,217 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-16
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share
Amounts) (Continued)
A reconciliation of the net impact of the application of EITF
Issue No. 05-8 at December 31, 2005 on the Companys
consolidated balance sheet is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-Term | |
|
Additional | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred | |
|
Paid-In | |
|
Accumulated | |
|
Stockholders | |
|
|
Income Taxes | |
|
Capital | |
|
Deficit | |
|
Equity | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
December 31, 2005 prior to the adoption of EITF 05-8
|
|
$ |
137,381 |
|
|
$ |
141,184 |
|
|
$ |
(69,981 |
) |
|
$ |
37,577 |
|
Application of EITF 05-8:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Establishment of deferred tax liability
|
|
|
7,859 |
|
|
|
(7,859 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(7,859 |
) |
Increase to income tax benefit for the year ended
December 31, 2004
|
|
|
(27 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
27 |
|
|
|
27 |
|
Decrease to income tax expense for the year ended
December 31, 2005
|
|
|
(406 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
406 |
|
|
|
406 |
|
Decrease to extraordinary item, unallocated goodwill
|
|
|
1,085 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,085 |
) |
|
|
(1,085 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, 2005, as revised
|
|
$ |
145,892 |
|
|
$ |
133,325 |
|
|
$ |
(70,633 |
) |
|
$ |
29,066 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
In February 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 155,
Accounting for Certain Hybrid Instruments.
SFAS No. 155 amends SFAS Nos. 133 and 140 and
relates to the financial reporting of certain hybrid financial
instruments. SFAS No. 155 allows financial instruments
that have embedded derivatives to be accounted for as a whole
(eliminating the need to bifurcate the derivative from its host)
if the holder elects to account for the whole instrument on a
fair value basis. SFAS No. 155 is effective for all
financial instruments acquired or issued after the beginning of
fiscal years commencing after September 15, 2006. The
Company has not completed its assessment of the impact of this
standard on its consolidated financial statements.
In June 2006, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 48,
Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes (an
interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109), which is
effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15,
2006 with earlier adoption encouraged. This interpretation was
issued to clarify the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes
recognized in the financial statements by prescribing a
recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the
financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax
position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The
Company has not completed its assessment of the impact of this
standard on its consolidated financial statements.
In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157,
Fair Value Measurements, which defines fair value,
establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands
disclosures about fair value measurements.
SFAS No. 157 clarifies that fair value should be based
on assumptions that market participants would use when pricing
an asset or liability and establishes a fair value hierarchy of
three levels that prioritizes the information used to develop
those assumptions. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest
priority to quoted prices in active markets and the lowest
priority to unobservable data. SFAS No. 157 requires
fair value measurements to be separately disclosed by level
within the fair value hierarchy. The provisions of
SFAS No. 157 will become effective for the Company
beginning January 1, 2008. Generally, the provisions of
this statement are to be applied prospectively. Certain
situations, however, require retrospective application as of the
beginning of the year of adoption through the recognition of a
cumulative effect of accounting change. Such retrospective
application is required for financial instruments, including
derivatives and certain hybrid instruments with limitations on
initial gains or losses under EITF Issue
No. 02-3,
Issues Involved in Accounting for Derivative Contracts
Held for Trading Purposes and Contracts Involved in Energy
Trading and Risk Management Activities. The Company has
not completed its assessment of the impact of this standard on
its consolidated financial statements.
F-17
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share
Amounts) (Continued)
In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 158,
Employers Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and
Other Postretirement Plans. SFAS No. 158
requires an employer to recognize the overfunded or underfunded
status of their benefit plans as an asset or liability in its
balance sheet and to recognize changes in that funded status in
the year in which the changes occur as a component of other
comprehensive income. The funded status is measured as the
difference between the fair value of the plans assets and
its benefit obligation. In addition, SFAS No. 158
requires an employer to measure benefit plan assets and
obligations that determine the funded status of a plan as of the
end of its fiscal year. The Company presently measures the
funded status of its plans at September 30 and the new
measurement date requirements become effective for the Company
for the year ended December 31, 2008. The prospective
requirement to recognize the funded status of a benefit plan and
to provide the required disclosures became effective for the
Company on December 31, 2006. The adoption of
SFAS No. 158 did not have an impact on the
Companys results of operations or cash flows. The adoption
of SFAS No. 158 resulted in a $10,705 reduction of
Prepaid pension costs, which is classified in other
assets, a decrease in an intangible asset of $1,232, an increase
of $4,643 in Deferred income taxes, which is also
included in other assets, an increase of other accrued current
liabilities of $1,142, a decrease of non-current employee
benefits of $1,799, which is comprised of a $349 decrease in
non-current pension liabilities and an $1,450 decrease in
non-current postretirement liabilities, and an $11,280
($6,637 net of taxes) increase to Accumulated Other
Comprehensive Loss, which is included in
stockholders equity.
In September 2006, the SEC issued Staff Accounting
Bulletin No. 108, Considering the Effects of
Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in
Current Year Financial Statements. SAB 108 provides
guidance on how prior year misstatements should be taken into
consideration when quantifying misstatements in current year
financial statements for purposes of determining whether the
current years financial statements are materially
misstated. The provisions of SAB 108 are required to be
applied beginning December 31, 2006. The adoption of
SAB 108 did not impact the Companys consolidated
financial statements.
In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159,
The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial
Liabilities. SFAS No. 159 permits entities to
choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other
items at fair value that are not currently required to be
measured at fair value. SFAS No. 159 is effective for
fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, with early
adoption permitted provided the entity also elects to apply the
provisions of SFAS No. 157. The Company is currently
evaluating the impact of adopting SFAS No. 159 on its
consolidated financial statements.
Vector Research 2006 Restructuring. In November 2006, the
Companys Board of Directors determined to discontinue the
genetics operation of its subsidiary, Vector Research, and, not
to pursue, at this time, FDA approval of QUEST as a smoking
cessation aide, due to the projected significant additional time
and expense involved in seeking such approval. In connection
with this decision, Vector Research eliminated 12 full-time
positions effective December 31, 2006.
The Company recognized pre-tax restructuring and inventory
impairment charges of $2,664, during the fourth quarter of 2006.
The restructuring charges include $484 relating to employee
severance and benefit costs, $338 for contract termination and
other associated costs, approximately $954 for asset impairment
and $890 in inventory write-offs. Approximately $1,842 of these
charges represent non-cash items.
F-18
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share
Amounts) (Continued)
The components of the combined pre-tax restructuring charges
relating to the 2006 Vector Research Ltd. restructurings for the
year ended December 31, 2006 is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Employee | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Severance | |
|
Non-Cash | |
|
Contract | |
|
|
|
|
and | |
|
Asset | |
|
Termination/ | |
|
|
|
|
Benefits | |
|
Impairment | |
|
Exit Costs | |
|
Total | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Balance, January 1, 2006
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
Restructuring charges
|
|
|
484 |
|
|
|
1,842 |
|
|
|
338 |
|
|
|
2,664 |
|
Utilized
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,842 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,842 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance, December 31, 2006
|
|
$ |
484 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
338 |
|
|
$ |
822 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liggett Vector Brands Restructurings. During April 2004,
Liggett Vector Brands adopted a restructuring plan in its
continuing effort to adjust the cost structure of the
Companys tobacco business and improve operating
efficiency. As part of the plan, Liggett Vector Brands
eliminated 83 positions and consolidated operations, subletting
its New York office space and relocating several employees. As a
result of these actions, the Company recognized pre-tax
restructuring charges of $2,735 in 2004, including $798 relating
to employee severance and benefit costs and $1,937 for contract
termination and other associated costs. Approximately $503 of
these charges represented non-cash items.
On October 6, 2004, the Company announced an additional
plan to further restructure the operations of Liggett Vector
Brands, its sales, marketing and distribution agent for its
Liggett and Vector Tobacco subsidiaries. Liggett Vector Brands
has realigned its sales force and adjusted its business model to
more efficiently serve its chain and independent accounts
nationwide. Liggett Vector Brands is seeking to expand the
portfolio of private and control label partner brands by
utilizing a pricing strategy that offers long-term list price
stability for customers. In connection with the restructuring,
the Company eliminated approximately 330 full-time
positions and 135 part-time positions as of
December 15, 2004.
The Company recognized pre-tax restructuring charges of $10,583
in 2004, with approximately $5,659 of the charges related to
employee severance and benefit costs and approximately $4,924 to
contract termination and other associated costs. Approximately
$2,503 of these charges represented non-cash items.
Additionally, the Company incurred other charges in 2004 for
various compensation and related payments to employees which are
related to the restructuring. These charges of $1,670 were
included in selling, general and administrative expenses.
F-19
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share
Amounts) (Continued)
The components of the combined pre-tax restructuring charges
relating to the 2004 Liggett Vector Brands restructurings for
the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004 are as
follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Employee | |
|
Non-Cash | |
|
Contract | |
|
|
|
|
Severance | |
|
Asset | |
|
Termination/ | |
|
|
|
|
and Benefits | |
|
Impairment | |
|
Exit Costs | |
|
Total | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Balance, January 1, 2004
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
Restructuring charges
|
|
|
6,457 |
|
|
|
3,006 |
|
|
|
3,840 |
|
|
|
13,303 |
|
Change in estimate
|
|
|
(26 |
) |
|
|
(15 |
) |
|
|
56 |
|
|
|
15 |
|
Utilized
|
|
|
(2,817 |
) |
|
|
(2,805 |
) |
|
|
(611 |
) |
|
|
(6,233 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance, December 31, 2004
|
|
|
3,614 |
|
|
|
186 |
|
|
|
3,285 |
|
|
|
7,085 |
|
Change in estimate
|
|
|
(54 |
) |
|
|
(73 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(127 |
) |
Utilized
|
|
|
(2,847 |
) |
|
|
(113 |
) |
|
|
(1,882 |
) |
|
|
(4,842 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance, December 31, 2005
|
|
$ |
713 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
1,403 |
|
|
$ |
2,116 |
|
Change in estimate
|
|
|
(103 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(25 |
) |
|
|
(128 |
) |
Utilized
|
|
|
(610 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(528 |
) |
|
|
(1,138 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance, December 31, 2006
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
850 |
|
|
$ |
850 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Timberlake Restructuring. In October 2003, the Company
announced that it would close Vector Tobaccos Timberlake,
North Carolina cigarette manufacturing facility in order to
reduce excess tobacco production capacity and improve operating
efficiencies company-wide. Production of the QUEST line of low
nicotine and nicotine-free cigarettes, as well as production of
Vector Tobaccos other cigarette brands, was moved to
Liggetts manufacturing facility in Mebane, North Carolina.
Vector Tobacco has contracted with Liggett to produce its
cigarettes, and all production was transferred from Timberlake
to Mebane by December 31, 2003. As part of the transition,
approximately 150 manufacturing and administrative positions
were eliminated.
As a result of these actions, the Company recognized pre-tax
restructuring and impairment charges of $21,696, of which
$21,300 was recognized in 2003 and the remaining $396 was
recognized in 2004. Machinery and equipment to be disposed of
was reduced to estimated fair value less costs to sell during
2003.
In July 2004, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Vector Tobacco
completed the sale of its Timberlake facility, along with all
equipment. (Refer to Note 5.) The Company decreased the
asset impairment accrual as of June 30, 2004 by $871 to
reflect the actual amounts to be realized from the Timberlake
sale and to reduce the values of other excess Vector Tobacco
machinery and equipment in accordance with
SFAS No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment or
Disposal of Long-Lived Assets. The $871 was reallocated to
employee severance and benefits ($507) and contract termination
costs ($364) due to higher than anticipated costs in those
areas. The Company further adjusted the previously recorded
restructuring accrual as of June 30, 2004 to reflect
additional employee severance and benefits, contract termination
and associated costs resulting from the Timberlake sale. No
charge to operations resulted from these adjustments as there
was no change to the total impairment and restructuring accruals
previously recognized.
F-20
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share
Amounts) (Continued)
The components of the pre-tax restructuring charge relating to
the closing of Vector Tobaccos Timberlake, North Carolina
cigarette manufacturing facility for the years ended
December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004 are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Employee | |
|
Non-Cash | |
|
Contract | |
|
|
|
|
Severance | |
|
Asset | |
|
Termination/ | |
|
|
|
|
and Benefits | |
|
Impairment | |
|
Exit Costs | |
|
Total | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Balance, January 1, 2004
|
|
$ |
1,863 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
449 |
|
|
$ |
2,312 |
|
Restructuring and impairment charges
|
|
|
175 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
221 |
|
|
|
396 |
|
Change in estimate
|
|
|
507 |
|
|
|
(871 |
) |
|
|
364 |
|
|
|
|
|
Utilized/recoveries in 2004, net
|
|
|
(2,078 |
) |
|
|
871 |
|
|
|
(982 |
) |
|
|
(2,189 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance, December 31, 2004
|
|
|
467 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
52 |
|
|
|
519 |
|
Change in estimate
|
|
|
(46 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
46 |
|
|
|
|
|
Utilized
|
|
|
(283 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(77 |
) |
|
|
(360 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance, December 31, 2005
|
|
|
138 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
21 |
|
|
|
159 |
|
Change in estimate
|
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(9 |
) |
|
|
(13 |
) |
Utilized
|
|
|
(134 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(12 |
) |
|
|
(146 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance, December 31, 2006
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3. |
INVESTMENT SECURITIES AVAILABLE FOR SALE |
Investment securities classified as available for sale are
carried at fair value, with net unrealized gains or losses
included as a component of stockholders equity, net of
taxes and minority interests. For the years ended
December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, net realized gains were
$3,019, $1,426 and $8,664, respectively. The Company recorded a
loss related to other-than-temporary declines in the fair value
of its marketable equity securities totaling $433 for the year
ended December 31, 2005. (See Note 1.)
The components of investment securities available for sale at
December 31, 2006 and 2005 are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross | |
|
Gross | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unrealized | |
|
Unrealized | |
|
Fair | |
|
|
Cost | |
|
Gain | |
|
Loss | |
|
Value | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Marketable equity securities
|
|
$ |
9,643 |
|
|
$ |
10,017 |
|
|
$ |
(700 |
) |
|
$ |
18,960 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Marketable equity securities
|
|
$ |
10,171 |
|
|
$ |
1,112 |
|
|
$ |
(8 |
) |
|
$ |
11,275 |
|
Marketable debt securities
|
|
|
7,296 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(64 |
) |
|
|
7,232 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
17,467 |
|
|
$ |
1,112 |
|
|
$ |
(72 |
) |
|
$ |
18,507 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Marketable equity securities available for sale as of
December 31, 2006 and 2005 include New Valleys
11,111,111 shares of Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services
Inc., which were carried at $13,556 and $5,111, respectively
(See Note 17).
The Company liquidated its debt securities in the fourth quarter
of 2006 and did not own marketable debt securities at
December 31, 2006. The Companys marketable debt
securities had a weighted average maturity of 1.62 years at
December 31, 2005 and matured from January 2006 to January
2010.
F-21
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share
Amounts) (Continued)
Inventories consist of:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, | |
|
December 31, | |
|
|
2006 | |
|
2005 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Leaf tobacco
|
|
$ |
33,363 |
|
|
$ |
35,312 |
|
Other raw materials
|
|
|
2,725 |
|
|
|
3,157 |
|
Work-in-process
|
|
|
1,348 |
|
|
|
1,685 |
|
Finished goods
|
|
|
57,485 |
|
|
|
34,653 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Inventories at current cost
|
|
|
94,921 |
|
|
|
74,807 |
|
LIFO adjustments
|
|
|
(3,622 |
) |
|
|
(4,412 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
91,299 |
|
|
$ |
70,395 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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 date of the
commitment. At December 31, 2006, Liggett had leaf tobacco
purchase commitments of approximately $5,882. There were no leaf
tobacco purchase commitments at Vector Tobacco at that date.
Included in the above table were approximately $92 and $1,208 at
December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively, of leaf inventory
associated with Vector Tobaccos QUEST product. During the
second quarter of 2004, based on an analysis of the market data
obtained since the introduction of the QUEST product, the
Company determined to postpone indefinitely the national launch
of QUEST and, accordingly, the Company recognized a non-cash
charge of $37,000 to adjust the carrying value of excess leaf
tobacco inventory for the QUEST product, based on estimated
future demand and market conditions. In connection with the
Companys decision in November 2006 to discontinue the
genetics operation of Vector Research Ltd. and not to pursue, at
this time, FDA approval of QUEST as a smoking cessation aide,
the Company recognized a non-cash charge of $890 to adjust the
carrying value of the remaining excess QUEST leaf tobacco
inventory in 2006. The charge was recorded in cost of goods sold
for the year ended December 31, 2006.
The Company capitalizes the incremental prepaid cost of the
Master Settlement Agreement in ending inventory.
LIFO inventories represent approximately 93% and 92% of total
inventories at December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively.
F-22
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share
Amounts) (Continued)
|
|
5. |
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT |
Property, plant and equipment consist of:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, | |
|
December 31, | |
|
|
2006 | |
|
2005 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Land and improvements
|
|
$ |
1,418 |
|
|
$ |
1,418 |
|
Buildings
|
|
|
13,366 |
|
|
|
13,718 |
|
Machinery and equipment
|
|
|
103,241 |
|
|
|
98,037 |
|
Leasehold improvements
|
|
|
2,017 |
|
|
|
2,724 |
|
Construction-in-progress
|
|
|
525 |
|
|
|
2,960 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
120,567 |
|
|
|
118,857 |
|
Less accumulated depreciation
|
|
|
(60,646 |
) |
|
|
(56,334 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
59,921 |
|
|
$ |
62,523 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization expense for the years ended
December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004 was $9,888, $11,220 and
$11,823, respectively. Future machinery and equipment purchase
commitments at Liggett were $1,390 at December 31, 2006.
In December 2005, Liggett completed the sale for $15,450 of its
former manufacturing facility, research facility and offices in
Durham, North Carolina with a net book value of approximately
$2,212. The Company recorded a gain of $7,706, net of income
taxes of $5,042, in 2005, in connection with the sale.
During the year ended December 31, 2005, the Company
entered into capital lease obligations of $418 for machinery and
equipment.
In February 2005, New Valley completed the sale of its two
office buildings in Princeton, New Jersey for $71,500. (See
Note 17). The Company recorded a gain of $2,952, net of
minority interests and income taxes, in 2005 in connection with
the sale.
The Company recorded a $3,006 non-cash asset impairment charge
in 2004 relating to the Liggett Vector Brands restructuring, of
which $186 related to machinery and equipment, and an $18,752
non-cash asset impairment charge in 2003 in conjunction with the
closing of Vector Tobaccos Timberlake, North Carolina
facility, of which $17,968 related to machinery and equipment.
(See Note 2.)
In July 2004, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Vector Tobacco
completed the sale of its Timberlake, North Carolina
manufacturing facility along with all equipment to an affiliate
of the Flue-Cured Tobacco Cooperative Stabilization Corporation
for $25,800. In connection with the sale, the subsidiary of
Vector Tobacco entered into a consulting agreement to provide
certain services to the buyer for $400; all of this amount was
recognized as income in 2004. (See Note 2.)
During 2006, Liggett Vector Brands recognized an impairment
charge of $324 associated with its decision to dispose of an
asset to an unrelated third party. The asset was sold in the
fourth quarter of 2006.
In February 2001, Liggett sold a warehouse facility in a
sale-leaseback arrangement which resulted in a deferred gain of
$1,139, to be amortized over the
15-year lease term. The
lease provided the owner an early termination option which was
exercisable for $1,500. The owner exercised that option in April
2006, and Liggett vacated the premises effective
December 31, 2006. Effective December 31, 2006,
Liggett recognized $2,476 of income related to recognition of
the unamortized portion of the original deferred gain on sale
and early termination option payments received by Liggett from
the owner.
F-23
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share
Amounts) (Continued)
Long-term investments consist of investments in the following:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, 2006 | |
|
December 31, 2005 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
Carrying | |
|
Fair | |
|
Carrying | |
|
Fair | |
|
|
Value | |
|
Value | |
|
Value | |
|
Value | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Investment partnerships accounted for at cost
|
|
$ |
32,971 |
|
|
$ |
47,560 |
|
|
$ |
7,828 |
|
|
$ |
15,537 |
|
Investments accounted for on the equity method
|
|
$ |
10,230 |
|
|
$ |
10,230 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
The principal business of these investment partnerships is
investing in investment securities and real estate. The
estimated fair value of the investment partnerships was provided
by the partnerships based on the indicated market values of the
underlying assets or investment portfolio. New Valley is an
investor in real estate partnerships where it has committed to
make additional investments of up to an aggregate of $262 at
December 31, 2006. The investments in these investment
partnerships are illiquid and the ultimate realization of these
investments is subject to the performance of the underlying
partnership and its management by the general partners.
The carrying value of the investment partnerships increased in
2005 by $5,243 in connection with purchase accounting associated
with the acquisition of New Valleys minority interest. In
August 2006, the Company invested $25,000 in Icahn Partners, LP,
a privately managed investment partnership, of which Carl Icahn
is the portfolio manager and the controlling person of the
general partner, and manager of the partnership. Affiliates of
Mr. Icahn are the beneficial owners of approximately 20.4%
of Vectors common stock.
On November 1, 2006, the Company invested $10,000 in
Jefferies Buckeye Fund, LLC (Buckeye Fund), a
privately managed investment partnership, of which
Jefferies Asset Management, LLC is the portfolio manager.
Affiliates of Jefferies Asset Management, LLC beneficially
own approximately 8.8% of Vectors common stock. The
Company had invested approximately 15% of the funds invested in
the Buckeye Fund at December 31, 2006 and, in accordance
with EITF Issue
No. 03-16,
Accounting for Investments in Limited Liability
Companies, the Company has accounted for its investment in
Buckeye Fund using the equity method of accounting and carried
its investment in the Buckeye Fund at $10,230 as of
December 31, 2006, which includes $292 of unrealized gains
on investment securities. The Company recorded a loss of $62
associated with the Buckeye Fund for the year ended
December 31, 2006.
