EX-99.1 2 lc_exbcomplete.htm PRESS RELEASE lc_exbcomplete.htm
Exhibit 99.1

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Contact:
Peter W. Keegan
Chief Financial Officer
(212) 521-2950
 
Darren Daugherty
Investor Relations
(212) 521-2788
 
Candace Leeds
Public Affairs
(212) 521-2416
 

LOEWS CORPORATION REPORTS
RESULTS FOR 2008

NEW YORK, February 9, 2009—Loews Corporation (NYSE: L) today reported a loss from continuing operations for the year ended December 31, 2008 of $182 million, or $0.38 per share, compared to income from continuing operations of $1,587 million, or $2.96 per share, in 2007. The Company reported a loss from continuing operations for the 2008 fourth quarter of $958 million, or $2.20 per share, compared to income from continuing operations of $295 million, or $0.56 per share, in the 2007 fourth quarter. The fourth quarter and full year of 2008 include the following:

 
·
Realized investment losses at CNA of $283 million for the fourth quarter of 2008 and $756 million for the full year 2008, after tax and minority interest.

 
·
A $440 million after tax non-cash impairment charge for the fourth quarter and full year 2008, related to the carrying value of HighMount’s proved reserves reflecting commodity prices at December 31, 2008.

 
·
A $314 million after tax non-cash goodwill impairment charge for the fourth quarter and full year 2008, related to HighMount.

 
·
Book value per common share of $30.17 at December 31, 2008 as compared to $32.40 at December 31, 2007.

Net income for the year ended December 31, 2008 amounted to $4.5 billion compared to $2.5 billion for 2007. Net income includes a tax-free non-cash gain of $4.3 billion related to the separation of Lorillard and an after tax gain of $75 million from the sale of Bulova Corporation reported as discontinued operations.
 
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Net income (loss) and earnings (loss) per share information attributable to Loews common stock and our former Carolina Group stock is summarized in the table below:
 
   
December 31,
  
   
Three Months
    
Years Ended
  
(In millions, except per share data)
  
2008
    
2007
    
2008
    
2007
  
                         
Net income (loss) attributable to Loews common stock:
                        
Income (loss) from continuing operations
   $ (958 )   $ 295     $ (182 )   $ 1,587  
Discontinued operations, net
             89       4,501       369  
Net income (loss) attributable to Loews common stock
     (958 )     384       4,319       1,956  
Net income attributable to former Carolina Group
                                
stock-Discontinued operations, net (a)
             128       211       533  
Consolidated net income (loss)
   $ (958 )   $ 512     $ 4,530     $ 2,489  
                                 
Net income (loss) per share:
                                
Loews common stock:
                                
Income (loss) from continuing operations
   $ (2.20 )   $ 0.56     $ (0.38 )   $ 2.96  
Discontinued operations, net
             0.16       9.43       0.69  
Loews common stock
   $ (2.20 )   $ 0.72     $ 9.05     $ 3.65  
Former Carolina Group stock-Discontinued
   operations, net
   $ -     $ 1.18     $ 1.95     $ 4.91  
 
(a)
The Carolina Group and Carolina Group stock were eliminated effective June 10, 2008 as part of the separation of Lorillard.

Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations

Three Months Ended December 31, 2008 Compared with 2007

Higher investment losses and lower investment income at CNA contributed to the loss from continuing operations for the fourth quarter of 2008. Investment income at the holding company also included losses in 2008, as compared to gains in the comparable period of the prior year. The prolonged and severe disruptions in the debt and equity markets, including among other things, widening of credit spreads, bankruptcies and government intervention in a number of large financial institutions as well as the global economic downturn, resulted in significant realized and unrealized losses in CNA’s investment portfolio and declines in net investment income during 2008.

HighMount’s results also contributed to the loss from continuing operations and include a non-cash impairment charge of $691 million ($440 million after tax) related to the carrying value of proved reserves, and a non-cash charge related to the impairment of goodwill of $482 million ($314 million after tax). These charges reflect declines in commodity prices and negative reserve revisions in proved reserve quantities based on a decline in commodity prices. There were no comparable charges in 2007.

These declines were partially offset by significantly improved results at Diamond Offshore.
 
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Year Ended December 31, 2008 Compared with 2007
 

The loss from continuing operations primarily reflected a decline in results at CNA due to increased investment losses, lower net investment income and increased catastrophe losses of $169 million (after tax and minority interest) primarily from hurricanes, as compared to the prior year. Non-cash impairment charges related to HighMount and reduced investment income at the holding company also contributed to lower results in 2008. These decreases were partially offset by significantly improved results at Diamond Offshore.

Discontinued Operations

In June 2008, the Company disposed of its entire ownership interest in Lorillard, Inc. through the redemption of Carolina Group stock in exchange for Lorillard common stock and an exchange of our remaining Lorillard common stock for Loews common stock. The Carolina Group and Carolina Group stock have been eliminated. The Company also sold Bulova Corporation in January 2008. Bulova and Lorillard’s results of operations and the gains on disposal have been classified as discontinued operations.

