SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549-1004
----------------------
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) :
January 30, 2002
The Estee Lauder Companies Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 11-2408943
(State or other jurisdiction of (IRS Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)
767 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10153
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
212-572-4200
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS.
On January 30, 2002, The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. issued a press release
reporting its fiscal 2002 second-quarter results. A copy of the press release
is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, hereunto duly authorized.
THE ESTEE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.
Date: January 31, 2002 By: /s/Richard W. Kunes
-------------------------
Richard W. Kunes
Senior Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and
Accounting Officer)
THE ESTEE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No. Description
----------- -----------
99.1 Press release dated January 30, 2002 of the Estee Lauder
Companies Inc.
Exhibit 99.1
The News
Estee Contact:
Lauder Investor Relations:
Companies Inc. Dennis D'Andrea
(212) 572-4384
767 Fifth Avenue Media Relations:
New York, NY 10153 Sally Susman
(212) 572-4430
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
ESTEE LAUDER COMPANIES REPORTS SECOND QUARTER RESULTS
New York, NY, January 30, 2002 - The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. (NYSE: EL)
today reported net sales for the fiscal second quarter ended December 31, 2001
of $1.26 billion, a 3% decrease from $1.29 billion in the prior-year period.
Excluding the negative impact of foreign currency translation, net sales
decreased 2%.
The Company reported net earnings of $90.1 million, or $.35 per diluted common
share, for the quarter. In the same period last year, the Company reported net
earnings of $127.3 million, or $.50 per diluted share.
The lower net sales and net earnings, which were in line with the guidance the
Company issued in December 2001, were due to the general weakness in the U.S.
retail environment, inventory contraction, particularly by U.S. retailers, and a
sharp reduction in the Company's travel retail business resulting from
substantially lower worldwide travel.
Fred H. Langhammer, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "This quarter
our business was challenged by several external factors that resulted in lower
net sales and earnings. While I am disappointed with our overall results,
sell-through exceeded shipments during the quarter in the U.S., demonstrating
the underlying health of our brands; our lifestyle brands had worldwide sales
increases and our company-owned retail stores performed well. I expect our
performance to improve through the remainder of the fiscal year and we are
strongly supporting our brands and their position in the marketplace. This is in
line with our long-term strategy of creating value by building powerful brands."
Results by Product Category
---------------------------
Skin care sales for the quarter rose 3% before foreign currency translation and
reported sales increased 2% to $431.7 million. The higher sales were primarily
attributable to the recent launch of Total Turnaround Visible Skin Renewer from
Clinique, LightSource Transforming Moisture Cream and Lotion by Estee Lauder and
A Perfect World White Tea Skin Guardian by Origins. The current quarter
benefited from initial shipments of Moisture Surge Extra and Moisture Surge Eye
Gel from Clinique and the launch of Advanced Night Repair Eye Recovery Complex
by Estee Lauder. The current quarter had a difficult comparison with certain
prior-year launches, including the very successful introduction of Idealist Skin
Refinisher from Estee Lauder.
Net sales of makeup products for the quarter were unchanged before the impact of
foreign currency translation and decreased 1% to $416.1 million on a reported
basis. Contributing positively to makeup sales were recently launched products
such as Gentle Light Makeup and Powder, High Impact Eye Shadow Duos, Moisture
Surge Lipstick and Lash-Doubling Mascara from Clinique. Sumptuous Lipstick by
Estee Lauder also contributed, as did solid growth from M.A.C. Lower sales of
certain existing products offset these positive results.
As expected, fragrance sales decreased 12% as compared to the prior-year quarter
excluding the impact of foreign currency translation. On a reported basis,
fragrance sales declined 13% to $346.7 million. The decrease reflects the
overall softness of the fragrance business in the 2001 holiday season and a
decline in the Company's travel retail business, which depends substantially on
fragrance products. These negative factors are reflected in lower sales of most
Tommy Hilfiger fragrances, DKNY for Women, as well as Estee Lauder pleasures and
Beautiful. The current quarter benefited from the recent launch of the Company's
newest men's fragrance, T by Tommy Hilfiger, and continued success of Intuition
by Estee Lauder.
Sales of hair care products for the quarter rose 36% over the prior year to
$58.4 million. The increase is primarily attributable to growth at Aveda, Bumble
and bumble, and Clinique's Simple Hair Care System.
Operating income in hair care increased due to higher sales. Operating income in
makeup and fragrance declined as a result of lower reported sales and continued
advertising and promotional spending, while skin care posted lower operating
results due to continued product support spending and lower-than-planned sales.
