The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. (EL) 10-Q 2013 Q2 Quarterly report

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549-1004

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

xQuarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the quarterly period ended December 31, 2012

OR

oTransition 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	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)
767 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York	10153
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

212-572-4200

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Not Applicable

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

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 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

At January 30, 2013, 237,168,950 shares of the registrant’s Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value, and 149,478,082 shares of the registrant’s Class B Common Stock, $.01 par value, were outstanding.

THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

INDEX

		Page
Part I. Financial Information
Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited)
	Consolidated Statements of Earnings — Three and Six Months Ended December 31, 2012 and 2011	2
	Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) — Three and Six Months Ended December 31, 2012 and 2011	3
	Consolidated Balance Sheets — December 31, 2012 and June 30, 2012 (Audited)	4
	Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows — Six Months Ended December 31, 2012 and 2011	5
	Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements	6
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations		28
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk		50
Item 4. Controls and Procedures		50
Part II. Other Information
Item 1. Legal Proceedings		50
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds		51
Item 6. Exhibits		52
Signatures		53

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements.

THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS

(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended December 31						Six Months Ended December 31
	2012			2011			2012			2011
	(In millions, except per share data)
Net Sales	$	2,933.0		$	2,737.5		$	5,482.5		$	5,214.2
Cost of Sales	568.0			551.0			1,107.2			1,085.3
Gross Profit	2,365.0			2,186.5			4,375.3			4,128.9
Operating expenses
Selling, general and administrative	1,698.6			1,576.7			3,226.5			3,084.4
Restructuring and other charges	13.3			6.1			13.7			10.8
Impairment of other intangible assets	—			6.7			—			6.7
Total operating expenses	1,711.9			1,589.5			3,240.2			3,101.9
Operating Income	653.1			597.0			1,135.1			1,027.0
Interest expense, net	13.4			16.6			29.2			32.6
Interest expense on debt extinguishment	—			—			19.1			—
Other income	21.3			10.5			23.1			10.5
Earnings before Income Taxes	661.0			590.9			1,109.9			1,004.9
Provision for income taxes	211.6			192.5			360.9			327.9
Net Earnings	449.4			398.4			749.0			677.0
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1.9		)	(1.7		)	(2.0		)	(1.7		)
Net Earnings Attributable to The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.	$	447.5		$	396.7		$	747.0		$	675.3
Net earnings attributable to The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. per common share
Basic	$	1.16		$	1.03		$	1.93		$	1.74
Diluted	1.13			1.00			1.89			1.70
Weighted-average common shares outstanding
Basic	387.4			386.8			387.6			388.7
Diluted	394.7			395.2			395.1			397.3
Cash dividends declared per common share	$	.72		$	.525		$	.72		$	.525

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

2

THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended December 31						Six Months Ended December 31
	2012			2011			2012			2011
	(In millions)
Net earnings	$	449.4		$	398.4		$	749.0		$	677.0
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized investment gain (loss)	0.1			0.1			0.2			(0.2		)
Derivative instrument gain (loss)	(2.2		)	(5.0		)	(18.1		)	29.8
Amounts included in net periodic benefit cost	8.2			4.7			17.0			9.6
Translation adjustments	6.7			(18.7		)	78.8			(127.8		)
Benefit (provision) for deferred income taxes on components of other comprehensive income	(2.1		)	0.3			2.2			(15.0		)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	10.7			(18.6		)	80.1			(103.6		)
Comprehensive income (loss)	460.1			379.8			829.1			573.4
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests:
Net earnings	(1.9		)	(1.7		)	(2.0		)	(1.7		)
Translation adjustments	0.1			0.6			(0.8		)	1.7
	(1.8		)	(1.1		)	(2.8		)	—
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.	$	458.3		$	378.7		$	826.3		$	573.4

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

3

THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

	December 31			June 30
	2012			2012
	(Unaudited)
	($ in millions)
ASSETS
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,323.6		$	1,347.7
Accounts receivable, net	1,531.7			1,060.3
Inventory and promotional merchandise, net	994.1			983.6
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	491.6			463.5
Total current assets	4,341.0			3,855.1
Property, Plant and Equipment, net	1,301.6			1,231.8
Other Assets
Goodwill	889.1			882.6
Other intangible assets, net	184.6			190.1
Other assets	453.8			433.4
Total other assets	1,527.5			1,506.1
Total assets	$	7,170.1		$	6,593.0
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current Liabilities
Current debt	$	26.0		$	219.0
Accounts payable	345.7			493.8
Accrued income taxes	300.4			97.2
Other accrued liabilities	1,380.1			1,315.8
Total current liabilities	2,052.2			2,125.8
Noncurrent Liabilities
Long-term debt	1,330.1			1,069.1
Accrued income taxes	100.0			106.3
Other noncurrent liabilities	564.7			544.3
Total noncurrent liabilities	1,994.8			1,719.7
Contingencies (Note 8)
Equity
Common stock, $.01 par value; Class A shares authorized: 1,300,000,000 at December 31, 2012 and 650,000,000 at June 30, 2012; shares issued: 405,447,816 at December 31, 2012 and 399,491,292 at June 30, 2012; Class B shares authorized: 304,000,000 shares at December 31, 2012 and 240,000,000 at June 30, 2012; shares issued and outstanding: 149,478,082 at December 31, 2012 and 151,778,082 at June 30, 2012	5.6			5.5
Paid-in capital	2,161.5			2,006.1
Retained earnings	5,231.6			4,764.9
Accumulated other comprehensive income	(133.6		)	(212.9		)
	7,265.1			6,563.6
Less: Treasury stock, at cost; 168,010,108 Class A shares at December 31, 2012 and 162,371,840 Class A shares at June 30, 2012	(4,154.9		)	(3,830.4		)
Total stockholders’ equity — The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.	3,110.2			2,733.2
Noncontrolling interests	12.9			14.3
Total equity	3,123.1			2,747.5
Total liabilities and equity	$	7,170.1		$	6,593.0

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

4

THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

	Six Months Ended December 31
	2012			2011
	(In millions)
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net earnings	$	749.0		$	677.0
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash flows from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	156.8			141.0
Deferred income taxes	(22.3		)	(13.6		)
Non-cash stock-based compensation	88.8			76.6
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation arrangements	(33.4		)	(34.1		)
Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment	7.5			2.2
Impairment of other intangible assets	—			6.7
Non-cash charges associated with restructuring activities	1.4			0.5
Pension and post-retirement benefit expense	41.1			34.9
Pension and post-retirement benefit contributions	(12.3		)	(23.4		)
Other non-cash items	(23.2		)	0.1
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Increase in accounts receivable, net	(444.9		)	(494.4		)
Decrease in inventory and promotional merchandise, net	11.7			59.2
Increase in other assets, net	(31.5		)	(12.3		)
Decrease in accounts payable	(158.1		)	(48.2		)
Increase in accrued income taxes	247.8			211.1
Increase in other liabilities	76.7			26.9
Net cash flows provided by operating activities	655.1			610.2
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Capital expenditures	(205.4		)	(181.5		)
Acquisition of businesses and other intangible assets, net of cash acquired	(8.7		)	(7.7		)
Proceeds from disposition of long-term investments	0.7			—
Purchases of long-term investments	(2.8		)	—
Net cash flows used for investing activities	(216.2		)	(189.2		)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Borrowings (repayments) of current debt, net	(192.4		)	3.5
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt, net	498.7			—
Debt issuance costs	(4.1		)	(1.1		)
Repayments and redemptions of long-term debt	(239.2		)	(5.3		)
Net proceeds from stock-based compensation transactions	37.1			37.5
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation arrangements	33.4			34.1
Payments to acquire treasury stock	(326.5		)	(522.4		)
Dividends paid to stockholders	(279.5		)	(204.0		)
Net cash flows used for financing activities	(472.5		)	(657.7		)
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash and Cash Equivalents	9.5			(17.2		)
Net Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents	(24.1		)	(253.9		)
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period	1,347.7			1,253.0
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period	$	1,323.6		$	999.1

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

5

THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1 — SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation

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 years have been reclassified to conform to current year presentation.

The unaudited interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X.  Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements.  In the opinion of management, all adjustments of a normal recurring nature considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included.  The results of operations of any interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations to be expected for the full fiscal year.  For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and accompanying footnotes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2012.

Management Estimates

The preparation of financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with 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.  Descriptions of these policies are discussed in the notes to consolidated financial statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2012.  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 period-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 $6.8 million and $(18.1) million of unrealized translation gains (losses), net of tax, during the three months ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and $78.0 million and $(126.1) million of unrealized translation gains (losses), net of tax, during the six months ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, 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 accompanying consolidated statements of earnings include net exchange gains (losses) on foreign currency transactions of $0.5 million and $6.7 million during the three months ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and $1.4 million and $(3.1) million during the six months ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

6

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 $32.8 million and $31.1 million as of December 31, 2012 and June 30, 2012, respectively.

Concentration of Credit Risk

The Company is a worldwide manufacturer, marketer and distributor of skin care, makeup, fragrance and hair care products.  The Company’s 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 $270.0 million, or 9%, and $261.7 million, or 10%, of the Company’s consolidated net sales for the three months ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and $606.2 million, or 11%, and $575.0 million, or 11%, of the Company’s consolidated net sales for the six months ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.  This customer accounted for $137.4 million, or 9%, and $110.2 million, or 10%, of the Company’s accounts receivable at December 31, 2012 and June 30, 2012, respectively.

Inventory and Promotional Merchandise

	December 31		June 30
(In millions)	2012		2012
Inventory and promotional merchandise, net consists of:
Raw materials	$	287.3	$	220.7
Work in process	71.2		98.0
Finished goods	453.9		473.9
Promotional merchandise	181.7		191.0
	$	994.1	$	983.6

Property, Plant and Equipment

	December 31		June 30
(In millions)	2012		2012
Assets (Useful Life)
Land	$	14.9	$	14.6
Buildings and improvements (10 to 40 years)	195.2		188.8
Machinery and equipment (3 to 10 years)	678.6		647.1
Computer hardware and software (4 to 10 years)	875.9		824.2
Furniture and fixtures (5 to 10 years)	70.5		66.4
Leasehold improvements	1,313.9		1,227.3
	3,149.0		2,968.4
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	1,847.4		1,736.6
	$	1,301.6	$	1,231.8

The cost of assets related to projects in progress of $273.8 million and $231.6 million as of December 31, 2012 and June 30, 2012, respectively, is included in their respective asset categories above.  Depreciation and amortization of property, plant and equipment was $77.9 million and $69.1 million during the three months ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and $153.2 million and $136.4 million during the six months ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, 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.

7

THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Income Taxes

The effective rate for income taxes was 32.0% and 32.6% for the three months ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.  The decrease in the effective income tax rate was principally due to a reduction of income tax reserve adjustments.

The effective income tax rate was 32.5% and 32.6% for the six months ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.  The slight decrease in the effective income tax rate was principally due to a reduction in income tax reserve adjustments, partially offset by a higher effective tax rate on the Company’s foreign operations.

As of December 31, 2012 and June 30, 2012, the gross amount of unrecognized tax benefits, exclusive of interest and penalties, totaled $74.6 million and $78.5 million, respectively.  The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits at December 31, 2012 that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate was $53.9 million.  The total gross interest and penalties accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits during the three and six months ended December 31, 2012 in the accompanying consolidated statements of earnings was $3.7 million and $2.2 million, respectively.  The total gross accrued interest and penalties in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2012 and June 30, 2012 was $25.5 million and $28.6 million, respectively.  On the basis of the information available as of December 31, 2012, it is reasonably possible that the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits could decrease in a range of $10 million to $15 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.

During the first quarter of fiscal 2013, the Company formally concluded the compliance process with respect to fiscal 2011 under the U.S. Internal Revenue Service Compliance Assurance Program.  The conclusion of this process did not impact the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

In September 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) amended its authoritative guidance related to testing goodwill for impairment.  Under the revised guidance, entities testing goodwill for impairment have the option of performing a qualitative assessment before performing Step 1 of the goodwill impairment test.  If entities determine, on the basis of qualitative factors, that the fair value of the reporting unit is more-likely-than-not less than the carrying amount, the two-step impairment test would be required.  This guidance became effective in the beginning of the Company’s fiscal 2013.  The adoption of this guidance did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

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 also required entities to present reclassification adjustments for each component of accumulated other comprehensive income in both net income and other comprehensive income on the face of the financial statements.  In December 2011, the FASB issued an update to this guidance deferring the requirement to present reclassification adjustments on the face of the financial statements.  However, the Company is still required to present reclassification adjustments on either the face of the financial statement where comprehensive income is reported or disclose the reclassification adjustments in the notes to the financial statements.  This guidance, including the deferral, became effective for the Company’s fiscal 2013 first quarter, with full retrospective application required.  The Company has elected to present the items of net income and other comprehensive income in two separate consecutive statements.  The adoption of this disclosure-only guidance did not have an impact on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

In July 2012, the FASB amended its authoritative guidance related to testing indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment.  Under the revised guidance, entities testing their indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment have the option of performing a qualitative assessment before performing further impairment testing.  If entities determine, on the basis of qualitative factors, that it is more-likely-than-not that the asset is impaired, a quantitative test is required.  The guidance becomes effective in the beginning of the Company’s fiscal 2014, with early adoption permitted.  The Company is currently evaluating the timing of adopting this guidance which is not expected to have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

8

THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

In December 2011, the FASB issued authoritative guidance that creates new disclosure requirements about the nature of an entity’s rights of offset and related arrangements associated with its financial instruments and derivative instruments.  This revised guidance helps reconcile differences in the offsetting requirements under U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”).  These requirements mandate that entities disclose both gross and net information about instruments and transactions eligible for offset in the statement of financial position as well as instruments and transactions subject to an agreement similar to a master netting arrangement.  This disclosure-only guidance becomes effective for the Company’s fiscal 2013 third quarter, with retrospective application required.  The Company currently does not hold any financial or derivative instruments that are subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement.  However, the Company currently utilizes the right of offset when netting certain negative cash balances in its consolidated balance sheets.  The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have an impact on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or cash flows, but may require certain additional disclosures if such balances are material or if the Company enters into additional arrangements that fall under the provisions of this guidance.

