Lifetime Brands (LCUT) 10-Q 2010 Q1 Quarterly report

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 March 31, 2010   or

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

For the transition period from _______ to _______

Commission File Number: 0-19254

LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	11-2682486
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

1000 Stewart Avenue, Garden City, New York, 11530

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

(516) 683-6000

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

Yes o No o 

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

Large accelerated filer	o	Accelerated filer	o
Non-accelerated filer	x (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)	Smaller reporting company	o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes o  No x

The number of shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding as of May 10, 2010 was 12,016,273.

LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.

FORM 10-Q

FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 2010

INDEX

Part I.	Financial Information	Page No.
Item 1.	Financial Statements
	Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets – March 31, 2010 (unaudited) and December 31, 2009	2
	Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations – Three Months Ended March 31, 2010 and 2009	3
	Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows – Three Months Ended March 31, 2010 and 2009	4
	Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements	5
	Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm	15
Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	16
Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	24
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	24
Part II.	Other Information
Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	25
Item 1A.	Risk Factors	25
Item 6.	Exhibits	25
Signatures		26

PART 1.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except share data)

	March 31,			December 31,
	2010			2009
	(unaudited)
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$	754		$	682
Accounts receivable, less allowances of $16,848 at 2010 and  $16,557 at 2009		55,335			61,552
Inventory (Note A)		101,811			103,931
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		8,054			7,685
Income taxes receivable		36			―
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS		165,990			173,850
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net		40,227			41,623
INTANGIBLE ASSETS, net (Note D)		37,472			37,641
INVESTMENT IN GRUPO VASCONIA, S.A.B. (Note C)		22,114			20,338
OTHER ASSETS		2,851			3,271
TOTAL ASSETS	$	268,654		$	276,723
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Bank borrowings (Note E)	$	20,070		$	24,601
Accounts payable		24,335			21,895
Accrued expenses		21,019			29,827
Deferred income tax liabilities (Note J)		207			207
Income taxes payable (Note J)		―			680
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES		65,631			77,210
DEFERRED RENT & OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES		20,632			20,527
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES (Note J)		5,007			4,447
CONVERTIBLE NOTES (Note F)		71,232			70,527
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Common stock, $0.01 par value, shares authorized: 25,000,000; shares issued and outstanding: 12,016,273 in 2010 and 12,015,273 in 2009		120			120
Paid-in capital		130,318			129,655
Accumulated deficit		(18,220	)		(18,949	)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(6,066	)		(6,814	)
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY		106,152			104,012
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY	$	268,654		$	276,723

See accompanying independent registered public accounting firm review report and notes to unaudited condensed consolidated
financial statements.

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LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In thousands, except per share data)

(unaudited)

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2010			2009
Net sales	$	88,736		$	90,214
Cost of sales		53,952			58,148
Distribution expenses		10,133			11,048
Selling, general and administrative expenses		22,124			23,567
Restructuring expenses (Note B)		―			824
Income (loss) from operations		2,527			(3,373	)
Interest expense (Note F)		(2,429	)		(2,873	)
Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings of Grupo Vasconia, S.A.B.		98			(6,246	)
Income tax provision (Note J)		(39	)		(135	)
Equity in earnings of Grupo Vasconia, S.A.B., net of taxes (Note C)		670			422
NET INCOME (LOSS)	$	729		$	(5,959	)
BASIC AND DILUTED INCOME (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE (NOTE I)	$	0.06		$	(0.50	)

See accompanying independent registered public accounting firm review report and notes to unaudited condensed consolidated
financial statements.

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LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

(unaudited)

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2010			2009
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income (loss)	$	729		$	(5,959	)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash
provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		2,542			2,678
Amortization of debt discount		705			644
Deferred rent		233			78
Deferred income taxes		―			60
Stock compensation expense		659			459
Undistributed earnings of Grupo Vasconia, S.A.B.		(670	)		(422	)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable, net		6,217			7,685
Inventory		2,120			9,670
Prepaid expenses, other current assets and other assets		(350	)		1,638
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities		(6,232	)		(7,528	)
Income taxes payable		(726	)		(92	)
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES		5,227			8,911
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchases of property and equipment, net		(578	)		(679	)
NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES		(578	)		(679	)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Repayments of bank borrowings, net		(4,531	)		(9,600	)
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options		6			―
Excess tax benefits from the exercise of stock options		10			―
Payment of capital lease obligations		(62	)		(62	)
NET CASH USED IN FINANCING ACTIVITIES		(4,577	)		(9,662	)
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS		72			(1,430	)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		682			3,478
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD	$	754		$	2,048

See accompanying independent registered public accounting firm review report and notes to unaudited condensed consolidated
financial statements.

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LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

March 31, 2010

(unaudited)

NOTE A — BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Organization and business

Lifetime Brands, Inc. (the “Company”) designs, markets and distributes a broad range of consumer products used in the home, including food preparation, tabletop and home décor products and markets its products under a number of brand names and trademarks, which are either owned or licensed.  The Company markets and sells its products principally on a wholesale basis to retailers throughout North America.  The Company also sells certain products directly to consumers through its Pfaltzgraff®, Mikasa® and Lifetime Sterling™ Internet websites and Pfaltzgraff® mail order catalogs.

Basis of presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X.  Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements.  In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring accruals, considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included.  These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.  Operating results for the three-month period ended March 31, 2010 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2010.

The Company’s business and working capital needs are highly seasonal, with a majority of sales occurring in the third and fourth quarters.  In 2009, 2008 and 2007, net sales for the third and fourth quarters accounted for 58%, 61%, and 61% of total annual net sales, respectively.  In anticipation of the pre-holiday shipping season, inventory levels increase primarily in the June through October time period.

Revenue recognition

Wholesale sales are recognized when title is transferred to the customer.  Internet and catalog sales are recognized upon delivery to the customer. Shipping and handling fees that are billed to customers in sales transactions are included in net sales and amounted to $518,000 and $900,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  Net sales exclude taxes that are collected from customers and remitted to the taxing authorities.