Results by Geographic Region
----------------------------
In the Americas region, net sales for the second quarter decreased 3% to $722.7
million. The decrease is primarily due to the continued soft retail environment
in this region, in addition to the inventory contraction by U.S. retailers.
These challenges were partially offset by the success of new and certain
existing products and growth from most newer brands. Operating income in the
region decreased reflecting lower net sales and increased investment in
advertising, promotion and newer distribution channels.
In Europe, the Middle East & Africa, excluding the travel retail business, which
is reported in this region, net sales in local currency increased 7%. However,
including the impact of the significant shortfall in the Company's travel retail
business, net sales decreased 3% in local currency compared with last year's
second quarter. Most other markets experienced sales growth, led by strong
results in the United Kingdom, Spain, and our recent joint venture in Greece,
which replaced the prior distributor there. The region posted a 2% decrease in
reported net sales from the prior-year period to $359.5 million. Operating
profitability decreased, primarily due to lower results in the travel retail
business.
On a local currency basis, Asia/Pacific net sales increased 6% versus the
prior-year quarter. Double-digit sales increases in Korea and Thailand combined
with solid growth in Taiwan were partially offset by a weaker performance in
Japan. Net sales in the region on a reported basis decreased 1% to $175.2
million, primarily reflecting the continued weakness of the Japanese yen.
Operating profit in the region increased primarily due to higher results in
Taiwan, Korea and Australia, partially offset by lower results in Japan.
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Six-Month Results
-----------------
For the six months ended December 31, 2001, the Company reported net sales of
$2.45 billion, a 1% decrease from $2.47 billion in the comparable prior-year
period. Excluding the impact of foreign currency translation, net sales
increased slightly during the period. Net earnings before the cumulative effect
of a change in accounting principle for the current six-month period decreased
16% to $187.2 million, compared with the $221.9 million reported in the same
period last year. Diluted earnings per common share before the change in
accounting principle for the six months ended December 31, 2001 decreased 16% to
$.73 from $.87 reported in the same period a year ago.
As of July 1, 2001, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards Number 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets." In accordance with
the new rule, the Company completed an evaluation of its intangible assets for
its acquired businesses. The evaluation resulted in a recognized impairment of a
portion of the goodwill value of jane, the Company's teen oriented brand. In
compliance with this rule, the Company recorded, as of July 1, 2001, a one-time
charge of $20.6 million, or $.09 per diluted share, to reflect the cumulative
effect of the change in accounting principle.
Fiscal 2002 Outlook
-------------------
Due to the general uncertainty, including shifting consumer attitudes and
spending, particularly in the U.S., further pressure on our retail inventories,
as well as the uncertainty surrounding the travel retail business, the Company
will provide specific guidance on the balance of the fiscal year when its spring
programs are in place and the retail outlook becomes more predictable.
Forward-looking Statements
--------------------------
The forward-looking statements in this press release, including those containing
words like "will," "expect," "anticipate," "could," "plan," and "estimate" and
those in Mr. Langhammer's remarks involve risks and uncertainties. Factors that
could cause actual results to differ materially from those forward-looking
statements include the following:
(i) increased competitive activity from companies in the skin care,
makeup, fragrance and hair care businesses, some of which have
greater resources than the Company does;
(ii) the Company's ability to develop, produce and market new products
on which future operating results may depend;
(iii) consolidations and restructurings in the retail industry causing
a decrease in the number of stores that sell the Company's
products, an increase in the ownership concentration within the
retail industry, ownership of retailers by the Company's
competitors and ownership of competitors by the Company's
customers that are retailers;
(iv) shifts in the preferences of consumers as to where and how they
shop for the types of products and services the Company sells;
(v) social, political and economic risks to the Company's foreign or
domestic manufacturing, distribution and retail operations,
including changes in foreign investment and trade policies and
regulations of the host countries and of the United States;
(vi) changes in the laws, regulations and policies, including changes
in accounting standards and trade rules, and legal or regulatory
proceedings, that affect, or will affect, the Company's business;
(vii) foreign currency fluctuations affecting the Company's results of
operations and the value of its foreign assets, the relative
prices at which the Company and its foreign competitors sell
products in the same markets and the Company's operating and
manufacturing costs outside of the United States;
(viii) changes in global or local economic conditions that could affect
consumer purchasing, the financial strength of our customers and
the cost and availability of capital which the Company may need
for new equipment, facilities or acquisitions;
(ix) shipment delays, depletion of inventory and increased production
costs resulting from disruptions of operations at any of the
facilities which, due to consolidations in the Company's
manufacturing operations, now manufacture nearly all of the
Company's supply of a particular type of product (i.e., focus
factories);
3
(x) real estate rates and availability, which may affect the
Company's ability to increase the number of retail locations at
which the Company's products are sold;
(xi) changes in product mix to products which are less profitable;
(xii) the Company's ability to develop e-commerce capabilities, and
other new information and distribution technologies, on a timely
basis and within the Company's cost estimates;
(xiii) the Company's ability to integrate acquired businesses and
realize value therefrom; and
(xiv) consequences attributable to the events that took place in New
York City and Washington, D.C. on September 11, 2001, including
further attacks, retaliation and the threat of further attacks
or retaliation.