The Companys investments constituted less than 3% of the
invested funds in each of the other partnerships at
December 31, 2006 and, in accordance with EITF Topic
No. D-46,
Accounting for Limited Partnership Investments,
the Company has accounted for such investments using the cost
method of accounting.
In the future, the Company may invest in other investments
including limited partnerships, real estate investments, equity
securities, debt securities and certificates of deposit
depending on risk factors and potential rates of return.
F-24
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share
Amounts) (Continued)
|
|
7. |
NOTES PAYABLE, LONG-TERM DEBT AND OTHER OBLIGATIONS |
Notes payable, long-term debt and other obligations consist of:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, | |
|
December 31, | |
|
|
2006 | |
|
2005 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Vector:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.875% Variable Interest Senior Convertible Debentures due 2026,
net of unamortized discount of $84,056*
|
|
$ |
25,944 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
5% Variable Interest Senior Convertible Notes due 2011, net of
unamortized net discount of $53,906 and $58,655*
|
|
|
57,960 |
|
|
|
53,209 |
|
6.25% Convertible Subordinated Notes due 2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
132,492 |
|
Liggett:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revolving credit facility
|
|
|
11,986 |
|
|
|
|
|
Term loan under credit facility
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,482 |
|
Equipment loans
|
|
|
12,660 |
|
|
|
9,828 |
|
Vector Tobacco:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Notes payable Medallion acquisition due 2007
|
|
|
35,000 |
|
|
|
35,000 |
|
V.T. Aviation:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Note payable
|
|
|
7,448 |
|
|
|
8,300 |
|
VGR Aviation:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Note payable
|
|
|
4,655 |
|
|
|
4,867 |
|
Other
|
|
|
337 |
|
|
|
377 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total notes payable, long-term debt and other obligations
|
|
|
155,990 |
|
|
|
247,555 |
|
Less:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current maturities
|
|
|
(52,686 |
) |
|
|
(9,313 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amount due after one year
|
|
$ |
103,304 |
|
|
$ |
238,242 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
The fair value of the derivatives embedded within the 3.875%
Variable Interest Senior Convertible Debentures ($59,807 at
December 31, 2006) and the 5% Variable Interest Senior
Convertible Notes ($35,666 at December 31, 2006 and $39,371
at December 31, 2005) is separately classified as a
derivative liability in the consolidated balance sheets. |
Variable Interest Senior Convertible Debt
Vector:
Vector has issued two series of variable interest senior
convertible debt. Both series of debt pay interest on a
quarterly basis at a stated rate plus an additional amount of
interest on each payment date. The additional amount 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 (the
Additional Interest).
3.875% Variable Interest Senior Convertible Debentures due
2026:
In July 2006, the Company sold $110,000 of its 3.875% variable
interest senior convertible debentures due 2026 in a private
offering to qualified institutional buyers in accordance with
Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933. The Company
used the net proceeds of the offering to redeem its remaining
6.25% convertible subordinated notes due 2008 and for
general corporate purposes.
F-25
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share
Amounts) (Continued)
The debentures pay interest on a quarterly basis at a rate of
3.875% per annum plus Additional Interest (the
Debenture Total Interest). Notwithstanding the
foregoing, however, the interest payable on each interest
payment date shall be the higher of (i) the Debenture Total
Interest and (ii) 5.75% per annum. The debentures are
convertible into the Companys common stock at the
holders option. The conversion price, which was
$20.48 per share at December 31, 2006, is subject to
adjustment for various events, including the issuance of stock
dividends.
The debentures will mature on June 15, 2026. The Company
must redeem 10% of the total aggregate principal amount of the
debentures outstanding on June 15, 2011. In addition to
such redemption amount, the Company will also redeem on
June 15, 2011 and at the end of each interest accrual
period thereafter an additional amount, if any, of the
debentures necessary to prevent the debentures from being
treated as an Applicable High Yield Discount
Obligation under the Internal Revenue Code. The holders of
the debentures will have the option on June 15, 2012,
June 15, 2016 and June 15, 2021 to require the Company
to repurchase some or all of their remaining debentures. The
redemption price for such redemptions will equal 100% of the
principal amount of the debentures plus accrued interest. If a
fundamental change (as defined in the Indenture) occurs, the
Company will be required to offer to repurchase the debentures
at 100% of their principal amount, plus accrued interest and,
under certain circumstances, a make-whole premium.
5% Variable Interest Senior Convertible Notes Due November
2011:
In November 2004, the Company sold $65,500 of its 5% variable
interest senior convertible notes due November 15, 2011 in
a private offering to qualified institutional investors in
accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933.
The buyers of the notes had the right, for a
120-day period ending
March 18, 2005, to purchase up to an additional $16,375 of
the notes. At December 31, 2004, buyers had exercised their
rights to purchase an additional $1,405 of the notes, and the
remaining $14,959 principal amount of notes were purchased
during the first quarter of 2005. In April 2005, Vector issued
an additional $30,000 principal amount of 5% variable interest
senior convertible notes due November 15, 2011 in a
separate private offering to qualified institutional investors
in accordance with Rule 144A. These notes, which were
issued under a new indenture at a net price of 103.5%, were on
the same terms as the $81,864 principal amount of notes
previously issued in connection with the November 2004 placement.
The notes pay interest on a quarterly basis at a rate of
5% per annum plus Additional Interest (the
Notes Total Interest). Notwithstanding the
foregoing, however, during the period prior to November 15,
2006, the interest payable on each interest payment date is the
higher of (i) the Notes Total Interest and
(ii) 6.75% per year. The notes are convertible into
the Companys common stock at the holders option. The
conversion price, which was $17.60 at December 31, 2006, is
subject to adjustment for various events, including the issuance
of stock dividends.
The notes will mature on November 15, 2011. The Company
must redeem 12.5% of the total aggregate principal amount of the
notes outstanding on November 15, 2009. In addition to such
redemption amount, the Company will also redeem on
November 15, 2009 and at the end of each interest accrual
period thereafter an additional amount, if any, of the notes
necessary to prevent the notes from being treated as an
Applicable High Yield Discount Obligation under the
Internal Revenue Code. The holders of the notes will have the
option on November 15, 2009 to require the Company to
repurchase some or all of their remaining notes. The redemption
price for such redemptions will equal 100% of the principal
amount of the notes plus accrued interest. 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 interest and, under certain
circumstances, a make-whole premium.
F-26
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share
Amounts) (Continued)
Embedded Derivatives on the Variable Interest Senior
Convertible Debt:
The portion of the Debenture Total Interest and the
Notes Total Interest which is computed by reference to the
cash dividends paid on the Companys common stock is
considered an embedded derivative within the convertible debt,
which the Company is required to separately value. Pursuant to
SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative
Instruments and Hedging Activities, as amended by
SFAS No. 138, Accounting for Certain Derivative
Instruments and Certain Hedging Activities, the Company
has bifurcated these embedded derivatives and, based on a
valuation by a third party, estimated the fair value of the
embedded derivative liability. The resulting discount created by
allocating a portion of the issuance proceeds to the embedded
derivative is then amortized to interest expense over the term
of the debt using the effective interest method. Changes to the
fair value of these embedded derivatives are reflected quarterly
in the Companys consolidated statements of operations as
Change 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.
The estimated initial fair values of the embedded derivates
associated with the 3.875% convertible debentures and the
5% convertible notes were $56,214 and $42,041,
respectively, at the date of issuance.
A summary of non-cash interest expense associated with the
embedded derivative liability for the years ended
December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004 is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2006 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
3.875% convertible debentures
|
|
$ |
414 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
5% convertible notes
|
|
|
3,056 |
|
|
|
2,063 |
|
|
|
144 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest expense associated with embedded derivatives
|
|
$ |
3,470 |
|
|
$ |
2,063 |
|
|
$ |
144 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A summary of non-cash changes in fair value of derivatives
embedded within convertible debt is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2006 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
3.875% convertible debentures
|
|
$ |
(3,593 |
) |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
5% convertible notes
|
|
|
3,705 |
|
|
|
3,082 |
|
|
|
(412 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gain (loss) on change in fair value of derivatives embedded
within convertible debt
|
|
$ |
112 |
|
|
$ |
3,082 |
|
|
$ |
(412 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-27
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share
Amounts) (Continued)
The following table reconciles the fair value of derivatives
embedded within convertible debt at December 31, 2006.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.875% | |
|
5% | |
|
|
|
|
Convertible | |
|
Convertible | |
|
|
|
|
Debentures | |
|
Notes | |
|
Total | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Balance at January 1, 2004
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
Issuance of 5% convertible notes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
25,275 |
|
|
|
25,275 |
|
Loss from changes in fair value of embedded derivatives
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
412 |
|
|
|
412 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at December 31, 2004
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
25,687 |
|
|
|
25,687 |
|
Issuance of 5% convertible notes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
16,766 |
|
|
|
16,766 |
|
Gain from changes in fair value of embedded derivatives
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3,082 |
) |
|
|
(3,082 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at December 31, 2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
39,371 |
|
|
|
39,371 |
|
Issuance of 3.875% convertible debentures
|
|
|
56,214 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
56,214 |
|
Loss (gain) from changes in fair value of embedded
derivatives
|
|
|
3,593 |
|
|
|
(3,705 |
) |
|
|
(112 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at December 31, 2006
|
|
$ |
59,807 |
|
|
$ |
35,666 |
|
|
$ |
95,473 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beneficial Conversion Feature on Variable Interest Senior
Convertible Debt:
After giving effect to the recording of the embedded derivative
liability as a discount to the convertible debt, the
Companys common stock had a fair value at the issuance
date of the debt in excess of the conversion price resulting in
a beneficial conversion feature. EITF Issue
No. 98-5,
Accounting for Convertible Securities with Beneficial
Conversion Features or Contingently Adjustable Convertible
Ratios, requires that the intrinsic value of the
beneficial conversion feature be recorded to additional paid-in
capital and as a discount on the debt. The discount is then
amortized to interest expense over the term of the debt using
the effective interest method.
The initial intrinsic value of the beneficial conversion feature
associated with the 3.875% convertible debentures and the
5% convertible notes was $28,381 and $22,138, respectively.
As discussed in Note 1(u), in accordance with EITF Issue
No. 05-8, the
beneficial conversion feature has been recorded, net of income
taxes, as an increase to stockholders equity.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2006 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Amortization of beneficial conversion feature:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.875% convertible debentures
|
|
$ |
125 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
5% convertible notes
|
|
|
1,693 |
|
|
|
1,139 |
|
|
|
79 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest expense associated with beneficial conversion feature
|
|
$ |
1,818 |
|
|
$ |
1,139 |
|
|
$ |
79 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-28
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share
Amounts) (Continued)
Unamortized Debt Discount:
The following table reconciles unamortized debt discount at
December 31, 2006.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.875% | |
|
5% | |
|
|
|
|
Convertible | |
|
Convertible | |
|
|
|
|
Debentures | |
|
Notes | |
|
Total | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Balance at January 1, 2004
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
Issuance of 5% convertible debentures-embedded derivative
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
25,275 |
|
|
|
25,275 |
|
Issuance of 5% convertible debentures-beneficial conversion
feature
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
13,687 |
|
|
|
13,687 |
|
Amortization of embedded derivative
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(144 |
) |
|
|
(144 |
) |
Amortization of beneficial conversion feature
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(79 |
) |
|
|
(79 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at December 31, 2004
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
38,739 |
|
|
|
38,739 |
|
Issuance of 5% convertible debentures-embedded derivative
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
16,766 |
|
|
|
16,766 |
|
Issuance of 5% convertible debentures-premium on debt
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2,100 |
) |
|
|
(2,100 |
) |
Issuance of 5% convertible debentures-beneficial conversion
feature
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,452 |
|
|
|
8,452 |
|
Amortization of embedded derivative
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2,063 |
) |
|
|
(2,063 |
) |
Amortization of beneficial conversion feature
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,139 |
) |
|
|
(1,139 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at December 31, 2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
58,655 |
|
|
|
58,655 |
|
Issuance of 3.875% convertible debentures-embedded
derivative
|
|
|
56,214 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
56,214 |
|
Issuance of 3.875% convertible debentures-beneficial
conversion feature
|
|
|
28,381 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
28,381 |
|
Amortization of embedded derivative
|
|
|
(414 |
) |
|
|
(3,056 |
) |
|
|
(3,470 |
) |
Amortization of beneficial conversion feature
|
|
|
(125 |
) |
|
|
(1,693 |
) |
|
|
(1,818 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at December 31, 2006
|
|
$ |
84,056 |
|
|
$ |
53,906 |
|
|
$ |
137,962 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6.25% Convertible Subordinated Notes Due July 15,
2008 Vector:
In July 2001, Vector completed the sale of $172,500 (net
proceeds of approximately $166,400) of its
6.25% convertible subordinated notes due July 15, 2008
through a private offering to qualified institutional investors
in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act of
1933. The notes paid interest at 6.25% per annum and were
convertible into Vectors common stock, at the option of
the holder. The conversion price was subject to adjustment for
various events, and any cash distribution on Vectors
common stock resulted in a corresponding decrease in the
conversion price. In December 2001, $40,000 of the notes were
converted into Vectors common stock, in October 2004, $8
of the notes were converted and, in June 2006, $70,000 of the
notes were converted. The Company recorded a loss of $14,860 for
the year ended December 31, 2006 on the conversion of the
$70,000 of notes principally as a result of the issuance of
962,531 shares of common stock as an inducement for
conversion. In August 2006, Vector redeemed the remaining
outstanding notes at a redemption price of 101.042% of the
principal amount plus accrued interest. The Company recorded a
loss of $1,306 in 2006 on the retirement of the notes.
Revolving Credit Facility Liggett:
Liggett has a $50,000 credit facility with Wachovia Bank, N.A.
(Wachovia) under which $11,986 was outstanding at
December 31, 2006. Availability as determined under the
facility was approximately $24,000
F-29
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share
Amounts) (Continued)
based on eligible collateral at December 31, 2006. The
facility is collateralized by all inventories and receivables of
Liggett. The facility requires Liggetts compliance with
certain financial and other covenants including a restriction on
Liggetts ability to pay cash dividends unless
Liggetts borrowing availability under the facility for the
30-day period prior to
the payment of the dividend, and after giving effect to the
dividend, is at least $5,000 and no event of default has
occurred under the agreement, including Liggetts
compliance with the covenants in the credit facility. Prior to
February 2007, the facility imposed requirements with respect to
Liggetts adjusted net worth (not to fall below $8,000 as
computed in accordance with the agreement) and working capital
(not to fall below a deficit of $17,000 as computed in
accordance with the agreement). At December 31, 2006,
management believed that Liggett was in compliance with all
covenants under the credit facility; Liggetts adjusted net
worth was approximately $38,600 and net working capital was
approximately $21,000, as computed in accordance with the
agreement.
In February 2007, Liggett entered into an amendment (the
Amendment) to the Wachovia credit facility. The
Amendment extends the term of the facility from March 8,
2008 to March 8, 2010, subject to automatic renewal for
additional one year periods unless a notice of termination is
given by Wachovia or Liggett at least 60 days prior to such
date or the anniversary of such date. The Amendment also reduces
the interest rates payable on borrowings under the facility and
revises certain financial covenants. Prime rate loans under the
facility will now bear interest at a rate equal to the prime
rate of Wachovia, as compared to the previous interest rate of
1.0% above the prime rate. Further, Eurodollar rate loans will
now bear interest at a rate of 2.0% above Wachovias
adjusted Eurodollar rate, as compared to the previous interest
rate of 3.5% above the adjusted Eurodollar rate. The Amendment
also eliminates the minimum adjusted working capital and net
working capital requirements previously imposed by the facility
and replaces those requirements with new covenants based on
Liggetts earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and
amortization (EBITDA), as defined in the Amendment,
and Liggetts capital expenditures, as defined in the
Amendment. The revised covenants provide that Liggetts
EBITDA, on a trailing twelve month basis, shall not be less than
$100,000 if Liggetts excess availability, as defined,
under the facility is less than $20,000. The revised covenants
also require that annual capital expenditures (before a maximum
carryover amount of $2,500) shall not exceed $10,000 during any
fiscal year.
100 Maple LLC, a company formed by Liggett in 1999 to purchase
its Mebane, North Carolina manufacturing plant, had a term loan
under the credit facility which was repaid in November 2006.
Equipment Loans Liggett:
In October and December 2001, Liggett purchased equipment for
$3,204 and $3,200, respectively, through the issuance of notes
guaranteed by the Company, each payable in 60 monthly
installments of $53 with interest calculated at the prime rate.
The notes issued in October 2001 were paid in full in the fourth
quarter of 2006.
In March 2002, Liggett purchased equipment for $3,023 through
the issuance of a note, payable in 30 monthly installments
of $62 and then 30 monthly installments of $51. Interest is
calculated at LIBOR plus 2.8%.
In May 2002, Liggett purchased equipment for $2,871 through the
issuance of a note, payable in 30 monthly installments of
$59 and then 30 monthly installments of $48. Interest is
calculated at LIBOR plus 2.8%.
In September 2002, Liggett purchased equipment for $1,573
through the issuance of a note guaranteed by the Company,
payable in 60 monthly installments of $26 plus interest
calculated at LIBOR plus 4.31%.
F-30
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share
Amounts) (Continued)
In October 2005, Liggett purchased equipment for $4,441 through
a financing agreement payable in 24 installments of $112 and
then 24 installments of $90. Interest is calculated at 4.89%.
Liggett was required to provide a security deposit equal to 25%
of the funded amount ($1,110).
In December 2005, Liggett purchased equipment for $2,273 through
a financing agreement payable in 24 installments of $58 and then
24 installments of $46. Interest is calculated at 5.03%. Liggett
was required to provide a security deposit equal to 25% of the
funded amount ($568).
In August 2006, Liggett purchased equipment for $7,922 through a
financing agreement payable in 30 installments of $191 and then
30 installments of $103. Interest is calculated at 5.15%.
Liggett was required to provide a security deposit equal to 20%
of the funded amount ($1,584).
Each of these equipment loans is collateralized by the purchased
equipment.
Notes for Medallion Acquisition Vector
Tobacco:
The purchase price for the 2002 acquisition of The Medallion
Company, Inc. (Medallion) included $60,000 in notes
of Vector Tobacco, guaranteed by the Company and Liggett. Of the
notes, $25,000 have been repaid with the final quarterly
principal payment of $3,125 made on March 31, 2004. The
remaining $35,000 of notes bear interest at 6.5% per year,
payable semiannually, and mature on April 1, 2007.
Note Payable V.T. Aviation:
In February 2001, V.T. Aviation LLC, a subsidiary of Vector
Research Ltd., purchased an airplane for $15,500 and borrowed
$13,175 to fund the purchase. The loan, which is collateralized
by the airplane and a letter of credit from the Company for
$775, is guaranteed by Vector Research, VGR Holding and the
Company. The loan is payable in 119 monthly installments of
$125, including annual interest of 2.31% above the
30-day commercial paper
rate, with a final payment of $2,874 based on current interest
rates.
Note Payable VGR Aviation:
In February 2002, V.T. Aviation purchased an airplane for $6,575
and borrowed $5,800 to fund the purchase. The loan is guaranteed
by the Company. The loan is payable in 119 monthly
installments of $40, including annual interest of 2.75% above
the 30-day average
commercial paper rate, with a final payment of $3,944 based on
current interest rates. During the fourth quarter of 2003, this
airplane was transferred to the Companys direct
subsidiary, VGR Aviation LLC, which assumed the debt.
Note Payable New Valley:
In December 2002, New Valley financed a portion of its purchase
of two office buildings in Princeton, New Jersey with a $40,500
mortgage loan. In February 2005, New Valley completed the sale
of the buildings, and the loan was retired at closing with the
proceeds of the sale.
F-31
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share
Amounts) (Continued)
Scheduled Maturities:
Scheduled maturities of long-term debt, net of discount, are as
follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ending December 31: |
|
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
$ |
52,686 |
|
2008
|
|
|
4,923 |
|
2009
|
|
|
11,129 |
|
2010
|
|
|
2,574 |
|
2011
|
|
|
57,348 |
|
Thereafter
|
|
|
27,330 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$ |
155,990 |
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted-Average Interest Rate on Current Maturities of
Long-Term Debt:
The weighted-average interest rate on the Companys current
maturities of long-term debt at December 31, 2006 was
approximately 7.10%.
Certain of the Companys subsidiaries lease facilities and
equipment used in operations under both
month-to-month and
fixed-term agreements. The aggregate minimum rentals under
operating leases with non-cancelable terms of one year or more
are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lease | |
|
Sublease | |
|
|
Year Ending December 31: |
|
Commitments | |
|
Rentals | |
|
Net | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
2007
|
|
$ |
4,647 |
|
|
$ |
1,038 |
|
|
$ |
3,609 |
|
2008
|
|
|
3,840 |
|
|
|
1,040 |
|
|
|
2,800 |
|
2009
|
|
|
3,005 |
|
|
|
1,024 |
|
|
|
1,981 |
|
2010
|
|
|
2,222 |
|
|
|
946 |
|
|
|
1,276 |
|
2011
|
|
|
2,181 |
|
|
|
965 |
|
|
|
1,216 |
|
Thereafter
|
|
|
3,017 |
|
|
|
1,367 |
|
|
|
1,650 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$ |
18,912 |
|
|
$ |
6,380 |
|
|
$ |
12,532 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
In 2001, the Company entered into an operating sublease for
space in an office building in New York. The lease, as amended,
expires in 2013. Minimum rental expense over the entire period
is $10,584. A rent abatement received upon entering into the
lease is recognized on a straight line basis over the life of
the lease. The Company pays operating expense escalation ($44 in
2006) in monthly installments along with installments of the
base rent.
The Companys rental expense for the years ended
December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004 was $4,506, $5,427 and
$9,805, respectively. The Company incurred royalty expense under
various agreements during the years ended December 31,
2006, 2005 and 2004 of $1,275, $1,400 and $1,275, respectively.
The future minimum rents scheduled to be received under
non-cancelable operating leases at December 31, 2006 are
$1,038 in 2007, $1,040 in 2008, $1,024 in 2009, $946 in 2010,
$965 in 2011 and $1,367 thereafter.