Distribution expenses

Distribution expenses consist primarily of warehousing expenses, handling costs of products sold and freight-out expenses.  For the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, freight-out expenses, net of amounts billed to customers, were $700,000 and $300,000, respectively.

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LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

March 31, 2010

(unaudited)

NOTE A — BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

Inventory

Inventory consists principally of finished goods sourced from third-party suppliers. Inventory also includes finished goods, work in process and raw materials related to the Company’s manufacture of sterling silver products. Inventory is priced by the lower of cost (first-in, first-out basis) or market method.  The Company estimates the selling price of its inventory on a product by product basis based on the current selling environment and considering the various available channels of distribution (e.g. wholesale: specialty store, off-price retailers, etc. or the Internet and catalog).  If the estimated selling price is lower than the inventory’s cost, the Company reduces the value of inventory to the estimated selling price.  If the Company is inaccurate in its estimates of selling prices, it could report material fluctuations in gross margin.  Historically, the Company’s adjustments to inventory have not resulted in material unexpected charges. Consistent with the seasonality of the Company’s business, the Company’s inventory levels generally increase, beginning late in the second quarter of the year, and reach a peak at the end of the third quarter or early in the fourth quarter, and decline thereafter.

The components of inventory are as follows:

	March 31,		December 31,
	2010		2009
	(in thousands)
Finished goods	$	99,075	$	101,270
Work in process		1,759		1,635
Raw materials		977		1,026
Total	$	101,811	$	103,931

Derivatives

The Company accounts for derivative instruments in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic No. 815, Derivatives and Hedging.  ASC Topic No. 815 requires that all derivative instruments be recognized on the balance sheet at fair value as either an asset or a liability. Changes in the fair value of derivatives that qualify as hedges and have been designated as part of a hedging relationship for accounting purposes have no net impact on earnings to the extent the derivative is considered perfectly effective in achieving offsetting changes in fair value or cash flows attributable to the risk being hedged, until the hedged item is recognized in earnings. For derivatives that do not qualify or are not designated as hedging instruments for accounting purposes, changes in fair value are recorded in operations.

Fair value measurements

FASB ASC Topic No. 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, provides guidance for using fair value to measure assets and liabilities and provides a framework for measuring fair value under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles that defines fair value valuations as based on either: Level 1 inputs (valuations based on quoted market prices), Level 2 inputs (valuations based on quoted market prices and other inputs) or Level 3 inputs (valuations based on unobservable inputs).  Fair value measurements included in the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements relate to the Company’s convertible notes and derivatives described in Notes A and G, respectively.

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LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

March 31, 2010

(unaudited)

NOTE A — BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

Fair value of financial instruments

The Company estimated that the carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable are a reasonable estimate of their fair value because of their short-term nature. The Company estimated that the carrying amounts of borrowings outstanding under its Credit Facility approximate fair value since such borrowings bear interest at variable market rates.  The fair value of the Company’s $75.0 million 4.75% Convertible Senior Notes (the “Notes”) at March 31, 2010 was $67.7 million and was determined based on Level 2 observable inputs consisting of the most recent quoted price for the Notes obtained from the FINRA Trade Reporting and Compliance Engine™ system at March 31, 2010.

Subsequent events

The Company has evaluated subsequent events through the date of the filing of its condensed consolidated financial statements with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

NOTE B — RESTRUCTURING

September 2008 restructuring initiative

In September 2008, management of the Company commenced a plan to: (i) close its 53 remaining Farberware® and Pfaltzgraff® retail outlet stores due to continued poor performance (in December 2007 the Company had closed 30 underperforming stores), (ii) vacate its York, Pennsylvania distribution center and consolidate the distribution with the Company’s main East and West Coast distribution centers and (iii) vacate certain excess showroom space. The Company has incurred restructuring related costs for lease obligations, employee related expenses and other incremental costs related to these restructuring activities of $12.6 million through March 31, 2010. No restructuring expenses were recognized related to this restructuring initiative during the three months ended March 31, 2010.  During the three months ended M arch 31, 2009 the Company had recognized $824,000 of restructuring expenses in connection with this restructuring initiative consisting primarily of lease obligations.

At March 31, 2010, the Company had accrued $295,000 related to this restructuring initiative consisting primarily of a lease obligation.

Third quarter 2009 restructuring activities

During the third quarter of 2009, management of the Company commenced a plan to realign the management structure of certain of its divisions and eliminate a portion of the workforce at its Puerto Rico sterling silver manufacturing facility.  In connection with these restructuring activities, through March 31, 2010, the Company has recognized $363,000 of restructuring expenses consisting of employee related expenses.  No restructuring expenses were recognized related to this restructuring initiative during the three months ended March 31, 2010.  At March 31, 2010, $37,000 of these expenses were unpaid and included in accrued expenses.

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LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

March 31, 2010

(unaudited)

NOTE C — GRUPO VASCONIA, S.A.B.

The Company owns a 30% interest in Grupo Vasconia S.A.B. (“Vasconia”). The Company accounts for its investment in Vasconia using the equity method of accounting and records its proportionate share of Vasconia’s net income in the Company’s statement of operations. Accordingly, the Company has recorded its proportionate share of Vasconia’s net income (reduced for amortization expense related to the customer relationships acquired) for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations.  The Company’s investment balance and its proportionate share of Vasconia’s net income have been translated from Mexican Pesos (“MXP”) to U.S. Dollars (“USD”) using the spot rate and average daily exchange rate at and during the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  The effect of the translation of the Company’s investment balance resulted in an increase to the investment balance of $946,000 at March 31, 2010 and a decrease to the investment balance of $849,000 at March 31, 2009 (also see Note M).  Included in prepaid expenses and other current assets at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 are amounts due from Vasconia of $135,000 and $202,000, respectively.

