NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 29, 2007--Loews Corporation (NYSE:LTR;CG) today reported consolidated net income (including both the Loews Group and Carolina Group) for the 2007 third quarter of $555.7 million, compared to $635.1 million in the 2006 third quarter. Consolidated net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 was $1,977.4 million, compared to $1,744.8 million in the prior year.
Net income and earnings per share information attributable to Loews common stock and Carolina Group stock is summarized in the table below:
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September 30,
----------------------------------
(In millions, except per share
data) Three Months Nine Months
----------------------------------
2007 2006 2007 2006
----------------------------------
Net income attributable to Loews
common stock:
Income before net investment gains
(losses) $441.0 $480.8 $1,593.3 $1,495.1
Net investment gains (losses) (31.1) 30.7 (14.3) (27.9)
----------------------------------
Income from continuing operations 409.9 511.5 1,579.0 1,467.2
Discontinued operations, net 0.1 5.7 (6.6) (1.7)
----------------------------------
Net income attributable to Loews
common stock 410.0 517.2 1,572.4 1,465.5
Net income attributable to Carolina
Group stock 145.7 117.9 405.0 279.3
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Consolidated net income $555.7 $635.1 $1,977.4 $1,744.8
==================================
Net income per share:
Loews common stock:
Income from continuing
operations $ 0.77 $ 0.93 $ 2.93 $ 2.64
Discontinued operations, net 0.01 (0.01)
----------------------------------
Net income $ 0.77 $ 0.94 $ 2.92 $ 2.64
==================================
Carolina Group stock $ 1.34 $ 1.17 $ 3.73 $ 3.16
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Book value per share of Loews common
stock at:
September 30, 2007 $31.98
December 31, 2006 $30.14
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Three Months Ended September 30, 2007 Compared with 2006
Net income attributable to Loews common stock for the third quarter of 2007 amounted to $410.0 million, or $0.77 per share, compared to $517.2 million, or $0.94 per share, in the comparable period of the prior year. The decrease in net income reflects a decline in results at the Company's 89% owned subsidiary, CNA Financial Corporation, and investment losses, partially offset by improved results at the Company's 51% owned subsidiary, Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc., and higher results from Lorillard, Inc. The decrease in CNA's net income was driven by a charge of $96.4 million (after tax and minority interest) resulting from the settlement of an arbitration proceeding related to a run-off book of business. Net income in 2007 also reflects the July 31, 2007 acquisition, by the Company's newly formed subsidiary HighMount Exploration & Production LLC, of certain natural gas exploration and production assets from Dominion Resources, Inc.
Net income attributable to Loews common stock includes net investment losses of $31.1 million (after tax and minority interest) in the third quarter of 2007 compared to net investment gains of $30.7 million (after tax and minority interest) in the comparable period of the prior year. The net investment losses in the third quarter of 2007 were primarily driven by an increase in other-than-temporary impairment losses, which was partially offset by an increase in net realized results.
Net income per share of Carolina Group stock for the third quarter of 2007 was $1.34 per share, compared to $1.17 per share in the comparable period of the prior year. The increase in net income per share of Carolina Group stock was due to an increase in Lorillard net income primarily from higher effective unit prices resulting from a December 2006 price increase and lower promotion expenses, partially offset by an increase in expenses for the State Settlement Agreements. The Company is issuing a separate press release reporting the results of the Carolina Group for the third quarter of 2007.
Consolidated revenues in the third quarter of 2007 amounted to $4.7 billion, compared to $4.5 billion in the comparable period of the prior year.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007 Compared with 2006
Net income attributable to Loews common stock for the first nine months of 2007 amounted to $1,572.4 million, or $2.92 per share, compared to $1,465.5 million, or $2.64 per share, in the comparable period of the prior year. The increase in net income reflects improved results at Diamond Offshore, increased investment income and higher results from Lorillard, partially offset by a decrease in the share of Carolina Group earnings attributable to Loews common stock, due to the sale of Carolina Group stock in August and May of 2006.