F-32
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share
Amounts) (Continued)
|
|
9. |
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS |
Defined Benefit Plans and Postretirement Plans:
Defined Benefit Plans. The Company sponsors three defined
benefit pension plans covering virtually all individuals who
were employed by Liggett on a full-time basis prior to 1994.
Future accruals of benefits under these three defined benefit
plans were frozen between 1993 and 1995. These benefit plans
provide pension benefits for eligible employees based primarily
on their compensation and length of service. Contributions are
made to the pension plans in amounts necessary to meet the
minimum funding requirements of the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act of 1974. The plans assets and benefit
obligations are measured at September 30 of each year.
The Company also sponsors a Supplemental Retirement Plan
(SERP) where the Company will pay supplemental
retirement benefits to certain key employees, including
executive officers of the Company. In January 2006, the Company
amended and restated its SERP (the Amended SERP),
effective January 1, 2005. The amendments to the plan are
intended, among other things, to cause the plan to meet the
applicable requirements of Section 409A of the Internal
Revenue Code. The Amended SERP is intended to be unfunded for
tax purposes, and payments under the Amended SERP will be made
out of the general assets of the Company except that, under the
terms of the Chairmans amended employment agreement, the
Company has agreed during 2006, 2007 and 2008 to pay
$125 per quarter into a separate trust for him that will be
used to fund a portion of his benefits under the Amended SERP.
Under the Amended SERP, the benefit payable to a participant at
his normal retirement date is a lump sum amount which is the
actuarial equivalent of a predetermined annual retirement
benefit set by the Companys board of directors. Normal
retirement date is defined as the January 1 following the
attainment by the participant of the later of age 60 or the
completion of eight years of employment following
January 1, 2002 with the Company or a subsidiary, except
that, under the terms of the Chairmans amended employment
agreement, his normal retirement date was accelerated by one
year to December 30, 2008. At December 31, 2006, the
aggregate lump sum equivalents of the annual retirement benefits
payable under the Amended SERP at normal retirement dates
occurring during the following years is as follows:
2007 $0; 2008 $20,431; 2009
$12,359; 2010 $0; 2011 $1,694; and 2012
and thereafter $7,202. In the case of a participant
who becomes disabled prior to his normal retirement date or
whose service is terminated without cause, the
participants benefit consists of a pro-rata portion of the
full projected retirement benefit to which he would have been
entitled had he remained employed through his normal retirement
date, as actuarially discounted back to the date of payment. A
participant who dies while working for the Company or a
subsidiary (and before becoming disabled or attaining his normal
retirement date) will be paid an actuarially discounted
equivalent of his projected retirement benefit; conversely, a
participant who retires beyond his normal retirement date will
receive an actuarially increased equivalent of his projected
retirement benefit.
Postretirement Medical and Life Plans. The Company
provides certain postretirement medical and life insurance
benefits to certain employees. Substantially all of the
Companys manufacturing employees as of December 31,
2006 are eligible for postretirement medical benefits if they
reach retirement age while working for Liggett or certain
affiliates. Retirees are required to fund 100% of participant
medical premiums and, pursuant to union contracts, Liggett
reimburses approximately 550 hourly retirees, who retired
prior to 1991, for Medicare Part B premiums. In addition,
the Company provides life insurance benefits to approximately
225 active employees and 500 retirees who reach retirement age
and are eligible to receive benefits under one of the
Companys defined benefit pension plans. The Companys
postretirement liabilities are comprised of Medicare Part B
and life insurance premiums.
Computation of Defined Benefit and Postretirement Benefit
Plan Liabilities. On September 29, 2006,
SFAS No. 158, Employers Accounting for
Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans was
issued. SFAS No. 158 requires, among other things, the
recognition of the funded status of each defined
F-33
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share
Amounts) (Continued)
pension benefit plan, retiree health care and other
postretirement benefit plans and postemployment benefit plans on
the Companys consolidated balance sheet. Each overfunded
plan is recognized as an asset and each underfunded plan is
recognized as a liability. The initial impact of the standard
due to unrecognized prior service costs or credit and net
actuarial gains or losses as well as subsequent changes in the
funded status is recognized as a component of accumulated
comprehensive loss in the Companys consolidated statement
of stockholders equity. Additional minimum pension
liabilities (AML) and related intangible assets are
also derecognized upon the adoption of SFAS No. 158,
which requires initial application for fiscal years ending after
December 15, 2006. The following table summarizes the
effect of the required changes in the AML as of
December 31, 2006 prior to the adoption of
SFAS No. 158 as well as the impact of the initial
adoption of SFAS No. 158 at December 31, 2006.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Post AML |
|
|
SFAS |
|
and SFAS |
|
|
No. 158 |
|
No. 158 |
|
|
Adjustment |
|
Adjustments |
|
|
|
|
|
Prepaid pension costs
|
|
$ |
(10,705 |
) |
|
$ |
20,933 |
|
Intangible asset
|
|
|
(1,232 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Current liabilities
|
|
|
1,142 |
|
|
|
1,142 |
|
Pension liabilities
|
|
|
(349 |
) |
|
|
26,548 |
|
Postretirement liabilities
|
|
|
(1,450 |
) |
|
|
9,502 |
|
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
|
|
|
11,280 |
|
|
|
12,891 |
|
The following table summarizes amounts in accumulated other
comprehensive loss that are expected to be recognized as
components of net periodic benefit cost (credit) for the
year ended December 31, 2007.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Defined |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Benefit |
|
Post- |
|
|
|
|
Pension |
|
Retirement |
|
|
|
|
Plans |
|
Plans |
|
Total |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Prior service cost
|
|
$ |
1,402 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
1,402 |
|
Actuarial loss (gain)
|
|
|
705 |
|
|
|
(105 |
) |
|
|
600 |
|
F-34
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share
Amounts) (Continued)
The following provides a reconciliation of benefit obligations,
plan assets and the funded status of the pension plans and other
postretirement benefits:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other | |
|
|
Pension Benefits | |
|
Postretirement Benefits | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
2006 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2006 | |
|
2005 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Change in benefit obligation:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Benefit obligation at January 1
|
|
$ |
(161,389 |
) |
|
$ |
(162,284 |
) |
|
$ |
(10,933 |
) |
|
$ |
(11,032 |
) |
|
Service cost
|
|
|
(4,547 |
) |
|
|
(4,659 |
) |
|
|
(20 |
) |
|
|
(27 |
) |
|
Interest cost
|
|
|
(9,012 |
) |
|
|
(8,687 |
) |
|
|
(598 |
) |
|
|
(613 |
) |
|
Benefits paid
|
|
|
13,282 |
|
|
|
13,794 |
|
|
|
975 |
|
|
|
683 |
|
|
Plan amendment
|
|
|
(5,005 |
) |
|
|
753 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Actuarial gain (loss)
|
|
|
3,208 |
|
|
|
(306 |
) |
|
|
281 |
|
|
|
56 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Benefit obligation at December 31
|
|
$ |
(163,463 |
) |
|
$ |
(161,389 |
) |
|
$ |
(10,295 |
) |
|
$ |
(10,933 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change in plan assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fair value of plan assets at January 1
|
|
$ |
156,012 |
|
|
$ |
152,467 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
Actual return on plan assets
|
|
|
14,320 |
|
|
|
16,987 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contributions
|
|
|
449 |
|
|
|
352 |
|
|
|
975 |
|
|
|
683 |
|
|
Benefits paid
|
|
|
(13,282 |
) |
|
|
(13,794 |
) |
|
|
(975 |
) |
|
|
(683 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fair value of plan assets at December 31
|
|
$ |
157,499 |
|
|
$ |
156,012 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Funded status at December 31
|
|
$ |
(5,964 |
) |
|
$ |
(5,377 |
) |
|
$ |
(10,295 |
) |
|
$ |
(10,933 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unrecognized actuarial losses (gains)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
16,280 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(479 |
) |
|
Contributions of SERP benefits
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
91 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net pension asset (liability) before additional minimum
liability and purchase accounting valuation adjustments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,994 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(11,412 |
) |
Additional minimum liability
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(17,199 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchase accounting valuation adjustments relating to income
taxes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
291 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
91 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liability included in the December 31 balance sheet
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(5,914 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(11,321 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Prepaid pension costs
|
|
$ |
20,933 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
Other accrued liabilities
|
|
|
(349 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(793 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Non-current employee benefit liabilities
|
|
|
(26,548 |
) |
|
|
(5,914 |
) |
|
|
(9,502 |
) |
|
|
(11,321 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net amounts recognized
|
|
$ |
(5,964 |
) |
|
$ |
(5,914 |
) |
|
$ |
(10,295 |
) |
|
$ |
(11,321 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-35
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share
Amounts) (Continued)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other | |
|
|
Pension Benefits | |
|
Postretirement Benefits | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
2006 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2006 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Actuarial assumptions:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Discount rates benefit obligation
|
|
|
5.85 |
% |
|
|
5.68% |
|
|
|
4.50% 5.75% |
|
|
|
5.85 |
% |
|
|
5.68 |
% |
|
|
5.75 |
% |
|
Discount rates service cost
|
|
|
5.68 |
% |
|
|
4.50% 5.75% |
|
|
|
4.25% 6.05% |
|
|
|
5.68 |
% |
|
|
5.75 |
% |
|
|
6.00 |
% |
|
Assumed rates of return on invested assets
|
|
|
8.50 |
% |
|
|
8.50% |
|
|
|
8.50% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Salary increase assumptions
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
3.00 |
% |
|
|
3.00 |
% |
|
|
3.00 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other | |
|
|
Pension Benefits | |
|
Postretirement Benefits | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
2006 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2006 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Service cost benefits earned during the period
|
|
$ |
4,897 |
|
|
$ |
5,009 |
|
|
$ |
4,991 |
|
|
$ |
20 |
|
|
$ |
27 |
|
|
$ |
30 |
|
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation
|
|
|
9,012 |
|
|
|
8,687 |
|
|
|
8,959 |
|
|
|
598 |
|
|
|
613 |
|
|
|
626 |
|
Expected return on assets
|
|
|
(12,590 |
) |
|
|
(12,274 |
) |
|
|
(12,107 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Prior service cost
|
|
|
1,051 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amortization of net loss (gain)
|
|
|
1,689 |
|
|
|
1,120 |
|
|
|
2,048 |
|
|
|
(12 |
) |
|
|
45 |
|
|
|
51 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net expense
|
|
$ |
4,059 |
|
|
$ |
2,542 |
|
|
$ |
3,891 |
|
|
$ |
606 |
|
|
$ |
685 |
|
|
$ |
707 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of December 31, 2006, two of the Companys four
defined benefit plans experienced accumulated benefit
obligations in excess of plan assets, for which the projected
benefit obligation, accumulated benefit obligation and fair
value of plan assets were $26,897, $26,897 and $0, respectively.
As of December 31, 2005, three of the Companys four
defined benefit plans experienced accumulated benefit
obligations in excess of plan assets, for which the projected
benefit obligation, accumulated benefit obligation and fair
value of plan assets were $97,982, $97,982 and $80,943,
respectively.
Discount rates were determined by a quantitative analysis
examining the prevailing prices of high quality bonds to
determine an appropriate discount rate for measuring obligations
under SFAS No. 87, Employers Accounting
for Pensions and SFAS No. 106,
Employers Accounting for Postretirement Benefits
Other Than Pensions. The aforementioned analysis analyzes
the cash flow from each of the Companys two qualified
defined benefit plans as well as a separate analysis of the cash
flows from the postretirement medical and life insurance plans
sponsored by Liggett. The aforementioned analyses then construct
a hypothetical bond portfolio whose cash flow from coupons and
maturities match the year-by-year, projected benefit cash flow
from the respective pension or retiree health plans. The Company
uses the lower discount rate derived from the two independent
analyses in the computation of the benefit obligation and
service cost for each respective retirement liability.
The Company considers input from its external advisors and
historical returns in developing its expected rate of return on
plan assets. The expected long-term rate of return is the
weighted average of the target asset allocation of each
individual asset class. The Companys actual
10-year annual rate of
return on its pension plan assets was 8.2%, 8.3% and 9.9% for
the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004,
respectively.
Gains and losses resulting from changes in actuarial assumptions
and from differences between assumed and actual experience,
including, among other items, changes in discount rates and
changes in actual returns on plan assets as compared to assumed
returns. These gains and losses are only amortized to the extent
that they exceed 10% of the greater of Projected Benefit
Obligation and the fair value of assets. For the year ended
December 31, 2006, Liggett used an eight-year period for
its Hourly Plan and a five year period for its Salaried Plan to
amortize pension fund gains and losses on a straight line basis.
Such amounts are reflected in the
F-36
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share
Amounts) (Continued)
pension expense calculation beginning the year after the gains
or losses occur. The amortization of deferred losses negatively
impacts pension expense in the future.
Plan assets are invested employing multiple investment
management firms. Managers within each asset class cover a range
of investment styles and focus primarily on issue selection as a
means to add value. Risk is controlled through a diversification
among asset classes, managers, styles and securities. Risk is
further controlled both at the manager and asset class level by
assigning excess return and tracking error targets. Investment
managers are monitored to evaluate performance against these
benchmark indices and targets.
Allowable investment types include equity, investment grade
fixed income, high yield fixed income, hedge funds and short
term investments. The equity fund is comprised of common stocks
and mutual funds of large, medium and small companies, which are
predominantly U.S. based. The investment grade fixed income
fund includes managed funds investing in fixed income securities
issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, or by its
respective agencies, mortgage backed securities, including
collateralized mortgage obligations, and corporate debt
obligations. The high yield fixed income fund includes a fund
which invests in non-investment grade corporate debt securities.
The hedge funds invest in both equity, including common and
preferred stock, and debt obligations, including convertible
debentures, of private and public companies. The Company
generally utilizes its short term investments, including
interest-bearing cash, to pay benefits and to deploy in special
situations.
The current target asset allocation percentage is 48% equity
investments, 22% investment grade fixed income, 5% high yield
fixed income, 20% hedge funds and 5% short-term investments,
with a rebalancing range of approximately plus or minus 5%
around the target asset allocations.
Vectors defined benefit retirement plan allocations at
December 31, 2006 and 2005, by asset category, were as
follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Plan Assets |
|
|
at |
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
|
|
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
|
|
|
|
Asset category:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity securities
|
|
|
52 |
% |
|
|
51 |
% |
Investment grade fixed income securities
|
|
|
18 |
% |
|
|
20 |
% |
High yield fixed income securities
|
|
|
7 |
% |
|
|
5 |
% |
Hedge funds
|
|
|
20 |
% |
|
|
21 |
% |
Short-term investments
|
|
|
3 |
% |
|
|
3 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
100 |
% |
|
|
100 |
% |
For 2006 measurement purposes, annual increases in Medicare
Part B trends were assumed to equal rates between 0% and
11.0% between 2007 and 2016 and 5.0% after 2016. For 2005
measurement purposes, annual increases in Medicare Part B
trends were assumed to equal rates between 0% and 13.2% between
2006 and 2015 and 5.0% after 2015.
Assumed health care cost trend rates have a significant effect
on the amounts reported for the health care plans. A 1% change
in assumed health care cost trend rates would have the following
effects:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1% Increase |
|
1% Decrease |
|
|
|
|
|
Effect on total of service and interest cost components
|
|
$ |
15 |
|
|
$ |
(10 |
) |
Effect on benefit obligation
|
|
$ |
248 |
|
|
$ |
(170 |
) |
F-37
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share
Amounts) (Continued)
To comply with ERISAs minimum funding requirements, the
Company does not currently anticipate that it will be required
to make any funding to the pension plans for the pension plan
year beginning on January 1, 2007 and ending on
December 31, 2007. Any additional funding obligation that
the Company may have for subsequent years is contingent on
several factors and is not reasonably estimable at this time.
Estimated future pension benefits payments are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
$ |
13,370 |
|
2008
|
|
|
33,460 |
|
2009
|
|
|
25,023 |
|
2010
|
|
|
12,366 |
|
2011
|
|
|
13,753 |
|
2012 2016
|
|
|
61,525 |
|
Profit Sharing and Other Plans:
The Company maintains 401(k) plans for substantially all
U.S. employees which allow eligible employees to invest a
percentage of their pre-tax compensation. The Company
contributed to the 401(k) plans and expensed $1,130, $937 and
$1,343 for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and
2004, respectively.
The Company files a consolidated U.S. income tax return
that includes its more than 80%-owned U.S. subsidiaries.
For periods prior to December 9, 2005, the consolidated
U.S. income tax return did not include the activities of
New Valley, which filed a separate consolidated U.S. income
tax return that included its more than 80%-owned
U.S. subsidiaries. The amounts provided for income taxes
are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2006 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Current:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U.S. Federal
|
|
$ |
27,982 |
|
|
$ |
13,941 |
|
|
$ |
4,242 |
|
|
State
|
|
|
8,165 |
|
|
|
6,369 |
|
|
|
3,028 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
36,147 |
|
|
$ |
20,310 |
|
|
$ |
7,270 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U.S. Federal
|
|
$ |
(10,591 |
) |
|
$ |
20,748 |
|
|
$ |
(14,753 |
) |
|
State
|
|
|
212 |
|
|
|
156 |
|
|
|
621 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(10,379 |
) |
|
|
20,904 |
|
|
|
(14,132 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total expense (benefit)
|
|
$ |
25,768 |
|
|
$ |
41,214 |
|
|
$ |
(6,862 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-38
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share
Amounts) (Continued)
The tax effect of temporary differences which give rise to a
significant portion of deferred tax assets and liabilities are
as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, 2006 | |
|
December 31, 2005 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
Deferred Tax | |
|
Deferred Tax | |
|
Deferred Tax | |
|
Deferred Tax | |
|
|
Assets | |
|
Liabilities | |
|
Assets | |
|
Liabilities | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Excess of tax basis over book basis-
non-consolidated entities
|
|
$ |
4,902 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
3,766 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
Deferral on Philip Morris brand transaction
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
75,466 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
108,087 |
|
Employee benefit accruals
|
|
|
14,656 |
|
|
|
7,094 |
|
|
|
17,529 |
|
|
|
3,996 |
|
Book/tax differences on fixed and intangible assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
24,814 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
18,512 |
|
Impact of embedded derivatives on convertible debt
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
18,678 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,699 |
|
Other
|
|
|
11,033 |
|
|
|
9,501 |
|
|
|
12,959 |
|
|
|
10,489 |
|
Unrestricted U.S. tax loss and contribution carryforwards
|
|
|
25,244 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
47,899 |
|
|
|
|
|
Restricted U.S. tax loss carryforwards
|
|
|
873 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
873 |
|
|
|
|
|
U.S. tax credit carryforwards Vector
|
|
|
15,718 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
14,014 |
|
|
|
|
|
Various U.S. state tax loss carryforwards
|
|
|
16,858 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
19,084 |
|
|
|
|
|
Valuation allowance
|
|
|
(17,731 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(19,957 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
71,553 |
|
|
$ |
135,553 |
|
|
$ |
96,167 |
|
|
$ |
149,783 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Company provides a valuation allowance against deferred tax
assets if, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more
likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will
not be realized. The valuation allowance of $17,731 and $19,957
at December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively, consisted
primarily of a reserve against various state and local net
operating loss carryforwards, primarily resulting from Vector
Tobaccos losses. The December 31, 2005 deferred tax
balances have been revised to reflect $19,957 of deferred tax
assets created by certain state tax and restricted federal tax
loss carryforwards and the valuation allowance for the entirety
of such deferred tax assets. In 2004, New Valley recognized
$9,000 of deferred tax assets based on its managements
belief that it was more likely than not that such deferred tax
assets would be realized based upon a projection of taxable
income for 2005.
As of December 31, 2006, the Company and its more than
80%-owned subsidiaries, which included New Valley, had
U.S. net operating loss carryforwards of approximately
$68,900 which expire at various dates from 2011 through 2023.
Approximately $12,500 of the Companys consolidated net
operating loss carryforwards expire at December 31, 2011
and the remaining $56,400 expire at various dates between
December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2023. As of
December 31, 2006, the Company and its more than 80%-owned
subsidiaries, which included New Valley, also had approximately
$15,425 of alternative minimum tax credit carryforwards, which
may be carried forward indefinitely under current U.S. tax
law, and $293 of general business credit carryforwards, which
expire in 2011.
As of December 31, 2005, the Company and its more than
80%-owned subsidiaries, which included New Valley, had
U.S. net operating loss carryforwards of approximately
$136,900 and approximately $14,014 of alternative minimum tax
credit carryforwards.
F-39
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share
Amounts) (Continued)
Differences between the amounts provided for income taxes and
amounts computed at the federal statutory tax rate are
summarized as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2006 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes
|
|
$ |
68,480 |
|
|
$ |
83,799 |
|
|
$ |
(2,400 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Federal income tax expense (benefit) at statutory rate
|
|
|
23,969 |
|
|
|
29,330 |
|
|
|
(840 |
) |
Increases (decreases) resulting from:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
State income taxes, net of federal income tax benefits
|
|
|
5,445 |
|
|
|
4,241 |
|
|
|
2,371 |
|
|
Non-deductible expenses
|
|
|
3,188 |
|
|
|
5,616 |
|
|
|
4,320 |
|
|
Non-deductible impact of conversion of debt
|
|
|
5,201 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity and other adjustments
|
|
|
(293 |
) |
|
|
1,067 |
|
|
|
(469 |
) |
|
Impact of IRS audit settlement
|
|
|
(11,500 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change in other tax contingencies
|
|
|
1,984 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Changes in valuation allowance, net of equity and tax audit
adjustments
|
|
|
(2,226 |
) |
|
|
960 |
|
|
|
(12,244 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expense (benefit) for income tax
|
|
$ |
25,768 |
|
|
$ |
41,214 |
|
|
$ |
(6,862 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income taxes associated with discontinued operations have been
shown net of the utilization of the net operating loss
carryforwards.
The consolidated balance sheets of the Company include deferred
income tax assets and liabilities, which represent temporary
differences in the application of accounting rules established
by generally accepted accounting principles and income tax laws.
