NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 12, 2007--Loews Corporation (NYSE:LTR;CG) today reported consolidated net income (including both the Loews Group and Carolina Group) for the 2006 fourth quarter of $746.5 million, compared to $127.6 million in the 2005 fourth quarter. Consolidated net income for the year ended December 31, 2006 was $2,491.3 million, compared to $1,211.6 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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December 31,
---------------------------------
Three Months Year Ended
---------------------------------
(In millions, except per share data) 2006 2005 2006 2005
---------------------------------
Net income attributable to Loews
common stock:
Income before net investment gains
(losses) $ 536.9 $ 86.8 $2,032.0 $ 951.9
Net investment gains (losses) 96.5 (49.0) 68.6 (10.3)
---------------------------------
Income from continuing operations 633.4 37.8 2,100.6 941.6
Discontinued operations, net (24.0) 8.2 (25.7) 18.7
---------------------------------
Net income attributable to Loews
common stock 609.4 46.0 2,074.9 960.3
Net income attributable to Carolina
Group stock (a) 137.1 81.6 416.4 251.3
---------------------------------
Consolidated net income $ 746.5 $127.6 $2,491.3 $1,211.6
=================================
Net income per share:
Loews common stock:
Income from continuing operations $ 1.15 $ 0.07 $ 3.80 $ 1.69
Discontinued operations, net (0.04) 0.01 (0.05) 0.03
---------------------------------
Net income $ 1.11 $ 0.08 $ 3.75 $ 1.72
=================================
Carolina Group stock $ 1.26 $ 1.11 $ 4.46 $ 3.62
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Book value per share of Loews common
stock at:
December 31, 2006 $ 30.14
December 31, 2005 $ 23.64
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(a) Reflects Loews Corporation's sales of 15 million shares of Carolina Group stock in each of August and May of 2006 and 10 million shares in November of 2005. Net income per share of Carolina Group stock was not impacted by these sales.
Three Months Ended December 31, 2006 Compared With 2005
Net income attributable to Loews common stock for the fourth quarter of 2006 amounted to $609.4 million, or $1.11 per share, compared to $46.0 million, or $0.08 per share in the comparable period of the prior year. The increase in net income was primarily due to improved results at the Company's 89% owned subsidiary, CNA Financial Corporation and the Company's 54% owned subsidiary, Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc., partially offset by a decrease in the share of Carolina Group earnings attributable to Loews common stock, due to the sale of additional Carolina Group stock in August and May 2006.
Net income attributable to Loews common stock includes net investment gains of $96.5 million (after tax and minority interest) compared to net investment losses of $49.0 million (after tax and minority interest) in the comparable period of the prior year.
Net income attributable to Carolina Group stock for the fourth quarter of 2006 was $137.1 million, or $1.26 per Carolina Group share, compared to $81.6 million, or $1.11 per Carolina Group share in the comparable period of the prior year. The increase in net income attributable to Carolina Group stock was due to an increase in Lorillard Inc. net income primarily driven by higher unit sales, and reflects an increase in the number of Carolina Group shares outstanding. The Company is issuing a separate press release reporting the results of the Carolina Group for the fourth quarter of 2006.
Consolidated revenues in the fourth quarter of 2006 amounted to $4.9 billion, compared to $4.1 billion in the comparable period of the prior year.
Year Ended December 31, 2006 Compared With 2005
Net income attributable to Loews common stock for the year ended 2006 amounted to $2,074.9 million, or $3.75 per share, compared to $960.3 million, or $1.72 per share, in the prior year. The results for the year ended December 31, 2005 included catastrophe losses at CNA of $304.8 million (after tax and minority interest) including the impact from Hurricanes Wilma, Katrina, Rita, Dennis and Ophelia and a benefit of $136.5 million related to a federal income tax settlement due primarily to net refund interest and the release of federal income tax reserves at CNA. The increase in net income was primarily due to improved results at CNA and Diamond Offshore, partially offset by a decrease in the share of Carolina Group earnings attributable to Loews common stock, as discussed above.
