CONSTELLATION BRANDS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Comprehensive income consists of net income, foreign currency translation adjustments, net unrealized gains or losses on derivative instruments, net unrealized gains or losses on available-for-sale marketable equity securities and minimum pension liability adjustments. The reconciliation of net income to comprehensive income is as follows:
| | For the Nine Months Ended November 30, | | For the Three Months Ended November 30, | |
| | 2004 | | 2003 | | 2004 | | 2003 | |
(in thousands) | | | | | | | | | |
Net income | | $ | 228,836 | | $ | 157,593 | | $ | 96,893 | | $ | 82,840 | |
Other comprehensive income, net of tax: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Foreign currency translation adjustments | | | 55,077 | | | 320,237 | | | 179,322 | | | 214,120 | |
Cash flow hedges: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net derivative (losses) gains, net of tax benefit (expense) of $7,920, ($13,936), ($2,027) and ($4,787), respectively | | | (17,997 | ) | | 32,432 | | | 5,100 | | | 11,137 | |
Reclassification adjustments, net of tax (expense) benefit of ($2,603), $886, ($1,944) and $275, respectively | | | 5,989 | | | (1,939 | ) | | 4,555 | | | (596 | ) |
Net cash flow hedges | | | (12,008 | ) | | 30,493 | | | 9,655 | | | 10,541 | |
Unrealized gains (losses) on marketable equity securities, net of tax (expense) benefit of ($278), $303, ($262) and ($44), respectively | | | 649 | | | (708 | ) | | 610 | | | 102 | |
Minimum pension liability adjustment, net of tax benefit of $741, $1,838, $1,554 and $1,690, respectively | | | (1,546 | ) | | (4,139 | ) | | (3,467 | ) | | (3,868 | ) |
Total comprehensive income | | $ | 271,008 | | $ | 503,476 | | $ | 283,013 | | $ | 303,735 | |
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) ("AOCI"), net of tax effects, includes the following components:
| | Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments | | Net Unrealized Gains on Derivatives | | Unrealized (Loss) Gain on Marketable Equity Securities | | Minimum Pension Liability Adjustment | | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) | |
(in thousands) | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance, February 29, 2004 | | $ | 393,972 | | $ | 36,949 | | $ | (432 | ) | $ | (58,187 | ) | $ | 372,302 | |
Current period change | | | 55,077 | | | (12,008 | ) | | 649 | | | (1,546 | ) | | 42,172 | |
Balance, November 30, 2004 | | $ | 449,049 | | $ | 24,941 | | $ | 217 | | $ | (59,733 | ) | $ | 414,474 | |
The Company has an investment in marketable equity securities with an aggregate fair value of $15.8 million and $14.8 million as of November 30, 2004, and February 29, 2004, respectively. The investment is classified as an available-for-sale security and is included in prepaid expenses and other on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheet as of November 30, 2004, and February 29, 2004. As such, gross unrealized gains of $0.3 million and $0.6 million as of November 30, 2004, and February 29, 2004, respectively, are included, net of applicable income taxes, within AOCI. The Company uses the average cost method as its basis on which cost is determined in computing realized gains or losses. There were no realized gains or losses on sales of securities during the nin e months and three months ended November 30, 2004. Realized gains on sales of securities during the nine months and three months ended November 30, 2003, are immaterial.
13) | RESTRUCTURING AND RELATED CHARGES: |
For the nine months ended November 30, 2004, the Company recorded $4.4 million of restructuring and related charges associated with the restructuring plan of the Constellation Wines segment. Restructuring and related charges resulted from (i) the further realignment of business operations as previously announced in fiscal 2004, and (ii) the Company’s July 2003 decision to exit the commodity concentrate product line in the U.S., and included $1.6 million of employee termination benefit costs (net of reversal of prior accruals of $0.2 million), $0.6 million of grape contract termination costs, $0.9 million of facility consolidation and relocation costs, and other related charges of $1.3 million. For the nine months ended November 30, 2003, the Company recorded $27.5 mil lion of restructuring and related charges associated with the restructuring plan of the Constellation Wines segment. In addition, in connection with the Company’s decision to exit the commodity concentrate product line in the U.S., the Company recorded a write-down of commodity concentrate inventory of $16.8 million for the three months ended August 31, 2003, which was recorded in cost of product sold.
The Company recorded restructuring and related charges of $1.6 million for the three months ended May 31, 2004, including $1.2 million of employee termination benefit costs, $0.3 million of facility consolidation and relocation costs, and other related charges of $0.1 million. For the three months ended May 31, 2003, the Company recorded $2.3 million of restructuring and related charges associated with the restructuring plan of the Constellation Wines segment.
The Company recorded restructuring and related charges of $1.2 million for the three months ended August 31, 2004, including $0.2 million of employee termination benefit costs (net of reversal of prior accruals of $0.2 million), $0.3 million of facility consolidation and relocation costs, and other related charges of $0.7 million. For the three months ended August 31, 2003, the Company recorded $17.1 million of restructuring and related charges associated with the restructuring plan of the Constellation Wines segment.
The Company recorded restructuring and related charges of $1.6 million for the three months ended November 30, 2004, including $0.2 million of employee termination benefit costs, $0.6 million of grape contract termination costs, $0.3 million of facility consolidation and relocation costs, and other related charges of $0.5 million. For the three months ended November 30, 2003, the Company recorded $8.1 million of restructuring and related charges associated with the restructuring plan of the Constellation Wines segment.
The Company estimates that the completion of the restructuring actions will include (i) a total of $9.2 million of employee termination benefit costs through February 28, 2005, of which $8.4 million has been incurred through November 30, 2004, (ii) a total of $18.3 million of grape contract termination costs through February 28, 2005, of which $18.3 million has been incurred through November 30, 2004, and (iii) a total of $3.9 million of facility consolidation and relocation costs through February 28, 2005, of which $2.8 million has been incurred through November 30, 2004. The Company has incurred other costs related to the restructuring plan for the disposal of fixed assets and other costs of realigning the business operations of the Constellation Wines segment. The Compa ny expects to incur additional costs of realigning the business operations of $2.3 million during the year ending February 28, 2005, of which $1.3 million has been incurred through November 30, 2004.
The following table illustrates the changes in the restructuring liability balance since February 29, 2004:
| | Employee Termination Benefit Costs | | Grape Contract Termination Costs | | Facility Consolidation/ Relocation Costs | | Total | |
(in thousands) | | | | | | | | | |
Balance, February 29, 2004 | | $ | 1,539 | | $ | 1,048 | | $ | - | | $ | 2,587 | |
Restructuring charges | | | 1,231 | | | - | | | 256 | | | 1,487 | |
Cash expenditures | | | (1,575 | ) | | - | | | (256 | ) | | (1,831 | ) |
Foreign currency adjustments | | | (55 | ) | | - | | | - | | | (55 | ) |
Balance, May 31, 2004 | | | 1,140 | | | 1,048 | | | - | | | 2,188 | |
Restructuring charges | | | 382 | | | - | | | 358 | | | 740 | |
Reversal of prior accruals | | | (228 | ) | | - | | | - | | | (228 | ) |
Cash expenditures | | | (373 | ) | | - | | | (358 | ) | | (731 | ) |
Foreign currency adjustments | | | (11 | ) | | - | | | - | | | (11 | ) |
Balance, August 31, 2004 | | | 910 | | | 1,048 | | | - | | | 1,958 | |
Restructuring charges | | | 211 | | | 599 | | | 294 | | | 1,104 | |
Cash expenditures | | | (642 | ) | | (1,282 | ) | | (294 | ) | | (2,218 | ) |
Foreign currency adjustments | | | (27 | ) | | - | | | - | | | (27 | ) |
Balance, November 30, 2004 | | $ | 452 | | $ | 365 | | $ | - | | $ | 817 | |
14) | CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL INFORMATION: |
Subsequent to February 29, 2004, four subsidiaries of the Company which were previously included as Subsidiary Nonguarantors (as defined below) became Subsidiary Guarantors (as defined below) under the Company’s existing indentures. As such, the following information sets forth the condensed consolidating balance sheets of the Company as of November 30, 2004, and February 29, 2004, the condensed consolidating statements of income for the nine months and three months ended November 30, 2004, and November 30, 2003, and the condensed consolidating statements of cash flows for the nine months ended November 30, 2004, and November 30, 2003, for the Company, the parent company, the combined subsidiaries of the Company which guarantee the Company’s senior notes and seni or subordinated notes ("Subsidiary Guarantors") and the combined subsidiaries of the Company which are not Subsidiary Guarantors, primarily Matthew Clark and Hardy and their subsidiaries,which are included in the Constellation Wines segment ("Subsidiary Nonguarantors"), as if the new Subsidiary Guarantors had been in place as of and for all periods presented. The Subsidiary Guarantors are wholly owned and the guarantees are full, unconditional, joint and several obligations of each of the Subsidiary Guarantors. Separate financial statements for the Subsidiary Guarantors of the Company are not presented because the Company has determined that such financial statements would not be material to investors. The accounting policies of the parent company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Subsidiary Nonguarantors are the sa me as those described for the Company in the Summary of Significant Accounting Policies in Note 1 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 19, 2004, and include the recently adopted accounting pronouncements described in Note 2 herein. There are no restrictions on the ability of the Subsidiary Guarantors to transfer funds to the Company in the form of cash dividends, loans or advances.
