EX-99.1 2 exbcg_twonpg.htm LOEWS CORP. PRESS RELEASE Carolina Group PR Exb. 99.2

Exhibit 99.2

 
Contact:
Peter W. Keegan
Senior Vice President
(212) 521-2950
 
Candace Leeds
V.P. of Public Affairs
(212) 521-2416
 
Joshua E. Kahn
Investor Relations
(212) 521-2788

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CAROLINA GROUP REPORTS NET INCOME
FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF 2005


NEW YORK, May 3, 2005—Loews Corporation (NYSE:LTR) today reported Carolina Group net income for the 2005 first quarter of $118.5 million, compared to $103.0 million in the 2004 first quarter. Net income attributable to Carolina Group stock (NYSE:CG) for the first quarter of 2005 was $46.5 million, or $0.68 per share of Carolina Group stock, compared to $34.4 million, or $0.59 per share in the prior year.

The increase in net income attributable to Carolina Group stock for the first quarter of 2005, as compared to the corresponding period of the prior year, reflects the sale by Loews Corporation of 10,000,000 shares of Carolina Group stock in December of 2004 and the higher overall results of the Carolina Group. Net income per share of Carolina Group stock was not impacted by the sale of Carolina Group stock in December of 2004. Carolina Group stock represents a 39.20% and 33.43% economic interest in the Carolina Group for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively.

Net sales for the Carolina Group were $795.1 million in the first quarter of 2005, compared to $767.9 million in the 2004 first quarter. The increase in net sales reflects an increase in unit sales volume of 0.3% and a reduction in sales promotion expenses.

Results of operations of the Carolina Group include interest expense of $22.4 and $24.6 million, net of taxes, for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively, on notional intergroup debt. At March 31, 2005, $1.797 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

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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 March 31, 2005, there were 68,027,309 shares of Carolina Group stock outstanding representing a 39.22% economic interest. Depending on market and other 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.

# # #

Loews Corporation has issued a separate press release reporting its consolidated results for the first quarter of 2005, which accompanies this press release.

A conference call to discuss the first quarter results of Loews Corporation has been scheduled for 11:00 a.m. EDT, Tuesday, May 3, 2005. 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. An online replay will be available at the Company’s website following the call.

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Carolina Group
Financial Review


   
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 31,
 
   
2005
 
2004
 
   
(Amounts in millions,
 
   
except per share data)
 
           
Net sales (a)
 
$
795.1
 
$
767.9
 
               
Cost of sales (a) (b)
   
486.7
   
467.3
 
Selling, advertising and administrative
   
90.0
   
100.0
 
               
Total operating costs and expenses
   
576.7
   
567.3
 
               
Operating income
   
218.4
   
200.6
 
Investment income
   
12.2
   
8.5
 
Interest expense
   
(36.6
)
 
(40.3
)
               
Income before income taxes
   
194.0
   
168.8
 
Income taxes
   
75.5
   
65.8
 
               
Net income
   
118.5
   
103.0
 
Earnings attributable to the Loews Group intergroup interest (c)
   
72.0
   
68.6
 
               
Income attributable to Carolina Group shareholders (d)
 
$
46.5
 
$
34.4
 
               
Per share of Carolina Group stock (e)
 
$
0.68
 
$
0.59
 
               
Weighted number of shares outstanding
   
68.00
   
57.97
 

(a)
Includes excise taxes of $156.2 and $156.1 for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004.
(b)
Includes charges of $198.7 and $201.1 ($121.4 and $122.7 after taxes) to accrue obligations under the State Settlement Agreements for the respective periods.
(c)
The Loews Group's intergroup interest in the earnings of the Carolina Group reflected share equivalents amounting to 105,445,000 shares of 173,472,309 share and share equivalents outstanding in 2005 and share equivalents amounting to 115,445,000 shares of 173,411,750 share and share equivalents outstanding in 2004. As of March 31, 2005, there were 68,027,309 shares of Carolina Group stock outstanding.
(d)
Represents 39.20% and 33.43% of the economic interest in the Carolina Group for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004.
(e)
Earnings per common share-assuming dilution is not presented because securities that could potentially dilute basic earnings per share in the future would have been insignificant or antidilutive for the periods presented.


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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):

   
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 31,
 
   
2005
 
2004
 
           
Full Price Brands
             
               
Total Newport
   
7,521,694
   
7,379,958
 
Total Kent Family
   
174,495
   
210,449
 
Total True
   
137,592
   
160,764
 
Total Max
   
9,591
   
11,307
 
Total Satin
   
1,596
   
2,094
 
Total Triumph
         
528
 
               
Total Full Price Brands
   
7,844,968
   
7,765,100
 
               
Price/Value Brands
             
               
Total Old Gold
   
191,319
   
218,814
 
Total Maverick
   
177,432
   
155,562
 
               
Total Price/Value Brands
   
368,751
   
374,376
 
               
Total Domestic Cigarettes
   
8,213,719
   
8,139,476
 
               
Total Puerto Rico and U.S. Possessions
   
166,764
   
211,864
 
               
Grand Total
   
8,380,483
   
8,351,340
 

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.


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