Page 1 of 50 Index to Exhibits-Pages 25-35 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 September 29, 1996 OR [ ] 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 1-3634 CONE MILLS CORPORATION (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) North Carolina 56-0367025 (State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer incorporation or organization) Identification No.) 3101 North Elm Street, Greensboro, North Carolina 27408 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) (910) 379-6220 (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 Number of shares of common stock outstanding as of November 1, 1996: 26,459,133 shares. Page 1 FORM 10-Q CONE MILLS CORPORATION INDEX Page Number PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION Item 1. Financial Statements Consolidated Condensed Statements of Income Thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 1996 and October 1, 1995 (Unaudited). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets September 29, 1996 and October 1, 1995 (Unaudited) and December 31, 1995. . . . . . . 4 & 5 Consolidated Condensed Statements of Stockholders' Equity Thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 1996 and October 1, 1995 (Unaudited). . . . . . . . 6 Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows Thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 1996 and October 1, 1995 (Unaudited). . . . . . . . 7 Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited). . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations . . 15 PART II. OTHER INFORMATION Item 1. Legal Proceedings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K. . . . . . . . . 24 Page 2 FORM 10-Q PART I Item 1. CONE MILLS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (amounts in thousands, except per share data) Thirteen Thirteen Thirty-Nine Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended Weeks Ended Weeks Ended Weeks Ended Sept. 29, 1996 Oct. 1, 1995 Sept. 29, 1996 Oct. 1, 1995 (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Unaudited) Net Sales $ 180,849 $ 231,699 $ 588,250 $ 690,856 Operating Costs and Expenses: Cost of sales 152,163 190,635 482,209 567,888 Selling and administrative 20,694 22,075 64,201 64,852 Depreciation 6,994 7,201 21,139 21,603 Loss (Gain) on sale of division 198 - (4,486) - 180,049 219,911 563,063 654,343 Income from Operations 800 11,788 25,187 36,513 Other Income (Expense): Interest income 207 114 380 499 Interest expense (3,682) (3,928) (11,634) (11,038) (3,475) (3,814) (11,254) (10,539) Income (Loss) before Income Taxes (Benefit) and Equity in Earnings (Losses) of Unconsolidated Affiliates (2,675) 7,974 13,933 25,974 Income Taxes (Benefit) (979) 2,791 4,540 9,091 Income (Loss) before Equity in Earnings (Losses) of Unconsolidated Affiliates (1,696) 5,183 9,393 16,883 Equity in Earnings (Losses) of Unconsolidated Affiliates (547) 683 (749) (8,255) Net Income (Loss) $ (2,243) $ 5,866 $ 8,644 $ 8,628 Income (Loss) Available to Common Shareholders: Net Income (Loss) $ (2,963) $ 5,146 $ 6,484 $ 6,516 Earnings (Loss) Per Share - Fully Diluted: Net Income (Loss) $ (.11) $ .19 $ .24 $ .24 Weighted Average Common Shares and Common Share Equivalents Outstanding - Fully Diluted 27,416 27,530 27,454 27,506 See Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements. Page 3 FORM 10-Q Item 1.(continued) CONE MILLS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS (amounts in thousands, except share and par value data) September 29, October 1, December 31, ASSETS 1996 1995 1995 (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Note) Current Assets: Cash $ 2,742 $ 752 $ 336 Accounts receivable - trade, less provision for doubtful accounts $3,000; $3,000; $3,200 63,413 81,868 60,955 Inventories: Greige and finished goods 92,742 83,632 84,822 Work in process 11,451 14,296 14,786 Raw materials 9,434 18,874 29,274 Supplies and other 31,851 31,266 33,492 145,478 148,068 162,374 Other current assets 13,823 8,900 10,227 Total Current Assets 225,456 239,588 233,892 Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliates 35,853 37,429 37,680 Other Assets 41,178 38,957 45,540 Property, Plant and Equipment: Land 18,208 19,618 19,615 Buildings 82,399 83,094 89,128 Machinery and equipment 313,409 313,999 322,361 Other 31,553 32,123 34,292 445,569 448,834 465,396 Less accumulated depreciation 200,817 193,045 198,188 Property, Plant and Equipment-Net 244,752 255,789 267,208 $ 547,239 $ 571,763 $ 584,320 Note: The balance sheet at December 31, 1995 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date. See Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements. Page 4 FORM 10-Q Item 1. (continued) CONE MILLS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS (amounts in thousands, except share and par value data) September 29, October 1, December 31, LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY 1996 1995 1995 (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Note) Current Liabilities: Notes payable $ 8,703 $ 10,031 $ 8,875 Current maturities of long-term debt 11,114 11,250 11,236 Accounts payable - trade 26,981 36,402 40,023 Sundry accounts payable and accrued expenses 41,786 41,123 64,800 Income taxes payable 2,227 1,289 - Deferred income taxes 25,510 28,190 25,938 Total Current Liabilities 116,321 128,285 150,872 Long-Term Debt 150,742 161,822 161,782 Deferred Items: Deferred income taxes 41,043 40,742 40,836 Other deferred items 10,187 6,605 8,705 51,230 47,347 49,541 Stockholders' Equity: Class A Preferred Stock - $100 par value; authorized 1,500,000 shares; issued and outstanding 383,948 shares - Employee Stock Ownership Plan 38,395 38,395 38,395 Class B Preferred Stock - no par value; authorized 5,000,000 shares - - - Common Stock - $.10 par value; authorized 42,700,000 shares; issued and outstanding 27,336,333 shares; 1995, 27,380,409 shares 2,734 2,738 2,738 Capital in excess of par 70,687 71,090 71,090 Retained earnings 125,592 131,726 119,825 Currency translation adjustment (8,462) (9,640) (9,923) Total Stockholders' Equity 228,946 234,309 222,125 $ 547,239 $ 571,763 $ 584,320 Note: The balance sheet at December 31, 1995 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date. See Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements. Page 5 FORM 10-Q Item 1. (continued) CONE MILLS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY THIRTY-NINE WEEKS ENDED SEPTEMBER 29, 1996 AND OCTOBER 1, 1995 (amounts in thousands, except share data) (Unaudited) Class A Preferred Stock Common Stock Shares Amount Shares Amount Balance, December 31, 1995 383,948 $ 38,395 27,380,409 $ 2,738 Net income - - - - Currency