8-K

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)    July 30, 2018

 

 

LOEWS CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   1-6541   13-2646102

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

667 Madison Avenue, New York, N.Y.   10065-8087
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:    (212) 521-2000

NOT APPLICABLE

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to rule 13e-4 (c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§ 230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§ 240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company  ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ☐

 

 

 


Item 2.02

Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

On July 30, 2018, Loews Corporation issued a press release providing information on its results of operations for the second quarter of 2018. The press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Form 8-K.

The information under Item 2.02 and in Exhibit 99.1 in this Current Report is being furnished and shall not be deemed “filed” for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that Section. The information under Item 2.02 and in Exhibit 99.1 in this Current Report shall not be incorporated by reference into any registration statement or other document pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

Item 9.01

Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d)

Exhibits:

 

99.1    Loews Corporation press release, issued July 30, 2018, providing information on its results of operations for the second quarter of 2018.

See Exhibit Index.

 

2


EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.

  

Description

99.1    Loews Corporation press release, issued July 30, 2018, providing information on its results of operations for the second quarter of 2018.

 

3


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

   

LOEWS CORPORATION

    (Registrant)
Dated: July 30, 2018     By:  

/s/ Marc A. Alpert

      Marc A. Alpert
      Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

 

4

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

 

LOGO    Contact:   

Mary Skafidas

Investor and Public Relations

(212) 521-2788

  

NEWS RELEASE

LOEWS CORPORATION REPORTS NET INCOME OF

$230 MILLION FOR THE SECOND QUARTER OF 2018

NEW YORK, July 30, 2018—Loews Corporation (NYSE:L) today reported net income for the three months ended June 30, 2018 of $230 million, or $0.72 per share, compared to $231 million, or $0.69 per share, in the prior year period. Net income for the six months ended June 30, 2018 was $523 million, or $1.61 per share, compared to $526 million, or $1.56 per share, in the prior year period. The increased earnings per share for the quarter and year to date periods reflect share repurchase activity in 2017 and 2018.

Net income for the three months ended June 30, 2018 was essentially unchanged from the prior year period, as lower earnings at Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc. and CNA Financial Corporation were offset by improved results from the parent company investment portfolio and higher earnings at Boardwalk Pipeline Partners, LP and Loews Hotels & Co. Net income for the six months ended June 30, 2018 decreased slightly as compared to the prior year period due primarily to lower earnings at Diamond Offshore.

Book value per share increased to $59.72 at June 30, 2018 from $57.83 at December 31, 2017. Book value per share excluding accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) increased to $61.69 at June 30, 2018 from $57.91 at December 31, 2017. The increase in book value per share is primarily attributable to the commitment to purchase Boardwalk Pipeline common units not already owned by the Company.

CONSOLIDATED HIGHLIGHTS

 

     June 30,  
     Three Months      Six Months  

(In millions, except per share data)

   2018      2017      2018      2017  

Income before net investment gains (losses)

   $ 231      $ 205      $ 517      $ 480  

Net investment gains (losses)

     (1      26        6        46  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income attributable to Loews Corporation

   $ 230      $ 231      $ 523      $ 526  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income per share

   $ 0.72      $ 0.69      $ 1.61      $ 1.56  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     June 30,
2018
     December 31,
2017
 

Book value per share

   $ 59.72      $ 57.83  

Book value per share excluding AOCI

     61.69        57.91  

 

Page 1 of 6


Three Months Ended June 30, 2018 Compared to 2017

CNA’s earnings decreased slightly mainly due to lower realized investment results and increased costs associated with the transition to a new IT infrastructure service provider. This was offset by an improvement in underwriting income generated by the core property & casualty business over the prior year due to the lower corporate tax rate from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the “Tax Act”). An increase in earned premium also contributed to the bottom line. Net investment income also benefited from the lower tax rate as well as improved performance of limited partnership investments.

Diamond Offshore’s results declined due to lower revenue given the continuing depressed market conditions, which impacted both rig utilization and average daily revenue. Asset impairment charges of $12 million and $23 million (after tax and noncontrolling interests) were recognized in the three months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017.

Boardwalk Pipeline’s earnings increased over the second quarter of 2017, which included a $15 million loss (after tax and noncontrolling interest) on the sale of a processing facility. Additionally, results in the second quarter of 2018 benefited from a lower corporate tax rate booked at the Loews level due to the Tax Act. Partially offsetting these positives were reduced transportation revenues resulting primarily from contract restructuring and lower transportation rates due to contract expirations.

Loews Hotels & Co’s earnings increased due to improved results at several owned hotels, primarily the Loews Miami Beach Hotel, slightly higher earnings at joint venture properties and the lower corporate tax rate.

