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VECTOR GROUP LTD - Quarter Report: 2019 September (Form 10-Q)



 

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

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

For The Quarterly Period Ended  September 30, 2019

☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
1-5759
65-0949535
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation
Commission File Number
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)
 
 
4400 Biscayne Boulevard
Miami, Florida 33137
305-579-8000
(Address, including zip code and telephone number, including area code,
of the principal executive offices)
 
Securities Registered Pursuant to 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class:
Trading
Name of each exchange
 
Symbol(s)
on which registered:
Common stock, par value $0.10 per share
VGR
New York Stock Exchange
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 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
x Yes o No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
x Yes o No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
☒
Large accelerated filer
☐
Accelerated filer
☐
Non-accelerated filer
☐
Smaller reporting company
☐
Emerging Growth Company
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
☐ Yes x No
At November 4, 2019, Vector Group Ltd. had 147,790,061 shares of common stock outstanding.
 



VECTOR GROUP LTD.

FORM 10-Q

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 
Page
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
 
 
Item 1. Vector Group Ltd. Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited):
 
 
 
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018
 
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018
 
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018
 
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Deficiency for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018
 
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018
 
 
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
 
 
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
 
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
 
 
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
 
 
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
 
 
 
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
 
 
Item 1A. Risk Factors
 
 
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
 
 
Item 6. Exhibits
 
 
SIGNATURE


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

 
September 30,
2019
 
December 31,
2018
ASSETS:
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
319,298

 
$
584,581

Investment securities at fair value
140,690

 
131,569

Accounts receivable - trade, net
42,653

 
34,246

Inventories
99,179

 
90,997

Other current assets
32,548

 
30,828

Total current assets
634,368

 
872,221

Property, plant and equipment, net
83,932

 
86,736

Investments in real estate, net
28,009

 
26,220

Long-term investments (of which $52,384 and $54,628 were carried at fair value)
66,915

 
66,259

Investments in real estate ventures
159,569

 
141,105

Operating lease right of use assets
148,387

 
—

Goodwill and other intangible assets, net
266,034

 
266,611

Other assets
99,470

 
90,352

Total assets
$
1,486,684

 
$
1,549,504

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIENCY:
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
   Current portion of notes payable and long-term debt
$
239,867

 
$
256,134

   Current portion of fair value of derivatives embedded within convertible debt
11,105

 
6,635

 Current payments due under the Master Settlement Agreement
132,377

 
36,561

Income taxes payable, net
29,427

 
5,252

Current operating lease liability
19,344

 
—

Other current liabilities
174,722

 
180,338

Total current liabilities
606,842

 
484,920

Notes payable, long-term debt and other obligations, less current portion
1,178,241

 
1,386,697

Fair value of derivatives embedded within convertible debt
—

 
24,789

Non-current employee benefits
62,560

 
61,288

Deferred income taxes, net
34,378

 
37,411

Non-current operating lease liability
154,254

 
—

Payments due under the Master Settlement Agreement
17,275

 
16,383

Other liabilities
61,807

 
85,382

Total liabilities
2,115,357

 
2,096,870

Commitments and contingencies (Note 9)

 

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

 
—

Common stock, par value $0.10 per share, 250,000,000 shares authorized, 147,790,061 and 140,914,642 shares issued and outstanding
14,779

 
14,092

Accumulated deficit
(620,791
)
 
(542,169
)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(23,149
)
 
(19,982
)
Total Vector Group Ltd. stockholders' deficiency
(629,161
)
 
(548,059
)
Non-controlling interest
488

 
693

Total stockholders' deficiency
(628,673
)
 
(547,366
)
Total liabilities and stockholders' deficiency
$
1,486,684

 
$
1,549,504


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

2


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

 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Tobacco*
$
303,260

 
$
302,009

 
$
854,517

 
$
843,958

   Real estate
201,530

 
211,860

 
609,629

 
580,365

       Total revenues
504,790

 
513,869

 
1,464,146

 
1,424,323

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Cost of sales:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Tobacco*
209,192

 
219,769

 
590,956

 
597,492

   Real estate
136,264

 
140,533

 
408,694

 
389,851

       Total cost of sales
345,456

 
360,302

 
999,650

 
987,343

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating, selling, administrative and general expenses
92,374

 
87,549

 
278,047

 
262,961

Litigation settlement and judgment expense (income)
240

 
—

 
895

 
(1,944
)
Operating income
66,720

 
66,018

 
185,554

 
175,963

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other income (expenses):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
(32,963
)
 
(51,084
)
 
(103,236
)
 
(145,452
)
Change in fair value of derivatives embedded within convertible debt
6,182

 
10,005

 
20,319

 
31,289

Equity in earnings (losses) from real estate ventures
8,050

 
294

 
12,002

 
(8,378
)
Other, net
1,755

 
4,481

 
13,653

 
13,660

Income before provision for income taxes
49,744

 
29,714

 
128,292

 
67,082

Income tax expense
13,736

 
14,686

 
37,944

 
29,394

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
36,008

 
15,028

 
90,348

 
37,688

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income attributed to non-controlling interest
—

 
(3,026
)
 
(80
)
 
(657
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income attributed to Vector Group Ltd.
$
36,008

 
$
12,002

 
$
90,268

 
$
37,031

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Per basic common share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income applicable to common shares attributed to Vector Group Ltd.
$
0.23

 
$
0.07

 
$
0.57

 
$
0.23

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Per diluted common share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income applicable to common shares attributed to Vector Group Ltd.
$
0.23

 
$
0.07

 
$
0.56

 
$
0.22

                                      

* Revenues and cost of sales include federal excise taxes of $122,951, $130,428, $347,527, and $359,199, respectively.


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

3



VECTOR GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Dollars in Thousands)
Unaudited
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
36,008

 
$
15,028

 
$
90,348

 
$
37,688

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net unrealized (losses) gains on investment securities available for sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Change in net unrealized gains (losses)
2

 
(168
)
 
725

 
(1,090
)
Net unrealized (gains) losses reclassified into net income
(19
)
 
165

 
(56
)
 
989

Net unrealized (losses) gains on investment securities available for sale
(17
)
 
(3
)
 
669

 
(101
)
 
 
 
 
 


 
 
Net change in pension-related amounts
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amortization of loss
491

 
441

 
1,439

 
1,324

Net change in pension-related amounts
491

 
441

 
1,439

 
1,324

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other comprehensive income
474

 
438

 
2,108

 
1,223

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income tax effect on:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Change in net unrealized gains (losses) on investment securities
(1
)
 
47

 
(199
)
 
299

Net unrealized (gains) losses reclassified into net income on investment securities
5

 
(46
)
 
15

 
(272
)
Pension-related amounts
(134
)
 
(121
)
 
(394
)
 
(363
)
Income tax provision on other comprehensive income
(130
)
 
(120
)
 
(578
)
 
(336
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other comprehensive income, net of tax
344

 
318

 
1,530

 
887

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comprehensive income
36,352

 
15,346

 
91,878

 
38,575

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comprehensive income attributed to non-controlling interest
—

 
(3,026
)
 
(80
)
 
(657
)
Comprehensive income attributed to Vector Group Ltd.
$
36,352

 
$
12,320

 
$
91,798

 
$
37,918


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

4


VECTOR GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIENCY
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Amounts)
Unaudited
 
Vector Group Ltd. Stockholders' Deficiency
 
 
 
 
 
Additional Paid-In
 
 
 
Accumulated
Other Comprehensive
 
Non-controlling
 
 
 
Common Stock
 
 
Accumulated
 
 
 
 
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
Capital
 
Deficit
 
Loss
 
Interest
 
Total
Balance as of July 1, 2019
140,953,900

 
$
14,095

 
$
—

 
$
(597,786
)
 
$
(23,493
)
 
$
488

 
$
(606,696
)
Net income
—

 
—

 
—

 
36,008

 
—

 
—

 
36,008

Total other comprehensive income
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
344

 
—

 
344

Distributions and dividends on common stock ($0.38 per share)
—

 
—

 
(414
)
 
(58,310
)
 
—

 
—

 
(58,724
)
Surrender of shares in connection with restricted stock vesting
(200,926
)
 
(19
)
 
(1,934
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(1,953
)
Effect of stock dividend
7,037,087

 
703

 
—

 
(703
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

Stock-based compensation
—

 
—

 
2,348

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
2,348

Balance as of September 30, 2019
147,790,061

 
$
14,779

 
$
—

 
$
(620,791
)
 
$
(23,149
)
 
$
488

 
$
(628,673
)
 
Vector Group Ltd. Stockholders' Deficiency
 
 
 
 
 
Additional Paid-In
 
 
 
Accumulated
Other Comprehensive
 
Non-controlling
 
 
 
Common Stock
 
 
Accumulated
 
 
 
 
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
Capital
 
Deficit
 
Loss
 
Interest
 
Total
Balance as of July 1, 2018
134,397,090

 
$
13,440

 
$
—

 
$
(495,637
)
 
$
(18,038
)
 
$
71,516

 
$
(428,719
)
Net income
—

 
—

 
—

 
12,002

 
—

 
3,026

 
15,028

Total other comprehensive income
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
318

 
—

 
318

Distributions and dividends on common stock ($0.36 per share)
—

 
—

 
1,052

 
(56,896
)
 
—

 
—

 
(55,844
)
Surrender of shares in connection with restricted stock vesting
(192,119
)
 
(19
)
 
(3,637
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(3,656
)
Effect of 2018 stock dividend*
6,709,671

 
671

 
—

 
(671
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

Effect of 2019 stock dividend*
7,045,732

 
705

 
—

 
(705
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

Stock-based compensation
—

 
—

 
2,585

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
2,585

Distributions to non-controlling interest
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(2,162
)
 
(2,162
)
Balance as of September 30, 2018
147,960,374

 
$
14,797

 
$
—

 
$
(541,907
)
 
$
(17,720
)
 
$
72,380

 
$
(472,450
)
                        
*    Represents the effect of the September 27, 2019 and September 27, 2018 stock dividends on the third quarter 2018 common-stock activity.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated financial statements.

5


 
Vector Group Ltd. Stockholders' Deficiency
 
 
 
 
 
 
Additional Paid-In
 
 
 
Accumulated
Other Comprehensive
 
Non-controlling
 
 
 
Common Stock
 
 
Accumulated
 
 
 
 
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
Capital
 
Deficit
 
Loss
 
Interest
 
Total
Balance as of January 1, 2019
140,914,642

 
$
14,092

 
$
—

 
$
(542,169
)
 
$
(19,982
)
 
$
693

 
$
(547,366
)
Impact of adoption of new accounting standards
—

 
—

 
—

 
3,147

 
(4,697
)
 
—

 
(1,550
)
Net income
—

 
—

 
—

 
90,268

 
—

 
80

 
90,348

Total other comprehensive income
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
1,530

 
—

 
1,530

Distributions and dividends on common stock ($1.14 per share)
—

 
—

 
(4,964
)
 
(171,334
)
 
—

 
—

 
(176,298
)
Restricted stock grant
60,000

 
6

 
(6
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Surrender of shares in connection with restricted stock vesting
(221,668
)
 
(22
)
 
(2,152
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(2,174
)
Effect of stock dividend
7,037,087

 
703

 
—

 
(703
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

Stock-based compensation
—

 
—

 
7,122

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
7,122

Distributions to non-controlling interest
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(285
)
 
(285
)
Balance as of September 30, 2019
147,790,061

 
$
14,779

 
$
—

 
$
(620,791
)
 
$
(23,149
)
 
$
488

 
$
(628,673
)
 
Vector Group Ltd. Stockholders' Deficiency
 
 
 
 
 
 
Additional Paid-In
 
 
 
Accumulated
Other Comprehensive
 
Non-controlling
 
 
 
Common Stock
 
 
Accumulated
 
 
 
 
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
Capital
 
Deficit
 
Loss
 
Interest
 
Total
Balance as of January 1, 2018
134,365,424

 
$
13,437

 
$
—

 
$
(414,785
)
 
$
(12,571
)
 
$
82,159

 
$
(331,760
)
Impact of adoption of new accounting standards
—

 
—

 
—

 
1,094

 
(6,036
)
 
(7,915
)
 
(12,857
)
Net income
—

 
—

 
—

 
37,031

 
—

 
657

 
37,688

Total other comprehensive income
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
887

 
—

 
887

Distributions and dividends on common stock ($1.09 per share)
—

 
—

 
(3,785
)
 
(163,871
)
 
—

 
—

 
(167,656
)
Restricted stock grant
31,666

 
3

 
(3
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Surrender of shares in connection with restricted stock vesting
(192,119
)
 
(19
)
 
(3,637
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(3,656
)
Effect of 2018 stock dividend*
6,709,671

 
671

 
—

 
(671
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

Effect of 2019 stock dividend*
7,045,732

 
705

 
—

 
(705
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

Stock-based compensation
—

 
—

 
7,425

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
7,425

Distributions to non-controlling interest
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(2,521
)
 
(2,521
)
Balance as of September 30, 2018
147,960,374

 
$
14,797

 
$
—

 
$
(541,907
)
 
$
(17,720
)
 
$
72,380

 
$
(472,450
)
                        
*    Represents the effect of the September 27, 2019 and September 27, 2018 stock dividends on the third quarter 2018 common-stock activity.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated financial statements.

6


VECTOR GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Dollars in Thousands)
Unaudited

 
Nine Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
2019
 
September 30,
2018
Net cash provided by operating activities
$
195,349

 
$
209,808

Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
Sale of investment securities
16,186

 
14,895

Maturities of investment securities
45,798

 
16,899

Purchase of investment securities
(76,094
)
 
(22,516
)
Purchase of long-term investments
(1,000
)
 
—

Investments in real estate ventures
(36,269
)
 
(6,132
)
Distributions from investments in real estate ventures
30,934

 
37,819

Increase in cash surrender value of life insurance policies
(773
)
 
(806
)
Decrease in restricted assets
661

 
254

Proceeds from sale of fixed assets
17

 
—

Capital expenditures
(10,158
)
 
(12,546
)
Repayments of notes receivable
—

 
67

Purchase of subsidiaries
(323
)
 
(370
)
Pay downs of investment securities
828

 
1,293

Investments in real estate, net
(1,910
)
 
(1,495
)
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities
(32,103
)
 
27,362

Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
Deferred financing costs
(36
)
 
—

Repayments of debt
(230,874
)
 
(1,490
)
Borrowings under revolver
204,506

 
261,058

Repayments on revolver
(221,373
)
 
(264,654
)
Dividends and distributions on common stock
(179,449
)
 
(169,571
)
Distributions to non-controlling interest
(285
)
 
(2,521
)
Other
(46
)
 
—

Net cash used in financing activities
(427,557
)
 
(177,178
)
Net (decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
(264,311
)
 
59,992

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period
591,729

 
310,937

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period
$
327,418

 
$
370,929


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

7
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Unaudited


1.
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

(a)
Basis of Presentation:
The condensed consolidated financial statements of Vector Group Ltd. (the “Company” or “Vector”) include the accounts of Liggett Group LLC (“Liggett”), Vector Tobacco Inc. (“Vector Tobacco”), Liggett Vector Brands LLC (“Liggett Vector Brands”), New Valley LLC (“New Valley”) and other less significant subsidiaries. New Valley includes the accounts of Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC (“Douglas Elliman”) and other less significant subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.
Liggett and Vector Tobacco are engaged in the manufacture and sale of cigarettes in the United States. Liggett Vector Brands coordinates Liggett and Vector Tobacco’s sales and marketing efforts. Certain references to “Liggett” refer to the Company’s tobacco operations, including the business of Liggett and Vector Tobacco, unless otherwise specified. New Valley is engaged in the real estate business.
The unaudited, interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information and, in management’s opinion, contain all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring items, necessary for a fair statement of the results for the periods presented. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The consolidated results of operations for interim periods should not be regarded as necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the entire year.
(b)
Distributions and Dividends on Common Stock:

The Company records distributions on its common stock as dividends in its condensed consolidated statement of stockholders’ deficiency to the extent of retained earnings. Any amounts exceeding retained earnings are recorded as a reduction to additional paid-in capital to the extent paid-in-capital is available and then to accumulated deficit. The Company’s stock dividends are recorded as stock splits and given retroactive effect to earnings per share for all periods presented.

(c)
Earnings Per Share (“EPS”):

Information concerning the Company’s common stock has been adjusted to give retroactive effect to the 5% stock dividend distributed to Company stockholders on September 27, 2019. All per share amounts and references to share amounts have been updated to reflect the retrospective effect of the stock dividend.

Net income for purposes of determining basic EPS was as follows:

 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
Net income attributed to Vector Group Ltd.
$
36,008

 
$
12,002

 
$
90,268

 
$
37,031

Income attributed to participating securities
(2,023
)
 
(1,722
)
 
(6,052
)
 
(5,186
)
Net income applicable to common shares attributed to Vector Group Ltd.
$
33,985

 
$
10,280

 
$
84,216

 
$
31,845




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

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Unaudited


Net income for purposes of determining diluted EPS was as follows:

 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
Net income attributed to Vector Group Ltd.
$
36,008

 
$
12,002

 
$
90,268

 
$
37,031

Income attributable to 7.5% Variable Interest Senior Convertible Notes
—

 
—

 
(1,246
)
 
—

Income attributed to participating securities
(2,023
)
 
(1,722
)
 
(6,052
)
 
(5,186
)
Net income applicable to common shares attributed to Vector Group Ltd.
$
33,985

 
$
10,280

 
$
82,970

 
$
31,845



 
Basic and diluted EPS were calculated using the following common shares:

 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
Weighted-average shares for basic EPS
146,703,766

 
146,461,283

 
146,562,252

 
146,327,788

Plus incremental shares related to convertible debt
—

 
—

 
961,191

 
—

Plus incremental shares related to stock options and non-vested restricted stock
32,374

 
26,290

 
13,782

 
185,660

Weighted-average shares for diluted EPS
146,736,140

 
146,487,573

 
147,537,225

 
146,513,448



The following non-vested restricted stock and shares issuable upon the conversion of convertible debt were outstanding during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, but were not included in the computation of diluted EPS because the impact of the per share expense associated with the restricted stock were greater than the average market price of the common shares during the respective periods and the common shares issuable under the convertible debt were anti-dilutive to EPS.

 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
  Weighted-average shares of non-vested restricted stock
1,012,285

 
—

 
1,274,549

 
—

  Weighted-average expense per share
$
18.03

 
$
—

 
$
17.95

 
$
—

  Weighted-average number of shares issuable upon conversion of debt
11,447,061

 
30,260,606

 
11,447,061

 
30,260,606

  Weighted-average conversion price
$
20.27

 
$
16.15

 
$
20.27

 
$
16.15





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

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Unaudited


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

The Company has estimated the fair value of the embedded derivatives based principally on the results of a valuation model. A readily determinable fair value of the embedded derivatives is not available. The estimated fair value of the derivatives embedded within the convertible debt is based principally on the present value of future dividend payments expected to be received by the convertible debt holders over the term of the debt. The discount rate applied to the future cash flows is estimated based on a spread in the yield of the Company’s debt when compared to risk-free securities with the same duration. The valuation model assumes future dividend payments by the Company and utilizes interest rates and credit spreads for secured to unsecured debt, unsecured to subordinated debt and subordinated debt to preferred stock to determine the fair value of the derivatives embedded within the convertible debt. The valuation also considers other items, including current and future dividends and the volatility of Vector’s stock price. At September 30, 2019, the range of estimated fair values of the Company’s embedded derivatives was between $11,080 and $11,132. The Company recorded the fair value of its embedded derivatives at the approximate midpoint of the range at $11,105 as of September 30, 2019. At December 31, 2018, the range of estimated fair values of the Company’s embedded derivatives was between $31,371 and $31,519. The Company recorded the fair value of its embedded derivatives at the midpoint of the range at $31,424 as of December 31, 2018. The estimated fair value of the Company’s embedded derivatives could change significantly based on future market conditions. (See Note 8.)

(e)
Investments in Real Estate Ventures:
In accounting for its investments in real estate ventures, the Company identified its participation in Variable Interest Entities (“VIE”), which are defined as (a) entities in which the equity investment at risk is not sufficient to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support; (b) as a group, the equity investors at risk lack (1) the power to direct the activities of a legal entity that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance, (2) the obligation to absorb the expected losses of the entity, or (3) the right to receive the expected residual returns of the entity; or (c) as a group, the equity investors have voting rights that are not proportionate to their economic interests and the entity’s activities involve or are conducted on behalf of an investor with a disproportionately small voting interest.
The Company’s interest in VIEs is primarily in the form of equity ownership. The Company examines specific criteria and uses judgment when determining if the Company is the primary beneficiary of a VIE. Factors considered include risk and reward sharing, experience and financial condition of other partner(s), voting rights, involvement in day-to-day capital and operating decisions, representation on a VIE’s executive committee, existence of unilateral kick-out rights exclusive of protective rights or voting rights and level of economic disproportionality between the Company and its other partner(s).
Accounting guidance requires the consolidation of VIEs in which the Company is the primary beneficiary. The guidance requires consolidation of VIEs that an enterprise has a controlling financial interest. A controlling financial interest will have both of the following characteristics: (a) the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and (b) the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE.
The Company’s maximum exposure to loss in its investments in unconsolidated VIEs is limited to its investment in the VIE, any unfunded capital commitments to the VIE, and, in some cases, guarantees in connection with debt on the specific project. The Company’s maximum exposure to loss in its investment in consolidated VIEs is limited to its investment, which is the carrying value of the investment net of the non-controlling interest. Creditors of the consolidated VIEs have no recourse to the general credit of the primary beneficiary.


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

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Unaudited


(f)
Other, Net:

Other, net consisted of:
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
Interest and dividend income
$
3,083

 
$
2,466

 
$
9,430

 
$
6,533

Equity in (losses) earnings from investments
(468
)
 
3,230

 
(791
)
 
9,205

Net (losses) gains recognized on investment securities
(1,487
)
 
(962
)
 
5,601

 
(1,295
)
Net periodic benefit cost other than the service costs
(576
)
 
(254
)
 
(1,692
)
 
(761
)
Other income (expense)
1,203

 
1

 
1,105

 
(22
)
Other, net
$
1,755

 
$
4,481

 
$
13,653

 
$
13,660



(g)
Other Assets:

Other assets consisted of:

 
September 30, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
Restricted assets
$
5,982

 
$
6,306

Prepaid pension costs
24,800

 
23,869

Other assets
68,688

 
60,177

Total other assets
$
99,470

 
$
90,352



(h)
Other Current Liabilities:
Other current liabilities consisted of:
 
September 30, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
Accounts payable
$
14,191

 
$
13,144

Accrued promotional expenses
40,977

 
37,940

Accrued excise and payroll taxes payable, net
5,065

 
14,612

Accrued interest
28,116

 
38,673

Commissions payable
17,730

 
12,975

Accrued salary and benefits
25,518

 
30,228

Contract liabilities
7,416

 
—

Allowance for sales returns
6,617

 
6,935

Other current liabilities
29,092

 
25,831

Total other current liabilities
$
174,722

 
$
180,338




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

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Unaudited


(i)
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, Net:
The components of “Goodwill and other intangible assets, net” were as follows:
 
September 30,
2019
 
December 31,
2018
Goodwill
$
78,008

 
$
77,568

 
 
 
 
Indefinite life intangibles:
 
 
 
Intangible asset associated with benefit under the MSA
107,511

 
107,511

Trademark - Douglas Elliman
80,000

 
80,000

 
 
 
 
Intangibles with a finite life, net
515

 
1,532

 
 
 
 
  Total goodwill and other intangible assets, net
$
266,034

 
$
266,611




(j)
Reconciliation of Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash:

The components of “Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash” in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows were as follows:
 
September 30,
2019
 
December 31,
2018
Cash and cash equivalents
$
319,298

 
$
584,581

Restricted cash and cash equivalents included in other current assets
3,660

 
2,697

Restricted cash and cash equivalents included in other assets
4,460

 
4,451

Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash shown in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
$
327,418

 
$
591,729



Amounts included in current restricted assets and non-current restricted assets represent cash and cash equivalents required to be deposited into escrow for bonds required to appeal adverse product liability judgments, amounts required for letters of credit related to office leases, and certain deposit requirements for banking arrangements. The restrictions related to the appellate bonds will remain in place until the appeal process has been completed. The restrictions related to the letters of credit will remain in place for the duration of the respective lease. The restrictions related to the banking arrangements will remain in place for the duration of the arrangement.
 
(k)    New Accounting Pronouncements:

Accounting Standards Updates (“ASU”) adopted in 2019:
In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-09, Codification Improvements (“ASU 2018-09”). This standard does not prescribe any new accounting guidance, but instead makes minor improvements and clarifications of several different FASB Accounting Standards Codification areas based on comments and suggestions made by various stakeholders. Certain updates were applicable immediately while others were effective for the Company’s fiscal year beginning January 1, 2019. Adoption of this update did not have a material impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.
In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-02, Income Statement – Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (“ASU 2018-02”), which allows for stranded tax effects in accumulated other comprehensive income resulting from the Tax Act to be reclassified to retained earnings. The Company adopted ASU 2018-02 effective January 1, 2019. The reclassification from the adoption of this standard resulted in a decrease of $4,697 to accumulated deficit and an increase of $4,697 to accumulated other comprehensive loss.