Out-of-period Adjustments

During the three and six months ended December 31, 2012, the Company identified and recorded out-of-period adjustments related to the fiscal years ended June 30, 2008 through June 30, 2012.

During the three months ended September 30, 2012, these out-of-period adjustments resulted in a net decrease in earnings before taxes of $5.9 million, a decrease in net earnings of $7.4 million and a decrease in diluted net earnings per common share of $.02.  These out-of-period adjustments resulted from an understatement of foreign transactional taxes (no impact on the provision for income taxes), an overstatement of accounts payable balances and an overstatement of prepaid asset balances.

During the three months ended December 31, 2012, the Company recorded an additional out-of-period adjustment related to the overstatement of accounts payable balances.  This adjustment resulted in an increase in earnings before taxes of $13.6 million, an increase in net earnings of $9.1 million and an increase in diluted net earnings per common share of $.02 for the three months ended December 31, 2012.

The impact of these adjustments for the six months ended December 31, 2012 is an increase in earnings before taxes of $7.7 million, an increase in net earnings of $1.7 million and no change in diluted net earnings per common share.

Individually and in the aggregate, these out-of-period adjustments did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the three and six months ended December 31, 2012 and the related items were not material to any previously issued consolidated financial statements.

NOTE 2 — GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

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, 2012
Goodwill	$	68.1		$	421.1	$	54.8	$	403.4		$	947.4
Accumulated impairments	(23.6		)	—		—		(41.2		)	(64.8		)
	44.5			421.1		54.8		362.2			882.6
Goodwill acquired during the period	—			5.0		—		—			5.0
Translation and other adjustments	0.4			0.1		0.1		0.9			1.5
	0.4			5.1		0.1		0.9			6.5
Balance as of December 31, 2012
Goodwill	68.8			426.2		54.9		405.4			955.3
Accumulated impairments	(23.9		)	—		—		(42.3		)	(66.2		)
	$	44.9		$	426.2	$	54.9	$	363.1		$	889.1

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THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Other intangible assets consist of the following:

	December 31, 2012						June 30, 2012
(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	$	268.8	$	198.2	$	70.6	$	268.4	$	191.9	$	76.5
License agreements	43.0		43.0		—		43.0		43.0		—
	$	311.8	$	241.2	70.6		$	311.4	$	234.9	76.5
Non-amortizable intangible assets:
Trademarks and other					114.0						113.6
Total intangible assets					$	184.6					$	190.1

The aggregate amortization expense related to amortizable intangible assets was $3.1 million and $3.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and was $6.2 million and $6.9 million for the six months ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.  The estimated aggregate amortization expense for the remainder of fiscal 2013 and for each of fiscal 2014 to 2017 is $6.2 million, $12.3 million, $12.1 million, $12.0 million and $9.9 million, respectively.

NOTE 3 — 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 the Company to achieve long-term profitable growth.  The Company anticipated the Program would result in total cumulative restructuring charges and other costs to implement those initiatives of between $350 million and $450 million before taxes.  As of December 31, 2012, the Company closed the Program.  The Company concluded the approval of all initiatives under the Program and anticipates commencing the execution of those initiatives through fiscal 2014.  As a result of the closure of the Program and evaluation of the initiatives that have been implemented, as of December 31, 2012, the Company anticipates total cumulative restructuring charges and other costs to implement those initiatives to total between $325 million and $350 million and that such charges will be substantially recorded through fiscal 2013.  The Company will continue to monitor the progress of these initiatives and revise estimates as appropriate.

The following is a reconciliation of cumulative approved charges under the Program as compared with the revised estimated charges related to initiatives under the Program and total cumulative charges incurred through December 31, 2012:

	Restructuring Charges																				Total
(In millions)	Employee- RelatedCosts			Asset Write-offs			Contract Terminations and Other Exit Costs			Total Restructuring			Returns			Inventory Write-offs		Other Charges			Restructuring Charges and Other Costs to Implement
Approved charges from inception through December 31, 2012	$	205.5		$	23.5		$	43.5		$	272.5		$	43.0		$	20.0	$	50.0		$	385.5
Adjustments of estimated costs over (under)	(29.0		)	(2.0		)	(2.0		)	(33.0		)	(10.0		)	5.0		(13.0		)	(51.0		)
Revised estimated charges as of December 31, 2012	$	176.5		$	21.5		$	41.5		$	239.5		$	33.0		$	25.0	$	37.0		$	334.5
Cumulative charges incurred through December 31, 2012	$	175.5		$	19.4		$	32.5		$	227.4		$	30.6		$	23.2	$	36.4		$	317.6

10

THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The Program focused 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 since Program inception 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 it achieved through a combination of normal attrition and job eliminations, and the closure and consolidation of certain distribution and office facilities.  As of December 31, 2012, the Company identified approximately $10 million of previously-approved restructuring costs that will not be incurred related to these activities, primarily as a result of certain employees relocating to other available positions within the Company.

·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 its Prescriptives brand, the reformulation of Ojon brand products and the exit from the global distribution of Sean John products.  In connection with these activities, the Company incurred charges for product returns, inventory write-offs, reduction of workforce and termination of contracts.  As of December 31, 2012, the Company identified approximately $21 million of previously-approved returns and other costs related to these activities that will not be incurred, primarily as a result of better-than-expected sales of products prior to the exit of the operations, as well as lower employee-related and store closure costs than originally estimated.

·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, it continued the outsourcing of certain information technology processes.  The Company incurred costs to transition services to outsource providers and employee-related termination costs.  As of December 31, 2012, the Company identified approximately $20 million of previously-approved outsourcing initiatives for information technology services stemming from the decision not to implement certain aspects of these initiatives, as well as lower costs than originally anticipated to transition services on initiatives that were implemented.

Restructuring Charges

The following table presents restructuring charges related to the Program as follows:

	Three Months Ended December 31					Six Months Ended December 31
(In millions)	2012			2011		2012			2011
Employee-related costs	$	13.5		$	2.1	$	13.6		$	4.3
Asset write-offs	0.1			0.4		0.1			0.5
Contract terminations	—			1.2		—			1.3
Other exit costs	(0.3		)	0.2		(0.1		)	0.8
Total restructuring charges	$	13.3		$	3.9	$	13.6		$	6.9

11

THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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

(In millions)	Employee- RelatedCosts		AssetWrite-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
Fiscal 2012	37.1		1.7		12.6		2.2			53.6
Six months ended December 31, 2012	13.6		0.1		—		(0.1		)	13.6
Charges recorded through December 31, 2012	$	175.5	$	19.4	$	21.3	$	11.2		$	227.4

The following table presents accrued restructuring charges and the related activities under the Program to date:

(In millions)	Employee- RelatedCosts			AssetWrite-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
Charges	37.1			1.7			12.6			2.2			53.6
Cash payments	(23.6		)	—			(12.4		)	(2.0		)	(38.0		)
Non-cash write-offs	—			(1.7		)	—			—			(1.7		)
Translation adjustments	(1.4		)	—			—			0.1			(1.3		)
Balance at June 30, 2012	47.9			—			0.8			0.5			49.2
Charges	13.6			0.1			—			(0.1		)	13.6
Cash payments	(16.3		)	—			(0.4		)	—			(16.7		)
Non-cash write-offs	—			(0.1		)	—			—			(0.1		)
Translation adjustments	0.3			—			—			—			0.3
Balance at December 31, 2012	$	45.5		$	—		$	0.4		$	0.4		$	46.3

Accrued restructuring charges at December 31, 2012 are expected to result in cash expenditures funded from cash provided by operations of approximately $24 million, $17 million and $5 million for the remainder of fiscal 2013 and in fiscal 2014 and 2015, respectively.

12

THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Total Returns and Other Charges Associated with Restructuring Activities

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

	Three Months Ended December 31					Six Months Ended December 31
(In millions)	2012		2011			2012		2011
Sales returns (included in Net Sales)	$	0.1	$	0.1		$	0.1	$	(0.6	)
Cost of sales	1.2		(0.1		)	1.2		—
Restructuring charges	13.3		3.9			13.6		6.9
Other charges	—		2.2			0.1		3.9
Total charges associated with restructuring activities	$	14.6	$	6.1		$	15.0	$	10.2

During the three and six months ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company recorded adjustments to reflect revised estimates of then-anticipated sales returns associated with prior initiatives.  During the three and six months ended December 31, 2012, the Company recorded $1.2 million of inventory write-offs associated with exiting unprofitable operations.  Other charges in connection with the implementation of the Program primarily relate to consulting and other professional services.

NOTE 4 — DEBT

In August 2012, the Company issued $250.0 million of 2.35% Senior Notes due August 15, 2022 (“2022 Senior Notes”) and $250.0 million of 3.70% Senior Notes due August 15, 2042 (“2042 Senior Notes”) in a public offering.  The 2022 Senior Notes were priced at 99.911% with a yield of 2.360%.  The 2042 Senior Notes were priced at 99.567% with a yield of 3.724%.  Interest payments on both notes are required to be made semi-annually on February 15 and August 15, commencing February 15, 2013.  In September 2012, the Company used the net proceeds of the offering to redeem the $230.1 million principal amount of its 7.75% Senior Notes due November 1, 2013 at a price of 108% of the principal amount and recorded a pre-tax expense on the extinguishment of debt of $19.1 million representing the call premium of $18.6 million and the pro-rata write-off of $0.5 million of issuance costs and debt discount.  The Company used the remaining net proceeds of the offering for general corporate purposes.

In December 2012, the Company increased the limit of its commercial paper program from $750.0 million to $1.0 billion.  During the first quarter of fiscal 2013, the Company had repaid, using cash on hand, $200.0 million of commercial paper that was outstanding at June 30, 2012.

NOTE 5 — 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.

13

THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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.

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

	Asset Derivatives					Liability Derivatives
(In millions)	Balance Sheet Location	Fair Value (1)				Balance Sheet Location	Fair Value (1)
		December 31 2012		June 30 2012			December 31 2012		June 30 2012
Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments:
Foreign currency forward contracts	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	$	7.4	$	16.1	Other accrued liabilities	$	16.3	$	4.9
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments:
Foreign currency forward contracts	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	3.0		1.6		Other accrued liabilities	3.0		1.3
Total Derivatives		$	10.4	$	17.7		$	19.3	$	6.2

(1) See Note 6 — Fair Value Measurements for further information about how the fair value of derivative assets and liabilities are determined.

14

THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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

(In millions)	Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in OCI on Derivatives (Effective Portion)					Location of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Earnings (Effective Portion)	Amount of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Earnings (Effective Portion) (1)
	Three Months Ended						Three Months Ended
	December 31						December 31
	2012			2011			2012			2011
Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships:
Foreign currency forward contracts(2)	$	(0.2	)	$	1.0	Cost of sales	$	(0.4	)	$	1.8
						Selling, general and administrative		2.2			4.0
Total derivatives	$	(0.2	)	$	1.0		$	1.8		$	5.8

(1)The amount of gain recognized in earnings related to the amount excluded from effectiveness testing was $0.5 million and $0.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.  There was a $0.2 million net loss recognized in earnings related to the ineffective portion of the hedging relationships for the three months ended December 31, 2012.  There was no gain (loss) recognized in earnings related to the ineffective portion of the hedging relationships for the three months ended December 31, 2011.

(2)The benefit (provision) for deferred income taxes on the amount of gain (loss) recognized in OCI was $0.1 million and $(0.4) million for the three months ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.  The (benefit) provision for deferred income taxes on the amount of gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated OCI into earnings was $0.7 million and $2.0 million for the three months ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

(In millions)	Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in OCI on Derivatives (Effective Portion)					Location of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Earnings (Effective Portion)	Amount of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Earnings (Effective Portion) (1)
	Six Months Ended December 31						Six Months Ended December 31
	2012			2011			2012			2011
Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships:
Foreign currency forward contracts(2)	$	(13.7	)	$	34.3	Cost of sales	$	(0.5	)	$	2.4
						Selling, general and administrative		4.7			1.9
Total derivatives	$	(13.7	)	$	34.3		$	4.2		$	4.3

(1)The amount of gain (loss) recognized in earnings related to the amount excluded from effectiveness testing was $0.4 million and $(2.1) million for the six months ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.  There was a $0.2 million net loss recognized in earnings related to the ineffective portion of the hedging relationships for the six months ended December 31, 2012.  There was no gain (loss) recognized in earnings related to the ineffective portion of the hedging relationships for the six months ended December 31, 2011.