| | Parent Company | | Subsidiary Guarantors | | Subsidiary Nonguarantors | | Eliminations | | Consolidated | |
(in thousands) | | | | | | | | | | | |
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet at November 30, 2004 | |
Current assets: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash and cash investments | | $ | 2,313 | | $ | 2,206 | | $ | 8,235 | | $ | - | | $ | 12,754 | |
Accounts receivable, net | | | 136,735 | | | 229,574 | | | 540,008 | | | - | | | 906,317 | |
Inventories | | | 29,830 | | | 765,238 | | | 660,514 | | | (12,152 | ) | | 1,443,430 | |
Prepaid expenses and other | | | 12,394 | | | 125,941 | | | 47,291 | | | - | | | 185,626 | |
Intercompany (payable) receivable | | | (479,614 | ) | | (115,333 | ) | | 594,947 | | | - | | | - | |
Total current assets | | | (298,342 | ) | | 1,007,626 | | | 1,850,995 | | | (12,152 | ) | | 2,548,127 | |
Property, plant and equipment, net | | | 36,280 | | | 430,145 | | | 657,645 | | | - | | | 1,124,070 | |
Investments in subsidiaries | | | 4,475,606 | | | 1,845,149 | | | - | | | (6,320,755 | ) | | - | |
Goodwill | | | - | | | 636,117 | | | 926,645 | | | - | | | 1,562,762 | |
Intangible assets, net | | | - | | | 396,677 | | | 351,429 | | | - | | | 748,106 | |
Other assets, net | | | 31,531 | | | 2,338 | | | 62,950 | | | - | | | 96,819 | |
Total assets | | $ | 4,245,075 | | $ | 4,318,052 | | $ | 3,849,664 | | $ | (6,332,907 | ) | $ | 6,079,884 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Current liabilities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Notes payable to banks | | $ | 160,000 | | $ | - | | $ | 66,058 | | $ | - | | $ | 226,058 | |
Current maturities of long-term debt | | | 78,816 | | | 3,546 | | | 3,476 | | | - | | | 85,838 | |
Accounts payable | | | 2,856 | | | 161,328 | | | 219,232 | | | - | | | 383,416 | |
Accrued excise taxes | | | 9,056 | | | 28,470 | | | 36,053 | | | - | | | 73,579 | |
Other accrued expenses and liabilities | | | 115,347 | | | 108,294 | | | 334,212 | | | 829 | | | 558,682 | |
Total current liabilities | | | 366,075 | | | 301,638 | | | 659,031 | | | 829 | | | 1,327,573 | |
Long-term debt, less current maturities | | | 1,681,821 | | | 6,490 | | | 28,374 | | | - | | | 1,716,685 | |
Deferred income taxes | | | (14,978 | ) | | 188,880 | | | 32,527 | | | - | | | 206,429 | |
Other liabilities | | | 968 | | | 25,598 | | | 133,388 | | | - | | | 159,954 | |
| | Parent Company | | Subsidiary Guarantors | | Subsidiary Nonguarantors | | Eliminations | | Consolidated | |
(in thousands) | | | | | | | | | | | |
Stockholders’ equity: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Preferred stock | | | 2 | | | - | | | - | | | - | | | 2 | |
Class A and Class B common stock | | | 1,133 | | | 6,443 | | | 141,573 | | | (148,016 | ) | | 1,133 | |
Additional paid-in capital | | | 1,051,022 | | | 1,952,158 | | | 2,415,934 | | | (4,368,092 | ) | | 1,051,022 | |
Retained earnings | | | 1,246,133 | | | 1,661,140 | | | 143,507 | | | (1,819,104 | ) | | 1,231,676 | |
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income | | | (58,037 | ) | | 175,705 | | | 295,330 | | | 1,476 | | | 414,474 | |
Treasury stock and other | | | (29,064 | ) | | - | | | - | | | - | | | (29,064 | ) |
Total stockholders’ equity | | | 2,211,189 | | | 3,795,446 | | | 2,996,344 | | | (6,333,736 | ) | | 2,669,243 | |
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | | $ | 4,245,075 | | $ | 4,318,052 | | $ | 3,849,664 | | $ | (6,332,907 | ) | $ | 6,079,884 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet at February 29, 2004 |
Current assets: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash and cash investments | | $ | 1,048 | | $ | 4,664 | | $ | 31,424 | | $ | - | | $ | 37,136 | |
Accounts receivable, net | | | 137,422 | | | 145,152 | | | 353,336 | | | - | | | 635,910 | |
Inventories | | | 9,922 | | | 696,928 | | | 561,900 | | | (7,372 | ) | | 1,261,378 | |
Prepaid expenses and other | | | 8,734 | | | 72,788 | | | 55,525 | | | - | | | 137,047 | |
Intercompany (payable) receivable | | | (304,555 | ) | | (253,680 | ) | | 558,235 | | | - | | | - | |
Total current assets | | | (147,429 | ) | | 665,852 | | | 1,560,420 | | | (7,372 | ) | | 2,071,471 | |
Property, plant and equipment, net | | | 33,722 | | | 426,152 | | | 637,488 | | | - | | | 1,097,362 | |
Investments in subsidiaries | | | 4,270,871 | | | 1,757,700 | | | - | | | (6,028,571 | ) | | - | |
Goodwill | | | - | | | 636,597 | | | 904,040 | | | - | | | 1,540,637 | |
Intangible assets, net | | | - | | | 396,153 | | | 348,825 | | | - | | | 744,978 | |
Other assets, net | | | 36,041 | | | 2,146 | | | 66,038 | | | - | | | 104,225 | |
Total assets | | $ | 4,193,205 | | $ | 3,884,600 | | $ | 3,516,811 | | $ | (6,035,943 | ) | $ | 5,558,673 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Current liabilities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Notes payable to banks | | $ | - | | $ | - | | $ | 1,792 | | $ | - | | $ | 1,792 | |
Current maturities of long-term debt | | | 260,061 | | | 3,949 | | | 3,235 | | | - | | | 267,245 | |
Accounts payable | | | 33,631 | | | 67,459 | | | 169,201 | | | - | | | 270,291 | |
Accrued excise taxes | | | 8,005 | | | 15,344 | | | 25,116 | | | - | | | 48,465 | |
Other accrued expenses and liabilities | | | 151,534 | | | 23,352 | | | 267,123 | | | - | | | 442,009 | |
Total current liabilities | | | 453,231 | | | 110,104 | | | 466,467 | | | - | | | 1,029,802 | |
Long-term debt, less current maturities | | | 1,739,221 | | | 8,510 | | | 31,122 | | | - | | | 1,778,853 | |
Deferred income taxes | | | 56,815 | | | 119,704 | | | 10,891 | | | - | | | 187,410 | |
Other liabilities | | | 6,209 | | | 21,646 | | | 157,134 | | | - | | | 184,989 | |
Stockholders’ equity: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Preferred stock | | | 2 | | | - | | | - | | | - | | | 2 | |
Class A and Class B common stock | | | 1,117 | | | 6,443 | | | 141,573 | | | (148,016 | ) | | 1,117 | |
Additional paid-in capital | | | 1,024,048 | | | 1,977,179 | | | 2,418,614 | | | (4,395,793 | ) | | 1,024,048 | |
Retained earnings | | | 1,017,565 | | | 1,431,384 | | | 53,378 | | | (1,492,134 | ) | | 1,010,193 | |
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income | | | (74,960 | ) | | 209,630 | | | 237,632 | | | - | | | 372,302 | |
Treasury stock and other | | | (30,043 | ) | | - | | | - | | | - | | | (30,043 | ) |
Total stockholders’ equity | | | 1,937,729 | | | 3,624,636 | | | 2,851,197 | | | (6,035,943 | ) | | 2,377,619 | |
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | | $ | 4,193,205 | | $ | 3,884,600 | | $ | 3,516,811 | | $ | (6,035,943 | ) | $ | 5,558,673 | |
| | Parent Company | | Subsidiary Guarantors | | Subsidiary Nonguarantors | | Eliminations | | Consolidated | |
(in thousands) | |
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Income for the Nine Months Ended November 30, 2004 | |
Sales | | $ | 600,787 | | $ | 1,642,333 | | $ | 1,927,756 | | $ | (335,888 | ) | $ | 3,834,988 | |
Less - excise taxes | | | (107,996 | ) | | (335,072 | ) | | (341,963 | ) | | - | | | (785,031 | ) |
Net sales | | | 492,791 | | | 1,307,261 | | | 1,585,793 | | | (335,888 | ) | | 3,049,957 | |
Cost of product sold | | | (398,265 | ) | | (834,829 | ) | | (1,291,857 | ) | | 328,803 | | | (2,196,148 | ) |
Gross profit | | | 94,526 | | | 472,432 | | | 293,936 | | | (7,085 | ) | | 853,809 | |
Selling, general and administrative expenses | | | (106,653 | ) | | (156,631 | ) | | (137,832 | ) | | - | | | (401,116 | ) |
Restructuring and related charges | | | - | | | (2,313 | ) | | (2,113 | ) | | - | | | (4,426 | ) |
Operating (loss) income | | | (12,127 | ) | | 313,488 | | | 153,991 | | | (7,085 | ) | | 448,267 | |
Gain on change in fair value of derivative instruments | | | - | | | - | | | - | | | - | | | - | |
Equity in earnings of equity method investees and subsidiaries | | | 229,756 | | | 90,129 | | | 621 | | | (319,885 | ) | | 621 | |
Interest income (expense), net | | | 16,199 | | | (82,701 | ) | | (24,830 | ) | | - | | | (91,332 | ) |
Income before income taxes | | | 233,828 | | | 320,916 | | | 129,782 | | | (326,970 | ) | | 357,556 | |
Benefit from (provision for) income taxes | | | 2,093 | | | (91,160 | ) | | (39,653 | ) | | - | | | (128,720 | ) |
Net income | | | 235,921 | | | 229,756 | | | 90,129 | | | (326,970 | ) | | 228,836 | |
Dividends on preferred stock | | | (7,353 | ) | | - | | | - | | | - | | | (7,353 | ) |
Income available to common stockholders | | $ | 228,568 | | $ | 229,756 | | $ | 90,129 | | $ | (326,970 | ) | $ | 221,483 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Income for the Nine Months Ended November 30, 2003 |
Sales | | $ | 603,162 | | $ | 1,625,571 | | $ | 1,345,163 | | $ | (219,598 | ) | $ | 3,354,298 | |
Less - excise taxes | | | (106,045 | ) | | (328,476 | ) | | (248,663 | ) | | - | | | (683,184 | ) |
Net sales | | | 497,117 | | | 1,297,095 | | | 1,096,500 | | | (219,598 | ) | | 2,671,114 | |
Cost of product sold | | | (428,529 | ) | | (859,180 | ) | | (863,918 | ) | | 212,746 | | | (1,938,881 | ) |
Gross profit | | | 68,588 | | | 437,915 | | | 232,582 | | | (6,852 | ) | | 732,233 | |
Selling, general and administrative expenses | | | (92,452 | ) | | (138,051 | ) | | (117,925 | ) | | - | | | (348,428 | ) |
Restructuring and related charges | | | - | | | (26,061 | ) | | (1,426 | ) | | - | | | (27,487 | ) |
Operating (loss) income | | | (23,864 | ) | | 273,803 | | | 113,231 | | | (6,852 | ) | | 356,318 | |
Gain on change in fair value of derivative instruments | | | 1,181 | | | - | | | - | | | - | | | 1,181 | |
Equity in earnings of equity method investees and subsidiaries | | | 177,392 | | | 75,395 | | | 425 | | | (252,247 | ) | | 965 | |
Interest income (expense), net | | | 9,256 | | | (116,730 | ) | | (4,756 | ) | | - | | | (112,230 | ) |
Income before income taxes | | | 163,965 | | | 232,468 | | | 108,900 | | | (259,099 | ) | | 246,234 | |
Benefit from (provision for) income taxes | | | 480 | | | (55,076 | ) | | (34,045 | ) | | - | | | (88,641 | ) |
Net income | | | 164,445 | | | 177,392 | | | 74,855 | | | (259,099 | ) | | 157,593 | |
Dividends on preferred stock | | | (3,294 | ) | | - | | | - | | | - | | | (3,294 | ) |
Income available to common stockholders | | $ | 161,151 | | $ | 177,392 | | $ | 74,855 | | $ | (259,099 | ) | $ | 154,299 | |
| | Parent Company | | Subsidiary Guarantors | | Subsidiary Nonguarantors | | Eliminations | | Consolidated | |
(in thousands) | |
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Income for the Three Months Ended November 30, 2004 | |
Sales | | $ | 214,773 | | $ | 598,643 | | $ | 705,673 | | $ | (158,658 | ) | $ | 1,360,431 | |
Less - excise taxes | | | (41,661 | ) | | (110,187 | ) | | (122,872 | ) | | - | | | (274,720 | ) |
Net sales | | | 173,112 | | | 488,456 | | | 582,801 | | | (158,658 | ) | | 1,085,711 | |
Cost of product sold | | | (105,962 | ) | | (347,639 | ) | | (473,854 | ) | | 155,408 | | | (772,047 | ) |
Gross profit | | | 67,150 | | | 140,817 | | | 108,947 | | | (3,250 | ) | | 313,664 | |
Selling, general and administrative expenses | | | (33,666 | ) | | (54,492 | ) | | (42,175 | ) | | - | | | (130,333 | ) |
Restructuring and related charges | | | - | | | (778 | ) | | (866 | ) | | - | | | (1,644 | ) |
Operating income | | | 33,484 | | | 85,547 | | | 65,906 | | | (3,250 | ) | | 181,687 | |
Gain on change in fair value of derivative instruments | | | - | | | - | | | - | | | - | | | - | |
Equity in earnings of equity method investees and subsidiaries | | | 72,982 | | | 43,656 | | | 359 | | | (116,638 | ) | | 359 | |
Interest income (expense), net | | | 5,403 | | | (27,105 | ) | | (8,949 | ) | | - | | | (30,651 | ) |
Income before income taxes | | | 111,869 | | | 102,098 | | | 57,316 | | | (119,888 | ) | | 151,395 | |
Provision for income taxes | | | (11,726 | ) | | (29,116 | ) | | (13,660 | ) | | - | | | (54,502 | ) |
Net income | | | 100,143 | | | 72,982 | | | 43,656 | | | (119,888 | ) | | 96,893 | |
Dividends on preferred stock | | | (2,451 | ) | | - | | | - | | | - | | | (2,451 | ) |
Income available to common stockholders | | $ | 97,692 | | $ | 72,982 | | $ | 43,656 | | $ | (119,888 | ) | $ | 94,442 | |
|
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Income for the Three Months Ended November 30, 2003 |
Sales | | $ | 223,249 | | $ | 515,574 | | $ | 493,087 | | $ | (18,369 | ) | $ | 1,213,541 | |
Less - excise taxes | | | (40,841 | ) | | (113,168 | ) | | (72,284 | ) | | - | | | (226,293 | ) |
Net sales | | | 182,408 | | | 402,406 | | | 420,803 | | | (18,369 | ) | | 987,248 | |
Cost of product sold | | | (150,233 | ) | | (242,357 | ) | | (323,751 | ) | | 11,709 | | | (704,632 | ) |
Gross profit | | | 32,175 | | | 160,049 | | | 97,052 | | | (6,660 | ) | | 282,616 | |
Selling, general and administrative expenses | | | (29,467 | ) | | (39,450 | ) | | (44,416 | ) | | - | | | (113,333 | ) |
Restructuring and related charges | | | - | | | (7,966 | ) | | (122 | ) | | - | | | (8,088 | ) |
Operating income | | | 2,708 | | | 112,633 | | | 52,514 | | | (6,660 | ) | | 161,195 | |
Gain on change in fair value of derivative instruments | | | - | | | - | | | - | | | - | | | - | |
Equity in earnings of equity method investees and subsidiaries | | | 84,296 | | | 36,796 | | | 126 | | | (121,092 | ) | | 126 | |
Interest income (expense), net | | | 8,089 | | | (40,199 | ) | | 221 | | | - | | | (31,889 | ) |
Income before income taxes | | | 95,093 | | | 109,230 | | | 52,861 | | | (127,752 | ) | | 129,432 | |
Provision for income taxes | | | (5,593 | ) | | (24,934 | ) | | (16,065 | ) | | - | | | (46,592 | ) |
Net income | | | 89,500 | | | 84,296 | | | 36,796 | | | (127,752 | ) | | 82,840 | |
Dividends on preferred stock | | | (2,450 | ) | | - | | | - | | | - | | | (2,450 | ) |
Income available to common stockholders | | $ | 87,050 | | $ | 84,296 | | $ | 36,796 | | $ | (127,752 | ) | $ | 80,390 | |
| | Parent Company | | Subsidiary Guarantors | | Subsidiary Nonguarantors | | Eliminations | | Consolidated | |
(in thousands) | |
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended November 30, 2004 | |