# # #

At December 31, 2008, there were 435,091,667 shares of Loews common stock outstanding. During the year ended December 31, 2008, as part of the separation of Lorillard, the Company acquired 93,492,857 shares of Loews common stock in exchange for 65,445,000 shares of Lorillard common stock. During the three months and year ended December 31, 2008, the Company purchased 999,600 and 1,313,600 shares of Loews common stock at an aggregate cost of $21 million and $33 million, respectively. 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.

# # #

CONFERENCE CALLS

A conference call to discuss the fourth quarter and year end results of Loews Corporation has been scheduled for 11:00 a.m. EST, Monday, February 9, 2009. A live webcast 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 should dial (877) 692-2592, or for international callers, (973) 582-2757. The conference ID number is 81082191. An online replay will also be available on the Loews Corporation’s website following the call.

A conference call to discuss the fourth quarter and year end results of CNA has been scheduled for 10:00 a.m. EST, Monday, February 9, 2009. A live webcast will be available at http://investor.cna.com. Those interested in participating in the question and answer session should dial (888) 277-7114, or for international callers, (913) 981-5578. Please go to the website at least ten minutes before the event begins to register and to download and install any necessary audio software. A replay of the call will be available through February 16, 2009 by dialing (888) 203-1112, or for international callers, (719) 457-0820. The replay passcode is 7486232. An online replay will be available on CNA's website following the call.
 
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A conference call to discuss the fourth quarter and year end results of Boardwalk Pipeline Partners, LP has been scheduled for 9:00 a.m. EST, Monday, February 9, 2009. A live webcast of the call will be available online at the Boardwalk Pipeline website (www.bwpmlp.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 866-543-6408 for callers in the U.S. or 617-213-8899 for callers outside the U.S. The PIN number to access the call is 33357279. An online replay will be available on Boardwalk Pipeline's website following the call.

A conference call to discuss the fourth quarter and year end results of Diamond Offshore was held on Thursday, February 5, 2009. An online replay is available on Diamond Offshore’s website (www.diamondoffshore.com).

# # #

ABOUT LOEWS CORPORATION

Loews Corporation, a holding company, is one of the largest diversified corporations in the United States. Its principal subsidiaries are CNA Financial Corporation (NYSE: CNA), a 90% owned subsidiary; Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc. (NYSE: DO), a 50.4% owned subsidiary; HighMount Exploration & Production LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary; Boardwalk Pipeline Partners, LP (NYSE: BWP), a 74% owned subsidiary; and Loews Hotels, a wholly owned subsidiary.

# # #

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.
 
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Loews Corporation and Subsidiaries
Financial Review

   
December 31,
  
   
Three Months
    
Years Ended
  
   
2008
    
2007
    
2008
    
2007
  
   
(In millions, except per share data)
  
                         
Revenues:
                        
Insurance premiums
   $ 1,765     $ 1,866     $ 7,150     $ 7,482  
Net investment income
     50       620       1,581       2,785  
Investment losses (a)
     (484 )     (91 )     (1,294 )     (135 )
Contract drilling revenues
     887       652       3,476       2,506  
Other
     525       545       2,334       1,664  
Total
     2,743       3,592       13,247       14,302  
                                 
Expenses:
                                
Insurance claims & policyholders’ benefits
     1,343       1,513       5,723       6,009  
Contract drilling expenses
     313       289       1,185       1,004  
Impairment of proved reserves (b)
     691               691          
Impairment of goodwill (c)
     482               482          
Other
     1,255       1,143       4,579       4,094  
Total
     4,084       2,945       12,660       11,107  
                                 
Income (loss) before income tax and minority interest
     (1,341 )     647       587       3,195  
                                 
Income tax expense (benefit)
     (530 )     221       7       995  
Minority interest
     147       131       762       613  
Total
     (383 )     352       769       1,608  
                                 
Income (loss) from continuing operations
     (958 )     295       (182 )     1,587  
Discontinued operations:
                                
Results of operations
             217       350       902  
Gain on disposal (d)
                     4,362          
Net income (loss)
   $ (958 )   $ 512     $ 4,530     $ 2,489  
                                 
Net income (loss) attributable to:
                                
Loews common stock:
                                
Income (loss) from continuing operations
   $ (958 )   $ 295     $ (182 )   $ 1,587  
Discontinued operations, net
             89       4,501       369  
Loews common stock
     (958 )     384       4,319       1,956  
Former Carolina Group stock - Discontinued operations, net
             128       211       533  
    $ (958 )   $ 512     $ 4,530     $ 2,489  
                                 
Income (loss) per share of Loews common stock:
                                
