Table of Contents

 

 

 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 10-K

 

(Mark One)

 

x    ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2011

 

OR

 

o     TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from          to          

 

Commission file number 1-14064

 

The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

 

11-2408943

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

 

 

767 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York

 

10153

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code 212-572-4200

 


 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class

 

Name of each exchange
on which registered

 

 

 

Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value

 

New York Stock Exchange

 


 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.  Yes x   No o

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.  Yes o   No x

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes x   No o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes x   No o

 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. x

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer x

 

 

Accelerated filer o

Non-accelerated filer o

 

 

Smaller reporting company o

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

 

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes o   No x

 

The aggregate market value of the registrant’s voting common equity held by non-affiliates of the registrant was approximately $9.43 billion at December 31, 2010 (the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second quarter).*

 

At August 15, 2011, 118,983,321 shares of the registrant’s Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value, and 75,982,041 shares of the registrant’s Class B Common Stock, $.01 par value, were outstanding.

 

Documents Incorporated by Reference

 

Document

 

Where Incorporated

 

 

 

Proxy Statement for Annual Meeting of
Stockholders to be held November 11, 2011

 

Part III

 


* Calculated by excluding all shares held by executive officers and directors of registrant and certain trusts without conceding that all such persons are “affiliates” of registrant for purposes of the Federal securities laws.

 

 

 



Table of Contents

 

THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

 

INDEX TO ANNUAL RE PORT ON FORM 10-K

 

 

 

 

Page

Part I:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Business

 

2

 

 

 

 

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

 

11

 

 

 

 

Item 1B.

Unresolved Staff Comments

 

15

 

 

 

 

Item 2.

Properties

 

16

 

 

 

 

Item 3.

Legal Proceedings

 

16

 

 

 

 

Item 4.

Removed and Reserved

 

16

 

 

 

 

Part II:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 5.

Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

 

17

 

 

 

 

Item 6.

Selected Financial Data

 

19

 

 

 

 

Item 7.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

20

 

 

 

 

Item 7A.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

43

 

 

 

 

Item 8.

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

 

43

 

 

 

 

Item 9.

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

 

43

 

 

 

 

Item 9A.

Controls and Procedures

 

44

 

 

 

 

Item 9B.

Other Information

 

44

 

 

 

 

Part III:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 10.

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

 

44

 

 

 

 

Item 11.

Executive Compensation

 

44

 

 

 

 

Item 12.

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

 

45

 

 

 

 

Item 13.

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

 

45

 

 

 

 

Item 14.

Principal Accounting Fees and Services

 

45

 

 

 

 

Part IV:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 15.

Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules

 

46

 

 

 

 

Signatures

 

52

 



Table of Contents

 

Forward-Looking Statements and Risk Factors

 

This Annual Report on Form 10-K includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Such statements include, without limitation, our expectations regarding sales, earnings or other future financial performance and liquidity, our long-term strategy, restructuring and other initiatives, product introductions, entry into new geographic regions, information systems initiatives, new methods of sale and future operations or operating results.  Although we believe that our expectations are based on reasonable assumptions within the bounds of our knowledge of our business and operations, we cannot assure that actual results will not differ materially from our expectations.  Factors that could cause actual results to differ from expectations are described herein; in particular, see “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Forward-Looking Information.”  In addition, there is a discussion of risks associated with an investment in our securities, see “Item 1A. Risk Factors.”

 

Unless the context requires otherwise, references to “we,” “us,” “our” and the “Company” refer to The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. and its subsidiaries.

 

PART I

 

Item 1.  Business.

 

The Estée Lauder Companies Inc., founded in 1946 by Estée and Joseph Lauder, is one of the world’s leading manufacturers and marketers of quality skin care, makeup, fragrance and hair care products.  Our products are sold in over 150 countries and territories under a number of well-known brand names including: Estée Lauder, Aramis, Clinique, Origins, M ž A ž C, Bobbi Brown, La Mer and Aveda.  We are also the global licensee for fragrances and/or cosmetics sold under brand names such as Tommy Hilfiger, Donna Karan, Michael Kors, Sean John and Coach.  Each brand is distinctly positioned within the market for cosmetics and other beauty products.

 

We are a pioneer in the cosmetics industry and believe we are a leader in the industry due to the global recognition of our brand names, our leadership in product innovation, our strong market position in key geographic markets and the consistently high quality of our products and “High-Touch” services.  We sell our prestige products principally through limited distribution channels to complement the images associated with our brands.  These channels, encompassing over 30,000 points of sale, consist primarily of upscale department stores, specialty retailers, upscale perfumeries and pharmacies and prestige salons and spas.  In addition, our products are sold in freestanding company-operated stores, our own and authorized retailer websites, stores on cruise ships, direct response television (“DRTV”), in-flight and duty-free shops and certain fragrances are sold in self-select outlets.  We believe that our strategy of pursuing selective distribution strengthens our relationships with retailers, enables our brands to be among the best selling product lines at the stores and heightens the aspirational quality of our brands.

 

For a discussion of recent developments, see “ Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Results of Operations — Overview .”

 

For segment and geographical area financial information, see “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data — Note 20 — Segment Data and Related Information .”

 

We have been controlled by the Lauder family since the founding of our Company.  Members of the Lauder family, some of whom are directors, executive officers and/or employees, beneficially own, directly or indirectly, as of August 15, 2011, shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock having approximately 86.8% of the outstanding voting power of the Common Stock.

 

Products

 

Skin Care - Our broad range of skin care products addresses various skin care needs for women and men.  These products include moisturizers, creams, lotions, serums, cleansers, sun screens and self-tanning products, a number of which are developed for use on particular areas of the body, such as the face or the hands or around the eyes.  Skin care products accounted for approximately 42% of our net sales in fiscal 2011.

 

Makeup - We manufacture, market and sell a full array of makeup products, including lipsticks, lip glosses, mascaras, foundations, eyeshadows, nail polishes and powders.  Many of the products are offered in an extensive array of shades and colors.  We also sell related items such as compacts, brushes and other makeup tools.  Makeup products accounted for approximately 38% of our net sales in fiscal 2011.

 

Fragrance - We offer a variety of fragrance products for women and men.  The fragrances are sold in various forms, including eau de parfum sprays and colognes, as well as lotions, powders, creams and soaps that are based on a particular fragrance.  Fragrance products accounted for approximately 14% of our net sales in fiscal 2011.

 

2



Table of Contents

 

Hair Care - Hair care products are offered mainly in salons and in freestanding retail stores and include hair color and styling products, shampoos, conditioners and finishing sprays.  In fiscal 2011, hair care products accounted for approximately 5% of our net sales.

 

Given the personal nature of our products and the wide array of consumer preferences and tastes, as well as competition for the attention of consumers, our strategy has been to market and promote our products through distinctive brands seeking to address broad preferences and tastes.  Each brand has a single global image that is promoted with consistent logos, packaging and advertising designed to enhance its image and differentiate it from other brands.

 

Estée Lauder - Estée Lauder brand products, which have been sold since 1946, are technologically advanced and high performance products with a reputation for innovation, sophistication, and superior quality.  The broad product line principally consists of skin care, makeup, and fragrance products that are presented in high quality packaging.

 

Aramis and Designer Fragrances - Our Aramis and Designer Fragrances division creates, markets and distributes fragrance and skin care products, including the following brand names:

 

·                   Aramis - We pioneered the marketing of prestige men’s fragrance, grooming and skin care products with the introduction of Aramis products in 1964.

·                   Lab Series  - Lab Series Skincare for Men, introduced in 1987, offers a full range of products for cleansing, shaving, treatment and body that are especially formulated to answer the unique needs of men’s skin.

·                   Tommy Hilfiger - We have an exclusive global license arrangement for a line of men’s and women’s fragrances and cosmetics under the Tommy Hilfiger brand name.  We launched the line in 1995 with a men’s fragrance, tommy .  Today, we manufacture and sell a variety of fragrances and ancillary products for men and women.

·                   Donna Karan Cosmetics - In November 1997, we obtained the exclusive global license for a line of fragrances and other cosmetics under the Donna Karan New York and DKNY brand names, including certain products that were originally sold by The Donna Karan Company.  We launched the first DKNY women’s fragrance in fiscal 2000 and the first DKNY men’s fragrance in fiscal 2001.  Under this license, fragrances have been expanded to include extensive lines of companion bath and body products.

·                   Michael Kors - In May 2003, we entered into an exclusive global license agreement for fragrances and beauty products under the Michael Kors brand name.  The fragrances, as well as ancillary bath and body products, are sold primarily in department stores, specialty stores and freestanding Michael Kors boutiques.

·                   Sean John Fragrances - In 2005, we entered into an exclusive license agreement to develop fragrances and other beauty products under the Sean John brand name.  Sean “Diddy” Combs played an active role in creating the signature scent, “Unforgivable.”  The Unforgivable fragrance, as well as other fragrances and ancillary products, are primarily available at select department and specialty stores as well as travel retail outlets around the world.

·                   Coach - In 2006, we began creating fragrances and related products for Coach which were sold exclusively in Coach stores.  In 2010, we converted the arrangement to a license.  The collection is available in department stores, Coach stores in the United States, retail stores in Japan and Hong Kong, and online at coach.com.  We launched the first Coach fragrance in Spring 2007 which embodies the many personalities of the Coach woman-timeless, chic and sophisticated.  The signature fragrance launch has since been followed with ancillary beauty products.

 

Clinique - First introduced in 1968, Clinique skin care and makeup products are all allergy tested and 100% fragrance free and have been designed to address individual skin types and needs.  The products are based on the research and related expertise of leading dermatologists.  Clinique skin care products are generally marketed as part of the 3-Step System: Cleanse, Exfoliate, Moisturize.  Other Clinique skin care products include de-aging solutions to help prevent, halt and diminish the visible effects of sun, wind, stress and pollution and assist in repair to help visibly restore contour, minimize the look of lines and wrinkles.  Clinique also offers lines of fragrances.

 

Origins - Origins was introduced in 1990.  Origins seeks to create high-performance natural skin care that is “powered by nature and proven by science.”  Origins sells its products at our freestanding Origins stores and through stores-within-stores (which are designed to replicate the Origins store environment within a department store), at traditional retail counters and in perfumeries.  Origins also has a license agreement to develop and sell products using the name of Dr. Andrew Weil.

 

M ž A ž C - M ž A ž C products comprise a broad line of color-oriented, professional cosmetics and professional makeup tools targeting makeup artists and fashion-conscious consumers.  The products are sold primarily through a limited number of department and specialty stores and at our freestanding M ž A ž C stores.  We acquired the companies behind M ž A ž C in three stages: in December 1994, March 1997 and February 1998.

 

Bobbi Brown - Acquired in October 1995, Bobbi Brown is an exclusive beauty line developed by celebrated makeup artist Bobbi Brown with a focus on service and teaching women to be their own makeup artists.  The Bobbi Brown line includes color cosmetics, skin care, professional makeup brushes and tools, accessories and fragrances.  Bobbi Brown products are primarily sold through a limited number of department and specialty stores.

 

3



Table of Contents

 

La Mer - La Mer products primarily consist of high-end moisturizing creams, lotions, serums and other skin care products.  The line, which is available in very limited distribution in the United States and certain other countries, is an extension of the initial Crème de la Mer product that we acquired in 1995.

 

Aveda - We acquired the Aveda business in December 1997 and have since acquired selected Aveda distributors and retail stores.  Aveda, a prestige hair care leader, is a manufacturer and marketer of plant-based hair care, skin care, makeup and fragrance products.  We sell Aveda products to third-party distributors, prestige salons and spas, cosmetology schools and Aveda Experience Centers, certain non-U.S. department stores and specialty retailers.  We also sell directly to consumers in company-operated Aveda Experience Centers and Aveda Institutes, as well as online.

 

Jo Malone - We acquired London-based Jo Malone Limited in October 1999.  Jo Malone is known for its unique fragrance portfolio and luxury products for the bath, body and home.  Products are also available through a company catalogue, at our freestanding stores, online and at a very limited group of specialty stores, in approximately 25 countries throughout the world.

 

Bumble and bumble - In September 2006, we acquired the then-outstanding minority equity interest in Bumble and bumble.  We acquired a controlling majority equity interest in June 2000.  Bumble and bumble is a New York-based hair care company with two salons that creates high-quality hair care and styling products distributed through top-tier salons and select prestige retailers.  We also provide business and hair design education to the Bumble and bumble network of independent salons.

 

Darphin - In April 2003, we acquired Laboratoires Darphin, the Paris-based company dedicated to the development, manufacture and marketing of prestige skin care products which are distributed primarily through high-end independent pharmacies and specialty stores.

 

BeautyBank - BeautyBank is the entrepreneurial think tank of the Company.  BeautyBank is dedicated to the ideation, development and incubation of innovative new brand concepts for the Company globally.  Brands developed and marketed under the BeautyBank umbrella include:

 

·                   FLIRT! -  Established in 2004 by BeautyBank, FLIRT! is primarily available at Kohl’s Department Stores and Kohls.com. FLIRT! is a color-oriented makeup line that allows consumers to be their prettiest and freedom to be their flirtiest.

·                   GoodSkin Labs - Established by BeautyBank in 2007, this line of skin care products was created with the expertise of a dermatologist and is sold in a number of countries around the world.

 

Tom Ford Beauty - In April 2005, we entered into a license agreement to develop and distribute fragrances and other beauty products under the Tom Ford brand name.  In November 2006, we introduced Tom Ford Black Orchid, the brand’s first signature fragrance.  In fiscal 2012, we plan to introduce a full-range luxury cosmetics line.  Tom Ford products are available in department stores, perfumeries, pharmacies and select Tom Ford retail stores.

 

Ojon - In July 2007, we acquired Ojon Corporation, a company based in Canada which markets naturally-derived, wildcrafted hair and skin care beauty products using ingredients found in the world’s rainforests.  Ojon products are sold through DRTV and specialty stores.

 

Smashbox - In July 2010, we acquired Smashbox Beauty Cosmetics, a privately held, photo studio inspired prestige cosmetics company based in Los Angeles.  Smashbox sells its products principally in the United States through specialty stores, DRTV and the Internet, as well as internationally through distributors and select retailers.

 

In addition, we manufacture and sell products under the Prescriptives, American Beauty and grassroots research labs brands.  We also develop and sell products under licenses from Kiton, Missoni and Daisy Fuentes.  In fiscal 2011, we acquired the license to develop Ermenegildo Zegna products, which we will begin selling in fiscal 2012.

 

Our heritage brands are Estée Lauder, Aramis and Designer Fragrances, Clinique and Origins.  Prescriptives was a heritage brand until fiscal 2010, when we exited the global wholesale distribution of the brand.  M ž A ž C and Bobbi Brown are our makeup artist brands.

 

4



Table of Contents

 

Distribution

 

We sell our products principally through limited distribution channels to complement the images associated with our brands.  These channels include more than 30,000 points of sale in over 150 countries and territories and consist primarily of upscale department stores, specialty retailers, upscale perfumeries and pharmacies and prestige salons and spas.  In addition, our products are sold in freestanding company-operated stores, our own and authorized retailer websites, stores on cruise ships, DRTV, in-flight and duty-free shops and certain fragrances are sold in self-select outlets.

 

We maintain a dedicated sales force which sells to our retail accounts in North America and in the major overseas markets, and in the travel retail channel.  We have wholly-owned operations in over 40 countries, and a controlling interest in a joint venture that operates in three countries, through which we market, sell and distribute our products.  In certain countries, we sell our products through selected local distributors under contractual arrangements designed to protect the image and position of the brands.  In addition, we sell certain products in select domestic and international military locations.  For information regarding our net sales and long-lived assets by geographic region, see “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data — Note 20 — Segment Data and Related Information .”

 

We sell Aveda products principally to independent salons and spas, cosmetology schools, third-party distributors and specialty retailers and directly to consumers at our freestanding Aveda Experience Centers and certain Aveda Institutes.  There are currently about 8,200 points of sale, primarily in the United States, that sell Aveda products.  Bumble and bumble products are principally sold to about 3,200 independent salons and specialty stores, primarily in the United States.  Darphin products are principally sold through high-end independent pharmacies, principally in Europe, representing approximately 3,400 points of sale.

 

As part of our strategy to diversify our distribution, we have been selectively opening new single-brand, freestanding stores that we operate.  The Origins, Aveda and M ž A ž C brands are the primary focus for this method of distribution.  At this time, we operate approximately 625 single-brand, freestanding stores worldwide, the majority of which are in the United States, and expect that number to increase moderately over the next several years.  We also operate approximately 125 multi-brand stores.

 

We primarily sell BeautyBank products in approximately 1,100 Kohl’s Department Stores in the United States and internationally in pharmacies and perfumeries, representing approximately 5,000 additional points of sale.

 

We currently sell products from 15 of our brands directly to consumers over the Internet through our own e-commerce and certain of our m-commerce sites.  Some or all of these brands are sold over the Internet in the following countries: the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Austria, Brazil, Australia, Korea, China, and Japan.

 

As is customary in the cosmetics industry, our practice is to accept returns of our products from retailers if properly requested, authorized and approved.

 

Customers

 

Our strategy is to build strong relationships with selected retailers globally.  Senior management works with executives of our major retail accounts on a regular basis and we believe we are viewed as an important supplier to these customers.  Our largest customer, Macy’s Inc., sells products primarily within the United States and accounted for 11%, 11% and 12% of our consolidated net sales for fiscal 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and 10% and 11% of our accounts receivable as of June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

 

Marketing

 

Our marketing strategy is built around “Bringing the Best to Everyone We Touch.”  Mrs. Estée Lauder formulated this marketing philosophy to provide “High-Touch” service and high quality products as the foundation for a solid and loyal consumer base.  Our marketing efforts focus principally on promoting the quality, value and benefits of our products.  Each of our brands is distinctively positioned, has a single global image, and is promoted with consistent logos, packaging and advertising designed to enhance its image and differentiate it from other brands.  We regularly advertise our products on television and radio, in upscale magazines and newspapers, the Internet, and through direct mail and photo displays at international airports.  In addition, our products receive extensive editorial coverage in prestige publications and other media worldwide.  Promotional activities and in-store displays are designed to introduce existing consumers to different products in the line and to attract new consumers.  Our marketing efforts also benefit from cooperative advertising programs with retailers, some of which are supported by coordinated promotions, such as purchase with purchase and gift with purchase.  Such activities attract consumers to our counters and allow us to introduce them to our products.  Our marketing and sales executives spend considerable time in the field meeting with consumers and key retailers and consulting with demonstrators at the points of sale.  These include Estée Lauder Beauty Advisors, Clinique Consultants, Aramis Selling Specialists, Origins Guides and M ž A ž C and Bobbi Brown Makeup Artists.  At in-store counters, demonstrators offer consumers a “High-Touch” experience with personal demonstrations to market individual products as well as to provide education on basic skin care and makeup application.  We conduct extensive sampling programs and we pioneered gift with purchase as a sampling program.  We believe that the quality and perceived benefits of sample products have been effective inducements to purchases by new and existing consumers.

 

5



Table of Contents

 

Our “High-Touch” approach promotes the total value we offer, by leveraging our in-person and virtual assets, as well as merchandising and education, to provide a customized consumer experience.  To support this initiative, we are expanding our efforts to evolve our e-commerce-based online strategy into a multi-pronged digital strategy encompassing e-commerce, as well as digital and social media. We have dedicated resources to implement coordinated, brand-enhancing strategies across all online activities.  We use the Internet to educate and inform consumers about certain of our brands.  Currently, 18 of our brands have marketing sites, 15 of which have e-commerce capabilities.  In order to continue to offer unparalleled customer service and set the standard for prestige beauty shopping online, we partner with key “brick and mortar” retailers to strengthen their e-commerce business and drive sales of our brands on their sites, continue to innovate to better meet consumer online shopping preferences (e.g., how-to videos, ratings and reviews and mobile phone and tablet applications), and support e-commerce and m-commerce business via digital and social marketing activities designed to build brand equity and consumer engagement.

 

Most of our creative marketing work is done by in-house creative teams.  The creative staff designs and produces the sales materials, advertisements and packaging for products in each brand.

 

Global net expenses for advertising, merchandising, sampling, promotion and product development costs were $2,345.8 million, $2,015.9 million and $1,878.8 million in fiscal 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  These amounts include activities relating to purchase with purchase promotions that are reflected in net sales and cost of sales and gift with purchase promotions that are reflected in cost of sales.

 

Information Systems

 

Information systems support business processes including product development, marketing, sales, order processing, production, distribution and finance.  We expect that these systems will continue to provide pertinent inventory and sales data in the short term.  However, as part of our long-term effort to enhance these systems and increase productivity, we are implementing our Strategic Modernization Initiative (“SMI”), which includes an enterprise-wide global program that we expect will deliver a single set of integrated data, processes and technologies, which would be scalable and used to standardize business processes across brands, operating units and sales locations.  As part of SMI, we anticipate the continued migration of our operations to SAP, with the majority of our locations being enabled through fiscal 2013.

 

In parallel with our SAP deployment, we are creating a more focused global information technology organization utilizing industry standard processes.  We are also taking this opportunity to rebalance our information technology resources to better align with our global business growth.  We plan to continue to explore opportunities to create a more efficient organization.

 

Of the many systems currently being utilized, the most significant to our business needs are: (i) a centralized data repository of essential attributes for each of the products we offer, or plan to offer, which enables us to globally manufacture and market products of consistent quality; (ii) a sales analysis system to track weekly sales at the stock keeping unit (“SKU”) level at most significant retail sales locations (i.e. sell-through data), increasing our understanding of consumer preferences and enabling us to coordinate more effectively our product development, manufacturing and marketing strategies; (iii) an automated replenishment system with many of our key domestic customers, allowing us to replenish inventories for individual points of sale automatically, with minimal paperwork; and (iv) an inventory management system to provide us with a global view of finished goods availability relative to forecasted requirements.  As we continue to modernize our key processes and the related systems and infrastructure, we have recently started the development of upgraded capabilities to support our human resource and retail operations.  The initial focus for fiscal 2012 will be in North America.  The plan is to progressively deploy these systems globally over the next three years as appropriate according to local requirements and priorities.

 

Research and Development

 

We believe that we are an industry leader in the development of new products.  Marketing, product development and packaging groups work with our research and development group to identify shifts in consumer preferences, develop new products and improve, redesign or reformulate existing products.  In addition, research and development personnel work closely with quality assurance and manufacturing personnel on a worldwide basis to provide ongoing technical assistance and know-how, to ensure consistent global standards for our products and to deliver products with attributes that fulfill consumer expectations.  The research and development group has long-standing working relationships with several U.S. and international medical and educational facilities, which supplement internal capabilities.  Members of the group are also responsible for regulatory compliance matters.

 

We do not conduct animal testing on our products or ingredients, nor ask others to test on our behalf, except when required by law.  We evaluate our finished products in clinical tests on volunteer panels.

 

As of June 30, 2011, we had approximately 550 employees engaged in research and development.  Research and development costs totaled $85.7 million, $79.5 million and $81.6 million in fiscal 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  Research and development costs are expensed as incurred.  We maintain research and development programs at certain of our principal facilities and facilities dedicated to performing research and development, such as our new Shanghai research and development center, see “ Item 2. Properties.

 

6



Table of Contents

 

Manufacturing, Warehousing and Raw Materials

 

We manufacture our products primarily in the United States, Belgium, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Canada.  We continue to streamline our manufacturing processes and identify sourcing opportunities to improve innovation, increase efficiencies and reduce costs.  Our major manufacturing facilities operate as “focus” plants that primarily manufacture one type of product (e.g., lipsticks) for all of the principal brands.  Our plants are modern and our manufacturing processes are substantially automated.  While we believe that our manufacturing facilities are sufficient to meet current and reasonably anticipated manufacturing requirements, we continue to identify opportunities to make significant improvements in capacity and productivity.  To capitalize on innovation and other supply chain benefits, we continue to utilize third party manufacturers on a global basis, including an increased percentage of volume in Asia/Pacific to support our growth.

 

We have established a global distribution network designed to meet the changing demands of our customers while maintaining service levels.  We are continuously evaluating and restructuring this physical distribution network.  We have begun to establish regional distribution centers, including those maintained by third parties, strategically positioned throughout the world in order to facilitate efficient delivery of our products to our customers.

 

The principal raw materials used in the manufacture of our products are essential oils, alcohols and specialty chemicals.  We also purchase packaging components that are manufactured to our design specifications.  Procurement of materials for all manufacturing facilities is generally made on a global basis through our Global Supplier Relations department.  We are making a concentrated effort in supplier rationalization with the specific objective of reducing costs, increasing innovation and speed to market and improving quality.  In addition, we continue to focus on supply sourcing within the region of manufacture to allow for improved supply chain efficiencies.  As a result of sourcing initiatives, there is increased dependency on certain suppliers, but we believe that our portfolio of these suppliers has adequate resources and facilities to overcome most unforeseen interruptions of supply.  In the past, we have been able to obtain an adequate supply of essential raw materials and currently believe we have adequate sources of supply for virtually all components of our products.

 

We are continually benchmarking the performance of the supply chain and will change suppliers, and adjust our distribution networks and manufacturing footprint based upon the changing needs of the business.  As we integrate acquired brands, we continually seek new ways to leverage our production and sourcing capabilities to improve our overall supply chain performance.

 

Competition

 

The skin care, makeup, fragrance and hair care businesses are characterized by vigorous competition throughout the world.  Brand recognition, quality, performance and price have a significant impact on consumers’ choices among competing products and brands.  Advertising, promotion, merchandising, the pace and timing of new product introductions, line extensions and the quality of in-store demonstrations also have a significant impact on consumers’ buying decisions.  With our numerous brands, sold in various channels, we are one of the world’s leading manufacturers and marketers of skin care, makeup, fragrance and hair care products.  We compete against a number of companies, some of which have substantially greater resources than we do.

 

Our principal competitors consist of large, well-known, multinational manufacturers and marketers of skin care, makeup, fragrance and hair care products, most of which market and sell their products under multiple brand names.  They include, among others, L’Oreal S.A.; Shiseido Company, Ltd.; LVMH Moët Hennessey Louis Vuitton; Coty, Inc.; The Procter & Gamble Company; and Avon Products, Inc.  We also face competition from a number of independent brands, as well as some retailers that have developed their own beauty brands.  Certain of our competitors also have ownership interests in retailers that are customers of ours.

 

Trademarks, Patents and Copyrights

 

We own the trademarks rights used in connection with the manufacturing, marketing, distribution and sale of our products both in the United States and in the other principal countries where such products are sold, including Estée Lauder, Clinique, Aramis, Prescriptives, Lab Series, Origins, M ž A ž C, Bobbi Brown, La Mer, Aveda, Jo Malone, Bumble and bumble, Darphin, American Beauty, Flirt!, Good Skin Labs, grassroots research labs, Ojon, and Smashbox, and the names of many of the products sold under these brands.  We are the exclusive worldwide licensee for fragrances, cosmetics and/or related products for Tommy Hilfiger, Donna Karan New York, DKNY, Kiton, Michael Kors, Sean John, Missoni, Daisy Fuentes, Tom Ford, Coach, Dr. Andrew Weil and Ermenegildo Zegna.  For further discussion on license arrangements, including their duration, see “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data — Note 2 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies — License Arrangements .”  We protect our trademarks in the United States and significant markets worldwide.  We consider the protection of our trademarks to be important to our business.

 

A number of our products incorporate patented, patent-pending or proprietary technology in formulations or packaging.  In addition, several products are covered by design patents, patent applications or copyrights.  While we consider these patents and copyrights, and the protection thereof, to be important, no single patent or copyright, or group of patents or copyrights, is considered material to the conduct of our business.

 

7



Table of Contents

 

Employees

 

At June 30, 2011, we had approximately 32,300 full-time employees worldwide (including certain demonstrators at points of sale who are employed by us), of whom approximately 11,900 are employed in the United States and Canada.  None of our employees in the United States is covered by a collective bargaining agreement.  In certain other countries, a limited number of employees are covered by a works council agreement or other syndicate arrangements.  We believe that relations with our employees are good.  We have never encountered a material strike or work stoppage in the United States or in any other country where we have a significant number of employees.

 

Government Regulation

 

We and our products are subject to regulation by the Food and Drug Administration and the Federal Trade Commission in the United States, as well as by various other federal, state, local and international regulatory authorities and the regulatory authorities in the countries in which our products are produced or sold.  Such regulations principally relate to the ingredients, labeling, packaging and marketing of our products.  We believe that we are in substantial compliance with such regulations, as well as with applicable Federal, state, local and international and other countries’ rules and regulations governing the discharge of materials hazardous to the environment or that relate to climate change.  There are no significant capital expenditures for environmental control or climate change matters either planned in the current year or expected in the near future.

 

Seasonality

 

Our results of operations in total, by region and by product category, are subject to seasonal fluctuations, with net sales in the first half of the fiscal year typically being slightly higher than in the second half of the fiscal year.  The higher net sales in the first half of the fiscal year are attributable to the increased levels of purchasing by retailers for the holiday selling season and for fall fashion makeup introductions.  Many of our customers that are retailers follow a 4-4-5 retail calendar which may influence the amount and timing of their order placement and receipt of goods in any fiscal quarter.  In a traditional 4-4-5 retail calendar, each fiscal quarter is comprised of two 4-week periods and one 5-week period, with one extra week in one quarter every seven years.  As a result, the retail quarter-end and the fiscal quarter-end may be different by up to six days.  Fluctuations in net sales and operating income in total and by geographic region and product category in any fiscal quarter may be attributable to the level and scope of new product introductions.  Additionally, gross margins and operating expenses are impacted on a quarter-by-quarter basis by variations in our launch calendar and the timing of promotions, including purchase with purchase and gift with purchase promotions.

 

Availability of Reports

 

We make available financial information, news releases and other information on our website at www.elcompanies.com.  There is a direct link from the website to our Securities and Exchange Commission filings via the EDGAR database at www.sec.gov, where our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and any amendments to these reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 are available free of charge as soon as reasonably practicable after we file such reports and amendments with, or furnish them to, the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Stockholders may also contact Investor Relations at 767 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10153 or call 800-308-2334 to obtain a hard copy of these reports without charge.

 

Corporate Governance Guidelines and Code of Conduct

 

The Board of Directors has developed corporate governance practices to help it fulfill its responsibilities to stockholders in providing general direction and oversight of management.  These practices are set forth in our Corporate Governance Guidelines.  We also have a Code of Conduct (“Code”) applicable to all employees, officers and directors of the Company, including, without limitation, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer and other senior financial officers.  These documents, the charters for the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating and Board Affairs Committee, and any waiver of a provision of the Code granted to any senior officer or director or material amendment to the Code, if any, may be found in the “Investors” section of our website: www.elcompanies.com under the heading “Corporate Governance.”  Stockholders may also contact Investor Relations at 767 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10153 or call 800-308-2334 to obtain a hard copy of these documents without charge.

 

8



Table of Contents

 

Executive Officers

 

The following table sets forth certain information with respect to our executive officers:

 

Name

 

Age

 

Position(s) Held

John Demsey

 

55

 

Group President

Amy DiGeso

 

59

 

Executive Vice President — Global Human Resources

Fabrizio Freda

 

53

 

President, Chief Executive Officer and a Director

Harvey Gedeon

 

68

 

Executive Vice President — Research & Development, Product Innovation and Brand Product Development

Richard W. Kunes

 

58

 

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Evelyn H. Lauder

 

75

 

Senior Corporate Vice President

Leonard A. Lauder

 

78

 

Chairman Emeritus and a Director

Ronald S. Lauder

 

67

 

Chairman of Clinique Laboratories, LLC

William P. Lauder

 

51

 

Executive Chairman and a Director

Sara E. Moss

 

64

 

Executive Vice President and General Counsel

Gregory F. Polcer

 

56

 

Executive Vice President — Global Supply Chain

Cedric Prouvé

 

51

 

Group President — International

Alexandra C. Trower

 

47

 

Executive Vice President — Global Communications

 

John Demsey was appointed Group President in July 2006.  In this role, he is currently responsible for the Estée Lauder, M·A·C, Prescriptives, Smashbox, Tom Ford Beauty, Bobbi Brown, Jo Malone and La Mer brands.  In January 2005, Mr. Demsey became Global Brand President of Estée Lauder after serving as President and Managing Director of M ž A ž C since 1998.  From 1991 to 1998, he held several positions with Estée Lauder, including Senior Vice President of Sales and Education for Estée Lauder USA and Canada.  Before joining us, he worked in sales and marketing for Revlon, Borghese, Alexandra de Markoff Cosmetics, and Lancaster Cosmetics.  He also held various executive retail positions at Bloomingdale’s, Macy’s, Benetton and Saks Fifth Avenue.  Mr. Demsey serves as Chairman of the M ž A ž C AIDS Fund and is active in many other AIDS-related organizations.

 

Amy DiGeso became Executive Vice President - Global Human Resources in May 2006.  From May 2005, when she joined us, to May 2006 she was Senior Vice President - Global Human Resources.  She was Senior Partner - Global Human Resource in charge of the Human Resources Department at PriceWaterhouseCoopers LLP from May 2001 through June 2003.  From April 1999 through April 2001, Ms. DiGeso was President of the Popular Club Plan, a direct sales subsidiary of Federated Department Stores, and from May 1992 through December 1998, she served in various executive capacities at Mary Kay, Inc., including Chief Executive Officer from November 1996 through December 1998.  Since June 2003, Ms. DiGeso has been engaged in various philanthropic activities.

 

Fabrizio Freda has been President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company since July 2009.  During such period, he has continued to lead the implementation of our long-term strategy that has resulted in a substantial increase in our market capitalization.  From March 2008 through June 2009, he was President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company where he oversaw the Clinique, Bobbi Brown, La Mer, Jo Malone, Aveda and Bumble and bumble brands and the Aramis and Designer Fragrances division.  He also was responsible for the Company’s International Division, as well as Global Operations, Research and Development, Packaging, Quality Assurance, Merchandise Design, Corporate Store Design and Retail Store Operations.  Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Freda served in a number of positions of increasing responsibility at The Procter & Gamble Company (“P&G”), where he was responsible for various operating, marketing and key strategic efforts for over 20 years.  From 2001 through 2007 Mr. Freda was President, Global Snacks, at P&G. Mr. Freda also spent more than a decade in the Health and Beauty Care division at P&G.  From 1986 to 1988 he directed marketing and strategic planning for Gucci SpA.

 

Harvey Gedeon became Executive Vice President - Research and Development in July 2004 and added responsibilities for Corporate Product Innovation in 2007, Package Development in 2008 and Brand Product Development in 2011.  From January 2000 to July 2004, he was Senior Vice President - Research and Development.  Prior to joining us in January 2000, Mr. Gedeon was Executive Vice President and General Manager, Research and Development and Quality Assurance for Revlon, Inc. from 1997 through 1999.  In August 2011, Mr. Gedeon announced his intention to retire.  He is expected to continue to work with the Company during a period of transition with the new Executive Vice President — Global Research and Development, who is planning to start with the Company on January 1, 2012.

 

9



Table of Contents

 

Richard W. Kunes became Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer in November 2004.  Prior thereto, he was Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since October 2000.  He joined us in 1986 and served in various finance-related positions until November 1993, when he was named Vice President — Operations Finance Worldwide.  From January 1998 through September 2000, Mr. Kunes was Vice President — Financial Administration and Corporate Controller.  Prior to joining us, he held finance and controller positions at the Colgate-Palmolive Company. In August 2011, Mr. Kunes announced his intention to retire effective on or about June 30, 2013. He is expected to continue to serve as Chief Financial Officer through fiscal 2012 or until such earlier time as his successor begins to serve in such capacity.

 

Evelyn H. Lauder has been Senior Corporate Vice President since 1989, and previously served as Vice President and in other executive capacities since first joining us in 1959 as Education Director.  She is a member of the Board of Overseers of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, The Trinity School in New York City (Trustee Emirata), a member of the Board of Directors of New Yorkers for Parks, an Honorary Board Member of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratories and the Founder and Chairman of The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

 

Leonard A. Lauder is Chairman Emeritus and a member of the Board of Directors.  He was Chairman of the Board of Directors from 1995 through June 2009 and served as our Chief Executive Officer from 1982 through 1999 and President from 1972 until 1995.  Mr. Lauder formally joined us in 1958 after serving as an officer in the United States Navy.  Since joining, he has held various positions, including executive officer positions other than those described above.  He is Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Trustees of the Whitney Museum of American Art, a Charter Trustee of The University of Pennsylvania, a Trustee of The Aspen Institute and the co-founder and director of the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation.  He also served as a member of the White House Advisory Committee on Trade Policy and Negotiations under President Reagan.

 

Ronald S. Lauder has served as Chairman of Clinique Laboratories, LLC since returning from government service in 1987 and was Chairman of Estee Lauder International, Inc. from 1987 through 2002.  He was a member of the Board of Directors of the Company from 1968 to 1986 and again from 1988 to July 2009.  Mr. Lauder joined the Company in 1964 and has served in various capacities.  From 1983 to 1986, Mr. Lauder served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for European and NATO Affairs.  From 1986 to 1987, he was U.S. Ambassador to Austria.  He is non-executive Chairman of the Board of Directors of Central European Media Enterprises Ltd.  He is also an Honorary Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Museum of Modern Art and President of the Neue Galerie.

 

William P. Lauder is Executive Chairman and, in such role, he is Chairman of the Board of Directors.  He was Chief Executive Officer of the Company from March 2008 through June 2009 and President and Chief Executive Officer from July 2004 through February 2008.  From January 2003 through June 2004, he was Chief Operating Officer.  From July 2001 through 2002, he was Group President responsible for the worldwide business of the Clinique and Origins brands and the Company’s retail store and online operations.  From 1998 to 2001, he was President of Clinique Laboratories, LLC.  Prior to 1998, he was President of Origins Natural Resources Inc., and he had been the senior officer of that division since its inception in 1990.  Prior thereto, he served in various positions since joining the Company in 1986.  He is a member of the Board of Directors of Jarden Corporation (member of the Nominating and Policies Committee), Chairman of the Board of the Fresh Air Fund, a member of the Boards of Trustees of The University of Pennsylvania and The Trinity School in New York City and the Boards of Directors of the 92 nd  Street Y, the Partnership for New York City, and the Advisory Board of Zelnick Media.  He was also a director of GLG Partners, Inc. from July 2006 to October 2010 and True Temper Sports Inc. from 2004 to 2009.

 

Sara E. Moss is Executive Vice President and General Counsel.  She became Executive Vice President in November 2004.  She joined us as Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary in September 2003.  She was Senior Vice President and General Counsel of Pitney Bowes Inc. from 1996 to February 2003, and Senior Litigation Partner for Howard, Smith & Levin (now Covington & Burling) in New York from 1984 to 1996.  Prior to 1984, Ms. Moss served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Criminal Division in the Southern District of New York, was an associate at the law firm of Davis, Polk & Wardwell and was Law Clerk to the Honorable Constance Baker Motley, a U.S. District Judge in the Southern District of New York.

 

Gregory F. Polcer became Executive Vice President - Global Supply Chain in July 2008.  He is responsible for Global Direct and Indirect Procurement, Manufacturing, Logistics, Quality Assurance and Environmental Affairs and Safety.  From 1988 to 2008, he worked for Unilever where he designed and implemented global, regional and local initiatives.  Most recently, from 2006 to 2008, he served as the Senior Vice President, Supply Chain for Unilever where he integrated the North and Latin American Supply Chains, provided senior leadership for all global supply management and established a global outsourcing plan.  He served as Senior Vice President, Supply Chain - North America from 2005 to 2006 and Senior Vice President, Supply Chain, Home and Personal Care — North America from 2002 to 2004.

 

Cedric Prouvé became Group President - International in January 2003.  He is responsible for our International Division, which includes all markets outside of North America, our Travel Retail business worldwide and all of the activities of our sales affiliates and distributor relationships.  From August 2000 through December 2002 he was the General Manager of our Japanese sales affiliate.  From January 1997 to August 2000, he was Vice President, General Manager, Travel Retail.  He started with us in 1994 as General Manager, Travel Retailing - Asia Pacific Region and was given the added responsibility of General Manager of our Singapore affiliate in 1995.  Prior to joining us he worked at L’Oreal in sales and management positions in the Americas and Asia/Pacific.

 

10



Table of Contents

 

Alexandra C. Trower became Executive Vice President - Global Communications in April 2008.  She directs the Company’s overall communications strategy, overseeing brand communications, corporate communications, internal communications and philanthropic communications.  Before joining us, Ms. Trower was Senior Vice President, Media Relations for Bank of America from January 2004 to March 2008.  From 1997 to 2002, she worked at JPMorgan Chase, where she was responsible for corporate communications at JPMorgan Fleming Asset Management.  From 1987 to 1997, Ms. Trower worked at a former division of Citibank, Chancellor Capital Management (now part of Invesco), where she held a variety of communications roles.  Ms. Trower serves on the Board of Directors of Hollins University.

 

Each executive officer serves for a one-year term ending at the next annual meeting of the Board of Directors, subject to his or her applicable employment agreement and his or her earlier death, resignation or removal.

 

Item 1A.  Risk Factors.

 

There are risks associated with an investment in our securities.

 

Please consider the following risks and all of the other information in this annual report on Form 10-K and in our subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).  Our business may also be adversely affected by risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently believe to be immaterial.  If any of the events contemplated by the following discussion of risks should occur or other risks arise or develop, our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations, as well as the trading prices of our securities, may be adversely affected.

 

The beauty business is highly competitive, and if we are unable to compete effectively our results will suffer.

 

We face vigorous competition from companies throughout the world, including multinational consumer product companies.  Some of these competitors have greater resources than we do and may be able to respond to changing business and economic conditions more quickly than us.  Competition in the beauty business is based on pricing of products, innovation, perceived value, service to the consumer, promotional activities, advertising, special events, new product introductions, e-commerce and m-commerce initiatives and other activities.  It is difficult for us to predict the timing and scale of our competitors’ actions in these areas.  For example, the fragrance category in the United States has in the past been influenced by the high volume of new product introductions by diverse companies across several different distribution channels.  Also, the consolidation in the retail trade has resulted in us becoming increasingly dependent on key retailers, including large-format retailers, who have increased their bargaining strength.  This trend has also resulted in an increased risk related to the concentration of our customers.  A severe adverse impact on their business operations could have a corresponding material adverse effect on us.  Our ability to compete also depends on the continued strength of our brands, our ability to attract and retain key talent and other personnel, the efficiency of our manufacturing facilities and distribution network, and our ability to maintain and protect our intellectual property and those other rights used in our business.  Our inability to continue to compete effectively in key countries around the world could have an adverse impact on our business.

 

Our inability to anticipate and respond to market trends and changes in consumer preferences could adversely affect our financial results.

 

Our continued success depends on our ability to anticipate, gauge and react in a timely and cost-effective manner to changes in consumer tastes for skin care, makeup, fragrance and hair care products, their attitudes toward our industry and brands, as well as to where and how consumers shop for those products.  We must continually work to develop, produce and market new products, maintain and adapt our “High-Touch” services to existing and emerging distribution channels, maintain and enhance the recognition of our brands, achieve a favorable mix of products, and refine our approach as to how and where we market and sell our products.  While we devote considerable effort and resources to shape, analyze and respond to consumer preferences, we recognize that consumer tastes cannot be predicted with certainty and can change rapidly.  The issue is compounded by the increasing use of social and digital media by consumers and the speed by which information and opinions are shared.  If we are unable to anticipate and respond to sudden challenges that we may face in the marketplace, trends in the market for our products and changing consumer demands and sentiment, our financial results will suffer.

 

Our future success depends on our ability to achieve our long-term strategy.

 

Achieving our long-term objectives will require investment in new capabilities, brands, categories, distribution channels, technologies and geographic markets.  These investments may result in short-term costs without any current revenues and, therefore, may be dilutive to our earnings, at least in the short term.  In addition, we may dispose of or discontinue select brands or streamline operations and incur costs or special charges in doing so.  Although we believe that our strategy will lead to long-term growth in revenue and profitability, we may not realize, in full or in part, the anticipated benefits.  The failure to realize benefits, which may be due to our inability to execute plans, global or local economic conditions, competition, changes in the beauty industry and the other risks described herein, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

11



Table of Contents

 

Acquisitions may expose us to additional risks.

 

We continuously review acquisition opportunities that would expand our current product offerings, our distribution channels, increase the size and geographic scope of our operations or otherwise offer growth and operating efficiency opportunities.  If required, the financing for any of these acquisitions could result in an increase in our indebtedness, dilute the interests of our stockholders or both.  Acquisitions entail numerous risks, which may include:

 

·                   difficulties in assimilating acquired operations or products, including the loss of key employees from, or customers of, acquired businesses;

·                   diversion of management’s attention from our core businesses;

·                   adverse effects on existing business relationships with suppliers and customers; and

·                   risks of entering distribution channels, categories or markets in which we have limited or no prior experience.

 

Our failure to successfully complete the integration of any acquired business could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results.  In addition, there can be no assurance that we will be able to identify suitable acquisition candidates or consummate acquisitions on favorable terms.

 

Completed acquisitions typically result in additional goodwill and an increase in other intangible assets on our balance sheet.  We are required at least annually, or as facts and circumstances warrant, to test goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite lives to determine if impairment has occurred.  If the testing performed indicates that impairment has occurred, we are required to record a non-cash impairment charge for the difference between the carrying value of the goodwill or other intangible assets with indefinite lives and the implied fair value of the goodwill or the fair value of other intangible assets with indefinite lives in the period the determination is made.  We cannot accurately predict the amount and timing of any impairment of assets.  Should the value of goodwill or other intangible assets become impaired, there could be a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

A general economic downturn or sudden disruption in business conditions may affect consumer purchases of discretionary items and/or the financial strength of our customers that are retailers, which could adversely affect our financial results.

 

The general level of consumer spending is affected by a number of factors, including general economic conditions, inflation, interest rates, energy costs, and consumer confidence generally, all of which are beyond our control.  Consumer purchases of discretionary items tend to decline during recessionary periods, when disposable income is lower, and may impact sales of our products.  A decline in consumer purchases of discretionary items also tends to impact our customers that are retailers.  We generally extend credit to a retailer based on an evaluation of its financial condition, usually without requiring collateral.  However, the financial difficulties of a retailer could cause us to curtail or eliminate business with that customer.  We may also assume more credit risk relating to the receivables from that retailer.  Our inability to collect the receivable from one of our largest customers or from a group of customers could have a material adverse effect on our business and our financial condition.  If a retailer was to liquidate, we may incur additional costs if we choose to purchase the retailer’s inventory of our products to protect brand equity.