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities | | $ | (70,924 | ) | $ | 177,290 | | $ | (24,944 | ) | $ | - | | $ | 81,422 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash flows from investing activities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Purchases of property, plant and equipment | | | (5,111 | ) | | (30,534 | ) | | (42,711 | ) | | - | | | (78,356 | ) |
Purchases of businesses, net of cash acquired | | | - | | | - | | | (8,899 | ) | | - | | | (8,899 | ) |
Payment of accrued earn-out amount | | | - | | | (2,617 | ) | | - | | | - | | | (2,617 | ) |
Proceeds from sale of assets | | | - | | | 7 | | | 1,218 | | | - | | | 1,225 | |
Proceeds from sale of business | | | - | | | - | | | - | | | - | | | - | |
Proceeds from sale of marketable equity securities | | | - | | | - | | | - | | | - | | | - | |
Net cash used in investing activities | | | (5,111 | ) | | (33,144 | ) | | (50,392 | ) | | - | | | (88,647 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash flows from financing activities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Principal payments of long-term debt | | | (245,046 | ) | | (3,545 | ) | | (6,015 | ) | | - | | | (254,606 | ) |
Payment of preferred stock dividends | | | (7,353 | ) | | - | | | - | | | - | | | (7,353 | ) |
Payment of issuance costs of long-term debt | | | (901 | ) | | - | | | - | | | - | | | (901 | ) |
Net proceeds from notes payable | | | 160,000 | | | - | | | 59,953 | | | - | | | 219,953 | |
Intercompany financing activities, net | | | 143,156 | | | (143,156 | ) | | - | | | - | | | - | |
Exercise of employee stock options | | | 25,257 | | | - | | | - | | | - | | | 25,257 | |
Proceeds from employee stock purchases | | | 2,441 | | | - | | | - | | | - | | | 2,441 | |
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt | | | - | | | - | | | - | | | - | | | - | |
Proceeds from equity offerings, net of fees | | | - | | | - | | | - | | | - | | | - | |
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | | | 77,554 | | | (146,701 | ) | | 53,938 | | | - | | | (15,209 | ) |
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash investments | | | (254 | ) | | 97 | | | (1,791 | ) | | - | | | (1,948 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Netincrease (decrease) in cash and cash investments | | | 1,265 | | | (2,458 | ) | | (23,189 | ) | | - | | | (24,382 | ) |
Cash and cash investments, beginning of period | | | 1,048 | | | 4,664 | | | 31,424 | | | - | | | 37,136 | |
Cash and cash investments, end of period | | $ | 2,313 | | $ | 2,206 | | $ | 8,235 | | $ | - | | $ | 12,754 | |
| | Parent Company | | Subsidiary Guarantors | | Subsidiary Nonguarantors | | Eliminations | | Consolidated | |
(in thousands) | |
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended November 30, 2003 | |
Net cash provided by (used in)operating activities | | $ | 86,143 | | $ | (80,917 | ) | $ | 174,296 | | $ | - | | $ | 179,522 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash flows from investing activities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Purchases of property, plant and equipment | | | (6,216 | ) | | (27,023 | ) | | (37,345 | ) | | - | | | (70,584 | ) |
Purchases of businesses, net of cash acquired | | | - | | | (1,070,074 | ) | | - | | | - | | | (1,070,074 | ) |
Payment of accrued earn-out amount | | | - | | | (2,035 | ) | | - | | | - | | | (2,035 | ) |
Proceeds from sale of assets | | | - | | | 9,501 | | | 1,584 | | | - | | | 11,085 | |
Proceeds from sale of business | | | - | | | - | | | 4,431 | | | - | | | 4,431 | |
Proceeds from sale of marketable equity securities | | | - | | | - | | | 790 | | | - | | | 790 | |
Net cash used in investing activities | | | (6,216 | ) | | (1,089,631 | ) | | (30,540 | ) | | - | | | (1,126,387 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash flows from financing activities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Principal payments of long-term debt | | | (871,959 | ) | | (2,825 | ) | | (365,611 | ) | | - | | | (1,240,395 | ) |
Payment of preferred stock dividend | | | - | | | - | | | - | | | - | | | - | |
Payment of issuance costs of long-term debt | | | (34,147 | ) | | - | | | - | | | - | | | (34,147 | ) |
Net proceeds from notes payable | | | 164,600 | | | - | | | 609 | | | - | | | 165,209 | |
Intercompany financing activities, net | | | (1,419,182 | ) | | 1,070,085 | | | 349,097 | | | - | | | - | |
Exercise of employee stock options | | | 23,756 | | | - | | | - | | | - | | | 23,756 | |
Proceeds from employee stock purchases | | | 1,822 | | | - | | | - | | | - | | | 1,822 | |
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt | | | 1,600,000 | | | - | | | - | | | - | | | 1,600,000 | |
Proceeds from equity offerings, net of fees | | | 426,069 | | | - | | | - | | | - | | | 426,069 | |
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities | | | (109,041 | ) | | 1,067,260 | | | (15,905 | ) | | - | | | 942,314 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash investments | | | 27,788 | | | 109,675 | | | (108,347 | ) | | - | | | 29,116 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net(decrease) increase in cash and cash investments | | | (1,326 | ) | | 6,387 | | | 19,504 | | | - | | | 24,565 | |
Cash and cash investments, beginning of period | | | 1,426 | | | 1,248 | | | 11,136 | | | - | | | 13,810 | |
Cash and cash investments, end of period | | $ | 100 | | $ | 7,635 | | $ | 30,640 | | $ | - | | $ | 38,375 | |
15) | BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION: |
The Company reports its operating results in three segments: Constellation Wines (branded wine, and U.K. wholesale and other), Constellation Beers and Spirits (imported beers and distilled spirits) and Corporate Operations and Other (primarily corporate related items and other). Amounts included in the Corporate Operations and Other segment consist of general corporate administration and finance expenses. These amounts include costs of executive management, corporate development, corporate finance, human resources, internal audit, investor relations, legal and public relations. Any costs incurred at the corporate office that are applicable to the segments are allocated to the appropriate segment. The amounts included in the Corporate Operations and Other segment are genera l costs that are applicable to the consolidated group and are therefore not allocated to the other reportable segments. All costs reported within the Corporate Operations and Other segment are not included in the chief operating decision maker’s evaluation of the operating income performance of the other operating segments. The business segments reflect how the Company’s operations are being managed, how operating performance within the Company is being evaluated by senior management and the structure of its internal financial reporting. In addition, the Company excludes restructuring and related charges and unusual costs that affect comparability from its definition of operating income for segment purposes. For the nine months ended November 30, 2004, Restructuring and Unusual Costs consist of financing costs associated with the redemption of the Company’s Senior Subordinated Notes (as defined in Note 7) of $10.3 million, restructuring and related charges of $4.4 million, and the flow through of inventory step-up associated with the Hardy Acquisition of $4.2 million. For the nine months ended November 30, 2003, Restructuring and Unusual Costs consist of the flow through of inventory step-up and financing costs associated with the Hardy Acquisition of $17.3 million and $11.6 million, respectively, and restructuring and related charges of $44.3 million, including write-down of commodity concentrate inventory of $16.8 million. For the three months ended November 30, 2004, Restructuring and Unusual Costs consist of restructuring and related charges of $1.6 million and the flow through of inventory step-up associated with the Hardy Acquisition of $1.9 million. For the three months ended November 30, 2003, Restructuring and Unusual Costs consist of the flow through of inventory step-up and financing costs associated with the Hardy Acquisition of $2.7 million and $2.3 million, respectively, and restructuring and related charges of $8.1 million. The Company evaluates performance based on operating incom e of the respective business units. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described for the Company in the Summary of Significant Accounting Policies in Note 1 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 19, 2004, and include the recently adopted accounting pronouncements described in Note 2. Transactions between segments consist mainly of sales of products and are accounted for at cost plus an applicable margin.
Segment information is as follows:
| | For the Nine Months Ended November 30, | | For the Three Months Ended November 30, | |
| | 2004 | | 2003 | | 2004 | | 2003 | |
(in thousands) | | | | | | | | | |
Constellation Wines: | | | | | | | | | |
Net sales: | | | | | | | | | |
Branded wine | | $ | 1,286,966 | | $ | 1,155,170 | | $ | 509,520 | | $ | 460,805 | |
Wholesale and other | | | 769,720 | | | 611,854 | | | 264,324 | | | 219,740 | |
Net sales | | $ | 2,056,686 | | $ | 1,767,024 | | $ | 773,844 | | $ | 680,545 | |
Segment operating income | | $ | 283,104 | | $ | 258,208 | | $ | 127,700 | | $ | 112,772 | |
Equity in earnings of equity method investees | | $ | 621 | | $ | 965 | | $ | 359 | | $ | 126 | |
Long-lived assets | | $ | 1,027,897 | | $ | 951,317 | | $ | 1,027,897 | | $ | 951,317 | |
Investment in equity method investees | | $ | 6,454 | | $ | 8,227 | | $ | 6,454 | | $ | 8,227 | |
Total assets | | $ | 5,217,548 | | $ | 4,834,279 | | $ | 5,217,548 | | $ | 4,834,279 | |
Capital expenditures | | $ | 71,946 | | $ | 61,900 | | $ | 25,588 | | $ | 20,839 | |
Depreciation and amortization | | $ | 57,944 | | $ | 51,374 | | $ | 19,372 | | $ | 17,361 | |
| | For the Nine Months Ended November 30, | | For the Three Months Ended November 30, | |
| | 2004 | | 2003 | | 2004 | | 2003 | |
(in thousands) | | | | | | | | | |
Constellation Beers and Spirits: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net sales: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Imported beers | | $ | 751,879 | | $ | 684,216 | | $ | 225,846 | | $ | 229,538 | |
Spirits | | | 241,392 | | | 219,874 | | | 86,021 | | | 77,165 | |
Net sales | | $ | 993,271 | | $ | 904,090 | | $ | 311,867 | | $ | 306,703 | |
Segment operating income | | $ | 223,023 | | $ | 202,228 | | $ | 71,360 | | $ | 72,228 | |
Long-lived assets | | $ | 82,590 | | $ | 82,416 | | $ | 82,590 | | $ | 82,416 | |
Total assets | | $ | 801,497 | | $ | 740,226 | | $ | 801,497 | | $ | 740,226 | |
Capital expenditures | | $ | 4,051 | | $ | 5,981 | | $ | 958 | | $ | 2,748 | |
Depreciation and amortization | | $ | 8,303 | | $ | 7,529 | | $ | 2,825 | | $ | 2,363 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Corporate Operations and Other: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net sales | | $ | - | | $ | - | | $ | - | | $ | - | |
Segment operating loss | | $ | (38,964 | ) | $ | (30,978 | ) | $ | (13,839 | ) | $ | (10,669 | ) |
Long-lived assets | | $ | 13,583 | | $ | 14,249 | | $ | 13,583 | | $ | 14,249 | |
Total assets | | $ | 60,839 | | $ | 49,775 | | $ | 60,839 | | $ | 49,775 | |
Capital expenditures | | $ | 2,359 | | $ | 2,703 | | $ | 900 | | $ | 553 | |
Depreciation and amortization | | $ | 7,365 | | $ | 18,476 | | $ | 2,348 | | $ | 4,712 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Restructuring and Unusual Costs: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating loss | | $ | (18,896 | ) | $ | (73,140 | ) | $ | (3,534 | ) | $ | (13,136 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Consolidated: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net sales | | $ | 3,049,957 | | $ | 2,671,114 | | $ | 1,085,711 | | $ | 987,248 | |
Operating income | | $ | 448,267 | | $ | 356,318 | | $ | 181,687 | | $ | 161,195 | |
Equity in earnings of equity method investees | | $ | 621 | | $ | 965 | | $ | 359 | | $ | 126 | |
Long-lived assets | | $ | 1,124,070 | | $ | 1,047,982 | | $ | 1,124,070 | | $ | 1,047,982 | |
Investment in equity method investees | | $ | 6,454 | | $ | 8,227 | | $ | 6,454 | | $ | 8,227 | |
Total assets | | $ | 6,079,884 | | $ | 5,624,280 | | $ | 6,079,884 | | $ | 5,624,280 | |
Capital expenditures | | $ | 78,356 | | $ | 70,584 | | $ | 27,446 | | $ | 24,140 | |
Depreciation and amortization | | $ | 73,612 | | $ | 77,379 | | $ | 24,545 | | $ | 24,436 | |
16) | ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS NOT YET ADOPTED: |
In December 2003, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 132 (revised 2003) ("SFAS No. 132(R)"), "Employers’ Disclosures about Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits—an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, and 106." SFAS No. 132(R) supersedes Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 132 ("SFAS No. 132"), by revising employers’ disclosures about pension plans and other postretirement benefit plans. SFAS No. 132(R) requires additional disclosures to those in SFAS No. 132 regarding the assets, obligations, cash flows, and net periodic benefit cost of defined benefit pension plans and other defined benefit postretirement plans. SFAS No. 132(R) also amends Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 28 ("APB Opinion No. 28"), "Interim Financial Reporting," to require additional disclosures for interim periods. The Company has adopted certain of the annual disclosure provisions of SFAS No. 132(R), primarily those related to its U.S. postretirement plan, for the fiscal year ended February 29, 2004. In addition, the Company has adopted the interim disclosure provisions of SFAS No. 132(R) for the nine months and three months ended November 30, 2004. The Company is required to adopt the remaining annual disclosure provisions, primarily those related to its foreign plans, for the fiscal year ending February 28, 2005.
