VGR Vector Group Ltd

Vector Group Ltd. (NYSE:VGR) today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2014.

On December 13, 2013, Vector Group increased its ownership of Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC from 50% to 70.59%. Consequently, after December 13, 2013, Vector Group consolidates the operations and financial position of Douglas Elliman Realty in its financial statements. It had previously accounted for its interest in Douglas Elliman under the equity method of accounting.

GAAP Financial Results

Fourth quarter 2014 revenues were $417.6 million, compared to revenues of $299.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2013. The increase in revenues in 2014 was primarily due to the acquisition and consolidated presentation of Douglas Elliman. The Company recorded operating income of $47.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2014, compared to operating income of $62.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2013. Net income attributed to Vector Group Ltd. for the 2014 fourth quarter was $11.6 million, or $0.11 per diluted common share, compared to net income of $64.0 million, or $0.59 per diluted common share, in the 2013 fourth quarter.

For the year ended December 31, 2014, revenues were $1.6 billion, compared to $1.1 billion for 2013. The increase in revenues in 2014 was primarily due to the acquisition and consolidated presentation of Douglas Elliman. The Company recorded operating income of $213.4 million for 2014 , compared to operating income of $112.0 million for 2013. Net income attributed to Vector Group Ltd. for 2014 was $37.0 million, or $0.35 per diluted common share, compared to net income of $38.9 million, or $0.39 per diluted common share, for 2013.

Non-GAAP Financial Results

The Company's non-GAAP financial results are presented assuming the Company's acquisition of its additional 20.59% interest in Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC, and the related purchase accounting adjustments, occurred prior to January 1, 2013. Non-GAAP financial results also include adjustments for litigation settlement and judgment expenses in the Company's tobacco business, a one-time charge in 2013 related to the extinguishment of the Company's 11% Senior Secured Notes, non-cash stock compensation expense (for purposes of Pro-forma Adjusted EBITDA only), and non-cash interest items associated with the Company's convertible debt. Reconciliations of non-GAAP financial results to the comparable GAAP financial results for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 are included in Tables 2 through 10.

Three months ended December 31, 2014 compared to the three months ended December 31, 2013

Fourth quarter 2014 Pro-forma Adjusted Revenues (as described in Table 2 attached hereto) were $417.7 million compared to $401.7 million in 2013. The increase was primarily due to an increase in Pro-forma Adjusted Revenues from the Company's tobacco segment of $19.5 million and an increase in Pro-forma Adjusted Revenues at Douglas Elliman of $18.7 million. These increases were offset by the absence of $22.7 million in revenues in 2014 from the 2013 sale of lots at the Company's Escena development in Palm Springs, California.

Pro-forma Adjusted EBITDA attributed to Vector Group (as described below and in Table 3 attached hereto) was $53.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2014 as compared to $76.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2013. The decline in Pro-forma Adjusted EBITDA attributed to Vector Group for the three months ended December 31, 2014 was primarily attributable to the absence of a $20.2 million gain from the sale of lots at the Company's Escena development in Palm Springs, California, which occurred during the three months ended December 31, 2013 as well as increased losses from the Company’s E-cigarette segment in the 2014 period. This decline was offset by higher profits in the tobacco segment.

Pro-forma Adjusted Net Income (as described below and in Table 4 attached hereto) was $11.9 million or $0.11 per diluted share for the three months ended December 31, 2014 and $37.2 million or $0.35 per diluted share for the three months ended December 31, 2013.

Pro-forma Adjusted Operating Income (as described below and in Table 5 attached hereto) was $49.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2014 and $75.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2013.

Twelve months ended December 31, 2014 compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2013

For the year ended December 31, 2014 Pro-forma Adjusted Revenues (as described in Table 2 attached hereto) were $1.59 billion compared to $1.50 billion in 2013. The increase was primarily due to an increase in real estate revenues at Douglas Elliman.

Pro-forma Adjusted EBITDA attributed to Vector Group (as described below and in Table 3 attached hereto) was $227.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 as compared to $236.4 million for the twelve-month period of 2013. The decline in Pro-forma Adjusted EBITDA attributed to Vector Group for the twelve months ended December 31, 2014 was primarily attributable to the absence of a $20.2 million gain from the sale of lots at the Company's Escena development in Palm Springs, California, which occurred during the three months ended December 31, 2013 and increased losses from the Company’s E-cigarette segment in 2014. This decline was offset by higher profits in the tobacco segment and from the Company’s 70.59% interest in Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC.

