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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
DATE OF REPORT - September 23, 2003
(Date of Earliest Event Reported)
The Estee Lauder Companies Inc.
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(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Commission File No. 1-14064
Delaware 11-2408943
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(State of Incorporation) (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
767 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10153
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(Address of principal Zip Code
executive offices)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (212) 572-4200
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ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS AND REQUIRED FD DISCLOSURE.
On September 23, 2003, Standard & Poor's Ratings Services
announced that it had affirmed our A+ long-term corporate credit and senior
unsecured debt ratings and our A-1 short-term corporate credit and commercial
paper ratings, and at the same time revised its outlook to negative from stable.
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SIGNATURES
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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.
By: /s/ Richard W. Kunes
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Name: Richard W. Kunes
Title: Senior Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer (Principal Financial and
Accounting Officer)
Dated: September 24, 2003
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