EX-99.1 2 a2023q3pressrelease.htm EX-99.1 Document

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: FGS Global
  212-687-8080 (U.S.)
  VectorGroupIR@fgsglobal.com
J. Bryant Kirkland III, Vector Group Ltd.
305-579-8000
VECTOR GROUP REPORTS THIRD QUARTER 2023 FINANCIAL RESULTS
Montego becomes the largest U.S. discount brand

Third Quarter 2023 Highlights:
Consolidated revenues of $364.1 million, down 3.7% or $13.9 million compared to the prior year period.
Tobacco segment wholesale market share declined to 5.3% from 5.7% in the prior year period and retail market share increased to 5.9% from 5.7% in the prior year period.
Montego wholesale market share increased to 3.5% from 2.8% in the prior year period and retail market share increased to 3.8% from 2.8% in the prior year period.
Operating income of $90.5 million, up 7.9% or $6.6 million compared to the prior year period.
Tobacco segment operating income of $94.8 million, up 7.6% or $6.7 million compared to the prior year period.
Adjusted EBITDA of $94.9 million, up 8.8% or $7.7 million compared to the prior year period.
Tobacco Adjusted EBITDA of $96.3 million, up 7.4% or $6.7 million compared to the prior year period.
Year-to-date 2023 Highlights:
Consolidated revenues of $1.06 billion, down 1.2% or $13.3 million compared to the prior year period.
Tobacco segment revenues of $1.06 billion, up 0.2% or $2.6 million compared to the prior year period.
Tobacco segment wholesale and retail market share increased to 5.5% and 5.8% from 5.4% and 5.4%, respectively, in the prior year period.
Montego wholesale market share increased to 3.4% from 2.4% in the prior year period and retail market share increased to 3.6% from 2.4% in the prior year period.
Operating income of $236.4 million, down 5.3% or $13.3 million compared to the prior year period.
Tobacco segment operating income of $248.5 million, down 2.2% or $5.5 million compared to the prior year period.



Adjusted EBITDA of $267.1 million, up 2.9% or $7.6 million compared to the prior year period.
Tobacco Adjusted EBITDA of $271.0 million, up 5.6% or $14.4 million compared to the prior year period.
LTM September 30, 2023 Market Share Highlights:
Tobacco segment wholesale and retail market share increased to 5.5% and 5.8% from 5.1% and 5.2%, respectively, in the last twelve months ended September 30, 2022.
Montego wholesale and retail market share increased to 3.3% and 3.5% from 2.0% and 2.0%, respectively, in the last twelve months ended September 30, 2022.
MIAMI, FL, November 1, 2023 - Vector Group Ltd. (NYSE: VGR) today announced financial results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023.

“We are proud that Montego grew to be the largest discount brand in the United States in the third quarter of 2023, demonstrating the strength of our strategy and the skillful execution by Liggett to offer the best value proposition in the U.S. cigarette industry,” said Howard M. Lorber, President and Chief Executive Officer of Vector Group Ltd. “As Liggett continues to outperform the market, we remain focused on optimizing long-term profit and driving value for stockholders by effectively managing its volume, pricing, and market share.”
GAAP Financial Results
Three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022. Third quarter 2023 revenues were $364.1 million, compared to $378.0 million in the third quarter of 2022. The Company recorded operating income of $90.5 million in the third quarter of 2023, compared to $83.9 million in the third quarter of 2022. Net income for the third quarter of 2023 was $52.7 million, or $0.33 per diluted common share, compared to $38.9 million, or $0.25 per diluted common share, in the third quarter of 2022.
Nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022. For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, revenues were $1.06 billion, compared to $1.08 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2022. The Company recorded operating income of $236.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared to $249.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022. Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 was $125.5 million, or $0.80 per diluted common share, compared to $110.6 million, or $0.70 per diluted common share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2022.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Three months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2022
Adjusted EBITDA (as described in Table 2 attached hereto) were $94.9 million for the third quarter of 2023, compared to $87.3 million for the third quarter of 2022.
Adjusted Net Income (as described in Table 3 attached hereto) was $52.0 million, or $0.33 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2023, compared to $37.6 million, or $0.24 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2022.
Adjusted Operating Income (as described in Table 4 attached hereto) was $90.5 million for the third quarter of 2023, compared to $83.9 million for the third quarter of 2022.
Nine months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2022
Adjusted EBITDA (as described in Table 2 attached hereto) were $267.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared to $259.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022.
Adjusted Net Income (as described in Table 3 attached hereto) was $136.8 million, or $0.87 per diluted share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared to $104.4 million, or $0.66 per diluted share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2022.
Adjusted Operating Income (as described in Table 4 attached hereto) was $254.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared to $247.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022.



