VECTOR GROUP LTD - Annual Report: 2008 (Form 10-K)

 

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, 2008

 

 

 

 

VECTOR GROUP LTD.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(305) 579-8000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

 

 

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

 

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  þ 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  þ 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.  þ 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 Registrant’s 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.  þ

 

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.

          (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

 

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

 

The aggregate market value of the common stock held by non-affiliates of Vector Group Ltd. as of June 30, 2008 was approximately $640 million.

 

At February 27, 2009, Vector Group Ltd. had 66,014,070 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 2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission no later than 120 days after the end of the Registrant’s fiscal year covered by this report.

 

 

VECTOR GROUP LTD.
FORM 10-K

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

Overview

 

Vector Group Ltd., a Delaware corporation, is a holding company and is engaged principally in:

 

 

Financial information relating to our business segments can be found in Note 18 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., whose 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 stockholder value by increasing the profitability of our subsidiaries in the following ways:

 

Liggett

 

 

Vector Tobacco

 

 

New Valley

 

 

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. Liggett’s manufacturing facilities are located in Mebane, North Carolina. At the present time, Liggett has no foreign operations.

 

Liggett manufactures and sells cigarettes in the United States. According to data from Management Science Associates, Inc., Liggett’s domestic shipments of approximately 8.6 billion cigarettes during 2008 accounted for 2.5% of the total cigarettes shipped in the United States during such year. Liggett’s market share did not change in 2008 and increased 0.1% in 2007 from 2006. 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. Liggett’s EVE brand would fall into that category. All of Liggett’s unit sales volume in 2008, 2007 and 2006 were in the discount segment, which Liggett’s management believes has been the primary growth segment in the industry for more than a decade.

 

Liggett produces cigarettes in approximately 180 combinations of length, style and packaging. Liggett’s current brand portfolio includes:

 

 

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, which was the largest seller in Liggett’s family of brands in 2007, comprised 32.9% in 2007 and 30.1% in 2008 of Liggett’s unit volume. 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. GRAND PRIX, which represented 30.3% of Liggett’s unit volume in 2007, is now the largest seller in Liggett’s family of brands with 32.6% of Liggett’s unit volume in 2008. According to the data of Management Science Associates, Liggett held a share of approximately 9.2% of the overall discount market segment for 2008 compared to 9.3% for 2007 and 8.7% for 2006.

Liggett Vector Brands has an agreement with Circle K Stores, Inc., which operates more than 2,200 convenience stores in the United States under the Circle K and Mac’s names, to supply MONTEGO, a deep discount brand, exclusively for the Circle K and Mac’s stores. The MONTEGO brand was the first to be offered under Liggett Vector Brands’ “Partner Brands” program which offers customers quality product with long-term price stability. Liggett Vector Brands also has an agreement with Sunoco Inc., which operates more than 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 was 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 more than 470 stores headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

 

In May 2008 Liggett introduced SNUS, a premium quality pouched tobacco product. SNUS is currently manufactured in Sweden and is available in three varieties.

 

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, 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.

 

Liggett’s and Vector Tobacco’s payments under the Master Settlement Agreement are based on each respective company’s incremental market share above the minimum threshold applicable to each respective company. Thus, if Liggett’s total market share is 2.00%, the Master Settlement Agreement payment is based on 0.35%, which is the difference between 2.00% and Liggett’s applicable grandfathered share of 1.65%. We anticipate that both exemptions will be fully utilized in the foreseeable future.

 

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.

 

Business Strategy.  Liggett’s 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. Liggett’s 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 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.  Liggett’s products are distributed from a central distribution center in Mebane, North Carolina to 18 public warehouses located throughout the United States. These warehouses serve as local distribution centers for Liggett’s customers. Liggett’s 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.

 

Liggett’s 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. Liggett’s largest single customer, Speedway SuperAmerica LLC, accounted for approximately 8.8%

of its revenues in 2008, 8.7% of its revenues in 2007, and 10.8% of its revenues in 2006. Sales to this customer were primarily in the private label discount segment. Liggett’s contract with Speedway SuperAmerica is through December 31, 2012.

 

Liggett Vector Brands coordinates and executes the sales and marketing efforts, along with certain support functions, for all of our tobacco operations.

 

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 Liggett’s 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. These trademarks are pledged as collateral for certain of our senior secured debt.

 

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 Liggett’s 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, 2008, virtually all of Liggett’s commitments were for the purchase of foreign tobacco.

 

Liggett’s 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 180 different brand styles as well as private labels for other companies, typically retail or wholesale distributors who supply supermarkets and convenience stores.

 

Liggett’s facility currently produces approximately 8.6 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 Liggett’s 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.  Liggett’s 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. and Lorillard Tobacco Company as well as the fourth largest, Commonwealth Brands, Inc. (which Imperial Tobacco PLC acquired in 2007). 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. Although, 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, in recent years, a number of these smaller manufacturers 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. Liggett’s 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 advertising and promotional activities, and trade rebates and incentives and compete with Liggett and others for discount market share, on the basis of brand loyalty. These three competitors have substantially greater financial resources than Liggett and most of their brands have greater sales and consumer recognition than Liggett’s products. Liggett’s 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 85.6% of the domestic cigarette market in 2008. Liggett’s domestic shipments of approximately 8.6 billion cigarettes during 2008 accounted for 2.5% of the approximately 346 billion cigarettes shipped in the United States, compared to 9.0 billion cigarettes in 2007 (2.5%) and 8.9 billion cigarettes (2.4%) during 2006.

 

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 3.3% (approximately 11.5 billion units) in 2008. Liggett’s 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 increases in federal and state excise taxes 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. 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.

 

Philip Morris and Reynolds American dominate the domestic cigarette market with a combined market share of approximately 74.9% at December 31, 2008. 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.

 

The Medallion Company, Inc.  We acquired Medallion, a discount cigarette manufacturer selling product in the deep discount category, primarily under the USA brand name, in April 2002. In connection with the acquisition of Medallion, Vector Tobacco, a participating manufacturer under the Master Settlement Agreement, acquired an exemption where it 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 2008). In connection with the acquisition of Medallion, we recorded an intangible asset of $107.5 million related to the exemption under the Master Settlement Agreement because we believe Vector Tobacco will continue to realize the benefit of the exemption for the foreseeable future. Because the Master Settlement Agreement states that payments will continue in perpetuity, the intangible asset is not amortized.

 

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 (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 Liggett’s 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.

 

On May 24, 1999, Trademarks borrowed $134.9 million from a lending institution. The loan was 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 and Trademarks released Eve from its guaranty. The Class B interest was entitled to a guaranteed payment of $0.5 million each year with the Class A interest allocated all remaining income or loss of Trademarks.

 

Trademarks 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.

 

The Class B option became exercisable during the 90-day period beginning December 2, 2008 and was exercised by Philip Morris on February 19, 2009. This option entitled Philip Morris to purchase the Class B interest for $139.9 million, reduced by the amount previously distributed to Eve of $134.9 million. In connection with the exercise of the Class B option, Philip Morris paid to Eve approximately $5.1 million (including a pro-rata share of its guaranteed payment) and Eve was released from its guaranty.

 

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 agreement with the Internal Revenue Service with respect to taxes allegedly owed on account of 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 low nicotine and nicotine-free 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 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.

 

Management believes that, based on testing at Vector Tobacco’s 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”.

 

Expenditures by Vector Tobacco for research and development activities were $3.0 million in 2008, $4.2 million in 2007, and $6.7 million in 2006.

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. Liggett manufactures all of Vector Tobacco’s cigarette brands under contract at its Mebane, North Carolina manufacturing facility.

 

Competition.  Vector Tobacco’s 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 currently 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 currently has patents and pending patent applications that encompass the use of palladium and other compounds to reduce the presence of carcinogens and other toxins. We recently entered into an agreement to sell certain of the intellectual property for $325,000, which is expected to be received in 2009, in connection with the resolution of a patent infringement proceeding.

 

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 Tobacco’s 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.

 

Risks.  Vector Tobacco’s 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, potential disputes concerning Vector Tobacco’s 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 Tobacco’s products, market acceptance of Vector Tobacco’s products, competition from companies with greater resources and the dependence on key employees. See Item 1A. “Risk Factors”.

 

Legislation, Regulation and Litigation

 

In the United States, tobacco products are subject to substantial and increasing legislation, regulation and taxation, which has a negative effect on revenue and profitability. See Item 7. “Management Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Legislation and Regulation”.

 

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, 2008, there were approximately 2,720 individual suits, seven purported class actions or actions where class certification has been sought and four 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.

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 smoking-related litigation or as a result of additional federal or state regulation relating to the manufacture, sale, distribution, advertising or labeling of tobacco products.

 

Liggett’s management believes that it is in compliance in all material respects with the laws regulating cigarette manufacturers.

 

The Master Settlement Agreement and Other State Settlement Agreements

 

In March 1996, March 1997 and March 1998, Liggett entered into settlements of tobacco-related litigation with 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 State.

 

In the Settling States, the Master Settlement Agreement released Liggett from:

 

 

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 certain limited exceptions; prohibits payments for tobacco product placement in various media; bans gift offers based on the purchase of tobacco products without sufficient proof that the intended recipient is an adult; prohibits Participating Manufacturers from licensing third parties to advertise tobacco brand names in any manner prohibited under the 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 2.4% of the total cigarettes shipped in the United States during 2006, 2.5% during 2007, and 2.5% during 2008. If Liggett’s or Vector Tobacco’s market share exceeds their respective market share exemption in a

given year, then on April 15 of the following year, Liggett and/or Vector Tobacco, as the case may be, would pay on each excess unit an amount equal (on a per-unit basis) to that due by the OPMs for that year. 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, Liggett and Vector Tobacco paid approximately $38.7 million for their 2006 Master Settlement Agreement obligation. In April 2008, Liggett and Vector Tobacco paid approximately $36.0 million for their 2007 Master Settlement Agreement obligation, having prepaid $34.5 million of such amount in December 2007. Liggett and Vector Tobacco have expensed approximately $49.8 million for their estimated Master Settlement Agreement obligations for 2008 as part of cost of goods sold. Liggett and Vector Tobacco paid approximately $34.0 million for their 2008 Master Settlement obligations during 2008 and anticipate paying another $9.8 million in April 2009, after withholding certain disputed amounts.

 

Under the payment provisions of the Master Settlement Agreement, the Participating Manufacturers are required to pay a base amount of $9.0 billion in 2009 and each year thereafter (subject to applicable adjustments, offsets and reductions). These annual payments are allocated based on unit volume of domestic cigarette shipments. The payment obligations under the 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.

 

Liggett may have additional payment obligations under the Master Settlement Agreement and its other settlement agreements with the states. See Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation — Recent Developments — Tobacco Settlement Agreements” and Note 12 to our consolidated financial statements.

 

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 as well as certain other significant real estate related investments.

 

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 a result of these transactions, New Valley Corporation became our wholly-owned subsidiary and approximately 5.8 million shares of our common stock 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.

 

Business Strategy

 

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 seek from time to time to dispose of such businesses and properties when favorable market conditions exist. New Valley’s cash and investments are available for general corporate purposes, including for acquisition purposes.

 

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 Elliman’s affiliate, Residential Management Group LLC, which conducts business as Douglas Elliman Property Management and is the New York metropolitan area’s largest manager of rental, co-op and condominium housing.

 

We account for our interest in Douglas Elliman Realty under the equity method. We recorded income of $11.8 million in 2008, $20.3 million in 2007, and $12.7 million in 2006 associated with Douglas Elliman Realty. Equity income from Douglas Elliman Realty includes interest earned by New Valley on the subordinated debt, purchase accounting adjustments and management fees.

 

Douglas Elliman Realty has been negatively impacted by the current downturn in the residential real estate market. The residential real estate market is cyclical and is affected by changes in the general economic conditions that are beyond Douglas Elliman Realty’s control. The U.S. residential real estate market, including the market in the New York metropolitan area where Douglas Elliman operates, is currently in a significant downturn due to various factors including downward pressure on housing prices, the impact of the recent contraction in the subprime and mortgage markets generally and an exceptionally large inventory of unsold homes at the same time that sales volumes are decreasing. The New York metropolitan area market is further impacted by the significant downturn in the financial services industry. The depth and length of the current downturn in the real estate industry has proved exceedingly difficult to predict. We cannot predict whether the downturn will worsen or when the market and related economic forces will return the U.S. residential real estate industry to a growth period.

 

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 59 offices with approximately 3,800 real estate agents in the metropolitan New York area. The companies achieved combined sales of approximately $11.6 billion of real estate in 2008, approximately $13.9 billion of real estate in 2007, and approximately $11.7 billion of real estate in 2006. Douglas Elliman Realty was ranked as the fourth largest residential brokerage company in the United States in 2007 based on closed sales volume by the Real Trends broker survey. Douglas Elliman Realty had revenues of $352.7 million in 2008, $405.6 million in 2007, and $347.2 million in 2006.

 

Douglas Elliman was founded in 1911 and has grown to be one of Manhattan’s leading residential brokers by specializing in the highest end of the sales and rental marketplaces. It has 14 New York City offices, with approximately 2,000 real estate agents, and had sales volume of approximately $8.1 billion of real estate in 2008, approximately $9.6 billion of real estate in 2007, and approximately $7.2 billion of real estate in 2006.