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

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Unaudited


In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (“ASU 2016-02”), which provides guidance for accounting for leases. ASU 2016-02 requires lessees to classify leases as either finance or operating leases and to record a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for all leases with a term greater than 12 months regardless of the lease classification. The lease classification will determine whether the lease expense is recognized based on an effective interest rate method or on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. Accounting for lessors remains largely unchanged from current U.S. GAAP. In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-10, Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases and ASU 2018-11 “Leases (Topic 842): Targeted Improvements” (ASU 2018-11). ASU 2018-10 clarifies certain areas within ASU 2016-02. Prior to ASU 2018-11, a modified retrospective transition was required for financing or operating leases existing at or entered into after the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements. ASU 2018-11 allows entities an additional transition method to the existing requirements whereby an entity could adopt the provisions of ASU 2016-02 by recognizing a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption without adjustment to the financial statements for periods prior to adoption. ASU 2018-11 also allows a practical expedient that permits lessors to not separate non-lease components from the associated lease component if certain conditions are present. In December 2018, the FASB also issued ASU 2018-20, Leases (Topic 842): Narrow-Scope Improvements for Lessors, which requires lessors to exclude lessor costs paid directly to a third party by lessees from lease revenues and expenses, provides an election for lessors to exclude sales taxes and other similar taxes collected from lessees from consideration in the contract, and clarifies lessors accounting for variable payments related to lease and nonlease components. ASU 2016-02, ASU 2018-10, ASU 2018-11 and ASU 2018-20 was effective for the Company’s fiscal year beginning January 1, 2019 and subsequent interim periods.
On January 1, 2019, the Company adopted ASU No. 2016-02- Leases (Topic 842) applying the modified retrospective method and the option presented under ASU 2018-11 to transition only active leases as of January 1, 2019 with a cumulative effect adjustment as of that date. See Note 3 - Leases, for additional accounting policy and transition disclosures.

ASUs to be adopted in future periods:
In October 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-17, Consolidation (Topic 810): Targeted Improvements to Related Party Guidance for Variable Interest Entities. The guidance requires indirect interests held through related parties under common control arrangements be considered on a proportional basis for determining whether fees paid to decision makers and service providers are variable interests. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the new guidance on our condensed consolidated financial statements.
In October 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-16, Inclusion of the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) Overnight Index Swap (“OIS”) Rate as a Benchmark Interest Rate for Hedge Accounting Purposes (“ASU 2018-16”), which amends ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging. This ASU adds the OIS rate based on SOFR to the list of permissible benchmark rates for hedge accounting purposes. The amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Adoption of ASU 2018-16 will be on a prospective basis for qualifying new or redesignated hedging relationships entered into on or after the date of adoption. The Company is currently assessing the impact the adoption of ASU 2018-16 will have on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-15, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other Internal Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract. The amendments in this update align the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software. ASU 2018-15 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact the adoption of ASU 2018-15 will have on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-14, Compensation - Retirement Benefits - Defined Benefit Plans - General (Subtopic 715-20): Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans (“ASU 2018-14”). ASU 2018-14 eliminates the requirement to disclose the amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income expected to be recognized as part of net periodic benefit cost over the next year. The ASU also removes the disclosure requirements for the effects of a one-percentage-point change on the assumed health care costs and the effect of this change in rates on service cost, interest cost and the benefit obligation for postretirement health care benefits. ASU 2018-14 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2020. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of ASU 2018-14 will impact financial statement disclosure with no impact on operating results.

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

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Unaudited


In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement, which is designed to improve the effectiveness of disclosures by removing, modifying and adding disclosures related to fair value measurements. The ASU eliminates disclosures such as the amount of and reasons for transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. The ASU also adds new disclosure requirements for Level 3 measurements. ASU No. 2018-13 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The adoption of ASU 2018-13 will impact financial statement disclosure with no impact on operating results.
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (“ASU 2016-13”), sets forth a current expected credit loss model that changes how entities will measure credit losses for most financial assets and certain other instruments that are not measured at fair value through net income. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact the adoption of ASU 2016-13 will have on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

2.
REVENUE RECOGNITION


Revenue Recognition Accounting Pronouncement Adoption

On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted Topic 606 applying the modified retrospective method. The following practical expedients and optional disclosure exemptions available under Topic 606 have been applied:
1.
The Company applied the optional exemption in paragraph 606-10-50-14 of Topic 606, and has not disclosed the amount of the transaction price allocated to the remaining performance obligations for the Real Estate property management business because the contracts to provide property management services are typically annual contracts.
2.
The Company applied the optional exemption in paragraph 606-10-50-14A of Topic 606, and has not disclosed the amount of the transaction price allocated to the remaining performance obligations for the Real Estate development marketing business because the transaction prices in these contracts are comprised entirely of variable consideration based on the ultimate selling price of each unit in the subject property.

Revenue Recognition Policies
Revenue is measured based on a consideration specified in a contract with a customer less any sales incentives. Revenue is recognized when (a) an enforceable contract with a customer exists, that has commercial substance, and collection of substantially all consideration for services is probable; and (b) the performance obligations to the customer are satisfied either over time or at a point in time.
Tobacco sales: Revenue from cigarette sales, which include federal excise taxes billed to customers, is recognized upon shipment of cigarettes when control has passed to the customer. Average collection terms for Tobacco sales range between three and twelve days from the time that the cigarettes are shipped to the customer. The Company records a liability for goods estimated to be returned in other current liabilities and the associated receivable for anticipated federal excise tax refunds in other current assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheet. The liability for returned goods is based principally on sales volumes and historical return rates. The estimated costs of sales incentives, including customer incentives and trade promotion activities, are based principally on historical experience and are accounted for as reductions in Tobacco revenue. Expected payments for sales incentives are included in other current liabilities on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet. The Company accounts for shipping and handling costs as fulfillment costs as part of cost of sales.
Real estate sales: Real estate commissions and other payments earned by the Company’s real estate brokerage businesses are recognized as revenue when the real estate sale is completed or lease agreement is executed, which is the point in time that the performance obligation is satisfied. Any commission and other payments received in advance are deferred until the satisfaction of the performance obligation. Corresponding agent commission expenses, including any advance commission or other direct expense payments, are deferred and recognized as cost of sales concurrently with related revenues.

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

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Unaudited


The Company’s Real Estate revenue contracts with customers do not have multiple material performance obligations to customers under Topic 606, except for contracts in the Company’s development marketing business. Contracts in the development marketing business provide the Company with the exclusive right to sell units in a subject property for a commission fee per unit sold calculated as a percentage of the sales price of each unit. Accordingly, a performance obligation exists for each unit in the development marketing property under contract, and a portion of the total contract transaction price is allocated to and recognized at the time each unit is sold.
The total contract transaction price is allocated to each unit in the subject property and recognized when the performance obligation, i.e. the sale of each unit, is satisfied. Accordingly, the transaction price allocated to the remaining performance obligations for the development marketing business represents variable consideration allocated entirely to wholly unsatisfied performance obligations.
Under development marketing service arrangements, dedicated staff are required for a subject property and these costs are typically reimbursed from the customer through advance payments that are recoupable from future commission earnings. Advance payments received and associated direct costs paid are deferred, allocated to each unit in the subject property, and recognized at the time of the completed sale of each unit.
Development marketing service arrangements also include direct fulfillment costs incurred in advance of the satisfaction of the performance obligation. The Company capitalizes costs incurred in fulfilling a contract with a customer if the fulfillment costs 1) relate directly to an existing contract or anticipated contract, 2) generate or enhance resources that will be used to satisfy performance obligations in the future, and 3) are expected to be recovered. These costs are amortized over the estimated customer relationship period which is the contract term. The Company uses an amortization method that is consistent with the pattern of transfer of goods or services to its customers by allocating these costs to each unit in the subject property and expensing these costs as each unit sold is closed over the contract.
Commission revenue is recognized at the time the performance obligation is met for commercial leasing contracts, which is when the lease agreement is executed, as there are no further performance obligations, including any amounts of future payments under extended payment terms.
Property management revenue arrangements consist of providing operational and administrative services to manage a subject property. Fees for these services are typically billed and collected monthly. Property management service fees are recognized as revenue over time using the output method as the performance obligations under the customer arrangement are satisfied each month.
Title insurance commission fee revenue is earned when the sale of the title insurance policy is completed, which corresponds to the point in time when the underlying real estate sale is completed, which is when the performance obligation is satisfied.

Disaggregation of Revenue
In the following table, revenue is disaggregated by major product line for the Tobacco segment:
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
Tobacco Segment Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Core Discount Brands - EAGLE 20’s, PYRAMID, GRAND PRIX, LIGGETT SELECT, and EVE
 
$
273,918

 
$
274,405

 
$
774,301

 
$
764,306

Other Brands
 
29,342

 
27,604

 
80,216

 
79,652

Total tobacco revenues
 
$
303,260

 
$
302,009

 
$
854,517

 
$
843,958


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

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Unaudited


In the following table, revenue is disaggregated by major services line and primary geographical market for the Real Estate segment:
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2019
 
 
New York City
 
Northeast
 
Southeast
 
West
 
Total
Real Estate Segment Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commission brokerage income
 
$
73,081

 
$
47,066

 
$
25,008

 
$
27,770

 
$
172,925

Development marketing
 
6,920

 
—

 
7,614

 
3,992

 
18,526

Property management revenue
 
8,484

 
184

 
—

 
—

 
8,668

Title fees
 
—

 
1,049

 
—

 
—

 
1,049

Total Douglas Elliman revenue
 
88,485

 
48,299

 
32,622

 
31,762

 
201,168

Other real estate revenues
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
362

 
362

  Total real estate revenues
 
$
88,485

 
$
48,299

 
$
32,622

 
$
32,124

 
$
201,530




 
 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2018
 
 
New York City
 
Northeast
 
Southeast
 
West
 
Total
Real Estate Segment Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commission brokerage income
 
$
79,192

 
$
48,996

 
$
22,491

 
$
26,802

 
$
177,481

Development marketing
 
16,187

 
—

 
8,088

 
402

 
24,677

Property management revenue
 
8,528

 
(381
)
 
—

 
—

 
8,147

Title fees
 
—

 
1,174

 
—

 
—

 
1,174

Total Douglas Elliman revenue
 
103,907

 
49,789

 
30,579

 
27,204

 
211,479

Other real estate revenues
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
381

 
381

  Total real estate revenues
 
$
103,907

 
$
49,789

 
$
30,579

 
$
27,585

 
$
211,860


 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019
 
 
New York City
 
Northeast
 
Southeast
 
West
 
Total
Real Estate Segment Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commission brokerage income
 
$
243,061

 
$
118,057

 
$
79,303

 
$
77,952

 
$
518,373

Development marketing
 
41,024

 
—

 
10,680

 
4,021

 
55,725

Property management revenue
 
26,699

 
538

 
—

 
—

 
27,237

Title fees
 
—

 
4,682

 
—

 
—

 
4,682

Total Douglas Elliman revenue
 
310,784

 
123,277

 
89,983

 
81,973

 
606,017

Other real estate revenues
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
3,612

 
3,612

  Total real estate revenues
 
$
310,784

 
$
123,277

 
$
89,983

 
$
85,585

 
$
609,629



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

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Unaudited


 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018
 
 
New York City
 
Northeast
 
Southeast
 
West
 
Total
Real Estate Segment Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commission brokerage income
 
$
215,775

 
$
124,902

 
$
78,798

 
$
76,313

 
$
495,788

Development marketing
 
37,356

 
252

 
13,169

 
645

 
51,422

Property management revenue
 
25,226

 


 
—

 
—

 
25,226

Title fees
 
—

 
4,085

 
—

 
—

 
4,085

Total Douglas Elliman revenue
 
278,357

 
129,239

 
91,967

 
76,958

 
576,521

Other real estate revenues
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
3,844

 
3,844

  Total real estate revenues
 
$
278,357

 
$
129,239

 
$
91,967

 
$
80,802

 
$
580,365


Contract Balances
The following table provides information about contracts assets and contract liabilities from development marketing and commercial leasing contracts with customers:

 
 
 
 
 
September 30, 2019
 
January 1, 2019
Receivables, which are included in accounts receivable - trade, net
$
2,378

 
$
2,050

Contract assets, net, which are included in other current assets
8,809

 
9,264

Payables, which are included in other current liabilities
1,311

 
1,082

Contract liabilities, which are included in other current liabilities
7,416

 
7,071

Contract assets, net, which are included in other assets
20,093

 
15,794

Contract liabilities, which are included in other liabilities
35,258

 
30,445



Receivables and payables relate to commission receivables and commissions payable from the Real Estate commercial leasing contracts for which the performance obligation has been satisfied, have extended payment terms and are expected to be received and paid in the next twelve months. Receivables increased $328 for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2019 primarily due to revenue accrued as performance obligations are satisfied of $2,780, offset by cash collections. Correspondingly, payables increased $229 primarily due to additional expense accruals as performance obligations are satisfied of $1,727, offset by cash payments.
Contract assets increased by $3,844 during the nine months ended September 30, 2019 due to $15,039 of payments made for direct fulfillment costs incurred in advance of the satisfaction of the performance obligations for Real Estate development marketing contracts, offset by costs recognized for units closed during the quarter.
Contract liabilities relate to payments received in advance of the performance obligations being satisfied under the contract for the Real Estate development marketing and are recognized as revenue at the points in time when the Company performs under the contract. Performance obligations related to the Real Estate development marketing contracts are considered satisfied when each unit is closed. Development marketing projects tend to span four to six years from the time the Company enters into the contract with the developer to the time that all of the sales of the units in a subject property are closed. The timing for sales closings are dependent upon several external factors outside the Company’s control, including but not limited to, economic factors, seller and buyer actions, construction timing and other real estate market factors. Accordingly, all contract liabilities and contract costs associated with development marketing are considered long-term until closing dates for unit sales are scheduled. As of September 30, 2019, the Company estimates approximately $7,416 of contract liabilities will be recognized as revenue within the next twelve months.
Contract liabilities increased by $5,158 during the nine months ended September 30, 2019 due to $16,377 of advance payments received from customer prior to the satisfaction of performance obligations for Real Estate development marketing contracts,

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

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Unaudited


offset by revenue recognized for units sold during the quarter. The Company recognized revenue of $9,753 for the nine months ended September 30, 2019, that were included in the contract liabilities balances at January 1, 2019.
Topic 606 requires an entity to disclose the revenue recognized in the reporting period from performance obligations satisfied (or partially satisfied) in previous periods (for example, due to changes in transaction price). There was no revenue recognized relating to performance obligations satisfied or partially satisfied in prior periods for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

3.
LEASES

Leasing Accounting Pronouncement Adoption

On January 1, 2019, the Company adopted ASU No. 2016-02 - Leases (Topic 842) applying the modified retrospective method and the option presented under ASU 2018-11 to transition only active leases as of January 1, 2019 with a cumulative effect adjustment as of that date. All comparative periods prior to January 1, 2019 retain the financial reporting and disclosure requirements of ASC 840. The Company elected the package of practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance within the new standard. The package of three expedients includes: 1) the ability to carry forward the historical lease classification, 2) the elimination of the requirement to reassess whether existing or expired agreements contain leases, and 3) the elimination of the requirement to reassess initial direct costs. The Company also elected the practical expedient related to short-term leases without purchase options reasonably certain to exercise, allowing it to exclude leases with terms of less than twelve (12) months from capitalization for all asset classes. The Company did not elect the hindsight practical expedient when determining the lease terms. The adoption of the new standard resulted in the recording of right-of-use (“ROU”) assets and lease liabilities of $128,890 and $153,676, respectively, as of January 1, 2019. The difference between the ROU assets and lease liabilities reflects the reclassification of historical deferred rent balances of approximately $22,881, and tenant improvement receivable of $355 as adjustments to the ROU asset balances, and an adjustment that increased accumulated deficit by $1,550 to recognize the impairment in ROU assets for asset groups previously identified as being impaired. The standard did not materially impact the Company’s consolidated net earnings and had no impact on cash flows. The new standard had no material impact on liquidity and had no impact on the Company’s debt-covenant compliance under its current debt agreements.

Leasing Policies
The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception. Operating leases are included in operating lease ROU assets and lease liabilities on the Company’s balance sheets. Finance leases are included in investments in real estate, net, property, plant and equipment and current and long-term portions of notes payable and long-term debt on the Company’s balance sheets.
ROU assets represent the Company’s right to use an underlying asset for the duration of the lease term. Lease liabilities represent the Company’s obligation to make lease payments as determined by the lease agreement. Lease liabilities are recorded at commencement for the net present value of future lease payments over the lease term. The discount rate used is generally the Company’s estimated incremental borrowing rate unless the lessor’s implicit rate is readily determinable. Discount rates are calculated periodically to estimate the rate the Company would pay to borrow the funds necessary to obtain an asset of similar value, over a similar term, with a similar security. ROU assets are recorded and recognized at commencement for the lease liability amount, initial direct costs incurred and is reduced for lease incentives received. The Company’s lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise that option. Operating lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Finance lease cost is recognized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the useful life of the asset and the lease term.
The Company has lease agreements with lease and non-lease components; the Company has elected the accounting policy to combine lease and non-lease components for all underlying asset classes.

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

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Unaudited


Leases
The Company has operating and finance leases for corporate and sales offices, and certain vehicles and equipment. The leases have remaining lease terms of one year to 15 years, some of which include options to extend for up to five years, and some of which include options to terminate the leases within one year. However, the Company in general is not reasonably certain to exercise options to renew or terminate, and therefore renewal and termination options are not considered in the lease term or the ROU asset and lease liability balances. The Company’s lease population includes purchase options on equipment leases that are included in the lease payments when reasonably certain to be exercised. The Company’s lease population does not include any residual value guarantees. The Company’s lease population does not contain any material restrictive covenants.
The Company has leases with variable payments, most commonly in the form of Common Area Maintenance (“CAM”) and tax charges which are based on actual costs incurred. These variable payments were excluded from the ROU asset and lease liability balances since they are not fixed or in-substance fixed payments. Variable payments are expensed as incurred.
The components of lease expense were as follows:
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
2019
 
2019
Operating lease cost
$
9,707

 
$
28,212

Short-term lease cost
397

 
910

Variable lease cost
715

 
2,405

 
 
 
 
Finance lease cost:
 
 
 
Amortization
67

 
186

Interest on lease liabilities
5

 
12

Total lease cost
$
10,891

 
$
31,725


Supplemental cash flow information related to leases was as follows:
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
2019
Cash paid for amounts included in measurement of lease liabilities:
 
Operating cash flows from operating leases
$
28,023

Operating cash flows from finance leases
12

Financing cash flows from finance leases
182

 
 
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations:
 
Operating leases
32,511

Finance leases
159






19
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Unaudited


Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases was as follows:
 
September 30,
 
 
2019
 
Operating leases:
 
 
Operating lease right-of-use assets
$
148,387

 
 
 
 
Current operating lease liability
$
19,344

 
Non-current operating lease liability
154,254

 
Total operating lease liabilities
$
173,598

 
 
 
 
Finance leases:
 
 
Investments in real estate, net
$
120

(1) 
 
 
 
Property, plant and equipment, at cost
$
127

 
Accumulated amortization
(13
)
 
Property and equipment, net
$
114

 
 
 
 
Current portion of notes payable and long-term debt
$
110

 
Notes payable, long-term debt and other obligations, less current portion
120

 
Total finance lease liabilities
$
230

 
 
 
 
Weighted average remaining lease term:
 
 
Operating leases
8.63

 
Finance leases
3.00

 
 
 
 
Weighted average discount rate:
 
 
Operating leases
10.78
%
 
Finance leases
8.41
%
 
(1)  
Included in Investments in real estate, net on the condensed consolidated balance sheet are financing lease equipment, at cost of $762 and accumulated amortization of $642 as of September 30, 2019.


20
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Unaudited


As of September 30, 2019, maturities of lease liabilities were as follows:
 
Operating Leases
 
Finance
 Leases
Year Ending December 31:
 

 
 

Remainder of 2019
$
9,965

 
$
39

2020
35,876

 
98

2021
33,786

 
44

2022
31,339

 
39

2023
29,295

 
31

2024
23,905

 
8

Thereafter
114,702

 
—

Total lease payments
278,868

 
259

 Less imputed interest
(105,270
)
 
(29
)
Total
$
173,598

 
$
230



Under ASC 840, Leases, future minimum lease payments under noncancelable operating leases as of December 31, 2018 were as follows:

 
Lease
Commitments
 
Sublease
Rentals
 
Net
Year Ending December 31:
 

 
 

 
 

2019
$
35,973

 
$
69

 
$
35,904

2020
29,917

 
—

 
29,917

2021
27,592

 
—

 
27,592

2022
25,185

 
—

 
25,185

2023
23,589

 
—

 
23,589

Thereafter
104,126

 
—

 
104,126

Total
$
246,382

 
$
69

 
$
246,313



The Company has one lease for office space wherein the lessor is an affiliate of a significant shareholder of the Company. This lease represents $1,368 of the ROU asset balances and $1,429 of lease liability balances as of September 30, 2019. The rent expense for this lease was approximately $115 and $344 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019.
As of September 30, 2019, the Company had $2,392 in undiscounted lease payments relating to additional operating leases for office space and equipment that have not yet commenced. The operating leases will commence in the fourth quarter of 2019 with lease terms ranging from 1.6 to 5 years.


21
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Unaudited


4.
INVENTORIES

Inventories consisted of:
 
September 30,
2019
 
December 31,
2018
Leaf tobacco
$
46,706

 
$
42,917

Other raw materials
4,318

 
3,750

Work-in-process
856

 
1,931

Finished goods
69,337

 
63,937

Inventories at current cost
121,217

 
112,535

LIFO adjustments
(22,038
)
 
(21,538
)
 
$
99,179

 
$
90,997



All of the Company’s inventories at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 are reported under the LIFO method. The $22,038 LIFO adjustment as of September 30, 2019 decreases the current cost of inventories by $15,432 for Leaf tobacco, $219 for Other raw materials, $25 for Work-in-process and $6,362 for Finished goods. The $21,538 LIFO adjustment as of December 31, 2018 decreased the current cost of inventories by $14,932 for Leaf tobacco, $219 for Other raw materials, $25 for Work-in-process and $6,362 for Finished goods.

Liggett enters into purchase commitments with third-party providers for leaf tobacco. The future quantities of leaf tobacco and prices are established at the date of the commitments. At September 30, 2019, Liggett had tobacco purchase commitments of approximately $17,318. Liggett has a single source supply agreement for reduced ignition propensity cigarette paper through 2019.

Each period, the Company capitalizes in inventory the portion of its MSA liability that relates to cigarettes shipped to public warehouses but not sold. The amount of capitalized MSA cost in “Finished goods” inventory was $18,758 and $16,001 at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. Federal excise tax capitalized in inventory was $27,674 and $26,419 at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.


5.
INVESTMENT SECURITIES AT FAIR VALUE

Investment securities at fair value consisted of the following:
 
September 30,
2019
 
December 31, 2018
Debt securities available for sale
$
94,567

 
$
84,367

Equity securities at fair value
46,123

 
47,202

Total investment securities at fair value
$
140,690

 
$
131,569



Net (losses) gains recognized on investment securities were as follows:
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
Net (losses) gains recognized on equity securities
$
(1,506
)
 
$
(797
)
 
$
5,545

 
$
(306
)
Net gains (losses) recognized on debt securities available for sale
25

 
(4
)
 
67

 
(17
)
Gross realized losses on other-than-temporary impairments
(6
)
 
(161
)
 
(11
)
 
(972
)
Net (losses) gains recognized on investment securities
$
(1,487
)
 
$
(962
)
 
$
5,601

 
$
(1,295
)


22
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Unaudited


 
Sales of investment securities totaled $16,186 and $14,895 and proceeds from early redemptions by issuers totaled $46,626 and $18,192 for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively, mainly from the sales and redemptions of Corporate securities and U.S. Government securities.
    
(a) Debt Securities Available for Sale
The components of debt securities available for sale at September 30, 2019 were as follows:

 
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
Marketable debt securities
$
93,730

 
$
837

 
$
—

 
$
94,567

Total debt securities available for sale
$
93,730

 
$
837

 
$
—

 
$
94,567




The table below summarizes the maturity dates of debt securities available for sale at September 30, 2019.

Investment Type:
Fair Value
 
Under 1 Year
 
1 Year up to 5 Years
 
More than 5 Years
U.S. Government securities
$
17,543

 
$
7,090

 
$
10,453

 
$
—

Corporate securities
50,159

 
20,328

 
29,831

 
—

U.S. mortgage-backed securities
10,361

 
3,053

 
7,308

 
—

Commercial mortgage-backed securities
388

 
24

 
364

 
—

Commercial paper
13,934

 
13,934

 
—

 
—

Index-linked U.S. bonds
1,174

 
1,174

 
—

 
—

Foreign fixed-income securities
1,008

 
500

 
508

 
—

Total debt securities available for sale by maturity dates
$
94,567

 
$
46,103

 
$
48,464

 
$
—



The components of debt securities available for sale at December 31, 2018 were as follows:

 
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
Marketable debt securities
$
84,199

 
$
168

 
$
—

 
$
84,367

Total debt securities available for sale
$
84,199

 
$
168

 
$
—

 
$
84,367



There were no available-for-sale debt securities with continuous unrealized losses for less than 12 months and 12 months or greater at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.


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

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Unaudited


Gross realized gains and losses on debt securities available for sale were as follows:

 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
Gross realized gains on sales
$
27

 
$
1

 
$
74

 
$
3

Gross realized losses on sales
(2
)
 
(5
)
 
(7
)
 
(20
)
Net gains (losses) recognized on debt securities available for sale
$
25

 
$
(4
)
 
$
67

 
$
(17
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross realized losses on other-than-temporary impairments
$
(6
)
 
$
(161
)
 
$
(11
)
 
$
(972
)
 

 

 

 



Although management generally does not have the intent to sell any specific securities at the end of the period, in the ordinary course of managing the Company’s investment securities portfolio, management may sell securities prior to their maturities for a variety of reasons, including diversification, credit quality, yield and liquidity requirements.