(2)The benefit (provision) for deferred income taxes on the amount of gain (loss) recognized in OCI was $4.9 million and $(12.2) million for the six months ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.  The (benefit) provision for deferred income taxes on the amount of gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated OCI into earnings was $1.5 million for the six months ended December 31, 2012 and 2011.

15

THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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

(In millions)	Location of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Earnings on Derivatives	Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Earnings on Derivatives
		Three Months Ended December 31					Six Months Ended December 31
		2012			2011		2012			2011
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments:
Foreign currency forward contracts	Selling, general and administrative	$	(2.4	)	$	2.5	$	(0.3	)	$	(2.0	)

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 September 2014.  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 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 December 31, 2012, the Company’s foreign currency cash-flow hedges were highly effective in all material respects.  The estimated net loss as of December 31, 2012 that is expected to be reclassified from accumulated OCI into earnings, net of tax, within the next twelve months is $1.1 million.  The accumulated gain (loss) on derivative instruments in accumulated OCI was $(2.6) million and $15.3 million as of December 31, 2012 and June 30, 2012, respectively.

At December 31, 2012, the Company had foreign currency forward contracts in the amount of $2,016.6 million.  The foreign currencies included in foreign currency forward contracts (notional value stated in U.S. dollars) are principally the British pound ($448.4 million), Euro ($365.8 million), Japanese yen ($278.8 million), Canadian dollar ($216.8 million), Swiss franc ($123.6 million), Australian dollar ($114.7 million) and South Korean won ($74.1 million).

Credit Risk

As a matter of policy, the Company only enters into derivative contracts with counterparties that have a long-term credit rating of at least A- or higher by at least two nationally recognized rating agencies.  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 $10.4 million at December 31, 2012.  To manage this risk, the Company has established strict counterparty credit guidelines that are continually monitored.  Accordingly, management believes risk of loss under these hedging contracts is remote.

16

THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Certain of the Company’s derivative financial instruments contain credit-risk-related contingent features.  At December 31, 2012, 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 December 31, 2012 was approximately $3.6 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 to settle the instruments immediately if a triggering event were to occur is estimated at approximately the fair value of the contracts.  As of December 31, 2012, the Company was in compliance with such credit-risk-related contingent features.

NOTE 6 — 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 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.

The following table presents the Company’s hierarchy for its financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2012:

(In millions)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Assets:
Foreign currency forward contracts	$	—	$	10.4	$	—	$	10.4
Available-for-sale securities	6.4		—		—		6.4
Total	$	6.4	$	10.4	$	—	$	16.8
Liabilities:
Foreign currency forward contracts	$	—	$	19.3	$	—	$	19.3

17

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, 2012:

(In millions)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Assets:
Foreign currency forward contracts	$	—	$	17.7	$	—	$	17.7
Available-for-sale securities	5.9		—		—		5.9
Total	$	5.9	$	17.7	$	—	$	23.6
Liabilities:
Foreign currency forward contracts	$	—	$	6.2	$	—	$	6.2

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

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.

Note receivable — In December 2012, the Company amended the agreement related to the August 2007 sale of Rodan + Fields (a brand then owned by the Company) to receive a fixed amount in lieu of future contingent consideration and other rights.  The fair value of the receivable under the amended agreement was determined by discounting the future cash flows using an implied market rate of 7.0%.  This implied market rate reflects the Company’s estimate of interest rates prevailing in the market for notes with comparable remaining maturities, the creditworthiness of the counterparty, and an assessment of the ultimate collectability of the instrument.  The implied market rate is deemed to be an unobservable input and as such the Company’s note receivable is classified within Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy.  An increase or decrease in the risk premium of 100 basis points would not result in a significant change to the fair value of the receivable.  See Note 8 — Contingencies for further discussion on the amended agreement.

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.

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 Company’s debt is classified within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy.

18

THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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

	December 31						June 30
	2012						2012
(In millions)	Carrying Amount			Fair Value			Carrying Amount		Fair Value
Nonderivatives
Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,323.6		$	1,323.6		$	1,347.7	$	1,347.7
Available-for-sale securities	6.4			6.4			5.9		5.9
Note receivable	22.4			22.4			—		—
Current and long-term debt	1,356.1			1,506.9			1,288.1		1,478.9
Derivatives
Foreign currency forward contracts — asset (liability)	(8.9		)	(8.9		)	11.5		11.5

NOTE 7 — PENSION 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.  The Company also maintains post-retirement benefit plans which provide certain medical and dental benefits to eligible employees.  Descriptions of these plans are discussed in the notes to consolidated financial statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2012.

The components of net periodic benefit cost for the three months ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 consisted of the following:

													Other than
	Pension Plans												Pension Plans
	U.S.						International						Post-retirement
(In millions)	2012			2011			2012			2011			2012			2011
Service cost	$	8.4		$	6.9		$	6.1		$	5.7		$	1.1		$	0.9
Interest cost	6.7			7.4			4.5			4.8			1.9			2.1
Expected return on plan assets	(11.3		)	(9.7		)	(4.9		)	(5.3		)	(0.5		)	(0.3		)
Amortization of (1):
Prior service cost	0.2			0.2			0.7			1.0			0.2			—
Actuarial loss	3.6			1.9			2.4			1.2			1.1			0.4
Net periodic benefit cost	$	7.6		$	6.7		$	8.8		$	7.4		$	3.8		$	3.1

(1) The benefit (provision) for deferred income taxes on the amount of net periodic benefit cost amortized from accumulated OCI related to the Company’s pension and post-retirement plans was $2.9 million and $1.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

19

THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The components of net periodic benefit cost for the six months ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 consisted of the following:

													Other than
	Pension Plans												Pension Plans
	U.S.						International						Post-retirement
(In millions)	2012			2011			2012			2011			2012			2011
Service cost	$	16.9		$	13.8		$	12.0		$	11.6		$	2.3		$	1.8
Interest cost	13.4			14.9			9.0			9.7			3.8			4.2
Expected return on plan assets	(22.6		)	(19.4		)	(9.7		)	(10.7		)	(1.0		)	(0.6		)
Amortization of (1):
Prior service cost	0.3			0.3			1.4			2.0			0.4			—
Actuarial loss	7.2			4.0			4.7			2.4			2.2			0.9
Settlements and curtailments	—			—			0.8			—			—			—
Net periodic benefit cost	$	15.2		$	13.6		$	18.2		$	15.0		$	7.7		$	6.3

(1) The benefit (provision) for deferred income taxes on the amount of net periodic benefit cost amortized from accumulated OCI related to the Company’s pension and post-retirement plans was $4.3 million and $4.5 million for the six months ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

During the six months ended December 31, 2012, the Company made contributions to its international pension plans totaling approximately $6.8 million.

NOTE 8 — CONTINGENCIES

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, financial condition or cash flows.  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.  Except as disclosed below, reasonably possible losses in addition to the amounts accrued for litigation and other legal proceedings are not material to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

During the fiscal 2007 fourth quarter, the former owner of the Darphin brand initiated litigation in the Paris Commercial Court against the Company and one of its subsidiaries seeking to recover €60.0 million ($79.2 million at the exchange rate at December 31, 2012) that he claims he was owed as additional consideration for the sale of Darphin to the Company in April 2003.  On December 23, 2011, the Paris Commercial Court issued its judgment, awarding the former owner €22.9 million ($30.2 million at the exchange rate at December 31, 2012) plus interest from 2007.  The Company has filed its appeal with the Paris Court of Appeal and oral arguments for the appeal are scheduled for December 2013.  In accordance with the judgment, in January 2012, the Company paid €25.3 million ($33.4 million at the exchange rate at December 31, 2012) to the former owner and received from him a bank guarantee to assure repayment to the Company of such sum (or any part thereof) in the event that the judgment is reversed by the Paris Court of Appeal.  Based upon its assessment of the case, as well as the advice of external counsel, the Company is maintaining the amount it previously accrued as an amount that it believes will ultimately be paid based on the probable outcome of the appeal.  Such amount is less than the Paris Commercial Court’s award.

20

THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Other Income

In December 2012, the Company amended the agreement related to the August 2007 sale of Rodan + Fields (a brand then owned by the Company) to receive a fixed amount in lieu of future contingent consideration and other rights.  Prior to this amendment, the Company earned and recognized $1.8 million during the three months ended September 30, 2012 as contingent consideration in accordance with the original terms of the agreement, of which $0.7 million was received.  The remaining $1.1 million of unpaid consideration was included under the amended agreement, whereas the Company is to receive a principal amount of $22.8 million as follows: $6.0 million on March 31, 2013, $8.4 million on March 31, 2014 and $8.4 million on March 31, 2015.  The outstanding principal amount will bear interest at a rate of 7.0%, commencing April 1, 2013.  Net of a discount of $0.4 million, $5.6 million is included in Prepaid expenses and other current assets and $16.8 million is included in Other assets in the accompanying balance sheet as of December 31, 2012.

As a result of the amended agreement, the Company recognized $21.3 million as other income, net of discount and unpaid contingent consideration in accordance with the original terms, in the consolidated statement of earnings during the three months ended December 31, 2012.

In November 2011, the Company settled a commercial dispute with third parties that was outside its normal operations.  In connection therewith, the Company received a $10.5 million cash payment, which has been classified as other income in its consolidated statement of earnings.

NOTE 9 — STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

The Company has various stock-based compensation programs (the “Plans”) under which awards, including stock options, performance share units (“PSU”), restricted stock units (“RSU”), market share units (“MSU”), performance share units based on total stockholder return, and share units, may be granted.  As of December 31, 2012, approximately 18,235,900 shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock were reserved and available to be granted pursuant to these Plans.

Total net stock-based compensation expense is attributable to the granting of, and the remaining requisite service periods of stock options, PSUs, RSUs, MSUs, performance share units based on total stockholder return, and share units.  Compensation expense attributable to net stock-based compensation is as follows:

	Three Months Ended December 31				Six Months Ended December 31
(In millions)	2012		2011		2012		2011
Compensation expense	$	34.3	$	31.2	$	88.8	$	76.6
Income tax benefit	11.3		10.3		28.9		25.2

As of December 31, 2012, the total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock-based awards was $158.4 million and the related weighted-average period over which it is expected to be recognized is approximately 2.1 years.

21

THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Stock Options

The following is a summary of the Company’s stock option programs as of December 31, 2012 and changes during the six months then ended:

(Shares in thousands)	Shares		Weighted- Average Exercise Price Per Share		Aggregate Intrinsic Value (1) (in millions)		Weighted- Average Contractual Life Remaining in Years
Outstanding at June 30, 2012	15,810.8		$	28.86
Granted at fair value	3,236.6		59.75
Exercised	(1,747.2	)	21.28
Expired	(11.3	)	25.41
Forfeited	(75.6	)	38.73
Outstanding at December 31, 2012	17,213.3		35.39		$	421.2	7.3
Vested and expected to vest at December 31, 2012	16,957.8		35.11		$	419.7	7.3
Exercisable at December 31, 2012	6,430.9		23.20		$	235.8	5.7

(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 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:

	Three Months Ended December 31				Six Months Ended December 31
(In millions, except per share data)	2012		2011		2012		2011
Per-share weighted-average grant date fair value of stock options granted	$	20.84	$	21.67	$	20.30	$	17.41
Intrinsic value of stock options exercised	$	38.0	$	60.3	$	65.3	$	65.8

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:

	Three Months Ended December 31		Six Months Ended December 31
	2012	2011	2012	2011
Weighted-average expected stock-price volatility	34%	35%	34%	35%
Weighted-average expected option life	8 years	8 years	8 years	8 years
Average risk-free interest rate	1.4%	2.0%	1.2%	1.7%
Average dividend yield	1.0%	1.0%	1.0%	1.0%

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.

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THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Performance Share Units

During the six months ended December 31, 2012, the Company granted approximately 250,800 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, 2015, all subject to continued employment or retirement of the grantees.  Certain PSUs granted in fiscal 2013 are accompanied by dividend equivalent rights that will be payable in cash upon settlement of the PSU.  Other PSUs granted in fiscal 2013 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.  In September 2012, approximately 495,900 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 330,600 PSUs that vested as of June 30, 2012.