 

In addition, sudden disruptions in business conditions, for example, as a consequence of events such as a pandemic or those that are currently taking place in the Middle East, or as a result of a terrorist attack, retaliation and the threat of further attacks or retaliation, or as a result of adverse weather conditions or climate changes or seismic events, can have a short and, sometimes, long-term impact on consumer spending.

 

Events that impact consumers’ willingness or ability to travel and/or purchase our products while traveling may impact our travel retail business, which is a significant contributor to our overall results.

 

A downturn in the economies in which we sell our products or a sudden disruption of business conditions in those economies could adversely affect our sales and profitability.

 

Volatility in the financial markets and a related economic downturn in key markets or markets generally throughout the world could have a material adverse effect on our business.  While we currently generate significant cash flows from our ongoing operations and have access to global credit markets through our various financing activities, credit markets may experience significant disruptions.  Deterioration in global financial markets could make future financing difficult or more expensive.  If any financial institutions that are parties to our undrawn revolving credit facility supporting our commercial paper program or other financing arrangements, such as interest rate or foreign exchange hedging instruments, were to declare bankruptcy or become insolvent, they may be unable to perform under their agreements with us.  This could leave us with reduced borrowing capacity or unhedged against certain interest rate or foreign currency exposures which could have an adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

12



Table of Contents

 

Changes in laws, regulations and policies that affect our business could adversely affect our financial results.

 

Our business is subject to numerous laws, regulations and policies.  Changes in the laws, regulations and policies, including the interpretation or enforcement thereof, that affect, or will affect, our business, including changes in accounting standards, tax laws and regulations, environmental or climate change laws, regulations or accords, trade rules and customs regulations, and the outcome and expense of legal or regulatory proceedings, and any action we may take as a result could adversely affect our financial results.

 

Our success depends, in part, on the quality and safety of our products.

 

Our success depends, in part, on the quality and safety of our products.  If our products are found to be defective or unsafe, or if they otherwise fail to meet our consumers’ standards, our relationships with customers or consumers could suffer, the appeal of one or more of our brands could be diminished, and we could lose sales and/or become subject to liability claims, any of which could result in a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

 

Our success depends, in part, on our key personnel.

 

Our success depends, in part, on our ability to retain our key personnel, including our executive officers and senior management team.  The unexpected loss of one or more of our key employees could adversely affect our business.  Our success also depends, in part, on our continuing ability to identify, hire, train and retain other highly qualified personnel.  Competition for these employees can be intense.  We may not be able to attract, assimilate or retain qualified personnel in the future, and our failure to do so could adversely affect our business.  This risk may be exacerbated by the stresses associated with the implementation of our strategic plan and other initiatives.

 

We are subject to risks related to our foreign operations.

 

We operate on a global basis, with a majority of our fiscal 2011 net sales and operating income generated outside the United States.

 

We intend to reinvest these earnings in our foreign operations indefinitely, except where we are able to repatriate these earnings to the United States without material incremental tax provision.  A portion of our cash and cash equivalents that result from these earnings remain outside the United States.

 

We maintain offices in over 40 countries and have key operational facilities located outside the United States that manufacture, warehouse or distribute goods for sale throughout the world.  Foreign operations are subject to many risks and uncertainties, including:

 

·                      fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, which can affect our results of operations, the value of our foreign assets, the relative prices at which we and foreign competitors sell products in the same markets and the cost of certain inventory and non-inventory items required in our operations;

·                      changes in foreign laws, regulations and policies, including restrictions on trade, import and export license requirements, and tariffs and taxes, as well as changes in United States laws and regulations relating to foreign trade and investment; and

·                     adverse weather conditions, social, economic and geopolitical conditions, such as terrorist attacks, war or other military action.

 

These risks could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, results of operations and financial condition.

 

A disruption in operations or our supply chain could adversely affect our business and financial results.

 

As a company engaged in manufacturing and distribution on a global scale, we are subject to the risks inherent in such activities, including industrial accidents, environmental events, strikes and other labor disputes, disruptions in supply chain or information systems, loss or impairment of key manufacturing sites, product quality control, safety, licensing requirements and other regulatory issues, as well as natural disasters and other external factors over which we have no control.  If such an event were to occur, it could have an adverse affect on our business and financial results.

 

Our information systems and websites may be susceptible to outages, hacking and other risks.

 

We have information systems that support our business processes, including product development, marketing, sales, order processing, production, distribution, finance and intracompany communications throughout the world.  We have e-commerce and other Internet websites in the United States and many other countries.  These systems may be susceptible to outages due to fire, floods, power loss, telecommunications failures, break-ins and similar events.  Despite the implementation of network security measures, our systems may be vulnerable to computer viruses, break-ins and similar disruptions from unauthorized tampering.  The occurrence of these or other events could disrupt or damage our information systems and adversely affect our business and results of operations.

 

13



Table of Contents

 

We are subject to risks associated with implementing global information systems.

 

As part of SMI, we are implementing enterprise-wide global programs intended to deliver a single set of integrated data, processes and technologies, which would be scalable and used to standardize business processes across brands, regions and functions.  We anticipate the continued migration of our operations to SAP, with the majority of our locations to be enabled through fiscal 2013.  Like most entity-wide changes to software systems, the implementation of SMI involves risks and uncertainties.  Failure to implement SMI as planned, in terms of timing, specifications and/or costs could have an adverse impact on our business and results of operations.

 

The trading prices of our securities periodically may rise or fall based on the accuracy of predictions of our earnings or other financial performance.

 

Our business planning process is designed to maximize our long-term strength, growth and profitability, not to achieve an earnings target in any particular fiscal quarter.  We believe that this longer-term focus is in the best interests of the Company and our stockholders.  At the same time, however, we recognize that it may be helpful to provide investors with guidance as to our forecast of net sales, earnings per share and other financial metrics or projections.  Accordingly, when we announced our year-end financial results for fiscal 2011, we provided guidance as to a number of assumptions, including our expected net sales and earnings per share for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2012 and the quarter ending September 30, 2011.  While we generally expect to provide updates to our guidance when we report our results each fiscal quarter, we assume no responsibility to update any of our forward-looking statements at such times or otherwise.  In addition, the longer-term guidance we provide is based on goals that we believe, at the time guidance is given, are reasonably attainable for growth and performance over a number of years.  Such targets are more difficult to predict than our current quarter and fiscal year expectations.

 

In all of our public statements when we make, or update, a forward-looking statement about our net sales and/or earnings expectations or expectations regarding restructuring or other initiatives, we accompany such statements directly, or by reference to a public document, with a list of factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those we expect.  Such a list is included, among other places, in our earnings press release and in our periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (e.g., in our reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q).  These and other factors may make it difficult for us and for outside observers, such as research analysts, to predict what our earnings will be in any given fiscal quarter or year.

 

Outside analysts and investors have the right to make their own predictions of our financial results for any future period.  Outside analysts, however, have access to no more material information about our results or plans than any other public investor, and we do not endorse their predictions as to our future performance.  Nor do we assume any responsibility to correct the predictions of outside analysts or others when they differ from our own internal expectations.  If and when we announce actual results that differ from those that outside analysts or others have been predicting, the market price of our securities could be affected.  Investors who rely on the predictions of outside analysts or others when making investment decisions with respect to our securities do so at their own risk.  We take no responsibility for any losses suffered as a result of such changes in the prices of our securities.

 

Failure to adequately maintain the security of our electronic and other confidential information could materially adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

 

We are dependent upon automated information technology processes.  As part of our normal business activities, we collect and store certain confidential information, including personal information with respect to customers and employees.  We may share some of this information with vendors who assist us with certain aspects of our business.  Moreover, the success of our e-commerce operations depends upon the secure transmission of confidential and personal data over public networks, including the use of cashless payments.  Any failure on the part of us or our vendors to maintain the security of our confidential data and our employees’ and customers’ personal information, including via the penetration of our network security and the misappropriation of confidential and personal information, could result in business disruption, damage to our reputation, financial obligations to third parties, fines, penalties, regulatory proceedings and private litigation with potentially large costs, and also result in deterioration in our employees’ and customers’ confidence in us and other competitive disadvantages, and thus could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, a security breach could require that we expend significant additional resources to enhance our information security systems and could result in a disruption to our operations.

 

As we outsource more functions, we will become more dependent on the entities performing those functions.

 

As part of our long-term strategy, we are continually looking for opportunities to provide essential business services in a more cost-effective manner.  In some cases, this requires the outsourcing of functions or parts of functions that can be performed more effectively by external service providers.  These include certain information systems functions such as information technology operations, and certain human resource functions such as employee benefit plan administration.  While we believe we conduct appropriate due diligence before entering into agreements with the outsourcing entity, the failure of one or more entities to provide the expected services, provide them on a timely basis or to provide them at the prices we expect may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition.

 

14



Table of Contents

 

We are controlled by the Lauder family.  As a result of their control of us, the Lauder family has the ability to prevent or cause a change in control or approve, prevent or influence certain actions by us.

 

As of August 15, 2011, members of the Lauder family beneficially own, directly or indirectly, shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock (with one vote per share) and Class B Common Stock (with 10 votes per share) having approximately 86.8% of the outstanding voting power of the Common Stock.  In addition, there are five members of the Lauder family who are employees, including three who are members of our Board of Directors.  Another family member is on our board and is a party to a consulting agreement and a license agreement with us.  As a result of the stock ownership and their positions at the Company, the Lauder family has the ability to exercise significant control and influence over our business, including, without limitation, all matters requiring stockholder approval, including the election of directors, amendments to the certificate of incorporation and significant corporate transactions, such as a merger or other sale of our Company or its assets, for the foreseeable future.

 

We are a “controlled company” within the meaning of the New York Stock Exchange rules and, as a result, are relying on exemptions from certain corporate governance requirements that are designed to provide protection to stockholders of companies that are not “controlled companies.”

 

The Lauder family and their related entities own more than 50% of the total voting power of our common shares and, as a result, we are a “controlled company” under the New York Stock Exchange corporate governance standards.  As a controlled company, we are exempt under the New York Stock Exchange standards from the obligation to comply with certain New York Stock Exchange corporate governance requirements, including the requirements:

 

·                      that a majority of our board of directors consists of independent directors;

·                      that we have a nominating committee that is composed entirely of independent directors with a written charter addressing the committee’s purpose and responsibilities; and

·                      that we have a compensation committee that is composed entirely of independent directors with a written charter addressing the committee’s purpose and responsibilities.

 

While we have voluntarily caused our Board to have a majority of independent directors and the written charters of our Nominating and Board Affairs Committee and the Compensation Committee to have the required provisions, we are not requiring our Nominating and Board Affairs Committee and Compensation Committee to be comprised solely of independent directors.  As a result of our use of the “controlled company” exemptions, investors will not have the same protection afforded to stockholders of companies that are subject to all of the New York Stock Exchange corporate governance requirements.

 

Item 1B.  Unresolved Staff Comments.

 

As of the filing of this annual report on Form 10-K, there were no unresolved comments from the Staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

15



Table of Contents

 

Item 2.  Properties .

 

The following table sets forth our principal owned and leased manufacturing, assembly, research and development and distribution facilities as of August 15, 2011.  The leases expire at various times through 2027 subject to certain renewal options.

 

Location

 

Use

 

Approximate
Square Footage

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Americas

 

 

 

 

 

Blaine, Minnesota (owned)

 

Manufacturing and R&D

 

275,000

 

Blaine, Minnesota (leased)

 

Distribution

 

126,000

 

Oakland, New Jersey (leased)

 

Manufacturing

 

148,000

 

Melville, New York (owned)

 

Manufacturing

 

353,000

 

Melville, New York (owned)

 

R&D

 

134,000

 

Bristol, Pennsylvania (leased)

 

Manufacturing

 

67,000

 

Bristol, Pennsylvania (leased)

 

Manufacturing and Assembly

 

100,000

 

Bristol, Pennsylvania (leased)

 

Distribution

 

728,000

 

Trevose, Pennsylvania (leased)

 

Manufacturing and Assembly

 

140,000

 

Agincourt, Ontario, Canada (owned)

 

Manufacturing

 

96,000

 

Markham, Ontario, Canada (leased)

 

Manufacturing

 

137,000

 

Markham, Ontario, Canada (leased)

 

R&D

 

26,000

 

Toronto, Ontario, Canada (leased)

 

Distribution

 

186,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Europe, the Middle East & Africa

 

 

 

 

 

Oevel, Belgium (owned)

 

Manufacturing

 

113,000

 

Oevel, Belgium (leased)

 

Manufacturing and R&D

 

70,000

 

Oevel, Belgium (leased)

 

Distribution

 

100,000

 

Kerpen, Germany (leased)

 

Distribution

 

98,000

 

Sandton, South Africa (leased)

 

Distribution

 

63,750

 

Madrid, Spain (leased)

 

Distribution

 

90,000

 

Lachen, Switzerland (owned)

 

Manufacturing

 

53,000

 

Lachen, Switzerland (owned)

 

Distribution

 

125,000

 

Hampshire, United Kingdom (leased)

 

Distribution

 

203,000

 

Petersfield, United Kingdom (owned)

 

Manufacturing

 

225,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Asia/Pacific

 

 

 

 

 

Rosebury, Australia (leased)

 

Distribution

 

104,000

 

Shanghai, China (leased)

 

R&D

 

20,925

 

Shanghai, China (leased)

 

Distribution

 

71,400

 

Tokyo, Japan (leased)

 

Distribution

 

187,000

 

Yongin, Korea (leased)

 

Distribution

 

160,000

 

 

We own, lease and occupy numerous offices, assembly and distribution facilities and warehouses in the United States and abroad.  We consider our properties to be generally in good condition and believe that our facilities are adequate for our operations and provide sufficient capacity to meet anticipated requirements.  We lease approximately 400,000 square feet of rentable space for our principal offices in New York, New York and own an office building of approximately 57,000 square feet in Melville, New York.  As of August 15, 2011, we operated approximately 750 freestanding retail stores.

 

Item 3.  Legal Proceedings .

 

We are involved, from time to time, in litigation and other legal proceedings incidental to our business.  Management believes that the outcome of current litigation and legal proceedings will not have a material adverse effect upon our results of operations or financial condition.  However, management’s assessment of our current litigation and other legal proceedings could change in light of the discovery of facts with respect to legal actions or other proceedings pending against us not presently known to us or determinations by judges, juries or other finders of fact which are not in accord with management’s evaluation of the possible liability or outcome of such litigation or proceedings.  Reasonably possible losses in addition to the amount accrued for litigation and other legal proceedings are not material to our consolidated financial statements.

 

Item 4.  Removed and Reserved.

 

16



Table of Contents

 

PART II

 

Item 5.  Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.

 

Market for Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters

 

Our Class A Common Stock is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “EL.” The following table shows the high and low sales prices as reported on the New York Stock Exchange Composite Tape and the cash dividends per share declared in fiscal 2011 and fiscal 2010:

 

 

 

Fiscal 2011

 

Fiscal 2010

 

 

 

High

 

Low

 

Cash
Dividends

 

High

 

Low

 

Cash
Dividends

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First Quarter

 

$

65.13

 

$

54.61

 

$

 

$

38.21

 

$

30.00

 

$

 

Second Quarter

 

81.44

 

62.46

 

.75

 

50.57

 

35.60

 

.55

 

Third Quarter

 

96.66

 

79.67

 

 

65.75

 

47.65

 

 

Fourth Quarter

 

106.57

 

92.81

 

 

71.29

 

54.17

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fiscal Year

 

106.57

 

54.61

 

$

.75

 

71.29

 

30.00

 

$

.55

 

 

We expect to continue the payment of cash dividends in the future, but there can be no assurance that the Board of Directors will continue to declare them.  In November 2010 and 2009, the Board of Directors declared an annual dividend of $.75 and $.55, respectively, which was paid in December 2010 and 2009, respectively.

 

As of August 15, 2011, there were approximately 7,695 record holders of Class A Common Stock and 17 record holders of Class B Common Stock.

 

Share Repurchase Program

 

We are authorized by the Board of Directors to repurchase up to 88.0 million shares of Class A Common Stock in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions, depending on market conditions and other factors.  As of June 30, 2011, the cumulative total of acquired shares pursuant to the authorization was 74.9 million, reducing the remaining authorized share repurchase balance to 13.1 million.  During fiscal 2011, we purchased approximately 5.0 million shares pursuant to the authorization for $376.9 million as outlined in the following table:

 

Period

 

Total Number of
Shares Purchased

 

Average Price
Paid Per Share

 

Total Number of Shares
Purchased as Part of
Publicly Announced
Program

 

Maximum Number of
Shares that May Yet Be
Purchased Under the
Program
(1)

 

July 2010

 

1,018,233

(3)

$

60.57

 

1,000,000

 

17,040,669

 

August 2010

 

360,000

 

56.69

 

360,000

 

16,680,669

 

September 2010

 

1,061,537

(2)

58.12

 

1,040,000

 

15,640,669

 

October 2010

 

 

 

 

15,640,669

 

November 2010

 

413,995

(3)

70.60

 

165,000

 

15,475,669

 

December 2010

 

 

 

 

15,475,669

 

January 2011

 

 

 

 

15,475,669

 

February 2011

 

550,000

 

92.61

 

550,000

 

14,925,669

 

March 2011

 

1,329,200

 

92.26

 

1,329,200

 

13,596,469

 

April 2011

 

524,601

(3)

95.20

 

524,600

 

13,071,869

 

May 2011

 

 

 

 

13,071,869

 

June 2011

 

 

 

 

13,071,869

 

Year-to-date

 

5,257,566

 

$

75.43

 

4,968,800

 

13,071,869

 

 


(1)       The initial program covering the repurchase of 8.0 million shares was announced in September 1998 and increased by 20.0 million shares each in November 2007, February 2007 and May 2005 and 10.0 million shares in both May 2004 and October 2002.

(2)       Includes shares that were repurchased by the Company in connection with shares withheld to satisfy tax obligations upon the settlement of performance share units.

(3)       Includes shares that were repurchased by the Company in connection with shares withheld to satisfy tax obligations upon the vesting of restricted stock units.

 

Subsequent to June 30, 2011, we purchased approximately 2.8 million additional shares of Class A Common Stock for $280.1 million pursuant to our share repurchase program.

 

17



Table of Contents

 

Sales of Unregistered Securities

 

Shares of Class B Common Stock may be converted immediately into Class A Common Stock on a one-for-one basis by the holder and are automatically converted into Class A Common Stock on a one-for-one basis upon transfer to a person or entity that is not a “Permitted Transferee” or soon after a record date for a meeting of stockholders where the outstanding Class B Common Stock constitutes less than 10% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company.  There is no cash or other consideration paid by the holder converting the shares and, accordingly, there is no cash or other consideration received by the Company.  The shares of Class A Common Stock issued by the Company in such conversions are exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, pursuant to Section 3(a)(9) thereof.

 

During the three months ended June 30, 2011, the stockholder set forth in the table below converted shares of Class B Common Stock into Class A Common Stock on the date set forth below:

 

Stockholder That Converted Class B
Common Stock to Class A Common
Stock

 

Date of Conversion

 

Number of Shares
Converted/ Received

The 4202 Corporation

 

May 19, 2011

 

250,000

 

18



Table of Contents

 

Item 6.  Selected Financial Data .

 

The table below summarizes selected financial information.  For further information, refer to the audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto beginning on page F-1 of this report.

 

 

 

Year Ended or at June 30

 

 

 

2011(a)

 

2010 (a)

 

2009 (a)

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

 

(In millions, except per share data)

 

Statement of Earnings Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

$

8,810.0

 

$

7,795.8

 

$

7,323.8

 

$

7,910.8

 

$

7,037.5

 

Gross profit

 

6,873.1

 

5,966.4

 

5,442.2

 

5,914.0

 

5,262.7

 

Operating income

 

1,089.4

 

789.9

 

418.4

 

810.7

 

749.9

 

Interest expense, net (b)

 

63.9

 

74.3

 

75.7

 

66.8

 

38.9

 

Interest expense on debt extinguishment (c)

 

 

27.3

 

 

 

 

Earnings before income taxes and discontinued operations

 

1,025.5

 

688.3

 

342.7

 

743.9

 

711.0

 

Provision for income taxes

 

321.7

 

205.9

 

115.9

 

259.9

 

255.2

 

Net earnings from continuing operations

 

703.8

 

482.4

 

226.8

 

484.0

 

455.8

 

Discontinued operations, net of tax

 

 

 

 

 

0.5

 

Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

(3.0

)

(4.1

)

(8.4

)

(10.2

)

(7.1

)

Net earnings attributable to The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.

 

700.8

 

478.3

 

218.4

 

473.8

 

449.2

 

Cash Flow Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash flows provided by operating activities

 

$

1,027.0

 

$

956.7

 

$

696.0

 

$

690.1

 

$

661.6

 

Net cash flows used for investing activities

 

(606.9

)

(281.4

)

(339.5

)

(478.5

)

(373.8

)

Net cash flows provided by (used for) financing activities

 

(313.1

)

(406.1

)

125.8

 

(78.1

)

(411.6

)

Per Share Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings per common share from continuing operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

3.57

 

$

2.44

 

$

1.16

 

$

2.50

 

$

2.23

 

Diluted

 

$

3.50

 

$

2.40

 

$

1.15

 

$

2.46

 

$

2.19

 

Net earnings attributable to The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

3.56

 

$

2.42

 

$

1.11

 

$

2.44

 

$

2.20

 

Diluted

 

$

3.48

 

$

2.38

 

$

1.10

 

$

2.40

 

$

2.16

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

197.0

 

197.7

 

196.3

 

193.9

 

204.3

 

Diluted

 

201.2

 

200.7

 

197.7

 

197.1

 

207.8

 

Cash dividends declared per common share

 

$

.75

 

$

.55

 

$

.55

 

$

.55

 

$

.50

 

Balance Sheet Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Working capital

 

$

1,743.2

 

$

1,548.8

 

$

1,453.3

 

$

1,088.0

 

$

738.7

 

Total assets

 

6,273.9

 

5,335.6

 

5,176.6

 

5,011.2

 

4,125.7

 

Total debt (b) (c)

 

1,218.1

 

1,228.4

 

1,421.4

 

1,196.9

 

1,088.5

 

Stockholders’ equity - The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.

 

2,629.4

 

1,948.4

 

1,640.0

 

1,653.2

 

1,199.0

 

 


(a) Fiscal 2011 results included $41.7 million, after tax, or $.21 per diluted share related to total charges associated with restructuring activities.  Fiscal 2010 results included $55.9 million, after tax, or $.28 per diluted share related to total charges associated with restructuring activities.  Fiscal 2009 results included $61.7 million, after tax, or $.31 per diluted share related to total charges associated with restructuring activities.

 

(b) In November 2008, we issued and sold $300.0 million of 7.75% Senior Notes due November 1, 2013 in a public offering.  We used the net proceeds of this offering to repay then-outstanding commercial paper balances upon their maturity.

 

(c) On May 24, 2010, we completed a cash tender offer for $130.0 million principal amount of our 2012 Senior Notes at a price of 108.500% of the principal amount and for $69.9 million principal amount of our 2013 Senior Notes at a tender price of 118.813% of the principal amount.  During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010, we recorded a pre-tax expense on the extinguishment of debt of $27.3 million representing the tender premium, the pro-rata write-off of unamortized terminated interest rate swap, issuance costs and debt discount, and tender offer costs associated with both series of notes.

 

19



Table of Contents

 

Item 7.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations .

 

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

 

The discussion and analysis of our financial condition at June 30, 2011 and our results of operations for the three fiscal years ended June 30, 2011 are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.  The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses reported in those financial statements.  These estimates and assumptions can be subjective and complex and, consequently, actual results could differ from those estimates.  Our most critical accounting policies relate to revenue recognition, inventory, pension and other post-retirement benefit costs, goodwill, other intangible assets and long-lived assets, income taxes and derivatives.

 

Management of the Company has discussed the selection of significant accounting policies and the effect of estimates with the Audit Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

Revenues from product sales are recognized upon transfer of ownership, including passage of title to the customer and transfer of the risk of loss related to those goods.  In the Americas region, sales are generally recognized at the time the product is shipped to the customer and in the Europe, the Middle East & Africa and Asia/Pacific regions, sales are generally recognized based upon the customer’s receipt.  In certain circumstances, transfer of title takes place at the point of sale, for example, at our retail stores.

 

Revenues are reported on a net sales basis, which is computed by deducting from gross sales the amount of actual product returns received, discounts, incentive arrangements with retailers and an amount established for anticipated product returns.  Our practice is to accept product returns from retailers only if properly requested, authorized and approved.  In accepting returns, we typically provide a credit to the retailer against accounts receivable from that retailer.  As a percentage of gross sales, returns were 3.5%, 4.3% and 4.4% in fiscal 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and the improvement reflects efforts to work with our customers to improve their forecasting and product mix to better address their inventory requirements.

 

Our sales return accrual is a subjective critical estimate that has a direct impact on reported net sales.  This accrual is calculated based on a history of actual returns, estimated future returns and information provided by retailers regarding their inventory levels.  Consideration of these factors results in an accrual for anticipated sales returns that reflects increases or decreases related to seasonal fluctuations.  Experience has shown a relationship between retailer inventory levels and sales returns in the subsequent period, as well as a consistent pattern of returns due to the seasonal nature of our business.  In addition, as necessary, specific accruals may be established for significant future known or anticipated events.  The types of known or anticipated events that we have considered, and will continue to consider, include, but are not limited to, the financial condition of our customers, store closings by retailers, changes in the retail environment and our decision to continue to support new and existing products.

 

In the ordinary course of business, we have established an allowance for doubtful accounts and customer deductions based upon the evaluation of accounts receivable aging, specific exposures and historical trends.  Our allowance for doubtful accounts and customer deductions is a subjective critical estimate that has a direct impact on reported net earnings.  The allowance for doubtful accounts was $33.9 million and $34.3 million as of June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.  The allowance for doubtful accounts was reduced by $9.9 million, $15.8 million and $14.1 million for customer deductions and write-offs in fiscal 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and increased by $9.5 million, $8.7 million and $29.2 million for additional provisions in fiscal 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

 

Inventory

 

We state our inventory at the lower of cost or fair-market value, with cost being based on standard cost which approximates actual cost on the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method.  We believe this method most closely matches the flow of our products from manufacture through sale.  The reported net value of our inventory includes saleable products, promotional products, raw materials and componentry and work in process that will be sold or used in future periods.  Inventory cost includes raw materials, direct labor and overhead, as well as inbound freight.  Manufacturing overhead is allocated to the cost of inventory based on the normal production capacity.  Unallocated overhead during periods of abnormally low production levels are recognized as cost of sales in the period in which they are incurred.

 

We also record an inventory obsolescence reserve, which represents the difference between the cost of the inventory and its estimated realizable value, based on various product sales projections.  This reserve is calculated using an estimated obsolescence percentage applied to the inventory based on age, historical trends and requirements to support forecasted sales.  In addition, and as necessary, we may establish specific reserves for future known or anticipated events.

 

Pension and Other Post-retirement Benefit Costs

 

We offer the following benefits to some or all of our employees: a domestic trust-based noncontributory qualified defined benefit pension plan (“U.S. Qualified Plan”) and an unfunded, non-qualified domestic noncontributory pension plan to provide benefits in excess of statutory limitations (collectively with the U.S. Qualified Plan, the “Domestic Plans”); a domestic contributory defined contribution plan; international pension plans, which vary by country, consisting of both defined benefit and defined contribution pension plans; deferred compensation arrangements; and certain other post-retirement benefit plans.

 

20



Table of Contents

 

The amounts needed to fund future payouts under these plans are subject to numerous assumptions and variables.  Certain significant variables require us to make assumptions that are within our control such as an anticipated discount rate, expected rate of return on plan assets and future compensation levels.  We evaluate these assumptions with our actuarial advisors and select assumptions that we believe reflect the economics underlying our pension and post-retirement obligations.  While we believe these assumptions are within accepted industry ranges, an increase or decrease in the assumptions or economic events outside our control could have a direct impact on reported net earnings.

 

The discount rate for each plan used for determining future net periodic benefit cost is based on a review of highly rated long-term bonds.  For fiscal 2011, we used a discount rate for our Domestic Plans of 5.40% and varying rates on our international plans of between 1.25% and 8.25%.  The discount rate for our Domestic Plans is based on a bond portfolio that includes only long-term bonds with an Aa rating, or equivalent, from a major rating agency.  We believe the timing and amount of cash flows related to the bonds included in this portfolio is expected to match the estimated defined benefit payment streams of our Domestic Plans.  For fiscal 2011, we used an expected return on plan assets of 7.75% for our U.S. Qualified Plan and varying rates of between 2.50% and 8.00% for our international plans.  In determining the long-term rate of return for a plan, we consider the historical rates of return, the nature of the plan’s investments and an expectation for the plan’s investment strategies, see “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data — Note 13 — Pension, Deferred Compensation and Post-retirement Benefit Plans ” for details regarding the nature of our pension and post-retirement plan investments.  The difference between actual and expected return on plan assets is reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income.  Those gains/losses that are subject to amortization over future periods will be recognized as a component of the net periodic benefit cost in such future periods.  For fiscal 2011, our pension plans had actual return on assets of approximately $92 million as compared with expected return on assets of approximately $57 million, which resulted in a net deferred gain of approximately $35 million, substantially all of which is currently subject to be amortized over periods ranging from approximately 6 to 25 years.  The actual return on assets was primarily related to the performance of equity markets during the past fiscal year.

 

A 25 basis-point change in the discount rate or the expected rate of return on plan assets would have had the following effect on fiscal 2011 pension expense:

 

(In millions)

 

25 Basis-Point
Increase

 

25 Basis-Point
Decrease

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Discount rate

 

$

(3.4

)

$

3.3

 

Expected return on assets

 

$

(2.1

)

$

2.2

 

 

Our post-retirement plans are comprised of health care plans that could be impacted by health care cost trend rates, which may have a significant effect on the amounts reported.  A one-percentage-point change in assumed health care cost trend rates for fiscal 2011 would have had the following effects:

 

(In millions)

 

One-Percentage-Point
Increase

 

One-Percentage-Point
Decrease

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effect on total service and interest costs

 

$

1.1

 

$

(1.0

)

Effect on post-retirement benefit obligations

 

$

10.3

 

$

(9.7

)

 

For fiscal 2012, we are using a discount rate for the Domestic Plans of 5.40% and varying rates for our international plans of between 1.25% and 8.25%.  We are using an expected return on plan assets of 7.75% for the U.S. Qualified Plan and varying rates for our international pension plans of between 2.00% and 8.25%.  The net change in these assumptions from those used in fiscal 2011 will result in an increase in pension expense of approximately $0.4 million in fiscal 2012.  We will continue to monitor the market conditions relative to these assumptions and adjust them accordingly.

 

Goodwill, Other Intangible Assets and Long-Lived Assets

 

Goodwill is calculated as the excess of the cost of purchased businesses over the fair value of their underlying net assets.  Other indefinite-lived intangible assets principally consist of trademarks.  Goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets are not amortized.

 

21



Table of Contents

 

We assess goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangibles at least annually for impairment as of the beginning of the fiscal fourth quarter, or more frequently if certain events or circumstances warrant.  We test goodwill for impairment at the reporting unit level, which is one level below our operating segments.  We identify our reporting units by assessing whether the components of our operating segments constitute businesses for which discrete financial information is available and management of each reporting unit regularly reviews the operating results of those components.  We make certain judgments and assumptions in allocating assets and liabilities to determine carrying values for our reporting units.  Impairment testing is performed in two steps: (i) we determine if an indication of impairment exists by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying value, and (ii) if there is an impairment, we measure the amount of impairment loss by comparing the implied fair value of goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill.  The impairment test for indefinite-lived intangible assets encompasses calculating a fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset and comparing the fair value to its carrying value.  If the carrying value exceeds the fair value an impairment charge is recorded.

 

Testing goodwill for impairment requires us to estimate fair values of reporting units using significant estimates and assumptions.  The assumptions made will impact the outcome and ultimate results of the testing.  We use industry accepted valuation models and set criteria that are reviewed and approved by various levels of management and, in certain instances, we engage third-party valuation specialists for advice.  To determine fair value of the reporting unit, we generally use an equal weighting of the income and market approaches.  In certain circumstances, equal weighting will not be applied if one of these methods may be less applicable (e.g., only the income approach would be used for reporting units with existing negative margins).  We believe both approaches are equally relevant and the most reliable indications of fair value because the fair value of product or service companies is more dependent on the ability to generate earnings than on the value of the assets used in the production process.

 

Under the income approach, we determine fair value using a discounted cash flow method, projecting future cash flows of each reporting unit, as well as a terminal value, and discounting such cash flows at a rate of return that reflects the relative risk of the cash flows.

 

Under the market approach, we utilize information from comparable publicly traded companies with similar operating and investment characteristics as the reporting units, which creates valuation multiples that are applied to the operating performance of the reporting unit being tested, to value the reporting unit.

 

The key estimates and factors used in these two approaches include, but are not limited to, revenue growth rates and profit margins based on internal forecasts, terminal value, the weighted-average cost of capital used to discount future cash flows and comparable market multiples.  The fiscal 2011 compound annual growth rate of sales for the first five to eight years of our projections, as considered appropriate for the individual reporting units, ranged between 3% and 19% with the higher growth rates in those reporting units that start with the smallest base in fiscal 2011.  The fiscal 2010 compound annual growth rate of sales for the first four to eight years of our projections ranged between 3% and 24% with the higher growth rates in those reporting units that start with the smallest base in fiscal 2010.  For reporting units with positive earnings, growth in the corresponding earnings before interest and taxes ranged from 6% to 109% in fiscal 2011 as compared with 9% to 161% in fiscal 2010.  The terminal growth rates were projected at 3% after four to eight years in fiscal 2011 and fiscal 2010, which reflects our estimate of long term market and gross domestic product growth.  The weighted-average cost of capital used to discount future cash flows ranged from 7.5% to 16% in fiscal 2011 as compared with 9% to 17% in fiscal 2010.  The range of market multiples used in our fiscal 2011 impairment testing was from 1.5 to 3 times trailing-twelve-month sales and 11 to 12 times trailing-twelve-month earnings before interest, taxes and depreciation and amortization.  The range of market multiples used in our fiscal 2010 impairment testing was from 0.5 to 3 times trailing-twelve-month sales and between 9 to 12 times trailing-twelve-month earnings before interest, taxes and depreciation and amortization.  Future changes in these estimates and assumptions could materially affect the results of our reviews for impairment of goodwill.  However, a decrease of 100 basis points in our terminal growth rate or an increase of 100 basis points in our weighted-average cost of capital would still result in a fair value calculation exceeding our book value for each of our reporting units, except for the Ojon reporting unit, see “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Goodwill and Other Intangible Asset Impairments.”   Changes in the valuation assumptions from those used in the prior year primarily reflect the impact of the current economic environment on the reporting units and their projected future results of operations.

 

To determine fair value of other indefinite-lived intangible assets, we use an income approach, the relief-from-royalty method.  This method assumes that, in lieu of ownership, a third party would be willing to pay a royalty in order to obtain the rights to use the comparable asset.  Other indefinite-lived intangible assets’ fair values require significant judgments in determining both the assets’ estimated cash flows as well as the appropriate discount and royalty rates applied to those cash flows to determine fair value.  Changes in such estimates or the application of alternative assumptions could produce significantly different results.  The fiscal 2011 and 2010 terminal growth rate applied to future cash flows was 3% and the fiscal 2011 and 2010 discount rates ranged from 10% to 18% and 11% to 19%, respectively.  The fiscal 2011 and 2010 royalty rates ranged from 0.5% to 12% and 0.5% to11%, respectively.

 

We review long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable.  When such events or changes in circumstances occur, a recoverability test is performed comparing projected undiscounted cash flows from the use and eventual disposition of an asset or asset group to its carrying value.  If the projected undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying value, an impairment would be recorded for the excess of the carrying value over the fair value, which is determined by discounting future cash flows.

 

22



Table of Contents

 

Income Taxes

 

We account for income taxes using an asset and liability approach that requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in our consolidated financial statements or tax returns.  As of June 30, 2011, we have current net deferred tax assets of $260.7 million and non-current net deferred tax assets of $61.1 million.  The net deferred tax assets assume sufficient future earnings for their realization, as well as the continued application of currently anticipated tax rates.  Included in net deferred tax assets is a valuation allowance of $69.5 million for deferred tax assets, where management believes it is more-likely-than-not that the deferred tax assets will not be realized in the relevant jurisdiction.  Based on our assessments, no additional valuation allowance is required.  If we determine that a deferred tax asset will not be realizable, an adjustment to the deferred tax asset will result in a reduction of net earnings at that time.

 

We provide tax reserves for U.S. federal, state, local and foreign exposures relating to periods subject to audit.  The development of reserves for these exposures requires judgments about tax issues, potential outcomes and timing, and is a subjective critical estimate.  We assess our tax positions and record tax benefits for all years subject to examination based upon management’s evaluation of the facts, circumstances, and information available at the reporting dates.  For those tax positions where it is more-likely-than-not that a tax benefit will be sustained, we have recorded the largest amount of tax benefit with a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon settlement with a tax authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information.  For those tax positions where it is not more-likely-than-not that a tax benefit will be sustained, no tax benefit has been recognized in the consolidated financial statements.  We classify applicable interest and penalties as a component of the provision for income taxes.  Although the outcome relating to these exposures is uncertain, in management’s opinion adequate provisions for income taxes have been made for estimable potential liabilities emanating from these exposures.  In certain circumstances, the ultimate outcome of exposures and risks involves significant uncertainties which render them inestimable.  If actual outcomes differ materially from these estimates, they could have a material impact on our consolidated results of operations.

 

Derivatives

 

We address certain financial exposures through a controlled program of risk management that includes the use of derivative financial instruments.  We enter into foreign currency forward contracts and may enter into option contracts to reduce the effects of fluctuating foreign currency exchange rates and interest rate derivatives to manage the effects of interest rate movements on our aggregate liability portfolio.  We also enter into foreign currency forward contracts and may use option contracts, not designated as hedging instruments, to mitigate the change in fair value of specific assets and liabilities on the balance sheet.  We do not utilize derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.  Hedge effectiveness is documented, assessed and monitored by employees who are qualified to make such assessments and monitor the instruments.  Variables that are external to us such as social, political and economic risks may have an impact on our hedging program and the results thereof.

 

Our derivative financial instruments are recorded as either assets or liabilities on the balance sheet and measured at fair value.  All derivatives outstanding as of June 30, 2011 are (i) designated as a hedge of the fair value of a recognized asset or liability or of an unrecognized firm commitment (“fair-value” hedge), (ii) designated as a hedge of a forecasted transaction or of the variability of cash flows to be received or paid related to a recognized asset or liability (“foreign currency cash-flow” hedge), or (iii) not designated as a hedging instrument.  Changes in the fair value of a derivative that is designated and qualifies as a fair-value hedge that is highly effective are recorded in current-period earnings, along with the loss or gain on the hedged asset or liability that is attributable to the hedged risk (including losses or gains on unrecognized firm commitments).  Changes in the fair value of a derivative that is designated and qualifies as a foreign currency cash-flow hedge of a foreign-currency-denominated forecasted transaction that is highly effective are recorded in other comprehensive income (loss) (“OCI”).  Gains and losses deferred in OCI are then recognized in current-period earnings when earnings are affected by the variability of cash flows of the hedged foreign-currency-denominated forecasted transaction (e.g., when periodic settlements on a variable-rate asset or liability are recorded in earnings).  Changes in the fair value of derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments are reported in current-period earnings.

 

For a discussion on the quantitative impact of market risks related to our derivative financial instruments, see “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Liquidity and Capital Resources — Market Risk.”

 

Quantitative Analysis

 

During the three-year period ended June 30, 2011 there have not been material changes in the assumptions underlying these critical accounting policies, nor to the related significant estimates.  The results of our business underlying these assumptions have not differed significantly from our expectations.

 

While we believe that the estimates that we have made are proper and the related results of operations for the period are presented fairly in all material respects, other assumptions could reasonably be justified that would change the amount of reported net sales, cost of sales, operating expenses or our provision for income taxes as they relate to the provisions for anticipated sales returns, allowance for doubtful accounts, inventory obsolescence reserve and income taxes.  For fiscal 2011, had these estimates been changed simultaneously by 2.5% in either direction, our reported gross profit would have increased or decreased by approximately $4.8 million, operating expenses would have changed by approximately $0.8 million and the provision for income taxes would have increased or decreased by approximately $0.7 million.  The collective impact of these changes on operating income, net earnings attributable to The Estée Lauder Companies Inc., and net earnings attributable to The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. per diluted common share would be an increase or decrease of approximately $5.6 million, $6.3 million and $.03, respectively.

 

23



Table of Contents

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

We manufacture, market and sell beauty products including those in the skin care, makeup, fragrance and hair care categories which are distributed in over 150 countries and territories.  The following table is a comparative summary of operating results from continuing operations for fiscal 2011, 2010 and 2009 and reflects the basis of presentation described in “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data — Note 2 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Note 20 — Segment Data and Related Information ” for all periods presented.  Products and services that do not meet our definition of skin care, makeup, fragrance and hair care have been included in the “other” category.

 

 

 

Year Ended June 30

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

2009

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

NET SALES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By Region:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Americas

 

$

3,796.3

 

$

3,442.1

 

$

3,421.2

 

Europe, the Middle East & Africa

 

3,257.6

 

2,859.3

 

2,611.3

 

Asia/Pacific

 

1,760.7

 

1,510.1

 

1,299.4

 

 

 

8,814.6

 

7,811.5

 

7,331.9

 

Returns associated with restructuring activities

 

(4.6

)

(15.7

)

(8.1

)

 

 

$

8,810.0

 

$

7,795.8

 

$

7,323.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By Product Category:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Skin Care

 

$

3,718.6

 

$

3,227.1

 

$

2,886.0

 

Makeup

 

3,370.8

 

2,978.2

 

2,830.9

 

Fragrance

 

1,236.0

 

1,136.9

 

1,150.9

 

Hair Care

 

432.3

 

413.9

 

402.4

 

Other

 

56.9

 

55.4

 

61.7

 

 

 

8,814.6

 

7,811.5

 

7,331.9

 

Returns associated with restructuring activities

 

(4.6

)

(15.7

)

(8.1

)

 

 

$

8,810.0

 

$

7,795.8

 

$

7,323.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By Region:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Americas

 

$

244.9

 

$

161.5

 

$

115.2

 

Europe, the Middle East & Africa

 

651.9

 

500.8

 

229.7

 

Asia/Pacific

 

252.0

 

212.3

 

165.2

 

 

 

1,148.8

 

874.6

 

510.1

 

Total returns and charges associated with restructuring activities

 

(59.4

)

(84.7

)

(91.7

)

 

 

$

1,089.4

 

$

789.9

 

$

418.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By Product Category:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Skin Care

 

$

595.1

 

$

434.3

 

$

294.1

 

Makeup

 

493.8

 

416.8

 

279.8

 

Fragrance

 

80.7

 

26.3

 

(60.8

)

Hair Care

 

(9.1

)

(6.2

)

1.1

 

Other

 

(11.7

)

3.4

 

(4.1

)

 

 

1,148.8

 

874.6

 

510.1

 

Total returns and charges associated with restructuring activities

 

(59.4

)

(84.7

)

(91.7

)

 

 

$

1,089.4

 

$

789.9

 

$

418.4

 

 

24



Table of Contents

 

The following table presents certain consolidated earnings data as a percentage of net sales:

 

 

 

Year Ended June 30

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

100.0

%

100.0

%

100.0

%

Cost of sales

 

22.0

 

23.5

 

25.7

 

Gross profit

 

78.0

 

76.5

 

74.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

64.5

 

65.0

 

66.7

 

Restructuring and other special charges

 

0.6

 

0.8

 

1.0

 

Goodwill impairment

 

0.1

 

0.2

 

0.2

 

Impairment of other intangible and long-lived assets

 

0.4

 

0.4

 

0.7

 

 

 

65.6

 

66.4

 

68.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income

 

12.4

 

10.1

 

5.7

 

Interest expense, net

 

0.7

 

1.0

 

1.0

 

Interest expense on debt extinguishment

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings before income taxes

 

11.7

 

8.8

 

4.7

 

Provision for income taxes

 

3.7

 

2.6

 

1.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings

 

8.0

 

6.2

 

3.1

 

Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

 

(0.1

)

(0.1

)

Net earnings attributable to The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.

 

8.0

%

6.1

%

3.0

%

 

In order to meet the demands of consumers, we continually introduce new products, support new and established products through advertising, sampling and merchandising and phase out existing products that no longer meet the needs of our consumers.  The economics of developing, producing, launching and supporting products impact our sales and operating performance each period.  The introduction of new products may have some cannibalizing effect on sales of existing products, which we take into account in our business planning.

 

We operate on a global basis, with the majority of our net sales generated outside the United States.  Accordingly, fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates can affect our results of operations.  Therefore, we present certain net sales information excluding the effect of foreign currency rate fluctuations to provide a framework for assessing the performance of our underlying business outside the United States.  Constant currency information compares results between periods as if exchange rates had remained constant period-over-period.  We calculate constant currency information by translating current-period results using prior year weighted average foreign currency exchange rates.

 

Overview

 

We believe that the best way to continue to increase stockholder value is to provide our customers and consumers with the products and services that they have come to expect from us in the most efficient and profitable manner while recognizing their changing shopping habits.  To be the global leader in prestige beauty, we are implementing a long-term strategy that is guiding us through fiscal 2014.  The strategy has numerous initiatives across geographic regions, product categories, brands and functions that are designed to leverage our strengths, make us more productive and grow our sales.

 

We believe we have a strong, diverse brand portfolio with global reach and potential.  Our strategy continues to build on and leverage our history of outstanding creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship.  We have succeeded in expanding our “High-Touch” service model and will continue to look for ways to expand it in newer channels and within geographic regions.  We are expanding our efforts to evolve our e-commerce-based online strategy into a multi-pronged digital strategy encompassing e-commerce, as well as digital and social media.  We are leveraging our regional organization in an effort to assure that we are locally relevant in each market.

 

As part of our strategy, we are continuing to shift our category mix towards higher margin categories with greater global growth potential.  Skin care, our most profitable product category, is a strategic priority for our innovation and investment spending, particularly in the Asia/Pacific region.  We also focused our attention on luxury consumers across all categories and have seen an improvement in the net sales of many of our higher-end prestige products, due to an improvement in the luxury retail environment.

