UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
______________
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One) | ||
x | QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 | |
For the quarterly period ended December 31, 2008. | ||
OR | ||
o | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 | |
For the transition period from to | ||
Commission File Number1-07151 | ||
______________ |
THE CLOROX COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware | 31-0595760 |
(State or other jurisdiction of | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
incorporation or organization) | |
1221 Broadway | |
Oakland, California | 94612-1888 |
(Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip code) |
(510)271-7000 | |
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code) | |
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report) |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. YesþNo
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act (Check One):
Large accelerated filerþ | Accelerated filer | Non-accelerated filer | Smaller Reporting Company |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes Noþ
As of December 31, 2008, there were 139,021,931 shares outstanding of the registrant's common stock (par value - $1.00), the registrant's only outstanding class of stock.
2
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Unaudited)
Item 1. Financial Statements
The Clorox Company
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
Three Months Ended | Six Months Ended | ||||||||||||
12/31/2008 | 12/31/2007 | 12/31/2008 | 12/31/2007 | ||||||||||
Net sales | $ | 1,216 | $ | 1,186 | $ | 2,600 | $ | 2,425 | |||||
Cost of products sold | 730 | 707 | 1,552 | 1,418 | |||||||||
Gross profit | 486 | 479 | 1,048 | 1,007 | |||||||||
Selling and administrative expenses | 172 | 168 | 356 | 323 | |||||||||
Advertising costs | 107 | 109 | 226 | 227 | |||||||||
Research and development costs | 27 | 28 | 54 | 51 | |||||||||
Restructuring and asset impairment costs | 1 | 2 | 2 | 27 | |||||||||
Interest expense | 44 | 46 | 86 | 79 | |||||||||
Other expense (income), net | 4 | (2 | ) | 7 | (2 | ) | |||||||
Earnings before income taxes | 131 | 128 | 317 | 302 | |||||||||
Income taxes | 45 | 36 | 103 | 99 | |||||||||
Net earnings | $ | 86 | $ | 92 | $ | 214 | $ | 203 | |||||
Earnings per share | |||||||||||||
Basic | $ | 0.62 | $ | 0.66 | $ | 1.55 | $ | 1.43 | |||||
Diluted | $ | 0.62 | $ | 0.65 | $ | 1.52 | $ | 1.41 | |||||
Weighted average shares outstanding (in thousands) | |||||||||||||
Basic | 139,086 | 138,750 | 138,772 | 141,264 | |||||||||
Diluted | 141,073 | 141,026 | 140,941 | 143,402 | |||||||||
Dividends declared per share | $ | 0.46 | $ | 0.40 | $ | 0.92 | $ | 0.80 |
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
3
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
12/31/2008 | 6/30/2008 | ||||||
ASSETS | |||||||
Current assets | |||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 97 | $ | 214 | |||
Receivables, net | 409 | 505 | |||||
Inventories, net | 405 | 384 | |||||
Other current assets | 130 | 146 | |||||
Total current assets | 1,041 | 1,249 | |||||
Property, plant and equipment, net | 929 | 960 | |||||
Goodwill | 1,611 | 1,658 | |||||
Trademarks, net | 555 | 560 | |||||
Other intangible assets, net | 112 | 123 | |||||
Other assets | 150 | 158 | |||||
Total assets | $ | 4,398 | $ | 4,708 | |||
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIT | |||||||
Current liabilities | |||||||
Notes and loans payable | $ | 637 | $ | 755 | |||
Current maturities of long-term debt | 1 | - | |||||
Accounts payable | 330 | 418 | |||||
Accrued liabilities | 430 | 440 | |||||
Income taxes payable | 32 | 48 | |||||
Total current liabilities | 1,430 | 1,661 | |||||
Long-term debt | 2,718 | 2,720 | |||||
Other liabilities | 587 | 600 | |||||
Deferred income taxes | 66 | 97 | |||||
Total liabilities | 4,801 | 5,078 | |||||
Contingencies | |||||||
Stockholders’ deficit | |||||||
Common stock: $1.00 par value; 750,000,000 shares authorized; | |||||||
158,741,461 shares issued at December 31, 2008 and June 30, 2008; | |||||||
and 139,021,931 and 138,038,052 shares outstanding at | |||||||
December 31, 2008 and June 30, 2008, respectively | 159 | 159 | |||||
Additional paid-in capital | 548 | 534 | |||||
Retained earnings | 457 | 386 | |||||
Treasury shares, at cost: 19,719,530 and 20,703,409 shares at | |||||||
December 31, 2008 and June 30, 2008, respectively | (1,214 | ) | (1,270 | ) | |||
Accumulated other comprehensive net losses | (353 | ) | (179 | ) | |||
Stockholders’ deficit | (403 | ) | (370 | ) | |||
Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficit | $ | 4,398 | $ | 4,708 |
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
4
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Dollars in millions)
Six Months Ended | |||||||
12/31/2008 | 12/31/2007 | ||||||
Operating activities: | |||||||
Net earnings | $ | 214 | $ | 203 | |||
Adjustments to reconcile earnings from operations: | |||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 93 | 98 | |||||
Share-based compensation | 33 | 20 | |||||
Deferred income taxes | (8 | ) | (5 | ) | |||
Restructuring and asset impairment costs | - | 24 | |||||
Other | 26 | 17 | |||||
Changes in: | |||||||
Receivables, net | 76 | 95 | |||||
Inventories, net | (37 | ) | (63 | ) | |||
Other current assets | (21 | ) | 7 | ||||
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | (143 | ) | (84 | ) | |||
Income taxes payable | (42 | ) | (1 | ) | |||
Net cash provided by operations | 191 | 311 | |||||
Investing activities: | |||||||
Capital expenditures | (84 | ) | (71 | ) | |||
Businesses acquired, net of cash acquired | - | (913 | ) | ||||
Low-income housing contributions and other | - | (1 | ) | ||||
Net cash used for investing activities | (84 | ) | (985 | ) | |||
Financing activities: | |||||||
Notes and loans payable | (116 | ) | 1,470 | ||||
Long-term debt borrowings, net of issuance costs | - | 757 | |||||
Long-term debt repayments | - | (500 | ) | ||||
Treasury stock purchases | - | (868 | ) | ||||
Cash dividends paid | (129 | ) | (117 | ) | |||
Issuance of common stock for employee stock plans and other | 35 | 26 | |||||
Net cash (used for) provided by financing activities | (210 | ) | 768 | ||||
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | (14 | ) | 4 | ||||
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents | (117 | ) | 98 | ||||
Cash and cash equivalents: | |||||||
Beginning of period | 214 | 182 | |||||
End of period | $ | 97 | $ | 280 |
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
5
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(In millions, except share and per share amounts)
NOTE 1. INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Basis of Presentation
The unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements for the three and six months ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, in the opinion of management, reflect all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) necessary for a fair presentation of the consolidated results of operations, financial position and cash flows of The Clorox Company and its subsidiaries (the Company) for the periods presented. Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified in the condensed consolidated financial statements to conform to current period presentation. The results for the interim period ended December 31, 2008, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2009, or for any future period.
Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP) have been omitted or condensed pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC). The information in this report should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2008, which includes a complete set of footnote disclosures, including the Company’s significant accounting policies.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts and related disclosures. Actual results could differ materially from estimates and assumptions made.
New Accounting Pronouncements
On July 1, 2008, the Company adopted the required portions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 157,Fair Value Measurements, and there was no material impact to the consolidated financial statements. This Statement defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in accordance with U.S. GAAP and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 currently applies to all financial assets and liabilities, and nonfinancial assets and liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at fair value on a recurring basis. In February 2008, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued FASB Staff Position (FSP) No. FAS 157-2, delaying the effective date of SFAS No. 157 for nonfinancial assets and liabilities, except for items that are recognized or disclosed at fair value on a recurring basis. The delayed portions of SFAS No. 157 will be adopted by the Company beginning in its fiscal year ending June 30, 2010. The adoption of the nondelayed portions of SFAS No. 157 is more fully described in Note 3.
In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159,The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. This Statement permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value. This Statement was effective for the Company beginning July 1, 2008. The Company has not applied the fair value option to any items; therefore, the Statement did not have an impact on the consolidated financial statements.