The following is a summary of the status of the Company’s PSUs as of December 31, 2012 and activity during the six months then ended:

		Weighted-Average
		Grant Date
		Fair Value Per
(Shares in thousands)	Shares	Share
Nonvested at June 30, 2012	625.9	$	37.31
Granted	250.8	59.08
Vested	—	—
Forfeited	—	—
Nonvested at December 31, 2012	876.7	43.54

Restricted Stock Units

The Company granted approximately 1,404,000 RSUs during the six months ended December 31, 2012 which, at the time of grant, were scheduled to vest as follows: 635,100 on October 31, 2013, 335,500 on October 31, 2014, 32,600 on June 30, 2015, 4,900 on September 4, 2015, 206,600 on November 2, 2015, 124,300 on November 16, 2015, 32,500 on June 30, 2016 and 32,500 on June 30, 2017, all subject to the continued employment or retirement of the grantees.  Certain RSUs granted in fiscal 2013 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 2013 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 December 31, 2012 and activity during the six months then ended:

			Weighted-Average
			Grant Date
			Fair Value Per
(Shares in thousands)	Shares		Share
Nonvested at June 30, 2012	2,392.9		$	38.22
Granted	1,404.0		58.99
Vested	(1,507.7	)	35.89
Forfeited	(43.2	)	44.85
Nonvested at December 31, 2012	2,246.0		52.64

23

THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Performance Share Units Based on Total Stockholder Return

During the six months ended December 31, 2012, the Company granted PSUs to an executive of the Company with an aggregate target payout of 162,760 shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock, subject to continued employment through the end of the relative performance periods, which end June 30, 2015, 2016 and 2017.  Such PSUs will be settled based upon the Company’s relative total stockholder return (“TSR”) over the relevant performance period as compared to companies in the S&P 500 on July 1, 2012.  No settlement will occur if the Company’s TSR falls below a minimum threshold, and up to an aggregate of 260,416 shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock will be issued depending on the extent to which the Company’s TSR equals or exceeds the minimum threshold.  The PSUs are accompanied by dividend equivalent rights that will be payable in cash upon settlement of the PSUs.

The grant date fair value of the PSUs of $11.0 million was estimated using a lattice model with a Monte Carlo simulation and the following assumptions for each performance period, respectively: contractual life of 33, 45 and 57 months, average risk-free interest rate of 0.3%, 0.5% and 0.7% and a dividend yield of 1.0%.  Using the historical stock prices and dividends from public sources, the Company estimated the covariance structure of the returns on S&P 500 stocks.  The volatility for the Company’s stock produced by this estimation was 32%.  The average risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury strip rates over the contractual term of the grant and the dividend yield is based on historical experience.

Market Share Unit

As of December 31, 2012, the Company had one outstanding market share unit with a grant date fair value of $10.6 million that 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 following is a summary of the status of the Company’s share units as of December 31, 2012 and activity during the six months then ended:

		Weighted-Average
		Grant Date
		Fair Value Per
(Shares in thousands)	Shares	Share
Outstanding at June 30, 2012	73.7	$	28.69
Granted	12.1	57.49
Dividend equivalents	1.0	60.82
Converted	—	—
Outstanding at December 31, 2012	86.8	33.09

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 $0.1 million as income and $2.5 million as compensation expense to reflect additional deferrals and the change in the market value for the three months ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.  The Company recorded $1.5 million and $1.0 million as compensation expense to reflect additional deferrals and the change in the market value for the six months ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

24

THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 10 — 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:

	Three Months Ended December 31				Six Months Ended December 31
(In millions, except per share data)	2012		2011		2012		2011
Numerator:
Net earnings attributable to The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.	$	447.5	$	396.7	$	747.0	$	675.3
Denominator:
Weighted-average common shares outstanding — Basic	387.4		386.8		387.6		388.7
Effect of dilutive stock options	5.5		6.6		5.6		6.5
Effect of restricted stock units	1.0		1.6		1.4		1.9
Effect of performance share units based on TSR	0.4		—		0.2		—
Effect of market share unit	0.4		0.2		0.3		0.2
Weighted-average common shares outstanding — Diluted	394.7		395.2		395.1		397.3
Net earnings attributable to The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. per common share:
Basic	$	1.16	$	1.03	$	1.93	$	1.74
Diluted	1.13		1.00		1.89		1.70

As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, outstanding options to purchase 3.2 million and 3.3 million shares, respectively, of Class A Common Stock were not included in the computation of diluted EPS because their inclusion would be anti-dilutive.  As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, 0.9 and 1.0 million of PSUs, respectively, 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 9 — Stock-Based Compensation.

NOTE 11 — EQUITY

	Total Stockholders’ Equity — The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.																Non-
(In millions)	Common Stock		Paid-in Capital		Retained Earnings			AOCI			Treasury Stock			Total			controlling Interests			Total Equity
Balance — June 30, 2012	$	5.5	$	2,006.1	$	4,764.9		$	(212.9	)	$	(3,830.4	)	$	2,733.2		$	14.3		$	2,747.5
Net earnings	—		—		747.0			—			—			747.0			2.0			749.0
Common stock dividends - cash	—		—		(280.3		)	—			—			(280.3		)	(4.2		)	(284.5		)
Other comprehensive income	—		—		—			79.3			—			79.3			0.8			80.1
Acquisition of treasury stock	—		—		—			—			(281.5		)	(281.5		)	—			(281.5		)
Stock-based compensation	0.1		155.4		—			—			(43.0		)	112.5			—			112.5
Balance — December 31, 2012	$	5.6	$	2,161.5	$	5,231.6		$	(133.6	)	$	(4,154.9	)	$	3,110.2		$	12.9		$	3,123.1

On November 1, 2012, a dividend was declared in the amount of $.72 per share on the Company’s Class A and Class B Common Stock.  The dividend was paid in cash on December 17, 2012 to stockholders of record at the close of business on November 30, 2012.  The Company transitioned to a quarterly dividend payout schedule for its Class A and Class B Common Stock beginning in the fiscal 2013 third quarter.

25

THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

On February 4, 2013, a dividend was declared in the amount of $.18 per share on the Company’s Class A and Class B Common Stock.  The dividend is payable in cash on March 15, 2013 to stockholders of record at the close of business on February 28, 2013.

Common Stock

During the six months ended December 31, 2012, the Company purchased approximately 5.7 million shares of its Class A Common Stock for $326.5 million.

On November 1, 2012, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to another 40.0 million shares of Class A Common Stock.

On November 9, 2012, the Company amended its Certificate of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares to 1,300,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock and 304,000,000 shares of Class B Common Stock.

Subsequent to December 31, 2012 and through January 30, 2013, the Company repurchased approximately 0.4 million additional shares of its Class A Common Stock for $23.5 million pursuant to its share repurchase program.

NOTE 12 — STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

Supplemental cash flow information for the six months ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 is as follows:

(In millions)	2012			2011
Cash:
Cash paid during the period for interest	$	51.7		$	36.7
Cash paid during the period for income taxes	$	145.5		$	125.3
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Incremental tax benefit from the exercise of stock options	$	(4.3	)	$	(4.0	)
Capital lease obligations incurred	$	4.1		$	0.4
Accrued dividend distribution to noncontrolling interest	$	(4.2	)	$	—
Note receivable	$	(22.4	)	$	—

NOTE 13 — 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.  Although the Company operates in one business segment, beauty products, management also evaluates performance on a product category basis.  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, other income 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 part of a company-wide program to redesign the Company’s organizational structure.

The accounting policies for the Company’s reportable segments are substantially the same as those for the consolidated financial statements, as described in the notes to consolidated financial statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2012.  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.  There has been no significant variance in the total or long-lived asset values associated with the Company’s segment data since June 30, 2012.

26

THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

	Three Months Ended December 31						Six Months Ended December 31
(In millions)	2012			2011			2012			2011
PRODUCT CATEGORY DATA
Net Sales:
Skin Care	$	1,279.9		$	1,165.9		$	2,393.4		$	2,238.8
Makeup	1,049.3			983.6			2,009.7			1,912.4
Fragrance	458.8			441.1			806.4			797.9
Hair Care	131.9			121.4			245.8			225.2
Other	13.2			25.6			27.3			39.3
	2,933.1			2,737.6			5,482.6			5,213.6
Returns associated with restructuring activities	(0.1		)	(0.1		)	(0.1		)	0.6
Net Sales	$	2,933.0		$	2,737.5		$	5,482.5		$	5,214.2
Operating Income (Loss) before total charges associated with restructuring activities:
Skin Care	$	356.7		$	312.2		$	615.7		$	535.9
Makeup	226.5			208.5			387.8			368.1
Fragrance	77.3			73.2			130.7			121.5
Hair Care	10.1			12.5			20.8			17.6
Other	(2.9		)	(3.3		)	(4.9		)	(5.9		)
	667.7			603.1			1,150.1			1,037.2
Reconciliation:
Total charges associated with restructuring activities	(14.6		)	(6.1		)	(15.0		)	(10.2		)
Interest expense, net	(13.4		)	(16.6		)	(29.2		)	(32.6		)
Interest expense on debt extinguishment	—			—			(19.1		)	—
Other income	21.3			10.5			23.1			10.5
Earnings before income taxes	$	661.0		$	590.9		$	1,109.9		$	1,004.9
GEOGRAPHIC DATA
Net Sales:
The Americas	$	1,140.2		$	1,071.3		$	2,322.3		$	2,176.7
Europe, the Middle East & Africa	1,105.3			1,046.3			1,930.2			1,904.5
Asia/Pacific	687.6			620.0			1,230.1			1,132.4
	2,933.1			2,737.6			5,482.6			5,213.6
Returns associated with restructuring activities	(0.1		)	(0.1		)	(0.1		)	0.6
Net Sales	$	2,933.0		$	2,737.5		$	5,482.5		$	5,214.2
Operating Income (Loss):
The Americas	$	132.1		$	112.4		$	304.4		$	261.6
Europe, the Middle East & Africa	324.6			310.1			521.5			497.8
Asia/Pacific	211.0			180.6			324.2			277.8
	667.7			603.1			1,150.1			1,037.2
Total charges associated with restructuring activities	(14.6		)	(6.1		)	(15.0		)	(10.2		)
Operating Income	$	653.1		$	597.0		$	1,135.1		$	1,027.0

27

THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

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 for the three and six months ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, and reflects the basis of presentation described in Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies for all periods presented.  Products and services that do not meet our definition of skin care, makeup, fragrance or hair care have been included in the “other” category.

	Three Months Ended December 31						Six Months Ended December 31
(In millions)	2012			2011			2012			2011
NET SALES
By Region:
The Americas	$	1,140.2		$	1,071.3		$	2,322.3		$	2,176.7
Europe, the Middle East & Africa	1,105.3			1,046.3			1,930.2			1,904.5
Asia/Pacific	687.6			620.0			1,230.1			1,132.4
	2,933.1			2,737.6			5,482.6			5,213.6
Returns associated with restructuring activities	(0.1		)	(0.1		)	(0.1		)	0.6
Net Sales	$	2,933.0		$	2,737.5		$	5,482.5		$	5,214.2
By Product Category:
Skin Care	$	1,279.9		$	1,165.9		$	2,393.4		$	2,238.8
Makeup	1,049.3			983.6			2,009.7			1,912.4
Fragrance	458.8			441.1			806.4			797.9
Hair Care	131.9			121.4			245.8			225.2
Other	13.2			25.6			27.3			39.3
	2,933.1			2,737.6			5,482.6			5,213.6
Returns associated with restructuring activities	(0.1		)	(0.1		)	(0.1		)	0.6
Net Sales	$	2,933.0		$	2,737.5		$	5,482.5		$	5,214.2
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)
By Region:
The Americas	$	132.1		$	112.4		$	304.4		$	261.6
Europe, the Middle East & Africa	324.6			310.1			521.5			497.8
Asia/Pacific	211.0			180.6			324.2			277.8
	667.7			603.1			1,150.1			1,037.2
Total charges associated with restructuring activities	(14.6		)	(6.1		)	(15.0		)	(10.2		)
Operating Income	$	653.1		$	597.0		$	1,135.1		$	1,027.0
By Product Category:
Skin Care	$	356.7		$	312.2		$	615.7		$	535.9
Makeup	226.5			208.5			387.8			368.1
Fragrance	77.3			73.2			130.7			121.5
Hair Care	10.1			12.5			20.8			17.6
Other	(2.9		)	(3.3		)	(4.9		)	(5.9		)
	667.7			603.1			1,150.1			1,037.2
Total charges associated with restructuring activities	(14.6		)	(6.1		)	(15.0		)	(10.2		)
Operating Income	$	653.1		$	597.0		$	1,135.1		$	1,027.0

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THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

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

	Three Months Ended December 31				Six Months Ended December 31
	2012		2011		2012		2011
Net sales	100.0	%	100.0	%	100.0	%	100.0	%
Cost of sales	19.4		20.1		20.2		20.8
Gross profit	80.6		79.9		79.8		79.2
Operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative	57.9		57.7		58.9		59.2
Restructuring and other charges	0.4		0.2		0.2		0.2
Impairment of other intangible assets	—		0.2		—		0.1
Total operating expenses	58.3		58.1		59.1		59.5
Operating income	22.3		21.8		20.7		19.7
Interest expense, net	0.5		0.6		0.5		0.6
Interest expense on debt extinguishment	—		—		0.4		—
Other income	0.7		0.4		0.4		0.2
Earnings before income taxes	22.5		21.6		20.2		19.3
Provision for income taxes	7.2		7.0		6.6		6.3
Net earnings	15.3		14.6		13.6		13.0
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	—		(0.1	)	—		—
Net earnings attributable to The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.	15.3	%	14.5	%	13.6	%	13.0	%

In order to meet the demands of consumers, we continually introduce new products, support new and established products through advertising, merchandising and sampling and phase out existing products that no longer meet the needs of our consumers or our objectives.  The economics of developing, producing, launching, supporting and discontinuing 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 period 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 consumers’ changing shopping habits.  To be the global leader in prestige beauty, we continued to implement a long-term strategy that is guiding us through fiscal 2015.  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.