Pro-forma Adjusted Net Income (as described below and in Table 4 attached hereto) was $63.9 million or $0.60 per diluted share for the year ended December 31, 2014 and $84.0 million or $0.85 per diluted share for the year ended December 31, 2013.

Pro-forma Adjusted Operating Income (as described below and in Table 5 attached hereto) was $223.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 and $232.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2013.

Tobacco Business Financial Results

For the fourth quarter 2014, the Company's tobacco business had revenues of $272.8 million, compared to $253.3 million for the fourth quarter 2013. The increase in revenues was primarily due to a 4.6% increase in unit sales volume and by favorable net pricing variances. Tobacco Adjusted Operating Income (described below and included in Table 6 attached hereto) for the fourth quarter 2014 and 2013 was $52.5 million and $49.3 million, respectively.

For the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company's tobacco business had revenues of $1.021 billion, compared to $1.014 billion for the year ended December 31, 2013. The increase in revenues was primarily due to 3.1% favorable net pricing variances offset by a 2.3% decline in unit sales volume. Tobacco Adjusted Operating Income (described below and included in Table 6 attached hereto) for the year ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 was $200.2 million and $189.3 million, respectively.

For the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2014, the Company's tobacco business had conventional cigarette sales of approximately 2.36 billion units and 8.86 billion units, respectively, compared to 2.25 billion units and 9.07 billion units for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2013.

Real Estate Business Financial Results

For the fourth quarter 2014, the Company's real estate segment had Pro-forma Adjusted Revenues of $146.3 million, compared to $148.4 million for the fourth quarter 2013. For the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company's real estate segment's Pro-forma Adjusted Revenues were $563.2 million compared to $483.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. The increase in revenues was primarily due to an increase in revenues at Douglas Elliman combined with the sale of the Company's Indian Creek property. For the fourth quarter 2014, Real Estate Pro-forma Adjusted EBITDA attributed to the Company were $6.2 million, compared to $28.9 million for the fourth quarter 2013. For the year ended December 31, 2014, Real Estate Pro-forma Adjusted EBITDA attributed to the Company were $40.2 million, compared to $51.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2013.

Douglas Elliman's results are included in the Real Estate segment and it continued to post strong growth with increases in Pro-Forma Adjusted Revenues of 14.9% and 18.9% for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2014 , respectively, from the comparable 2013 periods. Additionally, Douglas Elliman continued to make strategic investments in 2014 by expanding into new markets, bolstering its development marketing division and incurring increased advertising and marketing expenses to strengthen the long-term value of the Douglas Elliman brand name.

Douglas Elliman's Pro-Forma Adjusted Revenues for the fourth quarter 2014 were $144.6 million, compared to $125.8 million for the fourth quarter 2013. For the year ended December 31, 2014, Douglas Elliman's Pro-forma Adjusted Revenues were $543.2 million compared to $456.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. For the fourth quarter 2014, Douglas Elliman's Pro-forma Adjusted EBITDA were $6.1 million ($4.3 million attributed to the Company), compared to $13.2 million ($9.3 million attributed to the Company) for the fourth quarter 2013. For the year ended December 31, 2014, Douglas Elliman's Pro-forma Adjusted EBITDA were $50.7 million ($35.8 million attributed to the Company), compared to $45.7 million ($32.3 million attributed to the Company) for the year ended December 31, 2013.

For the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2014, Douglas Elliman achieved closed sales of approximately $4.9 billion and $18.2 billion, respectively, compared to $4.0 billion and $14.8 billion for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2013.

In 2014, the Company was required under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 to complete an assessment of internal controls of Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC, which became a consolidated subsidiary of the Company on December 13, 2013. In the Company’s assessment, it has identified material weaknesses in internal controls over financial reporting at Douglas Elliman related to the effectiveness of its monitoring process for evaluating its financial reporting. Vector Group is beginning the evaluation process associated with remediation of these weaknesses and will continue to take measures, including engaging service providers that may be necessary and advisable, to address these weaknesses.

E-cigarettes

For the fourth quarter 2014, the Company's E-cigarette segment had Pro-forma Adjusted Revenues of negative $1.4 million and a loss of Pro-forma Adjusted EBITDA of $6.0 million. The negative revenues of $1.4 million in the Company’s E-Cigarette segment for the three months ended December 31, 2014 are the result of a newly-established sales returns allowance of $2.7 million because of the rapid decline of disposable e-cigarette sales in the U.S. market. For the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company's E-cigarette segment had Pro-forma Adjusted Revenues of $8.6 million and a loss of Pro-forma Adjusted EBITDA of $13.1 million.