(b) Equity Securities at Fair Value
Equity securities at fair value consisted of the following:
 
September 30,
2019
 
December 31, 2018
Marketable equity securities
$
23,909

 
$
26,010

Mutual funds invested in fixed income securities
22,214

 
21,192

Total equity securities at fair value
$
46,123

 
$
47,202


The following is a summary of unrealized and realized net gains and losses recognized in net income on equity securities at fair value during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively:

 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
Net (losses) gains recognized on equity securities (1)
$
(1,506
)
 
$
(797
)
 
$
5,545

 
$
(306
)
Less: Net gains (losses) recognized on equity securities sold (2)
58

 
(717
)
 
468

 
(534
)
Net unrealized (losses) gains recognized on equity securities still held at the reporting date
$
(1,564
)
 
$
(80
)
 
$
5,077

 
$
228

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1) 
Includes $781 of net losses and $405 of net gains recognized on equity securities at fair value that qualify for the net asset value (“NAV”) practical expedient during the three months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively, and $4,689 and $3,641 of net gains recognized on equity securities at fair value that qualify for the NAV practical expedient during the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively. These equity securities are included in the “Long-term investments” line item on the condensed consolidated balance sheet and are further discussed in Note 6.
(2) 
Includes $84 of net gains recognized on sales of equity securities at fair value that qualify for the NAV practical expedient during the three months ended September 30, 2018, and $649 of gains and $84 of net gains recognized on sales of equity securities at fair value that qualify for the NAV practical expedient during the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively. These equity securities are included in the “Long-term investments” line item on the condensed consolidated balance sheet and are further discussed in Note 6.


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

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Unaudited


The Company’s marketable equity securities and mutual funds invested in fixed-income securities are classified as Level 1 under the fair value hierarchy disclosed in Note 12. Their fair values are based on quoted prices for identical assets in active markets or inputs that are based upon quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets.
    
(c) Equity Securities Without Readily Determinable Fair Values That Do Not Qualify for the NAV Practical Expedient

Equity securities without readily determinable fair values that do not qualify for the NAV practical expedient consisted of investments in the common stock of a reinsurance company and membership units of a real estate limited liability company at September 30, 2019. As of December 31, 2018, the Company owned an investment in the common stock of a reinsurance company. The total carrying value of these investments was $6,000 and $5,000 and was included in “Other assets” on the condensed consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. No impairment or other adjustments related to observable price changes in orderly transactions for identical or similar investments were identified for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

6.
LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS

Long-term investments consisted of the following:
 
September 30, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
Equity securities at fair value that qualify for the NAV practical expedient
$
52,384

 
$
54,628

Equity-method investments
14,531

 
11,631

 
$
66,915

 
$
66,259



(a) Equity Securities at Fair Value That Qualify for the NAV Practical Expedient

The estimated fair value of the Company’s equity securities at fair value that qualify for the NAV practical expedient was provided by the partnerships based on the indicated market values of the underlying assets or investment portfolio. 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. In accordance with Subtopic 820-10, these investments are not classified under the fair value hierarchy disclosed in Note 12 because they are investments measured at fair value using the NAV practical expedient.


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

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Unaudited



(b) Equity-Method Investments:

Equity-method investments consisted of the following:
 
September 30,
2019
 
December 31, 2018
Indian Creek Investors LP (“Indian Creek”)
$
665

 
$
1,167

Boyar Value Fund (“Boyar”)
9,362

 
8,384

Optika Fund LLC (“Optika”)
4,504

 
—

Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services Inc. (“LTS”)
—

 
2,080

Castle Brands, Inc. (“Castle”)
—

 
—

 
$
14,531

 
$
11,631




At September 30, 2019, the Company’s ownership percentages in Indian Creek, Boyar, LTS and Castle were 12.47%, 35.65%, 10.22% and 7.62%, respectively. During the third quarter of 2019, the Company contributed $5,000 to Optika and its ownership percentage in the fund was 10.76% at September 30, 2019. The Company accounted for its Indian Creek, Boyar and Optika interests as equity-method investments because the Company’s ownership percentage meets the threshold for equity-method accounting. The Company accounted for its LTS and Castle interests as equity-method investments because the Company has the ability to exercise significant influence over their operating and financial policies.
The fair value of the investment in Boyar, based on the quoted market price as of September 30, 2019, was $9,362, equal to its carrying value. At September 30, 2019, the aggregate fair values of the LTS and Castle investments, based on the quoted market price, were $36,003 and $16,248, respectively.
The Company received cash distributions of $1,495 and $1,231 from the Company’s equity-method investments for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The Company recognized equity in losses from equity-method investments of $468 and equity in earnings from equity-method investments of $3,230 for the three months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The Company recognized equity in losses from equity-method investments of $791 and equity in earnings from equity method investments of $9,205 for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The Company has suspended its recognition of equity in losses from LTS and Castle to the extent such losses exceed its basis.
On October 9, 2019, Castle was acquired pursuant to a cash tender offer of $1.27 per outstanding Common Share and,  in connection therewith, the Company tendered the entire amount of its 12,895,017 common shares of Castle.  The Company received $16,377 in October 2019 from the transaction that will be recognized in the fourth quarter.  At the closing of the transaction, the Company’s Executive Vice President resigned as President and Chief Executive Officer of Castle and the Company’s management agreement with Castle was cancelled.
If it is determined that an other-than-temporary decline in fair value exists in equity-method investments, the Company records an impairment charge with respect to such investment in its condensed consolidated statements of operations. The Company will continue to perform additional assessments to determine the impact, if any, on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements. Thus, future impairment charges may occur.
The equity-method investments are carried on the condensed consolidated balance sheet at cost under the equity method of accounting. The fair values disclosed above for Boyar, LTS and Castle would be classified as Level 1 under the fair value hierarchy disclosed in Note 12 if such assets were recorded on the condensed consolidated balance sheet at fair value. The fair values are based on quoted prices for identical assets in active markets or inputs that are based upon quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets.
The estimated fair value of the Company’s investments in Indian Creek and Optika represents the NAV per share and was provided by the partnership based on the indicated market value of the underlying assets or investment portfolio. The investments are illiquid and their ultimate realization is subject to the performance of the underlying partnership and their management by the general partners. In accordance with Subtopic 820-10, these investments would not be classified under the fair value hierarchy disclosed in Note 12 if the assets were recorded on the condensed consolidated balance sheet at fair value because they are measured at fair value using the NAV practical expedient.

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

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Unaudited



7.
NEW VALLEY LLC

Investments in real estate ventures:

New Valley holds equity investments in various real estate projects domestically and internationally. The majority of New Valley’s investment in real estate ventures were located in the New York City Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area (“SMSA”). New Valley aggregates the disclosure of its investments in real estate ventures by property type and operating characteristics.

The components of “Investments in real estate ventures” were as follows:
 
Range of Ownership (1)
 
September 30, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
Condominium and Mixed Use Development:
 
 
 
 
 
            New York City SMSA
3.1% - 49.5%
 
$
85,221

 
$
65,007

            All other U.S. areas
15.0% - 48.5%
 
48,091

 
31,392

 
 
 
133,312

 
96,399

Apartment Buildings:
 
 
 
 
 
            All other U.S. areas
7.6% - 16.3%
 
—

 
—

 
 
 
—

 
—

Hotels:
 
 
 
 
 
            New York City SMSA
1.0% - 18.4%
 
2,513

 
15,782

            International
49.0%
 
2,405

 
2,334

 
 
 
4,918

 
18,116

Commercial:
 
 
 
 
 
            New York City SMSA
49.0%
 
1,968

 
1,867

            All other U.S. areas
1.6%
 
7,468

 
7,053

 
 
 
9,436

 
8,920

 
 
 
 
 
 
Other:
15.0% - 50.0%
 
11,903

 
17,670

Investments in real estate ventures
 
 
$
159,569

 
$
141,105

______________________
(1) The Range of Ownership reflects New Valley’s estimated current ownership percentage. New Valley’s actual ownership percentage as well as the percentage of earnings and cash distributions may ultimately differ as a result of a number of factors including potential dilution, financing or admission of additional partners.


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

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Unaudited


Contributions:

The components of New Valley’s contributions to its investments in real estate ventures were as follows:
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
2019
 
2018
Condominium and Mixed Use Development:
 
 
 
            New York City SMSA
$
21,760

 
$
1,158

            All other U.S. areas
14,000

 
—

 
35,760

 
1,158

Apartment Buildings:
 
 
 
            New York City SMSA
—

 
522

 
—

 
522

Hotels:
 
 
 
            New York City SMSA
172

 
167

 
172

 
167

 
 
 
 
Other:
337

 
4,285

Total contributions
$
36,269

 
$
6,132



During the nine months ended September 30, 2019, New Valley did not make certain capital contributions to Monad Terrace, a Condominium and Mixed Use Development located in All other U.S. areas. The Company’s ownership percentage was reduced from 18% to 17% for the nine months ended September 30, 2019. For other ventures where New Valley previously held an investment, New Valley contributed its proportionate share of additional capital along with contributions by the other investment partners during the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018. New Valley’s direct investment percentage for these ventures did not significantly change. 


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

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Unaudited


Distributions:

The components of distributions received by New Valley from its investments in real estate ventures were as follows:
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
2019
 
2018
Condominium and Mixed Use Development:
 
 
 
            New York City SMSA
$
3,380

 
$
38,860

            All other U.S. areas
1,279

 
—

 
4,659

 
38,860

Apartment Buildings:
 
 
 
            All other U.S. areas
79

 
295

 
79

 
295

Hotels:
 
 
 
            New York City SMSA
21,572

 
—

 
21,572

 
—

Commercial:
 
 
 
            New York City SMSA
13

 
9

            All other U.S. areas
160

 
10,072

 
173

 
10,081

 
 
 
 
Other
8,088

 
657

Total distributions
$
34,571

 
$
49,893



Of the distributions received by New Valley from its investment in real estate ventures, $3,637 and $12,074 were from distributions of earnings for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively, and $30,934 and $37,819 were a return of capital for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Distributions from earnings are included in cash from operations in the Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows, while distributions that are returns of capital are included in cash flows from investing activities in the Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2019, New Valley’s Park Lane joint venture sold 80% of its interest in the Park Lane Hotel, a Hotel located in the New York City SMSA. New Valley recognized equity in earnings of $10,328 from the sale and received distributions of $20,788 for the nine months ended September 30, 2019, respectively. The sale reduced New Valley’s direct ownership percentage of the Park Lane Hotel from 5.2% to 1.0%. New Valley continues to account for its investment in the joint venture under the equity method of accounting because its ownership percentage in its direct investment continues to meet the threshold for equity method accounting.

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

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Unaudited



Equity in Earnings (Losses) from Real Estate Ventures:

New Valley recognized equity in earnings (losses) from real estate ventures as follows:
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
Condominium and Mixed Use Development:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
            New York City SMSA
$
2,099

 
$
1,732

 
$
(1,127
)
 
$
(1,880
)
            All other U.S. areas
4,600

 
(151
)
 
2,234

 
(976
)
 
6,699

 
1,581

 
1,107

 
(2,856
)
Apartment Buildings:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
            New York City SMSA
—

 
(1,267
)
 
—

 
(4,550
)
            All other U.S. areas
76

 
156

 
79

 
142

 
76

 
(1,111
)
 
79

 
(4,408
)
Hotels:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
            New York City SMSA
(102
)
 
(749
)
 
8,132

 
(2,200
)
            International
434

 
206

 
70

 
(362
)
 
332

 
(543
)
 
8,202

 
(2,562
)
Commercial:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
            New York City SMSA
(149
)
 
(228
)
 
114

 
(617
)
            All other U.S. areas
146

 
273

 
517

 
1,416

 
(3
)
 
45

 
631

 
799

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other:
946

 
322

 
1,983

 
649

Equity in earnings (losses) from real estate ventures
$
8,050

 
$
294

 
$
12,002

 
$
(8,378
)


As part of the Company’s ongoing assessment of the carrying values of its investments in real estate ventures, the Company determined that the fair value of four New York City SMSA and one All other U.S. areas Condominium and Mixed Use Development ventures were less than their carrying value as of September 30, 2019. The Company determined that the impairment was other than temporary. The Company recorded an impairment charge as a component of equity in earnings from real estate ventures of $4,445 and $8,311 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, respectively.
As part of the Company’s ongoing assessment of the carrying values of its investments in real estate ventures, the Company determined that the fair value of a New York City SMSA Condominium and Mixed Use Development venture was less than its carrying value as of September 30, 2018. The Company determined that the impairment was other than temporary. The Company recorded an impairment charge as a component of equity in losses from real estate ventures of $2,700 and $10,174, of which $2,113 and $8,467 were attributed to the Company for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively.
Investment in Real Estate Ventures Entered into during 2019:

In February 2019, New Valley invested $500 for an approximate 37.0% interest in 352 6th, LLC. The joint venture plans to develop a condominium complex. The venture is a variable interest entity; however, New Valley is not the primary beneficiary. New Valley accounts for this investment under the equity method of accounting. New Valley's maximum exposure to loss as a result of its investment in 352 6th, LLC was $529 at September 30, 2019.
In April 2019, New Valley invested $10,018 for an approximate 17.0% interest in Meatpacking Plaza. The joint venture plans to construct a mixed use development. The venture is a variable interest entity; however, New Valley is not the primary beneficiary. New Valley accounts for this investment under the equity method of accounting. New Valley's maximum exposure to loss as a result of its investment in Meatpacking Plaza was $10,487 at September 30, 2019.
Also in April 2019, New Valley invested $5,000 for an approximate 5.5% interest in 9 DeKalb. The joint venture plans to develop a mixed use development. The venture is a variable interest entity; however, New Valley is not the primary beneficiary.

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

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Unaudited


New Valley accounts for this investment under the equity method of accounting. New Valley's maximum exposure to loss as a result of its investment in 9 DeKalb was $5,234 at September 30, 2019.
In September 2019, New Valley invested $14,000 for an approximate 38.9% interest in The Park on Fifth (500 Alton Rd). The joint venture plans to construct a mixed use development. The venture is a variable interest entity; however, New Valley is not the primary beneficiary. New Valley accounts for this investment under the equity method of accounting. New Valley's maximum exposure to loss as a result of its investment in The Park on Fifth (500 Alton Rd) was $14,000 at September 30, 2019.
VIE Consideration:

The Company has determined that New Valley is the primary beneficiary of two real estate ventures because it controls the activities that most significantly impact economic performance of each of the two real estate ventures. Consequently, New Valley consolidates these variable interest entities (“VIEs”).

The carrying amount of the consolidated assets of the VIEs was $976 and $1,387 as of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. Those assets are owned by the VIEs, not the Company. Neither of the two consolidated VIEs had recourse liabilities as of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018. A VIE’s assets can only be used to settle obligations of that VIE. The VIEs are not guarantors of the Company’s senior notes and other debts payable.

For the remaining investments in real estate ventures, New Valley determined that the entities were VIEs but New Valley was not the primary beneficiary. Therefore, New Valley’s investment in such real estate ventures has been accounted for under the equity method of accounting.

Maximum Exposure to Loss:

New Valley’s maximum exposure to loss from its investments in real estate ventures consisted of the net carrying value of the venture adjusted for any future capital commitments and/or guarantee arrangements. The maximum exposure to loss was as follows:
 
September 30, 2019
Condominium and Mixed Use Development:
 
            New York City SMSA
$
90,143

            All other U.S. areas
60,591

 
150,734

Hotels:
 
            New York City SMSA
2,513

            International
2,405

 
4,918

Commercial:
 
            New York City SMSA
1,968

            All other U.S. areas
7,468

 
9,436

 
 
Other:
26,535

Total maximum exposure to loss
$
191,623



New Valley capitalized $1,703 and $4,706 of interest costs into the carrying value of its ventures whose projects were currently under development for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019. New Valley capitalized $2,246 and $6,549 of interest costs into the carrying value of its venture whose projects were currently under development for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018.


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

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Unaudited


Douglas Elliman has been engaged by the developers as the sole broker or the co-broker for several of the real estate ventures that New Valley owns an interest. Douglas Elliman earned gross commissions of approximately $15,394 and $16,603 from these projects for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
On November 1, 2019, Douglas Elliman sold its 50% interest in Innova Risk Management, an insurance brokerage company. Douglas Elliman received $8,732 in cash in November 2019 and may receive an additional $1,000 in a potential earn out over a period of two years.

Combined Financial Statements for Unconsolidated Subsidiaries:
The following summarized financial data for certain unconsolidated subsidiaries that meet certain thresholds pursuant to SEC Regulation S-X Rule 210.10-01(b) includes information for the 125 Greenwich Street investment. New Valley has elected a one-month lag reporting period for the investment.

Condominium and Mixed Use Development:
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
Income Statement
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenue
$
1

 
$
6

 
$
4

 
$
27

Other expenses
495

 
745

 
3,250

 
145,223

Loss from continuing operations
$
(494
)
 
$
(739
)
 
$
(3,246
)
 
$
(145,196
)


Investments in Real Estate, net:

The components of “Investments in real estate, net” were as follows:
 
September 30,
2019
 
December 31,
2018
Escena, net
$
10,049

 
$
10,170

Sagaponack
17,960

 
16,050

            Investments in real estate, net
$
28,009

 
$
26,220



Escena.  The assets of “Escena, net” were as follows:
 
September 30,
2019
 
December 31,
2018
Land and land improvements
$
8,910

 
$
8,910

Building and building improvements
1,926

 
1,900

Other
1,680

 
2,162

 
12,516

 
12,972

Less accumulated depreciation
(2,467
)
 
(2,802
)
 
$
10,049

 
$
10,170



New Valley recorded operating losses of $965 and $918 for the three months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively, from Escena. New Valley recorded operating losses of $633 and $408 for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively, from Escena.

Investment in Sagaponack. In April 2015, New Valley invested $12,502 in a residential real estate project located in Sagaponack, NY. The project is wholly-owned and the balances of the project are included in the condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company. As of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the assets of Sagaponack consisted of land and land improvements of $17,960 and $16,050, respectively.


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

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Unaudited


8.
NOTES PAYABLE, LONG-TERM DEBT AND OTHER OBLIGATIONS

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

 
September 30,
2019
 
December 31,
2018
Vector:
 
 
 
6.125% Senior Secured Notes due 2025
$
850,000

 
$
850,000

10.5% Senior Notes due 2026
325,000

 
325,000

7.5% Variable Interest Senior Convertible Notes due 2019, net of unamortized discount of $0 and $3,359*
—

 
226,641

5.5% Variable Interest Senior Convertible Debentures due 2020, net of unamortized discount of $13,107 and $29,465*
218,893

 
202,535

Liggett:
 
 
 
Revolving credit facility
11,735

 
28,381

Term loan under credit facility
2,188

 
2,409

Equipment loans
446

 
1,039

Other
30,224

 
30,440

Notes payable, long-term debt and other obligations
1,438,486

 
1,666,445

Less:
 
 
 
Debt issuance costs
(20,378
)
 
(23,614
)
Total notes payable, long-term debt and other obligations
1,418,108

 
1,642,831

Less:
 
 
 
Current maturities
(239,867
)
 
(256,134
)
Amount due after one year
$
1,178,241

 
$
1,386,697

______________________
* The fair value of the derivatives embedded within the 7.5% Variable Interest Senior Convertible Notes ($0 at September 30, 2019 and $6,635 at December 31, 2018, respectively) and the 5.5% Variable Interest Senior Convertible Debentures ($11,105 at September 30, 2019 and $24,789 at December 31, 2018, respectively), is separately classified as a derivative liability in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

6.125% Senior Secured Notes due 2025 — Vector:
As of September 30, 2019, the Company was in compliance with all debt covenants related to its 6.125% Senior Secured Notes due 2025.
10.5% Senior Notes due 2026 — Vector:
As of September 30, 2019, the Company was in compliance with all debt covenants related to its 10.5% Senior Notes due 2026.
7.5% Variable Interest Senior Convertible Notes due 2019 — Vector:
In January 2019, the Company paid $230,000 of principal and $8,102 of accrued interest as full payment of its 7.5% Variable Interest Senior Convertible Notes that matured on January 15, 2019.
5.5% Variable Interest Senior Convertible Debentures due 2020 — Vector:
As of September 30, 2019, the Company was in compliance with all debt covenants related to its 5.5% Variable Interest Senior Convertible Debentures due 2020. The conversion price for the 5.5% Variable Interest Senior Convertible Debentures due 2020 was $20.27 as of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. The number of shares into which each $1,000 of principal amount would be convertible was 49.3363 as of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.
Revolving Credit Facility and Term Loan Under Credit Facility — Liggett:
As of September 30, 2019, a total of $13,923 was outstanding under the revolving and term loan portions of the credit facility. The total outstanding balance under the revolving and term loan portions of the credit facility was classified as current debt as of September 30, 2019. Availability, as determined under the facility, was approximately $45,200 based on eligible collateral at

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

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Unaudited


September 30, 2019. As of September 30, 2019, the Company’s applicable subsidiaries were in compliance with all debt covenants under this revolving and term loan facility.
On October 31, 2019, the Company’s applicable subsidiaries amended the credit facility to, among other things, (i) extend its maturity to January 31, 2025, (ii) update the borrowing base, and (iii) reflect the repayment in full of the term loan facility. Accordingly, the term loan portion of the credit facility no longer exists. As of November 1, 2019, $60,000 was available for borrowing under the Credit Agreement.
Non-Cash Interest Expense — Vector:
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
Amortization of debt discount, net
$
5,746

 
$
22,871

 
$
19,718

 
$
61,450

Amortization of debt issuance costs
1,089

 
3,158

 
3,327

 
8,783


$
6,835

 
$
26,029

 
$
23,045

 
$
70,233



Fair Value of Notes Payable and Long-Term Debt:

 
September 30, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
 
Carrying
 
Fair
 
Carrying
 
Fair
 
Value
 
Value
 
Value
 
Value
Senior Notes
$
1,175,000

 
$
1,145,375

 
$
1,175,000

 
$
1,034,500

Variable Interest Senior Convertible Debt
218,893

 
241,136

 
429,176

 
468,704

Liggett and other
44,593

 
44,605

 
62,269

 
62,255

Notes payable and long-term debt
$
1,438,486

(1)
$
1,431,116

 
$
1,666,445

(1)
$
1,565,459


______________________
(1) The carrying value does not include the carrying value of the embedded derivative. See Note 12.

Notes payable and long-term debt are carried on the condensed consolidated balance sheet at amortized cost. The fair value determinations disclosed above are classified as Level 2 under the fair value hierarchy disclosed in Note 12 if such liabilities were recorded on the condensed consolidated balance sheet at fair value. The estimated fair value of the Company’s notes payable and long-term debt has been determined by the Company using available market information and appropriate valuation methodologies including the evaluation of the Company’s credit risk as described in the Company’s Form 10-K. The Company used a derived price based upon quoted market prices and trade activity as of September 30, 2019 to determine the fair value of its publicly-traded notes and debentures. The carrying value of the revolving credit facility and term loan is equal to the fair value. The fair value of the equipment loans and other obligations was determined by calculating the present value of the required future cash flows. However, considerable judgment is required to develop the estimates of fair value and, accordingly, the estimate presented herein is not necessarily indicative of the amount that could be realized in a current market exchange.