Net income attributable to Loews common stock includes net investment gains of $68.6 million (after tax and minority interest) compared to net investment losses of $10.3 million (after tax and minority interest) in the prior year.
Net income attributable to Carolina Group stock for the year ended 2006 was $416.4 million, or $4.46 per Carolina Group share, compared to $251.3 million, or $3.62 per Carolina Group share in the prior year. The increase in net income attributable to Carolina Group stock was due to an increase in Lorillard Inc. net income driven by higher effective unit prices reflecting lower sales promotion expenses (accounted for as a reduction to net sales), increased unit sales, and reflects an increase in the number of Carolina Group shares outstanding.
Consolidated revenues for the year ended 2006 amounted to $17.9 billion, compared to $16.0 billion in the prior year.
At December 31, 2006, there were 544,203,457 shares of Loews common stock outstanding and 108,325,806 shares of Carolina Group stock outstanding. During the three months and year ended December 31, 2006, the Company purchased 6,432,010 and 13,934,510 shares of Loews common stock at an aggregate cost of $255.0 and $509.8 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 December 31, 2006, the outstanding Carolina Group stock represents a 62.3% economic interest in the economic performance of the Carolina Group.
ABOUT LOEWS CORPORATION
Loews Corporation, a holding company, is one of the largest diversified financial corporations in the United States. Its principal subsidiaries are CNA Financial Corporation (NYSE: CNA), Lorillard, Inc., Boardwalk Pipeline Partners, LP (NYSE: BWP), Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc. (NYSE: DO), Loews Hotels and Bulova Corporation.
CONFERENCE CALLS
A conference call to discuss the fourth quarter and full year results of Loews Corporation has been scheduled for 11:00 a.m. EST, Monday, February 12, 2007. 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, or for international callers, (973) 582-2757. The conference ID number is 8347049. An online replay will be available at the Company's website following the call.
A conference call to discuss the fourth quarter and full year results of CNA has been scheduled for 10:00 a.m. EST, Monday, February 12, 2007. A live broadcast of the call will be available online at the CNA website (http://investors.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 of the conference call should dial (888) 515-2235, or for international callers, (719) 457-2601. An online replay will be available at CNA's website following the call.
A conference call to discuss the fourth quarter and full year results of Boardwalk Pipeline Partners, LP has been scheduled for 9:00 a.m. EST, Monday, February 12, 2007. A live broadcast 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 of the conference call should dial (866) 314-4483. The conference ID number is 82135639. An online replay will be available at Boardwalk Pipeline's website following the call.
A conference call to discuss the fourth quarter and full year results of Diamond Offshore was held on Thursday, February 8, 2007. An online replay is available at the Diamond Offshore website (www.diamondoffshore.com).
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 and CNA. 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
December 31,
--------------------------------------
Three Months Years Ended
--------------------------------------
2006 2005 2006 2005
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(Amounts in millions, except per share
data)
Revenues:
Insurance premiums and net
investment income (a) $2,925.0 $2,431.7 $10,614.7 $ 9,654.2
Manufactured products (b) 1,007.2 981.2 3,961.8 3,752.4
Other (c) 949.8 695.1 3,334.5 2,611.2
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Total 4,882.0 4,108.0 17,911.0 16,017.8
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Expenses:
Insurance claims &
policyholders' benefits 1,600.1 2,112.3 6,046.2 6,998.7
Cost of manufactured products
sold (b) (d) 555.7 539.9 2,261.7 2,202.3
Other 1,376.9 1,251.1 5,131.0 4,970.3
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Total 3,532.7 3,903.3 13,438.9 14,171.3
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1,349.3 204.7 4,472.1 1,846.5
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Income tax expense 415.7 43.8 1,450.7 490.4
Minority interest 163.1 41.5 504.4 163.2
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Total 578.8 85.3 1,955.1 653.6
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Income from continuing
operations 770.5 119.4 2,517.0 1,192.9
Discontinued operations, net (24.0) 8.2 (25.7) 18.7
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Net income $ 746.5 $ 127.6 $ 2,491.3 $ 1,211.6
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Net income attributable to:
Loews common stock:
Income from continuing
operations $ 633.4 $ 37.8 $ 2,100.6 $ 941.6
Discontinued operations,
net (24.0) 8.2 (25.7) 18.7
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Loews common stock 609.4 46.0 2,074.9 960.3
Carolina Group stock (e) 137.1 81.6 416.4 251.3
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$ 746.5 $ 127.6 $ 2,491.3 $ 1,211.6
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Income per share of Loews
common stock:
Income from continuing
operations $ 1.15 $ 0.07 $ 3.80 $ 1.69
Discontinued operations,
net (0.04)$ 0.01 (0.05)$ 0.03
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Diluted net income $ 1.11 $ 0.08 $ 3.75 $ 1.72
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Diluted net income per share of
Carolina Group stock $ 1.26 $ 1.11 $ 4.46 $ 3.62
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Weighted diluted number of
shares:
Loews common stock 548.37 558.41 553.54 557.96
Carolina Group stock 108.44 73.51 93.47 69.49
(a) Includes investment gains (losses) of $154.3, $(82.9), $100.5 and
$(13.2) for the respective periods.