 

25



Table of Contents

 

We are strengthening our geographic presence by seeking share growth in large, image-building cities within core markets such as the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Italy and Japan.  In addition, we continue to prioritize efforts to expand our presence and accelerate share growth in emerging markets such as China, Russia, the Middle East, Eastern Europe and Brazil.  We continue to expand our digital presence which resulted in continued growth in net sales of our products sold over the Internet.  In North America, we recognized the need to drive profitable growth in our traditional department store channel and saw many benefits from the changes we implemented in prior years and continued to reshape our organization to meet the needs of the changing retail landscape.  Internationally, we took actions to continue profitable growth in European perfumeries and pharmacies and in department stores in Asia, while emphasizing our skin care and makeup initiatives to boost our travel retail business and continuing efforts to grow our online, specialty retailer and prestige salon businesses.  The travel retail business continues to be a source of sales growth and profitability.  Our business in this channel is benefiting from the implementation of programs we designed to enhance consumers “High-Touch” experiences and convert travelers into purchasers.  In addition, we see travel retail as another way to capture the attention of travelers from emerging markets, who either buy in the channel, in stores at their destination or when they return to their homes.

 

Our “High-Touch” approach to marketing our products is a key component of our strategy.  It is designed to promote the total value we offer, by leveraging our in-person and virtual assets, as well as merchandising and education, to provide a customized consumer experience.  In fiscal 2011, we continued to invest in “High-Touch” service capabilities in existing channels, such as the roll-out of new department store formats, as well as newer channels, such as m-commerce.

 

While most of the focus is on increasing sales and taking advantage of appropriate opportunities in each market, we continued to implement other initiatives designed to drive out non-value added costs, optimize productivity and increase financial discipline.  To optimize our portfolio, we are continuing to focus on improving our margins and share in our distribution channels.  We are also continuing to re-energize certain of our brands through the introduction of products that feature advances in research and technology and focused marketing campaigns.  At the same time, we are investing in initiatives to incubate and develop next generation products and brands, as well as continuing our overall success in driving turnaround brands toward sustainable profitability levels.  We are continuing to build our regional organizations and leveraging them to increase effectiveness and efficiencies while utilizing strategic partnerships, alliances and licensing to build scale in research and development, distribution and third-party manufacturing.

 

At this time, we do not believe the recent economic uncertainty and financial market volatility taking place in the United States and certain European countries will have a significant impact on our business.  This is due in part to our belief that we are better positioned as a result of our strategy to manage our business effectively and efficiently and we will allocate resources appropriately.  However, if the degree of uncertainty or volatility worsens or is prolonged, then there will likely be a negative effect on ongoing consumer confidence, demand and spending and as a result, our business.  Currently, we believe general economic and other uncertainties still exist in select markets in which we do business such as in Japan, North America and certain countries in Europe.  We continue to monitor global economic uncertainties and other risks that may affect our business.  The disasters that occurred in Japan during the fiscal year did not have a significant impact on our business or our consolidated financial results for fiscal 2011.  At this time, we believe the ongoing consequences may continue for the short term, however, we cannot predict with certainty the magnitude or duration of the impact and we will continue to monitor the situation.

 

Looking ahead to fiscal 2012, we plan to continue building on our strengths.  We have a strong, diverse and highly valuable brand portfolio with global reach and potential, as well as a track record of outstanding creativity, innovation, entrepreneurship and healthy growth.  We believe our “High-Touch” service model has potential beyond department stores, and believe we have a passionate, highly-talented workforce to help us achieve our long-term strategy.  Our balance sheet, cash flows and gross margin are strong, however, we continue to operate in a challenging environment.  While net sales and operating results improved dramatically from fiscal 2010, we do not expect the same levels of year-over-year improvements to continue.  We have a number of areas to improve, including further enhancements to our cost structure, sharing operational best practices internally, increasing traffic to where our products are sold, and further diversification of distribution channels.  We also plan on continuing to allocate our spending to the significant modernization of our global information systems, which includes our Strategic Modernization Initiative as well as other initiatives, and shift our focus from gift with purchase activities to advertising, merchandising and sampling initiatives.  We expect these strategies will help improve our cost of sales margin but will increase our operating expense margin over the next fiscal year.

 

26



Table of Contents

 

Returns and Charges Associated with Restructuring Activities

 

In an effort to drive down costs and achieve synergies within our organization, in February 2009, we announced the implementation of a multi-faceted cost savings program (the “Program”) to position the Company to achieve long-term profitable growth.  We anticipate the Program will result in related restructuring and other special charges, inclusive of cumulative charges recorded to date and through the remainder of the Program, totaling between $350 million and $450 million before taxes.  While we will continue to seek cost savings opportunities, our current plans are to identify and approve specific initiatives under the Program through fiscal 2012 and execute those initiatives through fiscal 2013.  The total amount of charges (pre-tax) associated with the Program recorded, plus other initiatives approved through June 30, 2011, is approximately $303 million to $308 million, of which approximately $198.5 million to $200 million relates to restructuring charges, approximately $50 million of other costs to implement the initiatives, approximately $38.5 million to $42 million in sales returns and approximately $16 million in inventory write-offs.  The restructuring charges are comprised of approximately $151.5 million to $153 million of employee-related costs, approximately $27 million of other exit costs and contract terminations (substantially all of which have resulted in or will result in cash expenditures), and approximately $20 million in non-cash asset write-offs.  The total amount of cumulative charges (pre-tax) associated with the Program recorded from inception through June 30, 2011 was $239.4 million.

 

We expect that the implementation of this Program, combined with other on-going cost savings efforts, will result in savings of approximately $675 million to $725 million (program inception through the end of fiscal 2011 is approximately $560 million) including the reduction of certain costs relative to an assumed normalized spending pattern.  Our long-range forecast for operating margin reflects these anticipated savings, net of strategic reinvestments.

 

The Program focuses on a redesign of our organizational structure in order to integrate the Company in a more cohesive way and operate more globally across brands and functions.  The principal aspect of the Program was the reduction of the workforce by approximately 2,000 employees.  Specific actions taken during fiscal 2011 and 2010 included:

 

·                   Resize and Reorganize the Organization — We continued the realignment and optimization of our organization to better leverage scale, improve productivity, reduce complexity and achieve cost savings in each region and across various functions.  This included reduction of the workforce which occurred through the consolidation of certain functions, which we achieved through a combination of normal attrition and job eliminations, and the closure and consolidation of certain distribution and office facilities.

 

·                   Turnaround or Exit Unprofitable Operations — To improve the profitability in certain of our brands and regions, we have selectively exited certain channels of distribution, categories and markets, and have made changes to turnaround others.  This included the exit from the global wholesale distribution of our Prescriptives brand and the reformulation of Ojon brand products.  In connection with these activities, we incurred charges for product returns, inventory write-offs, reduction of workforce and termination of contracts.

 

·                   Outsourcing — In order to balance the growing need for information technology support with our efforts to provide the most efficient and cost effective solutions, we continued the outsourcing of certain information technology processes.  We incurred costs to transition services to outsource providers and employee-related costs.

 

Restructuring Charges

 

The following table presents aggregate restructuring charges related to the Program:

 

( In millions)

 

Employee-
Related

Costs

 

Asset
Write-offs

 

Contract
Terminations

 

Other Exit
Costs

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fiscal 2009

 

$

60.9

 

$

4.2

 

$

3.4

 

$

1.8

 

$

70.3

 

Fiscal 2010

 

29.3

 

11.0

 

2.3

 

6.2

 

48.8

 

Fiscal 2011

 

34.6

 

2.4

 

3.0

 

1.1

 

41.1

 

Charges recorded through June 30, 2011

 

$

124.8

 

$

17.6

 

$

8.7

 

$

9.1

 

$

160.2

 

 

27


 


Table of Contents

 

The following table presents accrued restructuring charges and the related activity under the Program:

 

( In millions)

 

Employee-
Related

Costs

 

Asset
Write-offs

 

Contract
Terminations

 

Other Exit
Costs

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Charges

 

$

60.9

 

$

4.2

 

$

3.4

 

$

1.8

 

$

70.3

 

Cash payments

 

(7.5

)

 

(0.5

)

(1.6

)

(9.6

)

Non-cash write-offs

 

 

(4.2

)

 

 

(4.2

)

Translation adjustments

 

0.6

 

 

 

 

0.6

 

Other adjustments

 

(2.4

)

 

 

 

(2.4

)

Balance at June 30, 2009

 

51.6

 

 

2.9

 

0.2

 

54.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Charges

 

29.3

 

11.0

 

2.3

 

6.2

 

48.8

 

Cash payments

 

(49.5

)

 

(5.1

)

(6.0

)

(60.6

)

Non-cash write-offs

 

 

(11.0

)

 

 

(11.0

)

Translation adjustments

 

(0.8

)

 

 

 

(0.8

)

Balance at June 30, 2010

 

30.6

 

 

0.1

 

0.4

 

31.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Charges

 

34.6

 

2.4

 

3.0

 

1.1

 

41.1

 

Cash payments

 

(30.6

)

 

(2.4

)

(1.4

)

(34.4

)

Non-cash write-offs

 

 

(2.4

)

 

 

(2.4

)

Translation adjustments

 

1.2

 

 

(0.1

)

0.1

 

1.2

 

Balance at June 30, 2011

 

$

35.8

 

$

 

$

0.6

 

$

0.2

 

$

36.6

 

 

Accrued restructuring charges at June 30, 2011 are expected to result in cash expenditures funded from cash provided by operations of approximately $29 million, $6 million and $2 million in fiscal 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively.

 

Total Returns and Charges Associated with Restructuring Activities

 

The following table presents total returns and charges associated with restructuring activities related to the Program:

 

 

 

Year Ended June 30

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

2009

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales returns (included in Net Sales)

 

$

4.6

 

$

15.7

 

$

8.1

 

Cost of sales

 

5.8

 

7.9

 

6.8

 

Restructuring charges

 

41.1

 

48.8

 

70.3

 

Other special charges

 

7.9

 

12.3

 

6.5

 

Total returns and charges associated with restructuring activities

 

$

59.4

 

$

84.7

 

$

91.7

 

 

During fiscal 2011, we recorded $4.6 million reflecting sales returns (less related cost of sales of $1.2 million) and a write-off of inventory of $7.0 million associated with turnaround operations, primarily related to the reformulation of Ojon brand products.

 

During fiscal 2010, we recorded $15.7 million reflecting sales returns (less related cost of sales of $2.5 million) and $10.4 million for the write-off of inventory associated with exiting unprofitable operations, primarily related to the exit from the global wholesale distribution of the Prescriptives brand.

 

During fiscal 2009, we recorded $8.1 million reflecting sales returns (less related cost of sales of $1.2 million) and a write-off of inventory of $8.0 million associated with exiting unprofitable operations.

 

Other special charges in connection with the implementation of actions taken under this Program primarily relate to consulting and other professional services.

 

28



Table of Contents

 

Goodwill and Other Intangible Asset Impairments

 

As of our annual step-one goodwill impairment test on April 1, 2011, all reporting units’ fair values substantially exceeded their respective carrying values.  As of our annual indefinite-lived asset impairment test on April 1, 2011, we determined, as a result of a planned discontinuation, that the carrying values of two brand trademarks exceeded their estimated fair values, which were based on the use of a royalty rate to determine discounted projected future cash flows (“relief-from-royalty method”).  As a result, we recognized an impairment charge of $1.7 million for the carrying values of the related trademarks.  These impairment charges were reflected in the makeup and skin care product categories and in the Americas region.  We also determined that the trademark related to the Darphin reporting unit had an estimated fair value exceeding its carrying value by approximately 13% and the trademark related to the Ojon reporting unit had an estimated fair value that equals its carrying value.  As of June 30, 2011, the carrying values of the trademarks were $9.0 million and $10.0 million, respectively.  The estimated fair values of the trademarks were based upon the relief-from-royalty method.  The key assumptions that were used to determine the estimated fair value of the Darphin trademark were predicated on new market initiatives including expanded international distribution.  The key assumptions that were used to determine the estimated fair value of the Ojon trademark were predicated on new market initiatives including expanded international distribution and consumer reception to the reformulated product line.  If such plans do not materialize, if there is a delay in new market initiatives, or if there is a decline in the business environment, a resulting change in the key assumptions could have a negative impact on the estimated fair value of these trademarks and it is possible we could recognize an impairment charge in the future.  The fair values of all other indefinite-lived intangible assets substantially exceeded their respective carrying values.

 

During the third quarter of fiscal 2011, the Ojon reporting unit reassessed and subsequently altered the timing of new market initiatives, including the rollout of reformulated product lines and certain components of its future international expansion plans, resulting in revisions to its internal forecasts.  We concluded that these changes in circumstances in the Ojon reporting unit triggered the need for an interim impairment review of its trademark and goodwill.  Additionally, these changes in circumstances were also an indicator that the carrying amount of the customer list may not be recoverable.  We performed an interim impairment test for the trademark and a recoverability test for the customer list as of February 28, 2011.  For the customer list, we concluded that the carrying amount of this asset was recoverable.  However, for the Ojon trademark, we concluded that the carrying value exceeded its estimated fair value, which was based on the relief-from-royalty method.  As a result, we recognized an impairment charge of $7.0 million.  After adjusting the carrying value of the trademark, we completed an interim impairment test for goodwill and recorded an impairment charge for the remaining goodwill related to the Ojon reporting unit of $29.3 million, at the exchange rate in effect at that time.  The fair value of the reporting unit was based upon the income approach, utilizing estimated cash flows and a terminal value, discounted at a rate of return that reflects the relative risk of the cash flows.  In fiscal 2010, the income approach was used in conjunction with the market approach but due to the reporting unit’s existing negative margins, the market approach was deemed not applicable.  These impairment charges were reflected in the hair care and skin care product categories and in the Americas region.

 

Although our financial performance reflected improved economic conditions, we expect global economic uncertainties to continue to impact our business.  As the duration and magnitude of the volatility of the current economic conditions remain uncertain, we will continue to monitor and evaluate the potential impact on our business and on our interim and annual impairment testing.  Accordingly, it is possible that we would recognize an impairment charge in the future with respect to goodwill, other intangible assets and long-lived assets.

 

Fiscal 2011 as Compared with Fiscal 2010

 

NET SALES

 

Net sales increased 13%, or $1,014.2 million, to $8,810.0 million, reflecting increases in all geographic regions and product categories.  Excluding the impact of foreign currency translation, net sales increased 12%.  During fiscal 2010, we undertook an initiative to identify certain underperforming stock keeping units (“SKUs”) for the purposes of evaluating their relevance to our long-term perfumery strategy in the Europe, the Middle East & Africa region.  Based on this evaluation, we decided to discontinue certain of these products in perfumeries and recorded a charge of approximately $31 million to reflect then-anticipated returns of products from participating retailers.  This resulted in a favorable comparison with fiscal 2010.

 

The following discussions of Net Sales by Product Categories and Geographic Regions exclude the impact of returns associated with restructuring activities of $4.6 million and $15.7 million recorded during fiscal 2011 and fiscal 2010, respectively.  We believe the following analysis of net sales better reflects the manner in which we conduct and view our business.

 

29



Table of Contents

 

Product Categories

 

Skin Care

 

Net sales of skin care products increased 15%, or $491.5 million, to $3,718.6 million, reflecting the success of our strategic focus on growing this category.  The recent launches of the Re-Nutriv Ultimate Lift Age-Correcting and Hydrationist Collections, Idealist Even Skintone Illuminator and Idealist Cooling Eye Illuminator from Estée Lauder contributed incremental sales of approximately $102 million, combined.  Also contributing incremental sales to the category were the recent launches of Repairwear Laser Focus Wrinkle & UV Damage Corrector from Clinique and the Plantscription line of products from Origins of approximately $88 million, combined.  The recent launches of The Eye Balm Intense and The Radiant Serum from La Mer contributed additional sales of approximately $25 million, combined.  Increased sales of Advanced Night Repair Eye Synchronized Complex from Estée Lauder and Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector from Clinique, which were launched in fiscal 2010, contributed approximately $232 million to the net sales growth.  Higher sales of the Time Zone line of products from Estée Lauder, Derma White Clinical from Clinique and The Regenerating Serum from La Mer contributed approximately $48 million to the increase.  These increases were partially offset by approximately $108 million of lower sales from existing products in the Advanced Night Repair line from Estée Lauder and Cyber White EX from Clinique.  Excluding the impact of foreign currency translation, skin care net sales increased 13%.

 

Makeup

 

Makeup net sales increased 13%, or $392.6 million, to $3,370.8 million. The increase in makeup net sales primarily reflected higher net sales from our makeup artist brands and the inclusion of Smashbox of approximately $322 million, combined.  The recent launches of Pure Color eyeshadow products and Pure Color Long Lasting Lipstick from Estée Lauder and Redness Solutions Makeup from Clinique contributed approximately $57 million, to the increase.  The higher results also reflect the favorable comparison to the prior year which included a charge related to our long-term perfumery strategy, as previously discussed, of approximately $27 million.  These increases were partially offset by lower sales of Prescriptives products due to the exit from the global wholesale distribution of the brand in fiscal 2010, as well as lower sales of Superfit Makeup from Clinique and Resilience Lift Extreme Makeup from Estée Lauder of approximately $45 million, combined.  Excluding the impact of foreign currency translation, makeup net sales increased 12%.

 

Fragrance

 

Net sales of fragrance products increased 9%, or $99.1 million, to $1,236.0 million.  Incremental sales from the recent launches of Estée Lauder pleasures bloom and Hilfiger Loud for Her contributed approximately $34 million to the category.  Higher sales of Coach Poppy, pureDKNY and various Jo Malone and Tom Ford fragrances contributed approximately $63 million to the increase.  Partially offsetting these increases were lower sales of DKNY Delicious Candy Apples, Estée Lauder Sensuous and I Am King Sean John of approximately $18 million, combined.  While results in fiscal 2011 reflect implementation of our long-term strategy for the category, we continue to expect challenges due to competitive dynamics.  Excluding the impact of foreign currency translation, fragrance net sales increased 8%.

 

Hair Care

 

Hair care net sales increased 4%, or $18.4 million, to $432.3 million, primarily reflecting the recent launches of Be Curly Style-Prep and Control Force from Aveda.  The category also benefited from net sales generated from expanded global distribution.  These increases were partially offset by the current-year reformulation of Ojon brand products, which was relaunched in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011.  The impact of foreign currency translation on hair care net sales was de minimis.

 

Geographic Regions

 

Net sales in the Americas increased 10%, or $354.2 million, to $3,796.3 million.  The increase in the current year was primarily attributable to growth in the United States and Canada from our heritage and makeup artist brands, which benefited from an improved retail environment, new skin care and makeup product offerings and an increase in sales of higher-end prestige skin care products.  Net sales also reflected the addition of the Smashbox brand to our portfolio.  While partially offset by the exit from the global wholesale distribution of the Prescriptives brand and the current-year reformulation of Ojon brand products, all of these factors contributed to higher net sales in the United States and Canada of approximately $328 million.  We are continuing to work with retailers in the U.S. department store channel on strengthening the “High-Touch” concepts used to help market our products.  Net sales in Latin America increased approximately $26 million, reflecting growth in emerging markets such as Brazil. The growth in this region was partially offset by the impact of unfavorable exchange rates in Venezuela.  The impact of foreign currency translation on the Americas net sales was de minimis.

 

30



Table of Contents

 

In Europe, the Middle East & Africa, net sales increased 14%, or $398.3 million, to $3,257.6 million, due to growth from our travel retail business and from most countries in the region and from each product category.  This reflects our strategy to strengthen our geographic presence and to succeed in the travel retail channel.  Approximately $306 million of the increased net sales came from our travel retail business, the United Kingdom, Russia, the Middle East, South Africa and France.  This was attributable to improved retail environments, successful launches of skin care products and higher combined sales from our makeup artist brands.  The net sales improvement in our travel retail business also reflected an increase in global airline passenger traffic, new points of distribution and benefits of programs designed to enhance consumers’ “High-Touch” experiences and convert travelers into purchasers.  The higher results also reflect the favorable comparison to the prior year which included a charge related to our long-term perfumery strategy of approximately $31 million, as previously discussed.  Partially offsetting these increases were lower net sales of approximately $13 million in the Balkans and Spain, primarily reflecting the economic situation in those markets.  The impact of foreign currency translation on Europe, the Middle East & Africa net sales was de minimis.

 

Net sales in Asia/Pacific increased 17%, or $250.6 million, to $1,760.7 million, reflecting growth from all countries in the region and each product category.  This reflects our strategy to strengthen and expand our geographic presence in Asia, particularly in China.  Approximately $181 million of this increase was generated in China, Hong Kong, Korea and Taiwan primarily reflecting strong sales of skin care products.  Our businesses in Japan and Australia continued to be challenged due to difficult economic conditions, but they reported net sales gains of approximately $33 million, which were generated from the strengthening of their respective currencies.  At this time, we believe the ongoing consequences of the disasters in Japan may continue for the short term, however, we cannot predict with certainty the magnitude or duration of the impact and we will continue to monitor the situation.  The region also benefited from the favorable impact of foreign currency translation.  Excluding the impact of foreign currency translation, Asia/Pacific net sales increased 10%.

 

Although our financial performance in fiscal 2011 reflected improved economic conditions in certain countries, we expect the recent global economic uncertainties and volatility in financial markets will have an impact on our business.  Unless the current conditions worsen or are prolonged, the impact will not be significant.  We cannot predict with certainty the magnitude or duration of the impact of global economic uncertainties and volatilities or how it will vary across each of our geographic regions.

 

We strategically stagger our new product launches by geographic market, which may account for differences in regional sales growth.

 

COST OF SALES

 

Cost of sales as a percentage of total net sales decreased to 22.0% as compared with 23.5% in the prior year.  This improvement primarily reflected our efforts in connection with the Program, including favorable changes in the mix of our business of approximately 70 basis points and favorable manufacturing variances of 30 basis points.  Also contributing to the improvements of cost of sales margin was the favorable effect of exchange rates of 30 basis points and a decrease in obsolescence charges of approximately 20 basis points.

 

Since certain promotional activities are a component of sales or cost of sales and the timing and level of promotions vary with our promotional calendar, we have experienced, and expect to continue to experience, fluctuations in the cost of sales percentage.  In addition, future cost of sales mix may be impacted by the inclusion of potential new brands or channels of distribution which have margin and product cost structures different from those of our current mix of business.

 

OPERATING EXPENSES

 

Operating expenses as a percentage of net sales decreased to 65.6% as compared with 66.4% in the prior year, and reflects the impact of the strong growth in net sales during fiscal 2011.  This improvement primarily reflected lower selling and shipping costs as a percentage of net sales of approximately 120 basis points due to various cost containment efforts implemented as part of the Program and a strategically focused approach to spending.  Also contributing to the improvement were a decrease in general and administrative costs as a percentage of net sales of 40 basis points, lower charges associated with restructuring activities of 20 basis points, lower charges associated with intangible asset impairments of 20 basis points and lower net losses from foreign exchange transactions of 10 basis points.  Partially offsetting these improvements were increased spending in advertising, merchandising and sampling costs in line with our strategy of 120 basis points and higher costs related to stock-based compensation of approximately 30 basis points.

 

Changes in advertising, merchandising and sampling spending result from the type, timing and level of activities related to product launches and rollouts, as well as the markets being emphasized.

 

OPERATING RESULTS

 

Operating income increased 38%, or $299.5 million, to $1,089.4 million.  Operating margin improved to 12.4% of net sales as compared with 10.1% in the prior year, reflecting our higher gross margin and the decrease in our operating expense margin, as previously discussed.  The following discussions of Operating Results by Product Categories and Geographic Regions exclude the impact of total returns and charges associated with restructuring activities of $59.4 million, or 0.7% of net sales, in fiscal 2011 and $84.7 million, or 1.1% of net sales, in fiscal 2010.  We believe the following analysis of operating results better reflects the manner in which we conduct and view our business.

 

31



Table of Contents

 

Product Categories

 

All product categories benefited from initiatives we implemented as part of the Program including a more strategically focused approach to spending.  Skin care operating income increased 37%, or $160.8 million, to $595.1 million, primarily reflecting improved results from all of our heritage brands driven by increased net sales from higher-margin product launches.  Makeup operating income increased 18%, or $77.0 million, to $493.8 million, primarily reflecting improved results from our makeup artist brands and from our larger heritage brands.  The higher results also reflect the favorable comparison to the prior year which included a charge to the category related to our long-term perfumery strategy, as previously discussed, of approximately $30 million.  Fragrance operating income increased over 100%, or $54.4 million, to $80.7 million, primarily reflecting higher net sales from Estée Lauder and designer fragrances driven by recent product launches, improved cost of goods and a more strategically focused approach to spending as part of our strategy to improve profitability.  Hair care operating results decreased 47%, or $2.9 million, reflecting the reformulation and relaunch of Ojon brand products in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011.  This decrease was partially offset by higher results from Aveda.  The category also reflected goodwill and other intangible asset impairment charges of $33 million as compared with $36 million in the prior year.

 

Geographic Regions

 

Operating results in each of our geographic regions benefited from the initiatives we implemented as part of the Program and a more strategically focused approach to spending, as well as significant improvement in cost of sales from favorable product mix and enhanced inventory management, resulting in significant improvements in their operating income.

 

Operating income in the Americas increased 52%, or $83.4 million, to $244.9 million, reflecting strong sales from our heritage and makeup artist brands, partially offset by incremental spending in line with our strategy.

 

In Europe, the Middle East & Africa, operating income increased 30%, or $151.1 million, to $651.9 million, reflecting higher results from our travel retail business, Russia, the United Kingdom and the Middle East of approximately $94 million, combined.  Partially offsetting these improvements were lower results in the Balkans and Spain of approximately $9 million, combined.  The higher results also reflected a favorable comparison to the prior year which included a charge related to our long-term perfumery strategy, as previously discussed, of approximately $34 million.

 

In Asia/Pacific, operating income increased 19%, or $39.7 million, to $252.0 million.  Virtually all countries in the region reported higher operating results, led by approximately $46 million in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Malaysia, combined.  Partially offsetting these increases were lower operating results of approximately $7 million in Japan and Australia.  At this time, we believe the ongoing consequences of the disasters in Japan may continue for the short term, however, we cannot predict with certainty the magnitude or duration of the impact and we will continue to monitor the situation.

 

INTEREST EXPENSE, NET

 

Net interest expense was $63.9 million as compared with $74.3 million in the prior year.  Interest expense decreased primarily due to a reduction of debt balances that resulted from the $200 million debt tender offer we completed in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010.

 

INTEREST EXPENSE ON DEBT EXTINGUISHMENT

 

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010, we completed a cash tender offer for $130.0 million principal amount of our 2012 Senior Notes at a price of 108.500% of the principal amount and for $69.9 million principal amount of our 2013 Senior Notes at a tender price of 118.813% of the principal amount.  We recorded a pre-tax expense on the extinguishment of debt of $27.3 million representing the tender premium of $24.2 million, the pro-rata write-off of $2.4 million of unamortized terminated interest rate swap, issuance costs and debt discount, and $0.7 million in tender offer costs associated with both series of notes.

 

PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES

 

The provision for income taxes represents U.S. federal, foreign, state and local income taxes.  The effective rate differs from the federal statutory rate primarily due to the effect of state and local income taxes, the taxation of foreign income and income tax reserve adjustments, which represent changes in our net liability for unrecognized tax benefits including tax settlements and lapses of the applicable statutes of limitations.  Our effective tax rate will change from year to year based on recurring and non-recurring factors including, but not limited to, the geographical mix of earnings, enacted tax legislation, state and local income taxes, tax reserve adjustments, the ultimate disposition of deferred tax assets relating to stock-based compensation and the interaction of various global tax strategies.

 

The effective income tax rate for fiscal 2011 was 31.4% as compared with 29.9% in the prior year.  The increase in the effective income tax rate of 150 basis points was principally due to a decrease in favorable tax reserve adjustments as compared with the prior year.

 

32



Table of Contents

 

NET EARNINGS ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

 

Net earnings attributable to The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. as compared with fiscal 2010 increased 47%, or $222.5 million, to $700.8 million and diluted net earnings per common share increased 46% from $2.38 to $3.48.  The results in the current year include the impact of total returns and charges associated with restructuring activities of $41.7 million, after tax, or $0.21 per diluted common share. The results in fiscal 2010 include the impact of total returns and charges associated with restructuring activities of $55.9 million, after tax, or $.28 per diluted common share and interest expense on debt extinguishment of $17.5 million, after tax, or $.09 per diluted common share.

 

Fiscal 2010 as Compared with Fiscal 2009

 

NET SALES

 

Net sales increased 6%, or $472.0 million, to $7,795.8 million, reflecting increases in Asia/Pacific and Europe, the Middle East & Africa, and, to a lesser extent, the Americas.  Net sales increases in the skin care, makeup and hair care product categories were partially offset by declines in the fragrance category.  Excluding the impact of foreign currency translation, net sales increased 5%.  The following discussions of Net Sales by Product Categories and Geographic Regions exclude the impact of returns associated with restructuring activities of $15.7 million recorded during fiscal 2010.  We believe the following analysis of net sales better reflects the manner in which we conduct and view our business.

 

Product Categories

 

Skin Care

 

Net sales of skin care products increased 12%, or $341.1 million, to $3,227.1 million, primarily reflecting our strategic focus on growing this category through creativity and innovation, particularly high growth segments, such as products that address the visible signs of aging.  The fiscal 2010 launches of Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex, Advanced Night Repair Eye Synchronized Complex, and Hydrationist Maximum Moisture Crème and Lotion from Estée Lauder contributed incremental sales of approximately $247 million, combined.  Also contributing to the category were the introductions of Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector, Youth Surge Night Age Decelerating Night Moisturizer, and Even Better Skin Tone Correcting Moisturizer SPF 20 from Clinique, and The Regenerating Serum from La Mer, of approximately $88 million, combined.  Higher sales from existing products in Clinique’s 3-Step Skin Care System and the Re-Nutriv line of products from Estée Lauder contributed approximately $31 million to the increase.  These increases were partially offset by approximately $92 million of lower sales from existing products in the Advanced Night Repair and Perfectionist lines from Estée Lauder and in the Superdefense line from Clinique.  Excluding the impact of foreign currency translation, skin care net sales increased 9%.

 

Makeup

 

Makeup net sales increased 5%, or $147.3 million, to $2,978.2 million, primarily reflecting an increase of approximately $135 million from our makeup artist brands, driven by higher net sales outside the United States.  The fiscal 2010 launches of Even Better Makeup SPF 15 and Superbalanced Powder Makeup SPF 15 from Clinique and Resilience Lift Extreme Radiant Lifting Makeup SPF 15 from Estée Lauder, as well as higher sales of Double Wear Foundation from Estée Lauder and Vitamin C Lip Smoothie Antioxidant Lip Colour from Clinique, contributed approximately $74 million, combined, to the increase.  These increases were partially offset by lower sales of Prescriptives products due to the exit from the global wholesale distribution of the brand, as well as lower sales of High Impact Lip Color SPF 15 from Clinique and Artist’s Eye Pencils from Estée Lauder of approximately $50 million, combined.  During fiscal 2010, we undertook an initiative to identify certain underperforming SKUs for the purposes of evaluating their relevance to our long-term perfumery strategy in the Europe, the Middle East & Africa region.  Based on this evaluation, we decided to discontinue certain of these products in perfumeries and recorded a charge of approximately $27 million to reflect the anticipated returns of makeup products from participating retailers, subject to our returns approval policy.  Excluding the impact of foreign currency translation, makeup net sales increased 4%.

 

Fragrance

 

Net sales of fragrance products decreased 1%, or $14.0 million, to $1,136.9 million.  This decline was largely due to lower sales of certain designer fragrances, of which approximately $54 million was attributable to DKNY Delicious Night, Hilfiger Men, Sean John Unforgivable Woman, Sean John Unforgivable and DKNY Men.  Also contributing to the decrease were lower sales of Estée Lauder Sensuous and Clinique Happy of approximately $15 million, combined.  These declines were partially offset by incremental sales from the fiscal 2010 launches of pure DKNY, Very Hollywood Michael Kors and DKNY Delicious Candy Apples, as well as higher sales of DKNY Be Delicious Fresh Blossom, of approximately $53 million, combined.  The decrease in net sales was due in part to a more strategically focused approach to investment spending in this category.  Excluding the impact of foreign currency translation, fragrance net sales decreased 2%.

 

33



Table of Contents

 

Hair Care

 

Hair care net sales increased 3%, or $11.5 million, to $413.9 million, primarily reflecting an increase in net sales of certain styling and hair color products, the fiscal 2010 launches of Smooth Infusion Glossing Straightener and Control Force from Aveda and sales generated from expanded distribution outside the United States.  This increase was partially offset by lower net sales in North America resulting from a soft salon retail environment and the closing of certain underperforming freestanding retail stores.  Excluding the impact of foreign currency translation, hair care net sales increased 2%.

 

Geographic Regions

 

Net sales in the Americas increased 1%, or $20.9 million, to $3,442.1 million.  This increase was primarily attributable to higher net sales of approximately $39 million in Canada and Latin America, reflecting a better-than-expected holiday selling season, new points of distribution and the favorable impact of foreign currency translation.  In the United States, net sales increases of Clinique skin care products, various designer fragrances and from our makeup artist brands were partially offset by lower sales of various Estée Lauder fragrances and from our hair care brands.  Together with the impact of the exit from the global wholesale distribution of the Prescriptives brand, all of these factors resulted in lower net sales in the United States of approximately $10 million.  Despite restocking to more normal levels by certain retailers, economic conditions in the Americas region, particularly in the department store channel, have negatively impacted our business.  To address these concerns, we introduced new “High-Touch” concepts and worked with retailers in the channel to improve consumer traffic.  Excluding the impact of foreign currency translation, net sales in the Americas were flat as compared with fiscal 2009.

 

In Europe, the Middle East & Africa, net sales increased 9%, or $248.0 million, to $2,859.3 million, reflecting growth from travel retail and from virtually all countries in the region and in each product category.  This reflects our strategy to strengthen our geographic presence and to succeed in the travel retail channel.  The region also benefited from the favorable impact of foreign currency translation.  Net sales increases of approximately $250 million were driven by our travel retail business, the United Kingdom, Russia, South Africa, Germany and Turkey, reflecting an improved retail environment, successful launches of skin care products and higher combined sales from our makeup artist brands.  The net sales improvement in our travel retail business also reflected a favorable comparison to fiscal 2009 due to an increase in global airline passenger traffic, new points of distribution, select customer restocking and benefits of programs designed to enhance the consumer’s “High-Touch” experience.  Partially offsetting these increases were lower net sales of approximately $13 million in the Balkans, primarily reflecting the economic situation in Greece.  Net sales for fiscal 2010 reflected a charge of approximately $31 million related to our long-term perfumery strategy discussed above.  Excluding the impact of foreign currency translation, net sales in Europe, the Middle East & Africa increased 8%.

 

Net sales in Asia/Pacific increased 16%, or $210.7 million, to $1,510.1 million, reflecting growth from all countries in the region and each product category.  This reflects our strategy to strengthen and expand our geographic presence in Asia, particularly in China.  The region also benefited from the favorable impact of foreign currency translation.  Approximately $184 million of this increase was generated in China, Korea, Hong Kong, Australia and Taiwan primarily reflecting strong sales of skin care products.  Australia and Korea also benefited significantly from foreign currency translation.  Our business in Japan continued to be challenged due to difficult economic conditions, as reported net sales increases were generated from the strengthening of the Japanese yen.  Excluding the impact of foreign currency translation, Asia/Pacific net sales increased 10%.

 

We strategically stagger our new product launches by geographic market, which may account for differences in regional sales growth.

 

COST OF SALES

 

Cost of sales as a percentage of total net sales decreased to 23.5% as compared with 25.7% in fiscal 2009.  This improvement primarily reflected our efforts in connection with the Program, including favorable changes in the mix of our business of approximately 70 basis points, a decrease in obsolescence charges of approximately 60 basis points and favorable manufacturing variances of 40 basis points.  Also contributing to the improvement in cost of sales margin were the favorable comparison to fiscal 2009 when we recorded excess overhead costs that were not expected to be recovered of approximately 30 basis points, and the favorable effect of exchange rates and a decrease in the timing and level of promotional activities of approximately 10 basis points, each.

 

OPERATING EXPENSES

 

Operating expenses as a percentage of net sales decreased to 66.4% as compared with 68.6% in fiscal 2009, and reflects the impact of the strong growth in net sales during fiscal 2010.  This improvement primarily reflected lower selling, shipping, general and administrative costs as a percentage of net sales of approximately 180 basis points due to various cost containment efforts implemented as part of the Program and a strategically focused approach to spending, lower charges associated with restructuring activities of 30 basis points, the favorable comparison to fiscal 2009 related to other intangible asset impairment charges of approximately 20 basis points and lower net losses from foreign exchange transactions of approximately 10 basis points.  Partially offsetting these improvements were higher strategic investment spending of approximately 10 basis points and higher advertising, sampling and merchandising costs of approximately 10 basis points.

 

Changes in advertising, sampling and merchandising spending result from the type, timing and level of activities related to product launches and rollouts, as well as the markets being emphasized.

 

34



Table of Contents

 

OPERATING RESULTS

 

Operating income increased 89%, or $371.5 million, to $789.9 million.  Operating margin improved to 10.1% of net sales as compared with 5.7% in fiscal 2009, reflecting our strategy to drive out non-value-added costs and increase financial discipline.  This, along with relatively strong net sales growth, resulted in a higher gross margin and the decrease in our operating expense margin as previously discussed.  The following discussions of Operating Results by Product Categories and Geographic Regions exclude the impact of total charges associated with restructuring activities of $84.7 million, or 1.1% of net sales, in fiscal 2010 and $91.7 million, or 1.3% of net sales, in fiscal 2009.  We believe the following analysis of operating results better reflects the manner in which we conduct and view our business.

 

Product Categories

 

All product categories benefited from initiatives we implemented as part of the Program including a more strategically focused approach to spending, as well as significant improvement in cost of sales from favorable product mix and enhanced inventory management.  Skin care operating income increased 48%, or $140.2 million, to $434.3 million, primarily reflecting improved results from our heritage brands driven by increased net sales primarily from recently-launched products with higher margins.  While the fiscal 2010 skin care results reflected charges of approximately $11 million related to goodwill, other intangible asset and long-lived asset impairments, it was a favorable comparison to fiscal 2009 when we recorded similar charges of approximately $36 million.  Makeup operating income increased 49%, or $137.0 million, to $416.8 million, primarily reflecting improved results from certain of our heritage brands and from our makeup artist brands.  The operating results for the makeup category also reflected the majority of the impact of the charge related to the discontinuation of certain SKUs, as previously discussed, which reflects the anticipated returns, as well as the write-off of related inventory on hand of approximately $30 million, combined.  Fragrance operating results improved over 100%, or $87.1 million, from a loss in fiscal 2009 to $26.3 million, primarily reflecting higher net sales of designer fragrances, a more strategically focused approach to spending reflecting our strategy to improve profitability, and a favorable comparison to fiscal 2009 when we recorded approximately $13 million of other intangible asset impairment charges.  Hair care operating results decreased over 100% or $7.3 million, to a loss of $6.2 million, primarily reflecting higher goodwill and other intangible asset impairments of approximately $27 million, partially offset by net sales growth outside the United States, the closing of certain underperforming retail stores in fiscal 2009 and savings generated from cost containment initiatives.

 

Geographic Regions

 

Operating results in each of our geographic regions benefited from the initiatives we implemented as part of the Program and a more strategically focused approach to spending, as well as significant improvement in cost of sales from favorable product mix and enhanced inventory management, resulting in significant improvements in their operating income.

 

Operating income in the Americas increased 40%, or $46.3 million, to $161.5 million, driven by the Program and a more measured approach to spending, particularly from our heritage brands and our makeup artist brands.  The increase also reflected a favorable comparison to fiscal 2009 when we recorded an excess overhead charge and a charge related to the degradation of a certain retailer of approximately $27 million, combined.  The increase in profitability was partially offset by lower net sales from the exit of the wholesale distribution of Prescriptives products, higher charges for goodwill, other intangible asset and long-lived asset impairments, and the impact of the recent economic events in Venezuela, as previously discussed.

 

In Europe, the Middle East & Africa, operating income increased over 100%, or $271.1 million, to $500.8 million, reflecting improvements in travel retail and virtually all countries in the region.  Higher results from our travel retail business and in Spain, Russia, the United Kingdom, Italy, France and Germany totaled approximately $243 million.  While the fiscal 2010 results reflected a charge of approximately $6 million related to other intangible asset impairment, it was a favorable comparison to fiscal 2009 when we recorded goodwill and other intangible asset impairment charges of approximately $25 million.  In addition, as previously discussed, we recorded a charge in fiscal 2010 related to our long-term perfumery strategy of approximately $34 million, combined.

 

In Asia/Pacific, operating income increased 29%, or $47.1 million, to $212.3 million.  Virtually all countries in the region reported higher operating results, led by Hong Kong, China, Japan, Taiwan, and Australia, which combined for approximately $39 million of the improvement.

 

INTEREST EXPENSE, NET

 

Net interest expense was $74.3 million as compared with $75.7 million in fiscal 2009.  Interest expense decreased primarily due to lower average debt balances and lower average interest rates on borrowings.  This change was partially offset by lower interest income due to lower average investment rates, partially offset by higher average investment balances.

 

35



Table of Contents

 

INTEREST EXPENSE ON DEBT EXTINGUISHMENT

 

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010, we completed a cash tender offer for $130.0 million principal amount of our 2012 Senior Notes at a price of 108.500% of the principal amount and for $69.9 million principal amount of our 2013 Senior Notes at a tender price of 118.813% of the principal amount.  We recorded a pre-tax expense on the extinguishment of debt of $27.3 million representing the tender premium of $24.2 million, the pro-rata write-off of $2.4 million of unamortized terminated interest rate swap, issuance costs and debt discount, and $0.7 million in tender offer costs associated with both series of notes.

 

PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES

 

The provision for income taxes represents U.S. federal, foreign, state and local income taxes.  The effective rate differs from statutory rates primarily due to the effect of state and local income taxes, tax rates in foreign jurisdictions and income tax reserve adjustments, which represent changes in our net liability for unrecognized tax benefits including tax settlements and lapses of the applicable statutes of limitations.  Our effective tax rate will change from year to year based on recurring and non-recurring factors including, but not limited to, the geographical mix of earnings, enacted tax legislation, state and local income taxes, tax reserve adjustments, the ultimate disposition of deferred tax assets relating to stock-based compensation and the interaction of various global tax strategies.

 

The effective rate for income taxes for fiscal 2010 was 29.9% as compared with 33.8% for fiscal 2009.  The decrease in the effective income tax rate of 390 basis points was primarily attributable to tax reserve adjustments including favorable tax settlements as well as lapses of statutes of limitations partially offset by a higher effective tax rate related to our foreign operations.

 

NET EARNINGS ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

 

Net earnings attributable to The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. as compared with fiscal 2009 increased over 100%, or $259.9 million, to $478.3 million and diluted net earnings per common share increased over 100% from $1.10 to $2.38.  The results in fiscal 2010 include the impact of total charges associated with restructuring activities of $55.9 million, after tax, or $.28 per diluted common share and interest expense on debt extinguishment of $17.5 million, after tax, or $.09 per diluted common share.  The results in fiscal 2009 include the impact of total charges associated with restructuring activities of $61.7 million, after tax, or $.31 per diluted common share.

 

FINANCIAL CONDITION

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

Overview

 

Our principal sources of funds historically have been cash flows from operations, borrowings pursuant to our commercial paper program, borrowings from the issuance of long-term debt and committed and uncommitted credit lines provided by banks and other lenders in the United States and abroad.  At June 30, 2011, we had cash and cash equivalents of $1,253.0 million compared with $1,120.7 million at June 30, 2010.  Our cash and cash equivalents are maintained at a number of financial institutions.  As of June 30, 2011, less than 25% of our total cash was insured by governmental agencies.  To mitigate the risk of uninsured balances, we select financial institutions based on their credit ratings and financial strength and perform ongoing evaluations of these institutions to limit our concentration risk exposure.

 

Our business is seasonal in nature and, accordingly, our working capital needs vary.  From time to time, we may enter into investing and financing transactions that require additional funding.  To the extent that these needs exceed cash from operations, we could, subject to market conditions, issue commercial paper, issue long-term debt securities or borrow under our revolving credit facilities.

 

Based on past performance and current expectations, we believe that cash on hand, cash generated from operations, available credit lines and access to credit markets will be adequate to support currently planned business operations, information systems enhancements, capital expenditures, potential stock repurchases, commitments and other contractual obligations on both a near-term and long-term basis.  Our cash and cash equivalents balance at June 30, 2011 includes approximately $508 million of cash in offshore jurisdictions associated with our permanent reinvestment strategy.  We do not believe that the indefinite reinvestment of these funds offshore impairs our ability to meet our domestic debt or working capital obligations.

 

The effects of inflation have not been significant to our overall operating results in recent years.  Generally, we have been able to introduce new products at higher prices, increase prices and implement other operating efficiencies to sufficiently offset cost increases, which have been moderate.

 

36



Table of Contents

 

Credit Ratings

 

Changes in our credit ratings will likely result in changes in our borrowing costs.  Our credit ratings also impact the cost of our revolving credit facility as discussed below.  Downgrades in our credit ratings may reduce our ability to issue commercial paper and/or long-term debt and would likely increase the relative costs of borrowing.  A credit rating is not a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold securities, is subject to revision or withdrawal at any time by the assigning rating organization, and should be evaluated independently of any other rating.  As of August 15, 2011, our commercial paper is rated A-1 by Standard & Poor’s and P-1 by Moody’s and our long-term debt is rated A with a stable outlook by Standard & Poor’s and A2 with a stable outlook by Moody’s.

 

Debt

 

At June 30, 2011, our outstanding borrowings were as follows:

 

 

 

Long-term
Debt

 

Current
Debt

 

Total Debt

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.00% Senior Notes, due May 15, 2037 (“2037 Senior Notes”) (1) (6)

 

$

296.4

 

$

 

$

296.4

 

5.75% Senior Notes, due October 15, 2033 (“2033 Senior Notes”) (2)

 

197.7

 

 

197.7

 

5.55% Senior Notes, due May 15, 2017 (“2017 Senior Notes”) (3) (6)

 

341.5

 

 

341.5

 

7.75% Senior Notes, due November 1, 2013 (“2013 Senior Notes”) (4) (6)

 

230.0

 

 

230.0

 

6.00% Senior Notes, due January 15, 2012 (“2012 Senior Notes”) (5)

 

 

119.4

 

119.4

 

Other borrowings

 

14.5

 

18.6

 

33.1

 

 

 

$

1,080.1

 

$

138.0

 

$

1,218.1

 

 


(1)              Consists of $300.0 million principal and unamortized debt discount of $3.6 million.