Consolidated Balance Sheet
Vector Group maintained significant liquidity at September 30, 2023 with cash and cash equivalents of $436.5 million, including $208.0 million of cash from the Tobacco segment, investment securities of $128.7 million and long-term investments of $45.7 million.
Vector Group continued its longstanding history of paying a quarterly cash dividend in the third quarter of 2023. For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, Vector Group returned a total of $95.3 million to stockholders at a quarterly rate of $0.20 per common share.
Tobacco Segment Financial Results
For the third quarter of 2023, the Tobacco segment had revenues of $364.1 million, compared to $378.0 million for the third quarter of 2022. For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the Tobacco segment had revenues of $1.06 billion, compared to $1.06 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2022.
Operating Income from the Tobacco segment was $94.8 million and $248.5 million for the three and for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively, compared to $88.1 million and $254.1 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, respectively.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Tobacco Adjusted Operating Income (as described in Table 5 attached hereto) for the third quarter of 2023 was $94.8 million compared to $88.1 million for the third quarter of 2022. Tobacco Adjusted Operating Income for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 was $266.6 million, compared to $252.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022.
Operational Metrics
For the third quarter of 2023, the Tobacco segment had conventional cigarette (wholesale) shipments of approximately 2.45 billion units, compared to 2.75 billion units for the third quarter of 2022. For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the Tobacco segment had conventional cigarette (wholesale) shipments of approximately 7.32 billion units, compared to 7.79 billion units for the nine months ended September 30, 2022.
According to data from Management Science Associates, Inc., for the third quarter of 2023, the Tobacco segment’s wholesale market share declined to 5.3%, from 5.7% for the third quarter of 2022. For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the Tobacco segment’s wholesale market share increased to 5.5%, from 5.4% for the nine months ended September 30, 2022. For the last twelve months ended September 30, 2023, the Tobacco segment’s wholesale market share increased to 5.5%, from 5.1% for the twelve months ended September 30, 2022. For the third quarter of 2023, Montego’s wholesale market share increased to 3.5%, from 2.8% for the third quarter of 2022. For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, Montego’s wholesale market share increased to 3.4%, from 2.4% for the nine months ended September 30, 2022. For the twelve months ended September 30, 2023, Montego’s wholesale market share increased to 3.3%, from 2.0% for the twelve months ended September 30, 2022. The Tobacco segment’s wholesale shipments in the third quarter of 2023 declined by 10.6% compared to the third quarter of 2022, while the overall industry’s wholesale shipments declined by 5.3%. The Tobacco segment’s wholesale shipments for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 declined by 5.8% compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2022, while the overall industry’s wholesale shipments declined by 6.8%. The Tobacco segment’s wholesale shipments for the last twelve months ended September 30, 2023 declined by 1.1% compared to the last twelve months ended September 30, 2022, while the overall industry’s wholesale shipments declined by 7.4%.
According to data from Management Science Associates, Inc., for the third quarter of 2023, the Tobacco segment’s retail market share increased to 5.9%, from 5.7% for the third quarter of 2022. For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the Tobacco segment’s retail market share increased to 5.8%, from 5.4% for the nine months ended September 30, 2022. For the last twelve months ended September 30, 2023, the Tobacco segment’s retail market share increased to 5.8%, from 5.2% for the twelve months ended September 30, 2022. For the third quarter of 2023, Montego’s retail market share increased to 3.8%, from 2.8% for the third quarter of 2022. For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, Montego’s retail market share increased to 3.6%, from 2.4% for the nine months ended September 30, 2022. For the twelve months ended September 30, 2023, Montego’s retail market share increased to 3.5%, from 2.0% for the twelve months ended September 30, 2022. The Tobacco segment’s retail shipments in the third quarter of 2023 declined by 4.7% compared to the third quarter of 2022, while the overall industry’s retail shipments declined by 8.8%. The Tobacco segment’s retail shipments for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 declined by 1.8% compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2022, while the overall industry’s retail shipments declined by 8.2%. The Tobacco segment’s retail shipments for the last twelve months ended September 30, 2023 increased by 2.8% compared to the last twelve months ended September 30, 2022, while the overall industry’s wholesale shipments declined by 8.5%.



Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Net Income, Adjusted Operating Income, Tobacco Adjusted Operating Income and Tobacco Adjusted EBITDA (the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures”) are financial measures not prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). The Company believes that the Non-GAAP Financial Measures are important measures that supplement discussions and analysis of its results of operations and enhance an understanding of its operating performance. The Company believes the Non-GAAP Financial Measures provide investors and analysts with a useful measure of operating results unaffected by differences in capital structures and ages of related assets among otherwise comparable companies.
Management uses the Non-GAAP Financial Measures as measures to review and assess operating performance of the Company’s business, and management does and investors should review both the overall performance (GAAP net income) and the operating performance (the Non-GAAP Financial Measures) of the Company’s business. While management considers the Non-GAAP Financial Measures 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, the Non-GAAP Financial Measures are susceptible to varying calculations and the Company’s measurement of the Non-GAAP Financial Measures may not be comparable to those of other companies.
Reconciliations of Non-GAAP Financial Measures to the comparable GAAP financial results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 are included in Tables 2 through 5.
Conference Call to Discuss Third Quarter 2023 Results
As previously announced, the Company will host a conference call and webcast on Thursday, November 2, 2023 at 8:30 AM (ET) to discuss its quarterly period and nine months results. Investors may access the call via live webcast at https://www.webcaster4.com/Webcast/Page/2271/49284. Please join the webcast at least ten minutes prior to the start time.

A replay of the call will be available shortly after the call ends on November 2, 2023 through November 16, 2023 at https://www.webcaster4.com/Webcast/Page/2271/49284.
About Vector Group Ltd.
Vector Group is a holding company for Liggett Group LLC, Vector Tobacco LLC, and New Valley LLC. Additional information concerning the Company is available on the Company’s website, www.VectorGroupLtd.com.
Investors and others should note that we may post information about the Company or its subsidiaries on our website at www.VectorGroupLtd.com and/or at the websites of those subsidiaries or, if applicable, on their accounts on LinkedIn, Twitter or other social media platforms. It is possible that the postings or releases could include information deemed to be material information. Therefore, we encourage investors, the media and others interested in the Company to review the information we post on our website at www.VectorGroupLtd.com, on the websites of our subsidiaries and on their social media accounts.
Forward-Looking and Cautionary Statements
This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities law. All statements other than statements of historical or current facts made in this document are forward-looking. We identify forward-looking statements in this document by using words or phrases such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may be,” “continue,” “could,” “potential,” “objective,” “plan,” “seek,” “predict,” “project” and “will be” and similar words or phrases or their negatives. Forward-looking statements reflect our current expectations and are inherently uncertain. Actual results could differ materially for a variety of reasons.
Risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ significantly from our current expectations are described in our 2022 Annual Report on Form 10-K and, when filed, in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2023. We undertake no responsibility to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement except as required by applicable law.