Net income attributable to Loews common stock includes net investment losses of $14.3 million (after tax and minority interest) in the first nine months of 2007 compared to net investment losses of $27.9 million (after tax and minority interest) in the comparable period of the prior year. The net investment losses in the first nine months of 2007 were primarily driven by an increase in other-than-temporary impairment losses, which was partially offset by an increase in net realized results on derivative securities and a gain of $91.6 million (after tax) related to a reduction in the Company's ownership interest in Diamond Offshore from the conversion of Diamond Offshore's 1.5% convertible debt into Diamond Offshore common stock.
Net income per share of Carolina Group stock for the first nine months of 2007 was $3.73 per share, compared to $3.16 per share in the comparable period of the prior year. The increase in net income per share of Carolina Group stock was due to an increase in Lorillard net income primarily from higher effective unit prices resulting from a December 2006 price increase and lower promotion expenses, partially offset by an increase in expenses for the State Settlement Agreements.
Consolidated revenues in the first nine months of 2007 amounted to $14.0 billion, compared to $13.0 billion in the comparable period of the prior year.
At September 30, 2007, there were 529,594,291 shares of Loews common stock outstanding and 108,445,516 shares of Carolina Group stock outstanding. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, the Company purchased 6,091,400 and 14,789,949 shares of Loews common stock at an aggregate cost of $287.6 million and $671.8 million, respectively. Depending on market conditions, the Company from time to time purchases shares of its, and its subsidiaries', outstanding common stock in the open market or otherwise.
The Company has two classes of common stock: (i) Carolina Group stock, a tracking stock intended to reflect the economic performance of a group of the Company's assets and liabilities, called the Carolina Group, principally consisting of the Company's subsidiary Lorillard, Inc. and (ii) Loews common stock, representing the economic performance of the Company's remaining assets, including the interest in the Carolina Group not represented by Carolina Group stock. At September 30, 2007, the outstanding Carolina Group stock represents a 62.4% interest in the economic performance of the Carolina Group.
CONFERENCE CALLS
A conference call to discuss the third quarter results of Loews Corporation has been scheduled for 11:00 a.m. EDT, Monday, October 29, 2007. A live webcast of the call will be available online at the Loews Corporation website (www.loews.com). Please go to the website at least ten minutes before the event begins to register and to download and install any necessary audio software. Those interested in participating in the question and answer session of the conference call should dial (877) 692-2592, or for international callers, (973) 582-2757. The conference ID number is 9318750.
A conference call to discuss the third quarter results of CNA has been scheduled for 10:00 a.m. EDT, Monday, October 29, 2007. A live webcast will be available online at http://investor.cna.com. Please go to the website at least ten minutes before the event begins to register and to download and install any necessary audio software. Those interested in participating in the question and answer session should dial (888) 208-1711, or for international callers, (913) 312-1517.
A conference call to discuss the third quarter results of Boardwalk Pipeline Partners, LP has been scheduled for 9:00 a.m. EDT, Monday, October 29, 2007. A live webcast of the call will be available online at the Boardwalk Pipeline website (www.boardwalkpipelines.com). Please go to the website at least ten minutes before the event begins to register and to download and install any necessary audio software. Those interested in participating in the question and answer session should dial (866) 543-6411, or for international callers, (617) 213-8900. The PIN number to access the call is 47472032.
A conference call to discuss the third quarter results of Diamond Offshore was held on Thursday, October 25, 2007. An online replay is available at the Diamond Offshore website (www.diamondoffshore.com).
ABOUT LOEWS CORPORATION
Loews Corporation, a holding company, is one of the largest diversified corporations in the United States. Its principal subsidiaries are CNA Financial Corporation (NYSE: CNA); Lorillard, Inc.; Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc. (NYSE: DO); HighMount Exploration & Production LLC; Boardwalk Pipeline Partners, LP (NYSE: BWP); Loews Hotels; and Bulova Corporation.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Statements contained in this press release which are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain and subject to a variety of risks that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expected by management of the Company, CNA, Diamond Offshore and Boardwalk Pipeline. A discussion of the important risk factors and other considerations that could materially impact these matters as well as the Company's overall business and financial performance can be found in the Company's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and readers of this release are urged to review those reports carefully when considering these forward-looking statements. Copies of these reports are available through the Company's website (www.loews.com). Given these risk factors, investors and analysts should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Any such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement to reflect any change in the Company's expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any forward-looking statement is based.