The Company's E-cigarette segment did not have any revenues in the 2013 periods and reported a loss from Pro-forma Adjusted EBITDA of approximately $459,000 and $1.0 million for the three months and year ended December 31, 2013.

As a result of the amount of operating losses in the Company's E-cigarette segment, effective as of September 30, 2014, when compared to the remaining components of the Company's Corporate and Other segment, the Company has reevaluated its operating segments and has separated the operations of the Company's E-cigarette segment from the Corporate and Other segment for previously reported 2014 periods and from the Tobacco segment for the previously reported 2013 periods. Thus, information reported prior to September 30, 2014 has been recast to conform to the current presentation. This change did not have an impact to the Company's historical consolidated results.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Pro-forma Adjusted Revenues, Pro-forma Adjusted EBITDA, Pro-forma Adjusted Net Income, Pro-forma Adjusted Operating Income, Tobacco Adjusted Operating Income, New Valley LLC Pro-forma Adjusted Revenues, New Valley LLC Pro-forma Adjusted EBITDA, Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC Adjusted Revenues, and Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC Adjusted EBITDA are financial measures not prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). The Company believes that Pro-forma Adjusted Revenues, Pro-forma Adjusted EBITDA, Pro-forma Adjusted Net Income, Pro-forma Adjusted Operating Income, Tobacco Adjusted Operating Income, New Valley LLC Pro-forma Adjusted Revenues, New Valley LLC Pro-forma Adjusted EBITDA, Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC Adjusted Revenues, and Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC Adjusted EBITDA are important measures that supplement discussions and analysis of its results of operations and enhances an understanding of its operating performance. The Company believes Pro-forma Adjusted Revenues, Pro-forma Adjusted EBITDA, Pro-forma Adjusted Net Income, Pro-forma Adjusted Operating Income, Tobacco Adjusted Operating Income, New Valley LLC Pro-forma Adjusted Revenues, New Valley LLC Pro-forma Adjusted EBITDA, Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC Adjusted Revenues, and Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC Adjusted EBITDA provide investors and analysts with a useful measure of operating results unaffected by differences in capital structures, capital investment cycles and ages of related assets among otherwise comparable companies. Management uses Pro-forma Adjusted Revenues, Pro-forma Adjusted EBITDA, Pro-forma Adjusted Net Income, Pro-forma Adjusted Operating Income, Tobacco Adjusted Operating Income, New Valley LLC Pro-forma Adjusted Revenues, New Valley LLC Pro-forma Adjusted EBITDA, Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC Adjusted Revenues, and Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC Adjusted EBITDA as measures to review and assess operating performance of the Company's business, and management and investors should review both the overall performance (GAAP net income) and the operating performance (Pro-forma Adjusted Revenues, Pro-forma Adjusted EBITDA, Pro-forma Adjusted Net Income, Pro-forma Adjusted Operating Income, Tobacco Adjusted Operating Income, New Valley LLC Pro-forma Adjusted Revenues, New Valley LLC Pro-forma Adjusted EBITDA, Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC Adjusted Revenues, and Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC Adjusted EBITDA) of the Company's business. While management considers Pro-forma Adjusted Revenues, Pro-forma Adjusted EBITDA, Pro-forma Adjusted Net Income, Pro-forma Adjusted Operating Income, Tobacco Adjusted Operating Income, New Valley LLC Pro-forma Adjusted Revenues, New Valley LLC Pro-forma Adjusted EBITDA, Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC Adjusted Revenues, and Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC Adjusted EBITDA to be important, they should be considered in addition to, but not as substitutes for or superior to, other measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP, such as operating income, net income and cash flows from operations. In addition, Pro-forma Adjusted Revenues, Pro-forma Adjusted EBITDA, Pro-forma Adjusted Net Income, Pro-forma Adjusted Operating Income, Tobacco Adjusted Operating Income, New Valley LLC Pro-forma Adjusted Revenues, New Valley LLC Pro-forma Adjusted EBITDA, Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC Adjusted Revenues, and Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC Adjusted EBITDA are susceptible to varying calculations and the Company's measurement of Pro-forma Adjusted Revenues, Pro-forma Adjusted EBITDA, Pro-forma Adjusted Net Income, Pro-forma Adjusted Operating Income, Tobacco Adjusted Operating Income, New Valley LLC Pro-forma Adjusted Revenues, New Valley LLC Pro-forma Adjusted EBITDA, Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC Adjusted Revenues, and Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to those of other companies. Attached hereto as Tables 2 through 10 is information relating to the Company's Pro-forma Adjusted Revenues, Pro-forma Adjusted EBITDA, Pro-forma Adjusted Net Income, Pro-forma Adjusted Operating Income, Tobacco Adjusted Operating Income, New Valley LLC Pro-forma Adjusted Revenues, New Valley LLC Pro-forma Adjusted EBITDA, Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC Adjusted Revenues, and Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC Adjusted EBITDA for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013.