 

Prudential Douglas Elliman Real Estate is headquartered in Huntington, New York and is the largest residential brokerage company on Long Island with 45 offices and approximately 1,800 real estate agents. During 2008, Prudential Douglas Elliman Real Estate closed approximately 5,900 transactions, representing sales volume of approximately $3.5 billion of real estate. This compared to approximately 6,600 transactions closed in 2007, representing approximately $4.3 billion of real estate, and approximately 7,000 transactions closed in 2006, representing approximately $4.5 billion of 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 buyer’s 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 Empire’s 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 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 2009 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 Empire’s 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 Empire’s 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 Empire’s 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, 2008, 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.

 

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 Elliman’s formation in 1911. Other trademarks used extensively in Douglas Elliman’s 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 You’d 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 one of the leading managers of apartments, cooperatives and condominiums in the New York metropolitan area. 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. Residential Management Group is seeking to continue to expand its property management business in the greater metropolitan New York area in 2009. 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 Residential Management Group’s headquarters and the remainder at remote offices in the New York metropolitan area.

 

New Valley Realty Division

 

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 $13.575 million in the project as of December 31, 2008. We accounted for our investment in Koa Investors under the equity method and recorded losses of $750,000 in 2007, and income of $867,000 in 2006 associated with the Kona Surf Hotel. The income in 2006 related to the receipt of tax credits 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 2007 primarily represented losses from operations.

 

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 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, which is non-recourse to New Valley, 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 Valley’s equity investment in Koa Investors. Although New Valley was not obligated to fund any additional amounts to Koa Investors at December 31, 2007 and 2006, New Valley made a $750,000 capital contribution in February 2007.

New Valley and certain members in KOA Investors have chosen not to fund discretionary capital calls in 2008 and KOA Investors was not able to meet its financial obligations in the third quarter of 2008. KOA has been informed by its lender that it is in default on its $82 million loan, which is non-recourse to New Valley. We have carried our investment in KOA at $0 throughout 2008.

 

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. In April 2006, Hotel LLC purchased for approximately $3 million a building adjacent to the hotel to house various administrative and sales functions. The St. Regis Hotel, which was temporarily closed on August 31, 2006 for an extensive renovation, reopened in January 2008. Hotel LLC capitalized all costs other than management fees related to the renovation of the property during the renovation phase. New Valley, which holds a 50% interest in Hotel LLC, had invested $12.125 million in the project at December 31, 2008. We account for our interest in Hotel LLC under the equity method.

 

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.

 

In September 2007, Hotel LLC entered into certain agreements to sell 90% of the St. Regis Hotel. In October 2007, Hotel LLC entered into an agreement to sell certain tax credits associated with the hotel. The sale closed in March 2008. In addition to retaining a 3% interest, net of incentives, in the St. Regis Hotel, New Valley received $16.406 million upon the sale of the hotel. New Valley anticipates receiving an additional $3.4 million in various installments between 2009 and 2012. New Valley recorded equity losses of $3.796 million, $2.344 million, and $2.147 million for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006, respectively. New Valley also recorded equity income of $16.363 million in connection with the gain from the sale of the St. Regis because the amount received from Hotel LLC exceeded our basis in the investment and we have no legal obligation to make additional investments to Hotel LLC.

 

Escena.  In March 2008, a subsidiary of New Valley purchased a loan secured by a substantial portion of a 450-acre approved master planned community in Palm Springs, California known as “Escena.” The loan, which is currently in foreclosure, was purchased for its $20 million face value plus accrued interest and other costs of $1.445 million. The loan is being accounted for under the cost recovery method and the costs include the purchase price and additional capitalized costs of $259,000. The borrowers are Escena-PSC, LLC and Palm Springs Classic, LLC, a joint venture of Lennar Homes of California, Inc and Empire Land, LLC. In April, 2008, Empire Land filed a Chapter 11 bankruptcy petition which was converted to Chapter 7 in December 2008. Lennar Homes is an affiliate of Lennar Corporation. The loan collateral consists of 867 residential lots with site and public infrastructure, an 18-hole golf course, a substantially completed clubhouse, and a seven-acre site approved for a 450-room hotel.

 

In October 2007, the “as is” value of the land was appraised in excess of the outstanding value of the loan. In January 2009 we obtained an appraisal that valued the property at substantially less than the outstanding loan balance. The reduction in value was attributed to the overall real estate market conditions in California. Among other things, Lennar Corporation has a payment guarantee of up to 50% of the outstanding loan balance plus accrued interest as well as a guarantee to complete the development of the property. In order to calculate the fair market value of the investment, we utilized the most recent “as is” appraised value of the collateral and estimated the value of Lennar’s completion and payment guaranties, less estimated costs to enforce the guaranties and dispose of the property. Based on these estimates, we determined that the fair market value was less than the carrying amount of the mortgage receivable at December 31, 2008 by approximately $4 million. Accordingly, a reserve was established for the decline in value and a charge of $4 million was recorded in 2008. We carried the loan on our consolidated balance sheet at its net basis of $17.704 million as of December 31, 2008. Litigation is ongoing to enforce our rights under the loan documents. The parties are currently involved in settlement discussions.

Aberdeen Townhomes LLC.  In June 2008, a subsidiary of New Valley purchased a preferred equity interest in Aberdeen Townhomes LLC for $10 million. Aberdeen acquired five town home residences located in Manhattan, New York, which it is in the process of rehabilitating and selling. In the event that Aberdeen makes distributions of cash, New Valley is entitled to a priority preferred return of 15% per annum until it has recovered its invested capital. New Valley is entitled to 25% of subsequent cash distributions of profits until it has achieved an annual 18% internal rate of return. New Valley is then entitled to 20% of subsequent cash distributions of profits until it has achieved an annual 23% IRR. After New Valley has achieved an annual 23% IRR, it is then entitled to 10% of any remaining cash distributions of profits.

 

Aberdeen is a variable interest entity; however, we are not the primary beneficiary. Our maximum exposure to loss as a result of our investment in Aberdeen is $10 million. This investment is being accounted for under the cost method.

 

In January 2009 we obtained an appraisal of the five town home residences and determined that the value of the properties, less estimated disposal costs, was approximately $3.5 million less than their carrying value and recorded an impairment charge for $3.5 million. The reduction in value was attributed to the overall real estate market conditions in New York City at December 31, 2008.

 

Mortgages on four of the five Aberdeen town homes with a balance of approximately $29.125 million matured on March 1, 2009 and have not been refinanced. The remaining mortgage with a balance of approximately $11.5 million matures on September 30, 2009. Additionally in February 2009, the managing member of Aberdeen Townhomes gave notice that it is resigning as managing member. A subsidiary of New Valley will become the new managing member.

 

New Valley Oaktree Chelsea Eleven, LLC.  In September 2008, a subsidiary of New Valley purchased for $12 million a 40% interest in New Valley Oaktree Chelsea Eleven, LLC, which lent $29 million to Chelsea Eleven LLC and contributed $1 million for 29% of the capital of Chelsea Eleven LLC, which is developing a condominium project in Manhattan, New York. The development consists of 72 luxury residential units and one commercial unit. Approximately 75% of the units are pre-sold and approximately $35 million in deposits are held in escrow. The loan from New Valley Oaktree is subordinate to a $110 million construction loan and a $24 million mezzanine loan plus accrued interest. The loan from New Valley Oaktree to Chelsea Eleven bears interest at 60.25% per annum, compounded monthly. An interest reserve of $3.750 million was held by Chelsea Eleven LLC. This reserve was liquidated in five monthly payments and New Valley received $1.5 million in distributions from this interest reserve.

 

New Valley Chelsea is a variable interest entity; however, we are not the primary beneficiary. Our maximum exposure to loss as a result of our investment in Chelsea is $12 million. This investment is being accounted for under the equity method.

 

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 2001.

 

In 2002, LTS borrowed a total of $5 million from New Valley, due March 31, 2007, as extended. 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 LTS’s 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 Valley’s 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.

 

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 0.24 of a LTS share for each share of ours in 2005.

 

In February 2007, LTS entered into a Debt Exchange Agreement with New Valley, the holder of $5 million principal amount of its promissory notes due March 31, 2007. Pursuant to the Exchange Agreement, New Valley 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 debt exchange was consummated on June 29, 2007 following approval by the LTS shareholders at its annual meeting of shareholders. At the closing, the $5 million principal amount of notes was exchanged for 2,777,778 shares of LTS’s common stock and accrued interest on the notes of approximately $1.7 million was paid in cash. In connection with the debt exchange, we recorded a gain in 2007 of $8.1 million, which consisted of the fair value of the 2,777,778 shares of LTS common stock at June 29, 2007 (the transaction date) and interest received in connection with the exchange. As a result, New Valley’s ownership of LTS’s common stock increased to 13,888,889 shares or approximately 8.0% of the outstanding LTS shares as of December 31, 2008.

 

Four of our directors, Howard M. Lorber, Henry C. Beinstein, Robert J. Eide and Jeffrey S. Podell, also serve as directors of LTS. Mr. Lorber also serves as Vice Chairman 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. In September 2006, we entered into an agreement with LTS where we agreed to make available the services of Mr. Lampen as well as other financial and accounting services. LTS paid us $500,000, $400,000, and $83,000 for 2008, 2007, and 2006, respectively, related to the agreement and pays us at a rate of $600,000 per year in 2009. These amounts are recorded as a reduction to our operating, selling, administrative and general expenses. For 2007 and 2008, LTS paid compensation of $600,000 and $150,000, respectively, to each of Mr. Lorber and Mr. Lampen in connection with their services. See Note 14 to our consolidated financial statements.

Other Investments

 

Castle Brands.  In October 2008, we acquired for $4 million an approximate 11% interest in Castle Brands Inc. (AMEX:ROX), a publicly traded developer and importer of premium branded spirits. Mr. Lampen is serving as the interim President and Chief Executive Officer. In October 2008, we entered into an agreement with Castle where we agreed to make available the services of Mr. Lampen as well as other financial and accounting services. Castle paid us $22,011 for the year ended December 31, 2008 related to the agreement and pays us at a rate of $100,000 per year in 2009.

 

Long-Term Investments.  As of December 31, 2008, long-term investments consisted primarily of investments in investment partnerships of approximately $51 million. New Valley has committed to make an additional investment in one of these investment partnerships of up to $112,000. 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, 2008, we had approximately 430 employees, of which approximately 250 were employed at Liggett’s Mebane facility, approximately 12 were employed at Vector Tobacco’s research facility and approximately 150 were employed in sales and administrative functions at Liggett Vector Brands. Approximately 43% 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, 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.

 

 

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 have significant liquidity commitments

 

During 2009 and 2010, we have certain liquidity commitments that could require the use of our existing cash resources. Our corporate expenditures (exclusive of Liggett, Vector Research, Vector Tobacco and New Valley) and other potential liquidity requirements over the next 12 months include the following:

 

 

 

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

 

We and our subsidiaries have a substantial amount of indebtedness, including indebtedness due in 2009.

 

We and our subsidiaries have significant indebtedness and debt service obligations. At December 31, 2008, we and our subsidiaries had total outstanding indebtedness (including the embedded derivative liabilities related to our convertible notes) of $385 million. We must redeem $14 million of our 5% Variable Interest Senior Convertible Notes by November 15, 2009. The holders of these Notes have the option on November 15, 2009 to require us to repurchase some or all of the remaining $97.9 million principal amount of the Notes. 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 debt 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 Holding’s 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. Liggett’s revolving credit agreement with Wachovia Bank, N.A. contains a restricted payments test that limits the ability of Liggett to pay cash dividends to VGR Holding. The ability of Liggett to meet the restricted payments test may be affected by factors beyond its control, including Wachovia’s unilateral discretion, if acting in good faith, to modify elements of such test.

 

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.

 

Our 11% senior secured notes contain restrictive covenants that limit our operating flexibility.

 

Our 11% senior secured notes due 2015 contain covenants that, among other things, restrict our ability to take specific actions, even if we believe them to be in our best interest, including restrictions on our ability to:

 

 

 

In addition, Liggett’s revolving credit agreement requires us to meet specified financial ratios. These covenants may restrict our ability to expand or fully pursue our business strategies. Our ability to comply with these and other provisions of the indenture governing the senior secured notes and the Liggett revolving credit agreement may be affected by changes in our operating and financial performance, changes in general business and economic conditions, adverse regulatory developments or other events beyond our control. The breach of any of these covenants, including those contain in the indenture governing the notes and the Liggett’s credit agreement, could result in a default under our indebtedness, which could cause those and other obligations to become due and payable. If any of our indebtedness is accelerated, we may not be able to repay it.

 

The notes contain restrictive covenants, which, among other things, restrict our ability to pay certain dividends or make other restricted payments or enter into transactions with affiliates if our Consolidated EBITDA, as defined in the indenture, is less than $50 million for the four quarters prior to such transaction.

 

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 85.6% of the United States cigarette market during 2008. 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 49.0% of the total domestic market during 2008. During 2008, all of Liggett’s sales were in the discount segment, and its share of the total domestic cigarette market was 2.5%. Philip Morris and RJR Tobacco (which is now part of Reynolds American), the two largest cigarette manufacturers, have 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.

 

Philip Morris and Reynolds American dominate the domestic cigarette market and had a combined market share of approximately 74.9% at December 31, 2008. 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.

 

Liggett’s 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 Liggett’s unit volume in 2008 and 2007 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 smaller manufacturers and importers, most of which sell low quality, deep discount cigarettes. While Liggett’s share of the discount market decreased to 9.2% in 2008 from 9.3% in 2007, after increasing from 8.7% in 2006, Management Science Associates data indicate that the discount market share of these other smaller manufacturers and importers was approximately 38.5% in 2008, 37.0% in 2007 and 36.3% in 2006. If pricing in the discount market continues to be impacted by these smaller manufacturers and importers, margins in Liggett’s only current market segment could be negatively affected, which in turn could negatively affect the value of our common stock.

