SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

(a) Basis of Presentation:

The 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.

Certain reclassifications have been made to the 2010 and 2011 financial information to conform to the 2012 presentation.

(b) Estimates and Assumptions:

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses. Significant estimates subject to material changes in the near term include restructuring and impairment charges, inventory valuation, deferred tax assets, allowance for doubtful accounts, promotional accruals, sales returns and allowances, actuarial assumptions of pension plans, the estimated fair value of embedded derivative liabilities, settlement accruals, valuation of investments, including other than temporary impairments to such investments, accounting for investments in equity securities, and litigation and defense costs. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

For purposes of the statements of cash flows, cash includes cash on hand, cash on deposit in banks and cash equivalents, comprised of short-term investments which have an original maturity of 90 days or less. Interest on short-term investments is recognized when earned. The Company places its cash and cash equivalents with large commercial banks. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) and Securities Investor Protection Corporation (“SIPC”) insure these balances, up to $250 and $500, respectively. Substantially all of the Company’s cash balances at December 31, 2012 are uninsured.

(d) Financial Instruments:

The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, restricted assets and short-term loans approximate their fair value.

The carrying amounts of short-term debt reported in the consolidated balance sheets approximate fair value. The fair value of long-term debt for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 was estimated based on current market quotations.

As required by authoritative guidance, derivatives embedded within the Company’s convertible debt are recognized on the Company’s balance sheet and are stated at estimated fair value at each reporting period. Changes in the fair value of the embedded derivatives are reflected quarterly as “Changes in fair value of derivatives embedded within convertible debt.”

The estimated fair values for financial instruments presented herein are not necessarily indicative of the amounts the Company could realize in a current market exchange. The use of different market assumptions and/or estimation methodologies may have a material effect on the estimated fair values.

(e) Investment Securities:

The Company classifies investments in debt and marketable equity securities as available for sale. Investments classified as available for sale are carried at fair value, with net unrealized gains and losses included as a separate component of stockholders’ equity. The cost of securities sold is determined based on average cost. Investments in marketable equity securities represent less than a 20 percent interest in the investees and the Company does not exercise significant influence over such entities.

Gains are recognized when realized in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. Losses are recognized as realized or upon the determination of the occurrence of an other-than-temporary decline in fair value. The Company’s policy is to review its securities on a periodic basis to evaluate whether any security has experienced an other-than-temporary decline in fair value. If it is determined that an other-than-temporary decline exists in one of the Company’s marketable securities, it is the Company’s policy to record an impairment charge with respect to such investment in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. The Company recorded a loss related to other-than-temporary declines in the fair value of its marketable equity securities of $500 for the year ended December 31, 2010.

(f) Significant Concentrations of Credit Risk:

Financial instruments which potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash and cash equivalents and trade receivables. The Company places its temporary cash in money market securities (investment grade or better) with what management believes are high credit quality financial institutions.

Liggett’s customers are primarily candy and tobacco distributors, the military and large grocery, drug and convenience store chains. One customer accounted for 17% of Liggett’s revenues in each of 2012, 2011 and 2010. Concentrations of credit risk with respect to trade receivables are generally limited due to the large number of customers, located primarily throughout the United States, comprising Liggett’s customer base. Liggett's largest single customer represented approximately 10% and 52% of net accounts receivable at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Ongoing credit evaluations of customers’ financial condition are performed and, generally, no collateral is required. Liggett maintains reserves for potential credit losses and such losses, in the aggregate, have generally not exceeded management’s expectations.

(g) Accounts Receivable:

Accounts receivable-trade are recorded at their net realizable value.

The allowance for doubtful accounts and cash discounts was $577 and $881 at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

(h) Inventories:

Tobacco inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market and are determined primarily by the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method at Liggett and Vector Tobacco. Although portions of leaf tobacco inventories may not be used or sold within one year because of the time required for aging, they are included in current assets, which is common practice in the industry. It is not practicable to determine the amount that will not be used or sold within one year.

(i) Restricted Assets:

Current restricted assets of $2,469 and $1,474 at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, consist primarily of certificates of deposits and supersedeas bonds. Long-term restricted assets of $9,792 and $9,626 at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, consist primarily of certificates of deposit which collateralize letters of credit, supersedeas bonds and deposits on long-term debt. The certificates of deposit mature at various dates from March 2013 to October 2013.

(j) Property, Plant and Equipment:

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost. Property, plant and equipment are depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets, which are 20 to 30 years for buildings and 3 to 10 years for machinery and equipment.

Repairs and maintenance costs are charged to expense as incurred. The costs of major renewals and betterments are capitalized. The cost and related accumulated depreciation of property, plant and equipment are removed from the accounts upon retirement or other disposition and any resulting gain or loss is reflected in operations.

(k) Investment in Non-Consolidated Real Estate Businesses:

In accounting for its investment in non-consolidated real estate businesses, the Company identified its participation in Variable Interest Entities (“VIE”), which are defined as entities in which the equity investors have not provided enough equity to finance its activities or the equity investors (1) cannot directly or indirectly make decisions about the entity’s activities through their voting rights or similar rights; (2) do not have the obligation to absorb the expected losses of the entity; (3) do not have the right to receive the expected residual returns of the entity; or (4) have voting rights that are not proportionate to their economic interests and the entity’s activities involve or are conducted on behalf of an investor with a disproportionately small voting interest.

New Valley accounts for its interest in Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC on the equity method because the entity neither meets the definition of a VIE nor is New Valley the entity’s primary beneficiary, as defined in authoritative guidance.

Chelsea Eleven, Sesto, Fifty Third-Five Building, 1107 Broadway, Lofts 21, East 68th Street, SOCAL Portfolio, Hotel Taiwana, 11 Beach Street, Maryland Portfolio, 701 Seventh Avenue, Queens Plaza and Chrystie Street meet the definition of a VIE; however, New Valley is not the primary beneficiary of these entities, as defined in authoritative guidance. In August 2010, New Valley became the primary beneficiary of Aberdeen Townhomes LLC, and as a result, the consolidated financial statements of the Company included the account balances of Aberdeen Townhomes LLC as of December 31, 2011 and 2010.

(l) Intangible Assets:

The Company reviews intangible assets for impairment annually or whenever events or changes in business circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the intangible assets may not be fully recoverable. Indefinite life intangible assets as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, were $107,511. This intangible asset relates to the market share exemption of The Medallion Company Inc. (now known as Vector Tobacco Inc., acquired in April 2002, under the Master Settlement Agreement ("MSA"), which states payments under the MSA continue in perpetuity. As a result, the Company believes it will realize the benefit of the exemption for the foreseeable future.

Other intangible assets, included in other assets, consisting of trademarks and patent rights, are amortized using the straight-line method over 10-12 years and had no net book value at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

(m) Impairment of Long-Lived Assets:

The Company reviews long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in business circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be fully recoverable. The Company performs undiscounted operating cash flow analyses to determine if impairment exists. If impairment is determined to exist, any related impairment loss is calculated based on fair value of the asset on the basis of discounted cash flow. Impairment losses on assets to be disposed of, if any, are based on the estimated proceeds to be received, less costs of disposal.

(n) Pension, Postretirement and Postemployment Benefits Plans:

The cost of providing retiree pension benefits, health care and life insurance benefits is actuarially determined and accrued over the service period of the active employee group. The Company recognizes the funded status of each defined benefit pension plan, retiree health care and other postretirement benefit plans and postemployment benefit plans on the balance sheet.

(o) Stock Options:

The Company accounts for employee stock compensation plans by measuring compensation cost for share-based payments at fair value. In December 2012 and September 2012, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer delivered 162,397 and 76,155 shares of common stock, respectively, in payment of income and payroll taxes in connection with the vesting of restricted shares. In January 2011, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer delivered 384,946 shares of common stock in payment of the exercise price and income and payroll taxes in connection with the exercise of an employee stock option for 448,960 shares. In September 2011, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer delivered 67,275 shares of common stock in payment of income and payroll taxes in connection with the vesting of restricted shares. In September 2010, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer delivered 57,265 shares of common stock in payment of income and payroll taxes in connection with the vesting of restricted shares. The Company immediately canceled the shares delivered in these transactions.

(p) Income Taxes:

The Company accounts for income taxes under the liability method and records deferred taxes for the impact of temporary differences between the amounts of assets and liabilities recognized for financial reporting purposes and the amounts recognized for tax purposes as well as tax credit carryforwards and loss carryforwards. These deferred taxes are measured by applying currently enacted tax rates. A valuation allowance reduces deferred tax assets when it is deemed more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. A current tax provision is recorded for income taxes currently payable.

The Company follows authoritative guidance for accounting for uncertainty in income taxes which requires an entity to recognize the financial statement impact of a tax position when it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination. If the tax position meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, the tax effect is recognized at the largest amount of the benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. The guidance requires that a liability created for unrecognized deferred tax benefits shall be presented as a liability and not combined with deferred tax liabilities or assets.

(q) Distributions and Dividends on Common Stock:

The Company records distributions on its common stock as dividends in its consolidated statement of stockholders’ equity to the extent of retained earnings. Any amounts exceeding retained earnings are recorded as a reduction to additional paid-in-capital to the extent paid-in-capital is available. The Company’s stock dividends are recorded as stock splits and given retroactive effect to earnings per share for all years presented.

(r) Revenue Recognition:

Sales: Revenues from sales are recognized upon the shipment of finished goods when title and risk of loss have passed to the customer, there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement, the sale price is determinable and collectibility is reasonably assured. The Company provides an allowance for expected sales returns, net of any related inventory cost recoveries. Certain sales incentives, including buydowns, are classified as reductions of net sales. The Company’s accounting policy is to include federal excise taxes in revenues and cost of goods sold. Since the Company’s primary line of business is tobacco, the Company’s financial position and its results of operations and cash flows have been and could continue to be materially adversely affected by significant unit sales volume declines, litigation and defense costs, increased tobacco costs or reductions in the selling price of cigarettes in the near term.

Shipping and Handling Fees and Costs: Shipping and handling fees related to sales transactions are neither billed to customers nor recorded as revenue. Shipping and handling costs, which were $5,474 in 2012, $5,684 in 2011 and $5,323 in 2010 are recorded as operating, selling, administrative and general expenses.

(s) Advertising:

Advertising costs, which are expensed as incurred and included within operating, selling, administration and general expenses, were $4,266, $3,099 and $2,970 for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

(t) Comprehensive Income:

The Company early adopted authoritative guidance on Comprehensive Income. This guidance requires entities to present components of net income and other comprehensive income in either a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. The Company elected to present items of net income and other comprehensive income in two separate, but consecutive, statements. The items are presented before related tax effects with detailed amounts shown for the income tax expense or benefit related to each component of other comprehensive income.

The components of accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income, net of income taxes, were as follows:



	December 31, 2012			December 31, 2011			December 31, 2010
Net unrealized gains on investment securities available for sale, net of income taxes of $8,886, $14,938, and $14,591, respectively	$	13,001		$	21,856		$	21,887
Net unrealized (losses) gains on long-term investment accounted for under the equity method, net of income tax benefits of $458 and $1,007 and expense of $446, respectively	(670		)	(1,474		)	669
Forward contracts adjustment, net of income taxes of $88, $114, and $140, respectively	(129		)	(167		)	(206		)
Pension-related amounts, net of income taxes of $15,358, $16,330, and $11,929, respectively	(22,470		)	(23,892		)	(17,894		)
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income	$	(10,268	)	$	(3,677	)	$	4,456

(u) 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 Vector’s stock price. At December 31, 2012, the range of estimated fair market values of the Company’s embedded derivatives was between $169,424 and $174,909. The Company recorded the fair market value of its embedded derivatives at the midpoint of the inputs at $172,128 as of December 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 7.)

(v) Capital and Credit Markets:

The Company has performed additional assessments to determine the impact, if any, of market developments, on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The Company’s additional assessments have included a review of access to liquidity in the capital and credit markets, counterparty creditworthiness, value of the Company’s investments (including long-term investments, mortgage receivable and employee benefit plans) and macroeconomic conditions. The volatility in capital and credit markets may create additional risks in the upcoming months and possibly years and the Company will continue to perform additional assessments to determine the impact, if any, on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Thus, future impairment charges may occur.

On a quarterly basis, the Company evaluates its investments to determine whether an impairment has occurred. If so, the Company also makes a determination of whether such impairment is considered temporary or other-than-temporary. The Company believes that the assessment of temporary or other-than-temporary impairment is facts and circumstances driven. However, among the matters that are considered in making such a determination are the period of time the investment has remained below its cost or carrying value, the likelihood of recovery given the reason for the decrease in market value and the Company’s original expected holding period of the investment.

(w) Contingencies:

The Company records Liggett's product liability legal expenses and other litigation costs as operating, selling, administrative and general expenses as those costs are incurred. As discussed in Note 12 , legal proceedings covering a wide range of matters are pending or threatened in various jurisdictions against Liggett and the Company.

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 Note 12: (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.

Adverse verdicts have been entered against Liggett in eight state court Engle progeny cases (exclusive of the Lukacs case, discussed in Note 12) and two of these verdicts have been affirmed on appeal. At December 31, 2012, Liggett and the Company are defendants in 3,074 state court Engle progeny cases. Through December 31, 2012, other than the Lukacs case, the verdicts against Liggett have ranged from $1 to $3,008. In certain cases, the judgments entered have been joint and several with the other defendants. In two of these cases, punitive damages were also awarded for $1,000 and $7,600. Our potential range of loss in the six Engle progeny cases currently on appeal is between $0 and $16,166 in the aggregate, plus accrued interest and attorneys' fees. In determining the range of loss, we consider potential settlements as well as future appellate relief. Except as discussed in Note 12, management is unable to estimate the possible loss or range of loss from remaining Engle progeny cases as there are currently multiple defendants in each case and discovery has not occurred or is limited. As a result, the Company lacks information about whether plaintiffs are, in fact Engle, class members (non-class members' claims are generally time-barred), the relevant smoking history, the nature of the alleged injury and the availability of various defenses, among other things. Further, plaintiffs typically do not specify their demand for damages. Litigation is subject to many uncertainties, and it is possible that the Company's consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows could be materially adversely affected by an unfavorable outcome in any such tobacco-related litigation.

(x) New Accounting Pronouncements:

In May 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued amendments to disclosure requirements for common fair value measurement. These amendments, effective for the interim and annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2011 (early adoption is prohibited), result in a common definition of fair value and common requirements for measurement of and disclosure requirements between U.S. GAAP and IFRS. Consequently, the amendments change some fair value measurement principles and disclosure requirements. This accounting guidance only impacted presentation and disclosures and did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In July 2012, the FASB issued amendments to the indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment guidance which provides an option for companies to use a qualitative approach to test indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment if certain conditions are met. The amendments are effective for annual and interim indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2012 (early adoption was permitted). The implementation of the amended accounting guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial position or results of operations.

In February 2013, the FASB issued amendments to the accounting guidance for presentation of comprehensive income to improve the reporting of reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income. The amendments do not change the current requirements for reporting net income or other comprehensive income, but do require an entity to provide information about the amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by component. In addition, an entity is required to present, either on the face of the statement where the net income is presented or in the notes, significant amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by the respective line items of net income but only if the amount reclassified is required under GAAP to be reclassified to net income in its entirety in the same reporting period. For other amounts that are not required under GAAP to be reclassified in their entirety to net income, an entity is required to cross-reference to other disclosures required under GAAP that provide additional detail about these amounts. For public companies, these amendments are effective prospectively for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2012. The implementation of the amended accounting guidance should not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial position or results of operations.