In November 2004, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 151 ("SFAS No. 151"), "Inventory Costs - an amendment of ARB No. 43, Chapter 4." SFAS No. 151 amends the guidance in Accounting Research Bulletin No. 43 ("ARB No. 43"), "Restatement and Revision of Accounting Research Bulletins," Chapter 4, "Inventory Pricing," to clarify the accounting for abnormal amounts of idle facility expense, freight, handling costs, and wasted material (spoilage). SFAS No. 151 requires that those items be recognized as current period charges. In addition, SFAS No. 151 requires that allocation of fixed production overheads to the costs of conversion be based on the normal capacity of the production facilities. The Company is required to adopt SFAS No. 151 for fiscal ye ars beginning March 1, 2006. The Company is currently assessing the financial impact of SFAS No. 151 on its consolidated financial statements.
In December 2004, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2004) ("SFAS No. 123(R)"), "Share-Based Payment." SFAS No. 123(R) replaces Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 ("SFAS No. 123"), "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation," and supersedes Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25 ("APB Opinion No. 25"), "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees." SFAS No. 123(R) requires the cost resulting from all share-based payment transactions be recognized in the financial statements. In addition, SFAS No. 123(R) establishes fair value as the measurement objective in accounting for share-based payment arrangements and requires all entities to apply a grant date fair-value-based measurement method in accounting for share-based payment transactions. SFAS No. 123(R) also amends Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 95 ("SFAS No. 95"), "Statement of Cash Flows," to require that excess tax benefits be reported as a financing cash inflow rather than as a reduction of taxes paid. SFAS No. 123(R) applies to all awards granted, modified, repurchased, or cancelled after the required effective date (see below). In addition, SFAS No. 123(R) requires entities that used the fair-value-based method for either recognition or disclosure under SFAS No. 123 to apply SFAS No. 123(R) using a modified version of prospective application. This application requires compensation cost to be recognized on or after the required effective date for the portion of outstanding awards for which the requisite service has not yet been rendered based on the grant date fair value of those awards as calculated under SFAS No. 123 for either recognition or pro forma disclosures. For periods before the required effective date, those entities may elect to apply a modified version of retrospective application under which financial statements for prior periods are adjusted on a basis consistent with the pro forma disclosures required for those periods by SFAS No. 123. The Company is required to adopt SFAS No. 123(R) for interim periods beginning September 1, 2005. The Company is currently assessing the financial impact of SFAS No. 123(R) on its consolidated financial statements.
In December 2004, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 153 ("SFAS No. 153"), "Exchanges of Nonmonetary Assets - an amendment of APB Opinion No. 29." SFAS No. 153 amends Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 29 ("APB No. 29"), "Accounting for Nonmonetary Transactions," to eliminate the exception from fair value measurement for nonmonetary exchanges of similar productive assets and replace it with a general exception from fair value measurement for exchanges that do not have commercial substance. SFAS No. 153 specifies that a nonmonetary exchange has commercial substance if the future cash flows of the entity are expected to change significantly as a result of the exchange. The Company is required to adopt SFAS No. 153 for fiscal years begin ning March 1, 2006. The Company is currently assessing the financial impact of SFAS No. 153 on its consolidated financial statements.
On October 22, 2004, the American Jobs Creation Act ("AJCA") was signed into law. The AJCA includes a special one-time 85 percent dividends received deduction for certain foreign earnings that are repatriated. In December 2004, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. FAS 109-2 ("FSP FAS 109-2"), "Accounting and Disclosure Guidance for the Foreign Earnings Repatriation Provision within the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004." FSP FAS 109-2 provides accounting and disclosure guidance for this repatriation provision. The Company has begun its evaluation of the effects of this provision. Although FSP FAS 109-2 is effective immediately, the Company will not be able to complete its evaluation until after Congress or the Treasury Department provides additional clarifying language on key elements of the provision. The Company expects to complete its evaluation of the effects of the repatriation provision within a reasonable period of time following the publication of the additional clarifying language.
In December 2004, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. FAS109-1 ("FSP FAS 109-1"), "Application of FASB Statement No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes, for the Tax Deduction on Qualified Production Activities Provided by the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004." FSP FAS 109-1 clarifies that the deduction will be treated as a "special deduction" as described in Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes." As such, the special deduction has no effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities existing at the date of enactment. The impact of the deduction will be reported in the period in which the deduction is claimed. The Company is currently assessing the financial impact of FSP FAS 109-1 on its consolidated financial statements.
Acquisition of Robert Mondavi -
On December 22, 2004, the Company acquired all of the outstanding capital stock of The Robert Mondavi Corporation ("Robert Mondavi"), a leading premium wine producer based in Napa, California. In connection with the production of its products, Robert Mondavi owns, operates and has an interest in certain wineries and controls certain vineyards. Robert Mondavi produces, markets and sells premium, super premium and fine California wines under the Woodbridge and Robert Mondavi brand names. Woodbridge and Robert Mondavi Private Selection rank among the top two premium and top three super premium wine brands, respectively, in the United States.
The acquisition of Robert Mondavi supports the Company’s strategy of strengthening the breadth of its portfolio across price segments to capitalize on the overall growth in the wine industry. The vast majority of Robert Mondavi’s sales are generated in the United States. The acquisition strengthens the Company’s position as the largest wine company in the world and makes the Company the largest premium wine company in the United States.
Total consideration paid in cash to the Robert Mondavi shareholders was $1,030.7 million. Additionally, the Company expects to incur direct acquisition costs of $10.0 million. The purchase price was financed with borrowings under the Company’s 2004 Credit Agreement (as defined below). In accordance with the purchase method of accounting, the acquired net assets are recorded at fair value at the date of acquisition. The results of operations of the Robert Mondavi business will be included in the Consolidated Statements of Income beginning on the date of acquisition. The purchase price allocation, including the third-party appraisal, is in progress.
In connection with the acquisition of Robert Mondavi, on December 22, 2004, the Company and its U.S. subsidiaries (excluding certain inactive subsidiaries), together with certain of its subsidiaries organized in foreign jurisdictions, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as a lender and administrative agent and certain other agents, lenders, and financial institutions entered into a new credit agreement (the "2004 Credit Agreement"). The 2004 Credit Agreement provides for aggregate credit facilities of $2.9 billion, consisting of a $600.0 million tranche A term loan facility due in November 2010, a $1.8 billion tranche B term loan facility due in November 2011, and a $500.0 million revolving credit facility (including a sub-facility for letters of credit of up to $60.0 million) which terminates in December 2010.
As of December 22, 2004, the required principal repayments of the tranche A term loan and the tranche B term loan are as follows:
| | Tranche A Term Loan | | Tranche B Term Loan | | Total | |
(in thousands) | | | | | | | |
2005 | | $ | 15,000 | | $ | 4,500 | | $ | 19,500 | |
2006 | | | 60,000 | | | 18,000 | | | 78,000 | |
2007 | | | 67,500 | | | 18,000 | | | 85,500 | |
2008 | | | 97,500 | | | 18,000 | | | 115,500 | |
2009 | | | 120,000 | | | 18,000 | | | 138,000 | |
2010 | | | 127,500 | | | 18,000 | | | 145,500 | |
Thereafter | | | 112,500 | | | 1,705,500 | | | 1,818,000 | |
| | $ | 600,000 | | $ | 1,800,000 | | $ | 2,400,000 | |
The rate of interest payable, at the Company’s option, is a function of LIBOR plus a margin, the federal funds rate plus a margin, or the prime rate plus a margin. The margin is adjustable based upon the Company’s debt ratio (as defined in the 2004 Credit Agreement) and, with respect to LIBOR borrowings, ranges between 1.00% and 1.75%. The initial LIBOR margin for the revolving credit facility and the tranche A term loan facility is 1.50%, while the initial LIBOR margin on the tranche B term loan facility is 1.75%.
The Company’s obligations are guaranteed by its U.S. subsidiaries (excluding certain inactive subsidiaries) and by certain of its foreign subsidiaries. These obligations are also secured by a pledge of (i) 100% of the ownership interests in most of the Company’s U.S. subsidiaries and (ii) 65% of the voting capital stock of certain of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries.
The Company and its subsidiaries are also subject to customary lending covenants including those restricting additional liens, the incurrence of additional indebtedness (including guarantees of indebtedness), the sale of assets, the payment of dividends, transactions with affiliates, the disposition and acquisition of property and the making of certain investments, in each case subject to numerous baskets, exceptions and thresholds. The financial covenants are limited to maximum total debt and senior debt coverage ratios and minimum fixed charges and interest coverage ratios.
The Company used the proceeds of borrowings under the 2004 Credit Agreement to repay the outstanding obligations under its Credit Agreement (as defined above), to fund the cash merger consideration payable in connection with its acquisition of Robert Mondavi, and to pay certain obligations of Robert Mondavi, including indebtedness outstanding under its bank facility and unsecured notes. The Company intends to use the remaining availability under the 2004 Credit Agreement to fund its working capital needs on an ongoing basis.
As of December 22, 2004, under the 2004 Credit Agreement, the Company had outstanding tranche A term loans of $600.0 million bearing an interest rate of 5.75%, outstanding tranche B term loans of $1.8 billion bearing an interest rate of 6.0%, no outstanding revolving loans, undrawn revolving letters of credit of $37.5 million, and $462.5 million in revolving loans available to be drawn.
On December 22, 2004, the Company also entered into five year interest rate swap agreements to minimize interest rate volatility. The swap agreements fix LIBOR interest rates on $1.2 billion of the Company’s floating rate debt at an average rate of 4.0% over the five year term.
Investment in Ruffino -
On December 3, 2004, the Company purchased a 40 percent interest in Ruffino S.r.l. ("Ruffino"), the well-known Italian fine wine company, for a preliminary purchase price of $81.7 million. The purchase price is subject to final closing adjustments which the Company does not expect to be material. The Constellation Wines segment expects to assume the distribution of Ruffino's products in the United States by the beginning of fiscal 2006. The Company expects to account for the investment under the equity method.
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Overview
The Company is a leading international producer and marketer of beverage alcohol brands with a broad portfolio across the wine, imported beer and spirits categories. The Company has the largest wine business in the world and is the largest multi-category supplier of beverage alcohol in the United States; a leading producer and exporter of wine from Australia and New Zealand; and both a major producer and independent drinks wholesaler in the United Kingdom.
The Company reports its operating results in three segments: Constellation Wines (branded wine, and U.K. wholesale and other), Constellation Beers and Spirits (imported beer and distilled spirits) and Corporate Operations and Other (primarily corporate related items and other). Amounts included in the Corporate Operations and Other segment consist of general corporate administration and finance expenses. These amounts include costs of executive management, corporate development, corporate finance, human resources, internal audit, investor relations, legal and public relations. Any costs incurred at the corporate office that are applicable to the segments are allocated to the appropriate segment. The amounts included in the Corporate Operations and Other segment are general costs that are applicable to the consolidated group and are therefore not allocated to the other reportable segments. All costs reported within the Corporate Operations and Other segment are not included in the chief operating decision maker’s evaluation of the operating income performance of the other operating segments. The business segments reflect how the Company’s operations are being managed, how operating performance within the Company is being evaluated by senior management and the structure of its internal financial reporting. In addition, the Company excludes restructuring and related charges and unusual costs that affect comparability from its definition of operating income for segment purposes.