(b) Includes excise taxes of $172.1, $164.7, $698.5 and $676.1 paid on
sales of manufactured products for the respective periods.
(c) The year ended December 31, 2005 includes net refund interest of
$130.6 from a federal income tax settlement.
(d) Includes charges of $215.1, $218.2, $911.4 and $876.4 ($133.8,
$135.7, $560.2 and $537.7 after taxes) to accrue obligations
under the State Settlement Agreements for the respective periods.
(e) Represents 62.34%, 42.86%, 54.78% and 40.34% of the economic
interest in the Carolina Group for the respective periods.
Loews Corporation and Subsidiaries
Additional Financial Information
December 31,
---------------------------------------
Three Months Years Ended
---------------------------------------
2006 2005 2006 2005
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(In millions)
Revenues:
CNA Financial $ 2,689.1 $2,491.4 $10,289.8 $ 9,871.6
Lorillard (a) 968.8 936.1 3,858.6 3,637.4
Boardwalk Pipeline 176.0 178.3 618.4 571.3
Diamond Offshore 596.4 379.1 2,102.0 1,294.1
Loews Hotels 91.1 83.1 371.3 350.5
Investment income-net and
other (b)
Income (loss) from trading
portfolio 106.0 33.1 223.7 42.8
Other 100.3 89.8 346.7 263.3
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4,727.7 4,190.9 17,810.5 16,031.0
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Investment gains (losses):
CNA Financial 154.2 (82.8) 91.9 (6.5)
Corporate and other 0.1 (0.1) 8.6 (6.7)
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154.3 (82.9) 100.5 (13.2)
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Total $ 4,882.0 $4,108.0 $17,911.0 $16,017.8
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Income Before Taxes:
CNA Financial $ 346.4 $ (288.9)$ 1,575.3 $ 185.3
Lorillard (c) 157.2 208.0 667.2 743.2
Boardwalk Pipeline 65.2 64.9 197.7 158.1
Diamond Offshore 292.9 135.9 960.1 351.0
Loews Hotels 8.1 4.9 48.0 50.0
Investment income-net and
other (b)
Income (loss) from trading
portfolio 106.0 33.1 223.7 42.8
Other (d) (1.8) (1.9) 22.1 (81.0)
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974.0 156.0 3,694.1 1,449.4
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Investment gains (losses):
CNA Financial 154.2 (82.8) 91.9 (6.5)
Corporate and other 0.1 8.8 (5.8)
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154.3 (82.8) 100.7 (12.3)
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Loews common stock 1,128.3 73.2 3,794.8 1,437.1
Carolina Group stock (e) 221.0 131.5 677.3 409.4
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Total $ 1,349.3 $ 204.7 $ 4,472.1 $ 1,846.5
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Net Income:
CNA Financial (f) $ 222.8 $ (153.4)$ 978.3 $ 246.7
Lorillard (c) 97.5 128.9 409.9 455.8
Boardwalk Pipeline 35.1 36.0 103.2 92.1
Diamond Offshore 110.3 52.6 352.0 127.3
Loews Hotels 3.8 (1.5) 29.4 31.2
Investment income-net and
other (b)
Income (loss) from trading
portfolio 68.9 21.5 145.4 27.8
Other (d) (f) (1.5) 2.7 13.8 (29.0)
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536.9 86.8 2,032.0 951.9
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Investment gains (losses):
CNA Financial 96.5 (49.0) 62.9 (6.9)
Corporate and other 5.7 (3.4)
---------------------------------------
96.5 (49.0) 68.6 (10.3)
---------------------------------------
Income from continuing
operations 633.4 37.8 2,100.6 941.6
Discontinued operations, net (24.0) 8.2 (25.7) 18.7
---------------------------------------
Loews common stock 609.4 46.0 2,074.9 960.3
Carolina Group stock (e) 137.1 81.6 416.4 251.3
---------------------------------------
Total $ 746.5 $ 127.6 $ 2,491.3 $ 1,211.6
=======================================
(a) Includes excise taxes of $172.1, $164.7, $698.5 and $676.1 paid on
sales of manufactured products for the respective periods.