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

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Unaudited


9.
CONTINGENCIES

Tobacco-Related Litigation:
Overview. Since 1954, Liggett and other United States cigarette manufacturers have been named as defendants in numerous direct, third-party and purported class actions predicated on the theory that cigarette manufacturers should be liable for damages alleged to have been caused by cigarette smoking or by exposure to secondary smoke from cigarettes. The cases have generally fallen into the following categories: (i) smoking and health cases alleging personal injury brought on behalf of individual plaintiffs (“Individual Actions”); (ii) lawsuits by individuals requesting the benefit of the Engle ruling (“Engle progeny cases”); (iii) smoking and health cases primarily alleging personal injury or seeking court-supervised programs for ongoing medical monitoring, as well as cases alleging that use of the terms “lights” and/or “ultra lights” constitutes a deceptive and unfair trade practice, common law fraud or violation of federal law, purporting to be brought on behalf of a class of individual plaintiffs (“Class Actions”); and (iv) health care cost recovery actions brought by various foreign and domestic governmental plaintiffs and non-governmental plaintiffs seeking reimbursement for health care expenditures allegedly caused by cigarette smoking and/or disgorgement of profits (“Health Care Cost Recovery Actions”). The future financial impact of the risks and expenses of litigation are not quantifiable. For the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, Liggett incurred tobacco product liability legal expenses and costs totaling $5,627 and $5,256, respectively. The tobacco product liability legal expenses and costs are included in the operating, selling, administrative and general expenses and litigation settlement and judgment expense line items in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. Legal defense costs are expensed as incurred.
Litigation is subject to uncertainty and it is possible that there could be adverse developments in pending cases. With the commencement of new cases, the defense costs and the risks relating to the unpredictability of litigation increase. Management reviews on a quarterly basis with counsel all pending litigation and evaluates the probability of a loss being incurred and whether an estimate can be made of the possible loss or range of loss that could result from an unfavorable outcome. An unfavorable outcome or settlement of pending tobacco-related litigation could encourage the commencement of additional litigation. Damages awarded in tobacco-related litigation can be significant.
Bonds. Although Liggett has been able to obtain required bonds or relief from bonding requirements in order to prevent plaintiffs from seeking to collect judgments while adverse verdicts are on appeal, there remains a risk that such relief may not be obtainable in all cases. This risk has been reduced given that a majority of states now limit the dollar amount of bonds or require no bond at all. As of September 30, 2019, to obtain a stay of the judgment pending the appeal of the Santoro case, Liggett had secured $535 in bonds.
In June 2009, Florida amended its existing bond cap statute by adding a $200,000 bond cap that applies to all Engle progeny cases in the aggregate and establishes individual bond caps for individual Engle progeny cases in amounts that vary depending on the number of judgments in effect at a given time. The maximum amount of any such bond for an appeal in the Florida state courts will be no greater than $5,000. In several cases, plaintiffs challenged the constitutionality of the bond cap statute, but to date the courts have upheld the constitutionality of the statute. It is possible that the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations, and cash flows could be materially adversely affected by an unfavorable outcome of such challenges.
Accounting Policy. The Company and its subsidiaries record provisions in their consolidated financial statements for pending litigation when they determine that an unfavorable outcome is probable and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. At the present time, while it is reasonably possible that an unfavorable outcome in a case may occur, except as discussed in this Note 9: (i) management has concluded that it is not probable that a loss has been incurred in any of the pending tobacco-related cases; or (ii) management is unable to reasonably estimate the possible loss or range of loss that could result from an unfavorable outcome of any of the pending tobacco-related cases and, therefore, management has not provided any amounts in the consolidated financial statements for unfavorable outcomes, if any.
Although Liggett has generally been successful in managing the litigation filed against it, litigation is subject to uncertainty and significant challenges remain, including with respect to the remaining Engle progeny cases. There can be no assurances that Liggett’s past litigation experience will be representative of future results. Judgments have been entered against Liggett in the past, in Individual Actions and Engle progeny cases, and several of those judgments were affirmed on appeal and satisfied by Liggett. It is possible that the consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the Company could be materially adversely affected by an unfavorable outcome or settlement of any of the remaining smoking-related litigation. Liggett believes, and has been so advised by counsel, that it has valid defenses to the litigation pending against it, as well as valid bases for appeal of adverse verdicts. All such cases are and will continue to be vigorously defended. Liggett has entered into settlement discussions in individual cases or groups of cases where Liggett has determined it was in its best interest to do so, and it may

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

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Unaudited


continue to do so in the future. As cases proceed through the appellate process, the Company will consider accruals on a case-by-case basis if an unfavorable outcome becomes probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated.
Individual Actions
As of September 30, 2019, there were 40 Individual Actions pending against Liggett, where one or more individual plaintiffs allege injury resulting from cigarette smoking, addiction to cigarette smoking or exposure to secondary smoke and seek compensatory and, in some cases, punitive damages. These cases do not include the remaining Engle progeny cases or the individual cases pending in West Virginia state court as part of a consolidated action. The following table lists the number of Individual Actions by state:
State
 
Number
of Cases
Florida
 
25
Illinois
 
7
Louisiana
 
2
New York
 
2
West Virginia
 
2
Nevada
 
1
Ohio
 
1

The plaintiffs’ allegations of liability in cases in which individuals seek recovery for injuries allegedly caused by cigarette smoking are based on various theories of recovery, including negligence, gross negligence, breach of special duty, strict liability, fraud, concealment, misrepresentation, design defect, failure to warn, breach of express and implied warranties, conspiracy, aiding and abetting, concert of action, unjust enrichment, common law public nuisance, property damage, invasion of privacy, mental anguish, emotional distress, disability, shock, indemnity, violations of deceptive trade practice laws, the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (“RICO”), state RICO statutes and antitrust statutes. In many of these cases, in addition to compensatory damages, plaintiffs also seek other forms of relief including treble/multiple damages, medical monitoring, disgorgement of profits and punitive damages. Although alleged damages often are not determinable from a complaint, and the law governing the pleading and calculation of damages varies from state to state and jurisdiction to jurisdiction, compensatory and punitive damages have been specifically pleaded in a number of cases, sometimes in amounts ranging into the hundreds of millions and even billions of dollars.
Defenses raised in Individual Actions include lack of proximate cause, assumption of the risk, comparative fault and/or contributory negligence, lack of design defect, statute of limitations, equitable defenses such as “unclean hands” and lack of benefit, failure to state a claim and federal preemption.
Engle Progeny Cases
In May 1994, the Engle case was filed as a class action against Liggett and others in Miami-Dade County, Florida. The class consisted of all Florida residents who, by November 21, 1996, “have suffered, presently suffer or have died from diseases and medical conditions caused by their addiction to cigarette smoking.” A trial was held and the jury returned a verdict adverse to the defendants (approximately $145,000,000 in punitive damages, including $790,000 against Liggett). Following an appeal to the Third District Court of Appeal, the Florida Supreme Court in July 2006 decertified the class on a prospective basis and affirmed the appellate court’s reversal of the punitive damages award. Former class members had until January 2008 to file individual lawsuits. As a result, Liggett and the Company, and other cigarette manufacturers, were sued in thousands of Engle progeny cases in both federal and state courts in Florida. Although the Company was not named as a defendant in the Engle case, it was named as a defendant in substantially all of the Engle progeny cases where Liggett was named as a defendant.
Cautionary Statement About Engle Progeny Cases. Since 2009, judgments have been entered against Liggett and other cigarette manufacturers in Engle progeny cases. A number of the judgments have been affirmed on appeal and satisfied by the defendants. Many have been overturned on appeal. As of September 30, 2019, 25 Engle progeny cases where Liggett was a defendant at trial resulted in verdicts.
There have been 16 verdicts returned in favor of the plaintiffs and nine in favor of Liggett. In five of the cases, punitive damages were awarded against Liggett. Several of the adverse verdicts were overturned on appeal and new trials were ordered. In certain cases, the judgments were entered jointly and severally with other defendants and Liggett may face the risk that one

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

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Unaudited


or more co-defendants decline or otherwise fail to participate in the bonding required for an appeal or to pay their proportionate or jury-allocated share of a judgment. As a result, under certain circumstances, Liggett may have to pay more than its proportionate share of any bonding or judgment related amounts. Except as discussed in this Note 9, management is unable to estimate the possible loss or range of loss from the remaining Engle progeny cases as there are currently multiple defendants in each case and, in most cases, discovery has not occurred or is limited. As a result, the Company lacks information about whether plaintiffs are in fact Engle class members, the relevant smoking history, the nature of the alleged injury and the availability of various defenses, among other things. Further, plaintiffs typically do not specify the amount of their demand for damages. As cases proceed through the appellate process, the Company will consider accruals on a case-by-case basis if an unfavorable outcome becomes probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated.
Engle Progeny Settlements.
In October 2013, the Company and Liggett entered into a settlement with approximately 4,900 Engle progeny plaintiffs and their counsel. Pursuant to the terms of the settlement, Liggett agreed to pay a total of approximately $110,000, with $61,600 paid in an initial lump sum and the balance of $48,000 to be paid in installments over 14 years starting in February 2015. In exchange, the claims of these plaintiffs were dismissed with prejudice against the Company and Liggett. The Company’s future payments will be approximately $3,400 per annum through 2028, with a cost of living increase beginning in 2021.
In December 2016, the Company and Liggett entered into an agreement with 124 Engle progeny plaintiffs and their counsel. Pursuant to the terms of this settlement, Liggett agreed to pay $17,650, $14,000 of which was paid in December 2016 with the balance paid in December 2017. As a result of this settlement, the Company recorded a charge of $17,650 in the fourth quarter of 2016.
In June 2017, Liggett entered into an agreement to settle nine cases (eight Engle progeny cases and one Individual Action) for $1,400 and in September 2017 Liggett entered into an agreement to settle 20 Engle progeny cases for $4,100. As of September 30, 2019, Liggett (and in certain cases the Company) had, on an individual basis, settled an additional 187 Engle progeny cases for approximately $7,700 in the aggregate.
Notwithstanding the comprehensive nature of the Engle Progeny Settlements, 60 plaintiffs’ claims remain pending in state court. Therefore, the Company and Liggett may still be subject to periodic adverse judgments which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

Judgments Paid in Engle Progeny Cases.
As of September 30, 2019, Liggett had paid in the aggregate $39,773, including interest and attorneys’ fees, to satisfy the judgments in the following Engle progeny cases: Lukacs, Campbell, Douglas, Clay, Tullo, Ward, Rizzuto, Lambert and Buchanan. An adverse verdict against Liggett for $160 in Santoro is currently on appeal.
Maryland Cases
Liggett was a defendant in 16 multi-defendant personal injury cases in Maryland alleging claims arising from asbestos and tobacco exposure (“synergy cases”). In July 2016, the Court of Appeals (Maryland’s highest court) ruled that joinder of tobacco and asbestos cases may be possible in certain circumstances, but plaintiffs must demonstrate at the trial court level how such cases may be joined while providing appropriate safeguards to prevent embarrassment, delay, expense or prejudice to defendants and “the extent to which, if at all, the special procedures applicable to asbestos cases should extend to tobacco companies.” The Court of Appeals remanded these issues to be determined at the trial court level. In June 2017, the trial court issued an order dismissing all synergy cases against the tobacco defendants, including Liggett, without prejudice. Plaintiffs may seek appellate review or file new cases against the tobacco companies.

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

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Unaudited


Liggett Only Cases  
There are currently two cases pending where Liggett is the sole defendant: Cowart, a Florida Individual Action and Cohn, an Engle progeny case. Cohn is set for trial in April 2020. It is possible that cases where Liggett is the only defendant could increase as a result of the remaining Engle progeny cases and newly filed Individual Actions.
Class Actions
As of September 30, 2019, three actions were pending for which either a class had been certified or plaintiffs were seeking class certification where Liggett is a named defendant, although the West Virginia case, described below, has been settled, pending final documentation. Other cigarette manufacturers are also named in the two remaining cases.
Plaintiffs’ allegations of liability in class action cases are based on various theories of recovery, including negligence, gross negligence, strict liability, fraud, misrepresentation, design defect, failure to warn, nuisance, breach of express and implied warranties, breach of special duty, conspiracy, concert of action, violation of deceptive trade practice laws and consumer protection statutes and claims under the federal and state anti-racketeering statutes. Plaintiffs in the class actions seek various forms of relief, including compensatory and punitive damages, treble/multiple damages and other statutory damages and penalties, creation of medical monitoring and smoking cessation funds, disgorgement of profits, and injunctive and equitable relief.
Defenses raised in these cases include, among others, lack of proximate cause, individual issues predominate, assumption of the risk, comparative fault and/or contributory negligence, statute of limitations and federal preemption.
In November 1997, in Young v. American Tobacco Co., a purported personal injury class action was commenced on behalf of plaintiff and all similarly situated residents in Louisiana who, though not themselves cigarette smokers, allege they were exposed to secondhand smoke from cigarettes that were manufactured by the defendants, including Liggett, and suffered injury as a result of that exposure. The plaintiffs seek to recover an unspecified amount of compensatory and punitive damages. No class certification hearing has been held. The stay order entered on March 16, 2016 stays the case pending completion of the smoking cessation program ordered by the court in Scott v. The American Tobacco Co.
In February 1998, in Parsons v. AC & S Inc., a purported class action was commenced on behalf of all West Virginia residents who allegedly have claims arising from their exposure to cigarette smoke and asbestos fibers. The operative complaint seeks to recover unspecified compensatory and punitive damages on behalf of the putative class. The case is stayed as a result of the December 2000 bankruptcy of three of the defendants.
Although not technically a class action, in In Re: Tobacco Litigation (Personal Injury Cases), a West Virginia state court consolidated approximately 750 individual smoker actions that were pending prior to 2001 for trial of certain “common” issues. Liggett was severed from that trial. In May 2013, the jury rejected all but one of the plaintiffs’ claims against the non-Liggett defendants, finding in favor of plaintiffs on the claim that ventilated filter cigarettes between 1964 and July 1, 1969 should have included instructions on how to use them. The court entered judgment in October 2013, dismissing all claims against the non-Liggett defendants except the ventilated filter claim on behalf of 30 plaintiffs. Subsequently, these claims were settled by the non-Liggett defendants.
In May 2016, the trial court ruled that the case could proceed against Liggett, notwithstanding the outcome of the first phase of the trial against the non-Liggett defendants. In June 2019, Liggett settled the litigation, subject to court approval. A hearing is scheduled in December 2019. Liggett accrued for this matter in the second quarter of 2019.
Health Care Cost Recovery Actions
As of September 30, 2019, one Health Care Cost Recovery Action was pending against Liggett, Crow Creek Sioux Tribe v. American Tobacco Company, a South Dakota case filed in 1997, where the plaintiff seeks to recover damages from Liggett and other cigarette manufacturers based on various theories of recovery as a result of alleged sales of tobacco products to minors. The case is dormant.
The claims asserted in health care cost recovery actions vary, but can include the equitable claim of indemnity, common law claims of negligence, strict liability, breach of express and implied warranty, breach of special duty, fraud, negligent misrepresentation, conspiracy, public nuisance, claims under state and federal statutes governing consumer fraud, antitrust, deceptive trade practices and false advertising, and claims under RICO. Although no specific damage amounts are typically pleaded, it is possible that requested damages might be in the billions of dollars. In these cases, plaintiffs typically assert equitable claims that the tobacco industry was “unjustly enriched” by their payment of health care costs allegedly attributable to smoking and seek reimbursement of those costs. Relief sought by some, but not all, plaintiffs include punitive damages, multiple damages

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

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Unaudited


and other statutory damages and penalties, injunctions prohibiting alleged marketing and sales to minors, disclosure of research, disgorgement of profits, funding of anti-smoking programs, additional disclosure of nicotine yields, and payment of attorney and expert witness fees.
Department of Justice Lawsuit
In September 1999, the United States government commenced litigation against Liggett and other cigarette manufacturers in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. The action sought to recover, among other things, an unspecified amount of health care costs paid and to be paid by the federal government for smoking-related illnesses allegedly caused by the fraudulent and tortious conduct of defendants. In August 2006, the trial court entered a Final Judgment against each of the cigarette manufacturing defendants, except Liggett. The judgment was affirmed on appeal. As a result, the cigarette manufacturing defendants, other than Liggett, are now subject to the trial court’s Final Judgment which ordered, among other things, the issuance of “corrective statements” in various media regarding the adverse health effects of smoking, the addictiveness of smoking and nicotine, the lack of any significant health benefit from smoking “low tar” or “lights” cigarettes, defendants’ manipulation of cigarette design to ensure optimum nicotine delivery and the adverse health effects of exposure to environmental tobacco smoke.
Upcoming Trials
As of September 30, 2019, there were two Individual Actions and three Engle Progeny cases scheduled for trial through September 30, 2020, where Liggett (and/or the Company) is a named defendant. Trial dates are subject to change and additional cases could be set for trial during this time.
MSA and Other State Settlement Agreements
In March 1996, March 1997 and March 1998, Liggett entered into settlements of smoking-related litigation with 45 states and territories. The settlements released Liggett from all smoking-related claims made by those states and territories, including claims for health care cost reimbursement and claims concerning sales of cigarettes to minors.
In November 1998, Philip Morris, R.J. Reynolds and two other companies (the “Original Participating Manufacturers” or “OPMs”) and Liggett and Vector Tobacco (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 “PMs”) entered into the Master Settlement Agreement (the “MSA”) with 46 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, the United States Virgin Islands, American Samoa and the Northern Mariana Islands (collectively, the “Settling States”) to settle the asserted and unasserted health care cost recovery and certain other claims of the Settling States. The MSA received final judicial approval in each Settling State.
As a result of the MSA, the Settling States released Liggett and Vector Tobacco from:
•
all claims of the Settling States and their respective political subdivisions and other recipients of state health care funds, relating to: (i) past conduct arising out of the use, sale, distribution, manufacture, development, advertising and marketing of tobacco products; (ii) the health effects of, the exposure to, or research, statements or warnings about, tobacco products; and
•
all monetary claims of the Settling States and their respective subdivisions and other recipients of state health care funds relating to future conduct arising out of the use of, or exposure to, tobacco products that have been manufactured in the ordinary course of business.
The MSA restricts tobacco product advertising and marketing within the Settling States and otherwise restricts the activities of PMs. Among other things, the MSA prohibits the targeting of youth in the advertising, promotion or marketing of tobacco products; bans the use of cartoon characters in all tobacco advertising and promotion; limits each PM 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 PMs from licensing third parties to advertise tobacco brand names in any manner prohibited under the MSA; and prohibits PMs from using as a tobacco product brand name any nationally recognized non-tobacco brand or trade name or the names of sports teams, entertainment groups or individual celebrities.
The MSA also requires PMs to affirm corporate principles to comply with the MSA and to reduce underage use of tobacco products and imposes restrictions on lobbying activities conducted on behalf of PMs. In addition, the MSA provides for the appointment of an independent auditor to calculate and determine the amounts of payments owed pursuant to the MSA.

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

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Unaudited


Under the payment provisions of the MSA, PMs are required to make annual payments of $9,000,000 (subject to applicable adjustments, offsets and reductions including a “Non-Participating Manufacturers Adjustment” or “NPM Adjustment”). These annual payments are allocated based on unit volume of domestic cigarette shipments. The payment obligations under the MSA are the several, and not joint, obligation of each PM and are not the responsibility of any parent or affiliate of a PM.
Liggett has no payment obligations under the MSA except to the extent its market share exceeds a market share exemption of approximately 1.65% of total cigarettes sold in the United States. Vector Tobacco has no payment obligations under the MSA except to the extent its market share exceeds a market share exemption of approximately 0.28% of total cigarettes sold in the United States. Liggett and Vector Tobacco’s domestic shipments accounted for 4.0% of the total cigarettes sold in the United States in 2018. If Liggett’s or Vector Tobacco’s market share exceeds their respective market share exemption in a given year, then on April 15 of the following year, Liggett and/or Vector Tobacco, as the case may be, must pay on each excess unit an amount equal (on a per-unit basis) to that due from the OPMs for that year. On December 28, 2018, Liggett and Vector Tobacco pre-paid $132,500 of their approximate $166,000 2018 MSA obligation, the balance of which was paid in April 2019, subject to applicable disputes or adjustments.
Certain MSA Disputes
NPM Adjustment.  Liggett and Vector Tobacco contend that they are entitled to an NPM Adjustment for each year from 2003 - 2018. The NPM Adjustment is a potential adjustment to annual MSA payments, available when PMs suffer a market share loss to NPMs for a particular year and an economic consulting firm selected pursuant to the MSA determines (or the parties agree) that the MSA was a “significant factor contributing to” that loss. A Settling State that has “diligently enforced” its qualifying escrow statute in the year in question may be able to avoid its allocable share of the NPM Adjustment. For 2003 - 2018, Liggett and Vector Tobacco, as applicable, disputed that they owed the Settling States the NPM Adjustments as calculated by the independent auditor. As permitted by the MSA, Liggett and Vector Tobacco either paid subject to dispute, withheld payment, or paid into a disputed payment account, the amounts associated with these NPM Adjustments.
In June 2010, after the PMs prevailed in 48 of 49 motions to compel arbitration, the parties commenced the arbitration for the 2003 NPM Adjustment. That arbitration concluded in September 2013. It was followed by various challenges filed in state courts by states that did not prevail in the arbitration. Those challenges resulted in reductions, but not elimination of, the amounts awarded.
The PMs have now settled most of the disputed NPM Adjustment years with 37 states representing approximately 75% of the MSA share. In January 2019, Montana sent a demand letter to the PMs seeking the return of amounts withheld or paid into the disputed payments escrow account (plus interest) for the NPM Adjustment years 2005 - 2016. Any amounts purportedly due from Liggett to Montana are immaterial. The 2004 NPM Adjustment arbitration started in 2016 and separate court proceedings continue for states with which the PMs have not settled.
As a result of the settlements and arbitration award described above, Liggett and Vector Tobacco reduced cost of sales in the aggregate by $32,840 for years 2013 - 2018. Liggett and Vector Tobacco may be entitled to further adjustments. As of September 30, 2019, Liggett and Vector Tobacco had accrued approximately $13,400 related to the disputed amounts withheld from the non-settling states for 2004 - 2010, which may be subject to payment, with interest, if Liggett and Vector Tobacco lose the disputes for those years. As of September 30, 2019, there remains approximately $36,300 in the disputed payments account relating to Liggett and Vector Tobacco’s 2011 - 2018 NPM Adjustment disputes with the non-settling states. If Liggett and Vector Tobacco lose the disputes for all or any of those years, pursuant to the MSA, no interest would be due on the amounts paid into the disputed payment account.
Other State Settlements.  The MSA replaced Liggett’s prior settlements with all states and territories except for Florida, Mississippi, Texas and Minnesota. Each of these four states, prior to the effective date of the MSA, negotiated and executed settlement agreements with each of the other major tobacco companies, separate from those settlements reached previously with Liggett. Except as described below, Liggett’s agreements with these states remain in full force and effect. These states’ settlement agreements with Liggett contained most favored nation provisions which could reduce Liggett’s payment obligations based on subsequent settlements or resolutions by those states with certain other tobacco companies. Beginning in 1999, Liggett determined that, based on settlements or resolutions with United States Tobacco Company, Liggett’s payment obligations to those four states were eliminated. With respect to all non-economic obligations under the previous settlements, Liggett believes it is entitled to the most favorable provisions as between the MSA and each state’s respective settlement with the other major tobacco companies. Therefore, Liggett’s non-economic obligations to all states and territories are now defined by the MSA.

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

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Unaudited


In 2003, as a result of a dispute with Minnesota regarding its settlement agreement, Liggett agreed to pay $100 a year in any year cigarettes manufactured by Liggett are sold in that state. Further, the Attorneys General for Florida, Mississippi and Texas advised Liggett that they believed Liggett had failed to make payments under the respective settlement agreements with those states. In 2010, Liggett settled with Florida and agreed to pay $1,200 and to make further annual payments of $250 for a period of 21 years, starting in March 2011, with the payments from year 12 forward being subject to an inflation adjustment.
In January 2016, the Attorney General for Mississippi filed a motion in Chancery Court in Jackson County, Mississippi to enforce the March 1996 settlement agreement (the “1996 Agreement”) alleging that Liggett owes Mississippi at least $27,000 in compensatory damages and additional amounts for interest, punitive damages and attorneys’ fees. In April 2017, the Chancery Court ruled that the 1996 Agreement should be enforced and referred the matter to a Special Master for further proceedings to determine the amount of damages, if any, to be awarded.  In June 2018, the Chancery Court granted Liggett’s motion to compel arbitration as to two issues concerning damages and stayed the proceedings before the Special Master pending completion of the arbitration. In March 2019, the arbitration panel issued its final arbitration award on the two issues before it: (i) the panel ruled in favor of Liggett, finding that the $294,000 of proceeds from Eve Holdings’ 1999 brand sale should not be included in Liggett’s pre-tax income; and (ii) ruled in favor of Mississippi on the remaining issue, finding that compensatory damages to Mississippi, if any, would be based on 0.5% of Liggett’s annual pre-tax income for the term of the settlement agreement.  Following confirmation of the arbitration award, Mississippi voluntarily dismissed with prejudice its claims for punitive damages and attorneys’ fees.

In July 2019, the parties stipulated that the unpaid principal (exclusive of interest) purportedly due from Liggett to Mississippi pursuant to the 1996 Agreement (from inception through 2019) is approximately $14,400, subject to Liggett’s right to litigate and/or appeal the enforceability of the 1996 Agreement (and all issues other than the calculation of such principal amount). In September 2019, the Special Master held a hearing regarding the state’s claim for approximately $17,500 in prejudgment interest as well as post-judgment interest in amounts to be determined. A decision is pending.  Liggett continues to believe that the April 2017 Chancery Court order is in error because the most favored nations provision in the 1996 Agreement eliminated all of Liggett’s payment obligations to Mississippi, and reserved all rights to appeal this and other issues at the conclusion of the case. In the event Liggett appeals an adverse judgment, the posting of a bond may be required.
Liggett may be required to make additional payments to Mississippi and Texas which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
Cautionary Statement  
Management is not able to reasonably predict the outcome of the litigation pending or threatened against Liggett or the Company. Litigation is subject to many uncertainties. Liggett has been found liable in multiple Engle progeny cases and Individual Actions, several of which were affirmed on appeal and satisfied by Liggett. It is possible that other cases could be decided unfavorably against Liggett and that Liggett will be unsuccessful on appeal. Liggett may attempt to settle particular cases if it believes it is in its best interest to do so.
Management cannot predict the cash requirements related to any future defense costs, settlements or judgments, including cash required to bond any appeals, and there is a risk that those requirements will not be able to be met. An unfavorable outcome of a pending smoking-related case could encourage the commencement of additional litigation. Except as discussed in this Note 9, management is unable to estimate the loss or range of loss that could result from an unfavorable outcome of the cases pending against Liggett or the costs of defending such cases and as a result has not provided any amounts in its consolidated financial statements for unfavorable outcomes.
The tobacco industry is subject to a wide range of laws and regulations regarding the marketing, sale, taxation and use of tobacco products imposed by local, state and federal governments. There have been a number of restrictive regulatory actions, adverse legislative and political decisions and other unfavorable developments concerning cigarette smoking and the tobacco industry. These developments may negatively affect the perception of potential triers of fact with respect to the tobacco industry, possibly to the detriment of certain pending litigation, and may prompt the commencement of additional litigation or legislation.
It is possible that the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows could be materially adversely affected by an unfavorable outcome in any of the smoking-related litigation.

41
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Unaudited


The activity in the Company’s accruals for the MSA and tobacco litigation for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 was as follows:
 
Current Liabilities
 
Non-Current Liabilities
 
Payments due under Master Settlement Agreement
 
Litigation Accruals
 
Total
 
Payments due under Master Settlement Agreement
 
Litigation Accruals
 
Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance as of January 1, 2019
$
36,561

 
$
310

 
$
36,871

 
$
16,383

 
$
21,794

 
$
38,177

Expenses
125,911

 
895

 
126,806

 
—

 
—

 
—

Change in MSA obligations capitalized as inventory
2,756

 
—

 
2,756

 
—

 
—

 
—

Payments
(31,959
)
 
(355
)
 
(32,314
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

Reclassification to/(from) non-current liabilities
(892
)
 
3,338

 
2,446

 
892

 
(3,338
)
 
(2,446
)
Interest on withholding
—

 
187

 
187

 
—

 
1,600

 
1,600

Balance as of September 30, 2019
$
132,377

 
$
4,375

 
$
136,752

 
$
17,275

 
$
20,056

 
$
37,331

The activity in the Company’s accruals for the MSA and tobacco litigation for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 were as follows:
 
Current Liabilities
 
Non-Current Liabilities
 
Payments due under Master Settlement Agreement
 
Litigation Accruals
 
Total
 
Payments due under Master Settlement Agreement
 
Litigation Accruals
 
Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance as of January 1, 2018
$
12,385

 
$
260

 
$
12,645

 
$
21,479

 
$
19,840

 
$
41,319

Expenses
127,510

 
575

 
128,085

 
—

 
—

 
—

NPM Settlement adjustment
(595
)
 
—

 
(595
)
 
(5,703
)
 
—

 
(5,703
)
Change in MSA obligations capitalized as inventory
605

 
—

 
605

 
—

 
—

 
—

Payments
(9,463
)
 
(825
)
 
(10,288
)
 
(40
)
 
—

 
(40
)
Reclassification to/(from) non-current liabilities
(647
)
 
218

 
(429
)
 
647

 
(218
)
 
429

Interest on withholding
—

 
26

 
26

 
—

 
1,602

 
1,602

Balance as of September 30, 2018
$
129,795

 
$
254

 
$
130,049

 
$
16,383

 
$
21,224

 
$
37,607



Other Matters:
Liggett’s and Vector Tobacco’s management are unaware of any material environmental conditions affecting their existing facilities. Liggett’s and Vector Tobacco’s management believe that current operations are conducted in material compliance with all environmental laws and regulations and other laws and regulations governing cigarette manufacturers. Compliance with federal, state and local provisions regulating the discharge of materials into the environment, or otherwise relating to the protection of the environment, has not had a material effect on the capital expenditures, results of operations or competitive position of Liggett or Vector Tobacco.
Liggett and the Company have received three separate demands for indemnification from Altria Client Services, on behalf of Philip Morris, relating to lawsuits alleging smokers’ use of L&M cigarettes. The indemnification demands are purportedly issued in connection with Eve Holdings’ 1999 sale of certain brands to Philip Morris.

