CONE MILLS CORPORATION 3101 NORTH ELM STREET GREENSBORO, NC 27408 June 16, 2000 VIA EDGAR Securities and Exchange Commission 450 5th ST NW Washington, D.C. 20001 RE: Cone Mills Corporation (the "Registrant") - Form 11K The 401(k) Program (Hourly) of Cone Mills Corporation/ Cone Mills Corporation Employee Equity Plan - Hourly Gentlemen: On behalf of the Registrant and pursuant to Rule 15d of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. I hereby file the annual report on Form 11-K of The 401(k) Program (Hourly) of Cone Mills Corporation/Cone Mills Corporation Employee Equity Plan - Hourly. These reports are being transmitted by EDGAR pursuant to General Instruction E of Form 11-K and Rule 101(b)(3) of Regulation S-T. If there are any questions or comments regarding the contents of the materials in this transmission, please contact the undersigned, telephone 336.379.6568. Sincerely, CONE MILLS CORPORATION /s/ Neil W. Koonce Title: Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary Enclosures c: Schell Bray Aycock Abel & Livingston, LLP (w/enclosures) McGladrey & Pullen, LLP (w/enclosures) New York Stock Exchange (w/enclosures) UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 FORM 11-K (Mark One) (X) ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 [NO FEE REQUIRED, EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 7, 1996] For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999 OR ( ) TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 [NO FEE REQUIRED] For the transition period from to Commission file number 1-3634 A. Full title of the plan and the address of the plan, if different from that of the issuer named below: The 401(k) Program (Hourly) of Cone Mills Corporation/ Cone Mills Corporation Employee Equity Plan - Hourly B. Name of issuer of the securities held pursuant to the plan and the address of its principal executive office. CONE MILLS CORPORATION 3101 North Elm Street Greensboro, NC 27408 THE 401(k) PROGRAM (HOURLY) OF CONE MILLS CORPORATION FINANCIAL REPORT DECEMBER 31, 1999 Contents INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT 1 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Statements of net assets available for benefits with fund information 2-3 Statements of changes in net assets available for benefits with fund information 4-5 Notes to financial statements 6-12 McGLADREY AND PULLEN, LLP CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT To the Advisory Committee The 401(k) Program (Hourly) of Cone Mills Corporation Greensboro, North Carolina We have audited the accompanying statements of net assets available for benefits of The 401(k) Program (Hourly) of Cone Mills Corporation (Plan #017) as of December 31, 1999, and 1998, and the related statements of changes in net assets available for benefits for the year ended December 31, 1999 and for the period June 1, 1998 through December 31, 1998. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Plan's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the net assets available for benefits of The 401(k) Program (Hourly) of Cone Mills Corporation as of December 31, 1999 and 1998, and the changes in net assets available for benefits for the year ended December 31, 1999 and the period June 1, 1998 through December 31, 1998 in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. Our audit was made for the purpose of forming an opinion on the basic financial statements taken as a whole. The Fund Information in the statements of net assets available for benefits and changes in net assets available for benefits is presented for purposes of additional analysis rather than to present the net assets available and changes in net assets available of each fund. The Fund Information has been subject to the auditing procedures applied in the audit of the basic financial statements and in our opinion, is fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole. /s/ McGladrey & Pullen, LLP McGLADREY & PULLEN, LLP Greensboro, North Carolina April 27, 2000 The 401(k) Program (Hourly) of Cone Mills Corporation Statement of Net Assets Available for Benefits With Fund Information December 31, 1999 ----------------------------------------------------------- Vanguard Vanguard Vanguard Vanguard Vanguard International LifeStrategy Small-Cap Total Bond 500 Index Growth Moderate Index Market Index Fund Fund Growth Fund Fund Fund - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Assets: Investments, at fair value, trust fund Note 6) $334,091 $ 16,374 $ 114,967 $ 11,113 $ 45,486 --------------------------------------------------------------- Receivables: Employer 1,257 62 433 42 171 contributions --------------------------------------------------------------- Employee 3,549 174 1,221 118 483 contributions --------------------------------------------------------------- 4,806 236 1,654 160 654 Total assets $338,897 $ 16,610 $ 116,621 $ 11,273 $ 