The Company’s business strategy is to remain focused across the beverage alcohol industry by offering a broad range of products in each of the Company’s three major categories: wine, imported beer and spirits. The Company intends to keep its portfolio positioned for superior top-line growth while maximizing the profitability of its brands. In addition, the Company seeks to increase its relative importance to key customers in major markets by increasing its share of their overall purchasing, which is increasingly important in a consolidating industry. The Company’s strategy of breadth across categories and geographies is designed to deliver long-term profitable growth. This strategy allows the Company more investment choices, provides flexibility to address c hanging market conditions and creates stronger routes-to-market.
Marketing, sales and distribution of the Company’s products, particularly the Constellation Wines segment’s products, are managed on a geographic basis in order to fully leverage leading market positions within each geographic market. Market dynamics and consumer trends vary significantly across the Company’s three core geographic markets - the U.S., Europe (primarily the U.K.) and Australasia (Australia/New Zealand). Within the U.S. market, the Company offers a wide range of beverage alcohol products across the Constellation Wines segment and the Constellation Beers and Spirits segment. In Europe, the Company leverages its position as the largest wine supplier in the U.K. In addition, the Company leverages its U.K. wholesale business as a strategic route-to - -market for its imported wine portfolio and as a key supplier of a full range of beverage alcohol products to large national accounts. Within Australasia, where consumer trends favor domestic wine products, the Company leverages its position as one of the largest wine producers in Australia.
The Company remains committed to its long-term financial model of growing sales (both organically and through acquisitions), expanding margins and increasing cash flow to achieve superior earnings per share growth and improve return on invested capital.
In Third Quarter 2005 (as defined below), the Company’s net sales increased 10.0% over Third Quarter 2004 (as defined below) primarily from increases in branded wine net sales, U.K. wholesale net sales and a favorable foreign currency impact. Operating income increased 12.7% over the comparable prior year period primarily due to a reduction in unusual costs (see below under Operating Income discussion), partially offset by increased selling and advertising expenses, as the Company continues to invest behind certain wine brands to drive growth and broader distribution. Lastly, as a result of the above factors and lower interest expense for Third Quarter 2005, net income increased 17.0% over the comparable prior year period.
In Nine Months 2005 (as defined below), the Company’s net sales increased 14.2% over Nine Months 2004 (as defined below) primarily from increases in U.K. wholesale net sales, imported beer net sales, the inclusion of an additional one month of net sales of products acquired in the Hardy Acquisition, increases in branded wines net sales and a favorable foreign currency impact. Operating income increased 25.8% over the comparable prior year period primarily due to a reduction in unusual costs (see below under Operating Income discussion), partially offset by increased selling and advertising expenses, as the Company continues to invest behind the imported beer portfolio and certain wine brands to drive growth and broader distribution. Lastly, as a result of the above fa ctors and lower interest expense for Nine Months 2005, net income increased 45.2% over the comparable prior year period.
The following discussion and analysis summarizes the significant factors affecting (i) consolidated results of operations of the Company for the three months ended November 30, 2004 ("Third Quarter 2005"), compared to the three months ended November 30, 2003 ("Third Quarter 2004"), and for the nine months ended November 30, 2004 ("Nine Months 2005"), compared to the nine months ended November 30, 2003 ("Nine Months 2004"), and (ii) financial liquidity and capital resources for Nine Months 2005. This discussion and analysis also identifies certain restructuring and related charges expected to affect consolidated results of operations of the Company for the year ending February 28, 2005 ("Fiscal 2005"). This discussion and analysis should be read in conjuncti on with the Company’s consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included herein and in the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 19, 2004.
Recent Developments
Acquisition of Robert Mondavi
On December 22, 2004, the Company acquired all of the outstanding capital stock of The Robert Mondavi Corporation ("Robert Mondavi"), a leading premium wine producer based in Napa, California. In connection with the production of its products, Robert Mondavi owns, operates and has an interest in certain wineries and controls certain vineyards. Robert Mondavi produces, markets and sells premium, super premium and fine California wines under the Woodbridge and Robert Mondavi brand names. Woodbridge and Robert Mondavi Private Selection rank among the top two premium and top three super premium wine brands, respectively, in the United States.
The acquisition of Robert Mondavi supports the Company’s strategy of strengthening the breadth of its portfolio across price segments to capitalize on the overall growth in the wine industry. The vast majority of Robert Mondavi’s sales are generated in the United States. The acquisition strengthens the Company’s position as the largest wine company in the world and makes the Company the largest premium wine company in the United States.
Total consideration paid in cash to the Robert Mondavi shareholders was $1,030.7 million. Additionally, the Company expects to incur direct acquisition costs of $10.0 million. The purchase price was financed with borrowings under the Company's 2004 Credit Agreement (as defined below).
The results of operations of the Robert Mondavi business will be reported in the Constellation Wines segment and will be included in the consolidated results of operations of the Company from the date of acquisition. The acquisition of Robert Mondavi is significant and the Company expects it to have a material impact on the Company’s future results of operations, financial position and cash flows. In particular, the Company expects its future results of operations to be significantly impacted by, among other things, the flow through of anticipated inventory step-up, the write-off of bank fees related to the repayment of the Company’s senior credit facility (as discussed below), restructuring, integration and related charges, and interest expense associated with t he 2004 Credit Agreement (as defined below). The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the acquisition of Robert Mondavi on its effective tax rate.
Investment in Ruffino
On December 3, 2004, the Company purchased a 40 percent interest in Ruffino S.r.l. ("Ruffino"), the well-known Italian fine wine company, for a preliminary purchase price of $81.7 million. The purchase price is subject to final closing adjustments which the Company does not expect to be material. The Constellation Wines segment expects to assume the distribution of Ruffino’s products in the United States by the beginning of fiscal 2006. The Company expects to account for the investment under the equity method; accordingly, the results of operations of Ruffino from December 3, 2004, will be included in the equity in earnings of equity method investees line in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income.
Acquisition in Fiscal 2004
Acquisition of Hardy
On March 27, 2003, the Company acquired control of BRL Hardy Limited, now known as Hardy Wine Company Limited ("Hardy"), and on April 9, 2003, the Company completed its acquisition of all of Hardy’s outstanding capital stock. As a result of the acquisition of Hardy, the Company also acquired the remaining 50% ownership of Pacific Wine Partners LLC ("PWP"), the joint venture the Company established with Hardy in July 2001. The acquisition of Hardy along with the remaining interest in PWP is referred to together as the "Hardy Acquisition." Through this acquisition, the Company acquired one of Australia’s largest wine producers with interests in wineries and vineyards in most of Australia’s major wine regions as well as New Zealand and the United States. Hardy has a comprehensive portfolio of wine products across all price points with a strong focus on premium wine production. Hardy’s wines are distributed worldwide through a network of marketing and sales operations, with the majority of sales generated in Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Total consideration paid in cash and Class A Common Stock to the Hardy shareholders was $1,137.4 million. Additionally, the Company recorded direct acquisition costs of $17.4 million. The acquisition date for accounting purposes is March 27, 2003. The Company has recorded a $1.6 million reduction in the purchase price to reflect imputed interest between the accounting acquisition date and the final payment of consideration. This charge is included as interest expense in the Consolidated Statement of Income for the nine months ended November 30, 2003. The cash portion of the purchase price paid to the Hardy shareholders and optionholders ($1,060.2 million) was financed with $660.2 million of borrowings under the Company’s then existing credit agreement and $400.0 milli on of borrowings under the Company’s then existing bridge loan agreement. Additionally, the Company issued 3,288,913 shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock, which were valued at $77.2 million based on the simple average of the closing market price of the Company’s Class A Common Stock beginning two days before and ending two days after April 4, 2003, the day the Hardy shareholders elected the form of consideration they wished to receive. The purchase price was based primarily on a discounted cash flow analysis that contemplated, among other things, the value of a broader geographic distribution in strategic international markets and a presence in the important Australian winemaking regions. The Company and Hardy have complementary businesses that share a common growth orientation and operating philosophy. The Hardy Acquisition supports the Company’s strategy of growth and breadth across categories and geographies, and strengthens its competitive position in its core markets. The pur chase price and resulting goodwill were primarily based on the growth opportunities of the brand portfolio of Hardy. In particular, the Company believes there are growth opportunities for Australian wines in the United Kingdom, United States and other wine markets. This acquisition supports the Company’s strategy of driving long-term growth and positions the Company to capitalize on the growth opportunities in "new world" wine markets.
The results of operations of Hardy and PWP have been reported in the Company’s Constellation Wines segment since March 27, 2003. Accordingly, the Company’s results of operations for Nine Months 2005 include the results of operations of Hardy and PWP for the entire period, whereas the results of operations for Nine Months 2004 only include the results of operations of Hardy and PWP from March 27, 2003, to the end of Nine Months 2004.
Third Quarter 2005 Compared to Third Quarter 2004
Net Sales
The following table sets forth the net sales (in thousands of dollars) by operating segment of the Company for Third Quarter 2005 and Third Quarter 2004.
| | Third Quarter 2005 Compared to Third Quarter 2004 | |
| | Net Sales | |
| | 2005 | | 2004 | | % Increase (Decrease) | |
Constellation Wines: | | | | | | | |
Branded wine | | $ | 509,520 | | $ | 460,805 | | | 10.6 | % |
Wholesale and other | | | 264,324 | | | 219,740 | | | 20.3 | % |
Constellation Wines net sales | | $ | 773,844 | | $ | 680,545 | | | 13.7 | % |
Constellation Beers and Spirits: | | | | | | | | | | |
Imported beers | | $ | 225,846 | | $ | 229,538 | | | (1.6 | )% |
Spirits | | | 86,021 | | | 77,165 | | | 11.5 | % |
Constellation Beers and Spirits net sales | | $ | 311,867 | | $ | 306,703 | | | 1.7 | % |
Corporate Operations and Other | | $ | - | | $ | - | | | N/A | |
Consolidated Net Sales | | $ | 1,085,711 | | $ | 987,248 | | | 10.0 | % |
Net sales for Third Quarter 2005 increased to $1,085.7 million from $987.2 million for Third Quarter 2004, an increase of $98.5 million, or 10.0%. This increase resulted primarily from increases in branded wine net sales of $32.4 million (on a local currency basis) and U.K. wholesale net sales of $27.1 million (on a local currency basis). In addition, net sales benefited from a favorable foreign currency impact of $38.2 million.
Constellation Wines
Net sales for Constellation Wines increased to $773.8 million for Third Quarter 2005 from $680.5 million in Third Quarter 2004, an increase of $93.3 million, or 13.7%. Branded wine net sales increased $48.7 million primarily from increased branded wine net sales in the U.S. and Europe of $37.7 million (on a local currency basis) and a favorable foreign currency impact of $16.3 million, partially offset by decreased branded wine net sales in Australasia of $5.3 million (on a local currency basis). The increases in branded wine net sales in the U.S. and Europe are being driven by volume as the Company continues to benefit from increased distribution and greater consumer demand for premium wines. Wholesale and other net sales increased $44.6 million primarily due to growth in the U.K. wholesale business of $27.1 million (on a local currency basis) and a favorable foreign currency impact of $21.9 million. The net sales increase in the U.K. wholesale business on a local currency basis is primarily due to sales to new national accounts added in the first quarter of fiscal 2005 and increased sales in comparable existing accounts during Third Quarter 2005.
The global wine industry continues to be very competitive. The Company has taken a strategy of preserving the long-term brand equity of its wine portfolio and of making investments in the higher growth sectors of the wine business. In the U.S., the 2003 and 2004 California grape harvests were generally lighter than expected. The lighter than expected harvests should bring certain U.S. wine industry inventories closer into balance. At the same time, open market prices in the U.S. for many types of grapes and bulk wine have increased. These increases are expected to have minimal impact on the Company’s overall product cost.
Constellation Beers and Spirits
Net sales for Constellation Beers and Spirits increased to $311.9 million for Third Quarter 2005 from $306.7 million for Third Quarter 2004, an increase of $5.2 million, or 1.7%. This increase resulted from an increase in spirits net sales of $8.9 million partially offset by a decrease in imported beers net sales of $3.7 million. The growth in spirits net sales is attributable to increases in both the Company’s contract production net sales and branded spirits net sales. The decrease in imported beers net sales was due to decreased volumes on the Company’s imported beer portfolio as a result of the wholesaler buy-in ahead of last year’s price increase on the Company’s Mexican portfolio. The decrease in volume was largely offset by the pricing gains as a result of the price increase that was introduced in January 2004 on the Company’s Mexican beer portfolio.