42
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Unaudited


In 2014, Liggett Vector Brands entered into an agreement with a subsidiary of the Convenience Distribution Association to support a program to permit certain tobacco distributors to secure, on reasonable terms, tax stamp bonds required by state and local governments for the distribution of cigarettes. Under the agreement, Liggett Vector Brands agreed to pay a portion of losses incurred by the surety under the bond program, with a maximum loss exposure of $500. In August 2019, Liggett Vector Brands reached an agreement in principle to terminate this program and, in connection with this termination, incurred a charge of $212.
In addition to the foregoing, Douglas Elliman and certain of its subsidiaries are subject to numerous proceedings, lawsuits and claims in connection with their ordinary business activities. Many of these matters are covered by insurance or, in some cases, the company is indemnified by third parties.
Management is of the opinion that the liabilities, if any, resulting from other proceedings, lawsuits and claims pending against the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries, unrelated to tobacco product liability, should not materially affect the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

10.
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

The following table summarizes key information related to the Company’s pension plans and other postretirement benefits:

 
Pension Benefits
 
Pension Benefits
 
Other Postretirement Benefits
 
Other Postretirement Benefits
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
Service cost — benefits earned during the period
$
133

 
$
147

 
$
400

 
$
441

 
$
—

 
$
2

 
$
1

 
$
3

Interest cost on projected benefit obligation
1,215

 
1,124

 
3,645

 
3,370

 
87

 
82

 
260

 
246

Expected return on assets
(1,218
)
 
(1,393
)
 
(3,655
)
 
(4,179
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Amortization of prior service cost
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
1

 
—

 
3

 
—

Amortization of net loss (gain)
500

 
451

 
1,502

 
1,354

 
(9
)
 
(10
)
 
(63
)
 
(30
)
Net expense
$
630

 
$
329

 
$
1,892

 
$
986

 
$
79

 
$
74

 
$
201

 
$
219



The service cost component of net periodic benefit expense is recorded in Operating, selling, administrative and general expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of income while the other components are recorded in Other, net.


43
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Unaudited


11.
INCOME TAXES

The Company’s effective income tax rate is based on expected income, statutory rates, valuation allowances against deferred tax assets, and any tax planning opportunities available to the Company. For interim financial reporting, the Company estimates the annual effective income tax rate based on full year projections and applies the annual effective income tax rate against year-to-date pretax income to record income tax expense, adjusted for discrete items, if any. The Company refines annual estimates as new information becomes available. The Company’s tax rate does not bear a relationship to statutory tax rates due to permanent differences and state taxes.
The Company’s income tax expense consisted of the following:

 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
Income before provision for income taxes
$
49,744

 
$
29,714

 
$
128,292

 
$
67,082

Income tax expense using estimated annual effective income tax rate
14,844

 
15,194

 
38,378

 
33,809

Changes in effective tax rates
(785
)
 
1,895

 
—

 
—

Change in estimate for the impact of Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017
—

 
(162
)
 
—

 
(1,971
)
Impact of discrete items, net
(323
)
 
(2,241
)
 
(434
)
 
(2,444
)
Income tax expense
$
13,736

 
$
14,686

 
$
37,944

 
$
29,394



The discrete items for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 are related to the release of certain valuation allowances offset by tax expense related to state tax audits and stock-based compensation. The discrete items for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 are primarily related to an income tax benefit associated with a state tax credit, the windfall tax benefit from the vesting of a performance-based stock grant, and a change in estimate for the impact of the Tax Act. The Company’s change in estimate for the impact of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 relates to the net impact of increased deductions taken on the Company’s 2017 federal income tax return in conjunction with the Tax Act’s income tax rate reduction from 2017 to 2018.
 

44
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Unaudited


12.
INVESTMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

The Company’s financial assets and liabilities subject to fair value measurements were as follows:

 
 
Fair Value Measurements as of September 30, 2019
 
 
Description
 
Total
 
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets
(Level 1)
 

Significant Other Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
 


Significant Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Total Gains (Losses)
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Money market funds (1)
 
$
255,579

 
$
255,579

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial paper (1)
 
39,011

 
—

 
39,011

 
—

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Certificates of deposit (2)
 
2,186

 
—

 
2,186

 
—

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Money market funds securing legal bonds (2)
 
535

 
535

 
—

 
—

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment securities at fair value
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Equity securities at fair value
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Marketable equity securities
 
23,909

 
23,909

 
—

 
—

 
 
   Mutual funds invested in fixed-income securities
 
22,214

 
22,214

 
—

 
—

 
 
         Total equity securities at fair value
 
46,123

 
46,123

 
—

 
—

 
 
    Debt securities available for sale
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. government securities
 
17,543

 
—

 
17,543

 
—

 
 
Corporate securities
 
50,159

 
—

 
50,159

 
—

 
 
U.S. government and federal agency
 
10,361

 
—

 
10,361

 
—

 
 
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
 
388

 
—

 
388

 
—

 
 
Commercial paper
 
13,934

 
—

 
13,934

 
—

 
 
Index-linked U.S. bonds
 
1,174

 
—

 
1,174

 
—

 
 
Foreign fixed-income securities
 
1,008

 
—

 
1,008

 
—

 
 
Total debt securities available for sale
 
94,567

 
—

 
94,567

 
—

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total investment securities at fair value
 
140,690

 
46,123

 
94,567

 
—

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Long-term investments
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity securities at fair value that qualify for the NAV practical expedient (3)
 
52,384

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
 
Total
 
$
490,385

 
$
302,237

 
$
135,764

 
$
—

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair value of contingent liability
 
$
5,204

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
5,204

 
 
Fair value of derivatives embedded within convertible debt
 
11,105

 
—

 
—

 
11,105

 
 
Total
 
$
16,309

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
16,309

 
 

(1)
Amounts included in Cash and cash equivalents on the condensed consolidated balance sheet, except for $3,660 that is included in Other current assets and $3,910 that is included in Other assets.
(2)
Amounts included in current restricted assets and non-current restricted assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheet.
(3)
In accordance with Subtopic 820-10, investments that are measured at fair value using the NAV practical expedient are not classified in the fair value hierarchy.


45
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Unaudited


 
 
Fair Value Measurements as of December 31, 2018
 
 
Description
 
Total
 
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets
(Level 1)
 

Significant Other Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
 


Significant Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Total Gains (Losses)
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Money market funds (1)
 
$
448,560

 
$
448,560

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial paper (1)
 
46,062

 
—

 
46,062

 
—

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Certificates of deposit (2)
 
2,251

 
—

 
2,251

 
—

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Money market funds securing legal bonds (2)
 
535

 
535

 
—

 
—

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment securities at fair value
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Equity securities at fair value
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Marketable equity securities
 
26,010

 
26,010

 
—

 
—

 
 
   Mutual funds invested in fixed-income securities
 
21,192

 
21,192

 
—

 
—

 
 
         Total equity securities at fair value
 
47,202

 
47,202

 
—

 
—

 
 
    Debt securities available for sale
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. government securities
 
28,514

 
—

 
28,514

 
—

 
 
Corporate securities
 
41,733

 
—

 
41,733

 
—

 
 
U.S. government and federal agency
 
4,369

 
—

 
4,369

 
—

 
 
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
 
401

 
—

 
401

 
—

 
 
Commercial paper
 
5,870

 
—

 
5,870

 
—

 
 
Index-linked U.S. bonds
 
2,330

 
—

 
2,330

 
—

 
 
Foreign fixed-income securities
 
1,150

 
—

 
1,150

 
—

 
 
Total debt securities available for sale
 
84,367

 
—

 
84,367

 
—

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total investment securities at fair value
 
131,569

 
47,202

 
84,367

 
—

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Long-term investments
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity securities at fair value that qualify for the NAV practical expedient (3)
 
54,628

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
 
Total
 
$
683,605

 
$
496,297

 
$
132,680

 
$
—

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair value of contingent liability
 
$
6,304

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
6,304

 
 
Fair value of derivatives embedded within convertible debt
 
31,424

 
—

 
—

 
31,424

 
 
Total
 
$
37,728

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
37,728

 
 

(1)
Amounts included in Cash and cash equivalents on the condensed consolidated balance sheet, except for $2,570 that is included in current restricted assets and $3,910 that is included in non-current restricted assets.
(2)
Amounts included in current restricted assets and non-current restricted assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheet.
(3)
In accordance with Subtopic 820-10, investments that are measured at fair value using the NAV practical expedient are not classified in the fair value hierarchy.

The fair value of the Level 2 certificates of deposit is based on the discounted value of contractual cash flows. The discount rate is the rate offered by the financial institution. The fair value of investment securities at fair value included in Level 1 is based on quoted market prices from various stock exchanges. The Level 2 investment securities at fair value are based on quoted market

46
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Unaudited


prices of securities that are thinly traded, quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that are not active or inputs other than quoted prices such as interest rates and yield curves.
The long-term investments are based on NAV per share provided by the partnerships based on the indicated market value of the underlying assets or investment portfolio. In accordance with Subtopic 820-10, these investments are not classified under the fair value hierarchy disclosed above because they are measured at fair value using the NAV practical expedient.
The fair value of derivatives embedded within convertible debt was derived using a valuation model. These derivatives have been classified as Level 3. The valuation model assumes future dividend payments by the Company and utilizes interest rates and credit spreads based upon the implied credit spread of the 5.5% Convertible Notes due 2020 to determine the fair value of the derivatives embedded within the convertible debt. The changes in fair value of derivatives embedded within convertible debt are presented on the condensed consolidated statements of operations.
The fair value of the Level 3 contingent liability was derived using a Monte Carlo valuation model. As part of the acquisition of the 29.41% non-controlling interest in Douglas Elliman, New Valley entered into a four-year payout agreement that requires it to pay the sellers a portion of the fair value in excess of the purchase price of Douglas Elliman should a sale of a controlling interest in Douglas Elliman occur.
The contingent liability is recorded within “Other liabilities” in the condensed consolidated balance sheet, and any change in fair value will be recorded in “Other, net” within the condensed consolidated statements of operations. The value of the contingent liability is calculated using the outstanding payable owed to the sellers and the estimated fair value of Douglas Elliman. The liability is contingent upon the sale of a controlling interest in Douglas Elliman by the Company prior to October 1, 2022.
The unobservable inputs related to the valuations of the Level 3 assets and liabilities were as follows at September 30, 2019:
 
 
Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements
 
 
Fair Value at
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
September 30,
2019
 
Valuation Technique
 
Unobservable Input
 
Range (Actual)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair value of derivatives embedded within convertible debt
 
$
11,105

 
Discounted cash flow
 
Assumed annual stock dividend
 
5
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assumed remaining cash dividends - Q4 2019 and Q1 2020
 
$0.40/$0.20

 
 
 
 
 
 
Stock price
 
$
11.91

 
 
 
 
 
 
Convertible trading price (as a percentage of par value)
 
103.94
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Volatility
 
42.25
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Risk-free rate
 
Term structure of US Treasury Securities
 
 
 
 
 
 
Implied credit spread
 
1.70% - 3.70% (2.70%)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair value of contingent liability
 
$
5,204

 
Monte Carlo simulation model
 
Estimated fair value of the Douglas Elliman reporting unit
 
$
320,000

 
 
 
 
 
 
Risk-free rate for a 3.25 year term
 
1.54
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Leverage-adjusted equity volatility of peer firms
 
33.91
%

47
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Unaudited



The unobservable inputs related to the valuations of the Level 3 assets and liabilities were as follows at December 31, 2018:
 
 
Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements
 
 
Fair Value at
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31,
2018
 
Valuation Technique
 
Unobservable Input
 
Range (Actual)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair value of derivatives embedded within convertible debt
 
$
31,424

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

 
 
 
 
 
 
Stock price
 
$
9.73

 
 
 
 
 
 
Convertible trading price (as a percentage of par value)
 
100.31
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Volatility
 
20.39
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Risk-free rate
 
Term structure of US Treasury Securities
 
 
 
 
 
 
Implied credit spread
 
8.0% - 9.0% (8.5%)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair value of contingent liability
 
$
6,304

 
Monte Carlo simulation model
 
Estimated fair value of the Douglas Elliman reporting unit
 
$
320,000

 
 
 
 
 
 
Risk-free rate for a 4-year term
 
2.45
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Leverage-adjusted equity volatility of peer firms
 
30.22
%


In addition to assets and liabilities that are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis, the Company is required to record assets and liabilities at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. Generally, assets and liabilities are recorded at fair value on a nonrecurring basis as a result of impairment charges. The Company had no nonrecurring nonfinancial assets subject to fair value measurements as of September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

13.
SEGMENT INFORMATION

The Company’s business segments for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 were Tobacco and Real Estate. The Tobacco segment consisted of the manufacture and sale of conventional cigarettes. The Real Estate segment included the Company’s investment in New Valley LLC, which includes Douglas Elliman, Escena, Sagaponack and investments in real estate ventures. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies.


48
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Unaudited


Financial information for the Company’s operations before taxes and non-controlling interests for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 were as follows:

 
 
 
Real
 
Corporate
 
 
 
Tobacco
 
Estate
 
and Other
 
Total
Three months ended September 30, 2019
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues
$
303,260

 
$
201,530

 
$
—

 
$
504,790

Operating income (loss)
72,799

(1)
628

 
(6,707
)
 
66,720

Equity in earnings from real estate ventures
—

 
8,050

 
—

 
8,050

Depreciation and amortization
1,941

 
2,240

 
249

 
4,430

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three months ended September 30, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues
$
302,009

 
$
211,860

 
$
—

 
$
513,869

Operating income (loss)
63,259

 
9,115

 
(6,356
)
 
66,018

Equity in earnings from real estate ventures
—

 
294

 
—

 
294

Depreciation and amortization
2,059

 
2,398

 
250

 
4,707

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine months ended September 30, 2019
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues
$
854,517

 
$
609,629

 
$
—

 
$
1,464,146

Operating income (loss)
201,594

(2)
4,672

 
(20,712
)
 
185,554

Equity in earnings from real estate ventures
—

 
12,002

 
—

 
12,002

Depreciation and amortization
5,848

 
6,765

 
749

 
13,362

Capital expenditures
3,425

 
6,733

 
—

 
10,158

 


 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine months ended September 30, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues
$
843,958

 
$
580,365

 
$
—

 
$
1,424,323

Operating income (loss)
189,185

(3)
6,222

(4)
(19,444
)
 
175,963

Equity in losses from real estate ventures
—

 
(8,378
)
 
—

 
(8,378
)
Depreciation and amortization
6,171

 
7,105

 
767

 
14,043

Capital expenditures
4,175

 
8,356

 
15

 
12,546

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


(1) 
Operating income includes $240 of litigation settlement and judgment expense.
(2) 
Operating income includes $895 of litigation settlement and judgment expense.
(3)  
Operating income includes $6,298 of income from a settlement of a long-standing dispute related to the Master Settlement Agreement, and $525 of litigation settlement and judgment expense.
(4) 
Operating income includes $2,469 of litigation settlement and judgment income.
     





49
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Unaudited



14. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL INFORMATION

The condensed consolidating financial information is based upon the following subsidiaries being subsidiary guarantors of unsecured debt securities that may be issued by the Company: VGR Holding LLC; Liggett Group LLC; Liggett Vector Brands LLC; Vector Research LLC; Vector Tobacco Inc.; Liggett & Myers Holdings Inc.; 100 Maple LLC; V.T. Aviation LLC; VGR Aviation LLC; Eve Holdings LLC; Zoom E-Cigs LLC; and DER Holdings LLC. Each of the subsidiary guarantors is 100% owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company, and all guarantees are full and unconditional and joint and several. The Company’s investments in its consolidated subsidiaries are presented under the equity method of accounting.
The Company and the guarantors have filed a shelf registration statement for the offering of debt securities on a delayed or continuous basis and the Company is including this condensed consolidating financial information in connection therewith. Any such debt securities may be issued by the Company and guaranteed by the guarantors, but any such debt securities would not be guaranteed by any of the Company’s other subsidiaries, including those subsidiaries other than DER Holdings LLC that are engaged in the real estate businesses conducted through its subsidiary, New Valley.
Presented herein are Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2019 and 2018, the related Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, and the related Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 of Vector Group Ltd. (Parent/Issuer), the guarantor subsidiaries (Subsidiary Guarantors) and the subsidiaries that are not guarantors (Subsidiary Non-Guarantors).





















50
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Unaudited


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS
 
 
 
September 30, 2019
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Subsidiary
 
 
 
Consolidated
 
Parent/
 
Subsidiary
 
Non-
 
Consolidating
 
Vector Group
 
Issuer
 
Guarantors
 
Guarantors
 
Adjustments
 
Ltd.
ASSETS:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
131,517

 
$
108,713

 
$
79,068

 
$
—

 
$
319,298

Investment securities at fair value
140,690

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
140,690

Accounts receivable - trade, net
—

 
17,916

 
24,737

 
—

 
42,653

Intercompany receivables
43,701

 
—

 
—

 
(43,701
)
 
—

Inventories
—

 
99,179

 
—

 
—

 
99,179

Income taxes receivable, net
—

 
—

 
128

 
(128
)
 
—

Other current assets
650

 
7,069

 
24,829

 
—

 
32,548

Total current assets
316,558

 
232,877

 
128,762

 
(43,829
)
 
634,368

Property, plant and equipment, net
343

 
35,217

 
48,372

 
—

 
83,932

Investments in real estate, net
—

 
—

 
28,009

 
—

 
28,009

Long-term investments (of which $52,384 were carried at fair value)
66,915

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
66,915

Investments in real estate ventures
—

 
—

 
159,569

 
—

 
159,569

Operating lease right of use assets
7,358

 
4,933

 
136,096

 
—

 
148,387

Investments in consolidated subsidiaries
450,973

 
247,222

 
—

 
(698,195
)
 
—

Goodwill and other intangible assets, net
—

 
107,511

 
158,523

 
—

 
266,034

Other assets
14,948

 
39,453

 
45,566

 
(497
)
 
99,470

Total assets
$
857,095

 
$
667,213

 
$
704,897

 
$
(742,521
)
 
$
1,486,684

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIENCY:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current portion of notes payable and long-term debt
$
217,894

 
$
21,774

 
$
7,699

 
$
(7,500
)
 
$
239,867

Current portion of fair value of derivatives embedded within convertible debt
11,105

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
11,105

Intercompany payables
—

 
259

 
43,442

 
(43,701
)
 
—

Income taxes payable, net
25,064

 
4,491

 
—

 
(128
)
 
29,427

Current payments due under the Master Settlement Agreement
—

 
132,377

 
—

 
—

 
132,377

Current operating lease liability
693

 
1,949

 
16,702

 
—

 
19,344

Other current liabilities
40,861

 
74,776

 
59,758

 
(673
)
 
174,722

Total current liabilities
295,617

 
235,626

 
127,601

 
(52,002
)
 
606,842

Notes payable, long-term debt and other obligations, less current portion
1,155,622

 
22,594

 
22,525

 
(22,500
)
 
1,178,241

Non-current employee benefits
47,124

 
15,436

 
—

 
—

 
62,560

Deferred income taxes, net
(19,991
)
 
22,048

 
32,321

 
—

 
34,378

Non-current operating lease liability
7,625

 
3,579

 
143,050

 
—

 
154,254

Other liabilities, including litigation accruals and payments due under the Master Settlement Agreement
259

 
42,537

 
41,490

 
(5,204
)
 
79,082

Total liabilities
1,486,256

 
341,820

 
366,987

 
(79,706
)
 
2,115,357

Commitments and contingencies


 


 


 


 


Stockholders' (deficiency) equity attributed to Vector Group Ltd.
(629,161
)
 
325,393

 
337,422

 
(662,815
)
 
(629,161
)
Non-controlling interest
—

 
—

 
488

 
—

 
488

Total stockholders' (deficiency) equity
(629,161
)
 
325,393

 
337,910

 
(662,815
)
 
(628,673
)
Total liabilities and stockholders' deficiency
$
857,095

 
$
667,213

 
$
704,897

 
$
(742,521
)
 
$
1,486,684




51
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Unaudited


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS
 
 
 
December 31, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Subsidiary
 
 
 
Consolidated
 
Parent/
 
Subsidiary
 
Non-
 
Consolidating
 
Vector Group
 
Issuer
 
Guarantors
 
Guarantors
 
Adjustments
 
Ltd.
ASSETS:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
474,880

 
$
23,308

 
$
86,393

 
$
—

 
$
584,581

Investment securities at fair value
131,569

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
131,569

Accounts receivable - trade, net
—

 
15,440

 
18,806

 
—

 
34,246

Intercompany receivables
38,391

 
—

 
—

 
(38,391
)
 
—

Inventories
—

 
90,997

 
—

 
—

 
90,997

Income taxes receivable, net
—

 
—

 
1,268

 
(1,268
)
 
—

Other current assets
1,500

 
7,599

 
21,729

 
—

 
30,828

Total current assets
646,340

 
137,344

 
128,196

 
(39,659
)
 
872,221

Property, plant and equipment, net
506

 
38,562

 
47,668

 
—

 
86,736

Investments in real estate, net
—

 
—

 
26,220

 
—

 
26,220

Long-term investments (of which $54,628 were carried at fair value)
66,259

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
66,259

Investments in real estate ventures
—

 
—

 
141,105

 
—

 
141,105

Investments in consolidated subsidiaries
431,288

 
252,113

 
—

 
(683,401
)
 
—

Goodwill and other intangible assets, net
—

 
107,511

 
159,100

 
—

 
266,611

Other assets
14,616

 
38,154

 
37,582

 
—

 
90,352

Total assets
$
1,159,009

 
$
573,684

 
$
539,871

 
$
(723,060
)
 
$
1,549,504

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIENCY:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current portion of notes payable and long-term debt
$
226,343

 
$
29,480

 
$
311

 
$
—

 
$
256,134

Current portion of fair value of derivatives embedded within convertible debt
6,635

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
6,635

Current portion of employee benefits
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Intercompany payables
—

 
479

 
37,912

 
(38,391
)
 
—

Income taxes payable, net
5,257

 
1,263

 
—

 
(1,268
)
 
5,252

Current payments due under the Master Settlement Agreement
—

 
36,561

 
—

 
—

 
36,561

Other current liabilities
55,915

 
73,279

 
51,144

 
—

 
180,338

Total current liabilities
294,150

 
141,062

 
89,367

 
(39,659
)
 
484,920

Notes payable, long-term debt and other obligations, less current portion
1,354,219

 
2,349

 
30,129

 
—

 
1,386,697

Fair value of derivatives embedded within convertible debt
24,789

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
24,789

Non-current employee benefits
45,615

 
15,673

 
—

 
—

 
61,288

Deferred income taxes, net
(13,084
)
 
17,732

 
32,763

 
—

 
37,411

Other liabilities, including litigation accruals and payments due under the Master Settlement Agreement
1,379

 
38,179

 
62,207

 
—

 
101,765

Total liabilities
1,707,068

 
214,995

 
214,466

 
(39,659
)
 
2,096,870

Commitments and contingencies


 


 


 


 


Stockholders' (deficiency) equity attributed to Vector Group Ltd.
(548,059
)
 
358,689

 
324,712

 
(683,401
)
 
(548,059
)
Non-controlling interest
—

 
—

 
693

 
—

 
693

Total stockholders' (deficiency) equity
(548,059
)
 
358,689

 
325,405

 
(683,401
)
 
(547,366
)
Total liabilities and stockholders' deficiency
$
1,159,009

 
$
573,684

 
$
539,871

 
$
(723,060
)
 
$
1,549,504




52
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Unaudited


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2019
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Subsidiary
 
 
 
Consolidated
 
  Parent/  
 
Subsidiary
 
Non-
 
Consolidating
 
Vector Group
 
  Issuer  
 
Guarantors
 
Guarantors
 
Adjustments
 
        Ltd.        
Revenues
$
—

 
$
303,379

 
$
201,530

 
$
(119
)
 
$
504,790

Expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of sales
—

 
209,192

 
136,264

 
—

 
345,456

Operating, selling, administrative and general expenses
9,490

 
18,376

 
64,627

 
(119
)
 
92,374

Litigation settlement and judgment expense
—

 
240

 
—

 
—

 
240

Management fee expense
—

 
2,993

 
—

 
(2,993
)
 
—

Operating (loss) income
(9,490
)
 
72,578

 
639

 
2,993

 
66,720

Other income (expenses):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
(32,023
)
 
(937
)
 
(228
)
 
225

 
(32,963
)
Change in fair value of derivatives embedded within convertible debt
6,182

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
6,182

Equity in earnings from real estate ventures
—

 
—

 
8,050

 
—

 
8,050

Equity in earnings in consolidated subsidiaries
61,483

 
1,893

 
—

 
(63,376
)
 
—

Management fee income
2,993

 
—

 
—

 
(2,993
)
 
—

Other, net
(655
)
 