In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161,Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities—an amendment of SFAS No. 133. This Statement requires disclosures of how and why an entity uses derivative instruments, how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for and how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entity’s financial position, financial performance and cash flows. SFAS No. 161 is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008, with early application encouraged. This Statement will be adopted by the Company no later than the beginning of the third quarter of its fiscal year ending June 30, 2009, as required. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that SFAS No. 161 will have on its consolidated financial statements, when it becomes effective.
6
NOTE 1. INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
In December 2008, the FASB issued FSP No. FAS 132(R)-1,Employer’s Disclosures about Postretirement Benefit Plan Assets.This FSP amends SFAS No. 132 (Revised 2003),Employers’ Disclosures about Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits,to expand the disclosure requirements for an employer's plan assets of a defined benefit pension or other postretirement plan. This FSP is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2009, with early application permitted. This FSP will be adopted by the Company in its consolidated financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2010, on a prospective basis. The Company is currently evaluating the impact the application of this FSP will have on its financial statements.
NOTE 2. RESTRUCTURING AND ASSET IMPAIRMENT
In fiscal year 2008, the Company began a restructuring plan that involves simplifying its supply chain and other restructuring activities (Supply Chain and Other restructuring plan). In February 2009, the Company expanded its Supply Chain and Other restructuring plan to include additional costs, primarily severance, associated with the Company’s plan to reduce certain staffing levels.
The Supply Chain restructuring involves closing certain domestic and international manufacturing facilities. The Company is redistributing production from these facilities between the remaining facilities and third-party producers to optimize available capacity and reduce operating costs. The Company anticipates the Supply Chain restructuring will be completed in fiscal year 2012. The Other restructuring charges relate primarily to the write-down of certain new venture investments, intangible assets and equipment and the cost of exiting the Company’s private-label food bags business in fiscal year 2008, which the Company decided not to pursue. As a result of the Supply Chain and Other restructuring plan, a number of positions are being eliminated.
The following table summarizes, by segment, the total restructuring costs associated with the Company’s Supply Chain and Other restructuring plan for the three and six months ended December 31, 2008 and 2007:
Three Months Ended 12/31/08 | Six Months Ended 12/31/08 | ||||||||||||||||
North | International | North | International | ||||||||||||||
America | and Corporate | Total | America | and Corporate | Total | ||||||||||||
Cost of products sold | $ | 2 | $ | - | $ | 2 | $ | 6 | $ | 1 | $ | 7 | |||||
Restructuring: | |||||||||||||||||
Severance | 1 | - | 1 | 2 | - | 2 | |||||||||||
Total costs | $ | 3 | $ | - | $ | 3 | $ | 8 | $ | 1 | $ | 9 | |||||
Non-cash costs | $ | 1 | $ | 5 | |||||||||||||
Three Months Ended 12/31/07 | Six Months Ended 12/31/07 | ||||||||||||||||
North | International | North | International | ||||||||||||||
America | and Corporate | Total | America | and Corporate | Total | ||||||||||||
Cost of products sold | $ | 2 | $ | 1 | $ | 3 | $ | 4 | $ | 1 | $ | 5 | |||||
Restructuring and asset impairment: | |||||||||||||||||
Severance | - | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | |||||||||||
Asset impairment | - | - | - | 22 | 2 | 24 | |||||||||||
Total restructuring and asset impairment costs | $ | - | $ | 2 | $ | 2 | $ | 23 | $ | 4 | $ | 27 | |||||
Total costs | $ | 2 | $ | 3 | $ | 5 | $ | 27 | $ | 5 | $ | 32 | |||||
Non-cash costs | $ | 3 | $ | 28 |
Total restructuring payments for the three and six months ended December 31, 2008, were $3 and $5, respectively, and the total accrued restructuring liability as of December 31, 2008, was $2.
7
NOTE 2. RESTRUCTURING AND ASSET IMPAIRMENT (Continued)
Total costs to date associated with the Supply Chain and Other restructuring plan were $55 for the North America segment and $13 for the International and Corporate segments at December 31, 2008.
Including the February 2009 expansion of the Supply Chain and Other restructuring plan, the Company anticipates incurring approximately $35 to $37 of Supply Chain and Other restructuring-related charges in fiscal year 2009, of which approximately $6 are expected to be non-cash related. Excluding costs associated with the decision to expand the plan in February 2009, the Company anticipates that approximately $19 to $24 of the fiscal year 2009 charges will be in the North America segment, including approximately $16 to $20 which are estimated to be recognized as cost of products sold charges (including accelerated depreciation for manufacturing equipment and other costs associated with the Supply Chain restructuring), and the remainder will be severance charges. The Company is currently evaluating which segments will be impacted by the restructuring plan expansion announced in February 2009. The total anticipated charges related to the Supply Chain and Other restructuring plan for the fiscal years 2010 through 2012 are estimated to be approximately $25 to $30.
The Company may, from time to time, decide to pursue additional restructuring-related initiatives that involve charges in future periods.
NOTE 3. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
The Company adopted the required portions of SFAS No. 157 on July 1, 2008. SFAS No. 157 applies to all assets and liabilities that are being measured and reported at fair value. SFAS No. 157 defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. SFAS No. 157 establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. An asset or liability’s level is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. This Statement requires that assets and liabilities carried at fair value be classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories:
Level 1: Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2: Observable market-based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data.
Level 3: Unobservable inputs reflecting the reporting entity’s own assumptions.
The Company uses commodity futures and fixed price swap contracts to fix the price of a portion of its raw material requirements. Contract maturities, which are generally no longer than 18 months, are matched to the length of the raw material purchase contracts. Other commodity purchase contracts include diesel fuel, jet fuel and solvent fixed price swaps, and are fair valued using future curves similar to those obtained off of the New York Mercantile Exchange.
The Company also enters into certain foreign-currency related derivative contracts to manage a portion of the Company’s foreign exchange risk. These contracts generally have durations no longer than 12 months and are fair valued using foreign exchange rates and foreign exchange forward curves quoted by Bloomberg Finance L.P.
The following table sets forth the Company’s financial assets and liabilities that were measured at fair value on a recurring basis during the quarter, within the fair value hierarchy at December 31, 2008:
Level 2 | ||
Assets | ||
Foreign exchange contracts | $ | 3 |
Nonqualified retirement plan assets | 3 | |
$ | 6 | |
Liabilities | ||
Other commodity purchase contracts | $ | 44 |
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NOTE 3. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Continued)
The Company’s nonqualified retirement plan assets are held in a trust-owned life insurance policy, and derive their fair value from investments in a mixture of fixed income and equity securities, which are separately managed by an insurance company.
During the three and six months ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, the Company’s commodity purchase and foreign exchange contracts qualified for hedge accounting and were accounted for by recognizing any unrealized gain or loss in accumulated other comprehensive net income.
The Company’s derivative financial instruments were recorded at fair value in the consolidated balance sheets as follows:
12/31/2008 | 6/30/2008 | |||||
Commodity purchase contracts included in current assets | $ | - | $ | 46 | ||
Commodity purchase contracts included in other assets | - | 3 | ||||
Commodity purchase contracts included in other current liabilities | (39 | ) | - | |||
Commodity purchase contracts included in other long term liabilities | (5 | ) | - | |||
Foreign exchange contracts included in current assets | 3 | - |
The change in value of the Company’s financial instruments is primarily due to a decrease in the fair value of the Company’s commodity purchase contracts.