Liggett’s market share is susceptible to decline.

 

In years prior to 2000, Liggett suffered a substantial decline in unit sales and associated market share. Liggett’s 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. Liggett’s market share, which did not change in 2008, increased compared to the prior years in 2007, 2006, 2005 and 2004. This earlier market share erosion resulted in part from Liggett’s 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. These declines also resulted from adverse developments in the tobacco industry, intense competition and changes in consumer preferences. According to Management Science Associates data, Liggett’s overall domestic market share during 2008 was 2.5% compared to 2.5% during 2007 and 2.4% during 2006. Liggett’s share of the discount segment during 2008 was 9.2% compared to 9.3% in 2007, up from 8.7% in 2006. If Liggett’s market share declines, Liggett’s sales volume, operating income and cash flows could be materially adversely affected, which in turn could negatively affect the value of our common stock.

 

Liggett has significant sales to a single customer.

 

During 2008, 8.8% of Liggett’s total revenues and 8.8% of our consolidated revenues were generated by sales to Liggett’s largest customer. Liggett’s contract with this customer currently expires on December 31, 2012. If this customer discontinues its relationship with Liggett or experiences financial difficulties, Liggett’s results of operations could be materially adversely affected.

 

Liggett’s cigarettes are subject to substantial and increasing regulation and taxation, which has a negative effect on revenue and profitability.

 

Tobacco products are subject to substantial federal and state excise taxes in the United States. On February 4, 2009, President Obama signed an increase of $0.617 in the federal excise tax per pack of cigarettes, for a total of $1.01 per pack of cigarettes, and significant tax increases on other tobacco products, to fund expansion of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, referred to as the SCHIP. These tax increases are effective on April 1, 2009.

 

The increases in federal excise tax under the SCHIP are substantial, and, as a result, Liggett expects its volume will be adversely impacted beginning in the second quarter of 2009.

 

In addition to federal and state excise taxes, certain city and county governments also impose substantial excise taxes on tobacco products sold. Increased excise taxes are likely to result in declines in overall sales volume and shifts by consumers to less expensive brands.

 

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. Private businesses also have adopted regulations that prohibit or restrict, or are intended to discourage, smoking. Such laws and regulations also are likely to result in a decline in the overall sales volume of cigarettes.

 

The proposed regulation of tobacco products by the Food and Drug Administration may adversely affect Liggett’s sales and operating profit.

 

A bill that would grant the FDA, authority to regulate tobacco products was introduced in Congress in February 2007. On July 30, 2008, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the bill by a vote of 326-102. The U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee approved the FDA regulation bill on August 1, 2007, but the Senate adjourned in 2008 without any further action on the bill. In 2009, it is likely that Congress will again take up the issue of FDA regulation of tobacco products.

 

It is anticipated that any proposed FDA regulation bill most likely would:

 

 

 

It is possible that such additional regulation could result in a decrease in cigarette sales in the United States and an increase in costs which may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, cash flows and financial condition.

 

Over the years, various state and local governments have continued to regulate tobacco products, including smokeless tobacco products. These regulations relate to, among other things, the imposition of significantly higher taxes, increases in the minimum age to purchase tobacco products, sampling and advertising bans or restrictions, ingredient and constituent disclosure requirements and significant tobacco control media campaigns. Additional state and local legislative and regulatory actions will likely be considered in the future, including, among other things, restrictions on the use of flavorings.

 

Additional federal or state regulation relating to the manufacture, sale, distribution, advertising, labeling, mandatory ingredients disclosure and nicotine yield information disclosure of tobacco products could reduce sales, increase costs and have a material adverse effect on our business.

 

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 3.3% in 2008. According to Management Science Associates data, domestic industry-wide shipments decreased by 5.0% in 2007 compared to 2006. 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 increases in federal and state excise taxes 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 its competitors, or if the industry as a whole is unable to offset the decline in unit sales with price increases, Liggett’s 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.

 

Liggett could be subjected to substantial liabilities and bonding requirements from litigation relating to cigarette products. Adverse litigation outcomes could have a negative impact on the Company’s ability to operate due to their impact on cash flows. We and our Liggett subsidiary, as well as the entire cigarette industry, continue to be challenged on numerous fronts. New cases continue to be commenced against Liggett and other cigarette manufacturers. As of December 31, 2008, there were approximately 2,720 individual suits, including 2,680 Engle progeny cases described below, seven purported class actions and four governmental and other third-party payor health care reimbursement actions pending in the United States in which Liggett and/or us were named defendants. 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. Liggett could face difficulties in obtaining a bond to stay execution of a judgment pending appeal.

 

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) 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) defendants are enjoined from making any material false, misleading, or deceptive statement or representation concerning cigarettes that persuades people to purchase cigarettes; and, (iii) 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.

 

No monetary damages were awarded other than the government’s costs. In October 2006, the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia stayed the Final Judgment pending appeal. The defendants filed amended notices of appeal in March 2007. The government acknowledged in its appellate brief that it was not appealing the district court’s decision to award no remedy against Liggett. Therefore, although this case has been concluded as to Liggett, it is unclear what impact, if any, the Final Judgment will have on the cigarette industry as a whole. To the extent that the Final Judgment leads to a decline in industry-wide shipments of cigarettes in the United States or otherwise imposes regulations which adversely affect the industry, Liggett’s 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 December 2008, the United States Supreme Court, in Altria Group Inc. v. Good, ruled that the Federal Cigarette Labeling and Advertising Act did not preempt the state law claims asserted by the plaintiffs and that they could proceed with their claims under the Maine Unfair Trade Practices Act. This ruling may result in additional class action cases in all other states. Although Liggett is not a party in the Good case, an adverse ruling or commencement of additional “lights” related class actions could have a material adverse impact on us.

 

There are currently five 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, plaintiff’s counsel was awarded legal fees of $752,000. Liggett appealed both the verdict and the legal fees award. In October 2007, the Fourth District Court of Appeals affirmed the compensatory award. The legal fee award was reversed and remanded to the trial court. We have accrued $2.3 million for this case at December 31, 2008. Trial commenced in February in another individual case where Liggett is the only defendant.

 

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.

 

Individual tobacco-related cases have increased as a result of the Florida Supreme Court’s 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 on a prospective basis and the order vacating the punitive damages award, but preserved several of the trial court’s 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) all defendants sold or supplied cigarettes that were defective; and (vi) all defendants were negligent) and allowed plaintiffs to proceed to trial on individual liability issues (using the above findings) and compensatory and punitive damage issues, provided they commence their individual lawsuits within one year of the date the court’s decision became final on January 11, 2007, the date of the court’s mandate. In

December 2006, the Florida Supreme Court added the finding that defendants sold or supplied cigarettes that, at the time of sale or supply, did not conform to the representations made by defendants.

 

In June 2002, the jury in a Florida state court action entitled Lukacs v. R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, awarded $37.5 million in compensatory damages, jointly and severally, in a case involving Liggett and two other cigarette manufacturers, which amount was subsequently reduced by the Court. 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. In November 2008, the court entered final judgment in the amount of $24,835 (for which Liggett is 50% responsible), plus interest from June 2002. The defendants appealed the final judgment. Plaintiff has filed a motion seeking an award of attorneys’ fees from Liggett based on their prior proposal for settlement. Liggett may be required to bond the amount of the judgment against it to perfect its appeal.

 

Pursuant to the Florida Supreme Court’s July 2006 ruling in Engle, former class members had one year from January 11, 2007 to file individual lawsuits. In addition, some individuals who filed suit prior to January 11, 2007, and who claim they meet the conditions in Engle, are attempting to avail themselves of the Engle ruling. Lawsuits by individuals requesting the benefit of the Engle ruling, whether filed before or after the January 11, 2007 mandate, are referred to as the “Engle progeny cases”. As of December 31, 2008, there were approximately 2,680 Engle progeny cases pending where either Liggett (or other cigarette manufacturers) or us, or both, were named as defendants. These cases include approximately 9,620 plaintiffs. Approximately 50 cases are currently scheduled for trial in 2009.

 

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 and legislation may negatively impact sales of tobacco products and our financial condition.

 

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. The trend has had, and is more 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 from various federal administrative bodies, including the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the FDA. There have also been adverse legislative and political decisions and other unfavorable developments concerning cigarette smoking and the tobacco industry. Recently, legislation was reintroduced in Congress providing for regulation of cigarettes by the FDA. These developments generally receive widespread media attention. Additionally, a majority of states have passed legislation providing for reduced ignition propensity standards for cigarettes. 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. 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.

 

Liggett may be adversely affected by the 2004 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 $10.14 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. Liggett’s and Vector Tobacco’s assessment was $22.6 million in 2006, $23.3 million in 2007 and $23.6 million in 2008. 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. In February 2009, Federal legislation to reauthorize the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), which includes funding provisions that increase the federal cigarette excise tax from $0.39 to $1.01 per pack, was enacted, effective April 1, 2009. State excise taxes vary considerably and, when combined with sales taxes, local taxes and the federal excise tax, may exceed $4.00 per pack. In 2008, seven states and the District of Colombia enacted increases in excise taxes and various states and other jurisdictions are considering, or have pending, legislation proposing further state excise tax increases. Management believes increases in excise and similar taxes have had, and will continue to have, an adverse effect on sales of cigarettes.

 

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 under the Master Settlement Agreement notified Liggett and all other participating manufacturers that their payment obligations under the Master Settlement Agreement, dating from the agreement’s execution in late 1998, had been recalculated using “net” unit amounts, rather than “gross” unit amounts (which had been used since 1999 to calculate market share on the allocation of the base annual payment under the Master Settlement Agreement). The change in the method of calculation could, among other things, require additional payments by Liggett under the Master Settlement Agreement of approximately $17.4 million, plus interest, for the periods 2001 through 2007, require Liggett to pay an additional amount of approximately $3.3 million for 2008 and require additional amounts in future periods because the proposed change from “gross” to “net” would serve to lower Liggett’s 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 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 Auditor’s 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. Liggett and Vector Tobacco withheld approximately $4.2 million from their April 2007 payments related to the 2006 NPM Adjustment and $3.0 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 Liggett’s 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 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 2005, Liggett was served with a 60 day notice to cure alleged defaults by each of Florida and Mississippi. No specific monetary demand has been made by Texas.

 

Except for $2.5 million accrued at December 31, 2008, 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.

 

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 Tobacco’s 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.

 

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. 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 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.

 

Potential extensive government regulation.  Vector Tobacco’s 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. 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 any of the foregoing cannot be predicted, but any of the foregoing could have a material adverse effect on Vector Tobacco’s business, operating results and prospects.

 

Competition from other cigarette manufacturers with greater resources.  Vector Tobacco’s competitors generally have substantially greater resources than Vector Tobacco, 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.

 

Intellectual property rights, including Vector Tobacco’s patents involve complex legal and factual issues.  Any conflicts resulting from third party patent applications and granted patents could significantly limit Vector Tobacco’s 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 Tobacco’s 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 Tobacco’s 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 Tobacco’s 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 Tobacco’s business depends on the continued services of key scientific personnel for its continued development and growth. The loss of Dr. Anthony Albino, Vector Tobacco’s Senior Vice President of Public Health Affairs, could have a serious negative impact upon Vector Tobacco’s business, operating results and prospects.

 

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 Tobacco’s 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.

 

New Valley is subject to risks relating to the industries in which it operates.

 

Risks of real estate ventures.  New Valley has three significant real estate-related investments, Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC (50% interest), New Valley Oaktree Chelsea Eleven LLC (40% interest) and Aberdeen Townhomes LLC (15% preferred return), where other partners hold significant interests. New Valley must seek approval from these other parties for important actions regarding these joint ventures. Since the 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.

 

The real estate, capital and credit markets have worsened in recent years.  Because the real estate, capital and credit markets have continued to worsen, we will continue to perform additional assessments to determine the impact of the markets, if any, on our consolidated financial statements. Thus, future impairment charges may occur.

 

Risks of litigation on mortgage receivable.  New Valley purchased a loan secured by a substantial portion of a 450-acre approved master planned community in Palm Springs, California known as “Escena” and certain completion guarantees. The loan is currently in foreclosure and litigation is ongoing to enforce our rights under the loan documents. There is no guarantee we will prevail in the litigation.

 

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.

 

Risks relating to the residential brokerage business.  Through New Valley’s 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 franchiser’s 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:

 

 

The franchiser has the right to terminate Douglas Elliman’s and Prudential Douglas Elliman Real Estate’s 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 Elliman’s or Prudential Douglas Elliman Real Estate’s 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.

Real estate ventures and mortgage receivable have been negatively impacted by the current downturn in the residential real estate market.  The U.S. residential real estate market, including the New York metropolitan area where Douglas Elliman Realty operates, is cyclical and is affected by changes in the general economic conditions that are beyond Douglas Elliman Realty’s control. The U.S. residential real estate market is currently in a significant downturn due to various factors including downward pressure on housing prices, credit constraints inhibiting new buyers and an exceptionally large inventory of unsold homes at the same time that sales volumes are decreasing. The depth and length of the current downturn in the real estate industry has proved exceedingly difficult to predict. We cannot predict whether the downturn will worsen or when the market and related economic forces will return the U.S. residential real estate industry to a growth period.