(2)              Consists of $200.0 million principal and unamortized debt discount of $2.3 million.

(3)              Consists of $300.0 million principal, unamortized debt discount of $0.3 million and a $41.8 million adjustment to reflect the fair value of outstanding interest rate swaps.

(4)              Consists of $230.1 million principal and unamortized debt discount of $0.1 million.

(5)              Consists of $120.0 million principal and a $0.6 million adjustment to reflect the remaining termination value of an interest rate swap that is being amortized to interest expense over the life of the debt.

(6)              As of June 30, 2011, we were in compliance with all restrictive covenants, including limitations on indebtedness and liens, and expect continued compliance.

 

We have a $750.0 million commercial paper program under which we may issue commercial paper in the United States.  At June 30, 2011, there was no commercial paper outstanding.  We also have $205.4 million in additional uncommitted credit facilities, of which $10.6 million was used as of June 30, 2011.  We do not anticipate difficulties in securing this form of working capital financing.

 

In July 2011, we replaced our undrawn $750.0 million senior unsecured revolving credit facility that was set to expire on April 26, 2012 (the “Prior Facility”), with a new $1.0 billion senior unsecured revolving credit facility that expires on July 14, 2015 (the “New Facility”).  The New Facility may be used to provide credit support for our commercial paper program and for general corporate purposes.  As with the Prior Facility, up to the equivalent of $250 million of the New Facility is available for multi-currency loans.  The interest rate on borrowings under the New Facility is based on LIBOR or on the higher of prime, which is the rate of interest publicly announced by the administrative agent, or ½% plus the Federal funds rate.  We incurred costs of approximately $1.2 million to establish the New Facility which will be amortized over the term of the facility.  The New Facility has an annual fee of $0.7 million, payable quarterly, based on our current credit ratings.  The New Facility also contains a cross-default provision whereby a failure to pay other material financial obligations in excess of $100.0 million (after grace periods and absent a waiver from the lenders) would result in an event of default and the acceleration of the maturity of any outstanding debt under this facility.

 

37



Table of Contents

 

As of June 30, 2011, we were in compliance with all financial and other restrictive covenants relating to the Prior Facility, including limitations on indebtedness and liens, and expect continued compliance with similar restrictive covenants in the New Facility.  The financial covenant in the Prior Facility required an interest expense coverage ratio of greater than 3:1 as of the last day of each fiscal quarter.  There is no such covenant under the New Facility.  The interest expense coverage ratio was defined in the Prior Facility as the ratio of Consolidated EBITDA (which does not represent a measure of our operating results as defined under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles) to Consolidated Interest Expense and was calculated as stipulated in the Prior Facility as follows:

 

 

 

Twelve Months Ended
June 30, 2011
(1)

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated EBITDA:

 

 

 

Net earnings attributable to The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.

 

$

700.8

 

Add:

 

 

 

Provision for income taxes

 

321.7

 

Interest expense, net (2)

 

63.9

 

Depreciation and amortization (3)

 

298.1

 

Extraordinary non-cash charges (4) (5)

 

47.4

 

Less:

 

 

 

Extraordinary non-cash gains (5)

 

 

 

 

$

1,431.9

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Interest Expense:

 

 

 

Interest expense, net

 

$

63.9

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense coverage ratio

 

22 to 1

 

 


(1)              In accordance with the Prior Facility, this period represents the four most recent quarters.

(2)              Includes interest expense, net and interest expense on debt extinguishment.

(3)              Excludes amortization of debt discount, and derivative and debt issuance costs as they are already included in interest expense, net.

(4)              Includes goodwill and other intangible asset impairments and non-cash charges associated with restructuring activities.

(5)              As provided for in the Prior Facility.

 

We have a fixed rate promissory note agreement with a financial institution pursuant to which we may borrow up to $150.0 million in the form of loan participation notes through one of our subsidiaries in Europe.  The interest rate on borrowings under this agreement is at an all-in fixed rate determined by the lender and agreed to by us at the date of each borrowing.  At June 30, 2011, no borrowings were outstanding under this agreement.  Debt issuance costs incurred related to this agreement were de minimis.

 

We have an overdraft borrowing agreement with a financial institution pursuant to which our subsidiary in Turkey may be credited to satisfy outstanding negative daily balances arising from its business operations.  The total balance outstanding at any time shall not exceed 40.0 million Turkish lira ($24.6 million at the exchange rate at June 30, 2011).  The interest rate applicable to each such credit shall be up to a maximum of 175 basis points per annum above the spot rate charged by the lender or the lender’s floating call rate agreed to by us at each borrowing.  There were no debt issuance costs incurred related to this agreement.  The outstanding balance at June 30, 2011 ($8.2 million at the exchange rate at June 30, 2011) is classified as short-term debt in our consolidated balance sheet.

 

We have a 1.5 billion Japanese yen ($18.7 million at the exchange rate at June 30, 2011) revolving credit facility that expires on March 31, 2012.  The interest rate on borrowings under this credit facility is based on TIBOR (Tokyo Interbank Offered Rate) plus .75% and the facility fees incurred on the undrawn balance is 25 basis points.  At June 30, 2011, no borrowings were outstanding under this facility.

 

Total debt as a percent of total capitalization (excluding noncontrolling interest) decreased to 32% at June 30, 2011 from 39% at June 30, 2010, primarily as a result of the an increase in stockholders’ equity, driven by higher net earnings during fiscal 2011.

 

38



Table of Contents

 

Cash Flows

 

Net cash provided by operating activities was $1,027.0 million, $956.7 million and $696.0 million in fiscal 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  Cash flows from operating activities increased in fiscal 2011 as compared with fiscal 2010, primarily reflecting the increase in net earnings and the timing and level of accrued income taxes.  This increase was partially offset by an increase in accounts receivable balances due to timing of collections, as well as lower levels of accounts payable due to timing of payments and an increase in inventory in line with forecasted sales activity and to ensure acceptable levels of service.  The increase in operating cash flows in fiscal 2010 as compared with fiscal 2009 primarily reflected higher net earnings, an increase in accounts payable due to the timing of payments and, to a lesser extent, a decrease in accounts receivable.  This increase also reflected higher accrued employee compensation and advertising, merchandising and sampling, partially offset by higher cash paid in fiscal 2010 for restructuring and severance.  These changes were partially offset by the building of safety stock for the April 2010 implementation of SAP at our North American manufacturing plants, the fiscal 2009 impact of significant inventory reductions, and higher discretionary pension contributions.  Approximately $60 million of the change in deferred income taxes was offset by a correlative change in noncurrent accrued income taxes, reflecting the balance sheet presentation of unrecognized tax benefits.

 

Net cash used for investing activities was $606.9 million, $281.4 million and $339.5 million in fiscal 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  The increase in cash flows used for investing activities as compared with fiscal 2010 primarily reflected the July 2010 acquisition of Smashbox Beauty Cosmetics, as well as higher cash payments for counters and computer hardware and software.  The decrease in investing cash outflows during fiscal 2010 as compared with fiscal 2009 primarily reflected lower acquisition activity in fiscal 2010 as compared with the acquisitions of Applied Genetics Incorporated Dermatics and businesses engaged in the wholesale distribution and retail sale of Aveda products in fiscal 2009.  The change also reflected lower cash payments in fiscal 2010 related to counters and leasehold improvements.

 

Net cash used for financing activities was $313.1 million and $406.1 million in fiscal 2011 and 2010, respectively, and net cash provided by financing activities was $125.8 million in fiscal 2009.  The decrease in net cash flows used for financing activities reflected a favorable comparison with fiscal 2010 which included the partial redemption of the 2012 and 2013 Senior Notes.  This favorable comparison was offset by an increase in treasury stock purchases and an increase in the common stock dividends during fiscal 2011.  Subsequent to June 30, 2011, we purchased approximately 2.8 million additional shares of Class A Common Stock for $280.1 million pursuant to our share repurchase program.  The change in net cash flows used for financing activities in fiscal 2010 as compared with net cash flows provided by financing activities in fiscal 2009 was primarily driven by the fiscal 2009 net proceeds from the issuance of the 2013 Senior Notes and the fiscal 2010 partial redemption of the 2012 and 2013 Senior Notes.  Also contributing to this change was an increase in treasury stock purchases and repayments related to Ojon promissory notes, partially offset by higher cash inflows from stock option exercises and the fiscal 2009 repayment of commercial paper borrowings.

 

Dividends

 

On November 9, 2010, the Board of Directors declared an annual dividend of $.75 per share on our Class A and Class B Common Stock, of which an aggregate of $148.0 million was paid on December 15, 2010 to stockholders of record at the close of business on November 29, 2010.  The annual common stock dividend declared during fiscal 2010 was $.55 per share, of which an aggregate of $109.1 million was paid on December 16, 2009 to stockholders of record at the close of business on November 30, 2009.

 

Pension and Post-retirement Plan Funding

 

Several factors influence the annual funding requirements for our pension plans.  For the U.S. Qualified Plan, our funding policy consists of annual contributions at a rate that provides for future plan benefits and maintains appropriate funded percentages.  Such contribution is not less than the minimum required by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, (“ERISA”) and subsequent pension legislation, and is not more than the maximum amount deductible for income tax purposes.  For each international plan, our funding policies are determined by local laws and regulations.  In addition, amounts necessary to fund future obligations under these plans could vary depending on estimated assumptions as detailed in “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates. ”  The effect of our pension plan funding on future operating results will depend on economic conditions, employee demographics, mortality rates, the number of participants electing to take lump-sum distributions, investment performance and funding decisions.

 

For the U.S. Qualified Plan, we maintain an investment strategy of matching the duration of a substantial portion of the plan assets with the duration of the underlying plan liabilities.  This strategy assisted in maintaining a funded ratio of more than 100% as of June 30, 2011.  For fiscal 2011 and 2010, we met or exceeded all minimum contributions required by ERISA for the U.S. Qualified Plan.  Nevertheless, we made discretionary cash contributions totaling $35.6 million and $39.0 million to the U.S. Qualified Plan during fiscal 2011 and 2010, respectively.  We made discretionary cash contributions to our post-retirement plan in the United States of $8.4 million and $6.0 million during fiscal 2011 and 2010, respectively.  At this time, we do not expect to make cash contributions to the U.S. Qualified Plan or our post-retirement plan in the United States during fiscal 2012.  However, as we continue to monitor the performance of our plan assets, we may decide to make discretionary contributions.

 

39



Table of Contents

 

For fiscal 2011 and 2010, we made benefit payments under our non-qualified domestic noncontributory pension plan of $8.8 million and $7.7 million, respectively.  We expect to make benefit payments under this plan during fiscal 2012 of approximately $10 million.  For fiscal 2011 and 2010, we made cash contributions to our international defined benefit pension plans of $34.1 million and $68.2 million, respectively.  We expect to make contributions under these plans during fiscal 2012 of approximately $16 million.

 

Commitments and Contingencies

 

Certain of our business acquisition agreements include “earn-out” provisions.  These provisions generally require that we pay to the seller or sellers of the business additional amounts based on the performance of the acquired business.  Since the size of each payment depends upon performance of the acquired business, we do not expect that such payments will have a material adverse impact on our future results of operations or financial condition.

 

For additional contingencies refer to “Item 3. Legal Proceedings.”

 

Contractual Obligations

 

The following table summarizes scheduled maturities of our contractual obligations for which cash flows are fixed and determinable as of June 30, 2011:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Payments Due in Fiscal

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

2012

 

2013

 

2014

 

2015

 

2016

 

Thereafter

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Debt service (1)

 

$

2,043.3

 

$

202.1

 

$

67.7

 

$

285.2

 

$

46.2

 

$

46.2

 

$

1,395.9

 

Operating lease commitments (2)

 

1,364.4

 

247.7

 

218.7

 

182.6

 

153.1

 

129.3

 

433.0

 

Unconditional purchase obligations (3)

 

1,881.5

 

810.8

 

275.1

 

169.5

 

165.1

 

105.3

 

355.7

 

Gross unrecognized tax benefits and interest — current (4)  

 

13.0

 

13.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total contractual obligations

 

$

5,302.2

 

$

1,273.6

 

$

561.5

 

$

637.3

 

$

364.4

 

$

280.8

 

$

2,184.6

 

 


(1)              Includes long-term and short-term debt and the related projected interest costs, and to a lesser extent, capital lease commitments. Interest costs on long-term and short-term debt are projected to be $71.5 million in fiscal 2012, $64.3 million in fiscal 2013, $55.1 million in fiscal 2014, $46.2 million in fiscal 2015, $46.2 million in fiscal 2016 and $595.9 million thereafter. Projected interest costs on variable rate instruments were calculated using market rates at June 30, 2011. Refer to “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data — Note 10 — Debt .”

(2)              Minimum operating lease commitments only include base rent. Certain leases provide for contingent rents that are not measurable at inception and primarily include rents based on a percentage of sales in excess of stipulated levels, as well as common area maintenance. These amounts are excluded from minimum operating lease commitments and are included in the determination of total rent expense when it is probable that the expense has been incurred and the amount is reasonably measurable.

(3)              Unconditional purchase obligations primarily include inventory commitments, estimated future earn-out payments, estimated royalty payments pursuant to license agreements, advertising commitments, capital improvement commitments, planned funding of pension and other post-retirement benefit obligations, commitments pursuant to executive compensation arrangements, obligations related to our cost savings initiatives and acquisitions. Future earn-out payments and future royalty and advertising commitments were estimated based on planned future sales for the term that was in effect at June 30, 2011, without consideration for potential renewal periods.

(4)              Refer to “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data — Note 8 — Income Taxes” for information regarding unrecognized tax benefits. As of June 30, 2011, the noncurrent portion of our unrecognized tax benefits, including related accrued interest and penalties was $129.5 million. At this time, the settlement period for the noncurrent portion of the unrecognized tax benefits, including related accrued interest and penalties, cannot be determined and therefore was not included.

 

Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities

 

We address certain financial exposures through a controlled program of risk management that includes the use of derivative financial instruments.  We enter into foreign currency forward and may enter into option contracts to reduce the effects of fluctuating foreign currency exchange rates and interest rate derivatives to manage the effects of interest rate movements on our aggregate liability portfolio.  We also enter into foreign currency forward and option contracts, not designated as hedging instruments, to mitigate the change in fair value of specific assets and liabilities on the balance sheet.  We do not utilize derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.  Costs associated with entering into these derivative financial instruments have not been material to our consolidated financial results.

 

40



Table of Contents

 

For each derivative contract entered into where we look to obtain special hedge accounting treatment, we formally document all relationships between hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as our risk-management objective and strategy for undertaking the hedge transaction, the nature of the risk being hedged, how the hedging instruments’ effectiveness in offsetting the hedged risk will be assessed prospectively and retrospectively, and a description of the method of measuring ineffectiveness.  This process includes linking all derivatives to specific assets and liabilities on the balance sheet or to specific firm commitments or forecasted transactions.  We also formally assess, both at the hedge’s inception and on an ongoing basis, whether the derivatives that are used in hedging transactions are highly effective in offsetting changes in fair values or cash flows of hedged items.  If it is determined that a derivative is not highly effective, or that it has ceased to be a highly effective hedge, we will be required to discontinue hedge accounting with respect to that derivative prospectively.

 

Foreign Exchange Risk Management

 

We enter into foreign currency forward contracts to hedge anticipated transactions, as well as receivables and payables denominated in foreign currencies, for periods consistent with our identified exposures.  The purpose of the hedging activities is to minimize the effect of foreign exchange rate movements on costs and on the cash flows that we receive from foreign subsidiaries.  The majority of foreign currency forward contracts are denominated in currencies of major industrial countries.  We may also enter into foreign currency option contracts to hedge anticipated transactions.  The foreign currency forward contracts entered into to hedge anticipated transactions have been designated as foreign currency cash-flow hedges and have varying maturities through the end of March 2013.  Hedge effectiveness of foreign currency forward contracts is based on a hypothetical derivative methodology and excludes the portion of fair value attributable to the spot-forward difference which is recorded in current-period earnings.  Hedge effectiveness of foreign currency option contracts is based on a dollar offset methodology.  The ineffective portion of both foreign currency forward and option contracts is recorded in current-period earnings.  For hedge contracts that are no longer deemed highly effective, hedge accounting is discontinued and gains and losses accumulated in other comprehensive income (loss) are reclassified to earnings when the underlying forecasted transaction occurs.  If it is probable that the forecasted transaction will no longer occur, then any gains or losses in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) are reclassified to current-period earnings.  As of June 30, 2011, these foreign currency cash-flow hedges were highly effective in all material respects.

 

At June 30, 2011, the Company had foreign currency forward contracts in the amount of $1,490.7 million.  The foreign currencies included in foreign currency forward contracts (notional value stated in U.S. dollars) are principally the Swiss franc ($284.9 million), British pound ($273.5 million), Canadian dollar ($210.1 million), Euro ($164.6 million), Australian dollar ($110.7 million), Korean won ($77.9 million) and Russian ruble ($45.2 million).

 

Interest Rate Risk Management

 

We enter into interest rate derivative contracts to manage the exposure to interest rate fluctuations on our funded indebtedness and anticipated issuance of debt for periods consistent with the identified exposures.  During fiscal 2011, we terminated our interest rate swap agreements with a notional amount totaling $250.0 million which had effectively converted the fixed rate interest on our outstanding 2017 Senior Notes to variable interest rates.  The instrument, which was classified as an asset, had a fair value of $47.4 million at the date of cash settlement.  Hedge accounting treatment was discontinued prospectively and the fair value adjustment to the carrying amount of the related debt is being amortized against interest expense over the remaining life of the debt.

 

Credit Risk

 

As a matter of policy, we only enter into derivative contracts with counterparties that have at least an “A” (or equivalent) credit rating.  The counterparties to these contracts are major financial institutions.  Exposure to credit risk in the event of nonperformance by any of the counterparties is limited to the gross fair value of contracts in asset positions, which totaled $15.0 million at June 30, 2011.  To manage this risk, we have established counterparty credit guidelines that are continually monitored and reported to management.  Accordingly, management believes risk of loss under these hedging contracts is remote.

 

Certain of our derivative financial instruments contain credit-risk-related contingent features.  As of June 30, 2011, we were in a net liability position for certain derivative contracts that contain such features with two counterparties.  The fair value of those contracts as of June 30, 2011 was approximately $3.4 million and we were in compliance with such credit-risk-related contingent features.

 

41



Table of Contents

 

Market Risk

 

We use a value-at-risk model to assess the market risk of our derivative financial instruments.  Value-at-risk represents the potential losses for an instrument or portfolio from adverse changes in market factors for a specified time period and confidence level.  We estimate value-at-risk across all of our derivative financial instruments using a model with historical volatilities and correlations calculated over the past 250-day period.  The high, low and average measured value-at-risk during fiscal 2011 related to our foreign exchange contracts is as follows:

 

 

 

Year Ended June 30, 2011

 

(In millions)

 

High

 

Low

 

Average

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign exchange contracts

 

$

31.7

 

$

19.8

 

$

24.9

 

 

The model estimates were made assuming normal market conditions and a 95 percent confidence level.  We used a statistical simulation model that valued our derivative financial instruments against one thousand randomly generated market price paths. Our calculated value-at-risk exposure represents an estimate of reasonably possible net losses that would be recognized on our portfolio of derivative financial instruments assuming hypothetical movements in future market rates and is not necessarily indicative of actual results, which may or may not occur.  It does not represent the maximum possible loss or any expected loss that may occur, since actual future gains and losses will differ from those estimated, based upon actual fluctuations in market rates, operating exposures, and the timing thereof, and changes in our portfolio of derivative financial instruments during the year.

 

We believe, however, that any such loss incurred would be offset by the effects of market rate movements on the respective underlying transactions for which the derivative financial instrument was intended.

 

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

 

We do not maintain any off-balance sheet arrangements, transactions, obligations or other relationships with unconsolidated entities that would be expected to have a material current or future effect upon our financial condition or results of operations.

 

RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

 

Refer to “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data — Note 2 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” for discussion regarding the impact of accounting standards that were recently issued but not yet effective, on our consolidated financial statements.

 

FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

 

We and our representatives from time to time make written or oral forward-looking statements, including statements contained in this and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, in our press releases and in our reports to stockholders.  The words and phrases “will likely result,” “expect,” “believe,” “planned,” “may,” “should,” “could,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “project,” “intend,” “forecast” or similar expressions are intended to identify “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  These statements include, without limitation, our expectations regarding sales, earnings or other future financial performance and liquidity, product introductions, entry into new geographic regions, information systems initiatives, new methods of sale, our long-term strategy, restructuring and other charges and future operations or operating results.  Although we believe that our expectations are based on reasonable assumptions within the bounds of our knowledge of our business and operations, actual results may differ materially from our expectations.  Factors that could cause actual results to differ from expectations include, without limitation:

 

(1) increased competitive activity from companies in the skin care, makeup, fragrance and hair care businesses, some of which have greater resources than we do;

 

(2) our ability to develop, produce and market new products on which future operating results may depend and to successfully address challenges in our business;

 

(3) consolidations, restructurings, bankruptcies and reorganizations in the retail industry causing a decrease in the number of stores that sell our products, an increase in the ownership concentration within the retail industry, ownership of retailers by our competitors or ownership of competitors by our customers that are retailers and our inability to collect receivables;

 

(4) destocking and tighter working capital management by retailers;

 

(5) the success, or changes in timing or scope, of new product launches and the success, or changes in the timing or the scope, of advertising, sampling and merchandising programs;

 

42



Table of Contents

 

(6) shifts in the preferences of consumers as to where and how they shop for the types of products and services we sell;

 

(7) social, political and economic risks to our 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;

 

(8) changes in the laws, regulations and policies (including the interpretations and enforcement thereof) that affect, or will affect, our business, including those relating to our products, changes in accounting standards, tax laws and regulations, environmental or climate change laws, regulations or accords, trade rules and customs regulations, and the outcome and expense of legal or regulatory proceedings, and any action we may take as a result;

 

(9) foreign currency fluctuations affecting our results of operations and the value of our foreign assets, the relative prices at which we and our foreign competitors sell products in the same markets and our operating and manufacturing costs outside of the United States;

 

(10) changes in global or local conditions, including those due to the volatility in the global credit and equity markets, natural or man-made disasters, real or perceived epidemics, or energy costs, that could affect consumer purchasing, the willingness or ability of consumers to travel and/or purchase our products while traveling, the financial strength of our customers, suppliers or other contract counterparties, our operations, the cost and availability of capital which we may need for new equipment, facilities or acquisitions, the returns that we are able to generate on our pension assets and the resulting impact on funding obligations, the cost and availability of raw materials and the assumptions underlying our critical accounting estimates;

 

(11) shipment delays, depletion of inventory and increased production costs resulting from disruptions of operations at any of the facilities that manufacture nearly all of our supply of a particular type of product (i.e. focus factories) or at our distribution or inventory centers, including disruptions that may be caused by the implementation of SAP as part of our Strategic Modernization Initiative or by restructurings;

 

(12) real estate rates and availability, which may affect our ability to increase or maintain the number of retail locations at which we sell our products and the costs associated with our other facilities;

 

(13) changes in product mix to products which are less profitable;

 

(14) our ability to acquire, develop or implement new information and distribution technologies and initiatives on a timely basis and within our cost estimates;

 

(15) our ability to capitalize on opportunities for improved efficiency, such as publicly-announced strategies and restructuring and cost-savings initiatives, and to integrate acquired businesses and realize value there from;

 

(16) consequences attributable to the events that are currently taking place in the Middle East, as well as from any terrorist action, retaliation and the threat of further action or retaliation;

 

(17) the timing and impact of acquisitions and divestitures, which depend on willing sellers and buyers, respectively; and

 

(18) additional factors as described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2011.

 

We assume no responsibility to update forward-looking statements made herein or otherwise.

 

Item 7A.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

 

The information required by this item is set forth in Item 7 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K under the caption “ Liquidity and Capital Resources — Market Risk ” and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 8.  Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

 

The information required by this item appears beginning on page F-1 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 9.  Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.

 

None.

 

43



Table of Contents

 

Item 9A.  Controls and Procedures.

 

Our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission and to ensure that information required to be disclosed is accumulated and communicated to management, including our principal executive and financial officers, to allow timely decisions regarding disclosure.  The Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, with assistance from other members of management, have reviewed the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of June 30, 2011 and, based on their evaluation, have concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of such date.

 

As part of our Strategic Modernization Initiative, we anticipate the continued migration of our operations to SAP, with the majority of our locations being enabled through fiscal 2013.  In April 2011, we implemented SAP at certain international locations.  Based on management’s evaluation, the necessary steps were taken to monitor and maintain appropriate internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended June 30, 2011.

 

There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act) that occurred during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Management’s report on internal control over financial reporting and the report of independent registered public accounting firm on our internal control over financial reporting are incorporated herein from pages F-2 and F-3, respectively.

 

Item 9B.  Other Information.

 

None.

 

PART III

 

Item 10.  Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.

 

The information required by this Item, not already provided herein under “Item 1. Business — Executive Officers,” will be included in our Proxy Statement for the 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “2011 Proxy Statement”).  The 2011 Proxy Statement will be filed within 120 days after the close of the fiscal year ended June 30, 2011 and such information is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 11.  Executive Compensation.

 

The information required by this Item 11 (Executive Compensation) of Form 10-K will be included in the 2011 Proxy Statement.  The 2011 Proxy Statement will be filed within 120 days after the close of the fiscal year ended June 30, 2011 and such information is incorporated herein by reference.

 

44



Table of Contents

 

Item 12.  Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.

 

The information required by this Item, not already provided under “Equity Compensation Plan Information” as set forth below, will be included in the 2011 Proxy Statement.  The 2011 Proxy Statement will be filed within 120 days after the close of the fiscal year ended June 30, 2011 and such information is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Equity Compensation Plan Information

 

The following table summarizes the equity compensation plans under which our securities may be issued as of June 30, 2011 and does not include grants made or cancelled and options exercised after such date.  The securities that may be issued consist solely of shares of our Class A Common Stock and all plans were approved by stockholders of the Company.

 

Equity Compensation Plan Information as of June 30, 2011

 

Plan category

 

Number of securities to
be issued upon
exercise of outstanding
options, warrants and
rights

 

Weighted-average
exercise price of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights

 

Number of securities
remaining available for future
issuance under equity
compensation plans (excluding
securities reflected in the first
column)

 

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders(a)

 

10,831,987(b)

 

$     45.73(c)

 

14,194,602(d)

 

 


(a)                                             Includes the Fiscal 1996 Share Incentive Plan (the “1996 Plan”), Fiscal 1999 Share Incentive Plan (the “1999 Plan”), Amended and Restated Fiscal 2002 Share Incentive Plan (the “2002 Plan”) and the Non-Employee Director Share Incentive Plan (the “Director Plan”).

 

(b)                                            Consists of 8,486,229 shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding options, 1,435,159 shares issuable upon conversion of outstanding Restricted Stock Units, 721,389 shares issuable upon conversion of outstanding Performance Share Units (“PSUs”) (assuming maximum payout and approval by the Stock Plan Subcommittee of our Board of Directors of expected payouts for PSUs vested as of June 30, 2011), 29,210 shares issuable upon conversion of Share Units and 160,000 shares issuable upon conversion of an outstanding market share unit (assuming maximum payout).

 

(c)                                             Calculated based upon outstanding options in respect of 10,831,987 shares of our Class A Common Stock.

 

(d)                                            The 2002 Plan authorizes the Stock Plan Subcommittee of our Board of Directors to grant shares and benefits other than stock options.  As of June 30, 2011, there were 14,194,602 shares of Class A Common Stock available for issuance under the 2002 Plan (subject to the approval by the Stock Plan Subcommittee of expected payouts for PSUs vested as of June 30, 2010).  Shares underlying grants cancelled or forfeited under the 1999 Plan may be used for grants under the 2002 Plan.  Shares underlying grants cancelled or forfeited under the 1996 Plan and certain 1995 employment agreements also may be used for grants under the 2002 Plan.  The Director Plan provides for an annual grant of options and a grant of either additional options or stock units to non-employee directors.  In fiscal 2012, the plan was amended to eliminate the ability of directors to choose additional options.  As of June 30, 2011, there were 137,778 shares available for issuance under the Director Plan.

 

If all of the outstanding options, warrants, rights, stock units and share units, as well as the securities available for future issuance, included in the first and third columns in the table above were converted to shares of Class A Common Stock as of June 30, 2011, the total shares of Common Stock outstanding (i.e. Class A plus Class B) would increase 13% to 222,308,061.  At June 30, 2011, all the outstanding options (i.e. in respect of 8,486,229 shares of Class A Common Stock) were, exercisable at prices less than $105.19, the closing price on June 30, 2011.  Assuming the exercise of only in-the-money options, the total shares outstanding would increase by 4% to 205,767,701.

 

Item 13.  Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.

 

The information required by this Item will be included in the 2011 Proxy Statement.  The 2011 Proxy Statement will be filed within 120 days after the close of the fiscal year ended June 30, 2011 and such information is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 14.  Principal Accounting Fees and Services.

 

The information required by this Item will be included in the 2011 Proxy Statement.  The 2011 Proxy Statement will be filed within 120 days after the close of the fiscal year ended June 30, 2011 and such information is incorporated herein by reference.

 

45


 


Table of Contents

 

Part IV

 

Item 15.  Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules.

 

(a)                1 and 2.  Financial Statements and Schedules - See index on Page F-1.

 

3. Exhibits:

 

Exhibit
Number

 

Description

 

3.1

 

Restated Certificate of Incorporation, dated November 16, 1995 (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on September 15, 2003) (SEC File No. 1-14064).*

 

 

 

 

 

3.2

 

Certificate of Amendment to Restated Certificate of Incorporation (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on January 27, 2000) (SEC File No. 1-14064).*

 

 

 

 

 

3.3

 

Certificate of Designations for the Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on January 29, 2004) (SEC File No. 1-14064).*

 

 

 

 

 

3.4

 

Amended and Restated Bylaws (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 12, 2009) (SEC File No. 1-14064).*

 

 

 

 

 

4.1

 

Indenture, dated November 5, 1999, between the Company and State Street Bank and Trust Company, N.A. (filed as Exhibit 4 to Amendment No. 1 to our Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-85947) filed on November 5, 1999) (SEC File No. 1-14064).*

 

 

 

 

 

4.2

 

Officers’ Certificate, dated January 10, 2002, defining certain terms of the 6% Senior Notes due 2012 (filed as Exhibit 4.2 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on January 31, 2002) (SEC File No. 1-14064).*

 

 

 

 

 

4.3

 

Global Note for the 6% Senior Notes due 2012 (filed as Exhibit 4.3 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on January 31, 2002) (SEC File No. 1-14064).*

 

 

 

 

 

4.4

 

Officers’ Certificate, dated September 29, 2003, defining certain terms of the 5.75% Senior Notes due 2033 (filed as Exhibit 4.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 29, 2003) (SEC File No. 1-14064).*

 

 

 

 

 

4.5

 

Global Note for 5.75% Senior Notes due 2033 (filed as Exhibit 4.3 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 29, 2003) (SEC File No. 1-14064).*

 

 

 

 

 

4.6

 

Officers’ Certificate, dated May 1, 2007, defining certain terms of the 5.550% Senior Notes due 2017 (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 1, 2007) (SEC File No. 1-14064).*

 

 

 

 

 

4.7

 

Global Note for 5.550% Senior Notes due 2017 (filed as Exhibit 4.3 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 1, 2007) (SEC File No. 1-14064).*

 

 

 

 

 

4.8

 

Officers’ Certificate, dated May 1, 2007, defining certain terms of the 6.000% Senior Notes due 2037 (filed as Exhibit 4.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 1, 2007) (SEC File No. 1-14064).*

 

 

 

 

 

4.9

 

Global Note for 6.000% Senior Notes due 2037 (filed as Exhibit 4.4 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 1, 2007) (SEC File No. 1-14064).*

 

 

 

 

 

4.10

 

Officers’ Certificate, dated November 4, 2008, defining certain terms of the 7.750% Senior Notes due 2013 (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 4, 2008) (SEC File No. 1-14064).*

 

 

 

 

 

4.11

 

Global Note for 7.750% Senior Notes due 2013 (filed as Exhibit 4.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 4, 2008) (SEC File No. 1-14064).*

 

 

 

 

 

10.1

 

Stockholders’ Agreement, dated November 22, 1995 (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on September 15, 2003) (SEC File No. 1-14064).*

 

 

 

 

 

10.1a

 

Amendment No. 1 to Stockholders’ Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on October 30, 1996) (SEC File No. 1-14064).*

 

 

 

 

 

10.1b

 

Amendment No. 2 to Stockholders’ Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on January 28, 1997) (SEC File No. 1-14064).*

 

 

 

 

 

10.1c

 

Amendment No. 3 to Stockholders’ Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on April 29, 1997) (SEC File No. 1-14064).*

 

46



Table of Contents

 

 

10.1d

 

Amendment No. 4 to Stockholders’ Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.1d to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on September 18, 2000) (SEC File No. 1-14064).*

 

 

 

 

 

10.1e

 

Amendment No. 5 to Stockholders’ Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.1e to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on September 17, 2002) (SEC File No. 1-14064).*

 

 

 

 

 

10.1f

 

Amendment No. 6 to Stockholders’ Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on January 27, 2005) (SEC File No. 1-14064).*

 

 

 

 

 

10.1g

 

Amendment No. 7 to Stockholders’ Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.7 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on October 30, 2009) (SEC File No. 1-14064).*

 

 

 

 

 

10.2

 

Registration Rights Agreement, dated November 22, 1995 (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on September 15, 2003) (SEC File No. 1-14064).*

 

 

 

 

 

10.2a

 

First Amendment to Registration Rights Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.3 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on September 10, 1996) (SEC File No. 1-14064).*

 

 

 

 

 

10.2b

 

Second Amendment to Registration Rights Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on April 29, 1997) (SEC File No. 1-14064).*

 

 

 

 

 

10.2c

 

Third Amendment to Registration Rights Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.2c to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on September 17, 2001) (SEC File No. 1-14064).*

 

 

 

 

 

10.2d

 

Fourth Amendment to Registration Rights Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on January 29, 2004) (SEC File No. 1-14064).*

 

 

 

 

 

10.3

 

Fiscal 1999 Share Incentive Plan dated November 5, 1998 (filed as Exhibit 4(c) to our Registration Statement on Form S-8 (No. 333-66851) filed on November 5, 1998) (SEC File No. 1-14064).* †

 

 

 

 

 

10.3a

 

Form of Stock Option Agreement under Fiscal 1999 Share Incentive Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.3b to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on September 3, 2004) (SEC File No. 1-14064).* †

 

 

 

 

 

10.4

 

The Estee Lauder Companies Retirement Growth Account Plan, as amended (filed as Exhibit 10.4 to our annual Report on Form 10-K filed on August 20, 2010) (SEC File No. 1-14064).*†

 

 

 

 

 

10.5

 

The Estee Lauder Inc. Retirement Benefits Restoration Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.5 to our annual Report on Form 10-K filed on August 20, 2010) (SEC File No. 1-14064).*†

 

 

 

 

 

10.6

 

Executive Annual Incentive Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 14, 2008) (SEC File No. 1-14064).* †

 

 

 

 

 

10.7

 

Employment Agreement with Leonard A. Lauder (filed as Exhibit 10.8 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on September 17, 2001) (SEC File No. 1-14064).* †

 

 

 

 

 

10.7a

 

Amendment to Employment Agreement with Leonard A. Lauder (filed as Exhibit 10.8a to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on September 17, 2002) (SEC File No. 1-14064).* †

 

 

 

 

 

10.7b

 

Amendment to Employment Agreement with Leonard A. Lauder (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 10, 2005) (SEC File No. 1-14064).* †

 

 

 

 

 

10.7c

 

Amendment to Employment Agreement with Leonard A. Lauder (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on February 5, 2009) (SEC File No. 1-14064).* †

 

 

 

 

 

10.7d

 

Amendment to Employment Agreement with Leonard A. Lauder (filed as Exhibit 10.8 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on October 30, 2009) (SEC File No. 1-14064).* †

 

 

 

 

 

10.7e

 

Amendment to Employment Agreement with Leonard A. Lauder (filed as Exhibit 10.6 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on November 1, 2010) (SEC File No. 1-14064).* †

 

47



Table of Contents

 

 

10.8

 

Employment Agreement with William P. Lauder (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 17, 2010) (SEC File No. 1-14064).* †

 

 

 

 

 

10.9

 

Employment Agreement with Fabrizio Freda (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 14, 2007) (SEC File No. 1-14064). * †

 

 

 

 

 

10.9a

 

Amendment to Employment Agreement with Fabrizio Freda (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 27, 2009) (SEC File No. 1-14064). * †

 

 

 

 

 

10.9b

 

Employment Agreement with Fabrizio Freda (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 11, 2011) (SEC File No. 1-14064). * †

 

 

 

 

 

10.10

 

Employment Agreement with Richard W. Kunes (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 2, 2009) (SEC File No. 1-14064).* †

 

 

 

 

 

10.11

 

Employment Agreement with John Demsey (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 24, 2010) (SEC File No. 1-14064).* †

 

 

 

 

 

10.12

 

Employment Agreement with Cedric Prouvé (filed as Exhibit 10.6 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on October 28, 2008) (SEC File No. 1-14064).* †

 

 

 

 

 

10.12a

 

Amendment to Employment Agreement with Cedric Prouvé (filed as Exhibit 10.9 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on October 30, 2009) (SEC File No. 1-14064).* †

 

 

 

 

 

10.13

 

Form of Deferred Compensation Agreement (interest-based) with Outside Directors (filed as Exhibit 10.14 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on September 17, 2001) (SEC File No. 1-14064).* †

 

 

 

 

 

10.14

 

Form of Deferred Compensation Agreement (stock-based) with Outside Directors (filed as Exhibit 10.15 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on September 17, 2001) (SEC File No. 1-14064).* †

 

 

 

 

 

10.15

 

The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. Non-Employee Director Share Incentive Plan (as amended and restated on November 9, 2007) (filed as Exhibit 99.1 to our Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed on November 9, 2007) (SEC File No. 1-14064).*†

 

 

 

 

 

10.15a

 

The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. Non-Employee Director Share Incentive Plan (as amended on July 14, 2011). †

 

 

 

 

 

10.16

 

Form of Stock Option Agreement for Annual Stock Option Grants under Non-Employee Director Share Incentive Plan (filed as Exhibit 99.2 to our Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed on November 9, 2007) (SEC File No. 1-14064).*†

 

 

 

 

 

10.16a

 

Form of Stock Option Agreement for Elective Stock Option Grants under Non-Employee Director Share Incentive Plan (filed as Exhibit 99.3 to our Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed on November 9, 2007) (SEC File No. 1-14064).*†

 

 

 

 

 

10.17

 

The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. Amended and Restated Fiscal 2002 Share Incentive Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 25, 2007) (SEC File No. 1-14064).* †

 

 

 

 

 

10.17a

 

Form of Stock Option Agreement under Amended and Restated Fiscal 2002 Share Incentive Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on May 4, 2006) (SEC File No. 1-14064).* †

 

 

 

 

 

10.17b

 

Form of Performance Share Unit Award Agreement under The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. Amended and Restated Fiscal 2002 Share Incentive Plan (including Form of Notice of Grant) (filed as Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 25, 2006) (SEC File No. 1-14064).*†

 

 

 

 

 

10.17c

 

Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement under The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. Amended and Restated Fiscal 2002 Share Incentive Plan for Executive Officers (including Form of Notice of Grant) (filed as Exhibit 10.5 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 25, 2006) (SEC File No. 1-14064).*†

 

 

 

 

 

10.17d

 

Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement under The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. Amended and Restated Fiscal 2002 Share Incentive Plan for Employees other than Executive Officers (including Form of Notice of Grant) (filed as Exhibit 10.6 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 25, 2006) (SEC File No. 1-14064).*†

 

 

 

 

 

10.17e

 

Form of Stock Option Agreement under The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. Amended and Restated Fiscal 2002 Share Incentive Plan (including Form of Notice of Grant) (filed as Exhibit 10.3 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 25, 2007) (SEC File No. 1-14064).* †

 

48



Table of Contents

 

 

10.17f

 

Form of Performance Share Unit Award Agreement under The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. Amended and Restated Fiscal 2002 Share Incentive Plan (including Form of Notice of Grant) (filed as Exhibit 10.4 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 25, 2007) (SEC File No. 1-14064).* †

 

 

 

 

 

10.17g

 

Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement under The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. Amended and Restated Fiscal 2002 Share Incentive Plan for Executive Officers (including Form of Notice of Grant) (filed as Exhibit 10.5 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 25, 2007) (SEC File No. 1-14064).* †

 

 

 

 

 

10.17h

 

Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement under The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. Amended and Restated Fiscal 2002 Share Incentive Plan for Employees other than Executive Officers (including Form of Notice of Grant) (filed as Exhibit 10.6 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 25, 2007) (SEC File No. 1-14064).* †

 

 

 

 

 

10.17i

 

Form of Stock Option Agreement under The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. Amended and Restated Fiscal 2002 Share Incentive Plan (including Form of Notice of Grant) (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on October 28, 2008) (SEC File No. 1-14064).* †

 

 

 

 

 

10.17j

 

Form of Performance Share Unit Award Agreement under The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. Amended and Restated Fiscal 2002 Share Incentive Plan (including Form of Notice of Grant) (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on October 28, 2008) (SEC File No. 1-14064).* †

 

 

 

 

 

10.17k

 

Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement under The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. Amended and Restated Fiscal 2002 Share Incentive Plan for Executive Officers (including Form of Notice of Grant) (filed as Exhibit 10.3 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on October 28, 2008) (SEC File No. 1-14064).* †

 

 

 

 

 

10.17l

 

Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement under The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. Amended and Restated Fiscal 2002 Share Incentive Plan for Employees other than Executive Officers (including Form of Notice of Grant) (filed as Exhibit 10.4 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on October 28, 2008) (SEC File No. 1-14064).* †

 

 

 

 

 

10.17m

 

Form of Stock Option Agreement under The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. Amended and Restated Fiscal 2002 Share Incentive Plan (including Form of Notice of Grant) (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on October 30, 2009) (SEC File No. 1-14064).* †

 

 

 

 

 

10.17n

 

Form of Performance Share Unit Award Agreement under The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. Amended and Restated Fiscal 2002 Share Incentive Plan for Executive Officers (including Form of Notice of Grant) (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on October 30, 2009) (SEC File No. 1-14064).* †

 

 

 

 

 

10.17o

 

Form of Performance Share Unit Agreement under The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. Amended and Restated Fiscal 2002 Share Incentive Plan for Employees other than Executive Officers (including Form of Notice of Grant) (filed as Exhibit 10.3 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on October 30, 2009) (SEC File No. 1-14064).* †

 

 

 

 

 

10.17p

 

Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement under The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. Amended and Restated Fiscal 2002 Share Incentive Plan for Executive Officers (including Form of Notice of Grant) (filed as Exhibit 10.4 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on October 30, 2009) (SEC File No. 1-14064).* †

 

 

 

 

 

10.17q

 

Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement under The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. Amended and Restated Fiscal 2002 Share Incentive Plan for Executive Officers for grants related to bonuses (including Form of Notice of Grant) (filed as Exhibit 10.5 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on October 30, 2009) (SEC File No. 1-14064).* †

 

 

 

 

 

10.17r

 

Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement under The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. Amended and Restated Fiscal 2002 Share Incentive Plan for Employees other than Executive Officers (including Form of Notice of Grant) (filed as Exhibit 10.6 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on October 30, 2009) (SEC File No. 1-14064).* †

 

 

 

 

 

10.17s

 

Form of Stock Option Agreement under The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. Amended and Restated Fiscal 2002 Share Incentive Plan (including Form of Notice of Grant) (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on November 1, 2010) (SEC File No. 1-14064).* †

 

 

 

 

 

10.17t

 

Form of Performance Share Unit Award Agreement under The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. Amended and Restated Fiscal 2002 Share Incentive Plan for Executive Officers (including Form of Notice of Grant) (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on November 1, 2010) (SEC File No. 1-14064).* †

 

49



Table of Contents

 

 

10.17u

 

Form of Performance Share Unit Award Agreement under The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. Amended and Restated Fiscal 2002 Share Incentive Plan for Employees other than Executive Officers (including Form of Notice of Grant) (filed as Exhibit 10.3 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on November 1, 2010) (SEC File No. 1-14064).* †

 

 

 

 

 

10.17v

 

Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement under The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. Amended and Restated Fiscal 2002 Share Incentive Plan for Executive Officers (including Form of Notice of Grant) (filed as Exhibit 10.4 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on November 1, 2010) (SEC File No. 1-14064).* †

 

 

 

 

 

10.17w

 

Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement under The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. Amended and Restated Fiscal 2002 Share Incentive Plan for Employees other than Executive Officers (including Form of Notice of Grant) (filed as Exhibit 10.5 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on November 1, 2010) (SEC File No. 1-14064).* †

 

 

 

 

 

10.17x

 

The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. Amended and Restated Fiscal 2002 Share Incentive Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 12, 2010) (SEC File No. 1-14064).* †

 

 

 

 

 

10.17y

 

Form of Market Share Unit Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 11, 2011) (SEC File No. 1-14064).* †

 

 

 

 

 

10.18

 

Summary of Compensation For Non-Employee Directors of the Company (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 17, 2005) (SEC File No. 1-14064).* †

 

 

 

 

 

10.19

 

$750 Million Credit Agreement, dated April 26, 2007, by and among The Estée Lauder Companies Inc., Estee Lauder Inc., the Eligible Subsidiaries, as defined therein, the lenders listed therein, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent (“JPMCB”), Bank of America, N.A. and Citibank, N.A., as syndication agents, Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi Trust Company and BNP Paribas, as documentation agents and Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and JPMCB, as joint book runners and joint lead arrangers (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on January 28, 2010) (SEC File No. 1-14064).*

 

 

 

 

 

10.19a

 

$1 Billion Credit Agreement, dated as of July 14, 2011, by and among The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. (the “Company”), Estee Lauder Inc., a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, the Eligible Subsidiaries of the Company, as defined therein, the lenders listed therein, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, Citibank, N.A. and BNP Paribas, as syndication agents, and Bank of America, N.A. and The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd., as documentation agents (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 14, 2011) (SEC File No. 1-14064).*

 

 

 

 

 

10.20

 

Services Agreement, dated January 1, 2003, among Estee Lauder Inc., Melville Management Corp., Leonard A. Lauder, and William P. Lauder (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on January 28, 2010) (SEC File No. 1-14064).*

 

 

 

 

 

10.21

 

Services Agreement, dated November 22, 1995, between Estee Lauder Inc. and RSL Investment Corp. (filed as Exhibit 10.3 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on January 28, 2010) (SEC File No. 1-14064).*

 

 

 

 

 

10.22

 

Agreement of Sublease and Guarantee of Sublease, dated April 1, 2005, among Aramis Inc., RSL Management Corp., and Ronald S. Lauder (filed as Exhibit 10.4 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on January 28, 2010) (SEC File No. 1-14064).*

 

 

 

 

 

10.22a

 

First Amendment to Sublease, dated February 28, 2007, between Aramis Inc. and RSL Management Corp. (filed as Exhibit 10.5 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on January 28, 2010) (SEC File No. 1-14064).*

 

 

 

 

 

10.22b

 

Second Amendment to Sublease, dated January 27, 2010, between Aramis Inc. and RSL Management Corp. (filed as Exhibit 10.6 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on January 28, 2010) (SEC File No. 1-14064).*

 

 

 

 

 

10.22c

 

Third Amendment to Sublease, dated November 3, 2010, between Aramis Inc., and RSL Management Corp. (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on February 4, 2011) (SEC File No. 1-14064).*

 

 

 

 

 

10.23

 

Form of Art Loan Agreement between Lender and Estee Lauder Inc. (filed as Exhibit 10.7 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on January 28, 2010) (SEC file No. 1-14064).*

 

50



Table of Contents

 

 

10.24

 

Creative Consultant Agreement, dated April 6, 2011, between Estee Lauder Inc. and Aerin Lauder Zinterhofer (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 8, 2011) (SEC File No. 1-14064).* †

 

 

 

 

 

10.25

 

License Agreement, dated April 6, 2011, by and among Aerin LLC, Aerin Lauder Zinterhofer and Estee Lauder Inc. (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 8, 2011) (SEC File No. 1-14064).*

 

 

 

 

 

21.1

 

List of significant subsidiaries.