translation adjustment - Sale of stock of affiliate - - - - Class A Preferred Stock - Employee Stock Ownership Plan: Cash dividends paid - - - - Common Stock: Options exercised - - 61,800 6 Purchase of common shares - - (105,876) (10) Balance, September 29, 1996 383,948 $ 38,395 27,336,333 $ 2,734 Class A Preferred Stock Common Stock Shares Amount Shares Amount Balance, January 1, 1995 383,948 $ 38,395 27,403,621 $ 2,740 Net income - - - - Currency translation loss (net of income tax benefit of $3,630) - - - - Class A Preferred Stock - Employee Stock Ownership Plan: Cash dividends paid - - - - Common Stock: Options exercised - - 4,000 1 Purchase of common shares - - (27,212) (3) Balance, October 1, 1995 383,948 $ 38,395 27,380,409 $ 2,738 See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. Page 6 FORM 10-Q Item 1. (continued) CONE MILLS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY THIRTY-NINE WEEKS ENDED SEPTEMBER 29, 1996 AND OCTOBER 1, 1995 (amounts in thousands, except share data) (Unaudited) Capital in Currency Excess Retained Translation of Par Earnings Adjustment Balance, December 31, 1995 $ 71,090 $ 119,825 $ (9,923) Net income - 8,644 - Currency translation adjustment - Sale of stock of affiliate - - 1,461 Class A Preferred Stock - Employee Stock Ownership Plan: Cash dividends paid - (2,877) - Common Stock: Options exercised 515 - - Purchase of common shares (918) - - Balance, September 29, 1996 $ 70,687 $ 125,592 $ (8,462) Capital in Currency Excess Retained Translation of Par Earnings Adjustment Balance, January 1, 1995 $ 71,354 $ 125,771 $ (1,380) Net income - 8,628 - Currency translation loss (net of income tax benefit of $3,630) - - (8,260) Class A Preferred Stock - Employee Stock Ownership Plan: Cash dividends paid - (2,673) - Common Stock: Options exercised 25 - - Purchase of common shares (289) - - Balance, October 1, 1995 $ 71,090 $ 131,726 $ (9,640) See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. Page 6a FORM 10-Q Item 1. (continued) CONE MILLS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (amounts in thousands) Thirty-Nine Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended Weeks Ended Sept. 29, 1996 Oct. 1, 1995 (Unaudited) (Unaudited) Cash Flows Provided by Operating Activities $ 14,921 $ 15,114 Cash Flows from Investing Activities: Investments in unconsolidated affiliates - (19,650) Proceeds from sale of division (a) 42,228 - Capital expenditures (21,367) (41,092) Other 3,405 3,431 Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities 24,266 (57,311) Cash Flows from Financing Activities: Decrease in checks issued in excess of deposits (21,829) (1,712) Principal payments - long-term debt (11,496) (97,245) Proceeds from long-term debt borrowings - 48,000 Proceeds from debentures issued - 99,831 Other (3,456) (7,083) Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities (36,781) 41,791 Net increase (decrease) in cash 2,406 (406) Cash at Beginning of Period 336 1,158 Cash at End of Period $ 2,742 $ 752 (a)Divestiture: Inventories $ 14,926 Property, plant and equipment 21,516 Other 1,300 Gain on sale 4,486 Proceeds from sale $ 42,228 Supplemental Disclosures of Additional Cash Flow Information: Cash payments for: Interest, net of interest capitalized $ 15,369 $ 12,455 Income taxes, net of refunds $ 4,929 $ 4,245 Supplemental Schedule of Noncash Investing and Financing Activities: Receivable recorded from sale of division $ 2,000 $ - Purchase of outstanding capital stock - common, through incurrence of accounts payable $ 303 $ - See Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements. Page 7 FORM 10-Q Item 1. (continued) CONE MILLS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS SEPTEMBER 29, 1996 Note 1. Basis of Financial Statement Preparation The Cone Mills Corporation (the "Company") consolidated condensed financial statements for September 29, 1996 and October 1, 1995 are unaudited, but in the opinion of management reflect all adjustments necessary to present fairly the consolidated condensed balance sheets of Cone Mills Corporation and Subsidiaries at September 29, 1996, October 1, 1995, and December 31, 1995 and the related consolidated condensed statements of income for the respective thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 1996 and October 1, 1995, and stockholders' equity and cash flows for the thirty-nine weeks then ended. All adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. The results are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. These statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and related notes included in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for fiscal 1995. Substantially all components of textile inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market using the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method. Nontextile inventories are valued at the lower of average cost or market. Because amounts for inventories under the LIFO method are based on an annual determination of quantities as of the year- end, the inventories at September 29, 1996 and October 1, 1995 and related consolidated condensed statements of income for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks then ended are based on certain estimates relating to quantities and cost as of the end of the fiscal year. Page 8 FORM 10-Q Item 1. (continued) NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Note 2. Sale of Accounts Receivable The Company has an agreement with the subsidiary of a major financial institution which allows the sale without recourse of up to $50 million of an undivided interest in eligible trade receivables. This agreement has been extended to June 1997. Accounts receivable is shown net of $42 million sold at September 29, 1996, net of $32 million sold at October 1, 1995, and net of $40 million sold at December 31, 1995. As a result of the sale of the interest in these receivables, cash flows provided by operating activities include an increase of $2 million and a decrease of $18 million for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 1996 and October 1, 1995, respectively. Note 3. Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliates Investments in unconsolidated affiliated companies are accounted for by the equity or cost method depending upon ownership and the Company's ability to exert influence. In 1995, the Company accounted for the results of CIPSA by the equity method. Based upon a reduction in ownership to 18% and certain other factors, the Company will account for its investment in CIPSA by the cost method in 1996 and future periods. In December 1994, the Mexican government devalued the peso and allowed it to freely trade against the U.S. dollar resulting in a substantial decline in value of the peso versus the U.S. dollar. On January 1, 1995, the peso was trading at 4.94 pesos per U.S. dollar versus an exchange rate of approximately 3.45 prior to the devaluation. The peso continued to devalue versus the U.S. dollar in the first quarter of 1995 and was trading at an exchange rate of 6.78 pesos per U.S. dollar on April 2, 1995. The devaluation of the peso created foreign currency transaction losses for the Company's Mexican affiliates, primarily related to debt denominated in U.S. dollars for Compania Industrial de Parras S.A., ("CIPSA"). Primarily due to the devaluation of the peso, the Company recognized an $8.3 million loss as its pro rata share of these losses in its thirty-nine weeks 1995 income statement. Page 9 FORM 10-Q Item 1. (continued) NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Note 4. Long-Term Debt September 29, 1996 Current Total Maturity Long-Term (amounts in thousands) 8% Senior Note $ 64,285 $ 10,714 $ 53,571 8-1/8% Debentures 96,243 - 96,243 Capital Lease Obligation 1,206 362 844 Other 122 38 84 Total $161,856 $ 11,114 $150,742 October 1, 1995 Current Total Maturity Long-Term (amounts in thousands) 8% Senior Note $ 75,000 $ 10,714 $ 64,286 8-1/8% Debentures 95,795 - 95,795 Capital Lease Obligation 1,533 327 1,206 Industrial Revenue Bonds 589 174 415 Other 155 35 120 Total $173,072 $ 11,250 $161,822 Note 5. Class A Preferred Stock The dividend rate for Class A Preferred Stock is 7.50%, which is payable March 31, 1997. Page 10 FORM 10-Q Item 1. (continued) NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Note 6. Stock Option Plans 1995 Exercise 1996 Exercise Number Price Number Price Of Weighted Of Weighted Options Average Options Average Outstanding - beginning of year 1,086,000 $ 12.66 1,047,000 $ 12.55 Granted 7,000 11.63 6,000 12.00 Exercised (4,000) 6.50 (61,800) 6.46 Forfeited (42,000) 15.63 (69,000) 13.94 Outstanding - end of period 1,047,000 $ 12.56 922,200 $ 12.85 Exercisable at end of period 512,050 612,200 The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding at September 29, 1996: Number Number Exercise Outstanding Exercisable Expiration Price at 9/29/96 at 9/29/96 Date $ 5.250 76,200 76,200 June, 1999 $ 6.500 36,000 36,000 February, 2002 $11.625 6,000 6,000 May, 2002 $12.000 379,000 151,600 November, 2004 $12.000 6,000 6,000 May, 2003 $12.875 6,000 6,000 May, 2001 $15.625 413,000 330,400 February, 2003 922,200 612,200 Page 11 FORM 10-Q Item 1. (continued) NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Note 7. Earnings (Loss) Per Share Thirteen Thirteen Weeks Ended Weeks Ended September 29, 1996 October 1, 1995 Fully Fully Primary Diluted Primary Diluted (amounts in thousands, except per share data) Income (loss) from continuing operations $ (2,243) $(2,243) $ 5,866 $ 5,866 Less: Class A Preferred dividends ( 720) ( 720) ( 720) ( 720) Adjusted net income (loss) $ (2,963) $(2,963) $ 5,146 $ 5,146 Weighted average common shares outstanding 27,416 27,416 27,380 27,380 Common share equivalents from assumed exercise of outstanding options, less shares assumed repurchased - - 150 150 Weighted average common shares and common share equivalents outstanding 27,416 27,416 27,530 27,530 Earnings (loss) per common share and common share equivalent $ ( .11) $ ( .11) $ .19 $ .19 Page 12 FORM 10-Q Item 1. (continued) NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Note 7. Earnings (Loss) Per Share (continued) Thirty-nine Thirty-nine Weeks Ended Weeks Ended September 29,1996 October 1, 1995 Fully Fully Primary Diluted Primary Diluted (amounts in thousands, except per share data) Income from continuing operations $ 8,644 $ 8,644 $ 8,628 $ 8,628 Less: Class A Preferred dividends (2,160) (2,160) (2,112) (2,112) Adjusted net income $ 6,484 $ 6,484 $ 6,516 $ 6,516 Weighted average common shares outstanding 27,401 27,401 27,380 27,380 Common share equivalents from assumed exercise of outstanding options, less shares assumed repurchased 53 53 101 126 Weighted average common shares and common share equivalents outstanding 27,454 27,454 27,481 27,506 Earnings per common share and common share equivalent $ .24 $ .24 $ .24 $ .24 Primary and fully diluted earnings (loss) per share have been computed by dividing the net earnings (loss) available to common stockholders by the sum of the weighted average common shares and common share equivalents outstanding. Page 13 FORM 10-Q Item 1. (continued) NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Note 8. Sale of Division On January 22, 1996, the Company completed the sale of its Olympic Products Division to British Vita PLC. The Company sold all inventory and substantially all of the property, plant and equipment of this division. Proceeds of $42,228,000 had been realized at September 29, 1996. Page 14 FORM 10-Q Item 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS OPERATING RESULTS Third Quarter Ended September 29, 1996 Compared with Third Quarter Ended October 1, 1995. U.S. consumer spending in apparel and home furnishings grew modestly in the third quarter of 1996; however, manufacturers were adversely affected by selective reductions in softgoods inventories, which were disruptive to textile industry operating schedules and prices. In addition, weak consumer preference for printed home furnishings fabrics adversely affected the decorative print business. In the third quarter of 1996, the Company began to experience weaker demand in selective value-added denim product lines. Cone Mills had third quarter 1996 sales of $180.8 million, down 21.9%, as compared with sales of $231.7 million for the third quarter of 1995. After eliminating the sales of the Olympic Products Division, which was sold in January 1996, third quarter 1995 sales were $208.2 million. Third quarter 1996 sales were down 13.2% from the 1995 period excluding Olympic. Decreased denim sales account for the lower 1996 amounts. Export sales were $44.1 million, or 24% of total sales, as compared with $50.3 million, or 22% of sales, for the third quarter of 1995. The Company had a net loss of $2.2 million, or $.11 per share after preferred dividends, for the third quarter of 1996, including an after-tax charge of $.5 million from equity in losses of unconsolidated Mexican affiliate. For comparison, third quarter 1995 had net income of $5.9 million or $.19 per share, including a $.7 million after-tax gain from unconsolidated Mexican affiliates. Gross profit for third quarter of 1996 (net sales less cost of sales and depreciation) was 12.0% of sales, as compared with 14.6% for the