The Company expects net sales growth for imported beer for Fiscal 2005 to be in the mid to high single digits despite a difficult volume comparison for the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2005. The difficult volume comparison is primarily due to the timing of the price increase which resulted in strong wholesaler and retailer demand in the third and fourth quarters of Fiscal 2004.
Gross Profit
The Company’s gross profit increased to $313.7 million for Third Quarter 2005 from $282.6 million for Third Quarter 2004, an increase of $31.0 million, or 11.0%. The Constellation Wines segment’s gross profit increased $25.2 million primarily due to volume growth in the segment’s U.S. and U.K. branded wines plus a favorable foreign currency impact. The Constellation Beers and Spirits segment’s gross profit increased $5.0 million due to the price increase in the segment’s imported beer portfolio and volume growth in the spirits contract production sales. In addition, unusual costs, which consist of certain costs that are excluded by management in their evaluation of the results of each operating segment, were lower by $0.8 million in Third Quarter 2 005 versus Third Quarter 2004. This decrease resulted from reduced flow through of inventory step-up associated with the Hardy Acquisition. Gross profit as a percent of net sales increased to 29.0% for Third Quarter 2005 from 28.6% for Third Quarter 2004 primarily due to higher gross margins on the Company’s imported beer portfolio and increased sales of higher margin branded wine products partially offset by increased sales of lower margin U.K. wholesale products.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased to $130.3 million for Third Quarter 2005 from $113.3 million for Third Quarter 2004, an increase of $17.0 million, or 15.0%. The Constellation Wines segment’s selling, general and administrative expenses increased $10.3 million primarily due to increased advertising and selling expenses as the Company continues to invest behind specific wine brands to drive broader distribution. The Constellation Beers and Spirits segment’s selling, general and administrative expenses increased $5.9 million as Third Quarter 2004 benefited from foreign currency gains. In addition, selling and advertising expenses were increased slightly to support the segment’s sales growth. The Corporate Operations and Other segment’ ;s selling, general and administrative expenses increased $3.2 million primarily due to costs associated with higher professional services fees, including costs incurred in connection with compliance activities associated with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, and increased general and administrative expenses to support the Company’s growth. Lastly, there was a decrease of $2.3 million of net unusual costs which consist of certain items that are excluded by management in their evaluation of the results of each operating segment. The Third Quarter 2004 costs consisted of financing costs recorded in connection with the Hardy Acquisition. There were no unusual costs in Third Quarter 2005. Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percent of net sales increased to 12.1% for Third Quarter 2005 as compared to 11.5% for Third Quarter 2004 primarily due to the increased general and administrative expenses within the Corporate Operations and Other segment and the benefit of foreign currency gains within th e Constellation Beers and Spirits segment in Third Quarter 2004.
Restructuring and Related Charges
The Company recorded $1.6 million of restructuring and related charges for Third Quarter 2005 associated with the restructuring plan of the Constellation Wines segment. Restructuring and related charges resulted from (i) the further realignment of business operations as previously announced in Fiscal 2004, and (ii) the Company’s July 2003 decision to exit the commodity concentrate product line in the U.S., and included $0.2 million of employee termination benefit costs, $0.6 million of grape contract termination costs, $0.3 million of facility consolidation and relocation costs, and other related charges of $0.5 million. The Company recorded $8.1 million of restructuring and related charges for Third Quarter 2004 associated with (i) the Company’s decision to exit the commodity concentrate product line and sell its winery located in Escalon, California, and (ii) the realignment of business operations in the Constellation Wines segment.
For Fiscal 2005, excluding the impact of restructuring and integration charges associated with the acquisition of Robert Mondavi, the Company expects to incur total restructuring and related charges of $7.3 million associated with the restructuring plan of the Constellation Wines segment. These charges are expected to consist of $6.7 million related to the further realignment of business operations in the Constellation Wines segment and $0.6million related to renegotiating existing grape contracts as a result of exiting the commodity concentrate product line.
Operating Income
The following table sets forth the operating income (loss) (in thousands of dollars) by operating segment of the Company for Third Quarter 2005 and Third Quarter 2004.
| | Third Quarter 2005 Compared to Third Quarter 2004 | |
| | Operating Income (Loss) | |
| | 2005 | | 2004 | | % Increase/ (Decrease) | |
Constellation Wines | | $ | 127,700 | | $ | 112,772 | | | 13.2 | % |
Constellation Beers and Spirits | | | 71,360 | | | 72,228 | | | (1.2 | )% |
Corporate Operations and Other | | | (13,839 | ) | | (10,669 | ) | | 29.7 | % |
Total Reportable Segments | | | 185,221 | | | 174,331 | | | 6.2 | % |
Restructuring and Related Charges and Unusual Costs | | | (3,534 | ) | | (13,136 | ) | | (73.1 | )% |
Consolidated Operating Income | | $ | 181,687 | | $ | 161,195 | | | 12.7 | % |
Restructuring and related charges and unusual costs of $3.5 million for Third Quarter 2005 consist of certain costs that are excluded by management in their evaluation of the results of each operating segment. These costs represent the flow through of inventory step-up associated with the Hardy Acquisition of $1.9 million and restructuring and related charges associated with the Company’s realignment of its business operations in the wine segment of $1.6 million. Restructuring and related charges and unusual costs of $13.1 million for Third Quarter 2004 representthe flow through of inventory step-up and the amortization of deferred financing costs associated with the H ardy Acquisition of $2.7 million and $2.3 million, respectively, and costs associated with exiting the commodity concentrate product line and the Company’s realignment of its business operations in the wine segment and restructuring and related charges of $8.1 million. As a result of these costs and the factors discussed above, consolidated operating income increased to $181.7 million for Third Quarter 2005 from $161.2 million for Third Quarter 2004, an increase of $20.5 million, or12.7%.
Interest Expense, Net
Interest expense, net of interest income of $0.3 million and $0.9 million for Third Quarter 2005 and Third Quarter 2004, respectively, decreased to $30.7 million for Third Quarter 2005 from $31.9 million for Third Quarter 2004, a decrease of $1.2 million, or (3.9%). The decrease resulted from lower average borrowings in Third Quarter 2005.
Provision for Income Taxes
The Company’s effective tax rate remained the same at 36.0% for Third Quarter 2005 and Third Quarter 2004.
Net Income
As a result of the above factors, net income increased to $96.9 million for Third Quarter 2005 from $82.8 million for Third Quarter 2004, an increase of $14.1 million, or17.0%.
Nine Months 2005 Compared to Nine Months 2004
Net Sales
The following table sets forth the net sales (in thousands of dollars) by operating segment of the Company for Nine Months 2005 and Nine Months 2004.
| | Nine Months 2005 Compared to Nine Months 2004 | |
| | Net Sales | |
| | 2005 | | 2004 | | % Increase | |
Constellation Wines: | | | | | | | |
Branded wine | | $ | 1,286,966 | | $ | 1,155,170 | | | 11.4 | % |
Wholesale and other | | | 769,720 | | | 611,854 | | | 25.8 | % |
Constellation Wines net sales | | $ | 2,056,686 | | $ | 1,767,024 | | | 16.4 | % |
Constellation Beers and Spirits: | | | | | | | | | | |
Imported beers | | $ | 751,879 | | $ | 684,216 | | | 9.9 | % |
Spirits | | | 241,392 | | | 219,874 | | | 9.8 | % |
Constellation Beers and Spirits net sales | | $ | 993,271 | | $ | 904,090 | | | 9.9 | % |
Corporate Operations and Other | | $ | - | | $ | - | | | N/A | |
Consolidated Net Sales | | $ | 3,049,957 | | $ | 2,671,114 | | | 14.2 | % |
Net sales for Nine Months 2005 increased to $3,050.0 million from $2,671.1 million for Nine Months 2004, an increase of $378.8 million, or 14.2%. This increase resulted primarily from an increase in U.K. wholesale net sales of $70.0 million (on a local currency basis), an increase in imported beer net sales of $67.7 million, the inclusion of $48.9 million of net sales of products acquired in the Hardy Acquisition and an increase in branded wines of $35.7 million. In addition, net sales benefited from a favorable foreign currency impact of $134.0 million.
Constellation Wines
Net sales for Constellation Wines increased to $2,056.7 million for Nine Months 2005 from $1,767.0 million in Nine Months 2004, an increase of $289.7 million, or 16.4%. Branded wine net sales increased $131.8 million. This increase resulted primarily from an additional one month of net sales of $45.7 million of branded wines acquired in the Hardy Acquisition, completed in March 2003, increased branded wine net sales in Europe and the U.S. of $29.8 million (on a local currency basis) and a favorable foreign currency impact of $50.4 million. The increases in branded wine net sales are primarily due to volume growth as the Company continues to benefit from increased distribution and greater consumer demand for premium wines. Wholesale and other net sales increased $157.9 mill ion primarily due to growth in the U.K. wholesale business of $70.0 million (on a local currency basis) and a favorable foreign currency impact of $83.6 million. The net sales increase in the U.K. wholesale business on a local currency basis is primarily due to the addition of new national accounts in the first quarter of fiscal 2005 and increased sales in existing accounts during Nine Months 2005.
The global wine industry continues to be very competitive. The Company has taken a strategy of preserving the long-term brand equity of its wine portfolio and of making investments in the higher growth sectors of the wine business. In the U.S., the 2003 and 2004 California grape harvests were generally lighter than expected. The lighter than expected harvests should bring certain U.S. wine industry inventories closer into balance. At the same time, open market prices in the U.S. for many types of grapes and bulk wine have increased. These increases are expected to have minimal impact on the Company’s overall product cost.
Constellation Beers and Spirits
Net sales for Constellation Beers and Spirits increased to $993.3 million for Nine Months 2005 from $904.1 million for Nine Months 2004, an increase of $89.2 million, or 9.9%. This increase resulted from a $67.7 million increase in imported beer sales and an increase in spirits net sales of $21.5 million. The growth in imported beer sales is primarily due to a price increase on the Company’s Mexican beer portfolio, which was introduced in January 2004, and increased volume. The growth in spirits net sales is attributable to increases in both the Company’s contract production net sales as well as branded net sales.
The Company expects net sales growth for imported beer for Fiscal 2005 to be in the mid to high single digits despite difficult volume comparisons for the third and fourth quarters of Fiscal 2005. The difficult volume comparisons are primarily due to the timing of the price increase which resulted in strong wholesaler and retailer demand in the third and fourth quarters of Fiscal 2004.
Gross Profit
The Company’s gross profit increased to $853.8 million for Nine Months 2005 from $732.2 million for Nine Months 2004, an increase of $121.6 million, or 16.6%. The Constellation Wines segment’s gross profit increased $59.8 million primarily due to the additional one month of sales of branded wines acquired in the Hardy Acquisition, volume growth in the branded wine net sales in the U.S., and a favorable foreign currency impact. The Constellation Beers and Spirits segment’s gross profit increased $31.9 million primarily due to the price increase and volume growth in the segment’s imported beer portfolio. In addition, unusual costs, which consist of certain costs that are excluded by management in their evaluation of the results of each operating segment, were lower by $29.9 million in Nine Months 2005 versus Nine Months 2004. This decrease resulted from a $16.8 million write-down of commodity concentrate inventory in Nine Months 2004 in connection with the Company’s decision to exit the commodity concentrate product line (see additional discussion under "Restructuring and Related Charges" below) and reduced flow through of inventory step-up associated with the Hardy Acquisition. Gross profit as a percent of net sales increased to 28.0% for Nine Months 2005 from 27.4% for Nine Months 2004 primarily due to the lower unusual costs, partially offset by reduced gross margins in the Constellation Wines segment, driven primarily by increased sales of lower margin U.K. wholesale products.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased to $401.1 million for Nine Months 2005 from $348.4 million for Nine Months 2004, an increase of $52.7 million, or 15.1%. The Constellation Wines segment’s selling, general and administrative expenses increased $34.9 million primarily due to increased selling and advertising expenses as the Company continues to invest behind specific wine brands to drive broader distribution. The Constellation Beers and Spirits segment’s selling, general and administrative expenses increased $11.1 million due to (i) increased advertising and selling behind its Mexican beer portfolio, (ii) increased general and administrative expenses to support the growth across this segment’s businesses, and (iii) increased general and a dministrative expenses as Nine Months 2004 benefited from foreign currency gains. The Corporate Operations and Other segment’s selling, general and administrative expenses increased $8.0 million primarily due to increased general and administrative expenses to support the Company’s growth and costs associated with higher professional services fees, including costs incurred in connection with compliance activities associated with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Lastly, there was a decrease of $1.3 million of net unusual costs which consist of certain items that are excluded by management in their evaluation of the results of each operating segment. This decrease consists of $10.3 million of financing costs recorded in Nine Months 2005 related to the Company’s redemption of its Senior Subordinated Notes (as defined below) as compared to $11.6 million of financing costs recorded in Nine Months 2004 in connection with the Hardy Acquisition. Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percent of net sales increased to 13.2% for Nine Months 2005 as compared to 13.0% for Nine Months 2004 primarily due to the growth in the Corporate Operations and Other segment’s general and administrative expenses.