 

 

 

 

 

23.1

 

Consent of KPMG LLP.

 

 

 

 

 

24.1

 

Power of Attorney.

 

 

 

 

 

31.1

 

Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (CEO).

 

 

 

 

 

31.2

 

Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (CFO).

 

 

 

 

 

32.1

 

Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (CEO). (furnished)

 

 

 

 

 

32.2

 

Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (CFO). (furnished)

 

 

101.INS

 

XBRL Instance Document‡

 

 

 

 

 

101.SCH

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document‡

 

 

 

 

 

101.CAL

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document‡

 

 

 

 

 

101.LAB

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document‡

 

 

 

 

 

101.PRE

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document‡

 

 

 

 

 

101.DEF

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document‡

 


*      Incorporated herein by reference.

†      Exhibit is a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

‡      Users of this data are advised pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T that this interactive data file is deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for the purposes of section 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, is deemed not filed for purposes of section 18 of the Securities and Exchanges Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise is not subject to liability under these sections.

 

51



Table of Contents

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

 

 

 

 

By

/s/ RICHARD W. KUNES

 

 

Richard W. Kunes

 

 

Executive Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer

Date: August 22, 2011

 

 

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the date indicated.

 

Signature

 

Title (s)

 

Date

 

 

 

 

 

FABRIZIO FREDA*

 

President, Chief Executive Officer

 

August 22, 2011

Fabrizio Freda

 

and a Director

 

 

 

 

(Principal Executive Officer)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WILLIAM P. LAUDER*

 

Executive Chairman

 

August 22, 2011

William P. Lauder

 

and a Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LEONARD A. LAUDER*

 

Director

 

August 22, 2011

Leonard A. Lauder

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHARLENE BARSHEFSKY*

 

Director

 

August 22, 2011

Charlene Barshefsky

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ROSE MARIE BRAVO*

 

Director

 

August 22, 2011

Rose Marie Bravo

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WEI SUN CHRISTIANSON*

 

Director

 

August 22, 2011

Wei Sun Christianson

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PAUL J. FRIBOURG*

 

Director

 

August 22, 2011

Paul J. Fribourg

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MELLODY HOBSON*

 

Director

 

August 22, 2011

Mellody Hobson

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IRVINE O. HOCKADAY, JR.*

 

Director

 

August 22, 2011

Irvine O. Hockaday, Jr.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AERIN LAUDER*

 

Director

 

August 22, 2011

Aerin Lauder

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

JANE LAUDER*

 

Director

 

August 22, 2011

Jane Lauder

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RICHARD D. PARSONS*

 

Director

 

August 22, 2011

Richard D. Parsons

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LYNN FORESTER DE ROTHSCHILD*

 

Director

 

August 22, 2011

Lynn Forester de Rothschild

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BARRY S. STERNLICHT*

 

Director

 

August 22, 2011

Barry S. Sternlicht

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RICHARD F. ZANNINO*

 

Director

 

August 22, 2011

Richard F. Zannino

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ RICHARD W. KUNES

 

Executive Vice President and

 

August 22, 2011

Richard W. Kunes

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

(Principal Financial and
Accounting Officer)

 

 

 


* By signing his name hereto, Richard W. Kunes signs this document in the capacities indicated above and on behalf of the persons indicated above pursuant to powers of attorney duly executed by such persons and filed herewith.

 

 

 

By

/s/ RICHARD W. KUNES

 

 

 

Richard W. Kunes

 

 

 

(Attorney-in-Fact)

 

52



Table of Contents

 

THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

 

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

 

Page

Financial Statements:

 

 

 

 

 

Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

F-2

 

 

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

F-3

 

 

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

F-4

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Earnings

 

F-5

 

 

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

F-6

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Equity

 

F-7

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)

 

F-8

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

 

F-9

 

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

F-10

 

 

 

Financial Statement Schedule:

 

 

 

 

 

Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

 

S-1

 

All other schedules are omitted because they are not applicable or the required information is included in the consolidated financial statements or notes thereto.

 

F-1



Table of Contents

 

Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

Management of The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. (including its subsidiaries) (the “Company”) is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended).

 

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.  A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

 

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements.  Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

 

Under the supervision of and with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, the Company’s management conducted an assessment of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on the framework and criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework , issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.  Based on this assessment, the Company’s management has concluded that, as of June 30, 2011, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective.

 

The effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of June 30, 2011 has been audited by KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which appears under the heading “Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.”

 

 

/s/ Fabrizio Freda

 

/s/ Richard W. Kunes

Fabrizio Freda

 

Richard W. Kunes

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

August 22, 2011

 

 

 

F-2



Table of Contents

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

The Board of Directors and Stockholders

The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.:

 

We have audited The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. and subsidiaries’ (“the Company”) internal control over financial reporting as of June 30, 2011, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

 

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.  Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk.  Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances.  We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.  A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

 

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

 

In our opinion, The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. and subsidiaries maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of June 30, 2011, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the COSO.

 

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. and subsidiaries as of June 30, 2011 and 2010, and the related consolidated statements of earnings, equity, comprehensive income (loss), and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended June 30, 2011, and our report dated August 22, 2011 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.

 

 

/s/ KPMG LLP

 

 

 

New York, New York

 

August 22, 2011

 

 

F-3



Table of Contents

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

The Board of Directors and Stockholders

The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.:

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. and subsidiaries (“the Company”) as of June 30, 2011 and 2010, and the related consolidated statements of earnings, equity, comprehensive income (loss), and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended June 30, 2011. In connection with our audits of the consolidated financial statements, we also have audited the financial statement schedule as listed on the index on page F-1.  These consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule, based on our audits.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.  We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. and subsidiaries as of June 30, 2011 and 2010, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended June 30, 2011, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.  Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.

 

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. and subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting as of June 30, 2011, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated August 22, 2011 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

The Company changed its methods of accounting for business combinations and non-controlling interests in fiscal 2010.

 

 

/s/ KPMG LLP

 

 

 

New York, New York

 

August 22, 2011

 

 

F-4



Table of Contents

 

THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS

 

 

 

Year Ended June 30

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

2009

 

 

 

(In millions, except per share data)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Sales

 

$

8,810.0

 

$

7,795.8

 

$

7,323.8

 

Cost of sales

 

1,936.9

 

1,829.4

 

1,881.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross Profit

 

6,873.1

 

5,966.4

 

5,442.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

5,696.7

 

5,067.0

 

4,883.9

 

Restructuring and other special charges

 

49.0

 

61.1

 

76.8

 

Goodwill impairment

 

29.3

 

16.6

 

14.3

 

Impairment of other intangible and long-lived assets

 

8.7

 

31.8

 

48.8

 

Total operating expenses

 

5,783.7

 

5,176.5

 

5,023.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Income

 

1,089.4

 

789.9

 

418.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense, net

 

63.9

 

74.3

 

75.7

 

Interest expense on debt extinguishment

 

 

27.3

 

 

Earnings before Income Taxes

 

1,025.5

 

688.3

 

342.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Provision for income taxes

 

321.7

 

205.9

 

115.9

 

Net Earnings

 

703.8

 

482.4

 

226.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

(3.0

)

(4.1

)

(8.4

)

Net Earnings Attributable to The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.

 

$

700.8

 

$

478.3

 

$

218.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings attributable to The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. per common share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

3.56

 

$

2.42

 

$

1.11

 

Diluted

 

$

3.48

 

$

2.38

 

$

1.10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

197.0

 

197.7

 

196.3

 

Diluted

 

201.2

 

200.7

 

197.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash dividends declared per common share

 

$

.75

 

$

.55

 

$

.55

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

F-5



Table of Contents

 

THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

 

 

June 30

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

Current Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

1,253.0

 

$

1,120.7

 

Accounts receivable, net

 

945.6

 

746.2

 

Inventory and promotional merchandise, net

 

995.6

 

826.6

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

492.3

 

427.5

 

Total current assets

 

3,686.5

 

3,121.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property, Plant and Equipment, net

 

1,143.1

 

1,023.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Goodwill

 

877.3

 

752.5

 

Other intangible assets, net

 

227.5

 

109.5

 

Other assets

 

339.5

 

329.0

 

Total other assets

 

1,444.3

 

1,191.0

 

Total assets

 

$

6,273.9

 

$

5,335.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

Current Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

Current debt

 

$

138.0

 

$

23.4

 

Accounts payable

 

446.7

 

425.2

 

Accrued income taxes

 

62.3

 

5.6

 

Other accrued liabilities

 

1,296.3

 

1,118.0

 

Total current liabilities

 

1,943.3

 

1,572.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Noncurrent Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term debt

 

1,080.1

 

1,205.0

 

Accrued income taxes

 

130.0

 

163.3

 

Other noncurrent liabilities

 

473.5

 

429.7

 

Total noncurrent liabilities

 

1,683.6

 

1,798.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contingencies (Note 14)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, $.01 par value; 650,000,000 shares Class A authorized; shares issued: 196,586,976 at June 30, 2011 and 190,767,435 at June 30, 2010; 240,000,000 shares Class B authorized; shares issued and outstanding: 75,982,041 at June 30, 2011 and 77,082,041 at June 30, 2010

 

2.7

 

2.7

 

Paid-in capital

 

1,735.6

 

1,428.7

 

Retained earnings

 

4,116.5

 

3,564.0

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

 

17.7

 

(196.7

)

 

 

5,872.5

 

4,798.7

 

Less: Treasury stock, at cost; 75,287,545 Class A shares at June 30, 2011 and 70,125,805 Class A shares at June 30, 2010

 

(3,243.1

)

(2,850.3

)

Total stockholders’ equity — The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.

 

2,629.4

 

1,948.4

 

Noncontrolling interests

 

17.6

 

17.0

 

Total equity

 

2,647.0

 

1,965.4

 

Total liabilities and equity

 

$

6,273.9

 

$

5,335.6

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

F-6



Table of Contents

 

THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY

 

 

 

Year Ended June 30

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

2009

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, beginning of year

 

$

2.7

 

$

2.6

 

$

2.6

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

0.1

 

 

Common stock, end of year

 

2.7

 

2.7

 

2.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Paid-in capital, beginning of year

 

1,428.7

 

1,145.6

 

979.0

 

Stock-based compensation

 

306.9

 

283.7

 

166.6

 

Purchase of noncontrolling interest

 

 

(0.6

)

 

Paid-in capital, end of year

 

1,735.6

 

1,428.7

 

1,145.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retained earnings, beginning of year

 

3,564.0

 

3,195.0

 

3,085.1

 

Common stock dividends

 

(148.3

)

(109.3

)

(108.5

)

Net earnings attributable to The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.

 

700.8

 

478.3

 

218.4

 

Retained earnings, end of year

 

4,116.5

 

3,564.0

 

3,195.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), beginning of year

 

(196.7

)

(117.1

)

110.8

 

Other comprehensive income (loss)

 

214.4

 

(79.4

)

(227.9

)

Purchase of noncontrolling interest

 

 

(0.2

)

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), end of year

 

17.7

 

(196.7

)

(117.1

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Treasury stock, beginning of year

 

(2,850.3

)

(2,586.1

)

(2,524.3

)

Acquisition of treasury stock

 

(376.9

)

(257.8

)

(55.2

)

Stock-based compensation

 

(15.9

)

(6.4

)

(6.6

)

Treasury stock, end of year

 

(3,243.1

)

(2,850.3

)

(2,586.1

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ equity — The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.

 

2,629.4

 

1,948.4

 

1,640.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Noncontrolling interests, beginning of year

 

17.0

 

24.0

 

26.6

 

Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

3.0

 

4.1

 

8.4

 

Distributions to noncontrolling interest holders

 

(5.6

)

(7.7

)

(8.3

)

Other comprehensive income (loss)

 

3.2

 

(3.4

)

(2.7

)

Noncontrolling interests, end of year

 

17.6

 

17.0

 

24.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total equity

 

$

2,647.0

 

$

1,965.4

 

$

1,664.0

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

F-7



Table of Contents

 

THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

 

 

 

Year Ended June 30

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

2009

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings

 

$

703.8

 

$

482.4

 

$

226.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net unrealized investment gain (loss), net of tax

 

0.3

 

0.4

 

(0.5

)

Net derivative instrument gain (loss), net of tax

 

(15.0

)

12.8

 

(6.4

)

Net actuarial gain (loss), net of tax

 

25.9

 

(32.4

)

(87.4

)

Net prior service credit (cost), net of tax

 

(7.3

)

5.5

 

5.5

 

Net transition asset (obligation), net of tax

 

 

 

 

Translation adjustments, net of tax

 

213.7

 

(69.3

)

(141.8

)

 

 

217.6

 

(83.0

)

(230.6

)

Comprehensive income (loss)

 

921.4

 

399.4

 

(3.8

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings

 

(3.0

)

(4.1

)

(8.4

)

Translation adjustments, net of tax

 

(3.2

)

3.4

 

2.7

 

 

 

(6.2

)

(0.7

)

(5.7

)

Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.

 

$

915.2

 

$

398.7

 

$

(9.5

)

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

F-8



Table of Contents

 

THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

 

 

Year Ended June 30

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

2009

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

Cash Flows from Operating Activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings

 

$

703.8

 

$

482.4

 

$

226.8

 

Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

294.4

 

263.7

 

254.0

 

Deferred income taxes

 

(24.5

)

(24.7

)

(108.2

)

Non-cash stock-based compensation

 

94.8

 

57.0

 

51.5

 

Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation arrangements

 

(49.7

)

(10.8

)

(1.4

)

Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment

 

7.7

 

23.0

 

11.4

 

Goodwill, other intangible asset and long-lived asset impairments

 

38.0

 

48.4

 

63.1

 

Non-cash charges associated with restructuring activities

 

9.4

 

21.4

 

12.2

 

Non-cash charge on debt extinguishment

 

 

2.4

 

 

Pension and post-retirement benefit expense

 

78.5

 

61.6

 

52.0

 

Pension and post-retirement benefit contributions

 

(92.4

)

(125.7

)

(71.3

)

Other non-cash items

 

0.6

 

0.6

 

1.2

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Decrease (increase) in accounts receivable, net

 

(124.7

)

79.2

 

103.8

 

Decrease (increase) in inventory and promotional merchandise, net

 

(95.1

)

(60.8

)

125.7

 

Decrease (increase) in other assets, net

 

(52.5

)

29.3

 

(72.2

)

Increase (decrease) in accounts payable

 

(17.0

)

103.6

 

(11.9

)

Increase (decrease) in accrued income taxes

 

103.1

 

(78.8

)

24.5

 

Increase in other liabilities

 

152.6

 

84.9

 

34.8

 

Net cash flows provided by operating activities

 

1,027.0

 

956.7

 

696.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Flows from Investing Activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditures

 

(351.0

)

(270.6

)

(279.8

)

Acquisition of businesses and other intangible assets, net of cash acquired

 

(256.1

)

(10.7

)

(68.5

)

Proceeds from the disposition of long-term investments

 

0.2

 

 

9.2

 

Purchases of long-term investments

 

 

(0.1

)

(0.4

)

Net cash flows used for investing activities

 

(606.9

)

(281.4

)

(339.5

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Borrowings (repayments) of current debt, net

 

0.4

 

(7.5

)

(93.5

)

Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt, net

 

 

 

297.7

 

Repayments and redemptions of long-term debt

 

(16.5

)

(227.2

)

(10.1

)

Net settlement of interest rate derivatives

 

47.4

 

 

 

Net proceeds from stock-based compensation transactions

 

156.1

 

205.0

 

109.6

 

Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation arrangements

 

49.7

 

10.8

 

1.4

 

Payments to acquire treasury stock

 

(396.6

)

(266.7

)

(62.6

)

Dividends paid to stockholders

 

(148.0

)

(109.1

)

(108.4

)

Payments to noncontrolling interest holders

 

(5.6

)

(11.4

)

(8.3

)

Net cash flows provided by (used for) financing activities

 

(313.1

)

(406.1

)

125.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

25.3

 

(13.0

)

(19.5

)

Net Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

132.3

 

256.2

 

462.8

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period

 

1,120.7

 

864.5

 

401.7

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period

 

$

1,253.0

 

$

1,120.7

 

$

864.5

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

F-9



Table of Contents

 

THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

NOTE 1 — DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS

 

The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. manufactures, markets and sells skin care, makeup, fragrance and hair care products around the world.  Products are marketed under various brand names including:  Estée Lauder, Aramis, Clinique, Prescriptives, Lab Series, Origins, M ž A ž C, Bobbi Brown , La Mer , Aveda, Jo Malone, Bumble and bumble, Darphin, Flirt!, GoodSkin Labs, Ojon and Smashbox.  Certain subsidiaries of The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. are also the global licensee of the Tommy Hilfiger, Kiton, Donna Karan, Michael Kors, Sean John, Missoni, Daisy Fuentes, Tom Ford and Coach brand names for fragrances and/or cosmetics.

 

NOTE 2 — SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Principles of Consolidation

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”).  All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.

 

Certain amounts in the consolidated financial statements of prior periods have been reclassified to conform to current period presentation.

 

Management Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses reported in those financial statements.  Certain significant accounting policies that contain subjective management estimates and assumptions include those related to revenue recognition, inventory, pension and other post-retirement benefit costs, goodwill, other intangible assets and long-lived assets, income taxes and derivatives.  Management evaluates its estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis using historical experience and other factors, including the current economic environment, and makes adjustments when facts and circumstances dictate.  As future events and their effects cannot be determined with precision, actual results could differ significantly from those estimates and assumptions.  Significant changes, if any, in those estimates and assumptions resulting from continuing changes in the economic environment will be reflected in the consolidated financial statements in future periods.

 

Currency Translation and Transactions

 

All assets and liabilities of foreign subsidiaries and affiliates are translated at year-end rates of exchange, while revenue and expenses are translated at weighted average rates of exchange for the period.  Unrealized translation gains or losses are reported as cumulative translation adjustments through other comprehensive income (loss) (“OCI”).  Such adjustments, attributable to The Estée Lauder Companies Inc., amounted to $210.5 million of unrealized translation gains, net of tax, in fiscal 2011 and $65.9 million and $139.1 million of unrealized translation losses, net of tax, in fiscal 2010 and 2009, respectively.  For the Company’s Venezuelan subsidiary operating in a highly inflationary economy, the U.S. dollar is the functional currency.  Remeasurement adjustments in financial statements in a highly inflationary economy and other transactional gains and losses are reflected in earnings.

 

The Company enters into foreign currency forward and option contracts to hedge foreign currency transactions for periods consistent with its identified exposures.  Accordingly, the Company categorizes these instruments as entered into for purposes other than trading.

 

The accompanying consolidated statements of earnings include net exchange losses on foreign currency transactions of $18.6 million, $33.3 million and $20.0 million in fiscal 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

Cash and cash equivalents include $242.5 million and $534.5 million of short-term time deposits at June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.  The Company considers all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents.  As of June 30, 2011, approximately 18% and 17% of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents are held by two counterparties.

 

F-10



Table of Contents

 

THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Accounts Receivable

 

Accounts receivable is stated net of the allowance for doubtful accounts and customer deductions totaling $33.9 million and $34.3 million as of June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.  This reserve is based upon the evaluation of accounts receivable aging, specific exposures and historical trends.

 

Inventory and Promotional Merchandise

 

Inventory and promotional merchandise only includes inventory considered saleable or usable in future periods, and is stated at the lower of cost or fair-market value, with cost being based on standard cost which approximates actual cost on the first-in, first-out method.  Cost components include raw materials, componentry, direct labor and overhead (e.g., indirect labor, utilities, depreciation, purchasing, receiving, inspection and warehousing) as well as inbound freight.  Manufacturing overhead is allocated to the cost of inventory based on the normal production capacity.  Unallocated overhead during periods of abnormally low production levels are recognized as cost of sales in the period in which they are incurred.  Promotional merchandise is charged to expense at the time the merchandise is shipped to the Company’s customers.  Included in inventory and promotional merchandise is an inventory obsolescence reserve, which represents the difference between the cost of the inventory and its estimated realizable value, based on various product sales projections.  This reserve is calculated using an estimated obsolescence percentage applied to the inventory based on age, historical trends and requirements to support forecasted sales.  In addition, and as necessary, specific reserves for future known or anticipated events may be established.

 

Derivative Financial Instruments

 

The Company’s derivative financial instruments are recorded as either assets or liabilities on the balance sheet and measured at fair value.  All derivatives are (i) designated as a hedge of the fair value of a recognized asset or liability or of an unrecognized firm commitment (“fair-value” hedge), (ii) designated as a hedge of a forecasted transaction or of the variability of cash flows to be received or paid related to a recognized asset or liability (“foreign currency cash-flow” hedge), or (iii) not designated as a hedging instrument.  Changes in the fair value of a derivative that is designated and qualifies as a fair-value hedge that is highly effective are recorded in current-period earnings, along with the loss or gain on the hedged asset or liability that is attributable to the hedged risk (including losses or gains on unrecognized firm commitments).  Changes in the fair value of a derivative that is designated and qualifies as a foreign currency cash-flow hedge of a foreign-currency-denominated forecasted transaction that is highly effective are recorded in OCI.  Gains and losses deferred in OCI are then recognized in current-period earnings when earnings are affected by the variability of cash flows of the hedged foreign-currency-denominated forecasted transaction (e.g., when periodic settlements on a variable-rate asset or liability are recorded in earnings).  Changes in the fair value of derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments are reported in current-period earnings.

 

Property, Plant and Equipment

 

Property, plant and equipment, including leasehold and other improvements that extend an asset’s useful life or productive capabilities, are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization.  Costs incurred for computer software developed or obtained for internal use are capitalized during the application development stage and expensed as incurred during the preliminary project and post-implementation stages.  For financial statement purposes, depreciation is provided principally on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets ranging from 3 to 40 years.  Leasehold improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the lives of the respective leases or the expected useful lives of those improvements.

 

Goodwill and Other Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets

 

Goodwill is calculated as the excess of the cost of purchased businesses over the fair value of their underlying net assets.  Other indefinite-lived intangible assets principally consist of trademarks.  Goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets are not amortized.

 

The Company assesses goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangibles at least annually for impairment as of the beginning of the fiscal fourth quarter, or more frequently if certain events or circumstances warrant.  The Company tests goodwill for impairment at the reporting unit level, which is one level below the Company’s operating segments.  The Company identifies its reporting units by assessing whether the components of its operating segments constitute businesses for which discrete financial information is available and management of each reporting unit regularly reviews the operating results of those components.  The Company makes certain judgments and assumptions in allocating assets and liabilities to determine carrying values for its reporting units.  Impairment testing is performed in two steps: (i) the Company determines impairment by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying value, and (ii) if there is an impairment, the Company measures the amount of impairment loss by comparing the implied fair value of goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill.  The impairment test for indefinite-lived intangible assets encompasses calculating a fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset and comparing the fair value to its carrying value.  If the carrying value exceeds the fair value, impairment is recorded.

 

F-11



Table of Contents

 

THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Testing goodwill for impairment requires the Company to estimate fair values of reporting units using significant estimates and assumptions.  The assumptions made will impact the outcome and ultimate results of the testing.  The Company uses industry accepted valuation models and set criteria that are reviewed and approved by various levels of management and, in certain instances, the Company engages third-party valuation specialists for advice.  To determine fair value of the reporting unit, the Company generally uses an equal weighting of the income and market approaches.  In certain circumstances, equal weighting will not be applied if one of these methods may be less applicable (e.g., only the income approach would be used for reporting units with existing negative margins).  The Company believes both approaches are equally relevant and the most reliable indications of fair value because the fair value of product or service companies is more dependent on the ability to generate earnings than on the value of the assets used in the production process.

 

Under the income approach, the Company determines fair value using a discounted cash flow method, projecting future cash flows of each reporting unit, as well as a terminal value, and discounting such cash flows at a rate of return that reflects the relative risk of the cash flows.  Under the market approach, the Company utilizes information from comparable publicly traded companies with similar operating and investment characteristics as the reporting units, which creates valuation multiples that are applied to the operating performance of the reporting unit being tested, to value the reporting unit.  The key estimates and factors used in these two approaches include, but are not limited to, revenue growth rates and profit margins based on internal forecasts, terminal value, the weighted-average cost of capital used to discount future cash flows and comparable market multiples.

 

To determine fair value of other indefinite-lived intangible assets, the Company uses an income approach, the relief-from-royalty method.  This method assumes that, in lieu of ownership, a third party would be willing to pay a royalty in order to obtain the rights to use the comparable asset.  Other indefinite-lived intangible assets’ fair values require significant judgments in determining both the assets’ estimated cash flows as well as the appropriate discount and royalty rates applied to those cash flows to determine fair value.  Changes in such estimates or the application of alternative assumptions could produce significantly different results.

 

Long-Lived Assets

 

The Company reviews long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable.  When such events or changes in circumstances occur, a recoverability test is performed comparing projected undiscounted cash flows from the use and eventual disposition of an asset or asset group to its carrying value.  If the projected undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying value, an impairment would be recorded for the excess of the carrying value over the fair value, which is determined by discounting future cash flows.

 

Concentration of Credit Risk

 

The Company is a worldwide manufacturer, marketer and distributor of skin care, makeup, fragrance and hair care products.  Domestic and international sales are made primarily to department stores, perfumeries and specialty retailers.  The Company grants credit to all qualified customers and does not believe it is exposed significantly to any undue concentration of credit risk.

 

The Company’s largest customer sells products primarily within the United States and accounted for $967.6 million, or 11%, $876.3 million, or 11%, and $907.3 million, or 12%, of the Company’s consolidated net sales in fiscal 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  This customer accounted for $92.3 million, or 10%, and $84.3 million, or 11%, of the Company’s accounts receivable at June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

Revenues from product sales are recognized upon transfer of ownership, including passage of title to the customer and transfer of the risk of loss related to those goods.  In the Americas region, sales are generally recognized at the time the product is shipped to the customer and in the Europe, the Middle East & Africa and Asia/Pacific regions, sales are generally recognized based upon the customer’s receipt.  In certain circumstances, transfer of title takes place at the point of sale, for example, at the Company’s retail stores.  The Company records revenues generated from purchase with purchase promotions in Net Sales and costs of its purchase with purchase and gift with purchase promotions in Cost of sales.

 

Revenues are reported on a net sales basis, which is computed by deducting from gross sales the amount of actual product returns received, discounts, incentive arrangements with retailers and an amount established for anticipated product returns.  The Company’s practice is to accept product returns from retailers only if properly requested, authorized and approved.  In accepting returns, the Company typically provides a credit to the retailer against accounts receivable from that retailer.  As a percentage of gross sales, returns were 3.5%, 4.3% and 4.4% in fiscal 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

 

F-12



Table of Contents

 

THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Payments to Customers

 

Certain incentive arrangements require the payment of a fee to customers based on their attainment of pre-established sales levels.  These fees have been recorded as a reduction of Net sales in the accompanying consolidated statements of earnings and were not material to the results of operations in any period presented.

 

The Company enters into transactions related to advertising, product promotions and demonstrations, some of which involve cooperative relationships with customers.  These activities may be arranged either with unrelated third parties or in conjunction with the customer.  The Company’s share of the cost of these transactions (regardless of to whom they were paid) are reflected in Selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of earnings and were approximately $1,152 million, $1,070 million and $1,074 million in fiscal 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

 

Advertising and Promotion

 

Global net expenses for advertising, merchandising, sampling, promotion and product development costs were $2,345.8 million, $2,015.9 million and $1,878.8 million in fiscal 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and are expensed as incurred.  Excluding the impact of purchase with purchase and gift with purchase promotions, advertising, merchandising, sampling and promotion expenses included in operating expenses were $2,160.7 million, $1,818.5 million and $1,693.1 million in fiscal 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

 

Research and Development

 

Research and development costs amounted to $85.7 million, $79.5 million and $81.6 million in fiscal 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  Research and development costs are expensed as incurred.

 

Shipping and Handling

 

Shipping and handling expenses of $289.7 million, $263.3 million and $268.6 million in fiscal 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively, are recorded in Selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of earnings and include distribution center costs, third-party logistics costs and outbound freight.

 

Operating Leases

 

The Company recognizes rent expense from operating leases with periods of free and scheduled rent increases on a straight-line basis over the applicable lease term.  The Company considers lease renewals when such renewals are reasonably assured.  From time to time, the Company may receive capital improvement funding from its lessors.  These amounts are recorded as deferred liabilities and amortized over the remaining lease term as a reduction of rent expense.

 

License Arrangements

 

The Company’s license agreements provide the Company with worldwide rights to manufacture, market and sell beauty and beauty-related products (or particular categories thereof) using the licensors’ trademarks.  The licenses typically have an initial term of approximately 1 year to 19 years, and are renewable subject to the Company’s compliance with the license agreement provisions.  The remaining terms, including the potential renewal periods, range from approximately 1 year to 20 years.  Under each license, the Company is required to pay royalties to the licensor, at least annually, based on net sales to third parties.

 

Most of the Company’s licenses were entered into to create new business.  In some cases, the Company acquired, or entered into, a license where the licensor or another licensee was operating a pre-existing beauty products business.  In those cases, other intangible assets are capitalized and amortized over their useful lives.

 

Certain license agreements may require minimum royalty payments, incremental royalties based on net sales levels and minimum spending on advertising and promotional activities.  Royalty expenses are accrued in the period in which net sales are recognized while advertising and promotional expenses are accrued at the time these costs are incurred.

 

F-13



Table of Contents

 

THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Stock-Based Compensation

 

The Company records stock-based compensation, measured at the fair value of the award, as an expense in the consolidated financial statements.  Upon the exercise of stock options or the vesting of restricted stock units, performance share units and the market share unit, the resulting excess tax benefits, if any, are credited to additional paid-in capital.  Any resulting tax deficiencies will first be offset against those cumulative credits to additional paid-in capital.  If the cumulative credits to additional paid-in capital are exhausted, tax deficiencies will be recorded to the provision for income taxes.  Excess tax benefits are required to be reflected as financing cash inflows in the accompanying consolidated statements of cash flows.

 

Income Taxes

 

The Company accounts for income taxes using an asset and liability approach that requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in its consolidated financial statements or tax returns.  The net deferred tax assets assume sufficient future earnings for their realization, as well as the continued application of currently anticipated tax rates.  Included in net deferred tax assets is a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets, where management believes it is more-likely-than-not that the deferred tax assets will not be realized in the relevant jurisdiction.  Based on the Company’s assessments, no additional valuation allowance is required.  If the Company determines that a deferred tax asset will not be realizable, an adjustment to the deferred tax asset will result in a reduction of net earnings at that time.

 

The Company provides tax reserves for U.S. federal, state, local and foreign exposures relating to periods subject to audit.  The development of reserves for these exposures requires judgments about tax issues, potential outcomes and timing, and is a subjective critical estimate.  The Company assesses its tax positions and records tax benefits for all years subject to examination based upon management’s evaluation of the facts, circumstances, and information available at the reporting dates.  For those tax positions where it is more-likely-than-not that a tax benefit will be sustained, the Company has recorded the largest amount of tax benefit with a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon settlement with a tax authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information.  For those tax positions where it is not more-likely-than-not that a tax benefit will be sustained, no tax benefit has been recognized in the consolidated financial statements.  The Company classifies applicable interest and penalties as a component of the provision for income taxes.  Although the outcome relating to these exposures is uncertain, in management’s opinion adequate provisions for income taxes have been made for estimable potential liabilities emanating from these exposures.  In certain circumstances, the ultimate outcome of exposures and risks involves significant uncertainties which render them inestimable.  If actual outcomes differ materially from these estimates, they could have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated results of operations.

 

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

 

In June 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued authoritative guidance to eliminate the exception to consolidate a qualifying special-purpose entity, change the approach to determining the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity and require companies to more frequently re-assess whether they must consolidate variable interest entities.  Under the new guidance, the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity is identified qualitatively as the enterprise that has both (i) the power to direct the activities of a variable interest entity that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance, and (ii) the obligation to absorb losses of the entity that could potentially be significant to the variable interest entity or the right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the variable interest entity.  This guidance became effective for the Company’s fiscal 2011 year end.  The adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

 

In June 2011, the FASB amended its authoritative guidance related to the presentation of comprehensive income, requiring entities to present items of net income and other comprehensive income either in one continuous statement or in two separate consecutive statements.  This guidance becomes effective for the Company’s fiscal 2013 first quarter.  The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this guidance but believes that it will result only in changes in the presentation of its financial statements and will not have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

 

In May 2011, the FASB amended its authoritative guidance related to fair value measurements to provide a consistent definition and measurement of fair value, as well as similar disclosure requirements between U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards.  This guidance clarifies the application of existing fair value measurement and expands the existing disclosure requirements.  This guidance becomes effective for the Company’s fiscal 2012 third quarter.  This guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or cash flows, but may require certain additional disclosures.

 

F-14



Table of Contents

 

THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

In December 2010, the FASB amended its authoritative guidance related to Step 1 of the goodwill impairment test for reporting units with zero or negative carrying amounts.  For those reporting units, an entity is required to perform Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test if it is more-likely-than-not that a goodwill impairment exists.  In determining whether it is more-likely-than-not that a goodwill impairment exists, consideration should be made as to whether there are any adverse qualitative factors indicating that an impairment may exist.  This guidance becomes effective for the Company’s fiscal 2012 first quarter.  The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

In December 2010, the FASB amended its authoritative guidance related to business combinations entered into by an entity that are material on an individual or aggregate basis.  These amendments clarify existing guidance that if an entity presents comparative financial statements that include a material business combination, the entity should disclose revenue and earnings of the combined entity as though the business combination that occurred during the current year had occurred as of the beginning of the comparable prior annual reporting period.  The amendments also expand the supplemental pro forma disclosures to include a description of the nature and amount of material, nonrecurring pro forma adjustments directly attributable to the business combination included in the reported pro forma revenue and earnings.  This guidance becomes effective prospectively for business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the first day of the Company’s fiscal 2012.  This disclosure-only guidance will not have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

 

In January 2010, the FASB issued authoritative guidance that will require entities to make new disclosures about recurring or nonrecurring fair-value measurements of assets and liabilities.  The Company adopted the new guidance in its fiscal 2010 third quarter, except for certain detailed recurring Level 3 disclosures, which are effective for the Company’s fiscal 2012 first quarter.  The Company currently does not have any recurring Level 3 assets or liabilities.

 

NOTE 3 — INVENTORY AND PROMOTIONAL MERCHANDISE

 

 

 

June 30

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

Inventory and promotional merchandise, net consists of:

 

 

 

 

 

Raw materials

 

$

230.2

 

$

206.0

 

Work in process

 

93.6

 

78.6

 

Finished goods

 

475.4

 

377.8

 

Promotional merchandise

 

196.4

 

164.2

 

 

 

$

995.6

 

$

826.6

 

 

NOTE 4 — PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

 

 

 

June 30

 

Asset (Useful Life)

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Land

 

$

15.0

 

$

14.3

 

Buildings and improvements (10 to 40 years)

 

195.5

 

172.5

 

Machinery and equipment (3 to 10 years)

 

635.3

 

609.5

 

Computer hardware and software (4 to 10 years)

 

707.1

 

565.4

 

Furniture and fixtures (5 to 10 years)

 

93.9

 

82.1

 

Leasehold improvements

 

1,215.3

 

1,081.2

 

 

 

2,862.1

 

2,525.0

 

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization

 

1,719.0

 

1,501.4

 

 

 

$

1,143.1

 

$

1,023.6

 

 

The cost of assets related to projects in progress of $183.5 million and $160.4 million as of June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, is included in their respective asset categories above.  Depreciation and amortization of property, plant and equipment was $283.5 million, $251.8 million and $240.2 million in fiscal 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  Depreciation and amortization related to the Company’s manufacturing process is included in cost of sales and all other depreciation and amortization is included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of earnings.

 

F-15



Table of Contents

 

THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

NOTE 5 — GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

 

On July 1, 2010, the Company acquired Smashbox Beauty Cosmetics (“Smashbox”) which included the addition of goodwill of approximately $140 million, amortizable intangible assets of approximately $61 million (with a weighted-average amortization period of 9 years) and non-amortizable intangible assets of approximately $77 million related to the Company’s makeup business.

 

Goodwill

 

The Company assigns goodwill of a reporting unit to the product category in which that reporting unit predominantly operates at the time of acquisition.  The following table presents goodwill by product category and the related change in the carrying amount:

 

(In millions)

 

Skin
Care

 

Makeup

 

Fragrance

 

Hair
Care

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance as of June 30, 2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Goodwill

 

$

69.5

 

$

258.1

 

$

54.7

 

$

397.9

 

$

780.2

 

Accumulated impairments

 

(20.3

)

 

 

 

(20.3

)

 

 

49.2

 

258.1

 

54.7

 

397.9

 

759.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Goodwill acquired during the year

 

0.2

 

7.2

 

0.2

 

1.1

 

8.7

 

Impairment charges

 

(1.5

)

 

 

(15.1

)

(16.6

)

Translation and other adjustments

 

(0.9

)

(0.2

)

(0.1

)

1.7

 

0.5

 

 

 

(2.2

)

7.0

 

0.1

 

(12.3

)

(7.4

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance as of June 30, 2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Goodwill

 

67.9

 

265.1

 

54.8

 

400.6

 

788.4

 

Accumulated impairments

 

(20.9

)

 

 

(15.0

)

(35.9

)

 

 

47.0

 

265.1

 

54.8

 

385.6

 

752.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Goodwill acquired during the year

 

 

147.2

 

 

 

147.2

 

Impairment charges

 

(2.6

)

 

 

(26.7

)

(29.3

)

Translation and other adjustments

 

1.6

 

0.3

 

0.2

 

4.8

 

6.9

 

 

 

(1.0

)

147.5

 

0.2

 

(21.9

)

124.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance as of June 30, 2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Goodwill

 

70.4

 

412.6

 

55.0

 

406.9

 

944.9

 

Accumulated impairments

 

(24.4

)

 

 

(43.2

)

(67.6

)

 

 

$

46.0

 

$

412.6

 

$

55.0

 

$

363.7

 

$

877.3

 

 

Other Intangible Assets

 

Other intangible assets include trademarks and patents, as well as license agreements and other intangible assets resulting from or related to businesses and assets purchased by the Company.  Indefinite-lived intangible assets (e.g., trademarks) are not subject to amortization and are assessed at least annually for impairment during the fiscal fourth quarter, or more frequently if certain events or circumstances warrant.  Other intangible assets (e.g., non-compete agreements, customer lists) are amortized on a straight-line basis over their expected period of benefit, approximately 5 years to 13 years.  Intangible assets related to license agreements were amortized on a straight-line basis over their useful lives based on the terms of the respective agreements.  The Company did not incur costs to extend or renew the term of acquired intangible assets during fiscal 2011.

 

F-16



Table of Contents

 

THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Other intangible assets consists of the following:

 

 

 

June 30, 2011

 

June 30, 2010

 

(In millions)

 

Gross
Carrying
Value

 

Accumulated
Amortization

 

Total Net
Book Value

 

Gross
Carrying
Value

 

Accumulated
Amortization

 

Total Net
Book Value

 

Amortizable intangible assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Customer lists and other

 

$

270.9

 

$

168.5

 

$

102.4

 

$

205.0

 

$

151.0

 

$

54.0

 

License agreements

 

43.0

 

43.0

 

 

43.0

 

43.0

 

 

 

 

313.9

 

211.5

 

102.4

 

248.0

 

194.0

 

54.0

 

Non-amortizable intangible assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trademarks and other

 

130.3

 

5.2

 

125.1

 

61.0

 

5.5

 

55.5

 

Total intangible assets

 

$

444.2

 

$

216.7

 

$

227.5

 

$

309.0

 

$

199.5

 

$

109.5

 

 

The aggregate amortization expense related to amortizable intangible assets for fiscal 2011, 2010 and 2009 was $14.6 million, $9.1 million and $11.5 million, respectively.  The estimated aggregate amortization expense for each of the next five fiscal years is as follows:

 

 

 

Fiscal

 

(In millions)

 

2012

 

2013

 

2014

 

2015

 

2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Estimated aggregate amortization expense

 

$

13.8

 

$

13.5

 

$

13.5

 

$

13.5

 

$

13.4

 

 

Fiscal 2011 Impairments

 

As of the Company’s annual indefinite-lived asset impairment test on April 1, 2011, the Company determined, as a result of a planned discontinuation, that the carrying values of two brand trademarks exceeded their estimated fair values, which were based on the use of a royalty rate to determine discounted projected future cash flows (“relief-from-royalty method”).  As a result, the Company recognized an impairment charge of $1.7 million for the carrying values of the related trademarks.  These impairment charges were reflected in the makeup and skin care product categories and in the Americas region.

 

During the third quarter of fiscal 2011, the Ojon reporting unit reassessed and subsequently altered the timing of new market initiatives, including the rollout of reformulated product lines and certain components of its future international expansion plans, resulting in revisions to its internal forecasts.  The Company concluded that these changes in circumstances in the Ojon reporting unit triggered the need for an interim impairment review of its trademark and goodwill.  Additionally, these changes in circumstances were also an indicator that the carrying amount of the customer list may not be recoverable.  The Company performed an interim impairment test for the trademark and a recoverability test for the customer list as of February 28, 2011.  For the customer list, the Company concluded that the carrying amount of this asset was recoverable.  However, for the Ojon trademark, the Company concluded that the carrying value exceeded its estimated fair value, based on the relief-from-royalty method.  As a result, the Company recognized an impairment charge of $7.0 million.  After adjusting the carrying value of the trademark, the Company completed an interim impairment test for goodwill and recorded an impairment charge for the remaining goodwill related to the Ojon reporting unit of $29.3 million, at the exchange rate in effect at that time.  The fair value of the reporting unit was based upon the income approach, utilizing estimated cash flows and a terminal value, discounted at a rate of return that reflects the relative risk of the cash flows.  In fiscal 2010, the income approach was used in conjunction with the market approach but due to the reporting unit’s existing negative margins, the market approach was deemed not applicable.  These impairment charges were reflected in the hair care and skin care product categories and in the Americas region.

 

Fiscal 2010 Impairments

 

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010, the Company approved a restructuring initiative that included the reformulation of Ojon brand products.  The Company concluded that this change in the formulation was an indicator that the carrying amount of the product formulation intangible asset may not be recoverable.  As a result, the Company recognized an asset impairment charge of $8.8 million, which is included in Restructuring and other special charges in the accompanying consolidated statement of earnings.

 

F-17



Table of Contents

 

THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

During the second quarter of fiscal 2010, the Darphin reporting unit identified issues related to the planned streamlining of its distribution process, resulting in revisions to its internal forecasts.  The Company concluded that these changes in circumstances in the Darphin reporting unit triggered the need for an interim impairment test of its trademark and goodwill.  The Company determined that the trademark was impaired, with fair value estimated based upon the relief-from-royalty method, and therefore recorded an impairment charge of $5.8 million, at the exchange rate in effect at that time, in the skin care product category and in the Europe, the Middle East & Africa region.

 

During the second quarter of fiscal 2010, the Ojon reporting unit altered and delayed certain components of its future expansion plans, resulting in revisions to its internal forecasts.  The Company concluded for the Ojon trademark and customer list, that the carrying values exceeded their estimated fair values, which were determined based upon the relief-from-royalty method for the trademark and discounted projected future cash flows for the customer list.  As a result, the Company recognized asset impairment charges of $6.0 million for the trademark and $17.2 million for the customer list, at the exchange rate in effect at that time.  After adjusting the carrying value of the trademark and customer list, the Company completed an interim impairment test for goodwill and recorded a goodwill impairment charge related to the Ojon reporting unit of $16.6 million, at the exchange rate in effect at that time.  The fair value of the reporting unit was based upon weighting of the income and market approaches, utilizing estimated cash flows and a terminal value, discounted at a rate of return that reflects the relative risk of the cash flows, as well as valuation multiples derived from comparable publicly traded companies that are applied to operating performance of the reporting unit.  These impairment charges were reflected in the hair care and skin care product categories and in the Americas region.

 

NOTE 6 — ACQUISITION OF BUSINESS

 

On July 1, 2010, the Company acquired Smashbox.  The purchase price was funded by cash provided by operations.  The results of operations are included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements commencing with the date it was acquired.  Pro forma results of operations of the prior year have not been presented, as the impact on the Company’s consolidated financial results would not have been material.  The aggregate cost of this transaction, net of cash acquired, and continuing earn-out obligations incurred during fiscal 2011 related to the acquisition of the Bobbi Brown brand was $257.6 million.