previous year. This decrease was primarily the result of lower volume and margins in denims. Page 15 FORM 10-Q Item 2. (continued) Business Segments. Cone Mills operates in two principal business segments, apparel fabrics and home furnishings products. The following table sets forth certain net sales and operating income (loss) information. Third Quarter 1996 1995 (Dollar amounts in millions) NET SALES (1) Apparel $ 154.2 85.3% $ 180.3 77.8% Home Furnishings 26.6 14.7 51.4 22.2 Total $ 180.8 100.0% $ 231.7 100.0% OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)(2) Apparel $ 6.0 3.9% $ 12.4 6.9% Home Furnishings(3) (4.0) (14.9) (1.2) (2.3) (1) Net sales include Olympic's net sales of $23.5 million in 1995. (2) Operating income (loss) excludes general corporate expenses. Percentages reflect operating income (loss) as a percentage of segment net sales. (3) Operating income (loss) includes Olympic's operating loss of $.2 million in 1995. Apparel Fabrics. Apparel fabric segment sales for the third quarter of 1996 were $154.2 million, down 14.5% from 1995 amounts. Lower denim sales due to lower volume accounted for the decrease. Third quarter 1996 operating margins for the apparel segment were 3.9% of sales, as compared with 6.9% in 1995. Margin decreases were in all product lines with declines in denim accounting for approximately two- thirds of the change in margins as a percent of sales. The cost per pound paid by the Company for cotton decreased slightly as compared with 1995 amounts. Fabric prices on average were up 4.7% as compared to 1995 primarily the result of a mix shift in denims. Export sales, primarily denims, were down 11.8%, as compared with the previous year's amounts. The Company's denim manufacturing operations were affected by the North American supply and demand imbalance in basic denims and selective inventory imbalances in value-added denims. Specialty Sportswear operations continued to be affected by inventory imbalances in shirting fabrics resulting in operating production facilities at less than capacity. Page 16 FORM 10-Q Item 2. (continued) Home Furnishings. For the third quarter of 1996, home furnishings segment sales were $26.6 million, down 4.8% from 1995 excluding Olympic. Both the Cone Finishing and Cone Decorative Fabrics Divisions had lower sales volume in 1996 resulting from weak furniture markets and customer preference for fabrics other than prints. The home furnishings segment, excluding Olympic, had an operating loss of $4.0 million compared with a loss of $1.0 million for the 1995 period. The loss was primarily the result of lower sales volume, resulting in operating levels substantially less than capacity, and actions taken to reposition the Cone Decorative Fabrics print lines. Cone Jacquards incurred expected marginal start-up operating losses. Total Company selling and administrative expenses were $20.7 million, as compared with $22.1 million for the third quarter of 1995. Selling and administrative expense increased to 11.4% of 1996 sales as compared with 9.5% for the previous year because of a decline in sales arising primarily from the sale of Olympic and lower than expected sales in remaining operations. Even though progress is being made on reducing administrative costs, the current infrastructure is matched to higher levels of business activity and strategic growth initiatives. Interest expense was $3.7 million in the period, down slightly from $3.9 million in the 1995 period. Income taxes (benefit) as a percent of the taxable income (loss) was 36.6% for the third quarter of 1996 compared with 35.0% for the 1995 period. Both periods reflect tax benefits resulting from operation of the Company's foreign sales corporation. For the remainder of 1996, management expects further deterioration in operating results as operating schedules are curtailed to bring denim and specialty sportswear inventories into balance, and because of continued weak decorative print markets. Nine Months Ended September 29, 1996 Compared with Nine Months Ended October 1, 1995. The Company experienced good demand for value-added denim apparel fabrics and weak markets for specialty sportswear and home furnishings fabrics in the first half of 1996. However, Page 17 FORM 10-Q Item 2. (continued) in the third quarter of 1996, the Company began to experience weaker demand in selective value-added denim product lines resulting from inventory adjustments in the softgoods pipeline. For the 1996 period, net sales were $588.3 million as compared with $690.9 million for the first nine months of 1995. Excluding the sales of Olympic, sales were $583.5 million and $620.1 million respectively. Export sales, primarily denims, accounted for 25% of sales in 1996 compared with 19% for 1995. Net income for nine months 1996 was $8.6 million, or $.24 per share after preferred dividends, including an after-tax gain on the sale of Olympic of $2.8 million or $.10 per share. Net income for the first nine months of 1995 was $8.6 million, or $.24 per share including an after-tax charge of $8.3 million, from equity in losses of unconsolidated Mexican affiliates related primarily to peso devaluations. Gross profit for first nine months of 1996 (net sales less cost of sales and depreciation) was 14.4% of sales, as compared with 14.7% for the previous year. Business Segments. Cone Mills operates in two principal business segments, apparel fabrics and home furnishings products. The following table sets forth certain net sales and operating income (loss) information. First Nine Months 1996 1995 (Dollar amounts in millions) NET SALES (1) Apparel $500.8 85.1% $528.7 76.5% Home Furnishings 87.5 14.9 162.2 23.5 Total $588.3 100.0% $690.9 100.0% OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)(2) Apparel $ 32.1 6.4% $ 32.8 6.2% Home Furnishings(3) (3.6) (4.1) 4.2 2.6 (1) Net sales include Olympic's net sales of $4.8 million and $70.8 million in 1996 and 1995, respectively. (2) Operating income (loss) excludes general corporate expenses. Percentages reflect operating income (loss) as a percentage of segment net sales. Page 18 FORM 10-Q Item 2. (continued) (3) Operating income (loss) includes the gain on the disposal of Olympic of $4.5 million in 1996 and Olympic operating income of $.1 million in 1995. Apparel Fabrics. Apparel fabric segment sales for the first nine months of 1996 were $500.8 million, down 5.3% compared with sales of $528.7 million for nine months 1995. Denim sales for the nine month periods were essentially flat, a result of price increases and improved mix which were offset by lower volume. In addition, the Company experienced significantly lower specialty