Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation:

The condensed consolidated financial statements of Vector Group Ltd. (the “Company” or “Vector”) include the accounts of VGR Holding LLC (“VGR Holding”), Liggett Group LLC (“Liggett”), Vector Tobacco Inc. (“Vector Tobacco”), Liggett Vector Brands LLC (“Liggett Vector Brands”), New Valley LLC (“New Valley”) and other less significant subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.

Liggett and Vector Tobacco are engaged in the manufacture and sale of cigarettes in the United States. New Valley is engaged in the real estate business and is seeking to acquire additional operating companies and real estate properties.

The interim condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company are unaudited and, in the opinion of management, reflect all adjustments necessary (which are normal and recurring) to state fairly the Company's consolidated financial position, results of operations, comprehensive income and cash flows. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The consolidated results of operations for interim periods should not be regarded as necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the entire year.

Certain reclassifications have been made to the 2011 financial information to conform to the 2012 presentation.

Distributions and Dividends on Common Stock

Distributions and Dividends on Common Stock:

The Company records distributions on its common stock as dividends in its condensed consolidated statement of stockholders' equity to the extent of retained earnings and accumulated paid-in capital. Any amounts exceeding retained earnings are recorded as a reduction to additional paid-in capital. Any amounts then exceeding accumulated paid-in capital are recorded as an increase to accumulated deficit.

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share (“EPS”):

Information concerning the Company's common stock has been adjusted to give retroactive effect to the 5% stock dividend paid to Company stockholders on September 29, 2011. All per share amounts have been updated to reflect the retrospective effect of the stock dividends.

Net (loss) income for purposes of determining basic EPS was as follows:

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2012			2011
Net (loss) income	$	(7,690	)	$	19,373
Income attributable to participating securities	—			(397		)
Net (loss) income available to common stockholders	$	(7,690	)	$	18,976

Net income for purposes of determining diluted EPS was as follows:

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2012			2011
Net (loss) income	$	(7,690	)	$	19,373
Income attributable to participating securities	—			(397		)
Net (loss) income available to common stockholders	$	(7,690	)	$	18,976

Basic and diluted EPS were calculated using the following shares:

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2012	2011
Weighted-average shares for basic EPS	79,060,539	78,216,170
Plus incremental shares related to stock options and non-vested restricted stock	—	282,013
Weighted-average shares for fully diluted EPS	79,060,539	78,498,183

The following stock options, non-vested restricted stock and shares issuable upon the conversion of convertible debt were outstanding during the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 but were not included in the computation of diluted EPS.

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2012		2011
Number of stock options	475,483		192,582
Weighted-average exercise price	$	13.60	$	22.25
Weighted-average shares of non-vested restricted stock	383,354		N/A
Weighted-average expense per share	11.60		N/A
Weighted-average number of shares issuable upon   conversion of debt	17,314,667		18,000,339
Weighted-average conversion price	$	14.82	$	14.87

Fair Value of Derivatives Embedded within Convertible Debt

Fair Value of Derivatives Embedded within Convertible Debt:

The Company has estimated the fair market value of the embedded derivatives based principally on the results of a valuation model. The estimated fair value of the derivatives embedded within the convertible debt is based principally on the present value of future dividend payments expected to be received by the convertible debt holders over the term of the debt. The discount rate applied to the future cash flows is estimated based on a spread in the yield of the Company's debt when compared to risk-free securities with the same duration; thus, a readily determinable fair market value of the embedded derivatives is not available. The valuation model assumes future dividend payments by the Company and utilizes interest rates and credit spreads for secured to unsecured debt, unsecured to subordinated debt and subordinated debt to preferred stock to determine the fair value of the derivatives embedded within the convertible debt. The valuation also considers other items, including current and future dividends and the volatility of the Company's stock price.  The range of estimated fair market values of the Company's embedded derivatives was between $151,120 and $158,131.  The Company recorded the fair market value of its embedded derivatives at the midpoint of the inputs at $154,555 as of March 31, 2012. At December 31, 2011, the range of estimated fair market values of the Company's embedded derivatives was between $130,917 and $136,182.  The Company recorded the fair market value of its embedded derivatives at the midpoint of the inputs at $133,500 as of December 31, 2011.  The estimated fair market value of the Company's embedded derivatives could change significantly based on future market conditions. (See Note 4.)

Contingencies

The Company and its subsidiaries record provisions in their consolidated financial statements for pending litigation when they determine that an unfavorable outcome is probable and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. At the present time, while it is reasonably possible that an unfavorable outcome in a case may occur, except as disclosed in this Note 5: (i) management has concluded that it is not probable that a loss has been incurred in any of the pending tobacco-related cases; or (ii) management is unable to estimate the possible loss or range of loss that could result from an unfavorable outcome of any of the pending tobacco-related cases and, therefore, management has not provided any amounts in the consolidated financial statements for unfavorable outcomes, if any. Legal defense costs are expensed as incurred.