Loews Corporation and Subsidiaries
Financial Review
September 30,
---------------------------------------
Three Months Nine Months
---------------------------------------
2007 2006 2007 2006
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(Amounts in millions, except per share
data)
Revenues:
Insurance premiums and net
investment income (a) $2,510.2 $2,675.4 $ 7,828.0 $ 7,689.7
Manufactured products (b) 1,093.4 1,035.5 3,148.0 2,954.6
Other 1,049.7 796.3 2,974.3 2,384.7
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Total 4,653.3 4,507.2 13,950.3 13,029.0
---------------------------------------
Expenses:
Insurance claims &
policyholders' benefits 1,574.4 1,521.9 4,495.7 4,446.1
Cost of manufactured products
sold (b) (c) 638.2 598.0 1,839.0 1,706.0
Other 1,417.2 1,271.9 3,974.4 3,754.1
---------------------------------------
Total 3,629.8 3,391.8 10,309.1 9,906.2
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1,023.5 1,115.4 3,641.2 3,122.8
---------------------------------------
Income tax expense 321.4 363.6 1,175.2 1,035.0
Minority interest 146.5 122.4 482.0 341.3
---------------------------------------
Total 467.9 486.0 1,657.2 1,376.3
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Income from continuing
operations 555.6 629.4 1,984.0 1,746.5
Discontinued operations, net 0.1 5.7 (6.6) (1.7)
---------------------------------------
Net income $ 555.7 $ 635.1 $ 1,977.4 $ 1,744.8
=======================================
Net income attributable to:
Loews common stock:
Income from continuing
operations $ 409.9 $ 511.5 $ 1,579.0 $ 1,467.2
Discontinued operations,
net 0.1 5.7 (6.6) (1.7)
---------------------------------------
Loews common stock 410.0 517.2 1,572.4 1,465.5
Carolina Group stock (d) 145.7 117.9 405.0 279.3
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$ 555.7 $ 635.1 $ 1,977.4 $ 1,744.8
=======================================
Income per share of Loews
common stock:
Income from continuing
operations $ 0.77 $ 0.93 $ 2.93 $ 2.64
Discontinued operations,
net 0.01 (0.01)
---------------------------------------
Diluted net income $ 0.77 $ 0.94 $ 2.92 $ 2.64
=======================================
Diluted net income per share of
Carolina Group stock $ 1.34 $ 1.17 $ 3.73 $ 3.16
=======================================
Weighted diluted number of
shares:
Loews common stock 533.19 551.44 537.71 555.26
Carolina Group stock 108.58 100.59 108.55 88.43
(a) Includes investment gains (losses) of $(50.8), $37.5, $(41.2) and
$(53.8) for the respective periods. The nine months ended
September 30, 2007 includes a gain of $141.9 ($91.6 after tax)
related to a reduction in the Company's ownership interest in
Diamond Offshore from the conversion of Diamond Offshore's 1.5%
convertible debt into Diamond Offshore common stock.
(b) Includes excise taxes of $180.7, $185.8, $522.4 and $526.4 paid on
sales of manufactured products for the respective periods.
(c) Includes charges of $277.1, $242.8, $801.4 and $696.3 ($177.5,
$149.3, $507.6 and $426.4 after taxes) to accrue obligations
under the State Settlement Agreements for the respective periods.
(d) Represents 62.4%, 58.1%, 62.4% and 51.7% of the economic interest
in the Carolina Group for the respective periods.