As of December 31, 2006, the Companys deferred income
tax liabilities exceeded its deferred income tax assets by
$64,000. As of December 31, 2005, the Companys
deferred income tax liabilities exceeded its deferred income tax
assets by $53,616. The largest component of the Companys
deferred tax liabilities exists because of differences that
resulted from a 1998 and 1999 transaction with Philip Morris
Incorporated where a subsidiary of Liggett contributed three of
its premium cigarette brands to Trademarks LLC, a newly-formed
limited liability company. In such transaction, Philip Morris
acquired an option to purchase the remaining interest in
Trademarks for a 90-day
period commencing in December 2008, and the Company has an
option to require Philip Morris to purchase the remaining
interest for a 90-day
period commencing in March 2010. (See Note 16.)
In connection with the transaction, the Company recognized in
1999 a pre-tax gain of $294,078 in its consolidated financial
statements and established a deferred tax liability of $103,100
relating to the gain. Upon exercise of the options during the
90-day periods
commencing in December 2008 or in March 2010, the Company will
be required to pay tax in the amount of the deferred tax
liability, which will be offset by the benefit of any deferred
tax assets, including any net operating losses, available to the
Company at that time. In connection with an examination of the
Companys 1998 and 1999 federal income tax returns, the
Internal Revenue Service issued to the Company in September 2003
a notice of proposed adjustment. The notice asserted that, for
tax reporting purposes, the entire gain should have been
recognized in 1998 and in 1999 in the additional amounts of
$150,000 and $129,900, respectively, rather than upon the
exercise of the options during the
90-day periods
commencing in December 2008 or in March 2010. On July 20,
2006, the Company entered into a settlement with the Internal
Revenue Service with respect to the Philip Morris brand
transaction where a subsidiary of Liggett contributed three of
its premium cigarette brands to Trademarks LLC, a newly-formed
limited liability company. In such transaction, Philip Morris
acquired an option to purchase the remaining interest in
Trademarks for a 90-day
period commencing in December 2008, and the
F-40
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share
Amounts) (Continued)
Company has an option to require Philip Morris to purchase the
remaining interest for a
90-day period
commencing in March 2010. The Company deferred for income tax
purposes, a portion of the gain on the transaction until such
time as the options were exercised. In connection with an
examination of the Companys 1998 and 1999 federal income
tax returns, the Internal Revenue Service issued to the Company
in September 2003 a notice of proposed adjustment. The notice
asserted that, for tax reporting purposes, the entire gain
should have been recognized in 1998 and in 1999 in the
additional amounts of $150,000 and $129,900, respectively,
rather than upon the exercise of the options during the
90-day periods
commencing in December 2008 or in March 2010. As part of the
settlement, the Company agreed that $87,000 of the gain on the
transaction would be recognized by the Company as income for tax
purposes in 1999 and that the balance of the remaining gain, net
of previously capitalized expenses of $900, ($192,000) will be
recognized by the Company as income in 2008 or 2009, upon
exercise of the options. The Company paid during the third and
fourth quarters of 2006 approximately $41,400, including
interest, with respect to the gain recognized in 1999. As a
result of the settlement, the Company reduced, during the third
quarter of 2006, the excess portion ($11,500) of a previously
established reserve in its consolidated financial statements,
which resulted in a decrease in such amount in reported income
tax expense in the consolidated statements of operations.
In March 2005, New Valley paid $1,589, including interest of
$885, under protest in connection with a state tax assessment
related to the 1994 sale of its money transfer business. In
October 2005, New Valley filed a brief to challenge the
assessment. In March 2007, New Valley and the state taxing
authority agreed that the state taxing authority would refund
approximately $700, including $400 of interest, of the amount
paid in March 2005 to New Valley. New Valley anticipates receipt
of the refund in the first half of 2007.
The Company grants equity compensation under two long-term
incentive plans. As of December 31, 2006, there were
approximately 4,729,500 shares available for issuance under
the Companys Amended and Restated 1999 Long-Term Incentive
Plan (the 1999 Plan) and approximately
835,000 shares available for issuance under the 1998
Long-Term Incentive Plan (the 1998 Plan).
Prior to January 1, 2006, the Company accounted for
share-based compensation plans in accordance with the provisions
of APB Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to
Employees, as permitted by SFAS No. 123. The
Company elected to use the intrinsic value method of accounting
for employee and director share-based compensation expense for
its non-compensatory employee and director stock option awards
and did not recognize compensation expense for the issuance of
options with an exercise price equal to the market price of the
underlying common stock on the date of grant.
Stock Options. On January 1, 2006, the Company
adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 123(R), which
requires the Company to value unvested stock options granted
prior to the adoption of SFAS No. 123(R) under the
fair value method of accounting and expense this amount in the
statement of operations over the stock options remaining
vesting period. Upon adoption, there was no cumulative
adjustment for the impact of the change in accounting principles
because the assumed forfeiture rate did not differ significantly
from prior periods. The Company recognized compensation expense
of $470 ($279 net of income taxes) related to stock options
in the year ended December 31, 2006 as a result of adopting
SFAS No. 123(R).
The terms of certain stock options awarded under the 1999 Plan
in January 2001 and November 1999 provide for common stock
dividend equivalents (at the same rate as paid on the common
stock) with respect to the shares underlying the unexercised
portion of the options. Prior to January 1, 2006, in
accordance with APB Opinion No. 25, the Company accounted
for the dividend equivalent rights on these options as
additional compensation cost ($6,178 and $5,636, net of tax, for
2005 and 2004, respectively). Effective January 1, 2006, in
accordance with SFAS No. 123(R), the Company
recognizes payments of the dividend equivalent rights on these
options as reductions in additional paid-in capital on the
Companys consolidated balance sheet ($6,186
F-41
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share
Amounts) (Continued)
for the year ended December 31, 2006), which is included as
Distributions on common stock in the Companys
consolidated statement of changes in stockholders equity.
The fair value of option grants is estimated at the date of
grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The
Black-Scholes option pricing model was developed for use in
estimating the fair value of traded options which have no
vesting restrictions and are fully transferable. In addition,
option valuation models require the input of highly subjective
assumptions including expected stock price characteristics which
are significantly different from those of traded options, and
because changes in the subjective input assumptions can
materially affect the fair value estimate, the existing models
do not necessarily provide a reliable single measure of the fair
value of stock-based compensation awards.
The assumptions used under the Black-Scholes option pricing
model in computing fair value of options are based on the
expected option life considering both the contractual term of
the option and expected employee exercise behavior, the interest
rate associated with U.S. Treasury issues with a remaining
term equal to the expected option life and the expected
volatility of the Companys common stock over the expected
term of the option. The assumptions used were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006 |
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
Risk-free interest rate
|
|
4.9% 5.0% |
|
|
4.57% |
|
|
|
4.54% |
|
Expected volatility
|
|
38.17% 40.52% |
|
|
25.82% |
|
|
|
18.43% |
|
Dividend yield
|
|
9.96% 10.03% |
|
|
7.82% |
|
|
|
9.88% |
|
Expected holding period
|
|
6 6.75 years |
|
|
10 years |
|
|
|
10 years |
|
Weighted average fair value
|
|
$2.14 $2.50 |
|
|
$2.02 |
|
|
|
$0.45 |
|
The net impact of the adoption of SFAS No. 123(R) was
a reduction in the operating, selling, administrative and
general expenses of $5,920 and an increase in net income of
$5,909 for the year ended December 31, 2006. The net impact
of the adoption of SFAS No. 123(R) was an increase in
diluted EPS from $0.65 to $0.71 for the year ended
December 31, 2006.
Awards of options to employees under the Companys stock
compensation plans generally vest over periods ranging from four
to five years and have a term of ten years from the date of
grant. The expense related to stock option compensation included
in the determination of net income for the years ended
December 31, 2005 and 2004 differs from that which would
have been recognized if the fair value method had been applied
to all awards since the original effective date of
SFAS No. 123. Had the Company elected to adopt the
fair value approach as prescribed by SFAS No. 123,
which charges earnings for the estimated fair
F-42
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share
Amounts) (Continued)
value of stock options, its pro forma net income and pro forma
EPS for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004 would
have been as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Net income as revised (see Note 1(u))
|
|
$ |
52,385 |
|
|
$ |
7,151 |
|
Add: stock option employee compensation expense included in
reported net income, net of related tax effects
|
|
|
8,668 |
|
|
|
5,839 |
|
Deduct: total stock option employee compensation expense
determined under the fair value method for all awards, net of
related tax effects
|
|
|
(3,474 |
) |
|
|
(1,803 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pro forma net income
|
|
$ |
57,579 |
|
|
$ |
11,187 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income per share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic as reported
|
|
$ |
1.13 |
|
|
$ |
0.16 |
|
|
Basic pro forma
|
|
$ |
1.14 |
|
|
$ |
0.22 |
|
|
Diluted as reported
|
|
$ |
1.06 |
|
|
$ |
0.15 |
|
|
Diluted pro forma
|
|
$ |
1.08 |
|
|
$ |
0.22 |
|
The pro-forma amounts reported for the 2005 and 2004 periods
reflect additional payments of dividend equivalent rights
($6,178 and $5,635, net of tax, respectively) on unexercised
options as reductions in additional paid-in capital rather than
compensation expense in accordance with SFAS No. 123.
Additionally, upon reflecting the payment of dividend equivalent
rights as a reduction of additional paid-in capital in
determining its pro forma net income, the Company accounted for
the effect of the underlying options as participating securities
under EITF Issue
No. 03-6,
Participating Securities and the Two Class
Method under FASB Statement 128, which established
standards regarding the computation of EPS by companies that
have issued securities other than common stock that
contractually entitle the holder to participate in dividends and
earnings of the company when calculating its basic pro forma
EPS. As a result, basic pro forma net income was reduced by
$5,056 and $927 for the years ended December 31, 2005 and
2004, respectively, when calculating pro forma EPS.
F-43
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share
Amounts) (Continued)
A summary of employee stock option transactions follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted- | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Remaining | |
|
Aggregate | |
|
|
Number of | |
|
Weighted Average | |
|
Contractual Term | |
|
Intrinsic | |
|
|
Shares | |
|
Exercise Price | |
|
(Years) | |
|
Value(1) | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Outstanding on January 1, 2004
|
|
|
11,158,611 |
|
|
$ |
10.66 |
|
|
|
5.6 |
|
|
$ |
51,048 |
|
|
Granted
|
|
|
220,507 |
|
|
$ |
10.67 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercised
|
|
|
(1,220,140 |
) |
|
$ |
6.96 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cancelled
|
|
|
(400,599 |
) |
|
$ |
17.68 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding on December 31, 2004
|
|
|
9,758,379 |
|
|
$ |
10.87 |
|
|
|
4.7 |
|
|
$ |
48,880 |
|
|
Granted
|
|
|
57,750 |
|
|
$ |
19.48 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Issued in New Valley acquisition
|
|
|
116,423 |
|
|
$ |
8.63 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercised
|
|
|
(339,621 |
) |
|
$ |
11.17 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cancelled
|
|
|
(597,399 |
) |
|
$ |
24.24 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding on December 31, 2005
|
|
|
8,995,532 |
|
|
$ |
10.03 |
|
|
|
3.6 |
|
|
$ |
67,495 |
|
|
Granted
|
|
|
283,500 |
|
|
$ |
16.76 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercised
|
|
|
(322,261 |
) |
|
$ |
9.66 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cancelled
|
|
|
(26,007 |
) |
|
$ |
18.09 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding on December 31, 2006
|
|
|
8,930,764 |
|
|
$ |
10.22 |
|
|
|
2.8 |
|
|
$ |
69,246 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options exercisable at:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, 2004
|
|
|
9,342,372 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, 2005
|
|
|
8,847,927 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, 2006
|
|
|
8,588,528 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
The aggregate intrinsic value represents the amount by which the
fair value of the underlying common stock ($17.75, $17.30,
$15.08 and $14.10 at December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004 and
January 1, 2004, respectively) exceeds the option exercise
price. |
Additional information relating to options outstanding at
December 31, 2006 follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options Outstanding |
|
Options Exercisable |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted-Average |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding |
|
Remaining |
|
|
|
Exercisable |
|
|
Range of |
|
as of |
|
Contractual Life |
|
Weighted-Average |
|
as of |
|
Weighted-Average |
Exercise Prices |
|
12/31/2006 |
|
(Years) |
|
Exercise Price |
|
12/31/2006 |
|
Exercise Price |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$0.00 6.82
|
|
|
3,696,471 |
|
|
|
1.6 |
|
|
$ |
6.60 |
|
|
|
3,696,471 |
|
|
$ |
6.60 |
|
$6.83 10.23
|
|
|
33,319 |
|
|
|
3.8 |
|
|
$ |
8.94 |
|
|
|
23,747 |
|
|
$ |
8.55 |
|
$10.24 13.64
|
|
|
3,418,954 |
|
|
|
2.9 |
|
|
$ |
10.97 |
|
|
|
3,418,635 |
|
|
$ |
10.98 |
|
$13.65 17.05
|
|
|
1,567,647 |
|
|
|
5.2 |
|
|
$ |
14.86 |
|
|
|
1,283,828 |
|
|
$ |
14.45 |
|
$17.06 20.46
|
|
|
47,250 |
|
|
|
8.4 |
|
|
$ |
19.48 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$21.47 23.87
|
|
|
5,096 |
|
|
|
5.1 |
|
|
$ |
21.71 |
|
|
|
3,820 |
|
|
$ |
21.71 |
|
$23.88 27.28
|
|
|
32,821 |
|
|
|
4.5 |
|
|
$ |
24.61 |
|
|
|
32,821 |
|
|
$ |
24.61 |
|
$27.28 30.69
|
|
|
55,193 |
|
|
|
4.1 |
|
|
$ |
28.83 |
|
|
|
55,193 |
|
|
$ |
28.83 |
|
$30.69 34.11
|
|
|
74,013 |
|
|
|
4.7 |
|
|
$ |
31.20 |
|
|
|
74,013 |
|
|
$ |
31.20 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,930,764 |
|
|
|
2.8 |
|
|
$ |
10.22 |
|
|
|
8,588,528 |
|
|
$ |
11.05 |
|
F-44
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share
Amounts) (Continued)
As of December 31, 2006, there was $638 of total
unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock
options. The cost is expected to be recognized over a
weighted-average period of approximately 1.95 years at
December 31, 2006.
In November 2005, the President of Liggett and Liggett Vector
Brands agreed to the cancellation of an option to
purchase 319,069 shares of the Companys common
stock at $30.09 per share granted under the 1999 Plan in
September 2001. In this regard, the President of Liggett and the
Company entered into an agreement, in which the Company, in
accordance with the 1999 Plan, agreed after the passage of more
than six months and assuming his continued employment with the
Company or an affiliate of the Company, to grant him another
stock option under the 1999 Plan covering 262,500 shares of
the Companys common stock with the exercise price equal to
the value of the common stock on the grant date of the
replacement option. The new option was issued on August 14,
2006 with an exercise price of $16.89 per share and a
ten-year term and will became exercisable with respect to
one-fourth of the shares on December 1, 2006, with an
additional one-fourth becoming exercisable on each of the three
succeeding one-year anniversaries of the first exercisable date
through December 1, 2009.
Prior to the adoption of SFAS No. 123(R), the Company
presented the tax savings resulting from the deductions
resulting from the exercise of non-qualified stock options as an
operating cash flow in accordance with EITF Issue
No. 00-15,
Classification in the Statement of Cash Flows of the
Income Tax Benefit Received by a Company upon Exercise of a
Nonqualified Employee Stock Option.
SFAS No. 123(R) requires the Company to reflect the
tax savings resulting from tax deductions in excess of expense
reflected in its financial statements as a component of
Cash Flows from Financing Activities.
The terms of certain stock option grants awarded under the
Amended 1999 Plan in January 2001 and November 1999 provide for
common stock dividend equivalents (at the same rate as paid on
the common stock) with respect to the shares underlying the
unexercised portion of the options. In 2005 and 2004, the
Company recorded charges to income of $6,661 and $5,798,
respectively, for the dividend equivalent rights on these
options.
Non-qualified options for 283,500, 57,750 and
220,507 shares of common stock were issued under the 1998
Plan and the 1999 Plan during 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively.
The exercise prices of the options granted were $16.76 in 2006,
$19.48 in 2005 and $10.67 in 2004. The exercise prices of the
options granted in 2006, 2005 and 2004 were at the fair value on
the dates of the grants, other than a grant of options for
262,500 shares in 2006 at $1.59 more than the fair value on
the grant date.
In connection with the merger of New Valley with a subsidiary of
the Company on December 13, 2005, employee and director
stock options to purchase New Valley common shares were
converted, in accordance with the terms of such options, into
options to purchase a total of 116,423 shares of the
Companys common stock at prices ranging from $6.30 to
$11.39 per share.
SFAS No. 123(R) requires the Company to calculate the
pool of excess tax benefits, or APIC Pool, available to absorb
tax deficiencies recognized subsequent to adopting
SFAS No. 123(R), as if the Company had adopted SFAS
No. 123 at its effective date in 1995. The two allowable
methods to calculate the Companys hypothetical APIC Pool
are the long-form method tax benefits set forth in
SFAS No. 123(R) and the short-form method set forth in
FASB Staff Position
No. 123R-3. The
Company has elected to use the long-form method under which each
award grant is tracked on an employee-by-employee basis and
grant-by-grant basis to determine if there is a tax benefit or
tax deficiency for such award. The Company then compares the
fair value expense to the tax deduction received for each grant
and aggregates the benefits and deficiencies to establish its
hypothetical APIC Pool.
Due to the adoption of SFAS No. 123(R), some exercises
of options result in tax deductions in excess of previously
recorded benefits based on the option value at the time of
grant, or windfall tax benenfits. The
F-45
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share
Amounts) (Continued)
Company recognizes windfall tax benefits associated with the
exercise of stock options directly to stockholders equity
only when realized. Accordingly, deferred tax assets are not
recognized for net operating loss carryforwards resulting from
windfall tax benefits occurring after December 31, 2005. A
windfall tax benefit occurs when the actual tax benefit realized
by the Company upon an employees disposition of a
share-based award exceeds the deferred tax asset, if any,
associated with the award that the Company had recorded.
The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the years
ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004 was $2,333, $1,767
and $8,654, respectively. Tax benefits related to option
exercises of $578 and $2,990 were recorded as increases to
stockholders equity for the years ended December 31,
2005 and 2004, respectively. In accordance with
SFAS No. 123(R), tax benefits related to option
exercises for the year ended December 31, 2006 were not
deemed to be realized as net operating loss carryforwards are
available to offset taxable income computed without giving
effect to the deductions related to option exercises.
During 2006, 322,261 options, exercisable at prices ranging from
$7.99 to $15.43 per share, were exercised for $2,571 in
cash and the delivery to the Company of 41,566 shares of
common stock with a fair market value of $760, or $18.27, per
share on the date of exercise.
During 2005, 339,621 options, exercisable at prices ranging from
$9.90 to $15.60 per share, were exercised for $3,625 in
cash and the delivery to the Company of 8,100 shares of
common stock with a fair market value of $167, or $18.70, per
share on the date of exercise.
During 2004, 1,220,140 options, exercisable at prices ranging
from $3.38 to $13.33 per share, were exercised for $3,165
in cash and the delivery to the Company of 384,357 shares
of common stock with a fair market value of $5,346, or $13.91,
per share on the date of exercise.
Restricted Stock Awards. In January 2005, New Valley
awarded the President of New Valley, who also served in the same
position with the Company, a restricted stock grant of
1,250,000 shares of New Valleys common shares. Under
the terms of the award, one-seventh of the shares vested on
July 15, 2005, with an additional one-seventh vesting on
each of the five succeeding one-year anniversaries of the first
vesting date through July 15, 2010 and an additional
one-seventh vesting on January 15, 2011. In September 2005,
in connection with his election as Chief Executive Officer of
the Company, he renounced and waived, as of that date, the
unvested 1,071,429 common shares deliverable by New Valley to
him in the future. The Company recorded an expense of $1,267
($679 net of minority interests) associated with the grant
for the year ended December 31, 2005.
In September 2005, the President of the Company was awarded a
restricted stock grant of 525,000 shares of the
Companys common stock and, on November 16, 2005, he
was awarded an additional restricted stock grant of
82,498 shares of the Companys common stock, in each
case, pursuant to the 1999 Plan. Pursuant to the restricted
share agreements, one-fourth of the shares vested on
September 15, 2006, with an additional one-fourth vesting
on each of the three succeeding one-year anniversaries of the
first vesting date through September 15, 2009. In the event
his employment with the Company is terminated for any reason
other than his death, his disability or a change of control (as
defined in his restricted share agreements) of the Company, any
remaining balance of the shares not previously vested will be
forfeited by him. These restricted stock awards by the Company
replaced the unvested portion of the New Valley restricted stock
grant relinquished by the President of the Company. The number
of restricted shares of the Companys common stock awarded
to him by the Company (607,498 shares) was the equivalent
of the number of shares of the Companys common stock that
would have been issued to him had he retained his unvested New
Valley restricted shares and those shares were exchanged for the
Companys common stock in the exchange offer and subsequent
merger whereby the Company acquired the remaining minority
interest in New Valley in December 2005. The Company recorded
deferred compensation of $11,340 representing the fair market
value of the total restricted shares on the dates of grant. The
deferred compensation will be amortized over the vesting period
as a charge
F-46
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share
Amounts) (Continued)
to compensation expense. The Company recorded an expense of
$2,987 and $679 associated with the grants for the years ended
December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively.
In November 2005, the President of Liggett and Liggett Vector
Brands was awarded a restricted stock grant of
52,500 shares of the Companys common stock pursuant
to the 1999 Plan. Pursuant to his restricted share agreement,
one-fourth of the shares vested on November 1, 2006, with
an additional one-fourth vesting on each of the three succeeding
one-year anniversaries of the first vesting date through
November 1, 2009. In the event his employment with the
Company is terminated for any reason other than his death, his
disability or a change of control (as defined in his restricted
share agreement) of the Company, any remaining balance of the
shares not previously vested will be forfeited by him. The
Company recorded deferred compensation of $1,018 representing
the fair market value of the restricted shares on the date of
grant. The Company recorded an expense of $254 and $37
associated with the grant for the years ended December 31,
2006 and 2005, respectively.
