News Release

Vector Group Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2005 Financial Results

March 17, 2006 at 12:00 AM EST
VECTOR GROUP REPORTS FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL YEAR 2005 FINANCIAL RESULTSMIAMI, FL, March 17, 2006 -- Vector Group Ltd. (NYSE: VGR) today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2005.

For the full year ended December 31, 2005, revenues were $478.4 million, compared to $498.9 million for 2004. The Company recorded operating income of $89.1 million for 2005, compared to operating income of $15.4 million for 2004. The results for 2005 include a pre-tax gain of $12.7 million on the sale of real estate. The results for 2004 include a non-cash pre-tax inventory charge of $37.0 million to adjust the carrying value of excess leaf tobacco inventory for the Quest brand and pre-tax restructuring charges of $13.7 million. Income from continuing operations was $38.2 million for 2005, or $0.82 per diluted common share, compared to income of $4.0 million, or $0.09 per diluted common share, for 2004. Income from discontinued operations was $3.0 million in 2005, compared to income of $2.7 million in 2004. Income from extraordinary item was $7.9 million in 2005. Net income for 2005 was $49.1 million, or $1.06 per diluted common share, compared to income of $6.7 million, or $0.15 per diluted common share, for 2004.

Fourth quarter 2005 revenues were $136.2 million, compared to revenues of $128.0 million in the fourth quarter 2004. The Company recorded operating income of $26.1 million in the 2005 fourth quarter, compared to operating income of $11.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2004. The results for the fourth quarter 2005 includes the $12.7 million pre-tax gain on the sale of real estate. The results for the fourth quarter 2004 include pre-tax restructuring charges of $6.2 million. Income from continuing operations was $11.0 million for the fourth quarter 2005, or $0.23 per diluted share, compared to income of $8.6 million, or $0.19 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter 2004. Income from discontinued operations was $2.3 million in the fourth quarter 2004. Income from extraordinary item was $7.9 million in the fourth quarter 2005. Net income for the 2005 fourth quarter was $18.8 million, or $0.40 per diluted common share, compared to net income of $10.9 million, or $0.24 per diluted common share, in the 2004 fourth quarter.

For the three months and year ended December 31, 2005, the Company’s conventional cigarette business, which includes Liggett Group cigarettes and USA brand cigarettes, had revenues of $134.1 million and $468.7 million, respectively, compared to $126.3 million and $484.9 million for the three months and full year ended December 31, 2004, respectively. Operating income was $45.7 million for the fourth quarter 2005 and $143.4 million for the full year 2005, compared to $30.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2004 and $110.7 million for the full year 2004. The 2005 fourth quarter and full year results included the pre-tax gain on sale of real estate of $12.7 million and the 2005 full year results included a special federal quota stock liquidation assessment under the federal tobacco buyout legislation of $5.2 million. The 2004 fourth quarter and full year results included pre-tax restructuring charges of $4.8 million and $11.1 million, respectively.

Conference Call to Discuss Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2005 Results

As previously announced, the Company will host a conference call and webcast on Friday, March 17, 2005 at 11:00 A.M. (EST) to discuss fourth quarter and full year 2005 results. Investors can access the call by dialing 866-425-6193 and entering 7127559 as the conference ID number. The call will also be available via live webcast at www.vcall.com
A replay of the call will be available shortly after the call ends on March 17, 2006 through March 31, 2006. To access the replay, dial 877-519-4471 and enter 7127559 as the conference ID number. The archived webcast will also be available at www.vcall.com for 30 days.

Vector Group is a holding company that indirectly owns Liggett Group LLC, Vector Tobacco Inc. and New Valley LLC. Additional information concerning the company is available on the company’s website, www.VectorGroupLtd.com.

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