Conference Call to Discuss Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2014 Results

As previously announced, the Company will host a conference call and webcast on Monday, March 2, 2015 at 9:30 A.M. (ET) to discuss fourth quarter and full year 2014 results. Investors can access the call by dialing 800-859-8150 and entering 78148193 as the conference ID number. The call will also be available via live webcast at www.investorcalendar.com. Webcast participants should allot extra time to register before the webcast begins.

A replay of the call will be available shortly after the call ends on March 2, 2015 through March 13, 2015. To access the replay, dial 877-656-8905 and enter 78148193 as the conference ID number. The archived webcast will also be available at www.investorcalendar.com for one year.

Vector Group is a holding company that indirectly owns Liggett Group LLC, Vector Tobacco Inc. and Zoom E-Cigs LLC and directly owns New Valley LLC, which owns a controlling interest in Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC. Additional information concerning the company is available on the Company's website, www.VectorGroupLtd.com.

[Financial Tables Follow]

 

TABLE 1

VECTOR GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)

  Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended December 31, December 31, 2014     2013   2014     2013   (Unaudited) (Unaudited) Revenues Tobacco* $ 272,791 $ 253,303 $ 1,021,259 $ 1,014,341 Real estate 146,187 46,282 561,467 65,580 E-Cigarettes (1,388 ) —   8,589   —   Total revenues 417,590 299,585 1,591,315 1,079,921   Expenses: Cost of sales: Tobacco* 198,058 181,016 735,725 729,393 Real estate 92,497 21,558 354,028 37,638 E-Cigarettes 950   —   7,307   —   Total cost of sales 291,505 202,574 1,097,060 767,031   Operating, selling, administrative and general expenses 77,961 34,833 278,392 112,748 Litigation settlement and judgment expense 750   193   2,475   88,106   Operating income 47,374 61,985 213,388 112,036   Other income (expenses): Interest expense (37,321 ) (33,102 ) (160,991 ) (132,147 ) Loss on extinguishment of debt — — — (21,458 ) Change in fair value of derivatives embedded within convertible debt 11,962 10,636 19,409 18,935 Acceleration of interest expense related to debt conversion (93 ) (12,414 ) (5,205 ) (12,414 ) Equity income from real estate ventures 1,101 6,151 4,103 22,925 Equity (loss) income on long-term investments (220 ) 1,296 1,242 2,066 Gain (loss) on sale of investment securities available for sale 27 42 (11 ) 5,152 Gain on acquisition of Douglas Elliman — 60,842 — 60,842 Other, net 2,385   2,399   10,552   7,550   Income before provision for income taxes 25,215 97,835 82,487 63,487 Income tax expense 12,244   34,082   33,251   24,795     Net income 12,971 63,753 49,236 38,692   Net (income) loss attributed to non-controlling interest (1,377 ) 252   (12,258 ) 252     Net income attributed to Vector Group Ltd. $ 11,594   $ 64,005   $ 36,978   $ 38,944     Per basic common share:   Net income applicable to common shares attributed to Vector Group Ltd. $ 0.11   $ 0.64   $ 0.35   $ 0.39     Per diluted common share:   Net income applicable to common shares attributed to Vector Group Ltd. $ 0.11   $ 0.59   $ 0.35   $ 0.39     Cash distributions and dividends declared per share $ 0.40   $ 0.38   $ 1.54   $ 1.47    

 * Revenues and Cost of goods sold include excise taxes of $118,652, $113,409, $446,086 and $456,703, respectively.