 

Any of the following could have a material adverse effect on our real estate ventures by causing a general decline in the number of home sales and/or prices, which in turn, could adversely affect its revenues and profitability:

 

 

 

 

The three major real estate ventures’ current operations are located in the New York metropolitan area.  Local and regional economic and general business conditions in this market could differ materially from prevailing conditions in other parts of the country. Among other things, the New York metropolitan area residential real estate market has been impacted by the significant downturn in the financial services industry. A continued downturn in the residential real estate market or economic conditions in that region could have a material adverse effect on these investments.

 

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 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, 2008, 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 $10.82 and $19.45 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:

 

 

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 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, 2008, we had outstanding options granted to employees to purchase approximately 5,284,880 shares of our common stock, with a weighted-average exercise price of $11.59 per share, of which options for 5,169,120 shares were exercisable at December 31, 2008. We also have outstanding convertible notes and debentures maturing in November 2011 and June 2026, which are currently convertible into 12,932,556 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.

 

 

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 2014.

 

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 unaffiliated third parties for the balance of the term of the lease. New Valley’s operating properties are discussed above under the description of New Valley’s business.

 

Liggett’s 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, 2008, the principal properties owned or leased by Liggett are as follows:

 

 

Liggett Vector Brands leases approximately 20,000 square feet of office space in Morrisville, North Carolina. The lease expires in January 2014.

 

Liggett’s 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.

 

 

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.

 

Reference is made to Note 12 to our consolidated financial statements, which contains a general description of certain legal proceedings to which the Company, 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 legal proceedings to which we or Liggett are parties. 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.

 

 

During the last quarter of 2008, 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 2, 2009. Each of the executive officers serves until the election and qualification of such individual’s successor or until such individual’s death, resignation or removal by the Board of Directors.

 

 

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 Nathan’s 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 Chairman of the Board of Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services from May 2001 to July 2006 and Vice Chairman since July 2006. 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. Since October 2008, Mr. Lampen has served as interim President and Chief Executive Officer of Castle Brands Inc., a publicly traded developer and importer of premium branded spirits in which we held an approximate 11% equity interest at December 31, 2008. 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 Castle, 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 Spec’s 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 Valley’s 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 our Vice President 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.

 

 

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:

 

 

At February 17, 2009, there were approximately 2,088 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.

 

Liggett’s revolving credit agreement currently permits Liggett to pay dividends to VGR Holding only if Liggett’s 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 Liggett’s 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 11% Senior Secured Notes due 2015 prohibit our payment of cash dividends or distributions on our common stock if at the time of such payment our Consolidated EBITDA (as defined) for the most recently completed four full fiscal quarters is less than $50 million.

 

We paid 5% stock dividends on September 29, 2006, September 28, 2007 and September 29, 2008 to the holders of our common stock. All information presented in this report is adjusted for the stock dividends.

Performance Graph

 

The following graph compares the total annual return of our Common Stock, the S&P 500 Index, the S&P MidCap 400 Index and the AMEX Tobacco Index for the five years ended December 31, 2008. The graph assumes that $100 was invested on December 31, 2003 in the Common Stock and each of the indices, and that all cash dividends and distributions were reinvested. Information for our Common Stock includes the value of the March 30, 2005 distribution to our stockholders of shares of Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services common stock and assumes such stock was held by the stockholders until the end of each year.

 

 

 

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, 2008.

 

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

 

No securities of ours were repurchased by us or our affiliated purchasers during the three months ended December 31, 2008.

 

 

 

 

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)

 

Overview

 

We are a holding company and are engaged principally in:

 

 

All of Liggett’s unit sales volume in 2006, 2007 and 2008 was in the discount segment, which Liggett’s 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.

 

Liggett’s cigarettes are produced in approximately 180 combinations of length, style and packaging. Liggett’s current brand portfolio includes:

 

 

In 1999, Liggett introduced LIGGETT SELECT, one of the leading brands in the deep discount category. LIGGETT SELECT, which was the largest seller in Liggett’s family of brands in 2006 and 2007, comprised 37.5% in 2006, 32.9% in 2007 and 30.1% in 2008 of Liggett’s unit volume. 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. GRAND PRIX, which represented 30.3% of Liggett’s volume in 2007, is now the largest seller in Liggett’s family of brands with 32.6% of Liggett’s unit volume in 2008.

 

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, Vector Tobacco has no payment obligation unless its market share exceeds approximately 0.28% of the U.S. market. Liggett’s and Vector Tobacco’s payments under the Master Settlement Agreement are based on each company’s incremental market share above the minimum threshold applicable to such company. We believe that Liggett has gained a sustainable cost advantage over its competitors as a result of the settlement.

 

The discount segment is a challenging marketplace, with consumers having less brand loyalty and placing greater emphasis on price. Liggett’s 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 America Inc., and Lorillard Tobacco Company as well as the fourth largest, Commonwealth Brands, Inc. (which Imperial Tobacco PLC acquired in 2007). 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.

In January 2003, Vector Tobacco introduced QUEST, its brand of low nicotine and nicotine-free cigarette products. 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 November 2006, our Board of Directors determined to discontinue the genetics operation of our subsidiary, Vector Research Ltd., and, not to pursue, at that time, Food and Drug Administration 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.

 

As a result of these actions, we realized cost savings in excess of $4,000 in each of 2008 and 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 $952 for asset impairment and $890 in inventory write-offs. Approximately $1,840 of these charges represented non-cash items.

 

Recent Developments

 

SNUS.  In May 2008 Liggett introduced SNUS, a premium quality pouched tobacco product. SNUS is currently manufactured in Sweden and is available in three varieties.

 

Issuance of 11% Senior Secured Notes.  In August 2007, we sold $165,000 principal amount of our 11% Senior Secured Notes due August 15, 2015 in a private offering to qualified institutional investors in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act. We intend to use the net proceeds of the issuance for general corporate purposes which may include working capital requirements, the financing of capital expenditures, future acquisitions, the repayment or refinancing of outstanding indebtedness, payment of dividends and distributions and the repurchase of all or any part of our outstanding convertible notes.

 

LTS Debt Exchange Agreement.  In February 2007, Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services Inc. (“LTS”) entered into a Debt 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 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 debt exchange was consummated on June 29, 2007 following approval by the LTS shareholders at its annual meeting of shareholders. At the closing, the $5,000 principal amount of notes was exchanged for 2,777,778 shares of LTS’s common stock and accrued interest on the notes of approximately $1,730 was paid in cash. In connection with the debt exchange, we recorded a gain in the second quarter of 2007 of $8,121, which consisted of the fair value of the 2,777,778 shares of LTS common stock at June 29, 2007 (the transaction date) and interest received in connection with the exchange.

 

As a result of the debt exchange, New Valley’s ownership of LTS’s common stock increased to 13,888,889 shares or approximately 8.1% of the then outstanding LTS shares.

 

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 Valley’s former Western Union satellite business. In March 2007, the parties entered into a Stipulation for Entry of Judgment to settle New Valley’s claims and, pursuant to the settlement, $20,000 was paid in May 2007. In the first quarter of 2007, we recognized a pre-tax gain of $19,590, which consisted of other non-operating income of $20,000 and $410 of selling, general and administrative expenses, in connection with the settlement.

 

Proposed and enacted excise tax increases.  In February 2009, Federal legislation to reauthorize the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), which includes funding provisions that increase the federal cigarette excise tax from $0.39 to $1.01 per pack, was enacted, effective April 1, 2009. Seven states and the District of Columbia enacted increases to state excise taxes in 2008 and further increases in states’ excise taxes are expected in 2009.

Tobacco Settlement Agreements.  In October 2004, the independent auditor under the Master Settlement Agreement notified Liggett and all other Participating Manufacturers that their payment obligations under the Master Settlement Agreement, dating from the agreement’s execution in late 1998, had been recalculated using “net” unit amounts, rather than “gross” unit amounts (which had been used since 1999 to calculate market share and the allocation of the base amount of payments under the Master Settlement Agreement). The change in the method of calculation could, among other things, require additional Master Settlement Agreement payments by Liggett of approximately $17,541, plus interest, for 2001 through 2007, require an additional payment of approximately $3,300 for 2008 and require additional amounts in future periods because the proposed change from “gross” to “net” units would serve to lower Liggett’s 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 or expensed in our consolidated financial statements for any potential liability relating to the “gross” versus “net” dispute because we do not believe an unfavorable outcome is probable.

 

In 2005, the independent auditor under the Master Settlement Agreement calculated that Liggett owed $28,668 for its 2004 sales. Liggett paid $11,678 and disputed the balance, as permitted by the Master Settlement Agreement. Liggett subsequently paid $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, 2008, 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 is comprised of $5,318 claimed for a 2004 NPM Adjustment and $2,368 relating to the independent auditor’s 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 and Vector Tobacco withheld approximately $1,600 claimed for the 2005 NPM Adjustment and $2,612 relating to the retroactive change from “gross” to “net” units. Liggett and Vector Tobacco withheld approximately $4,200 from their April 2007 payments related to the 2006 NPM Adjustment and approximately $3,000 relating to the retroactive change from “gross” to “net” units. From its April 2008 payment, Liggett withheld approximately $4,000 for the 2007 NPM Adjustment and approximately $3,300 related to the retroactive change from “gross” to “net” units. Vector Tobacco paid approximately $200 into the disputed payments account for the 2007 NPM Adjustment. Liggett and Vector Tobacco paid approximately $34.0 million for their 2008 Master Settlement obligations during 2008 and anticipate paying another $9.8 million in April 2009, after withholding certain disputed amounts.

 

The following amounts have not been expensed in our consolidated financial statements as they relate to Liggett’s and Vector Tobacco’s claim for an NPM Adjustment: $6,513 for 2003, $3,789 for 2004 and $800 for 2005.

 

In March 2006, an 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. The economic consulting firm subsequently rendered the same decision with respect to 2004 and 2005. As a result, the manufacturers are entitled to potential NPM Adjustments to their 2003, 2004 and 2005 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 filed in 49 Settling States and territories 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 $1,200,000 for all Participating Manufacturers. To date, all 48 courts that have decided the issue have ruled that the 2003 NPM Adjustment dispute is arbitrable and 44 of these decisions are final. There can be no assurance that Liggett or Vector Tobacco will receive any adjustment as a result of these proceedings.

 

Vector Tobacco does not make MSA payments on sales of its QUEST 3 product as Vector Tobacco believes that QUEST 3 does not fall within the definition of a cigarette under the MSA. There can be no assurance that Vector Tobacco’s assessment is correct and that additional payments under the MSA for QUEST 3 will not be owed.

In 2003, in order to resolve any potential issues with Minnesota as to Liggett’s ongoing economic 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. . In 2004, Florida and Mississippi proposed settlements to Liggett in the amount of $20,000 for the period 1998 through 2003. Further discussions among the parties have not resulted in any resolutions of the disputes. Liggett believes these allegations are without merit, based, among other things, on the language of the most favored nation provisions of the settlement agreements.

 

Except for $2,500 accrued as of December 31, 2008, 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.

 

Losses on Long-term Investments.  We recorded a loss of $21,900 in 2008 due to the performance of three of our long-term investments in various investment funds in 2008. During 2008, one of our long-term investments was impaired due to a portion of its underlying assets being held in an account with the European subsidiary of Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. while our other long-term investments were impaired as a result of the funds’ performances in 2008. We record impairment charges when it is determined an other-than-temporary decline in fair value exists in any of our long-term investments. Thus, future impairment charges may occur. In April 2008, we elected to withdraw our investment in Jefferies Buckeye Fund, LLC (“Buckeye Fund”), a privately managed investment partnership, of which Jefferies Asset Management, LLC is the portfolio manager. We recorded a loss of $567 during the first quarter of 2008 associated with the Buckeye Fund’s performance, which has been included as “Other expense” on our consolidated statement of operations. We received proceeds of $8,328 in May 2008 and received an additional $900 of proceeds in the first quarter of 2009, which has been included in “Other current assets” on our consolidated balance sheet.

 

Real Estate Activities.  New Valley accounts for its 50% interests in Douglas Elliman Realty LLC, Koa Investors LLC and 16th & K Holdings LLC and its 40% interest in New Valley Oaktree Chelsea Eleven LLC 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, which is a four star resort with 521 rooms. In 2008, KOA was informed by its lender that it is in default on its $82 million loan. In August 2005, 16th & K Holdings LLC acquired the St. Regis Hotel, a 193 room luxury hotel in Washington, D.C. New Valley Oaktree Chelsea Eleven lent $29 million and contributed $1 million in capital to Chelsea Eleven LLC, which is developing a condominium project in Manhattan, New York.

 

Sale of St. Regis Hotel.  In March 2008, 16th and K Holdings LLC closed on the sale of 90% of the St. Regis Hotel. In addition to retaining a 3% interest, net of incentives, in the St. Regis Hotel, New Valley received $16,406 upon the sale of the hotel. New Valley anticipates receiving an additional $3,400 in various installments between 2009 and 2012. We recorded the $16,406 as an investing activity in the consolidated statement of cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2008. New Valley recorded equity losses of $3,796, $2,344, and $2,147 for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006, respectively, associated with 16th and K Holdings LLC. For the year ended December 31, 2008, New Valley also recorded equity income of $16,363 in connection with the distributions received in excess of the carrying amount of the investment in St. Regis and we have no legal obligation to make additional investments to the investment.