Income generated by the parent company investment portfolio increased primarily due to improved returns on limited partnerships, equity securities and cash, together with the lower corporate tax rate.

Corporate and other results improved in 2018 on a pretax basis due to the absence of transaction expenses incurred in 2017 related to the acquisition of Consolidated Container Company LLC and lower corporate expenses. Net income for Corporate and other in 2018 was negatively impacted by the lower corporate tax rate, which resulted in a reduced tax benefit as compared to the prior year period.

Six Months Ended June 30, 2018 Compared to 2017

CNA’s earnings increased primarily due to improved underwriting results and increased net investment income driven by premium growth and the lower corporate tax rate, partially offset by lower realized investment gains and costs associated with the transition to a new IT infrastructure service provider.

Diamond Offshore’s earnings decreased primarily due to the reasons discussed above, partially offset by a favorable adjustment in 2018 to an uncertain tax position recorded at year-end 2017 related to the Tax Act.

Boardwalk Pipeline’s earnings increased primarily due to the reasons discussed above.

Loews Hotels & Co’s earnings increased primarily due to improved operating performance of joint venture properties and improved results at several owned hotels, primarily the Loews Miami Beach Hotel. The lower corporate tax rate also contributed to the year-over-year improvement.

 

Page 2 of 6


Results in 2017 included a $10 million net pretax gain on the sale of a joint venture property and the impairment of an investment in another joint venture.

Income generated by the parent company investment portfolio increased due to improved returns on limited partnership and short-term investments, together with the lower corporate tax rate. These increases were partially offset by lower performance of equity securities.

Corporate and other results improved before income tax due to the reasons discussed above. The lowering of the corporate tax rate resulted in a slight deterioration in Corporate and other after-tax results in 2018.

SHARE REPURCHASES

At June 30, 2018, there were 316.7 million shares of Loews common stock outstanding. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, the Company repurchased 5.8 million and 15.6 million shares of its common stock at an aggregate cost of $290 million and $788 million. From July 1, 2018 to July 27, 2018, the Company repurchased an additional 1.0 million shares of its common stock at an aggregate cost of $49 million. Depending on market conditions, the Company may from time to time purchase shares of its and its subsidiaries’ outstanding common stock in the open market or otherwise.

On July 18, 2018, the Company completed the purchase of all of the outstanding common units of Boardwalk Pipeline not already owned by the Company for $1.5 billion.

CONFERENCE CALLS

A conference call to discuss the second quarter results of Loews Corporation has been scheduled for today at 11:00 a.m. ET. A live webcast will be available at www.loews.com. Those interested in participating in the question and answer session should dial (877) 692-2592, or for international callers, (973) 582-2757. The conference ID number is 3197427. An online replay will also be available on the Loews Corporation’s website following the call.

A conference call to discuss the second quarter results of CNA has been scheduled for today at 10:00 a.m. ET. A live webcast will be available at http://investor.cna.com. Those interested in participating in the question and answer session should dial (888) 572-7025, or for international callers, (719) 325-2420.

A conference call to discuss the second quarter results of Diamond Offshore has been scheduled for today at 8:30 a.m. ET. A live webcast will be available at www.diamondoffshore.com. Those interested in participating in the question and answer session should dial (844) 492-6043, or for international callers, (478) 219-0839. The conference ID number is 4479039.

# # #

ABOUT LOEWS CORPORATION

Loews Corporation is a diversified company with businesses in the insurance, energy, hospitality and packaging industries. Our subsidiaries are: CNA Financial Corporation (NYSE: CNA), Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc. (NYSE: DO), Boardwalk Pipeline Partners LP, Loews Hotels & Co and Consolidated Container Company LLC. For more information please visit www.loews.com.

# # #

 

Page 3 of 6


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. 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.

 

Page 4 of 6


Loews Corporation and Subsidiaries

Selected Financial Information

 

     June 30,  
     Three Months     Six Months  

(In millions)

   2018     2017     2018     2017  

Revenues:

        

CNA Financial (a) (b)

   $ 2,574     $ 2,366     $ 5,109     $ 4,695  

Diamond Offshore

     271       399       570       776  

Boardwalk Pipeline

     285       318       622       686  

Loews Hotels & Co

     201       181       384       348  

Investment income and other (c)

     259       95       486       154  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ 3,590     $ 3,359     $ 7,171     $ 6,659  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (Loss) Before Income Tax:

        

CNA Financial (a) (d)

   $ 329     $ 370     $ 676     $ 715  

Diamond Offshore (e)

     (79     (9     (104     16  

Boardwalk Pipeline (f)

     39       23       134       141  

Loews Hotels & Co

     24       20       44       39  

Investment income, net

     42       2       56       61  

Corporate & other (c)