Restructuring and Related Charges
The Company recorded $4.4 million of restructuring and related charges for Nine Months 2005 associated with the restructuring plan of the Constellation Wines segment. Restructuring and related charges resulted from (i) the further realignment of business operations as previously announced in Fiscal 2004, and (ii) the Company’s July 2003 decision to exit the commodity concentrate product line in the U.S., and included $1.6 million of employee termination benefit costs (net of reversal of prior accruals of $0.2 million), $0.6 million of grape contract termination costs, $0.9 million of facility consolidation and relocation costs, and other related charges of $1.3 million. The Company recorded $27.5 million of restructuring and related charges for Nine Months 2004 associ ated with (i) the Company’s decision to exit the commodity concentrate product line and sell its winery located in Escalon, California, and (ii) the realignment of business operations in the Constellation Wines segment. In total, the Company recorded $44.3 million of costs for Nine Months 2004 allocated between cost of product sold and restructuring and related charges associated with these actions.
For Fiscal 2005, excluding the impact of restructuring and integration charges associated with the acquisition of Robert Mondavi, the Company expects to incur total restructuring and related charges of $7.3 million associated with the restructuring plan of the Constellation Wines segment. These charges are expected to consist of $6.7 million related to the further realignment of business operations in the Constellation Wines segment and $0.6million related to renegotiating existing grape contracts as a result of exiting the commodity concentrate product line.
Operating Income
The following table sets forth the operating income (loss) (in thousands of dollars) by operating segment of the Company for Nine Months 2005 and Nine Months 2004.
| | Nine Months 2005 Compared to Nine Months 2004 | |
| | Operating Income (Loss) | |
| | 2005 | | 2004 | | % Increase/ (Decrease) | |
Constellation Wines | | $ | 283,104 | | $ | 258,208 | | | 9.6 | % |
Constellation Beers and Spirits | | | 223,023 | | | 202,228 | | | 10.3 | % |
Corporate Operations and Other | | | (38,964 | ) | | (30,978 | ) | | 25.8 | % |
Total Reportable Segments | | | 467,163 | | | 429,458 | | | 8.8 | % |
Restructuring and Related Charges and Unusual Costs | | | (18,896 | ) | | (73,140 | ) | | (74.2 | )% |
Consolidated Operating Income | | $ | 448,267 | | $ | 356,318 | | | 25.8 | % |
Restructuring and related charges and unusual costs of $18.9 million for Nine Months 2005 consist of certain costs that are excluded by management in their evaluation of the results of each operating segment. These costs represent the flow through of inventory step-up associated with the Hardy Acquisition of $4.2 million, financing costs associated with the redemption of the Company’s Senior Subordinated Notes of $10.3 million, and restructuring and related charges associated with the Company’s realignment of its business operations in the wine segment of $4.4 million. Restructuring and related charges and unusual costs of $73.1 million for Nine Months 2004 represent the flow through of inventory step-up and the amortization of deferred financing costs associated with the Hardy Acquisition of $17.3 million and $11.6 million, respectively, and costs associated with exiting the commodity concentrate product line and the Company’s realignment of its business operations in the wine segment, including the write-down of commodity concentrate inventory of $16.8 million and restructuring and related charges of $27.5 million. As a result of these costs and the factors discussed above, consolidated operating income increased to $448.3 million for Nine Months 2005 from $356.3 million for Nine Months 2004, an increase of $91.9 million, or25.8%.
Interest Expense, Net
Interest expense, net of interest income of $1.2 million and $2.4 million for Nine Months 2005 and Nine Months 2004, respectively, decreased to $91.3 million for Nine Months 2005 from $112.2 million for Nine Months 2004, a decrease of $20.9 million, or (18.6%). The decrease resulted from lower average borrowings in Nine Months 2005 as well as slightly lower average borrowing rates. The reduction in debt resulted from the use of proceeds from the Company’s equity offerings in July 2003 to pay down debt incurred to partially finance the Hardy Acquisition combined with on-going principal payments on long-term debt. The reduction in average borrowing rates was attributed in part to the replacement of $200.0 million of higher fixed rate subordinated note debt with lower va riable rate revolver debt.
Provision for Income Taxes
The Company’s effective tax rate remained the same at 36.0% for Nine Months 2005 and Nine Months 2004.
Net Income
As a result of the above factors, net income increased to $228.8 million for Nine Months 2005 from $157.6 million for Nine Months 2004, an increase of $71.2 million, or 45.2%.
Financial Liquidity and Capital Resources
General
The Company’s principal use of cash in its operating activities is for purchasing and carrying inventories and carrying seasonal accounts receivable. The Company’s primary source of liquidity has historically been cash flow from operations, except during annual grape harvests when the Company has relied on short-term borrowings. In the United States, the annual grape crush normally begins in August and runs through October. In Australia, the annual grape crush normally begins in February and runs through May. The Company generally begins taking delivery of grapes at the beginning of the crush season with payments for such grapes beginning to come due one month later. The Company’s short-term borrowings to support such purchases generally reach their highest levels one to two months after the crush season has ended. Historically, the Company has used cash flow from operating activities to repay its short-term borrowings and fund capital expenditures. The Company will continue to use its short-term borrowings to support its working capital requirements. The Company believes that cash provided by operating activities and its financing activities, primarily short-term borrowings, will provide adequate resources to satisfy its working capital, scheduled principal and interest payments on debt, preferred dividend payment requirements, and anticipated capital expenditure requirements for both its short-term and long-term capital needs. The Company also has in place an effective shelf registration statement covering the potential sale of up to $750.0 million of debt securities, preferred stock, Class A Common Stock or any combination thereof. As of January 10, 2005, the entire $750.0 million of capacity was available under the shelf registration statement.
Nine Months 2005 Cash Flows
Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operating activities for Nine Months 2005 was $81.4 million, which resulted from $228.8 million of net income, plus $112.7 million of net noncash items charged to the Consolidated Statement of Income, less $260.1 million representing the net change in the Company’s operating assets and liabilities. The net noncash items consisted primarily of depreciation of property, plant and equipment and deferred tax provision. The net change in operating assets and liabilities resulted primarily from seasonal increases in accounts receivable and inventories, partially offset by seasonal increases in accounts payable and accrued advertising.
Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities for Nine Months 2005 was $88.6 million, which resulted primarily from $78.4 million of capital expenditures.
Financing Activities
Net cash used in financing activities for Nine Months 2005 was $15.2 million resulting primarily from principal payments of long-term debt of $254.6 million partially offset by net proceeds of $220.0 million from notes payable and proceeds of $25.3 million from employee stock option exercises.
During June 1998, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $100.0 million of its Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock. The repurchase of shares of common stock will be accomplished, from time to time, in management’s discretion and depending upon market conditions, through open market or privately negotiated transactions. The Company may finance such repurchases through cash generated from operations or through the senior credit facility. The repurchased shares will become treasury shares. As of January 10, 2005, under the share repurchase program, the Company had purchased 4,075,344 shares of Class A Common Stock at an aggregate cost of $44.9 million, or at an average cost of $11.01 per share. No shares were repurchased during Nine Months 2005 under the Company’s share repurchase program.
Debt
Total debt outstanding as of November 30, 2004, amounted to $2,028.6 million, a decrease of $19.3 million from February 29, 2004. The ratio of total debt to total capitalization decreased to 43.2% as of November 30, 2004, from 46.3% as of February 29, 2004.
Senior Credit Facilities
Credit Agreement
As of November 30, 2004, under the Credit Agreement (as defined below), the Company had outstanding Tranche A Term Loans of $315.0 million bearing a weighted average interest rate of 3.3%, Tranche B Term Loans of $500.0 million bearing a weighted average interest rate of 3.5%, $160.0 million of revolving loans bearing a weighted average interest rate of 3.9%, undrawn revolving letters of credit of $23.7 million, and $216.3 million in revolving loans available to be drawn. The Credit Agreement was a senior credit facility originally entered into between the Company, certain subsidiaries of the Company, JPMorgan Chase Bank, as a lender and administrative agent, and certain oth er agents, lenders, and financial institutions on January 16, 2003, and subsequently amended (or amended and restated) (the "Credit Agreement").
2004 Credit Agreement
In connection with the acquisition of Robert Mondavi, on December 22, 2004, the Company and its U.S. subsidiaries (excluding certain inactive subsidiaries), together with certain of its subsidiaries organized in foreign jurisdictions, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as a lender and administrative agent, and certain other agents, lenders and financial institutions entered into a new credit agreement (the "2004 Credit Agreement"). The 2004 Credit Agreement provides for aggregate credit facilities of $2.9 billion, consisting of a $600.0 million tranche A term loan facility due in November 2010, a $1.8 billion tranche B term loan facility due in November 2011, and a $500.0 million revolving credit facility (including a sub-facility for letters of credit of up to $60.0 million) which terminates in December 2010.
As of December 22, 2004, the required principal repayments of the tranche A term loan and the tranche B term loan are as follows:
| | Tranche A Term Loan | | Tranche B Term Loan | | Total | |
(in thousands) | | | | | | | |
2005 | | $ | 15,000 | | $ | 4,500 | | $ | 19,500 | |
2006 | | | 60,000 | | | 18,000 | | | 78,000 | |
2007 | | | 67,500 | | | 18,000 | | | 85,500 | |
2008 | | | 97,500 | | | 18,000 | | | 115,500 | |
2009 | | | 120,000 | | | 18,000 | | | 138,000 | |
2010 | | | 127,500 | | | 18,000 | | | 145,500 | |
Thereafter | | | 112,500 | | | 1,705,500 | | | 1,818,000 | |
| | $ | 600,000 | | $ | 1,800,000 | | $ | 2,400,000 | |
The rate of interest payable, at the Company’s option, is a function of LIBOR plus a margin, the federal funds rate plus a margin, or the prime rate plus a margin. The margin is adjustable based upon the Company’s debt ratio (as defined in the 2004 Credit Agreement) and, with respect to LIBOR borrowings, ranges between 1.00% and 1.75%. The initial LIBOR margin for the revolving credit facility and the tranche A term loan facility is 1.50%, while the initial LIBOR margin on the tranche B term loan facility is 1.75%.
The Company’s obligations are guaranteed by its U.S. subsidiaries (excluding certain inactive subsidiaries) and by certain of its foreign subsidiaries. These obligations are also secured by a pledge of (i) 100% of the ownership interests in most of the Company’s U.S. subsidiaries and (ii) 65% of the voting capital stock of certain of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries.
The Company and its subsidiaries are also subject to customary lending covenants including those restricting additional liens, the incurrence of additional indebtedness (including guarantees of indebtedness), the sale of assets, the payment of dividends, transactions with affiliates, the disposition and acquisition of property and the making of certain investments, in each case subject to numerous baskets, exceptions and thresholds. The financial covenants are limited to maximum total debt and senior debt coverage ratios and minimum fixed charges and interest coverage ratios.
The Company used the proceeds of borrowings under the 2004 Credit Agreement to repay the outstanding obligations under its Credit Agreement (as defined above), to fund the cash merger consideration payable in connection with its acquisition of Robert Mondavi, and to pay certain obligations of Robert Mondavi, including indebtedness outstanding under its bank facility and unsecured notes. The Company intends to use the remaining availability under the 2004 Credit Agreement to fund its working capital needs on an ongoing basis.
As of December 22, 2004, under the 2004 Credit Agreement, the Company had outstanding tranche A term loans of $600.0 million bearing an interest rate of 5.75%, outstanding tranche B term loans of $1.8 billion bearing an interest rate of 6.0%, no outstanding revolving loans, undrawn revolving letters of credit of $37.5 million, and $462.5 million in revolving loans available to be drawn.
On December 22, 2004, the Company also entered into five year interest rate swap agreements to minimize interest rate volatility. The swap agreements fix LIBOR interest rates on $1.2 billion of the Company’s floating rate debt at an average rate of 4.0% over the five year term.