 

NOTE 7 — RETURNS AND CHARGES ASSOCIATED WITH RESTRUCTURING ACTIVITIES

 

In an effort to drive down costs and achieve synergies within the organization, in February 2009, the Company announced the implementation of a multi-faceted cost savings program (the “Program”) to position itself to achieve long-term profitable growth.  The Company anticipates the Program will result in related restructuring and other special charges, inclusive of cumulative charges recorded to date and through the remainder of the Program, totaling between $350 million and $450 million before taxes.  While the Company will continue to seek cost savings opportunities, the Company’s current plans are to identify and approve specific initiatives under the Program through fiscal 2012 and execute those initiatives through fiscal 2013.  The total amount of charges (pre-tax) associated with the Program, recorded, plus other initiatives approved through June 30, 2011, is approximately $303 million to $308 million, of which approximately $198.5 million to $200 million relates to restructuring charges, approximately $50 million of other costs to implement the initiatives, approximately $38.5 million to $42 million in sales returns and approximately $16 million in inventory write-offs.  The restructuring charges are comprised of approximately $151.5 million to $153 million of employee-related costs, approximately $27 million of other exit costs and contract terminations (substantially all of which have resulted in or will result in cash expenditures), and approximately $20 million in non-cash asset write-offs.  The total amount of cumulative charges (pre-tax) associated with the Program recorded from inception through June 30, 2011 was $239.4 million.

 

F-18



Table of Contents

 

THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

The Program focuses on a redesign of the Company’s organizational structure in order to integrate it in a more cohesive way and operate more globally across brands and functions.  The principal aspect of the Program was the reduction of the workforce by approximately 2,000 employees.  Specific actions taken during fiscal 2011 and 2010 included:

 

·                   Resize and Reorganize the Organization — The Company continued the realignment and optimization of its organization to better leverage scale, improve productivity, reduce complexity and achieve cost savings in each region and across various functions.  This included reduction of the workforce which occurred through the consolidation of certain functions, which the Company achieved through a combination of normal attrition and job eliminations, and the closure and consolidation of certain distribution and office facilities.

 

·                   Turnaround or Exit Unprofitable Operations — To improve the profitability in certain of the Company’s brands and regions, the Company has selectively exited certain channels of distribution, categories and markets, and has made changes to turnaround others.  This included the exit from the global wholesale distribution of the Company’s Prescriptives brand and the reformulation of Ojon brand products.  In connection with these activities, the Company incurred charges related to product returns, inventory write-offs, reduction of workforce and termination of contracts.

 

·                   Outsourcing — In order to balance the growing need for information technology support with the Company’s efforts to provide the most efficient and cost effective solutions, the Company continued the outsourcing of certain information technology processes.  The Company incurred costs to transition services to outsource providers and employee-related costs.

 

Restructuring Charges

 

The following table presents aggregate restructuring charges related to the Program:

 

( In millions)

 

Employee-
Related

Costs

 

Asset
Write-offs

 

Contract
Terminations

 

Other Exit
Costs

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fiscal 2009

 

$

60.9

 

$

4.2

 

$

3.4

 

$

1.8

 

$

70.3

 

Fiscal 2010

 

29.3

 

11.0

 

2.3

 

6.2

 

48.8

 

Fiscal 2011

 

34.6

 

2.4

 

3.0

 

1.1

 

41.1

 

Charges recorded through June 30, 2011

 

$

124.8

 

$

17.6

 

$

8.7

 

$

9.1

 

$

160.2

 

 

The following table presents accrued restructuring charges and the related activity under the Program:

 

( In millions)

 

Employee-
Related

Costs

 

Asset
Write-offs

 

Contract
Terminations

 

Other Exit
Costs

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Charges

 

$

60.9

 

$

4.2

 

$

3.4

 

$

1.8

 

$

70.3

 

Cash payments

 

(7.5

)

 

(0.5

)

(1.6

)

(9.6

)

Non-cash write-offs

 

 

(4.2

)

 

 

(4.2

)

Translation adjustments

 

0.6

 

 

 

 

0.6

 

Other adjustments

 

(2.4

)

 

 

 

(2.4

)

Balance at June 30, 2009

 

51.6

 

 

2.9

 

0.2

 

54.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Charges

 

29.3

 

11.0

 

2.3

 

6.2

 

48.8

 

Cash payments

 

(49.5

)

 

(5.1

)

(6.0

)

(60.6

)

Non-cash write-offs

 

 

(11.0

)

 

 

(11.0

)

Translation adjustments

 

(0.8

)

 

 

 

(0.8

)

Balance at June 30, 2010

 

30.6

 

 

0.1

 

0.4

 

31.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Charges

 

34.6

 

2.4

 

3.0

 

1.1

 

41.1

 

Cash payments

 

(30.6

)

 

(2.4

)

(1.4

)

(34.4

)

Non-cash write-offs

 

 

(2.4

)

 

 

(2.4

)

Translation adjustments

 

1.2

 

 

(0.1

)

0.1

 

1.2

 

Balance at June 30, 2011

 

$

35.8

 

$

 

$

0.6

 

$

0.2

 

$

36.6

 

 

Accrued restructuring charges at June 30, 2011 are expected to result in cash expenditures funded from cash provided by operations of approximately $29 million, $6 million and $2 million in fiscal 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively.

 

F-19



Table of Contents

 

THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Total Returns and Charges Associated with Restructuring Activities

 

The following table presents total returns and charges associated with restructuring activities related to the Program:

 

 

 

Year Ended June 30

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

2009

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales returns (included in Net Sales)

 

$

4.6

 

$

15.7

 

$

8.1

 

Cost of sales

 

5.8

 

7.9

 

6.8

 

Restructuring charges

 

41.1

 

48.8

 

70.3

 

Other special charges

 

7.9

 

12.3

 

6.5

 

Total returns and charges associated with restructuring activities

 

$

59.4

 

$

84.7

 

$

91.7

 

 

During fiscal 2011, the Company recorded $4.6 million reflecting sales returns (less related cost of sales of $1.2 million) and a write-off of inventory of $7.0 million associated with turnaround operations, primarily related to the reformulation of Ojon brand products.

 

During fiscal 2010, the Company recorded $15.7 million reflecting sales returns (less related cost of sales of $2.5 million) and $10.4 million for the write-off of inventory associated with exiting unprofitable operations, primarily related to the exit from the global wholesale distribution of the Prescriptives brand.

 

During fiscal 2009, the Company recorded $8.1 million reflecting sales returns (less related cost of sales of $1.2 million) and a write-off of inventory of $8.0 million associated with exiting unprofitable operations.

 

Other special charges in connection with the implementation of actions taken under this Program primarily relate to consulting and other professional services.

 

NOTE 8 — INCOME TAXES

 

The provision for income taxes is comprised of the following:

 

 

 

Year Ended June 30

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

2009

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

Current:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal

 

$

127.2

 

$

16.0

 

$

42.6

 

Foreign

 

220.0

 

205.6

 

174.5

 

State and local

 

(1.0

)

9.0

 

7.0

 

 

 

346.2

 

230.6

 

224.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal

 

(27.8

)

(16.4

)

(84.0

)

Foreign

 

2.6

 

(7.5

)

(23.6

)

State and local

 

0.7

 

(0.8

)

(0.6

)

 

 

(24.5

)

(24.7

)

(108.2

)

 

 

$

321.7

 

$

205.9

 

$

115.9

 

 

A reconciliation of the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate to our actual effective tax rate on earnings before income taxes is as follows:

 

 

 

Year Ended June 30

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Provision for income taxes at statutory rate

 

35.0

%

35.0

%

35.0

%

Increase (decrease) due to:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

State and local income taxes, net of federal tax benefit

 

0.8

 

1.5

 

2.0

 

Taxation of foreign operations

 

(2.7

)

(0.9

)

(4.4

)

Income tax reserve adjustments

 

(1.8

)

(5.6

)

0.1

 

Other, net

 

0.1

 

(0.1

)

1.1

 

Effective tax rate

 

31.4

%

29.9

%

33.8

%

 

F-20



Table of Contents

 

THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Income tax reserve adjustments represent changes in the Company’s net liability for unrecognized tax benefits related to prior-year tax positions including tax settlements and lapses of the applicable statutes of limitations.

 

Federal income and foreign withholding taxes have not been provided on approximately $1,208 million of undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries at June 30, 2011.  The Company intends to reinvest these earnings in its foreign operations indefinitely, except where it is able to repatriate these earnings to the United States without material incremental tax provision.  As of June 30, 2010 and 2009, the Company had not provided federal income and foreign withholding taxes on approximately $1,068 million and $975 million, respectively, of undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries.  The determination and estimation of the future income tax consequences in all relevant taxing jurisdictions involves the application of highly complex tax laws in the countries involved, particularly in the United States, and is based on the tax profile of the Company in the year of earnings repatriation.  Accordingly, it is not practicable to determine the amount of tax associated with such undistributed earnings.

 

Significant components of the Company’s deferred income tax assets and liabilities were as follows:

 

 

 

June 30

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

Deferred tax assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Compensation related expenses

 

$

146.5

 

$

122.0

 

Inventory obsolescence and other inventory related reserves

 

73.1

 

62.0

 

Retirement benefit obligations

 

78.9

 

99.7

 

Various accruals not currently deductible

 

163.0

 

146.9

 

Net operating loss, credit and other carryforwards

 

58.6

 

42.3

 

Unrecognized state tax benefits and accrued interest

 

29.3

 

34.7

 

Other differences between tax and financial statement values

 

81.2

 

89.9

 

 

 

630.6

 

597.5

 

Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets

 

(69.5

)

(38.5

)

Total deferred tax assets

 

561.1

 

559.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred tax liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

(235.1

)

(182.8

)

Other differences between tax and financial statement values

 

(4.2

)

(2.4

)

Total deferred tax liabilities

 

(239.3

)

(185.2

)

Total net deferred tax assets

 

$

321.8

 

$

373.8

 

 

As of June 30, 2011 and 2010, the Company had current net deferred tax assets of $260.7 million and $269.0 million, respectively, substantially all of which are included in Prepaid expenses and other current assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.  In addition, the Company had noncurrent net deferred tax assets of $61.1 million and $104.8 million as of June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, substantially all of which are included in Other assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

 

As of June 30, 2011 and 2010, certain subsidiaries had net operating loss and other carryforwards for tax purposes of approximately $216 million and $154 million, respectively.  With the exception of approximately $205 million of net operating loss and other carryforwards with an indefinite carryforward period as of June 30, 2011, these carryforwards expire at various dates through fiscal 2031.  Deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowances, in the amount of $0.4 million and $3.9 million as of June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, have been recorded to reflect the tax benefits of the carryforwards not utilized to date.

 

A full valuation allowance has been provided for those deferred tax assets for which, in the opinion of management, it is more-likely-than-not that the deferred tax assets will not be realized.

 

Earnings before income taxes include amounts contributed by the Company’s foreign operations of approximately $1,189 million, $966 million and $674 million for fiscal 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  A portion of these earnings are taxed in the United States.

 

As of June 30, 2011 and 2010, the Company had gross unrecognized tax benefits of $104.8 million and $157.3 million, respectively.  The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate was $60.8 million.

 

F-21



Table of Contents

 

THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

The Company classifies applicable interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of the provision for income taxes.  During fiscal 2011 and 2010, the Company recognized gross interest and penalty benefits of $1.0 million and $11.9 million, respectively, in the accompanying consolidated statements of earnings.  The total gross accrued interest and penalties in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets at June 30, 2011 and 2010 were $37.7 million and $43.6 million, respectively.  A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:

 

 

 

June 30

 

(In millions)

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning of the year balance of gross unrecognized tax benefits

 

$

157.3

 

$

259.1

 

Gross amounts of increases as a result of tax positions taken during a prior period

 

21.9

 

22.3

 

Gross amounts of decreases as a result of tax positions taken during a prior period

 

(22.0

)

(76.8

)

Gross amounts of increases as a result of tax positions taken during the current period

 

7.0

 

9.4

 

Amounts of decreases in unrecognized tax benefits relating to settlements with taxing authorities

 

(42.0

)

(51.8

)

Reductions to unrecognized tax benefits as a result of a lapse of the applicable statutes of limitations

 

(17.4

)

(4.9

)

End of year balance of gross unrecognized tax benefits

 

$

104.8

 

$

157.3

 

 

Included in the balance of gross unrecognized tax benefits at June 30, 2011 are $11.3 million of tax positions for which the ultimate deductibility is highly certain but for which there is uncertainty about the timing of such deductibility.  Because of the impact of deferred tax accounting, other than interest and penalties, the disallowance of the shorter deductibility period would not affect the annual effective tax rate but would accelerate the payment of cash to the taxing authority to an earlier period.

 

Earnings from the Company’s global operations are subject to tax in various jurisdictions both within and outside the United States.  The Company is routinely audited and examined in these jurisdictions.  The Company provides tax reserves for U.S. federal, state, local and foreign unrecognized tax benefits for periods subject to audit.  The development of reserves for these exposures requires judgments about tax issues, potential outcomes and timing, and is a subjective critical estimate.  The Company assesses its tax positions and records tax benefits for all years subject to examination based upon management’s evaluation of the facts, circumstances, and information available at the reporting dates.  For those tax positions where it is more-likely-than-not that a tax benefit will be sustained, the Company has recorded the largest amount of tax benefit with a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon settlement with a tax authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information.  For those tax positions where it is not more-likely-than-not that a tax benefit will be sustained, no tax benefit has been recognized in the consolidated financial statements.  Where applicable, associated interest and penalties have also been recognized.  Although the outcome related to these exposures is uncertain, in management’s opinion, adequate provisions for income taxes have been made for estimable potential liabilities emanating from these exposures.  In certain circumstances, the ultimate outcome of exposures and risks involve significant uncertainties which render them inestimable.  If actual outcomes differ materially from these estimates, they could have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

The Company is currently undergoing an income tax audit by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) as well as examinations and controversies in several state, local and foreign jurisdictions.  These matters are in various stages of completion and involve complex multi-jurisdictional issues common among multinational enterprises, including transfer pricing, which may require an extended period of time for resolution.  During fiscal 2008, the Company entered a claim pursuant to an administrative process of the tax treaty between the U.S. and Belgium (commonly referred to as the “Competent Authority” process). In the first quarter of fiscal 2011, the Company’s Competent Authority claim was settled.  The settlement did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

During the second quarter of fiscal 2011, the Company reached a formal agreement with the IRS concerning the examination adjustments proposed for fiscal 2006 through 2008.  As a result, the Company applied a prior cash payment of $20.5 million made to the U.S. Treasury as an advance deposit toward these agreed-to adjustments.  As a result of the settlement, the Company recognized a tax and interest benefit of $11 million, net of tax.  Separately, during the second and third quarters of fiscal 2011, the IRS commenced its examination of fiscal 2009 and 2010, respectively.

 

F-22



Table of Contents

 

THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

During the third quarter of fiscal 2010, the Company accepted an invitation from the IRS to join the Compliance Assurance Program (“CAP”) beginning with fiscal 2011.  The objective of CAP is to reduce taxpayer burden and uncertainty while assuring the IRS of the accuracy of income tax returns prior to filing, thereby reducing or eliminating the need for post-filing examinations.  During fiscal 2011, the Company commenced participation in the CAP program with respect to fiscal 2011 and, as of June 30, 2011, the compliance process was ongoing.

 

The Company had been notified of a disallowance of tax deductions claimed by its subsidiary in Spain for fiscal years 1999 through 2002.  An appeal against this reassessment was filed with the Chief Tax Inspector.  On July 18, 2005, the final assessment made by the Chief Tax Inspector was received, confirming the reassessment made by the tax auditors.  During fiscal 2006, an appeal against this final assessment was filed with the Madrid Regional Economic Administrative Tribunal (“TEAR”).  In view of the TEAR’s silence, during fiscal 2007 the claim was presumed to be dismissed and an appeal was filed against it with the Central Economic-Administrative Tribunal (“TEAC”).  During the fiscal 2008 fourth quarter, the TEAC dismissed the claim and, on June 10, 2008, the Company filed an appeal for judicial review with the National Appellate Court.  During fiscal 2009, the Company completed the appeal proceedings with the National Appellate Court and, as of June 30, 2011, awaited the court’s decision.  Subsequent to June 30, 2011, the National Appellate Court notified the Company that the appeal was denied.  The Company has been assessed corporate income tax and interest of $4.0 million, net of tax, at current exchange rates.  On July 21, 2011, the Company filed an appeal with the Spain Supreme Court.  While no assurance can be given as to the outcome in respect of this assessment and pending appeal in the Spanish courts, based on the decision of the National Appellate Court, management believes it is not more-likely-than-not that the subsidiary will be successful in its appeal to the Spain Supreme Court.  Accordingly, the Company expects to establish a reserve during the first quarter of fiscal 2012 which would result in an increase to the provision for income tax equal to the $4.0 million exposure, net of tax.

 

Notwithstanding the matter before the Spanish courts, during the first quarter of fiscal 2011, the Company reached a formal settlement with the Spanish tax authority regarding an examination of the fiscal 2005 through calendar year 2007 tax period.  The settlement did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

During fiscal 2011, the Company concluded various state, local and foreign income tax audits and examinations while several other matters, including those noted above, were initiated or remained pending.  On the basis of the information available in this regard as of June 30, 2011, it is reasonably possible that the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits could decrease in a range of $15 million to $25 million within 12 months as a result of projected resolutions of global tax examinations and controversies and a potential lapse of the applicable statutes of limitations.

 

The tax years subject to examination vary depending on the tax jurisdiction.  As of June 30, 2011, the following tax years remain subject to examination by the major tax jurisdictions indicated:

 

Major Jurisdiction

 

Open Fiscal Years

 

 

 

Belgium

 

2007-2011

Canada

 

2001-2011

China

 

2007-2011

France

 

2006–2011

Germany

 

1999–2002, 2004-2011

Hong Kong

 

2005-2011

Japan

 

2006-2011

Korea

 

2009-2011

Russia

 

2010-2011

Spain

 

1999–2002, 2008–2011

Switzerland

 

2009-2011

United Kingdom

 

2010–2011

United States

 

2009–2011

State of California

 

2002–2011

State of New York

 

2010–2011

 

The Company is also subject to income tax examinations in numerous other state, local and foreign jurisdictions.  The Company believes that its tax reserves are adequate for all years subject to examination.

 

F-23



Table of Contents

 

THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

NOTE 9 — OTHER ACCRUED LIABILITIES

 

Other accrued liabilities consist of the following:

 

 

 

June 30

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

Advertising, merchandising and sampling

 

$

401.9

 

$

373.5

 

Employee compensation

 

422.4

 

366.3

 

Payroll and other taxes

 

125.1

 

103.6

 

Restructuring

 

28.6

 

25.4

 

Other

 

318.3

 

249.2

 

 

 

$

1,296.3

 

$

1,118.0

 

 

NOTE 10 — DEBT

 

The Company’s short-term and long-term debt and available financing consist of the following:

 

 

 

Debt at June 30

 

Available financing at
June 30, 2011

 

(In millions)

 

2011

 

2010

 

Committed

 

Uncommitted

 

6.00% Senior Notes, due May 15, 2037 (“2037 Senior Notes”)

 

$

296.4

 

$

296.3

 

$

 

$

 

5.75% Senior Notes, due October 15, 2033 (“2033 Senior Notes”)

 

197.7

 

197.6

 

 

 

5.55% Senior Notes, due May 15, 2017 (“2017 Senior Notes”)

 

341.5

 

338.3

 

 

 

7.75% Senior Notes, due November 1, 2013 (“2013 Senior Notes”)

 

230.0

 

230.0

 

 

 

6.00% Senior Notes, due January 15, 2012 (“2012 Senior Notes”)

 

119.4

 

118.3

 

 

 

Commercial paper

 

 

 

 

750.0

 

Loan participation notes

 

 

 

 

150.0

 

March 2012 Japanese yen revolving credit facility

 

 

 

18.7

 

 

Other long-term borrowings

 

14.5

 

17.2

 

 

 

Other current borrowings

 

18.6

 

30.7

 

 

194.8

 

Revolving credit facility

 

 

 

750.0

 

 

 

 

1,218.1

 

1,228.4

 

$

768.7

 

$

1,094.8

 

Less current debt including current maturities

 

(138.0

)

(23.4

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

1,080.1

 

$

1,205.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of June 30, 2011, the Company had outstanding $296.4 million of 2037 Senior Notes consisting of $300.0 million principal and unamortized debt discount of $3.6 million.  The 2037 Senior Notes, when issued in May 2007, were priced at 98.722% with a yield of 6.093%.  Interest payments are required to be made semi-annually on May 15 and November 15.  In April 2007, in anticipation of the issuance of the 2037 Senior Notes, the Company entered into a series of forward-starting interest rate swap agreements on a notional amount totaling $210.0 million at a weighted average all-in rate of 5.45%.  The forward-starting interest rate swap agreements were settled upon the issuance of the new debt and the Company recognized a loss in other comprehensive income of $0.9 million that will be amortized to interest expense over the life of the 2037 Senior Notes.  As a result of the forward-starting interest rate swap agreements, the debt discount and debt issuance costs, the effective interest rate on the 2037 Senior Notes will be 6.181% over the life of the debt.

 

As of June 30, 2011, the Company had outstanding $197.7 million of 2033 Senior Notes consisting of $200.0 million principal and unamortized debt discount of $2.3 million.  The 2033 Senior Notes, when issued in September 2003, were priced at 98.645% with a yield of 5.846%.  Interest payments are required to be made semi-annually on April 15 and October 15.  In May 2003, in anticipation of the issuance of the 5.75% Senior Notes, the Company entered into a series of treasury lock agreements on a notional amount totaling $195.0 million at a weighted average all-in rate of 4.53%.  The treasury lock agreements were settled upon the issuance of the new debt and the Company received a payment of $15.0 million that will be amortized against interest expense over the life of the 2033 Senior Notes.  As a result of the treasury lock agreements, the debt discount and debt issuance costs, the effective interest rate on the 2033 Senior Notes will be 5.395% over the life of the debt.

 

F-24



Table of Contents

 

THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

As of June 30, 2011, the Company had outstanding $341.5 million of 2017 Senior Notes consisting of $300.0 million principal, an unamortized debt discount of $0.3 million and a $41.8 million adjustment to reflect the remaining termination value of an interest rate swap.  The 2017 Senior Notes, when issued in May 2007, were priced at 99.845% with a yield of 5.570%.  Interest payments are required to be made semi-annually on May 15 and November 15.  During fiscal 2011, the Company terminated its interest rate swap agreements with a notional amount totaling $250.0 million which had effectively converted the fixed rate interest on its outstanding 2017 Senior Notes to variable interest rates.  The instrument, which was classified as an asset, had a fair value of $47.4 million at the date of cash settlement.  This net settlement is classified as a financing activity on the consolidated statements of cash flows.  Hedge accounting treatment was discontinued prospectively and the fair value adjustment to the carrying amount of the related debt will be amortized against interest expense over the remaining life of the debt.

 

As of June 30, 2011, the Company had outstanding $230.0 million of 2013 Senior Notes consisting of $230.1 million principal and an unamortized debt discount of $0.1 million.  The 2013 Senior Notes, when issued in November 2008, were priced at 99.932% with a yield of 7.767%.  Interest payments are required to be made semi-annually on May 1 and November 1.

 

As of June 30, 2011, the Company had outstanding $119.4 million of 2012 Senior Notes consisting of $120.0 million principal and a $0.6 million adjustment to reflect the remaining termination value of an interest rate swap.  The 2012 Senior Notes, when issued in January 2002, were priced at 99.538% with a yield of 6.062%.  Interest payments are required to be made semi-annually on January 15 and July 15.  In May 2003, the Company entered into an interest rate swap agreement with a notional amount of $250.0 million to effectively convert the fixed rate interest on its outstanding 2012 Senior Notes to variable interest rates based on six-month LIBOR.  In April 2007, the Company terminated this interest rate swap.  The instrument, which was classified as a liability, had a fair value of $11.1 million at cash settlement, which included $0.9 million of accrued interest payable to the counterparty.  Hedge accounting treatment was discontinued prospectively and the offsetting adjustment to the carrying amount of the related debt will be amortized to interest expense over the remaining life of the debt.

 

The Company has a $750.0 million commercial paper program under which it may issue commercial paper in the United States.  At June 30, 2011, there was no commercial paper outstanding.

 

As of June 30, 2011, the Company had an overdraft borrowing agreement with a financial institution pursuant to which its subsidiary in Turkey may be credited to satisfy outstanding negative daily balances arising from its business operations.  The total balance outstanding at any time shall not exceed 40.0 million Turkish lira ($24.6 million at the exchange rate at June 30, 2011).  The interest rate applicable to each such credit shall be up to a maximum of 175 basis points per annum above the spot rate charged by the lender or the lender’s floating call rate agreed to by the Company at each borrowing.  There were no debt issuance costs incurred related to this agreement.  The outstanding balance at June 30, 2011 ($8.2 million at the exchange rate at June 30, 2011) is classified as short-term debt on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet.

 

As of June 30, 2011, the Company had a fixed rate promissory note agreement with a financial institution pursuant to which the Company may borrow up to $150.0 million in the form of loan participation notes through one of its subsidiaries in Europe.  The interest rate on borrowings under this agreement is at an all-in fixed rate determined by the lender and agreed to by the Company at the date of each borrowing.  At June 30, 2011, no borrowings were outstanding under this agreement.  Debt issuance costs incurred related to this agreement were de minimis.

 

As of June 30, 2011, the Company had a 1.5 billion Japanese yen ($18.7 million at the exchange rate at June 30, 2011) revolving credit facility that expires on March 31, 2012.  The interest rate on the borrowings under this credit facility is based on TIBOR (Tokyo Interbank Offered Rate) plus .75% and the facility fee incurred on the undrawn balance is 25 basis points.  At June 30, 2011, no borrowings were outstanding under this facility.  The Company did not renew its 1.5 billion Japanese yen revolving credit facility that expired on March 31, 2011.

 

F-25



Table of Contents

 

THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

In July 2011, the Company replaced its undrawn $750.0 million senior unsecured revolving credit facility that was set to expire on April 26, 2012 (the “Prior Facility”), with a new $1.0 billion senior unsecured revolving credit facility that expires on July 14, 2015 (the “New Facility”).  The New Facility may be used to provide credit support for the Company’s commercial paper program and for general corporate purposes.  As with the Prior Facility, up to the equivalent of $250 million of the New Facility is available for multi-currency loans.  The interest rate on borrowings under the New Facility is based on LIBOR or on the higher of prime, which is the rate of interest publicly announced by the administrative agent, or ½% plus the Federal funds rate.  The Company incurred costs of approximately $1.2 million to establish the New Facility which will be amortized over the term of the facility.  The New Facility has an annual fee of $0.7 million, payable quarterly, based on the Company’s current credit ratings.  The New Facility also contains a cross-default provision whereby a failure to pay other material financial obligations in excess of $100.0 million (after grace periods and absent a waiver from the lenders) would result in an event of default and the acceleration of the maturity of any outstanding debt under this facility.  There are no other conditions where the lender’s commitments may be withdrawn, other than certain events of default, as defined in the New Facility, which are customary for facilities of this type.  As of June 30, 2011, the Company was in compliance with all financial and other restrictive covenants relating to the Prior Facility, including limitations on indebtedness and liens.  The financial covenant of the Prior Facility required an interest expense coverage ratio of greater than 3:1 as of the last day of each fiscal quarter.  There is no such covenant under the New Facility.

 

The Company maintains uncommitted credit facilities in various regions throughout the world.  Interest rate terms for these facilities vary by region and reflect prevailing market rates for companies with strong credit ratings.  During fiscal 2011 and 2010, the monthly average amount outstanding was approximately $16.3 million and $12.6 million, respectively, and the annualized monthly weighted average interest rate incurred was approximately 8.8% and 10.0%, respectively.

 

Refer to Note 14 — Commitments and Contingencies for the Company’s projected debt service payments over the next five fiscal years.

 

NOTE 11 — DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

 

The Company addresses certain financial exposures through a controlled program of risk management that includes the use of derivative financial instruments.  The Company enters into foreign currency forward contracts and may enter into option contracts to reduce the effects of fluctuating foreign currency exchange rates and interest rate derivatives to manage the effects of interest rate movements on the Company’s aggregate liability portfolio.  The Company also enters into foreign currency forward contracts and may use option contracts, not designated as hedging instruments, to mitigate the change in fair value of specific assets and liabilities on the balance sheet.  The Company does not utilize derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.  Costs associated with entering into these derivative financial instruments have not been material to the Company’s consolidated financial results.

 

For each derivative contract entered into where the Company looks to obtain hedge accounting treatment, the Company formally documents all relationships between hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as its risk-management objective and strategy for undertaking the hedge transaction, the nature of the risk being hedged, how the hedging instruments’ effectiveness in offsetting the hedged risk will be assessed prospectively and retrospectively, and a description of the method of measuring ineffectiveness.  This process includes linking all derivatives to specific assets and liabilities on the balance sheet or to specific firm commitments or forecasted transactions.  The Company also formally assesses, both at the hedge’s inception and on an ongoing basis, whether the derivatives that are used in hedging transactions are highly effective in offsetting changes in fair values or cash flows of hedged items.  If it is determined that a derivative is not highly effective, or that it has ceased to be a highly effective hedge, the Company will be required to discontinue hedge accounting with respect to that derivative prospectively.

 

F-26



Table of Contents

 

THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

The fair values of the Company’s derivative financial instruments included in the consolidated balance sheets are presented as follows:

 

 

 

Asset Derivatives

 

Liability Derivatives

 

 

 

 

 

Fair Value  (1)

 

 

 

Fair Value  (1)

 

 

 

Balance Sheet

 

June 30

 

Balance Sheet

 

June 30

 

(In millions)

 

Location

 

2011

 

2010

 

Location

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency forward contracts

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

$

11.9

 

$

17.1

 

Other accrued liabilities

 

$

28.4

 

$

10.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest rate swap contracts

 

Other assets

 

 

38.7

 

Not applicable

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments

 

 

 

11.9

 

55.8

 

 

 

28.4

 

10.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency forward contracts

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

3.1

 

2.0

 

Other accrued liabilities

 

2.5

 

2.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Derivatives

 

 

 

$

15.0

 

$

57.8

 

 

 

$

30.9

 

$

12.5

 

 


(1)  See Note 12 — Fair Value Measurements for further information about how the fair value of derivative assets and liabilities are determined.

 

The amounts of the gains and losses related to the Company’s derivative financial instruments designated as hedging instruments are presented as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amount of Gain or (Loss)

 

 

 

Amount of Gain or (Loss)

 

Location of Gain or

 

Reclassified from Accumulated

 

 

 

Recognized in OCI on Derivatives

 

(Loss) Reclassified

 

OCI into Earnings

 

 

 

(Effective Portion)

 

from Accumulated OCI

 

(Effective Portion)  (2)

 

 

 

June 30

 

into Earnings (Effective

 

June 30

 

(In millions)

 

2011

 

2010

 

Portion)

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency forward contracts

 

$

(38.0

)

$

(0.2

)

Cost of sales

 

$

(4.3

)

$

(8.5

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

(10.8

)

(11.8

)

Total derivatives

 

$

(38.0

)

$

(0.2

)

 

 

$

(15.1

)

$

(20.3

)

 


(2)      The amount of gain (loss) recognized in earnings related to the amount excluded from effectiveness testing was $0.3 million and $(2.5) million for fiscal 2011 and 2010, respectively. The loss recognized in earnings related to the ineffective portion of the hedging relationships was $0.5 million for fiscal 2011. There was no gain (loss) recognized in earnings related to the ineffective portion of the hedging relationships for fiscal 2010.

 

F-27



Table of Contents

 

THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

 

 

 

Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized
in Earnings on Derivatives 
(1)

 

 

 

Location of Gain or (Loss) Recognized

 

June 30

 

(In millions)

 

in Earnings on Derivatives

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives in Fair Value Hedging Relationships:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest rate swap contracts

 

Interest expense, net

 

$

8.7

 

$

14.2

 

 


(1)  Changes in the fair values of the interest rate swap agreements are exactly offset by changes in the fair value of the underlying long-term debt.

 

The amounts of the gains and losses related to the Company’s derivative financial instruments not designated as hedging instruments are presented as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized
in Earnings on Derivatives

 

 

 

Location of Gain or (Loss) Recognized

 

June 30

 

(In millions)

 

in Earnings on Derivatives

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency forward contracts

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

$

0.6

 

$

(1.6

)

 

Foreign Currency Cash-Flow Hedges

 

The Company enters into foreign currency forward contracts to hedge anticipated transactions, as well as receivables and payables denominated in foreign currencies, for periods consistent with the Company’s identified exposures.  The purpose of the hedging activities is to minimize the effect of foreign exchange rate movements on costs and on the cash flows that the Company receives from foreign subsidiaries.  The majority of foreign currency forward contracts are denominated in currencies of major industrial countries.  The Company may also enter into foreign currency option contracts to hedge anticipated transactions where there is a high probability that anticipated exposures will materialize.  The foreign currency forward contracts entered into to hedge anticipated transactions have been designated as foreign currency cash-flow hedges and have varying maturities through the end of March 2013.  Hedge effectiveness of foreign currency forward contracts is based on a hypothetical derivative methodology and excludes the portion of fair value attributable to the spot-forward difference which is recorded in current-period earnings.

 

The ineffective portion of foreign currency forward contracts is recorded in current-period earnings.  For hedge contracts that are no longer deemed highly effective, hedge accounting is discontinued and gains and losses accumulated in OCI are reclassified to earnings when the underlying forecasted transaction occurs.  If it is probable that the forecasted transaction will no longer occur, then any gains or losses in accumulated OCI are reclassified to current-period earnings.  As of June 30, 2011, the Company’s foreign currency cash-flow hedges were highly effective in all material respects.  The estimated net loss as of June 30, 2011 that is expected to be reclassified from accumulated OCI into earnings, net of tax, within the next twelve months is $8.2 million.  The accumulated gain (loss) on derivative instruments in accumulated OCI was $(13.2) million and $9.7 million as of June 30, 2011 and June 30, 2010, respectively.

 

At June 30, 2011, the Company had foreign currency forward contracts in the amount of $1,490.7 million.  The foreign currencies included in foreign currency forward contracts (notional value stated in U.S. dollars) are principally the Swiss franc ($284.9 million), British pound ($273.5 million), Canadian dollar ($210.1 million), Euro ($164.6 million), Australian dollar ($110.7 million), Korean won ($77.9 million) and Russian ruble ($45.2 million).

 

At June 30, 2010, the Company had foreign currency forward contracts in the amount of $1,348.8 million.  The foreign currencies included in foreign currency forward contracts (notional value stated in U.S. dollars) are principally the Swiss franc ($257.5 million), British pound ($241.9 million), Canadian dollar ($152.2 million), Euro ($148.0 million), Hong Kong dollar ($97.3 million), Australian dollar ($88.3 million) and Japanese yen ($62.3 million).

 

F-28



Table of Contents

 

THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Fair-Value Hedges

 

The Company may enter into interest rate derivative contracts to manage the exposure to interest rate fluctuations on its funded indebtedness and anticipated issuance of debt for periods consistent with the identified exposures.  At June 30, 2010, the Company had interest rate swap agreements with a notional amount of $250 million, a weighted average pay rate of 0.96% and a weighted average receive rate of 5.55%.   During fiscal 2011, the Company terminated its interest rate swap agreements which had effectively converted the fixed rate interest on its outstanding 2017 Senior Notes to variable interest rates.  Additionally, the instrument, which was classified as an asset, had a fair value of $47.4 million at the date of cash settlement.  This net settlement is classified as a financing activity on the consolidated statements of cash flows.  Hedge accounting treatment was discontinued prospectively and the fair value adjustment to the carrying amount of the related debt is being amortized against interest expense over the remaining life of the debt.

 

Credit Risk

 

As a matter of policy, the Company only enters into derivative contracts with counterparties that have at least an “A” (or equivalent) credit rating.  The counterparties to these contracts are major financial institutions.  Exposure to credit risk in the event of nonperformance by any of the counterparties is limited to the gross fair value of contracts in asset positions, which totaled $15.0 million at June 30, 2011, of which 30% and 23% were attributable to two counterparties.  To manage this risk, the Company has established strict counterparty credit guidelines that are continually monitored and reported to management.  Accordingly, management believes risk of loss under these hedging contracts is remote.

 

Certain of the Company’s derivative financial instruments contain credit-risk-related contingent features.  At June 30, 2011, the Company was in a net liability position for certain derivative contracts that contain such features with two counterparties.  The fair value of those contracts as of June 30, 2011 was approximately $3.4 million.  Such credit-risk-related contingent features would be triggered if (a) upon a merger involving the Company, the ratings of the surviving entity were materially weaker than prior to the merger or (b) the Company’s credit ratings fall below investment grade (rated below BBB-/Baa3) and the Company fails to enter into an International Swaps & Derivatives Association Credit Support Annex within 30 days of being requested by the counterparty.  The fair value of collateral required or assets required to settle the instruments immediately if a triggering event were to occur is estimated at approximately the fair value of the contracts.  As of June 30, 2011, the Company was in compliance with such credit-risk-related contingent features.

 

NOTE 12 — FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

 

The Company records its financial assets and liabilities at fair value, which is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability, in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability, in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.  The accounting for fair value measurements must be applied to nonrecurring nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities, which principally consist of assets and liabilities acquired through business combinations, goodwill, indefinite-lived intangible assets and long-lived assets for the purposes of calculating potential impairment, and liabilities associated with restructuring activities.  The Company is required to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value.  The three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value are as follows:

 

Level 1:             Inputs based on quoted market prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets at the measurement date.

 

Level 2:             Observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.

 

Level 3:             Inputs reflect management’s best estimate of what market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability at the measurement date.  The inputs are unobservable in the market and significant to the instrument’s valuation.

 

F-29



Table of Contents

 

THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

The following table presents the Company’s hierarchy for its financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of June 30, 2011:

 

(In millions) 

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency forward contracts

 

$

 

$

15.0

 

$

 

$

15.0

 

Available-for-sale securities

 

6.6

 

 

 

6.6

 

Total

 

$

6.6

 

$

15.0

 

$

 

$

21.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency forward contracts

 

$

 

$

30.9

 

$

 

$

30.9

 

 

The following table presents the Company’s hierarchy for its financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of June 30, 2010:

 

(In millions) 

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency forward contracts

 

$

 

$

19.1

 

$

 

$

19.1

 

Interest rate swap contracts

 

 

38.7

 

 

38.7

 

Available-for-sale securities

 

5.4

 

 

 

5.4

 

Total

 

$

5.4

 

$

57.8

 

$

 

$

63.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency forward contracts

 

$

 

$

12.5

 

$

 

$

12.5

 

 

The following table presents the Company’s hierarchy and impairment charges for certain of its nonfinancial assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis during fiscal 2011:

 

(In millions) 

 

Impairment
charges

 

Date of Carrying
Value

 

Carrying Value

 

Level 3  (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Goodwill

 

$

29.3

 

March 31, 2011

 

$

 

$

 

Other intangible assets, net

 

7.0

 

March 31, 2011

 

10.0

 

10.0

 

Other intangible assets, net

 

1.7

 

April 1, 2011

 

 

 

Total

 

$

38.0

 

 

 

$

10.0

 

$

10.0

 

 


(1)              See Note 5 — Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets for discussion of the valuation techniques used to measure fair value, the description of the inputs and information used to develop those inputs.

 

The following table presents the Company’s hierarchy and impairment charges for certain of its nonfinancial assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis during fiscal 2010:

 

(In millions) 

 

Impairment
charges

 

Date of Carrying
Value

 

Carrying Value

 

Level 3  (2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Goodwill

 

$

16.6

 

December 31, 2009

 

$

28.1

 

$

28.1

 

Other intangible assets, net

 

29.0

 

December 31, 2009

 

41.2

 

41.2

 

Other intangible assets, net

 

8.9

(3)

June 30, 2010

 

 

 

Long-lived assets

 

2.7

 

June 30, 2010

 

 

 

Total

 

$

57.2

 

 

 

$

69.3

 

$

69.3

 

 


(2)              See Note 4 — Property, Plant and Equipment and Note 5 — Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets for discussion of the valuation techniques used to measure fair value, the description of the inputs and information used to develop those inputs.

(3)              Includes $8.8 million related to the reformulation of Ojon brand products, which is included in Restructuring and other special charges in the accompanying consolidated statements of earnings.

 

F-30



Table of Contents

 

THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of the Company’s other classes of financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate that value:

 

Cash and cash equivalents — The carrying amount approximates fair value, primarily because of the short maturity of cash equivalent instruments.

 

Available-for-sale securities — Available-for-sale securities are generally comprised of mutual funds and are valued using quoted market prices on an active exchange.  Available-for-sale securities are included in Other assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

 

Foreign currency forward contracts — The fair values of the Company’s foreign currency forward contracts were determined using an industry-standard valuation model, which is based on an income approach.  The significant observable inputs to the model, such as swap yield curves and currency spot and forward rates, were obtained from an independent pricing service.  To determine the fair value of contracts under the model, the difference between the contract price and the current forward rate was discounted using LIBOR for contracts with maturities up to 12 months, and swap yield curves for contracts with maturities greater than 12 months.

 

Interest rate swap contracts — The fair values of the Company’s interest rate swap contracts were determined using the market approach and were based on non-binding offers from the counterparties that are corroborated by observable market data using the income approach.  The non-binding offers represented the prices offered by the counterparties in the over-the-counter market to unwind and terminate these instruments (exclusive of accrued interest) and incorporated the counterparties’ respective overall credit exposure to the Company.  The Company performed a discounted cash flow analysis to corroborate the fair values of the non-binding offers using inputs such as swap yield curves and six-month LIBOR forward rates, which were obtained from an independent pricing service.  During fiscal 2011, the Company terminated its interest rate swap agreements.  See Note 11 — Derivative Financial Instruments.

 

Current and long-term debt — The fair value of the Company’s debt was estimated based on the current rates offered to the Company for debt with the same remaining maturities.  To a lesser extent, debt also includes capital lease obligations for which the carrying amount approximates the fair value.

 

The estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments are as follows:

 

 

 

June 30

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

(In millions)

 

Carrying
Amount

 

Fair
Value

 

Carrying
Amount

 

Fair
Value

 

Nonderivatives

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

1,253.0

 

$

1,253.0

 

$

1,120.7

 

$

1,120.7

 

Available-for-sale securities

 

6.6

 

6.6

 

5.4

 

5.4

 

Current and long-term debt

 

1,218.1

 

1,293.5

 

1,228.4

 

1,325.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency forward contracts — asset (liability)

 

(15.9

)

(15.9

)

6.6

 

6.6

 

Interest rate swap contracts — asset

 

 

 

38.7

 

38.7

 

 

NOTE 13 — PENSION, DEFERRED COMPENSATION AND POST-RETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS

 

The Company maintains pension plans covering substantially all of its full-time employees for its U.S. operations and a majority of its international operations.  Several plans provide pension benefits based primarily on years of service and employees’ earnings.  In certain instances, the Company adjusts benefits in connection with international employee transfers.

 

Retirement Growth Account Plan (U.S.)

 

The Retirement Growth Account Plan is a trust-based, noncontributory qualified defined benefit pension plan.  The Company’s funding policy consists of contributions at a rate that provides for future plan benefits and maintains appropriate funded percentages.  Such contribution is not less than the minimum required by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, (“ERISA”) and subsequent pension legislation and is not more than the maximum amount deductible for income tax purposes.

 

Restoration Plan (U.S.)

 

The Company also has an unfunded, non-qualified domestic noncontributory pension Restoration Plan to provide benefits in excess of Internal Revenue Code limitations.

 

F-31



Table of Contents

 

THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

International Pension Plans

 

The Company maintains international pension plans, the most significant of which are defined benefit pension plans.  The Company’s funding policies for these plans are determined by local laws and regulations.  The Company’s most significant defined benefit pension obligations are included in the plan summaries below.  The fiscal 2011 international plan summary reflects a plan amendment and settlement that was a result of the establishment of a successor defined benefit pension plan, to comply with local regulations, for the employees of a particular international affiliate.

 

Post-retirement Benefit Plans

 

The Company maintains a domestic post-retirement benefit plan which provides certain medical and dental benefits to eligible employees.  Employees hired after January 1, 2002 are not eligible for retiree medical benefits when they retire.  Certain retired employees who are receiving monthly pension benefits are eligible for participation in the plan.  Contributions required and benefits received by retirees and eligible family members are dependent on the age of the retiree.  It is the Company’s practice to fund these benefits as incurred and to provide discretionary funding for the future liability up to the maximum amount deductible for income tax purposes.

 

Certain of the Company’s international subsidiaries and affiliates have post-retirement plans, although most participants are covered by government-sponsored or administered programs.

 

Plan Summaries

 

The significant components of the above mentioned plans as of and for the years ended June 30 are summarized as follows:

 

 

 

Pension Plans

 

Other than
Pension Plans

 

 

 

U.S.