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THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

We have a strong, diverse brand portfolio with global reach and potential, and we plan to continue building upon and leveraging our history of outstanding creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship.  We have succeeded in expanding our distinctive “High-Touch” service model and will continue to look for ways to expand it in newer channels and within geographic regions.  As an example, we are developing capabilities to deliver superior retailing experiences, particularly in Company-operated retail stores.  We are expanding our efforts to evolve our online strategy into a multi-pronged digital strategy encompassing e-commerce, m-commerce, as well as digital and social media.  We are leveraging our regional organization in an effort to assure that we are locally relevant with our products, services, marketing and visual merchandising.

As part of our strategy, we are continuing to shift our product 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 are also focusing our attention on luxury consumers across all product categories and have seen an improvement in the net sales of many of our higher-end prestige products.  We will also continue to build our makeup product category through the introduction of new product offerings, expand our hair care brands both in salons and in other retail channels and focus our efforts to enhance our fragrance business.

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, the Middle East, Eastern Europe and Brazil and focus on consumers who purchase in the travel retail channel, in stores at their travel destinations or when they return to their home market.  We also continue to expand our digital presence which has resulted in growth in the net sales of our products sold online.  In North America, we continue to recognize the need to drive profitable growth in our traditional department store channel and see many benefits from the changes we have previously implemented.  At the same time, we are also expanding our presence in other channels, such as specialty retailers, Company-operated retail stores and online.  Internationally, we continue to take actions to grow profitability in European perfumeries and pharmacies and in department stores in Asia.  In addition, we are 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 an important source of sales growth and profitability.  Our business in this channel has benefited from the implementation of programs we designed to target consumers in distinct travel corridors, enhance consumers’ “High-Touch” experiences and convert travelers into purchasers.

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 plan on continuing to bring highly innovative products to consumers and elevating our personalized “High-Touch” service model.  We intend to invest in select areas of our business to improve our capabilities or develop new ones.  Our main focus areas are digital, research and development, product innovation, consumer insight and local relevance.  While our overall business is performing well, certain Southern European countries, Korea and Australia are seeing worse-than-expected weakness due to economic uncertainties and volatility.  We also saw a slowing in the exceptional growth we had experienced in travel retail, due in part to select retailer destocking and tighter working capital management, but in view of the activities we see at retail in the channel, we expect improved results throughout the remainder of the fiscal year.  We believe we have and will continue to offset to some extent the impact of these events as a result of our strategy to mitigate weaknesses we find in certain areas with strengths in others.  However, if economic conditions or the degree of uncertainty or volatility worsen or the adverse conditions previously discussed are further prolonged, then we expect there to be a negative effect on ongoing consumer confidence, demand and spending and, as a result, our business.  We will continue to monitor these and other risks that may affect our business.  Hurricane Sandy, which affected parts of the northeastern United States and other areas in late October 2012, did not have a significant impact on our business or our consolidated financial results for the three and six months ended December 31, 2012.

We plan to continue to invest in the significant modernization of our global information systems, which includes the Strategic Modernization Initiative (“SMI”) as well as other initiatives, and continue to shift our focus from gift with purchase activities to advertising, merchandising and sampling initiatives.  These initiatives should over time enable overall profitability improvements by enhancing gross margin and supporting efficiencies in select operating expenses, while increasing our strategic investment spending.

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THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

As part of SMI, we anticipate the continued migration of our operations to SAP-based technologies, with the majority of our locations being enabled through 2014.  As a result, we have experienced, and may continue to experience, fluctuations in our net sales and operating results due to accelerated orders from certain of our retailers to provide adequate safety stock to mitigate any potential short-term business interruption associated with the SAP rollout.  In particular, approximately $94 million of accelerated orders were recorded as net sales in the fiscal 2013 second quarter that likely would have occurred in the fiscal 2013 third quarter.  Similarly, approximately $30 million of accelerated orders were recorded as net sales in the fiscal 2012 second quarter that would have occurred in the fiscal 2012 third quarter.  The impact on net sales and operating results by product category and geographic region is as follows:

	Three Months Ended December 31, 2012				Three Months Ended December 31, 2011
(In millions)	Net Sales		Operating Results		Net Sales		Operating Results
Product Category:
Skin Care	$	48	$	40	$	16	$	13
Makeup	32		26		9		6
Fragrance	10		9		2		2
Hair Care	4		3		3		2
Other	0		0		0		0
Total	$	94	$	78	$	30	$	23
Region:
The Americas	$	29	$	23	$	2	$	1
Europe, the Middle East & Africa	15		12		3		3
Asia/Pacific	50		43		25		19
Total	$	94	$	78	$	30	$	23

Combined, these actions created a difficult comparison between the fiscal 2013 second quarter and the fiscal 2012 second quarter of approximately $64 million in net sales and approximately $55 million in operating results and impacted our operating margin comparisons.  We believe the presentation of certain quarter and year-to-date comparative information in the following discussions that exclude the impact of the timing of these orders is useful in analyzing the net sales and operating results of our business.

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 anticipated the Program would result in total cumulative restructuring charges and other costs to implement those initiatives of between $350 million and $450 million before taxes.  As of December 31, 2012, we closed the Program.  We concluded the approval of all initiatives under the Program and anticipate commencing the execution of those initiatives through fiscal 2014.  As a result of the closure of the Program and evaluation of the initiatives that have been implemented, as of December 31, 2012, we anticipate total cumulative restructuring charges and other costs to implement those initiatives to total between $325 million and $350 million and that such charges will be substantially recorded through fiscal 2013.  We will continue to monitor the progress of these initiatives and revise estimates as appropriate.

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THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

The following is a reconciliation of cumulative approved charges under the Program as compared with the revised estimated charges related to initiatives under the Program and total cumulative charges incurred through December 31, 2012:

	Restructuring Charges																				Total
(In millions)	Employee- RelatedCosts			Asset Write-offs			Contract Terminations and Other Exit Costs			Total Restructuring			Returns			Inventory Write-offs		Other Charges			Restructuring Charges and Other Costs to Implement
Approved charges from inception through December 31, 2012	$	205.5		$	23.5		$	43.5		$	272.5		$	43.0		$	20.0	$	50.0		$	385.5
Adjustments of estimated costs over (under)	(29.0		)	(2.0		)	(2.0		)	(33.0		)	(10.0		)	5.0		(13.0		)	(51.0		)
Revised estimated charges as of December 31, 2012	$	176.5		$	21.5		$	41.5		$	239.5		$	33.0		$	25.0	$	37.0		$	334.5
Cumulative charges incurred through December 31, 2012	$	175.5		$	19.4		$	32.5		$	227.4		$	30.6		$	23.2	$	36.4		$	317.6

We expect that the implementation of this Program, combined with other on-going cost savings efforts, will result in savings of approximately $760 million to $785 million through the end of fiscal 2013 including the reduction of certain costs relative to an assumed normalized spending pattern.  Any changes from adjustments of estimated costs, as referenced above, have been included within our expected savings.  Our long-range forecast for operating margin reflects these anticipated savings, net of strategic reinvestments.

The Program focused 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 since Program inception 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.  As of December 31, 2012, we identified approximately $10 million of previously-approved restructuring costs that will not be incurred related to these activities, primarily as a result of certain employees relocating to other available positions within the Company.

·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, the reformulation of Ojon brand products and the exit from the global distribution of Sean John products.  In connection with these activities, we incurred charges for product returns, inventory write-offs, reduction of workforce and termination of contracts.  As of December 31, 2012, we identified approximately $21 million of previously-approved returns and other costs related to these activities that will not be incurred, primarily as a result of better-than-expected sales of products prior to the exit of the operations, as well as lower employee-related and store closure costs than originally estimated.

·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 termination costs.  As of December 31, 2012, we identified approximately $20 million of previously-approved outsourcing initiatives for information technology services stemming from the decision not to implement certain aspects of these initiatives, as well as lower costs than originally anticipated to transition services on initiatives that were implemented.

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THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

Restructuring Charges

The following table presents restructuring charges related to the Program as follows:

	Three Months Ended December 31					Six Months Ended December 31
(In millions)	2012			2011		2012			2011
Employee-related costs	$	13.5		$	2.1	$	13.6		$	4.3
Asset write-offs	0.1			0.4		0.1			0.5
Contract terminations	—			1.2		—			1.3
Other exit costs	(0.3		)	0.2		(0.1		)	0.8
Total restructuring charges	$	13.3		$	3.9	$	13.6		$	6.9

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

(In millions)	Employee- RelatedCosts		AssetWrite-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
Fiscal 2012	37.1		1.7		12.6		2.2			53.6
Six months ended December 31, 2012	13.6		0.1		—		(0.1		)	13.6
Charges recorded through December 31, 2012	$	175.5	$	19.4	$	21.3	$	11.2		$	227.4

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THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

The following table presents accrued restructuring charges and the related activities under the Program to date:

(In millions)	Employee- RelatedCosts			AssetWrite-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
Charges	37.1			1.7			12.6			2.2			53.6
Cash payments	(23.6		)	—			(12.4		)	(2.0		)	(38.0		)
Non-cash write-offs	—			(1.7		)	—			—			(1.7		)
Translation adjustments	(1.4		)	—			—			0.1			(1.3		)
Balance at June 30, 2012	47.9			—			0.8			0.5			49.2
Charges	13.6			0.1			—			(0.1		)	13.6
Cash payments	(16.3		)	—			(0.4		)	—			(16.7		)
Non-cash write-offs	—			(0.1		)	—			—			(0.1		)
Translation adjustments	0.3			—			—			—			0.3
Balance at December 31, 2012	$	45.5		$	—		$	0.4		$	0.4		$	46.3

Accrued restructuring charges at December 31, 2012 are expected to result in cash expenditures funded from cash provided by operations of approximately $24 million, $17 million and $5 million for the remainder of fiscal 2013 and in fiscal 2014 and 2015, respectively.

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THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

Total Returns and Other Charges Associated with Restructuring Activities

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

	Three Months Ended December 31					Six Months Ended December 31
(In millions)	2012		2011			2012		2011
Sales returns (included in Net Sales)	$	0.1	$	0.1		$	0.1	$	(0.6	)
Cost of sales	1.2		(0.1		)	1.2		—
Restructuring charges	13.3		3.9			13.6		6.9
Other charges	—		2.2			0.1		3.9
Total charges associated with restructuring activities	$	14.6	$	6.1		$	15.0	$	10.2

During the three and six months ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, we recorded adjustments to reflect revised estimates of then-anticipated sales returns associated with prior initiatives.  During the three and six months ended December 31, 2012, we recorded $1.2 million of inventory write-offs associated with exiting unprofitable operations.  Other charges in connection with the implementation of the Program primarily relate to consulting and other professional services.

Other Intangible Asset Impairments

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012, the Darphin reporting unit experienced an unanticipated deterioration in its results of operations due to softness in its European business, which is its primary market.  Based on a qualitative analysis at that time, we reviewed and revised Darphin’s long-term forecast.  We concluded that these changes in circumstances triggered the need for an interim impairment test of the reporting unit’s trademark and goodwill as of June 30, 2012.  We determined that the trademark was not impaired, with the estimated fair value exceeding its carrying value by less than 2%.  As of December 31, 2012, the carrying value of the trademark was $8.3 million.  The estimated fair value of the trademark was based on the use of a royalty rate to determine discounted projected future cash flows (“relief-from-royalty method”).  The key assumptions that were used to determine the estimated fair value of the trademark were based on the expectation that the economic uncertainties in Europe would be temporary and not permanent in nature.  If the decline in this market is more severe than we have anticipated, or other business disruptions arise, a resulting change in the key assumptions could have a negative impact on the estimated fair value of this trademark and it is possible we could recognize an impairment charge in the future.  After completing the interim impairment test during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012 on the trademark, we completed step one of the impairment test for goodwill and concluded that the fair value of the Darphin reporting unit was substantially in excess of its carrying value including goodwill.

Second Quarter Fiscal 2013 as Compared with Second Quarter Fiscal 2012

NET SALES

Net sales increased 7%, or $195.5 million, to $2,933.0 million, primarily reflecting growth in all of our geographic regions and each of our product categories.  In advance of our January 2013 implementation of SAP at certain of our locations and to provide adequate safety stock to mitigate any potential short-term business interruption associated with the rollout, certain of our retailers accelerated their orders during the fiscal 2013 second quarter.  Those additional orders, which totaled approximately $94 million, likely would have occurred in our fiscal 2013 third quarter.  In addition, approximately $30 million of accelerated orders were recorded as net sales in the fiscal 2012 second quarter that likely would have occurred in the fiscal 2012 third quarter.  Excluding the impact of the accelerated orders, reported net sales would have increased 5%.  The impact of foreign currency translation on net sales was de minimis.