Income (loss) from continuing operations
   $ (2.20 )   $ 0.56     $ (0.38 )   $ 2.96  
Discontinued operations, net
             0.16       9.43       0.69  
Diluted net income (loss)
   $ (2.20 )   $ 0.72     $ 9.05     $ 3.65  
                                 
Diluted net income per share of former Carolina Group stock
                                
- Discontinued operations, net
   $ -     $ 1.18     $ 1.95     $ 4.91  
                                 
Weighted diluted number of shares:
                                
Loews common stock
     435.65       530.94       477.23       536.00  
Former Carolina Group stock
     -       108.61       108.60       108.57  

(a)
Includes a gain of $143 ($93 after tax), for the year ended December 31, 2007, related to a reduction in the Company's ownership interest in Diamond Offshore from the conversion of Diamond Offshore's 1.5% convertible debentures into Diamond Offshore common stock.
(b)
The non-cash impairment charge ($440 after tax) relates to the carrying value of HighMount's proved reserves for the three months and year ended December 31, 2008.
(c)
The non-cash impairment charge ($314 after tax) relates to goodwill at HighMount for the three months and year ended December 31, 2008.
(d)
Includes a tax-free non-cash gain of $4,287 related to the separation of Lorillard and an after tax gain of $75 from the sale of Bulova Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2008.
 
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Loews Corporation and Subsidiaries
Additional Financial Information

   
December 31,
  
   
Three Months
    
Years Ended
  
   
2008
    
2007
    
2008
    
2007
  
   
(In millions)
  
Revenues:
                        
CNA Financial
   $ 2,021     $ 2,509     $ 9,096     $ 10,196  
Diamond Offshore
     856       682       3,486       2,617  
HighMount
     180       174       770       274  
Boardwalk Pipeline
     207       181       848       671  
Loews Hotels
     88       99       380       384  
Investment income and other
     (125 )     38       (39 )     295  
      3,227       3,683       14,541       14,437  
Investment gains (losses):
                                
CNA Financial
     (484 )     (93 )     (1,297 )     (310 )
Corporate and other (a)
             2       3       175  
      (484 )     (91 )     (1,294 )     (135 )
Total
   $ 2,743     $ 3,592     $ 13,247     $ 14,302  
                                 
Income (Loss) Before Tax and Minority Interest:
                                
CNA Financial
   $ (50 )   $ 308     $ 747     $ 1,544  
Diamond Offshore
     402       294       1,843       1,239  
HighMount (b)
     (1,115 )     62       (890 )     92  
Boardwalk Pipeline
     66       73       292       229  
Loews Hotels
     5       13       62       60  
Investment income, net
     (123 )     32       (54 )     295  
Other (c)
     (42 )     (44 )     (119 )     (129 )
      (857 )     738       1,881       3,330  
Investment gains (losses):
                                
CNA Financial
     (484 )     (93 )     (1,297 )     (310 )
Corporate and other (a)
             2       3       175  
      (484 )     (91 )     (1,294 )     (135 )
Total
   $ (1,341 )   $ 647     $ 587     $ 3,195  
                                 
Net Income (Loss):
                                
CNA Financial
   $ (15 )   $ 201     $ 488     $ 950  
Diamond Offshore
     137       76       612       396  
HighMount (b)
     (717 )     38       (575 )     57  
Boardwalk Pipeline (d)
     27       32       125       106  
Loews Hotels
     4       7       40       36  
Investment income, net
     (78 )     22       (33 )     194  
Other (c)
     (34 )     (29 )     (85 )     (85 )
      (676 )     347       572       1,654  
Investment gains (losses):
                                
CNA Financial
     (283 )     (54 )     (756 )     (180 )
Corporate and other (a)
     1       2       2       113  
      (282 )     (52 )     (754 )     (67 )
                                 
Income (loss) from continuing operations
     (958 )     295       (182 )     1,587  
Discontinued operations, net (e)
             89       4,501       369  
Loews common stock
     (958 )     384       4,319       1,956  
Former Carolina Group stock - Discontinued operations, net
             128       211       533  
Total
   $ (958 )   $ 512     $ 4,530     $ 2,489  

(a)
Includes a gain of $143 ($93 after tax), for the year ended December 31, 2007, related to a reduction in the Company's ownership interest in Diamond Offshore from the conversion of Diamond Offshore's 1.5% convertible debentures into Diamond Offshore common stock.
(b)
Reflects a $691 ($440 after tax) non-cash impairment charge related to the carrying value of HighMount's proved reserves and a $482 ($314 after tax) non-cash impairment charge related to goodwill at HighMount for the three months and year ended December 31, 2008.
(c)
Consists primarily of corporate interest expense and other unallocated expenses.
(d)
Represents a 72.9%, 72.1%, 71.1% and 75.2% ownership interest in Boardwalk Pipeline for the respective periods.
(e)
Includes a tax-free non-cash gain of $4,287 related to the separation of Lorillard and an after tax gain of $75 from the sale of Bulova Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2008.

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