46,140 =============================================================== Net assets available for benefits: Amounts allocated to persons who have withdrawn from participation in the earnings and operations of the Plan $ 41,420 $ 2,030 $ 14,253 $ 1,378 $ 5,639 Other 297,477 14,580 102,368 9,895 40,501 --------------------------------------------------------------- $338,897 $ 16,610 $ 116,621 $ 11,273 $ 46,140 =============================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Vanguard Vanguard US Vanguard Retirement Growth Wellington Savings Cone Mills Participant Fund Fund Trust Stock Fund Loans Total - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Assets: Investments, at fair value, trust fund (Note 6) $7,237,480 $1,851,108 $5,457,188 $1,767,006 $1,206,776 $18,041,589 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Receivables: Employer contributions 27,230 6,964 20,532 6,648 - 63,339 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Employee contributions 76,880 19,663 57,969 18,770 - 178,827 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 104,110 26,627 78,501 25,418 - 242,166 Total assets $7,341,590 $1,877,735 $5,535,689 $1,792,424 $1,206,776 $18,283,755 ========================================================================= Net assets available for benefits: Amounts allocated to persons who have withdrawn from participation in the earnings and operations of the Plan $ 897,293 $ 229,498 $ 676,575 $ 219,071 $ - $ 2,087,157 Other 6,444,297 1,648,237 4,859,114 1,573,353 1,206,776 16,196,598 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- $7,341,590 $1,877,735 $5,535,68 $1,792,424 $1,206,776 $18,283,755 ========================================================================== See Notes to Financial Statements. The 401(k) Program (Hourly) of Cone Mills Corporation Statement of Net Assets Available for Benefits With Fund Information December 31, 1998 ------------------------------------------------------------- Vanguard Vanguard Vanguard Vanguard Vanguard International LifeStrategy Small-Cap Total Bond 500 Index Growth Moderate Index Market Index Fund Fund Growth Fund Fund Fund - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Assets: Investments, at fair value, trust fund (Note 6) $141,818 $ 2,909 $ 56,415 $ 9,977 $ 12,429 ------------------------------------------------------------- Receivables: Employer contributions 1,654 190 381 125 262 Employee contributions 4,683 537 1,079 356 742 ------------------------------------------------------------- 6,337 727 1,460 481 1,004 ------------------------------------------------------------- Total assets $148,155 $ 3,636 $ 57,875 $10,458 $ 13,433 ============================================================= Net assets available for benefits: Amounts allocated to persons who have withdrawn from participation in the earnings and operations of the Plan $ 25,614 $ - $ - $ 166 $ - Other 122,541 3,636 57,875 10,292 13,433 -------------------------------------------------------------- $148,155 $ 3,636 $ 57,875 $10,458 $ 13,433 ============================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Vanguard Vanguard US Vanguard Retirement Growth Wellington Savings Cone Mills Participant Fund Fund Trust Stock Fund Loans Total - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Assets: Investments, at fair value, trust fund (Note 6) $6,459,897 $1,887,631 $5,363,358 $2,270,943 $1,161,718 $17,367,095 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Receivables: Employer contributions 24,612 8,652 24,786 14,193 - 74,855 Employee contributions 69,707 24,506 70,199 40,199 - 212,008 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 94,319 33,158 94,985 54,392 - 286,863 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Total assets $6,554,216 $1,920,789 $5,458,34 $2,325,335 $1,161,718 $17,653,958 ======================================================================== Net assets available for benefits: Amounts allocated to persons who have withdrawn from participation in the earnings and operations of the Plan $ 239,340 $ 114,608 $ 242,836 $ 159,554 $ 5,603 $ 787,721 Other 6,314,876 1,806,181 5,215,507 2,165,781 1,156,115 16,866,237 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ $6,554,216 $1,920,789 $5,458,343 $2,325,335 $1,161,718 $17,653,958 ======================================================================== See Notes to Financial Statements. The 401(k) Program (Hourly) of Cone Mills Corporation Statement of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits With Fund Information Year Ended December 31, 1999 --------------------------------------------------------------- Vanguard Vanguard Vanguard Vanguard Vanguard International LifeStrategy Small-Cap Total Bond 500 Index Growth Moderate Index Market Index Fund Fund Growth Fund Fund Fund --------------------------------------------------------------- Investments income (loss): Gain(loss) on sale of investments $ 2,144 $ 26 $ 182 $ (415) $ (120) Unrealized appreciation (depreciation)in fair value of investments 42,143 2,163 7,583 608 (1,895) Dividends 5,044 815 4,093 985 1,861 Interest - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------- 49,331 3,004 11,858 1,178 (154) --------------------------------------------------------------- Contributions: Employer 20,681 1,896 5,476 873 3,535 Employee 57,125 7,386 17,306 3,353 10,853 Participant loan repayments 5,929 360 3,027 - 487 --------------------------------------------------------------- 83,735 9,642 25,809 4,226 14,875 --------------------------------------------------------------- Transfers with other funds 98,754 1,432 33,438 (3,986) 20,941 --------------------------------------------------------------- Total additions 231,820 14,078 71,105 1,418 35,662 --------------------------------------------------------------- Benefits paid directly to participants 32,041 808 11,891 477 2,510 Participant loan withdrawals 7,257 104 40 - 142 Other deductions 1,780 192 428 126 303 --------------------------------------------------------------- Total deductions 41,078 1,104 12,359 603 2,955 --------------------------------------------------------------- Net increase (decrease) 190,742 12,974 58,746 815 32,707 --------------------------------------------------------------- Net assets available for benefits: December 31, 1998 148,155 3,636 57,875 10,458 13,433 --------------------------------------------------------------- December 31, 1999 $ 338,897 $ 16,610 $ 116,621 $ 11,273 $ 46,140 =============================================================== ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Vanguard Vanguard US Vanguard Retirement Growth Wellington Savings Cone Mills Participant Fund Fund Trust Stock Fund Loans Total -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Investments income (loss): Gain(loss) on sale of investments $ 98,988 $ 12,428 $ - $ (30,366) $ - $ 82,867 Unrealized appreciation (depreciation)in fair value of investments 920,883 (93,537) - (392,147) - 485,801 Dividends 383,038 170,216 - 2,698 - 568,750 Interest - - 320,198 - 103,779 423,977 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1,402,909 89,107 320,198 (419,815) 103,779 1,561,395 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Contributions: Employer 229,381 85,010 255,086 128,425 - 730,363 Employee 689,110 250,565 677,542 345,917 - 2,059,157 Participant loan repayments 158,243 55,305 183,150 65,269 (471,770) - -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1,076,734 390,880 1,115,778 539,611 (471,770) 2,789,520 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Transfers with other funds (48,378) (52,280) 67,662 (117,583) - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total additions 2,431,265 427,707 1,503,638 2,213 (367,991) 4,350,915 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Benefits paid directly to participants 1,299,209 394,863 1,156,833 441,070 285,639 3,625,341 Participant loan withdrawals 321,286 65,484 225,379 78,996 (698,688) - Other deductions 23,396 10,414 44,080 15,058 - 95,777 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total deductions 1,643,891 470,761 1,426,292 535,124 (413,049) 3,721,118 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net increase (decrease) 787,374 (43,054) 77,346 (532,911) 45,058 629,797 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net assets available for benefits: December 31, 1998 6,554,216 1,920,789 5,458,343 2,325,335 1,161,718 17,653,958 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- December 31, 1999 $ 7,341,590 $1,877,735 $5,535,689 $1,792,424 $1,206,776 $18,283,755 ========================================================================== See Notes to Financial Statements. The 401(k) Program (Hourly) of Cone Mills Corporation Statement of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits With Fund Information Period June 1, 1998 through December 31, 1998 --------------------------------------------------------------- Vanguard Vanguard Vanguard Vanguard Vanguard International LifeStrategy Small-Cap Total Bond 500 Index Growth Moderate Index Market Index Fund Fund Growth Fund Fund Fund ---------------------------------------------------------------- Investments income (loss): Gain(loss) on sale of investments $ 1,242 $ 2 $ 570 $ - $ 8 Unrealized appreciation (depreciation)in fair value of investments 15,811 209 3,011 (286) (76) Dividends 1,302 58 1,829 731 167 Interest - - ---------------------------------------------------------------- 18,355 269 5,410 445 99 ---------------------------------------------------------------- Contributions: Employer 7,283 551 1,476 319 829 Employee 19,304 2,281 4,382 1,094 2,498 Participant loan repayments 120 - 140 - 7 ---------------------------------------------------------------- 26,707 2,832 5,998 1,413 3,334 ---------------------------------------------------------------- Transfers: To merge net assets from Cone Mills Corporation Employee Equity Plan-Hourly (Note 2) - - - - - With other funds 116,600 558 51,827 8,655 13,153 ---------------------------------------------------------------- 116,600 558 51,827 8,655 13,153 ---------------------------------------------------------------- Total additions 161,662 3,659 63,235 10,513 16,586 ---------------------------------------------------------------- Benefits paid directly to participants 215 - 27 - 193 Participant loan withdrawals 12,934 - 5,246 - 2,932 Other deductions 358 23 87 55 28 ---------------------------------------------------------------- Total deductions 13,507 23 5,360 55 3,153 ---------------------------------------------------------------- Net increase (decrease) 148,155 3,636 57,875 10,458 13,433 Net assets available for benefits: June 1, 1998 - - - - - ---------------------------------------------------------------- December 31, 1999 $ 148,155 $ 3,636 $ 57,875 $ 10,458 $ 13,433 ================================================================ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Vanguard Vanguard US Vanguard Retirement Growth Wellington Savings Cone Mills Participant Fund Fund Trust Stock Funds Loans Total ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Investments income (loss): Gain(loss) on sale of investments $ 5,799 $ (15,401) $ - $ (416,366) $ - $ (424,148) Unrealized appreciation (depreciation)in fair value of investments 691,257 (124,914) - (1,134,431) - (549,419) Dividends 426,075 211,953 - - - 642,115 Interest 189,122 - 2,255 191,377 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 1,123,131 71,638 189,122 (1,550,797) 2,255 (140,075) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Contributions: Employer 192,922 68,876 222,767 112,484 - 607,507 Employee 630,080 215,057 652,803 309,091 - 1,836,590 Participant loan repayments 5,984 2,369 7,270 2,413 (18,303) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 828,986 286,302 882,840 423,988 (18,303) 2,444,097 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Transfers: To merge net assets from Cone Mills Corporation Employee Equity Plan-Hourly (Note 2) - - - 3,894,896 - 3,894,896 With other funds (264,105) 90,232 40,762 (57,682) - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------ (264,105) 90,232 40,762 3,837,214 - 3,894,896 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Total additions 1,688,012 448,172 1,112,724 2,710,405 (16,048) 6,198,918 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Benefits paid directly to participants 453,402 170,398 609,339 255,257 5,986 1,494,817 Participant loan withdrawals 396,534 151,807 493,798 120,501 (1,183,752) - Other deductions 11,707 4,922 20,322 9,310 - 46,812 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Total deductions 861,643 327,127 1,123,459 385,068 (1,177,766) 1,541,629 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Net increase (decrease) 826,369 121,045 (10,735) 2,325,337 1,161,718 4,657,289 Net assets available for benefits: June 1, 1998 5,727,847 1,799,744 6,469,078 - - 12,996,669 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ December 31, 1999 $6,554,216 $1,920,789 $5,458,343 $2,325,335 $1,161,718 $17,653,958 ======================================================================== See Notes to Financial Statements. <PAGE< THE 401(k) PROGRAM (HOURLY) OF CONE MILLS CORPORATION NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Note 1. Significant Accounting Policies Accounting principles and practices: The Plan's investments are held in a trust fund administered by The Vanguard Group, Inc. ("Vanguard"). The accounting records with respect to financial transactions are maintained by Vanguard. Vanguard invests the participant's accounts, as elected by the participant, among nine investment alternatives. Participants may change their investment options on a daily basis. The financial statements of the Plan are presented under the accrual method of accounting. Note 2. Description of the Plan The Plan is a defined contribution plan which became effective on January 1, 1994 under the name Supplemental Retirement Plan - Hourly of Cone Mills Corporation. On January 1, 1994, all hourly employees in the "Supplemental Retirement Plan of Cone Mills Corporation" transferred their account balances to this Plan. On June 1, 1998, the Cone Mills Corporation Employee Equity Plan - Hourly ("EEP - Hourly") was merged into the Plan with all of the EEP - Hourly's net assets being transferred into the Plan at that date. Immediately thereafter, the EEP - Hourly was terminated with the Plan being the survivor. On that same date, the Plan assumed its current name in conjunction with the change to Vanguard as Plan trustee and administrator. Assets: Assets of the Plan are included with assets of "The 401(k) Program of Cone Mills Corporation" in a master trust. Eligibility: Hourly employees who have attained age 21 and have completed one year of service are eligible for the Plan. Member contributions: Members may contribute from 2% to 15% of compensation on a before-tax (Section 401(k)) basis. Company contributions: Matching contributions are required in an amount equal to 40% of each member's contributions not in excess of 6% of his compensation. Additional matching contributions may be made at the discretion of Cone Mills Corporation. Benefits: The accumulated value of a member's individual account is paid after retirement or other separation from service. Benefits are ordinarily paid in a lump sum distribution in the year following the year of retirement or other termination of employment; however, installment distributions may be made at the election of the participant. Member accounts: Individual accounts are maintained for each participant which record the accumulated value of Company contributions allocated to such participant, the participant's contributions and investment earnings thereon. Note 2. Description of the Plan (continued) Participants receive statements showing the value of their accounts quarterly. Valuation of assets: The Plan's investments are stated at fair value. Shares of registered investment companies are valued at quoted market prices which represent the net asset value of shares held by the Plan at year-end. Units of the Retirement Savings Trust are valued at net asset value at year-end. The Company stock fund is valued at its year-end unit closing price (comprised of year-end market price plus uninvested cash portion.) Participant loans are valued at cost which approximates fair value. Vesting: All members' accounts are 100% vested. Investment alternatives: Participants must direct their salary deferral contributions to selected investments as made available and determined by the Plan Administrator. Participants may change their investment options any time throughout the year via direct phone or internet access to Vanguard. Each member has the following nine investment alternatives: Vanguard 500 Index Fund - Primarily invested in all of the 500 stocks that make up the unmanaged Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Stock Price Index. Vanguard International Growth Fund - Primarily invested in stocks of high-quality, seasoned companies based outside the United States. Vanguard LifeStrategy Moderate Growth Fund - Primarily invested in a domestic stock fund, an international stock fund, a bond fund, and an asset allocation fund. Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund - Primarily invested in a sample of small stocks in the Russell 2000 Index, an unmanaged index of smaller companies. Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund - Primarily invested in a sample of bonds in the unmanaged Lehman Brothers Aggregate Bond Index. Vanguard U.S. Growth Fund - Primarily invested in common stocks of various public companies. Vanguard Wellington Fund - Primarily invested in common and preferred stocks and corporate and government bonds. Vanguard Retirement Savings Trust - Primarily invested in fixed income securities such as investment contracts issued by insurance companies and commercial banks, interest-bearing accounts, certificates of deposit and money market investments. Cone Mills Stock Fund - Primarily invested in the common stock of Cone Mills Corporation. Estimates: The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and the accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Note 3. Plan Termination If the Plan is terminated, each member would be entitled to the total amount in his account, payable under the terms of the Plan. Note 4. Withdrawals and Loans From the Plan Under the provisions of the Plan relating to financial hardship, a participant may receive an in-service withdrawal of funds from his plan account. Loans from the Plan are also permitted for up to 50% (maximum of $25,000) of the member's account balance. Note 5. Income Tax Status The Plan is intended to meet the qualification requirements of Section 401(k) and related provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. As long as the Plan meets these requirements, the Plan will not be subject to income taxes and members will not recognize taxable income for federal income tax purposes upon receipt to their individual accounts of contributions, dividends, interest or investment gains. Taxation of the amounts credited to a member's individual account is deferred until the member receives a distribution. The Plan has received a determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service affirming that the Plan is a qualified trust exempt from income taxes. Note 6. Investments The following tables present the cost and fair values of the Plan's investments at December 31, 1999 and 1998, respectively: 1999 Cost Fair Value Vanguard Funds: *500 Index ($135.33/unit; 2,468.713 units) $ 278,672 $ 334,091 *International Growth ($22.49/unit; 728.045 units) 14,015 16,374 *LifeStrategy Moderate Growth ($18.18/unit; 6,323.806 units) 104,832 114,967 *Small-Cap Index ($23.60/unit; 470.900 units) 10,530 11,113 *Total Bond Market Index ($9.56/unit; 4,757.926 units) 47,455 45,486 *U.S. Growth ($43.53/unit; 166,264.193 units) 5,798,474 7,237,480 *Wellington ($27.96/unit); 66,205.589 units) 2,039,166 1,851,108 *Vanguard Retirement Savings Trust ($1.00/unit; 5,457,188 units) 5,457,188 5,457,188 *Cone Mills Stock Fund ($4.37/unit; 404,349.099 units) 3,256,558 1,767,006 *Participant Loans 1,206,776 1,206,776 $ 18,213,666 $ 18,041,589 * Designates party-in-interest 1998 Cost Fair Value Vanguard Funds: *500 Index ($113.95/unit; 1,244.566 units) $ 126,007 $ 141,818 *International Growth ($18.77/unit; 155.008 units) 2,700 2,909 *LifeStrategy Moderate Growth ($16.86/unit; 3,346.086 units) 53,404 56,415 *Small-Cap Index ($21.20/unit; 470.593 units) 10,263 9,977 *Total Bond Market Index ($10.27/unit; 1,210.207 units) 12,505 12,429 *U.S. Growth ($37.49/unit; 172,309.873 units) 5,768,640 6,459,897 *Wellington ($29.35/unit); 64,314.510 units) 2,012,545 1,887,631 *Vanguard Retirement Savings Trust ($1.00/unit; 5,363,358 units) 5,363,358 5,363,358 *Cone Mills Stock Fund ($5.50/unit; 412,898.778 units) 3,793,750 2,270,943 *Participant Loans 1,161,718 1,161,718 $ 18,304,890 $ 17,367,095 *Designates party-in-interest The following tables present the realized gains (losses) on investments for the years ended December 31, 1999 and 1998, respectively, using the average cost method for determining the cost of the investments sold: 1999 Proceeds Cost Gain(Loss) Vanguard 500 Index Fund $ 48,597 $ 46,453 $ 2,144 Vanguard International Growth Fund 1,104 1,078 26 Vanguard LifeStrategy Moderate Growth Fund 12,460 12,278 182 Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund 7,215 7,630 (415) Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund 3,278 3,398 (120) Vanguard U.S. Growth Fund 1,909,697 1,810,709 98,988 Vanguard Wellington Fund 590,204 577,776 12,428 Vanguard Retirement Savings Trust 1,589,511 1,589,511 - Cone Mills Stock Fund 742,920 773,286 (30,366) $ 4,904,986 $ 4,822,119 $ 82,867 1998 Proceeds Cost Gain(Loss) Vanguard 500 Index Fund $ 23,656 $ 22,414 $ 1,242 Vanguard International Growth Fund 23 21 2 Vanguard LifeStrategy Moderate Growth Fund 15,234 14,664 570 Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund 56 56 - Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund 3,153 3,145 8 Vanguard U.S. Growth Fund 1,215,559 1,209,760 5,799 Vanguard Wellington Fund 395,197 410,598 (15,401) Vanguard Retirement Savings Trust 1,250,754 1,250,754 - Cone Mills Stock Fund 546,740 963,108 (416,368) $ 3,450,372 $ 3,874,520 $ (424,148) Note 6. Investments (continued) The following tables present the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments as of June 1, 1998, December 31, 1998 and December 31, 1999, and the increases (decreases) in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) for the periods therein: Unrealized Increase Unrealized Appreciation (Decrease) in Appreciation (Depreciation) Unrealized (Depreciation) December 31, Appreciation December 31, 1998 (Depreciation) 1999 Vanguard 500 Index Fund $ 10,638 $ 42,143 $ 52,781 Vanguard International Growth Fund 545 2,163 2,708 Vanguard LifeStrategy Moderate Growth Fund 764 7,583 8,347 Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund 522 608 1,130 Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund (1,483) (1,895) (3,378) Vanguard U.S. Growth Fund 83,353 920,883 1,004,236 Vanguard Wellington Fund 1,511 (93,537) (92,026) Vanguard Retirement Savings Trust - - - Cone Mills Stock Fund (64,767) (392,147) (456,914) Participant Loans - - - $ 31,083 $ 485,801 $ 516,884 Increase Unrealized Unrealized (Decrease) in Appreciation Appreciation Unrealized (Depreciation) (Depreciation) Appreciation December 31, June 1, 1998 (Depreciation) 1998 Vanguard 500 Index Fund $ (5,173) $ 15,811 $ 10,638 Vanguard International Growth Fund 336 209 545 Vanguard LifeStrategy Moderate Growth Fund (2,247) 3,011 764 Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund 808 (286) 522 Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund (1,407) (76) (1,483) Vanguard U.S. Growth Fund (607,904) 691,257 83,353 Vanguard Wellington Fund 126,425 (124,914) 1,511 Vanguard Retirement Savings Trust - - - Cone Mills Stock Fund 1,069,664 (1,134,431) (64,767) Participant Loans - - - $ 580,502 $ (549,419) $ 31,083 Note 6. Investments (continued) The following table details the number of participants in each investment program as of December 31, 1999 and 1998, respectively: 1999 1998 Vanguard 500 Index Fund 104 57 Vanguard International Growth Fund 23 6 Vanguard Life Strategy Moderate Growth Fund 29 16 Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund 12 3 Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund 26 14 Vanguard U.S. Growth Fund 930 1,096 Vanguard Wellington Fund 623 768 Vanguard Retirement Savings Trust 1,445 1,705 Cone Mills Stock Fund 851 1,127 Note 7. Reconciliation of Differences Between These Financial Statements and the Financial Information Required on Form 5500 December 31, 1999 1998 Net assets available for benefits as presented in these financial statements $ 18,283,755 $ 17,653,958 Adjustment of benefits payable (2,087,157) (787,721) Net assets available for benefits as presented in Form 5500 $ 16,196,598 $ 16,866,237 Net increase in net assets available for benefits as presented in these financial statements $ 629,797 Adjustment of benefits paid (1,299,436) Net decrease in net assets available for benefits as presented in Form 5500 $ (669,639) CONE MILLS CORPORATION EMPLOYEE EQUITY PLAN - HOURLY FINANCIAL REPORT JUNE 1, 1998 Contents INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT 1 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Statement of financial condition 2 Statement of income and changes in plan equity 3 Notes to financial statements 4-6 McGLADREY & PULLEN, LLP CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT To the Advisory Committee Cone Mills Corporation Employee Equity Plan-Hourly Greensboro, North Carolina We have audited the accompanying statement of financial condition of the Cone Mills Corporation Employee Equity Plan - Hourly as of June 1, 1998, and the related statements of income and changes in plan equity for the period January 1, 1998 through June 1, 1998 and the year ended December 31, 1997. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Plan's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial condition of the Cone Mills Corporation Employee Equity Plan - Hourly as of June 1, 1998, and the changes in plan equity for the period January 1, 1998 through June 1, 1998 and the year ended December 31, 1997, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. As discussed in Note 6 to the financial statements, the Plan's net assets were merged into the Cone Mills Corporation Supplemental Retirement Plan -Hourly ("SRP-Hourly") on June 1, 1998. Immediately thereafter, the Plan was terminated with the SRP-Hourly being the survivor. /s/ McGladrey & Pullen, LLP McGLADREY & PULLEN, LLP Greensboro, North Carolina October 23, 1998 STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION JUNE 1, 1998 1998 Assets: Money market account, Crestar Bank $ - Investment in Cone Mills Corporation common stock at market value (shares 365,675)(cost $2,341,418) - Accounts receivable, Cone Mills Corporation 21,115 Accounts receivable, participants 46,456 Accrued income receivable 143 Total assets 67,714 Liabilities: Amounts due to Cone Mills Supplemental Retirement Plan -Hourly 67,714 Total liabilities 67,714 Equity: Amounts allocated to persons who have withdrawn from participation in the earnings and operations of the Plan - Other - Net assets available for benefits $ - See Notes to Financial Statements. STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND CHANGES IN PLAN EQUITY PERIOD JANUARY 1, 1998 THROUGH JUNE 1, 1998 AND YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 1998 1997 Additions: Interest income $ 1,647 $ 5,577 Cone Mills Corporation contributions 116,929 315,579 Participants contributions 255,779 689,177 Gains realized on distributions of Cone Mills Corporation common stock to plan participants (market value $12,012; (cost $9,615) - 2,397 Gains realized on sales of Cone Mills Corporation common stock (proceeds 1998 $49,458; 1997 $26,877)(cost 1998 $37,561; 1997 $21,182) 11,897 5,695 Transfers from Cone Mills Corporation Employee Equity Plan 46,534 - Unrealized appreciation of investments 690,854 - Total additions 1,123,640 1,018,425 Reductions: Benefit payments 103,132 418,929 Transfers to Cone Mills Corporation Supplemental Retirement Plan-Hourly 139,487 305,041 Transfers to Cone Mills Corporation Employee Equity Plan - 29,420 Unrealized depreciation of investments - 74,859 Transfer to merge net assets into Cone Mills Corporation Supplemental Retirement Plan - Hourly (Note 6) 3,894,896 - Total reductions 4,137,515 828,249 Increase (decrease) in plan equity (3,013,875) 190,176 Plan equity: Beginning 3,013,875 2,823,699 Ending $ - $3,013,875 See Notes to Financial Statements. NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Note 1. Accounting Principles and Practices The assets of the Plan were valued at market. Market for Cone Mills Corporation common stock was based upon closing quotations on the New York Stock Exchange Composite Tape. The accrual method of accounting was used. Cost for dispositions of stock was determined by the average cost method. Note 2. Description of the Plan The Plan was a defined contribution plan which became effective on January 1, 1994. On January 1, 1994, all hourly