Summarized income statement information for Vasconia in USD and MXP is as follows:

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2010				2009
	(in thousands)
	USD		MXP		USD		MXP
Net Sales	$	25,138	$	321,125	$	24,366	$	348,927
Gross Profit		7,329		93,621		6,273		89,833
Income from operations		3,534		45,146		3,277		46,930
Net Income		2,316		29,592		1,786		25,576

NOTE D — INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Intangible assets, all of which relate to the Company’s wholesale segment, consist of the following (in thousands):

	March 31, 2010							December 31, 2009
	Gross		Accumulated Amortization			Net		Gross		Accumulated Amortization			Net
Indefinite-lived intangible assets:
Trade names	$	25,530	$	―		$	25,530	$	25,530	$	―		$	25,530
Finite-lived intangible assets:
Licenses		15,847		(5,806	)		10,041		15,847		(5,685	)		10,162
Trade names		2,477		(1,203	)		1,274		2,477		(1,185	)		1,292
Customer relationships		586		(444	)		142		586		(421	)		165
Patents		584		(99	)		485		584		(92	)		492
Total	$	45,024	$	(7,552	)	$	37,472	$	45,024	$	(7,383	)	$	37,641

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LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

March 31, 2010

 (unaudited)

NOTE E — CREDIT FACILITY

The Company has a $130.0 million secured credit facility that matures on January 31, 2011 (the “Credit Facility”).  Borrowings under the Credit Facility are secured by all assets of the Company.

On February 12, 2010, the Company entered into an agreement with its lenders to amend the Credit Facility to, among other things: (i) permit the Company to purchase, from time to time, in the aggregate, up to $15.0 million principal amount of the Company’s 4.75% Convertible Senior Notes and (ii) eliminate the requirement for the Company to obtain a consent from the lenders prior to consummating a Permitted Acquisition (as defined in the Credit Facility).

At March 31, 2010, the Company had $1.2 million of open letters of credit and $20.1 million of borrowings outstanding under the Credit Facility.  Interest rates on outstanding borrowings at March 31, 2010 ranged from 5.75% to 6.25%.  Availability under the Credit Facility at March 31, 2010 was $48.4 million (net of $15.0 million of minimum required availability).  At March 31, 2010, the Company has an interest rate swap agreement with a notional amount of $15.0 million, which qualifies for hedge accounting, that effectively fixes the interest rate on a portion of its borrowings under the Credit Facility. The Company was in compliance with its financial covenants at March 31, 2010.

NOTE F — CONVERTIBLE NOTES

The Company has outstanding $75.0 million aggregate principal amount of 4.75% Convertible Senior Notes due July 15, 2011 (the “Notes”). The Notes are convertible at the option of the holder any time prior to maturity into shares of the Company’s common stock at a conversion price of $28.00 per share, subject to adjustment in certain events. The Notes bear interest at 4.75% per annum, payable semiannually in arrears on January 15th and July 15th of each year and are unsubordinated except with respect to the Company’s debt outstanding under its Credit Facility.  The Company may not redeem the Notes at any time prior to maturity.

Effective January 1, 2009, the Company adopted the provisions of ASC Topic No. 470-20, Debt with Conversion and Other Options, on a retrospective basis as though the provisions were in effect at the date of issuance of the Notes in June 2006.  As a result of the adoption, on January 1, 2009 the Company reclassified $7.9 million (net of taxes of $2.8 million) from convertible notes to additional paid-in-capital and recorded a debt discount of $12.8 million that is being amortized to interest expense over the term of the Notes.

At March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the carrying amounts of the debt and equity components of the Notes were as follows (in thousands):

	March 31, 2010			December 31, 2009
Carrying amount of equity component, net of tax	$	10,628		$	10,628
Principal amount of liability component	$	75,000		$	75,000
Unamortized discount		(3,768	)		(4,473	)
Carrying amount of debt component	$	71,232		$	70,527

At March 31, 2010 the remaining period over which the debt discount will be amortized is 1.25 years.  The effective interest rate of the liability component was 9.02% at the date of issuance. Total interest recognized related to the Notes, including amortization of the debt discount and offering costs, was $1.7 million for both the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009.

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LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

March 31, 2010

 (unaudited)

NOTE G — DERIVATIVES

The Company had interest rate swap agreements with an aggregate notional amount of $50.0 million, which decreased to $25.0 million in January 2010 and interest rate collar agreements with an aggregate notional amount of $40.2 million to manage interest rate exposure related to its variable interest rate borrowings under the Credit Facility. The agreements expire in November 2010 through January 2011.

An interest rate swap agreement with a notional amount of $15.0 million and the interest rate collar agreements were designated as cash flow hedges at inception, with the effective portion of the fair value gains or losses on these agreements recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss. In November 2009, the interest rate collar agreements were de-designated as a cash flow hedge as a result of reductions, and projected future reductions, in the Company’s borrowings hedged by the interest rate collar agreements.  Accordingly, the Company discontinued hedge accounting for the interest rate collar agreements and reclassified a portion of the loss related to these interest rate collar agreements included in other comprehensive loss (representing the ineffective portion of the hedge) to interest expen se. The remaining portion of the loss included in other comprehensive loss related to these interest rate collar agreements of $382,000 is being recognized in earnings using the effective interest method over the remaining term of the interest rate collar agreements. At March 31, 2010, $232,000 of this amount remains to be amortized. The effect of recording the Company’s cash flow hedges at fair value resulted in unrealized gains of $57,000 (net of taxes of $36,000) and $75,000 (net of taxes of $47,000) for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Interest rate swap agreements with an aggregate notional amount of $10.0 million were not designated as hedges at inception and the fair value gains or losses from these swap agreements are recognized in interest expense. The effect of recording these interest rate swap agreements and the interest rate collar agreements (beginning in November 2009) at fair value resulted in unrealized gains of $267,000 and $39,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

The fair value of the above derivatives have been obtained from the counterparties to the agreements and are based on Level 2 observable inputs using proprietary models and estimates about relevant future market conditions. The aggregate fair value of the Company’s derivative instruments was a liability of $1.4 million at March 31, 2010, and is included in accrued expenses.