On June 1, 2004, the Company granted 11,576 restricted
shares of the Companys common stock pursuant to the
Amended 1999 Plan to each of its four outside directors. The
shares will vest over a period of three years. The Company will
recognize $644 of expense over the vesting period. The Company
also recognized $215, $215 and $125 of expense for the years
ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively, in
connection with restricted stock awards granted to its outside
directors in June 2004.
As of December 31, 2006, there was $6,386 of total
unrecognized compensation costs related to unvested restricted
stock awards. The cost is expected to be recognized over a
weighted-average period of approximately 1.81 years at
December 31, 2006.
The Companys accounting policy is to treat dividends paid
on unvested restricted stock as a reduction to additional
paid-in capital on the Companys consolidated balance sheet.
Smoking-Related Litigation:
Overview. Since 1954, Liggett and other United States
cigarette manufacturers have been named as defendants in
numerous direct and third-party 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. New cases continue to be
commenced against Liggett and other cigarette manufacturers. The
cases generally fall into the following categories:
(i) smoking and health cases alleging personal injury
brought on behalf of individual plaintiffs (Individual
Actions); (ii) smoking and health cases primarily
alleging personal injury or seeking court-supervised programs
for ongoing medical monitoring and purporting to be brought on
behalf of a class of individual plaintiffs
(Class Actions); (iii) health care cost
recovery actions brought by various foreign and domestic
governmental entities (Governmental Actions); and
(iv) health care cost recovery actions brought by
third-party payors including insurance companies, union health
and welfare trust funds, asbestos manufacturers and others
(Third-Party Payor Actions). As new cases are
commenced, the costs associated with defending these cases and
the risks relating to the inherent unpredictability of
litigation continue to increase. The future financial impact of
the risks and expenses of litigation and the effects of the
tobacco litigation settlements discussed below are not
quantifiable at this time. For the year ended December 31,
2006, Liggett incurred legal fees and other litigation costs
totaling approximately $5,353 compared to $8,048 for the year
ended December 31, 2005.
Individual Actions. As of December 31, 2006, there
were approximately 135 cases pending against Liggett (excluding
approximately 975 individual cases pending in West Virginia
state court as a consolidated action), and in most cases other
tobacco companies, where one or more individual plaintiffs
allege injury resulting from cigarette smoking, addiction to
cigarette smoking or exposure to secondary smoke and seek
F-47
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share
Amounts) (Continued)
compensatory and, in some cases, punitive damages. Of these, 73
were pending in Florida (55 of which are abated pending
resolution of Engle), 17 in Missouri 13 in New York, and
12 in Mississippi. The balance of the individual cases were
pending in nine states and territories.
There are currently four individual cases pending where Liggett
is the only tobacco company defendant. In April 2004, in
Davis v. Liggett Group Inc., a Florida state court
jury awarded compensatory damages of $540 against Liggett. In
addition, plaintiffs counsel was awarded legal fees of
$752. Liggett has appealed both the verdict and the award of
legal fees. In March 2005, in Ferlanti v. Liggett Group
Inc., a Florida state court granted Liggetts motion
for summary judgment. The plaintiff appealed and in June 2006,
the appellate court reversed and remanded back to the trial
court. Discovery is pending. Trial has been scheduled in
Missouri state court for May 2007 in Frost v. Liggett
Group Inc. There is no activity in the other case where
Liggett is the sole tobacco company defendant.
The plaintiffs allegations of liability in those 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 and 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,
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 by
defendants in these cases 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.
Jury awards representing material amounts of damages have been
returned against other cigarette manufacturers in recent years.
The awards in these individual actions are for both compensatory
and punitive damages. Over the last several years, after
conclusion of all appeals, damage awards have been paid to
several individual plaintiffs by other cigarette manufacturers
including an award of $5,500 in compensatory damages and $50,000
in punitive damages, plus $27,000 in interest, paid in 2006 by
Philip Morris in Boeken v. Philip Morris. Liggett
was not a party to those actions. The following is a brief
description of several of the pending cases where jury awards
against other manufacturers are on appeal:
|
|
|
|
|
In March 1999, an Oregon state court jury found in favor of the
plaintiff in Williams v. Philip Morris. The jury
awarded $800 in compensatory damages and $79,500 in punitive
damages which was subsequently reduced by the trial court to
$32,000. In June 2002, the Oregon Court of Appeals reinstated
the $79,500 punitive damages award. In October 2003, the United
States Supreme Court set aside the Oregon appellate courts
ruling and directed the Oregon court to reconsider the case in
light of the State Farm decision, limiting punitive
damages. In June 2004, the Oregon appellate court reinstated the
original jury verdict. In February 2006, the Oregon Supreme
Court reaffirmed the $79,500 punitive damages jury verdict. In
February 2007, the United States Supreme Court vacated the
punitive damages award and remanded the case to the Oregon
Supreme Court. |
|
|
|
In March 2002, an Oregon state court jury found in favor of the
plaintiff in Schwarz v. Philip Morris and awarded
$169 in compensatory damages and $150,000 in punitive damages.
In May 2002, the trial court reduced the punitive damages award
to $100,000. In May 2006, the Oregon Court of Appeals |
F-48
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share
Amounts) (Continued)
|
|
|
|
|
affirmed the compensatory damages award. It also vacated the
punitive damages award and remanded for a new trial on the
amount of punitive damages. The plaintiffs petitioned the Oregon
Supreme Court to review the decision which deferred further
action pending the United States Supreme Courts decision
on punitive damages in the Williams case, discussed above. |
|
|
|
In October 2002, a California state court jury found in favor of
the plaintiff in Bullock v. Philip Morris and
awarded $850 in compensatory damages and $28,000,000 in punitive
damages. In December 2002, the trial court reduced the punitive
damages award to $28,000. In August 2006, the California Supreme
Court denied plaintiffs petition to overturn the trial
courts reduction in the punitive damage award and granted
defendants petition for review of the punitive damage
award, with further action deferred pending the United States
Supreme Courts decision on punitive damages in the
Williams case, discussed above. |
|
|
|
In December 2003, a New York state court jury found in favor of
the plaintiff in Frankson v. Brown & Williamson
Tobacco Corp. and awarded $350 in compensatory damages. In
January 2004, the jury awarded $20,000 in punitive damages. The
deceased smoker was found to be 50% at fault. In June 2004, the
court increased the compensatory damages to $500 and decreased
the punitive damages to $5,000. The defendants filed a notice of
appeal on January 25, 2007. |
|
|
|
In February 2005, a Missouri state court jury found in favor of
the plaintiff in Smith v. Brown & Williamson
Tobacco Corp., and awarded $2,000 in compensatory damages
and $20,000 in punitive damages. The defendants have appealed to
the Missouri Court of Appeals. Oral argument occurred in October
2006. A decision is pending. |
|
|
|
In March 2005, a New York state court jury found in favor of the
plaintiff in Rose v. Brown & Williamson Tobacco
Corp. and awarded $3,400 in compensatory damages and $17,100
in punitive damages. The defendants have appealed to the Supreme
Court of New York, Appellate Division, First Department. Oral
argument occurred in December 2006. A decision is pending. |
Class Actions. As of December 31, 2006, there
were 11 actions pending for which either a class has been
certified or plaintiffs are seeking class certification, where
Liggett, among others, was a named defendant. Many of these
actions purport to constitute statewide class actions and were
filed after May 1996 when the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, in
Castano v. American Tobacco Co., reversed a federal
district courts certification of a purported nationwide
class action on behalf of persons who were allegedly
addicted to tobacco products.
The Castano decision has had a limited effect with
respect to courts decisions regarding narrower
smoking-related classes or class actions brought in state rather
than federal court. For example, since the Fifth Circuits
ruling in Louisiana, in Scott v. American Tobacco Co.,
Inc.,(Liggett is not a defendant in this proceeding)
certified an addiction-as-injury class action that
covered only citizens in the state. In May 2004, the Scott
jury returned a verdict in the amount of $591,000, plus
prejudgment interest, on the class claim for a smoking
cessation program. In February 2007, the appellate court upheld
$279,000 of the $591,000 verdict, finding that certain smokers
were entitled to damages. The trial courts award of
prejudgment interest was overturned by the appellate court. The
case was remanded to the trial court. On February 21, 2007,
the defendants filed a motion for rehearing. Two other class
actions, Broin v. Philip Morris Companies Inc.,
(Liggett has been dismissed from this case) and
Engle v. R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, were
certified in state court in Florida prior to the Fifth
Circuits decision. Engle has since been decertified.
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.
Phase I of the trial commenced in July 1998 and in July
1999, the jury returned the Phase I verdict against Liggett
and other
F-49
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share
Amounts) (Continued)
tobacco companies. The Phase I verdict concerned 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, which commenced November 1999, was a
causation and damages trial for three of the class
representatives 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 plaintiffs, to be reduced in
proportion to the respective plaintiffs fault. The claim
of one of the three plaintiffs, in the amount of $5,831, was
subsequently overturned as time barred and the court found that
Liggett was not liable to the other two plaintiffs. In July
2000, the jury awarded approximately $145,000,000 in punitive
damages against all defendants including $790,000 against
Liggett. The trial court entered a final order of judgment
against the defendants in November 2000. Liggett and the other
defendants appealed.
In May 2003, Floridas Third District Court of Appeal
reversed the trial courts final judgment and remanded the
case with instructions to decertify the class. In July 2006, the
Florida Supreme Court affirmed in part and reversed in part the
May 2003 Third District Court of Appeals decision. Among
other things, the Florida Supreme Court affirmed the decision
decertifying the class and the order vacating the punitive
damages award, but preserved several of the Phase I
findings (including that: (i) smoking causes lung cancer,
among other diseases; (ii) nicotine in cigarettes is
addictive; (iii) defendants placed cigarettes on the market
that were defective and unreasonably dangerous; (iv) the
defendants concealed material information; (v) the
defendants agreed to misrepresent information relating to the
health effects of cigarettes with the intention that the public
would rely on this information to its detriment; (vi) all
defendants sold or supplied cigarettes that were defective; and
(vii) all defendants were negligent) and allowed class
members to proceed to trial on individual liability issues
(utilizing the above findings) and compensatory and punitive
damage issues, provided they commence their individual lawsuits
within one year from January 11, 2007. All parties moved
for reconsideration and/or clarification. On December 21,
2006, the Florida Supreme Court denied the motions for
reconsideration and/or clarification of the decision, except
that the court vacated the determination of a finding as to
fraud and misrepresentation by the defendants and therefore, the
conspiracy to misrepresent finding was also vacated. The Florida
Supreme Court issued its mandate on that decision on
January 11, 2007, at which time the case was remanded to
the Third District Court of Appeal for further proceedings
consistent with the Florida Supreme Courts opinion.
Defendants sought leave to submit supplemental briefing to the
Third District Court of Appeal on remaining appellate issues,
which was denied by the court on February 20, 2007.
Additionally, the Engle class has moved in the trial
court for a post-mandate status conference for the issuance of
notice to the class regarding decertification and the running of
the one year time frame in which to file individual lawsuits,
and for attorneys fees and costs for class counsel. The
Florida Supreme Court decision could result in the filing of a
large number of individual personal injury cases in Florida.
In May 2000, legislation was enacted in Florida that limits the
size of any bond required to stay execution of a punitive
damages verdict, pending appeal, to the lesser of the punitive
award plus twice the statutory rate of interest, $100,000 or 10%
of the net worth of the defendant, but the limitation on the
bond does not affect the amount of the underlying verdict. In
November 2000, Liggett filed a $3,450 bond in order to stay
execution of the Engle judgment, pending appeal.
Legislation limiting the amount of the bond required to file an
appeal of an adverse judgment has been enacted in more than
30 states.
In May 2001, Liggett, Philip Morris and Lorillard Tobacco
Company reached an agreement with the Engle class, which
provided assurance of Liggetts ability to appeal the
jurys July 2000 punitive damage verdict. As required by
the agreement, Liggett released the existing $3,450 bond and
paid $6,273 into an escrow account to be held for the benefit of
the Engle class, upon completion of the appeals process,
regardless
F-50
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share
Amounts) (Continued)
of the outcome of the appeal. In light of the Florida Supreme
Courts July 2006 decision decertifying the Engle
class, entitlement to the escrowed monies will have to be
determined by the court.
In June 2002, the jury in a Florida state court action entitled
Lukacs v. R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, awarded
$37,500 in compensatory damages in a case involving Liggett and
two other tobacco manufacturers. In March 2003, the court
reduced the amount of the compensatory damages to $24,860. The
jury found Liggett 50% responsible for the damages incurred by
the plaintiff. The Lukacs case was the first case to be
tried as an individual Engle class member suit following
entry of final judgment by the Engle trial court; the
claims of all other individuals who are purported members of the
class were stayed or abated pending appellate review
of the Engle verdict. Entry of the final judgment in
Lukacs, along with plaintiffs motion to tax costs
and attorneys fees, was stayed pending appellate review of
the Engle final judgment. The plaintiff has recently
moved for the trial court to enter final judgment in this
matter. A hearing on plaintiffs motion to enter final
judgment has been set for March 15, 2007. Liggett may
ultimately be required to bond the amount of the judgment
against it to perfect its appeal. Other Florida plaintiffs will
likely move to lift the order of abatement in their individual
actions in light of the Florida Supreme Courts decision.
Class certification motions are pending in a number of putative
class actions. Classes remain certified against Liggett in West
Virginia (Blankenship), Kansas (Smith) and New
Mexico (Romero). Smith and Romero are alleged
price fixing cases. Several classes remain certified against
others in the industry. A number of class certification denials
are on appeal.
There are currently two cases pending in which plaintiffs allege
that cigarette manufacturers conspired to fix cigarette prices
in violation of antitrust laws. In Smith v. Philip
Morris, a Kansas state court granted class certification in
November 2001. Discovery is pending. In April 2003, class
certification was granted in Romero v. Philip
Morris, pending in New Mexico state court, and was affirmed
in February 2005 by the New Mexico Supreme Court. In June 2006,
the trial court in Romero granted defendants
motions for summary judgment. Plaintiffs have appealed.
In April 2001, a California state court, in Brown v. The
American Tobacco Co., Inc., granted in part plaintiffs
motion for class certification and certified a class comprised
of adult residents of California who smoked at least one of
defendants cigarettes during the applicable time
period and who were exposed to defendants marketing
and advertising activities in California. In March 2005, the
court granted defendants motion to decertify the class
based on a recent change in California law. In October 2006, the
plaintiffs filed a petition for review with the California
Supreme Court, which was granted in November 2006. Briefing is
underway. Liggett is a defendant in the case.
In Cleary v. Philip Morris, Inc., the plaintiffs
filed their motion for class certification in December 2001. The
action is brought on behalf of persons who have allegedly been
injured by (i) the defendants purported conspiracy
pursuant to which defendants concealed material facts regarding
the addictive nature of nicotine; (ii) the defendants
alleged acts of targeting its advertising and marketing to
minors; and (iii) the defendants claimed breach of
the public right to defendants compliance with the laws
prohibiting the distribution of cigarettes to minors. The
plaintiffs request that the defendants be required to disgorge
all profits unjustly received through its sale of cigarettes to
plaintiffs, which in no event will be greater than $75,000 each,
inclusive of punitive damages, interest and costs. In July 2006,
the plaintiffs filed a motion for class certification. A class
certification hearing has been scheduled for September 6,
2007. Merits discovery is stayed pending a ruling by the court
on class certification.
Class action suits have been filed in a number of states against
individual cigarette manufacturers, alleging, among other
things, that the use of the terms light and
ultra light constitutes unfair and deceptive trade
practices, among other things. One such suit, Schwab v.
Philip Morris, pending in federal court in New York, seeks
to create a nationwide class of light cigarette
smokers and includes Liggett as a defendant. The action asserts
claims under RICO. The proposed class is seeking as much as
$200,000,000 in
F-51
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share
Amounts) (Continued)
damages, which could be trebled under RICO. In November 2005,
the court ruled that if the class is certified, the plaintiffs
would be permitted to calculate damages on an aggregate basis
and use fluid recovery theories to allocate them
among class members. Fluid recovery would permit potential
damages to be paid out in ways other than merely giving cash
directly to plaintiffs, such as establishing a pool of money
that could be used for public purposes. In September 2006, the
court granted plaintiffs motion for class certification.
In November 2006, the United States Court of Appeals for the
Second Circuit issued a permanent stay of the case, pending
appeal. In March 2003, in a class action brought against Philip
Morris on behalf of smokers of light and ultra light cigarettes,
an Illinois state court judge, in Price v. Philip
Morris, awarded $7,100,500 in actual damages to the class
members, $3,000,000 in punitive damages to the State of Illinois
(which was not a plaintiff), and approximately $1,800,000 in
attorneys fees and costs. In December 2005, the Illinois
Supreme Court reversed the lower state courts decision and
remanded, with instructions to dismiss the case. In November
2006, the United States Supreme Court declined to review the
decision. Judgment was entered by the Illinois Court dismissing
the case. In January 2007, plaintiffs filed a motion to vacate
and/or withhold judgment.
Although not technically a class action, in In Re:
Tobacco Litigation (Personal Injury Cases), a West Virginia
State court has consolidated approximately 975 individual smoker
actions that were pending prior to 2001 for trial of certain
common issues. The consolidation was affirmed on appeal by the
West Virginia Supreme Court. The first phase of the trial has
been set for March 2008 on certain liability and punitive
damages claims allegedly common to the consolidated claims. In
January 2002, the court severed Liggett from the trial of the
consolidated action.
Governmental Actions. As of December 31, 2006, there
were five Governmental Actions pending against Liggett. In these
proceedings, both foreign and domestic governmental entities
seek reimbursement for Medicaid and other health care
expenditures. The claims asserted in these health care cost
recovery actions vary. In most of these cases, plaintiffs assert
the equitable claim that the tobacco industry was unjustly
enriched by plaintiffs payment of health care costs
allegedly attributable to smoking and seek reimbursement of
those costs. Other claims made by some but not all plaintiffs
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.
A health care recovery case is pending in Missouri state court
brought by the City of St. Louis, Missouri, and
approximately 50 area hospitals against Liggett and other
cigarette manufacturers. This case seeks recovery of costs
expended by hospitals on behalf of patients who suffer, or have
suffered, from illnesses allegedly resulting from the use of
cigarettes. In June 2005, the court granted defendants
motion for summary judgment as to claims for damages which
accrued prior to November 16, 1993. The claims for damages
which accrued after November 16, 1993 are still pending.
The case has been remanded to the trial court where discovery is
proceeding.
In Republic of Panama v. The American Tobacco Company and
State of Sao Paulo v. The American Tobacco Company,
the cases, originally filed in Louisiana state court, were
consolidated and then dismissed by the trial court on the basis
that Louisiana is not an appropriate forum. The plaintiffs asked
the trial court for reconsideration and, at the same time,
noticed an appeal to the Louisiana Court of Appeals. The
plaintiffs filed new cases in Delaware state court in July 2005.
In July 2006, the Delaware court granted defendants motion
to dismiss. On February 23, 2007, the Delaware Supreme
Court affirmed the dismissal.
In Crow Creek Sioux Tribe v. American Tobacco Company,
pending in South Dakota tribal court, a Native American
tribe is seeking equitable and injunctive relief for damages
incurred by the tribe in paying for the expenses of indigent
smokers. The case is dormant.
Federal Government Action. In September 1999, the United
States government commenced litigation against Liggett and other
tobacco companies in the United States District Court for the
District of Columbia.
F-52
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share
Amounts) (Continued)
The action sought to recover an unspecified amount of health
care costs paid for and furnished, and to be paid for and
furnished, 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. The action asserted claims under three federal
statutes, the Medical Care Recovery Act (MCRA), the
Medicare Secondary Payer provisions of the Social Security Act
(MSP) and RICO. In September 2000, the court
dismissed the governments claims based on MCRA and MSP.
Trial of the case concluded in June 2005. Thereafter, the
government filed a proposed Final Judgment and Order requesting:
(i) $14,000,000 for a smoking cessation and
counter-marketing program; (ii) so-called corrective
statements; (iii) disclosures; and (iv) enjoined
activities.
In August 2006, the trial court entered a Final Judgment and
Remedial Order against each of the cigarette manufacturing
defendants, except Liggett. The Final Judgment, among other
things, ordered the following relief against the non-Liggett
defendants: (i) the defendants are enjoined from committing
any act of racketeering concerning the manufacturing, marketing,
promotion, health consequences or sale of cigarettes in the
United States; (ii) the defendants are enjoined from making
any material false, misleading, or deceptive statement or
representation concerning cigarettes that persuades people to
purchase cigarettes; (iii) the defendants are permanently
enjoined from utilizing lights, low tar,
ultra lights, mild, or
natural descriptors, or conveying any other express
or implied health messages in connection with the marketing or
sale of cigarettes as of January 1, 2007; (iv) the
defendants must make certain corrective statements on their
websites, and in television and print media advertisements;
(v) the defendants must maintain internet document websites
until 2016 with access to smoking and health related documents;
(vi) the defendants must disclose all disaggregated
marketing data to the government on a confidential basis;
(vii) the defendants are not permitted to sell or otherwise
transfer any of their cigarette brands, product formulas or
businesses to any person or entity for domestic use without a
court order, and unless the acquiring person or entity agrees to
be bound by the terms of the Final Judgment; and (viii) the
defendants must pay the appropriate costs of the government in
prosecuting the action, in an amount to be determined by the
trial court.
No monetary damages were awarded other than the
governments costs. The United States Court of Appeals for
the District of Columbia stayed the Final Judgment pending
appeal. It is unclear what impact, if any, the Final Judgment
will have on the cigarette industry as a whole. While Liggett
was excluded from the Final Judgment, to the extent that it
leads to a decline in the industry-wide shipments of cigarettes
in the United States, Liggetts sales volume, operating
income and cash flows could be materially adversely affected.
Third-Party Payor Actions. As of December 31, 2006,
there were three Third-Party Payor Actions pending against
Liggett. The Third-Party Payor Actions typically have been
commenced by insurance companies, union health and welfare trust
funds, asbestos manufacturers and others. In Third-Party Payor
Actions, claimants have set forth several theories of relief
sought: funding of corrective public education campaigns
relating to issues of smoking and health; funding for clinical
smoking cessation programs; disgorgement of profits from sales
of cigarettes; restitution; treble damages; and attorneys
fees. Although no specific amounts are provided, it is
understood that requested damages against the tobacco company
defendants in these cases might be in the billions of dollars.