Loews Corporation and Subsidiaries
Additional Financial Information
September 30,
-----------------------------------------
Three Months Nine Months
-----------------------------------------
2007 2006 2007 2006
-----------------------------------------
(In millions)
Revenues:
CNA Financial $2,540.3 $2,598.4 $ 7,686.5 $ 7,600.7
Lorillard (a) 1,074.6 1,013.4 3,099.4 2,889.8
Diamond Offshore 655.2 527.6 1,935.1 1,505.6
HighMount 100.2 100.2
Boardwalk Pipeline 141.0 134.9 490.4 442.4
Loews Hotels 90.0 84.9 285.1 280.2
Investment income, net 52.9 56.1 262.8 214.2
Other and eliminations (b) 49.9 54.4 132.0 149.9
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4,704.1 4,469.7 13,991.5 13,082.8
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Investment gains (losses):
CNA Financial (56.5) 26.6 (216.8) (62.3)
Corporate and other (c) 5.7 10.9 175.6 8.5
-----------------------------------------
(50.8) 37.5 (41.2) (53.8)
-----------------------------------------
Total $4,653.3 $4,507.2 $13,950.3 $13,029.0
=========================================
Income Before Taxes:
CNA Financial $ 305.5 $ 431.3 $ 1,235.8 $ 1,228.9
Lorillard (d) 152.0 164.2 440.1 510.0
Diamond Offshore 285.0 221.3 944.7 667.2
HighMount 29.6 29.6
Boardwalk Pipeline 40.3 31.1 156.2 132.5
Loews Hotels 6.7 6.4 47.0 39.9
Investment income, net 52.9 56.1 262.8 214.2
Other (b) (23.5) (24.4) (71.3) (72.6)
-----------------------------------------
848.5 886.0 3,044.9 2,720.1
-----------------------------------------
Investment gains (losses):
CNA Financial (56.5) 26.6 (216.8) (62.3)
Corporate and other (c) 4.0 10.8 173.8 8.7
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(52.5) 37.4 (43.0) (53.6)
-----------------------------------------
Loews common stock 796.0 923.4 3,001.9 2,666.5
Carolina Group stock (e) 227.5 192.0 639.3 456.3
-----------------------------------------
Total $1,023.5 $1,115.4 $ 3,641.2 $ 3,122.8
=========================================
Net Income:
CNA Financial $ 189.2 $ 257.0 $ 749.1 $ 755.5
Lorillard (d) 97.4 100.9 278.8 312.4
Diamond Offshore 95.0 81.8 319.8 241.7
HighMount 18.7 18.7
Boardwalk Pipeline (f) 18.1 15.9 73.6 68.1
Loews Hotels 4.1 5.1 28.8 25.6
Investment income, net 37.2 38.9 172.1 140.1
Other (b) (18.7) (18.8) (47.6) (48.3)
-----------------------------------------
441.0 480.8 1,593.3 1,495.1
-----------------------------------------
Investment gains (losses):
CNA Financial (33.0) 23.8 (126.0) (33.6)
Corporate and other (c) 1.9 6.9 111.7 5.7
-----------------------------------------
(31.1) 30.7 (14.3) (27.9)
-----------------------------------------
Income from continuing
operations 409.9 511.5 1,579.0 1,467.2
Discontinued operations,
net 0.1 5.7 (6.6) (1.7)
-----------------------------------------
Loews common stock 410.0 517.2 1,572.4 1,465.5
Carolina Group stock (e) 145.7 117.9 405.0 279.3
-----------------------------------------
Total $ 555.7 $ 635.1 $ 1,977.4 $ 1,744.8
=========================================
(a) Includes excise taxes of $180.7, $185.8, $522.4 and $526.4 paid on
sales of manufactured products for the respective periods.
(b) Consists primarily of corporate interest expenses, the operations
of Bulova Corporation and other unallocated expenses.
(c) Includes a gain of $141.9 ($91.6 after tax), for the nine months
ended September 30, 2007, related to a reduction in the Company's
ownership interest in Diamond Offshore from the conversion of
Diamond Offshore's 1.5% convertible debt into Diamond Offshore
common stock.
(d) The Loews Group's intergroup interest in the earnings of the
Carolina Group declined from 41.9% and 48.3%, in the three and
nine months ended September 30, 2006, respectively, to 37.6% in
2007 due to the sales of Carolina Group stock by Loews in August
and May of 2006.