The notional and estimated fair values of the Company’s derivative instruments are summarized below:
12/31/2008 | 6/30/2008 | |||||||||||
Notional | Fair Value | Notional | Fair Value | |||||||||
Commodity purchase contracts | $ | 114 | $ | (44 | ) | $ | 132 | $ | 49 | |||
Foreign exchange contracts | 21 | 3 | 35 | - |
NOTE 4. INVENTORIES, NET
Inventories, net, consisted of the following at:
12/31/2008 | 6/30/2008 | ||||||
Finished goods | $ | 351 | $ | 320 | |||
Raw materials and packaging | 101 | 94 | |||||
Work in process | 3 | 4 | |||||
LIFO allowances | (33 | ) | (21 | ) | |||
Allowance for obsolescence | (17 | ) | (13 | ) | |||
Total | $ | 405 | $ | 384 |
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NOTE 5. OTHER LIABILITIES | |||||
Other liabilities consisted of the following at: | |||||
12/31/2008 | 6/30/2008 | ||||
Venture agreement net terminal obligation | $ | 268 | $ | 266 | |
Employee benefit obligations | 219 | 205 | |||
Taxes | 52 | 70 | |||
Environmental (Note 11) | 20 | 20 | |||
Other | 28 | 39 | |||
Total | $ | 587 | $ | 600 |
NOTE 6. NET EARNINGS PER SHARE
Net earnings per share (EPS) is computed by dividing net earnings by the weighted average number of shares outstanding each period on an unrounded basis. Diluted EPS reflects the earnings dilution that could occur from shares that may be issued through stock options, restricted stock awards, performance units and other awards. The weighted average numbers of shares outstanding used to calculate basic and diluted EPS were as follows (in thousands):
Weighted Average Number of | |||||||
Shares Outstanding | |||||||
Three Months Ended | Six Months Ended | ||||||
12/31/2008 | 12/31/2007 | 12/31/2008 | 12/31/2007 | ||||
Basic | 139,086 | 138,750 | 138,772 | 141,264 | |||
Stock options, restricted stock awards, performance units and other | 1,987 | 2,276 | 2,169 | 2,138 | |||
Diluted | 141,073 | 141,026 | 140,941 | 143,402 |
The following table sets forth the securities not included in the calculation of diluted EPS because to do so would be anti-dilutive (in thousands):
Three Months Ended | Six Months Ended | ||||||
12/31/2008 | 12/31/2007 | 12/31/2008 | 12/31/2007 | ||||
Stock options and performance units | 5,000 | 78 | 5,000 | 378 |
Shares of common stock issued by the Company were as follows (in thousands):
Three Months Ended | Six Months Ended | ||||||
12/31/2008 | 12/31/2007 | 12/31/2008 | 12/31/2007 | ||||
Stock options, restricted stock awards, performance units and other | 325 | 366 | 1,180 | 563 |
10
During the six months ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, the Company repurchased $0 and $118 (2.0 million shares), respectively, under its program to offset the impact of share dilution related to share-based awards (the Evergreen Program).
No shares were repurchased under the open-market program during the six months ended December 31, 2008. In August 2007, the Company entered into an Accelerated Share Repurchase (ASR) agreement with two investment banks in which the Company received 10.9 million shares in August 2007 and 1.1 million shares in January 2008. The average per share amount paid for all shares purchased under the ASR agreement was $62.08 for an aggregate of $750.
NOTE 7. COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME
Comprehensive (loss) income includes net earnings and certain adjustments that are excluded from net earnings, but included as a separate component of stockholders’ deficit, net of tax. Comprehensive (loss) income was as follows:
Three Months Ended | Six Months Ended | ||||||||||||
12/31/2008 | 12/31/2007 | 12/31/2008 | 12/31/2007 | ||||||||||
Net earnings | $ | 86 | $ | 92 | $ | 214 | $ | 203 | |||||
Other comprehensive (losses) gains, net of tax: | |||||||||||||
Foreign currency translations adjustments | (73 | ) | 10 | (120 | ) | 24 | |||||||
Net derivative adjustments | (23 | ) | 8 | (55 | ) | 6 | |||||||
Pension and postretirement benefit adjustments | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||
Total comprehensive (loss) income | $ | (9 | ) | $ | 111 | $ | 40 | $ | 234 |
The decrease in comprehensive income is primarily due to weakened foreign currencies and the decreased fair value of commodity derivative contracts during both the three and the six months ended December 31, 2008.
NOTE 8. INCOME TAXES
In determining its quarterly provision for income taxes, the Company uses an estimated annual effective tax rate, which is based on expected annual income, statutory tax rates and tax planning opportunities available in the various jurisdictions in which the Company operates. Certain significant or unusual items are separately recognized in the quarter in which they occur and can be a source of variability in the effective tax rates from quarter to quarter.
As of December 31, 2008 and June 30, 2008, the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits was $95 and $103, respectively, of which $87 and $93, respectively, would reduce income tax expense and the effective tax rate if recognized.
The Company continues to recognize interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions as a component of income tax expense. As of December 31, 2008 and June 30, 2008, the total balance of accrued interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions was $15 and $18, respectively. Interest and penalties included in income tax expense were $1 and ($1) for the three and six months ended December 31, 2008, and $1 and $5 for the three and six months ended December 31, 2007, respectively.
The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal and various state, local and foreign jurisdictions. Certain issues relating to 2003 and 2004 are under review by the IRS Appeals Division. The Company settled the 2005 year with the IRS in the second quarter of fiscal year 2009 and made payments of tax and interest of $2. No tax benefits had previously been recognized for these payments. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) was examining the Company’s 2006 income tax return as of December 31, 2008. Various income tax returns in state and foreign jurisdictions are currently in the process of examination.
In the twelve months succeeding December 31, 2008 and June 30, 2008, audit resolutions could potentially reduce total unrecognized tax benefits by up to $33 and $28, respectively, primarily as a result of cash payments. Audit outcomes and the timing of audit settlements are subject to significant uncertainty.
11
NOTE 9. RETIREMENT INCOME AND HEALTH CARE BENEFIT PLANS
The following table summarizes the components of net periodic benefit cost for the Company’s retirement income plans:
Retirement Income Plans for the | |||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended | Six Months Ended | ||||||||||||||
12/31/2008 | 12/31/2007 | 12/31/2008 | 12/31/2007 | ||||||||||||
Components of net periodic benefit cost (income): | |||||||||||||||
Service cost | $ | 3 | $ | 3 | $ | 6 | $ | 6 | |||||||
Interest cost | 8 | 7 | 15 | 14 | |||||||||||
Expected return on plan assets | (7 | ) | (7 | ) | (14 | ) | (14 | ) | |||||||
Amortization of unrecognized items | 2 | 1 | 3 | 3 | |||||||||||
Total net periodic benefit cost | $ | 6 | $ | 4 | $ | 10 | $ | 9 | |||||||
Health Care Plans for the | |||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended | Six Months Ended | ||||||||||||||
12/31/2008 | 12/31/2007 | 12/31/2008 | 12/31/2007 | ||||||||||||
Components of net periodic benefit cost (income): | |||||||||||||||
Service cost | $ | 1 | $ | 1 | $ | 1 | $ | 1 | |||||||
Interest cost | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 | |||||||||||
Amortization of unrecognized items | (1 | ) | (1 | ) | (1 | ) | (1 | ) | |||||||
Total net periodic benefit cost | $ | 2 | $ | 1 | $ | 3 | $ | 2 |
The fair value of the Company’s pension plan assets declined approximately 28% from $316 at June 30, 2008, to $227 at December 31, 2008. There have been further declines in the fair value of the Company’s pension plan assets since December 31, 2008, and the Company continues to monitor the fair value of its pension plan assets. However, based on current pension funding rules, the Company is not required to make any contributions in fiscal year 2009.
NOTE 10. GUARANTEES
In conjunction with divestitures and other transactions, the Company may provide indemnifications relating to the enforceability of trademarks; pre-existing legal, tax, environmental and employee liabilities; as well as provisions for product returns and other items. The Company has indemnification agreements in effect that specify a maximum possible indemnification exposure. As of December 31, 2008, the Company’s aggregate maximum exposure from these agreements is $28 and the Company had not made, nor does it anticipate making, any payments relating to the indemnities.
In addition to the indemnification agreements in effect, the Company entered into an agreement with Henkel regarding certain tax matters in conjunction with a Share Exchange Agreement. The Company and Henkel agreed to be responsible for each other’s taxes on the transaction if their respective actions result in a breach of certain tax representations and warranties in a manner that causes the share-exchange to fail to qualify for tax-free treatment. The Company is unable to estimate the amount of maximum potential liability relating to the tax indemnification but notes that the tax exposure, if any, could be very significant. Any exposure under the agreement would be limited to taxes assessed prior to the expiration of the statute of limitations period for assessing taxes on the share exchange transaction.