Subsidiary Facilities
The Company has additional line of credit facilities totaling $203.3 million as of November 30, 2004. These lines support the borrowing needs of certain of the Company’s foreign subsidiary operations. Interest rates and other terms of these borrowings vary from country to country, depending on local market conditions. As of November 30, 2004, amounts outstanding under the subsidiary revolving credit facilities were $65.7 million.
Senior Notes
As of November 30, 2004, the Company had outstanding $200.0 million aggregate principal amount of 8 5/8% Senior Notes due August 2006 (the "Senior Notes"). The Senior Notes are currently redeemable, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company.
As of November 30, 2004, the Company had outstanding £1.0 million ($1.9 million) aggregate principal amount of 8 1/2% Series B Senior Notes due November 2009 (the "Sterling Series B Senior Notes"). In addition, as of November 30, 2004, the Company had outstanding £154.0 million ($293.6 million, net of $0.5 million unamortized discount) aggregate principal amount of 8 1/2% Series C Senior Notes due November 2009 (the "Sterling Series C Senior Notes"). The Sterling Series B Senior Notes and Sterling Series C Senior Notes are currently redeemable, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company.
Also, as of November 30, 2004, the Company had outstanding $200.0 million aggregate principal amount of 8% Senior Notes due February 2008 (the "February 2001 Senior Notes"). The February 2001 Senior Notes are currently redeemable, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company.
Senior Subordinated Notes
On March 4, 1999, the Company issued $200.0 million aggregate principal amount of 8 1/2% Senior Subordinated Notes due March 2009 ("Senior Subordinated Notes"). The Senior Subordinated Notes were redeemable at the option of the Company, in whole or in part, at any time on or after March 1, 2004. On February 10, 2004, the Company issued a Notice of Redemption for its Senior Subordinated Notes. The Senior Subordinated Notes were redeemed with proceeds from the Revolving Credit facility on March 11, 2004, at 104.25% of par plus accrued interest. During Nine Months 2005, in connection with this redemption, the Company recorded a charge of $10.3 million in selling, general and administrative expenses for the call premium and the remaining unamortized financing fees associated w ith the original issuance of the Senior Subordinated Notes.
As of November 30, 2004, the Company had outstanding $250.0 million aggregate principal amount of 8 1/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due January 2012 (the "January 2002 Senior Subordinated Notes"). The January 2002 Senior Subordinated Notes are redeemable at the option of the Company, in whole or in part, at any time on or after January 15, 2007. The Company may also redeem up to 35% of the January 2002 Senior Subordinated Notes using the proceeds of certain equity offerings completed before January 15, 2005.
Contractual Obligations and Commitments
As noted above, on December 22, 2004, the Company drew down $2.4 billion in term loan debt under the 2004 Credit Agreement. The following table provides the payments due by period for the amounts drawn down on the 2004 Credit Agreement as if it had been in place as of November 30, 2004:
| | PAYMENTS DUE BY PERIOD | |
| | Total | | Less than 1 year | | 1-3 years | | 3-5 years | | After 5 years | |
(in thousands) | | | | | | | | | | | |
Contractual obligations | | | | | | | | | | | |
Notes payable to banks | | $ | - | | $ | - | | $ | - | | $ | - | | $ | - | |
Long-term debt (excluding unamortized discount) | | $ | 2,400,000 | | $ | 78,000 | | $ | 186,000 | | $ | 276,000 | | $ | 1,860,000 | |
Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted
In December 2003, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 132 (revised 2003) ("SFAS No. 132(R)"), "Employers’ Disclosures about Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits—an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, and 106." SFAS No. 132(R) supersedes Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 132 ("SFAS No. 132"), by revising employers’ disclosures about pension plans and other postretirement benefit plans. SFAS No. 132(R) requires additional disclosures to those in SFAS No. 132 regarding the assets, obligations, cash flows, and net periodic benefit cost of defined benefit pension plans and other defined benefit postretirement plans. SFAS No. 132(R) also amends Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 28 ("APB Opinion No. 28"), "Interim Financial Reporting," to require additional disclosures for interim periods. The Company has adopted certain of the annual disclosure provisions of SFAS No. 132(R), primarily those related to its U.S. postretirement plan, for the fiscal year ended February 29, 2004. In addition, the Company has adopted the interim disclosure provisions of SFAS No. 132(R) for the three months ended November 30, 2004. The Company is required to adopt the remaining annual disclosure provisions, primarily those related to its foreign plans, for the fiscal year ending February 28, 2005.
In November 2004, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 151 ("SFAS No. 151"), "Inventory Costs - an amendment of ARB No. 43, Chapter 4." SFAS No. 151 amends the guidance in Accounting Research Bulletin No. 43 ("ARB No. 43"), "Restatement and Revision of Accounting Research Bulletins," Chapter 4, "Inventory Pricing," to clarify the accounting for abnormal amounts of idle facility expense, freight, handling costs, and wasted material (spoilage). SFAS No. 151 requires that those items be recognized as current period charges. In addition, SFAS No. 151 requires that allocation of fixed production overheads to the costs of conversion be based on the normal capacity of the production facilities. The Company is required to adopt SFAS No. 151 for fiscal ye ars beginning March 1, 2006. The Company is currently assessing the financial impact of SFAS No. 151 on its consolidated financial statements.
In December 2004, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2004) ("SFAS No. 123(R)"), "Share-Based Payment." SFAS No. 123(R) replaces Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 ("SFAS No. 123"), "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation," and supersedes Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25 ("APB Opinion No. 25"), "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees." SFAS No. 123(R) requires the cost resulting from all share-based payment transactions be recognized in the financial statements. In addition, SFAS No. 123(R) establishes fair value as the measurement objective in accounting for share-based payment arrangements and requires all entities to apply a grant date fair-value-based measurement method in accounting for share-based payment transactions. SFAS No. 123(R) also amends Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 95 ("SFAS No. 95"), "Statement of Cash Flows," to require that excess tax benefits be reported as a financing cash inflow rather than as a reduction of taxes paid. SFAS No. 123(R) applies to all awards granted, modified, repurchased, or cancelled after the required effective date (see below). In addition, SFAS No. 123(R) requires entities that used the fair-value-based method for either recognition or disclosure under SFAS No. 123 to apply SFAS No. 123(R) using a modified version of prospective application. This application requires compensation cost to be recognized on or after the required effective date for the portion of outstanding awards for which the requisite service has not yet been rendered based on the grant date fair value of those awards as calculated under SFAS No. 123 for either recognition or pro forma disclosures. For periods before the required effective date, those entities may elect to apply a modified version of retrospective application under which financial statements for prior periods are adjusted on a basis consistent with the pro forma disclosures required for those periods by SFAS No. 123. The Company is required to adopt SFAS No. 123(R) for interim periods beginning September 1, 2005. The Company is currently assessing the financial impact of SFAS No. 123(R) on its consolidated financial statements.
In December 2004, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 153 ("SFAS No. 153"), "Exchanges of Nonmonetary Assets - an amendment of APB Opinion No. 29." SFAS No. 153 amends Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 29 ("APB No. 29"), "Accounting for Nonmonetary Transactions," to eliminate the exception from fair value measurement for nonmonetary exchanges of similar productive assets and replace it with a general exception from fair value measurement for exchanges that do not have commercial substance. SFAS No. 153 specifies that a nonmonetary exchange has commercial substance if the future cash flows of the entity are expected to change significantly as a result of the exchange. The Company is required to adopt SFAS No. 153 for fiscal years beginning March 1, 2006. The Company is currently assessing the financial impact of SFAS No. 153 on its consolidated financial statements.
On October 22, 2004, the American Jobs Creation Act ("AJCA") was signed into law. The AJCA includes a special one-time 85 percent dividends received deduction for certain foreign earnings that are repatriated. In December 2004, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. FAS 109-2 ("FSP FAS 109-2"), "Accounting and Disclosure Guidance for the Foreign Earnings Repatriation Provision within the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004." FSP FAS 109-2 provides accounting and disclosure guidance for this repatriation provision. The Company has begun its evaluation of the effects of this provision. Although FSP FAS 109-2 is effective immediately, the Company will not be able to complete its evaluation until after Congress or the Treasury Department provides additional clarifying language on key elements of the provision. The Company expects to complete its evaluation of the effects of the repatriation provision within a reasonable period of time following the publication of the additional clarifying language.
In December 2004, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. FAS109-1 ("FSP FAS 109-1"), "Application of FASB Statement No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes, for the Tax Deduction on Qualified Production Activities Provided by the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004." FSP FAS 109-1 clarifies that the deduction will be treated as a "special deduction" as described in Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes." As such, the special deduction has no effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities existing at the date of enactment. The impact of the deduction will be reported in the period in which the deduction is claimed. The Company is currently assessing the financial impact of FSP FAS 109-1 on its consolidated financial statements.
Information Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company’s control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in, or implied by, such forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including statements regarding the Company’s future financial position and prospects, are forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Th e Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. In addition to the risks and uncertainties of ordinary business operations, the forward-looking statements of the Company contained in this Form 10-Q are also subject to the following risks and uncertainties: the successful integration of the Robert Mondavi business into that of the Company; final management determinations and independent appraisals vary materially from current management estimates of the fair value of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed in the acquisition of Robert Mondavi; the Company achieving certain sales projections and meeting certain cost targets; wholesalers and retailers may give higher priority to products of the Company’s competitors; raw material supply, production or shipment difficulties could adversely affect the Company’s ability to supply its customers; increased competitive activities in the form of pricing, advertising and promotions could adversely impact consumer demand for the Company’s products and/or result in higher than expected selling, general and administrative expenses; a general decline in alcohol consumption; increases in excise and other taxes on beverage alcohol products; and changes in foreign currency exchange rates. For additional information about risks and uncertainties that could adversely affect the Company’s forward-looking statements, please refer to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 29, 2004.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
The Company, as a result of its global operating and financing activities, is exposed to market risk associated with changes in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates. To manage the volatility relating to these risks, the Company periodically enters into derivative transactions including foreign currency exchange contracts and interest rate swap agreements. The Company uses derivative instruments solely to reduce the financial impact of these risks and does not use derivative instruments for trading purposes.
Foreign currency forward contracts and foreign currency options are used to hedge existing foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities, forecasted foreign currency denominated sales both to third parties as well as intercompany sales, and intercompany principal and interest payments. As of November 30, 2004, the Company had exposures to foreign currency risk primarily related to the Australian dollar, euro, New Zealand dollar, British pound sterling, Canadian dollar and Mexican peso.
As of November 30, 2004, and November 30, 2003, the Company had outstanding derivative contracts with a notional value of $708.6 million and $582.5 million, respectively. Using a sensitivity analysis based on estimated fair value of open contracts using forward rates, if the U.S. dollar had been 10% weaker as of November 30, 2004, and November 30, 2003, the fair value of open foreign exchange contracts would have been increased by $68.9 million and $67.9 million, respectively. Losses or gains from the revaluation or settlement of the related underlying positions would substantially o ffset such gains or losses.
The fair value of fixed rate debt is subject to interest rate risk, credit risk and foreign currency risk. The estimated fair value of the Company’s total fixed rate debt, including current maturities, was $1,101.0 million and $1,326.8 million as of November 30, 2004, and November 30, 2003, respectively. A hypothetical 1% increase from prevailing interest rates as of November 30, 2004, and November 30, 2003, would have resulted in a decrease in fair value of fixed interest rate long-term debt by $38.9 million and $55.0 million, respectively.
In addition to the $1,101.0 million and $1,326.8 million estimated fair value of fixed rate debt outstanding as of November 30, 2004, and November 30, 2003, respectively, the Company also had variable rate debt outstanding (primarily LIBOR based) as of November 30, 2004, and November 30, 2003, of $1,041.1 million and $1,041.4 million, respectively. Using a sensitivity analysis based on a hypothetical 1% increase in prevailing interest rates at November 30, 2004, and November 30, 2003, would result in an approximate increase in cash required for interest of $9.1 million and $8.9 million, respectively.
The Company has on occasion entered into interest rate swap agreements to reduce its exposure to interest rate changes relative to its variable rate debt. As of November 30, 2004, and November 30, 2003, the Company had no interest rate swap agreements outstanding. Subsequent to November 30, 2004, the Company entered into five year interest rate swap agreements to minimize interest rate volatility. The swap agreements fix LIBOR interest rates on $1.2 billion of the Company’s floating rate debt at an average rate of 4.0% over the five year term.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
The Company’s Chief Executive Officer and its Chief Financial Officer have concluded, based on their evaluation as of the end of the period covered by this report, that the Company’s "disclosure controls and procedures" (as defined in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that the Company files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms. In connection with that evaluation, no changes were identified in the Company’s "internal control over financial reporting" (as defined in the Securities Exchang e Act of 1934 Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) that occurred during the Company’s fiscal quarter ended November 30, 2004 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.