     (48     (59     (94     (115
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ 307     $ 347     $ 712     $ 857  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Loews Corporation:

        

CNA Financial (a) (d)

   $ 240     $ 244     $ 501     $ 478  

Diamond Offshore (e) (g)

     (37     7       (27     19  

Boardwalk Pipeline (f)

     16       6       52       43  

Loews Hotels & Co

     17       10       30       20  

Investment income, net

     34       2       45       40  

Corporate and other (c)

     (40     (38     (78     (74
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income attributable to Loews Corporation

   $ 230     $ 231     $ 523     $ 526  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a)

Includes realized investment losses of $3 million ($1 million after tax and noncontrolling interests) and realized investment gains of $43 million ($26 million after tax and noncontrolling interests) for the three months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017. Realized investment gains were $6 million ($6 million after tax and noncontrolling interests) and $77 million ($46 million after tax and noncontrolling interests) for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017.

(b)

Includes an increase of $143 million and $280 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 due to the implementation of a new accounting standard for revenue recognition (Accounting Standard Update 2014-09) on January 1, 2018. The new standard increases revenues and expenses to reflect the gross amounts paid by consumers for CNA’s non-insurance warranty products.

(c)

Includes the financial results of Consolidated Container Company which was acquired on May 22, 2017, corporate interest expense and other unallocated corporate expenses.

(d)

Includes charges of $40 million ($28 million after tax and noncontrolling interests) and $20 million ($12 million after tax and noncontrolling interests) for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017 related to the 2010 retroactive reinsurance agreement to cede CNA’s legacy asbestos and environmental pollution liabilities.

(e)

Includes asset impairment charges of $27 million ($12 million after tax and noncontrolling interests) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 and $72 million ($23 million after tax and noncontrolling interests) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 related to the carrying value of Diamond Offshore’s drilling rigs.

(f)

Includes a loss of $47 million ($15 million after tax and noncontrolling interests) at Boardwalk Pipeline related to the sale of a processing facility for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017.

(g)

Includes a tax benefit of $43 million ($23 million after noncontrolling interests) for the six months ended June 30, 2018 related to a favorable adjustment to an uncertain tax position recorded by Diamond Offshore at year-end 2017 related to the Tax Act.

 

Page 5 of 6


Loews Corporation and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Financial Review

 

     June 30,  
     Three Months     Six Months  

(In millions, except per share data)

   2018     2017     2018     2017  

Revenues:

        

Insurance premiums

   $ 1,815     $ 1,734     $ 3,600     $ 3,379  

Net investment income

     551       478       1,057       1,082  

Investment gains (losses)

     (3     43       6       77  

Other revenues and other (a) (b)

     1,227       1,104       2,508       2,121  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     3,590       3,359       7,171       6,659  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Expenses:

        

Insurance claims and policyholders’ benefits (c)

     1,327       1,280       2,666       2,573  

Operating expenses and other (a) (b) (d) (e)

     1,956       1,732       3,793       3,229  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     3,283       3,012       6,459       5,802  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before income tax

     307       347       712       857  

Income tax expense (f)

     (59     (69     (84     (188
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

     248       278       628       669  

Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests

     (18     (47     (105     (143
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income attributable to Loews Corporation

   $ 230     $ 231     $ 523     $ 526  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income per share attributable to Loews Corporation

   $ 0.72     $ 0.69     $ 1.61     $ 1.56  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average number of shares

     319.78       337.72       324.23       337.70  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a)

Includes the financial results of Consolidated Container Company, which was acquired on May 22, 2017.

(b)

Includes an increase of $143 million and $280 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 due to the implementation of a new accounting standard for revenue recognition (Accounting Standard Update 2014-09) on January 1, 2018. The new standard increases revenues and expenses to reflect the gross amounts paid by consumers for CNA’s non-insurance warranty products.

(c)

Includes charges of $40 million ($28 million after tax and noncontrolling interests) and $20 million ($12 million after tax and noncontrolling interests) for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017 related to the 2010 retroactive reinsurance agreement to cede CNA’s legacy asbestos and environmental pollution liabilities.

(d)

Includes asset impairment charges of $27 million ($12 million after tax and noncontrolling interests) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 and $72 million ($23 million after tax and noncontrolling interests) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 related to the carrying value of Diamond Offshore’s drilling rigs.

(e)

Includes a loss of $47 million ($15 million after tax and noncontrolling interests) at Boardwalk Pipeline related to the sale of a processing facility for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017.

(f)

Includes a benefit of $43 million ($23 million after noncontrolling interests) for the six months ended June 30, 2018 related to a favorable adjustment to an uncertain tax position recorded by Diamond Offshore at year-end 2017 related to the Tax Act.

 

Page 6 of 6