1,702

 
1,808

 
(1,100
)
 
1,755

Income before provision for income taxes
28,490

 
75,236

 
10,269

 
(64,251
)
 
49,744

Income tax benefit (expense)
7,518

 
(18,231
)
 
(3,023
)
 
—

 
(13,736
)
Net income
36,008

 
57,005

 
7,246

 
(64,251
)
 
36,008

Net loss attributed to non-controlling interest
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Net income attributed to Vector Group Ltd.
$
36,008

 
$
57,005

 
$
7,246

 
$
(64,251
)
 
$
36,008

Comprehensive loss attributed to non-controlling interest
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

Comprehensive income attributed to Vector Group Ltd.
$
36,352

 
$
57,240

 
$
7,246

 
$
(64,486
)
 
$
36,352




53
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Unaudited


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Subsidiary
 
 
 
Consolidated
 
  Parent/  
 
Subsidiary
 
Non-
 
Consolidating
 
Vector Group
 
  Issuer  
 
Guarantors
 
Guarantors
 
Adjustments
 
        Ltd.        
Revenues
$
—

 
$
302,128

 
$
211,860

 
$
(119
)
 
$
513,869

Expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of sales
—

 
219,769

 
140,533

 
—

 
360,302

Operating, selling, administrative and general expenses
8,915

 
16,497

 
62,256

 
(119
)
 
87,549

Management fee expense
—

 
2,878

 
—

 
(2,878
)
 
—

Operating (loss) income
(8,915
)
 
62,984

 
9,071

 
2,878

 
66,018

Other income (expenses):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
(50,317
)
 
(760
)
 
(7
)
 
—

 
(51,084
)
Change in fair value of derivatives embedded within convertible debt
10,005

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
10,005

Equity in earnings from real estate ventures
—

 
—

 
294

 
—

 
294

Equity in earnings in consolidated subsidiaries
50,102

 
—

 
—

 
(50,102
)
 
—

Management fee income
2,878

 
—

 
—

 
(2,878
)
 
—

Other, net
5,079

 
(940
)
 
342

 
—

 
4,481

Income before provision for income taxes
8,832

 
61,284

 
9,700

 
(50,102
)
 
29,714

Income tax benefit (expense)
3,170

 
(15,885
)
 
(1,971
)
 
—

 
(14,686
)
Net income
12,002

 
45,399

 
7,729

 
(50,102
)
 
15,028

Net income attributed to non-controlling interest
—

 
—

 
(3,026
)
 
—

 
(3,026
)
Net income attributed to Vector Group Ltd.
$
12,002

 
$
45,399

 
$
4,703

 
$
(50,102
)
 
$
12,002

Comprehensive income attributed to non-controlling interest
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
(3,026
)
 
$
—

 
$
(3,026
)
Comprehensive income attributed to Vector Group Ltd.
$
12,320

 
$
45,546

 
$
4,703

 
$
(50,249
)
 
$
12,320




54
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Unaudited


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS


 
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Subsidiary
 
 
 
Consolidated
 
  Parent/  
 
Subsidiary
 
Non-
 
Consolidating
 
Vector Group
 
  Issuer  
 
Guarantors
 
Guarantors
 
Adjustments
 
        Ltd.        
Revenues
$
—

 
$
854,875

 
$
609,629

 
$
(358
)
 
$
1,464,146

Expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of sales
—

 
590,956

 
408,694

 
—

 
999,650

Operating, selling, administrative and general expenses
28,836

 
53,234

 
196,335

 
(358
)
 
278,047

Litigation settlement and judgment expense
—

 
895

 
—

 
—

 
895

Management fee expense
—

 
8,978

 
—

 
(8,978
)
 
—

Operating (loss) income
(28,836
)
 
200,812

 
4,600

 
8,978

 
185,554

Other income (expenses):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
(100,277
)
 
(2,947
)
 
(685
)
 
673

 
(103,236
)
Change in fair value of derivatives embedded within convertible debt
20,319

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
20,319

Equity in earnings from real estate ventures
—

 
—

 
12,002

 
—

 
12,002

Equity in earnings in consolidated subsidiaries
162,911

 
6,617

 
—

 
(169,528
)
 
—

Management fee income
8,978

 
—

 
—

 
(8,978
)
 
—

Other, net
9,307

 
2,302

 
3,144

 
(1,100
)
 
13,653

Income before provision for income taxes
72,402

 
206,784

 
19,061

 
(169,955
)
 
128,292

Income tax benefit (expense)
17,866

 
(50,297
)
 
(5,513
)
 
—

 
(37,944
)
Net income
90,268

 
156,487

 
13,548

 
(169,955
)
 
90,348

Net income attributed to non-controlling interest
—

 
—

 
(80
)
 
—

 
(80
)
Net income attributed to Vector Group Ltd.
$
90,268

 
$
156,487

 
$
13,468

 
$
(169,955
)
 
$
90,268

Comprehensive income attributed to non-controlling interest
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
(80
)
 
$
—

 
$
(80
)
Comprehensive income attributed to Vector Group Ltd.
$
91,798

 
$
157,191

 
$
13,468

 
$
(170,659
)
 
$
91,798




55
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Unaudited


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS


 
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Subsidiary
 
 
 
Consolidated
 
  Parent/  
 
Subsidiary
 
Non-
 
Consolidating
 
Vector Group
 
  Issuer  
 
Guarantors
 
Guarantors
 
Adjustments
 
        Ltd.        
Revenues
$
—

 
$
844,316

 
$
580,365

 
$
(358
)
 
$
1,424,323

Expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of sales
—

 
597,492

 
389,851

 
—

 
987,343

Operating, selling, administrative and general expenses
26,331

 
49,342

 
187,646

 
(358
)
 
262,961

Litigation settlement and judgment expense (income)
—

 
525

 
(2,469
)
 
—

 
(1,944
)
Management fee expense
—

 
8,632

 
—

 
(8,632
)
 
—

Operating (loss) income
(26,331
)
 
188,325

 
5,337

 
8,632

 
175,963

Other income (expenses):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
(143,286
)
 
(2,103
)
 
(63
)
 
—

 
(145,452
)
Change in fair value of derivatives embedded within convertible debt
31,289

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
31,289

Equity in losses from real estate ventures
—

 
—

 
(8,378
)
 
—

 
(8,378
)
Equity in earnings in consolidated subsidiaries
136,615

 


 
—

 
(136,615
)
 
—

Management fee income
8,632

 
—

 
—

 
(8,632
)
 
—

Other, net
13,899

 
(1,259
)
 
1,020

 
—

 
13,660

Income (loss) before provision for income taxes
20,818

 
184,963

 
(2,084
)
 
(136,615
)
 
67,082

Income tax benefit (expense)
16,213

 
(47,433
)
 
1,826

 
—

 
(29,394
)
Net income (loss)
37,031

 
137,530

 
(258
)
 
(136,615
)
 
37,688

Net income attributed to non-controlling interest
—

 
—

 
(657
)
 
—

 
(657
)
Net income (loss) attributed to Vector Group Ltd.
$
37,031

 
$
137,530

 
$
(915
)
 
$
(136,615
)
 
$
37,031

Comprehensive income attributed to non-controlling interest
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
(657
)
 
$
—

 
$
(657
)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributed to Vector Group Ltd.
$
37,918

 
$
137,961

 
$
(915
)
 
$
(137,046
)
 
$
37,918




56
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Unaudited


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Subsidiary
 
 
 
Consolidated
 
  Parent/  
 
Subsidiary
 
Non-
 
Consolidating
 
Vector Group
 
Issuer   
 
Guarantors
 
Guarantors
 
Adjustments
 
Ltd.
Net cash provided by operating activities
$
122,305

 
$
259,426

 
$
8,623

 
$
(195,005
)
 
$
195,349

Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sale of investment securities
16,186

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
16,186

Maturities of investment securities
45,798

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
45,798

Purchase of investment securities
(76,094
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(76,094
)
Purchase of long-term investments
—

 
—

 
(1,000
)
 
—

 
(1,000
)
Investments in real estate ventures
—

 
—

 
(36,269
)
 
—

 
(36,269
)
Purchase of subsidiaries
—

 
—

 
(323
)
 
—

 
(323
)
Distributions from investments in real estate ventures
—

 
—

 
30,934

 
—

 
30,934

Increase in cash surrender value of life insurance policies
(311
)
 
(462
)
 
—

 
—

 
(773
)
(Increase) decrease in restricted assets
(22
)
 
683

 
—

 
—

 
661

Investments in subsidiaries
(42,604
)
 
—

 
—

 
42,604

 
—

Proceeds from sale of fixed assets
—

 
8

 
9

 
—

 
17

Capital expenditures
—

 
(3,425
)
 
(6,733
)
 
—

 
(10,158
)
Pay downs of investment securities
828

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
828

Investments in real estate, net
—

 
—

 
(1,910
)
 
—

 
(1,910
)
Net cash used in investing activities
(56,219
)
 
(3,196
)
 
(15,292
)
 
42,604

 
(32,103
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deferred financing costs
—

 
(36
)
 
—

 
—

 
(36
)
Repayments of debt
(230,000
)
 
(720
)
 
(154
)
 
—

 
(230,874
)
Borrowings under revolver
—

 
204,506

 
—

 
—

 
204,506

Repayments on revolver
—

 
(221,373
)
 
—

 
—

 
(221,373
)
Capital contributions received
—

 
675

 
41,929

 
(42,604
)
 
—

Intercompany dividends paid
—

 
(153,868
)
 
(41,137
)
 
195,005

 
—

Dividends and distributions on common stock
(179,449
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(179,449
)
Distributions to non-controlling interest
—

 
—

 
(285
)
 
—

 
(285
)
Proceeds from issuance of Vector common stock
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Proceeds from exercise of Vector options
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Tax benefit of options exercised
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Other
—

 
—

 
(46
)
 
—

 
(46
)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
(409,449
)
 
(170,816
)
 
307

 
152,401

 
(427,557
)
Net (decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
(343,363
)
 
85,414

 
(6,362
)
 
—

 
(264,311
)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period
474,880

 
23,849

 
93,000

 
—

 
591,729

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period
$
131,517

 
$
109,263

 
$
86,638

 
$
—

 
$
327,418




57
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Unaudited


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Subsidiary
 
 
 
Consolidated
 
  Parent/  
 
Subsidiary
 
Non-
 
Consolidating
 
Vector Group
 
Issuer   
 
Guarantors
 
Guarantors
 
Adjustments
 
Ltd.        
Net cash provided by operating activities
$
118,890

 
$
244,377

 
$
20,693

 
$
(174,152
)
 
$
209,808

Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sale of investment securities
10,940

 
3,955

 
—

 
—

 
14,895

Maturities of investment securities
16,899

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
16,899

Purchase of investment securities
(22,516
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(22,516
)
Investments in real estate ventures
—

 
—

 
(6,132
)
 
—

 
(6,132
)
Investments in real estate, net
—

 
—

 
(1,495
)
 
—

 
(1,495
)
Purchase of subsidiaries
—

 
—

 
(370
)
 
—

 
(370
)
Distributions from investments in real estate ventures
—

 
—

 
37,819

 
—

 
37,819

Increase in cash surrender value of life insurance policies
(345
)
 
(461
)
 
—

 
—

 
(806
)
Decrease in restricted assets
14

 
240

 
—

 
—

 
254

Repayments of notes receivable
20,000

 
—

 
67

 
(20,000
)
 
67

Pay downs of investment securities
1,293

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
1,293

Investments in subsidiaries
(8,103
)
 
—

 
—

 
8,103

 
—

Capital expenditures
(15
)
 
(4,175
)
 
(8,356
)
 
—

 
(12,546
)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
18,167

 
(441
)
 
21,533

 
(11,897
)
 
27,362

Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Repayments of debt
—

 
(21,263
)
 
(227
)
 
20,000

 
(1,490
)
Borrowings under revolver
—

 
261,058

 
—

 
—

 
261,058

Repayments on revolver
—

 
(264,654
)
 
—

 
—

 
(264,654
)
Capital contributions received
—

 
650

 
7,453

 
(8,103
)
 
—

Intercompany dividends paid
—

 
(128,308
)
 
(45,844
)
 
174,152

 
—

Dividends and distributions on common stock
(169,571
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(169,571
)
Distributions to non-controlling interest
—

 
—

 
(2,521
)
 
—

 
(2,521
)
Net cash used in financing activities
(169,571
)
 
(152,517
)
 
(41,139
)
 
186,049

 
(177,178
)
Net (decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
(32,514
)
 
91,419

 
1,087

 
—

 
59,992

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period
194,719

 
20,175

 
96,043

 
—

 
310,937

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period
$
162,205

 
$
111,594

 
$
97,130

 
$
—

 
$
370,929




58


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

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)


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

Please read this discussion along with our MD&A and audited financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2018 and Notes thereto, included in our 2018 Annual Report on Form 10-K, and our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and related Notes as of and for the quarterly period and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018.

Overview
We are a holding company and are engaged principally in two business segments:
•
Tobacco: the manufacture and sale of cigarettes in the United States through our Liggett Group LLC (“Liggett”) and Vector Tobacco Inc. (“Vector Tobacco”) subsidiaries, and
•
Real Estate: the real estate business through our New Valley LLC (“New Valley”) subsidiary, which owns Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC (“Douglas Elliman”) and is seeking to acquire or invest in additional real estate properties or projects. Douglas Elliman operates the largest residential brokerage company in the New York metropolitan area and also conducts residential real estate brokerage operations in Florida, California, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Colorado. On December 31, 2018, New Valley increased its ownership of Douglas Elliman from 70.59% to 100%.
    

Recent Developments
Maturity of 7.5% Variable Interest Senior Convertible Notes due 2019. In January 2019, we paid $230,000 of principal and $8,102 of accrued interest as full payment of our 7.5% Convertible Notes that matured on January 15, 2019.
Corporate Governance Matters. In June 2019, our Compensation Committee began the process of reviewing our executive compensation program by engaging FTI Consulting, Inc. with a view to implementing any appropriate changes to our compensation program in the 2020 compensation year. The results of the review will be discussed in our 2020 proxy statement.
Castle Brands, Inc. On October 9, 2019, Castle Brands, Inc. was acquired pursuant to a cash tender offer of $1.27 per outstanding common share and,  in connection therewith, we tendered the entire amount of our 12,895,017 common shares of Castle.  We received $16,377 in October 2019 from the transaction.  At the closing of the transaction, our Executive Vice President resigned as President and Chief Executive Officer of Castle and the Company’s management agreement with Castle was cancelled.
Revolving Credit Facility - Liggett. On October 31, 2019, our subsidiaries Liggett and 100 Maple LLC (“Maple”) entered into an amendment (the “Amendment”) to their existing credit agreement entered into on January 14, 2015 (the “Existing Credit Agreement” and as so amended, the “Credit Agreement”), among Liggett, Maple and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as agent and lender. The Amendment amended the Existing Credit Agreement to, among other things, (i) extend the maturity of the Credit Agreement to January 31, 2025, (ii) update the borrowing base to adjust the advance rates in respect of eligible inventory and add certain eligible real property, and (iii) reflect the repayment in full of the term loan facility that had previously been available thereunder.  The obligations under the Credit Agreement continue to be secured on a first priority basis by all inventories, receivables and certain other personal property of Liggett and Maple, a mortgage on Liggett’s manufacturing facility and certain real property of Maple, subject to certain permitted liens. As of November 1, 2019, $60,000 was available for borrowing under the Credit Agreement. The foregoing summary does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Credit Agreement, a copy of which is included as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 5, 2019.


59


Sale of Innova. On November 1, 2019, Douglas Elliman sold its 50% interest in Innova Risk Management, an insurance brokerage company. Douglas Elliman received $8,732 in cash in November 2019 and may receive an additional $1,000 in a potential earn out over a period of two years.    
Dividend Reduction.  On November 5, 2019, we announced that our board of directors had declared a regular quarterly cash dividend on our common stock of $0.40 per share, payable on December 30, 2019 to holders of record as of December 17, 2019. We also announced that our board of directors has decided to reduce our quarterly cash dividend to $0.20 per share, effective the first quarter of 2020, and that we will no longer pay an annual stock dividend. The amount of the quarterly cash dividend and the payment of any annual stock dividend are subject to the board’s regular evaluation of our dividend policy and capital allocation strategy.

Recent Developments in Litigation

Mississippi Dispute.      In July 2019, Mississippi and Liggett stipulated that the unpaid principal (exclusive of interest) purportedly due from Liggett to Mississippi pursuant to the 1996 Settlement Agreement (from inception through 2019) is approximately $14,400, subject to Liggett’s right to litigate and/or appeal the enforceability of the 1996 Settlement Agreement (and all issues other than the calculation of such principal amount). In September 2019, the Special Master held a hearing regarding the state’s claim for approximately $17,500 in prejudgment interest as well as post-judgment interest in amounts to be determined. A decision is pending.  Liggett continues to believe that the April 2017 Chancery Court order is in error because the most favored nations provision in the 1996 Settlement Agreement eliminated all of Liggett’s payment obligations to Mississippi, and reserved all rights to appeal this and other issues at the conclusion of the case. In the event Liggett appeals an adverse judgment, the posting of a bond may be required.

West Virginia Matter. In Re: Tobacco Litigation (Personal Injury Cases), a West Virginia state court consolidated approximately 750 individual smoker actions that were pending prior to 2001 for trial of certain “common” issues. Liggett was severed from that trial. In May 2013, the jury rejected all but one of the plaintiffs’ claims against the non-Liggett defendants. Subsequently, this claim was settled by the non-Liggett defendants.
In May 2016, the trial court ruled that the case could proceed against Liggett, notwithstanding the outcome of the first phase of the trial against the non-Liggett defendants. In June 2019, Liggett settled the litigation, subject to court approval. Liggett accrued an expense for this matter during the nine months ended September 30, 2019.

Critical Accounting Policies

There are no material changes except for the item listed below from the critical accounting policies set forth in Item 7, “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the year ended December 31, 2018. Please refer to that section and the information below for disclosures regarding the critical accounting policies related to our business.

Leasing Standard. On January 1, 2019, we adopted ASU No. 2016-02- Leases (Topic 842), therefore, our lease accounting policy has been modified as discussed in Note 3 to our condensed consolidated financial statements.


Results of Operations

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

For purposes of this discussion and other consolidated financial reporting, our business segments for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 were Tobacco and Real Estate. The Tobacco segment consisted of the manufacture and sale of cigarettes. The Real Estate segment included our investment in New Valley, which includes Douglas Elliman, investments in real estate, net and investments in real estate ventures.


60


 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
 
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tobacco
$
303,260

 
$
302,009

 
$
854,517

 
$
843,958

 
Real estate
201,530

 
211,860

 
609,629

 
580,365

 
Total revenues
$
504,790

 
$
513,869

 
$
1,464,146

 
$
1,424,323

 
Operating income (loss):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tobacco
$
72,799

(1) 
$
63,259

 
$
201,594

(2) 
$
189,185

(3) 
Real estate
628

 
9,115

 
4,672

 
6,222

(4) 
Corporate and Other
(6,707
)
 
(6,356
)
 
(20,712
)
 
(19,444
)
 
Total operating income
$
66,720

 
$
66,018

 
$
185,554

 
$
175,963

 
____________________

(1)  
Operating income includes $240 of litigation settlement and judgment expense.
(2) Operating income includes $895 of litigation settlement and judgment expense.
(3)  
Operating income includes $6,298 of income from MSA Settlements and $525 of litigation settlement and judgment expense.
(4)  
Operating income includes $2,469 of litigation settlement and judgment income.

Three Months Ended September 30, 2019 Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2018
Revenues. Total revenues were $504,790 for the three months ended September 30, 2019 compared to $513,869 for the three months ended September 30, 2018. The $9,079 (1.8%) decline in revenues was primarily due to a $10,330 decline in Real Estate revenues, which was primarily related to Douglas Elliman’s brokerage revenues, offset by a $1,251 increase in Tobacco revenues, which was primarily related to Liggett’s decision to raise prices on EAGLE 20’s after careful analysis, as part of its long-term strategy to gradually shift its focus from volume growth to income growth.
Cost of sales. Total cost of sales was $345,456 for the three months ended September 30, 2019 compared to $360,302 for the three months ended September 30, 2018. The $14,846 (4.1%) decline in cost of sales was primarily due to a $10,577 decline in Tobacco cost of sales primarily due to decreased sales volume and a $4,269 decline in Real Estate cost of sales, which was primarily related to Douglas Elliman’s agent commissions.
Expenses. Operating, selling, general and administrative expenses were $92,374 for the three months ended September 30, 2019 compared to $87,549 for the same period last year. The $4,825 (5.5%) increase in operating, selling, general and administrative expenses was due to a $2,426 increase in Real Estate operating, selling, general and administrative expenses, primarily at Douglas Elliman, a $2,048 increase in Tobacco operating, selling, general and administrative expenses, and a $351 increase in Corporate and Other expenses.
Operating income. Operating income was $66,720 for the three months ended September 30, 2019 compared to $66,018 for the same period last year. The $702 (1.1%) increase in operating income was due to a $9,540 increase in Tobacco operating income. This was offset by a $8,487 decline in Real Estate operating income, primarily related to Douglas Elliman’s operations, and an increase of $351 in Corporate and Other operating loss.
Other expenses. Other expenses were $16,976 and $36,304 for the three months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively. For the three months ended September 30, 2019, other expenses primarily consisted of interest expense of $32,963. This was offset by income of $6,182 from changes in fair value of derivatives embedded within convertible debt, other income of $1,755, and equity in earnings from real estate ventures of $8,050. For the three months ended September 30, 2018, other expenses primarily consisted of interest expense of $51,084. This was offset by income of $10,005 from changes in fair value of derivatives embedded within convertible debt, other income of $4,481, and equity in earnings from real estate ventures of $294.
The value of the embedded derivatives is contingent on changes in interest rates of debt instruments maturing over the duration of the convertible debt, our stock price as well as projections of future cash and stock dividends over the term of the debt. The interest rate component of the value of the embedded derivative is computed by calculating an equivalent non-convertible, unsecured and subordinated borrowing cost. This rate is determined by calculating the implied rate on our Convertible Notes after removing the embedded option value within the convertible security. This rate is based upon market observable inputs and influenced by our stock price, convertible bond trading price, risk-free interest rates and stock volatility. We recognized benefits from reductions in the value of embedded derivatives of $6,182 and $10,005 for the three months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

61


Income before provision for income taxes. Income before income taxes was $49,744 and $29,714 for the three months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
Income tax expense. Income tax expense was $13,736 and $14,686 for the three months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Our provision for income taxes in interim periods is based on expected income, statutory rates, permanent differences, valuation allowances against deferred tax assets, and any tax planning opportunities available to us. For interim financial reporting, we estimate the annual effective income tax rate based on full year projections and apply the annual effective income tax rate against year-to-date pretax income to record income tax expense, adjusted for discrete items, if any. We refine annual estimates as new information becomes available. Our effective tax rates for the three months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 were impacted by non-deductibility of interest expense and non-deductible compensation. Our income tax expense for the three months ended September 30, 2019 is lower than the income tax expense for the three months ended September 30, 2018 due to tax planning opportunities available within the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“The Tax Act”). The tax planning opportunities relate to our conclusion from guidance issued in the fourth quarter of 2018 that we will be able to allocate some of our interest expense to our real estate business and the deduction of this interest expense will not be limited. During the three months ended September 30, 2019, we refined our estimate related to the beneficial aspects of the tax planning opportunity mentioned above. The Tax Act generally limits a corporation’s interest expense deduction to 30% of taxable income before interest, depreciation and amortization from 2018 to 2021 and then taxable income before interest thereafter for non-excepted trade or businesses. However, one such excepted trade or business is any electing real property trade or business, which portions of our real estate segment qualify. Interest expense allocable to an excepted trade or business is not subject to limitation. The Tax Act also permits us to carry forward any disallowed interest expense indefinitely. Our analysis in periods prior to the three months ended September 30, 2019 was that portions of our interest expense in 2019 and future years would be disallowed as a tax deduction and, based on projections in those periods, we did not expect any of this disallowed interest expense to be tax deductible in future periods. Consequently, our annual effective tax rate reflected an interest expense carryforward deferred tax asset and a corresponding valuation allowance for any disallowed interest expense in 2019. During the quarter ended September 30, 2019, we revised our judgment and analysis regarding the impact that the Tax Act will have on our interest expense deduction. Upon further analysis and interpretation of continuing guidance, our conclusion is that the real property trade or business exception should result in all of our interest expense being deductible for tax purposes in 2019. Accordingly, the valuation allowance of $1,619 that was recorded against prior periods’ disallowed interest estimates is being reversed through income tax expense as a discrete item in the quarter. The impact of the prior quarters’ estimates of disallowed interest (and corresponding valuation allowance) is being accounted for as a component of our estimated annual effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2019. However, this is an annual computation and the annual amount of deductible interest expense in the future could be impacted by our annual interest expense, earnings before interest and income taxes as well as the amount of our investments in real estate. For the three months ended September 30, 2019, our income tax expense was less than our estimated annual effective rate by $323 primarily due to the release of the valuation allowance discussed above offset by income tax expense related to state tax audits and stock-based compensation.
Tobacco.
Tobacco revenues. Liggett increased the list price of EAGLE 20’s by $0.80 per carton in October 2019, $1.10 per carton in February 2019 and $1.00 per carton in September 2018. Liggett also increased the list price of PYRAMID, LIGGETT SELECT, EVE and GRAND PRIX by $0.80 per carton in October 2019, $0.60 per carton in June 2019, $1.10 per carton in February 2019, and $1.00 per carton in September 2018.
All of our Tobacco sales were in the discount category in 2019 and 2018. For the three months ended September 30, 2019, Tobacco revenues were $303,260 compared to $302,009 for the three months ended September 30, 2018. Revenues increased by $1,251 (0.4%) due primarily to an increase in the average selling price of our brands for the three months ended September 30, 2019. The higher selling prices offset the impact of a 5.8% (149.0 million units) decline in sales volume. We also believe that third quarter 2019 and 2018 unit volumes may have increased as a result of wholesalers purchasing product in anticipation of October 2019 and September 2018 price increases, respectively. Management believes this may have shifted volume from the fourth quarters of 2019 and 2018 to the third quarters of 2019 and 2018.