sportswear sales. Nine months 1996 operating margins for the apparel segment were 6.4% of sales as compared with 6.2% in 1995. Cotton costs increased marginally from 1995 amounts but were offset by price increases. Improved denim margins were partially offset by lower operating results in specialty sportswear fabrics product lines. Export sales, primarily denims, were up 15.5% compared with the previous year amounts. Home Furnishings. Excluding Olympic, for the first nine months of 1996 home furnishings segment sales were $82.7 million, down 9.4% from 1995. Both the Cone Finishing and Cone Decorative Fabrics Divisions had lower sales in 1996 resulting from weak furniture markets and customer preference for fabrics other than prints. The home furnishings segment, excluding Olympic, had an operating loss of $8.1 million compared with income of $4.1 million for the 1995 period. The loss was primarily the result of the lower sales volume and operating at levels substantially less than capacity. Total Company selling and administrative expenses were down slightly to $64.2 million as compared with $64.9 million, but increased from 9.4% of sales to 10.9% of sales for the most recent period as discussed above. Interest expense for the first nine months of 1996 was up $.6 million as compared with the 1995 period. Income taxes as a percent of taxable income were 32.6% for the first nine months of 1996 compared with 35.0% for the first nine months of 1995. Both periods reflect tax benefits resulting from operation of the Company's foreign sales corporation. Page 19 FORM 10-Q Item 2. (continued) Liquidity and Capital Resources The Company's principal long-term capital components consist of $64.3 million outstanding under a Note Agreement with The Prudential Insurance Company of America (the "Term Loan"), its 8 1/8% Debentures issued on March 15, 1995 and due March 15, 2005 (the "Debentures"), and stockholders' equity. Primary sources of liquidity are internally generated funds, an $80 million Credit Agreement with a group of banks with Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York ("Morgan Guaranty") as Agent Bank (the "Revolving Credit Facility"), and a $50 million Receivables Purchase Agreement (the "Receivables Purchase Agreement") with Delaware Funding Corporation, an affiliate of Morgan Guaranty. On September 29, 1996, the Company had funds available of $88.0 million under its Revolving Credit Facility and Receivables Purchase Agreement. For the first nine months of 1996, the Company generated $32.6 million from earnings before depreciation, amortization and unconsolidated Mexican affiliate results, as compared with $40.8 million for the first nine months of 1995. For the 1996 period, the Company increased its investments in working capital which resulted in net cash provided by operations of $14.9 million. Additional uses of cash during the first nine months of 1996 included capital spending of $21.4 million and the preferred stock dividend of $2.9 million. During the first quarter of 1996, the Company sold Olympic which provided in excess of $50 million of cash proceeds including the collection of accounts receivable. The Company believes that the proceeds from the sale of the Olympic Products Division, together with Cone's internally generated operating funds and funds available under its existing credit facilities, will be sufficient to meet its working capital, capital spending, potential stock repurchases, and financing needs for the foreseeable future. On September 29, 1996, the Company's long-term capital structure consisted of $150.7 million of long-term debt and $228.9 million of stockholders' equity. For comparison, at October 1, 1995, the Company had $161.8 million of long-term debt and $234.3 million of stockholders' equity. Long-term debt (including current maturities of long-term debt) as a Page 20 FORM 10-Q Item 2. (continued) percentage of long-term debt and stockholders' equity was 41% at the end of third quarter 1996 and 42% at October 1, 1995. Accounts receivable on September 29, 1996, were $63.4 million, down from $81.9 million at October 1, 1995. At the end of the third quarter of 1996, the Company had sold $42 million of accounts receivable, an increase of $10 million from the amount sold at October 1, 1995. The decrease in accounts receivable was primarily due to lower sales levels and the additional amount sold under the receivables purchase agreement. Inventories on September 29, 1996, were $145.5 million, up approximately $10.1 million from third quarter 1995 levels when adjusted for the sale of Olympic inventories. The Company's additional finished goods inventories were the result of lower unit sales than planned. Capital spending in 1996 was originally budgeted at $52 million with projects for new weaving machines, investments in information systems and the expansion of the jacquard weaving facility. For the first nine months of 1996 expenditures were $21.4 million. The Board of Directors has approved a reduction in the 1996 capital budget to $42 million. This reduction of $10 million reflects the adoption of new weaving technology in the Company's relooming program that will allow the Company to achieve modernization results at lower levels of capital investment. Cone will redeploy capital from the reduction of the capital spending budget and from the potential sale of non-core businesses including its real estate operations, Cornwallis Development Co., to support general corporate initiatives. These initiatives include global expansion, reduction of debt and potential common stock repurchases pursuant to its existing stock repurchase program. As of November 1, 1996, 1,366,000 shares had been repurchased in open market transactions pursuant to an authorized repurchase program of 2.5 million shares, with 877,200 repurchased since September 29, 1996. The Company has agreements with Compania Industrial de Parras S.A. ("CIPSA") to purchase up to an additional 33% of the existing outstanding common stock of Parras Cone for an amount of $20 million, the August 1995 book value, if CIPSA does not meet certain financial obligations. Page 21 FORM 10-Q Item 2. (continued) Federal, state and local regulations relating to the workplace and the discharge of materials into the environment continue to change and, consequently, it is difficult to gauge the total future impact of such regulations on the Company. Existing government regulations are not expected to cause a material change in the Company's competitive position, operating results or planned capital expenditures. The Company has an active environmental committee which fosters protection