NEW YORK, May 02, 2006 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Loews Corporation (NYSE:LTR;CG) today reported Carolina Group net income for the 2006 first quarter of $150.1 million, compared to $118.5 million in the 2005 first quarter. Net income attributable to Carolina Group stock for the first quarter of 2006 was $67.6 million, or $0.86 per share of Carolina Group stock, compared to $46.5 million, or $0.68 per share in the comparable period of the prior year.
The increase in net income attributable to Carolina Group stock for the first quarter of 2006, as compared to the comparable period of the prior year, is due to improved overall results of the Carolina Group and reflects an increase in the amount of Carolina Group shares. Carolina Group stock represents a 45.04% and 39.20% economic interest in the Carolina Group for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively.
Loews Corporation sold 10,000,000 shares of Carolina Group stock in November of 2005. Net income per share of Carolina Group stock was not impacted by the sale of Carolina Group shares.
Net sales for the Carolina Group were $854.8 million in the first quarter of 2006, compared to $795.1 million in the 2005 first quarter, reflecting a decrease in sales promotion expenses (accounted for as a reduction in net sales) and an increase in unit sales volume of 3.3%.
Results of operations of the Carolina Group include interest expense of $19.3 million and $22.4 million, net of taxes, for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively, on notional intergroup debt. At March 31, 2006, $1.53 billion 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 March 31, 2006, there were 78,278,496 shares of Carolina Group stock outstanding representing a 45.06% economic interest. Depending on market conditions, the Company may purchase, from time to time in the open market or otherwise, shares of Carolina Group stock for the Carolina Group account.
A separate press release reporting Loews Corporation's consolidated results for the first quarter of 2006 is being issued contemporaneously with this report.
A conference call to discuss the first quarter results of Loews Corporation has been scheduled for 11:00 a.m. EDT, Tuesday, May 2, 2006. A live broadcast 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. An online replay will be available at the Company's website following the call.
Carolina Group
Financial Review
Three Months Ended
March 31,
-------------------
2006 2005
-------------------
(Amounts in millions,
except per share data)
Net sales (a) $854.8 $795.1
Cost of sales (a) (b) 511.7 486.7
Selling, advertising and administrative 92.9 90.0
--------- -------
Total operating costs and expenses 604.6 576.7
--------- -------
Operating income 250.2 218.4
Investment income and other (c) 26.0 12.2
Interest expense (31.5) (36.6)
--------- -------
Income before income taxes 244.7 194.0
Income taxes 94.6 75.5
--------- -------
Net income 150.1 118.5
Earnings attributable to the Loews Group intergroup
interest (d) 82.5 72.0
--------- -------
Income attributable to Carolina Group
shareholders (e) $67.6 $46.5
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Per share of Carolina Group stock $0.86 $0.68
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Weighted diluted number of shares 78.33 68.07
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Notional intergroup debt owed by the Carolina Group
to the Loews Group
March 31, 2006 $1,525.3
December 31, 2005 1,626.9
(a)Includes excise taxes of $163.9 and $156.2 for the respective
periods.
(b)Includes charges of $217.0 and $198.7 ($133.1 and $121.4 after
taxes) to accrue obligations under the State Settlement Agreements for
the respective periods.
(c)Includes income from limited partnership investments of $6.6
and $3.9 ($4.0 and $2.4 after taxes) for the respective periods.
(d)The Loews Group's intergroup interest in the earnings of the
Carolina Group reflects share equivalents amounting to 95,445,000
shares of 173,723,496 share and share equivalents outstanding at March
31, 2006 and share equivalents amounting to 105,445,000 shares of
173,472,309 share and share equivalents outstanding at March 31, 2005.
As of March 31, 2006, there were 78,278,496 shares of Carolina Group
stock outstanding.
(e)Represents 45.04% and 39.20% of the economic interest in the
Carolina Group for the respective periods presented.
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):
Three Months Ended
-----------------------
March 31,
-----------------------
2006 2005
-----------------------
Full Price Brands
Total Newport 7,777,665 7,521,694
Total Kent Family 146,016 174,495
Total True 120,918 137,592
Total Max 8,157 9,591
Total Satin 1,188 1,596
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Total Full Price Brands 8,053,944 7,844,968
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Price/Value Brands
Total Old Gold 183,816 191,319
Total Maverick 230,352 177,432
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Total Price/Value Brands 414,168 368,751
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Total Domestic Cigarettes 8,468,112 8,213,719
Total Puerto Rico and U.S. Possessions 187,968 166,764
---------- ----------
Grand Total 8,656,080 8,380,483
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Notes:
1. This information is unaudited and 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.
SOURCE: Carolina Group
for Carolina Group
Peter W. Keegan, 212-521-2950
or
Candace Leeds, 212-521-2416
or
Investor Relations
Darren Daugherty, 212-521-2788