62


Tobacco cost of sales. The major components of our Tobacco cost of sales were as follows:
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
 
 
 
 
September 30,
 
 
 
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Manufacturing overhead, raw materials and labor
 
$
32,863

 
$
34,257

 
Customer shipping and handling
 
 
1,446

 
1,639

 
Federal Excise Taxes, net
 
 
122,951

 
130,428

 
FDA expense
 
 
6,149

 
5,674

 
MSA expense, net of market share exemption
 
 
45,783

 
47,771

 
Total cost of sales
 
 
$
209,192

 
$
219,769

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Tobacco segment’s MSA expense is included in cost of sales. Under the terms of the MSA, we have no payment obligations except to the extent that our tobacco subsidiaries’ market share of the U.S. Cigarette market exceeds 1.92%. The calculation of our benefit from the MSA is an estimate based on U.S. domestic taxable cigarette shipments. As of September 30, 2019, we estimate taxable shipments in the U.S. will decline by 5.5% in 2019. Our annual MSA liability changes by approximately $1,700 for each percentage change in the estimated shipment volumes in the U.S. market. For the three months ended September 30, 2019, the estimated decline in taxable shipments in excess of the annual MSA inflation adjustment resulted in an increase in cost of sales of approximately $800 because the value of Liggett’s market share exemption declined compared to the three months ended September 30, 2018.
Tobacco gross profit was $94,068 for the three months ended September 30, 2019 compared to $82,240 for the three months ended September 30, 2018, an increase of $11,828. The increase in gross profit for the three months ended September 30, 2019 is primarily attributable to increased pricing associated with the EAGLE 20’s brand. After careful market analysis and based on our long-term strategy, in September 2018, we began the process of gradually shifting focus from volume to income growth by increasing pricing on EAGLE 20’s in connection with industry-wide price increases. Despite recent pricing increases, EAGLE 20’s remains Liggett’s primary low-cost cigarette brand and its percentage of Liggett’s total unit volume sales has increased from 55% in the three months ended September 30, 2018 to 60% for the three months ended September 30, 2019. Pyramid, Liggett’s second-largest brand, declined from 32% of total unit volume sales in the three months ended September 30, 2018 to 26% for the three months ended September 30, 2019. As a percentage of revenue (excluding Federal Excise Taxes), Tobacco gross profit increased from 47.9% in the 2018 period to 52.2% in the 2019 period. The increase is primarily due to increased pricing associated with the EAGLE 20’s brand.
Tobacco expenses. Tobacco operating, selling, general and administrative expenses, excluding settlements and judgments, were $21,029 and $18,981 for the three months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The increase of $2,048 is primarily due to additional incentive compensation expenses and higher legal expenses. Total tobacco product liability legal expenses, including settlements and judgments, were $1,890 and $1,672 for the three months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
Tobacco operating income. Tobacco operating income was $72,799 for the three months ended September 30, 2019 compared to $63,259 for the same period last year. The increase in operating income for the three months ended September 30, 2019 of $9,540 is primarily attributable to increased gross profit margins, as discussed above, partially offset by increased operating, selling, general and administrative expenses.
Real Estate.
Real Estate revenues. Real Estate revenues were $201,530 and $211,860 for the three months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Real Estate revenues declined by $10,330 (4.9%), primarily related to a decrease of $10,707 in Douglas Elliman’s Commission and other brokerage income. The decline in commission and other brokerage income was primarily related to declines in commission and other brokerage income from Douglas Elliman’s New York City market of $6,111 and Northeast market of $1,930, and declines in revenues generated from Douglas Elliman’s development marketing division of $6,151. The amount was partially offset by increases in Douglas Elliman’s existing-home sales in its Southeast market of $2,517. Effective July 1, 2019, New York State increased its transfer tax and “mansion” tax associated with resales of homes of more than $1,000. We believe that the July 1, 2019 tax increase resulted in an acceleration of home sales and, therefore, commission and other brokerage income at Douglas Elliman, in New York City, before June 30, 2019 and, consequently, may have negatively impacted commission and other brokerage income for the three months ended September 30, 2019.

63


Real Estate revenues and cost of sales for the three months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 were as follows:
 
Three Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
2019
 
2018
Real Estate Revenues:
 
 
 
Commission and other brokerage income
$
191,451

 
$
202,158

Property management revenue
8,668

 
8,147

Title fees
1,049

 
1,174

Sales on facilities primarily from Escena
362

 
381

  Total real estate revenues
$
201,530

 
$
211,860

 
 
 
 
Real Estate Cost of Sales:
 
 
 
Real estate agent commissions
$
135,241

 
$
139,520

Cost of sales on facilities primarily from Escena
868

 
843

Title fees
155

 
170

  Total real estate cost of sales
$
136,264

 
$
140,533

___________________________________ 
Brokerage cost of sales. Douglas Elliman real estate agent commissions decreased by $4,279 as a result of a decline in sales volume.
Douglas Elliman’s gross margin on real estate brokerage income declined from 31.0% for the three months ended September 30, 2018 to 29.4% for the three months ended September 30, 2019 primarily as a result of declines in revenues in its development marketing division and existing-home sales in the New York City Market and Northeast Markets, which traditionally earn higher gross margins.
Real Estate expenses. Real Estate operating, selling, general and administrative expenses were $64,638 and $62,212 for the three months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The increased expenses were primarily associated with increased expenses in Douglas Elliman’s West and development marketing divisions.
Real Estate operating income. The Real Estate segment had operating income of $628 for the three months ended September 30, 2019 and operating income of $9,115 for the three months ended September 30, 2018. The decline in operating income of $8,487 was primarily related to reduced operating income at Douglas Elliman. The decline in operating income at Douglas Elliman was the result of declines in operating income in Douglas Elliman’s existing home sales in New York City and its development marketing division. This was partially offset by an increase in Douglas Elliman’s Southeast market.
Corporate and Other.
Corporate and Other operating loss. The operating loss at the Corporate and Other segment was $6,707 for the three months ended September 30, 2019 compared to $6,356 for the same period in 2018 and was due primarily to increased administrative costs.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018
Revenues. Total revenues were $1,464,146 for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to $1,424,323 for the nine months ended September 30, 2018. The $39,823 (2.8%) increase in revenues was primarily due to a $29,264 increase in Real Estate revenues, which was primarily related to an increase in Douglas Elliman’s brokerage revenues, and a $10,559 increase in Tobacco revenues, which was primarily related to Liggett’s decision to raise prices on EAGLE 20’s after careful analysis, as part of its long-term strategy to gradually shift its focus from volume growth to income growth.
Cost of sales. Total cost of sales was $999,650 for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to $987,343 for the nine months ended September 30, 2018. The $12,307 (1.2%) increase in cost of sales was primarily due to a $18,843 increase in Real Estate cost of sales, which was primarily related to Douglas Elliman’s agent commissions, offset by a $6,536 decline in Tobacco cost of sales primarily related to the absence of a $6,298 reduction of expense during the nine months ended September 30, 2019 from the settlement of a long-standing dispute related to the MSA.

64


Expenses. Operating, selling, general and administrative expenses were $278,047 for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to $262,961 for the same period last year. The $15,086 (5.7%) increase was due to a $9,502 increase in Real Estate operating, selling, general and administrative expenses primarily at Douglas Elliman, a $4,316 increase in Tobacco operating, selling, general and administrative expenses and a $1,268 increase in Corporate and Other expense.
Operating income. Operating income was $185,554 for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to $175,963 for the same period last year, an increase of $9,591 (5.5%). Tobacco operating income increased by $12,409 and was offset by a decline in Real Estate operating income of $1,550 primarily related to Douglas Elliman’s operations and an increase of $1,268 in Corporate and Other operating loss.
Other income (expenses). Other expenses were $57,262 and $108,881 for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2019, other expenses primarily consisted of interest expense of $103,236. This was offset by income of $20,319 from changes in fair value of derivatives embedded within convertible debt, other income of $13,653, and equity in earnings from real estate ventures of $12,002. For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, other expenses primarily consisted of interest expense of $145,452 and equity in losses from real estate ventures of $8,378. This was offset by income of $31,289 from changes in fair value of derivatives embedded within convertible debt and other income of $13,660.
The value of the embedded derivatives is contingent on changes in interest rates of debt instruments maturing over the duration of the convertible debt, our stock price as well as projections of future cash and stock dividends over the term of the debt. The interest rate component of the value of the embedded derivative is computed by calculating an equivalent non-convertible, unsecured and subordinated borrowing cost. This rate is determined by calculating the implied rate on our Convertible Notes after removing the embedded option value within the convertible security. This rate is based upon market observable inputs and influenced by our stock price, convertible bond trading price, risk-free interest rates and stock volatility. We recognized benefits from reductions in the value of embedded derivatives of $20,319 and $31,289 for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
Income before provision for income taxes. Income before income taxes was $128,292 and $67,082 for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

65


Income tax expense. Income tax expense was $37,944 for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to income tax expense of $29,394 for the nine months ended September 30, 2018. Our provision for income taxes in interim periods is based on expected income, statutory rates, permanent differences, valuation allowances against deferred tax assets, and any tax planning opportunities available to us. For interim financial reporting, we estimate the annual effective income tax rate based on full year projections and apply the annual effective income tax rate against year-to-date pretax income to record income tax expense, adjusted for discrete items, if any. We refine annual estimates as new information becomes available. Our effective tax rates for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 were impacted by our estimates of amounts of non-deductible interest expense and non-deductible compensation. Our income tax expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 is lower than the income tax expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 due to tax planning opportunities available within the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“The Tax Act”). The tax planning opportunities relate to our conclusion from guidance issued in the fourth quarter of 2018 that we will be able to allocate some of our interest expense to our real estate business and the deduction of this interest expense will not be limited. During the quarter ended September 30, 2019, we refined our estimate related to the beneficial aspects of the tax planning opportunity mentioned above. The Tax Act generally limits a corporation’s interest expense deduction to 30% of taxable income before interest, depreciation and amortization from 2018 to 2021 and then taxable income before interest thereafter for non-excepted trade or businesses. However, one such excepted trade or business is any electing real property trade or business, which portions of our real estate segment qualify. Interest expense allocable to an excepted trade or business is not subject to limitation. The Tax Act also permits us to carry forward any disallowed interest expense indefinitely. Our analysis in periods prior to the quarter ended September 30, 2019 was that portions of our interest expense in 2019 and future years would be disallowed as a tax deduction and, based on projections in those periods, we did not expect any of this disallowed interest expense to be tax deductible in future periods. Consequently, our annual effective tax rate reflected an interest expense carryforward deferred tax asset and a corresponding valuation allowance for any disallowed interest expense in 2019. During the quarter ended September 30, 2019, we revised our judgment and analysis regarding the impact that the Tax Act will have on our interest expense deduction. Upon further analysis and interpretation of continuing guidance, our conclusion is that the real property trade or business exception should result in all of our interest expense being deductible for tax purposes in 2019. Accordingly, the valuation allowance of $1,619 that was recorded against prior periods’ disallowed interest estimates is being reversed through income tax expense as a discrete item in the quarter. The impact of the prior quarters’ estimates of disallowed interest (and corresponding valuation allowance) is being accounted for as a component of our estimated annual effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2019. However, this is an annual computation and the annual amount of deductible interest expense in the future could be impacted by changes in our annual interest expense, earnings before interest and income taxes as well as the amount of our investments in real estate. For the nine months ended September 30, 2019, our income tax expense was also lower than our estimated annual effective rate by $434 primarily due to the release of certain valuation allowances offset by tax expense related to state tax audits and stock-based compensation.
Tobacco.
Tobacco revenues. Liggett increased the list price of EAGLE 20’s by $0.80 per carton in October 2019, $1.10 per carton in February 2019 and $1.00 per carton in September 2018. Liggett also increased the list price of PYRAMID, LIGGETT SELECT, EVE and GRAND PRIX by $0.80 per carton in October 2019, $0.60 per carton in June 2019, $1.10 per carton in February 2019, $1.00 per carton in September 2018, and $0.90 per carton in March 2018.
All of our Tobacco sales were in the discount category in 2019 and 2018. For the nine months ended September 30, 2019, Tobacco revenues were $854,517 compared to $843,958 for the nine months ended September 30, 2018. Revenues increased by $10,559 (1.3%) due primarily to an increase in the average selling price of our brands for the nine months ended September 30, 2019. The higher selling prices offset the impact of a 3.2% (227 million units) decline in unit sales volume. We believe that 2019 and 2018 unit volumes for the nine months ended September 30 may have increased as a result of wholesalers purchasing product in anticipation of the October 2019 and September 2018 price increase, respectively. Management believes this may have shifted volume from the fourth quarters of 2019 and 2018 to the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018.

66


Tobacco cost of sales. The major components of our Tobacco cost of sales were as follows:
 
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended
 
 
 
 
 
September 30,
 
 
 
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Manufacturing overhead, raw materials and labor
 
$
94,535

 
$
95,782

 
Customer shipping and handling
 
 
4,441

 
4,309

 
Federal Excise Taxes, net
 
 
347,527

 
359,199

 
FDA expense
 
 
18,542

 
16,990

 
MSA expense, net of market share exemption
 
 
125,911

 
121,212

(1) 
 
Total cost of sales
 
 
$
590,956

 
$
597,492

 
(1) Includes $6,298 reduction in expense from a settlement of a long-standing dispute related to the Master Settlement Agreement.

The Tobacco segment’s MSA expense is included in cost of sales. Under the terms of the MSA, we have no payment obligations except to the extent that our tobacco subsidiaries’ market share of the U.S. Cigarette market exceeds 1.92%. The calculation of our benefit from the MSA is an estimate based on U.S. domestic taxable cigarette shipments. As of September 30, 2019, we estimate taxable shipments in the U.S. will decline by 5.5% in 2019. Our annual MSA liability changes by approximately $1,700 for each percentage change in estimated shipment volumes in the U.S. market. For the nine months ended September 30, 2019, the estimated decline in taxable shipments in excess of the annual MSA inflation adjustment resulted in an increase in cost of sales of approximately $2,300 because the value of Liggett’s market share exemption declined compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2018.
Tobacco gross profit was $263,561 for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to $246,466 for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, an increase of $17,095. Tobacco gross profit for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 included a $6,298 reduction in cost of sales from a settlement of a long-standing dispute related to the Master Settlement Agreement. This was offset by an increase in gross profit for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 of $23,393, primarily attributable to increased pricing associated with the EAGLE 20’s brand. After careful market analysis and based on our long-term strategy, in September 2018, we began the process of gradually shifting focus from volume to income growth by increasing pricing on EAGLE 20’s in connection with industry-wide price increases. Despite recent pricing increases, EAGLE 20’s remains Liggett’s primary low-cost cigarette brand and its percentage of Liggett’s total unit volume sales has increased from approximately 53% in the nine months ended September 30, 2018 to approximately 60% for the nine months ended September 30, 2019. Pyramid, Liggett’s second largest brand, declined from 33% of total unit volume sales in the nine months ended September 30, 2018 to 27% for the nine months ended September 30, 2019. As a percentage of revenue (excluding Federal Excise Taxes), Tobacco gross profit increased from 50.8% in the 2018 period to 52.0% in the 2019 period. The increase is the result of the increased EAGLE 20’s pricing as discussed above.
Tobacco expenses. Tobacco operating, selling, general and administrative expenses, excluding settlements and judgments, were $61,072 for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to $56,756 for the nine months ended September 30, 2018. The increase of $4,316 is mainly due to higher incentive compensation, sales and marketing expenses and increased professional fees. Tobacco product liability legal expenses, including settlements and judgments, were $5,627 and $5,256 for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
Tobacco operating income. Tobacco operating income was $201,594 for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to $189,185 for the same period last year, an increase of $12,409. Tobacco operating income for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 included a $6,298 reduction in cost of sales from a settlement of a long-standing dispute related to the Master Settlement Agreement. This was offset by an increase in operating income for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 of $18,707 primarily attributable to increased gross profit margins, as discussed above, partially offset by increased operating, selling, general and administrative expenses.

67


Real Estate.
Real Estate revenues. Real Estate revenues were $609,629 and $580,365 for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Real Estate revenues increased by $29,264 (5.0%), which was primarily related to an increase of $26,888 in Douglas Elliman’s commission and other brokerage income. The increase in commission and other brokerage income was primarily related to increased commission and other brokerage income from Douglas Elliman’s existing-home sales in New York City of $27,286 and developing marketing revenue of $4,303. This amount was offset by declines in existing-home sales in Douglas Elliman’s Northeast market. Effective July 1, 2019, New York State increased its transfer tax and “mansion” tax associated with resales of homes of more than $1,000.  We believe that the July 1, 2019 tax increase resulted in an acceleration of home sales and, therefore, commission and other brokerage income at Douglas Elliman, in New York City, before June 30, 2019 and, consequently, may have increased commission and other brokerage income for the nine months ended September 30, 2019.
Real Estate revenues and cost of sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively, were as follows:
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
2019
 
2018
Real Estate Revenues:
 
 
 
Commission and other brokerage income
$
574,098

 
$
547,210

Property management revenue
27,237

 
25,226

Title fees
4,682

 
4,085

Sales on facilities primarily from Escena
3,612

 
3,844

  Total real estate revenues
$
609,629

 
$
580,365

 
 
 
 
Real Estate Cost of Sales:
 
 
 
Real estate agent commissions
$
404,783

 
$
386,194

Cost of sales on facilities primarily from Escena
2,826

 
2,819

Title fees
1,085

 
838

  Total real estate cost of sales
$
408,694

 
$
389,851

Brokerage cost of sales. Douglas Elliman real estate agent commissions increased by $18,589 as a result of changes in the sales mix between markets with varying agent commission percentages.
Douglas Elliman’s gross margin on real estate brokerage income increased from 29.4% for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 to 29.5% for the nine months ended September 30, 2019.
Real Estate expenses. Real Estate operating, selling, general and administrative expenses, excluding settlements and judgments, were $196,263 and $186,761 for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The increased expenses were associated with increased expenses in Douglas Elliman’s brokerage administrative expenses.
Real Estate operating income. The Real Estate segment had operating income of $4,672 and $6,222 for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, a decline of $1,550. Real Estate operating income for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 included $2,469 litigation settlement and judgment income. The remaining difference of $919 was the result of the increase in Douglas Elliman’s gross profit offset by the increase in operating, selling, general and administrative expenses.
Corporate and Other.
Corporate and Other loss. The operating loss at the Corporate and Other segment was $20,712 for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to $19,444 for the same period in 2018 and was due primarily to increased administrative costs.

68


Summary of Real Estate Investments
We own and seek to acquire investment interests in various domestic and international real estate projects through debt and equity investments. Our real estate investments primarily include the following projects as of September 30, 2019:
 
(Dollars in Thousands. Area and Unit Information in Ones)
 
Location
Date of Initial Investment
Percentage Owned (1)
Net Cash Invested (Returned)
Cumulative Earnings (Losses)
Carrying Value as of September 30, 2019
Future Capital Commit-
ments from New Valley (2)
Projected Residential and/or Hotel Area
Projected Commercial Space
Projected Number of Residential Lots, Units and/or Hotel Rooms
Actual/Projected Construction Start Date
Projected Construction End Date
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sagaponack
Sagaponack, NY
April 2015
100
%
$
17,960

$
—

$
17,960

$
—

TBD

 
N/A

 
1

R
N/A
N/A
Escena, net
Master planned community, golf course, restaurant and shop in Palm Springs, CA
March 2008
100
%
2,363

7,686

10,049

—

450

Acres
—

 
667
450

R Lots
H
N/A
N/A
Investments in real estate, net
 
 
 
$
20,323

$
7,686

$
28,009

$
—

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investments in real estate ventures:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10 Madison Square West (1107 Broadway)
Flatiron District/NoMad neighborhood, Manhattan, NY
October 2011
5.0
%
$
(43,671
)
$
43,671

$
—

$
—

260,000

SF
20,000

SF
124

R
August 2012
Completed
The Marquand (11 East 68th Street)
Upper East Side, Manhattan, NY
December 2011
18.0
%
(4,855
)
4,855

—

—

90,000

SF
—

 
29

R
June 2012
Completed
11 Beach Street
TriBeCa, Manhattan, NY
June 2012
49.5
%
4,790

6,897

11,687

—

97,000

SF
—

 
27

R
May 2014
Completed
20 Times Square (701 Seventh Avenue)
Times Square, Manhattan, NY
August 2012
7.9
%
(7,827
)
7,827

—

—

252,000

SF
80,000

SF
452

H
September 2013
Completed
111 Murray Street
TriBeCa, Manhattan, NY
May 2013
9.5
%
10,468

2,837

13,305

—

330,000

SF
1,700

SF
157

R
September 2014
Completed
160 Leroy Street (3)
West Greenwich Village, Manhattan, NY
March 2013
3.1
%
(626
)
1,602

976

—

130,000

SF
—

 
57

R
Fall 2015
Completed
The Dutch (25-19 43rd Avenue)
Long Island City, NY
May 2014
9.9
%
(1,108
)
1,385

277

 
65,000

SF
—

 
86

R
September 2014
Completed
87 Park (8701 Collins Avenue)
Miami Beach, FL
December 2013
15.0
%
18,352

5,093

23,445

—

160,000

SF
TBD

 
70

R
October 2015
December 2019
125 Greenwich Street (3)
Financial District, Manhattan, NY
August 2014
13.4
%
7,992

(7,992
)
—

—

306,000

SF
16,000

SF
273

R
March 2015
TBD
West Hollywood Edition (9040 Sunset Boulevard)
West Hollywood, CA
October 2014
48.5
%
(1,552
)
7,692

6,140

—

210,000

SF
—

 
20
190

R
H
May 2015
Completed
The XI (76 Eleventh Avenue)
West Chelsea, Manhattan, NY
May 2015
5.1
%
17,000

7,582

24,582

—

630,000

SF
85,000

SF
236
137

R
H
September 2016
June 2020
Monad Terrace
Miami Beach, FL
May 2015
17.1
%
7,635

(3,129
)
4,506

—

160,000

SF
—

 
59

R
May 2016
June 2020
Takanasee (805 Ocean Ave)
Long Branch, NJ
December 2015
22.8
%
6,144

963

7,107

—

63,000

SF
—

 
13

R
June 2017
TBD
Brookland (15 East 19th St)
Brooklyn, NY
April 2017
9.8
%
402

102

504

—

24,000

SF
—

 
33

R
August 2017
Completed
Dime (209 Havemeyer St)
Brooklyn, NY
November 2017
19.8
%
8,650

1,883

10,533

—

100,000

SF
150,000

SF
177

R
May 2017
March 2020
352 6th Avenue
Brooklyn, NY
February 2019
37.0
%
500

29

529

—

5,200

SF
—

 
4

R
September 2019
September 2020
Meatpacking Plaza
Meatpacking District, NY
April 2019
17.0
%
10,018

469

10,487

—

TBD

—
TBD

—
TBD

—
TBD
TBD
9 DeKalb
Brooklyn, NY
April 2019
5.5
%
5,000

234

5,234

—

450,000

SF
120,000

SF
540

R
March 2019
March 2022
The Park on Fifth (500 Alton Rd)
Miami Beach, FL
September 2019
38.9
%
14,000

—

14,000

—

TBD

—

TBD

—
TBD

—
TBD
TBD
Condominium and Mixed Use Development
 
 
 
$
51,312

$
82,000

$
133,312

$
—

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Maryland Portfolio
Primarily Baltimore County, MD
July 2012
7.6
%
$
698

$
(698
)
$
—

$
—

N/A

 
N/A

 
5,517

R
N/A
N/A
ST Portfolio

November 2013
16.3
%
(1,673
)
1,673

—

—

N/A


N/A


N/A


N/A
N/A
Apartment Buildings
 
 
 
$
(975
)
$
975

$
—

$
—

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Park Lane Hotel (36 Central Park South)
Central Park South, Manhattan, NY
November 2013
1.0
%
$
8,682

$
(6,169
)
$
2,513

$
—

446,000

SF
—

 
628

H
N/A
N/A
215 Chrystie Street
Lower East Side, Manhattan, NY
December 2012
18.4
%
(4,551
)
4,551

—

—

246,000

SF
—

 
367

H
June 2014
Completed
Coral Beach and Tennis Club
Coral Beach, Bermuda
December 2013
49.0
%
6,048

(3,643
)
2,405

—

52

Acres
—

 
101

H
N/A
N/A
Hotels
 
 
 
$
10,179

$
(5,261
)
$
4,918

$
—

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Plaza at Harmon Meadow
Secaucus, NJ
March 2015
49.0
%
$
4,804

$
(2,836
)
$
1,968

$
—

—

—
219,000

SF
—

—
N/A
N /A
Wynn Las Vegas Retail
Las Vegas, NV
December 2016
1.6
%
4,940

2,528

7,468

—

—

—
160,000

SF
—

—
N/A
N/A
Commercial
 
 
 
$
9,744

$
(308
)
$
9,436

$
—

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Witkoff GP Partners (4)
Multiple
March 2017
15.0
%
$
10,972

$
(845
)
$
10,127

$
5,226

N/A

 
N/A

 
N/A

 
N/A
N/A
1 QPS Tower (23-10 Queens Plaza South)
Long Island City, NY
December 2012
45.4
%
(14,406
)
14,406

—

—

N/A

 
N/A

 
N/A

 
March 2014
Completed
Witkoff EB-5 Capital Partners
Multiple
September 2018
49.0
%
(426
)
426

—

9,106

N/A

 
N/A

 
N/A

 
N/A
N/A
Diverse Real Estate Portfolio
 
 
 
$
(3,860
)
$
13,987

$
10,127

$
14,332

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investments in real estate ventures
 
 
 
$
66,400

$
91,393

$
157,793

$
14,332



 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Carrying Value
 
 
 
$
86,723

$
99,079

$
185,802

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1) The Percentage Owned reflects our estimated current ownership percentage. Our actual ownership percentage as well as the percentage of earnings and cash distributions may ultimately differ as a result of a number of factors including potential dilution, financing or admission of additional partners.
(2) This column only represents capital commitments required under the various joint venture agreements. However, many of the operating agreements provide for the operating partner to call capital. If a joint venture partner, such as New Valley, declines to fund the capital call, then the partner’s ownership percentage could either be diluted or, in some situations, the character of a funding member’s contribution would be converted from a capital contribution to a member loan.
(3) Carrying value as of September 30, 2019, includes non-controlling interest of $488 and $0 respectively.
(4) The Witkoff GP Partners venture includes a $2,869 investment in 500 Broadway and a $7,258 investment in Fontainebleau Las Vegas.
N/A - Not applicable
SF - Square feet
H - Hotel rooms
TBD -To be determined
R - Residential Units
R Lots - Residential lots
 
 
 

69


Other investments in real estate ventures relate primarily to an investment in an insurance brokerage company owned by Douglas Elliman with a carrying value of $1,776 as of September 30, 2019. New Valley capitalizes net interest expense into the carrying value of its ventures whose projects were under development. Net capitalized interest costs included in Carrying Value as of September 30, 2019 were $21,297. This amount is included in the “Cumulative Earnings (Losses)” column in the table above. During the nine months ended September 30, 2019, New Valley capitalized $4,706 of interest costs and utilized (reversed) $(7,194) of previously capitalized interest in connection with the recognition of equity in earnings, gains and liquidations from various ventures.