employees in the "Employee Equity Plan" transferred their account balances to this Plan. A general description of the provisions of the Plan follows: Assets: Assets of the Plan were included with assets of the "Employee Equity Plan" in a master trust ("Plans"). Assets were invested primarily in Cone Mills Corporation common stock. A portion of the assets were held in an Other Investments Fund which holds short-term cash or money market investments. The portion held in the Other Investments Fund was used for cash distributions to participants and to enable the Plans to purchase additional Cone Mills Corporation common stock. Members with account balances less than $5,000 were allowed to make a one-time transfer of their account balances to the Cone Mills Corporation Supplemental Retirement Plans. Also, members who had attained 60 years of age as of the last day of the prior plan year, were allowed to transfer in two annual installments their account balances in these Plans to the Cone Mills Corporation Supplemental Retirement Plans. Other members were allowed to transfer their account balances to the Cone Mills Corporation Supplemental Retirement Plans over a four-year period. Otherwise, members of the Plans were not entitled to select the manner in which their individual accounts were invested. Market risk: The Plan invested primarily in Cone Mills Corporation common stock ("Cone stock"). Cone stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange, and therefore its value is subject to the effects of fluctuations in overall market performance. The Plan was potentially subject to heightened levels of market risk attributable to its investment concentration. Eligibility: Hourly employees who had attained age 21 were eligible after completing one year of service. Member contributions: Members were allowed to contribute from 2% to 15% of compensation on a before-tax (Section 401(k)) basis. Company contributions: Matching contributions were required each period in an amount equal to 50% of each member's contribution not in excess of 6% of Note 2. Description of the Plan (continued) his compensation. Additional matching contributions could have been made at the discretion of Cone Mills Corporation. Benefits: The accumulated value of a member's individual account was paid after retirement or other separation from service. Distributions from the Plan must have been paid in cash, except that the receiving member was allowed to receive his distribution in the form of qualifying employer securities unless such a distribution was restricted according to the Company's bylaws and articles of incorporation. The valuation of Cone Mills Corporation common stock used for cash distributions was the closing price of such stock as reported on the sixtieth day following the applicable valuation date. Member accounts: Individual accounts were maintained for each plan participant which recorded the accumulated value of Company contributions allocated to such participant, the participant's contributions and investment earnings thereon. Vesting: All members' accounts were 100% vested. Estimates: The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Note 3. Unrealized Appreciation of Investments The unrealized appreciation of investments as of June 1, 1998, (immediately prior to transfer) and December 31, 1997, is as follows: 1998 1997 $ 1,209,982 $ 492,567 Note 4. Federal Income Taxes The Plan was intended to meet the qualification requirements of Sections 401(a) and 401(k) and related provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. As long as the Plan met these requirements, the Plan was not subject to income taxes and members would not recognize taxable income for federal income tax purposes upon receipt to their individual accounts of contributions, dividends, interest or investment gains. Taxation of the amounts credited to a member's individual account was deferred until the member received a distribution. A favorable determination letter had been obtained as of June 1, 1998. Note 5. Reconciliation of Differences Between These Financial Statements and the Financial Information Required on Form 5500 June 1, December 31, 1998 1997 Plan equity as presented in these financial statements $ - $ 3,013,875 Adjustment of benefits payable - (230,056) Plan equity as presented in Form 5500 $ - $ 2,783,819 Net increase (decrease) in plan equity as presented in these financial statements $(3,013,875) $ 190,176 Adjustment of benefits paid 230,056 (45,043) Net increase (decrease) in plan equity as presented in Form 5500 $(2,783,819) $ 145,133 Note 6. Plan Merger and Termination The Plan was merged into the Cone Mills Corporation Supplemental Retirement Plan-Hourly ("SRP-Hourly") on June 1, 1998. All of the Plan's net assets were transferred into the SRP-Hourly at that date. Immediately thereafter, the Plan was terminated with the SRP-Hourly being the survivor.