(b) Consists primarily of corporate investment income, interest
expenses, the operations of Bulova Corporation and other
unallocated expenses.
(c) The Loews Group's intergroup interest in the earnings of the
Carolina Group declined from 54.97% in 2005 to 37.66% in 2006 due
primarily to the sales of Carolina Group stock by Loews in May
and August of 2006.
(d) Includes additional interest expense of $35.5 ($23.1 after taxes)
related to charges from the early redemption of the Company's
long-term debt for the year ended December 31, 2005.
(e) Represents 62.34%, 42.86%, 54.78% and 40.34% of the economic
interest in the Carolina Group for the respective periods.
(f) Includes a benefit of $105.7 and $25.5 for CNA Financial and
Corporate, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2005,
relating primarily to net refund interest and the release of
federal income tax reserves.
Carolina Group Reports Net Income for 2006
Loews Corporation (NYSE:LTR) today reported Carolina Group net income for the 2006 fourth quarter of $220.0 million, compared to $190.5 million in the 2005 fourth quarter. Net income attributable to Carolina Group stock (NYSE:CG) for the fourth quarter of 2006 was $137.1 million, or $1.26 per share of Carolina Group stock, compared to $81.6 million, or $1.11 per share in the comparable period of the prior year.
The increase in net income attributable to Carolina Group stock for the fourth quarter of 2006, as compared to the corresponding period of the prior year, is primarily due to increased unit sales and reflects an increase in the number of Carolina Group shares outstanding. Carolina Group stock represented a 62.34% and 42.86% economic interest in the Carolina Group for the three months ended December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively.
Loews Corporation sold 15 million shares of Carolina Group stock in each of August and May of 2006 and 10 million shares 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 $936.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2006, compared to $916.0 million in the 2005 fourth quarter.
Carolina Group net income for the year ended 2006 was $760.2 million, compared to $623.1 million in the prior year. Net income attributable to Carolina Group stock for the year ended 2006 was $416.4 million, or $4.46 per share of Carolina Group stock, compared to $251.3 million, or $3.62 per share in the prior year. The increase in net income attributable to Carolina Group stock is primarily due to higher effective unit prices reflecting lower sales promotion expenses (accounted for as a reduction to net sales), increased unit sales and reflects the August and May of 2006 and November of 2005 sales by Loews Corporation of Carolina Group stock discussed above.
Net sales for the Carolina Group were $3.755 billion in 2006, compared to $3.568 billion in the prior year.
Results of operations of the Carolina Group include interest expense on notional intergroup debt of $16.2, $20.7, $71.1 and $86.1 million, net of taxes, for the three months and years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively. At December 31, 2006, $1.23 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 December 31, 2006 there were 108,325,806 shares of Carolina Group stock outstanding, representing a 62.3% 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 fourth quarter and full year of 2006 is being issued contemporaneously with this report.