of the environment and compliance with laws. The Company is a party to various legal claims and actions. Management believes that none of these claims or actions, either individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on the financial condition of the Company. Page 22 FORM 10-Q PART II Item 1. Legal Proceedings In November 1988, William J. Elmore and Wayne Comer (the "Plaintiffs") former employees of the Company, instituted a class action suit against the Company and certain other defendants in which the Plaintiffs asserted a variety of claims related to the Cone Mills Corporation 1983 ESOP (the "1983 ESOP") and certain other employee benefit plans maintained by the Company. In March 1992, the United States District Court in Greenville, South Carolina entered a judgment in the amount of $15.5 million (including an attorneys' fee award) against the Company with respect to an alleged promise to make additional Company contributions to the 1983 ESOP and all claims unrelated to the alleged promise were dismissed. The Company, certain individual defendants and the Plaintiffs appealed. On May 6, 1994, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, sitting en banc, affirmed the prior conclusion of a panel of three of its judges and unanimously reversed the $15.5 million judgment and unanimously affirmed all of the District Court's rulings in favor of the Company. However, the Court of Appeals affirmed, by an equally divided court, the District Court's holding that Plaintiffs should be allowed to proceed on an alternative theory whether, subject to proof of detrimental reliance, Plaintiffs could establish that a letter to salaried employees on December 15, 1983 created an enforceable obligation that could allow recovery on a theory of equitable estoppel. Accordingly, the case was remanded to the District Court for a determination of whether the Plaintiffs could establish detrimental reliance creating estoppel of the Company. On April 19, 1995, the District Court granted a motion by the Company for summary judgment on the issues of equitable estoppel and third-party beneficiary of contract which had been remanded to it by the Court of Appeals. The court ruled that the Plaintiffs could not forecast necessary proof of detrimental reliance. The District Court, however, granted Plaintiffs motion to amend the complaint insofar as they sought to pursue a "new" claim for unjust enrichment, but denied their motion to amend so far as they sought to add claims for promissory estoppel and unilateral contract. The court further denied the Company's motion to decertify the class. Page 23 FORM 10-Q Item 1. (continued) The District Court held a hearing on July 24, 1995 to decide on the merits Plaintiffs' lone remaining claim of unjust enrichment, and in an order entered September 25, 1995, the District Court dismissed that claim with prejudice. On October 20, 1995, the Plaintiffs appealed to the Court of Appeals from the April 19, 1995 and September 25, 1995 orders of the District Court. Oral argument on Plaintiffs' appeal was held in the Court of Appeals on October 31, 1996. Due to the uncertainties inherent in the litigation process, it is not possible to predict the ultimate outcome of this lawsuit. However, the Company has defended this matter vigorously, and it is the opinion of the Company's management that the probability is remote that this lawsuit, when finally concluded, will have a material adverse affect on the Company's financial condition or results of operations. The Company is a party to various other legal claims and actions incidental to its business. Management believes that none of these claims or actions, either individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on the financial condition of the Company or results of operations. Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K (a) The exhibits to this Form 10-Q are listed in the accompanying Index to Exhibits. (b) Reports on Form 8-K: None Page 24 FORM 10-Q INDEX TO EXHIBITS Exhibit Sequential No. Description Page No. * 2.1 Receivables Purchase Agreement dated as of August 11, 1992, between the Registrant and Delaware Funding Corporation filed as Exhibit 2.01 to the Registrant's report on Form 8-K dated August 13, 1992. * 2.1(a) Amendment to Receivables Purchase Agreement dated April 4, 1994, between the Registrant and Delaware Funding Corporation filed as Exhibit 2.1 to the Registrant's report on Form 8-K dated March 1, 1995. * 2.1(b) Amendment to Receivables Purchase Agreement dated June 7, 1994, between the Registrant and Delaware Funding Corporation filed as Exhibit 2.2 to the Registrant's report on Form 8-K dated March 1, 1995. * 2.1(c) Amendment to Receivables Purchase Agreement dated as of June 30, 1994, between the Registrant and Delaware Funding Corporation filed as Exhibit 2.1 to the Registrant's report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended July 3, 1994. * 2.1(d) Amendment to Receivables Purchase Agreement dated as of November 15, 1994, between the Registrant and Delaware Funding Corporation filed as Exhibit 2.4 to the Registrant's report on Form 8-K dated March 1, 1995. * 2.1(e) Amendment to Receivables Purchase Agreement dated as of June 30, 1995, between the Registrant and Delaware Funding Corporation filed as Exhibit 2.1(e) to the Registrant's report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended July 2, 1995. Page 25 FORM 10-Q INDEX TO EXHIBITS Exhibit Sequential No. Description Page No. * 2.1(f) Amendment to Receivables Purchase Agreement dated as of December 31, 1995, between the Registrant and Delaware Funding Corporation, filed as Exhibit 2.1(f) to the Registrant's report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1995. * 2.1(g) Amendment to Receivables Purchase Agreement and Letter Agreement referred to therein dated as of June 24, 1996, between the Registrant and Delaware Funding Corporation filed as Exhibit 2.1(g) to Registrant's report on Form 10-K for the quarter ended June 30, 1996. 2.1(h) Amendment to Receivables Purchase Agreement dated as of June 30, 1996, between the Registrant and Delaware Funding Corporation. 37 2.1(i) Amendment to Receivables Purchase Agreement dated as of August 26, 1996, between the Registrant and Delaware Funding Corporation. 40 2.1(j) Amendment to Receivables Purchase Agreement dated as of September 29, 1996, between the Registrant and Delaware Funding Corporation. 