12
During the first quarter of fiscal year 2008, the Company entered into an agreement with the IRS, agreeing to the tax-free treatment of the share exchange transaction. Henkel has advised the Company that the IRS has completed its audit of Henkel’s U.S. group’s federal income tax return for the year in which the share exchange transaction took place and did not propose any adjustments to Henkel’s tax-free treatment of the share exchange transaction. Thus, while the statutes of limitations permitting IRS assessment of tax against the Company and Henkel with respect to the share exchange transaction remain open, it appears likely that the tax-free treatment of the exchange transaction will be sustained.
The Company is a party to letters of credit of $23, primarily related to one of its insurance carriers.
The Company has not recorded any liabilities on any of the aforementioned guarantees at December 31, 2008.
NOTE 11. CONTINGENCIES
The Company is involved in certain environmental matters, including Superfund and other response actions at various locations. The Company recorded a liability of $20 at both December 31, 2008 and June 30, 2008 for its share of the related aggregate future remediation cost. One matter in Dickinson County, Michigan, for which the Company is jointly and severally liable, accounts for a substantial majority of the recorded liability at both September 30, 2008 and June 30, 2008. The Company is subject to a cost-sharing arrangement with Ford Motor Co. (Ford) for this matter, under which the Company has agreed to be liable for 24.3% of the aggregate remediation and associated costs, other than legal fees, as the Company and Ford are each responsible for their own such fees. If Ford is unable to pay its share of the response and remediation obligations, the Company would likely be responsible for such obligations. In October 2004, the Company and Ford agreed to a consent judgment with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, which sets forth certain remediation goals and monitoring activities. Based on the current status of this matter, and with the assistance of environmental consultants, the Company maintains an undiscounted liability representing its best estimate of its share of costs associated with the capital expenditures, maintenance and other costs to be incurred over an estimated 30-year remediation period. The most significant components of the liability relate to the estimated costs associated with the remediation of groundwater contamination and excess levels of subterranean methane deposits. The Company made payments of less than $1 during each of the three and six months ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, towards remediation efforts. Currently, the Company cannot accurately predict the timing of the payments that will likely be made under this estimated obligation. In addition, the Company’s estimated loss exposure is sensitive to a variety of uncertain factors, including the efficacy of remediation efforts, changes in remediation requirements and the timing, varying costs and alternative clean-up technologies that may become available in the future. Although it is possible that the Company’s exposure may exceed the amount recorded, any amount of such additional exposures, or range of exposures, is not estimable at this time.
The Company is subject to various other lawsuits and claims relating to issues such as contract disputes, product liability, patents and trademarks, advertising, employee and other matters. Although the results of claims and litigation cannot be predicted with certainty, it is the opinion of management that the ultimate disposition of these matters, to the extent not previously provided for, will not have a material adverse effect, individually or in the aggregate, on the Company’s consolidated financial statements taken as a whole.
NOTE 12. SEGMENT RESULTS
The Company operates through two operating segments: North America and International. The North America operating segment includes all products marketed in the United States and Canada. The International operating segment includes operations outside the United States and Canada. Each segment is individually managed with separate operating results that are reviewed regularly by the chief operating decision maker.
Corporate includes certain nonallocated administrative costs, amortization of trademarks and other intangible assets, interest income, interest expense, foreign exchange gains and losses, and other nonoperating income and expense.
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The table below presents segment information.
Net Sales | |||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended | Six Months Ended | ||||||||||||||
12/31/2008 | 12/31/2007 | 12/31/2008 | 12/31/2007 | ||||||||||||
North America | $ | 1,007 | $ | 977 | $ | 2,174 | $ | 2,026 | |||||||
International | 209 | 209 | 426 | 399 | |||||||||||
Corporate | - | - | - | - | |||||||||||
Total Company | $ | 1,216 | $ | 1,186 | $ | 2,600 | $ | 2,425 | |||||||
Earnings (Losses) | |||||||||||||||
Before Income Taxes | |||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended | Six Months Ended | ||||||||||||||
12/31/2008 | 12/31/2007 | 12/31/2008 | 12/31/2007 | ||||||||||||
North America | $ | 273 | $ | 257 | $ | 602 | $ | 543 | |||||||
International | 29 | 38 | 58 | 75 | |||||||||||
Corporate | (171 | ) | (167 | ) | (343 | ) | (316 | ) | |||||||
Total Company | $ | 131 | $ | 128 | $ | 317 | $ | 302 |
During the three and six months ended December 31, 2008, earnings before income taxes included $3 and $8 in the North America segment, respectively, and $0 and $1 in the International and Corporate segments, respectively, of restructuring and asset impairment costs and incremental cost of products sold charges (Note 2).
During the three and six months ended December 31, 2007, earnings before income taxes included $2 and $27 in the North America segment, respectively, and $3 and $5 in the International and Corporate segments, respectively, of restructuring and asset impairment costs and incremental cost of products sold charges (Note 2).
Net sales to the Company’s largest customer, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. and its affiliates, were 26% of consolidated net sales for each of the three and six months ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations
(Dollars in millions, except share and per share amounts)
Overview
The Clorox Company (the Company or Clorox) is a leading manufacturer and marketer of consumer products. The Company sells it products primarily through mass merchandisers, grocery stores and other retail outlets. Clorox markets some of consumers’ most trusted and recognized brand names, including its namesake bleach and cleaning products, Green Works™ natural cleaners, Poett® and Mistolín® cleaning products, Armor All® and STP® auto-care products, Fresh Step® and Scoop Away® cat litter, Kingsford® charcoal, Hidden Valley® and KC Masterpiece® dressings and sauces, Brita® water-filtration systems, Glad® bags, wraps and containers, and Burt’s Bees® natural personal care products. With approximately 8,300 employees worldwide, the Company manufactures products in more than 15 countries and markets them in more than 100 countries.
The Company operates through two operating segments: North America and International. The North America operating segment includes all products marketed in the United States and Canada. The International operating segment includes all products marketed outside the United States and Canada. The Company reflects certain nonallocated administrative costs, amortization of trademarks and other intangible assets, interest income, interest expense, foreign exchange gains and losses, and other nonoperating income and expense, in its Corporate segment.
The Company primarily markets its leading brands in midsized categories with attractive economic and competitive sets. Most of the Company’s products compete with other nationally-advertised brands within each category and with “private-label” brands.
The Company reported net earnings of $86 and $214 and diluted net earnings per share of $0.62 and $1.52 for the three and six months ended December 31, 2008, respectively. This compares to net earnings of $92 and $203 and diluted net earnings per share of $0.65 and $1.41 for the three and six months ended December 31, 2007, respectively. Restructuring costs and incremental cost of products sold charges were $0.01 and $0.04 per diluted share on an after-tax basis for the three and six months ended December 31, 2008. This compares to restructuring and asset impairment costs and incremental cost of products sold of $0.02 and $0.14 per diluted share on an after-tax basis for the three and six months ended December 31, 2007 (See “Restructuring and asset impairment costs” below for more information).
The Company continues to face a volatile cost environment, largely driven by cost pressures, including commodity costs, primarily resin and agricultural commodities, and increased energy-related manufacturing and logistics costs. The Company is addressing these challenges through price increases, on-going cost savings programs, focus on product mix and assortment, innovative product improvements and new products, and advertising and trade promotional spending to support and grow its brands.
The following discussion of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2008, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on August 19, 2008, and the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes contained in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q.
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Results of Operations
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of the Results of Operations, unless otherwise noted, compares the three and six months ended December 31, 2008 (the current periods), to the three and six months ended December 31, 2007 (the prior periods), using percentages calculated on a rounded basis, except as noted.
Three Months Ended | % of Net Sales | |||||||||||||
12/31/2008 | 12/31/2007 | % Change | 12/31/2008 | 12/31/2007 | ||||||||||
Diluted net earnings per share | $ | 0.62 | $ | 0.65 | (5 | )% | ||||||||
Net sales | $ | 1,216 | $ | 1,186 | 3 | % | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | ||||
Gross profit | 486 | 479 | 1 | 40.0 | 40.4 | |||||||||
Selling and administrative expenses | 172 | 168 | 2 | 14.1 | 14.2 | |||||||||
Advertising costs | 107 | 109 | (2 | ) | 8.8 | 9.2 | ||||||||
Research and development costs | 27 | 28 | (4 | ) | 2.2 | 2.4 | ||||||||
Six Months Ended | % of Net Sales | |||||||||||||
12/31/2008 | 12/31/2007 | % Change | 12/31/2008 | 12/31/2007 | ||||||||||
Diluted net earnings per share | $ | 1.52 | $ | 1.41 | 8 | % | ||||||||
Net sales | $ | 2,600 | $ | 2,425 | 7 | % | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | ||||
Gross profit | 1,048 | 1,007 | 4 | 40.3 | 41.5 | |||||||||
Selling and administrative expenses | 356 | 323 | 10 | 13.7 | 13.3 | |||||||||
Advertising costs | 226 | 227 | - | 8.7 | 9.4 | |||||||||
Research and development costs | 54 | 51 | 6 | 2.1 | 2.1 |
Diluted net earnings per sharedecreased by $0.03 and increased by $0.11 in the current periods, respectively, compared to the prior periods. The decrease during the three months ended December 31, 2008, was primarily due to increased commodity costs, primarily resin, higher manufacturing and logistic costs and a higher effective tax rate. The increase during the six months ended December 31, 2008, was primarily due to volume growth, price increases, the benefit of cost savings and lower restructuring and impairment charges (See “Restructuring and asset impairment costs” section below) partially offset by increased commodity costs and a higher effective tax rate.
Net salesincreased 3% and 7% in the current periods, respectively, compared to the prior periods, while volume decreased 1% and increased 2% in the current periods, respectively, compared to the prior periods.
The volume decrease in the current quarter was primarily driven by the Company’s exit from the private-label food bags business and lower shipments of Glad® trash bags, Pine-Sol® cleaner and Clorox® liquid bleach due to the impact of pricing. The volume decline was partially offset by volume growth due to the acquisition of Burt’s Bees Inc. (BBI) on November 30, 2007, increased shipments of Clorox® disinfecting wipes, Hidden Valley® bottled salad dressing and bleach and dilutable cleaners in Latin America, the launch of Green Works™, and higher shipments of Clorox 2® stain fighter & color booster.
The volume growth during the six months ended December 31, 2008, was primarily driven by the acquisition of BBI, the launch of Green Works™, increased shipments of bleach and dilutable cleaners in Latin America, increased shipments of Clorox® disinfecting wipes, continued growth in cat litter, higher shipments of Clorox 2® stain fighter & color booster and Hidden Valley® bottled salad dressing, and strong results in Brita®. These volume increases were partially offset by the Company’s exit from the private-label food bags business and lower shipments of Pine-Sol® cleaner, Clorox® liquid bleach and Clorox® disinfecting cleaner due to the impact of pricing.
Net sales growth outpaced the change in volume in both periods primarily due to price increases. These were partially offset by unfavorable exchange rates.
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Gross profitdecreased 40 basis points and 120 basis points as a percentage of sales for the current periods, respectively, compared to the prior periods. The decline was largely due to increased commodity costs, primarily resin, unfavorable foreign exchange and higher manufacturing and logistics costs. These factors were partially offset by volume growth, price increases and the benefit of cost savings.
Selling and administrative expensesincreased 2% and 10% in the current periods, respectively, compared to the prior periods. The increase for both periods was primarily driven by the acquisition of BBI. The increase for the current quarter was partially offset by lower incentive compensation accruals. Also contributing to the increase for the six months ended December 31, 2008, were incremental investments to support our Centennial strategy, including additional sales resources to support growth in the grocery channel and higher commissions resulting from sales growth.
Advertising costsremained relatively consistent in comparison to the prior periods as the Company continues to support its new products and established brands.
Research and development costsremained relatively consistent in comparison to the prior periods as the Company continues to support product innovations.
Restructuring and asset impairment costs in the current and prior periods relate to a restructuring plan which the Company began in fiscal year 2008. The plan involves simplifying its supply chain and other restructuring activities (Supply Chain and Other restructuring plan). In February 2009, the Company expanded its Supply Chain and Other restructuring plan to include additional costs, primarily severance, associated with the Company’s plan to reduce certain staffing levels.
The Supply Chain restructuring involves closing certain domestic and international manufacturing facilities. The Company is redistributing production from these facilities between the remaining facilities and third-party producers to optimize available capacity and reduce operating costs. The Company anticipates the Supply Chain restructuring will be completed in fiscal year 2012. The Other restructuring charges relate primarily to the write-down of certain new venture investments, intangible assets and equipment and the cost of exiting the Company’s private-label food bags business in fiscal year 2008, which the Company decided not to pursue. As a result of the Supply Chain and Other restructuring plan, a number of positions are being eliminated.
17
The following table summarizes, by segment, the total restructuring costs associated with the Company’s Supply Chain and Other restructuring plan for the three and six months ended December 31, 2008 and 2007:
Three Months Ended 12/31/08 | Six Months Ended 12/31/08 | ||||||||||||||||
North | International | North | International | ||||||||||||||
America | and Corporate | Total | America | and Corporate | Total | ||||||||||||
Cost of products sold | $ | 2 | $ | - | $ | 2 | $ | 6 | $ | 1 | $ | 7 | |||||
Restructuring: | |||||||||||||||||
Severance | 1 | - | 1 | 2 | - | 2 | |||||||||||
Total costs | $ | 3 | $ | - | $ | 3 | $ | 8 | $ | 1 | $ | 9 | |||||
Non-cash costs | $ | 1 | $ | 5 | |||||||||||||
Three Months Ended 12/31/07 | Six Months Ended 12/31/07 | ||||||||||||||||
North | International | North | International | ||||||||||||||
America | and Corporate | Total | America | and Corporate | Total | ||||||||||||
Cost of products sold | $ | 2 | $ | 1 | $ | 3 | $ | 4 | $ | 1 | $ | 5 | |||||
Restructuring and asset impairment: | |||||||||||||||||
Severance | - | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | |||||||||||
Asset impairment | - | - | - | 22 | 2 | 24 | |||||||||||
Total restructuring and asset impairment costs | $ | - | $ | 2 | $ | 2 | $ | 23 | $ | 4 | $ | 27 | |||||
Total costs | $ | 2 | $ | 3 | $ | 5 | $ | 27 | $ | 5 | $ | 32 | |||||
Non-cash costs | $ | 3 | $ | 28 |
Total restructuring payments for the three and six months ended December 31, 2008, were $3 and $5, respectively and the total accrued restructuring liability as of December 31, 2008, was $2.
Total costs to date associated with the Supply Chain and Other restructuring plan were $55 for the North America segment and $13 for the International and Corporate segments at December 31, 2008.
Including the February 2009 expansion of the Supply Chain and Other restructuring plan, the Company anticipates incurring approximately $35 to $37 of Supply Chain and Other restructuring-related charges in fiscal year 2009, of which approximately $6 are expected to be non-cash related. Excluding the costs associated with the decision to expand the plan in February 2009, the Company anticipates that approximately $19 to $24 of the fiscal year 2009 charges will be in the North America segment, including approximately $16 to $20 which are estimated to be recognized as cost of products sold charges (including accelerated depreciation for manufacturing equipment and other costs associated with the Supply Chain restructuring), and the remainder will be severance charges. The Company is currently evaluating which segments will be impacted by the restructuring plan expansion announced in February 2009. The total anticipated charges related to the Supply Chain and Other restructuring plan for the fiscal years 2010 through 2012 are estimated to be approximately $25 to $30.
The Company may, from time to time, decide to pursue additional restructuring-related initiatives that involve charges in future periods.
Interest expensedecreased by $2 and increased by $7, respectively, in the current periods. The decrease in the current quarter was primarily due to a lower weighted average interest rate for total debt, partially offset by higher debt levels, used to finance the BBI acquisition and the Accelerated Share Repurchase (ASR) (See “Share Repurchases” section under Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources below). The increase in the six months ended December 31, 2008, was primarily due to higher debt levels.
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Other expense (income), netwas $4 and $7 for the current periods, compared with $(2) for each of the prior periods. The change in other expense (income), net, was primarily due to decreased interest income and increased other costs.
The effective tax ratewas 33.9% and 32.5% for the current periods, respectively, as compared to 28.4% and 32.8% for the prior periods, respectively, on an unrounded basis. The lower rate in the year-ago quarter and the current year-to-date period was primarily the result of tax settlements.
SEGMENTRESULTS
NORTH AMERICA
Three Months Ended | Six Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||
12/31/2008 | 12/31/2007 | % Change | 12/31/2008 | 12/31/2007 | % Change | ||||||||||||
Net sales | $ | 1,007 | $ | 977 | 3 | % | $ | 2,174 | $ | 2,026 | 7 | % | |||||
Earnings before income taxes | 273 | 257 | 6 | % | 602 | 543 | 11 | % |
North America reported 3% net sales growth, 2% volume decline and 6% increase in earnings before income taxes, for the current quarter as compared to the year-ago quarter. The segment also reported 7% net sales growth, 1% volume growth and 11% increase in earnings before income taxes for the six months ended December 31, 2008, as compared to the year-ago period.
Volume decline in the current quarter was primarily driven by the Company’s exit from the private-label food bags business and lower shipments of Glad® trash bags, Pine-Sol® cleaner and Clorox® liquid bleach due to the impact of pricing. The volume decline was partially offset by volume growth due to the acquisition of BBI on November 30, 2007, increased shipments of Clorox® disinfecting wipes and Hidden Valley® bottled salad dressing, the launch of Green Works™ and higher shipments of Clorox 2® stain fighter & color booster.
Volume growth during the six months ended December 31, 2008, was primarily driven by the acquisition of BBI, the launch of Green Works™, increased shipments of Clorox® disinfecting wipes, continued growth in cat litter, primarily related to Fresh Step® scoopable cat litter, higher shipments of Clorox 2® stain fighter & color booster, which was relaunched with a concentrated formula, increased shipments of Hidden Valley® bottled salad dressing, and strong results in Brita®. These volume increases were partially offset by the Company’s exit from the private-label food bags business and lower shipments of Pine-Sol® cleaner, Clorox® liquid bleach and Clorox® disinfecting cleaner due to the impact of pricing.
Net sales growth outpaced the change in volume in both periods primarily due to price increases. These were partially offset by an unfavorable Canadian exchange rate.
The increase in earnings before income taxes in both periods was primarily driven by the impact of pricing, cost savings and lower restructuring and asset impairment charges, partially offset by unfavorable commodity, manufacturing and logistic costs.
INTERNATIONAL
Three Months Ended | Six Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||
12/31/2008 | 12/31/2007 | % Change | 12/31/2008 | 12/31/2007 | % Change | ||||||||||||
Net sales | $ | 209 | $ | 209 | - | % | $ | 426 | $ | 399 | 7 | % | |||||
Earnings before income taxes | 29 | 38 | (24 | )% | 58 | 75 | (23 | )% |
International reported flat sales, 3% volume growth and 24% decrease in earnings before income taxes for the current quarter as compared to the year-ago quarter. The segment also reported 7% net sales growth, 4% volume growth and 23% decrease in earnings before income taxes for the six months ended December 31, 2008, as compared to the year-ago period.
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Volume growth for both of the current periods was primarily driven by laundry and homecare product sales growth in Latin America. Volume growth outpaced net sales in the current quarter primarily due to unfavorable foreign exchange rates, partially offset by the impact of pricing. Net sales outpaced volume growth in the six months ended December 31, 2008, primarily due to the impact of pricing.
The decrease in earnings before income taxes for both periods was primarily related to increased cost of products sold, including unfavorable foreign exchange, unfavorable commodity, manufacturing and logistic costs, higher joint venture royalties, and increased advertising expense, partially offset by sales growth.
CORPORATE
Three Months Ended | Six Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||
12/31/2008 | 12/31/2007 | % Change | 12/31/2008 | 12/31/2007 | % Change | ||||||||||||||||
Loss before income taxes | $ | (171 | ) | $ | (167 | ) | 2 | % | $ | (343 | ) | $ | (316 | ) | 9 | % |
Losses before income taxes attributable to the corporate segment increased by 2% and 9% in the current periods, respectively, as compared to prior periods. The increase for both periods was primarily attributable to increased professional services costs, partially offset by lower incentive compensation costs for the current quarter. Also contributing to the increase in losses before income taxes for the six months ended December 31, 2008, were higher compensation costs and increased interest expense.
Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources
Operating Activities
The Company’s financial condition and liquidity remain strong as of December 31, 2008. Net cash provided by operations was $191 for the six months ended December 31, 2008, compared to $311 for the six months ended December 31, 2007. The decrease was primarily due to the timing of tax and interest payments.
The fair value of the Company’s pension plan assets declined approximately 28% from $316 at June 30, 2008, to $227 at December 31, 2008. There have been further declines in the fair value of the Company’s pension plan assets since December 31, 2008, and the Company continues to monitor the fair value of its pension plan assets. However, based on current pension funding rules, the Company is not required to make any contributions in fiscal year 2009. The Company is considering making a voluntary contribution to the Company’s pension plan of approximately $20 to $25 during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2009.
Approximately 20% of the Company’s net sales are generated outside of the United States. As a result, the Company is exposed to currency exchange rate risks and risks associated with economic or political instability. During the six months ended December 31, 2008, the Company experienced devaluation of certain foreign currencies versus the U.S. Dollar and expects certain foreign currencies to continue to experience devaluation versus the U.S. dollar during fiscal year 2009.
Working Capital
The Company’s balance of working capital, defined in this context as total current assets net of total current liabilities, increased $23 from June 30, 2008 to December 31, 2008, principally due to decreases in accrued liabilities, accounts payable and notes and loans payable and an increase in inventories, partially offset by a decrease in accounts receivable. The $98 decrease in accrued liabilities and accounts payable was primarily driven by $54 of capital projects payments and $34 of profit sharing and incentive compensation payments, $39 related to a reduction in the fair value of the Company’s commodity derivatives and increases in inventories of $21 primarily due to seasonal inventory builds and higher commodity costs. These working capital changes were partially offset by a $96 decrease in receivables, driven by the seasonality of sales in the charcoal category.
20
Investing Activities
Capital expenditures were $84 during the six months ended December 31, 2008, compared to $71 in the comparable prior year period. Capital spending as a percentage of net sales was 3.2% during the six months ended December 31, 2008, compared to 2.9% during the six months ended December 31, 2007. Higher capital spending during the six months ended December 31, 2008, was driven primarily by the Company’s manufacturing network consolidation efforts.
On November 30, 2007, the Company acquired BBI, a leading manufacturer and marketer of natural personal care products, for an aggregate price of $913, excluding $25 that the Company paid for tax benefits associated with the agreement. The Company also incurred $8 of costs in connection with the acquisition of BBI.
Financing Activities
Net cash used for financing activities was $210 for the six months ended December 31, 2008, compared to net cash provided by financing activities of $768 in the comparable prior year period. The change in cash used for financing activities was primarily due to borrowings to finance the acquisition of BBI and share repurchases in the prior period. Cash used for financing activities was primarily to pay down debt.
At December 31, 2008, the Company had $666 of commercial paper outstanding at a weighted average interest rate of 3.7%. At June 30, 2008, the Company had $781 of commercial paper outstanding at a weighted average interest rate of 2.9%. The credit markets, including the commercial paper markets in the United States, experienced significant volatility during the six months ended December 31, 2008. The Company continues to successfully issue commercial paper. Continuing volatility in the capital markets may increase costs associated with issuing commercial paper or other debt instruments or affect our ability to access those markets. Notwithstanding these adverse market conditions, the Company believes that current cash balances and cash generated by operations, together with access to external sources of funds as described below, will be sufficient to meet the Company’s operating and capital needs in the foreseeable future.
Credit Arrangements
At December 31, 2008, the Company had a $1,200 revolving credit agreement, which expires in April 2013. The Company believes that borrowings under the revolving credit facility are now available and will continue to be available for general corporate purposes and to support commercial paper issuances. The $1,200 revolving credit agreement includes certain restrictive covenants. The primary restrictive covenant is a maximum total debt to EBITDA for the trailing 4 quarters ratio (EBITDA ratio), as contractually defined, of 3.5 through December 30, 2008, and 3.25 thereafter. EBITDA as defined by the revolving credit agreement may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other entities. The Company’s EBITDA ratio at December 31, 2008, was 3.11.
The following table sets forth the calculation of the EBITDA ratio, as contractually defined, at December 31, 2008:
Three Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||||
3/31/2008 | 6/30/2008 | 9/30/2008 | 12/31/2008 | Total | |||||||||||||||
Net earnings | $ | 100 | $ | 158 | $ | 128 | $ | 86 | $ | 472 | |||||||||
Add back: | |||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense | 46 | 43 | 42 | 44 | 175 | ||||||||||||||
Income tax expense | 51 | 82 | 58 | 45 | 236 | ||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 56 | 51 | 47 | 46 | 200 | ||||||||||||||
Non-cash restructuring and asset impairment charges | 5 | - | - | - | 5 | ||||||||||||||
Deduct: | |||||||||||||||||||
Interest income | (3 | ) | (2 | ) | (2 | ) | (1 | ) | (8 | ) | |||||||||
EBITDA | $ | 255 | $ | 332 | $ | 273 | $ | 220 | $ | 1,080 | |||||||||
Debt at December 31, 2008 | $ | 3,356 | |||||||||||||||||
EBITDA ratio | 3.11 |
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The Company is in compliance with all restrictive covenants and limitations as of December 31, 2008. The Company anticipates being in compliance with all restrictive covenants for the foreseeable future.
The following banks participate in the Company’s revolving credit agreement:
Bank | Committed | |
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. | $ | 255 |
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | 180 | |
Citicorp USA, Inc. | 180 | |
The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd. | 150 | |
BNP Paribas | 100 | |
William Street LLC * | 100 | |
Lehman Brothers Bank, FSB | 100 | |
The Northern Trust Company | 50 | |
PNC Bank, National Association | 50 | |
Fifth Third Bank | 35 | |
Total | $ | 1,200 |
* William Street LLC is a subsidiary of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.
On September 15, 2008, Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc., filed a petition under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy code with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York. To the Company’s knowledge, Lehman Brothers Bank, FSB, an affiliate of Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc., has not filed a petition in bankruptcy. If Lehman Brothers Bank, FSB is unable to fulfill their funding commitments, the Company believes it has sufficient remaining borrowing capacity under its revolving credit agreement to meet its commercial paper maturity requirements should the Company be unable to issue commercial paper. On December 31, 2008, Wells Fargo & Company completed its merger with Wachovia Corporation. The Company is continuing to monitor changes in the financial markets and assessing the impact of these events on its ability to fully draw under its revolving credit facility, but expects that any drawing under the facility will be substantially satisfied.
In addition, the Company had $44 of foreign working capital credit lines and other facilities at December 31, 2008, of which $22 was available for borrowing.
Share Repurchases
The Company has two share repurchase programs: an open-market purchase program, which had, as of December 31, 2008, a total authorization of $750, and a program to offset the impact of share dilution related to share-based awards (Evergreen Program), which has no authorization limit as to amount or timing of repurchases.
No shares were repurchased under the open-market program during the six months ended December 31, 2008. In August 2007, the Company entered into an ASR agreement with two investment banks in which the Company received 10.9 million shares in August 2007 and 1.1 million shares in January 2008. The average per share amount paid for all shares purchased under the ASR agreement was $62.08 for an aggregate of $750.
Share repurchases under the Evergreen Program were zero during the six months ended December 31, 2008, and $118 (2 million shares) during the six months ended December 31, 2007.
22
Guarantees
In conjunction with divestitures and other transactions, the Company may provide indemnifications relating to the enforceability of trademarks; pre-existing legal, tax, environmental and employee liabilities; as well as provisions for product returns and other items. The Company has indemnification agreements in effect that specify a maximum possible indemnification exposure. As of December 31, 2008, the Company’s aggregate maximum exposure from these agreements is $28 and the Company had not made, nor does it anticipate making, any payments relating to the indemnities.
In addition to the indemnification agreements in effect, the Company entered into an agreement with Henkel regarding certain tax matters in conjunction with a Share Exchange Agreement. The Company and Henkel agreed to be responsible for each other’s taxes on the transaction if their respective actions result in a breach of certain tax representations and warranties in a manner that causes the share-exchange to fail to qualify for tax-free treatment. The Company is unable to estimate the amount of maximum potential liability relating to the tax indemnification but notes that the tax exposure, if any, could be very significant. Any exposure under the agreement would be limited to taxes assessed prior to the expiration of the statute of limitations period for assessing taxes on the share exchange transaction.
During the first quarter of fiscal year 2008, the Company entered into an agreement with the IRS, agreeing to the tax-free treatment of the share exchange transaction. Henkel has advised the Company that the IRS has completed its audit of Henkel’s U.S. group’s federal income tax return for the year in which the share exchange transaction took place and did not propose any adjustments to Henkel’s tax-free treatment of the share exchange transaction. Thus, while the statutes of limitations permitting IRS assessment of tax against the Company and Henkel with respect to the share exchange transaction remain open, it appears likely that the tax-free treatment of the exchange transaction will be sustained.
The Company is a party to letters of credit of $23, primarily related to one of its insurance carriers.
The Company has not recorded any liabilities on any of the aforementioned guarantees at December 31, 2008.
Contingencies
The Company is involved in certain environmental matters, including Superfund and other response actions at various locations. The Company recorded a liability of $20 at both December 31, 2008 and June 30, 2008, for its share of the related aggregate future remediation cost. One matter in Dickinson County, Michigan, for which the Company is jointly and severally liable, accounts for a substantial majority of the recorded liability at both December 31, 2008 and June 30, 2008. The Company is subject to a cost-sharing arrangement with Ford Motor Co. (Ford) for this matter, under which the Company has agreed to be liable for 24.3% of the aggregate remediation and associated costs, other than legal fees, as the Company and Ford are each responsible for their own such fees. If Ford is unable to pay its share of the response and remediation obligations, the Company would likely be responsible for such obligations. In October 2004, the Company and Ford agreed to a consent judgment with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, which sets forth certain remediation goals and monitoring activities. Based on the current status of this matter, and with the assistance of environmental consultants, the Company maintains an undiscounted liability representing its best estimate of its share of costs associated with the capital expenditures, maintenance and other costs to be incurred over an estimated 30-year remediation period. The most significant components of the liability relate to the estimated costs associated with the remediation of groundwater contamination and excess levels of subterranean methane deposits. The Company made payments of less than $1 during each of the three and six months ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, towards remediation efforts. Currently, the Company cannot accurately predict the timing of the payments that will likely be made under this estimated obligation. In addition, the Company’s estimated loss exposure is sensitive to a variety of uncertain factors, including the efficacy of remediation efforts, changes in remediation requirements and the timing, varying costs and alternative clean-up technologies that may become available in the future. Although it is possible that the Company’s exposure may exceed the amount recorded, any amount of such additional exposures, or range of exposures, is not estimable at this time.
The Company is subject to various other lawsuits and claims relating to issues such as contract disputes, product liability, patents and trademarks, advertising, employee and other matters. Although the results of claims and litigation cannot be predicted with certainty, it is the opinion of management that the ultimate disposition of these matters, to the extent not previously provided for, will not have a material adverse effect, individually or in the aggregate, on the Company’s consolidated financial statements taken as a whole.
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New Accounting Pronouncements
On July 1, 2008, the Company adopted the required portions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 157,Fair Value Measurements, and there was no material impact to the consolidated financial statements. This Statement defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in accordance with U.S. GAAP and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 currently applies to all financial assets and liabilities, and nonfinancial assets and liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at fair value on a recurring basis. In February 2008, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued FASB Staff Position No. FAS 157-2, delaying the effective date of SFAS No. 157 for nonfinancial assets and liabilities, except for items that are recognized or disclosed at fair value on a recurring basis. The delayed portions of SFAS No. 157 will be adopted by the Company beginning in its fiscal year ending June 30, 2010. The adoption of the nondelayed portions of SFAS No. 157 is more fully described in Note 3 to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159,The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. This Statement permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value. This Statement was effective for the Company beginning July 1, 2008. The Company has not applied the fair value option to any items; therefore, the Statement did not have an impact on the consolidated financial statements.