 

International

 

Post-retirement

 

(In millions)

 

2011

 

2010

 

2011

 

2010

 

2011

 

2010

 

Change in benefit obligation:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Benefit obligation at beginning of year

 

$

545.6

 

$

469.6

 

$

413.7

 

$

379.3

 

$

145.0

 

$

122.8

 

Service cost

 

25.8

 

22.5

 

21.5

 

17.9

 

3.8

 

3.3

 

Interest cost

 

27.8

 

29.3

 

19.5

 

19.3

 

7.8

 

8.0

 

Plan participant contributions

 

 

 

3.1

 

2.5

 

0.6

 

0.6

 

Actuarial loss (gain)

 

14.4

 

51.8

 

(12.4

)

47.5

 

4.6

 

15.4

 

Foreign currency exchange rate impact

 

 

 

58.5

 

(22.7

)

1.5

 

1.1

 

Benefits, expenses, taxes and premiums paid

 

(39.5

)

(27.6

)

(30.4

)

(23.2

)

(6.2

)

(5.4

)

Plan amendments

 

 

 

11.4

 

(1.8

)

(0.8

)

(0.8

)

Special termination benefits

 

 

 

 

1.1

 

 

 

Acquisitions, divestitures, adjustments

 

 

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

Settlements and curtailments

 

 

 

(33.6

)

(6.5

)

 

 

Benefit obligation at end of year

 

$

574.1

 

$

545.6

 

$

451.3

 

$

413.7

 

$

156.3

 

$

145.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in plan assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year

 

$

478.3

 

$

386.5

 

$

353.1

 

$

299.0

 

$

6.0

 

$

 

Actual return on plan assets

 

71.6

 

72.7

 

20.6

 

28.4

 

1.0

 

 

Foreign currency exchange rate impact

 

 

 

43.1

 

(15.6

)

 

 

Employer contributions

 

44.3

 

46.7

 

34.1

 

68.2

 

14.0

 

10.8

 

Plan participant contributions

 

 

 

3.1

 

2.5

 

0.6

 

0.6

 

Settlements

 

 

 

(32.3

)

(6.5

)

 

 

Acquisitions, divestitures, adjustments

 

 

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

Benefits, expenses, taxes and premiums paid from plan assets

 

(39.5

)

(27.6

)

(30.4

)

(23.2

)

(6.2

)

(5.4

)

Fair value of plan assets at end of year

 

$

554.7

 

$

478.3

 

$

391.3

 

$

353.1

 

$

15.4

 

$

6.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Funded status

 

$

(19.4

)

$

(67.3

)

$

(60.0

)

$

(60.6

)

$

(140.9

)

$

(139.0

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amounts recognized in the Balance Sheet consist of:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other assets

 

$

78.0

 

$

19.6

 

$

47.3

 

$

26.7

 

$

 

$

 

Other accrued liabilities

 

(9.6

)

(8.1

)

(2.2

)

(2.0

)

(0.3

)

(0.3

)

Other noncurrent liabilities

 

(87.8

)

(78.8

)

(105.1

)

(85.3

)

(140.6

)

(138.7

)

Funded status

 

(19.4

)

(67.3

)

(60.0

)

(60.6

)

(140.9

)

(139.0

)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

123.3

 

156.1

 

143.0

 

144.5

 

29.8

 

28.6

 

Net amount recognized

 

$

103.9

 

$

88.8

 

$

83.0

 

$

83.9

 

$

(111.1

)

$

(110.4

)

 

F-32



Table of Contents

 

THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

 

Pension Plans

 

Other than
Pension Plans

 

 

 

U.S.

 

International

 

Post-retirement

 

($ in millions)

 

2011

 

2010

 

2009

 

2011

 

2010

 

2009

 

2011

 

2010

 

2009

 

Components of net periodic benefit cost:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service cost, net

 

$

25.8

 

$

22.5

 

$

20.9

 

$

21.5

 

$

17.9

 

$

16.3

 

$

3.8

 

$

3.3

 

$

3.6

 

Interest cost

 

27.8

 

29.3

 

28.1

 

19.5

 

19.3

 

18.1

 

7.8

 

8.0

 

7.6

 

Expected return on assets

 

(34.7

)

(32.4

)

(33.4

)

(21.9

)

(19.8

)

(18.8

)

(0.5

)

 

 

Amortization of:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Transition (asset) obligation

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

 

Prior service cost

 

0.7

 

0.8

 

0.7

 

2.5

 

2.3

 

2.3

 

(0.1

)

 

 

Actuarial loss (gain)

 

9.7

 

4.1

 

1.7

 

5.8

 

1.9

 

0.6

 

1.7

 

0.6

 

0.5

 

Settlements and curtailments

 

 

 

 

9.1

 

2.7

 

1.3

 

 

 

 

Acquisitions, divestitures, adjustments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Special termination benefits

 

 

 

 

 

1.1

 

2.4

 

 

 

 

Net periodic benefit cost

 

$

29.3

 

$

24.3

 

$

18.0

 

$

36.5

 

$

25.4

 

$

22.3

 

$

12.7

 

$

11.9

 

$

11.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations at June 30:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Discount rate

 

5.40%

 

5.30%

 

6.50%

 

1.25 - 8.25%

 

1.25 - 8.00%

 

1.75 - 8.75%

 

5.40 - 8.75%

 

5.30 - 9.00%

 

6.50 - 9.00%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rate of compensation increase

 

4.00 - 12.00%

 

4.00 - 12.00%

 

4.00 - 12.00%

 

2.00 - 6.00%

 

2.00 - 6.00%

 

1.75 - 5.50%

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost for the year ended June 30:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Discount rate

 

5.30%

 

6.50%

 

6.75%

 

1.25 - 8.00%

 

1.75 - 8.75%

 

2.00 - 9.00%

 

5.30 - 9.00%

 

6.50 - 9.00%

 

6.25 - 8.75%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expected return on assets

 

7.75%

 

7.75%

 

7.75%

 

2.50 - 8.00%

 

2.75 - 8.75%

 

3.25 - 9.00%

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rate of compensation increase

 

4.00 - 12.00%

 

4.00 - 12.00%

 

4.00 - 12.00%

 

2.00 - 6.00%

 

1.75 - 5.50%

 

1.75 - 6.00%

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

 

The discount rate for each plan used for determining future net periodic benefit cost is based on a review of highly rated long-term bonds.  The discount rate for the Company’s U.S. plans is based on a bond portfolio that includes only long-term bonds with an Aa rating, or equivalent, from a major rating agency.  The Company believes the timing and amount of cash flows related to the bonds included in this portfolio is expected to match the estimated defined benefit payment streams of its U.S. plans.  In determining the long-term rate of return for a plan, the Company considers the historical rates of return, the nature of the plan’s investments and an expectation for the plan’s investment strategies.

 

F-33



Table of Contents

 

THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Assumed health care cost trend rates have a significant effect on the amounts reported for the health care plans.  The assumed weighted-average health care cost trend rate for the coming year is 6.84% while the weighted-average ultimate trend rate of 4.57% is expected to be reached in approximately 17 years.  A one-percentage-point change in assumed health care cost trend rates for fiscal 2011 would have had the following effects:

 

(In millions)

 

One-Percentage-Point
Increase

 

One-Percentage-Point
Decrease

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effect on total service and interest costs

 

$

1.1

 

$

(1.0

)

Effect on post-retirement benefit obligations

 

$

10.3

 

$

(9.7

)

 

Amounts recognized in accumulated OCI (before tax) as of June 30, 2011 are as follows:

 

 

 

Pension Plans

 

Other than
Pension Plans

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

U.S.

 

International

 

Post-retirement

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net actuarial (gains) losses, beginning of year

 

$

151.0

 

$

125.0

 

$

29.5

 

$

305.5

 

Actuarial (gains) losses recognized

 

(22.4

)

(12.3

)

4.0

 

(30.7

)

Amortization of amounts included in net periodic benefit cost

 

(9.7

)

(14.9

)

(1.7

)

(26.3

)

Translation adjustments

 

 

14.8

 

(0.3

)

14.5

 

Net actuarial (gains) losses, end of year

 

118.9

 

112.6

 

31.5

 

263.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net prior service cost (credit), beginning of year

 

5.1

 

19.6

 

(0.9

)

23.8

 

Prior service cost (credit) recognized

 

 

11.4

 

(0.8

)

10.6

 

Amortization of amounts included in net periodic benefit cost

 

(0.7

)

(2.5

)

0.1

 

(3.1

)

Translation adjustments

 

 

2.0

 

(0.1

)

1.9

 

Net prior service cost (credit), end of year

 

4.4

 

30.5

 

(1.7

)

33.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net transition obligation (asset), beginning of year

 

 

(0.1

)

 

(0.1

)

Amortization of amounts included in net periodic benefit cost

 

 

 

 

 

Net transition obligation (asset), end of year

 

 

(0.1

)

 

(0.1

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total amounts recognized in accumulated OCI

 

$

123.3

 

$

143.0

 

$

29.8

 

$

296.1

 

 

Amounts in accumulated OCI expected to be amortized as components of net periodic benefit cost during fiscal 2012 are as follows:

 

 

 

Pension Plans

 

Other than
Pension Plans

 

(In millions)

 

U.S.

 

International

 

Post-retirement

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prior service cost

 

$

0.7

 

$

4.0

 

$

(0.2

)

Net actuarial loss

 

$

7.9

 

$

4.9

 

$

1.9

 

 

F-34



Table of Contents

 

THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

The projected benefit obligation, accumulated benefit obligation and fair value of plan assets for the Company’s pension plans at June 30 are as follows:

 

 

 

Pension Plans

 

 

 

Retirement Growth
Account

 

Restoration

 

International

 

(In millions)

 

2011

 

2010

 

2011

 

2010

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Projected benefit obligation

 

$

476.8

 

$

458.7

 

$

97.3

 

$

86.9

 

$

451.3

 

$

413.7

 

Accumulated benefit obligation

 

$

422.4

 

$

405.5

 

$

76.1

 

$

71.3

 

$

392.0

 

$

362.6

 

Fair value of plan assets

 

$

554.7

 

$

478.3

 

$

 

$

 

$

391.3

 

$

353.1

 

 

International pension plans with projected benefit obligations in excess of the plans’ assets had aggregate projected benefit obligations of $179.3 million and $158.0 million and aggregate fair value of plan assets of $72.0 million and $70.6 million at June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.  International pension plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of the plans’ assets had aggregate accumulated benefit obligations of $147.5 million and $113.3 million and aggregate fair value of plan assets of $70.1 million and $51.0 million at June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

 

The expected cash flows for the Company’s pension and post-retirement plans are as follows:

 

 

 

Pension Plans

 

Other than
Pension Plans

 

(In millions)

 

U.S.

 

International

 

Post-retirement

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expected employer contributions for year ending June 30, 2012

 

$

 

$

15.5

 

$

 

Expected benefit payments for year ending June 30,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2012

 

45.2

 

16.6

 

5.5

 

2013

 

44.3

 

16.5

 

6.1

 

2014

 

42.1

 

16.1

 

6.7

 

2015

 

37.2

 

17.9

 

7.4

 

2016

 

36.3

 

18.4

 

8.1

 

Years 2017 - 2021

 

184.6

 

121.4

 

54.9

 

 

Plan Assets

 

The Company’s investment strategy for its pension and post-retirement plan assets is to maintain a diversified portfolio of asset classes with the primary goal of meeting long-term cash requirements as they become due.  Assets are primarily invested in diversified funds that hold equity or debt securities to maintain the security of the funds while maximizing the returns within each plan’s investment policy.  The investment policy for each plan specifies the type of investment vehicles appropriate for the plan, asset allocation guidelines, criteria for selection of investment managers, procedures to monitor overall investment performance, as well as investment manager performance.

 

The Company’s target asset allocation at June 30, 2011 is as follows:

 

 

 

Pension Plans

 

Other than
Pension Plans

 

 

 

U.S.

 

International

 

Post-retirement

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity

 

42

%

20

%

42

%

Debt securities

 

34

%

57

%

34

%

Other

 

24

%

23

%

24

%

 

 

100

%

100

%

100

%

 

F-35



Table of Contents

 

THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

The following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for plan assets measured at fair value:

 

Short-term investment funds - The fair value is determined using the Net Asset Value (“NAV”) provided by the administrator of the fund.  The NAV is based on the value of the underlying assets owned by the fund, minus its liabilities, and then divided by the number of shares outstanding.  The NAV is a quoted price in a market that is not active and is primarily classified as Level 2.

 

Government and agency securities - When quoted prices are available in an active market, the investments are classified as Level 1.  When quoted market prices are not available in an active market, these investments are classified as Level 2.

 

Equity securities - The fair values reflect the closing price reported on a major market where the individual securities are traded.  These investments are classified within Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy.

 

Debt instruments - The fair values are based on a compilation of primarily observable market information or a broker quote in a non-active market.  These investments are primarily classified within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy.

 

Commingled funds - The fair values are determined using NAV provided by the administrator of the fund.  The NAV is based on the value of the underlying assets owned by the trust/entity, minus its liabilities, and then divided by the number of shares outstanding.  When quoted in an active market, these investments are classified within Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy.  When the market is not active, these investments are generally classified within Level 2.  When the market is not active and some inputs are unobservable, these investments are generally classified within Level 3.

 

Insurance contracts - These instruments are issued by insurance companies.  The fair value is based on negotiated value and the underlying investment held in separate account portfolios as well as considering the credit worthiness of the issuer.  The underlying investments are government, asset-backed and fixed income securities.  Insurance contracts are generally classified as Level 3 as there are no quoted prices nor other observable inputs for pricing.

 

Interests in limited partnerships and hedge fund investments - One limited partnership investment and one hedge fund was valued using the NAV provided by the administrator of the partnership/fund.  The NAV is based on the value of the underlying assets owned by the partnership/fund, minus its liabilities, and then divided by the number of shares outstanding.  These investments are classified within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy.  All other limited partnership investments and hedge fund investments are private equity funds and the fair values are determined by the fund managers based on the estimated value of the various holdings of the fund portfolio.  These investments are classified within Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy.

 

The following table presents the fair values of the Company’s pension and post-retirement plan assets by asset category as of June 30, 2011:

 

(In millions) 

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short-term investment funds

 

$

22.9

 

$

44.9

 

$

 

$

67.8

 

Government agency securities

 

 

29.6

 

 

29.6

 

Equity securities

 

59.8

 

 

 

59.8

 

Debt instruments

 

 

102.3

 

 

102.3

 

Commingled funds

 

190.4

 

345.3

 

39.0

 

574.7

 

Insurance contracts

 

 

 

39.0

 

39.0

 

Limited partnerships and hedge fund investments

 

 

 

88.2

 

88.2

 

Total

 

$

273.1

 

$

522.1

 

$

166.2

 

$

961.4

 

 

F-36



Table of Contents

 

THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

The following table presents the fair values of the Company’s pension and post-retirement plan assets by asset category as of June 30, 2010:

 

(In millions) 

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short-term investment funds

 

$

52.6

 

$

46.4

 

$

 

$

99.0

 

Government agency securities

 

 

32.4

 

 

32.4

 

Debt instruments

 

 

86.2

 

 

86.2

 

Equity securities

 

12.4

 

 

 

12.4

 

Commingled funds

 

 

428.7

 

68.7

 

497.4

 

Insurance contracts

 

 

 

32.0

 

32.0

 

Limited partnerships and hedge fund investments

 

 

 

78.0

 

78.0

 

Total

 

$

65.0

 

$

593.7

 

$

178.7

 

$

837.4

 

 

The following table presents the changes in Level 3 plan assets for fiscal 2011:

 

(In millions) 

 

Commingled 
Funds

 

Insurance 
Contracts

 

Limited 
Partnerships and 
Hedge Fund 
Investments

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance as of June 30, 2010

 

$

68.7

 

$

32.0

 

$

78.0

 

$

178.7

 

Actual return on plan assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Relating to assets still held at the reporting date

 

0.4

 

1.3

 

7.2

 

8.9

 

Relating to assets sold during the year

 

(0.2

)

 

 

(0.2

)

Transfers in (out)

 

(20.0

)

 

 

(20.0

)

Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements, net

 

(14.3

)

(0.3

)

3.0

 

(11.6

)

Foreign exchange impact

 

4.4

 

6.0

 

 

10.4

 

Balance as of June 30, 2011

 

$

39.0

 

$

39.0

 

$

88.2

 

$

166.2

 

 

401(k) Savings Plan (U.S.)

 

The Company’s 401(k) Savings Plan (“Savings Plan”) is a contributory defined contribution plan covering substantially all regular U.S. employees who have completed the hours and service requirements, as defined by the plan document.  Regular full-time employees are eligible to participate in the Savings Plan thirty days following their date of hire.  The Savings Plan is subject to the applicable provisions of ERISA.  The Company matches a portion of the participant’s contributions after one year of service under a predetermined formula based on the participant’s contribution level.  The Company’s contributions were $22.4 million, $20.8 million and $20.5 million for fiscal 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  Shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock are not an investment option in the Savings Plan and the Company does not use such shares to match participants’ contributions.

 

Deferred Compensation

 

The Company accrues for deferred compensation and interest thereon, and for the increase in the value of share units pursuant to agreements with certain key executives and outside directors.  The amounts included in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets under these plans were $65.8 million and $61.2 million as of June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.  The expense for fiscal 2011, 2010 and 2009 was $9.9 million, $1.7 million and $5.4 million, respectively.

 

F-37



Table of Contents

 

THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

NOTE 14 — COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

Contractual Obligations

 

The following table summarizes scheduled maturities of the Company’s contractual obligations for which cash flows are fixed and determinable as of June 30, 2011:

 

 

 

 

 

Payments Due in Fiscal

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

2012

 

2013

 

2014

 

2015

 

2016

 

Thereafter

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Debt service (1)

 

$

2,043.3

 

$

202.1

 

$

67.7

 

$

285.2

 

$

46.2

 

$

46.2

 

$

1,395.9

 

Operating lease commitments (2)

 

1,364.4

 

247.7

 

218.7

 

182.6

 

153.1

 

129.3

 

433.0

 

Unconditional purchase obligations (3)

 

1,881.5

 

810.8

 

275.1

 

169.5

 

165.1

 

105.3

 

355.7

 

Gross unrecognized tax benefits and interest — current (4)  

 

13.0

 

13.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total contractual obligations

 

$

5,302.2

 

$

1,273.6

 

$

561.5

 

$

637.3

 

$

364.4

 

$

280.8

 

$

2,184.6

 

 


(1)         Includes long-term and short-term debt and the related projected interest costs, and to a lesser extent, capital lease commitments.  Interest costs on long-term and short-term debt are projected to be $71.5 million in fiscal 2012, $64.3 million in fiscal 2013, $55.1 million in fiscal 2014, $46.2 million in fiscal 2015, $46.2 million in fiscal 2016 and $595.9 million thereafter.  Projected interest costs on variable rate instruments were calculated using market rates at June 30, 2011.  Refer to Note 10 — Debt.

(2)         Minimum operating lease commitments only include base rent.  Certain leases provide for contingent rents that are not measurable at inception and primarily include rents based on a percentage of sales in excess of stipulated levels, as well as common area maintenance.  These amounts are excluded from minimum operating lease commitments and are included in the determination of total rent expense when it is probable that the expense has been incurred and the amount is reasonably measurable.  Such amounts have not been material to total rent expense.  Total rental expense included in the accompanying consolidated statements of earnings was $290.9 million in fiscal 2011, $272.8 million in fiscal 2010 and $250.6 million in fiscal 2009.

(3)         Unconditional purchase obligations primarily include inventory commitments, estimated future earn-out payments, estimated royalty payments pursuant to license agreements, advertising commitments, capital improvement commitments, planned funding of pension and other post-retirement benefit obligations, commitments pursuant to executive compensation arrangements, obligations related to the Company’s cost savings initiatives and acquisitions.  Future earn-out payments and future royalty and advertising commitments were estimated based on planned future sales for the term that was in effect at June 30, 2011, without consideration for potential renewal periods.

(4)    Refer to Note 8 — Income Taxes for information regarding unrecognized tax benefits.  As of June 30, 2011, the noncurrent portion of the Company’s unrecognized tax benefits, including related accrued interest and penalties was $129.5 million.  At this time, the settlement period for the noncurrent portion of the unrecognized tax benefits, including related accrued interest and penalties, cannot be determined and therefore was not included.

 

Legal Proceedings

 

The Company is involved, from time to time, in litigation and other legal proceedings incidental to its business.  Management believes that the outcome of current litigation and legal proceedings will not have a material adverse effect upon the Company’s results of operations or financial condition.  However, management’s assessment of the Company’s current litigation and other legal proceedings could change in light of the discovery of facts with respect to legal actions or other proceedings pending against the Company not presently known to the Company or determinations by judges, juries or other finders of fact which are not in accord with management’s evaluation of the possible liability or outcome of such litigation or proceedings.  Reasonably possible losses in addition to the amount accrued for litigation and other legal proceedings are not material to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

NOTE 15 — COMMON STOCK

 

As of June 30, 2011, the Company’s authorized common stock consists of 650 million shares of Class A Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, and 240 million shares of Class B Common Stock, par value $.01 per share.  Class B Common Stock is convertible into Class A Common Stock, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time at the option of the holder, on the basis of one share of Class A Common Stock for each share of Class B Common Stock converted.  Holders of the Company’s Class A Common Stock are entitled to one vote per share and holders of the Company’s Class B Common Stock are entitled to ten votes per share.

 

F-38



Table of Contents

 

THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Information about the Company’s common stock outstanding is as follows:

 

 

 

Class A

 

Class B

 

 

 

(Shares in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at June 30, 2008

 

116,839.8

 

78,067.3

 

Acquisition of treasury stock

 

(1,401.2

)

 

Stock-based compensation

 

3,188.3

 

 

Balance at June 30, 2009

 

118,626.9

 

78,067.3

 

Acquisition of treasury stock

 

(4,901.9

)

 

Conversion of Class B to Class A

 

985.3

 

(985.3

)

Stock-based compensation

 

5,931.3

 

 

Balance at June 30, 2010

 

120,641.6

 

77,082.0

 

Acquisition of treasury stock

 

(5,257.6

)

 

Conversion of Class B to Class A

 

1,100.0

 

(1,100.0

)

Stock-based compensation

 

4,815.4

 

 

Balance at June 30, 2011

 

121,299.4

 

75,982.0

 

 

The Company is authorized by the Board of Directors to repurchase up to 88.0 million shares of Class A Common Stock in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions, depending on market conditions and other factors.  As of June 30, 2011, the cumulative total of acquired shares pursuant to the authorization was 74.9 million, reducing the remaining authorized share repurchase balance to 13.1 million.

 

Subsequent to June 30, 2011, the Company purchased approximately 2.8 million additional shares of Class A Common Stock for $280.1 million pursuant to its share repurchase program.

 

NOTE 16 — STOCK PROGRAMS

 

As of June 30, 2011, the Company has two active equity compensation plans which include the Amended and Restated Fiscal 2002 Share Incentive Plan (the “Fiscal 2002 Plan”) and the Non-Employee Director Share Incentive Plan (collectively, the “Plans”).  These Plans currently provide for the issuance of 33,602,000 shares of Class A Common Stock, which consist of shares originally provided for and shares transferred to the Fiscal 2002 Plan from other inactive plans and employment agreements, to be granted in the form of stock-based awards to key employees, consultants and non-employee directors of the Company.  As of June 30, 2011, approximately 14,194,600 shares of Class A Common Stock were reserved and available to be granted pursuant to these Plans.  The Company may satisfy the obligation of its stock-based compensation awards with either new or treasury shares.  The Company’s equity compensation awards outstanding at June 30, 2011 include stock options, performance share units (“PSU”), restricted stock units (“RSU”), a market share unit (“MSU”) and share units.

 

Total stock-based compensation expense is attributable to the granting of, and the remaining requisite service periods of stock options, PSUs, RSUs, the MSU and share units.  Stock based compensation expense and related income tax benefits are as follows:

 

 

 

Year Ended June 30

 

(In millions)

 

2011

 

2010

 

2009

 

Compensation expense

 

$

94.8

 

$

57.0

 

$

51.5

 

Income tax benefit

 

31.5

 

19.0

 

17.2

 

 

As of June 30, 2011, the total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested stock-based awards was $68.5 million and the related weighted-average period over which it is expected to be recognized is approximately 1.9 years.

 

F-39



Table of Contents

 

THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Stock Options

 

A summary of the Company’s stock option programs as of June 30, 2011 and changes during the fiscal year then ended, is presented below:

 

(Shares in thousands)

 

Shares

 

Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price Per Share

 

Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
(1)
(in millions)

 

Weighted Average
Contractual Life
Remaining inYears

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at June 30, 2010

 

10,083.6

 

$

39.84

 

 

 

 

 

Granted at fair value

 

2,515.7

 

58.37

 

 

 

 

 

Exercised

 

(4,017.6

)

38.85

 

 

 

 

 

Expired

 

(27.4

)

41.49

 

 

 

 

 

Forfeited

 

(68.1

)

48.02

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at June 30, 2011

 

8,486.2

 

45.73

 

$

504.6

 

6.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vested and expected to vest at June 30, 2011

 

8,398.3

 

45.64

 

$

500.2

 

6.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercisable at June 30, 2011

 

4,144.7

 

41.10

 

$

265.6

 

5.2

 

 


(1)  The intrinsic value of a stock option is the amount by which the market value of the underlying stock exceeds the exercise price of the option.

 

The exercise period for all stock options generally may not exceed ten years from the date of grant.  Stock option grants to individuals generally become exercisable in three substantively equal tranches over a service period of up to four years.  The Company attributes the value of option awards on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for each separately vesting portion of the award as if the award was, in substance, multiple awards.

 

The following is a summary of the per-share weighted average grant date fair value of stock options granted and total intrinsic value of stock options exercised:

 

 

 

Year Ended June 30

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

2009

 

 

 

(In millions, except per share data)

 

Per-share weighted average grant date fair value of stock options granted

 

$

18.93

 

$

10.64

 

$

17.30

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Intrinsic value of stock options exercised

 

$

178.1

 

$

91.8

 

$

24.7

 

 

The fair value of each option grant was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions:

 

 

 

Year Ended June 30

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

2009

 

Weighted-average expected stock-price volatility

 

31%

 

30%

 

28%

 

Weighted-average expected option life

 

8 years

 

8 years

 

8 years

 

Average risk-free interest rate

 

2.2%

 

3.1%

 

3.4%

 

Average dividend yield

 

1.1%

 

2.0%

 

1.2%

 

 

The Company uses a weighted-average expected stock-price volatility assumption that is a combination of both current and historical implied volatilities of the underlying stock.  The implied volatilities were obtained from publicly available data sources.  For the weighted-average expected option life assumption, the Company considers the exercise behavior of past grants and models the pattern of aggregate exercises.  The average risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury strip rate for the expected term of the options and the average dividend yield is based on historical experience.

 

F-40



Table of Contents

 

THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Performance Share Units

 

During fiscal 2011, the Company granted 184,600 PSUs, which will be settled in stock subject to the achievement of the Company’s net sales, diluted net earnings per common share and return on invested capital goals for the three fiscal years ending June 30, 2013, all subject to the continued employment or retirement of the grantees.  Settlement will be made pursuant to a range of opportunities relative to the net sales, diluted net earnings per common share and return on invested capital targets of the Company and, as such, the compensation cost of the PSU is subject to adjustment based upon the attainability of these target goals.  No settlement will occur for results below the applicable minimum threshold of a target and additional shares shall be issued if performance exceeds the targeted performance goals.  Certain PSUs are accompanied by dividend equivalent rights that will be payable in cash upon settlement of the PSU.  Other PSUs granted in fiscal 2011 are not accompanied by dividend equivalent rights and, as such, were valued at the closing market value of the Company’s Class A Common Stock on the date of grant less the discounted present value of the dividends expected to be paid on the shares during the vesting period.  These awards are subject to the provisions of the agreement under which the PSUs are granted.  The PSUs were valued at the closing market value of the Company’s Class A Common Stock on the date of grant and generally vest at the end of the performance period.  Approximately 140,000 shares of Class A Common Stock are anticipated to be issued, relative to the target goals set at the time of issuance, in settlement of the 131,000 PSUs that vested as of June 30, 2011.  In September 2010, 47,500 shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock were issued and related accrued dividends were paid, relative to the target goals set at the time of issuance, in settlement of 93,200 PSUs which vested as of June 30, 2010.

 

The following is a summary of the status of the Company’s PSUs as of June 30, 2011 and activity during the fiscal year then ended:

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-Average

 

 

 

 

 

Grant Date

 

(Shares in thousands)

 

Shares

 

Fair Value Per Share

 

Nonvested at June 30, 2010

 

296.3

 

$

42.00

 

Granted

 

184.6

 

58.61

 

Vested

 

(131.0

)

52.83

 

Forfeited

 

 

 

Nonvested at June 30, 2011

 

349.9

 

46.71

 

 

Restricted Stock Units

 

The Company granted approximately 929,200 RSUs during fiscal 2011 which, at the time of grant, were scheduled to vest as follows: 498,800 on October 31, 2011, 285,100 on October 31, 2012 and 145,300 on October 31, 2013, all subject to the continued employment or retirement of the grantees.  Certain RSUs granted in fiscal 2011 are accompanied by dividend equivalent rights that will be payable in cash upon settlement of the RSU and, as such, were valued at the closing market value of the Company’s Class A Common Stock on the date of grant.  Other RSUs granted in fiscal 2011 are not accompanied by dividend equivalent rights and, as such, were valued at the closing market value of the Company’s Class A Common Stock on the date of grant less the discounted present value of the dividends expected to be paid on the shares during the vesting period.

 

The following is a summary of the status of the Company’s RSUs as of June 30, 2011 and activity during the fiscal year then ended:

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-Average

 

 

 

 

 

Grant Date

 

(Shares in thousands)

 

Shares

 

Fair Value Per Share

 

Nonvested at June 30, 2010

 

1,300.9

 

$

37.79

 

Granted

 

929.2

 

57.47

 

Vested

 

(747.0

)

38.68

 

Forfeited

 

(48.0

)

47.52

 

Nonvested at June 30, 2011

 

1,435.1

 

49.74

 

 

F-41



Table of Contents

 

THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Market Share Unit

 

During fiscal 2011, the Company granted a MSU to an executive of the Company which is payable in shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock, subject to continued employment through June 30, 2014.  Such MSU will be settled based upon the average closing stock price per share of the Company’s Class A Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange during the 20 trading days ending June 30, 2014 (“Average Price”).  No settlement will occur if the Average Price is below a minimum threshold, and up to 160,000 shares will be issued depending on the extent to which the Average Price equals or exceeds that minimum threshold.  The MSU is accompanied by dividend equivalent rights that will be payable in cash upon settlement of the MSU.

 

The grant date fair value of the MSU of $10.6 million was estimated using a lattice model with a Monte Carlo simulation and the following assumptions: contractual life of 41 months, a weighted average expected volatility of 29%, a weighted average risk-free interest rate of 1.6% and a weighted average dividend yield of 1.0%.  The Company used an expected stock-price volatility assumption that is a combination of both current and historical implied volatilities from options on the underlying stock.  The implied volatilities were obtained from publicly available data sources.  The expected life is equal to the contractual term of the grant.  The average risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury strip rates over the contractual term of the grant and the average dividend yield is based on historical experience.

 

Share Units

 

The Company grants share units to certain non-employee directors under the Non-Employee Director Share Incentive Plan.  The share units are convertible into shares of Class A Common Stock as provided for in that plan.  Share units are accompanied by dividend equivalent rights that are converted to additional share units when such dividends are declared.

 

The following is a summary of the status of the Company’s share units as of June 30, 2011 and activity during the fiscal year then ended:

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-Average

 

 

 

 

 

Grant Date

 

(Shares in thousands)

 

Shares

 

Fair Value Per Share

 

Outstanding at June 30, 2010

 

26.4

 

$

39.27

 

Granted

 

2.5

 

71.02

 

Dividend equivalents

 

0.3

 

78.42

 

Converted

 

 

 

Outstanding at June 30, 2011

 

29.2

 

42.45

 

 

Cash Units

 

Certain non-employee directors defer cash compensation in the form of cash payout share units, which are not subject to the Plans.  These share units are classified as liabilities and, as such, their fair value is adjusted to reflect the current market value of the Company’s Class A Common Stock.  The Company recorded $4.9 million as compensation expense, $2.3 million as compensation expense and $0.3 million as compensation income to reflect additional deferrals and the change in the market value for fiscal 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

 

F-42



Table of Contents

 

THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

NOTE 17 — NET EARNINGS ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC. PER COMMON SHARE

 

Net earnings attributable to The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. per common share (“basic EPS”) is computed by dividing net earnings attributable to The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding and contingently issuable shares (which satisfy certain conditions).  Net earnings attributable to The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. per common share assuming dilution (“diluted EPS”) is computed by reflecting potential dilution from stock-based awards.

 

A reconciliation between the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted EPS computations is as follows:

 

 

 

Year Ended June 30

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

2009

 

 

 

(In millions, except per share data)

 

Numerator:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings attributable to The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.

 

$

700.8

 

$

478.3

 

$

218.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Denominator:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding — Basic

 

197.0

 

197.7

 

196.3

 

Effect of dilutive stock options

 

3.2

 

2.2

 

0.8

 

Effect of RSUs, PSUs and MSU

 

1.0

 

0.8

 

0.6

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding — Diluted

 

201.2

 

200.7

 

197.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings attributable to The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

3.56

 

$

2.42

 

$

1.11

 

Diluted

 

3.48

 

2.38

 

1.10

 

 

As of June 30, 2011 and 2010, outstanding stock options that were not included in the computation of diluted EPS because their inclusion would be anti-dilutive were de minimis.   As of June 30, 2009, outstanding stock options that were not included in the computation of diluted EPS because their inclusion would be anti-dilutive were 18.7 million.  As of June 30, 2011, 2010 and 2009, 0.3 million, 0.3 million and 0.2 million, respectively, of PSUs have been excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS because the number of shares ultimately issued is contingent on the achievement of certain performance targets of the Company, as discussed in Note 16 — Stock Programs.

 

F-43



Table of Contents

 

THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

NOTE 18 — ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

 

The components of Accumulated OCI (“AOCI”) included in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets consist of the following:

 

 

 

Year Ended June 30

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

2009

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net unrealized investment gains, beginning of year

 

$

0.2

 

$

(0.2

)

$

0.3

 

Unrealized investment gains (losses)

 

0.4

 

0.6

 

(0.8

)

Benefit (provision) for deferred income taxes

 

(0.1

)

(0.2

)

0.3

 

Net unrealized investment gains, end of year

 

0.5

 

0.2

 

(0.2

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net derivative instruments, beginning of year

 

14.3

 

1.5

 

7.9

 

Gain (loss) on derivative instruments

 

(38.0

)

(0.2

)

16.5

 

Benefit (provision) for deferred income taxes on derivative instruments

 

13.4

 

(0.1

)

(5.8

)

Reclassification to earnings during the year:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency forward and option contracts

 

15.1

 

20.3

 

(26.1

)

Settled interest rate-related derivatives

 

(0.3

)

(0.2

)

(0.3

)

Benefit (provision) for deferred income taxes on reclassification

 

(5.2

)

(7.0

)

9.3

 

Net derivative instruments, end of year

 

(0.7

)

14.3

 

1.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net pension and post-retirement adjustments, beginning of year

 

(217.6

)

(190.7

)

(108.8

)

Changes in plan assets and benefit obligations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net actuarial gains (losses) recognized

 

30.7

 

(65.6

)

(138.5

)

Net prior service credit (cost) recognized

 

(10.6

)

2.6

 

(0.7

)

Translation adjustments

 

(16.4

)

6.5

 

8.7

 

Amortization of amounts included in net periodic benefit cost:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net actuarial (gains) losses

 

26.3

 

9.3

 

4.1

 

Net prior service cost (credit)

 

3.1

 

3.1

 

3.0

 

Net transition asset (obligation)

 

 

 

 

Benefit (provision) for deferred income taxes

 

(14.5

)

17.2

 

41.5

 

Net pension and post-retirement adjustments, end of year

 

(199.0

)

(217.6

)

(190.7

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cumulative translation adjustments, beginning of year

 

6.4

 

72.3

 

211.4

 

Translation adjustments

 

213.2

 

(65.5

)

(138.4

)

Benefit (provision) for deferred income taxes

 

(2.7

)

(0.4

)

(0.7

)

Cumulative translation adjustments, end of year

 

216.9

 

6.4

 

72.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

 

$

17.7

 

$

(196.7

)

$

(117.1

)

 

Of the $0.7 million, net of tax, derivative instrument loss recorded in AOCI at June 30, 2011, $8.5 million in losses, net of tax, related to foreign currency forward contracts which the Company will reclassify to earnings through March 2013.  Also included in the net derivative instrument loss recorded in OCI was $0.6 million, net of tax, related to a loss from the settlement of a series of forward-starting interest rate swap agreements upon the issuance of the Company’s 6.00% Senior Notes due May 2037, which will be reclassified to earnings as an addition to interest expense over the life of the debt.  These losses were partially offset by $8.4 million, net of tax, related to the October 2003 gain from the settlement of the treasury lock agreements upon the issuance of the Company’s 5.75% Senior Notes due October 2033, which is being reclassified to earnings as an offset to interest expense over the life of the debt.

 

Refer to Note 13 — Pension, Deferred Compensation and Post-retirement Benefit Plans for the discussion regarding the net pension and post-retirement adjustments.

 

F-44



Table of Contents

 

THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

NOTE 19 — STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

 

Supplemental cash flow information is as follows:

 

 

 

Year Ended June 30

 

(In millions)

 

2011

 

2010

 

2009

 

Cash:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid during the year for interest

 

$

72.6

 

$

106.0

 

$

77.2

 

Cash paid during the year for income taxes

 

$

241.7

 

$

265.2

 

$

230.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-cash investing and financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Incremental tax benefit from the exercise of stock options

 

$

(20.0

)

$

(21.3

)

$

(7.8

)

Change in liability associated with acquisition of business

 

$

 

$

7.0

 

$

5.9

 

Capital lease obligations incurred

 

$

1.0

 

$

22.5

 

$

15.5

 

Accrued dividend equivalents

 

$

0.3

 

$

0.2

 

$

0.1

 

Interest rate swap derivative mark to market

 

$

8.7

 

$

14.2

 

$

13.6

 

 

NOTE 20 — SEGMENT DATA AND RELATED INFORMATION

 

Reportable operating segments include components of an enterprise about which separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker (the “Chief Executive”) in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance.  As a result of the similarities in the manufacturing, marketing and distribution processes for all of the Company’s products, much of the information provided in the consolidated financial statements is similar to, or the same as, that reviewed on a regular basis by the Chief Executive.  Although the Company operates in one business segment, beauty products, management also evaluates performance on a product category basis.

 

While the Company’s results of operations are also reviewed on a consolidated basis, the Chief Executive reviews data segmented on a basis that facilitates comparison to industry statistics.  Accordingly, net sales, depreciation and amortization, and operating income are available with respect to the manufacture and distribution of skin care, makeup, fragrance, hair care and other products.  These product categories meet the definition of operating segments and, accordingly, additional financial data are provided below.  The “other” segment includes the sales and related results of ancillary products and services that do not fit the definition of skin care, makeup, fragrance and hair care.

 

Product category performance is measured based upon net sales before returns associated with restructuring activities, and earnings before income taxes, net interest expense, interest expense on debt extinguishment and total charges associated with restructuring activities.  Returns and charges associated with restructuring activities are not allocated to the product categories because they result from activities that are deemed a company-wide program to redesign the Company’s organizational structure.  The accounting policies for the Company’s reportable segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies, except for depreciation and amortization charges, which are allocated, primarily, based upon net sales.  The assets and liabilities of the Company are managed centrally and are reported internally in the same manner as the consolidated financial statements; thus, no additional information is produced for the Chief Executive or included herein.

 

F-45



Table of Contents

 

THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

 

Year Ended June 30

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

2009

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

PRODUCT CATEGORY DATA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Sales:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Skin Care

 

$

3,718.6

 

$

3,227.1

 

$

2,886.0

 

Makeup

 

3,370.8

 

2,978.2

 

2,830.9

 

Fragrance

 

1,236.0

 

1,136.9

 

1,150.9

 

Hair Care

 

432.3

 

413.9

 

402.4

 

Other

 

56.9

 

55.4

 

61.7

 

 

 

8,814.6

 

7,811.5

 

7,331.9

 

Returns associated with restructuring activities

 

(4.6

)

(15.7

)

(8.1

)

 

 

$

8.810.0

 

$

7,795.8

 

$

7,323.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and Amortization:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Skin Care

 

$

116.3

 

$

104.4

 

$

93.8

 

Makeup

 

127.4

 

110.3

 

100.0

 

Fragrance

 

40.0

 

37.2

 

38.6

 

Hair Care

 

9.7

 

10.8

 

19.1

 

Other

 

1.0

 

1.0

 

2.5

 

 

 

$

294.4

 

$

263.7

 

$

254.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Goodwill, Other Intangible Asset and Long-Lived Asset Impairments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Skin Care

 

$

3.8

 

$

11.0

 

$

36.4

 

Makeup

 

1.1

 

1.0

 

4.1

 

Fragrance

 

 

0.5

 

12.8

 

Hair Care

 

33.1

 

35.9

 

9.4

 

Other

 

 

 

0.4

 

 

 

$

38.0

 

$

48.4

 

$

63.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Income (Loss) before total returns and charges associated with restructuring activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Skin Care

 

$

595.1

 

$

434.3

 

$

294.1

 

Makeup

 

493.8

 

416.8

 

279.8

 

Fragrance

 

80.7

 

26.3

 

(60.8

)

Hair Care

 

(9.1

)

(6.2

)

1.1

 

Other

 

(11.7

)

3.4

 

(4.1

)

 

 

1,148.8

 

874.6

 

510.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reconciliation:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total returns and charges associated with restructuring activities (1)

 

(59.4

)

(84.7

)

(91.7

)

Interest expense, net

 

(63.9

)

(74.3

)

(75.7

)

Interest expense on debt extinguishment

 

 

(27.3

)

 

Earnings before income taxes

 

$

1,025.5

 

$

688.3

 

$

342.7

 

 


(1)   Includes $8.8 million of impairment charges in fiscal 2010 related to the reformulation of Ojon brand products.

 

F-46



Table of Contents

 

THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

 

Year Ended or at June 30

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

2009

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GEOGRAPHIC DATA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Sales:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Americas

 

$

3,796.3

 

$

3,442.1

 

$

3,421.2

 

Europe, the Middle East & Africa

 

3,257.6

 

2,859.3

 

2,611.3

 

Asia/Pacific

 

1,760.7

 

1,510.1

 

1,299.4

 

 

 

8,814.6

 

7,811.5

 

7,331.9

 

Returns associated with restructuring activities

 

(4.6

)

(15.7

)

(8.1

)

 

 

$

8,810.0

 

$

7,795.8

 

$

7,323.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Income (Loss):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Americas

 

$

244.9

 

$

161.5

 

$

115.2

 

Europe, the Middle East & Africa

 

651.9

 

500.8

 

229.7

 

Asia/Pacific

 

252.0

 

212.3

 

165.2

 

 

 

1,148.8

 

874.6

 

510.1

 

Total charges associated with restructuring activities

 

(59.4

)

(84.7

)

(91.7

)

 

 

$

1,089.4

 

$

789.9

 

$

418.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Americas

 

$

3,633.6

 

$

3,237.3

 

$

3,261.4

 

Europe, the Middle East & Africa

 

2,034.0

 

1,600.0

 

1,497.2

 

Asia/Pacific

 

606.3

 

498.3

 

418.0

 

 

 

$

6,273.9

 

$

5,335.6

 

$

5,176.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-Lived Assets (property, plant and equipment, net):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Americas

 

$

750.7

 

$

702.6

 

$

682.2

 

Europe, the Middle East & Africa

 

307.5

 

258.3

 

291.1

 

Asia/Pacific

 

84.9

 

62.7

 

53.4

 

 

 

$

1,143.1

 

$

1,023.6

 

$

1,026.7

 

 

Net sales are predominantly attributed to a country within a geographic segment based on the location of the customer.  The net sales from the Company’s travel retail business are included in the Europe, the Middle East & Africa region.  The Company is domiciled in the United States.  Net sales in the United States in fiscal 2011, 2010 and 2009 were $3,309.1 million, $2,992.7 million and $3,020.4 million, respectively.  The Company’s long-lived assets in the United States at June 30, 2011, 2010 and 2009 were $672.1 million, $630.1 million and $612.3 million, respectively.

 

F-47



Table of Contents

 

THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

NOTE 21 — UNAUDITED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA

 

The following summarizes the unaudited quarterly operating results of the Company for fiscal 2011 and 2010:

 

 

 

Quarter Ended

 

 

 

 

 

September 30 (1)

 

December 31 (2)

 

March 31 (3)

 

June 30 (4)

 

Total Year

 

 

 

(In millions, except per share data)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fiscal 2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Sales

 

$

2,091.7

 

$

2,492.0

 

$

2,165.7

 

$

2,060.6

 

$

8,810.0

 

Gross Profit

 

1,603.6

 

1,950.9

 

1,683.1

 

1,635.5

 

6,873.1

 

Operating Income

 

298.0

 

517.7

 

209.1

 

64.6

 

1,089.4

 

Net Earnings Attributable to The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.

 

191.1

 

343.9

 

124.7

 

41.1

 

700.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings attributable to The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

.97

 

1.75

 

.63

 

.21

 

3.56

 

Diluted

 

.95

 

1.71

 

.62

 

.20

 

3.48

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fiscal 2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Sales

 

$

1,833.4

 

$

2,262.3

 

$

1,860.0

 

$

1,840.1

 

$

7,795.8

 

Gross Profit

 

1,388.3

 

1,736.9

 

1,415.4

 

1,425.8

 

5,966.4

 

Operating Income

 

220.4

 

399.6

 

126.3

 

43.6

 

789.9

 

Net Earnings Attributable to The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.

 

140.7

 

256.2

 

57.5

 

23.9

 

478.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings attributable to The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

.72

 

1.30

 

.29

 

.12

 

2.42

 

Diluted

 

.71

 

1.28

 

.28

 

.12

 

2.38

 

 


(1)       Fiscal 2011 first quarter results include charges associated with restructuring activities of $4.6 million ($3.3 million after tax, or $.02 per diluted common share).  Fiscal 2010 first quarter results include charges associated with restructuring activities of $42.3 million ($27.3 million after tax, or $.14 per diluted common share).

 

(2)       Fiscal 2011 second quarter results include charges associated with restructuring activities of $19.3 million ($11.9 million after tax, or $.06 per diluted common share).  Fiscal 2010 second quarter results include charges associated with restructuring activities of $0.3 million and goodwill and other intangible asset impairment charges of $45.6 million ($29.7 million after tax, or $.14 per diluted common share).

 

(3)       Fiscal 2011 third quarter results include charges associated with restructuring activities of $23.5 million ($17.9 million after tax, or $.09 per diluted common share) and goodwill and other intangible asset impairment charges of $36.3 million ($23.3 million after tax, or $.12 per diluted common share).  Fiscal 2010 third quarter results include charges associated with restructuring activities of $16.5 million ($11.4 million after tax, or $.06 per diluted common share).

 

(4)       Fiscal 2011 fourth quarter results include charges associated with restructuring activities of $12.0 million ($8.6 million after tax, or $.04 per diluted common share) and other intangible asset impairment charges of $1.7 million ($1.1 million after tax, or $.01 per diluted common share).  Fiscal 2010 fourth quarter results include charges associated with restructuring activities of $25.6 million ($16.8 million after tax, or $.08 per diluted common share), other intangible asset and long-lived asset impairment charges of $2.8 million ($1.8 million after tax, or $.01 per diluted common share), and interest expense on debt extinguishment of $27.3 million ($17.5 million after tax, or $.09 per diluted common share).