The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. is one of the world's leading manufacturers and
marketers of quality skin care, makeup, fragrance and hair care products. The
Company's products are sold in over 120 countries and territories under
well-recognized brand names, including Estee Lauder, Clinique, Aramis,
Prescriptives, Origins, M.A.C, Bobbi Brown, Tommy Hilfiger, La Mer, jane, Donna
Karan, Aveda, Stila, Jo Malone and Bumble and bumble.
An electronic version of this release can be found at the Company's Website,
www.elcompanies.com.
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- Table Follows -
4
THE ESTEE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.
SUMMARY OF CONSOLIDATED RESULTS
(In millions, except per share data)
Three Months Ended Percent Six Months Ended Percent
December 31 Change December 31 Change
-------------------- ------- -------------------- -------
2001 2000 2001 2000
---- ---- ---- ----
Net Sales................................................. $1,257.4 $1,291.6 (2.6)% $2,445.1 $2,469.3 (1.0)%
Cost of sales............................................. 276.4 278.0 530.9 541.3
-------- -------- -------- --------
Gross Profit.............................................. 981.0 1,013.6 (3.2)% 1,914.2 1,928.0 (0.7)%
-------- -------- -------- --------
Gross Margin....................................... 78.0% 78.5% 78.3% 78.1%
Operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative.................... 832.7 803.0 1,609.0 1,555.9
Related party royalties................................ 4.8 7.1 8.8 15.3
-------- -------- -------- --------
837.5 810.1 3.4% 1,617.8 1,571.2 3.0%
-------- -------- -------- --------
Operating Expense Margin........................... 66.6% 62.7% 66.2% 63.6%
Operating Income.......................................... 143.5 203.5 (29.5)% 296.4 356.8 (16.9)%
Operating Income Margin............................ 11.4% 15.8% 12.1% 14.5%
Interest expense, net..................................... 1.9 4.3 5.7 9.4
-------- -------- -------- --------
Earnings before Income Taxes, Minority Interest
and Accounting Change................................... 141.6 199.2 (28.9)% 290.7 347.4 (16.3)%
Provision for income taxes................................ 48.9 71.7 100.3 125.1
Minority interest, net of tax............................. (2.6) (0.2) (3.2) (0.4)
-------- -------- -------- --------
Net Earnings before Accounting Change..................... 90.1 127.3 (29.2)% 187.2 221.9 (15.6)%
Cumulative effect of a change in accounting
principle, net of tax (A).............................. - - (20.6) (2.2)
-------- -------- -------- --------
Net Earnings ............................................. 90.1 127.3 166.6 219.7
Preferred stock dividends................................. 5.8 5.8 11.7 11.7
--------- -------- -------- --------
Net Earnings Attributable to Common Stock................. $ 84.3 $ 121.5 $ 154.9 $ 208.0
======== ======== ======== =========
Basic net earnings per common share:
Net earnings attributable to common stock before
accounting change.................................... $ .35 $ .51 (30.6)% $ .74 $ .88 (16.6)%
Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle,
net of tax........................................... - - (.09) (.01)
-------- -------- -------- --------
Net earnings attributable to common stock.............. $ .35 $ .51 (30.6)% $ .65 $ .87 (25.6)%
======== ======== ======== ========
Diluted net earnings per common share:
Net earnings attributable to common stock before
accounting change.................................... $ .35 $ .50 (30.2)% $ .73 $ .87 (16.2)%
Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle,
net of tax........................................... - - (.09) (.01)
-------- -------- -------- --------
Net earnings attributable to common stock.............. $ .35 $ .50 (30.2)% $ .64 $ .86 (25.3)%
======== ======== ======== ========
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic.................................................. 238.1 238.2 238.5 238.2
Diluted................................................ 240.7 242.2 241.5 242.2
(A) The six months ended December 31, 2001 include a one-time charge of $20.6
million, or $.09 per common share, attributable to the cumulative effect of
adopting Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 142, "Goodwill
and Other Intangible Assets." The six months ended December 31, 2000 include a
one-time charge of $2.2 million, after tax, or $.01 per common share,
attributable to the cumulative effect of adopting SFAS No. 133, "Accounting for
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities."
5