   

TABLE 2

VECTOR GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

RECONCILIATION OF PRO-FORMA ADJUSTED REVENUES

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in Thousands)

  Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended December 31, December 31, 2014     2013   2014     2013   Revenues $ 417,590 $ 299,585 $ 1,591,315   $ 1,079,921  

Reclassification of revenues as a result of the consolidation of Douglas Elliman (a)

— 100,732 — 416,453 Purchase accounting adjustments (b) 85   1,357   1,768   1,357 Total adjustments 85 102,089 1,768 417,810   Pro-forma Adjusted Revenues $ 417,675   $ 401,674   $ 1,593,083   $ 1,497,731   Pro-forma Adjusted Revenues by Segment Tobacco $ 272,791 $ 253,303 $ 1,021,259 $ 1,014,341 E-cigarettes (1,388 ) — 8,589 — Real Estate (c) 146,272 148,371 563,235 483,390 Corporate and Other —   —   —   — Total $ 417,675   $ 401,674   $ 1,593,083   $ 1,497,731   a.   Represents revenues of Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC in the respective 2013 periods. On December 13, 2013, the Company increased its ownership of Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC from 50% to 70.59%. Consequently, after December 13, 2013, the Company consolidates the operations and financial position of Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC in its financial statements. The Company had previously accounted for its interest in Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC under the equity method and revenues from Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC were not included in the Company's revenues. b. Amounts represent one-time purchase accounting adjustments to fair value for deferred revenues recorded in connection with the increase of the Company's ownership of Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC on December 13, 2013. c. Includes Pro-Forma Adjusted Revenues from Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC of $144,564, $125,820, $543,230, and $456,909 for the three months and years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.  

TABLE 3

VECTOR GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

COMPUTATION OF  PRO-FORMA ADJUSTED EBITDA

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in Thousands)

  Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended December 31, December 31, 2014     2013   2014     2013     Net income attributed to Vector Group Ltd. $ 11,594 $ 64,005 $ 36,978 $ 38,944 Interest expense 37,321 33,102 160,991 132,147 Income tax expense 12,244 34,082 33,251 24,795 Net income (loss) attributed to non-controlling interest 1,377 (252 ) 12,258 (252 ) Depreciation and amortization 5,900   4,626   24,499   12,631   EBITDA $ 68,436 $ 135,563 $ 267,977 $ 208,265 Change in fair value of derivatives embedded within convertible debt (a) (11,962 ) (10,636 ) (19,409 ) (18,935 ) Equity (gain) loss on long-term investments (b) 220 (1,296 ) (1,242 ) (2,066 ) (Gain) loss on sale of investment securities available for sale (27 ) (42 ) 11 (5,152 ) Equity income from real estate ventures (c) (1,101 ) (6,151 ) (4,103 ) (22,925 ) Loss on extinguishment of debt — — — 21,458 Acceleration of interest expense related to debt conversion 93 12,414 5,205 12,414 Stock-based compensation expense (d) 1,224 586 3,251 2,519 Litigation settlement and judgment expense (e) 750 193 2,475 88,106 Impact of MSA Settlement (f) — (860 ) (1,419 ) (11,823 ) Gain on acquisition of Douglas Elliman — (60,842 ) — (60,842 ) Reclassification of EBITDA as a result of the consolidation of Douglas Elliman (g) — 13,804 — 46,640 Purchase accounting adjustments 465 — 1,478 — Other, net (2,385 ) (2,399 ) (10,552 ) (7,550 ) Pro-forma Adjusted EBITDA $ 55,713 $ 80,334 $ 243,672 $ 250,109 Pro-forma Adjusted EBITDA attributed to non-controlling interest (2,244 ) (4,060 ) (15,858 ) (13,717 ) Pro-forma Adjusted EBITDA attributed to Vector Group Ltd. $ 53,469   $ 76,274   $ 227,814   $ 236,392     Pro-forma Adjusted EBITDA by Segment Tobacco $ 54,882 $ 51,746 $ 211,168 $ 198,866 E-cigarettes (6,023 ) (459 ) (13,124 ) (1,019 ) Real Estate (h) 8,447 32,983 56,036 64,866 Corporate and Other (1,593 ) (3,936 ) (10,408 ) (12,604 ) Total $ 55,713   $ 80,334   $ 243,672   $ 250,109     Pro-forma Adjusted EBITDA Attributed to Vector Group by Segment Tobacco $ 54,882 $ 51,746 $ 211,168 $ 198,866 E-cigarettes (6,023 ) (459 ) (13,124 ) (1,019 ) Real Estate (i) 6,203 28,923 40,178 51,149 Corporate and Other (1,593 ) (3,936 ) (10,408 ) (12,604 ) Total $ 53,469   $ 76,274   $ 227,814   $ 236,392     a.   Represents income or losses recognized from changes in the fair value of the derivatives embedded in the Company's convertible debt. b. Represents income or losses recognized on long-term investments that the Company accounts for under the equity method. c. Represents equity income recognized from the Company's investment in certain real estate businesses that are not consolidated in its financial results. d. Represents amortization of stock-based compensation. e. Represents accrual for a settlement of an Engle progeny judgment. f. Represents the Company's tobacco business's settlement of a long-standing dispute related to the Master Settlement Agreement. g. Represents Adjusted EBITDA of Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC in the respective 2013 periods. On December 13, 2013, the Company increased its ownership of Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC from 50% to 70.59%. Consequently, after December 13, 2013, the Company consolidates the operations and financial position of Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC in its financial statements . The Company had previously accounted for its interest in Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC under the equity method, and operating income as well as depreciation and amortization expense from Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC were not included in the Company's Adjusted EBITDA. h. Includes Pro-forma Adjusted EBITDA for Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC of $6,125, $13,169, $50,655 and $45,710 for the three months and years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Amounts reported in this footnote reflect 100% of Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC's entire Pro-forma Adjusted EBITDA. i. Includes Pro-forma Adjusted EBITDA for Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC less non-controlling interest of $4,324, $9,297, $35,757 and $32,267 the three months and years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Amounts reported in this footnote have adjusted Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC's Pro-forma Adjusted EBITDA for non-controlling interest.  

TABLE 4

VECTOR GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

RECONCILIATION OF PRO-FORMA ADJUSTED NET INCOME

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)

  Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended December 31, December 31, 2014     2013   2014     2013     Net income attributed to Vector Group Ltd. $ 11,594 $ 64,005 $ 36,978 $ 38,944   Acceleration of interest expense related to debt conversion 93 12,414 5,205 12,414 Change in fair value of derivatives embedded within convertible debt (11,962 ) (10,636 ) (19,409 ) (18,935 ) Non-cash amortization of debt discount on convertible debt 9,744 10,946 51,472 36,378 Loss on extinguishment of 11% Senior Secured Notes due 2015 — — — 21,458 Litigation settlement and judgment expense (a) 750 193 2,475 88,106 Impact of MSA Settlement (b) — (860 ) (1,419 ) (11,823 ) Interest income from MSA Settlement (c) — — — (1,971 ) Gain on acquisition of Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC (d) — (60,842 ) — (60,842 )

Adjustment to reflect additional 20.59% of net income fromDouglas Elliman Realty, LLC (e)

— 2,467 — 8,557 Out-of-period adjustment related to Douglas Elliman acquisition in 2013 (f) — — (1,231 ) — Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC purchase accounting adjustments (g) 1,189   1,165   6,019   1,165   Total adjustments (186 ) (45,153 ) 43,112 74,507   Tax expense related to adjustments 77 18,332 (17,827 ) (29,467 ) Adjustments to income tax expense due to purchase accounting (h) 365 — 1,670 —                 Pro-forma Adjusted Net Income attributed to Vector Group Ltd. $ 11,850   $ 37,184   $ 63,933   $ 83,984     Per diluted common share:  

Pro-forma Adjusted Net Income applicable to common sharesattributed to Vector Group Ltd.

$ 0.11   $ 0.35   $ 0.60   $ 0.85    

a.

  Represents accrual for a settlement of an Engle progeny judgment. b. Represents the Company's tobacco segment's settlement of a long-standing dispute related to the Master Settlement Agreement.

c.

Represents interest income on the Company's tobacco segment's settlement of a long-standing dispute related to the Master Settlement Agreement. d. Represents gain associated with the increase of ownership of Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC. e. Represents 20.59% of Douglas Elliman Realty LLC's net income in the respective 2013 periods. On December 13, 2013, the Company increased its ownership of Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC from 50% to 70.59%. Consequently, after December 13, 2013, the Company includes an additional 20.59% of Adjusted Net Income from Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC in the Company's Adjusted Net Income. f. Represents an out-of-period adjustment related to a non-accrual of a receivable from Douglas Elliman in the fourth quarter of 2013 and would have increased the Company’s gain on acquisition of Douglas Elliman in 2013. g. Represents 70.59% of one-time purchase accounting adjustments to fair value for assets acquired in connection with the increase of the Company's ownership of Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC on December 13, 2013.

h.

Represents adjustments to income tax expense due to a change in the Company's marginal income tax rate from 40.6% to 41.35% as a result of its acquisition of 20.59% of Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC on December 13, 2013.  

TABLE 5

VECTOR GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

RECONCILIATION OF PRO-FORMA ADJUSTED OPERATING INCOME

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in Thousands)

  Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended December 31, December 31, 2014     2013   2014     2013     Operating income $ 47,374   $ 61,985 $ 213,388 $ 112,036   Litigation settlement and judgment expense (a) 750 193 2,475 88,106 Impact of MSA Settlement (b) — (860 ) (1,419 ) (11,823 )

Reclassification of operating income as a result of the consolidation ofDouglas Elliman Realty, LLC (c)

— 12,873 — 42,598 Douglas Elliman purchase accounting adjustments (d) 1,684   1,650   8,527   1,650   Total adjustments 2,434 13,856 9,583 120,531   Pro-forma Adjusted Operating Income (e) $ 49,808   $ 75,841   $ 222,971   $ 232,567     a.   Represents accrual for a settlement of an Engle progeny judgment. b. Represents the Company's tobacco segment's settlement of a long-standing dispute related to the Master Settlement Agreement. c. Represents Adjusted Operating Income of Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC in the respective 2013 periods. On December 13, 2013, the Company increased its ownership of Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC from 50% to 70.59%. Consequently, after December 13, 2013, the Company consolidates the operations and financial position of Douglas Elliman Realty in its financial statements. The Company had previously accounted for its interest in Douglas Elliman under the equity method and operating income from Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC was not included in the Company's operating income. d. Amounts represent one-time purchase accounting adjustments to fair value for assets acquired in connection with the increase of the Company's ownership of Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC on December 13, 2013. e. Does not include a reduction for 29.41% non-controlling interest in Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC.  

TABLE 6

VECTOR GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

RECONCILIATION OF TOBACCO ADJUSTED OPERATING INCOME

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

 

Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended December 31, December 31, 2014     2013   2014     2013     Operating income from tobacco business $ 51,724   $ 49,999 $ 199,119 $ 113,039   Litigation settlement and judgment expense (a) 750 193 2,475 88,106 Impact of MSA Settlement (b) —   (860 ) (1,419 ) (11,823 ) Total adjustments 750 (667 ) 1,056 76,283   Tobacco Adjusted Operating Income $ 52,474   $ 49,332   $ 200,175   $ 189,322     a.   Represents accruals for settlements of judgments in the Engle progeny tobacco litigation. b. Represents the Company's tobacco segment's settlement of a long-standing dispute related to the Master Settlement Agreement.  

TABLE 7

VECTOR GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

ANALYSIS OF NEW VALLEY LLC PRO-FORMA ADJUSTED REVENUES

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in Thousands)

  Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended December 31, December 31, 2014     2013   2014     2013   New Valley LLC revenues $ 146,187     $ 46,282 $ 561,467     $ 65,580  

Reclassification of revenues as a result of the consolidation ofDouglas Elliman (a)

— 100,732 — 416,453 Purchase accounting adjustments (b) 85   1,357   1,768   1,357 Total adjustments 85 102,089 1,768 417,810   New Valley LLC Pro-forma Adjusted Revenues (c) $ 146,272   $ 148,371   $ 563,235   $ 483,390   a.   Represents revenues of Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC for the respective three month periods. For the last twelve months ended June 30, 2014, represents revenues of Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC from July 1, 2013 to December 13, 2013. For the year ended December 31, 2013, represents revenues of Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC for the period from January 1, 2013 to December 13, 2013. On December 13, 2013, the Company increased its ownership of Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC from 50% to 70.59%. Consequently, after December 13, 2013, the Company consolidates the operations and financial position of Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC in its financial statements. The Company had previously accounted for its interest in Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC under the equity method and revenues from Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC were not included in the Company's revenues. b. Amounts represent one-time purchase accounting adjustments to fair value for deferred revenues recorded in connection with the increase of the Company's ownership of Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC on December 13, 2013. c. Includes Pro-forma Adjusted Revenues from Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC of $144,564, $125,820, $543,230, and $456,909 for the three months and years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.  

TABLE 8

VECTOR GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

COMPUTATION OF NEW VALLEY LLC PRO-FORMA ADJUSTED EBITDA

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in Thousands)

  Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended December 31, December 31, 2014     2013   2014     2013     Net income attributed to Vector Group Ltd. from subsidiary non-guarantors (a) $ 3,759 $ 50,286 $ 21,420 $ 59,422 Interest expense (a) 1 4 41 14 Income tax expense (a) 2,008 34,394 17,428 40,740 Net income (loss) attributed to non-controlling interest (a) 1,377 (252 ) 12,258 (252 ) Depreciation and amortization 2,495   1,981   12,204   2,421   EBITDA $ 9,640 $ 86,413 $ 63,351 $ 102,345 Income from non-guarantors other than New Valley 7 36 93 131 Equity income from real estate ventures (b) (1,101 ) (6,151 ) (4,103 ) (22,925 ) Gain on acquisition of Douglas Elliman — (60,842 ) — (60,842 ) Reclassification of EBITDA as a result of the consolidation of Douglas Elliman (c) — 13,804 — 46,640 Purchase accounting adjustments 465 — 1,478 — Other, net (489 ) (222 ) (4,786 ) (348 ) Pro-forma Adjusted EBITDA $ 8,522 $ 33,038 $ 56,033 $ 65,001 Pro-forma Adjusted EBITDA attributed to non-controlling interest (2,244 ) (4,060 ) (15,858 ) (13,717 ) Pro-forma Adjusted EBITDA attributed to New Valley LLC $ 6,278   $ 28,978   $ 40,175   $ 51,284     Pro-forma Adjusted EBITDA by Segment Real Estate (d) $ 8,447 $ 32,983 $ 56,036 $ 64,866 Corporate and Other 75   55   (3 ) 135   Total (f) $ 8,522   $ 33,038   $ 56,033   $ 65,001     Pro-forma Adjusted EBITDA Attributed to New Valley LLC by Segment Real Estate (e) $ 6,203 $ 28,923 $ 40,178 $ 51,149 Corporate and Other 74   55   (3 ) 135   Total (f) $ 6,277   $ 28,978   $ 40,175   $ 51,284     a.   Amounts are derived from Vector Group Ltd.'s Consolidated Financial Statements. See Note entitled "Vector Group Ltd.'s Condensed Consolidating Financial Information" contained in Vector Group Ltd.'s Form 10-K for each respective period. b. Represents equity income recognized from the Company's investment in certain real estate businesses that are not consolidated in its financial results.

c.

Represents EBITDA of Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC for all periods prior to December 13, 2013. On December 13, 2013, the Company increased its ownership of Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC from 50% to 70.59%. Consequently, after December 13, 2013, the Company consolidates the operations and financial position of Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC in its financial statements. The Company had previously accounted for its interest in Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC under the equity method, and operating income as well as depreciation and amortization expense from Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC, were not included in the Company's Adjusted EBITDA. d. Includes Pro-forma Adjusted EBITDA for Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC of $6,125, $13,169, $50,655 and $45,710 for the three months and years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Amounts reported in this footnote reflect 100% of Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC's entire Pro-forma Adjusted EBITDA. e. Includes Pro-forma Adjusted EBITDA for Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC less non-controlling interest of $4,324, $9,297, $35,757 and $32,267 the three months and years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Amounts reported in this footnote have adjusted Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC's Pro-forma Adjusted EBITDA for non-controlling interest. f. New Valley's Pro-forma Adjusted EBITDA does not include an allocation of Vector Group Ltd.'s "Corporate and Other" segment's expenses of $1,593, $3,936, $10,408, and $12,604 for t the three months and years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.  

TABLE 9

VECTOR GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

ANALYSIS OF DOUGLAS ELLIMAN REALTY, LLC PRO-FORMA ADJUSTED REVENUES

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in Thousands)

  Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2014     2013   Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC revenues $ 541,462     $ 436,935   Real estate brokerage revenues reclassified from Vector Group Ltd. (a) — 18,617 Purchase accounting adjustments (b) 1,768   1,357 Total adjustments 1,768 19,974   Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC Pro-forma Adjusted Revenues $ 543,230   $ 456,909   a.   Revenues from Douglas Elliman Florida, LLC, which was a subsidiary of Vector from prior to January 1, 2013 to December 13, 2013 and acquired by Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC in December 2013. b. Amounts represent one-time purchase accounting adjustments to fair value for deferred revenues recorded in connection with the increase of the Company's ownership of Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC on December 13, 2013.  

TABLE 10

VECTOR GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

COMPUTATION OF DOUGLAS ELLIMAN REALTY, LLC PRO-FORMA ADJUSTED EBITDA

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in Thousands)

  Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2014     2013     Net income attributed to Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC $ 38,414   $ 38,095 Interest expense 38 18 Income tax expense 1,374 996 Depreciation and amortization 11,855   6,209   Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC EBITDA $ 51,681 $ 45,318 Equity income from real estate ventures (a) (110 ) (57 ) Purchase accounting adjustments 1,478 1,357 Income from Douglas Elliman Florida LLC — (930 ) Other, net (2,394 ) 22   Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC Pro-forma Adjusted EBITDA $ 50,655   $ 45,710     a.   Represents equity income recognized from the Company's investment in certain real estate businesses that are not consolidated in its financial results.

Sard Verbinnen & CoPaul Caminiti/Emily Deissler/Benjamin Spicehandler/Spencer Waybright212-687-8080orVector Group Ltd.J. Bryant Kirkland III305-579-8000