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THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

Product Categories

The net overall change in net sales in each product category benefited as a result of the accelerated orders from certain of our retailers due to our implementation of SAP, as previously discussed, and is reflected within the following discussion as follows: skin care, approximately $32 million; makeup, approximately $23 million; fragrance, approximately $8 million; and hair care, approximately $1 million.

Skin Care

Net sales of skin care products increased 10%, or $114.0 million, to $1,279.9 million, primarily reflecting the continued success of our strategic focus on growing this category.  The recent launches of Perfectionist CP+R, Advanced Time Zone, Advanced Night Recovery Eye Serum Infusion and the Optimizer line of products from Estée Lauder, Even Better Eyes Dark Circle Corrector from Clinique and The Moisturizing Soft Cream from La Mer, as well as higher sales of Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex from Estée Lauder, contributed approximately $132 million, combined, to the increase.  Partially offsetting these increases were lower sales of existing Estée Lauder products Perfectionist CP+ Serum and Time Zone, as well as Idealist Even Skintone Illuminator, which was a new launch in the prior-year period, of approximately $46 million, combined.  The impact of foreign currency translation on skin care net sales was de minimis.  Excluding the impact of the accelerated orders, as previously discussed, reported net sales in skin care would have increased 7%.

Makeup

Makeup net sales increased 7%, or $65.7 million, to $1,049.3 million, primarily reflecting an increase in net sales from our makeup artist brands of approximately $48 million, combined.  The recent launches of Chubby Stick Intense and Stay-Matte Oil-Free Makeup from Clinique contributed approximately $10 million of incremental sales, combined.  Higher sales of existing products, Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour and Even Better Makeup from Clinique, as well as increased sales of Smashbox products, contributed approximately $17 million, combined.  Partially offsetting these increases were approximately $13 million of lower sales of Repairwear Laser Focus Makeup and Lid Smoothie Eyeshadow from Clinique and Doublewear Stay-In-Place Makeup from Estée Lauder, which were all new launches in the prior-year period.  The impact of foreign currency translation on skin care net sales was de minimis.  Excluding the impact of the accelerated orders, as previously discussed, reported net sales in makeup would have increased 4%.

Fragrance

Net sales of fragrance products increased 4%, or $17.7 million, to $458.8 million.  Incremental sales from the recent launches of Coach Love, Estée Lauder Very Estée and Tommy Hilfiger Freedom Men contributed approximately $10 million to the category, combined.  Higher sales of Jo Malone and Tom Ford fragrances contributed approximately $27 million to the increase.  These increases were partially offset by lower sales of Estée Lauder Sensuous Nude and DKNY Golden Delicious, both of which were new launches in the prior-year period, as well as existing products, Tommy Hilfiger Tommy and Clinique Aromatics Elixir, of approximately $24 million, combined.  We continue to expect challenges in this category due to competitive dynamics.  Excluding the impact of foreign currency translation, fragrance net sales increased 5% as compared with the prior-year period.  Excluding the impact of the accelerated orders, as previously discussed, reported net sales in fragrance would have increased 2%.

Hair Care

Hair care net sales increased 9%, or $10.5 million, to $131.9 million, primarily reflecting the continued success of the Invati line of products and the recent launches of Pure Abundance Style Prep and Be Curly Curl Controller from Aveda.  The category also benefited from sales generated from expanded global distribution, in particular, to salons and multi-brand specialty retailers.  Partially offsetting these increases were lower sales of Bumble and bumble brand products to salons and lower net sales of Ojon brand products due, in part, to softness in our business in the direct response television channel.  The impact of foreign currency translation on hair care net sales was de minimis.  Excluding the impact of the accelerated orders, as previously discussed, reported net sales in hair care would have increased 8%.

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THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

Geographic Regions

The net overall change in net sales in each geographic region benefited as a result of the accelerated orders from certain of our retailers due to our implementation of SAP, as previously discussed, and is reflected within the following discussion as follows: Americas, approximately $27 million; Europe, the Middle East & Africa, approximately $12 million; and Asia/Pacific, approximately $25 million.

Net sales in the Americas increased 6%, or $68.9 million, to $1,140.2 million.  The increase during the current-year period was primarily attributable to growth in the United States of approximately $52 million, primarily due to new product offerings from our makeup artist brands and certain of our heritage and hair care brands.  Net sales in Canada increased approximately $10 million, primarily reflecting increased sales from our heritage brands.  These increases also reflect the efforts of our expanded pull/push activities, which include innovative advertising that continues to draw new consumers to our brands and our ongoing efforts to work with retailers in the United States and Canada on strengthening the “High-Touch” concepts used to help market our products.  Net sales in Latin America increased approximately $7 million.  The impact of foreign currency translation on the Americas net sales was de minimis.  Excluding the impact of the accelerated orders, as previously discussed, reported net sales in the Americas would have increased 4%.

In Europe, the Middle East & Africa, net sales increased 6%, or $59.0 million, to $1,105.3 million, primarily reflecting higher sales from our travel retail business, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, France and Nordic of approximately $69 million, combined.  The net sales increase in our travel retail business primarily reflected an increase in global airline passenger traffic.  Higher sales in the United Kingdom were primarily driven by our makeup artist brands and higher-end prestige skin care and fragrance products.  The increased sales in Switzerland, France and Nordic included the accelerated orders, as previously discussed.  These increases were partially offset by lower net sales in Spain, Russia, Italy, Germany and the Balkans of approximately $21 million, combined.  With the exception of Russia, these lower net sales reflected the ongoing economic uncertainties in certain countries in Europe.  Accordingly, we remain cautious in the near term.  The lower net sales in Russia primarily reflected destocking associated with ongoing challenges with a certain customer.  The overall change in Europe, the Middle East & Africa net sales was inclusive of unfavorable exchange rates due to the strengthening of the U.S. dollar against most currencies in this region of approximately $14 million.  Excluding the impact of foreign currency translation, net sales in Europe, the Middle East & Africa increased 7%.  Excluding the impact of the accelerated orders, as previously discussed, reported net sales in Europe, the Middle East & Africa would have increased 4%.

Net sales in Asia/Pacific increased 11%, or $67.6 million, to $687.6 million, primarily reflecting growth in our skin care product category, in line with our strategy.  Approximately $100 million of this increase was generated in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, and included the impact from the accelerated orders, as previously discussed.  Net sales growth in China and Hong Kong also benefited from expanded distribution, as well as successful launches of skin care products.  These increases were partially offset by lower net sales in Korea and Australia of approximately $35 million, combined, reflecting difficult economic conditions.  We continue to see weakness in prestige beauty in Korea as a result of difficult economic conditions and competitive pressures.  Excluding the impact of foreign currency translation, Asia/Pacific net sales increased 9%.  Excluding the impact of the accelerated orders, as previously discussed, reported Asia/Pacific net sales would have increased 7%.

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 19.4% as compared with 20.1% in the prior-year period.  This improvement primarily reflected product pricing of approximately 40 basis points, favorable manufacturing variances of 30 basis points, strategic changes in the mix of our business and the favorable effect of exchange rates of approximately 10 basis points each.  These improvements were partially offset by an increase in obsolescence charges and a provision for foreign transactional taxes of approximately 20 basis points, combined.

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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 increased to 58.3% as compared with 58.1% in the prior-year period and reflects the favorable impact on our net sales from the accelerated orders, as previously discussed.  This increase primarily reflected increased spending on advertising, merchandising and sampling in line with our strategy of approximately 100 basis points, higher selling and shipping costs of approximately 20 basis points, an increase in charges associated with restructuring activities of approximately 20 basis points and higher costs of global information technology systems and infrastructure of approximately 10 basis points.  Partially offsetting these changes were a decrease in general and administrative costs and the impact of an out-of-period adjustment related to the overstatement of accounts payable balances of approximately 70 basis points, combined.  Also partially offsetting these changes were a favorable change in foreign exchange transactions of approximately 30 basis points, a prior-year period other intangible asset impairment charge of approximately 20 basis points and lower costs related to stock-based compensation of approximately 10 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.  We expect the higher investment spending on global advertising, merchandising and sampling to support major launches and existing franchises to continue for the remainder of fiscal 2013.

OPERATING RESULTS

Operating income increased 9%, or $56.1 million, to $653.1 million.  Operating margin improved to 22.3% of net sales as compared with 21.8% in the prior-year period, reflecting our higher gross margin, partially offset by the increase in our operating expense margin, as previously discussed.  These improved results also reflected approximately $55 million related to higher accelerated orders from certain of our retailers, 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 $14.6 million, or less than 1% of net sales, for the three months ended December 31, 2012 and $6.1 million, or less than 1% of net sales, for the three months ended December 31, 2011.  We believe the following analysis of operating results better reflects the manner in which we conduct and view our business.  Excluding the accelerated orders and returns and charges associated with restructuring activities, as previously discussed, operating income would have increased 2%.

Product Categories

The net overall change in operating results in each product category benefited as a result of the accelerated orders from certain of our retailers due to our implementation of SAP, as previously discussed, and is reflected within the following discussion as follows: skin care, approximately $27 million; makeup, approximately $20 million; fragrance, approximately $7 million; and hair care, approximately $1 million.

Skin care operating income increased 14%, or $44.5 million, to $356.7 million, primarily reflecting improved results from higher-margin product launches from Estée Lauder and La Mer.  Makeup operating income increased 9%, or $18.0 million, to $226.5 million, primarily reflecting improved results from our makeup artist brands, partially offset by an increase in investment spending in line with our strategy.  Fragrance operating results increased 6%, or $4.1 million, to $77.3 million, primarily reflecting recent launches, partially offset by lower results from certain of our designer fragrances.  Hair care operating results decreased 19%, or $2.4 million, to $10.1 million, primarily reflecting lower results from Bumble and bumble brand products, coupled with increased investment spending in line with our strategy.  Excluding the impact of the accelerated orders, as previously discussed, skin care, makeup, fragrance and hair care operating results would have increased (decreased) 6%, (1) %, (4) % and (34) %, respectively.

Geographic Regions

The net overall change in operating results in each geographic region benefited as a result of the accelerated orders from certain of our retailers due to our implementation of SAP, as previously discussed, and is reflected within the following discussion as follows: Americas, approximately $22 million; Europe, the Middle East & Africa, approximately $9 million; Asia/Pacific, approximately $24 million.

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Operating income in the Americas increased 18%, or $19.7 million, to $132.1 million, primarily reflecting improved results from our makeup artist brands and certain of our hair care brands in the United States.  These improvements were largely offset by higher investment spending during the current-year period in the region, which is in line with our strategy.  Excluding the impact of the accelerated orders, as previously discussed, operating income in the Americas would have decreased 2%.

In Europe, the Middle East & Africa, operating income increased 5%, or $14.5 million, to $324.6 million.  Higher results from our travel retail business, the United Kingdom, Nordic and the Middle East totaled approximately $23 million, combined.  Partially offsetting these improvements were lower results in Spain and Germany of approximately $11 million, combined.  Excluding the impact of the accelerated orders, as previously discussed, operating income in Europe, the Middle East & Africa would have increased 1%.

In Asia/Pacific, operating income increased 17%, or $30.4 million, to $211.0 million.  Higher results from China, Hong Kong and Taiwan totaled approximately $56 million, combined, primarily reflecting the impact from the accelerated orders, as previously discussed.  Partially offsetting these increases were lower operating results of approximately $24 million in Korea and Australia, combined.  Excluding the impact of the accelerated orders, as previously discussed, operating income in Asia/Pacific would have increased 5%.

INTEREST EXPENSE, NET

Net interest expense was $13.4 million as compared with $16.6 million in the prior-year period.  Interest expense decreased primarily due to the refinancing of debt at lower rates.

OTHER INCOME

In December 2012, we amended the agreement related to the August 2007 sale of Rodan + Fields (a brand then owned by us) to receive a fixed amount in lieu of future contingent consideration and other rights.  As a result of the amended agreement, the Company recognized $21.3 million as other income in the consolidated statement of earnings, net of discount of $0.4 million and unpaid contingent consideration of $1.1 million, which was previously earned during the fiscal 2013 first quarter in accordance with the original terms.

In November 2011, we settled a commercial dispute with third parties that was outside our normal operations.  In connection therewith, we received a $10.5 million cash payment, which was classified as other income in our consolidated statements of earnings.

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 quarter to quarter 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.  In addition, changes in judgment from the evaluation of new information resulting in the recognition derecognition or remeasurement of a tax position taken in a prior annual period are recognized separately in the quarter of change.

The effective rate for income taxes was 32.0% for the three months ended December 31, 2012 as compared with 32.6% in the prior-year period.  The decrease in the effective income tax rate of 60 basis points was principally due to a reduction in income tax reserve adjustments.

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NET EARNINGS ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

Net earnings attributable to The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. as compared with the prior-year period increased 13%, or $50.8 million, to $447.5 million and diluted net earnings per common share increased 13% from $1.00 to $1.13.