(e) Represents 62.4%, 58.1%, 62.4% and 51.7% of the
economic interest in the Carolina Group for the
respective periods.
(f) Represents 74.8%, 85.5%, 76.3% and 85.5% ownership interest in
Boardwalk Pipeline for the respective periods. Boardwalk Pipeline
issued 6.9 million common units in the fourth quarter of 2006 and
8.0 million common units in the first quarter of 2007.
Carolina Group Reports Net Income for the Third Quarter of 2007
Loews Corporation (NYSE:LTR) today reported Carolina Group net income for the 2007 third quarter of $233.6 million, compared to $202.9 million in the 2006 third quarter. The increase in net income is primarily due to higher effective unit prices resulting from a December 2006 price increase and lower sales promotion expenses (accounted for as a reduction to net sales), partially offset by an increase in expenses for the State Settlement Agreements.
Net income per share of Carolina Group stock (NYSE:CG) for the third quarter of 2007 was $1.34, compared to $1.17 in the comparable period of the prior year. Carolina Group stock represented a 62.4% and 58.1% economic interest in the Carolina Group for the three months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
Net sales for the Carolina Group were $1,043.8 million in the third quarter of 2007, compared to $986.0 million in the 2006 third quarter.
Carolina Group net income for the first nine months of 2007 was $649.4 million, compared to $540.2 million in the first nine months of 2006. The increase in net income is primarily due to higher effective unit prices resulting from a December 2006 price increase and lower sales promotion expenses (accounted for as a reduction to net sales), partially offset by an increase in expenses for the State Settlement Agreements.
Net income per share of Carolina Group stock for the first nine months of 2007 was $3.73, compared to $3.16 in the comparable period of the prior year.
Net sales for the Carolina Group were $3.012 billion in the first nine months of 2007, compared to $2.818 billion in the comparable period of the prior year.
Results of operations of the Carolina Group include interest expense on notional intergroup debt of $11.6 million, $17.5 million, $39.1 million and $54.9 million, net of taxes, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively. At September 30, 2007, $829.1 million principal amount of notional intergroup debt was outstanding.
The Carolina Group stock, commonly called a tracking stock, is intended to reflect the economic performance of a defined group of the Company's assets and liabilities, referred to as the Carolina Group, principally consisting of the Company's subsidiary Lorillard, Inc. The Carolina Group, a notional group, is not a separate legal entity. The purpose of this financial information is to provide investors with additional information to use in analyzing the results of operations and financial condition of the Carolina Group, and this financial information should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial information of Loews Corporation.
As of September 30, 2007 there were 108,445,516 shares of Carolina Group stock outstanding, representing a 62.4% economic interest. Depending on market conditions, the Company, for the account of the Carolina Group, from time to time may purchase shares of Carolina Group stock in the open market or otherwise.
A separate press release reporting Loews Corporation's consolidated results for the third quarter of 2007 is being issued contemporaneously with this report.
A conference call to discuss the third quarter results of Loews Corporation has been scheduled for 11:00 a.m. EDT, Monday, October 29, 2007. A live webcast of the call will be available online at the Loews Corporation website (www.loews.com). Please go to the website at least ten minutes before the event begins to register and to download and install any necessary audio software. Those interested in participating in the question and answer session of the conference call should dial (877) 692-2592, or for international callers, (973) 582-2757.