 

Escena.  In March 2008, a subsidiary of New Valley purchased a loan secured by a substantial portion of a 450-acre approved master planned community in Palm Springs, California known as “Escena.” The loan, which is currently in foreclosure, was purchased for its $20,000 face value plus accrued interest and other costs of $1,445. The loan is being accounted for under the cost recovery method and the costs include the purchase price and additional capitalized costs of $259. The borrowers are Escena-PSC, LLC and Palm Springs Classic, LLC, a joint venture of Lennar Homes of California, Inc and Empire Land, LLC. In April 2008, Empire Land filed a Chapter 11

bankruptcy petition, which was converted to Chapter 7 in December 2008. Lennar Homes is an affiliate of Lennar Corporation. The project consists of 867 residential lots with site and public infrastructure, an 18-hole golf course, a substantially completed clubhouse, and a seven-acre site approved for a 450-room hotel.

 

In October 2007, the “as is” value of the land was appraised in excess of the outstanding value of the loan. In January 2009, we obtained an appraisal that valued the property at substantially less than the outstanding loan balance. The reduction in value was attributed to the overall real estate market conditions in California. Among other things, Lennar Corporation has a payment guarantee of up to 50% of the outstanding loan balance plus accrued interest as well as a guarantee to complete the development of the property. In order to calculate the fair market value of the investment, we utilized the most recent “as is” appraised value of the collateral and estimated the value of Lennar’s completion and payment guaranties, less estimated costs to enforce the guaranties and dispose of the property. Based on these estimates, we determined that the fair market value was less than the carrying amount of the mortgage receivable at December 31, 2008 by approximately $4,000. Accordingly, a reserve was established for the decline in value and a charge of $4,000 was recorded for the year ended December 31, 2008. We carried the loan on our consolidated balance sheet at its net basis of $17,704 as of December 31, 2008. Litigation is ongoing to enforce our rights under the loan documents. The parties are currently in settlement discussions.

 

Aberdeen Townhomes LLC.  In June 2008, a subsidiary of New Valley purchased a preferred equity interest in Aberdeen Townhomes LLC for $10,000. Aberdeen acquired five town home residences located in Manhattan, New York, which it is in the process of rehabilitating and selling. In the event that Aberdeen makes distributions of cash, New Valley is entitled to a priority preferred return of 15% per annum until it has recovered its invested capital. New Valley is entitled to 25% of subsequent cash distributions of profits until it has achieved an annual 18% internal rate of return. New Valley is then entitled to 20% of subsequent cash distributions of profits until it has achieved an annual 23% IRR. After New Valley has achieved an annual 23% IRR, it is then entitled to 10% of any remaining cash distributions of profits.

 

Aberdeen is a variable interest entity; however, we are not the primary beneficiary. Our maximum exposure to loss as a result of our investment in Aberdeen is $10,000. This investment is being accounted for under the cost method.

 

In January 2009, we obtained an appraisal of the five town home residences and determined that the value of the properties, less estimated disposal costs, was approximately $3,500 less than their carrying value and recorded an impairment charge for $3,500. The reduction in value was attributed to the overall real estate market conditions in New York City at December 31, 2008. Four of the five notes related to the project with a balance of approximately $29,125 matured on March 1, 2009 and have not been refinanced. The remaining mortgage with a balance of approximately $11,500 matures on September 30, 2009. Additionally in February 2009, the managing member of Aberdeen Townhomes gave notice that it is resigning as managing member. A subsidiary of New Valley will become the new managing member.

 

New Valley Oaktree Chelsea Eleven, LLC.  In September 2008, a subsidiary of New Valley purchased for $12,000 a 40% interest in New Valley Oaktree Chelsea Eleven, LLC, which lent $29,000 and contributed $1,000 in capital to Chelsea Eleven LLC, which is developing a condominium project in Manhattan, New York. The development consists of 72 luxury residential units and one commercial unit. Approximately 75% of the units are pre-sold and approximately $35,000 in deposits are held in escrow. The loan from New Valley Oaktree is subordinate to a $110,000 construction loan and a $24,000 mezzanine loan plus accrued interest. The loan from New Valley Oaktree to Chelsea Eleven bears interest at 60.25% per annum, compounded monthly, with $3,750 being held in an interest reserve, of which five payments of $300 were paid to New Valley on a monthly basis.

 

New Valley Chelsea is a variable interest entity; however, we are not the primary beneficiary. Our maximum exposure to loss as a result of our investment in Chelsea is $12,000. This investment is being accounted for under the equity method.

 

Recent Developments in 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, 2008, there were approximately 2,720

individual suits (excluding approximately 100 individual cases pending in West Virginia state court as part of a consolidated action; Liggett has been severed from the trial of the consolidated action), seven purported class actions and four governmental and other third-party payor health care reimbursement actions pending in the United States in which Liggett or us, or both, were named as a defendant.

 

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 since 2004, 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 the plaintiffs would be permitted to calculate damages on an aggregate basis and use “fluid recovery” theories to allocate them among class members, if the class is certified,. 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 April 2008, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit decertified the class. The case was returned to the trial court for further proceedings. Liggett is a defendant in the Schwab case. We have accrued approximately $2.3 million for this case at December 31, 2008.

 

There are currently five 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, plus interest. This award is final. In addition, plaintiff’s counsel was awarded legal fees of $752. Liggett appealed the legal fees award. In March 2008, the Fourth District Court of Appeals reversed and remanded the legal fee award for further proceedings in the trial court. In February 2009, trial commenced in another of these cases.

 

In May 2003, Florida’s 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 vacating the punitive damages award and held that the claim should be decertified prospectively, 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) all defendants sold or supplied cigarettes that were defective; and (vi) all defendants were negligent) and allowed plaintiffs to proceed to trial on individual liability issues (using the above findings) and compensatory and punitive damage issues, provided they commence their individual lawsuits within one year of the date the court’s decision became final on January 11, 2007, the date of the court’s mandate. In December 2006, the Florida Supreme Court added the finding that defendants sold or supplied cigarettes that, at the time of sale or supply, did not conform to the representations made by defendants. Class counsel filed motions for attorneys’ fees and costs, which motions are pending. There are approximately 2,680 Engle progeny cases, in state and federal courts in Florida, where either Liggett (and other cigarette manufacturers) or us, or both, were named as defendants. These cases include approximately 9,620 plaintiffs. 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, plus interest, (subsequently reduced by the court to $24,835) of compensatory damages, jointly and severally, against Liggett and two other cigarette manufacturers and found Liggett 50% responsible for the damages. In November 2008, the court entered final judgment. The defendants have appealed. The plaintiffs are seeking an award of attorney’s fees from Liggett. 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.

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, the estimated fair value of embedded derivative liabilities, settlement accruals restructuring, valuation of investments, including other than temporary impairments to such investments, accounting for investments in equity securities, and litigation and defense costs. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

Effective January 1, 2008, we adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements,” (“SFAS No. 157”) for financial assets and financial liabilities. SFAS No. 157 does not require any new fair value measurements but provides a definition of fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosure about fair value measurements. We will adopt SFAS No. 157 for nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities on January 1, 2009. The adoption of SFAS No. 157 on financial assets and financial liabilities did not have a material impact on our consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows. We are currently assessing the impact of SFAS No. 157 for nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities on our consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

 

On January 1, 2007 we adopted FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes (an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109)”. 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 123(R), “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 2008, 2007 and 2006 that had a material effect on our financial condition or results of operations. Refer to Note 1(y) of our consolidated financial statements for a discussion of recent accounting pronouncements that may impact our consolidated financial statements.

 

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 EITF Issue No. 06-3, “How Taxes Collected from Customers and Remitted to Governmental Authorities Should Be Presented in the Income Statement (That Is, Gross versus Net Presentation)”, our accounting policy is to include federal excise taxes in revenues and cost of goods sold. Such revenues and cost of sales totaled $168,170, $176,269 and $174,339 for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, 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. 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 entity’s 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 management’s 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.

 

Contingencies.  We record Liggett’s 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 Tobacco-Related Litigation”, legal proceedings are pending or threatened in various jurisdictions against Liggett. A large number of individual product liability cases have been filed in state and federal courts in Florida as a result of the Florida Supreme Court’s decision in the Engle case. We record a provision for loss in litigation in our consolidated financial statements when we believe an unfavorable outcome is probable and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. In all but one of our pending legal proceedings, 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, except for the previously mentioned case, 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 $49,800 for 2008, $48,755 for 2007 and $32,635 for 2006. 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 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, 2008 and 2007, the fair value of derivative liabilities was estimated at $77,245 and $101,582, respectively. Changes to the fair value of these embedded derivatives are reflected on our consolidated statements of operations as “Changes in fair value of derivatives embedded within convertible debt.” The value of the embedded derivative is contingent on changes in interest rates of debt instruments maturing over the duration of the convertible debt as well as projections of future cash and stock dividends over the term of the debt. We recognized a gain of $24,337 in 2008, a loss of $6,109 in 2007 and a gain of $112 in 2006 due to changes in the fair value of the embedded derivatives.

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 further 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 $5,805, $3,768 and $3,470 for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively, due to the amortization of the debt discount attributable to the embedded derivatives and $2,963, $1,868 and $1,818 in 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively, 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.

 

Stock-Based Compensation.  Our stock-based compensation is accounted for under SFAS No. 123(R), “Share-Based Payment”, which uses a fair value-based method to recognize non-cash compensation expense for share-based transactions. Under the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123(R), 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 principle because the assumed forfeiture rate did not differ significantly from prior periods. We recognized compensation expense of $186, $197 and $470 for the years ended December 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively, as a result of adopting SFAS No. 123(R). As of December 31, 2008 and 2007, there was $255 and $441, respectively, 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, 2008, our benefit obligations and service cost were computed assuming a discount rate of 6.75% and 6.25%, 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 2.5%, 6.7% and 8.2% for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively, and our actual five-year annual rate of return on our pension plan assets was 1.2%, 11.3% and 7.6% for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively. In computing expense for the year ended December 31, 2009, we will use an assumption of a 7.5% annual rate of return on our pension plan assets. 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 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 $3,445, $3,885 and $4,665 for 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively, and we currently anticipate such expense will be approximately $6,250 for 2009. In contrast, our funding obligations under the pension plans are governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (“ERISA”). To comply with ERISA’s minimum funding requirements, we do not currently anticipate that we will be required to make any funding to the tax

qualified pension plans for the pension plan year beginning on January 1, 2009 and ending on December 31, 2009; however, we do anticipate making a $20,760 payment under our nonqualified Supplemental Retirement Plan in 2009. 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 SFAS No. 158, “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans — an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106, and 132(R)”. 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 plan’s assets and its benefit obligation. 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. 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. Prior to the adoption of SFAS No. 158, we measured the funded status of our plans at September 30. The new measurement date requirements became effective for us on December 31, 2008.

 

Long-Term Investments and Impairments.  At December 31, 2008, we had long-term investments of $51,118, which consisted primarily of investment partnerships investing in investment securities and real estate. 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 estimated fair value of the investment partnerships is provided by the partnerships based on the indicated market values of the underlying assets or investment portfolio. Gains are recognized when realized in our consolidated statement of operations. Losses are recognized as realized or upon the determination of the occurrence of an other-than-temporary decline in fair value. On a quarterly basis, we evaluate our investments to determine whether an impairment has occurred. If so, we also make a determination of whether such impairment is considered temporary or other-than-temporary. We believe that the assessment of temporary or other-than-temporary impairment is facts and circumstances driven. However, among the matters that are considered in making such a determination are the period of time the investment has remained below its cost or carrying value, the severity of the decline, the likelihood of recovery given the reason for the decrease in market value and our original expected holding period of the investment.

 

Income Taxes.  The application of income tax law is inherently complex. Laws and regulations in this area are voluminous and are often ambiguous. As such, we are required to make many subjective assumptions and judgments regarding our income tax exposures. Interpretations of and guidance surrounding income tax laws and regulations change over time and, as a result, changes in our subjective assumptions and judgments may materially affect amounts recognized in our consolidated financial statements. See Note 10 to our consolidated financial statements for additional information regarding our adoption of FIN 48 on January 1, 2007 and our uncertain tax positions.

 

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, 2008 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 The Medallion Company, Inc. (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.

 

 

 

 

2008 Compared to 2007

 

Revenues.  Total revenues were $565,187 for the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to $555,430 for the year ended December 31, 2007. This $9,757 (1.8%) increase in revenues was due to a $10,973 (2.0%) increase in revenues at Liggett offset by a decrease of $1,216 (32.5%) in revenues at Vector Tobacco.

 

Tobacco Revenues.  In April 2007, Liggett increased the list price of Grand Prix by an additional $1.00 per carton. In September 2007, Liggett increased the list price of LIGGETT SELECT, EVE and Grand Prix by an additional $0.70 per carton. In April 2008, Liggett increased the list price of GRAND PRIX by an additional $0.40 per carton. In addition, in April 2008, Liggett decreased the early payment terms on its cigarettes from 2.75% to 2.25% of invoice amount. In August 2008, Liggett increased the list price of LIGGETT SELECT, EVE and GRAND PRIX by an additional $1.00 per carton. These price increases contributed to the increase in Liggett’s revenues.

 

All of Liggett’s sales for 2008 and 2007 were in the discount category. For the year ended December 31, 2008, net sales at Liggett totaled $562,660 compared to $551,687 for 2007. Revenues increased by 2.0% ($10,973) due to a favorable price variance of $36,959 and sales of SNUS totaling $451 offset by a decline in unit sales volume (approximately 399.4 million units) accounting for $24,478 in unfavorable volume variance and a $1,959 in unfavorable sales mix. Net revenues of the LIGGETT SELECT brand decreased $12,435 for the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to the same period in 2007, and its unit volume decreased 12.5% in the 2008 period compared to 2007. Net revenues of the GRAND PRIX brand increased $22,832 in 2008 compared to the prior year period and its unit volume increased by 2.7% in 2008 compared to 2007.

 

Revenues at Vector Tobacco were $2,527 for the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to $3,743 for the year ended December 31, 2007 due to decreased sales volume. Vector Tobacco’s revenues in both periods related primarily to sales of QUEST.

 

Tobacco Gross Profit.  Tobacco gross profit was $229,887 for the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to $218,351 for the year ended December 31, 2007. This represented an increase of $11,536 (5.3%) when compared to the prior year, due primarily to increased prices and decreased promotional spending partially offset by higher manufacturing expenses. Liggett’s brands contributed 99.6% of the tobacco gross profit and Vector Tobacco’s brands contributed 0.4% for the year ended December 31, 2008. In 2007, Liggett’s brands contributed 99.5% to tobacco gross profit and Vector Tobacco’s brands contributed 0.5%.

Liggett’s gross profit of $228,982 for the year ended December 31, 2008 increased $11,690 from gross profit of $217,292 for the year ended December 31, 2007. As a percent of revenues (excluding federal excise taxes), gross profit at Liggett increased to 58.0% in 2008 compared to 57.8% in 2007.

 

Vector Tobacco’s gross profit was $905 for the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to gross profit of $1,059 for the same period in 2007. The increase was due primarily increased pricing.

 

Expenses.  Operating, selling, general and administrative expenses were $94,583 for the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to $92,967 in 2007, an increase of $1,616, or 1.7%. Expenses at Liggett were $58,801 for the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to $57,996 in 2007, an increase of $805 or 1.4%. The increase in expense at Liggett in 2008 was due primarily to increased compensation accruals in 2008 offset by decreased product liability legal expenses and other litigation costs. Liggett’s product liability legal expenses and other litigation costs were $8,800 in 2008 compared to $7,800 in 2007. Expenses at Vector Tobacco for the year ended December 31, 2008 were $9,236 compared to expenses of $11,024 for the year ended December 31, 2007 primarily due to reduced research related expenses. Expenses at corporate for the year ended December 31, 2008 were $26,546 compared to $23,947 in 2007 with the primary increase in expenses resulting primarily from the recovery of insurance coverage in 2007. In August 2007, New Valley received a favorable arbitral award in connection with a dispute with its insurer over reimbursement of legal fees paid in a previously resolved stockholders’ derivative claim. New Valley and its insurer agreed to resolve this claim, and certain other claims, for the payment to New Valley of $2,788. This settlement resulted in the recognition of a gain in 2007 of approximately $2,400, net of legal fees, which was recorded as a reduction in corporate-level operating, selling, administrative and general expenses.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2008, Liggett’s operating income increased to $170,181 compared to $159,347 in 2007 primarily due to increased gross profit discussed above. For the year ended December 31, 2008, Vector Tobacco’s operating loss was $8,331 compared to $9,896 for the year ended December 31, 2007 due to reduced employee expense and decreased research costs partially offset by lower sales volume.

 

Other Income (Expenses).  For the year ended December 31, 2008, other expenses were $40,732 compared to income of $1,099 for the year ended December 31, 2007. For the year ended December 31, 2008, other expenses consisted of interest expense of $62,335 and losses of $21,900 associated with the performance of three investment partnerships, a decline in value in the mortgage receivable of $4,000, $3,000 associated with the performance of our investments securities available for sale and $3,500 associated with our investment in Aberdeen, which was offset by equity income from non-consolidated real estate businesses of $24,399, changes in fair value of derivatives embedded within convertible debt of $24,337, and interest and dividend income of $5,864. For the year ended December 31, 2007, other income consisted of $20,000 for the NASA lawsuit settlement, equity income from non-consolidated real estate businesses of $16,243, gain from the exchange of the LTS notes of $8,121 and interest and dividend income of $9,897 and was offset by interest expense of $45,762, change in fair value of derivatives embedded within convertible debt of $6,109 and a loss on investments of $1,216.

 

The equity income of $24,399 for the 2008 period resulted from New Valley’s investment in Douglas Elliman Realty which contributed $11,833 and $12,566 from 16th and K, which consisted of equity losses from the operations of the St. Regis Hotel of $3,796 and income of $16,362 in connection with the gain on the disposal of 16th and K’s interest in 90% of the St. Regis Hotel in Washington, D.C. The equity income from non-consolidated real estate businesses of $16,243 for the year ended December 31, 2007 resulted from income of $20,290 related to New Valley’s investment in Douglas Elliman Realty offset by losses of $953 in Ceebraid, $750 in Koa Investors, and $2,344 in 16th and K. As of December 31, 2007, New Valley has suspended its recognition of equity losses in Ceebraid and Koa Investors as such losses exceed its basis plus any commitment to make additional investments.

 

The value of the embedded derivative is contingent on changes in interest rates of debt instruments maturing over the duration of the convertible debt, our stock price as well as projections of future cash and stock dividends over the term of the debt. The gains from the embedded derivatives in the year ended December 31, 2008 were primarily the result of interest payments during the period and increasing spreads between corporate convertible debt. The loss from the embedded derivative for year ended December 31, 2007 was primarily the result of decreasing long-term interest rates as compared to December 31, 2006 offset by the payment of interest during the period, which reduced the fair value of derivatives embedded within convertible debt.

Income Before Income Taxes.  Income before income taxes was $94,572 and $126,603 for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

 

Income Tax Provision.  The income tax provision was $34,068 for the year ended December 31, 2008. This compared to a tax provision of $52,800 for the year ended December 31, 2007.

 

Our income tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2008 did not bear a customary relationship to statutory income tax rates as a result of the impact of nondeductible expenses and state income taxes offset by the impact of the domestic production activities deduction, a reduction of $3,102 associated with the reversal of unrecognized tax benefits as a result of the expiration of state income tax statutes. The 2007 period income tax benefit resulted primarily from a reduction of $3,227 associated with the reversal of unrecognized tax benefits as a result of the expiration of state income tax statutes and a $450 benefit from the settlement of a state tax assessment. The reduction of valuation allowances occurred when deferred tax assets were recognized from net operating losses which have previously been limited.

 

2007 Compared to 2006

 

Revenues.  Total revenues were $555,430 for the year ended December 31, 2007 compared to $506,252 for the year ended December 31, 2006. This $49,178 (9.7%) increase in revenues was due to a $52,219 (10.5%) increase in revenues at Liggett offset by a decrease of $3,041 (44.8%) in revenues at Vector Tobacco.

 

Tobacco Revenues.  In September 2006, Liggett generally reduced its promotional pricing on LIGGETT SELECT and EVE by $1.00 per carton and increased the list price of Grand Prix by $1.00 per carton. In April 2007, Liggett increased the list price of Grand Prix by an additional $1.00 per carton. In September 2007, Liggett increased the list price of LIGGETT SELECT, EVE and Grand Prix by an additional $0.70 per carton. These price increases contributed to the increase in Liggett’s revenues.

 

All of Liggett’s sales for 2007 and 2006 were in the discount category. For the year ended December 31, 2007, net sales at Liggett totaled $551,687 compared to $499,468 for 2006. Revenues increased by 10.5% ($52,219) due to a 1.8% increase in unit sales volume (approximately 161.5 million units) accounting for $9,127 in favorable volume variance and a $56,604 increase in favorable pricing and decreased promotional spending partially offset by $13,512 in unfavorable sales mix. Net revenues of the LIGGETT SELECT brand decreased $6,913 for the year ended December 31, 2007 compared to the same period in 2006, and its unit volume decreased 10.9% in the 2007 period compared to 2006. Net revenues of the GRAND PRIX brand increased $67,376 in 2007 compared to the prior year period and its unit volume increased by 53.1% in 2007 compared to 2006.

 

Revenues at Vector Tobacco were $3,743 for the year ended December 31, 2007 compared to $6,784 for the year ended December 31, 2006 due to decreased sales volume. Vector Tobacco’s revenues in both periods related primarily to sales of QUEST.

 

Tobacco Gross Profit.  Tobacco gross profit was $218,351 for the year ended December 31, 2007 compared to $191,089 for the year ended December 31, 2006. This represented an increase of $27,262 (14.3%) when compared to the prior year, due primarily to higher volume and decreased promotional spending partially offset by higher Master Settlement Agreement expense. Liggett’s brands contributed 99.5% of the tobacco gross profit and Vector Tobacco’s brands contributed 0.5% for the year ended December 31, 2007. In 2006, Liggett’s brands contributed 99.8% to tobacco gross profit and Vector Tobacco’s brands contributed 0.2%.

 

In recent years, industry shipment volume has declined at an annual rate of approximately 2.5%. Industry shipment volume is a major component of Liggett’s 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 Tobacco’s 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.

Liggett’s gross profit of $217,292 for the year ended December 31, 2007 increased $26,537 from gross profit of $190,755 for the year ended December 31, 2006. As a percent of revenues (excluding federal excise taxes), gross profit at Liggett decreased to 57.8% in 2007 compared to 58.4% in 2006. This decrease in Liggett’s gross profit percentage in the 2007 period was attributable to higher Master Settlement Agreement expenses in 2007 due to increased units exceeding Liggett’s market share exemption.

 

Vector Tobacco’s gross profit was $1,059 for the year ended December 31, 2007 compared to gross profit of $334 for the same period in 2006. The increase was due primarily to the absence of $1,099 of non-cash restructuring charges in 2007 offset by reduced sales volume.

 

Expenses.  Operating, selling, general and administrative expenses were $92,967 for the year ended December 31, 2007 compared to $90,833 in 2006, an increase of $2,134, or 2.3%. Expenses at Liggett were $57,996 for the year ended December 31, 2007 compared to $52,580 in 2006, an increase of $5,416 or 10.3%. The increase in expense at Liggett in 2007 was due primarily to increased product liability legal expenses and other litigation costs and compensation accruals in 2007. Liggett’s product liability legal expenses and other litigation costs were $7,800 in 2007 compared to $4,465 in 2006. Expenses at Vector Tobacco for the year ended December 31, 2007 were $11,024 compared to expenses of $12,745 for the year ended December 31, 2006 primarily due to reduced employee and related expenses. Expenses at corporate for the year ended December 31, 2007 were $23,947 compared to $25,508 in 2006, with the primary reduction in expenses resulting primarily from the recovery of insurance coverage relating to settlement costs and expenses associated with previous stockholder litigation. In August 2007, New Valley received a favorable arbitral award in connection with a dispute with its insurer over reimbursement of legal fees paid in a previously resolved stockholders’ derivative claim. New Valley and its insurer agreed to resolve this claim, and certain other claims, for the payment to New Valley of $2,788. This settlement resulted in the recognition of a gain in 2007 of approximately $2,400, net of legal fees, which has been recorded as a reduction in operating, selling, administrative and general expenses.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2007, Liggett’s operating income increased to $159,347 compared to $140,508 in 2006 primarily due to increased gross profit discussed above. For the year ended December 31, 2007, Vector Tobacco’s operating loss was $9,896 compared to $13,971 for the year ended December 31, 2006 due to the absence of restructuring expenses in 2007, reduced employee expense and decreased research costs partially offset by lower sales volume.

 

Other Income (Expenses).  For the year ended December 31, 2007, other income (expenses) was income of $1,099 compared to an expense of $32,549 for the year ended December 31, 2006. For the year ended December 31, 2007, other income consisted of $20,000 for the NASA lawsuit settlement, equity income from non-consolidated real estate businesses of $16,243, gain from the exchange of the LTS notes of $8,121 and interest and dividend income of $9,897 and was offset by interest expense of $45,762, change in fair value of derivatives embedded within convertible debt of $6,109 and a loss on investments of $1,216. 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 equity income from non-consolidated real estate businesses of $16,243 for the year ended December 31, 2007 resulted from income of $20,290 related to New Valley’s investment in Douglas Elliman Realty offset by losses of $953 in Ceebraid, $750 in Koa Investors, and $2,344 in 16th and K. As of December 31, 2007, New Valley has suspended its recognition of equity losses in Ceebraid and Koa Investors as such losses exceed its basis plus any commitment to make additional investments. The equity income of $9,086 for the 2006 period resulted primarily from income of $12,662 related to New Valley’s investment in Douglas Elliman Realty and income of $867 related to its investment in Koa Investors, which were offset by losses of $2,147 from 16th and K and $2,296 from Ceebraid.

 

The value of the embedded derivative is contingent on changes in interest rates of debt instruments maturing over the duration of the convertible debt, our stock price as well as projections of future cash and stock dividends over the term of the debt. The loss from the embedded derivative for year ended December 31, 2007 was primarily the result of decreasing long-term interest rates as compared to December 31, 2006 offset by the payment of interest

during the period, which reduced the fair value of derivatives embedded within convertible debt. The gain from the embedded derivative in the year ended December 31, 2006 was primarily the result of interest payments and higher long-term interest rates in 2006 as compared to December 31, 2005. This was offset by declining long-term interest rates since the issuance of our 3.875% convertible debentures on July 12, 2006.

 

Income Before Income Taxes.  Income before income taxes was $126,603 and $68,480 for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

 

Income Tax Provision.  The income tax provision was $52,800 for the year ended December 31, 2007. This compared to a tax provision of $25,768 for the year ended December 31, 2006.

 

Our income tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2007 did not bear a customary relationship to statutory income tax rates as a result of the impact of nondeductible expenses and state income taxes offset by the impact of the domestic production activities deduction, a reduction of $3,227 associated with the reversal of unrecognized tax benefits as a result of the expiration of state income tax statutes and a $450 benefit from the settlement of a state tax assessment. The reduction of valuation allowances occurred when deferred tax assets were recognized from net operating losses which have previously been limited. The 2006 period income tax benefit resulted primarily from the reduction of a portion of our previously established reserve in our consolidated financial statements by $11,500 associated with the tax settlement with the Internal Revenue Service in July 2006.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Net cash and cash equivalents decreased by $27,012 and $34,290 in 2008 and 2006, respectively, and increased by $91,348 in 2007. Net cash provided by operations was $91,265 in 2008, $109,198 in 2007 and $46,015 in 2006.

 

The decrease in cash provided by operations in 2008 compared to 2007 relates primarily to the receipt of $19,590 in connection with the NASA settlement in 2007.

 

The increase in cash provided by operating activities in 2007 compared to 2006 relates primarily to the receipt of the net proceeds of $19,590 from the lawsuit settlement with NASA, inventory decreases in the 2007 period related to increased finished goods inventory as of December 31, 2006 associated with the increase in the Master Settlement Agreement rate in 2007, decreases of accounts receivable in the 2007 period related to the timing of sales, the absence of compensation accrual payments at Liggett Vector Brands in the 2007 period and the absence of $41,400 of payments in 2007 associated with the IRS Settlement in 2006. The increase in cash provided by operating activities was offset by payments of $34,500 in connection with the Master Settlement Agreement in December 2007.

 

The decrease in net cash provided by operating activities in the 2006 period compared to the 2005 period primarily related to an increases in inventory in 2006, lower net income in 2006, increased payments of compensation accruals at Liggett Vector Brands and income taxes in 2006 offset by a non-cash charge related to the extinguishment of debt in 2006 and lower increases in accounts receivables in 2006.

 

Cash used in investing activities was $33,895, $51,943 and 44,665 in 2008, 2007, and 2006, respectively. In 2008, cash was used for the purchase of the mortgage receivable of $21,704, the investment in Aberdeen for $10,000 and Chelsea for $12,000, the purchase of investment securities of $6,411, capital expenditures of $6,309, purchase of preferred stock in other investments, including Castle Brands, of $4,250, an increase in the cash surrender value of corporate-owned life insurance policies of $938, an increase in restricted assets of $411 and the purchase of long-term investments of $51 offset by the distributions from non-consolidated real estate businesses of $19,393 and from the proceeds from the liquidation of long-term investments of $8,334, and the proceeds from the sale of fixed assets of $452. In 2007, cash was used for the net purchase of $40,091 of long-term investments, capital expenditures of $5,189, the purchase of investment securities of $6,571, investment in non-consolidated real estate businesses of $750, increase in the cash surrender value of corporate-owned life insurance policies of $838 and an increase in restricted assets of $492 offset by the return of capital contributions from non-consolidated real estate businesses of $1,000. 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 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. In September 2007, we invested an additional $25,000 in Icahn Partners, LP. Based on public filings, we believe affiliates of Mr. Icahn are the beneficial owners of approximately 19.4% 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 owned approximately 5.3% of our common stock at December 31, 2007. We also invested an additional $15,000 in other investment partnerships in 2007. In April 2008, we elected to withdraw our investment in Jefferies Buckeye Fund, LLC. We recorded a loss of $567 during the first quarter of 2008 associated with the Buckeye Fund’s performance, which has been included as “Other expense” on our consolidated statement of operations. We received proceeds of $8,328 in May 2008 and received an additional $900 of proceeds in the first quarter of 2009, which has been included in “Other current assets” on our consolidated balance sheet.

 

Cash used in financing activities was $84,382 and $35,640 in 2008 and 2006 compared to cash provided from financing activities of $34,093 in 2007. In 2008, cash was primarily used for distributions on common stock of $103,870, repayments on debt of $6,329 and deferred financing charges of $137, offset by the excess tax benefit of options exercised of $18,304, net borrowing under the revolver of $4,733, debt issuance of $2,831, and the proceeds from the exercise of options of $86. In 2007, cash was provided from the issuance of $165,000 of 11% Senior Secured Notes due 2105 discussed below, $8,000 of debt collateralized by Liggett’s Mebane facility discussed below, $1,576 of other equipment financing at Liggett, $5,100 of proceeds from the exercise of options, $2,055 representing the tax benefit of options exercised offset by distributions on common stock of $99,249, the repayment of $35,000 of debt associated with the Medallion purchase and $6,200 of other equipment debt, deferred financing costs of $9,985 and net borrowings under the revolver of $2,796.

 

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, and proceeds from the exercise of options of $2,571.

 

In August 2007, we sold $165,000 principal amount of our 11% Senior Secured Notes due August 15, 2015 in a private offering to qualified institutional investors in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act. We intend to use the net proceeds of the issuance for general corporate purposes which may include working capital requirements, the financing of capital expenditures, future acquisitions, the repayment or refinancing of outstanding indebtedness, payment of dividends and distributions and the repurchase of all or any part of our outstanding convertible notes.

 

On April 2, 2007, the remaining $35,000 of notes issued in connection with our April 2002 acquisition of Medallion were retired upon maturity. Payment was made from our available working capital.

 

Liggett.  Liggett has a $50,000 credit facility with Wachovia Bank, N.A. under which $19,515 was outstanding at December 31, 2008. Availability as determined under the facility was approximately $16,500 based on eligible collateral at December 31, 2008. The facility is collateralized by all inventories and receivables of Liggett and a mortgage on its manufacturing facility. The facility requires Liggett’s compliance with certain financial and other covenants including a restriction on Liggett’s ability to pay cash dividends unless Liggett’s 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 Liggett’s compliance with the covenants in the credit facility.

 

The term of the Wachovia facility expires on March 8, 2012, 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. Prime rate loans under the facility bear interest at a rate equal to the prime rate of Wachovia with Eurodollar rate loans bearing interest at a rate of 2.0% above Wachovia’s adjusted Eurodollar rate. The facility contains covenants that provide that Liggett’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, as defined under the facility, on a trailing twelve-month basis, shall not be less than $100,000 if Liggett’s excess availability, as defined, under the facility is less than $20,000. The covenants also require that annual capital expenditures, as defined under the facility, (before a maximum carryover amount of $2,500) shall not exceed $10,000 during any fiscal year. At December 31, 2008, management believed that Liggett was in compliance

with all covenants under the credit facility; Liggett’s EBITDA, as defined, were approximately $153,000 and $143,000 for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

 

In August 2007, Wachovia made an $8,000 term loan to 100 Maple LLC, a subsidiary of Liggett, within the commitment under the existing credit facility. The $8,000 term loan is collateralized by the existing collateral securing the credit facility, and is also collateralized by a lien on certain real property in Mebane, NC owned by 100 Maple LLC. The Mebane Property also secures the other obligations of Liggett under the credit facility. The $8,000 term loan did not increase the $50,000 borrowing amount of the credit facility, but did increase the outstanding amounts under the credit facility by the amount of the term loan and proportionately reduces the maximum borrowing availability under the facility.

 

In August 2007, Liggett and Wachovia amended the credit facility to permit the guaranty of the Senior Secured Notes by each of Liggett and Maple and the pledging of certain assets of Liggett and Maple on a subordinated basis to secure their guarantees. The credit facility was also amended to grant to Wachovia a blanket lien on all the assets of Liggett and Maple, excluding any equipment pledged to current or future purchase money or other financiers of such equipment and excluding any real property, other than the Mebane Property and other real property to the extent its value is in excess of $5,000. In connection with the amendment, Wachovia, Liggett, Maple and the collateral agent for the holders of our Senior Secured Notes entered into an intercreditor agreement, pursuant to which the liens of the collateral agent on the Liggett and Maple assets will be subordinated to the liens of Wachovia on the Liggett and Maple assets.

 

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).

 

In May 2007, Liggett purchased equipment for $1,576 through a financing agreement, payable in 60 installments of $32. Interest is calculated at 7.99%.

 

In August 2008, Liggett purchased equipment for $2,745 through a financing agreement, payable in 60 installments of $53. Interest is calculated at 5.94%. Liggett was required to provide a security deposit equal to approximately 15% of the funded amount ($428).

 

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, third-party and purported class actions predicated on the theory that they should be liable for damages alleged to have been caused by cigarette smoking or by exposure to 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, however, 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 $24,835) of compensatory damages against Liggett and two other defendants and found Liggett 50% responsible for the damages. It is possible that additional cases could be decided unfavorably. There are approximately 2,680 Engle progeny cases, in state and federal courts in Florida, where either Liggett (and other cigarette manufacturers) or us, or both, were named as defendants. These cases include approximately 9,620 plaintiffs. Approximately 50 cases are currently scheduled for trial in 2009. 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.

 

Except in the case of one individual claim, 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 $2,261 in 2011, based on current interest rates.

 

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 $2,909 in 2012 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.  The purchase price for our 2002 acquisition of The Medallion Company, Inc. included $60,000 in notes of Vector Tobacco. Of the notes, $25,000 were repaid in 2004. The remaining $35,000 of notes bore interest at 6.5% per year, payable semiannually, and were paid in full from our available working capital on April 2, 2007.

 

Vector.  We believe that we will continue to meet our liquidity requirements through 2009. Our corporate expenditures (exclusive of Liggett, Vector Research, Vector Tobacco and New Valley) and other potential liquidity requirements over the next 12 months include:

 

 

In order to meet the above liquidity requirements as well as other anticipated liquidity needs in the normal course of business, we had cash and cash equivalents of approximately $211,000, investment securities available for sale of approximately $28,500, long-term investments with an estimated value of approximately $55,000 and availability under Liggett’s credit facility of approximately $16,500 at December 31, 2008. Management currently anticipates that these amounts, as well as expected cash flows from our operations, should be sufficient to meet our liquidity needs during 2009.

 

Based on the recent market value of our 5% Variable Interest Convertible Notes, we do not currently anticipate that the holders of these Notes will exercise their right to require redemption of the additional Notes on November 15, 2009. However, no assurance can be provided that we will not be required to redeem these Notes at that time.

In the event our existing cash and cash equivalents and cash flows from operations are not sufficient to meet our 2009 liquidity needs, we have the ability to take other actions to provide the liquidity needed in 2009. These actions may include, among other things, debt or equity financing, which in the current economic environment may not be available or may only be available at an increased cost; incenting the holders of our 5% Variable Interest Senior Convertible Notes, prior to November 15, 2009, when the holders have the option to require redemption of their Notes, to convert such Notes or to modify the optional redemption terms, through issuance of additional shares of our common stock or cash payments; modifying our dividend policy (which would also reduce the amount of cash interest due on our convertible debt); and selling some or all of our investment securities and long-term investments, the proceeds from which may be impacted by our ability to liquidate such investments. However, no assurances can be provided that all of the above measures can be achieved.

 

We currently 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, the other actions described above, 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.

 

On a quarterly basis, we evaluate our investments to determine whether an impairment has occurred. If so, we also make a determination if such impairment is considered temporary or other-than-temporary. We believe that the assessment of temporary or other-than-temporary impairment is facts and circumstances driven. However, among the matters that are considered in making such a determination are the period of time the investment has remained below its cost or carrying value, the likelihood of recovery given the reason for the decrease in market value and our original expected holding period of the investment.

 

In August 2007, we sold $165,000 of our 11% Senior Secured Notes due 2015 in a private offering to qualified institutional investors in accordance with Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. The Senior Secured Notes pay interest on a semi-annual basis at a rate of 11% per year and mature on August 15, 2015. We may redeem some or all of the Senior Secured Notes at any time prior to August 15, 2011 at a make-whole redemption price. On or after August 15, 2011 we may redeem some or all of the Senior Secured Notes at a premium that will decrease over time, plus accrued and unpaid interest and liquidated damages, if any, to the redemption date. At any time prior to August 15, 2010, we may on any one or more occasions redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the Senior Secured Notes with the net proceeds of certain equity offerings at 111% of the aggregate principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest and liquidated damages, if any, to the redemption date. In the event of a change of control, as defined in the indenture governing the Senior Secured Notes, each holder of the Senior Secured Notes may require us to repurchase some or all of its Senior Secured Notes at a repurchase price equal to 101% of their aggregate principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest and liquidated damages, if any to the date of purchase.

 

The Senior Secured Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a joint and several basis by all of our wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries that are engaged in the conduct of our cigarette businesses. In addition, some of the guarantees are collateralized by second priority or first priority security interests in certain collateral of some of the subsidiary guarantors pursuant to security and pledge agreements.

 

The indenture contains covenants that restrict the payment of dividends by us if our consolidated earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, which is defined in the indenture as Consolidated EBITDA, for the most recently ended four full quarters is less than $50,000. The indenture also restricts the incurrence of debt if our Leverage Ratio and our Secured Leverage Ratio, as defined in the indenture, exceed 3.0 and 1.5, respectively. Our Leverage Ratio is defined in the indenture as the ratio of our and our guaranteeing subsidiaries’ total debt less the fair market value of our cash, investments in marketable securities and long-term investments to Consolidated EBITDA, as defined in the indenture. Our Secured Leverage Ratio is defined in the indenture in the same manner as

the Leverage Ratio, except that secured indebtedness is substituted for indebtedness. The following table summarizes the requirements of these financial covenants and the results of the calculation, as defined by the indenture.

 

 

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. 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 holder’s option. The conversion price, which was $18.58 per share at December 31, 2008, 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”.

 

Between November 2004 and April 2005, we sold $111,864 principal amount 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 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 holder’s option. The conversion price, which was of $15.96 at December 31, 2008, 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”.

 

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. We 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 2009 upon 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 income tax expense in our consolidated statements of operations.

 

We adopted FIN 48 as of January 1, 2007. FIN 48 requires an entity to recognize the financial statement impact of a tax position when it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination. If the tax position meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, the tax effect is recognized at the largest amount of the benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. FIN 48 requires that a liability created for unrecognized deferred tax benefits shall be presented as a liability and not combined with deferred tax liabilities or assets. We did not recognize any adjustment in the liability for unrecognized tax benefits, as a result of the adoption of FIN 48 that impacted our accumulated deficit at December 31, 2006. The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits was $11,685 at January 1, 2007 and decreased $1,080 during the year ended December 31, 2007. The total amount of tax benefits that, if recognized, would impact the effective tax rate was $11,685 and $10,605 at December 31, 2006 and December 31, 2007, respectively. The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits was $10,605 at January 1, 2008 and decreased $3,102 during the year ended December 31, 2008. The total amount of tax benefits that, if recognized, would impact the effective tax rate was $7,503 and $10,605 at December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively.

 

We or our subsidiaries file U.S. federal income tax returns and returns with various state and local jurisdictions. With few exceptions, we are no longer subject to state and local income tax examinations by tax authorities for years ending before 2003. In July 2006, we entered into a settlement with the IRS for taxable years ending on and before December 31, 1999. The IRS has not audited our U.S. income tax returns for years ending after December 31, 1999. We anticipate net reductions to our total unrecognized tax benefits within the next 12 months may potentially be approximately $2,300.

 

We continue to classify all interest and penalties as income tax expense. As of the beginning of fiscal 2007, the liability for tax-related interest and penalties amounted to approximately $2,100. At December 31, 2008 and 2007, the liability for tax-related interest and penalties amounted to approximately $2,191 and $2,810, respectively.

 

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, 2008, our deferred income tax liabilities exceeded our deferred income tax assets by $92,850. 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, 2008 were as follows:

 

 

 

 

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 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, 2008, 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 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, 2008.

 

At December 31, 2008, we had outstanding approximately $2,415 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, 2008, New Valley has committed to fund up to $200 to a non-consolidated real estate business and up to $112 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 as of December 31, 2008.

 

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, 2008, approximately $36,124 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, 2008, we had no interest rate caps or swaps. Based on a hypothetical 100 basis point increase or decrease in interest rates (1%), our annual interest expense could increase or decrease by approximately $361.

 

In addition, as of December 31, 2008, approximately $98,306 ($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 $77,245 at December 31, 2008.

 

Changes to the estimated fair value of these embedded derivatives are reflected quarterly within our statements of operations as “Changes in fair value of derivatives embedded within convertible debt.” The value of the embedded derivative is contingent on changes in interest rates of debt instruments maturing over the duration of the convertible debt as well as projections of future cash and stock dividends over the term of the debt and changes in the closing stock price at the end of each quarterly period. Based on a hypothetical 100 basis point increase or decrease in interest rates (1%), our annual “Changes in fair value of derivatives embedded within convertible debt” could increase or decrease by approximately $2,654 with approximately $308 resulting from the embedded derivative associated with our 5% variable interest senior convertible notes due 2011 and the remaining $2,346 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 $4,950 per year.

 

We have estimated the fair market value of the embedded derivatives based principally on the results of a valuation model. The estimated fair value of the derivatives embedded within the convertible debt is based principally on the present value of future dividend payments expected to be received by the convertible debt holders over the term of the debt. The discount rate applied to the future cash flows is estimated based on a spread in yield of our debt when compared to risk-free securities with the same duration; thus, a readily determinable fair market value of the embedded derivatives is not available. The valuation model assumes our future dividend payments and utilizes interest rates and credit spreads for secured to unsecured debt, unsecured to subordinated debt and subordinated debt to preferred stock to determine the fair value of the derivatives embedded within the convertible debt. The valuation also considers items, including current and future dividends and the volatility of Vector’s stock price. The range of estimated fair market values of our embedded derivatives was between $75,990 and $78,544. We recorded the fair market value of our embedded derivatives at the midpoint of the inputs at $77,244 as of December 31, 2008. The estimated fair market value of our embedded derivatives could change significantly based on future market conditions.

 

We held investment securities available for sale totaling $28,518 at December 31, 2008, which includes 13,888,889 shares of Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services Inc., which were carried at $10,000, and 5,057,110 shares of Opko Health, Inc., which were carried at $8,193. In March 2008, we acquired 2,800,000 shares of Opko in a private placement. These shares have not been registered for resale but are expected to be freely tradable within one year. In 2008, we acquired 2,259,796 shares of Cardo Medical, Inc. for $500. The shares were carried at $3,277 as of December 31, 2008. These shares have not been registered for resale but are expected to be freely tradable within one year. 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. We recorded a loss of $21,900 in 2008 due to the performance of three of our long-term investments in various investment funds in 2008. During 2008, one of our long-term investments was impaired due to a portion of its underlying assets being held in an account with the European subsidiary of Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. while our other long-term investments were impaired as a result of the funds’ performances in 2008.

 

New Accounting Pronouncements

 

In February 2007, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“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 have not elected to use the fair value option.

 

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141(R), a revised version of SFAS No. 141, “Business Combinations.” The revision is intended to simplify existing guidance and converge rulemaking under

U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) with international accounting rules. This statement applies prospectively to business combinations where the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2008. An entity may not apply it before that date. The new standard also converges financial reporting under U.S. GAAP with international accounting rules. We are currently assessing the impact, if any, of SFAS No. 141(R) on its consolidated financial statements.

 

In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities-an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133.” SFAS No. 161 seeks qualitative disclosures about the objectives and strategies for using derivatives, quantitative data about the fair value of and gains and losses on derivative contracts, and details of credit-risk-related contingent features in hedged positions. SFAS No. 161 also seeks enhanced disclosure around derivative instruments in financial statements, accounting under SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” and how hedges affect an entity’s financial position, financial performance and cash flows. SFAS No. 161 is effective for us as of January 1, 2009 and we do not expect the adoption of SFAS No. 161 to have a material impact on our consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

 

On May 9, 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. APB 14-1, “Accounting for Convertible Debt Instruments That May Be Settled in Cash upon Conversion (Including Partial Cash Settlement)” (“FSP No. APB 14-1”). We are currently assessing the impact of FSP No. APB 14-1 on our consolidated financial statements.

 

On June 16, 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. EITF 03-6-1, “Determining Whether Instruments Granted in Share-Based Payment Transactions are Participating Securities,” which states that unvested share-based payment awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents (whether paid or unpaid) are participating securities and shall be included in the computation of earnings per share under the two-class method. The guidance is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008, and interim periods within those years. We are currently assessing the impact of FSP No. EITF 03-6-1 on our consolidated financial statements.

 

In October 2008, the FASB issued FSP SFAS 157-3, “Determining the Fair Value of a Financial Asset When the Market for That Asset Is Not Active”, which addresses the application of SFAS 157 for illiquid financial instruments. FSP SFAS 157-3 clarifies that approaches to determining fair value other than the market approach may be appropriate when the market for a financial asset is not active.

 

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 Liggett’s 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 GENERAL’S WARNING: Smoking Causes Lung Cancer, Heart Disease, Emphysema, And May Complicate Pregnancy” “SURGEON GENERAL’S WARNING: Quitting Smoking Now Greatly Reduces Serious Risks to Your Health” “SURGEON GENERAL’S WARNING: Smoking By Pregnant Women May Result in Fetal Injury, Premature Birth, And Low Birth Weight” and “SURGEON GENERAL’S 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 and point-of-sale materials.

 

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 EPA’s failure to follow its own guidelines in making the determination, the EPA’s 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 court’s 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 published 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 regulation have introduced legislation that would give the FDA authority to regulate the manufacture, sale, distribution and labeling of tobacco products, 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. This legislation was approved in August 2007, by the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, but was not taken up by the full Senate prior to adjournment. Companion legislation was approved by the House Committee on Energy and Commerce in April 2008 and was passed by the full House of Representatives in July 2008. The House legislation includes a provision granting certain phase-in exemptions for small manufacturers, which would not be applicable to us. While we do not know whether FDA regulation over tobacco products will be approved by this Congress and signed into law, we expect such legislation will be introduced, and considered, in this Congress. FDA regulation of tobacco products could have a material adverse effect on us.

 

Liggett and Vector Tobacco provide ingredient information annually, as required by law, to the states of Massachusetts, Texas and Minnesota. Several other states are considering ingredient disclosure legislation, and the proposed legislation under consideration by Congress 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 Liggett’s and Vector Tobacco’s assessment will be approximately $23,500 for

the fifth year of the program which began January 1, 2009. 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. In February 2009, Federal legislation to reauthorize the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), which includes funding provisions that increase the federal cigarette excise tax from $0.39 to $1.01 per pack, was enacted, effective April 1, 2009. State excise taxes vary considerably and, when combined with sales taxes, local taxes and the federal excise tax, may exceed $4.00 per pack. In 2008, seven states and the District of Colombia enacted increases in excise taxes and various states and other jurisdictions are considering, or have pending, legislation proposing further state excise tax increases. Management believes increases in excise and similar taxes have had, and will continue to have, an adverse effect on sales of cigarettes.

 

Over the last several years a majority of states have enacted virtually identical legislation requiring cigarettes to meet a laboratory test standard for reduced ignition propensity. Cigarettes that meet this standard are referred to as “fire standards compliant” or “FSC,” and are sometimes commonly called “self-extinguishing.” Effective January 1, 2009, substantially all of the cigarettes that Liggett and Vector Tobacco manufacture are fire standards compliant. Compliance with such legislation could be burdensome and costly and 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 Tobacco’s 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. Allegations by federal or state regulators, public health organizations and other tobacco manufacturers that Vector Tobacco’s 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. 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 us.

 

In November 2008, the Federal Trade Commission rescinded guidance it issued in 1966 that generally permitted statements concerning cigarette “tar” and nicotine yields if they were based on the Cambridge Filter Method, sometimes called the FTC method. In its rescission notice, the FTC also indicated that advertisers should no longer use terms suggesting the FTC’s endorsement or approval of any specific test method, including terms such as “per FTC Method” or other phrases that state or imply FTC endorsement or approval of the Cambridge Filter Method or other machine-based methods for measuring cigarette “tar” or nicotine yields. Also in its rescission notice, the FTC indicated that cigarette descriptors such as “light” and “ultra light” have not been defined by the FTC, nor has the FTC provided any guidance or authorization for their use. The FTC indicated that to the extent descriptors are used in a manner that convey an overall impression that is false, misleading, or unsubstantiated, such use could be actionable. The FTC further indicated that companies must ensure that any continued use of descriptors does not convey an erroneous or unsubstantiated message that a particular cigarette presents a reduced risk of harm or is otherwise likely to mislead consumers. The impact of the rescission of the FTC guidance is currently being evaluated by us, but in response to the FTC’s action, we have removed all reference to “tar” and nicotine testing from our point-of-sale advertising. To the extent descriptors are no longer used to market or promote our cigarettes, this may 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.

 

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:

 

 

We identify forward-looking statements in this report by using words or phrases such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “expect”, “intend”, “may be”, “objective”, “plan”, “seek”, “predict”, “project” and “will be” and similar words or phrases or their negatives.

 

The forward-looking information involves important risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from our anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested by the forward-looking statements include, without limitation, the following:

 

 

 

Further information on risks and uncertainties specific to our business include the risk factors discussed above under Item 1A. “Risk Factors” and in “Management’s 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.

 

 

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

 

 

Our Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto, together with the report thereon of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP dated March 2, 2009, are set forth beginning on page F-1 of this report.

 

 

None.

 

 

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.

 

Management’s 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, 2008.

 

The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008 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

 

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

None.

 

 

 

This information is contained in our definitive Proxy Statement for our 2009 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.

 

 

This information is contained in the Proxy Statement and incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

This information is contained in the Proxy Statement and incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

This information is contained in the Proxy Statement and incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

This information is contained in the Proxy Statement and incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

 

(a)(1) INDEX TO 2008 CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS:

 

Our consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto, together with the report thereon of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP dated March 2, 2009, appear beginning on page F-1 of this report.

 

(a)(2) FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES:

 

(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

 

 

 

 

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. 10.13 through 10.31.

 

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

 

VECTOR GROUP LTD.
(Registrant)

 

J. Bryant Kirkland III

Vice President, Treasurer and Chief

Financial Officer

 

Date: March 2, 2009

 

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 2, 2009.

 

 

VECTOR GROUP LTD.
FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008
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:

 

 

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.

 

Liggett Group LLC

 

The consolidated financial statements of Liggett Group LLC for the year ended December 31, 2008 are filed as Exhibit 99.2 to this report and are incorporated by reference.

 

Vector Tobacco Inc.

 

The consolidated financial statements of Vector Tobacco Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2008 are filed as Exhibit 99.3 to this report and are incorporated by reference.

 

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders

of Vector Group Ltd.:

 

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, 2008 and 2007, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2008 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. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company’s management is responsible for these financial statements and financial statement schedule, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting appearing under Item 9A. Our responsibility is to express opinions on these financial statements, on the financial statement schedule, and on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our integrated audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the financial statements included 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. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

 

As discussed in Note 1(n), Note 1(o) and Note 10 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed the manner in which it accounts for defined benefit and other post retirement plans in 2006 and 2008, the manner in which it accounts for share-based compensation in 2006 and the manner for which it accounts for uncertain tax positions in 2007.

 

A company’s 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 company’s 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 company’s 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 2, 2009

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

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