NOTE H — STOCK COMPENSATION

A summary of the Company’s stock option activity and related information for the three months ended March 31, 2010 is as follows:

	Options			Weighted- average exercise price		Weighted- average remaining contractual life (years)		Aggregate intrinsic value
Options outstanding, January 1, 2010		1,786,667		$	12.14
Grants		15,000			7.66
Exercises		(1,000	)		4.60
Cancellations		(4,667	)		27.28
Options outstanding, March 31, 2010		1,796,000			12.06		6.64	$	8,134,295
Options exercisable, March 31, 2010		697,626			15.31		4.82	$	2,048,428

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LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

March 31, 2010

(unaudited)

NOTE H — STOCK COMPENSATION (continued)

The aggregate intrinsic value in the table above represents the total pre-tax intrinsic value that would have been received by the option holders had all option holders exercised their stock options on March 31, 2010.  The intrinsic value is calculated for each in-the-money stock option as the difference between the closing price of the Company’s common stock on March 31, 2010 and the exercise price.

The total intrinsic value of stock options exercised for the three months ended March 31, 2010 was $6,100. No options were exercised during the three months ended March 31, 2009.  The intrinsic value of a stock option that is exercised is calculated as the difference between the quoted market price of the Company’s common stock at the date of exercise and the exercise price of the stock option multiplied by the number of shares exercised.

The Company recognized stock compensation expense of $659,000 and $459,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  

Total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock options at March 31, 2010, before the effect of income taxes, was $3.3 million and is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.14 years.

At March 31, 2010, there were 1,205,396 shares available for grant under the Company’s 2000 Long-Term Incentive Plan.

NOTE I — INCOME (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE

Basic income (loss) per common share has been computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted-average number of shares of the Company’s common stock outstanding.  Diluted income (loss) per common share adjusts net income (loss) and basic income (loss) per common share for the effect of all potentially dilutive shares of the Company’s common stock.  The calculations of basic and diluted income (loss) per common share for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 are as follows:

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2010		2009
	(in thousands, except per share amounts)
Net income (loss) ― Basic	$	729	$	(5,959	)
Interest expense, 4.75% Convertible Senior Notes, net of tax		―		―
Net income (loss) ― Diluted	$	729	$	(5,959	)
Weighted-average shares outstanding ― Basic		12,015		11,990
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock options		306		―
4.75% Convertible Senior Notes		―		―
Weighted-average shares outstanding ― Diluted		12,321		11,990
Basic and Diluted income (loss) per common share	$	0.06	$	(0.50	)

The computation of diluted income (loss) per common share for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 excludes: (i) options to purchase 697,500 shares and 1,344,150 shares, respectively; and (ii) 2,678,571 shares of the Company’s common stock issuable upon the conversion of the Company’s 4.75% Convertible Senior Notes and related interest expense due to their antidilutive effect.

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LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

March 31, 2010

(unaudited)

NOTE J — INCOME TAXES

As of December 31, 2009, the Company had utilized the Federal net operating loss carryforward generated in 2008.  Additionally, the Company has various state net operating loss carryforwards of $12.4 million that will begin to expire in 2014. The Company has credit carryforwards of $633,000 which do not expire.  Management has determined that it is not more likely than not that these assets will be realized and a valuation allowance has been established.  In accordance with ASC Topic No. 740, Income Taxes, the Company has offset its total deferred tax asset with certain deferred tax liabilities that are expected to reverse in the carryforward period.

The estimated value of the Company’s tax positions at March 31, 2010 is a liability of $335,000.  If the Company’s tax positions are sustained by the taxing authorities in favor of the Company, the Company’s liability would be reduced by $335,000, of which $335,000 would impact the Company’s tax provision.  On a quarterly basis, the Company evaluates its tax positions and revises its estimates accordingly. The Company believes that $335,000 of its tax positions will be resolved within the next twelve months.

The Company has identified the following jurisdictions as “major” tax jurisdictions: U.S. Federal, California, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey.  As of December 31, 2009, the Company has settled its Federal tax examination for the periods 2006 through 2008.  The Company is no longer subject to U.S. Federal income tax examinations for the years prior to 2008.  The periods subject to examination for the Company’s major state jurisdictions are the years ended 2006 through 2008.

The Company’s policy for recording interest and penalties is to record such items as a component of income taxes. Interest and penalties were not material to the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009.

NOTE K — BUSINESS SEGMENTS

The Company operates in two reportable business segments; the wholesale segment, which is the Company’s primary business that designs, markets and distributes its products to retailers and distributors, and the direct-to-consumer segment, through its Pfaltzgraff®, Mikasa® and Lifetime Sterling™ Internet websites and the Company’s Pfaltzgraff® mail-order catalogs.

The Company has segmented its operations in a manner that reflects how management reviews and evaluates the results of its operations.  While both segments distribute similar products, the segments are distinct due to their different types of customers and the different methods used to sell, market and distribute the products.

Management evaluates the performance of the wholesale and direct-to-consumer segments based on net sales and income (loss) from operations. Such measures give recognition to specifically identifiable operating costs such as cost of sales, distribution expenses and selling, general and administrative expenses. Certain general and administrative expenses, such as senior executive salaries and benefits, stock compensation, director fees and accounting, legal and consulting fees, are not allocated to the specific segments and are reflected as unallocated corporate expenses.

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LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

March 31, 2010

(unaudited)

NOTE K — BUSINESS SEGMENTS (continued)

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2010			2009
	(in thousands)
Net sales
Wholesale	$	82,110		$	83,606
Direct-to-consumer		6,626			6,608
Total net sales	$	88,736		$	90,214
Income (loss) from operations
Wholesale	$	5,021		$	824
Direct-to-consumer (1)		(130	)		(1,500	)
Unallocated corporate expenses		(2,364	)		(2,697	)
Total income (loss) from operations	$	2,527		$	(3,373	)
Depreciation and amortization
Wholesale	$	(2,486	)	$	(2,626	)
Direct-to-consumer		(56	)		(52	)
Total depreciation and amortization	$	(2,542	)	$	(2,678	)

Note:

(1)  Loss from operations for the Direct-to-consumer segment for the three months ended March 31, 2009 includes $824,000 of restructuring expenses.  See Note B.

NOTE L — CONTINGENCIES

The Company is a defendant in various lawsuits and from time-to-time regulatory proceedings which may require the recall of its products, arising in the ordinary course of its business. Management does not expect the outcome of any of these matters, individually or collectively, to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition.

In March 2008, the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) announced that the San Germán Ground Water Contamination site in Puerto Rico was added to the Superfund National Priorities List due to contamination present in the local drinking water supply. Wallace Silversmiths de Puerto Rico, Ltd. (“Wallace”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, received a Notice of Potential Liability and Request for Information Pursuant to 42 U.S.C. Sections 9607(a) and 9604(e) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, Liability Act regarding the San Germán Ground Water Contamination Superfund Site, San Germán, Puerto Rico dated May 29, 2008 from the EPA.   The Company responded to the EPA’s Request for Information on behalf of Wallace. At this time, it is not possible for the Company to evaluate the outcome of this matter.

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LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

March 31, 2010

 (unaudited)

NOTE M — OTHER

Dividends

The Company currently does not pay a cash dividend on its outstanding shares of common stock.

Supplemental cash flow information

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2010			2009
	(in thousands)
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest	$	2,418		$	3,040
Cash paid for taxes		755			154
Non-cash investing activities:
Grupo Vasconia, S.A.B. foreign currency translation adjustment	$	(946	)	$	849

Comprehensive income (loss)

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2010		2009
	(in thousands)
Net income (loss)	$	729	$	(5,959	)
Derivative fair value adjustment, net of taxes of $36 and $47 for the periods ended 2010 and 2009, respectively		57		75
Grupo Vasconia, S.A.B. foreign currency translation adjustment, net of taxes of $366 and $329 for the periods ended 2010 and 2009, respectively		580		(520	)
Derivative hedge de-designation		110		―
Total comprehensive income (loss)	$	1,476	$	(6,404	)

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of Lifetime Brands, Inc:

We have reviewed the condensed consolidated balance sheet of Lifetime Brands, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of March 31, 2010, and the related condensed consolidated statements of operations and cash flows for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2010 and 2009.  These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management.

We conducted our review in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters.  It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.

Based on our review, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the condensed consolidated financial statements referred to above for them to be in conformity with US generally accepted accounting principles.

We have previously audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheet of the Company and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2009, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for the year then ended and in our report dated March 17, 2010, we expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.  The consolidated balance sheet of Grupo Vasconia, S.A.B. and Subsidiaries (a corporation in which the Company has a 30.15% interest) as of December 31, 2009, and the related consolidated statements of income, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for the year then ended (not presented herein) were audited by other auditors whose report dated March 11, 2010expressed an unqualified opinion on those statements.  In the consolidated financial statements, the Company’s investment in Grupo Vasconia, S.A.B. and Subsidiaries is stated at $20.3 million at December 31, 2009 and the Company’s equity in the net income of Grupo Vasconia, S.A.B. and Subsidiaries is stated at $2.2 million for the year then ended.

/s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP

Jericho, New York

May 7, 2010

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF

FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains “forward-looking statements” as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include information concerning Lifetime Brands, Inc.’s (the “Company’s”) plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events, future revenues, performance, capital expenditures, financing needs and other information that is not historical information. Many of these statements appear, in particular, in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. When used in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the words “estimates,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “projects,” “plans,” ̶ 0;intends,” “believes” and variations of such words or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, the Company’s examination of historical operating trends, are based upon the Company’s current expectations and various assumptions. The Company believes there is a reasonable basis for its expectations and assumptions, but there can be no assurance that the Company will realize its expectations or that the Company’s assumptions will prove correct.

There are a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report. Important factors that could cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from those expressed as forward-looking statements are set forth in the Company’s 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K in Part I, Item 1A under the heading Risk Factors. Such risks, uncertainties and other important factors include, among others, risks related to:

· General economic factors and political conditions;

· Liquidity;

· Competition;

· Customers;

· Supply chain;

· Intellectual property;

· Regulatory;

· Technology; and

· Personnel.

There may be other factors that may cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. Except as may be required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking statements which may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

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ABOUT THE COMPANY

The Company is one of North America’s leading resources for nationally branded food preparation, tabletop and home décor products.  The Company’s three major product categories are Food Preparation, Tabletop and Home Décor. The Company markets several product lines within each of these product categories and under each of the Company’s brands, primarily targeting moderate to premium price points, through every major level of trade. The Company’s competitive advantage is based on availability and use of its brands, an emphasis on innovation and new product development and sourcing capabilities. The Company owns or licenses a number of the leading brands in its industry including Farberware®, KitchenAid®, Cuisinart®, Pfaltzgraff® and Mikasa®. Historically, the Company&# 8217;s sales growth has come from expanding product offerings within the Company’s current categories by developing existing brands, and acquiring new brands and product categories.  Key factors in the Company’s growth strategy have been, and will continue to be, the selective use and management of the Company’s brands, and the Company’s ability to provide a stream of new products and designs.  A significant element of this strategy is the Company’s in-house design and development team that creates new products, packaging and merchandising concepts.

EFFECTS OF THE CURRENT ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT

Sales of the Company’s products declined in 2008 and 2009 as a result of the global economic recession that began in late 2007. In addition, in 2009, retailers generally decreased overall stock-keeping levels, resulting in lower inventory replenishment. While there are signs that a moderate economic recovery is currently underway, the Company believes that sustainable increases in the demand for its products will not occur until employment levels improve from current levels. A deterioration of economic conditions would likely have an adverse impact on the Company’s sales.

BUSINESS SEGMENTS

The Company operates in two reportable business segments; the wholesale segment which is the Company’s primary business that designs, markets and distributes its products to retailers and distributors, and the direct-to-consumer segment, through its Pfaltzgraff®, Mikasa® and Lifetime Sterling™ Internet websites and Pfaltzgraff® mail-order catalogs.

INVESTMENT IN GRUPO VASCONIA, S.A.B.

In 2007, the Company acquired approximately 30% of the outstanding capital stock of Grupo Vasconia, S.A.B. (“Vasconia”), a leading Mexican housewares company. Pursuant to a Shares Subscription Agreement (the “Agreement”), the Company may designate four persons to be nominated as members of Vasconia’s Board of Directors. The Agreement also provides mechanisms whereby the Company is able to acquire a controlling interest in Vasconia or to require Vasconia to repurchase the Company’s ownership interest. Jeffrey Siegel, Ronald Shiftan, Daniel Siegel and C.P. Eduardo Manuel Arturo Argil y Aguilar have been designated as the Company’s nominees and currently serve as directors of Vasconia. Mr. Argil, a Certified Public Accoun tant, also serves as a member of Vasconia’s Audit Committee.  Shares of Vasconia’s capital stock are traded on the Bolsa Mexicana de Valores, the Mexican Stock Exchange (www.bmv.com.mx). The Quotation Key is VASCONI.

Vasconia is an integrated cookware manufacturer. Through its subsidiary, Industria Mexicana del Aluminio, S.A. de C.V., Vasconia manufactures and sells aluminum circles, sheets, strips, plates and coils. Vasconia sells cookware and other housewares product items in Mexico and in Central and South America under its Ekco®, Vasconia®, Regal®, Presto® and Thermos® brands and sells housewares products under several of the Company’s owned and licensed brands, including CasaMōda®, Farberware®, KitchenAid®, Mikasa® and Pedrini®. Vasconia purchases certain housewares products directly from third-party vendors in Asia.  In connection with such purchases, Vasconia reimburses the Company for the use of the Company’s sourcing offices and personnel services.

The Company sells certain cookware products in the United States under the Vasconia® brand. The Company and Vasconia have entered into a cookware supply agreement, pursuant to which the Company would be able to purchase cookware from Vasconia at Vasconia’s manufactured cost.

On January 29, 2010, Vasconia filed a Schedule 13D with the Securities and Exchange Commission, in which it disclosed that it had acquired 639,000 shares of the Company’s common stock.

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RESTRUCTURING EXPENSES

The Company recognized restructuring costs in 2009 in connection with: (i) the Company’s closure of its unprofitable retail outlet store operations, (ii) the closure of the Company’s York, Pennsylvania distribution center, the operations of which were consolidated with those of the Company’s main East Coast and West Coast distribution centers, (iii) the decision to vacate certain excess showroom space, (iv) the realignment of the management structure of certain of the Company’s divisions and (v) the elimination of a portion of the workforce at its Puerto Rico sterling silver manufacturing facility.  At March 31, 2010, these restructuring activities have been substantially completed.

INVENTORY REDUCTION PLAN

The Company has had an inventory reduction plan in effect since 2007.  The plan includes reducing the number of individual items offered for sale and to shorten the period between inventory procurement and sale to the customer. Consistent with this plan, the Company has been selling slower moving inventory at lower than regular gross margin levels.  The plan was developed to increase efficiency by reducing the capital invested in inventory and substantially reducing third-party warehousing and related expenses.  The plan has, in certain cases, negatively impacted the Company’s gross margins and may negatively impact the Company’s gross margins in the future.  The Company believes this plan has been successful and it expects to continue its inventory reduction efforts for the foreseeab le future.

SEASONALITY

The Company’s business and working capital needs are highly seasonal, with a majority of sales occurring in the third and fourth quarters.  In 2009, 2008 and 2007, net sales for the third and fourth quarters accounted for 58%, 61% and 61% of total annual net sales, respectively.  In anticipation of the pre-holiday shipping season, inventory levels increase primarily in the June through October time period.

EFFECT OF ADOPTION OF ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLE

Effective January 1, 2009, the Company adopted the provisions of the FASB ASC Topic No. 470-20, Debt with Conversion and Other Options, on a retrospective basis.  ASC Topic No. 470-20 requires the issuer of certain convertible debt instruments that may be settled in cash, or other assets, on conversion (including partial cash settlement), to separately account for the liability (debt) and equity (conversion option) components in a manner that reflects the issuer’s non-convertible debt borrowing rate with the resulting debt discount amortized as additional non-cash interest expense over the life of the convertible debt.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

There have been no material changes to the Company’s critical accounting policies and estimates from the information provided in Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K dated December 31, 2009.

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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following table sets forth statement of operations data of the Company as a percentage of net sales for the periods indicated:

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2010			2009
Net sales		100.0	%		100.0	%
Cost of sales		60.9			64.5
Distribution expenses		11.4			12.2
Selling, general and administrative expenses		24.9			26.1
Restructuring expenses		―			0.9
Income (loss) from operations		2.8			(3.7	)
Interest expense		(2.7	)		(3.2	)
Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings of Grupo Vasconia, S.A.B.		0.1			(6.9	)
Income tax provision		―			(0.1	)
Equity in earnings of Grupo Vasconia, S.A.B.		0.8			0.5
Net income (loss)		0.9	%		(6.5	) %

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2010 AS COMPARED TO THE THREE MONTHS ENDED

MARCH 31, 2009

Net Sales

Net sales for the three months ended March 31, 2010 were $88.7 million, a decrease of 1.7% compared to net sales of $90.2 million for the 2009 period.

Net sales for the wholesale segment for the three months ended March 31, 2010 were $82.1 million, a decrease of $1.5 million or 1.8% compared to net sales of $83.6 million for the 2009 period. Net sales in the 2009 period included approximately $3.4 million of net sales into the going-out-of-business sale of a customer that was liquidated.  Net sales for the Company’s Food Preparation product category increased approximately $600,000. Net sales for the Company’s Tabletop product category decreased approximately $900,000, reflecting the non-recurrence, in the 2010 period, of approximately $2.2 million of net sales relating to the aforementioned going-out-of-business sale. Excluding these non-recurring net sales; net sales for the Company’s Tabletop product category increased by approximately $1.3 million. Net sales for the Company’s Home Décor product category decreased approximately $1.2 million.

Net sales for the direct-to-consumer segment for both the three month periods ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 were $6.6 million. An increase in product revenue period over period, which includes the Company’s new Lifetime Sterling™  Internet website, was offset by lower shipping income as a result of free shipping promotions during the three months ended March 31, 2010.

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Cost of sales

Cost of sales for the three months ended March 31, 2010 were $54.0 million compared to $58.1 million for the 2009 period.  Cost of sales as a percentage of net sales was 60.9% for the three months ended March 31, 2010 compared to 64.5% for the 2009 period.

Cost of sales as a percentage of net sales for the wholesale segment was 63.0% for the three months ended March 31, 2010 compared to 67.0% for the 2009 period.Gross margin in the 2010 period benefited from favorable product mix and lower royalty expenses as the Company allowed unprofitable licenses to expire.  Gross margin in the 2009 period was negatively affected by low margin sales into the going-out-of-business sale of a customer that was liquidated and high ocean freight costs.

Cost of sales as a percentage of net sales for the direct-to-consumer segment increased to 33.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2010 from 32.6% for the 2009 period.The decrease in gross margin was primarily attributable to free shipping  promotions during the three months ended March 31, 2010.

Distribution expenses

Distribution expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2010 were $10.1 million compared to $11.0 million for the 2009 period.  Distribution expenses as a percentage of net sales were 11.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 12.2% for the 2009 period.

Distribution expenses as a percentage of net sales for the wholesale segment were 10.0% for the three months ended March 31, 2010 compared to 10.1% for the 2009 period.

Distribution expenses as a percentage of net sales for the direct-to-consumer segment were approximately 28.6% for the three months ended March 31, 2010 compared to 39.8% for the 2009 period.  The decrease is primarily attributable to efficiencies realized from the exiting of the Company’s York, Pennsylvania distribution center in July 2009.

Selling, general and administrative expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2010 were $22.1 million, a decrease of 6.4% from $23.6 million for the 2009 period.

Selling, general and administrative expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2010 for the wholesale segment were $17.1 million, a decrease of $1.3 million or 7.1% from $18.4 million for the 2009 period.  As a percentage of net sales, selling, general and administrative expenses were 20.8% for the three months ended March 31, 2010 compared to 22.0% for the 2009 period. The decrease was attributable to the benefit of 2009 restructuring activities, namely, a reduction in employee costs frommanagement realignment, lower depreciation and amortization as the Company exited facilities and wrote-off fixed assets and lowered occupancy expenses primarily from consolidating showrooms.

Selling, general and administrative expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2010 for the direct-to-consumer segment were $2.6 million compared to $2.5 million for the 2009 period.

Unallocated corporate expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 were $2.4 million and $2.7 million, respectively.  The decrease in the 2010 period was primarily attributable to a decrease in consulting expenses and the non-recurrence of certain severance costs that were recognized in the 2009 period.

Restructuring expenses

During the three months ended March 31, 2009, the Company recognized restructuring expenses of $824,000 consisting principally of charges for lease obligations, employee related expenses and other related costs.

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Interest expense

Interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2010 was $2.4 million compared to $2.9 million for the 2009 period.  The decrease in interest expense was primarily attributable to lower average borrowings in the 2010 period which were offset in part by higher average interest rates during the three months ended March 31, 2010 compared to the 2009 period.

Income tax provision

The income tax provision for the three months ended March 31, 2010 was $39,000 compared to $135,000 for the 2009 period.  The Company’s effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2010 was 39.8% compared to 2.2% in the 2009 period.  The 2010 period effective tax rate reflects a provision for Federal and state taxes.  The 2009 period effective tax rate reflected a reduction in certain valuation allowances recoverable against certain deferred tax assets and a provision for minimum state taxes.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

The Company’s principal sources of cash to fund liquidity needs are: (i) cash provided by operating activities and (ii) borrowings available under its Credit Facility.  The Company’s primary uses of funds consist of working capital requirements, capital expenditures and payment of principal and interest on its debt.

At March 31, 2010, the Company’s cash and cash equivalents were $754,000 compared to $682,000 at December 31, 2009. Availability under the Company’s Credit Facility at March 31, 2010 was $48.4 million.

Borrowings under the Company’s Credit Facility were $20.1 million at March 31, 2010 which represents a decrease of $4.5 million from December 31, 2009.  At March 31, 2010, the Company had $1.2 million of open letters of credit.

Credit facility

The Company has a $130.0 million secured credit facility that matures on January 31, 2011 (the “Credit Facility”).  Borrowings under the Credit Facility are secured by all assets of the Company.  The Company believes that availability under the Credit Facility and cash flows from operations will be sufficient to fund its operations for the balance of 2010. The Company is currently in discussions to refinance both the Credit Facility and its $75.0 million principal amount of 4.75% Convertible Senior Notes that mature on July 15, 2011 (the “Notes”). While the Company expects to be able to refinance the Credit Facility and the Notes, there can no assurance that it will be successful.

On February 12, 2010, the Company entered into an agreement with its lenders to amend the Credit Facility to, among other things: (i) permit the Company to purchase, from time to time, in the aggregate, up to $15.0 million principal amount of the Company’s 4.75% Convertible Senior Notes and (ii) eliminate the requirement for the Company to obtain a consent from the lenders prior to consummating a Permitted Acquisition (as defined in the Credit Facility).

Interest rates on outstanding borrowings at March 31, 2010 ranged from 5.75% to 6.25%.  Availability under the Credit Facility at March 31, 2010 was $48.4 million (net of $15.0 million of minimum required availability).  The Company has entered into interest rate swap and collar agreements with an aggregate notional amount of $15.0 million, which qualifies for hedge accounting, that effectively fixes the interest rate on a portion of its borrowings under the Credit Facility.

The Company was in compliance with its financial covenants at March 31, 2010.  The Company’s Consolidated EBITDA, as defined by the Credit Facility, for the four quarters ended March 31, 2010 was $38.7 million compared to the minimum Consolidated EBITDA required by the Credit Facility of $28.0 million.

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Consolidated EBITDA for the four quarters ended March 31, 2010 was determined as follows:

Consolidated EBITDA for the four quarters ended March 31, 2010
(in thousands)
Three months ended March 31, 2010	$	6,398
Three months ended December 31, 2009		16,092
Three months ended September 30, 2009		12,314
Three months ended June 30, 2009		3,919
Total for the four quarters	$	38,723

Capital expenditures for the three months ended March 31, 2010 were $578,000 compared to the maximum capital expenditures permitted by the Credit Facility of $2.0 million.  The fixed charge coverage ratio for the four quarters ended March 31, 2010 was 3.89 to 1.00 compared to the minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.50 to 1.00.

The borrowing base at March 31, 2010 under the Credit facility is determined as the sum of (1) 85% of eligible receivables and 85% of the orderly liquidation value of eligible inventory, less (2) reserves.

Non-GAAP financial measure

Consolidated EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure within the meaning of Regulation G promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission.  The following is a reconciliation of the net income (loss) as reported to Consolidated EBITDA for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009:

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2010		2009
	(in thousands)
Net income (loss) as reported	$	729	$	(5,959	)
Add:
Income tax provision		39		135
Interest expense		2,429		2,873
Depreciation and amortization		2,542		2,678
Restructuring expenses		―		824
Stock compensation expense		659		459
Consolidated EBITDA	$	6,398	$	1,010

Convertible Notes

The Notes are convertible into shares of the Company’s common stock at a conversion price of $28.00 per share, subject to adjustment in certain events.  The Notes bear interest at 4.75% per annum, payable semiannually in arrears on January 15 and July 15 of each year, and are unsubordinated except with respect to the Company’s debt outstanding under its Credit Facility.  The Company may not redeem the Notes at any time prior to maturity.  The Notes are convertible at the option of the holder anytime prior to the close of business on the business day prior to the maturity date.  Upon conversion, the Company may elect to deliver either shares of the Company’s common stock, cash or a combination of cash and shares of the Comp any’s common stock in satisfaction of the Company’s obligations upon conversion of the Notes.  If the Notes are not converted prior to the maturity date the Company is required to pay the holders of the Notes the principal amount of the Notes in cash upon maturity.

Operating activities

Cash provided by operating activities was $5.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 compared to $8.9 million in the 2009 period.  The decrease was primarily attributable to a lesser decrease in inventory in the 2010 period due to a decline in the Company’s inventory reduction efforts as the desired levels of inventory are being realized.

-22-

Investing activities

Cash used in investing activities was $578,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2010 compared to $679,000 in the 2009 period.

Financing activities

Cash used in financing activities was $4.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 compared to $9.7 million for the 2009 period.  In the 2010 period, net repayments under the Company’s Credit Facility were $4.5 million compared to $9.6 million in the 2009 period.

-23-

Item 3.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Market risk represents the risk of loss that may impact the consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows of the Company.  The Company is exposed to market risk associated with changes in interest rates.  The Company’s Credit Facility bears interest at variable rates and, therefore, the Company is subject to increases and decreases in interest expense resulting from fluctuations in interest rates.  The Company has interest rate swap agreements with an aggregate notional amount of $25.0 million and interest rate collar agreements with an aggregate notional amount of $40.2 million to manage interest rate exposure in connection with these variable interest rate borrowings. There have been no changes in interest rates that would have a material impact on the consolidated financi al position, results of operations or cash flows of the Company for the three months ended March 31, 2010.

Item 4.  Controls and Procedures

(a)	Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
	The Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of the Company (its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, respectively) have concluded, based on their evaluation as of March 31, 2010, that the Company’s controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports filed by it under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and include controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in such reports is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
(b)	Changes in Internal Controls
	There were no changes 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

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

In March 2008, the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) announced that the San Germán Ground Water Contamination site in Puerto Rico was added to the Superfund National Priorities List due to contamination present in the local drinking water supply. Wallace Silversmiths de Puerto Rico, Ltd. (“Wallace”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, received a Notice of Potential Liability and Request for Information Pursuant to 42 U.S.C. Sections 9607(a) and 9604(e) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, Liability Act regarding the San Germán Ground Water Contamination Superfund Site, San Germán, Puerto Rico dated May 29, 2008 from the EPA.   The Company responded to the EPA’s Request for Information on behalf of Wallace. At this time, it is not possible for the Company to evaluate the outcome.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

There have been no material changes in the Company’s risk factors from those disclosed in the Company’s 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Item 6. Exhibits
Exhibit No.
31.1	Certification by Jeffrey Siegel, Chief Executive Officer and President, pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2	Certification by Laurence Winoker, Senior Vice President – Finance, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1	Certification by Jeffrey Siegel, Chief Executive Officer and President, and Laurence Winoker, Senior Vice President – Finance, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

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SIGNATURES

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

Lifetime Brands, Inc.
/s/ Jeffrey Siegel	May 10, 2010
Jeffrey Siegel Chief Executive Officer and President (Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ Laurence Winoker	May 10, 2010
Laurence Winoker Senior Vice President – Finance, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

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