[Financial Tables Follow]



TABLE 1
VECTOR GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)

Three Months EndedNine Months Ended
September 30,September 30,
2023202220232022
Revenues:
   Tobacco*$364,111 $377,995 $1,063,918 $1,061,355 
   Real estate— — — 15,884 
       Total revenues364,111 377,995 1,063,918 1,077,239 
Expenses:
 Cost of sales:
   Tobacco*245,680 267,023 726,950 743,749 
   Real estate— — — 7,327 
       Total cost of sales245,680 267,023 726,950 751,076 
Operating, selling, administrative and general expenses27,512 27,040 81,734 76,265 
Litigation settlement and judgment expense414 31 18,789 160 
Operating income90,505 83,901 236,445 249,738 
Other income (expenses):
Interest expense(27,256)(27,598)(81,854)(83,420)
Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt— 412 (181)412 
Equity in losses from investments(941)(619)(141)(5,172)
Equity in earnings (losses) from real estate ventures3,739 (1,903)4,800 (4,240)
Other, net7,107 (804)15,518 (5,043)
Income before provision for income taxes73,154 53,389 174,587 152,275 
Income tax expense20,455 14,533 49,058 41,724 
Net income$52,699 $38,856  $125,529  $110,551 
Per basic common share:
Net income applicable to common shares$0.33 $0.25 $0.80 $0.70 
Per diluted common share:
Net income applicable to common shares$0.33 $0.25 $0.80 $0.70 
* Revenues and cost of sales include federal excise taxes of $122,943, $138,041, $367,511 and $392,004 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively.



TABLE 2
VECTOR GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
RECONCILIATION OF ADJUSTED EBITDA
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in Thousands)

LTMYear EndedThree Months EndedNine Months Ended
September 30,December 31,September 30,September 30,
202320222023202220232022
Net income$173,679 $158,701 $52,699 $38,856 $125,529  $110,551 
Interest expense109,099 110,665 27,256 27,598 81,854 83,420 
Income tax expense69,195 61,861 20,455 14,533 49,058 41,724 
Depreciation and amortization6,973 7,218 1,762 1,787 5,185 5,430 
EBITDA$358,946 $338,445 $102,172 $82,774 $261,626 $241,125 
Equity in (earnings) losses from investments (a)(36)4,995 941 619 141 5,172 
Equity in (earnings) losses from real estate ventures (b)(3,094)5,946 (3,739)1,903 (4,800)4,240 
Loss (gain) on extinguishment of debt181 (412)— (412)181 (412)
Stock-based compensation expense (c)8,997 7,848 2,674 1,558 7,424 6,275 
Litigation settlement and judgment expense (d)18,868 239 414 31 18,789 160 
Impact of MSA settlement (e)(734)(2,123)(423)— (734)(2,123)
Other, net(23,307)(2,746)(7,107)804 (15,518)5,043 
Adjusted EBITDA$359,821 $352,192 $94,932 $87,277 $267,109 $259,480 
Adjusted EBITDA by Segment
Tobacco$365,490 $351,131 $96,301 $89,632 $270,950 $256,591 
Real Estate471 8,082 84 (3)294 7,905 
Corporate and Other(6,140)(7,021)(1,453)(2,352)(4,135)(5,016)
Total$359,821 $352,192 $94,932 $87,277 $267,109 $259,480 
                                      

a.Represents equity in (earnings) losses recognized from investments that the Company accounts for under the equity method.
b.Represents equity in (earnings) losses recognized from the Company’s investment in certain real estate ventures that are accounted for under the equity method and are not consolidated in the Company’s financial results.
c.Represents amortization of stock-based compensation.
d.Represents accruals for litigation in the Tobacco segment.
e.Represents the Tobacco segment’s settlement of long-standing disputes related to the Master Settlement Agreement.





TABLE 3
VECTOR GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
RECONCILIATION OF ADJUSTED NET INCOME
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)

Three Months EndedNine Months Ended
September 30,September 30,
2023202220232022
Net income$52,699 $38,856 $125,529 $110,551 
(Gain) loss on extinguishment of debt— (412)181 (412)
Litigation settlement and judgment expense (a)414 31 18,789 160 
Impact of MSA settlement (b)(423)— (734)(2,123)
Impact of net interest expense capitalized to real estate ventures(930)(1,081)(3,043)(3,092)
Expense related to Tax Disaffiliation indemnification (c)— 28 — 581 
Adjustment for derivative associated with guarantee— (182)— (2,646)
Total adjustments(939)(1,616)15,193 (7,532)
Tax expense (benefit) related to adjustments243 377 (3,921)1,411 
Adjusted Net Income$52,003 $37,617 $136,801 $104,430 
Per diluted common share:
Adjusted Net Income applicable to common shares $0.33 $0.24 $0.87 $0.66 
                                      

a.Represents accruals for litigation in the Tobacco segment.
b.Represents the Tobacco segment’s settlement of long-standing disputes related to the Master Settlement Agreement.
c.Represents amounts accrued under the Company’s Tax Disaffiliation Agreement related to certain tax liabilities of Douglas Elliman Inc. prior to its distribution on December 29, 2021.