 

F-48



Table of Contents

 

THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

 

SCHEDULE II — VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

Three Years Ended June 30, 2011

(In millions)

 

COL. A

 

COL. B

 

COL. C

 

COL. D

 

COL. E

 

 

 

 

 

Additions

 

 

 

 

 

Description

 

Balance
at Beginning
of Period

 

(1)
Charged to
Costs and
Expenses

 

(2)
Charged to
Other
Accounts

 

Deductions

 

Balance
at End of
Period

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reserves deducted in the balance sheet from the assets to which they apply:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allowance for doubtful accounts and customer deductions:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year ended June 30, 2011

 

$

34.3

 

$

9.5

 

$

 

$

9.9

(a)

$

33.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year ended June 30, 2010

 

$

41.4

 

$

8.7

 

$

 

$

15.8

(a)

$

34.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year ended June 30, 2009

 

$

26.3

 

$

29.2

 

$

 

$

14.1

(a)

$

41.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales return accrual:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year ended June 30, 2011

 

$

72.6

 

$

335.6

 

$

 

$

343.7

(b)

$

64.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year ended June 30, 2010

 

$

77.6

 

$

371.5

 

$

 

$

376.5

(b)

$

72.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year ended June 30, 2009

 

$

90.3

 

$

350.9

 

$

 

$

363.6

(b)

$

77.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred tax valuation allowance:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year ended June 30, 2011

 

$

38.5

 

$

31.5

 

$

 

$

0.5

 

$

69.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year ended June 30, 2010

 

$

23.5

 

$

18.6

 

$

 

$

3.6

 

$

38.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year ended June 30, 2009

 

$

7.2

 

$

18.0

 

$

 

$

1.7

 

$

23.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accrued restructuring and other special charges:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year ended June 30, 2011

 

$

31.1

 

$

41.1

 

$

 

$

35.6

 

$

36.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year ended June 30, 2010

 

$

54.9

 

$

48.8

 

$

 

$

72.6

 

$

31.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year ended June 30, 2009

 

$

22.8

 

$

70.3

 

$

 

$

38.2

 

$

54.9

 

 


(a)           Includes amounts written-off, net of recoveries.

(b)          Represents actual returns.

 

S-1



Table of Contents

 

THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit
Number

 

Description

 

 

 

 

3.1

 

Restated Certificate of Incorporation, dated November 16, 1995 (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on September 15, 2003) (SEC File No. 1-14064).*

 

 

 

3.2

 

Certificate of Amendment to Restated Certificate of Incorporation (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on January 27, 2000) (SEC File No. 1-14064).*

 

 

 

3.3

 

Certificate of Designations for the Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on January 29, 2004) (SEC File No. 1-14064).*

 

 

 

3.4

 

Amended and Restated Bylaws (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 12, 2009) (SEC File No. 1-14064).*

 

 

 

4.1

 

Indenture, dated November 5, 1999, between the Company and State Street Bank and Trust Company, N.A. (filed as Exhibit 4 to Amendment No. 1 to our Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-85947) filed on November 5, 1999) (SEC File No. 1-14064).*

 

 

 

4.2

 

Officers’ Certificate, dated January 10, 2002, defining certain terms of the 6% Senior Notes due 2012 (filed as Exhibit 4.2 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on January 31, 2002) (SEC File No. 1-14064).*

 

 

 

4.3

 

Global Note for the 6% Senior Notes due 2012 (filed as Exhibit 4.3 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on January 31, 2002) (SEC File No. 1-14064).*

 

 

 

4.4

 

Officers’ Certificate, dated September 29, 2003, defining certain terms of the 5.75% Senior Notes due 2033 (filed as Exhibit 4.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 29, 2003) (SEC File No. 1-14064).*

 

 

 

4.5

 

Global Note for 5.75% Senior Notes due 2033 (filed as Exhibit 4.3 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 29, 2003) (SEC File No. 1-14064).*

 

 

 

4.6

 

Officers’ Certificate, dated May 1, 2007, defining certain terms of the 5.550% Senior Notes due 2017 (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 1, 2007) (SEC File No. 1-14064).*

 

 

 

4.7

 

Global Note for 5.550% Senior Notes due 2017 (filed as Exhibit 4.3 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 1, 2007) (SEC File No. 1-14064).*

 

 

 

4.8

 

Officers’ Certificate, dated May 1, 2007, defining certain terms of the 6.000% Senior Notes due 2037 (filed as Exhibit 4.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 1, 2007) (SEC File No. 1-14064).*

 

 

 

4.9

 

Global Note for 6.000% Senior Notes due 2037 (filed as Exhibit 4.4 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 1, 2007) (SEC File No. 1-14064).*

 

 

 

4.10

 

Officers’ Certificate, dated November 4, 2008, defining certain terms of the 7.750% Senior Notes due 2013 (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 4, 2008) (SEC File No. 1-14064).*

 

 

 

4.11

 

Global Note for 7.750% Senior Notes due 2013 (filed as Exhibit 4.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 4, 2008) (SEC File No. 1-14064).*

 

 

 

10.1

 

Stockholders’ Agreement, dated November 22, 1995 (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on September 15, 2003) (SEC File No. 1-14064).*

 

 

 

10.1a

 

Amendment No. 1 to Stockholders’ Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on October 30, 1996) (SEC File No. 1-14064).*

 

 

 

10.1b

 

Amendment No. 2 to Stockholders’ Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on January 28, 1997) (SEC File No. 1-14064).*

 

 

 

10.1c

 

Amendment No. 3 to Stockholders’ Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on April 29, 1997) (SEC File No. 1-14064).*

 

 

 

10.1d

 

Amendment No. 4 to Stockholders’ Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.1d to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on September 18, 2000) (SEC File No. 1-14064).*

 

 

 

10.1e

 

Amendment No. 5 to Stockholders’ Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.1e to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on September 17, 2002) (SEC File No. 1-14064).*

 

 

 

10.1f

 

Amendment No. 6 to Stockholders’ Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on

 



Table of Contents

 

 

 

January 27, 2005) (SEC File No. 1-14064).*

 

 

 

10.1g

 

Amendment No. 7 to Stockholders’ Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.7 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on October 30, 2009) (SEC File No. 1-14064).*

 

 

 

10.2

 

Registration Rights Agreement, dated November 22, 1995 (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on September 15, 2003) (SEC File No. 1-14064).*

 

 

 

10.2a

 

First Amendment to Registration Rights Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.3 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on September 10, 1996) (SEC File No. 1-14064).*

 

 

 

10.2b

 

Second Amendment to Registration Rights Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on April 29, 1997) (SEC File No. 1-14064).*

 

 

 

10.2c

 

Third Amendment to Registration Rights Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.2c to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on September 17, 2001) (SEC File No. 1-14064).*

 

 

 

10.2d

 

Fourth Amendment to Registration Rights Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on January 29, 2004) (SEC File No. 1-14064).*

 

 

 

10.3

 

Fiscal 1999 Share Incentive Plan dated November 5, 1998 (filed as Exhibit 4(c) to our Registration Statement on Form S-8 (No. 333-66851) filed on November 5, 1998) (SEC File No. 1-14064).* †

 

 

 

10.3a

 

Form of Stock Option Agreement under Fiscal 1999 Share Incentive Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.3b to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on September 3, 2004) (SEC File No. 1-14064).* †

 

 

 

10.4

 

The Estee Lauder Companies Retirement Growth Account Plan, as amended (filed as Exhibit 10.4 to our annual Report on Form 10-K filed on August 20, 2010) (SEC File No. 1-14064).* †

 

 

 

10.5

 

The Estee Lauder Inc. Retirement Benefits Restoration Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.5 to our annual Report on Form 10-K filed on August 20, 2010) (SEC File No. 1-14064).* †

 

 

 

10.6

 

Executive Annual Incentive Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 14, 2008) (SEC File No. 1-14064).* †

 

 

 

10.7

 

Employment Agreement with Leonard A. Lauder (filed as Exhibit 10.8 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on September 17, 2001) (SEC File No. 1-14064).* †

 

 

 

10.7a

 

Amendment to Employment Agreement with Leonard A. Lauder (filed as Exhibit 10.8a to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on September 17, 2002) (SEC File No. 1-14064).* †

 

 

 

10.7b

 

Amendment to Employment Agreement with Leonard A. Lauder (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 10, 2005) (SEC File No. 1-14064).* †

 

 

 

10.7c

 

Amendment to Employment Agreement with Leonard A. Lauder (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on February 5, 2009) (SEC File No. 1-14064).* †

 

 

 

10.7d

 

Amendment to Employment Agreement with Leonard A. Lauder (filed as Exhibit 10.8 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on October 30, 2009) (SEC File No. 1-14064).* †

 

 

 

10.7e

 

Amendment to Employment Agreement with Leonard A. Lauder (filed as Exhibit 10.6 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on November 1, 2010) (SEC File No. 1-14064).* †

 

 

 

10.8

 

Employment Agreement with William P. Lauder (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 10, 2010) (SEC File No. 1-14064).* †

 

 

 

10.9

 

Employment Agreement with Fabrizio Freda (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 14, 2007)  (SEC File No. 1-14064).* †

 

 

 

10.9a

 

Amendment to Employment Agreement with Fabrizio Freda (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 27, 2009) (SEC File No. 1-14064).* †

 

 

 

10.9b

 

Employment Agreement with Fabrizio Freda (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 11, 2011) (SEC File No. 1-14064).* †

 

 

 

10.10

 

Employment Agreement with Richard W. Kunes (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 2, 2009) (SEC File No. 1-14064).* †

 



Table of Contents

 

10.11

 

Employment Agreement with John Demsey (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 24, 2010) (SEC File No. 1-14064).* †

 

 

 

10.12

 

Employment Agreement with Cedric Prouvé (filed as Exhibit 10.6 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on October 28, 2008) (SEC File No. 1-14064).* †

 

 

 

10.12a

 

Amendment to Employment Agreement with Cedric Prouvé (filed as Exhibit 10.9 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on October 30, 2009) (SEC File No. 1-14064).* †

 

 

 

10.13

 

Form of Deferred Compensation Agreement (interest-based) with Outside Directors (filed as Exhibit 10.14 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on September 17, 2001) (SEC File No. 1-14064).* †

 

 

 

10.14

 

Form of Deferred Compensation Agreement (stock-based) with Outside Directors (filed as Exhibit 10.15 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on September 17, 2001) (SEC File No. 1-14064).* †

 

 

 

10.15

 

The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. Non-Employee Director Share Incentive Plan (as amended and restated on November 9, 2007) (filed as Exhibit 99.1 to our Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed on November 9, 2007) (SEC File No. 1-14064).*†

 

 

 

10.15a

 

The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. Non-Employee Director Share Incentive Plan (as amended on July 14, 2011). †

 

 

 

10.16

 

Form of Stock Option Agreement for Annual Stock Option Grants under Non-Employee Director Share Incentive Plan (filed as Exhibit 99.2 to our Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed on November 9, 2007) (SEC File No. 1-14064).*†

 

 

 

10.16a

 

Form of Stock Option Agreement for Elective Stock Option Grants under Non-Employee Director Share Incentive Plan (filed as Exhibit 99.3 to our Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed on November 9, 2007) (SEC File No. 1-14064).*†

 

 

 

10.17

 

The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. Amended and Restated Fiscal 2002 Share Incentive Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 25, 2007) (SEC File No. 1-14064).* †

 

 

 

10.17a

 

Form of Stock Option Agreement under Amended and Restated Fiscal 2002 Share Incentive Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on May 4, 2006) (SEC File No. 1-14064).* †

 

 

 

10.17b

 

Form of Performance Share Unit Award Agreement under The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. Amended and Restated Fiscal 2002 Share Incentive Plan (including Form of Notice of Grant) (filed as Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 25, 2006) (SEC File No. 1-14064).*†

 

 

 

10.17c

 

Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement under The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. Amended and Restated Fiscal 2002 Share Incentive Plan for Executive Officers (including Form of Notice of Grant) (filed as Exhibit 10.5 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 25, 2006) (SEC File No. 1-14064).*†

 

 

 

10.17d

 

Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement under The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. Amended and Restated Fiscal 2002 Share Incentive Plan for Employees other than Executive Officers (including Form of Notice of Grant) (filed as Exhibit 10.6 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 25, 2006) (SEC File No. 1-14064).*†

 

 

 

10.17e

 

Form of Stock Option Agreement under The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. Amended and Restated Fiscal 2002 Share Incentive Plan (including Form of Notice of Grant) (filed as Exhibit 10.3 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 25, 2007) (SEC File No. 1-14064).* †

 

 

 

10.17f

 

Form of Performance Share Unit Award Agreement under The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. Amended and Restated Fiscal 2002 Share Incentive Plan (including Form of Notice of Grant) (filed as Exhibit 10.4 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 25, 2007) (SEC File No. 1-14064).* †

 

 

 

10.17g

 

Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement under The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. Amended and Restated Fiscal 2002 Share Incentive Plan for Executive Officers (including Form of Notice of Grant) (filed as Exhibit 10.5 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 25, 2007) (SEC File No. 1-14064).* †

 

 

 

10.17h

 

Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement under The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. Amended and Restated Fiscal 2002 Share Incentive Plan for Employees other than Executive Officers (including Form of Notice of Grant) (filed as Exhibit 10.6 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 25, 2007) (SEC File No. 1-14064).* †

 

 

 

10.17i

 

Form of Stock Option Agreement under The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. Amended and Restated Fiscal 2002 Share Incentive Plan (including Form of Notice of Grant) (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on October 28, 2008) (SEC File No. 1-14064).* †

 



Table of Contents

 

10.17j

 

Form of Performance Share Unit Award Agreement under The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. Amended and Restated Fiscal 2002 Share Incentive Plan (including Form of Notice of Grant) (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on October 28, 2008) (SEC File No. 1-14064).* †

 

 

 

10.17k

 

Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement under The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. Amended and Restated Fiscal 2002 Share Incentive Plan for Executive Officers (including Form of Notice of Grant) (filed as Exhibit 10.3 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on October 28, 2008) (SEC File No. 1-14064).* †

 

 

 

10.17l

 

Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement under The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. Amended and Restated Fiscal 2002 Share Incentive Plan for Employees other than Executive Officers (including Form of Notice of Grant) (filed as Exhibit 10.4 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on October 28, 2008) (SEC File No. 1-14064).* †

 

 

 

10.17m

 

Form of Stock Option Agreement under The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. Amended and Restated Fiscal 2002 Share Incentive Plan (including Form of Notice of Grant) (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on October 30, 2009) (SEC File No. 1-14064).* †

 

 

 

10.17n

 

Form of Performance Share Unit Award Agreement under The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. Amended and Restated Fiscal 2002 Share Incentive Plan for Executive Officers (including Form of Notice of Grant) (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on October 30, 2009) (SEC File No. 1-14064).* †

 

 

 

10.17o

 

Form of Performance Share Unit Agreement under The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. Amended and Restated Fiscal 2002 Share Incentive Plan for Employees other than Executive Officers (including Form of Notice of Grant) (filed as Exhibit 10.3 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on October 30, 2009) (SEC File No. 1-14064).* †

 

 

 

10.17p

 

Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement under The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. Amended and Restated Fiscal 2002 Share Incentive Plan for Executive Officers (including Form of Notice of Grant) (filed as Exhibit 10.4 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on October 30, 2009) (SEC File No. 1-14064).* †

 

 

 

10.17q

 

Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement under The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. Amended and Restated Fiscal 2002 Share Incentive Plan for Executive Officers for grants related to bonuses (including Form of Notice of Grant) (filed as Exhibit 10.5 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on October 30, 2009) (SEC File No. 1-14064).* †

 

 

 

10.17r

 

Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement under The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. Amended and Restated Fiscal 2002 Share Incentive Plan for Employees other than Executive Officers (including Form of Notice of Grant) (filed as Exhibit 10.6 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on October 30, 2009) (SEC File No. 1-14064).* †

 

 

 

10.17s

 

Form of Stock Option Agreement under The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. Amended and Restated Fiscal 2002 Share Incentive Plan (including Form of Notice of Grant) (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on November 1, 2010) (SEC File No. 1-14064).* †

 

 

 

10.17t

 

Form of Performance Share Unit Award Agreement under The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. Amended and Restated Fiscal 2002 Share Incentive Plan for Executive Officers (including Form of Notice of Grant) (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on November 1, 2010) (SEC File No. 1-14064).* †

 

 

 

10.17u

 

Form of Performance Share Unit Award Agreement under The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. Amended and Restated Fiscal 2002 Share Incentive Plan for Employees other than Executive Officers (including Form of Notice of Grant) (filed as Exhibit 10.3 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on November 1, 2010) (SEC File No. 1-14064).* †

 

 

 

10.17v

 

Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement under The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. Amended and Restated Fiscal 2002 Share Incentive Plan for Executive Officers (including Form of Notice of Grant) (filed as Exhibit 10.4 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on November 1, 2010) (SEC File No. 1-14064).* †

 

 

 

10.17w

 

Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement under The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. Amended and Restated Fiscal 2002 Share Incentive Plan for Employees other than Executive Officers (including Form of Notice of Grant) (filed as Exhibit 10.5 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on November 1, 2010) (SEC File No. 1-14064).* †

 

 

 

10.17x

 

The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. Amended and Restated Fiscal 2002 Share Incentive Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 12, 2010) (SEC File No. 1-14064).* †

 

 

 

10.17y

 

Form of Market Share Unit Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 11, 2011) (SEC File No. 1-14064).* †

 

 

 

10.18

 

Summary of Compensation For Non-Employee Directors of the Company (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 17, 2005) (SEC File No. 1-14064).* †

 



Table of Contents

 

10.19

 

$750 Million Credit Agreement, dated April 26, 2007, by and among The Estée Lauder Companies Inc., Estee Lauder Inc., the Eligible Subsidiaries, as defined therein, the lenders listed therein, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent (“JPMCB”), Bank of America, N.A. and Citibank, N.A., as syndication agents, Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi Trust Company and BNP Paribas, as documentation agents and Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and JPMCB, as joint book runners and joint lead arrangers (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on January 28, 2010) (SEC File No. 1-14064).*

 

 

 

10.19a

 

$1 Billion Credit Agreement, dated as of July 14, 2011, by and among The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. (the “Company”), Estee Lauder Inc., a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, the Eligible Subsidiaries of the Company, as defined therein, the lenders listed therein, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, Citibank, N.A. and BNP Paribas, as syndication agents, and Bank of America, N.A. and The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd., as documentation agents (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 14, 2011) (SEC File No. 1-14064).*

 

 

 

10.20

 

Services Agreement, dated January 1, 2003, among Estee Lauder Inc., Melville Management Corp., Leonard A. Lauder, and William P. Lauder (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on January 28, 2010) (SEC File No. 1-14064).*

 

 

 

10.21

 

Services Agreement, dated November 22, 1995, between Estee Lauder Inc. and RSL Investment Corp. (filed as Exhibit 10.3 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on January 28, 2010) (SEC File No. 1-14064).*

 

 

 

10.22

 

Agreement of Sublease and Guarantee of Sublease, dated April 1, 2005, among Aramis Inc., RSL Management Corp., and Ronald S. Lauder (filed as Exhibit 10.4 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on January 28, 2010) (SEC File No. 1-14064).*

 

 

 

10.22a

 

First Amendment to Sublease, dated February 28, 2007, between Aramis Inc. and RSL Management Corp. (filed as Exhibit 10.5 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on January 28, 2010) (SEC File No. 1-14064).*

 

 

 

10.22b

 

Second Amendment to Sublease, dated January 27, 2010, between Aramis Inc. and RSL Management Corp. (filed as Exhibit 10.6 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on January 28, 2010) (SEC File No. 1-14064).*

 

 

 

10.22c

 

Third Amendment to Sublease, dated November 3, 2010, between Aramis Inc., and RSL Management Corp. (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on February 4, 2011) (SEC File No. 1-14064).*

 

 

 

10.23

 

Form of Art Loan Agreement between Lender and Estee Lauder Inc. (filed as Exhibit 10.7 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on January 28, 2010) (SEC file No. 1-14064).*

 

 

 

10.24

 

Creative Consultant Agreement, dated April 6, 2011, between Estee Lauder Inc. and Aerin Lauder Zinterhofer (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 8, 2011) (SEC File No. 1-14064).* †

 

 

 

10.25

 

License Agreement, dated April 6, 2011, by and among Aerin LLC, Aerin Lauder Zinterhofer and Estee Lauder Inc. (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 8, 2011) (SEC File No. 1-14064).*

 

 

 

21.1

 

List of significant subsidiaries.

 

 

 

23.1

 

Consent of KPMG LLP.

 

 

 

24.1

 

Power of Attorney.

 

 

 

31.1

 

Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (CEO).

 

 

 

31.2

 

Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (CFO).

 

 

 

32.1

 

Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (CEO). (furnished)

 

 

 

32.2

 

Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (CFO). (furnished)

 

 

 

101.INS

 

XBRL Instance Document‡

 

 

 

101.SCH

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document‡

 

 

 

101.CAL

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document‡

 

 

 

101.LAB

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document‡

 

 

 

101.PRE

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document‡

 

 

 

101.DEF

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document‡

 


*      Incorporated herein by reference.

†      Exhibit is a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

‡      Users of this data are advised pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T that this interactive data file is deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for the purposes of section 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, is deemed not filed for purposes of section 18 of the Securities and Exchanges Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise is not subject to liability under these sections.

 


Exhibit 10.15a

 

THE ESTEE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

 

NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR SHARE INCENTIVE PLAN

 

1.                 PURPOSE. The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. Non-Employee Director Share Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) is intended (i) to provide incentives which will attract, retain and motivate highly competent persons as non-employee directors of The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. (the “Company”), and (ii) to assist in further aligning the interests of the Company’s non-employee directors with those of its other stockholders, by providing non-employee directors with opportunities to acquire shares of the Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (“Class A Common Stock”) or to receive monetary payments based on the value of such shares pursuant to the Benefits (as defined below) described herein.

 

2.                 ADMINISTRATION.

 

The Plan will be administered by the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) or a committee appointed by the Board from among its members (and references herein to the Board shall be deemed to include references to any such committee, except as the context otherwise requires). The Board is authorized, subject to the provisions of the Plan, to establish such rules and regulations as it deems necessary for the proper administration of the Plan and to make such determinations and interpretations and to take such action in connection with the Plan and any Benefits (as defined below) granted hereunder as it deems necessary or advisable. All determinations and interpretations made by the Board shall be binding and conclusive on all participants and their legal representatives.

 

The Board may employ such legal or other counsel, consultants and agents as it may deem desirable for the administration of the Plan and may rely upon any opinion or computation received from any such counsel, consultant or agent. Expenses incurred by the Board in the engagement of such counsel, consultant or agent shall be paid by the Company.

 

3.                 PARTICIPANTS. Each member of the Board who is not an employee of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company (a “Non-Employee Director”) shall be eligible to participate in the Plan.

 

4.                 TYPE OF BENEFITS. Benefits under the Plan shall be granted in a combination of (a) Stock Options, (b) Stock Awards and/or (c) Stock Units (each as described below, and collectively, the “Benefits”). Benefits may be evidenced by agreements (which need not be identical) in such forms as the Board may from time to time approve; provided, however, that in the event of any conflict between the provisions of the Plan and any such agreements, the provisions of the Plan shall prevail.

 

5.                 COMMON STOCK AVAILABLE UNDER THE PLAN.

 

(a)                Subject to the provisions of this Section 5 and any adjustments made in accordance with Section 9 hereof, the maximum number of shares of Class A Common Stock

 



 

that may be delivered to Non-Employee Directors and their beneficiaries under the Plan shall be 600,000 shares of Class A Common Stock, which may be authorized and unissued or treasury shares. Any shares of Class A Common Stock covered by a Stock Option or Stock Unit granted under the Plan, which is forfeited, is canceled, or expires, shall be deemed not to have been delivered for purposes of determining the maximum number of shares of Class A Common Stock available for delivery under the Plan.

 

(b)               If any Stock Option is exercised by tendering shares of Class A Common Stock, either actually or by attestation, to the Company as full or partial payment in connection with the exercise of a Stock Option under the Plan, only the number of shares of Class A Common Stock issued net of the shares of Class A Common Stock tendered shall be deemed delivered for purposes of determining the maximum number of shares of Class A Common Stock available for delivery under the Plan.

 

6.                 ANNUAL STOCK OPTIONS.

 

(a)                GRANT. On the date of each Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company during the term of the Plan (commencing with the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on November 11, 2011), each Non-Employee Director in office immediately following such Annual Meeting shall be granted automatically a Stock Option to purchase that number of whole shares of Class A Common Stock such that the value, as determined in accordance with procedures generally utilized by the Company for its financial reporting at the time of the grant, does not exceed such dollar amount determined from time to time by the Board (such amount being $100,000 for the calendar year ending December 31, 2011); provided that in no event shall the grant exceed 5,000 shares of Class A Common Stock (subject to adjustments made in accordance with Section 9 hereof). Stock Options are not intended to constitute “incentive stock options” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).

 

(b)               EXERCISE PRICE. Each Stock Option granted hereunder shall have a per-share exercise price equal to the Fair Market Value (as defined herein) of a share of Class A Common Stock on the date of grant (subject to adjustments made in accordance with Section 9 hereof).

 

(c)                PAYMENT OF EXERCISE PRICE. The option exercise price may be paid in cash or, in the discretion of the Board, by the delivery of shares of Class A Common Stock then owned by the Non-Employee Director (to be valued at their Fair Market Value on the date of exercise), by the withholding of shares of Class A Common Stock for which a Stock Option is exercisable, or by a combination of these methods. In the discretion of the Board, payment may also be made by delivering a properly executed exercise notice to the Company together with a copy of irrevocable instructions to a broker to deliver promptly to the Company the amount of sale or loan proceeds to pay the exercise price. To facilitate the foregoing, the Company may enter into agreements for coordinated procedures with one or more brokerage firms. The Board may prescribe any other method of paying the exercise price that it determines to be consistent with applicable law and the purpose of the Plan, including, without limitation, in lieu of the exercise of a Stock Option by delivery of shares of Class A Common Stock then owned by a

 



 

Non-Employee Director, providing the Company with a notarized statement attesting to the number of shares owned, in which case upon verification by the Company, the Company would issue to the Non-Employee Director only the number of incremental shares to which the Non-Employee Director is entitled upon exercise of the Stock Option. In determining which methods a Non-Employee Director may utilize to pay the exercise price, the Board may consider such factors as it determines are appropriate.

 

(d)               EXERCISE PERIOD.

 

(i)                GENERAL. Each Stock Option granted to a Non-Employee Director hereunder shall become exercisable beginning on the first anniversary of the date of grant provided that the Non-Employee Director continues to serve as a director of the Company on such anniversary date; provided, however, any such Stock Option granted to a Non-Employee Director shall become immediately exercisable in the event of (A) a Change in Control of the Company (as defined in Section 9(b) hereof), subject to Section 9(b) hereof or (B) the death of the Non-Employee Director. Each Stock Option shall terminate on the tenth anniversary of the date of grant unless terminated earlier pursuant to the Plan or, for Stock Options granted before April 10, 2007, later pursuant to Section 6(d)(iii) hereof. If a Non-Employee Director ceases to serve as a director of the Company for any reason other than as a result of a Change in Control or his or her death, each Stock Option granted to such person less than one year prior to cessation of service shall immediately terminate and become null and void upon such cessation of service.

 

(ii)               TERMINATION OF DIRECTORSHIP. If a Non-Employee Director ceases to serve as a director of the Company, any exercisable outstanding Stock Option previously granted to such Non-Employee Director shall, to the extent not theretofore exercised, remain exercisable at any time up to and including a date that is five years after the date of such cessation of service, except, for Stock Options granted before April 10, 2007, as set forth in Section 6(d)(iii) hereof, at which time such Stock Option shall terminate and become null and void; provided, however, that no Stock Option shall be exercisable later than ten years after the date of grant (except, for Stock Options granted before April 10, 2007, as set forth in Section 6(d)(iii) hereof); provided, further, however, if the service of a Non-Employee Director ceases by reason other than (A) death, (B) disability (as described in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code), (C) voluntary retirement from service as a director of the Company, or (D) the failure of the Company to nominate for re-election such Non-Employee Director who is otherwise eligible, unless such failure to nominate for re-election is due to any act of (1) fraud or intentional misrepresentation or (2) embezzlement, misappropriation or conversion of assets or opportunities of the Company or any subsidiary, in which case such Stock Option shall immediately terminate and become null and void.

 

(iii)              EXTENSION OF TERM. The term of exercise of any outstanding Stock Options granted prior to April 10, 2007 that have a remaining term of less than one year on the date of a Non-Employee Director’s death shall automatically be extended to the first anniversary of the date of death.

 

(e)                POST-DIRECTORSHIP EXERCISES. The exercise of any Stock Option after a Non-Employee Director ceases to serve as a director shall be subject to satisfaction of the

 



 

conditions precedent that the former Non-Employee Director neither (i) competes with, or takes employment with or renders services to a competitor of, the Company, its subsidiaries or affiliates without the written consent of the Company, nor (ii) conducts himself or herself in a manner adversely affecting the Company. If a Stock Option shall be exercised by the legal or personal representative of a deceased Non-Employee Director or former Non-Employee Director, or by a person who acquired a Stock Option granted hereunder by bequest or inheritance or by reason of the death of any Non-Employee Director or former Non-Employee Director, written notice of such exercise shall be accompanied by a certified copy of letters testamentary or equivalent proof of the right of such legal representative or other person to exercise such Stock Option.

 

7.                 STOCK AWARDS FOR NEW NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS. On the date of the first Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company which is at least six months after the date a Non-Employee Director is first elected to the Board, such Non-Employee Director (provided that he or she is in office immediately following the Annual Meeting) shall be granted automatically 2,000 shares of Class A Common Stock (subject to adjustments made in accordance with Section 9 hereof), without restrictions, accompanied by an amount in cash for reimbursement of income taxes related to such grant and cash reimbursement payment.

 

8.                 ANNUAL STOCK UNITS.

 

(a)                On the date of each Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company during the term of the Plan, each Non-Employee Director in office immediately following such Annual Meeting shall be granted automatically that number of Stock Units obtained by dividing (i) a dollar amount determined from time to time by the Board (such amount, which constitutes the portion of the annual retainer payable by the grant of Stock Units, being $75,000 for the calendar year ending December 31, 2011) by (ii) the average closing price of the Class A Common Stock for the twenty days on which trading occurred next preceding the date of grant of the Stock Units. Each grant of a Stock Unit shall be accompanied by a Dividend Equivalent Right (as defined below) with respect to such Stock Unit.

 

(b)               On the first business day of the calendar year following the year in which a Non-Employee Director ceases to serve as a director, the shares of Class A Common Stock representing the Stock Units granted to the Non-Employee Director shall be distributed to him or her or, in the case of his or her death, to his or her legal or personal representative.

 

(c)                The Board may, in its discretion, allow a Non-Employee Director to defer receipt of shares of Class A Common Stock in a manner which complies with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

(d)               A “Stock Unit” means a notional account representing one share of Class A Common Stock. A “Dividend Equivalent Right” means the right to receive the amount of any dividend paid on the share of Class A Common Stock represented by a Stock Unit, which shall be payable in the form of additional Stock Units. Additional Stock Units paid in respect of Dividend Equivalent Rights shall be subject to the same terms and conditions as the Stock Units with which the Dividend Equivalent Rights are associated.

 



 

(e)                Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall a Non-Employee Director be granted Stock Units (including Dividend Equivalent Rights), as the case may be, pursuant to this Section 8 for greater than 5,000 shares of Class A Common Stock (subject to amendment from time to time by the Board, and to adjustments made in accordance with Section 9 hereof) in any calendar year.

 

9.                 ADJUSTMENT PROVISIONS; CHANGE IN CONTROL.

 

(a)                If there shall be any change in the Class A Common Stock, through merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization, stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, split up, spin-off, combination of shares, exchange of shares, dividend in kind or other like change in capital structure or distribution (other than normal cash dividends) to stockholders of the Company, the Board shall adjust, in a fair and equitable manner, the Plan and each outstanding Benefit thereunder, to prevent dilution or enlargement of participants’ rights under the Plan and such an adjustment shall be made successively each time any such change shall occur. Such adjustment shall be effected by one or more of the following, as applicable, as determined by the Board of Directors: (i) adjustment of the number of Class A Common Stock and/or kind of shares of common stock of the Company or other securities that may be issued under the Plan, adjustment of the number of Class A Common Stock and/or kind of shares of common stock of the Company or other securities that are subject to outstanding Benefits, and/or where applicable, the exercise price or purchase price applicable to such Benefits; (ii) grant of a right to receive one or more payments of securities, cash and/or property (which right may be evidenced as an additional Benefit under this Plan) in respect of any outstanding Benefit, (iii) provision for the settlement of any outstanding Benefit(other than a Stock Option) in such securities, cash and/or other property as would have been received had the Benefit been settled in full immediately prior to the change; provided, however, that any adjustment pursuant to this Section 9 shall comply with or otherwise ensure exemption from Section 409A of the Code, as applicable.

 

(b)               Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan, if there is a Change in Control of the Company, all then outstanding Stock Options shall immediately become exercisable and all outstanding Stock Units shall immediately become payable. For purposes of this Section 9(b), a “Change in Control” of the Company shall be deemed to have occurred upon any of the following events:

 

(i)                On or after the date there are no shares of Class B Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, of the Company outstanding, any person as such term is used in Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act or person(s) acting together which would constitute a “group” for purposes of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act (other than the Company, any subsidiary, any employee benefit plan sponsored by the Company or any member of the Lauder family or any family-controlled entities (collectively, the “Lauder Family”)) shall acquire (or shall have acquired during the 12-month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by such person(s)) and shall “beneficially own” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act),

 



 

directly or indirectly, at least 30% of the total voting power of all classes of capital stock of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of the Board; or

 

(ii)               During any period of twelve consecutive months, either (A) the individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute the Board of Directors or any individuals who would be “Continuing Directors” (as hereinafter defined) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority thereof (B) at any meeting of the shareholders of the Company called for the purpose of electing directors, a majority of the persons nominated by the Board for election as directors shall fail to be elected; or

 

(iii)               Consummation of a sale or other disposition (in one transaction or a series of transactions) of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company; or

 

(iv)              Consummation of a merger or consolidation of the Company (A) in which the Company is not the continuing or surviving corporation (other than a consolidation or merger with a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company in which all shares of the Company’s common stock outstanding immediately prior to the effectiveness thereof are changed into or exchanged for common stock of the subsidiary) or (B) pursuant to which all shares of the Company’s common stock are converted into cash, securities or other property, except in either case, a consolidation or merger of the Company in which the holders of the shares of Common Stock immediately prior to the consolidation or merger have, directly or indirectly, at least a majority of the shares of Common Stock of the continuing or surviving corporation immediately after such consolidation or merger or in which the Board immediately prior to the merger or consolidation would, immediately after the merger or consolidation, constitute a majority of the board of directors of the continuing or surviving corporation.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, none of the following shall constitute a Change in Control of the Company: (A) changes in the relative beneficial ownership among members of the Lauder Family, without other changes that would constitute a Change in Control; or (B) any spin-off of a division or subsidiary of the Company to its stockholders.

 

For purposes of this Section 9(b), “Continuing Directors” shall mean (x) the directors of the Company in office on the Effective Date (as defined below) and (y) any successor to any such director and any additional director who after the Effective Date whose appointment or election is endorsed by a majority of the Continuing Directors at the time of his or her nomination or election.

 

The Board, in its discretion, may determine that, upon the occurrence of a Change in Control of the Company, each Stock Option outstanding hereunder shall terminate within a specified number of days after notice to the holder, and such holder shall receive, with respect to each share of Class A Common Stock subject to such Stock Option, an amount equal to the excess of the Fair Market Value of such shares of Class A Common Stock immediately prior to the occurrence of such Change in Control over the exercise price per share of such Stock Option; such amount to be payable in cash, in one or more kinds of property (including the property, if any, payable in the transaction constituting the Change in Control) or in a combination thereof, as the Board, in its discretion, shall determine. The provisions contained in the preceding

 



 

sentence shall be inapplicable to a Stock Option granted within six (6) months before the occurrence of a Change in Control if the holder of such Stock Option is subject to the reporting requirements of Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act and no exception from liability under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act is otherwise available to such holder.

 

10.               NONTRANSFERABILITY. Stock Options and Stock Units granted under the Plan to a Non-Employee Director shall not be transferable otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and shall be exercisable, during the Non-Employee Director’s lifetime, only by the Non-Employee Director. In the event of the death of a Non-Employee Director, each Stock Option theretofore granted to him or her shall be exercisable during such period after his or her death and by such persons as set forth in Section 6 above. Notwithstanding the foregoing, at the discretion of the Board, an award of a Stock Option or Stock Unit may permit the transferability of any such Stock Option or Stock Unit by a Non-Employee Director solely to the Non-Employee Director’s spouse, siblings, parents, children and/or grandchildren, or to trusts for the benefit of such persons, or to partnerships, corporations, limited liability companies or other entities owned solely by such persons, including trusts for such persons, subject to any restriction included in the award of the Stock Option or Stock Unit.

 

11.               OTHER AWARDS AND PROVISIONS. The award of any Benefit under the Plan may also be subject to such other provisions (whether or not applicable to the Benefit awarded to any other Non-Employee Director) as the Board determines appropriate. The Board also may make any other awards to Non-Employee Directors as are consistent with the purposes of this Plan with such terms and conditions as the Board may determine in its sole discretion.

 

12.               ISSUANCE OF STOCK CERTIFICATES AND RELATED MATTERS. The Company may endorse such legend or legends upon the certificates for shares of Class A Common Stock issued under this Plan and may issue such “stop transfer” instructions to its transfer agent in respect of such shares as the Board, in its sole discretion, determines to be necessary or appropriate to (i) prevent a violation of, or to perfect an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) or (ii) implement the provisions of the Plan and any agreement between the Company and the Non-Employee Director. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the Company shall have no obligation to deliver any shares of Class A Common Stock under the Plan or make any other distribution of Benefits under the Plan unless such delivery or distribution would comply with all applicable laws (including, without limitation the Securities Act), and the applicable requirements of any securities exchange or similar entity.

 

13.               FAIR MARKET VALUE. For purposes of this Plan and any Benefits awarded hereunder, Fair Market Value shall be the closing price of the Class A Common Stock on the date of calculation (or on the last preceding trading date if Class A Common Stock was not traded on such date) if the Class A Common Stock is readily tradable on a national securities exchange or other market system, and if the Class A Common Stock is not readily tradable, Fair Market Value shall mean the amount determined in good faith by the Board as the fair market value of the Class A Common Stock.

 



 

14.               TENURE. A Non-Employee Director’s right, if any, to continue to serve as a director of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates shall not be enlarged or otherwise affected by his or her designation as a participant under this Plan.

 

15.               UNFUNDED PLAN. Non-Employee Directors shall have no right, title, or interest whatsoever in or to any investments that the Company may make to aid it in meeting its obligations under the Plan. Nothing contained in the Plan, and no action taken pursuant to its provisions, shall create or be construed to create a trust of any kind, or a fiduciary relationship between the Company and any Non-Employee Director, beneficiary, legal representative or any other person. To the extent that any person acquires a right to receive payments from the Company under the Plan, such right shall be no greater than the right of an unsecured general creditor of the Company. All payments to be made hereunder shall be paid from the general funds of the Company and no special or separate fund shall be established and no segregation of assets shall be made to assure payment of such amounts except as expressly set forth in the Plan. The Plan is not intended to be subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.

 

16.               NO FRACTIONAL SHARES. No fractional shares of Class A Common Stock shall be issued or delivered pursuant to the Plan. The Board shall determine whether cash or other property shall be issued or paid in lieu of fractional shares or whether such fractional shares or any rights thereto shall be forfeited or otherwise eliminated.

 

17.               AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION. The Board may amend the Plan from time to time or suspend or terminate the Plan at any time. However, no amendment shall have a material adverse effect on an outstanding Stock Option or Stock Unit without the consent of the holder. No amendment of the Plan may be made without approval of the stockholders of the Company if required by applicable law or by any listing agreement to which the Company is a party with a national securities exchange or other market system.

 

18.               GOVERNING LAW. This Plan, Benefits granted hereunder and actions taken in connection herewith shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York (regardless of the law that might otherwise govern under applicable New York principles of conflict of laws).

 

19.               EFFECTIVE DATE. The Plan shall be effective as of November 9, 2000 (the “Effective Date”), amended and restated effective November 9, 2007 and amended effective July 14, 2011.

 


EXHIBIT 21.1

 

THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

 

SIGNIFICANT SUBSIDIARIES

 

All significant subsidiaries are wholly-owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. and/or one or more of its wholly-owned subsidiaries.

 

Name

 

Jurisdiction
in which Organized

 

 

 

ELCA Cosmetics AG

 

Switzerland

 

 

 

Estee Lauder Cosmetics Limited

 

United Kingdom

 

 

 

Estee Lauder Europe, Inc.

 

Delaware

 

 

 

Estee Lauder Inc.

 

Delaware

 

 

 

Estee Lauder International, Inc.

 

Delaware

 

 

 

Estee Lauder Luxembourg S.a.R.L

 

Luxembourg

 

 

 

Estee Lauder Nova Scotia Co.

 

Nova Scotia

 


EXHIBIT 23.1

 

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

The Board of Directors
The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.

 

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement Numbers 33-99554, 333-49606, 333-66851, 333-72684, 333-72650, 333-126820, 333-131527, 333-147262, 333-161452, and 333-170534 on Form S-8 and Number 333-154801 on Form S-3 of The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. and subsidiaries (“the Company”) of our reports dated August 22, 2011 relating to the consolidated balance sheets of The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. and subsidiaries as of June 30, 2011 and 2010, and the related consolidated statements of earnings, equity, comprehensive income (loss), and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended June 30, 2011, and the related financial statement schedule and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of June 30, 2011, which reports appear in the annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2011 of The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. and subsidiaries.

 

Our report refers to a change in the Company’s methods of accounting for business combinations and non-controlling interests in fiscal 2010.

 

 

/s/ KPMG LLP

 

 

 

 

 

New York, New York

 

August 22, 2011

 

 


EXHIBIT 24.1

 

POWER-OF-ATTORNEY

 

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints William P. Lauder, Fabrizio Freda and Richard W. Kunes, and each of them, such person’s true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and revocation, for such person and in such person’s name, place and stead, in any and all capacities to sign the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2011 of The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. and any and all amendments thereto, and to file the same with all exhibits thereto, and the other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to all intents and purposes as such person might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, or their or his or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

This power of attorney may only be revoked by a written document executed by the undersigned that expressly revokes this power by referring to the date and subject hereof.

 

Signature

 

Title (s)

 

Date

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ FABRIZIO FREDA

 

President, Chief Executive Officer

 

August 22, 2011

 

Fabrizio Freda

 

and a Director
(Principal Executive Officer)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ WILLIAM P. LAUDER

 

Executive Chairman

 

August 22, 2011

 

William P. Lauder

 

and a Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ LEONARD A. LAUDER

 

Director

 

August 22, 2011

 

Leonard A. Lauder

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ CHARLENE BARSHEFSKY

 

Director

 

August 22, 2011

 

Charlene Barshefsky

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ ROSE MARIE BRAVO

 

Director

 

August 22, 2011

 

Rose Marie Bravo

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ WEI SUN CHRISTIANSON

 

Director

 

August 22, 2011

 

                Wei Sun Christianson

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ PAUL J. FRIBOURG

 

Director

 

August 22, 2011

 

Paul J. Fribourg

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ MELLODY HOBSON

 

Director

 

August 22, 2011

 

Mellody Hobson

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ IRVINE O. HOCKADAY, JR.

 

Director

 

August 22, 2011

 

Irvine O. Hockaday, Jr.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ AERIN LAUDER

 

Director

 

August 22, 2011

 

 Aerin Lauder

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ JANE LAUDER

 

Director

 

August 22, 2011

 

Jane Lauder

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ RICHARD D. PARSONS

 

Director

 

August 22, 2011

 

Richard D. Parsons

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ LYNN FORESTER DE ROTHSCHILD

 

Director

 

August 22, 2011

 

Lynn Forester de Rothschild

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ BARRY S. STERNLICHT

 

Director

 

August 22, 2011

 

Barry S. Sternlicht

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ RICHARD F. ZANNINO

 

Director

 

August 22, 2011

 

Richard F. Zannino

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ RICHARD W. KUNES

 

Executive Vice President and

 

August 22, 2011

 

Richard W. Kunes

 

Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and
Accounting Officer)

 

 

 

 


EXHIBIT 31.1

 

Certification

 

I, Fabrizio Freda certify that:

 

1.                                        I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.;

 

2.                                        Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3.                                        Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4.                                        The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

a)                                       Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

b)                                      Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

c)                                       Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

d)                                      Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5.                                        The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

a)                                       All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

b)                                      Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

Date:      August 22, 2011

 

 

 

 

/s/ Fabrizio Freda

 

Fabrizio Freda

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

 


EXHIBIT 31.2

 

Certification

 

I, Richard W. Kunes certify that:

 

1.                                        I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.;

 

2.                                        Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3.                                        Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4.                                        The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

a)                                       Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

b)                                      Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

c)                                       Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

d)                                      Disclosed in this annual report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5.                                        The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

a)                                       All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

b)                                      Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

Date:     August 22, 2011

 

 

 

 

/s/ Richard W. Kunes

 

Richard W. Kunes

 

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 


EXHIBIT 32.1

 

Certification

Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) or

Rule 15d-14(b) and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350

(as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the

Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002)

 

Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 (as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002), the undersigned officer of The Estée Lauder Companies Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), does hereby certify, to such officer’s knowledge, that:

 

The Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2011 (the “Report”) of the Company fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (15 U.S.C. 78m or 78o(d)), and the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 

 

Dated:      August 22, 2011

/s/ Fabrizio Freda

 

Fabrizio Freda

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

The foregoing certification is being furnished solely pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (subsections (a) and (b) of section 1350, chapter 63 of title 18, United States Code) and for no other purpose.

 


EXHIBIT 32.2

 

Certification

Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) or

Rule 15d-14(b) and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350

(as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the

Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002)

 

Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 (as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002), the undersigned officer of The Estée Lauder Companies Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), does hereby certify, to such officer’s knowledge, that:

 

The Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2011 (the “Report”) of the Company fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (15 U.S.C. 78m or 78o(d)), and the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 

 

Dated:      August 22, 2011

/s/ Richard W. Kunes

 

Richard W. Kunes

 

Executive Vice President and Chief

 

Financial Officer

 

 

The foregoing certification is being furnished solely pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (subsections (a) and (b) of section 1350, chapter 63 of title 18, United States Code) and for no other purpose.