70


Liquidity and Capital Resources

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash declined by $264,311 for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and increased by $59,992 for the nine months ended September 30, 2018.
Cash provided from operations was $195,349 and $209,808 for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The decline primarily related to lower distributions from real estate ventures in the 2019 period, increased payments of the MSA liability balances in the tobacco segment in the 2019 period compared to the 2018 period related to tax planning strategies in December 2017, increased inventory and increased tax payments in the 2019 period. This was offset by increases in operating income in the 2019 period.
Cash used in investing activities was $32,103 for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and cash provided by investing activities was $27,362 for the nine months ended September 30, 2018. In the first nine months of 2019, cash used in investing activities was for the purchase of investment securities of $76,094, investments in real estate ventures of $36,269, capital expenditures of $10,158, investments in real estate, net of $1,910, an increase in cash surrender value of corporate-owned life insurance policies of $773, purchase of a long-term investments of $1,000, and purchase of subsidiaries of $323. This was offset by the sale of investment securities of $16,186, pay downs of investment securities of $828, maturities of investment securities of $45,798, distributions from investments in real estate ventures of $30,934, a decrease in restricted assets of $661, and proceeds from the sale of fixed assets of $17. In the first nine months of 2018, cash provided by investing activities was from the sale of investment securities of $14,895, pay downs of investment securities of $1,293, maturities of investment securities of $16,899, distributions from investments in real estate ventures of $37,819, repayments of notes receivable of $67, and a decrease in restricted assets of $254. This was offset by the purchase of investment securities of $22,516, investments in real estate ventures of $6,132, capital expenditures of $12,546, investments in real estate, net of $1,495, an increase in cash surrender value of corporate-owned life insurance policies of $806, and purchase of subsidiaries of $370.
Cash used in financing activities was $427,557 and $177,178 for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively. In the first nine months of 2019, cash was used for the dividends and distributions on common stock of $179,449, repayments of debt of $230,874, distributions to non-controlling interest of $285, deferred financing charges of $36, net repayments of debt under the revolver of $16,867 and other of $46. In the first nine months of 2018, cash was used for the dividends and distributions on common stock of $169,571, repayments of debt of $1,490, net repayments of debt under the revolver of $3,596 and distributions to non-controlling interest of $2,521.
For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, cash payments of dividends and distributions on common stock exceeded cash from operations by $43,533, $79,902 and $101,311, respectively. The terms of our 10.5% Senior Notes due 2026 contain covenants that place significant limitations on our ability to pay dividends and distributions in the future. See “10.5% Senior Notes due 2026” below. For the next twelve months beginning September 30, 2019, we have significant liquidity commitments at the corporate level (not including our tobacco and real estate operations) that require the use of existing cash resources. These include repayment of the $232,000 of principal outstanding on our convertible notes due April 2020 (assuming they do not convert into shares of our common stock) and cash interest expense of approximately $102,100, which includes $34,125 from our 10.5% Senior Notes due 2026 that were issued in November 2018, and other corporate expenses and taxes. In addition, the board continues to evaluate our dividend policy on a quarterly basis. Based on the announced $0.40 per share 2019 fourth quarter dividend and the anticipated $0.20 per share dividends for each of the first three quarters of 2020, and assuming 154,071,547 shares outstanding (147,790,061 shares outstanding as of September 30, 2019 and 6,281,486 employee stock options with dividend equivalent rights), payment of our quarterly dividend would require cash payments of approximately $156,600 over the next twelve months.
In order to meet these liquidity requirements as well as other liquidity needs in the normal course of business, we have in the past used cash flows from operations as well as existing cash and cash equivalents, which have, in the past, been generated from operations, monetization of investments and proceeds from debt issuances. Should these resources be insufficient to meet upcoming liquidity needs, we may also liquidate investment securities 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 will be successful. As of September 30, 2019, we had cash and cash equivalents of $319,298 (including $78,627 of cash at Douglas Elliman and $108,500 of cash at Liggett), investment securities, which were carried at $140,690 (see Note 5 to condensed consolidated financial statements), and long-term investments, which were carried at $66,915 (and, based on market prices as of September 30, 2019, had a fair value of $119,166 (see Note 6 to condensed consolidated financial statements)). As of September 30, 2019, our investments in real estate ventures were carried at $159,569 and our investments in real estate, net were carried at $28,009.

71


Corporate Impact of the Tax Act. The Tax Act limits our interest expense deduction to 30% of taxable income before interest, depreciation and amortization from 2018 to 2021 and then taxable income before interest thereafter for non-excepted trade or businesses. One such excepted trade or business is any electing real property trade or business, which portions of our real estate segment qualify. Interest expense allocable to an excepted trade or business is not subject to limitation. The Tax Act permits us to carry forward disallowed interest expense indefinitely. Due to our high degree of leverage, a portion of our interest expense in future years may not be deductible, which would increase the after-tax cost of any new debt financings as well as the refinancing of our existing debt. Consequently, as part of our annual effective tax rate, we may establish an interest expense carryforward deferred tax asset and corresponding valuation allowance for any disallowed interest expense. Upon analysis of the authoritative guidance released on this matter, we currently estimate that our interest expense will be fully deductible in 2019. We continue to analyze the impact of any nondeductible interest on our operations and capital structure.
Tobacco Litigation. As of September 30, 2019, verdicts have been entered in 16 Engle progeny cases against Liggett. Several were overturned on appeal and new trials were ordered. Liggett has paid $39,773, including interest and attorney’s fees, to satisfy the judgments entered against it. It is possible that additional cases could be decided unfavorably.
Notwithstanding the comprehensive nature of the Engle Progeny Settlements, approximately 60 plaintiffs’ claims remain outstanding. Therefore, we and Liggett may still be subject to periodic adverse judgments which could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
Management cannot predict the cash requirements related to any future settlements or judgments, including cash required to bond any appeals, and there is a risk that those requirements will not be able to be met. 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.
Vector.
6.125% Senior Secured Notes due 2025. In January 2017, we issued $850,000 of our 6.125% Senior Secured Notes due 2025 (“6.125% Senior Secured Notes”). The indenture governing our 6.125% Senior Secured Notes (the “2025 Indenture”) contains covenants that restrict the payment of dividends if our consolidated earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“Consolidated EBITDA”), as defined in the 2025 Indenture, for the most recently ended four full quarters is less than $75,000. The 2025 Indenture also restricts the incurrence of debt if our Leverage Ratio and our Secured Leverage Ratio, as defined in the 2025 Indenture, exceed 3.0 and 1.5, respectively. Our Leverage Ratio is defined in the 2025 Indenture as the ratio of our guaranteeing subsidiaries’ total debt less the fair market value of our cash, investment securities and long-term investments to Consolidated EBITDA, as defined in the 2025 Indenture. Our Secured Leverage Ratio is defined in the 2025 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 in the 2025 Indenture.
 
 
Indenture
 
September 30,
2019
Covenant
 
Requirement
 
Consolidated EBITDA, as defined
 
$75,000
 
$314,943
Leverage ratio, as defined
 
<3.0 to 1
 
2.80 to 1
Secured leverage ratio, as defined
 
<1.5 to 1
 
1.11 to 1

As of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, we were in compliance with all debt covenants related to the 2025 Indenture.

10.5% Senior Notes due 2026. On November 2, 2018, we issued $325,000 of our 10.5% Senior Notes due 2026. The aggregate net proceeds from the sale of the 10.5% Senior Notes were approximately $315,000 after deducting underwriting discounts, commissions, fees and offering expenses. We used some of the net cash proceeds from the issuance of our 10.5% Senior Notes to retire the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest on, our outstanding 7.5% Variable Interest Senior Convertible Notes in January 2019, and may use the remaining proceeds for general corporate purposes (including to redeem, repurchase, repay or otherwise retire the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest on, our outstanding 5.5% Variable Interest Senior Convertible Notes due 2020, at, or prior to, their maturity).
The 10.5% Senior Notes bear interest at a rate of 10.5% per year, payable semi-annually on May 1 and November 1 of each year, beginning on May 1, 2019, and mature on November 1, 2026. We may redeem some or all of the 10.5% Senior Notes at any time prior to November 1, 2021 at a make-whole redemption price. On or after November 1, 2021, we may redeem some or all of the 10.5% Senior Notes at redemption prices set forth in the indenture, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date. In addition, any time prior to November 1, 2021, we may redeem up to 40% of the aggregate outstanding amount of the 10.5% Senior Notes with the net proceeds of certain equity offerings at 110.5% of the aggregate principal amount of the 10.5% Senior Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date, if at least 60% of the aggregate principal amount

72


of the 10.5% Senior Notes originally issued remains outstanding after such redemption, and the redemption occurs within 90 days of the closing of such equity offering. In the event of a change of control, as defined in the indenture, each holder of the 10.5% Senior Notes will have the right to require us to make an offer to repurchase some or all of our 10.5% Senior Notes at a repurchase price equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of the 10.5% Senior Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of purchase. If we sell certain assets and do not apply the proceeds as required pursuant to the indenture, we must offer to repurchase the 10.5% Senior Notes at the prices listed in the indenture.
The 10.5% Senior Notes are guaranteed subject to certain customary automatic release provisions on a joint and several basis by all of our wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries that are engaged in the conduct of our cigarette businesses, and by DER Holdings LLC, through which we indirectly own a 100% interest in Douglas Elliman as of December 31, 2018. DER Holdings LLC does not guarantee our 6.125% Senior Secured Notes.
The indenture governing our 10.5% Senior Notes due 2026 (the “2026 Indenture”) restricts our ability to pay dividends and make certain other distributions subject to certain exceptions, including exceptions for (1) dividends and other distributions in an amount up to 50% of our consolidated net income, plus certain specified proceeds received us, if no event of default has occurred, and we are in compliance with a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio (as defined in the 2026 Indenture) of at least 2.0x, and (2) dividends and other distributions in an unlimited amount, if no event of default has occurred and we are in compliance with a Net Leverage Ratio (as defined in the 2026 Indenture) no greater than 4.0x. As a result, absent an event of default, we can pay dividends if the Net Leverage ratio is below 4.0x, regardless of the value of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio at the time. The 2026 Indenture also restricts our ability to incur debt if our Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is less than 2.0x, and restricts our ability to secure debt other than secured debt incurred pursuant to a Secured Leverage Ratio no greater than 3.75x, unless the 10.5% Senior Notes are secured on an equal and ratable basis. In addition, the 2026 Indenture restricts our ability to spin-off or transfer New Valley and its subsidiaries as a whole, or DER Holdings LLC and its subsidiaries (including Douglas Elliman) as a whole, unless (1) such spin-off or transfer complies with the covenants restricting mergers and asset sales, or (2) our Net Leverage Ratio is no greater than 4.0x. Our Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is defined in the 2026 Indenture as the ratio of our Consolidated EBITDA to our Fixed Charges (each as defined in the 2026 Indenture). Our Net Leverage Ratio is defined in the 2026 Indenture as the ratio of our and our guaranteeing subsidiaries’ total debt less our cash, cash equivalents, and the fair market value of our investment securities, long-term investments, investments in real estate, net, and investments in real estate ventures, to Consolidated EBITDA, as defined in the 2026 Indenture. Our Secured Leverage Ratio is defined in the 2026 Indenture as the ratio of our and our guaranteeing subsidiaries’ total secured debt, to Consolidated EBITDA, as defined in the 2026 Indenture.
Covenant
 
Indenture Requirement
 
September 30,
2019
Consolidated EBITDA, as defined
 
N/A
 
$265,039
Fixed charge coverage ratio, as defined
 
>2.0 to 1
 
2.51 to 1
Net leverage ratio, as defined
 
<4.0 to 1
 
2.44 to 1
Secured leverage ratio, as defined
 
<3.75 to 1
 
0.42 to 1
As of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, we were in compliance with all of the debt covenants governing our 10.5% Senior Notes.
Liggett Credit Facility and Liggett Term Loan Under Credit Facility. As of September 30, 2019, $13,923 was outstanding under the revolving and term loan portions of the credit facility, all of which was classified as current liabilities. Availability as determined under the Credit Facility was $45,234 based on eligible collateral at September 30, 2019. At September 30, 2019, management believed that Liggett was in compliance with all covenants under the credit facility; Liggett’s EBITDA, as defined, were $242,062 for the last twelve months ended September 30, 2019.
On October 31, 2019, our applicable subsidiaries amended the credit facility to, among other things, (i) extend its maturity to January 31, 2025, (ii) update the borrowing base, and (iii) reflect the repayment in full of the term loan facility. Accordingly, the term loan portion of the credit facility no longer exists. As of November 1, 2019, $60,000 was available for borrowing under the Credit Agreement.
Anticipated Liquidity Obligations. We and our subsidiaries have significant indebtedness and debt service obligations. As of September 30, 2019, we and our subsidiaries had total outstanding indebtedness of $1,451,600, of which $232,000 of our 5.5% variable interest senior convertible notes mature in 2020, $850,000 of our 6.125% Senior Secured Notes mature in 2025, and $325,000 of our 10.5% Senior Notes mature in 2026. 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.

73


Our 7.5% convertible notes matured on January 15, 2019 and we used the proceeds of the offering of our 10.5% Senior Notes to pay $230,000 of principal and $8,102 of accrued interest on the maturity date. We may utilize the remaining proceeds from the offering of our 10.5% Senior Notes that were not applied to the repayment of our 7.5% convertible notes to repay, repurchase, retire or redeem our 5.5% variable interest senior convertible notes due April 2020 at or prior to the maturity of these convertible notes or for general corporate purposes, including to pursue business opportunities. We will otherwise need to use our liquidity resources to repay the $232,000 of principal outstanding on these notes when they mature in April 2020, either through use of current liquidity on hand or through external financings.
We believe that our cigarette and real estate operations are positive cash-flow-generating units and will continue to be able to sustain their operations without any significant liquidity concerns.
In order to meet the above liquidity requirements as well as other anticipated liquidity needs in the normal course of business, we had cash and cash equivalents of approximately $319,300, investment securities at fair value of approximately $140,700, long-term investments with an estimated value of approximately $119,200, and availability under Liggett’s credit facility of approximately $45,200 at September 30, 2019. Management currently anticipates that these amounts, as well as expected cash flows from our operations, proceeds from public and/or private debt and equity financing, management fees and other payments from subsidiaries should be sufficient to meet our liquidity needs over the next 12 months. We may acquire or seek to acquire additional operating businesses through merger, purchase of assets, stock acquisition or other means, or to make other investments, which may limit our liquidity otherwise available.
On a quarterly basis, we evaluate our debt securities available for sale and equity securities without readily determinable fair values that do not qualify for the NAV practical expedient 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. The impairment indicators that are taken into consideration as part of our analysis include (a) a significant deterioration in the earnings performance, credit rating, asset quality, or business prospects of the investee, (b) a significant adverse change in the regulatory, economic, or technological environment of the investee, (c) a significant adverse change in the general market condition of either the geographical area or the industry in which the investee operates, and (d) factors that raise significant concerns about the investee’s ability to continue as a going concern, such as negative cash flows from operations, working capital deficiencies, or noncompliance with statutory capital requirements or debt covenants.

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 September 30, 2019, approximately $13,900 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 September 30, 2019, 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 $139.
In addition, as of September 30, 2019, $218,893 ($232,000 principal amount) of outstanding debt had a variable interest rate determined by the amount of the dividends on our common stock. The difference between the stated value of the debt and carrying value is due principally to certain embedded derivatives, which were separately valued and recorded upon issuance, and debt issuance costs. Changes to the estimated fair value of these embedded derivatives are reflected within our statements of operations as “Change in fair value of derivatives embedded within convertible debt.” The value of the embedded derivative is contingent on changes in interest rates of debt instruments maturing over the duration of the convertible debt as well as projections of future cash and stock dividends over the term of the debt 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 “Change in fair value of derivatives embedded within convertible debt” could increase or decrease by approximately $26 resulting from the embedded derivative associated with our 5.5% variable interest senior convertible debentures due 2020. An increase in our quarterly dividend rate by $0.10 per share would increase interest expense by approximately $2,700 per year.
We have estimated the fair market value of the embedded derivatives based principally on the results of a valuation model. The value of the embedded derivatives is contingent on changes in interest rates of debt instruments maturing over the duration of the convertible debt, our stock price as well as projections of future cash and stock dividends over the term of the debt. The interest rate component of the value of the embedded derivative is computed by calculating an equivalent non-convertible, unsecured and subordinated borrowing cost. This rate is determined by calculating the implied rate on our 5.5% Convertible Notes when removing the embedded option value within the convertible security. This rate is based upon market observable inputs and influenced by our stock price, convertible bond trading price, risk-free interest rates and stock volatility. The range of estimated fair market values of our embedded derivatives was between $11,132 and $11,080. We recorded the fair market value of our embedded

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derivatives at the approximate midpoint of the range at $11,105 as of September 30, 2019. The estimated fair market value of our embedded derivatives could change significantly based on future market conditions.
We held debt securities available for sale totaling $94,567 as of September 30, 2019. See Note 5 to our condensed consolidated financial statements. Adverse market conditions could have a significant effect on the value of these investments.

Equity Security Price Risk

As of September 30, 2019, we held various investments in equity securities with a total fair value of $98,507, of which $46,123 represents equity securities at fair value and $52,384 represents equity securities that qualify for the NAV practical expedient. The latter securities represent long-term investments in various investment partnerships. These investments are illiquid and their ultimate realization is subject to the performance of the underlying entities. See Note 5 and 6 to our condensed consolidated financial statements, respectively, for more details on equity securities at fair value and equity securities that qualify for the NAV practical expedient. The impact to our condensed consolidated statement of operations related to equity securities fluctuates based on changes in their fair value.
We record changes in the fair value of equity securities in net income. To the extent that we continue to hold equity securities, our operating results may fluctuate significantly. Based on our equity securities held as of September 30, 2019, a hypothetical decrease of 10% in the price of these equity securities would reduce the fair value of the investments and, accordingly, our net income by approximately $9,851.

New Accounting Pronouncements

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

Legislation and Regulation

There are no material changes from the Legislation and Regulation section set forth in Item 7, “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018, except as follows. The following paragraph of “Item. 1. Business--Legislation and Regulation-Advertising and Warnings on Packaging” from our Annual Report on Form 10-K, which is referenced therein, is amended and restated in its entirety:  

On August 16, 2019, FDA issued a proposed rule that would modify the required warnings that appear on cigarette packages and advertisements. This rule would require each cigarette package and advertisement to bear one of twelve textual warning statements accompanied by one of thirteen corresponding graphic images covering 50% of the area of the front and rear panels of cigarette packages and at least 20% of the area at the top of cigarette advertisements. Proposed rotation requirements would address the distribution of warning statements among brands. In response to a lawsuit filed by public health groups, the District Court for the District of Massachusetts has ordered FDA to issue a final rule by March 15, 2020. The effective date would be 15 months after issuance of the final rule, unless delayed by legal action. We cannot predict whether a court would determine that some or all of the proposed textual and/or graphic warnings, or proposed prominence of the warnings, violate the First Amendment, Administrative Procedure Act, or other legal requirements, or what the impact of such a court ruling would have on the compliance timeline or requirements imposed on industry. We also cannot predict how the inclusion of new warnings and rotation requirements would impact production costs or product sales, or whether it would have a material adverse effect on us.

    
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
In addition to historical information, this report contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities law. Forward-looking statements include information relating to our intent, belief or current expectations, primarily with respect to, but not limited to:
•
economic outlook,
•
capital expenditures,
•
cost reduction,
•
legislation and regulations,
•
cash flows,

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•
operating performance,
•
litigation, and
•
related industry developments (including trends affecting our business, financial condition and results of operations).
We identify forward-looking statements in this report by using words or phrases such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may be,” “objective,” “plan,” “seek,” “predict,” “project” and “will be” and similar words or phrases or their negatives.
The forward-looking information involves important risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from our anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested by the forward-looking statements include, without limitation, the following:
•
general economic and market conditions and any changes therein, due to acts of war and terrorism or otherwise,
•
governmental regulations and policies,
•
effects of industry competition,
•
impact of business combinations, including acquisitions and divestitures, both internally for us and externally in the tobacco industry,
•
impact of legislation on our results of operations and product costs, i.e. the impact of federal legislation providing for regulation of tobacco products by FDA,
•
impact of substantial increases in federal, state and local excise taxes,
•
uncertainty related to product liability and other tobacco-related litigations including the Engle progeny cases pending in Florida and other individual and class action cases where certain plaintiffs have alleged compensatory and punitive damage amounts ranging into the hundreds of million and even billions of dollars; and,
•
potential additional payment obligations for us under the MSA and other settlement agreements with the states.

Further information on the risks and uncertainties to our business include the risk factors discussed above in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and under Item 1A, “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Although we believe the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, there is a risk that these expectations will not be attained and that any deviations will be material. The forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made.

ITEM 3.    QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

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

ITEM 4.    CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

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

There have not been any changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the third quarter of 2019 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. We implemented internal controls to ensure we adequately evaluated our contracts and properly assessed the impact of the new accounting standard related to revenue recognition. There were no significant changes to our internal control over financial reporting due to the adoption of the new standard.

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PART II

OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.     Legal Proceedings

Reference is made to Note 9, incorporated herein by reference, to our condensed consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report which contains a general description of certain legal proceedings to which our company, or its subsidiaries are a party and certain related matters. Reference is also made to Exhibit 99.1 for additional information regarding the pending smoking-related legal proceedings to which Liggett or us is a party. A copy of Exhibit 99.1 will be furnished without charge upon written request to us at our principal executive offices, 4400 Biscayne Boulevard, 10th Floor, Miami, Florida 33137, Attn. Investor Relations.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

There are no material changes from the risk factors set forth in Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” of our Annual Report on 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018, except as set forth below:
We have significant liquidity commitments.
We have significant liquidity commitments that will require the use of our existing cash resources. As of September 30, 2019, our corporate expenditures (exclusive of Liggett, Vector Tobacco and New Valley) and other potential liquidity requirements over the next 12 months include the following:
•
repayment of $232.0 million of our 5.5% Variable Interest Senior Notes due 2020 by April 2020;
•
cash interest expense of approximately $102.1 million,
•
dividends on our outstanding common shares of approximately $156.6 million based on the announced $0.40 per share 2019 fourth quarter dividend and the anticipated $0.20 per share dividends for each of the first three quarters of 2020, and assuming 154,071,547 shares outstanding (147,790,061 shares outstanding as of September 30, 2019 and 6,281,486 employee stock options with dividend equivalent rights), and
•
other corporate expenses and taxes.
In order to meet the above liquidity requirements as well as other liquidity needs in the normal course of business, we will be required to use cash flows from operations and existing cash and cash equivalents. Should these resources be insufficient to meet the upcoming liquidity needs, we may also be required to liquidate investment securities available for sale and other long-term investments, or, if available, draw on Liggett’s credit facility. While there are actions we can take to reduce our liquidity needs, there can be no assurance that such measures will be successful.

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

No equity securities of ours which were not registered under the Securities Act have been issued or sold by us during the three months ended September 30, 2019 except for approximately 7,037,087 shares of common stock issued as a stock dividend on September 27, 2019.

Issuer Purchase of Equity Securities

Our purchase of our common stock during the three months ended September 30, 2019 were as follows:


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Period
Total Number of Shares Purchased
 
Average Price Paid per Share
 
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs
 
Maximum Number of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
July 1 to July 31, 2019
200,926

 
$
9.73

(1) 
—

 
—

August 1 to August 31, 2019
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

September 1 to September 30, 2019
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

  Total
200,926

 
$
9.73

 
—

 
—


(1) Delivery of shares to us in payment of tax withholding in connection with an employee’s vesting in restricted stock. The shares were immediately canceled.

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Item 6.    Exhibits:

Certification of Chief Executive Officer, Pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a), as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer, Pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a), as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer, Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer, Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
Material Legal Proceedings.
 
 
101.INS
XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.
 
 
101.SCH
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
 
 
101.CAL
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase
 
 
101.DEF
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase
 
 
101.LAB
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase
 
 
101.PRE
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase
 
 
104
Cover Page Interactive Data File (the cover page tabs are embedded within the Inline XBRL document).
* Incorporated by reference


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SIGNATURE

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


 
 
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
 
 
(Registrant)
 
 
 
 
 
By: /s/ J. Bryant Kirkland III
 
 
J. Bryant Kirkland III
 
 
Senior Vice President, Treasurer and
 
 
Chief Financial Officer
Date:
November 7, 2019
 

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