    






TABLE 4
VECTOR GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
RECONCILIATION OF ADJUSTED OPERATING INCOME
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in Thousands)

LTMYear EndedThree Months EndedNine Months Ended
September 30,December 31,September 30,September 30,
202320222023202220232022
Operating income$325,717 $339,010 $90,505 $83,901 $236,445 $249,738 
   Litigation settlement and judgment expense (a)18,868 239 414 31 18,789 160 
Impact of MSA settlement (b)(734)(2,123)(423)— (734)(2,123)
Total adjustments18,134 (1,884)(9)31 18,055 (1,963)
Adjusted Operating Income$343,851 $337,126 $90,496 $83,932 $254,500 $247,775 
                                      

a.Represents accruals for litigation in the Tobacco segment.
b.Represents the Tobacco segment’s settlement of long-standing disputes related to the Master Settlement Agreement.





TABLE 5
VECTOR GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
RECONCILIATION OF TOBACCO ADJUSTED OPERATING INCOME
AND TOBACCO ADJUSTED EBITDA
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in Thousands)

LTMYear EndedThree Months EndedNine Months Ended
September 30,December 31,September 30,September 30,
202320222023202220232022
Tobacco Adjusted Operating Income:
Operating income from Tobacco segment$341,508 $347,044 $94,821 $88,107 $248,542 $254,078 
   Litigation settlement and judgment expense (a)18,868 239 414 31 18,789 160 
Impact of MSA settlement (b)(734)(2,123)(423)— (734)(2,123)
Total adjustments18,134 (1,884)(9)31 18,055 (1,963)
Tobacco Adjusted Operating Income$359,642 $345,160 $94,812 $88,138 $266,597 $252,115 


LTMYear EndedThree Months EndedNine Months Ended
September 30,December 31,September 30,September 30,
202320222023202220232022
Tobacco Adjusted EBITDA:
Operating income from Tobacco segment$341,508 $347,044 $94,821 $88,107 $248,542 $254,078 
   Litigation settlement and judgment expense (a)18,868 239 414 31 18,789 160 
Impact of MSA settlement (b)(734)(2,123)(423)— (734)(2,123)
Total adjustments18,134 (1,884)(9)31 18,055 (1,963)
Tobacco Adjusted Operating Income359,642 345,160 94,812 88,138 266,597 252,115 
Depreciation and amortization5,718 5,901 1,447 1,474 4,243 4,426 
Stock-based compensation expense130 70 42 20 110 50 
Total adjustments5,848 5,971 1,489 1,494 4,353 4,476 
Tobacco Adjusted EBITDA$365,490 $351,131 $96,301 $89,632 $270,950 $256,591 
                                      

a.    Represents accruals for litigation in the Tobacco segment.
b.     Represents the Tobacco segment’s settlement of long-standing disputes related to the Master Settlement Agreement.






TABLE 6
VECTOR GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
RECONCILIATION OF REVENUES
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in Thousands)

LTMYear EndedThree Months EndedNine Months Ended
September 30,December 31,September 30,September 30,
202320222023202220232022
Revenues:
Tobacco (a)$1,427,688 $1,425,125 $364,111 $377,995 $1,063,918 $1,061,355 
Real estate— 15,884 — — — 15,884 
Total revenues$1,427,688 $1,441,009 $364,111 $377,995 $1,063,918 $1,077,239 
                                

a.Tobacco segment revenues include federal excise taxes of $496,267 for the last twelve months ended September 30, 2023, $520,760 for the year ended December 31, 2022, and $122,943, $138,041, $367,511, and $392,004 for the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 and the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively.