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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2019
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

(a)
Basis of Presentation:
The condensed consolidated financial statements of Vector Group Ltd. (the “Company” or “Vector”) include the accounts of 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. New Valley includes the accounts of Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC (“Douglas Elliman”) 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. Liggett Vector Brands coordinates Liggett and Vector Tobacco’s sales and marketing efforts. Certain references to “Liggett” refer to the Company’s tobacco operations, including the business of Liggett and Vector Tobacco, unless otherwise specified. New Valley is engaged in the real estate business.
The unaudited, interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information and, in management’s opinion, contain all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring items, necessary for a fair statement of the results for the periods presented. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). 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.
(b)
Distributions and Dividends on Common Stock:

The Company records distributions on its common stock as dividends in its condensed consolidated statement of stockholders’ deficiency 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 and then to accumulated deficit. The Company’s stock dividends are recorded as stock splits and given retroactive effect to earnings per share for all periods presented.

(c)
Earnings Per Share (“EPS”):

Information concerning the Company’s common stock has been adjusted to give retroactive effect to the 5% stock dividend distributed to Company stockholders on September 27, 2019. All per share amounts and references to share amounts have been updated to reflect the retrospective effect of the stock dividend.

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

 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
Net income attributed to Vector Group Ltd.
$
36,008

 
$
12,002

 
$
90,268

 
$
37,031

Income attributed to participating securities
(2,023
)
 
(1,722
)
 
(6,052
)
 
(5,186
)
Net income applicable to common shares attributed to Vector Group Ltd.
$
33,985

 
$
10,280

 
$
84,216

 
$
31,845



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

 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
Net income attributed to Vector Group Ltd.
$
36,008

 
$
12,002

 
$
90,268

 
$
37,031

Income attributable to 7.5% Variable Interest Senior Convertible Notes

 

 
(1,246
)
 

Income attributed to participating securities
(2,023
)
 
(1,722
)
 
(6,052
)
 
(5,186
)
Net income applicable to common shares attributed to Vector Group Ltd.
$
33,985

 
$
10,280

 
$
82,970

 
$
31,845



 
Basic and diluted EPS were calculated using the following common shares:

 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
Weighted-average shares for basic EPS
146,703,766

 
146,461,283

 
146,562,252

 
146,327,788

Plus incremental shares related to convertible debt

 

 
961,191

 

Plus incremental shares related to stock options and non-vested restricted stock
32,374

 
26,290

 
13,782

 
185,660

Weighted-average shares for diluted EPS
146,736,140

 
146,487,573

 
147,537,225

 
146,513,448



The following non-vested restricted stock and shares issuable upon the conversion of convertible debt were outstanding during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, but were not included in the computation of diluted EPS because the impact of the per share expense associated with the restricted stock were greater than the average market price of the common shares during the respective periods and the common shares issuable under the convertible debt were anti-dilutive to EPS.

 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
  Weighted-average shares of non-vested restricted stock
1,012,285

 

 
1,274,549

 

  Weighted-average expense per share
$
18.03

 
$

 
$
17.95

 
$

  Weighted-average number of shares issuable upon conversion of debt
11,447,061

 
30,260,606

 
11,447,061

 
30,260,606

  Weighted-average conversion price
$
20.27

 
$
16.15

 
$
20.27

 
$
16.15




(d)
Fair Value of Derivatives Embedded within Convertible Debt:

The Company has estimated the fair value of the embedded derivatives based principally on the results of a valuation model. A readily determinable fair value of the embedded derivatives is not available. 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. 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 September 30, 2019, the range of estimated fair values of the Company’s embedded derivatives was between $11,080 and $11,132. The Company recorded the fair value of its embedded derivatives at the approximate midpoint of the range at $11,105 as of September 30, 2019. At December 31, 2018, the range of estimated fair values of the Company’s embedded derivatives was between $31,371 and $31,519. The Company recorded the fair value of its embedded derivatives at the midpoint of the range at $31,424 as of December 31, 2018. The estimated fair value of the Company’s embedded derivatives could change significantly based on future market conditions. (See Note 8.)

(e)
Investments in Real Estate Ventures:
In accounting for its investments in real estate ventures, the Company identified its participation in Variable Interest Entities (“VIE”), which are defined as (a) entities in which the equity investment at risk is not sufficient to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support; (b) as a group, the equity investors at risk lack (1) the power to direct the activities of a legal entity that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance, (2) the obligation to absorb the expected losses of the entity, or (3) the right to receive the expected residual returns of the entity; or (c) as a group, the equity investors 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.
The Company’s interest in VIEs is primarily in the form of equity ownership. The Company examines specific criteria and uses judgment when determining if the Company is the primary beneficiary of a VIE. Factors considered include risk and reward sharing, experience and financial condition of other partner(s), voting rights, involvement in day-to-day capital and operating decisions, representation on a VIE’s executive committee, existence of unilateral kick-out rights exclusive of protective rights or voting rights and level of economic disproportionality between the Company and its other partner(s).
Accounting guidance requires the consolidation of VIEs in which the Company is the primary beneficiary. The guidance requires consolidation of VIEs that an enterprise has a controlling financial interest. A controlling financial interest will have both of the following characteristics: (a) the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and (b) the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE.
The Company’s maximum exposure to loss in its investments in unconsolidated VIEs is limited to its investment in the VIE, any unfunded capital commitments to the VIE, and, in some cases, guarantees in connection with debt on the specific project. The Company’s maximum exposure to loss in its investment in consolidated VIEs is limited to its investment, which is the carrying value of the investment net of the non-controlling interest. Creditors of the consolidated VIEs have no recourse to the general credit of the primary beneficiary.

(f)
Other, Net:

Other, net consisted of:
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
Interest and dividend income
$
3,083

 
$
2,466

 
$
9,430

 
$
6,533

Equity in (losses) earnings from investments
(468
)
 
3,230

 
(791
)
 
9,205

Net (losses) gains recognized on investment securities
(1,487
)
 
(962
)
 
5,601

 
(1,295
)
Net periodic benefit cost other than the service costs
(576
)
 
(254
)
 
(1,692
)
 
(761
)
Other income (expense)
1,203

 
1

 
1,105

 
(22
)
Other, net
$
1,755

 
$
4,481

 
$
13,653

 
$
13,660



(g)
Other Assets:

Other assets consisted of:

 
September 30, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
Restricted assets
$
5,982

 
$
6,306

Prepaid pension costs
24,800

 
23,869

Other assets
68,688

 
60,177

Total other assets
$
99,470

 
$
90,352



(h)
Other Current Liabilities:
Other current liabilities consisted of:
 
September 30, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
Accounts payable
$
14,191

 
$
13,144

Accrued promotional expenses
40,977

 
37,940

Accrued excise and payroll taxes payable, net
5,065

 
14,612

Accrued interest
28,116

 
38,673

Commissions payable
17,730

 
12,975

Accrued salary and benefits
25,518

 
30,228

Contract liabilities
7,416

 

Allowance for sales returns
6,617

 
6,935

Other current liabilities
29,092

 
25,831

Total other current liabilities
$
174,722

 
$
180,338



(i)
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, Net:
The components of “Goodwill and other intangible assets, net” were as follows:
 
September 30,
2019
 
December 31,
2018
Goodwill
$
78,008

 
$
77,568

 
 
 
 
Indefinite life intangibles:
 
 
 
Intangible asset associated with benefit under the MSA
107,511

 
107,511

Trademark - Douglas Elliman
80,000

 
80,000

 
 
 
 
Intangibles with a finite life, net
515

 
1,532

 
 
 
 
  Total goodwill and other intangible assets, net
$
266,034

 
$
266,611




(j)
Reconciliation of Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash:

The components of “Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash” in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows were as follows:
 
September 30,
2019
 
December 31,
2018
Cash and cash equivalents
$
319,298

 
$
584,581

Restricted cash and cash equivalents included in other current assets
3,660

 
2,697

Restricted cash and cash equivalents included in other assets
4,460

 
4,451

Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash shown in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
$
327,418

 
$
591,729



Amounts included in current restricted assets and non-current restricted assets represent cash and cash equivalents required to be deposited into escrow for bonds required to appeal adverse product liability judgments, amounts required for letters of credit related to office leases, and certain deposit requirements for banking arrangements. The restrictions related to the appellate bonds will remain in place until the appeal process has been completed. The restrictions related to the letters of credit will remain in place for the duration of the respective lease. The restrictions related to the banking arrangements will remain in place for the duration of the arrangement.
 
(k)    New Accounting Pronouncements:

Accounting Standards Updates (“ASU”) adopted in 2019:
In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-09, Codification Improvements (“ASU 2018-09”). This standard does not prescribe any new accounting guidance, but instead makes minor improvements and clarifications of several different FASB Accounting Standards Codification areas based on comments and suggestions made by various stakeholders. Certain updates were applicable immediately while others were effective for the Company’s fiscal year beginning January 1, 2019. Adoption of this update did not have a material impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.
In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-02, Income Statement – Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (“ASU 2018-02”), which allows for stranded tax effects in accumulated other comprehensive income resulting from the Tax Act to be reclassified to retained earnings. The Company adopted ASU 2018-02 effective January 1, 2019. The reclassification from the adoption of this standard resulted in a decrease of $4,697 to accumulated deficit and an increase of $4,697 to accumulated other comprehensive loss.
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (“ASU 2016-02”), which provides guidance for accounting for leases. ASU 2016-02 requires lessees to classify leases as either finance or operating leases and to record a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for all leases with a term greater than 12 months regardless of the lease classification. The lease classification will determine whether the lease expense is recognized based on an effective interest rate method or on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. Accounting for lessors remains largely unchanged from current U.S. GAAP. In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-10, Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases and ASU 2018-11 “Leases (Topic 842): Targeted Improvements” (ASU 2018-11). ASU 2018-10 clarifies certain areas within ASU 2016-02. Prior to ASU 2018-11, a modified retrospective transition was required for financing or operating leases existing at or entered into after the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements. ASU 2018-11 allows entities an additional transition method to the existing requirements whereby an entity could adopt the provisions of ASU 2016-02 by recognizing a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption without adjustment to the financial statements for periods prior to adoption. ASU 2018-11 also allows a practical expedient that permits lessors to not separate non-lease components from the associated lease component if certain conditions are present. In December 2018, the FASB also issued ASU 2018-20, Leases (Topic 842): Narrow-Scope Improvements for Lessors, which requires lessors to exclude lessor costs paid directly to a third party by lessees from lease revenues and expenses, provides an election for lessors to exclude sales taxes and other similar taxes collected from lessees from consideration in the contract, and clarifies lessors accounting for variable payments related to lease and nonlease components. ASU 2016-02, ASU 2018-10, ASU 2018-11 and ASU 2018-20 was effective for the Company’s fiscal year beginning January 1, 2019 and subsequent interim periods.
On January 1, 2019, the Company adopted ASU No. 2016-02- Leases (Topic 842) applying the modified retrospective method and the option presented under ASU 2018-11 to transition only active leases as of January 1, 2019 with a cumulative effect adjustment as of that date. See Note 3 - Leases, for additional accounting policy and transition disclosures.

ASUs to be adopted in future periods:
In October 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-17, Consolidation (Topic 810): Targeted Improvements to Related Party Guidance for Variable Interest Entities. The guidance requires indirect interests held through related parties under common control arrangements be considered on a proportional basis for determining whether fees paid to decision makers and service providers are variable interests. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the new guidance on our condensed consolidated financial statements.
In October 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-16, Inclusion of the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) Overnight Index Swap (“OIS”) Rate as a Benchmark Interest Rate for Hedge Accounting Purposes (“ASU 2018-16”), which amends ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging. This ASU adds the OIS rate based on SOFR to the list of permissible benchmark rates for hedge accounting purposes. The amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Adoption of ASU 2018-16 will be on a prospective basis for qualifying new or redesignated hedging relationships entered into on or after the date of adoption. The Company is currently assessing the impact the adoption of ASU 2018-16 will have on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-15, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other Internal Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract. The amendments in this update align the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software. ASU 2018-15 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact the adoption of ASU 2018-15 will have on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-14, Compensation - Retirement Benefits - Defined Benefit Plans - General (Subtopic 715-20): Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans (“ASU 2018-14”). ASU 2018-14 eliminates the requirement to disclose the amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income expected to be recognized as part of net periodic benefit cost over the next year. The ASU also removes the disclosure requirements for the effects of a one-percentage-point change on the assumed health care costs and the effect of this change in rates on service cost, interest cost and the benefit obligation for postretirement health care benefits. ASU 2018-14 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2020. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of ASU 2018-14 will impact financial statement disclosure with no impact on operating results.
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement, which is designed to improve the effectiveness of disclosures by removing, modifying and adding disclosures related to fair value measurements. The ASU eliminates disclosures such as the amount of and reasons for transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. The ASU also adds new disclosure requirements for Level 3 measurements. ASU No. 2018-13 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The adoption of ASU 2018-13 will impact financial statement disclosure with no impact on operating results.
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (“ASU 2016-13”), sets forth a current expected credit loss model that changes how entities will measure credit losses for most financial assets and certain other instruments that are not measured at fair value through net income. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact the adoption of ASU 2016-13 will have on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.