Carolina Group
Financial Review
September 30,
--------------------------------------
Three Months Nine Months
--------------------------------------
2007 2006 2007 2006
--------------------------------------
(Amounts in millions, except per share
data)
Net sales (a) $1,043.8 $ 986.0 $3,012.2 $2,818.1
Cost of sales (a) (b) 613.9 573.7 1,771.7 1,638.0
Selling, advertising and
administrative (c) 81.7 83.6 246.5 285.4
--------------------------------------
Total operating costs and
expenses 695.6 657.3 2,018.2 1,923.4
--------------------------------------
Operating income 348.2 328.7 994.0 894.7
Investment income and other (d) 36.0 29.7 96.7 77.0
Interest expense (19.3) (28.3) (65.5) (89.6)
--------------------------------------
Income before income taxes 364.9 330.1 1,025.2 882.1
Income taxes 131.3 127.2 375.8 341.9
--------------------------------------
Net income 233.6 202.9 649.4 540.2
Earnings attributable to the
Loews Group intergroup interest
(e) 87.9 85.0 244.4 260.9
--------------------------------------
Income attributable to Carolina
Group shareholders (f) $ 145.7 $ 117.9 $ 405.0 $ 279.3
======================================
Per share of Carolina Group
stock $ 1.34 $ 1.17 $ 3.73 $ 3.16
======================================
Weighted diluted number of
shares 108.58 100.59 108.55 88.43
======================================
Notional, intergroup debt owed
by the Carolina Group to the
Loews Group
September 30, 2007 $ 829.1
December 31, 2006 1,229.7
(a) Includes excise taxes of $180.7, $185.8, $522.4 and $526.4 for the
respective periods.
(b) Includes charges of $277.1, $242.8, $801.4 and $696.3 ($177.5,
$149.3, $507.6 and $426.4 after taxes) to accrue obligations
under the State Settlement Agreements for the respective periods.
(c) Includes restructuring costs of $0.9 and $16.4 for the three and
nine months ended September 30, 2006, related to early retirement
and curtailment charges for Lorillard's pension and other
postretirement benefit plans.
(d) Includes income from limited partnership investments of $11.5,
$6.2, $30.8 and $16.6 ($7.4, $3.8, $19.5 and $10.1 after taxes)
for the respective periods.
(e) The Loews Group's intergroup interest in the earnings of the
Carolina Group reflected share equivalents amounting to
65,445,000 shares of 173,890,516 share and share equivalents
outstanding as of September 30, 2007 and share equivalents
amounting to 65,445,000 shares of 173,754,871 share and share
equivalents outstanding as of September 30, 2006. As of September
30, 2007, there were 108,445,516 shares of Carolina Group stock
outstanding.
(f) Represents 62.4%, 58.1%, 62.4% and 51.7% of the economic interest
in the Carolina Group for the respective periods.
Carolina Group
Supplemental Information
The following information regarding unit volume shipped by Lorillard
Tobacco Company to its direct buying customers by brand follows (all
units in thousands):
September 30,
-----------------------------------------
Three Months Nine Months
-----------------------------------------
2007 2006 2007 2006
-----------------------------------------
Full Price Brands
Total Newport 8,674,317 8,818,802 25,122,346 24,956,957
Total Kent Family 126,111 155,001 370,818 460,020
Total True 114,803 133,367 334,913 389,231
Total Max 7,299 8,418 22,020 25,551
Total Satin 1,224 72 3,894
-----------------------------------------
Total Full Price Brands 8,922,530 9,116,812 25,850,169 25,835,653
-----------------------------------------
Price/Value Brands
Total Old Gold 157,920 212,550 469,478 607,659
Total Maverick 385,492 293,195 1,007,008 788,927
-----------------------------------------
Total Price/Value Brands 543,412 505,745 1,476,486 1,396,586
-----------------------------------------
Total Domestic Cigarettes 9,465,942 9,622,557 27,326,655 27,232,239
Total Puerto Rico and U.S.
Possessions 190,050 189,348 592,794 589,380
-----------------------------------------
Grand Total 9,655,992 9,811,905 27,919,449 27,821,619
=========================================
Notes:
1. This information is not adjusted for returns.
2. Domestic unit volume includes units sold as well as promotional
units, and excludes volumes for Puerto Rico and U.S. Possessions.
3. Unit volume for a quarter is not necessarily indicative of unit
volume for any subsequent period.
4. Unit volume is not necessarily indicative of the level of revenues
for any period.
CONTACT: For Loews Corporation:
Peter W. Keegan, 212-521-2950
Chief Financial Officer
or
Investor Relations:
Darren Daugherty, 212-521-2788
or
Public Affairs:
Candace Leeds, 212-521-2416
SOURCE: Loews Corporation