Nine federal circuit courts of appeals and several state
appellate courts have ruled that Third-Party Payors did not have
standing to bring lawsuits against cigarette manufacturers,
relying primarily on grounds that plaintiffs claims were
too remote. The United States Supreme Court has refused to
consider plaintiffs appeals from the cases decided by five
federal circuit courts of appeals.
In June 2005, the Jerusalem District Court in Israel added
Liggett as a defendant in an action commenced in 1998 by the
largest private insurer in that country, General Health
Services, against the major
F-53
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share
Amounts) (Continued)
United States tobacco manufacturers. The plaintiff seeks to
recover the past and future value of the total expenditures for
health care services provided to residents of Israel resulting
from tobacco related disease, court ordered interest for past
expenditures from the date of filing the statement of claim,
increased and/or punitive and/or exemplary damages and costs.
The court ruled that, although Liggett had not sold product in
Israel since at least 1978, it might still have liability for
damages resulting from smoking of its product to the extent, if
any, that it sold cigarettes there before 1978. Motions filed by
the defendants are pending before the Israel Supreme Court
seeking appeal from a lower courts decision granting leave
to plaintiffs for foreign service of process.
In August 2005, the United Seniors Association, Inc. filed a
lawsuit in federal court in Massachusetts pursuant to the
private cause of action provisions of the MSP seeking to recover
for the Medicare program all expenditures on smoking-related
diseases since August 1999. On August 28, 2006, the court
granted the defendants motion to dismiss the complaint.
The plaintiffs appealed. Oral argument was held on March 6,
2007.
Settlements. In March 1996, March 1997 and March 1998,
Liggett entered into settlements of smoking-related litigation
with the Attorneys General of 45 states and territories.
The settlements released Liggett from all smoking-related claims
within those states and territories, including claims for health
care cost reimbursement and claims concerning sales of
cigarettes to minors.
In the settling jurisdictions, the MSA released Liggett from:
|
|
|
|
|
all claims of the settling states and their respective political
subdivisions and other recipients of state health care funds,
relating to past conduct arising out of the use, sale,
distribution, manufacture, development, advertising, marketing
or 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. |
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 those Settling States. The MSA received final
judicial approval in each settling jurisdiction.
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 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 the exception of signs
14 square feet or less, at retail establishments that sell
tobacco products; 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.
F-54
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share
Amounts) (Continued)
The MSA also requires Participating Manufacturers to affirm
corporate principles to comply with the MSA and to reduce
underage usage of tobacco products and imposes restrictions on
lobbying activities conducted on behalf of Participating
Manufacturers.
Liggett has no payment obligations under the MSA except to the
extent its market share exceeds a market share exemption of
approximately 1.65% 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. According to data from Management Science
Associates, Inc., domestic shipments by Liggett and Vector
Tobacco accounted for approximately 2.3% of the total cigarettes
shipped in the United States during 2004, 2.2% during 2005 and
2.4% during 2006. If Liggetts or Vector Tobaccos
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, would pay on each
excess unit an amount equal (on a per-unit basis) to that due by
the OPMs for that year, subject to applicable adjustments,
offsets and reductions. In April 2004, Liggett and Vector
Tobacco paid a total of $50,322 for their 2003 MSA obligations.
In April 2005, Liggett and Vector Tobacco paid a total of
$20,982 for their 2004 MSA obligations. In April 2006, Liggett
and Vector Tobacco paid a total of $10,637 for their 2005 MSA
obligations. In April 2007, we expect to pay approximately
$38,700 with respect to obligations under the MSA. Liggett and
Vector Tobacco have expensed $34,815 for their estimated MSA
obligations for 2006 as part of cost of goods sold.
Under the payment provisions of the MSA, the Participating
Manufacturers are required to pay the following base annual
amounts (subject to applicable adjustments, offsets and
reductions):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Base |
Payment Year |
|
Amount |
|
|
|
2007
|
|
$ |
8,000,000 |
|
2008 and each year thereafter
|
|
$ |
9,000,000 |
|
These annual payments will be allocated based on unit volume of
domestic cigarette shipments. The payment obligations under the
MSA are the several, and not joint, obligations of each
Participating Manufacturer and are not the responsibility of any
parent or affiliate of a Participating Manufacturer.
In 2005, the Independent Auditor under the MSA calculated that
Liggett owed $28,668 for its 2004 sales. In April 2005, Liggett
paid $11,678 and disputed the balance, as permitted by the MSA.
Liggett subsequently paid an additional $9,304, although Liggett
continues to dispute that this amount is owed. This $9,304
relates to an adjustment to its 2003 payment obligation claimed
by Liggett for the market share loss to non-participating
manufacturers, which is known as the NPM Adjustment.
At December 31, 2006, included in Other Assets
on the companys consolidated balance sheet, was a
receivable of $6,513 relating to such amount. The remaining
balance in dispute of $7,686, which was withheld from payment,
is comprised of $5,318 claimed for a 2004 NPM Adjustment and
$2,368 relating to the Independent Auditors retroactive
change from gross to net units in
calculating MSA payments, which Liggett contends is improper, as
discussed below. From its April 2006 payment, Liggett withheld
approximately $1,600 claimed for the 2005 NPM Adjustment and
$2,612 relating to the retroactive change from gross
to net units.
The following amounts have not been accrued in the accompanying
consolidated financial statements as they relate to
Liggetts and Vector Tobaccos claim for an NPM
adjustment: $6,513 for 2003, $3,789 for 2004 and $800 for 2005.
In March 2006, an independent economic consulting firm selected
pursuant to the MSA rendered its final and non-appealable
decision that the MSA was a significant factor
contributing to the loss of market share of Participating
Manufacturers for 2003. In February 2007, the same firm rendered
the same decision with respect to 2004. As a result, the
manufacturers are entitled to potential NPM Adjustments to their
2003
F-55
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share
Amounts) (Continued)
and 2004 MSA payments. A Settling State that has diligently
enforced its qualifying escrow statute in the year in question
may be able to avoid application of the NPM Adjustment to the
payments made by the manufacturers for the benefit of that state
or territory.
Since April 2006, notwithstanding provisions in the MSA
requiring arbitration, litigation has been commenced in 49
Settling States over the issue of whether the application of the
NPM Adjustment for 2003 is to be determined through litigation
or arbitration. These actions relate to the potential NPM
Adjustment for 2003, which the Independent Auditor under the MSA
previously determined to be as much as $1,200,000. To date, 37
of 38 courts that have decided the issue have ruled that the
2003 NPM Adjustment dispute is arbitrable. Many of the decisions
compelling arbitration have been appealed. The Participating
Manufacturers have appealed the decision of the North Dakota
court that the dispute is not arbitrable. There can be no
assurance that the Participating Manufacturers will receive any
adjustment as a result of these proceedings.
In October 2004, the Independent Auditor notified Liggett and
all other Participating Manufacturers that their payment
obligations under the MSA, dating from the agreements
execution in late 1998, were going to be recalculated utilizing
net unit amounts, rather than gross unit
amounts (which had been utilized since 1999). The change in the
method of calculation could, among other things, require
additional payments by Liggett under the MSA of approximately
$14,800 for the periods 2001 through 2006, and require Liggett
to pay an additional amount of approximately $3,400 in 2007 and
in future periods by lowering Liggetts market share
exemption under the MSA.
Liggett has objected to this retroactive change and has disputed
the change in methodology. Liggett contends that the retroactive
change from utilizing gross unit amounts to
net unit amounts is impermissible for several
reasons, including:
|
|
|
|
|
utilization of net unit amounts is not required by
the MSA (as reflected by, among other things, the utilization of
gross unit amounts through 2005); |
|
|
|
such a change is not authorized without the consent of affected
parties to the MSA; |
|
|
|
the MSA provides for four-year time limitation periods for
revisiting calculations and determinations, which precludes
recalculating Liggetts 1997 Market Share (and thus,
Liggetts market share exemption); and |
|
|
|
Liggett and others have relied upon the calculations based on
gross unit amounts since 1998. |
No amounts have been accrued in the accompanying consolidated
financial statements for any potential liability relating to the
gross versus net dispute.
The MSA replaces Liggetts 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.
Liggetts agreements with these states remain in full force
and effect, and Liggett made various payments to these states
during 1996, 1997 and 1998 under the agreements. These
states settlement agreements with Liggett contained most
favored nation provisions which could reduce Liggetts
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 or resolutions with
United States Tobacco Company, Liggetts payment
obligations to those states had been eliminated. With respect to
all non-economic obligations under the previous settlements,
Liggett is entitled to the most favorable provisions as between
the MSA and each states respective settlement with the
other major tobacco companies. Therefore, Liggetts
non-economic obligations to all states and territories are now
defined by the MSA.
F-56
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share
Amounts) (Continued)
In 2003, in order to resolve any potential issues with Minnesota
as to Liggetts settlement obligations, Liggett negotiated
a $100 a year payment to Minnesota, to be paid any year
cigarettes manufactured by Liggett are sold in that state. In
2004, the Attorneys General for each of Florida, Mississippi and
Texas advised Liggett that they believed that Liggett had failed
to make all required payments under the respective settlement
agreements with these states for the period 1998 through 2003
and that additional payments may be due for 2004 and subsequent
years. Liggett believes these allegations are without merit,
based, among other things, on the language of the most favored
nation provisions of the settlement agreements. In December
2004, Florida offered to settle all amounts allegedly owed by
Liggett for the period through 2003 for the sum of $13,500. In
March 2005, Florida reaffirmed its December 2004 offer to settle
and provided Liggett with a 60 day notice to cure the
alleged defaults. Liggett offered Florida $2,500 in a lump sum
to settle all alleged obligations through December 31, 2006
and $100 per year thereafter in any year in which
cigarettes manufactured by Liggett are sold in Florida, to
resolve all alleged future obligations under the settlement
agreement. In November 2004, Mississippi offered to settle all
amounts allegedly owed by Liggett for the period through 2003
for the sum of $6,500. In April 2005, Mississippi reaffirmed its
November 2004 offer to settle and provided Liggett with a
60 day notice to cure the alleged defaults. No specific
monetary demand has been made by Texas. Liggett has met with
representatives of Mississippi and Texas to discuss the issues
relating to the alleged defaults, although no resolution has
been reached.
Except for $2,000 accrued for the year ended December 31,
2005 and an additional $500 accrued during 2006, in connection
with the foregoing matters, no other amounts have been accrued
in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for any
additional amounts that may be payable by Liggett under the
settlement agreements with Florida, Mississippi and Texas. At
December 31, 2006, $2,500 remained in settlement accruals
on the Companys consolidated balance sheet. There can be
no assurance that Liggett will resolve these matters and that
Liggett will not be required to make additional material
payments, which payments could adversely affect the
Companys consolidated financial position, results of
operations or cash flows.
In August 2004, the Company announced that Liggett and Vector
Tobacco had notified the Attorneys General of 46 states
that they intended to initiate proceedings against one or more
of the Settling States for violating the terms of the MSA. The
Companys subsidiaries alleged that the Settling States
violated their rights and the MSA by extending unauthorized
favorable financial terms to Miami-based Vibo Corporation d/b/a
General Tobacco when, in August 2004, the Settling States
entered into an agreement with General Tobacco purporting to
allow it to become a Subsequent Participating Manufacturer under
the MSA. General Tobacco imports discount cigarettes
manufactured in Colombia, South America.
In the notice sent to the Attorneys General, the Companys
subsidiaries indicated that they sought to enforce the terms of
the MSA, void the General Tobacco agreement and enjoin the
Settling States and National Association of Attorneys General
from listing General Tobacco as a Participating Manufacturer on
their websites. Several SPMs, including Liggett and Vector
Tobacco, filed a motion in state court in Kentucky seeking to
enforce the terms of the MSA with respect to General Tobacco or,
alternatively, to receive the same treatment as General Tobacco
under the MSAs most favored nation clause. In January
2006, the court entered an order denying the motion and finding
that the terms of the General Tobacco settlement agreement were
not in violation of the MSA. The judge also found that the SPMs,
under these circumstances, were not entitled to most favored
nation treatment. These SPMs appealed to the Kentucky court of
appeals. Oral argument was heard on March 13, 2007.
There is a suit pending against New York state officials, in
which importers of cigarettes allege that the MSA and certain
New York statutes enacted in connection with the MSA violate
federal antitrust and constitutional law. The United States
Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit has held that plaintiffs
have stated a claim for relief on antitrust grounds. In
September 2004, the court denied plaintiffs motion to
preliminarily enjoin the MSA and certain related New York
statutes, but the court issued a preliminary
F-57
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share
Amounts) (Continued)
injunction against an amendment repealing the allocable
share provision of the New York escrow statute. The
parties motions for summary judgment are pending.
Additionally, in a proceeding pending in New York federal court,
plaintiffs seek to enjoin the statutes enacted by New York and
other states in connection with the MSA on the grounds that the
statutes violate the Commerce Clause of the United States
Constitution and federal antitrust laws. In September 2005, the
United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit held that
plaintiffs have stated a claim for relief and that the New York
federal court had jurisdiction of the other defendant state
attorneys general. In October 2006, the United States Supreme
Court denied the attorneys generals petition for writ of
certiorari. Similar lawsuits are pending in Kentucky, Arkansas,
Kansas, Louisiana, Tennessee and Oklahoma. Liggett and the other
tobacco companies are not defendants in these cases.
Upcoming Trials. An individual action in Missouri state
court, where Liggett is the sole tobacco company defendant, is
currently scheduled for trial in May 2007. An individual action
in New York state court, where Liggett is a defendant along with
other tobacco companies, is currently scheduled for trial in
September 2007. There are two other individual actions in New
York state court, where Liggett is a defendant along with other
tobacco companies that may also be set for trial in 2007. Two
individual actions in Florida are likely to be set for trial in
2007. Liggett is the sole tobacco company defendant in one of
these cases. Trial dates, however, are subject to change.
Management is not able to predict the outcome of the litigation
pending or threatened against Liggett. Litigation is subject to
many uncertainties. In May 2003, a Florida intermediate
appellate court overturned a $790,000 punitive damages award
against Liggett and decertified the Engle smoking and
health class action. In July 2006, the Florida Supreme Court
affirmed in part and reversed in part the May 2003 intermediate
appellate court decision. Although the Florida Supreme Court
affirmed the decision to decertify the class and the order
vacating the punitive damages award, the court upheld certain of
the trial courts Phase I determinations. These
findings could result in the filing of a large number of
individual personal injury cases in Florida which could have a
material adverse effect on the Company. In June 2002, the jury
in the Lukacs case, an individual case brought under the
third phase of the Engle case, awarded $37,500
(subsequently reduced by the court to $24,860) of compensatory
damages against Liggett and two other defendants and found
Liggett 50% responsible for the damages. Entry of the final
judgment in Lukacs, along with plaintiffs motion to
tax costs and attorneys fees, was stayed pending appellate
review of the Engle final judgment. The plaintiff has
recently moved for the trial court to enter final judgment in
this matter. A hearing on the motion has been scheduled for
March 15, 2007. Liggett may ultimately be required to bond
the amount of the judgment entered against it to perfect its
appeal. In April 2004, a jury in a Florida state court action
awarded compensatory damages of approximately $540 against
Liggett in an individual action. In addition, plaintiffs
counsel was awarded legal fees of $752. Liggett has appealed
both the verdict and the award of legal fees. In August 2006,
the trial court in the Department of Justice case entered a
Final Judgment and Remedial Order against certain cigarette
manufacturers. It is unclear what impact, if any, the Final
Judgment will have on the cigarette industry as a whole. While
Liggett was excluded from the Final Judgment, to the extent that
the judgment leads to a decline in the industry-wide shipments
of cigarettes in the United States, Liggetts sales volume,
operating income and cash flows could be materially adversely
affected. It is possible that additional cases could be decided
unfavorably and that there could be further adverse developments
as a result of the decision in the Engle case, including
the filing of a large number of individual personal injury cases
in Florida. Liggett may enter into discussions in an attempt to
settle particular cases if it believes it is appropriate to do
so.
Management cannot predict the cash requirements related to any
future settlements and 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 and health case could encourage the commencement of
additional similar litigation. Management is unable to make a
meaningful estimate with respect to the amount or range of loss
that could result from an unfavorable outcome of the cases
pending against Liggett or the costs of defending such cases.
The complaints filed in these cases rarely detail alleged
damages. Typically, the
F-58
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share
Amounts) (Continued)
claims set forth in an individuals complaint against the
tobacco industry seek money damages in an amount to be
determined by a jury, plus punitive damages and costs.
It is possible that the Companys consolidated financial
position, results of operations or cash flows could be
materially adversely affected by an unfavorable outcome in any
such smoking-related litigation.
Liggetts and Vector Tobaccos management are unaware
of any material environmental conditions affecting their
existing facilities. Liggetts and Vector Tobaccos
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.
Other Litigation:
In 1994, New Valley commenced an action against the United
States government seeking damages for breach of a launch
services agreement covering the launch of one of the Westar
satellites owned by New Valleys former Western Union
satellite business. In August 2005, the court issued an opinion
concluding that the United States government is liable for
breach of contract to New Valley and that damages would be
determined in a further proceeding. On March 14, 2007, the
parties entered into a Stipulation for the Entry of Judgment to
settle New Valleys claims. The settlement, among other
things, calls for the payment of $20,000, by the government to
New Valley, inclusive of interest, with each party to bear its
own costs, expenses and attorney fees. The stipulation has been
submitted to the United States Court of Federal Claims for
approval. The Company expects to recognize a pre-tax gain in
2007 of approximately $19,500 in connection with the settlement.
In December 2001, New Valleys subsidiary, Western Realty
Development LLC, sold all the membership interests in Western
Realty Investments LLC to Andante Limited. In August 2003,
Andante submitted an indemnification claim to Western Realty
Development alleging losses of $1,225 from breaches of various
representations made in the purchase agreement. Under the terms
of the purchase agreement, Western Realty Development has no
obligation to indemnify Andante unless the aggregate amount of
all claims for indemnification made by Andante exceeds $750, and
Andante is required to bear the first $200 of any proven loss.
New Valley would be responsible for 70% of any damages payable
by Western Realty Development. New Valley contested the
indemnification claim and has not received any response from
Andante.
Beginning in 2002, Liggett was served in three class actions
filed on behalf of purported descendants of slaves, seeking
reparations from defendants, including Liggett, for alleged
profits arising from the use of slave labor. In October 2002,
these three actions were consolidated by the court. In July
2005, the district court granted defendants motions to
dismiss these actions. Thereafter, plaintiffs appealed. Oral
argument was held in September 2006 and on December 13,
2006, the appellate court affirmed in part and reversed in part
the district courts decision. The court affirmed the
district courts dismissal without prejudice, for lack of
standing, of all claims except those brought by putative legal
representatives. The dismissal of claims brought by the putative
legal representatives was affirmed on the merits, and therefore,
were dismissed with prejudice. The dismissal of the consumer
protection claims was reversed and the case was remanded to the
district court for further proceedings.
In October 2005, Lorillard Tobacco Company advised Liggett that
it believed that certain styles of Liggetts Grand Prix
brand cigarettes created a likelihood of confusion among
consumers with Lorillards Newport cigarette brand because
of similarities in packaging. On December 1, 2006,
Lorillard commenced an action in the United States District
Court for the Middle District of North Carolina seeking, among
other things: an injunction against Liggetts sale of
certain brand styles of Grand Prix; an order directing the
recall of
F-59
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share
Amounts) (Continued)
the relevant brand styles; an accounting of profits for the
relevant brand styles; treble damages; and interest, fees and
costs. Counsel has advised Liggett that it has meritorious
defenses to the action.
There are several other proceedings, lawsuits and claims pending
against the Company and certain of its consolidated subsidiaries
unrelated to smoking 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 Companys financial
position, results of operations or cash flows.
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
similar litigation or legislation.
Other Matters:
In May 1999, in connection with the Philip Morris brand
transaction, Eve Holdings Inc., a subsidiary of Liggett,
guaranteed a $134,900 bank loan to Trademarks LLC. The loan is
secured by Trademarks three premium cigarette brands and
Trademarks interest in the exclusive license of the three
brands by Philip Morris. The license provides for a minimum
annual royalty payment equal to the annual debt service on the
loan plus $1,000. The Company believes the fair value of
Eves guarantee was immaterial at December 31, 2006.
In February 2004, Liggett Vector Brands and another cigarette
manufacturer entered into a five year 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. Under
the agreement, Liggett Vector Brands has agreed to pay a portion
of losses, if any, incurred by the surety under the bond
program, with a maximum loss exposure of $500 for Liggett Vector
Brands. To secure its potential obligations under the agreement,
Liggett Vector Brands has delivered to the subsidiary of the
Association a $100 letter of credit and agreed to fund up to an
additional $400. Liggett Vector Brands has incurred no losses to
date under this agreement, and the Company believes the fair
value of Liggett Vector Brands obligation under the
agreement was immaterial at December 31, 2006.
In December 2001, New Valleys subsidiary, Western Realty
Development LLC, sold all the membership interests in Western
Realty Investments LLC to Andante Limited. In August 2003,
Andante submitted an indemnification claim to Western Realty
Development alleging losses of $1,225 from breaches of various
representations made in the purchase agreement. Under the terms
of the purchase agreement, Western Realty Development has no
obligation to indemnify Andante unless the aggregate amount of
all claims for indemnification made by Andante exceeds $750, and
Andante is required to bear the first $200 of any proven loss.
New Valley would be responsible for 70% of any damages payable
by Western Realty Development. New Valley contested the
indemnification claim and has not received any response from
Andante.
F-60
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share
Amounts) (Continued)
|
|
13. |
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2006 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
I. Cash paid during the period for:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest
|
|
$ |
35,553 |
|
|
$ |
25,382 |
|
|
$ |
22,506 |
|
|
Income taxes
|
|
|
45,475 |
|
|
|
14,045 |
|
|
|
2,393 |
|
II. Non-cash investing and financing activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Issuance of stock dividend
|
|
|
271 |
|
|
|
210 |
|
|
|
199 |
|
|
Conversion of debt
|
|
|
70,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8 |
|
|
Non-cash dividend of LTS shares
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,986 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capital leases with purchase of equipment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
418 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equipment acquired through financing agreements
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,713 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
14. |
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS |
In connection with the Companys private offering of
convertible notes in November 2004, in order to permit hedging
transactions by the purchasers, the purchasers of the notes
required a principal stockholder of the Company, who serves as
the Executive Chairman of the Company, to enter into an
agreement granting the placement agent for the offering the
right, in its sole discretion, to borrow up to
3,828,843 shares of common stock from this stockholder or
an entity affiliated with him during a
30-month period through
May 2007, subject to extension under various conditions, and
that he agreed not to dispose of such shares during this period,
subject to limited exceptions. In consideration for this
stockholder agreeing to lend his shares in order to facilitate
the Companys offering and accepting the resulting
liquidity risk, the Company agreed to pay him or an affiliate
designated by him an annual fee, payable on a quarterly basis in
cash or, by mutual agreement of the Company and this
stockholder, shares of Common Stock, equal to 1% of the
aggregate market value of 3,828,843 shares of Common Stock.
In addition, the Company agreed to hold this stockholder
harmless on an after-tax basis against any increase, if any, in
the income tax rate applicable to dividends paid on the shares
as a result of the share loan agreement. For the years ended
December 31, 2006 and 2005, the Company recognized expense
of $1,207 and $873 for amounts payable to an entity affiliated
with this stockholder under this agreement. This stockholder has
the right to assign to one of the Companys other principal
stockholders, who serves as the Companys President, some
or all of his obligation to lend the shares under such
agreement. In May 2006, this stockholder assigned to the other
stockholder the obligation to lend 562,355 shares of Common
Stock under the agreement.
In connection with the April 2005 placement of additional
convertible notes, the Company entered into a similar agreement
through May 2007 with this other principal stockholder, who is
the President of the Company, with respect to
330,750 shares of common stock. For the years ended
December 31, 2006 and 2005, the Company recognized expense
of $115 and $41 for amounts payable to an entity affiliated with
this stockholder under this agreement and for the assigned
obligation to lend shares.
In connection with the Companys convertible note offering
in 2001, a similar agreement with a principal stockholder of the
Company, who is the Executive Chairman of the Company, had been
in place for the three-year period ended June 29, 2004. For
the year ended December 31, 2004, the Company paid an
entity affiliated with this stockholder an aggregate of $291
under this agreement.
In September 2006, the Company entered into an agreement with
Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services Inc. (LTS)
pursuant to which the Company agreed to make available to LTS
the services of the Companys executive vice president to
serve as the president and chief executive officer of LTS and to
provide certain other financial and accounting services,
including assistance with complying with Section 404 of the
F-61
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share
Amounts) (Continued)
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. In consideration for such services,
LTS will pay the Company an annual fee of $250 plus
reimbursement of expenses and will indemnify the Company. The
agreement is terminable by either party upon 30 days
prior written notice. Various executive officers and directors
of the Company and New Valley serve as members of the Board of
Directors of LTS, which is indebted to New Valley. (Refer to
Note 17.)
The Companys President, a firm he serves as a consultant
to (and, prior to January 2005, was the Chairman of), and
affiliates of that firm received ordinary and customary
insurance commissions aggregating approximately $273, $495 and
$587 in 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively, on various insurance
policies issued for the Company and its subsidiaries and equity
investees.
The Company is an investor in investment partnerships affiliated
with certain stockholders of the Company. (Refer to Note 6.)
|
|
15. |
FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS |
The estimated fair value of the Companys financial
instruments have been determined by the Company using available
market information and appropriate valuation methodologies
described in Note 1. However, considerable judgment is
required to develop the estimates of fair value and,
accordingly, the estimates presented herein are not necessarily
indicative of the amounts that could be realized in a current
market exchange.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, 2006 | |
|
December 31, 2005 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
Carrying | |
|
|
|
Carrying | |
|
|
|
|
Amount | |
|
Fair Value | |
|
Amount | |
|
Fair Value | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Financial assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
$ |
146,769 |
|
|
$ |
146,769 |
|
|
$ |
181,059 |
|
|
$ |
181,059 |
|
|
Investment securities available for sale
|
|
|
18,960 |
|
|
|
18,960 |
|
|
|
18,507 |
|
|
|
18,507 |
|
|
Restricted assets
|
|
|
8,274 |
|
|
|
8,274 |
|
|
|
6,743 |
|
|
|
6,743 |
|
|
Long-term investments accounted for at cost
|
|
|
32,971 |
|
|
|
47,560 |
|
|
|
7,828 |
|
|
|
15,537 |
|
|
Long-term investments accounted for using equity method
|
|
|
10,230 |
|
|
|
10,230 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financial liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Notes payable and long-term debt
|
|
|
155,990 |
|
|
|
340,837 |
|
|
|
247,555 |
|
|
|
286,477 |
|
|
Embedded derivatives
|
|
|
95,473 |
|
|
|
95,473 |
|
|
|
39,371 |
|
|
|
39,371 |
|
|
|
16. |
PHILIP MORRIS BRAND TRANSACTION |
In November 1998, the Company and Liggett granted Philip Morris
Incorporated options to purchase interests in Trademarks LLC
which holds three domestic cigarette brands, L&M,
Chesterfield and Lark, formerly held by
Liggetts subsidiary, Eve Holdings Inc.
Under the terms of the Philip Morris agreements, Eve contributed
the three brands to Trademarks, a newly-formed limited liability
company, in exchange for 100% of two classes of Trademarks
interests, the Class A Voting Interest and the Class B
Redeemable Nonvoting Interest. Philip Morris acquired two
options to purchase the interests from Eve. In December 1998,
Philip Morris paid Eve a total of $150,000 for the options,
$5,000 for the option for the Class A interest and $145,000
for the option for the Class B interest.
The Class A option entitled Philip Morris to purchase the
Class A interest for $10,100. On March 19, 1999,
Philip Morris exercised the Class A option, and the closing
occurred on May 24, 1999.
F-62
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share
Amounts) (Continued)
The Class B option entitles Philip Morris to purchase the
Class B interest for $139,900. The Class B option will
be exercisable during the
90-day period beginning
on December 2, 2008, with Philip Morris being entitled to
extend the 90-day
period for up to an additional six months under certain
circumstances. The Class B interest will also be redeemable
by Trademarks for $139,900 during the same period the
Class B option may be exercised.
On May 24, 1999, Trademarks borrowed $134,900 from a
lending institution. The loan is guaranteed by Eve and
collateralized by a pledge by Trademarks of the three brands and
Trademarks interest in the trademark license agreement
(discussed below) and by a pledge by Eve of its Class B
interest. In connection with the closing of the Class A
option, Trademarks distributed the loan proceeds to Eve as the
holder of the Class B interest. The cash exercise price of
the Class B option and Trademarks redemption price
were reduced by the amount distributed to Eve. Upon Philip
Morris exercise of the Class B option or
Trademarks exercise of its redemption right, Philip Morris
or Trademarks, as relevant, will be required to obtain
Eves release from its guaranty. The Class B interest
will be entitled to a guaranteed payment of $500 each year with
the Class A interest allocated all remaining income or loss
of Trademarks. The Company believes the fair value of Eves
guarantee is negligible at December 31, 2006.
Trademarks has granted Philip Morris an exclusive license of the
three brands for an
11-year term expiring
May 24, 2010 at an annual royalty based on sales of
cigarettes under the brands, subject to a minimum annual royalty
payment equal to the annual debt service obligation on the loan
plus $1,000.
If Philip Morris fails to exercise the Class B option, Eve
will have an option to put its Class B interest to Philip
Morris, or Philip Morris designees, at a put price that is
$5,000 less than the exercise price of the Class B option
(and includes Philip Morris obtaining Eves release
from its loan guarantee). The Eve put option is exercisable at
any time during the
90-day period beginning
March 2, 2010.
If the Class B option, Trademarks redemption right
and the Eve put option expire unexercised, the holder of the
Class B interest will be entitled to convert the
Class B interest, at its election, into a Class A
interest with the same rights to share in future profits and
losses, the same voting power and the same claim to capital as
the entire existing outstanding Class A interest, i.e., a
50% interest in Trademarks.
See Note 10 regarding the settlement with the Internal
Revenue Service relating to the Philip Morris brand transaction.
|
|
17. |
NEW VALLEY CORPORATION |
Office Buildings. In December 2002, New Valley purchased
two office buildings in Princeton, New Jersey for a total
purchase price of $54,000. In February 2005, New Valley
completed the sale of the office buildings for $71,500. (Refer
to Notes 5, 6 and 19.)
Investments in non-consolidated real estate businesses.
New Valley accounts for its 50% interests in Douglas Elliman
Realty LLC, Koa Investors LLC and 16th & K Holdings
LLC, as well as its 22.22% interest in Ceebraid Acquisition
Corporation (Ceebraid) on the equity method. Douglas
Elliman Realty operates a residential real estate brokerage
company in the New York metropolitan area. Koa Investors owns
the Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & Spa in Kailua-Kona,
Hawaii. Following a major renovation, the property reopened in
the fourth quarter 2004 as a four star resort with 521 rooms.
16th and K Holdings acquired the St. Regis Hotel, a 193
room luxury hotel in Washington, D.C. in August 2005. The
St. Regis Hotel was temporarily closed for an extensive
renovation on August 31, 2006. Ceebraid owns the Holiday
Isle Resort in Islamorada, Florida.
F-63
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share
Amounts) (Continued)
The components of Investments in non-consolidated real
estate businesses were as follows as of December 31,
2006 and 2005:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, 2006 | |
|
December 31, 2005 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Douglas Elliman Realty LLC
|
|
$ |
20,481 |
|
|
$ |
13,937 |
|
16th and K Holdings LLC
|
|
|
7,182 |
|
|
|
3,454 |
|
Ceebraid Acquisition Corporation
|
|
|
753 |
|
|
|
|
|
Koa Investors LLC
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investments in non-consolidated real estate businesses
|
|
$ |
28,416 |
|
|
$ |
17,391 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Residential Brokerage Business. New Valley recorded
income of $12,662, $11,217 and $11,612 for the years ended
December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively, associated
with Douglas Elliman Realty. Summarized financial information as
of December 31, 2006 and 2005 and for the three years ended
December 31, 2006 for Douglas Elliman Realty is presented
below. New Valleys equity income from Douglas Elliman
Realty includes $1,383, $1,188 and $1,253, respectively, of
interest income earned by New Valley on a subordinated loan to
Douglas Elliman Realty for the years ended December 31,
2006 as well as increases to income resulting from amortization
of negative goodwill which resulted from purchase accounting of
$427 and management fees of $1,100 earned from Douglas Elliman
for the year ended December 31, 2006 and $59 of equity
income from the related mortgage companys results from
operations for the year ended December 31, 2004. New Valley
received cash distributions from Douglas Elliman Realty LLC of
$6,119, $5,935 and $5,840 for the years ended December 31,
2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, 2006 | |
|
December 31, 2005 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Cash
|
|
$ |
19,307 |
|
|
$ |
15,384 |
|
Other current assets
|
|
|
6,218 |
|
|
|
5,977 |
|
Property, plant and equipment, net
|
|
|
19,538 |
|
|
|
17,973 |
|
Trademarks
|
|
|
21,663 |
|
|
|
21,663 |
|
Goodwill
|
|
|
38,087 |
|
|
|
37,924 |
|
Other intangible assets, net
|
|
|
1,966 |
|
|
|
2,072 |
|
Other non-current assets
|
|
|
1,001 |
|
|
|
1,579 |
|
Notes payable current
|
|
|
4,380 |
|
|
|
4,770 |
|
Other current liabilities
|
|
|
21,506 |
|
|
|
16,977 |
|
Notes payable long term
|
|
|
44,607 |
|
|
|
54,422 |
|
Other long-term liabilities
|
|
|
5,204 |
|
|
|
4,941 |
|
Members equity
|
|
|
32,083 |
|
|
|
21,462 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2006 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Revenues
|
|
$ |
347,244 |
|
|
$ |
330,075 |
|
|
$ |
286,816 |
|
Costs and expenses
|
|
|
315,347 |
|
|
|
297,543 |
|
|
|
253,862 |
|
Depreciation expense
|
|
|
5,138 |
|
|
|
4,896 |
|
|
|
4,533 |
|
Amortization expense
|
|
|
410 |
|
|
|
899 |
|
|
|
968 |
|
Interest expense, net
|
|
|
5,705 |
|
|
|
5,974 |
|
|
|
6,208 |
|
Income tax expense
|
|
|
1,140 |
|
|
|
705 |
|
|
|
645 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
$ |
19,504 |
|
|
$ |
20,058 |
|
|
$ |
20,600 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-64
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share
Amounts) (Continued)
Hawaiian Hotel. New Valley recorded income of $867 for
the year ended December 31, 2006 and losses of $3,501 and
$1,830 for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004,
respectively, associated with Koa Investors. Summarized
financial information as of December 31, 2006 and 2005 and
for the three years ended December 31, 2006 for Koa
Investors is presented below. The income in the 2006 period
related to the receipt of tax credits of $1,192 from the State
of Hawaii offset by equity in the loss of Koa Investors of $325
during the third quarter of 2006. New Valley received cash
distributions from Koa Investors of $1,192 (in the form of a tax
credit), $5,500 and $0 for the years ended December 31,
2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, 2006 | |
|
December 31, 2005 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Cash
|
|
$ |
1,264 |
|
|
$ |
1,375 |
|
Restricted assets
|
|
|
3,279 |
|
|
|
3,135 |
|
Other current assets
|
|
|
2,030 |
|
|
|
1,543 |
|
Property, plant and equipment, net
|
|
|
67,889 |
|
|
|
72,836 |
|
Deferred financing costs, net
|
|
|
1,297 |
|
|
|
2,018 |
|
Accounts payable and other current liabilities
|
|
|
5,930 |
|
|
|
8,539 |
|
Notes payable
|
|
|
87,661 |
|
|
|
82,000 |
|
Members equity
|
|
|
(17,832 |
) |
|
|
(9,632 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2006 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Revenues
|
|
$ |
29,440 |
|
|
$ |
24,252 |
|
|
$ |
2,806 |
|
Costs and operating expenses
|
|
|
26,166 |
|
|
|
24,990 |
|
|
|
4,588 |
|
Management fees
|
|
|
697 |
|
|
|
605 |
|
|
|
440 |
|
Depreciation and amortization expense
|
|
|
5,989 |
|
|
|
7,401 |
|
|
|
729 |
|
Interest expense, net
|
|
|
6,616 |
|
|
|
6,687 |
|
|
|
709 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss
|
|
$ |
(10,028 |
) |
|
$ |
(15,431 |
) |
|
$ |
(3,660 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Koa Investors capitalized all costs related to the acquisition
and development of the property during the construction phase,
which ceased in connection with the opening of the hotel in the
fourth quarter of 2004.
In August 2005, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Koa Investors
borrowed $82,000 at an interest rate of LIBOR plus 2.45%. Koa
Investors used the proceeds of the loan to repay its $57,000
construction loan and distributed a portion of the proceeds to
its members, including $5,500 to New Valley. As a result of the
refinancing, New Valley suspended its recognition of equity
losses in Koa Investors to the extent such losses exceed its
basis plus any commitment to make additional investments, which
totaled $600 at the refinancing. New Valley recorded a $600
liability for its future obligation to Koa Investors which was
carried under Other liabilities on the
Companys consolidated balance sheet at December 31,
2005. In August 2006, New Valley contributed $925 to Koa in the
form of $600 of the required contributions and $325 of
discretionary contributions. Accordingly, the Company has
recognized a $325 loss from its equity investment in Koa
Investors for the year ended December 31, 2006. Although
New Valley was not obligated to fund any additional amounts to
Koa Investors at December 31, 2006, New Valley made a $750
capital contribution in February 2007.
St. Regis Hotel, Washington, D.C. In June 2005,
affiliates of New Valley and Brickman Associates formed
16th & K Holdings LLC (Hotel LLC), which
acquired the St. Regis Hotel in Washington, D.C. for
$47,000 in August 2005. The Company, which holds a 50% interest
in Hotel LLC, had invested $12,125 in the project at
December 31, 2006. In connection with the purchase of the
hotel, a subsidiary of Hotel LLC entered into agreements to
borrow up to $50,000 of senior and subordinated debt. In April
2006, Hotel LLC
F-65
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share
Amounts) (Continued)
purchased for approximately $3,000 a building adjacent to the
hotel to house various administrative and sales functions.
New Valley accounts for its interest in Hotel LLC under the
equity method and recorded losses of $2,147 and $173 for the
years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively. New
Valleys equity losses in Hotel LLC in 2005 were reduced by
$251 as a result of amortization of negative goodwill associated
with purchase accounting adjustments in 2005. The St. Regis
Hotel was temporarily closed on August 31, 2006 for an
extensive renovation. Hotel LLC is capitalizing all costs other
than management fees related to the renovation of the property
during the renovation phase.
Summarized financial information as of December 31, 2006
and 2005 and for the year ended December 31, 2006 and the
period from August 4, 2005 (date of acquisition) to
December 31, 2005 for Hotel LLC is presented below.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, 2006 | |
|
December 31, 2005 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Cash
|
|
$ |
1,041 |
|
|
$ |
439 |
|
Restricted assets
|
|
|
771 |
|
|
|
4,530 |
|
Other current assets
|
|
|
524 |
|
|
|
1,354 |
|
Property, plant and equipment, net
|
|
|
56,311 |
|
|
|
47,331 |
|
Deferred financing costs, net
|
|
|
462 |
|
|
|
738 |
|
Other assets
|
|
|
82 |
|
|
|
349 |
|
Current portion of mortgages payable
|
|
|
500 |
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts payable and other current liabilities
|
|
|
4,691 |
|
|
|
2,587 |
|
Notes payable
|
|
|
34,500 |
|
|
|
40,000 |
|
Other liabilities
|
|
|
393 |
|
|
|
|
|
Members equity
|
|
|
19,107 |
|
|
|
12,154 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
August 4, 2005 | |
|
|
Year ended | |
|
to | |
|
|
December 31, | |
|
December 31, | |
|
|
2006 | |
|
2005 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Revenues
|
|
$ |
14,027 |
|
|
$ |
9,633 |
|
Costs and operating expenses
|
|
|
12,829 |
|
|
|
8,069 |
|
Management fees
|
|
|
167 |
|
|
|
99 |
|
Depreciation and amortization expense
|
|
|
1,110 |
|
|
|
663 |
|
Interest expense, net
|
|
|
2,205 |
|
|
|
1,148 |
|
Loss on disposition of furniture
|
|
|
2,512 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss
|
|
$ |
(4,796 |
) |
|
$ |
(346 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Holiday Isle. During the fourth quarter of 2005, New
Valley advanced a total of $2,750 to Ceebraid, an entity which
entered into an agreement to acquire the Holiday Isle Resort in
Islamorada, Florida. In February 2006, Ceebraid filed for
Chapter 11 bankruptcy after it was unable to consummate
financing arrangements for the acquisition. Although Ceebraid
continued to seek to obtain financing for the transaction and to
close the acquisition pursuant to the purchase agreement, the
Company determined that a reserve for uncollectibility should be
established against these advances at December 31, 2005.
Accordingly, a charge of $2,750 was recorded for the year ended
December 31, 2005. In April 2006, an affiliate of Ceebraid
completed the acquisition of the property for $98,000, and New
Valley increased its investment in the project to a total of
$5,800 and indirectly holds an approximate 22.22% equity
interest in Ceebraid. New Valley had committed to make
additional investments of up to $200 in Holiday Isle at
December 31, 2006. The investors intend to build
F-66
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share
Amounts) (Continued)
on the property the Ocanos Resort, a condominium hotel resort
and marina with approximately 150 residential units. In
connection with the closing of the purchase, an affiliate of
Ceebraid borrowed $98,000 of mezzanine and senior debt to
finance a portion of the purchase price and anticipated
development costs. In April 2006, Vector agreed, under certain
circumstances, to guarantee up to $2,000 of the debt. The
Company believes the fair value of its guarantee was negligible
at December 31, 2006. New Valley accounts for its interest
in Holiday Isle under the equity method and recorded losses of
$2,296 for the year ended December 31, 2006 in connection
with its investment. Holiday Isle will capitalize all costs
related to the renovation of the property during the renovation
phase.
Summarized financial information as of December 31, 2006
and for the period from April 21, 2006 (date of
acquisition) to December 31, 2006 for Ceebraid is presented
below.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, 2006 | |
|
|
| |
Cash
|
|
$ |
307 |
|
Restricted assets
|
|
|
9,484 |
|
Other current assets
|
|
|
1,090 |
|
Property, plant and equipment, net
|
|
|
99,855 |
|
Other assets
|
|
|
2,515 |
|
Deferred financing costs, net
|
|
|
1,511 |
|
Accounts payable and other current liabilities
|
|
|
496 |
|
Notes payable
|
|
|
98,000 |
|
Members equity
|
|
|
16,266 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
April 21, 2006 to | |
|
|
December 31, 2006 | |
|
|
| |
Revenues
|
|
$ |
9,891 |
|
Costs and operating expenses
|
|
|
9,192 |
|
Management fees
|
|
|
742 |
|
Depreciation and amortization expense
|
|
|
3,780 |
|
Interest expense, net
|
|
|
6,511 |
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss
|
|
$ |
(10,334 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services. In November 2004,
New Valley and the other holder of the convertible notes of LTS
entered into a debt conversion agreement with LTS. New Valley
and the other holder agreed to convert their notes, with an
aggregate principal amount of $18,010, together with the accrued
interest, into common stock of LTS. Pursuant to the debt
conversion agreement, the conversion price of the note held by
New Valley was reduced from the previous conversion price of
approximately $2.08 to $0.50 per share and New Valley and
the other holder each agreed to purchase $5,000 of LTS common
stock at $0.45 per share.
The note conversion transaction was approved by the LTS
shareholders in January 2005 and closed in March 2005. At the
closing, New Valleys note, representing approximately
$9,938 of principal and accrued interest, was converted into
19,876,358 shares of LTS common stock and New Valley
purchased 11,111,111 LTS shares. In the first quarter of 2005,
New Valley recorded a gain of $9,461 which represented the fair
value of the converted shares as determined by an independent
appraisal firm.
LTS borrowed $1,750 from New Valley in 2004 and an additional
$1,750 in the first quarter 2005. At the closing of the debt
conversion agreement, New Valley delivered these notes for
cancellation as partial payment for its purchase of LTS common
stock.
F-67
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share
Amounts) (Continued)
On March 30, 2005, New Valley distributed the
19,876,358 shares of LTS common stock it acquired from the
conversion of the note to holders of New Valley common shares
through a special distribution. On the same date, the Company
distributed the 10,947,448 shares of LTS common stock that
it received from New Valley to the holders of its common stock
as a special distribution. New Valley stockholders of record on
March 28, 2005 received 0.852 of a LTS share for each share
of New Valley, and the Companys stockholders of record on
that date received 0.22 ($2,986) of a LTS share for each share
of the Company. In 2005, the Company recognized equity loss in
operations of LTS of $299.
Following the distribution, New Valley continues to hold the
11,111,111 shares of LTS common stock (approximately 7.2%
of the outstanding shares) and $5,000 of LTSs notes due
March 31, 2007. The shares of LTS common stock held by New
Valley have been accounted for as investment securities
available for sale and are carried at $13,556 and $5,111 on the
Companys consolidated balance sheets at December 31,
2006 and 2005, respectively.
In February 2007, LTS entered into a Debt Exchange Agreement
(the Exchange Agreement) with New Valley, the holder
of $5,000 principal amount of its promissory notes due
March 31, 2007. Pursuant to the Exchange Agreement, New
Valley has agreed to exchange the principal amount of its notes
for LTS common stock at an exchange price of $1.80 per
share, representing the average closing price of the LTS common
stock for the 30 prior trading days ending on the date of the
Exchange Agreement. The promissory notes will continue to accrue
interest through the closing of the debt exchange. The accrued
interest on the notes, which was approximately $1,500 at
December 31, 2006, will be paid in cash at or prior to
closing,
The consummation of the debt exchange is subject to approval by
the LTS shareholders at its annual meeting of shareholders,
which LTS anticipates holding during the second quarter of 2007.
Upon closing, the $5,000 principal amount of notes will be
exchanged for approximately 2,777,778 shares of LTSs
common stock. As a result, New Valleys ownership of
LTSs common stock will increase from approximately 7.2% to
approximately 8.7%.
Restricted Share Award. On January 10, 2005, the
President of New Valley, who also serves in the same position
with the Company, was awarded a restricted stock grant of
1,250,000 New Valley common shares pursuant to New Valleys
2000 Long-Term Incentive Plan. Under the terms of the award,
one-seventh of the shares vested on July 15, 2005, with an
additional one-seventh vesting on each of the five succeeding
one-year anniversaries of the first vesting date through
July 15, 2010 and an additional one-seventh vesting on
January 15, 2011. On September 27, 2005, the executive
renounced and waived, as of that date, the unvested 1,071,429
common shares deliverable by New Valley to him in the future.
Vector initially recorded deferred compensation of $8,875
($3,152 net of income taxes and minority interests),
representing the fair market value of the restricted shares on
the date of the grant which was anticipated to be amortized over
the vesting period as a charge to compensation expense. In
connection with the executives renouncement of the
unvested common shares, the Company reduced the deferred
compensation associated with the award by $7,608 during the
third quarter of 2005. The Company recorded expense, net of
minority interests, associated with the grant of $679 for the
year ended December 31, 2005.
|
|
18. |
NEW VALLEY EXCHANGE OFFER |
In December 2005, the Company completed an exchange offer and
subsequent short-form merger whereby it acquired the remaining
42.3% of the common shares of New Valley Corporation that it did
not already own. As result of these transactions, New Valley
Corporation became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company and
each outstanding New Valley Corporation common share was
exchanged for 0.514 shares of the Companys common
stock. The surviving corporation in the short-form merger was
subsequently merged into a new Delaware limited liability
company named New Valley LLC, which conducts the business of the
former New Valley Corporation.
F-68
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share
Amounts) (Continued)
New Valley LLC is engaged in the real estate business and is
seeking to acquire additional operating companies and real
estate properties. (See Note 17.)
Purchase Accounting. Approximately 5,296,576 shares
of Vector common stock were issued in connection with the
transactions. The aggregate purchase price amounted to $106,900,
which included $101,039 in the Companys common stock, $758
of accrued purchase price obligation, $4,130 in acquisition
related costs and $973 of exchanged options, which represents
the fair value on the acquisition date of the Vector options
issued in exchange for the outstanding New Valley options. The
transactions were accounted for under the provisions of
SFAS No. 141, Business Combinations. The
purchase price has been allocated based upon the estimated fair
value of net assets acquired at the date of acquisition.
The purchase price reflects the fair value of Vector common
stock issued in connection with the transactions based on the
average closing price of the Vector common stock for the five
trading days including November 16, 2005, which was
$19.08 per share. The purchase price for New Valley was
primarily determined on the basis of managements
assessment of the value of New Valleys assets (including
deferred tax assets and net operating losses) and its
expectations of future earnings and cash flows, including
synergies.
In connection with the acquisition of the remaining interests in
New Valley, Vector estimated the fair value of the assets
acquired and the liabilities assumed at the date of acquisition,
December 9, 2005. The Companys analysis indicated
that the fair value of net assets acquired, net of Vectors
stock ownership of New Valley prior to December 9, 2005,
totaled $150,543, compared to a fair value of liabilities
assumed of $22,212, yielding net assets acquired of $128,331
which were then compared to the New Valley purchase price of
$106,900 resulting in a reduction of non-current assets acquired
of $14,665 and negative goodwill of $6,766.
Generally accepted accounting principles require, effective July
2001 for the year ended December 31, 2005, that negative
goodwill be reported as an extraordinary item on the
Companys Statement of Operations.
Prior to December 9, 2005, New Valleys operating
results were included in the accompanying consolidated financial
statements of the Company and have been reduced by the minority
interests in New Valley. New Valleys operating results
from December 9, 2005, the date of acquisition, through
December 31, 2005 are included in the accompanying
consolidated financial statements. The unaudited pro forma
results of operations of the Company and New Valley, prepared
based on the purchase price allocation for New Valley
F-69
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share
Amounts) (Continued)
described above and as if the New Valley acquisition had
occurred at the beginning of each fiscal year presented, would
have been as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Pro forma total net revenues
|
|
$ |
478,427 |
|
|
$ |
498,860 |
|
Pro forma net income from continuing operations
|
|
$ |
42,915 |
|
|
$ |
12,387 |
|
Pro forma income before extraordinary item
|
|
$ |
51,436 |
|
|
$ |
19,534 |
|
Pro forma net income
|
|
$ |
51,436 |
|
|
$ |
19,534 |
|
Pro forma basic weighted average shares outstanding
|
|
|
51,736,887 |
|
|
|
50,944,238 |
|
Pro forma income from continuing operations per basic common
share
|
|
$ |
0.83 |
|
|
$ |
0.24 |
|
Pro forma income before extraordinary item per basic common share
|
|
$ |
0.99 |
|
|
$ |
0.38 |
|
Pro forma net income per basic common share
|
|
$ |
0.99 |
|
|
$ |
0.38 |
|
Pro forma diluted weighted average shares outstanding
|
|
|
54,009,206 |
|
|
|
52,948,861 |
|
Pro forma income from continuing operations per diluted common
share
|
|
$ |
0.79 |
|
|
$ |
0.23 |
|
Pro forma income before extraordinary item per diluted common
share
|
|
$ |
0.95 |
|
|
$ |
0.37 |
|
Pro forma net income per diluted common share
|
|
$ |
0.95 |
|
|
$ |
0.37 |
|
The pro forma financial information above is not necessarily
indicative of what the Companys consolidated results of
operations actually would have been if the New Valley
acquisition had been completed at the beginning of each period.
In addition, the pro forma information above does not attempt to
project the Companys future results of operations.
F-70
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share
Amounts) (Continued)
The following table summarizes the Companys estimates of
the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed
in the New Valley acquisition:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of | |
|
|
December 9, 2005 | |
|
|
| |
Tangible assets acquired:
|
|
|
|
|
Current assets
|
|
$ |
106,526 |
|
Long-term investments
|
|
|
14,982 |
|
Investments in non-consolidated real estate businesses
|
|
|
71,508 |
|
Deferred income taxes
|
|
|
70,810 |
|
Other assets
|
|
|
3,972 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total tangible assets acquired
|
|
|
267,798 |
|
Adjustment to reflect Vectors stock ownership of New
Valley prior to the offer and subsequent merger
|
|
|
(115,210 |
) |
Liabilities assumed
|
|
|
(14,123 |
) |
Deferred tax liability related to acquired long-term investments
and non-consolidated real estate businesses
|
|
|
(10,134 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets acquired in excess of liabilities assumed
|
|
|
128,331 |
|
Reduction of non-current assets
|
|
|
(14,665 |
) |
Unallocated goodwill
|
|
|
(6,766 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
Total purchase price
|
|
$ |
106,900 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
19. |
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS |
Real Estate Leasing. As discussed in Note 17, in
February 2005, New Valley completed the sale for $71,500 of its
two office buildings in Princeton, N.J. As a result of the sale,
the consolidated financial statements of the Company reflect New
Valleys real estate leasing operations as discontinued
operations for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004.
Accordingly, revenues, costs and expenses of the discontinued
operations have been excluded from the respective captions in
the consolidated statements of operations. The net operating
results of the discontinued operations have been reported, net
of applicable income taxes and minority interests, as
Income from discontinued operations.
Summarized operating results of the discontinued real estate
leasing operations for the years ended December 31, 2005
and 2004 are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Revenues
|
|
$ |
924 |
|
|
$ |
7,333 |
|
Expenses
|
|
|
515 |
|
|
|
5,240 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from operations before income taxes and minority interests
|
|
|
409 |
|
|
|
2,093 |
|
Provision for income taxes
|
|
|
223 |
|
|
|
1,125 |
|
Minority interests
|
|
|
104 |
|
|
|
510 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from discontinued operations
|
|
$ |
82 |
|
|
$ |
458 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gain on Disposal of Discontinued Operations. New Valley
recorded a gain on disposal of discontinued operations of $2,952
(net of minority interests and taxes) for the year ended
December 31, 2005 in connection with the sale of the office
buildings. New Valley recorded a gain on disposal of
discontinued operations of
F-71
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share
Amounts) (Continued)
$2,231 (net of minority interests and taxes) for the year ended
December 31, 2004 related to the adjustment of accruals
established during New Valleys bankruptcy proceedings in
1993 and 1994. The reversal of these accruals reduced various
tax accruals previously established and were made due to the
completion of settlements related to these matters. The
adjustment of these accruals is classified as gain on disposal
of discontinued operations since the original establishment of
such accruals was similarly classified as a reduction of gain on
disposal of discontinued operations.
The Companys significant business segments for each of the
three years ended December 31, 2006 were Liggett and Vector
Tobacco. The Liggett segment consists of the manufacture and
sale of conventional cigarettes and, for segment reporting
purposes, includes the operations of Medallion acquired on
April 1, 2002 (which operations are held for legal purposes
as part of Vector Tobacco). The Vector Tobacco segment includes
the development and marketing of the low nicotine and
nicotine-free cigarette products as well as the development of
reduced risk cigarette products and, for segment reporting
purposes, excludes the operations of Medallion. The accounting
policies of the segments are the same as those described in the
summary of significant accounting policies.
Financial information for the Companys continuing
operations before taxes and minority interests for the years
ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004 follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Vector | |
|
Real | |
|
Corporate | |
|
|
|
|
Liggett | |
|
Tobacco | |
|
Estate | |
|
and Other | |
|
Total | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues
|
|
$ |
499,468 |
|
|
$ |
6,784 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
506,252 |
|
Operating income (loss)
|
|
|
140,508 |
(1) |
|
|
(13,971 |
)(1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(25,508 |
) |
|
|
101,029 |
(1) |
Identifiable assets
|
|
|
316,165 |
|
|
|
3,122 |
|
|
|
28,416 |
|
|
|
289,759 |
|
|
|
637,462 |
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
7,344 |
|
|
|
317 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,227 |
|
|
|
9,888 |
|
Capital expenditures
|
|
|
9,439 |
|
|
|
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
19 |
|
|
|
9,558 |
|
|
2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues
|
|
$ |
468,652 |
|
|
$ |
9,775 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
478,427 |
|
Operating income (loss)
|
|
|
143,361 |
(2) |
|
|
(14,992 |
)(2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(39,258 |
) |
|
|
89,111 |
(2) |
Identifiable assets
|
|
|
267,661 |
|
|
|
1,091 |
|
|
|
17,391 |
|
|
|
317,409 |
|
|
|
603,552 |
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
8,201 |
|
|
|
676 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,343 |
|
|
|
11,220 |
|
Capital expenditures
|
|
|
9,664 |
|
|
|
12 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
619 |
|
|
|
10,295 |
|
|
2004
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues
|
|
$ |
484,898 |
|
|
$ |
13,962 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
498,860 |
|
Operating income (loss)
|
|
|
110,675 |
(3) |
|
|
(64,942 |
)(3) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(30,286 |
) |
|
|
15,447 |
(3) |
Identifiable assets
|
|
|
278,846 |
|
|
|
5,977 |
|
|
|
82,087 |
(4) |
|
|
169,017 |
|
|
|
535,927 |
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
7,889 |
|
|
|
1,679 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,255 |
|
|
|
11,823 |
|
Capital expenditures
|
|
|
4,132 |
|
|
|
125 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
37 |
|
|
|
4,294 |
|
|
|
(1) |
Includes a gain on sale of assets at Liggett of $2,217 and a
loss on sale of assets of $7 at Vector Tobacco, restructuring
and inventory impairment charges of $2,664 at Vector Tobacco and
a reversal of restructuring charges of $116 at Liggett. |
F-72
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share
Amounts) (Continued)
|
|
(2) |
Includes a special federal quota stock liquidation assessment
under the federal tobacco buyout legislation of $5,219 in 2005
($5,150 at Liggett and $69 at Vector Tobacco), a gain on sale of
assets at Liggett of $12,748 and a reversal of restructuring
charges of $114 at Liggett and $13 at Vector Tobacco in 2005. |
|
(3) |
Includes restructuring and impairment charges of $11,075 at
Liggett and $2,624 at Vector Tobacco and a $37,000 inventory
charge at Vector Tobacco. |
|
(4) |
Identifiable assets in the real estate segment of $54,927 in
2004 relate to discontinued operations. |
|
|
21. |
QUARTERLY FINANCIAL RESULTS (UNAUDITED) |
Unaudited quarterly data for the year ended December 31,
2006 and 2005 are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, | |
|
September 30, | |
|
June 30, | |
|
March 31, | |
|
|
2006(1) | |
|
2006(2) | |
|
2006(3) | |
|
2006 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Revenues
|
|
$ |
137,528 |
|
|
$ |
137,665 |
|
|
$ |
113,355 |
|
|
$ |
117,704 |
|
Operating income
|
|
|
32,641 |
|
|
|
25,701 |
|
|
|
22,460 |
|
|
|
20,227 |
|
Income (loss) from continuing operations
|
|
|
15,791 |
|
|
|
19,617 |
|
|
|
(2,709 |
) |
|
|
10,013 |
|
Income from discontinued operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from extraordinary item
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss) applicable to common shares
|
|
$ |
15,791 |
|
|
$ |
19,617 |
|
|
$ |
(2,709 |
) |
|
$ |
10,013 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Per basic common share(4):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income (loss) from continuing operations
|
|
$ |
0.26 |
|
|
$ |
0.33 |
|
|
$ |
(0.05 |
) |
|
$ |
0.19 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from discontinued operations
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from extraordinary item
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income applicable to common shares
|
|
$ |
0.26 |
|
|
$ |
0.33 |
|
|
$ |
(0.05 |
) |
|
$ |
0.19 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Per diluted common share(4):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income (loss) from continuing operations
|
|
$ |
0.25 |
|
|
$ |
0.32 |
|
|
$ |
(0.05 |
) |
|
$ |
0.19 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from discontinued operations
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from extraordinary item
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss) applicable to common shares
|
|
$ |
0.25 |
|
|
$ |
0.32 |
|
|
$ |
(0.05 |
) |
|
$ |
0.19 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
Fourth quarter 2006 income from continuing operations included a
$2,476 gain on the sale of Liggetts excess Durham real
estate, restructuring and inventory impairment charges of $2,664
at Vector Tobacco and a $116 gain from the reversal of amounts
previously accrued as restructuring charges at Liggett. |
|
(2) |
Third quarter 2006 income from continuing operations included a
$11,500 decrease in reported income tax expense as a result of
the settlement with the Internal Revenue Service. |
|
(3) |
Second quarter 2006 income from continuing operations included a
$14,860 non-cash charge associated with the issuance in June
2006 of additional shares of common stock in connection with he
conversion of $70,000 of the Companys 6.25% convertible
notes due 2008. |
|
(4) |
Per share computations include the impact of a 5% stock dividend
paid on September 29, 2006. Quarterly basic and diluted net
income (loss) per common share were computed independently for
each quarter and do not necessarily total to the year to date
basic and diluted net income (loss) per common share. |
F-73
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share
Amounts) (Continued)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, | |
|
September 30, | |
|
June 30, | |
|
March 31, | |
|
|
2005(1) | |
|
2005 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2005 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Revenues
|
|
$ |
136,176 |
|
|
$ |
124,965 |
|
|
$ |
113,113 |
|
|
$ |
104,173 |
|
Operating income
|
|
|
26,125 |
|
|
|
19,976 |
|
|
|
24,362 |
|
|
|
18,648 |
|
Income from continuing operations
|
|
|
11,999 |
|
|
|
10,045 |
|
|
|
11,348 |
|
|
|
9,193 |
|
Income from discontinued operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,034 |
|
Income from extraordinary item
|
|
|
6,766 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income applicable to common shares
|
|
$ |
18,765 |
|
|
$ |
10,045 |
|
|
$ |
11,348 |
|
|
$ |
12,227 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Per basic common share(2):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from continuing operations
|
|
$ |
0.26 |
|
|
$ |
0.22 |
|
|
$ |
0.25 |
|
|
$ |
0.20 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from discontinued operations
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
0.07 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from extraordinary item
|
|
$ |
0.14 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income applicable to common shares
|
|
$ |
0.40 |
|
|
$ |
0.22 |
|
|
$ |
0.25 |
|
|
$ |
0.27 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Per diluted common share(2):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from continuing operations
|
|
$ |
0.23 |
|
|
$ |
0.21 |
|
|
$ |
0.23 |
|
|
$ |
0.19 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from discontinued operations
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
0.06 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from extraordinary item
|
|
$ |
0.13 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income applicable to common shares
|
|
$ |
0.36 |
|
|
$ |
0.21 |
|
|
$ |
0.23 |
|
|
$ |
0.25 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
Fourth quarter 2005 income from continuing operations included a
$12,748 gain on the sale of Liggetts excess Durham real
estate, a $860 charge in connection with the settlement of
shareholder litigation relating to the New Valley acquisition,
reserves for uncollectibility of $2,750 established against
advances by New Valley, a $2,000 charge related to
Liggetts state settlement agreements and a $127 gain from
the reversal of amounts previously accrued as restructuring
charges. In the fourth quarter 2005, the Company recognized
extraordinary income of $6,860 in connection with unallocated
goodwill associated with the New Valley acquisition. |
|
(2) |
Per share computations include the impact of a 5% stock dividend
paid on September 29, 2005. Quarterly basic and diluted net
income per common share were computed independently for each
quarter and do not necessarily total to the year to date basic
and diluted net income per common share. |
F-74
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
SCHEDULE II VALUATION AND QUALIFYING
ACCOUNTS
(Dollars in Thousands)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additions | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at | |
|
Charged to | |
|
|
|
Balance at | |
|
|
Beginning | |
|
Costs and | |
|
|
|
End of | |
Description |
|
of Period | |
|
Expenses | |
|
Deductions | |
|
Period | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Year ended December 31, 2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Allowances for:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Doubtful accounts
|
|
$ |
105 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
50 |
|
|
$ |
55 |
|
|
Cash discounts
|
|
|
369 |
|
|
|
22,093 |
|
|
|
21,906 |
|
|
|
556 |
|
|
Deferred tax valuation allowance
|
|
|
19,957 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,226 |
|
|
|
17,731 |
|
|
Sales returns
|
|
|
5,194 |
|
|
|
398 |
|
|
|
1,941 |
|
|
|
3,651 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$ |
25,625 |
|
|
$ |
22,491 |
|
|
$ |
26,123 |
|
|
$ |
21,993 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year ended December 31, 2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Allowances for:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Doubtful accounts
|
|
$ |
205 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
100 |
|
|
$ |
105 |
|
|
Cash discounts
|
|
|
107 |
|
|
|
20,548 |
|
|
|
20,286 |
|
|
|
369 |
|
|
Deferred tax valuation allowance
|
|
|
98,805 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
78,848 |
|
|
|
19,957 |
|
|
Sales returns
|
|
|
6,030 |
|
|
|
509 |
|
|
|
1,345 |
|
|
|
5,194 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$ |
105,147 |
|
|
$ |
21,057 |
|
|
$ |
100,579 |
|
|
$ |
25,625 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year ended December 31, 2004
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Allowances for:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Doubtful accounts
|
|
$ |
350 |
|
|
$ |
18 |
|
|
$ |
163 |
|
|
$ |
205 |
|
|
Cash discounts
|
|
|
396 |
|
|
|
23,554 |
|
|
|
23,843 |
|
|
|
107 |
|
|
Deferred tax valuation allowance
|
|
|
107,591 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,786 |
|
|
|
98,805 |
|
|
Sales returns
|
|
|
8,472 |
|
|
|
55 |
|
|
|
2,497 |
|
|
|
6,030 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$ |
116,809 |
|
|
$ |
23,627 |
|
|
$ |
35,289 |
|
|
$ |
105,147 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-75