Six Months Fiscal 2013 as Compared with Six Months Fiscal 2012

NET SALES

Net sales increased 5%, or $268.3 million, to $5,482.5 million, primarily reflecting growth in all of our geographic regions and each of our product categories.  In advance of our January 2013 implementation of SAP at certain of our locations and to provide adequate safety stock to mitigate any potential short-term business interruption associated with the rollout, certain of our retailers accelerated their orders during the fiscal 2013 second quarter.  Those additional orders, which totaled approximately $94 million, likely would have occurred in our fiscal 2013 third quarter.  In addition, approximately $30 million of accelerated orders were recorded as net sales in the fiscal 2012 second quarter that likely would have occurred in the fiscal 2012 third quarter.  Excluding the impact of the accelerated orders, reported net sales would have increased 4%.  Excluding the impact of foreign currency translation, net sales increased 6%.

Product Categories

The net overall change in net sales in each product category benefited as a result of the accelerated orders from certain of our retailers due to our implementation of SAP, as previously discussed, and is reflected within the following discussion as follows: skin care, approximately $32 million; makeup, approximately $23 million; fragrance, approximately $8 million; and hair care, approximately $1 million.

Skin Care

Net sales of skin care products increased 7%, or $154.6 million, to $2,393.4 million, primarily reflecting the continued success of our strategic focus on growing this category.  The recent launches of Perfectionist CP+R and the Optimizer line of products from Estée Lauder, The Moisturizing Soft Cream from La Mer, and Even Better Eyes Dark Circle Corrector from Clinique, as well as higher sales of Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex from Estée Lauder, contributed approximately $221 million, combined, to the increase.  Partially offsetting these increases were lower sales of Idealist Even Skintone Illuminator and Idealist Cooling Eye Illuminator, both of which were new launches in the prior-year period, and Perfectionist CP+ Serum from Estée Lauder of approximately $102 million, combined.  Excluding the impact of foreign currency translation, skin care net sales increased 8%.  Excluding the impact of the accelerated orders, as previously discussed, reported net sales in skin care would have increased 6%.

Makeup

Makeup net sales increased 5%, or $97.3 million, to $2,009.7 million, primarily reflecting an increase in net sales from our makeup artist brands of approximately $68 million, combined.  The recent launches of Pure Color Vivid Shine Lipstick from Estée Lauder and High Impact Extreme Volume Mascara and Pore Refining Solutions Makeup from Clinique contributed approximately $33 million of incremental sales, combined.  Higher sales of existing products, Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour and Even Better Makeup from Clinique contributed approximately $24 million, combined.  Partially offsetting these increases were approximately $39 million of lower sales of Pure Color Eyeshadow and Doublewear Stay-In-Place Makeup from Estée Lauder and Repairwear Laser Focus Makeup from Clinique, which were all new launches in the prior-year period.  Excluding the impact of foreign currency translation, makeup net sales increased 6%.  Excluding the impact of the accelerated orders, as previously discussed, reported net sales in makeup would have increased 4%.

Fragrance

Net sales of fragrance products increased 1%, or $8.5 million, to $806.4 million.  Incremental sales from the recent launches of DKNY Be Delicious So Intense and Coach Love and higher sales of Donna Karan Cashmere Mist contributed approximately $16 million, combined.  Higher sales of Jo Malone and Tom Ford fragrances contributed approximately $35 million to the increase.  These increases were partially offset by lower sales of Estée Lauder Sensuous Nude and DKNY Golden Delicious, both of which were new launches in the prior-year period, as well as pureDKNY of $42 million, combined.  We continue to expect challenges in this category due to competitive dynamics.  Excluding the impact of foreign currency translation, fragrance net sales increased 3%.  The impact of the accelerated orders, as previously discussed, on reported fragrance net sales was de minimis.

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Hair Care

Hair care net sales increased 9%, or $20.6 million, to $245.8 million, primarily reflecting the continued success of the Invati line of products and recent launches of Pure Abundance Style Prep and Be Curly Curl Controller from Aveda.  The category also benefited from sales generated from expanded global distribution, in particular, to salons and multi-brand specialty retailers.  Partially offsetting these increases were lower sales of Bumble and bumble brand products to salons and lower net sales of Ojon brand products due, in part, to softness in our business in the direct response television channel.  Excluding the impact of foreign currency translation, hair care net sales increased 10%.  The impact of the accelerated orders, as previously discussed, on reported hair care net sales was de minimis.

Geographic Regions

The net overall change in net sales in each geographic region benefited as a result of the accelerated orders from certain of our retailers due to our implementation of SAP, as previously discussed, and is reflected within the following discussion as follows: Americas, approximately $27 million; Europe, the Middle East & Africa, approximately $12 million; and Asia/Pacific, approximately $25 million.

Net sales in the Americas increased 7%, or $145.6 million, to $2,322.3 million.  The increase during the current-year period was primarily attributable to growth in the United States of approximately $124 million, primarily due to new product offerings from our heritage and makeup artist brands.  Net sales in Canada increased approximately $15 million, primarily reflecting increased sales from certain of our heritage brands as a result of expanded distribution.  These increases also reflect the efforts of our expanded pull/push activities, which include innovative advertising that continues to draw new consumers to our brands and our ongoing efforts to work with retailers in the United States and Canada on strengthening the “High-Touch” concepts used to help market our products.  Net sales in Latin America increased approximately $7 million.  The impact of foreign currency translation on net sales in the Americas was de minimis.  Excluding the impact of the accelerated orders, as previously discussed, reported net sales in the Americas would have increased 5%.

In Europe, the Middle East & Africa, net sales increased 1%, or $25.7 million, to $1,930.2 million, primarily reflecting higher sales in the United Kingdom, our travel retail business, the Middle East and Nordic of approximately $67 million, combined.  The net sales increase in our travel retail business primarily reflected an increase in global airline passenger traffic.  Higher sales in the United Kingdom were primarily driven by our makeup artist brands and higher-end prestige skin care and fragrance products.  These increases were partially offset by lower net sales in Spain, Russia, Italy, Germany and the Balkans of approximately $45 million, combined.  With the exception of Russia, these lower net sales reflected the ongoing economic uncertainties in certain countries in Europe.  Accordingly, we remain cautious in the near term.  The lower net sales in Russia primarily reflected destocking associated with ongoing challenges with a certain customer.  The overall change in Europe, the Middle East & Africa net sales was inclusive of unfavorable exchange rates due to the strengthening of the U.S. dollar against most currencies in this region of approximately $66 million.  Excluding the impact of foreign currency translation, net sales in Europe, the Middle East & Africa increased 5%.  The impact of the accelerated orders, as previously discussed, on reported net sales in Europe, the Middle East & Africa was de minimis.

Net sales in Asia/Pacific increased 9%, or $97.7 million, to $1,230.1 million, primarily reflecting growth in our skin care product category, in line with our strategy.  Approximately $146 million of this increase was generated in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, primarily reflecting the impact from the accelerated orders, as previously discussed.  Net sales in China and Hong Kong also benefited from expanded distribution.  These increases were partially offset by lower net sales in Korea and Australia of approximately $55 million, combined, reflecting difficult economic conditions.  We continue to see weakness in prestige beauty in Korea as a result of difficult economic conditions and competitive pressures.  Excluding the impact of foreign currency translation, Asia/Pacific net sales increased 8%.  Excluding the impact of the accelerated orders, as previously discussed, reported net sales in Asia/Pacific would have increased 7%.

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

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THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

COST OF SALES

Cost of sales as a percentage of total net sales decreased to 20.2% as compared with 20.8% in the prior-year period.  This improvement primarily reflected product pricing of approximately 40 points, strategic changes in the mix of our business of approximately 30 basis points, the favorable effect of exchange rates of approximately 10 basis points and favorable manufacturing variances of approximately 10 basis points.  These improvements were partially offset by a provision for foreign transactional taxes and an increase in obsolescence charges of approximately 30 basis points, combined.

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 59.1% as compared with 59.5% in the prior-year period and reflects the favorable impact on our net sales from the accelerated orders, as previously discussed.  As a percentage of net sales, this improvement reflected a decrease in general and administrative costs and the impact of certain out-of-period adjustments of approximately 80 basis points, combined.  Also included in this improvement was a favorable change in foreign exchange transactions of approximately 10 basis points and a prior-year period other intangible asset impairment charge of approximately 10 basis points.  Partially offsetting these improvements were increased spending on advertising, merchandising and sampling in line with our strategy of approximately 40 basis points, higher costs of global information technology systems and infrastructure of approximately 20 basis points and higher costs related to stock-based compensation of approximately 10 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.  We expect the higher investment spending on global advertising, merchandising and sampling to support major launches and existing franchises to continue for the remainder of fiscal 2013.

OPERATING RESULTS

Operating income increased 11%, or $108.1 million, to $1,135.1 million.  Operating margin improved to 20.7% of net sales as compared with 19.7% in the prior-year period, reflecting our higher gross margin and the decrease in our operating expense margin, as previously discussed.  These improved results also reflected approximately $55 million related to higher accelerated orders from certain of our retailers, 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 $15.0 million, or less than 1% of net sales, for the six months ended December 31, 2012 and $10.2 million, or less than 1% of net sales, for the six months ended December 31, 2011.  We believe the following analysis of operating results better reflects the manner in which we conduct and view our business.  Excluding the impact of the accelerated orders and returns and charges associated with restructuring activities, as previously discussed, operating results would have increased 6%.

Product Categories

The net overall change in operating results in each product category benefited as a result of the accelerated orders from certain of our retailers due to our implementation of SAP, as previously discussed, and is reflected within the following discussion as follows: skin care, approximately $27 million; makeup, approximately $20 million; fragrance, approximately $7 million; and hair care, approximately $1 million.

Skin care operating income increased 15%, or $79.8 million, to $615.7 million, primarily reflecting improved results from higher-margin product launches from Estée Lauder and La Mer.  Makeup operating income increased 5%, or $19.7 million, to $387.8 million, primarily reflecting improved results from new product launches, partially offset by an increase in investment spending in line with our strategy.  Fragrance operating results increased 8%, or $9.2 million, to $130.7 million, primarily reflecting increased profitability from certain Jo Malone and Clinique products, partially offset by lower results from certain designer fragrances.  Hair care operating results increased 18%, or $3.2 million, to $20.8 million, primarily reflecting improved results driven by recent product launches and expanded global distribution.  Excluding the impact of the accelerated orders, as previously discussed, skin care, makeup, fragrance and hair care operating results would have increased (decreased) 10%, less than (1) %, 2% and 13%, respectively.

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Geographic Regions

The net overall change in operating results in each geographic region benefited as a result of the accelerated orders from certain of our retailers due to our implementation of SAP, as previously discussed, and is reflected within the following discussion as follows: Americas, approximately $22 million; Europe, the Middle East & Africa, approximately $9 million; and Asia/Pacific, approximately $24 million.

Operating income in the Americas increased 16%, or $42.8 million, to $304.4 million, primarily reflecting improved results from certain of our heritage and hair care brands, as well as our makeup artist brands, driven by improved category mix partially offset by the timing and level of strategic investment spending in the current-year period.  Excluding the impact of the accelerated orders, as previously discussed, operating income in the Americas would have increased 8%.

In Europe, the Middle East & Africa, operating income increased 5%, or $23.7 million, to $521.5 million.  Higher results from our travel retail business, the United Kingdom, Nordic and the Middle East totaled approximately $35 million, combined.  Partially offsetting these improvements were lower results in Germany and Spain of approximately $16 million, combined.  Excluding the impact of the accelerated orders, as previously discussed, operating income in Europe, the Middle East & Africa would have increased 3%.

In Asia/Pacific, operating income increased 17%, or $46.4 million, to $324.2 million.  Higher results from China, Hong Kong and Taiwan totaled approximately $75 million, combined, primarily reflecting the impact from the accelerated orders, as previously discussed.  Partially offsetting these increases were lower operating results of approximately $32 million in Korea and Australia, combined.  Excluding the impact of the accelerated orders, as previously discussed, operating income in Asia/Pacific would have increased 9%.

INTEREST EXPENSE, NET

Net interest expense was $29.2 million as compared with $32.6 million in the prior-year period.  Interest expense decreased primarily due to the refinancing of debt at lower rates.

INTEREST EXPENSE ON DEBT EXTINGUISHMENT

During the first quarter of fiscal 2013, we redeemed the $230.1 million principal amount of our 7.75% Senior Notes due 2013 at a price of 108% of the principal amount.  We recorded a pre-tax expense on the extinguishment of debt of $19.1 million representing the call premium of $18.6 million and the pro-rata write-off of $0.5 million of issuance costs and debt discount.

OTHER INCOME

In December 2012, we amended the agreement related to the August 2007 sale of Rodan + Fields (a brand then owned by us) to receive a fixed amount in lieu of future contingent consideration and other rights.  Accordingly, we recognized $22.4 million, net of discount of $0.4 million, which has been classified as other income in our consolidated statements of earnings.  Prior to this amendment, we earned and received $0.7 million of contingent consideration.

In November 2011, we settled a commercial dispute with third parties that was outside our normal operations.  In connection therewith, we received a $10.5 million cash payment, which has been classified as other income in our consolidated statement of earnings.

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 quarter to quarter 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.  In addition, changes in judgment from the evaluation of new information resulting in the recognition derecognition or remeasurement of a tax position taken in a prior annual period are recognized separately in the quarter of change.

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The effective income tax rate was 32.5% and 32.6% for the six months ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.  The slight decrease in the effective income tax rate was principally due to a reduction in income tax reserve adjustments partially offset by a higher effective tax rate on the Company’s foreign operations.

NET EARNINGS ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

Net earnings attributable to The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. as compared with the prior-year period increased 11%, or $71.7 million, to $747.0 million and diluted net earnings per common share increased 11% from $1.70 to $1.89.

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 December 31, 2012, we had cash and cash equivalents of $1,323.6 million compared with $1,347.7 million at June 30, 2012.  Our cash and cash equivalents are maintained at a number of financial institutions.  As of December 31, 2012, approximately 14% of the total balance 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 December 31, 2012 includes 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.  If these indefinitely reinvested earnings were repatriated into the United States as dividends, we would be subject to additional taxes.

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.

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 January 30, 2013, 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.

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Debt

At December 31, 2012, our outstanding borrowings were as follows:

(In millions)	Long-term Debt		Current Debt		Total Debt
3.70% Senior Notes, due August 15, 2042 (“2042 Senior Notes”) (1), (6)	$	248.9	$	—	$	248.9
6.00% Senior Notes, due May 15, 2037 (“2037 Senior Notes”) (2), (6)	296.5		—		296.5
5.75% Senior Notes, due October 15, 2033 (“2033 Senior Notes”) (3)	197.7		—		197.7
2.35% Senior Notes, due August 15, 2022 (“2022 Senior Notes”) (4), (6)	249.8		—		249.8
5.55% Senior Notes, due May 15, 2017 (“2017 Senior Notes”) (5), (6)	331.4		—		331.4
Other borrowings	5.8		26.0		31.8
	$	1,330.1	$	26.0	$	1,356.1

(1)Consists of $250.0 million principal and unamortized debt discount of $1.1 million.

(2)Consists of $300.0 million principal and unamortized debt discount of $3.5 million.

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

(4)Consists of $250.0 million principal and unamortized debt discount of $0.2 million.

(5)Consists of $300.0 million principal, unamortized debt discount of $0.2 million and a $31.6 million adjustment to reflect the termination value of interest rate swaps.

(6)As of December 31, 2012, we were in compliance with all restrictive covenants, including limitations on indebtedness and liens, and expect continued compliance.

In August 2012, we issued $250.0 million of 2.35% Senior Notes due August 15, 2022 (“2022 Senior Notes”) and $250.0 million of 3.70% Senior Notes due August 15, 2042 (“2042 Senior Notes”) in a public offering.  The 2022 Senior Notes were priced at 99.911% with a yield of 2.360%.  The 2042 Senior Notes were priced at 99.567% with a yield of 3.724%.  Interest payments on both notes are required to be made semi-annually on February 15 and August 15, commencing February 15, 2013.  During the first quarter of fiscal 2013, we used the net proceeds of the offering to redeem the $230.1 million principal amount of our 7.75% Senior Notes due November 1, 2013 at a price of 108% of the principal amount and recorded a pre-tax expense on the extinguishment of debt of $19.1 million representing the call premium of $18.6 million and the pro-rata write-off of $0.5 million of issuance costs and debt discount.  We used the remaining net proceeds of the offering for general corporate purposes.

We have a commercial paper program under which we may issue commercial paper in the United States.  In December 2012, we increased the limit of this program from $750.0 million to $1.0 billion.  In the first quarter of fiscal 2013, we had repaid, using cash on hand, $200.0 million of commercial paper that was outstanding at June 30, 2012.  At December 31, 2012, we had no commercial paper outstanding.

We have a $1.0 billion senior unsecured revolving credit facility that expires on July 14, 2015 (the “Facility”).  The Facility may be used to provide credit support for our commercial paper program and for general corporate purposes.  Up to the equivalent of $250 million of the Facility is available for multi-currency loans.  The interest rate on borrowings under the 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 million to establish the Facility which are being amortized over the term of the Facility.  The Facility has an annual fee of $0.7 million, payable quarterly, based on our current credit ratings.  The 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.  At December 31, 2012, no borrowings were outstanding under this agreement.

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 December 31, 2012, no borrowings were outstanding under this agreement.  Debt issuance costs incurred related to this agreement were de minimis.

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THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

We have borrowing agreements with two financial institutions pursuant to which our subsidiary in Turkey may borrow up to 50.0 million Turkish lira ($27.8 million at the exchange rate at December 31, 2012).  The interest rate on borrowings under these agreements was approximately 7.0%.  There were no debt issuance costs incurred related to these agreements.  The outstanding balance at December 31, 2012 was 18.3 million Turkish lira ($10.2 million at the exchange rate at December 31, 2012) and is classified as short-term debt in our consolidated balance sheet.

Total debt as a percent of total capitalization (excluding noncontrolling interests) decreased to 30% at December 31, 2012 from 32% at June 30, 2012.

Cash Flows

Net cash provided by operating activities was $655.1 million during the six months ended December 31, 2012 as compared with $610.2 million in the prior-year period.  The increase in cash flows provided by operating activities primarily reflected the increase in net earnings and an increase in other liabilities, primarily due to the timing of advertising, merchandising and sampling activities.  In addition, there was a favorable change in accounts receivable due to the timing of shipments and the timing of collections, and an increase in accrued income taxes resulting from the timing and level of tax payments.  These improvements were partially offset by unfavorable changes in levels of accounts payable due to the timing of payments, which included early payments made to prepare for the January 2013 implementation of SAP at certain affiliates.  Also offsetting the improvement was an increase in the levels of inventory in line with forecasted sales activity to ensure acceptable service levels, as well as the building of safety stock for the SAP implementation.

Net cash used for investing activities was $216.2 million during the six months ended December 31, 2012 as compared with $189.2 million in the prior-year period.  The increase primarily reflected higher capital expenditure activity in the current-year period related to counters.

Net cash used for financing activities was $472.5 million during the six months ended December 31, 2012 as compared with $657.7 million in the prior-year period.  The change in net cash used for financing activities primarily reflected the proceeds from the issuance of the 2022 Senior Notes and 2042 Senior Notes in August 2012 and lower treasury stock repurchases, partially offset by the redemption of the 2013 Senior Notes, repayment of outstanding commercial paper during the current-year period and higher dividends paid as a result of the increase in the annual dividend rate.  We expect to use more cash for dividends in fiscal 2013 as we transition to quarterly dividends beginning with the third quarter of fiscal 2013.

Dividends

During the current-year period, we paid dividends on Class A and Class B Common Stock of $.72 per share (or an aggregate of $279.5 million) as compared with $.525 per share (or an aggregate of $204.0 million) in the prior-year period.  As of January 1, 2013 we transitioned to a quarterly dividend payout schedule for our Class A and Class B Common Stock.

On February 4, 2013, a dividend was declared in the amount of $.18 per share on our Class A and Class B Common Stock.  The dividend is payable in cash on March 15, 2013 to stockholders of record at the close of business on February 28, 2013.

Pension and Post-retirement Plan Funding

There have been no significant changes to our pension and post-retirement funding as discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2012.

Commitments, Contingencies and Contractual Obligations

There have been no significant changes to our commitments, contingencies and contractual obligations as discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2012.

Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities

There have been no significant changes to our derivative financial instruments and hedging activities as discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2012.

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THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

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 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 September 2014.  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 December 31, 2012, these foreign currency cash-flow hedges were highly effective in all material respects.

At December 31, 2012, we had foreign currency forward contracts in the amount of $2,016.6 million.  The foreign currencies included in foreign currency forward contracts (notional value stated in U.S. dollars) are principally the British pound ($448.4 million), Euro ($365.8 million), Japanese yen ($278.8 million), Canadian dollar ($216.8 million), Swiss franc ($123.6 million), Australian dollar ($114.7 million) and South Korean won ($74.1 million).

Credit Risk

As a matter of policy, we only enter into derivative contracts with counterparties that have a long-term credit rating of at least A- or higher by at least two nationally recognized rating agencies.  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 $10.4 million at December 31, 2012.  To manage this risk, we have established counterparty credit guidelines that are continually monitored.  Accordingly, management believes risk of loss under these hedging contracts is remote.

Certain of our derivative financial instruments contain credit-risk-related contingent features.  At December 31, 2012, 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 December 31, 2012 was approximately $3.6 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 to settle the instruments immediately if a triggering event were to occur, is estimated at approximately the fair value of the contracts.  As of December 31, 2012, we were in compliance with such credit-risk-related contingent features.

Market Risk

Using the value-at-risk model, as discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2012, the high, low and average measured value-at-risk for the twelve months ended December 31, 2012 related to our foreign exchange contracts are as follows:

(In millions)	High		Low		Average
Foreign exchange contracts	$	24.5	$	9.0	$	18.8

The change in the value-at-risk measures from June 30, 2012 related to our foreign exchange contracts reflected an increase in foreign exchange volatilities and a different portfolio mix.  We believe that any resulting 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.

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THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

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

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

As disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2012, the discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations 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 reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses reported in those financial statements.  These judgments can be subjective and complex, and consequently actual results could differ from those estimates and assumptions.  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.  Since June 30, 2012, there have been no significant changes to the assumptions and estimates related to our critical accounting policies.

RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

Refer to Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies for discussion regarding the impact of accounting standards that were recently issued but not yet effective, on the Company’s 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 resulting cost savings, 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;

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

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THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

(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 or distribution networks, 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, commodity pricing, 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 and our ability to maintain continuous operations of such systems and the security of data and other information that may be stored in such systems or other systems or media;

(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 therefrom;

(16) consequences attributable to local or international conflicts around the world, 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 the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2012.

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

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THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

The information required by this item is set forth in Item 2 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q under the caption “Liquidity and Capital Resources - Market Risk” and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 4. 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 December 31, 2012 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-based technologies (“SAP”), with the majority of our locations being enabled through 2014.  Based on management’s evaluation, the necessary steps were taken to monitor and maintain appropriate internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended December 31, 2012.

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 second quarter of fiscal 2013 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. 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.  Except as disclosed below, reasonably possible losses in addition to the amount accrued for litigation and other legal proceedings are not material to our consolidated financial statements.

During the fiscal 2007 fourth quarter, the former owner of the Darphin brand initiated litigation in the Paris Commercial Court against the Company and one of its subsidiaries seeking to recover €60.0 million ($79.2 million at the exchange rate at December 31, 2012) that he claims he was owed as additional consideration for the sale of Darphin to the Company in April 2003.  On December 23, 2011, the Paris Commercial Court issued its judgment, awarding the former owner €22.9 million ($30.2 million at the exchange rate at December 31, 2012) plus interest from 2007.  We have filed our appeal with the Paris Court of Appeal and oral arguments for the appeal are scheduled for December 2013.  In accordance with the judgment, in January 2012, we paid €25.3 million ($33.4 million at the exchange rate at December 31, 2012) to the former owner and received from him a bank guarantee to assure repayment to us of such sum (or any part thereof) in the event that the judgment is reversed by the Paris Court of Appeal.  Based upon our assessment of the case, as well as the advice of external counsel, we are maintaining the amount we previously accrued as an amount that we believe will ultimately be paid based on the probable outcome of the appeal.  Such amount is less than the Paris Commercial Court’s award.

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THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

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 December 31, 2012, 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
Aerin Lauder 2000 Revocable Trust	December 3, 2012	300,000

Share Repurchase Program

We are authorized by the Board of Directors to repurchase up to 216.0 million shares of our Class A Common Stock in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions, depending on market conditions and other factors.  As of December 31, 2012, the cumulative total of acquired shares pursuant to the authorization was 166.1 million, reducing the remaining authorized share repurchase balance to 49.9 million.  During the six months ended December 31, 2012, we purchased approximately 5.0 million shares pursuant to the authorization for $281.5 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 2012	1,326,056	(2)	$	52.52	1,286,000	13,628,202
August 2012	932,600		55.23		932,600	12,695,602
September 2012	734,745	(3)	60.22		509,369	12,186,233
October 2012	569,888	(2)	61.15		89,900	12,096,333
November 2012	1,602,317	(2)	58.04		1,602,300	50,494,033
December 2012	566,997	(2)	58.64		566,815	49,927,218
	5,732,603		$	56.95	4,986,984	49,927,218

(1)The initial program covering the repurchase of 16.0 million shares was announced in September 1998 and increased by 40.0 million shares each in November 2012, November 2007, February 2007 and May 2005 and 20.0 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 vesting of restricted stock units.

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

Subsequent to December 31, 2012 and through January 30, 2013, we repurchased approximately 0.4 million additional shares of our Class A Common Stock for $23.5 million pursuant to our share repurchase program.

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THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

Item 6. Exhibits.

Exhibit Number	Description
10.1	Form of Restricted Stock 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). †
31.1	Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) (CEO).
31.2	Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) (CFO).
32.1	Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) and 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 Rule 13a-14(b) and 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

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

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

	THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.
Date: February 6, 2013	By:	/s/TRACEY T. TRAVIS
		Tracey T. Travis
		Executive Vice President
		and Chief Financial Officer
		(Principal Financial and
		Accounting Officer)

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THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

Exhibit Number	Description
10.1	Form of Restricted Stock 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). †
31.1	Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) (CEO).
31.2	Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) (CFO).
32.1	Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) and 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 Rule 13a-14(b) and 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

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

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