43 * 2.2(a) Investment Agreement dated as of June 18, 1993, among Compania Industrial de Parras, S.A. de C.V., Sr. Rodolfo Garcia Muriel, and Cone Mills Corporation, filed as Exhibit 2.2(a) to Registrant's report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended July 4, 1993, with exhibits herein numbered 2.2(b),(c), (d), (f), (g), and (j) attached. Page 26 FORM 10-Q INDEX TO EXHIBITS Exhibit Sequential No. Description Page No. * 2.2(b) Commercial Agreement dated as of June 25, 1993, among Compania Industrial de Parras, S.A. de C.V., Cone Mills Corporation and Parras Cone de Mexico, S.A., filed as Exhibit 2.2(b) to Registrant's report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended July 4, 1993. * 2.2(c) Guaranty Agreement dated as of June 25, 1993, between Cone Mills Corporation and Compania Industrial de Parras, S.A. de C.V., filed as Exhibit 2.2(c) to Registrant's report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended July 4, 1993. * 2.2(d) Joint Venture Agreement dated as of June 25, 1993, between Compania Industrial de Parras, S.A. de C.V., and Cone Mills (Mexico), S.A. de C.V. filed as Exhibit 2.2(d) to Registrant's report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended July 4, 1993. * 2.2(e) First Amendment to Joint Venture Agreement dated as of June 14, 1995, between Compania Industrial de Parras, S.A. de C.V., and Cone Mills (Mexico), S.A. de C.V., filed as Exhibit 2.2(e) to the Registrant's report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended July 2, 1995. * 2.2(f) Joint Venture Registration Rights Agreement dated as of June 25, 1993, among Parras Cone de Mexico, S.A., Compania Industrial de Parras, S.A. de C.V. and Cone Mills (Mexico), S.A. de C.V. filed as Exhibit 2.2(e) to Registrant's report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended July 4, 1993. * 2.2(g) Parras Registration Rights Agreement dated as of June 25, 1993, between Compania Industrial de Parras, S.A. de C.V. and Cone Mills Corporation filed as Exhibit 2.2(f) to the Registrant's report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended July 4, 1993. Page 27 FORM 10-Q INDEX TO EXHIBITS Exhibit Sequential No. Description Page No. * 2.2(h) Guaranty Agreement dated as of June 14, 1995, between Compania Industrial de Parras, S.A. de C.V. and Cone Mills Corporation filed as Exhibit 2.2(h) to the Registrant's report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended July 2, 1995. * 2.2(i) Guaranty Agreement dated as of June 15, 1995, between Cone Mills Corporation and Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York filed as Exhibit 2.2(I) to the Registrant's report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended July 2, 1995. * 2.2(j) Support Agreement dated as of June 25, 1993, among Cone Mills Corporation, Sr. Rodolfo L. Garcia, Sr. Rodolfo Garcia Muriel and certain other person listed herein ("private stockholders") filed as Exhibit 2.2(g) to Registrant's report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended July 4, 1993. * 2.2(k) Call Option dated September 25, 1995, between Registrant and SMM Trust, 1995 - M, a Delaware business trust, filed as Exhibit 2.2(k) to the Registrant's report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended October 1, 1995. * 2.2(l) Put Option dated September 25, 1995, between Registrant and SMM Trust, 1995 - M, a Delaware business trust, filed as Exhibit 2.2(l) to the Registrant's report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended October 1, 1995. * 2.2(m) Letter Agreement dated January 11, 1996 among Registrant, Rodolfo Garcia Muriel, and Compania Industrial de Parras, S.A. de C.V., filed as Exhibit 2.2(m) to the Registrant's report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1995. Page 28 FORM 10-Q INDEX TO EXHIBITS Exhibit Sequential No. Description Page No. * 2.3 Asset Purchase Agreement dated as of December 2, 1994 between the Registrant, Lancer Industries, Inc. and M.P.M. Transportation, Inc., filed as Exhibit 2 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 2, 1994. * 2.4 Olympic Division Acquisition Agreement by and among Vitafoam Incorporated, British Vita PLC, and Registrant dated January 19, 1996 with related Lease Agreement, Lease Agreement and Option to Purchase, Sublease Agreement, Services Agreement, License Agreement And Hold Back Escrow Agreement, each dated January 22, 1996. The Acquisition Agreement and related agreements were filed as Exhibit 2.4 to the Registrant's report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1995. The following exhibits and schedules to the Acquisition Agreement have been omitted. The Registrant hereby undertakes to furnish supplementally a copy of such omitted exhibit or schedule to the Commission upon request. Exhibits Exhibit A1 Form of Buyer Lease Exhibit A2 Form of Buyer Lease Exhibit B Form of Holdback Escrow Agreement Exhibit C1 Facility 1 Exhibit C2 Facility 2 Exhibit C3 Facility 3 Exhibit C4 Facility 4 Exhibit C5 Facility 5 Exhibit C6 Facility 6 Exhibit D Form of Sublease Agreement Exhibit E Form of Opinion of Buyer's Counsel Exhibit F Form of Opinion of Seller's Counsel Page 29 FORM 10-Q INDEX TO EXHIBITS Exhibit Sequential No. Description Page No. Exhibit G Form of Assumption Agreement Exhibit H Form of Services Agreement Exhibit I Inventory Valuation Principles Exhibit J Form of License Agreement Schedules Schedule 1.1(a) Excluded Assets Schedule 1.1(b) Tangible Fixed Assets Schedule 2.8 Assigned Contracts Schedule 2.10 Allocation of Purchase Price Schedule 4.3 Consents and Authorizations Schedule 4.7 Contracts by Category Schedule 4.9 Litigation Schedule 4.11 Tax Matters Schedule 4.12 Licenses and Permits Schedule 4.14 Tangible Personal Property Schedule 4.15 Employees and Wage Rates Schedule 4.16 Insurance Policies Schedule 4.17 Intellectual Property Schedule 4.18 Licenses to Intellectual Property; Third-party Patents Schedule 4.19 Purchases from One Party Schedule 4.22 Real Property Schedule 4.23 Business Names Schedule 4.24 Environmental Matters Schedule 9.4 Facility 5 Remediation Plan * 4.1 Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant effective August 25, 1993, filed as Exhibit 4.1 to Registrant's report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended October 3, 1993. * 4.2 Amended and Restated Bylaws of Registrant, Effective June 18, 1992, filed as Exhibit 3.5 to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 33-46907). * 4.3 Note Agreement dated as of August 13, 1992, between Cone Mills Corporation and The Prudential Insurance Company of America, with form of 8% promissory note attached, filed as Exhibit 4.01 to the Registrant's report on Form 8-K dated August 13, 1992. Page 30 FORM 10-Q INDEX TO EXHIBITS Exhibit Sequential No. Description Page No. * 4.3(a) Letter Agreement dated September 11, 1992, amending the Note Agreement dated August 13, 1992, between the Registrant and The Prudential Insurance Company of America filed as Exhibit 4.2 to the Registrant's report on Form 8-K dated March 1, 1995. * 4.3(b) Letter Agreement dated July 19, 1993, amending the Note Agreement dated August 13, 1992, between the Registrant and The Prudential Insurance Company of America filed as Exhibit 4.3 to the Registrant's report on Form 8-K dated March 1, 1995. * 4.3(c) Letter Agreement dated June 30, 1994, amending the Note Agreement dated August 13, 1992, between the Registrant and The Prudential Insurance Company of America filed as Exhibit 4.4 to the Registrant's report on Form 8-K dated March 1, 1995. * 4.3(d) Letter Agreement dated November 14, 1994, amending the Note Agreement dated August 13, 1992, between the Registrant and The Prudential Insurance Company of America filed as Exhibit 4.5 to the Registrant's report on Form 8-K dated March 1, 1995. * 4.3(e) Letter Agreement dated as of June 30, 1995, amending the Note Agreement dated August 13, 1992, between the Registrant and the Prudential Insurance Company of America filed as Exhibit 4.3(e) to the Registrant's report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended July 2, 1995. * 4.3(f) Letter Agreement dated as of June 30, 1995, between the Registrant and The Prudential Insurance Company of America superseding Letter Agreement filed as Exhibit 4.3(e) to the Registrant's report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended July 2, 1995. Page 31 FORM 10-Q INDEX TO EXHIBITS Exhibit Sequential No. Description Page No. * 4.3(g) Letter Agreement dated as of March 30, 1996, between the Registrant and The Prudential Insurance Company of America filed as Exhibit 4.3(g) to the Registrant's report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1996. * 4.4 Credit Agreement dated as of August 13, 1992, among Cone Mills Corporation, the banks listed therein and Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York, as Agent, with form of note attached filed as Exhibit 4.02 to the Registrant's report on Form 8-K dated August 13, 1992. * 4.4(a) Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated November 18, 1994, among the Registrant, various banks and Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York, as Agent, filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant's report on Form 8-K dated March 1, 1995. * 4.4(b) Amendment to Credit Agreement dated as of June 30, 1995, amending the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated November 18, 1994, among the Registrant, various banks and Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York, as Agent filed as Exhibit 4.4(b) to the Registrant's report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended July 2, 1995. * 4.4(c) Amendment No. 2 to Credit Agreement dated as of December 31, 1995, amending the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated November 18, 1994, among the Registrant, various banks and Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York, as Agent, filed as Exhibit 4.4(c) to the Registrant's report on Form 10-K for year ended December 31, 1995. Page 32 FORM 10-Q INDEX TO EXHIBITS Exhibit Sequential No. Description Page No. 4.4(d) Amendment No. 3 to Credit Agreement dated as of June 30, 1996 to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of November 18, 1994, among the Registrant, various banks and Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York, as Agent. 46 4.4 (e) Amendment No. 4 to Credit Agreement dated as of September 29, 1996 to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of November 18, 1994, among the Registrant, various banks and Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York, as Agent. 48 * 4.5 Specimen Class A Preferred Stock Certificate, filed as Exhibit 4.5 to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1(File No. 33-46907). * 4.6 Specimen Common Stock Certificate, effective June 18, 1992, filed as Exhibit 4.7 to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 33-46907). * 4.7 Registration rights agreement dated as of March 30, 1992, among the Registrant and the shareholders listed therein, filed as Exhibit 4.8 to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 33-46907). * 4.8 The 401(k) Program of Cone Mills Corporation, amended and restated effective December 1, 1994, filed as Exhibit 4.8 to the Registrant's report on Form 10-K for year ended January 1, 1995. * 4.8(a) First Amendment to the 401(k) Program of Cone Mills Corporation dated May 9, 1995, filed as Exhibit 4.8(a) to the Registrant's report on Form 10-K for year ended December 31, 1995. Page 33 FORM 10-Q INDEX TO EXHIBITS Exhibit Sequential No. Description Page No. * 4.8(b) Second Amendment to the 401(k) Program of Cone Mills Corporation dated December 5, 1995, filed as Exhibit 4.8(b) to the Registrant's report on Form 10-K for year ended December 31, 1995. * 4.9 Cone Mills Corporation 1983 ESOP as amended and restated effective December 1, 1994, filed as Exhibit 4.9 to the Registrant's report on Form 10-K for year ended January 1, 1995. * 4.9(a) First Amendment to the Cone Mills Corporation 1983 ESOP dated May 9, 1995, filed as Exhibit 4.9(a) to the Registrant's report on Form 10-K for year ended December 31, 1995. * 4.9(b) Second Amendment to the Cone Mills Corporation 1983 ESOP dated December 5, 1995, filed as Exhibit 4.9(b) to the Registrant's report on Form 10-K for year ended December 31, 1995. * 4.10 Indenture dated as of February 14, 1995, between Cone Mills Corporation and Wachovia Bank of North Carolina, N.A. as Trustee, filed as Exhibit 4.1 to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 33-57713). * 4.11 Form of 8 1/8% Debenture in aggregate principal amount of $100,000,000 due March 15, 2005, filed as Exhibit 4.11 to the Registrant's report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 1, 1995. Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement (Exhibits 10.1 - 10.2) *10.1 Amended and Restated 1992 Stock Plan filed as Exhibit 10.7(a) to Registrant's report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1996. Page 34 FORM 10-Q INDEX TO EXHIBITS Exhibit Sequential No. Description Page No. *10.2 1997 Senior Management Incentive Compensation Plan filed as Exhibit 10.2 to Registrant's report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1996. 27 Financial Data Schedule 50 * Incorporated by reference to the statement or report indicated. Page 35 FORM 10-Q 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. CONE MILLS CORPORATION (Registrant) Date November 12, 1996 /s/ JOHN L. BAKANE John L. Bakane Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Page 36