The Carolina Group stock, commonly called tracking stock, is intended to reflect the economic performance of a defined group of assets and liabilities which would be called the Carolina Group. The principal asset to be attributed to the Carolina Group would be the Company's stock in its wholly-owned subsidiary Lorillard, Inc.
Lorillard, Inc.'s principal subsidiary, Lorillard Tobacco Company, is engaged in the production and sale of cigarettes in the United States under the Newport, Kent, True, Maverick and Old Gold brands.
Previously the Company had filed a preliminary proxy statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission relating to a shareholder vote on an amendment of the Company's Certificate of Incorporation to create the Carolina Group stock. No date has been set as yet for the shareholder meeting. The Company stated that it plans to conduct the sale of shares of Carolina Group stock after the charter amendment is approved by its shareholders. The Company cautions, however, that based upon prevailing market conditions and other factors, it may determine not to proceed with obtaining shareholder approval or, if shareholder approval is obtained, not to create the Carolina Group or commence a public offering of Carolina Group stock.
The creation of Carolina Group and the anticipated issuance of Carolina Group stock would not change the Company's ownership of its wholly-owned subsidiary Lorillard, Inc. or Lorillard Inc.'s status as a separate legal entity. Loews common stock would continue to represent the performance of the remaining subsidiaries and assets of the Company, including that portion of the economic performance of the Carolina Group which would not be represented by outstanding shares of Carolina Group stock.
The Company stated that Salomon Smith Barney and Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc. will be acting as managing underwriters for the proposed offering. A copy of the preliminary prospectus may be obtained when available from Salomon Smith Barney, Brooklyn Army Terminal, 140 58th Street, 5th Floor, Brooklyn, New York 11220 (tel: 718-765-6732) or from Morgan Stanley, Prospectus Mail Room, 1585 Broadway, New York, New York 10036 (tel: 212-761-4000).
A registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission but has not yet become effective. These securities may not be sold nor may offers to buy be accepted prior to the time the registration statement becomes effective. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state.
Statements in this press release that contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 include, but are not limited to, statements using the words "believes", "expects", "plans", "intends" and similar expressions. Such statements are inherently subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. A discussion of the risk factors that could impact these areas and the Company's overall business and financial performance can be found in the Company's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Given these concerns, investors and analysts should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. 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.
CONTACT: Loews Corporation, New York
Peter W. Keegan, 212/521-2950
Senior Vice President
Candace Leeds, 212/521-2416
V.P. of Public Affairs
Joshua E. Kahn, 212/521-2788
Investor Relations
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