In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161,Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities—an amendment of SFAS No. 133. This Statement requires disclosures of how and why an entity uses derivative instruments, how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for and how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entity’s financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. SFAS No. 161 is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008, with early application encouraged. This Statement will be adopted by the Company no later than the beginning of the third quarter of its fiscal year ending June 30, 2009, as required. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that SFAS No. 161 will have on its consolidated financial statements, when it becomes effective.
In December 2008, the FASB issued FSP No. FAS 132(R)-1,Employer’s Disclosures about Postretirement Benefit Plan Assets. This FSP amends SFAS No. 132 (Revised 2003),Employers’ Disclosures about Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits, to expand the disclosure requirements for an employer's plan assets of a defined benefit pension or other postretirement plan. This FSP is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2009, with early application permitted. This FSP will be adopted by the Company in its consolidated financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2010, on a prospective basis. The Company is currently evaluating the impact the application of this FSP will have on its financial statements.
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Cautionary Statement
This Quarterly Report (this Report), including the exhibits hereto and the information incorporated by reference herein contains “forward looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), and such forward looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Except for historical information, matters discussed in this Report, including statements about future volume, sales, costs, cost savings, earnings, cash outflows, plans, objectives, expectations, growth, or profitability, are forward looking statements based on management’s estimates, assumptions and projections. Words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “targets,” “goals,” “projects,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” and variations on such words, and similar expressions, are intended to identify such forward looking statements. These forward looking statements are only predictions, subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results could differ materially from those discussed in this Report. Important factors that could affect performance and cause results to differ materially from management’s expectations are described in the sections entitled “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2008, as updated from time to time in the Company’s SEC filings. These factors include, but are not limited to, the Company’s costs, including volatility and increases in commodity costs such as resin, diesel, chlor-alkali, agricultural commodities and other raw materials; increases in energy costs; unfavorable general economic and marketplace conditions and events, including consumer confidence and consumer spending levels, the rate of economic growth, the rate of inflation, and the financial condition of our customers and suppliers; interest rate and foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations; unfavorable political conditions in international markets and risks relating to international operations; consumer and customer reaction to price increases; risks relating to acquisitions, mergers and divestitures; the ability of the Company to implement and generate expected savings from its programs to reduce costs, including its supply chain restructuring and operating model changes; the success of the Company’s previously announced Centennial Strategy; the need for any additional restructuring or asset-impairment charges; the Company’s ability to achieve the projected strategic and financial benefits from the Burt’s Bees acquisition; customer-specific ordering patterns and trends; the Company’s actual cost performance; changes in the Company’s tax rate; supply disruptions or any future supply constraints that may affect key commodities or product inputs; risks inherent in sole-supplier relationships; risks related to customer concentration; risks arising out of natural disasters; risks related to the handling and/or transportation of hazardous substances, including but not limited to chlorine; risks inherent in litigation; the Company’s ability to maintain its business reputation and the reputation of its brands; the impact of the volatility of the debt markets on the Company’s access to funds, including its access to commercial paper and its credit facility; risks inherent in maintaining an effective system of internal controls, including the potential impact of acquisitions or the use of third-party service providers; the ability to manage and realize the benefit of joint ventures and other cooperative relationships, including the Company’s joint venture regarding the Company’s Glad® plastic bags, wraps and containers business, and the agreement relating to the provision of information technology and related services by a third party; the success of new products; risks relating to changes in the Company’s capital structure; and the ability of the Company to successfully manage tax, regulatory, product liability, intellectual property, environmental and other legal matters, including the risk resulting from joint and several liability for environmental contingencies. Declines in cash flow, whether resulting from tax payments, debt payments, share repurchases, interest cost increases greater than management’s expectations, or increases in debt or changes in credit ratings, or otherwise, could adversely affect the Company’s earnings.
The Company’s forward looking statements in this Report are based on management’s current views and assumptions regarding future events and speak only as of their dates. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any such forward looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by the federal securities laws.
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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk.
There have not been any material changes to the Company’s market risk during the three and six months ended December 31, 2008, except as described in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in this Report. For additional information, refer to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2008.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures.
The Company’s management, with the participation of the Company’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, the chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report, were effective to provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and (ii) accumulated and communicated to management, including the chief executive officer and chief financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding disclosure. There was no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Company’s most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
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PART II – OTHER INFORMATION (Unaudited)
Item 1.A. Risk Factors.
For information regarding Risk Factors, please refer to Item 1.A. in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2008.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
The following table sets out the purchases of the Company’s securities by the Company during the second quarter of fiscal year 2009.
[a] | [b] | [c] | [d] | |||||||||
Total Number of | Maximum Number (or | |||||||||||
Shares (or Units) | Approximate Dollar | |||||||||||
Total Number of | Purchased as Part of | Value) that May Yet | ||||||||||
Shares (or Units) | Average Price Paid | Publicly Announced | Be Purchased Under the | |||||||||
Period | Purchased(1) | per Share (or Unit) | Plans or Programs | Plans or Programs(2) | ||||||||
October 1 to 31, 2008 | 12,155 | $ | 62.81 | - | $ | 750,000,000 | ||||||
November 1 to 30, 2008 | 2,165 | $ | 59.25 | - | $ | 750,000,000 | ||||||
December 1 to 31, 2008 | 309 | $ | 55.83 | - | $ | 750,000,000 |
(1) | All shares purchased relate to the surrender to the Company shares of common stock to satisfy withholding obligations in connection with the vesting of restricted stock granted to employees and the distribution of performance shares. | |
(2) | On May 13, 2008, the board of directors approved a $750,000,000 share repurchase program, all of which remains available for repurchase as of December 31, 2008. On September 1, 1999, the Company announced a share repurchase program to reduce or eliminate dilution upon the issuance of shares pursuant to the Company’s stock compensation plans. The program initiated in 1999 has no specified cap and therefore is not included in column [d] above. On November 15, 2005, the Board of Directors authorized the extension of the 1999 program to reduce or eliminate dilution in connection with issuances of common stock pursuant to the Company’s 2005 Stock Incentive Plan. |
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Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
At the Company’s 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on November 19, 2008, the following actions were taken:
The following Directors were elected to hold office until the next annual election of directors:
FOR | AGAINST | ABSTAINED | |
Daniel Boggan, Jr. | 113,604,963 | 7,867,095 | 371,717 |
Richard H. Carmona | 115,101,550 | 6,404,108 | 338,118 |
Tully M. Friedman | 113,680,554 | 7,818,596 | 344,625 |
George Harad | 115,183,077 | 6,318,691 | 342,009 |
Donald R. Knauss | 113,802,667 | 7,705,541 | 335,569 |
Robert W. Matschullat | 115,126,424 | 6,354,585 | 362,767 |
Gary G. Michael | 115,156,170 | 6,342,397 | 345,209 |
Edward A. Mueller | 114,180,522 | 7,314,854 | 348,400 |
Jan L. Murley | 115,072,487 | 6,443,118 | 328,171 |
Pamela Thomas-Graham | 115,182,701 | 6,355,509 | 305,566 |
Carolyn M. Ticknor | 115,218,374 | 6,332,958 | 292,444 |
A proposal to ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accountants for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2009, was approved by the stockholders. The stockholders cast 121,227,502 votes in favor of this proposal and 333,452 votes against. There were 282,821 abstentions.
Item 6. Exhibits.
(a)Exhibits
10.19 | The Clorox Company Amended and Restated Replacement Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan for the benefit of Donald R. Knauss, as adopted on December 19, 2008, and effective as of October 2, 2006. | |
31.1 | Certification by the Chief Executive Officer of the Company Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. | |
31.2 | Certification by the Chief Financial Officer of the Company Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. | |
32 | Certification by the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Company Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
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SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
THE CLOROX COMPANY | ||||
(Registrant) | ||||
DATE: February 5, 2009 | BY | /s/ Thomas D. Johnson | ||
Thomas D. Johnson | ||||
Vice President – Controller |
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EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No.
10.19 | The Clorox Company Amended and Restated Replacement Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan for the benefit of Donald R. Knauss, as adopted on December 19, 2008, and effective as of October 2, 2006. | |
31.1 | Certification by the Chief Executive Officer of the Company Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. | |
31.2 | Certification by the Chief Financial Officer of the Company Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. | |
32 | Certification by the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Company Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
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