A conference call to discuss the fourth quarter and full year results of Loews Corporation has been scheduled for 11:00 a.m. EST, Monday, February 12, 2007. 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, or for international callers, (973) 582-2757. The conference ID number is 8347049. An online replay will be available at the Company's website following the call.
Carolina Group
Financial Review
December 31,
----------------------------------
Three Months Years Ended
----------------------------------
2006 2005 2006 2005
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(Amounts in millions, except per
share data)
Net sales (a) $ 936.7 $916.0 $3,754.8 $3,567.8
Cost of sales (a) (b) 521.5 509.4 2,159.5 2,114.4
Selling, advertising and
administrative (c) 68.9 87.0 354.3 369.5
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Total operating costs and expenses 590.4 596.4 2,513.8 2,483.9
----------------------------------
Operating income 346.3 319.6 1,241.0 1,083.9
Investment income and other (d) 34.4 21.5 111.4 72.5
Interest expense (26.0) (33.9) (115.6) (140.9)
----------------------------------
Income before income taxes 354.7 307.2 1,236.8 1,015.5
Income taxes 134.7 116.7 476.6 392.4
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Net income 220.0 190.5 760.2 623.1
Earnings attributable to the Loews
Group intergroup interest (e) 82.9 108.9 343.8 371.8
----------------------------------
Income attributable to Carolina
Group shareholders (f) $ 137.1 $ 81.6 $ 416.4 $ 251.3
==================================
Per share of Carolina Group stock $ 1.26 $ 1.11 $ 4.46 $ 3.62
==================================
Weighted diluted number of shares 108.44 73.51 93.47 69.49
==================================
Notional, intergroup debt owed by
the Carolina Group to the Loews
Group
December 31, 2006 $1,229.7
December 31, 2005 1,626.9
(a) Includes excise taxes of $172.1, $164.7, $698.5 and $676.1 for the
respective periods.
(b) Includes charges of $215.1, $218.2, $911.4 and $876.4 ($133.8,
$135.7, $560.2 and $537.7 after taxes) to accrue obligations
under the State Settlement Agreements for the respective periods.
(c) Includes restructuring costs of $3.7 and $20.1 for the three
months and year ended December 31, 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 $9.2,
$3.2, $25.8 and $16.0 ($5.8, $2.0, $15.9 and $9.8 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 173,770,806 share and share equivalents
outstanding as of December 31, 2006 and share equivalents
amounting to 95,445,000 shares of 173,632,130 share and share
equivalents outstanding as of December 31, 2005. As of December
31, 2006, there were 108,325,806 shares of Carolina Group stock
outstanding.
(f) Represents 62.34%, 42.86%, 54.78% and 40.34% 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):
December 31,
------------------------------------------
Three Months Years Ended
------------------------------------------
2006 2005 2006 2005
------------------------------------------
Full Price Brands
Total Newport 8,148,465 7,729,738 33,105,422 32,159,341
Total Kent Family 140,499 166,680 600,519 710,241
Total True 120,600 137,772 509,831 574,752
Total Max 8,172 9,531 33,723 39,268
Total Satin 993 1,398 4,887 6,153
------------------------------------------
Total Full Price Brands 8,418,729 8,045,119 34,254,382 33,489,755
------------------------------------------
Price/Value Brands
Total Old Gold 196,010 200,982 803,669 834,501
Total Maverick 283,884 237,612 1,072,811 869,146
------------------------------------------
Total Price/Value Brands 479,894 438,594 1,876,480 1,703,647
------------------------------------------
Total Domestic Cigarettes 8,898,623 8,483,713 36,130,862 35,193,402
Total Puerto Rico and U.S.
Possessions 224,196 190,362 813,576 811,716
------------------------------------------
Grand Total 9,122,819 8,674,075 36,944,438 36,005,118
==========================================
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.
CONTACT: Loews Corporation
Peter W. Keegan, 212-521-2950
Senior Vice President
or
Candace Leeds, 212-521-2416
V.P. of Public Affairs
or
Investor Relations:
Darren Daugherty, 212-521-2788
SOURCE: Loews Corporation